Category: Football

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

Posted on in Football, NCAA

College Football Playoffs Championship: Oregon or Ohio State?

The College Football Playoff Championship is coming January 12th for the first time. Here is my prediction for who wins the CFP Championship.

#2 Oregon Ducks vs. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes

Oregon has Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. Ohio State has 3rd-string quarterback Cardle Jones. This is the national championship. For he first time ever, a REAL champion will be crowned. I think that both teams are evenly matched, but what you have to realize is that Oregon is ranked 84th in the nation in defense, which doesn’t bode well for the Ducks. Bucks win in the biggest upset in college football history.

Final Score

58-51, Ohio State

Offensive MVP: Cardale Jones, Ohio State

Defensive MVP: Eli Apple

Posted on in Football, NCAA

College Football Playoffs: Who Wins Semifinals?

The College Football Playoff is coming January 1st for the first time. Here are my predictions for who wins in the CFP Semifinals.

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State was not at all expected to make it in, as it was supposed to be all about Baylor or TCU, but in the B1G Ten Championship Game, backup QB Cardale Jones was replacing injured QB J.T. Barrett, who is out for the year with a broken foot, and led his team to a 59-0 drubbing of Wisconsin. Alabama has a new star in QB in Blake Sims, can throw the ball to star WR and Fred Biletnikoff Award Winner Amari Cooper. While Alabama lost many stars on defense such as CJ Mosley and Deion Belue, but they now have the hardest-hitting Strong Safety in all of college football in Landon Collins. Jones only has one start under his belt, but even that should not slow him and the Buckeyes down, as it should be a high-scoring shootout throughout and Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will steal one from Nick Saban and the Tide. Final Score: 27-23, Ohio State

#2 Oregon Ducks vs. #3 Florida State Seminoles

Oregon vs. Florida State. #2 vs. #3. 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota vs. 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston. The Seminoles are on a 29-game win streak, but Oregon thinks they have the capability to be able to make the Seminoles 30-game record as 29-1. While the ‘Noles defense will have a hard time containing Mariota, the Ducks defense will have to be guessing on every play on whether Winston throws the ball or runs it. Final Score: 34-31, Florida State.

Posted on in Football, NFL

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.

Posted on in Football, NFL

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

Posted on in Football, NFL

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.

Posted on in Football, NFL

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.

Posted on in Football, NFL

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

Posted on in Football, NFL

Pro Bowl 2014

I guess Deion Sanders was right about he would dominate the draft, because he totally did. This unconferenced Pro Bowl will be a total domination by his team. Here is why.

Reason 1: Andrew Luck and Cam Newton

Andrew Luck might not look intimidating anymore after shaving off his beard, but he will still be running with the ball a lot, and we will see a lot of handoffs from him to Jamaal Charles. Cam Newton will be running with the ball a whole lot, too.

Reason 2: No Colin Kaepernick for Team Rice

Team Rice selected Drew Brees and Alex Smith as QBs over Colin Kaepernick, who was undrafted. This is a huge disappointment to many after seeing Kaepernick deliver a stellar season.

With all of this set in stone, Team Sanders has the clear edge. Final Score: 59-27, Sanders.

Posted on in Football, NFL

NFL Conference Championship Weekend

This is the weekend where teams will receive a ticket to MetLife Stadium for the Super Ice Bowl. Here are the predictions for who wins and who goes home.

 New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos; 3:00PM EST

The Pats historical run without rook WR Aaron Dobson and star TE Rob Gronkowski has highlighted a team for the ages, with big plays from WR Julian Edelman and RB LaGarrette Blount. The Broncos got away with a huge game, with a 24-17 over the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots will go to MetLife Stadium. Final Score: 26-23, Patriots.

San Fransisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks; 6:30PM EST

The 49ers came away with huge wins over the Green Bay Packers, 23-20, and the Carolina Panthers, 27-10. The Seahawks survived after the the New Orleans Saints huge comeback, winning 23-15. The 49ers and Patriots will meet in a Clash of Clans at MetLife. Final Score: 30-23, 49ers.