Tag: Wild Card Weekend

The Kansas City Chiefs Put on a Choking Clinic on Saturday

Image result for kansas city chiefs playoff loss

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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Mediocrity Super Bowl: Jaguars vs. Bills

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NFL Wild Card Weekend will bring a match-up with two teams who haven’t had a ticket to the dance in quite some time.  We have the Buffalo Bills, who last made the Playoffs in 1999, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The Jaguars last Playoff appearance was in 2007-2008 in New England.  They lost 31-20 to the then undefeated Patriots.

The Bills last lost to the Tennessee Titans in the Music City Miracle game.  An event that doesn’t need much explaining:

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This game is the game I am look forward to most this weekend.   It is mediocrity at it’s absolute finest.  Two middling teams duking it out, to see who has the right to get their ass kicked in New England, or Pittsburgh.   I’m sure these two fanbases will make sure there will be plenty of debauchery in the stands as well.  Couldn’t be more excited.

Buffalo Bills:

What a year it has been up in Buffalo.  The longest Professional Sports playoff drought in America finally comes to a close.  The Bills exceeded expectations in general in 2017.  A year after cleaning house from the Rex Ryan regime, it looked as if the Bills were orchestrating a tank job.  They traded away key starters in Ronald Darby, and Sammy Watkins for lesser options in Jordan Matthews and E.J. Gaines.  This was an attempt to give young coach, Sean Mcdermott a fresh clean slate.

The Bills responded by being a playoff contender for much of the year.  They picked up key wins against the Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, and Colts.  Needing a win in week 17, Buffalo took down Miami 22-16, and Cincinnati knocked out Baltimore with a last second Andy Dalton touchdown to  Tyler Boyd.

The Bills most explosive offensive weapon is Lesean McCoy.  Shady can beat you in every single facet of the game.  He is quick enough to beat you to the outside, he’s tough enough to run inside the tackles, and is a major weapon is the passing game.  He’s pretty much the entire Buffalo Bills offense.   Look for heavy dose of shady on Sunday, if he is healthy enough to go.  It is sounding like he should be ok to play.

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Not much else for the Bills on offense.  It’s been a rough year on that side of the ball. Tyord Taylor is currently their starting Quarterback, but Sean McDermott famously switched to Nathan Peterman against the San Diego Chargers.  Peterman threw 5 interceptions on the day, and the Bills got throttled.

Tyrod stats

Tyrod Taylor hasn’t exactly set the world on fire as the full-time starter for Buffalo.  He did however, throw less interceptions over the course of the entire season, than Peterman did against the Chargers alone. He just doesn’t have many weapons to work with.  His three biggest weapons are Charles Clay, Kelvin Benjamin, and Jordan Matthews.  Even with those names, Shady is still the Bills best weapon in the passing game.

Defensively is where the Bills earn their stripes.  They rank 16th in points, and 19th in yards allowed.  The ’85 bears they aren’t, but they can keep themselves in games with solid defensive play.

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Jacksonville Jaguars:

The Jags finished 2017 with a 10-6 record, and a playoff birth for the first time since 2008.  They do so after entering the season amid a QB controversy.  Jags head coach, Doug Marrone had considered turning the keys of the offense over to Chad Henne in training camp.  Marrone wisely stuck with Blake Bortles.

Bortles stats

Bortles went on to have a solid year at the helm.  The Jags had signature wins against the Steelers, Ravens, Seattle, and Houston twice.  Most of it was lead by rookie Running Back, Leanord Fournette.

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Fournette rushed for 1,040 yards, and 9 touchdowns.  He added 302 yards, and 1 touchdown receiving.

Their calling card is their defense.  Jacksonville finished 5th in points allowed, and 4th in yards allowed.  Calais Campbell leads a very strong defensive line.  He finished the season with 14.5 sacks, and was an all-pro as both a Defensive End, and Defensive tackle.  Jalen Ramsey leads a young strong secondary.  Ramsey finished 2017 with 4 interceptions, and 14 passes defended.  There are many other strong pieces including Dante Fowler, Tashaun Gipson, Malik Jackson, and A.J. Bouye.  The Jaguars are very young, and very good on defense.  Don’t be surprised if Jacksonville goes on a little playoff run, as long as Bortles doesn’t revert back to his old self.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1LEy1DdseY

Final Verdict: 

Jacksonville 17- Buffalo 3

Buffalo is just not good enough offensively to compete with this Jags team. Tyrod Taylor likely won’t pick apart the Jags,  they are too strong on defense for the lowly Bills offense.  Whoever controls the line of scrimmage, and turns it over fewest will win. Going to be a snoozer, but it is Mediocrity’s Super Bowl after all!