The Sports Insanity Network

MEET THE MELTDOWN

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Since April 5th the Mets held a playoff spot, on Sunday that evaporated. By virtue of the Mets losing to the Nationals and the Reds beating the Cubs, Cincinnati now controls the final wild card spot in the National League entering the final week of the season. If you had said the Mets would have a chance to miss the playoffs during spring training, I’d ask you what happened? This was not supposed to happen when the Mets signed Juan Soto, the goal is to win the World Series, so what has happened?

Well, there’s a lot of blame to go around. People will blame Soto for his slow start, but at the end of the year he has put up his MVP like numbers including a career high in home runs. Pete Alonso also has had an MVP-esque season, and has probably been the most consistent Met all season. Francisco Lindor, the team MVP last season has had a good year, but it’s hard to put the blame on him. So if the stars were the stars, what happened? Well, Mark Vientos who a lot of people thought would take another step in his development, didn’t realize the season started until after the All-Star break, and has been marred with inconsistencies. Francisco Alvarez has had an injury plagued season. Those two were guys the Mets were hoping took the next step.

Where the Mets really failed this season was in the pitching department. Yes, Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat have all made their debuts in the second half, but that’s because the guys the Mets were counting on have not done their job. Kodai Senga has not been the same since he injured his hamstring in June, Sean Manea has also struggled mightily. Now we don’t know how much the loose bodies in his elbow are bothering him, but he’s not the guy who helped lead this team to the NLCS last season. David Peterson has struggled since the break as well. So the top three in the rotation have struggled, Griffin Canning, who was a massive surprise early, tore his Achilles. Clay Holmes made 30 plus starts, in his first season starting after spending years in the bullpen. The biggest problem with the Mets pitching, which shockingly was awesome in the first half, is that they don’t go deep into games and they’ve worn out the bullpen. The Mets have used a record 46 pitchers this season, not a recipe for success. Now, while I like David Stearns and how he utilizes his “pitching lab” the Mets need a true number one this Winter (more on that later).

But what’s most unacceptable is this, they play down to their competition, very similar to their collapse in 2022. The Mets are currently 5-5 against the Marlins (one series left), 7-6 vs the Nationals, 5-8 against the Braves, 2-4 against the Pirates, and 1-2 against the Orioles. Good teams beat bad teams, well the Mets struggled with that this season.

Steve Cohen challenged the fans to come support the team before the season, well the Mets’ fans did by breaking the Citi Field attendance record this season. This is how the fans get repaid, by having another late season meltdown, like 2007,08 and 2022. This isn’t on Cohen or David Stearns, even though his trade deadline didn’t work out. This is on the players, Carlos Mendoza and Jeremy Hefner. If the Mets miss the playoffs, there will be something going down, because Steve Cohen and the fans will not tolerate this.

Will Pack Rock In Cleveland?

By Lawrence Lang

The Green Bay Packers will hit the road for the first time this season as they head to Cleveland to face the Cleveland Browns. The Packers are coming off a Thursday Night Football win after beating the Washington Commanders 27-18.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love led the commanding victory by going 19/31 on passing attempts, 292 passing yards, and two touchdowns. Tight End Tucker Kraft and Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs were the recipients of those touchdowns.

The main star was once again the Packers’ defence, which got four sacks on Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels and held him to only 200 yards passing. In the run game, they held the Commanders to just 51 yards rushing and did not allow a rushing touchdown.

Deference End Micha Parson made his presence known again, a half of sack in the game getting to one and a half sacks on the season. Parson’s presence on the Packers has lit a fire on the defence in two games; they have held opponents.

Zero points in the first quarter
Six points in the 2nd quarter ( one field goal each by the Commanders and the Detroit Lions)
Three third-quarter points
22 fourth-quarter points

The Packers also rank 2nd in sacks with eight only the New England Patriots have more with nine through two games.

The Browns are seeking their first win of the season. They are coming off a blowout loss on the road to the Baltimore Ravens, a 41-17 loss. Quarterback Joe Flacco was 25/45 with 199 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception, and Rookie quarterback out of Oregon Dillon Gabriel saw a little play time, going three of three for 19 yards and getting his first career touchdown pass to running back Dylan Sampson. The Browns seem to get anything going, they have only been able to put up 33 points through two games, to allowing 58 points thru two games.

A major question for the Browns heading into this game is whether it’s time to let the rookie Sampson and let Flacco take the backup role? If things get out of hand quick, especially the way the Packers have been putting up points, we could see the change real quick.

Heading into Sunday’s game, here are three key factors for the Packers and Browns.

The Packers

Can the Packers keep the first half shut down going?
Will Jordan Love continue putting up points and get the offense going?
Will Micah Parsons get his first Interception as a Packer?

The Browns

How do the Browns get it going early against the Packers?
Is this Flacco’s last chance at a starting role in the NFL?
Who will be the one to step up for the Browns?

Bengals vs Vikings : preview

By Bill Murphy

The Bengals are coming off of a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even though they won , the Bengals also suffered a huge loss with the turf toe injury of Quarterback Joe Burrow, underwent surgery and will be out at least three months . With Burrow out , the Bengals brought in Jake Browning , Browning went 21/32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The upside to this game Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins were back after a slow start in week one. Chase had 14 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown, while Higgins had three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. After that win , The Bengals now turn their attention to the Minnesota Vikings who are coming off a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons . JJ McCarthy went 11/21 for 158 yards. Like Burrow, McCarthy will miss this game due to a sprained ankle, so the Vikings will turn to Carson Wentz.

Keys To The Game

Bengals

Offense : While Jake Browning hitting Ja’marr Chase and Tee Higgins is going to be a big x factor. I believe the offensive x factor is going to Utilize the run game with Chase Brown and he has averaged 45 yards per game . The Vikings pass defense was tough last week against the Falcons and are gonna give Chase and Higgins a problem, so I think Brown getting on the ground would be the answer to this problem .

Defense: The key for the Bengals defense would be the pass rush such as Trey Hendrickson who has two sacks and tackles for loss . Daxton Hill has one interception with 17 tackles , the Vikings offensive line is depleted with injuries , so the Bengals should take advantage of the holes in the O-Line .

Vikings

Offense: The X factor for the Vikings offense is going to be that Carson Wentz to hit Justin Jefferson . Jefferson has already 125 receiving yards, 13 targets seven receptions this season and one touchdown.

Defense : The Vikings pass defense is going to be tough this week . Last Week , they held Michael Penix to 135 yards and they contained Drake London . They now have to contain Ja’mar Chase and Tee Higgins .

Prediction

Bengals 24- Vikings 14

WEEK 3 PREVIEWS

BY SIN BLITZERS

Cowboys at Bears : Last week the Cowboys edged out the New York Giants 37-34 in OT. If the Cowboys want to have a shot to beat the Bears this Sunday they will need much better pass rush. The Cowboys went and signed Clowney to help with just that. Clowney will be a game time decision. The Bears are 0-2 and looking for their first win. If Caleb Williams can throw like Russell did last week, then the Cowboys are in for another ariel onslaught.

For the Cowboys to be victorious first is getting to Williams and early. The Defensive line needs to get in and put pressure because Williams has one of the best set of receivers in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Tre’von Diggs will be very busy and will probably flip flop during the game. For the offense they need to get the run going early as Javonte Williams has been great through the first two weeks. Prescott needs to draw that defense up and then hit them with some play actions and get George Pickens involved early. If the Dallas secondary brings a repeat performance, then it will be a long day for the Cowboys. – Mark Halpern

LIONS AT RAVENS : Last week we got to see the Detroit Lions of old. Jared Goff took all the negative and turned it into one of the best performances of his career . Goff threw for 324 yards and 5 TD’s a performance that should not be taken lightly. The entire offense put in impressive day. The Lions defense also showed up after a putrid performance last week.

This week the Lions defense and offense will face a major test of a Superbowl contender and that’s the Ravens. This Ravens team can do it all and will cause problems not only for the offense but the defense as well. It is possible we are seeing a Super Bowl match up here and if the Lions defense that showed up for Green Bay and got obliterated brings a repeat performance it will be a long day for the Lions. The Ravens’ secondary has struggled so Goff and company might be in for another big game.

RAMS AT EAGLES : Man, how is this game not in primetime? The Eagles and Rams will duke it out in a rematch from the NFC Divisional playoffs, a game the Rams had a chance to win in the end, but failed. The Rams defense has given up 28 points through two games. The Rams defense, which sacked Jalen Hurts seven times in the playoff game is third in yards allowed and tied for second in sacks. But this is their first major test and we’ll see if they can limit Saquon Barkley, who ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns. For Philly let’s see if they can get AJ Brown involved early, he’s been a non factor in the two wins.

BRONCOS AT CHARGERS : Massive game in the AFC West between the top two teams in the division (for now). The Chargers are 2-0 and Justin Herbert has looked really good, as has his defense. Herbert in his career against the Broncos has 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games. If the Chargers win this game they will go to 3-0 on the season and 3-0 in the division. For Denver, they’re looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Colts. The Chargers swept the season series last season.

CARDINALS AT 49ERS : First place in the NFC West is on the line here. The Niners have had a nice start to their season, but their home opener will most likely be without Brock Purdy. Mac Jones played well last week throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Also good to have CMC back, as he totaled 107 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals almost blew a 27-3 lead against the Panthers, but a Calais Campbell sack secured the win. Kyler Murray threw for 220 yards a touchdown and an interception. Kyler is 4-4 career against the 49ers, throwing 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 422 yards.

LA LEGENDS

BY Mike Rifkin

Thursday was a tough day for Los Angeles sports fans. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and Kings Center Anze Kopitar will both retire following their respective seasons. Both players are future Hall Of Famers in their respective sports and will be honored by their organizations.

Clayton Kershaw was the seventh overall pick in 2006 by the Dodgers, and little did they know they were getting one of the best pitchers not only of his generation, but all time. Kershaw, who will make his final start at Dodger Stadium against the rival Giants, is 222-96 in his career with a 2.54 ERA. Kershaw has plenty of accolades to boot, he is a three time CY Young award winner, 2014 NL MVP, Triple Crown winner, 11 time All Star, Gold Glove and the Roberto Clemente award. The one thing people held against Kershaw was that he wasn’t a great playoff performer, but he is a two time World Series Champion.

Anze Kopitar was the 11th overall pick (Ironic) in 2005 by the LA Kings, and they got one of the best two-way Centers in the NHL. Entering this season Kopitar has played in 1,454 games scoring 440 goals, 1,278 points and is a +108. Kopitar, like Kershaw, has won two Stanley Cups. He’s never won the Hart Trophy for league MVP, but he has two Selkes for best defensive forward, three Lady Byng trophies for sportsmanship and he won the 2021-22 Messier leadership award.

If you build a Mount Rushmore for LA sports figures in the 2010’s it’s very hard not to put these guys on it. They’re great players on the field and ice, and they’re great people off of it, but the thing I find most admirable about them is their loyalty. In an era where free agency and player movement has reigned supreme these two guys have stayed with the organizations that drafted them, it’s not something you see everyday. Congratulations to both on fantastic careers and both should be without a doubt first ballot hall of famers.

COWBOYS ARE NOT CLOWNING AROUND

BY MARK HALPERN

With the loss of DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons the Dallas defense seemed weaker. Through the first two games the Cowboys defense has surrendered 404 yards per game (283 passing and 121 rushing). Dallas has started the season 1-1 but it easily could be 0-2 if it weren’t for Dak Prescott and Brandon Aubrey. Through two games the defense has been very poor. The Cowboys needed help on the Defensive line/edge rusher and they went out and got one.

Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall pick in 2014 by the Houston Texans where he excelled for 5 years. He chose not to stay with Houston and took his game to Seattle where he played 13 games. He then took his play to Cleveland and then Baltimore. In 2021 and 2023 he registered 9 and 9.5 sacks respectively. He then signed a two -year deal with Carolina churning up 5.5 sacks and then in May he was cut by the Panthers. Clowney had interest from a few teams, but the Cowboys being desperate got to him first and shored up one of the weakest points of the defense. Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson were given an average of 4.2 seconds to throw the ball and when you give any QB that amount of time they are going to beat you. Hopefully the Cowboys get a motivated Clowney, who can help get to the quarterback, as through two games the Cowboys have four sacks.

Clowney will be a real welcomed addition and in just 3 short weeks the Cowboys have traded for Pro Bowler DT Kenny Clark and now added

another pro bowl caliber DE in Clowney. Clowney will play this Sunday against the Bears but will be on a snap count as this will be his first action since last season.

Flip The Script

By Mike Rifkin

Through two weeks the Miami Dolphins season is hanging by a thread. At 0-2 and looking to right the ship, the Dolphins are going to the worst possible place Buffalo. The Bills are 2-0 after their throttling of the Jets 30-10. Reigning MVP Josh Allen, who had his heroics in the week one win over the Ravens, had 207 total yards and wasn’t involved in a touchdown against the Jets. James Cook was cooking on Sunday with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In 14 games against the Dolphins, Allen has 37 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Allen has rushed for 647 yards and five touchdowns. James Cook in six games has five touchdowns and 224 yards rushing.

The Dolphins are coming off a 33-27 loss to the Patriots and again a turnover late cost them. Through two games the Dolphins are doing two things: turning the ball over and not getting stops on defense. Tua threw for 315 yards, two touchdowns and a costly interception. The Dolphins got both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle involved as they combined for 11 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. De’von Achane had 122 total yards and a touchdown. In nine games against the Bills, Tua has nine touchdowns and ten interceptions.

The Dolphins are looking for their first win in Buffalo since 2016, and the Bills have owned the rivalry as of late, although some games have been close. If this is another loss the hot seat for Mike Mcdaniel and Tua will get warmer, or can they do something they’ve rarely done which is beat a very good team on the road, which would certainly flip the script.

The Clock Is Ticking

BY Mike Rifkin

The Dolphins lost to the Patriots at home 33-27 going to 0-2 on the season. This season is on the brink of disaster as the Dolphins head to Buffalo to play the Bills on Thursday night. The last time the Dolphins won in Buffalo was Christmas Eve 2016. That game was so long ago the Dolphins Quarterback was Matt Moore, and Running Back Jay Ajayi ran for 206 yards. Buffalo is the last place a team trying to find itself should want to go, but it could also be the end of something.

If the Dolphins get embarrassed by the Bills and there’s a chance it’s the last game Mike Mcdaniel coaches. With the loss on Sunday Mcdaniel fell to 28-25 in his career and 0-2 in the playoffs. In fact the Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since 2000. Now Mcdaniel did sign an extension carrying him through the 2028 season, but we all know in the NFL that these things happen. But here’s my question : Whether Mcdaniel is in Miami or not, what’s the direction of this team? When they made the playoffs, they collapsed in the second half of the season and ultimately fell short, and took advantage of weaker opponents. When they played teams better than them they got obliterated most of the time.

Mcdaniel is not the only one on the hot seat in Miami, there are two other people on that seat along with him. The first is the GM who hired him Chris Grier and the other is his Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Let’s start with Grier, who has been in the organization since 2000 and the GM since 2016. Grier has hired three coaches in his tenure Adam Gase, Brian Flores and Mcdaniel. But he’s yet to find the solution at Quarterback, something the Dolphins have been searching for since Dan Marino left.

Which leads us to Tagovailoa, who has three touchdowns and three interceptions through two games so far this season. The biggest question for Tagovailoa has always been his availability. He’s had multiple injuries that have forced him into missing time, primarily concussions. There’s an out in his contract between 2026 and 2027. There’s been questions about Tua since his days at Alabama, and while there have been times he’s been great, they always move the goalpost for him. But over the last year and a half his play has dipped and fans are ready for this team to win in the playoffs.

The worst thing to be in sports is in the middle, and right now not only are the Dolphins in the middle, they are closer to the bottom, than they are the top. Until there’s a direction and some stability in the organization, they can figure out what to do. Is this an overreaction to two games? Maybe, but it’s been a feeling over the last season plus that this team has gotten the best they are of this era.

Preview : Bengals Vs Jaguars

By Bill Murphy

After coming off a 17-16 win in the Battle Of Ohio against the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals are now taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last week Joe Burrow was 14/23 for 113 yards and one touchdown. In the run game Chase Brown had 21 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown . In the receiving game, Tee Higgins had three receptions for 33 yards and in his Bengal debut Noah Fant had four receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Liam Coen shined in his head coaching debut against the Carolina Panthers, as the Jaguars won 26-10. Trevor Lawrence was 19-31 for 178 yards and one touchdown. Travis Etienne had 143 yard on 16 carries and Brian Thomas jr. had one carry for nine yards and one touchdown . The Jags got the Tight Ends involved as Brenton Strange led the team with four receptions for 59 yards and Hunter Long had one reception for six yards and the touchdown.

Keys to the Game

Bengals

Offense: The Key to the Bengals offense would be Joe Burrow . Even though ,Burrow got off to a slow start last week , he is really going to have to step it up this week and hit Ja’mar Chase .

Defense : The Defensive key to the game for the Bengals would be the pass rush led by Trey Hendrickson . Last year Hendrickson got 33 solo tackles 13 assist and 17.5 sacks.

Last Week Hendrickson got three tackles and one sack . Hendrickson is going to have to go through a tough Jaguars Offensive Line who kept Trevor Lawerence from at all last week.

Jaguars

Offense : The keys for the Jaguars offense would be the offensive line . Last week, the Jaguars kept Trevor Lawerence’s jersey absolutely spotless giving up no sacks . The O- Line are going to have a bigger challenge this week with the Bengals pass rush led by Trey Hendrickson .

Defense: The defensive key for Jacksonville would be the pass rush including Javarian Jones. Last week the pass defense held Bryce Young to only 51.5 % completion rate . Now they can do the same to Burrow who Myles Garret sacked three times last week .

Prediction :

Bengals 20 , Jaguars 17

A Commanding Win

By Lawrence Lang

The Green Bay Packers moved to 2-0 on the season after they defeated the Washington Commanders 27-18 at home at Lambeau Field in a crowd of 77,289.

For the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love continued his stride this season, going 19/31 with 292 yards passing and two touchdowns, with an average yards per pass being 9.2. Love’s first touchdown game in the first quarter in the Packers’ second possession of the game a seven-play 96-yard drive that ended in a five-yard pass to wide receiver Romeo Dobbs, who on the day had three receptions for 28 yards.

Loves second touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a nine-play 65-yard drive that ended in an eight-yard pass to tight end Tucker Kraft to put the Packers up 24-10. Kraft for the night had six receptions for 124 yards total, his longest being a 57 yard reception that help set up a Packer touchdown.

In the run game, the Packers were still productive, even being held to 135 total yards. Running back Josh Jacobs had 23 carries for 84 yards rushing and one touchdown. Rookie Runningback Savion Williams, the third round pick out of TCU, got some action with two carries for 24 yards, and Rookie Wide-Receiver Mathhew Golden got some run time in with two carries for 15 yards. Golden also had to target Love but was unable to bring the ball in for the receptions.

The Packers’ defence continued their impressive performance, getting four sacks on the day. Commanders Quarterback Devente Wyatt had a sack. Edgerrin Cooper and Micah Parsons split a sack. Rashan Gary had a sack, and Karl Brooks Barryn Sorrell split a sack. The Packers’ deference also shut down the Commanders’ run game, holding them to 51 total rushing yards and holding Danniels to just 200 yards passing on 24/42 attempts.

Daniels did have two touchdowns on the night, one to tight end Zach Ertz and the other to wide receiver Deebo Samuel. In all, the Commanders could not get anything going, and when they could, it was just the Detroit Lions; it was too late to make the commanding comeback happen.

Both teams also had some key injuries that happened during the game. For the Packers, they lost Wide Receiver Jayden Reed for the foreseeable future with a Broken collarbone he set for surgery next week. The Commanders lost two key players from their roster for the remainder of the season. Defensive End Deatrich Wise is out with a quad injury, and Running back Austin Ekeler has a torn Achilles, which was a non-contact injury. These are two major blows to a Commanders team.

Commanders will look to get things rolling again when they head home to host the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Packers will hit the road for their first road game of the season when they head to Cleveland to face the Cleveland Browns.