Get ready for an action packed, fast paced, sports podcast party as Episode #235 delivers that and then some with all that's taking place in the world of competition. On deck:
(4:25) The NFL experienced the best Divisional Round in the history of the playoffs, where three of the four teams won on the road in the final seconds and the fourth was a game for the ages!
First up, was the horror show of coaching and quarterbacking by Mike Vrabel & Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans as they were upset at home by the cool, calm and collected Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Next, was the Green Bay Packers imploding at home as Aaron Rodgers couldn't deliver in the clutch, same for their special teams as the 49ers escape out of Lambeau Field with a big time road victory by their stout defense and some key throws by QB, Jimmy Garoppolo. What's next for Aaron Rodgers? Is this it for him in Green Bay?
The Rams jumped out to a big lead in Tampa, but slowly and surely gave it back due to a few costly turnovers to draw the Buccaneers even. In the end, it was Matthew Stafford's connection to his safety blanket, Cooper Kupp as they marched down the field as time was expiring and hit the go ahead field goal at the final gun. So the defending champions are dethroned as Stafford outplayed Brady, the Bucs defense was awful and now the questions will arise...is this is for Tom Brady?
Just when we thought the three games prior were tough acts to follow, the Bills & Chiefs played an epic, classic playoff game to top them all. It was a near flawless game with only four penalties flagged, zero turnovers, A+ play from both QB's (Josh Allen & Patrick Mahomes) lead changes late in the game, a botched kickoff by Buffalo with :13 seconds left, another final second field goal in regulation. Then the clincher as the Chiefs win it with a TD in OT, which brings up an interesting topic...should both teams get the ball in OT no matter what happens? KC's grit and talent rises to the top. As for the Bills, as heroic as Josh Allen and WR Gabriel Davis was, a long offseason of 'what if's' will be replayed over and over as they were thisclose from hosting the AFC Title Game in their building.
I'll preview both Conference Championship Games, the intrigue and storylines of the 49ers-Rams. Why I don't like the Bengals this time around vs. KC? What would be the best possible Super Bowl matchup be? And some off the field news regarding personnel on some teams throughout the league.
(1:07:06) The Bulls have suffered a couple of injuries to their roster as they lose their standing as the top dog in the East, but the Association is rather quiet as we approach the end of January.
(1:08:52) The same could be said in college basketball as Gonzaga still has the #1 seed in the country as there were no major upsets in the sport over the past week. It's looking as if we're going to have a wide open March Madness which isn't for another month and a half.
(1:09:41) Sadly, I'll remember one of the great New York Islander players who passed away too soon as Clark Gillies died this past Friday. I'll go over how tough and what type of player he was, what he meant to this historic Islander team and the mark he left on those he touched after his playing days were over. Also, the schedule makers have revamped the games that were lost in the early part of the year due to COVID, as well as, taking a look to catch up on what's happening out on the ice.
(1:16:11) The players will step in on Monday (today) and propose their deal to the owners as they try their best to get something done with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report in three weeks. Is there hope for any progress as February nears? MLB did one smart thing. Not having the Rays split their seasons with the city of Montreal which would've been disastrous for the sport.
(1:19:58) I'll have the latest update with what's going on in the Australian Open. It looks like the #1 seed in Ash Barty on the women's side is the favorite to win it all at the moment. Rafael Nadal is still alive on the men's side. Does he have a chance to get to his 21st career Grand Slam win?
(1:22:02) I'll briefly touch on the heavyweight MMA bout between Francis Ngannou vs. Cyril Gane as Ngannou unifies the UFC heavyweight title. Did the match live up to the hype?
(1:23:55) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.