Hey…it’s been a while. Life happens, and working a new time slot in my real life job does take away some of my time that I allocate for this hobby.
Keep reading and sharing with friends, and maybe someday it will be more than a hobby, but enough of that for now.
The NFL Playoffs have arrived and the (as of last year) newly names SUPER WILD CARD WEEKEND is here.
6 games, with both of the number 1 seeds waiting to see who to play next weekend. Im ready. You’re ready. Here we go.
Chargers have had an injury plagued year but find themselves sitting in the 5th seed against the juggernaut Jags who come in winning 5 in a row. The Jags started the season 2-5 and looked as lost as they were under the helm of Urban Meyer. They started to find their stride around week 10 and just caught fire. A big win against the Dallas Cowboys at home stoked the playoff flame and a week 18 win over the lifeless Titans secured an AFC South division title.
San Diego, sorry, Los Angeles just kept their head above water most of the season. 5-5 after 10 weeks, they rattled off 7 in a row before losing a laugher to Denver week 18.
The quarterback matchup of the future. Herbert vs Lawrence. Armchair QB analysts salivate as this game comes on air Saturday. I think most of America forgot that these teams played in week 3, which JACKSONVILLE won. Big. 38-10.
Trevor Lawrence went for 262 yards. 3 TDs. Herbert was no slouch either. 297, 1 TD. 1 INT.
I like Jacksonville, just because of momentum and history. SD, again…sorry, LA always has something funky happen to them in January. History repeats itself.
The 49ers have won 10 in a row to end the season. A franchise record. The 4 losses this season were to Chicago week 1 in a rainstorm, Denver in a stinker with a rusty Jimmy G, Atlanta who caught them on the back to back of an east coast road trip, and KC at home. Kansas City seemed like rock bottom for the team, and the last real tester. They were out of the game by the middle of the 4th. Then…FIRE.
Seattle came into this season with no expectations, and far exceeded them. Geno Smith looked steady. The offense looked great early, and the draft picks they received for Russell Wilson has secured them the 5th overall pick. They have not looked like world beaters at any point in the last 8 weeks of the year, but they do have something that COULD catch the Niners off-guard.
Game film of Brock Purdy.
The former “Mr. Irrellevant” has drawn the loving eyes of the media since coming in for Jimmy G in week 13. He is 5-0 as a starter (6-0 in my eyes, as Jimmy only played the one drive in that game against Miami). He’s played Seattle once, and looked steady in primetime on the road in a hostile environment.
When does the clock strike midnight?
The Niners SHOULD win, and I think they will. Seattle can not stop the run, and the 49ers midseason addition of Christian McCaffrey will go down as one of the best trades in franchise history. There is a world where Seattle wins this, but it’s a distant system.
These next two will be quick because there isn’t much to say.
Bills.
No Tua, No Chance Miami.
Prayers to Damar Hamlin on a continued recovery.
Bengals.
No Lamar, No Chance Baltimore.
Good Luck retaining Lamar in the offseason. Franchise Tag and Trade???
New York has bucked years of ineptitude to find themselves in the postseason once more. You can thank head coach Brian Daboll for some of it. You can thank a healthy Saquon Barkley, a consistent Daniel Jones, there’s a plethora of reasons they’re playing in January. No true #1 wide receiver is a bit concerning, but they persist. Especially impressive considering they came from the gauntlet of the NFC East.
Minnesota should be considered a favorite to make the NFC Championship based on their record, right?
I think they’re frauds.
Yes, they have the best receiver in the league with Justin Jefferson. Yes, they have great offensive talent.
The DEFENSE is as useful as a spoon when a boat is sinking.
They have a negative point differential. A 12 win team has a NEGATIVE POINT DIFF. That reeks of fraudulence.
I still think Minnesota wins this one. If New York wins, I fully expect a hectic offseason for the Purple People Eaters. Kirk Cousins will be gone. A splash at QB will be made. Defense won’t be addressed because it’s the Vikings. Their version of fixing a defense is throwing more money on offense.
Can Brady turn back the clock, one more time?
The Bucs have no reason to be here. They have a losing record, but played in the worst division in football. The Defense is no good, the offense looks like a wheel in the mud. Slow, lethargic, and spinning in place.
Yet, they have Brady. They’re never truly out of it.
Dallas, I have concerns. Yes you won a lot of games and were one game away from being the number one seed in the NFC, yet here you are on the road. Philly was very good and in your division so…sorry bout it.
Dak has regressed. Im not impressed with much about this team other than them being slightly better than average. They won some close ones and that’s how the cookie crumbles, but I can’t overlook the Brady factor.
Fire the Cannons.