Category: NFL

Week 9 Preview

Week 9 features a few exciting games. Two aging quarterbacks go head to head when Drew Brees’ Saints head to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Garret Gilbert & the Dallas Cowboys will pull off the upset of the century if they can defeat the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s what to look for in this week’s games.

Was Week 1 a fluke for Drew Brees?

Brees had one of his worst games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. He got back on track with a 3 Touchdown performance against the Packers two weeks later, but critics wondered if Brees was on the decline. If Brees can put up another solid game and lead his team to a win, he can prove all the critics wrong. It won’t be easy. Tampa has one of the leagues top defenses and augmented their offense with former All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown.

Will Antonio Brown be a help or a hindrance for Tom Brady?

Antonio Brown was arguably the best receiver in the NFL. His season took a turn for the worse when he demanded a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. After he was traded to the Oakland Raiders, Brown was sidelined due to a frostbite injury. After reports of off-field issues showed up, Brown was traded to the New England Patriots. He played just one game there before being cut by the team. Now he has a second chance. He’ll play with QB Tom Brady and one of the most potent defenses in the NFL. If he can stay on the field, this team could be tough to beat.

Can Robert Spillane keep his starting spot ?

Robert Spillane played only five games when he was called up to replace Devin Bush in Week 6. The undrafted second-year out of Central Michigan blew up last week, with 11 tackles and a pick-six. However, the Steelers did bring in Avery Williamson from the Jets. Assuming the Steelers intend on starting Williamson, either Vince Williams or Spillane will have to be benched. Spillane will need a near-flawless performance if he intends to start in the weeks to come. The good news is that the Steelers will be going up against the 2-6 Dallas Cowboys who will start 4th string QB Garret Gilbert. Look for Spillane to get lots of opportunities tackling an injured Ezekiel Elliott. Williamson is not expected to have much of an impact this week as he has not practiced with the Steelers.

That’s it for this article. Don’t forget to check back to see my analysis of these games next week. If you have any thoughts on these players, let me know in the comments section.

Week 8 Review

This week featured a slew of exciting games. The Steelers eked out a win against the Baltimore Ravens, thanks to a clean game from their QB Ben Roethlisberger, and the Niners were understandably defeated by the Seattle Seahawks due to a monster game from DK Metcalf. However, there was one big upset this week: the 1-5-1 Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Superbowl contender Titans.

Is Tua Tagovailoa better than Ryan Fitzpatrick?

Answer: We don’t know. While Tua didn’t have the greatest game from the statline, it wasn’t his fault. The Dolphins defense gave Tua great field position which meant that he didn’t have to do much. Also, two of the four touchdowns were scored by the defense and special teams which meant that Tua technically threw for 50% of the offense’s points. It’s difficult to say how Tua will fare if the defense isn’t so dominant.

Can Big Ben step up against the Ravens?

Answer: Yes. Big Ben played a very solid game against the Ravens. The offense couldn’t do much in the first half, but whatever adjustments the Steelers made at halftime seemed to work. The big point is that Ben fixed his interception problem, something that almost lost the Steelers the game against Tennessee. The Steelers lived off of their defense, scoring touchdowns after both of Lamar Jackson’s interceptions. If Ben was sloppy with those chances, the Ravens would have won that game.

Is it Brandon Aiyuk’s breakout game?

Answer: Yes and No. Aiyuk did play a nice game against the Seahawks but nothing spectacular., His impact may not be so large once George Kittle is healthy. It will be interesting to see if Aiyuk can keep up this level of involvement. If he does, then Aiyuk could be a star receiver for years to come. If he is placed in a smaller role, he could be in a situation similar to Chase Claypool, who has seen his targets diminish after Diontae Johnson came back. If Kittle is out for a large chunk of the season, Aiyuk might be able to keep his involvement and solidify his spot in the offense. However, Aiyuk was placed on the COVID/Reserve list on Wednesday, which means that he will miss his week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Expect him to be well-rested for the week 10 matchup against the Saints.

That’s it for this article. Check back before Sunday’s game to know all that you need to watch for in the week 9 matchups. 

Week 8 Preview

The NFL season is already almost halfway done. For a few teams like the New York Jets, this season is basically over. Others like the Miami Dolphins still have playoff hopes. This week features some amazing rivalry matchups, with the Steelers going to Baltimore to face the Ravens, the 49ers taking on Seattle, and of course Tua’s debut. Here’s what to look for in this week’s games.

Is Tua Tagovailoa actually better than Ryan Fitzpatrick?

The Dolphins made headlines when they took Tagovailoa with the 5th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The signal-caller out of Alabama could have potentially been the number one overall pick if it wasn’t for injury concerns. Tua now has additional pressure on his back as the Dolphins benched Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. If Tua is able to perform better than Fitzpatrick, he could be on pace to potentially win Rookie of the Year. If not, the Dolphins might be very quick to bring back their veteran quarterback.

Can Big Ben step up against the Ravens?

Big Ben has had a shaky few years as QB. He’s struggled with interceptions and almost lost the game against Tennesse. As good as the Steeler defense is, they cannot beat the Ravens without the offense. The Ravens’ front seven is stacked with former Jaguars Calais Cambell and Yannick Ngakoue, and rookie LB Patrick Queen who I think could be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. This means that the Steelers will have to go to the air and utilize their trio of young receivers. Ben doesn’t need to do anything special in this game. He just needs to keep the ball moving and not give the ball away. If they do that, the Steelers should come out with the win.

Is it Brandon Aiyuk’s breakout game?

After gaining a lot of attention for his spectacular hurdle over Eagles’ safety Marcus Epps, Aiyuk has fallen out of the spotlight. He had a nice game against the Patriots last week, hitting the 100 yard milestone for the first time in his career. Aiyuk’s Niners will take on their division rival Seattle Seahawks this week. This is a good opportunity, as the Seahawks pass defense is horrendous. If Aiyuk can put up big numbers, he could become a sensation similar to DK Metcalf who had a monster year last year.

That’s it for this article. Don’t forget to check back to see my analysis of these games next week. If you have any thoughts on these players, let me know in the comments section.

Time for a Sample in Cincinnati?

Drew Sample probably thought he wasn’t going to be starting any time soon after last season. The 6’5″, 258-pound tight end out of Washington was picked up in the second round by the Bengals last year, but he had minimal impact with just five catches all of last season. This was mainly due to the presence of veteran tight ends Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah.

However, this could be a breakout year for him. Eifert left for Jacksonville in Free Agency, Uzomah went down with a torn ACL last week against the Browns and is done for the season. The receiving corps of AJ Green, Tyler Boyd, and John Ross are not anything special. Additionally, the Bengals have a young QB in number one overall pick Joe Burrow. I would expect Sample to become a big part of the passing game if Burrow has trouble reading defenses. His big frame means that he could become a big target over the middle of the field. His 4.71 40-time isn’t going to cause too many matchups problems, as teams can put a faster linebacker on him, but I still think he can be a threat in the red zone and short-yardage situations. Expect him to get plenty of targets but only 3-4 yards per receptions.

The Bengals’ offensive line gave up three sacks last week, and it seemed that Burrow was in trouble on every other play. Tight ends are a quarterback’s best friend in these situations, and Samples’ could become one for Burrow if the line doesn’t improve. Sample has all the odds in his favor. His success will come down to how much trust Joe Burrow has in him. If he becomes Burrow’s go-to target similar to Mark Andrews for Lamar Jackson, he could propel himself into the top tier of tight ends. If he doesn’t he would just be another second-round bust for the Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Review

Pick 49 – Chase Claypool WR, Notre Dame – Grade B-

I understand that the Steelers want depth in the injury-stricken receiving core, but we have a crisis here. Ben Roethlisberger is not Big Ben anymore. He has been injured and probably only has a few more years ahead of him. Mason Rudolph and Delvin Hodges have got their chances, its time to move on. Jalen Hurts is a boom or bust type of player, and this is the time for Pittsburgh to take a risk. If it doesn’t work, you have a strong QB class next year led by Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. If the Steelers wanted a safer option, I would have gone with J.K. Dobbins from Ohio State. He’s a big, physical guy who could give the Steelers a bruising run game when combined with James Conner. 

Pick 102 – Alex Highsmith OLB, Charlotte – Grade A

I was initially confused about this pick, but now it makes sense. The Steelers are going back to the ’70s and playing physical, smashmouth football; the linebacker core will be scary good with Watt, Bush, Williams, and now Highsmith. Combine that with an offense of Juju-Smith-Shuster, Vance McDonald, and James Conner, this could be a Steeler team that really wears you down. I would have maybe looked at Jacob Eason, or one of the D-linemen in the draft.

Pick 124 – Anthony McFarland RB, Maryland – Grade A-

I absolutely love this pick, McFarland is an absolute steal at this point of the draft. He does have some injury concerns, which do worry me, but when I look at the upside, this is an excellent pick. McFarland has the potential to be a Chris Johnson-like player. He will be an excellent complement to James Conner. The other prospect I would have considered is the Nigerian O-lineman from Auburn, Prince Tega Wanogho, who is an outstanding player. 

Pick 135 – Kevin Dotson G, Nebraska – Grade C+

This pick might be more necessity than talent, but Dotson has a chance to be a starter very soon. This could be a situation similar to what the Steelers did with Chucks Okorafor. He will be a backup for the first season or two and will presumably see his snaps go way up if Stefen Wisniewski is having a difficult time. However, I think that Prince Tega Wanogho should have gotten a call here.

Pick 198 – Antonie Brooks Jr SS, Maryland – Grade B-

Another pick where I see more necessity than talent, but Jennings is a reliable backup at the safety position. I think he could be a 3rd safety similar to Kameron Kelly last season. He will compete with Marcus Allen for the spot. I think the Steelers should have taken a defensive tackle with this pick. 

Pick 232 – Carlos Davis DT – Grade A-

Finally, the Steelers get Javon Hargrave’s replacement. The big fella out of Nebraska is well, big. I don’t think he is very athletic, but he can chew up blockers. He will probably be Chris Wormley’s backup in a 3-4 scheme. 

Sleeper Pick: Logan Wilson

With the 2020 NFL draft a day away, it’s time to look at some of the late-round gems in this draft. One of them is Wyoming LB Logan Wilson. Wilson is a linebacker who can make an impact on any team. He’s 6’2″ and 241 pounds, ideal for a big middle linebacker. I doubt Wilson will be a useful pass rush threat as there are some block shedding issues in his game, but he could be a linebacker tantamount to Green Bay’s Blake Martinez. He is fast to plug up gaps in the run game and he would be an excellent spy or Tampa 2 linebacker as he has good instincts and dextrous hands. He finished with 105 tackles and 4 interceptions as a senior last year.

Wilson ran a 4.63 40 yard dash, which is decent for his size. If he slims down and gets a bit quicker, he could maybe even play as a safety in the league. Wilson could be a top tier backup and special teams player right away, and in two to three years, he could be a regular starter for any team. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get selected before the 5th round.

3 ways the NFL could make the virtual draft more enjoyable

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL will be conducting a virtual draft with team officials drafting from their homes. I have three wacky suggestions that would make this draft a much more enjoyable experience. 

  1. For the first round only: teams should create a 15-30 second video clip on Twitter welcoming their new player to the organization. This feature would not only give another way to watch the draft, but also give fans something to watch while Mel Kiper Jr. gushes (or rages) about the latest pick.
  2. Instead of Roger Goodell announcing the picks, teams should make all transactions (picks, trades, etc.) in Madden 20. With the new generation (myself included) obsessed with the world of video games, and the success of Quibli and Star Wars’ collaborations with Fortnite, a partnership with EA Sports’s star football simulation game would be extremely beneficial for the league.
  3. Create a VR experience for fans to feel as if they were at a physical NFL Draft. This service should be offered at least for those who bought tickets, or it could be made into a paid service.

Why Albert Okwuegbunam Could Be the Best Tight End in the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft class is not tight end favorable, very few teams need a tight end right away. Even top tight end prospects like Cole Kmet (Notre Dame) or Adam Trautman (Dayton) may only hear their name at the end of the first round or early second round. I expect Okwuegbunam to go somewhere in-between the late second to early fifth rounds, but the unassuming Missouri prospect may be the best tight end of the draft class.

The first aspect is his ideal build for a tight end. He is 6’ 5” and weighs 255 pounds. That’s about the same size as Trautman and Kmet. Second, is his sheer athleticism. At the 2020 NFL combine, Okwuegbunam ran a 4.49 40-yard dash time, which was the best of any tight end this year, and the third-best since 2007. Lastly, there is his college production. Okwuebunam was used mainly as a blocker at Missouri, and he could not blossom into the pass-catching menace that he can be. He only averaged 2.88 catches per game, 11.8 yards per catch and six touchdowns last season. These numbers are significantly less than the other prospects, but Okwuegbunam did have an extremely hostile season compared to his fellow tight ends. Kmet was playing at Notre Dame, a top tier university with an excellent football program which makes it much easier to succeed. Trautman played at Dayton, which is in the Pioneer League. The Pioneer League is at the lower end of the Divison I conferences with weak colleges such as Stetson and Marist. Okwuegbunam played at Missouri, which is not a major football university but part of the extremely challenging SEC conference. When facing SEC teams such as LSU and Florida, which are some of the top teams in the nation, it is tough for any player to make an impact.

Okwuegbunam is not going to be a superstar instantly. He will need a seasoned quarterback and a knowledgeable coach who can help him learn as he goes. If Okwuegbunam is not granted time to grow or isn’t able to stay healthy, his career could flounder. Nevertheless, if Okwuegbunam is not thrown into the deep end of the pool and is allowed to mature fully, he could be a Pro-Bowl caliber tight end tantamount to George Kittle or Zach Ertz. The future looks promising for the young star, and his NFL career could be a legendary one.