Category: NFL

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The Divisional Round: Will The Powerhouses Fall?

Many of us are waiting anxiously to see what powerhouse teams like the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers can do after their extra week of rest and relaxation. Well, here I am to give you the record straight, with my predictions below:

AFC Divisional Round Predictions

(2) New England Patriots vs. (5) Kansas City Chiefs

TE Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots got a shot in the knee because of his recent knee injury from practice earlier this week. That causes a lot of concern because their offensive line is playing terribly right now and the Kansas City defense is hotter than hot right now. Their offense has figured out how to win without their big-time stars. Chiefs win. Final Score: Chiefs, 29-26.

(1) Denver Broncos vs. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh simply put has too many injuries. Broncos win with Peyton Manning returning to legendary form. Final Score: Broncos, 48-34.

NFC Divisional Round Predictions

(1) Carolina Panthers vs. (6) Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson vs. Cam Newton is turning into Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady in a rivalry sense, as the 2 QBs have nearly identical playing styles, and so the teams’ defenses. This will be one game that could get ugly and physical, and Carolina loves that. Final Score: Panthers, 28-23.

(2) Arizona Cardinals vs. (5) Green Bay Packers

Now 3 weeks back in the desert, Green Bay got manhandled and saw their QB Aaron Rodgers get sacked 8 times and picked off twice and fumbling twice, and backup QB Scott Tolzien got sacked as well, and the Pack scored just 8 points, so clearly, Arizona has a crazy good defense, and that was WITHOUT Pro Bowl Safety Tyrann Mathieu, The ‘Honey Badger’. The offense is number one in the league, with a balance in run and pass, scoring 38 points in that game. This game will be closer, but ‘Zona will still win. Final Score: Cardinals, 44-31.

 

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Wild Card Weekend: It’s Finally Here!

Wild Card Weekend, the weekend in which a team with a losing record can upset a heavy favorite. It is finally here, and boy will it be one to remember. Anyways, all the hype shall be settled on the field, so here is how I see it all unfolding.

AFC Wild Card 

(4) Houston Texans vs. (5) Kansas City Chiefs

Both of these teams started terribly, and yet here we are seeing them in the playoffs. The Chiefs started 1-5 and have won 10 straight, and Houston started 2-5, and finished 9-7 for the year, winning the AFC South. Honestly, as great as KC has been, the Chiefs on the road in the playoffs is never something good for them. Houston wins. Final Score: 26-23, Texans

(3) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s hard to believe that one of the most exciting teams in NFL history is the 6th seed in the playoffs, but unfortunately for Pittsburgh, that’s just how the season turned out to be. Now, Cincy could have been the #1 or #2 seed in the AFC, giving them a week of rest and letting that carrot-top QB Andy Dalton who can’t seem to spell the word playoffs right another week of well-deserved rest, but instead, they blew a lead in Denver and lost to the now #1 seed Denver Broncos. The new QB is that kid AJ McCarron that went to Alabama and won TWO National Championships as member of Nick Saban’s Tide, yes him, AJ McCarron gets the nod, but the NFL pressure has seemed to crack on him in big games (as seen in Denver). Steel City fans will be waving their Terrible Towels to victory. Final Score: 41-34, Steelers

NFC Wild Card

(3) Minnesota Vikings vs. (6) Seattle Seahawks

Get all the coats you own and wear them to this game, because a -15°F game is not fun for a football fan. Anyways, I think Seattle has a disadvantage because their passing game has been as deadly as Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, and it may continue, but this will be an exciting game. Minnesota did crazy things last week, with fake punts and suffocating defense that helped them stop the Green Bay Packers. Minnesota will win, but Russell Wilson will have the game of his life. Final Score: 41-36, Vikings

(4) Washington Redskins vs. (5) Green Bay Packers

Just when you thought the Packers were unstoppable, they turned bad. A 6-0 start ended as a 10-6 overall season including losing 3 games at home, something that you almost never saw happen. The Redskins, on the other hand, are seemingly unstoppable in terms of winning lately, on a 4-game win streak, 3 of those coming on the road. Captain Kirk and the Redskins will sure like to see themselves in the NFL Divisional Round, and they should. Final Score: 38-28, Redskins

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NFL Predictions: How the Season Will End Through My Eyes

 
The NFL season has seen many surprises and storylines so far, with the Carolina Panthers going 14-0 trying to go 16-0, and teams like the Denver Broncos, who were Super Bowl favorites at one point this year, clinging to dear life for a playoff spot. Here is how I see the rest of the NFL season going down. 
The Washington Redskins WILL Win The NFC East

Some people may say that the NFC East is the worst division in the league, but clearly they have yet to see the Houston Texans and any other team in the AFC South play a football game this year. In my opinion, this is what football needs, one division in which good teams may or may not be playing to their standards and yet look like a legit playoff threat. That’s the case with the Washington Redskins, who are leading the NFC East right now, and should remain in that position the rest of the way. I think Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is a true game-changer in this league, whereas Sam Bradford, Eagles QB, won’t seem to reach that point.

The Denver Broncos Will Survive

Yes, they will make the playoffs. All the distractions about Peyton Manning will be put to rest, as all they need to do is win one game, and they are in.

The Panthers Will Go 16-0

People may say that the Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl, but they won’t. Cam Newton will keep ‘Dabbing’, and will go undefeated for the year (19-0)!

Odell Beckham Jr. Does Not Deserve His Suspension

Why suspend the most exciting player in NFL history? Part of the game of football is getting scrappy and trying to physically beat your opponent, and that was what he was doing. Anyways, they ain’t making the playoffs, but Odell is Odell, and the Panthers have wrongdoing in this, too. They had ball boys holding baseball bats pregame and tried to beat up Odell. How did he lose the appeal?

The MVP Is…

Cam Newton. No questions asked.

The Final AFC Wild Card Spots Go To…

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. Pittsburgh has some crazy fans waving yellow towels for 4 hours on game day, and the Chiefs haven’t lost in 3 months or something.

The Final NFC Wild Card Spots Go To…

The Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks’ playbook has no running plays now, and the Vikings somehow, and I mean somehow, with a terrible QB, just win (weird, huh).

Posted on in NFL

Should The Washington Redskins Start RGIII or Kirk Cousins?

After seeing the smiles on the faces of many Redskins fans after this past week’s brilliant performance by Kirk Cousins, we saw that many Redskins fans, including myself, hate RGIII so much, and love Kirk Cousins. I think that this is a good move for this team, and we seem to be moving in a positive direction in all facets and positions, but I think that coach Jay Gruden needs to think about who he should have starting at the quarterback come Week 1.

So, RGIII or Kirk Cousins?

RGIII going to the locker room has been the image that every Redskins fan has been remembering for his entire NFL career so far. However, with Kirk Cousins, we’ve had great success. So, at least know that the 2012 Draft wasn’t a total waste for us. Anyways, there are upsides and downsides to each of these QBs. The upsides for RGIII are he has great arm strength and speed, and the downsides are that he gets injured without any apparent contact (he got a concussion, and his head was not anywhere near touching the ground), he takes hits, he cannot run without fumbling, he cannot read a defense, and he cannot throw the ball at all. For Cousins, there are MANY upsides and some downsides. His upsides are that he can throw the ball accurately; he can throw the ball deep, he can run out of pressure calmly, he can avoid hits, he knows when to take hits, he can run well, and he can throw LOTS of touchdowns. The downsides are that he does not have the speed that RGIII possesses, and Jay Gruden has trusted RGIII too much, which has meant a lack of snaps for Cousins in the Jay Gruden offensive system.

Who Is Better For Jay Gruden?

Now, this is actually a harder question than it seems because Gruden was the coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, and his quarterback, Andy Dalton, was a guy who had crazy arm strength, like RGIII, and turned Dalton and wide receiver AJ Green into one of the league’s best receiver. Cousins and RGIII are in a tight battle for this, but I think that Cousins should be the one leading the offense.

Who Should Be The Starter For The ‘Skins?

Kirk Cousins should be the starter, and there should be no debate about that. Last week basically sealed the case, because even if RGIII didn’t get injured he would have only had 8 YARDS PASSING ON 4 POSSESSIONS! THAT’S TERRIBLE! Cousins, on the other hand, had 93 yards on 8-12 passing on 3 possessions. Another big key will be the running game of the Redskins, because this team will be one of the best rushing teams in the league, and their defense is great, so lots of pressure will be taken off of Cousins. Now, RGIII’s shoulder injury isn’t serious, but the concussion could keep him out of next week’s preseason showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Cousins has consistently shown that he can grow and adapt in any offensive system, and at the end of the day, he is going to be the one to deliver the Redskins a victory.

Posted on in NFL, Superbowl

Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots or Seahawks?

The controversy of the Deflategate surrounding the New England Patriots hasn’t seemed to effect the Patriots. Deflategate really makes no sense because there is no real punishment that New England can see. In 2007, they were involved in Spygate, and nothing happened to New England, so punishing New England 8 years later for something doesn’t even make sense and cannot exactly be proven is just messed up. The Seattle Seahawks, on the other hand, had a miracle happen against the Green Bay Packers 2 weeks back at CenturyLink Field. Literally, a miracle. If Brandon Bostick hadn’t dropped that onside kick, Green Bay would be playing New England (New England won fair and square over the Indianapolis Colts people, so they would be here). Chris Matthews, instead, got the 12th Man roaring like never before, as they forced OT, and won. But honestly, they need more effort if they want to beat New England. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.

Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks

As I said earlier, the effort by Seattle was not the typical type of effort that we normally see. Russell Wilson threw a career-high 4 interceptions, but threw the OT winner. Marshawn Lynch was great as usual, 25 carries, 157 yards, and the touchdown that put Green Bay down 22-19 in regulation. Aaron Rodgers was stellar for the Packers despite the torn calf. If Seattle can’t beat a one-legged quarterback who has won only 1 Super Bowl, how are they going to matchup with a 3-time champ (trying to make himself a 4-time champ)? New England has more weapons than last year’s Denver Broncos team on both sides of the football. On offense, you have Brady, then you have TE Rob Gronkowski, RB LeGarrette Blount, and WRs Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola who could both put the icing on the cake for New England. On defense, they have CB Brandon Browner, who won the Super Bowl last year with the Seahawks, CB Darrelle Revis, the best CB after the Seahawks Richard Sherman, you have LBs Jamie Collins, Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones, and DE Vince Wilfork, who solidify your pass rush. Seattle has just Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and WRs Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse on offense, who aren’t known as great receivers, and defensively, CBs Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell, SS Kam Chancellor, and FS Earl Thomas III, but LBs Bruce Irvin, Cliff Avril, and last year’s Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith cannot matchup with Gronkowski, and neither can Sherman, Maxwell, Chancellor, or Thomas III. Along with that, Seattle struggles with power runners such as LaGarrette Blount, and Edelman and Amendola come up with big, game-deciding plays. Brandon LaFell is another wideout for New England who is key. Also, there have been 12 Super Bowls with a pick-6, and teams with more pick-6’s than the other team are 12-0. Expect Revis, Browner, SS Kyle Arrington, or Collins to take one to the house. This game will be decided by the final drive.

Final Score: 35-28, New England Patriots

MVP: Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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NFL Power Rankings Top 10: 2014-15 Season

The NFL preseason is under way, and so here are the power rankings.

1.   San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick could’ve gotten them there last year. It just never happened though. This is really Kaep’s season to shine. He has Mike Crabtree, and Anquan Boldin healthy, Vernon Davis out of trouble, and Stevie Johnson through free agency. This is a team is ready to put it all together.

2.   New Orleans Saints

This will probably be the most prolific passing offenses we’ve ever seen. Brandin Cooks, a rookie, has proved potential, Drew Brees has Jimmy Graham also along with Cooks, but the running game may dwindle without Darren Sproles (Philadelphia Eagles)

3.   Denver Broncos

Manning has his team the best in the AFC, but a Super Bowl is unlikely without Eric Decker (NY Jets).

4.   New England Patriots

Tom Brady’s title window is closing, so he has to make this year count, with Rob Gronkowski healthy again.

5.   Green Bay Packers

Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, and Randall Cobb all healthy, but Clay Matthews is a concern.

6.   Seattle Seahawks

The defending champs will be without Golden Tate, meaning that Percy Harvin will be Russ Wilson’s top target. Marshawn Lynch is an extreme concern, as it seems like he has disappeared. The 12th Man won’t be a very big help for Seattle this year.

7.   Washington Redskins

The Redskins are ready to roll. DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garçon, Andre Roberts, and Aldrick Robinson will be a core of wideouts who will be ready for Week 1, RG3 will be better than ever, and this defense will be great. Look out for Washington in January.

8.   Philadelphia Eagles

Washington will win the NFC East, but the Eagles will be very close behind, despite the loss of DeSean Jackson (Washington Redskins). Nick Foles will have LeSean McCoy in the backfield, and Jeremy Maclin and Zach Ertz will be big targets this year.

9.   Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Peterson is getting his money’s worth after signing a 5-year, $70 million deal, becoming the highest paid CB ever in the NFL, beating Richard Sherman’s contract which he signed 2 months ago. Carson Palmer is the starter, the receivers are Larry Fitzgerald, Todd Heap, and Jeff King, and Andre Ellington is in the backfield. Logan Thomas, the QB out of Virginia Tech, is a solid backup.

10.   Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck is coming off a great 2nd year, and is only getting better. He has Trent Richardson in the backfield, a RB who is ready to prove his haters wrong, and his receivers are Coby Fleener, newly acquired Hakeem Nicks (formerly on the NY Giants), T.Y. Hilton, and Reggie Wayne.

Keep reading for more on the NFL.

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NFL Draft QBs: Who Will Start? And When?

The NFL Draft featured Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, Zack Mettenberger, and AJ McCarron. Here is where they will be in the depth chart.

Blake Bortles: Jacksonville Jaguars

Bortles will need some experience, even though he has a good skill set and IQ. Chad Henne is really the guy that Gus Bradley wants to start, and he wants to give Bortles time to develop a bit.

Prediction: Bortles starts by Week 5 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Johnny Manziel: Cleveland Browns

Johnny Football, without Josh Gordon, will need to step up, and Brian Hoyer is predicted to lose the job to Johnny Football. Manziel is begging for the job, and he definitely is not Rookie of the Year.

Prediction: Johnny Football still starts in Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Teddy Bridgewater: Minnesota Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater. Adrian Peterson. Cordarrelle Patterson. Kyle Rudolph. Greg Jennings. This team is destined for the playoffs. There is not much competition in Minneapolis, so Bridgewater has the easiest time of all of these QBs.

Prediction: Bridgewater starts in Week 1 @ Rams

Jimmy Garoppolo: New England Patriots

New England has the perfect backup for Brady. Brady said that he may consider retirement in the next few years, so Garoppolo would be the perfect fit as the starter come rebuilding mode.

Prediction: Garoppolo starts in Week 17 vs. Buffalo Bills

Derek Carr: Oakland Raiders

Carr will have to battle Matt Schaub and Terrelle Pryor, who are probably the 2 worst QBs football fans have ever seen (I’ve never seen worse). Derek Carr has an easy path to success.

Prediction: Carr starts Week 1 @ NY Jets

Zack Mettenberger: Tennessee Titans

Mettenberger has the strongest arm of them all, but will he start? Jake Locker will give him a tough test. Locker is the player whom many fans and players see as a franchise QB, but with coach Ken Whisenhunt, it’s worth dodging the bullet soon.

Prediction: Mettenberger starts Week 1 @ Kansas City Chiefs.

AJ McCarron: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals said that they think McCarron will be the starter, yet they do not want to get rid of Andy Dalton. After what Dalton did last year in the AFC Wild Card Round against the Chargers, the Bengals may be ready to part ways with him.

Prediction: McCarron starts Week 1 @ Baltimore Ravens

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My NFL 2014 Mock Draft: My First 10 Picks

The NFL Draft is full of questionable picks. Here are my first 10 picks.

Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney: DE, South Carolina

Clowney has lived up to all of the expectations. The Houston D will be unstoppable with him and JJ Watt.

2.   St. Louis Rams: Teddy Bridgewater: QB, Louisville

Bridgewater is a solid QB who will replace Sam Bradford. There is tons of doubt in Bridgewater due to his struggles at the draft combine, and not running the 40-yard dash, yet he still is the best quarterback in the NFL Draft this year. He should use his sensational season at Louisville as a bit of motivation towards his NFL career.

3.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Sammy Watkins: WR, Clemson

The Jags need a go-to receiver for Chad Henne. His name is Sammy Watkins, the best receiver in the draft.

4.   Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel: QB, Texas A&M

Cleveland needs a QB, and Manziel is the answer to that. Manziel is a QB who has been all over the radar this year, and he will be great for this organization.

5.   Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson: OL, Auburn

Robinson is a hard-nosed, SEC offensive lineman who will protect Matt Schaub.

6.   Atlanta Falcons: Khalil Mack: OLB, Buffalo

Mack at one point was considered a top 2 pick, but he’ll thrive alongside Osi Umeniyora in Atlanta.

7.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans: WR, Texas A&M

Manziel’s favorite target will now become Mike Glennon’s favorite.

8.   Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr: OLB, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

Barr is a hard-hitting player who will ignite the Vikings, despite the loss of star DE Jared Allen (now on the Bears).

9.   Buffalo Bills: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: FS, Alabama

Clinton-Dix is not a player who intercepts passes, but he can lockdown any player he covers, and is good when blitzing the quarterback.

10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert: CB, Oklahoma State (OSU)

Gilbert is probably the best cornerback in a draft since Patrick Peterson (Cardinals). He will lockdown all receivers at all costs.

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Postseason Predictions: The Big Questions

xlixThe Seahawks just harassed the Broncos, and the questions pile up, such as can the Seahawks win again, will Peyton Manning win a title, and will players like RG3 and Mike Vick make a run in the playoffs. I will answer all of those questions, and my Super Bowl XLIX Championship Preview.

Will The Seahawks Win Again?

There are 2 things that they will need to do if they want to win. First, they need to resign Richard Sherman, Percy Harvin, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. These 4 guys came up huge in the Super Bowl, and without them, the hopes are washed away. Second, they need to beat the San Francisco 49ers. Richard Sherman himself said that San Fran is ‘the 2nd-best team in the NFL,’ and also that the game against Colin Kaepernick and Michael Crabtree was ‘the real Super Bowl.’

Will Peyton Win Another Title?

No. Manning is going to lose core players on offense and defense, such as Knowshon Moreno, Eric Decker, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are possibly on their way out. The loss is something that will definitely lure them to get out of Denver.

 

Will RG3 Get Them To The Playoffs, and Will Vick Get On A Team Again?

RG3 will bounce back. No question. He will have a better coach in Jay Gruden, who helped Andy Dalton to 2 stellar seasons. Mike Vick will not be on another team. After he struggled majorly in Philly, and his past history is bad, an unlikely future is certain for him.

Who Will Win XLIX In ‘Zona?

The New England Patriots will face off with the Seattle Seahawks. This will be another blowout Super Bowl. Final Score: 41-16, Seahawks.

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Super Bowl XLVIII: How Each Team Can Win

The NFL has probably the best Super Bowl ever coming your way on Feb. 2nd at 6:00pm on FOX. It’s Richard Sherman’s mouth and skills vs. Peyton Manning’s legacy. Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos. Here’s the analysis of how each team can beat each other and help their team get a victory.

How The Seahawks Can Win:

1. Get Marshawn Lynch running hard!

If Marshawn Lynch doesn’t get a running game going on, then the Broncos will have the game in the bag. Lynch needs to get good yards and early. He can’t fall into another slump like he did vs. the 49ers.

2. Sherman and Byron Maxwell Must Limit Receivers

Sherman and Maxwell were key in limiting the amount of throws made by Colin Kaepernick that went towards Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin, and to win, they have to do the same by covering Wes Welker and Demariyus Thomas.

3. Russell Wilson Needs To Use Receivers Other Than Jermaine Kearse

The Kearse has worked lately with Hail Mary’s that land in his hands, but he has other receivers. Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Zach Miller are some great targets that he should be using effectively.

If all of these scenarios work in favor of Seattle, they have a 31-20 win over Denver.

How The Broncos Can Win:

1. Manning Cannot Choke In The 4th!!! Again!!!

Manning cannot throw another pick-6 in a Super Bowl. He is 11-13 in regular season games under 40 degrees, and 2-3 in playoff games when under 40 degrees. He cannot choke again.

2. Moreno Needs To Run All Over The Front Line

If Moreno does what he has been doing, he will breeze past the defenders.

If all of these scenarios work in favor of the Broncos, they have 33-19 advantage.

The Winner Is…

THE DENVER BRONCOS, 33-26.

MVP: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos QB