Tag: NFL

1/13 Divisional Playoffs Roundup: Patriots Destroy Titans

The Titans scored first and actually gave their fans a glimmer of hope that they’d be competitive and then the Patriots showed up. I’ll give credit where credit is due though — Corey Davis’ first TD of his young career was the first score of this game and was what we were hoping he’d be all here.

After that, well…it was all Patriots per usual. The Pats rode Brady’s 53 pass attempts en route to 35 straight points and an easy road win. James White added two TDs and the Pats allowed a garbage time TD to make the score 35-14, which honestly was not even that close.

Business as usual for the Pats as they’ll host the Jaguars next week at Gillette for a 7th straight appearance in the conference championship.

But at least we got to see Gronk and Amendola’s friendship go to the next level?

Fun stat of the night? Brady is 6-2 in the postseason when throwing 50+ times. In the Super Bowl era, all other QBs combined are 3-28.

1/13 Divisional Playoffs Round-Up: Falcons @ Eagles

The best weekend of football (arguably) has come to a close and what a weekend it was. We’re going to start with the two Saturday games, which were not as close to as exciting as Sunday but still solid.

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#1 Philadelphia Eagles 15 – #6 Atlanta Falcons 10

What do you know? The Falcons did it again and blew a winnable playoff game. I’m not going to point fingers and say I predicted it — but well, you know. Everyone was on the Falcons, which is why this is exactly the kind of game that they lose.

This game was very lackluster — as evidenced by the low score-line. The number 1 seed did successfully pull off the upset over the number 6 seed, who woulda thought? What had people buzzing on twitter most was NBC’s bird graphic:

 

Home Birds are now 10-0 against away birds — what a time to be alive. We saw them show Carson Wentz approximately 25 times and the Falcons ran the worst play on 4th down.

 

Not quite sure why you roll out Matt Ryan here and essentially only give him Julio as a target — who fell down.  Regardless, Julio did have a chance to catch it here but I have to chalk up the game to some bad coaching. The Falcons have already given a vote of confidence to their failure of an OC, Steve Sarkisian so expect more of the same next year. Nick Foles did just enough to get the Eagles the win and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

 

P.S. Lane Johnson wearing a dog mask is nightmare material.

 

Albert Breer Gave Me a Browns Boner This Week

WOW.    I need a cigarette after seeing this little bit of gossip from one, Albert Breer.  Now bear with me for a second, I know a few days ago I mentioned that Alex Smith should be the guy the Browns went after.  I still think he will likely be the guy to come here as a bridge starter for 3 or so seasons.  When I say bridge starter, he’d certainly more than a stop gap.  He’d likely be the best Quarterback we’d have since the return in 1999.  But you get the point.  Veteran guy to come in to Cleveland for 3-4 years while we groom in all likelihood, Sam Darnold.

I have been an avid Kirk Cousins fan since he took over for Robert Griffin III, in 2015.  The guy can ball.  2015 was his first full year as the full-time starter, and he lead the Skins’ to a 9-7 record.  That year 9-7 was good enough to qualify for the playoffs.  The Redskins lost in the 2015 Wildcard round at home to the Green Bay Packers, 35-18.

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The next two seasons Washington would miss the playoffs with an 8-7-1, and 7-9 records.  Still, Captain Kirk has not earned himself a long-term contract extension with Washington.  He has been Franchise tagged 2 consecutive seasons in a row.  Each year, he proves his worth on the field.  The notoriously putrid, and slimy Redskins refuse to offer him a long term contract.  They could place the Franchise tender on him a third time, which is a whopping $34 million.  No chance the Skins do that.  That number is not trade-able, as 99% of teams cannot afford that cap hit.  The most likely options are a long-term extension, or Unrestricted Free Agency.

In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Jay Gruden even decided to throw his Signal Caller under the bus, “But we like Kirk and his development. He’s played well at times, without a doubt”  Played well at times?  Let’s take a quick peak at Cousins’ shall we, Jay?

Cousins stats

That is a damn good Quarterback.  I don’t know what the fuck you are smoking, Jay? I think three seasons is enough of a sample size to confirm that he can be a franchise guy.  The Redskins seemingly don’t give a shit.  Moving on from RG III was a tough decision. The Skins entered 2015 an unknown, and most experts had them pegged to finish last in the NFC East. They have no idea how lucky they were to have the second guy come in, and  average 4,392 yards a season. Especially after how RG III exploded on the scene during his rookie year.

Would the Browns be interested in Cousins?  I would hope the answer is a resounding, “YES”!!!!!!  It’s not everyday a Quarterback of his quality becomes available.  It is going to take a lot of fucking money.  Like record money.   With $109 million and change in free money, feel free to break records, @JohnDorsey, @JimmyHaslam.

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Signing Kirk does NOT mean the Browns will not draft a QB #1 overall.  They simply can’t afford to pass on one. Not after the past whiffs. Ideally, the Browns would sign Cousins to a 3-4 year MASSIVE contract, and draft the guy who will lead the franchise after Cousins. This allows a Darnold, Rosen, or Mayfield develop a la Jimmy G.

After year 4 you move on to your young guy waiting in the wings.  After-all, Darnold is only 20.  Cousins would be 33 at the end of a four year contract.  Perfect time to walkaway via free agency.   If all goes to hell, you trade/cut Cousins prior to the contract expiring.  There is cap space to avoid it being too much of a problem.

I hope Dorsey see’s this and makes a move.  I know Alex Smith is probably the move we’ll make, as it is safer than paying Cousins big big money.  I still want to tap the potential that is Kirk Cousins Franchise Quarterback.  Cousins, and add a few young weapons.  Maybe we have something cookin’?

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Edit:

Should leave some Captain Kirk highlights, no?

Le’Veon Bell Threatens To Sit or Retire If The Steelers Tag Him Again

Pittsburgh’s gotta call him out on his bluff right? Playoffs are upon us and the Steelers of course are focused elsewhere. Bell was quoted telling ESPN:

Just get the numbers straight, exactly where we want them. I’m not going to settle for anything. I know what I do and what I bring to the table. I’m not going out here getting the ball 400 times if I’m not getting what I feel I’m valued at.

Bell is only 25 and arguably the best running back in the league so obviously his value is sky high. The only problem is that Pittsburgh won’t give him what he wants.  The Steelers played chicken with him last year and did offer him a contract which was upwards of $30 million in the first two years but Bell declined. He ultimately ended up playing on the franchise tag worth $12.1 million last year. The number will rise up to $14.5 million but Le’Veon wants a long term contract. Highly doubt that they’ll be able to actually get the deal done because he wants BIG money. I think he’s bluffing but let the games begin.

PS – Quoted as saying that but then tweets this? Real believable.

 

 

 

Absolutely Nothing Goes the Browns Way

I came across this article today, and threw up immediately after reading a few paragraphs.  It was written by Cleveland Plain Dealer’s, Terry Pluto. Pluto is not Adam Schefter, but I’d go to him over Mary Kay Cabot, or Tony Grossi.

Background information on the failed Jimmy Garoppolo trade, for those who don’t want to read it:

  1. The Browns had interest in Jimmy Garoppolo for quite some time. I’d say speculation started by October of 2016.
  2. The Browns and Patriots had been common trade partners the past few seasons (Jamie Collins, Barkevious Mingo).
  3. It was made clear that the Browns were negotiating hard for the single caller towards last years draft.  Nothing materialized.
  4. THIS SEASON: Pluto reports the Browns first round pick previously owned by Houston was on the table.  That pick turned out to be 4th overall.  (At the time it was not clear)
  5. The last contact the Browns had with the Patriots  was on the 28th of October.  The Browns had Houston’s pick on the table, along with, “other goodies” per Pluto. Hell, the Browns offered to find the Patriots a backup QB. They’d sign him, and offer them up in the trade to go along with picks.
  6. It was made clear he was not for sale. Two days later, Jimmy was on his way to San Francisco.

This story has really crawled up my tail-pipe.  Nothing, and I mean nothing the Browns try, works out. Nothing will go their way.  Make it 18 years and counting.

This trade, the Browns were made to look like complete fools.  Hell, Browns coaches cited how upset they were Sashi couldn’t pull off a deal for the young signal caller.  They were upset he was “At home playing with his kids”.  He did everything in his goddamn power.  Bill ego-maniac Belichick stuck his middle fingers in the air directed at the Browns. Not sure if he is directing them at the Patriots as well.  With multiple sources reporting fishy Jimmy G trade details, it sounds like there could be SOME tension in, Foxboro.  The extent of which, will forever be unknown.

I’m still not completely sold on Jimmy, after-all he’s played only 7 and a half NFL games.  He’s looked damn good with dog shit skill players around him.  The most frustrating aspect of the situation is that this is just another missed opportunity at a Quarterback.  I mean, how would Jimmy look with David Njoku?  How about Josh Gordon?  It’s extremely frustrating, when every single door the Browns open is not correct. The missed draft choices are inexusable, but the failed Jimmy G trade was cited as a main reason Sashi Brown was fired.  So fuck you, Bill Belichick (Unless you come home to finish the job 😉 )

Hopefully, one of these days the Browns will catch a break.

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Jimmy Garoppolo highlights to make me want to kill myself:

The Kansas City Chiefs Put on a Choking Clinic on Saturday

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Once again the Kansas City Chiefs failed to win a home playoff game.  Shocking, I know.  This time, the perennial losers gagged away a 21-3 halftime lead to Marcus Mariota, and the Tennessee Titans.  Even the Chiefs made themselves blush at the choke job that would ensue.

The game started out like a typical Wild-Card playoff game.  The home team had gotten out in front of the playoff newbie, Tennessee Titans.  Kareem Hunt capped off a 6 play 81 yard drive with a 1 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Chiefs.  After multiple three-and-outs from Tennessee, Alex Smith found Travis Kelce for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 14-0.  Smith was on fire, leading a 5 play 76 yard drive in just 3:24.

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The Titans managed to cut into the lead before the half, making 14-3 with a Ryan Succop field goal.  Smith was having none of it, and lead a 9 play 79 yard drive for six.  Smith hit Demarcus Robinson for a 14 yard score.  21-3 Chiefs right before the half.  It looked as if the Chiefs home playoff curse would finally be erased.  21-3 was the score heading into half-time.

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The second half started, and the tide would turn completely.  As the third quarter started, the feeling was that the Titans were on life support.  Marcus Mariota took over.  Prior to the game it had widely been mentioned that Mariota had regressed this season.  He turned the ball over frequently, while not making the kind of plays you would think a dual threat Quarterback can make.  Mariota stepped up BIG in this one.  To start the second half he lead a 15 play, 91 yard march towards pay-dirt.  Mariota would cap off the drive by throwing a six yard touchdown pass to……Marcus Mariota.

In all honesty, it was one of the coolest plays I have ever seen.  Mariota scrambled around the pocket like he was Fran Tarkenton re-incarnated.  As he rolled to his left he zipped a pass towards his receiver, Corey Davis.  The ball bounced off Chiefs Cornerback, Darrelle Revis directly back into the hands of Mariota.  Mariota corralled it, and took it to the pylon for 6.  The Titans took a whopping 8:29 off the clock, and cut the lead to 21-10.

In typical Kansas City Chief fashion, they proceeded to go three and out the following possession.   On 3rd and 1 from the KC 28, the Chiefs were stuffed on the most Chiefs play of all time.  They motioned about 7 guys pre-snap, and ran a Quarterback bootleg option which got fucking STUFFED for no gain.  3 and out, and the ball going back to the Titans.

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The Titans would strike back on the ensuing possession.  Derek Henry rumbled his way 35 yards to cut the lead to 21-16.  The two point conversion attempt failed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLyeH36l7tQ

Take a look at #24 in red.  Darrelle Revis.  That’s a man, who doesn’t give a flying fuck.  It’s a goddamn shame that he is still a NFL player.  Wasted talent in a fucking mercenary, who won’t make play due to “business decisions”.  He’s a fucking sally.

The Chiefs would pick up one first down on their next possession, but stalled shortly after.  Another punt.  Mariota would take the rains, and lead another long march into Chief territory.  Finally, on the 11th play of their drive, Mariota hit Eric Decker for a 22 yard touchdown.  The score was 22-21 Titans, after they missed a second straight two point conversion attempt.

After stopping the Chiefs yet again, Titans put the game away with this final run by Derek Henry.

Man, just a master-piece from the Kansas City Chiefs.  I cannot believe I picked them to win?!  How stupid?!  The Kansas City Chiefs, are the Kansas City Chiefs.  Next year with Pat Mahomes don’t get sucked in.  Whether the QB is Trent Green, Alex Smith,  or Pat Mahomes they will always be the same.  Count on them to choke when it matters most.  Andy Reid is their coach after-all.  Count on Andy Reid to inexplicably not give the ball to key offensive weapons in playoff games.  This past game the NFL’s leading rusher, Kareem Hunt touched the ball only 11 times.  Andy Reid, man. So, next year in October when you get your rocks off to the Kansas City chiefs running over teams, just remember, they’ll limp dick in the playoffs.

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Chicago Bears Hire Matt Nagy

According to Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears have hired former Kansas City Chiefs’ OC Matt Nagy. The terms of the deal have not been released.

The Bears have struggled offensively for years under John Fox, so it’s no surprise that they  went with a more offensive minded coach. Nagy had been with the Chiefs since 2013 where he was their Quarterbacks coach until 2015 when he was promoted to Offensive Coordinator.

This past year, the Chiefs had the league’s 5th best offense averaging 375.4 yards and 25.9 points per game. On the other end of the spectrum, the Bears were the 30th ranked offense averaging 287.4 yards and 16.5 points per game.

With Nagy now on board, let’s hope he can elevate second year QB Mitchell Trubisky the same way Sean McVay did for Jared Goff this past year.

 

Six Years Ago Today, Tim Tebow Silenced the NFL

In 2012, Tim Tebow and the Broncos hosted the Steelers in a playoff game where everyone was ready to write off the Broncos. The 8-8 Broncos limped into the playoffs and hosted the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. The game went into overtime and finished just as quick as it started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMVnLsODqqg

Tebow, who finished the game 10-21 for 316 yds and 2 TDs, hits Demaryius Thomas on the first play from OT for an 80 yard walk-off touchdown. Things may have been different if Ryan Clark (out due to sickle cell) was able to play but this was the highlight of Tebow’s professional career.

Of course, Tebow & the Broncos ran into the Patriots the next round and well…things didn’t end great for them but this was an iconic moment.

The Patriots Open Up As 13.5 Point Favorites Against the Titans

I will admit — nobody really expected the Titans to be gearing up for a trip to Gillette Stadium this weekend. The Chiefs underachieved, sure but to lose to the Titans after being up 21-3? Crazy.

Two touchdowns for a divisional playoff game — and people will still bet on the Patriots. This just goes to show you how their dominance is overlooked at this point. Sure, the Titans don’t really scare anybody but they still went into Arrowhead, which is one of the harder places in the league to win (not in the playoffs though) and came back from an 18 point deficit. That being said, hammer the Patriots line. The Patriots last home game in the playoffs was a 19 point win against the Steelers — combo that with the ESPN headlines and all the negative talk? Patriots win this game by at least 3 TDs.

Also Brady’s last Instagram post?

Final score prediction:

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The New Orleans’ Newspaper Was Ruthless Today

The Saints took care of business yesterday scraping out a 31-26 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The headline today?

Ruthless. Jerry Richardson was putting the team up for sale, which actually became official after the game — per Adam Schefter.

Love the banter from New Orleans here. The Panthers were very close to pulling off the upset but ultimately failed short with Cam Newton getting sacked on 4th down. The Saints move onto the next round and the 2017 Panthers season ends with 6 lossses — half of those to the Saints. That’s gotta hurt, especially watching the Saints celebrate like they won the damn Super Bowl after.