Author Archives: Kevin Civiello

Getting Started In Golf: The Top Tips

In the world of sports, golf has something of an unfair reputation with many people deeming it boring or not active enough to be considered a proper workout. There is also something of a stigma which can make it hard for newcomers to enter the fold. Golf clubs have an elite and somewhat stuffy reputation, which seems to suggest you can’t break into the ranks without full clothing, a good social network, and an urge to break the bank and buy Ben Hogan edge irons.

In truth, however, golf is an accessible, challenging activity which can quickly grow into a treasured hobby. To help you get started, here are our top tips for new or interested players— you will be swinging strong in no time!

Get Some Lessons

There can be resistance to receiving lessons or tuition, but this really is the best way to improve your game. Self-teaching can only take you so far and may mean you end up with bad habits which can be hard to break. A professional will help you get a solid foundation, which will have long-term advantages for your game.

Practice Your Putting

The driving range is a popular spot for players, and it is common to see people practicing hitting long-range shots for hours. This practice can help your game, but it can also result in neglect of your putting. Putts will account for around 50 percent of your total strokes in a round, yet research shows that players practice putting for less than 50 percentof the time. Get ahead of the competition by prioritizing this essential skill.

Get To Grips

The grip is a vital part of golf, and getting it right can make or break your game. This is also where an expert can help you and will work to help you decide which of the three grips—the Vardon, the baseball or the interlocking—best suits you. It can take months to perfect the grip, so take every opportunity to practice.

Make Friends With A Driving Range

A driving range allows you to practice hitting with no worries about finding the ball. Many clubs will also let you practice for free, and this will help you perfect your technique. It can also be a great stress reliever if you are in a less-than-good mood!

Learn The Etiquette

The elitist etiquette of golf can be off-putting to many new players, but it is often simply a case of learning the rules. It will keep you out of trouble and help you maintain good relationships with other players and club members. It can be a good idea to play and practice with an experienced golfer.They will know the rules and can show you the ropes.

Avoid New Balls

As a new player, you will be losing balls left, right, and center for quite a while. The price of new balls can quickly add up, so take advantage of the chance to stock up on second-hand balls and save yourself some serious cash.

What Boston sports fans have to look forward to in 2019

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2018 was a bumper year for Boston in terms of sports, and 2019 is already shaping up to give it a run for its money. With two defending champions determined to hang onto their titles and some serious contenders elsewhere, sports fans here in the City of Champions have much to look forward to as the various sporting seasons unroll.

The Patriots

Following their Super Bowl win and the ensuing Duck Boat Parade, the New England Patriots take a well-deserved break as they look forward to what the 2019 schedule has to offer. They’ll begin training in July before the regular season kicks off in September, and we already know that they’ll be facing the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets both at home and away. The Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants will also be coming to the Gillette Stadium, while the Patriots will travel to Washington and Philadelphia to face the Redskins and the Eagles respectively. Rematches with the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns are also on the schedule.

The Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox open their season on March 28, traveling to Seattle to go up against the Mariners. Their first home game will be on April 9 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Other matches to look forward to include the 2018 World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 12-14 and their London Series match against the New York Yankees at the London Stadium on June 29-30, the first venue in Europe to play host to Major League Baseball.

As spring training gets underway, the Red Sox are naturally hoping to be the first team to win the World Series twice running since the Yankees in 2000. Rumors are already flying about any changes to the line-up. Tom Werner (chair) and John Henry (owner) have admitted that they’re keen to hang onto starting pitcher Chris Sale and shortstop Xander Bogaerts, both of whom are set to become free agents at the end of 2019. It’s also been reported that they intend using Steven Wright as a full-time relief pitcher following his recovery from injury.

Dustin Pedroia is also back from surgery, and his fixed left knee seems to be standing up just fine. Hopefully, J. D. Martinez will have a good enough season to want to stay in Boston at the end of it, but Craig Kimbrel looks unlikely to re-sign.

Fans looking for something to keep them occupied when there isn’t a big game on have plenty of diversions online. The Betfair Casino first deposit bonus is a generous incentive to get you started playing a wide range of casino games that can provide a welcome break from sporting excitement.

The Bruins

The Bruins kicked off 2019 in fine style, taking two points from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic. Their next priority is rounding out an already great team in the draft. There’s much speculation over who exactly they might sign, but it’s almost certain that they’ll return to the playoffs come spring. A rematch with the Maple Leafs is also on the cards, and it’s a game that the Bruins are predicted to win with ease.

The Celtics

Over on the basketball courts, the Celtics have had a mixed season so far: great by most teams’ standards but disappointing according to their own. That said, many still think that they’re in with a chance at the finals – not least Jayson Tatum, who publically claimed that the Celtics were going to win the championship this year. It’s a bold prediction, but it’s not without foundation. Last year, they missed the finals by just one win when two All-Stars down. This season, they’re currently fourth-placed to win, and have some tough games coming up. Whatever the outcome, it’s sure to make exciting viewing for the fans.

That promise of excitement stands for Boston sports fans whatever field you follow. In addition to the big team sports, there’s also this year’s Boston Marathon come April 15 and the Head of the Charles Regatta later in the year. Going into 2019 with two defending major league champions playing in the city, it’s easy to think that sport is all about title wins, but that isn’t the case. It’s about taking part and feeling part of a real community. From football to baseball, basketball to hockey, soccer to sailing, sporting communities are something that Boston has in spades.

The Advantages and Drawbacks of Placing A Bet At Betting Websites in India

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Nowadays, there are now lots of betting websites in India. Some websites have a better assortment of cricket chances while others are much better in terms of football, horse racing, and among others. But the best betting sites in India have actually one thing in common they are best suited for Indian players.

However, placing bets at any Indian betting websites comes with its own list of advantages and drawbacks at the same time. If you’re an Indian gambler or planning to bet in these websites then keep on reading because this content is specially made for you.

Advantages

It is very easy to get started

When betting online, you don’t need any special knowledge as well as skills. Most betting website in India usually explains the basic game rules. Apart from that, registering and depositing money is more convenient due to the upfront process. Nevertheless, Indian betting websites have a user-friendly and intuitive interface.

Safe financial transaction

Online betting websites have a safer financial transaction compared to land-based casinos or betting places. With online betting, you don’t have to worry about crediting your cash to other or incorrect accounts. Plus, withdrawing your winnings has never been a complicated endeavor.

Trustworthy Indian betting websites, on the other hand, always know their obligations to their customers.

Convenient

One of the most common advantages of placing a bet on betting websites is convenience. When you bet online, you will be able to see lots of betting options more than you would see in local betting places which may possibly save much of your time.

Further, you don’t need to leave your house and visit a local betting shop where you can place a bet. Nevertheless, with betting sites, you don’t have to spend your time standing in a line and getting into your destination.

Some Indian Betting Websites Offer Special Mobile Apps

These days, some betting websites in India offer a special mobile app so that their players will enjoy sports gambling using their mobile devices. Actually, in today’s society, it is difficult to find people who aren’t using smart phones.

Either way, with this app you don’t need to use a computer or laptop just to place a bet. All you have to do is look for the mobile version of your chosen Indian betting website. Moreover, you can bet by simply touching the screen of your phone. Nevertheless, some betting websites encourage their customers to use mobile apps by giving special bonuses.

Drawbacks

The most common drawback of placing a bet in any betting websites is that it can become so addictive due to its convenience. With assurance, not all bettors or gamblers will end up getting addicted, however, cases aren’t few either.

More vulnerable gamblers will find betting online more addictive, thus it is crucial that you bet sensibly. On the other hand, setting a financial plan and sticking to it is one of the best ways that you can do to stabilize this. However, if you are having a hard time sticking to your financial plan, it is best for you to look into a self-limit control which most Indian betting websites tend to provide. Nevertheless, higher risk of losing is another drawback of placing a bet at betting websites.

Conclusion

Now that you have lots of facts regarding the advantages and drawbacks of betting online you’ll be ready to participate in one of the best Indian betting websites. Nevertheless, make sure that you are dealing with a reputable website to avoid any problem. You can do this by reading some reviews before placing a bet.

The Silver Lining to the Sox Quiet Offseason

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UNEVENTFUL OFFSEASON IN BEANTOWN

Yes I understand, you are disappointed that the Red Sox did pretty much nothing this offseason. And yes, I know the Yankees added Giancarlo Stanton to an already scary lineup. And yes, I know the world is ending, but is anyone else seeing the beauty in all of this? Does it remind you of anything? Something like oh I don’t know, 2013? Perhaps 2004? They Yankees have once again assembled an All-Star team thanks to their disposable income. All while the Sox management sat on their thumbs since October. Well let me just say, oddly enough I have a terrific feeling about this year.

DISAPPOINTING 2017 SEASON

bostonherald.com

2017 was supposed to be Boston’s year. Sure, there was the astronomical loss of David Ortiz but the offense was still expected to be pretty good as it featured a plethora of young talent in Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers. The Pitching staff looked great on paper as it featured reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, David Price and Drew Pomeranz. Unfortunately, they all had their ups and downs. As we all know, the season ended in a disappointing four game series loss to Houston. The disappointing ending to the season led to a lot of hate on the Sox young core and pitching staff. It began to feel as though the future of this franchise was not so bright after all and that the spotlight had once again been stolen by the Evil Empire.

PRESSURE SHIFTS OVER TO THE BRONX

Well I gotta say I am a little relieved that the spotlight is on the Yankees now. The Sox are being counted out before the season has started and it is a thing of beauty. The Red Sox are young and pretty inexperienced. I think last year the pressure to become some sort of super team may have gotten to them. They showed flashes of great baseball but ultimately were not quite ready. I think the lowered expectations may actually be exactly what this young group needs to thrive. Also, the young core has already experienced a gut wrenching, humiliating playoff elimination to learn from. Come next October they will do anything to avoid duplicating that traumatic experience.

MULTIPLE PLAYERS POISED FOR A BOUNCE-BACK SEASON

nbcsports.com

An important thing to point out is the unlikelihood of nearly every player having another poor offensive season. Mookie, Hanley, Bogaerts, JBJ, Moreland and even Benintendi can all do better. Benny had a great year for a 22 year old kid, but I am positive he can hit better than .271. Everyone in Boston knows Mookie is capable of a whole lot more than his 2017 performance yet he still hit .264 and drove in over 100 runs, that is saying something. I don’t think I need to mention Hanley here as we all know his season was one to forget. If those three guys can do what they are capable of with other contributions from Pedroia, Nunez, Bogie, JBJ, Moreland and Vazquez, then this offense can easily return to top 10 form.

HURRY UP 2018

So basically, the hell with what the Yankees look like on paper, they still have to win games. It will be fun watching them fold like a two dollar lawn chair under pressure. The media will be all over them for under performing while the under dogs in Boston fight and claw their way into the playoffs with a full head of steam. The reason I am so confident about this season is because the parallel I see with the 2013 team. Once again, we are coming off a disappointing season, only this time no fried chicken was involved. And again, the expectations are low for a gritty team in a city that thrives off being underestimated. Talented team plus being overlooked by division rival? sounds like a recipe for success. LET’S GO SOX. #WinDanceRepeat.

*Featured picture credit goes to overthemonster.com*

*Questions or comments? find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Is a Brady-Garoppolo Super Bowl in the Forecast?

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JIMMY G TRADED TO SAN FRAN

In October of 2017, the Patriots traded away QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers for a 2018 second round pick. Prior to the transaction, Jimmy G was presumably New England’s QB of the future, as Tom Brady is nearing the end of his career. For this reason, many New England fans were troubled by the move. However, as I like to say “In Bill We Trust”. In other words, I personally did not question the move because as history shows, never question Belichick’s actions because he is always right.

49ERS PRIOR TO ACQUIRING GAROPPOLO

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Since a brief run of being an elite team from 2011-2013, the 49ers have been one of the worst teams in the NFL. They have gone just 13-35 over the past three seasons. The offseason acquisition of former Falcons’ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was a step in the right direction however the roster still lacked talent and experience on both sides of the ball. The first half of the season was evident that the Shanahan signing was not quite enough as San Fran started the season 0-9. Prior to starting Jimmy G, they were 1-10. During that span they allowed twenty-six points per game while only scoring seventeen. Luckily for San Fran, a savior was sent over from New England.

JIMMY G UNDER CENTER FOR SAN FRAN

mercurynews.com

The Niners were an entirely different team once Jimmy G took over at QB. For starters, they went 5-0. The most remarkable wins came in the final two games of the season. In Week 16 they took down the Jaguars while scoring forty-four points on possibly the league’s best defense. Then the following week they stormed into LA and beat the Rams 34-13. Granted, the Rams were resting some players but it was still a very impressive road win. During the five-game win streak the Niners scored 28.8 points per game. That total was just one point less than the league-leading mark set by the Rams. Also, the efficiency of the offense vastly improved the play of the defense. During Jimmy G’s starts they allowed a respectable 19.8 points which was six less than they allowed through the first twelve weeks.

TB12 VS JIMMY G SUPER BOWL?

For 2018 it may be a stretch due for this to happen due to the strength of the NFC. However it is certainly not out of the question. Though it was a short period of time, San Fran played exceptional with Garoppolo at QB. They played well enough to make me question what the ceiling for this team really is. They have some solid weapons on offense with Carlos Hyde, Marquise Goodwin, and Matt Breida. If they manage to make a few key moves on defense then this team could become legit as soon as next season. In all likelihood, it probably will not happen in 2018, but with other NFC teams getting older a Brady vs Garoppolo Superbowl could certainly happen. Such an event would certainly be all a New England fan could ask for.

*Questions or comments? Find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

*Feature picture credit goes to WEEI.com*

Two Minute Drill: Every NFC Team’s Season in a Nutshell

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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles were one of many pleasant surprises out of the NFC this season. They managed a 13-3 record despite losing Carson Wentz for the final three games of the season. Unfortunate injury for Philly, but solid play from Foles and elite defense has carried the Eagles into the NFC championship.

DALLAS COWBOYS

At various points throughout the season Dallas looked like a force to be reckoned with. At other times not so much. When this team is healthy (and not suspended) they can be elite. The problem is Sean Lee can’t stay healthy and Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t hold together his temper off-field. When Lee plays the defense looks entirely better. When Zeke plays the offense can not be stopped. Dallas may finally make a late post season run in 2018.

Image result for ezekiel elliott on bench

sportsday.dallasnews.com

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

I hate making excuses for teams, but if someone deserves excuses it’s the Redskins. Let’s start with injuries: Chris Thompson, Rob Kelley, Spencer Long, Will Compton, Jordan Reed, Trent Williams and the list goes on. Also their schedule was brutal. They had to play the Eagles twice, Dallas twice, the Rams, Saints, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, and Seahawks. Not many easy ones on that schedule.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Nothing to do but scratch your head about the Giants season. What appeared to be a promising year for the G-men turned out to be an abomination. To be fair losing OBJ and Brandon Marshall for the season is not an easy obstacle to overcome. Ultimately this team showed too much talent to only manage three wins. Time to wipe the slate clean and prepare for 2018.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Much like the Eagles, the Rams were a very pleasant surprise this year. After being the lowest scoring offense in the league in 2016, Goff and Gurley lead the Rams to be the highest scoring this year. They scored just fourteen points per game in 2016 and this year they doubled that total to 29.9. The Rams had an early playoff exit after a disappointing loss to the Falcons. However, with a young team and coach this team is poised for more great years.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Similar to the Redskins, the Seahawks were too banged up to dominate like they did in recent years. Despite losing Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman for the season, they still managed a 9-7 record. I expect the Legion of Boom to be back next year, hungry for a playoff appearance.

Image result for richard sherman and kam chancellor

seahawks.com

ARIZONA CARDINALS

8-8 certainly was not the outcome Arizona had in mind this year. However this team deserves credit. They quietly played solid football most of the year despite season ending injuries to Carson Palmer and David Johnson. Not sure what to expect from this team next year, as they will be without HC Bruce Arians as well as QB Carson Palmer for the first time in a few years.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

Well, the 1-10 start was an underwhelming start to Kyle Shannahan’s head coaching career. However the five consecutive wins to close out the season with Jimmy G under center was impressive. San Fran averaged just under twenty-nine points per game during the five game win streak. With Jimmy under center they were able to score forty-four points vs Jacksonville and thirty-four points at LAR. Stoked to see what this team does next season.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikes have looked like Super Bowl contenders the whole entire season. Now they are just a win away over Philly to making it there. It is going to be a defensive showdown. Nick Foles and Case Keenum were once teammates and will now go head to head in the NFC Championship. It is really impressive to see how Minnesota has handled key injuries to Dalvin Cook and Sam Bradford this season.

DETROIT LIONS

Over the past couple years, it just seems like the Lions are one big play away from a postseason appearance. They are on the cusp of being a playoff team but for now remain just a “good team”. Perhaps adding Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as head coach will be enough to propel them into the playoffs.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Turns out, losing a Hall of Fame QB to injury is more than enough to ruin a team’s season. Packer Nation has to be frustrated watching their team look helpless without their beloved Aaron Rodgers. Oh well, onto next season for the Pack.

chicago.suntimes.com

CHICAGO BEARS

This team is showing some promise for the future. Still missing a few key pieces but the Bears defense is young and talented. Also, Mitch Trubisky looked better-than-horrible, which is a world-class compliment to a rookie QBs these days. Probably still a few years from being a good team, but Chicago fans have something to look forward to.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Finally the Saints managed to finish with a record of something other than 7-9. Turns out a dominant run game and a solid defense can be the difference between 7-9 and 11-5. Ingram and Kamara were nearly unstoppable this season, taking off a lot of pressure on Drew Brees. Unfortunately, the Saints came up one tackle short of an NFC Championship birth.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Panthers are so unpredictable, I don’t even know if this season was a complete success or utter failure. 11-5 was good enough to earn a playoff spot for Cam and company. Unfortunately all it led to was the third loss of the season to their division rival Saints

ATLANTA FALCONS

Little bit of a Super Bowl hangover for the Falcons. They were still a solid team, but never really looked like the team they were last year. Matt Ryan was not as good, just three TD’s from Julio, and the defense was less physical and aggressive. I am afraid the Falcons’ one shot slipped away. Prove me wrong, Matt Ryan.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Tampa was one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Winston was terrible and the defense was even worse. It is rather difficult to succeed in this league without a good QB or defense. Luckily, talent is present on this team and they have the potential to make a big turnaround next season.

*Questions or Comments? Find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Feature picture credit goes to kneenoh.deviantart.com*

Two Minute Drill: Every AFC Team’s Season in a Nutshell

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NEW YORK JETS

Josh McCown proved he can still play at age 38, maybe better than he ever has. As a team, the Jets proved they respect HC Todd Bowles as they fought hard in every game this season. This group certainly exceeded everyone’s expectations. Unfortunately for the Jets, exceeding expectations means going 5-11.

BUFFALO BILLS

A very rocky season full of highs and lows, rather typical for Buffalo. What was not typical for the Bills was making the postseason for the first time in 17 years. Hey Sean McDermott, I have an idea for next season; maybe don’t bench Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman. Just a thought.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins are always so unpredictable, you never really know what to expect from this group. However, two things remain constant.

They will always give Tom Brady a hard time in Miami
Jay Cutler is not the answer

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Pretty Typical season for the Pats. The world ends after a few tough losses. The media claims Brady has “nothing left in the tank.” Brady puts together an MVP-caliber season. The Patriots finish first in the AFC East at 13-3. New England has again found themselves on their way to another AFC Championship game following a game against the bye wee- I mean Tennessee Titans.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Much like Brady, Big Ben silenced his haters with efficient play in the second half of the season following a rough start. Teams still do not have an answer for Le’Veon Bell or AB. Pittsburgh is a home win away from earning the privilege of losing to New England in the Conference Championship.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Gotta give credit to these guys for their scrappy nature and ability to find ways to win games. Baltimore finished 9-7 with a non-existent offense and the worst version of Joe Flacco we have ever seen. On the other hand, I want to take away any credit I gave to them for losing to Cincy at home in a scenario in which a win would have clinched a playoff birth (facepalm).

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bengals flat out sucked this year. Their highlight of the season was probably the three-point loss in Green Bay when Rodgers was still healthy. However, the Bengals did one thing better than everyone else this year; play the spoiler role. In weeks 16 and 17 they knocked off the Lions then the Ravens to eliminate each team from playoff contention. Also, Marvin Lewis IS back for next season.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns season could be symbolized by a big pile of something else that is typically brown. If their season goal was to put together their best ’08 Lions impression then might I say “Job well done boys.” Unfortunately, I think their goal was probably to win a game, which they did not do.

cbssports.com

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Ahh finally, a good team, tough to come by in the AFC. The Jags were certainly one of the biggest surprises of the season. Finishing 10-6 is rather impressive considering no one really projected this team to even be in the playoff hunt. The key to their success? Calais Campbell + Malik Jackson + Jalen Ramsey + AJ Bouye = nightmare for opposing QB’s.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

No luck for the Andrew Luck-less Colts. If there is anything positive to take away from this season it may be Jacoby Brissett. Nothing too special stats wise but the kid did a pretty decent job this year. Considering the fact that he was given a bottom-three offensive line and defense, he deserves a little credit. 17 total TD’s compared to just seven interceptions isn’t too bad given the circumstances.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Strange season for the Titans. Many expected improved play by Mariota would lead to Tenneessee winning the AFC South rather easily. However, they played pretty poorly all year but ended up with a 9-7 record, thanks to an easy schedule. They somehow won their wild card playoff game in KC And now head to New England for a true test.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Every team has to deal with injuries, but the Texans may have had the most injured team in the league. Of course, good teams learn how to play without key players. However, the fact of the matter is that sometimes too many key injuries is simply too much to over come. The loss of JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus pretty much ruined the foundation of this defense, then losing Deshaun Watson was the final blow. Bright future for this team though.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

It was a season of streaks for the Chiefs. It went hot, cold, hot, out. they started the season 5-0. Then lost six of seven to drop to 6-6. Then finished the season on a four-game win streak to finish 10-6. Right as it looked like they were back on track, they lost to the Titans at home in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, the Tennessee Titans.

Image result for derrick henry vs chiefs

kansascity.com

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

I firmly believe that this team was the most unlucky of all the NFL teams. They had a reputation of not being able to close out games. Early on this year they were having that issue. They lost three of their first four games by a combined seven points. Two of those games could have been won with a Younghoe Koo last-second field goal. However he decided to miss both. They got red hot mid season but ultimately came up short.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Probably the most disappointing team of the season. So much promise from last years excellent effort turned out to be a whole bunch of mediocrity, at best. Where was the Derek Carr of last year? What happened to the fearless nature of “Black Jack Del Rio’s” team we saw last year? The best thing the Raiders can do is forget this season happened. Luckily they have a football genius coming into town to take over the head coaching job.

DENVER BRONCOS

Another disappointing AFC team. An elite defense was made mediocre thanks to an abysmal offense. Of course, QB is the most important position in football, but teams can still get by with a viable QB under center as long as the defense is solid. Unfortunately, the Broncos QB’s couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. Trevor Siemian? No. Brock Osweiler? No. Paxton Lynch? No.

*Questions or comments? Find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Feature picture credit goes to betlabssports.com*

Top 5 Most Surprising Teams of the NFL Season

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5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (13-3)

What a year for the Vikes. The expectation of them entering the season was to possibly makes the playoffs. It was a sure thing that their defense would be one of the better units in the league. However, a plethora of questions remained on the other side of the ball. Teddy Bridgewater was hurt and Sam Bradford had an inconsistent past. It was difficult to gauge how well the offense would perform heading into the season. Luckily, rookie RB Dalvin Cook provided a much-needed spark. Then things went downhill as Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook both went down for the year. So… who was there to save the day? (Or the season, I suppose). A man who goes by the name of Case Keenum. Yup — you heard me.

Mr. Keenum had a not so successful career entering the season. In 26 career starts he had just 24 TD passes and 20 interceptions. This year was quite the turnaround. Keenum threw 22 TD’s and just seven interceptions in his 15 games. He ranked second in the league in total QBR at 69.8, one spot behind Carson Wentz. Also, one spot ahead of Mr. Tom Brady. Keenum certainly deservses high praise for his borderline MVP effort this season. He is the central reason why Minnesota was able to become the 10th best offense in the league, averaging 23.9 points per game.

Of course, the defense deserves some love too. The defense was a very good unit last year and was even better this year. They only surrendered a league-best 275.9 yards per game. Also, they lead the league in points allowed per game at 15.8. So, is it fair to say they have the best defense in the league? I’d say so. Would not want to play this team in the cold weather in the playoffs.

4. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-3)

armaninfo.com

Just like their aforementioned NFC pals, the Eagles finished the season 13-3. They also received elite QB play from a player who was not considered elite entering the season. What is more impressive about the Eagles is that they were not really expected to do so well this year. Last year, they were rather mediocre, as they finished 7-9 in a tough division. In 2016 they finished 16th in points scored per game and 12th in points allowed. Very average. However, they knew they had a bright future as they seemingly found the next best young QB in Carson Wentz. Luckily for the Eagles, the future came faster than expected.

The 2016 rookie that seemed full of potential blossomed into the MVP front-runner prior to injury. Wentz missed the final three games of the season and will not be returning until next season. Had he stayed healthy, many believe he would have one the MVP award. The impressive thing about the Eagles is that they lost their MVP-caliber QB and still had success. Foles proved to be a viable backup and the defense kept on doing what it does. Sans Wentz, a Superbowl victory will be difficult, but not out of the question. Philly has to be excited with the potential of this team’s future.

3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5)

The Saints — most famously known for thoroughly enjoying 7-9 seasons. It’s something they just love to do since winning the Superbowl back in 2009. In fact, they finished 7-9 each of the past three seasons and four of the past five. There must be something about 7-9 that is so appealing to that organization. Anyway, I was expecting more of the same from them this year, losing high scoring shootouts. Here is how a typical Saints game had gone over the past five seasons: Brees throws for 400 yards and four TD’s but the defense played like a high school team, Saints lose 48-45. Poor Drew.

Finally, the Saints broke the 7-9 mold this year. They finished 11-5 which is quite a significant improvement. The difference was that they finally had a solid defense. One of the biggest reasons for the defensive improvement was CB Marshon Lattimore, who has quickly become one of the best CB’s in the game. A rookie on the other side of the ball was also an enormous addition. Alvin Kamara is so dangerous because he is a talented runner out of the backfield and is also a very good pass catcher. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 10.2 yards per reception for 13 total TD’s. Along with Mark Ingram, their run game is nearly impossible to stop. I am sure Brees is relieved to not have to throw for 500 yards every game, he now acts more as a facilitator.

2. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (10-6)

firstcoastnews.com

The lone AFC team to make the list, and boy would it be a boring conference without the Jag’s emergence. Perhaps a team not located in Pittsburgh or New England could make some noise in the playoffs this year. Jacksonville’s success has come from the excellent defense they have played all year. Their pass rush was relentless all season. They finished the year second in sacks with 55, lead by Calais Campbell’s 14.5.

The defensive improvements were a huge help to QB Blake Bortles. In the past Bortles has shown some flashes of skilled QB play, but he often makes untimely mistakes. With an elite defense behind him, he was able to focus on taking care of the ball instead of having to try to make things happen. He threw a career low 13 interceptions and had a viable quarter back rating of 84.7. If Bortles can take care of the ball and the defense continues to dominate, Jacksonville will be a tough out in the playoffs.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-5)

Wow, did not see this coming. The Rams have flat-out sucked for a long time. From 2004 to 2016 the Rams had a record of 64-127-1. This poor stretch was expected to continue as the offense looked terrible no matter who was under center. Goff unfortunately did not appear to be the answer in his rookie season and it appeared that Gurley’s talents were being wasted in an abysmal offense. The defense had shown flashes in recent years but never was able to play consistently. Well finally, the Rams have figured it out. Goff is playing exceptionally, Gurley had room to run and the defense shows up every week. The only thing this team lacks is experience. They are a very young yet explosive team. I think their youth may be their downfall in the playoffs. However the playoffs will be great experience for their young players.

Regardless of how the season ends the Rams have to like the spot they are in. It looks like Goff and Gurley will be the center of the offense for years to come. Also, young coach Sean McVay looks like he knows was he is doing to say the least. He took the leagues worst offense from 2016 and turned it into the leagues best as they more-than doubled their points per game total from 14 to 29.9, remarkable. The defense also improved from 23rd to 12th in points per game.

*Questions or comments? find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Featured Picture credit to turfshowtimes.com*

Top 5 Most Disappointing NFL Teams of the Season

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5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-9)

Awful season for the Pack, and yes, I know Aaron Rodgers missed the better part of it. Of course, it would be unfair to expect them to remain a premiere team with an inexperienced rookie under center. However, can they really be considered a great team if they can not win without Aaron Rodgers? They were 4-1 prior to his injury in Week Six and were 3-6 without him. I think this confirms the notion that Green Bay is not a good team, Rodgers is just a phenomenal quarterback. Luckily for Green Bay, Rodgers will be back and healthy for next season. However, they have to be a little concerned about the state of the rest of the team, considering the fact that they fold like a two dollar lawn when Rodgers is not playing.

4. DENVER BRONCOS (5-11)

denverpost.com

The Broncos have been lead by a dominant defense over the past few seasons. They have not really had much offensive firepower since the Manning days, but a viable offense was always enough to get by. It looked like they would use this recipe once again to compete for a playoff spot this season. However, this plan did not go as expected. There were certainly concerns regarding their offense this year, specifically at QB. They have a talented group of wide receivers and a solid run game with CJ Anderson. Unfortunately none of their three quarter backs could play well enough to allow the defense to win them games. It is safe to say that the Siemian, Osweiler and Lynch experiments all failed.

The dreadful offense was actually so bad that it affected the effectiveness of the defense. Denver’s inability to sustain drives forced the defense to constantly be on the field for 35 minutes or more all season long. No matter how talented, there is no defense that will be able to stay fresh and healthy while being on the field that much. Hey, at least Denver was bad enough to land themselves a solid first round draft pick. They may want to consider drafting a QB that can throw the ball.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-11)

This was supposed to be the year for the Bucs to make a playoff run. It was Winston’s third year in the league and it appeared that he may have had enough experience to lead this team to a great year. Well, unfortunately, he was responsible for the steep regression of the offense. Last year, Jameis threw 28 TD’s and 18 interceptions in 16 games. Not great numbers, but it was reasonable to think he could reduce the turnovers this year. He did manage to do that thanks to an injury that forced him to sit out for three games. This year he only threw 19 TD’s and 11 interceptions while his QBR dropped from 64.7 to 50.3.

Winston was not the only one to blame for Tampa’s struggles though. The defense was horrendous as they ranked 22nd in points allowed per game and dead last in yards allowed per game. What looked like a bright future for Tampa may in fact not be so bright.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13)

footballstories.com

2016 was a whole lot more fun for the Giants than 2017. Many expected them to struggle last year but they went 11-5, riding one of the leagues best defenses. In 2017, it was the exact opposite, they were expected to be a great team but ended up being the second worst. Maybe they should try to suck next year, in hopes that they can continue the trend? Anyways, in 2016 they ranked 2nd in the league allowing 17.8 points per game. It was quite the turnaround in 2017, as they ranked 27th in the league allowing 24.3 points per game. With Eli Manning’s struggles and the loss of OBJ, those defensive numbers are not going to cut it. I think this team as a whole, especially Eli will benefit greatly with a coaching upgrade from McAdoo.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)

In my opinion, the Raiders were by far the biggest disappointment of the season. Many assured they would make the playoffs, possibly even make the Superbowl or perhaps even win it. Well, lets just say the answer was D, none of the above. Everything went wrong for this team. Derek Carr was not close to the guy he was last year. Amari Cooper continued to be inconsistent. Marshawn Lynch is evidently no longer Beast Mode anymore, as he averaged less than 60 rushing yards per game. The defense was picked apart all year. The secondary was particularly bad as they ranked 26th in the league in pass yards allowed per game. From 12-4 to 6-10 with a very similar looking roster and coaching staff is puzzling. With the recent firing of head coach Jack Del Rio, we will have to see how this team performs in the future. I supposed the only positive to take away from this season is the fact that they managed six wins in a tough division while playing their absolute worst. For Oakland fans, lets hope this year was a representation of this team’s floor.

*Questions or comments? Follow me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Featured picture credit goes to bostonherald.com*

Week 17: Games to Watch

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Week 17 has finally arrived. Certainly every football fan’s favorite week of the regular season. Although by the end of the day, many of those fans are less-than happy with their team’s result. This year, there will certainly be some broken hearts as there are six teams fighting for the final three playoff spots. In the AFC we have Baltimore, Tennessee, Buffalo and the Chargers fighting for the two wild card spots. In the NFC, just one spot remains, which will be battled for by the Falcons and Seahawks. Below are the week 17 games which hold the strongest playoff implications.

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

This clash of NFC South powerhouses is probably the biggest game of the week. For Carolina, it is an opportunity to win the division. However, this will be a tall task. Carolina has lost both games to New Orleans this year, so they will have to win in Atlanta and the Saints would have to lose in Tampa. Pretty unlikely but hey, we have seen crazier things. Carolina has already clinched a playoff spot and will likely be playing either the Rams or the Saints in the first round.

There is even more on the line for the Falcons in this game. At 9-6, a win or a Seahawks loss will give the last remaining seed in the NFC to Atlanta. It is impossible to know what to expect from this game as the Panthers tend to play like either a Super Bowl team or a division 3 high school team. It is difficult to know what to expect from them heading into this week. However, I do like Atlanta’s chances because they are at home. I also think Matty Ice and Julio Jones may be able to pick apart the Panthers secondary, which ranks 19th in the league in pass yards allowed per game.

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

lockedonbengals.com

Cincinnati is playing for nothing but pride this weekend as their dreadful season has them eliminated from the playoffs. However, I do expect Cincinnati to give it a valiant effort this week as they would love to help eliminate their division rival from the playoffs. For Baltimore, all they have to do is win to make the playoffs, as they have a one game advantage on the rest of the teams fighting to get in. The Ravens could lose and still make the playoffs as they have own the tie breaker with the Chargers. If the Ravens, Bills, and Titans all finish 9-7 then they would be eliminated because Tennessee and Buffalo both own the tie breaker over Baltimore.

BUFFALO BILLS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Bills have probably the slimmest chances to snag an AFC wild card spot. They do hold a tie breaker over the Ravens if both teams finish 9-7. This will be pretty unlikely as the Baltimore has a very winnable home game vs Cincy. If the Ravens win then Buffalo will need both Tennessee and the Chargers to lose. On paper, this looks like a pretty winnable game. However, much like the Panthers, both of these teams are rather inconsistent. It is hard to know what to expect in this match-up. I do believe that Buffalo is the superior team and that they will be able to win this game.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

atozsportsnashville.com

Jacksonville does not have much to worry about in this game as they will likely be AFC’s three seed. However, this is a huge game for the Titans. Luckily they own a tie breaker over all three of the other teams fighting to get in. A win would guarantee a playoff spot. If they lose, the Ravens win AND Buffalo or the Chargers win then the Titans would be eliminated. So they really need to win in order to avoid any risks. A win will be a tall task despite being the home team. Jacksonville’s defense is probably the best in the league. I expect starting corners AJ Bouye and Jalen Ramsey to completely shut down the passing game. It will be up to Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry to lead the Titans to this week 17 win

OAKLAND RAIDERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

raiderswire.usatoday.com

The Raiders will be playing to spoil this weekend. As arguably the league’s biggest disappointment, Oakland has to be itching for next season. If it makes them feel better, they can drastically decrease their division rival’s chances of making the playoffs with a win. A win will not guarantee a spot in the playoffs for the Chargers. They will need a loss from the Titans as well because Tennessee own the tie breaker. However, if they end up with the same record as the Bills then they will have the tie breaker and earn the 6th seed. LA should win this game rather easily as Oakland has struggled on both sides of the ball this year. I do not think Oakland has the ability to stop Rivers, Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen on the road. Advantage LA.

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Weird to imagine the Seahawks not in the playoffs. For Seattle to make it in, they will need to win and need Atlanta to lose against Carolina. Both things could happen of course, but the chances are not that high. Seattle cannot control what happens down in Atlanta this week, but they can help themselves by earning a win. At home I do expect Russell Wilson and company to get the win. But Arizona has quietly been playing some pretty solid football as of late. Even though I expect them to win, I also expect Atlanta to win which would eliminate Seattle due to a head to head tie breaker in Atlanta’s favor.

*Questions or comments? Find me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

*Feature pic credit goes to panthers.com*