Path to the Super Bowl SUNDAAAAAAY

Only two games this week. Championship Sunday is upon us. 4 teams enter, two go home, two go on to 49ers Stadium to fight for the Lombardi Trophy!

4:05PM EST

This could be Peyton vs Tom for the last time, and what a way for it to end, with a right for the chance to go to the Super Bowl. Little known fact, the Patriots have not won a road game in the playoffs in a long time. They are 0-3 in Denver also, so theres a good chance that this version might play like crap. But, I doubt it. Tom Brady rises to the occasion. Peyton is basically a game manager now. Being asked not to lose the game. The Broncos defense, ranked 1st in many categories, is the best that Peyton has ever had. Part of me, as a Peyton fan, wants to see him win, and go to the Super Bowl, win and retire. But I also know that Tom has the chance to win a 5th ring, and do some damage as usual. I think that it's a low scoring game, with the Broncos narrowly edging the Patriots. Broncos 24, Patriots 20

7:40PM EST

Seahawks exposed a major flaw in the Panthers, that maybe has been there all season, but since it was a national audience maybe we just saw it. The Panthers don't know how to put the foot on the throat and win. They almost lost a game in which they had a 31-0 lead, and ultimately held on to win 31-24. Cardinals had to win in probably one of the best games I've ever seen against a future hall of famer, Rodgers. If the Panthers play like they did last week, they will be watching Super Bowl 50 with a bunch of questions, sounding like Nancy Kerrigan...WHY WHY WHYYYYYYYYY. I think that overall, the Panthers are good. But I think that the Cardinals offense is diverse with that receiver set. Look for a lot of short passes underneath. The Panthers defense will adjust and put the Cardinals in a lot of 3 and out, but I still think the Cardinals get a win. Cardinals 27, Panthers 20

Happy NFL Sunday!

Divisional Round

First off, let's throw the history between all the teams out, because this is all I've been hearing:

1. Kansas City beat New England last season 41-14. Who cares.

2. Carolina beat Seattle this season 27-23. Who Cares.

3. Arizona smashed Green Bay 38-8 like three weeks ago. Who Cares.

4. Pittsburgh has only faced Manning in the playoffs once, and they barely won by 3 points. Also the time Tim Tebow threw a pass to Thomas to beat the Steelers in OT. WHO. CARES.

History is history for a reason. Sure if we don't know our history we are doomed to repeat it. Yet, it doesn't matter in the NFL. Last week doesn't matter. Just matters how you play this week.

Saturday Jan 16

(CBS) Chiefs at Patriots - Sure the Chiefs have won like 11 games in a row, but the Patriots are still the champs. Gronkowski, ailing. But you have Tom Brady at QB and as long as he is the commander of the Patriots, teams should fear them. They are a different animal in the playoffs. Gronk will play. The Patriots need to stop Kelce, but should be able to control this game. Won't be a blowout, but the Patriots should get a close win. Patriots 24, Chiefs 21

(NBC) Packers at Cardinals  - A couple of weeks ago the Packers were in Arizona and got Beat. Down. Not even close game. They made Aaron Rodgers look like a guy who should be a backup somewhere. The Cardinals played great. the Packers went to Washington and beat the Redskins. Will the Packers play better against a team that murdered them? Possibly. The Cardinals have an attacking defense. So if they want to win, the Packers have to have short passes, but maximize the yardage from those short passes. Also, Eddie Lacy (that actually corrected to Lazy several times) needs to play better. Cardinals should win. Cardinals 27, Packers 14

Sunday Jan 17

(FOX) Seahawks at Panthers - The Seahawks are lucky to be here. Yes you read that, a little bit of luck and they are here. They got outplayed a bit by the Vikings, shut up Seahawks fans, you know it is true. The Panthers, well they are a team we all sort of underestimated, except the 3 fans that have been around for a time, and the 4,000,987 that jumped on the bandwagon. I don't know if the Panthers are legit, or if their record is a result of their schedule, but the Seahawks are no pushover. They will play better in temperatures that aren't below zero. I fully expect this to be a back and forth game, and a field goal to win it. Panthers 27, Seahawks 24

(CBS) Steelers at Broncos - Lot of guys out for the Steelers. The Broncos, with rest, are the better team. That defense is insanely good. Number one in a lot of categories. They need to get after Big Ben early so they can control the game. Peyton, and I never thought I would say this, has to do just enough not to have turnovers. Rely on the run game, and they can make it to the conference title game. Broncos 24, Steelers 17

Happy Divisional Round Week!

Wild Card, MVP's, ROY's, Stuff.

Well, the NFL season is over, which for us fans, that means there are roughly 3 weeks left in the season.  Here are some of my thoughts:

Biggest Surprise: Carolina Panthers - Shut up. You didn't think they would be this good. 15-1, insane. A hair from being undefeated.

Runner up: Arizona Cardinals - Shut up. You didn't think they would be this good. Last year before Carson Palmer went down, they were 9-1 and crushing teams. This year, they are better. 

Biggest Disappointment - Dallas Cowboys - I mean, look at their record. Sure you lose a QB, the backup should be able to step in and do work. But nope, they suck. It's like they forgot how to play football.

Biggest bust trade- Jimmy Graham (Seattle)

Biggest disappointment as a human - Johnny Manziel (Browns) some of the stupid shit he does, makes you wonder.

Teams poised to make big gains in 2016:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Oakland (or LA) Raiders
3. New York Jets
4. Dallas Cowboys (if Romo is healthy)
5. Chicago Bears

Biggest turnaround season: 

1. Blake Bortles
2. Kirk Cousins

Honestly, no one thought they would be good. Journeymen at best. But, look at the stats. They don't lie. Both had really good individual seasons.


NFL MVP - Hands down, that Cam Newton guy. (Panthers)
NFL POY - Antonio Brown - 133 catches, nearly 1900 yards. (Steelers)
NFL ROY - Jameis Winston (Bucs) - I mean, he had a good season. I wouldn't be surprised if Todd Gurley won. (Rams)
NFL DROY - Ronald Darby (Bills) had a good rookie year. Insanely good year on a bad defensive team.
NFL DPOY - Luke Kuechly -  (Panthers) when your team wins, and you're a big reason why, your name should be here.


Coaching Carousel (a few of the vacancies)

1. Surprised buy Lovie Smith. Really thought he would get a third year there.
2. Mike Pettine was in a win now situation and that won't happen.
3. Tom Coughlin stepping down was needed. The incoming coach inherits a talented roster and should be able to turn it around quickly.
4. Mike Tominsula in San Francisco, one year and gone.

Patience is not a strong suit in the NFL.

Wild Card Round!

Saturday January 9th!
2:20PM MST

(ABC/ESPN) Chiefs at Texans -  Doesn't matter that the Chiefs have won 10 straight, they go on the road as to face the AFC South champion. The Chiefs have a ridiculous defense, and a mediocre offense. They need weapons in order to compete. I still think they defeat the Texans. Chiefs 24, Texans 17

6:15PM EST

(CBS) Steelers (10-6) at Bengals (12-4) - Tough matchup. Third meeting of the season. Steelers have owned them, but this Bengals team is built differently than the past teams. They have a different QB, McCarron, who has played pretty good in his stint as QB faces a good Steelers team who has an offense that can explode. The Bengals defense is pretty great. If they ever want to be elite, they have to win this game. For once, I think the Bengals FINALLY take a step forward. Bengals 20, Steelers 13

Sunday January 10th

(NBC) Seahawks at Vikings  - Earlier this season, the Seahawks destroyed the Vikings. Playoffs are different, but I think the same result is there. The Vikings defense, if they don't contain Wilson, won't be able to  keep up with this offense. Seahawks 31, Vikings 20

(FOX) Packers at Redskins - Packers were my preseason pick to go all the way, but they haven't played all that great. Middle of the PACK if you will. (Makes that joke, cartwheels in front of a bus). Redskins have played great, against terrible opponents. Let's see how they do against a good team with a defense that can get after Kirk Cousins. Packers 27, Redskins 20

Happy Wildcard WEEK!

Week 17 - Happy NEW YEAR!

Honestly I didn't realize today was Sunday and I'm running around so here are quick picks! Next week with the wildcard round I'll return with full season analysis.

1PM EST

(CBS) Jets (10-5) at Bills (7-8) - The Jets can secure a playoff berth by simply winning today. Problem is, it's a division game against their old head coach. They can make all of this easy by just winning. If they lose, and Pittsburgh wins, Pittsburgh is getting the final wild card spot. I think the Jets take out the Bills easily. Jets 27, Bills 13

(CBS) Patriots (12-3) at Dolphins (5-10) - If New England wins, they get home field throughout the playoffs. So They actually have something to play for today. They handle business in a warm climate against a terrible opponent. Patriots 34, Dolphins 10

(FOX) Saints (6-9) at Falcons (8-7) - Basically these two teams are playing for pride. Neither has anything to look forward to tomorrow, except personnel changes. Falcons should win a high scoring game. Falcons 37, Saints 31

(FOX) Ravens (5-10) at Bengals (11-4) - If Cincinnati wins and Denver loses, they get the number two seed. Both are playing lowly divisional opponents, and to be honest, the Chargers are a lot worse off than the Ravens. Bengals should win, but it will be terrible for them because the Broncos also will win. Bengals 27, Ravens 9

(CBS) Steelers (9-6) at Browns (3-12) - Browns are in the normal pole position for the first pick. Steelers have a lot riding on this game, and the Browns don't have the team to keep up with the offense the Steelers can display. Unless the Bills can pull off a miracle, the Steelers will be packing up to go home tomorrow. Steelers 35, Browns 13

(CBS) Jaguars (5-10) at Texans (8-7) - If the Texans win and the Colts lose, they get the division. If the Colts win and the Texans win, the Texans win the division. Only way they lose the Division is if the Colts win and the Texans lose. If they randomly tie, a lot of other things have to happen for one of them to win. Super complicated stuff. Texans handle business though. Texans 24, Jaguars 20

(CBS) Titans (3-12) at Colts (7-8) - I guess it's been said that the coach of the Colts won't retain his job unless they make the playoffs and win a game. If the Texans win, they are out. If the Colts make the playoffs, they are still out. All the other teams are way better than the Colts. Colts 27, Titans 10

(FOX) Redskins (8-7) at Cowboys (4-11) - Just lose, Cowboys. Get the 2nd or 3rd pick. Get a QB. Build up your team. Redskins don't have anything to play for honestly, they secured the division. They still dispatch the lowly Cowboys. Redskins 31, Cowboys 20

(FOX) Eagles at Giants (Both teams 6-9) - Chip Kelly, fired. Tom Coughlin, probably gone too. Both teams have a lot of questions and no answers going into the offseason. Giants 27, Eagles 24

(FOX) Lions at Bears (both teams 6-9) - After a crap start, the Lions have at least showed some life. The Bears, dead in the water from the beginning. Lions have enough firepower to beat the Bears. Lions 34, Bears 13

(FOX) Buccaneers (6-9) at Panthers (14-1)  - It has been the NFL trend this season for undefeated teams to lose, then have a second consecutive loss. Has happened to every team so far. Will the Panthers fall prey to the Bucs? It's possible, no one thought the crap Falcons would win. I don't think the Bucs will, but the Panthers better wake up with the Cardinals nipping at their hills. If they lose, and the Cardinals win, the Cardinals get the #1 seed. Panthers 27, Bucs 10

(FOX) Raiders (7-8) at Chiefs (10-5) - If Denver loses, and KC wins, they get the division. I don't see  the Broncos losing to the terrible Chargers. KC has a fight on their hands with the Raiders anyway. I think it's a close game. Chiefs 24, Raiders 20

(CBS) Chargers (4-11) at Broncos (11-4) - Broncos will take care of business to secure the number two seed. Broncos 31, Chargers 10

(FOX) Seahawks (9-6) at Cardinals (13-2) - The Cardinals know they still have something to play for. If the Panthers stumble, the road to San Francisco goes through Arizona, if they win. The Seahawks, not an easy team to play, regardless of how they played last week. Cardinals still take care of business at home. Cardinals 34, Seahawks 17

(CBS) Rams (7-8) at 49ers (4-11) - Rams drop the 49ers to a top 5 pick in the draft. Rams 34, 49ers 13

(NBC) Vikings at Packers (Both teams 10-5) It's one of those, win and you get the division game. The Packers, usually good at home, get an insanely good Vikings team. It's really a toss up, but I think the Packers win a close, hotly contested game. Both teams are already in the playoffs. Now it's just a matter of who gets the division, who gets a home game, who gets the wildcard spot. Packers 24, Vikings 20

Happy NFL Sunday Week 17