Tuesday's Gone: Week 20 #NFL Game Reviews CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND EDITION

2017 NFL SEASON

T U E S D A Y ’ S   G O N E:

C H A M P I O N S H I P

R O U N D

Week 20: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis)

Wild Card Round: 2-2 wins; 3-1 v. spread

Divisional Round: 2-2 wins; 2-1-1 v. spread

Championship Round 2-0 wins; 2-0 v. spread

Note/Key: Statistical analysis based on the following metrics (abbreviations): Points scored (PF); points against (PA); Point differential (PD) Yards gained (YG); Yards allowed (YA); Red Zone TD efficiency (RZ); 3^rd-down efficiency (3^rd); Turnover ratio (TO); Time of possession (TOP); Yards per play (YPP); Sacks (S); Interceptions (INT); Penalty yards (PEN).

Jacksonville Jaguars #3 (+7.5) @ New England Patriots #1 (48): Patriots 24-20 Patriots 24-20

Sunday, 3:05 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (Weather: Sunny; high 40s)

Reasons: On paper there might not a better team in the NFL that matches up better with the Patriots, or more specifically, provide the ultimate kryptonite to Tom Brady. The Jaguars finished the season ranked 2^nd with 55 sacks and easily get to the quarterback with their four down linemen; that’s not good for a 40-year old quarterback in his 18^th game of the season with a shaky offensive line. Jacksonville also boasts the league’s top running game in terms of rushing yards per game (JAX also ranked 10^th at 4.3 ypc) and ranks 2^nd in the NFL in time of possession. Then there’s the small matter of Tom Brady having a mysterious and potentially serious hand/thumb injury, which no one outside of the Foxborough Pentagon knows anything about. So basically if the Jaguars run the ball well, chew up the clock and then get to an injured Tom Brady early and often in less of time of possession the Patriots could not only lose, but get destroyed. That would be monumental task, however, because the Patriots not only possess the 5^th-ranked scoring defense, but have been playing much better as the season has progressed, Bill Belichick is famous for taking away his opponent’s best weapon, regardless of which side of the ball said weapon plays on; that player will most likely be a hobbled Leonard Fournette, who New England could completely nullify, leaving the running game burden to a much smaller and slightly less skilled TJ Yeldon. The Jaguars one weakness on defense is their run defense (20^th) and the Patriots run the ball well (10^th rushing yards; 11^th ypc), which means the Patriots could be chewing up a lot of the their own clock, keeping the Jaguars offense off the field and keeping an opportunistic Jacksonville defensive backfield at bay. Speaking of the Jaguars defensive backfield - certainly one the best in the NFL - Jalen Ramsey’s comments showcase the biggest advantage New England has, and possibly the Patriots only real advantage: experience. While the All-Pro cornerback was speaking of looking past the Patriots and winning the Super Bowl, Tom Brady’s rebuttal amidst a bunch of thinly veiled praises was, “I’ve watched a lot of film on Jalen.” In other words, Brady is saying, “Keep talking trash young buck, this is my 7^th straight AFC Championship game, which broke my own record from last season.” Add the overall experience to the fact the Patriots and Jaguars just happened to scrimmage each other for three weeks in the preseason, including the first preseason game, which Tom Brady happened to not play in, and I can already hear the conspiracy theorists screaming. Brady and Belichick will likely take advantage of the Jaguars dominant front four with a hurry up offense that features dinking-and-dunking like only Tom Brady can do, sending out quick slants to receivers and screens to running backs until the Jaguars are exhausted and the game clock has expired. The Patriots can’t beat this Jaguars team by more than seven points, especially with Brady’s injured throwing hand, but the Patriots will get to back-to-back Super Bowls for the second time in 15 years. Don’t hate it; just appreciate it.

Tom Brady, Danny Amendola and the New England Patriots overcame a 20-10 4^th-quarter deficit, scoring 14 unanswered points to steal the hearts and souls of Jaguars players and fans alike, evidenced by Jalen Ramsey tears, the loudest on the eastern seaboard, from the top of Florida to the suburbs of greater Boston. Tom Brady (26 of 38 passing for 290 yards; 2 TDs), once again, at age 40, orchestrated a monumental comeback against the best defense in the NFL, and arguably one of the best defenses we’ve seen in a decade. Sound familiar? Danny Amendola (7 receptions; 84 yards) scored touchdowns of 9- and 4-yards on drives of eight plays for 85 yards (3:19) and five plays for 30 yards (2:10), respectively, to take the lead after Josh Rambo kicked a 49-yard field goal to put the Jaguars up by ten points. Sacksonville sacked Brady three times, forced a crucial Dion Lewis fumble and only allowed 24 points, 14 of which came in the final nine minutes of the game, but the vaunted Jaguars rushing attack only managed 101 rushing yards on 32 carries (3.2 ypc) against a Patriots defense that was ranked 20^th in the NFL during the regular season. One could also argue, although futilely due to metrics such as QBR (64.5:69.0) and quarterback rating (98.5:108.4), that Blake Bortles (23 of 36 passing for 293 yards; 1 TD) outplayed Brady, but that one person would be from Florida and they’d be wrong. My snarky point is that Bortles played well, very well in fact, meaning that the loss wasn’t on Bortles at all; so if you’re looking for blame you might point to the Jaguars running game, right? Maybe, but it’s much more accurate to respect Bill Belichick’s ability to make halftime adjustments, certainly defensively, and marvel at Brady’s ability to make these types of special things happen with miniature wide receivers (Wes Welker; Julian Edleman; Danny Amendola). I’ve said time and time again that although I completely understand fan’s animosity towards Brady, Belichick and the New England Patriots, this is the greatest dynasty we’ve witnessed in NFL history, and arguably American sports in general, and the Patriots proved it again Sunday. We don’t know what we’ve got ‘til it’s gone, and we’ll never see something like this again. Oh yeah, and I called this game perfectly. Someone pay me, please

Minnesota Vikings #2 (-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles #1 (38.5): Eagles 21-17 Eagles 38-7

Sunday, 6:40 PM, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (Weather: Partly sunny; high 40s)

Reasons: Wow, the disrespect. The Eagles became the first top conference seed in NFL playoff history to be underdogs (+5 v. Atlanta) in the Divisional Round, which should go without saying, was an Eagles home game. Now the Eagles are underdogs again, although this time by only three points, but it’s no less disrespectful to Philadelphia. Clearly Las Vegas has no respect for Nick Foles, but I’m not sure why they have so much respect for Case Keenum. Nick Foles threw for 215.3 yards per game in the three games he started (including the playoffs) and threw five TDs to only 2 INTs, a 2.5:1 TD:INT ratio, which is only slightly worse than Tom Brady’s career ratio (3:1). Granted it’s a tiny sample size, and certainly not worthy of a “Golden Boy” comparison, but Foles is also the guy who threw 27 TDs to 2 INTs once upon a time and won many a fantasy football fan their fantasy league championship. Regardless, Case Keenum only averaged 21 more passing yards than Foles per game, all things being equal, and had the benefit of Adam Thielen (91 receptions, 8^th; 1,276 yards, 4^th; 14.0 avg.), Stephon Diggs (849 receiving yards, 25^th; 8 TDs, t-8^th; 13.3 avg.) and Kyle Rudolph (57 receptions, 10th among tight ends; 532 receiving yards; 8 TDs, t-8^th and 2^nd among tight ends) all year as opposed to Foles, who had Zack Ertz (74 receptions, 3^rd among tight ends; 824 receiving yards, 3^rd among tight ends; 8 TDs, t-8^th and 2^nd among tight ends), but whose wide receivers, Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery, combined for 119 receptions and 1,557 receiving yards, which was slightly more production that Thielen alone. Jeffery and Agholor did score 9 and 8 TDs, respectively, good for 4^th and t-8^th in the league. The point is Las Vegas and fans alike are disrespecting a guy that keeps pace with Keenum statistically with less help, but probably for good reason. The same reasons Foles should be praised for doing similar things with less talent around him are some the same reasons Las Vegas favors Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith shutting the Eagles receivers down. This game could come down to the air, too, because the field conditions are terrible. Still, the Vikings are a dome team, which doesn’t bode well for a team used to ideal conditions, sans their annual trip to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. Add the field conditions to the fact the Vikings have the top scoring defense in the NFL and 11^th-ranked total defense, while the Eagles are the 4^th-ranked scoring defense and the 7^th-ranked total defense, and even Philadelphia’s 3^rd-ranked running game (total yards and yards per carry) might struggle to gain ground against Minnesota’s 2^nd-ranked run defense and we’ll be left with a defensive game that falls well below the 38.5 over/under. Most fans and analysts alike believe the Miracle in Minneapolis is the stuff destiny is made of and feel the Vikings can ride that wave through to a Super Bowl victory. I don’t believe in destiny or miracles, but I believed in Jeff Hostetler. ‘Member him? We all know Eagles fans do.

Philadelphia Eagles fan rejoice in your first Super Bowl appearance in 15 years. Minnesota Vikings fans take pride in the unbelievable season you just experienced and don’t let how close you came being the first team ever to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium bring you to the brink. For the rest of us football fan rejoice in the fact that this game is over and we’ll never have to see it again. After an AFC Championship that provided enough drama that Tony Romo’s added Oscar-worthy performances weren’t even necessary, the NFC Championship was a complete dud for anyone outside of Philadelphia or a cult of FOX Media haters. The Eagles possessed the ball for nine more minutes than the Vikings, outgained Minnesota by 123 total yards and forced three turnovers, all committed by Case Keenum (2 INTs; 1 fumble), who no doubt saw his stock drop from “top paid off season free agent quarterback” to “competing with Teddy Bridgewater for a spot on the Vikings” in one half. This game belonged to the Eagles from the start – well, after that opening touchdown drive by the Vikings – especially Nick Foles (26 of 33 passing for 352 yards; 3 TDs), Alshon Jeffrey (5 receptions for 85 yards; 2 TDs) and the Eagles defense, which not only forced three Keenum turnovers, but returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown (Patrick Robinson). Philadelphia seems to be embracing this underdog role quite well.

Stay tuned for Week 21: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis) SUPER BOWL LII EDITION coming February 3^rd.

ProFootballMedia.com

@ProFootballMed

Week 20: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis) CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND EDITION

2017 NFL SEASON

C H A M P I O N S H I P

R O U N D

Week 20: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis)

Wild Card Round: 2-2 wins; 3-1 v. spread

Divisional Round: 2-2 wins; 2-1-1 v. spread

Note/Key: Statistical analysis based on the following metrics (abbreviations): Points scored (PF); points against (PA); Point differential (PD) Yards gained (YG); Yards allowed (YA); Red Zone TD efficiency (RZ); 3^rd-down efficiency (3^rd); Turnover ratio (TO); Time of possession (TOP); Yards per play (YPP); Sacks (S); Interceptions (INT); Penalty yards (PEN).

 

 This symbol represents the men responsible for football not being played on a pitch. Remember that the next time you hate on one of the greatest franchises in NFL history.

Jacksonville Jaguars #3 (+7.5) @ New England Patriots #1 (48): Patriots 24-20

Sunday, 3:05 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (Weather: Sunny; high 40s)

Reasons: On paper there might not a better team in the NFL that matches up better with the Patriots, or more specifically, provide the ultimate kryptonite to Tom Brady. The Jaguars finished the season ranked 2^nd with 55 sacks and easily get to the quarterback with their four down linemen; that’s not good for a 40-year old quarterback in his 18^th game of the season with a shaky offensive line. Jacksonville also boasts the league’s top running game in terms of rushing yards per game (JAX also ranked 10^th at 4.3 ypc) and ranks 2^nd in the NFL in time of possession. Then there’s the small matter of Tom Brady having a mysterious and potentially serious hand/thumb injury, which no one outside of the Foxborough Pentagon knows anything about. So basically if the Jaguars run the ball well, chew up the clock and then get to an injured Tom Brady early and often in less of time of possession the Patriots could not only lose, but get destroyed. That would be monumental task, however, because the Patriots not only possess the 5^th-ranked scoring defense, but have been playing much better as the season has progressed, Bill Belichick is famous for taking away his opponent’s best weapon, regardless of which side of the ball said weapon plays on; that player will most likely be a hobbled Leonard Fournette, who New England could completely nullify, leaving the running game burden to a much smaller and slightly less skilled TJ Yeldon. The Jaguars one weakness on defense is their run defense (20^th) and the Patriots run the ball well (10^th rushing yards; 11^th ypc), which means the Patriots could be chewing up a lot of the their own clock, keeping the Jaguars offense off the field and keeping an opportunistic Jacksonville defensive backfield at bay. Speaking of the Jaguars defensive backfield - certainly one the best in the NFL - Jalen Ramsey’s comments showcase the biggest advantage New England has, and possibly the Patriots only real advantage: experience. While the All-Pro cornerback was speaking of looking past the Patriots and winning the Super Bowl, Tom Brady’s rebuttal amidst a bunch of thinly veiled praises was, “I’ve watched a lot of film on Jalen.” In other words, Brady is saying, “Keep talking trash young buck, this is my 7^th straight AFC Championship game, which broke my own record from last season.” Add the overall experience to the fact the Patriots and Jaguars just happened to scrimmage each other for three weeks in the preseason, including the first preseason game, which Tom Brady happened to not play in, and I can already hear the conspiracy theorists screaming. Brady and Belichick will likely take advantage of the Jaguars dominant front four with a hurry up offense that features dinking-and-dunking like only Tom Brady can do, sending out quick slants to receivers and screens to running backs until the Jaguars are exhausted and the game clock has expired. The Patriots can’t beat this Jaguars team by more than seven points, especially with Brady’s injured throwing hand, but the Patriots will get to back-to-back Super Bowls for the second time in 15 years. Don’t hate it; just appreciate it.

 The Minnesota Vikings have a historically great defense, but one that relies on the speed of indoor turf grass, where turf monsters don't exist. 

Minnesota Vikings #2 (-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles #1 (38.5): Eagles 21-17

Sunday, 6:40 PM, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (Weather: Partly sunny; high 40s)

Reasons: Wow, the disrespect. The Eagles became the first top conference seed in NFL playoff history to be underdogs (+5 v. Atlanta) in the Divisional Round, which should go without saying, was an Eagles home game. Now the Eagles are underdogs again, although this time by only three points, but it’s no less disrespectful to Philadelphia. Clearly Las Vegas has no respect for Nick Foles, but I’m not sure why they have so much respect for Case Keenum. Nick Foles threw for 215.3 yards per game in the three games he started (including the playoffs) and threw five TDs to only 2 INTs, a 2.5:1 TD:INT ratio, which is only slightly worse than Tom Brady’s career ratio (3:1). Granted it’s a tiny sample size, and certainly not worthy of a “Golden Boy” comparison, but Foles is also the guy who threw 27 TDs to 2 INTs once upon a time and won many a fantasy football fan their fantasy league championship. Regardless, Case Keenum only averaged 21 more passing yards than Foles per game, all things being equal, and had the benefit of Adam Thielen (91 receptions, 8^th; 1,276 yards, 4^th; 14.0 avg.), Stephon Diggs (849 receiving yards, 25^th; 8 TDs, t-8^th; 13.3 avg.) and Kyle Rudolph (57 receptions, 10th among tight ends; 532 receiving yards; 8 TDs, t-8^th and 2^nd among tight ends) all year as opposed to Foles, who had Zack Ertz (74 receptions, 3^rd among tight ends; 824 receiving yards, 3^rd among tight ends; 8 TDs, t-8^th and 2^nd among tight ends), but whose wide receivers, Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery, combined for 119 receptions and 1,557 receiving yards, which was slightly more production that Thielen alone. Jeffery and Agholor did score 9 and 8 TDs, respectively, good for 4^th and t-8^th in the league. The point is Las Vegas and fans alike are disrespecting a guy that keeps pace with Keenum statistically with less help, but probably for good reason. The same reasons Foles should be praised for doing similar things with less talent around him are some the same reasons Las Vegas favors Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith shutting the Eagles receivers down. This game could come down to the air, too, because the field conditions are terrible. Still, the Vikings are a dome team, which doesn’t bode well for a team used to ideal conditions, sans their annual trip to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. Add the field conditions to the fact the Vikings have the top scoring defense in the NFL and 11^th-ranked total defense, while the Eagles are the 4^th-ranked scoring defense and the 7^th-ranked total defense, and even Philadelphia’s 3^rd-ranked running game (total yards and yards per carry) might struggle to gain ground against Minnesota’s 2^nd-ranked run defense and we’ll be left with a defensive game that falls well below the 38.5 over/under. Most fans and analysts alike believe the Miracle in Minneapolis is the stuff destiny is made of and feel the Vikings can ride that wave through to a Super Bowl victory. I don’t believe in destiny or miracles, but I believed in Jeff Hostetler. ‘Member him? We all know Eagles fans do.

Stay tuned for Tuesday’s Gone: Week 20 #NFL Game Reviews CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND EDITION coming Wednesday.

ProFootballMedia.com

@ProFootballMed

Tuesday's Gone: Week 19 #NFL Game Reviews

2017 NFL SEASON

T U E S D A Y ’ S   G O N E :

D I V I S I O N A L   R O U N D

Week 19: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis)

Wild Card Round: 2-2 wins; 3-1 v. spread

Divisional Round: 2-2 wins; 2-1-1 v. spread

Note/Key: Statistical analysis based on the following metrics (abbreviations): Points scored (PF); points against (PA); Point differential (PD) Yards gained (YG); Yards allowed (YA); Red Zone TD efficiency (RZ); 3^rd-down efficiency (3^rd); Turnover ratio (TO); Time of possession (TOP); Yards per play (YPP); Sacks (S); Interceptions (INT); Penalty yards (PEN).

Atlanta Falcons #6 (-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles #1 (41): Falcons 21-20 Eagles 15-10

Saturday, 4:35 PM, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (Weather: Clearing; high 30s)

Reasons: The Falcons seem like the hottest team in the NFL right now, and the case could be made; Atlanta is 4-1 over their last five games and has only allowed an average of 16.8 ppg over that span. Conversely, the Eagles went from the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl with MVP-candidate quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm to losing Wentz for the season and going 3-2 over their last five games of the regular season with an average point differential of 0.2 ppg over that span, compared to having the best point differential in the NFL during the regular season (10.1 ppg). Neither team gets after the quarterback consistently, although the Falcons seemed to have found a new gear over their last several games, but the Eagles league-leading run defense should put the game squarely on Matt Ryan’s shoulders. That could go either way because although Ryan is inconsistent at best, the Eagles pass defense is mediocre at best and Mohammed Sanu has become a serious threat opposite Julio Jones. The Falcons have a slight advantage in the kicking game, but equalizing atmospheric pressure will create just enough wind to make kicking a challenge, so the game could come down to two extremely important but often overlooked stats: time of possession and turnovers. If the Falcons (18^th) can secure the ball as well as the Eagles did all year (4^th) and keep the Eagles from hoarding the ball (1^st in time of possession) this game could come down to something as silly as a missed extra point. Having said that, the suddenly hot Falcons could realistically come in and destroy the rested-in-a-negative-way Eagles, lest we forget, no top seed has ever been an underdog in their opening playoff game.

Damn, Falcons fans must be sick of this stuff happening. The Eagles turned the ball over twice - the only turnovers of the game - missed an extra point and gave the Falcons four chances to score the go-ahead touchdown with 80 seconds left in the game from within the 9-yard line and THE FALCONS STILL LOST. Matt Ryan (22-36 passing for 210 yards; 1TD) threw three passes to arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Julio Jones (9 receptions; 101 receiving yards) from within the 9-yard line and the Falcons came up empty. Jones came close on one of those passes, but this ain’t horseshoes and it ain’t hand grenades so the Eagles essentially won the game on two unanswered field goals off the foot of the same guy (Jake Elliot) who missed an extra point in the second quarter. The Falcons certainly lost the game more than the Eagles won it, but such is the NFL and the NFC Championship is a new game and another home game for the Eagles. The Falcons, meanwhile, get to ponder another horrific playoff loss the entire off-season. Hey, at least they weren’t up 28-3 in the Super Bowl.

Tennessee Titans #5 (+13.5) @ New England Patriots #1 (48): Patriots 27-20 Patriots 35-14

Saturday, 8:15 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (Weather: 70% rain; high 40s)

Reasons: The Patriots come into the game banged up with a patchwork offensive line and key skill position guys either missing or questionable (O: Chris Hogan, Rex Burkhead, James White; D: Alan Branch, Marquis Flowers) and the Patriots are still going to manhandle the Titans. I could on analytically for paragraphs why the Patriots match up well with Tennessee and will overwhelm the Titans in every aspect of the game Saturday, save perhaps the Titans 4^th-ranked run defense, which would only put more of the onus on Tom Brady to step up, which has never been a problem in the first place, but, especially not when a young cocky defensive player from the opposition (Free safety Kevin Byard) opens his mouth during the week and provides bulletin material. Truth be told, the media provided all the bulletin material the Patriots needed to galvanize the team with the bombshell story that the Patriots had cracked from within and that ownership, Brady and Bill Belichick were at serious odds. Even if true, which it could very well be, to think the Patriots won’t use this excuse to circle the wagons would mean you haven’t been paying attention to New England since Bill Belichick took over. The Patriots only statistical weakness is on yardage allowed, including the worst pass defense in the NFL despite a defensive backfield that boast Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler and Patrick Chung, but much of that can be explained away by garbage yardage statistics perpetuated by teams desperately trying to come back on a team that beat teams by an average of 10 ppg this season, best in the NFL. The Titans only chance of winning in Foxborough Saturday is if their 5^th-ranked pass rush (43 sacks) gets to Brady early and often and Derrick Henry carries the ball 40 times and burns 38 or more minutes of the clock. Neither is out of the realm of possibilities.

The Titans led 7-0 heading into the second quarter, but that’s where Tennessee’s season ended. The Patriots, declared dismantled from within due to a week of internal turmoil between team owner Bob Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, also know in New England as the Holy Trinity, subsequently rolled off 35 unanswered points and put any claims the Patriots might be in trouble to rest. Consider those supposed distractions added to the fact both coordinators were being coveted throughout the week, with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia taking the head-coaching job in Detroit, and what we have is the most disciplined team in NFL history; or the most sensationalizing media. I suppose in the era of fake news the latter is just as possible, but I digress. The Titans 5^th-ranked pass rush didn’t sack Brady (35-53 passing for 337 yards; 3 TDs) once, yet the supposedly horrible Patriots defense broke their own playoff record with eight sacks. The Patriots supposedly horrible run defense also held Derrick Henry to 28 yards on 12 carries; in fact, Marcus Mariota led the Titans in rushing (37 yards). The Patriots not only looked primed against the Titans, but their envied discipline was on full display while they kept one of the best pass rushing units in the NFL from sacking Brady and only touching him four times. Looks like “Sacksonville” might have their work cut out for them as they travel to New England to face the Patriots in the AFC Championship, New England’s record-extending seventh straight.

Jacksonville Jaguars #3 (+7) @ Pittsburgh Steelers #1 (41): Jaguars 24-23 Jaguars 45-42

Sunday, 1:05 PM, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA (Weather: 20% snow; low 20s)

Reasons: Star running back Le’Veon Bell was out of this game until the late hours of Friday night, meaning that even if he plays he’s not going to be 100%. Spare me the “No one is 100% at this point in the season” talk because no one is randomly listed as “OUT” if the have a few scratches. Guess who else is questionable? Antonio Brown. That’s just the Steelers two best skill position player. Center Maurice Pouncey was listed as OUT Friday night as well, meaning the Steelers would have their work cut out for them against the Cleveland Browns, let along the best defense in the NFL. The Jaguars come into Pittsburgh, a team they beat 30-9 while intercepting Ben Roethlisberger five times Week 5, ranked 2^nd in points allowed, yards allowed sacks, interceptions while boasting the league’s top pass defense. Offensively the Jaguars rank 6^th in yards gained (366 ypg), 5^th in points scored (26.1), 3^rd in point differential (9.2), and 2^nd in red zone efficiency. Using statistical analysis and taking the Steelers attrition at key positions into account, not to mention the shell of the former defense the Steelers have been without Ryan Shazier, and I can’t come up a single reason why the Steelers would be giving seven points to the Jaguars. Even the argument that the Steelers match up with or surpass the Jaguars in by the same metrics and are playing at home doesn’t explain seven points, especially when Pouncey, Bell and Brown could be less than 100% or even absent. Las Vegas is really leaning on Pittsburgh’s top-ranked pass rush and 5^th-ranked pass defense to beat up on poor old Blake Bortles. Even if true, I wouldn’t hang my hat on that against this Jaguars defense.

It’s amazing when I predict a close score for a game with a large spread and I end up being right, but with a score twice what I predicted. This game went down to the wire, but got there in a fashion I don’t think anyone besides Calais Campbell imagined (Campbell predicted the exact score earlier in the week when asked about a potential defensive battle). The Jaguars went up 21-0 on three rushing touchdowns (Fournette twice; Yeldon) within 19 minutes on Pittsburgh’s 10^th-ranked run defense. After Ben Roethlisberger connected with Antonio Brown (7 receptions for 132 receiving yards; 2 TDs) to make it 21-7 the Jaguars stripped Roethlisberger and ran the fumble into the end zone making it a 28-7 game as the two-minute warning approached. Roethlisberger (37-58 passing for 469 yards; 5 TDs; 1 INT) connected with Martavis Bryant as the half closed and then connected with Le’Veon Bell (16 carries for 67 rushing yards; 1 TD) for the only score of the 3^rd quarter and suddenly it was a 28-21 game as the 4^th quarter began. That’s when the shit show started. Two of the best defenses in the NFL combined to give up 38 4^th-quarter points, trading scores twice before Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo’s 45-yard field goal made it a 10-point game with 1:45 remaining in the 4^th quarter. The Steelers still had nearly two minutes to figure something out, but this Steelers coaching staff has proven over the years they’re not very good at those things and really just rely on the “Killer B’s”. It ultimately failed, and instead of kicking a field goal and then attempting an onside kick for a chance at a game-tying touchdown, the Steelers ended up padding Roethlisberger’s stats with a 5^th, yet meaningless, touchdown with one second left on the clock. Despite the Jaguars blowing the game wide open early the game came down to two Pittsburgh turnovers, one of which ultimately decided the game, and Jacksonville’s historic defense gave up 42 points and 567 yards while “Sacksonville” only managed two sacks. The Patriots offense they face next week in the AFC Championship doesn’t get any easier, so let’s hope for the Jaguars sake the young team can maintain focus against a New England team playing in their record-extending seventh-straight AFC title game.

New Orleans Saints #4 (+5) @ Minnesota Vikings #2 (46.5): Saints 24-21 Vikings 29-24

Sunday, 4:40 PM, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (Weather: Indoors)

Reasons: How lucky are the New Orleans Saints? Not only do they get the 4:40 Sunday afternoon slot again this week, but also their away game is in the comfy confines of a domed stadium, just like home. And before we go on and on about how great the Vikings defense is, and it most certainly is (allowing 11.4 ppg over their last five games), let’s not forget two things: The Minnesota Vikings are basically noobs at this playoff thing as of late, while the Sean Payton-Drew Brees combo is most certainly not new to this playoff thing, and Drew Brees might be the greatest statistical quarterback we’ve ever seen. Much of Brees’ career has been plagued by the presence of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, but the truth is Brees holds the highest completion percentage of any quarterback in NFL history and is slowly creeping up on the greats in many other passing metrics, which isn’t surprising considering Brees has thrown for over 5,000 yards five times; no other quarterback comes close. Any time you have a transcendent player like Brees anything is possible, and this Saints defense is quietly becoming as interesting as the vaunted Vikings defense. Consider: The Vikings are ranked 2^nd in both total defense (276 ypg) and scoring defense (15.8 ppg), but aren’t really ball hawks and don’t really get after the quarterback; the Saints give up far more yards, but rank 10^th in points allowed (20.4 ppg) and are the top-seven in both sacks (42) and interceptions (20; 5^th). While we’re at it, though, we might as well praise a Vikings offense that surprisingly keeps pace with the Saints, much in the same way the Saints defense keeps pace with the Vikings defense. The Vikings are no barnburners, but they rank 11^th in yards (357 ypg), 10^th in points scored (23.9 ppg), 9^th in red zone efficiency (44%), 3^rd in third-down efficiency and were 15 seconds from being the league leader in time of possession. So while the Saints defense stacks up against the defense the media has raved about all season, the same could be said about the Vikings offense relative to the high-flying Saints. Expect an amazing game where the experience of Sean Payton and Drew Brees play out right on that beautiful dry turf grass.

This game featured the first ever “walk-off” touchdown in NFL playoff history. A game that resembled the AFC Divisional game earlier in the day, the Vikings went up big on the Saints early and went into the half leading 17-0; Drew Brees had thrown both of interception in the first half and things were looking bleak. Then New Orleans went Who Dat on the Vikings and three minutes into the 4^th quarter Drew Brees (25-40 passing for 294 yards; 3 TDs; 2 INTs) hit Michael Thomas (7 reception for 85 receiving yards; 2 TDs) with a 3-yard TD to make it a 17-14 game. The Saints and Vikings traded scores before Wil Lutz kicked a 43-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining to put New Orleans up 24-23 (Note: Pay no attention to how close I came to predicting the score of the game. Just kidding, hire me because of it). Then the Miracle at Minneapolis occurred. A play that even the casual fan has heard about by now, the Vikings, simply trying to get enough field position to kick a potential miracle field goal, instead got a miracle botched defensive play from an inexperienced Michael Williams, who dove towards Stephon Diggs, who had just hauled in a Case Keenum pass, and missed badly on the attempted tackle. Diggs was able to keep his balance, stay in bounds and score the first walk-off touchdown in NFL playoff history sending the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. A hilarious side note to the game was the importance of the PAT or two-point conversion. Because dejected Saints players walked off the field with the game technically unfinished, the Mike Zimmer-led respectful Vikings elected to kneel rather than kick or attempt two points. That means the Saints (+5) lost by five and Las Vegas got the push. About the only thing more miraculous than the ending to this game is how Las Vegas continues to do this on a weekly basis.

Stay tuned for Week 20: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis) CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND EDITION coming Sunday.

ProFootballMedia.com

@ProFootballMed

Week 19: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis) DIVISIONAL ROUND

2017 NFL SEASON

D I V I S I O N A L   R O U N D

Week 19: #NFL Game Predictions (w/ spreads & analysis)

Wild Card Round: 2-2 wins; 3-1 v. spread

Note/Key: Statistical analysis based on the following metrics (abbreviations): Points scored (PF); points against (PA); Point differential (PD) Yards gained (YG); Yards allowed (YA); Red Zone TD efficiency (RZ); 3^rd-down efficiency (3^rd); Turnover ratio (TO); Time of possession (TOP); Yards per play (YPP); Sacks (S); Interceptions (INT); Penalty yards (PEN).

 That's right, Matt Ryan, you're the first road favorite against a top conference seed in NFL history, which means the NFL flavor-of-the-month could see a few flying batteries.

Atlanta Falcons #6 (-3) @ Philadelphia Eagles #1 (41): Falcons 21-20

Saturday, 4:35 PM, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (Weather: Clearing; high 30s)

Reasons: The Falcons seem like the hottest team in the NFL right now, and the case could be made; Atlanta is 4-1 over their last five games and has only allowed an average of 16.8 ppg over that span. Conversely, the Eagles went from the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl with MVP-candidate quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm to losing Wentz for the season and going 3-2 over their last five games of the regular season with an average point differential of 0.2 ppg over that span, compared to having the best point differential in the NFL during the regular season (10.1 ppg). Neither team gets after the quarterback consistently, although the Falcons seemed to have found a new gear over their last several games, but the Eagles league-leading run defense should put the game squarely on Matt Ryan’s shoulders. That could go either way because although Ryan is inconsistent at best, the Eagles pass defense is mediocre at best and Mohammed Sanu has become a serious threat opposite Julio Jones. The Falcons have a slight advantage in the kicking game, but equalizing atmospheric pressure will create just enough wind to make kicking a challenge, so the game could come down to two extremely important, but often overlooked stats: time of possession and turnovers. If the Falcons (18^th) can secure the ball as well as the Eagles did all year (4^th) and keep the Eagles from hoarding the ball (1^st in time of possession) this game could come down to something as silly as a missed extra point. Having said that, the suddenly hot Falcons could realistically come in and destroy the rested-in-a-negative-way Eagles, lest we forget, no top seed has ever been an underdog in their opening playoff game.

 "I don't really give a shit, Tom, I can't have Guerrero telling my players that hydration cures sunburns. And your jealousy over Jimmy G screwed me."

Tennessee Titans #5 (+13.5) @ New England Patriots #1 (48): Patriots 27-20

Saturday, 8:15 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (Weather: 70% rain; high 40s)

Reasons: The Patriots come into the game banged up with a patchwork offensive line and key skill position guys either missing or questionable (O: Chris Hogan, Rex Burkhead, James White; D: Alan Branch, Marquis Flowers) and the Patriots are still going to manhandle the Titans. I could go on analytically for paragraphs why the Patriots match up well with Tennessee and will overwhelm the Titans in every aspect of the game Saturday, save perhaps the Titans 4^th-ranked run defense, which would only put more of the onus on Tom Brady to step up, which has never been a problem in the first place, but especially not when a young cocky defensive player from the opposition (Free safety Kevin Byard) opens his mouth during the week and provides bulletin material. Truth be told, the media provided all the bulletin material the Patriots needed to galvanize the team with the bombshell story that the Patriots had cracked from within and that ownership, Brady and Bill Belichick were at serious odds. Even if true, which it very well could be, to think the Patriots won’t use this excuse to circle the wagons would mean you haven’t been paying attention to New England since Bill Belichick took over. The Patriots only statistical weakness is yardage allowed, including the worst pass defense in the NFL despite a defensive backfield that boasts Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler and Patrick Chung; much of that can be explained away by garbage yardage statistics perpetuated by teams desperately trying to come back on a team that beat their opponenets by an average of 10 ppg this season, best in the NFL. The Titans only chance of winning in Foxborough Saturday is if their 5^th-ranked pass rush (43 sacks) gets to Brady early and often and Derrick Henry carries the ball 40 times and burns 38 or more minutes of the clock. Neither is out of the realm of possibilities.

 The Pittsburgh Steelers are inexplicably favored by a touchdown against the best defense in the NFL, which means we could be seeing a lot of this Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars #3 (+7) @ Pittsburgh Steelers #1 (41): Jaguars 24-23

Sunday, 1:05 PM, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA (Weather: 20% snow; low 20s)

Reasons: Star running back Le’Veon Bell was out of this game until the late hours of Friday night, meaning that even if he plays he’s not going to be 100%. Spare me the “No one is 100% at this point in the season” talk because no one is randomly listed as “OUT” if they only have a few scratches. Guess who else is questionable? Antonio Brown. That’s only the Steelers two best skill position players. Center Maurice Pouncey was listed as OUT Friday night as well, meaning the Steelers would have their work cut out for them against the Cleveland Browns, let alone the best defense in the NFL. The Jaguars come into Pittsburgh, a team they beat 30-9 while intercepting Ben Roethlisberger five times Week 5, ranked 2^nd in points allowed, yards allowed sacks, and interceptions, respectively, while boasting the league’s top pass defense. Offensively the Jaguars rank 6^th in yards gained (366 ypg), 5^th in points scored (26.1), 3^rd in point differential (9.2), and 2^nd in red zone efficiency. Using statistical analysis and taking the Steelers attrition at key positions into account, not to mention the shell of the former defense the Steelers ave been without Ryan Shazier, and I can’t come up a single reason why the Steelers would be giving seven points to the Jaguars. Even the argument that the Steelers match up with or surpass the Jaguars by the same metrics, and are playing at home, doesn’t explain seven points, especially when Pouncey, Bell and Brown could be less than 100% or even absent. Las Vegas is really leaning on Pittsburgh’s top-ranked pass rush and 5^th-ranked pass defense to beat up on poor old Blake Bortles. Even if true, I wouldn’t hang my hat on that against this Jaguars defense, and certainly not for seven or more points.

 Drew Brees has become arguably the greatest statistical quarterback in NFL history, which is what it'll take to beat one of the greatest single-season defenses in NFL history.

New Orleans Saints #4 (+5) @ Minnesota Vikings #2 (46.5): Saints 24-21

Sunday, 4:40 PM, US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (Weather: Indoors)

Reasons: How lucky are the New Orleans Saints? Not only do they get the 4:40 Sunday afternoon slot again this week, but also get an away game in the comfy confines of a domed stadium, just like home. And before we go on and on about how great the Vikings defense is, and it most certainly is (allowing 11.4 ppg over their last five games), let’s not forget two things: The Minnesota Vikings are basically noobs at this playoff thing as of late, while the Sean Payton-Drew Brees combo is most certainly not new to this playoff thing, while Drew Brees is becoming the greatest statistical quarterback we’ve ever seen. Much of Brees’ career has been plagued by the presence of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, but the truth is Brees holds the highest completion percentage of any quarterback in NFL history and is slowly creeping up on the greats in many other passing metrics, which isn’t surprising considering Brees has thrown for over 5,000 yards five times; no other quarterback comes close. Any time you have a transcendent player like Brees anything is possible, and this Saints defense is quietly becoming as interesting as the vaunted Vikings defense. Consider: The Vikings are ranked 2^nd in both total defense (276 ypg) and scoring defense (15.8 ppg), but aren’t really ball hawks and don’t really get after the quarterback; the Saints give up far more yards, but rank 10^th in points allowed (20.4 ppg) and are top-seven in the NFL in both sacks (42) and interceptions (20; 5^th). While we’re at it, though, we might as well praise a Vikings offense that surprisingly keeps pace with the Saints, much in the same way the Saints defense keeps pace with the Vikings defense. The Vikings are no barn burners, but they rank 11^th in yards (357 ypg), 10^th in points scored (23.9 ppg), 9^th in red zone efficiency (44%), 3^rd in third-down efficiency and were 15 seconds of ball possession per game from being the league leader. So while the Saints defense stacks up against the defense the media has raved about all season, the same could be said about the Vikings offense relative to the high-flying Saints. Expect an amazing game where the experience of Sean Payton and Drew Brees play out right on that beautiful domed dry turf grass.

Stay tuned for Tuesday’s Gone: Week 19 #NFL Reviews DIVISIONAL ROUND EDITION coming Wednesday.

ProFootballMedia.com

@ProFootballMed