With the NFL season starting this week on the weekend of the 10th anniversary of attacks on September 11 2001, the NFL puts behind an off-season of greed, lockouts and labour disputes. This weekend’s opening week of games provides a number of intriguing match ups from fierce divisional rivalries as well as sibling rivalry. Below is a preview of the key match ups of the week along with thoughts on the remaining games. ...

Having left the likes of Argentina and Brazil in their wake, Uruguay and Paraguay now find themselves in the Copa America final – a just result for arguably the two most improved South American nations in football. If recent results are an indication, Uruguay and Paraguay can temporally lay claim to being the two best South American footballing nations at this very moment. ...

Uruguay are just 90 minutes away from becoming the most successful nation in Copa America history after they accounted for Peru 2-0 in the first semi-final played at La Plata. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez once again showed his potency in front of goal, scoring twice early in the second half to seal Uruguay’s place in the Copa America final in Buenos Aires. ...

Have the last 2 to 3 years seen the best quality of football being played for two decades? There is no definitive answer to the question…that may be a debate for another day. I write the following with the ‘Last Eaten Steak Theory’ firmly in mind, where most people generally rate the last steak they ate as the best they have ever had. Not often the case, but carnivores often get caught up in the moment. ...

Uruguay have returned to their former status as a football superpower, downing Argentina in a penalty shoot-out to send Sergio Batista’s men crashing out of the Copa America. Uruguay will now play Peru for a place in the Copa America final, while Argentina’s international silverware drought will continue on to at least Brazil 2014. ...

They may have escaped with a draw, but Argentina’s performance against Colombia this morning leaves the two time world champions looking anything but the team that was considered a strong favourite to win their 15th Copa America on home soil. ...

Fantasy sports have revolutionised the way we watch modern athletes play their trade on the sporting field, whether it be baseball, the NFL or more specific to this piece, the Australian Football League. Playing in either Dream Team or Supercoach competition gives participants an interest in a game they would not normally have (the other way is betting in it!). ...

Argentina’s hopes of winning their 15th Copa America title suffered a blow this morning, scrapping to a one all draw against a determined Bolivia in the opening match of the tournament. Despite starting attacking superstars Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, Argentina failed to break a Bolivia defence that pressured the hosts into error, with both Messi and Tevez presented with little room to weave their magic on the ball. ...

Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general and key strategist in the late sixth century BC, who was believed to have written one of the most successful military strategy pieces in history – The Art of War (although the title of the piece ‘Art of War’  does sound a lot like the title of a song that would be on an early Machine Head album). In modern times, it has been applied to business, managerial forums and dare I say it, coaching! ...

...