Ok, it’s that time again. I waited until Tuesday this week because we had a National Championship game on Monday night (in case you were unaware). So here we go:

  1. More Nickelodean please! From my Twitter timeline on Sunday afternoon I’m pretty sure everyone on the planet watched the Nickelodean broadcast of the Saints/Bears game. The premise was great. The execution was phenomenal. I surely hope this is something the NFL continues in the future.
  2. Funniest news story from the weekend has to be this one:
    WNY eye doctors offer free Lasik surgery to NFL replay official after Bills’ win
    I mean lets be honest, you knew this was coming right? Bills fans (like myself) can look back and laugh at this headline now. However, had the Colts came back and won that game after a blatant missed call it might not be so pretty.
  3. Another thing that was evident this weekend: why have a play clock in the NFL? I can’t tell you the number of times I watched quarterback after quarterback have the ball snapped to him well after the play clock hit zero. Perhaps they all need some eye surgery.
  4. I heard it being discussed on a station in Dallas and its an interesting debate: How long until the NBA has to press pause on their season? Dallas and Boston have both postponed games. Other teams are dealing with Covid related issues as well. This includes Philadephia who will be down to eight players when the take the floor. The NFL is finishing up their season (or trying to) and it had some hiccups. Problem is, it’s easier to move games around a couple of days when you only play once a week. When you play more games a week, it gets harder and harder the more games you have to postpone. Just ask the Miami Marlins.
  5. On the same note, I wonder if the NHL is paying attention. They already have games being postponed (the Dallas Stars) due to Covid issues within the team and organization. Their season hasn’t even started and they’re having issues. None of these leagues want to pause the season. They’re all playing with little to no fans. They lost a lot of revenue last year when they paused the season and had to relocate to a bubble. Now, you’re looking at trying to stay a float this season. I don’t envy the decision makers.
  6. A week after winning the Heisman Trophy, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith went out and had a night to remember Monday. Smith went out and had 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Oh, did I mention that was all in the first half? Smith’s performance was better than the entire Ohio State team in the first half.
  7. Can someone tell me what happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Sunday night was the culmination of a two month free fall. This is the same team that started the season 11-0. This is the same team that was the last of the unbeatens. Six weeks ago they were the favorite to win the Super Bowl. The Browns put up 28 points in the first quarter. Let me repeat that. The Browns put up 28 points in the first quarter. It was one of the craziest playoff games I have ever seen. I think because it was so lopsided. I expected a closer game. Not a blowout.
  8. Pete Carroll should fire whoever is telling him to challenge plays. In the first quarter, the Rams have the ball. With the player laying on the ground, a Seahawk strips the ball away and runs it to the end zone. Refs say the player was down. Red challenge flag comes out. It was so obvious the player was down, I have no earthly idea why it was challenged. But it was and Seattle lost the challenge and a timeout.
  9. One of my earliest memories as a kid is watching Albuquerque Dukes baseball games with my dad. They were the AAA afiliate for the LA Dodgers. Because of this, I kept a close eye on the Dodgers. I was a big fan of them in the late 80’s. I remember watching the World Series win in 1988. But because of this, I have always had a fondness for Tommy Lasorda. I loved watching him manage. Loved hearing his stories. So his passing was a huge moment for me. RIP Mr. Lasorda. The world has lost one of the greats.
  10. Only two of the six home teams won this weekend. Buffalo and New Orleans. That’s it. Now, is that because of limited fans and their isn’t much of a home field advantage? Or is that due to the competitive factor?