Here are my predictions for the Championship Round of the 2017 NFL playoffs.
Sunday, January 22nd
Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons- 3:05, FOX: Green Bay is coming off an excellent Divisional Round road win in Arlington over the Cowboys thanks to a long Mason Crosby field goal as time expired. Atlanta is coming off a great Divisional Round home win over the Seattle Seahawks. This will be the final game played at the Georgia Dome and the fans will enjoy an entertaining, high scoring game, but will be disappointed with the result. No one is playing hotter and better than Aaron Rodgers and he'll lead his team to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2010 season.
Prediction: Green Bay 34, Atlanta 31.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots- 6:40, CBS: Pittsburgh is coming off a very good Divisional Round primetime road win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. New England is coming off a Divisional Round primetime win over the Houston Texans. The Patriots did not look great beating a Texans team that's quarterback is not good and they turned the ball over a few times too. The Steelers did not score a touchdown last week, either. This was not an easy call, but something tells me Big Ben and that offense will put up some touchdowns unlike last week and will steal a win in Foxboro to go to the Super Bowl to set up a Super Bowl XLV rematch.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, New England 20.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Candidates to replace Jack Capuano as Islanders head coach
Yesterday, the New York Islanders fired head coach Jack Capuano. The Islanders have been disappointing this season and are in last place in the Metropolitan Division. Here are some candidates to replace Capuano.
1. Gerard Gallant, Former Florida Panthers Head Coach
2. Doug Weight, Interim Head Coach, New York Islanders
3. Brent Thompson, Head Coach, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
4. Bob Hartley, Former Calgary Flames Head Coach
5. Adam Oates, Former Washington Capitals Head Coach
6. Luke Richardson, Former Binghamton Senators Head Coach
1. Gerard Gallant, Former Florida Panthers Head Coach
2. Doug Weight, Interim Head Coach, New York Islanders
3. Brent Thompson, Head Coach, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
4. Bob Hartley, Former Calgary Flames Head Coach
5. Adam Oates, Former Washington Capitals Head Coach
6. Luke Richardson, Former Binghamton Senators Head Coach
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
2017 NFL Divisional Round Predictions
Here are my predictions for the Divisonal Round of the 2017 NFL Playoffs.
Saturday, January 14th
Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons- 4:35, FOX: Seattle is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Detroit Lions. Atlanta had a first round bye and have the second seed in the NFC. The Falcons offense is way better than the Lions offense and the Seahawks will miss Earl Thomas in this game. I like the Falcons to advance to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2012 season and their offense led by MVP candidate Matt Ryan will be the difference.
Prediction: Atlanta 30, Seattle 24.
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots- 8:15, CBS: Houston is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Derek Carr-less Oakland Raiders. New England had a first round bye and have the top seed in the AFC. The Texans looked good last week, but as I said, Derek Carr didn't play so reality will set in next week when they face a motivated Pats team in Foxboro that will advance to their fifth straight AFC Championship game.
Prediction: New England 33, Houston 13.
Sunday, January 15th
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys- 4:40, FOX: This is the best game of the weekend. Green Bay is coming off a great Wild Card weekend win over the New York Giants. Dallas had a first round bye and have the top seed in the NFC behind the brilliant play of rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. There will be a lot of points in this one and there's no one playing better than Aaron Rodgers right now and this is a risky pick because we don't know whether Jordy Nelson will play or not, but give me the Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years.
Prediction: Green Bay 33, Dallas 27.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs- 8:20, NBC: Pittsburgh is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Miami Dolphins. Kansas City had a first round bye and have the second seed in the AFC. This should be a fun game, but as good as the Chiefs defense is, can they stop Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown? We shall see, regardless, I like the Steelers to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2010 season due to the explosiveness on offense.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Kansas City 20.
Saturday, January 14th
Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons- 4:35, FOX: Seattle is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Detroit Lions. Atlanta had a first round bye and have the second seed in the NFC. The Falcons offense is way better than the Lions offense and the Seahawks will miss Earl Thomas in this game. I like the Falcons to advance to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2012 season and their offense led by MVP candidate Matt Ryan will be the difference.
Prediction: Atlanta 30, Seattle 24.
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots- 8:15, CBS: Houston is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Derek Carr-less Oakland Raiders. New England had a first round bye and have the top seed in the AFC. The Texans looked good last week, but as I said, Derek Carr didn't play so reality will set in next week when they face a motivated Pats team in Foxboro that will advance to their fifth straight AFC Championship game.
Prediction: New England 33, Houston 13.
Sunday, January 15th
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys- 4:40, FOX: This is the best game of the weekend. Green Bay is coming off a great Wild Card weekend win over the New York Giants. Dallas had a first round bye and have the top seed in the NFC behind the brilliant play of rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. There will be a lot of points in this one and there's no one playing better than Aaron Rodgers right now and this is a risky pick because we don't know whether Jordy Nelson will play or not, but give me the Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years.
Prediction: Green Bay 33, Dallas 27.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs- 8:20, NBC: Pittsburgh is coming off their Wild Card weekend victory over the Miami Dolphins. Kansas City had a first round bye and have the second seed in the AFC. This should be a fun game, but as good as the Chiefs defense is, can they stop Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown? We shall see, regardless, I like the Steelers to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2010 season due to the explosiveness on offense.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, Kansas City 20.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Prediction
Here we have a fun National Championship Game that is a rematch of last season and that I correctly predicted before the season. Will Alabama pull off a repeat or will Clemson finally break through?
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) vs (2) Clemson Tigers (12-1)- 8:15, ESPN: As I said, here we have a rematch of last years championship team between the clear-cut best two teams in the country. Alabama is coming off a win over the fourth ranked Washington Huskies, but after the games they surprisingly parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin due to his duties at Florida Atlantic. Clemson is coming off a dominant shutout victory over the third ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This should be such a great game, but DeShaun Watson can throw on that Tide secondary and that will be a big difference here as I do not see the Tigers running on the Tide's front seven. Give me the Tigers to win the rematch in absolute classic.
Prediction: Clemson 38, Alabama 37.
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) vs (2) Clemson Tigers (12-1)- 8:15, ESPN: As I said, here we have a rematch of last years championship team between the clear-cut best two teams in the country. Alabama is coming off a win over the fourth ranked Washington Huskies, but after the games they surprisingly parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin due to his duties at Florida Atlantic. Clemson is coming off a dominant shutout victory over the third ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This should be such a great game, but DeShaun Watson can throw on that Tide secondary and that will be a big difference here as I do not see the Tigers running on the Tide's front seven. Give me the Tigers to win the rematch in absolute classic.
Prediction: Clemson 38, Alabama 37.
2016-17 NFL Wild Card Round Predictions
Here are my predictions for the Wild Card Round of the 2016-17 NFL Playoffs.
Saturday, January 7th
Oakland Raiders (12-4) vs Houston Texans (9-7)- 4:20, ESPN/ABC: These two teams met in Mexico back in November and the Raiders won a close one. Oakland is coming off a brutal divisional road loss in Denver against the Broncos to close out the regular season to drop them to a Wild Card berth. Houston is coming off a divisional road loss in Tennessee against the Titans in a meaningless game. Connor Cook will start for the Raiders after Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury. Brock Osweiler has had a disastrous season and he's back under center thanks to a concussion suffered by Tom Savage. This wasn't an easy call, but the Texans have the better defense and that will make a difference here.
Prediction: Houston 16, Oakland 13.
Detroit Lions (9-7) vs Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)- 8:15, NBC: These two teams did not meet this season, but they met last season on a Monday night in Seattle in which the game was decided on a controversial call. Detroit is coming off a brutal divisional home loss against the Green Bay Packers which cost them the division title. Seattle is coming off a divisional road win in Santa Clara against the lowly 49ers. The Seahawks haven't looked right of late and part of that is due to injuries to Earl Thomas and Tyler Lockett and poor offensive line play. That said, I love the Seahawks here at home and Russell Wilson will be the difference maker.
Prediction: Seattle 27, Detroit 17.
Sunday, January 8th
Miami Dolphins (10-6) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)- 1:00, CBS: These two teams met a few months ago and the Dolphins won at home, but that was the game Ben Rothlisberger got hurt in. Miami is coming off a divisional home loss against the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh is coming off an overtime home win over the Cleveland Browns in which most of the starters rested in. Matt Moore was surprisingly good two of the last three weeks, but I do not see him leading the Phins to a playoff road win. The Steelers offense should lead the way to a playoff home victory.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, Miami 20.
New York Giants (11-5) vs Green Bay Packers (10-6)- 4:40, FOX: This is clearly the best playoff game of Wild Card weekend. These two teams met in week five and the Packers won that game on a Sunday night in Lambeau. The Giants are coming off a divisional road win in Landover against the Redskins to knock them out of playoff contention. Green Bay is coming off a huge divisional road win in Detroit against the Lions to win the NFC North title. This wasn't an easy call, but the Giants defense has been shutting down some great offenses the last few weeks and I believe they'll pull off yet another playoff upset at Lambeau.
Prediction: NY Giants 24, Green Bay 20.
Saturday, January 7th
Oakland Raiders (12-4) vs Houston Texans (9-7)- 4:20, ESPN/ABC: These two teams met in Mexico back in November and the Raiders won a close one. Oakland is coming off a brutal divisional road loss in Denver against the Broncos to close out the regular season to drop them to a Wild Card berth. Houston is coming off a divisional road loss in Tennessee against the Titans in a meaningless game. Connor Cook will start for the Raiders after Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury. Brock Osweiler has had a disastrous season and he's back under center thanks to a concussion suffered by Tom Savage. This wasn't an easy call, but the Texans have the better defense and that will make a difference here.
Prediction: Houston 16, Oakland 13.
Detroit Lions (9-7) vs Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)- 8:15, NBC: These two teams did not meet this season, but they met last season on a Monday night in Seattle in which the game was decided on a controversial call. Detroit is coming off a brutal divisional home loss against the Green Bay Packers which cost them the division title. Seattle is coming off a divisional road win in Santa Clara against the lowly 49ers. The Seahawks haven't looked right of late and part of that is due to injuries to Earl Thomas and Tyler Lockett and poor offensive line play. That said, I love the Seahawks here at home and Russell Wilson will be the difference maker.
Prediction: Seattle 27, Detroit 17.
Sunday, January 8th
Miami Dolphins (10-6) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)- 1:00, CBS: These two teams met a few months ago and the Dolphins won at home, but that was the game Ben Rothlisberger got hurt in. Miami is coming off a divisional home loss against the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh is coming off an overtime home win over the Cleveland Browns in which most of the starters rested in. Matt Moore was surprisingly good two of the last three weeks, but I do not see him leading the Phins to a playoff road win. The Steelers offense should lead the way to a playoff home victory.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, Miami 20.
New York Giants (11-5) vs Green Bay Packers (10-6)- 4:40, FOX: This is clearly the best playoff game of Wild Card weekend. These two teams met in week five and the Packers won that game on a Sunday night in Lambeau. The Giants are coming off a divisional road win in Landover against the Redskins to knock them out of playoff contention. Green Bay is coming off a huge divisional road win in Detroit against the Lions to win the NFC North title. This wasn't an easy call, but the Giants defense has been shutting down some great offenses the last few weeks and I believe they'll pull off yet another playoff upset at Lambeau.
Prediction: NY Giants 24, Green Bay 20.
2016-17 NFL Playoff TV Schedule
Here is the TV schedule for the 2016-17 NFL Playoffs.
1/7- Wild Card: Raiders vs Texans; 4:20, ESPN/ABC: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
1/7- Wild Card: Lions vs Seahawks; 8:15, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/8- Wild Card: Dolphins vs Steelers; 1:00, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
1/8- Wild Card: Giants vs Packers; 4:40, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/14- Divisional: Seahawks vs Falcons; 4:30, FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
1/14- Divisional: Texans vs Patriots; 8:15, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
1/15- Divisional: Packers vs Cowboys; 4:40, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/15- Divisional: Steelers vs Chiefs; 8:20, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/22- NFC Championship: Packers vs Falcons; 3:05, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/22- AFC Championship: Steelers vs Patriots; 6:30, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
1/7- Wild Card: Raiders vs Texans; 4:20, ESPN/ABC: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
1/7- Wild Card: Lions vs Seahawks; 8:15, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/8- Wild Card: Dolphins vs Steelers; 1:00, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
1/8- Wild Card: Giants vs Packers; 4:40, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/14- Divisional: Seahawks vs Falcons; 4:30, FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
1/14- Divisional: Texans vs Patriots; 8:15, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
1/15- Divisional: Packers vs Cowboys; 4:40, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/15- Divisional: Steelers vs Chiefs; 8:20, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/22- NFC Championship: Packers vs Falcons; 3:05, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
1/22- AFC Championship: Steelers vs Patriots; 6:30, CBS: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Candidates to replace Tracy Claeys as Minnesota head football coach
Today, it was announced that Minnesota had fired head football coach Tracy Claeys after all the off-field drama they have had recently. Here are some candidates to replace Claeys.
1. PJ Fleck, Head Coach, Western Michigan
2. Les Miles, Former LSU Head Coach
3. Bryan Harsin, Head Coach, Boise State
4. Greg Schiano, Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State
5. Al Golden, Former Miami Head Coach
1. PJ Fleck, Head Coach, Western Michigan
2. Les Miles, Former LSU Head Coach
3. Bryan Harsin, Head Coach, Boise State
4. Greg Schiano, Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State
5. Al Golden, Former Miami Head Coach
Monday, January 2, 2017
Candidates to replace Gary Kubiak as Denver Broncos head coach
Yesterday, it was announced that Gary Kubiak would retire and there was a press conference today confirming that. Here are some candidates to replace Kubiak.
1. Vance Joseph, Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins
2. Scott Linehan, Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
3. Kyle Shanahan, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons
4. Joe DeCamillis, Special Teams Coordinator, Denver Broncos
5. Bill Musgrave, Offensive Coordinator, Oakland Raiders
1. Vance Joseph, Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins
2. Scott Linehan, Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
3. Kyle Shanahan, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons
4. Joe DeCamillis, Special Teams Coordinator, Denver Broncos
5. Bill Musgrave, Offensive Coordinator, Oakland Raiders
Candidates to replace Chip Kelly as San Francisco 49ers head coach
After a dismal 2-14 season, the San Francisco 49ers fired Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke. Here are some candidates to replace Kelly.
1. Tom Cable, Offensive Line Coach, Seattle Seahawks
2. Vance Joseph, Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins
3. Anthony Lynn, Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach, Buffalo Bills
4. Doug Marrone, Interim Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
6. Sean McDermott, Defensive Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
7. Sean McVay, Offensive Coordinator, Washington Redskins
8. Mike Smith, Defensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Tom Cable, Offensive Line Coach, Seattle Seahawks
2. Vance Joseph, Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins
3. Anthony Lynn, Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach, Buffalo Bills
4. Doug Marrone, Interim Head Coach, Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
6. Sean McDermott, Defensive Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
7. Sean McVay, Offensive Coordinator, Washington Redskins
8. Mike Smith, Defensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Candidates to replace Mike McCoy as San Diego Chargers head coach
Last night after finishing the season 5-11, the San Diego Chargers fired Mike McCoy. Here are candidates to replace McCoy.
1. Matt Patricia, Defensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
2. Teryl Austin, Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
3. John Pagano, Defensive Coordinator, San Diego Chargers
4. Harold Goodwin, Offensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals
5. David Shaw, Head Coach, Stanford
1. Matt Patricia, Defensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
2. Teryl Austin, Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
3. John Pagano, Defensive Coordinator, San Diego Chargers
4. Harold Goodwin, Offensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals
5. David Shaw, Head Coach, Stanford
Candidates to replace Rex Ryan as Buffalo Bills head coach
Last week, the Buffalo Bills fired Rex Ryan after a heartbreaking loss to drop them to 7-8 on the season. Here are some candidates to replace Ryan.
1. Anthony Lynn, Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach, Buffalo Bills
2. Tom Coughlin, Former New York Giants Head Coach
3. Mike Shannahan, Former Denver Broncos/Washington Redskins Head Coach
4. Greg Schiano, Former Rutgers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach
5. Todd Haley, Offensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Mike Smith, Defensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1. Anthony Lynn, Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach, Buffalo Bills
2. Tom Coughlin, Former New York Giants Head Coach
3. Mike Shannahan, Former Denver Broncos/Washington Redskins Head Coach
4. Greg Schiano, Former Rutgers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach
5. Todd Haley, Offensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Mike Smith, Defensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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