Author: admin

It’s not college basketball’s March Madness, but it’s the NFL’s version of it.  The final four teams left in the playoffs, Vikings, Eagles, Patriots and Jaguars, are ready to determine who’s going to the Super Bowl.  It’s no surprise the Patriots are there once again!  After all the injuries I think everyone is surprised the others made it this far.  If you are tired of the Patriots being here again, there is a simple solution, just step up and beat them.  Until that happens or Tom Brady  retires, get use to it.

This weekend of playoff games could be very interesting.  If the Jaguars can keep from turning the ball over and play their style of defense, I give them a good chance to win.  This has to be a game of no mistakes, including untimely penalties.  Turnovers, defensive penalties, and giving the Patriots great field position will allow Tom to put a lot of  points on the board.  I just don’t see Jacksonville scoring 40 points again.  If the Jaguars can keep Tom and the Patriots under 23 points, I think they will win.  Everyone knows that Tom and the Patriots have been here before, many times, but this is the first kick at the can for Blake Bortles.   Hopefully he can stay calm and keep up his error free play.  The old saying, “Defenses win championships” may never be to put to the test more than this weekend.  Personally, I love the underdogs but it is hard to bet against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

The NFC Championship game is full of incredible stories.  Both quarterbacks, Nick Foles of the Eagles, and Case Keenum of the Vikings are great stories with potential storybook endings.  Basically Case was the third quarterback on the Vikings roster.  Right now, in my opinion, he is the league MVP.  The way he has played this year and how he has led the Vikings is something Disney couldn’t have scripted.  Nick Foles stepped in for Carson Wentz, who at the time of his injury was the leading candidate for this years league MVP.  Now he is in the position to take the Eagles to the Super Bowl.  Before this season started, you could’t have made this up.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs from NCIS always talks about his his gut feelings.  My guts are telling me that the Eagles are going to win.  But the rest of my anatomy is on the Vikings.  Nothing would be better for the NFL than to have the Vikings become the first team in NFL history to play in a Super Bowl hosted by their home town.  If that happens, Disney will come out with a fairy tale type movie, guaranteed!

The Outdoor Quarterback

 

I am still depressed over the Chiefs loss!  It’s time to get over it and move on.  The next round of the NFL playoffs are coming up and there will be some great games.  In my opinion the Vikings against the  Saints  will be the best game of the weekend.  Even though I played for the Vikings and I like their chances, there is something about the Saints this year.  They may have to best tandem running backs in the NFL with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, who is in the running, no pun intended, for offensive rookie of the year.  It has been a long time since I have seen two backs that complement each other like they do.  If the Vikings stop the run, which their defense can, then you have to deal with Drew Brees.  I am not sure there would be many other quarterbacks I would rather have playing for me in the playoffs than Drew, maybe Tom Brady, Joe Montana or John Elway.  I know it is a short list!

One thing about the Saints this year is the improvement of their defense.  They are fast, play with great intensity and everyone runs to the ball.  They are led by Cameron Jordan, who’s engine never stops running.  Of all the defensive players in the league right now, I wouldn’t hesitate to turn the channel to a Saints game to watch him play.  There are not many other defensive players I would do that for, JJ Watts, Von Miller, Khalil Mack and Luke Kuechly are about it.  Along with Cameron, all of the players are game changers, keep an eye on 94.

Two of the best stories in the NFL this year are quarterback Case Keenum and wide receiver Adam Thielen.  I can absolutely make a case for Case Keenum as the NFL MVP.  To do what he has done for the Vikings this year is incredible.  I have been so impressed with how he has led this team and what he has accomplished.  I have become such a fan of his, I made him my starting quarterback in fantasy football.  The other big story this year for the Vikings is the play of wide receiver Adam Thielen.  He has caught 91 passes for 1,276 yards. Not bad for a free agent.  Adam had the longest pass reception for the vikings this year, 65 yards.  No question about it, he will be Case’s favorite target against the Saints.

Just a reminder, both teams play in a dome stadium, so no advantage for the Vikings.  The noise for the home town team will be!

The Outdoor Quarterback

Well of course I am going to talk about the Chiefs winning the division and getting a home playoff game!  Let’s just hope there isn’t a mid- season relapse and that they continue to play like they have for the past three weeks!  Very proud of how they have battled back to the way they started the season.

The Titans will be coming to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs.  Tennessee  has beaten the Chiefs the last two times they played.  Over the years, playing at Arrowhead has been a huge advantage.  I guess they will find out if that is still true late Saturday afternoon.  Should be a great game!

Two key players will be absent from the Chiefs roster, De’Anthony Thomas and Akeem Hunt.  Both have contributed significantly to the Chiefs offense and special teams this season.  Running back C.J. Spiller has been signed to the Chiefs roster for the fourth time this year.  Spiller knows the offense and should add depth to the running back position and on special teams.  He could be a factor in this weeks playoff game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans are led by third year quarterback  Marcus Mariota.  No question Marcus is a play maker and can hurt you throwing the football as well with his legs.  A key scramble with a picture perfect stiff arm, led to a critical first down that put the game on ice for the Titans and secured their playoff position.

I think their defense in underestimated.  They are number one in the NFL in not giving up deep passes, while the Chiefs, believe it or not, lead the NFL in  deep throws.  This could be a key factor in winning or losing the game.  If the Chiefs can complete one pass play over 40 yards, I believe they will win.  They need to stretch the field early to open up the running game for Kareem Hunt.  The Chiefs have the weapon that can do that, Tyreek Hill, the Cheetah!

Go Chiefs!

The Outdoor Quarterback

 

This past weekend cleared up some of the NFL playoff scenarios.  New England, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville have all secured playoff spots.  Congratulations goes out to Jacksonville and Minnesota for their year so far.  Minnesota had to go to their backup quarterback, Case Keenum, who is now in the running for the league MVP.  The Jaguars quarterback, Blake Bortles, has come on strong in the last three games.  Blake has the highest QB rating over those three weeks than any other quarterback in the NFL.  Both the Vikings and Jaguars defenses have played a huge role in their success.  Don’t be surprised to see both of these teams go deep in the playoffs.

That is what we know.  What we don’t know is how things are going to shake out in the divisions that are undecided.  The Chiefs needs to win just one of their two remaining games to win the AFC West.  The Rams, Saints and Panthers are all 10-4 and look good to make the playoffs.  The Panthers are at the top of the wild card picture.  The Falcons, by winning out, could actually win their division.  They hold the tie breaker over the Saints.  They need to win at least one more game to make the playoffs.  Their last two games are against the Panthers and the Saints.  All of these teams, Saints, Falcons and Jaguars are playing playoff level football.  I like the Saints.  I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these three teams makes it to the Super Bow.  The last two weeks of the season for the NFC South are going to be intense!

The team, I think, that may be a big surprise in this years playoffs is the LA Rams.  This past week they put a beating on the Seahawks, which I didn’t think was possible, especially in Seattle.  The only thing that will stop the Rams is the lack of playoff experience.  They are my long shot to make to the NFC championship.

Santa is going to come early to some of these teams on Christmas Eve!

The Outdoor Quarterback

There are some great games this week in the NFL.  One particular game is the Chiefs vs Raiders.  Both teams are 6 and 6 with division implications written all over it.  The loser of this game maybe out of the playoffs for this year.  I know the Chiefs have won 6 out of the last 7 meetings, but the Chiefs have been in a downward spiral for past six weeks.  The Raiders won the first meeting on a late fourth quarter touchdown in Oakland.  This is one of the best rivalries in all of the NFL, I am sure that loss doesn’t sit well with the Chiefs.  But for the Chiefs to win, they must tackle on defense and play less conservatively on offense, much like they did against the Jets and the New England Patriots.

Another game that I will be watching is the Saints vs Falcons.  As a former quarterback, this game offers two of the best in the league.  A for sure Hall of Fame’r, Drew Brees and a potential Hall of Fame’r Matt Ryan.  Love to watch these guys play.  Neither one of them are afraid to toss the rock in tight spots.  Both the Saints and Falcons can run the ball well, which will present challenges to each teams defenses.  My two favorite players in this match up are, Julio Jones (Falcons) and Alvin Kamara  (Saints).  Jones may be the best receiver in the NFL and Alvin could be offensive rookie of the year.  Each of these players can do it all at their positions.  Should be exciting to watch.

One other game that I will turn on this weekend is the Rams vs Eagles.  The two quarterback were drafted 1 and 2 two years ago.  Both Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are exceeding everyone’s expectations.  The Rams and Eagles are leading their respective divisions.  Each of these quarterbacks are having, statistically, great years.  More importantly they are winning games.  Must see TV for the football junkies.

A great weekend for meaningful games.  Don’t miss them!

The Outdoor Quarterback

The Kansas City Chiefs have managed to do something that has only been done by three teams in the Super Bowl Era.  That is start the season 5 – 0 and lose 6 of the next 7 games.  That isn’t a statistic you want to be known for.  It is a catastrophic fall that has only happened two others times.  Collapse would be the most appropriate adjective.

In this case, it is easy to spread the blame.  There is no question several of the key players are under performing.  In this last game against the NY Jets, the Chiefs premier outside linebacker and pass rusher, Justin Houston, did not register a tackle, hurry or sack.  Key players like Justin have to step up in games like this.  Then the Chiefs have a player, Marcus Peters who, in my opinion, has become a detriment to the team, especially on the field.  He doesn’t tackle, he is giving up big plays and has had several untimely penalties do to his immaturity.  Something needs to be done with him!

The offense, in several of the previous 6 losses, must shoulder some of the blame.  But when your offense scores 30 and 31 points you should win games in the NFL.  This hasn’t been the case for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have shown signs of undisciplined play on the field, both on offense and defense.  Dropped passes, offensive penalties and confusion.  The defense, has at times, been out of position at the snap of the ball.  How can you make your reads if you are not in position when the play starts?  Poor tackling is the most consistent thing being done on the defense.  These are not effort issues they are discipline issues.  Something good teams don’t have.

So who is responsible for the current situation?  It’s my opinion it is both the players and the coaches.  Andy Reed turned over the play calling to the quarterback coach, Matt Nagy, and they put up 31 points and over 500 yards of offense, that was a step in the right direction.  But Andy needs to get control of the confusion and undisciplined play on the field.

Just as important to a teams overall success, from an offensive perspective, special teams strategy and the defensive approach are the plays being called.  Whoever has that responsibility for the Chiefs defense, is not doing a very good job.  They can’t stop the run effectively.  It seems that every quarterback the Chiefs play against can escape when they need to on critical 3rd downs for first downs.  To me it appears the Chiefs defensive coaches are putting the players in bad positions and have no chance to be successful.

I would go back and look at what the defense did well in the first 5 games and compare it to the the last 6 losses.

One last thing, another trick play may have cost the Chiefs the game against the Jets!  Get rid of them!

The Outdoor Quarterback