Eyes On NFL: Wild Card Round

By @TrueGodImmortal

The time has arrived. The NFL playoffs have begun. This weekend will see the start of the playoffs and the road to the Super Bowl begin. Of course, there are four games this weekend that will determine what the second round of the playoffs will be. Which teams will advance to face the Eagles, the Vikings, the Patriots, and Steelers? Let's take a look at the wild card round.

*Kansas City Chiefs vs Tennessee Titans 

-I have no desire to really watch this game. I'll be honest. The Chiefs and the Titans are two teams I didn't want to see in the playoffs. The Chiefs haven't been at their best since the first few weeks of the season and the Titans aren't a true threat. Marcus Mariota is a solid quarterback, but the biggest question mark about the Titans going forward is their defense. Can they stop Kareem Hunt, Alex Smith, and their receiving core? That will be the true question that decides this game. The Chiefs have played better than I expected the last few weeks, but that's mostly due to the level of competition. Their schedule allowed them to make it this far, but I think their luck doesn't run out just yet. The Titans will put up a fight, but the Chiefs will have more answers for them. I predict the Chiefs will walk away with the victory here.

Winner: Chiefs

*Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams 

-I see a lot of people saying this game will be won by the Falcons. I'm not so sure. I think the fight within the Falcons will help them get an edge early in the game, but I don't think they have enough  to sustain Todd Gurley, who could be the difference maker in the game. The Falcons seem to be a bit banged up and that could be a difference maker in this game. The Rams have that great offense and with Jared Goff, Gurley, and all of the receivers playing, it might be tougher for the Falcons to slow them down. The fact remains however that the Falcons do have more playoff experience, but this is one and done. If the Rams come out firing, this game will be their victory and I predict they will win a close one.

Winner: Rams

*Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville  Jaguars 

-I don't have high hopes for this one at all. This game might be ugly. I never expected to see the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs and I sincerely hope they don't win this game. Their defense has been surprisingly good against lesser offensive foes, but the Jaguars run game will be a big issue for them to stop. Blake Bortles has flashes of brilliance along with his usual mediocre play, but I can't determine what type of performance he will give us in this game. However, Tyrod Taylor has a lot to prove in this game after the benching debacle earlier in the season, and with the chance of Shady missing this game, it could really get ugly for the Bills. Still, I think this game will end up being a solid one with the Jaguars winning by 10 points. The Jaguars defense will need to step up and make things happen in order for Jacksonville to advance.

Winner: Jaguars

*Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints 

-This is the most interesting game of the weekend. Two NFC South rivals with two important quarterbacks will do battle. The difference maker in this will be defense. All signs would point to the Saints being able to slow down the Panthers, who have struggled a bit, but the Saints are by default the NFC South Champions. Their run game is deadly, their passing game can be deadly if Drew Brees is focused, and they have an improved defense after the early problems they experienced. The question is, do they have what it takes to beat the Panthers? This is going to be a tougher battle than I believe most expect and for some reason, I can see Cam Newton having one of his best games this season and leading the Carolina offense down the field throughout. I think this could go either way, but I do believe that we'll see the Panthers pull off what has to be considered an upset.

Winner: Panthers

-True

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Eyes on the Ring 11:55 PM  No comment

Eyes On NFL: Week 16 Games To Watch

By @TrueGodImmortal

With the NFL regular season season almost at the end, the playoff picture is almost set. The only thing that hasn't been set officially are the first round byes (aside from the Eagles) and some of the seeding. For now, a number of the teams are all set and the rest of the games this season are mostly pointless, but there are a few that have some significance. Which games are those? Let's take a look.

*Los Angeles Rams vs Tennessee Titans

-This game matters for two reasons. The Rams can lock up the NFC West with a win and be one step closer to a possible first round bye if everything goes the way it needs to for them. I'm sure they'll settle just for the NFC West title, but they face a Titans team that is struggling to make it into the playoffs. The thing about this game is that while the Rams are hungry and ready for more wins, the Titans are just as hungry for the playoffs. It all depends on how Mariota and the rest of the boys play, but if I had to bet my money on one of these teams, I would side with the Rams. The more momentum they continue to build, the better. Plus, who can stop Todd Gurley? Not this Titans defense. 

*New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills 

-This game has little significance to the Patriots. They are the no. 1 seed in the AFC as expected, and have locked up yet another division title. By now, this is a cakewalk for them. However, they have been very lucky this season for a number of their wins and hungry teams have pushed them to the limits. With the Bills so close to locking up a playoff spot, they will come out and give it all they have to try and get a win. Can the Bills pull it off? I think it's very possible that they can, but the Patriots seem to be in rhythm for the postseason and I have to go with Brady to pull it off. However, you can't count the Bills out entirely.

*Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints 

-This is the most important game on the entire schedule this week. With the Falcons and Saints both vying for the NFC South crown with the Panthers also in the hunt, this game could be a determining factor in the division and in the playoffs. A win for the Saints puts them in prime position, while a win for the Falcons keeps their hopes alive for a playoff berth. The fact three of the NFC South teams could make the playoffs is crazy, but nothing is promised. I think the Saints will end up winning this game, putting the Falcons in jeopardy for the playoffs, and the only reason why I see the Saints winning is because of their Ingram and Kamara tandem, alongside the fact that the Falcons have barely escaped with victories the last few weeks mostly. So with that, I'm going with the Saints.

*Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys 

-Ezekiel Elliott is back. The Cowboys are barely in the playoff hunt. The Seahawks need a win. The Cowboys need a win. Both teams want to keep their playoff hopes alive, but the Seahawks are admittedly banged up and rely too much on Russell Wilson to make it happen for them. Still, I think Zeke will likely be a tad off in this game, which may shock some. I think you're due to see the Seahawks step up big time and Russ will have an amazing game, exposing the Cowboys and their secondary. The game will be close, but I think the Seahawks keep their playoff hopes alive, and kill the Cowboys hopes of the playoffs with a big victory.

*Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans 

-Why does this game matter? Two reasons. One, the Steelers won't have Antonio Brown and they probably need this win more than anyone this week because of this. The first round bye would come in handy for them in the event they can secure it. However, with Joe Haden returning for the Steelers, as well as the offensive strength that they have, this should end in a victory for the Steelers. A win here should lock up the first round bye and of course, they'll lock up the AFC North. The Texans are playing for nothing really, so I think this game ends with a victory for the Steelers. The season officially ends next week, so it'll be interesting to see how things shape up this week for Week 17.

-True 

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Eyes on the Ring 11:42 PM  No comment

Eyes On NFL: The 5 Best NFC Teams

By @TrueGodImmortal

This year, the NFC is once again the most exciting conference in the NFL. There are some intriguing teams staking their claim in the conference and a few surprises. Injuries and lack of chemistry have completely ruined the New York Giants, and of course Aaron Rodgers going down has seemed to stifle the chances of the Packers, but the biggest surprise this year is the success of the LA Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. With that being said, what teams make the top 5 in the NFC currently? Let's take a look.

5. New Orleans Saints
(6-2)

-I really didn't want to include the Saints, but it's almost impossible not to now. Their defense hasn't been the greatest, but it's improved since the dismal start of the season. With these improvements, the Saints and their solid offense have experienced some success, which comes as a surprise honestly. They sit atop the NFC South and though I believe they could lose that spot soon to the Carolina Panthers, they manage to crack the top 5 just because of their current 6-2 record. Drew Brees is showing signs of slowing down immensely however and that can't bode well for the postseason hopes of the Saints.

4. Seattle Seahawks
(5-3)

-The Seahawks are really just here because they're the Hawks. That's it. There is nothing about this team that seems impressive yet, much like the Saints, but I think they have some momentum on their side. They would have been in the third spot, but the lackluster defense that led the Redskins to score in the final two minutes over them helped them slide down the rankings one spot. Russell Wilson is playing well, but his offensive line needs some improvement and their secondary can have mental lapses sometimes. All in all, they're still a good team and a top NFC team and I expect them to continue to compete in the postseason after making the wild card spot (Rams will win the division).

3. Dallas Cowboys
(5-3)

-With Dallas looking lesser than they did last year, it is slightly shocking to see them start to figure it out, as they seem more comfortable than ever after a big win over the Chiefs. After that victory, the Cowboys have set themselves higher than the Saints and the Seahawks as they look more offensively and defensively sound. They have a ways to go to catch up to the Eagles this season, but the biggest benefit is the halting of the suspension of Ezekiel Elliott. Dak Prescott looks solid this year, but Zeke still being on the field helps their offense immensely. Will the Cowboys show out in the 2nd half of the season? That remains to be seen, but they are very well on their way. 

2. Los Angeles Rams
(6-2)

-What a surprise. The Rams are the top team in the NFC West and seem to be on their way to a possible playoff berth. While that could always change in the 2nd half of the season, right now, they show no signs of letting up. With youth on their side, and a hungry offense, the Rams are a tough team to compete against. With Jared Goff looking better and Todd Gurley looking like a star, the Rams could win their division and compete heavily during the postseason and that's a bit shocking, but extremely promising. I hope the Rams continue to have success.

1. Philadelphia Eagles
(8-1)

-Carson Wentz is the current MVP front runner. How does this happen? Well it's simple. He's become more poised as a quarterback, more accurate and his confidence is through the roof. Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, and more make for a solid receiving core, while the addition of Jay Ajayi seems to be a positive for this team. After their dominant win over the Broncos, the Eagles are not only the best team in the NFC, but the entire NFL right now. Come playoff time, we'll see how the Eagles fare, but for right now, they are the kings of the NFC and don't show signs of slowing down.

-True 

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Eyes on the Ring 1:00 AM  13 comments