These games are for all of the marbles. Winners go to the Super Bowl! Photo credit: Adobe Stock
…And then there were four. Four teams remain as the NFL’s elite battle for conference supremacy in the NFC & AFC Championship Games just two weeks prior to Super Bowl LVII. These are the moments that we’ve all been waiting for as the 2022 NFL season reaches the end. It’s the Eagles vs the 49ers in the NFC, while the Chiefs & Bengals battle for the AFC’s crown. Which of these squads will emerge as Super Bowl contenders for their respective conferences? Let’s discuss all the drama behind these showdowns between the last four teams left standing.
49ers (No. 2) at Eagles (No. 1) on FOX (Sunday, 3:00 P.M. ET)
According to this CBS Sports graphic, this is the first ever conference championship featuring both starting quarterbacks (Jalen Hurts & Brock Purdy) who are under the age of 25. Both of these guys are also on their rookie contracts, showcasing the importance of building a championship-caliber roster during this time while the team has extra cap space to work with. Meanwhile, this is the 18th conference championship appearance for the 49ers, which according to this NBC Sports graphic is the record for most appearances of amongst all NFL franchises. Truly historic stuff is happening in this matchup featuring the No. 1 & No. 2 teams in the NFC. You can tell that these two teams have a mutual respect for one another too, with Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon telling reporters, “I think it’s a good job by Kyle. He knows how to get guys in space, and then those guys have unique skill sets… definitely a key to victory for us is tackling.” These comments are in stark contrast to the next conference championship that we will discuss…
My prediction: Eagles over the 49ers 27-24
Bengals (No. 3) at Chiefs (No. 1) on CBS (Sunday, 6:30 P.M. ET)
Several Bengals players, notably CB Mike Hilton, started calling the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium “Burrowhead” in reference to the notion that QB Joe Burrow is 3-0 against the Chiefs. This aggravated Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, who responding on his “New Heights” podcast said that, “[They’re] getting everybody fired up…throwing a lot of bulletin board material out there.” ILB William Gay fired some bulletin board material back the Bengals way, declaring that, “nothing” impressed him about facing off against the Bengals high-octane offense this weekend. Joe Burrow probably had the most measured take amongst all of these quotes from both teams, noting that, “…they’re still the team to beat, and we’re coming for them. But we know it’s gonna be tough. It’s gonna be hard fought, and we know the kind of players they have on that side…” QB Patrick Mahomes said that, “if you’re not fired up to play a team that beat you three times in a row coming up in the AFC Championship Game, you’re not gonna be excited for anything…” There’s a lot to unpack here, but the bottom line is that I think football fans are in for a wild AFC Conference Championship Game between two rival opponents in Sunday evening’s tilt on CBS. Football fans should enjoy these games while they can because the season will end very shortly.
Longtime play-by-play guy Chip Caray is leaving the Braves. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Chip Caray, longtime play-by-play announcer for the Braves, was hired by the Cardinals organization on Monday to be their new broadcaster on Bally Sports Midwest, where he will replace longtime Cardinals voice Dan McLaughlin, who left his position due to a DUI incident. The voice of the Braves for the past two decades will be taking his talents up north to St. Louis. Braves fans everywhere know who Chip Caray is, and many of us are shocked hearing this news. This Twitter user said it best with his comment, “he was a goof, but he was our goof, damn it…” Let’s dive in & examine Chip’s impact on the Braves organization in terms of both past & future.
Career highlights
Who can forget Chip’s iconic call of Jason Heyward’s first career HR way back in 2010? How about his 2012 call of Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer to send the team to the playoffs? Braves fans regularly enjoyed his “Wash is going to wave him!” calls at the plate in recent years. My personal Chip Caray favorite is his call of Brian McCann’s walk-off hit against the Phillies back in 2019 which goes like this, “deuces wild for Brian. Here she comes. Little fly ball hit to right towards the gap, that ball is gonna get… DOWN! IT’S DOWN! The Braves have won it!” His 2021 World Series Game 6 postgame intro is perhaps just as legendary as the series victory. His decision to leave after a 15-year tenure as our play-by-play guy represents the end of an era.
End of an era
The Braves had gone 46 years with at least one Caray in the booth during every season. Chip’s father, Skip Caray, called Braves games for 32 years (1976-2008) while the younger Caray overlapped with his dad in the booth for a few seasons (1991-92, 2005-2008) before carrying on his dad’s (& grandfather’s) iconic broadcasting legacy after Skip’s passing in 2008. His grandfather Harry never called Braves games, but he was an iconic broadcaster for the Cubs. The three generations of Carays memorably called one game in the booth together back in 1991. Perhaps one or both of Chip’s 23-year-old sons, Chris & Stefan, take over for him at some point. They both recently graduated from UGA with degrees in broadcasting and they are currently calling games for the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks). Until then, Braves fans will continue wondering who will help fill the void as his replacement…
Who will replace him?
Per Mark Bowman’s latest tweet there are three candidates who have emerged for the role: ESPN PBP Tom Hart, Braves radio host Ben Ingram, & former Marlins voice Rich Waltz. Out of those three, my personal favorite is Ben Ingram as he’s been incredible on Braves radio. He’s also the fan’s favorite, at least from what I can tell by reading several tweets like this one. Ingram’s call of our World Series championship win is iconic, “chopper, out to Dansby. Dansby throws to first base. Is this really happening? It is! The Atlanta Braves are World Champions!” My favorite call of Ben’s is his description of the series sweep over the Mets, “pitch on the way. Fly ball to right field. Acuna going back, Acuna is there. He’s got it! And the Braves have swept the Mets. And dealt them a devastating defeat. You come at the kings [and] you better not miss!” Tom Hart also brings a wealth of experience in calling over 1,200 pro baseball games for ESPN. I’m less bullish on Rich Waltz as a candidate after his 2022 stint with the Angels was short-lived. You can choose whether or not to love or hate Chip Caray, but it’s clear that his family legacy, decades of experience in the booth, & flair for the team’s most dramatic moments will be missed.
Super Wild Card Weekend lived up to the hype, as all of the matchups were spectacular! There were upsets (Giants over the Vikings), comebacks (Jaguars over the Chargers), blowouts (Cowboys over the Buccaneers), and a host of other close games throughout the entire weekend. These events have set up an epic divisional round for football fans worldwide to enjoy watching. The game on the slate that I’m most excited to watch is the one that football fans never got to enjoy due to Damar Hamlin’s medical scare, which is the contest between the Bills & Bengals. I’m also excited to see how Trevor Lawrence looks against the No. 1 seeded Chiefs on the road. Let’s focus in on what makes this divisional round weekend so special by previewing the games.
Jaguars (No. 4) at Chiefs (No. 1) on NBC (Saturday, 4:30 P.M. ET)
The Jaguars overcame a 27-0 first-half deficit last weekend to defeat the Chargers 31-30. They lost the turnover battle (5-0) & the time of possession struggle (32:39-27:21) but still won. Now the question becomes, was that win just the result of the Chargers doing what the Chargers always do or have the Jaguars finally arrived under HC Doug Peterson & QB Trevor Lawrence? We’ll find out shortly as they face off against the No. 1 seeded Chiefs coming off of a bye week. MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes vs. Trevor Lawrence will be an exciting QB matchup to watch.
Giants (No. 6) at Eagles (No. 1) on FOX (Saturday, 8:15 P.M. ET)
Three out of the four teams in the NFC East division have advanced to the Divisional Round, with two of those teams facing off in this contest in Philadelphia on a Saturday night. The Eagles are 2-0 in the head-to-head series, but it’s tough to beat the same team three times. Football fans will likely remember the most recent game between these two teams in Week 18, when the Giants almost pulled off the upset despite playing mostly backup players on the road. Head coach Brian Daboll has coached up his guys to play well beyond their talent level on paper. Meanwhile, the Eagles have looked like the best team in the league the whole year until recently. Will Jalen Hurts return to form & get the win for the Eagles, or will the Giants win on the road?
Bengals (No. 3) at Bills (No. 2) on CBS (Sunday, 3:00 P.M. ET)
Sunday marks the first time that Josh Allen & Joe Burrow will officially face off against each other due to their previous matchup being declared a “no contest” by the league’s officials. I’ve been dying to see a game featuring two of the AFC’s elite quarterbacks going head-to-head. Bengals DT Sam Hubbard made a truly miraculous play to win last week’s game vs. the Ravens. He recovered a fumble on the Bengals own 2-yard line & took it 98 yards back the other way for a scoop & score, go-ahead touchdown that swung the game’s momentum towards the Bengals. You can’t make this stuff up, and the announcer’s call of the entire incident was picture perfect. The Bills received an incredible defensive play of their own as CB Kaiir Elam preserved the win by breaking up a pass on 4th down & 6 in the team’s 34-31 victory over the Dolphins in Buffalo. I’m thinking this game will be a shootout, but maybe a defensive play determines this outcome.
Cowboys (No. 5) at 49ers (No. 2) on FOX (Sunday, 6:30 P.M. ET)
These two teams were winners of the only blowout games on Super Wild Card Weekend. The 49ers played a close first half against the Seahawks before scoring 25 straight points to win. Meanwhile, the Cowboys clamped down on Tom Brady in their 31-14 rout over the Buccaneers. Things weren’t all rainbows & sunshine for the Cowboys though, as kicker Brett Maher missed an NFL playoff record four (!) consecutive extra point attempts before finally hitting on one late. That’s certainly a concerning trend for them heading into a game that could be close throughout. This matchup is one with a lot of history behind it, as the all-time season series is tied at 17-17-1. Which of these teams will break the head-to-head tie & continue their run through the playoffs?
Luke Jackson will play for the Giants organization in 2023. Braves fans will wish him well. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Luke Jackson was the most criticized player on all of the Braves teams from 2017-2020. He would routinely come into every game and immediately allow several runners to reach base. Sometimes he would get out of the jam, but there were times (like in 2020) where he didn’t do it. Jackson was frequently designated for assignment & would always land with the Braves later on. Nobody wanted him besides the Braves, as he was simply too streaky to stick on an MLB roster. All of that changed in 2021, as he was arguably our best reliever & the founder of the infamous “Night Shift” bullpen that propelled that year’s Braves team to their World Series championship. Fast forward to today, & Luke just signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Giants, & the deal even includes a club option for 2025 worth $7 million with a $2 million buyout on tap. This signing happened despite his continual recovery from Tommy John surgery last offseason. Let’s dive in & examine how Luke Jackson went from zero to hero in just a few seasons time.
From humble beginnings
Luke said it best in his emotional goodbye to the Braves on Twitter, “Atlanta, I love you. From Booooooos to luuuuuuuke, it was a rollercoaster & I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” The Braves originally traded for Luke way back in 2016, acquiring him from the Texas Rangers. He was a highly touted prospect with command issues, a common theme throughout his career. Just in 2017 alone, he was involved in four different transactions, including his first career DFA. 2018 was even more of a rollercoaster, where he was DFA’d twice and involved in seven moves. Luke had a breakout 2019 year where he was the team’s de-facto closer, appearing in 70 games. From that point on he repeatedly stuck with the ballclub on a series of several one-year contracts. Even though he had a rough 2020 season (6.84 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, 4.37 FIP), the Braves decided to stick with him on yet another one-year deal, and boy, were they rewarded for their decision…
Rollercoaster ride reaches the top
I’m not really sure what exactly happened in 2021, but Luke Jackson all of the sudden became one of the best setup men in baseball during our team’s World Series championship run. He appeared in a career high 71 games with a 1.98 ERA & 26.8 strikeout percentage that season. Our Friendly Neighborhood Slider-Man used the electric pitch at a career high 51% rate in 2021. My belief is that the pressure of not having to worry about closing games as the team’s “break glass in case of emergency” closer allowed him to focus in on his role as a late-inning setup man. The fact that there’s an 11-minute highlight reel video of Jackson’s 2021 season speaks volumes.
Braves fans, your ride ends here
Luke needed Tommy John surgery after taxing his arm so badly during the 2021 season. He regrettably missed the entire 2022 season for the Braves while recovering from this surgery. Fast forward to the 2022 offseason, and Slider-Man was a hot ticket commodity in free agency. For the first time in his career, he was a coveted free agent & the Braves let him test the waters. Jackson has a new home for the 2023 MLB season, signing a two-year contract with the Giants. The deal will pay him at least $11.5 million over two years, with a club option for a third year. All in all, he could make a total of $16.5 million over three years, which is remarkable for him. Braves fans shouldn’t kid themselves; our team was never going to offer Luke that kind of coin. So goes the story of Luke Jackson, forever both loved and loathed by Braves fans everywhere.
The NFL Playoffs are finally here! I hope that all of you enjoy your lovely weekend. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
What’s so “super” about Super Wild Card Weekend, you may ask? Well, football fans get to watch seven (!) playoff games over the course of three loaded back-to-back-to back days! Yes, we’re talking playoffs as many of the NFL’s elite teams battle it out this coming weekend. Some might say that this is the most wonderful time of the year, and I would agree with them. Without further ado, let’s dive into all of the great playoff matchups as the NFL playoffs begin.
Seahawks (No. 7) at 49ers (No. 2) on FOX (Saturday, 4:30 P.M. ET)
Honestly, I would rather have seen the Lions in this matchup instead of the Seahawks. Don’t get me wrong, the Seahawks are a great team led by Geno Smith, but do they have what it takes to finally knock off the 49ers on the road after losing to them twice earlier in the season? Playing devil’s advocate here though, it’s difficult to beat the same team three times in one year. Deebo Samuel & Elijah Mitchell returned from injuries for the 49ers during last week’s game. Those two will surely provide a boost to an already loaded skill position group in this matchup. Will the Seahawks pull off the road upset, or will the 49ers defend their home turf on Saturday?
Chargers (No. 5) at Jaguars (No. 4) on NBC (Saturday, 8:15 P.M. ET)
This is probably the best (and most balanced) matchup amongst all of this week’s games. It’s also the most exciting, as two young QBs (Herbert & Lawrence) make their playoff debuts. Trevor Lawrence looked shaky (20/32, 212 yards, 1 TD) in last weekend’s win over the Titans, while Justin Herbert (25/37, 273 yards, 2 TD) looked fantastic in the team’s loss to the Broncos. Brandon Staley played his starters in last week’s meaningless game against the Broncos, and this decision will end up costing the team dearly as WR Mike Williams will miss the next two weeks. That’s simply coaching malpractice, and Staley’s future with the team appears to be on thin ice. That said, the Chargers coach could redeem himself by taking care of business on the road here. Will the Chargers continue their surge through the playoffs, or will the Jaguars win this contest?
Dolphins (No. 7) at Bills (No. 2) on CBS (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)
Without a doubt, this is the worst matchup of the weekend, or so it may seem on paper. Yes, the Dolphins upset the Bills earlier this season, but Week 3 feels like such a long time ago. Barring a surprising return to action from veteran Teddy Bridgewater, the Dolphins will once again turn to rookie Skylar Thompson as their starting QB in this monumental playoff game. That’s a recipe for disaster, and one that the Dolphins would surely like to avoid if possible. Meanwhile, the Bills continued to create magic in last week’s dominant win over the Patriots. I’m a huge believer in their ability to make a deep run through this year’s postseason tournament. We’ll see which one of these teams breaks the season series head-to-head tiebreaker on Sunday.
Giants (No. 6) at Vikings (No. 3) on FOX (Sunday, 4:30 P.M. ET)
Two of the NFL’s luckiest teams once again face off on the league’s biggest stage here. These teams are evenly matched in terms of point differential, ranking 25th & 26th respectively. That’s not a good thing, as they’re ranked similarly to the Saints, Browns, & Jets in this statistic. Last time around, the Vikings stunned the Giants with a walk-off field goal from 61 yards to win. My guess is that we see some sort of minor miracle determine the outcome of this game as well. If you’re a fan of getting your heart rate up by watching football, tune in to this game on Sunday.
Ravens (No. 6) at Bengals (No. 3) on NBC (Sunday, 8:15 P.M. ET)
Lamar Jackson is once again out for the Ravens due to injury, which means the team has no realistic shot at finally beating the Bengals this weekend, at least clearly not on paper anyway. With Tyler Huntley also a game-time decision, rookie QB Anthony Brown could make the start. That’s not an ideal scenario for the Ravens, but weird things can happen in divisional matchups. These two teams literally just played each other last weekend on the same field, which is strange. I’m sure these teams are getting tired of playing each other at this point, & this is the tiebreaker. Whoever wins this game wins the season series & advances through the AFC’s playoff bracket. Loser goes home & watches the rest of the playoffs from the couch. Which team will win here?
Cowboys (No. 5) at Buccaneers (No. 4) on ABC/ESPN (Monday, 8:15 P.M. ET)
The Buccaneers (8-9) became the first team since the 2020 Washington Football Team (7-9) to make the playoffs despite having a losing record on their ledger in the regular season. Those teams historically haven’t done very well, but none of those teams had Tom Brady either. That’s a scary proposition for the Cowboys as they face the NFC South Champions on the road. Dak Prescott leads the league in interceptions with 15 of them in just 12 games played this year. Turnovers frequently determine the outcome of playoff games, so that’s a very concerning trend. I loathe both of these teams but if I must pick one to root for then I hope for the Cowboys to win.
Like it or not, Mondays are built for fresh starts & new beginnings. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Black Monday is an unfortunate tradition unlike any other, where the underperforming coaches in the league are unceremoniously fired at the conclusion of the NFL’s regular season. This happens on an annual basis, and several coaches are let go even before the end of the year. General managers are no exception to this rule either, as some of them are sent packing as well. The NFL is a cold business where immediate results are expected & excuses are not permitted. Nonetheless, this topic is worth discussing as many teams look forward to the 2023 NFL season. Let’s dive in & analyze all of the stories from around the NFL on this miserable Black Monday.
Matt Rhule (Carolina Panthers)
Matt Rhule was let go by the Panthers all the way back in Week 5 after an awful 1-4 start. Unfortunately, the Panthers still owe Rhule some money as he had four years left on his contract. Owner David Tepper made the right (although tough) decision here, as the team improved by leaps & bounds under interim head coach Steve Wilks, finishing with a 7-10 record on the year. Wilks is clearly a candidate to be promoted from his interim title to take over as the head coach. Tepper will continue interviewing high profile candidates for the opening, such as Jim Harbaugh. That said, their best option could be in-house as Panthers players voice support for Steve Wilks.
Frank Reich (Indianapolis Colts)
Much like the Panthers, the Colts decided to fire their head coach after a mediocre start. Reich began the year with a 3-5-1 record, and so the Colts decided to dismiss him at midseason. His replacement was quite a surprising hire in retired NFL player & ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday. The Colts regressed mightily as a team under the interim coach, falling to 4-12-1 on the season. Logic would dictate that the Colts look elsewhere to look for a permanent replacement at head coach; however, the interim coach is reportedly still a “serious candidate” for the job opening. My heart goes out to Colts fans if they’re forced to suffer through another Jeff Saturday season.
Nathaniel Hackett (Denver Broncos)
Letting Russ cook was a disastrous recipe for Nathaniel Hackett, and it cost him his job. He was fired back in Week 15 after the team stumbled to a 4-11 record behind an inept offense. Russell Wilson’s awful play this season cost Hackett his job; however, there were a host of other reasons, such as clock management & in-game situational awareness, that also led to his firing. Sean Payton would be a great hire for the Broncos; however, there are two issues there in that a) they must trade with the Saints to get him, & b) that Payton wants Vic Fangio to run his defense. It will be intriguing to see who they hire, as they need someone who believes that Russ is fixable.
John Robinson (Tennessee Titans)
I won’t spend a lot of time here, as Robinson’s midseason firing was rather mysterious. After all, he had just been given a contract extension by the team during their 2022 offseason. That said, the team has a couple of in-house candidates that they will be interviewing which include VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden & Director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort. Buyer beware as the Titans randomly fired their GM before struggling mightily down the stretch.
Lovie Smith (Houston Texans)
The Texans are an absolute dumpster fire of an organization, firing two coaches (David Culley being the other) in back-to-back offseasons after failing to give them a chance to improve. Both of these coaches were “one and done” with the Texans, even though ownership knew that it was simply impossible for either of these men to be competitive with the worst roster in the NFL. They have the No. 2 pick & cap space next year but offer very little else for potential candidates. We’ll see who ends up taking the job, as that person clearly has their work cut out for them here.
Kliff Kingsbury (Arizona Cardinals)
Kyler Murray will apparently have tons of input on the Cardinals’ head coaching search. I’m not sure that’s such a good thing, but clearly Kyler & Kingsbury must not have gelled well. That’s what happens when you hire a collegiate head coach with a 35-40 record at Texas Tech. Cardinals GM Steve Keim is also stepping down from the team in order to focus on his health. These three men (Kingsbury, Murray, & Keim) were all given contract extensions back in 2022. Kingsbury & Keim are gone, while Murray is likely to miss all of next year due to an ACL tear. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell probably wishes he had a time machine to use right about now.
Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams)
Okay, so McVay hasn’t officially made his decision one way or the other for next season; however, reading the tea leaves doesn’t exactly offer a host of optimism in regards to his return. It’s clear now that the Rams must undergo a full-scale rebuild, and McVay’s heart just isn’t in it. I can’t say that I blame him, as he already underwent one rebuild when he was hired for the job. His future is also directly linked to his players, such as Matthew Stafford & Aaron Donald, who may also be retiring or heading elsewhere (via trade or otherwise) before next season kicks off. This will be one of the 2023 offseason’s more fascinating storylines, so buckle up and get ready.
Gosh, I miss baseball. Looking forward to watching the Braves in 2023! Photo credit: Adobe Stock
It’s been an interesting offseason for the Braves, albeit a somewhat disappointing one. They’ve upgraded in a few areas, but it still feels like we’re a piece or two away from greatness. Honestly, it seems like we’re banking on returns to health from key players like Ronald Acuna, Jr. & Ozzie Albies, as well as positive regression from guys like Matt Olson, in order to succeed. I’m not sure how I feel about that plan but barring any last-minute additions this seems like the team that fans will observe as we slowly approach Spring Training for the 2023 MLB season. Now, that’s not to say that the Braves haven’t done anything of value this offseason (they have) nor that there’s not enough time to make more moves (there is), but time is slowly running out. Let’s dive in & take a look at the key moves the Braves made (and didn’t make) this offseason.
Team re-signs Chavez, Adrianza, Stephens
These guys, and especially Chavez, played important roles for the team this past season. Jesse has had four (!) different stints with the ballclub in just over the past two calendar years. There are reasons why the team keeps re-signing him, and why he keeps wanting to come back. He’s the veteran leader of the bullpen, a great guy in the clubhouse, and a solid pitcher to boot. Similar things can be said for Adrianza, as he’s had three stints with the Braves in two seasons. Ehire can play anywhere along the diamond while providing clutch pinch-hitting off the bench. Stephens was our “mop-up” guy last year, as he’s able to pitch multiple innings out of the ’pen. Depth is key for the Braves over a 162-game season, so these signings shouldn’t be overlooked.
Bullpen upgraded with two solid trades
One of MLB’s best bullpens over the past couple of years got even better this offseason. RHP Joe Jiménez was acquired earlier in December for top prospect 3B Justyn-Henry Malloy. The bullpen lacked strikeout options from the right-side last season, so they traded for Jiménez. Tigers GM Scott Harris issued the following statement on the trade, “Joe [was] a very difficult person to trade… He [was] very popular in our clubhouse. He had an exceptional year for us…” He ranked amongst the top twenty percent in MLB relievers in several key categories, including strikeout rate, whiff rate, chase rate, walk rate, & much more during his breakout 2022 season. Braves fans will enjoy listening to this interview clip from their new reliever, LHP Lucas Luetge. He’s a veteran reliever who’s bounced around a lot, but he’s really come into his own as of late. His ability to provide strikeout stuff (60 SO in 57 1/3 innings last year) from the left side is nice. These two additions will ensure that one of baseball’s best bullpen remains a stellar unit in 2023.
Lineup bolstered by trade for Sean Murphy
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, the Braves made a huge trade earlier this offseason by dealing six players in a three-team trade to acquire All Star catcher Sean Murphy. The team then rewarded him with a six-year contract extension before he stepped on the field. This extension also made the team go over the first threshold of MLB’s luxury tax, which is an important distinction given that this could allow them to make more moves over the offseason. Murphy is a player that the Braves acquired mainly for his great defensive value behind the plate; however, he should benefit as an offensive player by playing in a hitter friendly ballpark. He had 18 HR & 66 RBI playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark for the Oakland As last season. Sean was the third best catcher in MLB last season with 5.1 WAR & a .250/.332/.426 stat line. Still just 28 years old, the Braves believe they have their catcher of the present and future here. Time will tell whether that’s true or not, but his presence upgrades the Braves lineup by giving them more power at the plate while also allowing Travis d’Arnaud to rotate in at the DH spot. Add all of that up & it’s clear that the Braves, while they gave up a lot, got better this offseason.
Swanson, Jackson, others find new homes
Alex Anthopoulos is a genius, regularly signing his young Braves players to well below market deals in order to build and sustain a championship caliber franchise over the long haul. That said, everyone makes mistakes, & I think that him letting Dansby Swanson walk was one. Swanson got paid way more money than most of us thought that he would get from the Cubs; however, he was also willing to take “a lot less” money in order to re-sign with our Braves team. Now, the team is forced to turn to some combination of Vaughn Grissom & Orlando Arcia at SS. This is assuming that the Braves aren’t in on Carlos Correa, and that we don’t make other moves. Meanwhile, the “Night Shift” bullpen from our 2021 World Series championship team continues to lose it’s key members, with only A.J. Minter & Tyler Matzek still on the team from that unit. That’s because Luke Jackson is set to sign with the Giants, and that we traded away Will Smith. Kenley Jansen (a newer Night Shift guy) also recently left the Braves to sign with the Red Sox. Add all of these moves together & it’s clear that the culture of our team has changed as of late.
This is my first (and last) Games to Watch column of the new year! Thanks for supporting my weekly column. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Let me start off by saying that my heart goes out to Bills safety Damar Hamlin, his family, and the rest of the Bills faithful as they continue dealing with his medical emergency. The situation is truly an unprecedented one, as the game was suspended by staff on both teams. I’ve never seen anything like it, and my hope is that I will never have to again in my lifetime. Week 17 in the NFL was fairly uneventful, with only three games (Bucs-Panthers, Ravens-Steelers, Patriots-Dolphins) carrying any sort of important relevance and proximity in score. Despite that, last week’s outcomes set the stage for a huge Week 18, the regular season’s finale. Let’s dive in & find out about all of the latest drama and storylines around the NFL in Week 18.
Titans (7-9) at Jaguars (8-8) on ESPN (Saturday Night Football)
This one’s for all the marbles as these teams face off with the AFC South title on the line. It’s win or go home for both teams as there are no other playoff scenarios in which they are alive. Joshua Dobbs will make his second career start here for the Titans with their season on the brink. His first start came last week against the Cowboys, where he threw for 1 TD & 1 INT in the loss. Meanwhile, the Jaguars beat the crap out of the Texans on the road in their 31-3 blowout victory. These two teams are obviously not the same, as the Jaguars have hit their stride & are surging at the right time while the Titans have absolutely crumbled & simply fallen apart down the stretch. Despite their differences, these rivals are on equal footing as they battle for the division crown.
Lions (8-8) at Packers (8-8) on NBC (Sunday Night Football)
Wow, who could’ve seen this coming at midseason this year? Both of these teams have risen from the ashes to suddenly become playoff-relevant, and one of them should make it in. The Packers control their own destiny, as it’s simply win or go home for Aaron Rodgers’ squad. Things aren’t quite as simplistic for the Lions, who need help in order to make the tournament. My hope is that the Seahawks lose to the Rams so that this game is meaningful for both teams. Otherwise, the Lions will simply look to play spoiler to the Packers playoff hopes in primetime. Dan Campbell’s crew needs to first take care of business by pulling off the road upset on SNF.
Patriots (8-8) at Bills (12-3) on CBS (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)
I’m hopeful that Damar Hamlin will be at home resting by the time this game is played. That development would surely make his family, friends, and Bills teammates feel a lot better. Anyways, this game means a lot to each of these division rivals in terms of playoff implications. The playoff clinching scenarios for a whole host of AFC teams have become quite murky due to the Bills-Bengals game being put on hiatus; however, the Bills could still seize the AFC’s No. 1 seed while the Patriots control their own destiny as they continue battling for a late playoff berth. Will Josh Allen & company put the Patriots playoff hopes on thin ice? Or will Bill Belichick’s crew pull off the improbable road upset? Tune in on Sunday to watch this key matchup unfold.
Ravens (10-6) at Bengals (11-4) on CBS (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)
The AFC North division title is pretty much up for grabs here in this heated rivalry game. Lamar Jackson’s status for the game is in doubt, so Tyler Huntley will start again for the Ravens. Huntley’s team already has a playoff spot nailed down, but their ambitions are for so much more. Meanwhile, the Bengals have looked like one of the best teams in the NFL since mid-November. Currently riding a seven-game winning streak, the team looks like a legit Super Bowl contender. Since the Ravens won their first head-to-head matchup, it’s vital for the Bengals to win this one. A loss here would be extremely tough, though the Bengals still have one more game to make up. Regardless, expect both of these teams to give it their all in this back-and-forth divisional affair.
Lots of great football to watch this week! Make sure you tune in. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Week 16 of the NFL season wasn’t quite as fun as Week 15 was, but it was great overall. The Cowboys are still alive in the NFC East race after knocking off the Eagles at home, while the Vikings pulled off another miraculous victory, connecting on a 61-yard field goal for the win. Don’t look now, but a few teams such as the Jaguars, Packers, & Steelers are making some impressive playoff pushes after being more or less left for dead by most analysts at midseason. These developments mean that we will discuss various contenders here in this space this week. Football fans will notice that there are plenty of good games to go around & watch this week, including all of the primetime games and at least a couple games in each and every time slot. Without further ado, let’s get to it & discuss all of this week’s hottest contests in this column.
Cowboys (11-4) at Titans (7-8) on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)
The Titans have lost five straight games in November & December to earn a 7-8 record. They’ve never been more desperate for a win as they look to stay competitive in the AFC South. On the flip side, the Cowboys are full of life after coming off an emotional win over the Eagles. Call me crazy, but I actually think this game could be competitive as both teams are similar stylistically in that they each love running the ball and backing that up with solid defensive play. Full disclosure: I could be dead wrong here as the Cowboys could steamroll this Titans squad. Regardless, what else are you really going to do besides watch football on a fun Thursday night?
Steelers (7-8) at Ravens (10-5) on NBC (Sunday Night Football)
NFL schedulemakers did the right thing in flexing this game onto the primetime stage. This is an all-time rivalry that transcends time, space, and each of these team’s season records. These teams have lots to play for, including a playoff berth (Steelers) and division title (Ravens). For some reason, it always comes down to this game every single year for these divisional rivals. With that said, could QB Lamar Jackson make his long-awaited return from injury? “We’ll see.” Both teams are coming off of key wins against teams that they were supposed to beat “on paper.” Which of these rivals starts their New Year off right with their first victory on the 2023 calendar?
Bills (12-3) at Bengals (11-4) on ESPN (Monday Night Football)
Oh my goodness, it’s a Monday Night matchup that’s actually worth watching for once! These types of good games have been hard to come by lately, as fans have been subjected to watching bad tilts such as Patriots-Cardinals, Packers-Rams, & Chargers-Colts in recent weeks. The football gods have given us a likely AFC playoff preview with key outcomes for both teams. While the Bills are still in contention with the Chiefs for the AFC’s No. 1 seed (and the bye week that comes with it), the Bengals are contending with the Ravens for the AFC North division title. Believe it or not, this is the first time that Josh Allen & Joe Burrow will battle against each other. Add all of these factors together, and it’s clear that this is a must-watch contest on Monday night.
Dolphins (8-7) at Patriots (7-8) on CBS (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s placement in the NFL’s concussion protocol earlier this week makes this contest much less exciting, but nonetheless important in the AFC’s playoff race. Basically, one of these teams is likely to find themselves on the outside of the picture looking in. That’s because there are just two playoff spots up for grabs with seven contenders still relevant. One of those spots will go to either the Jaguars or the Titans, winners of the AFC South division. So really, that leaves five teams competing for one spot, with two of the teams squaring off here. Will Teddy Bridgewater & company pull off the upset, or will the Patriots again reign supreme?
Panthers (6-9) at Buccaneers (7-8) on FOX (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)
The comically bad NFC South division race all comes down to this, as the Buccaneers square off against the Panthers in a de-facto “championship game” for both teams in Week 17. Basically, the Bucs just need to win & they’re in the tournament; however, the Panthers could play spoiler if they manage to pull off the upset here & win next week’s game against the Saints. It’s been that kind of a season for these NFC South teams, who are wondering how they got here. Nobody wants to see Tom Brady in the playoffs again for the 75th time, so I’m hopeful for a tie. Wouldn’t that be hilarious for the NFC South race to come down to a “tie”breaker in Week 18?
Jets (7-8) at Seahawks (7-8) on FOX (Sunday, 4:25 P.M. ET)
Man, these teams are so frustratingly similar it actually hurts my brain writing about it. Obviously, these teams share the same record & are on the outside looking in the playoff race. Beyond that though, both teams started off hot out of the gate & have cooled down the stretch. Both of these teams have lost five out of their last seven games, with the Jets losing four straight. Realistically, it’s win or go home for the winner & loser of this contest, with the winner likely still in need of help (and some lucky breaks along the way) in order to clinch a playoff berth. Mike White’s return to action could not have happened at a better time for the Jets, while the Seahawks hold out hope that WR Tyler Lockett can make his return from injury in this game. Football junkies should sit on their couch, grab some popcorn, and enjoy this show on Sunday.
Vikings (12-3) at Packers (7-8) on CBS (Sunday, 4:25 P.M. ET)
There’s a lot at stake here for both teams, although neither can clinch anything this week. The Vikings have an outside shot at nabbing the No. 1 seed in the NFC should the Eagles falter. Meanwhile, the Packers are just trying to stay alive in the playoff picture & clinch a playoff spot. One more loss for them over the next couple of weeks and they’re out of contention altogether. Vikings fans have watched their team live on the edge all season long, as they set an NFL single season record last week with their 11th straight win in one-score games by defeating the Giants. Perhaps just as surprising, the Packers have won 15 straight games in the month of December. One of these streaks is surely to be put to the test as these division rivals square off this week. Make sure to tune in & start your New Year off right with this iconic NFC North showdown!
This guy looks like he’s gearing up to watch the Jets vs. Jaguars game tonight. Photo credit: Adobe Stock
Are you not entertained?! Last week was the most exciting one of the NFL season so far. Week 15 began with the Vikings leading the largest comeback in NFL history against the Colts. Next, the Dolphins & Bills faced off in an epic matchup that more or less decided the AFC East. Then, there were two overtime games as well as seven other games decided by one score or less. Seriously, how are plays like this one even possible? You should try this one on for size as well. Anyways, we’re done talking about last week. Let’s dive into a new edition of Games to Watch.
Seahawks at Chiefs on FOX (Saturday early afternoon)
Last call for the Seahawks, who started off hot out of the gate but have fizzled out lately. They’re now on the outside looking in of the NFL’s playoff picture as the No. 8 seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Chiefs just barely escaped Texas with an overtime win against the lowly Texans. Despite this fact, they clinched the AFC West & have an opportunity to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed. I sense a shootout brewing here as two of the NFL’s loudest fanbases square off at Arrowhead.
Bengals at Patriots on CBS (Saturday early afternoon)
Bill Belichick must be steaming mad right now after watching his team blow it last week. His team needs a miracle, much like the one they just gave up, in order to make it to the playoffs. Good luck to him in attempting to cool off a red-hot Joe Burrow & company this coming week. Just ask Tom Brady how that scenario played out for him, as Brady was 89-0 all-time in games where he was leading by 17 or more points until Joe Cool shattered that statistic last weekend. The Bengals have a lot riding on this game too, as they clinch a playoff berth with a win here. Add all of these factors together, and it’s clear that this profiles as an exciting Game to Watch.
Commanders at 49ers on CBS (Saturday late afternoon)
Man, all of the drama from Week 15 makes the 49ers huge win over the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football last week feel like that boring matchup was played over an eternity ago. Funny thing is, the 49ers could be playing the Commanders again in the NFC’s Wild Card round. The 49ers (currently the No. 3 seed) would play the No. 6 seed (currently the Giants) in January. Speaking of the Giants, the Commanders suffered a tragic loss against them this past weekend. Simply put, the team needs to rebound quickly or else risk losing out on the NFC’s No. 7 seed. Can they pull off the road upset against Brock Purdy & that loaded 49ers roster on Saturday?
Eagles at Cowboys on FOX (Saturday late afternoon)
This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, an epic battle for the NFC East division. The Eagles (11-1) just need one win of any kind to clinch the division title, while the Cowboys (10-4) certainly have their work cut out for them in their efforts to secure another division crown. That said, the Cowboys have a chance now that MVP candidate Jalen Hurts is out with an injury. Gardner Minshew is a reliable backup though, and he could certainly lead this offense to victory. Regardless, the Eagles will have plenty to play for this week as they’re in line for not only the NFC East division title, but also the No. 1 seed in the NFC (including a bye week) with a win. Which team wins the heated battle between division rivals on a Saturday afternoon in December?
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