Hooked on Sports

Today, on New Year's Eve, join John as he looks back at the 22 stories that defined sports both on a national and international level in 2022, from political upheavel, individual resilience, to legends leaving and achieving greatness, and more!

In today's podcast:

John talks about some key developments across the NFL that will be relevant to the games in Week 17 across the league, from Tua Tagovailoa's latest concussion and Teddy Bridgewater taking over at QB for the Miami Dolphins as they get ready to play Mac Jones and the New England Patriots, the New York Jets getting Mike White back at QB in a boost to the team ahead of their matchup in Seattle against the Seahawks, the Las Vegas Raiders benching Derek Carr in favor of Jarred Stidham at quarterback for the game against the San Francisco 49ers, the one thing the Carolina Panthers have that will be a major advantage in their key NFC South matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the overtones and implications of the showdown on Monday Night Football between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. 

Then, he picks every game against the spread for the week. So far, John is 152-86-2 picking winners and losers, and 127-106-7 picking games against the spread after going 10-6 in both departments last week.

In today's podcast:

The Denver Broncos announced that they fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after a 4-11 start to the 2022 season, and it was the right move, the only move, and had to be done now, but it still leaves a franchise in crisis as it hit perhaps its lowest point in their 63 year franchise history. The Green Bay Packers are alive and well in the NFC Wild Card race after a critical 26-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami, and they can absolutely make the playoffs as the 7th seed in the conference, the Minnesota Vikings solidified Kevin O'Connell's case for Coach of the Year with a statement 27-24 victory over Brian Daboll, Daniel Jones, and the Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers won one for Franco Harris in an almost similar fashion 50 years to the weekend of the Immaculate Reception, and Kenny Pickett endeared himself with the fans of the Steelers with a game winning touchdown pass with less than a minute left.

Elsewhere, John makes his picks for the College Football Playoff Semifinals games between Georgia and Ohio State and Michigan and TCU coming up this Saturday, and discusses the Boston Celtics' big 139-118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers comeback win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Then the Carlos Correa mega contract with the New York Mets hit a snag with his physical, but they'll find a way to get the deal done.

Join John this week as he breaks down the probabilities for how the playoff seedings will shake out this season in the NFL, plus pick every game against the spread in Week 16 in the NFL.

In today's podcast:

John says that with the New York Mets shocking the world to sign shortstop Carlos Correa, the Mets have taken the throne as the evil empire in sports thanks to Steve Cohen's incredible shopping spree, and that the Mets should be the World Series favorites, the Yankees made their case as the team to beat in the American League thanks to their addition of prized starting pitcher Carlos Rodon to their rotation.

Then, he dives into why the Dallas Cowboys' ceiling is lower than that of fellow NFC powers in the 49ers and the Eagles, and why the New York Giants belong in the playoffs and their future is the brightest it has been in a long time, then he goes over some key injuries to Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry and how it'll impact their Lakers and Warriors teams.

In today's podcast:

John goes over some of the things he saw in the NFL in Week 14, including reality setting in for the Arizona Cardinals following Kyler Murray's season-ending injury, the Philadelphia Eagles' dominance, and Brock Purdy becoming relevant in San Francisco. Then, he goes over the crazy contracts for baseball's biggest stars handed out over the past few days, such as Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and more, as well as Alexander Ovechkin's legacy following his 800th career goal! The FIFA World Cup Final is set between Kylian Mbappe and France and Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Then, John picks every game in Week 15 in the NFL against the spread.

On today's podcast:

With a three-game winning streak entering a winnable Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams tomorrow night, the Las Vegas Raiders have a more favorable than unfavorable schedule the rest of the season, but can they make the playoffs? Plus, what should the Baltimore Ravens be thinking about without Lamar Jackson available for their first clash with Kenny Pickett and the Steelers on Sunday? And do the Miami Dolphins have a viable path to the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs? If so, it starts by beating Justin Herbrt and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

Then, John makes his picks and predictions for Week 14 in the NFL against the spread. 

On today's podcast:

John discusses three blockbuster free agent signings that have taken place over the past 48 hours and the ramifications over them. Jacob deGrom signed a 5-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers, Justin Verlander signs a two-year, $86 million deal with the New York Mets, and Trea Turner signs with the Philadelphia Phillies for an 11-year, $300 million deal as John reacts in real time to the breaking news.

John then says the College Football Playoff selection committee got the final four teams right, and the 12-team playoff in 2024 should be exciting for everyone involved in college football, and the Philadelphia Eagles re-established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC after demolishing the Tennessee Titans 35-10 on Sunday, and the San Francisco 49ers lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the season on a broken foot.

Today:

John discusses some of the key matchups in Week 13 in the NFL, such as the importance of the Buffalo Bills to win vs. the New England Patriots in a key divisional tilt in Foxboro on Thursday night, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel making his return to San Francisco to face his old boss Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals meeting for the first time since last season's AFC Championship Game, the implications of the Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants game at MetLife Stadium, and DeShaun Watson comes off an 11-game suspension to face his old team, the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Then, John makes his official Week 13 NFL Picks against the spread. He had a good week last week going 11-5 straight up and 9-7 against the spread. He is now 115-64-1 straight up and 93-81-6 against the spread on the season.

In today's podcast:

John goes over the big takeaways from the weekend in the NFL, comparing the Arizona Cardinals situation to that of the New York Jets, the Green Bay Packers seem destined for a coaching change on defense, and the Denver Broncos embarrassing themselves... again!

John explains why Brazil's victory over Switzerland in the World Cup group stage is a big deal, and why Brazil and France should be considered the favorites to win the World Cup, and why Team USA will (and must) win vs. Iran tomorrow.