* The Flyers lost their first home game of the season last night, suffering a 1-0 loss to Nashville. The Predators sweep the two-game season series. The Flyers played well, but moral victories don't count. After outscoring their opponents 13-3 in their first two home games, our hockey team came up small against Nashville.
The Preds played excellent defense, but Philadelphia may have been underachieving a bit. They didn't seem to have the same hop in their step as before.
The Flyers continue their 5-game home stand on Saturday afternoon against Edmonton, then next Tuesday with the Ducks.
Hopefully the Flyers aren't falling into the same trap as the Sixers and Phillies- moral victories. Their players, announcers and organization are famous for blaming the officials for siding against the Flyers. After last night it was "We played well..." Excuses, excuses.
Philly is a young, speedy, exciting team. But like any team with lots of youth, they need to learn how to win. That's why I think the flyers will be better later in the year.
* The Flyers honored Ed Snider yesterday by erecting a statue of Mr. Snider. The bronze statue stands between the Wells Fargo Center and where the old Spectrum used to be. An appropriate spot, as the iconic owner built both buildings and more.
I'll give the Flyers credit for honoring their past greats, embracing their history.
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The Dodgers blew the Cubs out of the playoffs last night at Wrigley Field with a 11-1 drubbing. The Cubs had their one season of glory. They are a good, young team, and will be back next season, but they are not a dynasty.
From the start I didn't think Chicago would make it back to the Fall Classic. Not hungry enough. Too many teams gunning for the world champs. The Cubbies had a magical season in 2016. Repeating is really tough in sports.
Los Angeles was geared to finally make it back to the World Series from spring training. A nice mix of young stars blending with seasoned vets; add an ace workhorse like Clayton Kershaw, a good rotation around him, and an excellent bullpen. LA flew out of the gate strong, distancing themselves from the pack in National League West during the summer. They had a rough stretch where they actually lost 10 in a row, 15 out of 16 games, but then closed strong, and are currently steamrolling thru the playoffs.
Now the Dodgers await their opponent in the Series. could it be a renewal of the classic Dodgers-Yankees World Series of the past? Or will the Astros win two games in Houston?
I think Houston will at least force a Game 7. LA can rest, as they did after sweeping Arizona. Things seem to be falling into place for LA. Whatever happens in the American League, the Dodgers will have home field advantage, starting Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
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* Most local analysts, such as Ray Didinger and Dick Vermeil, are picking the Eagles to beat the Redskins. Most national media, like ESPN are taking Washington. No surprise. The Birds, even now, as they sit as the No. 1 team in the NFL, don't get the respect or the hype as, let's say, the overrated Cowboys.
A win Monday night, before a national audience, a win to go 6-1 and solidify their hold on NFC East, would go a long way to giving Philly the proper credit they deserve. Lose and the media will cry "same ol' Eagles."
There have been years ( not so long ago- think Chip Kelly) when the Birds have started strong and have not made the playoffs, collapsing later in the season. not this year. That's why Monday's game against the 'Skins means so much.
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The Thursday night football game came down to four final plays to decide, with a ridiculous amount of penalties called to keep the Chiefs- Raiders game going. Kansas City choked on a 30-21 lead in the 4th quarter, Oakland winning it at the end, 31-30.
KC drops to 5-2, losing their second consecutive contest and dropping out of the spot of best team in the NFL. Oakland temporarily saved their season by beating their rival and staying within touch of the AFC West lead. With Denver losing to the giants, the division is still wide open for the Raiders to make a run.
Meanwhile, Andy Reid blows another game, after botching the Pittsburgh game the week before. As I wrote, the Chiefs will probably get to the post-season, but I don't see them making it to the Super Bowl. Reid has a lot to do with that. He's a good coach but comes up small in big games.
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