How Florida’s NFL teams are shaping up

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Florida is famous for many things ranging from being home to tourist hotspots like Disney World and the Kennedy Space Centre, but the Sunshine State is just as famous for its sport. It has national teams for everything from football to hockey. Perhaps the best known are its three NFL teams:-

 

The Miami Dolphins, with a home base at Hard Rock Stadium in the northern suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida, play in the East division. They are the oldest professional sports team in the state. The Jacksonville Jaguars, owned by Shahid Khan and based at TIAA Bank Fields in Jacksonville, Florida, play in the South division. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are based in Tampa, also compete in the South division. 

 

All three Florida-based teams are super popular with NFL betters in the state, and when the NFL season is underway there is not much else talk on the street, as betting online becomes the favorite past-time and bets pile in over who will make it to the playoffs, or better yet, the Super Bowl.

 

As the 2020 NFL season prepares to get underway, players are all fired up to kickstart the season on the right footing. This season there is a new playoff format that will include 14 teams in the post-season tournament, instead of the usual 12. For now, it’s anyone’s game and sports enthusiasts are lining up to place their bets on who will make it to the playoffs and ultimately take away the crown. 

 

Historically, the Dolphins have the best track record of the three Florida teams. But after a hugely successful spate in the 70s and early 80s, they have had a bit of a dry spell in more recent years. They made it to the playoffs a few times since, just falling short of bringing home the trophy. They have made a few changes to the team this off season, adding more talent which could make all the difference to their chances. And with Coach Brian Flores firing them up, they have as much as a chance as any. Their first game of the season is only days away against the New England Patriots. The outcome will give fans a better idea of the team’s future direction.

 

The Bucs, who were established in 1976, made it to the playoffs several times previously between the late 70s and early 80s before finally winning the Super Bowl in 2002. But, they have had a tough few years since 2008, failing to make it to the playoffs. However, they renowned for being persistent and putting up a good fight. They recently snatched up big names like Tom Brady from the Patriots. Out of the three Florida teams, the Buccaneers are said to have the best chances of turning things around this season, despite a few bumps in the road in 2019. The Bucs will face off against the New Orleans Saints the same day as Miami goes up against the Patriots. 

 

Established in 1995, the Jaguars may not be the oldest or most established team in the state, but they have their eye firmly on the prize. They fell short of making it to the Super Bowl in 2017 when they narrowly lost out to the New England Patriots. With a bit of a rejig to the team this season it is possible they could make it to the post-season with a bit of hard work and sweat. The team is also said to be signing former Bucs running back Dare Ogunbowale in the countdown to the season kickoff. They also have some young wide receivers who could help push things along against some of the team’s weaker competitors in the South division.

 

The bets are on as to which of Florida’s teams will be the front runner for the playoffs. For now, it’s anyone’s game in pro football until the teams test out their new lineups. In the meantime, fans are bracing themselves for some excited games on the field and hoping that one of the Florida trio will make their state proud.

Magic rally to defeat Pistons in overtime

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This story was written by Marcos Chisholm. Follow him on Twitter @marcosgchisholm.

After losing a 22 point lead, the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-112 in overtime at the Amway Center on Wednesday.

Markelle Fultz earned his third double-double on the season, scoring 22 points and tallying 10 assists. Aaron Gordon finished the night with 25 points and nine assists in 42 minutes.

During the first half, Orlando was at its most comfortable after Evan Fournier made a three-point field goal with 6:51 left in the second quarter. The Pistons erased the 22 point deficit by converting 40 percent of team three-point attempts and outscoring Orlando 38-20 on bench points.

“It was huge. I think that’s what we all had on our minds, we know we gave a big lead, we know it was going back but we know we needed a win,” Fultz said.

Fultz’s balanced approach to Orlando’s offense helped the Magic lead both teams in assists (34-28). Magic forward Evan Fourier recognizes the young player’s progress and journey following his injuries.

“That’s really his first year playing,” Magic forward Evan Fournier said. “He’s getting more comfortable and he understand what the defense gives him, he makes the most of it and he had some huge plays for us down the stretch.”

Christian Wood had 26 points and 12 turnovers throughout 38 minutes of play. He shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line and Tony Snell scored 16 points and earned five assists. Both players were the only Pistons starters to finish with negative net ratings for the evening. The Pistons developed a lead as large as seven points in the fourth quarter.

Heading into Wednesday, the Magic were 2-8 through their last 10 games. They head into the All-Star break in control of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Some fans question the tanking objective. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

Dolphins land premier QB in latest Tankathon Mock Draft

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Despite winning two straight games, the Miami Dolphins are still able to acquire LSU QB Joe Burrow in Tankathon’s latest 3- Round Mock Draft.

After starting the season 0-7, the Dolphins have won two straight games.

No, they weren’t the most prestigious of victories. After all, one came against the lowly Jets and former HC Adam Gase. And on Sunday, the Dolphins defeated a banged up Colts team, led by Brian Hoyer. They may not have been pretty, but the Dolphins continue their upward trajectory. And as 3 Yards Per Carry’s CKparrot pointed out on twitter, they could very well be playing their best football in December.

Worst of all, Miami’s latest victory comes a day after GM Chris Grier, Stephen Ross, and two college scouts attended the LSU/Alabama shootout.  And whether or not you believe that Tua Tagovailoa is the apple of their eye (he is), Joe Burrow was equally as impressive. But no matter which quarterback the Dolphins covet, they will need to do one of two things.

A) Stop winning football games.

B) Trade a boatload of assets to move up and get their QB.

C) Settle on another 2020 QB

D) Other

In the latest Tankathon 3-round mock draft, there’s still hope that the Dolphins land a premier QB. Unfortunately, it’s not the QB a majority of fans covet.

First Round

With the 4th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Burrow has been absolutely outstanding this season, completing 236/299 for 3,198 yards 33 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season.  In fact, some draft pundits believe he may be a better fit in Cincinnati.  After all, he’s a local product that fits Zac Taylor’s system.  Regardless of whether or not he or Tua Tagovailoa is selected #1 overall, if the top-5 were to end up the way it currently stands, the Dolphins could land a premier signal caller in this year’s draft.

At the back end of the first-round, Miami selects WR Laviska Shenault, the dynamic WR from Colorado.  Ironically enough, Shenault is a life-long fan of the Dolphins and would be a good fit in O’Shea’s offense.  With their last pick in round one, Miami selects Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.  His size and versatility would be yet another welcomed addition in Flores’ defense.

Second Round

At the top of round two, the Dolphins upgrade the running back position with one of the most explosive backs in all of football, D’Andre Swift.  No one can argue how dismal Miami’s run game has been this season, especially with Kalen Ballage touting the rock for a pedestrian 2.1 yards per carry. Hopefully, when Mark Walton serves his four-game suspension he can help ease the coaching staff’s pain. Nevertheless, Miami will almost certainly be drafting a running back in April’s draft.

Later in round two, the Dolphins select pass-rusher Kenny Willekes from Michigan State. Willekes has 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2019 and would be a difference maker at a position of need.

Third Round

Back in 2018, a lot of Dolphins fans (and Stephen Ross) wanted the team to draft one of the most dynamic QBs in all of football. Unfortunately, Miami passed on Lamar Jackson for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But make no mistake about it, Chris Grier has learned from his past mistakes and in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he finally gets Lamar Jackson. That’s right, with the 69th-overall pick, Miami selects physical defensive back Lamar Jackson out of Nebraska.

 

This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and is okay (I guess) with #BlowForBurrow

Tropicana Field lights out in Yankees-Rays series finale

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Tropicana Field wanted to celebrate Mothers Day before Sunday’s game between Yankees and Rays.

Lights in the stadium went dark while Rays reliever Austin Pruitt was warming up to face the Yankees in the top of the ninth inning in the third game of the weekend series in St. Petersburg.

These are some of the videos of what happened while the lights were out. Enjoy: