NFL Week 8: Key Match-ups, “Must Wins” and Score Predictions

Week 8 has arrived, and that means we are just about half way through the NFL’s regular season. It should be quite an eventful weekend, despite six teams being on bye. Week 8 features nine games between teams with at least three wins each and three divisional match-ups. I’ve highlighted some of the match-ups to keep an eye on. I’ve also called out which teams face a “must-win” scenario and score predictions.

Week 8 Key Match-ups

Denver Broncos (3-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

Football fans have had this game circled on their schedule since the 2018 schedule was released. This match up features the top two teams in the stacked AFC West division. Both teams come off of back-to-back losses after strong starts to the season. For the Broncos it’s far uglier. They have choked in two winnable games vs the NYG and @ LAC. The offense looks terrible during this mini skid, notching just 10 total points in the past two contests. Denver’s defensive unit has not been its usual dominant self over the past two games, allowing 44 points during the span. It is not yet panic time for the Broncos, but they need to improve soon if they want to make the playoffs. The Chiefs have also dropped two straight, but they were both tough games. The first was a one-possession loss vs the 5-2 Steelers. The second, a tough loss in Oakland on the last play of the game versus a team that was desperate for a win (and played like it). The Chiefs do not have much to worry about at the moment, but a win could really help separate them from the rest of the division.

Dallas Cowboys (3-3) @ Washington Redskins (3-3)

Another enticing match up here between two divisional foes. Both teams sit at 3-3 and are tied for second in the division behind the high-flying Eagles. Dallas is coming off a huge 40-10 win in which they looked like a force to be reckoned with. Then again, it was against the win-less 49ers. Washington has played quite well this year despite just a 3-3 record. They have had an extremely tough schedule as their losses have come on the road against the Chiefs and twice against the 6-1 Eagles. They have won some quality games this year vs OAK and @ LAR. Expect a high-scoring affair as Dallas is currently ranked 7th in the league in points per game while the Redskins are 11th. Buckle up.

Houston Texans (3-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-2)

Interesting match up here. Houston rolls into Seattle off their bye week. The Texans will attempt to keep their third-ranked high-powered offense going against Seattle’s number one ranked defense. The Texans look a little bit like the Seahawks did a few years back. They feature an elite defense and an offense lead by a young, mobile quarterback. The difference is that Houston is on the rise while the Seahawks have been flying high for years now. This would be a statement win for Houston, though it will be tough without their superstar defensive end JJ Watt, out for the season.

Teams in “Must Win” mode

It may be a little early to start claiming games to fall under the “must win” category. However, it certainly feels as though a few teams can not afford a loss this week if they want to be in the playoff race or at least meet their pre-season expectations.

Baltimore Ravens (vs Miami)

The Ravens currently sit at 3-4. Luckily they are second in the division but at 5-2 Pittsburgh is beginning to pull away. Their 3-4 record is a result of poor performance by QB Joe Flacco and a defense not playing to its potential. The Ravens limp into a week 8 match up at home vs the Dolphins. Backup QB Matt Moore will be starting for Miami, replacing Jay Cutler. If Baltimore can not win at home versus a mediocre team that is starting their back up QB then they do not deserve to be in the playoff hunt.

Cincinnati Bengals (vs Indianapolis)

Luckily for Cinci, their “must-win” game is against a terrible Colts team. Cinci is just 2-4, but I believe they are better than their record shows. They have talent on both sides of the ball but have not executed well this year. Dalton needs to play better and they need to establish a run game. This game should be a “gimme” and the Bengals need it as they continue to fall out of the playoff race rapidly. With Pittsburgh at 5-2, it is unlikely that they will have a shot at the division title, but a wildcard spot is not out of the question yet.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs Carolina)

After just barely missing the playoffs and looking good for most of last season, the Bucs are just 2-4. It has certainly been a disappointing start to the season. Tampa really needs a win this week to stay competitive. It will be a tough game, but at home vs an inconsistent team that just lost to the Bears, it is a winnable game. The fact that it is a divisional game adds even more magnitude to this match up. The NFC South division is no joke as it feature the previous two NFC champions and a 4-2 Saints team. If the Bucs want to climb out of the NFC South basement, they will need a win this week against the Panthers.

Score Predictions

Miami – 16 Oakland – 24 LA Chargers – 23 Atlanta – 23 Carolina – 20 Dallas – 27 Denver – 13

Baltimore – 20 Buffalo – 23 New England – 34 NY Jets – 20 Tampa Bay – 27 Washington – 31 Kansas City – 27

Minnesota – 26 Indianapolis – 13 Chicago – 17 San Francisco – 14 Houston – 20 Pittsburgh – 24

Cleveland – 10 Cincinati – 24 New Orleans – 31 Philadelphia – 38 Seattle – 26 Detroit – 30

Terry Rozier Poised for Breakout Season

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Terry driving

Hayward Injured

With the gruesome injury to star forward Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics season filled with so much promise looks very different. It’s doubtful that Hayward will return this season. That means the Celtics will need to find a replacement and certain players will need to step up. A lot of focus has been placed on former first-round picks Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. One player who could step up and surprise everyone is Terry Rozier. He has steadily improved every year and so far this season he looks poised for a breakout season.

Performance So Far

The Celtics drafted Rozier in the first round of the 2015 NBA draft. Last year Rozier played in a career high 74 games and is coming off an impressive preseason. Rozier has looked like a different player for multiple reasons. Through three games Rozier is averaging 12.7 points while shooting a career high 48.3 %. He is shooting the ball with more confidence than ever before. In the Celtics opener, Rozier scored nine points. However in the Celtics following two games he scored 29 points combined. He’s more aggressive offensively while making hustle plays on defense. In addition to hustle plays, he’s aggressive on the glass with 17 rebounds through the first three games.

Terry playing offense

Rozier Has Something To Prove

Coming into the season, Rozier was one of the four returning Celtics from last year’s roster. He is well known by Celtics fans but for the wrong reasons. Rozier has frequently come up in trade rumors but General Manager Danny Ainge has refused to trade him because of his potential. It seems as if Rozier heard those rumors. The Celtics will have to decide next season on whether to extend Rozier once his rookie deal expires. With the Hayward injury, Rozier will get more playing time but he has to earn it. If he can continue playing with this aggression then this will be a big year for him. In the end Rozier could make Ainge look very smart for not trading him. That is a problem the Celtics wouldn’t mind having. Terry Rozier is not only poised for big things this year but also the future.

Terry Rozier playing defense

SHOULD BRUINS TRADE DAVID KRECJI?

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The Youth and Low Expectations
First, let’s state the obvious – The Bruins are in full youth movement mode. As evidenced by the number of rookies in the lineup but even more importantly, their erratic and inconsistent play. Because of the move to the young guns, expectations for this Bruins team are low. At the top of expectation scale is the 7th or 8th playoff spot, and at the bottom, missing the playoffs altogether. Any lower and this would be an article on the top 2018 NHL prospects.

Injured Again
Now that the case has been stated, should the Bruins trade David Krejci. The oft injured center is on the shelf again, and looks like he’ll miss Thursday’s game, and who knows after that. When healthy and effective he’s a talent. Especially come playoff time. He can elevate his game to Tom Brady like heights. But during the regular season, he is just an above average center in this league.

Closing Argument
Normally I’d want to keep a guy that raises his level of play in the SCP, but what good is that to a team with low expectations like the Bruins. On top of that, a David Krecji deal could get you another good young player, maybe a draft pick or two or even a young defenseman that could play right now. It also allows you to play David Backes back at his natural center position. Something I’ve been pining for since his signing. Lastly, the organization could bring up Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson (JFK) and really dive in head first to the deep end of the youth movement pool.

Something to think about as the Bruins continue the 2017-18 NHL season filled with youth, erratic play and low expectations.

The Red Sox Should Not Trade for Stanton

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The Boston Red Sox should not trade for Giancarlo Stanton. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy. Stanton is a pleasure to watch. He hits the ball harder than anyone I have seen. I’ve sent many videos of his home runs to my brothers over the years. With all the following aspects considered however, the Red Sox have better options available to them.

The Money

The Sox would owe Stanton fat stacks. Yes, Stanton is an all-world talent and worth a lot of money. Yes, he is still only 27 years old. But other options can be had much cheaper that aren’t much worse at the plate. Giancarlo Stanton will get $285M over the next 10 seasons. He then has a team option in 2028 for $25M. If one assumed that wouldn’t be picked up, the team would still owe him $10M as a buyout of his contract. Bare minimum. For the $295M owed to Stanton, JD Martinez could be had for half of that, maybe even less than half. Is Stanton really worth that much more than Martinez? That answer is no.

The Cost of Trade

If you do believe Stanton is worth all that much money, how about the trade aspect? JD Martinez is a free agent. No players would have to be given up to acquire him. Stanton would cost players, and good ones at that, in addition to the near $300M. How could someone justify spending $150-$175M more and good players on top of it for Stanton as opposed to Martinez? Who would it take to acquire Stanton? A centerpiece of Jackie Bradley Jr. or Xander Bogaerts along with a couple prospects? Or maybe all of them. In theory Stanton would be worth such a package, but considering all angles that’s not the case.

The Statistics

Giancarlo Stanton catches the third out in the second inning during game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 25, 2015 (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Stanton is actually a better defender than Martinez. He is surprisingly solid for someone his size, but unless we move Bradley neither of these guys would be acquired to play the field. If they are designated hitters, defense is a moot point. So let’s just focus on the offense.

JD Martinez had his breakout four seasons ago. Over that four-year span, how much better has Stanton been than Martinez? In the last four years Giancarlo Stanton has batted .271 with a .939 OPS. JD Martinez in those same four years has hit for a .300 average with a .936 OPS. Martinez hits for a much higher average, but Stanton walks a lot more so their on base percentages are very similar — .366 for Stanton to .362 for Martinez. That actually leaves Martinez with the very slight edge in slugging, .574 to .573. Surprise!

When it comes to home runs, Giancarlo Stanton has averaged 38 home runs over those four seasons. That number jumps to 49 per 162 games due to injuries. Martinez lags behind, but not so far behind that Stanton becomes worth that much more than him. Martinez has averaged 32 home runs per year, or 40 home runs per 162 games played. The reason his slugging is higher is he gets more hits and a lot more doubles. Their triple slash lines are nearly identical.

Giancarlo Stanton vs JD Martinez

Stanton takes aim at the ugly sculpture in center field.

Year	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2014	MIA	NL	145	638	539	31	1	37	105	.288	.395	.555	.950
2015	MIA	NL	74	318	279	12	1	27	67	.265	.346	.606	.952
2016	MIA	NL	119	470	413	20	1	27	74	.240	.326	.489	.815
2017	MIA	NL	159	692	597	32	0	59	*132*	.281	.376	.631	1.007

Year	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2014	DET	AL	123	480	441	30	3	23	76	.315	.358	.553	.912
2015	DET	AL	158	657	596	33	2	38	102	.282	.344	.535	.879
2016	DET	AL	120	517	460	35	2	22	68	.307	.373	.535	.908
2017	TOT	MLB	119	489	432	26	3	45	104	.303	.376	.690	1.066
2017	DET	AL	57	232	200	13	2	16	39	.305	.388	.630	1.018
2017	ARI	NL	62	257	232	13	1	29	65	.302	.366	.741	1.107

I’m not saying Martinez is better than Stanton, though the numbers show the difference might not be so large. All I’m saying is, there isn’t even close to a $150M gap between them, let alone some good players on top of it.

JD Martinez hits a 3-run home run off of Matt Wisler (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Why not add them both?

Hey, I’d be all for adding them both. If the Sox were to sign JD Martinez and then trade, say, Jackie Bradley Jr. and a prospect or two for Stanton they could slide Betts to center, put Stanton in right and DH Martinez. That is one heck of a lineup. How do you pay both of them though? The Red Sox would soar well past the luxury tax and be stuck above it for years to come. With Chris Sale, Mookie Betts and others needing to be paid in a couple years the payroll is going to rise, not decrease.

And if we miss on JD Martinez?

If we were to whiff on JD Martinez, then I would more seriously explore trading for Stanton. There is no other bat available that can compare. Eric Hosmer is available and has a solid bat, but he is no true power threat like the Red Sox need. They need a thumper, someone opposing pitchers should fear. Hosmer is an up and down offensive player with 20-25 home run power. There are also rumors he is looking for 200 million dollars which borderlines on the absurd.

I would definitely pay Stanton his contract and give up something to get him before entertaining that. Just no trading Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi or Rafael Devers. If we were to acquire him without giving up any of them would I be upset? Probably not. Like I said, I love Stanton, he is one of my favorite players. The Red Sox just better let us in to watch our home team take batting practice.

Does Giancarlo Stanton already “Win-Dance-Repeat”?

Door Open for Young Celtics to Step Up

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WHAT NOW?

Gruesome. Horrific. Shocking. Sickening. These were all adjectives used to describe the scene less than six minutes into the NBA season. As fast as Gordon Hayward was introduced to the Celtic faithful for our first game, he was unfathomably taken away from us. Thankfully he had successful surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. He will almost surely miss his entire first season as a Celtic. The team is now scrambling trying to find ways to make up for the loss.

Losing a player of Hayward’s caliber is like hitting the reset button. This is a button that is not supposed to be hit after a month of training camp, especially when you are actually ready to put it on the floor. The offense will be different without him, so these first few games were almost like a new preseason for the team. Let’s take a look at how the paradigm of this season has shifted since opening night.

KYRIE FOR MVP?

I’m not saying he’s going to win MVP this season, but if he’s not at least in the discussion, as IT was last year, we are not going to be a great team. Obviously Danny Ainge and the Celtics value Kyrie higher than Isaiah. This was shown by how much extra they gave up in addition to him. He was already going to be the man in Boston, but with Hayward out, he has now become THE MAN. When asked if there was a question of whether he took some poor shots after shooting 7-25 in game two, he simply responded “Gotta get ’em up.” He will continue to get a ton of shots up all season. Kyrie needs to improve his looks to improve his percentages.

What is more important though, is getting his teammates involved. He is starting alongside young guys in Jayson Tatum (19), and Jaylen Brown (20), and they will need some help from their point guard in finding their spots. Irving was shook up pretty bad from the injury, and still didn’t seem right the next day. After getting some much needed down time, he should settle in and just play ball.

YOUNG AND YOUNGER

Jaylen Brown looks ready to go in a starting role this season. He is getting the minutes he needs to improve, averaging 34.9 through three games. He worked strenuously this off season. If posting a career high with 25 points in the season opener was any indication, he has already vastly improved since last year ended. He had a game-high 40 minutes in the contest.

Through three games, Jayson Tatum has averaged 35.3mpg, 12.3ppg and 9rpg. He recorded a double double in his first NBA game, something that hasn’t been done by a Celtic since Larry Bird. You could see his confidence grow from the first half to the second in the opener, and even further into the second and third games. Perhaps more startling was seeing him in at the end of the game in all contests. If he continues to start and see heavy minutes, his confidence will continue to grow. With the intangibles and skill set as elite as Tatum’s, only confidence could hold him back. Brad Stevens will make sure that doesn’t happen.

A lot of this is because of injuries, even beyond Hayward; both Brown’s and Tatum’s minutes figure to take a hit when Marcus Morris returns. Marcus Smart missed the third game with an ankle injury. Regardless, these guys should continue to see extensive playing time. This is pivotal for the development of young players with as much potential as both have displayed.

PUT ME IN, COACH!

Here is a chart showing some statistics for all 10 All-Star starters from last season during their respective rookie campaigns.

The trend here is minutes. These guys simply need court time to improve and be successful. The best players, outside of the top two or three in the league, didn’t dominate in their rookie seasons. Rather, they received heavy minutes, made mistakes, and were better equipped to dominate in the years to come. It’s all about the coach entrusting the player to work through the bad times on the court. Taking them out is not going to allow them to learn from their mistakes, and will only hurt confidence. Brad Stevens will trust the young players on this team, something that will instill a superior confidence in them.

Jimmy Butler is an interesting case. He hardly played at all in his rookie season, but shot up to 26mpg in his second year. He averaged 13.1ppg in his third year behind 38.7mpg, receiving the minutes he needed to come back in his fourth year as an elite talent. Butler made his first all-star game that year behind 20ppg. Our friend Gordon Hayward followed a similar path. He received just 16.9mpg his rookie year, but jumped to 30.5 in his 2nd year. He has improved on his ppg average every season of his seven-year NBA career.

ROUGH START

The Celtics have had as bad a start to the season as seems humanly possible, losing one of their best players tragically, and subsequently their first two games. Having a back-to-back was rough given the situation. Stevens has had to adjust drastically, literally on the fly, from one city to the next. Not to mention his emotional ties to the situation. Losing a star player for the season is always a tough pill to swallow, especially in such an awful manner. Put this on top of that player being someone you’ve been close to for almost a decade, and you might need a day off.

WE’RE GOING TO BE ALRIGHT

The future looks promising with the young talent of this team, most namely Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. With the Hayward injury, they are now going to be leaned on a lot earlier than anyone expected. It is going to be a learning process, but it is now on the fast track. Ramping up their development should actually prove to be a priceless advantage for the C’s in the future. By the time Hayward comes back, the young players will be much better equipped to contribute to a championship-caliber team.

Getting the first win of the season was huge for this team. The three-day break immediately following is another blessing. They now have the time to take a deep breath, recollect themselves, and game plan for life without Gordon this season. Doing this after a win should infuse some positivity back into this group while they figure it out. They’ve got a big game coming up this week against the Bucks, which you can read about here. This team needs some positives right now, and they are slowly starting to show themselves in the wake of Gordon’s injury. Get better G, and best wishes to you and your family!

Week 7: Winners and Losers

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Week seven proved to be another eventful week in the football world. The outcome of Thursday’s game turned on the final play. Sunday’s schedule included seven divisional match-ups, five one-possession games, three shutouts and an overtime game. A perfect week for football fans. Like every other week during the NFL season, we saw some surprising outcomes. Quite a few teams gave their fans a big sigh of relief while other teams made it a Sunday to forget. Below are the NFL’s week 7 winners and losers.

Week 7 Winners

Oakland Raiders: 31-30 win vs Kansas City

Oakland really stepped up here in week 7 to get the win, and boy did they need it. A loss would have put the Raiders at 2-5 on the season and possibly out of the playoff race in the competitive AFC West division. Props to Derek Carr for an outstanding performance after last week’s dud. Carr threw for 417 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. Also, I can’t forget about Amari Cooper. It seemed like Cooper had been falling off. In his first six games he had three games of single-digit reception yards. On Thursday night he exploded for 11 catches, 210 yards and two touchdowns. These two clutch performances came against arguably the premiere team of the league through the first six weeks of the season. Next up for Oakland: @ Buffalo (4-2).

New England Patriots: 23-7 win vs Atlanta

Statement win here for the Pats. The defense has looked awful all year, allowing 30+ points in three of six games entering Sunday. Their pass defense ranked last in the NFL. Atlanta’s offense has not looked nearly as good as it did last year but certainly still a quality unit. The Pats defense held Atlanta to 233 passing yards, much of which came in garbage time when the game was already out of reach. More importantly, Matt Patricia’s unit surrendered just seven total points. Brady did his typical thing, throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Dion Lewis had his best game of the year with 13 carries for 76 yards. That guy always seems to produce when called upon. Hopefully for New England fans, the Pats defense can build off of this effort. Next up: vs the Los Angeles Chargers who have won three straight (3-4).

Los Angeles Chargers: 21-0 win vs Denver

This may have been the biggest statement made by a team in the NFL in week 7. The Chargers suddenly look like they could be a top-12 team. After starting 0-4 in very frustrating fashion, the Chargers have suddenly won three straight. This win streak has them right back in contention in the AFC West or at least the wild card hunt. The wins during the streak were all tough games: W @ NYG, W @ OAK and W vs DEN. Rivers has stepped up in a big way for his team as he has thrown eight touchdowns and just one interception over the last four games. Real test for the Chargers next week as they are @ New England (5-2)

Honorable Mentions:

Bears, Rams, Steelers, Dolphins, Browns…?

Week 7 Losers

Carolina Panthers: 17-3 loss @ Chicago

I am putting the Panthers first on this not-so-prestigious list and deservedly so. Carolina was showing signs that they may still play like the 2015 team. Then, BOOM, week 7 smacked them right in the face. Prior to the loss, Cam and company rattled off wins at New England and Detroit and then played well in a five-point loss to the 5-1 Eagles. Week 7 was a different story for the Panthers. They managed only three points against the 17th ranked defense in the league. THREE. Yes, it was an away game and yes Chicago’s defense is actually pretty decent but still, what a lousy performance. Carolina can not seem to find consistency or an identity. Next up: @ Tampa Bay (2-4)

Indianapolis Colts: 27-0 loss vs Jacksonville:

Pathetic performance by the Colts this week. I will give credit where it is due. The Jaguars played excellently on both sides of the ball. Bortles threw for 330 yards, Yeldon ran for 122 and Hurns had 101 receiving. Nice to see production from guys other than Fournette for once. Anyways, a 27-0 loss at home is inexcusable even without your franchise QB. The Colts O-line was horrendous and they allowed Jacksonville (SACKsonville) to sack Brissett 10 times. Star receiver Hilton once again did nothing with two catches for 27 yards. It will not get easier for Indi in the near future. There next three games: @ CIN, @ HOU and VS PIT.

Tennessee Titans: 12-9 loss @ Cleveland

Some may think that putting a team that won in the losers section is odd but if you consider the opponent it makes a little more sense. The Browns are 0-7 and 4-35 since the start of 2015. They are probably undoubtedly the worst team in the four major sports. Cleveland is the only team in sports that is consistently blown out game after game. They have been the laughing stock of the league in recent years. With all that said the Titans only managed to beat them by three points and it required overtime to do it. If you ask me, the Titans are lucky to have won this game. The Browns had multiple chances to win and they probably would have if they weren’t well… the Browns. Tennessee has got to be concerned as they have not been playing well as of late. In week 4 they got blown out 57-14 at Houston, then lost to the Cutler-lead Dolphins, then barely escaped the Colts at home. Luckily for the Titans, they are still 4-3 and are tied with Jacksonville for the division lead. Next up: vs Baltimore.

*Follow me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Celtics Need To focus on what still can be

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A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT WAS TO BE WITH THE CELTICS BIG THREE: KYRIE IRVING, GORDON HAYWARD AND AL HORFORD

The Celtics should not concentrate on ‘What Could Have Been’, but should solely focus on ‘What Still Can Be’. With the unfortunate loss of Gordon Hayward, early in the beginning of the regular NBA season, it tore down their platform of having a successful Big Three. With Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford as the new Big Three for Boston, it brought a lot of hopeful enthusiasm for a successful, legitimate standing in a weak Eastern Conference. Can we honestly assume that legitimacy has fallen apart with the loss of Hayward?

THE CELTICS MUST REMAIN STEADFAST IN TEAM DEVELOPMENT

In order to keep any semblance of legitimacy, the Celtics must remain steadfast in their ultimate goal of team development. They can still be a Top Tier team in the Eastern Conference without Hayward. There have been changes made to the starting lineup by Coach Stevens. One thing in their favor, is their ability to be versatile. Any team that adapts can still be capable of doing very well. It’s early enough in the regular NBA season for them to gain familiarity with the new lineups set by Coach Stevens. They have to adhere to one key factor, strict team development.

THE CELTICS ARE STILL A YOUNG AND TALENTED TEAM

The Celtics are still a young, talented team with versatility. The odds of them gaining success is still valid, if they continually work together as a team and adapt. They have some good components in both the first and second units. And they have an excellent Coach in Brad Stevens, who’s very resourceful, intelligent and has a promising team to develop and solidify. At this time, they have a lot of positives, making their odds successful indeed.

CAN THE CELTICS HAVE THE FUTURE THAT WAS TO BE WITH GORDON HAYWARD

Can the Celtics have the future ‘That Was To Be’, without Gordon Hayward? Obviously the answer seems to be no. Yet they can also have that same future without Hayward, as long as they remain focused on their development as a young and talented team. If they can apply their talents, versatility, and unify, they definitely have a chance to be dominant without Hayward. They have proven they can be successful in the preseason.They should focus on the factors that worked well for them–unselfishness, good ball movement and taking advantage of good plays. Defense is vital as well, as their offensive strategies become established. They must utilize their fundamentals fully. If they use all of the key factors, and adhere strictly to team development, ultimately, they can still have a successful future without Hayward.

Bruins Show Lack of Mental Toughness in Latest Collapse

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Saturday night delivered a brutal punch to the gut of all Bruins fans. During pregame warm ups we learned that David Krejci wouldn’t take the ice. Krejci was replaced by the definition of useless in Matt Belesky and the night would only get worse for Boston.

Good Start

The Bruins looked great through the first period and a half, mounting a 3-0 lead. Both Marchand and Pastranak scored two goals apiece, and the Bruins looked sharp on both ends of the ice. The offense had great puck movement, mounting some solid zone time and got in hard on the forecheck. But the Bruins could not come away with two points and fell to a sobering 3-3-1 on the season.

The Bruins showed something that no one ever wants to see out of a hockey team — quit. The Bruins quit in that embarrassing collapse against Buffalo. After Marchand scored a mere 37 seconds into the second period the slow collapse began. The Sabres, an atrocious hockey team this season, upped the physicality and began getting some solid hits up and down the ice. The physicality quickly and noticeable began slowing down the new finesse-looking Bruins team.

Physical Collapse

Tim Schaller was the victim of some of the mental wear of the physical tempo. This led to an unacceptable turnover that set up O`Reilly for an easy goal that breathed life into the dying Sabres. Schaller casually skated the puck out of the defensive zone and got his pocket picked. This was a glaring example that the Bruins lacked the energy they had earlier in the game.

Pastranak scored off a beautiful touch pass through the neutral zone from Riley Nash to make it 4-1. Then the collapse accelerated. After Pastranak’s second of the night the Bruins became listless. Buffalo hit the Bruins in the nose and Boston had no counter. The Bruins got pushed around in front of Khudobin, especially on Jack Eichels goal that cut the lead down to 4-2 heading into the third.

At home against one of the worst teams in the NHL, holding a two-goal lead should be a guaranteed two points. But not for this team. The Bruins looked drained in the third period. The Sabres came out ready to go in the third taking the game to the Bruins. Buffalo was getting good looks on Khudobin early and often, forcing the Bruins play on their heels.

The Bruins youth was a real problem late in Saturday’s game. The passing became sloppy. Boston started taking bad icings and got hemmed into the defensive zone. They became sluggish in front of the net, and the Sabres started to exploit the passing seams between the dots. The domination of the Sabres led to Pouliots first goal of the season, adding to the meltdown.

Mental Collapse

This next sequence of events was scary to witness. The lack of mental toughness the Bruins displayed was embarrassing. Carlo took a questionable interference call with four minutes left in the game, continuing the trend of the Bruins taking stupid penalties. The Sabres went to work on the power play getting solid looks on goal. Just as the power play expired Buffalo scored on a floater from Evander Kane. Watching this play unfold was so bad it was hilarious. Khudobin’s slow reaction couldn’t react to the weak shot. Torey Krug decided to just lay on his stomach at the top of the crease instead of actually playing defense.

Now after surrounding both 3-0 and a 4-1 lead, the Bruins still have a chance to scrape out two points. But the Bruins could not refocus mentally, and the Sabres dictated the overtime period. Once again, the Bruins get hemmed in the defensive zone and Buffalo makes them pay with the game winner to seal the deal.

The Bruins prepare for a much harder schedule coming off of the worst loss of the season. What can they do to fix the issues? Nothing. The young talent is the future of the team. If losing games this season is the cost, then that’s what is going happen. Sadly, the season may turn into a bust for hockey fans.

Jabari Bird- Ready to Contribute?

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WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

“He’s more ready than anybody. He can guard at a high level. He can play, and he will outplay a lot of people.”

Jaylen Brown said this about Jabari Bird, his former Cal teammate, after Bird’s first minutes as one of Brown’s newest NBA teammates. In the past, Brown has called Bird his mentor from when he first arrived at Cal. The script has flipped. Brown now tries to hype up his mentor-turned-protege, but there is some validity to the statement. Brad Stevens echoed Brown’s comments, speaking positively of Bird’s chances in the NBA.

“Defensively, I think he has a chance to be really good. Through preseason, I felt like he was one of our better perimeter defenders. I feel like he has huge upside.”

When the coach says this after going to you late in the game, and keeps you in for half of the 4th quarter, it carries some weight. Stevens preaches defense first for every player. The development of scoring weapon Jabari Bird will be approached the same way. During the game, announcer Brian Scalabrine said, “It’s defense that will get you on the court, but offense that will keep you there.” He was talking about Terry Rozier, but the same can be said for Bird. If he can continue to show his defensive prowess in practice, we could see him getting more time.

Jabari Bird has a two-way contract, something new to the NBA this season. It allows teams to sign up to two additional players who can spend up to 45 days with the team. The rest of their time is spent in the G-league. This allows teams to keep a specific player in their system. Two-way contracts can be converted to one-year minimum deals at the discretion of the NBA team. If Bird has more performances like he did against the 76ers, this could be an option for the Celtics. They are already suffering from the injury bug, and looking internally for answers might be the best option.

UNCHARTERED WATERS

As Coach Stevens tries to find lineups that work, Bird has found himself thrown into the fire. This is important for Bird. Using him this early in the season is interesting because of the limit placed on these players. If the Celtics continue to use him now, they will have to make a decision sooner than later. Bird will become a restricted free agent when he completes his 45-day limit with the team. We should expect the Celtics to use all of his days and get to this point. The high praise from his teammates and coaches proves they will want to take a harder look at him.

It is possible the Celtics let the contract play out before making a decision on Bird. Don’t be surprised if they convert it to a minimum deal before then. They need another player to fill a roster spot right now, and Bird checks out. Several options have surfaced which would be solid choices for the final roster slot. But if Bird continues to prove his worth on the court, he might be the best choice. Signing him now would free up the ability to sign another player to a two-way contract. The deadline to use this slot is January 15th.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Bird has always played with high energy on both ends of the floor, and his NBA career has started no differently. If he continues to see minutes, he will start to show his scoring ability. He shot 37% from three-territory last season at Cal, and 44% in Summer League. Athleticism and quickness are a big part of Bird’s game. He uses these skills to get into the paint with cuts and drives. He made 64% of his looks around the rim last season at Cal.

A former McDonald’s All-American Five-star recruit, his college career improved considerably while at Cal. Four-year college players like Bird are rare. Very skilled offensively, he shows he can guard at a high level. Scouts tend to shy away from four-year guys. They think that group doesn’t have as much upside as younger guys. If he can continue to trend in the right direction, we should bank on seeing more of Jabari Bird.

“I know I can play with anybody, and I’m ready.” – Jabari Bird

Bullpen Needs Additions In 2018 Season

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Bullpen Needs New Starting Pitchers

The Red Sox were rebuilding their bullpen during the 2017 season, but with a new coaching staff for 2018, another update may be needed.

E-Rod Now in Recovery

Eduardo Rodriguez recently had surgery, and is now in the recovery process. He will not be able to start until May or June, at the earliest. Even then, he may only be pitching out of the bullpen. Rodriguez struggled with his knee throughout the season, and was eventually placed on the 10-day DL. After his return, it was obvious Rodriguez was going to need to look at surgical options during the offseason. With Rodriguez out for spring training, the Red Sox will need to look into another starting pitcher for the 2018 season.

Is Price The New Secret Weapon?

After David Price returned from the DL, it took time to work him back into the pitching rotation. The coaching staff decided he wouldn’t start, but rather would play when necessary. Price was quick to show his injury not only made him stronger, but he was also back to earn his spot in the rotation. He proved his value in late middle relief. He thrives off run support, and a strong offense behind him. With Price pitching as middle relief, things are looking up for the bullpen.

Porcello Not As Strong As 2016

It was clear to Red Sox Nation that something about Rick Porcello was different this season. He didn’t play like the Cy Young winner he was for the 2016 season. After watching Porcello play, he didn’t seem injured. It appeared as though he was not practicing, or looking for any way to improve. Porcello needs to work on his pitching throughout the offseason if he wants to stay in the starting rotation for 2018.

Doug Fister- A Giant Question Mark

Doug Fister was a question mark all season. No one knew if he would have a great game, or a terrible one. With Alex Cora coming in, he will want the starting rotation to be reliable. Fister showed progress throughout the 2017 season. He carried an ERA of 4.88 for 2017, which was the highest ERA of his career. This could be a red flag to the new pitching staff when deciding if they will re-sign him for 2018.

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