Big Game Situation

By Mark Halpern

Not that any team ever wants to lose a game, but there are ways to lose and win simultaneously. This is a question that the Dallas Cowboys will be facing this weekend. If Dallas loses this game, they will be set at the number five position and face the NFC South winner at their home stadium. Currently, it is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but we will visit the wild card round soon enough. 

    The Dallas Cowboys last week were playing to keep pace with the Eagles for the winner of the NFC East division title. With last week’s loss to the Dolphins and the Eagles (barely) defeating the Giants, the Eagles now control the NFC East, and if they win, they’ll get a home game in the first round of the playoffs. 

    The Cowboys Take on the Lions this weekend at AT&T Stadium for a prime-time game. Here is the problem that is facing both teams and it is a problem that doesn’t hurt either team in any way in the standings—the Cowboys (yes, they would like a wild card home game). The only way for the Cowboys to get a home playoff game is if they win the NFC East. But If the Eagles win and the Cowboys lose, the Eagles win the division. If that happens, the Cowboys could rest players next week against the Commanders. But if the Cowboys beat the Lions, what do they do? Do they rest Dak, Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Tyron Smith, etc… I’m not sure if anyone will be able to stop Micah from playing. As for the Detroit Lions, they have clinched their first North Division ever. They have secured a home game and might also choose to rest some players who have been banged up. Running back David Montgomery has been banged up over the last few weeks, and Josh Reynolds has been dealing with a leg injury. Still, he has played through it, and a few players on defense who are nursing injuries, Hutchinson and Kirby Joseph, might need the rest. Unlike the Cowboys, Detroit has a home game and does not need to take the chances of injury with two weeks until the playoffs.

    This is a big weekend in football, not only for teams fighting for a home game but a ton of teams in both conferences, all fighting for the last three remaining spots. 

The Cowboys Are IN Good Shape

By Mark Halpern

     The Christmas Eve primetime game between the Cowboys and the Dolphins might not have had the conclusion the Cowboys fans wanted, but, in hindsight, they are in good shape with the last two games coming up against the Lions and the Commanders.

    The Cowboys came into this game after a terrible loss to the Bills and had their sights on a rebound game, but it would have been against another of the best teams in the AFC, the Miami Dolphins. Like the Cowboys, the Dolphins are trying to win their division, and with the win, they didn’t accomplish that but are now a playoff team. As I said in our live show on Sunday morning, Hill would have a big day. It was not as big of a day as I had said, but it was like trying to cover a cheetah but with only two legs. Even with a problematic ankle, Hill had nine receptions for 99 yards. Hill’s is just one of the cogs in this wheel, but the Dolphins lost Jaylen Waddle early in this game, and to be honest, this kept the Cowboys in it. The Cowboy’s defense shut down the running game, but controlling all this speed is tricky. Tua was on top of his game, throwing for 293 yards and a touchdown. Stopping this offense was tough, but the defense kept them in it.

   The offense was good but again reached the red zone and was even down to the one and failed to score any points, and there was the loss right there. The Cowboys’ offense has been electric over the last six games in the passing aspect of it. The running game has stalled badly. Pollard is a shell of what he was last year. Dowdle is learning and getting better, but there is no clear number-one running back, and that’s why I would have kept Zeke Elliot. The running game should average 130-150 yards a game, and they are barely breaking 100. Part of the reason is this offensive line is banged up, and from here on out, there are no breaks until the Super Bowl, so they will have to tough it out. 

    Mike Rifkin and I agreed to disagree on the penalties in the game, and Mike made the point that Chubb was being held all over, and he wasn’t wrong, but the same thing happened to Micah Parsons, and we can cross those out. This Dolphins team is excellent and very fast, and if they have any weaknesses, you can say injuries across the team.

   The Cowboys must decide whether to play for the second or third position. They could make that move over a win to the Lions this week, but the Cowboys are a lock in the playoffs, and the Rams, Lions, Eagles, and 49ers are as well, with SF being the top team right now and will secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Cowboys would be wise to rest members of the offensive line, linebackers, and even a few in the secondary this week. 

 If the playoffs ended today, the Cowboys will be facing the Buccaneers in Tampa in the wildcard round, and Baker has them cooking, but can he beat the Cowboys in the playoffs will be the question?

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.