NFL Sleepwalks Into Final Week. 'Bama & Bulldogs Cakewalk To Rematch. Nets 'Attitude Adjustment'? NHL's 'Frozen' Classic Highlights Rough Stretch
Storming into 2022 with the same passion and fire of 2021 and beyond, delivering all that's happening in the world of sports as Episode #231 is ready to set your earbuds or speakers ablaze. On deck:
(3:50) The NFL season is just a week away from concluding, (Thank goodness! Don't worry, I'll explain) this 'biggest year ever' hasn't lived up to the billing as I'll get into my winners (Arizona & Las Vegas) and losers (Miami & Antonio Brown. A lot to unpack here, but I'm taking a different stance than the usual talking heads) of Week 17. I'll also discuss a bit of the following: the development of Jaguars QB, Trevor Lawrence. The Rams getting out of Baltimore with a huge win to move up in the NFC. The Chiefs fall to the surging Bengals. I'll get into a not so exciting Week 18 schedule and all of the up to the minute playoff possibilities in both conferences. I'll also spend a moment on the recent passings of legendary coach/broadcaster, John Madden (Plus, an interesting encounter that I had with him several years ago.) And former Broncos, Giants and Falcons coach, Dan Reeves.
(48:05) The College Football Playoff did not live up to expectations as both games were duds. Cincinnati didn't embarrass themselves but were no match for Alabama, while Georgia steamrolled over Michigan to set up another rematch between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs. I'll have a thought or two on the storylines of the National Championship Game. Will Georgia exorcise the Alabama demons and defeats of the past.
(55:23) The Association is acting like a slow cook crock pot, while the Bulls have heated up with a seven game winning streak to the top spot of the Eastern Conference. The Nets have stubbed their toe recently due to some poor performances to where they need an 'attitude adjustment'. Is there truth to that? The Cavaliers lose point guard, Ricky Rubio to an ACL injury. They bring in former Laker, Rajon Rondo to fill his role. Is this a blessing? Or a curse for a young Cavs team? Also, the NBA suffers another loss with one of their great players as Sam Jones passed away over the weekend as we reflect on his life and career.
(1:04:04) All is quiet on the college basketball front as Baylor still resides at the top of the rankings for a fourth straight week.
(1:04:37) The Winter Classic was in full effect Saturday night in Minneapolis as the temperature was six below zero from the start as the Blues beat the Wild for their league's annual event to kick off the year. Other than that, teams are still trying to recover from a week off due to COVID interfering with the schedule. For the most part, things are in catch up mode as they look forward to making up these games over the 'Olympic break'.
(1:08:24) To wrap up, I'll have my Hero and Zero of the Week.
Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast
Many thanks for all of your love and support.
Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.