By The Numbers

Patriots Shut Down the Chargers, w/Musket Fire Editor Sara Marshall

Drake Maye's first playoff game wasn't perfect, but the 2nd year MVP candidate got his legs under him in time to support a dominant Patriots defensive performance, and the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 to move on the AFC Division Round. Steve had on Musket Fire Editor Sara Marshall to break down the first Patriots playoff win since Super Bowl LIII: What did we learn about a 14-3 Pats squad that's been questioned for beating up on an easy schedule.? Can this defense carry into next weekend's Division Round? Is second half Drake Maye who we'll see from the start next Sunday? Steve and Sara spent some time on her career path - from being discovered though her social media sports commentary, to moving up at FanSided, where she's been the Editor of the popular New England Patriots site Musket Fire for the last few years. It's great insight into the changing nature of social media, journalism, and how emerging talent with the willingness to put their work out there can find a home in sports commentary and reporting. We even talked a little pro wrestling! You can follow Sara's work at www.MusketFire.com, on Twitter at @smarshxo, and her great WWE pro wrestling YouTube channel, No Nights Off (@nonightsoffshow).

Patriots Playoff Preview (& 2025 season in review) w/Draft Expert Daniel Rotman

In-depth discussion about Drake Maye's MVP candidacy, Patriots' playoff chances, and NFL draft analysis with scouting expert Daniel Rotman. Daniel is the founder of www.ScoutdNFL.com, an outstanding draft analysis service, and a former data analyst for Pro Football Focus. He was highlighting Drake Maye as early as anybody in his college career at UNC - and has been right a *lot* over the past several years.

The Power of Nostalgia in Baseball (and Life) w/Adam Hughes

Today's episode ended up being a lot more personal than I expected, and I think it might hit you the same way, too. Adam Hughes is an IT professional from Indiana in his daily life, but we crossed paths earlier this year through his successful Substack, "Wax Pack Gods". It's part of a wider network which includes a popular YouTube channel, Twitter, and multiple Substacks, all of which can be found at http://baseballcards.substack.com. Adam and I spent the hour, as part of a Substack Live broadcast, talking about the power of baseball cards from our youths (he is a 53-year-old Reds fan, I am a 51-year-old Red Sox fan) to bring back a stunning amount of detailed, swirling, interactive memories about baseball, our childhood, our relationship with our parents, and more. The power of nostalgia is amojng the most effective ways to communicate, connect, and persuade, and we use our common love of baseball card collecting from the 70s and 80s to bring that concept to life. If you love baseball, or if you are a GenX'er, you'll love this episode - but even if you don't like sports, there's something in this for you. You can check out my accompanying Substack essay on this topic here [https://thepoliticsofnewhampshire.substack.com/p/the-power-of-nostalgia-a-personal].

E4: Pats Edge Atlanta, Mookie Gets Ring #4

It's Monday, and that means talking about the Patriots 6th win in a row - a 24-23 nailbiter against the Atlanta Falcons. Should Pats Nation feel anxious that our boy Drake Maye looked at least a little more human...or were we selling the Falcons' defense short? My friend, fellow GenX sports savant Joe Pace, and I go through where New England is after moving to 7-2. Then, the Dodgers win Game 7 in a thriller, repeat as World Champs...and old friend Mookie Betts now has more rings than any other active player in baseball (four). Is it long past time for Sox fans to get over losing the face of our franchise? Some perspective from a couple of guys who've been watching Boston sports long enough to remember the "before times". Finally, the Hall of Fame announced their eight finalists for the post-1980 Veterans Committee ballot today. It includes Steroid-tainted greats like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds...but no Dwight Evans or Lou Whitaker. Have they no shame?

E3: Jamie Seh

This was a fun episode, with everything from the state of the Buffalo Bills, to this week's explosive gambling allegations in the NBA, to understanding Syracuse University's "Newhouse Mafia", where so many of the country's most successful sports journalists started their careers (it's where our guest and I first became friends 30 years ago!). Our guest today was Jamie Seh, the Sports Director at WKMG-TV, Orlando's CBS affiliate. Jamie's done it all: Play-by-play college basketball, college and pro football, and being a sports reporter and anchor in everywhere from Watertown and Syracuse, NY, to her current home of the last 15 years, Orlando. On today's show, Jamie spent much of the day covering the allegations of point shaving surrounding NBA guard Terry Rozier. And what's this with NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, the Mafia, and card counting in games of poker? Jamie and I reminisce about attending a Drew Bledsoe-era Patriots at Bills game in the wind and snow in the late 90s, and what happened when my piece of crap 1984 Honda Accord died in the parking lot. (Turns out asking for a jump while wearing a Bledsoe jersey is not helpful in western NY.) What's the outlook for the Bills and Pats in what has become a much more competitive AFC East than anybody anticipated in 2025? Jamie, a native of the Albany area and lifelong Bills and Yankees fan, brought both her professional A-game and her upstate NY cred to this episode - a couple of Syracuse University alums catching up on all things sports, 30 years in the making!