Mega-Blog: Thoughts on NFL Week 14 plus Bowl Week 1 and NFL Week 15 Preview: 12/14 - 12/20

 

Mega-Blog: Thoughts on NFL Week 14 plus Bowl Week 1 and NFL Week 15 Preview: 12/14 - 12/20

Combining the blog back this week, finals has gotten the best of me. Only one thought and no play breakdown, but we will have more content next week.

1. Best of the Week

Best Game: Titans vs Dolphins

We had to wait until Monday night for the game of the weekend but it delivered. The Titans ran a master class in the first half on how to muck up the game, making Tua's reads difficult and causing him to hold onto the ball. On the flipside, I loved seeing the Titans make defined reads for their young quarterback by splitting Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears out wide so the Dolphins had to show if they were in man or zone pre-snap. The biggest spread of the NFL weekend ended up being an outright loss, absolutely brutal for the Phins' hopes of getting home field advantage in the playoffs.

Best Player: Brevon Easton (WR) - Albany

FCS quarterfinals were this past weekend and there were some big games on the slate. No player shined more than Easton, who had 9 receptions for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 30-22 win at Idaho, one of the weirdest home fields in football. Good luck to the Great Danes the rest of the way.

Best Uniform: Army vs Navy



 

Always awesome jerseys when these two meet and this edition followed along. Always a fun game between these two, GameDay was awesome, and CBS does a great job showing off the pageantry. 

2. Was Tom Brady Right?

Tom Brady made headlines a few weeks ago for saying that there is a lot of mediocre football happening in the NFL. Then Alex Smith had the nicest clap back ever saying Brady played in the easiest division of all time and that it actually is because we are in the golden age of defensive line play. It was a moment made for the social media age, two old heads spouting back and forth and a lot of talk about respect. But after seeing two 0-0 scores at halftime for the first time ever and the Vikings squeaking out a field goal to win 3-0 we have to ask, was the Goat right?

I've said before I think there is a ton of great quarterback play in the league and more on the way. I also think that defenses have caught up some to modern offenses and every defensive line has a Monstar on it. But I think the NFL has warped the rule book a bit like the NBA (another cross-sports topic, I know). No one watched early 2000's NBA and thought it was working well. We have all enjoyed the opening of the paint and the higher scoring. But nowadays if there is any contact the player is going to the line and there is no way without any hand checking to stop these amazing point guards. In my opinion, the rules are too slanted and need a bit of a tweak back.

I think the same thing has happened with modern football. You can only have 10 quarterbacks be... top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL (math is funny that way). Receivers have no fear going up and catching errant passes late over the middle. No matter if Josh Dobbs is better than Jon Kitna was he still shouldn't be chucking the ball around the yard all the time. It makes disjointed offenses if everyone is throwing it 50 times a game when not everyone is skilled enough to do so.

Week Preview

Splitting it up into college and NFL because we have NFL games Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and the bowl games happen at random throughout the week. 

College Football Bowl Week 1

What to Watch For

Game of the Week: Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State

The MAC champs take on America's darling underdogs. This is going to be a fun contrast of two group of 5 elites and the contrast in school colors will make it a potential elite uniform game. The Redhawks lost their QB to the portal, so expect some creative plays early and often to try and get the ball moving.

Most Entertaining Game: Georgia Southern vs Ohio

The Eagles lost 5 straight to end the season but come in as favorites against the Bobcats, even though the line opened in the other direction. GSU QB Davis Brin can be erratic, but when he gets hot he can have the Eagles soaring. The potential for turnovers and points makes this a fun one.

A Game for the Football Crazies: UTSA vs Marshall

This game could be a defensive struggle, as that is both teams' strong suit, but I think UTSA QB Frank Harris is the difference maker for the Road Runners. If you need something to do late on a weekday, it doesn't get much better for an early bowl game.

Picks of the Week

First Pick: Boise State ML (+150) vs UCLA

UCLA has had some portal moves and I think the Broncos come in ready to finish the season strong, let's get on the board.

Second Pick: u58 (-110) Cal vs Texas Tech

Last time we saw the Red Raiders they got waxed by the Longhorns. Cal is a much easier opponent, but I don't like either of these offenses.

Third Pick: Ohio ML (+150) vs Georgia Southern

I'll bet against the public on this one. I know GSU has time to get right, but I think the Bobcats will finish the year with a win.

NFL Week 15

What to Watch For

Game of the Weekend: Broncos at Lions

A game with massive playoff implications as the Broncos need to keep winning to stay in the playoff hunt and the Lions need to stop their slump. It seems like the way to help Russ cook is to establish a running game after all, glad we all settled that one.

Most Entertaining Game: Cowboys at Bills

Both teams got huge wins last weekend and have a lot to fight for the rest of the way. The Cowboys' defense is incredibly opportunistic, can they get some turnovers from the impatient Josh Allen? The late afternoon slate keeps firing on all cylinders.

A Game for the Football Crazies: Falcons at Panthers

Someone has to win the NFC South, why can't it be the Dirty Bird Falcons? People thought the Panthers may get the interim head coach boost but it turns out they just suck. Can they hang around in this one?

Picks of the Week

First Pick: Cardinals +14 (-115) vs 49ers

This is a hold your nose and take the points bet. Kyler normally is falling apart at this time of year but he didn't play early in the season so he is relatively healthy. I think the 49ers win but it's within two scores.

Second Pick: Cowboys +2 (-110) vs Bills

I know at some point the good fortune has to run out, but I just don't by the Bills this year. I think the Cowboys stay hot, as they so often do in December.

Third Pick: u48 (-110) Eagles vs Seahawks

I have to take a primetime under and I will take this one. I think the Eagles get a win, but weird things happen at night in the PNW.

Season Totals

College Football Picks: 44-39-3 (+7.25 units)
NFL Picks: 29-30-5 (-3.46 units)
Overall: 73-69-8 (+3.79 units)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on College Football's Week 1

Image
Thoughts on College Football's Week 1 Going to try to break the blog up into two pieces this year. Here are some thoughts from a packed Labor Day weekend of football and we will look at next weekend later in the week. 1. Best of the Week Best Game: LSU vs Florida State (Orlando) I know the final score was lopsided, but this game had some haymakers throughout that showed how talented both of these programs were. It was sloppy in stretches, for example when Jordan Travis threw a pick on a screen right after LSU muffed a punt. I am curious to see how both teams come back next week after such a physical game, go watch the highlights to see all the huge hits being delivered. Best Player: Travis Hunter (ATH - Colorado) Deion has given us so much in one game as the Colorado coach. But probably the best part of his tenure is his willingness to use his best player's abilities to their fullest potential. Travis Hunter was everywhere, with 11 catches and a game-sealing interception. Deion...
Read more

Week 0 Preview

Week 0 Preview We are back! College football gets a soft start this weekend with a few fun games to keep tabs on as you enjoy one of the last weekends of summer. Just a short blog this week but we will be back with observations and a full preview next week! Saturday, August 26th Biggest Game: Navy vs Notre Dame (Dublin, Ireland) Navy moved on from their coach, but this is a classic rivalry that is more exciting than last year's Nebraska vs Northwestern matchup. Notre Dame should have a great second year for coach Marcus Freeman, led by a new quarterback in Sam Hartman. Notre Dame is a 20 point favorite, but it will still feel nice to have football on the tv as you avoid the heat of the day. I think all the new pieces for both teams get off to slow starts and the defensive-minded head coaches play this one conservatively. My Pick: u49 (-112) Game Worth Watching: San Jose at USC Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman winner and projected first overall pick in next year's draft, get...
Read more

Thoughts on College Football's Week 10 and NFL Week 9

Image
  Thoughts on College Football's Week 10 and NFL Week 9 1. Best of the Week Best Game: Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma (Bedlam) Oklahoma is really having quite the tour of the Big 12 as they leave for the SEC aren't they? This is an all-time rivalry and I am sad to see it go. Stillwater has one of the weirdest fields in the sport and quite the rowdy fan base. The name of the rivalry is always fitting, especially in Stillwater. This game was weird, it was back and forth, and nothing beats beating your rival. Great win, Pokes. Best Player: CJ Stroud (QB) - Texans The runner up for game of the week had the best player. CJ Stroud bounces back after losing to Bryce Young to throw 5 TD's against the Buccaneers. I love to see it. Stroud has been commanding in Houston and is validating the draft pick every week. This is not gimmicky, he is making big-time throws and reading the whole field. Can the Texans make the playoffs? I wouldn't bet against Stroud. Best Uniform: Mississippi St...
Read more