Category: NFL

Should Dak Get Paid?

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in NFL

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott reportedly turned down a $35 million per year salary and supposedly is seeking upwards of $45 million per year. While Jerry Jones is far from my favorite person, I am one to give credit where credit is due. Signing former Bengals QB Andy Dalton this offseason was a solid move and gives Jerry leverage in contract negotiations with Dak.

The Cowboys led the league in team total offense in 2019. Thanks to Mr. Jones, they drafted CeeDee Lamb, arguably the best receiver in the draft, to add to its plethora of offensive weapons. With the likes of receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Ceedee Lamb paired with the playmaking abilities of RB Ezekiel Elliot, this Cowboys offense is going to put up points no matter who is under center. This is where Dak should take the money and not leave anything to chance.

Say what you want about Andy Dalton, but he has been an above average NFL QB for the last decade. While the past couple seasons his production has dropped, I’d contribute that to a lackluster offensive line and a useless group of receivers other than A.J. Green. However, Green has been plagued by injuries the past couple years which hasn’t eased the burden on Dalton. Is Andy Dalton better than Dak? No. But I do think he can come in and produce relatively similar numbers for about a 1/8th of the cost.

In 2017, Ezekiel Elliot was suspended 6 games by the NFL. In his absence, Alfred Morris and Rod Smith combined for over 800 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry (YPC). When Zeke got back he was able to put up nearly 1,000 yards rushing and a 4.1 YPC in 10 games. While there’s no doubt Zeke is the better RB of the 3, the takeaway was that anyone could run behind that vaunted Cowboy offensive line. I imagine a similar scenario playing out if Andy Dalton took over the reins of the Cowboys offense. Cooper, Gallup and Lamb are going to make any QB look good and it doesn’t take superior athleticism to hand the ball off to Zeke. Dalton doesn’t possess Dak’s running ability, but he can still make the necessary throws to get the ball to those playmaking receivers.

Even if a deal does not get done before July 15, Dak will still suit up for the Cowboys in 2020. The Cowboys placed the exclusive franchise tag on him in March so he will make at least $31.4 million this year. If Dak doesn’t put up astronomical numbers and lead the Cowboys to the playoffs this year, Jerry should let him walk in free agency and take his chances with Dalton. The cards are aligned for Dak to be a front runner in the MVP discussion as the Cowboys’ offense should have no trouble putting points on the board. If he can’t get the job done, then it’s time to find someone who can.

There’s no denying Dak is a great QB who is the perfect candidate to be the face of America’s team. However, is he worth the steep price tag he is reportedly seeking? The Cowboys’ offense has the talent to make a star QB out of anyone so only time will tell if Dak is the right man for the job.

Top 5 NFL Games to Watch

by Brady Vaughan, posted in NFL

Top 5 Games to Look Forward to in the 2020 NFL Season

Now that the NFL schedule has been released, we finally have light at the end of the tunnel during this global pandemic. Sports will return soon, but in the meantime, we have to listen to Cowboys fans talk about how they’re gonna go anywhere from 13-3 to 16-0, win the NFC East, win the Super Bowl, but also how they’re going to beat the crap out of the Philadelphia Eagles.

No just kidding, but Cowboys fans aren’t the only ones with high hopes for this season. The season promises to bring a lot of intriguing matchups, and it’s impossible to breakdown all of them right now, but here are five of the top games I’m looking forward to this upcoming season.

  1. Chiefs at Ravens on Monday Night Football (Week 3). A matchup of the last two MVPs, this time on Baltimore’s turf. Mahomes is 2-0 against Lamar in the early stages of his career, but both games have been in Kansas City. In addition, these two teams are some of the current odds on favorites to win the Super Bowl (KC at +400, Baltimore at +700).
  2. Buccaneers vs Saints (Weeks 1 and 9). Tom Brady vs Drew Brees. Need I say more? These are two of the best QBs to ever play the game. For all we know, this ~ could ~ be the last time these two QBs ever matchup against one another again. Their Week 9 matchup will be on Sunday Night Football
  3. Vikings at Saints on Christmas Day (Week 16). Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings return to the Superdome to play Drew Brees and the Saints who fell out of the playoffs at the hands of the Vikings last season. These two teams are perennial playoff teams and having a matchup this late in the season between the two could shake up the NFC standings and be a big factor in who end up getting the coveted playoff bye week one seed now that the NFL has switched to the new playoff format.
  4. Titans at Broncos on Monday Night Football (Week 1). I’m intrigued by this game because both teams have invested in their QBs a lot these last couple seasons. Ryan Tannehill was the solid rock that gave the Titans stability at the position in order to make a run to the AFC Title game last season. Denver on the other hand has found Drew Lock who was decent as a rookie QB last season after becoming the starter late in the season. Denver has also given Drew Lock tons of weapons through the draft, most notably drafting WRs Jerry Jeudy out of Alabama and KJ Hamler out of Penn State, while signing RB Melvin Gordon in Free Agency to go along with RB Phillip Lindsey. I think both teams could be serious players in the AFC playoff picture.
  5. Eagles at Cowboys (Week 16). In all seriousness though, the Eagles and Cowboys are two teams that in my opinion should reach the playoffs. Matching them up against one another this late in the season will have serious implications on the NFC East division title and the NFC playoff picture as a whole. Look out for rookie WRs Ceedee Lamb for Dallas and Jalen Reagor for Philadelphia as they aim to make a big impact on their respective teams

Numbergate – Jerry Jones telling the young gun what number to wear

by lucasblk19, posted in Football, NFL, Uncategorized

I’ll never forget the day my 8U baseball coach looked at me and said, “The one thing I need you to think about today, and this is very important, is what number you are going to wear for us this season.”

At eight years old this decision is more important than the kid (I think she was of the female gender) I just asked to be my girlfriend at recess, four hours ago. Was she blonde with brown eyes? Or did she have brown hair with blue eyes? If I even remember her name at this phase of the relationship I am doing well. In reflection, I may not know who I was dating when I was eight years old, but I know what number I was and why I chose that number.

There is a complex calculation that comes into picking one’s number for any sport. My favorite baseball player at the time was Scott Podsednik. He was from a small Texas farming town where my mom grew up, and they happen to make amazing kolaches (yes, the Czech Stop). He wore double two.

My cousin, the goalie for his high school hockey team, was tied for my favorite athlete at the time. He wore double three. I just wanted a piece of them to be a piece of me. I took one of their numbers and came up with two-three or three-two. Oh, did I mention I have always been the loud mouth? Yea, if you talk like I do, you wear two-three, no questions asked.

There is nothing fun about graduating from college and getting a job other than getting paid. When you get paid there are certain guidelines and regulations that your new employer has set forth for the company as a whole, and for you individually. This is not college ball anymore; this is a business.

Pat McAfee, on his daily sports show, frequently discusses how these rookies do not comprehend the business side of ball until they are up for a contract negotiation. Cowboy fans are not new to this as the recent dilemma with our QB1 received the franchise tag, compared to getting paid (like the world knows he should).

You sign your first-round draft pick, but tell him what number he has to wear. If this was a random assignment that added no value to the team or had no historical context, would I see a cause for media outcry? Absolutely.

Instead, we see the polar opposite from retiring a number in respect of a Hall of Fame career. We are telling the young buck to wear the number that the greats before him wore, and that played the same position he plays. If you forced Derek Rose to wear number two-three when he arrived in Chicago, they have at least two more banners hanging in that arena, no doubt.

My dad has told me stories about the triple threat in Dallas featuring Aikman, Smith, and Irvin. I sat on the couch, while dad sat in the recliner watching Romo, a slew of running backs, and Bryant take the field. It was fun. It was memorable. I can only dream about telling my kids about the dominance, Prescott, Elliot, and Lamb shared on the gridiron (I know Cooper will be around for some time but for story intensive purposes we are utilizing Lamb because he’s taking Irvin’s number). I hope the peak for this youthful trio is higher than the hall of fame trio dad used to tell me about.

CeeDee, my buddies that went to school in Norman couldn’t stop talking about you in your last two years of college ball. I can’t wait for you to be on my NFL team, and allow me to rave to the Cowboy haters out there what a baller you are. It sucks Jerry Jones told you what jersey number to wear. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad move though, it’s a business move. The only moves Mr. Jones knows how to make. I think he will make you into a similar player my dad grew up watching wearing the double eight. I think you got big shoes to fill, but know your feet are only growing. Stoked to watch you play this year, ROY.

NFL Draft Winners and Losers

by jonesg17, posted in NFL

With the NFL draft being the only semblance of sports in well over a month, I have been glued to this draft more than in past years. With teams unable to meet face-to-face with prospects and almost every pro day being canceled, teams have had to do a lot of guesswork on potential players. However, like every draft, some teams made savvy picks and others had some head scratchers. I will mainly focus on the earlier rounds because those tend to shape the franchises.

I am a Vikings fan and this is the first time in years I can say I am proud of their draft top to bottom. I am absolutely thrilled that they ACTUALLY addressed their needs and still acquired picks in 2021. I will be leaving them off this list to avoid any sort of bias but those that are interested can ask me but make sure to pencil in some time because I can go on and on about their class.

#3 Loser

Chicago Bears-

With the Bears only having 2 picks in the top 160, you think they would address more pressing needs than Tight End. With the 43rd pick they took Cole Kmet out of Notre Dame. He has a lot of potential but they now have 10…. yes 10 tight ends on their active roster which means they will be cutting at least six of them before the season. They signed Jimmy Graham to a completely overpriced contract so getting a tight end with your very first pick makes almost zero sense. Their next pick was CB Jaylon Johnson which may have saved their draft. He is a very physical corner and Chicago fans will love him because he doesn’t fear contact. The Bears shot 50% on draft picks they needed to go 100% on because of the lack of draft capital.

#3 Winner

Dallas Cowboys-

As much as I hate to say it, Jerry put together a hell of a draft. Having someone like CeeDee Lamb fall all the way to 17 is something that happens once in a generation. They can thank the Las Vegas Raiders for doing what they do best and picking the fastest player on the board regardless of other skill traits when they took Henry Ruggs III as the first receiver. Putting Lamb in the slot with Cooper and Gallup makes the Cowboys offense that much more potent. TV networks better be careful because they could be in high-scoring games that take 4 hours every week. The cowboys were also able to get another player that fell farther than he should’ve in corner Trevon Diggs from Alabama. A solid pick that is lengthy and should be able to matchup with #1 receivers and provide Jerry with some sort of comfort in the secondary. Hopefully he turns out better than Mo Claiborne. Neville Gallimore was the third-round pick of the cowboys and he’s yet another player that flew under the radar. He is a run stuffing machine that eats blocks and will be able to free up Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. The one drawback is he is not a great pass-rusher but when you have Damarcus Lawrence is an easy concession to make.

#2 Loser

Philadelphia Eagles-

Let me tell you the Eagles were absolutely torched by writers and fans alike. People forget Howie Roseman has a ring, but this was not his best work. Their first-round pick was Jalen Reagor out of TCU. As a TCU alum myself I do think he’s a solid player and has a similar skillset to former Big 12 and new NFC East Rival CeeDee Lamb. However, he was not the best receiver on the board at the time with Justin Jefferson out of LSU going one pick later. This wasn’t the worst pick by far. The pick that places the Eagles right here is using their second-round pick on JALEN HURTS. I would’ve taken Jacob Eason before Hurts because I just don’t think he’s a good enough passer to make it in the NFL. The worst part is the Eagles just signed Carson Wentz to a 4 year $128 million deal that doesn’t even kick in until 2021. Unless the NFL adopts the XFL’s double pass rule, this pick will haunt Eagles fans for awhile. The Eagles Taking K’Von Wallace out of Clemson in the fourth round wasn’t a bad pick so at least they got something out of this fiasco.

#2 Winner

San Francisco 49ers-

The rich get richer. A team that was a meltdown away from a Super Bowl championship will enter the 2020 season completely reloaded. They traded DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis for their first rounder and then traded down with Tampa to acquire a later pick. They were then able to snag Javon Kinlaw, a defensive tackle out of South Carolina. They pretty much replaced a good player with a possible superstar at a much cheaper price. The Niners also traded up later in the first to bet Brandon Aiyuk, a receiver out of Arizona State. Aiyuk is explosive on the perimeter and will give defenses headaches when paired with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. To cap off a fantastic draft, they traded for pro-bowl tackle Trent Williams to solidify the offensive line and give Jimmy G more time to miss wide-open receivers down field and then to check down to his running backs.

#1 Loser

Green Bay Packers-

Oh Baby, I love to see this. An absolute dumpster fire of a draft. Unless the Packers were concerned of someone else trading with Miami to get Jordan Love at pick 26, it did not make a lot of sense because the three picks before them were Seattle, Baltimore and Tennessee: all teams pretty committed to their current QBs. On top of that they have several other very pressing needs. It isn’t like this is a rebuilding team either that should develop a QB. Green Bay is coming of a NFC Title game appearance and their first pick is a guy who probably won’t see meaningful snaps at all in 2020. Ok fine Green Bay, you botched the first round but this is a really deep receiver class and you can pick up someone in the second round. Another miss by the Packers in reaching for a day 3 running back in A.J. Dillon out of Boston College. Not only was he unlikely to go in the next 60 or so picks, they have Aaron Jones at running back so they drafted a guy at best that will split snaps and not significantly help out their chances at a Super Bowl. As I’m writing this they have passed on 27 receivers through 5 rounds. #SKOL

#1 Winner

Cleveland Browns-

A completely new regime in Cleveland made a lot of noise with their first draft. Picking up Jedrick Wills with the 10th pick is exactly what this offense needed. A massive offensive tackle out of Alabama will cover Baker Mayfield’s blindside and address one of the weakest positions in an offense loaded with talent. They traded back a few spots and acquired pick 160 with a trade with the Colts. Their second-round pick at 44 overall was Grant Delpit. The 2019 Thorpe award winner was given first round grades by a lot of experts. He is an absolute playmaker in the secondary and a ball-hawk and has flashes of his predecessor that wore #7 at LSU Tyrann Mathieu. The Brown’s third round pick was Jordan Elliott, A Defensive Tackle from Mizzou. He has all the intangibles you’re looking for in a run stuffing tackle checking in at 6’4’ 302 lbs. It didn’t’ always turn into production in college but with the right coaching this kid could be a gamechanger. Cleveland also received a comp pick used on LSU Linebacker Jacob Phillips. This guy always gives 100% and puts his body on the line every play. A little refinement and he could become a solid starter in Cleveland.

Please address your comments, questions and concerns to jmpfer04@gmail.com who presented me the opportunity to write this article.

Ohio State Ignorance and Some Post-Draft Thoughts

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in NCAA Football, NFL

For those that came just for the Ohio State nonsense, please head down to that last bullet point. Instead of a night filled with the beauty and wonder of the Bellagio Fountain and Las Vegas lights, we got to see Roger Goodell hug his TV. Thanks a lot China. Here are some post-draft thoughts after a “boo-less” NFL draft.

  • With Jerry Jones drafting alone with no connection to the outside world the draft could have been an absolute disaster. Turns out, the man still has a couple tricks up the old sleeve. What a fantastic pick. The Cowboys offense could break records next season. The addition of CeeDee Lamb puts Dak Prescott in the MVP discussion, and for the gamblers in the crowd I’m sure you could find some nice value there. We all love to hate the Boys but that pick was downright beautiful.
Video by Bleacher Report
  • Dave Gettleman and the New York Football Giants organization once again let down fans on draft night. However, who all remembers draft night 2019 where Giants fans, I included, were up in arms over their selection of Daniel Jones? As it turned out, Danny Dimes replaced our beloved Eli Manning and has put himself in position to be the franchise guy for the foreseeable future. Perhaps we should wait and see before wanting to guillotine Gettleman.
  • The Raiders select the 3rd best WR in the draft over possibly the two best receiver prospects in the last 5 years and Al Davis just has to be turning in his grave. Henry Ruggs III can fly. No doubt about it. However, so can Usain Bolt and you don’t see him putting on the pads every Sunday. In all seriousness, Henry Ruggs is a playmaker who will have a fine career. But when you have an opportunity to get a guy like CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy you just can’t pass that up. I have a feeling we will be seeing Jon Gruden in the MNF booth in the near future.
  • While Cowboys fans were rejoicing over their pick (and rightfully so), the Eagles made a very nice selection of their own. Jalen Reagor mainly slid under the radar during his time at TCU thanks to underwhelming QB play. However, the dude can really ball and will pair nicely with Carson Wentz.
  • For those that haven’t yet watched film on Browns pick Jedrick Wills please take a minute out of your day and do so (I was even nice enough to include a video link here). The guy is a tank. He’s making a mockery out of some of the best defensive linemen in college football. The pressure is now on Baker to perform because that offense on paper is as good as it gets.
Video by LR Filmz
  • Joe Burrow gets drafted and Ohio State fans immediately jump up to claim him as one of theirs. What absolute stupidity! If the man had stayed in Columbus, he most likely would be starting his career right now as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs with his degree in financial services; which is incredibly generous considering its a degree from Ohio State (just kidding Buckeye fans). Nevertheless, he would never have won a Heisman trophy, become the #1 pick in the NFL draft, and he most certainly would not be a national champion had he not packed his bags and went to the Bayou. The football world persecutes the Aggie fans who claim Kyler Murray, but sit there silently while this blasphemy occurs. My head truly hurts.

The Proposed CBA

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in NFL

The new CBA proposal is intriguing for a variety of reasons. The complexity of it all is enough to make a sports attorney salivate, meanwhile the psychological and physical consequences of the deal have sports psychologists and physicians pondering what this will do to the future of the NFL. While the deal can be perceived as being beneficial to both the owners and the players, the real question is whether the deal makes sense for the National Football League (“NFL”) as a whole. The answer to that question is as intricate as the proposed deal itself. While the owners and the players are essentially the official members of the NFL, I believe this deal affects the fans as well as the league’s future players. Put simply, this proposal could have a lasting impact on the league.

The NFL is currently concerned about the safety of its players due to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”) findings, and rightfully so. The findings are troublesome and have prompted some young NFL players to consider early retirement for fear of future mental illnesses. So, while the revenue split between the owners and players would move from 47 to 48.5%, players would be forced to play an extra regular season game. Is that worth it for the players? That depends on whom you ask. Stars who have big contracts as well as prime sponsorships, such as J.J. Watt and Russell Wilson, are strongly opposed to this deal. Whereas, lesser-known players, the ones who make up the majority of the league, would be all for a deal that would ultimately give them more money in their pocket at the end of the day. For star players who are making millions off the field in endorsements and other business ventures, adding one more game to an already grueling schedule in exchange for a little more money is a deal-breaker. Likewise, there are 2nd and 3rd string players who make around the league minimum salary at $480k per year who understand their playing careers could potentially last 1-2 more years. Thus, it is important they make as much money as possible each year, and in this case the new CBA deal would make sense. Additionally, will future NFL stars in the college ranks forego careers in the NFL for fear of injury due to the increased schedule length? The NFL has seen several great players the last 3 years retire in the primes of their careers specifically due to fear of CTE. Could the added schedule push more players to early retirement? Only time will tell. 

NFL fans around the country should be enthused by this deal because it means more football.  The regular season schedule would include an added game as well as 2 extra games in the 1st round of the playoffs. What’s not to love? However, the added schedule could mean more serious injuries for players which in turn could lead some parents to question whether or not they should allow their children to play the sport. Participation in high school football around the country has been declining the past few years, and high school athletes could decide to partake in other sports if they feel there are too many negative consequences associated with playing football long term. The NFL and football are not disappearing anytime soon, but the NFL has to be concerned with the declining levels of participation. I am not sure this deal will impact youth involvement, and if this deal is made we would have to wait 10-15 years for more conclusive evidence. Bottom line, as a fan of the NFL I would be excited about the possibility of a few more games each year.

Any proposed CBA deal will come with scrutiny. While we did not dive into the added specifics of the deal, on the surface level I believe this deal all depends on what each individual player values. If its a player who values the money, then you hope this deal is made. If it’s a player who is more concerned with their overall health and wellness, then this deal has its flaws. Overall, it will be intriguing to see the arguments being made on both sides of the aisle, both for and against this proposed CBA.

Can Cowboys Fans Get Any More Delusional?

by Ethan Myers, posted in NFL

If you’ve talked to a Cowboys fan any time over the last 10 years, you’ve heard the sames lines out of them:

“This year’s going to be different!”

“[Top free agent] is definitely coming to Dallas, Jerry always gets his guy!”

“The ‘Boys are Super Bowl bound!”

You’d start to think that after so many years of delusional expectations culminating in yet another disappointing season, Cowboys fans would start to sober up and get real. But nevertheless, like gluttons for punishment, the next year they’re back for more. And this off-season proves no different.

Tom Brady is hitting the free agent market this year, causing a great amount of buzz throughout the league. Thanks to the latest rumor from Cowboy legend Michael Irvin, Dallas fans have been chugging the Kool-Aid nonstop. Irvin recently had an interview with a New England radio station, where he stated that he had heard from “significant people” that Tom Brady had interest in signing with Dallas. With Dallas QB Dak Prescott hitting the market and looking for a contract extension, the Cowboys have to make a big decision on who is going to lead their team, and getting the greatest QB to ever suit up can never be the wrong solution.

Here’s the sobering reality for Dallas fans: Tom Brady will never sign with Dallas. There is no way he will leave the best run franchise in the NFL and the GOAT coach in Bill Belicheck to head to JerryWorld and play for the egomaniac Jerry Jones. Dallas is going to have no choice but give Prescott a massive contract north of $30 million/year, hamstringing the team by having their signal-caller be an overrated stat-padder. The Cowboys will struggle to a mediocre record in a terrible division once again, and if by some act of God they make the playoffs, a first round exit is inevitable. Signing Super Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy is a step in the right direction, but with Jerry at the helm there is no hope for this team. And thus the cycle will continue: after the disappointing season, the bad takes of “next year will be different” will be right around the corner.

Run. The. Ball. Please.

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in NFL

A good friend proposed a scenario to me after 49ers head coach Beto O’ Rourke (does anyone else see the resemblance?) flat out forgot how to coach.

The scenario is: You’re up by 3 in the Super Bowl with 6 minutes to go. You’ve been averaging 8 yards a carry on the ground. On 1st down, your RB runs for 5 yards making it 2nd and 5. Are you going to run the ball again or throw it?

Still fuming from last night’s ending, I replied with a few expletives then said “even if I had Jesus Christ as my QB I’d still run the ball.” Everyone and their mother knows pretty boy Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t exactly God’s gift to QB, however after watching the 9ers play calling in the 4th quarter I’m starting to question whether Kyle Shanahan actually did think he had our Lord and Savior under center.

For the first 3 quarters, the Niners found themselves with a 20-10 lead mainly due to a balanced offensive effort which featured a rushing attack that averaged over 6.4 yards per carry for the game. Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Deebo Samuel were providing a potent rushing attack and Jimmy G was making the throws he needed to make. Through this offensive scheme, the Niners offense was keeping the vaunted Chiefs offense off the field. By consistently gaining yards by running the football, the Niners were controlling the game by chewing large chunks of time off the clock each possession.

Yet, with a 10-point lead with 11 minutes to play in the 4th quarter and the Lombardi Trophy within arm’s reach, the 49ers ran 5 plays: 2 runs and 3 passes. After a 1st down run for a yard, Coach Shanahan called a pass play which wound up incomplete, stopping the clock in the meantime. After a false start which made it 3rd and 14, Shanahan was forced to call another pass play which wound up with Jimmy G scrambling for 3 yards. After a Niners punt, Patrick Mahomes and Co. marched right down the field and promptly scored a touchdown making the score 20-17. With 6 minutes to play and the ball, the Niners gained 5 yards on a 1st down rush from Mostert. Now, any human being with half of a functioning brain would run the ball the next play. But not Shanahan. No, that clown decided to call a pass play on 2nd and 5. On a day when the Chiefs hadn’t shown they were capable of stopping the run, Kyle Shanahan decides to pass the ball on the most important 2nd down of the game. A fun fact for the crowd out there, the Niners had 1 negative rush and it was their 1st play of the game for -1 yard. Why for Heaven’s sake would you throw the ball on 2nd down? In the words of the great Sandra Bullock in the movie The Blind Side “Enough with the trick plays Burt! Run the dang ball!!!!”

Run the freaking ball and watch the clock just keep ticking. Honestly, the worst thing that could happen is Mostert rushes for no gain. That sets up a 3rd and 5 but keeps the clock running. And where the heck was Deebo Samuel in all of this? A pivotal part of the 1st 3 quarters, the most athletic man on the Niners was simply taken out of the game plan in the 4th quarter. I would honestly wonder if Shanahan had taken the Chiefs -1.5 but then I remembered he has another total 4th quarter meltdown on his resume. Lest we forget he was the offensive mastermind behind the 2016-2017 Atlanta Falcons, the team that would go on to blow a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. Even in that game, Shanahan completely abandoned the game plan when he needed to stick to it the most. By refusing to stick to the rushing game in the 4th quarter, head coach Kyle Shanahan frankly cost his team a Super Bowl.

The 49ers have a great young core and will most certainly be back in the big game soon. However, as a rental fan for the night Kyle Shanahan completely pissed me off last night with his abhorrent play calling in the 4th quarter.

Contributor NFL Position Rankings

by Jeremy Fernando, posted in NFL, Top 10

As Super Bowl weekend draws near, our contributors at Grad School Sports put together a list of their NFL position rankings. Please voice both your agreements and disagreements in the comments section. As always, please email us at gradschoolsports@gmail.com if you wish to be a contributor. Let’s start with the most important position on the field, the Quarterback.

QUARTERBACKS

NAME12345
Gerritt JonesWilsonMahomesWatsonLamarRyan
Cole WestMahomesWilsonLamarWatsonRogers
Mason WaldenMahomesLamarWilsonDakWatson
Alec MurrayMahomesWilsonLamarBreesWatson
Christian JuliusMahomesLamarWilsonBreesWatson
Jeremy FernandoMahomesWilsonLamarWatsonBrees
Brady VaughanWilsonMahomesBreesRodgersLamar
AnonymousMahomesWatsonRodgersBreesLamar
Ethan MyersBradyRodgersWilsonLamarMahomes
Noble QuyMahomesWilsonLamarWatsonBrady

Player (1st votes)Points
1Mahomes (7)44
2Wilson (2)35
3Lamar26
4Watson16
5 (tie)Rodgers10
5 (tie)Brees10
Brady (1)6

RUNNING BACKS

NAME12345
Gerritt JonesCMCBarkleyCookZekeHenry
Cole WestCMCZekeBarkelyCookKamara
Mason WaldenCMCBarkleyZekeKamaraCook
Alec MurrayCMCBarkleyCookKamaraHenry
Christian JuliusCMCHenryZekeCookBarkley
Jeremy FernandoCMCHenryCookBarkleyZeke
Brady VaughanCMCHenryBarkleyZekeKamara
AnonymousBarkleyCMCCookHenryZeke
Ethan MyersZekeBarkleyCMCChubbKamara
Noble QuyBarkleyCMCKamaraCookZeke
Players (1st)Points
1CMC (7)46
2Barkley (2)35
3Zeke (1)22
4Cook18
5Henry16

WIDE RECEIVERS

NAME12345
Gerritt JonesHopkinsThomasEvansJulioHill
Cole WestThomasHopkinsJulioAdamsHill
Mason WaldenThomasHopkinsJulioAdamsHill
Alec MurrayThomasHopkinsAdamsJulioEvans
Christian JuliusThomasHopkinsJulioAdamsCooper
Jeremy FernandoThomasHopkinsEvansJulioAdams
Brady VaughanJulioThomasHopkinsAdamsHill
AnonymousThomasJulioHopkinsEvansGodwin
Ethan MyersBrownThomasOBJJulioHopkins
Noble QuyJulioThomasHopkinsEvansGodwin
Players (1st)Points
1Thomas (6)46
2Hopkins (1)35
3Julio (2)31
4Adams12
5Evans11

Super Bowl LIV Preview

by Brady Vaughan, posted in NFL

The road leads here! Super Bowl LIV has finally arrived and two of the best teams all year will square off for the Lombardi Trophy: the 13-3 San Francisco 49ers and the 12-4 Kansas City Chiefs

These teams did meet last season in Arrowhead Stadium during Week 3, a game in which the Chiefs won 38-27, but that game has little to no significance.

Let’s take a quick look at how each team got here.

San Francisco 49er’s path to Super Bowl LIV:

The 49ers finished the regular season as the one seed in the NFC. Their 13-3 record was good enough to win them the NFC West division and have the road to the Super Bowl come through Levi’s Stadium on the NFC side of the bracket.

In their first playoff matchup, they were pinned against a confident Minnesota Vikings team in the NFC Divisional round after the Vikings took out Drew Brees and the Saints in the Superdome in New Orleans during the NFC Wild Card Round. Some doubted the 49ers and believed they would be upset, but Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa, and Co. made sure to dispel that notion. The Niners won 27-10 as Garoppolo completed 11-19 passes and threw for 131 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. The Niners offensive line and RB Tevin Coleman controlled the line of scrimmage, as Coleman had 22 carries for 105 yards and 2 TDs.

Next, the Green Bay Packers came rolling into Santa Clara boasting a 13-3 record for themselves, but I for one was not a huge advocate of Green Bay. I thought they would lose against the 49ers, but I did not expect San Fran to jump out to the lead they did.

The Niners jumped out to a 27-0 lead at halftime and never looked back. Thanks to a monster game from RB Raheem Mostert, which included 29 carries for 220 yards and 4 TDs, San Fran ended up winning 37-20 in a game that felt much more lopsided than a 17-point ball game.

While Green Bay’s offense out-gained the Niners’ offense (358 yards to 354 yards), Green Bay also turned the ball over three times, which says a lot about the capabilities of the 49ers defense. DEs Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner, and Dee Ford (former Kansas City Chief) are a presence to be dealt with up front, while CB Richard Sherman and S Jaquiski Tartt and Co. are holding down the secondary. The strength of this 49ers team is their defense and run game and they have ridden those two to their first Super Bowl since 2013.

Kansas City Chiefs path to Super Bowl LIV:

The Kansas City Chiefs finished with a 12-4 regular season record for the second season in a row, winning them the AFC West division while securing the number two seed in the AFC, thanks to the Miami Dolphins knocking off the New England Patriots in Foxboro in Week 17. Due to the way the chips fell in the AFC, the road to the Super Bowl went through Arrowhead for a second consecutive season.

In the AFC Divisional Round, Kansas City welcomed the confident Houston Texans to town. Houston had just come off a dramatic comeback win at home against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, and with the Baltimore Ravens losing the day before, both teams knew that if they won, they would be hosting the AFC championship game against the Tennessee Titans.

Houston jumped out to a 24-0 lead, but from then on it was the Patrick Mahomes show. The Chiefs went on a 51-7 run to close out the game (28-0 run in the 2nd Quarter alone), winning 51-31. Mahomes completed 23-35 attempts for 325 yards and 5 TDs while TE Travis Kelce was able to shake off a couple early drops for 10 receptions, 134 yards, and 3 TDs. Houston QB Deshaun Watson played well, completing 31-52 passes while throwing for 388 yards and 2 TDs, but ultimately it was not enough to replicate Houston’s success against the Chiefs earlier in the season.

Next in the AFC Championship Game, the Tennessee Titans. All the talk heading into the game was about the Chief’s run defense and if they could stop Titans RB Derrick Henry, who had been absolutely terrorizing teams. Henry started off well, but after he scored his lone TD in midway through the 1st Quarter, the Chiefs run defense stepped up, thanks in large part to DT Chris Jones, who missed the Houston game with a leg injury. Jones, among other Chiefs defensive linemen like Frank Clark, Derrick Nnadi, and Terrell Suggs, were able to penetrate the backfield often enough to force Henry to adjust his running lanes, which gave the Chiefs an advantage. QB Patrick Mahomes played out of his mind again, and might have even had the best play of his Chiefs career right before halftime to give KC the lead going into the locker room.

From that point on, the Chiefs never looked back, ultimately winning 35-24 and clinching a spot in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years.

3 KEYS TO THE GAME FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

  • The Niners must convert on 3rd downs. The 49ers must control the ball. Granted in both of the Chief’s playoff games, the opposing team had the Time of Possession advantage, but I believe converting on third downs is of the utmost importance in this game because the 49ers are a more well-balanced team than either the Texans or Titans. The Niners have a good QB in Jimmy Garoppolo who is fully capable of throwing the football, especially when you surround him with weapons like TE George Kittle and WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel. If the Niners can stay balanced on offense while picking up third downs and eat time off the clock, it gives Patrick Mahomes a lot less to work with and creates a sense of urgency for the Chief’s offense to keep up.
  • The 49ers must pressure Patrick Mahomes. They have to attempt to disrupt the timing of Mahomes and his receivers. San Francisco has 9 sacks in postseason play thus far. Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner, and Dee Ford must have an impact on the game if the 49ers are to hoist the Lombardi trophy. If they can consistently penetrate the backfield and pressure/knock down Mahomes or forcing Mahomes to improvise and disrupt the timing of him and his receivers, the Niners will have as great chance of winning.
  • Finally, San Francisco must utilize play action. Their running game is strong enough that the Chiefs will devote tons of time in preparation for it. If the 49ers can have some success running the ball, it will open up play action. If the Niners have success on play action, the Chiefs defense will have a very hard time defending because they will be off balance so much.

3 KEYS TO THE GAME FOR THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:

  • The Chiefs defense must force the 49ers to become one dimensional on offense. If Jimmy G and co. keep the Chief’s defense off balance, the Chiefs will have a very difficult time winning. This means that DT Chris Jones, DE Terrell Suggs, and LBs Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland must step up, play sound football, and cover their gaps to stop the running attack of the 49ers. RBs Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert are more than formidable opponents. They can shift the game in their favor in the blink of an eye. The Chiefs must replicate what they did to Derrick Henry in the AFC title game if they are to win.
  • Sammy Watkins must be a factor. In the regular season, Sammy Watkins popped off for 3 TDs against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first game of the season, but did not do much the rest of the season. Watkins has played a big role in the Chief’s offense this postseason and must continue to do so if KC is to come out on top. Having to cover him, TE Travis Kelce, and WRs Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman is a nightmare for any defense, but especially so if Watkins is performing like he is capable of doing.
  • Patrick Mahomes must play at an MVP level. Mahomes has been the unquestioned leader of the Chiefs on offense and must play excellent. The Chiefs cannot afford a game where Mahomes is shut down like he was in the first half of the AFC Title game last season against the New England Patriots. The 49ers defense is too good to spot them a double digit lead. Whether Mahomes scrambles to pick up first downs, is making the correct reads on RPOs, or dissecting the coverages correctly, he must take care of the ball and perform at a high level. If he does so, I think the Chiefs have a great chance to come out on top.

PREDICTION:

I think the 49ers try to control the ball throughout the first half. Mostert and Coleman get into a groove offensively by picking up some key first downs. However I am confident that even if the 49ers attempt to control the ball for extended periods of time, the Chiefs will do what they do best, which is striking quickly on offense. I believe this game could come down to turnovers, and I like the Chiefs to get at least one turnover this game. Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses have been known for being very tough to dissect and have proven to work in the Super Bowl against the best of the best (see the Giants Super Bowl title against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII). Kyle Shanahan is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game and will certainly make adjustments to what he sees from the Chiefs defense, but I think Patrick Mahomes will make just enough plays for the Chiefs to prevail in the 4th Quarter. I’ll take Kansas City 28-24.

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