January Football, it’s always an anxious time of the year. 14 teams enter, only 1 will leave this postseason as King of the Hill in Pro Football. With the playoffs about to be underway, let’s meet the contestants fighting for the Lombardi Trophy, here are their stories.
Tennessee Titans (At least you won’t play Baltimore this year): I know people have made fun of me for saying that the Titans and Ravens had the same amount of injuries yet Tennessee made the playoffs as the #1 seed and Baltimore didn’t. The difference is that the Titans play in the easiest division in the NFL and the Ravens play in the hardest. As for Tennessee themselves they look like a solid unit when they have their full arsenal of weapons. Ryan Tannehill has played all 17 games this year and is still very productive. AJ Brown and Julio Jones give him 2 solid receivers to work with. (That is if they are healthy) But here is the main hope for all of Nashville. (Royal Trumpet) KING HENRY! Yes he is coming back in the playoffs after what was considered a season ending injury. His return gives them the main piece to their machine. This is the 3rd time they have had home field advantage throughout the playoffs. And they went 1 and done both times. (At the expense of Ray Lewis and Matt Stover) Hopefully this time it will be different. Especially since the NFL wants to do everything they can for a certain team to get a home AFC Title game again…
Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN’s Darlings): THAT TEAM HAPPENS TO BE THESE GUYS! Just like 2019 the Chiefs have gotten for the most part every single break to go their way. (Excluding Week 17 against Cincinnati) COVID cases on the other team, injuries to opposing playmakers, self-destructions from their opponents, and playing weak offenses. That hasn’t stopped the media from crowning them before the playoffs have even begun. Yes on paper they have most of the pieces from their Super Bowl teams from 2019 and 2020. Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Tyrann Mathieu. There have been some adjustments. Their O-Line has been improved, (They are still losing the Baby Zeus for Oweh deal, but not by much) the defense has turned the clock back to the Schottenheimer years, and their running game has taken a step up. I have said it the last several years and I’m saying it again. The Chiefs are doomed if the right team faces them. Last year it was the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. But knowing this league they are going to give Mahomes and Reid all of the advantages possible. For all of our sakes the Chiefs cannot host the AFC Championship game for the 4th straight year, make the Legion of Zoom play on the road for once!
Buffalo Bills (The J-Gun Attack): I’m not as high on the Bills as I was last year. I know they have most of their core players from that team back but something is a bit strange. They aren’t dominating contenders like they did a year ago excluding the Patriots a few weeks ago. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs once again are leading the charge but if they are going far this year it will be on the back of their D. Even without Tre’Davious White they are still a solid unit with Tremaine Edmunds and Ed Oliver as the leaders. The only thing that is holding them back from a Super Bowl run is the fact that they run a Run and Shoot offense. And that usually doesn’t succeed in January. Plus the weather in Buffalo is a problem if you get what I mean. The road to LA will be hard but at least they will try their best to get there. That’s all you can hope for right? (Plus they are facing YOU KNOW WHO in Round 1)
Cincinnati Bengals (What is this? 1988): I didn’t expect this out of them. That many new pieces on defense, with questions on the O-Line, and the controversy of passing on Penei Sewell. There were reasons to be concerned about these guys. However we were all wrong. I was higher on Ja’Marr Chase than most people but even I didn’t expect him to accomplish the most receiving yards mark by a rookie. He has turned into the 2nd coming of Randy Moss in 1998. He isn’t the only weapon they have. Joe Burrow is all but a lock for Comeback Player of the Year, and they have 2 emerging talents on offense in Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins. (Also Tyler Boyd and CJ Uzamah) Even their defense has stepped up despite no Geno Atkins. Trey Hendriksen has been the focal point of that pass rush all year long. You may think this team can make it to the Super Bowl but they have flaws. The way to beat them is at their own game. Prevent their big plays and use some of your own. If you stop Burrow and Chase you shut down this team as a whole. Plus like Cleveland last year they are trying to win their 1st playoff game in over 25 years. (31 to be exact) I would say Tennessee in Round 2 is a lock but you have to face the team that cursed you in 1990. (They ended Bo Jackson’s career)
Las Vegas Raiders (This year’s Cinderella Story): This team has overcome every single obstacle that has stood in their way. Jon Gruden leaving thanks to racial comments with the NFLPA that were written 10 years ago that were revealed (Thank Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen for that), Henry Ruggs getting arrested and ruining his career, a mid-season skid, an interim coach, and the death of franchise icon John Madden. Other than that losing streak during the middle of the season Vegas looks locked in for a run. Derek Carr has proved a lot of people wrong this year with his inspiring play. His main source this year isn’t Josh Jacobs but Hunter Renfroe. Jacobs is still a huge piece as well. Their defense has improved from last year with Maxx Crosby putting up a career year. Against a team like Cincinnati they will have a huge advantage in the trenches. That’s the only way they can win in a game that will most likely be high scoring. The Raiders are either getting blown early or going deep. Let’s see what happens. I might need to do a doc on this team after the playoffs are over.
New England Patriots (The Empire Strikes Back): All rise for the emperor of Bill Belichick! This season he has overcome most of the critics about Brady carrying him to 6 championships and has gotten them back in the playoffs. For much of the year the Patriots were looking like a solid Super Bowl Contender but they have recently hit a wall. They won 7 straight after a 2-4 start but have lost 3 in a row. Mac Jones reminds me of 2001 Tom Brady. It will take time for him to develop into a superstar but he is on the right track. Their defense has returned to boogeyman status for the most part. Matt Judon has been a beast and so has 2nd Round pick Christian Barmore. I know they will be considered as early exits but this is the hoodie, he always has a few tricks up his sleeve. And that’s why they can be dangerous. How will the cards play out?
Pittsburgh Steelers (How are you still alive?): The Steelers. This organization has never taken no for an answer. I thought they were finished after they got routed by the Chiefs in Week 16. What a difference 2 weeks makes. Yes they beat the Ravens JV team, and a Browns unit that self-destructed but I would never count these guys out. Especially since this is it for Big Ben and their GM Kevin Colbert. Plus many players like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward and JuJu Smith Schuster are due for new contracts. Speaking of JuJu he may be coming back after a shoulder injury. This team has been carried on the backs of TJ Watt and Cam Heyward for much of the year, and they will need those 2 to contain Mahomes right from the word go. I know they are going into Arrowhead but this team has been down this road, they know how to win. They are either shocking the world or getting crushed by the Chiefs again. If I were you I would start running for the hills.
Green Bay Packers (The NFL’s version of the Presidents Trophy Winner): Another year, another outstanding regular season for the Green Bay Packers. In other words Wisconsin has another Championship Contending team. They saw what the Bucks did in July and now they want the Pack to do the same. Aaron Rodgers is on a mission. He knows that his future with the team is uncertain and they want to go all the way to the future be damned. The only legacy Matt LaFleur doesn’t want is being this generation’s version of Chuck Knox. Good in the regular season, but ultimate failure at the end. This is their last chance before Cap Hell comes their way this offseason. (Rodgers, Davante Adams, ZaDarius Smith, Adrian Amos, etc all FA’s) They better win it all this year or the Football Gods will never let them hear the end of it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Survival 101): The Buccaneers have one goal. Win a 2nd straight Super Bowl. It will be harder for them since the injury bug has hit them. Chris Godwin is out for the year, AB decided to be an idiot, Leonard Fournette isn’t 100%, plus their defense has been inconsistent. But the main reason for optimism is none other than TB12. Most QBs at age 44 are over the hill. Not Brady. He has taken every single stereotype that has been thrown his way and overcome it. This may not be the star filled squad of a year ago that went from Wild Card to Champion with no expectations. Now everyone is out to get them. They at least will make it to Round 2 baring anything stupid. The real question is can they win with all of their injuries. Most teams that are banged up don’t do well. But this is Tom Brady. If he is in the picture he can win it. What will their destiny be this time?
Dallas Cowboys (“Roger Goodell does not run the NFL” -Cowboys fans): This team leaves me confused. What I see is high potential. Look at all of the High End Talent they have on this team. That is a Super Bowl caliber roster. But like most years since Jimmy Johnson left the main issue that the Cowboys are facing is BEHIND THE BENCH! Yes Mike McCarthy already has a Super Bowl ring but some of his tactics are holding this team back. They are going to need early season Dak Prescott if they are going to go far. Their defense has gone from a weakness of perhaps their greatest strength. It helps when you have 2 generational talents in Trevon Diggs, and Micah Parsons. This is a team that can either win the Super Bowl or get knocked out early. For the sake of a majority of the NFL World we cannot have Jerry Jones in the Super Bowl! (Especially since the game could possibly get moved to Dallas thanks to COVID restrictions in LA)
Los Angeles Rams (McVay is on a Quest): I happened to see these guys in person 2 weeks ago when they came to Baltimore and one thing popped up. The Rams are so inconsistent. They are either world beaters or they look like frauds. I have no clue as to why ESPN picked them to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVI. Yes they have Matt Stafford. One of the greatest fantasy QBs of his era looking to win his 1st playoff game after years of promise. However his up and down play over the past 3 games is very concerning. The defense has gotten better thanks to the addition of Von Miller to go with Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. At wideout they feature Cooper Kupp putting up Calvin Johnson type numbers, as well as Odell Beckham who is also desperate for a playoff win. This team is either doing one or 2 things. Going deep in the playoffs, or getting blown out by Arizona there’s no other explanation. Plus Cap Hell is coming for them again and they like every year since 2016 have no 1st Round picks. If they fail many of their big time acquisitions are gone. Pokemon McVay you better catch those NFC teams before you’re milk toast.
Arizona Cardinals (Playoff AirRaid): This season for the Cardinals is what I call the Kingsbury Tradition. A white hot start to the season with the high flying offense dominating everyone. BOOM! And then the defense can’t stop the opposing team in the 2nd Half as they limb towards the finish line. However this time Arizona was able to make the playoffs. Kyler Murray for much of the season was one of the league leaders in the MVP voting. Now he has had to fight through injuries and inconsistent play. It also doesn’t help that DeAndre Hopkins has been out for some time but he could be back in the playoffs. Speaking of big time players returning, JJ WATT! That’s right, even if he suffered yet another major injury that won’t stop him from coming back. This is their 1st chance at a Super Bowl in Post-Fitzgerald so they’ll need everything to go their way. Yes many are considering them as dead men walking considering who their 1st Round opponent is, but these games are won on the field not on paper. Cardinals you better beat the Rams, if you don’t all of the talking heads at ESPN will laugh in your face.
San Francisco 49ers (Are you sure you want to trade JimmyGQ): The 49ers were one of the most confusing teams at the mid season mark. There were many rumors in November that Kyle Shanahan would be gonzo at the end of the season. Then San Francisco turned back the clock to 2019 and are now one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. Deebo Samuel is becoming the next great receiver in a long line of 49er legends. It would only be better for them if they took JaMarr Chase instead of Trey Lance. (Although Lance is their QB of the future) Jimmy Garoppolo has turned a corner and has been the main reason for their success in December and January. Plus with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and the defense being healthy the 9ers have a shot at another deep playoff run. In the 1st Round they get Dallas, their long time nemesis. Do me a favor, knock them off! Who cares if you get beat by Green Bay the following week. We need to be saved from possible Cowboy arrogance.
Philadelphia Eagles (THE REAL UNDERDOGS!): I don’t get it. The Eagles were expected to be a playoff contender the year before. However injuries and underachieving came into play. They did next to nothing this offseason, and Philly made it back to the playoffs with a likable group of players. The main reason for their rise is Jalen Hurts. Ever since Wentz was traded he has taken off and the team has followed with him. He reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb. A highly touted QB that makes a major impact in his 1st full year as a starter. Hurts and DeVonta Smith have led the way on offense, but their league leading ground attack led by Jordan Howard and a now healthy Miles Sanders takes no prisoners. They still have players from the Super Bowl LII team like Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, and Jason Kelce who are the veteran leaders of this squad. This is the learning experience for Nick Sirrani but if there is anyone that can pull off an upset with nothing to lose. Do you remember the last time they faced Tampa Bay in the playoffs? It’s considered by many to be the worst loss in Eagles History. (That was the last NFL game at the Vet) And Philadelphia is hoping to change their fate against Tom Brady. I wonder how they will match up with them? PAUSE.
This is a playoff bracket where anything can happen. All 14 teams have a shot at going to the Super Bowl considering how crazy this year has been. (Prediction) There are many interesting storylines that are going to play out over the next few weeks. I won’t make a circus type of prediction, so let’s go with the top team in the playoffs and squad with the highest upside. Green Bay and Tennessee. The raid of King Henry returns from vacation, while Aaron Rodgers sheds his doubters and cooks the NFC. All I can say is we better not get a KC vs Dallas Super Bowl. Because ESPN will go bonkers. (It’s the NFL’s version of Lakers vs Nets… if that were to happen)
Bragging Rights Sports 