2015 NFL Playoffs: NFC Championship All About The Run Game

49ers-cardinals-football-carson-palmer_pg_600
Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Carson Palmer (4,671 yards, 35 TD’s, 104.6% Rating) left a lot to be desired in getting his first career playoff victory last week against the Green Bay Packers. Things don’t get easier against the Carolina Panthers this weekend, either. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

If you haven’t yet, check out my AFC Championship Game thoughts and prediction, here

Two points. One half.

That’s the reason I’m writing about the Carolina Panthers hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Continue reading “2015 NFL Playoffs: NFC Championship All About The Run Game”

2015 NFL Playoffs: AFC Championship Will Come Down To Efficiency

Demarcus-Ware-1
Demarcus Ware is just one of the many defensive stars that make up the Denver Broncos number one ranked defense. They will be tested this Sunday against the New England Patriots. (Photo By: Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)

Last week I mentioned how important the coaches would be in determining their teams fates. In the case of the Steelers and Chiefs, that was the case.  Continue reading “2015 NFL Playoffs: AFC Championship Will Come Down To Efficiency”

NFL Playoffs 2015: Defense And Survival The Theme Of AFC Playoffs

NFL: AFC Championship-New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, no matter how you look at it, will determine the Broncos playoff success. (Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

There is a lot to like about the AFC match ups this weekend and it a lot of the intrigue starts with the coaches. You didn’t read that wrong Continue reading “NFL Playoffs 2015: Defense And Survival The Theme Of AFC Playoffs”

NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Divisional Round A Proving Ground For Packers, Seahawks

 

NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson (4,024 yards, 34 TD’s, 110.1 Rating) has been nothing short of sensational in 2015; and in his last four meetings against the Panthers (including postseason) he’s posted totals of 1,028 yards, 6 TD’s, 1 INT, and a 109.8 Rating. More importantly? The Seahawks are 3-1 in those games. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the best parts about sports, for me, is the competition when something is on the line. It’s that competition when you’re so close to achieving the ultimate goal that makes everything about practicing and playing worth it. Which is why this week’s NFC Divisional match ups has me so excited for football this weekend. Continue reading “NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Divisional Round A Proving Ground For Packers, Seahawks”

Wild Card Weekend Thoughts: Kirk Cousins, Blair Walsh, And Cincinnati’s Bungles

504359474-blair-walsh-of-the-minnesota-vikings-misses-a-27-yard.jpg.CROP.promo-xlarge2
Blair Walsh didn’t cost the Vikings anything on Sunday. (Photo By: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

With the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs in the books I wanted to share a few thoughts.  Continue reading “Wild Card Weekend Thoughts: Kirk Cousins, Blair Walsh, And Cincinnati’s Bungles”

NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Wild Card Weekend Primer

NFL: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has completed close to 70% of his passes in leading Minnesota to the playoffs. He’ll have his work cut out for him against Seattle’s defense on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports)

Let’s just jump right in.

Seattle Seahawks v. Minnesota Vikings

I want this match up to be closer.  Continue reading “NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Wild Card Weekend Primer”

NFL Playoffs 2015: AFC Wild Card Weekend Primer

dt.common.streams.StreamServer
Alex Smith- 3,486 passing yards, 20 touchdowns- will look to lead the Chiefs to a playoff victory in Houston on Saturday. It would also be his first playoff win since 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

I took a look back at my preseason picks for the AFC and saw some good (Hello AFC West!), some not so good (Dolphins, Adam? Really?), and some down right ugly choices (Mulligan on Baltimore, please). Continue reading “NFL Playoffs 2015: AFC Wild Card Weekend Primer”

College Football: Bowl Season Superlatives And A Way-Too-Early Top-10 For 2016

UCLA at Stanford
Iowa had no answers for Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey in the Rose Bowl. (Photo By: Nhat V. Meyer)

And then there was Alabama v. Clemson.

As I get back into the post-holiday swing of things I wanted to share a few notes/thoughts on the bowl season. Continue reading “College Football: Bowl Season Superlatives And A Way-Too-Early Top-10 For 2016”

What Really Caused Chip Kelly’s Demise In Philadelphia & How He Can Bounce Back In The NFL

1451436058464
Chip Kelly went 26-21 in his three seasons as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

I’ve heard it all since news broke that Chip Kelly won’t be coaching the Philadelphia Eagles anymore.  Continue reading “What Really Caused Chip Kelly’s Demise In Philadelphia & How He Can Bounce Back In The NFL”

Fantasy Football 2015: Thursday Night Football Audible For Packers Vs. Lions

image
I’m avoiding Ameer Abdullah tonight. Just like I have all season. (Photo: Bleacher Report)

So you’re nervous about Aaron Rodgers.

I figured I would just jump right to it; Rodgers hasn’t been great since the Packers came off their Bye week. But he hasn’t been terrible, and he isn’t the one you should worry about.  Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2015: Thursday Night Football Audible For Packers Vs. Lions”