Mouth of the Midwest

Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers

The Bears remain home again this Sunday after a beautiful performance against the Rams. Last week, they managed to cover the spread as 3-point favorites in a 24-18 victory over Los Angeles, with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams completing 17 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Veteran running back D’Andre Swift had an impressive game, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while leading the team with seven receptions for 72 yards.

Now, they’ll be up against a Carolina defense dealing with significant injuries, having lost both of their starting inside linebackers in a tough loss to Cincinnati. This leaves the Panthers exposed at that position, with Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus—who
have a combined total of just six tackles in their careers—set to start. The Bears should be able to run all over this Panthers defense. Chicago is currently on a seven-game home winning streak stretching back to last season and has triumphed in six of their last seven matchups at home against Carolina. I’m riding with the Bears again as my best bet for Week 5!

Official Pick Bears -4

Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh enters this matchup with a 3-1 record after a narrow 27-24 loss to the Colts, who were led by Joe Flacco. Before that game, the Steelers showcased a strong defensive performance, allowing just 26 points combined over their first three outings, but they faltered against Indianapolis in Week 4.

On the other hand, Dallas stands at 2-2 after a hard-fought 20-15 victory over the Giants on Thursday Night Football. However, they had previously suffered two straight losses to New Orleans (44-19) and Baltimore (28-25). While they have been more successful on the road this season, I anticipate they may struggle on both sides of the ball this Sunday night. The absence of Micah Parsons, one of the league’s top defensive players, will be a significant blow for the Cowboys. Additionally, losing Brandin Cooks, who has been placed on IR, compounds their challenges.

Given these setbacks for Dallas, I’m leaning heavily toward the Steelers in this matchup. I also see this as one of the most pronounced coaching mismatches of the year. Expect Pittsburg to dominate in primetime!

October Baseball!

Catch “First Touch” Soccer Podcast on IHeart Radio…

IVY LEAGUE SATURDAY 

Brown Stadium, Providence, Rhode Island  Brown Bears hosting the Bryant Bulldogs …

Salt Lake City Sports Radio is thrilled to announce they have entered into a content partnership with Sports Byline USA, to provide syndicated programming for the station.

SLC Sports Radio will broadcast one local program, The DINO COSTA Show, which will air from 1-6P, Monday through Friday, originating from the SLC Sports Radio studios in Salt Lake City – and providing the Salt Lake Valley with 30-hours of local and live programming each week.

The Sports Byline USA Network will provide programming around the clock in 19 of the other 24 broadcast hours each day and night – including all hours during the weekends – in the initial stages of SLC Sports Radio’s debut.

Sports Byline USA President Darren Peck is excited about bringing their brand of national content to Salt Lake City acknowledging the region’s deep love of sports by saying; “We’re thrilled to be bringing our lineup to Salt Lake City and joining forces with broadcast icon Dino Costa to bring great content to the fans there. The region’s appetite for sports is exploding and the timing of this launch couldn’t be better. Dino has been providing informative, entertaining and innovative sports talk for decades and we’ve been cheering for him all along the way. Our hosts include industry veterans and successful sports figures like Ron Barr, Brian Billick, Fred Dryer, Ron Cey, Rick Tittle, Marty Tirrell and more. All the best to Dino and their staff there and we couldn’t be more excited to get started!

Salt Lake City Sports Radio is located on the AM dial at frequency 1550. It will broadcast 10K watts with a daytime signal that will cover all of SLC – with a reach that goes as far south as Provo. The station will also stream all live and syndicated programming on the official station website ensuring the ability to listen anywhere and at any time.

SLC Sports Radio director of programming Dino Costa says; “Darren Peck is way too nice, but I’m more than appreciative of his thoughts and kind words. I’m blessed to be a part of this project, one that has had wheels in motion over the last 16-months with the objective of providing listeners of Salt Lake City with a viable alternative in the world of sports radio. This is a great community with people who love their sports. There is a vision that is evident with many here who understand that Salt Lake City is not only growing, but is a city and a region just now starting to realize its full potential. We’re more than happy to be a part of it, and we look forward to providing an outlet and a platform that is uniquely situated as an independent radio station serving as the voice of the people. I want to thank Darren Peck and Sports Byline USA for their faith in us.  I welcome them to Salt Lake City, while also thanking the many who have been on the air over the years here in SLC before us – including those who are currently on the air – and are our on-air colleagues of today.”

By Zayd Hussein in Chicago Illinois

Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams Recap
Ladies and gentlemen, if you followed my best bet of the week, congratulations—you won! After a challenging stretch, the Chicago Bears bounced back in impressive fashion, covering the spread as favorites against the LA Rams. This victory answered many lingering questions, showcasing multiple offensive bright spots for the Bears. De’Andre Swift, who faced heavy criticism, looked more elusive than ever and made a significant impact on the game.

My biggest takeaway from the Bears’ win is how effectively the offense performed
after establishing the run. In football, the most difficult play to defend is the play-action pass, and we saw the Bears execute it beautifully, resulting in numerous open receivers.

While our offense found its rhythm, the defense didn’t skip a beat either! They held the Rams to zero touchdowns in the first half, further solidifying their status as a top-five unit in the NFL.

Looking ahead, we can expect Caleb Williams to continue improving as he adjusts to life in the NFL. If the offense can remain competitive, the Bears have a solid shot at finishing the season with at least eight wins.

Exciting times lie ahead!

NFL Week 4 Betting Preview: Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams

The Chicago Bears return home as favorites this Sunday against the LA Rams.
Many question why the Bears would be favorites here when they have performed
so horribly week in and week out since the start of the season. It’s safe to say
oddsmakers are banking on the injuries finally catching up to the Rams, who are
one of the most banged-up teams in the NFL.

The Rams will be without both elite WR’s Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. In
addition to that Guard Jonah Jackson, safety John Johnson III, guard Steve Avila,
and tackle Joe Noteboom will also miss Week 4 with injuries. To say that LA has
been decimated by injuries this season would be an understatement.
One bright spot for the Chicago Bears has been their defense, with one of the best
secondaries in football I just find it hard to see Stafford and LA having any type of
success. While this offense has been horrible to watch, Caleb Williams continues to
make strides throwing for more yards every week since week 1 and finally getting
over the 300 passing yard mark.

It’s no secret that Chicago’s rushing attack has struggled this season. To take some
pressure off Caleb Williams, the Bears need to establish a more effective ground
game. I anticipate that Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert will receive increased
touches this week, while the team shifts away from featuring Swift and utilizes him
primarily as a third-down back. Once the Bears can solidify their running game, it
will open up opportunities for the entire offense to thrive.

I expect the Bears to finally put up some points at home in this spot and get out of
Soldier Field not only winning the game but covering the spread of 2.5 as well.
Give me the Bears to win 24-17 as my official prediction for Sunday’s game.

Today on the show …

Ah, a BIG GAME … Dallas at the NY Giants. Yes, two desperate teams with coaches on hot seats!

Mets given a bum shake by MLB with scheduling nightmare with games vs. the Atlanta Braves.

Weekend College and NFL Previews …

DJ Shields unplugged …

Why Fever need to move on in several areas …

Todays post comes from Zayd Hussein on the NFC north.

NFC North Betting Preview: How ‘Bout Them Vikings?

Who would have predicted that, after just three weeks, a Sam Darnold-led Minnesota Vikings team would be sitting pretty at 3-0 atop the NFC North? The Vikings are playing inspired football, powered by their elite playmakers, Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson. This week, they head to Green Bay for a revenge matchup, where Jones, fresh off a 100-yard rushing performance, aims to dominate his former team. I’m placing my bet on Aaron Jones to score a touchdown at +115—he’s primed to roll into Lambeau Field and make an impact.

The Bears as Home Favorites?

As we approach Week 4, the Chicago Bears find themselves in an astonishing position: favored at home despite being one of the most dysfunctional offenses in recent memory. Currently, they’re 3-point favorites against Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t trust the Bears to be favorites against my high school football team! They struggle to block, can’t get open, and have a serious lack of execution on offense. And let’s not overlook their coaching issues. Given all this, I’m putting my money on Sean McVay and the well-coached Rams. No matter who’s in or out, they’ll find a way to beat this struggling Bears squad.

Lions in Primetime

The Detroit Lions are right where many expected them to be—at 2-1 and ready to take on a red-hot Seahawks team in primetime. Entering this matchup as 4-point favorites, I have high hopes for the Lions against Seattle, who have been riding a wave of overachievement. I believe the Lions will establish their run game early with Gibbs and Montgomery, paving the way for a lethal play-action attack. I’m confident the Lions will cover the spread and win big, leaving the Seahawks scrambling to respond to their offensive prowess.

Uncasville, CT.- The Connecticut Sun’s playoff experience shone thru plain & simple.

Result: Game 1 blowout of the Indiana Fever; Caitlin Clark also had one of her worst games — pro or college. Maybe of all-time.  

I pitched my stat sheet after it read 4/17 shooting and 2/13 from 3 point land. That’s not Caitlin Clark. You kept waiting for her to find her groove; she never did. 

DeWanna Bonner and Marina Mabrey were prolific and their experience and poise spearheaded the Sun. 

A repeat performance on Wednesday would send the Fever packing very unceremoniously. 

Uncasville, CT.- So, a Sunday Game 1 and then a Wednesday Game 3 in the opening round series between the Connecticut Sun & Indiana Fever. 

Talk about stretching things out!

Fever fans getting whacked on hotel bills and food expenses. Not to mention, sky high ticket prices.

The Fever travel like a college team. They are the only WNBA franchise that does; Connecticut does to a point if you count a I-95 South sojourn to New York City.

I’m calling a three game series. The Fever might just really stir things up with an upset win on Sunday afternoon. Caitlin Clark has gotten a second wind; Ms. Carrington will hassle the heck out her, but Clark is dealing with tough in-her-face defensive tactics; she’s thriving on it. 

This is fun stuff. In amongst the football season, these women are just amazingly passionate and a blast to watch. 

Who knew? Not me!

Uncasville, CT.- 

Bracing for the start of the WNBA Playoffs. Connecticut Sun vs. the Indiana Fever and you-know-who is a box office bonanza. 

Hotels are sold out, upper level seats going for 12 times face value and restaurants are fully booked. Throw in NFL and College Football action on Saturday & Sunday and you’ve got what amounts to a bumper crop weekend in the middle of an Indian Reservation. 

The Fever can – and will split the first two games and decisive Game 3 in Indianapolis will be must-see.

Just the way the WNBA planned it!

https://sports.yahoo.com/what-we-got-wrong-about-caitlin-clark-180913316.html