In the offseason when the Patriots hired HC Mike Vrabel I immediately knew the years of losing after Tom Brady departed were soon to be over, and the stock would go up. I felt though the biggest winner would be young QB Drake Maye (who I love) as he finally would have great leadership to teach him the ropes the proper way.
This is still a young team for most part but they added some nice veteran players too so I like the blend this Patriots team has. Well shockingly the team is in first place (4-2) and this week trying to pull off a really hard to do – sweep a 3 game Road trip.
Maye is completing an incredible (73%) pass completions (#2 of all QB’s) and he’s got (10) Passing TD’s and just (2) interceptions. He has been sacked (18x) but that’s what makes his completion % so amazing.
I watched last year’s tapes a few times to see how he’s improving and he has so much better pocket awareness and he’s reading the Defense better at the line of scrimmage and now able to hit his 2nd or 3rd read for nice completions. He has 6 wide receivers averaging double digit yards per catch.
The Patriots signed stud WR S. Diggs to be the game changer but so far even with the teams Offense success and solid (4-2) record he still hasn’t scored a TD.
One of the most impressive WR’s you never heard about has been WR K. Boutte, who has been sensational with some huge plays (16.7 YPC) and 3 impressive TD’s. I love his route running and how he can turn defenders and get wide open. Maye’s deep ball game has now changed with the emergence of Boutte.
Maye is (#4) in Yards Per Pass Thrown (8.5) so they can now move the chains in a hurry. The Patriots Defense has been a brick wall stopping opposing RB’s as they have not allowed any RB yet to rush for over 50 yards in any game. They are (#4) overall vs. Run (83YRPG) and (#3) allowing only (3.46YPR).
They play a very easy schedule ahead as they will face 8 very bad teams the rest of the way. If this team can just shore up the Offensive Line and Maye keeps improving his pocket savvy/awareness this team will likely finish by earning a Playoff Spot.
CHICAGO BEARS TEAM & DEFENSE
This Bears team is only 6 games into a total rebuild under an entirely new Coaching staff so much like the Patriots this is not a quick fix overnight. It’s baby steps and rebuilding every phase brick by brick.
This team last year lost 6 games by 6 points or less (4 by FG or less) and then lost its opener by just 3 points. Many said “oh no here we go again”. But instead of allowing that to destroy the beginning of a new season they have adapted and it’s clear they are now adjusting to the new Coaching schemes on both sides of the ball.
This team has talent and they really needed some better guidance and confidence. Rookie QB Caleb Williams is still very raw and his Offensive Line is a big work in Progress.
Williams in this solid 3 game win streak has looked much smarter and isn’t forcing what is not there. He has only 1 turnover in this 3 game win streak and only sacked 4x as well. He has made the plays he’s supposed to make and avoided the ones that have dearly cost his team for most of his tenure.
Now though it’s the Bears Defense that is looking like Bank Robbers as they have an incredible 7 Interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and 5 sacks and tons of QB Pressures.
It takes time to learn a brand new OC or DC new schemes and play calling and it looks to me like this Bears Defense may be finally hitting its stride and working together to achieve Team Success.
All of a sudden this team is winning close games with back to back (25-24) wins. I don’t recall ever seeing that score in B2B weeks. It’s all baby steps and you have to learn how to win close games to become a Playoff contender.
The Bears play in maybe the toughest overall Division in the NFL but they have 4 very winnable games the next 4 weeks. They can really make this Division interesting if they keep improving and turning over their opponents.
Da’ Bears are finally back on the map again.
STOCK DOWN TEAMS OF THE WEEK
TENNESSEE TITANS OFFENSE / QB CAM WARD
Anytime you start a new season with a Rookie QB you are going to go through lots of struggles and so it’s fully expected. You simply hope there is some form of progress being made each week as you rebuild into something formidable.
For the Titans and their young QB Cam Ward there really has been very little progress. They are dead last on Offense in the league, they have scored 12, 19, 20, 0, 22 and then 10 points last week and they can’t hang their hat on running the ball or passing it as they are second worst in both categories.
Ward has been sacked (25x) which is dead last of all QB’s and 6 more times than the second worst. He is completing only (55%) of his passes (dead last) and he is third worst in Yards Per Pass Thrown (5.5) ahead only of Browns QB Gabriel and QB Joe Flacco.
They have only scored 9 first quarter points, 25 second quarter points and 16 third quarter points. Fifty points scored in first 3 quarters all season. Over half the league has basically scored that many points in just one of their 4 quarters this season.
Last week facing a bad Raiders team the Titans Offense they could only muster (225) total yards of Offense. They went just (3-13) on third downs, they turned it over (3x), and QB Ward was sacked (6x) and although the Defense allowed the Raiders only (226) total yards, they still lost by double digits.
I can’t see it getting much better as the OL is one of the worst in the league, Ward clearly isn’t seeing field well nor can he even remotely read the Defense as the Line of Scrimmage to get out of a bad play call but the one thing that could change the entire Offense is the ability to run the ball and grind clock and hopefully wear down opposing Defenses and steal a few wins here and there.
But the Titans have only 2 rushes for over 12 yards all season long. They have only 2 rushing TD’s the entire season. No opposing Defense is fearing the Titans Run Game and so it’s now even harder for the Rookie QB Ward to get open wide receivers as the Defense is overloading them and saying “run the ball all you want”.
The schedule is not an easy one ahead either with just two bottom feeders left. Remember this team is still winless if Cardinals RB Demercado doesn’t drop the ball before crossing the goal line for an easy TD to put the Cards up 3 scores in the 4th quarter they have zero wins.
Now the HC was fired and I don’t expect things to get any better. I expect they will get worse.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
To start this season I felt this team would be one of the bigger surprises if QB Murray could stay healthy. Of course only a few games in and he was hurt again. Ouch. He’s missed the past two games and sadly he is still the teams leading rusher.
The Cards QB’s are dead last in Interceptions (10) and have been sacked (18x) so far (5th worst). Opposing QB’s are completing (63%) of their passes vs. their Defense and they have lost 4 straight games and all 4 were so close.
They lost by 1, 3, 1 and 4 points and someone managed to lose 3 straight games on a FG on the games final play. They lost to the Titans thanks to the biggest bonehead play of this entire NFL season when RB Demarcado dropped the ball inches from the Goal line on ironically the best Offensive Play (71 yards) of the season and that no TD helped lead to a huge late comeback by the horrific Titans.
The Cards Defense is 4th worst vs. Pass and simply can not make a big defensive stop when they desperately need one in “Money time”.
The only bright spot I see so far for the Cardinals is stud TE McBride. He has 37 catches and a rock solid 156 yards after the catch. He has led Offense to 20 first downs.
We saw last year when the Bears started to lose close game after close game the season derailed out of control. This team simply doesn’t have enough elite weapons to overcome the many mistakes they make and the many faults they have.
This team needed Murray to step up his game to the elite level and it simply hasn’t happened. Now they have a HC on the “Hotseat” which means the team won’t be playing loose, free and easy unless they pull out a string of nice wins.
The problem now is how the heck is that going to happen when they have an extremely difficult schedule ahead where they look to be the favorite only once the rest of the season.
Capital Sports Network will be your home for Let ’em Run Happy Hour
Let ’em Run is breaking down races at some new venues, and we will continue to expand our horizons with a variety of tracks, as we listen to what our viewers and readers have to say.
We are breaking down interesting races at Laurel Park and Turfway Park (a little nighttime action) that will be run on Saturday. Then we turn our attention to Aqueduct on Saturday, where there is The Remsen Gr2, a Kentucky Derby prep, and the signature race…The Cigar Mile.
Saturday Roundup Reminder
Be sure to tune into the Saturday “Let ’em Run Roundup” at 12:30 where we will bring even more insight after any scratches and other changes. So catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels!!
Race 6 — 2:23 EST — The Maryland Juvenile — 125K — 7 Furlongs (Dirt) Some talented 2 y.o.’s line up for this race, at the always tricky distance for young runners at 7 furlongs. I am going to lean on #3 Sometime 9-2. Was ambitiously placed in the Iroquois against some of the best milers in the division. Breeding out of Take Charge Indy, who came in 1st at The Florida Derby and The Clark Handicap, so the talent is there. The #4 Biker Bailey 4-1 came out of a Md 20k, but took over the field and posted a 70 BSF. Could go to the front and not look back. Bet = $10 Ex Box 3,4 = $20
Saturday 12/6 — Turfway Park
Race 7 — 8:55 EST — The Boone County — 125K — 1 ¼ (Synthetic) Big field to choose from gives us plenty of options and value to boot. Jockey Fernando De La Cruz hops aboard #10 Swift Delivery 5-1, 1 of 2 Mark Casse entrants. A failed turf experiment, in between two Gr3 races on synthetic, make this horse the one to beat. Tough post, but De La Cruz can work out a trip and close on the field. The #1 Funtastic Again 5-1, is the horse for course and surface. Has ran in a steady diet of 6 Graded races last 6x, and now gets relief and a good post to go to the front. Jockey Gerado Corrales is very familiar with this runner.
Saturday 12/6 — Aqueduct (Races 7–11)
Race 7 — 2:11 EST — Alw 88K N1X — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Nice start to the late P5 for Let ’em Run, with a big field of 12 runners. Hard to look past #6 Life and Times 8-5. As a student of pace figures, this runner has an early pace figure of 142!! Out of Justify, and 2nd time out runners for that sire often improve…scary. Likely to have some company up front, but just too fast. Bet = P5 = 6 / All / All / 6 / 2 = $78 (based on current entries)
Race 8 — 2:39 EST — The NY Stallion Series — 500K (Fillies) — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Another full field of 2 y.o. fillies running at 7 furlongs. Going with #12 Daniella Marie 6-1, the entry for the “other Chad”… trainer Chad Summers, who is heating up and excellent with 2.y.o’s. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche stays on, and never really asked her in last, when she won by 9 ¼ lengths. Likely post time fave #10 Hot Currency 7-2, looking to improve with stud jockey Flavian Prat retaining the mount.
Race 9 — 3:08 EST — The Remsen Gr2 — 250K — 1 ⅛ (Dirt)
Kentucky Derby prep race, with 12 runners ready to go. The #11 Talkin 5-1 for trainer Danny Gargan is my top choice. Gargan is looking to hit the Derby trail again with a good one here, out of top Sire Good Magic. Runner beat Further Ado in Maiden, and that runner is labeled as a Derby favorite, so why not this guy. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche has options from a tough post, with interesting Brisnet early and late pace figures both high, and nearly the same (early 106 / late 102). Once again the Flavian Prat runner #2 Paladin 3-1 will get much deserved attention.
Race 10 — 3:37 EST — The Cigar Mile Gr2 — 500K — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Really can’t see anyone beating the fast and talented #6 Phileas Fogg 8-5. Two new wrinkles; with blinkers going on and jockey Joel Rosario taking the mount. Trainer Rodriguez Gustavo gave him a break pointing to this race, and said “it’s showtime“; when asked how he was doing!!
Two notes per Brisnet, lone E speed, and best pace to the 6 furlong distance, by a lot. So should have company early, but will then pull away to the wire.
Race 11 — The NY Stallion Series — 500K — 7 Furlongs
Once again the Big A putting out a big field for bettors. Trainer Butch Reid has #2 Parker Boone 8-5 ready to make some noise. Runner won by 12 ¼ 1st time out and was under wraps early. Naysayers will say “who did he beat”, but runners out of Solomini are often very good, very early. Will have other speed to deal with, but a ground saving post should seal the deal.
Final Notes
Stay tuned as we continue to grow, and tune in on Saturday for our 12:30 Podcast, with scratches and changes affecting our picks. And as the saying goes, Let ‘em Run.
NFL and COLLEGE FOOTBALL – THE sec How Sports Is Saving Broadcast TV: The Rise of Live Programming in a Streaming-Dominated Era
Escalating costs of NFL and MLB renewals, combined with cable decline and streaming fragmentation, are likely to make ESPN, Amazon, Apple, CBS, NBC, Fox, and YouTube more cautious about paying significantly higher college football rights fees. This financial pressure could slow down aggressive expansion and reduce the incentive to add ACC schools like Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, and Miami, especially since their recent on-field performance has weakened their market value.
NFL & MLB renewals dominate budgets: The NFL’s Thanksgiving 2025 ratings shattered records, proving why networks will commit billions more to retain rights. MLB’s upcoming renewal adds another heavy obligation.
Streaming entrants already stretched: Amazon, Apple, and YouTube are investing heavily in NFL packages and global sports, limiting their appetite for additional college conference deals.
Cable volatility: Cord-cutting erodes traditional revenue streams, forcing networks to be more selective with rights investments.
College Conference Dynamics
Big Ten & SEC remain secure: Their multibillion-dollar deals ($8B+ for Big Ten, $3B for SEC) ensure stability and make them the only conferences positioned to expand further but only if there is more money to get from the media partners.
ACC locked in: ESPN extended its deal through 2036, giving the conference stability but limiting renegotiation. This makes poaching ACC schools less financially attractive unless ESPN adjusts terms.
Big 12 opportunism: Benefited from Pac-12’s collapse, but future expansion depends on whether networks see value in adding mid-tier programs.
Risks for ACC Schools
Performance matters: Florida State, Clemson, UNC, and Miami have struggled with subpar seasons, reducing their bargaining power. Networks are less likely to pay premiums for underperforming brands.
Revenue-sharing pressures: Following the House v. NCAA settlement, schools must share revenue with athletes, increasing the need for higher payouts. If networks won’t pay more, weaker conferences risk losing schools without replacement value.
Exposure vs. payout trade-off: Streaming platforms may prefer cherry-picking marquee matchups rather than funding entire conferences, further reducing incentives to add schools.
Likely Outcomes
Slower expansion: Networks will prioritize retaining NFL/MLB rights over funding new college realignment.
Selective poaching: Big Ten and SEC may still target top ACC schools if they rebound competitively, but only if the economics justify it.
ACC stability (for now): ESPN’s long-term deal through 2036 makes immediate exits difficult, though lawsuits from FSU and Clemson could test that structure.
Bottom Line
The financial strain of NFL and MLB renewals means networks are unlikely to pay dramatically more for college football in the near term. That reduces the incentive for conferences to expand aggressively, making another Pac-12-style collapse less likely in the short run — but leaving underperforming ACC schools vulnerable if their value doesn’t rebound.
The Breeders’ Cup starts today, and Let ’em Run is on site.
Rear View Mirror Segment Introduction
Let ’em Run continues to improve our product, and we are rolling out our “Rear View Mirror” segment in today’s edition for Sports Talk Florida, where we look back on races we broke down and see where we missed a possible pick and why, and also how we landed on a good pick. In life they say “the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror so you look ahead, instead of back”. We think in handicapping, a good idea occasionally to look back!!
Friday 11/28 — Churchill Downs
Race 10 – The Mrs. Revere Stakes Looking back on our Podcast, John and I both landed on #4 Classic Q as an upset winner over big favorite #1 Lush Lips. The favorite proved her class and just nipped Classic Q. and a fast closing #10 Pretty Picture.
Race 11 – The Clark Stakes The “Rear View Mirror” told us we should have given a long look at the #9 Magnitude, who took it to the field with the highest U.S. Timeform early pace figure. John made a strong case for #5 Chunk of Gold, who had more company up front than expected. My pick #4 Gosger, had many Brisnet angles that made him strong in my book, but never fired. Keep an eye on this runner next out, odds will surely be worth a look.
Saturday 11/29 — Del Mar
Race 5 – The Seabiscuit Handicap In this race, the “Rear View Mirror” told us the only way (in our opinion) the #4 Call Sign Seven could have been used, was if you used a dart board, no offense to those who picked him!! John and I both landed on #3 Almanderes, who ran in 4th place, as the leader ran away from all in the field.
Race 7 – The Jimmy Durante Stakes Some redemption here as John laid out a Trifecta Key for $20 (4/1,5,6,8,9/1,5,6,8,9) and returned $61.50. Hey, a win is a win. I dropped anchor on the #5 La Ville Lumiere, a long shot at 8-1, with a lot of Brisnet angles to work with. She ran a nice race, but only managed a 3rd place finish.
Race 9 – The Hollywood Stakes Using the “Rear View Mirror”, a case could have been made for winner #4 Salamis. Leading rider Umberto Rispoli jumped aboard for trainer Chad Brown. In the last race he was a tough load, and closed, but too late. He ran back to the 2 back race and took the top spot, not an impossible pick with a closer look.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, Let’emRun is looking to run multiple Podcasts each week in the New Year. Coming up on Friday 12/5/25 Happy Hour at 3PM, we will dive into 2 races being run on Saturday 12/6/25… Race 6 at Laurel Park, The Maryland Juvenile. We will then jump over to Race 7 at Turfway Park, The Boone County. Some interesting races, at some interesting venues.
Upcoming Coverage
On Saturday 12/6/25, we will get back to East Coast racing at Aqueduct, where we will cover Races 7 thru 11, including Race 9 The Remsen Stakes (Kentucky Derby Prep), and Race 10, The Cigar Mile. Two big races each year at the Big A, so be sure to tune in for both shows, and as always Let ’em Run.
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