So, finally all the pre-season nonsense is out the way and it's back to every-Sunday action in the NFL. The season kicked off in New York, where Tony Romo put on a Wednesday-night exhibition as he dismantled a weak Giants secondary and consigned the reigning champions to a losing start in 2012. As seems to be the case every season, there are more teams that could contend, more players who seem poised for breakout and more reasons why you cannot take your eyes off the action.
So, as was the case with my MLB blog, I will attempt to make 5 (varying levels of) bold predictions for the coming season...
1. The Packers do not make the play-offs
Bold indeed. A QB who is arguably playing better than any in history is a tough man to keep out of the post-season. However, increasingly Rodgers is being forced to carry this team. In many ways, this is a compliment to the fact that Green Bay can afford deficiencies elsewhere because of Rodgers brilliance, but if he keeps putting the team on his back then maybe that back is going to break. The GB defense is average at best, led arguably by one of the greatest young line-backers in the league Clay Matthews, but lacking quality elsewhere. Last season they had an extra-ordinary 31 interceptions, as teams were forced to air it out due to the metronomic offense. Despite this, in 9 of the 16 games they gave up more than 20 points, and bear in mind they had a number of easy match-ups (Minnesota twice, Tampa Bay, Denver, St Louis, Raiders, Chiefs, Bears twice). Unless they can repeat their phenomenal turnover record, it could be a long season for the D. The GB running game is also non-existent, so if teams can somehow find out a way to at least slow down Rodgers, the Packers may find themselves out of SB contention come January.
2. Percy Harvin becomes a top 5 receiver
There has never been a question of talent with Harvin. His elite speed, good natural hands, excellent elevation and improving route-running have always had him set out as a future no.1 receiver. However, problems with migraines, revolving doors at QB and more migraines have previously de-railed his career. Last season, he managed to finally put the migraine problem to rest, and when Ponder got frequent playing time the pair struck up quite a partnership - Harvin touched the ball 100 times, with Welker second with just 76 offensive touches. Ponder quickly found the weapon in this offense, and gave him the ball. A lot. If the pair can hook up for 80 receptions this season, then Harvin will have no choice but to become one of the top wide-outs in the game. Health is always a risk though.
3. Rookies do well. Again.
There were an unprecedented number of rookies thrust into immediate starting roles in the NFL last season and most of them thrived. The success of Cam Newton needs no describing, Andy Dalton played well for the Bengals, Aldon Smith and Von Miller played excellent defense and Julio Jones and A.J. Green both showed that they could be no.1 receivers. Undoubtedly last years rookie class was an unbelievable batch, but there are no reasons to think that players like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne can fill immediate vacancies for their respective sides. There will always be some rookies who struggle with the jump up to the NFL (a certain Jaguars QB anyone), but in general we are seeing some of the most polished first-year players in history.
4. Sam Bradford becomes a top 10 QB
This is more of a gut feeling than a statement that can be backed up with facts and evidence. Something of Bradford's career so far just reminds me of Matthew Stafford. Bradford so far hasn't proved he is as good a pure passer - he doesn't have anything near the arm strength and as yet, anything near the 'football brain'. However, when the two were at college, Bradford was considered the more polished player, and the glimpses we've seen of him suggest that he can be a successful starter. Last season in the 10 games he started he was impressive, throwing for 300 yards in two of them with just 6 INTs. He didn't have the weapons to be a real gun-slinger, and being a QB for a team that has a run-first mentality will always limit his production. Once more, his receiving options are limited - Danny Amendola, Steve Smith and Mike Sims-Walker are unlikely to give defensive co-ordinators headaches. Not only that, but Bradford's offensive line is awful - truly dreadful - so Bradford is likely to spend more time on his ass than on his feet. But he's a talent just waiting to break-out, and I have a feeling this is his year.
5. Darren McFadden leads the league in rushing
So far in his NFL career, the only weakness that can really be levelled at him is his fragility. Injuries have plagued his career so far, and the glimpses of absolute brilliance he has flashed have only served to make those injuries more frustrating. In his first 6 games of last season, McFadden had 111 rushes for 610 yards and 4 TDs to go with 18 catches for 151 yards and a TD. Those are elite numbers, and with no Michael Bush around to hawk goal-line carries, the TD numbers will only increase. If he's on the field I expect the Raiders to try and give him the ball at least 30 times a game, and with his elite speed, superior vision and excellent strength, McFadden will be hard if not impossible to stop. If he plays all 16 games, then there is no doubt in my mind that he can lead the league in rushing.
So there you have it. Bold, brilliant or plain barmy, those are my picks!
Friday, 7 September 2012
Friday, 6 January 2012
The Playoffs are Here!
So, another crazy NFL regular season under the belt, and once again it is the familiar names that are in the post-season picture - the Packers, the Patriots, the Saints, The Bronc-wait, what?!
Yep, you heard right, the Tim Tebow led Broncos are into the play-offs. First game up they have the Pittsburgh Steelers and well, that might get bloody.
So, anyway, 4 lucky teams have earned themselves first round byes, and they are the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers from the NFC and the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens from the AFC. The pick of the wildcard games appears to be Saints-Lions which should be a high-scoring affair - Drew Brees who is playing better than anyone in history, and has broken Dan Marino's passing yards record and Matthew Stafford, who has finally played a full 16 games and shown that when he does, he is fantastic.
Well, anyway, here are my predictions for the ol' playoffs:
Wildcard Games:
Houston v Cincinatti
Pittsburgh v Denver
Detroit v New Orleans
Atlanta v New York
Divisional Round:
New England v Houston
Baltimore v Pittsburgh
New Orleans v San Francisco
Atlanta v Green Bay
Championship Round:
Baltimore v New England
Green Bay v New Orleans
Super Bowl:
New Orleans v New England
With Drew Brees, naturally, as Super Bowl MVP.
Yeah, I'm going to be wrong, but it's worth a try anyway!
Yep, you heard right, the Tim Tebow led Broncos are into the play-offs. First game up they have the Pittsburgh Steelers and well, that might get bloody.
So, anyway, 4 lucky teams have earned themselves first round byes, and they are the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers from the NFC and the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens from the AFC. The pick of the wildcard games appears to be Saints-Lions which should be a high-scoring affair - Drew Brees who is playing better than anyone in history, and has broken Dan Marino's passing yards record and Matthew Stafford, who has finally played a full 16 games and shown that when he does, he is fantastic.
Well, anyway, here are my predictions for the ol' playoffs:
Wildcard Games:
Houston v Cincinatti
Pittsburgh v Denver
Detroit v New Orleans
Atlanta v New York
Divisional Round:
New England v Houston
Baltimore v Pittsburgh
New Orleans v San Francisco
Atlanta v Green Bay
Championship Round:
Baltimore v New England
Green Bay v New Orleans
Super Bowl:
New Orleans v New England
With Drew Brees, naturally, as Super Bowl MVP.
Yeah, I'm going to be wrong, but it's worth a try anyway!
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