chococoke

Well, matched my predictions from yesterday. I did originally think the Ravens would make it in

Well, the AFC turned out exactly as I had hoped/predicted. If the Pats don't make it to the SB, this year is a colossal failure. The AFC is just silly. I should've seen the Redskins' collapse coming. What a clown squad. The NFC playoffs will be much more interesting to watch imo, since there's a lot more parity among these teams.

Landry Jones threw one pass in that game, actually. I'm just saying, regular season blowouts don't always translate to postseason success.

And proven capable of losing to Miami

They're probably the team most equipped to do it in the AFC. Which is why I would be v pleased for the Chiefs and Steelers to have to play each other before the winner travels to Gillette

Alright, it's the final week of the regular season. Time sure does fly once the NFL gets going. Just figured I'd lay out some predictions as far as the next 36ish hours play out. Predicted AFC seeds: 1) Patriots - Pats lost in Miami week 17 last year, and used one of the worst offensive gameplans of BB's career in NE. Doubt that happens 2 years in a row. 2) Chiefs - I see them taking this week's game in SD, which gives them the 2nd seed if Oakland loses. 3) Steelers (locked) - I've been surprised at the lack of consistency from the offense this year. It'll be interesting to see if they can really make everything click once the "exhibition games" end. 4) Texans (locked) - Hard to see them doing much with Tom Savage leading the charge. "Savage vs. McGloin" will be a really dope headline for a playoff game though. 5) Raiders - I honestly think they'll lose against Denver this week. McGloin will most likely struggle against this defense. I think Denver will opt to play a division opponent tough as opposed to mailing it in. 6) Dolphins - Given that their playoff spot is already locked up, they're resting some key players this week ahead of their (likely) visit to Pittsburgh next week. Hard to see them picking up the win this week. Predicted NFC Seeds: 1) Cowboys (locked) - It'll be interesting to see how the defense plays coming out of the playoff bye. 2) Falcons - I think they'll win at home today with a week off on the line. 3) Seahawks - Wilson will try to carry them but it all will probably be for naught due to that awful O-line. 4) Packers - The offense is heating up at the right time. Wouldn't be surprised to see them make a run now that Rodgers is back to playing within the framework of their gameplans. 5) Giants (locked) - I'm really hoping this team makes it to the Super Bowl. PLEASE. 6) R-words - I like that. Really, though, many of my hometown friends will yell on social media about how their beloved Redskins can make a Super Bowl run. This is patently false. Black Monday victims: Mike McCoy - This is long overdue. The Chargers haven't competed in a long time and need wholesale changes up top. Chip Kelly - It's hard to justify this. While the 49ers have been an abject disaster all year long, Chip inherited said disaster and also had THE worst set of skill position players on offense and multiple garbage fires at QB. With this all being said, the Niners execs are awful, and their GM is one of the worst in the game. Chuck Pagano - I only think this happens if the Colts lose their final game of the season to the Jags. That being said, Pagano has seemingly been on the hot seat ever since the Colts hung their 2014 participation banner. He barely kept his job last year by hugging it out with the GM. Could easily see both of them getting canned after another lost year. Todd Bowles - While I'm also not certain Bowles deserves to be fired, it's clear that the Jets are in desperate need of a culture change. They have some talented building blocks but are unbelievably dysfunctional. If my predictions are 100% correct, there will be 7 head coaching vacancies heading into next season. EDIT: I just read that Gary Kubiak is stepping down from his position due to health concerns. That'll be a highly sought-after head coaching vacancy, no doubt.

That defense was also missing their best CB. If Jimmy Smith plays in that game the Ravens win, no doubt. He shuts down Antonio Brown better than anyone in the league

Challenge? Sure, of course they could. But I can't see our offense putting up any less than 30 points. It's kinda funny how, even without Gronk, the offense is actually in better shape than it was for last year's playoffs Also maybe you should photoshop a troll face on Vontaze Burfict when he busted Bell's/AB's/whoever's leg last year. That would be super funny :) :) :)

Well, AFC playoffs are starting to look very underwhelming. The ideal situation for the Patriots involves Oakland ending up with the 5 seed and KC getting the 2 seed. Would love for the Steelers and Chiefs to beat up on each other before the winner comes to Foxboro and gets hurt I'm extremely intrigued by the NFC. I can only assume Eli is going to catch fire and work miracles to get the Giants to SB51

Honestly, I'd be upset too if my team's sacred jizz rag that is handed out at every game was compromised by another team's player. Oh, the humanity!!!!!!!!! EDIT: Also, Pats just clinched their 11th playoff bye since 2001. Next highest team has 5 in that same span

Didn't Demaryius Thomas have like 200-ish yards receiving in that Tebow playoff game? So good

Life, do you want Rex Ryan to stick around? Also, what are your thoughts on Tyrod and his looming option?

Denver still has to play 3 teams that have a combined 31 wins. The Dolphins just lost their starting QB. And I don't trust the worse team between Tenessee/Houston. That seems to equal two AFC North playoff teams, barring a total meltdown from the Ravens

The loss of Jimmy Smith definitely hurt. That was as bizarre a game as I can remember in the past few seasons. I honestly didn't think the Ravens offense had a spectacular game. Flacco missed a few throws, and there were times that the receivers didn't help him much. Dixon looks like he's gonna be the guy going forward in their backfield, which will be interesting to watch (especially considering how often they throw the ball) Back to Jimmy, though. If his high ankle sprain is relatively mild (not a given) he could conceivably make it back by the start of the playoffs. This feels to me like another year where the Steelers and Ravens both make the postseason. I think both Denver and Miami will be lucky to finish better than 9-7. Also lol at whatever team doesn't win the AFC South

This game. 2 much

Nah, that was Jamie Collins/Kam Chancellor style

That was a terrible call. Flacco fumbled in the process of being sacked. Don't see how there was forward progress stopped

So how are you so positive Brady was involved in spygate? Are you an insider?

I mean, Brady was never suspended before deflategate, while Ben was suspended 2 different times. Connect the dots Ana

You're right, all Ben did was cheat a few women out of consent. Definitely gives him the benefit of the doubt ;)

http://deadspin.com/report-giants-complained-to-nfl-about-steelers-deflate-1789976284

Just read a report stating 2 of the Steelers' footballs from last week's game against the Giants were under inflated and the Giants have complained to the league. Big Ben better be suspended 4 games, we all know it's more probable than not he was generally aware.

Oh, I'll always opt for "no idea" when trying to guess our gameplan. I'll especially opt for that when trying to guess the outcome of this game. I'm certainly not underestimating the Ravens offense. Our pass rush has taken large chunks of the season off so far so that match up will definitely be key

The coverage has been inconsistent. Malcolm Butler has had another solid year and Logan Ryan has improved. The LBs have struggled mightily in coverage, especially since Collins was traded. Pat Chung has actually had an excellent year covering TEs, and I expect him to be 1v1 with Pitta for a majority of the game. The nickel corner spot has been the biggest issue, as the revolving door of CBs that have occupied that role have all battled some mix of injury and poor play. The Pats like to use a "big nickel" formation where the 5th defensive back is an extra deep safety and McCourty and/or Chung move into man coverage roles. I'm not 100% sure how they'll try to match up against Bmore's offensive skill players. I wouldn't be surprised to see Butler cover Steve Smith 1 on 1 and Mike Wallace see some double teams

Monday night's game should be interesting. Our pass defense has been sketchy this year, and hasn't been stellar even against awful offensive teams (aside from the Goff-led Rams) Wouldn't be shocked to see the pass-heavy game plans from both teams. I'm also curious to see if the offensive line can protect Brady competently the entire game. I have my doubts about that