Posts tagged National Championship Game

Jaguars Gag. Bills Take AFC East Flag. Eagles Lag & Juicy Wild Card Storylines. Harbaugh's Last Hurrah At Michigan? Nat'l Champ Preview. Draymond's Return. Big Loss In NHL. No Nadal Down Under

Even with winter in full effect (depending on where you live), the sports world has plenty of heat as I'm happy to provide all of my analysis and opinions on all that's happening in the toy department of life. On deck:

(3:00) The NFL regular season has concluded. It was a wild Week 18 as there were teams that were looking for a playoff spot, playoff positioning or winning a division altogether. The Houston Texans eked out a close win in Indianapolis to not only secure a playoff spot, but win the AFC South. That is because of the untimely collapse of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lost in Tennessee to not only blow the division, but miss out on the playoffs altogether. With that, the Pittsburgh Steelers get into the tournament with their win in Baltimore. Then you had the Buccaneers win the NFC South after a ho-hum win in Carolina, which left the Saints and Falcons on the outside looking in. In the final game of the year, the Buffalo Bills took what was theirs (another AFC East title) after beating the Miami Dolphins in South Florida. A complete recap of what took place. The top three storylines of the Wild Card round (i.e. Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions) the six matchups this weekend and who's out as coach on Black Monday as there have been a couple of firings in Atlanta & Washington already. And, oh yes, my final tally of my over/under win totals of 2023, which came to a screeching halt yesterday afternoon.

(39:56) A national champion will be crowned tonight in college football tonight as Michigan-Washington will square off in Houston. Is this going to be the last time we see coach Jim Harbaugh on the Wolverines sideline? I'll have a preview of what to possibly expect as we'll have our first title game of the new year.

(45:21) The Association has been rather quiet, but there's a big return by the Bay as Draymond Green will come back from his 12 game suspension? Will he be on his best behavior moving forward? In the process, they'll also miss Chris Paul as he needs surgery for an injured left hand.

(51:17) On the ice, the NHL takes a huge hit as #1 overall pick, Connor Bedard, will be out of the lineup for the Blackhawks due to a broken jaw he suffered in New Jersey on Friday night. There was an enormous milestone reached by Minnesota Wild goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury. Not only did he recently play in his 1,000th game, but he tied legendary goalie Patrick Roy for second all time with 551 wins. Is Fleury a first ballot, lock down Hall of Famer?

(58:08) With the Australian Open commencing next week, they'll be without Rafael Nadal. He was on the mend and ready for a comeback but had to withdraw from the first Grand Slam tournament of the year with a hip injury. How much of a blow this will be for the sport?

(1:00:32) In baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers are at it again as they sign OF Teoscar Hernandez to a 1 year deal. Has the pressure ratcheted up as they continue to reload an already loaded team?

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Resting Lamar, AFC/NFC South, Bills Do Or Die In Miami Headlines Week 18. Michigan/Washington Hang On To Meet For Title. OKC Has Arrived? Lakers Regressing? Auston Matthews For MVP?

Back to close out the first week of the year with lots to uncover on all of the latest and greatest in the world of sports. On deck:

(2:50) We've just about reached the final hurdle of the NFL season. Week 18 begins on Saturday as teams are looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs. I'll keep you up to date on who's set, who controls their destiny, who needs help, anything and everything that you need to know about what to expect this upcoming weekend. I'll get into a few of the major storylines (Ravens resting Lamar Jackson, AFC/NFC South division up for grabs, Bills win or go home in Miami?) as we wrap up this sprint of the past four months and gear up for a highly anticipated postseason.

(24:32) The National Championship in college football is set. Michigan slayed the semifinal beast in eking out a win against Alabama, while Washington hung on at the end to beat Texas. I'll review both games and have an early look at the title game on Monday night. I'm a few days late, but I'll spend two minutes on the embarrassment that Florida State put forth in the Orange Bowl loss vs. Georgia.

(36:44) Are the Oklahoma City Thunder ready to take that next step and be a contender in the West? Even if they're a year or two early? What about the Lakers? They're going in the opposite direction as they've lost 8 of 10 and have been relatively healthy this year. At 17-18, are there any concerns about the short and maybe long term future of this team? I'll check on whatever else is happening throughout the Association as we get closer to the midway point of the season.

(47:07) Maple Leafs sniper, Auston Matthews is having an MVP caliber year as he scored his 30th goal in 35 games with the OT winner last night in Anaheim. Is he the frontrunner as the league's best player to date? I'll take a trip around the ice as I'll peek at who's been hot (Oilers, Hurricanes & Kraken) and who's not (Wild) at this juncture.

(51:36) The power is still down on the MLB Hot Stove as we’re waiting for some of the game’s best players (i.e. Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, etc.) to sign on the dotted line. The Red Sox inking pitcher Lucas Giolito for two years doesn’t cut it.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

For daily shorts, weekly vlogs and then some, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMucZq-BQrUrpuQzQ-jYF7w

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.

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PGA vs LIV, Mother Nature's Wrath Headlines The Masters. UConn Stands Tall, But Competition Small? NBA Does NOT Want This 1st Round Matchup! NHL's Panthers/Oilers Storm Into Playoffs?

The sports landscape gets a face lift as we usher in another major tournament in a legendary setting to go along with everything else that's happening as I deliver the latest podcast for the masses. On deck:

(2:51) A tradition unlike any other begins today as The Masters tees off with the first major Grand Slam tournament of 2023. Not only will there be some stiff competition from both the PGA & LIV Tour (don't worry, I'll get into that.), but Mother Nature will have a big say in all of this. The weather is expected to not only drop temperature-wise (Friday's high is 79. Saturday & Sunday? 53 & 57, respectively) but the chance of rain is ranging between 70-90% from Friday through Sunday. How will the elements be a factor? Will the tournament be completed on time? Could there be a final round on Monday? The dynamic of the PGA & LIV players going at it on this course for the very first time? Intriguing subplots abound as we'll see who'll come out on top and wear the Green Jacket come Sunday. Or Monday!

(19:07) The UConn Huskies cruise to a National Championship on Monday night as they defeat the upstart San Diego St. Aztecs. The Final Four didn't match up to what took place in the first two weekends of the tournament. Which leads to the question, was the competitive field weak overall, especially when all four #1 seeds were knocked out by the Elite Eight?

(25:48) It's coming down to this. The final few days of the NBA season as teams are jockeying for position to get themselves into the postseason. The Lakers had a chance to get out of the 7-10 seed for the play-in tournament, but lost to the Clippers who hold a slight lead ahead of them and would've had an opportunity to leapfrog over their crosstown rivals. If there is one matchup that could potentially happen in the first round that the Association DOES NOT want to see, it's Golden State vs. Phoenix. I'll explain why as I uncover all of the playoff possibilities for those who are hanging in, and some who are hanging on to see if they can qualify for the playoffs.

(34:56) Two teams that are surging in the NHL and their quest, not just for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but for home ice throughout are the Florida Panthers (#1 seed in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race) and the Edmonton Oilers (who are one point behind Vegas for the top seed out West) I'll take a look at the Central Division race as it's a three team flat footed tie at the moment (Minnesota, Dallas and Colorado all have 98 points) and a wild card race in the West which may have the Calgary Flames (currently on the outside looking in) sneak in the back door to snag a playoff berth.

(49:02) We’re one week into the baseball season and the Mets are up to their old tricks. Do I have to get into this? I’ll discuss the good start that Tampa Bay has gotten off to, while the Phillies and Mariners have stumbled out of the gate. Angels 3B Anthony Rendon received a four game suspension for an altercation with a fan in Oakland. I was surprised by the outcome. Is Rendon being used as an example by the MLB?

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SD St. Magic Carpet Ride/UConn Dominance Highlights Title Game. Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Double Standard. Lakers Peaking Or Peaked? NHL's Furious Playoff Races. MLB's Opening Weekend, Over/Unders

Let us rejoice as we begin a big stretch with plenty of sports to divulge and dissect, this month and the foreseeable future. Here to deliver the first podcast of two this week as I get into all that's below.

(3:07) The National Championship Game in Men's college basketball is tonight as the upstart San Diego State Aztecs will go up against a dominant UConn Huskies team that hasn't broken out a sweat in the five games they've played to date. I'll review the Aztecs last second buzzer beating win, the pain of Florida Atlantic losing in the final second, UConn steamrolling through the to this point and Miami's poor play as they were outclassed on the big stage. Will the Aztecs magic carpet ride lead them to a title? Are the Huskies destined to run the table without the opposition posing a threat? I'll preview the Final as to who'll cut down the nets as champions of the sport. I'll also touch on what happened in the women's tournament as there was some controversy surrounding Iowa's Caitlin Clark. She's shown a lot of fire and swag up until her team lost in the final to LSU, but Most Outstanding Player Angel Reese gave Clark a taste of her own medicine by gesturing the "You Can't See Me" wave, was it right for Reese to do that? Or even Clark for that matter, earlier in the tournament? Is this a double standard?Was it classless for both of them to do this? You'll get a complete analysis of this scenario as it's caused a firestorm on social media over the past day.

(26:44) Don't look now, but here come the Lakers! Winners of 10 of 14, currently in the seventh seed out West and with a shot to go as high as six, are they peaking at the right time? How about the Timberwolves? They have been so erratic, that they lost to a tanking Blazers team AT HOME! As they try to position themselves for the play-in tournament next week. There's a jam at the bottom of the Western Conference bracket as Oklahoma City, Dallas and Minnesota are fighting for the final two spots to extend their respective seasons a week from tomorrow.

(39:21) The NHL season has eleven days to go with some intense division and wild card races coming down to the wire. We know the Bruins have won the President's Trophy, but are three wins and seven points from setting regular season records for wins and points overall. Out West, you have Minnesota, Colorado and Dallas separated by a point. (97, 96) in the Central. While Vegas, Los Angeles and Edmonton are divided by two points (101, 100, 99) in the Pacific. This is on top of what we're witnessing in both wild cards between the Islanders (as I'll share my thoughts on them), Penguins and Panthers in the East and Kraken, Jets, Flames and Predators in the West as it's coming down to the wire with just a week and a half to go.

(49:22) The first weekend is in the books when it comes to the MLB. Justin Verlander is on the IL for the Mets (are you shocked, Met fans?) I'll get into how quick some of these games have been due to the rule changes implemented before the start of the year. The Mariners lose three out of four at home (and pitcher Robbie Ray to the IL) vs. Cleveland to start their season. Kodai Senga's first start was a success for the Mets. How he's the wild card of their rotation with Verlander on the shelf? Angels 3B Anthony Rendon got involved in an altercation with a fan out in Oakland. Will there be a suspension handed down? Lastly, I forgot to mention my three over & three under win totals on Thursday's podcast so I apologize for not doing so at that time.

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.

Listen to "SD St. Magic Carpet Ride/UConn Dominance Highlights Title Game. Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Double Standard. Lakers Peaking Or Peaked? NHL's F" on Spreaker.

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Top Storylines (Purdy/Dak) & Predictions For A 'Not So Wild' Card NFL Weekend? Georgia Drubs TCU. Curry's Return Means Warriors Success? Carlos Correa Saga Finally Ends...Back With Twins!

Back on my mid-week podcast grind as I bring the pain on all that's going on throughout the sports landscape. On deck:

(2:35) NFL fans rejoice as Wild Card Weekend is upon us. I'll delve into every nook and cranny with what will take place as the playoffs get underway. I'll have all of the top storylines (i.e. rematches from the regular season, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott/Cowboys, and much more) heading into this round, predictions as to who'll move onto the Divisional Round and why we may have to wait until Monday night to have an exciting game to watch from start to finish? I'll also get into the two coaches who were fired this week. Texans Lovie Smith and Cardinals Kliff Kingsbury have been shown the door. What can we possibly expect from both franchises as they head into the offseason with plenty on their collective plates?

(33:32) The Georgia Bulldogs showed why they're the best team in college football, drubbing TCU 65-7 in the National Championship Game. Sadly, former USC tailback & Heisman Trophy winner, Charles White, passed away at the age of 78.

(38:49) Kevin Durant will be on the shelf for a month when he suffered a knee injury in Miami on Sunday. How will the Nets fare without their MVP candidate? Donovan Mitchell made his first trip as a visitor to Utah, dropping 46 points in a loss. How was the reception from the home crowd upon his return? Speaking of which, Steph Curry is back in the lineup after a long absence due to a shoulder injury. Are the Warriors primed to make a run in the West? How about the Heat's perfection at the free throw line (40-40) vs. OKC as they eked out a win vs. the Thunder. I'll get a handle on all that's happening in the Association, especially some separation out West with the top eight seeds in the conference for the first time all year.

(45:28) The NHL is a week and change away from their All-Star Break. Not a lot to report as we're at the halfway point of the season.

(48:15) The Carlos Correa Soap Opera has FINALLY concluded. He re-signs with the Twins as we can put this saga to bed. Was this a good deal, considering he had THREE OTHER DEALS on the table, but settled for this one? And where do the Mets go to try to add and put them over the top? What in the world is going on with Red Sox INF Trevor Story? He'll need Tommy John surgery to repair his UCL in his throwing arm. Why did he wait too long to have this procedure now that he'll be out to the All-Star Break?

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.

Listen to "Top Storylines (Purdy/Dak) & Predictions For A 'Not So Wild' Card NFL Weekend? Georgia Drubs TCU. Curry's Return Means Warriors Success? Car" on Spreaker.

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Epic NFL Week 18 Finale! Playoff Storylines & Super Wild Card Preview! Can Bulldogs Slay The Tide? Kyrie & Klay Returns! Are BK & GS Favorites? Novak No-Visa?

The sports New Year is off to a flying start as I'll be sure to fulfill your appetite and more as Episode #232 is served. On deck:

(4:52) The NFL season FINALLY concluded after a laborious and not as exciting campaign, but Week 18 did not disappoint as I highlight the winners (San Francisco, Pittsburgh & yours truly. I explain) and losers (Indianapolis & LA Chargers). Today is Black Monday throughout the league for coaches losing their jobs. I'll share who got the pink slip, who should be dismissed and a shocker down in Miami as Brian Flores gets the axe. There are a few juicy playoff storylines that I'll divulge as the chase for the Vince Lombardi Trophy begins. I'll preview all of the Super Wild Card Games this upcoming weekend, with predictions to get you ready for the postseason.

(51:48) A national champion will be crowned in college football as Georgia vs. Alabama meet yet again in a title setting. Will the Bulldogs come to slay the Alabama dragon?

(59:38) A couple of debuts by some former NBA All-Stars that will have a major say in how far each of their teams will go this year. Kyrie Irving had a nice opening game in Indiana as he re-builds camaraderie with his teammates in Brooklyn. But the bigger story was what took place in San Francisco as Warriors guard Klay Thompson returned for the first time in over two and a half years. Is he the final piece to put the Dubs over the top in the West? Also, should we take the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant seriously? I'll sprinkle in the latest in college basketball as both Duke and Kansas lost last week, which'll drop them down in the polls, while Baylor still resides as the #1 team in the country.

(1:11:00) As the Australian Open is on the horizon, defending champion Novak Djokovic has been in a brouhaha with the authorities regarding entry into the country with a valid visa. Who was in the wrong during this process?

(1:15:12) There was a low key retirement that didn't get much publicity in the MLB a week or so ago. And there goes Mets owner, Steve Cohen again. They end up hiring a hitting coach away from their crosstown rivals, the Yankees. How did this go down? Is this a shot fired across the bow to their nemesis in the Bronx?

(1:19:58) More games are postponing and not a lot of games that are being rescheduled at the moment. That's life in the NHL at this point of their season. I'll zip through what's happening on the ice as I make the turn to close out with...

(1:24:05) ...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.

Listen to "Epic NFL Week 18 Finale! Playoff Storylines & Super Wild Card Preview! Can Bulldogs Slay The Tide? Kyrie & Klay Returns! Are BK & GS Favorit" on Spreaker.