This Weekend in Sports: Little League World Series, Preseason NFL
Little League crowns its champion and the NFL ramps up toward the regular season. Here's what to watch this weekend:
Friday, August 23
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.; 8 p.m. (ET) on CBS
Two teams that qualified for the NFC playoffs last year battle in a preseason matchup, as the Seattle Seahawks visit the Green Bay Packers. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson led his team to a controversial victory over the Packers in 2012 with a last-second touchdown pass to Golden Tate in Seattle. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers still looks like one of the league's best passers.
Saturday, August 24
Little League World Series — International Championship
Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Penn.; 12:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC
The Little League team from Tokyo faces the winner of Thursday's game between Tijuana, Mexico, and Aguadulce, Panama, to determine the international champion, which will advance to Sunday's title game.
Little League World Series — U.S. Championship
Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Penn.; 3:30 p.m. (ET) on ABC
The Little League team from Chula Vista, Calif., awaits the winner of Thursday's game between Sammamish, Wash., and Westport, Conn., to determine the United States champion, which will advance to Sunday's title game.
Irwin Tools Night Race
Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.; 7:43 p.m. (ET) on ABC
With just three races until the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup series enters its Chase phase, standings leader Jimmie Johnson looks to stay in control at the night race at Bristol, Tenn. Johnson leads Clint Bowyer by 41 points and Carl Edwards by 51.
St. Louis Rams at Denver Broncos
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver; 8 p.m. (ET) on CBS
Quarterback Sam Bradford and the speedy wide-receiver corps of the St. Louis Rams take on the Denver Broncos. Off-season addition Wes Welker gives the Broncos another target for Peyton Manning's aerial attack.
Sunday, August 25
Little League World Series — Championship
Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Penn.; 3 p.m. (ET) on ABC
The two remaining Little League teams play for the world title, as the U.S. representative hosts the international champion.
New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans
Reliant Stadium, Houston; 4 p.m. (ET) on Fox
The New Orleans Saints hope to get back to the playoffs in 2013 after slipping into also-ran status in 2012. They'll face a Houston Texans team that many think is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
Candlestick Park, San Francisco; 8 p.m. (ET) on NBC
After narrowly missing the NFL's single-season rushing record in 2012, running back Adrian Peterson hopes to have another big year for the Minnesota Vikings. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick leads a San Francisco team that finished just one play away from a Super Bowl victory last season.
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles; 8:05 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
Two playoff contenders duel in a potential World Series preview, as the Boston Red Sox (75-54) face the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers (74-52). The Red Sox will send Jake Peavy (9-5, 4.25) to the mound to quell Dodger hitters like Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig. Chris Capuano (4-6, 4.70) gets the start for Los Angeles against a Boston lineup anchored by David Ortiz.