The Patriots looked overmatched last night, particularly against the Seattle defense. There was plenty of chatter leading up to this game about New England’s cakewalk schedule during the regular season and their good fortune during the playoffs, and all of their weaknesses were exposed last night.
Drake Maye was terrible. Of course he was under pressure all night long, but he was also missing open receivers. Now, we all know he’s been hurt, so many will chalk this up to a sore shoulder. But this game must have been tough to watch for anyone who was banging the drum on Maye being the MVP.
As for the line, everyone is talking about Will Campbell this morning. The kid had a terrible night and could seem to block anyone, and we saw a flood of comments on social media from fans and draft experts with their “I told you so’s.”
Campbell is a fascinating case study as many questioned whether he was worth the #4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. There was the question about his arm length and whether he could really be a left tackle in the NFL. In hindsight, Armand Membou would have been a much better pick, which many suggested at the time.
Much has been written about the Miracle on Ice. We’ve had a fantastic Hollywood dramatization, along with a definitive HBO documentary. But this remains one of the greatest and most memorable sporting events of the 20th century, and certainly one of the most important, if not the most important, sporting moments in American history. As a result, there will always be a thirst for more.
Given the subject matter, it shouldn’t be difficult to make a good documentary. Still, one should aim much higher. This iconic sports moment deserves a documentary worthy of its legacy, and Netflix delivers exactly that with “Miracle: The Boys of ’80.”
The film is directed by Max Gershberg and Jacob (Jake) Rogal, who faced the challenge of bringing a fresh perspective to a story that has been told many times, while also reintroducing this classic underdog tale to a new generation. They succeed by incorporating never-before-seen 16mm footage from the era, paired with firsthand reflections and interviews with surviving players, many of whom returned to Lake Placid for the filming. The audience watches as these men react to and process moments from their past, often seeing themselves and their families in footage they had never encountered before. In effect, we travel back in time with them as they relive this extraordinary journey 45 years later. The result is a powerful blend of historical footage and intimate, present-day interviews that humanizes a legendary achievement.
The documentary explores familiar themes, but with added depth. It offers insight into the intense preparation overseen by legendary coach Herb Brooks, whose demanding and innovative approach forged a cohesive team from a group of very different young men. Brooks was famously hard on his players and maintained an emotional distance from them—one he was never able to overcome before his tragic death.
The dominance of the Soviet team is also examined in detail, with Al Michaels providing perspective along the way. Notably, the filmmakers resist the temptation to linger on his iconic call (“Do you believe in miracles? YES!”), allowing the moment to speak for itself and maintaining the focus on the players.
The film also places the victory within its broader historical and cultural context, emphasizing the Cold War backdrop and the way the win briefly united a divided nation. The filmmakers vividly capture the unrestrained joy of fans and ordinary Americans celebrating both the upset over the Soviets and the eventual gold medal. It truly was a special moment, and one the country desperately needed.
Captain Mike Eruzione delivers the film’s final line: “We could use a 1980 now.” Well said.
We remember the days when the guys announcing an NFL game could express appreciation for the cheerleaders and their sexy uniforms without causing controversy. Here’s a great clip from 1978 of NFL announcers admiring the new uniforms worn by the Washington Redskins cheerleaders. We approve!
It’s been a pretty crazy year in college football, but few things can top the collective freak-out by Notre Dame and its fans after the committee left the Fighting Irish out of the final 12-team playoff.
Here are a few observations:
– I can see how they’re upset with Miami jumping them in the final week. – The committee probably got it right when it comes to Miami and Notre Dame, but their explanations of the process was pretty lame. – There was a very good argument to keep Notre Dame in over Alabama, but the SEC title game loser gets a lot of respect. – Fans are going nuts, but that’s what fans do. But Notre Dame skipping a bowl game is WEAK!! – Notre Dame going after the ACC is also weak. – Few people have sympathy for Notre Dame especially since they chased the TV money as opposed to joining a conference. – Finally, if you’re arguing about the 12th spot in the playoff, then you don’t have much of an argument to begin with. In the end, after the era of 4-team playoffs, just having a shot at being the 12th team is a BONUS!!! Notre Dame played two good teams and lost to both of them. If they had just beaten Miami or Texas A&M, they would have been in. Do better next time.
Rece Davis sums it up pretty well here. Lane Kiffin abandoned Ole Miss and his playoff team. Sure, the calendar and rules are screwed up in college football, and anyone who is coaching a playoff team would have to abandon them if they want a “better” job. But that’s still a choice, and that’s exactly what Kiffin is doing here.
Along the way he also decided to basically gaslight Ole Miss and their fans. This notion that he could stay there and coach the team while also preparing to build a roster for their rival in the SEC is just absurd. And then he tried to lay blame on them for not letting him coach the team.
Finally, Kiffin kept referencing prayer and “God” as he made this decision. There are few things more ridiculous than using your perception of God as a justification for a selfish act. It’s pathetic.
Kiffin is a good coach, and LSU will be fun with him there. Let’s see if he’s good enough to actually win a National Championship, or if he’ll crash and burn there as well. Most people will be rooting against this cocky, self-absorbed hypocrite. But that’s sports.
