![[SPORTS] THE NEW YORK JETS OPEN AS 7-POINT UNDERDOGS ON THE ROAD VS THE CHICAGO BEARS](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8314-1-1.jpg?resize=600%2C445&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 24, 2018 | SPORTS
The Jets Are Road Underdogs Once Again
The New York Jets tour vs NFC North teams continues in Week 8 with a visit to the Windy City, one expected to be a uphill battle for Gang Green by Las Vegas.
The New York Jets are listed as +7 underdogs by the Las Vegas Sportsbook for this Sunday’s road game vs the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
The New York Jets (3-4) had their two-game winning streak snapped in a 37-17 loss vs the Minnesota Vikings as they could not cap off a 3-0 home-stand. It was brutal day for Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, who threw a season-high three interceptions and also lost a fumble.
It wasn’t all Darnold as the Jets ailing defense gave up four touchdowns to the Vikings, including a 34-yard strike by quarterback Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen in the first quarter. The loss represents their largest margin of defeat this season and most points allowed.
The Chicago Bears (3-3) are looking to find their footing after two consecutive defeats to AFC East foes, with their latest being a 38-31 setback vs the New England Patriots at Soldier Field.
It wasn’t a good day for Mitchell Trubisky throwing the ball as he completed only 52 percent of his passes, but his effort was nearly enough as Chicago came up a yard short on a last gasp Hail Mary to end the game as wide receiver Kevin White was stopped short of the endzone.
Chicago — who gave up two special teams touchdowns vs New England — has surrendered 34.5 PPG over the last two weeks after surrendering only 16.2 PPG in the previous four games.
These two teams last met on September 22nd, 2014 when Jay Cutler led the Chicago Bears to a 27-19 win vs the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.
Jay Cutler finished the game with 225 passing yards and two touchdowns as Geno Smith and the Jets comeback bid fail short as Smith and the Jets were unable to convert a 4th and 5 from the Bears 9-yard line with 1:04 left in regulation.
It would appear that turnovers will be the key in the non-conference battle as both the Chicago Bears and New York Jets have been giving the ball away quite a bit this season while also taking the ball away.
What are your thoughts on the New York Jets Week 8 matchup? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] DYNAMIC RED SOX OFFENSE LEADS BOSTON TO GAME 1 WIN](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8308-1.jpg?resize=600%2C413&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 24, 2018 | SPORTS
Red Sox Offense Chases Kershaw In Game 1
The most frustrating aspect of facing the Boston Red Sox is not knowing which hitter will beat you if you make a mistake.
The Los Angeles Dodgers got an up-close look at an offense that continues to exemplify “by committee” at an extraordinary level.
The Boston Red Sox took Game 1 of the 2018 World Series with a 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park on Tuesday night.
A huge pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning by Eduardo Nunez and strong nights from the Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez led Boston on a cold night in Fenway.
Andrew Benintendi led the Red Sox with four hits in Game 1, including three off Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
He’s just the second left-handed batter to collect three hits off of the southpaw in his MLB career.
Matt Barnes (1-0) would get the win out of the bullpen for the Boston Red Sox. He pitched one inning, allowing one run on a hit while striking out one.
Boston scored five runs with two outs on Tuesday night, following a familiar theme for the team from the ALCS.
The Red Sox would collect a total of 16 baserunners in their home ballpark as they extended their postseason win streak to five games.
Manny Machado led the Dodgers with three RBIs on a 1-for-3 night in his first World Series game while Justin Turner collected a team-high three hits.
After Chris Sale gave the Boston Red Sox a clean first inning with two strikeouts, the Red Sox offense quickly jumped on Clayton Kershaw.
Boston scored twice in the first inning against Kershaw after RBI singles by Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez got things going for the home team.
The Dodgers would answer by getting one back as Matt Kemp smoked a fly ball over the green monster in left field for his first homer of the postseason to make it a 2-1 game.
Los Angeles would tie the game in the third inning vs Chris Sale with a RBI single by Manny Machado as the Dodgers effectively raised Sale’s pitch count increasingly high at 73.
Just as he had done in the first inning, J.D. Martinez put his bat to good use with a two-out RBI double off Clayton Kershaw to put Boston back in front 3-2 in the third inning.
After a lead-off walk to Brian Dozier to open the fifth inning, Chris Sale would be relieved from the game by reliever Matt Barnes.
The Dodgers would capitalize on a wild pitch by Matt Barnes that advanced two runners to second and third as Manny Machado’s RBI groundout would tie the game again.
Sale finished his first career World Series start allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over four innings.
Not long after Chris Sale’s departure would be another departure as Clayton Kershaw, like Sale, would be relieved with no outs in the fifth inning following a walk to Mookie Betts and a single by Andrew Benintendi.
Ryan Madson would come on in the fifth inning and would immediately walk Steve Pearce to load the bases.
Boston would make Madson and the Dodgers pay as Xander Bogaerts beat out a throw at first to avoid a double play to give Boston the lead. Rafael Devers would add to it with a stinging RBI single to right field to give Boston a 5-3 edge.
Eduardo Nunez, pinch-hitting for Rafael Devers in the seventh inning, would continue the Red Sox hex over teams with two outs this postseason.
The Red Sox third baseman would blast a 1-0 curveball off left-hander Alex Wood as the Red Sox turned a one-run game into a four-run game as his three-run homer gave Boston a 8-4 lead on a frigid night in Boston that proved to be the difference.
Neither manager got what they wanted from their aces in Game 1, putting the fate of a 1-0 series lead in the hands of their bullpens.
The Red Sox won that battle as they tagged the Dodgers bullpen which had been sharp this postseason for three runs on four hits with two walks.
Alex Cora’s team, for as dominant as they’ve been this postseason now with a 8-2 record after the Game 1, they have not taken a 2-0 lead to begin a series in the playoffs.
With a suddenly hot David Price slated to start for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, that’s exactly what Cora and the Red Sox are looking for tomorrow.
Five runs in four innings of work is not exactly what Dave Roberts had in mind for Clayton Kershaw in Game 1, but that’s what he received from his best arm.
Kershaw (0-1) had a rough outing, maybe most discouraging was after allowing Boston to take an early lead he was unable to keep the game tied on two occasions following two Los Angeles Dodgers rallies in the second, third and fifth innings.
The Los Angeles Dodgers offense threatened vs Chris Sale and the Red Sox bullpen but never got the hit to change the game.
The Dodgers finished the night 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position with seven men left on base.
Los Angeles has not hit with runners in scoring position throughout this postseason and came into the World Series as a team heavily reliant on the home run ball with a .218 team batting average.
They’ll now need to figure out a way to get a victory in Game 2 to avoid a 0-2 hole going back to Los Angeles for Game 3.
Hyun-Jin Ryu will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
What are your thoughts on Boston’s Game 1 win? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] BLAKE GRIFFIN’S 50-POINT EXPLOSION LEADS PISTONS TO WILD OT WIN](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8307-1-2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 24, 2018 | SPORTS
Must-See BG Has Career Night For Detroit
Blake Griffin feels he’s got a lot left in the tank despite a history of injuries sidelining him over the past several years.
Feeling as though he has something to prove to his doubters, he picked a night where he was needed most to overcame a formidable Eastern Conference foe.
The Detroit Pistons outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers 133-132 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Blake Griffin had the game of his life as he poured in a career-high 50 points on the night to go along with 14 rebounds and six assists.
Griffin, who was traded to the Detroit Pistons last season, scored an and-one layup at the rim and drained a go-ahead free throw with 1.8 seconds to go in overtime.
He was a highlight reel on the night, scoring 20 points in the second quarter as he willed Detroit to keep pace with a team looking to establish themselves as title contenders during the 2018-19 season.
He topped his previous career-high of 47 points set back on January 17th, 2011 vs the Indiana Pacers. That game occurred during Griffin’s rookie season that culminated with him winning the Rookie of the Year award.
It’s the first 50-point game by a player this season as there were a total 13 games of 50+ points or more last season.
We’re likely to see many more entertaining games this season, but this is an early candidate for the best game since the start of the season last Tuesday night.
The Detroit Pistons continued their winning ways vs a 76ers team minus Ben Simmons, who sat due to a back injury.
76ers center Joel Embiid (33 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks) did his best to ruin Griffin’s career night as he vastly outplayed and dominated Pistons center Andre Drummond on Tuesday night.
It was not to be, as Philadelphia fell to 2-2 to begin the season and 0-2 on the road as they’ll have a quick turnaround to face the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night.
As for Detroit, they’ll look extend their stellar start to the season with a road visit from the winless Cleveland Cavaliers.
What are your thoughts on Blake Griffin’s career-night? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 8 POWER RANKINGS: GRADING EVERY NFL STARTING QUARTERBACK](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8306-1-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 23, 2018 | SPORTS
Which Quarterbacks Are Getting High Marks or Flunking?
How important is the quarterback position in the NFL? You may notice a trend from this week’s power rankings that give you the answer to that.
A team will only go so far if their starting quarterback is handicapping the team in anyway.
With the NFL reaching the halfway point in Week 8, today’s power rankings will focus on each team’s starting quarterback and their performance to this point.
No, there’s a good chance you may not agree with all 32 grades listed below.
And no, I didn’t factor in Bortles Facts twitter account when coming up for a definitive grade for Blake Bortles.
Here are my power rankings for Week 8 of the NFL Season.
1. Los Angeles Rams (7-0)
Jared Goff has not had to put the ball in the air as much with the big play ability of the Rams passing offense (Goff leads NFL in yards per completion at 9.8) coupled with Todd Gurley, but Goff has been strong with a 2,130 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions to go along with a 112.7 Passer Rating.
Grade: A-
2. New England Patriots (5-2)
Tom Brady may be 41-years-old, but that has not stopped the NFL icon from putting up his usual statistical numbers. Considering the situation through the first four weeks of the season, his 16 touchdowns to this point are quite remarkable.
Grade: A-
3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
Patrick Mahomes is the front runner for NFL MVP. The electric second-year quarterback leads the NFL in passing yards (2,223), touchdowns (22) and pass plays of 20+ yards (42).
Grade: A+
4. New Orleans Saints (5-1)
Through six games now Drew Brees has thrown zero interceptions. He’s also thrown 13 touchdowns and is completing 77.3 percent of his passes.
Not bad.
Grade: A+
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-2)
Philip Rivers is enjoying throwing to his many weapons in Los Angeles as he has 17 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
Grade: A+
6. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Joe Flacco is not putting up eye-popping touchdown numbers, but he’s been solid for Baltimore. Flacco is second in the NFL with 303 passing attempts.
Grade: B
7. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
The Panthers offense on a week-to-week basis may change, but Cam Newton has remained consistent. He’s on pace to complete a career-high 65.6 percent of his passes.
Grade: B+
8. Minnesota Vikings (3-2-1)
Kirk Cousins has been as advertised. The Vikings signal caller is completing 70 percent of his passes to go along with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Grade: A
9. Chicago Bears (3-3)
Mitchell Trubisky has 11 touchdowns over the past three games, the problem is the first three games existed too.
Grade: B-
10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
Carson Wentz has started the Eagles last five games, and he’s mostly looked strong. Wentz is completing 70.8 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns to one interception.
Grade: B+
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1)
Ben Roethlisberger has been solid with his numbers being inflated some facing some of the worst defenses in the NFL. Roethlisberger is averaging 338 passing yards per game, 1st in the NFL.
Grade: B-
12. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1)
Aaron Rodgers is on pace to set a new career-high in passing attempts, but it’s not happening because of their success through the air but because of their defense and inability to run the ball consistently. Still, Rodgers with a bad leg has 12 touchdowns to one interception.
Grade: B
13. Washington Redskins (4-2)
Alex Smith is not lighting it up like he did through the first seven games last season, but he’s been just what the Redskins have needed. Smith has seven touchdowns to two interceptions.
Grade: B-
14. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
Outside of a four interception game vs the Panthers back in Week 3, there’s been little to criticize Andy Dalton about this season. Dalton is on pace to break his own career-high of touchdowns passes this season.
Grade: B-
15. Houston Texans (4-3)
After a slow start, Deshaun Watson has put things together for the Texans. Even behind a porous o-line, Watson is averaging 8.04 yards per pass attempt, 7th in the NFL.
Grade: B-
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)
Blake Bortles over the last three weeks has reverted back to being the quarterback who Jacksonville seemed close to getting rid of before the beginning of last season. Benched in Week 7, Bortles has committed 11 turnovers, tied for worst in the NFL.
Grade: C-
17. Detroit Lions (3-3)
The road to recovery after four picks in Week 1 vs the Jets has been a good one as Matthew Stafford has 11 touchdown passes to one interception since.
Grade: B-
18. Miami Dolphins (4-3)
Ryan Tannehill has given the Dolphins an OK start to the season, the question is will he be replaced by backup quarterback Brock Osweiler? Osweiler has started in place of an injured Tannehill the last two weeks, throwing five touchdowns in the process.
Grade: C+
19. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Considering the parts around Russell Wilson (spare parts at that) it is remarkable to seen him with a 104.8 Passer Rating through six games.
Grade: A-
20. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)
It’s been a return to MVP form for Matt Ryan, who leads the NFL in passing yards (2,335) and has completed 71.1 percent of his passes with a 114.2 Passer Rating.
Grade: A
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
Not really to a fault of his, Dak Prescott has been mostly mediocre to start the season. His 6.88 yards per completion is 27th in the NFL among starting quarterbacks.
Grade: C+
22. Tennessee Titans (3-4)
The Tennessee Titans offense is one of the worst in the NFL and fair or unfair, Marcus Mariota is a big reason why. Mariota has only three touchdown passes to five interceptions this season.
Grade: C-
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)
Jameis Winston has only started two games for the Buccaneers and has looked OK in both of those games, minus the interceptions. We’ll just say Ryan Fitzpatrick having three consecutive 400-yard games to begin the year factors into the grade here.
Grade: B-
24. Cleveland Browns (2-4-1)
Baker Mayfield can make all the throws, but at this point in time he’s still learning. His 78.5 Passer Rating is among the worst in the NFL.
Grade: C
25. New York Jets (3-4)
Much like his draft classmate listed above, Darnold is still learning but is making great strides. Darnold leads the NFL in interceptions with 10.
Grade: C
26. Denver Broncos (3-4)
Case Keenum has thrown the second most interceptions in the NFL this season and went three games without throwing a touchdown pass.
Grade: C-
27. Indianapolis Colts (2-5)
Andrew Luck has done what he can for the Colts, but even he has struggled. His 6.2 yards per completion is ranked 30th in the NFL but is second in the NFL with 20 touchdown passes.
Grade: B-
28. Buffalo Bills (2-5)
Josh Allen is the starting quarterback and has played well, but you also have to factor in the other two stooges who started a game this season in Nathan Peterman and Derek Anderson. Peterman didn’t need a full game to throw two more interceptions for the Bills this season.
Grade: D-
29. San Francisco 49ers (1-6)
C.J. Beathard is the 49ers starting quarterback the rest of the way with Garoppolo’s injury, and that’s a tough reality. Beathard has committed 10 turnovers in just four starts this season.
Grade: F
30. New York Giants (1-6)
Don’t be fooled by Eli Manning’s completion percentage and passing yards, he’s been one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks this season. His seven touchdown passes are ranked 25th in the NFL.
Grade: D
31. Oakland Raiders (1-5)
Same for Derek Carr, except there’s no reason you would be fooled by a quarterback who’s on pace to throw over 20 interceptions. Carr has eight of them in six games.
Grade: D
32. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
Josh Rosen has started each of the last four games, and well, it hasn’t been pretty. Rosen is averaging only 164 passing yards per game while completing only 55 percent of his passes.
Grade: D-
What are your thoughts on this week’s power rankings? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] BUCKS HOLD OFF KNICKS TO EXTEND THEIR LOSING SKID](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8298-1.jpg?resize=600%2C399&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 23, 2018 | SPORTS
The Knicks Losing Streak Hits 3
The New York Knicks are hoping to one day have the building blocks and talent development like the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks gave the Knicks a taste of that talent on Monday night when they welcomed New York to Fiserv Forum for the very first time.
The New York Knicks dropped their third consecutive game following a 124-113 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Milwaukee, who have now win their third straight game to begin the season, buried 17 three-pointers to bury the skidding Knicks, who haven’t won a game since last Wednesday night in their season opener.
The Knicks trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half as they went into the half trailing 71-52.
A wild third quarter rally sparked by Knicks guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. helped the Knicks narrow Milwaukee’s once huge lead to one point heading into the fourth quarter.
New York took their first lead of the game at the 9:28 mark following a basket by Knicks forward Noah Vonleh.
The two teams would trade haymakers over the final nine minutes of play as Mike Budenholzer’s team held a slight advantage over New York.
With the game knotted at 110-110 with three minutes remaining, Milwaukee used a 14-3 run to thwart New York’s comeback bid.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks with 24 points (10-for-23 FG, 3-for-9 3PT) and three assists.
Knicks reserve guard Mario Hezonja led the bench unit with 18 points (8-for-16 FG, 2-for-5 3PT)
The New York Knicks shot 45 percent from the field and hit 34 percent from three-point range. The Milwaukee Bucks would shoot 47 percent from the field while shooting 42 percent from three-point range.
The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the glass vs the New York Knicks on the glass as they won the rebounding battle 55-43, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds on the night.
The New York Knicks, who were seeking their first road victory, did well to limit Bucks star Giannis Antetkounmpo’s effectiveness as a scorer.
The “Greek Freak” led the way with 31 points, 15 rebounds and four assists to go along with two blocks. While the stat-line shows monster numbers, New York held the freakish athlete to 43 percent shooting.
It was New York’s inability to guard the three-point line and players such as Khris Middleton (30 points, 7-for-8 3PT) who had a big game at the Knicks expense.
David Fizdale will love the way his team fought back to get into the game in the second half, but these common practices to begin the season will not be sustainable if New York wants to avoid losses.
The New York Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden looking to snap their three-game losing streak.
What are your thoughts on the Knicks latest defeat? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] LAKERS COME UP SHORT IN OVERTIME TO SPURS; FALL TO 0-3](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8301-1.jpg?resize=600%2C431&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 23, 2018 | SPORTS
LeBron Can’t Seal The Deal For Lakers At Home In OT
When it’s winning time, LeBron James showed his new team and a sellout crowd at the Staples Center his value in those moments.
Good and bad.
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at the Staples Center to fall to 0-3.
LeBron James finished the game with 32 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds with one steal and one block in 43 minutes.
Coming down the floor with under 10 seconds to go, LeBron James would bury a 3-pointer at the top of the key over Rudy Gay to tie the game with 2.4 seconds remaining to send it to overtime.
James scored or assisted on five of Los Angeles’ six baskets in overtime, but it’s what happened with time winding down in the game that will be remembered.
Nursing a one-point lead in the final seconds of the overtime after a Rudy Gay three-pointer, LeBron James missed two critical free throws.
Coming off a pin down screen, Patty Mills would give San Antonio the lead with 6.8 seconds remaining in overtime.
James would miss a stepback jumper over Rudy Gay as the clock hit zero for the Lakers, who are still searching for their first victory.
The Los Angeles Lakers erased a eight-point deficit in the final 70 seconds of regulation, but that is all for naught following their latest setback.
In need a co-star on the night as they were shorthanded, Kyle Kuzma gave the Lakers that with a game-high 37 points to go along with eight rebounds in 45 minutes.
The Los Angeles Lakers were without Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo as both players began their suspensions for their role in a physical altercation in last Saturday’s game vs the Houston Rockets.
The Los Angeles Lakers will have to clean up their defense, but there will be enough time for the team to get that done.
The Lakers sellout crowd went from erupting after a and-one by LeBron James with 55.6 seconds remaining to leaving the Staples Center with a bitter taste in their mouth.
LeBron James was less than a minute away from giving Lakers fans their first true moment to remember.
A persistent Spurs team and huge misses down the stretch however robbed Lakers fans of being able to embrace in what would’ve been LeBron James’ first win as a Laker.
The Kobe Bryant apologists will be out in full force following this game, but that isn’t as newsworthy as Los Angeles blowing a six-point lead in the final minute as the coach Gregg Popovich’s used a 7-0 run to end the game.
LaMarcus Aldridge (37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and DeMar Derozan (32 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds) led the way for the San Antonio Spurs, who improved to 2-1.
The Los Angeles Lakers shot 51 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range as they 14 on the night.
They allowed the San Antonio Spurs to shoot 51 percent from the field and 53 percent from three-point range as they hit 15 during the game.
The Lakers once again lost the free throw battle as the San Antonio Spurs short 28-for-38 from the free throw line compared to Los Angeles’ 18-for-26.
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 17 points in the first quarter, but fought their way back into the game. That fight is something that coach Luke Walton is hoping to see when the Lakers next take the floor.
The Los Angeles Lakers, looking to get their first win of the season, will visit Talking Stick Resort Arena to face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers loss on Monday night? Leave your comments below!
