The news, the games and the picks

The news

The news this week was that teams are beginning to sound interested in veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Context: Last week, several media outlets reported that the Los Angeles Rams gave Stafford permission to talk to other teams.

Although it is reported that the Rams’ priority is for Stafford to return to the team for the 2025 season, for that to happen he will need to restructure his current contract. And if that does not happen, then the Los Angeles team will listen to offers to make a trade for the Super Bowl winner three seasons ago.

Last year, Stanford restructured the four-year, $160 million contract extension he signed in 2022. In fact, he only has $4 million guaranteed for the 2025 season.

Well, some interested teams are already starting to raise a hand: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns are among the first to be identified, Sports Illustrated reported.

Stafford passed for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his fourth season with the Rams.

In fact, the Rams were the only team in the playoffs (including the Chiefs in the Super Bowl) that had a realistic chance of beating the Philadelphia Eagles.

Who will Matthew Stafford’s team be next? (if he doesn’t return to the Rams)

The Games and the picks Liga MX

Friday, February 28

Mazatlán vs. Cruz Azul

Until the surprise win over Monterrey, Mazatlán had four games in a row without a victory. Under the leadership of its new manager, Vicente Sánchez, Cruz Azul has won seven of the last eight, including the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The Cañoneros only have two wins in the last seven at home, and one of them was on Tuesday night, when they defeated the Rayados 1-0 (without Sergio Ramos, by the way).

La Máquina has only been able to win in one of its four visits to Mazatlán.

Pick: Cruz Azul wins or draws with under 2.5 goals.

Saturday, March 1

América vs. Toluca

América has three wins, three draws and one loss in the last seven at Ciudad de los Deportes. Meanwhile, Toluca has only been able to win two of the last seven away from home.

Las Águilas defeated Toluca 2-0 in their most recent match, in the last season’s Liguilla. In fact, both games in that series were won by América by 2-0.

Las Águilas won four of the last five in which they hosted the Diablos Rojos.

Pick: América doesn’t play at its best when it’s at “home,” so I like the under 2.5 goals here.

Pumas vs. Guadalajara

Pumas won the last two games at Ciudad Universitaria against Chivas (3-0 and 1-0, both in 2023). Guadalajara comes into this game with three straight away losses in Liga MX. In fact, their most recent away win was in November of last year, 2-0 against Santos Laguna.

Pumas is in crisis and after being thrashed 4-2 by Tijuana, they fired Argentine manager Gustavo Lema.

Pick: A draw seems to be the best option, as well as the under 2.5 goals.

Bundesliga

Friday, February 28

Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich

Stuttgart has not had a good time at home recently, with just one win in the last four games in all competitions.

Last weekend, Bayern Munich drew 0-0 against Leverkusen.

Last season, Stuttgart defeated Munich 3-1 at home. Before that defeat, the Bavarian giants had won 13 in a row away from home against Stuttgart, both in the Bundesliga and the Cup. Pick: I like Munich to win and over 2.5 goals

Serie A

Sunday, March 2

Milan vs. Lazio

Milan have not lost a home game since October last year, when they fell 2-0 to Napoli. Lazio have won two of their last three away from home in Serie A, but Milan have won five straight against Lazio at home.

In fact, Lazio last won at San Siro in November 2019.

Pick: Milan to win or draw and over 2.5 goals.

NBA

Friday, February 28

New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Knicks are averaging 117.9 points per game, while Jalen Brunson is scoring 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns is scoring 24.6 points over the last 10.

The Grizzlies have scored 120.4 points per game over the last 10, and Jaren Jackson is averaging 22.8 points over that stretch.

Pick: The Knicks have lost two in a row on the road, so analytics say there’s a 66.7% chance for the Grizzlies to win.

Sunday, March 2

Denver Nuggets vs. Boston Celtics

The Nuggets are third in the NBA averaging 121.3 points per game, and Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.2 and 12.6 rebounds so far this season with Denver.

Boston has won nine of the last 10, averaging 118.2 points per game and Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.8 points for the NBA champions.

Pick: Only because of the home-field advantage, I like a close Celtics win.

Liga MX Femenil

Monday, March 3

Tigres vs. Guadalajara

Las Amazonas have won four of the last five games.

Chivas also comes into this game on a hot streak, with three wins and a draw in the last four. Tigres has lost two of the last four at Universitario, while Guadalajara has drawn two of the last three on the road.

However, Chivas has never been able to beat Las Amazonas at El Volcán and there are four games in a row in which these teams have not combined for more than two goals.

Pick: Tigres win and under 2.5 goals.

Champions League

Tuesday, March 4

Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid

The three most recent Madrid derbies ended with identical 1-1 scores, two of them at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Last season, Atlético were the only team in Spain capable of defeating Real Madrid. They did it twice: 3-1 in La Liga and 4-2 in the Copa del Rey, both at the Metropolitano.

Real Madrid have not beaten Atlético at the Bernabéu since December 2021, meaning Atlético de Madrid have gone 10 games without losing at the Casa Blanca.

Pick: Why not? Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid

Wednesday, March 5

PSG vs. Liverpool

PSG come into this match on an impressive run of 17 wins in their last 18 games.

As a visitor, Liverpool have only been able to win two of their last six, in all competitions. These teams met in Paris at the end of 2018 and PSG won 2-1, also in a Champions League duel.

The last game that PSG lost at home was precisely in the Champions League, in November of last year against Atlético de Madrid.

Pick: Win or draw for PSG and over 2.5 goals