Playoff Picture

As it stands in the NFL, this is the Playoff picture. Meaning if the Playoffs started next week this is what we'd be looking at. With only 5 games left in the season, I think if everyone were honest only the Pats and Seahawks would be consistently everyone pic where they are at the beginning of the season. Who'd have thought the Broncos the Super Bowl champs would be on the outside looking in, as well as the Panthers who only lost one regular season game to be doing so poorly. Talking about poor performances, many thought this could be a year for the Steelers and rival Bengals to make a deep run as well. Neither would make it to extended play if the season ended now.

Individual teams are trending in the right direction at the right time. Of course, the Cowboys have been impressive with their 10 straight wins against very tough opponents, but the road isn't getting any easier. They must continue to prove themselves these next 5 games with opponents over the .500 mark on the schedule. Seahawks are a very teeter totter team. One week they are running on all cylinders, and it looks like no one can beat them (case in point against the Patriots), then they turn around and score 5 points against the Bucs. Not talking bad about Tampa Bay, only referencing this Seattle team many say is the best in the NFC, and if they are on, I'll agree. You just don't know who's suiting up that week. Both of those teams would get a first round bye and needed for the Seahawks. 

Now the Lions are trending in a positive way, impressing everyone with their grit and their winning ways. It's difficult to believe you lose the best WR in the country and you're a better team, but Matthew Stafford has shown he's an actual smart QB and not just a gunslinger. If they were to play the Redskins, I like them in this battle. Kurt Cousins is playing good football, and the Redskins are hungry, but I love how the Lions are just out there every down battling. As far as the Falcons and Giants, the Giants are another team who is trending at the right time. They didn't look impressive against the Browns, however, with OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.) injured he still put up incredible numbers. Not to mention they are on a 6 game win streak. I like the Giants right now over the Falcons. Which would give us a Dallas vs. New York and Seattle vs. Detroit matchups? With the Cowboys-Giants game taking place in December and not knowing the outcome of that game yet I do give it to the Cowboys. I think they are the hottest team in the NFL right now. Also, I think Seattle shows up against Detroit and wins big just to head to Dallas and come up short, sending the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.

On the AFC side, New England is suffering the effects of the Madden curse with Gronk's injury. If he can't get 100%, they could be in some serious trouble. Along with Oakland having Derrick Carr break his pinky finger of his throwing hand. Could that be an injury that will throw him off and the team off their chemistry? A bye week for both clubs will do them extreme justice. However, as stated before, there are 5 more weeks of football. The Ravens against the Dolphins, I like how the Dolphins have been winning, and no one is talking about them. The Ravens an up and down group as well. I'd give it to the Ravens on this one due to experience, but I wouldn't be shocked if I turned up wrong and Miami advanced. Then the Texans and the Chiefs, I said a few weeks back the Chiefs were my dark horse and could very well find themselves in the Super Bowl. I don't think they have any struggles getting past the Texans. Leaving the Chiefs to play against the New England Patriots. If Gronk is healthy, I say Pats win a close game, however, if not the Chiefs could pull off a huge upset here. With that being said, I'm not willing to bet against Brady just yet. We'll see how the rest of the year plays out. Then on the other game, I'd say Oakland beats the Ravens and on their way to Foxborough where the Pats head to the Super Bowl once again, and most likely winning their 5th Super Bowl against the Cowboys. That is if everyone is healthy.

As the season plays out the closer, we get my picks may change but as it stands right now this is how I see it. 

Standing:

Kevin- 59

Nate- 53

Jordan- 52

Johnse -31

Samantha- 7

My Predictions-

Cowboys over Vikings

Chiefs over Falcons

Lions over Saints

Patriots over Rams (H)

Denver over Jags

Packers over Texans

Philly over Bengals

Dolphins over Ravens

San Fran over Chicago

Raiders over Bills

Pitt over NYG

Washington over Cards

Bucs over Chargers

Seahawks over Carolina

Jets over Indy

You "SERIOUSLY" Had One Job

I know I have written about Kickers before, and honestly, I'd love not to write about them anymore. When on Sunday Kickers break a record for the most extra points MISSED, it sort of warrants another discussion.

Seriously you had one job, and you can change the entire outcome of the game. A made extra point means you don't need to gamble for a 2-point conversion, and you put pressure on the opposition. Kickers use to make their money from kicking a 20 yard FG with ease, now that it's pushed back to 33 yards FG is it truly that much more challenging?

Coaches expect once your offense just drove the length of the field your Kicker to come out there and put up the chip shot. I'm not here to say a 33 yard FG anyone can make, but I am saying anyone that is getting paid muti-millions of dollars to put the ball through approximately 18 feet of wide open area in between those bright yellow crossbars.

I questioned Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin on why he chooses to go for so many 2-point conversions, but with the way these NFL Kickers are missing, maybe more Head Coaches look to do the same. Kids if you're reading this and you want to be successful learn to kick a 33 yard FG, and master that skill. It seems many NFL teams next year will be in the market for a leg to just give them that free point that literally could be the difference in a Win or Lose.

Come on Kickers get your legs right. Your not reading Defenses, you barely have to tackle, and if you get hit while kicking your team gets the ball back. You're the most protected player out there. Earn your pay Kickers.

Predictions-

Vikings over Lions
Cowboys over Redskins
Steelers over Colts
Titans over Bears
Bills over Jags
Ravens over Bengals
Falcons over Cardinals
Giants over Browns
Saints over Rams
Dolphins over 49ers (H)
Chargers over Texans
Seahawks over Bucs
Raiders over Panthers
Patriots over Jets
Chiefs over Broncos
Packers over Eagles

Leader Board

Jordan-44
Kevin-44
Nate-39
Johnse-31
Samantha-7

Week 10 is Behind Us

*Do note these standing were before the Monday night game of which NY Giants beat Cincinnati Bengals.*

Week 10 is behind us, and we might have seen some of the best football this season. With many saying the Dallas, Pittsburgh game was as of now the game of the week. The only game this season with 7 lead changes and a significant late surge by Dak Prescott and company with only .42 seconds left. Many thought the game was over after the fake spike and perfect pass to Antonio Brown for the lead Touchdown. After that great game, you saw how Seattle is coming around as a team. The Patriots found themselves this time on the 1 and not being able to get the win.

The Broncos, Saints game was just as exciting. That is if you're a Broncos fan. A blocked FG ran back for 2-points to win the game was incredible. The Chiefs, Panthers, was another close game as well with Kansas City able to pull it by 3. Also, Texans outing the Jaguars by 3, and the Cardinals barely beating the 49ers also by an FG

So to have an interesting conversation how accurate do you think the left picture is. I have to say that Dallas and Seahawks look to be a realistic NFC Championship game. I still think New England is one of the Elite teams in the NFL (most likely favorite to win it all), but I don't know about Oakland reaching the AFC Championship game. If Alex Smith can stay healthy and do more than managing a game, I'd like Kansas City with that dominant defense to possibly meet the Pats.

If I had to guess, I still think it'll be the Pats, and the Cowboys in the Superbowl with it being an offense match-up, but at the end of the day. Tom Brady is bringing his team to victory. What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think of the picks, and I hope we can all agree the Browns are just here for the #1 draft pick in this coming year.

My picks
Panthers over Saints
Cowboys over Ravens
Steelers over Browns
Lions over Jaguars
Titans over Colts
Bills over Bengals
Chiefs over Buccaneers
Giants over Bears
Vikings over Cardinals
Miami over Rams
Patriots over 49ers (H)
Seahawks over Eagles
Redskins over Packers
Raiders over Texans

Leader's Board
Jordan- 33
Kevin- 31
Nate- 29
Johnse- 21
Samantha- 7

Power Rankings

With the NFL season, halfway over we have two teams at the top of their
division at 7-1. The New England Patriots (which if Brady wasn't serving a
suspension could have been undefeated at this time). The only game this group
has lost their starter served a suspension, their backup (who was playing great)
Got hurt, and their 3rd string rookie wasn't even 100%. Also, they won the
first few games without the best TE (tight end) in football. Then in the NFC
you have the Dallas Cowboys. A team that finished 4-12 to now a 7-1 team. They
haven't lost a game since the opener against rival Giants. One could make a
case that if Terrance Williams goes out of bounds they had a shot at a Dan
Bailey FG to win eve that game. The Patriots schedule is pretty easy, with
the exception, of the Seahawks (who last night seemed to find themselves),
and the Broncos. Denver defense is so good you have to say that will be a
tough game in Denver especially. However, they are still both very winnable
games, which means New England could go into the Playoffs at 15-1. The
Cowboys road is slightly tougher Pittsburgh with Big Ben could be the top
trio in the NFL, the Vikings if they can get back on track could cause them
some problems, then we have 1 more game with each of the NFC East teams.
They are again all winnable games due to the piss poor play the Steelers and
Vikings have shown not to mention the ups and downs with the teams in the
East, but they could be very challenging as well. Which I expect. 

Going off just the power ranking I got from ESPN; you have 3. Oakland (who
many say Derrick Carr is in the talk for MVP),4.  Seattle a squad you don't
know which team you're going to get.5. Atlanta with MVP
candidate and arguably the best WR in Julio Jones,6. Kansas City but expect
them to drop with a tough road awaiting. 7. Denver you know they'd love to
have Peyton come out of retirement like Percy Harvin did. 8. Bengals has
done exactly what I expected and started slow and picked it up midseason; I
wouldn't expect a deep run from Who Dey, though. 9. Steelers a potential
favorite at the beginning of the year to win it all has struggled with
injuries and their defense especially their secondary. 10.Minnesota after
being the last to have a lost they haven't seen a win since you think they
regret giving up a 1st and 4th round for Sam Bradford yet. 11.-18 (Green
Bay, NY Giants, Washington, Detroit, Baltimore, Arizona, San Diego,
Philadelphia) I can say the same thing you have no clue which team is going
to show up. They have the potential to make a significant push this 2nd half or
fizzle out right now because the year is too long. 19. Houston losing JJ Watt
seems they have lost their season; Brock has been off more than he's been on,
so struggles are ahead for this team, 20. Saints much the same way has no defense
presence really, the only difference is you have a shot with Drew Brees. 21.
Buffalo is trending in the right direction; they showed that last night
game. If they don't make playoffs this year, watch them next year when they
get their star WR Watkins back along with the health of the rest of their
players. 22-31 (Indianapolis, Tennessee, Carolina, Miami, NY Jets, Rams,
Tampa, Chicago, San Fran, Jacksonville) These are teams just trying to make
an upset, and they might be making a strategy of how the draft will affect
them. 32. Poor Cleveland is just looking for one win, and looking at their
schedule doesn't look promising. 

Since it's election day I have made my votes for this weekend, but I'll go one more further and say I vote to see NE fighting for their 5th Superbowl against Dallas trying to tie for the most Superbowls. Happy election day America. 

My Predictions
Ravens over Cleveland (H)
Packers over Titans
Vikings over Redskins
Buccaneers over Bears
Chiefs over Panthers
Falcons over Eagles
Rams over Jets
Broncos over Saints
Jaguars over Texans
Chargers over Dolphins
Cowboys over Steelers
Cardinals over 49ers
Patriots over Seahawks
Bengals over Giants

Leaders Board

Jordan- 24
Kevin- 23
Nate- 17
Johnse- 10
Samantha- 7 

Crazy Week in NFL

Another week was gone, and another week closer to the Super Bowl. I love this time of year. Fall leaves changing colors, falling to the ground, not too hot, not too cold, and oh yeah football.

We had a crazy week in the NFL this week, didn't we. Three games end in OT (and yeah another tie, we won't jump on that soap box again). Raiders make history with the most accepted penalties but yet still find a way to win (Hate to be the Buccaneers knowing you lost to the most penalized team in the history). Two Rookie Quarterbacks faced off in one of the biggest rivalries (but they both played like seasoned vets).

My biggest surprise was Jay Cutler coming back from an injury and being able to go 20/31 and put up 252 yards and a touchdown against one of the leagues top defenses. Minnesota acted as if they did not come to play this game at all. Sam Bradford's offense was not gaining ground, and speaking of ground, he found himself on it quite a bit from the sacks that Bear's defense was dealing.

The top 3 Rookie's also all came together at AT@T Stadium to showcase their abilities. If you are a fan of the Cowboys (which I am), or the Eagles you have to be excited with what you have. Two young teams with great young talent to keep building around. Both franchises have had some down years, Eagles fans watching Chip Kelly literally trade every piece away that was something for what seems like nothing in return, and Cowboys fans watching Tony Romo get hurt and realizing they didn't have a back-up to win a game. It seems as if both those issues have been resolved. Doug Pederson has his team playing hard, and with Romo out of the lineup Dak has gone on a 6 game win streak and put them at the top of the NFC, and oh yeah by the way the Cowboys have the league leading rusher to who's a rookie. Also, I've been asked many MANY times what do the Cowboys do when Romo gets back, and the answer is simple. Look at the Denver Broncos last year Peyton got hurt Brock came in playing well, very well. Peyton dressed on the sideline, and the team said he wasn't 100% but he's able to play if we need him. Well, one day Brock didn't play so well, and yeah Peyton became 100% real quick. The point is the job is Dak's to loose. If he plays bad one game, they may look to Romo, but if he keeps playing the way he has, you ride the hot hand.

So my question is if you had to choose right now who get's the NFC Offense ROTY (Rookie of the Year) Award? Here're the numbers so far. In order from their draft position.

Carson Wentz 9 passing TD's, 0 rushing TD's 1,526 passing yards, 40 rushing yards, 3 INT's, 8 Fumbles of which only 1 was lost, OBR 92.5. http://www.nfl.com/player/carsonwentz/2555259/careerstats

Ezekiel Elliott 159 carries, 799 yards, avg 5.0 yards per carry, 5 TDs, 15 receptions, 150 receiving yards, 2 Fumbles of which only 1 was lost. http://www.nfl.com/player/ezekielelliott/2555224/careerstats

Dak Prescott 9 passing TD's, 4 rushing TD's, 1,773 yards, 105 rushing yards, 2 INT's, 5 Fumbles of which 2 was lost, QBR of 99.6.
http://www.nfl.com/player/dakprescott/2555260/careerstats

My Picks

Falcons over Buccaneers
Cowboys over Browns (H)
Ravens over Steelers
Chiefs over Jaguars
Dolphins over Jets
Giants over Eagles
Vikings over Lions
Panthers over Rams
Saints over 49ers
Chargers over Titans
Packers over Colts
Raiders over Broncos
Seahawks over Bills


Standings:

Jordan- 14
Kevin- 11
Nate- 10
Samantha- 7