Coming off their bye week and hoping to extend a two-game winning streak, Head coach Rex Ryan’s Jets gave his team practically the entire week off, a most unorthodox approach, but then Ryan is anything but orthodox. New York’s last game, two weeks ago versus San Diego, was an impressive 27-21 victory, highlighted by WR Plaxico Burress’ 3 touchdowns as the Jets rallied from a halftime deficit to improve to 4-3 on the year. QB Mark Sanchez hit on 18 of 33 for 173 yards and the 3 TDs, and suffered just one turnover. RB Shonn Greene handled most of the heavy lifting on offense, picking up 112 yards on 20 carries, while Burress, finally looking like the former All-Pro receiver the Jets hoped he would return to, grabbed only 4 passes for 25 yards, but 3 of them were in the end zone.

New York’s sometimes stellar secondary gave Chargers QB Philip Rivers headaches, at least in the second half, intercepting him twice, the most costly being Darelle Revis’ 64-yard return of a tipped pass that stopped San Diego’s seemingly go-ahead drive. The Jets run defense was also stout, limiting San Diego to just 96 yards on 25 carries. On the year, New York’s pass defense is ranked 7th in yards allowed, while the run defense, still very much a work-in-progress, ranks 25th. The back seven is the Jets defensive strength, with LBs Bart Scott and David Harris providing plenty of experience and savvy, while the secondary, led by Revis, Antonio Cromartie and safety Jim Leonhard, can be exploited, but almost always is in position to make plays.

Buffalo improved to 5-2 and a first-place tie with New England with a 23-0 shutout over Washington in Toronto this past Sunday. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, just signed to a new contract, started paying off dividends, completing 21 of 27 passes for 262 yards and 2 TDs as the Bills finally tasted victory in Canada. The Bills had been 0-3 previously in their trips north of the border. RB Fred Jackson also came up big, gaining 120 yards on 26 carries, while also hauling in 3 passes for 74 yards. WR Steve Johnson also sparkled, grabbing 6 passes for 57 yards. For the year, Jackson has piled up 721 yards and 6 touchdowns for the league’s 5th ranked ground attack. Johnson and David Nelson have surpassed all expectations, combining for 70 receptions, good for 805 yards and also 6 scores.

The scrappy Bills defense showed Washington no mercy, erupting for an NFL-season high 9 sacks and 2 interceptions. Buffalo entered the contest with only 4 sacks on the season. Rookie DT Marcel Dareus harassed Redskins QB John Beck all afternoon, recording 2 1/2 sacks to go with 4 tackles. Overall, the Bills collected 14 QB hits, and handcuffed Washington almost completely, holding them to 26 yards rushing and 178 yards of total offense. LB Nick Barnett, the former Green Bay Packer, continues to provide much-needed leadership for this unit, which is young, aggressive and extremely well-schooled in their responsibilities, with the results showing up every Sunday.

These two long-time in-state rivals almost always present an entertaining contest, and this one should follow suit. The stakes are high enough to ensure high concentration, and both teams are playing extremely well, especially defensively. It will be interesting to see how Rex Ryan’s unusual bye-week tactics will pan out, and also how Buffalo’s efficient passing game fares going up against the Jets secondary, which is probably performing as well as any in the NFL.

He is greatly renowned for scoring the only goal in the Copa del Rey final against arch rival Barcelona last season, giving Real Madrid the King’s Cup for the first time since 1993. Because of his high scoring record, he won the Golden Boot award. Ronaldo had a total of 10 assists last season in La Liga, but is showing improvement in that area in the 2011-12 season. Ronaldo took 102 goal shots last season, scoring on 40 of them. Although he is widely considered one of the best players in the world, Ronaldo is not without weaknesses. Last season his shots were often considered erratic and off target. He has been accused of taking dives in an attempt to gain fouls and therefore direct free kicks or penalty kicks.

So far this year, Real Madrid has 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw in La Liga. Within these games, Ronaldo has scored 10 goals (3 hat tricks), taken 57 shots, 23 goal … shots, and provided 5 assists. Real Madrid’s biggest rival, Barcelona, has defeated Real Madrid once in La Liga while tying once.

Real Madrid took the Copa del Rey final, and then was beaten by Barcelona once during the Champions League semi-finals and finally tied them in the next semi-finals game against them. Barcelona’s top player, Lionel Messi, is also Cristiano Ronaldo’s main competition for the world’s best soccer player. Many soccer fans are turning their attention to the rising star, who appears to be outshining Ronaldo. Even though Ronaldo was nominated for the UEFA Best Player in Europe for 2010/11, Messi won the award by a landslide. He received 39 votes, was followed by his teammate Xavi Hernandez with 11 votes, and Ronaldo came up third with only 3 votes. Messi scored 53 goals throughout the 2010/11 season, and is considered the greatest dribbler in the game. He has improved his strength over the last year, but his greatest weakness is in heading. Messi has 12 assists so far this season while Ronaldo has 5.

But, Ronaldo has a great advantage in the game as he can keep a great pace for long distances, while Messi generally shows short bursts of speed throughout the game. All in all, Ronaldo is still rated higher than Messi. But one must wonder for how long?

One of the top teams in the league is Manchester United. This team is the current F.A. Premier League champion and was the runners up in European championships the previous season. This team is renowned because of its talented players and experienced coach. The hail from the city of Manchester, as the name suggests. Their great rivals and current leaders of the league are Manchester City. This team is foreign owned and has in the recent past acquired plenty of high profile players from across Europe, Africa and South America.

The rivalry between these two teams has existed for along time. However, most of the time, Manchester United looks down on their rivals as inferior. When the two teams have a match against each other in their home city, then the match is commonly referred to as a derby and is usually an eagerly awaited affair.

The two teams met on Sunday, October 23rd at Old Trafford; the home stadium of Manchester United. This match was eagerly anticipated by UK fans as well as fans across the globe. Manchester United rarely loose home matches. This derby would be like no other.

The match started and by half time, the score was 1 – 0 to Manchester City. By the 60th minute, United were down 2 – 0. Both goals were scored by Balotelli. The score was settled to 3 – 1 after Darren Fletcher … of United scored to reduce the deficit. However, this just fired off City’s players who went on to score three more goals to bring the final score to 6 – 1. It did not help United when their player was given the marching orders for holding Back Balotelli. One of Manchester City’s key players and the play maker of the match was Silva.

The defeat was the first loss for United this season, but the worst in the history of Alex Ferguson’s tenure at Old Trafford. The loss was especially humiliating for Ferguson who had earlier dismissed City as not worthy league contenders, favoring Chelsea instead as their main title rivals. In fact, Alex Ferguson has often referred to city as ‘those noisy neighbors’. Soccer fans will, however, note the impressive record that Manchester city hold at the moment, with 33 league goals out of 9 matches. The club is now at the top of the premiership, five points on top of United, who lie second, 1 point above Chelsea.

The Broncos are going to need to pull out all the stops to make this season a winner, and since bringing Tebow back into the game things will not get any easier. There is sure to be some real trouble for the team if Tebow cannot integrate himself in a big hurry, and this fact is not lost on anyone who watched the game against Miami. There needs to be a lot more effort to incorporate Tebow’s unique type of play into the game of this Broncos team, a team which is a lot more accustomed as of late to running a-typical plays. Fortunately for the team there are an … awful lot of versatile players on this team who are ready to do whatever it takes to make things work again. Mechanical plays have not worked for the Broncos at all this year, but creating an awesome running game to along with the passes being thrown is going to take a lot more work. And with a quarterback that looks an awful like a squirrel at times, the Broncos certainly have their work cut out for them.

They are definitely doing something right though, and the game against Miami has been seen as a bit of an upset by many fans. Still, with two missed field goals and a number of passes not hitting their mark (quite the opposite actually) the Broncos are going to need to step up their communication skills. This is a new team with a lot of volatility being brought to the table by Tebow, and this is something that everyone is going to have to get used to. This was a close game that shows just how certain the Broncos’ future will be this season, and everyone needs to remember that before their hopes grow too much. Still, Tebow is doing what he can.

Utah came into this game with a stellar record (10-1 overall, 7-1 conference) and was ranked #20 in the polls. Utes Head Coach Kyle Whittingham had his troops prepared or so he thought. Cougars Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall always circled this game on the calendar to get his boys ready to play. With the frenzied fans behind the Utes, they looked to hold court on home turf as kickoff drew close. Much like other storied rivalries as Michigan-Ohio State and Florida-Florida State, the electricity in the air was thick.

As the game progressed, the defensive play of the Cougars was stellar. Going into halftime, the Cougars were up 6-0 and extended the lead going into the fourth quarter leading 13-0. The Utes engineered a wild comeback heavily relying on costly errors by BYU. A Utah field goal cut the lead to 13-3 and BYU fumbled on their next series which the Utes cashed … in for seven more points. BYU put three more points on the board to extend the perilous lead to 16-10. The costliest error occurred when BYU forced the Utes to punt, and the ball struck BYU player B.J. Peterson and the Utes recovered.

The football Gods were not on the side of BYU as they intercepted a Utah pass during the next series and fumbled it back to the Utes during the return. Replays showed that BYU’s Brandon Bradley’s knee was down before the ball was fumbled but officials allowed the call to stand after further review. With under five minutes to play, the Utes made good on scored to bring them ahead 17-16. BYU made one last drive with under a minute to play and set up for a 42 yard field goal. With four seconds left on the clock, BYU kicker Mitch Payne drilled the kick. Junior Utes cornerback Brandon Burton cut through the side of the D and put a paw up and deflected the kick and the Cougar’s hopes in the process as time expired.

Fans stormed the field in a frenzy as the Utes celebrated their stunning win. Coach Whittingham even got an accidental elbow to the head for his troubles due to exuberant players celebrating on the sidelines. The Utes dodged a huge bullet with the field goal block and the Cougars came within a kick to derail the Utes bowl game aspirations.

According to Janikowski, the field goal wasn’t kicked-well and it just barely made it over the goal post, to help the Raiders beat the Broncos 23-20 at a Monday night football game in Denver. Janikowski’s field goal gave Oakland and its new head coach, Hue Jackson, the fourth straight seasonal win over Denver, and marked Denver’s first loss in a home opener since 2000.
Janikowski, now tied with Tom Dempsey, 1970, and Jason Elam, 1998, both with 63-yard field goals, in the NFL record books, said that he kicked a 70-yard field goal in pregame practice and that the record setting field goal was not a good, solid kick.

A Polish-born former soccer player, Janikowski, a former star kicker at Florida State University, was drafted by Oakland in 2000, as the 17th overall draft pick, marking the third time in NFL history that a place kicker had been drafted in the first round. His NFL record-setting counterpart, Jason Elam, was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos in 1993 after a playing college football at the University of Hawaii. Dempsey, born without toes … on his right foot and without fingers on his right hand, set the record with a 63-yard field goal in 1970, while playing with the New Orleans Saints in a game against the Detroit Lions.

Prior to Dempsey’s record setting field goal in 1970, the longest NFL field goal was a 56-yarder by Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts in 1953. Janikowski and Elam are ‘soccer style” kickers, kicking with the instep of their feet, while Dempsey, wearing special shoes, kicked straight forward toe-style, like many other NFL kickers prior to 1960.

Because of the special shoes, Dempsey’s record setting field goal generated controversy. This controversy brought about a change in NFL rules, in 1977, regarding kicking shoes. Because of Dempsey’s clubbed foot and his special kicking shoe, the NFL ruled that kickers must wear a normal kicking shoe. Despite the rule change, Tom Dempsey remains in the NFL record books.

Nick-named the “Polish Cannon” because he is considered to have the strongest kicking leg in the NFL and holds the record for touchbacks, Janikowski, while playing for Florida State, used to delight fans during pregame practices by the kicking the ball through the upright while practicing kick-offs.

As the place kicker for the Raiders, Janikowski, is now the highest scoring player with the Raiders. He scored his 1,000th point in January of 2010 and his two plus 59-yard field goals in 2009 and 2010, makes him, along with Morten Anderson, a co-holder of this record. In 2010, Janikowski extended a four-year contract with the Raiders for $16 million, with $9 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid place kicker in the history of the National Football League.

This promising rookie went on to defy the elements in a blizzard game against the Oakland Raiders. Somehow, against all odds, Vinatieri single-handedly tied the game and sent it into overtime by kicking a field goal 45 yards long. The game was tied 13-13 and the Patriots ended up winning the game by a 23 yard field goal by the man of the year, Adam Vinatieri.

Keeping up with quality assurance, Vinatieri managed to give the New England Patriots their first Superbowl victory in the final play of the game against the St. Louis Rams, 20-17. Vinatieri maintains the sport entertaining and suspenseful … by giving it his all at the end of the game. Only a mere 2 years after this event, Vinatieri played a kick that was 41 yards with a nail-biting 4 seconds left. The Patriots won 32-29 against the Carolina Panthers, with a string of records tied directly to Vinatieri.

One of the most impressive plays in the NFL was Adam Vinatieri’s Superbowl XXXVIII kick. The whole game was discouraging for Vinatieri, missing a 31 yard field goal by kicking it too far right and making a 36 yard attempt, but this award winning kick was destined to be. With 8 seconds left, the game tied and 41 yards ahead of him, the pressure of a sold out stadium didn’t skew his accuracy or force when he kicked the perfect winning field goal straight ahead.

In 2005, when Vinatieri had finished his final season with the Patriots, he had 18 field goals that won the game with less than a minute left on the clock under his belt. Also in 2005, when he finished his Patriots reign, he had a field goal percentage of 81.9, accurately placing 263 field goals out of 321. This put him in the fifth highest in all of the history of the National Football League. The longest field goal he ever accomplished was an astonishing 57 yard goal.

All of this success in the New England Patriots didn’t go to his head when he was actively involved in multiple charities and non profit organizations. Among many, he worked with Christian Athletes, D.A.R.E, the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s teen anti-smoking campaign. Because of this, the Patriots have never re-issued his number 4 jersey.

Reggie Miller is arguably one of the best 3 point shooters of all time and simply because he was as clutch as they come in the NBA. Though he may not have the prettiest form in the world, Reggie was the ultimate Pacer and always gave Michael Jordan a run for his money in the NBA playoffs. Reggie will always go down as one of the best 3 point shooters ever.

Ray Allen was definitely the opposite of Reggie as he most likely has the prettiest jump shot of all time. Ray … is also a great mid range shooter and has perfected the shot coming off of screens. He started off as a sonic and now plays for the Boston Celtics.

Dan Majerle was the type of player to just stand outside and wait for the ball to come. Once the ball came though it was almost automatic for Majerle. He played a majority of his career for the Suns and was always among the league leaders in shooting percentage and 3 pointers made.

As a multiple winner of the 3 point shootout, Peja Stojakovic is one of the best pure shooters of all time. Though he may not have a typical shot, he perfected his shot from hours of practice and years of dedication to his game. I believe that Peja will go down as one of the best natural shooters to ever play in the NBA.

There can’t be a best 3 point shooters list without Larry Bird. As one of the best players of all time, Larry definitely had a knack for the long ball. He was as clutch as they came when it came to the jump shot and I still believe that Larry was better than Michael Jordan during his prime simply because of his jump shot.

As Michael Jordan’s long time teammate, Steve Kerr was one of the best 3 point specialists of all time. He was known for amazing shot and definitely helped the Bulls win multiple championships. He now commentates the NBA and focuses on making great calls.

The NBA still has their share of 3 point shooters and it seems like the art form will never really die down. Players like Anthony Morrow and Stephen Curry are among some of the best shooters today and it seems like they are definitely making names for themselves as legit 3 point shooters. The NBA is in great hands as the future seems to still be very bright. The 3 point shot will always go down as a great feat to watch and more players should focus on it.

Steve Nash is definitely one of the best shooters of all time in the NBA. He holds the record for the 50-40-90 seasons. 50-40-90 is a shooting threshold that only 5 NBA players have reached. Steve Nash has had 50% and above for field goals, he has scored 40 % of three-point field goals and 90% of free throws in just one NBA season.

Larry Bird is one of the members of the 50-40-90 club. He enabled the Celtics win three titles during one season in 1980. Bird was a clever basketball player as he always saved his best shot for the last. This helped him to dominate the all-star weekend leagues. Bird won 3-point contests thrice.

Mark Price was also a member of the 50-40-90 club. He was very good at aiming and this was the guy to watch … when you needed that impressive cold-blooded shot.

Reggie Miller was best known for running off defenders. His sly and quick moves left the defenders disappointed and fans entertained. He rarely missed a shot. Reggie was acrobatic. Fans were entertained by his gym shooting jump shots. A basketball player with attitude maintains his fans. Reggie was one of the biggest trash talkers and he never let himself down.

Dirk Nowitzki has had a good career in basketball. He is a member of the 50-40-90 club. He has managed to attain the minimum NBA league requirements for each category. Fans look up to Dirk due to his shooting accuracy. He can put the ball on the court and drive it right from the perimeter. This has been done by only selected players. Dirk can shoot from a release point above his head and never miss.

Kobe Bryant is the 6th in the list of best throws in NBA history. Most fans see the re-birth of Michael Jordan in Bryant. He has great shooting mechanics combined with great accuracy to ensure that he never misses a shot.

Despite being big in size, Ray Allen delivered impressive jumps shots. He had impressive results during All-Star weekend making him the all time master of 3 point shots. Ray can run all through the court and deliver a massive quick shot.

Glen Rice was not only a good performer but also had great sense of humor. He was once recorded to have asked john Salley if he wanted instant rice or minute rice. Rice was a sniper in shooting and had the most spectacular jump shots.

Bryon Scott was well known for his deadly jump shots. The most celebrated jump shot of Bryon was during the 1988 NBA finals. His team played against the Detroit Pistons. This particular jump shot has been documented as one of the best in the history of Lakers.

Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987, the FC Barcelona striker is easily one of the greatest football players of his generation. He started playing football at an early age and was discovered for his extraordinary talent by Barcelona. Debuting in the 2004-2005 season, Lionel Messi had no trouble adjusting to the big leagues upon debut and was soon able to break his team record for being the youngest player to score a league goal. He continued to break records the following year, when he became the youngest Argentine to participate in the FIFA World Cup at only 19 years of age. Throughout his career he has since won three Champions League titles, as well as five La Liga titles. His numerous nominations and awards, in particular being bestowed the European Football Player of the Year and the FIFA World Player of the Year, are a testament to his amazing skills on the field.

Yet the best and most extravagant testament to Messi’s greatness is perhaps his list of unforgettable, awe-inspiring goals – the kind of goals that can make a crowd go wild in heated celebration, or completely silent in pure awe and enlightenment; the kind of goals that would catch the wonder of younger generations and inspire football stars of the future; the kind of goals that truly elevate the act of goal-scoring into an exquisite and tantalizing art form.

His other memorable goals include a strike … into the far corner of the goal in August 2007 versus Bayern Munich, his choice of strength and brute force over his usual grace and speed for a sensational goal against Copenhagen in October 2010, and his show of pinpoint accuracy with a goal against Tenerife in January 2010.

But among all these, perhaps Lionel Messi’s most unforgettable goal was in April 2007, in a game against Getafe, when Messi managed to careen through five defenders and a goalkeeper to score an amazing goal reminiscent of legendary Diego Maradona’s against England in 1986. If football critics previously didn’t believe Messi could live up to the hype, his incredible goal in that game against Getafe was able to cast aside all doubts about his greatness. Even Maradona himself has named Messi his worthy successor, and what better way for Messi to have demonstrated a figurative passing of the torch than through replicating a magnificent goal of his precursor?