Big expectations

The NFL season starts this week and the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to make the playoffs this year. The NFC East seems to be very top-heavy with all the talent from the Eagles and the Cowboys. Those two will be fighting it out for the division title. The Giants and the Commanders are supposed to be two of the weakest teams in the league. I think the Eagles will finish with a 12-5 regular season record and win thet division and advance to the second round of the playoffs. But I think all the local Super Bowl winning talk is a bit crazy. They better get off to a good start this week against the Detroit Lions.

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to slowly increase their lead in the race for the last wild card playoff spot in the National League. I hope they can continue to play well this weekend against the Washington Nationals who are in last place in the division. Zack Wheeler needs to come back soon from his shoulder injury because they desperately need him to pitch to have any chance to advance in the playoffs.

The U.S. Open tennis tournament is coming down to the end. On both sides, the tournament is completely wide open. None of the semifinalists on the men’s side have won a Grand Slam. I will be rooting for American Frances Tiafoe to win the whole thing. He was able to beat Rafa Nadal in the fourth round to announce his presence on the big stage. He is only 24 so he should have a long, successful career. On the women's side, three of the four semifinalists are European, with the fourth from Tunisia. Only one of the four, Iga Swiatek, has won one of the four majors. My favorite to win is Caroline Garcia of France. She has won the last three tournaments she has played in. The matches have all been great to watch. The level of play is incredible.