Hooked on Sports

In today's podcast:

The Chicago Bears announced on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Justin Fields will make his first NFL start on Sunday as the 1-1 Bears visit the 1-1 Cleveland Browns; John explains why Bears fans should be rejoicing in the news. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams face off in the only clash of unbeatens on Sunday, but is this a preview of the NFC Championship Game? And the Giants and Falcons meet on Sunday with both teams avoiding 0-3 starts, so who is winning this weekend?

Summary of picks so far:

Straight Up: Week 2: 10-6, Overall: 16-16

Against the Spread: Week 2: 10-5-1, Overall: 14-17-1

Spreads for this week's games:

Panthers @ Texans (TNF) - CAR -8.0

Washington @ Bills - BUF -8.0

Bears @ Browns - CLE -7.0

Ravens @ Lions - BAL -8.5

Cardinals @ Jaguars - ARI  -7.0

Chargers @ Chiefs - KC -6.5

Saints @ Patriots - NE -3.0

Falcons @ Giants - NYG -3.0

Bengals @ Steelers - PIT -3.0

Colts @ Titans - TEN -5.5

Jets @ Broncos - DEN -10.5

Dolphins @ Raiders - LV -4.0

Buccaneers @ Rams - TB -1.0

Seahawks @ Vikings - SEA -1.5

Packers @ 49ers SF -3.5

Eagles @ Cowboys DAL -4.0

It was a rollicking second Sunday of the NFL season, with so many games being uber-competitive, and John gets into detail why the Baltimore Ravens defeating the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night was a big deal, as was the Las Vegas Raiders picking up a road victory in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Then, he discusses why there should be major concerns about the Eagles after they lost their home opener to the 49ers, and how the Cowboys overcame the elements to take down the Chargers. And why should the Washington Football Team be concerned about its defense? That and a lot more coverage today, as well as Penn State and Alabama football winning, and the playoff races in baseball, particularly the AL Wild Card and the NL West

It's week 2 of the NFL season, and there are sixteen teams that are trying to avoid the dreaded 0-2 start, and even though all 20 teams that started their seasons with two straight losses the last two seasons have missed the playoffs, this year might prove to be different, and John explains why. Also, will Ryan Fitzpatrick's injury prove to be a sorry scenario for the Washington Football Team as they take on the division rival New York Giants tonight, and what about the injury to DeMarcus Lawrence for the Cowboys?

Today's episode looks at the good, the bad, and the ugly from Week 1 in the NFL, with the Dallas Cowboys looked like a playoff-caliber team in spite of a last second loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night, while Aaron Rodgers suffered the most lopsided loss of his career as he threw 2 interceptions and just 133 passing yards in a 38-3 loss to Jameis Winston and the Saints.

Also, John discusses Iowa's statement win over in-state rival Iowa State on Saturday and what that means for the Big Ten the rest of the season, and the Blue Jays making their case as a World Series contender as the hottest team in baseball with three weeks left before the playoffs begin.

The NFL is back! And so is Hooked On Sports' weekly NFL preview show, where John Flynn makes his picks and predictions against the spread for the upcoming week of games in the NFL. And there are some good games out there this week. Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their Super Bowl title defense with a victory over Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night? In a potential playoff preview, can the Cleveland Browns go into Kansas City and take down the two-time defending AFC Champion Chiefs? And how will Mac Jones do in his NFL debut as his New England Patriots host Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins in a showdown of former Alabama QB's? 

But before John gets into his picks, he discusses two topics that could be huge storylines in the NFL in 2021: The strength of the NFC West, and the invaluability of a strong offensive line with stadiums back to full capacity.

Last year's records with the picks: Straight Up: 185-83-1, Against the Spread: 133-129-7

NFL Spreads:

Cowboys @ Buccaneers (TB -8.0)

Eagles @ Falcons (ATL -3.0)

Steelers @ Bills (BUF -6.5)

Jets @ Panthers (CAR -5.5)

Vikings @ Bengals (MIN -3.0)

49ers @ Lions (SF -7.5)

Jaguars @ Texans (JAX -3.0)

Seahawks @ Colts (SEA -2.5)

Cardinals @ Titans (TEN 3.0)

Chargers @ Washington Football Team (LAC -1.0)

Browns @ Chiefs (KC -6.0)

Dolphins @ Patriots (NE -3.0)

Packers @ Saints (in Jacksonville) (GB -3.0)

Broncos @ Giants (DEN -3.0)

Bears @ Rams (LAR -7.5)

Ravens @ Raiders (BAL -4.5)

In this week's Hooked on Sports:

An entertaining Week 1 of the college football season brought about new hope in the sport, with full capacity venues, and compelling performances. John looks into the thrilling game between Florida State and 9th ranked Notre Dame and why Florida State is a feel-good story in the ACC with McKenzie Milton overcoming a serious injury, and how Alabama distinguished itself with a 44-13 blowout victory over 14th ranked Miami. The baseball season enters its final four weeks of the season and the Giants held serve to own the best record in baseball with a statement series win over the Dodgers. 

Finally, John unveils and locks in his 2021 NFL season predictions: Win-loss records for all 32 teams, the playoff field, award winners, and the Super Bowl LVI matchup.

In this week's Hooked on Sports Podcast:

A new era has begun in Foxboro as the New England Patriots named Mac Jones as the starting quarterback and released Cam Newton, so how will it unfold. How will David Bakhtiari's injury impact the Green Bay Packers' quest for a championship, and should the Giants be concerned about the offensive line as the season begins? 

That, and a lot more this week!

On this week's podcast:

John explains why he disagrees with the decision of the Chicago Bears to start Andy Dalton as their Week 1 starting quarterback, how Cam Newton's COVID situation opens the door on Mac Jones to make his NFL debut, and why it's no surprise that Teddy Bridgewater got the nod over Drew Lock in the Broncos' QB battle. Also, numbers back up his claim that the Seahawks will eventually regret extending star safety Jamal Adams, and why he thinks the pennant races in baseball this year are intriguing.

This Week on the Podcast:

The landscape in baseball has certainly changed after the trade deadline, with the Phillies surging and four teams in the AL East are at 10 games over .500 or more, and the Cubs trading away their core players. John outlines the impacts of arguably the most dramatic sports trade deadline in recent memory from two weeks ago.

Plus, John focuses and chimes in on four stories in NFL training camps as preseason games for most of the league get underway: Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy's comments on HBO's "Hard Knocks" season premiere, star quarterback Josh Allen signing a new six year contract extension last week, how the Chicago Bears should manage their quarterback situation, and why Colts fans should be optimistic and feel relieved about early returns from injury for quarterback Carson Wentz and All-Pro left guard Quentin Nelson.

Then, John discusses the Russell Westbrook to the Lakers trade, and the Knicks beefing up their roster by retaining several key free agents and adding ex-Celtics Kemba Walker and Ryan Fournier.

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After a summer of turmoil, Aaron Rodgers will in fact play for the Green Bay Packers this season, and John believes in the first segment that it changes the whole equation in the NFL this season. Elsewhere, Simone Biles shocked the world with a  courageous change in heart about competing in the gymnastics all-around events in the Olympics after a mental health issue got to her. Give her credit for acknowledging the issue, but John thinks it exposes hypocrisies of both liberals and conservatives in America on the mental health debate and believes nobody is going to win that debate. John also discusses the return of Joe Burrow and the pressure on Daniel Jones, and the latest on baseball's trade deadline.