NFC and AFC Championship Games

The true champion will emerge this week...

Thoughts from last week

1. The Seahawks, for all its worth, did not look particularly good on defense. They allowed a Falcons team to score, repeatedly. I am not sure if the championship window for Seattle has closed, but it is getting there. 

2. The Chiefs played great, but came up short. 

3. Steelers won a game without scoring a TD.

4. The Packers, that Rodgers guy. Amazing.

5. Dallas, had they not spotted the Packers such a huge lead, maybe the game ends different for them. It didn't. Rodgers, vintage and was singlehandedly the reason why the Packers won. He is a great great great player. A man on a mission.

6. Regardless, Dallas showed they are a team to be reckoned with in the next few years. They just need to build up that defense.

7. Speaking of, if the Falcons don't shore up some glaring holes in their defense, the Packers will do what they did to Dallas' defense.

8. Patriots, well, they just keep winning. 

So far in the playoffs, I have gotten every pick right. Let's see if that continues.

Championship Sunday

(FOX) Packers at Falcons -  No one guessed these would be the final two teams standing. Falcons have historically fallen apart down the stretch, and the Packers are only as good as Rodgers is. Falcons outplayed a Seahawks team that is not the same team they were a year or two ago. The Packers, played in one of the most thrilling playoff games in a long time. Who do I like more? Tough. Love Rodgers. I lived in Atlanta for a time growing up and went to Falcons games all the time. Nice to see them play up to their potential. If I were a betting man, I wouldn't bet against Rodgers. However, there is something about this Falcons team that makes me think they are destined to win. Great offense, defense that can stop you. Thing is, they aren't playing Russell Wilson this week. They are playing a QB who routinely finds an open man, and extends the play. If the Falcons can get a 10-14 point lead, still won't be enough. Rodgers will find a way. But I think the Packers come up short.  Matt Ryan won't let that happen this season. Falcons 27, Packers 24

(CBS) Steelers at Patriots - The Steelers come into this game with problems already. The Antonio Brown live stream from last week still hangs over their head. Dumb. Move. Then it's reported that they already have nearly a dozen people sick with the flu. Oh well. Play. No excuses. You see, the thing is, the Patriots we hear nothing about them. No controversy, no players mad at other players. Quiet. A championship caliber team ready to go to the Super Bowl. I don't know who will win, historically the Patriots have owned the Steelers in Foxboro. I don't really see that changing much. The Steelers can't expect to win and not score a TD. Their defense is not really amazing enough to stop Tom Brady. If they can put a pass rush on them like the Texans did, and score, then they should be in good position. Tom didn't look that great with a pass rush on him. He threw an interception or two if I remember correctly. Either way, Patriots are heading back to the Super Bowl. Patriots 30, Steelers 21

Happy Championship Game Sunday!

Divisional Round!

NFL Divisional Round is here. Basically, the 8 SuperBowl Hopefuls.

Thoughts from Last Week

1. Every game went exactly how I thought it would go.
2. 4-0.
3. It's a real shame that the Raiders lost Derek Carr. Who knows how far they would've gotten.
4. Sorry, Texans, not nearly sold on Osweiler.
5. That boat trip, whether they won or not, will always hang over their head. See Tony Romo a few years ago against that same Giants team.
6. The Packers, are playing lights out.
7. If I were Dallas, I would be very fearful of one Aaron Rodgers.
8. No ROOKIE QB has ever made it to the SuperBowl as a starter.
9. That Seahawks played good at home. Intrigued to see how they play on a cross country trip.
10. The Steelers looked great, I was very surprised how they put it all together.

Saturday January 14th

(FOX) Seahawks  at Falcons  - The last time they played earlier this season, a lot of people thought Sherman got away with what would have been a pass interference call. It would have been an opportunity for the Falcons to either score a TD or kick a field goal to win. It was not called. Since then, the Falcons lead the league in points and got the second seed. I know the Seahawks have playoff swagger, and very well could win this game, but I think the Falcons are on a bit of a revenge kick. The offensive line for the Seahawks is garbage, so look for some blitzes coming from the Falcons. Won't be a blowout, but I believe the Falcons barely win. Falcons 27, Seahawks 24

(CBS) Texans at Patriots  - The Patriots, with a backup QB, blanked the Texans earlier this season. Now, enter Tom Brady. And this is going to be a blowout. Patriots 34, Texans 9

Sunday January 15th 

(NBC) Steelers at Chiefs - I was very surprised at the Steelers last week. Big problem though, Big Ben through some stupid interceptions and if he makes those same mistakes against the Chiefs, well Big Ben will be at home by the end of Sunday. Chiefs, rested, killer defense, okay offense. They need to score, set the tone, or else that trio of Rothlesomething, Bell, and Brown will score and score often.  The last time they played, the Steelers manhandled the Chiefs. I think the Steelers go to Arrowhead and do it again. Steelers 27, Chiefs 13


(FOX) Packers at Cowboys - Here's my dilemma. I love the Cowboys, but I'm not stupid enough to say, HEY THEY ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL. rookie QB. Look, I fell in love with Dak who is everything I hope he will be and more in the future, but the Packers, look at them. Holy Penguin Fights, they are playing amazing. DISMANTLED the Giants last week. Sure, Dallas beat the Packers earlier this season. So what. None of that matters. The Packers have been on a mission since Rodgers declared they could run the table. I think Dallas has surpassed everyone's expectations, and I am hopeful they win, but if they let Rodgers roam free, and pick them apart, they will be looking at the season as a big step for future seasons. Right now, I think the Packers beat Dallas. Packers 24, Cowboys 20


Saturday Home teams win*
Sunday, Road teams win. 

Happy Divisional Playoff round.

*Ready for the Seahawks haters to come in and yell. Know that I picked Dallas to lose, so shut your beaks.

WILD CARD WEEKEND!

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Thoughts from Week 17

1. The Raiders, a successful season, but one that seemingly is going to be looked at as a stepping stone. I am not sure the rookie will be successful today.
2. The Texans, well they are having a bit of buyers remorse. Osweiler, unless he plays out of his mind today, is not the answer at QB for the Texans.
3. Matt Ryan should be the NFL MVP.
4. Rookies of the year will be a Co-Thing this year. Prescott and Elliott.
5. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are a pretty scary team right now.
6. Tom Brady, minus the suspension, had one of the best seasons a QB could have. 28 TD's, 2 Picks. 14 to 1 ratio. Amazing.
7. Chiefs/Patriots will be a good matchup if they both make it that far.
8. The football team in Cleveland gets the number one pick.  Was hoping for that 0-16 season.
9. I hate the team in San Diego.
10.  The 49ers are a disaster of a team.

Coaching Vacancies

Attractive to least attractive

1. Broncos - Great defense, offense needs to be upgraded.

2. Bills - Good running offense, defense needs to have some holes filled in. QB questions all around the team.

3. Chargers - Great passing offense, defense has some budding stars. 

4. Rams - Good running game, potential franchise rookie QB, defensive line that is good. 

5. Jaguars - Good defensive stars, everything else needs to be gutted.

6. 49ers - Nothing good about this team. 

Wildcard Weekend

Saturday January 7th

(ESPN) Raiders (12-4) at Texans (9-7)  - The Raiders, a rookie QB and a Texans team with questions at QB of their own. I don't know who wins this game. It will be a low scoring affair unless Connor Cook can find some passing lanes. Texans do own a pretty good pass defense. I think the Texans actually squeak out a win. Osweiler will not be the reason why. Texans 17, Raiders 13

(NBC) Lions (9-7) at Seahawks (10-5-1)  - I really don't think neither team is particularly good. The Seahawks have a crap offensive line, which they need to address in the offseason, the Lions have a poor pass rush defense, so it might work out for the Seahawks. If Russell Wilson can get the ball out of his hand quick enough, they can score. The Lions, well if they get behind, they won't be winning. Seahawks, because it is at home, get the win. Seahawks 24, Lions 20

Sunday January 8th

(CBS) Dolphins (10-6) at Steelers (11-5) - Dolphins had a successful season. One of those seasons where, if they played in another division and not one with the Patriots, they would have been vying for a division title. The Steelers did win their division, and it was a hard fought one. The run game for both teams, strong. I don't think Matt Moore can beat the Steelers in the air. Rothlesomething can throw the ball and he has excellent receivers. I think the Steelers win at Home. Steelers 27, Dolphins 17

(FOX) Giants (11-5) at Packers (10-6) - Which Eli Manning shows up? The one that is incapable of leading his team down the field multiple times and scoring, or the one who leads the team effectively. Been a problem all season. Sure they have 11 wins. But the offense has sputtered all season. Flipside, Rodgers has 18 td's and no int's in his last few 6 games. All. Wins. He leads the league with 40 td's. The Giants have to slow him down, especially at Lambeau or else he is going to rip a new one in the Giants. I like the Packers at home. Not a blowout, but they should keep that Giants offense in check. Packers 28, Giants 17