Author: AG

Joe Flacco “Eating the W” After the Game

The Ravens won a big game on Sunday, beating down the Lions 44-20. Though the defense has done most of the work, everybody’s favorite elite QB has quietly been having a decent season. Flacco threw for 269 yards and 2 TDs to move into 7-5, bolstering their hold on that second wild card spot.

The clip of the game, and maybe the season however was Joe Flacco post-game. Let’s take a look.

 

Cool Joe is eating the W today! Legendary stuff from Flacco, alluding to Winston’s infamous speech made earlier this season. This would be funny if anybody this season did it, and Joe Flacco is probably at the bottom of the list of people who I would expect to do this. I’m officially scared of January Joe and the Ravens once again.

Week 13 Picks

The NFL season is starting to come to a close but there is still plenty of time for some shifting in the leaderboards. Tyler, after starting slow, sits comfortably at the top. Last week was primarily a chalk week with not too many upsets. The Falcons-Vikings NFC showdown and the return of Josh Gordon headline Week 13.

CONSENSUS:  61-19 (LW: 9-2)

Week13.PNG

CONSENSUS PICKS:  NE, TEN, GB, JAX, NO, LAR, OAK, PIT

Belichick’s Reactions to TDs are Prime Belichick

Belichick was mic’d up for the game against the Dolphins and from that we were able to retrieve this gem. This is as Belichick as it gets — divisional rival game and he couldn’t care less about any of the touchdowns. Doesn’t even crack a smile, not even a slight fist bump. There is no schtick with Belichick, this is exactly how the guy is and is why he has been the most successful NFL coach. He’s never satisfied until the whistle blows on a Super Bowl victory. Unless of course it’s regarding special teams…

Nothing gets Bill going like a nice debate about punt protectors. Onto Buffalo.

LeBron With an Early Candidate for Block of the Year

Didn’t want to blog about this as it is a meaningless game against one of the worst teams during a November NBA game but this might have been LeBron’s best block yet. That’s career highlight material. It even worked as a bounce pass right to JR Smith.

The announcer’s call was electric as well. LeBron hate or not — incredible block and the Cavs have suddenly became the hottest team in the NBA quickly on their way to a double digit win streak.

2018 World Cup Groups are Set

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Today marked the drawing of the 2018 World Cup being held in Russia. Obviously some notable names left out of the draw — United States, Italy, Netherlands, Ghana, Chile — but this is still the biggest competition in the world and thus deserves the attention.

Looking quickly at the draw:

  • Group A is a snoozer. Russia gets the opening World Cup game against…..Saudi Arabia. Horrendous. Uruguay & Russia to qualify.
  • Group B looked to get off to a fast start with Portugal and Spain both being drawn. Iran & Morocco make this a cakewalk for the top two. Spain to qualify first, their neighbors Portugal second.
  • Group C provides a little intriguing options under France. Love to see the Socceroos qualify but I think Denmark has the best shot.
  • Group D looks to be a fun one. Croatia is obviously a talented team but cinderella story Iceland looks to continue its magic from the Euros. A quick fan favorite, Iceland getting a result against Argentina will be all time. Argentina to qualify first and Iceland continuing their run
  • Group E should see Brazil qualify easily — and they better hope so because a possible reunion with Germany could happen in the next round if not (see: 2014 World Cup). Brazil to finish first, Switzerland second.
  • Group F is what I believe is going to be referred to as the Group of Death. Germany is still a force and is the defending WC champion. Mexico has looked great recently and are one of the fastest teams in the field, and Sweden is fresh off knocking Italy out of the tournament. Shouldn’t be easy but I still like Germany & Mexico to qualify.
  • Group G had some intrigue with Belgium and England but the two teams should qualify easily. Although it wouldn’t be surprising if England found a way to blow it..
  • Group H should see Colombia qualify easily and the second spot is up for grabs. Give me Japan to qualify second.

We’ll do a group by group breakdown as it gets closer to the summer.

Also — this man of the match trophy is exactly what I’d expect a Russia MOTM trophy to look like

 

 

 

Bye Week Episode 3

Office Chatter’s fantasy football podcast returns with a preview to the last week of the regular season. The fantasy crew discusses whether you should start your studs or play the matchups if you need a big win. Other talk includes Kenyan Drake, if it’s seriously time to consider benching Kareem Hunt, and the big return that everyone is talking about. We finish up with the weekly Start of the Week segment.

https://soundcloud.com/allen-gray/bye-week-episode-3

Hack-a-Shaq Strikes Again — Ben Simmons Breaks Record for FT Attempts in a Quarter

Last night, the Sixers shot 64 free throws in a win against the Wizards. Thanks to the ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ strategy, the Wizards made a run in the fourth quarter and with a single point deficit — at 5 minutes left in the fourth, the Wizards had the lovely strategy to foul on 12 (!!) straight possessions. Ben Simmons was at the brunt of it and ended the game with 15 makes on 29 attempts from the free throw line.

He had his first 30 point game thanks to this and the fourth quarter dragged on for 48 minutes, which is absurd.

“It’s not my rule, it’s an NBA rule,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said about fouling Simmons. “Just trying to do whatever it takes to cut the lead. His free throw percentage is not good at the moment so it gave us a chance to shoot 3s while they hopefully miss free throws.”

Obviously, this is the fact with basketball and there’s really not too much you can do in regards to preventing this — but if this is happening and the game is clearly out of reach, I’m not about to sit here and watch a 48 minute 4th quarter between the Wizards and the Sixers. The Wizards did manage to cut the lead to 3 at one point, but ultimately ended up losing by 5. Hate the move but there’s not too much that can be done.

 

The Last Thunder Loss Has Broken Russell Westbrook

The Thunder dropped yet another game last night, this time to the Orlando Magic 121-108. After GM Sam Presti was hailed for winning the offseason, the Thunder have gotten out to an uninspiring 8-12 start. Combine that with their 0-5 record in the division and 2-9 record away from home, I think it’s time to start the panic button for this team.

Granted it’s only November and it’s not fair to judge a team full of new players on a slow start but I’m not sure if this team will be able to pull it together to actually make a run in the stacked Western Conference. Sure they brought in two stars to complement Westbrook but all of these players are all ball-dominant. Westbrook and Melo essentially play the same iso scoring game, both needing the ball to create. Paul George is a two-way player and probably was a great pickup — but at this point I think he is leaving after the year to explore greener pastures rather than staying in OKC. Westbrook put up 37 last night and the Thunder still lost by 13 — this shouldn’t be happening on a team touting 3 all-star caliber players. I expect the Thunder to turn it around but I don’t think anybody is expecting this team to make a run at the Warriors.

Tom Brady Wins Record-Breaking 10th AFC Offensive Player of the Month

The ageless wonder does it again, this time capturing his 10th AFC Offensive Player of the Month which is good for the most ever.

The 40-year-old has been lighting it up this season and would be a runaway MVP candidate had it not been for Wentz and the resurgence of the Eagles. He finishes November with a 128.1 QB rating going 73-99 for 833 yds, 10 TD, and 1 INT.  He managed to do this while playing the Raiders & Broncos on the road (and at elevation) and a division rival in the Dolphins. All games were won by at least 17 points and the Patriots look like they are back in peak form.

Much credit of this has to go to Brady, who should be #1 in MVP talks.  He leads the league with 3,374 yds and has the best TD-INT ratio at 26 TDs and 3 interceptions. Can’t forget about him on the ground either with 21 attempts for 24 yards. Kidding obviously but what TB12 is doing is unprecedented and should be appreciated even more than it already is.

The Four Year Anniversary of the ‘Kick Six’

November 30 marks the four year anniversary of arguably the best college football game ever.  The Iron Bowl usually is one of the most important games of the season anyway (including this year) but the one in 2013 was something special. The two teams were tied with 1 second left with a FG opportunity to send Alabama to their third consecutive National Championship. Nick Saban decides to send out kicker Adam Griffith to kick a 57 yarder to win it all and the rest is history.