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McAuliffe 2.0: Full First Round Mock Draft (With Trades)

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32 (Patriots)
A.J. Brown
WR
Mississippi

Patriots have really made it no secret that they are searching for a top of the line receiver. AJ Brown has made it no secret he wants to be a Patriot. AJ could be this year’s most complete receiver, and he would provide an interesting and exciting twist to the slot position. A bigger slot receiver makes a lot of sense after Belichick recently eluded to bigger receivers becoming more valuable in this league. Cornerbacks are starting to get smaller. Playing AJ Brown in the slot position would create some mismatches in man coverage. A receiving group of AJ Brown, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Philip Dorsett and Demaryius Thomas would be a very solid one.

31 (Cowboys) *Originally LAR
Johnathan Abram
S
Mississippi State

Trade details: Cowboys trade 58th, 165th and next year’s second round pick for Rams 31st

Rams want draft picks. They don’t have many. Cowboys do not have a first round pick and although rumors are not swirling that they want to trade up, it makes sense. Jerry Jones loves first round draft picks. In fact, tell me what sounds more Jerry Jones than making a huge splash by trading into the first round, to grab a player that could be the best at his position, in which the Cowboys have a need for. Abram would immediately start for the Cowboys, serving as a linebacker at the safety position. Abram’s coverage skills may have it’s questions but he can hit hard, make tackles real well, and use his ball skills to get Dak Prescott and the offense on the field as much as possible. Abram to Dallas makes perfect sense.

30 (Packers)

Noah Fant
TE
Iowa

Packers miss out on T.J Hockenson but they still land Noah Fant. This news will make Aaron Rodgers happy. Fant is probably the best receiver out of the trio of Hockenson, Smith, and himself. Fant could learn a few things from Jimmy Graham and pair up with him to make Rodger’s life a whole lot easier. If the Packers pick Fant, Rodger’s fantasy value gets a huge boost.

29 (Chiefs)

Amani Oruwariye
CB
Penn State

Amani Oruwariye. This guy will be hated by three groups of people. He will be hated by quarterbacks for his ability, offensive coordinators for the same reason, and commentators for being forced to pronounce that name of his. Chiefs will love him though. Chiefs need corners. Patriot fans know how bad the Chiefs secondary was last year. Amani Oruwariye will help change that. Amani has no problem helping in run support and can cover some of the bigger receivers in the NFL. Look for him to cover Josh Gordon or Demayrius Thomas in the AFC Championship.

28 (Patriots) *Originally LAC

T.J. Hockenson
TE
Iowa

Trade details: Patriots trade 56th, 73rd and next year’s 3rd round pick to Chargers for 28th

SPLASH! Hockenson will fall farther than most people think. Primarily due to the Packers decision to wait, he slides all the way to #28 where the Patriots leapfrog the Packers second pick to get him. Hockenson is a unique talent that does not come around to often at the tight end position. Forget Irv Smith, forget Noah Fant, forget everyone else. Do this thing right, go get the tight end of the future Bill! Go ahead and call me crazy, Hockenson will be a surprise faller in the draft, much like Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds last year.

27 (Raiders)

Joshua Jacobs
RB
Alabama

This remodeled Raiders team still misses a three-down runningback. This extremely weak runningback class might have just one great back in it. Joshua Jacobs might not be available come the Raiders second round pick. It might be safer to grab the guy now and sure up that backfield.

26 (Colts)

Christian Wilkins
IDL
Clemson

By disregarding the tight end position, Christian Wilkins is the best remaining player on the board. Wilkins can be the leader of this defensive line and defense all together. One year removed from landing both Quentin Nelson and Darius Leonard, these drafts would be considered back to back bangs for the Colts by now picking Christian Wilkins. Wilkins, a Massachusetts native would provide not just leadership but also versatility and a very high motor.

25 (Eagles)

Nasir Adderley
S
Delaware

Nasir or Abram could both easily go here. Adderley might be a better fit in the City of Love. Nasir gets knocked for playing in a small-school program. Small-school programs are not a problem in Philly. Just ask their part-time quarterback Carson Wentz. Jim Schwartz likes his defensive backs with cornerback experience, which Adderley has a lot. In fact, Philly makes the most sense for this talented, small-school prospect.

24 (Raiders)

DeAndre Baker
CB
Georgia

Raiders fill another position of need here, taking DeAndre Baker. A very solid player with a starting grade on him. Baker will fit in well and be an anchor at one of the corner spots in Oakland.

23 (Texans)

Andre Dillard
OT
Washington State

Texans have no compliments about this pick here. Some scouts like Dillard better than they like Ford or Williams, primarily because he will be a pure tackle in the NFL. Texans need to protect DeShaun Watson badly. Dillard can be plugged right in to the starting lineup and alleviate some of the issues with this offensive line.

22 (Ravens)

Marquise Brown
WR
Oklahoma

When making this pick, the Ravens have to be conscious of Lamar Jackson’s less than mediocre throwing ability. None the less, Marquise Brown has the potential to be a Pro Bowl receiver. He frequently draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson. A better comp might be someone who just left Baltimore, John Brown. Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin (too many Browns here), will thrive in a role much like John Brown’s was. Pencil in Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin, to fill the absence of John Brown and make teams like the Browns have headaches.

21 (Browns) *Originally SEA

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
S
Florida

Trade details: Browns trade 49th, 119th and next year’s second round pick to Seattle for 21st and next year’s sixth round pick

Browns are rumored to be actively looking to trade back into the first round. The Seahawks are looking to trade down. Browns have both needs at cornerback and safety. Gardner-Johnson can play both. While he will probably play safety at the next level, the flexibility really helps his case to go to Cleveland. Gardner-Johnson will bode well in Cleveland’s secondary that has been famished for good safeties.

20 (Steelers)

Devin Bush Jr.
LB
Michigan

NO BRAINER. The Steelers and Devin Bush have been linked to each other ever since this whole evaluation process started. Devin Bush at 20 would be a steal for anyone but for a team so desperate for linebackers like the Steelers, it would be an act of god. The tackle machine would bring a big boost to a team that has been crippled by the unfortunate long term injury of Ryan Shazier.

19 (Titans)

D.K. Metcalf
WR
Mississippi

Oh boy! How can someone pass up a talent like DK Metcalf at 19? Even more, think of how happy Marcus Mariota would be to have Metcalf and Corey Davis paired together. For those who don’t know DK Metcalf, he is 6’3, 230 pounds. He has 34 7/8” arms and 9 7/8” hands. He ran a 4.33
40 yard dash, had 27 reps of 225 pounds, and had a 40.5″ vertical leap. He is an absolute freakish human who could probably even play tight end. He may not be the most complete, true receiver, but he will make good as the Titans’ number two receiver and make Marcus Mariota very happy.


18 (Vikings)

Garrett Bradbury
IOL
NC State

This pick makes a lot of sense. Bradbury stands as the clear top inside lineman prospect. He can play both center and guard in the NFL. With Pat Elflein struggling at center last year, all signs would point to shifting him to guard and moving Bradbury inside. This would bode well for Dalvin Cook and the Vikings zone run scheme. The Bradbury pick would give the Vikings a lot of options and flexibility on that terrible offensive line.

17 (Giants)

Dwayne Haskins
QB
Ohio State

Dwayne Haskins makes a lot of sense here at 17. He may not be the most talented in the group but he will hold down the fort in New York. The best comparison around for Haskins has to be Drew Bledsoe. In the right offense, Haskins will thrive and serve as a fabulous game-manager. The Giants’ offense would run through Saqoun Barkley. Haskins would manage the passing game with success and compliment Saqoun nicely.


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16 (Panthers)

Cody Ford
OT
Oklahoma

So, it is true that the Jets could have picked Cody Ford, but the need at corner and the talent of Byron Murphy is a lot to pass up. Instead, the Panthers have an absolute no brainer pick here and take Cody Ford. Panthers desperately need some help on that line. Cam Newton and Christian McCaffery need some help here. Newton needs time to wait for Chris Hogan to get open. Cody Ford will be the guy in Carolina. Ford like Williams might slip inside to guard in the NFL but as of late, that theory has kind of been squashed. Pencil in Ford as a starting tackle for the Carolina Panthers.

15 (Jets) *Originally WAS

Byron Murphy
CB
Washington

So after trading down, the Jets hoped to draft an edge rusher or offensive tackle. The prospects that they would have hoped to land at this spot are gone however there is no reason to cry about it. Byron Murphy has a lot of scouts really excited. Put Byron Murphy in the same secondary as Jamal Adams and Tramaine Johnson, a hard defense to throw against there.

14 (Falcons)

Jerry Tillery
IDL
Notre Dame

Another more surprising pick, Jerry Tillery to Atlanta. The frequently underrated defensive line prospect out of Notre Dame continues to be overlooked in this draft process. A combo of Jerry Tillery and Grady Garrett will make opposing offensive coordinators wish their mother never had them. It will be the “Nightmare on Peachtree Street”. Clogging inside holes, stopping the run, and getting to the quarterback. Missing out on Ed Oliver will quickly become not so big of a deal for Atlanta.

13 (Dolphins)

Jonah Williams
OT
Alabama

The Dolphins have needs all over the offensive line. For a team headed for a rebuilding year, the smart move would be to build up the line and draft a quarterback next year. That class will be a whole lot stronger and the Dolphins draft choice will probably be a whole lot closer to number one. Pick Jonah Williams. This guy will be an absolute stud at the next level. His future will probably be at guard with his footwork and arms indicating so. However, don’t rule out Williams playing tackle. He played tackle in college and played really well. The Dolphins and Williams are perfect for each other because of the flexibility he possesses.

12 (Packers)

Clelin Ferrell
EDGE
Clemson

Well, this would raise a lot of eyebrows. There are always eyebrow-raisers in the draft. First round last year, Rashaad Penny, Baker Mayfield first overall, the Saints trading for Marcus Davenport, Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds falling. Point being, the draft is an unpredictable animal. A lot of people think the Packers will go tight end here. Well, they have two first round picks and literally no defensive ends. Defensive ends are now limited and the last remaining one with no big question marks is Clelin Ferrell. They will be able to pick from at least two of the top three tight ends in this draft at #30. They will have much less selection if they wait on pass rusher. The Packers are clamping down on defense this year, focusing on improving that side of the ball. Clelin Ferrell will be the pick here at #12.

11 (Bengals)

Jawaan Taylor
OT
Florida

Jawaan Taylor just met with the Bengals yesterday. This pick would make a lot of sense. Some of the players who the Bengals could have picked are off the board. This guy here might just be the best tackle in the draft. Bengals have a huge hole at the tackle spot, waiting to be filled. Taylor would at least help the running game. Not quite sure Andy Dalton can possibly be helped at this point. Andy Dalton needs a lot more than help to succeed. Expect Bengals to at least look at quarterback in round two.

10 (Broncos)

Ed Oliver
IDL
Houston

Half of this pick would be because of Ed Oliver and the other half would be that the Broncos do not appear sold on this quarterback class. This QB class truly is a bad one. The Broncos have Joe Flacco, who can still preform to an okay level. They wait a year, take a player at a position they have a need for, and put Ed Oliver on a line with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Very, very dangerous alignment there.

9 (Bills)

Montez Sweat
EDGE
Mississippi State

Bills draft an edge defender for the same reason the 49ers do. How do you attack quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Tom Brady, and … Ryan Fitzpatrick (eew gross)? You rush the passer. Montez Sweat can do that real quickly. Sweat set a record in Indianapolis for the fastest defense lineman in combine history. Running a 4.41 at 6’6, 260 pounds is insane. Sweat reminds many of Dee Ford. He would wreak havoc on the AFC East.

8 (Lions)

Greedy Williams
CB
LSU

A lot of people think the Lions will go tight end here. Cornerback makes the most sense. A combo of Darius Slay and Greedy Williams will be a hard one to throw against. Going tight end would not be smart for a team that for some reason appears to be shaping up for a championship instead of rebuilding. After spending big money on Jesse James, drafting a tight end would put their tight end spending near the top of the league. If they want any shot at a championship, draft a corner to help defend against a pass-happy league.

7 (Jaguars)

Brian Burns
EDGE
Florida State

Just like the Giants, former Giants coach and current GM of the Jaguars, Tom Coughlin values pass-rushers as well. Brian Burns will be a special talent at the next level. The speed, smarts, and effort are top notch. Burns is a dominant pass-rusher and tremendous athlete. The only drawback, his weight. A few fast food trips will help.

6 (Giants)

Rashan Gary
EDGE
Michigan

Gary undoubtedly presents some risk at six for the Giants, however, the talent might be too much to pass up. Gary is a talented, elite athlete and plays a position that the Giants have always valued. This move makes sense for New York.

5 (Buccaneers)

Devin White
LB
LSU

Undoubtedly the best linebacker in this draft provides the most value here at five for the Buccaneers. With Kwon Alexander leaving for San Fran and Kendell Beckwith’s health concerns, it makes sense to draft a linebacker. Not to mention, LaVonte David will be 30 years old soon and could use a very capable, young blood that can be his tackle machine buddy while his career does nothing but wind down. Plus, once White and Bush are gone in round one, the position sees a steep drop off. Better to address that issue now.

4 (Raiders)

Josh Allen
EDGE
Kentucky

This guy aspires to be Khalil Mack. The Raiders did not pay Khalil Mack top dollar. This guy would not need top dollar money until roughly his fourth year in the league. Raiders take a poor man’s Khalil Mack, or a Mack lite, and find a long-term solution to such a big problem last year. Maybe this guy can become a monster and they can trade him away too.

3 (Redskins) *Originally NYJ

Kyler Murray
QB
Oklahoma

Trade details: Jets trade 3rd overall, 68th overall, 196th overall, 217th overall and next year’s sixth round pick to Washington for 15th overall, 46th overall, 227th overall and next year’s first round pick.

Rumor on the block is that the Jets want desperately to trade back. Redskins desperately need a quarterback and to make a splash. Redskins give up a lot of capital to make this move, but get the guy who could be the best quarterback in the draft. A move like this would be eerily similar to the trade up to get Robert Griffin III a few years back, but would most likely be more successful. The Redskins could do some of the same things they did with RG3 with Kyler. A quarterback of Kyler’s ability would work out a lot better in this system than RG3 did.

2 (49ers)

Nick Bosa
EDGE
Ohio State

How do you shutdown quarterbacks like Jared Goff? Josh Rosen? And how do you disrupt Russell Wilson’s rhythm? You rush the passer. How better to attack your division rivals than add Dee Ford and Nick Bosa to your team? Those three teams also have spectacular run games. 49ers bulk up their defensive line to assemble one of the more deadly pass-rushing cores in the league.

1 (Cardinals)

Quinnen Williams
IDL
Alabama

So, a lot of thought went into this pick. Here is what it boils down to, Cardinals have a quarterback, his name is Josh Rosen. Cardinals pass on their absurd idea to put him up on the auction block for chump change and decide to build a stronger defense. Quinnen is a prospect teams cannot afford to pass up. Cardinals take a position they need to improve on and insert the best player in this draft class into that spot.

5

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLVII

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The Super Bowl is just 5 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 5 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!

New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013. The game pitted the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers against the Baltimore Ravens of the American Football Conference.

San Francisco 49ers 5 Years Ago

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From 1981 to 1998, there was no more decorated franchise in the NFL than the San Francisco 49ers. But, they fell on hard times as they entered the 21st century. They bounced back in a big way with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh’s 49ers played tough, physical defense and ball control offense. On offense, Frank Gore out of the University of Miami was the masterpiece.

In 2011, the 49ers great defense helped them get to overtime in the NFC championship game. They were stunned in that game due to a special-teams miscue. The 2012 team got off to another good start, but Harbaugh made a surprising move prior to a week 11 game against Chicago. He switched from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick at starting quarterback.

Colin Kaepernick

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Kaepernick was mesmerizing to watch. He threw the ball with ferocious velocity and ran like a gazelle in the open field. In his fifth career start, he won at New England 41-34. In his eighth career start and first playoff game, he embarrassed the proud Green Bay Packers 45-31. He passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 181 yards and 2 more touchdowns including a 56-yarder where he dashed untouched.

In the NFC championship game, the 49ers offense faced its toughest challenge as they fell behind at Atlanta 17-0 early. Matt Ryan torched the Niners defense to the tune of 400 passing yards. Yet, San Francisco kept their poise and stayed in striking distance. Ted Ginn set up the Niners go-ahead score with a 20-yard punt return. Five runs and one pass later, Gore hit the end zone for a 28-24 lead. Atlanta’s final meaningful possession lasted seven minutes but yielded 0 points as Ryan’s fourth down pass from the 10-yard line fell incomplete. The 49ers were back in the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years!

Baltimore Ravens 5 Years Ago

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Like the 49ers, the Ravens lost a heartbreaker in the AFC championship one season earlier. Unlike the 49ers, Baltimore played their stronger ball early in the 2012 season. Led by Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and several capable receivers, the Ravens started 9-2 including a miraculous win at San Diego. In that game, Rice converted a 4th and 29!

The Ravens followed that up with a three-game losing streak and dropped to the fourth seed in the AFC. Their defense was affected with an injury to veteran Ray Lewis. Baltimore finished an unremarkable 17th in team defense and stumbled into the playoffs to play the up-and-coming Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts Rookie Pro Bowler Andrew Luck was throttled, however, by the proud Ravens “D.” Lewis had announced his retirement, so this was his last home game and it was an emotional one. The Ravens buried the Colts 24-9. Veteran Ed Reed, arguably the best safety ever to do it likewise had a big game helping Baltimore to advance.

Road Warriors

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Their Divisional round matchup served as this team’s turning point. They were heavy underdogs to Peyton Manning and the Broncos. In his first season with Denver, Manning was not human with his production. But, on this frigid night, the Ravens kept at him despite his hot start. Late in the fourth quarter of his scintillating game, the Ravens faced a third down from their own 30. Flacco launched a ball deep downfield where somehow Jacoby Jones was behind the defense. He scored to tie the game at 35 and send it to overtime. Corey Graham picked off Manning late in the first overtime setting up Baltimore’s game-winning drive in a staggering upset.

In the AFC championship game, the Ravens showed their mettle by frustrating the Patriots time and again in New England. The Patriots were able to take a 13-7 halftime lead, but it could have been more were it not for Baltimore’s excellent red zone defense on this night. Unbelievably, the Patriots did not score in the second half. On offense, Flacco carved up New England with veteran Anquan Boldin scoring twice in the fourth. Baltimore’s 28-13 win sent them off to their second Super Bowl. It was John Harbaugh against Jim Harbaugh in Super Bowl XLVII.

The Lights Go Off

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The Ravens continued their hot streak by jumping all over the 49ers. They got off to a solid 14-3 start thanks to a quick strike offense and opportunistic defense. The roof really caved in for San Francisco during a two-minute stretch at the end of the first half and beginning of the second. Jones came back to receive an underthrown bomb and returned the second half’s opening kickoff. The 28-6 appeared to be turn the lights off on the 49ers season.

But, strange things happen in football. Perhaps the strangest incident in Super Bowl history came next as the lights literally were turned off in the Superdome. When the lights came back on, so did the 49ers momentum. They scored 17 points over seven minutes of game time to cut the lead to 28-23 entering the fourth quarter.

The Ravens Hold On

Then, Kaepernick pulled off one of those absurdly easy quarterback sweeps to cut the lead to 31-29. With the score 34-29, the Niners embarked on one last exciting drive into Baltimore’s territory. Kaepernick and Gore took turns making big plays to get San Francisco to the Ravens’ seven-yard line with just one-minute remaining. However, they never reached the promise land. Three consecutive tosses all intended for Michael Crabtree fell incomplete. The Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII thanks to this surprising goal-line stand.

The Ravens have not gotten back to the Promised Land. The 49ers, on the other hand, came back to have a very strong 2013 season but were denied by their archrival Seattle in the NFC championship game.

Kaepernick is now out of football, but for a few seasons, there was no more exciting player in the game. Flacco is still the Ravens’ QB. Will he ever get back to the Super Bowl? We’ll see.

Tomorrow, we will meet the Seahawks amazing “Legion of Boom” defense.

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

17

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXV

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The Super Bowl is just 17 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 17 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! 

Tampa Bay hosted Super Bowl XXXI on January 28, 2001. The game pitted the NFC champion New York Giants against the Baltimore Ravens of the American Football Conference.

Baltimore Ravens 17 Years Ago

The Ravens’ franchise came into existence in 1996. In their first ever draft, they had two first round choices. They selected UCLA OT Jonathan Odgen with the fourth pick and Miami linebacker Ray Lewis with the 26th pick. Thus, Baltimore started off with a bang. Four years later, Odgen anchored the offense while Lewis led the defense. And, what a defense!

The 2000 Ravens coached by Brian Billick put together one of the greatest defensive seasons in NFL history. They are right up there with the ’75 Steelers, ’85 Bears and ’13 Seahawks when it comes to the finest units to win a Super Bowl. Marvin Lewis was the DC for the 12-4 Ravens. Ray Lewis was their best player. Indeed, Lewis may go down in history as the best inside linebacker to ever play this game. But, Baltimore employed solid guys throughout their lineup. 

Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams and their total combined weight of 700 pounds made running near impossible and allowed Lewis the freedom to roam sideline to sideline. Veteran Rod Woodson also had a Pro Bowl season at free safety. Young corners Chris McAlister and Duane Starks played with aggression and confidence. The defense was stacked; and it was a good thing because the offense was mediocre at best.

Offensive Woes

After a 5-1 start, the Ravens went three consecutive games without scoring a touchdown. Consequently, Trent Dilfer replaced the ineffective Tony Banks at starting QB. Dilfer was nothing special, but he did generate enough points to ensure the Ravens would not lose again for the remainder of the season. He looked to throw to tight end Shannon Sharpe or hand the ball off to rookie sensation Jamal Lewis.

Over their last seven games, the Ravens could not generate 300 total yards in a single game. In fact, in two of those contests, they registered less than 150! But, these were the 2000 Ravens. Who needs offense?

From Wild Card to Super Bowl

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Bill Frakes

In the Wild Card round, they knocked off Sharpe’s former team, the Broncos. Indeed, it was Sharpe who made the big play on a fluky 58-yard TD catch and run. That sent the Ravens to division-winner and defending AFC Champion Tennessee. These were the two best teams in football in 2000. And, for anyone who loves defense, this is a must re-watch. The Ravens and Titans hit each other for three hours. Baltimore finished the game with 6 total first down and 5 completed passes. The Titans missed three field goals.

One of those misses was a block returned by Anthony Mitchell giving the Ravens a 17-10 lead. In the fourth quarter, Ray Lewis took over. On a pass intended for Eddie George, Lewis muscled the ball away and bolted to the end zone putting the game away.

In the AFC Championship game, Baltimore was again the underdog on paper. However, Siragusa knocked Raiders’ QB Rich Gannon out of the game and all hope Oakland had was pretty much gone. Sharpe made the only offensive play the Ravens needed with a 96-yard catch and run. Baltimore won 16-3 clinching a trip to Super Bowl XXXV.

New York Giants 17 Years Ago

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The New York Giants were not projected to be a Super Bowl contender coming into the 2000 season. Even as the season progressed, they took a back seat to high-scoring teams like the defending World Champion Rams and the Minnesota Vikings. But, head coach Jim Fassel was convinced he had a playoff team on his hands even after a two-game home losing streak dropped their record to 7-4.

Led by the reborn Kerry Collins and the unique talents of running back Tiki Barber, New York won their final five regular season games. On defense, the Giants were led by Pro Bowler Jessie Armstead. They also had two very popular defenders in Michael Strahan and Jason Sehorn. It was Sehorn who made the critical play in the Giants 20-10 win over the rival Eagles. Sehorn made a bobbling catch along the sideline and dashed home for the six.

In the NFC Championship game, the Giants hosted the Vikings. New York pulverized Minnesota 41-0 in what was shockingly one of the most lopsided games in the NFL history. They outgained Minnesota 518-114 on the day and rolled to a 34-0 halftime lead. The Giants were ready to participate in the Super Bowl for a third time.

Defense Wins Championship

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KMazur

Super Bowl XXXV was mostly a boring affair unless you loved the Ravens’ defense. Ray Lewis was everywhere. And, when Trent Dilfer hit Brandon Stokley for an early TD, it appeared that even a 7-0 lead could be insurmountable for New York on this day.

With about four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the game received a must-needed jolt. It last about 30 seconds and would produce three return touchdowns pushing the game over the miniscule 33-total. First, Starks robbed Collins and ran it back 49 yards for a touchdown. Collins threw four picks on the day. Ron Dixon returned the ensuing kickoff for the Giants’ only points on the day. However, Baltimore’s veteran kick returner Jermaine Lewis responded. His 84-yarder pushed the Ravens to a 24-7 lead and ended the competitive nature of this Super Bowl.

The Ravens went on to win 34-7 giving the franchise their first World Championship and the city their Super Bowl counting the old Colts’ Super Bowl V triumph. Baltimore would continue to be tough defensively as long as Lewis played including another Super Bowl title in his last game after the 2012 season.

The Giants would not make it to the Super Bowl for seven years where they would face a legend by the name of Tom Brady. Tomorrow, we will read about how Brady helped the New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI!

 

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

Week 17: Games to Watch

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

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

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

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

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

Image result for ravens vs bengals

lockedonbengals.com

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

BUFFALO BILLS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

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

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Image result for jaguars vs titans

atozsportsnashville.com

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

OAKLAND RAIDERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

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raiderswire.usatoday.com

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

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

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

 

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

*Feature pic credit goes to panthers.com*

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.

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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.

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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

 

 

Every AFC North’s Fantasy Football Sleeper of 2017

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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.

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