Author Archives: Kevin Civiello

Week 16 Winners and Losers

‘Twas quite the holiday weekend in the NFL. The Chiefs and Rams behaved well enough to find a playoff berth under their tree this year. However, others must have been not-so-well behaved. The Raiders, Dolphins, Lions and Cowboys found nothing but a way ticket to their couch during playoff time. In other news, Jimmy G and the Niners keep rolling, and the Browns did that thing they do once again. Below are Week 16’s biggest winners and losers.

WEEK 16 WINNERS

KANSAS CITY: 29-13 W vs MIAMI

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The Chiefs earn a well deserved spot under the winners column this week. The reason is not for pulling off an impressive win over a tough opponent. The reason is because many counted them out after falling to 6-6 following a hot 5-0 start. A very underwhelming seven game stretch for Kansas City had their playoff hopes looking slim. However, thanks the regression of other AFC West teams, they remained in the race. It appears the Chiefs have learned from their rough stretch and are back to their normal selves again.

Their dominant Week 16 win over Miami extended their win streak to three games and brought their record to 9-6. During the streak they scored at least 26 points and have not allowed more than 15, outscoring opponents 85-41. The fact that the Chiefs have rebounded so strong after dropping six of seven games says a lot about the toughness of this team.

SEATTLE: 21-12 W @ DALLAS

Tough opponent + road game + win = spot earned under the winners column. Further, it was a game that had serious playoff implications on the line. Both teams entered the contest at 8-6 and needed a win to remain in the playoff race. This Sunday it was the Seahawks who prevailed. I can not give enough credit to this team. I did not expect them to pull off this win on the road, especially with Ezekiel Elliott coming back from suspension. However, the pesky Seahawks will simply not give in. They have reigned in the NFC for about half a decade now and have preserved their playoff hopes with this big win. Another impressive aspect of this team’s season is that they are doing it without two of their defensive superstars, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. I don’t know what others think but I would not want my team facing this experienced group in the playoffs.

SAN FRANCISCO: 44-33 W vs JACKSONVILLE

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What difference one player can make; just ask Green Bay. Unlike the Packers, the Niners are benefiting from a one-player-difference scenario. San Fran was just 1-10 without Jimmy G and are 4-0 with him. This team became a lot more impressive with their most recent win. The Jaguars came into town at 10-4, riding the league’s premier defense and an improved Blake Bortles. Well, Garopollo and company put up 44 points on a defense that has allowed just over 15 points a game on the season. Thinking back, if Jimmy was quarterbacking the Niners all season they would certainly be at least in the playoff race. From Weeks two through six, SF lost five straight games by a total of just 13 points. It is reasonable to say that if they had Jimmy at that point in time then he could have been the difference and won those games. I know this is a stretch, but had they won those games their record would be 10-5, pretty interesting and says something about their potential for next year. To all other members of the NFC, keep an eye on this team.

WEEK 16 LOSERS

TENNESSEE: 27-23 L vs LA RAMS

Tennessee pretended that they were going to win this game just like they pretended to be a good team all year. I had high hopes for this team entering the year. I thought Mariota would continue to improve and possibly emerge into a top 12 quarterback, instead, he regressed. Tennessee’s third year QB has just 12 TD passes and 15 interceptions on the season, less than impressive. Also, the defense is currently ranked 20th in the league in points allowed per game at 23.1. Not necessarily terrible but with the offensive troubles, not gonna cut it.

Tennessee mostly beat up on the worst teams in the league this year in order to maintain a winning record. five of their wins have come against awful teams such as the Texans, Browns, Bengals and Colts twice. Now, with two straight losses, their playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy and Jacksonville rolls into town. They must win to advance to the playoffs.

DETROIT: 26-17 LOSS @ CINCINNATI

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Last week I said, “Wouldn’t that be the most Lions-y thing to do?”, referring to them potentially losing to the Bengals this week thus being eliminated from playoff contention. Well, they did in fact do the Lions-y thing, which was lose a big game to an inferior opponent. This has to hurt Detroit fans. Stafford and company fought so hard all season long. For much of the season they played playoff caliber football. Unfortunately, once again, they folded when everything was on the line. Road games are rarely easy, but they really should have had this one. The Bengals entered the day with a record of 5-9, and were playing terrible football pretty much all year. They also were playing for nothing but pride as they had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Well, rather than take advantage of their opportunity, they decided to stick to their roots and collapse. Overall, a pretty solid year for the Lions but this one bad loss did them in, onto next year.

DALLAS: 21-12 LOSS vs SEATTLE

Shoulda woulda coulda for Dallas, disappointing season. It started out rough, at 2-3 through their first five games. Then getting hot and winning three straight to improve to 5-3. Then Ezekiel Elliott was suspended and they went just 3-3 without him. So here they were, at 8-6, fighting for their playoff lives. Luckily, Ezekiel Elliott returned but he was not enough as they only managed 12 points in the loss that removed them from the playoff race. They finish at Philadelphia and it appears that this group may surprisingly be just a 8-8 team. Alike their Thanksgiving mates, its on to next year.

*Questions or Comments? find me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

*Featured pic credit goes to upi.com*

NFL Week 15 Winners and Losers

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Week 15 featured a plethora of the season’s best match ups on paper. Chiefs vs Chargers, Panthers vs Aaron Rod- I mean the Packers, Seahawks vs Rams and of course: New England at Pittsburgh. Many of you probably know how the latter ended and are filled with either joy or rage based on geographic location. If you do not know how it ended, New England won 27-24 thanks to another heroic performance by Tom Brady, as well as a controversial call. Both teams played well enough to win and appear to be on a collision course to meet in the AFC Championship, therefore neither made the Winner or Loser list this week. Anyways, With playoff implications running haywire, let’s see who prevailed and who failed.

P.S. this week’s winners and losers lists are predominantly focused towards teams with playoff scenarios

Week 15 Winners

Dallas Cowboys: 20-17 W @ Oakland

I feel as though Dallas has been featured in this segment on almost a weekly basis. I guess that says something about the inconsistency of Dak and company sans Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys have very quietly won three straight games. This win streak has them right in the thick of wild card contention. Dallas will have to win their last two games, which will be tough. In Week 16 they host Seattle and then travel to Philly to face the Wentz-less Eagles. Good news for Dallas: Zeke returns this week and they are seemingly a completely different team when he plays. His return makes their final two games look a lot more winnable. I don’t think any team wants to face Dallas with a well-rested Zeke come playoff time.

Cowboys playoff scenarios: if Detroit loses one of their final two games AND New Orleans, Atlanta or Carolina lose their final two games, then Dallas will earn a wildcard spot.

Detroit Lions: 20-10 W vs Chicago

Okay, a 10 point win at home vs the 4-9 Bears? Big deal. Certainly not the most impressive win, but it was not unimpressive. More importantly, Detroit did what they had to do to remain in playoff contention. This win improved their record to 8-6. Perhaps the best news for Detroit this week was Aaron Rodgers being placed on IR. This means that in Week 17 Detroit will get to host the Rodgers-less Packers, making it a very winnable game. Well, before I get ahead of myself they still have to rely on teams above them to collapse as well as win at Cincinnati in Week 16. Should not be a very tall task versus a team that has been outscored 67-14 over the past two weeks. But hey, you never know. I mean, wouldn’t that be the most Lions-y thing to do?

San Francisco 49ers: 25-23 W vs Tennessee

I feel as though the Niners deserve a spot under this column. Jimmy G and company delivered a quality win over a quality opponent. Jimmy G carried the load offensively going 31-43 with a TD, no picks and a 89.5 QBR. This performance included a clutch fourth quarter drive. Jimmy G took the Niners down the field from their own 25 with a little over a minute remaining. After going 3-4 for 45 yards, Garoppolo set up the 45 yard game-winning field goal for Robbie Gould. And just like that, San Fran has now won three straight with Jimmy under center.

Okay, so San Fran is still just 4-10 and has absolutely no shot at even coming close to a playoff spot. However, the Niners deserve this high praise for heading in a very good direction towards a bright future. Plenty of other franchises are probably jealous of San Fran due to the fact that they have found a franchise QB. quality QB’s are a hot commodity nowadays. However, San Fran still lacks a few key pieces on both sides of the ball. Also, they really need to work on red zone efficiency. During their 3 game win streak they have scored just three touchdowns while kicking 15 field goals. Too many points left on the board.

Side note: imagine next year’s NFC West with a much improved 49ers squad?

Week 15 Losers

Seattle Seahawks: 42-7 L vs LA Rams

Cringe-worthy loss in week 15 for Seattle. Of course, key injuries have made it nearly impossible for Seattle to dominate like in years past, but come on, 42-7 at home with massive playoff and division title implications on the line? Not impressed. This loss really made the playoffs seem like a stretch for this years Seahawks. Still though, credit the Rams, who rolled into Seattle seeking revenge from their last meeting and got what they wanted. Also, credit Todd Gurley for being pretty much unstoppable. He ran for 152 yards and three TD’s on 21 carries. Oh and he had three catches for 28 yards and another TD. Imagine if it was a close game and Gurley remained in the lead-back role for all four quarters? He probably would have had six touchdowns and 300 total yards. Oh… right, this was supposed to be about the Seahawks. Oh well, it’s onto Dallas for Seattle for a true “must win”.

Los Angeles chargers: 30-13 loss @ Kansas City

I was really hoping that the Chargers would prove to me that they are legit. I can not help but root for those guys. Phillip Rivers is often criticized for turnovers and poor attitude. However, he is a very good QB and is putting together a very solid season. Entering this game he had 19 TD’s and just three interceptions over his past 10 games. His most impressive characteristic in my opinion is his competitiveness. If you watch this guy, it is easy to tell he wants to win. Some claim he is a cry baby or a poor sport, I think those people are confusing his fire and passion for whining. Anyways, it was time for LA to prove to the league they are for real. Fighting for the division title on the road, a win could have been a statement, so what did they do? Flop.

Fortunately, it is not over for LA who currently hold a record of 7-7. Kansas City is only a game ahead in the AFC West while Buffalo, Baltimore and Tennessee are also only a game ahead in the wild card race.

Oakland Raiders: 20-17 loss vs Dallas

What was supposed to be a fantastic season for Oakland turned out to be a disaster. The home loss to Dallas put Oakland at 6-8 for the season. Theoretically, the Raiders could still sneak into the playoffs but the Chiefs, Chargers, Ravens, Titans, Dolphins and Bills would have to lose a combined 8032753238203 games, pretty unlikely. Really not sure what to think of this team moving forward. Hoping, for their sake that this year was the fluke and not last year, but I am not convinced. Also, what the bleep was Derek Carr thinking trying to score on that final play of the game? I understand he was trying to win the game for his team, but he already had the first down and needed just a field goal in order to tie the game. It would have been first and goal from the three yard line had he just ran out of bounds. This one is one is on him. Come on Derek Carr, you’re better than that… or are you?

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

NFL Week 15 Playoff Implications: Win or Out

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Playoff Race Heats Up

Well, it’s Week 15 and nearly every game carries playoff implications. In fact, every game aside from the one that already occurred (Denver at Indy) carries playoff implications. Some teams are fighting for the division title, while others desperately try to claw their way into wild card contention. Only two divisions have been clinched thus far as the two teams representing Pennsylvania have clinched their respective divisions. In the rather weak AFC, it seems as though almost every team still has a shot to get it. The Jags and Titans are still battling for the AFC South crown. The AFC West is as hectic as you will ever see. The Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders are all within a game of each other. With a lack of quality teams in the AFC, it appears nine wins will be enough to earn a playoff spot.

Over in the far more competitive NFC, nine wins ain’t going to cut it. I’m not even sure if 10 wins will be enough. The NFC currently contains ten teams with a winning record. Tight battles are still being fought for the NFC West crown as well as the NFC South. Football fans have the luxury of witnessing the Rams roll into Seattle this Sunday. LA will certainly be seeking revenge on their rival as they lost 16-10 at home vs Seattle in Week 5. Also, the three team race for the NFC South ensues as the Falcons, Saints and Panthers are all separated by just one game.

So, which teams face an absolute must win scenario if they wish to keep their playoff hopes alive?

Detroit Lions vs Chicago

The Lions continue to fly under the radar in the NFC. Detroit lurks in the shadows of the NFC bullies such as the Eagles, Saints, Rams and Vikings. However, the fact of the matter is that Detroit (7-6) still has a shot at making the playoffs. Their final lunge into the playoffs will start this week with a very winnable home game against the Bears. Their luck will continue into Week 16 as they will travel to Cincinnati to face a team that will only be playing for pride. Unfortunately, their luck will end there because healthy Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will roll into town, also fighting for a playoff spot. Lions fans: when Week 17 arrives, it’s best you wish for two things:

1. Aaron Rodgers is still a little rusty

2. Stafford will have one final fourth quarter game-winning drives left in the tank.

Green Bay Packers at Carolina

Very tough test here for the Pack. Luckily they have their superstar QB returning this week. Unfortunately, they have to travel to Carolina to face a team that has won five of its last six games. Carolina has been scoring in bunches over their past four games, averaging 33 points during that span. Hopefully for Packers fans, Rodgers will be fully healthy, any signs of rustiness could be the difference this week. Also, much unlike the aforementioned Detroit Lions, the Packers have a harsh schedule to close out the season. After Carolina will be Minnesota at home and then of course at Detroit. Green Bay will need Aaron Rodgers to be Aaron Rodgers if they want to participate in the playoffs this season.

Dallas Cowboys at Oakland

Both teams are featured in bold in the headline because they both MUST win this game to keep playoff hopes alive. It will be a tall task for either team to make the playoffs as they both have tough remaining schedules. Oakland of course starts with Dallas at home then travels to Philadelphia and then to LA to face the Chargers. The Eagles sans Wentz are certainly less intimidating but still a force to be reckoned with. The road tilt in LA will not be any easier as the Chargers are playing as well as almost anyone in the AFC. It will be tough, but if Oakland manages to win out, then they will have a great shot at getting into the playoffs.

It will not be any easier for the Cowboys. Starting with the match up of iconic franchises in Oakland. Dallas will attempt to get by one final time without their superstar running back. If they manage to win in Oakland and get Ezekiel Elliott back for the Seahawks and Eagles then they certainly have a chance. However, never mind Seattle and Philadelphia for now because it is “win or out” for Dallas as they will need 10 wins to make the playoffs.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo

Well it certainly seems as though the ‘Fins season was over long ago after suffering some embarrassing losses this year. However, their embarrassing losses seem to be cancelled out by impressive wins, most notably their Week 14 win. Miami pulled off what was potentially the upset of the year as they handed New England a 27-20 loss. It is quite remarkable that Miami ranks 27th in the NFL in point differential at -82 but they are still fighting for a playoff spot. It will be a very tough road for Miami as they are at Buffalo, at Kansas City and then back home against Buffalo to wrap up the season. Miami will need to win all three of their remaining games if they wish to be playing in mid-January. Unfortunately, KC and Buffalo are both fighting for a playoff spot as well so Miami will have to be at their very best.

*Follow me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

NFL Week 13 Key Match-Ups: Which AFC North Team Must Win to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 13 features one of the best rivalries in football. The Bengals and Steelers have had a few chippy match-ups over the past few years. The most memorable was their 2015 wildcard game. That game was all but over and it looked like Cincinnati was about to notch their first playoff win since 1991. Not so fast though. With the lead and the ball and under two minutes remaining after a Landry Jones interception, Cincy coughed it right back up thanks to a Jeremy Hill fumble. Then stupid penalties by Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones allowed Pittsburgh to move deep into Cincy territory and kick a game-winning 35-yard field goal. Yeah, we all remember that one.

Anyways, this game is an absolute must win for the Bengals. They are very quietly still in playoff contention after back to back wins to improve to 5-6. I think many people have forgotten about the Bengals due to their poor start, but they are the same team that has been rather consistent in recent history. Cincy has finished with at least ten wins four out of the last five seasons. If you take a look, their roster looks very similar to the team that went 12-4 just two years ago. They still have their core players on both sides of the ball such as Carlos Dunlap, Adam Jones, Vontaze Burfict, Andy Dalton and AJ Green as well as head coach Marvin Lewis. Their unlikely run at the playoffs will begin with a big win at home vs Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I think Cincy will play a decent game, but come up short: 23-20 Pittsburgh.

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons

You have to love this match up. Arguably the best defense in the league travels south to visit one of the league’s hottest offenses. Minnesota has allowed 19 points or less in eight of their eleven games this season. Atlanta’s offense is returning to 2016 form after a slow start, averaging about 32 points over their last three games. Something will have to give this week. Minnesota is likely in position to win the division, but a big road win in Atlanta would make it nearly impossible for Detroit to catch them. The stakes are much higher for Atlanta (7-4). The Falcons are a game back from New Orleans and Carolina, who play each other this week. If they do not pull off the win this week, winning the NFC South will become a very tall task. Not feeling overly confident in choosing a winner in this one but I think Matty Ice will do just enough to pull off a close win: 24-23 Atlanta.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

Intriguing game here, divisional foes with identical 8-3 records are facing off. Tied at the top of what has been the best division in football this year. New Orleans and Carolina already played once this year in a game that Drew Brees and company embarrassed Carolina at home, handing them a 34-13 beat down. That was back when Alvin Kamara had a much smaller role and was not running haywire on every defense in his way. I think New Orleans will come out on top and sweep the season series: 27-17 Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks

Absolute gem of a Sunday night game. Philly travels out west as they will try to snatch the NFC torch from Seattle. Seattle has reigned in the NFC over the past five years but it appears Wentzylvania has seen enough. Despite a plethora of injuries for Seattle this will still be a true test for the Eagles. If there is a team in the league that just will not quit, it is the Seahawks. Do not think a few key injuries are going to influence them to throw in the towel on the season. They will show up to play and try to prove to the rest of the league that the NFC is still ruled by the legion of boom, even if the legion of boom is currently in a body cast. Also, Seahawk pride aside, Seattle is right in the mix of the playoff race. They are currently in 7^th in the NFC but with the two teams currently one game ahead of Seattle facing one another this weekend, Seattle knows a win could situate them into one of those two spots and also allow them to stay within striking distance of the Rams. Unfortunately for Seattle, I think their banged-up secondary will not be strong enough to contain Wentz and company: 27-20 Eagles.

Follow me on Twitter: @MLBfromNH

An Unlikely Best of the AFC West Emerging?

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2016 AFC WEST ELITES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

In 2016 the AFC West was the best division in football. It featured Andy Reid’s Chiefs, a rejuvenated Raiders team, and the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos. The Chiefs are known for consistency, elite coaching, great defense, and taking care of the ball. Since Reid joined the team as head coach in 2013, the Chiefs have finished each season with at least nine wins. Entering this season, their record with Reid as head coach is was 43-21; nothing too shabby. In 2016 they finished 12-4 with a viable offense (7th in AFC) and a stellar defense (3rd in AFC). Kansas City also ranked second in net points at 78.

DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos have had one of the toughest defenses the league has seen over the past decade. Denver finished among the top three in the AFC in points allowed in 2015 and 2016. Denver’s defense struck fear in the eyes of opponents. It was nearly impossible to run or throw against this unit as it featured dominant defensive players in both the front seven and the secondary. The secondary is led by Aqib Talib, one of the leagues best corners as well as Chris Harris who is arguably the leagues best slot corner. The pass rush was an absolute nightmare for opposing QB’s and O lines as it seemed like Von Miller would be hitting the QB on every play. Denver has been a dreadful place to play for opposing QB’s over the past few years.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Oh man, the Raiders had a really tough stretch over the past 13 seasons prior to 2016. From 2003 to 2015, they failed to finish any season with a winning record or finish higher than third place in the AFC West. Their overall record during that span? 63-145. How many head coaches? Nine. Finally though in 2016 they emerged in a big way as they quickly became one of the best teams in all of football. Oakland finished 2016 with a record of 12-4 despite playing in the toughest division. They were led by young QB Derek Carr who finished fifth in MVP voting. Carr lead the Raiders offensive attack as they finished second in the AFC in points scored. This group was certainly poised for greatness in the 2017 season.

THE AFC WEST’S FORGOTTEN MEMBER: THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Over the last seven season, the Chargers have lived in the shadows of their AFC West rivals. The Chargers have just one lone playoff appearance since 2009. You have to go back to the LaDainian Tomlinson days to remember the last time the Chargers were a real force in the AFC. Football fans expected the same old thing in 2017, dominance by the Chiefs, Broncos, and now the Chargers’ old basement buddy, the Oakland Raiders. Those poor, gritty Chargers would play tough but once again fail to escape their inevitable fate of dwelling in the AFC West basement. However, the Chargers seem to have something else in mind this year and it seems that the other division members may, oddly enough, be on board with the plan.

HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED

Well, the start of the season was anything but pretty, as the Chargers lost their first four games upon moving to Los Angeles. However, they have quickly turned things around and won five of their last seven games. The Chargers have had one of the toughest schedules this year and in play a premiere division yet they still have won five games. Okay, five wins does not display overwhelming success but I want to break down their season one game at a time and prove that this team could be 8-3 at this point of the season had some luck had gone their way. I also want to demonstrate that this team is playoff caliber and could certainly make it in considering the wide open AFC West and AFC wild card races.

Week 1- Younghoe Koo misses 44-yard game tying field goal to force OT in Denver (blocked). 0-1

Week 2- Younghoe Koo misses 44-yard game-winning field goal vs Miami. 0-2

Week 3- Fair and square 24-10 loss vs Kansas City. 0-3

Week 4- 26-24 loss to leagues best team: Philadelphia. 0-4

Week 5- 27-22 win at NY Giants. 1-4

Week 6- 17-16 win at Oakland. 2-4

Week 7- Dominant 21-0 shutout win vs Denver. 3-4

Week 8- One possession loss AT New England. 3-5

Week 9- BYE

Week 10- Rookie Austin Ekeler fumbles with less than two minutes remaining in own territory while leading 17-14. Then Joey Bosa late hit on Bortles to move Jacksonville into field goal territory to tie the game. Jacksonville wins in OT 20-17. 3-6

Week 11- Dominant 54-24 win vs Buffalo. 4-6

Week 12- Dominant 28-6 win at Dallas. 5-6

Evident of some of their unfortunate losses this season, the Chargers could certainly have a much better record. If Koo had made both of his field goals in weeks one and two and Ekeler did not give up the costly fumble then this team could easily be 8-3 right now. Sure, every team has their “what if” scenarios but the Chargers have been extremely unfortunate. Anyways, back to my hypothetical 8-3 Chargers team: their losses would have been to the red-hot Chiefs, the leagues best team (Philadelphia) by two points and AT New England by one possession, quite impressive list of losses if there is such a thing. So, at 5-6 what has the Chargers in great position to make a playoff push? the downfall of their AFC West rivals.

THE REGRESSION OF THE AFC WEST

Well for starters, the Oakland Raiders, who were a favorite to win the division, have looked pretty mediocre for the majority of the season and are just 5-6. The Broncos have lost seven straight and are just 3-8 on the season. Their issue is the offense, which is ranked 26th in the league averaging just 17.9 points per game. The Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemien experiments have all failed, leaving Denver’s now ex-offensive coordinator Mike McCoy scratching his head about what to do about that mess. Lastly, the Kansas City Chiefs, perennially a quality team under Andy Reid. They began the season as the Superbowl favorite of many people as they started 5-0. Since then it has been an epic collapse as they have lost five of their last six contests. A collapse of this magnitude is very surprising to see from an Andy Reid-coached team.

Side note: I find it interesting that the Chiefs won in New England and against the Eagles yet, somehow managed to lose to the inferior Giants. Hey, that’s just football I suppose.

CHARGERS PLAYOFF RUN

Los Angeles has made some huge mistakes at the most inopportune moments this season and it has costed them multiple wins. However, at 5-6, they are still very much alive in the wild card and divisional playoff race. If they want to advance to the playoffs they need to forget the critical mistakes they have made and learn from them. They need to capitalize on fourth quarter leads and avoid costly penalties and turnovers. what remains on the schedule for the Chargers? Cleveland and Washington at home, a short road stint at Kansas City and NY Jets, and home against Oakland. If they win four of those five games then I like their chances of making the playoffs.

*Follow me on Twitter: @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Week 11 Winners and Losers

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As I was writing this article I realized that this week’s winners and losers are oddly similar to last week’s. Quite interesting if you ask me, it seems that many teams across the league are trending rapidly up or down. Down the stretch it will be interesting to see which struggling teams can turn it around and which contenders will turn into pretenders. Let’s get to it.

WEEK 11 WINNERS

ATLANTA FALCONS, 34-31 WIN AT SEATTLE

Don’t look now but it looks like Atlanta is turning into Hotlanta. With back-to-back impressive wins, the Falcons have found themselves back in the NFC playoff picture. Their win over Seattle moved them up to the sixth seed in the NFC. The key to Atlanta’s recent resurgence? Their relentless pass rush. Adrian Clayborn and Grady Jarrett were chasing Russell Wilson out of the pocket all night, not allowing him to get comfortable. Also, Matt Ryan was efficient as he completed over 70% of his passes for 195 yards and two TD’s. Well done Atlanta, welcome back to NFC-relevancy. five of Atlanta’s last six games are against division opponents, including four home games. Up next: a very winnable game at home vs Tampa Bay.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 34-31 OT WIN VS WASHINGTON

Beginning to wonder if anyone can beat this team. They just won their eighth straight game in a dramatic fourth quarter comeback lead by two perfect drives from Brees. It was vintage Drew, which is something we have not seen much this year because Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara and the defense have been so good. How perfect was Brees on the last two comeback drives? 11-11 for 164 yards, two TD’s and a two-point conversion. Yup, he can still carry the team when necessary. The Saints are the first team in the modern era to start a season 0-2 and then win eight straight. Also, can we start acknowledging that Alvin Kamara is the best rookie running back in the league? He had another 116 scrimmage yards and a TD on just 14 touches.

Side note: I really feel for the Redskins. They might be the most injured team in the league and have had an absolutely brutal schedule. So far the ‘Skins have faced the Eagles twice, the Rams, Saints, Vikings, 49ers, Raiders, Cowboys, Seahawks and Chiefs. Washington is one of the best 4-6 teams I have ever seen, along with this years Chargers.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 24-7 WIN VS LA RAMS

Dominant win versus the red-hot Rams. The Vikings are legit and another impressive win has them in my “Winners” column for consecutive weeks. Did anyone think Minnesota would be 8-2 considering their injuries to key players and relatively tough schedule? I sure didn’t. I feel like I owe these guys an apology for picking them to lose almost every week. They have proved me wrong week in and week out and it is time I accept the fact that this team is for real. Holding the NFL’s highest scoring offense to a measly seven points was very impressive. Equally impressive is their 11th ranked offense in terms of point per game, sans Bradford, Bridgewater and Dalvin Cook. Who would have thought that Case Keenum would carry this offense so well. Up next: At Lions then at Falcons, two more tough tests.

WEEK 11 LOSERS

BUFFALO BILLS, 54-24 LOSS AT LA CHARGERS

Oh man, just when it could not have gotten uglier, it did. Another blow out loss for Buffalo makes it three straight losses. They have lost their last two games by a total of 67 points *cringe*. I am going to be conservative here and throw 90% of the blame on Head Coach Sean McDermott. “Mr. McDermott, if you don’t mind me asking, what the hell are you doing?”. My brain short fuses every time I try to understand why he benched Tyrod Taylor for rookie Nathan Peterman. Sure, they had lost two games straight, so what? It happens. The correct way to respond to back to back losses is to practice hard, get back to the basics, study your opponent and show up to play. Not bench your starting QB, who was absolutely not the problem.

Tyrod is no Tom Brady but he has proven to be a viable starting QB. Also, this bonehead move sends a message to the players from the coach saying “Well we have lost two straight games, I think I am going to give up on my 5-4 team and start thinking about next year”. Let’s see how Nathan Peterman fared in his first NFL start, shall we? He completed 11 passes, unfortunately five of them were completed to the wrong team. Peterman’s stat line was: 6-14, 5 interceptions for 66 yards. Tyrod came in for the second half and went 15-25 for 158 yards, four carries for 38 yards and 2 total TD’s. Yeah, I wonder who the better QB is? Smooth move Mr. McDermott.

Luckily for Buffalo, the AFC wildcard race is wide open. The Bills have two very winnable games vs the Dolphins and a home game vs Indy remaining. If they can win those three as well as steal one of their two remaining games against the Pats or win in Kansas City then I like their chances of getting a wildcard spot.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 12-9 LOSS AT NY GIANTS

Uh oh, the team that seemed like it was on top of the NFL after five weeks has now lost four of its last five. That’s right, the Chiefs are now just 6-4 after starting 5-0. Their previous three losses were not so concerning considering they came against quality teams (Pittsburgh, Oakland and Dallas). However, this loss is very concerning considering that the Giants entered the contest with a record of 1-8. Also, the Chiefs’ offense that has been a powerhouse almost all season only managed nine points against a team that is allowing 24.7 points per game. That kind of effort is not going to cut it. Luckily for Kansas City, the entire AFC West is underachieving and they lead both the Raiders and Chargers by two games. Up next: A home game vs the ailing Bills.

DALLAS COWBOYS, 37-9 LOSS VS PHILADELPHIA

Congratulations Dallas, you have earned yourself a spot under in the losers column for the second consecutive week. Back-to-back blowout losses for the ‘Boys. Two weeks ago they lost 27-7 at Atlanta and then they got embarrassed in a prime time game at home against a division rival. Yes, I agree that they were out-matched and I did not expect them to win this one. However, I expected it to be close, but they could not even keep it a three possession game.

The main concern for Dallas is how bad their offense is without Zeke. Dak looks like a different player out there sans his best weapon. Dallas is averaging just eight points without their superstar RB and boy do they need him back. Unfortunately for the Cowboys there are a surplus of playoff-caliber teams in the NFC and at 5-5, it may be time for Dallas to start thinking about next year. Up next: LA Chargers in big D.

*Follow me on Twitter: @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

WEEK 11: KEY MATCH-UPS AND SCORE PREDICTIONS

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Week 11 features some tantalizing match-ups for football fans. Plenty are “Game of the Week” worthy, thus making my decision for the true highlight event quite difficult. Of all the high-profile match-ups, I have to say Rams at Vikings intrigues me the most. I feel as though many fans circled Philadelphia at Dallas due to the whole divisional-rival thing, but Los Angeles at Minnesota is the real attention grabber of week 11. Other notable match ups this week include Atlanta at Seattle, New England at Oakland in Mexico City, and Washington at New Orleans.

Let’s get to it.

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Stoked for this game. Who would have expected both of these teams to be 7-2? No one. Especially the Rams, who have been one of the worst teams in the league over the past decade-and-a-half or so. The last time they finished over .500 was 2003. Last year, they went 4-12 with a -170 point differential. What a turnaround it has been this year. Los Angeles leads the NFC West at 7-2 and own a league leading point differential at +134.

Then we have the Vikings, who certainly had higher expectations in 2017 than the Rams but I do not think many expected them to be where they are at. Sure, Rodgers going down for the season has given them a pretty clear lane to the division title but with the level they are playing at, they are deserving of it. Their defense is as anticipated but the surprise is the offensive production with Case Keenum under center. Sans Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook, the Vikings have proven that they are at the very least a playoff team. I expect this to be a very close game but I have to give the rollin’ Rams the slight edge here: 24-23.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS

This match up just has a pleasant ring to it. It seems like any NFC East match-up is always one that gets the fans excited. I love this game, but it has to fall second to the LA and Minnesota game solely because it will be lacking a guy named Ezekiel Elliott. You know, that guy who wears #21 for the Cowboys? Yeah him, he’s pretty good. Unfortunately he is serving a six game suspension so the ‘Boys will attempt to get the job done without him. Luckily, they are at home which helps but I do not think they can pull this one off against Philadelphia.

The Cowboys only hope is that Alfred Morris and Rod Smith can run it down the Eagles throat, which I just do not see happening. Philadelphia is ranked first in the league in rush yards allowed per game at 66.4. I expect it to be competitive but ultimately Dak and company will lack the fire power to keep up with Wentzylvania. Eagles 31 Cowboys 20.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

This will be a rematch of last years NFC Divisional playoff round. The Falcons took that one 36-20 at home vs Seattle. You bet Pete Carroll’s team will be seeking revenge. Both teams are missing an extremely valuable player. Devonta Freeman will (listed as doubtful) be out with a concussion and Richard Sherman is out for the year with a ruptured achilles. Tevin Coleman will play a key role for Atlanta. If Freeman does sit this one out, Coleman will be heavily relied on out of the backfield, with some help from Terron Ward.

Seattle will rely on quality play from corner backs’ Jeremy Lane and Shaquill Griffin to to fill the role of Richard Sherman. This could be a tough task for them as they will be going up against the big and fast Atlanta receivers, Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. The Falcons looked great last week, but one solid performance is not a enough to convince me they are back to last year’s form yet. I am going with Seattle in this one: 26-20.

SCORE PREDICTIONS:

Jacksonville 27, Cleveland 10

Tampa Bay 16, Miami 17

Baltimore 20, Green Bay 17

Detroit 23, Chicago 17

LA Rams 24, Minnesota 23

Arizona 20, Houston 13

Kansas City 27, NY Giants 16

Washington 20, New Orleans 31

Buffalo 17, LA Chargers 23

Cincinnati 16, Denver 20

New England 31, Oakland 23

Philadelphia 31, Dallas 20

Atlanta 20, Seattle 26

Week 10 Winners and Losers

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For a football nerd like me, it is easy to open with a generic statement like “Wow what an eventful week!”. Well, week 10 was truly deserving of the cliche. It featured 13 games (thus far), seven of which resulted in a one-possession game. Road teams experienced mild success this week, going 6-7 collectively. We saw an OT thriller, a game-winning field goal and a winless team notch its first W. Other headlines include the persistent dominance by the Saints and Rams while the Vikings and Titans keep finding ways to win and the Browns and Giants still suck.

We are a little over half way through the regular season and playoff races are starting to heat up. It feels as though we are beginning to grasp which teams are contenders and which teams are pretenders. Alright, let’s get to it. Presented below are the week 10 teams that shined bright and the teams feeling up tight.

WEEK 10 WINNERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 47-10 WIN AT BUFFALO

The sun keeps on rising and the Saints keep on winning. Their dominant week 10 win against a good Buffalo team further supports the notion that this team is legit. Make it seven straight for Sean Payton and company. There is something different about this team than we have seen in recent years. They actually look like a complete football team. It is no longer Drew Brees miraculously willing his team to victory by throwing for 400 yards and 4 TD’s over and over again. It is a much more balanced attack as the Saints backfield has established itself as one of the league’s best.

Mark Ingram has been phenomenal and rookie Alvin Kamara is playing so well that he should be in the conversation with Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette for offensive rookie of the year. This duo is an absolute two-headed monster. It reminds me of the 2016 version of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. On Sunday the Saints backs ran all over Buffalo. Ingram logged 21 carries for 131 yards and three TD’s while Kamara added none carries for 106 yards and a TD. Even Trey Edmunds had nne rushes for 48 yards and a score. Who? Exactly.

Also, something has to be said about the defense. The Saints defense has been atrocious recently but they have really turned it around this season. Since starting the season 0-2 and allowing 29 and then 36 points, they have held six of their last seven opponents to 17 points or less. They rank fifth in the league in points allowed per game this year at 18.3. Week 10 in Buffalo was a tough task and they made light work of it. They will face a real tough test in two weeks when they travel to Los Angeles to face the 7-2 Rams.

ATLANTA FALCONS, 27-7 WIN VS DALLAS

Statement made in week 10 by Atlanta. They proved that they can still play like the team they were last year. Atlanta dominated on both sides of the ball and in the trenches. The offensive line held up nicely as Ryan was only sacked once. The defense looked hungry and angry just like they did last year. Dan Quinn’s defense recorded eight sacks, including six from Adrian Clayborn. Prior to Sunday, only three other players in NFL history had recorded six sacks in a single game.

The only bummer about Sunday’s game was that star running back Devonta Freeman left the game with a concussion and is unlikely to play next week at Seattle. Luckily, they still have Tevin Coleman in the backfield, who has proven in the past he can handle a significant workload. Atlanta looks to build off of their impressive week 10 win when they fly out west to take on the 6-3 Seahawks.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 38-30 WIN AT WASHINGTON

Minnesota never really does anything flashy but they just know how to win football games. They are very quietly riding a five-game win streak and stand at 7-2 on the season. I think many worried about Dalvin Cook going down with a torn ACL. However, Minnesota has done just fine without him. The defense has dominated all year as they are fifth in the league in points allowed per game.

It seems as though a different offensive player comes to the rescue each week, whether it be Case Keenum, Jerrick McKinnon or Stefon Diggs. This week it was Adam Thielen who had eight catches for 166 yards and a TD. It sure seems like the Vikings have a stranglehold on the NFC North title this year as they lead both Detroit and Green Bay by two games. Next up a tough match up against another 7-2 division leader: vs the Los Angeles Rams.

WEEK 10 LOSERS

BUFFALO BILLS, 47-10 LOSS VS NEW ORLEANS

Buffalo looked great through its first seven games, but they are beginning to fall off. In week eight, the Bills welcomed Oakland to Buffalo in the rudest way possible by embarrassing them 34-14. At that point in the season, Buffalo looked real solid. Some were saying that they would be battling the Patriots for the division title all year long. It felt as though they had finally put it all together and were ready to play like the great team they had shown flashes of in the recent past.

However, back-to-back ugly losses have ensued since they walloped Oakland in week eight. In week nine they lost to the Jets 34-21, but that game was not as close as the score indicates. Buffalo scored two touchdowns in garbage time after trailing 34-7 with a little over four minutes to play. Then this week they got trounced by the Saints. Sure, the Saints are playing as well as anyone right now, but still. If Buffalo considers themselves a playoff team then they can not lose by 37 points at home. It is not panic time yet, but it certainly seems like they are in a rapid downward spiral. Next up for Buffalo is the one of the best 3-6 teams you will ever see: At Los Angeles Chargers.

DALLAS COWBOYS, 27-7 LOSS AT ATLANTA

Ugly loss for the Cowboys but I do not want to take anything away from Atlanta. They played exceptionally welll. Dallas had a few odds stacked against them in this one. They were on the road and without their best offensive weapon in Ezekiel Elliott. However, they simply have to be better than they were on Sunday. The offensive line, which typically dominates, looked awful. Prescott had no time to throw and was sacked eight times. The main reason why Dallas made the losers list this week is the incompetence of the offense without Zeke. Zeke faces a six-game suspension. If the Cowboys can not move the ball without him then they will quickly fall out of the playoff race.

The run game looked awful without Zeke. Alfred Morris had two quality runs on the day, one for 20 yards and another for 14 yards. However, the game was pretty much out of reach at the time of those two carries. Aside from those two plays he had nine carries for 19 yards — not good enough. Up next, Dallas hosts the 8-1 Eagles. They will need more out of Morris, Smith and McFadden against the league’s best rushing defense (66.4 yards allowed per game) if they want a shot to win this one. Good luck.

*Follow me on twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Fantasy Football Love/Hate: Week 8

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Here are the fantasy football players that I love and hate for this week. Reminder, these are not start/sit recommendations, but rather players I feel will exceed, or fall short of, expectations in week 8.

PLAYERS I LOVE IN WEEK 8

KIRK COUSINS, WASHINGTON REDSKINS QB

Kirk Cousins is a top 3 QB this week, he has been on fire as of late. Over his last four games, he has thrown 10 TD passes. He has thrown for over 300 yards in three of those four contests. I fully expect him to continue this trend against Dallas. The Cowboys enter this contest ranked 25th in opponent passer rating. This game is bound to be a shootout with both Dallas and Washington having high-powered offenses. The Cowboys and Redskins rank 7th and 11th respectively in points per game this year. Expect a lot of scoring, and a lot of big plays this week from both teams. Washington is a team that does not run the ball effectively, so they will be relying on Kirk to get the job done through the air against the struggling Dallas secondary.

KEENAN ALLEN, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS WR

Juicy match up here for the Chargers top wide out. He is coming off of a tough week where he was held to just 41 yards and three catches against Denver’s stingy defense. Despite last week’s blemish, Allen has been mostly consistent this year, notching at least five catches in five of his first six games this year. His numbers are not that great thus far which is mostly due to his lack of touchdowns (1). Allen is by far Phillip Rivers favorite weapon, he has targeted him 68 times this year, which ranks third in the NFL. This game should be a high scoring affair, and the Chargers will likely be throwing a lot trying to keep up with The Patriots offense. Although they have shown improvement recently, New England’s defense has allowed 323.1 receiving yards per game against opposing wide outs this year, which ranks last in the NFL.

LEGARRETTE BLOUNT, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES RB

I love this match up for Blount. First of all, San Francisco is an awful team. Their defense is ranked 30th in the league in opponent rushing yards per game. They surrendered 147 yards to Ezekiel Elliott last week. This game will likely be a blowout; the Eagles will be running the ball often to drain the clock. While the Eagles backfield remains crowded, Blount is still a fine fantasy option. He has at least 12 carries in every game he has played this season, including 14 carries in each of the past three games. Blount is the clear cut goal-line back for this team, and I expect they will be in that area multiple times in this contest. Assuming the Eagles blow this game open early, Blount will see a massive workload, and potentially receive his largest volume of work this season.

PLAYERS I HATE IN WEEK 8

FRANK GORE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS RB

It appears the Colts may be dividing up touches between Gore, and rookie Marlon Mack, evenly. Mack has looked solid all year in his limited role, but finally received equal work with Gore in week 7. Gore saw 11 fewer snaps than the rookie in week 7, and they both had nine touches. Mack also seemed to be favored in the passing game with 4 catches for 40 yards, while Gore had 0. If this trend continues, Frank Gore will lose some serious fantasy value. It is hard to imagine that Gore has a good game this week considering his dwindling role in the offense. It is a not a favorable match up as they go up against Cincinnati’s defense, which is allowing the 7th fewest point per game.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS QB

Big Ben would be a shaky start this week. He is on the road against Detroit, who has had two weeks to prepare for this game, and are they are coming off their bye. Everyone knows Big Ben seems to struggle on the road. This year he has just 5 pass TD and 4 turnovers in his 4 road games. After a solid showing last week at home vs the Bengals, some may think he is out of his 2017 slump, but I am not yet convinced. The offense, as of late, clearly belongs to super star running back Le’Veon Bell. Until Ben proves he can play better, I think the Steelers will continue to hand off the ball to Bell 30+ times a game.

JOE MIXON, CINCINNATI BENGALS RB

Potential breakout performance this week for the rookie running back. Mixon has lead the Bengals in carries in every game since week 2. He had three straight games of at least 15 carries, until earning just 7 last week. Despite only 7 carries last week, he still had as many as Bernard and Hill combined. He is the clear cut lead running back for Cincinnati. He has an enticing match up in week 8 against the atrocious Colts defense. Indi’s defense ranks 26th in the league in opponent rushing yards. I expect the Bengals to blowout Indi, and spend most of the second half draining the clock with run plays. Start Joe Mixon this week.

*Follow me on Twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

NFL Week 8: Key Match-ups, “Must Wins” and Score Predictions

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Week 8 has arrived, and that means we are just about half way through the NFL’s regular season. It should be quite an eventful weekend, despite six teams being on bye. Week 8 features nine games between teams with at least three wins each and three divisional match-ups. I’ve highlighted some of the match-ups to keep an eye on. I’ve also called out which teams face a “must-win” scenario and score predictions.

Week 8 Key Match-ups

Denver Broncos (3-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

Football fans have had this game circled on their schedule since the 2018 schedule was released. This match up features the top two teams in the stacked AFC West division. Both teams come off of back-to-back losses after strong starts to the season. For the Broncos it’s far uglier. They have choked in two winnable games vs the NYG and @ LAC. The offense looks terrible during this mini skid, notching just 10 total points in the past two contests. Denver’s defensive unit has not been its usual dominant self over the past two games, allowing 44 points during the span. It is not yet panic time for the Broncos, but they need to improve soon if they want to make the playoffs. The Chiefs have also dropped two straight, but they were both tough games. The first was a one-possession loss vs the 5-2 Steelers. The second, a tough loss in Oakland on the last play of the game versus a team that was desperate for a win (and played like it). The Chiefs do not have much to worry about at the moment, but a win could really help separate them from the rest of the division.

Dallas Cowboys (3-3) @ Washington Redskins (3-3)

Another enticing match up here between two divisional foes. Both teams sit at 3-3 and are tied for second in the division behind the high-flying Eagles. Dallas is coming off a huge 40-10 win in which they looked like a force to be reckoned with. Then again, it was against the win-less 49ers. Washington has played quite well this year despite just a 3-3 record. They have had an extremely tough schedule as their losses have come on the road against the Chiefs and twice against the 6-1 Eagles. They have won some quality games this year vs OAK and @ LAR. Expect a high-scoring affair as Dallas is currently ranked 7th in the league in points per game while the Redskins are 11th. Buckle up.

Houston Texans (3-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-2)

Interesting match up here. Houston rolls into Seattle off their bye week. The Texans will attempt to keep their third-ranked high-powered offense going against Seattle’s number one ranked defense. The Texans look a little bit like the Seahawks did a few years back. They feature an elite defense and an offense lead by a young, mobile quarterback. The difference is that Houston is on the rise while the Seahawks have been flying high for years now. This would be a statement win for Houston, though it will be tough without their superstar defensive end JJ Watt, out for the season.

Teams in “Must Win” mode

It may be a little early to start claiming games to fall under the “must win” category. However, it certainly feels as though a few teams can not afford a loss this week if they want to be in the playoff race or at least meet their pre-season expectations.

Baltimore Ravens (vs Miami)

The Ravens currently sit at 3-4. Luckily they are second in the division but at 5-2 Pittsburgh is beginning to pull away. Their 3-4 record is a result of poor performance by QB Joe Flacco and a defense not playing to its potential. The Ravens limp into a week 8 match up at home vs the Dolphins. Backup QB Matt Moore will be starting for Miami, replacing Jay Cutler. If Baltimore can not win at home versus a mediocre team that is starting their back up QB then they do not deserve to be in the playoff hunt.

Cincinnati Bengals (vs Indianapolis)

Luckily for Cinci, their “must-win” game is against a terrible Colts team. Cinci is just 2-4, but I believe they are better than their record shows. They have talent on both sides of the ball but have not executed well this year. Dalton needs to play better and they need to establish a run game. This game should be a “gimme” and the Bengals need it as they continue to fall out of the playoff race rapidly. With Pittsburgh at 5-2, it is unlikely that they will have a shot at the division title, but a wildcard spot is not out of the question yet.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs Carolina)

After just barely missing the playoffs and looking good for most of last season, the Bucs are just 2-4. It has certainly been a disappointing start to the season. Tampa really needs a win this week to stay competitive. It will be a tough game, but at home vs an inconsistent team that just lost to the Bears, it is a winnable game. The fact that it is a divisional game adds even more magnitude to this match up. The NFC South division is no joke as it feature the previous two NFC champions and a 4-2 Saints team. If the Bucs want to climb out of the NFC South basement, they will need a win this week against the Panthers.

Score Predictions

Miami – 16 Oakland – 24 LA Chargers – 23 Atlanta – 23 Carolina – 20 Dallas – 27 Denver – 13

Baltimore – 20 Buffalo – 23 New England – 34 NY Jets – 20 Tampa Bay – 27 Washington – 31 Kansas City – 27

Minnesota – 26 Indianapolis – 13 Chicago – 17 San Francisco – 14 Houston – 20 Pittsburgh – 24

Cleveland – 10 Cincinati – 24 New Orleans – 31 Philadelphia – 38 Seattle – 26 Detroit – 30