I figured I would try some trivia for my readers. Above are 10 logos... can you name them all? I figured I would start with something easy and then next month, we would have something much, much harder. 
This has been one of those series that the Oilers fans love to hate. They probably have an angst against Dallas that just goes on and on and on... and it could stay like that for a while. I hope it does... it makes the game just a bit more fun when it is a rivalry. Turco's numbers keep getting worse every time I post a Stars forecast. How much longer will he be goalie before someone else gets a chance?
Oilers to Watch:
Well, the Oilers have the better team statistically, the better record, and the angst against the Stars... what more do you need?
Forecast: Again, no rocket science here. The Oilers are going to take this one, hands down... or up, if you so choose... look for a score of 4-2.
Home Ice
The Packers lost on Monday night. What that means now is the winner of this game between the Bears and Vikings will take first place in the division and, at worst, the loser moves into a tie for second. Either way, these are two first place teams vying for an inside track to the division title.The Bears won the first game between the two in a scoring frenzy game 48-41. I don't think we can expect the same thing happen twice... so maybe a lower scoring affair this time around would be very likely, maybe the winning team scoring 31 points or so...
Vikings to Watch:
The two seem pretty evenly matched. This game is going to be played in Minnesota, so an intangible goes into the Vikings favor. The Vikings have also won three of the last four, topping Green Bay in one of those games. The Bears have recently lost to the Packers.
Forecast: I can't let my wife see this. Why? She's a Bears fan. She seems to take things personal when I say that her team is going to lose... and the Bears are going to lose this game. The Vikings have to many intangibles in their favor, plus they have the stronger running game... Bears drop this one, 31-19.
I think that looks more like fire and a crown... whatever. Sacramento has a 5-11 record and the Mavericks are currently 7-7 (prepared Wednesday). Just because a team has won less than a third of their games doesn't necessarily mean that they will be a cake walk. Still, I really wonder who is going to win this game... NOT.Kings to Watch:
Francisco Garcia has been out since October 20th, and could be ready to play by Friday, which means he could be ready to play the Mavericks on Saturday. Garcia and Martin both returning could bring a completely different dynamic to this game.
Forecast: Despite the possibility of having Martin and Garcia back in uniform for the Kings, I would have to think that the Kings will still be trying to find their groove with the returning players. It could spell out some sloppy play on the court for them, especially with Garcia. That gives the hot Mavericks team a big intangible and ultimately the game. Look for the score to be fairly one-sided: 102-89.
Already Traded Away:
Yeah, I was going to have this posted and such... but I got caught up in Black Friday shopping. I haven't ever done Christmas shopping of Black Friday before... so it was a very new experience. It was chaotic and fun and frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. Anyway, I won't post on who will win tonight, although I am pretty much an open book about my feelings on the Stars of late... but I will leave this with a whole-hearted "GO STARS".
Home Plate
I love the Lakers new colors. It's like they are supporting the Mavericks. Seriously, though, this is going to be a good game. The Lakers are playing host to the Mavericks, who have won 5 in a row after losing 5 in a row. The Mavericks are now 7-7 and are looking like they can put together a 50+ wins this season. How "for real" are the Mavericks now? They can be without their #2 guy and have the #1 guy pressured and still walk away a winner. That is the power of Jason Kidd. And that is why the Mavericks traded for him last season. The Mavs were looking for the Kidd they have now last season. It didn't work out that well. Still, should the Mavericks continue to play the way they are now, they will be tough to beat.The Lakers are averaging 107.0 points per game and 22.4 assists per game. They also average 6.2 blocks and 47.1 rebounds a game. Kobe leads the team with 3.9 assists per game, which is pretty low for a team lead.
Mavericks to Watch:
These two played each other earlier this season in Dallas with the Mavericks losing by 7 points. I would expect a close, if not closer, game between these two. It is almost like a playoff game in November... but not really.
Forecast: The Mavericks seem better on the road compared to playing at home. Still, this is a hot Lakers team right now (as if the Mavericks aren't hot right now). It would seem foolish to pick against the Lakers... and I try to shy away from being a fool. My mind says Mavericks but my gut says the Lakers. Lakers win it, 105-103.
The Brahmas have lost both games they have played against the Blazers this month. Oklahoma City is good. They have a record currently at 12-1-2 (12-3, adjusted) and have the second best record in the CHL (post put together on Tuesday) and are tied with the most points in the CHL with 26.Blazers to Watch:
They look evenly matched until you consider the goalie. The Blazers goalie is by far superior to the Brahmas goalie, who is above average, as well. Jaeger does have his hangups with the Blazers, for whatever reason, so that is an intangible to the Blazers.
Forecast: I would have to say that I have been somewhat obvious on who I think will win this game, but for whatever reason, my mind and gut are in disagreement. I think Blazers, but my gut is saying Brahmas. One of them will have to give... and that will be... my gut. Let's go with the Blazers go 3-0 in November against the Brahmas with a score of 4-1.
The Cowboys Thanksgiving game... I have so many memories about the Thanksgiving game, being with family and watching the Cowboys while munching down on too much food.Man, am I pulling at strings to just put something on here for the Seahawks.
The Cowboys are going to tear up the Seahawks. Look for a couple of sacks by Ware and a couple of TDs (probably three) thrown by Romo. Barber to carry for 80+ yards and TO to have a 100+ yard day. This will be one to sit back and enjoy with a turkey leg in hand.
Forecast: Cowboys win it, just in case I hadn't already said that... with a score of 38-16.
Dallas is the worst in the west with a record of 6-10-4 (6-14, adjusted) while the Wild is ranked fifth in the west with a record of 12-6-1 (12-7, adjusted). The Stars have yeilded the most goals to date (74) and two teams have scored as many as they have given up (San Jose and Detroit). That is just a way to see how bad the Stars are and that where they are isn't just a fluke, but the result of a number of problems. They did beat the Wild earlier this season, a game that I was in attendance. They used Stephan as goalie. Maybe they should use him for this game.The Stars have lost six of their last seven games.
Wild to Watch:
The name of the game is to score more than the other team and to keep the other team from scoring as much. It looks like Minnesota is pretty good at doing that.
Forecast: The Stars have beaten the Wild this year and that pulls at me a bit... I mean, the Stars have won against this team, so they could do it again. Will they? Not tonight. Wild take this one in a close one, 3-2.
Indiana is in last place in their division with a 5-7 record, while the Mavericks are in fourth place with a 6-7 record. The Pacers have lost two in a row, to Orlando and Miami, heading into this game with the Mavericks. Dallas has won four in a row and are starting to look like the team they were supposed to be when Kidd joined the team. The last two seasons, the Pacers haven't been considered a "real" threat, and until they can prove to the world that they can play, they will continue to wear that label.Mavericks to Watch:
Forecast: The Mavericks will have their hands full with this game. The Pacers will be keeping this one close, but the Mavericks will prevail with a score of 97-94.
I love minor league logos. There's something about them that just makes them really cool to look at... maybe it is the name of the team or something, but they really do come across as really, really cool. With that said, I like the Mudbugs logo to a certain extent. I don't think I would have gone with the font for the name... it looks pretty amateurish. However, the crawfish looks very cool.Mudbugs to Watch:
Both teams look to be evenly matched. The Brahmas have scored 138 points this season to the 147 that the Mudbugs have scored, so only 9 points seperate the two. The Mudbugs do appear to have slightly better players in the way of points, but I really don't think that would be the difference in this game. I really don't. My best guess always goes back to what the Grandfathers would say, and this goes to just about any sport... "defense will always win it." Don't know if that really applies in today's sports, but it always sounds nice.
Forecast: This game will go to overtime. I like the Mudbugs in this one with a score of 4-3.
I'm probably becoming a Stars fan a little late. In fact, I probably have missed the bus that came by years ago. But alas, I am beginning to like some Hockey. The Stars are 6-9-4 (6-13, adjusted) and will be facing a Philadelphia team that is 9-6-4 (9-10, adjusted). The Stars beat the Flyers last year (the last time the two met) 4-1 on December 1st, 2007. I would have to take a gander that will not be the case for this game. The Stars are missing a key player in Brenden Morrow, and without him, the team just isn't going to score as many goals... which they were already having a hard time doing in the first place. Add in the problem that the Stars goalie lets a lot go through, and that simply spells out a Dallas loss.To be honest, I don't like those numbers. They could be tons better, and should be... but it doesn't even spell out playoffs for me. If this was the NBA, I would be thinking "LOTTERY", but it isn't... so they're thinking great draft picks? Maybe a #1 if they stink it up really good the rest of the way?
Flyers to Watch:
These are much better numbers than the Stars. They could take this lot to the playoffs... May not make a lot of noise there, but at least they would get some post-season ice time.
Forecast: Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this one. Stars take a beating and drop it 5-1 to the Flyers.
The 49ers come into this one with a 3-7 record and really no motivation. Their season is over, really. The last time these two teams played, Dallas won 34-31, and it would seem pretty likely that the score will be pretty similar.Cowboys to Watch:
I really could have gone on and on with the Cowboys stats... but I think the snapshot above is pretty good. Ware will mostly likely have two sacks against the 49ers, maybe even three or four if he pushes himself pretty well throughout the game. Barber could follow up his 100+ yard game against the Redskins with another 100 yard game. And with Romo, well, I think he can post a 300+ passing game.
I do not see Shaun Hill having 200 yards in passing, more than likely he is looking at around 150 yards... if that much. Cowboys snag an interception of Hill. Willis may cause the Cowboys a bit of trouble, but he and Rossum will be really the only threats on the day.
Forecast: This is a whitewash. Cowboys tear up the 49ers in a well needed win that gets the Cowboys on track and in the correct mindframe. Score: 31-10.
This is when it is going to happen. The upset of the season. Although, I would have to say that after the Patriots went undefeated through the regular season last year, it just feels anticlimactic that the Titans are undefeated right now... it's really like I am pushing myself to care. Weird. I wonder if I am the only one who feels this way.Those are some very impressive numbers. What is really impressive is how I noticed there wasn't much in the department of turnovers. Kerry Collins doesn't fumble, has only 4 Ints, and the backs don't fumble the ball. Great ball protection leads to wins? It would appear that way.
Jets to Watch:
The Jets have returned three interceptions for TDs (Abram Elam and David Barrett are the other two) and there are four players who have four sacks or more. The defense for the Jets is pretty strong and would prove to be a good matchup for the Titans.
Forecast: The Titans' opponents current record is 40-59-1 right now, and when looking at who they have already played, they have two teams who are over 500 right now, being the Colts and Ravens, both are 6-4. They have already played the Bengals, Kansas City and Houston, who are all working toward a #1 pick in the NFL Draft. These Titans just haven't been tested. And this game will show them to be not as good as the numbers show them to be. Jets take this one, 34-24.
This is a shoe-in game right here. The Bears are tied for first place with the Vikings and Packers with a record of 5-5. There will be only one team to make the playoffs from this division... unless two teams get unbelievably hot and finish 11-5 each, which I just don't see happening. The team out of the three that gets to 9 wins will make the playoffs and host a wildcard game, and probably the Cowboys... who wants to go to Chicago in January? Yuck.Rams to Watch:
I have already mentioned everything else above about the Rams... no sense in repeating it.
Forecast: The Bears can take a game that is supposed to be easy and make it look hard. So I think this one is going to be closer, way closer, than it should. Bears still win it, 17-13.
Tulsa has played 9 games and is 3-5-1 (or 3-6 if adjusted) and the Brahmas are 7-3-1 (7-4, adjusted). Texas is 2-2-1 on the road, while Tulsa is 2-2 at home. Tulsa has one awful defense and may not be able to stand up to the Brahmas offense. Tulsa has given up 46 goals in just 9 games (more than 5 goals a game)... Texas has given up 33 goals in 11 games (3 a game) while scoring 38. Tulsa has only scored 25 goals this season.Oilers to Watch:
It would appear that the Brahmas depend on the Forwards, while the Oilers lean toward the RW for their points.
Forecast: The Brahmas will win this one because defenses win Super Bowl's... or Championships. At least they win games. And it will win this game. Score: 6-2.
The Mavs go up against the Grizzlies... and they are not in last place. The Mavericks won the last time the two met with a score of 98-83. Both Dallas and Memphis are on winning streaks, although the Mavs are at a three game streak and the Grizzlies are just at a one game winning streak. Memphis topped Sacramento on the 18th with a 109-94 score. The Mavericks have won against the Knicks, Bobcats, and Rockets.The Grizzlies appear to play selfishly, averaging only 16.6 assists per game. What that means is they do not share the ball (not much of a passing game) and generally whoever has the ball, takes the shot. It looks like they basically have a one-dimensional offense, which should be fairly easy to stop for the Mavericks. (Note: Before beating Sacramento, the Grizzlies had a four game losing streak).
Mavericks to Watch:
Before the current three game winning streak, the Mavericks had a 5-game losing streak. After tonights game, the Mavericks have three days off before playing Indiana. The margin of victory for the last three games is 10, 17, and 10...
Forecast: Look for another double-digit win tonight by the Mavericks. I do not know if they have necessarily arrived, but they should have enough to show up the Grizzlies in grandiouse fashion. Look for the first home victory tonight with a score of 105-92.
Thunder to Watch:
It would appear that the Brahmas depend on the Forwards, while the Thunder depends on their left wings to grab points.
Forecast: I like the Brahmas in this one. Look for a score of 3-2 in this one.
The Mavs go up against the Rockettes tonight in Houston. Houston is 7-4 and first in the division while the Mavs are tied with Memphis for the last spot in the division (with a record of 4-7).
The Rockets dominate the glass. That's how they win. The Mavericks will need to hold the Rockets rebound game to a minimum to win.
Mavericks to Watch:
Forecast: This one is in Houston and the Mavericks like to win on the road (4-3 on the road). Houston likes to win and really wins at home (3-1). Look for the this to be a tough game for both teams but Houston will prevail in a Mavericks back-to-back game. Score: 99-94.
Maybe I am wrong for this, but I do not like the Blackhawks logo. It just looks weird to me. The Stars ended a three game losing streak by beating the Phoenix Coyotes. New trend? No, just good old fashioned luck. You can't lose them all, I guess. I have heard of teachers who give 100s on tests if the student gets them all wrong if every question is answered. The odds of getting a zero in that situation is even lower than getting them all correct. And maybe that is how the Stars grabbed a win against the Coyotes... sounds good, anyway.
Forecast: The Stars do not have the offense or the defense to compete with Chicago, which is hands down the reason the Blackhawks take this one 4-2.
Dallas is 3-7 as they head to Charlotte to play the 3-6 Bobcats. The Mavericks stopped the bleeding in a losing streak with a win over the Knicks. It was a game defined by "NO DEFENSE" that ended with a score of 124-114 with the Mavericks on top.And that is it, folks. Not much to watch in the way of the Bobcats.
Mavericks to Watch:
Much more entertaining than the Bobcats. Three players average more points than the current leader of the Bobcats.
Well, they are now out of the Playoffs. They lost to Allen (not too much of a surprise) 27-14. Allen took a lead of 27-0 into the fourth quarter before SGP started making some headway. I'm a little bummed about it, but they played a good game from what I heard. They just got bested by a better team, is all. Hoping next year is an even better year for them. 
Forecast: As expected, the Stars drop this one to the Coyotes, 3-1.
Well, the Cowboys need a good game here. They are on the verge of skipping the playoffs if they don't. Maybe a good game from the returning Romo, a good game from TO, and a mess of points could put this thing back on track. I'm not terribly sure if the 'Boys are going to the Super Bowl at this point, but reassurance could be around the corner. They need to get hot and stay hot. That's four TDs and two field goals for the Cowboys. That's 34 points. Will it be good enough to win it?
Redskins to Watch:
Cowboys to Watch:
Forecast: Cowboys and Redskins... one of the best rivalries in football, at least that is my opinion. This game will probably not live up to the rivalry that it had in years past, but there is always a lot of passion associated with rivalry games. I give the Cowboys 34 points. The Redskins, well, I give them a little less, 27 points... and that would be the score, ya'll. Cowboys take is 34-27.
Home Plate
I will have to be honest, I am not a big fan of either of these two teams. I do have an interest in this game, however, seeing as to how I have friends who are Packers fans and my wife is a Bears fan... so this game does draw interest from me. I guess you could call me a vicarious Bears fan, since my wife is a Bears fan, thus I support her in her interests.Packers to Watch:
Should be a pretty fun game to watch... suspenseful, if for nothing else...
Forecast: You know... my gut is telling me the same thing my brain is on this one... but in view of everything here, I still have one fact that overrides everything. I will spare you that one fact. The Bears win it in a tough battle to the finish style game. The players leave everything on the field, per se. Score: 19-16, Bears. (Last drive by the Bears results in the winning field goal.)
Say HELLO to Panic Mode. The Mavs are now 2-6 coming into this game and couldn't muster together a win right now to save their lives. And what is really strange is that they have some SOLID players... I wouldn't have been surprised if the Mavs were 6-2 at this point (or 7-1 for that matter), but to see 2-6 right now, dropping a game to the Bulls and Clippers... well, disappointed doesn't describe the way I am feeling right now. The main goal of this game for the Mavericks is this: Make Dwight Howard WORK for everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. No easy shots. No easy rebounds. No easy blocks. Disrupt Howard, you disrupt the core of the Magic's offense.
Forecast: Mavericks lose this ugly. Seriously ugly. I'm talking about a game where the Magic simply DOMINATE the glass, dominate in the lane, and dominate on defense. This game will be a serious wake up call as to what are the problems for the Mavericks. I hope I'm wrong... but the score will be something like: 112-91, Magic.
