NFL power poll
So the Pats are in the playoffs. As of now. So is Tom Brady and the Bucs. As of now.
Hmmmmmmm.
Yes, it would be an amazingly long, long shot for those two to meet in February, but a Brady vs. Belichick Super Bowl would be the greatest match-up of all-time right?
Discuss.
Without further ado, let’s make like Admiral Byrd and examine the polls.
Powerful
1 Philadelphia (12-1). We’ve discussed the depth and talent across the Eagles roster on each side of the ball. We’ve noted the Eagles’ championship window that is expanded until they have to pay Jalen Hurts a second contract. We’ve even shared the details of the Eagles being the best first-half team by a large margin, which is beneficial for them and for those of us who wager on them. Which leads me to my buddy, who we’ll call K, who is a monster Philly sports fan. Not in a “boo Santa” kind of way, but assuredly in the manner that if a Cowboys fan was in need of assistance, K would be booked that day. Needless to say, K has been in a good mood with the Phillies’ sizzling -er months and the Eagles poised for big things in the -ry months. And K made his annual $100 wager on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl over the summer at plus-3100. Nice call, K. The betting service has offered him a chance to settle for more than $400. Good times in the K household these days, huh?
2 Buffalo (10-3). So, the Eagles are clearly the best team in the league right now. Just ask K. But the fight for the second-best title is fierce. We’ll lean Buffalo because as of this moment, the Bills have home-field advantage, and going through Orchard Park in the -ry months is not a picnic, friends. To that end, the Bills are the DraftKings favorite as of this morning to win the Super Bowl at plus-350. Philly is next at plus-450.
3 Kansas City (10-3). Defense wins championships; QBs win Super Bowls, and I trust Patty Mahomes more than, well, anyone in the league if we’re being honest. Still, can his magic routine continue to bailout a leaky defense and an injury-riddled offense?
4 Dallas (10-3). An ugly win is still a win, and 1,000 times better than the prettiest of losses. This is a sports maxim that is forever true, even in last week’s comeback win over the lowly Texans. Dallas vs. Philly in the NFC title game seems probable at this point, and it has NFL TV execs drooling to be honest.
5 Cincinnati (9-4). Yes, this is leaving out a 10-3 Minnesota team and ignoring the Big Tuna’s “You are what your record says you are.” It also is leaving out a dominant 49ers bunch that is thrashing folks right now. The reason I’m high on the Bengals is Vader’s guy Joey B. Joe Burrow is headed to the Hall of Fame, people, and if you think they are good this year, buckle up. Because the Burrow to JaMarr Chase Red Stick reunion in Cincy is here for the foreseeable future. And the Bengals average player age is a smidge over 26 and their $46-plus million in cap space next year is the sixth most in the league. If you are an accomplished veteran dying for one more Super run, what better place than being on the crew that has Joey B?
Powerless
28 Indianapolis (4-8-1). That they tied the Texans is reason enough to be in the bottom five. Which famed owner’s son has done a worse job running an organization, Mike Davis with the Raiders or Jim Irsay with the Colts? Discuss. Also of note: Has there ever been one player’s retirement that hurt an organization more than Andrew Luck leaving the Colts? Discuss more.
29 New Orleans (4-9). Has anyone fallen farther and quicker than Michael Thomas, who was the NFL offensive player of the year — and a catalyst on my championship-winning fantasy team that year — in 2019 when he caught more stuff than a submarine crew on leave in Bangkok. Now, Thomas is the highest-paid Saints player, is on IR and likely done for the season and finishes the year with 16 catches for 171 yards in three games in 2022.
30 Chicago (3-10). If you are looking for the 2023 best-bet from sucky to successful, go with the Bears. Justin Fields’ best football is in front of him, and his current football is pretty dang good. (Side question: Think in five years the Falcons — and others — are going to regret letting Fields fall to 11? Side notes on the side question: I love the draft. You know this. And the 2021 draft has some dudes in it. Like the 2010 draft in terms of upside and HoF potential. Kyle Pitts will be fine once he gets healthy. JaMarr Chase was the fifth pick. Penei Sewell was seventh. Patrick Surtain II, who is one of the best corners in the league, went to Denver at nine. DeVonta Smith went to Philly at 10, Fields was 11 and some cat named Micah Parsons went 12th. Wow.) Anywell, in addition to having a QB1 for the first time since Jim McMahon only had three concussions for the decade, the Bears have far and away the most cap space for 2023 with more than $117 million to spend this offseason.
31 Denver (3-10). Man, the Broncos are sunk. Like the foreseeable-future-is-doomed sunk. No first or second rounders this spring. Russell Wilson on a five-year, quarter of a billion dollar deal. Almost assuredly going to be running a coaching search this offseason. You can make a strong argument this is the most dire situation in the NFL, even more so than …
32 Houston (1-11-1). I am reminded of Skip — the manager from “Bull Durham” — during his shower diatribe when looking at the Texans roster. “What’s our record,” Skip asks to Larry Hockett, erstwhile pitching coach, confidante, wedding gift expert and all-around decent fellow, who answers “8 and 16.” “How’d we ever win 8?” “It’s a miracle.”
Braves moving
So we at least know the Braves front office has not entirely gone on vacation.
Atlanta landed Sean Murphy, a 28-year-old catcher, in a three-team deal. Let’s examine the move, shall we?
First, and this caveat must be offered in these matters: Alex Anthopoulos has earned the benefit of every doubt. Period. He’s built a championship roster and if this offseason spending frenzy — more than $1.6 billion has been doled out on free agents, and the shopping’s not done yet — is any indication, has done it on the cheap with team-friendly long term deals.
Let’s check with our attorneys to make sure that disclaimer covers everything. We good? Good.
Things to like about this deal.
— Murphy has three more years before he reaches free agency.
— Murphy is a top-three defensive catcher, which is going to be even more important in 2023 and beyond because of the rules changes and the likelihood of a noticeable increase in stolen base attempts. Among catchers who caught more than 100 games last year, Murphy was tied for third with just two pass-balls and was top-five across baseball in throwing out runners. He threw out 31.1% of would be base-stealers.
— He’s serviceable with the bat. He slashed .250/.332/.426 with 18 homers, which is more than acceptable for a Gold-Glove-caliber catcher.
Things not to like.
— The Braves gave up a lot. And yes, we remember the disclaimer above, and I’m all for dealing prospects — especially pitchers considering the potential of arm injuries these — if you have a championship window, which Atlanta certainly does.
— The A’s are savvy in these matters, and one of the reasons Murphy was on the market is because of the bright future of catcher Shae Langeliers. And if that name sounds familiar, Braves fans, it’s because he was part of the Matt Olson trade last offseason.
— The Braves also sent William Contreras to Milwaukee in the deal, and yes, Contreras was an all-star last season. Still, that’s fine.
But the question around every water cooler across the South does not include anything about Sean Murphy. That question is assuredly, “Hey, what about Dansby?”
And this deal does not offer any indication which way AA may be leaning about decisions on the Braves shortstop in 2023 and beyond.
Rest easy Pirate
Not much to add here, but dang this one stinks.
Mississippi State announced that Mike Leach died last night after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.
What a sad day.
Yes, there is death all around. And it impacts so many in so many ways.
This one stings, and my prayers are for his family first and foremost. Leach was 61.
And while we will forever miss his character and his charisma, do not be fooled about Leach’s football brilliance and the impact it has had across so many levels of the game.
Thanks Pirate, for your football and your personality and your perspective.
You will be missed.
This and that
— So we went 1-2 technically on our Monday Night plays. Our best bet — Yale minus-5.5 over Fairfield — covered comfortably. The other two hinged on Kyler Murray, who tore his ACL on the Cardinals’ first possession. One of those was over 35.5 rushing yards for Murray, who had one carry for 3. BetMGM announced that because of the injury, it was going to refund a slew of the over bets on Murray props, like rushing yards, passing yards and TDs. In a betting market this competitive, gestures like these catch gamblers’ attention.
— With the exception of the above-referenced NFL power poll, polls are generally best used for vaulting or other activities. The numbers can be spun like a top. But this poll caught my eye and made me hopeful for the Republican Party. According to a USA Today poll, a vast majority of GOPers want policies similar to those of former President Donald Trump, but want little to do with Donald Trump himself. See, it was not that hard, and if the disappointing midterm election results for the Republicans helped a slew of them see this, then it was worth the November setbacks.
— So RGIII — who has transitioned from former Heisman winner to former NFL starter to current dapperly dressed ESPN analyst — dropped a racial slur on the pregame last night. Here’s more. It was not the N-word, but it assuredly was a racial slur against Black people that would 100% gotten any white commentator canned on the spot.
— Also, Texas basketball coach Chris Beard was released on bail after being arrested over the weekend for felony domestic violence. Here’s more.
— You know the rules. Here’s Paschall on the improved status of some of UT’s players in the eyes of NFL executives.
Today’s questions
True or false, it’s Tuesday. Merry Christmas, Ern.
True or false, the Falcons are going to regret picking Kyle Pitts at four and not drafting Justin Fields in 2021. (They are not alone either because Fields was the fourth QB picked at 11 overall, and the next pick was Micah Parsons, who has become the best defensive player not named Aaron Donald in the NFL with Dallas.)
True or false, K should settle that Super Bowl wager on the Eagles for $450.
True or false, the Braves got the better end of the Sean Murphy trade.
True or false, you would like that trade more if Sean Murphy was Dale Murphy’s son.
You know the drill; answer some T or Fs, leave some T or Fs.
As for today, Dec. 13, let’s review.
On this day 15 years ago, the Mitchell Report was released with 89 names of players reported to have taken PEDs.
Dick Van Dyke is 97 today. He’s supremely underrated, by the way.
Taylor Swift is 33 today.
Jamie Foxx is 55 today. What’s his Rushmore? Well other than “Django,” of course.