2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Championship Round Picks

Here are my predictions for the Championship Round of the 2017-18 NFL playoffs.

Sunday, January 21st

(A3) Jacksonville Jaguars vs (A1) New England Patriots- 3:00, CBS: This should be a very interesting AFC Championship game from all aspects. Jacksonville is coming off an excellent division round road win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. New England is coming off a comfortable division round home win over the Tennessee Titans. The Jags played tremendous last week, but the Steelers took them for granted and the Pats shouldn't do that either. Tom Brady hurt his hand recently and now is questionable for the game. That said, I like the Pats here at home to advance to their second straight Super Bowl despite Brady's hand injury and I don't think the Jags offense will succeed as much as it did last week and their defense showed some vulnerability against a good Steeler offense.

Prediction: New England 30, Jacksonville 20.

(N2) Minnesota Vikings vs (N1) Philadelphia Eagles- 6:30, FOX: This should be an interesting NFC Championship game. Minnesota is coming off an epic division round home win over the New Orleans Saints in which it took a Case Keenum game winning touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired. Philadelphia is coming off a close division round home win over the Atlanta Falcons in a game which the Eagles probably should have lost. It's crazy to think that two backup quarterbacks are in a Conference Championship game, but here we are (although Keenum has started since week two). This will be a low scoring game and perhaps a ton of field goals, but give me the Vikings here to escape with a narrow road win to advance to their first Super Bowl in over forty (!!!!) years.

Prediction: Minnesota 16, Philadelphia 13.

2018 NFL Mock Draft: First Edition

Here is my first edition of my 2018 NFL Mock draft.

1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC: The Browns are insistent to snag a potential franchise quarterback in this draft and Darnold would seem like the bet here. They have passed on Carson Wentz and DeShaun Watson in the past and they regret passing on both of them.

2. New York Giants- Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA: Rosen openly admitted that he did not want to get drafted by the Browns, so the bet is that he gets picked here by the Giants. They don't necessarily have to draft a quarterback in this spot, but they don't get to pick in the top five often, so this would be their opportunity to draft Eli Manning's successor.

3. Indianapolis Colts- Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State: The Colts have options here. They can trade down or take the best player available. I don't do trades in my mocks so give me the best player available here, which is Barkley, who can be impactful immediately and a security blanket for Andrew Luck and the Colts.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans)- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cornerback/Safety, Alabama: The Browns should go defense with this pick if Barkley is off the board and Fitzpatrick is the best defensive player perhaps in this draft. He would have an immediate impact on a secondary that needs playmakers due to his versatility.

5. Denver Broncos- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma: This pick is a bit of a wild card because not only the Broncos need a quarterback, but recently the team asked Mayfield to be on their team at the Senior Bowl. The Broncos are a component quarterback away from being a contender again and Mayfield could appeal to them here.

6. New York Jets- Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming: The Jets need a young franchise quarterback in the worst way. Josh McCown played well for them and I'd sign him to another one-year deal and 
Allen needs some work before he can step onto an NFL field, but his upside is tantalizing enough for a team that can redshirt him for a year to grab him.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State: The Bucs can go a number of ways with this pick. Chubb would be a good fit for the Bucs here with dominant edge-rushing and high level of play.

8. Chicago Bears- Calvin Ridley, Wide Reciever, Alabama: The Bears have a huge need at wide receiver and Ridley fits the bill. Ridley brings a downfield, speedy option on the outside and the Bears have lacked that for a few years now.

9. San Francisco 49ers- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: The Niners would be getting a steal if Nelson lasts until the ninth pick, as he's one of the few blue-chip prospects in this draft with a relatively high floor.

10. Oakland Raiders- Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa: One can argue Jackson at this spot would be a steal. A breakout performer in 2017, Jackson led the nation in both pass breakups (18) and interceptions (8). His length and playmaking will upgrade an inconsistent Raiders’ secondary that has struggled to keep up with its disruptive defensive line in recent years.

11. Miami Dolphins- Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia: The Dolphins defense struggled at the second level last year, and adding Smith would give them a boost both in run defense, where Lawrence Timmons struggled, and pass defense, where Kiko Alonso graded out terribly.

12. Cincinnati Bengals- Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: The Bengals have to come out of this draft with a better plan for their offensive line after the disaster of 2017, and McGlinchey is a great step in the right direction. He has proven himself against some of the country's best edge-rushers during his Notre Dame career, and he'll improve both the pass- and run-blocking for a team that desperately needs it.

13. Washington Redskins- Arden Key, Defensive End/Linebacker, LSU: This would be a steal for the Redskins. The premier pass-rusher dealt with injuries himself in 2017, but he's impressed against top SEC talent and should be a constant sack threat in the NFL if he can stay on the field.

14. Green Bay Packers- Derwin James, Strong Safety, Florida State: Perhaps the best defensive playmaker in the draft, James is the new NFL prototype as a safety capable of producing against the run or in both man and zone coverage. Florida State also used him as a pure edge rusher, where he regularly pressured the quarterback.

15. Arizona Cardinals- Mason Rudolph, Quarterback, Oklahoma State: There will be plenty of turnover in Arizona with QB Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians both retiring, and they’ll certainly be in the quarterback market. Rudolph has mixed opinions around the league, but he’s extremely accurate.

16. Baltimore Ravens- James Washington, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State: The Ravens have lacked a deep-threat wide receiver the last few seasons and Washington would provide just that. He has the speed and route-running to be the first receiver off the board in a wide receiver class with no clear favorite at the top.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Orlando Brown, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The Chargers’ offensive line rebuild took a step in the right direction last season, but there’s still more work to do. Brown brings a physical run-blocker and capable pass-protector to Los Angeles. 

18. Seattle Seahawks- Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State: What a steal this would be for the Seahawks. The Legion of Boom could use more bodies, especially after a season in which the secondary wasn't healthy and showed a bit of vulnerability.

19. Dallas Cowboys- Vita Vea, Defensive End, Washington: Vea, a massive presence in the middle of a defensive line, will go a long way toward fixing that deficiency, while also providing enough quickness to penetrate into the backfield on some third downs.

20. Detroit Lions- Maurice Haust, Defensive Tackle, Michigan: Hurst doesn't have the size that teams are generally looking for in an interior defensive lineman, but his quickness more than makes up for that deficiency and makes him in particular a great threat rushing the passer on third downs.

21. Buffalo Bills- Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech: Edmunds makes a whole lot of sense for Sean McDermott, who is used to having stud linebackers after coming to Buffalo from Carolina. Edmunds has the speed to cover the field and is a weapon rushing the passer as well after racking up 30.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in his final two years at Virginia Tech.

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs)- Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville: In all likelihood, the Bills will move on from Tyrod Taylor. Enter Jackson, who has more upside than Taylor and Jackson seems to be a polarizing prospect that could come off the board in a wide rage of possibilities, but if no one ahead of this spot falls in love with the former Heisman winner, I think this could be his floor.

23. Los Angeles Rams- Carlton Davis, Cornerback, Auburn: With Turmaine Johnson heading to free agency unless the Rams can work out a long-term deal, cornerback should be a need for the team heading into the draft. Davis brings similar size to Johnson at the position, and if he runs well at the combine, he could end up much higher than this when all is said and done.

24. Carolina Panthers- Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, SMU: Sutton put together back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards and 10 TDs, and he scored 32 times in all in his three seasons with the Mustangs. He'll give Cam Newton a great replacement for Kelvin Benjamin in the offense.

25. Tennessee Titans- Rashaad Evans, Linebacker, Alabama: Alabama continues to churn out linebacker prospects and Evans brings an athletic presence who can fill multiple roles. He was more of an edge defender early in his career, and he pressured the quarterback on 67 of his 284 career rushes. However, he also showed well in a more traditional role over the last two years. Evans brings a much-needed speedy playmaker to the Titans’ linebacking corps.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Isaiah Oliver, Cornerback, Colorado: Oliver, a corner with good size and speed who would combine with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford to give the Falcons a great trio of cover guys while also serving as insurance in case either of the team's top two corners become too expensive to keep down the road.

27. New Orleans Saints- Malik Jefferson, Outside Linebacker, Texas: The Saints should be happy with the play of Manti Te'o in the middle, but they need to surround him with more talent at the position. Enter Jefferson, a top recruit coming out of high school who has the sideline-to-sideline speed to stick on the weakside and play all three downs for the Saints on their young, rising defense.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Harold Landry, Outside Linebacker, Boston College: What a steal this would be for the Steelers. Landry would give the Steelers a boost in getting after the quarterback, in which they were vulnerable at this season.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle, Texas: The Jaguars would be wise to bring in a potential franchise left tackle after watching Cam Robinson struggle at the position this year, and Williams could fit the bill. Some analysts think he's a lock for the top 10, while others can't imagine him being taken in the first round. In the end, his potential on the blind side is too great for the Jaguars to pass on.

30. Philadelphia Eagles- Tyrell Crosby, Offensive Tackle, Oregon: With Jason Peters heading into his 36-year-old season, it’s time for the Eagles to address the tackle spot. He’s improved in pass protection, allowing only four pressures last season. He’s also produced at both right and left tackle during his time at Oregon.

31. Minnesota Vikings- Billy Price, Guard, Ohio State: Assuming the Vikings figure out what to do with their free-agent quarterbacks heading into the draft, Price would be a great target for them as a potential replacement for Joe Berger inside. Price would be one of the better starting centers in the league, so the Vikings have the option of sticking him at the pivot immediately and having Pat Elflein compete at a guard spot.

32. New England Patriots- Taven Bryan, Defensive End, Florida: The Pats have a need here and can use youth at the position and Bryan would be a good fit, who draws comparisons to JJ Watt.

2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Picks

Here are my picks for the Divisional Round of the 2017-18 NFL playoffs.

Saturday, January 13th
(N6) Atlanta Falcons vs (N1) Philadelphia Eagles- 4:35, NBC: Atlanta is coming off an excellent Wild Card Round road win in Los Angeles against the Rams in which they played well in all phases. Philadelphia had a first round bye, but they lost Carson Wentz for the season and now Nick Foles is starting and they are the first team in NFL history to be a home underdog as a one-seed in the Divisional Round. The Eagles defense has shown leaks over the past month as well and that and the fact that Wentz is out, I love the Falcons here on the road to put on a similar performance like they did in Los Angeles.
Prediction: Atlanta 27, Philadelphia 13.

(A5) Tennessee Titans vs (A1) New England Patriots- 8:15, CBS: Tennessee is coming off an improbable Wild Card Round road win in Kansas City against the Chiefs in which they were down 21-3 at halftime and Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown pass to himself to get the Titans going in that second half. New England had a first time round and that helps them from a health standpoint so some of their key players can get healthy. The biggest story involving the Pats though is a story from ESPN's Seth Wickersham saying that there was turmoil with Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft. I don't think the reported rift will distract this team as they'll cruise here against a Titans team that got lucky last weekend.
Prediction: New England 33, Tennessee 16.

Sunday, January 14th
(A3) Jacksonville Jaguars vs (A2) Pittsburgh Steelers- 1:00, CBS: These two teams met very early in the season and the Jaguars won in Pittsburgh and Ben Rothlisberger had the worst game of his career and threw five interceptions. Jacksonville is coming off a Wild Card Round home win over the Buffalo Bills in which Blake Bortles was bad, but Tyrod Taylor was worse and the Jags defense led the way. Pittsburgh had a first round bye and like the Pats, it helped them from a health standpoint. Antonio Brown will be back for the Steelers and I don't see Big Ben throwing five picks again so give me the Steelers to win comfortably and I don't trust Blake Bortles against a good team on the road, especially in the playoffs.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30, Jacksonville 16.

(N4) New Orleans Saints vs (N2) Minnesota Vikings- 4:30, FOX: This is the weekends best game and these two teams met earlier in the season and the Vikings won the matchup although a lot has changed within these two teams since than. New Orleans is coming off a great Wild Card Round home win over the Carolina Panthers. Minnesota had a first round bye, so they'll be ready for this. Despite winning, I didn't love what I saw from the Saints defensively and I think Case Keenum can throw on him and Adam Thielen has been getting wide open all season long. That said, I like the Vikings in a close one and I believe they can slow down the running tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, similar to what the Panthers did.
Prediction: Minnesota 24, New Orleans 21.

2017-18 College Football Bowl Season: National Championship Prediciton

Here is my prediction for the 2017-18 College Football Playoff National Championship game.

(3) Georgia Bulldogs vs (4) Alabama Crimson Tide- 8:15, ESPN: Here we have all SEC Championship game between the conferences (and perhaps the nations) clear two best teams. Georgia is coming off an incredible double overtime victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Rose Bowl. Alabama is coming off a comfortable victory over the Clemson Tigers in a rematch of the last two National Championship games in the Sugar Bowl. Both teams are awesome defensively although the Bulldogs gave up 31 points in the first half of the Rose Bowl and. The Tide got healthier on defense although they lost Anfernee Jennings in the Sugar Bowl. Both teams are solid offensively with quarterbacks Jake Fromm for the Bulldogs and Jalen Hurts for the Tide and the running games are excellent with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel for the Bulldogs and Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough for the Tide. That said, I'm going to roll with the Tide here to win their sixth championship under Nick Saban and their fourth championship in seven seasons.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Georgia 20.

2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Round Picks

Here are my picks for the Wild Card round of the 2017-18 NFL playoffs

Saturday, January 6th
(A5) Tennessee Titans (9-7) vs (A4) Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)- 4:20, ABC/ESPN: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Tennessee is coming off a divisional home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch one of the two AFC Wild Card spots. Kansas City is coming off a divisional road win in Denver against the Broncos in a meaningless game that Pat Mahomes started in. The Titans have underachieved this season relative to preseason expectations and Marcus Mariota threw more interceptions than touchdown passes this season. The Chiefs have had a tail of three seasons at this point winning their first five games, than losing six of their next seven, followed by winning their final four games. That said, the Chiefs are the pick here over a Tennessee team that probably shouldn't have made the playoffs and who could fire Mike Mularkey if they lose here.
Prediction: Kansas City 27, Tennessee 16.

(N6) Atlanta Falcons (10-6) vs (N3) Los Angeles Rams (11-5)- 8:15, NBC: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Atlanta is coming off a huge divisional home win over the Carolina Panthers to clinch the final NFC Wild Card spot. Los Angeles is coming off a divisional home loss against the San Francisco 49ers in which they sat starters in. Atlanta isn't the same team they were last season in which they had some questionable losses as well and the loss of offensive coordinator now 49ers coach Kyle Shannahan proved to be huge. Los Angeles has been amazing all season blowing out a ton of teams and Sean McVay proved to be an excellent hire and is the favorite for Coach of the Year. My pick here is the Rams and MVP candidate Todd Gurley will lead the way.
Prediction: Los Angeles 31, Atlanta 20.

Sunday, January 7th
(A6) Buffalo Bills (9-7) vs (A3) Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)- 1:00, CBS: These two teams did not meet in the regular season. Buffalo is coming off a divisional road win in Miami over the Dolphins and courtesy of Andy Dalton and the Bengals upsetting the Ravens in Baltimore, the Bills are in the playoffs. Jacksonville is coming off a divisional road loss in Nashville against the Titans in a meaningless game that the Titans needed to have. Buffalo is very up and down and have has some nice wins and just awful losses. Jacksonville has had some nice wins and some difficult losses as well and Blake Bortles has been inconsistent. That said, the Jags defense has been outstanding all season long and I see them slowing down Tyrod Taylor and the Bills here whether LeSean McCoy plays or not.
Prediction: Jacksonville 23, Buffalo 10.

(N5) Carolina Panthers (11-5) vs (N4) New Orleans Saints (11-5)- 4:40, FOX: These two teams met twice in the regular season due to the fact that they're in the same division and the Saints won both matchups. Carolina is coming off a divisional road loss in Atlanta against the Falcons. New Orleans is coming off a divisional road loss in Tampa against the Buccaneers and they still won the NFC South thanks to the Panthers losing. Carolina has been up and down this season and when Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly are healthy, they are at their best. New Orleans is in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and their defense is improved led by Cameron Jordan and Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Marshon Lattimore as well as  their running game led by Mark Ingram and Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite Alvin Kamara. Drew Brees will be motivated and he and the running game will lead the way for the Saints.
Prediction: New Orleans 31, Carolina 24.

2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Schedule

Here is the schedule for the 2017-18 NFL playoffs with announcers.

1/6- WC: Titans vs Chiefs; 4:20, ABC/ESPN: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
1/6- WC: Falcons vs Rams; 8:15, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/7- WC: Bills vs Jaguars; 1:00, CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely
1/7- WC: Panthers vs Saints; 4:30, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Chris Myers
1/13- Divisional: Falcons vs Eagles; 4:35, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya
1/13- Divisional: Titans vs Patriots; 8:15, CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely
1/14- Divisional: Jaguars vs Steelers; 1:00, CBS: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn
1/14- Divisional: Saints vs Vikings; 4:30, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Chris Myers
1/21- AFC Championship: Jaguars vs Patriots; 3:00, CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely
1/21- NFC Championship: Vikings vs Eagles; 6:30, FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Chris Myers
2/4- Super Bowl: Eagles vs Patriots; 6:30, NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tofoya