Week 1 – Eagles at Redskins

Eagles (0-0) at Redskins (0-0) – PHI -1.5

Dan

Game Ball – Offense: Torrey Smith. I expect Norman to shadow Alshon and that leaves Smith with an opportunity to shine (assuming the OLine gives Wentz enough time to throw it down field.) I expect 70+ and a TD for Smith.

Game Ball – Defense: Derek Barnett. I have flashbacks of Wentz getting shut down by Kerrigan last year and I think it’s time for payback. I think the rookie records his first sack in an impressive regular-season debut.

Prediction: 31-24. It stays close for the majority of the game but the Birds get some separation towards the end. I’ll take the Eagles to cover, easily. I’m bullish on them right now.

Kirk

Game Ball – Offense: Alshon Jeffery. Alshon is on a one year prove yourself deal making his debut in green. Carson Wentz struggled last year because he didn’t have anyone to throw to. That’ll be different with Jeffrey out there and Wentz is going to go to him often. He’ll break 100 yards receiving.

Game Ball – Defense: Ronald Darby. Another first-year Eagle, Darby will make the Matthews trade look good. He’s not going to be overly noticeable, but he’ll make a couple tackles and play some strong defense.

Prediction: 27-23. It’ll be close but the Eagles hold on. Washington will be trying to figure themselves out this early in the season

Holden

Game Ball – Offense: Wendell Smallwood. I know the Eagles did not run the ball that well during the preseason; however, I have a feeling Wendell is going to have a big day. During the third preseason game, he looked fast and elusive. If the Eagles are going to be successful they are going to need to run the ball well, and I believe Smallwood is their best chance. I think there is a legitimate chance Smallwood emerges as a solid NFL running back this season.

Game Ball – Defense: Fletcher Cox. Cox got embarrassed last year by Brandon Sherff and this is his opportunity to redeem himself. The additions of Jernigan and Barnett should alleviate some pressure from Cox and I believe he will have a big year generating pressure up the middle.

Prediction: 34-13 I really think the Eagles will come out and make a statement week 1. It appears that the division is wide open right now and a less talented Washington presents the opportunity for the Eagles to send a message to the rest of the division early on in the season.  I’m riding with the Eagles at -1.5.

Matt

Game Ball – Offense: Carson Wentz. He’s been super impressive throughout camp and despite an up and down preseason, I think we get #TrainingCampCarson. I’m banking on the fact that Doug showed absolutely nothing in preseason and is ready to let his prodigy loose against a suddenly weak Washington Football Team secondary.

Game Ball – Defense: Mychal Kendricks. Let’s see if he can keep the preseason momentum going. If the secondary holds up, Jim Schwartz will be able to get creative and that’s where Kendricks can shine – as an attacker.

Prediction: 31-17. As Lane said, they’re going to whoop that ass. -1.5 on the road is a stone lock for a W!

GO BIRDS!

Predicting the 53-Man Roster

As we near the NFL’s “cut-day”, Holden and I take a crack at projecting the 2017 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster.  What’s on the line?  Pride.  Maybe lunch.  Probably just pride.

Flyers: Five Games to Watch in 2017-18

It’s only August, but I’m jonesing for some hockey.

Maybe it’s because I basically live in Canada or because watching Game of Thrones has me thinking about ice, but I’m impatiently waiting for the puck to drop on the new season.  So, with about two months to go before the Flyers open up their new campaign, here’s five games to circle on your calendar.

Game of Thrones: ‘The Queen’s Justice’ React

Episode Three of Season Seven has just aired.  Obviously, if you haven’t watched, stop reading.  There’s spoilers ahead.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for.  Jon and Daenerys.  They would be great together.  But they’re niece and nephew.  I’m not into that Lannister shit.

Davos nearly spilled the beans about Jon’s rebirth.  C’mon, Onion Knight, keep your cool.

Cersei just got her rocks off killing that Sand Snake.  I get why she wanted it.  Still hate her.

Tyron’s quotes.  He’s the man.

Did you see the look Dany gave Jon.  DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, HE’S YOUR RELATIVE.

I’m surprised they brought Bran back into the fold.  But that was heartwarming.

Bran is creeping me out.  I don’t care if you’re the Three-Eyed Raven, you don’t need to be so creepy.

SAM DID IT.

Slughorn is not amused.  Don’t fuck with the Potions Master, Tarly.  But you didn’t fuck up.  So we good.

You’re still our little bitch.  You’re basically a freshman, but worse.

Casterly Rock is Helm’s Deep, but not as epic.

If the Unsullied are half the warriors they’re supposed to be in the book, they’ll take Casterly Rock with like ten percent casualties.

Damn, I was excited to see the Lannisters go down.  At least we know why they didn’t go balls to the walls with the battle.

Cersei made some smart moves.  This chess match will be incredible.

Queen of Thorns going toe-to-toe with Tyrion for best lines

“I want her to know it was me.”  Olenna, you’re cold. Jamie regrets letting you die peacefully.

I know that’s not a lot, but I’m new at this. Not quite as action-packed as some may hope, but the plot builds further and the story is moving.  The on-coming war will be insane.

Watch: Phillies Prospect JP Crawford Pulls Off Greatest Inside the Park Home Run

In a year that the Phillies have, yet again, left fans wanting more, any little bit of good news is good news.

Flyers in Free Agency

In years past, July 1 was like a mini Christmas for the hockey world.  Free agency brought out big contracts, massive payouts and exciting new names in new cities and jerseys.  In recent years, free agency, especially for the Flyers, hasn’t been as exciting, and 2017 was no different.

Flyers Draft Recap

There’s a lot to dive into here.  Free agency starts in a couple of days, but both the Expansion Draft and Entry Draft happened the last couple of days.  We’ll start with the who Vegas took from the Flyers and move on to who Philly added.

NBA Mock Draft

I had planned to do a piece outlining the most likely outcomes of the Sixers draft…but then this weekend happened.  In case you live under a rock or Al Gore revoked your internet privileges, the Philadelphia 76ers made a big move to secure the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.  I’ll have draft profiles and scouting reports for all of the Sixers selections in the coming weeks.

Let’s all celebrate the big news by listening to the greatest song ever recorded while you read through my predicted selections that will more than likely be incorrect!  CLAP YOUR HANDS!

No, the Phillies shouldn’t bring up _________.

If you turn on Philly sports radio, you’ll hear some version of a common discussion that’s permeated pretty much every show from Angelo Cataldi to Mike Missanelli.

“The Phillies suck and need to call up [insert minor leaguer here].”

It’s an intriguing notion, but one that I wholeheartedly disagree with.

Who’s Going to Vegas?

This morning, the NHL released the protection lists each team submitted ahead of the expansion draft.  So in a completely useless exercise, I’m going to break down which player on the Flyers roster is most likely heading to Vegas.