The Americans are the overwhelming favorite to win a third consecutive World Cup. They have the players and the coach to do it.
Keys impressed at Wimbledon and is on a roll heading into the US Open. Who will win? She can easily reach the second week in New York.
Super Bowl LIII
It’s dynasty versus the upstarts in Sunday’s Super Bowl LIII. The New England Patriots, who won their sixth championship under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, will face the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams, led by Sean McVay and quarterback Jared Goff, are a young team looking to make some history of their own. McVay is one of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds, using motion and misdirection to create mismatches for his talented receivers.
The Rams defense has been better than expected this season, thanks to the additions of defensive backs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and a front that features Aaron Donald (a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year) and Ndamukong Suh. However, the Rams’ lack of size in their front seven could be problematic against a Patriots offense that has been able to bully opponents on the ground this season. A good day for Sony Michel against a weak Rams run defense will give the Patriots’ running game a chance to shine and propel them to another victory.
Super Bowl XLVI
The New York Giants are the underdogs in this Super Bowl XLVI, but the team’s coach Tom Coughlin has told his players that the oddsmakers are wrong and that the Giants will win. He’s not just blowing smoke – there are also hard facts. The Giants have a good running game with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, and Lawrence Tynes is a proven Super Bowl winner. Gronkowski’s injury hurts the Patriots, but the Giants’ swarming defense will make it tough for Brady to find open receivers.
The artificial turf at Lucas Oil Stadium is perfect for the Giants’ speed rushers, who get off the line quickly to force Tom Brady into quick throws. The Giants’ deep receiving corps is also dangerous, with the likes of Nicks, Cruz and Mario Manningham running great routes and compiling yardage after the catch. New England’s tight ends are limited – Deion Branch is not a game-breaker and Aaron Hernandez isn’t quite the threat that Gronkowski was this season.
Wimbledon
The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s annual Wimbledon tournament is the oldest in the sport of tennis. It is also one of the most prestigious events in the world, with the winner winning a silver trophy that has been awarded since 1887.
Novak Djokovic is the bookmakers’ favorite to win again this year. The reigning champion has a chance to equal the record of eight consecutive titles held by Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer.
Carlos Alcaraz is another top contender on the men’s side, but he has only played three tournaments on grass in his career. A strong showing at Wimbledon would boost his ATP rankings ranking and increase his chances of challenging Djokovic for the top spot. Another underdog to watch is Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has +3100 odds. The lean 6’4″ Greek Freak moves well on grass and has a powerful topspin forehand. He also won the Queen’s Championship this year. Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur are other players worth betting on.
US Open
The US Open is to world golf’s elite what a 100-hour week in A&E is to junior doctors. It tests a player’s nerve, endurance, and ability to cope under pressure.
A different champion has won the men’s title in five of the last six US Opens, while the women’s tournament has seen a new winner each of the past three years. Novak Djokovic has the potential to make it a fourth straight victory, but he will need to be on his best to avoid a third consecutive loss in the final.
A winner of two major titles in his career, Jon Rahm is a solid pick. He has a love affair with California, and he ranks inside the top 10 in both driving accuracy and strokes gained tee to green in his last 25 starts here. He also has a good track record in the majors this year.
