Tag Archives: NFL

When the Eagles Come Flying In…

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Today’s biggest NFL matchup was quite a spectacle—depending on who you were cheering for, at least. Now, if you were rooting for Travis and Taylor or even backing good ol’ Andy Reid, I’m sorry to say that those who bet on the reigning champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, were left disappointed. However, if you were pulling for the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles decked out in green, then you were in for a treat tonight. Like my dad always says, “If you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best,” and the Eagles finally did just that.

With star-studded quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the charge, they absolutely rocked the Superdome tonight in New Orleans—not only with a stunning offensive performance but with an equally impressive display on defence. Unfortunately for the previous champs, their hopes of a historic three-peat took a major hit.

The Shock

The first quarter started with immediate dominance from the Eagles, as they scored within the first minutes of play. And that dominance didn’t fade—it was relentless throughout the entire game. It felt like watching the possible end of an era for the Chiefs. I have never seen them look so defeated; the last time I saw them struggle this much was when they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship, with Joe Burrow leading the Bengals to a 27-24 win in the 2021 AFC title game.

But in this game, there was absolutely no action from the Chiefs when they needed it most. Just to give you some perspective: six sacks and three turnovers. Patrick Mahomes seemed to run out of his magic, and the hardest part was watching the light fade from the Chiefs’ team. It’s always surreal to see consecutive champions get bested. It reminded me of when the Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals. They were also on the brink of a three-peat, but Colorado fought hard and ultimately took the series in Game 7.

Regardless, it was definitely surprising to see this kind of performance from Kansas City, considering their outstanding record throughout the season. At least from my perspective, no one expected the scoring to be this low, especially since both teams had been so evenly matched this season.

The Halftime Show

To take a break from the drama of the game, the Halftime Show was something you didn’t want to miss. Kendrick Lamar put on an amazing performance and executed it flawlessly. Special guests like Samuel L. Jackson and SZA added an incredible touch to the show. Samuel L. Jackson, acting as a sort of narrator, kept viewers engaged and created a cinematic experience.

Kendrick performed hits from his most recent album GNX, including Squabble Up, TV Off, Luther, and even the Grammy-nominated song Not Like Us. Sometimes, being a hater pays off—you can have millions of fans dissing a certain Canadian rapper and still make a hit. SZA was a phenomenal addition; she’s an incredible performer in her own right and can completely command the spotlight. Bringing her on was the perfect choice, especially considering that she and Kendrick are also going on tour together in the upcoming months.

Kendrick has performed at the Super Bowl before, back when Dr. Dre was the headliner alongside many artists he helped put on the map. Because of that, we missed out on some songs from his previous performance, but nonetheless, the show was still outstanding—especially if you’re a big Kendrick fan like me. His musicality is out of this world, and even his dancers were true stars, elevating the show and conveying his message. I’d rank this Halftime Show high on my list of favourites.

The Second Half

Before we get into the second half, I need to give some context. My dad is a big New York Giants fan, which generally means he hates the Eagles. So, imagine his reaction when he said, “If the Eagles score again, I’m walking away”… and walk away he did.

After a series of incredible plays from Philly, the score sat at 40-0. The Chiefs made some attempts to get back in the game, but penalty flags weren’t in their favour—especially one call at first and goal. Eventually, the Chiefs managed to pull off some last-minute plays to avoid a complete blowout, ultimately ending the game with a final score of…

Eagles 40 – Chiefs 22

The Game MVP was awarded to Jalen Hurts, who, along with his prolific teammates, had an outstanding game. Hurts threw for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 72 yards and scoring another touchdown on the ground.

You never know what’s going to happen in the Super Bowl, and this one was a hit or miss. If you’re a die-hard Philly fan, you were on cloud nine. But if you put all your money on the Chiefs—sorry to break it to you, but this just wasn’t your year. The Green Bay Packers still hold the record as the only team in NFL history to achieve a three-peat.

What’s Next?

Now, moving forward—what’s next? Which teams will dominate next season? And more importantly, who will headline the 2026 Halftime Show? Only time will tell.

I’m personally hoping to see the Cincinnati Bengals climb back to the top, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the Buffalo Bills make a deep playoff run either. Seeing Josh Allen and Joe Burrow lead their teams back to the big stage would be a treat.

Overall, this matchup was something special, and I can’t wait to see what next season has in store. Now, it’s time to shift my focus back to hockey and basketball.

 

Super Bowl Preview

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It’s finally the day we’ve all been waiting for, Super Bowl Sunday! It seems like this season flew by. After 21 weeks of football, we have our two teams who will be fighting for the Lombardi Trophy. Some people thought they would be here, and others didn’t. We have a rematch of Super Bowl 57 The Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking to become the first-ever NFL team to three-peat, and on the other side, the Philadelphia Eagles, who are back at the Super Bowl after losing to the Chiefs two years prior. However, this is a different Eagles roster. They have lost some players but have also made some key additions. You know who I’m talking about, Saquon Barkley. Barkley has been the best running back in the NFL this year and is a massive part of the Eagles’ success.

The Eagles have a tough task, as the Chiefs had the eighth-best run defense in the league. But I don’t think that will matter. I expect the Eagles to run the ball a ton and wear down the Chiefs’ defense. Even though these two teams played each other in the Super Bowl recently, I expect this game to be different than last time.

So, how do I think the game will go? I expect it to be a close game throughout, and just like last time, it will come down to the wire. I don’t think it will be as high-scoring as last time, but it will still be an exciting game to watch. With all the attention around Travis Kelce, someone I don’t think people are talking about enough is Xavier Worthy. I think Worthy is going to be a key part in today’s game. On the other side of the ball, it’s obvious, it’s Saquon Barkley. Barkley turns 28 on Super Bowl Sunday, and I think we both know what he wants for a present. I’m expecting a big game from Barkley. I’m also expecting a big game from Jalen Hurts. Everyone knows the threat that Barkley possesses, so watch out for some read-option keepers from Hurts. Hurts had a monster game last time he played in the Super Bowl, so we know he’s not afraid of the big moment.

So, who do I think wins? I think the Chiefs win and three-peat. It’s so hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes. He knows how to win and has been here four times. I think it’ll come down to which quarterback is going to make a big play late in the fourth quarter, and I just know Patrick Mahomes will come through in the clutch.

My Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 34, Philadelphia Eagles 27
MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Sports Stadiums That I Want to Attend

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One of the things that makes attending sporting events so great is the venues that they are at. Seeing your favourite team play live is always a very cool but the atmosphere at the stadium is what you remember. I’ll never forget going to the Canucks Predators game in the playoffs. It was game one and the first playoff game in Vancouver in nine years. It was an electric feeling. I’ve heard stories of other great stadiums watch games so I thought I’d share my thoughts on some.

 

Lumen Field Seattle: This might be a little biased because I am a big Seahawks fan. But just seeing the atmosphere at Lumen Field is so electric. Seahawks fans are some of the loudest in the NFL. Like seriously they’ve caused earthquakes before. The building is designed to be loud and I get jealous watching it on T.V. Seeing a football game there is very high on my bucket list.

 

Wrigley Field Chicago: Wrigley Field is much more than just a baseball stadium. It’s an iconic monument. Its been around since 1914 and everything about it is legendary. It’s been talked about  in movies and T.V. shows and is a huge part of pop culture. From the old seats, the ivy on the wall and just seeing the Chicago Cubs play. Attending Wrigley Field itself is a unique experience and something I’ve always wanted to do.

Yankee Stadium New York: Very similar to Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium has so much history behind it. I know the original Yankee Stadium isn’t around anymore, but the new one is still unique. It has a lot of the same characteristics and just there’s just something about attending a Yankees game that seems so special. Seeing monument park and the statues of  all the Yankee legends would be a surreal experience.

 

Madison Square Garden New York: the most famous arena in the world.  All the concerts and sporting events this place has hosted is insane. I have to see a Knicks or Rangers game here. It’s a must. There’s so much history at MSG. It’s been around since 1968 and the celebrities that have been in that building are bonkers. After seeing the Rangers recent playoff runs and the atmosphere attending a game at MSG is a priority.

Myles Garrett requests trade

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There has been so much player movement in the NBA and NHL recently. Even though it’s almost Super Bowl Sunday the NFL wanted part of his trade party too in a way. Cleveland Browns superstar defensive end Myles Garrett has requested a trade. The 2023 defensive player of the year has had a very impressive career thus far. Especially on some mediocre Browns’ teams. Since being drafted first overall in 2017 Garett has had an excellent career thus far, he is a six time pro bowler and four time first team all pro. 

Garrett sent out a message to Browns fans saying this. “As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever,”  My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today.

“While I’ve loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won’t allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.

“With that in mind, I have requested to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”

I really hope the Browns honour his trade request and trade him to a contending team. Garrett is one of the best defensive players in the league and someone who deserves to play for a Super Bowl. The Browns should get a massive return for him likely including two first round picks. This should help set up the Browns with their rebuild and keep Garrett happy.  A team that I coils see him going to is the Detroit Lions. They are going to be a legit contender in the NFC they have the assets to trade for Garrett. Plus pairing up with Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line is something no quarterback wants to see. Where do you think Garrett will end up. 

Championship Sunday Recap

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The Super Bowl matchup is set. After 20 long weeks we know the two teams who will fight for the Lombardi Trophy. Its the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. A rematch of two years ago. So how did both teams get here, lets breakdown both conference championship games.

 

NFC Championship Philadelphia Eagles 55 Washington Commanders 23

 

This was the third time these two teams met this season, with each team winning once. Obviously this game had the most stakes. These two teams are at different stages. The two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance expected to be here. Especially after last year’s disappointing playoff exit and after signing Saquon Barkley in the offseason. Meanwhile for Washington, this season was a massive success. The emergence of  rookie Jayden Daniels and first year head coach Dan Quinn have turned this team around in just a year. So how did the game go? After Washington drove down the field and put three points on the board. On the first play of scrimmage for the Eagles Saquon Barkley did Saquon Barkley things. He took a pitch broke three tackles and went 60 yards for a touchdown. Stopping the run would be a huge problem for Washington. I mean a huge problem. The Eagles scored seven rushing touchdowns….. Seven. Three from Barkley another three from Jalen Hurts. Even third one from Will Shipley. The Commanders couldn’t stop the run at all and the Eagles run away with the game. Literally.

AFC Championship Kansas City Chiefs 32 Buffalo Bills 29

 

We know the storylines. The Bills are 0-3 against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Kansas Citys looking for a three-peat while the Bills are looking to make it back for the first time since 1991. So what happened? It started out super back and forth through the first one and a half quarters. After Patrick Mahomes touchdown with 1:55 remaining in the first half some people might have thought the Chiefs would start to pull away. Then Josh Allen threw a beautiful pass to Mack Hollins for a touchdown to make it a five point game right before half. At this point you could sense a shift in momentum. Then the Bills went for it on fourth down at the one yard line and James Cook took a toss from Allen and made an amazing play for a touchdown. The biggest play of the game was a fourth and one for Buffalo at Kansas City’s 41 yard-line. It appeared like Josh Allen picked up the first down. However, after review they called him short and the Chiefs went down the field and scored a touchdown. With 3:33 left Harrison Butker kicked a 35-yard field goal. This set the stage for the Josh Allen legacy drive. Three minutes on the clock a touchdown sends his team to the Super Bowl. so what happens the Bills on at midfield its fourth and six. 57.4 million people are watching around the world. The Chiefs send a huge blitz and Allen puts up a prayer. That hits the hands of tight end Dalton Kincaid and falls incomplete. The Chiefs run the rest of the clock out and head back to the Super Bowl. For the Bills its another game added to the list of heart breaking losses. I’m so sorry Bills fans I was pulling for you guys.

Unity In Rivalry

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Well football fans, the time has come, the games are set, and tomorrow is the Conference Championships.

So what’s on the docket for tomorrow? The Washington Commanders are in Philadelphia and will face the Eagles with a 12:00 kickoff tomorrow. These two rival teams are fighting for the NFC Championship title. And at 3:30 the Buffalo Bills will take on Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship title.

It’s a heightened time for all. I mean your team could be knocked out and done for the year I get it, but I think it’s a good time today to realize that sports is there to bring people together through a shared love of the sport, the team, and the players. 

Whether it’s your local high school soccer game, or a professional football championship like tomorrow, sports have a unique ability to bring people together. There’s nothing like a whole community, town, province (or state) or even a whole country rallying together to show support to teams. This isn’t just about cheering for a favourite player, it’s about identifying with the larger group—the fans, the city, the neighbourhood. Having a collective identity to strangers you’ve never met through the highs and lows, triumphs and losses, is truly magic. 

In a world where diversity can lead to discrimination and division, sports stands as a powerful force that breaks those walls down. No matter your race or culture at the end of the day the sport is still the same sport with the same rules and field, same ball or play time. Whether it’s the field or the ice, we are all equal, sharing in the love of the game. 

The stakes are high right now and in the world of football and the build up to February 9th might feel like a whirlwind. But in the middle of all this intensity, it’s good to look back on what sports is all about, the passion, camaraderie, and pure joy of the game. 

So enjoy the rivals, get competitive, and show your team spirit and share in the love and passion of the game. 

Los Vegas Raiders Hire Pete Carroll As Head Coach

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The Los Vegas Raiders are hiring Super Bowl 48 champion  Pete Carroll as their next head coach. After firing Antonio Pierce after a year and a half the Raiders elected to go with the 73 year old Carroll to help lead the franchise. The 73-year-old Carroll will return to the sidelines after one year as a senior advisor for the Seattle Seahawks The Raiders will be  the fourth NFL franchise that Carroll will coach. After previous tenures with the New England Patriots, New York Jets and most notably the Seattle Seahawks. Carroll led USC to a national championship in 2003 as well as the Seahawks to a Super Bowl in 2013. He is only the third head coach to win a national championship and a Super Bowl.

This does come as a bit of an interesting hire for the Raiders. As they are in a rebuild with a ton of question marks all over the roster. However, Carroll is one of the best culture builders in all of sports. He changed the Seahawks and built the “ Legion of Boom” and made Seattle one of the biggest power house teams in the NFL during the 2010s. The Seahawks only missed the playoffs four times during his time in Seattle. 

 

Carroll is a very old school head coach. Who puts emphasis on running the football and playing good defence. He has his work cutout for him in Sin City because the Raiders have a ton of holes. Outside of Maxx Crosby there isn’t much talent there. Crosby might even be moved in the offseason for draft capital. The Raiders do  have the sixth overall selection in this year’s draft so Carroll will get some good young pieces to work with. What do you think Carroll wll do in Vegas? What direction does the organization go in?

New York Jets Hire Arron Glenn As Head Coach

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The New York Jets are hiring former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Arron Glenn to be their head coach. Glenn will be the 21st head coach in franchise history. The Jets fired Robert Saleh midway through this season, which at the time was a surprising move. This was the Jets first full season with Aaron Rodgers. But in classic Jets fashion it ended in disappointment. The Jets even traded for Rodgers’ favourite target in Davante Adams mid season and he couldn’t even help. New York finished the season 5-12 with a ton of question marks around the personnel. It looks like Glenn is the first step to trying to help turn things around. 

“This place is special for me,” Glenn said in a statement on Wednesday. “From the time I was drafted and practiced on Long Island, to the time I came back as a scout in New Jersey, this organization has always felt like home. I’m thankful to Mr. [Woody] Johnson for this opportunity. To our players, prepare to be coached with everything we have. That is our responsibility. I ask that we share the same vision and that’s working towards winning a championship. To our fans, simply put, expect a winning team that you will be proud of.” 

 

Glenn was New York’s first interview after the Lions were eliminated in the playoffs. It’s clear that they’ve had their eyes on him for a while. The Jets have a solid defence but the offence remains a question mark. Do Rodgers and Adams come back? Or does Glenn want an overhaul of the roster. A lot of these questions will be answered when the Jets hire a general manager.  As for now it’s a step in the right direction, but they are the Jets who knows what happens when the season kicks off.

Conference Championship Predictions

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It comes down to this, a trip to a Super Bowl is on the line. Some teams expected to be here, while others hoped to. For some, being here is playing with house money. Nonetheless this Sunday will either bring joy or heartbreak to franchises and fan bases around the world. It is championship Sunday. Let me break down both games for you.

NFC Championship : Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders 

 

I’m not sure how many people had the Philadelphia Eagles making it to the NFC championship. Even after signing Saquon Barkley, some people were turned off from the Eagles after their second half collapse from last season. A lot more people started counting them out after a slow start this season. Boy do they look stupid now. The Eagles have been dominating. After starting out 2-2 they finished 14-3. Who was that loss to you might ask? None else than the Washington Commanders. What a rookie season for Jayden Daniels. Is it the best rookie season for a quarterback ever? If they win this game then I think there’s no doubt. But do they win this game? Ultimately it comes down to can they stop Saquon Barkely.  Barkley dominated in both games vs the Commanders and after watching last week I’m gonna say he does again. Then again I bet against Jayden Daniels last week and I don’t know if I want to again this week. This Commanders team has a similar feel to the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals team who went to the Super Bowl. So who wins this Sunday? Unfortunately, I think the Commanders Cinderella story comes to an end. They beat the Detroit Lions who had 16 players on IR. I don’t see them having the same fortune in Philly.

 

Score Prediction : Eagles: 26 Commanders: 20

 

AFC Championship : Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills 

 

 The game we have all been waiting for. I don’t have to tell you what’s at stake. Buffalo is looking to make the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994. For a chance at winning their first Super Bowl. So what stands in their way? Their arch-rival, a team that they’ve lost to three times in the postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking to be to first ever team to three peat. Say whatever you want about the Chiefs, “ They’re the first 15 win team ever”. “ They have the refs on their side”. “ They show Taylor Swift too much”  Or just say they are really good. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL and continues to show that each year in the playoffs. I’m never going to bet against him. Ironically on the other side is one of the most liked QBs in the NFL. Who at one point had to beg college coaches to offer him a scholarship. Has a chance to take a team, who some people thought would finish third in their division to the Super Bowl. Buffalo is the only team to beat Kansas City when they had their starters in. But that game was in Buffalo. This game is in KC. I think the Bills finally get over the hump. I’m expecting a legacy defining game from Josh Allen in a playoff classic.

 

Score Prediction : Bills 23 Chiefs: 21

Bears Hire Ben Johnson As Head Coach

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The Chicago Bears are hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach. Johnson is staying in the NFC and will bring his creative play calling to the Windy City. Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldren midway through another disappointing season. Bears fans are hoping Johnson can turn the ship around and he has some talent to work with. Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore and D’Andre Swift are just a few names Johnson has to work with. The Bears will most likely add to the offensive line through the draft in free agency to help protect quarterback Caleb Williams. 

 

That would be huge because Williams was the most sacked quarterback this past season. Johnson was one of the top head coach candidates this offseason after choosing to stay with Detroit last year.  His creative play calling and trick plays are something Bears fans can be excited about. Also his usage of star players should make Chicago a very exciting offence in 2025. Caleb Williams is excited for Johnson is Chicago. “I think it’s been really cool to watch,” Williams said two weeks ago, when the Bears cleaned out their lockers. “During our game, I would sit back and watch and try and learn something. It was fascinating to watch. He had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game.”

Johnson is also a fan of his new QB. “There’s no question that this guy is talented. I remember standing on the sideline last game and you can hear the ball whistle by you,” Johnson said.

“He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well. Like I said, I haven’t really dove in and can tell you much more beyond that, but he’s been impressive from afar.”

Chicago had high expectations heading into this year. They were a Jayden Daniels hail mary away from being 5-3. The wheels fell off after that. The Bears haven’t won a playoff game since 2010, and are hoping Johnson can finally help them get over the hump.