Heavyweight Showdown

By : Mike Rifkin

Two of the NFL’S best will play each other in Buffalo, when the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Vikings are coming off a 20-17 win over the Washington Commanders, giving them six wins in a row. Kirk Cousins went 22-40 for 265 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Cousins so far on the season has a 64.8 completion percentage , 1,999 yards 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. 

The Bills are coming off a 20-17 loss to the New York Jets. Josh Allen was 18-34 for 205 yards and two interceptions. Allen did have 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Late in the game Allen got hit in the Elbow and hurt his UCL, he is ruled questionable for the game. If he cannot go former Viking Case Keenum will get the start. 

This game will feature two of the best receivers in the NFL. Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson, who were actually traded for each other, in a deal that’s helped both teams. Currently Jefferson has 867 yards and Diggs has 857 yards which currently put them at second and third in the NFL respectively. This game might come down to which pass rush is more effective. The Vikings have 24 sacks on the season, while the Bills have 23. The Vikings defense also has a +6 turnover differential on the season, while the Bills are +1. 

This is a huge game for Minnesota in my opinion we always talk about the struggles of Cousins, but this team is winning and it flies under the radar. A win in Buffalo could do a lot for their confidence going forward, while the Bills look to right the ship. 

Browns at Dolphins Preview

By : Mike Rifkin

On Sunday the Cleveland Browns visit the Miami Dolphins, looking to continue what they did before their bye week. On Halloween the Browns treated their fans to a 32-13 beatdown of their in state rivals the Cincinnati Bengals 32-13. Former Dolphin Jacoby Brissett was 17-22 for 278 yards and two touchdowns ( 1 pass, 1 rush). Nick Chubb had 101 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. Amari Cooper had five catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. The Browns defense sacked Joe Burrow five times and forced two Bengal turnovers. The win snapped a four game losing streak for Cleveland. 

Last week the Dolphins defeated the Bears 35 – 32 in Chicago. Tua Tagovailoa was 21-30 for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill had 7 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Jaylen Waddle added in five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins have won three in a row since Tua Tagovailoa came back from his Concussion. 

Browns Quarterback Jacoby Brissett played for the Dolphins last season and had a 62.7 completion percentage, 1,283 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games played. Brissett should have some familiarity with the Dolphin defense, that struggled last week in Chicago.

Week 10: Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers

By: Ross Mazin

This is an interesting game between two teams seeking to find consistency to their game. Both teams had high expectations coming into the season, both teams currently sit in the number seven position in their respective conferences. 

The Chargers beat the Falcons last week 20-17 Justin Herbert was 30 for 43 for 245 yards . He had one touchdown and one interception. Austin Ekeler had 71 total yards and two touchdowns (1 rush, 1 receiving). The Chargers defense forced two turnovers and had two sacks. 

The 49ers are coming coming off their bye week. They beat the Rams 31-14 back on October 30th.. Jimmy Garoppolo was 21 for 25 for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. That game was the exact reason the 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey, he had 26 touches for 149 yards and three touchdowns. (1 rush, 1 receiving, 1 passing) The 49ers offense should also get Deebo Samuel back from a Hamstring injury that kept him out of the Rams game. 

Two teams that are looking to make the playoffs play each other looking to make a statement. 

My prediction is Chargers 22- 49ers 20

MLB Award Predictions 

By : Mike Rifkin

Yesterday the BBWAA announced all of the finalists for award winners for the 2022 season. With the announcement of the winners being announced next week. Here is how I would vote.

American League 

MVP Candidates : Aaron Judge (Yankees), Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Shohei Ohtani (Angels). 

For me this would have been more of a race if Yordan Alvarez never got hurt during the season. Judge set an American League record and Yankee record with 62 home runs. Ohtani is fantastic and there is NOBODY in Baseball who can do what he does, but the Angels were 73-89 this season and Judge carried the Yankees offense all year. 

Pick: Aaron Judge.

CY Young Candidates : Dylan Cease (White Sox), Alek Manoah ( Blue Jays), Justin Verlander (Astros) 

Two years off because of Tommy John Surgery and at the age of 39 you can say Verlander had the best season of his Hall Of Fame career. 18-4 with an ERA of 1.75  (he won the ERA title)  9.5 strikeouts per nine innings, Verlander is looking to be the 11th guy to win 3 CY Young Awards. Dylan Cease never ceased to amaze fans on the South Side of Chicago by going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and 227 strikeouts. Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and pitched in the beast that is the AL East. 

Pick: Verlander.

Rookie Of The Year Candidates : Steven Kwan (Guardians), Julio Rodriguez (Mariners), Adley Rutschman (Orioles) 

Kwan was one of six qualified hitters to have more walks than strikeouts. He had a slash line of .298/.373/.400 with 6 home runs and 52 RBI. Kwan also was 19 of 24 in Stolen Bases.

Rodriguez is one of three rookies with at least 25 Home Runs and 25 Stolen Bases and the first since Mike Trout in 2012. Rodriguez had a slash line of .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 75 RBI. Rodriguez also signed a massive deal with the Mariners. 

Rutschman, the number one overall pick in 2019 made his debut in May. He had a slash line of .254/.362/.445 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI. He showed a strong arm behind the plate as the Orioles had a tremendous season.

Pick: Rodriguez

Manager Of The Year Candidates Terry Francona (Guardians), Brandon Hyde (Orioles) Scott Servais ( Mariners) 

All three candidates are very deserving of the award. Servais led his team to end the longest playoff drought in the four major sports, as the Mariners made the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Orioles and Guardians are two of the best stories in all of baseball, had the Orioles made the playoffs Hyde would win in a landslide. Francona is a future hall of famer and led the Guardians to his fourth division title in ten seasons. 

Pick: Francona (I am interested in seeing the voting on this award)

National League 

MVP Candidates : Paul Goldschmidt ( Cardinals), Nolan Arenado (Cardinals), Manny Machado (Padres) 

Goldschmidt was chasing a Triple Crown for the bulk of the season and finished with a slash line of .317/.404/.578 with 35 Home Runs and 115 RBI. Goldschmidt is looking for his first MVP award. As his teammate Nolan Arenado who hit 30 home runs and had 103 RBI with a slash line of .293/.358/.533. Arenado also won his tenth Gold Glove. Manny Machado hit 32 home runs and had 102 RBI with a slash line of .298/.366/.531. Machado had to lead a Padres team after Fernando Tatis Jr. got into a Motorcycle accident during the Lockout and during his rehab tested positive for PEDS

Pick: Machado

Cy Young Candidates : Sandy Alcantra (Marlins), Julio Urias (Dodgers), Max Fried (Braves) 

These were the top three in ERA in the National League this season (Urias 2.16, Alcantra 2.28, Fried 2.48). Alcantra threw 228.2 innings pitched which was a Major League best while Urias threw 175.0 and Fried threw 185.1. Alcantra went seven or more innings in thirteen consecutive starts during the season. 

Pick: Alcantra

Rookie Of The Year Candidates : Michael Harris (Braves), Spencer Strider (Braves), Brendan Donovan (Cardinals)

Harris and Strider were huge reason why the Braves were able to overcome a 10.5 deficit to win the NL East. Harris led NL rookies with a 5.3 WAR. Harris had a slash line of .297/.339/.514 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI, he was also 20 of 22 in Stolen Bases. Strider appeared out of the bullpen and started for the Braves he went 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA and struck out 202 hitters in 131.2 innings pitched. Donovan played everywhere for the Cardinals in 2022, and won the first Utility player Gold Glove in history. Donovan hit 5 Home Runs and drove in 45 runs with a slash line of .281/.394/.379.

Pick Harris.

Manager Of The Year : Buck Showalter (Mets), Brian Snitker (Braves), Dave Roberts (Dodgers)

Showalter led the Mets to their first postseason appearance since 2016. Even though the Mets coughed up a 10.5 game lead in the division, Showalter led the Mets to their second most wins in franchise history

Snitker’s Braves overtook the Mets for the division late in the season. The 2021 Champs also won 101 games for the first time since 2003. In the biggest series of the season the Braves swept the Mets.

Roberts led the Dodgers to a franchise record with 111 wins. For the fourth time in his seven years Roberts won 100 games. 

Note : I feel Rob Thompson who took over for Joe Girardi was robbed of a nomination here. 

Pick: Showalter. Now I think the voters are going to pick Snitker because of what took place in the NL East, but that shouldn’t erase what Buck did for the Mets.

Quarterback Showcase

By : Mike Rifkin

Sunday at Soldier Field, two young quarterbacks put on an absolute clinic on the field as the Dolphins defeated the Bears 35-32. Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields both showed why they were taken in the first round. 

Tagovailoa continued his impressive play by going 21-30 for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Tua’s go to guys Tyreek Hill and Jaylen  Waddle were exactly that on Sunday. Hill had seven catches for 143 yards and a touchdown, while Waddle had five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. New Running Back Jeff Wilson also had a receiving touchdown in his first game as a Dolphin. On the season Tagovailoa now has a 69.9 completion percentage, 1,980 yards, 15 touchdowns and 3 interceptions with a QBR of 115.9. I think we need to start putting Tua in the MVP conversation. 

Justin Fields was sensational on Sunday going 17-28 for 123 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 178 yards and a rushing touchdown. The 178 rushing yards is a record for rushing yards by a Quarterback, surpassing Michael Vick’s record of 173. Fields new weapon Chase Claypool, who the Bears got at the trade deadline had two catches for 13 yards in his Bears debut. Fields on the season has a 58.9 completion percentage, 1,322 yards, 10 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, with a 85.0 rating. Fields also has 602 yards and four touchdowns rushing. 

Two young quarterbacks, who both had a ton of pressure and questions about them entering the season. Both had tremendous games on Sunday as they continue to give their respective teams fans hope for what they would become. Tua looks to continue his impressive play against the Browns, while Fields and the Bears host NFC North rival Lions.

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs 

By : Ross Mazin

The Tennessee Titans visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night football. This matchup features two first place teams in the AFC. In their meeting last season the Titans destroyed the Chiefs 27-3. In that game the Titans defense forced three turnovers and had four sacks of Patrick Mahomes. 

The Titans are coming off a win against the Texans last week, giving them their fifth consecutive win. Malik Willis, who started in place of Ryan Tannehill was 6 -10 for 56 yards and one interception. But he didn’t have to do much because  Derek Henry had 32 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans defense held the Texans to 161 yards of total offense. Tennessee out rushed the Texans 314-43 and averaged 7.0 yards per carry. Ryan Tannehill in his career against the Chiefs has a 73.9 completion percentage, 451 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In three games against the Chiefs Derrick Henry has 332 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. 

The Chiefs are coming off their bye week. They won their last game against the 49ers. Patrick Mahomes was 25 -34 for 423 yards. He had 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. We are starting to see the emergence of JuJu Smith – Schuster in this offense now. Juju has over 100 yards and touchdowns in back to back games. Mahomes in his career against the Titans has a 65.9 completion percentage, 652 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In four career games against the Titans Travis Kelce has one touchdown. 

I expect a relatively high scoring game between these two good teams. 

My prediction is Chiefs 40- Titans 35

Packers At Lions

By : Mike Rifkin

For the first time this season the Packers and Lions will meet at Ford Field. The Lions are coming off a 31-27 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Lions were shutout in the second half on Sunday. Jared Goff was 27-37 for 321 yards and a touchdown. D’Andre Swift returned to the lineup had a receiving touchdown and 33 total yards on 10 touches. Jamaal Williams, the former Packers had 10 carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns. This will be the first game for the Lions without Tight End TJ Hockenson, who was traded to the Vikings at the trade deadline. 

The Packers have had their own struggles as well, losing four in a row. Last week they lost to the Bills in Buffalo 27-17. Aaron Rodgers was 19-30 for 203 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Packers ran for 208 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry. The Lions defense is giving up 154.9 rushing yards per game. The Packers now have a record with 3-5. 

Last season the teams split the two meetings, with the Lions winning in Week 18. Jared Goff had a 71.2 completion percentage for 484 yards, four touchdowns and an interception against the Packers last season. In 24 games Against the Lions Aaron Rodgers has a 65.7 completion percentage averages 252.3 yards per game, 52 touchdowns and eight interceptions and in 2021 had six touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

With a win at home the Lions might end the Packers season and end their five game losing streak.

Setting A Bear Trap

By : Mike Rifkin

The Dolphins tour of the NFC North continues with a trip to Soldier Field to play the Bears. Both teams were active at the trade deadline for different reasons. The Dolphins acquired Edge rusher Bradley Chubb from the Broncos and running back Jeff Wilson from the 49ers. The Bears traded former Dolphin Edge Rusher Robert Quinn to the Eagles and Linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens for draft picks. They did acquire receiver Chase Claypool from the Steelers. 

The Dolphins are coming off a 31-27 win over the Lions. The Dolphins defense pitched a shutout in the second half after giving up 27 points in the first half. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played arguably his best game in the NFL, completing 29 of 36 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns. Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle went over 100 yards receiving and Waddle had two touchdowns. The Dolphins also ran for 107 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. 

The Bears are coming off a 49-29 loss to the Cowboys. The Bears, who once trailed in the game 28-7 cut it 28-23 before the Cowboys pulled away. Justin Fields went 17-23 for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He added 60 yards and a touchdown rushing. The Bears as a team ran the ball for 240 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry, led by Khalil Herbert’s 99 yards and a touchdown. Fields was sacked four times on Sunday, putting his season total at 31. Fields was sacked 36 times in 12 games last season. The Bears defense gave up 200 yards rushing and 6.9 yards per carry against the Cowboys including 131 yards and three touchdowns to Tony Pollard. 

Two teams heading in opposite directions, the Bears have lost three of their last four, while the Dolphins have won two in a row after losing three straight. The Bears are in a similar position that the Dolphins were in last season, and now by adding Chase Claypool they are checking to see if Justin Fields is their long term solution at Quarterback. 

Week 9: Bills at Jets

By Ross Mazin

The Jets face the Bills Sunday afternoon at MetLife. This is the last game before the bye week for the Jets. The Bills have been playing great football and are one of the favorites to hoist the Super Bowl. The Jets had been playing great as well until they ran into the Patriots.

The Jets are coming off a disappointing loss to the Patriots. This was a must win game because the Jets had so much momentum and the Patriots had won twelve straight meetings and were coming an off a bad loss to the Bears. Zach Wilson was 20-41 for 355 yards. He had two touchdowns and three  interceptions. Some of these interceptions were bad, he struggled to throw the ball away. But the run game that had been so successful for the Jets struggled in their first game without Breece Hall, rushing for 51 yards and averaging 3.4 yards per carry. One of the major plays in the game was the Jets got an interception returned for a touchdown, but a roughing the passer penalty on John Franklin – Meyers changed the game. 

The Bills are coming off a big win against the Packers.. Josh Allen was 13 -25 for 218 yards. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions. Unlike the Jets, the Bills run game was really good rushing for 153 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. The Bills are first in yards per game averaging 430.6 yards per game and they are third in yards allowed, allowing 298.1 yards per game. 

Zach Wilson played in one of the two meetings against the Bills last season and was 7-20 for 87 yards and a touchdown. Wilson was sacked eight times in that game. Josh Allen in his career against the Jets has a 63.8 completion percentage, averages 241.3 yards per game with seven touchdowns, five interceptions and three rushing touchdowns in seven games. The Jets haven’t beaten the Bills since 2019.

My prediction is Bills 30 -Jets 13

All In

By : Mike Rifkin

Tuesday was the NFL Trade Deadline, and it was the most active trade deadline in history. One team pushed all of their chips to the middle of the table. The Miami Dolphins have gone all in and made the biggest splash at the deadline. 

The Dolphins acquired pass rusher Bradley Chubb along with a 2025 fifth round pick from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2023 first round pick, 2024 fourth round pick and Running Back Chase Edmonds. Last season the Dolphins defense was fifth in the NFL in sacks with 48.0, so far this season they have 15.0. Chubb has the third highest win rate for pass rushers only trailing Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons. Chubb, the fifth overall pick in 2018 has 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in eight games so far this season. Chubb’s presence should help Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah and company apply more pressure to quarterbacks. Earlier today General Manager Chris Grier said “We anticipate having something finished up here shortly.” Talking about signing Chubb to a long term deal. 

But a team doesn’t make a move like this unless they believe in their group. The Dolphins currently sit with a record of 5-3 and in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. The Dolphins are undefeated in games started and finished by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who currently leads the NFL in Passer Rating. The Dolphins used this offseason and put all the pressure on Tua, they got him an Offensive Coach in Mike McDaniel. Terron Armstead and Connor Williams on the offensive line, Running Back Raheem Mostert, who played for McDaniel in San Francisco came over to help the running game,  they used draft capital that they had an abundance of and traded for Tyreek Hill, who leads the NFL in receiving yards. 

The Dolphins acquired three first round picks from the San Francisco  49ers 19 months ago. In the trade the 49ers wound up drafting Quarterback Trey Lance, while the Dolphins used one first on receiver Jaylen Waddle, and traded the other two. They acquired Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb in separate deals. This season you are starting to see the benefit of believing in your young quarterback. The Dolphins on the season have an impressive comeback road win at Baltimore and they beat the Bills at home. I’m not saying the Dolphins are going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but you have to put respect on their name not just for 2022 but going forward as well.