I didn't write Thoughts from the Sidelines last week due to multiple reasons, but I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and good start to this holiday season.
The Eagles desperately need a win this Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers because for the past month or so the Eagles have not been performing anywhere near the potential of the first-place team that they need to be right now. The last game against the Chicago Bears was quite disappointing on both sides of the field. Their lack of offensive production seems to really have had an impact on the entire team in this game for the first time. Their defense looked exhausted because of having to be on the field for two-thirds of the game and they gave up close to 250 yards on the ground to the Bears. This obviously has to get better.
The Dallas Cowboys have won three straight games to put some pressure on the Eagles’ division lead. I hope this serves as a wakeup call for the team as a whole. The Eagles need to win against the Chargers on Monday or they will probably repeat their collapse from two years ago and ultimately go out in the first round of the playoffs. Let's hope for a strong win!
I don’t usually talk about much hockey, but the Philadelphia Flyers are playing pretty well, which they haven’t done in a number of years. In the 2000s, they used to be perennial playoff contenders, but in the last 10 years, this has not been the case. I hope they can sustain this level of play because two or three years ago they were off to a successful start and then completely fell apart in the second half of the season. I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. I don’t think they will be contenders to win the Stanley Cup, but if they can make it to the second round of the playoffs this year, that would be great.
It’s conference championship week in college football. Ohio State seems to be ready to defend the national championship from last year. They have played very well this season. The other 11 teams in the playoff will be determined Tuesday after the results of this weekend. I am definitely a fan of having one playoff home game for the higher seeds. That seems like a good reward for the crazy college football fans at the different places. I will talk about the CFP more next week when the playoff bracket is revealed.
Go Eagles!
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
