Super Bowl 56 Thoughts

I wanted to have a clear thought 48 hours later and put out what I think about Super Bowl 56. Compared to the last few years, it was one of the better Super Bowls. Not great, but it wasn't bad either. The Los Angeles Rams get their second title, which was their first since 1999. With their loss, the Cincinnati Bengals have been to three and lost all of them.

The Rams made the plays that mattered down the stretch. Who else but Cooper Kupp to get the game winner. He also was the MVP for his eight catch, 92 yard and two touchdown performance. Matthew Stafford was a little shaky, though he came up at a clutch moment to connect with his receiver. Their only big problem on offense was the abysmal run game along with Stafford's two interceptions. The defense struggled early, but got going in the second half, overwhelming Cincy's Joe Burrow. A little change in game plan goes a long way.

As for Cincinnati, they hung in there. A lot will question the penalties on that final defensive drive. You can't hold. Simple as that. In the end, they couldn't stop anything in regards to the passing game. Offensively, they ran it better and Joe Burrow was clean for the most part. That final offensive drive, I question why they didn't give the ball to Joe Mixon on third and 1. Burrow's offensive line struggled late in the game, which ultimately decided it. Give credit as I said for hanging in there.

The Bengals will be relevant throughout the decade, as will the Rams. I have a feeling they'll see another Super Bowl soon, though not against each other. One or two small improvements and Cincy could bring a title to Ohio. Health and who leaves and retires will determine how Los Angeles fares if they can't defend their title. Until then, let's keep eye on who makes the big moves during the offseason.

Super Bowl 56 Prep Thoughts

On paper, this should be a good matchup. Super Bowl 56 should be able to have a close matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. Cincy hasn't been to a Super Bowl since 1988 and never won it in their only two appearances prior to this year. Los Angeles was in it last in 2018 and have only won it once in 1999 out of a total of four appearances.

Cincinnati needs to get the ground game going. Joe Mixon needs to play lights out phenomenal football.  The Ram defense will have a field day going after Joe Burrow. They have plenty of choices to throw to. JaMarr Chase will have to make good use of his opportunities. LA's secondary will also have to keep eye on the tight ends and if Mixon busts for a big one. Defensively, it's about stopping Matthew Stafford. Creating enough pressure to make him the Stafford of old and watching who is a potential receiver. 

Which brings me to the LA side on offense. Cam Akers and Sony Michel need to step it up. I believe Cooper Kupp will have a huge game as will Odell Beckham. Stafford has to get comfortable. Expect big plays also from the tight end and receiver Van Jefferson. While I would say the defense should keep close on what Mixon does, the goal should be to rattle Burrow. I'd also would try rattle the rookie kicker Evan McPherson. I got a feeling with how the playoffs have been all month, a kick is going to determine the outcome in a huge way. 

My prediction is 32 to 27 Los Angeles. This could go either way though. Cincinnati has been playing the underdog role greatly. It should be a more exciting matchup compared to the last three Super Bowls.

Quick Super Bowl LIII Thoughts

Another Super Bowl. This is going to be very quick as I don't think there is much in terms of advantage.

As a whole, both the LA Rams and New England Patriots have big ground games. Backs that can also play receiver quite well. The receiving corps on both sides will compliment the quarterbacks quite well and the lines will protect and create those holes tremendously. On defense, I think it's a different story.

I believe the edge goes to the Rams. They have the ability to figure things out and then put up a much better job in the second half than they do early on. Even with the Patriots having a strong offense, that defense has been putrid in the 4th quarter this postseason. That doesn't mean they are capable of playing defense, but they will have their hands full with the handfuls of playmakers the Rams have.

My thought: Rams win 30 to 24. Both teams will get plenty of points. Who do you think has the edge?

New Orleans v. NFL

While the AFC game could change how overtime goes, the NFC game of the NFL has reached boiling points and higher. Referees being moved from their hotel to another location. A city in shellshock and quite the anger that the Louisiana governor sent a letter to Roger Goodell. And now a lawsuit.

There is a rule in the NFL handbook that allows a game to be re-done at a certain point if the circumstances are worthy of that. Goodell could have the power to do that. On the one hand, it did sort of affect the outcome. For New Orleans, they could have had a chance to burn the clock a lot and kick a field goal, leaving the LA Rams very little time. On the other side of the equation, never underestimate that a team can win with 20 seconds left on the clock and force overtime.

Obviously, that pass interference that could have been was a huge missed call for the Saints. I feel bad a little bit for them. Unfortunately, they got the ball first in overtime, something people are forgetting. The refs didn't make Drew Brees throw that costly interception that led to the Rams game winner to go to the Super Bowl.. If the Saints won, we wouldn't be hearing a tenth of the venom we're seeing now. There's probably a few other things, but ultimately, this lawsuit is not going to stick.

I'll be surprised if anything happens, but the Saints have nothing to blame but themselves outside of that penalty. Their running game didn't show up. Brees didn't exactly have a great game. They blew an early 13 point lead. They didn't come prepared to win it all and make a stance like they did against Philadelphia. Louisiana and New Orleans fans can cry all they want. This is not going to materialize and the way the fans have been about the refs have got to stop. We can be critical, but let's not get to the point where they feel threatened.

NFL Wild Card 2018

Another season, another set of NFL playoffs have started once again, beginning today. Here are some quick thoughts and predictions.

Today's games should be an easy one. The early match up between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans is one sided favored towards the Chiefs. Offensively, they are an explosive bunch and the defense can hold its own and play well. With questions on both sides for the Titans, Arrowhead should be happy to get a win unless there's some unforseen circumstances like blowing it against the Colts four years ago. On the other side is the LA Rams having their first home playoff game in Los Angeles since the 1989 season against the Atlanta Falcons. Both sides can play with tough running games, defenses that don't give up, and good arms to throw the ball. It all depends if Atlanta can keep up and hang in the game, but the Rams seem destined to get into the Divisional Round. That's who I think advances.

Sunday's matches could see any of these four win. The early game is the Buffalo Bills going up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buffalo could win, but it all depends on LeSean McCoy actually suiting up from last week's ankle injury. They can prevent passing touchdowns, but the run defense is one of the worst. Facing the number one rushing team is a huge task, as well as Tyrod Taylor needing a perfect game. It should be in the books as a Jacksonville win, but don't rule out the Bills entirely. Blake Bortles could throw interceptions and rely on Leonard Fournette to help the Jags. I think it goes to Jacksonville winning. The question is: How much with they win by?

New Orleans and Carolina are the last match of the weekend. For the Saints, a much better defense and a punishing ground game bolstered them into the playoffs. That's who I see going further into the postseason. As strong as Carolina's rushing is, it is inconsistent. The passing is far from great, but not horrible. It all depends on how the defense can perform. They can pull off an impressive win, but every facet has to be near perfect. Any mistakes, and it could be a blowout.

Next week, we will look at the Divisional Round and who should advance to the Championship game.