Month / September 2024

by Alex Fischbein

Jauan Jennings, Andy Dalton, and Derrick Henry Catch Fire | SS17

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Sideline Specialists, where we dive into all the action from both college and professional football! This week, we start with a recap of College Football Week 4, breaking down the biggest matchups and standout performances. Then, we shift our focus to the NFL, reacting to the results of NFL Week 3 and analyzing the top stories from the weekend, including some key moments from players like Jauan Jennings, Derrick Henry, and Andy Dalton. We also make our picks for NFL Week 4 and get into the Immaculate Grid Game for Monday. Finally, we wrap things up with a brand-new set of NFL power rankings through the first three weeks of the season. Let’s get into it!

College Football Week 4 Recap
We kick off this episode with a comprehensive recap of College Football Week 4. From thrilling finishes to surprise upsets, this past weekend had everything. We highlight the top performances, especially from teams that solidified their place as early contenders in the race for the College Football Playoff. Whether it was a dominant running game, a star quarterback, or a breakout defense, we cover the key takeaways from the biggest matchups around the nation.

Reactions to NFL Week 3
Next, we turn our attention to the NFL, where Week 3 brought plenty of surprises. We give our reactions to the close games, stunning upsets, and standout players that took the spotlight. Special focus goes to Jauan Jennings, who had a major breakout performance, Derrick Henry returning to his dominant form, and Andy Dalton showing he still has what it takes to lead an offense. We dive deep into the details of their performances and how they could shape the outlook for their teams moving forward.

Week 4 NFL Picks
After analyzing Week 3, we make our picks for NFL Week 4, choosing the games we think are going to be the most competitive and the teams most likely to come out on top. We discuss the key matchups to look for, which players might be poised for big performances, and whether any surprise upsets could shake up the standings. Will this be the week that the underdogs come through, or will the top teams keep rolling?

Immaculate Grid NFL Game
As always, we end Monday’s segment by tackling the Immaculate Grid NFL game. This week’s grid had some tricky clues, but we work through it together, making sure to highlight players from across NFL history who fit the criteria. It’s a fun way to test our football knowledge and relive some of the most iconic moments in the league’s history.

NFL Power Rankings Through 3 Weeks
Finally, we update our NFL power rankings after the conclusion of Week 3. Several teams have solidified their positions as early frontrunners, while others are falling short of expectations. We analyze the biggest risers and fallers in our rankings and predict how things might shift in the coming weeks. Who’s leading the pack, and who needs to turn things around quickly?

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:19 College Football Week 4
00:17:17 NFL Week 3 reactions
00:46:59 NFL injury update
00:53:49 NFL Power Rankings
01:11:56 NFL Week 4 Predictions
01:38:30 NFL Immaculate Grid
01:48:09 Closing thoughts

by Alex Fischbein

NFL Week 2 Upsets, Disappointments, and Major Injuries | SS016

Welcome back to another episode of The Sideline Specialists! In episode 16, we’re diving into an action-packed week of football, both on the college and professional fronts. We start with a recap of Week 3 in college football, followed by our reactions to Week 2 of the NFL season. We also share our NFL Week 3 picks, break down the latest Immaculate Grid for the NFL, and create our own power rankings based on the first two weeks of NFL action. Let’s get started!

College Football Week 3 Recap
We kick things off by breaking down the standout performances and key moments from Week 3 of the college football season. From unexpected upsets to impressive individual efforts, we analyze how the landscape is shifting in the early part of the season. Did your team exceed expectations or fall short? We provide insights on the top games and what they mean for the race toward the College Football Playoff.

Reactions to NFL Week 2
The NFL season is heating up, and Week 2 did not disappoint! We dive into the biggest storylines, surprises, and disappointments from the second week of NFL action. Which teams are emerging as early contenders, and which ones are already facing major questions? From dramatic comebacks to dominant performances, we break down all the action and share our thoughts on how the season is shaping up so far.

NFL Week 3 Picks
As we look ahead to Week 3 of the NFL season, it’s time to make our game picks. We analyze each matchup, highlighting key factors such as injuries, team form, and head-to-head history. Whether you’re looking for betting advice or just want to know who we think will come out on top, this segment has you covered with in-depth analysis of every game on the slate.

Immaculate Grid NFL Game
One of our favorite segments is back: the Immaculate Grid! This week, we tackle the NFL version of the grid game, where we test our knowledge of players, teams, and stats. Tune in as we complete Monday’s grid, discussing the players and moments that make the NFL such a fascinating sport. How many squares can we get right this time?

NFL Power Rankings After Two Weeks
Finally, we reveal our power rankings for the NFL after the first two weeks of the season. Which teams are at the top, and who’s struggling to find their rhythm? We rank all 32 teams, considering their performances, injuries, and potential as the season progresses. See where your favorite team stands and if they’re trending up or down after two weeks of action.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 NFL Week 2 recap
00:32:03 NFL injuries, McCaffrey, Pacheco, etc
00:41:20 NFL Power Rankings
01:42:42 College Football Week 3 recap
01:48:54 NFL Week 3 picks
02:10:20 NFL Immaculate Gride
02:26:49 Outro

by Alex Fischbein

NFL Opening Week and College Football Week 2 reactions | SS015

Welcome to episode 15 of The Sideline Specialists! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the latest action from the world of football, both at the college and professional levels. We kick things off with a full recap of College Football Week 2, where we break down the biggest games, highlight standout players, and analyze how the College Football Playoff picture is shaping up. Whether you’re following your favorite team or looking to catch up on the action, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know from Week 2.

Next, we shift our focus to the NFL, where NFL Week 1 brought a lot of excitement and surprises. From major upsets to impressive debuts, we share our reactions to all the key moments from the first week of the NFL season. How did the rookies perform? Which teams lived up to the preseason hype, and which teams stumbled out of the gate? Our analysis covers the good, the bad, and everything in between from Week 1.

As we move forward, we make our Week 2 NFL picks, giving you our predictions for the upcoming matchups. Which teams are poised to bounce back, and which teams will continue their momentum? We break down the key games to watch, highlighting matchups that could have a significant impact on the standings early in the season. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead in your fantasy league or just want to see how your team stacks up, these picks are must-listen content.

We also introduce a fun new segment: completing Monday’s immaculate grid game for the NFL! This trivia challenge puts our football knowledge to the test as we try to correctly fill out the grid with NFL players who meet specific criteria. It’s a great way to wrap up the show while testing our expertise on the league’s history and current players.

This episode is packed with insights, predictions, and a little bit of friendly competition. From college football to the NFL, we’ve got plenty to discuss, so whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just tuning in for the fun, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t miss out on our breakdowns and predictions, and make sure to tune in next week for more expert analysis and entertaining segments!

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:15 NFL Week 1 reactions
00:50:10 College Football Week 2 reactions
01:11:28 NFL Week 2 picks
01:46:24 NFL Immaculate Grid

by Alex Fischbein

NFL Award Predictions and College Football Week 1 | SS014

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Sideline Specialists! As the 2024 sports season kicks into high gear, we’re diving deep into everything you need to know from the first week of college football to the latest in the NFL and MLB. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan, a baseball enthusiast, or just love a good sports story, this episode is packed with insights, analysis, and heartfelt moments that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

We start off with a comprehensive recap of College Football Week 1. From stunning upsets to standout performances, we break down the most exciting games and emerging storylines. Find out which teams are already making a statement and which players are turning heads as the season begins. We also discuss the implications of these early games on the race for the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy.

Next, we take a moment to honor the Gaudreau family, reflecting on their influence and presence in the sports world. This segment is more than just a tribute; it’s a reminder of the deep connections between sports, community, and family. We share stories and memories that highlight why the Gaudreaus hold a special place in the hearts of many fans and athletes alike.

Shifting gears, we dive into our NFL Week 1 Picks. With the NFL season kicking off, we give you our predictions for the biggest matchups of the week. From potential upsets to games that could set the tone for the entire season, we cover all the key contests and offer insights into which teams have the edge going into Week 1. Whether you’re filling out your fantasy lineup or just want to stay ahead of the curve, our picks have got you covered.

In the next segment, we tackle our NFL Award Predictions for the 2024 season. Who’s in the running for MVP? Which rookies are poised to make a splash? We break down the top contenders for all the major awards and give you our take on who will walk away with the hardware at the end of the season. It’s never too early to start speculating, and this year’s race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Finally, we round out the episode with an update on the Baseball Divisional Battles. As the MLB season enters its final stretch, the race for the playoffs is heating up. We analyze the tightest divisional races, key series to watch, and which teams have the momentum to carry them into October. With so much on the line, every game counts, and we break down what to expect as the regular season nears its end.

Timecodes:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:20 Moment for the Gaudreau Family
00:04:52 MLB Playoff and Division Race
00:15:03 College Football Week 1 review
00:42:02 2024 NFL Award Predictions
01:04:39 NFL Week 1 picks
01:33:02 Immaculate Grid and outro