Sunday Sports Report

I think we're going to have some good competition in today's NFL matchups. I think the Broncos will beat the Steelers, but that could change if Troy Polamalu has a big game. He (and Joey Porter) could be critical factors.

Back in November, I told my even more sports-minded cousin (EastCoaster) that the Panthers were underrated and that I had a hunch about them. But I have a feeling that hunch has played itself out. The Panthers are a solid team and Delhomme and Smith are playmakers, but Seattle has a solid defense and I think they'll contain the Panthers.

Yesterday was a crazy day for NCAA basketball. Plenty of upsets and blowouts. Will the craziness carry over to football???

LeBron James is still amazing; he scored 51 points. His mother racked up a few points of her own, too.

The latest on wayward Marcus Vick: his court date (for 3 misdemeanor counts of brandishing a firearm) is in March. Maximum sentence is 3 years and $7500. He intends to enter the NFL draft (not that he had a choice since he was kicked off the West Virginia team), but I doubt he'll generate much interest.

Despite support from boisterous fans, Andy Roddick (#2 seed) was beaten by Cypriot Marcus Baghdatis. Now that Roddick is out, Federer's path to the title seems as easy as pie. After all, Agassi, Safin, Hewitt, Nadal, and now Roddick are out.

Unfortunately for Federer, the #4 seed, whom he would meet in the final, is David Nalbandian. Nalbandian is the only player on the tour who beats Federer, and I believe he's the only one with a winning record against Federer. So what would be the easiest draw for every other player might ironically turn out to be the most challenging for Federer. We'll see next weekend.

On the women's side, it's been a while since anyone has made these statements:
Venus Williams lost her 1st round match.
Serena Williams lost her 3rd round match.
Martina Hingis WON her 3rd round match.

And we didn't see this coming: former tennis champion Roscoe Tanner is going to prison.