2012 in a PopCornTure Nutshell

First of all thank you very much for making 2012 meaningful and memorable. Despite all the trials and tribulations that have happened at some points of the year, we have survived and made the most out of a year full of surprises and victories. We all look forward to 2013 so enjoy a happy new year to you all.

Here is the year 2012 in a nutshell.

Entertainment

The year saw PSY's 'Gangnam Style' become the most-viewed YouTube video of all time, while peaking at No. 2 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Top hit singles in 2012 include 'Somebody I Used to Know' by Gotye, 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Mae Jepsen, 'One More Night' and 'Payphone' by Maroon 5, 'Diamonds' by Rihanna, and 'We Are Young' by Fun. 

In film, 'The Avengers', 'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'Skyfall' reigned in the box office. Other significant hits include 'Breaking Dawn Part II', 'Ice Age: Continental Drift', 'The Amazing Spider Man', 'The Hunger Games' and 'Men in Black III'.

In television, 'Chuck', 'Desperate Housewives', 'CSI Miami', 'One Tree Hill', 'House', 'Gossip Girl' and 'Jersey Shore' ended their runs. Ok we miss them, but for the upcoming replacement shows, good luck.

Sports

It was a 'Giant' of a year in sports. The New York Giants of the NFL won the Super Bowl, while the San Francisco Giants in MLB won the World Series. In Japan, the Yomiuri Giants won the Japan Series. Sadly, the NFL Giants won't be able to defend their title in 2013, but high hopes are expected for the baseball Giants next year.

In hockey and basketball, there were some firsts. LeBron James, the self-proclaimed 'king', won his first NBA title with the Miami Heat, while the NHL's Los Angeles Kings won their first Stanley Cup. Sadly, the NHL underwent a labor lockout towards the end of the year, and many would wonder whether another lost season is in the books.

The summer Olympics were held in London, where the United States overwhelmingly dominated the medal tally. The Olympic winners include the U.S. basketball team, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and even Andy Murray.

Speaking of Andy Murray, he did won his first tennis major at the U.S. Open. Novak Djokovic  played in three major finals, and won the Australian Open, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal took home the Wimbledon and French Open, respectively. On the female side, Serena Williams won the Wimbledon and U.S. Open, while Victoria Azarenka took the Australian Open and Maria Sharapova took the French Open.

In golf, Bubba Watson won the Masters, Webb Simpson won the U.S. Open, Ernie Els won the British Open, and Rory McIlroy took the PGA championship. The Ryder Cup was won by Europe in a stunning come-from-behind win over the U.S.

The Formula 1 championship was won by Sebastian Vettel, with Red Bull copping the Constructor's title. 

In soccer, Manchester City won their first Premier League title, Juventus won the Serie A, Real Madrid won the La Liga, Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga, and the Los Angeles Galaxy won the MLS Cup. Chelsea won a Cup double this year by copping both the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. 

Finally, in the U.S. NCAA, Alabama won the Bowl Championship, while Kentucky won the men's basketball title. On the women's basketball side, Baylor went undefeated en route to the national title. 

Epilogue

The world did not end on December 21, 2012, as we suspected. As we look forward to 2013, we hope that greater things will come, and hope that the lessons of yesterday will be applied to tomorrow. Happy New Year to everybody.

Deciding the U.S. Presidency at FedExField

One of the most highly anticipated events in American history is the presidential elections. Held on the first Tuesday of November in a four-year cycle, these votes are cast to decide who will sit in the famous desk of the White House for the next four years. This year's race involves Democratic nominee and current president Barack Obama, and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. 

Perhaps the next most important event prior to the election is a Washington Redskins home game at FedExField, held on the week prior or of the election. Since the 1940 elections, most if not all Redskins home games played on Election week have decided the winner of the presidency; the only exception to the rule was in 2004. The 'Redskins Rule' states that a Redskins win mean a victory for the incumbent party, but a loss mean a victory for the opposing party. For this year's edition, the Redskins play the Carolina Panthers.

Robert Griffin III

Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the reelectionist pair, will be cheering for Robert Griffin III and the Redskins, while the challenging tandem of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will cheer for Cam Newton and the Panthers. The game itself is expected to be a battle between two young and up-and-coming playmakers in the NFL. However, with the Panthers struggling at 1-6, it may be hard to imagine.

Carolina's lone win was against New Orleans on Week 2, and are on a five-game losing streak. The 3-5 Redskins are likewise struggling, but remains in a decent position to challenge for a Wild Card berth. Notwithstanding their records, both teams expect a grind-it-out game, and a win may boost their chances of finishing with a better record.

Redskins fans' hopes for a second term of Barack Obama will hinge on the Redskins' on-field mastery. Otherwise a new man will make his way into the White House on January 20, 2013.

2012 MLB Postseason Preview: World Series

It all comes down to two teams. At this stage, the stakes are now at its highest, and every misstep, pain and failure will be the last. It takes four wins to decide the world champion of baseball. This is the World Series. Here is the matchup to end all matchups. 

Detroit Tigers vs. San Francisco Giants

Season Series: Did Not Meet

Road to the World Series

Detroit - def. Oakland 3-2 in ALDS; def. NY Yankees 4-0 in ALCS

San Francisco - def. Cincinnati 3-2 in NLDS; def. St. Louis 4-3 in NLCS

It is only fitting that the batting champions of the American League and the National League will meet at this stage of the postseason. Miguel Cabrera, owner of the first batting Triple Crown since 1967, face Buster Posey, the NL's batting champion, in a World Series matchup no one had ever dreamed of. In fact, it's been a long time since the batting champions of both leagues squared off in the World Series, and this year's edition should bring out the best in both Cabrera and Posey. But this is not the only story.

This is the first postseason meeting between the Giants and the Tigers, two storied franchises looking to add another World Series title to their resume. The Tigers arrived here with a mission, after adding Prince Fielder in the offseason. Though they had some glimpses of struggle, the Tigers were able to defend their AL Central title with an 88-win campaign. Then they had to overcome the younger Oakland Athletics in five games, all thanks to Justin Verlander, before capitalizing on a sluggish and aging Yankee bat in a four-game sweep. Meanwhile the Giants returned to form by winning the NL West with a 94-win campaign, but were pushed to the brink by Cincinnati and St. Louis both times before escaping elimination and eventually winning both series. To both Bruce Bochy and Jim Leyland's credit, both teams deserve to be here because they had the qualities of a winning team: prolific offense, strong pitching, formidable defense, and experience. 

The Giants would need only a day's rest, but who cares. They thrive with their backs to the wall, and by winning six elimination games, they showed that they are no pushovers. The offense will be backstopped by the batting champion Buster Posey, along with NLCS MVP Marco Scutaro, Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence. Leading the way for the staff will be Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito, Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo and Tim Lincecum. For the Giants to win, they need both parts to work together, but if one part malfunctions, it is their series to lose.

The Tigers will enter the series well-rested, but they only hope that rust will not affect them. Pitching is the Tigers' bread and butter, led by Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez. However, their bullpen has been suspect at times, with Jose Valverde not coming close to his dominant 2011 self. Nevertheless, if the starting rotation can work at least eight innings, the Tigers may have a chance to win. The offense for Detroit will be carried by the Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, ALCS MVP Delmon Young, offseason addition Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Alex Avila. The Tigers always thrive in close games, and if they keep the scores low and close, they can win.

This year's World Series may be the most intriguing in a long time, so expect a long, tough series between the two teams. 

2012 MLB Postseason Preview: League Championship Series

It is down to the Final Four. Two teams from each league will slug it out for the right to claim the pennant and league representation for the World Series. This is the League Championship Series. 

All four Division Series went down the wire, a postseason first. Every game in that postseason round was as heartstopping as it can be. But now the stakes are higher, and League Championship Series promises an even greater amount of intensity and drama that every fan will love to see. Here is a preview of the two LCS matchups. 

American League Championship Series

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers

Season Series: Yankees won 6-4

The Yankees and Tigers won their respective five-game series on the strength of their aces CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander's impressive Game 1 and Game 5 gems. Now the two AL contenders find themselves in a struggle for the coveted pennant and a trip to the World Series. 

The Yankees may have won the Division Series, but it came with a price. Alex Rodriguez was a non-factor, while Derek Jeter limped with a slightly injured foot. If the two veterans overcome both pain and anxiety, then it's a big plus. Age will again be a factor for the Yankees, as they try to rediscover the fountain of youth against a younger Tigers squad, whose heart of the order with Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Delmon Young is usually the most potent. The Tigers likewise barely made it against the younger Athletics, but now they are up against the ageless wonders from the Bronx. The Yankees only hope that history wouldn't repeat itself, having lost both postseason meetings to the Tigers in 2006 and last season. It'll be up to Sabathia and Verlander to lead their teams to the pennant.

National League Championship Series

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Season Series: Series Tied 3-3

The Cardinals are still alive, as they overcame a 6-0 deficit to beat the Nationals 9-7. Now they await the 2010 World Series champions from San Francisco, who beat the Reds to make it to this stage. In a rematch of the last two World Series champions, a lot of bragging rights will be at stake.

First off, which has the more potent offense? The Giants already have a batting champion in Buster Posey, along with equally reliable batters Pablo Sandoval, Marco Scutaro, Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan. The Cardinals counter with Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and David Freese. In the six regular season meetings, the Giants outran the Cardinals 30-22, underscoring a more potent offense. But the Cardinals have been an opposing batter's nightmare in the past two postseasons, as manager Mike Matheny continued to mix and match with his pitching staff. No surprise that Kyle Lohse, Chris Carpenter, Jason Motte and Lance Lynn lead the parade. The Giants are no slouches either in the arms, with Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito and Sergio Romo as their primary pitching weapons. Both teams' pitching staffs are not far behind in terms of ERA. However, for a victor to be decided, the offense has to step up, otherwise we are in for a long series. 

Hockey Locked Out

The NHL entered another lockout on September 15, and is on its third week. The season was supposed to start October 11, but the NHL cancelled the first week of the regular season last Thursday. The issues that the NHL Players Association and the owners face involves revenue sharing, cutbacks on player contracts, repeal of salary arbitration, and amended free agency rules.

Meetings between the players, the owners and commissioner Gary Bettman has been tense at times, concluding without any solution with regards to ending the lockout. This is already the third lockout of the Bettman era, the last being the 48-game 1994-95 season, and the cancelled 2004-05 season. In both cases, many of the NHL's top stars left for the European leagues, while the rookies and younger players were assigned to the minor league affiliates, such as the American Hockey League. Now when will this lockout end? And will hockey really come back? We only hope that 2005 does not repeat itself. 

2012 MLB Postseason Preview: Division Series

The quest for the World Series begins for the division winners, while it continues for the Wild Card survivor. This year's Division Series promises to be as exciting as the opening Wild Card playoff, with every game treated with greater intensity and purpose. Due to the late addition of the Wild Card round, the last three games, two if necessary, will be held at the ballpark of the team with the better record, thus lessening the need of travel and time. Here is a preview of all four Division Series. 

American League Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Season Series: Series Tied 9-9

The return to the Cartoon Bird logo coincided with the Orioles' resurgence. After defeating the Rangers in the Wild Card playoff, the Orioles now have a chance to erase memories of Jeffrey Maier and his infamous catch in the 1996 ALCS. 

The Yankees are business as usual, making the postseason an unprecedented 17th time in 18 seasons, thanks to a potent offense (Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano) and superb pitching (CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Rafael Soriano). The Orioles' countered with power from both bat (Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Mark Reynolds) and arm (Joe Saunders, Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Jim Johnson). They are both evenly matched offensively and defensively, so expect the series to go the distance between the two AL East rivals.

Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers

Season Series: Tigers won 4-3

The A's made it through their rookie pitchers, who combined to win a league-record 53 games. A sweep of Texas gave them the AL West on the final day, overachieving despite pre-season predictions of them finishing in last place. The Tigers blew hot and cold before clinching the AL Central for the second straight year despite winning only 88 games. 

The Tigers will again rely on the powerful bats of Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Delmon Young, while relying on the arms of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Jose Valverde. The Tigers were inconsistent all year and they need their top guns to beat Oakland's young pitching staff led by A.J. Griffin, Jarrod Parker and Grant Balfour. Oakland will also rely through Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick and Seth Smith to lead the offense. While the Tigers have the experience advantage, the A's are also expected to go out fighting through grit and youth to win the series. 

National League Division Series

Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Season Series: Nationals won 4-3

The Nationals made it through their pitching, though Stephen Strasburg won't be pitching in the postseason. The Cardinals romped past the Braves thanks to some lucky Braves errors and 'small ball' tactics. It will be experience vs. youth in this series.

Youth will be about the Nationals. Most of the players are appearing in their first postseason. Nevertheless, the power of Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and playoff veteran Jayson Werth, and the arms of Gio Gonzalez, World Series winner Edwin Jackson, Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard will be crucial for the Nats' success. The Cardinals will rely on most of their World Series-winning crew, led by last year's hero David Freese, along with Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and new acquisition Carlos Beltran. Even with Chris Carpenter in less than full strength, their arms remain as potent, led by Kyle Lohse, Lance Lynn and Jason Motte. The series is expected to have an unpredictable ending, perhaps four or five games will decide the winner of the experience vs. youth battle. 

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

Season Series: Reds won 4-3

The 2010 World Series champions are aching to get back on the big stage, but first they have to face a team that also has World Series aspirations. Both the Reds and the Giants made it through their offense and pitching, and these aspects will decide this series.

Even with Tim Lincecum struggling and Brian Wilson out, the Giants did prevail thanks to the equally potent arms of Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Madison Bumgarner and Sergio Romo. The Giants also had success offensively, thanks to the return of Buster Posey and the consistency of a pre-suspension Melky Cabrera. With Cabrera out, they need the likes of Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan and Joaquin Arias to fill the offensive void. As for the Reds, they will rely on the bats of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and youngsters Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier, and the arms of Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Aroldis Chapman. With an equal distribution of offense and pitching, expect this series to last four or five, and whoever starts quickly will win the series. 

2012 MLB Postseason Preview: Wild Card Playoff

The chase for October has ended, and the chase for the World Series title gets underway. This year, Major League Baseball introduced the Wild Card playoff, where two Wild Card qualifiers in each league play in a one-game elimination tournament to determine who will face the top-seeded team in the division series. The introduction of this round enables a more exciting finish to the season, and most importantly, a greater chance of qualifying for the postseason. However, the new format also lessens the chance of a Wild Card team winning the World Series, as they have to win 12 games instead of the 11 given to the division winners. Still, the addition of an extra playoff round adds revenue to the league and gives fans something to cheer for.

AL Wild Card Playoff

Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles

Season Series: Rangers won 5-2

The Rangers collapsed down the stretch to lose the AL West lead and eventually down to the Wild Card game, while the Orioles couldn't put away the Rays when it mattered most, losing out on their first division title since 1997. Now a date with the Yankees is on the line on this one game, and if either team is to win, offense will be the key.

Texas has the heart of the order in play, led by Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli, while Baltimore counters with Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds. Yu Darvish and Joe Saunders are expected to start in this game. The pitching of either Darvish or Saunders will decide the winner of this winner-take-all game, even as the offense takes center stage. 

NL Wild Card Playoff

Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Season Series: Braves won 5-1

The Braves played consistently well, but not consistently enough to win the NL East. Still, making it to the Wild Card game was an achievement. As for the Cardinals, they were only lucky to have reached this playoff even as they played baseball on its highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Unlike in the AL, the NL is a pitcher's game, and 'small ball', a traditional tactic for both teams, is a key to victory.

The Braves only hope that a Kris Medlen start will be their key to victory, considering that they have won 23 straight Medlen starts. Leading the way offensively are retiring legend Chipper Jones, young bats Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward, and veteran Dan Uggla. The Cardinals, despite the loss of Albert Pujols, still have Matt Holliday, David Freese, Allen Craig, Yadier Molina and new addition Carlos Beltran to lead the offense. Starting for them pitching-wise is Kyle Lohse. Expect a pitching battle between Medlen and Lohse, as they look to book a ticket to D.C. and the top-seed Washington Nationals in the NLDS. 

Baseball in Review: August-October

We have come to the end of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, but before officially closing the curtain on the regular season, we look back at the best and the worst of the final third of the season, where the postseason race reached its conclusion.

Most Surprising Teams: AL

Who would have thought that by the end of the season, the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics would win their respective division titles at the end of the season? The A's returned to form thanks to their league record 53 wins by rookie pitchers and a final series sweep of the Texas Rangers while the Tigers leaned on Miguel Cabrera's batting Triple Crown effort to snatch the AL Central for the second straight time. Whether they were inspired by the movie 'Moneyball', the A's are indeed back in the postseason, and Oakland fans were there to witness. As for the Tigers, a return to postseason was a decent achievement, especially after signing prolific slugger Prince Fielder for millions in the offseason. 

Most Surprising Teams: NL

The St. Louis Cardinals are happy that they kept their season alive despite losing Albert Pujols to the Angels. The defending World Series champions quietly maintained a winning record for much of the season, eventually clinching one of two Wild Card slots. This despite missing ace Chris Carpenter for a long stretch due to injury. Their Wild Card playoff opponents, the Atlanta Braves, made sure there were no late-season collapses by storming through the final two months with consistent hitting and 'small ball' offense. The Braves are happy to be in the postseason again, but unless they dethrone the Cardinals on Friday, Chipper Jones' legendary career may end sooner than expected.

Most Disappointing Teams: AL

The Chicago White Sox led the AL Central for much of the second half, but then coughed up and eventually ceded the division to the Tigers in the final two weeks of the season. The Cleveland Indians also led the AL Central at one point, but their collapse was more dramatic than Chicago's, ending the season near the AL Central cellar amidst a poor combination of injuries, mediocre play from both sides, and questionable managerial decisions on now-dismissed manager Manny Acta. Both teams have a lot of questions to answer in the offseason. Also worth noting is the 93 losses by the Boston Red Sox, who just couldn't put their act together under Bobby Valentine.

Most Disappointing Teams: NL

Thankfully the Houston Astros will no longer be in the National League after a pair of 100-loss seasons. The latest, a 55-107 record, was a typical 'throw in the towel' bombshell, going deeper to their farm system to develop their talent. But with a new manager and a move to the pitcher-friendly American League (designated hitters replace batting pitchers), the Astros only hope that this latest rebuilding project won't stall for the next several years. As for the Chicago Cubs, their rebuilding process under Theo Epstein began on a sour note, losing 101 games. Still, there's a long way to go for Epstein to build the team like what he did in Boston, in hopes of ending a 100+ year title drought. Honorable mention goes to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who endured another late-season choke job to again finish with a losing record for the 20th straight time. 

Most Valuable Player: AL

A unanimous choice for AL MVP, Miguel Cabrera surged late in the season to capture the first batting Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski achieved the mark in 1967. Despite moving back to his original position of third base, Cabrera maintained his hitting form for much of the season, leading the Tigers to another AL Central title. The high point of Cabrera's hitting spree was when hit .357 with eight homers, 24 RBIs and 35 hits. He picked up his play in the final month of the season, norming .339 with 11 homers, 30 RBIs and 38 hits. Finishing with a .331 batting average, 44 homers and 139 RBIs, Cabrera's romp would one day lead him to Cooperstown once he is done. 

Most Valuable Player: NL

Ryan Braun may be in line for another NL MVP award, but Buster Posey is also a deserving contender. Posey stepped up his game in the wake of Melky Cabrera's PED scandal, norming .371 with six homers, 21 RBIs and 33 hits. In the final month of the season Posey continued to hit .371, this time with five homers, 21 RBIs and 39 hits. Finishing with a .336 average, Posey made sure that the batting title stayed in San Francisco. More importantly, Posey returned to form after suffering a broken ankle last season, helping the Giants return to the postseason two years after their World Series triumph. 

Best Rookie: AL

Mike Trout was just several hits away from becoming the first rookie to win the batting title since Ichiro Suzuki, but he nevertheless made his case for the AL Rookie of the Year award with a .326 average, 30 homers, 83 RBIs, and 182 hits. He also became the youngest player of the 30-30 club upon finishing with 30 homers and 49 stolen bases. Trout stayed consistent despite dropping to .284 and .279 batting average in the final two months, helping the Angels stay in the postseason hunt until the final week of the season. The future looks bright for Trout as he emerged as one of baseball's most versatile offensive players.

Best Rookie: NL

Becoming a reliable offensive weapon at only 19 was an achievement for Bryce Harper. Helping the Washington Nationals earn the league's best record was an even higher achievement. To be honest, Harper should win the NL Rookie of the Year after playing  139 games and norming .270 with 22 homers, 59 RBIs, 144 hits and 18 stolen bases. September saw Harper at his best with a .330 average, with seven homers, 14 RBI, 37 hits and five stolen bases. Though no longer a teenager come the postseason, Harper's surge to the NL's batting elite should serve him well in the years to come. 

Best Pitcher: AL

Before Jim Johnson, the last 50-save pitcher was Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels in 2008. His rise as one of the best closers in the game coincided with the Orioles' renaissance. Finishing with 51 saves, Johnson helped lead the Orioles back to the postseason after a 15-year absence. Combined with the Orioles' extra-inning dominance, Johnson's value to the team proved enormous through every save converted. The last reliever to win the Cy Young Award was Dennis Eckersley in 1992, but Johnson's impressive performance in a relief role should earn him a nomination, if not a Cy Young Award victory. 

Best Pitcher: NL

With Stephen Strasburg on the shelf due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, Gio Gonzalez stepped up his game to become the postseason ace of the Washington Nationals. Winning 21 games proved to be his calling card, as he led one of the NL's best pitching staff to the league's best record at the end of the season. And coupled with prolific offensive weapons such as Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, Gonzalez's emergence proved to be a huge benefit in leading Washington to the top of the Major Leagues at the end of the season. He should be a cinch to win the Cy Young Award.

2012 NFL Season Preview: NFC

The New York Giants seek a repeat Super Bowl
title, something that hasn't been achieved since
New England won two straight in 2003 and 2004.

The NFL season is upon us. Amidst a season of drama and excitement that marred last season, the new season promises to feature more of the same, with even better plays and results on the stat sheet. With new rookies coming to the fold, and with top players switching teams, this season hopes to exceed the hype and excitement that 2011 generated. 

Here are the storylines that will follow all 32 teams throughout the season, to cut the story short. We conclude with the National Football Conference. 

NFC East

1. New York Giants
2011 record: 9-7, NFC East Champions
Won Super Bowl XLVI
Just like in 2007, the Giants head into the playoffs as underdogs before pulling off an unbelievable run to the Super Bowl title. A lot is expected again of the Giants, retaining much of the same cast from last year. However, any Super Bowl hangover may be costly, so focus will be the Giants' foray this year.

2. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Super Bowl was their goal last year but they fell way short. This year, with lower expectations, Philadelphia looks to build upon last year's 8-win mark. They headed into the new year carrying last year's momentum of winning their final four games, so much will be expected of Michael Vick and co. to turn it into a playoff berth. 

3. Dallas Cowboys
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
One of the most scrutinized teams last year, Dallas was in contention for the NFC East title before losing to the Giants on New Year's Day to miss out on it. Now it is up to maligned quarterback Tony Romo to lead an underachieving team back to the playoffs, and hopefully sustain a deeper run.

4. Washington Redskins
2011 record: 5-11
Missed playoffs
Robert Griffin III is now the top dog in D.C. The Redskins pin their hopes on this top rookie to lead them back to prominence. However, it may take awhile before Griffin III's talents will lead them back to the playoffs.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers
2011 record: 15-1, NFC North Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to Giants 37-20
15-1 and fail to even win a playoff game, that sums up the Packers' unfulfilling 2011 season. Now that their monkey's off their backs, they hope to recapture the form that made them the league's best offense last year. Aaron Rodgers is still the best QB, but his days atop were numbered.

2. Detroit Lions
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Saints 45-28
Back to the playoffs after an 11-year absence regained both confidence and support among Lions fans. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh are developing into Pro Bowl-caliber players, and any hope of keeping the playoff streak will depend on the threesome's health and form. 

3. Chicago Bears
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
Losing Jay Cutler to injury ended the Bears' chances last year, but with him back, and with the addition of former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall, Cutler is hopeful that his form will return, as well as the Bears' winning ways. 

4. Minnesota Vikings
2011 record: 3-13
Missed playoffs
Former Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb failed in the Twin Cities. Now the Vikings will pin on untested QB Christian Ponder in carrying the team. Another rebuilding season looms for the Vikings, as well as the possible move out of the Metrodome.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints
2011 record: 13-3, NFC South Champions
Lost NFC Divisional Playoffs to 49ers 36-32
The bounty scandal forced coach Sean Payton out for the season, which means Aaron Kromer and Joe Vitt will share coaching duties. Still, Payton's trusted lieutenant Drew Brees will keep the team together in its worst of times, and even with their coach out, the playoffs are still possible for this intact Saints unit.

2. Atlanta Falcons
2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner
Lost NFC Wild Card Game to Giants 24-2
The Falcons have been in the playoffs three of four times since Matt Ryan and Mike Smith took over as starting QB and coach, respectively. However, they haven't won a playoff game, which makes their jobs a lot harder this year. Improving on their 10-6 mark in the first priority, winning a playoff game is the second.

3. Carolina Panthers
2011 record: 6-10
Missed playoffs
Cam Newton was as good as advertised, becoming the offensive rookie of the year and first-time Pro Bowler while setting various offensive records for rookies. The next step is the addition of veteran players to complement Newton, so for now it remains a rebuilding season for Carolina.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 record: 4-12
Missed playoffs
The Bucs have a new coach in Greg Schiano, who replaced Raheem Morris after losing their last eight games. Still, even with a new coach, it remains a rebuilding period, so expect little for this year's Bucs. The playoffs are out of the question, as they focused on player development on players such as young QB Josh Freeman.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers
2011 record: 13-3
Lost AFC Championship to Giants 20-17
Back in the limelight after missing the last eight playoffs, the 49ers look to build upon the success of last year's accomplishments. Jim Harbaugh, like his brother John of the Ravens, has built a playoff team in his first year alone, and Alex Smith regained confidence after a scrutinized 2010 campaign. Now if they can build that into a Super Bowl title.

2. Arizona Cardinals
2011 record: 8-8
Missed playoffs
John Skelton will start on Week 1, but don't expect him to start any longer. With Kevin Kolb returning soon, and coming so close to a playoff berth, the Cardinals look to improve upon the eight wins they had last year. However, they are on the bubble between the playoffs and an early offseason, so nothing is safe.

3. Seattle Seahawks
2011 record: 7-9
Missed playoffs
It's a surprise that they will start Russell Wilson at QB. But expect no surprises for Seattle. The playoffs are possible, but if Wilson does not become comfortable in his new role, it may put Seattle out of the running early and may not make it.

4. St. Louis Rams
2011 record: 2-14
Missed playoffs
St. Louis had a golden opportunity to draft Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck, but traded it to the Redskins. With Sam Bradford still at the controls even after a sophomore slump, their decision to trade the second pick may either end up as a blessing or a curse. Jeff Fisher will be their new coach, but it remains to be seen whether his coaching magic will help the team.

2012 NFL Season Preview: AFC

The New York Giants seek a repeat Super Bowl
title, something that hasn't been achieved since
New England won two straight in 2003 and 2004.

The NFL season is upon us. Amidst a season of drama and excitement that marred last season, the new season promises to feature more of the same, with even better plays and results on the stat sheet. With new rookies coming to the fold, and with top players switching teams, this season hopes to exceed the hype and excitement that 2011 generated. 

Here are the storylines that will follow all 32 teams throughout the season, to cut the story short. We begin with the American Football Conference.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

2011 record: 13-3, AFC East Champions

Lost Super Bowl XLVI to Giants 21-17

Kept mainly the same roster from last year, but time is running out for Tom Brady. Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski should keep the Patriots firing throughout the season.

2. New York Jets

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

It's a quarterback dilemma for Rex Ryan. Is Tim Tebow the right man, or is Mark Sanchez the more capable quarterback? So far, a bad preseason for the Jets, who failed to score a touchdown. It's up to Tony Sparano to fix their anemic offense.

3. Miami Dolphins

2011 record: 6-10

Missed playoffs

Sparano left the team in disarray, with three losing seasons after a promising 11-5 record in 2008. Joe Philbin made the Packers contenders, but it's a rebuilding season for Miami, even with quarterback Matt Moore looking to build on a promising 2011 season. 

4. Buffalo Bills

2011 record: 6-10

Missed playoffs

12 years without a playoff berth was something Bills fans couldn't afford. Have the Bills found a hero in Mario Williams? Let's wait and see. Ryan Fitzpatrick, fresh from a new extension, should easily get the nod of starting QB over ex-Seahawk Tarvaris Jackson.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens

2011 record: 12-4, AFC North Champions

Lost AFC Championship to Patriots 23-20

Four straight playoff berths under John Harbaugh should keep Ravens fans hungry for a Super Bowl trip. They kept much of the same team from last year, and if Ray Rice continues his stellar offensive performance, a second Super Bowl title may be in the offing.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

2011 record: 12-4, Wild Card Winner

Lost AFC Wild Card Game to Broncos 29-23

Lost to Tebowmania in the playoffs, the Steelers are back in the drawing board. But with Hines Ward retired, how much will affect the offense? This year's Steelers will be about Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, with a younger and unproven crew brought along for the ride.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

2011 record: 10-6, Wild Card Winner

Lost AFC Wild Card Game to Texans 31-10

Now in his 10th season, coach Marvin Lewis has never won a playoff game, and this latest loss shows why Cincinnati is a Jekyll and Hyde team. Andy Dalton showed promise as a rookie, and the Bengals offense will revolve around him. However, another playoff loss or a late-season collapse may cost Lewis his job.

4. Cleveland Browns

2011 record: 4-12

Missed playoffs

A new owner in Jimmy Haslam III will be the focus for the Browns in a rebuilding year. Nine years without a playoff berth was hard to swallow for Browns fans, and if they want to get back there, their 28-year old rookie QB Brandon Weeden should prove that late-bloomers like him are as good as advertised.

AFC South

1. Houston Texans

2011 record: 10-6, AFC South Champions

Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs to Ravens 20-13

They made their first playoff appearance meaningful. Now what to do for an encore? Even if they lose Mario Williams, the Texans should improve from a basically intact roster, which includes a returning Matt Schaub, and a defense that is one of the best in the league last year.

2. Tennessee Titans

2011 record: 9-7

Missed playoffs

The addition of QB Matt Hasselbeck almost turned the Titans into playoff contenders. Now with Jake Locker ready to take over, all systems go for an improved season. Hasselbeck, however, will continue to play the role of locker room and bench voice in order to motivate the Titans in the long run.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

2011 record: 5-11

Missed playoffs

This is another rebuilding season for the Jaguars. With a new owner in Shahid Khan and a new coach in Mike Mularkey, the Jaguars only hope to build upon a young talent in order to build a contender. But who will lead them on the field, Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert?

4. Indianapolis Colts

2011 record: 2-12

Missed playoffs

Is Lady Luck smiling on Andrew Luck? The Colts hope a dose of 'good Luck' will turn the team around, if not making the playoffs immediately. 

AFC West

1. Denver Broncos

2011 record: 8-8, AFC West Champions

Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs to Patriots 45-10

Tebowmania went to the bright lights of New York, and in came an export from Indiana in Peyton Manning. But did the Broncos made a huge gamble in signing an aging Manning? 

2. San Diego Chargers

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

So close to making the playoffs, the Chargers' season will again hinge upon Philip Rivers' increasing age and viability. Another lost season and Rivers may move out of San Diego.

3. Oakland Raiders

2011 record: 8-8

Missed playoffs

Carson Palmer had a rebirth in Oakland after starting the season on the Bengals bench. Palmer's arrival almost helped the Raiders reached the playoffs. But with Palmer's mentor Hue Jackson gone and Dennis Allen in charge, will there still be magic in Oakland?

4. Kansas City Chiefs

2011 record: 5-11

Missed playoffs

The Chiefs never recovered from a slow start and missed the playoffs after winning the AFC West two years earlier. All eyes will again be on Matt Cassel, whose injury-riddled 2011 season was costly, and new coach Romeo Crennel hopes the Chiefs will bounce back from a dismal 2011 season. 

The NHL Shootout

One of the most exciting climaxes in an NHL game is a shootout. The shootout was introduced in the 2005-06 season in effort to decide a winner. In the past, ties are normal in the NHL. However, it usually takes away the excitement factor from the game. Thus, the shootout had to be implemented.

Rules

The shootout consists of three rounds. Teams select three skaters of their choosing. The team with the most shootout goals wins. However, in case of a tie through three rounds, an extra round is added, with additional skaters assigned to each round. Play continues until one team scores and the other misses or is stopped by the goaltender. Shootouts only occur after the game stays tied after a five-minute overtime session. The shootout winner will earn two points in the standings, the loser earns one point. 

What Makes It Great?

Shootouts are penalty shots without any penalties incurred. Shootouts are usually a test between the best goaltender on one team, and the best skaters on the other, and the excitement is more apparent when skaters run up the ice and perform some creative shots to befuddle the opposing goaltender. On the other end, the goalie needs to be at his sharpest, and must anticipate the moves of the opposing skater in an effort to prevent a goal. In essence, a shootout will make a difference between a won and a lost hockey game. 

Limitations

Shootouts occur only during the regular season. In the playoffs, as it has been the case throughout most of modern NHL history, if a game is tied after 60 minutes, a sudden-death 20-minute overtime is added to determine the winner. If the game stays tied after the overtime, additional overtime periods are added until a team scores. Shootouts are also negated during five-minute regular season overtime games in case a team scores in OT. 

Baseball in Review: June-July

Two-thirds of the baseball season is complete, so we look back at Major League Baseball's best and worst. After four months of slugging and striking, we've now reached the boiling point, where postseason races intensify and the race for October heightens.

Most Surprising Teams: AL

Forget their early season slip-up. The New York Yankees are playing like the Yankees of old, a seemingly invincible monster with 27 World Series championships bagged. And they got better with a former AL batting champion in Ichiro Suzuki. The Yankees, however, would have to deal without Brett Gardner and Mariano Rivera, their two supporting stars lost to injury for an extended period. Still, it is exciting to see Derek Jeter climb the hitting charts, Alex Rodriguez climb the home run charts, and CC Sabathia climb the wins and strikeouts charts, as their legacies continue to be enhanced in the Bronx. Honorable mention goes to the Chicago White Sox, thanks to the resurgent bat of Adam Dunn, and reliables such as Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski and new White Sox addition Kevin Youkilis.

Most Surprising Teams: NL

While Washington kept winning despite the rash of injuries, June and July belonged to the Cincinnati Reds. They proved their dominance by winning ten straight games to end July, all without All-Star first baseman Joey Votto on the lineup. Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo and Mat Latos supplied strong pitching, while Aroldis Chapman excelled in the closer's role. Brandon Philips, Jay Bruce and rookie Zack Cozart providing superb offensive support. Honorable mention goes to the San Francisco Giants, who enjoyed a superb June and July to go from the middle of pack to at least the top of the NL West. The All-Star Game saw Giants Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Matt Cain and MVP Melky Cabrera orchestrate the NL's shutout of the AL, and the momentum continued the rest of the month, as San Francisco locked themselves in a power struggle with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Most Disappointing Teams: AL

Obviously, Boston continues to be the biggest AL disappointment, but Seattle appears to be the team that is on a new direction. Ichiro Suzuki is aging fast, and the Mariners, after a 116-win 2001 season and years of excellent hitting from Ichiro, has hit a roadblock. And just before a mid-July series with the Yankees, they decided to trade Ichiro to the Bronx. And while Ichiro stayed in Safeco for the series, he did go to the Yankee clubhouse and wear the iconic interlocking 'NY' cap for the first time. It was a sad departure, but for Seattle fans, they are happy to start over. Honorable mention goes to the Minnesota Twins, who found themselves struggling despite the on-field returns of Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, their key components during their runs to the AL Central title. 

Most Disappointing Teams: NL

Also going nowhere are the Philadelphia Phillies. After five straight win-loss improvements, they basically went from a top contender to a bottom feeder in the NL East. Injuries to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were the primary culprits to their sudden fall from grace, but it also had to do with subpar pitching from Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Jonathan Papelbon, the lack of capable offensive power, and poor defense. They decided to start over as they traded Hunter Pence to San Francisco, Shane Victorino to the Dodgers, and Jim Thome to Baltimore. It is clear that Philly's NL East dominance is fading, and a new identity is needed. Honorable mention goes to Miami, as the Marlins' struggles continue on the field, and following trades of Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to Detroit, Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers, and Gaby Sanchez to Pittsburgh, the Marlins, like the Phillies, are looking to rebuild for 2013.

Most Valuable Player: AL

The Angels, despite their high-profile signings of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, caught a big fish through its minor league system. Mike Trout debuted with the Angels last year, but in 2012 he was undoubtedly a rookie of the year candidate, thus we name him too as the AL Best Rookie for June and July. In June he batted .372 with three homers, 42 hits and 16 RBI, and in July he improved to .392 with 10 homers, 38 hits and 23 RBI. Trout's overall season numbers of .348 led the majors at the end of July, and he was the reason why the Angels leaped back into contention in the AL West. 

Most Valuable Player: NL

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the same position as they were a year ago, posting a winning record at the end of July. Andrew McCutchen was the key during those periods. In June, McCutchen had a .370 batting average, and posted seven homers, 26 RBI and 40 hits. In July he continued his torrid stretch by norming seven homers, 15 RBI and 41 hits for a .446 average. That stretch raised his season batting average to .373, leading the NL in the category. They failed to end the futility record last year with McCutchen struggling towards the end, so his bat will be the key for the Pirates as they look to end a streak of 19 straight losing seasons. 

Best Rookie: AL

(see AL Best Player Mike Trout)

Best Rookie: NL

Once again, Bryce Harper takes the nod in the NL. The wonder kid continued his hot hitting spree by norming a .274 batting average, though he struggled in July norming just .222. Still, his bat contributed to his elevation to the top of the batting order, and with it, the Nationals kept winning despite a rash of injuries that come along with it. Harper made history as the youngest All-Star position player ever at age 19, although his night in Kansas City was forgettable as he bobbled a routine fly ball from Mike Napoli in the game, and finished 0-1 with a strikeout and a walk. The NL Rookie of the Year should be a runaway for Harper, provided he stayed out of the injury list and perform excellently.

Best Pitcher: AL

Jered Weaver had his stuff going during the no-hitter against Minnesota in May, but in June and July, he was as devastating as ever. He went undefeated through eight games, posting ERAs of 0.71 and 2.23 respectively, all towards lowering his season ERA to an AL-leading 2.29. Weaver's pitching is also the key reason why the Angels surged back to contention in the AL West, and if all goes right for Weaver and the Angels, they may as well break the two-year stranglehold of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. 

Best Pitcher: NL

R.A. Dickey made the All-Star team this year because of his success in the month of June, going 5-0 with a no-decision and a 0.93 ERA. Perhaps it's the mystique of the knuckleball that baffled opposing batters, or because Dickey's ammunition seems to be working to perfection. Whatever the reason, Dickey is enjoying a breakout year at age 37, an age where players are entering the twilight zone. Although his ERA went up to 5.13 and had a 2-1 record with three NDs, Dickey's 14-2 mark continues to lead the NL, and the Mets will need his arms more in an effort to make it back to the postseason.