The longest playoff drought in the NHL is the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have been MIA in the Stanley cup playoffs since the 2010-11 season. The Sabres have had many bad teams during that span. The Sabres earned many top draft picks from their poor play. Many younger players the team could not develop or eventually had to trade because they did not have a team around them like Jack Eichel being dealt to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Last season, they needed a goalie and signed Craig Anderson, a guy on the tail end of his hockey career. Anderson would get some playing time for the Sabres as he had 31 starts for Buffalo with a 17-12 record. In your 40’s, you like to get some playing time & not just rot away on the bench. As you know with young teams, your wisdom is important for the players looking at you like their coach or father figure. This year at 41 years old, Anderson still is in the net for the Sabres and suddenly Buffalo is a team that is making some noise in the NHL. Could this young talented Sabres team with some may say a washed-up goalie, break that longest playoff drought in the NHL and make it to the the playoffs?
When Craig Anderson came into the league, he was wearing the Indian Head sweater. Anderson was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and was playing for his childhood team, the Blackhawks. At that time the Blackhawks were not very good as the dynasty of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were about ten years away. Anderson started his NHL career in the 2002-03 season and could not get a start in net as his playing time came in relief of the starter. In the 2005-06 season, Anderson went on waivers three times moving from Chicago to Boston, then to St. Louis before finally returning to Chicago. Eventually Anderson was sent back to the minor leagues. At that time Anderson knew he had to get better. It was not until the 2007-08 season where Anderson became the back up goalie for the Florida Panthers and finally got some starts in the net. The long journey of trying to stick to an NHL team and being the back up guy came to an end as Anderson got starting job for the Avalanche in the 2009-10 season. Then Anderson became a permanent fixture for almost entire decade as a Senator in Ottawa where he remained as a starter.
Craig Anderson signed with Buffalo & may have not had any better offers. The team desperately needed a goalie and they probably wanted his veteran leadership to help all their young players. Some people don’t like teaching or helping young players. I’m sure Anderson still had gasoline left in the tank and wanted to play as he earned his 300th victory last year in a Sabres uniform. This season, Anderson is 7-5-1. Anderson does have one shut-out this season in net as well as he’s showing off his fountain of youth via his Tom Brady style of play. Anderson laughs at the fact he is the oldest player in the league right now since Joe Thornton and Zdeno Chara retired from the game and hung up their skates for good.The Sabres players and coaches love him. Anderson has been mentoring and basically training his replacement as he understands the journey to stick in the NHL. Passing on any insight to the younger guys to help their game gives them a better chance in the future. The Sabres fans are enjoying watching their guy, Tage Thompson, who is tearing up the league right now with 30 goals already. Last year Thompson had 38 goals. The Sabres have a nice core of younger players that feature Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power. In 36 games this season, the Sabres are 19-15-2 and making a climb in the standings. The Sabres are 9-3-1 since early December. Craig Anderson ,whom no one knows if he will return next season, has a career record of 315-269-72 with 43 shutouts. There’s hopes that win total will continue to rise which would be good for the Sabres’ chances of cementing themselves in the playoffs in the next few months. It’s always nice to be around something special when it starts maybe Anderson will hang around long enough to see the finish which in Buffalo winning the Stanley Cup.
This game means nothing to the Tennessee Titans who have fallen on hard times losing their last 5 games. Dallas came off week 16 with a big victory over the Eagles. The Titans will rest players because the game in the last week of the season versus Jacksonville is for all the marbles, the AFC South. Even if Jacksonville wins this week versus the Texans. Winner takes all. Dallas is still trying to keep up with the Eagles as well as take the top wild card spot if Philadelphia pulls out a victory in the next two weeks to clinch the NFC East.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Both bird teams have struggled losing a combined 9 games in a row. Both teams eliminated from playoff contention. The Falcons are rolling with their rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder. Making his third start of the year he has not thrown a touchdown pass or an interception. Who is David Blough?
Blough is a former Lion who has a career 5 starts under his belt at the NFL level. Blough has lost all 5 starts and is the 4th Cardinal quarterback of this season to get a start behind center. I like the Falcons running attack to control this game on the ground and help the rookie gets his first notch in the win column.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
You notice both south divisions are the worst two divisions in football this year. Can Tom Brady get this struggling Buccaneer team into the playoffs? Can the Panthers sweep the Buccaneers? The Buccaneers have been grinding out close and low scoring games like last week’s match up versus the Cardinals. The Panthers can run the ball right down your throat one week & then the next week the rushing attack goes flat. The Panthers generate more scoring these days than Tampa Tom’s gloomy offensive attack. The Buccaneers looked like they have aged everywhere. The Panthers defense can make some plays and I like their chances of making the Buccaneers make mistakes. A fumble or a tip ball for interception will be the difference for a Panther win.
OUR PICK: PANTHERS
CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS
The Panthers took over the king of the jungle by overthrowing the Lions last week. The Bears will give anybody a battle as they gave the Bills a fight in the first half in last week’s action. The Lions were one of the hottest teams coming into last week’s action and are still alive in the playoff chase. Justin Fields does not have the killer instinct. Better for the Bears to get a top draft pick. I like the Lions roaring back this week with a stadium of hungry fans wanting to see this team make it back to the post-season.
OUR PICK: LIONS
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Deshaun Watson has not hit the 200 mark in passing yards yet, in his return from the massage table diaries. The Commanders are 7th overall against the pass. The Commanders are making a switch at quarterback as Carson Wentz will replace Taylor Heinicke. Can Wentz give the Commander offense a jolt to help their playoff chances? The Browns are crumbling with Myles Garrett having a melt down last week. Garrett was benched.
I like Washington getting the spark much needed by Wentz and breaking a two-game losing streak to get back into the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Broncos are in disarray as they fired their coach last week after the spanking from the Rams on Christmas day.
The Bronco players were complaining to be practicing in pads this week. The Broncos have checked out so no way they can pull off a win over this Chiefs team.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Maybe the Colts need a guy named Jeff Sunday rather than Saturday because this team has checked out and on game day don’t even know what day it is. The Giants will be back in the playoffs and get the win to seal the deal. I’m sure we get plenty of Colts drama in the off-season. Who’s their next quarterback?
OUR PICK: GIANTS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Is it too late for Lovie Smith in Houston? Looks like Jacksonville has found their man behind center as Trevor Lawrence finally is figuring things out in the NFL. This game does not mean much to the Jaguars as the Titans next week is the game for the division. The Texans have been battling teams in the last few weeks as they finally got a hard-fought victory against the Titans. I like the Jaguars playing hard this week and winning this meaningless game to not ruin their mojo right now as they have won three straight.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Nobody knows how to kick a team better when they are down than Bill Belichick. The Dolphins are on the big slide in the game of chutes and ladders losing their last 4 games. The Patriots have lost two in a row. Tua Tagovailoa is out in this one with yet another concussion. Can Teddy Bridgewater deliver? The Patriots are scurvy cockroaches as they been stepped on, but they are still alive and in the thick of things.
Patriots pull off a stunner at home.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
I don’t trust the Saints or Andy Dalton winning two games in a row especially against a great Eagle team and that defense. Gardner Minshew will be getting the start once again as Jalen Hurts has been ruled out. Minshew is a very capable back up and should have no problem getting the Eagles in the end zone against the Saints defense. Eagles rebound quickly after Dallas’ loss last week.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
NEW YORK JETS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Jets have lost 4 in a row. The Seahawks have lost 3 in a row. Both teams need to win and pray they get the help they need to find the back door that is chained shut to make it into post-season. Geno Smith, former Jet, brings down the franchise he was drafted by in a big game that puts the final nail in his former team’s seasoned coffin.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
I have said it from the beginning that Josh McDaniels is a cancer. The 49ers defense will feast on former Patriot Jarrett Stidham getting the start because McDaniels has benched Derek Carr. Watch the Raiders team like the Broncos won’t even play hard in this one as this team is headed down the drain after being a playoff team last year. What a shame. The 49ers have won 8 straight. Make it 9.
OUR PICK:49ERS
LA RAMS AT LA CHARGERS
The Chargers have no fans. Both teams share the stadium. This will be like a home game for the Rams. Can Baker Mayfield deliver again? The Chargers have won three games in a row and have clinched a playoff spot. The Rams are not facing a bad Bronco team here like they did last week. The Rams have struggled before their big win over the Broncos. I’m not there yet jumping on Mayfield’s band wagon. I can’t see Mayfeild matching scores with Justin Herbert.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers have won three games in a row. The Vikings stomped the Packers early in the year like a bad habit. Can the Vikings go on the road and beat their archrival twice in one season? The Packers need a victory to stay alive in the playoff hunt which has a bunch of teams fighting for pretty much one spot. I think the Vikings’ luck will run out. Aaron Rodgers will save this week’s performance as his best of the year and the Packers will slay the Vikings. Kirk Cousins historically does not do well in big games. Packers at home, Vikings will crumble in a close one.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Steelers never have losing seasons as they come in at 7-8. The Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson. The Steelers win this week and again next week they may not be in the playoffs, but Mike Tomlin will have another winning season. The Ravens have struggled on offense for several weeks now. This includes when Jackson was the starter. I like the Steelers putting up just enough offense with a strong defensive performance to get a victory against their archrivals on the road.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
BUFFALO BILLS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bills and the Bengals are the two hottest teams in the entire league. This would be the first match up where Josh Allen squares off against Joe Burrow. Two high power offenses with lots on the line. The Bengals are trying to win their division. While the Bills are trying to hold on to the number one seed in the AFC. This game will be a dandy as lots of play makers on both sides are on prime time in front of the entire country watching. I like the Bills defense just making enough plays to help Buffalo pull off the road victory in which could be an instant rematch in the post-season. The Bills defense has played well during the winning streak and is not being talked about. The entire country will change their tune as they come out with a stellar performance.
On Christmas Day, the game I did get to sit down and watch was the Denver Broncos at LA Rams. If I was a Denver Bronco fan watching Russell Wilson play every Sunday, I’d lose my mind. Wilson looked like hot garbage out there on the field. I’d sell off my season tickets and turn the channel to watch the Avalanche or the Nuggets. I feel like this move bringing Russell Wilson would only happen to the Chicago Bears. The Bears franchise touches a quarterback & it turns into stone. It sucks to be Broncos fans because of what the team gave up to get Wilson in the Rocky Mountain high state. Then the guaranteed money you have invested in a guy that the team put on a pedestal like some Lord of the Manor. The Broncos threw their new hire at head coach under the bus firing Nathaniel Hackett as he does not even finish his first season. I question that hire in the first place. Hackett and only 4 others since the NFL merger in 1970, were fired without completing the season in their first year. Things in Denver could get even uglier as Wilson has lost the locker room.
Let’s face the facts that the Seattle Seahawks fleeced the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade. The Broncos gave two first round draft picks, two second rounders, and a 5th rounder. I’m not done as the Seahawks got three players in the deal as well. The Seahawks got a quarterback, Drew Lock, a defensive end in Shelby Harris, and a tight end in Noah Fant. Then the front office gave Wilson a 5 year deal worth 245 million and 165 of that is guaranteed money. Then the front office gave Wilson his own office. What the hell does a player need an office for? Then Wilson gets the rock n roll parking spaces at the facilities. If I was John Elway, another moron that could not find a quarterback if it was right under his nose, I would look in the mirror. It’s not Elway’s job these day as the hottest seat in the league who thought this trade was a good idea is George Paton. Both Elway and Paton should be fired and I don’t care if one was a legend for this franchise. Horse teeth and Paton should be on the next bus out of town. This deal might be compared to the Herschel Walker trade in 1989 with him going to Minnesota from Dallas and the Vikings gave the Cowboys all those picks to build a dynasty. Another stupid trade was the Saints who were led by Da Coach Mike Ditka when New Orleans gave up all their draft picks to the Redskins in 1999 to draft running back Ricky Williams. Pete Carol has to be laughing himself to tears watching this all unfold.
When the Rams with Baker Mayfield are leading the charge, you can see on the sideline of the Broncos the players don’t want to protect Russell Wilson. The Broncos back up quarterback Brett Rypien had words to the Broncos offensive line especially Dalton Risner.
Risner did not like the comments, pushed Rypien, and players had to hold him until he calmed down. Russell Wilson has been sacked 49 times this season. Wilson was sacked a lot in Seattle but always found a way to score points. Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback Geno Smith has been sacked only 39 times. That tells you both offensive lines for both teams suck. At least Seattle has extra picks in next year’s draft to fix their problems.
Denver Broncos fans probably had a instant hard on when the news broke that the team was able to land Russell Wilson. Most people ignored what they gave up to land a guy that took Seattle to two Superbowls. I thought Wilson would get the Broncos an instant ticket to the post-season. In ten seasons in Seattle, Wilson was very durable as he played 158 games throwing 292 touchdown passes with only 87 interceptions while completing 65% of his passes. At the age of 34, people thought he was younger than Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers who are still trucking away in the NFL. Wilson’s record as a starting QB in Seattle was 104-53-1 which is incredible. It’s like Pete Carol did a switch and put Geno Smith in Russell Wilson’s body, while Wilson is actually in Smith’s body. It is mind boggling that Wilson is 3-10 as the starter this season completing only 60% of his passes and has only 12 touchdown passes with 9 interceptions unlike his Seattle’s numbers.
What do you do now if you’re the Denver organization? The team now needs a new head coach. Do you trust that boob George Paton to find a better guy than Nathaniel Hackett? Hackett is like the Josh McDaniels. McDaniels rode the coat tails of Tom Brady while Hackett rode the Aaron Rodgers coat tails. I think the Broncos have to fire the GM. Can Russell Wilson find his old Seattle self starting next year? If the Broncos cut Wilson it’s lot of dead money lingering for years on the salary cap. Can you find another team to take Wilson? The Broncos will never get back what they gave up to get Wilson. The team may have to pay most of Wilson’s salary if they find another team to take him. Do you scrap most of the team, get rid of all the haters in the locker room, and build freshly around Wilson? Is the Broncos mess such a big dumpster fire that the only thing that would smolder the flames is running Wilson out of town. I would turn Russell Wilson’s office into Les Nessman’s work space on WKRP.
Wilson could pretend to have walls. I think Denver is in for some really hard times with all that draft capital gone. The salary cap restrictions if Wilson is cut, traded, or if he continues to under-perform on the field. How many players will want to jump ship playing for a divided locker room and for the lord of the manor? How many players would want to jump on board as free agents to join this soap opera in Denver. No wonder someone titled a movie, Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead. It may be the story of the 2022 Broncos.
The Wild shamrock 