AFC/NFC Playoff Seeding Log Jam, Blazers/Lillard Parting Ways? Ben Simmons Too? NHL Coyotes Checking Out? New #1 In College Basketball. New Mets Manager Should Be? Pena Dethrones Nunes In Slugfest
I'm sending out some early sports holiday cheer (and jeers) as Episode #228 delivers nothing but unbiased and opinionated chatter to keep you entertained throughout. On deck:
(5:35) Get ready for the homestretch in the NFL as we're down to the final four games of the regular season. The bottom of the AFC (five 7-6 teams) & NFC (five 6-7 teams) playoff pictures are a jumbled mess at the moment. I'll assess where we're at in both conferences and where we may be possibly going forward as I'll get into my winners (Tampa Bay & Cleveland) and losers (Washington & Cincinnati) of Week 14. I'll also take a peek into the Week 15 schedule with an enormous matchup on Thursday night (Chiefs-Chargers) our first set of Saturday games (Raiders-Browns, Patriots-Colts) some key games on Sunday and a tribute to former Broncos/Texans and Jets WR Demaryius Thomas, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 33.
(37:03) I'll acknowledge the final regular season game of the college football season (Army-Navy). I make no bones about how all of the bowl games (minus the college football playoff semifinals) doesn't interest me. No surprise as to who the Heisman Trophy winner is (Alabama QB, Bryce Young) but Michigan coach, Jim Harbaugh, has a bold prediction for one of his players and Heisman Trophy finalist, Aiden Hutchinson for next year's NFL Draft.
(39:53) The NBA draws near to its' Christmas Day schedule, but there's a caveat that can't go understated. I'll explain. The Portland Trail Blazers have been in the news with a fired GM, their second best player (CJ McCollum) out with a collapsed lung, but the big story is perennial All-Star guard, Damien Lillard possibly looking for the exits and wanting out of Portland? There have been talks percolating for Sixers disgruntled guard, Ben Simmons as he's being dangled for potential offers from other clubs. But this is a case, where he's an 'untouchable' in reverse. The Bulls have TEN players in health and safety protocols. Will the league step in to postpone their games? Steph Curry is thisclose to becoming the all time three point regular season shooting record held by Ray Allen. Will we ever see Pelicans forward, Zion Williamson, on the court this year? I'll take a trip around the Association to keep you up to date on what's going on throughout the hardwood.
(57:47) The Calgary Flames have been the latest team in the NHL to be affected by a COVID outbreak as three of their games have been postponed. But in a strange and weird twist, the Arizona Coyotes look like a team that has already checked out from being in operation based on their behavior by not paying the bills? And the commissioner, Gary Bettman, has stated that they're not threatening to relocate! Really? I'll share my thoughts on that, as well as, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury winning his 500th victory last week. Is he a lock Hall of Famer? I'll skate around the league to inform you on the latest that's happening on the ice.
(1:08:39) A new #1 in college basketball as we'll have a different top ranked team to lead the nation after Purdue loses to Rutgers in stunning fashion last week. Baylor is now the new #1 in the sport. Will it last for at least a week?
(1:10:36) The Mets are still searching for a new manager, but I'll tell you who SHOULD be the guy to lead this team. AND WHY are they interviewing more unknown candidates?
(1:14:16) Tiger Woods coming back to the course sooner than we thought? He'll be participating in the PNC this coming weekend with his son, Charlie. Should there be any expectations or comparisons from his young boy as the spotlight will be squarely be on him and his famous dad this weekend?
(1:17:08) A shocking upset in the UFC over the weekend as Julianna Pena wins in a slugfest over Amanda Nunes in a bantamweight title fight. Will there be a rematch? A trilogy?
(1:20:13) To wrap up, my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.