Weekly Takes - Monday, January 8th Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, January 8th Edition

1. My three stars from the Maple Leafs impressive win against the Kings on Tuesday…

1. Matthew Knies

2. Simon Benoit

3. William Nylander

As sound of a defensive game the Leafs have played all season. Impressive, given the opponent. 

Martin Jones continues to impress in net, while Benoit continues to show he is worthy of receiving playing time every game.

It has been a while since the Leafs have had a defenceman like him.

2. My three stars from the Leafs dominant, albeit close win over the Ducks on Wednesday…

1. Auston Matthews

2. John Tavares

3. Nylander

As dominant of a game that the Leafs have played in recent memory, yet it took overtime.

Goalies, man.

3. My three stars from the Leafs dominant win – again – this time over the Sharks on Saturday…

1. Nylander

2. Matthews

3. Marner

As impressive of a road trip as the Leafs have had in the Matthews era, opponents be dammed. 

4. My three stars from Canada’s quarterfinals loss to Czechia on Tuesday…

1. Connor Geekie 

2. Macklin Celebrini 

3. Easton Cowan

A forgettable year for Team Canada, who lost two key defencemen days before the tournament, had so much talent missing in the NHL, and simply did not have the roster that previous versions of Team Canada have had in recent years.

Making matters only worse was so much of their top talent (Fraser Minten, Jordan Dumias, Matthew Poirtas, Matthew Savoie, and Owen Beck) were all non-factors.

A lot of that has to fall on coaching – when that much talent underperforms – but the reality is the team simply did not gel. Not a shocking development with only one returning player.

Here’s hoping for a better World Junior a year from now, in Ottawa, with more returning players and a better group of higher-end talent.

5. Najee Harris may not be the explosive running back that you would hope to have when you spend a first-round pick on a running back, but week-in, week out, he gets the job done.

The Steelers will go into next season with an elite running-back duo.

6. With the NFL season now complete, here are a list of general managers and head coaches that I would move on from if I were their respective teams…

General Managers…

• Scott Fitterer (Panthers)

• Martin Mayhew (Commanders)

Head Coaches…

• Arthur Smith (Falcons)

• Dennis Allen (Saints)

• Ron Rivera (Commanders)

It is also time for New England to move on from Bill Belichick. They can not do the rebuild that they need to do with him at the helm.

7. My list of coordinators that I think should be getting serious consideration for head coaching opportunities…

• Ben Johnson (Lions OC)

• Eric Bieniemy (Commanders OC)

• Jim Harbaugh (Michigan Head Coach)

• Klint Kubiak (49ers Passing Game Specialist)

• Bobby Slowik (Texans OC)

• Frank Smith (Dolphins OC)

• Mike MacDonald (Ravens DC)

• Steve Wilks (49ers DC)

• Brian Flores (Vikings DC)

8. My year-end NFL awards…

• MVP: Lamar Jackson 

• OPOY: Christian McCaffery 

• DPOY: TJ Watt

• ROY: CJ Stroud 

• EOY: John Lynch 

• COY: Demeco Ryans 

9. My thoughts on each team who did not make the playoffs…

• Jets, Colts, Bengals, and Vikings: All four teams get their starting quarterbacks back – and will be playoff contenders because of that – but the Jets and Vikings get Rodgers and Cousins back with major question marks. The Bengals roster, meanwhile, continues to get worse by the season. The Colts are the only team that should feel confident about taking a step forever.

• Patriots and Titans: Simply put, massive rebuilds are in store. 

• Broncos and Raiders: Two solid rosters, but both are in need of quarterbacks with no obvious solutions in sight. 

• Jaguars: The most overrated team in football. An average defence, with far too many overrated players on offence, including at the quarterback position. The Texans are the team of the future in the South, not the Jags.

• Chargers: A make-or-break offseason for the Chargers, who need to have success with Justin Herbert. This has gone on for too long.

• Giants, Commanders, and Falcons: Lots of holes on all three teams, but none bigger than at quarterback. All three teams have to draft a quarterback in April. The Giants and Falcons could be in the playoffs as early as next season if they do.

• Bears: There is no more interesting team to follow this offseason than the Bears. They could take a massive leap in 2024.

• Panthers: A historic house cleaning is needed. They are years away from contention. 

• Seahawks: Improve the defence and they can be a playoff team a year from now. They need to start looking for a Geno Smith replacement, too.

• Cardinals: I would build around Kyler Murray and try to put together the best possible roster around him. The offence has enough pieces to make for an interesting team.

10. My 2024 NFL Playoff Predictions…

AFC…

Wild Card…

• Bills beat Steelers (-9.5)

• Kansas City beats Miami (-3)

• Cleveland beats Houston (-1.5)

Divisional Round…

• Ravens beat Browns

• Bills beat Kansas City

Championship Game..

• Ravens beat Bills 

NFC…

Wild Card Round…

• Cowboys beat Packers (-7)

• Rams beat Lions (+3.5)

• Bucs beat Eagles (+2.5)

Divisional Round…

• 49ers beat Bucs

• Cowboys beat Rams

Championship Game…

• 49ers beat Cowboys 

Super Bowl…

• 49ers beat Ravens

Some amazing playoff football in store. There is nothing better.

As for my regular season betting record, I have finished the season 147-118.