Empire... State Your Mind Matthew Felico

Matt, Chris and Nick discuss the Super Bowl that turned out to be a one-sided affair. Brady and the Bucs take care of business at home. While Mahomes and the Chiefs were unable to score a touchdown. Do you blame this loss on Mahomes or injuries and drops?



A lot of unrelated questions raised in this episode: Who won the Stafford trade, Rams or Lions?  Looking forward, are the Bucs prime to make another run with Brady? Has an NBA team won a championship with only won star player? Would you rather be a Cinderella or Contender?

Recorded on 1/27/21

Matt, Chris and Nick discuss some recent MLB news in the tri-state area. Yankees continue to make some moves as they compete with the Mets for offseason relevancy.

The Sabres, Devils and Islanders are battling for the 4th seed in the East Division. As the Rangers are just trying to get out of the basement. Although they consistently have a lead, each and every time they blow it in regulation. Thus, getting no points and stacking L’s.

In the NBA, all eyes are on Brooklyn’s Big 3 experiment while they find their chemistry. Luckily for them, most people won’t be graded them until the postseason. Celtics split their last 4 games and finally have Tatum back in the lineup. Again though, we always come back to the same question…Can they make it out of the East? Potential matchups against the Bucks, Heat, 76ers and Nets.

This leads to an interesting tangent; Durant was Robin to Steph Curry’s Batman? Also, last second shot, Curry or Harden?

Knicks upset the Warriors in Golden State but have a let down vs. the Kings. Then, dig themselves a hole in Portland early and fail on their late surge back. However, one bright spot, Quickley scores 21 of his 31 points in the 4th quarter.

Off topic question: Can your team control it’s own destiny or is it up to the players now?

In the mist of #saveAMC, Matt, Chris and Nick decide to add a fun First segment to the show. Each of the guys have to select a film that best depicts the Giants 2020 season. Which film parallels the Giants 2020 season most?

Shocker, Tom Brady is in the Super Bowl for the 10thtime in his career. Despite throwing 3 INTs in the 2nd half, Brady at the end of the day walks away victorious. This matchup gave us a collection of game-changing plays/decisions throughout this entire game. The Aaron Rodgers INT turned Brady to Miller Hailmary TD right before halftime. Then, the Packers head coach deciding to kick a field goal on 4th & 1 with 2:09 on the clock and 3 timeouts. Which allows the Bucs to pullout a magical play call to seal the game with a Godwin slide. As a result, the Bucs literally slide home becoming the first team in NFL history to host a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Would this be Brady’s best run ever?

Although it’s unlikely, Rodgers made some post game comments implying he may not be with the Packers in the near future. If so, what team is the best landing spot for Rodgers?

The Facebook Live stream was a success however, the Bills @ Chiefs game was a dud. Despite the Bills being up 9-0, the Chiefs retaliate with a 38-6 run of their own. The Bills were unable to finish drives with 6 points and the Chiefs were, that is the simple story of this game. Overall, this season was a success for the Bills. Looking to the future, will the Bills ever be able to get over the hump known as the Chiefs?

The Championship round was better to more than others:

Matt: 0/4
Chris: 2/4
Nick: 4/4

Matt, Chris and Nick discuss James Harden coming to the Nets. Harden loses about 50lbs. and has one hell of a debut game with a 30+ point triple double. However, Kyrie Irving was not on the court. How will Harden and Kyrie mesh? Meanwhile, the Knicks go from a 5 game skid to winning a back to back. Although they lack stars, the Knicks continue to play hard.



The lack of stars in MSG brings up a few tangents. Were the trio of Garnett, Pierce and Allen on the same level as the trio of LeBron, Wade and Bosh? How would you rank the players 1-6?



Then, we travel east towards the harbor and to the Garden where the Celtics get smacked by the Knicks. Having said that, the Celtics were playing without Tatum and still waiting for Kemba to return from injury. Can the Celtics make it through the gauntlet of the East?



The NHL is back in action. Thus far, the Devils have been the surprise of the East bringing the Bruins to OT twice and stealing a win with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. Then, you have the Sabres who have collected some talent in the offseason. With higher expectations than usual, they drop the first 2 games to the Caps.



In a shortened Covid season with a new playoff system, it is pivotal for every team to get off to a fast start. It seems the Rangers never received the memo as they get shutout in game 1, 4-0 vs. the Islanders. In game 2, the script was flipped as the Rangers get a shutout of their own 5-0 vs. the same Islanders team.



Let It Ride on Championship weekend:



Matt:

Packers -3.5 (Packers ML)

Bills +3 (Bills ML)



Chris:

Bucs +3.5 (Bucs ML)

Bills +3 (Bills ML)



Nick:

Bucs +3.5 (Bucs ML)

Chiefs -3 (Chiefs ML)



Facebook Live for Bills @ Chiefs?

Matt, Chris and Nick address the fact that Brian Cashman must be listening. In addition to resigning DJ LeMahieu, the Yankees sign Corey Kluber. Did Uncle Steven force the Yanks hand? As the New York baseball teams make big moves, the Red Sox stay put and hope to rebuild as Chaim Bloom did many times in Tampa. While Chris and Nick discuss recent baseball history, Matt offers to sell his fanship for a price of course.



Then the gang gets right into the NFL Divisional Round. It seems the bye week served the Packers well, as Rodgers passes for almost 300 yards and the Packers backfield adds an additional 180+ yards on the ground. Aaron Rodgers gets his wish as the Super Bowl runs through Lambeau.



After that, we get into the game we live streamed on Facebook. For those of you who joined, Thank you!!! The wagons were circled in Buffalo once again. The Bills defense and the wind stifles Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense holding them to only 3 points. While the Bills D gets a touchdown of their own. Chris feels vindicated that Lamar, although a great playmaker, is not a great QB. There’s only one person who had a worse game, debatably the best kicker in the NFL, Justin Tucker.



Although the Browns kept trying to give the game away, they are given the opportunity of a lifetime. Mahomes gets knocked out of the game in the 3rd quarter, the Browns pull within 5 points and get the ball back with 8:00 left in the game. One 1st down later and a punt, they never see the ball again. On 3rd and 14, Henne runs for 13 yards to make it a 4th and 1. The Chiefs elect to go for it, convert and ice the game. Now, will Mahomes be back in time for the AFC Championship game?



The game Roger was waiting for but apparently did not attend. Brady vs. Brees, a heavyweight matchup turned into a 1st round knockout. Brees looked all but washed up as Brady made timely throws and limited his mistakes. For the first time in his career, Brady will be advancing to the NFC Championship game. While the Saints have big questions to answer this offseason. Does Brees retire? If so, who replaces him?



Overall, unlike the Wildcard round, the gang is on a heater with their Divisional picks:



Matt: 7/8

Chris 6/8

Nick 4/8

Matt, Chris and Nick “Let It Ride” in the NFL Divisional Round:



Matt:

Packers -7

Bills -2

Browns +10 (Browns ML)

Bucs +3 (Bucs ML)



Chris:

Rams +7 (Rams ML)

Bills -2

Browns +10 (Chiefs ML)

Bucs +3 (Bucs ML)



Nick:

Rams +7 (Packers ML)

Ravens +2 (Ravens ML)

Chiefs -10

Bucs +3 (Bucs ML)



While 8 NFL teams continue to pursue their championship aspirations, the College Football Champion has been crowned…Roll Tide. Alabama rolls (pun intended) Ohio State 52-24 and raises some questions about Justin Fields. Will Fields still be the 2nd QB taken off the board? Also, Mac Jones and Devonta Smith stock continues to rise.



Also, now that it seems like Smith is out of reach for the Giants, how will they address their need at WR through the draft or Free Agency?



The Deshaun Watson sweepstakes have begun and the first bidding seems to be the Dolphins. What team is the best fit for him?



Shout out Ed Raso!!!