SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 SPORTS NFL season marked by mediocrity, not parity in 2015 NEW YORK: The NFL likes to call it parity. epitomize how disappointing the level But also recall that Kansas City lost below) is the inability of linemen, tight those don’t like what they have. There is This season, it looks closer to mediocrity. of play has been in so many cities. They five in a row, going into a funk after ends and running backs to provide pro- hope with the likes of Jameis Winston, From the porous offensive lines to the brought in a high-profile coach and blowing a game against Denver. Seattle tection. Marcus Mariota, Derek Carr, Teddy suspect quarterbacking and poor tack- upgraded their talent level. They paid wasted the best home-field advantage No area requires bonding more than Bridgewater and Blake Bortles as the ling, from the inconsistent officiating to huge salaries to hold on to some key in the sport, falling twice at CenturyLink the O-line, but even some units that new wave, and with Newton and Russell the multitude of key injuries, the 2015 players. And they flopped. Field and basically being handed a win enjoy that continuity have underper- Wilson in the MVP conversation. But season has been filled with the unwatch- “I mean, I could tell you the common over Detroit by incorrect officiating. formed. If the Broncos disappear quickly future eliteness for QBs is unpredictable able. thread is this: that when you have high Pittsburgh was 4-4 and somehow lost to in the race to the Super Bowl, the lack of - see Matt Ryan - and when the aging Yes, the playoff races, particularly for expectations and you don’t reach those Baltimore at home. solid blocking could be the determining crop of stars leaves, it’s hard to see the the AFC wild card, have been intriguing. things, that obviously you’re going to Most disturbing, even laughable, has factor. On the other side, it might be dif- college game producing an ample num- Carolina’s chase for perfection has been have a little more questioning,” Ryan been the level of play and coaching ficult to find a dozen fundamentally ber of replacements. worthy of headlines. The performances says. Here’s what has been most worth throughout the NFC East and AFC South. strong tacklers in the entire NFL. In their, by the league’s top players - particularly questioning through 15 of the 17 weeks It’s still possible both wretched divisions uh, defense, the rules about what’s a OFFICIATING the ones making substantial break- on the schedule: will be won by teams without winning legal hit have made some of them gun- For decades, it’s been fashionable for throughs such as Cam Newton and records, who then deservedly will be shy or confused. But the very basics of fans to blame the officials for losses, Doug Baldwin on offense, Khalil Mack PARITY underdogs as hosts to a wild card in the wrapping up and keeping the head out while team owners, general managers and Ziggy Ansah on defense - have been If what the NFL wants is nearly every playoffs. of the play have been lost. and coaches have bitten their tongues mesmerizing. team in contention to win a division or The league can brag all it wants and tried to shrug off officiating prob- There’s also the noteworthy, if mad- grab a wild card when the calendar turns about how packed together so many QUARTERBACKING lems. Not anymore. dening, race to relocate to Los Angeles to December, it came close to that goal clubs are. It’s sort of like finding a slew of Someone recently wondered why the There’s a growing sentiment that involving the Rams, Raiders and in 2015. fast-food restaurants together along a league doesn’t simply expand to get game officials have lost their way, and Chargers. As for the rest, well, let’s hope If what it wants is high-quality foot- busy roadway. teams into Los Angeles - or the cities the NFL will need to look long and hard the playoffs and Super Bowl go in a dif- ball from many of those teams, sorry. abandoned through relocation - and into how it handles who is blowing the ferent direction than we’ve witnessed It’s worthwhile to praise the work of BLOCKING AND TACKLING maybe even into London in the near whistles; how to simplify the rule book; since September. the Panthers and Patriots, Cardinals, Shield your eyes. future. One good reason: Where will and how to better use the ever-improv- One team not concerned with the Broncos and Bengals, who pretty much These basic skills appear to have NFL-quality quarterbacks come from? ing technology. postseason for the 16th straight time - for the entire season have risen above gone the way of the chip shot extra And what is NFL-quality for the posi- One thing the NFL must hope as this remarkable in itself that anyone could the morass. Second-half surges by the point (one of the good things about this tion today? It’s seems fair to say that half season of mediocrity winds down is that miss the playoffs that many years in a Chiefs, Steelers and Seahawks have been season, incidentally). One reason quar- of the 32 teams aren’t sure what they a wrong call doesn’t decide that big row - is Buffalo. The Bills under Rex Ryan impressive. terbacking has been so spotty (see have behind center, and a bunch of game Feb. 7. — AP Cue Card pips Vautour in vintage King George battle LONDON: Cue Card pipped Vautour on the say that there was a lot more left in the line to land a vintage King George VI Chase tank, but if anyone can get this horse back at the fourth attempt at Kempton yester- to win the Gold Cup, it’s going to be Colin day. Tizzard.” Vautour (3-1) appeared to be set for vic- Mullins found defeat hard to take. “”We tory, leading over the last fence and up the did everything right until the last 20 yards,” run-in only for Cue Card (9-2), under a the Irish trainer told Channel 4. “He proba- determined ride by Paddy Brennan, to reel bly didn’t just jump the last as efficiently as him in to edge the Boxing Day showcase by he could have, but it was a very brave run a head. Don Cossack, the 15-8 favourite, and a very brave run by Cue Card - that’s held every chance when falling at the sec- horse racing.” Mullins didn’t leave Kempton ond last. empty handed, as his Faugheen set himself Cue Card’s previous best showing in the up for a defence of his Champion Hurdle three-mile Grade One was runner-up to crown next March, justifying cramped odds Silviniaco Conti, winner of the last two run- of 1-4 in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. nings but who only played a bit role this Bouncing back after surprise defeat on time. his seasonal return at Punchestown, Leading early on, Paul Nicholls’ runner Mullins’ classy hurdler was too quick for The lost his grip on the race down the back New One in second. Earlier, Lizzie Kelly straight as Vautour jumped to the front, became the first woman jockey to win a with Cue Card tracking. Don Cossack was British Grade 1 chase on Tea For Two in the getting ready to launch his bid for glory Kauto Star Novices Chase won 12 months when crashing out of the picture two ago by Coneygree who went on to win the fences from home. Cheltenham Gold Cup. “Awesome! I That left Cue Card as the only live dan- thought two fences out I’m going to win,” ger to Vautour with Brennan conjuring up a said the history-making rider. final stride lunge on Colin Tizzard’s rejuve- Kelly’s mother and assistant trainer Jane nated nine-year-old to emerge triumphant Williams said: “I’m thrilled for her. after an epic battle. “It’s important for girls to make it in rac- “This is the best day of my life - it’s truly ing and we set out to try to prove girls can LONDON: Tottenham Hotspurís Erik Lamela, left, is beaten to a cross by Norwich’s Declan Rudd, right, and Norwich’s Ryan Bennett, centre, dur- unbelievable,” said Brennan. “I won’t lie and win Grade Ones.” —AFP ing the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at White Hart Lane in London, yesterday.— AP Toulouse and Toulon lock Harry Kane in tune as horns as Top 14 returns Tottenham down Norwich PARIS: French heavyweights Toulouse and levels of performance, especially given that Toulon lock horns as the Top 14 returns a poor result at Clermont could knock today, while leaders Clermont will bid to Racing out of the top six. Lamela launched a rapid break as he fed Alli, on the rebound, but Rudd kicked away the keep hold of top spot when they host “In a league where everything is so tight who picked out Kane on the right-hand side of Argentine’s low shot. Another Kane shot was Racing 92. and competitive, no one can afford to Tottenham 3 the area. Kane took one touch and smashed it repelled by Rudd, who then denied Lamela a Home-and-away wins over fellow three- relax,” said Chavancy, who has been tipped low and hard into the far corner past Rudd for spectacular ‘rabona’ strike as he wrapped his time champions Leinster revived Toulon’s for a first France call-up ahead of the Six his 13th club goal of the season.