10 WEEKEND THINGS

Taking shots …

1 – GOD BLESS TEXANS: There’s already been one upset on NFL Wildcard Weekend, and it didn’t take long. The Houston Texans – a 2-point pregame underdog at our official betting partner Bet Regal – shocked the NFL by thrashing the Cleveland Browns 45-14 at NRG Stadium on Saturday. In the process, Houston’s C.J. Stroud became the youngest QB in NFL history to win his playoff debut. Tip o’ the cap too, to Texans RB Coach & Associate Head Coach Danny Barrett for moving onto the divisional round. “D.B.” is in the history books as the longest-serving coach in CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders history and the way the game is now, that record will likely never be broken.

2 – FINS SINK: In the nightcap the Kansas City Chiefs followed script by disposing of the Miami Dolphins 26-7 at frigid Arrowhead Stadium, before close to 70,000 Chiefs fans, plus Taylor Swift. It was the third-coldest game in NFL history, and the coldest in Dolphins franchise history. There weren’t too many Fins fans who made the 19-hour trek north, and why would they? According to weather reports, it was -28F/-33C at kickoff. This outcome was predictable, as those who cover the Dolphins complained all week on local sports radio about the cold conditions, the Dolphins injury woes, and how they failed to “handle business” in Week 18 against Buffalo which forced them to go on the road in the playoffs. This game was over before it started! Out with a whimper, and Miami still hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000.

3 – SWIFT KICK: I open my phone Saturday evening and what’s the first thing I see? The NFL’s Instagram account showing pop star Taylor Swift entering the stadium in Kansas City adorned in a winter jacket emblazoned with her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s name and #87. Who’s gotten more out of this relationship this year – the NFL, or the 34-year old singer? I’d suggest the NFL, although Swift’s been quoted as saying “Where’s the NFL been all my life?” Considering the NFL accounted for 82 of the top 100 highest-rated TV shows in America last year, the league has hardly been a secret but perhaps Taylor’s just been too busy with her career.

I *inadvertently* caused a stir by mentioning on the RP Show this week that “If Taylor Swift was playing in my backyard, I wouldn’t open the curtains”. That caused a significant backlash from “Swifties” but their comments didn’t hurt my feelings. They’re like kids yapping from the backseat on a long road trip. Besides, it’s no secret my musical preferences are Classic Country and 90s Hip Hop. I’m sure Taylor’s just fine!

4 – MORE UPSETS: There may be no more upsets on Wildcard Weekend but here’s the schedule – Green Bay at Dallas (-7.5) Sunday 4:30 pm ET … LA Rams at Detroit (-3.0) Sunday 8:15 pm ET … Pittsburgh at Buffalo (-10) Monday 4:30 pm ET … Philadelphia (-3.0) at Tampa Bay Monday 8:15 pm ET. … All point spreads courtesy of Bet Regal. … If there’s an upset in there for me, it’s Bucs over the Eagles.

5 – TIME TO HUNT?: Two long NHL win streaks ended Saturday night. Florida’s was snapped at nine games courtesy of a 4-1 home loss to New Jersey and Winnipeg’s was snapped at eight courtesy of a 2-0 home loss to Philadelphia. Firstly, I was surprised by another sellout crowed at Amerant Bank Arena (19,526) because I thought plenty of South Florida sports fans would stay home to watch the Dolphins but perhaps it’s two different fanbases? As far as the game goes, Panthers All Star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky said afterwards the loss was good for them and that regular season streaks don’t matter. All that matters is the playoffs. Well said Bob! The fact remains Florida had a chance to takeover first place in the Atlantic Division Saturday, but failed to do it. That doesn’t matter either; all it shows is how good of a team they are.

5 – STAR GAZING: The final 12 players for next month’s NHL All Star Festivities in Toronto were unveiled on Saturday, courtesy of a fan vote. Bobrovsky was included in that 12 along with three Maple Leafs (William Nylander, Mitch Marner & Morgan Rielly) and four Canucks (J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko & Elias Petterson). Do the math — seven of the 12 players are from two Canadian teams! A record 36-million votes were cast and the vast majority came from Canada. If that doesn’t show you where the NHL’s fanbase is, nothing will. However it sure is nice to have two NHL teams in Florida.

6 – NHL RANDOM THOUGHTS: The Chicago Blackhawks are unwatchable without Connor Bedard. … Whomever’s idea it was to put a countdown clock on the wall during TV intermission broadcasts, is genius! … The Jets saw their 8-game win streak come to an end on Saturday but they’ve still allowed only 2 goals or fewer in 12 straight games. That’s a club record. Defence wins championships! … We’re still predicting an Edmonton-Toronto Stanley Cup Final. … The Canucks have now won five in a row and are the #1 team in the NHL. They may not win the Stanley Cup, but Rick Tocchet is the Coach of the Year. If not him, who?

7 – CFL: The 3-down league generated quite a bit of news out of this week’s winter meetings in Nashville. Bravo! In retrospect, it would have been fun to broadcast the RP Show out of Music City for the week. Maybe next year. … It seems almost half the league has restructured contracts with their starting quarterbacks (Sask, Calgary, Hamilton, and on the way, Ottawa). I don’t like it because to me, a deal’s a deal. In other words, they’ve lured in QBs like Trevor Harris and Bo Levi Mitchell with lucrative offers, then changed the terms. Why not just do a one year deal in the first place? … And how is it that Winnipeg can pay starting pivot Zach Collaros $600,000 per year, over multiple years, and still make it to the Grey Cup in four consecutive seasons without having to tear up his contract, nor fiddle with their cap space? … Good management, that’s how. … QB Chris Streveler coming back to the CFL would be fantastic for the league and would set off an entertaining bidding war. … QB Nathan Rourke is doing the right thing by taking the money and *security* in the NFL. … No truth to the rumour Jeff Reinebold is leaving the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to join the University of Hawaii.

8 – MORE FOOTBALL: It was an earth-shattering week in football with Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll and Nick Saban all leaving their posts. … Thoughts: in both New England and Seattle, it was the owner who made the decision to change coaches. Just in case you were ever wondering how much impact owners have, or any more proof that it all starts and ends at the top. … College Football followers chuckled that a day after Nick Saban announced his retirement from Alabama, he showed up for work. Saban was seen at his desk at the team facility the very next day. To me it’s more sad than funny, but I totally get it. When you’ve done one thing for decades – it doesn’t matter if it’s sports or not – it’s very hard to let go and you can be lost for quite awhile in the aftermath. A word to the wise: the sooner you turn your shoulders to the future rather than the past, the better off you’ll be.

9 – MEDIA: On Saturday I attempted to purchase a Palm Beach Post at the local 7/11. However not only did they not have one, they had NO newspapers for sale. Then during a run at Johnny O’s Gymnasium that same morning, I radio station surfed for some good listening. In Toronto they were airing something calling “Marty & McGee” from ESPN (the topic was Tennessee/Florida NCAA basketball and the Vols commencement) while in Ottawa the station was airing a days-old Razor & Dregs podcast. … What did I settle on? Howard Stern.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: $342 for a standing room ticket for the Rams & Lions Sunday at Ford Field. … The cold is no joke! Kudos to Saskatchewan for helping supply Alberta with power this weekend and please take care of each other. There’s not much worse than -50. … Doesn’t the ‘Bypass PIN’ option on credit card/debit machines sort of defeat the purpose? … Forgot how funny Two & A Half Men was. … Sometimes a smile isn’t a smile. It’s a shield. … Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. … Don’t wait till you face an intervention, like me! It’s a lot more fun CONDUCTING an intervention than receiving one. … The Florida Panthers Pride Night was on Saturday for the New Jersey game. Predictably, some followers (I won’t call them fans) threatened to cancel their season tickets and another hoped the team misses the playoffs because of their pro-inclusive stance. … Not sure we’re making much progress! AND HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen