Conference Championship Recap

Here are a few of my thoughts from yesterdays Conference Championship games. I picked both games wrong so I learned a few things.
Before I start though, I'm not too sure how I feel about this Super Bowl matchup. Denver vs Seattle. I have no real ill will against either of these teams. This is the first Super Bowl since 2009 in which I'm entering the game somewhat neutral. In Super Bowl XLIV I was leaning for the Saints but if they had lost I wouldn't have been upset. But the past three Super Bowls contained the Steelers, Patriots, and Ravens so I was invested in rooting for or against a team. However, for this Super Bowl I'm pretty sure after hearing Richard Sherman talk for two weeks I'll be rooting for the Broncos.

1. Richard Sherman is a smart person and a great cornerback but he is also a huge dope.

First off all he made a great play that got the Seahawks to the Super Bowl and I really have no problem with him yelling at Erin Andrews immediately after the game. None of us have any idea how that moment would feel. I'm fine that he was pumped up and called himself, "The best corner in the league." I also don't really have a problem with him bashing Michael Crabtree in the post game press conference. Those two clearly have their issues. Trash talk is part of the game, we just don't normally hear about it off the field but whatever.
My one issue with Sherman was when he went up to Crabtree right after the play and smacked him on the ass and said good game. I believe that he honestly thinks he was trying to show good sportsmanship, which is just completely insane. Crabtree did exactly what he should have done by shoving him in the face. That was an attempt to show up Crabtree right after his season was ended. The choking gesture to Kaepernick wasn't too classy either.
With all that being said, Sherman knew exactly what he was doing with everything that happened after that play. He took over the sports world from that moment on and he will continue to do so for the next two weeks. He's a great corner and he's cocky. Deion Sanders was cocky and Deion is a hall of famer. Having tremendous confidence is not a bad thing for a corner. Sherman loves to be in the spotlight and he certainly has our attention now.

2. Peyton Manning still needs to win the Super Bowl.

I picked the Patriots to win the game yesterday because I trusted TFB more than Peyton. I was clearly wrong about that. Lord Brady missed some key throws and didn't look awesome. Peyton on the other hand did look awesome. 400 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers. He should thank his offensive line because he barely got touched the entire afternoon. The Broncos dominated the Patriots for the entire game mostly because of Peyton and the offense controlling the clock.
Peyton is now 2-2 vs the Patriots in the playoffs but I think he really needs to beat the Seahawks to cement his legacy as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. I already think he's in the top three all-time but losing another Super Bowl to fall to 1-2 in the big game wouldn't look great on his resume. Winning two rings as a starting QB puts you in a different class. Plus having less Super Bowl rings than his younger brother Eli, who threw 27 interceptions this year, isn't a great look for Peyton.

3. For the first time, Bill Belichick should probably shut his mouth.

Belichick saying the Wes Welker pick play on Aqib Talib was, "one of the worst plays I've seen," seems a bit like sour grapes to me. The Talib injury clearly affected the game and hurt the Patriots chances but the play itself was a borderline pass interference call but certainly not dirty or unnecessary roughness. It was a designed play to rub the corner to get Demaryius Thomas open. Welker did his job and he hit Talib at almost the exact moment the ball got to Thomas. He also hit Talib right in the new strike zone. Was it a hard hit? Yes but it's part of the game. The Patriots run as many rub routes as anyone else in the league.
So Billy, go enjoy playing Pebble Beach instead of preparing for the Super Bowl but stop being mad that Wes WELKAHH isn't on your team anymore.

Thanks for reading.

P.S. Thinking about writing a Pro Bowl blog because I'm excited for it. I know it's horrible football. But guess what? There are only two more football games until August. That's brutal.

NFL Conference Championships

It's Conference Championship time, so basically that means which team will I be alright with winning the Super Bowl. Obvisouly I can't have the Patriots getting their fourth Super Bowl. TFB and Billy Belichick tying Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw with four would be a tough pill to swallow. No Patriots please. The Broncos would be fine I guess. I have no real issue with Peyton Manning. The Seahawks just rub me the wrong way. I know I dislike everyone on their defense and I'm getting sick and tried of hearing how loud their damn fans are. No Seahawks please. And then the 49ers. I'll be honest Kaepernick is starting to grow on me but if the Niners win the Super Bowl that means they have six total tying the Steelers with the most ever, soooo No Niners. Basically after writing this I want the Broncos to win it all so that means they have zero chance to do it now.

I went 3-1 last week for picks. A nice bounce back from the miserable Wild Card Weekend. Hopefully I get them both right today. Onto the picks...

Patriots 35, Broncos 31 --- NE +5.5 I've said it since week three that the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl. After last weeks performance against the Colts it's hard to back down from that prediction right now. They ran for 234 total yards last week and LeGarrette Blount had four touchdowns. Sure that may have been because they played the Colts defense which had allowed over 500 yards to the Chiefs the week before but anytime you dominate a game on the ground like that and win the time of possession by ten minutes is impressive in my book.
The Broncos were dominating the Chargers last week but things got close late in the fourth. Peyton Manning made a huge throw on a third and 18. But other than that throw Peyton was alright. He nearly threw a huge pick in the first quarter but a Charger defender dropped it. So I'm not too sure how much I can trust Playoff Peyton today. It's a huge legacy game for him though. He's 1-2 in the playoffs against TFB. If he loses today, it's clear to me that Lord Brady will be considered the better all-time QB. But if he wins today and possibly wins his second Super Bowl, they may be looked at as equals.
With all that being said, I certainly don't see the Patriots losing by six points or more. I think it will be a close game and when it comes down to it I just trust Tommy Terrific more in the playoffs. I think Peyton will throw an interception or two like he did against the Ravens last year and the Patriots will find a way to win and advance to the Super Bowl.

49ers 20, Seahawks 17 --- SF +3.5 We all know that Niners haven't done too well in Seattle the past two times they've played there. Being outscored 71-16 is as bad as it gets. Although the Niners went to Seattle in week two this year and you'd have to believe that they aren't the same team now as they were then. This time around they will have Michael Crabtree. I think he will make a huge difference in the game even if he doesn't catch a ton of passes. It will make things easier for Kaepernick to find Vernon Davis or Anquan Boldin. The key for the 49ers offense is to not turn the ball over like they did in week two. Kapernick threw three interceptions in that game. If that happens again the Seahawks will be in the Super Bowl. The good news for Niner fans is that Kaepernick has only thrown one interception in the past five weeks.
I think the key to this game is the Seahawks running game. If Marshawn Lynch can run the ball effectively and allow Russell Wilson to manage the game like he did last week against the Saints, they will be tough to beat. I think this game will be very close and it could be decided by a late field goal. I'm taking the Niners to win because I think they have a ton of momentum right now and they have been in this position before. The Seahawks haven't been in a conference championship since 2006, so even though they are home it's a huge stage for them. Similar to the first game, I just trust the Niners more.


Enjoy the games people.

NFL Divisional Round Day 2

Well yesterday I would had loved it if the Seahawks or the Patriots had lost. But neither did. I think the Seahawks can be beat but I'm almost positive that the Pats are headed to the Super Bowl. Also, I got called a closet Patriots fan this weekend. And now that I think about it, I do pick them often and pretty much expect them to win. But I still despise them. Anyways, enough about the Patriots and yesterday. Onto the picks...

49ers 31, Panthers 20 --- SF -1.5 The Panthers won the first meeting between these two 10-9 in week 10. In that game the Niners did not have Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis got hurt early and missed most of the game. I have a feeling that the Niners are the type of team that holds grudges mostly because of their head coach. They have won seven straight games and even though I'm not a huge Kaepernick guy he finds ways to move the chains on third downs when the Niners need it the most.
This is the Panthers first playoff game since 2008 and Steve Smith might play but he is certainly banged up. So if the Panthers are going to win, Cam Newton is going to have to play a great game. I have a feeling that might not happen so I think the Niners will pull out the victory in Carolina to advance to the NFC Championship for the third straight year.

Broncos 34, Chargers 28 --- SD +8.5 The Chargers have won five straight including a win over the Broncos in Denver. In their week 15 win they only let the Broncos have the ball for 21 minutes. If they are able to keep Peyton Manning off the field for most of the game again they have a great chance to pull the upset. They clearly have a lot of momentum and Phil Rivers has been playing great.
We all know Peyton's playoff history and what happened last year when the Ravens came to Denver. I think this game will be a close one but I just don't see another first playoff game exit happening this year. Wes Welker is back for this one so as long as Peyton doesn't turn the ball over the Broncos should be able to score some points.
I would chuckle pretty good if the Broncos do go down today but I would also love to see a Peyton vs TFB AFC Championship.


Enjoy the games people.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Day 1

Last weekend I didn't do too well picking games. I was only 1-3 for spreads and outright picks. Not too good. These next two days are what most people refer to as the best weekend of football. Therefore, I need to pick games correctly. Onto the picks...

Saints 27, Seahawks 21 --- NO +8.5 I'm picking the Saints to win this game outright. I know they got blown out in Seattle in week 13. They were held to 188 total yards, their lowest total since 2003. It was a bloodbath that night. But I think that loss only benefits the Saints for this one. Sean Payton is a better coach than Pete Carroll in my opinion and he will make the needed adjustments to give his team the edge. I also think that the Saints really figured something out last week against the Eagles. That being a run game. They ran for 185 yards last week and that allowed them to win time of possession by nearly ten minutes. If they can do that in Seattle today it could really take the crowd out of the game.
One last thing about the Seahawks, I know all year I said they were unbeatable at home and I really thought that until the Cardinals won at CenturyLink in week 16. I have a feeling that the Seahawks have already peaked. They have also lost their last four Divisional round games, so that doesn't help. Plus I hate everybody on their defense. They are all punks. So I would kind of enjoy it if Drew BREEEEESSSS and the Saints run game knocks them out of the playoffs.

Patriots 34, Colts 30 --- IND +7.5 The Patriots have not been blowing teams out this year (Other than the Steelers and Ravens). They have only won four games by more than seven points. So I think this one will be close, especially with the heavy rains that are expected in Foxboro.
First off, I don't consider Colts vs Patriots a rivalry anymore. That rivalry was based on Manning vs Brady. Sure, there are other players that have been around for a decade but Peyton Manning not being a Colt changes things.
With that being said, these teams played last year with Andrew Luck as the QB. Things did not go well for the Colts last November in Gillette. The Patriots won 59-24. The Colts committed four turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns. The one positive for the Colts may be that the two key weapons for the Patriots in that game are not going to be on the field tonight. Wes Welker and the GRONK combined for 14 catches, 217 yards, and two touchdowns. Last week the Colts allowed 500 total yards to a mediocre Chiefs offense, so they need all the help they can get.
I've been saying since week three that I thought the Patriots were going to end out in the Super Bowl and I still believe that. I think Lord Brady will get the better of Andrew Luck tonight.


Enjoy the games people.

Wild Card Round Day 2

It's going to be tough for today's games to top yesterdays. First off I think you have to give credit to Andrew Luck and the Colts for coming back and WINNING the game rather than the Chiefs blowing it. Although they did blow a 28 point lead in the third quarter. The Chiefs also stay on the list of teams that haven't won a playoff game in a long time. 20 years and counting. It will be interesting to see who the Colts get in the second round. If I'm Denver I want nothing to do with them.

As for the Eagles Saints game. It was a toss up before the game and that's how the game panned out. Saints go to Seattle next week and I already think they are going to win. Anyways, I don't understand why NFL teams don't let teams score late in the fourth quarter. After the two minute last night the Saints were clearly in chip shot field goal range down by 1. The Eagles had no chance of getting the ball back unless the Saints scored. What would you rather have as a coach? A 32 yard field goal attempt by the opposing team with three seconds left or have the ball in Nick Foles hands but be down by five or possibly seven (assuming they go for two) with 1:50 left in the game. At least with ball you have a chance..or at least more of a chance than blocking a field goal.

Onto the picks. I went 0-2 yesterday, so I have to turn things around.

Chargers 24, Bengals 21 --- SD +7 This is a very biased pick. I know that. But the Bengals haven't won a playoff game since 1990. Marvin Lewis is 0-4 in the playoffs, so why is this year going to be any different? Sure the Bengals are 8-0 at home this year and have covered every home spread. But that's what would make losing to the 9-7 Chargers even more Bungal like.
In all honesty the Bengals should win this game. They have more talent than the Chargers. I just don't trust them to perform in the playoffs. So prove me wrong Cincinnati. Stop me from saying they haven't won a playoff game in my lifetime.

Packers 31, 49ers 30 --- GB +3 If this game was in San Francisco, I would say the Niners win easily. But it's in the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. The temperature at game time is going to be four degrees. The Packers are used to that type of weather. The Niners not so much. At least not during the Jim Harbaugh era, where the coldest game they have played in was 34 degrees.
The difference in this one will be Colin Kaepernick and Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers might not be 100% but we all saw how good he can be last week against DA BEARS. Kaepernick still has a lot to prove. The cold could really affect the passing game so he will need to make a lot of plays with his feet. In the end I think a late turnover will decide this one and give the Packers the home victory.


Enjoy the games people.

Wild Card Round Day 1

Well the regular season flew by way too quickly. The Steelers should be in the playoffs if NFL refs had a clue but in all honesty they only went 8-8. They needed to do more to make the playoffs. With all that being said, it's playoff football time. I love the two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday format.

Anyways I finished the year above .500 for spread picks, barely but still over.

Overall: 157-95  Spread: 35-32-3

Chiefs 24, Colts 21 --- KC -2 The Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since 1993 so they are due for a win. They finished the year 2-5 after a 9-0 start. One of those losses includes a 23-7 loss to the Colts in week 16. Apparently though they played very vanilla on offense (according to The Herd yesterday). Jamaal Charles only got 13 carries two weeks ago. If the Colts can't contain him if could be a long day.
The reason I'm picking the Chiefs though is due to Justin Houston returning from injury. He had 11 sacks in only 11 games this year and once he left the lineup the Chiefs defense began to struggle. If he is 100% along with Tamba Hali the Chiefs should be able to get to Andrew Luck a few times today.

Eagles 31, Saints 27 --- PHI -2.5 The Saints aren't a good team on the road. I'm not sure why everybody is trying to defend them by saying, "sure they are 3-5 this year but they lost to the Seahawks, Patriots, Panthers, Rams, and Jets." In my opinion good road teams should win some of those games. I love Drew BREEEEESSSS but nine of his twelve interceptions this year came on the road. It's going to be cold in Philly tonight, and while the Eagles aren't amazing at the Linc (only 4-4), I think it gives the home team a huge advantage.
Another thing that makes me pick the Eagles is the fact that the Saints are 0-5 all-time on the road in the playoffs. Sure that's a sample size but it doesn't make me believe tonight is their night. I trust Chip Kelly to utilize Shady McCoy a ton to get his first career playoff win.


PLAYOFFS?!? Enjoy the games people.