Category: Sports

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: South Region

The South Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features all sorts of big names and an abundance of star power. Let’s break it down and preview how the South will play out.

Cover photo taken from The Athletic.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the South: a region with an abundance of star power and my personal pick to cut down the nets in New Orleans.

Meet the 1 Seed: Arizona Wildcats

This year’s Arizona team is an incredible story. After the turmoil of the last few years with Sean Miller’s departure and an FBI investigation, former long-time Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd took this program over and restored them to their usual glory in just one year. The Wildcats won the most games in college basketball with 31 and dominated the PAC-12 all season long, including a championship in the conference tournament en route to their first 1 seed since 2014. This is a deep, remarkably talented team led by guard Bennedict Mathurin, who is one of my favorite players to watch. Mathurin averages 17/6/3/1 on 46% shooting, and has quickly become one of college basketball’s premier guards and a potential NBA lottery pick. But it’s not just him that makes this team so special. Other key contributors include center Christian Koloko, the National Most Improved Player of the Year, forward Azuolas Tubelis, and guard Kerr Kriisa. Kriisa injured his ankle in the PAC-12 Tournament and could be limited during this tournament, which is something to watch. But, Zona seemed to be just fine without him in those games, and I think that can easily continue in the dance. This is a dominant team on both ends of the floor, playing picturesque offense and shutting down even the best of offenses. They are destined for a deep run and have a fantastic chance of reaching their first Final Four since 2001. It’s safe to say that Arizona basketball is back.

Meet the Sleeper: #7 Ohio State Buckeyes

Honorable Mentions: #5 Houston Cougars, #9 TCU Horned Frogs

In my eyes, there are only two possible outcomes for the Buckeyes in this tournament. They will either lose in the first round, or make a run to at least the second weekend. That has been their nature all season long. Ohio State has huge wins over teams like Duke, Seton Hall, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. But, they have also lost to vastly inferior competition, most recently teams like Maryland, Nebraska, and Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament. There’s no doubt that this team is as dangerous as any when they play their best basketball, but a combination of injuries and general inconsistency makes it so that we rarely see the Bucks at their best. With much of both still lingering, it’s going to be feast or famine in this tournament for Ohio State. If they feast, then this team is capable of getting all the way to at least the second weekend, and maybe even the Final Four. It just remains to be seen if they can live up to that potential.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #12 UAB over #5 Houston

Honorable Mentions: #11 Michigan over #6 Colorado State, #13 Chattanooga over #4 Illinois, #10 Loyola Chicago over #7 Ohio State

On paper, Houston is one of the best teams in the country. They have some of the best stats and metrics of any team in college basketball. The Cougars rank 2nd in BPI, 3rd in NET, and 4th in KenPom. This is seemingly just as good of a team as last year’s Final Four squad. But, there is a reason they are a 5 seed. The AAC was remarkably weak this season, and Houston feasted on vastly inferior competition all year long. They also struggled against fellow tournament teams, losing to Wisconsin, Alabama, and Memphis twice. There’s no doubt that Houston is an elite team at their best, but they are much more vulnerable than they might seem. Enter the Blazers of UAB. This is a ridiculously fun team that ran the table in the C-USA Tournament to reach the big dance, and I think they have what it takes to pull off the quintessential 12-5 upset. Led by Jordan “Jelly” Walker, a 20 PPG scorer, the Blazers play top-tier offense, and aren’t so bad on the other side of the ball either. If they can successfully speed things up on the floor, getting Houston off their game, and hit perimeter shots, then I really like UAB’s chance of kicking off a potential Cinderella run. It will be a tall task against one of the nation’s best defenses, but I’ve seen crazier things in March.

Best Potential Games: #1 Arizona vs. #4 Illinois, #1 Arizona vs. #2 Villanova

Honorable Mentions: #1 Arizona vs. #9 TCU, #2 Villanova vs. #3 Tennessee

Illinois hasn’t lived up to their potential this year, a trend that seems to have started in last season’s NCAA Tournament. However, they still have one of college basketball’s most talented lineups, especially up front with their star center, Kofi Cockburn. Going up against an equally-talented Arizona roster in the Sweet 16 would be appointment television, especially with the battle of the big men in Cockburn vs. Zona’s Christian Koloko. This would be a phenomenal game between two historic basketball programs: just what March is all about. I’d have to roll with the Wildcats simply due to the utter inconsistency that the Illini have displayed all season long vs. Arizona’s year-long dominance.

Here’s a question for you. When the Wildcats face off against the Wildcats, who emerges victorious. Probably the Wildcats, right? All jokes aside, Arizona-Villanova would be a spectacular game for anyone who loves basketball. The guard play on display would be something special, with Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin facing off against Villanova’s Collin Gillespie. Other players like Kerr Kriisa of Arizona and Justin Moore of Villanova just add to the pageantry of this one. Again, I’d have to rock with Arizona to win this one. I truly believe they are the best team in the field.

My Pick for New Orleans: #1 Arizona

Honorable Mentions: #2 Villanova Wildcats, #3 Tennessee Volunteers

Arizona is not just my pick to win this region and make the Final Four. They are my pick to win the NCAA Tournament. They are the best basketball team I have seen this season. Gonzaga is close, but we see how that plays out every season. Bennedict Mathurin is ready to play his way into a household name, and Tommy Lloyd is ready to lead one of the most improbable title runs in history. I’ve got the Wildcats beating Tennessee in the Regional Final to get to New Orleans, where two more wins await them.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Arizona over #16 Wright State: Zona’s title run has to start somewhere.

#9 TCU over #8 Seton Hall: On their best day, the Pirates can beat some of the nation’s top teams. The problem? They don’t have many great days. TCU was a pest in the Big 12 all year long, and their size and athleticism will win them this game.

#12 UAB over #5 Houston: All of the metrics in the college basketball world absolutely adore the Cougars. Makes sense that a team full of seniors that just went to the Final Four gets so much love. For some reason, I just don’t see it. UAB is a super fun team led by guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker, that willed their way into the dance in last week’s C-USA tournament. Why not them?

#4 Illinois over #13 Chattanooga: The Mocs seem to be a trendy upset pick in this game, but I just don’t see it. Just imagine Kofi Cockburn going up against those guys, and your mind might change.

#6 Colorado State over #11 Michigan: The Rams have a budding star in David Roddy, one of college basketball’s best players. Stars usually tend to shine brightest in March. Moreover, the Wolverines should not have made the tournament. The fact that they got a bye is insulting. Luckily for us, their stay in the dance will be short and sweet. Let’s just hope Juwan Howard keeps his hands to himself.

#3 Tennessee over #14 Longwood: The SEC champion Vols are as hot as anyone in America right now, and are criminally under-seeded as a 3. Look for them to continue playing with a chip on their shoulder en route to a deep run.

#10 Loyola Chicago over #7 Ohio State: The Buckeyes are just so unlucky. Injuries have derailed them all year long, and they come into this tournament limping after a loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament. They have the star power to compete against anyone in this tournament, but with the way they stand, this pick just seems too plausible. The Ramblers love making noise in March, and I think that trend will continue on Friday afternoon.

#2 Villanova over #15 Delaware: This is Villanova’s best shot at a title since their last in 2018. This team is as deep and experienced as any, and that tends to work wonders in March. This will be the start of a potentially special run for the Wildcats.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: West Region

The West Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features some heavyweight programs and a plethora of storylines. Let’s break it down and preview how the West will play out.

Cover photo taken by Young Kwak, AP.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the West: a region with endless stories and potentially larger-than-life matchups.

Meet the 1 Seed: Gonzaga Bulldogs

What head coach Mark Few has done and continues to do in Spokane is nothing short of miraculous. For the second consecutive year, Gonzaga is the #1 overall seed in the tournament. Moreover, this is their third consecutive 1 seed and fourth in the last five tournaments. In each of those tournaments, they have reached at least the Elite 8, with one loss in that round (2019) and two National Championship losses (2017 and 2021). The Zags continue to recruit and play at a blue blood level, and this program is here to say. This year’s bunch might be even better than last year’s team that was one game away from completing college basketball’s first undefeated season in over 40 years. It helps when you return a star in forward Drew Timme, who leads the team in scoring with 17.5 PPG to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. The Zags also boast 2021’s #1 recruit and potential 2022 #1 NBA Draft selection in forward Chet Holmgren, a true unicorn of basketball. Holmgren stands at 7 feet, 190 pounds, and can do it all on the floor. From scoring inside and outside to passing or even getting boards and proceeding to run breaks, there truly isn’t anything that Chet can’t do. Averaging 14 PPG, 10 RPG, and 4 BPG, he is the differentiator of this Gonzaga team, but that doesn’t mean they only go as far as he goes. Other role players are plenty capable, including sharpshooter guard Julian Strawther, shifty PG Andrew Nembhard, and 3pt specialist Rasir Bolton. This team can beat you in a plethora of ways with a plethora of pieces, and they are not only the favorites to get to the Final Four in New Orleans, but also to cut down the nets once they get there.

Meet the Sleeper: #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Honorable Mention: #4 Arkansas Razorbacks, #10 Davidson Wildcats

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to call a 3 seed a sleeper, but in a region where the 1 is Gonzaga and the 2 is Duke, maybe it is. I’ve been high on this TTU team all season long, simply because I love the style of basketball that they play. Mark Adams’ team grinds you down with an impeccable defense that is the best in the country according to KenPom. Their offense runs slow, but efficiently and effectively, using the full shot clock to find a good shot and nail it. Led by forward Bryson Williams (14 PPG) and guard Terrance Shannon Jr. (10.4 PPG), along with several other nice pieces in Davion Warren, Kevin McCullar, and Kevin Obanor (a transfer from last year’s Cinderella, Oral Roberts), the Red Raiders are one of the more balanced teams in the field. They have already shown us that their defense can get them to a Final Four in 2019 (in a region where they were the 3 and Gonzaga was the 1, funnily enough). Who’s to say it can’t happen again?

Upset Waiting to Happen: #10 Davidson over #7 Michigan State

Honorable Mention: #11 Notre Dame over #6 Alabama

I really like the Davidson Wildcats. They ran through the Atlantic 10 all season long, and although they couldn’t capture the A10 Tournament title, they left no doubt that they were the best team in the conference. This team scores a LOT of points, highlighted by fantastic guard play and perimeter dominance. Guard Foster Loyer leads the way with 16.3 PPG and nearly 45% 3pt shooting. This MSU team isn’t one of Tom Izzo’s finest groups. As resilient and tough as they are, they simply fail to rise to the occasion too often to inspire confidence in a tournament run. I think it ends before it can start for Sparty against a Davidson team that has flown under the radar for far too long.

Best Potential Games: #2 Duke vs. #7 Michigan State, #1 Gonzaga vs. #2 Duke

Honorable Mentions: #4 Arkansas vs. #5 UConn, #1 Gonzaga vs. #3 Texas Tech

The selection committee setting up a potential Mike Krzyzewski vs. Tom Izzo matchup in the Round of 32 had to be deliberate. What better way to end the first weekend of Coach K’s final tournament with Duke than with a contest with his longterm rival from East Lansing? It would be a great matchup on the surface and would certainly draw in the ratings, but I don’t think it’d be the best game on the court. Duke is substantially better than Michigan State, and they would be able to handle them with ease. But it’s safe to say we’ll all be tuning into that one, if both teams get there.

A potential Regional Final between Gonzaga and Duke would essentially be Goliath vs. Goliath. The Zags may have played the role of David in the past, but not anymore. These two teams met earlier in the season in Las Vegas, with the Blue Devils edging the Bulldogs to the tune of an 84-81 victory. I think things would go a bit differently a second time around. Duke’s starting lineup boasts 5 potential first round picks, and they have one of the highest ceilings in all of college basketball with all that talent. But, Gonzaga has been the vastly better team since that meeting in November, and seemingly nothing stands between them and the Final Four. Not even Coach K in what could be his final game of all time.

My Pick for New Orleans: #1 Gonzaga

Honorable Mentions: #2 Duke Blue Devils, #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders

It just makes a bit too much sense. Gonzaga is easily the best team in this region, with Duke being an underachieving group and Texas Tech, Arkansas, and UConn simply lacking the talent to slay Goliath. I’ve got the Zags over the Red Raiders in a slugfest in the Regional Final to get to the Final Four, where unfinished business awaits them.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Gonzaga over #16 Georgia State: A 16 will never beat a 1 again. I truly believe that.

#9 Memphis over #8 Boise State: This is as close to a coin flip as an 8/9 can get, but I’m rocking with Memphis and their athleticism, led by star big man Jalen Duren.

#5 UConn over #12 New Mexico State: The Huskies are a solid group led by a great PG in R.J. Cole and a star big man in Adama Sanogo. This shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them.

#4 Arkansas over #13 Vermont: I love everything about the Razorbacks and their coach Eric Musselman. Their star guard play led by J.D. Notae and dominant presence down low with Jaylin Williams will guide them to victory over a trendy upset pick in the Catamounts.

#11 Notre Dame over #6 Alabama: After getting a spot in the play-in game, the Fighting Irish fought to the very end in a 2OT classic in Dayton against Rutgers to get a shot at Alabama. People may be worried about the fatigue following such a draining game, but I’ll be optimistic and look at the momentum that Notre Dame now has. The Tide are a talented team, but they’ve underachieved all season long. This just feels like a classic 11-6 upset in the making.

#3 Texas Tech over over #14 Montana State: The Red Raiders boast the best defense in the nation, and will suffocate any opponent in this field. Their first challenge shouldn’t be too difficult.

#10 Davidson over #7 Michigan State: Sparty enters the Madness with an above average resume in the gauntlet that was the Big Ten in 2022, but I’ve seen them fall flat too many times to pick them over a Davidson squad that has been consistent all year long. The Wildcats fell in the A10 title game against Richmond, but they were the league’s best team from start to finish, and I like their chances to pull off this upset.

#2 Duke over #15 Cal State Fullerton: Coach K’s final NCAA Tournament can’t be another one-and-done against a 14 or 15 seed… right?

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: Midwest Region

The Midwest Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features a ton of uncertainty and questions, and is certainly destined for madness. Let’s break it down and preview how the Midwest will play out.

Cover photo taken from Evert Nelson, The Capital-Journal.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the Midwest: a region with seemingly more questions than anything else.

Meet the 1 Seed: Kansas Jayhawks

Bill Self’s Jayhawks are back with a 1 seed after finishing the season strong and winning the Big 12 Tournament title over Texas Tech. This is Kansas’ first 1 seed since 2018 (although they would have gotten one in 2020), where they were beat by the eventual champion, Villanova. This is a bit of a different Kansas team, but they are more than capable thanks to a plethora of experience. After last year’s Round of 32 exit as a 3 seed, Kansas returned several starters, the most notable of which being guard Ochai Agbaji, one of the best players in college basetball. Agbaji is an athletic freak, scoring nearly 20 PPG and dropping jaws from start to finish in every game he plays. He will have to be the star that we all know he can be if Kansas is to go on a deep run this March. Other returning key pieces include guards Christian Braun and Dajuan Harris Jr., as well as forwards Jalen Wilson and David McCormack. Kansas wasn’t the most consistent team all season long, but they are hot when it counts most, and they are ready to go to their first Final Four in 4 years. This is a remarkably experienced group that can score at will in addition to slamming the door shut on defense. It will be a tall task for anyone in this field to stop them.

Meet the Sleeper: #5 Iowa Hawkeyes

Honorable Mentions: #7 USC Trojans, #8 San Diego State Aztecs

One year ago, Iowa was a 2 seed led by Luka Garza, a program legend and one of the sport’s best players in recent memory. They were bounced in the Round of 32 by 7th seeded Oregon in what was Garza’s final game, and nobody thought the Hawkeyes would be able to bounce right back up. But that is exactly what head coach Fran McCaffrey has done this season in Iowa City. Iowa got red hot when the calendar flipped over to March, running the table in the Big Ten Tournament to win the title and earn a 5 seed in the dance. This team runs on experience and offensive dominance, and they have an abundance of both. It starts with forward Keegan Murray, who has become one of the best players in America. Murray, who averages 24/9/2/1/2 on 55% shooting, has been an unstoppable force as of late, and has emerged as the kind of player that can fuel a deep run for a sleeper team a la Kemba Walker for UConn in 2011. His twin brother Kris is also a key contributor, pouring in 10 PPG. Other major factors for this Hawkeyes team include guard Jordan Bohannon, in his whopping sixth season, as well as the coach’s own son, guard Patrick McCaffrey. With all the experience in the world, one of the nation’s best offenses, and a player in Keegan Murray who can captivate the nation, everyone should be keeping their eyes on Iowa all tournament long.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #13 South Dakota State over #4 Providence

Honorable Mentions: #12 Richmond over #5 Iowa, #11 Iowa State over #6 LSU

To put it plainly, Providence might be the luckiest team in college basketball. In fact, they are the luckiest team in the sport according to KenPom, and it’s not even close. The Friars are 11-2 this season in games decided by five or fewer points, and that luck doesn’t seem to thrive in March. It certainly wasn’t on display in last week’s Big East Tournament Semifinal, where Creighton absolutely ambushed them in a near-30-point blowout. This is a talented team, led by guard Jared Bynum, and an awesome story with head coach Ed Cooley, but their recent form inspires little to no confidence. They simply cut it close way too many times against inferior competition, and they’ve just happened to get by all season long. Meanwhile, the Jackrabbits are as hot as anyone in the field. South Dakota State hasn’t lost in this calendar year, winning 30 games (tied with Murray State for the second most in the country behind Arizona’s 31) and earning a 13 seed in the dance. With a scorching offense led by guard Baylor Scheierman, who can do it all, the Jackrabbits are a team that nobody wants to face. Least of all a team fledgling as much as Providence. If you are going to pick a 13 over a 4 in your bracket, look no further than this one. You can thank me later.

Best Potential Games: #2 Auburn vs. #7 USC, #1 Kansas vs. #5 Iowa

Honorable Mentions: #3 Wisconsin vs. #7 USC, #3 Wisconsin vs. #6 LSU

The Midwest features so many teams with so many questions. It makes speculating some of these matchups very difficult, because I’m honestly not sure if we’ll even get them. I am confident that both of these matchups will take place, but I would not be shocked if one of these teams is sent home packing early. In the case of Auburn-USC, anyone who enjoys offense will love watching the Tigers and Trojans do battle. These are two of the most fun offenses to watch in all of college basketball. Auburn has one of the more star-studded lineups in America, led by forwards Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler as well as guards Wendell Green Jr. and Zep Jasper. They were one of the best teams in the country all year long, but ended the season on a whimper. USC has some stars of their own, namely forwards Drew Peterson and Isaiah Mobley. They’re a team that will certainly make a deep run if they play up to their potential. This game would be a blast, and I’d honestly have to roll with the Trojans to advance to the Sweet 16. They’ve just looked better as of late, and I think they match up well enough with the Tigers to get it done.

In the case of Kansas-Iowa, what more can I say? It’s the 1 seed against my sleeper team. It would be a delight to see Iowa’s offense take on Kansas’ defense. And honestly, I think Keegan Murray can lead the Hawkeyes to victory over Bill Self’s blue blood Jayhawks.

My Pick for New Orleans: #5 Iowa

Honorable Mentions: #3 Wisconsin Badgers, #7 USC Trojans

Why not them? You get my love for this team by now, and I’m riding them the whole way. I think they have the offensive prowess and a true star in Keegan Murray that can carry them all the way to NOLA. It’ll be a tough road, starting with their first game against Richmond. But this region seems to be destined for true madness, and amidst that chaos, I like the Hawkeyes’ chances. I have Iowa over Wisconsin in an all-Big Ten Regional Final to reach an improbable Final Four.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Kansas over #16 Texas Southern: Next.

#8 San Diego State over #9 Creighton: The Bluejays fought their way all the way to the Big East title game last Saturday at MSG, but I think the Aztecs’ elite defense will carry them to victory in this one.

#5 Iowa over #12 Richmond: This is one of the more under-the-radar, super fun games of the First Round. Richmond ran the table in the A10 Tournament to get to the dance, led by super seniors and stellar shooting. Going up against an Iowa team that won the Big Ten Tournament themselves that has plenty of star power will be a tall task, however. This will be a fun watch, but I don’t see an upset here.

#13 South Dakota State over #4 Providence: The Friars were one of the better stories of the 2021-22 season, but given their recent form and nature of flying by the seat of their pants, I cannot pick them here. But it’s not just their struggles. The Jackrabbits boast 30 wins, tied for the second most in the sport, and haven’t lost since December. This team is red hot and super fun, and who’s to say that they can’t win some hearts with a huge upset here?

#6 LSU over #11 Iowa State: Good for the Cyclones to reach the tournament after last year’s nightmare season. Unfortunately, LSU is a far better team, even without a head coach.

#3 Wisconsin over #14 Colgate: For the second consecutive year, the Raiders get a shot at 3 seed who wears red. Unfortunately for them, I see the same outcome here: a close-ish loss to a team destined to make a deep run in Wisconsin.

#7 USC over #10 Miami: The Trojans have one of the highest ceilings in college basketball. When they get hot, they can be unstoppable. But I don’t think they’ll need to reach that potential to get past a Miami team that’s nothing special.

#2 Auburn over #15 Jacksonville State: The Tigers have a ton of questions coming into this tournament, but they should at least get to the next round with ease. After all, they’ve gotten experience beating up on Gamecocks already this year.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: East Region

The East Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament features incredible potential with some of basketball’s biggest brands. Let’s break it down and preview how the East will play out.

Cover photo taken from The Sun.

Welcome to the Madness. The NCAA Tournament is finally back in its full glory in 2022, and if you’re not more excited than ever, you’re just lying. Last year was certainly fun, but the tournament was a shell of its usual self, with virtually no fans and a bubble in Indianapolis from start till finish. Now, March Madness is back to full strength with a plethora of different locations, and fans filling the stands all across the country. This promises to be a glorious few weeks in college basketball. To preview the tournament, I’ll be breaking down the 2022 bracket region by region. This is the preview of the East: a region with some of the biggest brands in the sport, with potential late-round games that can captivate the country.

Meet the 1 Seed: Baylor Bears

The defending champions are back with a vengeance and geared up for a potential repeat. Head coach Scott Drew continues to work miracles in Waco, further establishing Baylor as a perennial power in college basketball. It was a bit of a bumpy season, with injuries running rampant during the conference schedule and derailing the Bears for a few weeks. But, by season’s end, Baylor proved themselves as a team more than deserving of a 1 seed. This year’s squad is similar to last year’s title-winning team in the sense that they pride themselves on elite defense on the perimeter and inside alongside impeccable guard play. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell may be gone, but James Akinjo, a transfer from Arizona, and 2021 champ Adam Flagler headline a more than capable backcourt. LJ Cryer is another key piece of the backcourt, but he has been dealing with a foot injury since January that could keep him on the sidelines for this tournament. The frontcourt is still dominant as well, led by forward Flo Thamba, but a season-ending injury to Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua has seriously hurt Baylor on that part of the floor. This has led to some rough losses, most recently in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal against Oklahoma, who didn’t even make the NCAA Tournament. Still, this team paints one of basketball’s most gorgeous paintings when their guards are clicking on offense, and they’re just as suffocating defensively as last year’s championship team. They certainly have what it takes to run it back and cut down the nets once again.

Meet the Sleeper: #4 UCLA Bruins

Honorable Mentions: #8 North Carolina Tar Heels, #11 Virginia Tech Hokies

I know what you’re thinking. How can UCLA, the most successful program in the history of the sport, and a team that went to the Final Four last year be a sleeper? Well, everyone sort of just… stopped talking about them. The Bruins had all the hype in the world coming into this season after last year’s Cinderella run to the Final Four as an 11 seed and First Four team. But between some losses, injuries, and a COVID pause that lasted over a month, UCLA fell through the cracks of college basketball, especially with the emergence of Arizona in the PAC-12. But this is a team that can do real damage in this tournament, and I know this because I’ve seen it. UCLA returned all five starters from last year’s team, and although injuries have shaken them up all season long, they are healthy and hot right now, which is a winning combination in March. Guard Johnny Juzang still gets all the hype and the love, as he should, but other guards like Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, and Jaime Jaquez have been lights out to help UCLA reach this point. This team has the experience and the star power to make a deep run, and I truly believe that they’ll do just that. Between that and their favorable draw, UCLA seems geared up to wrap up some unfinished business.

Upset Waiting to Happen: #11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas

Honorable Mentions: #12 Indiana over #5 Saint Mary’s, #10 San Francisco over #7 Murray State

In case you haven’t been paying attention, perhaps the hottest team in college basketball resides in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies were a fringe bubble team heading into last week’s ACC Tournament, and all they did was run the table with vastly impressive wins over fellow NCAA Tournament teams in UNC, Notre Dame, and Duke to win the tournament title. Mike Young’s team of scrappy transfers features one of the hottest offenses you’ll see that can shoot from the perimeter and have their way inside. Players like Justyn Mutts, Hunter Cattoor, Darius Maddox, and Keve Aluma are remarkably dangerous when they’re clicking, and the Hokies can beat anyone in that circumstance. They can especially beat a Texas team that has underachieved all season long. Chris Beard’s team entered this season as a national title contender, and they haven’t lived up to that hype for a second. They treaded water all season long in the Big 12 and were bounced out of the conference tournament early. This immensely talented team simply refuses to live up to their potential, and I can think of no more poetic way for this disappointing season to end than with a first round exit.

Best Potential Games: #1 Baylor vs. #4 UCLA, #2 Kentucky vs. #3 Purdue

Honorable Mentions: #1 Baylor vs. #2 Kentucky, #2 Kentucky vs. #4 UCLA

Let’s just say that the second weekend in this region is going to be an absolute blast. Just look at the names! Baylor, the defending champs and 1 seed. Kentucky and UCLA are two blue bloods and some of the most successful programs in history. Purdue boasts one of the nation’s most talented rosters and always seems to make noise in March. Let’s have some fun.

A potential Baylor-UCLA Sweet 16 game would be a delight. It easily could have been last year’s title game matchup, if it weren’t for a certain Jalen Suggs shot. Both of these teams thrive off their guard play, and with some of the biggest names in the sport at those positions, this could be one of the most star-studded matchups of the tournament. I’d have to roll with UCLA in this one, simply because my gut tells me to. I love what they have with their experience, and I really want to see this team make a deep run after last year.

Kentucky-Purdue would be a different story. Instead of a clash of guards, the primary focus in this game would be on the frontcourt, with Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky going up against Trevion Williams and Zach Edey of Purdue. That’s not to say the little guys won’t get some spotlight as well, namely Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Kentucky’s TyTy Washington. Simply put, this is a matchup with superstars all over the floor that would be a treat for us all to watch. I’d pick Kentucky in this game due to their dominance down low with Tshiebwe, and I have the utmost faith in them to go much further than just the Elite 8.

My Pick for New Orleans: #2 Kentucky Wildcats

Honorable Mentions: #3 Purdue Boilermakers, #4 UCLA Bruins

It’s no surprise that Kentucky is back in the spotlight at the NCAA Tournament. After missing last year’s dance entirely, the Wildcats are back with a furious vengeance. Head coach John Calipari is no stranger to insanely-talented rosters, and this is his best in several years. It all starts with forward Oscar Tshiebwe, a transfer from West Virginia who is perhaps the best player in college basketball. Tshiebwe averages 17 PPG and an unbelievable 15 RPG to go along with 2 SPG and 2 BPG. He is the heart of this team, and the single most dominant force in the sport. The Cats boast four other players who average double digits in scoring in TyTy Washington (13), Kellan Grady (12), Keion Brooks (11), and Sahvir Wheeler (10). Kentucky might just be college basketball’s most talented team with one of the best offenses in the nation, and I think that will carry them all the way to the Final Four. I just don’t think any other team in the East has what it takes to stop them. I like the Wildcats to beat UCLA in the Regional Final and get to New Orleans.

Full Round of 64 Picks:

#1 Baylor over #16 Norfolk State: A nice, easy way to start a title defense.

#8 North Carolina over #9 Marquette: The Tar Heels are honestly a spooky 8 seed. They have underachieved all season long, but if they get hot, then you’d better watch out. But when it comes to underachieving, look no further than Shaka Smart. Sorry, Golden Eagles.

#5 Saint Mary’s over #12 Indiana: The Hoosiers have had a hell of a run to get to this point. Led by star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, their old-school basketball is immensely tough to beat. I think I’d pick Indiana against a more favorable opponent, but Saint Mary’s seemingly does what they do even better. Their elite defense should be enough to get them over the hump against a very good Indiana squad.

#4 UCLA over #13 Akron: Last year’s Final Four team from Westwood is ready to run it back with another deep run in 2022. They certainly have what it takes, and it starts here with what should be an easy win against a Zips team that admittedly made a nice run in the MAC Tournament to make the dance.

#11 Virginia Tech over #6 Texas: Against all odds, the hottest team in the nation in the last week might have been the Hokies. Mike Young and his group of transfers who followed him to Blacksburg ran the table in the ACC Tournament to leave no doubt and get to the dance. Now, they face a fledgling Texas team that has underachieved all season long. March seems to reward those who overachieve, and that’s all VT has been doing.

#3 Purdue over #14 Yale: The Boilermakers are the true wild card of this region. Boasting one of the nation’s most talented lineups, this team has what it takes to get to New Orleans. It just remains to be seen if they can live up to their potential. In any case, this matchup won’t be too much trouble for them.

#7 Murray State over #10 San Francisco: This is one of the more intriguing matchups of the first round between two of the best Mid-Majors all season long. The Racers boast a whopping 30 wins (tied for second-most in the nation), and the Dons have been a super fun team that proved their worth out of the WCC. This will be a fun one, but Murray State has simply been too dominant throughout the course of this season for me to pick against them.

#2 Kentucky over #15 Saint Peter’s: The Wildcats will get to the Final Four. It all starts here, in a game that might have the biggest point differential in the entire first round.

All stats taken from ESPN.

The 2021 NFL Season, a Retrospective

The 2021 NFL season was one of the best we’ve ever seen. Let’s take a look back at the highs and lows of an incredible campaign.

Cover photo taken from Getty Images.

The longest NFL season of all time is in the books, and it was a joy to watch. From start to finish, this season brought all of the emotions out of football fans. Whether it was wild finishes, crazy storylines, or jaw-dropping performances, the 2021 campaign exceeded to the hype. I thought that I should revisit some of that craziness and give my thoughts on the best and worst of the season. Let’s start with the absolute best of the best.

Player of the Year: WR Cooper Kupp

Honorable Mentions: QB Tom Brady, RB Jonathan Taylor

To put it plainly, Cooper Kupp had the greatest individual season I have ever seen. It’s that simple. The numbers and accolades don’t even make sense. They’d be impressive for a career, let alone a single season. Kupp became the fourth receiver in history to win the proverbial Triple Crown. His total stats (regular season + postseason) are straight out of a video game: 178 catches, 2,425 yards, and 22 TD. Kupp was a unanimous All-Pro selection in addition to winning Offensive Player of the Year. Oh yeah, and he caught 2 TDs in the Super Bowl, including the game-winner, to win Super Bowl MVP. The sheer statistics, the consistency, the reliability, and the pure greatness of Kupp this season was something I’ve never seen before. I have seen some great WR and even QB seasons, but nobody has ever achieved what Cooper Kupp did in 2021. And we might never see it ever again.

Super Bowl 2022: The Rams beat the Bengals : NPR
It only made sense that Cooper Kupp’s historic season ended with catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, along with winning SB MVP. (h/t Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

Team of the Year: Cincinnati Bengals

Honorable Mentions: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers

They may not have gotten it done in the end, but the fact that they even got there is more than enough for me to crown the Bengals as the most impressive team of 2021. I picked Cincinnati to go 5-12 and finish last in the AFC North. Most fans and members of the media were in agreement that this team would not be good whatsoever. And they were less than 2 minutes away from winning the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl. They opened all of our eyes from Week 1 all the way until Super Bowl Sunday, and I think it’s safe to say that this team is here to stay. They put up crazy numbers all year long on offense and dispatched of everyone else in the division to win their first title in six years. They pulled off multiple road upsets in the postseason, beating the 1 seed Titans and silencing Arrowhead and Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship. Between the emergence of Joe Burrow as a superstar QB, WR Jamarr Chase’s historic rookie campaign, and the complete 180 of the defense, the Bengals proved that they were no longer the perennial underdogs. This team is built to contend, and I can’t wait to see what they do next season. Just get Burrow an offensive line. We’re all begging you.

Joe Burrow Earns All-Time Compliment From Ja'Marr Chase Before the 2022 Super Bowl: 'He's Like a God to Me'
The Bengals have nothing to hang their head over, shattering expectations en route to an AFC title. (h/t Rob Carr, Getty Images)

Game of the Year:Chiefs 42-36 Bills, Divisional Round

Honorable Mentions: Chiefs 34-28 Chargers (Week 15), Raiders 30-27 Chargers (Week 18)

Duh. From before this game even went final, we were all in agreement that it wasn’t just one of the greatest playoff games ever, but perhaps the best NFL game of all time. This divisional showdown had all the hype in the world before it even started, seeing as though it was a rematch of the previous season’s AFC Championship Game and another chapter in the budding Chiefs-Bills and Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen rivalry. From the jump, this game was a delight to watch, being a pure back-and-forth affair that we knew would come down to whoever had the ball last. In what became the ultimate “did they leave too much time” 4th quarter, Buffalo and Kansas City combined for 28 points, 25 of which came in the final 1:54. First, Allen hit WR Gabriel Davis for a 27-yard laser in the back of the endzone (on 4th and 13!) after he broke Chiefs DB Mike Hughes’ ankles to go up 29-26. KC retaliated when WR Tyreek Hill took a simple drag route and ran past everyone in the stadium for a 62-yard lightning strike to retake the lead at 33-29 with 62 seconds left. The Bills refused to say die, and with just 13 infamous seconds left on the clock, Allen found Davis for the fourth time in the game for a 19-yard touchdown to go up 36-33 and seemingly send Buffalo back to the AFC Championship Game. However, somehow that was too much time for the Chiefs. In just two plays, one throw to Hill and another to TE Travis Kelce, KC got down to the Buffalo 31. From there, K Harrison Butker nailed a field goal to send the game to overtime. The Chiefs won the toss, got the ball, and marched right down the field in a beautiful drive culminating in an 8-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kelce. Mahomes finished with 378 yards and 3 TDs on 33-44 passing, while Allen had 329 and 4 touchdowns (all of which were caught by Davis, who totaled 8 catches for 201 yards) on 27-37 passing. It was absolutely incredible to watch, and considering the stakes and starpower, I don’t know if I’ll ever see a game as exhilarating as this one ever again. Oh, and if you complained about the overtime rules after this game, you need to grow up.

Chiefs vs. Bills score: Patrick Mahomes edges Josh Allen in OT thriller, returns to AFC Championship - CBSSports.com
Patrick Mahomes had the last word in OT of one of the greatest NFL games ever. (h/t Joshua Bessex, Getty Images)

Story of the Year: Tom Brady Finally Retires

Honorable Mentions: Rams going all-in, Packers collapse again

I remember getting the notification and refusing to believe what I read was true. Tom Brady has been in the NFL longer than I’ve been alive, and yet the thought of him no longer playing football refused to register in my mind. It’s still crazy to think about. After 22 glorious seasons, the GOAT called it a career after the Buccaneers’ 30-27 loss in the Divisional Round to the Rams. Many theorized it after Tampa’s early exit, but it was still a shock to us all. Brady obviously accomplished everything there is to accomplish in this league, and he left on his own terms. The loss stung for sure, but I think that winning 7 Super Bowls, 5 Super Bowl MVPs, 3 MVPs, and being the NFL’s all-time leader in QB wins, completions, touchdowns, and yards is a pretty solid consolation prize. He will always be the GOAT, and trying to imagine an NFL without him seems impossible. Is this how people felt when Michael Jordan retired? Any of the three times?

AP sources: Despite reports, Tom Brady hasn't made up mind | National News | wacotrib.com
Tom Brady ended his legendary career on a rarity: an early playoff exit. (h/t Waco Tribune-Herald)

Most Disappointing Team: Cleveland Browns

Honorable Mentions: Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Football Team, Miami Dolphins

Considering that I picked this team to go to the Super Bowl and they didn’t even make the playoffs, this was an easy choice. An 8-9 season filled with abhorrent offense, COVID problems, injuries, and a plethora of questions placed the Browns in perhaps a worse position than their usual purgatory: mediocrity. This team had real expectations for the first time in decades after the unforeseen success of 2020, and they simply collapsed. The running game was a bright spot as always, but QB Baker Mayfield held the offense back from the start of the season until the very end, posting a horrid 35.1 QBR. The defense had a rough start to the year, but they picked it up eventually, and perhaps they can carry Cleveland in 2022. It’s going to be more of a make-or-break season than this year was, and many eyes will be on the Browns next fall. In summary, I think WR Odell Beckham Jr. forcing his way out of Cleveland, where he was a non-factor, and going to the Rams to be a pivotal contributor en route to winning the Super Bowl is the perfect microcosm of the 2021 Browns.

Baker Mayfield must improve on 3rd and 4th downs in 2022
The Browns let us all down in 2021, and it’s largely thanks to the play of QB Baker Mayfield. (h/t Browns Wire)

Most Disappointing Player: RB Saquon Barkley

Honorable Mentions: QB Sam Darnold, QB Baker Mayfield, WR Kenny Golladay

Anyone who drafted Saquon Barkley in fantasy will tell you how much of a dud he was in 2021. It’s such a shame. We were all ready for Saquon to come back with a vengeance after tearing his ACL last year. It’s safe to say we learned to temper our expectations a bit. Once again, Barkley was plagued by injuries, missing four games and being a non-factor in almost every game that he did play in. He finished the year with just 593 yards (3.7 YPC) and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Saquon wasn’t even the best RB on the Giants, being outperformed by Devontae Booker. It was a rough year all-around in New York (which can be said about both teams), with both Barkley and Kenny Golladay being colossal duds for the Giants. I don’t think we’ll be seeing either of them drafted as early as they were this year in next season’s fantasy drafts.

Former Penn State star Saquon Barkley tests positive for COVID-19 with Giants: report - pennlive.com
Saquon Barkley had very few worthwhile games in 2021, the best of which coming against the Saints in Week 4. (h/t Tyler Kaufman, AP)

Most Disappointing Story: The Urban Meyer Experiment

Honorable Mentions: The Chargers being the Chargers, The Deshaun Watson fiasco

If you didn’t expect Urban Meyer to fail tremendously and hilariously in Jacksonville, were you even paying attention? I remember envisioning the Jaguars going up in flames from the moment I heard that he had been hired as head coach. Just thinking about his track record in college and how he forced his way out of so many programs is enough to make me laugh. And I’m an Ohio State fan. The idea of failure was further emphasized when Meyer brought in all of “his guys” to coach alongside him in Jacksonville, none of which were very good. Combine that with the well-known incompetence of the Jags’ front office, and we have a very loud ticking time bomb. The offseason was filled with wackiness, from the signing and releasing of Tim Tebow (as a TE nonetheless) to the trading of backup QB and fan favorite Gardner Minshew. The Jaguars were blown out in Week 1 by the Texans, who many people thought wouldn’t win a single game in 2021. After a Week 4 loss to the Bengals, Meyer was caught being danced on by a random woman at a local bar (which he owned!). Later in the season, reports came out of Meyer being fought by several coaches and his own rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. On December 16th, about 11 months too late, Urban Meyer was finally fired. We’ll see if Doug Pederson can pick up the pieces as the team’s HC in 2022. If he does, he might deserve a Nobel Prize.

Urban Meyer firing: Incident with Trevor Lawrence, James Robinson led to Jaguars letting go of head coach - CBSSports.com
2021 #1 pick QB Trevor Lawrence couldn’t have asked for much worse of a rookie season thanks to the incompetence of the team that drafted him. (h/t Harry How, Getty Images)

And that’s a wrap on the 2021 NFL season. It was a blast from start to finish, and I already can’t wait for the fall. Next up is obviously the Draft, and I’ll have plenty of coverage of that. Be on the lookout for Mocks and perhaps some Commanders-related (still feels weird to say, doesn’t it?) content as well. See you then!

All stats and info taken from ESPN.

Super Bowl LVI Preview and Prediction

Super Bowl LVI is finally upon us with one of the more intriguing matchups in recent memory. Here’s my in-depth preview of the big game and my personal pick to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Cover photo taken from Coley Cleary, USA TODAY Sports Media Group illustration

We made it. Welcome to Super Bowl Sunday. Finally. After the longest season in NFL history, a whopping 22 weeks of football, 157 days, one of the wildest seasons to date filled with unbelievable stories, amazing games, and historic performances, and an unforgettable postseason, all eyes will finally turn to Hollywood for the final game of the year. And it’s one that seems like it couldn’t have been scripted any better by the writers of that town. Tonight, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California.

There are storylines galore in this game, many of which have worn themselves out by now. But they’re here, and they’re worth repeating. The Rams are the definition of a team built for Hollywood, with stars all over the field and weekly performances that look like they belong on the big screen. On the other hand, the Bengals are the ultimate underdog, as they have been all season long. They’re the “people’s team”, just a group of guys from Ohio who love playing football, led by one of the most likeable athletes on the planet. Against all odds, that has gotten them to the Super Bowl. Before getting into the game itself, let’s take a deeper look into both teams’ roads to get here.

How the Bengals Got Here

Let’s reword that into a question. How did the Bengals get here? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself for the last two weeks. It just makes no sense to me. The Cincinnati Bengals, a franchise that epitomizes losing, overcoming every obstacle and turning into a winning machine en route to an AFC title. Makes you scratch your head a bit. When analyzing how Cincy got to this point, I think we have to go back. Way back.

I remember where I was on November 22, 2020. I was in the basement of my house watching the then-named Washington Football Team, as I have been on so many Sundays. We were playing the Bengals in one of the worst matchups on paper any football fan could ever put themselves through. It wasn’t a good game at all, and it became one of those games where you remember an event more than the game itself. In the third quarter, the pocket was collapsing, and after firing an incomplete pass, Joe Burrow’s leg was folded up and his ACL and MCL were both torn. It was one of the more gruesome injuries that I’ve seen, but more than that, it was truly heartbreaking. Burrow was just a rookie in his tenth career game after being drafted #1 overall. He has always been a generally loved player and personality, and we all felt that this injury would stick with him for a while. There were doubts that he’d even be ready for the start of this season. It’s now safe to say that any and all doubts about Joe Burrow have been swiftly put to bed.

Because of that injury, and the majority of football-watchers having functional eyes, we all knew that the Bengals needed a better offensive line. Everyone implored Cincy to upgrade through the draft, but even Joe Burrow himself knew that there was a WR talent available with the #5 pick that was too good to pass up: Burrow’s former LSU teammate, WR Jamarr Chase. And all he did was griddy all over the league en route to the greatest rookie season for a WR in NFL history, tallying 81 catches, 1,455 yards (3rd in the NFL), and 13 touchdown grabs, along with winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Burrow-to-Chase connection lost no steam after the duo won a National Championship two years ago, and it has added another level to a Bengals offense that already had plenty of playmakers. Now, with a clear star WR1, they boast one of the best WR corps in the league, with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd being some of the best complementaries in all of football. And with one of the best all-purpose RBs in football in Joe Mixon coming out of the backfield, the Cincinnati offense turned into one of the best in the NFL. It’s as balanced of an attack as they come, and they execute it to perfection.

The Bengals' JaMarr Chase, Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins doing the Griddy dance at Kansas City...
The Bengals offense boasts a plethora of weapons that can do it all. (h/t Albert Cesare, The Enquirer)

It’s not all on the fantastic offensive weapons in Cincy. The defense has turned itself around, and it has been the key in getting the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Star pass-rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard have wreaked havoc on opposing offenses and making tackles look silly in the process. The secondary was formerly one of the most suspect units in football, but they have quickly become the most opportunistic group of DBs I have ever seen. Corners like Eli Apple and Mike Hilton stick to WRs and break up passes, while safeties like Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell swoop in to take the ball away. It’s a vastly underrated unit that has made their name known in this postseason, forcing turnovers at the best of times against all three opponents to get to the big game.

But let’s make no mistake. The #1 reason that the Bengals are in their first Super Bowl in 33 years is the man with more swag and more confidence than any other player in sports. Joe Burrow, just a year removed from the aforementioned injury, came back in 2021 and took this league over. Week in and week out, Burrow was lighting up defenses thanks to his high-flying offense, and in these playoffs, he has emerged as one of the most clutch QBs in recent memory. As the Bengals play-by-play announcer once famously said, “When other QBs start sweating bullets, Joe Burrow starts throwing bullets.” His poise and collectiveness, even in crumbling pockets and other QB crises, is well beyond his years, and he has proven himself as Joe Cool 2.0. This is the biggest stage of his life, but I have no doubts that he is more than ready for the task at hand.

Column: Joe Burrow's poise put Bengals into Super Bowl qualifier - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Joe Burrow is equal parts confident and cool, and his legend is only growing in his second season. (h/t Andy Lyons, Getty Images)

Cincinnati ended the season scorching hot, winning their first AFC North title since 2015, and they did not slow down in the playoffs. The Cardiac Cats won all three games at the death, the last two thanks to their rookie kicker with D’Angelo Russell levels of ice in his veins, Evan McPherson. They are not only one of the more likable teams to get to this point in recent memory, but they are no longer the underdogs that we have all perceived them to be for this whole time. They are for real, and they have a real shot at this thing. They’ll tell you themselves, this most unlikely of playoff runs doesn’t mean a thing without that ring. But one more team stands in their path.

How the Rams Got Here

You ever seen Casino Royale (2006)? If you have, then I know you remember that iconic scene towards the end of the film where James Bond goes all in and defeats Le Chiffre with a legendary straight flush. This hand of all hands comes shortly after Bond goes all in and loses to the Frenchman, but after being re-staked in the game, he learns his lesson and gets revenge. Why am I bringing this up, you ask? Well, for one, I love making movie references. But, more importantly, in my eyes, this is the story of the 2021 Los Angeles Rams.

January 30, 2021 was a fateful day for the city of Los Angeles. Their team was coming off another disappointing playoff loss, and they knew that if they were to fully reach their potential, they’d have to get the QB to get them there. Jared Goff was serviceable, but this league needs a lot more than that to win titles. And thus, Goff was shipped off to Detroit, along with a whopping three first-round picks, and the Rams got their guy. Someone who had shown all the talent in the world and put up the numbers to go alongside it, but never got over the hump of success in the NFL. His name is Matthew Stafford. And well, the rest is history. Stafford’s first season playing for an actual organization has brought out the absolute best in him, and things have played out exactly as intended for the Rams, if not better. Stafford threw for a whopping 4,886 yards (2nd in the NFL) to go along with 41 touchdowns (3rd in the NFL). LA has gotten every ounce of potential out of Stafford, who won his first playoff game just four weeks ago. Now, he gets a shot at a title, something that will surely cement his legacy despite all those years wasting away in Detroit. But, the story of the Rams is not just the story of Matt Stafford. And it’s certainly not when they stopped pushing chips to the center of the table.

Matthew Stafford throws for 3 TDs as his big-play ability on display in winning Los Angeles Rams debut
Matthew Stafford went from one of football’s most underrated QBs to a bonafide star after being traded out west. (h/t ESPN)

Los Angeles’ defense is a vaunted one. Of course it is. They have one of the greatest players in NFL history right in the middle of it in DT Aaron Donald, the best DB in football in Jalen Ramsey, and a plethora of talent to fill out the rest of the defense. They didn’t necessarily need to get better, but they felt like doing so. On November 1, they traded a second and third-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for DE Von Miller, a former Super Bowl MVP and one of the best defensive players of this generation. Miller was showing signs of slowing down in Denver, but upon going to the City of Angels, he turned into his old self. It took him a short while to get going, but he recorded 5 sacks in the last 4 games of the regular season, along with 2 more in the playoffs. He has added another level to this already vaunted front seven, and considering what he did the last time he played in a Super Bowl, we’ll all be keeping an eye out for him. And still, this is not the last of the Bond-like moves from the Rams.

Ever since the Rams reemerged as one of the consistently-elite teams in this league, they’ve had all the offensive firepower in he world. A consistent theme in those offenses was elite WR play. And a rock of those WR corps was always Robert Woods. And on November 13, he tore his ACL in practice. The magnitude of that loss is hard to quantify, and the Rams knew that it would be a serious detriment to them. Luckily for them, less than 24 hours prior, they made another bold move. They took a chance on a former star WR that now, nobody wanted to touch. Could it be because his level of play fell off when he was on his old team? Or maybe the way he forced himself off of that team? In any case, the Rams did what no other contender wanted to do. They signed Odell Beckham Jr. I remember how much I hated the move. I repeated to everyone that it made the team worse. Now, I’m still not even close to finishing all of this crow that I have to eat. OBJ has been a revelation in Los Angeles, finding his old self and turning back into the star receiver he was in New York. He snagged 5 touchdowns in the regular season, and in the playoffs, he has become un-guardable to the tune of 19 catches, 236 yards, and a TD (9/113 in the NFC Championship). Safe to say this was another very ballsy move that worked out.

Matthew Stafford and Odell Beckham Lead Rams Over Cardinals - The New York Times
Odell Beckham Jr. found his old self after being released from the shackles that are the Cleveland Browns. (h/t Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today)

I feel guilty for waiting this long to mention the MVP of this team, and arguably the MVP of the entire league. Better late than never. WR Cooper Kupp is the straw that stirs this entire drink, and if you’ve watched even one Rams game this year, you know that goes without saying. In case you haven’t, I’ll let the numbers do the talking. 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns, all of which led the league to secure just the fourth ever “Triple Crown” in history. Kupp took home the award for Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, and nobody was more deserving. Whether he helped you win your fantasy championship (or personally violated your fantasy football team), tore apart your defense, or lit up the football field for all 60 minutes, Kupp put together one of the most impressive seasons in NFL history. Simply put, the Rams go as Cooper Kupp goes.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp leaves Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard on the ground on his way to a 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter of Sunday's 37-7 victory over the Jags in Los Angeles.
Cooper Kupp, the Offensive Player of the Year, has become the NFL’s deadliest offensive weapon. (h/t Jae C. Hong, AP)

LA’s season was, like any Hollywood story, told in three acts. The first act featured a blazing start, led by Stafford’s incredible arm and Kupp’s emergence as one of the NFL’s best offensive weapons. The second act featured some shake-ups with the acquisition of Miller and Beckham, along with the loss of Woods. They lost some games in brutal fashion, and I started to lose hope in them to do anything worthwhile in the playoffs. But, the third act was truly something to behold. All of the pieces started clicking en route to a division title. After a heart-pounding trio of postseason games, including their only ever 10+ point 4th quarter comeback under HC Sean McVay in the NFC Championship, they earned the right to play for a title in their luxurious home of SoFi Stadium. Do these Hollywood comparisons never cease?

The Rams were already big spenders. They had more chips than anyone else at the table. They could’ve held onto them or cashed them and been satisfied with that. Everyone thought they should do so. Instead, they pushed them all to the center of the table. And now, they are one win away from a title.

Key Matchups

To me, there are two key matchups in Super Bowl LVI. And they are both a major strength vs. a major weakness. Let’s start with the obvious one: Cincinnati’s offensive line vs. Los Angeles’ front seven. Many believe that the Rams boast the best defensive front on football, with names like Donald, Miller, Leonard Floyd, and more. That argument certainly has some merit to it. But regardless of whether or not you think they’re the best, the key to this matchup comes on the other side. As I said before, anyone with eyes can tell you how rough this Bengals OL is. Just look at their Divisional Round performance, when they allowed a playoff record 9 sacks against the Titans. Joe Burrow’s heroics two weeks ago in Kansas City involved overcoming his porous offensive line, but the wheels might be coming off soon. This is the best front that Cincy has faced in this postseason, and if they crumble on the biggest stage, it will be the team’s downfall. All they have to do is give Joe Burrow a few seconds to breathe, and they’ll have a shot. Just a few seconds.

The other key matchup involves yet another Rams strong suit, with their WRs going up against the Bengals secondary. Those Cincinnati DBs have certainly stepped up in these playoffs, but they are prone to make mistakes throughout the course of the game. And this is not a group of WRs that you want to make mistakes against. Cooper Kupp, OBJ, and Van Jefferson against Eli Apple, Mike Hilton, and Chidobe Awuzie is a complete mismatch on paper, but that shouldn’t faze the Bengals. Their aforementioned opportunistic nature is their bread and butter. They don’t care how many yards they give up if they make plays at the right time and give the ball back to their offense. If the Bengals secondary can force Matt Stafford into making mistakes and limiting big plays, or even just forcing field goals instead of allowing touchdowns, then Cincy’s offense will be in a perfect position to win. But, if they rear their ugly head of porous play, then they’ll bring out the Lombardi by halftime for the Rams.

My Pick

Before I get into my pick for the game, I think it’s worth noting that I have not picked a Super Bowl correctly in six years. The last team to not let me down was the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. It has been downhill ever since. But I still feel very confident in my pick for this game, as I always do. I’ve been thinking about it for two weeks, crunching the numbers, micro-analyzing every matchup at the most granular levels, reading into superstitions. But after all that, I’m sticking with what my gut has told me since the Championship Games went final on January 30th.

Bengals 27-24 Rams

Sunday, 6:30 PM EST, NBC

It just makes sense. Although, it doesn’t. Not really. On paper, the Rams are clearly the better team in this game. If you ran it in a simulation 100 times, they’d win 90+ times. They have the better offense, the better defense, and maybe even the better special teams. They have all the star power in the world. They’re even playing in their home stadium for crying out loud! But after all this, I simply refer to one thing: destiny.

Sports are a funny thing. At its core, sports come down to heart. The best athletes in the world compete for all this time, but games are not won by the strength of players. Games are won by heart. It’s the heart that leads teams of destiny from rags to riches. From the pits of hell, filled with injuries and losing and heartbreak, to titles and glory. You can’t show me a team with more heart on a Super Bowl stage than this Cincinnati Bengals team. If you don’t believe this is a team of destiny by now, then you’re simply not paying attention.

It’s more than just the mushy stuff, though. I can’t rely on that alone for a Super Bowl pick. The Bengals have simply proven me wrong more than any team I can remember. Their offense is leaps and bounds above what I ever could have imagined, and we’re all running out of things to say about Joe Burrow. Their defense steps up when it matters most, and even their kicker, who they once “inexplicably” drafted with a 5th-round pick, has become a national hero. This team puts up numbers and then smacks you in the mouth when you try to retaliate. They can blow you out, they can grind you down, and they will always emerge victorious when things are toughest. I truly believe that the offensive line will give Joe Burrow that extra second to throw, the secondary will force the turnovers, and I know for a fact that Joe Burrow will be his usual self and pull one last clutch rabbit out of his hat. Evan McPherson kicks another game-winner at the buzzer, and Burrow takes home a Super Bowl MVP to go along with every other accolade and achievement in the book.

I know that the Rams have all the stars and the future Hall of Famers and the “genius” head coach and all of the above. I simply do not care. Because you can measure all you want in stats, contracts, trade details, stadium costs, and everything else. But there is one thing you cannot measure. Heart.

In any case, I hope this game is as great as it promises to be. We deserve it as fans. I think it’s going to be a blast, even if the commercials and halftime shows in between the game action aren’t all that. I can’t wait for Super Bowl LVI, and I hope you all enjoy it, no matter what unfolds on the field.

Lastly, I just want to thank you all for another fantastic NFL season. If you read, clicked, or shared any of the posts from this season, I appreciate you tremendously. This was an even better year than 2020-21, with more posts, interactions, and growth than ever before. I am truly grateful all of the support. And I promise you, things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. I’ll be back soon enough. I’ll see you all then.

All stats taken from ESPN.

So… it’s the Washington Commanders

The long-awaited Washington Football rebrand is finally upon us after over a year and a half of waiting. Here are my thoughts.

Cover photo taken from NBC4 Washington.

July 13, 2020 was a day that every single fan of this team will never forget. After 87 years filled with history and plenty of ups and downs, the NFL team that resides in the nation’s capital would no longer be called the Redskins. Many saw it as the right move, considering the years of backlash from those who believed the name was derogatory and racist. Some hated it and were very against the very idea of being called anything but that name. But, on that fateful summer day in the middle of a global pandemic, this team was the Washington Football Team, effective immediately, with a proper name to come at a later date.

Say what you want about that “name change”, but I truly believe that over the last two seasons as the WFT, the once wacky placeholder grew on all of us. It got to the point that, by the time that an actual new name was upon us, half of the fanbase wanted to keep the Football Team moniker. Realistically, that was never an option. Just before the end of the regular season, the team announced that its new chapter with a new name, logo, and uniforms would begin on February 2nd. After weeks of mock-ups, speculation, and leaks, the reveal was finally upon us. We are now the Washington Commanders.

I have a lot of thoughts on the new name, logo, unis, and more, but I want to preface all of them by saying one thing. The internet absolutely hates change. Every time a team unveils a new uniform or logo or anything, it is met with nothing but resistance. But, sometimes we lighten up to those things. I’m old enough to remember when everyone hated the new Rams and Bengals uniforms. Now, we can’t wait to see them in next week’s Super Bowl. So, what I am doing is something I advise all of my fellow Washington fans to do. Please just marinate in this for a little bit. This decision has been made and there’s nothing we can do, so the least we can do is lighten up. With that being said, here are some of my initial thoughts on the rebrand.

The Name

Guys, I get it. I promise. This isn’t the ideal name for the team. Fans and players alike will tell you that. But, I don’t think this was the worst option in the world. When the team revealed their shortlist of name candidates, I physically cringed at the idea that I’d be cheering for a team called the “Armada” or “Brigade”. I personally really wanted the Red Hogs, seeing as though it gives a nod to the past of both the team and the fans. Take the Cleveland Guardians rebrand, for example. The name Guardians is very similar to Indians, with just one syllable being changed. Similarly, Red Hogs is just one syllable different than Redskins, and it has a hell of a lot more of a personality than Commanders or most NFL team names for that matter. There’s a lot of potential there for logos and shortened nicknames, and I think it was a missed opportunity. Still, while it wasn’t my top choice, I think one day I’ll fully get behind it. Just remember that it could have been a lot worse.

Washington announces new team name: Washington Commanders
The new Washington logo is a slight upgrade from the WFT logo used for the last two seasons. (h/t NFL.com)

This isn’t bad. While I miss having an actual logo instead of a boring old letter, you have to admit that this W is a lot better than the one we’ve seen since 2020. It’s tighter and has more personality, especially considering the new name. “Commanders” is a nod to the military, as team owner Dan Snyder said himself, and this W just looks a lot more militaristic. I personally don’t care about that, but I do think this is a solid logo. There isn’t a lot of room to make a good logo with a name like the Commanders (which wouldn’t have been a problem with Red Hogs, but I digress), so I can get behind this.

The Uniforms

3 ways the Washington Commanders rebrand was a success
The Commanders unveiled their three uniforms, each of which are very different than the team’s previous looks. (h/t Geoff Burke, USA Today Sports)

Anyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about uniforms. I’ll never be able to explain it, but I care way, way too much. So, this was easily the part of the rebrand that I was most terrified of. The very idea that this team was overhauling their uniform for the first time in history was daunting, and I had a feeling they would screw it up. But, I don’t think they did… entirely.

Let’s start with the home unis. Of the three that were unveiled on Wednesday, these are easily my favorites. I honestly love everything about this uni other than the lines above and below the “Commanders” stitching above the numbers on the front. But, I do recognize that gives these jerseys a bit more personality. I also absolutely love the new helmets. The logo looks perfect on them, and between the finish, the return of a stripe, and the burgundy face masks, the helmet is easily my favorite part of the uniform. I will say that, as an avid hater of our all-burgundy combinations in the past, I’m not a fan of us moving to all-burgundy as a permanent home option. However, I’m confident that we’ll see some mixing and matching with the away whites as well. Let’s see those now.

This is where things get a little interesting. I’m not surprised that the team is choosing all-white as a permanent choice for the road, seeing as though we wore all-white more times in 2021 than any season I can remember. We all love the look, seeing as though it is both classic and ice cold. The new away unis are very interesting, especially in the numbering department. The numbers feature a strange new gradient design, similar to what the Rams unveiled in 2020. The shoulder stripes also feature gradients, but with diamonds instead. This was said to be reflective of DC’s diamond shapes and road designs, so that’s cute. I prefer the home set over these, but I think these unis will look a lot better on the field and in game. Poor Chase couldn’t even put on the bottoms as he continues recovering from his ACL injury. In any case, the true controversy lies with the third and final uniform set.

Image
The Commanders’ alternates are a never-before-seen addition to Washington’s uniform catalog. (h/t @Commanders on Twitter)

So, this is new. For the first time in team history, we are going to be in black. That’s cool and all as a concept, but these uniforms are going to take a while to get used to. I will say that I think the gold numbers look fantastic on these jerseys, and their simplicity on the surface is the best part of this whole set. The Commanders patch over the left shoulder pad is an interesting choice, and also clearly influenced by the Rams rebrand of two years past. I might be in the minority here, but I also am a fan of the shoulder patches. The DC flag being on this uniform is a fantastic choice. During this team’s attempts to gain a more positive image in the public eye, they have put an emphasis on getting the people of this city back in love with their football team. The nods to the District in these jerseys is a fantastic way of keeping that up. There are two parts of this uniform that I am not a fan of, however. The first of which isn’t visible in the above photo of Jonathan Allen, and that’s the lines above and below the names on the back of the jersey. That’s just tacky, and it ruins the simplicity that I referenced on the front of the jersey. The other is the helmet, which is the first alternate helmet revealed in the NFL. Having the numbers on the sides is a cute nod to the WFT, but having the logo smack in the middle and on the front of the helmet is one of the more questionable choices of this entire rebrand. I just can’t get behind it right now, but hopefully it looks better on the field than in pictures.

All in all, I really don’t mind this rebrand. It’s a massive change, and that is naturally going to cause some discomfort among fans and rivals alike. But I truly think that this is going to be the start of a great era for this football team. My optimism with this team has always come back to bite me, and I do recognize that we won’t be good any time soon, but at least now we have something to look forward to. In any case, with any name and any uniform on earth, I will always Hail.

Divisional Round Picks

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, two of the brightest young star QBs in football, are ready to write another chapter in their budding rivalry on Sunday night. (h/t Syracuse.com)

The NFL is down to its proverbial Elite 8, as we have eight teams and 7 games remaining in the season to decide a champion. Wild Card Weekend was rather underwhelming, but this weekend promises to be a truly great one. The playoff pretenders are all home, and only true contenders remain. Seems like a good formula for some great football. I went 5-1 in the Wild Card round last week, which is a surefire improvement from last year. Let’s get into this weekend’s picks:

Bengals 24-20 Titans

Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

The first matchup of the Divisional Round is probably the most puzzling one. Relatively speaking, the Titans are one of the more forgettable 1 seeds in recent memory, as they sort of backed their way into the first round bye without Derrick Henry. Now, Henry is back, and that is the ultimate factor in this game. He hasn’t played since Week 8, but when he was playing, he was an MVP candidate. I really don’t know how effective he’ll be seeing as though he has missed so much time and will be playing with a lot of… stuff in his injured foot. If he plays like his usual self, then the Titans should be able to win this game easily. For some reason, I just don’t see that happening. In any case, my fascination with this game lies with the Bengals. Ironically enough, this Cincinnati team reminds me a lot of the Tennessee team from 2019. An up and coming squad that was doubted in the playoffs and ended up in the AFC Championship Game. That Titans team ended up beating the 1 seed in the process. Why not have a proverbial passing of the torch here? The Bengals are an extremely inspired group, coming off the franchise’s first playoff win since 1991. Joe Burrow is on absolute fire right now, and this team just feels like a winning one. This moment might be too big for them, but no moment seems large enough for Joe Burrow. Picking the Bengals makes no practical sense given their injuries and inexperience, but sometimes you got to trust your gut.

Packers 27-16 49ers

Saturday, 8:15 PM EST, FOX

This game features the scariest sight in football: a healthy Packers team. Green Bay is finally getting several key pieces back that they’ve been missing for months. Whether it be David Bakhtiari, Za’Darius Smith, Jaire Alexander, or a plethora of other impact players, the Packers are going to be as close to 100% as they’ve been all season long on Saturday night. This team has been the best in football without all of those pieces, so with everyone back, it is the definition of scary hours. This is the biggest mismatch in terms of seeding in this round, as the 49ers were the only wild card team to win last week, but San Francisco is still a solid team that will surely put up a fight in this game. For one, Aaron Rodgers has never beaten the 49ers in the playoffs, with losses in 2012, 2013, and 2019. But, this is obviously a very different set of circumstances. The Niners were easily the better team in all of those years, but things are different now. Not only are they lucky to be here, but San Francisco is dealing with a lot of injuries defensively, and Jimmy Garoppolo likely won’t be 100% for this game. It’s just a bad time for them to be catching the Packers at their healthiest. I expect a huge day out of a rejuvenated Packers defense that was already one of football’s best. And as long as Aaron Rodgers and the offense do their thing, Green Bay should be just fine in securing their third consecutive trip to the NFC Championship Game.

Rams 29-21 Buccaneers

Sunday, 3:00 PM EST, NBC

In the preseason, this was my pick to be the NFC Championship Game. Evidently, I was a week off. Still, this is a playoff matchup that I have been anticipating for months, and I can’t wait to see it finally play out. These two teams met way back in Week 3, with the Rams winning convincingly in LA. But, a lot has changed since then with both of these teams. Whether it be player additions or subtractions, these are very different squads now. In my preseason prediction, I picked the Buccaneers to win this game. But, I can’t bring myself to do that now. There are several reasons why. For one, Tampa is dealing with more injuries than anyone else in the NFC right now, as their offensive line is extremely banged up and their secondary is still as thin as it was in the regular season. Tom Brady took a beating in the second half of last week’s game thanks to a thin OL, so facing the Rams front seven this week doesn’t inspire much confidence. Moreover, as I stated last week, the Bucs weren’t very impressive down the stretch in the regular season, and last week’s blowout of a very bad Eagles team doesn’t change my perspective on them. Meanwhile, the Rams are looking as good as ever coming off of last week’s clinic of a victory. This will no doubt be a tough road test for them, but I truly believe that they are up to the task. Both sides of the ball are firing on all cylinders, and as I’ve said so many times, it’s hard to envision anyone in football beating them when they are at their best. I know that picking against Tom Brady in the playoffs is as big of a cardinal sin as there is in this world, but all signs are pointing towards a Rams win here. The Bucs are simply too beat up right now, and the Rams are just too hot to pick against.

Chiefs 26-23 Bills

Sunday, 6:30 PM EST, CBS

Between last season and this one, Kansas City and Buffalo appear to be building the NFL’s next great rivalry. These two teams met in last year’s AFC Championship Game with the Chiefs advancing to the Super Bowl, but the Bills got some payback with a dominant win in Kansas City earlier this season. A lot has changed with both of these teams in the time since that Week 5 matchup, and it has all led to another playoff rematch. The Chiefs have sured up their defense since Josh Allen tore them apart, and after stagnating a little in the middle of the season, Patrick Mahomes and the offense are back to looking like their usual selves. Meanwhile, the Bills are also back to their old selves after finishing the regular season red hot and carrying that momentum over into one of the most dominant playoff performances I’ve ever seen last week against New England. Simply put, this game is two unstoppable forces colliding. This is what the playoffs are all about. This is as difficult of a pick as I’ve ever had to make. It’s simply too hard to pick against the Chiefs here. For one, Patrick Mahomes has been virtually unbeatable at home in the playoffs. This team ripped off an insane run last week, albeit against a subpar Steelers team. The Bills looked even more unstoppable last week, and Josh Allen is playing as lights out as anyone I’ve seen in recent memory. Buffalo’s defense is also playing great, but this will be their tallest task of the season. It’s just hard to pick the Bills when I’ve seen Kansas City prove themselves in this moment so many times, whereas Buffalo never has. This is their perfect opportunity to do so, but until I see it, I can’t pick them, but it wouldn’t shock me at all if they are able to pull off this upset. In any case, this game should be fantastic.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Wild Card Weekend Picks

One of the NFL’s longest playoff win droughts will be broken when the Raiders and Bengals square off in an intriguing matchup to kick off Wild Card weekend. (h/t Las Vegas Raiders)

Note: I’m back! Sorry for the lack of content over the last few weeks. I was traveling and on break for a while, so I wasn’t able to get as many articles out as I would have liked. But, I’m now back and ready to deliver for the playoffs. Enjoy!

Welcome to the playoffs. After the longest season in NFL history, we have 14 teams and 13 games to decide this year’s Super Bowl Champion. It’s a very different field than we’ve seen in years past, which makes this so much more exciting. To get here was a roller coaster, and we’re not even close to getting off. This week features plenty of interesting matchups, with several rematches of games from earlier this season. It should be a blast. With that, let’s get into my picks for this weekend’s Wild Card games:

Bengals 28-24 Raiders

Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, NBC

Wild Card Weekend kicks off with one of the more interesting playoff matchups I’ve seen in some time. The Bengals and Raiders have two of the longest playoff droughts in the sport when it comes to winning. The Bengals haven’t won a postseason game since 1991, while the Raiders haven’t since 2005. One of these droughts will be snapped in Cincinnati on Saturday evening. When these two teams met in the regular season, the Bengals had their way all day long to the tune of a blowout victory. But, this is the playoffs, and it’s hard to blow a team out twice in a single season. The Raiders fought their tails off to get to the postseason, and they will not go down without a fight. That being said, I still like Cincy to come out on top in this game. Not only do I think they’re the better team, but they rested many of their starters in Week 18 to be fresh for this game. Meanwhile, Vegas played a full OT game on Sunday night against the Chargers. Combine that with the expectedly raucous home crowd of Cincinnati fans waiting to see their first playoff win of the century, and you’ve got a tough matchup for the Raiders. I don’t know if their secondary is up to the task against such a potent passing attack, and they got gashed on the ground in their Week 11 matchup. I expect to see a big day out of the exciting young Bengals offense en route to a long-awaited playoff victory.

Patriots 16-13 Bills

Saturday, 8:15 PM EST, CBS

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this game. These two teams have proven themselves as incredibly inconsistent as the regular season came to a close, and their two regular season matchups didn’t provide a ton of evidence to work with when it comes to a third matchup. But, seeing as though the conditions in this game are similar, if not worse than the first between New England and Buffalo, it’s hard to foresee this game going any differently than that one. We all remember the Patriots winning despite only attempting 3 passes in the frigid upstate New York cold. Who’s to say they don’t do the exact same thing on Saturday night? It worked the first time, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work a second time. Moreover, Josh Allen has folded time and time again with his arm in such conditions. Considering it’s going to be in the single digits throughout the course of the game, I simply cannot trust him to step up and make the plays necessary to defeat a team like the Patriots, which already has his number. I think Buffalo’s win condition is their defense, which was the deciding factor in a similar playoff game last year against the Ravens. If they can step up and make enough plays against the Patriots offense, it will surely be enough to put them over the top in what is sure to be a low scoring affair. But, if New England and their offense control this game, then it’ll be too difficult for the Bills to overcome. Considering their matchup earlier this season and the postseason prowess of Bill Belichick and the Patriots, it’s just too hard to pick against them.

Buccaneers 27-17 Eagles

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

For a second consecutive year, Tom Brady and the Bucs begin their Super Bowl quest against an NFC East team that really shouldn’t be in the playoffs. The Eagles had a very nice second half of their season, but down the stretch, they looked very unconvincing against a bunch of bad teams with bad QBs, especially within the NFC East. Maybe a month ago I would have liked Philly’s chances in this game, but they just don’t move me the way they once did. The Buccaneers also don’t move me like they once did, as their final few weeks was as unconvincing as it gets for any team that considers themselves to be a “contender”. Things are just so messy in Tampa, with the whole Antonio Brown drama clouding poor play and a roster that is still as injured as any in the playoff field. They still have enough sheer talent, and the greatest QB of all time on their side, to be able to beat what is likely the weakest team in the NFC playoffs, but it wouldn’t shock me if this game is close for a while. It’s just a matter of whoever gets their head out of their you-know-where first, and in the playoffs, how can I not pick Tom Brady? I picked against him 3 straight times last year in the postseason and he burned me every single time. I won’t make that mistake this week, but I can’t make any promises for the next.

49ers 26-23 Cowboys

Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

In my opinion, this is the game of the weekend. How can it not be? The brands, the logos, the history, the old rivalry, the new star power, and storylines galore. It should be a fun few hours on Sunday evening in Arlington. The Cowboys are another team that didn’t move me whatsoever down the stretch of their season. They used some blowouts of remarkably inferior competition to mask a team that still has plenty of problems and isn’t nearly as formidable as they seemed in the first half of the regular season. Their run game has disappeared, Dak Prescott has struggled against real teams, and while their front seven is plenty good, their secondary is anything but. This makes the matchup with San Francisco very, very difficult. The 49ers willed their way into the dance with an incredible comeback OT win last week against the Rams, and I’m glad they did. This is a team that played like a playoff team down the stretch and undoubtedly deserved to be here. Now, they get a fairly favorable matchup, especially offensively. San Francisco prides itself on being able to run the ball with any of their weapons offensively, whether it be Elijah Mitchell or Deebo Samuel or any of their other gadget guys. Once that gets going, Jimmy Garoppolo can play efficient ball and lead plenty of scoring drives to put points on the board. The recent emergence of WR Jauan Jennings and season-long production of Deebo Samuel makes this offense a lot more deadly than it might seem. Moreover, the defense has stepped up in a huge way to get this team into the playoffs, and against a Dallas team that simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower as earlier in the season, I think they’ll do enough to let their offense go out and win the game. I expect this one to be close throughout, and it wouldn’t shock me if it ends up going into overtime. But, I have a ton of faith in the Niners to get the job done and keep their season alive.

Chiefs 30-14 Steelers

Sunday, 8:15 PM EST, NBC

Ben Roethlisberger said it best himself. The Steelers don’t stand a chance in this game. You can make the argument that Pittsburgh doesn’t even deserve to be here, and you’d have a pretty solid one. It took until the final play of the regular season for this team to get into the playoffs, and if it wasn’t for the incompetence of the Chargers, they might not even have been here. But, they are, and now they get to play arguably the best team playing this weekend. The Chiefs had a blazing hot second half of their season, and while it ended somewhat unceremoniously with a loss to Cincinnati and a close win over Denver, they still were very close to getting a 1 seed. Thanks to a complete 180 from their defense and very good, efficient play from their offense, Kansas City is primed for another potential Super Bowl run. This team may not be as flashy or incredible to watch as the last two AFC Championship-winning teams, but they are still pretty damn good. If anything, they are much better than this Steelers team. And if you need any evidence for that, I suggest looking at their matchup just 3 weeks ago. The Chiefs routed Pittsburgh by nearly 30 points in a game that was over before it even started. In a nearly identical circumstance, it’s hard to see this game going any differently. I think the Steelers will put up a fight, but this is simply too big of a mountain for them to climb.

Rams 23-20 Cardinals

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

The Rams and Cardinals will be making history on Monday night in the first ever playoff game on a Monday in NFL history. I still don’t know how I feel about that, but alas, it’s how things are now. This third matchup between these two division rivals promises to be a good one. The first two games this season were very accurate reflections of where these teams were at the time. The first game early in the season was all Arizona, as they were off to an incredibly hot start in September and October. The second game belonged to the Rams thanks to a complete performance with all of their new acquisitions making an impact. It was the first time the Rams truly looked like the team they had the potential to be, and it kickstarted a blazing hot finish to their season that saw them taking Arizona over in the standings and winning the NFC West. So, what does this matchup have in store for us? If I had to guess, it’d be closer to the second game than the first. The Rams have simply been a much better team over the last couple of months, with their pieces finally gelling and the team finally living up to their potential, as I stated before. Meanwhile, the Cardinals had a fledgling finish to 2021, losing the division race and losing more games than they won. They simply aren’t the same explosive, fun team that they were in the first half of the season. Moreover, their quality of play has dropped substantially, especially defensively. Based on what they’ve shown me in recent weeks, I don’t have enough confidence to pick them to pull off this upset. Los Angeles has simply been the much better team, and if they play up to their potential, there are very few teams in this league that can slow them down. Now is the time to push for a title, and it has to start here.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 15 Picks

Jonathan Taylor and the Colts host Mac Jones and the Patriots in one of the biggest games of the season on Saturday night. (h/t NFL.com)

We have reached the home stretch. Byes are over, and we have 4 weeks left to determine the playoffs. It’s gonna be a blast, starting with this week, which has some incredible games on tap. I had a very good Week 14, going 11-3 to bring my 2021 total to 129-77-1. Let’s have another great one, and let’s get into this week’s picks:

Chiefs 27-24 Chargers

Thursday, 8:20 PM, FOX

Week 15 kicks off with an absolute banger on TNF. The first matchup between these two teams earlier this season was a thrilling matchup that came down to the wire, and I expect similar fireworks tonight. Not to mention that these teams have been on a tear, and the winner sits atop the division. In my opinion, this game comes down to a key matchup of strength: LA’s offense against Kansas City’s defense. If the Chiefs continue their stellar play on that side of the ball, they should win this game with ease. Justin Herbert is very good, but when he goes up against difficult defenses, he tends to struggle. I think the Chargers defense isn’t bad, but it remains to be seen how they’ll perform against someone like Patrick Mahomes. I think KC’s defense will do just enough to put Mahomes and the offense in a position to win, and that will be the key difference in the game.

Raiders 20-17 Browns

Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, NFL Network

This game is a mess on all fronts. COVID has run rampant on the Browns, leaving them without their first and second string QBs, as Nick Mullens is now in line to start this game. On the other hand, the Raiders are just a mess 24/7. So, expect a mess of a football game in Cleveland. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to pick the Browns with all of their COVID problems, but I also don’t know how I’m supposed to pick the Raiders in any given circumstance. I’m putting my faith in Vegas to win this game against a team as depleted as any, but I will not be remotely shocked if they manage to mess up this easiest of wins.

Patriots 21-17 Colts

Saturday, 8:15 PM EST, NFL Network

This is it. Arguably the biggest game of the season in the AFC, if not the entire NFL. It’s not just because of how important this game is in the grand scheme of things, but these two teams are both fantastic, and it should make for a great game on Saturday night. Both teams are coming off byes, so the playing field is as leveled as it can be. There isn’t a single matchup that stands out here because both teams are so good on both sides of the ball. So, what gives? Well, the Patriots still have what I consider as a top 2 defense in the league, and I think that makes the difference. Indy’s defense is also fantastic, but if Jonathan Taylor and that offense are stifled, they won’t have a chance. I trust Bill Belichick and that Pats defense to get the job done, and I also trust Mac Jones and the offense to put up enough points to win the game.

Bills 30-10 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is the type of bounce-back game that the Bills need desperately. They not only need a win to get back into the playoff picture, but also just to feel good about themselves. They should get that on Sunday. The Panthers are just dreadful, and Sam Darnold coming back doesn’t change that. In fact, it might make things worse. If Josh Allen and the Bills lose this one, they’ll only have themselves to blame.

Cardinals 34-14 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Well, this is the team with the best record in the NFL going up against the team with the worst record in the NFL. Does any more need to be said? The loss of DeAndre Hopkins certainly hurts the Cardinals, but they’re talented enough to come back and still thrive offensively. This is a perfect opportunity for them to bounce back after Monday night, and they should do so with swiftness.

Dolphins 20-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Look here, another easy win for the Dolphins to keep their win streak alive. Coming off a bye and getting the Jets is quite the treat. I don’t even know why I think this game will be within a possession, but oh well. All I know is that Miami will win and inexplicably get to .500. What a league.

Cowboys 24-14 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

You know it’s a great week when the entire NFC East plays each other. This game isn’t exactly an intrigue, but I think we’ll learn a lot more about the Cowboys. If their defense thrives against Mike Glennon, then so be it. That’s to be expected. But their offense has been lethargic as of late, and the Giants defense isn’t terrible. They should win, but, if Dallas struggles in this game, then it’s even more cause for concern. And if they lose, just imagine the headlines.

Eagles 26-13 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

In a week where COVID has run through the NFL, no team has been hit harder than Washington. As of right now, 21 players will miss this game on the COVID list, and that number will likely rise by kickoff. Many of those are key contributors like Jonathan Allen, Kendall Fuller, Kam Curl, and more. So, you can just chalk this one up as a loss. I didn’t think Washington would win this game anyways, but it’s all but set in stone now. Coming off a bye, Jalen Hurts and this Eagles offense will have a field day against a ravaged WFT defense. And I will be miserable watching it.

Steelers 22-21 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

What a strange matchup. It’s well-documented by now that I don’t feel very strongly about either of these teams. Neither have been very impressive as of late, and now they match up with one another. So, what gives? I honestly don’t know. I just don’t have the confidence to pick the Titans without Derrick Henry, even though we just saw the Steelers defense get carved up last Thursday. I’m still picking Pittsburgh because I thought they showed good fight in their comeback attempt last week, whereas the Titans didn’t look like world-beaters against the Jaguars. It’s just a weird game all around.

Texans 23-17 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Yet another entry in the series of games that nobody wants or deserves to watch. The Urban Meyer era is finally over in Jacksonville, and I usually like teams the week that they fire their coach. But, I don’t trust the Jaguars. Not anymore. Every time I pick them, they let me down, so I’m not doing it again. It’s as simple as that.

Broncos 24-23 Bengals

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is one of the most interesting matchups of the week, and I don’t think enough people are talking about it. This is a pivotal matchup in the AFC wild card race, as the loser could drop out entirely. The Broncos looked great last week whereas the Bengals came up just short in a potential comeback victory. Both of these teams have shown us so much at times and so little at others. I’m not sure what to expect in this game, but I have to pick the Broncos. I just like the brand of football they’ve been playing in the last few weeks, whereas the Bengals don’t look like themselves right now. Denver’s running game led by Javonte Williams has been deadly, and their defense is playing lights out. I think they’ll do enough to stifle Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense and win this game.

49ers 28-23 Falcons

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this game. I think the Falcons can give the Niners a bit of a run on Sunday, but at the same time, it feels impossible to pick a close game. I just don’t have enough faith in Atlanta. But, I’ll pick it anyways because I can. I don’t think the Falcons will win this game, but they have the offensive talent to keep up with San Francisco’s slow burn of an offense. I like the 49ers defense a lot, but their secondary is ravaged and I saw them get carved up by the Seahawks, so anything is possible. San Francisco is the far better team and will win this game, but I just have this lingering feeling that it’s bound to be close.

Rams 30-20 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The Seahawks are playing like a real football team as of late, so I don’t think this game will be a complete snoozer. But, it shouldn’t be close. The Rams have found their stride and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, however, COVID has gone to work on their roster, and they’ll be short-handed in this game. But, so will Seattle. So, it’s still fairly even, and that still gives LA the advantage. I expect another huge day out of Matt Stafford and the Rams offense as they inch closer to potentially snatching away the division title.

Packers 27-16 Ravens

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The main factor in play for this game is the status of Lamar Jackson. At the moment, it remains to be seen whether or not he will play. But, even if he does, I just don’t see how the Ravens win this game. The Packers are the best team in the NFL, and they match up very well with this Baltimore team. The defense should have another field day no matter which QB they face, and their offense will take apart a bad Ravens defense. This game has all the star power you can ask for, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good game. Sounds like something else I saw this weekend.

Buccaneers 26-20 Saints

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The 8th wonder of the world is why Tom Brady struggles so much against the Saints. I don’t see the Bucs losing to New Orleans once again, but I know for a fact that this will be close. The Saints just have their number, and I can’t explain it. But, Tampa has been playing very good football in the last month or so, and they have vastly improved since the last time these teams played. It might not be the flashiest game in the world, but the Bucs don’t have to win with flash. They should be able to slug this one out in a close game that should be more fun than a lot of people expect.

Vikings 24-21 Bears

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Every year, we can’t escape the Vikings-Bears primetime game in Chicago. Please stop doing this to us, NFL. While I’m not very excited for this game, I think there’s some potential for a fun one on MNF. The Bears showed some promise for abut 30 minutes last Sunday night, and the Vikings put on a fireworks show for nearly 3 quarters last Thursday. I’m not sure what we’ll see on Monday night, but I do think that the Vikings have no excuse to not win this game. They’re the better team with more talent and they’re playing better football right now. Not to mention they have infinitely more to play for as a win could put them into a playoff spot. This is typically a moment where a franchise like Minnesota folds, but I have to trust them to get this done.

All stats taken from ESPN.