Weekly Takes - Monday, September 11th

Weekly Takes - Monday, September 11th

1. I like the Senators gambling long-term with Jake Sanderson.

He was a high draft pick who excelled in top-four minutes in his rookie season. There is no reason to believe he will not be a top-four defenceman throughout the duration of his contract.

2. The Nationals should be embarrassed about how they have handled the Stephen Strasburg situation.

They came to retirement terms with the greatest player in franchise history, only to take back everything they agreed to at the last minute.

A small market franchise cannot afford to pull stunts like these. Players notice.

3. Make no mistake about it, if Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins represent Canada in the Olympics in 2024, they should have the second best team in the World, outside of Team USA.

This should have been the case four years ago, if not eight, but it is finally happening now, so fans should embrace this team and enjoy the best generation of Canadian Basketball that there has ever been.

4. My concern regarding Dan Campbell coming into the season was will he be just as aggressive in his play-calling now that results matter in Detroit.

We have our answer. Dan Campbell does not live in his fears.

5. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong, for the Steelers against an elite 49ers team.

That does not have to be the end of the world for a team who the entire league was hyping after a great offseason and preseason.

It is good to be humbled early.

6. The most predictable result of Week One may very well have been the Browns beating the Bengals.

They have their number and Joe Burrow was coming in rusty.

I do not think it is possible to breakdown both teams beyond those two talking points.

7. The Ravens are always doomed by injuries and suffered two massive ones in Week One.

It is tough seeing them recover from this. Their margin for error is razor thin from here-on-out.

8. Overreaction Monday is always a slippery slope after the first week of the NFL season, but it is tough not to look at the Vikings loss and think this is what is in store for them this season.

They all but ran the table in close games last season. That is not going to sustain itself again this year.

9. The one team that has gotten my interest after Week One? The Falcons.

Their run game is the real deal and their defence is improved.

Watch out, NFC South.

10. My Week Two NFL Predictions, after going 5-10 in Week One, with MNF still pending…

• Vikings (+7.5)

• Chiefs (-2.5)

• Bills (-9.5)

• Bengals (-3)

• Chargers (-3)

• Seahawks (+5.5)

• Colts (+1.5)

• Falcons (+1)

• Bears (+3)

• Giants (-5)

• 49ers (-6.5)

• Commanders (+3.5)

• Cowboys (-2.5)

• Dolphins (-2.5)

• Panthers (+3)

• Steelers (+1.5)