Race, MVP and Playoffs

With only 1 more regular season week left the MVP race is the most exciting thing going forward. The AFC has a lock on who's in the playoffs, with possible moves on seeding, and the NFC has the Lions, Packers, and Redskins fighting for the last 2 spots to continue their hopes. 

AFC
Most likely the Pats will take the #1 seed once again in TB12 hopes of gaining his 5th Super Bowl win. The Raiders with a win over Denver or a KC lost will ensure they will lock down the 2 seed. If they win and NE loses
they could spring in at #1. With David Carr out for the season that seems highly unlikely. Pitt wins, lose or draw will take the 3 seed headed forward, and there is the talk of resting Big Ben (but their final game is against Cle,
so I feel good that if I were their QB they'd still win). The Texans have also clinched the 4 seed moving into the playoffs, but they want to get Tom Savage more snaps leading into the playoffs against the Titans, who by the
way is without Marcus Mariota. The Chiefs currently sitting at 5 could jump up all the way to the 2 seed with a win over San Diego and a Denver win over Oakland (which I believe will now happen). Go back to a few post I said KC is my dark horse, that Defense is incredible. That KC team reminds me of the 2003 Buccaneers. Rounding out the AFC is Miami, and I believe they will lock in the 6th seed because I don't see them beating the Patriots. 

NFC
A little more scenarios in the NFC, The Cowboys have clinched the 1 spot, and they are hoping to never leave the state of Texas as they hang their 6th banner. The 2 seed as of now is the Falcons and 3 being Seattle, these two are fighting for a first-round bye and very well could flip flop. Many think it'll be an easy Seahawks win over the 49ers, and the Falcons have a tough division rival against the Saints. The 4 seed will go to the winner of the
Lions and the Packers going into week 17. The Giants have locked down the 5 seed, and the 6th seed comes between the Lions, Packers, and Redskins. Needless to say, the NFC will be more interesting this week than the AFC.

MVP Race
I believe that Tom Brady is in line for the MVP this year. However, the other candidates have put up respectable numbers. Derrick Carr could have made the race for MVP a little more interesting before he suffered a season-ending femur break. Now the others looking at taking that covenant award are Matt Ryan, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, and Ezekiel Elliott. Now let's compare the numbers.

(stats from http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/12/27/is-tom-brady-really-the-nfl-mvp-in-2016/)

TOM BRADY, 2016                           

• 15 Games
• 346-for-498 (69.5%)
• 4,613 yards
• 9.26 yards/attempt
• 308 yards/game
• 34 TDs
• 7 INTs
• 115.5 passer rating
• 10-5 record

MATT RYAN, 2016

• 15 Games
• 346-for-498 (69.5%)
• 4,613 yards
• 9.26 yards/attempt
• 308 yards/game
• 34 TDs
• 7 INTs
• 115.5 passer rating
• 10-5 record

DAK PRESCOTT, 2016

• 15 Games
• 307-for-451 (68.1%)
• 3,630 yards
• 8.05 yards/attempt
• 242 yards/game
• 23TDs
• 4 INTs
• 105.7 passer rating
• 13-2 record

AARON RODGERS, 2016

• 15 Games
• 374-for-571 (65.5%)
• 4,128 yards
• 7.23 yards/attempt
• 275 yards/game
• 36 TDs
• 7 INTs
• 102.7 passer rating
• 9-6 record

Ezekiel Elliott 

• 15 Games
• 322 Carries
• 1,631 Rushing Yards (Leads NFL)
• Avg. 5.1 yards per carry
• 15 TD's
• 5 Fumbles

My predictions

Cowboys over Eagles

Ravens over Bengals

Texans over Titans

Buccaneers over Panthers 

Colts over Jaguars

Patriots over Dolphins

Vikings over Bears

Bills over Jets

Steelers over Cleveland

Falcons over Saints

Giants over Redskins

Cardinals over Rams

Broncos over Raiders

Chiefs over Chargers

Seahawks over 49ers (H)

Packers over Lions

Leaders Board

Kevin-107

Jordan-84

Nate-81

Johnse-31

Samantha-7

Only 2 More Weeks Left.

First off Merry Christmas all my Gates of Helton fans. I appreciate everyone who has gotten on here to read each week, and especially thank you for everyone participating. Whether through forwarding, sharing on social media, or just reading and verbally telling your friends I deeply thank you. With that be said it's not the time to stop yet, we still have more football.

The Giants are fighting for a playoff spot with just 1 more win they'll get in, and with the way Philly has been playing as of late, I truly think the Giants will get in after this Thursday. On the AFC side with the Chiefs losing and the Raiders winning Oakland takes that 2nd spot back over. If they aren't careful though Kansas City owns the tiebreaker. Regardless I believe they both teams make the playoffs

In other Wildcard spot, Miami is trying to lock down that Wildcard slot. Even though I think they'll win this week in Buffalo, it really depends on what happens the next week in New England. Baltimore, Tennessee, and Denver are on the heels fighting for that last spot as well. On the NFC side with the Bay teams tied records (Tampa and Green) it'll be a battle to see which pull it off at the end. Both should win this week, so it's really up to what happens next week.

Side note won't it be crazy if both Denver and Carolina fail to make the playoffs.

My Predictions-

Giants over Philadelphia
Miami over Buffalo
New England over Jets (H)
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Green Bay over Minnesota
Chargers over Browns
Washington over Chicago
Atlanta over Carolina
Oakland over Indy
Seattle over Arizona
Tampa over New Orleans
LA over San Fran
Houston over Cincy
Pitts over Baltimore
Kansas City over Denver
Dallas over Detroit

Leaders Board
Kevin- 96
Jordan-81
Nate- 76
Johnse- 31
Samantha- 7

Closer to the Playoffs

So even with a Cowboys loss they still hold the Number 1 spot in the NFC. If they win and Detroit and NYG game goes into a tie that will clinch Dallas as having home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, that seems very unlikely, so I assume it'll come down to the next week. Yet, I don't see Dallas losing the #1 seed securing their 1st round bye. The Lions right now have the #2 seed getting their 1st round bye, but they have a tough schedule ahead of them, 2 games being the Giants and Cowboys. By all means, I think the Lions have a great shot of making the playoffs, however, I'm unsure if they can capture that 1st round bye or not. The Buccaneers and Falcons have a chance of taking the 2 seed, but I still think Seattle will work their way back into that #2 spot. The Wildcard spots are going down to the Giants and the loser of the NFC South either the Falcons or Buccaneers. Those are the teams to follow to see who wins that division. They are playing for possible 1st round bye so winning out is a must in each teams eyes.

In the AFC the Patriots are back on top, and after just dominating the Ravens they are hoping they have answered the questions if they can still win without Gronk. The Chiefs sprung up to the #2 spot ( I hate it when I'm right) that Chiefs defense is tough and I've always said watch out for this Chiefs team. Not saying they are Super Bowl bound, but they have a shot. Smith reminds me of Super Bowl winner Trent Dilfer, only time will tell. No matter who wins that division whether it is the Chiefs or Raiders the other team will be a Wildcard team. The Steelers and the Ravens are going to be battling for that spot until the end of the season. I believe that Pitt will pull it off, though. Also, it'll be another tough down to the wire to watch whether the defending champs Denver Broncos make it in, or if those Miami Dolphins pull off a Wildcard spot.

I love the closer it get to Super Bowl, and I can't wait to see the outcome this year. Maybe this coming week will shake up the Playoff spots a little more as well.

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

Leader Board
Kevin- 83
Nate- 76
Jordan- 71
Johnse- 31
Samantha- 7

Playoffs, Are We Talking About The Playoffs

Yes, we are again because they are right around the corner. Kids everywhere are thinking about Christmas, and I'm thinking about who's going to play in Houston.

The Cowboys had a tough a tough one on Thursday against a great defense, and they still came out on top. People keep asking will they hit a rookie wall, when will the youth show. The only team right now to clinch the playoffs are the Dallas Cowboys. They keep up what they are doing they won't have to leave the state of TX either once the playoffs start. If they aren't a top contender right now for winning the Super Bowl in your eyes, you may want to call your optometrist. They have a tough game coming up against the only team they've lost to this year in the Giants. I think that's a must watch.

Not much has changed in the picture as of right now. In the NFC the Buccaneers are battling for that 6th slot, but they're several teams still on the bubble. Also in the AFC the Raiders took over the #1 slot there. Keep in mind though the Raiders and the Chiefs play Thursday and I feel that's another must watch. I wrote a blog or two ago that the Chiefs are a sleeper team don't count them out, and the Raiders could now be the best team in the AFC with Brady's primary weapon Gronk out. New England had some significant struggles with dropped balls, but with Brady, you still have a chance.

My predictions:

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

Standings

Kevin- 70
Jordan- 64
Nate- 62
Johnse- 31
Samantha- 7