Weekly Watch Feb. 3 paper

Virginia at Florida State

Saturday 2/4 at 1 p.m.

What appeared to be an easy cruise turned into a bumpy ride once the Atlantic Coast Conference season got under way. First, there was a narrow victory over Miami, 62-61. Then came a loss to potent Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Ten days later, it was a last-second defeat to in-state rival Virginia Tech. On Jan. 28, the Cavs survived the N.C. State Wolfpack in Raleigh. No ACC contest is ever easy, and facing a Florida State team that has dethroned Duke and North Carolina this season proves that UVa will have to play their best in order to keep pace with the leaders in the league standings.

Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins

Sunday 2/5 at 12:30 p.m. on NBC

Before all the hoopla of the Super Bowl, the Capitals have a mighty important game against the defending champions of the NHL. Boston is powerful yet again, boasting the best record in the Northeast Division. However, Washington tamed them by a score of 5-3 in the previous meeting at Verizon Center on Jan. 24. The Caps have reasserted themselves, climbing to first position in the Southeast.

Super Bowl XLVI

Sunday 2/5 at 6 p.m. on NBC

The sport’s biggest game features two of the country’s biggest markets and is a rematch of classic championship finish just four years ago. In Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants used a legendary drive engineered by Eli Manning to stun the unbeaten New England Patriots, 17-14. Now, Tom Brady and the Pats aren’t exactly looking for revenge, they’re seeking redemption for missing out on immortality. Manning, meanwhile is shaping up to be one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks of all-time thanks to this most recent playoff run. In fact, he’s now in the discussion with Brady, Drew Brees and a famous older brother as being among the elite signal-callers in the NFL. It’s quite ironic then that this title tilt will take place in the house that Peyton Manning built – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks

Wednesday 2/8 at 7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet

If only the Wizards could play the lowly Charlotte Bobcats every game. The third and fourth win of the season for Washington came at the expense of the worst team in the NBA in a span of just four days. It was the second victory for new head coach Randy Wittman, who took over for the fired Flip Saunders on Jan. 24. On paper, the New York Knicks appear to be an automatic ‘L’ for the cellar-dwelling Wiz. However, the Knicks have been a great disappointment in this shortened season, having lost nine of 10 at one point. New York edged the Wizards, 99-96, on Jan. 6 at Verizon Center.

— Brian Wright