2015 NFL Picks: 4 Upsets That Could Happen in Week 3

custom football sport jerseys

We’re two weeks into the 2015 NFL season and we still know very little. Would-be Super Bowl contenders like the Eagles, Colts, Saints and even the Seahawks are all 0-2, while the Browns, Jaguars, Titans, Redskins and Raiders all somehow have wins. On the flip side, the Broncos, Bengals, Patriots and Packers all seem to be who we thought they were, as they look like legit contenders thanks to solid 2-0 starts.

Week three brings an opportunity for us to learn a lot more about all 32 NFL teams. For one, it will be interesting to see how some teams perform in their custom football uniforms, should they choose to don them. The Cleveland Browns got their first win of the year last week in their all white uniforms, while the 49ers didn’t wear their all black uniforms in week two and got crushed in Pittsburgh. Those are just two examples of how what you wear very well could impact how you perform.

Anyone gearing up for the games and having their favorite NFL squad in mind will assume they’re dressed for success, but sometimes you don’t know until it’s too late. Regardless, we’re sure to see some NFL upsets in week three, and we’ve got four that you may want to keep an eye on:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Houston Texans (Texans favored by 6.5)

This quite a line for a Texans team that still is without star rusher Arian Foster and could be without their top wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins (concussion). On top of that, quarterback Ryan Mallett wasn’t overly impressive last week. On the other side, Jameis Winston played much better as he calmed down in a big road win last week. The Buccaneers and Texans both should look sharp thanks to some of the sweetest NFL uniforms around, but if you’re looking for a big upset to chase, Tampa Bay is a top contender this week.

New Orleans Saints over Carolina Panthers (Panthers by 6.5)

The Panthers have looked pretty strong en route to a nice 2-0 start, but all bets are usually off when you encounter a fierce division rivalry. Add a hungry 0-2 Saints squad, and this line gets even dicier. New Orleans hasn’t looked very good and Drew Brees (shoulder) isn’t completely healthy, but this line is a tad ambitious. Look for the Saints to be in this one and maybe even pull off the upset to avoid a disastrous 0-3 start.

San Francisco 49ers over Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals by 6.5)

Maybe the Niners can get their mojo back if they wear their alternate uniforms this week. That probably won’t happen given they’re on the road in the desert, but we can dream. They’ll at least need to bring that intimidating presence we saw in week one, when they dismantled the Vikings, 20-3. Carson Palmer and the Cardinals have been pretty nasty (in a good way) through the first two weeks, but it’s tough to buy a line like this when two divisional foes face off.

Oakland Raiders over Cleveland Browns (Browns by 3.5)

This is a much smaller line, but since when does anyone feel really confident in the Browns being a favorite? They looked pretty killer in their brown and organge uniforms in week one, but got crushed in New York. This time they’re at home and they could roll with alternate uniforms again if they so choose. They’ll probably look slick again, but with the electrifying Johnny Manziel benched in favor of the more stable Josh McCown, it’s highly possible Cleveland loses the spark they needed to hold the upper hand in this one. Derek Carr and co. will be riding high off of a huge 37-33 win over the Ravens last week and it’s possible they get to 2-1 with the mild upset.

Got a week three NFL upset of your own? Tell us about it in the comments below!

It’s Evan Gattis’ World and We’re Just Living in it

custom baseball uniform

Every now and then there comes a time to honor a majestic play made in baseball. Whether it’s high school or the majors, an over the wall catch or a homer into the Bay Area can capture the nation. On Wednesday night, Houston Astros slugger Evan Gattis bestowed upon us a play of such greatness, as he mashed a home run with just one hand in a 14-3 loss to the Texas Rangers.

While most were getting amped up about the Rangers (one of the more exciting teams in baseball right now) and Prince Fielder’s big night, there was clearly reason for pause here. The lone bright spot in a total drubbing, Gattis seemed to lose his grip on the bat with his other hand, yet still popper a homer to help his team out.

Gattis would have needed like 10 more of those for it to matter in the crushing loss, but it was still beyond impressive and definitely entertaining. While the one-armed smash is a clear rarity and should be treated with special care, the power isn’t surprising to see from Gattis, who owns 24 jacks on the year.

What Evan Gattis did last night with one hand, a lot of us couldn’t do with seven. Hats off to Gattis, even though the feat came in a losing effort.

Amazing one-handed homers aside, the Astros really came up lame in this game and their offensive ineptitude couldn’t have come at a worse time. The loss to the hated Rangers, who now have a 1.5 game lead above the Astros at the top of the AL West, severely hurt their chances of winning the division and making the playoffs. This is especially true considering they’re behind in the division race and probably need to take over the Rangers to get into the playoffs. Houston’s only other route would be finishing as one of the top two wild card teams in the American League. The New York Yankees would be the other one at the moment, while the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels could also factor into the equation.

Needless to say, Houston could use a lot more where that Gattis mash came from when they try to turn things back around against Texas on Thursday night.

Astros Lose Pitcher Scott Feldman For Rest of Season

baseball mascotts orange hat blue jersey

The Houston Astros are still trying to lock up the AL West division, but will have to do so without starting pitcher Scott Feldman. Feldman suffered a sprain in his shoulder over a week ago and will be shut down for the remainder of the 2015 MLB season to avoid further injury.

Strong August

Feldman normally isn’t associated with the top portion of Houston’s stacked starting pitching rotation, but the 32-year old righty certainly was enjoying a strong August run. Feldman was just 5-5 on the year, but showed well this past month, as he dropped in the best ERA (1.33) in the entire American League. Considering he’s on the same team as guys like Colin McHugh, Dallas Keuchel and Scott Kazmir, it’s quite impressive.

Less Depth

While Feldman was certainly doing his part as a solid member of the Astros’ pitching staff, he’s now done for the year with the shoulder injury. The loss doesn’t at all cripple a still elite and extremely deep Houston rotation, but it does mean the Astros have a little less depth. That’s not ideal news for a team just 2.5 games ahead of the feisty Texas Rangers in the race for their division, while they’ll surely need all the healthy (and effective) arms they can get if/when they make their run in the MLB playoffs. Feldman’s recent tear is especially difficult to lose, as he was a bonus on top of a fantastic pitching rotation.

Ready For 2015

The loss of Feldman is certainly a bummer, but it’s not one the Astros shouldn’t be able to recover from. Feldman’s injury also isn’t serious enough to jeopardize his immediate future, as he won’t need surgery and should be able to rest up and return in 2016 at 100%. That bodes well for Houston, as their strong pitching rotation will be even better next season.

Elsewhere

Houston is far from the only team to experience a recent injury, as the Miami Marlins are shutting down probably the biggest home run hitter in all of baseball; Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton was leading the race for most home runs in 2015 before going down with a broken hand. Initially scheduled to make a late-August return, Stanton never did and now with Miami out of the playoff picture, the team will let him fully heal and save him for a fresh start in 2015.

5 Sleepers to Use in Daily Fantasy Baseball

new white baseball uniforms

Thursday night is football night in America, but before the Patriot and Steelers clash, you’ll want to get your daily fantasy baseball lineups set. It’s tough to do that without some sweet sleepers to utilize so you can get the big names, so we’ve hand-picked five for you.

If there’s one thing we know with fantasy baseball, it’s that even the surest of things (Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, etc) can blow up in your face. The best power hitters in the game can go 0-4 and give you absolutely nothing, while the fastest base runners can get caught stealing. Here’s to hoping logic rules tonight and these five sleepers help you win big:

Bartolo Colon, P, New York Mets

Pitching is scant tonight, especially if you’re looking for reliability. Colon is coming off a shutout and this ageless wonder should be cheap across the DFS landscape. The big draw is he’s a groundball pitcher and he’s facing a really bad Atlanta Braves offense. He can always backfire, but he’s probably the best sleeper at the position.

Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Martin is a moderate price and pitching in Yankee Stadium. This is a huge series for both the Jays and Yanks, too, so I suspect power will overcome pitching, at least half the time (four game series). I like Martin enough tonight, while this is probably the worst slate for catchers there has been in a while.

Pedro Alvarez, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Facing Milwaukee’s Wily Peralta at home, all Pirates could be in play tonight. Rather than just list the lineup (especially the more well known, expensive bats), let’s consider the power of Alvarez. Alvarez can bottom out as quick as the next guy, but he brings serious power to the table (22 homers) and mashes righties. He’s a solid cheap play for tonight.

Neil Walker, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Okay, this is where I end my Pirates love for Thursday night. I just think Pittsburgh can mash Peralta to their liking, and with first place in the NL Central somewhat in reach, they can’t take their foot off the gas now. Walker is another cheapie who carries a heavy stick.

Andres Blanco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies

He’s just dirt cheap and has hit well on the season. Facing K master Jake Arrieta certainly isn’t a selling point, but there should be a few hits to be gotten tonight and Blanco will certainly be owned at a low percentage. He might not crush, but his super low price could help you get about any roster you want.

Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs

Castro hasn’t been amazing, but shortstop is a nightmare tonight beyond the top options. Castro has a solid matchup and could come up big for you at a nice price.

Domingo Santana, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Cleveland’s Ryan Raburn is dirt cheap and is play if he’s a go tonight. Santana is a great play either way, however, as he’d been red hot before getting nothing but a walk last night. He’s up against the Pirates, but A.J. Burnett really hasn’t been unbeatable for a while now. Santana is a nice cheap play with some upside.

Hate our DFS baseball picks or they ended up burning you? Let us hear it in the comments below!

Friday Night Preseason Week 2: What to Watch For

NFC South Starting Quarterbacks

Thursday Night Football didn’t disappoint in the end, as Johnny Manziel and Tyrod Taylor both impressed despite doing little scoring in a 11-10 affair on ESPN. The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins put up far more points, but weren’t on national television. That may have been for the best, as Robert Griffin III looked awful in the ‘Skins loss.

Friday night brings two more NFL preseason games as we get more into the second week of action. There’s still plenty to see tonight, so let’s dive into the top things to watch for:

Falcons Running Backs

Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman are supposed to be in a battle to prove which one should be Atlanta’s top running back this year. Trouble is, neither is healthy. One or both could get past hamstring issues to take the field tonight, though, and their competition could then carry on. Any other Falcons running backs that take the field will be worth checking out, too, since so many injuries have bogged down the position (Antone Smith is also nicked up).

Russell Wilson and Seattle First Team Offense

Wilson is always fun to watch, and after playing very little in the first preseason game, Seattle will probably let him go a little longer against the Chiefs. Wilson looked OK in week one, but he didn’t score and wasn’t able to accomplish a whole lot. How he works with star tight end Jimmy Graham will be important to note, while we’ll also want to pay close attention to Seattle’s running backs behind Marshawn Lynch. Robert Turbin figures to be Beast Mode’s top backup again, but both Cristine Michael and Thomas Rawls could be vying for a bigger role.

Chiefs First Team Offense vs. Hawks

Alex Smith didn’t play much in week one and may want to try to find some success in his second preseason game. The same goes for the entire first team offense in KC, who will get an awesome test against Seattle’s starting defensive unit. How Smith, Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin and possibly even Jamaal Charles fare will be very interesting.

The Beard

Ryan Fitzpatrick got the starter treatment in the first preseason game, as he played one series and put up just 16 yards before getting benched. He should play a lot more tonight, as he and the first team offense try to get acclimated in a setting closer to the regular season. The first team Falcons defense isn’t one really to fear, but that could be good for the Jets to try to get into a groove. How The Beard operates with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker will be good to see.

Bryce Petty’s Progress

While Ryan Fitzpatrick looks to be the unquestioned starter for Gang Green right now, rookie passer Bryce Petty will still get some nice exposure. He’s not ready to take over an NFL offense just yet, but wasn’t awful in his first preseason appearance and could get a lot more work in week two. The Falcons reserves shouldn’t offer much resistance, so there’s a chance he finds a decent amount of success.

More Lockett, Please

Going back to Seattle, fans will want to get their eyes on rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who burned the Denver Broncos in week one as a return man. He could easily dazzle again on special teams, but what we’ll really be looking for is if/how the Seahawks use him in the offense as an actual receiver.

Got something better to watch for in tonight’s preseason games? Fill us in via the comments below!

Where Should Reggie Wayne Play in 2015?

Reggie Wayne football uniforms

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is searching for a new town to play football in heading into the 2015 NFL season and by the looks of it, he just might find his destination as soon as this week. Jettisoned by the Colts, the only team he’s ever know, Wayne is still seeking to land with a team he can make an impact with at 36 years old. With some big injuries going down recently, the door is very much open for the veteran receiver to continue his playing career. But where will he sign?

Let’s take a look at Wayne’s five most realistic potential suitors:

New England Patriots

Wayne isn’t explosive or particularly fast anymore, but it seems the Pats have interest in adding another reliable set of hands to a team that is fresh off of a Super Bowl win. Wayne hasn’t signed yet, but did undergo a physical with the team and could end up latching on with Tom Brady and co. The match makes sense for Wayne, who is seeking just his second Super Bowl ring. The needs isn’t overly great for the Pats, though, so this deal is still no lock.

Green Bay Packers

Jordy Nelson went down with a knee injury in Green Bay’s second preseason game on Sunday, which could have the Packers looking for help outside of the organization. An argument could be made that Green Bay doesn’t need Wayne, as a combination of Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery could very well fill in for the big loss. Green Bay may be just covering all the bases, though, while a savvy vet like Wayne could easily end up being a menace with Aaron Rodgers tossing him the ball.

Carolina Panthers

Green Bay isn’t the only team to get bit hard by the injury bug, as Kelvin Benjamin also went down last week with a knee injury. An already shaky wide receiver corps got much worse for the Carolina Panthers, who are suddenly counting on raw rookie Devin Funchess to be their #1 target. Wayne might not deem the Panthers to be a Super Bowl contender, but they could really use his talents and have at least won their division in the past two years.

Cleveland Browns

Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline are Cleveland’s top two wide receivers, to I should probably stop the selling. Cleveland isn’t even a legit playoff contender at first glance, but Wayne would probably be a starter by default if he joined the Browns. There has been chatter about Wayne’s skill-set regressing aggressively fast, but he’s been banged up in each of the last two years. A healthy Reggie Wayne could help give the Browns some bite on offense.

Denver Broncos

Why not? Wayne can reunite with the quarterback he spent the majority of his career with – Peyton Manning – and try to help the Broncos nab a title. Cody Latimer hasn’t exactly taken over as Denver’s #3 wide receiver, while the offense has to find a way to make up for key losses to the passing game in Julius Thomas and Wes Welker.

Think there’s a better landing spot for Reggie Wayne? Tell us in the comments below!

Analyzing Markieff Morris’ Potential Trade Suitors

Markieff Morris' Potential Trade Suitors

A week ago rumors surfaced that Phoenix Suns big man Markieff Morris wanted out of the desert. Now he’s flat-out said it. In a recent interview, Morris predicted he wouldn’t be playing for the Suns come the 2015-16 NBA season and wouldn’t be surprised if he was gone before he had to report to camp.

Morris has had a clear falling out with the franchise, and it could be due to a number of reasons. The Morris brothers had a run-in with the law recently and it’s possible they didn’t get a firm backing from the organization, Phoenix’s interest in LaMarcus Aldridge this summer could have rubbed him the wrong way and the franchise trading away his brother (Marcus) probably didn’t sit too well with him, either.

Whatever the reason may be, Morris wants out of town and it’s likely the Suns will try to make that happen before the situation gets much uglier. Where could Markieff Morris end up? Let’s take a look at five realistic options:

Detroit Pistons

The Suns traded his brother to Detroit earlier this summer, so this makes sense to reunite them. More importantly, the Pistons only have Ersan Ilyasova to help replace the departed Greg Monroe right now and Morris would absolutely be a huge upgrade. They could even use Ilyasova to get the deal done, although Ersan off the bench would be quite solid.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors let Amir Johnson walk in free agency and now all they have at the four spot is Patrick Patterson. Yikes. Patterson can hit the three and is a decent stretch four, but Markieff Morris is a severe upgrade that can do all of the same things, but at a higher level. Toronto is a playoff team that wants to be a title contender. Adding Morris gets them one step closer to that goal.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets want to get rid of pretty much all of their veterans, while they specifically overpaid big man Kenneth Faried. Faried has some hustle to him and can clean the glass, but he doesn’t have the versatility or scoring ability Morris brings to the table. Denver could kill two birds with one stone here, as they unload Faried’s massive deal (and potentially another player) and get a better player in return.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas tried to get DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge and whiffed, but perhaps securing the versatile Morris could act as a nice consolation prize. Dallas has been wanting to shift Dirk Nowitzki to the bench to carry the second team offense and bringing in Morris could allow them to do that. Morris fits their up-tempo style, while he can also hit the boards and play some defense.

Houston Rockets

This might be the best fit overall, as the Rockets have been looking for a huge power forward upgrade for years now and still are stuck with Terrence Jones. Jones and backup Donatas Motiejunas are both rock solid, but neither are quite as polished and well-rounded as Morris is. Depending on what Houston would have to give up to get him, landing Morris could be the final piece to a true title contender.

Think another team should make a play for Markieef Morris? Let us hear about it in the comments below!

*photo credit – thesportsquotient.com

Does Ty Lawson Make Rockets a Title Contender?

Ty Lawson Make Rockets a Title Contender

The Houston Rockets needed a point guard upgrade. James Harden admitted as much following a loss in the Western Conference Finals and on Sunday night, the Rockets admitted it by making a bold move. That bold move was trading for disgruntled Denver Nuggets star point guard Ty Lawson. While the move naturally can be labeled as an upgrade, one has to wonder if it’s enough to make the Rockets a legit title contender in a very busy NBA summer.

Great Trade

For one, let’s not forget about the Denver Nuggets here. They fell into rebuilding mode almost by accident the past two years and with the drafting of Emmanuel Mudiay this summer, they’re clearly headed in a direction where talent and youth wins out over actual production right now. Their squad is largely about development and they knew going into the summer they’d want to make deals and shed some contracts. A second DUI in the past year made Lawson, a guy they already appeared to be done with, extremely expendable. Mudiay being ready to take over was the icing on the cake and in this trade the Nuggets also got four role players and two draft picks. They gave up Lawson for “nothing”, but they actually got some solid depth and assets for a guy they would have otherwise cut.

For Houston, they did a great job getting rid of two draft picks they probably didn’t need anyways. This is a very good team that made it to the Western Conference Finals a year ago, so they won’t be needing next year’s first round pick (which should be a mid-rounder at the absolute best) or a random second round pick. They gave up role players that they largely don’t need or didn’t even want. From a “giving up” perspective, they won this deal and got a very good, balanced point guard that could be the missing link between them and a trip to the NBA Finals.

Lawson 2.0?

I think the biggest aspect of this trade is who do they get in Lawson? He’s clearly been troubled with the drinking (he has set up a rehab trip, though) and he’s going to need mentoring at the least to stay clean and keep himself in a good place. For what it’s worth, Lawson has already been quoted as being “really happy” with the trade. He’s back in an environment where he’s going to be a big part of the solution, but all the pressure of winning isn’t on him. With the Nuggets, he was constantly the team’s source of scoring, whether as a shooter or passer. In Houston, he can focus more on taking what the defense gives him, giving his all on the other end, and finding open teammates. Harden creates a ton in the offense, while Harden, Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza all help shoulder the scoring load.

From a mental standpoint, it’s very possible the Rockets are getting a new and improved Lawson. He’s not going to be hating his life professionally and if he can get his mind right away from the court, he could be ready for one of his better seasons to date. Lawson is still very much in his prime at 27 years old and by the numbers is coming off of a great 2014-15 NBA season. That’s tremendous value for the Rockets on the surface.

Title Contenders?

And here’s the big one. Were the Rockets legit title contenders a year ago? I don’t think they were, as they still lacked the defense they needed from top to bottom, didn’t get enough out of the four spot and ran into the best team in the league in the WCF. To be frank, the Clippers let one get away and this team probably shouldn’t have even made it out of the second round. That being said, they showed tremendous resilience a year ago and with superstars, solid coaching and quality depth already there, they do seem to have the beginnings of a title contender. Beginnings need to be in bold in a sense, because they were this tough of a team without the pesky Patrick Beverley or big man Donatas Motiejunas around to help out.

Getting them both back for next year was a great step in the right direction, but losing versatile forward Josh Smith was arguably a pretty big blow (signed with Clippers). That, combined with massive off-seasons by the Spurs and Clippers and the Thunder also getting healthy, and Houston was looking at the four or five seed – at best.

That has absolutely changed with this move, as Lawson is a very strong two-way player that can shoot, drive, create and defend. His percentages have dropped ever since his rookie season, but if he’s not the focal point of the offense and can play within himself more, I think that reverts and he’s a highly efficient player. Not only do the Rockets get stronger in the starting unit, but Beverley shifts to the bench and can focus his relentless defense on special assignments in a situational role. Beverley is less necessary overall, though, considering Lawson is a more than capable defender and a vastly superior offensive player.

Ultimately, the Rockets just got better. Like, a lot better. Precisely how much better is difficult to gauge, though, because the Western Conference is insanely loaded. The Memphis Grizzlies might be the sixth best team (perhaps right behind Houston), but they could easily piece everything together and win it all next year. Or that could be the Rockets, who have the star power and depth now to make another deep run. Last year they made a nasty run with several guys on the shelf and no point guard. This year those guys are healthy and now Lawson is leading the offense. They may not be locked in as the NBA Finals favorite, but they surely got better and they definitely have a chance to go further than they did a year ago. In the ultra competitive West, a chance is often all it takes.

Think the Rockets will win it all or this Lawson trade means nothing? Tell us in the comments below!

2015-16 NBA Power Rankings: Where Each Team Stands After Free Agency

2015-16 NBA Power Rankings

The first huge tide has passed in free agency and for all intents and purposes, the huge change that we all thought would be coming has arrived. We still have to wait for some small deals to fall into place and there could still be trades on the horizon. There is even talk of the Clippers trying to convince DeAndre Jordan in changing his mind and staying in Los Angeles, so it’s possible some of the big moves we’ve seen could go back the other way.

For now, though, we have to take all of the signings and trades at face value and start looking ahead to the new 2015-16 NBA season. Summer league action is already underway and before we know it, next year will be this year. Let’s do our summer work as we break down every team’s current standing in our 2015-16 NBA Power Rankings:

30. Philadelphia 76ers

Jahlil Okafor is a terrific pick for the rebuilding Sixers, but they still don’t have stability at the point, shooting guard or small forward. Talent-wise, they’re without a doubt still the worst team in the NBA.

29. New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony being healthy will do the Knicks wonders, while additions like Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo could help, as well. None of that is enough, though, and another tank session could be in order.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota has loads of talent. It’s just all young and largely inexperienced. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin are strong on the wing and rookie big man Karl-Anthony Towns should pay off right away. They won’t be a playoff team, but they could be better in a hurry.

27. Denver Nuggets

Denver still has enough talent to be competitive in the West, while new coach Mike Malone could get them to play some defense. The only problem is Ty Lawson and others could be on the move, so we don’t know what they’ll look like at the start of the season.

26. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant’s swan song may not be all that horrific, as D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass make up a much better surrounding roster than he’s had the past two years. The playoffs are still light years away, unfortunately.

25. Orlando Magic

Scott Skiles is a strong hire that should get a young Magic squad to play team defense. Aaron Gordon could make a huge leap and Orlando drafted well again this year. It’s a slow process, but this rebuild is going exactly according to plan.

24. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have added some serious talent via Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and rookie big man Willie Cauley-Stein, but the moves are still all over the map. Are they still trading Boogie? Because if so, this is right where they belong.

23. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte took a major step back last year and while Frank Kaminsky and Nicolas Batum could be great additions, we might not see the results right away.

22. Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard has the Blazers all to himself and that could be a horrifying thing. Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge are all gone.

21. Detroit Pistons

Detroit is trying to get faster but losing Greg Monroe hurts. They’re going to have to shoot the lights out to win this year.

20. Indiana Pacers

Paul George will be back at full strength and Monta Ellis helps the offense come back to life, but what about the defense? David West and Roy Hibbert are both gone, too, which could leave Indy in trouble down low.

19. Phoenix Suns

Tyson Chandler was a solid get down low, but the Suns are still betting the farm on their two-point guard lineup working.

18. Boston Celtics

Boston was a classic over-achiever last year and probably didn’t do enough to see a major leap this season. The only way they make it back to the playoffs is if their young talent keeps improving.

17. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets brought back Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez, so the whole rebuild idea has been put on hold. As currently constructed, they’re just good enough to make the playoffs, but any kind of run is probably a pipe dream.

16. Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert transforms the Jazz into a defensive stalwart. If they can wake up on offense, a playoff trip could be in order for the 2015-16 season.

15. Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee is building up and adding Greg Monroe helps them a ton down low. They won’t make much noise this coming season but in 2-3 years people could have a very different perspective on these Bucks.

14. Miami Heat

Miami has a sick starting five on paper, but does it all come together to make a championship contender or one that can simply make the playoffs?

13. Toronto Raptors

Toronto lost Amir Johnson but got stronger on the perimeter by adding DeMarre Carroll. They aren’t as good as they look on paper, but they’re still one of the East’s better squads.

12. Washington Wizards

Paul Pierce left but a team that almost got to the Eastern Conference Finals is still largely intact.

11. Dallas Mavericks

Landing DeAndre Jordan is pretty big for them, as they might be stuck at this spot even with him.

10. New Orleans Pelicans

Alvin Gentry should get the Pelicans running and with one of the best young talents in the league in Anthony Davis, this is a team on the rise (and one to watch).

9. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks arguably missed their window last year and things only get tougher from here, as Kyle Korver’s health is in decline and DeMarre Carroll fled to Canada.

8. Chicago Bulls

Chicago made a coaching change and held onto their key free agents, which should give them a shot at making a push in the Eastern Conference. Derrick Rose being healthy for a full year could be the ticket, but if the Bulls are ever going to be a legit contender that vaunted defense will have to return.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Marc Gasol is back in the saddle and the Grizzlies as we know them march on. Their defense is enough to keep them in contention, but we saw last year that they badly need some extra offense to make a serious push. Until they make a big move to get that, they’ll be just short.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC missed the playoffs last year due to injuries, so if healthy they’ll storm back as a serious threat in the league’s toughest conference. No one will hand them the title or a playoff spot, though, so they’ll have to earn that, just like they’ll have to earn a higher spot in our NBA power rankings.

5. Houston Rockets

Houston edged out the Clippers last year but they seem to have plateaued a bit. They kept their key roles players and should be healthier next year, but is their current rendition good enough to top the Clippers again or get past the Thunder, Spurs and/or Warriors? I’m not sold yet.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

With DeAndre Jordan’s mind not quite right yet, I’m holding off any declaration on the fate of the Clippers. If he stays, they’re a top-five team thanks to additions like Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson. If he does indeed bolt for Dallas in the end, they’re in serious trouble.

3. Golden State Warriors

The defending champs would hold the top spot for many, but power rankings are more about the combination of current and overall strength. Golden State lost depth by trading away David Lee and otherwise brings the same team to the table next year. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James isn’t officially a Cav yet (he opted out), but once Tristan Thompson gets paid, he certainly will be. Cleveland added Mo Williams, held onto Iman Shumpert and Kevin Love and will probably make one more move to be even stronger than they were a year ago. With Kyrie Irving also coming back at 100%, they’ll be the top pick from out East.

1. San Antonio Spurs

They won the title two years ago and just brought in LaMarcus Aldridge and David West. The Cavaliers are the sexy pick and they might be the right one, but in terms of championship talent and big moves, San Antonio owns all going into next year.

Think our NBA Power Rankings are jacked up? Let us see your order in the comments below!

Who Would Brett Favre Play For Today?

Brett Favre

Let’s be clear about one thing. Brett Favre isn’t staging another comeback. According to a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, he does think he “could play” still, though. Favre admitted the grind of an NFL season and the pressure of leading a team probably isn’t something he’d be up for at the ripe old age of 45. Favre also admitted he has lost roughly 30 yards off of his deep ball (which used to go for a solid 80 yards), but he can still make “all of the throws” that would be asked of him at the game’s highest level.

Favre is set to have his #4 jersey retired by the Green Bay Packers this year and is a lock to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame next summer. Another un-retirement isn’t in the works, but what if it was? If Favre believes he can play and the need is out there, is it plausible that any team would actually consider giving the 45-year old legend a shot? Crazier things have happened.

Let’s take a look at a few teams that are in a rough enough spot to actually lend it some thought if Favre actually wanted to give pro football one more go:

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo might be leaning toward Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback for 2015, which is enough to tell you they’re hurting at the position. Rex Ryan traded for Tim Tebow in the past so giving Favre a call is actually probably less crazy than that. The Bills have a good amount of offensive talent and are stacked on defense, so it’d be a very hard situation for Favre to turn down.

New York Jets

A return to the Jets isn’t likely, but Favre knows the team and Gang Green has the defense and finally the offense to actually compete. Quarterback has been their lone weak point, but they do seem to be firmly backing Geno Smith for 2015. If that changes, though, perhaps the Favre rumors heat up.

Cleveland Browns

Favre has to be better than Josh McCown, right? It’s at least arguable, while a solid Browns defense gears up for 2015 with a weak offense backing them. Head coach Mike Pettine seems sold on McCown and the team continuing to develop Johnny Manziel, but what if Favre could lift this team to the top of the division? It’s not likely, but if the team liked McCown, they could be swayed on Favre, too.

Houston Texans

Houston seems like the most logical fit and they were loosely tied to Favre just a few years ago when they were in playoff position and lost their top two quarterbacks. Houston didn’t go after him hard then, though, so it’s tough to buy them suddenly doing so now. That being said, they don’t have much to get excited about under center and otherwise appear ready for a Super Bowl run. If Favre can still sling it, he could have one more run left in him.

Chicago Bears

Favre may not want to upset Packers fans any further, but how sweet would another return to the NFC North be? Jay Cutler has begun to wear out his welcome in the Windy City and new head coach John Fox has always liked veteran quarterbacks. If Cutler gets hurt or implodes again, the Bears may want to keep Favre’s number in their back pocket.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona was a really good team last year, and then Carson Palmer shredded his knee. They rapidly regressed from that point on, and even though they made the playoffs, they disappeared quickly thanks to something called a Ryan Lindley. The Cardinals might think reaching for an old Favre would be desperate, but he isn’t all that much less mobile than Palmer and there’s an argument that even at 45 he’d be just as good.

St. Louis Rams

Nick Foles looks like he could be the answer for a Rams team that has struggled for any continuity out of the quarterback position over the last two years, but what if he’s not? If Foles gets hurt or is a total bust, the Rams would be right back to square one and head coach Jeff Fisher could feel the heat. With less than ideal backup plans, St. Louis could take a ride on the wild side and see if the ol’ gunslinger has a few bullets left. After all, it’s not like the Rams haven’t been rumored to be interested in Favre’s services before.

Again, Favre isn’t coming back, but it’s fun to consider his options given all the rumors he’s been involved in over the years. Think one of the above teams are his likeliest landing spots or have another team in mind? Tell us all about it in the comments below!