TIME TO RIGHT THE SHIP

By Mark Halpern

     The Dallas Cowboys were embarrassed last week by the heavily underdog the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a hard loss to take when there were no real problems on the Dallas side except for the absence of Joey Porter Jr. due  to a stomach virus. The Cowboys needed to win this game and the Defense let the team down. The offense did what it does, needs two quarters to begin to play and when your down it’s always hard to come back.

     The Defense for the Cowboys has been putrid. Monday morning the Cowboys signed Mike Pettrine (long time defensive coach for a few teams) and moving Parker to the booth. The job in front of him is hard. The Dallas Offense will be fine in this game, what Dallas can ill afford is another shootout. Dallas has announced they’re  benching CB Da’ron Bland, who has struggled, including dropping a massive interception. The Cowboys Defensive line will be a key here as the Packer don’t have a rushing game. Marshawn Lloyd did have two touchdowns but both goal line carries and he finished with less than 35 yards. Because of the lack of a running game, the Packers passing attack has been great. Jordan Love has two good receivers that run good routes and gets open. We have seen this all season. The secondary as really yet to shutdown an offense and this week will be a true test. 

   Look for the Cowboys to blitz more than they do to try and get Love out of the pocket and not just sit there with time to find a receiver. For Dallas it’s the Secondary. Both Golden and Watson had 100 yard days last week and the Secondary will have to stop it. It will be a fun game but in the end due to all GB injuries Dallas should walk out with the win.

EATING THEIR PREY

BY MARK HALPERN

     Yesterday the Detroit Lions destroyed the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 45-10. The Lions have made most of the NFL scratch their heads as their record doesn’t really reflect what this team can do.

      The Lions have had a rough start and going into a tune up game like this (even though the Cardinals have made games interesting) was what the Lions needed. Jared Goff led the charge with going 19/30 for 271yards and 3 TDs. Goff playing at a high level is not a surprise as he has been good for the first 5 games. Goff spread the ball around with Laporta having the most targets at 6 with a touchdown and Jameson Williams added two scores of his own. St. Brown was also in the mix but, was counted on more as a short option for him to do what he does best and create yards after the catch.  The story of todays game was delight for Sport Book players and Fantasy Football members who have him on their roster and that is Jahmyr Gibbs who had 25 carries for 151 yards and 2 Touchdowns. Gibbs a top pick in most fantasy leagues has needed a day like this and fantasy managers around are hoping this got the engine started.

      The NFC North is just getting started and the Minnesota Vikings have started out perfect leading the division at 5-0 while everyone else is at 3-2. We at the Sports Insanity Network predicted this division to be the talk of the NFL and we are in for an exciting run where the NFC North could represent a big percentage of playoff teams just like the AL East did in Baseball this year.

WHY IS THIS GROUP IS ABOVE THE REST.

   BY MARK HALPERN

     Over my time on social media, I have met many friends and made many good business partnerships. When you join a FaceBook group these days you expect the Administrator to be viewing everything and either deleting/or accepting the post. However, in most groups so many spam people join and get in and then flood the group with comments or pictures that do not represent the group in any way shape or form. At the end of 2019 I joined a group called “Amazin Mets Fans” that is run and overseen by Mr. Adam Weinstein. Adam, who already has a very busy life, doesn’t miss a beat in the group. There is no illegal content/unwanted political drama. This group was made to talk about our team The New York Mets however, once the season ends, they jump a little towards other New York teams including the New York Giants. Adam throughout the day, even into the next morning Adam starts some conversations or will jump in on another post to extend that post’s life and make sure it gets seen. This group is one of the friendliest ones I have joined, mainly because of how it is run. There is plenty of back and forth but, doesn’t get violent or threating in any way (if it does it gets shutdown fast.) This group is run like a forum should be. The group itself has 473 members with about 20-25% participation in which each post will either be liked by Adam and if he has the time at the moment will get a comment in to engage the conversation. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of groups out there in Facebook that are well run and monitored and then there are ones who try and copy what Adam has built and has failed at doing so. 

   When you run a group like he does it’s great to have a background in the sport. Adam growing up in Westfield N.J. spent his time from playing tee-ball to winning a school state title in 1994. Adam was a Pitcher and was also a Center Fielder and when his job took him one way he still has found a way to compete. When not doing research for his real job, Adam has found a love in playing Softball and he admits he believes he has played way more games of Softball than he did Baseball. Adam has an inner engine that drives him to be the success he is. 

    Adam’s story of becoming a Mets fan is an interesting one. His Mom and family are very big Boston fans and his dad is a die-hard fan of the Mets but also was a big supporter of the Brooklyn Dodgers. I don’t know what it was like in his house in 1986 but, I am pretty sure that tensions were high and definitely a DEFCON 2 situation during each game. Adam followed his dads passion for the Mets but has rooted for the Sox with his mom and family at times. Makes the statement “can’t we all just get along” go at its boldest meaning.

   If you are a Mets fan and want to join a group that is not loaded with a thousand nonsense posts, ads, gaslighting and other crap then come to “AMAZIN METS FANS” and join the fun and belong to the most active Mets baseball group out there.

PITCHING IDEAS

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The 2026 Mets were a disaster. One of the areas that gave fans optimism was the starting rotation. Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton are young starters, who give you hope. Sean Manaea had a tale of two halves, but still finished with a ERA of 4.78. Kodai Senga looked better out of the bullpen then he did as a starter. Jonah Tong, who is still young can start next season at AAA. How can the Mets round out the rotation. Tarik Skubal is the top name on the market so let’s put him aside for now what other options are there for the Mets when it comes to pitching.

FREE AGENTS

  1. KEVIN GAUSMAN – There’s a lot of mileage on that right arm, and he’ll be 36 next season, I would pass up on Gausman.
  1. Freddy Peralta – Do you want to try this again? Peralta wasn’t great for the Mets and turned his season around in Tampa. I don’t see this reunion happening.
  1. Sonny Gray – He had a phenomenal season in Boston, and will likely get some CY Young votes. But he’s pitched in New York before and wasn’t a fan of it in the Bronx, would he be interested in Queens? He might be, but I’m not. 
  1. Clay Holmes – The Mets turned Holmes into a Starting Pitcher and it worked until he got hurt. As good as Holmes was he is not the arm the Mets should look at. 

INTRIGUING OPTIONS 

  1. Corbin Burnes/Zac Gallen – Neither guy is coming off the greatest season. In fact Gallen’s last two seasons have not been good, but he is definitely a buy low candidate. Burnes has been injured throughout his time in the Desert, so not sure if he’ll opt out of his deal, if he does he’s very familiar with David Stearns. 
  1. Sandy Alcantara – Another option could be looking at the Mets from their own division. Alcantara is a former CY Young award winner and has fully recovered from Tommy John Surgery, and don’t forget how much Mets players raved about him a few years ago. 
  1. Michael King – King was awesome for the Padres, especially in October. But he’s about to hit the market again, would he consider coming back to New York and pitching in a different borough. 

TRADE OPTIONS – THIS IS THE RABBIT HOLE I’D LOOK AT 

  1. Hunter Greene – Reds : Now I know Greene will miss the 2027 season due to Tommy John, but according to reports the Reds were listening to offers at the trade deadline. Trading for Greene isn’t just for 2027, Greene is signed through 2028 (with a club option) at 27 years old the former first round pick is worth the risk. 
  2. George Kirby/Logan Gilbert – Mariners : If there was a team even more disappointing than the Mets, it was the Mariners, one game away from going to the World Series to being under .500. Kirby is 28 and Gilbert is 29. Gilbert was 12-11 with a 3.73 ERA and had 205 strikeouts in 186 innings in 32 starts. Kirby made 30 starts an was 9-11 with a 4.33 ERA and had 148 strikeouts in 174.2 innings pitched.
  1. Joe Ryan – Twins : Ryan’s name has been out there for a few years now and with the direction of the Twins kinda uncertain I’m going to put him here. Ryan was 7-10 with a 3.79 ERA and had 159 strikeouts in 144.2 innings pitched. 
  1. Tyler Glasnow – Dodgers :  Let me file this under unlikely to happen. Glasnow has one year plus a club option, but if the Dodgers bring back Skubal and Ohtani is pitching again, is there a spot for Glasnow? The Mets could potentially buy low on a great pitcher (with great hair). 
  1. Spencer Strider – Braves : Let me also file this under unlikely to happen, but if the Braves are listening on Strider, Stearns should make the call. Strider’s career has been derailed by injuries and he is someone the fanbase doesn’t like but it’s an interesting option especially if he’s healthy.

Yes, Skubal is the best pitcher on the market and the Mets should attempt to pay him. But there are so many other options for Stearns and company to make this team better.

WWE MONEY IN THE BANK PREDICTIONS

BY SIN’S FACE TURN

ROMAN REIGNS VS LA KNIGHT  WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP :

 NOAH, LAWRENCE, MIKE : LA KNIGHT

JEFF : ROMAN REIGNS

OBA FEMI VS BRONSON REED : ALL : FEMI

BECKY LYNCH VS LIV MORGAN VS STEPHANIE VAQUER : WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: NOAH AND LAWRENCE : MORGAN

JEFF : VAQUER

MIKE : LYNCH

WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK : ROXANNE PEREZ VS SOL RUCA VS JACY JANE VS LOLA VICE VS TIFFANY STRATTON VS LASH LEGEND :

 ALL:  PEREZ. ( NOAH AND LAWRENCE PEREZ CASHES IN AFTER TRIPLE THREAT)

MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK : KEVIN OWENS VS CM PUNK VS JE’VON EVANS VS PENTA VS BRON BREAKKER VS TRICK WILLIAMS

NOAH : PENTA

LAWRENCE : OWENS

JEFF : CM PUNK

MIKE : BREAKKER

DALLAS WINS BUT IT’S THE SAME OLD STORY

BY MARK HALPERN

     The Dallas Cowboys beat the Houston Texans 34-30 in a shootout in Houston. Prescott threw 335 yards and 1 TD to Cee Dee Lamb who came close to beating former Cowboys TE Jason Witten’s record of 18 receptions but finished with 17 receptions for 189 yards and the lone Prescott TD. Javonte Willams had 62 rushing yards and had 2 TDs himself. 

   However, the defense allowed C.J. Stroud to throw for 347 yards and two touchdowns to Nico Collins, who returned after missing the prior two games. This defense was the talk of the offseason, but they haven’t shown anything, despite missing two starting safeties. I said that Dak was going to have a monster game because they were going to have to match Houston drive for drive. The Dallas defense is giving up 239 yards per game through the air and 389.5 yards per game, only the Colts and Lions are worse.

 The next two games will be very crucial for this Dallas defense as both opponents don’t have a solid run game and rely on passing. First on Thursday Oct 8th against the Tampa Bay Bucs and then in Lambeau against the Packers. This win was big and they have an excellent chance in winning on Thursday but, if this secondary doesn’t get it together soon because the NFC East is wide open.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

BY MIKE RIFKIN

In the late 90s and into the 2000s the Detroit Red Wings were the envy of every fan base, because of how consistent they were. It wasn’t just making the playoffs, it was the fact that every year they were a threat to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings made the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons, that ended in 2016 and now they haven’t made the playoffs in a decade. The Red Wings were a top notch organization and now it’s really bad. 

This past summer was a tough for Red Wing fans, Captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade and 23 year old Simon Edvinsson is still in Sweden unsigned as a restricted free agent. And oh yeah there was a two month waiting period between the Wings demoting GM and former captain Steve Yzerman and replacing him with an interim GM in Shawn Horcoff. 

Larkin, didn’t play in Friday’s season opener due to injury, but when he was introduced the Red Wing fans booed their former captain. Larkin was supposed to be the next big time Red Wing. Being a Michigan native, becoming captain of the team he grew up rooting for must’ve been a cool experience. Larkin requested a trade over the summer, after getting his first real taste of winning, when the Americans took Gold in the Olympics. The problem isn’t the fact that Larkin requested the trade, it’s about the fact he was only willing to go to three teams because of his No trade clause. But I have two issues with this and I believe Red Wing fans might feel the same way. First thing is if he truly wanted to leave, he’d be open to going anywhere, not limiting himself and the other piece is coincides with the first if those other teams don’t have what the Red Wings feel is equal value why would they trade him? 

The Edvinsson situation is more upsetting, here’s a 23 year old very promising young defenseman, and he remains unsigned. Things are so bad he’s working out with a Swedish team instead of being in America, trying to iron out a deal. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Edvinsson like Larkin prefers a trade out of Detroit. Now I do want to say this is not the fault of Shawn Horcoff, he was put in a impossible situation. The real person at fault is Owner Chris Illitch, who waited two months to hire an interim GM. Red Wing fans are so fed up with Illitch that they had sell the team chants going the other night. Here’s another layer for Horcoff, Alex Debrincat, one of the best goal scorers in the league is an impending Unrestricted free agent, does he want to stay? Or do you have to move him as well?

The Red Wings have been a standard for a long time, now they are a mess of an organization. The amount of players and coaches that have left have turned Hockeytown into a ghost town. 

ROMO OUT AT CBS

BY MARK HALPERN

     I have been a Dallas Cowboy fan for over 40 years now. I have lived through the scandals and drugs in the 90’s and then all the issues in the early 2000’s. After the 2003 draft, the Cowboys signed an undrafted Quarterback named Tony Romo out of Eastern Illinois.Romo, was a Bill Parcells project and turned out to be a very successful one. Romo never won a Super Bowl but set many Cowboy records and when he retired went on to be a very good analyst for CBS Sports.

   Romo was pulled over on July 26th for suspicion of DWI and a few other charges.  One thing I will never understand is how athletes or any big time star can’t get a driver, they have the money, but I digress.CBS after the ruling against him and hearing his story which I wont get into he was guilty as any other licensed driver would have been. CBS and Romo called it a mutual parting. Romo is said to be taking time to get his health and mind back together and I hope he succeeds.

   What’s next for Romo is the question? He has some choices. I don’t think he will return to announcing games for any network but, there is a possibility that he joins an NFL team as a QB coach, rumors of Offensive Coordinator have been seen around on the social media platform X. The options give Romo the motive to want to clean up and have another shot in the NFL but, it won’t be calling games any time soon. 

WEEK 4 PREVIEWS 

BY SIN BLITZERS

MIA AT MIN : The winless Dolphins travel to Minnesota to play the unbeaten Vikings. The Dolphins are coming off arguably their best performance of the season against the Chiefs where they lost 24-10. But they lost more than the game, Running Back De’von Achane is done for the season with a torn ACL. The Dolphins will also be down Receiver Caleb Douglas, while the Vikings will be down Justin Jefferson. 

KEYS TO THE GAME 

DOLPHINS

  1. STAY IN YOUR LANE – One thing about playing Kyler Murray is he loves to use his legs. If the Dolphins make him one dimensional and can keep him in the pocket, the pass rush might be able to make a play. 
  1. STEPPING UP : With the absence of Achane it gives an opportunity to Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright to step up. The Dolphins need to run the ball against this Brian Flores led defense. 

LAR AT PHI : In what could be an NFC title game preview the Rams travel to Philly to play the Eagles. Both teams lost in primetime last week, the Rams were robbed against the Broncos, and the Eagles let Case Keenum go up and down the field on them. As of Friday there is no injury designation on Puka Nacua, who should play. This is a massive game in the NFC.

JAX AT CIN : It could be a firework display in Cincy on Sunday when the Jaguars and Bengals meet. The Jags are coming off a thumping of the Patriots, and the Bengals are coming off their first loss to the Steelers. Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence are elite Quarterbacks, but could the defenses steal the show?

NE AT BUF : Last year the Patriots beat out the Bills for the AFC East crown, the start of 2026 has been bad for the Pats, and the Bills are once again world beaters. Drake Maye has turned the ball over a lot, and the Bills offense has been sensational. If Maye continues to turn the ball over the Bills won’t only win this in a rout, but the AFC East might be over too. 

DEN AT SF : Color me intrigued on this one where Kyle Shanahan coaches against the team his father coached for so long. The Broncos offense has been inconsistent to start the season, while the 49ers have been awesome. This could be an early Super Bowl Preview. 

KC AT LV : The Raiders are the biggest surprise in the NFL at 3-0 and here’s a chance to make a real statement as the Chiefs come to town. The Chiefs identity has changed with the acquisition of Kenneth Walker, and who knows Walker better than his old Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak, the coach of the Raiders. Big time test here for the Raiders.

PORTER TO THE COWBOYS

By Mark Halpern

     The Dallas Cowboys have shown some improvement on both sides of the ball but the secondary is still dealing with mounting injuries and lack of leadership. Late last night the Dallas Cowboys traded a 2027 6th round pick and a 2028 2nd round pick to the Steelers for one of the best cover corners in the game, Joey Porter Jr.

    Porter, a 2023 2nd round pick has had a solid three-year campaign, even though the stats are not overwhelming. Porter doesn’t get thrown his way a ton for a reason. Over his first three seasons Porter Jr. has amassed 165 tackles and 3 interceptions. Being a shutdown corner is something the Cowboys haven’t had in a while. 

    The passing defense even with the upgrades still hasn’t proven to be better as the Cowboys are giving up close to 270 yards a game and that needs to end. With the addition of Porter Jr, the secondary gets a huge boost and gives the Cowboys defense optimism going forward. Porter Jr, will be a free agent after the season unless Jerry Jones gets creative cause he needs to pay George Pickins (another former Steeler) as well.