Recapping 2016: What will happen in the upcoming year?

JANUARY

On January 11, No. 2 Alabama defeats No. 1 Clemson 28-21 for its fourth National Championship since 2009.

A win at the Australian Open gives Serena Williams her 22nd Grand Slam title. She then is two behind Margaret Court for the all-time record.

The NFL playoffs will unfold every weekend, and our winners are as follows: Steelers over Bengals, Chiefs over Texans; Seahawks over Packers, Vikings over Redskins; Patriots over Steelers, Broncos over Chiefs; Seahawks over Panthers, Cardinals over Vikings; Patriots over Broncos, Cardinals over Seahawks.

The NHL's new 3-on-3 All-Star Game format is a big hit and the event's ratings are highest in years.

FEBRUARY

On February 7, inside a packed Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, Carson Palmer earns MVP and guides the Arizona Cardinals past the New England Patriots for their first-ever Super Bowl victory.

Kobe Bryant, the NBA All-Star Game's leading vote-getter, earns the loudest cheers from fans, but is merely a footnote as MVP Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry guide the West to an easy victory over the East.

MARCH

March Madness is everything we usually ask for -- except we go yet another year in which a No. 16 seed fails to pick off a No. 1. Oh, and everyone's brackets are destroyed on Day 2.

APRIL

North Carolina, Michigan State, Oklahoma and Kansas comprise the men's Final Four -- but it's Providence that captures the nation's attention during their ride to the Elite Eight.

Michigan State overcomes North Carolina, 77-65, capping a year in which coach Tom Izzo records his eighth Final Four appearance and second national title.

UConn women's basketball team captures the program's fourth straight national championship by defeating South Carolina.

On Saturday, April 9 at Memphis, the Golden State Warriors surpass the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the best regular-season record in NBA history with their 73rd win. The next night, they fall to the San Antonio Spurs but win their 74th game to wrap up a 74-8 campaign three nights later.

That same night, Manny Pacquiao defeats Timothy Bradley Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas -- and that victory turns out to be his final bout ever.

On Wednesday, April 13 at Staples Center, Kobe Bryant scores 19 points in his final game. He finishes his career third in scoring, sixth in field goals, 12th in 3-point field goals, 27th in assists, 15th in steals and 53rd in rebounds in NBA history. He also walks away with 18 All-Star Game selections, one MVP and five NBA championships.

The Eastern Conference playoff teams are: Cavaliers, Hawks, Heat, Raptors, Pacers, Celtics, Bulls, Hornets. The Western Conference playoff teams are: Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Rockets, Kings. Meanwhile in the NHL, the Eastern Conference playoff teams are: Capitals, Canadiens, Rangers, Islanders, Panthers, Red Wings, Lightning, Bruins. The Western Conference playoff teams are: Stars, Blues, Kings, Blackhawks, Wild, Predators, Canucks, Avalanche.

MAY

Days after Gary Kubiak announces that the Denver Broncos are moving forward with Brock Osweiler as their starting quarterback, Peyton Manning announces his retirement, effective immediately.

The Washington Capitals edge the Montreal Canadiens in a thrilling seven-game Eastern Conference Finals, sending Alex Ovechkin to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings down the Dallas Stars in five games in the Western Conference Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Golden State Warriors edge the San Antonio Spurs in a six-game slugfest.

JUNE

MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors repeat as champions, ousting LeBron James (now 2-for-7 in the NBA Finals) and the Cavs in six games.

Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick helps the Los Angeles Kings shut down the high-octane Washington Capitals in six games, clinching a third Stanley Cup title in five years.

On Friday, June 30 at Yankee Stadium, Alex Rodriguez blasts his 13th homer of the season to become the fourth player to reach at least 700 home runs in a career.

JULY

Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Ken Griffey Jr. and Tim Raines are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

On July 9, Ronda Rousey gets revenge and takes down Holly Holm to reclaim her title.

The American League defeats the National League in extra innings after Troy Tulowitzki smacks a game-winning hit against Mark Melancon at the MLB All-Star Game in San Diego.

AUGUST

Over 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries participate in an overall successful 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The final medal count is as follows: United States, China, Russia.

On Monday, August 29 at Citi Field against the New York Mets, Ichiro Suzuki knocks his 65th hit of the season and finally joins the 3,000-hit club. He brings his Japan and MLB hits total to 4,434, which continues to shatter Pete Rose's 4,256 mark.

SEPTEMBER

On Sept. 9, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming headline one of the most star-studded lists of Pro Basketball Hall of Fame inductees ever.

Jordan Spieth caps another historic year in which he wins three majors with his final victory of the season at the TOUR Championship.

Serena Williams captures the US Open and completes the Grand Slam.

OCTOBER

On Sunday, October 2 at Yankee Stadium, Alex Rodriguez goes 0-for-3 in his final chance this season to tie Babe Ruth with 714 career home runs.

On the same afternoon, David Ortiz is greeted to the loudest ovation of the season at Fenway Park -- his last regular-season game at the place he's called home since 2003. He homers in his final at-bat before the Red Sox begin their playoff run.

The Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros are the division winners, while the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels round out the American League playoff teams as wild-card winners. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants are the division winners, while the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals round out the National League playoff teams as wild-card winners.

The Cubs defeat the Giants in seven games in the NLCS, while the Astros swept the Indians in the ALCS.

NOVEMBER

Finally, after 107 years, the Cubs win the World Series by edging the Astros in six games.

Mike Trout and Kris Bryant win the MVP awards, Chris Sale and Max Scherzer win the Cy Young awards.

DECEMBER

A year after one of the worst overall performances ever, the NFC East rebounds to form one of the best division races in recent memory. The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins both make the playoffs, while Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers surprise many and compete for the NFC South crown -- losing out to the Panthers but clinching a Wild Card berth.

The Jacksonville Jaguars surprise and challenge the Colts for the division, but ultimately settle for a Wild Card as well. The Jets join the Patriots as the class of the AFC East, and both make the playoffs for a second straight year.

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