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. 

 Trust The Process

By Mike Rifkin

We’re into December and are just seeing some of the big names in MLB get moved. Juan Soto was traded to the Yankees, and Shohei Ohtani just signed a record-setting contract in sports history with the Dodgers, but outside of that, the Hot Stove hasn’t moved, but don’t tell that to Met fans. The Mets were one of the biggest disappointments in Baseball last season. Having the highest payroll in baseball history and finished with a record of 75-87. David Stearns is the new President of Baseball Operations, a role he had with the Milwaukee Brewers. Stearns and Cohen have yet to make the splashy move, but they have the opportunity to make some smart, savvy moves. So, how can Cohen and Stearns put together a competitive team in 2024? That’s what they said they’d do. 

Rotation: They signed former Yankee Luis Severino to a one-year 13 Million dollar deal. When healthy, Severino has been solid and a former All-Star. Severino joins Jose Quintana and Kodai Senga as the three locks for the rotation, so who’s next? Yoshinobu Yamamoto is sought after, and every central market team is looking at the 25-year-old Japanese sensation. He’s so sought after that Cohen and Stearns flew to Japan to see him, so for now, let’s say he goes and signs elsewhere. What do the Mets do? I have no interest in reigning CY Young Award Winner Blake Snell. He posted career highs in Innings pitched and strikeouts, but he’s never pitched in a market like New York. Could the Mets pivot to Jordan Montgomery, who was significant for the Rangers in their World Series Championship run. He did pitch for the Yankees. Both guys are 31 years old. Or are the Mets better off signing guys like Lucas Giolito to one-year contracts like Severino and play it out? The other option would be the trade market. Still, with the injury to Ronny Mauricio, I am unsure about the availability of some of the Mets prospects; topple that with the fact David Stearns has said he doesn’t see himself trading prospects for a rental player. Now, if the Mariners would be the team to sign Snell, the Mets could make a deal for Logan Gilbert or George Kirby. Now, while we want Yamamoto, if the Mets don’t wind up with him, there are other options.

Bullpen: The Mets bullpen should be better in 2024 because Closer Edwin Diaz will be back after missing last season with a knee injury. The question is how they will get the ball to Diaz. I like Ryne Stanek and Hector Neris of the Houston Astros. Both have experience in big games and could be good compliments to Diaz; then there’s Brent Suter, who pitched for Stearns in Milwaukee and could fill a role. Or the Mets could bring back David Robertson, who was good in replacing Diaz last season. 

Center Field: There has been talk about the Mets adding a Center Fielder and moving Brandon Nimmo to Left Field. I’m not looking at paying big money at Cody Bellinger here. The two names that make sense are Michael A. Taylor and Harrison Bader. Bader played for the Yankees and is a solid defender. Both guys give the Mets something they only have a little: speed. 

DH: The Mets have struggled to find the guy since the Universal DH was implemented. They have used the position to rotate guys in and out of the lineup. And now that the Daniel Vogelbach era is over, the Mets can continue that search. J.D. Martinez (who they should have signed last year) is out there again, as is former Met Justin Turner or guys like Rhys Hoskins or Jorge Soler, who can also play the field. But the Mets need an impact bat at DH. 

Extensions: Pete Alonso – The Mets first baseman is a free agent after the season. According to multiple reports, the Mets and Alonso have not yet met to discuss the extension; that said, the Mets should try to start those talks after the New Year and pick them up during Spring Training. The Mets cannot or shouldn’t just bank on the fact because they allowed Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo to test the market and returned to allow the same thing for Alonso. If the Mets re-sign Alonso, he will own all the offensive records in franchise history. For a team built historically by pitching, Alonso can go down as the most outstanding offensive player in the franchise’s history.

Francisco Alvarez – Alvarez, the Catcher of the Present and the Future, has said he’s willing to sign a long-term extension with the organization; this is something the Mets should consider for two reasons. The first is it’s hard to find a good catcher now and have them locked up. The other is this is a page out of the Atlanta Braves playbook, and signing a future star well before they have to is a smart move. 

Here’s the playbook for Cohen and Stearns to follow if they don’t wind up with Yamamoto. While the big names are great, there are other ways for the Mets to have a successful offseason, and we are still a long way away from Spring Training.

Tonight, We Feast On Eagle!

By Mark Halpern

Throughout his career, Dak Prescott has had to live in the shadow of players before him and the entire Organization he is supposed to bring to the promised land. One of the most challenging jobs in sports is being the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. 

        Over his first seven years in the NFL, Prescott has had to try and accomplish something the Cowboys haven’t done since 1995: make it to the Super Bowl. Prescott has more yards, touchdowns, and wins in his early career, and when looking at the QBs who have played for the Cowboys (Staubach, Aikman, Romo) to live up to, and mind you, Romo didn’t get to a super bowl Aikman and Staubach lead them to eight and winning five. This is a stat most QBs would hate to have to live up to, but Dak keeps going. Dak is criticized for many things, such as throwing interceptions when trying to be aggressive, and no other quarterback gets similar treatment because of the STAR on his helmet. Dallas is America’s Team for a reason, and Dak is showing that he can lead America’s Team to their end goal. 

     The Cowboys hosted the Eagles for their second meeting this season, but they were at home this time, and the crowd was behind them. The first time they met, the Cowboys lost by five to the Eagles in Philly and lost by a foot. Because of standings, this game had more meaning for the Cowboys (Not that the Eagles were looking to lose). The Cowboys now are 10-3, and so are the Eagles and 49ers, who beat Dallas and Philly this year, so hold a tiebreak for home-field advantage throughout playoffs. Dallas controls its fate but has a much harder next five games than the Eagles and 49ers. Prescott led this team with 24/39, 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one fumble. Jalen Hurts threw for under 200 and zero touchdowns and lost a fumble. Dak won this time and should’ve won last time, but the past is in the past, and it’s New Dak City time. His control and accuracy were top-notch and got the offense clicking to the point that punter Brian Anger punted for the first time last night since the Thanksgiving Day game against the Commanders. Cee Dee Lamb had an impressive night, having six receptions for 71 yards and another touchdown, and Jake Fergusson keeps impressing with six receptions for 72 yards as well (becoming that dual treat of Witten and Schultz combined.) 

    Even with Micah Parsons dealing with illness, the defense was all over this Eagles offense. It prevented them from getting their receivers going with constant pressure and excellent coverage. Stephon Gilmore has shown why his experience and leadership has paid off. Gilmore shadowed one of the best receivers in football, A. J. Brown, and held him to 9 receptions for 94 yards. Daron Bland had a big night, not because he intercepted anyone, but because he played great coverage on Devonta Smith, limiting him to five catches for 73 yards. The Dallas defense kept up another number: takeaways with three fumbles (Hurts, Brown, and Smith) in the game and turning those into 17 points.

    This Dallas team is one of the scariest teams in the NFL this season and far exceeds some people’s expectations. The Cowboys are now tied for the top spot in the NFC East, and to win the division, they have to win out, which is complex, with games against Buffalo and Miami over the next two weeks. In contrast, Philly will play the Seahawks and Giants.

Tis The Season To Be Concerned

By Mark Halpern

             This past Sunday, Justin Fields and the Bears offense had a field day against the Detroit Lions. The Bears duo of Fields and DJ Moore had quite the connection (which Bears fans were hoping to see more of this season)

           The topic of what makes more sense for the Bears (who currently hold the top pick) is what becomes the top priority next year and whether they should use that top pick to either get a different starting QB (Caleb Williams will fit) or use it to give Fields a leg up with the legacy Marvin Harrison Jr. However that not the concern of the Lions because they are striving to win the NFC North for the first time. They are looking for their first division title since 1983. The Lions got a hot start but have hit a bump in the past few games. No doubt their offense can work, but this defense must be fixed quickly.

        The offense sputtered, which should have been a relatively straightforward victory, but when you are playing a division rival, you have to remember the famous words of Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a TRAP,” and be wary. Over the last month, the defense has been failing at an unreal rate. Over the last four games, they have been giving up more than 20 points per game, and it’s hard for the offense to keep pace when they are constantly on the field and playing from way behind. The defense better wake up and start playing ball the way they played the first half of the season, or they will be out of the playoffs as fast as they got in it.

   The Lions are letting the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers, who are below subpar, back into the North race, and both have easy schedules. If the Lions’ DEFENSE keeps this up and allows teams to pick them apart, the first round of the playoffs could be an early exit if they even make it.  

Well That Backfired

By Mike Rifkin

On Saturday, the biggest contract given out in professional sports was signed. Shohei Ohtani decided to stay in California, but instead of staying in Anaheim, he took the I5 to Los Angeles and played for the Dodgers, who is saying no to 10 years and 700 million dollars. We can discuss who is the biggest loser of this deal, but nobody is a bigger loser than the Angels. They lose the best player in Baseball, the best show in Baseball, and to make it worse, he’s going to your in-state rival. But let’s go back to the trade deadline, where the Angels had an opportunity to move Ohtani but instead doubled down and tried to make a run at the playoffs. 

The Angels acquired pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Dominic Leone, first baseman CJ Cron, and outfielder Randal Grichuk. Giolito was 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA before being claimed on waivers by the Guardians, Lopez was 0-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 games before also being claimed by the Guardians. Leone had a 5.54 ERA in 11 games before being claimed by the Mariners. Cron had one home run, five RBIs, and a slash line of .200/.259/.260 in 14 games. Grichuk had eight home runs and 17 RBI, along with a slash line of .216/.264/.412 in 54 games as an Angel. Outside of Lopez, all of these players are still free agents. 

The Angels have two massive contracts on their books: Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout. Rendon signed a seven-year 245 million-dollar contract with the Angels after he won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019. In four years since, Rendon has played in 200 games and has 22 home runs and 111 RBI with a slash line of .249/.359/.399. Rendon has been often injured since signing with the Angels, but that hasn’t prevented him from being immature off the field. Last season, he got into a heated argument with a fan in Oakland that got him suspended. Late last season, while out with an ankle injury, reporters asked for an update, and Rendon said, “No habla Ingles today.” Rendon’s contract is one of the worst the Angels have signed up there with Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson, etc.… Rendon will make 38.6 million dollars per year until 2026. 

As for Trout, he will make 37.1 Million Dollars per season until 2030. Trout, when healthy, is still one of the many faces of Baseball. Injuries have been consistent for the former three-time MVP. Trout was limited to 82 games last season. General Manager Perry Minasian said at the Winter Meetings, “Mike Trout will not be getting traded.” “100 percent.” Mike Trout has made the playoffs once in his future Hall Of Fame career, which should be considered a sin in its own right, and he didn’t make the playoffs with Shohei Ohtani as his teammate. 

Now, the Angels love to act as a big market team. Sometimes, the contracts work out for Ohtani, Trout, and Albert Pujols ( they only signed him for the milestones, so it worked out; don’t look at overall numbers). But most of the time, it hasn’t Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson, or Anthony Rendon. Let me ask Angel fans two questions: 1) Are you surprised Ohtani left? 2) What is a real expectation for this team in 2024? If you answered that no, you’re not surprised, and you don’t know what to expect, that puts you in one of the worst spots in sports, the middle. So here’s the thing: going all in at the trade deadline backfired in the worst way possible, and no, Ohtani is gone, but now you HAVE TO CONSIDER moving Trout. It’s an unpopular opinion, but one of the things you have to ask is how far away this team is. How much did the trade deadline set them back? It backfired.