* The good news: The resurgent Bucs were at 6-6 a month ago. The bad news: they ended on a disheartening, 4-game slide and finished 6-10. The good news: A resultant 2016 top-10 draft pick. The bad news: that’s a low bar for good-news.
* The Lightning’s slow start after reaching the Stanley Cup Finals last year has been a major disappointment. Being blindsided by injuries has a lot to do with it. And the contractual status of Steven Stamkos is an unwelcome diversion. The difference is truly underscored by the Bolts’ home record. Last year it was 32-8-1. So far this year: 10-8-2 at Amalie Arena.
* Had the Heisman Trophy been awarded after the 40 bowl games instead of early December, the winner would have been Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and not Alabama’s Derrick Henry.