December 21st, 2024 - Philadelphia 76ers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Welp, the Machine looked BAD in Cleveland on this night... I think it's time he looks himself in the mirror and lock in! Sheesh. The Sixers lost big time...

• 7 Points, 3 Assists
• B- Teammate Grade

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🌎My Thoughts on the Sports World Today🌎

In the real world, the NFL's opening game is SO CLOSE! Life will be good on that day!! LET'S GO. Only two more divisions to look at! Next up: The NFC North! This whole division just got shaken up with Micah Parsons joining Green bay!

The Chicago Bears are an interesting team heading into the 2025-26 season. Caleb Williams enters year two after a reasonably ok rookie season. Considering his hype and draft selection it was mildly underwhelming, but ultimately his season was fine. I think he'll likely be a solid starter but his ceiling still feels up in the air. He seems sort of antsy at times, I wonder how willing he is to play a 'boring' style of QB play. I wonder if he could be an actual patient game manager. He could, we'll just have to wait and see. Ben Johnson seems like a potentially excellent head coach choice for the Bears. This team is overall hard to read. Chicago is windy and the weather can really be miserable. The formula has to be specific and perfect to succeed in Chicago, overall I'm generally positive on this team, but when I look at how tough this division is I become a bit nervous for them. I think they need more of a power back but the league is so trendy that teams seem kinda reluctant to go that route. I don't dislike this team, but their division is so tough that I fear they could finish last or third once again.

The Minnesota Vikings make me a bit nervous, but then I remember they have Justin Jefferson and I become a lot less nervous. They also re-signed Adam Thielen who was a Viking forever but was a Panther for the past two seasons. Jordan Addison is suspended for a few games but once he returns and you remember the Vikings have T.J. Hockenson at tight end, the Vikings certainly have one of the more formidable receiving groups in the league. Aaron Jones Sr. is also a very underrated running back in general. What makes me a bit nervous is their quarterback J.J. McCarthy. J.J. could certainly be good, he could be awesome for all I know, but he has yet to see the field as a pro and even in college he wasn't exactly leaned on much. I think McCarthy has a lot of potential but he's SUPER mysterious. I find it mildly interesting that they did sign veteran Carson Wentz as a backup.... hmmmmm... The Vikings could literally finish anywhere in this division 1-4.

The Detroit Lions are a super likeable team in so many ways. I like the whole roster frankly and if the Titans don't find success (which would shock nobody LOL) I would not be mad at all if the Lions won a Super Bowl. Not really much to say about the Lions man they are deep and dangerous EVERYWHERE. I'm a big Amon-Ra St. Brown guy! Just a seriously fun team all around. Jared Goff is elite as far as I'm concerned. Stars everywhere on this team, including their head coach Dan Campbell. I think they'll either win the division or easily be a Wild Card team.

Last but not least is the Green Bay Packers. I put them last because well, they could win this division and because of the mega trade they were just a part of. The Packers have a lot of attractive pieces and have proven themselves over the years. They have a very good young QB in Jordan Love, a very good running back in Josh Jacobs. They're receiving options were always average though which has been unfortunate, deep but average. Matt LaFleur generally did a good job at getting this formula to perform well. The Packers defensively were elite. So yeah, this team is definitely primed to be great. They have been very good for years but couldn't get over the hump.

Well, they may indeed become great in 2025-26! The Packers just made a MEGA signing as they acquired arguably the best defensive player in the NFL by trading for defensive end Micah Parsons formerly of the Dallas Cowboys! Parsons is only 26 years old and the Packers sent two first round picks and long time Packer and three time Pro Bowl nose/defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas!

I actually think this is a fairly even trade but when it comes to instant success I think the Packers should be very excited. Micah Parsons is a freak of nature and if he can somehow get better? That's a ridiculous thought. The Packers are already good so this is really good for them. The Cowboys I think made a very savvy move here and it should age well. The NFL is unpredictable, many people think the Packers' picks will be low in the first but... you just never know. Besides, having two first rounders is always pretty awesome.

Back to Parsons, people think Parsons might hate the cold but they forget he's from Pennsylvania, not too far from my neck of the woods. Green Bay cold is a notch or two colder than PA cold but you'd be surprised. PA can get frigid. It's not as if Parsons is from the south or California or something. Also, playing in the NFC East it's not as if he was a stranger to the cold in his time in Dallas.

Wild times!!! I am curious to see how this trade ages!

This division seems like it will go to the Lions or Packers.

Chances to win this division:

• Lions: 45%
• Packers: 40%
• Vikings: 10%
• Bears: 5%

The sports world never sleeps, till next time!