Hey everybody, it’s that time again. Fred and the Fantastics with Laura, with Mark, and hopefully Art will rejoin us right here on the show. We’re heard on BLEAV and PodClips around the world. We’ll discuss this, that and anything in sports. You can email us at sportsfred@aol.com, sportsfred@ol.com. We’ll start with Laura.

Let me ask you a question, Laura. On Sunday, the Giants two and 12 against the Falcons, Falcons about a seven point favorite here, Falcons certainly haven’t played up to what expectations they had. Kirk Cousins not gonna be the quarterback. Michael Penix, by way of the University of Washington, will get his first start in this game. But I’m listening to talk radio from New York and my question to you, Laura, would be obviously, right now, the Giants have the worst record in the National Football League, which would give them the first choice in the draft unless they traded away. Probably a quarterback, maybe Cameron Ward out of University of Miami, by way of Washington State. Is there such a thing as an athlete of really not trying to win? Because I think if you’re out there, you’re being seen by thousands of people. I’m talking now from the Giants players perspective, even if management in their heart would rather have you lose, so you get that first pick. Laura Do you think that the players will not play 100 against the Falcons on Sunday?

I hate to think that they wouldn’t, but I don’t know. I mean, I hate to think that they wouldn’t because it’s, in an athlete such a competitive nature that I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t try to play at their best. But aren’t the Raiders? Don’t the Raiders have the worst record? They’re worse than the Giants, They only won two games.

I think the Giants, I’m not 100 positive, but I think that they both have two victories. I think at this point, the Giants, if they lose out, they would get that number one pick. Based on I’m listening to WFA and,

The amount of points scored or something?

Yeah, just whatever they’re going on is they don’t think they’ve played against each other this year, so two very bad teams. And okay, let me ask you, Laura, the Raiders, do you even watch them anymore?

No. No, I haven’t, I mean I have a little bit. But there’s so many better games on and at the same time slot, so

A lot of people are talking about the following. You ready? Deion Sanders becomes the Raiders coach, and they draft his son, Shedeur Sanders, as the quarterback. You think that would work out?

I think they need to overhaul their entire coaching staff. I mean, I think they need a new coordinator on both sides of the ball, I think they need a new head coach. They certainly need a quarterback that can play, and I think Prime would be great for the Raiders. I mean, they need to get back to where they were, you know, I think they should, this is my whole gripe about the NFL. They should’ve been in L.A. They have the biggest fan base in L.A. They don’t have a fan base in Vegas, and I mean, nobody really has a fan base in Vegas. And we got stuck with the Chargers, which has basically no fan base. I mean, I’ve been to every Raider-Charger game in L.A. I have to tell you it is two-thirds Raider fans, literally two-thirds.

I mean, when the Chargers try to show on the screen, they only show Charger fans. I’m telling you, they have to really find places where there’s only Charger fans. The Rams have a fan base here because they were here for so long. But and I don’t know, like I’ve said before, I don’t know that Mark Davis cares about winning because he’s making so much money from, the stands are full every game. Because half of the fans are there because they’re on vacation in Vegas and they want to see their team, which is the opposing team.

Here’s the problem when you break up the players against the owners and Fred, you know where I’ve always stood on this one for all the years we’ve known each other, is I’ve always been for the players. For the simple fact the owners can sit there and make money hand over fist. You know, you walk around. You’ll see these Los Angeles Raiders hats from the heyday, Oakland Raiders. Now you got a Las Vegas Raiders thing going with the hat. They changed their caps in baseball like five times, I think the Diamondbacks and Raiders keep changing, or the Oakland A’s.

So you know the player, if the player is going to take a stand and somebody like Soto is going to get 700 and something million, more power to him. The owners are sitting there making money. I don’t see the Giants or the Raiders owners giving any money back, doing like the Phoenix Sun owner is doing and saying, gosh, almighty honey. Our team is one in 13, yet we’re charging $300 to come see the, you know, the Ravens play the Giants today and just let’s rip off the fans at $90 to park. I don’t see anybody doing that, yet we’re supposed to feel sorry for these owners? No, I think we’re supposed to feel sorry for the players, and if the players can grab all the money they can, more power to them.

Laura, before we go to our break here on Fred and the Fantastics, UCLA beat Prairie View on Tuesday night. Seriously, there are so many empty seats.

I’ve never heard of Prairie View. Where is this school?

Iowa.

They looked really, UCLA looked really good, but they’ve got a big game. I think they’re playing Gonzaga, is their next game?

No, it’s North Carolina.

North Carolina, then Gonzaga,

And then next week, Gonzaga.

Yeah, so that’ll be a test.

Have you seen UCLA basketball this week?

I watched that Prairie View game. I mean, they looked really good in that game, but, you know, they didn’t have much competition.

Mark, What do you think about UCLA and SC, Oregon?

You know, now that’s where I’m gonna draw the line on this whole thing. Thank God the Pac-12 is done. I mean, I’m not gonna sit there and watch Washington State play, you know, Arizona State. I mean, now this is where we gotta get rid of these teams. Prairie View, I know we’re trying to make money, Bowling Green, Morristown, all these small schools, these David’s trying to slay a Goliath. I mean, let’s get competitive basketball, if you wanna be ranked and you wanna be a top 10 team. And that’s why, you know, in most cases, that’s why Gonzaga hasn’t really won anything as far as a national championship, because they were beating up on all these so-called patsy’s and bottom feeders. Let’s get some competition across the board. Now. We’re gonna see it in college football and that’s what I like.

Well, I just like what’s going on as far as the college football scene. Totally. Let’s take a quick break right here on Fred and the Fantastics.

So I was in the portal, the transfer portal.

I thought they thawed you out.

Okay, this will be about a 10 minute final segment. Are you guys ready? Yeah, three, two and one. Hey, welcome back everybody to Fred and the Fantastics. Art has rejoined us, Laura’s with us and Mark, of course, with us. Let’s talk about, we’re taping this on Friday. Let’s talk about Saturday’s games in the National Football League. Let’s start with Mark’s favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. 10 and four in the season at the Ravens, nine and five, Ravens about a six and a half point favorite. Mark, who do you like?

Well, I’ll tell you before I tell you who I like, and I think you know who I like. This is gonna be the best rivalry in football. I mean, you can cut it with a knife. They only win by.

Don’t you have to have teams play evenly to have a rivalry? Well, no, I think Pittsburgh’s won eight of the last nine games.

Go look at the 15 times these guys have played each other and it’s been by seven points or less, more or less. It kind of reminds me of the old Cowboy/Redskin rivalry. But I like the Steelers in this.

Here’s the problem Mark, No George Pickens, no Steeler victory.

I don’t know. They seem to hold their own in the AFC North, and it’s a big one because a few days later they’ll play Patrick Mahomes on Christmas.

Baltimore 31-14 Final.

Laura, do you have any thoughts about the Saturday game? Steelers 10 and four, The Ravens nine and five?

Well, you know, as a Raiders fan, I’m not a big fan of the Steelers, since they beat us so many times in the past, but and in the present too, if they played, I don’t know. I think the Ravens are going to win the game. I think the Ravens are a really good team. I really like, I think they’re a fun team to watch and I really like Lamar Jackson. Well, we’ll see. It should be a good game.

All right, let’s take it from there. Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Goff right now, MVP in the National Football League? Art, Who do you think you’d go for?

Josh Allen. Josh Allen’s having a heck of a year, and I got to throw another name out there, just because what he’s done, just because what he’s done with Minnesota. And I’ve never been a big, huge Sam Darnold fan, but Sammy Darnold has done some things this year that nobody thought was possible. And I mean, Minnesota’s 12 and two, that’s all I could say.

I don’t know, the sleeper could be Saquon Barkley.

Yeah.

If they voted for running backs. Well, if he does well the next three games, of course with the Eagles, he could break Eric Dickerson’s all-time rushing record.

Didn’t he look a little banged up to you in the game against Pittsburgh last week? I mean, honestly, Fred, he looked like, you know, it’s the time of the year where you give a running back in a 17-game season, you know? I’d love to see him challenge Dickerson’s record, but the reality of it is, I want him healthy for the playoffs more than I want, you know, a record for a guy.

All right, let’s talk about the other game on Saturday, the Texans, nine and five. The Chiefs, 13 and one, Chiefs, what a seven-point favorite, something in that range? Most of their games.

Eleven, but it came down to three because they were worried about the ankle, the high ankle sprain.

But he’s playing now,

Yeah.

Okay, Art, let’s start with you. Let’s say it’s four and a half. Chiefs, a four and a half-point favorite at home versus the Texans. Who do you like?

I actually think the Texans are going to finally beat, beat the Chiefs. I think I think Andy Reid realizes that he wants his team healthy, I think he’s going to play hard. I don’t think they’re going to go that long with Mahomes. Why would you put him in that situation? You’ve got a guy like Carson Wentz who’s been to the Super Bowl as a quarterback. He needs a little time, just in case, you know, I think Houston’s the team to take in that game.

Laura, who do you like on Saturday? The Texans and the Chiefs, The Chiefs 13 and one on the season, but every game seems to be close.

Every game seems to be close because they seem to get all the calls, especially in the fourth quarter.

Thank you very much.

Not to mention they just seem to have a leprechaun on there. I mean, they, they, are the luckiest,

They’ve got a rabbit’s foot about the size of Dallas. I hear you there.

They’re the luckiest. I’ve never seen anything like it, but I think Art’s right. I think Mahomes is going to be limited if he plays the whole game, which I don’t know that he will. I think the Texans could very well. I mean, the Chiefs could have lost a lot of games this season that they just barely eked out. So I think the Texans are definitely a possibility to win that game.

All right, Mark, the world’s worst sports handicapper. I’m writing this down, Who do you like?

Well, there’s not much I like out of Kansas City, except the barbecue food. I’m not into the Duck Dynasty brothers, I don’t really care what the one brother is giving his 20-pound, dripping wife out of a shower. Taylor Swift 75,000 for her birthday. So I’m not a big Kelce guy, I’m not a big Chiefs guy,

Please take Kansas City to make me feel good, Mark.

I’m not a big Taylor Swift. Yeah, I’m going to go with the Texans in this.

Uh-oh.

I’ll let you know how I really feel.

Let’s talk about an interesting game. Folks. Mark likes the Texans, so Kansas City’s going to win by three touchdowns, all right. Rams eight and six at the Jets four and 10. Now this is interesting. Stafford against Rodgers. Aaron Ego, as I call him, four and 13, lifetime. Artie, who do you like Rams, about? I think, what four point favorites?

I just think based on the weather that’s coming in, it’s going to be snowing. I know the Rams in the snow have never perennially been a good team. I think Aaron Rodgers looked the best he’s looked in a couple of years. You know, down in Jacksonville last week. I’m going to go, I’m going to, you know, the Rams are three point favorites on the road. I’m going to, if I can get three and a half, I’m going to jump all over the jets in this one.

Laura Who do you like, the Rams or the Jets?

The Rams. I hope the Jets win. Let me just say that I don’t know who I’d bet on, but I’m just not a big Rams fan.

How do you stop Nacua, though?

I don’t know, he’s phenomenal, he really is phenomenal.

Do they have a lot of snow down in Samoa?

Yeah, if it’s snowing, I mean, that’s going to really limit his impact, right? I mean,

Mark, I’m going to bet a parlay, you’ve already given us the bet, Kansas City, because you think Texans will win, so the second part of this parlay is going to be, whoever you pick, I’m going to go the other way.

Well, first of all,

it’s six, four and 10, right? Who do you like?

Well, first of all, I don’t even know where New York is because I thought the East Coast stopped after Pittsburgh. So where is New York? Second of all, when you look at the Rams, you know I get behind an L.A. team here for a moment. Because I like Sean McVay, it’s a stone’s throw from where I live, you know, the Ram headquarters and everything, so they control their own. I like McVay. I got the Rams in this one, and you know what? Let me tell you something, guys. Detroit could be coming here for a first round matchup. You don’t want to play the Rams in the playoffs.

They’re getting, you mean, the Detroit team that has nine starters out?

Yeah, looking like a,

Man, that’s unbelievable. Hey, what about the Eagles going to to Washington? Yeah, what do you think of that game, Fred?

I don’t have a strong opinion, of all the games, that one I would have the least strong opinion on. Because I think the Commanders, certainly with Daniels, can play with anybody, and we’re not 100 sure. Folks, were taping this on Friday. It looks like Brown’s going to play as wide receiver, of course, for the Eagles. But we’re not 100 positive and there seems to still be some kind of situation between Hurts and Brown anyways. And if you watch the sidelines now and then, when the Eagles are playing, they’re screaming at one another. Artie. From that perspective, what do you think?

I look at this game and there’s something about Sirianni that troubles me, there’s something about this team that troubles me. You know, I will say this, their defense is starting to come on a lot better than they had played earlier in the year. You look at their record, you go, wow. You really can’t say anything negative about what they’ve done. But then again, you look at who they’ve played. They haven’t really played with the toughest schedule of all time. I think Daniels and Washington, getting the three and a half points, have a real good chance to either win the game or cover by the half a point.

Laura, you got a strong opinion on this?

I think, as I said earlier, I think the Commanders could be a sleeper team because I think they’ve got a lot of talent. And I love the Jaden Daniels,

And with McLaurin their wide receiver, too. I mean, he’s been playing great,

But I think Philadelphia is gonna pull it out. I mean, they’re just they just got so much talent on that team and they’re so big. And their defenses has been. And then there’s Barkley’s having this incredible year. I mean, it’s just kind of fun to see after he kind of wasn’t trying hard enough.

Sometimes at this time of year, you gotta look at who needs the game more. Well, that’s it, I think Washington is coming on.

You know, I’m gonna take Washington to win this and I’m geared up. I had some nice Mediterranean food the other night. So I’m pulling for Sarkisian in Texas and I’d like to see Penn State move on.

Isn’t that a huge line, though? I mean, 11 and a half points at Texas with a Clemson team, that’s not bad. And then you got, you know, I mean, hey, how about tonight? Indiana and Notre Dame in the snow? 26 degrees and snow. I think SMU could give Penn State a run for their money tomorrow. What do you guys think?

I do. But Fred, I don’t think Oregon’s gonna survive this because Arizona State will be going home. Two of these four teams that aren’t playing are gonna be going home, I think really.

And how many fans are gonna show up in the big horseshoe at Ohio State tomorrow night?

And if they get behind early to Tennessee, I wanna hear that crowd.

Well, and whoever wins, if Ohio State wins, they play Oregon. In the Rose Bowl, and tickets will go through the roof.

It’ll be like an old-fashioned Pac-10 Big 10 Rose Bowl.

Yeah, it’s like an old-fashioned Rose Bowl, right?

Where is UCLA Fred?

They’re five and seven in the Toilet Bowl,

You know what, though, they just gave Jerry Neuheisel, Jerry Neuheisel is the assistant head coach, and I think that kid’s a good, sharp, young kid, and I think they’re grooming him to eventually be the head coach.

You know, that’s interesting, too, that he has survived. Of course, his father got fired and he’s gone through all the coaches that UCLA’s had. And finally, 10 years later, or 13 years later, I guess, he becomes a coordinator, all right, Artie, very quickly. 30 seconds. Your thoughts? I don’t wanna hear. Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa. What’s going on in your head?

Well, I’m gonna take one of your lines. Artie’s upset. First of all, whatever they call this Zoom crap, it could zoom, zoom, zoom like a Mazda for all I care. I was in the transfer portal there for 30 minutes, trying to figure out where I was, looking for Mr. Shatner. But honestly, I’m looking forward to the College football games over the weekend. I’m a little upset at the NFL because, like Laura was talking about, Kansas City gets every call. I’m tired of that as well. I mean, I wanna see, I think the referees need to be paid by the league and do it full time. And I can’t watch football anymore without seeing that little yellow light every time. So it’s getting real tough on me, but that’s my riff for the as, Kudlow says. That’s my riff for the evening.

All right, are you gonna buy Netflix on Christmas?

I already got it.

Oh, you already got it.

I was watching the Aaron Rodgers special this morning. You wanna talk about an egomaniac? I mean, I’m almost starting to like him, he reminds me of me.

Laura, are you gonna buy Netflix for the two games on Christmas?

I already have Netflix.

What are you paying? 15 or $23?

We get ads, so I’m a cheapie.

No, I mean, I didn’t even know there were two tiers I have, the one with no ads. If I’m gonna pay for something, I don’t wanna pay for ads. I mean, that’s if

I look at it this way, Laura It gives me a chance to run off and grab a sandwich. Or, you know what they do there, like, minute and a half, or whatever it is.

Oh, that’s what the pause button’s for.

Yeah, yeah, there you go.

I’m gonna throw the lookalikes in there. Matthew McConaughey and Governor Newsom, and then Mick Cronin reminds me of the Progressive guy. Doesn’t he a little, Fred? Isn’t he the little Progressive guy?

Get shorty?

Mick Cronin, Mick Cronin.

He doesn’t look too progressive to me. And if I were playing for him, I definitely wouldn’t think that he’s progressive.

On the Progressive insurance.

But I think we can all agree that we’re really sick and tired of Kansas City.

Yes we are.

But aside from everything else, it has been a great season. I mean, there’s just,

And I’m excited to see this kid from Atlanta play quarterback, Penix Jr.

Yeah, I’m excited too.

You know, because they spent $180 million on the Cus, and the Cus is bye-bye, baby,

He’s just got,

That’s an interesting story.

What is he like? 38 or something? I mean, he’s gotta be, and he’s had so many terrible injuries. $180 million on a guy that had a bad Achilles tendon, wow.

That’s an interesting story Artie, as far as Penix, because the Giants could have taken him,

Yeah.

They didn’t, and now they’re searching for a quarterback. We talked when you were off about

They got Danny DeVito playing quarterback.

Hey, you know who’s aging real well, actually?

Drew Lock will be starting and Devito’s back up.

Fred, you guys don’t know who’s aging real well, Vince Ferragamo still looks great.

I’m happy for him. Yeah, all right for Laura, for Mark, for Mario, for Artie who’s rejoined us. Thank you guys and gals for listening to Fred and the Fantastics. See you around the corner. Merry Christmas,

Merry Christmas,

Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa

And everything

And we’ll see you very, very soon. Bye, everybody.