December 23rd, 2024 - Philadelphia 76ers vs San Antonio Spurs

After the Machine's terrible performance last time out, he bounced back in a nice way versus the Spurs! The Sixers still lost again unfortunately. Next game is the Christmas game, hopefully there's some magic in that game!

The Machine finished with

• 15 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists
• B+ Teammate Grade

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🌎My Thoughts on the Sports World Today🌎

In the real world, FOOTBALL STARTS TOMORROW AND LIFE WILL FEEL NORMAL!!!!

Too good. Cowboys @ Eagles. I can't believe it! A solid rivalry game indeed. I live in Eagles land and so my area is going to be nuts. I was raised to NOT like the Eagles though LOL. I like A.J. Brown and I have a lot of respect for that team but, I would LOVE to see the Cowboys upset the Eagles just for the fun of it! I think it's possible too!

Before the game though I'm happy to finally take a look at the last division I haven't glanced at, and that is the NFC West!

Here are the links to my other Divisional thoughts/rants:

AFC North
AFC South
AFC East
AFC West
NFC North
NFC South
NFC East

The NFC West is always one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.

Taking a look at the Cardinals, they are quietly building a decent squad, I think? Kyler Murray as a quarterback feels like he has a bit of a shrinking window of top level QB play, if he's even top level at all. He is one of the harder QBs to read in the league. He's underrated or overrated because you simply don't know where to rate him. He hasn't been the healthiest QB over the years, and he's quite small for an NFL QB. When he's healthy and on a roll, he's pretty hard to stop. He feels streaky. I mention his window is shrinking because he does remind me of Russell Wilson. Both players are good on the move, and were former baseball players. As Russ aged and his legs slowed, his lack of size became way more of a problem. Kyler seems more mobile than Russ was, but Kyler is smaller than Russ so that ratio is a bit of a wash. I'm uncertain about the Cardinals, but they COULD be a problem if they lock in and certain players like Marvin Harrison Jr. improve. Their defense is solid I feel. They're just a mysterious squad, under the radar.

The 49ers are potentially scary as long as Brock Purdy is as good as advertised as in year to year if that makes sense. Also they need to stay healthy. They are a weird team in that regard it's like they either have bad luck and get injured or they make a deep Super Bowl run or something. Injuries stink, but sometimes you wonder if they're not deep enough or something? But nah, I don't feel like that's the case for them but I do wonder. Overall they've proven under HC Kyle Shanahan they're a serious force, super physical. I don't think they'll be championship contenders in 2025-26 for some reason but they'll probably make the playoffs, somehow.

The Seahawks enter 2025-26 with an interesting energy about them. I have a good feeling in my gut about them. I think Sam Darnold proved to himself and the league that there's a formula/scenario that you can win with him as QB1. They already have Jaxon Smith-Njigba who is already solid but feels ready to have a big breakout year. People seem to think Cooper Kupp is washed but I think Cooper may be ready to prove himself as well, especially against his former team that he'll see twice a year! I like Kenneth Walker III if he can stay healthy and be a bit more consistent. He turns 25 this season and maybe he's also ready to have a breakout year. Defensively they seem competent. Plus that Seahawks fanbase is usually EPIC. They have a good mix of vets that feel ready to prove themselves and young players primed to breakout. They could win this division for real!

Lastly, we have the Rams. The Rams are always a fun competitive team. Last season they were nearly more than just a fun team as they nearly knocked off the Eagles in an absolutely epic Divisional Round game that took place in a pretty sizeable snowstorm! That was such a cool game. This is not a team you want to count out. Matthew Stafford is the QB that won't go away, and Sean McVay is an excellent coach. They added Davante Adams who is out to prove he can still play at an elite level. Adams and Puka Nacua has some insane potential! Nacua is one of my favorite players in all of football! If their defense can improve a bit, and Stafford stays healthy the Rams could be a massive massive problem. Stafford is older now, but I'm shocked he's only 37! He's definitely played a lot of football though. I still see the Rams as just barely the favorites in this division.

This division is crazy!

Here's my odds for each team to win the division in my opinion:

Rams - 33%
Seahawks - 31%
49ers - 22%
Cardinals - 14%

The sports world never sleeps, till next time!