* The Sixers continue their west coast swing at Sacramento tonight. Should be another win, which would make 6 in a row. Games agains the champion Warriors, Lakers and Clippers follow. Hopefully Embiid plays tonight.
* The Flyers come home to face the Chiicago Blackhawks. They will be seeking revenge for a loss in the Windy City last week. A home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild follow.
* The Eagles are off this week. Key games will be Dallas at Atlanta. The Falcons are due to win a home game. They are 4-4 and losing touch with Carolina and New Orleans in NFC South. The Cowboys lose and drop to 5-4 going into their match-up with the eagles on Nov. 18. The Redskins are at home against a 6-2 Vikings team, not an easy task. Looking at the big picture- home field advantage with best overall record- 6-2 Saints go to Buffalo and the 6-2 Rams play in Los Angeles against Houston. Hard to believe that the game against the Rams may be a deciding factor for the Birds regarding home field advantage in the playoffs.
* Fans are still in shock over the sudden death of Phillies former great pitcher Roy Halliday. Evidence is coming out that Doc may have been reckless with the plane he was flying before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of the circumstances, I feel for his family, who lost a husband and father at the young age of 40. Fans will always have the memories. Kudos to NBC Philadelphia Sports for replaying Doc's perfect game vs Miami last night.
* Today should be the day there is a final decision on Dallas' running back, Zeke Elliot starting to serve his six-game suspension. Hopefully it happens. Playing the Cowboys without Elliot would be a much easier task in a key game that could wrap up the NFC East for Philly.
* Seattle goes to Arizona tonight for a key NFC West game. Both need to catch the Rams, but the winner tonight will stay in contention. I'm rooting for Arizona, as the Eagles already beat the Cards. Philadelphia still needs tot ravel to Seattle.
* Shortstop Freddie Galvis did not win a Gold Glove yesterday, the award going to SS Crawford from San Francisco for the second straight year. Freddie had a fielding average of .989, highest among shortstops. He makes the routine plays but also spectacular. acrobatic defense plays as well. It will be interesting to see what the Phils do with Galvis this off-season. Freddie has emerged as a leader in the clubhouse. He still doesn't get on base enough. He will be a free agent after the 2018 season.
He could play regularly, or become a utility guy, with J.P. Crawford starting. Scott Kingery should be with the big team by mid may, manning second base. Cesar Hernandez can be a free agent after the 2019 season. he is still a steady player and could also either fight off Kingery or be a utility man.
The Phillies' front office have a lot of interesting decisions to make before spring training.
* Pre-sale Santa Sack packages for Flyers games went on sale yesterday. I got one for the Saturday, Jan. 6 contest with the St. Louis Blues. Next Saturday, Nov. 18 will be Philly sports day, as I will be at both the Flyers- Calgary Flames game in the afternoon and the Sixers- Golden State Warriors at night.
* There are reports that the Phoenix Suns may be interested in trading for 76'er Jamill Okafor. By all means, take him. He's not playing. The Sixers made a mistake by drafting him with the No. 3 overall pick . Get a second-rounder for him, cut your losses and move on.
* It's almost becoming routine that QB Carson Wentz throws 4 touchdowns every week. Let's not take him for granted. He is having an MVP year, even in his second year. And let's give credit to Coach Doug Pederson. There were doubts, even into the season, about his play-calling decisions and his inexperience. He is proving to be an excellent communicator and his game pans have been solid.Hats off to defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz as well, losing LB Hicks and CB Darby yet anchoring one of the best defenses in the NFL.
The team has a different feel, not as underdogs, but favorites. Going into the playoffs it won't be IF the Eagles win, it will be WHEN the eagles win. A huge let-down if the Super Bowl isn't reached, but no one expected this delightful ride this season. Enjoy it, and also know-win or lose- even better times are ahead.
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