On Saturday night, the Philadelphia Eagles get to play the surprising New York Giants for the right to go to the NFC Championship. The Giants are one of the most improved teams this year. Daniel Jones, their quarterback, has improved and is completing passes all over the field this year. He could always run well for a quarterback, but his performance level has really stepped up this season. Their first-year head coach, Brian Daboll, should be up for Coach of the Year.
In order for the Eagles to advance, the offense needs to play a turnover-free game, with very few penalties, and the defense needs to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. I will be cheering for the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Dallas Cowboys. I think the 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy has to come down to earth at some point. The Dallas-San Fran game is the last one of the weekend. I hope it matters for the Eagles to be watching to see who they will play.
I’ve been watching the 76ers for the last 20 years. Joel Embiid is my favorite Sixers player of all time because he can seemingly do whatever he wants on the basketball court. He is a freak of nature at 7 feet tall, and so far this season, his play has been the most consistent of his career. The season is now officially half over and every night he seems to score at least 25 points like it is nothing. He hits jump shots like he is a shooting guard in a center's body. He is incredibly good at hitting his foul shots for being such a big man.
The 76ers better win the championship in the next few years or so to take advantage of Joel's prime from 29 to 32 years old. Joel has finished second in the MVP voting for the past two years. He better get strong consideration this year if he stays healthy. In the past week, he has had two games with over 40 points.
The Sixers are in third place in the Eastern Conference and rising.
I didn’t think I was going to say these words this year, but the Philadelphia Flyers now have a very small chance to make the playoffs. This is pretty impressive, considering a month ago they were at the bottom of the league. They’ve won eight out of the last 10 games to give themselves this playoff chance. I hope I don't have to eat my words.
I know spring is coming fast because it is only a month before spring training. I have high expectations for the Phillies team this year. But I think the NL East race is going to come down to the wire between three very goods teams – the Phillies, the Mets and the Braves. So I hope this spring and summer is just as exciting as last October and November was. And I sure wouldn't mind an early spring. Would you agree?
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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.
