NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Happy Hangover Week! Speaking of sobering thoughts, this will be my last article… [drum roll] of 2024. Through tears, I realized this as I started pecking at the keyboard. Anyway, here are today’s topics: NFL NY Recap, Knicks News, Rangers Update
NFL NY Recap
The Giants looked terrible last week against the Falcons. Somehow, they got things right this weekend. They came out with all phases of the attack firing, which was great for them but not so the Colts – or me (I will explain later). Drew Lock was slinging the ball like he was a Manning, Tyrone Tracy looked great ball in hand and Malik Nabers had great game and proved his worth. The Giants D came up big when it needed to as the team had a comprehensive 45-30 victory..
The Jets were completely smashed by the Buffalo Bills. The game was close at the half but the Bills completely dominated the 3rd quarter and put the game out of reach. The Jets offense just couldn’t get started in the first and and they only scored in the 4th quarter garbage time with Aaron Rodgers out the game. The Bills offense could not be stopped, the Jets managed to help them out with big penalties that came at the worst moments, though one or two of the rough the passer calls seem because there is no alternative to what the defender is suppose to do, when that close.
The Only New York Team – Da Bills – made me lose my fantasy football Championship game. I dropped the Falcons D and picked up the Colts D because I expected them to shut down the Giant offense like last week. That cost me -4 points, which is the same amount Aaron Rodgers and that horrible performance by the Jets offense cost me. I lost by 5 points. I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Knicks News
Get out the hoses, the New York Knickerbockers are on fire! They are one of the hottest teams in the Association. Since my last article, they blew away the raptors, won a close one against the Spurs, blew out Orlando, and defeated Washington in Overtime. There is loads of basketball to be played but they are looking good for the 3-spot in the East… Milwaukee seems to be getting itself sorted out, and Cleveland doesn’t let up, so it will be interesting. The concern for the Knicks and Knick fans is the thin rotation and health. The Knicks only go 9-deep and they need to be able to really do some load management on their first team players. It may require coach Thom Thibadauex Tom Thibodeau to start using more of the bench guys especially late in games when the team is up by a good amount. He has to learn to trust the guys 7 through 11 more.
Rangers Update
The Rangers have hit rock bottom and looks like they will have to let Peter Laviolette go. The Rangers are dead last in the Metro Division and will need to get on an a ridiculous win streak to even make the playoffs. Considering the expectionation expectation going into the year, this will be an epic disaster. The Blueshirts have gone 5-14 in their last 19 games and it looks like to spark the team to life, they may need to fire the coach, but there are no worthy candidates, but you can’t hold onto a lame duck coach, hoping he can turn the team around. I don’t know how much the problem is Laviolette but the old adage that is is easier to fire the coach than the players is what is at play here.
Thanks for reading and check out Ben Whitney, who will tell you how the Buffalo Bills will beat the Chiefs to go to their 5th Super Bowl.
