LION TAMERS

BY MARK HALPERN

During the Dallas game this past Saturday, the Cowboys looked locked in as the fifth seed heading into the playoffs. However, a win last week and the Eagles losing to the Cardinals has given the Cowboys a chance to win the NFC East. 

      There is no question in my mind that this Lions offense is one of the fastest offensive teams in football. They are a young group (except for Goff), and they will get better. The Dallas defense was all over Goff, whether he was being sacked, hurried, or even having to throw the ball away, is what kept Dallas in this game. Goff didn’t have his best day, throwing for 271 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the game. The Lion’s running game did well, and can anyone stop the speed of Williams and St. Brown? I don’t think so, and when you throw LaPorta in the mix, this offense is potent.

    The Cowboys played a great game on both sides of the ball. Dak Prescott will get some MVP votes this year because of his play. Dak threw for 345 yards, two TDs, and one interception. Dak told everyone that Cee Dee Lamb is as dangerous as any receiver as Lamb had 13 rec for 221 yards and a TD. If the offense had any fault, it was the running game, as it only produced 60 yards on the ground. The Cowboys have changed their identity, and I love it.

    The defense still needs the pressure they were at the beginning of the season and has less than two sacks a game over the last five weeks. The Cowboys have relied on the secondary to keep them in it, as they are the NO-FLY ZONE. The Dallas Offensive line did a great job in giving Dak the time. The team wasted no time and brought back a Dallas favorite La,’ el Collins, and he needs to pass a physical and can get back to business with a very familiar group. 

However, the Cowboys won this game because of the simplest of mistakes by the Lions. The Lions had scored with under a minute to go and decided to go for the 2-point conversion. Two of the three players checked in with the referee, but #70 did not, and because of this, the go-ahead two-point penalty was considered a five-yard penalty. The Lions tried again to get the two points but were now six yards instead of one yard out, and Dallas stopped the next attempt and ran out the clock. I have seen many penalties before, but this was a new one. 

The Cowboys have a chance to do something that, five weeks ago, no one thought would be possible. Dallas faces the Commanders next weekend, and when Dallas wins, they will win the NFC EAST and could have at least two home playoff games. 

Not Trading This Card

By Mike Rifkin

Despite their 4-12 record entering week 18, the Arizona Cardinals have been a pesky football team. The Cardinals are coming off a 35-31 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and have now beaten the top two teams in the NFC East; they also have a win over playoff-hopeful Atlanta Falcons. But there was a massive question coming into this season for the Cardinals: What was going to happen with Kyler Murray, who tore his ACL late last season after signing a five-year 230.5 million dollar contract, but with a new GM and Coach, both of whom weren’t a part of drafting Murray nobody knew what was going to happen.

Head Coach Jonathan Gannon said on a podcast that Kyler is their “franchise quarterback.” Gannon said, “You know I’m a Kyler guy now.” In seven games since his return to the lineup, the Cardinals have gone 3-4. Kyler’s numbers include a 64.7 completion percentage, 1,537 yards (219 per game), nine touchdowns, five interceptions, 211 yards rushing, and three touchdowns. 

Some teams would love trading for Murray (Atlanta Falcons), and with the Cardinals right now with a top-three selection in the draft, could Gannon and company trade Murray? Well, they answered that question with that they are not. If you look around the NFC, it is not as deep as a conference as the AFC. If the Cardinals tell the truth about Murray, believing he is their franchise guy, they must build this team around him. For now, it looks like the Cards aren’t trading Murray, but who knows if they have a different card up their sleeve. 

Getting What They Wanted

By Mike Rifkin

When the College Football Playoff Semi-Finals were announced, some people were disappointed in the NCAA not putting undefeated ACC Champions Florida State in as one of the four best teams in the country. This is the final season with a four-team playoff; next season, the playoff will expand to 12 teams. 

Monday, both games (Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl) came down to the wire, including an overtime thriller. Meanwhile, Florida State got walloped by Georgia, so people will say the committee was proper in leaving Florida State out of the playoff. But Florida State was playing a third-string quarterback, and many starters, including receivers Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, and Defensive End Jared Verse, all opted out of the Orange Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. Here’s my question for the committee and people who said they got the four teams right after what transpired: If Jordan Travis had stayed healthy and FSU was still undefeated and won the ACC, would they have been in, and at whose expense? 

Look, this is not meant to bash College Football after what was a banner day for them, but I’m being honest and curious about what would happen if Travis stayed healthy. We got two great Playoff games, with the National Championship game still to come. But while we can enjoy these games, let’s not forget that Florida State had a tremendous season, and despite what happened during the Orange Bowl, that was a different team, and the committee can breathe a sigh of relief. 

Who Is The Best

By Mike Rifkin

The game of the week on Sunday is at M&T Bank Stadium as the Miami Dolphins will visit the Baltimore Ravens. This game could determine home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. If Baltimore wins, they’ll have home-field, but if the Dolphins win this week and next, they’ll be the number one seed. 

The Dolphins are coming off their best win of the season, a 22-20 win over the Cowboys, being able to erase the narrative that they can’t beat good teams. Tua Tagovailoa was 24-37 for 293 yards and a touchdown. Raheem Mostert had 46 yards rushing and a receiving touchdown. Tyreek Hill had a bad ankle, and all had nine catches for 99 yards. The one area the offense needs to figure out is the red zone, where the Dolphins were so good early, but it has been a struggle recently. The Dolphins defense had another solid game. Andrew Van Ginkel and Bradley Chubb both had a sack and a half. The defense held the Cowboys, who average 115 rushing yards per game, to 97. The defense has been sensational outside of five minutes against the Titans since week eight when Jalen Ramsey returned. Jason Sanders was 5-5 on field goals, including the game-winning 29-yard field goal. 

While the Dolphins had an excellent Christmas, the Ravens had a Christmas to remember. The Ravens beat the 49ers 33-19, a massive statement from Baltimore. Lamar Jackson was 23-35 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also had seven rushes for 45 yards. Rookie Zay Flowers had nine catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens’ defense had four sacks and five interceptions, giving the 49ers a beating nobody saw coming. 

Last season (week 2), these two teams played in a thriller that saw the Dolphins rally from a 21-point deficit to beat the Ravens 42-38. Tua was 36-50 for 469 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions, but the most significant number from that game was one, the amount of sacks he took. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 22 catches for 361 yards and two touchdowns. Lamar Jackson did his thing with 437 total yards (318 passes, 119 rush) and four touchdowns (3 passes, 1 rush). Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman combined for 13 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. These offenses will look slightly different as Jaylen Waddle and Mark Andrews will miss the game with injuries.

Keys to the game

  1. Pressure – These are the top two teams in sacks. Miami’s defense has been great at getting to the quarterback, but Mike Macdonald has Baltimore doing much of the same; whoever gets more pressure could generate a significant turnover.
  2. Durham Smythe and Cedric Wilson – With Waddle out, someone not named Tyreek Hill will make some explosive plays. Smythe and Wilson combined for eight catches for 98 yards last week against the Cowboys.
  3. David Long – Lamar Jackson is the best dual-threat quarterback in football. Long might have to be the spy against Jackson, who is deadly on the run.
  4. Health – This is obvious, but the Dolphins’ injury report is not good. Waddle is already out, and ¾ the secondary are questionable, including Jalen Ramsey. If Miami’s defense is that banged up, Lamar Jackson could have a field day. 

A battle is to determine the number one seed in the AFC. This game will send 2023 out in style. 

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.