And here we are. The playoff we have all been waiting for. Thank the lord we have a final four in college football now so that we can finally crown a real, more respectable, National Champion. It's taken quite a long time, but hopefully this is what the public wants when it comes to crowning the nation's number one program for 2014-15.
I am of the opinion that the 4 teams selected were put in the perfect slots and decided in the perfect manor. The Big 12 did get a little bit of a screw job, but at the same time, they only have Co-Champions and considering how Ohio State blew out the 2nd ranked defense in the nation in Wisconsin on a neutral field for the Big 10 Championship, you couldn't leave them out of the 4 spot. I like that Florida State didn't get a top 2 spot just because they were undefeated. Yes, they are defending National Champions and have the longest winning streak in the nation, but at the same time, if they played in the Pac 12 or the SEC, they would have lost 4, maybe 5 games. You better believe either Baylor or TCU would have taken a spot in the final four if Florida State would have lost during the regular season, but they are undefeated, so it's an easy selection to keep them in there. Then you have to two teams that I think even if the BCS was still around, most people throughout the country wouldn't have a problem with them facing each other in the National championship for 2015. Oregon had a slip up against Arizona early on in the year, but then they revenged that loss in the Pac 12 championship by throttling Arizona and finishing #2 in the country. They have the Heisman Trophy winner in Marcus Mariota who should be a solid pro come 2015. Then there's Alabama. The greatest team coming out of the greatest conference division (SEC West) by most media standards of all time. Shot me now. Yes, Alabama should be number 1, but let's not get too carried away about the SEC West. On the whole, the committee didn't go about the selection process correctly throughout the season, but when it comes to the outcome, it was spot on perfect. So let's get to the predictions shall we?
2015 Rose Bowl
#2 Oregon Ducks vs #3 Florida State Seminoles
Two Heisman Trophy Champions will face off against one another here in this first ever semifinal game in the history of college football. I really think this game could go either way especially if FSU can find a way to take care of the ball. If Jameis Winston can pull some 2013 magic out of the hat, FSU will be very hard to beat. The problem? Oregon has one of the fastest teams in the nation. Marcus Mariota won the Heisman in a landslide this season for a reason and if they can handle that Arizona defense like a ragdoll what make's people think that Florida State will hold any chance to stay relevant till late? But, if FSU can keep it within 10 going into the 4th quarter, hold on to your hats Oregon, because it could be a classic late. I just don't see it happening though.
Prediction: Oregon 41-27
2015 Sugar Bowl
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #4 Ohio State Buckeyes
This is the game that the Big 10 is looking to cash out on in a major way. You talk about a conference that needs a recognition win for the ages, the Big 10 will be watching and cheering (Michigan too) hoping that they can become a legit contender siting in that 4 seed for years to come. A win by Ohio State here would mean wonders for the Big 10 and allow them to get the benefit of the doubt for the next 2-3 years automatically. But, it would take a miracle, because Alabama has the pedigree to destroy opponents when given ample amount of time to prepare. Does Ohio State really hold a chance against Alabama? I think so, I think that they have a pretty great shot at holding their own. The problem is, they don't have their best offense out on the field. They will be starting a 3rd string QB against the best program of this decade. If Ohio State wins this game, and their 3rd string QB wins it for them, it'll be one of the biggest surprises in college football history. I like Ohio State's defense to keep it close and keep it entertaining, but I think Alabama will run them down come middle of the 2nd half, and if they have a two possession lead on Ohio State, it'll feel like a 4 possession lead. Alabama should win this game, but Ohio State will keep it close.
Prediction: Alabama 21-13
2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #2 Oregon Ducks
Well, I think the consensus is that this is who should be the two top teams in the National Championship. The best team from the best conference, and the best team from the second best conference with the Heisman Trophy Winner. No doubt about it that this will be one heck of a matchup. What's interesting about this game is that Oregon's Defense and Alabama's Offense might be the deciding factor. Oregon's defense is not SEC worthy and Alabama can run the ball all day on Oregon, the problem will be if Oregon takes the lead early and takes a big enough lead, will Alabama be able to run the ball effectively and use the run game as a weapon if they are down in the 4th quarter? That is the ultimate question, because if Alabama can handle that Oregon defense the way we all think they can, then Oregon better do their work on offense to take that early lead. Oregon has the offense to play against anybody and ultimately they can jump out to the lead they need to maintain the Alabama run game. It's going to come down to Oregon's fast offense against Alabama's walk it up the field mentality, but if Alabama can get the lead heading into the 4th, the clock will move a lot quicker than we anticipate. I just think that Oregon will find a way to get out to a quick lead and hold off Alabama just enough, but they need that quick lead or else the tide will turn.
Prediction: Oregon 38-35
Enjoy the rest of the Bowl games and enjoy the College Football Playoffs!
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
2015 NFL Playoff Predictions
So it took me a while to map out my predictions on here and I want to be clear that I did have the Denver Broncos winning the Super Bowl before the season and that I still think they can. The problem is the last 6 weeks they haven't looked like a team that can take their talent all the way to Arizona on February 1st. Can they do it without Peyton Manning playing a solid game? Absolutely. Do they need him to play better then average though? Of course. That is what makes the playoffs hard to predict this year, but their are still some dominant teams that should make head way in this postseason.
First off let me remind you that concurrent with Sports Illustrated this year, I was 77 games off in my predictions before the season (just like Sports Illustrated). Out of the 32 teams and where they may be slotted within their division, I put 17 teams in the correct spot within their division. 6 of the 12 teams I predicted to be in the playoffs got into the playoffs, all three top AFC seeded teams went where I projected them to be (Patriots, Broncos, & Colts) And in my predictions before the season, I did better than Sports Illustrated in 5 of the 8 divisions. I also predicted 4 teams in the NFL their correct record (Patriots, Giants, Ravens, & Seahawks). So with that, obviously, take my predictions with a grain of salt, because the NFL is unpredictable.
Here are my predictions & scores during wild card weekend in the NFL coming up for the weekend of January 3rd & 4th.
Wild Card Weekend
#5 Arizona Cardinals (11-5) @ #4 Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)
I know the Panthers are one of the most pathetic division winners in the history of the NFL, but don't let them fool you. They are also the first NFC South winner to win back-to-back NFC South titles in the divisional era (since the NFC South was formed). People also forget that Carolina was the #2 seed in the NFC last year and they had a vaunted defense. Arizona also has a vaunted defense, the problem is their offense is the equivalency of a broken wing. They won't go far, and with a third string QB at the helm, it will be tough for them to match Cam Newton on the other side of the ball. Carolina wins this one, but don't be shocked if Arizona makes it tough.
Prediction: Carolina 24-13
#6 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ #3 Pittsburgh Steelers(11-5)
This is the most treacherous rivalry in the AFC over the past decade. These two teams haven't liked each other long enough to where many children forget about the NFL being an actual contact sport. These teams used to hit so hard that I don't even think some of the former players remember who they are. This won't be that violent because women and children will be watching on a Saturday night eating their marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate, but don't be upset and call the PC Police if it gets a little toasty on the field. These teams have hated each other since the early 2000's and it will stay that way till time ends, and I expect an instant classic like it should be. The offensive firepower of the Steelers can match any team, but the Ravens do this thing in the postseason where they tend to crush dreams and Joe Flacco starts playing like Joe Montana. I think the Ravens find a way to win, but again, considering the power of this rivalry, my word practically means nothing. It's why they play the damn game.
Prediction: Baltimore 24-21
#5 Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) @ #4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
The scary thing about this matchup is that Cincinnati could come into Indianapolis and absolutely throttle them defensively and run the ball down their throat, or Indianapolis could come and deliver the same blow they did early on in the season. Both these teams have been highly inconsistent this season and the only thing keeping my finger on the Colts is that they have the most powerful QB in football in Andrew Luck. Nobody remembers in this short attention span society that Andrew Luck led one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history last season against the Kansas City Chiefs and found a way to get into the second round of the playoffs. He may have to do that again this year and frankly, it wouldn't shock me. With the struggles Cincinnati has had in the postseason over the past couple seasons, they still don't have the biggest identity to lean on except for a rookie running back out of LSU who is unproven in the most important NFL season; The Postseason. The Colts have an identity, and it's not run driven, but Luck driven. They'll find a way to win.
Prediction: Indianapolis 26-21
#6 Detroit Lions (11-5) @ #3 Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Crazy to think that the #6 and #3 seed are only separated by 1 game. Well, that's the NFC for you, it's been absolutely nuts this year. The problem I have with the Lions is that they can't beat anybody over .500. Every team they have played with 9+ wins they have lost to (unless you count that Week 3 win against the Packers) and the Cowboys have found a way to obliterate every one they have faced since that Thanksgiving debacle against the Eagles. Weather it's on the Road or in the safe comfy Jerry Land in Arlington Texas, the Cowboys are playing like the Cowboys of the 90's over the last month. But this time, instead of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, & Michael Irvin playing against Barry Sanders and the Lions, it'll be Romo, Dez, Spray Tan (DeMarco Murray), against Calvin Johnson and the boys. Should be a fun show, just don't expect Detroit to show up and play well.
Prediction: Dallas 34-17
Divisional Playoffs
NFC
#4 Carolina Panthers (8-8-1) @ #1 Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
... No No... I no breakdown game (Family Guy Consuela voice). The Panthers stand no chance against this high riding Seahawks team who's been on fire and caught stride at the perfect time. They can keep it close early, but the Seahawks will pull away eventually because they've had a week off. Once they dust the rust off in the 1st half, they'll put their foot on the Panther's neck in the 2nd.
Prediction: Seattle 21-9
#3 Dallas Cowboys (13-4) @ #2 Green Bay Packers (12-4)
This will be one of those games you will want to re-watch because I honestly could see it going either way and I guarantee you the 4th quarter will be amazing. But here's why Dallas is going to win. Look at how they have played since Thanksgiving and look at what Green Bay has done defensively. If you just take a quick look at their schedules, Dallas has dominated where Green Bay has been winning but they have also shown inconsistency and also have let bad teams hang around. The Cowboys don't have the best defense, but if they can get the Aaron Rodgers and make him feel a little flustered and keep that Packer Defense on the field, the Packers will wilt under their own home turf. The Packers are 8-0 at Lambeau Field this year, and at one point during the season they looked absolutely unbeatable. They still can win this game, but if the Cowboys can establish the run early, Aaron Rodgers will have to play the perfect football game to win. Considering the Cowboys have had the best running back in the NFL all year, and that their offense is peaking at the right time, they might be able to crack the Packers Defense in the 4th quarter. Again though, Aaron Rodgers is a zombie and I warn you, He... won't...die. This will be a classic either way.
Prediction: Dallas 31-28 F/OT
AFC
#6 Baltimore Ravens (11-6) @ #1 New England Patriots (12-4)
I feel like it's an every other year thing when these two teams meet up in the playoffs and I'm always curious to see which of which team shows up. Will the Patriots a chokers past find a way to let Joe Flacco and the boys squeak by? Or will Tom Brady play like the greatest thing since sliced bread and turn Joe Flacco into Gisele Bundchen in the kitchen. Yes, Tom Brady is Bruce Almighty, haven't you been watching the NFL for 10+ years? The point is, Baltimore scares me because if they beat Pittsburgh, they could go on a run all the way to the Super Bowl like they did two years ago, but I like the Patriots offense so much that it hurts. The other thing I keep forgetting is how potent that New England secondary is and I feel they have found a way to mimic Seattle and make it difficult to pass against. If Joe Flacco can't pass, then he might as well start prepping sandwiches to the defense now. Nothing like a Joe Flacco pick sandwich...In fact, make it two. I think Baltimore teases us, but New England will be the victor.
Prediction: New England 28-20
#4 Indianapolis Colts (12-5) @ #2 Denver Broncos (12-4)
I don't think people understand how long it took me to write this blog. It took me about 5 hours to write it, but at least an hour of it was focused on picking this game. Why? WHY AN HOUR WHEN A MONKEY COULD PICK THE GAME!? Because I don't know what the heck Peyton Manning is going to do! He's getting 2 weeks to rest and prepare and he's already played against the Colts already so he understands what it takes to beat them, but is he healthy enough and is that offense out of it's strange funk it's been in over the last month or so? I really can't tell, but the eye test tells me that somebody ate a bad case of cooked chicken and the worms are showing. I really don't like the inconsistency of the Colts, in fact, it makes me want to puke thinking they have a shot in the frigid Denver atmosphere and that Andrew Luck might actually have a chance to get to his first AFC Championship game, but it's hard to also pick the team that has consistently found a way to lose against good teams, and not put bad teams away early that makes me keep coming back to Andrew Luck and his capability to overtake the thrown of the Denver Broncos AFC Championship Crown. This game will be back and forth but in an odd way where it will be quick drives with many turnovers, but not a ton of scoring. This game could have a very odd feel to it, but I just can't pick against Luck considering how the Broncos have looked the past couple of months. I feel sick to my stomach, but I think the Colts will pull it out in Denver (even though I picked Denver as my preseason Super Bowl favorites).
Prediction: Indianapolis 26-24
Conference Championship Weekend
NFC Championship
#3 Dallas Cowboys (14-4) @ #1 Seattle Seahawks (13-4)
As we all know, the Cowboys beat the Seahawks earlier in the season in CenturyLink Field where it was thought of that the Seahawks were unbeatable. The Cowboys were then pronounced as the class of the NFL after that game, and deservedly so. The problem is, the Seahawks were completely wiped with injury issues at that point along with a whole bunch of locker room issues, chemistry problems from Percy Harvin, and that whole team hit a Grade A funk. Well, since that game, the Seahawks have pulled a complete 180 degrees and they now look like a team ready to repeat and nobody is questioning their capabilities now. Can the Cowboys do what they did earlier on in the season? Absolutely. Do I think the Cowboys can go into Seattle and dethrone the Defending Super Bowl Champions in their house on their way to Super Bowl XLIX looking to repeat as champions? Of Course. But here's why it's not going to happen. Tony Romo is a clutch player, people will laugh when reading that line but he is when nobody is watching. The problem is, everybody will be watching this game, and if can pull it off, he'll be heralded as the next Jesus Christ and religions across the land will prepare for the coming of their respective Lord. The issue with that possibility, Russell Wilson is already the God son of the NFL and he's already the living testament of the modern scriptures in what Jesus Christ is defining. Yes, I've gone completely Jesus on this bitch. The point is, Russell Wilson is the captain of the Millennium Falcon, all he needs to do is feed the beast, run the ball every time he can't find an open man, and let the defense receive the rest they need to keep attacking Tony Romo. If he does that, then the crowd will do the rest of the work. The Seahawks are playing like they did a year ago, and the past 6+ weeks they've been the best team in the NFL. They are going to Arizona to play for another championship.
Prediction: Seattle 27-17
AFC Championship
#4 Indianapolis Colts (13-5) @ #1 New England Patriots (13-4)
Well this isn't new. The only difference here is that the Colts don't have Peyton Manning and that's about it. Oh, and that the Patriots actually have a scary defense now and Andrew Luck stands no chance. If Andrew Luck finds a way to get to the Super Bowl, Buddhist Monks will fall from the sky and start to follow Andrew Luck in a perfect snake driven line till the end of time. He has to be their savior if he can beat the greatness of Tom Brady right? There's no way Tom Brady is losing this game. He's going to absolutely torch the Colts and make them wish they never played in the AFC and on top of Tom Brady torching them, the Colts offense is pass driven, and that's exactly what the Patriots defense is geared to stop. They won't be able get deep passes down the field and the Colts will be forced to keep their defense out on the field for too long and eventually the Patriots will be walking down the field by the 4th quarter. I think the Colts make it a closer game than it looks but this game will be over by the middle 3rd quarter.
Prediction: New England 35-23
AND NOW... FOR THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING TO READ...
(Which I'm sure you have already skipped to you impatient nitwit)
Super Bowl XLIX
#1 Seattle Seahawks (14-4) vs #1 New England (14-4)
Boy... this is a game that I want to see for the pure entertainment purpose of what the defenses will draw up to counteract one another and then to see the adjustments made in the second half to see which offense is ready come the 4th quarter to drive those precious yards in an attempt to win a historic Super Bowl. Why would this be historic? Well, it would be Tom Brady's 4th Super Bowl, or it would back-to-back Super Bowls for the Seahawks. I wish I didn't have to pick, but I know some team has to come out on top. I feel like if the Patriots have 2 weeks to prepare then Belichick will find the master scheme to offset the Legion of Boom. If you give Pete Carroll 2 weeks to prepare, he'll find ways to shut down crucial parts of the Patriots scheme. This would be the ultimate chess match. Two organizations fighting for the History that the NFL wants to unravel. The furry of the Seahawks and the calculated attack of the Patriots. Talk about a game that you could analyze from every angle and speculate what might go on. I hope it's these two teams because I want to see how they will match up on a neutral field. But... I'm picking the Seahawks, because this team is scary on 2 weeks rest, and if they find themselves with the lead in the 4th quarter, their run game will win the game. Period.
Prediction: Seattle 27-25
Super Bowl MVP: Marshawn Lynch
Thank you for reading! Enjoy the Playoffs!
First off let me remind you that concurrent with Sports Illustrated this year, I was 77 games off in my predictions before the season (just like Sports Illustrated). Out of the 32 teams and where they may be slotted within their division, I put 17 teams in the correct spot within their division. 6 of the 12 teams I predicted to be in the playoffs got into the playoffs, all three top AFC seeded teams went where I projected them to be (Patriots, Broncos, & Colts) And in my predictions before the season, I did better than Sports Illustrated in 5 of the 8 divisions. I also predicted 4 teams in the NFL their correct record (Patriots, Giants, Ravens, & Seahawks). So with that, obviously, take my predictions with a grain of salt, because the NFL is unpredictable.
Here are my predictions & scores during wild card weekend in the NFL coming up for the weekend of January 3rd & 4th.
Wild Card Weekend
#5 Arizona Cardinals (11-5) @ #4 Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)
I know the Panthers are one of the most pathetic division winners in the history of the NFL, but don't let them fool you. They are also the first NFC South winner to win back-to-back NFC South titles in the divisional era (since the NFC South was formed). People also forget that Carolina was the #2 seed in the NFC last year and they had a vaunted defense. Arizona also has a vaunted defense, the problem is their offense is the equivalency of a broken wing. They won't go far, and with a third string QB at the helm, it will be tough for them to match Cam Newton on the other side of the ball. Carolina wins this one, but don't be shocked if Arizona makes it tough.
Prediction: Carolina 24-13
#6 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ #3 Pittsburgh Steelers(11-5)
This is the most treacherous rivalry in the AFC over the past decade. These two teams haven't liked each other long enough to where many children forget about the NFL being an actual contact sport. These teams used to hit so hard that I don't even think some of the former players remember who they are. This won't be that violent because women and children will be watching on a Saturday night eating their marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate, but don't be upset and call the PC Police if it gets a little toasty on the field. These teams have hated each other since the early 2000's and it will stay that way till time ends, and I expect an instant classic like it should be. The offensive firepower of the Steelers can match any team, but the Ravens do this thing in the postseason where they tend to crush dreams and Joe Flacco starts playing like Joe Montana. I think the Ravens find a way to win, but again, considering the power of this rivalry, my word practically means nothing. It's why they play the damn game.
Prediction: Baltimore 24-21
#5 Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) @ #4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
The scary thing about this matchup is that Cincinnati could come into Indianapolis and absolutely throttle them defensively and run the ball down their throat, or Indianapolis could come and deliver the same blow they did early on in the season. Both these teams have been highly inconsistent this season and the only thing keeping my finger on the Colts is that they have the most powerful QB in football in Andrew Luck. Nobody remembers in this short attention span society that Andrew Luck led one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history last season against the Kansas City Chiefs and found a way to get into the second round of the playoffs. He may have to do that again this year and frankly, it wouldn't shock me. With the struggles Cincinnati has had in the postseason over the past couple seasons, they still don't have the biggest identity to lean on except for a rookie running back out of LSU who is unproven in the most important NFL season; The Postseason. The Colts have an identity, and it's not run driven, but Luck driven. They'll find a way to win.
Prediction: Indianapolis 26-21
#6 Detroit Lions (11-5) @ #3 Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Crazy to think that the #6 and #3 seed are only separated by 1 game. Well, that's the NFC for you, it's been absolutely nuts this year. The problem I have with the Lions is that they can't beat anybody over .500. Every team they have played with 9+ wins they have lost to (unless you count that Week 3 win against the Packers) and the Cowboys have found a way to obliterate every one they have faced since that Thanksgiving debacle against the Eagles. Weather it's on the Road or in the safe comfy Jerry Land in Arlington Texas, the Cowboys are playing like the Cowboys of the 90's over the last month. But this time, instead of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, & Michael Irvin playing against Barry Sanders and the Lions, it'll be Romo, Dez, Spray Tan (DeMarco Murray), against Calvin Johnson and the boys. Should be a fun show, just don't expect Detroit to show up and play well.
Prediction: Dallas 34-17
Divisional Playoffs
NFC
#4 Carolina Panthers (8-8-1) @ #1 Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
... No No... I no breakdown game (Family Guy Consuela voice). The Panthers stand no chance against this high riding Seahawks team who's been on fire and caught stride at the perfect time. They can keep it close early, but the Seahawks will pull away eventually because they've had a week off. Once they dust the rust off in the 1st half, they'll put their foot on the Panther's neck in the 2nd.
Prediction: Seattle 21-9
#3 Dallas Cowboys (13-4) @ #2 Green Bay Packers (12-4)
This will be one of those games you will want to re-watch because I honestly could see it going either way and I guarantee you the 4th quarter will be amazing. But here's why Dallas is going to win. Look at how they have played since Thanksgiving and look at what Green Bay has done defensively. If you just take a quick look at their schedules, Dallas has dominated where Green Bay has been winning but they have also shown inconsistency and also have let bad teams hang around. The Cowboys don't have the best defense, but if they can get the Aaron Rodgers and make him feel a little flustered and keep that Packer Defense on the field, the Packers will wilt under their own home turf. The Packers are 8-0 at Lambeau Field this year, and at one point during the season they looked absolutely unbeatable. They still can win this game, but if the Cowboys can establish the run early, Aaron Rodgers will have to play the perfect football game to win. Considering the Cowboys have had the best running back in the NFL all year, and that their offense is peaking at the right time, they might be able to crack the Packers Defense in the 4th quarter. Again though, Aaron Rodgers is a zombie and I warn you, He... won't...die. This will be a classic either way.
Prediction: Dallas 31-28 F/OT
AFC
#6 Baltimore Ravens (11-6) @ #1 New England Patriots (12-4)
I feel like it's an every other year thing when these two teams meet up in the playoffs and I'm always curious to see which of which team shows up. Will the Patriots a chokers past find a way to let Joe Flacco and the boys squeak by? Or will Tom Brady play like the greatest thing since sliced bread and turn Joe Flacco into Gisele Bundchen in the kitchen. Yes, Tom Brady is Bruce Almighty, haven't you been watching the NFL for 10+ years? The point is, Baltimore scares me because if they beat Pittsburgh, they could go on a run all the way to the Super Bowl like they did two years ago, but I like the Patriots offense so much that it hurts. The other thing I keep forgetting is how potent that New England secondary is and I feel they have found a way to mimic Seattle and make it difficult to pass against. If Joe Flacco can't pass, then he might as well start prepping sandwiches to the defense now. Nothing like a Joe Flacco pick sandwich...In fact, make it two. I think Baltimore teases us, but New England will be the victor.
Prediction: New England 28-20
#4 Indianapolis Colts (12-5) @ #2 Denver Broncos (12-4)
I don't think people understand how long it took me to write this blog. It took me about 5 hours to write it, but at least an hour of it was focused on picking this game. Why? WHY AN HOUR WHEN A MONKEY COULD PICK THE GAME!? Because I don't know what the heck Peyton Manning is going to do! He's getting 2 weeks to rest and prepare and he's already played against the Colts already so he understands what it takes to beat them, but is he healthy enough and is that offense out of it's strange funk it's been in over the last month or so? I really can't tell, but the eye test tells me that somebody ate a bad case of cooked chicken and the worms are showing. I really don't like the inconsistency of the Colts, in fact, it makes me want to puke thinking they have a shot in the frigid Denver atmosphere and that Andrew Luck might actually have a chance to get to his first AFC Championship game, but it's hard to also pick the team that has consistently found a way to lose against good teams, and not put bad teams away early that makes me keep coming back to Andrew Luck and his capability to overtake the thrown of the Denver Broncos AFC Championship Crown. This game will be back and forth but in an odd way where it will be quick drives with many turnovers, but not a ton of scoring. This game could have a very odd feel to it, but I just can't pick against Luck considering how the Broncos have looked the past couple of months. I feel sick to my stomach, but I think the Colts will pull it out in Denver (even though I picked Denver as my preseason Super Bowl favorites).
Prediction: Indianapolis 26-24
Conference Championship Weekend
NFC Championship
#3 Dallas Cowboys (14-4) @ #1 Seattle Seahawks (13-4)
As we all know, the Cowboys beat the Seahawks earlier in the season in CenturyLink Field where it was thought of that the Seahawks were unbeatable. The Cowboys were then pronounced as the class of the NFL after that game, and deservedly so. The problem is, the Seahawks were completely wiped with injury issues at that point along with a whole bunch of locker room issues, chemistry problems from Percy Harvin, and that whole team hit a Grade A funk. Well, since that game, the Seahawks have pulled a complete 180 degrees and they now look like a team ready to repeat and nobody is questioning their capabilities now. Can the Cowboys do what they did earlier on in the season? Absolutely. Do I think the Cowboys can go into Seattle and dethrone the Defending Super Bowl Champions in their house on their way to Super Bowl XLIX looking to repeat as champions? Of Course. But here's why it's not going to happen. Tony Romo is a clutch player, people will laugh when reading that line but he is when nobody is watching. The problem is, everybody will be watching this game, and if can pull it off, he'll be heralded as the next Jesus Christ and religions across the land will prepare for the coming of their respective Lord. The issue with that possibility, Russell Wilson is already the God son of the NFL and he's already the living testament of the modern scriptures in what Jesus Christ is defining. Yes, I've gone completely Jesus on this bitch. The point is, Russell Wilson is the captain of the Millennium Falcon, all he needs to do is feed the beast, run the ball every time he can't find an open man, and let the defense receive the rest they need to keep attacking Tony Romo. If he does that, then the crowd will do the rest of the work. The Seahawks are playing like they did a year ago, and the past 6+ weeks they've been the best team in the NFL. They are going to Arizona to play for another championship.
Prediction: Seattle 27-17
AFC Championship
#4 Indianapolis Colts (13-5) @ #1 New England Patriots (13-4)
Well this isn't new. The only difference here is that the Colts don't have Peyton Manning and that's about it. Oh, and that the Patriots actually have a scary defense now and Andrew Luck stands no chance. If Andrew Luck finds a way to get to the Super Bowl, Buddhist Monks will fall from the sky and start to follow Andrew Luck in a perfect snake driven line till the end of time. He has to be their savior if he can beat the greatness of Tom Brady right? There's no way Tom Brady is losing this game. He's going to absolutely torch the Colts and make them wish they never played in the AFC and on top of Tom Brady torching them, the Colts offense is pass driven, and that's exactly what the Patriots defense is geared to stop. They won't be able get deep passes down the field and the Colts will be forced to keep their defense out on the field for too long and eventually the Patriots will be walking down the field by the 4th quarter. I think the Colts make it a closer game than it looks but this game will be over by the middle 3rd quarter.
Prediction: New England 35-23
AND NOW... FOR THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING TO READ...
(Which I'm sure you have already skipped to you impatient nitwit)
Super Bowl XLIX
#1 Seattle Seahawks (14-4) vs #1 New England (14-4)
Boy... this is a game that I want to see for the pure entertainment purpose of what the defenses will draw up to counteract one another and then to see the adjustments made in the second half to see which offense is ready come the 4th quarter to drive those precious yards in an attempt to win a historic Super Bowl. Why would this be historic? Well, it would be Tom Brady's 4th Super Bowl, or it would back-to-back Super Bowls for the Seahawks. I wish I didn't have to pick, but I know some team has to come out on top. I feel like if the Patriots have 2 weeks to prepare then Belichick will find the master scheme to offset the Legion of Boom. If you give Pete Carroll 2 weeks to prepare, he'll find ways to shut down crucial parts of the Patriots scheme. This would be the ultimate chess match. Two organizations fighting for the History that the NFL wants to unravel. The furry of the Seahawks and the calculated attack of the Patriots. Talk about a game that you could analyze from every angle and speculate what might go on. I hope it's these two teams because I want to see how they will match up on a neutral field. But... I'm picking the Seahawks, because this team is scary on 2 weeks rest, and if they find themselves with the lead in the 4th quarter, their run game will win the game. Period.
Prediction: Seattle 27-25
Super Bowl MVP: Marshawn Lynch
Thank you for reading! Enjoy the Playoffs!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Update on the writing stratosphere for sports!
I know, I haven't been up to speed on my blog over the past month and it's mostly because I haven't had anything to write about and... well, the stuff I do want to write on, my opinion has been quite wrapped up into my radio shows.
I'm here to update you and let you know that this Blog will now just become a sports prediction blog site. A place where you can go to view my long winded predictions on what's to come in the major sports either before the season, before the playoffs, before awards are handed out. You name it I'll write about it and write my predictions down here.
That doesn't mean I won't be writing freely here ever again, it's just going to be a rare sighting from now on. If I find a topic and write about it, I'll let you know about it. But for now, this will be mostly 98% prediction heavy blogging.
Which reminds me, If you are excited for the NFL Playoff predictions blog, that will be coming up next week about a week from tonight!
For all of you enjoying your holidays and watching the bowl games, Please spend as much time with family as you can this holiday season, for it is the people that we surround ourselves with that make us the people we are and the people that love us are what provide us the foundation for the future.
Enjoy your Holiday Season, and I'll see you in about a week!
Catch me on Twitter www.twitter.com/chrismorrison99 & on my two facebook pages with my two radio shows www.facebook.com/thedailycraze & www.facebook.com/thehooperslog
I'm here to update you and let you know that this Blog will now just become a sports prediction blog site. A place where you can go to view my long winded predictions on what's to come in the major sports either before the season, before the playoffs, before awards are handed out. You name it I'll write about it and write my predictions down here.
That doesn't mean I won't be writing freely here ever again, it's just going to be a rare sighting from now on. If I find a topic and write about it, I'll let you know about it. But for now, this will be mostly 98% prediction heavy blogging.
Which reminds me, If you are excited for the NFL Playoff predictions blog, that will be coming up next week about a week from tonight!
For all of you enjoying your holidays and watching the bowl games, Please spend as much time with family as you can this holiday season, for it is the people that we surround ourselves with that make us the people we are and the people that love us are what provide us the foundation for the future.
Enjoy your Holiday Season, and I'll see you in about a week!
Catch me on Twitter www.twitter.com/chrismorrison99 & on my two facebook pages with my two radio shows www.facebook.com/thedailycraze & www.facebook.com/thehooperslog
Monday, November 24, 2014
Personal Blog for Thanksgiving!
I know thanksgiving is in a couple of days and I wanted to personally write a blog to all the people who have been reading my blogs over the last couple years. I have been writing every week since January of 2013 and for those of you who have stayed loyal and, or, are friends of mine just taking a quick gander at what I write on a weekly basis, I just wanted to say thank you because with another year coming to an end here shortly, I just pray for everyone and their families for this upcoming holiday weekend. Please have a safe one.
As to what is to come in the sports landscape, I'm heavily disappointed in the high importance of football games for he NFL this upcoming Thursday. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but at the same time I like having some quality time with family that I hadn't seen in a while and with important games this Thursday I just hope that they are all blowouts because honestly, unless you are a complete loner, you'll more than likely have grandma chewing at your ear about the latest fling, or the most recent film she saw and if you decide to ignore her to watch these magnificent matchups on Thursday afternoon, then consider yourself a complete douche bag for ignoring your family.
Now if you can find a way to stay awake after gorging yourself with some amazing feast, you (one) didn't eat enough and (two) will get to watch some awesome football that is bound to be memorable. Hopefully you'll have some really cool family members to watch with, but if not either way, I hope you have a wonderful week reuniting with your family and shopping on those amazing deals that should be starting sometime Tuesday afternoon (especially with how Black Friday has turned into a weekly thing these days).
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
See you next week!
As to what is to come in the sports landscape, I'm heavily disappointed in the high importance of football games for he NFL this upcoming Thursday. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but at the same time I like having some quality time with family that I hadn't seen in a while and with important games this Thursday I just hope that they are all blowouts because honestly, unless you are a complete loner, you'll more than likely have grandma chewing at your ear about the latest fling, or the most recent film she saw and if you decide to ignore her to watch these magnificent matchups on Thursday afternoon, then consider yourself a complete douche bag for ignoring your family.
Now if you can find a way to stay awake after gorging yourself with some amazing feast, you (one) didn't eat enough and (two) will get to watch some awesome football that is bound to be memorable. Hopefully you'll have some really cool family members to watch with, but if not either way, I hope you have a wonderful week reuniting with your family and shopping on those amazing deals that should be starting sometime Tuesday afternoon (especially with how Black Friday has turned into a weekly thing these days).
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
See you next week!
Location:Thanksgiving Football
Monday, November 17, 2014
SEC West: Too Much Love
We have this new thing called the college football playoff and there is a hotly contested debate of how teams should be getting in and for reasons that are all money grubbing and "eye test" reasons that quite frankly just don't make sense in the scheme of what the new playoff system is trying to accomplish.
Why am I saying that the SEC West is getting too much love? I mean think about it. The very first college football playoff ranking on week 10 had 3 SEC West teams in it and two of them were from Mississippi. That's not to rip on Mississippi, but the purpose of the College Football playoff is to have the best 4 teams in college football play each other in the ultimate college football final four predicament. This week, it looks like even though Alabama beat the last undefeated team (Mississippi State) in the SEC West, many will still debate that Mississippi state should stay in the top 4. My question is why, and what is your evidence as to why they should?
Can we be clear about something. The SEC West is not all filled with NFL Players waiting to go pro, they are solid teams that are just as vulnerable each and every week as much as another one loss team in the power conferences in the FBS. This talk of how great the SEC West is shouldn't deter a team in the upcoming weeks of winning a power conference championship such as the PAC 12, BIG 12, and ACC Championship. The Big 10 with the way they have been presenting themselves recently might even have a minor say in the conversation as well. But people still keep getting antsy about a one loss SEC west team, who doesn't win a conference championship, should overtake another conference championship squad and why is that? Plain and simply, History.
Well let me tell you something, history means nothing when it comes to last season outside of FSU winning the National title this past January. The landscape of college football changes every single year and this year is no different. How can we make all these preseason predictions and assume that teams coming out of the SEC West should just duke it out in January for a national title bout when everything will figure itself out anyways? I understand the SEC has owned the bowl landscape of college football the past decade and that they have talent like no other conference. But at the same time, they shouldn't be running train all the way to January with 2 or even 3 teams where you could have other conferences bring in the same type of talent to the new Final Four of college football.
The more people keep buying into this hype of the SEC being the best conference in football, the more and more college football will alienate itself from the diversity and the parity conversation of separate conferences joining forces to make the almighty power conferences conversation begin.
I'm not a dummy, I understand the SEC West is stacked and filled with talent, but we need to calm down and look at the two teams running the BIG 12 right now (Baylor & TCU) the Heisman favorite in the PAC 12 (Marcus Mariota from Oregon), and the undefeated, resilient, defending National Champions in Florida State representing the ACC. I even forgot to mention the outside opportunity for Ohio State to represent the BIG 10, even though I think their chance this year are bleak, they too have an opportunity to open some eyes in the future. So you're telling me that there are 3 SEC teams that are better than these 4-5 teams I just mentioned. I can only think of 1 SEC team that is in the mix for a playoff birth right now, and that team has been Rollin Tide all decade to this point; Alabama.
Calm down about the SEC West talk and how they should just own the college football playoff. They are great, but the media is over hyping everything they are, especially at this point in the season. Let the teams who are fighting for these 4 spots do what's supposed to be done; proving it on the field.
See you next week!
Why am I saying that the SEC West is getting too much love? I mean think about it. The very first college football playoff ranking on week 10 had 3 SEC West teams in it and two of them were from Mississippi. That's not to rip on Mississippi, but the purpose of the College Football playoff is to have the best 4 teams in college football play each other in the ultimate college football final four predicament. This week, it looks like even though Alabama beat the last undefeated team (Mississippi State) in the SEC West, many will still debate that Mississippi state should stay in the top 4. My question is why, and what is your evidence as to why they should?
Can we be clear about something. The SEC West is not all filled with NFL Players waiting to go pro, they are solid teams that are just as vulnerable each and every week as much as another one loss team in the power conferences in the FBS. This talk of how great the SEC West is shouldn't deter a team in the upcoming weeks of winning a power conference championship such as the PAC 12, BIG 12, and ACC Championship. The Big 10 with the way they have been presenting themselves recently might even have a minor say in the conversation as well. But people still keep getting antsy about a one loss SEC west team, who doesn't win a conference championship, should overtake another conference championship squad and why is that? Plain and simply, History.
Well let me tell you something, history means nothing when it comes to last season outside of FSU winning the National title this past January. The landscape of college football changes every single year and this year is no different. How can we make all these preseason predictions and assume that teams coming out of the SEC West should just duke it out in January for a national title bout when everything will figure itself out anyways? I understand the SEC has owned the bowl landscape of college football the past decade and that they have talent like no other conference. But at the same time, they shouldn't be running train all the way to January with 2 or even 3 teams where you could have other conferences bring in the same type of talent to the new Final Four of college football.
The more people keep buying into this hype of the SEC being the best conference in football, the more and more college football will alienate itself from the diversity and the parity conversation of separate conferences joining forces to make the almighty power conferences conversation begin.
I'm not a dummy, I understand the SEC West is stacked and filled with talent, but we need to calm down and look at the two teams running the BIG 12 right now (Baylor & TCU) the Heisman favorite in the PAC 12 (Marcus Mariota from Oregon), and the undefeated, resilient, defending National Champions in Florida State representing the ACC. I even forgot to mention the outside opportunity for Ohio State to represent the BIG 10, even though I think their chance this year are bleak, they too have an opportunity to open some eyes in the future. So you're telling me that there are 3 SEC teams that are better than these 4-5 teams I just mentioned. I can only think of 1 SEC team that is in the mix for a playoff birth right now, and that team has been Rollin Tide all decade to this point; Alabama.
Calm down about the SEC West talk and how they should just own the college football playoff. They are great, but the media is over hyping everything they are, especially at this point in the season. Let the teams who are fighting for these 4 spots do what's supposed to be done; proving it on the field.
See you next week!
Monday, November 10, 2014
AFC North Greatness
Yes, it is nearing the middle of November and I am writing about the greatness of the AFC North? A division that many would deem puny and unworthy the last couple of seasons, but this is 2014 and clearly a lot changes in a year.
The Baltimore Ravens (as of the end of week 10) are in last place in the AFC North. You are probably reading this in the year 2016 and saying who cares. They are 6-4. Think about that. Every team in the AFC North is at least 2 games above .500 while you have a team in the NFC South at 4-5, New Orleans Saints, who will be hand gifted a postseason birth sometime in the next 7 weeks.
To make things even more insane, along with ensuring an end of the world scenario playing out in front of us, the Cleveland Browns are leading the division and Johnny Football has had nothing to do with it. They are 6-3 and could very well have their first winning season this decade and it would be in the toughest division Race since the 2007 AFC South race.
As much as we could write about this division, I think the hardest thing to bring up is how come one of them won't make the postseason when there will be an NFC South team that will find a way into the Postseason? How about this, just for the 2015 playoffs, we have the last place AFC North team play in place of the winner of the NFC South winner this season, because nobody wants it in that division.
Similar to how the NFC West was won in 2010 when the Seahawks won the division at 7-9, nobody seems to want it in the NFC South as no teams are at .500. How fascinating will this already 2014 NFL Season become if every team in the AFC North finishes with 10+ wins in the AFC North and nobody finishes with 8 wins in the NFC South. The NFL will have some explaining... Not that they already do *cough* Roger Goodell *cough*.
See you next week!
The Baltimore Ravens (as of the end of week 10) are in last place in the AFC North. You are probably reading this in the year 2016 and saying who cares. They are 6-4. Think about that. Every team in the AFC North is at least 2 games above .500 while you have a team in the NFC South at 4-5, New Orleans Saints, who will be hand gifted a postseason birth sometime in the next 7 weeks.
To make things even more insane, along with ensuring an end of the world scenario playing out in front of us, the Cleveland Browns are leading the division and Johnny Football has had nothing to do with it. They are 6-3 and could very well have their first winning season this decade and it would be in the toughest division Race since the 2007 AFC South race.
As much as we could write about this division, I think the hardest thing to bring up is how come one of them won't make the postseason when there will be an NFC South team that will find a way into the Postseason? How about this, just for the 2015 playoffs, we have the last place AFC North team play in place of the winner of the NFC South winner this season, because nobody wants it in that division.
Similar to how the NFC West was won in 2010 when the Seahawks won the division at 7-9, nobody seems to want it in the NFC South as no teams are at .500. How fascinating will this already 2014 NFL Season become if every team in the AFC North finishes with 10+ wins in the AFC North and nobody finishes with 8 wins in the NFC South. The NFL will have some explaining... Not that they already do *cough* Roger Goodell *cough*.
See you next week!
Monday, November 3, 2014
The Brow is Ballin'!
So earlier this weekend I looked at myself in the mirror and saw that I had a minor unibrow forming. I looked at it while simultaneously looking at the stats Anthony Davis had put up the night before, I found myself becoming proud of my lack of up keeping in the brow region of my face. I then recognized that I'm not an NBA superstar in the making, and shaved it off rather quickly before anybody could comment throughout the day.
Superstar in the making? Yeah right, he's one right now. Anthony Davis is a Center for the New Orleans Pelicans and with the way he played this summer, it definitely carried over into this first full week of the season and it's not just bright, it's glaring for attention that is needed throughout the media today.
He is in his early 20's and is already in the elite category when it comes to the legends playing the game right now and he'll be the face of he NBA in a couple of years... Maybe even by the end of this season. This guy is so good that I needed to write about him and give him the props he deserves because I'm picking him to win the MVP in the NBA this season.
Only a week into the season, this guy is playing 40 minutes a game, putting up 29 points a game, grabbing 16 rebounds on average, averaging 6 blocks, and shooting 75% from the free throw line. You talk about a force in the paint we haven't seen since the likes of Shaq, you're looking at the closest thing since. I'm not trying to discount Tim Duncan, or any other good big man in the league right now, but this Anthony Davis guy is only 21 years old and is just getting started.
If this guy can gather the talent around him (which he seems to be doing slowly in New Orleans) and find a way to make more and more appearances in the postseason down the road, the title chances will be there for the taking. He deserves more praise than what the media is throwing his way and, in a sense, you could say he's been Tim Duncan like with how quietly he is putting up his numbers away from the major media market games.
But, don't get it twisted, when this guy is on, he makes the gym absolutely buzz. He's been the biggest force in the NBA in this early 2014-15 season and we got a loooooong way to go.
I'm excited to be writing weekly once again, and be prepared for some major topic blogs coming up weekly on Monday nights from here to come!
See you next week!
Superstar in the making? Yeah right, he's one right now. Anthony Davis is a Center for the New Orleans Pelicans and with the way he played this summer, it definitely carried over into this first full week of the season and it's not just bright, it's glaring for attention that is needed throughout the media today.
He is in his early 20's and is already in the elite category when it comes to the legends playing the game right now and he'll be the face of he NBA in a couple of years... Maybe even by the end of this season. This guy is so good that I needed to write about him and give him the props he deserves because I'm picking him to win the MVP in the NBA this season.
Only a week into the season, this guy is playing 40 minutes a game, putting up 29 points a game, grabbing 16 rebounds on average, averaging 6 blocks, and shooting 75% from the free throw line. You talk about a force in the paint we haven't seen since the likes of Shaq, you're looking at the closest thing since. I'm not trying to discount Tim Duncan, or any other good big man in the league right now, but this Anthony Davis guy is only 21 years old and is just getting started.
If this guy can gather the talent around him (which he seems to be doing slowly in New Orleans) and find a way to make more and more appearances in the postseason down the road, the title chances will be there for the taking. He deserves more praise than what the media is throwing his way and, in a sense, you could say he's been Tim Duncan like with how quietly he is putting up his numbers away from the major media market games.
But, don't get it twisted, when this guy is on, he makes the gym absolutely buzz. He's been the biggest force in the NBA in this early 2014-15 season and we got a loooooong way to go.
I'm excited to be writing weekly once again, and be prepared for some major topic blogs coming up weekly on Monday nights from here to come!
See you next week!
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