Nearly 4 Years To The Day : Kobe Gigi & Others Passed

 

Sunday January 20, 2020 news that not only shook the basketball world yet the entire world.

World came down on social media then eventually news media a helicopter crash happened in Southern California. 

Kobe on his way to his daughter and her teammates basketball game. On the helicopter was also the pilot along with some parents and Gigi teammates. 

Everyone on the helicopter didn’t survive and all gone too soon.

Definitely a tough hit and tough pill to swallow. 

Kobe wasn’t even 42 years old yet nor been retired a full 5 years. 

Here at Sports247365 turned on CNN after receiving a text from a friend. Yet my friend thought it was Kanye West possibly due to the area of the helicopter. 

Never shed a tear over an athlete passing, that day we did.

This weekend is 4 years from that tragic accident.

Nonetheless his accomplishments life on.

Continued thoughts and prayers to everyone else and their loved ones involved in that day as well. 

First NFC Championship Game We Witnessed HOF QB KO(ed)

Here at Sports247365 age 8, 3rd Grade attending EM Stanton in South Philadelphia at the time. 

We witnessed our first NFC Championship Game, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

The 49ers played the New York Giants. The two met at the same venue during the regular season in a 7-3 contest, San Francisco won. 

San Francisco was looking to become the first NFL team to win 4 Super Bowls. 

In the second half Leonard Marshall of the Giants on a clean blindside hit drove Joe Montana to the ground, causing a fumble. Montana would not return to the game. His wrist and back were just a few of the injuries suffered.

15-13 on 5 Matt Bahr field goals would give the Giants the victory and eventually became Super Bowl XXV champions. 

Last season in Philadelphia Hassan Reddick on a clean hit forced San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy to fumble and he suffered an arm injury, unable to throw the football. 

Philadelphia would win the game, advance to the Super Bowl and despite 10 point halftime lead, lose by 3 points to Kansas City.

Immediately afterward all off season - December 3rd matchup in which SF returned to Philadelphia with revenge on their mind…beat the Eagles handily.

For months by fans and SF players it was talk of : If we had our quarterback.

Social media wasn't around in 1990-91. Nonetheless I wonder if it was the same rhetoric.

Nonetheless the quest for six Established 1995, has 49ers as top seed in NFC with Packers coming in with Dallas & Philadelphia. Simply has to go 3-0 out in the Bay. 

Time is now. 

 

60 Football Minutes For 20 Year Division Streak In Tack + Sunday Coach Rivera 62nd Birthday

 10-1 to 11-5 by the Philadelphia Eagles, has put the Cowboys 60 football minutes away from capturing NFC East and number two seed in the conference during the playoffs.

If Dallas wins in Washington or Philadelphia losses at the Giants the streak 20 years in the making will continue. 2003-04 last time a team won back to back NFC East titles: Philadelphia. 

Many believe the Commanders move on from Coach Rivera at seasons end with new ownership.

Rivera used to be an Eagles position coach in the 90’s. Potentially what a send off the Commanders could give Rivera at Fed Ex Field on Sunday on his 62nd birthday.

Going into the pair of 4:25pm match ups : Dallas in the NFC is the 2nd seed, Philadelphia 5th seed and in position to hit the road for the postseason. 

Respect On His Name : Tomlin Never Finished Sub .500 + Saturday Playoff Spots At Stake

 Week 18, 2023 NFL regular season finale's began with a Saturday doubleheader. Baltimore has clinched AFC top seed, will host their rivals : Pittsburgh.

The Steelers will start Mason Rudolph at quarterback over Kenny Pickett. Coach Tomlin streak continues : as coach of the Steelers he has never finished a season under .500 regardless of the circumstances. 

With a win and some help, the Steelers could qualify for the postseason.

Indianapolis host Houston in game two on Saturday. Led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, the Texans could clinch a playoff birth with a win. 

If not mistaken the Colts need a win and some help to qualify for the postseason. 

Washington QB Pennix Jr. Unfinished Business Prior To Draft

 Indiana transfer Michael Pennix Jr. has help put the Washington Huskies back on the college football map.

The undefeated Huskies next Monday will play Michigan in the College Football Playoffs : National Championship.

Washington is looking for their first title since 1991.

Despite not winning the Heisman, Pennix Jr. has unfinished business prior to the NFL Draft this spring.

The left hander has accuracy and touch especially on the deep ball. 

Monday will be the final time we see a Pac 12 team play, the conference will be folding shortly. 

4 QBs No Problem For Browns

 On the low, the Cleveland Browns could be problematic during the AFC playoffs as a wild card. 

The team had to start the season without Watson, following recovery from an injury a season ago. When he was finally able to come back, Watson was loss for this season during the Browns win in Baltimore.

Off the street on to the practice squad and eventually penciled in as Browns 4th starting quarterback of 2023 : former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.

The team also loss star running back Nick Chubb for the season. Yet defense led by Myles Garrett has play makers on all 3 levels. 

Simply a hot team, who has handled adversity well. I don’t think anyone is signing up to face them come playoff time. 

If Dallas Can Secure NFC 2nd Seed : Are They In Route To Something 28 Years In The Making

 Dallas win on Sunday at Washington or Philadelphia defeat at the New York football Giants…the NFC East will belong to them as well as the number two seed in the conference.

1995-96 last time Dallas won the Super Bowl & last time they appeared in the NFC Championship Game.

They have a home winning streak dating back to last season, which includes going undefeated at home this season usually in convincing fashion, Saturday vs. Lions it was in controversial fashion. 

Nonetheless with that win tie breaker vs. Lions in their favor.

By winning the division potentially, as a 2 seed, winning 2 home games would get the team in the elusive NFC Championship Game, even closer to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. 

Baltimore, San Francisco Clinch Conference Top Seed

 The two teams met in Santa Clara on Christmas night. Baltimore defensively along with Lamar Jackson picked up a decisive road win.

Here at Sports247365 Baltimore was our pick to represent the AFC in Las Vegas when February rolls around. 

Many called the Christmas night game at Super Bowl preview. 

Sunday in Week 17 both teams with wins over Miami & Washington respectively clinched their respective conference number one seed.

Following the 2012-13 NFL season the two teams squared off in New Orleans in the Super Bowl.

Late game theater where Baltimore came out on top.

Let’s see if both teams will run it back. 

From 10-1 To 10 And Done…

 Late November, a comeback overtime victory vs. Buffalo the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles improved to an NFL best 10-1. Despite the flaws and close calls to that point. 

Wheels blown off following week at home vs. 49ers ( who clinched number one seed in Week 17 at Washington ), In Arlington wheels blown off at Dallas ( with a chance to win the NFC East next Sunday at Washington ).

Backup quarterback in Seattle, similar to earlier in the season at the Jets, both times Philadelphia went down in defeat. In Seattle Lock orchestrated a 92 yard game winning drive. 

Escape at home on Christmas day vs. Giants. New York nearly came back after halftime quarterback switch. Sunday ex Eagles defensive coordinator out coached his friend in Philadelphia. Helping Arizona possibly put the nail in the coffin to which started as aspirations of getting back to the Super Bowl that they lost in February to Kansas City.

Jobs are on the line, someone has to be the fall guy for Philadelphia coach, general manager & analytics department.

Offense despite struggles are talented. Defense struggling big time on al 3 levels even now when defensive line is the strength. 

Defensive coordinator move was made after second Dallas game. Still defensive issues. 

Regardless of what happens next week to close season at New York and the following week in the Wild Card round…the front office also has to be accountable, yet historically they aren’t.