SELL, SELL SELL

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Rangers started life after Igor Shesterkin on Thursday, a 5-2 loss to the Sabres. Shesterkin went on IR after leaving Monday’s game. Over the last year and a half the Rangers have made moves tinkering and changing their roster. Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, and Chris Kreider (who was the longest tenured Ranger) are gone. Yet the Rangers haven’t gained traction this season, but the Eastern Conference has every team jumbled together. 

At 45 games played this season, we have an idea of what this team is. They don’t score a ton of goals and still make mistakes defensively. They also rely heavily on their top players, which brings us to the March 6th, the NHL trade deadline. 

There are rumors that GM Chris Drury wants to take a swing and buy. One of the players discussed has been Vancouver’s Kiefer Sherwood. Sherwood has 17 goals and 23 points so far this season, after posting a career high 19 goals and 40 points last season. Sherwood is an impending UFA (unrestricted free agent) after the season and if I am Chris Drury I’m not giving up assets for him. Drury’s case for buying is a bad one, this team hasn’t earned the right to be a buyer and you only do it if you think you can win.

Now if you sell the Rangers have options there. Artemi Panarin, who will be the best UFA on the market, because most of the big names have signed extensions. Panarin, 34 is still playing at a very high level and will be coveted on the market. And as much as I have been for extending him, the smarter play would be trade for future assets. I figure nobody is taking the contracts of either JT Miller or Mika Zibanejad, but would someone take on Vincent Trocheck at 50% retained. Trocheck plays in all three phases of the game and we know what Center go for at the deadline. Other names to move would be Carson Soucy and potentially Braden Schneider (only for a nice return)

Now, you’re asking yourself if this is a rebuild? And the answer is it’s not it’s a retooling. You try to get younger and faster. Fans should want to see Gabe Perrault, Brett Berard, Brennan Otthman and the other young guys to see what they have. This summer the UFA market doesn’t have that big name outside of Panarin, the RFA market (restricted free agents) will have some big names headlined by the Stars Jason Robertson. 

One name I didn’t mention was 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere. Lafreniere is in the first season of a seven year 52.1 million dollar contract. It’s an AAV of 7.45 million dollars. Lafreniere hasn’t found consistency this season, but I don’t thin giving up on a 24 year old is a solution Drury could look at unless it is a sensational return.  No matter when Shesterkin returns, the Rangers should sell at the deadline and readjust come draft and summer time. Take notes of what the Capitals did a few seasons ago.

WEEK 18 PREVIEW 

BY SIN BLITZERS

CAR AT TB : Win and in situation for both teams. Winner gets the NFC South and the other goes home. These two teams played a few weeks ago in Carolina in a game the Panthers won 23-20. Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Baker Mayfield threw for 145 yards with a touchdown and a interception. The Bucs have been in to quote the great Tom Petty “Free Fallen” having dropped seven of their last eight games.

SEA AT SF : You want high stakes you got it with this one. Winner wins the NFC West and becomes the top overall seed and gets the lone bye. These two teams haven’t seen each other since week one, where the Niners won 17-13. Brock Purdy threw two touchdowns and two picks. Purdy, has been sensational since coming back from injury. But, nobody is under more pressure in this game than Sam Darnold. Darnold remembers what happened at the end of last season with the Vikings and can’t let it happen again. Darnold only threw for 150 yards in the first meeting, but with the year JSN has had and the Niners don’t get to the QB, Darnold can have a day, and rewrite history. 

DAL AT NYG : Well, it’s that final game of the year for the Cowboys and Giants and it means absolutely nothing to either of them. The Cowboys have two 1 st round picks heading into next year and the Giants are in good position to trade down and acquire some extra picks. Why the Giants beat the Raiders I don’t know( well I do),  but as for the Cowboys look for some of the starters to play while by halftime, I see mainly second tier. Rookie Jaydon Blue will be the #1 back this week with the Cowboys declaring Willams and Dais as out for this week. Dallas should come out with a win. 

DET AT CHI : Det will face division rival the Chicago Bears which winning won’t help the Lions into the playoffs (where they should have definitely have been) it can only decrease their draft standing. As Chicago is cemented in the playoffs a lot of players have been deemed out for different medical issues. With the game meaning nothing for both teams, both teams will have multiple players deactivated or misses game due to mysterious illnesses to get them rested for the Playoffs. What should have been a year where the Lions should have roared, they could only let out a small “MEOW” this season.

BAL AT PIT : The best rivalry in football has a lot to it this week, winner wins the AFC North and the loser goes home. Both teams are getting a star back this week, Lamar Jackson is starting for the Ravens and TJ Watt will return for the Steelers. The Steelers have to find some success passing the ball minus DK Metcalf, who is suspended. If nobody in the passing game steps up the Ravens will win this game, but we’ll have to see if this is the last game of Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and potentially Aaron Rodgers.

A TRUE 1/1

BY MARK HALPERN

During this year’s NFL preseason, we got a glimpse at what Rookie Quarterback Shedeur Sanders could do. He impressed in some ways but, also showed he had a lot of growing to do before he took control of the Browns especially with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel. Deshaun Watson was already ruled out for the season, and we’ll see what happens with him next season. Once Rookie Dillion Gabriel left week 14 with a concussion, Sanders took over and has managed to win a couple of games and the Browns made him the Starter for the rest of the season even with Gabriel back and ready.

      Shedeur has vaulted himself to conversation of the #1 Quarterback all depending on what happens with Watson. That being said, I have been a sport card dealer for the las 35 years and have had many big time pulls. Yesterday 12/28/2025 I had taken a shot on the Browns when my good pal Joe Knapp of Hat Trick Breaks LLC in Iowa dropped a 2025 Colligate National Treasures and I grabbed my Cowboys but, I had a feeling. This was a feeling I called a “GIBBS” moment and decide to go for a Shedeur Sanders rookie. Well, the last card in the second box Joe says “And look at this.” When he usually says this, he has hit a Monster. I wasn’t prepared for the card to be the Big XII Patch of Shedeur Sanders auto 1/1. This one of the biggest cards of National Treasures I have hit in a long time and the Dugout of Millwood and The Sports Insanity Network wish to thank Joe Knapp and Hatrick Breaks for a very happy holiday present.

WEEK 17 PREVIEWS

BY SIN BLITZERS

HOU AT LAC : Two of the hottest teams in the league will face off in LA on Saturday as the Texans visit the Chargers. Houston is coming off a 23-21 win over the Raiders. As usual their defense played a big role with three sacks of Geno Smith and a pick six from Derek Stingley Jr. CJ Stroud has been efficient since his return threw for 187 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers are coming off a 34-17 win over the Cowboys. Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Quentin Johnston had 100 yards and a touchdown on four catches. This should be a lower scoring affair, with two outstanding defenses. Will Andersen and Danielle Hunter could exploit a Charger o line missing both tackles.

BAL AT GB : One team playing for it’s playoff life and the other playing for seeding and that is what is on the line in Green Bay Saturday night. The Ravens are coming off another fourth quarter collapse, this time to the Patriots and it puts them on the brink of elimination. If the Ravens win and the Steelers lose, then week 18 will matter to Baltimore, but to get there they’ll have to do it without Lamar Jackson, who will miss the game with a back injury. The Packers suffered a collapse of their own on Saturday against the rival Bears. But, with the Lions loss on Thursday the Packers are in the playoffs and will be without Jordan Love, who suffered a concussion last week. 

TB AT MIA : The Bucs playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after losing last week to the Panthers. But to remain alive they have to beat their in state opponent the Miami Dolphins. Todd Bowles’ defense needs to be aggressive against Quinn Ewers, who is making his second consecutive start. 

SEA AT CAR : If you had the Panthers playing meaningful football in December, you’re probably lying. The Panthers host the Seahawks, both teams are coming off of massive divisional wins last week. The Seahawks are in control of the top seed in the NFC, while the Panthers are in control of the NFC South. The Panthers have won some massive home games this season, or can former Panther Sam Darnold play spoiler. 

PHI AT BUF : This is the most interesting game of the day in my opinion. This is a game that will tell us a lot about both teams. Both are playing for seeding purposes in the playoffs. But these are two outstanding teams looking to find it before the playoffs.

CHI AT SF : Both teams are in the playoffs and can be the one seed. The Bears have been a fun watch this season, especially the development of Caleb Williams, meanwhile the Niners have overcome a ton of injuries. Two of the NFC’S best collide on Sunday night.

MAKING IT HIS OWN

BY MIKE RIFKIN

On Monday the Mets cleanse continued as they traded Jeff McNeil to the Athletics for a rookie ball pitcher. McNeil became the latest casualty in David Stearns’ attempt to shape the Mets into his own vision.  With the McNeil departure, the four longest tenured Mets have been let go this offseason, Brandon Nimmo and McNeil were traded while Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz walked in free agency. 

Now, while Stearns is making the Mets into his own vision what he is also doing is putting a lot of pressure on himself to win now. Let’s be honest we all know Stears didn’t want Pete back last season, but after the 2024 postseason he had no other choice, but after what occurred last season, Stearns can shape this into his team. But what Stearns has also done is alienate a fanbase, that right now wants his head on a silver platter. Yes, the Mets added Juan Soto last offseason, but to be honest that wasn’t Stearns’ doing, it was Steve Cohen and his checkbook. 

Now while the fans are right to be upset at what is taking place, they also know that just two years ago they were two wins away from going to the World Series. When Steve Cohen bought the Mets, he wanted a World Series in the first five seasons and wanted to be the East coast version of the Dodgers. Now the one advantage the Dodgers have over everyone is that Shohei Ohtani is on the books for two million dollars. Now while Met fans have the right to be mad at Stearns (trust me) they also have to think that he will do something major. Because if he has an underwhelming offseason and the Mets stink in 2026 will Cohen let him go? If not Stearns will have to earn the trust of the fans back, because right now they do not share the same vision.

ABANDONED SHIP

BY MARK HALPERN

     If you haven’t been watching the New York Mets, free agents are making a run for it. Since Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso both left for free agency and Brandon Nimmo was traded, a lot of players who were expected to help them win in 2025 are now gone.

    The Mets saw two pieces of the bullpen, who they acquired at the trade deadline leave. First submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers heads to the AL champions the Toronto Blue Jays signs Rogers to a 4-year deal worth $37million dollars when the Mets were reportedly only offering 3 years and then Gregory Soto signs with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1 year $7.75million. The Mets gave up Jose Butto, along with prospects Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell for Rogers and gave up pitching prospects Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster for Soto. Rogers and Soto posted a 2.30 and 4.50 ERA respectively. 

    The Mets did make another bullpen addition by signing Luke Weaver to a two-year deal,  making him the second Yankee pitcher the Mets have signed since the opening of Free Agency (rumors saying Devin Williams recruited) and the Mets are far from Done with so many needs.

   I am not sure what David Stearns has cooking but, there are so many rumors tying the Mets to various plays. The Biggest rumors are with the San Diego Padres over a few players and the Chicago White Sox as of lately. Will the Mets have a Merry Christmas? We will just have to wait and see. But right now the Mets fans want to give Stearns some coal.

WEEK 16 PREVIEWS

BY SIN BLITZERS

CIN AT MIA : This game was originally scheduled to be the Sunday night game, but now neither team has nothing to play for other than pride. Both teams were in the headlines for their Quarterback, Joe Burrow made some comments about his playing future, which is something the Bengals should take seriously. The Dolphins on the other hand are making a change at the position, Tua Tagovailoa has been benched (and demoted to third string) for Quinn Ewers. Both teams are coming off bad losses, but the pressure is on Ewers to show something over this last three games of the season. 

TB AT CAR : High stakes game in Carolina as the Panthers and Bucs play for first place in the NFC South. Both teams are coming off of losses to the other two teams in the division, Tampa blew a 14 point lead against the Falcons, while the Panthers fell at the Saints. The Bucs have gotten healthy on offense, and they need Baker Mayfield to show us the Baker in the first half of the season. These two teams will also play in week 18, but whoever wins this one has the inside edge. 

Dallas vs LAC: The Dallas Cowboys will face off against the Chargers this Sunday in which Dallas could still be alive for the playoffs (if the Eagles Lose Out) but, will try to play the part of the Grinch by handing the Chargers a loss they can ill to afford. Watch for Dallas to pull no punches this game. The Offense doesn’t have much to prove anymore we all know how good it can be. I would like to see some more George Pickens action, feels like he has faded the past few weeks. This will be Ebberflus’s game to prove why he needs to stay (I think so) even though the Defense is one of the worse. Look for a lot of blitz packages and different moves trying to frazzle Justin Herbert with that fractured hand, and a banged up Offensive line. This won’t be a romping by any means but look for a close game with a win by either team by no more than 3 points.

JAX AT DEN : This should be a fun one, two of the best in the AFC go at it in Mile High. Trevor Lawrence is coming off of his best game as a pro, but now faces a stingy Bronco defense. The Broncos are flying on all cylinders right now and are right at the top of the conference. The Broncos offense has plenty of weapons, so the Jags defense will be the story of this game. Lawrence cannot turn the ball over and put his defense in short field situations. 

Det vs Pittsburgh: Whichever team loses can possibly be out of the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff both know what this game means. The Lions offense is a Super Bowl offense but this defensive secondary better sure up or the Lions who were SB favorites could be home sipping on warm cider watching the other NFC North teams. The Steelers are NOT a playoff team by any means in my opinion. Mike Tomlin might see his time cut short here if they don’t make the playoffs and it would be a long run at being in the playoffs for Tomlin come to an end. Rodgers still can sling the ball and he knows how bad the secondary is and that’s the matchup for this battle. Rodgers has always played well against the Lions with 54 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a 105.1 passer rating.

NE AT BAL : The Patriots and Ravens have had some classic battles in the past, and this game is big for both. The Patriots are looking to remain atop the AFC East, while the Ravens look to remain alive for a playoff spot. The Patriots are facing adversity for the first time, they blew a 21 point lead to the Bills last week, and look to remain where they have been for a long time. The Ravens also have had battles against Mike Vrabel’s Titans, which had Derrick Henry who needs to be a big factor for the Ravens.

KNICKS WIN THE CUP

BY MARK HALPERN

 

The New York Knicks made a statement by beating the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 to win the NBA Cup. Winning the Cup doesn’t mean you’re the winners of the entire season but, more of a half way point of showing who will be contenders come playoff time. This is the first time the Knicks have won the Cup since its inception and if anyone is wondering the Organization has said “It will not raise a banner for this occasion.” I understand and we could see one raised at the end of the season. The Knicks have not raised the banner since 1973.

    The Knicks were led by the usual suspects. Brunson had 25 points and 8 assists; KAT 16 points and 11 rebounds and OG Anunoby had a game high 28 points and 9 rebounds and 3 steals. OG’s Defense has been a huge addition this season and we hope to see it get better as the season goes on.  I thought the loss of Miles McBride before the final was a huge blow to this Knicks bench and morale. But, veteran Jordan Clarkson who was a big pickup before the season and has proven to be a stellar asset and had a huge impact off the bench with 15 points in 27 minutes.

      This team has proven to be stronger and more of a unit this season. Mike Brown has got this team working on all cylinders as he involves a lot of bench players when Thibodeau was reluctant to use more than just the core. Brown is not playing the stars 40 minutes a night, and is doing a good job of keeping guys fresh. This was more than just a win, it was putting the NBA on notice that the Knicks are a contender for the Championship.

BENCHED 

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Miami Dolphins have announced that they are benching Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie seventh round pick Quinn Ewers Sunday against the Bengals. In his press conference on Tuesday head coach Mike McDaniel said “everything was on the table” when talking about this subject. 

It’s been a tough year in Miami for Tagovailoa. The former fifth overall pick leads the NFL with 15 interceptions. In Monday’s loss against the Steelers Tagovailoa was 22-28 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Don’t be fooled by the statline though most of those numbers came with the game out of reach. Even during Miami’s recent four game winning streak, they weren’t winning because of quarterback play.

What really makes this decision interesting is the money aspect. Now the job belongs to Ewers. Tagovailoa is guaranteed 54 million dollars in 2026. If the Dolphins cut Tagovailoa it will be costly, they’ll have to post it after June first cut and the dead cap will be a record of 99.2 million dollars. The Dolphins could spread that out as 67.4 million in 2026 and 31.8 million in 2027, it’s similar to what the Broncos did with Russell Wilson. Now if they trade Tagovailoa before June first it’d be 45.2 million in dead cap. They could also pay down the contract in order to make a trade. 

The Dolphins are already in the market for a new GM after firing Chris Grier and now with Tua being benched, we’ll have to see what the future holds for Mike McDaniel. Now is actually the perfect time for this if you’re the Dolphins, because of the state of the AFC East. The Bills are still the standard bearer and the Patriots retooled quicker than anyone thought. The Jets are still in rebuild mode, but have a lot of draft capital, so for the Dolphins we’ll have to see what’s next? But Quinn Ewers will get starts against the Bengals, Bucs, and Patriots to prove himself.

DEVASTATING

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Kansas City Chiefs must have made Santa’s naughty list, because Sunday was an awful day for the franchise. First, the team lost to the Chargers by a score of 16-13 and with that and other results not going their way the Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention, the first time they have missed the playoffs in a decade. The Chiefs have represented the AFC in five of the last six Super Bowls. But to make matters worse late in the game, Patrick Mahomes got tackled and immediately grabbed his knee and had to be helped off the field. Sunday night it was confirmed that Mahomes tore his ACL and is done for the season, and we’ll have to see what happens as to what comes next season for the Chiefs?

2024 the Chiefs won every close game imaginable, they didn’t have that same luck this season. And now with Mahomes out and the Chiefs season being over, can we just take a minute to appreciate the special run this team went on. 10 consecutive trips to the Playoffs, five Super Bowl appearances, and three Super Bowl wins. This run has solidified the resumes of Andy Reid, Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Steve Spagnuolo as Hall Of Famers. 

So, now that the Chiefs are eliminated what will come next? Let’s be honest they really can’t run it back again, this team had a lot of flaws and Mahomes’ magic was able to disguise a lot of it. But first thing they have to do is they cannot rush Mahomes back. Allow him to take his time in recovery and make sure he is 100% when ready to return. Next would be what happens with Travis Kelce? Is he retiring or coming back? Kelce has not had the best season of his Hall Of Fame career, Kelce will be 37 during next season, would he want to go through another season? 

One thing GM Brett Veach will have to do is create cap space, as the Chiefs right now are in the negative. Sunday was a devastating day for the Chiefs franchise, but Mahomes will be back and when he returns the Chiefs will be a team in the conversation again. But this offseason might be a wakeup call and time for some things to change.