Patriots Headed To 8th Superbowl In Franchise History...However All The Talk Is About Balls

We are about a week away from Superbowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, where the defending champion Seattle Seahawks will meet the New England Patriots. Last Sunday at Gillette Stadium the Patriots took apart the Indianapolis Colts 45-7. New England was able to run the ball at will versus Indianapolis. Instead of talking about how the Patriots took apart young Andrew Luck and his Indianapolis teammates all week the media along with everyone else has been talking about balls. Yeah, balls...footballs that is. The Colts now the Ravens who the Patriots beat 35-31 in the 2nd round of the playoffs want to talk about how the footballs Tom Brady likes to throw with are under in flatted when it comes to league rules. The faces of the Patriots franchise Tom Brady and Bill Belichick each have no clue according to them that the footballs were deflated. There was spy gate previously now you have deflate gate. The National Football League handed down a hefty fine to the Patriots when it was found they were taping opposing teams walk through / practices. Part of the fine were a loss of draft picks. The NFL says they are currently investigating the team. At some point maybe during the upcoming Superbowl week a determination will be made in which direction this thing will go in terms of possible discipline. The Patriots have enough on their plate, as they try to win their first Superbowl in ten years. Aaron Rodgers potential NFL MVP even chimed in and said he liked his footballs over deflated.

It Sucks ! Vino Done For The Season For 3rd Year In A Row

Kobe Bryant who's also known as Vino and Black Mamba suffered a shoulder injury earlier this week in New Orleans. The 2014-15 version of the Los Angeles Lakers were headed nowhere fast even before the KB24 injury. Doctors broke the news to Bryant that he would be done for the season with a torn rotator cuff. The Lakers are having another NBA Draft Lottery type of regular season in the tough NBA Western Conference. Kobe Bryant hurt himself late in the 2012-13 season and missed the playoffs with an Achilles tear, Los Angeles were swept in round one by San Antonio. Last season after coming back from that injury he hurt his knee and only played in 6 games, After 35 games this season it's over this year for Bryant. Kobe was averaging 22 points 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game and was named to his 17th NBA All Star team. Obviously he will not be playing in New York in February during All Star Weekend. He's already 36 years old he'll be 37 when the 2015-16 tips off. Bryant is making $23 million this season and scheduled to make $25 million next year, the final year of his contract.

Head Coaches Rex Ryan & John Fox Land Back On Their Feet Quickly

Last season the Denver Broncos lost Superbowl XLVIII to the Seattle Seahawks. Many experts believed the Broncos led by head coach John Fox and future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, would land back in the Superbowl. Denver won the AFC West once again, clinched a 1st round bye, however lost to the Colts in the Divisional Playoffs. Shortly after John Elway and John Fox had a meeting and allegedly decided to part ways. Elway landed guys like DeMarcus Ware, T.J Ward and Aqib Talib in free agency to go with their high octane offense. Basically coming into 2014 it was Superbowl or bust for Denver. Chicago went through a miserable season and fired 2nd year coach Marc Trestman. Not even a week after being unemployed John Fox signed on to become the new head football coach of the Bears. Fox is now back in the NFC where he led the Carolina Panthers to a Superbowl XXXVII appearance and success in the NFC South.
Meanwhile for the New York Jets and Rex Ryan the season was over before it started. It was dysfunction in the organization from top to bottom. Ryan had no chance to succeed especially on offense. Young quarterback Geno Smith struggled to protect the football and turned the football over at an alarming rate. Even veteran quarterback Michael Vick was unable to stop the bleeding. The Jets defense was solid but never really got any consistent help from the offense. Following a 4 win season the writing was on the wall for Rex Ryan exit. Ryan will remain in the AFC East as the Buffalo Bills hired him following Doug Marrone resignation.

Who's Going To Stop Seattle From Repeating ?

Up next for the 12th man another year of hosting the NFC Championship Game. The Green Bay Packers are coming to town after defeating the Dallas Cowboys. The legs of Russell Wilson made enough plays on offense for Seattle. However that physical defense led by the Legion Of Boom took the game over vs. Carolina. Richard Sherman recorded an interception and Cam Chancellor took another interception 90 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks defense just locks up opposing receivers mentally and physically. Seattle beat Green Bay in week 1 and Aaron Rodgers who'll probably be named NFL MVP didn't even throw to Richard Sherman side of the field ! Defense especially one's that are as good as this one can travel, however when Seattle plays at home these guys become even better. Green Bay, New England and Indianapolis are left, good luck on trying to be the team to stop Seattle from repeating as Superbowl champions.

Patriots Comeback & Survive Colts Up Next

Andrew Luck has beaten Peyton Manning twice during his 3 years in the NFL. One victory came in the Divisional Playoffs in Denver, Up next for the Colts is a trip to New England. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have not loss to Luck since he's been in the NFL. What will the duo have in store next Sunday during the AFC Championship Game their 4th in a row. Can Luck knock off back to back quarterback legends on the road to reach Superbowl XLIX ? Or will the Patriots make their 2 Superbowl appearance in 4 years ? New England has not won a Superbowl since beating the Eagles in Jacksonville in February 2005. Tom Brady and his team made history vs. Baltimore becoming the 1st team in playoff history to come from multiple 14 point deficits. The Ravens would be eliminated even after having a 14-0 lead then 28-14 lead. Either way on Sunday, history will be made in Foxborough.

NFL 'All Star' Playoff Officiating Crews Are A Joke

If it's not broke than why fix it ? Dance with the people who got you here ? There are a few cliche terms I'm using as an analogy. The NFL at times can be to smart for their own good. For 17 NFL weeks crews work together like a family gathering once a week. Yet when the NFL Playoffs come around crews are broken up, for the 'All Star' officiating formula. During the most critical, most crucial games they decide who moves on, who is eliminated, which players remain, which are let go, which coaches remain, which are let go, yet we have guys who are foreign to one another working together ! The Dallas Cowboys who entered the postseason with a 12-4 record now will be remembered for their 2 game run in this season playoffs, more for officiating less for their play. During the Wild Card round in Arlington, TX an official appeared to call a 4th quarter pass interference. It appeared the Cowboys defender didn't look for the ball vs. the Lions tight end. The flag was picked up. Replays showed even if P.I isn't called their should've been holding or illegal contact. Dez Bryant ran onto the field with no helmet and their wasn't an un sportsman like penalty called. Dallas wins the game in comeback fashion 24-20. During the Divisional Round in Green Bay, WI the Cowboys late in the 4th quarter trailing, threw a deep ball to Dez Bryant on 4th & 2 inside the Packers territory. Bryant appeared to make a great leaping sideline catch inside the 1 yard line. Hold up wait a minute Green Bay would challenge the catch and the call was reversed. Game over season over for Dallas, Packers win 26-21. Obviously the NFL will cover itself. Obviously the officials will cover themselves. 2 weeks 2 games and a pair of season ending misses especially in Lambeau. Please next year for the playoffs NFL go with crews that are familiar with one another.

Mark Helfrich With A Win Will Do Something Chip Kelly Never Did At Oregon

Chip Kelly once led the Oregon Ducks to the National Championship Game. The Ducks would lose a close game to the Auburn Tigers led by Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Kelly led the Ducks to several BCS bowl games as well. Chip Kelly bolted for the NFL following the 2012 season. His assistant Mark Helfrich took over the head coaching duties in Eugene, Oregon. The Oregon Ducks have not missed a beat, in fact Kelly recruit Marcus Mariota won the Heisman in December. Oregon knocked off defending champions Florida State in the Rose Bowl. Excuse me Oregon stepped on the gas and blew FSU out of Pasenda. Oregon now will take on Ohio State at Cowboys Stadium, to decide the 1st College Football Playoff title. Chip Kelly is rumored to be in Arlington, Texas at the game. Kelly is 20-12 in 2 NFL seasons including this past season where Philadelphia started of 9-3 however didn't make the playoffs after 1-3 December. Back in Philadelphia some wonder if Kelly wished he was still in Oregon, his recruits, his players, his system and his scheme. Mark Helfrich has a chance to bring Oregon it's 1st National Championship in football with a win against the Buckeyes. Will quarterback Marcus Mariota and Chip Kelly reunite in the National Football League ? Only time will tell.

Ohio State Eliminates Alabama Headed To National Championship Game

3rd string quarterback and all, the Ohio State Buckeyes are headed to Arlington, Texas. AT&T Stadium is the site, home of the Dallas Cowboys will play host to the 1st College Football Playoff title game. During the semifinal round on New Year Day Ohio State took on mighty Alabama down in New Orleans. SEC vs. Big Ten and the boys from Columbus came out on top. Now the next step is to take the the Oregon Ducks of the Pac 12. Ohio State was the last team in of the 4 team playoff. They have already beaten number 1 now here is their chance to beat number 2. Head Coach Urban Meyer already has a pair of National Championships with the Florida Gators now he'll try to win another at Ohio State. Win or lose coach Meyer and his team has done an excellent job this season simply battling through adversity to get to this point. However the fans and students of Columbus want to get the job done vs. the Ducks. The Ohio State University doesn't want to hear about any house money, all the chips are in !

Jeff Teague Helping Lead Hawks To Best Record In The East

As this article is being written the 2014-15 version of the Atlanta Hawks are sitting atop the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Not Cleveland or Chicago or Washington or Toronto can say that as we speak. 28-8 is the current record for the Hawks giving them a 3 game lead over the Washington Wizards in the Southeast Division and over the Wizards in the Eastern Conference standings. How are they doing it ? They are playing as a team. Averaging 102.5 points per game which is 8th in the NBA, while only giving up 97.4 points per game which ranks 5 in the league. The Hawks also share the basketball recording 25.2 assists per game which is 3rd in the association. Jeff Teague their 5th year point guard out of Wake Forest is the guy who make the Hawks go. Teague is averaging 17 and 7 per night. Also guys like Paul Milsap, Al Horford, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll all chip in with their double digit scoring averages. Also deserving some credit is Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer who if the standings remain the same could be coaching the East during the NBA All Star Game.

Joe Flacco Wins Another Playoff Road Game...Up Next Gillette Stadium

The 2014 Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff birth following help and with their come from behind home victory in Week 17. Baltimore traveled to Pittsburgh last Saturday to take on their rival the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe Flacco a Superbowl winner & MVP led him team to a 30-15 Wild Card win. Flacco now has 7 playoff road wins. He's also 5-0 in his last 5 playoff games. This Saturday the Ravens will travel to Gillette Stadium to take on New England. The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs are here. Flacco has won 2 of 3 playoff games that he has quarterbacked in New England. If not for a potential game winning touchdown dropped followed by a game tying field goal that was missed, Joe maybe 3-0 there. Baltimore prior to defeating San Francisco in the Superbowl, won at Gillette in the 2012-13 AFC Championship Game. Can Tom Brady help the Patriots break the Ravens streak or will Flacco and company win another road game in that building. Football fans sit back and enjoy as one team will be one step closer to a Superbowl appearance with a win.

Cam Newton Notches 1st Career Playoff Victory

It wasn't pretty this past Saturday in Charlotte. The weather was raw cold and rainy at Bank of America Stadium. Last season Carolina had a 1st round bye and lost to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Carolina started the season 3-8-1 and won 4 straight games to capture the NFC South at 7-8-1. Under .500 they would go on to host a playoff game vs. Arizona. The Cardinals finished 11-5 and were down to their 3rd string quarterback in Ryan Lindley. Lindley was no match for the Carolina defense. Especially with the multiple interceptions he threw including a dagger in the red zone. The running game along with physical toughness helped the defense clinch a 27-16 win. After Sunday playoff action Carolina will travel to Seattle for next Saturday Night match up. The 2 time NFC South champions will take on the defending Super Bowl champions. It should be a very very physical contest.

After Another Playoff Loss For Bengals What Does The Future Hold ?

Indianapolis took care of business in the Wild Card Playoff round vs. the Bengals. Next weekend the Colts will travel to Denver and take on the Broncos. Andrew Luck picked up his 2nd playoff win. His counterpart Andy Dalton is still win less in the postseason. Meanwhile Marvin Lewis is 0 for 6 as a head coach for the Bengals in the playoffs. Another year another loss for Cincinnati. Cincinnati has not won a playoff game since the end of the 1990 season. Off season questions will surround Lewis and Dalton. Yes the Bengals were missing all pro receiver A.J Green, however the critics could care less. The offense under Dalton struggled to move vs. Indianapolis. Earlier in the season the Colts shutout the Bengals 27-0. Sunday they shut them out in the 2nd half to win 26-10. Where do the Cincinnati Bengals go from here ?

Cowboys Advance Lions Left Wondering

Next Sunday the Dallas Cowboys will travel to Lambeau Field, where they'll take on the Green Bay Packers. The upcoming NFC Divisional Playoff match up will be the 1st Cowboys visit to Green Bay since the legendary Ice Bowl game in the late 1960's. In order to get there the Cowboys overcame a 14-0 deficit and 17-7 deficit to beat the Detroit Lions 24-20. The issue isn't that Dallas won but rather how they won. Down 20-17 Dallas with Detroit driving for potential points seemed to be aided by a flag that was picked up on 3rd down. The Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew seemed to be interfered with by the Cowboys linebacker in coverage. Their was a holding on the play so under the new rules it should have been illegal contact or pass interference, both are 1st downs. The officials pick up the play with a lack of an explanation. On the play Dez Bryant left the sideline which would have been a penalty as well, that wasn't called. Lions opt to punt on 4th &1. After a 10 yard shack punt Dallas drive was kept alive a few times by penalties vs. Detroit defense eventually leading to the game winning touchdown pass Romo to Witten with 2:32 remaining. Stafford fumbled the ball away under a minute after being given 2nd life earlier in the possession. Stafford fumbled but Dallas fumbled the ball right back. Nevertheless Detroit is going home and hasn't won a playoff game since 1991 when they beat the Cowboys. Dallas is moving on.