Peacock/NBC paid $110M for the rights to the NFL wild-card game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, with players having to endure sub-zero temps on the field instead of waiting for warmer conditions on Monday. Unless fans already have the streaming service, they would need to subscribe for $5.99/month just to watch the game. How many signed up for the streaming service and are willing to continue paying that amount per month? Are other networks in line to adopt this protocol for their streaming platforms? At what point will consumers push back and refuse to pay for so many separate services because there is no more disposable income left in their budgets?

What will become of the proposed ban on tackle football for kids under 12? California governor Gavin Newsom refuses to sign such a bill, saying that he is deeply concerned about the health and safety of the young athletes, but it should be up to the parents to decide if their child should participate. Is flag football the answer, and would it be any safer? How will tackle football at the high school, college, and professional levels change in the future?

Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers has been out for three weeks and is returning to action as his team faces the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Will this be his comeback, or did he have too much time off?

Why is sports wagering more complicated when it comes to handicapping basketball? The NBA doesn’t play as much defense as they did in the past, with games morphing into something resembling all-star games. Analytics don’t necessarily bear out, and seemingly sure bets often fail to achieve the projected results. What tools would be helpful to fans who are trying to navigate the unpredictability of the NBA?

With allegations mounting against Jim Harbaugh by the NCAA, is pro football the next logical step in his career path? Will he fill the vacancy with the Chargers, as it has been rumored?

Email Fred, Art, and the Fantastics with questions and comments at sportsfred@aol.com