NFL Preview and Predictions

This post is coming to you live on the campus of Quinnipiac University. Just an FYI

With the College Football season already underway, I thought I’d dive in and take a look at the upcoming NFL season. There’s lots of divisional topics we can look at, especially with Cleveland being a divisional favorite and if the Rams can get 2018 behind them and make another run.

So let’s get into it!

AFC

Who cam stop TB12 in the AFC East

We all know how good the Patriots have been these last five years. They’ve won three Super Bowls and have been to four. The Patriots have absolutely dominated the East. My question is, who can stop them? Last year the Dolphins pulled off the “Miami Miracle” to stun the Patriots in Florida, but that was when the Patriots had struggles on the road. I always say that Miami has luck against the Pats in Miami, but I definitely could place my bet on the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen is a phenomenal young quarterback and Buffalo also has a great defense that can pressure Tom Brady. Miami went on a rollercoaster ride with their head coaching staff and their quarterbacks and the Jets are terrible almost every year. So I do think the team to beat the Pats at least once this season

Can the Browns bake their way to a divisional title?

The Cleveland Browns rose from the ashes last year with the leadership of Baker Mayfield and a young offensive core and a defense that looked solid. They boosted their offense by getting Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency in the offseason. With Baker Mayfield the guy at the head of the offense and a solid defense, the Browns look like the favorite to win the North. I also think that Pittsburgh is dealing with too many distractions on offense, the Ravens lost most of their defense, and the Bengals are not that good. The Browns do have a tough schedule, though. Week 3 they are back in primetime against Jared Goff and the LA Rams and they visit Jimmy G and the 49ers two weeks later. The Browns need to show the NFL that they are legit, and winning those games might get everyone’s attention.

Texans look for a bounce back season after last year’s playoff exit

The Texans blew it last year in the AFC Wild Card game, losing by 14 points to the Colts at home. I have hoped that Houston would just figure it out, but clearly they can’t get their stuff together when it counts. The AFC South still looks like it’ll be in their hands this year. The Colts saw Andrew Luck call it a career last night, the Jaguars are having some trouble on offense, and Tennessee’s offense is still banged up. But the Texans are running the gauntlet early. In the first six weeks of the season, they pay visits to the Saints, Chargers, and Chiefs, who all made the playoffs this year, and host Carolina and Atlanta in back to back weeks. If the Texans want to keep being the team to lead the South, they need to win the big games on the road. I hope Deshaun Watson has a breakout season this year. He’s dynamic on the field. I’d like to see him run the football more and be a more consistent quarterback.

How the West will be won

The Chiefs had the Patriots last year in the AFC title game. They were at home, the Pats couldn’t win important road games, it was a sold out game, and the NFL MVP in Patrick Mahomes. But in the end, OT cost Mahomes’ chances of raising the Lombardi Trophy, and the Chiefs blew it to Tom Brady and the Patriots. Now the Chiefs will look for revenge this season, but it won’t be easy. Another team that had its postseason run cut short by Brady was the LA Chargers, who also went into Arrowhead Stadium and upset the Chiefs. Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon are expected to have great seasons this year and the LA defense added some depth in the offseason. Both KC and LA will be competing to win the AFC West, but watch out for Joe Flacco and Denver. I wouldn’t sleep on the Broncos this year. KC will have to battle Green Bay and visit Brady in Foxboro while the Chargers host Pittsburgh and Houston. Big stages for those teams in the West, including dueling each other for the West

AFC Playoff Picture: #1 NE, #2 KC, #3 CLE, #4 HOU, #5 LAC, #6 BUF

NFC

Who takes the reigns of the NFC East?

The Cowboys have too much drama with Zeke Elliot, the Eagles finally fixed their QB issues, the Redskins get a good starter, but go with an NFL Veteran, and the Giants are still figuring things out on offense. Which begs the question, who wins the East? At the beginning of the offseason, I was thinking that Dallas could do it with what they have coming back. But with Zeke going head to head with Jerry Jones, I thought the Redskins with Dwayne Haskins boosting the offense. But then Case Keenum is tagged as the starter, so now I’m leaning with Philly. I would’ve said the Giants, but until they figure out who starts at quarterback, then I don’t exactly know what’ll happen with them the his year. Philly should have a good year with Carson Wentz coming back, but with a visit to Minnesota, a visit by the Patriots, and four divisional games at the end of the season, the Eagles will have to go out and prove themselves as NFC East contenders early in the season to give those teams at the end of their schedule a very direct message. But I will say, if Daniel Jones starts for the Giants in Week 1, I’d watch out for the Giants. He has looked pretty good in the preseason.

Bears not doinking around this season 

An excruciating loss in the postseason for the Bears last season, losing on Cody Parkey’s “double doink” field goal with 10 seconds left against the Eagles. I absolutely expect the Bears to play with a huge chip on their shoulder this season. A defense that was one of the best in the NFL returns and with Mitch Tribuisky playing at a high level and lots of weapons, expect the Bears to tear it up this year. After the bye week is when things look daunting for the Bears. They host New Orleans for what could be a playoff preview, then the Chargers the following week. The next two out of three games feature a trip to Philadelphia and a trip to the LA Coliseum for a rematch with the Rams. And right before the end of the season, they will host Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs in a primetime showdown. I do think the Bears can win the North this year once again with all teams in the division struggling on offense. I do think they can even make the Super Bowl this year.

Oh when the Saints come marching in…

If there was any worse way to go out in the postseason last year, just ask the New Orleans Saints. The Saints got absolutely hosed on a blatant pass interference call in the NFC championship game against the Rams, and despite it not costing them the game, it was the reason that all the life got sucked out of them for the rest of the game. The Rams beat the Saints in Overtime and went to play in the Super Bowl. If you think the Bears will play with a chip on their shoulder, the Saints will definitely be playing like that ALL SEASON. The South looks favorable for the Saints to win, but watch out for Carolina. I’m not saying that as a fan, but they do have a pretty good defensive line and a good overall defense. The Saints do have a very daunting schedule to open the season. They face five playoff teams from last season before their bye week, including trips back to the Coliseum for a revenge game against the Rams, a trip to Seattle, and heading North to Chicago to face the Bears. The Saints can make quick work of their schedule if they stick with a winning gameplan, which is using Drew Brees as much as possible and that defense to get pressure and force turnovers.

Revenge of the Rams? Will Seattle bounce back? Can Kyler save the Cardinals?

One thing is for sure, the 49ers are not going to win the West or make the playoffs. I’m so sick and tired of people talking about the 49ers making the playoffs. I just don’t think Jimmy G is 100% yet and with what defense? I think LA will repeat and Seattle will be right up there as well. But watch out for Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. I think Kyler is a great player and he should have a great season this year in Glendale. I am not sure how the Cardinals first season with him at the helm will be, but hopefully they have a winning record at least. But I just like the Rams offense and their defensive line. Jared Goff and TG III and that arsenal of WR’s will just go off every game for the LA Rams. Seattle may not have the Legion of Boom anymore, but with Russell Wilson, they still can be a team to watch out for, especially on offense. The Rams tough opponents that they face will be in the Coliseum, especially against the Saints in Week 2 and the Bears in Week 11. But watch out, they go to Cleveland for a Sunday Night Showdown with Baker Mayfield and the Browns in Week 3 which could be a tough test if the Browns prove that they are legit. The Rams will definitely be a team that will have a helluva season.

NFC Playoff Picture: #1 CHI, #2 NO, #3 LA, #4 PHI, #5 SEA, #6 CAR

Conference Championships

Patriots vs Browns in Foxboro

Bears vs Saints in Chicago

SUPER BOWL LIV: Patriots 27 Bears 23

2019 College Football Preview

Can you believe that I’m off to college in nine days? Me neither. I have too many mixed emotions about move in day and classes and all the other fun stuff to expect in college

Speaking of college, the College Football season starts up again next week with a Floridian Showdown next Saturday in Orlando between Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators. Today, I’ll be previewing the College Football season going around the Power Five conferences and non Power Five teams that can make a case for a NY6 Bowl game and my playoff predictions

ACC Atlantic: Can anybody stop Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson Tigers?

I am not a huge Clemson fan, but what they did last year by crushing Alabama in the championship game should concern the rest of the ACC. Trevor Lawrence, a true freshman, led the Tigers to victory over Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide in the National Championship game and boy, did they look good doing it. Now the question is, can anybody stop them this year? Last year, Syracuse came three points short of upsetting Clemson in Death Valley and Boston College’s defense kept it close last year in Chestnut Hill. This year, Boston College returns the majority of their offense, including sleeper Heisman candidate RB, AJ Dillon and could challenge Clemson again, but can they do it in Death Valley? Clemson will have to go back to Syracuse, which was the last place that they lost a regular season game in the past two years. But can the Orange get it done without Giants draftee, Eric Dungey?

ACC Coastal: Who wins the Coastal?

It was anybody’s game on the other side of the conference and it will likely be the same thing this year. Pittsburgh was able to claim the crown last year by winning big games against divisional opponents. But everyone had their problems. Miami struggled in the red zone, Virginia Tech’s defense couldn’t find it’s usual groove after being dominated by a non Power Five school, and Duke struggled to create any turnovers. I personally think that Virginia is going to win the division this year. They’re a veteran team that still has QB Bryce Perkins that can run and throw the football. Not many teams in the Coastal I think have the depth to contend for the division much like Virginia. So I think Virginia wins the Coastal. They’ve been close in recent years but this is their year.

ACC Championship: Virginia vs Clemson (Winner: Clemson)

SEC East: Is it Florida’s year?

The Florida Gators had a promising year in the SEC last year. They were able to beat LSU at home and won the Peach Bowl over Michigan in Atlanta. But they couldn’t win the SEC East because of a loss to the “risen from the ashes” Kentucky Wildcats, who had a great year themselves, and a beatdown in Jacksonville to the Georgia Bulldogs. But with Feleipe Franks coming back for his Junior season as the Quarterback and a fantastic defense, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Florida at the top of the SEC East this year. But they still have to play Georgia and LSU in Baton Rouge in order to get to Atlanta. I also think Georgia’s defense isn’t looking too good and Kentucky struggled to win the important games late in the year, including a loss in Lexington to Georgia that decided the fate of the East. Can Florida get past Kentucky and Georgia and win the SEC East?

SEC West: Will Alabama be dethroned?

The Tide still have Tua Tagovailoa and a fantastic defense, but the loss of Running Back, Damien Harris (now on the Patriots) could be a significant blow to their offense. Besides, there’s a few teams that I think can stop the reign of Alabama. LSU ended UCF’s 25 game winning streak in the Fiesta Bowl and returns the majority of their defense and returns many offensive starters, including Senior QB Joe Burrow. But watch out for Texas A&M. They return a dangerous offense headed by Kellen Mond who had a great 2018 campaign. But they do not have an easy schedule. They start the year in Clemson and have road tests at Georgia and LSU. The Aggies will need to win just about every game, including beating Alabama at home, to win the West.

SEC Championship: Florida vs LSU (Winner: LSU)

BIG 10 East: Will Michigan return to glory?

The Michigan Wolverines had a tough ending to their season. After what looked like a promising season ending in a playoff appearance and a BIG 10 Championship, they got roughed up by Dwayne Haskins and Ohio State in Columbus. Their consolation prize? A beatdown by the Florida Gators in the Peach Bowl. Can this be the year that Michigan and Jim Harbaugh finally get to the playoff? They return a lot of their defense from last season and still have Ole Miss transfer QB Shea Patterson. Ohio State’s Quarterback is already injured, Penn State’s offense is depleted, and Michigan State lost its RB to the NFL, so Michigan’s path to the Championship seems straight forward. Plus the schedule, while still featuring Michigan State, Notre Dame, and of course Ohio State, are all at the Big House. If Michigan is going to win the East, they need to win all the important games at home.

BIG 10 West: Can Iowa make a run for the West?

The Iowa Hawkeyes had a promising season themselves, but losses at Penn State, Purdue, and at home to Northwestern doomed their chances at a BIG 10 title. The Hawkeyes finished with an Outback Bowl victory over Mississippi State. The BIG 10 West is up for grabs and much like last year, whoever runs the table, wins the West. Luckily for Iowa, they’ve still got a defense that is good up front in the trenches and Nate Stanley returns for his Senior season as the QB. My concern with Iowa is the schedule. They visit Michigan early in October and visit Northwestern and Wisconsin later in the season. Northwestern’s offense is understaffed and Wisconsin’s QB Alex Hornibrook transferred to Florida State, so the Hawkeyes, much like Michigan, has a straight forward path. The game at Michigan could be a preview of the BIG 10 Championship, but Iowa will need to run the table and win the important road games to get to the BIG 10 Championship

BIG 10 Championship: Iowa vs Michigan (Winner: Michigan)

BIG 12: Don’t mess with Texas, not this year anyway

Texas’ BIG 12 title dreams were dashed by Kyler Murray and the Oklahoma Sooners in the BIG 12 Championship game. But the Longhorns finished the season with something that Oklahoma didn’t, a bowl victory. Texas knocked off the SEC Runner Up, Georgia, in the Sugar Bowl, 28-21, behind Sam Ehlinger’s three touchdown rushes. The Longhorns might be the favorite to win the BIG 12 this year despite some key losses on defense. Ehlinger is back with lots of offensive weapons at his disposal which could help Texas. But the road back to Arlington isn’t going to be easy. The Longhorns visit West Virginia, TCU, and Iowa State. Not to mention a Top 10 showdown at home against the LSU Tigers in Week 2 and another Red River Rivalry game against Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma in mid October. If this is Texas’ year in the BIG 12, they’ll need to send an early message, like beating a great SEC team right out of the gate!

BIG 12 Championship: Texas vs Oklahoma (Winner: Texas)

PAC 12 North: Return of the Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks are destined for the College Football Playoff this year. It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. The Ducks ended their season last year with a 7-6 victory over Michigan State in the RedBox Bowl. Two days before the game, Quarterback and Eugene, Oregon native Justin Herbert announced he’d be staying for his senior season at Oregon. Last season, Oregon looked good against rival Washington only to lose the following week to Washington State, which set them on the road to an 8-4 record and coming up short of a PAC 12 Title. However, the Ducks have quite the roster that can lead them back to the Playoff. Oregon’s main loss was WR Dillon Mitchell, who scored the lone TD of the bowl game against Michigan State, but Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson looks to take his place as the #1 WR. Not to mention, Oregon returns almost everyone on defense, including lead tackler Troy Dye. With many PAC 12 North teams with a signature loss on offense, Oregon looks to be the favorite to win the North. They start with a showdown against Auburn and road tests against Washington, USC, and Arizona State

PAC 12 South: Who’s turn is it in to win the South?

The PAC 12 South teams have all gone to the PAC 12 Championship game at least once in a span of eight years. USC and UCLA are the only teams that have done it twice. So it makes you wonder, who’s winning it this year. Utah won the South last year, and with essential pieces like QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zach Moss on offense, they can do it again. USC suffered its worst season in 18 years last year and look to be ready to go this year to challenge Utah, especially when JT Daniels gets most of his offense back and they get Utah at home. But watch out for Arizona State. ASU has a team that has all the pieces of the puzzle to contend with USC and Utah, especially freshman QB Jayden Daniels, a top high school recruit. They play at Michigan State in Week 3 and visit Utah a couple weeks later. But they have USC and Oregon at home. This feels like anyone’s game, but whoever runs the table in the South, will have a chance for a PAC 12 title

PAC 12 Championship: Arizona State vs Oregon (Winner: Oregon)

College Football Playoff Predictions

I think Clemson will face off with Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl and Oregon will face off with LSU in the Peach Bowl.

Clemson will beat Michigan with Trevor Lawrence making plays late and Oregon’s defense will stymie Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers.

Oregon is a more complete team than Clemson just because of Clemson’s somewhat depleted defensive line and with Oregon’s complete defense to take out Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson offense, the Oregon Ducks will win the 2019 College Football Playoff

 

Massachusetts Pirates 2nd Half Season Review and NAL Playoffs Preview

The Massachusetts Pirates are setting sail into the playoffs for the 2nd time in as many years, and they look ready to face off with the best teams in the league.

The Pirates will take on the Carolina Cobras in the NAL Semifinal in Greensboro, North Carolina this Saturday, but before we get into the Playoff conversation, let’s review the Pirates season up to this point.

A Purrfect home and home sweep

The Pirates won a shootout against their southern rivals, the Columbus Lions, at the DCU Center back on June 22nd, 59-50. In a back and forth dispute between the two, the Pirates picked off Luke Collis late in the 3rd Quarter, and Lawrence Austin returned it 50 yards for his 3rd Pick Six of the year and 2nd vs Columbus. That would put the Pirates up for good and the Pirates would beat the Lions for the first time all season. The next week, the Pirates would pick up their first ever win in Georgia, 61-37 over the same Lions team. This one wasn’t back and forth like recent games. The Pirates jumped out to a seven point lead by halftime and rolled over Columbus in the second half. Thomas Owens proved to be that sneaky weapon in the home and home by scoring five total touchdowns in the two victories. Mardy Gilyard also recorded five touchdowns himself in the first game. With those two victories, the Pirates were lined up to record a playoff spot.

Late heroics get Pirates to the Playoffs

In an exciting game that featured twists and turns in every play, the Pirates and Streets played an instant classic that might’ve reminded you of those old Boston vs New York games that went back and forth and anyone had the chance to win. With the Pirates leading 51-49 late, they couldn’t escape their own 10 yard line and the Streets got the ball back. Using the clock to their advantage, the Streets set up Billy Deane with an easy chip shot field goal to take a 52-51 lead with five seconds on the clock. After Gilyard downed a squib kick at the Pirates 10 yard line with two seconds left, Head Coach Anthony Payton sent out his offense. But he took a timeout instead, and called kicker Mike Weaver to try and kick a 60 yard field goal. Weaver got set, Sean Brackett snapped the ball, set it down, Weaver kicked the ball, and after a judgement call because the ball hit an obstruction above the uprights, the kick was good. The Pirates knocked off the Streets, 54-52, and clinched a playoff spot for the 2nd consecutive year.

Sharks end the streak, but get a taste of a challenge

Well, all good things had to come to an end eventually. The Sharks ended the Pirates winning streak 59-42 in Worcester three weeks ago. Despite giving the Sharks a challenge, the Pirates could not stop a Jacksonville offensive barrage in the 2nd Quarter, falling behind at halftime 36-15. Every time the Pirates got close to mounting a comeback, Jacksonville found a way to keep their momentum going. And in the end, the Sharks locked up the top spot in the league and the Pirates secured the third spot for the playoffs. In the second game the next week, the Pirates defense recorded five interceptions against the Sharks. But costly mistakes allowed Jacksonville to force overtime. The Sharks scored on the opening possession of overtime and intercepted Brackett to end the game. The Pirates definitely showed that they can compete with the best team in the league and they can definitely change the result the next time they meet the Sharks.

Finishing the regular season by Sweeping the Streets

With the season coming to a close, the Pirates rested their starting Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and Defensive End to prepare for the postseason. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield made his first career NAL start and led the Pirates to a 50-35 victory over the New York Streets. He threw for four touchdowns in the victory and Mike Weaver earned Special Teams Player of the Week by going 7/7 on PAT’s and knocking in four deuces. The defense recorded five total sacks in the victory. The Pirates finished their second season in the NAL at 8-6 and geared up for a postseason matchup in Carolina

Scouting the Cobras

Carolina was dominating the league during the second half of the season. Up until halftime in the New York game two weeks ago, they’ve outscored their opponents 248-28. But they have dropped their last two games by forfeiting the game in New York two weeks ago because of a security breach, and then dropping the regular season finale in Columbus. The Cobras have arguably the best two offensive starters in the National Arena League. I think Charles McCullum has put together an MVP caliber season by leading the league in passing yards (3007) and total offensive touchdowns (74) and I think Jordan Jolly is a great Wide Receiver. He leads the team with over 1200 total yards and 32 touchdowns. On defense, Mike Green leads the team with nine total interceptions and Steve Miller leads the Cobras with 10 total sacks. The Cobras won it all last year, and to do that, they’ll have to contend with a new Massachusetts Pirates team that has risen from the ashes and is ready to rumble with the defending champs.

Prediction: The Pirates are 1-4 all time against Carolina and 0-3 in Greensboro. In the first few weeks of the season, the Pirates couldn’t handle Carolina or any of these good teams. But they say that the third time is the charm. The third time will be the charm for the Pirates. They’ll take down the Cobras 67-49 in Greensboro to get to the NAL Championship.

The Pirates face off with the Carolina Cobras at 7pm from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina this Saturday, August 3rd. The game can be streamed on YouTube, beginning at 7pm. If you can’t tune into the game on YouTube, be sure to follow the game on Twitter with live updates on the Pirates Twitter page. Let’s go Pirates!