The New Orleans Saints will have an opportunity to get out of the NFC South basement in Week 12. During the team’s bye week, their opponent for that game suffered a blow that may hurt their chances to beat the Saints next weekend. The Atlanta Falcons may be without their quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., against New Orleans in Week 12 due to injury.
In a loss to the Carolina Panthers that dropped them to 3-7 on the season, the Falcons QB is believed to have aggravated the same knee injury that he dealt with earlier in this season. There is concern he will miss some time, according to Ian Rapoport.
For the Saints, this would be a notable situation. They haven’t found much success in the win column so far this year as they sit at 2-8 coming out of their bye week.
Regardless, the loss of Penix would force veteran QB Kirk Cousins into the starting lineup for Atlanta against the Saints. Cousins struggled mightily earlier this season when he had to play in place of the younger Penix. New Orleans got after Bryce Young in their recent victory, and Cousins provides less upside than either Young or Penix.
Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In the spider web of infinite potential offseason outcomes for the Boston Red Sox, one thing is clear: They need a power bat.
Trevor Story led the Red Sox with 25 home runs this year, and while it was great to see a resurgence from the veteran shortstop, contending teams don’t lack 30-homer bats. The Red Sox also traded away Rafael Devers, who went on to finish the year with 35 blasts, in the middle of the season.
Regardless of what happens with Alex Bregman’s free agency, this offseason should be judged in large part by whether the Red Sox can lock up either Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso, two clear 40-homer threats. Will they get the job done?
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the Red Sox would acquire Alonso, and projected a five-year, $145 million contract for the New York Mets’ five-time All-Star first baseman.
“At times last winter, it felt like Pete Alonso was more interested in the Mets than they were in him. Ultimately, he did return to Flushing on a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause after 2025,” wrote. “Alonso used that opt-out to return to the free-agent market, where he might not be inclined to be as patient with the Mets.
“Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is looking for a middle-of-the-order bat for manager Alex Cora’s lineup, and Alonso may be the missing piece for a Boston group already budding with young talent, particularly if they can’t pry Kyle Schwarber away from the Phillies.”
There would be so many questions left to answer if we knew right now that the Red Sox and Alonso were destined to wind up together. What would it mean for Bregman? Could it signify that the Sox were more inclined to trade for a No. 2 pitcher rather than signing one? And what about Triston Casas?
However, adding a guy who never gets hurt and has averaged 42 homers per 162 games in his career would be a huge difference-maker for the Red Sox, so under almost any circumstances, one would have to view it as a win for Breslow and the front office.