Change Of Direction

By Mike Rifkin

One of the burning questions entering the NFL season was whether Sean Payton could resurrect Russell Wilson’s career. The answer to this question is a resounding no, as Wednesday, the Broncos announced that they are benching Wilson and starting Jarrett Stidham, and all signs point to Russell Wilson playing somewhere else in 2024. Wilson has had a decent season with a 66.4 completion percentage, 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His numbers have increased from last season, where Wilson was awful under one-and-done head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos before last season and subsequently signed a five-year 242 Million dollar deal, and now will not see that deal through in Denver. 

Wilson’s 37 Million dollars for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the roster at the start of the league year in March. So, two questions must be answered based on what is happening in Denver. The first question is where Russell Wilson could play football next year. The second is, what are the Broncos going to do at Quarterback?

Let’s start with Wilson, who will be 36 next November. Before going to the Broncos, rumors circulated that he would only accept a trade to the Bears, Cowboys, Saints (Payton’s former team), and Raiders. The Bears should have the first overall pick ( thanks, Panthers) and control the draft; I don’t think they trade for Russell Wilson; the Cowboys have Dak Prescott (who does need a new contract), but at this stage, he’s better than Wilson. The Saints just acquired Derek Carr, but the Saint’s most significant issue is not the quarterback position. Then there’s the Raiders, who I highly doubt would make a trade with their division rival. 

So, none of those four are interested. Where else could Wilson play? Few teams could consider trading for the former Super Bowl Champ. 

Washington Commanders are benching second-year QB Sam Howell for Jacoby Brissett, who is not their future. New owner Josh Harris might want to make a big splash in his first offseason. 

Atlanta Falcons: If the Falcons miss the playoffs, it will be because they don’t have an answer at Quarterback. If the priority for the Falcons next season is the playoffs, they grab Wilson and draft a guy to sit behind him.

Tennessee Titans – Will Levis has been showing some progress as a rookie. But if the Titans can compete in the AFC South (which they can), they could upgrade the QB position. Russell Wilson and Deandre Hopkins could be a dynamic duo.

Pipedreams 

New York Giants: This would make sense if the Giants had the talent to win Super Bowl and, you know, not locked into Daniel Jones. If there’s a way for the Giants to move Jones and get Wilson without giving up their high first-round pick, there could be a match.

New England Patriots: Let me start by saying this is a team that needs a full-scale rebuild, and the last thing they should consider is trading for Wilson. But if Bill Belichick remains in control, he could acquire Wilson to try to compete in an AFC East that should have Aaron Rodgers back next season. 

So those are the teams that could trade for Wilson, so let’s see how the Broncos go about replacing him. I don’t expect Jarrett Stidham to be the guy. But here’s my question for the Broncos: is this the beginning of a rebuild? Are they also going to trade Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton? What do they do with a Patrick Surtain? Sean Payton is putting this team the way he wants, but who’ll be the Quarterback? They’d have the fourteenth overall pick right now, but depending on what they could get for Wilson, they could move up in the draft. Or do they go through free agency or make a trade? Here’s a list Denver should consider.

Free Agents

Sam Darnold – the former third overall pick, is backing up Brock Purdy, but if you give him Sean Payton, Darnold could show why he was drafted third, and he is just 26 years old.

Gardener Minshew – He’s given the Colts hope and a chance at the playoffs with Anthony Richardson out. You get the good with the bad from Minshew, but he deserves an opportunity to start. 

Jameis Winston – He backed up Drew Brees under Payton in New Orleans, so he knows the system. Like Minshew, you take the good with the bad regarding the turnovers. He’ll be 30 in January. 

Trades 

Zach Wilson – This is low-risk, high reward; the former second-overall pick cannot be in New York next year and shouldn’t have been this year. But for a mid to late-round pick plus a pick next year, Wilson could be had. 

Justin Fields – Well, if Chicago is going to take Caleb Williams with the first pick, that means Fields could be had for a decent price. Would Denver pay for it?

Wherever Wilson plays next year, and whatever Denver does at Quarterback, people will be looking at the trade Denver made with Seattle and saying that was a mistake. Either way, the Russ era in Denver is ending. 

   Tis The Season To Change The Narrative

By: Mike Rifkin

As the regular season is ending, the Miami Dolphins have an opportunity to change a narrative. The Dolphins, who sit with a 10-4 record, are 0-3 vs teams that are .500 or better. That has to change over the last three games because they take on three outstanding teams, starting with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Dolphins are coming off a 30-0 beatdown of the New York Jets. Tua Tagovailoa was 21-24 for 224 yards and a touchdown. Raheem Mostert had 42 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. In the absence of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, who was out with an ankle injury, had his best game of the season with eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphin’s defense had six sacks, including three by Bradley Chubb, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The defense also forced four turnovers. 

The Cowboys are coming off a 31-10 loss at the Bills. The Bills ran the ball down the Cowboys’ throat all game, rushing for 266 yards as a team, including 179 from James Cook. Offensively, the Bills got a lot of pressure on Dak Prescott, and the Cowboy’s offense had its worst day of the season. 

Keys to the game

  1. Grab an early lead – Last week, the Cowboys were playing catchup the whole game and looked lost at times; if the Dolphins can do it this week, Dallas can be in trouble.
  2. Neutralize Micah Parsons – Last week, the Bills were able to neutralize the Cowboy’s pass rush with the run game, which means number 11 on the defense isn’t his game-wrecking self; if the Dolphins can run the ball with the same effect, Parsons could have a silent night.
  3. Pressure Dak – Hopefully, the Dolphin’s defense will have Xavien Howard, Deshon Elliott, and Jevon Holland in the secondary. Tyron Smith is doubtful, and Zach Martin is questionable with injury; if they miss Bradley Chubb, the company can make life difficult for Dak.

The Dolphins’ last three games must change a narrative entering the playoffs that starts on Christmas Eve.

Stocking Stuffer

By Mark Halpern

The Cowboys might have lost last week and lost a great chance to win the NFC East. However, the Eagles also lost to the Seahawks, so Dallas still Controls its destiny from here on out.

      The Cowboys come into this game tied for first in the East division; they are still in the race to win the division. The games get more challenging than this week. The Cowboys take on the 10-4 Dolphins in Miami, possibly without their biggest weapon, Tyreek Hill. 

      We all saw the game last week, and it’s time to grill it up, eat it, and move on. This Dolphins offense, even without possible stars, has plenty of weapons to choose from. In Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle, the phins can and will move the ball. The Cowboy’s offensive line has their biggest test this season with having to control this defense led by Bradly Chubb (I wish I kept his rookie cards), but this entire defense is hard to move on as they have intercepted opposing quarterbacks 13 times. 

     Again, This game will be won in the trenches, and whoever Offensive line does better wins. The Cowboys might be in the playoffs already, but the Dolphins are still trying to wrap up the AFC East. Rest assured that this game will be one of the more important games of the weekend and this time; we won’t have Leon Lett or Snow be a factor again.

NFC NORTH BATTLE

By Mark Halpern

Division games are the most critical games in a season. The Lions will face the Minnesota Vikings. With a Viking win and a Lion loss, the North becomes closer over just one game.

          With a healthy Justin Jefferson, this Viking offense makes the way the whole defense has to play. Rookie Jordan Addison and Jefferson are slowly becoming a dynamic duo. Tight end T.J. Hockenson sees much of himself in La Porta and should be considered a threat to any defense.

            If there was a game for Jared Goff to go off, it’s this week. It will be hard to replicate last week’s performance, but it needs to be of the same intensity and game plan if the Lions want to succeed. 

        The Lion’s secondary needs to play at its highest level with the offensive threats in the air and Mattison on the ground. Stopping the pass is more important than the run, so I expect an extra defender to come in on 2nd and 3rd down. The Lions’ defense will be very intricate for this game on the field. 

As for some of my friends who will disagree with me, I have the Lions winning, not by a blowout, but by at least ten points on Sunday. 

Back To Top Form

By Mark Halpern

     The Detroit Lions had been limping over the last few weeks, with the defense unable to do its job. The offense was always in an early hole because of the defense and was turning the ball over. That was different last week, as both units showed up.

    Jared Goff was perfect last week by going for 278 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. The offense was on point as rookie star Jahmyr Gibbs had 11 carries for 100 yards and a score, and David Montgomery went for 85 yards himself, starting to show why the Lions running back duo needs to be considered one of the top running games in the NFL. 

   As for the Passing game, Jared Goff found his friends five different times, and his BFF Amon-Ra St.Brown for seven receptions for 112 yards and a score, but the newest addition of Sam Laporta to the pack grab three of those five touchdowns, making an ever better cause for rookie of the year.

   The Lions’ defense might not have gotten sacks or interceptions, but the entire defense bottled up the Broncos and forced the Broncos’ defense to be on the field more and even more reasons to see why they are indeed a complete defense. The Lions have three crucial games to close the season as they play the Vikings and the Cowboys twice.

Cook-ed

By Mark Halpern

The Cowboys went into Buffalo last week for an important game between themselves and the Bills.

     Josh Allen and the Bills played a magnificent game, not just on offense but on defense as well. I don’t want to hear excuses that there was illness throughout the Dallas team, and the weather was the reason the Cowboys couldn’t score on offense, but the defense couldn’t stop the Bills offense pass game. The Cowboys were able to disrupt, but when you give James Cook huge lanes all game to the tune of 179 yards on the ground, the Bills didn’t need to worry about passing the ball.

    Dak and the offense couldn’t move the ball, and that’s not because of the weather, but the Bills were able to get pressure on Dak the whole game, and the Cowboys couldn’t pass, and the run game was stopped the whole night. Still, there was a bright spot. CeeDee Lamb, when given the opportunities, still found the endzone on a simple end around for 2 yards. He did everything he could do, but Dak couldn’t get him the ball.

   It doesn’t get easier for the Cowboys as they will play the Dolphins, which has huge implications not just for the Cowboys but also for the Dolphins.

Best of 2023 Theme: NHL Goal Horn Edition

To celebrate an amazing 2023 in sports, I have decided to make a best of 2023 Theme music edition. This post is about the top 5 Goal Horn songs in NHL. I’m not the biggest fan of hockey, but I do enjoy listening to each of the goal horns. Hopefully I will make an attempt to watch at least 1 hockey game in 2024. With that in mind, here is my top 5 NHL Goal Horn Songs

5. (A Tie) Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars: 2 odd choices but with Dallas, they had their own goal song and one that I enjoy over other ones. With Vancouver, it was intersting choice to choose a song from the Breakfast Club.

4. San Jose Sharks: I would had thought this song would be on other teams’ song lists. But, Only San Jose has “Ready For It”. Who knows, there might be more for this in 2024.

3.Buffalo Sabres: After hearing this song, I had to put it up on top. As a Spongebob fanatic, it’s the rave song that Spongebob and a jellyfish dance to. The irony that this is used instead of Sweet Victory or other songs.

2. Ottawa Senators: Song 2 is back on this list, but it’s on the #2 spot this time. If you haven’t seen the best MLB Home Run songs, check that out. I just enjoy this 90’s classic and wish this was used more often in sports.

  1. Detroit Red Wings: Not my first pick, but I do enjoy teams giving homage to music artists from their hometown. In this case, Eminem and using “Without Me”. I enjoy this pick from Detroit, but wished they could have used “Lose Yourself” as well in this goal horn.

Best of 2023 Theme: MLB Home Run Edition

To celebrate an amazing 2023 in sports, I have decided to make a best of 2023 Theme music edition. This post is about the top 5 Home Run songs in MLB. I would do best walkout entrances, but there are so many to consider. That will be done closer to the 2024 regular MLB season. With that in mind, here is my top 5 MLB Home Run Songs

5. (A Tie) Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners: Both the Cubs and the Mariners used songs from the 1990’s as their home run song. I couldn’t decide which one to eliminate, so both Baby Got Back from the Mariners and Whoomp! There It Is from the Cubs are on this list.

4. Oakland A’s: You will see this song in another edition, but The A’s did the right thing in representing California. Choosing Tupac’s and Dr. Dre’s California Love as an homage to the state. It will be ashame that they will be moving to Las Vegas in a few years. Maybe Viva Las Vegas will be their home run song.

3.NY Yankees: Sadly, as a Mets fan, this is the only time I agree with the Yankees. Using late DMX’s song “X Gon Give It To Ya” as an homage to the rapper living a county above the Bronx. Let’s hope the Mets can do better than a cheezy and annoying song from 2005.

2. Baltimore Orioles: A splendid way to use 7 Nation Army. Unfortunately, it is in this spot because the Baltimore Ravens also uses this song as their touchdown song, which I’ll explain the coincidence in the NFL edition. I do love this song in general, but it’s always used for sporting events.

  1. Pittsburgh Pirates: A surprise for this team to make #1 for best home run song. Song 2 by Blur is the one song I never thought to hear as the Pirates’s home run theme. However, Song 2 was also used by another team, which will be discussed in the NHL edition.

 Limping In

By Mike Rifkin

The Dolphins will play the Jets for the second and final time this regular season. The Dolphins (9-4) are coming off a horrendous loss to the Tennessee Titans 28-27 on Monday Night. The Dolphins took a 27-13 lead with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter and inexplicably let that lead slip away. But the loss in the game is second nature because of the injuries suffered on the field. Center Connor Williams tore his ACL in the first quarter, which would possibly make ⅘ of the offensive line down. The statuses of Terron Armstead, Robert Hunt, and Liam Eichenberg remain unknown. Cornerback Xavien Howard suffered a hip injury but returned to the game. De’von Achane is dealing with a toe injury. Tyreek Hill has an ankle injury and has yet to practice this week. If you watched Monday night’s game when Hill went out, the Dolphins looked lost. The Dolphins’ last three games are at home against the Cowboys, at the current top seed in the AFC Ravens, and a showdown with the Bills at home, so resting Hill this week to make sure he’s suitable for those is essential, but if he’s healthy and the trainers think he’s good, then he should play. But the Dolphins are getting significant injuries at the worst time of the year.

The Jets are coming off a 30-6 win over the Texans. Zach Wilson threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets’ defense sacked CJ Stroud four times in the win, and Garrett Wilson had nine catches for 108 yards. 

The first time these two teams played was Black Friday, and the Dolphins trounced the Jets 34-13. In that game, the Dolphins defense had seven sacks of Tim Boyle and two interceptions, including Jevon Holland’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown before halftime. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had over 100 yards receiving, and the Dolphins ran for 167 yards as a team. 

Keys to the game

  1. Spying Zach Wilson – Wilson made some big plays in the pocket last week, but he also used his legs wisely. David Long would have to play the spy role, but the Dolphin defense needs to get in Wilson’s face.
  2. Others are stepping up. Even if Tyreek Hill plays, he’s not 100 percent. So Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, and others must step up and have good games.
  3. Protecting Tua – As I said before ⅘, the offensive line could miss this game, so Tua will have to get rid of the ball quickly, which isn’t unusual, but the Jets have a great defensive line.
  4. Short memory – You must put what happened on Monday in the past. Forget about it. Focus on the task before you, and avoid looking past the Jets. 

Out Of Charge

By Mike Rifkin

The Los Angeles Chargers got embarrassed on Thursday night by their division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, 63-21. The Raiders posted a franchise record in points. To put things in perspective, the Raiders were winning 42-0 at halftime. Things were so bad that the analysts on Prime were talking about a lack of effort, and Richard Sherman even said the Chargers should “fire Staley at halftime.”

 Well, they didn’t do that, but. On Friday, the Chargers fired Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco. The Chargers have to be considered the biggest disappointment in the NFL; with the roster they constructed, they shouldn’t be 5-9, but here we are. Yes, the Chargers have had significant injuries, but other teams have yet to throw in the towel. Brandon Staley’s tenure ends with him with a record of 24-24. Based on how last season ended, Staley entered this year on the hot seat; in the AFC Wild Card round, the Chargers blew a 27-0 lead against the Jaguars and lost 31-30. Staley’s in-game decisions at times left fans scratching their heads. In his first season, in week 18 against the Raiders, the Chargers needed a tie to make the playoffs, and late in the fourth quarter, Staley called a timeout, which led the Raiders to kick the game-winning field goal and leave the Chargers out of the playoffs. As for Telesco, he’s put together a very talented roster, but this would be his fourth head coaching hire, and ownership had enough. 

The Chargers opening is the third coaching vacancy thus far after the Panthers and Raiders fired their coaches. Now, the Chargers job is better than those jobs because of Justin Herbert. Herbert signed a five-year contract worth 262.5 Million Dollars in July. But because his rookie contract is up and the Chargers couldn’t win with the talent they had, they will now have to make some difficult decisions. The incoming GM will have their work cut out for them, but if they hire the right coach, the Chargers could be back in the playoff hunt next season.