As we turn the calendars from
2018, it’s hard to believe that we will soon be closing the door on another
decade in another twelve short months. Over the course of 2019, be prepared for
“Best of” lists from most publications covering every aspect of pop culture (some
will probably be created in this blog). As for the NFL, if any player or coach
can maintain a job in the league for over ten years, they should consider
themselves lucky.
Currently Bill Belichick,
Sean Payton, Mike Tomlin, and John Harbaugh are four head coaches that were
hired in their existing positions before 2010 (so long, Marvin Lewis). When you
win a Super Bowl, it tends to add to your shelf life as a head coach. Out of
this short list, only Tomlin failed to lead his team to post-season this year. Instead,
these successful veterans will face off against first-timers Matt Nagy, Frank
Reich, and Anthony Lynn as well as some familiar faces in Jason Garrett, Bill
O’Brien, Andy Reid and Pete Carroll.
For players, it’s a lot
tougher to stay healthy and on the field, which can contribute to the average
NFL career being only 3.3 years. The league, however, has implemented
multiple rules to protect quarterbacks going back to 1995, leading many
pass-throwers to avoid major injuries and to now thrive at the position.
Of the quarterbacks playing
this post-season, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers began their careers
before 2010, while Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck and Nick Foles were all drafted
in 2012. Only Rivers and Luck have not won a Super Bowl, but both have played
in a conference championship game. To add to the excitement this January, new
playmakers Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and (I guess) Mitch
Trubisky will be making their first playoff starts.
What does any of this mean? When
it comes to the playoffs, experience certainly plays a factor. However, last
season we did witness Philly head coach Doug Pederson, in his first trip to the
post-season, guide the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory by out coaching the more
experienced Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. After a regular season
that was filled with inconsistent play week after week, this year’s playoffs
are completely up for grabs.
Before breaking down this
weekend’s games, here’s one more quick quarterback stat:
What do Aaron Rodgers, Matt
Ryan, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Matt Stafford and Derek Carr all have in
common?
They are currently the top
six highest paid quarterbacks in the league. And they will all be watching the
playoffs from home.
Your 2018 NFL, everyone.
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
Indianapolis Colts (+1.5) over HOUSTON TEXANS
If there’s one thing I know
that I can count on, it’s that the Houston Texans and/or the Cincinnati Bengals
are going play on Wild Card Saturday. It’s like death and taxes. After a slow
start (0-3), the Texans pulled off nine in a row, with victories against powerhouses Buffalo, Jacksonville, Miami, Denver, Washington,
and even a win in Indy in Week 4. The Colts were similar, finishing the season
9-1 after starting 1-5, including winning their last four that began with a
victory in Houston in Week 14. Houston's quarterback Deshaun Watson won a National Championship at
Clemson, so he knows how to handle the pressure of playing big games. His coach Bill
O’Brien, on the other hand, is 1-2 in the playoffs. To O'Brien's credit, his quarterbacks in the post-season were the aforementioned Hoyer and Brock Osweiler, but the record still doesn't look good. Andrew Luck, after a great
comeback season, is making his first playoff appearance since 2014, and has a
little more success in the post-season (3-3) than O’Brien coached teams. The
key to this game will be Indy’s strong offensive line. If they can protect Luck
against J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and the Houston pass rush, then the Colts
move on. Look for a repeat of Week 14 in this rubber match.
Indy 27, Houston 24
Seattle Seahawks (+2) over DALLAS COWBOYS
The last time these two teams
squared off on a Saturday night, this happened:
The image still haunts
Cowboys fans, who have only won two playoff games since. As for this season,
Dallas took advantage of playing in the mediocre NFC East, going 5-1 in the division.
Their defense turned out to be pretty good, finishing seventh in the league. The Amari Cooper trade after Week 7, as illogical as it seemed at the time,
revitalized the offense. Seattle closed out the season as the league’s best
rushing team (160.00 yards per game) as well as winning six of their last
seven. During that span, quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown 14 touchdowns
and only two interceptions. The Cowboys only have one loss at home, but I’m
siding with the playoff experience of Wilson (8-4) and head coach Pete Carroll
(10-7) over Dallas QB Dak Prescott (0-1) and coach Jason Garrett (1-2). The
Seahawks win a close one.
Seattle 21, Dallas 17
San Diego Chargers (+2.5) over BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens have a formula for
playoff success: their fearless, play strong defense, and can run the ball down
your throat. All eyes will be on dynamic rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, who
took over for the injured Joe Flacco in Week 10 and has not looked back, going
6-1 as a starter to finish the season. The Chargers should have taken notes in
the loss they received from Baltimore at home not that long ago in Week 16, especially on how to contain Jackson. It’s been a few years,
so people might forget that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has nine playoff
games (4-5) under his belt. Jackson, on the other hand, has recent history
working against him. Since 2010, rookie quarterbacks are 2-7 in the playoffs,
and the two winners (TJ Yates and Russell Wilson) were facing other rookie
quarterbacks (Andy Dalton and Robert Griffin III). The Baltimore defense will
give Rivers fits, but his key offensive weapons, running back Melvin Gordon and
receiver Keenan Allen, should both be healthy. Plus the Chargers are one of two
teams this season that have a better road record (7-1) than home (5-3). Expect
the veteran Rivers to seek revenge and out duel the young rookie.
Los Angeles 24, Baltimore 17
CHICAGO BEARS (-6.5) over Philadelphia Eagles
I’m a believer in Foles
magic. I watched it during the Super Bowl last year as Philly quarterback Nick
Foles picked apart the defense of the New England Patriots. The Eagles closed
out the season 3-0 with Foles under center, sneaking into the playoffs thanks
to the collapse by the Vikings. You know what else I believe in? Bears linebacker
Khalil Mack being the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. The entire
Chicago defensive unit is special, and will keep Foles and the Eagles offense
at bay. As long as Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky manages the game and
doesn’t hand it over to Philly, the Bears should win easily.
Chicago 20, Philly 10
Sunday also is the first
major award ceremony for Hollywood. I’ll admit that I have not seen too
many of the Golden Globe nominations, but I’m going to roll the dice anyway on some of the major categories.
Movies:
Best Motion Picture, Drama: A Star Is Born
Best Motion Picture, Musical
or Comedy: Vice (A movie about former
Vice President Dick Chaney is a comedy? Shouldn’t it be, like, a horror movie, or
something?)
Best Actress, Drama: Lady
Gaga, A Star Is Born
Best Actor, Drama: Rami Malek,
Bohemian Rhapsody
Best Actress, Comedy or Musical: Olivia
Coleman, The Favourite
Best Actor, Comedy or Musical: Christian Bale,
Vice
Best Supporting Actress: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Vice
Best Director: Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Television:
Best Series, Drama: Killing Eve
Best Series, Comedy or Musical: Barry
Best Actress, Drama: Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Best Actor, Drama: Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Best Actress, Comedy or Musical: Rachel
Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Actor, Comedy or Musical: Bill Hader, Barry
Best Supporting Actress: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Supporting Actor: Henry Winkler, Barry
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