Since January of 1988, the WWE has held an event that would come to be one of the key components in creating new stars, bringing back old ones and ultimately being the starting point on the Road to WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble is a match like no other that brings millions of fans from around the world together to count down from 10 to 1 multiple times throughout the night in hopes that their favorite superstar will walk through the curtain. After all 30 participants enter the contest, we are eventually left with one winner who earns the biggest reward; a shot at a championship of their choosing at WrestleMania.
Building the actual Royal Rumble match can be a tough task and sometimes fans find themselves questioning the outcomes and stories that are weaved into the match. But, with all the bad that comes with the match, there is plenty of good. Whether it be a wrestler entering at number 1 and outlasting all 29 of their opponents or someone getting thrown out within seconds of them entering the fray, the Royal Rumble has produced some of the best moments in WWE’s history.
John Cena returns from injury at the 2008 Royal Rumble
My goal is to build the best Royal Rumble using a superstar’s entry from a previous year in which they succeeded, shocked or surprised. There is many ways to build a Royal Rumble which is what makes it fun to watch. Which #1 entry had the most memorable performance? At #20, did someone have the night of their lives? The only rule is that a superstar can be only used in this list(unless it is a totally different character). Check out entry #’s 1-30 to see where your favorite Royal Rumble performances will land.
We’re down to eight! Four teams from each conference remain as they attempt to punch their ticket to Super Bowl 51 in Houston. With four matchups on this weekend’s slate, the Front 4 team will debate who they believe will walk away from each game victorious. Before we get to their predictions, let’s take a look at how they fared last week and of course the overall standings as the season nears its end.
Wild Card Round:
Daisy: 7 Daisy: 47
Carlos: 6 Ryan: 46
Ryan: 5 Carlos: 46
Kyle: 4 Kyle: 44
Texans@Patriots
Daisy: Patriots
Despite the Texans having the league’s top defense, I don’t think there’s any shot that they can go into New England and beat Tom Brady. The Pats are just better. Unfortunately they’re on their way to another Super Bowl appearance.
Carlos: Patriots
The Patriots are going to win this game rather easily because they have Tom Brady who is just stockpiling wins and championships at this point. 3500 yards and 28 touchdowns for a guy who missed four games is pretty darn impressive. The Texans defense has been good, but the Patriots have too much experience and too much power to overcome.
Ryan: Patriots
The Patriots beat the Texans 27-0 in week 3 this season with their third string quarterback. Add in Tom Brady and subtract JJ Watt and you have a game where a 15-point spread will be covered.
Kyle: Patriots
The Texans were able to figure things out for a week and pick up a playoff win against the Carr-less Raiders, but Brady and Belicheck will be in the driver’s seat this weekend as they end the Texans’ dreams rather easily.
Steelers@Chiefs
Daisy: Steelers
The Steelers head into this one with Big Ben nursing an injury, but that won’t hold this team down. When they’re clicking, they’re unstoppable. I think the Steelers steal one on the road.
Carlos: Steelers
The Chiefs were able to secure a bye in the playoffs, but their defense is ranked 24th in the league and their offense was ranked 20th so there is room for improvement. They weren’t lights out, but they have a good quarterback in Alex Smith and a good coach in Andy Reid. Good won’t be enough when it comes to Le’veon Bell. I see Bell running all over the Chiefs defense that was ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed. Antonio Brown and Big Ben are also too much for that defense to handle. There are too many weapons to stop and the Steelers are coming in hot on an 8-game winning streak.
Ryan: Steelers
I want to go Chiefs here, especially with news that Big Ben in a walking boot earlier in the week, but the Steelers just seem to get better and better each week (like the Packers). I’m not going to overthink this game and go Steelers. I can’t wait for the last second Tyreek Hill punt return, a la Desean Jackson against the Giants, to ruin this pick for me.
Kyle: Steelers
In the first match up between these two, the Steelers routed the Chiefs 43-14 thanks to an early onslaught. The Steelers got out to a 22-0 lead in the 1st quarter thanks to a KC fumble, muffed punt and interception from Alex Smith. Pittsburgh would go on to score 36 unanswered points to start the game and KC never stood a chance in what was probably their worst game of the season. The Chiefs will obviously want to use that game as motivation especially at home and I think they will come out with a better gameplan, but ultimately this game might come down to whichever team wins the turnover battle. I’ll take the Steelers to come out on top because of the 3 B’s: Ben, Bell and Brown.
Seahawks@Falcons
Daisy: Falcons
The Falcons have looked great all season and I think Matt Ryan and the squad will show why they’re in the playoffs and why they were the second best team in the NFC.
Carlos: Falcons
We all know that Seattle has a great defense, but they are dealing with injuries. To add to that, they are playing on the road. That’s too many obstacles to overcome especially against a Falcons offense that was on another level this season as they scored 33 points per game which was best in the league.
Seattle can hang in there especially if Thomas Rawls has another big game. Against the Lions he set a franchise playoff record with 161 rushing yards. Atlanta was ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed so it could come down to Seattle establishing a running game, but my money is still on Atlanta. Ironically, Matt Ryan’s only playoff win came in 2012 against the Seahawks.
Ryan: Falcons
I don’t like trusting the Falcons in the playoffs, but I think this game turns into a shootout and the Seahawks won’t be able to match the Falcons offensively. If Earl Thomas was playing, I’d probably go Seahawks, but it’s a huge loss to play without him. Matt Ryan’s only playoff win has come against the Seahawks so hopefully he can do it again this year.
Kyle: Falcons
This is a tough one to predict because it pits the Falcons’ high-powered offense against the Seahawks’ lights-out defense. If this game was in Seattle, I would’ve taken the Seahawks, but this game will be indoors allowing Matt Ryan to play in comfortable conditions which could lead to plenty of scoring even against the Seahawks defense. He threw for 335 and 3 touchdowns against the Seahawks in Seattle earlier this season so I expect even better numbers in Atlanta.
Packers@Cowboys
Daisy: Cowboys
This is the most intriguing game of the weekend because both of these teams are pretty evenly matched up and are both coming in hot. It’s going to be a close one, but the Cowboys are home and will come out victorious to prolong their great season.
Carlos: Packers
Not only are the Packers red hot, but they also have the experience. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks not only in the game now, but maybe all time. He has already won a Super Bowl and just looks unstoppable. The Cowboys are scary because of Dak, Zeke and the offensive line, but this team is young. They’re playing rookies at the QB and RB positions and that might hurt them. These teams are evenly matched so it should be a close game, but ultimately I see Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers to a win on their final drive.
Ryan: Packers
The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC, but the playoffs are all about who’s hot and Aaron Rodgers is on fire right now. Meanwhile, on the other side, Dallas is starting two rookies and as great as they’ve been it’s hard to pick rooks over A.A.Ron Rodgers. Also…Dez didn’t catch it.
Kyle: Cowboys
I don’t know if anyone can stop Aaron Rodgers right now. He put up 33 points against a Giants defense that was on a tear. The Cowboys defense has played well, but it’ll be extremely difficult to slow down the Packers offense. It should be interesting to see how Dak and Zeke perform in their first playoff games and the Cowboys will likely need huge days from both men if they want to move on to the Conference Championship. I could see this going either way, but I’m going to stick with dem boyz.
Highest Scoring Game?
Daisy: Seahawks/Falcons
I am really banking on both of these quarterbacks to just go back and forth with touchdowns this week. The Seahawks have a tendency to show up in the playoffs so I think they’re going to try their best to keep up with the Falcons.
Carlos: Seahawks/Falcons
Atlanta is going to come out swinging. They want to prove they belong and Matt Ryan wants that second playoff win. The Seahawks are good on defense, but they are limping in with injuries. That being said, Seattle won’t just sit and accept a loss. They’re going to go down swinging and they’ll need to establish the running game to complement Russell Wilson in order to produce points. I see this being a back and forth battle.
Ryan: Packers/Cowboys
Each team has offensive weapons that are borderline unstoppable in Elliott and Rodgers. Even if each team had an above-average defense (neither does), I would still expect those two to put up big numbers.
Kyle: Packers/Cowboys
We all know what Aaron Rodgers is capable of. We’ve also seen what the Cowboys’ stacked offense can do. This could be a back and forth game that might come down to the wire with both teams trading punches.
Will Zeke or Bell Have More Rushing Yards?
Daisy: Le’Veon Bell
I usually pick Zeke to out-run most backs, but I think Le’veon Bell has a better chance getting through the Chiefs defense than Zeke does against the Packers. Zeke will have still have a great game, but I just trust Bell more at this point.
Carlos: Bell
I’m going with Bell because the Chiefs don’t have the greatest defense against the run. They were ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed with 122 rushing yards per game. Zeke will have to run against a better run defense that is ranked 8th and only allows 95 rushing yards per game.
Ryan: Bell
Big Ben is in a walking boot, but the Steelers will probably be fine without him at 100% because of Bell. Le’Veon is on fire and is coming off a 167-yard performance in the Wild Card game. Zeke is a monster, but the Cowboys might find themselves behind with a rookie QB under center.
Kyle: Ezekiel Elliott
Both Bell and Zeke lit up their opponents in their matchups against the Chiefs and Packers earlier in the season, but I’m leaning toward Zeke since he’ll be playing in better conditions. He rushed for 157 yards in Green Bay and now he gets to face that same defense indoors in Dallas.
Who Will Have More Passing Yards Between Brady, Big Ben, Rodgers and Ryan?
Daisy: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan has been brilliant this season and I’ll keep faith in the better Ryan.
Carlos: Tom Brady
Brady is on a mission to win another Super Bowl. The Texans were ranked 2nd against the pass this season so it won’t be easy for Brady, but he is able to just break down any defense and do as he pleases. I don’t see Houston playing with much spunk in this one which will lead to an onslaught from Brady and company.
Ryan: Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is the best QB facing the easiest matchup of the four. I learned the hard way to never bet against Rodgers and I won’t make that mistake again.
Kyle: Matt Ryan
The Falcons have flown somewhat under the radar this season even though they finished with the 2nd seed in the NFC. If they lose to Seattle at home, it will really make people forget about their impressive offensive season. I think Matt Ryan has his best playoff game to set up a match-up with Dallas.
Which Running QB Will Have the Most Total Yards?
Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson or Alex Smith
Daisy: Russell Wilson
Out of the three QBs in this question, Russell Wilson has the most favorable matchup. I think Russell will definitely be able to throw the ball and use his feet to pick yards on the run as well.
That being said, I think Dak still plays well despite the evidence of past rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs. I think he will continue to play well especially with the team he has around him. He doesn’t seem to get flustered and Nothing makes him nervous… not even girls.
Carlos: Wilson
Wilson will need to be mobile and electric if the Seahawks have any chance to win so I am counting on Russell Wilson to make big plays including big runs that will complement the passing game. Plus, of the 3 quarterbacks, Wilson is facing the weakest defense which is the Falcons that was ranked 25th in the league.
Ryan: Wilson
Betting on Russell Wilson in the playoffs is a smart thing to do and I like to pretend I’m smart. Dak is great, but still a rookie and Alex Smith is effective, but not going to fill up the scoresheet. Wilson all day.
Kyle: Alex Smith
Andy Reid, Alex Smith and the Chiefs had an extra week to prepare for the Steelers(assuming they expected them to beat the Dolphins) and Reid has proven that he uses the extra time to the best of his ability. I think this bodes well for Smith who will rack up yards in small bunches, but I think those bunches eventually lead to a solid day for the veteran quarterback.
Will the Texans/Patriots Game Be Decided By Less than 16 Points?
Daisy: Yes
Yes, I believe the Texans can keep this from getting out of hand, but only because of their defense. I mean you guys are representing the AFC South. Please don’t make us look worse than we already are.
Carlos: No
As I said before, Tom Brady is on a mission to win. He is still mad about the suspension and it shows in the way he plays every week.
Ryan: No
Tom Brady vs. Brock Osweiler. One puts up a lot of points while the other does not.
Kyle: Yes
The only way this happens is if the Texans protect the ball. They CANNOT afford to turn the ball over and if they don’t they may be able to keep the game close because their defense is that good.
Closest Game?
Daisy: Packers/Cowboys
Both teams are coming in hot and like I said earlier, this will definitely be the most intriguing game of the weekend.
Carlos: Packers/Cowboys
This game has the ingredients to be a classic. You have a red-hot Super Bowl champ in Aaron Rodgers and you have great rookie playmakers in Zeke and Dak. It’s a tough game to predict and those kind of games usually make for close games.
Ryan: Seahawks/Falcons
The Falcons are the better team, but they aren’t great in the playoffs. The Seahawks are money in the playoffs. That’ll make for a close game that will hopefully come down to the final possession. We gotta get interesting playoff football at some point, right?
Kyle: Packers/Cowboys
With Aaron Rodgers you can expect fireworks. Fireworks usually means late game heroics so I’ll go with the Packers/Cowboys.
Tiebreaker: Which Team Will Gain the Most Total Yards?
Daisy: Cowboys
Carlos: Falcons
Ryan: Patriots
Kyle: Steelers
Do you agree with the Front 4 team’s predictions? Be sure to comment below to let us know who you think will be one step closer to the Super Bowl!
Daisy was able to sneak by and come out with a 5-point victory in Week 14 as the rest of the panel only managed four points. The Front 4 team will now shift their focus to Week 15 of the NFL season where they’ll take a look at the Lions/Giants match up, whether or not the Browns can win in Buffalo and if the Panthers can go into Washington and win on Monday night.
Lions@Giants
Daisy: Giants
With only three weeks of regular-season football left, the Giants and Lions both need a win this week to keep a strong hold on their playoff positions. The Giants and Lions are both coming off pretty big wins, however, if you look at the overall schedules of both teams, the Lions have had it a bit easier and their real test will be these next couple of weeks. This is going to be an extremely close game and I am going to go with the Giants because I feel that their defense is the real deal at the moment.
Lions at Redskins 8/20/15
Kyle: Lions
The Giants are coming off an emotional win against the Cowboys and have been on a tear of late. This could be a preview of a first-round match up in the playoffs which should be enough motivation for both teams. The Giants’ defense was fantastic last week, but besides one amazing catch and run from Odell, their offense was non-existent. I expect a close game and the Lions have proven time and again that they can close out games especially this season. Give me Detroit by a field goal.
Carlos: Lions
Both teams are riding high and are having great seasons. The Giants are coming off a big win against the Cowboys and the Lions have won 5 straight. The Lions have had a slightly better offense as they score 22 points per game compared to New York’s 19 points per game. Winning becomes a habit and the Lions are trying to clinch the NFC North. This will be a close and fun game, but Detroit will come out on top.
Ryan: Giants
This is a battle of two teams that just find ways to win. The Lions have been losing at the start of every 4th quarter except one and yet still lead the NFC North, while the Giants look abysmal on offense but have a record of 9-4. I expect this game to be decided late and by only a few points.
How Many Florida Teams Will Win?
Dolphins@NYJ, Jaguars@HOU, Buccaneers@Cowboys
Daisy: Two
Despite Ryan Tannehill’s injury, I think the Dolphins have a chance to take advantage of a very weak Jets team that doesn’t have a proven Quarterback. I also expect an upset from either the Jags or Bucs.
Kyle: One
I could potentially see all 3 teams win and I could also see all 3 teams lose. The Bucs/Cowboys game is an extremely intriguing match up, but I think Dallas needs a bounce-back win and will be ready to go. As for the Jags/Texans, I still don’t know what to think of Houston. They win games, but get nothing from DeAndre Hopkins and Brock. Then again the Jags wish they had Houston’s problems. As for the Dolphins, it’s their first game without Tannehill and its on a Saturday so Moore didn’t have as much time to prepare. I think the Dolphins have the best shot to win so I’ll go with 1.
Carlos: Zero
The Dolphins may have the better record, but they aren’t that much better than the Jets. They both allow around 24 points per game. The Dolphins do have an advantage in points scored per game with 21 compared to 17 for the Jets. The Texans will win because of a better defense. The Jags allow almost 10 more points per game then the Texans do. The Bucs will not beat the Cowboys. That O-line is not losing two in a row. Plus, Dallas’s record is 11 and Giants, I mean 2. Get it? They only lose to the Giants. Am I funny yet, Kyle?
Ryan: One
With the overrated Ryan Tannehill out, this game should be close but the Dolphins are definitely still favored. The Jags don’t have much of a chance against the Texans, but I like the Bucs against the Cowboys since their defense has been on fire recently. One of the Bucs or Fins will win.
Who Will Have More Passing Yards in the Steelers/Bengals Game?
Daisy: Ben Roethlisberger
Despite Big Ben struggling on the road and the Bengals having a pretty solid defense, I feel Ben will have more passing yards in this game.
Kyle: Andy Dalton
I think the Steelers have realized they can rely on Bell which means less passing yards for Big Ben.
Carlos: Ben Roethlisberger
It is hard to go against a Quarterback like Big Ben as he has been one of the best for many seasons. I know Andy Dalton is averaging more yards per game and the Bengals do have a slightly better defense against the pass allowing only 238 yards per game compared to the Steelers’ 251 yards per game. But my gut says Big Ben because of his history of showing up in December.
Ryan: Andy Dalton
Big Ben away from home has not been the best this season and the Bengals will certainly be in “I’m-going-to-kill-you” mode on defense because they are the Bengals.
Which Top Rusher Gains the Most Yards?
Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson
Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott
People of America, I would like for you to place your hand on your heart and let me introduce you to America’s hero and potential MVP…Ezekiel Elliot.
However, his true test, against perhaps the hottest defense in the league right now which is the Buccaneers, will show whether he is worthy of such a distinction.
Kyle: Le’Veon Bell
Give me Bell. He’s coming off the best performance of his career in snowy Buffalo. He looked better in snow than Frosty.
Carlos: Le’Veon Bell
Le’Veon Bell will rush for the most yards because of the 3 defenses the Bengals have the worst defense against the run.
Ryan: Le’Veon Bell
The Bucs have been stellar on defense recently and Dak is getting cold. David Johnson could get a lot of touches against a terrible Saints team, but Le’Veon Bell can’t be stopped right now.
Will T.Y. Hilton or Stefon Diggs Have More Receptions in the Colts/Vikings Game?
Daisy: Stefon Diggs
Luck’s lack of protection will be a big reason why many Colts receivers including T.Y Hilton won’t get the ball as often and that’s why I am going with Stefon Diggs to get more receptions. However, I won’t be mad if I get this wrong.
Kyle: T.Y. Hilton
Both teams are solid against the pass as they’re both in the top half of the league in receptions allowed. That being said, I think this could come down to time of possession and its very interesting because the Vikings rank second in the league in time of possession in home games with an average of 33:06 per game. However, the Colts rank 1st in the league in time of possession on the road with an average of 32:39. I’ll take Hilton in a toss up, but this one could just come down to which team has the ball longer and creates more opportunities.
Carlos: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs will have more receptions in the Colts/Vikings game because Indy’s defense against the pass is one of the worst in the league. The Colts are ranked 26th in yards allowed per game with 262 yards per game. If teams are getting yards on them they are getting receptions as well. The Vikings on the other hand have one of the best defenses against the pass, ranked 3rd with 202 passing yard allowed per game.
Ryan: T.Y. Hilton
TY had 13 targets last week with Donte Moncreif out and with the Colts’ #2 receiver out again this week, look for Luck to lean on his favorite target even more than usual.
Panthers@Redskins
Daisy: Redskins
With the looks of how this season has gone, the struggling Panthers will fall short against Washington. Despite the Panthers’ secondary looking great last week, I don’t think it’s enough to defeat Washington.
Kyle: Panthers
Both teams are coming off wins in Week 14. The Redskins desperately need this game to stay in contention for a wild-card spot. The Panthers aren’t playing for much, but with the spotlight on them on MNF, everyone will be talking about their poor season. I think this motivates them to take down Kirk Cousins and give a glimpse of hope for their team heading into next season.
Eagles at Redskins 10/04/15
Carlos: Redskins
The Redskins seem to be overlooked by many teams and many members of the media. That could change after a solid performance on MNF. I think the Redskins will win this game rather easily actually. They have the advantage on offense and even though it seems to be more even on the defensive side, the Panthers still allow more points per game.
Ryan: Redskins
I think the Redskins can make the playoffs and I think they think they can make the playoffs. I also think the Panthers have given up.
How Many Points Will the Falcons Beat the 49ers By?
0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, 49ers Win
Daisy: 21-30 Points
According to NFL.com, the 49ers are giving up on average 413.5 yards per game which could land them a spot on a very bad list of the top 5 WORST defensive seasons since the merger. A game against the Falcons isn’t gonna help their cause.
Kyle: 21-30 Points
The Falcons have scored 40+ points 4 times this season and are coming off a 28 point win against the Rams. I think we should expect more of the same here especially since they’re at home. I’ll take the Falcons by 21-30 points.
Carlos: 21-30 Points
The worst defense in the league is taking on the best offense in the league. The 49ers are so bad they couldn’t hold on to beat the Jets. At times, the Jets’ offense made the 49ers’ defense look like a high school team. The Falcons are a much better offense than the Jets so this could get ugly. Just to give you a little sample of how good the offense has been, the Falcons score 32 points per game and the next best is Oakland with 27 points per game.
Ryan: 11-20 Points
Hope y’all have a lot of Falcons in your fantasy football lineups this week.
Will the Browns Win in Buffalo?
Daisy: No
No, the only way for this to happen is if Isaiah Crowell goes off. Even then, I still don’t see the Browns picking up their first win.
Kyle: No
I trusted Cleveland last week and they threw a flea flicker from the endzone that led to an interception. Give me the Bills.
Carlos: No
I said it last week and I’ll say it again. The Browns are not winning a game this season. The Bills score more points than the Browns and also allow less points. The Browns need to continue to fight for the first pick in the draft so they can get that player that will take them to the glory days. For the Browns, that means 5 wins.
Ryan: No
Hahahahaha. Oh wait this is a serious question?
Upset of the Week?
Daisy: Titans over Chiefs
Marcus Mariota and DeMarco Murray will have to step up and if they do they could be able to take down the Chiefs.
Kyle: Titans over Chiefs
The Titans might have my favorite offense in the league besides the Cowboys. Mariota is coming into form and after taking down the Broncos last week they’ll get another tough task, but a win could not only help their division-title hopes, but also strengthen their wild card hopes.
Carlos: Jets over Dolphins
I believe that spark that Petty gave us at the end of the game last week was anything but a fluke. There is more where that came from and he will show it against Miami. The Jets need to take advantage of these useless games and find out what they have on this roster.
Ryan: Jets over Dolphins
SCREW IT! I’M PICKING THE JETS! LET’S GO PETTY!
In Dallas on Sunday, Who Will Have More?
Mavericks’ Points Against Kings or Ezekiel Elliott Rushing Yards Against Bucs
Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott
The Mavs are not the same team they’ve been in the past so I am going to go with Zeke.
Kyle: Ezekiel Elliott
The Mavericks only scored 89 points against the Kings at home on December 7th. Zeke is in store for a big game so I’ll take the Cowboys’ rookie back.
Carlos: Ezekiel Elliott
That O-line, Dak, and Zeke want to prove they have what it takes to not only make it to the playoffs, but also be a Super Bowl contender. Also, the Mavs score the least amount of points per game so it does make my prediction a little easier.
Ryan: Mavericks
Zeke isn’t a sure bet to hit triple digits, but I think the Mavs are.
Tiebreaker: Who Will Have the Most Receptions?
Daisy: Antonio Brown
Kyle: Larry Fitzgerald
Carlos: Jarvis Landry
Ryan: T.Y. Hilton
Well there you have it! Those are our predictions for Week 15 of the NFL season. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree!
Week 13 was a rough one for the Front 4 team with only 9 correct predictions out of 40. As they look to improve on their selections this week, they’ll take a look at the Seahawks/Packers, the Browns’ chances of winning and much more!
Saints@Buccaneers
Ryan: Buccaneers
Drew Brees can try and do it all by himself but he has absolutely no help and it’ll come back to bite the Saints this week just like it has on most other weeks. Jameis Winston has been playing good and so has the Bucs D so I think they’ll be able to make that one stop that will win them this shootout.
Daisy: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are on a 4-game winning streak and I think they’re extending it to 5. Jameis Winston has 761 passing yards and 8 touchdowns in his past 3 games versus the AFC South.
Kyle:Buccaneers
The Saints offense has been mostly great during the season, but in their last 7 games they’ve only eclipsed 25 points twice (which was against the 49ers and Rams). The Bucs are starting to look legit and could really make some noise with a win against the Saints.
Carlos:Saints
The Bucs have won 4 straight and are looking to take over first place in the NFC South, but they will lose to the Saints. Even though the Saints’ record doesn’t reflect it, they aren’t a horrible team. They can get wins and it’s because of their offense. The Saints out-perform the Bucs in total yards per game and points per game. Tampa Bay’s defense is better than New Orleans, but the Saints have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees and his 30 touchdowns will bring the Saints a win.
Which Game is Closer in Margin?
Cowboys@Giants or Ravens@Patriots
Ryan: Ravens@Patriots
I’ll take the Monday Night Football match up only because the Ravens are involved in close games every week. Gronk is gone so the Pats offense is less threatening. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been getting better every week since losing to the Giants like some boxer who’s been going through a training montage getting ready for his rematch. They’re gonna be ready and I can’t imagine they like that the Giants have spoiled their otherwise perfect season.
Daisy: Cowboys@Giants
Games between NFC East teams have a knack for coming down to the wire and I don’t think this game at MetLife Stadium will be any different.
Kyle:Cowboys@Giants
Since 2012, all nine Cowboys/Giants games have been decided by ten points or less with four of those games coming by three points or less. This will come down to the final possessions like it always seemingly does.
Carlos:Ravens@Patriots
The Cowboys have been on a whole different level winning 11 straight and running away with the NFC behind stellar play from the O-line which helps produce a great running game by Zeke and a great passing game by Dak. As much as a Giant win would make for an interesting final stretch, Dallas is too good. Both the Ravens and Patriots have been solid on defense which should make this a close matchup.
Which Team(s) Will Have 7 Wins in the AFC South?
Titans(6-6) vs. DEN, Colts(6-6) vs. Texans(6-6)
Ryan: Titans & Colts
The Colts are coming back home after obliterating the Jets and the Titans are coming off a bye to face the Broncos, a team with QB issues and a second straight road game. Luck and Mariota will lead their teams to victory and a share of the lead atop the AFC South.
Daisy: Titans & Colts
Not because I am a Colts fan, but I really think the Colts can take on the Texans. The Colts got a confidence boost last week against the Jets and that will carry into this game. The Titans also look good right now and right now they seem more of a complete team than the Broncos.
Kyle:Titans & Colts
The Colts are 19-4 against teams in their own division when Andrew Luck plays. As for the Titans, they’ve been an up and down team all season thanks in part to their terrible defense. However, I think their defense shows up this week and is up for the fight as they go opposite the number 1 defense in the league.
Carlos:Texans
This game will be very close, but the Texans are slightly better on defense. Houston’s opponents only score 21 points compared to Indy’s opponents that score 26 points per game. The Broncos have been a solid team and I don’t see them losing to the Titans. The Titans have had a better offense, but the Broncos have the edge on the defense. Once again I’ll give a good defense the win.
In the Jets@49ers Game, Will Either Team Reach 22 Points?
Ryan: No
My initial reaction was: Of course! But then I started thinking, where are those points going to come from? Sure, the 49ers defense is awful but is Bryce Petty really gonna pick them apart for 3+ scores? And the Jets defense just got decimated by the Colts but Kaep isn’t Luck. Like with most Jets games this season, the best thing to do is just avoid this game entirely.
Daisy: No
I am Petty and will say that neither of these teams will reach 22 points.
Kyle:No
I have a feeling this game will be similar to that Jets/Rams game from a couple weeks ago. There will be little scoring and little excitement. Both of these teams might try to actually lose as this game could determine draft positioning.
Carlos:Yes
I have been wrong with Jets predictions all season, but my gut tells me Petty will have a big game. I’m trying to tell myself there are better days for Jets fans besides the butt fumble days, but I’m not feeling to good about that. At least we were on SportsCenter in those days.
Who Has More Rushing Yards in the Cardinals@Dolphins Game?
David Johnson or Jay Ajayi
Ryan: David Johnson
This is the cream of the running back crop this year and Johnson will continue his dominant ways against an overrated Dolphins defense, while Ajayi will do well, but not good enough against one of the best run defenses in the league.
Daisy: David Johnson
Both of these backs have the potential to go off, but I trust Johnson more to get it done.
via isports
Kyle:David Johnson
Jay had a three-game stretch where he was fuego! But he has cooled off since then as he hasn’t reached 80 yards since that stretch of at least 111 yards. Johnson has had a more consistent year so I’ll take the Cardinals’ back.
Carlos:David Johnson
The Cardinals have been slightly better at stopping the run. David Johnson has run for more yards this season as well. Even though Ajayi averages more yards per attempt, Johnson has run for 1005 yards compared to Ajayi’s 908.
Seahawks@Packers
Ryan: Seahawks
Both teams have had very inconsistent seasons but have been trending upwards recently. The loss of Earl Thomas is a huge blow to the Seahawks, but they seemed to finish the game against the Panthers just fine. The Packers present a much tougher challenge, especially at Lambeau, but the Seahawks are the better team and will escape with the W.
Daisy: Seahawks
The Packers face a tough task this week facing a better offense than the ones they’ve faced in recent weeks and as much as I’d like their streak to continue I am going to have to go with the Seahawks. Also, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are great in December with a record of 17-3 in the young quarterback’s career.
Kyle:Packers
Aaron Rodgers is 54-15 at home in his career and 13-5 against the NFC West. Wilson is only 21-16-1 on the road. Give me Rodgers to upset the Seahawks and further the Packers’ playoff hopes.
Carlos:Seahawks
The Seahawks’ opponents only score 16 points per game compared to Green Bay’s opponents who score around 25 points per game. This game will be won on the defensive side of the ball and the Seahawks have been known for that.
Will the Browns Win Against the Bengals?
Ryan: No
Hahahahahaha. No.
Daisy: No
No. Next.
Kyle:Yes
Coming off a bye, into their second to last home game against a team they’ve seen many times that is struggling this season? This might be the best shot for the Browns to do it this season with a game against the Chargers at home and road games in Buffalo and Pittsburgh left. Give me CLEVELAND…?
Carlos:No
Cincy has not been great by any means, but they have out performed Cleveland on both sides of the ball. The Browns allow 30 points per game and they can only score around 16 points per game, so that needs to change if they want a win this season.
Chargers@Panthers
Ryan: Chargers
It’s not that I like the Chargers here, it’s just that I have no faith in the Panthers. They look completely out of it and I think the loss of Luke Kuechly was the thing that finally made everyone pack it in. Hard to believe this team went 15-1 last year.
Daisy: Chargers
If Philip Rivers can limit his turnovers, this Chargers offense should be able to carve up the Panthers and add to their disappointment of a season following their trip to the Super Bowl.
Kyle:Chargers
Two of the more disappoing teams, record wise, go head-to-head in a game that is impossible to predict. After winning 15 games last season, the Panthers dont have a win against a team over .500 this year. As for the Chargers ,they’ve beaten the Falcons, Broncos, Titans and Texans. I’ll take San Diego.
Carlos:Chargers
The Chargers have the slight edge on both sides of the ball. San Diego scores more points per game while both allow around the same amount of points per game. If there is an advantage for either team, it is that the Chargers’ offense will be able to score enough to get the tight win.
Who Will Lead the League in Receptions After Week 14?
Antonio Brown(88) or Larry Fitzgerald(88)
Ryan: Antonio Brown
He burned me last week, but the volume is still there. This is a toss up and it might end in a push but I’ll go with the best receiver in the game right now and hope for the best.
Daisy: Larry Fitzgerald
Give me Fitz to take care of business and add to his historic career.
Kyle:Larry Fitzgerald
The Dolphins’ defense got torched by the Ravens last week and I think Fitzgerald will be able to do similar things in Miami.
Carlos:Larry Fitzgerald
At the end of the week, Larry Fitzgerald will lead the league in catches because the Bills have an advantage with defense against the pass which will hurt Brown.
Will Both Detroit Teams Win By 15+ Points?
Lions vs. CHI and Pistons vs. 76ers
Ryan: Yes
Jim Bob Cooter will have his offense ready to go in this one and the Bears will have no way to keep up. 15 points is a lot for the Pistons, but they’ve blown out bad teams before and I’m hoping they do it again against The Process.
Daisy: No
I think the only Detroit team that will win by 15 points is the Pistons. The Lions and Bears will be much closer than most people think.
Kyle:Yes
In the Pistons’ 13 wins, they’ve won by double digits in 12 of them! They get a 76ers team so I think they’ll cover. The Lions scare me because they’ve only won by 15 points once this season, which was last week against the Saints, but they lost to Chicago earlier in the season so I think they come out firing in order to avenge that loss.
Carlos:No
The Bears haven’t been awful at holding teams to minimum points as they’ve held their opponents to 22 points per game so this game will be close. The 76ers are bad so I can see a big loss there. In other news, isn’t it ironic that both cities that were in the World Series(Cleveland and Chicago) have horrible football teams? That means if the Jets are this bad at football, the Yankees will win the World Series next year right?
Tiebreaker: Which Quarterback Has the Most Passing Yards During Week 14?
Ryan: Drew Brees
Daisy: Dak Prescott
Kyle:Matt Stafford
Carlos:Andy Dalton
Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments and be sure to tune into all of the action going on during Week 14 of the NFL season.
Sure, there’s been some sloppy football played this season and yes, games are being scrutinized and debated because of poor officiating. However, the NFL may be able to save its image thanks in part to an exciting second half.
As it stands, it looks like the New England Patriots are the only team in the NFL guaranteed a playoff spot. The Raiders and Cowboys are in good positions, but they also play in the two best divisions. A couple of losses and they could find themselves looking up at another team.
The Browns, Jaguars, Bears and 49ers are probably already eliminated because their poor performances in the first half of the season will be too much to overcome. Then, we come to everyone else.
via NFL.com
via NFL.com
The Broncos, Chiefs and Falcons lead the pack with six wins each. The remaining 22 teams all have either 3, 4, or 5 wins to their name. With all of these teams fighting for division titles and wildcard berths, every game should be important. We could be in store for a crazy end of the season with tiebreaker scenarios a plenty. Millions of fans will still be watching because their team still has a chance to play deep into January. The playoff push in the NFL is just beginning and not even poor officiating or sloppy play can change that.
We’ll start off with the defending NFC champs. At 3-5, the Carolina Panthers are currently 13th in the NFC and are only ahead of the Bears and the 49ers. Don’t give up Panthers fans. The Panthers are one game behind the Redskins(who currently hold the second wild card spot) in the win column. The only problem is that there are 7 teams between Carolina and Washington.
Would you be surprised if the Panthers snuck into the playoffs as the 6 seed? You shouldn’t be seeing as though they were able to rattle off 15 wins last season. They also have the luxury of playing the Saints, Seahawks, Redskins, Falcons and Buccaneers in the second half of the season so they’ll be in prime position to make up ground.
As for the AFC, three of their divisions will be flat-out bananas going down to the wire. We know the AFC West has the best chance to send three teams to the playoffs thanks to the Raiders, Broncos and Chiefs. Even if the AFC North and South only send one team each, the races will be still exciting.
With a win against the Ravens, the Steelers could have given themselves some serious space between them and the rest of the division. Unfortunately for them, their offense didn’t show up until the 4th quarter against Baltimore. Now, the Steelers and Ravens have identical 4-4 records with the Bengals only one game back in the win column. Cincinnati still has two games remaining with the Ravens including a game at home on the final day of the season. The Bengals could play average football the rest of the way and still pull out an AFC North Division title with two wins against the Ravens.
As for the AFC South, well that crazy train is just about ready to board. The Texans have looked great one week(see wins against the Lions and Chiefs) and then have looked terrible other weeks(see blowout losses to the Patriots, Vikings and Broncos). With that being said, they still sit two games up in the loss column ahead of the Titans and Colts. However, Houston still has road games at Indianapolis Week 14 and at Tennessee Week 17.
Marcus Mariotta will look to lead the Titans to their first playoff appearance since 2008
The AFC South has been and will seemingly always be tough to predict. The Titans have games against the Packers, Colts and Bears before heading into their late bye week. If they’re still in the race heading into the bye, they’ll be able to come out of it fresh with four games remaining. Of their final four games , three will be against teams ahead of them in the Broncos, Chiefs and Texans with a match-up in Jacksonville as well.
The Colts may be 4-5, but Andrew Luck and Co shouldn’t be counted out just yet. Of their five losses, four have come by four points or less. They’re heading into their bye after a big win in Green Bay and coming out of the break they’ll have to keep their foot on the gas as they have remaining games with the Titans, Steelers, Jets, Texans and Raiders.
The AFC then has its share of dark horses. The Chargers, Bills and Dolphins will have a tough time winning their divisions, but they still have the opportunity to sneak up and snatch one of the wild-card spots. All three teams have four wins and are coming off good performances in Week 9. Even though the Bills were the only ones who lost, they might have looked the best in a close game in Seattle on national television.
Tyrod Taylor will try to build off his performance in Seattle
The Bills will have time to get over the officiating in their MNF loss as they head into their bye week. They’ll have to move on eventually though as they still have a chance down the stretch. Buffalo has home games remaining against the Jaguars and Browns in what should be winnable games if they’re to be considered a playoff contender. Their remaining five games are all against teams still in the race as they have the Bengals, Raiders, Steelers, Dolphins and Jets on the schedule.
The Dolphins are an interesting team because they have some key wins and some key losses. They’ve lost to the Bengals and Titans which could hurt them in tiebreakers, but they also have wins over better wild card teams in the Steelers and the Bills. The Dolphins have a Week 10 match up against San Diego and have the opportunity to add to their tiebreaker advantages. They also have the Ravens and the Bills again remaining on the schedule and their second game against the Patriots comes during Week 17 when the Patriots might be lucky enough to rest some players.
The most intriguing of the bunch is of course the Chargers. We all know that the Chargers blew a few leads early in the season, but they seem to have gotten over the hump recently with wins over the Broncos, Falcons and Titans. They have crucial games against the Dolphins and Texans coming up that could dictate whether they have a legit shot at the postseason this year. A meeting with the Chiefs on the final day of the season could also be of importance.
The NFC wild card scenario is even more jam packed as the Giants and Redskins are currently the proud owners of the 5th and 6th seeds with 5-3 and 4-3-1 records respectively. They shouldn’t get comfortable, though, because the Lions, Saints, Packers, Eagles and Cardinals are all right behind them with just four losses. The Rams, Buccaneers and Panthers are just two games back with five losses.
The Cardinals were in the NFC Championship game last season, but haven’t looked the same so far this year. They don’t have any wins over teams in the mix and that’ll need to change for them to have a shot. They have games against the Vikings, Falcons, Redskins, Saints, Seahawks and Rams so there is room for them to move up.
Can Eli Manning lead the Giants to another playoff run?
As for the team that everyone is chasing, the Giants, they’ll have to continue to put together wins. New York is the only team who has beaten the Cowboys this year and could still make a run at the NFC East title with another win against Dallas. The Giants also have wins over the Saints and Eagles which could help in tiebreaker situations, but they have losses against the Redskins, Vikings and Packers which could hurt them. Their last four games of the season against the Cowboys, Lions, Eagles and Redskins could play a big part in whether or not they keep playing throughout January.
The Packers are a team that when hot could be a huge threat, but for most of the season they’ve been cold. Even with just a 4-4 record, Aaron Rodgers has a chance to lead his team to another playoff appearance. The Packers still have games at Washington and Philadelphia as well home games against the Seahawks and Vikings. Their last game of the season could have huge implications as they travel to Detroit.
The Redskins seemed to have flown under the radar so far. A loss to the Lions and a tie in London against the Benglas over their last two games are probably the reasoning behind that. Washington should be taken more seriously though because they already have wins over the Giants and Eagles. That doesn’t mean things will be any easier because Washington finishes its season with a handful of games against teams surrounding them. They have the Vikings, Packers, Panthers and Giants at home, but they still have to travel to Dallas, Arizona and Philadelphia. They truly control their own destiny the rest of the way.
Will all of these teams still be alive after a few weeks? Probably not. But, that just means we’re getting important football in Week 10 of the NFL. A couple wins for one of these teams and suddenly they’re in the driver’s seat. Back-to-back losses? Well, they might just be out of it. The NFL is not used to these poor ratings, but with all of these teams still in contention, fans around the country might just stick around to see how this thing plays out.
November 8th could go down as one of the most important dates in the history of the United States of America.
Take that statement for what it’s worth.
Yes, the main reason this day could be such an important date for our country is because we will be selecting our 45th President. It’s been well-documented that our country is split between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Both have been in the news and in the tabloids for the wrong reasons. Many have questioned, whether through a long Facebook status or a quick tidbit on Twitter or even a rant on Youtube, how these politicians could be the best our country could come up with. There are many people who are 100% for Trump. There are also many Americans who are fully behind Clinton. But, for many Americans, they fall somewhere in between.
No matter where we fall, however, the real reasoning behind November 8’s importance is not the outcome of the Presidential Election. Instead, I argue, that the reactions of the American voters, following the election, could make November 8th the most important date in the history of the United States of America.
What will we do? How will we react? Will we give up? Will we allow our beliefs, feelings and dreams to lay to the rest because the person we wanted was elected? Will we lose hope after the person we voted was defeated? The answers to those questions will speak loudest after November 8th.
Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will be the next president of this country. Barrack Obama will say his goodbyes and move on with his family as the White House opens its doors to either the Trumps or the Clintons. That might sound disgusting, unbelievable, and even flat-out insane to some of us, but that doesn’t mean we stop. That doesn’t mean we complain without action. Trump or Clinton’s name will be etched in the history books as the man or woman with the power. But, what they do with that power can only crack the surface of what the American people can do.
On November 9th, half of our country will wake up knowing that the person they voted for lost. It might make you want to scream hateful words on the internet. That might make you want to riot. It might make you threaten to leave the country. The great thing about this country is that you have the right to make any of those options a reality. You also have the right to attempt to make things better and make our country stronger.
I’ve stated that this day could be the biggest in our history. That could be good or bad. Positive or negative. When we look back it might carry importance because whomever we elected turned out to be the best thing for our country. We might also look back and realize it was our country’s biggest mistake.
But why should the voters only be looking back to think what could have been if so and so wasn’t president? What if we become the reason that when people look back they become aware that even though Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton became President, our nation came together. 2016-2020 wasn’t about who was the leader of the free world. That time period was about a country, that for so many months prior to the election was torn apart, that came together and built back up what was almost torn down.
Just because someone becomes president, that doesn’t mean we’re starting over or taking steps back. It doesn’t mean our entire country will be flipped upside down. I understand political policies come into play and decisions we don’t agree with might be made. But isn’t that always the case? We’ll never be happy with every decision that is made. That being said, we can be happy with the decisions we, the people, make. We can be happy about how we stepped up when a decision was made on November 8th.
Have you been fighting to put racism to an end? After November 8th, fight even harder. Do you believe rape culture is getting the attention and responses it needs? After November 8th, stand up even taller for change. Are you pushing for LGBT equality? After November 8th, push even harder. Scream for marijuana to be legal or illegal. Plead for stricter gun laws or scream against it. Plead for more awareness toward environmental issues, the bee population and animal cruelty. Plead for whatever it is you believe in.
Fight. Stand. Push. Scream. Plead.
Don’t stop. If you believe in something; if you believe in this country; if you believe in the American people than keep fighting. Don’t sit down. Push through and scream and plead until your voice is heard. Donald Trump is one man. Hillary Clinton is one woman. We are over 300 million strong. We are over 300 million voices. We are over 300 million different beliefs that make each and every one of us unique. As a whole, the over 300 million people of this country are stronger and have more power than two politicians fighting, degrading, and insulting each other to sit at a desk they may or may not deserve. We have more voices than the ones on the news telling us what we ‘should’ hear and know. We believe in things that none of them could ever imagine.
Every now and then, a day comes around that changes the course of history. It could be the start of a war or it could be the beginning of a revolution. The day could be one of tragedy or one of celebration. The day could even be one when the people of the United States of America started to fight, stand, push, scream and plead for their voices to be heard until the change they believed in was achieved.
Voting on November 8th will be the second most important thing you need to do that day. The most important will be to begin to decide how you want the day to be remembered.
Our newest member, Carlos, was able to win rather easily and climb the overall leaderboard:
WEEK 8: OVERALL:
Carlos: 7 points Ryan: 16 points
Ryan: 4 points Carlos: 15 points
Daisy: 4 points Daisy: 14 points
Kyle: 2 points Kyle: 13 points
As we reach the half-way point of the season, each passing week is getting more and more interesting. This week the Front 4 team will debate the huge AFC West showdown between the Broncos and the Raiders. Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, DeMarco Murray and Melvin Gordon are also all topics of discussion as Week 9 of the NFL season is set to kick off.
Will the Broncos or Raiders Win on Sunday Night Football?
Carlos: Broncos
The Broncos will take over 1st place in the AFC West. It will be a close game and even though the Raiders offense has been good, scoring 26 points per game, Denver’s defense has been outstanding and has carried them. Also, the Raiders are at home and for most teams that would be an advantage, but the Raiders’ only two losses have been in Oakland. They look way better on the road with a 5 – 0 record.
Ryan: Broncos
The Raiders always make it hard on themselves to win, but Derek Carr always finds a way to overcome the mistakes. That’ll be hard to do against the best defense in the league. I would love to see Derek Carr, an elite two-minute quarterback, get the ball down a touchdown late in the 4th. Barring that epic showdown, I’ll say the Broncos make the most of Oakland’s mistakes and get the win.
Daisy: Raiders
Oakland and Denver are coming into Sunday night with quite a few similarities. Both share a 6 – 2 record in the same division [AFC West] and both are on a two-game win streak. Denver has one of the league’s best defenses, while Oakland has Derek Carr. Carr is coming off a great game against Tampa Bay and I think he will continue to add to his impressive 2016 campaign with a win against the Broncos.
Kyle: Raiders
The Broncos are 8-2 in their last ten games against the Raiders dating back to 2011. However, the Raiders split the two meetings last year and the games were each decided by less than a touchdown. The Raiders have improved and I think this will be Derek Carr and Jack Del Rio’s biggest test by far. If the Raiders win, and I think they do, they’ll have to be considered one of the top teams to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
How Many Points Will the Cowboys Win By?
0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 30+, Browns will win
Carlos: 11-20
The Browns offense isn’t the greatest, but it can still put up 20 points a game. The defense has been the issue because they allow 30 points per game. Look for another solid performance from Dak Prescott who has a QBR of 81.4 which is good enough for number 3 in the league.
Ryan: 11-20
Ah the Browns. The Browns make me feel good about my own football team. Ok, maybe not good, but the Browns are just terrible. Still, they are a professional team and they did just upgrade their defense so I’ll say they lose by a respectable 11-20 points.
Daisy: 11-20
I feel bad for the Browns because their schedule isn’t getting easier any time soon. As cool as it would be for the Browns to get their first win against the Cowboys, I have to be realistic. The Cowboys will stomp all over the Browns and win by 20 points.
Kyle: 11-20
Four of the Browns’ eight losses have come by six points or fewer. That shows that they’ve been at least competing in half their games. They’ll be going against a Cowboys team that’s on a role, but has been bit by the injury bug of late, especially to their defense. I think the Browns put up some points, but lose by two touchdowns.
Will Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers Throw for More Yards in the Colts/Packers Game?
Carlos: Aaron Rodgers
The Colts defense allows 402 yards per game which is 29th in the league. On top of that, Green Bay only allows 321 yards per game which is number 7 in the league. I’ll take Rodgers over Luck.
Ryan: Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has been rounding into form recently and is facing one of the softest defenses in the league. Luck has been fantastic this season, but he is constantly under pressure.
Daisy: Andrew Luck
Luck is ranked 7th in passing yards so far this season. Even though I think Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have the advantage with their team returning to Lambeau Field, Luck will produce more passing yards.
Kyle: Andrew Luck
I picked Rodgers last week against Matt Ryan and he let me down. Rodgers is only throwing for 248 yards per game and that doesn’t give me much confidence even against a poor Colts defense. I’ll take my chances with Luck.
How Many NY Teams Will Win?
Giants vs. PHI, Jets @ MIA, Bills @ SEA
Carlos: One
The Jets will be the only team from New York to win. The Jets are coming off two victories and need this game if they have any plans of making the playoffs. Both teams have similar numbers on both sides of the ball. The only slight advantage the Jets have is in total yards. The Jets have produced about 2700 yards compared to Miami’s 2400.
Ryan: Two
I think the Giants and Jets will both win this week so technicallyyyyyyyy *pushes up nerd glasses* no team that plays in New York will win.
Daisy: One
The only favorable outcome I see for New York this weekend is in the Jets game. There you go Jets fans. This is your chance.
Kyle: One
All three teams are on the road against tough teams. I think the Bills have a shot to pull off an upset because we’ve seen crazier things on Monday Night Football. (I’m looking at you Vikings)
Will DeMarco Murray or Melvin Gordon Have More Rushing Yards in the Titans/Chargers Game?
Carlos: DeMarco Murray
Murray has the slight advantage because he averages more yards per attempt. Murray averages 4.7 yards per attempt and Gordon averages 3.6 yards per attempt. The numbers will be close because Tennessee and San Diego have both been good at stopping the run.
Ryan: Melvin Gordon
With Derrick Henry proving a reliable Option B, look for the Titans to give DeMarco Murray a little less than his usual workload in this one, while Melvin Gordon continues his streak of games with 22+ touches.
via The Tennessean
Daisy: DeMarco Murray
DeMarco Murray leads the AFC in rushing yards and is only second in the NFL behind Zeke. I don’t expect that to change this week as he rushes for more yards than Gordon.
Kyle: DeMarco Murray
The Titans and Chargers have two of the best defenses when it comes to stopping the run. The Titans only allow 82 yards a game while the Chargers allow 86. Both running backs are going to have tough match ups, but I think Murray rushes for more yards to improve on his stellar season of 94 yards per game which is good enough for second place in the NFL.
Higher Total in LA on Sunday: Todd Gurley Rushing Yards or Lakers Points
Carlos: Lakers
The Panthers have not been a great team, but the one thing they have been able to do is stop the run. The Panthers have only allowed 561 rushing yards this season. The Rams have not had a good running game so this isn’t a favorable match up. As for the Lakers, they have been able to average 107 points per game and the Suns have allowed teams to score 112 points per game.
Ryan: Lakers
The Lakers are averaging over 100 points per game this season and the Suns allow a preposterous 112 points per game. Suffice it to say that Todd Gurley will be facing a tougher defense even if the Panthers don’t show up.
Daisy: Lakers
The Rams are averaging 80 yards per game this season so I am going to go with the safe choice and choose the Lakers here to score a ton against the Suns.
Kyle: Lakers
Despite the Panthers’ poor play, they’ve only allowed 80 rushing yards per game. The Lakers are coming off a huge win over the Warriors. In their two home games this year the Lakers have scored 120 and 117 against the Rockets and the Warriors. A match-up against the Suns should mean plenty of points once again.
Will the Saints or 49ers Reach Their Average Passing Yards Per Game?
Saints(1st): 326 PY/G, 49ers(Last): 161 PY/G
Carlos: Both
The 49ers defense allows 407 yards a game which means the Saints will easily be able to throw all over them. The 49ers will not be successful against the Saints, but will atleast be able to get to their average passing yards per game as well because of the Saints mediocre defense.
via wikimedia
Ryan: Both
Both defenses are just awful. Just awful. Meanwhile, Drew Brees is not awful and Colin Kaepernick is not 161 yards awful. Kaep gets over the threshold in garbage time while Brees runs up the numbers in a must-win game for the Saints.
Daisy: Both
I think both teams will remain consistent and play to the averages.
Kyle: Both
Colin Kaepernick threw for over 160 yards against the Bills in his last game so he should be able to do more of the same against this Saints defense. I also have confidence in Drew Brees to pick apart this 49ers defense.
Will the Steelers/Ravens Game be Decided by 7 Points or Less?
Carlos: Yes
Both teams come in with losing streaks so they’ll both be looking for a much needed win in a close game. Both defenses have been pretty good as Baltimore has a slight edge by allowing 19 points per game while the Steelers have allowed 21 points per game. Where Pittsburgh has the best advantage is in scoring. The Steelers score 24 points per game compared to Baltimore’s 19 points per game.
Ryan: Yes
Divisional games are always close and a rivalry like Steelers-Ravens just brings out the best in the players. There’s no way either team is giving up an easy win one way or the other.
Daisy: Yes
In the past two years the Steelers have managed to defeat the Ravens just once and the last two times these teams faced each other the game was decided by a field goal. I think that pattern continues and the game will be decided by less than a touchdown.
Kyle: No
The Ravens won both match-ups last season by a field goal in low scoring games. The first match up this season between division rivals could be dependent on whether or not Big Ben takes the field. He’s currently a game-time decision. The Steelers have more play makers and that’ll be the difference in this one as Pittsburgh wins by 10 points.
How Many Times Will the Chiefs Pick off Blake Bortles?
Carlos: Three
The Chiefs defense will be too much for Bortles to handle and it will lead to a long game for him and Jacksonville. When he has faced teams that force a lot of takeaways, he has not played well. Oakland picked him off twice a couple weeks ago and Baltimore got him three times earlier in the season.
via wikimedia
Ryan: Two
The Chiefs may be the best in the league at intercepting the ball, but Bortles has thrown three picks in a game this year just once. He’ll be dropping back a lot just like last week, but I say he does slightly better and only throws two picks.
Daisy: Two
The Chiefs will pick off Blake Bortles twice in this game and I think Marcus Peters will be a big reason why.
Kyle: Zero
This game screams upset. The Chiefes will be without Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware. On the other side of things, it seems like everyone on the Jaguars team, coaching staff and front office is on the hot seat. Bortles is due for a signature game and just maybe this is it.
How Many Last Place Teams Will Win?
Jets@MIA, Browns vs. DAL, Jaguars@KC, Chargers vs. TEN, Panthers@LA, 49ers vs. NO
Carlos: One
The Jets are coming off two victories and need this game if they have any plans of making the playoffs. This game will not be an easy task for the Jets. Both teams have similar numbers on both sides of the ball. The only slight advantage the Jets have are in total yards. The Jets have produced 2,700 yards compared to Miami’s 2,400. Of the Jets’ three wins, two have come on the road so this could be their chance to add their third road victory.
Ryan: Two
I already picked the Jets to win, but none of these other teams inspire much confidence. I can see a desperate Panthers team rising to the occasion, but it’ll take a lot for these other teams to earn a victory in week 9.
Daisy: Three
The Jets, Chargers and Panthers should all be to help their chances of getting out of 4th place in their divisions.
Kyle: Two
If the Panthers want to keep any playoff hopes alive they HAVE to beat the Rams and I think they’re able to. The Browns and 49ers are going to have tough times finding a win. That leaves the Jets, Jags and Chargers. All three have winnable games, but I don’t trust any of them to actually pull through. I’ll stick with my upset, though, and say the Jaguars finally get a solid win.
Tiebreaker: Which Player Will Rush for the Most Yards in Week 9?
Carlos: DeMarco Murray
Ryan: Ezekiel Elliott
Daisy: Ezekiel Elliott
Kyle: Le’Veon Bell
Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments how you think Week 9 of the NFL will play out.
Week 6 came down to the wire and ultimately a tiebreaker decided the outcome:
Kyle: 6 points(+1 Tiebreaker)
Ryan: 6 points
Daisy: 4 points
Carlos: 4 points
After a one-week hiatus, the Front 4 team is back and our guest, Carlos, is a guest no more. After solid performances, Carlos has been asked to provide his NFL predictions for the rest of the season.
Quite a few teams have byes this week, but that doesn’t mean there’s no drama from the teams taking the field. The Cowboys and Eagles battle for 1st place. The Browns look for their first victory. There’s also a battle between Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. Take a look at how the Front 4 team sees things playing out and let us know if you agree with their predictions.
Will the Eagles or Cowboys Win on Sunday Night Football?
Kyle: Cowboys
The Cowboys have been on a tear lately and that worries me. This is usually the time that they mess things up. They’re at home against a division rival on national television. If this really is a different Cowboys team then they’ll come out and take care of business. The biggest match up in this game will be the Cowboys’ offensive line against the Eagles’ defensive line. Whoever wins in the trenches will probably come away with the victory.
Ryan: Cowboys
The Eagles defense has been fantastic so far but you could make the case that Ezekiel Elliott is the best running back they’ve faced so far and there is no debating the Cowboys’ O-line will be the best they’ve encountered. Add that to the fact that it’s in Dallas and I’ll give the slight edge to Cowboys.
Carlos: Cowboys
Quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz are fighting for bragging rights and the rivalry between Philly and Dallas is always great. The Cowboys will come out on top in a close game.
Dallas has a great offense that scores 27 points per game which is only slightly better than the Eagles who score 26 points per game. The difference here will be the Dallas running game. The Cowboys come into the game averaging 161 rushing yards per game which is the best in the NFL.
Daisy: Cowboys
Which Defense Allows Fewer Points?
The Bills(vs. Patriots) or the Seahawks(@Saints)
Kyle: Bills
Even though the Bills won’t shut out Tom Brady, I think the Bills prove their legitness by hanging tough with the Pats and keeping it a relatively close game through to the end. As for the Seahawks, I think they’ll be able to get their offense on track against a terrible Saints defense, but Drew Brees will still be able to put up points whether it be early touchdowns or late garbage-time touchdowns.
Ryan: Bills
The Bills won’t shut out the Patriots again but picking any defense to do well in the Superdome is something I try and avoid.
Carlos: Seahawks
The Seahawks are ranked third in the league in defense. They have held teams to 14 points per game and just 1800 yards total. The Bills defense, which sould be much better, has been just average this year as they are ranked 21st in the league. They are holding teams to just 18 points per game, but that won’t be good enough against the Patriots’ great offense that is top 5 in the NFL.
Daisy: Seahawks
How Many AFC West Teams Will Finish Week 8 with 2 Losses?
Raiders(5-2)@ TB, Broncos(5-2) vs. SD, Chiefs(4-2)@ IND
Kyle: One
All three teams are capable of winning and will be the favorites, but each team could walk away losers as well. The Chargers already beat the Broncos this season and the Chiefs have a tough game against the Andrew Luck. The Raiders have been lights out on the road and I think they have the best shot at getting a victory.
Ryan: Two
I am very sure all three of these teams will win this week which means it won’t happen so I’ll say two of the three win this week. The Broncos will stifle the Chargers and then either the Raiders or Chiefs will lose a game they should win.
Carlos: Three
The top three teams in the AFC West will all finish week 8 with only two losses on their record.
Daisy: Two
Which City Scores the Most Points/Runs?
Chicago(Bears & Cubs in Game 5) or Cleveland(Browns & Indians in Game 5)
Kyle: Chicago
The Cubs are facing elimination in Game 5 and are playing their last game at Wrigley this season no matter what. I think that lights a fire under them and finally wakes up their offense. It ultimately could be the difference because I don’t see the Browns or the Bears scoring much at all. Look for the Cubs to put up a 7 spot and give Chi-town the win.
Ryan: Cleveland
One of these baseball teams might actually outscore their respective football teams. The Jets defense hasn’t been elite this year, but the Vikings defense has. The Browns are very, very bad but I don’t expect the Bears to do anything on offense this week against one of the best defenses in the league.
Carlos: Cleveland
The Bears offense has been awful, only averaging 15 points per game which is the worst in the league. Yes, the Browns have been bad, but they are averaging more points per game at 18. I have faith in the Indians’ pitching because they have been great in the postseason and I think that continues Sunday as they limit the Cubs.
Daisy: Chicago
Will Ezekiel Elliott or David Johnson Rush for More Yards?
Kyle: David Johnson
Elliott has been running rampid all over NFL defenses in 2016. The Eagles are fully aware of that and I think they attempt to slow him down and make Dak beat them through the air. Elliott will still have a solid game, but I think David Johnson eclipses the 100-yard mark again and rushes for more yards against a suspect Panthers defense.
Ryan: Ezekiel Elliott
Both running backs have rushed for over 100 yards in their past few games, but the Cowboys will be more dependent on the run to get the win this week so the edge goes to Zeke.
Carlos: Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott is averaging 117 yards per game compared to Johnson’s 97. Also, Carolina’s defense against the run hasn’t been there biggest problem. Their problem is allowing teams to score too many points per game. They are 29th in the league with 29 points allowed per game. The Eagles, on the other hand, have an average defense against the run and Elliott can expose it during the game.
Daisy: David Johnson
Who Throws for More Yards in the Packers/Falcons Game?
Aaron Rodgers or Matt Ryan
Kyle: Aaron Rodgers
I’m going with Rodgers because of the Falcons backfield. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have been studs for Atlanta and should get plenty of touches. The Packers have so many banged up running backs and Rodgers will be forced to throw early and often to keep Green Bay in the game.
Ryan: Matt Ryan
On top of having the better name, Matt Ryan has looked like an MVP-type player this year while Rodgers hasn’t really looked in sync with his offense all season. Also in Ryan’s favor is the fact that Green Bay’s strong run defense will mean more play calls for the Atlanta signal caller.
Carlos: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan will throw for more yards simply because he has been better than Rodgers this season. Rodgers is having a season we aren’t used to seeing. He has spoiled us with amazing football and even though 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions is good enough for most quarterbacks, people expect more from Rodgers. Matt Ryan is arguably having the best season of his career and I can see that continuing the rest of the way.
Daisy: Matt Ryan
Who Has More Tackles in the Lions/Texans Game?
Tahir Whitehead or Brandon McKinney
Kyle: Brandon McKinney
Both these men were in the top 3 in tackles heading into Week 8. I’m going with McKinney to record more tackles because I think the Texans defense will be on the field longer due to their mediocre offense. Whitehead won’t get many chances for tackles in this one.
Ryan: Brandon McKinney
To be honest I looked up which one was ranked higher in the IDP fantasy rankings this week and went with him. Come on McKinney!
Carlos: Tahir Whitehead
Tahir Whitehead will have more tackles in the Lions/Texans game because Houston’s offense isn’t great and the defense as a whole will be able to jump all over them. Even though Detroit’s defense hasn’t been lights out, I like the matchup and see them having a good defensive game.
Daisy: Tahir Whitehead
How Many AFC Teams Will Finish Week 8 with a 4-4 Record?
Colts(3-4)vs. KC, Titans(3-4) vs.JAC, Chargers(3-4)@ DEN
Kyle: Five
Most of these games could go either way, but I’m going to take a chance and say that five out of the six teams will either fall to 4-4 or jump to 4-4. The Bengals and Chargers need a win to give their playoff chances a real boost. I think they both get it done to improve to 4-4.
Ryan: Four
Four teams will finish 4-4 in the AFC and my guesses are the Bills, Bengals, Texans and Titans. The Patriots will exact revenge on the Bills for the shutout in week 4. The Bengals will win an ugly game in London against a Josh Norman-less Redskins. Jim Bob Cooter will have the Lions’ offense rolling on all cylinders against the Texans and the Titans will run all over the Jaguars in another boring Thursday night game.
Carlos: Three
I think the Bills and the Texans lose to take a step back and fall to 4-4. However, I think the Titans get a clutch victory on Thursday Night Football to improve to 4-4.
Daisy: Four
How Many Interceptions Will Be Thrown in the Jets/Browns Game?
0, 1, 2, 3, 4+
Kyle: 2
Fitz has only thrown one pick in his last three games. The Browns have thrown seven interceptions in their first seven games so they’ll be good for at least one interception. It doesn’t matter if it’s Josh McCown, Cody Kessler or Kevin Hogan at QB. You can throw Terrelle Pryor in the mix too. I’ll take a total of 2 interceptions in this one from any combo of Browns quarterbacks.
Ryan: 4+
The line on this game is only -3, which gives you a pretty good idea of how bad the Jets’ season has gotten. They are barely favored against a team that has the potential to end the season winless. The Browns will probably see this as one of their best chances to pick up a W and will come out hungry, while the Jets will take advantage of whoever the Browns put at QB. I would not recommend watching this game.
Carlos: 4+
This game will not be pretty, but the Jets will come out on top. Both teams are in the top 10 on the interception list and the Jets are number 1 so expect a lot of balls to be thrown to the wrong uniform.
Daisy: 4+
Will AJ Green or Jordan Reed Have More Catches in the Redskins/Bengals Game?
Kyle: AJ Green
Reed is questionable to play, but if he gets on the field this could get interesting. I’ll stick with Green though because, I mean, did you see that Hail Mary catch against the Browns last week? Sheesh!
Ryan: AJ Green
Reed won’t play. Therefore, Green.
Carlos: AJ Green
AJ Green is just a beast. I can’t pick against him. It will be close, but Green comes out on top.
Daisy: AJ Green
Tiebreaker: Which Team Will Score the Least Amount of Points This Week?
Kyle: Redskins
Ryan: Bears
Daisy: Bills
Carlos: Bears
Do you agree with our predictions? Let us know in the comments!
October’s spookiest day is around the corner, which means it’s time to get creative and put together a halloween disguise. Now, you may be thinking that going door-to-door around the neighborhood and yelling “trick-or-treat” might be a thing of the past for you. If that’s the case there’s no need to panic!
Whether you’re scrambling around for a last-minute costume or you’re just tired of the idea of trick-or-treating, there are many alternatives to celebrating Halloween that don’t include knocking on doors across the neighborhood and asking for candy.
With October 31st slowly creeping upon us, here are four alternatives to trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Decorate a Pumpkin
via flickr
‘Tis the season of pumpkin spice and everything nice. What better way to celebrate Halloween night than to make a visit to your local pumpkin patch. Find your perfect pumpkin and then purchase a carving kit and begin decorating. You can print free stencils online or put your artistic skills to the test and carve your pumpkin freehand. If you’re feeling competitive, a pumpking-carving contest can be a great contest to have amongst your friends.
Have a Scary Movie Marathon
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ditch the scary costumes and put on a few scary movies. Set the mood by getting some popcorn and turning off the lights. If you’re watching with friends, see how long you can go without getting spooked. Perhaps you can turn it into a drinking game and take a shot every time someone screams. But if you’re not into scary movies, try putting on some Halloween classics such as “Casper” or “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to get you in the Halloween spirit without all the jump scares.
Host a Halloween Party
via Timeout.com
Try bringing the festivities to your home. Put together an epic monster music playlist and have your family and friends arrive in their best costumes. Entertain your guests with a bunch of halloween-themed games and activities such as “pop goes the pumpkin” or “bobbing for apples.” Instead of going door-to-door for candy around your neighborhood, spread halloween cheer by purchasing a bunch of treats and having your guests indulge in all of the sweets. You can even host a contest to see who has the best costume.
Have a Spooky Bonfire
If you’re not feeling a halloween party, you can enjoy the crisp autumn air by cozying up with some friends in front of a bonfire. Make this low-key night a festive one by heating up some s’mores and pouring out some warm apple cider or hot chocolate. Grab a hoodie and a scarf, kick back and relax, and exchange spooky stories.
via Spirited Table
Avoid the doorbells and doorsteps this halloween. Whether you feel like you have outgrown trick-or-treating or are just looking for something different to do this year, spend your evening with these fun alternatives.
Milvian Prieto is a contributing writer for YourSitch.com
It’s almost unbelievable that another NBA season is already upon us. The NBA offseason was full of trades, exciting free agency acquisitions and Olympic basketball that filled our hearts until the 2016-2017 season was ready to begin.
With the regular season ready to get going, I tried to envision what I was most looking forward to seeing in 2016-2017. Could it be the first meeting between new enemies Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook? Maybe it was getting to see Dwyane Wade in the red and white Bulls uniform. Perhaps, it could be finally getting to see Joel Embiid take the court.
Everyone will get to see those three things happen this season, barring any injuries(please don’t get hurt again Embiid), so I’ve decided to take a look at 24 things that might not happen, but MUST happen for me to enjoy the NBA this season.
1.) Russell Westbrook 1-v-1 against Kevin Durant
Let’s get this out of the way early. When the Warriors and Thunder face off for the first time, all eyes are going to be on former teammates, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. They won’t be guarding each most of the time, but I’m hoping because of a switch or defensive breakdown we get to see the ball in Westbrook’s hands with Durant guarding him. You know Westbrook will be itching to drive past him and slam down his signature and emphatic two-hand dunk in front of the Oklahoma City crowd.
2.) Harrison Barnes Makes a Statement in Golden State
Lost in all Kevin Durant saga was the fact that the Warriors let Harrison Barnes walk in order to sign the former Thunder forward. Barnes went on to sign a max contract with the Dallas Mavericks and will get his first taste at being the main piece without those guys named Curry, Thompson and Green. Barnes has flown under the radar and people aren’t sure if he was just the product of a great team or if he could carry a team on his own. I’m not sure how his tenure in Dallas will pan out, but it would be great to see him make his first statement as a member of the Mavs with a breakout game in Golden State in the Mavs’ eighth game of the year.
3.) Joel Embiid Tweets During Halftime
Yes, it will be great to finally see Embiid step on a basketball court, but while he was out injured he provided some gold via Twitter. We can only hope his personality and love for the game(as well as his love for Twitter) lead to an improptu Twitter exchange at halftime of a Sixers’ game.
Embiid sent out this gem while watching a recent debate
4.) Timberwolves Make the Playoffs
The Timberwolves haven’t had a winning season since 2004 when Kevin Garnett was still on the team(his first stint, of course). The team really hasn’t been relevant since then, but finally with some smart drafting, timely trades and a new head coach, the Wolves might be in line for a winning season and hopefully a playoff push. Another full year of Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins along with Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio, Kris Dunn and Gorgui Deng make Minnesota look like a threat once again.
5.) Ray Allen Returns
Ray Allen hasn’t officially retired, but its been a couple years since he last played for the Heat in 2014. That being said, Allen has continuously stated that he’s still in shape and could just be waiting for the right opportunity. Well, Mr. Allen, now is the time to do it. The Warriors are looking like steady favorites to win the NBA Title, but a return to Cleveland could be just the piece the Cavs and Lebron need to compete with Golden State.
6.) Giannis Becomes a Star
Giannis Antetokounmpo. You know the name. You don’t know how to say it. Even if you do know how to say it, think about how awesome it will be to hear sports anchors over the country attempt to say his name when he becomes a bonafide star. The 21-year old will see action as the point guard for the Bucks and should see huge improvements in his stats leading to the Greek Freak’s rise to fame. We can all laugh as his name is butchered again and again.
7.) The Knicks Make Madison Square Garden Relevant Again
The New York Knicks have missed out on the playoffs the last three seasons. Yes, Madison Square Garden has been electrifying at times during that stretch like when Carmelo goes off or Porzingas piles up huge rejections, but the Garden hasn’t had that buzz around it that comes with a perennial playoff team. If the Knicks are able to get off to a hot start and show their fans that things are different this year then we might get to see MSG rocking like it should.
8.) Linsanity Takes Over the Garden
That being said, how fitting it would be for Jeremy Lin to bring the Garden to its feet once more, but this time as a member of the rival Nets. It can argued that the last time there was that signature buzz in the Garden was when Jeremy Lin ran the town. Even if he’s a member of the Nets now, the crowd in NYC will be split and a stellar performance will get all on their feet no matter which jersey he has on.
9.) Lavine/Gordon II
Do we need anyone else in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest? I think everyone can agree that a three round battle between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon would do justice. The two put on a show last February and even though LaVine was crowned the champion, the trophy could have went to either man. Let’s just hope they spent this summer coming up with some new tricks.
10.) Chris Bosh Plays Before March 1st
The Miami Heat and Chris Bosh have gotten themselves into a sticky situation. Bosh failed a physical in the offseason and it doesn’t look like he’ll suit up for the Heat again. Bosh could try and find work elsewhere, but if the Heat release him after March 1st, he won’t be able to play in the playoffs if he were to make it with his new team. Obviously, Bosh’s health is most important, but I’d love to see him get another chance with a new team before he hangs up his jersey.
11.) Warriors Win By 70 Points
Running up the score is never nice, but when you have two former league MVP’s, a former three-point champion and a triple-double machine it’s bound to happen. The Warriors will be in plenty of games that are over by halftime. I’m not saying they should run the score up EVERY game, but give them one crack at the NBA record set by the Cavs in 1991 when they beat the Heat by 68 points.
12.) Wade & Rondo Hit a 3 in the Same Game
It’s no secret that Wade and Rondo aren’t threats from the outside. Wade hit seven three pointers last season during the regular season. Rondo hit 62 which was way more than he hit in his previous high which came in 2013 when he made 26 three pointers. Last year he took 170 threes which helped his numbers rise. I can’t imagine Rondo and Wade will become the new Splash Bro’s, but seeing the pair hit back-to-back 3’s would be special.
13.) D’Angelo Russell Has Ice in His Veins…Again
Everyone seems to be boarding the D’Angelo Russell hype train heading into this season. That’s all fine and dandy, but I just want to see another clutch shot from the man so we can see the Ice in My Veins celebration one more time.
via giphy
14.) Ben Simmons Plays
Injuries ruin everything. Now, when the 76ers are terrible again they’ll have another excuse. Joel Embiid keeps telling us to trust the process and I want to, but I’m getting impatient. Even if the process wasn’t going to work this season, getting to see Ben Simmons do his thing would have been worth it for one more year. Simmons will be on the shelf for the beginning of the season, but hopefully the Aussie can return in time to give us hope that the process should be trusted.
15.) Damian Lillard is a First Ballot All Star
25.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. Sounds like some pretty solid numbers, huh? That was Damian Lillard’s stat line last season, yet they weren’t good enough to earn him a spot on the all star team until an injury made room for him. Two years ago, when putting up similar numbers, Lillard was overlooked once again and left off completely. You can say that he gets overlooked while playing in Portland, but it’s about time fans and his peers begin to take notice and get Lillard a spot that he deserves.
16.) Kevin Love Bounces Back
Kevin Love’s first two seasons in Cleveland have seen considerable drops in points and rebounds. A bounce-back season from the former all star, along with a Ray Allen resurgence, could be just what the Cavs need to have a fighting chance against the Warriors.
17.) The Schroder/Howard Connection Works
The Hawks have been one of the more consistent teams in the Eastern conference over the last few seasons, but the organization decided to change things up this season by losing Al Horford and Jeff Teague while signing Dwight Howard and moving Dennis Schroder into a starting role. There’s some that question whether these moves will work in the Hawks’ favor, but Howard is still ONLY 30-years old. It seems as though he’s been in the year forever, but maybe, just maybe, he’ll be able to find something special with the new Hawks point guard. Howard definitely has the character to bring some life to ATL and Schroder’s playmaking skills might be the perfect match for Superman.
18.) The Spurs Contend for the Top Seed
Remember the Spurs? How could you forget? They literally never go away even when they do go away. Yeah, Tim Duncan left, but they quietly replace him with LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. Oh yeah, there’s that Kawhi Leonard guy too. That ain’t a bad big 3 at all. If the NBA wants competition coming down the stretch then we need the Spurs to make a run at the top seed in the West. If not, the Warriors could run away with the West early and keep fans uninterested come playoff time.
19.) Celtics Move Up the Eastern Conference
The Celtics have been creeping up the ranks of the Eastern Conference under head coach Brad Stevens. They finished 7th and 5th the last two years and now are considered a dark horse to contend with the Cavs this year. The Raptors are in the top 3 in the conference seemingly every year, but crumble come playoff time. A young and exciting Celtics team should be able to pass the Raptors in the standings and compete for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
20.) James Harden Wins His First Scoring Title
Harden has seen his points per game increase almost every year since he’s been in the league, however, he has yet to win a scoring title. Well, that could all change this year under new head coach Mike D’antoni who is known for his high-powered offenses. Harden is also going to see time at point guard which should only add to his number of free throws and scoring opportunities. His former Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have already won scoring titles so it could be Harden’s chance to shine.
21.) The Kings Figure Out…something
The Kings have been stuck in NBA purgatory for a while now. They’ve had some good pieces over the years, but a messy front office and a messy locker room has been the downfall to any potential success for this franchise. They have a bonafide star in DeMarcus Cousins, but seem to be wasting his prime years. The Kings haven’t been to the playoffs since 2006 and have only won 30 or more games once in Cousins’s six seasons. Let’s hope they finally figure out something.
22.) We Have Another Great “BANG!” Moment
Any time Mike Breen is behind the announcer’s desk you might be blessed to hear his awesome “Bang!” call. We can only hope we get one like last year’s gem at Oracle Arena.
23.) Porzingis vs. Blake
Due to injuries last season, we never got to see Blake Griffin and Kristaps Porzingis go head-to-head. This match up better go down this season so we can see Blake test Porzinis in the paint. Griffin has a tendency to dunk all over defenders, but Porzingis has been prone to host a block party every now and then. If the two meet at the rim at Madison Square Garden or the Staples Center, the crowd will jump to their feet no matter the result.
24.) Lebron James Takes Down the Warriors
The most exciting storyline may be Westbrook vs. Durant, but the most important storyline will be whether or not Lebron James can do the unthinkable and take down the Warriors in the NBA Finals. James strengthened his legacy with an incredible comeback in last year’s Finals, but this season he faces the huge task of not only beating Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but also Kevin Durant. Lebron will be entering this season as the good guy and the fan favorite for the first time in a long time and fans will surely be rooting for him to take down one of the best teams ever on paper. We’re not sure if he can do it, but we will all be tuning in to see him try.
Did I miss anything? What are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know in the comments and be sure to be on the lookout for more great NBA content on YourSitch.com
Kyle Boris is a contributing editor for YourSitch.com
Daisy: Patriots
Ryan: Packers/Cowboys
Daisy: Russell Wilson
Carlos: Le’Veon Bell
Daisy: Buccaneers
Ryan: Chargers
Kyle: Larry Fitzgerald
We’ll start off with the defending NFC champs. At 3-5, the Carolina Panthers are currently 13th in the NFC and are only ahead of the Bears and the 49ers. Don’t give up Panthers fans. The Panthers are one game behind the Redskins(who currently hold the second wild card spot) in the win column. The only problem is that there are 7 teams between Carolina and Washington.
Daisy: Raiders
Kyle: AJ Green
Lost in all Kevin Durant saga was the fact that the Warriors let Harrison Barnes walk in order to sign the former Thunder forward. Barnes went on to sign a max contract with the Dallas Mavericks and will get his first taste at being the main piece without those guys named Curry, Thompson and Green. Barnes has flown under the radar and people aren’t sure if he was just the product of a great team or if he could carry a team on his own. I’m not sure how his tenure in Dallas will pan out, but it would be great to see him make his first statement as a member of the Mavs with a breakout game in Golden State in the Mavs’ eighth game of the year.
The Timberwolves haven’t had a winning season since 2004 when Kevin Garnett was still on the team(his first stint, of course). The team really hasn’t been relevant since then, but finally with some smart drafting, timely trades and a new head coach, the Wolves might be in line for a winning season and hopefully a playoff push. Another full year of Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins along with Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio, Kris Dunn and Gorgui Deng make Minnesota look like a threat once again.
Harden has seen his points per game increase almost every year since he’s been in the league, however, he has yet to win a scoring title. Well, that could all change this year under new head coach Mike D’antoni who is known for his high-powered offenses. Harden is also going to see time at point guard which should only add to his number of free throws and scoring opportunities. His former Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have already won scoring titles so it could be Harden’s chance to shine.
yoursitch.com 