Are the Ravens Hitting their Stride?; World Series Hype!; NFL Week #9 Preview
Thursday Night Football - Week #8
Ravens at Bucs - Last night’s game was a great snapshot of Lamar’s ability to adapt and do what needs to be done to win games. Yes, even with those late losses earlier in the season. He is in the Top 10 in every category for QB’s currently, and a few Rushing categories. He’s proven pretty much every doubter wrong, but haters are going to hate, right? He has the 5th best TD-INT ratio in NFL HISTORY…let that marinate. He’s rushing the football like no other QB in history, and his win percentage is one of the best in NFL HISTORY!
Injuries to Bateman and Andrews were concerning early on, but he was able to find their replacements and produce successful drives. The criticism continues, and will forever continue, for reasons we’re sure nobody wants to hear or acknowledge but he’s continuing to play well, get better, and put up elite numbers across the board. We both agree, the Lamar hate is preposterous and it needs to stop.
The Ravens are getting better. They were able to run the ball, keep possession and control the clock; a look back at the style that led them to 13 wins and Lamar an MVP. The Defense is getting better and healthier, and the pass rush was back. Brady and Co. couldn’t sustain a drive and hung their defense out to dry. When the 3rd Quarter came around they were already huffing and puffing, and simply could not stop the rush. The Passing game for Baltimore still needs to improve, but if they can get the run game back to this level they’re onto something. Give the man a receiver! Go get a guy!!
World Series Hype!
Game #1 of the World Series is here and we are excited! Both teams don’t have wide national appeal for varying reasons, but there is a ton of star power on both squads that should attract even the casual baseball fan. The Astros are heading to their 4th World Series in 6 years, which is incredibly impressive. The Phillies are returning for the first time since 2008 and are riding a really hot lineup.
We’ll see “Old Faithful” Justin Verlander to start the series for the Astros. He’s gotten a little roughed up in the early innings these playoffs, and he has never won a World Series game, so there is some intrigue there. The Phillies are sending Aaron Nola to the bump. Both pitchers could cause some trouble; both lineups have poor stats or have never faced either Verlander or Nola, respectively.
The Houston Astros are the favorite, from our perspective. The Astros won 106 games and cruised to a Division title in the AL West. The Phillies won 87 games, behind two 100-win teams, in the NL East, one of the biggest Win-Loss differentials in World Series history. The Astros are pretty firmly better on paper, but the game isn’t played there. They’ve coasted in the playoffs so far, going undefeated heading into the WS. The Phillies aren’t undefeated but have discovered the hot lumber, and have fired their way to a shot at the title. It will be a tough task, but if Harper, Schwarber, and Co. can keep hitting the ball the way they have, the pitching staff should be able to power them home. Either way, this should be a really entertaining series to watch.
NFL Week 8 Picks
Broncos vs. Jaguars - Another snoozefest in London. They don’t get the pick of the litter, but they love the game nonetheless. Jacksonville is favored by 2.5pts. The Broncos are terrible, and Russell Wilson is a bum. Chris is taking the Jags, and Tom is just taking the under - they both stink.
Panthers at Falcons - Atlanta is favored, and in 1st place in the NFC South! Carolina is just not good, so there’s that. We both are taking Atlanta, but don’t play Drake London or Kyle Pitts, it's over for them fantasy-wise
Bears at Dallas - The Bears are terrible, but Justin Fields is pretty good with a pass rush. He’s running a bit more and the playbook looks to be evolving for Fields. Dallas is getting adjusted under Dak again, so that’s a thing to watch. Chris is taking the spread, Tom is taking Chicago to cover.
Dolphins at Lions - The Lions are fighting for their life out here! Miami should have a big day because Detroit's defense is not good. Get your Dolphins in your lineup, and the usual Lions suspects; Swift et. al. We’re both taking the Dolphins here.
Steelers at Eagles - Eagles are favored by 10.5 and they’re cruising at the moment. The Steelers are figuring things out, but the defense is still riddled with injuries and it shows. Start your Eagles, and bench your Steelers, if you own any. Tom thinks the Steelers cover, Chris is taking the Eagles
Raiders at Saints - Vegas is favored. The Raiders are figuring it out offensively, and the defense is coming around. The Saints are falling apart, and they’re starting Andy Dalton, again. We’re both taking the Raiders in a blowout.
Patriots at Jets - New England is favored by 2.5. This could really be a push, they’re both mediocre at best; closer to bad. Mac Jones is still in the driver’s seat. Belicheck is handling this QB thing poorly. We’re both taking the Patriots here.
Titans at Texans - Tennessee is favored by 2.5, too. The Titans should just run all day and make the Texans figure it out. There isn’t much in this one, but we’re both taking Tennessee
Commanders at Colts - The NFL should pay people to watch this, but the Colts are dead. Sam Ehlinger is under center for Indy. The Colts are dead. We’re both taking the Commanders.
Giants at Seahawks - This…might be…a good game? Both teams are overachieving preseason expectations. Barkley is arguably back to Penn St. levels, and Geno Smith is shocking everyone. We’re split on this one Chris is taking Seattle, and Tom is taking the Giants.
49ers at Rams - The Rams are still struggling to find that Super Bowl form of last year. The 49ers need a bounce back after that day in KC. SoFi is basically a SF home game. We’re split again, Chris is on the Rams and Tom is taking the 49ers.
Cardinals at Vikings - This is a must-win for Arizona, and Minnesota can create some separation in the division. Both teams are still creating an identity for themselves, so it’s a tough call. Tom is taking Arizona, Chris is taking Minnesota.
Packers at Buffalo - Buffalo is favored by 11. We’re both taking Buffalo. That’s all…oh, and start all of your Bills.
Bengals at Browns - No J. Chase for Cincy, which is brutal. Cleveland isn’t very good in general, the defense especially; Watson coming back might not even matter. Burrow’s numbers are good, but a HUGE chunk of that are to Chase, so this could be bad. Tom is taking Cleveland to cover, Chris is taking Cincinnati.
NBA Thoughts
It’s too early to make any sort of predictions or analysis, but we’ve had some intriguing things go down in these first 4 or 5 games…and here they are.
Porzingis and Kuzma have been playing well and look good playing with Bradley Beale in Washington. Deni Avdija is also playing really well, maybe not as great offensively as people had hoped/thought, but he’s playing great defense and supporting fantastically.
Indiana is playing well despite the record. Halliburton is playing great basketball, and if that level keeps up we’re looking at an All-Star. Buddy Hield is a preposterously good 3-pt shooter.
The Clippers are a little concerned with two blowout losses, and Kawhi having some knee soreness. John Wall has played well so far, and we really stress “so far”.
The Lakers stink, and Russell Westbrook is so bad.
The Nets are asking Simmons to do things that he can’t really do. He also hasn’t played basketball in two-years, which has an impact.
Lauri Merkannen is putting in work early in Utah, which is a pleasant surprise. Utah has a bunch of veterans around him, but they’re not expected to do much.
Tanking season is about to begin, as well. Teams are already eyeing Wembanyama and some will definitely be mailing it in, in hopes of nabbing the expected next big thing in the NBA. The league needs to curb that, because it’s a bad look.