NFL Wildcard Playoffs Thoughts and Comments

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

As prescribed, Arizona quarterback Ryan Lindley had a terrible outing going 16-28 passing for 51 yards and two interceptions. The Cardinals only had 78 total yards, ouch. Blame the Carolina defense for Arizona’s woes as well. The defense forced three fumbles, four sacks, eight tackles for a loss and two interceptions.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton played well, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns, as well as running for 35 yards. He had the poise of a winning quarterback and showed he could succeed when the games matter. However, Newton needs to contain the turnovers. Newton throwing an interception and the offense as a whole allowing three fumbles cannot happen against the Seahawks on the road. If it happens again, expect the Carolina Panthers to lose.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was at it again, single-handedly winning the game for the Ravens. Flacco had 259 passing yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, Flacco seems unstoppable. He now has 21 touchdowns to only eight interceptions while averaging 209 passing yards per game. Flacco can get it done when the job needs to be finished as he showed once again Saturday.

Not having Le’Veon Bell really hurt the Pittsburgh Steelers. Newly acquired running back Ben Tate did his job in picking up some yards where it matters, but not much more picking up only 19 yards on five carries. He could not stay on the field for three downs either, unlike Bell. With Bell, do the Steelers win the game? Maybe, but no one can think in hypotheticals. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had 334 passing yards but threw two picks and only one touchdown. Many times the team had to settle for field goals after marching down the field. No excuses in Pittsburgh’s loss.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts

Colts running back Daniel Herron stole the show Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals running for 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and catching 10 passes for 85 yards. The two fumbles by Herron prohibits a complete breakout performance, but a tip of the cap to him for coming in after starter Ahmad Bradshaw went down to injury and surpassing expectations.

Once again quarterback Andrew Luck excels while quarterback Andy Dalton falls flat on his face. Dalton could not capture his first postseason victory, extending his record to 0-4 while in the NFL. Will Dalton ever win in the playoffs, no one knows. Luck on the other hand looked great against the Bengals and looks as if he can go right into Denver and blow out the defense. Luck makes the Broncos-Colts game a must watch next week.

Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys

The Detroit Lions played excellently in the first half, going into the second up 20-7. However, in the second half Detroit faltered, giving up 17 points, quarterback Matthew Stafford fumbling on the last two chances to score in the fourth quarter. For all of the grief about the reversed pass interference call, Stafford lost the game for the Detroit with his horrible second half play. Dallas took the game from Detroit in the second half.

NFL Wild Card Playoffs Analysis and Predictions

The road to Glendale, Ariz. begins this Saturday with four good matchups in this year’s wild card playoffs. With matchups such as the red hot, sub .500 Carolina Panthers playing at home against the faltering Arizona Cardinals and the staunch Detroit Lions against the improbable Dallas Cowboys, this week’s games are sure to provide entertainment and heartbreak for fans. Here is the breakdown and predictions for each wild card matchup.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (Sat. Jan. 3 @ 4:20 p.m.)

Keys for Arizona

            Plagued by quarterback injuries, third-string Ryan Lindley will be starting for the Cardinals, who lost both of his previous starts, throwing four interceptions and only two touchdowns. In order for the team to win Saturday, the defense needs to play perfectly. Arizona will most likely not score 20-30 points with their offense, rather they are looking for a 14-13 type win. The defense needs to contain Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and not let him break free for big gains running the ball. If the defense can minimize Newton, they have a good chance to win this game.

Keys for Carolina

            The Carolina Panthers have done the improbable, winning four straight after losing sixth in a row to capture the NFC South. The Panthers have 14 sacks in their last four wins, while Newton also averaged 65 rushing-yards per game and had a rushing touchdown in every game he appeared in during the win streak. The Panthers have played like a legitimate division champion recently and for Carolina to win this game, Newton has to continue playing at such a high level. Ditto for the defense.

Verdict

            The Carolina Panthers are the hot team right now, while Arizona has lost four of their last six while going through three quarterbacks. If Arizona can contain Newton, they can win, but it doesn’t look so for Saturday. Carolina lucked out in this matchup. Carolina 27 Arizona 13

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sat. Jan. 3 @ 8:15 p.m.)

Keys for Baltimore

            While under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have a good chance to make it to the Super Bowl every year. Under Harbaugh, the team has made it to the playoffs six out of seven years, winning at least one game in five of those years. How do they do it? By unleashing quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco has an arm that can win games single handedly for this team. Baltimore needs to take advantage of that against a defense that ranks 18^th in both yards and points allowed.

Keys for Pittsburgh

            If Pittsburgh does not have Le’Veon Bell for Saturday, things become very hard for the Steelers. With over 2,000 total yards on offense, Bell carries much of the load for Pittsburgh. Fortunately, they also have pro-bowl receiver Antonio Brown in the mix. Brown amassed 1,698 receiving yards on the year (106 average per game), as well as 13 touchdowns. Baltimore’s defense ranks 23^rd against the pass. The Steelers need to exploit this weakness in order to win the game. They need to throw it to Brown on virtually every play that matters.

Verdict

            With Bell, the Steelers have a formidable team. Without him they are somewhat-lacking. Harbaugh knows how to coach and probably can conceal the team’s weaknesses. Without Bell, it is hard to see the Steelers take down Harbaugh and Flacco in a playoff game. Baltimore 24 Pittsburgh 20

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (Sun. Jan. 4 @ 1:05 p.m.)

Keys for Cincinnati

            Bengals fans must fear for their lives every time the team makes it to the playoffs. In the past three years, the Bengals have lost in terrific fashion during the wild card playoffs, losing to scores such as 27-10, 19-13, and 31-10. Quarterback Andy Dalton has also played terrible during the playoffs, throwing six interceptions and only one touchdown. Overall though, the team is much better than Indianapolis. They have a more-sound defense and an overall better offense that uses the running game and the passing game. In order to win this game, Dalton must step up and execute as well as the entire team needs to play up to par.

Keys for Indianapolis

            The Colts probably have the most flaws in the AFC. Their run game is virtually non-existent and their defense either plays phenomenally or falls right on their faces. The defense’s genius also comes sporadically every week; the team never knows which type of defense will show up. However, the Colts have the best quarterback of the new era in Andrew Luck who has single-handedly won multiple games for the team this year. In week seven, the Colts beat the Bengals 27-0, holding the Bengals to only 135 total yards with four sacks and six tackles for losses. Luck also threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns. For the Colts to win, the same team needs to show up Sunday, ready to pounce on every Bengals opportunity and mishap.

Verdict

            The Bengals are the better team on paper, but they never seem to show up during the playoffs. With Luck manning the Colts offense, look for a great game from him regardless of how their defense plays. If Luck can execute and rise to the occasion, not only can the Colts win this game, they have a good shot at winning the Super Bowl. Indianapolis 34 Cincinnati 23

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys (Sun. Jan. 4 @ 4:40 p.m.)

Keys for Detroit

            The Detroit Lions probably have the best defense going into the playoffs (cue attacks from Seattle Seahawks fans). Even though Seattle ranks first and Detroit second in most categories, the Lions have a much better front line. Detroit has to use this to their advantage in order to win games. Running back DeMarco Murray will probably have a great game against this defense, but they can take advantage against the pass. They need to force quarterback Tony Romo into making bad decisions, take sacks and buckle under pressure. Under coach Jim Caldwell, anything looks possible for this team.

Keys for Dallas

            Dallas goes into this game as the team that has over performed all year. Murray has put up numbers far greater than any other running back. Romo has had his best season to date and receiver Dez Bryant looks unstoppable. In order to defeat Detroit’s defense and win this game, all three have to step up and make the defense mad. Players such as Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and DeAndre Levy start to make mistakes when they get worked up. Dallas needs to get into the head of the defense.

Verdict

            Detroit has the defense and coach to win this game. However, the fact that Detroit is 1-4 against playoffs teams this year worries me. Dallas has been over performing all season and all it takes is a couple of bad plays to bring them back down to reality. They have surprised so many fans this season by starting 6-1, taking out the Seahawks on the road and then finishing 4-0 and blowing out every opponent by scoring 38 or more points in each of those games. Unfortunately, no surprises will occur Sunday for the Lions as the Cowboys continue to prove themselves as Super Bowl contenders. Dallas 38 Detroit 24

Sub-par Manning Primes Denver for an Early Playoff Exit

DENVER, Colo.—After Peyton Manning’s dismal four interception game and a 37-28 Denver loss to the Bengals, are the Broncos’ hopes of a Super Bowl Ring diminishing?

One could say that Manning single-handedly lost the game for the Broncos. Along with his four picks, Manning went 28-44 in passing attempts along with a Quarterback Rating (QBR) of 24.1.

Manning’s poor performance on Monday night was one of many within the past several weeks as well.

Prior to Monday, in week 15 Manning had a sub-par “Peyton” performance against the San Diego Chargers, throwing only one touchdown and 233 yards. Prior to that game, Manning had his worse in a Broncos uniform throwing two interceptions with zero touchdowns and only 173 yards.

Manning has slowed down at the most inopportune time if the Broncos plan on making back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.

Going back to Manning’s Monday night performance, after a five-yard pass from Manning to receiver Emmanuel Sanders in the second half to go up 28-27, Cincinnati cornerback Adam Jones picked off Manning on the team’s next drive.

The Bengals would take a chip-shot of a field goal to take the lead for good from the Broncos.

However, Manning continued to throw interceptions. With the Broncos’ final two drives, Manning would throw two picks to cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, one turning into a pick-six.

Lack of physical ability had nothing to do with Manning’s woes. Manning just was not there mentally.

Manning seemed fidgety throughout the game. He missed many open targets, targeting receiver Demaryius Thomas 14 times throughout the game and only throwing seven catchable balls.

At the end of the game, the Broncos had to make up 81 yards and two points in four minutes. Usually Manning can do that with ease. Last night, not so much.

Despite a loss, the Broncos can still clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win against the 3-12 Oakland Raiders, a safe bet. However, with the recent slide of Manning, the Broncos seem susceptible. If Manning cannot keep up with the likes of Tom Brady, Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers in the playoffs, look for an early exit from the Denver Broncos.

Come October, Expect Rejuvenated Marlins to Compete

Once considered a team that could never compete, the Miami Marlins are aiming to take over the NL East division.

After signing hometown star Giancarlo Stanton to the biggest contract in Major League Baseball history, the team acquired all-star second baseman Dee Gordon and veteran starter Dan Haren in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shortly after, the team acquired Cincinnati ace Matt Latos. The two deals favor building a team around Stanton that can compete next year.

“We are going to be surrounding [Stanton], we have already started to surround him, with All-Star-caliber players,” said Jeff Loria via the Miami Herald.

The NL East is up for grabs and arguably is the easiest one to take. With these two trades, the Marlins took full advantage of that.

Last season, the Washington Nationals won the division with 96 wins. Second place went to the Atlanta Braves with 79 wins.

The Nationals are favorites to win the division again, but the Marlins can very well be contending for a wild card spot. No one else in the division seems like they will be getting better.

Atlanta traded away outfielder Jason Heyward for pitcher Shelby Miller while signing Oriole outfielder Nick Markakis. Not much of an upgrade at either position to warrant a winning percentage above .500 for the Braves.

The New York Mets are a mess. Amidst young, talented arms is aging veteran in 41 year old Bartolo Colon, injury plagued David Wright, disappointing Curtis Granderson and a mess of a lineup filled with below average players. Look for the Mets to digress from their 79-win season last year.

The Philadelphia Phillies finished last in the division last year. They too, are plagued by aging veterans on the downside of their careers. Looking to rebuild, the Phillies do not seem like a threat in the NL East.

Now inserts the rejuvenated Marlins. In trading for Gordon, Haren and Latos, while also signing underappreciated outfielder Michael Morse to a two-year deal, the Marlins have filled many of their holes in last year’s roster.

Gordon is inserted into the leadoff role while moving outfielder Christian Yelich into batting second. With Gordon’s league leading 64 stolen bases and Yelich’s .362 On-base percentage, the team can score early and often.

Morse also solidifies Miami’s three-four-five spots in the lineup when combined with Stanton and outfielder Marcell Ozuna. Morse also expects to play first base as well as the outfield for the Marlins, which solidifies the position after a dismal year from Garrett Jones.

The Marlins also have a potent staff when combining Latos and Haren with young guys Henderson Alvarez, Jarred Cosart and Jose Fernandez.

Expect Latos to pitch close to his career average 3.34 ERA and 200 innings post-knee and elbow injuries and Haren to provide leadership for the rest of the staff.

And if Fernandez comes back from Tommy John Surgery pitching like he did before the surgery, expect 85-90 wins from this team.

The Marlins have taken advantage of a lowly NL East. They acquired talented players to go along with their young core of guys that immediately fill most of their needs. By playing the Braves, Mets and Phillies 54 times throughout the season, expect the Marlins to be a contender come October.

With Rice's Reinstatement, Should Patriots Give Him a Try?

NFL running back Ray Rice won his appeal against his suspension and can now sign with any NFL team.

So, why not the New England Patriots?

With running back Stevan Ridley all but out the door at this point and no indication that Shane Vereen will resign or not, the Patriots could be down two backs next season. With Jonas Gray and LaGarrette Blount the only two running backs penciled in to the Patriots 53-man roster next season, they will most likely need to obtain a more versatile back.

The Patriots should consider Ray Rice to fill the position. Rice’s down year in 2013 and now his fiasco with his suspension and domestic charges will keep the price low in order to obtain his services. At a price that could be as low as the league minimum, players that have ran for over 1,000 yards four seasons in a row and caught for over 700 yards in one season twice are almost never up for grabs.

The Patriots also have a history of taking on troubled players. Their list includes Corey Dillon, Aaron Hernandez, Randy Moss, Rodney Harrison and Chad Ochocinco. Adding Rice to that list would not be an abnormality.

Ray Rice also has the potential to become one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL once again. At the age of 27, Rice has now had an entire year off to recuperate and come back stronger and better. A change of scenery could also help his situation and get back on track to dominance.

Rice stays away from injury as well. Since becoming a starter in 2009 and minus his lost 2014 season to date, Rice has played every game but one. After Ridley’s injury and the rotation of backs, the Patriots could use some of that consistency in their backfield.

After the initial phase of awkwardness once Rice returns to the NFL, he could reinstate himself as one of the best running backs in the game. With the unclear futures of half of the Patriots running backs and Rice’s incredibly low price, the Patriots should take a hit on Rice’s potential.

Through Thick and Thin: Athletic Director Nick Smith Still Comes Out On Top

WORCESTER—“This is not an I thing, this is a team thing,” resonates as the anthem for Assumption College Athletic Director Nick Smith.

And how a team effort it was to get Smith to where he is today.

 Not only did Smith put his family in financial instability for years, he left a quality job working at Gillette Stadium for a contemporary service company to do so.

“Sometimes you don’t realize what you miss until you leave it. I had left college athletics for about a year and a half and decided that this [job] was not for me and I wanted to go back to college athletics,” said Smith.

            So Smith went back to being an equipment manager, the same job he had prior to working at Gillette Stadium. He quit his cushioned job for a pay-cut, title-cut and long hours of work. Newly married, Smith’s family inherited his burden.

            “It was tough because you work a lot of hours, I just got married and then you don’t get to see your wife very much,” said Smith. “In this job, there’s a lot of hours so my family sometimes suffers because of that. I now have a seven and a four year old daughter and it can be difficult but I couldn’t do my job without them. I wouldn’t get to come home until two in the morning sometimes but that is what you sign up for.”

            But then Smith’s time had come. There was an opening at Assumption College for an athletic director and Smith was awarded the job.

            However, there came a price with taking the position.

            Assumption was the worst ranked team in the conference, ranked 16 out of 16. Mediocrity was the consensus on campus along with their players and personnel.

            “In my interview, I did say we were going to win the President’s Cup while I was here and people thought I was joking,” said Smith. “Some actually left. I wasn’t joking and I still remain not joking. We will win the President’s Cup before my time is over.”

            The first thing that needed to change on campus, according to Smith was the culture.

            “When I first came here, there was a culture, from my understanding, a culture of mediocrity, borderline losing,” said Smith. “I don’t know if they had the vision or the support of whether it be the administration, whether it be the resources or things of that nature and I think that there was doubt. On my interview, they wouldn’t show me the football locker room. I’m pretty sure I know why now.”

            Smith’s first course of action was to change up the coaching staff. By the end of Smith’s first year as athletic director, 11 out of 18 head coaches were fired and replaced. Smith stressed that the changes were made because of opposing vantage points.

            “Unfortunately certain things happen and you have to make some judgment calls,” said Smith. “What happened was I think it was kind of a blend of a few things. I think the first year there was a couple of identifiable problems that we needed to make and we made those adjustments there. But there were other things where I might have had a vision [and] I don’t know if [coaches] agreed with the direction of things so they chose that maybe this wasn’t the right thing for them.”

            Along with the changes in head coaches, the administration hired eight new people within their own sector. There are only 15 jobs total within the athletic administration.

            However, Smith believes that the changes have made athletics better.

            “I truly believe that we have the best staff in the NE-10 and the reason I say that is because we are hungry to get things moving in the right direction and that’s what is exciting,” said Smith. “You see a lot of passion and a lot of dedicated, hard-working individuals all working towards the improvement of Assumption College.”

            The campus and athletes seem to believe Smith. Winning is now the general consensus amongst both groups.

            “We know that we may not have the best facilities, we may not have the most money, but we know that we’re going to outwork everybody else,” said Smith. “Our student athletes are committed, our coaches, our staff are all committed to improving what we have here at Assumption College.”

            Even through all of the improvements, Smith’s ultimate goal is still to win the President’s Cup.

            “My favorite [memory] hasn’t happened yet,” said Smith. “Because I know what it is going to be”

Royals Continue to Impress During October

KANSAS CITY, Miss.—You could have tried to analyze what has occurred this postseason, manipulate your favorite statistics and show how lackluster power would turn into offensive juggernauts, threatening to take the American League pennant and possibly the World Series. You were probably unsuccessful.

            Welcome to the story of the Kansas City Royals, the dark horse team dominating the 2014 Major League Baseball Postseason, stealing away the hearts of America.

            Admit it. The last time you fell for someone like this was freshman year of high school at the school dance. You squeaked and squealed then and you are doing it now for the Royals as they play Lorde’s hit song “Royals” along the way.

            The Royals went into Camden Yards like bullies on the playground. After a 10-inning 8-6 win in Game one, they took Game two in similar fashion with a 6-4 win in the ninth inning, sending them back home with a 2-0 series lead against Baltimore.

            The road was rather slippery for the Royals along the way. They went into the last game of the regular season unsure as to whether they would actually make the playoffs or not. They finally clinched a spot after the Seattle Mariners lost their final game. It was all but over when they trailed the Oakland A’s 7-3 in the eighth inning of the one-game wild card playoff. Seven stolen bases later, the team walked off to “Royals” once again. Kansas City nine, Oakland eight.

            Then they shut down Mike Trout and the team with the best record in baseball in the Angels with a three game sweep. The Angels’ three best players (Pujols, Hamilton and Trout) batted a combined three for 37 (.081 Batting Average).

            And don’t forget the Royals’ sudden high power offense.

            The Royals have more runs, doubles, triples and stolen bases than any other postseason team. They have eight home runs and 61 hits— both good for second place. They have become extra inning masterminds, winning four extra-inning games so far.

            In contrast, the Royals hit the fewest home runs in the big leagues during the season. The San Diego Padres, who play at Petco Park (the biggest ballpark dimensions-wise) with a pitcher batting once out of every nine at-bats, hit 14 more home runs than them. The last-place Red Sox beat them six out of seven times during the regular season.

            To put it into perspective, Third baseman Mike Moustakas ended the year with one home run in his final 163 at-bats. So far he has four in 22 at-bats this postseason.

            Energy. Want. Two of the greatest and unquantifiable characteristics that show up during October baseball.

            Out of the dark depths have come three emerging stars in Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, and Lorenzo Cain. Eric Hosmer, the under-performing first baseman who had rumors surface around his release all season, was the winning run against the A’s. He has batted .435 so far this postseason with 10 hits and 5 runs, along with 2 home runs and 7 runs batted in. Gordon, who was hit in the back of the neck by Orioles reliever Andrew Miller with a 97-mph fastball has strived ever since. He has one home run, eight runs batted in and three doubles throughout the postseason. Fan favorite and late bloomer Lorenzo Cain has been stellar on both sides of the ball. Along with his great defense that has single-handedly decided multiple games, is batting .370 with eight runs.

            It is impossible to measure the effect of having every game, every pitch count no matter what people say. Just believe what the games show us— baseball players don’t necessarily play the way their regular season statistics suggest. The Kansas City Royals look great this October. They run-wild, never give up and play well on both sides of the ball. Now in Kansas City, everyone knows who they are.

             So let “Royals” fill those streets and party like its 1985, Kansas City.