This is an unusual week in these parts for local sports fans. There are two huge games coming up, both being played within 48 hours of each other, and both that garner a lot of attention whenever they are contested.
First is the annual grudge match for college basketball fans in the state between the University of Rhode Island and Providence College
The second is quite possibly the biggest game to ever be played in the history of the National Football League. On Monday night, in front of a national TV audience and a packed and raucous crowd at the Razor, the New England Patriots host the New York Jets with first-place in the AFC East and possible home field in the playoffs on the line.
So this week, you can expect a healthy dose of hype for both games. For the Rams-Friars, it will be locally based, both on TV and in the newspapers, with heavy dissection of the game on Saturday. For the Pats-Jets, it will be locally, nationally, internationally and throughout outer space. It started (amazingly enough) during Sunday’s pregame shows, even though games still had to be contested that day, tonight, Thursday night and next Sunday before the kickoff in Foxboro. That’s how big this game will be.
Over the week, I will look at both matchups, break them down and try and predict some winners. I have my rooting interests (Rhody and the Pats), but will that influence by not-so-unbiased decisions? That remains to be seen.
What I do know is that the crowds at both games will be intense. Can Delroy James and the Rams respond in a road game (albeit in front of plenty of Rhody fans) and pull out a win over a Big East team? Can Tom Brady continue his MVP-like season and lead the Pats past their nemesis? Can Jim Baron out-maneuver Keno Davis? Is there any doubt Bill Belichick is smarter than Rex Ryan? Is Danny Woodhead the greatest football player in the history of the sport?
We’ll tackle the issues, offer analysis and breakdowns, look at the history and the future of both games and the four teams.
Let the hype begin!
