NFL Wild Card Round: Subverting Expectations, And Also Not

 

Bills-Colts

My Prediction: The Bills will steamroll Indianapolis and it won't be close.

Reality: Not...as such. This was a really close game, and really entertaining to watch. Yes, there was the angle of 'THIS COULD BE PHILIP RIVERS' LAST GAME' and such, but even still Rivers was hanging in there, and making solid throws even well into the death throes of his team's efforts. But...it was impossible to stop the Bills from still outscoring them, as Diggs and Beasley still had great showings. The last quarter was tense as hell, but the final hail mary was a wash, and the Bills had a crucial playoff win at home, their first in 25 years. I couldn't be any more here for it, and I hope their good luck continues.

Seahawks-Rams:

My Prediction: It'll be hard fought, but there's no way the Rams will beat the Seahawks at home with a no-name starting at QB.

Reality: I was...kinda right? The Rams didn't win with Wohlford at QB, they won with Jared Goff there. Even if Goff isn't quite what he was supposed to be when they drafted them [why do I sense another QB trade with Philly coming on?], Goff still led the Rams to a win despite his lack of throwing prowess. Simply because Russell Wilson couldn't get stuff done, and because Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey kept blocking him at every turn. Therefore, the Rams, who could get past the Seattle defense in its depleted state, came away with the victory. Of course. 

It's looking like the Rams will have to go to Green Bay next week, as they're currently the lowest seeded team still in the race, so I wish McVay and the gang the best of luck. They've won at Lambeau before, but not with a scattered team like this. 

Bucs-Washington

Prediction: Yes, the Buccaneers are going to win, but it'd be nice if Washington put up a biiiit of fight.

Reality: That's kinda what happened. The Washington Nonames were forced to start Taylor Heinicke at QB, as Alex Young was hurt, as he tends to be. So...Taylor Heinicke against the greatest QB of our times...what do YOU think happened? Honestly...Heinicke had some prime time moments, scored some TDs, showed some promise for whatever squad signs him as a backup in 2021, but...this game belonged to Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Leonard Fournette, and the entire crew of veterans in Tampa. It wasn't gonna be close, and props to Washington for making it close, but...this was inevitable. 

Ravens-Titans

Prediction: Derrick Henry game v2. Titans are the better team, Ravens had more struggles during the season, Titans will win out.

Reality: The Lamar Jackson that should have showed up in last year's Titans-Ravens game showed up today, with some amazing running plays and touchdowns, plus some great work from the defense keeping Henry at bay. The Ravens looked more confident than they've looked in the playoffs in years, and deserved that win. 

Bears-Saints

Prediction: Saints won't even make it close.

Reality: I mean, that first half was kinda close. It was a game of defenses and stalemates, and it was a really dull game to broadcast on Nickelodeon. But, the Saints came alive in the second half and put Trubisky and the Bears away, as predicted. They'll play the Bucs next week, and that'll be interesting- Brady v. Brees for a crack at Rodgers [or...Goff?]

Browns-Steelers

Prediction: Okay the Steelers will probably win but man it'd be nice if the Browns found a way to get ahead somehow.

Reality: WHOA. THIS IS MORE LIKE IT. It's not a complete drubbing because the Steelers still scored 37 points and it's not a good sign for how the Browns will handle the Chiefs next week, but MAN THAT WAS SATISFYING. The Browns got their first playoff win in years, Landry and Chubb had big games, Baker Mayfield proved he can deliver in the playoffs, and a team that was undefeated til mid-November was sent home early. This is why I started watching football again, to see fun stuff like this again. It may not last long, but it's good to see the Browns victorious in the postseason for the first time in my lifetime. 

Next week, the plot thickens, and hopefully a good final picture forms. 

The Super Bowl: Notes from the Inside

Train stations crammed with sports fans, with temperatures rivaling those in a sauna.

A grandstand at a race track stuffed with rich people, celebrities, food, and a terrible Bon Jovi tribute band.

Floor after floor of $20 cheesesteaks and $14 beer.

An entire section of squawking mad Seahawks fans starting chants every thirty seconds.

THAT...is where I was yesterday.

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Yes, the rumors were true. I wasn't joking when I said I had tickets, because why the hell would I joke about going to the Super Bowl??? Nobody DOES that. It's ridiculous.

Because it's all a day later, and the event is still fresh in everyone's minds, I will recall the entire event, from the moment I stepped off the train and saw myself outside MetLife Stadium, immersed in droves of Oranges and Lime Greens.

I was accompanied by my cousin Dylan, who is probably the only person I know who is taller than I am. So imagine two guys in New York Giants jerseys walking through a crowd of mostly Broncos and Seahawks fans. There is where our story begins.

----

Our first experience of the day was venturing into the long lines and beginning the long ascent into the MetLife stadium bulk. There were lines around lines around lines, and that was outside the main tent. Once we got INTO the tent, there was another 15-20 minutes, and another 4 or 5 people we had to show our tickets to until we got into the security line, and were patted down. Dylan was briefly stopped due to the metal bolts in his feet (basketball injuries), but we managed to get in.

On the way out of the main tent, they had fan towels, for each team. For the Broncos they had a 'Denver Strong' or something. For the Seahawks they had the '#12' towel. We agreed that we'd each take one; I took Seattle and Dylan took Denver. Funny how that worked out.

Right after we got in, we went over to the Tailgate Party, which my mystery contact had gotten us into. The security there wasn't as lavish as getting into Metlife; all it took was to show the passes. The woman that checked off mine saw my Michael Strahan jersey and said "I'm sorry, you're at the wrong Super Bowl', before cracking a smile and checking my pass. Playing the part of a pompous Giants fan increasingly well (though still a Philly fan at heart), I replied "No, I came a year early!"

The Tailgate Party was actually pretty nice. They had the grandstand of the Meadowlands Racetrack all dressed up and filled with lots of food stations, which were much better than the ones in Dallas. I enjoyed the mini crab cakes, the Italian sausage sandwich, and the chicken tacos. While at the party, Dylan and I passed by Hayden Panetierre, who looked a bit bored and uninterested. Come on, smile! Heroes is over, you're on a show with Chip from Whose Line, and you're at the flippin' Super Bowl!

After this, we actually made our way into the stadium. This wasn't as chaotic as I thought, as it consistent of just going up a series of escalators to our seats. Our seats, for your information, were on the 3rd level, and despite being sort of high up, we still had a perfect view of the action, from basically one of the corners of the field. Were they perfect? No, but they were still SEATS at the SUPER BOWL.

Our seats, by the way, were smack in the middle of the Seahawks corner of the high levels. I felt sorry for the poor Broncos fans behind us, who kept trying to drown out the incessant cries of "SEA...HAWKS...SEA...HAWKS" with their own annoying bleating of "LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFENSE!"  Suffice to say, this did not work.

The highlight of the pregame ceremonies was the climax of the National Anthem, which culminated in a dozen helicopters flying over the stadium, flying very close to us, amidst the smoke of the fireworks. It was easily the coolest visual of the night. You could see the people poking their heads out the windows.

The game began soon after that. It was very refreshing to be rooting for the Hawks in this environment, because they just kept biting back. That first play, that safety, was only the beginning. The crowds were untamed, and utterly insane. I'd never been to Seattle, though I can tell you that this fact aided me, as I really didn't WANT to be used to that level of chaos.

These fans reacted to everything. Every reviewed play, ever shit call, everything. They started yelling and screaming when Sherman got injured, and cheered when he came around in the golf cart. They even went nuts before the game at every fan shout-out from a Seahawk.

But the game, in terms of actual gameplay, was actually pretty boring. When one team dominates for the whole game, it can be fun, but if it's the Super Bowl, there's no drama, and it can get kinda boring. Which it did. I was waiting for Bruno Mars to show up throughout most of the 2nd quarter.

And when he did, the whole place went wild. The led lights attached to our hats went wild, sprouting reds and blues all around the field, setting the stage for Mr. Mars' unbelievable performance. I did, however, enjoy the Chili Peppers a bit more, though I wish they would have played something a little less overplayed, like Higher Ground or something. Overall, I was impressed. Better than the Black Eyed Peas.

The rest of the game was the same old stuff. Seahawks scoring, Broncos failing, Hawks fans going "L..O..B....L...O..B..", Broncos fans slowly exiting the stadium in tears. At least they had that one touchdown, though.

Soon after that the game ended, the trophy was presented, and Dylan and I cheered with the Hawks fans still left. We walked back down the escalators we had rode up. We saw the parade of fans deprived of their energy begin their awful train rides back home. Dylan and I parted ways after that- he was catching the train, I had another, safer mode of transportation, which I won't disclose, other than the fact that it has wheels and moves. And no, it wasn't a Segway.

Long story short, I made it home late, got home at 1, and basically had no real reason to go to school today. It also helped that I had a snow day anyway, so there.

So that's my account of the super bowl. It was fun, it was frenzied, it was everywhere, it was worthwhile, it was bombastic.

I don't know if I'll ever go again. But if I do, I'll be sure to share.

Thoughts on an impending Super Bowl

So, this is happening.

I know it isn't the least bit shocking that we have a Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl on our hands, but let's at least pretend like it is. Pretend like we had absolutely no idea that in September the two best teams would make it to February.

This is gonna be tough.

Anyway, I am happy that both of these teams made it, because they were both better than the alternatives. I would not have liked a Pats-Niners series, because it would just be 3 hours of Harbaugh yelling and Belicheck glaring. Also, if the Pats won, uuuggghhhh.

So, now you're probably wondering who I want to win. Well, I'll make it simple. My uncle is a lifetime Seahawks fan, and he has endured so much shit over the last few decades that I've come to feel sorry for him. Especially after Brian Bosworth's acting career. So I have to say the Seahawks, because they seem like the more fun team, Sherman nonwithstanding.

I don't know, it could really go either way. It could be Peyton's game, or it could be Wilson's. I mean, there is only one way to find out. And I am relatively close to finding out close-hand.

NFC Championship- The next great QB matchup?

It's like they did this on purpose.

Three hours after having yet another Manning-Brady game, the playoffs boil down to a game between two of the best up-and-coming QBs in the game. Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson. And they're even coming from the same division.

Also, if you wanna talk about evenly matched, these two both have stellar offenses, tough defenses, great coaches and exemplary QBs.

Who I want to win: Seahawks

Not because they're the better team. Because I like them better. I like Pete Carroll more than Jim Harbaugh. I like Russell Wilson more than Colin Kaepernick. It's a team I generally like, and will generally root for.

Who the sportswriters are saying will win: Seahawks.

It's kinda like the Broncos. Even though they agree that the 49ers are tough as hell, and probably never cry, they said back in August that it would be the Seahawks, and dammit they will die by that prediction.

Who I'd rather not have win: 49ers

I should start by saying I've met the man on this custom, and he's a very nice, down to earth guy, who just so happen to always look like he wants to kill you. Which is why people are likening to Ray Lewis- great guy, but looks like people should check his trunk.
Anyway, the 49ers took down my Packers. Numerous times. In numerous seasons. And anyone who does that must pay.

Who should win: 49ers.

Of the two teams, they are the toughest, they have the strongest defense, and they have the most consistent core. Plus, they really, really want to get back to the Super Bowl.

 

Who will win: Seahawks.

I just think they're the better team, and I see them coming out on top today. I know that might be difficult with this 49ers team, but this is a team that is stronger than last year, with a more determined QB, and better receivers. If they don't win, oh well. I just think they will.

 







The NFL Season vs. Predictability

So, we're a couple weeks away from the end of the season. Four teams remain. In the AFC, the Broncos and Patriots will battle it out. In the NFC, the Seahawks and 49ers will battle it out. These are four strong teams that have deserved their passage into this rung of the playoffs, defied all obstacles, and proven themselves to be strong.

The only problem is that these are the exact four teams everyone thought would be in this stage of the playoffs back in September.

All of us were just waiting for one of the meeker teams to sweep in and take somebody out, or someone unlikely like San Diego to weasel their way in. But it didn't happen. San Diego got their asses kicked yesterday. And the Broncos came in unbeaten.

No. Last year that didn't happen. Last year the Ravens defied every obstacle and managed to sit them on their asses. And then when they played New England THEY DID IT AGAIN. And that Super Bowl you had two underdog teams, by the standards of what people had seen coming.

And maybe last year spoiled me. Because this year, you have four teams that were REALLY supposed to be there getting to the end, no harm done. And everybody would have seen this coming, too. Ask any NFL fan, any unbiased, sportswriter-type NFL fan, who is making the Super Bowl, September 2013. They'll tell you it's a Seahawks-Broncos series. And ask them who else makes the championship series', and this will make them think. They'll guess the 49ers, and then, after they hesitate for a few seconds, they'll answer the Patriots, because they always win.

And this isn't my basis for predictability no. Do you want actual, printed proof that these four teams were DESTINED to be in this rung of the playoffs? SPORTS ILLUSTRATED PREDICTED THIS EXACT MATCHUP!

You look in the NFL Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, and what four teams do they say are gonna make it to the end? Broncos, Seahawks, 49ers, Patriots. ESPN predicted the Seahawks and Broncos to win it, not the other two. They said the Packers and Texans would make it to the end. Why? Because it was unpredictable what would happen to the Texans, and to Aaron Rodgers this season.

Now I'm not gonna cry foul and say they were playing Nostradamus. Why? Because you didn't NEED to be Nostradamus to guess the outcome. The four teams you would THINK would make it to the end, MADE it to the end.

And that's why this NFL season is probably gonna go down as a disappointment. In every playoff game, the team that everyone thought was going to win, won. I was just predicting the teams I wanted to win, because I didn't want it to be too predictable. There was really nothing out of the ordinary in the last few weeks. And I wanted there to be, too. I wanted the teams that nobody would think to get too far, to do so. I wanted the Colts to beat the Patriots, I wanted the Eagles to beat the Saints, I wanted the Bengals to beat the Colts, etc, etc.

I mean, don't get me wrong, this weekend's games will be exciting, and the Super Bowl will be a nail-biter, but that's because the outcomes are the only things that are unpredictable, the scores. I can take a wild guess and say that the Broncos and Seahawks will be in the World Series, however, I can't tell you who wins by how much. And that is why people watch.

The Super Bowl is the one thing no one can predict. Not even Sports Illustrated.

(Footnote- for those of you who think that just because SI got this one right, they're officially world-renown soothsayers, I direct you to their 2012 and 2013 MLB previews. Both years they predicted the Los Angeles Angels to finish first in the AL West. And we all know how well that turned out.)