REDEMPTION ROAD : THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (WEEK 8)

As the AFC East continues to be one of the more interesting divisions in the NFL in the 2015 regular season, fans and analyst must delight in tonight's Thursday Night Football match-up. Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Massachusetts is the site for a Week 8 Thursday night showdown between the Miami Dolphins (3-3) and the New England Patriots (6-0). There is much anticipation regarding this game and for the edification and enjoyment of NFL fans, we're here to give you a pre-game analysis to tell you why. Kickoff for the game is 8:25 p.m. E.T and will be exclusively broadcasted on CBS and the NFL Network.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)

The Miami Dolphins disappointed fans and NFL analyst with their 1-3 start to the 2015 regular season. Thank god that the Dolphins have begun to gain tread as they enter tonight against arguably the best team in the league. The 44 to 26 blowout the Dolphins handed the Houston Texans in Week 7 conveyed that their two game winning streak is more than just a hardy victory but a slow process called redemption. Against Houston, QB Ryan Tannehill went 18-19 on passing attempts and produced four touchdowns. The Dolphins rushing attack has been led by HB Lamar Miller who on only 14 rushing attempts went for 175 yards last week. Did we mention the Dolphins Defense? 19 million dollars seemed excessive for off-season signee DT Ndamukong Suh over the first few games of the season but with Miami giving up just 13 points per game in their last two match-ups, it is safe to say that the good investment is paying off. Tonight in order for Miami to get the upset, they'll need to alleviate an already suspect New England rushing attack and bring the heat by blitzing QB Tom Brady. If Miami can force some three and outs and run the ball successfully, they may be the talk of the town entering into Week 9.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America)

The New England Patriots escaped defeat in Week 7. Their opponent the New York Jets added a loss to their season record while New England gracefully got the win despite producing only 1 rushing yard. The formula for Patriots success is simple, get the ball out quick in the passing game and torture defenses with their monster tight end/wide receiver Rob Gronkowski. Surely the Patriots must be hyped about the primetime opportunity to remind viewers why they are one of the most winning teams the NFL has to offer and why a repeat appearance or victory in the Super Bowl is not farfetched for them this season. New England matches up against a potent Dolphins defense tonight. How they plan to attack Miami is a mystery that head coach Bill Belichick doesn't mind providing the suspense for.

DURANT RETURNS - NBA ON ESPN

It's been nearly four months since the nets have gone swish on the NBA hardwood but that's all over now. The NBA returned last night with several match-ups and the well-renowned NBA on TNT. Last season NBA MVP Stephen Curry and his Golden State Warriors walked away with NBA Finals honors. They picked up right where they left off by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 111 - 95 last night. PG Curry gave NBA fans and Oracle Arena a incredible showing.  Curry had 40 points and 7 assists and sat nearly the entire fourth quarter as the Warriors seemed to outmatch New Orleans just as they did in the first round of last years post-season. The Warriors NBA Finals (2014) opponent; Lebron James and the Cavaliers visited the United Center last night without Kyrie Irving. The Cavs suffered a 95-97 lost  against the Bulls to start their season. Cleveland will be looking to return to the success they had been last year and are glad to have forward Kevin Love back in the lineup.

San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder 8:00 p.m. E.T

(Oct. 6, 2015 - Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America)

Enough about last night. Tonight the Thunder and Spurs will take it to the hardwood on ESPN at 8:00 p.m E.T. The long anticipated return of Oklahoma forward Kevin Durant has finally arrived. Durant's lingering foot injury had him sidelined for nearly three fourths of last season. In his absence, Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook did everything he could to keep the Thunder a contender in the Western Conference. Though OKC was unable to reach the playoff's, Westbrook's MVP like performance last season definitely has me predicting a Western Conference Finals berth of OKC in 2015. With role players like Kanter, Ibaka, Singler and Morrow, stopping the Thunder offense might be the slightest of task for the upcoming season. At the Chesapeake Arena where the fans will be livid, expect a incredible showing from the Thunder.

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Oklahoma City's opponent tonight, the San Antonio Spurs, lost to the Clippers in a first round match-up of last years playoffs. In the off-season, the Spurs acquired superstar forward LaMarcus Aldridge from the Portland Trail Blazers. In mastermind Head Coach Greg Popovich traditional offense, it'll be interesting to see how quickly LaMarcus can integrate into such a efficient scoring scheme. Averaging nearly 25 points per game last season, Aldridge will enjoy being accompanied by a plethora of veterans like Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili that will help sharpen his offensive and defensive skills. Aldrigde wants to win and his decision to join one of the NBA's most winning franchises is a clear reflection of this desire. Tune in tonight to see how he fairs in the first game of the season.

BATTLE OF THE BIRDS : MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (WEEK 7)

To finish out week 7 of the 2015 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens (1-5) will visit the NFC West top seeded Arizona Cardinals (4-2) in tonights Monday Night Football match-up. As usually, ESPN will be your broadcast host of tonight's game which should be a close one. Though these two teams seem to be on opposite ends of the seesaw and always competitive NFL league compels me to believe that this game might be just as exciting as the match-ups that took place yesterday. We've given a little pre-game analysis below to get you ready for Monday night in the NFL.

(Oct. 17, 2015 - Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)

The Arizona Cardinals marched all over the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Despite this, their 42-17 victory over Detroit put no fear into the Pittsburgh Steelers who defeated the Cardinals with third string QB Landry Jones by the score of 25-13 in Week 6. Talk about a bizarre chain of events. Still there is no reason to count a 4-2 Cardinals team out of contention just yet. They for many reasons can consider themselves the best team in the league. They rank 2nd in the league in scoring and while they have produced 25 touchdowns on the season, they have in turn given up only 11. Tonight look for the Cardinals to drive hard on a Baltimore Ravens secondary that has been having an awful year. QB Carson Palmer must be licking his chops at a Ravens defense that continues to give up big plays in the passing game. Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians will utilize a vertical pass game to chunk the Ravens defense early and later in the game, run stretch plays with RB Chris Johnson to close it out. I don't see the Ravens defense stopping a offense of this potency. They haven't done so all year.

(Oct. 17, 2015 - Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

The Ravens have lost 5 out of six of their season match-ups. Though no team has completely dominated Baltimore, the Ravens are just not doing enough to get it done late in games. Whether a QB Joe Flacco crucial interception, a HB Justin Forsett fumble or a blown coverage on the back end of the defense, the Ravens have found a way to come out on the losing end. Tonight the motivational factor will simply be their pride. This has never been the type of franchise to just lay down so being taken lightly will place a heaviness on the consciousness of each and every player in their locker room. If the Ravens are to have success, they'll need to jump out to an early lead by shredding the Cardinals with a quality passing game. In a dwindling 2015 season, Baltimore must care for their dignity in the primetime lights of Monday Night Football.

WEEKEND REPORT NFL (WEEK 7)

It's Monday morning ladies and gentlemen. Another weekend of NFL football is in the books and some of your favorite teams were able to improve their season records while others took a step back adding another tally to the loss column. Within this article let's take the time to honor some of the teams that made statements in Week 7 of the NFL and what it means as we enter into the latter part of the season.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)

Minnesota Vikings 28 - 19 Detroit Lions
Final (Week 6)

The Minnesota Vikings visited Ford Field and defeated the Detroit Lions. A 14-6 first quarter league had Lions fans believing that the morale of Detroit may have returned to its 2014 season potency after the (1-5) 2015 season start. Unfortunately though, the Lions now sit at 1-7 on the season and their chances of making a return to the postseason this year has vanished. The Vikings on the other hand improved to 4-2 and sit just two games behind the undefeated Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. The emergence of WR Stefon Diggs adds to their already multi faceted offense. Diggs produced a jaw-dropping catch in the third quarter to give Minnesota their first league of the game. The play sucked the life out of Ford Field, while the Vikings defense produced seven sacks and sucked the life out of the Lions offense. Minnesota ranks 2nd in PPG allowed this season which speaks volumes to the face they allowed Detroit only allowed Detroit 5 points after quarter one. The Vikings move on to face the Bears next week in Chicago. They are definitely a team to watch.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America)

Philadelphia Eagles 16 - 27 Carolina Panthers 
Final (Week 6)

Philadelphia took 1st place in the NFC East earlier this week by defeating the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in one of the ugliest games this NFL season has offered. That positioning didn't last very long though. The Eagles were met by the Carolina Panthers stingy defense last night at Bank of America Stadium and suffered a 27-16 loss. Though QB Cam Newton tossed three interceptions, the Panthers defense allowed just one touchdown the whole game. Certainly this isn't how Eagles head coach  Chip Kelly would like things but history has showed that against the more physical teams in the NFC the Eagles don't fair well. While the NFC East causes even more confusion in the media, the Carolina Panthers advance to 6-0, remain undefeated and prepare to face a struggling Indianapolis Colts team next weekend. With the Panthers playing the way they have, there isn't reason why they shouldn't believe in a lengthy playoff run this season.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images Europe)

Jacksonville Jaguars 34 - 31 Buffalo Bills
Final (Week 6)

The Bills and Jaguars flew overseas to London and faced off in a battle that came down to the very end. Jacksonville's 34-31 victory over Buffalo was flat out resilient. They overcame a 31-27 deficit with 5:21 to go in the game. A crucial pass interference penalty gave Jacksonville a first down on the last drive of the game. QB Blake Bortles finished off the Bills defense with a TD pass to WR Allen Hurns.  The win pushes the Jags to 2-5 while the Bills suffer their second straight loss. The absence of starting QB Tyrod Taylor has caused unrest in the Bills offense. Back up QB E.J Manuel was cause of three of the four Buffalo turnovers in yesterdays game. With the Indianapolis Colts continuous underachievement, the AFC South is still a division that is up for grabs. The Bills enter their bye week on the other hand having fallen to last place in the AFC East.

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)

Houston Texans 26 - 44 Miami Dolphins
Final (Week 6)

(Oct. 24, 2015 - Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America)

New York Jets 23 - 30 New England Patriots 
Final (Week 6)

Don't look now but the Miami Dolphins are 3-3 and face off against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. Miami pummeled the Houston Texans 44-26 yesterday and have looked absolutely rejuvenated after escorting former head coach Joe Philbin out of the organization two weeks ago. The Patriots improved their unblemished 6-0 record by defeating the New York Jets 23-30 (who have been nothing less than brilliant this year). The Patriots victory came with a horrid 1 yards rushing on the day. Their leading rusher, QB Tom Brady also threw for two touchdowns on a day where New England got it done the rugged way. I'm very interested to see how things pan out when the Dolphins and Patriots meet up this week. the AFC East may be shaping up to become to divisional story of the league in 2015.