ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Hot Button is a 'round-the-clock feature that covers anything across the scope of sports. We're here to bring you everything hot: news items, highlights, takes — everything but hot meals — whether local, national or international. Better yet, it’s interactive. Share your thoughts in comments, and even post your own links to interesting, safe-for-work sports stories.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO
ALL OF OUR READERS
Friday, December 25: I want to extend my warmest holiday greetings to all our readers and thank each of you for supporting Hot Button and participating in our lively discussions in comments. It's a privilege to work to provide you what I hope is an informative and entertaining feature and I look forward to all our continued interactions in the new year.
My best to you and your families for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. — Bob
'BAMA TEAMMATES LEAD AS
TWO HEISMAN CANDIDATES
Thursday, December 24: The Downtown Athletic Club announced the finalists Thursday for the 2020 Heisman Trophy.
Alabama's backfield have two representatives in quarterback Mac Jones and receiver DaVonta Smith helped lead Alabama to an undefeated season (11-0) and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Jones and Smith helped lead Albama to an undefeated season and the No.1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Jones has thrown for 3,739 yards and 32 touchdownsagainst just four interceptions, while Smith had 98 catches for 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Lawrence missed two games for Clemson because of coronavirus but still put up big numbers, throwing for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 211 yards and seven scores in nine games.
Trask had a monster year throwing for 4,125 yards — a school record — and led the nation with 43 touchdown passes.
My take: It's a real toss-up this year with no consensus pick. Jones is a junior and could win because of Alabama's dominating season. Smith has little chance — Desmond Howard was the last receiver to win the trophy back in 1991. Lawrence could be the legacy pick as he's a senior, a first-time nominee, and a four-year starter with a career 34-1 record, but he wasn't the best player this season and his stats were diminished by the missed games. Trask was the best quarterback in FBS, but his team lost three games and didn't reach the playoff. My vote goes to Trask, but I believe Lawrence is going to win on reputation as Jones and Smith split votes for the Crimson Tide contingent. — Bob
BROWNS' TACKLE WILLS TO MISS
SUNDAY'S GAME ON COVID-19 LIST
Thursday, December 24: Browns rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday as a high-risk contact and will be ineligible to play Sundays game at the Jets.
Wills has started all 14 games for the Browns this season after being drafted 10th overall in the 2020 draft out of Alabama. Assuming he continues to test negative, he will be able to play inthe season finale against the Steelers on Jan. 3.
• Fomer Steelers receiver Ryan Switzer was placed on the practice roster/COVID-19 list, though is unknown if he tested negative or was a high-risk contact. Switzer was signed to teh Browns practice squad on October 1. He has not beeen activated for a game this season.
My take: It's the Jets, who will be on their one-win hangover from last week. Expect an easy Browns victory. — Bob
FIVE LIONS COACHES OUT
DUE TO SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Thursday, December 24: The Lions will be without interim head coach Darrell Bevell and four defensive cocahes Saturday when they host the Buccaneers, all out due to coronavirus saftey protocols. There was a potential that all five, ruled high-risk contacts, could have been available but were ruled out Thursday.
Joining Bevell as out are defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, defensive line coach Bo Davis, defensive backs coach Steve Gregory and linebackers coach Ty McKenzie. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince will act as head coach Saturday and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will act as offensive cordinator, Bevell's previous job which he kept when he was promoted to interim head coach.
The Lions organization is going deep into their bench to cover the coaching roles as Evan Rothstein, an assistant head coach in charge of research and analysis will act as defensive coordinator; Ty Warren, whose title is Wiliiam Clay Ford Minority Coaching Assistant, will coach the defensive line; another assistant head coach of research and analysis, David Corrao, will coach the linebackers; and defensive assistant Tony Carter will coach the defensive backs.
My take: All coaches, no coaches, it's doubtful the Lions will beat the Buccaneers anyway, but it is a game with playoff implications for the Buccaneers, who are currenty in the No. 6 seed, so I'm not sure why the league couldn't have pushed the game to Sunday so the Lions could have some of their regular coaches available. — Bob
KUCHEROV TO MISS REGULAR
SEASON WITH HIP INJURY
Wednesday, December 23: Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov will miss the 2021 regular season as he has surgery and recovers from a hip injury. Surgery is scheduled for next week. There is a chance Kucherov could recover in time to participate in the playoffs, should the Lightning qualify.
Kucherov, 27, was Tampa Bay's leading scorer in 2019-20 and led all playoff performers in points (34), leading the Lightning to the 2020 Stanley Cup championship. He's been the teams top scorer every season since 2015-16.
My take: This is a significant loss for the defending champs. Kucherov is over a point-per-game player in his career and losing that much scoring in a short, 56-game season is tough. Still, it's a talented roster and the Lightning ended up in what I feel is the easiest of the four modified divisions for 2021, the Central, consisting of the Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Stars, Red Wings, Panthers, and Predators. — Bob
HASKINS' PROTOCOL VIOLATION
COSTS HIM CASH, CAPTAINCY
Wednesday, December 23: Washington sent a message to all their players Wednesday, fining quareterback Dwayne Haskins $40,000 and stripping him of his captaincy after social media photos emerged showing Haskins violating NFL COVID-19 safety protocols by not wearing a mask around a crowded group of people at a gentleman's club.
Haskins apologized Tuesday for the mistake and for putting his teammates at risk of infection.
My take: Great move by Washington to show that violating these protocols is taken seriously. No waiting for the league to take action or some drawn out internal investigation, just a legitimate fine and a real consequence in stripping a player of his captaincy. — Bob
LIONS SCRAMBLE TO FIND COACHES
FOR SATURDAY TILT VS. BUCS
Wednesday, December 23: The Lions are in full scramble mode after interim head coach Darrell Bevell and most of the Lions defensive coaching staff were listed as close contacts and placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, requiring a five-day quarantine.
Since they were placed on the list Tuesday, some or all of the coaches will not be able to participate Saturday when Detroit hosts the Buccaneers. It's possible, based on timing that a few could be activated off the list Saturday morning.
My take: Assuming no more positive tests, ther were a few Tuesday but none Wednesday, why wouldn't the NFL just move the game to Sunday, so the Lions can have a full complement of coaches without a serious disruption to the schedule? Maybe owner Sheila Ford Hamp isn't one of Roger Goodell's best friends.
RECEIVER GORDON RELAPSES, MOVED
TO COMMISSIONER'S EXEMPT LIST
Wednesday, December 23: Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon was returned to the commissioner's exempt list for failure to comply with the terms of his conditional reinstatement, one full day after being activated to Seattle's 53-man roster after a nearly year-long suspension for violating the league's substances of abuse policy.
Initial reports late Tuesday had Gordon failing to meet all the requirements of his reinstatement, which could have been a technicality, but a source for NFL Network reports Wednesday that Gordon had a substance abuse relapse.
If true, this might have been Gordon's last chance to return to the National Football League. Still just 29 years old, this would be his sixth violation of the substances of abuse policy, Gordon's most recent suspension was classified indefinite.
My take: This is very sad. At this point, I just hope that Gordon is able to control his demons and have some semblance of a normal life. I don't see the NFL giving him another chance, if the relapse is confirmed.
BRADY CHIRPS AT DUNGY
AFTER LOW RANKING
Tuesday, December 22: Hall of Fame head coach and NBC football analyst Tony Dungy stirred the pot a bit during an appearance Tuesday on Shannon Sharpe's podcast, when he ranked five quarterbacks ahead of Tom Brady in difficulty for him to coach against.
Dungy ranked Peyton Manning No. 1, then in no particular order John Elway, Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers. Dungy did not mention the other member of his top five, but cited ranking Elway, Young and Rodgers ahead of Brady due their mobility, which made them difficult to defend.
In response, Brady took a good-natured swipe at Dungy, who he had a winning record against when Dungy coached the Colts with Manning at quarterback:
https://t.co/mxsEmFlJdj pic.twitter.com/cdN1T55yU6
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) December 22, 2020
Dungy was long gone from the Colts by 2014, but Brady's point is well taken — Brady's Patriots were 2-1 all-time against Dungy's Colts in the playoffs and 5-3 in the regular season.
My take: I don't actually believe that Brady is difficult to coach against, he's just difficult to beat. He is the best at executing a game plan and making all the necessary throws I've ever seen. — Bob
WASHINGTON QB APOLOGIZES
FOR BREAKING PROTOCOL
Tuesday, December 22: Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins issued an apology to his team and fans Tuesday after posts online emerged showed him partying without a mask at a gentleman's club, surrounded by multiple people, a clear violation of the league's COVID-19 protocols.
Washington is handling the matter internally, though the NFL can impose supllemental discipline, which in this case would ikely be a fine. Haskins started for injured Alex Smith last week in a loss to the Seahawks. Smith's status for Sunday's home game against the Panthers is unknown. If Washington wins and the Giants lose to the Ravens, Washington (6-8) will clinch the NFC East division.
My take: "Mama always said, 'Stupid is as stupid does.'" Will these entitled dolts ever just follow the rules? — Bob
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WASHINGTON
OWNER RESULTED IN BIG PAYOUT
Tuesday, December 22: The Washington Post reports that a former female employee of the Washington Football Team was paid $1.6 million dollars in 2009 as part of a settlement agreement over sexual misconduct allegations against owner Daniel Snyder. Minority ownership is trying to sell its 40-percent stake in the team, but there are legal entanglements. Those owners are now using this revelation as part of a suit that would allow them to sell.
The National Football League is currently conducting a formal investigation of the Washington franchise over several sexual harassment allegations, primarily against Snyder during his 22-year tenure as owner. The team's minority ownership and investors have pressured Snyder to sell as the scandals mounted, first with his refusal to change the team's former nickname and now with a growing number of sexual misconduct complaints by female employees, but Snyder refuses to sell.
My take: I've never heard a single good thing about Daniel Snyder. Not once. By many accounts he's just a bad human being. He deserves due process, but I'd be surprised if the NFL doesn't begin stepping on his neck to influence him to sell before it has to make a public example of him. — Bob
WOMEN'S PRO HOCKEY GROWS
WITH LIVE, TELEVISED ISOBEL CUP
Tuesday, December 22: NBC Sports Network will televise the National Women's Hockey League's Isobel Cup semifinals and finals, the first time the league will be broadcast live on a major cable network.
The semifinals will be broadcast on Thursday, February 4, and the final on February 5. The Isobel Cup is a single elimination tournament. The six-team NWHL is playing a short bubble season in Lake Placid, N.Y., beginning January 23. Each team will play once against every other team in the league before playoffs begin.
Commissioner Tyler Tumminia believes this exposure will boost the league and women's game's exposure, instead of viewers only seeing the women play in the Olympics. Tumminia was hired in October after NWHL founder Dani Rylan was removed after conflicts related to player pay, conditions, ownership structure and growth of the sport forced several prominent players, including many popular Olympians, to form the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, which seeks stability and sustainability while promoting a bold vision for professional women's hockey.
My take: The television deal is a good start. It's a slightly different game that limits checking while emphasizing skill, but it's entertaining and there are some athletes in the league who deserve the opportunity to become household names. Now if the NWHL can come to a consensus with the PWHPA and form one true women's league, their game can really take the next step. — Bob
KENDRICK RETIRES, HELPED
NATS TO FIRST WS TITLE
Tuesday, December 22: Former Nationals utility man Howie Kendrick announced his retirement Tuesday after 15 Major League Baseball seasons. He posted the news on his Instagram account. Kendrick was a free agent after the Nationals declined his team option for 2021.
Kendrick, 37, was instrumental in the Nationals' World Series title in 2019, winning Most Valuable Player in the National League Championship Series and hitting the go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the World Series to help defeat the Astros.
Kendrick began his career with the Angels, played two seasons with the Dodgers, one with the Phillies and finished his career with five seasons in Washington, D.C. He slashed a career .294/.337/.430 with 127 home runs and 724 RBIs. He was an All-Star with the Angels in 2011.
My take: Kendrick was one of those very good players, never great, that teams need to win championships — one of those players everyone will forget but his teammates will remember as an essential part to their winning clubs. — Bob
GORDON OFFICIALLY BACK IN NFL
AS SEAHAWKS PUT HIM ON ROSTER
Monday, December 21: Receiver Josh Gordon was activated to the Seahawks' 53-man roster Monday, the first day he was eligible under the terms of his conditional reinstatement to the National Football League, following a year-long suspension for violation of the league's substances of abuse policy.
The Seahawks signed Gordon to a one-year conditional deal with numerous incentives on September 3, which included guaranteed money, anticipating he would be available for most of the season. However, the league did not offer him conditional reinstatement until December 3 and made him ineligible to return to the active roster for three weeks so he could meet other benchmarks related to his reinstatement. Though he could work out with the team and attend meetings during that time, he was not allowed to practice, so it will be interesting to see how quickly he can earn a hat on Sunday. Gordon has been in the Seattle area for over a year and had worked out and practiced privately with Russell Wilson before the season, so there is some familiarity between the two.
My take: Best of luck to him, both on the field and with his ongoing battle with addiction. If he can round into form, he's going to be quite a complement to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, as the Seahawks enter the 2020 playoffs — they clinched a spot Sunday with their win over Washington. — Bob
GLASNOW LOOKED AT PHOTOS
PRE-GAME TO GET ANGRY
Monday, December 21: ESPN's Jeff Passan shared on Twitter that Rays starter Tyler Glasnow said the team suggested he get angry before games and that Glasnow did so by looking at a picture on his phone of "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli, now in prison, who once jacked up a price over fifty times its previous cost on important medicine used to treat malaria and AIDS-related illnesses.
Passan then sent a follow-up tweet saying that Glasnow doesn't use Shkreli's photo anymore for the pregame ritual, having moved on to other methods, but that Glasnow still thinks Shkreli is "a turd."
My take: New pregame methods to motivate himself? Hmmm... Maybe hitting a heavy bag displaying the likenesses of Neal Huntington and Larry Broadway? — Bob
MOUNTAINEERS DRAW ARMY AFTER
LOSING TENNESSEE FOR BOWL GAME
Monday, December 21: This is updated from a previous post: West Virginia will face a new opponent after Tennessee was forced to opt out of the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl game, after several of their coaches tested positive for coronavirus. The bowl game, contractually obligated to pit an SEC team against a Big 12 team, is scheduled for December 31.
Their new opponent will be independent Army (9-2), an upgrade over three-win Tennessee. Army was available after losing it's Independence Bowl bid when the game was canceled after multiple opt-outs and other bids offered were denied because teams did not want to face Army.
My take: Army got the bowl game they sought. All good. And I think it will be a good matchup against West Virginia. — Bob
LA RUSSA PLEADS TO LESSER
CHARGE IN DUI CASE
Monday, December 21: White Sox manager Tony La Russa plead guily to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge Monday, down from a felony DUI charge he was arrested for in Maricopa County, Ariz., in late February.
La Russa, 76, was sentenced to one day of home confinement, a $1,400 fine and 20 hours of community service. In a conference call with reporters following the sentencing, he expressed "deep regret and remorse" and thanked the White Sox for standing by him. Due to court delays related to coronovirus, La Russa wasn't formally charged until two days before he was hired by the White Sox on October 29 to replace Ron Renteria. The charges became public 12 days later.
My take: Is home confinement even a punishment during the pandemic? Won't he just perform community service as part of the organization's charity initiatives? Seems like a $1,400 fine and it's all good. For drunk driving. A second offense. — Bob
BELL TO CARRY LOAD FOR CHIEFS
AFTER EDWARDS-HELAIRE INJURY
Monday, December 21: Le'Veon Bell will get his turn to prove to the Chiefs that he can be their feature back after rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain Monday, an injury that takes anywhere from two to six weeks to heal, depending on the severity. If no roster moves are made, Darrel Williams will slot in behind Bell as the No. 2 back.
Bell was effective in Sunday's win over the Saints, rushing 15 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. He also had one reception for 14 yards. In eight games for the Chiefs this season, who picked him up after he was released by the Jets after Week 5, Bell has 56 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns, adding 12 receptions for 90 yards.
In 13 games as a rookie, Edwards-Helaire has 803 yards and four touchdowns rushing, and 36 catches for 297 yards and a score.
My take: Look for Bell to shine, particularly in that offense. Lost in all his ridiculous drama, Bell managed 1,250 total yards and four touchdowns for the Jets last season for a head coach who didn't even want him, leading the team in rushing while being second in receptions (66) and third in receiving yards (461). He's still got game and he's fresh — just 90 touches in 2020. — Bob
HURNEY OUT IN CAROLINA
AFTER THREE TENURES
Monday, December 21: The Panthers fired general manager Marty Hurney over what was described as "philosophical differences" after three straight losing seasons.
This is Hurney's third tenure with the franchise. He was director of player operations for one season in 1998, then returned as general manger from 2002-12, a successful stretch that saw the Panthers reach their only Super Bowl and play in another conference championship. He was re-hired as general manager in 2018 but has seen nothing but roster turmoil in this tenure, including the retirement of All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly and letting Cam Newton go in free agency, both after the 2019 season. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has also missed time with injuries. Carolina's record over Hurney's most recent stint is 16-30.
My take: At first I thought the philosophical difference might be between Nietzsche's nihilism and a Kant's moral imperative, but it turns out Panthers owner David Tepper just wants a GM who is more data-driven, which is a kind of nihilism, particularly in the ratings of Pro Football Focus. — Bob
ARMY SEEKS BOWL AFTER
INDEPENDENCE BOWL CANCELED
Monday, December 21: The United States Military Academy is desperately seeking a bowl game after the Independence Bowl, with which Army had an automatic invite, was canceled for the first time in its 44-year history after several Pac-12 teams opted out and other opponents offered bids refused to play Army, which is difficult to prepare for because it runs a flexbone option offense that uses a quarterback and three running backs.
Army just won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy by defeating Air Force to improve to 9-2 on the season and was just waiting to hear who its bowl opponent would be. Now they might be shut out of a bowl altogether, despite one of the better records in the FBS. The Armed Forces Bowl, a seemingly natural fit, will feature AAC runner-up No. 24 Tulsa and a 3-9 Mississippi State team — the NCAA waived all minimum win requirements for bowl eligibility for 2020.
The Military Bowl, ironically not affiliated with any of the service academies, said it would be happy to host Army if it can find an opponent. Contractually, they have to have an ACC team face an AAC team, but with so many opt-outs, they can choose any team willing to play Army, an independent.
My take: The NCAA has made a hot mess of the season, waiving any qualification standards for bowls, making the non-CFP bowls a joke. Opt-outs are fine, even understandable, but the sport's governing body had no plan for what to do should they occur. Instead a .250 winning percentage SEC team faces a ranked opponent in a bowl game whose name is synonymous with Army. This is another example why the FBS needs independent governance. — Bob
JETS NO LONGER WINLESS,
NO LONGER NO. 1 PICK
Sunday, December 20: The Jets shocked the NFL Sunday with a road victory, 23-20, over the Rams to win their first game of the season. The win had an unintended consequence: The Jets (1-13) no longer currently have he No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — that (dis)honor now belongs to the Jaguars (1-13), who get the distinction based on strength of schedule. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is likely to be drafted No. 1 overall, and both the Jets and Jags are in need of a quarterback.
The Jaguars have the Bears and Colts remaining, making it unlikely they will win again. The Jets have the Browns and Patriots left on the schedule.
The loss cost the Rams (9-5) first place in the NFC West after the Seahawks (10-4) edged Washington, 20-15, Sunday. The Rams now hold the No. 5 seed in the conference.
My take: Good for the Jets. There's no tanking in a professional locker room. A front office can tank by constructing an intentionally inferior roster, as the Penguins proved in 1983-84, but every pro player — even those lowly Pens— is playing to win. Always. There isn't a single Jets player who cares a lick about the team's draft position in 2021, nor should they. — Bob
BROWN TD GIVE BUCS
BIG COMEBACK WIN
Sunday, December 20: Antonio Brown finally gave the Buccaneers what they were seeking when they signed him halfway through the season, catching a 46-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to complete a comeback from a 17-point third-quarter deficit and defeat the Falcons, 31-27.
ANTONIO BROWN 💣 ALERT pic.twitter.com/bOi1JzRash
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 20, 2020
It was Brown's first touchdown since Week 3 in 2019 with the Patriots, also on a pass from Brady. Brown had five catches for 93 yards, giving him 30 catches for 310 yards in six games. Tampa Bay improves to 9-5 and is closing in on its first playoff qualification in 12 years.
My take: That's a familiar sight to any Steelers fan — quick feet off the line, a subtle move and quick separation. Bruce Arians' offense is looking scarier by the week with Brown making a dangerous trio of wideouts with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, complemented by tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate. — Bob
PATRIOTS ELIMNATED
FROM PLAYOFFS
Sunday, December 20: The Patriots (6-8) were eliminated from the AFC playoff picture Sunday with their loss to the Dolphins (9-5), 22-12. The Dolphins hold onto the seventh and final playoff spot, keeping the Ravens (9-5) still on the outside looking in despite their 40-14 thumping of the Jaguars.
My take: I know you're allllll sad for the Patriots. Dry your eyes. Ironically, if the Steelers beat the Colts next week, it could allow open the door for the ravens into he playoffs. — Bob
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
OFFERS NO SURPRISES
Sunday, December 20: There was some reshuffling of the deck, but the top four cards remained the same in the College Football Playoff, which is now set after Saturday's conference championship games. Alabama stayed at No.1, while Clemson moved up to No. 2 after defeating Notre Dame in the ACC Championship game, dropping the Irish to No. 4. Ohio State moved up to No. 3 with its Big Ten title win over Northwestern.
So it will be Alabama-Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl, now in Arlington, Texas, and Clemson-Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, both games on January 1. The winners will play a week later for the national championship at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
My take: No. 5 Texas A&M is 8-1, with its lone loss to No. 1 Alabama in Week 2, and a win over No. 6 Florida. It has a legitimate beef for not being No. 4 instead of Notre Dame, which both beat and lost to Clemson and beat then No. 15 North Carolina in its only other game against a ranked opponent. But the Irish's win was in overtime at home against a freshman quarterback subbing for Trevor Lawrence, who was in the COVID-19 protocol. Even undefeated Ohio State has a week case, playing only six games and beating two ranked teams, but neither in the top 10. Clearly the committee prefers conference championship games as Notre Dame becomes the first team to ever lose a conference title game and make the playoff — A&M was second to Alabama in the SEC West division.
MLB RANKS THE BEST
NON-HOF AT EVERY POSITION
Sunday, December 20: Matt Kelly undertook the task for MLB's website of deciding the best player at each position who isn't in the Baseball Hall of Fame. His list:
C Bill Freehan
1B Rafael Palmeiro
2B Lou Whitaker
3B Dick Allen
SS Omar Vizquel
LF Barry Bonds
CF Kenny Lofton
RF Shoeless Joe Jackson
RHP Roger Clemens
LHP Johan Santana
RH reliever Dan Quisenberry
LH reliever Billy Wagner
Read Kelly's reasoning and honorable mentions here.
My take: Palmeiro, Bonds, Clemens ... Kelly doesn't seem to care about PEDs. Accounting for PEDs, I'd take Todd Helton, Albert Belle, and Dave Parker in their place. Shoeless Joe's cheating wasn't performance enhancing, so he's legit on the physical merits. Any changes you would make? — Bob
ROSE BOWL MOVING TO 'YELLOW
ROSE OF TEXAS' FOR 2021
Sunday, December 20: Due to lockdowns in California related to the coronavirus, the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One semifinal College Football Playoff contest is moving to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game is scheduled for January 1, 2021. The game itself has been played uninterrupted since 1916.
This is just the second time since Rose Bowl stadium was constructed in 1922 that the game will not be held at the legendary arena in Pasadena. In 1942, the game was hosted at Duke University over concerns of a possible attack by the Japanese on the populated venue, just over three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
My take: This was bound to happen. The last I read, I don't even think a person is allowed outside in Los Angeles County, and the rest of California isn't much better ... unless you want to go to a strip club in San Diego. — Bob
BILLS WIN FIRST DIVISION TITLE
IN A QUARTER CENTURY
Saturday, December 19: The Bills throttled the Broncos, 48-19, Saturday to win their first AFC East title since 1995.
To put that accomplishment in perspective, the last time the Bills won the division, Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed were running the dying remnants of the "K-Gun" offense. That season ended with a loss to the Steelers, 40-21, in the second round of the playoffs. The 2020 version of the Bills will look to take it a few steps farther this season.
Buffalo iced this one with 17 third-quarter points. Quarterback Josh Allen led a Bills offense that racked up 534 total yards, with Allen throwing for 359 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 33 yards and two scores. The Broncos rushed for 140 yards with two touchdowns by Melvin Gordon, but quarterback Drew Lock managed just 132 yards and a one touchdown through the air.
The Bills (11-3) will now host a first-round playoff game. They play on the road next Monday night against the Patriots before hosting the Dolphins to close out the regular season.
My take: Hey, it's not the Patriots for the first time since 2008. Bills fans are some of the most obnoxious in the NFL, but it's good to see the once-proud Buffalo franchise find its footing again. Allen's taken a huge step forward this season, making Buffalo a team to be reckoned with in the AFC for the next few years. — Bob
