Times are currently tough for former Michigan State Spartans star Kirk Cousins.

Now in his first season with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins and Co. got off to a good start, going 6-3 over their first nine games.

Much of that was due to a few monster performances from Cousins, like when he threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns during the Falcons’ overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 3.

But all of a sudden, things have gotten more difficult for Cousins and Atlanta.

The Falcons have lost their last two games, and Cousins failed to throw a touchdown pass in either contest.

As a result, some are wondering if Atlanta could potentially trade Cousins in the offseason if things continue going south. Remember: the Falcons also selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft last April.

So, if Atlanta does ultimately decide to place Cousins on the trade block, where could he go?

Well, Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post has offered an interesting potential destination: the New York Giants.

The Giants just benched Daniel Jones, meaning they will obviously be looking for a new quarterback in the spring. While they will most likely find one via the draft, there is also the chance they explore the trade market.

“Maybe it’s a pipe dream. But the Giants’ regime could be under win-now pressure,” Dunleavy wrote. “Cousins has 2024 No. 8 overall draft pick Michael Penix Jr. breathing down his neck. The Falcons would have a $60 million dead salary-cap charge and Cousins has a no-trade clause.”

Calling it “a pipe dream” is probably the best way to put it.

It seems highly doubtful that New York would pursue the 36-year-old Cousins when it seems blatantly obvious that the team is in need of a reset.

While fixing the quarterback position should be Mission No. 1 for the Giants during the offseason, Big Blue has more issues afoot, and adding a signal-caller closing in on retirement would not be the most efficient use of resources.

Cousins could very well be a trade candidate in March, but the chances of New York representing an actual landing spot for him seem slim to none.

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(CBS DETROIT) — A Michigan ballet company is asking for the public’s help to save Christmas after a trailer with its “Nutcracker” props was stolen over the weekend. 

Video captured when a truck drove off with the Plymouth-Canton Ballet Company’s prop trailer.

“It just makes me sick to watch the video, and … so quickly. It was five minutes. They hook up, and they are gone. And I’m going, ‘That’s my stuff,’” said June Smith, the company’s artistic director.

Smith said the trailer was stolen from their Canton rehearsal space around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. It was filled with backdrops, sets, fog machines, and props vital to their 40th anniversary “Nutcracker” performance, less than three weeks away.

But of course, the show must go on, as 80 students from 20 local dance studios have been preparing for weeks. 

“Everyone was really upset about it. Because it’s truly the props that pull the whole Nutcracker together, it was really unfortunate that someone would do that cause they don’t know how much it really means to us. And how much affects the show,” said Francesca Kardos, who plays Clara in “The Nutcracker.”

The nonprofit company is now rushing to rebuild what it can and has launched a GoFundMe to raise money to repurchase props. 

They are also asking the public to watch for their 24-foot black trailer and the items inside.

“They have probably dumped this stuff someplace. So if somebody sees this enormous grandfather clock or an enormous fireplace… that looks like a prop of some kind, then call Canton police,” said Smith. 

But holiday magic will be center stage no matter what happens with the props. 

“We’re going to make it work because it’s truly the dancers who perform that really make the show,” said Kardos.

After a National Championship season in 2023 for the Michigan Wolverines they’re now in a situation in 2024 where we’re past midway through November and they have yet to clinch bowl eligibility.

Michigan’s missed a bowl game twice in the past ten years — in 2020 during a 2-4 COVID-19 shortened season when the Wolverines went 2-4, and in 2014 when they finished 5-7 in Brad Hoke’s last year as head coach

Michigan, now 5-5, has two regular season games remaining — home versus Northwestern and away against No. 2 Ohio State (9-1).

Per ESPN Analytics, Michigan has a 79.6% chance of beating Northwestern, but just a 7.1% chance of defeating Ohio State. These percentages really magnify how important beating Northwestern is for Michigan to earn a bowl berth.

A bowl game is the bare minimum for a prestigious program like Michigan and head coach Sherrone Moore sees the value an extra game has heading into 2025.

“It’s huge for the program. Playing another game, getting another chance to play with your team, but building on the future,” Moore said. “Building, getting more practice. It’s like another spring ball for the young guys. It’s more football for the guys that do keep getting better at football.”

There’s no guarantee Michigan even gets a win against Northwestern, they’ll have to earn it despite being the favorite. Michigan ranks No. 129 in total offense and No. 38 in total defense while Northwestern ranks No. 130 in total offense and No. 58 in total defense. Things become exponentially more unfavorable for Michigan against Ohio State, who have the No. 17 total offense and No. 2 total defense.

Northwestern is 4-6 and still could make a bowl if they beat Michigan and Illinois to close out the season. Northwestern head coach David Braun said the team is focused on bowl eligibility and expects a time of possession-influenced, grind-it-out type of game against Michigan.

“If you look at these two teams, as Northwestern and Michigan match up, it’s most likely going to be a limited possession football game. Every possession is so critical,” Braun said.

Michigan’s coming off back-to-back losses against Oregon and Indiana and desperately needs to regain their footing in the final two contests. If Michigan does pick up a win against Northwestern only then will they have the proper momentum and juice heading into The Game against the Buckeyes.