* The Yankees clobbered Houston last night, 8-1 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, cutting the Astro lead to 2-1.
The Yanks did what what they best- bit home runs. Aaron Judge did the damage, smashing a homer and making a great catch against the right field fence.
You had to figure that New York would give it a fight, as they did in the divisional series with Cleveland, overcoming an 0-2 deficit.
I still think Houston is the better overall team.If Houston wins Game 4 tonight they take a commanding 3-1 lead and head back to Texas.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers-Cubs series resumes tonight at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Game 3 is a must-win for the Cubbies, who are down 0-2 to Los Angeles. I think the Cubs will come back and make it a series, even though I do pick LA to win it all. The Cubs are too experienced and have too much pride to lay down.
They need to win the next two games in Chicago, then face the daunting task of beat Clayton Kershaw, who should be out for redemption, after failing in the post-season in past years.
* The 5-1 Philadelphia are rated the no.2 team in football by ESPN's power rankings this week. Only the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked higher, despite losing to Pittsburgh at home last week.
Nice to see the Birds finally getting some respect. In fact, the next NFC team in the rankings are the no. 5 Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN noted the Eagles have won 3 of 4 road contests, and are 2-0 at the Linc, with the next three games at home. Washington comes to Philadelphia next Monday night in a must-win situation. They don' want to lose touch with the surging Eagles, who beat the 'Skins in the first game of the season.
The Birds can't overlook the 49'ers in two weeks, who are 0-6 but have lost close games all season. San Francisco hates to play in the east, so advantage Eagles.
Then Philly has Denver invading the Linc in early November. I wasn't impressed with the Broncos, who played like dogs at home against a terrible Giants team last Sunday night. Denver still has a fine defense, but they seem overrated to me.
So, the Eagles are a good chance of staying high in the power rankings in the weeks to come.
BTW, the Browns pull up the rear in the ESPN power rankings, behind the Giants and 'Niners. Will the Browns go 0-16? San Fran has a better chance of winning a game then Cleveland. Even the dreadful, injury-plagued Giants won a game, so anything is possible.
Looking ahead at the schedule, I like the red-hot New Orleans Saints to continue their rise. QB Drew Brees is playing great. Atlanta has tough road games ahead, including a rematch with the Patriots Sunday nigh tin New England. Tampa Bay has the most difficult schedule remaining of all NFL teams. And Carolina goes back on the road after losing to the Eagles
The NFC North i the Minnesota' Vikings' to lose. Detroit is wildly inconsistent. Chicago has beaten Baltimore and Pittsburgh but no go with rookie QB Mitchell Trubinski. Green Bay is without Aaron Rodgers, maybe for the rest of the season. So, if the Vikings can solidify their quarterback situation, they can take the division.
Sam Bradford is out with aching knees again. Injured Teddy Bridgewater is practicing and hopes to be back. The Vikes have the perfect opportunity to gain control in NFC North.
I like Pittsburgh as well ( my Super Bowl pick before the season). After beating the Chiefs in Kansas City, the Steelers have set themselves up for very winnable games the rest of the way out, including 5 of their last 7 games in Pittsburgh.
Finally, is it too soon to think of an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl- Philadelphia Eagles vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
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