Sports forecasts aren’t worth the paper they’re written on: which is why we’re publishing these online. But are the Browns set for a spectacular improvement?The problem with predictions in this space is that they are comically flawed.Six months ago, we proclaimed with great certainty the Patriots and Seahawks would meet in the Super Bowl, apparently oblivious to Seattle’s obvious decline. We also assured readers that Aaron Rodgers and JJ Watt would be the NFL’s top offensive and defensive players – a thought made preposterous by mid-season. Eyes undoubtedly rolled when we said the Oakland Raiders were the team we were “most looking forward to watching” and the Dallas Cowboys would win the NFC East. The fact we thought the New...
From British speed skater Elise Christie to American prodigy Nathan Chen, via Nigeria’s unlikely bobsleigh team, a unified Korean women’s ice hockey side and moreFour years have passed since Elise Christie had an Olympic silver medal ripped from her in Sochi, and for far too many sleepless nights it remained an open sore. But three world titles last year finally extinguished that pain and the brilliant Scottish short-track speed skater goes into Pyeongchang with strong chances of a medal in the 500m and 1000m. Even a podium place in the 1500m may not be beyond her. Continue reading...
Despite LeBron’s heroics on Wednesday night, the Cavaliers struggled to defend and are riven by locker room divisions. The immediate future doesn’t look brightThe NBA calendar is pretty similar from year to year. The regular season officially tips off in October, then there is great debate throughout the land about whether LeBron James’ team is not what it was a season ago highlighted by James making a cryptic social media post alluding to his team’s struggles. Next on the schedule are the Christmas Day games, which are soon followed by a period of deep contemplation on LeBron’s team, if it just might be falling apart (but for real this time) and where LeBron might play next. That period is promptly...
In the NFL’s biggest game, with the crowd roaring, the old master failed at the one play he needed to make while the underdog executed his to perfectionOne man is perhaps the greatest quarterback in NFL history. The other is a career fill-in – the player teams turn to when they need to play someone while they search for a better replacement.Nick Foles was supposed to be the worst quarterback Tom Brady had ever faced in the Super Bowl. The 29-year-old, only starting Super Bowl LII because of a season-ending injury to Philadelphia’s star quarterback Carson Wentz, was considered a minor impediment on Brady’s way to his sixth NFL championship. Related: Super Bowl: Philadelphia Eagles stun New England Patriots in...
Ronda Rousey helped her fellow female fighters gain a foothold in mixed martial arts, while Dana White’s organization raked in huge sums of moneyLooking back, Ronda Rousey was done in the UFC when Holly Holm knocked her out at UFC 193. That was 15 November 2015 and in two rounds Rousey went from a whirl of fury and fire who stomped across all-comers to a crushed soul. It happens this way in fighting, especially in MMA. Once a great champion has been vanquished, it’s hard for them to stand back up. There was a recovery, a promise of future dominance wrapped in virulent torrents of insult and agitation. But when Rousey finally fought again, on the penultimate day of 2016,...