A Season to Forget

By Gerald Porter

The Houston Texans went from division champs to league wide chumps, rather quickly, in what was a landslide of a season. After two strong wins against the Chargers and Titans, the Texans season was everything but good from that point on. The first blow came after the downfall of Matt Schaub, who at the end of the 2012 season was 11^th among NFL quarterbacks with 4,008 total passing yards. Yet Schaub’s poor play earned him a spot on the bench only six weeks into the season.  The next hit to the Texans was the loss of Arian Foster. With a bulging disk in his back, Foster had to undergo season-ending surgery. With two key players missing from their roster, the Texans were left scrambling to find a way to achieve the previous seasons success. There were parts of a deteriorating Houston team that showed promise if they were built upon, but a complete team was nonexistent. Another source of the Texans woes was there ability to close games. In 9 out of 14 games, all loses, were within 7. With these games in reasonable distance, if these 9 games were wins, it would’ve turned a 2-14 season into an 11-5 season, which more than likely would’ve put the Texans in position to contend for the division title. And while everything in Houston was falling apart, Gary Kubiak, the team’s coach for the past seven years, was fired.  While Houston’s season was a complete bust, it’s not all bad. At least they get a number 1 pick for their terrible play. 

Aidan Mackie’s Full NFL Wild Card Round and Playoff Predictions

Wild-Card Weekend

#4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5) vs. #5 Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)

After a 9-0 start, the Chiefs have sunk back to Earth in recent weeks. Andy Reid and company have dropped five of their last seven, including a 23-7 loss at home to the Colts just two weeks ago. Kansas City are an awful 1-5 against postseason teams this year, with their only victory coming against the Michael Vick-led Eagles way back in Week 3. 

Indianapolis, on the other hand, has excelled against tough opponents. Andrew Luck and company have defeated the 49ers and the Chiefs handily on the road, while beating the Seahawks and the Broncos at home. The Colts are capable of competing with any team on any given day. 

For the Colts to get the victory, they need to stop Jamaal Charles. Charles tallied nearly 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Last time the two teams tangled, Charles racked up over 100 yards and averaged 8.2 yards a carry. However, Kansas City’s passing game couldn’t do anything, as Alex Smith was sacked five times. With Indy sending the NFL sack leader Robert Mathis off the edge, it may be another long day for Smith. 

In the end, I expect Andrew Luck to find holes in an overrated Chiefs secondary, and I forecast the Colts claiming a close victory thanks to big day from Donald Browns against KC’s 26th-ranked rush defense. 

Colts 26, Chiefs 20

#3 Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) vs. #6 New Orleans Saints (11-5)

With Nick Foles under center, the Eagles rebounded from a tough 3-5 first half to win seven of their final eight games. Foles played like an MVP candidate in the starting role, and Lesean McCoy paced the league’s best rushing attack. Philadelphia was also lights out at home, winning their final four home contests by an average of double-digits. 

The Saints, on the other hand, struggled down the stretch after a 9-2 start. New Orleans’ struggles on the road are well-documented, and they won just one of their final six away contests. The Saints boast the league’s second-best passing attack, though, as well as a top two pass defense. 

This game will come down to which team’s strength can better expose their opponent’s weakness. New Orleans feared passing attack will be matched up against an Eagles secondary that was statistically the worst in the NFL against the pass, and Philadelphia’s top rushing attack will face a Saints’ front that struggles defending the run. In the end, I expect the playoff experience of Drew Brees and Sean Payton to be the difference in a high-scoring, close affair. 

Saints 30, Eagles 28

#3 Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) vs. #6 San Diego Chargers (9-7)

This game will come down to which Andy Dalton shows up on Sunday. Dalton’s inconsistency has plagued the Bengals at some points this season, but he had his best full season as a pro despite his roller coaster year. Dalton tossed for nearly 4,300 yards and 33 touchdowns. The TCU product also has a dream matchup against the Chargers, who rank 29th in the NFL against the pass. 

San Diego comes in as one of the hottest teams in the league, despite possessing the worst record of the 12 teams in the dance. The Chargers have won five of their past six games, including victories over the Chiefs (twice) and Broncos. Their only loss in those games was a 17-10 home defeat against the Bengals. 

If the Chargers are to pull off the upset, they need Philip Rivers to continue his resurgence. Rivers had perhaps the best season of his career in 2013 after two years of futility, and he likely would of taken home the MVP award if not for Peyton Manning’s historic year. Rivers has a tough matchup against the Bengals, though, who rank fifth in the league defending the pass. 

Although Cincinnati looks like the better team on paper, I predict Philip Rivers to have a huge game and for Andy Dalton to be plagued by turnovers, leading San Diego to an unlikely playoff victory. 

Chargers 27, Bengals 24

#4 Green Bay Packers (8-7-1) vs. #5 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

The Packers limped into the playoffs following a tight victory against the Bears. With just eight wins, their presence in the postseason is unwarranted. However, with Aaron Rodgers back at the helm, they could be a serious contender if things fall their way. Regardless, Green Bay could not have a worse matchup on Wild-Card Weekend. The Packers have shown an inability to beat the 49ers in recent years, losing all three of their matchups since 2012. 

Colin Kaepernick has dominated the Pack in his two outings against the team. In the playoffs last season, Kaepernick threw for 263 yards, ran for 181 yards, and tallied four total touchdowns, and in Week 1 of this year, Kaepernick tossed for 412 yards and three scores. 

San Francisco’s passing attack has faded since Week 1, though. The team ranks 30th in the league in pass offense. However, the 49ers rank in the top seven in all other major categories, and they have won six straight games and ten of their last twelve. To put it simply, the Niners are the most dangerous team playing in Wild-Card Weekend.

Expect Aaron Rodgers to keep the Packers in it, but in a game that could be one of the coldest in the history of the NFL, Frank Gore and the 49ers’ rushing attack will have their way with a subpar Green Bay run defense and march on to the Divisional Round.

49ers 26, Packers, 17

 

Now, quick predictions for the rest of the postseason slate (full previews to come next week)

 

Divisional Round

#1 Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. #6 San Diego Chargers (9-7)

The Chargers may of beaten the Broncos in Denver earlier this year, but Peyton Manning should have his way with San Diego’s secondary on a cold day in Mile High. 

Broncos 31, Chargers 23 

#1 Seattle Seahawks (13-3) vs. #6 New Orleans Saints (11-5)

It won’t be the blowout like it was on Monday Night Football, but the Seahawks are a tougher team and are playing in a stadium they rarely falter in. 

Seahawks 27, Saints 24

#2 New England Patriots (12-4) vs. #4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

The Patriots are more experienced and are playing in Foxborough, but Indianapolis will keep it close with their young talent and explosiveness. However, you have to take Brady and Belichick in this one. 

Patriots 30, Colts 24

#2 Carolina Panthers (12-4) vs. #5 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

In what will be one of the best playoff games in recent memory, the 49ers will eek out the road victory through their offense making one more big play than Cam Newton and company. 

49ers 17, Panthers 16

Championship Round

#1 Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. #2 New England Patriots (12-4)

Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady in the AFC Championship. It doesn’t get any better than this. In what will be a back-and-forth contest, I expect Brady and company to emerge victorious thanks to one late mistake from Manning. 

Patriots 34, Broncos 30

#1 Seattle Seahawks (13-3) vs. #5 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

The best rivalry in the game today will be at the forefront of championship weekend. I think the 49ers will pull off the road upset by virtue of a strong defensive and rushing effort, and move on to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season.

49ers 23, Seahawks 20

Super Bowl

#2 New England Patriots (12-4) vs. #5 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Two of the NFL’s finest franchises and the losers of the last two Super Bowls will meet in the first big game in the cold in NYC. Neither team will move the ball at will, but both will have their share of big plays. Eventually, Brady and company will emerge on top thanks to clutch plays from the Hall of Fame quarterback. 

Patriots 27, 49ers 23

 

 

Wild Card Weekend Previews

By Julian Passman

 

Who: Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Indianapolis Colts

 

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium

 

When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 4, 2014

Preview: After winning only two games in 2013, the Kansas City Chiefs have come a long way from being the league’s worst team last year. Newly hired coach, Andy Reid, has done a magnificent job implementing the west-coast offense in Kansas City, and guiding Alex Smith to one of his most efficient and productive seasons yet. Jamaal Charles provides a versatile threat out of the backfield as he has 19 total touchdowns on the year, 7 of those coming off receptions. The Chiefs defense will be relied upon heavily to stop Andrew Luck and company, something they struggled to do in their Week 16 meeting which the Colts won 23-7. Indianapolis is riding a three game win streak into this meeting with Kansas City While they don’t do one specific thing that astonishes, they are consistent on offense and do a decent job at defending against the pass. In order to win, the Colts will need to improve on their 26th ranked rush defense, or else Charles and Davis will have a field day in Indianapolis. The Colts’ success will fall on the right arm of Quarterback Andrew Luck, who will try to lead Indianapolis to the Divisional Round, something he failed to do last year.

 

Prediction: If the Chiefs can establish the run game early, it will be a long day for Indianapolis at home. They have had trouble stopping opposing backs all year, and Charles is as good as they get. I’m picking Kansas City 21-17.

 

 

Who: New Orleans Saints Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

 

Where: Lincoln Financial Field

 

When: 8:10 PM ET, Saturday, January 4, 2014

Preview: The Philadelphia Eagles have turned it around. After an abysmal performance against the New York Giants in week 8, Philly only lost once for the remainder of the year, finishing out the season 7-1. First year coach, Chip Kelly, has created one of the league’s most potent offenses, led by the NFL’s leading rusher, Shady McCoy, and blossoming young Quarterback, Nick Foles. On defense, Philly has been better of late, but still rank last in the NFL in pass yards allowed per game. With Drew Brees and his arsenal of weapons coming to town, the Eagles secondary will be put to the test in a big way. The Saints were once again in the NFL’s elite, but often looked like a completely different team on the road. New Orleans was a perfect 8-0 and home, but stumbled to a 3-5 record when away from the Super Dome.

 

Prediction: Drew Brees is one of the league’s best, and should lead the Saints to a victory against a porous Eagles secondary. Expect this one to be a shootout with two high-octane offenses. I’m going with the Saints 34-31.

 

 

Who: San Diego Chargers Vs. Cincinnati Bengals 

 

Where: Paul Brown Stadium

 

When: 1:05 ET, Sunday, January 5, 2014

Preview: The San Diego Chargers weren’t expected to make the playoffs. Yet, after finishing the season with four resounding wins, the Bolts have made there way into the post-season for the first time since 2009. It has been an impressive season for veteran Quarterback, Phillip Rivers, who threw for 4,500 yards and 32 TD’s in what was a year of revival in his career. He has developed a great connection with rookie Wide Out, Keenan Allen, who has amassed 1,046 yards and 8 touchdowns in an excellent campaign. The Chargers have struggled on defense all year, and have a tough task ahead of them in trying to defend Andy Dalton and company. Cincinnati looks like a competitive contender for this year, and many years to come. Andy Dalton has led this young group to the playoffs for the second year in a row, and hopes to advance past the first round for the first time in his career. The Bengals are led by one of the league’s most stout defenses, ranking in the top 5 in both opponent pass yards allowed and rush yards allowed.

 

Prediction: I see this one as one of the most obvious games in this Wild Card Weekend. The Bengals are a far better team than San Diego, and for that reason, I’m going with Cincy 28-17.

 

 

Who: San Francisco 49ers Vs. Green Bay Packers

 

Where: Lambeau Field

 

When: 4:40 ET, Sunday, January 5, 2014

Preview: The Packers have a flare for the dramatic. On the last week of the season, Aaron Rodgers found Randall Cobb for a last-minute Touchdown to defeat the Bears and win the NFC North. With Rodgers back under center, the Packers are a dangerous team in the post-season, however their weaknesses on defense may be too much to overcome. Standout linebacker, Clay Matthews, will once again be out this weekend, leaving an already depleted defense even more vulnerable. There is a big test ahead of them on Sunday with Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers coming to Green Bay. San Francisco has one of the league’s best defenses but also possesses a potent offense with Kaepernick at the helm. The Packers have struggled in their recent meetings with San Francisco but this game will fall on the shoulders of the Packers defense and their ability to stop the 49ers offense

 

Prediction: This should be one of the most entertaining games of the Wild Card Weekend, the Packers have not had success against San Francisco of late and with a porous defense, I look for that to continue. I will go with San Francisco in a close one, 28-27

Nour Hatoum’s Week 14 Picks

Jaguars def. Texans 20-17

Buccaneers def. Bills 24-10

Ravens def. Vikings 21-13

Patriots def. Browns 27-17

Bengals def. Colts 27-24

Eagles def. Lions 21-20

Packers def. Falcons 24-17

Chiefs def. Redskins 34-14

Steelers def. Dolphins 20-17

Jets def. Raiders 24-16

Broncos def. Titans 37-14

Chargers def. Giants 28-17

Seahawks def. 49ers 24-21

Rams def. Cardinals 21-20

Saints def. Panthers 21-17

Bears def. Cowboys 27-24

Week 13 Record: 9-7

Season Record: 124-67-1

Julian Passman’s Week 14 Picks

Green Bay def. Atlanta 17-14

Cincinnati def. Indianapolis 21-20

New England def. Cleveland 31-20

Oakland def. New York Jets 17-10

Detroit def. Philadelphia 31-27

Pittsburgh def. Miami 17-14

Tampa Bay def. Buffalo 24-21

Kansas City def. Washington 21-14

Baltimore def. Minnesota 24-21

Denver def. Tennessee 31-17

Arizona def. St. Louis 14-13

San Diego def. New York Giants 31-24

Seattle def. San Francisco 28-21

New Orleans def. Carolina 31-27

Dallas def. Chicago 31-30

Week 13 Record: 10-6 

Season Record: 124-67-1

Fall From Grace

By Julian Passman 

It’s always fascinating to me to watch a once dominant team become a non-factor. I can understand a 10-6 record fall to 9-7 or 8-8, but the first to worst drop has constantly been a shocker. This year, two teams have suffered from this trend, those being the Atlanta Falcons, and the Houston Texans. Houston finished 12-4 last year while Atlanta finished 13-3, both won their respective divisions. The 2013 season, however, has been the complete opposite. Houston is a league worst 2-11 and Atlanta holds a 3-9 record of their own. Atlanta was picked by many as a Super Bowl contender, but has suffered a ton of injuries throughout the year, which can partially explain their porous record. Houston, on the other hand, probably outperformed their talent level last year, and I expected them to come back to earth a bit this season, however, I did not at all predict them to be the worst team in the league. The Texans have a lot of questions to answer especially at the Quarterback position, where they have tried three different options this season. Worst of all, Houston has cemented itself as the worst team in the league after losing to the Jaguars twice in the past three weeks. The Jaguars. Turns out, you can, in fact, be worse than Jacksonville, although it seems quite hard to do. Gary Kubiak was just recently fired after Thursday’s loss to the Jags, which just further reiterates the cut-throat nature of the NFL. One season you can be divisional champions, the next, you can be without a job. I believe the Falcons will bounce back next season and once again compete for the NFC title. I am more skeptical about Houston just because of the uncertainty at QB and the health of Running Back, Arian Foster, but I would at least expect them to finish somewhere around the .500 mark next year. 

Schaub looks to the grass for answers

Aidan Mackie’s NFL Week 14 Picks

Jaguars def. Texans 23-20

Jets def. Raiders 17-14

Bengals def. Colts 24-21

Packers def. Falcons 26-24

Patriots def. Browns 31-13

Eagles def. Lions 30-24

Steelers def. Dolphins 23-20

Buccaneers def. Bills 27-20

Chiefs def. Redskins 30-23

Ravens def. Vikings 22-16

Broncos def. Titans 34-20

Cardinals def. Rams 19-16

Chargers def. Giants 31-30

Seahawks def. 49ers 26-21

Saints def. Panthers 28-23

Cowboys def. Bears 31-27

Week 13 Record: 8-8

Season Record: 119-72-1

Nour Hatoum’s Week 13 Picks

Lions def Packers 31-17

Cowboys def. Raiders 27-14

Steelers def. Ravens 20-17

Browns def. Jags 21-14

Panthers def. Buccaneers 24-10

Bears def. Vikings 27-20

Patriots def. Texans 30-16

Colts def. Titans 24-21

Jets def. Dolphins 17-14

Cardinals def. Eagles 24-20

Bills def. Falcons 24-17

49ers def. Rams 27-21

Chargers def. Bengals 27-24

Broncos def. Chiefs 27-17

Giants def. Redskins 28-14

Seahawks def. Saints 31-28

Last Week’s Record: 7-6-1

Season Record: 115-60-1

Aidan Mackie’s NFL Week 13 Picks

Lions def. Packers 31-17

Cowboys def. Raiders 30-13

Steelers def. Ravens 20-16

Browns def. Jaguars 17-16

Colts def. Titans 23-20

Jets def. Dolphins 17-14

Bears def. Vikings 31-28

Cardinals def. Eagles 20-17

Panthers def. Buccaneers 16-13

Patriots def. Texans 30-24

Bills def. Falcons 23-16

49ers def. Rams 24-21

Broncos def. Chiefs 30-17

Chargers def. Bengals 27-24

Giants def. Redskins 30-20

Saints def. Seahawks 26-23

Week 12 Record: 10-3-1

Season Record: 111-64-1

Julian Passman’s Week 13 Picks

Lions def. Packers 31-20

 

Cowboys def. Raiders 31-17

 

Steelers def. Ravens 17-14

 

Browns def. Jaguars 14-10

 

Colts def. Titans 28-21

 

Bears def. Vikings 24-17

 

Jets def. Dolphins 13-10

 

Cardinals def. Eagles 21-20

 

Panthers def. Buccaneers 24-21

 

Patriots def. Texans 31-10

 

Bills def. Falcons 24-17

 

49ers def. Rams 28-27

 

Broncos def. Chiefs 28-14

 

Bengals def. Chargers 31-28

 

Giants def. Redskins 21-20

 

Seahawks def. Saints 27-24

 

Week 12 Record: 8-5-1

Season Record: 114-61-1