Week 14 AND "We're talkin' about PLAYOFFS?! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?!"
For the record that Jim Mora Sr. clip will never get old. (See blow)
Now that we are into college bowl season and the NFL is on the cusp of the PLAYOFFS, we can briefly talk about the 2018 quarterback class for the NFL Draft. I know some of the juniors still have to declare but, for the sake of this post... let's say they are all going to. First off, Mr. Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma. I don't think he will be a first or even a second round pick BUT, that is better for him and for the league. Why? Because, that means he could end up on the Chargers or Raiders or the Seahawks and not have to start right away. For someone with so much 'raw athletic ability' I would hate to see him in a Texans or Browns uniform and start week one. Mayfield is a project player with a B+ amount of upside... 2 to 3 seasons down the line.
Josh Rosen of UCLA has all the attributes of a solid pocket passer. Watch any game and you will see him fearlessly step up into the rush, take a hit, but complete a 40yd pass down the field. If he doesn't get gobbled up quick I would love to see him in black and yellow. Learning from Ben Rothlisberger on (and off) the field would help turn Rosen into a top 15 NFL quarterback. For those of you that don't know, Rosen is very verbal off the field and some UCLA teammates were quoted saying "He [Rosen] doesn't take to coaching."
Lamar Jackson of Louisville won the Heisman in 2016. That being said he still had a a hell of a 2017 with 18 passing and 14 rushing touchdowns while only throwing 6 interceptions. I would like to think he is a late 1st to early 2nd round pick. However, I can see the Browns, Texans, Bills, and Dolphins getting too excited over his running ability and trading up to get him. Will he be an NFL start in the next 2 years? Yes. Is there a high chance a crappy team starts him too soon and ruins his career? Yes.
(YES! I will be getting to the game picks soon!) Sam Darnold of USC looks like every USC QB ever at 6'4, 220lbs, definite brosef... so, you would never expect me to say me to say he reminds me of Byron Leftwich. Why? Two words. "Throwing Motion." Watch any film of either of these guys and their motion and release take far too long. The issue is by the time you are a junior in college or drafted into the NFL it's too late to fix that (SEE: Tim Tebow.) Don't get me wrong Darnold is an actual field general with solid improvisational skills but, can he make a career out of that? Well, Leftwich did from 2003-2012, so it will be interesting to see how his NFL days play out.
Lastly, we have Josh Allen of Wyoming. A lot of scouts say he is basically Joe Flacco 2.0 Not from a big school but, has a lot of similar attributes to the long time Ravens starter. He has a big frame, quick feet and a solid 230lb frame. But, his biggest draw back is one of his greatest strength... throwing the fast ball. He has the ability to rip one deep on a rope BUT, throws at that same speed and power on a 5 yard dig route. Carolina Panther fans know that pain because Cam Newton is notorious for doing the same exact thing, a 6 and a 60yd pass thrown at the same velocity, like a rifle. Tons of scouts and NFL draft boards have Allen in the top 10 to Top 5. Where do I see him ending up? Denver, Buffalo or *sigh* Cleveland.
Vikings [-2.5] (10-2) at Panthers (8-4) 1pm CBS- OH BOY! This is a big one. Minnesota leads the NFC North by 4 games, have a 99% chance of winning the division and a 67% chance of being the #1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs (stats per VegasInsider.com) Then you have the Panthers who are (cliche alert) in control of their playoff destiny. The Saints have a lock on the NFC South at 9-4, while the Falcons are 8-4, and Tampa... well the Bucs are just happy to be their *cries into coffee.* The Panthers used to be able to lean on their run game and a stout defense but... that may not be a winning formula this season. The Panthers defensive backs have ZERO interceptions in 12 games. ZERO. Their defense starts and ends with linebacker Luke Kuechly BUT, he can't do it all. Fellow LB Shaq Thompson is out today and Thomas Davis isn't great against the pass... or run... or anything lately. Now, this rag tag defense has to stop a Vikings air attack that is real neat, led by receiver Adam Thielen. QB Case Keenum has a healthy 16TD-5INT ratio and wins games by not turning the ball over, not forcing throws and not celebrating like Superman in the end zone. It's a cold one at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte today with a high of 43 and 7-10mph winds. F*^& that noise. That's why I moved!
Vikings- 27 Panthers- 16
Redskins (5-7) at Chargers [-6] (6-6) 4:05pm CBS- Why this game? Well, the Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders are ALL 6-6. The AFC West is up in the air. And a Skins loss today ejects them from ANY wild card hope. And Kansas City plays Oakland today meaning that someone else in the AFC West will be 7-6 by the end of today. AND I wanted to give props to one the best players year in and year out in the NFL, Philip Rivers. Every year Rivers is at the helm of a par to sub par Chargers squad, yet every year he is at the top of the league in passing touchdowns and yards. A lot of people group him in the Cam and Brady as far as his on field antics and screaming goes. I don't. Brady bitches to bitch because... he's a bitch. Cam celebrates like he won the Universe Bowl every time he throws for 5yds or rushes for 11. While Rivers is a fiery player, meaning, he gets amped when appropriate and doesn't let it bleed into his post game press conference. Oh yeah, the Redskins are in this game too. I don't think it will be too close and Dan Snyder will just try and buy talent again... again... again in 2018.
Chargers- 24 Redskins- 20
Eagles (10-2) at Rams [PK] (9-3) 4:25pm FOX- Lotta good ball on today! This could be a preview for the NFC Title game. Both teams will be in the post season and both teams (along with Minnesota) have a shot to be playing in Houston in February (home of Super Bowl 51.) It would be easy to drone on about Carson Wentz and Jared Goff and how they are the NEW NFL franchise players for years to come and this is going to be the new Brady/Manning match up etc... but, I want to talk about these team's run game and defense. Somehow LeGarrette Blount is still in the league and STILL playing at a high level! No matter what, I will always think of him when Oregon lost to Boise State and Blount duffed Boise State Bryron Hout. Kids, if you've never seen it before well... here ya go:
*restart button* So, the Eagles have the #3 overall defense, the #1 rush defense, and 2nd in total rushing yards with a staggering 143ypg. Why does that matter when you have a dynamic QB? Well, as we have seen in Super Bowls past, when a QB struggles a good run game to open up the play action pass and a stout defense, to get your QB the ball back usually ends with a Super Bowl ring. The Rams aren't anything to scoff at with Todd Gurley III and the 8th best pass defensive. BUT, they are 27th against the run... and when you face a team that can ground pound the ball, that isn't good.
Eagles- 31 Rams- 20
Aaaand that's the wayyyyyy the news goes!
Now that we are into college bowl season and the NFL is on the cusp of the PLAYOFFS, we can briefly talk about the 2018 quarterback class for the NFL Draft. I know some of the juniors still have to declare but, for the sake of this post... let's say they are all going to. First off, Mr. Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma. I don't think he will be a first or even a second round pick BUT, that is better for him and for the league. Why? Because, that means he could end up on the Chargers or Raiders or the Seahawks and not have to start right away. For someone with so much 'raw athletic ability' I would hate to see him in a Texans or Browns uniform and start week one. Mayfield is a project player with a B+ amount of upside... 2 to 3 seasons down the line.
Josh Rosen of UCLA has all the attributes of a solid pocket passer. Watch any game and you will see him fearlessly step up into the rush, take a hit, but complete a 40yd pass down the field. If he doesn't get gobbled up quick I would love to see him in black and yellow. Learning from Ben Rothlisberger on (and off) the field would help turn Rosen into a top 15 NFL quarterback. For those of you that don't know, Rosen is very verbal off the field and some UCLA teammates were quoted saying "He [Rosen] doesn't take to coaching."
Lamar Jackson of Louisville won the Heisman in 2016. That being said he still had a a hell of a 2017 with 18 passing and 14 rushing touchdowns while only throwing 6 interceptions. I would like to think he is a late 1st to early 2nd round pick. However, I can see the Browns, Texans, Bills, and Dolphins getting too excited over his running ability and trading up to get him. Will he be an NFL start in the next 2 years? Yes. Is there a high chance a crappy team starts him too soon and ruins his career? Yes.
(YES! I will be getting to the game picks soon!) Sam Darnold of USC looks like every USC QB ever at 6'4, 220lbs, definite brosef... so, you would never expect me to say me to say he reminds me of Byron Leftwich. Why? Two words. "Throwing Motion." Watch any film of either of these guys and their motion and release take far too long. The issue is by the time you are a junior in college or drafted into the NFL it's too late to fix that (SEE: Tim Tebow.) Don't get me wrong Darnold is an actual field general with solid improvisational skills but, can he make a career out of that? Well, Leftwich did from 2003-2012, so it will be interesting to see how his NFL days play out.
Lastly, we have Josh Allen of Wyoming. A lot of scouts say he is basically Joe Flacco 2.0 Not from a big school but, has a lot of similar attributes to the long time Ravens starter. He has a big frame, quick feet and a solid 230lb frame. But, his biggest draw back is one of his greatest strength... throwing the fast ball. He has the ability to rip one deep on a rope BUT, throws at that same speed and power on a 5 yard dig route. Carolina Panther fans know that pain because Cam Newton is notorious for doing the same exact thing, a 6 and a 60yd pass thrown at the same velocity, like a rifle. Tons of scouts and NFL draft boards have Allen in the top 10 to Top 5. Where do I see him ending up? Denver, Buffalo or *sigh* Cleveland.
Vikings [-2.5] (10-2) at Panthers (8-4) 1pm CBS- OH BOY! This is a big one. Minnesota leads the NFC North by 4 games, have a 99% chance of winning the division and a 67% chance of being the #1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs (stats per VegasInsider.com) Then you have the Panthers who are (cliche alert) in control of their playoff destiny. The Saints have a lock on the NFC South at 9-4, while the Falcons are 8-4, and Tampa... well the Bucs are just happy to be their *cries into coffee.* The Panthers used to be able to lean on their run game and a stout defense but... that may not be a winning formula this season. The Panthers defensive backs have ZERO interceptions in 12 games. ZERO. Their defense starts and ends with linebacker Luke Kuechly BUT, he can't do it all. Fellow LB Shaq Thompson is out today and Thomas Davis isn't great against the pass... or run... or anything lately. Now, this rag tag defense has to stop a Vikings air attack that is real neat, led by receiver Adam Thielen. QB Case Keenum has a healthy 16TD-5INT ratio and wins games by not turning the ball over, not forcing throws and not celebrating like Superman in the end zone. It's a cold one at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte today with a high of 43 and 7-10mph winds. F*^& that noise. That's why I moved!
Vikings- 27 Panthers- 16
Redskins (5-7) at Chargers [-6] (6-6) 4:05pm CBS- Why this game? Well, the Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders are ALL 6-6. The AFC West is up in the air. And a Skins loss today ejects them from ANY wild card hope. And Kansas City plays Oakland today meaning that someone else in the AFC West will be 7-6 by the end of today. AND I wanted to give props to one the best players year in and year out in the NFL, Philip Rivers. Every year Rivers is at the helm of a par to sub par Chargers squad, yet every year he is at the top of the league in passing touchdowns and yards. A lot of people group him in the Cam and Brady as far as his on field antics and screaming goes. I don't. Brady bitches to bitch because... he's a bitch. Cam celebrates like he won the Universe Bowl every time he throws for 5yds or rushes for 11. While Rivers is a fiery player, meaning, he gets amped when appropriate and doesn't let it bleed into his post game press conference. Oh yeah, the Redskins are in this game too. I don't think it will be too close and Dan Snyder will just try and buy talent again... again... again in 2018.
Chargers- 24 Redskins- 20
Eagles (10-2) at Rams [PK] (9-3) 4:25pm FOX- Lotta good ball on today! This could be a preview for the NFC Title game. Both teams will be in the post season and both teams (along with Minnesota) have a shot to be playing in Houston in February (home of Super Bowl 51.) It would be easy to drone on about Carson Wentz and Jared Goff and how they are the NEW NFL franchise players for years to come and this is going to be the new Brady/Manning match up etc... but, I want to talk about these team's run game and defense. Somehow LeGarrette Blount is still in the league and STILL playing at a high level! No matter what, I will always think of him when Oregon lost to Boise State and Blount duffed Boise State Bryron Hout. Kids, if you've never seen it before well... here ya go:
Eagles- 31 Rams- 20
Aaaand that's the wayyyyyy the news goes!
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