And now at the 11th hour a mean, hard-breaking curveball has been thrown into mix of the Seahawks’ search for their next head caoch.
According to a report by Tom Pelissero at NFL network, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has informed both the Seahawks and the Commanders that he’s staying in Detroit.
Johnson is still only 37 and will be a hot head coaching candidate again next year. But first, he wants to take another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/lPg2Po33sx
Johnson did the same thing last year, bowing out of the head coach race in order to stick with the Lions as OC. Nevertheless, this time around it comes as a shock as Johnson was the hottest head coach candidate still on the market. The most-recent reporting suggested that the Commanders were going all out to get him, but the Seahawks were still in the running.
Speaking of Seattle, today the team is interviewing Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, whose chances of landing the head coach job just went up.
Three games remain. Four teams with two in each conference. The remaining two in the NFC are the north winning Detroit Lions and the west division and conference leading San Francisco 49ers. Both teams have potent offenses, underrated quarterbacks, hard-hitting defenses, and intelligent coaches. Time to determine who will advance to the Super Bowl.
#3 Detroit Lions v. #1 San Francisco 49ers
The last time the Lions played San Francisco, it was the first game Dan Campbell coached for the franchise. A lot has changed especially at quarterback for the 49ers.
Unlike the AFC matchup, both teams are dealing with injuries to important players. Detroit’s tight-end Sam LaPorta, center Frank Ragnow and middle linebacker Alex Anzalone are playing with some form of muscle injury or bone fracture. San Francisco’s most important player Deebo Samuel doesn’t have a hairline fracture in his shoulder, but he’s struggling with full movement.
Injuries aside, the winner of this conference championship must be more physical and own the time of possession each half. Detroit has to rely on their runningback tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to keep San Francisco’s front seven off-balance. Quarterback Jared Goff is winless in his last five games against the 49ers, but the Lions receiving core and offensive line are better than when these teams faced off week one in 2021.
San Francisco’s offense doesn’t have to rely as much on Samuel against the Aaron Glenn-led Lions defense. The 49ers offensive line is equipped to neutralize Detroit’s pass-rush. The Lions linebackers and whole secondary struggled to tackle receivers A.J. Brown and Mike Evans the last two games. Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle will be hard to tackle one-on-one. It’ll be a long day for Detroit’s defense.
Prediction: 49ers win the NFC championship 38-24 and advance to Super Bowl LVIII
Three games remain. Four teams with two in each conference. The remaining two in the AFC are the west winning Kansas City Chiefs and the north division winning and conference leading Baltimore Ravens. Both teams have fast offenses, star quarterbacks, elite defenses, and bright-minded veteran head coaches. Time to determine who will advance to the Super Bowl.
#3 Kansas City Chiefs v. #1 Baltimore Ravens
Kansas City’s Travis Kelce (87) will have the focus of Baltimore’s secondary. The Chiefs need the receiving core to have their best game of the season Sunday.
The last time quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes II and Lamar Jackson faced off was week two 2021. A lot has happened for both teams since that Monday night game. Baltimore has the better and more talented offense while the Chiefs have struggled most of the season to score more than 21 points a game.
The biggest matchup will be Mahomes’ play-calling at the line of scrimmage versus Ravens captain and middle linebacker Roquan Smith. Smith is easily Baltimore’s best at the position since All-Pro Hall of Famer Ray Lewis retired after the 2012-2013 season. Roquan Smith captains the best scoring defense (16.5 points per game) that also had the most sacks in the league (58). His team-leading 158 tackles sets the tone. Mahomes must deceive Smith early and often to get an edge over him and the Ravens defense. It’ll be harder for the Chiefs to replicate last week’s offensive success against a defense at full health.
Buffalo’s receivers gave Kansas City’s secondary a lot of problems last Sunday. While Stefon Diggs is the focus of most defenses, the Bills found ways to move the ball on defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary without Gabe Davis. Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor are too much for each member of the Chiefs secondary to cover one-on-one. The linebackers and front four will also have to deal with tight-ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely added in the passing game. Last but not least, there’s the endless possibility of Lamar Jackson extending plays past three seconds with his legs.
If anyone doubts how close this could be, keep in mind Ravens star tight-end Mark Andrews will return (via USA Today and PFF; Andrews not playing versus Houston was a late Friday decision) Sunday. Kansas City played against a Buffalo defense that didn’t have their leading tacklers and star linebackers, squeaking out a three point win. Baltimore will be ready against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Prediction: Ravens win the AFC championship 31-21 and advance to Super Bowl LVIII
The NFC wildcard weekend had everything audiences wanted. History was made with Detroit’s first playoff win since the fall of the Soviet Union. Green Bay defied predictions and crushed the Cowboys, ending their winning streak of 15 games at home. The remaining four (the San Francisco 49ers had a week off) teams have a great shot at getting to both the conference championship and the Super Bowl. Even with an inexperienced Packers team remaining, no team is an easy out. It’s time to analyze which two teams have the best chance at making the next round.
#7 Green Bay Packers v. #1 San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Love (10) and Aaron Jones (33) are becoming a problem for any serious title contender in the NFC.
Green Bay shocked many by thumping the Cowboys last Sunday. Coach Matt LaFleur made sure the offense dominated time of possession when the game was close and drew up the right trick plays. San Francisco is not Dallas, and that more pressure on LaFleur to find specific weaknesses against the NFL’s most complete defense.
The 49ers offense also has a better offensive line and better playmakers than the Cowboys. Many will find out why Green Bay defensive coordinator Joe Barry is constantly ridiculed with his play-calling when receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk take control. The Packers have been a pleasant surprise this season after their first half stumble, but their season ends Saturday night in Santa Clara.
Prediction: 49ers win 31-13
#4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. #3 Detroit Lions
Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) could play more loose and free Sunday after getting Detroit their first playoff win in over 30 years. That could make Detroit’s offense more dangerous.
Another regular season re-match, Detroit could play more loose after getting their first postseason win since the early 1990s. They’re gifted with another home playoff game after Green Bay defeated Dallas last Sunday. That means Ford Field will be one of the loudest buildings in U.S. sports this weekend.
The Buccaneers demolished Philadelphia on Monday night. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has improved this year and Tampa’s defense tackles well and plays mean. It’s the matchup Lions head coach Dan Campbell wanted as he’s instilled a physical, dominant mindset in the Motor City .
Detroit’s offensive line and receivers will determine how well the team does in the divisional round. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta were decisive in the week six win in Tampa Bay. If the Lions want to make the championship round, their secondary has to disguise coverages and the offense must dominate time of possession.
Wildcard weekend wasn’t competitive in the AFC. Kansas City, Houston and Buffalo controlled their games and won with few scares. The remaining four (the Baltimore Ravens had a week off) teams have a great shot at getting to both the conference championship and the Super Bowl. Even with an inexperienced Texans team remaining, no team is an easy out. It’s time to analyze which two teams have the best chance of making the next round.
#4 Houston Texans v. #1 Baltimore Ravens
Houston’s C.J. Stroud (7) is close behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson for most valuable player. Despite the week one thrashing, both teams mirror each other on every side of the ball.
A lot has changed since Baltimore’s dominant week one win in Houston. Second overall pick C.J. Stroud IV is the NFL’s rookie of the year, and could get some league MVP votes due to how he’s propelled the Texans this far into the postseason.
Both teams mirror each other well. They have layered, dynamic offenses and stout defenses. Where they differ is depth at runningback and receiver. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson finally has the help he wanted for years with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. at receiver and Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar at tight-end. Jackson’s favorite option Mark Andrews will also return. Houston can only do so much with so little.
Prediction: Ravens win 34-21
#3 Kansas City Chiefs v. #2 Buffalo Bills
As long as this game doesn’t reach overtime, Buffalo’s has the advantage as Josh Allen (17) and company have looked unstoppable since Thanksgiving weekend.
This matchup will have every casual and serious football fan’s attention. This time in part three of Patrick Mahomes II v. Josh Allen, Kansas City plays their first road playoff game since 2015 (sans Super Bowl appearances). The Bills are at home and just as last weekend, there will be multiple winter weather advantages in western New York.
The big difference outside receiving depth will be Kansas City’s adjustment on the road in a hostile, winter environment. Mahomes has yet to play winter football in another venue especially with high winds. While both offenses will have to match and read different coverages, Buffalo’s tight end duo of Dawson Knox and Dalton Kinkaid might deal more damage toward the Chiefs linebackers, giving receivers like Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir more one-on-one opportunities. This is when Kansas City would benefit with a few more receiving options.
Before continuing, let’s all admit not every obstacle Durant’s faced is because of him. The Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City because owner Clay Bennett decided on a different, friendlier venue. Kevin Durant left Golden State because of an incompetent medical staff that made certain leg injuries worse and lied about them. Any player in any sport would’ve made the same move.
Anyways, how would you feel if Los Angeles Lakers and league star LeBron James did even half of what Kevin Durant has done? James has faced constant criticism no matter the media outlet. Most of it borders on or is absolute hatred stemming from his 2011 decision to leave Cleveland and play in Miami. Durant’s goal mirrored LeBron’s where he teamed up with certain superstars to create a championship dynasty.
While both James and Durant won two championships with the second team they played for, one went back to his home state and played for the team that drafted him, while the other wanted to create a new legacy on the opposite coast. Hilariously, the player that did the first option is still the most criticized and hated player in the league despite him winning his hometown team’s first ever NBA championship. The latter blew a 3-1 series lead against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and then signed with them in free agency. Can you imagine if LeBron James was embarrassed by the Boston Celtics or San Antonio Spurs in a seven game series when he was in Cleveland, and then signed with them in free agency? Basketball fans would do more than scorn NBA leadership.
This isn’t even half of what Kevin Durant’s done. We can understand the decision to start fresh with a far away east coast team but only if there’s a well, thought-out plan. Reuniting with close friends and doing whatever you want is a bad look, especially if that friend causes the most drama and doesn’t play at least 41 games each year they’re on the roster. Don’t forget that close friend took an anti-vaccine stance during the first worldwide pandemic of the 21st century. Again, how would LeBron James be viewed if this happened to him?
Predictably, Durant’s time in Brooklyn didn’t live up to the expectations. So he forced his way back to the western conference via trade to Phoenix. At the time, the Suns’ coach was Monty Williams. Phoenix had a dual guard threat in Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Since Durant’s arrival, the highlights include a first round playoff series win against the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (they both sprained their right knees), a lopsided 4-2 second round playoff series loss to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets, Williams being fired, Paul signing with the Warriors in free agency and a trade for Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal. The latter move hasn’t worked so far because Beal’s injuries have limited team chemistry with the other two stars. Phoenix has lost a lot more games than expected, posting a 21-17 record as of this publishing. Now there’s a report saying Durant is, “disgruntled and losing patience.”
To those reading this: when do we hold Kevin Durant to the same threshold many have branded on LeBron James? James has been bashed in the media for numerous reasons, but not for bailing on a team midseason. Everyone would remember an epic 3-1 postseason series collapse against a historically great team had James been on that end. If LeBron cost his team a trip to the championship because half of his foot was behind the three-point line to tie or take the lead in a game seven, it would be branded as a stain on his legacy of being a top 4 player (minimum) of all-time. All of this has happened with Kevin Durant. Yet many aren’t as quick to criticize him as they are the league’s all-time scorer. Let’s be objective and understand the athlete most of us have watched since being drafted second overall may be more of a problem than a solution.
Phoenix’s Kevin Durant blows past Utah’s Talen Horton-Tucker (5) in a November win. Many wonder if Durant will finish out the year in Arizona.
Here’s the first ever NBA power rankings on jdsportscorner.com. These will show where all 30 teams objectively stand. Some teams will have tiebreakers based off of how they’d perform on a neutral site.
30. Detroit Pistons
There are so many things to say about Detroit but here’s the most objective one: while nobody expected them to make the playoffs, almost everyone had them improving and having a better record before the All-Star break. The 2023-2024 Pistons might be historically awful, which is saying a lot.
#29 Washington Wizards
I’ll add that if there was a prediction on which team would have four wins by mid-January, Washington would be the easy choice due to their awful roster and free agency spending. The Wizards are lucky Detroit’s mind-bendingly bad.
#28 Charlotte Hornets
The good news is LaMelo Ball’s back, so there should be improvement. The bad news is there’s nothing Charlotte’s good at without him.
#27 San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio leads the fantastic four of awful basketball teams. Victor Wembanyama is wonderful to watch and Gregg Popovich has a passion to coach again. The Spurs must build around their league changing center once the season ends.
#26 Portland Trailblazers
Once their regular season ends, we’ll probably look back at Portland’s hiring of Chauncey Billups as the franchise’s lowest point since the Jail Blazers era. There’s no way the Trailblazers should be last in points per game.
#25 Memphis Grizzlies
Much of Memphis’ awful 2023 season will be centered on Ja Morant, but a former second overall pick are and should not be the main reasons. The injuries to Desmond Bane, Steven Adams and Marcus Smart have taken a toll on the offense, making it one of the worst units in the league.
#24 Toronto Raptors
After trading Pascal Siakam, it’s official Toronto’s rebuilding and has given up on the season. Take a look at the roster outside Siakam and make an argument this team can compete for the playoffs.
#23 Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta has to be relieved there are other bad teams dominating news headlines. Quin Snyder was hired and given more freedom to improve the Hawks both on and off the court. They’ve had one winning streak of more than two games since the season began and that was at the end of October.
#22 Golden State Warriors
I don’t know if the championship window has closed but there are two moves that have to be made before the All-Star break. The first is management trading players and improving the roster. The Warriors can’t ignore the issues at center anymore. They’re in need of better scorers and team defense. The second move is firing coach Steve Kerr. When you have multiple players saying they aren’t being developed right, it’s a coaching issue. Kerr got Golden State to six finals appearances and won four of them. He deserves the praises for making the team a dynasty. Unfortunately, the stars of those teams are older and the younger players aren’t seeing improvement. The changes would bring more confidence to a team struggling to hold fourth quarter leads.
#21 Brooklyn Nets
If the playoffs were held today, the Nets would be in the play-in due to their tiebreaker over Atlanta. This is another reason Snyder should be scrutinized more. He has Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, a good guard duo while coach Jacque Vaughn has led three, three game winning streaks with Mikal Bridges as the team’s leading scorer.
#20 Chicago Bulls
As a Chicago native, it brought me a certain amount of personal satisfaction hearing the Bulls faithful boo Jerry Krause’s Ring of Honor induction. Krause was very good at the job for which he was hired and paid handsomely for. He was also a petulant, childish, jealous and egotistical little man who knew he would never have the regard or respect of the great players he bullied and punished time and again. Despite the elite statuses of both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, neither were paid what they were worth because the Jerrys (Krause and the team owner Reinsdorf) were notorious in being cheap businessmen. Phil Jackson (who received a standing ovation and cheers right after Krause’s booing) was told he was being relieved from his job no matter how the 1997-1998 season ended. NBA legends such as Kevin Garnett were adamant they’d never play for Chicago due to how those in Illinois witnessed management’s treatment towards the best sports dynasty of the 1990s. So unless it’s former players or Illinois residents saying otherwise, anyone standing up for Jerry Krause has no idea who they’re talking about. In the 29 years I’ve lived in Chicago, there have only been three people in sports business where sports analysts (especially radio) cheered when news broke of their deaths. Krause was one of them.
That being said, it’s hilarious Jerry Reinsdorf’s hiring of current executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has done almost nothing. As soon as Karnisovas left Denver, the Nuggets became a complete team and then won their first championship in franchise history. Well done Jerry.
#19 Houston Rockets
Ime Udoka was a great hire for the Rockets, who are a top ten rebounding team. There isn’t enough star talent to push this team into the play-in but they’re much better and it shows each night.
#18 Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are fortunate Golden State is imploding because if not, there would be a lot more heat on both coach Darvin Ham and general manager Rob Pelinka. Los Angeles is inconsistent and part of that is due to the roster Pelinka’s built. If anyone should get fired from the organization, it has to be him.
#17 Utah Jazz
Funny what winning six games out of seven will do in a conference packed together with teams one or two wins apart from each other. Coach Will Hardy is getting the most out of a roster many expected would be lower in the standings by mid-February.
#16 Phoenix Suns
While above was centered around Kevin Durant, Phoenix is just as inconsistent as the Lakers, but with more stars. They’re 5-3 this month and one of those wins was a 22 point fourth quarter comeback against Sacramento. They shouldn’t have been in that position against a division rival. How the Suns perform on their seven game road-trip starting next Wednesday will tell us where this team is mentally.
#15 Orlando Magic
The Magic are where I thought they’d be when I made my 2023-2024 season picks. They’ve learned from the past few years of blowout losses how to play better offense and defense, but they’re still young and inexperienced compared to most playoff-bound teams. They’re losing closer games but teams see the maturity.
#14 Dallas Mavericks
Another streaky team that fits where they’re ranked. Dallas is playing well without Luka but it’s debatable on how long that lasts.
#13 Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s wild to see how this team has a lot of talented players and keeps maturing but could wind up being the third best team coming out of the central once the playoffs begin. Cleveland’s won six straight and is one game ahead of Indiana.
#12 Indiana Pacers
Wow. They really got Pascal Siakam. Starting with the hiring of Rick Carlisle, Indiana’s upside is fantastic. They’ve already swept the season series against Milwaukee and have the best scoring offense and field goal percentage in the league. Siakam playing with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner will make this a more dangerous team and a hard out once the playoffs start.
#11 New York Knicks
New York has only two losses this month for a combined eight points (four point losses to the Mavericks and Magic). Outside of back-to-back games against last season’s finals teams, the Knicks should win out the rest of the month.
#10 New Orleans Pelicans
This team really needs the best out of Zion Williamson because the next month and a half (minus the All-Star break) will test how ready the Pelicans are to take the next step and show they’re at least a playoff contender who can make it to the second round.
#9 Sacramento Kings
Mike Brown’s a great coach but the blown leads against Milwaukee, Phoenix and Indiana could damage the team’s confidence especially when there’s no consistency in the pacific division. They can’t have any more fourth quarter collapses the rest of January.
#8 Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo is the second leading scorer, top rebounder and averages the third most assists for Miami’s offense mid-January. That might be why the Heat are starting to pull away from the southeast division race.
#7 Los Angeles Clippers
The big question with the Clippers always is, “are they ever going to reach their max potential?” when the playoffs start. We’re months away from that being answered but viewers have to appreciate how better team chemistry between Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and James Harden has led to a 23-7 record since November 7th (the best stretch in the NBA in that span).
#6 Oklahoma City Thunder
I really wanted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win last year’s MVP because you never know if a player can replicate a season quite like he could for Oklahoma City. Thankfully, he’s gaining a lot more attention and more people want him to win an MVP this season. The Thunder are dangerous when he takes charge. Gilgeous-Alexander has led OKC to the second best record in the western conference. That’s a phenomenal accomplishment.
#5 Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee should be higher on this list but their defense is atrocious. Of course when you trade for Damian Lillard, someone of Jrue Holiday’s caliber has to go. It’s still mind-boggling to watch how easily opponents score on the Bucks.
#4 Minnesota Timberwolves
I know, they’re the best team in the west but there’s a lot with this team to question. My critique is how Minnesota will perform the closer we get to the postseason. Will Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns play more aggressive when it matters most or will they shrink away?
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
Anyone keeping up with the NBA knew Nick Nurse was going to be a great hire for Philadelphia to take the next steps towards a finals appearance. It’s shown with point guard Tyrese Maxey. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid finally has a reliable second option when he has off-nights. If Nurse is able to find a third option before the postseason, the 76ers could become the east’s top team.
#2 Denver Nuggets
The reigning champions picked up where they left off and are one of the hardest units to beat. Michael Porter Jr. being the third main scoring option is a nightmare for the other 29 teams to work through.
#1 Boston Celtics
Everything is going right for coach Joe Mazzulla in his second season. Free agent signing Kristaps Porzingis leads in averaged block shots and is third in total scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage. That takes pressure off stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The 2023-2024 NFL regular season is over. 14 teams in two conferences (seven in each) have a chance at winning the Vince Lombardi championship trophy. For those unfamiliar with the updated playoff format, an extra team was added. That means there’s one bye week for the top seeded team in each conference and a Monday night playoff game. Everyone wants to know which three teams in the NFC advance to the divisional round, so here are the best picks come Sunday.
#7 Green Bay Packers v. #2 Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is the NFC’s best player this wildcard weekend. Although their passing game is great, Dallas’ running game needs to improve if they want to make it to the conference championship.
Dallas has won an impressive 15 straight home games (including playoffs). Dak Prescott is a worthy MVP nominee given how many analysts didn’t think the Cowboys would come close to winning the NFC East. The defense has also been one of the best in the league.
That said, Green Bay is on a roll right now. Runningback Aaron Jones’ last three games were all 100 yard performances. The Packers are 7-3 since Halloween with wins against Detroit, Kansas City and a Minnesota team that almost made the playoffs. You can bet coach Matt LaFleur will call run plays against a Dallas defense that struggles against the run. Jones being the go-to option also neutralizes pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
The deciding factor will be the Cowboys receivers against Green Bay’s secondary. CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Martavis Bryant are better and more consistent than the trio of Corey Ballentine, Darnell Savage and Jaire Alexander. The Packers will make this close, but the home team should get a well earned win.
Prediction: Cowboys win 27-23
#6 Los Angeles Rams v. #3 Detroit Lions
Jared Goff (16, white) and Matthew Stafford face off against their former teams in what will be Detroit’s first home playoff game since 1994.
Head coach Sean McVay surprised everyone and led Los Angeles to ten wins with a bunch of rookies and new players on all three sides of the ball. Rookies Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Quentin Lake have elevated the play of their teammates while dominating at their positions. Detroit’s defense might have a hard time not just defending Nakua and number one team receiver Cooper Kupp, but trying to hold any leads the offense gets.
While coach McVay has been in loud stadiums before, nothing will prepare him nor any other team for how loud, festive and fun Ford Field will be in hosting Detroit’s first playoff home game since 1994. Injuries to receivers Kalif Raymond and Sam LaPorta are a valid concern but the Lions boast the best offensive line in the league and the best runningback tandem in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Expect Detroit to own the time of possession and keep Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford off the field as they desperately try to win their first postseason game in 33 years.
Prediction: Lions win 33-13
#5 Philadelphia Eagles v. #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One has to think Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (1, green) will finally snap out of a slump and lead the Eagles to another playoff win…right?
By far the worst playoff game on paper, both Philadelphia and Tampa Bay are struggling to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive. The Eagles couldn’t beat either the Cardinals or Giants, two of the worst teams in the league, in back-to-back weeks. Philadelphia gave up at least 27 points in each game. Tampa Bay’s offense has been atrocious, putting up 22 points in the two games played after Christmas.
The one thing in the Buccaneers’ favor is their defense. The Eagles offense won’t have A.J. Brown and Philadelphia’s running game is inconsistent. Tampa Bay will have more chances with quarterback Baker Mayfield to score against what’s now one of the worst defenses in the league called by coordinator Matt Patricia.
Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele (55) and Connor Hellebuyck (37) congratulating each other over a recent home win.
After being swept against last year’s reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, head coach and long-time hockey guru Rick Bowness called out the Winnipeg Jets for a letdown performance. The big takeaway was how Winnipeg had, “no pushback” against a more physical western conference foe that’s used to having their way against the newest Canadian team.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was one of the first people in the organization who listened what the respected coach had to say and made crucial offseason decisions. He started by re-signing franchise cornerstones (forward) Mark Scheifele and (goalie) Connor Hellebuyck to long-term deals. Many analysts were confused at these moves given how Winnipeg barely scraped into the postseason needing their stars to play their best. The most reasonable expectation would be for the Jets to trade either if the following seasons showed more decline and to eat the dead money from both their long-term contracts.
Cheveldayoff was just getting started. He traded former third overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois to Los Angeles for a haul of needed depth and star players, including forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo. Additional forward depth was added in free agency with the signings of Nino Neiderreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov. Former Jet Laurent Brossoit was re-signed to backup Hellebuyck for when the star needs rest.
Winnipeg began the season as a question mark for almost every sports pundit. They have the right pieces, but could Rick Bowness put everything together and get more out of a roster that’s been criticized annually for not playing defense? Well, we’re finding out not only has Bowness succeeded, but that the Jets are one of, if not the best team in the NHL.
Bowness’ Jets are so good right now that Arizona’s head coach André Tourigny said, “They’re a really good team. They’re not just a good team, they play maybe the best hockey in the NHL. They’re really stingy and poised with the puck.” The Coyotes are one of the better teams with a chance of stealing a wild-card spot due to their gritty, physical play. Yet Arizona was thrashed 6-2 at home by Bowness’ team this past Sunday.
Winnipeg has turned into one of the league’s best defensive teams while the offense is overwhelming opposing defenses. Even more eye opening is their 11-1-2 record without last year’s (their) second leading goal scorer Kyle Connor.
While it’s possible the other 29 teams find ways to figure out how to fluster the Jets, the conference and the league are on notice.
Winnipeg’s ran up 25 goals in their last six homes games, including a 4-2 beatdown on Minnesota December 30th, 2023.
Here’s the first ever NHL power rankings on jdsportscorner.com. These will show where all 32 teams objectively stand. Some teams will have tiebreakers based off of how they’d perform on a neutral site.
#32 San Jose Sharks
Coach Dave Quinn made the mistake of saying he found the winning formula once the Sharks got to 12 points in November. They have 23 by mid-January.
#31 Chicago Blackhawks
Everyone who pays attention to the NHL knew Chicago would be awful this season. The good news is that first overall pick Connor Bedard will be the league’s next superstar barring more injuries. Now the team has to build around him after their regular season ends.
#30 Ottawa Senators
Interim coach Jacques Martin is respected in Canada’s capital for how he coached and matured the mid-2000s Senators teams that went on to make a Stanley Cup finals appearance. It’s still early but he’s struggling on how to work with this team and what he can get out of captain Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa is one of two teams that hasn’t won a game since the calendar year began. This once again confirms D.J. Smith kept his job longer than he should have.
#29 Anaheim Ducks
While most analysts are focusing on trade rumors with starting goalie John Gibson (again), former third overall pick Trevor Zegras recorded four goals the first half of the season before landing on injured reserve with a broken ankle. Anaheim is ahead of three other teams for total goals this season. This team is awful and worries more about making highlight reels instead of finding ways to build up a winning culture.
#28 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets have the second worst scoring defense in the league. One could counter that’s because the offense doesn’t score as much but Columbus is in the middle of the standings in scoring. In a weak Metropolitan division, management has to reassess coaching hires.
#27 Minnesota Wild
There hasn’t been a more disappointing team this season than the Wild. Firing coach Dean Evason barely made an impact after three weeks and many are left wondering if this is just a bad luck season or if a serious re-tool of the roster is needed.
#26 Buffalo Sabres
I have a lot of respect for coach Don Granato. He inherited not just an awful roster when he started coaching the Sabres, but awful situations involving players quitting on the team and Jack Eichel’s trade rumors. All took place during the COVID-19 lockdown games. However, it seems he’s not the answer for Buffalo moving forward. Give Granato credit for making the Sabres a more attractive job opening for when that happens.
#25 St. Louis Blues
It doesn’t matter what the Blues do this season. All audiences will remember how general manager Doug Armstrong’s gradual gutting of the roster led to a backstab firing of coach Craig Berube. Not only will Berube be one of the most sought after coaches in the offseason, St. Louis will have to address why they have a bottom five offense in the league with no top talent available.
#24 Montreal Canadiens
The re-build underway will take a while to complete, and it’s most visible on defense. Sam Montembeault is a solid goalie but he needs more help in front of him.
#23 Calgary Flames
Calgary is 8-4 after snapping a four game losing streak mid-December. Yet they look mediocre and there’s nothing to feel excited about. That doesn’t bode well once March arrives.
#22 Arizona Coyotes
Earlier it was mentioned Arizona is a solid team that could sneak into the playoffs. Ask anyone who’s watched the Coyotes play this season and they’ll tell you this could be the fourth best team in the central division. Coach Tourigny is doing a great job with the young roster.
#21 Seattle Kraken
General manager Ron Francis gets an A+ for picking goalie Joey Daccord in the expansion draft. The young netminder has given up four goals in four games to start 2024 and is a reason the Kraken have both won eight straight and recorded a point in twelve straight games. Daccord was left open by Ottawa because they preferred Filip Gustavsson as the starter. Well, both goalies are starting and could have decorated careers…just not in Canada’s capital.
#20 Detroit Red Wings
Anyone who follows hockey closely and knows what goes on is fully aware of what general manager Steve Yzerman’s doing. Detroit had no talent outside of captain Dylan Larkin or Tyler Bertuzzi when he was hired, even in the minor leagues. The Red Wings are a top five offensive team with a porous defense. You can bet this is what Yzerman foresaw and already knows how to fix it.
#19 Edmonton Oilers
Their resurgence could be due to interim coach Kris Knoblauch, but again the question of how far this team goes relies on team defense, especially who starts in net. Until that’s definitively answered, Edmonton will remain a middle-of-the-pack team.
#18 Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby having more goals than Washington’s Alex Ovechkin halfway through the season is something no one expected. Even wilder is Jake Guentzel leading the Penguins in points with 45.
#17 New Jersey Devils
For those who didn’t read the regular season predictions, it’s not a surprise the Devils aren’t as hot as last year. Their 13 game winning streak was a big reason they made the playoffs. Now other eastern conference teams have a better idea of how to play coach Lindy Ruff’s young squad. Also not surprising is how porous the goaltending is, nullifying any contributions from the offense and special teams.
#16 Washington Capitals
Many are stunned the league’s second best all-time scorer having eight goals after 39 games. I am not. The injury to Nicklas Backstrom is that crippling to where Alex Ovechkin has to facilitate the offense in ways that’s not scoring a hat-trick once a week. Add in Spencer Carbery being a first year head coach still figuring out how to improve a gradually aging roster without depth and this is what you get.
#15 Tampa Bay Lightning
Here’s something more jaw-dropping than Alex Ovechkin’s lack of goal scoring: the Lightning are the fourth worst NHL team in goals against. This is with Andrei Vasilevskiy starting 20 games.
#14 New York Islanders
There’s no player in the league with more pressure than Ilya Sorokin right now. Former starting and now backup goalie Semyon Varlamov is on injured reserve, so the Islanders can’t rely on someone else outside Sorokin who gives them a good chance to win. Yet the number of losses due to blown leads continues to worry the franchise.
#13 Nashville Predators
On paper, Calgary and Nashville are almost the same. Performance-wise, the Predators find ways to win despite facing depth issues and ongoing trade talks. That’s why ownership and management matter before the games are played.
#12 Philadelphia Flyers
The hiring of John Tortorella could go down as one of the best moves in franchise history. Not even two full seasons in and the Flyers look like a team threatening to uproot the eastern conference favorites’ playoff hopes. Philadelphia isn’t there yet, but they’ve bought into Tortorella’s philosophy, barely resisting his changes. That’s a big development.
#11 Los Angeles Kings
The Kings’ seven game losing streak is a problem, but not too dire. They’ve only played 38 games and have the best defense in the league even with Pheonix Copley on injured reserve. Los Angeles needs more offense not based off the rush.
#10 Toronto Maple Leafs
This team is the litmus test for who the true championship contenders are. Toronto’s a great offensive team and has solidified roster depth, but having Martin Jones as the de facto starting goalie is a weakness only the best teams will exploit.
#9 Carolina Hurricanes
Outside of a road game in Boston, Carolina should win every game this month especially since the offense is out of a slump and the defense has stabilized.
#8 Dallas Stars
The remaining eight teams are very hard to choose in numerical order. There’s a case for all eight having any spot, and those criticizing the take that a team that’s had the most eight-goal scored games (three) should be eighth, I understand. Keep in mind that Jake Oettinger isn’t starting because of a lower body injury. Dallas also has a combined losing record against the next seven teams. That’s how hard and competitive the NHL is.
#7 New York Rangers
Names are being thrown out by pundits on who should be league MVP. Mika Zibanejad is a worthy candidate for anyone who watches New York. Yes, Artemi Panarin will be considered because he’s the team leader in points, goals and assists, but ask yourself would the Rangers have a 30% power-play if Zibanejad isn’t the most guarded or harassed player by opposing defenses? He’s that versatile.
#6 Boston Bruins
To set the record straight, even if the Bruins had the most points in the NHL right now, I wouldn’t have them as number one or two. They’re in a slump and are finally feeling the effects of no Patrice Bergeron. The schedule is going to get rocky and Linus Ullmark’s lower body injury is another challenge after last year’s record breaking regular season.
#5 Florida Panthers
As I said at the start of the 2022 season, the Paul Maurice hiring was one of, if not the best hiring for any team. After a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup finals, the Panthers have a top three defense, a top five penalty kill, and physically wear out opponents every night to force enough power-play chances. Oh, and Matthew Tkachuk is starting to heat up.
#4 Vegas Golden Knights
I want the current champions to be higher but their scoring slump combined with the hard decisions of which goalie should start each night is a concern. They went from tied for first in the conference to trailing Vancouver by six points. Ouch.
#3 Colorado Avalanche
What Nathan MacKinnon is doing right now should earn him the Hart Trophy, even before the All-Star break. The Avalanche are playing phenomenal without captain Gabriel Landeskog, and it’s because MacKinnon is a top three player in the game.
#2 Vancouver Canucks
The firing of Bruce Boudreau was awful, but that’s forgotten because of how Rick Tocchet has finally elevated the team and brings the best out of a well constructed roster. Vancouver has the best scoring offense and their top point leader is J.T. Miller. Tocchet is the easy Jack Adams pick if the Canucks win the pacific.
#1 Winnipeg Jets
Everything coach Rick Bowness and the Jets have done this season pales in comparison to these two stats: they’ve had 31 consecutive games giving up three goals or less. Second, of their last 19 games they’ve given up two goals or less in all but one: an overtime 3-2 loss to Montreal. The last time Winnipeg gave up more than three goals was November 2nd. We’re witnessing an incredible run.
Jets coach Rick Bowness is having one of his best years as an NHL coach, bringing the team back to 2018 levels of good.
The 2023-2024 NFL regular season is over. 14 teams in two conferences (seven in each) have a chance at winning the Vince Lombardi championship trophy. For those unfamiliar with the updated playoff format, an extra team was added. That means there’s one bye week for the top seeded team in each conference and a Monday night playoff game. Everyone wants to know which three teams in the AFC advance to the divisional round, so here are the best picks come Saturday.
#5 Cleveland Browns v. #4 Houston Texans
The resurgence of Joe Flacco’s career (15, white) has many picking Cleveland to go far in the postseason. Flacco has never lost a wildcard weekend game he’s started.
This regular season matchup was a one sided game where Houston didn’t have rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud IV. The Browns did any and everything they wanted to, embarrassing the Texans until the game was out of reach. Trust Houston’s rookie duo of Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans to perform a lot better after re-watching the film and making adjustments.
Unfortunately for the Texans, it won’t matter. Cleveland has the better defense, offensive line and postseason quarterback in Joe Flacco, who’s never lost a wildcard game and ended his last postseason run with a championship.
Prediction: Browns win 27-20
#6 Miami Dolphins v. #3 Kansas City Chiefs
Miami’s Tyreek Hill will be the main focus of Kansas City’s hard-hitting secondary. The sub-zero temperatures and no Jaylen Waddle could be the Dolphins’ undoing.
Miami lost crucial games that could have locked up the east and a first round bye. The Dolphins didn’t win their division, so they’re awarded a first round trip to Kansas City in freezing temperatures against a well-rested Chiefs team.
While Miami is reeling from injuries, Kansas City finished top ten in passing yards and has one of the best defenses in the league. It’ll be hard for the undermanned Dolphins to play four focused quarters in one of the league’s loudest stadiums.
Prediction: Chiefs win 24-13
#7 Pittsburgh Steelers v. #2 Buffalo Bills
The AFC’s best player this wildcard round is arguably Buffalo’s Josh Allen. The Bills quarterback led a top ten offense in passing and total offense.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin kept his streak of not having a losing season alive thanks to starting third string quarterback Mason Rudolph the last three games of the regular season. The Steelers are rewarded by playing the second hottest team in the conference. Tomlin’s defense will be without star linebacker T.J. Watt, but free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will return.
Buffalo’s Josh Allen has been one of the NFL’s best players since Thanksgiving, guiding the Bills from three games out of first place to decisively winning the AFC East last Sunday. Receivers Stefon Diggs, Dalton Kinkaid and Dawson Knox will face little resistance against a banged up secondary.
As writer, editor and publisher for this website, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year, and to a wonderful 2024.
I’ve appreciated everyone’s support since this blog has taken off. Ratings doubled in 2023, including readers from at least a dozen new countries viewing my work. I’m looking forward towards more growth this season and to see if I can break more records.
Most importantly, the feedback is always encouraged and needed. Starting this month (and soon), the first ever monthly power rankings for both the NBA and NHL will take place. These new features will join the NFL postseason game picks to encompass how busy and exciting the winter sports season is.
I hope you all enjoy January and get some goals and expectations accomplished. There will be more updates regarding connecting websites for the future.
JD's Sportscorner 