![[SPORTS] GIANTS WOES ON OFFENSE RUIN SAQUON BARKLEY’S BIG NIGHT](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8154-1-2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 12, 2018 | SPORTS
Giants Fans Left In Awe By Barkley And Sick By Others
Saquon Barkley would run to history under the bright lights in his outstanding start to his NFL career.
Someone forgot to tell the rest of his teammates on offense that a game was going on.
In unsurprising news, the Giants sucked balls on Thursday night vs the Philadelphia Eagles. Not literally, I mean that would be funny trying to see a guy literally try to suck … OK, never mind.
The Giants just weren’t very good vs their NFC East division rivals, and in the midst of their embarrassment on national television in a 34-13 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium as they ruined a huge night by their rookie phenom.
Saquon Barkley finished the game 229 total yards from scrimmage with 1 TD on Thursday night.
The 229 yards from scrimmage is a New York Giants franchise-record for a rookie running back, but it would be wasted by the Giants ineptitude first on offense and soon enough on defense.
New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning would get the festivities rolling the opposite way with a interception on the Giants second play from scrimmage to linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who returned the ball 24 yards to the Giants 16 yard-line.
Philly capitalized on the interception deep in Giants territory by getting a touchdown on a play where the Giants laughable pass rush allowed Wentz to scramble out to his right before finding wide receiver Alshon Jefferey on a broken play for a 13-yard touchdown to go up 7-0 in the first quarter.
The offensive line allowed their typical tour into the Giants offensive backfield with Nate Solder looking particularly off the ball. On the Giants third possession of the game Manning was sacked by shoulder padless super hero Michael Bennett near the Giants one yard-line, losing the ball but it would be recovered by Solder.
Manning would be sacked four times and hit a total of 13 times as he finished the game 24-for-43 for 283 passing yards and 1 INT.
The Giants offense went 0-for-3 on third down with 46 of their 75 total yards coming off a 46-yard run on the Giants second possession of the game by Saquon Barkley, who seems to be the only thing optimally pleasant about the Giants offensive unit these days.
Barkley once again would show off his amazing ability in the open field in the second quarter by making the Eagles miss tackles left and right on a thrilling 55-yard reception off a screen pass that may be his finest of the season to this point.
Saquon Barkley was great on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The defense was fine, never great, but fine enough for New York to stay in the game until the offense continued to reward them with three-and-outs.
The stats won’t show that a Giants defense that surrendered their fair share of big plays forced the Eagles into three punts after Philadelphia’s touchdown with a short field to open the game.
The stats will rather show that they surrendered big plays on broken plays like Nelson Agholor’s 58-yard reception. Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz, almost dead to rights on a rollout to his right, fired a ball down the field to the wide open receiver who broke off his initial route and lost Giants’ cornerback Eli Apple on the play.
Wentz put together his finest outing since his return from a ACL injury last season as he finished the game with 278 passing yards and 3 TDs for the defending champs.
What led to the Giants defense being unable to slow Philadelphia after a fine start? It may have something to do with New York going 0-for-8 on third down as Eli Manning, under pressure as well as unwilling to throw down the field, had a ugly first half.
If you take out what was probably the millionth screen pass dialed up by head coach Pat Shurmer in the first half that turned into a highlight reel play for Barkley, Manning finished the half 9-for-22 for 107 passing yards and 1 INT as New York trailed 24-6 at the half.
It didn’t get better in the second half (Haha!!! Of course it didn’t!) as we got Odell Beckham Jr. — who finished the game with 6 receptions for 44 receiving yards — using his helmet against a cooling fan on the sideline before throwing some solid combinations against it.
He also left for the locker room early before the half as he shook his head in frustration over what many Giants fans in attendance and watching all season have been shaking their heads at as well.
The New York Giants (1-5) are all but done for the season. It’s arguably the most underachieving team in the NFL given their talent level and if it continues down this road, folks in the Big Apple will begin to start second guessing the coaching hire of Pat Shurmer.
Shurmer deserves some blame for New York’s inability to move past the stage of a Division II college offense, but not for their 1-5 mark. This has overall been a team-wide meltdown for New York.
No, it’s hard to say they’ve quit. The effort is there, but the difference between good teams and bad teams is execution in all phases of the game and the Giants aren’t remotely close to executing at a high-level in any phase.
Of course, Saquon Barkley deserves better, but so do Giants fans who have watched their team for three games now at MetLife Stadium score under 19 points.
The upcoming schedule is not particularly challenging as Big Blue’s next five opponents are all .500 or below, but that might not mean much for a team that’s arguably the worst team in the NFL at the moment.
Debate at your own risk.
What are your thoughts on the Giants falling to 1-5? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] MCGREGOR AND NURMAGOMEDOV SUSPENDED TEMPORALLY FOR UFC 229 POST-FIGHT BRAWLS](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8147-1-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 11, 2018 | SPORTS
Both Fighters Disciplined For Ugly Brawls
The aftermath of a pair of post-fight melees will cost both Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov have both temporally been suspended for 10 days following the UFC 229 post-fight brawls, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on Thursday.
Executive director of the Nevada State Athletic commission Bob Bennett told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that a final decision will be made on October 24th at a hearing in Las Vegas as the investigation is still on-going.
A vote on whether or not one or the other will be indefinitely suspended will be made at the hearing.
Following his UFC 229 victory over Conor McGregor last Saturday, Khabib Nurmagomedov would turn his attention to one of Conor McGregor’s coaches, Dillion Danis.
Nurmagomedov and Danis would exchange words before Nurmagomedov jumped over the top of the octagon to attack Danis.
Inside the octagon a second brawl would occur as Conor McGregor would try to jump over the cage before attacking one of Nurmagomedov’s coaches.
He would be attacked by Esedulla Emiragaev from behind with Zubaira Tukhugov — a active UFC fighter who was scheduled to face McGregor’s close friend Artem Lobov on October 27th in Moncton — in the octagon to confront McGregor.
The suspension comes on the heels of Nurmagomedov threatening to leave the UFC on Thursday if the UFC decided to release Tukhugov as the UFC removed his fellow teammate’s upcoming fight from the October 27th card.
The UFC has not commented on the NSAC’s decision to suspend both McGregor and Nurmagomedov.
What are your thoughts on the NSAC suspension of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NBA SEASON PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: TEAMS 30 THROUGH 25](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8134-1-1.jpg?resize=960%2C570&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 11, 2018 | SPORTS
What’s On The Horizon For The Knicks, Clips, Hawks, Magic, and Kings in 2018-19?
It feels like it’s been a long time since the conclusion of last year’s NBA Finals where the Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win back-to-back NBA championships.
There’s been plenty that’s gone down since then with the NBA Draft going pretty much as planned while NBA free agency offered some surprises.
The King is in LA as LeBron James made the move to Hollywood, Paul George stayed put in Oklahoma City while DeMarcus Cousins stunned the NBA world by signing with Golden State for the get minimum.
There’s also been the story that dominated much of the summer with Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs.
A disgruntled Leonard wanted out of San Antonio with the Spurs granting him his wish in a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors for DeMar Derozan.
The NBA also said good bye to one of its most beloved players in Manu Ginobili, who retired in late August after 16 seasons in the Alamo.
Now that the dust has settled and the season beginning next week, the attention will shift from off the court to on the court. Before then I will be previewing and offering predictions for all 30 NBA teams for this upcoming 2018-19 season.
We begin with teams 30 through 25 today as these five teams certainly are rough around the edges but with a little luck, may surprise some in 2018.
Let’s get started!
30. New York Knicks
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 29-53
Win projection for 2018-19: 33.2 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finishing 10 wins better than last season’s team, Kevin Knox averages 14 PPG on better than 44 percent, Knicks finish in top 15 in points allowed
Prediction: Tim Hardaway Jr. will average 22 PPG.
A streaky shooter and scorer, Tim Hardaway Jr. can a team 30 points one night and completely fall off the face of the earth another night. No worries, with Kristaps Porzingis out and new coach David Fizdale liking to play through his wing players, Hardaway will get plenty of opportunities to score.
29. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have a far different look than they had two years ago. Photo via clipperholics.com
Record last season: 42-40
Win projection for 2018-19: 21.1 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finishing 10 wins above win projection, Rookies show promise, Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley work as backcourt tandem
Prediction: Clippers will continue to trade players to create cap space
It’s a rather ominous thing to predict, specifically for the players who may be traded, but the Clippers are trying to attract multiple big name free agents next summer. With LeBron in LA, Los Angeles for players like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler may not be as attractive. This is where Doc Rivers and the Clips come into play.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
Photo via bealestreetbears.com
Record last season: 22-60
Win projection for 2018-19: 35.7 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 42 games, Make Playoffs, Finish in top 5 in FG percentage defense, Healthy bodies throughout
Prediction: Mike Conley Will Play In 75 or More Games
Mike Conley was incredibly durable to through the first five years of his NBA career as he had only so often missed a number of games for the Grizzlies. Conley missed 70 games last season and overall has missed 109 games over the last three seasons. With a strong off-season, the 12-year vet appears ready to help a Grizzlies team return back to prominence.
27. Sacramento Kings
Photo via barstoolsports.com
Record last season: 27-55
Win projection for 2018-19: 29.5 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Finishing five wins above win projection, Willie Caulie-Stein averages better than 8.5 RPG, De’Aaron Fox shoots better than 34 percent from 3-Point range
Prediction: Kings Will Be An Exciting Team
Kings fans will have to wait a little longer before they see their team in the postseason, but that doesn’t mean excitement won’t be found when watching this young team. The thought of watching De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley on a fast break already has the NBA super fan excited for what’s to come in 2018-19.
26. Orlando Magic
Photo by Associated Press
Record last season: 25-57
Win projection for 2018-19: 29.3
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 40 games, Finish in top 10 in points allowed, Six players average double-digit scoring
Prediction: Mo Bamba Leads The Magic In Blocks
The 7’1 freak athlete has competition for team shot block leader in Bismack Biyombo. However, if Bamba does indeed surpass Biyombo in minutes as expected, the big man averaging has a chance to average close to two blocks a game.
25. Atlanta Hawks
Photo by Getty Images
Record last season: 24-58
Win projection for 2018-19: 35.4 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 40 games, Finish in top 10 in scoring, Trae Young shoots better than 44 percent from the field
Prediction: Trae Young will lead all rookies in scoring
The Atlanta Hawks have a need for scoring, and the dynamic young scorer out of Oklahoma sure can provide that. While he’ll have his growing pains, free reign to take as many shots as any rookie will this season will result in the rookie averaging around 17-18 PPG during the 2018-19 season.
![[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 6 PICKS: PATRIOTS END CHIEFS UNDEFEATED RUN](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8131-1.jpg?resize=940%2C545&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 11, 2018 | SPORTS
Pats Win Thriller Over Chiefs
Week 5 Results: 9-6
Record This Season: 44-34
It wasn’t a good week for the so-called picks king, but for the first time this season we’ll look back and see where things went south.
With the focus on two of the earlier games, one pick I truly had a misread on that I’m sure a number of people did as well was the Denver Broncos game.
Denver scored on its first possession of the game, but were nowhere to be found thereafter, particularly on defense.
The Jets got big plays on offense and a double-digit margin on the road in the second half was way too big of a task for Case Keenum and the Broncos offense.
Another pick I got horribly wrong was the Packers game, but let’s be real here, HOW MANY KICKERS MISS FIVE … FIVE F****** FIELD GOALS IN ONE GAME?? Let’s not even mention that Aaron Rodgers was throwing the ball to a guy named Equanimeous and another guy with three last names.
The 49ers gave up 28 points to the Cardinals, who likely won’t see that point total combined over their next three games. Philadelphia was Philadelphia, well this season’s Philadelphia that allows Minnesota’s rushing attack to look dangerous for once.
Week 5 was in a lot of ways a major flop for me that I wish I had back. The football gods aren’t too kind to me these days … I wasn’t the only one who started Alvin Kamara this week in fantasy right?
Week 6 gives us a high-powered offensive matchup in New England between Kermit and the Chiefs vs The Football inspector and the Patriots.
Elsewhere, Jerry Jones gets to watch Jalen Ramsey act like shutting down his former teammate Allen Hurns for a game warrants MVP consideration while Derek Carr and Russell Wilson try not to throw interceptions down on the goal line with Marshawn Lynch lining up in the backfield for both of them on Sunday.
Okay! Okay! I’m getting to it. Here are my predictions for Week 6 of the 2018 NFL regular season.
*Drum roll please*
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Philadelphia’s pass defense on the road has been suspect to begin the season as they have allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Mariota to rack over over 700 passing yards vs their defense combined.
The Giants don’t have an explosive passing offense, but neither did Tennessee. Eli Manning is 10-18 in his career vs the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular-season so that doesn’t inspire much confidence. On a short week, I’m inclined to pick the home team given that home teams are 5-0 this season in Thursday night games.
Prediction: New York Giants 27 Philadelphia Eagles 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
The Buccaneers are rolling with Jameis Winston coming out of their much needed bye week. Simply put, it was the correct decision for head coach Dirk Koetter as the Fitzmagic hit a sad halt in Chicago two weeks ago vs the Bears. The Buccaneers have lost two in a row, but they already have a division road win under their belts vs the Saints.
While picking them to win is tempting, there’s something about Atlanta. No, nothing very good of late about them (I’m grasping for straws here). Julio Jones doesn’t have a touchdown catch this season. Consider these two realities, Jones finished with 12 receptions for 253 receiving yards and two touchdowns vs Tampa Bay in Atlanta last season.
Consider the next, Tampa Bay is surrendering the second most yards in the NFL this season (445.8) and the most points on average (34.8).
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 33 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers are behind the Bengals in the AFC North Standings, but this is a must-win for the Bengals. Cincinnati has been one of the stranger teams in the NFL this season.
On defense, they give up yards and sometimes points in bunches before turning it on late or that in reverse. On offense, they turn the football over one minute and then the next Andy Dalton is looking like the reincarnation of ‘Good Andy’.
While this is a very good spot to pick Cincinnati, I’m not buying that secondary vs Pittsburgh’s wide receivers. Quite frankly, no other quarterback in the NFL scares me more than Andy Dalton. In a bad way.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 29 Cincinatti Bengals 24
Seattle Seahawks vs Oakland Raiders
It’s the Marshawn Lynch Bowl as Lynch tries to decide which team not allowing him to run the ball down on the goal line was worse.
The Raiders are tied for the fifth most turnovers in the NFL. That spells trouble vs a Seattle Seahawks defense that has 11 this season and minus Earl Thomas last week for the first time managed to get two turnovers vs the Rams offense.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 31 Oakland Raiders 24
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns generate pressure on the quarterback when they blitz. That’s something that will be problematic even for a Chargers offense that has allowed Philip Rivers to be sacked an NFL-low six times in five games.
The blitz beaters? Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. We know how explosive Melvin Gordon is with the ball in open space, but we saw last week that his backfield mate is plenty shifty himself on a dazzling 44-yard touchdown on a screen pass vs the Oakland Raiders.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 19 Cleveland Browns 16
Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins
The Chicago Bears are an explosive team when Mitchell Trubisky wears a arm sleeve on his throwing arm.
With an arm sleeve on Mitchell Trubisky is capable of eye-popping numbers like five passing touchdowns in one half and nearly 300 passing yards.
Arm Sleeve Mitch > Hoodie Melo
Prediction: Chicago Bears 23 Miami Dolphins 14
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Trust the Minnesota Vikings with a -10.5 point spread at home at your own discretion. We all believed that this team would roll over the Buffalo Bills a couple of weeks ago.
Arizona has had a realistic chance to win in each of their last three games with last week’s 28-18 win being their first. Unfortunately, a rookie Quarterback making his first start on the road (Yeah we’re falling for this again…) and David Johnson averaging 3.3 yards per carry makes me a steady pessimist.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 27 Arizona Cardinals 16
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets
Andrew Luck and the Colts are reeling. The team’s defense looked surprising over the first three weeks of the season but have since given up an average of 37.5 PPG. The New York Jets shouldn’t be trusted after the last time they came off a victory, but this is the absolute perfect spot and perfect team for Todd Bowles’ team.
Prediction: New York Jets 27 Indianapolis Colts 23
Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins may have had a little too much fun during their bye week as a 43-19 drubbing at the hands this of the Saints this past Monday exposed Washington’s defense.
While Carolina doesn’t have nearly as potent an offense as New Orleans’, Cam Newton is having an under the radar season in one category he’s always been criticized in.
Through four games Cam Newton is completing 65.4 percent of his passes in 2018. His previous career-high was set back in 2013 at 61.7 percent. He has failed to get over the 59 percent threshold since then.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers 34 Washington Redskins 27
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have needed overtime to win each of their two games this season. While another one wouldn’t be surprising considering Buffalo is not as bad as everyone thought they were (Gee … I wonder who said they weren’t that bad after Week 1?).
The problem here is the fact that Houston’s front seven is downright scary at the moment. Last week we saw them shut down the Dallas Cowboys rushing attack which resulted in Dallas’ pass offense having to beat them and this week it’s a similar challenge in needing to shutdown Buffalo’s rushing attack to force Josh Allen into doing so.
Prediction: Houston Texans 24 Buffalo Bills 9
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos
Todd Gurley has been given 20+ touches in each of the Los Angeles Rams first five games this season. He’s recorded over 100+ yards from scrimmage in four of them, but he has not had a breakout game to this point in terms of yardage.
Los Angeles may be without Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks this week in Denver due to concussions which will be a challenge, but this is a Broncos team that was just used as toilet paper by Isaiah Crowell (219 rushing yards) and are giving up 139.6 rushing yards per game, 30th in the NFL.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 34 Denver Broncos 13
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys
The Jacksonville Jaguars finally got an interception from a defensive back last week but this defense has strangely had trouble forcing turnovers in 2018. Jacksonville is tied for the third fewest takeaways in the NFL this season with 5 takeaways after forcing the 2nd most in 2017 (33).
That has not kept Jacksonville from dominating teams defensively, but it may become a problem down the road if Blake Bortles continues his Jekyll and Hyde play. The Dallas Cowboys defense is formidable enough to make this a close game, but that offense vs this defense? C’mon man!
Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars 13 Dallas Cowboys 6
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans
The Baltimore Ravens surprisingly don’t do too well coming off of a loss in the John Harbaugh era. Since 2014 the Baltimore Ravens are 11-15 coming off a loss. The Tennessee Titans offense looked putrid on the road in Buffalo and on the season are averaging 17.4 PPG. Unless Baltimore’s offense continues to go 4-for-16 on third down, it’s hard to envision them not coming away with a victory.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 20 Tennessee Titans 16
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
The New England Patriots normally lose at home in the regular-season with Tom Brady at the helm. Tom Brady is 110-19 at home, that’s a 85 percent winning percentage in Foxborough.
One of the last teams to beat New England at Gillette Stadium was the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City’s explosive offense has cooled some in the last two weeks. Kansas City has to like their chances given that New England doesn’t have Jacksonville’s secondary or a Von Miller on their defense.
Three key stats to monitor for this one. New England in the first half this season at home have run their opposition off the field. In the first half New England have outscored their opponents at home 69-9 in the first half this season. The Kansas City Chiefs defense have held their opponents to a 29.3 percent third down conversion rate but have allowed 10 of 13 fourth downs converted against them. In a close game, that last stat matters.
Prediction: New England Patriots 37 Kansas City Chiefs 31 OT
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers offense managed without a number of offensive weapons in Week 5 but still came up on the short end of the stick thanks to three turnovers leading to 17 points for the Detroit Lions. The 49ers appear to be in more trouble than originally thought with C.J. Beathard turning the ball over four times in a 28-18 loss to the Cardinals last Sunday.
Given the venue, the primetime setting, and…. wait, Aaron Rodgers vs C.J. Beathard???
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 34 San Francisco 49ers 10
What are your thoughts on this week’s NFL games? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] JON JONES-ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON REMATCH SET FOR UFC 232](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8130-1.jpg?resize=700%2C467&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 10, 2018 | SPORTS
UFC’s Final Event Of 2018 Gets Highly Anticipated Rematch
A long awaited rematch of arguably the UFC’s greatest fight ever will finally take place.
Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson will meet at UFC 232 on December 29th at the T-Mobile Arena.
UFC president Dana White announced the fight on Wednesday. The fight will be for a vacant UFC light heavyweight title.
Daniel Cormier, who will fight next month at UFC 230 when he defends his UFC heavyweight title vs Derrick Lewis, is expected to be stripped of the UFC light heavyweight title.
The event will also be headlined by a champion vs champion UFC women’s featherweight title fight between UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg and UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
It’s a matchup fans have been salivating for years as the first met back in September 2013 in Toronto at UFC 165.
Jon Jones would be tested majorly by the Sweden challenger, who took Jones into deep waters for the first time in his career and pushed him to the limit.
It was a back and forth thriller that saw Jon Jones retain his UFC light heavyweight title as three judges scored the fight in his favor 48-47 to win by unanimous decision.
It’s a fight Gustafsson has wanted for years as he was ever so close to winning the title from Jones in their classic showdown.
The two have exchanged barbs on Twitter since then with Jones often taking a shot at Gustafsson saying that his most memorable achievement was a five-round loss to him at the UFC 165 event.
Jon Jones (21-1, 16-1 UFC) last fought in July 2017 at UFC 214 when he defeated arch-nemesis Daniel Cormier by 3rd-Round KO in Anaheim, California to win the UFC light heavyweight title.
The win would later be overturned as a no contest as Jones’ tested positive for a banned substance before the fight.
Jones had his fight license revoked as he was suspended for more than a year but would be cleared to resume his UFC career last month.
Alexander Gustafsson (18-4, 10-4 UFC) was scheduled for a fight at UFC 227 in August vs Volkan Oezdemir but would pull out with an undisclosed injury.
Gustafsson last competed in May 2017 when he outclassed and dominated Glover Teixeira, finishing him by 5th-Round KO in Stockholm, Sweden.
What are your thoughts on Jones-Gustafsson 2? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY’S PHILADELPHIA EAGLES-NEW YORK GIANTS MATCHUP](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8129-1-3.jpg?resize=1000%2C600&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 10, 2018 | SPORTS
Someone Has To Win … Or Tie
Two struggling teams looking to end their losing ways collide as the Philadelphia Eagles visit East Rutherford to face the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night to kickoff the NFL Week 6 slate.
The defending champion Eagles have looked nothing like the team from a season ago as they have slipped offensively and defensively.
Losers of two straight and three out of their last four, Philly has failed to protect Carson Wentz — who returned from a knee injury back in Week 3 in a 20-16 home win over the Indianapolis Colts.
With injuries mounting, that’s a point of emphasis moving forward for Doug Pederson’s team who faces another team having their problems protecting the quarterback.
The Giants are a 1-4 team but looked like a team with life in the second half last week vs the Carolina Panthers that nearly resulted in a win. A 63-yard field goal stunned New York, dropping them to a disappointing 1-4 mark that’s last in the NFC East.
Before the Week 6 matchup, we’ll take a look at three headlines heading into this NFC East battle between two teams looking to change course.
Let’s get started.
What Now For The Eagles At Running Back?
I am by no means a mind reader, but I’m sure the name LeGarrette Blount has popped in Doug Pederson’s head at least once since Monday’s devastating news regarding Jay Ajayi.
The Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) have lost their starting running back for the rest of 2018 after Ajayi suffered a torn ACL last Sunday in a 23-21 loss to Minnesota.
I mentioned LeGarrette Blount because while he took a backseat to Ajayi in the Eagles backfield last season, a fresh and large body like Blount was valued in Philadelphia’s offense.
Now without a legitimate third down back as well as a three down back, what will the Eagles do now? Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement are Philadelphia’s current running backs.
While shifty, neither running back would be considered as backs capable of having a large or extended workload. More pass attempts may be coming for Carson Wentz in Doug Pederson’s offense.
Odell Beckham Jr.: A Distraction Or Budding Leader?
There’s been plenty to talk about in the press regarding Big Blue. Most of that talk has been centered around the Giants offensive line, Eli Manning and everything that has led to a 1-4 start.
Headlines of late in the Big Apple have been about Giants’ star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who recently called out the Giants after a frustrating start.
Beckham Jr. told ESPN in a interview last week that the Giants lacked “heart” and “energy” following a 33-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago.
That triggered some alarm bells for Giants followers as some wondered if Beckham Jr. was speaking out as a leader or as a player who coming into Week 5 zero touchdown receptions in the first four games and was steaming over his production in New York’s offense.
Head Coach Pat Shurmer had a animated postgame interview following the Giants heartbreaking 33-31 loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.
Shurmer would loudly repeat what he said days before the game regarding Beckham Jr.’s comments where he told the media he ‘disagreed’ with the comments and discussed the situation with his team and Beckham Jr.
The New York Giants (1-4) as a team appeared to react to Beckham Jr.’s comments by coming out and playing with a frenetic energy vs Carolina, particularly in the second half but came up short.
The question is how long can Odell Beckham Jr. — who declares himself as one of the team’s leaders — continue to make these comments before his credibility begins to take a hit?
Is There An NFC East Favorite?
Through five weeks of the NFL season the NFC East has produced one of the least compelling divisions in the NFL as there are three teams currently under .500.
The only other division in the NFL right now that can hold claim to that is the NFC West, which has a 5-0 Los Angeles Rams team in the division.
The question is, is there a favorite to win the NFC East? While Philadelphia is struggling, of all the teams in the division right now their flaws aren’t as significant as others in the division.
Philadelphia can’t protect Carson Wentz reliably, but neither can New York and Eli Manning’s play is showing the effects of it. While Wentz gets hit, he’s still making himself a capable quarterback of standing in the pocket and delivering the ball.
That’s something a 37-year-old Eli Manning simply won’t do as it’s been years of bad pass protection for him behind New York’s offensive line.
Dallas’ offense is one dimensional and lacks depth at wide receiver as they have been one of the worst units in the NFL. In addition to the struggles from the wide receivers, the injuries along the offensive line have caused Dak Prescott to take a beating this season that he has not taken in his first two seasons.
The Washington Redskins … they lost to a 1-4 Indianapolis Colts team at home and just got obliterated by the Saints coming off a bye week.
Philadelphia wouldn’t be considered a favorite to win the NFC East given these two scenarios. One, the Dallas Cowboys offense magically begins to find production at wide receiver. Two, the Giants feast on a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way and find a way to start attacking teams down the field.
In all likelihood, neither of those scenarios will actually play out in 2018.
What are your thoughts on this Week 6 matchup? Leave your comments below!
