NFL Week 2 Predictions

I went 11-5 in my Week 1 picks. Both my Monday Night Football picks went horribly wrong, starting with the Eagles not showing up in the first half and later not finishing the game. Next, my Vikings played like absolute garbage that nobody could have predicted. 10 total rushes for Adrian Peterson. How is only 10 rushes for AP in your game plan? I don't get it. The game was extremely sloppy by both teams, but at least the 49ers figured out how to score and run the ball with Carlos Hyde, who rushed for 168 yards and leads the NFL in rushing yards. Yikes Vikings defense.

The Rams and Bills were the biggest stunners to my predictions. Both playing up to much superior teams and using great defense to stop powerful offenses. The Chargers-Lions game was a toss-up and the home team won the battle, due to major let down by the Lions who were up by 18 at one point. "Go Chargers!" (Arnold Schwarzenegger voice)

My Top Week 2 Games

1. Seahawks at Packers

Week 2 features a rematch from last season's NFC Championship between the Packers and Seahawks. This most certainly will be the game of the week. I know it's just one loss, but the possibility of starting down 0-2 is a reality after this game finishes for the Seahawks. On the road again and at Lambeau, where Rodgers doesn't lose nor throw any interceptions. The Seahawks are facing an uphill climb, I'll take the Packers 34-23.

2. Cowboys at Eagles

Another NFC East showdown, but this one is between the top 2 teams in the division rather than the NY Giants, who were finish 3rd in my opinion. This will be a true test for both teams, so that everybody can see how well the Eagles really stack up against the Cowboys. Yes, it is only Week 2, but this game has very serious playoff implications and you can guaranteed this will feel like a playoff atmosphere in the Eagles home opener. Both teams struggled and looked sloppy in their first week, so hopefully this game will be a little cleaner from both teams. My analysis is that the Cowboys looked more polished than the Eagles, but I think the Eagles got some kinks out in their first game and will play much better in Week 2. Let's go with the Eagles over the Cowboys, 36-30.

3. Patriots at Bills

The first intra-division game for the AFC East. Buffalo coming in hot off a smothering defensive performance against the Colts and the Patriots coming in after the NFL opener win against the Steelers. Both teams playing good and hungry to win the AFC East. This won't be a cakewalk like the past when the Bills and Patriots play. This will be a low scoring, very strategic game, where the smallest mistakes could result in major consequences. With the return of LaGarrette Blunt, I expect the Patriots to do a lot more ground and pound compared to the first game, where they were at about a 40/60% run-pass equation. I expect them to be closer to 60/40% run to pass, unless the Patriots are down in the 4th quarter. My gut is telling me Patriots beat the Bills 23-16.

4. Broncos at Chiefs 

Another divisional game makes my list, surprise, surprise. Divisional games are the best and seem like they have more at stake, I think the Broncos better come to play for this Thursday night game or they might get blown out of Arrowhead Stadium by the Chiefs. The Chiefs played pretty good against a QB-less Houston Texans team and they were able to put some point son the board from their offense. Though still not a WR catch for a TD, the Chiefs were able to utilize their TEs and RBs in the passing game. The Broncos on the other hand looked horrible on offense. Peyton better get back into a rhythm or he might be in for a long night from Justin Houston and the Chiefs defense. I'll take the Chiefs over the Broncos, 27-20.

5. Honorable Mention: Lions at Vikings

This game makes the list because all of my friends will care about this game more than the rest. Both teams suffered horrendous Week 1 losses. The Lions up 18 on road, in the second half. Doesn't get much worse than that, unless you watched the Viks like me and the rest of Minnesota. We went to bed thinking "I stayed up for that?" (Very rough Tuesday morning) We made it through Tuesday and now we look forward to Sunday's match-up, but honestly it feels like all the air and excitement around the Vikings literally disappeared after one lousy loss. An optimistic fan would say: "it's just one game, they had to get the kinks out. We will be fine. Teddy and AP will tear it up next game." The pessimistic fan is saying: "Let's remember, it's the Vikings we are talking about. Could you really expected them to live up to the hype? Of course not." I myself am with the optimistic fan, but that Game really crushed the fans. I'll say the Vikings bounce back and beat the Lions 37-30.

WEEK	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	MY PICK
2	Broncos	@Chiefs	CHIEFS
	Texans	@Panthers	PANTHERS
	49ers	@Steelers	STEELERS
	Buccaneers	@Saints	SAINTS
	Lions	@Vikings	VIKINGS
	Cardinals	@Bears	CARDINALS
	Patriots	@Bills	PATRIOTS
	Chargers	@Bengals	BENGALS
	Titans	@Browns	TITANS
	Falcons	@Giants	GIANTS
	Rams	@Redskins	RAMS
	Dolphins	@Jaguars	DOLPHINS
	Ravens	@Raiders	RAVENS
	Cowboys	@Eagles	EAGLES
	Seahawks	@Packers	PACKERS
	Jets	@Colts	COLTS

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Super Bowl XLIX

I have to start off by saying I'm a huge Tom Brady fan and love that he has made it to another Super Bowl. That is an incredible accomplishment and to me he is the most deserving QB to win this game. Even with the #Deflategate scandal lingering, the Patriots are focused on winning the Super Bowl.

Let's talk the game. If you think this is going to be similar to last year's game, you're wrong. Yes, I know Peyton Manning and the Broncos were unstoppable on offense last year and had a decent defense, but when it came down to pressure, stopping the run, and scoring points, the Broncos were hopeless. This Patriot team has arguably the best corner in the league with Revis, Opposite of Revis is Browner, who is a top corner as well. The Patriots have the defense that they have been missing in their recent playoff runs. After Russell Wilson's 4 interceptions in the NFC Championship against the Packers, his life will get even more difficult when he faces the Patriots dangerous secondary. The thing Russell Wilson accelerates at better than just about every QB in the NFL is his play-making abilities when he gets outside the pocket. He is if not the best scrambling QB. He can tuck and run for a big gain or hit one of his play-makers like Doug Baldwin or Jermaine Kearse.

With all that being said about Russell Wilson, I think the Patriots are going to be able to contain Wilson by doing a few things.They will have Rob Ninkovich and Jamie Collins in a spy position. Ninkovich will do a variety of pass rushing and containment, while I think Collins will do more spying on Wilson and covering Tight Ends and backs. This will seriously limit Russell Wilson if he can't escape the pocket and his wide receivers are being guarded tightly. This leads me to the conclusion the Marshawn "Beastmode" Lynch is the Seahawks' best option for success and he has been all post season. My fear for Seattle is that Belichick knows that Seattle's game plan is to get it to Lynch and Belichick will have a gameplan to take Lynch out of the game, forcing Seattle to be a pass first offense. If the Seahawks are going to score Russell Wilson is going to have to make plays with his arm or else their offense will get stiffed.

Luckily for Seattle they have the best defense in the NFL, which has got them to this point. They have no weak spots on paper. Unfortunately for Seattle, they are facing arguably the best postseason QB in NFL history. Tom Brady is the ONLY QB that will be able to dissect this Seattle defense, but with help from his teammates. In my opinion, the biggest factor in this game will be the battle between the New England offensive line against the Seattle defensive line and the pressure Seattle's defense puts on Brady. Seattle's pressure from their D-line lead by by Michael Bennett, complements their top of the line secondary. Whoever wins the battle at the line of scrimmage, I believe will win the game. A key stat to look for at the end of the game will be the number of times Brady is sacked. 4 sacks is the max the Patriots call allow for Brady to lead them to victory.

One more point I want to hit on before I give my final prediction and that is GRONKOWSKI. "Gronk" is the Patriots best offensive weapon. Although he had a very quiet game against Indianapolis, his presence doesn't go unnoticed. His quiet game was because the Colts' secondary focused so much on him, which allowed the other New England wide receivers to get open and make plays. Amendola and Edelman have been playing well during these playoffs and I expect one of them to have a big game, picking up key 1st downs to keep drives going. The success of the bubble screens and quick routes are going to be key to a successful offensive game plan. Don't think Richard Sherman will let these go, I expect him to try and jump one or two, but that's when Brady will catch him trying to jump a route and hit Brandon LaFell for a big play, possibly a game-changing touchdown. All of the other wide receivers success will be due to the coverage on Gronkowski and how effective LeGarrette Blount can be running the ball. If the Patriots run game does struggle, no problem, that has been an issue all year and hasn't stopped them. Seattle has given up 11 TD's to Tight Ends. Watch for Brady to go over the top of the linebackers to hit Gronk on a seam route for a TD.

My Final Thoughts:
Both teams have great special teams and I expect a few field goals from each team. The difference maker is that the Patriots have always been good, but this year they have the players that will get them over the hump and win the Super Bowl. Seattle's offensive struggles that lead to field goals rather than touchdowns, much like the Packers will be what kills them in this game.

2 TD's from Brady, 1 New England Rushing TD, and 2 Field Goals will be what it takes to beat Seattle.

27-23 New England wins.

MVP: Tom Brady


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NFL Playoffs Divisional Round 2015

AFC Playoffs

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
A playoff rematch from 2 seasons ago, where Baltimore went on a magical run to cap off Ray Lewis' career and spoil both the Broncos and Patriots Super Bowl hopes. The game 2 years ago was dominated by the Ravens in the 2nd half, forcing Brady into 2 interceptions and a fumble. You can bet your money that Brady remembers that game and is out for vengeance on Saturday. The Ravens D' did look good in the 2nd half against the Steelers, but I think Tom Brady and the Patriots will be tougher to stop then the Steelers were for the Ravens.
27-22 Patriots go on to the AFC Championship.


Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
I don't see a good outcome for the Colts this weekend. Their running game is virtually no existent so this will mean they will have to rely on Luck's arm most of the game. I think he will be pressured into some bad throws resulting in at least an interception or two. The Colts defense is playing well, but with an extra week of rest for the Broncos I don't think the Colts are going to be able to stop Manning or the run game with CJ Anderson.
34-20 Broncos go to Foxborough to face the Patriots in the match up we have been waiting for.


NFC Playoffs

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
Though the past meeting between these two teams have been low scoring and ended by game winning drives led by Russell Wilson, there are some big differences between those games and this game. 1) the 12th man of the Seattle fans. The previous games were in Carolina. 2) This Seattle team is not the same team as they were in week 8. The Seahawks are playing like the best team in the NFL. They are on a 6 game winning streak and haven't gave up more than 14 points during that streak. I don't the Panthers win against the quarterbackless Cardinals will help them vs Seattle.
27-13 Seattle goes on to the NFC Championship.

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
This is the game of the weekend! The Dallas Cowboys perfect road record against the Packers perfect home record, with arguably the MVP, Aaron Rodgers. I've talked to some die-hard Packer fans and even they could see this going either way. As I see it, nobody is going to beat the Packers at home this season. I give Dallas a lot of credit for their come back win, but there is no way Aaron Rodgers allows them to win. If Dallas and Tony Romo play perfect, there may be a chance for a win, but if it comes down to the wire, Rodgers will deliver a game-winning drive.
My prediction 34-23 Packers go to Seattle to face the Seahawks in the NFC Championship



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