- The Eagles are in Chicago, preparing for their playoff game with the Bears on Sunday. The Vegas line was as high as 6 1/2 points, now sitting at 6 points. Why so high?
The Chicago defense is arguably the best in the league. Plus it will be 4 out of 5 weeks for the birds on the road. Unfortunately, they must stay on the road to the Super Bowl. perhaps that is the biggest difference between this season and last. In the 2018 playoffs the Eagles played two games at home, and they had a first-round bye. So, this year, it's one more game to win and all road games.
Getting ahead early, trying to take the crowd out of the game will be key. Philly fans travel well and I'm sure there will be tons of Eagle supporters in the stands at Soldier Field tomorrow.
In this way, winning the Super Bowl again as repeat champions would be an even greater task than last year's miracle season. Only 3 teams have been the No. 6 wild card seed and won the Super Bowl. Not good odds, but it can be done.
Win tomorrow and the Birds must travel to New Orleans to take on the powerful Saints. It would be revenge for a 48-7 blasting earlier in the season. Talk more about a possible matchup with New Orleans later in the week.
The Bears are very good, going from worst to first in NFC North. Sure they benefited from an easier schedule, as will Philadelphia in 2019. They have a first-year coach and a second-year quarterback who has never been in a post-season game. They are home but will that advantage be an advantage if the pressure of the spotlight weigh on the young, inexperienced Bears?
I like the Eagles, 23-20.
- The Phillies are preparing for yet another big week, one which may potentially change their franchise.
This week was another good, solid free agent signing in Yankees reliever David Robertson. The rightie can be an effective set-up guy or closer. He greatly improves their bullpen. With more and more starting pitchers barely going six innings or even less, a strong bullpen is essential to success.
Despite a nice off-season with signings of McCutchen, Segura and Robertson, they still haven't reeled in the big fish- named Machado or Harper.
Signing one of the big two would be a game-changer for the Phillies. The rest ofthe NL East has improved. A Machado or Harper could put the Phils in the playoffs this summer.
Machado should be making a decision soon. It's reportedly down to the Phillies, Yanks and White Sox. Interestingly, New York signed former great shortstop Troy Tulowitzki this week, and promptly named him their starting shortstop. at least until Didi Gregorious gets well later this season. What does that say to Machado, who would rather play short than third base?
Philadelphia is scheduled to visit Harper this week in Las Vegas. Their main competition for Harper may be the dodgers. Machado's heart rests at Yankee Stadium, as he has a lifelong dream to play in New York.Harper has no such allegiance, although it's rumored that Washington may be back in the mix to re-sign him.
The other kicker is length of contract. Would Harper and Machado seek an 8-10 year mega deal, worth over $ 300 million? Or would they take a four-year deal for less money, with the shot of being a free agent again at the still-young age of 30?
My preference is Harper. I get it- Machado would upgrade the team both on offense and defense. Harper is an OK outfielder. I love Harper's power bat, especially in Citizens Bank Park. He draws walks and gets on base. He is the left-handed complement to Rhys Hoskins in the middle of the lineup.
The Phils could still use another starter. I don't feel good with Valasquez and Pivetta both in the rotation. They blew it last summer when they failed to trade for Cole Hamels. He would've helped them last season during the stretch run and this season. Plus he was a fan-favorite and a lefty starter they need.
After making the "spend stupid money" comment, the organization can't disappoint now. They need to go all-in and overpay if they must to hook the big fish still in the water.
- The Flyers play this afternoon at home against Calgary. the Orange and Black, one of the worst teams in the NHL, have a new coach but remain languishing. Needless to say they need an overhaul during the off-season, with veterans such as Gerioux, Vorachek and.or Simmonds on the trade block.
- Lastly, the Sixers concluded the home doubleheader tonight, playing the Mavericks. Now there are reports that newly-acquired guard jimmy butler is having problems with coach Brett brown. No surprise. Butler carries this baggage around form stays in Chicago and Minnesota.
If it's a case of Butler or Brown, the franchise should take Butler. They need to sign him to a long-term deal and have him stay as your shooting guard of the future.
I've never been a huge brown fan. He has been a good soldier for years, during the Trust the Process years. Now that the 76ers have a good team they deserve a better coach who will take them into the playoffs and beyond.
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