Tag Archives: NFL

Ranking The Super Bowl Banners

Leave a reply

It’s that time of year again.   It gets darker earlier, summer fades,, the leaves change, and football begins. This season is a bit different though, as the Patriots will drop their fifth Super Bowl banner Thursday night against Kansas City. Coach Belichick has moved on from Super Bowl LI, but In honor of the fifth Super Bowl Banner, let’s rank them.

5. Super Bowl XXXIX

Embed from Getty Images

My fifth-best Super Bowl is Super Bowl XXXIX. February 6, 2005 matched up the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl was held in Jacksonville that year and it didn’t disappoint. The players on that team included Troy Brown, Teddy Bruschi,and  Rodney Harrison, who got the game winning interception. Deion Branch earned MVP honors in that Super Bowl. He had 12 targets, and 11 receptions, for 133 yards. Tom Brady passed for 236 yards, and two touchdowns in the win, to record his third Super Bowl title, with a 24-21 win.

I chose this game in fifth place because they had just come off a Super Bowl win the previous year, and it seemed almost as if they were expected to beat the Eagles that Season. Following that Super Bowl, though, Coach Belichick lost his father, and Teddy Bruschi had a health scare. The Patriots wouldn’t win another Super Bowl for 10 years after the third.

4. Super Bowl XXXVIII

Embed from Getty Images

I rank Super Bowl XXXVIII s fourth best.  The Patriots played the Carolina Panthers in Houston and were favored. Brady looked for his second Super Bowl Victory after only being in the league for three years at that point. The Patriots won that game 32-29 on an Adam Vinatieri field goal to win it. Tom Brady was the MVP in that Super Bowl and passed for 354 yards, and three touchdowns.

The reason it’s my fourth best Super Bowl is because my third one just blows this one out completely. The Patriots Panthers Super Bowl was a good game and close, like every Super Bowl the Patriots play in.  You’ll see why number 3 is my third best Super Bowl.

3. Super Bowl XLIX

Embed from Getty Images

My third Super Bowl pick is Super Bowl XLIX.   You can call it the “Malcolm Butler Super Bowl.” Former Patriots coach Pete Carroll hoped for a Super Bowl win for his Seahawks. The Patriots had the Lombardi in their sights for their first Super Bowl win in 10 years. At this point in Brady’s career he was sliding a little. Garoppolo was drafted in the 2014 draft. The Patriots had two losses previously in the Super Bowl in 2011, and 2007. This one was important. Thank God for Pete Carroll’s insane coaching decision to throw at the one yard line instead of handing it off.   Malcolm Butler gets the INT to seal the 28-24 victory.

This game is number three because Brady was nails and made a statement that he was the best in the league. He passed for 328 yards and four touchdowns. They also hadn’t won in decade so they were overdue, big time.

2. Super Bowl LI

Embed from Getty Images

Why would this be number two? The greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.  Down 28-3 with 2:08 left in the third quarter. Tom Terrific once again puts the statement on the field that at 39 he is still the best quarterback in the league. Brady, as we all know, was suspended last season because of the so-called ‘deflategate’ and came out firing,  from October 9th- February 5th.

The Patriots finally had a miracle catch of their own with Julian Edelman, and James White’s game-winning touchdown sealed it. Brady passed for 466 yards and two touchdowns.

1. Super Bowl XXXVI

Embed from Getty Images

The Patriots-Rams Super Bowl was a special one. This is my number one Super Bowl for a lot of reasons.   Not only was it their first Super Bowl win but they came out as a team. They were the first team to do so. They were heavy underdogs, and it was a Red, White, and Blue season after 9/11. So everything the Patriots stood for made sense after they won this game, which makes this Super Bowl win the best. It was Tom Brady’s first ever Super Bowl after being drafted in the sixth round the year before.

Ty Law had an INT, David Patten caught a pass, and Adam Vinatieri sealed the deal,  and the Patriots won 20-17.

All these years later on Thursday we begin another chapter in New England Patriots history.  They unveil their fifth Super Bowl banner, and the “Blitz For Six” begins.   The past 17 years have been extraordinary.  Let’s hope the next 17 are even better.

Patriots vs Chiefs Preview

Leave a reply

Embed from Getty Images

We are hours away from the Opening Night in the NFL. The Patriots will reveal  their fifth Super Bowl Banner then it’s game time against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are 13-17 overall against the Chiefs, but this year is a little different. The Patriots are stacked even with Julian Edelman out for the year. Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, a healthy Rob Gronkowski,  and newly acquired Phillip Dorsett. Kansas City doesn’t really have a standout player other than Tyrek Hill, they’re wide receiver.

If you look at the Coaches Andy Reid, and Bill Belichick sorry NFL Network but I’m going with Belichick. Belichick is 201-71 since coming to New England in 2000. You’re on something if you think Andy Reid is a better coach. The quarterbacks no question I’m going with Tom Brady at 40 years old, it’s the new 25.

The running backs with White, Burkhead, Gillislee. Kansas City running backs are Kareem Hunt, and Charcandrick West. I’d take the Patriots running backs all day. The Patriots have won 9 of their last 10 season openers. There’s no way they lose this game.

I’m excited to see Stephon Gilmore, and Malcolm Butler on both sides as the corners. Malcolm singed his tender in the off season that kept him as a Patriot for this season. I’m interested at how the defensive line shakes up with the absence of Ealy who was really no big loss. You still have Flowers, Guy, and rookie Adam Butler who made the team. But the rest of the team is stacked.

I’m predicting Brady goes to Brandin Cooks for the first touchdown Thursday night. Hogan, and Amendola both have a good game and Gronkowski even catches a touchdown pass. Stephon Gilmore get’s an INT, and so does Malcolm Butler. The Patriots beat the Chiefs by a score of 31-17 and get their first win.

Continue reading →

Brady Is Immortal: The Madden Curse Falls on Brady’s Favorite Reciever

Leave a reply

When it came out back in May that Tom Brady would grace this year’s cover of Madden 18, the announcement met with a mix of support and outrage. The dreaded “Madden Curse.” Some, including Brady, say there’s no such thing as curses. Others said that he shouldn’t be on the cover. It will destroy his season. Who, can forget when Rob Gronkowski was the cover boy last year, then sidelined for the season.?

Now, Julian Edelman, Tom Brady’s best friend and most trusted receiver, done for the season with a torn ACL. You can argue about whether starters should be playing in a preseason game.  That’s not the point here. The point is that Tom Brady is immortal and turned the curse on Julian Edelman his favorite reciever and best friend.

Why do I say that? We’ll because look at how Edelman wants to be like Brady. Tom Brady has his “TB12” brand, and Edelman has his “JE11” brand. Last year Edelman was supporting Tom when Brady was on suspension saying he couldn’t wait for him to get back.

Let’s face it Brady is a 40 year old quarterback who wants to keep on playing, giving people tips that 40 is the new 25, with the fitness workout he’s on, and his meals. So back in May Brady shrugged at the “Madden Curse”  in May and pretty much said if he could go through an suspension fine, then he could make it though the season being on the cover of Madden. So if Brady is immortal to the so called “Madden Curse”  it literally went to Julian Edelman a Super Bowl hero, to a torn ACL out for season.

Who Will Win the 2017 NFL Awards?

Leave a reply

Curious about who will win the major awards in the NFL for the 2017 season? Trying to make your own predictions? This is always a fun little exercise for any sport you enjoy watching. Read below to find out my picks for the upcoming football season.  Compare them to your own picks, comment what you picked differently.

Most Valuable Player

Even without Julian Edelman, I have Tom Brady winning the MVP. The loss of his most trusted receiver will hurt. The Patriots third-down percentage might drop off some.  But I still see Brady throwing for 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns this season. He has a large array of weapons at his disposal, and his play hasn’t dropped off one bit. With Brandin Cooks added to the fold and a variety of running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield, defenses have their hands full.  With a 15-1 record and the above stats, Brady will be the easy choice for MVP at seasons end.

(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Offensive Player of the Year

Two years in a row and four of the last five this award has been given to the same player who won the MVP Award. It makes sense, if he’s the best player in football why wouldn’t he win the OPOY? Occasionally a guy puts up monster numbers on a team that was average so he isn’t considered the “most valuable.” If you took Tom Brady off the Patriots, they will lose a few more games.  But his 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns predicted would certainly be worthy of winning this award.

I want to go with someone different though, and that direction would be to Arizona. Running back David Johnson seems to be on a level of his own right now as a dual threat. After putting up 581 rush yards and 457 receiving yards in a part-time role as a rookie, Johnson took off last year. He scored 20 touchdowns and more than 2,100 total yard of offense. I think he will even add to his receiving totals from a year ago. By racking up catches and yardage the Cardinals will try to help him become the third back ever to reach both 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He might even catch 100 balls. The Cardinals want the ball in the hands of their best player. With Bruce Arians reportedly growing tired of his receiving corps, he’ll call on Johnson extensively as a receiver. 1,300 yards rushing, 1,050 yards receiving, 21 touchdowns.

David Johnson shoves cornerback David Amerson to the ground. August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

Defensive Player of the Year

Von Miller has not yet won this award. I’m picking him based on the fact it seems he should win at some point, so it must be his time. Denver again goes into a season with a good looking defense, but questions remain on the offensive side. They will need their defense to win games and stay in the playoff hunt, and that all starts with Von Miller. Miller has never played a full season in which he got fewer than 11 sacks. He set a new career high last year with 78 tackles. Look for Miller to again anchor the Denver defense, a huge reason why the Broncos win several games. I predict 15 sacks, which would be the second highest total of his career. With his relentless pressure on quarterbacks the voters will give him his due this season.

Von Miller celebrates after recording a sack. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Christian McCaffrey gets the nod due to his versatility. He can return kicks, run the ball effectively, and catch the ball with the best of them. His returning kicks makes him a cinch to lead all rookies in all-purpose yardage. He might lead them all in yards from scrimmage, too. Jonathan Stewart might get more carries, but McCaffrey will split out wide some while also catching the ball out of the backfield. He should act as a security blanket for Cam Newton this year. His ability to find space down low should help limit Newton’s need to take off running this year, something the Panthers want to reduce to keep Cam healthy. Stewart is also one of the more fragile backs in the league.  McCaffrey will probably be the main back for a few games. I’m putting him down for 60 receptions and 1,300 total yards.

Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Reuben Foster was a player I wanted on the Patriots.  A beast at linebacker, how could teams let him slip to the 31st pick? Foster is a hard hitting, tackle machine. Playing at Alabama, Foster played in the toughest conference and was a unanimous pick for first team All-American and All-SEC. Foster also won the Butkus Award for the nations best linebacker. He had 115 tackles last season, 13 of which netted the offensive team negative yards. He should be on the field a lot playing for a poor 49ers team. This will lead to more tackle opportunities.  Not only will the defense be on the field more, but the opposing team should run the ball a lot with a lead. I think Foster will end up in the top 10 for tackles in the NFL this season, and maybe threaten the top five. He could make a Luke Kuechly-type impact.

Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos at Levi Stadium on August 19, 2017.(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Comeback Player of the Year

Keenan Allen has barely played since November of 2015. Allen pulled in more than 70 receptions in each of his first two seasons. In 2015 he lacerated a kidney during the Chargers eighth game, done for the season. At that midway point, Allen already had 67 catches, putting him on pace for a whopping 134 for the season along with eight touchdowns. Last year his season almost ended before it began. In week one, he had already racked up six catches when he went down with a torn ACL in just the second quarter. This guy knows how to play, and he can pile up the catches. With Philip Rivers chucking the ball around, volume should not be an issue. Allen just needs to stay on the field. I don’t believe he will be quite what he was before the injuries, but then again that would be an easy 100 catch receiver if he were. 90 catches, 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns should net him this award after essentially missing a year and a half.

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) catches a touchdown over Baltimore Ravens secondary players Jimmy Smith (22) and Kendrick Lewis (23) during the second quarter on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/TNS)

Coach of the Year

The NFL doesn’t like giving this award to Bill Belichick. He hasn’t won the award since 2010, despite winning 12 or more games in each season since. He has had his run-ins with the league, but I think he’s also just too easy of a pick. Everyone knows he is great, they expect the Patriots to be great and want to pick someone else. Is a 15-1 record good enough to win it? I believe so. He hasn’t won the last six years, with a 15-1 record it will be hard to pass him over. I do like the Titans to step up this year and win 11 games and the AFC South, which makes Mike Mularkey a good candidate. However, that’s only a two-win improvement on last year, not enough to overtake a 15-win Bill Belichick for the award.

Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots pats The Vince Lombardi at the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

 

Should Starters Play in Preseason Games?

Leave a reply

Friday night in Detroit the New England Patriots faced off against the Lions, the third preseason game for the Patriots. The starters took the field in the first quarter and completely burned the Detroit defense. But the excitement of watching the points pile up ended abruptly in the worst possible way.

Julian Edelman.  Down on the field.  Not springing up and running into the huddle.  Out came the injury cart.  And down dropped the hearts, if not hopes, of Patriot Nation.  On the following day, the worst fears revealed on an MRI.  A torn ACL, ending the 2017 regular season for one of the Pats most reliable and revered players — Julian Edelman.

Unnecessary Roughness?

Should the starters even play in a game that doesn’t count?  In my opinion, no.  Why expose any starter to injury when it means nothing in the standings? Either cover those players in bubble wrap or have them play a series, maybe two, then get them out of there.

The loss of Julian on offense hurts.  No doubt about that.  While the Pats still have Cooks, Hogan, Amendola, Gronk, and Allen, Edelman is Brady’s go-to guy. Without that amazing catch in Super Bowl LI, who knows what would have happened.  Julian is something special.   He has earned his spot in the organization and his place as one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Julian started talking about his recovery right after the game, even though most feared the ACL diagnosis.  But If anyone knows how to make adjustments to put the team in the best position possible to win football games, it’s Bill Belichick.

 

Belichick has a conference call today at 4 and most likely won’t comment on his injury as he only talks about players on the field. Pats fans look at it this way, Gronk was out last year and they still won the Super Bowl. This year Edelman is out. They still will win the AFC East, and have their place in the AFC Championship game atleast. Most importantly will be playing in the Super Bowl once again. So don’t say the season is over because Edelman is out you still have Tom Brady, other targets on offense, and a pretty good defense.

 

Recap of the Patriots’ First Preseason Win in Detroit

Leave a reply

Tonight’s game was a bittersweet game for the Patriots as they earned their first victory of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. Players showed evident improvement this week as they continue to prepare for the regular season.

A fast-paced start from the Patriots’ starting offense was quickly brought to a halt, at the sound of a whistle for an injury timeout. Julian Edelman went down in the opening minutes of the first quarter with an apparent knee injury and was shortly carted off into the locker room.

Ian Rapoport and mutliple sources have reported after the game’s conclusion that Edelman has suffered a torn ACL, and will undergo an MRI in the days to come.

With Edelman’s season likely over prematurely, fellow wide receivers Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are expected to step up. Whoever takes over the role left vacant by Julian Edelman will likely run more complicated routes in the middle of the field, rather than simple fly routes like Brandin Cooks.

On a more optimistic note, on the other side of the field, the Patriots’ defensive starters showed marked improvement in this game compared to their last two matchups. Stephon Gilmore had a great performance early in the game, while only batting down a pass and recording a tackle he showed success in covering his assignment. The starting defense as a whole made key stops in order to shut out the Lions starters in the first quarter.

The backup defense appeared better this week, but the secondary squad allowed a comeback in the second half against the Lions starters. The influx of points let up by the backup squad was expected by Coach Belichick, but he saw it as a challenge for them.

Overall, the Patriots are showing the growth and development needed to live up to their high expectations this season.

New England Patriots v Detroit Lions : News Photo

 

Every AFC North’s Fantasy Football Sleeper of 2017

Leave a reply

The AFC North has some good talent year in and year out when it comes to fantasy football. Guys like Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, A.J. Green, etc. all play in the AFC North. We also have three talented quarterbacks in that division as well. Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Andy Dalton are all QB1/QB2 options when it comes to fantasy football. The AFC North remains competitive year in and year out, because they have some star talent in that division.  Take a look at the list that @thefrizz87 and I put together for the sleeper pick on each team in the AFC North.

Continue reading →

The Patriots quest for an undefeated season

Leave a reply

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?! These are the words that Patriots fans and football fans around the world long to hear every off-season leading up to week 1. The Patriots are coming off a super-bowl championship and a historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons and are looking to repeat with an even better roster coming into this season.

With some major additions to this team such as Cooks, Ealy, Burkhead, and Gilmore, and the return of Malcolm Butler and Dont’a Hightower, this season has the potential to be a very special one. Being a HUGE Patriots fan I am looking forward to seeing what this roster can do and believe it could be an undefeated type of team. The current team looks like it could do what the 2007 team couldn’t, and that is to win the one last game, the biggest game of the year, the SUPER BOWL!

 

New England Patriots v Houston Texans

HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up at NRG Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

 

Lets take a look at each game week by week and I will give my predictions and outlook for each game:

 

Week 1 – Chiefs @ Patriots

For a week one match-up to start the season this will be a good challenge to see what this Patriots team is about this season. The Chiefs always seem to play the Patriots tough whether it is on the road or at home and its largely in part to the coaching style of Andy Reid.

I personally think Alex Smith is no more than a system quarterback and is basically an average QB at best who does not throw a lot of touchdowns to his WR group. If the Patriots can shut down TE Travis Kelce then I think the defense and the offense will work together and make this game a one sided affair with the Pats secondary completely shutting the Chiefs down.

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Chiefs 13

 

Week 2 – Patriots @ Saints 

Week two features another exciting early season match-up that should test the Patriots on the road right away. With the addition of Adrian Peterson and a strong offense lead by Drew Brees and stud second year wide out Michael Thomas, the Saints offense should look to challenge the Patriots early on specifically trying to get the passing game opened up by a strong run game lead by AP.

Also in this match-up we see a return to New Orleans for ex-Saint wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Patriot fans get ready because Cooks can FLAT OUT BALL and is a burner down the side lines with a great set of hands and a HIGH FOOTBALL IQ. It will be fun all the way around to see how Cooks does in his first game back to NOLA. The Saints defense does not scare me one bit and I think Brady and the boys will look to mix the run game in but rely heavy on the passing game in this one.

Prediction: Patriots 24 / Saints 17

 

 

Week 3 – Texans @ Patriots 

Another good match-up here between a good Texans defense featuring big names like Cushing, Clowney, and Watt who will look to keep pressure on Brady all game and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. For me this game could be a BLOW OUT pending the offensive line play and the protection of TB12.

On the other side of the ball the Texans don’t do much to scare me other than making sure Hopkins and Lamar Miller are contained. I think this will be a one sided game in favor of the Pats especially playing in the House the Kraft built.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Texans 10

 

Week 4 – Panthers @ Patriots 

One of the more intriguing match-ups to me on the schedule is when Cam and the Panthers come in to town. Anytime Cam Newton takes the field something special can / will happen but unfortunately for Cam he does not have much help on offense outside of Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, and Kelvin Benjamin. On the defensive side of the ball you cant miss one of the best linebackers in the game in BC product, Luke Kuechly.

Again, this is another team where the defense shouldn’t change the Pats game-plan or worry them too much. Look for guys like Brady, Cooks, Edelman, and Gronkowski to have big games in this one. Also, look for Kony Ealy to have a good impact on the defensive side of the ball against his old team….. Pats win another one at home.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Panthers 17

 

Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Week 5 – Patriots @ Buccaneers 

This one should be a no-brainer for the Pats and all 3 phases of the ball should fire on all cylinders. The only thing that could worry me in this game is the Buc’s young offense featured by stud QB Jameis Winston, star WR Mike Evans, another good WR in Da’sean Jackson, and RB Doug Martin (who is sketchy to say the least).

The Pats offense should have its way in this both on the ground and in the air. I look for Tommy to come out and have a MONSTER game in the sunshine state and blow the Buc’s out of the water.

Prediction: Pats 31 / Buc’s 20

 

Week 6 Patriots @ Jets (LOL)

There is not much more I can say about this Jets team besides LOL. This is a team who has a starting QB that was kicked out of practice for not properly breaking the huddle. Quite frankly Julian Edelman could play QB this week and we would still win hands down. This prediction is a quick one.

Prediction: Pats 24 / Jets 3 

J-E-T-S / SUCK SUCK SUCK!

 

Eeek 7 – Falcons @ Patriots (The Re-match)

This is the game all football fans want to see, a re-match of the super-bowl. Yes, the same super-bowl  match up and saw the Falcons blow a 28-3 lead against TB12 and the Patriots with 2:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter. This game is going to be tough, dirty, hard fought, and gritty. Buckle up football fans, this is what is all about.

On the Falcons side not much has changed besides guys like Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, and Julio changes out for revenge and blood. The Falcons are stacked in all 3 phases of the game and make for one of the two most difficult match-ups the Patriots will have this season (the other being the Raiders).

With this game being a home game and a re-match of the Super Bowl, expect there to be fireworks coming from Tommy and the boys. I believe this will be a high scoring game that eventually turns away from the run and ends up in the air with bomb after bomb coming from both teams.

The match-up to watch is this game is going to be whichever corner covers Julio Jones. To me the best bet to cover him is the taller corner in Gilmore, but come on….is there really any stopping Julio Jones? As the late, great Stewart Scott use to say, “You cant stop him, you can only hope to contain him.”.

Prediction: Patriots 28 / Falcons 24

#NeverForget ….. LETS GOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

Week 8 – Chargers @ Patriots

The match-ups with the Chargers always seem to be fun due to the intensity level a guy like Philip Rivers can bring to a game. For me this game is an easy one to predict as the Patriots offense should beat up on a weaker defense lead by stud defensive end Joey Bosa.

The Chargers come with some good offensive fire power in the form of Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, Hunter Henry, and the ageless wonder Antonio Gates. If the Patriots can limit a good running back in Gordon in this game then I think the Patriots linebackers and secondary can handle the passing attack of the Chargers which will lead to the Patriots offense scoring a bunch against their defense especially in a home game.

Prediction: Patriots 35 / Chargers 17

 

Week 9 – BYE WEEK (PATRIOTS STILL SOMEHOW WIN LOL)

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Round One

 

Week 10 – Patriots @ Broncos 

Typically this is a BIG time match-up between two teams who CLEARLY dislike one another but with Peyton gone it just doesn’t have the same type of feel to it. Luckily for football fans there still is the threat that is the Broncos defense.

The Broncos have two good cornerbacks in Chris Harris, and Aqib Talib (formerly of the Patriots) and also have one of the dirtiest players in their secondary in T.J. Ward who can also flat out ball at his position. Besides the secondary there are a few other keys players that will be looking to plant Brady on his backside and those two guys are Von Miller and Brandon Marshall.

Personally for me if the Patriots O-Line can limit the attack on Brady and keep him upright then I think the Patriots can do damage in the running game which will open up the skies for TB12 to throw some bombs in this one. As far as the Bronco’s offense they have two good WR’s in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas but we also possess what could be the best secondary in the league which I don’t think will have any problem locking them down.

Lets also not forget the Broncos don’t have the best guy leading the charge in Trevor Siemian, or Paxton Lynch. Look for the Patriots to blitz and blitz a lot in this one. The run game will also need to step up as a former stud RB is in the backfield for the Broncos in the form of Jamaal Charles teaming with an always dangerous C.J. Anderson.

Prediction: Patriots 21 / Broncos 17

 

Week 11 – Patriots @ Raiders (IN MEXICO)

This game should be one of the more exciting games in the league all year long. Not only do we have a young, stacked, beast-mode lead Raiders team going against The Goat and his crew but there is always the treat of some cartel activity in Mexico!

All jokes aside this will be the toughest match-up for the Patriots besides the match-up against the Falcons. Not only are the Raiders young and lead by a great QB in Derek Carr but they have fire power on offense in Marshawn Lynch, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper. On the defensive side of the ball there is Khalil Mack (Best LB in football), Jealni Jenkins, Bruce Irvin, Reggie Nelson, and Sean Smith.

This game will be a back and forth slug-fest between 2 of the leagues better teams and ultimately I have the Pats winning the game and facing the Raiders in a re-match in the AFC Championship game. I believe the Pats offense and their experience will be too much for the Raiders to handle on a neutral field in this match-up.

Prediction: Pats 27 / Raiders 24

 

Week 12 – Dolphins @ Patriots

Oddly enough these two rivals dont play one another until the later weeks of the season with the second match-up coming only two weeks later in week 14. With Tannehill going down on a non-contact knee injury and the phins’ bringing in Jay Cutler, the Patriots game plan should really only be stopping Jay Ajayi and limiting Jarvins Landry on offense and special teams. Also, the O-line needs to protect Brady from any dirty plays lead by non other than, Ndamukong Suh.

Patriots should have no problem squishing the fish in either match-up…

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Dolphins 10

 

Week 13 – Patriots @ Bills

Another in-division rivalry that starts later in the season, the Bills always give the Patriots a little bit of a hard time. Tyrod Taylor has good days and bad days and this year I think both match-ups will be bad days for him seeing as how they got rid of his only weapon in Sammy Watkins, and also let Gilmore walk out the door and walk into Gillette Stadium. Another sleeper for the patriots who could emerge huge in this game is RB Mike Gillislee.

Look for Brady, Gronk, Cooks, Hogan, Edelman, Gillislee, Gilmore, Butler, McCourty, Hightower ALL TO EAT IN THIS GAME

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Bills 13

 

Week 14- Patriots @ Dolphins

Another repeat of the first match-up, this time in what figures to be nicer weather, the Patriots win this one but with a little more difficulty since it is in Miami which usually gives the Patriots some issues.

Prediction: Patriots 20 / Dolphins 14

 

Week 15 – Patriots @ Steelers 

In what use to be a fantastic match-up between Big Ben and Brady it looks like Big Ben’s better days are behind him. The Steelers are ALWAYS a threat due to their offensive fire power lead by Antonio Brown and Le’veon Bell. This year will be a little different as the Steelers figure to have the talented / big-bodied WR back in Martavis Bryant who can always be a match-up nightmare due to his size and speed.

The Patriots offense should take complete control in this game seeing as how the Steelers don’t have much of a pass rush or secondary to really keep them competitive with Brady and the boys. These games use to be close but for some reason I see that trend as a thing of the past. If the Patriots shut down Bell like they did in the AFC title game before his random injury, then I think the linebackers and secondary can shut down their TE’s and WR’s.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Steelers 17

 

Week 16 – Bills @ Patriots 

Again, the Bills just don’t have enough fire power or star power to compete with the patriots especially this late in the year during a playoff push and especially when its in Foxboro. Give credit to Bill’s Mafia for always making the tailgating fun to watch though….another blow out…

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Bills 14

 

Week 17 – Jets @ Patriots

LOL – ENOUGH SAID

Prediction: Patriots 28 / Jets 3

 

 

Post Season Predictions:

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP –

Raiders @ Patriots

Patriots 24 / Raiders 17

 

SUPER BOWL –

Packers @ Patriots

Patriots 34 / Packers 24

 

OUTCOME:

Patriots go UNDEFEATED and WIN their 6th Super Bowl and TB12 is named MVP….. LETS GOOOOOO!!!!!

 

 

 

5 players to watch in Patriots preseason game No. 2 vs. Texans.

Leave a reply

We have reached week two of the preseason. In last week’s preseason matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, there were a couple of rookies putting on a clinic. Both Austin Carr and Jacob Hollister made big plays, therefore making their case that they deserve a roster spot.

This week the Patriots are taking on the Houston Texans. Once again players on the bubble have a shot to prove their value. With Bill Belichick’s “Next Man Up” mentality there is always an opportunity on this team. It is also a safe bet that we’ll see more of the starters this week.

That being said, here are five players to watch closely in the Patriots second preseason game:

1.) RB Rex Burkhead

Last week Dion Lewis got a bulk of the carries. According to NESN’s Doug Kyed tomorrow nights workload should belong to Rex Burkhead, who is expected to make his Patriots debut.

Burkhead was brought in during the offseason for his versatility. Belichick loves players that can contribute in multiple ways. He is a key special teams contributor and has even split out wide.  Also with Gillislee still out, he has received a majority of running back reps on handoffs with the first-team offense. Look for him to make some plays against that Texans defense.

2.) DE Kony Ealy

Kony Ealy will look to bounce back after a disappointing preseason debut. Ealy did suffer a shoulder injury this week, but returned to the practice field and appears to be okay. With the recent head injuries to rookie defensive ends Deatrich Wise and a knee injury to Derek Rivers (who is now out for the season,) Ealy will receive more opportunities to see the field.

According to CSNNE’s Mike Giardi, Ealy is coming around.

Ealy is a former second-round pick and has all the talent in the world to succeed at this level. The time is now for Ealy and he’s expected to see plenty of snaps on Saturday night.

3.) CB Cyrus Jones

Cyrus Jones played about as bad as it gets in last weeks preseason opener. After getting burned for a 97-yard touchdown fans are ready to give up.

But allow me to remind you how bad Marcus Cannon once looked. Before he turned his career around he was thought to be a bust. Cannon has since then turned himself into one of the Patriots best offensive lineman. Cyrus Jones looks to take a page from Cannon’s book. He’s still a very young player in only his second season. Jones has to bounce back. This is a very important game for Jones and his tenure with the Patriots with so many people calling for Belichick to cut the young cornerback. It’s becoming must watch because he’s either going to muff a punt, give up a huge play, or finally bust open a big return.

4.) QB Jimmy Garoppolo

So looking at Garoppolo’s stat line, you’d say he played pretty well last week. He finished 22-of-28 for 235 yards, with two touchdowns, and no interceptions. However in the words of Bill Belichick, “stats are for losers.”

Some people, such as WEEI’s Ryan Hannable got a little giddy.

But was he really that impressive? Garoppolo started out slow and struggled against the Jaguars starters on defense. It wasn’t until after the first quarter and well into the game that Garoppolo finally got into a groove. Garoppolo missed multiple routine throws. It also shouldn’t go unnoticed that he didn’t play well until he was throwing against Jacksonville’s second and third-string secondary.

Here’s a prime example:

We’ll see if Belichick decides to give Tom Brady the start. If I was a betting man, my money would be on Brady sitting out this game because of the injury risk against that tough Texans defense. However, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the plan all week has been for all of the starters to play.

As for Garoppolo, look for him to build off last weeks performance. He has certainly shown flashes, but he needs to show some consistency.

 

5.) LB David Harris

Harris may very well be the Brandin Cooks acquisition of the defense. With all of these injuries piling up, Harris is a compelling piece to the Patriots defense. He gives them a solid linebacker behind Hightower with experience and toughness.  The only question now is whether or not Harris can still move. He was a tackling machine his entire career, but is he savvy enough not to get burned in coverage? I’m looking for the Patriots to give him plenty of snaps in these next couple of games to see if he’s picking up their system.