Wild Card Round Reaction

6 Miami Dolphins @ 3 Kansas City Chiefs

My goodness it just LOOKED cold out there. NFL players are so damn tough, the fact they can play through that and some of them don’t even wear sleeves is crazy. This game went like you’d expect it to, with the game not being exciting and the Chiefs dominating.

6 LA Rams @ 3 Detroit Lions

You gotta feel good for Jared Goff and the Lions. Goff getting revenge on his old team and the Lions actually getting a playoff win are what makes sports great. Since I don’t have a dog in the race, I’d love to see them win the whole thing.

Game/Betting Picks Results

Game: 2-0 (40-16 Overall)

Spread: 1-1 (40-15-1)

O/U: 1-1 (30-25-1)

Wild Card Round Preview

6 Miami Dolphins @ 3 Kansas City Chiefs

I liked the Chiefs to win before I found out what the weather was gonna be, and now I love them. This will be the coldest game the Miami Dolphins have ever played in, with the wind chill bringing temperatures below 0. The Dolphins already struggle on the road and this is a cherry on top. I think the Chiefs win, cover (-4.5), and the under (43.5) hits.

6 LA Rams @ 3 Detroit Lions

It’s pretty insane how well the Rams-Lions trade worked out for both teams as they are now squaring off in the playoffs. In this game, I think the Lions are better, have more talent, and a deeper team than the Rams. The Lions will win, cover (-3), and over will (51.5) hit.

Playoff Prediction

My playoff predictions are listed below. My predicted winners are bolded for each game.

Wild Card Round

AFC

2 Buffalo Bills vs. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers

3 Kansas City Chiefs vs 6 Miami Dolphins

4 Houston Texans vs 5 Cleveland Browns

NFC

2 Dallas Cowboys vs 7 Green Bay Packers

3 Detroit Lions vs 6 LA Rams

4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs 5 Philadelphia Eagles

Divisional Round

AFC

1 Baltimore Ravens vs 5 Cleveland Browns

2 Buffalo Bills vs 3 Kansas City Chiefs

NFC

1 San Francisco 49ers vs 5 Philadelphia Eagles

2 Dallas Cowboys vs 3 Detroit Lions

Conference Championships

AFC

1 Baltimore Ravens vs 2 Buffalo Bills

NFC

1 San Francisco 49ers vs 2 Dallas Cowboys

Super Bowl

San Francisco 49ers vs Buffalo Bills

Super Bowl Winner

San Francisco 49ers

End of Regular Season Top 10 QBs

Below are my top 10 QBs in the NFL. I am not solely basing it off this year, but instead the last couple of years plus how I think they’ll perform in the postseason (if applicable) and next year.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

He had his worst season as a pro this year and still led his team to the AFC West title, won 11 games, and threw for 27 TDs. He would be the consensus pick if you were starting an NFL team right now and is dangerous in the postseason.

2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow had a tough year, first dealing with a nagging calf injury that hampered him the first 4 games, then going on IR after the 10th game of the year. During the 5.5 games he was healthy, he threw for 13 TDs and showed how good he is when healthy.

3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen is the modern day Brett Favre. He is an absurd athlete who routinely makes jaw dropping plays. He will also go rouge every now and then and make you ask yourself what the hell he is doing. His 173 total TDs the past 4 years, make up for those mistakes.

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar balled out and will be the league MVP this year. He is one of the most athletic players we’ve ever seen and can do things at QB that no one else in the league can. He needs to prove himself in the playoffs, but if he does, he will move up this list.

5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert is insanely talented, but cannot win. I know he’s had horrible coaching his first 4 years, but the hope now is that he can get a coach who knows what they’re doing and starting winning big games. If that happens, the sky is the limit for him.

6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts is a special QB and a great duel threat. He had some up and down moments this year, but a great postseason run will launch him up this list.

7. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

This season did not go as he wanted it to, however, I am still a believer that this all-time great will come back with a splash next year.

8. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak played great at times this year, but does not always bring it during big games.

9. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence struggled this year, especially when his team needed him down the stretch. He’ll need to work out some kinks this offseason to return to the player he was last year.

10. Brock Purdy, San Franciso 49ers

He is definitely aided by his coach and playmakers around him, but he still gets them the ball and plays great. My only concern is that he struggles to bring his team back if they get too far behind.

On the Bubble:

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

He’s a solid starting QB, but is limited. We’ll see how he plays in the playoffs.

CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

Stroud established himself as one of the best young QBs in the league this year. Should he continue to develop, he could easily enter the top 10 next year.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Kirk’s absence shows the Vikings and the world how good he really is. He just doesn’t get it done in the playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

He’s a very similar QB to Brock Purdy. I give Purdy the slight edge, because I trust him more in big games.

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

I still am a Russ believer. He played well this year despite the fact that he did not have that much talent around him. I think Sean Payton scapegoating him for all of Denver’s woes is laughable. He may not be at his peak anymore, but is still a good starting quarterback.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

He rebounded well this year and led a young team to the playoffs. I still think he’s slightly overrated.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler has all the talent in the world and he played well in limited action this season. I’m excited to see him back to full strength next year for an entire season.

NFL Week 9 Prediction

Miami Dolphins (6-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

The top two seeds in the AFC face off in a huge matchup in Germany. The Dolphins have played well this year, but are 0-2 vs teams that have winning records. The Chiefs have only lost twice in a row three times ever in Mahomes’s career and will be motivated coming off a loss to the Broncos. The Chiefs will win, cover (-1.5), and the over (50.5) hits.

Washington Commanders (3-5) @ New England Patriots (2-6)

The Commander basically announced to the world that they are giving up on the year after trading away two great players who accounted for nearly half of the team’s sacks. While their morale may be low, the Pats probably feel even worse as injuries and poor play have made this a year from hell. The Commanders are still better than the Pats and I think they win, cover (+3), and the under (40.5) hits.

Dallas Cowboys (5-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)

The Cowboys Cycle continues as they demolished the Rams last week. I think the Eagles have a lot of room to improve, and that they will win, cover (-3), and the under (46) hits.

Buffalo Bills (5-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

The Bengals announced resoundingly that they were back last week vs the 49ers. The Bills have had a weird last 4 weeks, but are being written off more than they should. I think the Bills end up catching fire at the end of the season, but not starting this week. I think the Bengals win, cover (-2), and the over (49.5) hits.

NFL Week 9 Reaction

Miami Dolphins (6-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

The Chiefs win a big game that could have important implications for home field in the AFC playoffs. The Chiefs don’t always look pretty but they keep finding a way to win. The Dolphins fall to 0-3 vs teams with winning records.

Washington Commanders (4-5) @ New England Patriots (2-7)

The Commanders stay alive in the playoff race and the Pats stay alive in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.

Sam Howell looks like a potential franchise QB. He makes mistakes, but is basically still a rookie and has a spark to him.

Dallas Cowboys (5-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

A very entertaining game where both teams nearly blew it. It ends with the better team winning.

Buffalo Bills (5-4) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)

The Bills and Bengals are in 3rd and 4th places, respectively, in their division but I still feel like they a better suited to make a playoff run then every other team in their division. The Bengals have been back to their usual selves and I think their good play continues. The Bills have struggled lately but I think will start to rattle off some wins too. They are both better than their record indicates.

Game/Betting Picks Results

Game: 4-0 (24-9 Overall)

Spread: 4-0 (25-8)

O/U: 1-3 (17-15-1)

Current Quaterbacks Going to the Hall Of Fame

No Doubt

Aaron Rodgers: A four time MVP who throws the prettiest ball of all time. He’ll be a first ballot HOF and no one will bat an eye.

Patrick Mahomes: He is putting up numbers and accolades at a faster pace than any QB ever. It pains me to say, but he will make a run at the NFL GOAT and at minimum should be on the Mt. Rushmore for QBs if he stays healthy.

Likely In

Russell Wilson: Forget last year and the beginning of this year. He’s a nine time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl Champ, an All-Pro, and the QB of a legendary team. I do think he needs one more MVP/OPOY/All-Pro type season to guarantee himself and he has a chance with Sean Payton. The one thing that could keep him out is if his play continues to be this ugly moving forward and our last memories of him are awful play and being overpaid.

Young, but will eventually make it

Justin Herbert: I think his floor is a Dan Marino type career where his team lets him down but he puts up all time numbers. If he can even win one Super Bowl, I think he goes down as a Top 10 QB ever.

Joe Burrow: He is a gamer and a winner and it looks like he’ll have Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase for years to come. I think the Bengals will win at least one Super Bowl and he’ll have many individual accolades.

Missing Out

Josh Allen: His play is absolutely amazing but playing like Superman has its consequences. I think he takes too many hits and it will lead to him having too short of a career to do what he needs to make the Hall.

Matthew Stafford: I don’t get the Hall buzz for Stafford. He has made one Pro Bowl, never been an All-Pro, never been considered a Top 5 QB, and never won a major award. It’s not even a question, he’s out.

NFL Week 3 Reaction

Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-3)

The Chargers barely saved their season IN SPITE of their coach Brandon Staley. I love teams being aggressive but he consistently makes dumb calls when going for it on 4th down. His team is so talented that they saved this game and maybe his job. I think eventually Kellen Moore will take over for him.

Games like this are why I think Justin Herbert is right behind Mahomes as the best QB in the league. He’s 6’ 6” 240 lbs, can avoid pressure in the pocket, scramble, make throws on the run from any arm angle, and has a rocket arm. In 52 career games, he has 15,000 yards passing and 100 TDs. Insanely fun to watch.

What do the Vikings do? Kirk Cousins is not the reason this team is losing as he has thrown for 1,075 yards and 9 TDs in three games. But do they want keep in around when he is expensive, old, and has had very little postseason success? I think they should keep him around until the deadline. At that point, if they still suck they can trade him and look to get one of the great new QBs in next year’s draft.

New England Patriots (1-2) @ New York Jets (1-2)

Once again the Patriots defense is amazing and their offense is a let down. Despite grossly out gaining the Jets in yards, the games comes down to a Hail Mary that the Jets almost executed. Mac isn’t good but neither are the skill players around him. Get ready for a lot of unders hitting this season for the Pats.

The Jets are in a brutal spot right now. Zach Wilson sucks but who out there is a better option than him? There’s no good solution.

Los Angeles Rams (1-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)

The Bengals save their season in a much needed game. Something still looks off with the Bengals offense. They are not dynamic as normal and Burrow and the WRs are out of sync. I do like how they put Chase all over the field and really got him the ball. But if Burrow’s injury lingers, this team may continue to struggle.

Those Bengals white out uniforms are absolutely awesome. The end zone and logo also being white was the cherry on top.

The Bengals defense was the star of the game today. They will have to continue playing this way until the offense gets it together.

The Rams have played much better than I thought they would. Once Kupp returns, they could make a run at the playoffs.

Other Thoughts:

Wow the Dolphins put up Madden numbers against the Broncos. The first team since 1966 to put up 70 points and they did it without WR Jaylen Waddle. The fantasy numbers they put up were ridiculous too. RBs De’von Achane (51.3) and Raheem Mostert (45.2) combined for 96.5 points.

Betting Picks This Week

Game: 3-0 (10-7 Overall)

Spread: 3-0 (12-5)

O/U: 0-3 (6-10-1)

NFL Week 3 Preview

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

A battle of talented 0-2 teams. I think this game is close but the Chargers have more riding with Brandon Staley on the hot seat. The Chargers win, cover (+1), and the over (54) hits in a high scoring game

New England Patriots (0-2) @ New York Jets (0-2)

Both teams may be 0-2, but the Pats are a much better team than the Jets right now. I think their frustration over losing two close games to good teams leads to them taking their anger out on the hopeless Jets. The Pats will win, cover (-2.5), and the over (36.5) will hit.

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)

The Bengals season is on the line this week. Since 2002, only one team has started 0-3 and made the playoffs. What better team to save their season against than the one that beat them in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. The Rams have surprised me with their play so far, but the motivated Bengals should win, cover (-2), and the over (43.5) should hit.

Top 10 QBs in the NFL

Below are my top 10 QBs for this year. I am not solely basing it off last year, but instead both the last couple of years plus how I think they’ll perform this year. I will update again at midseason.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

No explanation needed.

2. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert’s size, arm, and athleticism have led to him to have the most passing yards and 2nd most passing TDs by a QB in their first 3 seasons. Poor coaching and injuries to teammates have affected him, but the postseason wins will start to come.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow has proven to us since college he is a gamer and a winner. His spectacular play will keep the Bengals contenders for years to come.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

The most physically gifted QB I have ever seen. I worry all the hits will pile up, but for now he is dominant and fun to watch.

5. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

An all-time great QB who still has a lot to prove. The 4-time MVP is still good enough to add a 2nd ring to his legendary resume.

6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

He jumped onto the scene as an MVP candidate last year. Will he be able to continue to build on his great play?

7. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the highest rated QB prospects ever showed us how good he was last year. Like Hurts, it’s now about building on that and getting even better.

8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar has proven he is the most athletic QB ever and can rack up the regular season wins. He now needs to stay healthy and start having more postseason success.

9. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

I absolutely do not think his best days are behind him. With new coach Sean Payton, he may show he’s still a Top 5 QB this year.

10. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

He was rusty last year, but with an entire offseason to continue improving, I think we see the Houston Deshaun who was a borderline Top 5 QB.

On the Bubble:

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak needs so much help around him to be great and consistently does not lead his team deep in the playoffs.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Kirk puts up big numbers, but does not get it done in the playoffs.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Super talented QB, but there are big questions about his durability and leadership

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

He is now in a situation similar to his Detroit days (albeit with a better coach). He wasn’t a top 10 QB then, and still is not now.