50 Super Bowls? Whoa!

Okay so my recent Super Bowl picks have not gone well. I blame Pete Carroll for last year and well I can blame him for the previous year, too. So why am I going with the Denver Broncos? Because upsets happen in Super Bowls. I’m hoping this game is special even though I hate Denver. Peyton Manning rocks and so does Cam Newton. This is a premier matchup between old and new quarterbacks.

That said I think if the Broncos play well and the defense shows up they have a great shot. They will need Manning to be efficient and not turn the ball over, and C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman will have to be great to keep Newton, Jonathan Stewart and the Panthers offense off the field. If they fail this could turn nasty in a hurry. Just ask the other Panthers opponents how they faired. Not well.

Look I can’t shake this gut feeling that Manning will ride off into the sunset a winner. Only Sunday will tell. This will hopefully be a classic. If not, well that’s why booze exists. Happy 50th, NFL. My final score prediction is 23-17, Broncos. Total playoffs record is 7-3. Last week I went 1-1. Also go Greg Olson. Fear the beard.

It’s Draft Time

For one weekend the NFL grabs the sports fans’ attention with a draft that since the 1980s is the biggest and most famous draft of them all. I don’t always watch yet I do pay attention to my team is drafting especially in the first and second rounds. A team can potentially make or break their season based on what needs they address and if they also satisfy certain wants as well. Also you have fans present which can lead to boos and cheers for players. From what I read on Twitter tonight many of those boos were aimed at Roger Goodell. Well deserved I might add.

So I wonder how the Chiefs and the Packers will do this weekend. I know both teams took a defensive player in the first round and unless they become a liability shoring up the defense is a smart although not really flashy move. I would rather see my teams make good draft moves and also look to the future while setting up playoff pushes for next season. As Browns fans can attest to the draft is a tricky and cruel mistress at times. It sure makes for quality entertainment however.

The Greatest Bowl Of Them All: Super Bowl XLIX

Post Season Picks Record: 8-2 (Last Week 2-0)

This will be an annual event from now on, as last year was the first time I covered the Super Bowl on my blog. This year’s coverage will focus once again on key matchups, who will win (important of course) and on some of the major players.

Matchup #1: Tom Brady vs Russell Wilson

Sure the two will not actually face each other on the field. Yet they very well might determine the game and who wins, as both are the field generals of their respective teams. Brady is a legend while Wilson is forging his own legacy although Wilson has been compared to Brady already in terms of being well known for post season success rather than stats. Never mind both put up plenty of quality numbers. I’ll give the edge to Brady based on past experience although Wilson is actually mobile and has a knack for hitting his wide outs. It is exciting to see how this matchup, which many felt was going to happen a season or two ago, turns out.

Matchup #2: Legion of Boom vs Bend or Break

Although New England has what could be its best defense in years they are known for fielding a unit that is aimed at keeping defenses honest even if it doesn’t seem impressive, although its led by stalwarts Jamie Collins, Vince Wilfork and Darrelle Revis, a legend already. Brandon Browner has already gone on record as saying he wants the Patriots to go after any injured Seahawks players, a message that could end up being a motivation for Seattle. Meanwhile the Seahawks defense is ridiculous, as its headlined by Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, plus Bobby Wagner. I have to give the edge to a Seahawks defense that is arguably the league’s best and also made Peyton Manning look silly last season in the Super Bowl.

Matchup #3: Pete Carroll vs Bill Belichick

One future Hall of Fame coach versus another potential HOFer. Both are Super Bowl winners and are known for never losing. Belichick may have the edge in terms of repeating yet Carroll is no stranger to going back to back in title games even though that was in college. It’s worth noting that Belichick replaced Carroll as head coach of the Patriots after New England fired Carroll. That’s a storyline that will be mentioned plenty of times on Sunday.

Matchup #4: The Patriots offense vs the Seahawks offense

Losing Golden Tate and trading away Percy Harvin midseason hurt Seattle a bit yet they still have Marshawn Lynch and Doug Baldwin. Plus Jermaine Kearse is a great X factor for them as is Luke Wilson, an underrated tight end capable of big plays. Also Wilson can run really well and doesn’t make too many mistakes. Now the Patriots offense has Rob Gronkowski who is arguably the best tight end in the league and wide outs Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman, both which are really good pass catches. The Patriots have LeGarrette Blount as their running back but also have several other backs they can roll out. Their X factor is Shane Verreen who can catch passes as well as run for touchdowns. Edge goes to the Patriots here based on Gronk alone.

Final Prediction:

Despite being the Patriots being the favorite I have the Seahawks winning instead. They have a better defense and Russell Wilson has a winning record against Super Bowl quarterbacks. This will be a hard fought and close game that could have a fantastic conclusion. My final score is Seattle 23 New England 20. And I really wish the game would finally go into overtime. No Super Bowl ever has.

PLAYOFFS?!: Conference Title Game Edition

Now for the NFL Conference title game picks (last week’s record: 3-1)

*Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers (35-17)

Look I want to pick the Packers. But I can’t and I won’t. Aaron Rodgers is banged up and so is Eddie Lacy. While Marshawn Lynch may not have played well last game he will burn GB’s defense just like DeMarco Murray did. Also Russell Wilson is a duel threat QB and the Packers are facing him at home. Not even my own bias can’t change my mind.

*New England Patriots over Indianapolis Colts (37-20)

Poor Andrew Luck is 0-3 against the Pats. That’s unlikely to change as the Colts were run over by NE last time the two met in the playoffs. Also Gronk is a beast and seems unstoppable. I foresee the Patriots pulling away late at home as Tom Brady returns to the Super Bowl.

PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?! Wild Card Weekend Edition

Time to share my awful NFL playoff picks with Internet. Commentary included of course.

*Carolina Panthers over Arizona Cardinals 21-13

The Cardinals have played badly due to losing multiple quarter backs. The Panthers are hosting a home game with a losing record. Carolina has the advantage with Cam Newton, a duel threat QB who will give Arizona’s defense problems. Someone get Larry Fitzgerald a good QB under center.

*Dallas Cowboys over Detroit Lions 27-23

Even though the Lions have Suh the Cowboys have a high flying offense. Matthew Stafford isn’t good enough to match Tony Romo, although DeMarco Murray hasn’t been playing well as of late. This should be a close hard fought contest.

*Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens 31-27

Neither team has a quality defense and even though Le’Veon Bell is injured the Steelers still have Ben Roelisberger to put up numbers. Joe Flacco is good but he’s turnover prone this season and hasn’t played well against top defenses. Antonio Brown will end up carrying the day in a game that will not be like previous playoff matchups between the two teams.

*Indianapolis Colts over Cincinnati Bengals 30-17

Andy Dalton has been nothing but awful in the playoffs. I just don’t see that changing, especially with A.J. Green injured. Plus Andrew Luck is great at home despite a poor run game to support him. The Colts defense will get enough stops to pull off the win.

The Greatest Bowl Of Them All

“As a player, it says everything about you if you made the Hall of Fame. But, then again, boy … there’s something about winning a Super Bowl.”

-Terry Bradshaw

No this isn’t about the Rose Bowl-its about my favorite sporting event, the Super Bowl. This is the Masters, the Indy 500, the NBA Finals, the BCS National Title game, everything important, all rolled into one glorious night of football action. The first Super Bowl I ever watched was the Cowboys beating the Steelers in 1996 at Super Bowl XXX and I’ve been hooked from that moment on. Despite viewing some blowouts and some awful Super Bowl games I have not missed a Super Bowl yet, having witnessed the big game by myself, with friends, and with family throughout the years. Super Bowl XLVIII is special for multiple reasons: its the first championship game to feature the top two seeds from both conferences since 2009; the cold outdoor weather that will be a factor; and plus a young rising star in Russell Wilson versus a Hall of Fame bound legend in Peyton Manning. Whoever takes home the prize becomes famous and a legend while the losers are forgotten save for by sports fanatics and trivia buffs. And now for my preview.

Matchups:

*Peyton Manning and that vaulted Denver offense against the top flight Seahawks defense

Richard Sherman despite all of the unfair hate he gets is one of the top corners in the league, and I imagine that Seattle will place him on either Demaryius Thomas or Wes Welker, the two best wide outs that the Broncos have on their roster. However Denver’s defense is underrated as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie anchors the lineup and with veterans such as Champ Bailey leading the way. Weather forecasts aside I like Denver’s chances at moving the ball even though Seattle is going to get their hits in. They are not called “The Legion of Boom” for nothing, and one cannot forget Earl Thomas who is one of the top safeties in the league as well.

*The Battle In The Trenches

Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch is a monster who usually cannot be stopped. Knowshon Moreno is one of the more stable and reliable backs in the league who can run and catch passes at will. Montee Ball gives Denver’s offense an extra edge and will be relied upon by the Broncos to also help protect Manning. The Seahawks offensive line is better than the Broncos because its more healthy and is really good at finding Lynch holes that he can run through. While I like Seattle in this category the fact that Manning is excellent at passing quickly and avoiding sacks through his almost magical pocket presence gives Denver a chance. Still if the Seahawks get their run game going it will help them keep Manning off the field and limit the damage he can do.

*The “X” Factors

Everyone is talking about the weather and its a story beaten completely to death. Unless its raining heavily or a blizzard out there I’m not sure the conditions will really have an impact on the game. Now I consider Eric Decker, a wide receiver who on most teams would be a #1 or #2 guy but who is a #3 or #4 on this ridiculous Broncos roster to be Denver’s “X Factor.” I would like to go with Julius Thomas but I think that the Seahawks will focus heavily on shutting him down-I mean after all they were able to close down Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis on their way to the Super Bowl. If Decker can get open then the Seahawks will discover what my beloved Chiefs found out: you can limit or cover everyone else but if you give Peyton Manning just one guy to throw to, he will burn you all day with that guy.

Meanwhile the Seahawks “X Factor” is Doug Baldwin. Seattle’s wide receiving core is young and has talent despite not getting buzz or press, as they are rather non-flashy. During the NFC Title Game against the 49ers Baldwin was often Russell Wilson’s safety blanket and was also instrumental in setting up several crucial drives that gave the Seahawks defense the chance to close out the win. If he shows up big it really will help Seattle keep Manning off the field. Last I checked you still need to score points to win-at least that’s what John Madden keeps telling us.

Its funny that the Madden simulation of this game had Denver beating Seattle in overtime. That would be fantastic if the big game finally went into extras because its never happened before. I think we are in for a classic, and I originally went with a 9 point spread but I’m limiting it to 4 instead. I’ll go with Denver 27, Seattle 23. And no I did not forget the kickers-Matt Prater and Steven Hauschka are among the best in the game-as it wouldn’t surprise me if it came down to a field goal in the end. I doubt that will happen, but you never know what to expect. I’m hoping the commercials are really good, and I’ll skip the halftime show. Bruno Mars? Yuck. I’m watching for the football anyways.