https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball daily 0.75 2024-03-07 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/creighton-this-years-national-title-dark-horse monthly 0.5 2024-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/d34afbc6-b786-4a30-9551-79e4421087bb/Creighton+Basketball.jpeg Basketball - Creighton - This Year’s National Title Dark Horse - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/84ceab48-8f6a-49bc-bafc-fcaa897c42b1/Screen+Shot+2024-03-06+at+12.22.42+PM.png Basketball - Creighton - This Year’s National Title Dark Horse - Make it stand out Ryan Nembhard is called for the foul against San Diego State’s Darrion Trammell in the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/46b61b9b-c168-40b1-a0f2-a68c71bddc24/Ryan+Kalkbrenner+Donovan+Clingan.jpeg Basketball - Creighton - This Year’s National Title Dark Horse - Make it stand out Ryan Kalkbrenner scores while being guarded by UConn’s Donovan Clingan https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/college-basketball-best-bets-3624-slate monthly 0.5 2024-03-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/2d751a75-fae0-4bec-8e16-59602983acac/Big+East+Basketball.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/6/24 Slate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/7474e150-64e0-44d3-8349-edc8ea92cdf1/Villanova+at+Seton+Hall+3%3A6.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/6/24 Slate - Villanova’s road win over Providence on Saturday might have been the biggest of the Kyle Neptune era. After a five-game losing streak in January, it looked like it was time to stick a fork in the Wildcats. However, Neptune’s team has gone 6-2 since the start of February and ranks 8th in the country in Bart Torvik’s T-Rank over that span. In particular, the Wildcats have been playing some of the most suffocating defense in the country - they rank 2nd in efficiency on that end since the beginning of February and UConn is the only team to crack over 62 points against them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/e0f5ab7b-3cff-497c-943d-03a55d48ff92/Justin+Moore+Villanova.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/6/24 Slate - The Wildcats’ offense, meanwhile, arguably looked the best it has all season in their win over Providence. Villanova averaged 1.145 points per possession (PPP), which would make them the 2nd-most efficient offense in the country over the full season behind only Alabama. After missing over a month with an injury earlier this season, senior Justin Moore appears to be back to full health as he’s averaged 11.8 points on 48.8% shooting over his last five games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/a9b5493b-da0c-4207-b22a-c016d6e6a44b/UConn+at+Marquette+3%3A6.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/6/24 Slate - Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room - UConn absolutely pasted Marquette earlier this season, winning 81-53 on their home floor. The Golden Eagles shot just 21.7% from 3 and got outrebounded 45-27. The Huskies had four different players score in double figures. It was a complete drubbing, but I expect this rematch to look quite different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/d3ee9613-4517-4e75-a8bd-2889caac5713/Oso+Ighodaro+2.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/6/24 Slate - The expected return of Oso Ighodaro will also be significant after he missed the loss to Creighton with the flu. He’s Marquette’s third-highest usage player and has the highest offensive rating on the team. Ighodaro was one of the team’s only productive players in that prior matchup, finishing with 14 points on 7-12 shooting. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/3524-kansas-state-at-kansas-game-preview monthly 0.5 2024-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/14eaa9cc-f4d4-4390-aa26-663dbf905a9f/Hunter+Dickinson.jpeg Basketball - 3/5/24 Kansas State at Kansas Game Preview - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/5dcfbf7b-a50a-40e2-a755-57d8aa6472f9/Allen+Fieldhouse.jpeg Basketball - 3/5/24 Kansas State at Kansas Game Preview - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/cecf0a4b-6133-41be-9c32-35052b00536e/Kevin+McCullar.jpeg Basketball - 3/5/24 Kansas State at Kansas Game Preview - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/college-basketball-best-bets-32-slate-ej4td-abkhx monthly 0.5 2024-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/bdc10835-1646-48c7-95b7-d7d4b018c5bb/Iowa+at+Northwestern.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/2 Slate - Iowa at Northwestern Iowa is quietly playing some great basketball as of late, winning four of their last six games including a stunning road upset over Michigan State. Its offense has been tremendous lately as they rank 9th in adjusted offensive efficiency since the beginning of February. Meeting them in this game is a Northwestern defense that ranks 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency since the beginning of February. However, this Iowa offense will be the best Northwestern has faced in over a month. Their five wins in February all came against offenses ranked outside the top 80 in adjusted efficiency, while Iowa ranks 12th on the season. Northwestern still has defensive holes that can be exploited as they’re 244th in eFG% allowed on the season. Northwestern ranks 335th in adjusted tempo, grinding games to a halt and forcing its opponents to operate in the half-court. That’s not a problem for Iowa, who ranks 90th in half-court offensive efficiency, while Northwestern ranks in the 34th percentile on defense. Iowa also ranks in the 90th percentile in scoring at the rim while Northwestern struggles to defend in the paint. The Wildcats could also have some personnel issues in this game. Already ranked 334th in bench minutes this season, Northwestern lost starting guard Ty Berry for the season and could be without Ryan Langborg once again here after he missed their last game. As a result of those injuries, Northwestern was forced to play former walk-on Blake Smith for 27 minutes in their win over Maryland. Unlike many teams in this conference, Iowa handles itself well on the road where it ranks 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency this season. Boo Buie will put some points on the board here at home, but Iowa is the deeper, healthier team, and its offense is currently the best-producing unit in this game. I wouldn’t be shocked by an outright win on the road as the Hawkeyes make a late push at a tournament berth. Best Bet: Iowa +3.5 (play to +3) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/6ec120fc-aee6-4833-8c7f-300eba8bed65/Auburn+Jungle.jpg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/2 Slate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/44d55bd2-6e76-46b5-a75d-8fc982254c40/Johni+Broome.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/2 Slate - Mississippi State at Auburn Auburn is coming off a midweek loss on the road at Tennessee. The game was close throughout, but Tennessee pulled away in the second half thanks to a 39-point explosion from Dalton Knecht. While the Tigers’ hopes of winning the SEC are all but dashed, they have plenty left to play for, and they’ll be seeking revenge on Saturday as they host Mississippi State. Auburn has been a different team at home this season, going 13-1 straight up and 9-5 ATS in the Jungle. However, its last game at home was that loss to Kentucky, and it will be hungry to bounce back with a win for their fans. Before that loss, Auburn had gone 6-0 at home in conference play with wins by an average of 22.3 points per game. That includes double-digit wins over ranked teams in Alabama and South Carolina. Auburn is an especially dangerous home team due to its ability to turn defense into offense. It thrives on its home crowd, scoring buckets in transition and taking the will away from opponents. Auburn ranks 20th in transition frequency this season, and Mississippi State will be happy to oblige, ranking 276th in turnover rate. It’s difficult to see where Mississippi State finds consistent offense in this game. The Bulldogs are in the 55th percentile in half-court efficiency per Synergy and Auburn is in the 94th percentile on defense. The Tigers rank top ten in both adjusted defensive efficiency and effective FG% allowed at home. Auburn also ranks in the 96th percentile defending the rim per Synergy, where Mississippi State gets most of its offense. Mississippi State has struggled on the road this season, going just 2-6 ATS. It did win its last two road games, but they came against inferior competition in Missouri and LSU, and both teams were missing their starting point guard. Here, they face a grueling test against Auburn, and this game should look much more like the Bulldogs’ five prior conference road games, which were losses by an average of 12.8 points. Best Bet: Auburn -9.5 (play to -10) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/bd4dd380-f93a-40f1-837b-4c0eba1c18a4/Tennessee+at+Alabama.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 3/2 Slate - Tennessee At Alabama Alabama hosts Tennessee on Saturday in a massive opportunity for the Crimson Tide to exact revenge and claim sole possession of the top spot in the SEC. The Volunteers got the win in the first battle between these elite teams earlier this season with a final score of 91-71. While that win was remarkably impressive for the Vols, there are some factors we should expect to change in this rematch. The Crimson Tide offense was off-kilter all game, as they shot 4/21 (19%) from 3 and had just 9 assists to 22 turnovers. Alabama boasts the second-most efficient offense in the country, so Tennessee’s defense deserves plenty of praise. However, I’d be shocked if we see that performance repeated. The Tide shoot a blistering 41.1% from 3 at home compared to 34.7% on the road this season, so we should see a far better shooting performance. The Tennessee defense also hasn’t been the same on the road this season. At home, they rank fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency and third in eFG% allowed, but outside of Knoxville, they’re 111th in adjusted efficiency and 78th in eFG% allowed. They also allow opponents to shoot 26.7% from 3 (7th) at home compared to 37.2% from 3 (291st) on the road. I don’t have many nice things to say about the Alabama defense, and superstar Dalton Knecht should have another tremendous outing in this game. However, the Tide can do themselves some favors on defense by simply forcing the Vols to operate in the half-court. Tennessee scored 23 points off turnovers in that first game, but Alabama ranks in the 88th percentile defending in transition per Synergy, so it should tighten that aspect of the game up. Alabama has been dominant at home this season, going 13-1 straight up and 11-3 ATS in Tuscaloosa. It’s also 7-0 at home in conference play, winning by an average of almost 19 points per game. I’m betting on the Tide maintaining that stellar home record on the back of an elite offensive performance. Best Bet: Alabama -2.5 (play to -3) https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/college-basketball-best-bets-221-slate-ej4td monthly 0.5 2024-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/2480e16b-d282-4f89-a2a9-437c7cbe04f0/Nebraska+at+Indiana.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/21 Slate - Nebraska at Indiana Nebraska’s road woes have been well-documented at this point. The Corn Huskers are 1-7 straight up and 2-6 on the road this season and are 351st in Haslametrics’ away-from-home ratings this season. However, I believe those road struggles have become overpriced in the market with Nebraska available at a pick ‘em on Wednesday against a woeful Indiana team. Nebraska’s road struggles deserve a closer look under the microscope. Winning on the road in Big Ten play is difficult in general - only Purdue has a winning record away from home. Nebraska also suffered narrow losses to Rutgers and Illinois in overtime, so it’s not like every road game has been a blowout. Here, they get their easiest road test of the season against an Indiana team that’s just 3-3 at home in conference play. Indiana has one of the biggest frontcourts in the country, ranking fourth in KenPom’s height metric. Mike Woodson built a team that was intended to bully opponents inside, making up for any shortcomings on the perimeter. However, they rank outside the top 200 in both offensive and defensive rebounding, and any defensive advantage is mitigated by a foul-happy defense that ranks 200th in free throw rate. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers are awful defending on the perimeter, ranking outside the top 300 against catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble 3s per ShotQuality. Nebraska loves to attack from deep, ranking 36th in 3-point attempt rate. The Huskers are led by sharpshooter Keisei Tominaga who burned Indiana with 28 points in their prior matchup. Indiana gets most of its offense from two-point range as it ranks 347th in 3-point attempt rate, a direct result of its interior-focused roster. However, Nebraska has a dominant interior defense that ranks in the 81st percentile in defending the rim per Synergy. The Huskers also allow opponents to convert on just 45.1% of two-point attempts, which ranks 17th in the country. Nebraska is firmly on the bubble as of now while Indiana’s only chance of making it to March is winning the Big Ten tournament. Motivation is clearly on their side against an Indiana team without much left to play for aside from pride. Haslametrics and ShotQuality both make this spread closer to Nebraska -3, and I believe we’re getting strong value on the Huskers as a result of their perceived deficiencies on the road this season. Best Bet: Nebraska PK (play to -2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/e9a03f44-54b0-469e-9a9f-b71d4137a814/JT+Toppin+Freshman+of+the+Week.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/21 Slate - Colorado State at New Mexico The Mountain West very well could be a six-bid conference this season, and the six teams at the top have differentiated themselves from the rest of the pack. That group of six has enjoyed a dominant home-court advantage this season, racking up a staggering 75-8 (90%) home record this season. New Mexico is one of those teams, and they’re looking to defend an 11-2 straight-up and 9-3 ATS home record on Wednesday night. The Lobos enjoy one of the best home-court environments in the country at The Pit, which is ranked 7th in KenPom’s home-court advantage ratings. That’s a daunting trip for a Colorado State team that has gone 1-5 on the road in conference play. New Mexico has gone 4-2 at home in conference play, losing their two most recent games at The Pit, but those four wins came by an average of 20.5 points per game. They beat San Diego State, Utah State, and Nevada, three of the four top teams in the conference, all by double digits. Colorado State beat New Mexico 76-68 at home earlier this season, limiting a potent New Mexico transition attack to just 6 fast break points despite forcing 15 turnovers. It’s tough to see that performance being replicated on the road as the Lobos are in the 94th percentile in transition efficiency while the Rams are in the 25th percentile on defense per Synergy. The Lobos play at the sixth-fastest adjusted tempo in the country, and on their home court, they should be able to force the 260th-ranked Rams to play at a pace they aren’t comfortable with. Freshman JT Toppin could be the big difference-maker for New Mexico in this game. He’s coming off an impressive performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds on the road against San Diego State, and he finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Rams earlier this season. Colorado State ranks in just the 38th percentile defending the pick-and-roll roll man per Synergy, where Toppin often operates. Best Bet: New Mexico -5.5 (play to -7) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/259073f8-6c09-4727-81f5-bfb6ae6eb1ee/The+Pit+UNM.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/21 Slate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/2fb49c99-00c3-45b4-9605-459dde863aec/Providence+at+Xavier.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/21 Slate - Providence at Xavier Over in the Big East, Xavier hosts Providence after beating the Friars on their home court by 20 earlier this season. The Musketeers are 5-point favorites in this game, but the analytics suggest that the spread is overinflated. In that win earlier this season, Xavier shot lights out 12-24 (50%) from 3-point range, but that’s hardly indicative of their level of production this season - for the year, they shoot just 34.4% (143rd) from deep. In particular, Xavier got an incredible performance from freshman Trey Green in that game. He scored 23 points off the bench on 9-14 shooting, including 5-8 from three-point range. However, it wasn’t a harbinger of things to come as he has only scored in double figures in one other conference game all season. He’s averaging just 6 points per game this season. In that win, Xavier also benefited from 24 fast break points, registering 1.82 points per possession (PPP) per Synergy. That would be by far the most efficient clip in the country this season. However, Providence allows just 0.92 PPP in transition this year, which is in the 89th percentile, and I expect them to do a much better job of defending in those situations in this game. If Providence can force Xavier to operate in the half-court more often, that will play right into their hands. The Musketeers rank in the 24th percentile in PPP in half-court sets and rank 340th in shot selection per ShotQuality. Providence, meanwhile, ranks in the 89th percentile defending in the half-court and 18th overall in adjusted defensive efficiency. First-year head coach Kim English has brought a renewed emphasis on analytics to Providence, emphasizing the most efficient shooting opportunities as the Friars rank 12th in shot selection and 33rd in rim & 3 rate per ShotQuality. That gives them a leg up in this game, and we should see productive outings from Devin Carter and Joshua Oduro, a scoring duo as potent as any in the Big East. Providence has performed well on the road all season, going 6-2 ATS, and Cintas Arena isn’t a particularly daunting home court - Xavier ranks just 115th in KenPom’s home-court advantage ratings. Between the hyper-efficient transition offense and a 99th-percentile game from Green as part of a rare shooting outburst for the Musketeers, Xavier’s performance from the last matchup is unsustainable. I expect English to press the right buttons in a crucial conference game between two teams squarely on the bubble. Best Bet: Providence +5 (play to +4) https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/college-basketball-best-bets-220-slate monthly 0.5 2024-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/190cdce1-0d35-42c8-b555-573efed64bd0/Baylor+Scheierman.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/20 Slate - UConn At Creighton Fading UConn right now seems terrifying. They just became the first unanimous #1 ranked team in the AP Top 25 following their dominant win over Marquette. Donovan Clingan’s elite rim protection helped the Huskies completely lock up the interior against a Marquette team dependent on interior scoring. However, this is a different type of matchup on the road at Creighton. If there’s one area you want to attack the elite UConn defense, it’s on the perimeter. The Huskies are in the 93rd percentile defending at the rim per Synergy while ranking in the 31st percentile against spot-up shooters. Creighton is 9th in the country in 3-point attempt rate and in the 94th percentile in spot-up efficiency per Synergy, putting their shooters in position for success. The Blue Jays are in the 99th percentile in the frequency of jump shots taken, rarely attacking the rim. In the matchup between these teams earlier this season, Creighton shot an uncharacteristically poor 6-26 (23.1%) from 3-point range. Of course, UConn’s defense deserves credit for that effort, but it’s also fair to expect a slightly better shooting performance as Creighton shoots 37.3% from deep at home. If the Huskies overplay the perimeter to stop those shooters, the Blue Jays can work the ball inside to Kalkbrenner, who averages 17.2 ppg. Very few defenses have a true answer for Clingan in the paint, but Creighton might be one. Ryan Kalkbrenner headlines a defense ranked in the 93rd percentile in defending at the rim. Kalkbrenner stands at a towering 7’1” with a 7’5” wingspan, and he helps Creighton limit second chance opportunities, where they rank 19th per Haslametrics. Haslametrics makes this game a pick’em while KenPom and BartTorvik make it closer to UConn -2. UConn was favored by 6.5 at home against Creighton earlier this season, and assuming about an 8-point flip for home court, this line is a touch overinflated. At the full 3 points here, we’re getting a good value on Creighton at home in a schematic matchup where they have surprising advantages. I like the Blue Jays to stay within one possession in this game and perhaps pull off the outright upset. Best Bet: Creighton +3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/96675cd6-e100-4a14-aa67-f36f54af1ec3/Syracuse+at+NC+State.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/20 Slate - Syracuse at NC State Fresh off a momentous win over Clemson on Saturday, NC State welcomes Syracuse to PNC Arena. The Wolfpack the is looking for revenge on Tuesday night after losing by 12 at Syracuse earlier this season. In that game, the Wolfpack shot just 20% from the field in the first half, leading to a 16-point halftime deficit that they never recovered from. However, I expect things to be much different this time around. Syracuse has dealt with significant injuries in its frontcourt, leading to 6’8” forward Maliq Brown being the de facto starting center. As a result of that lack of size, the Orange rank 297th in defensive rebounding and 278th in 2-point FG% allowed. They’re also in the 12th percentile of efficiency defending the rim per Synergy. NC State big man DJ Burns is in position to dominate here as a skilled interior scorer. At 6’9”, 275 lbs, Burns is an imposing presence who should have a much better game after a poor 5-14 shooting performance the first time around against Cuse. If the Orange look to double Burns inside, he can kick out to open shooters including the scorching hot DJ Horne. Horne was held to just 15 points against Syracuse earlier this season, but he’s averaging 26.6 points per game in his five outings since. He should torch a vulnerable perimeter defense. Syracuse relies on turnovers to have success on defense, but the Wolfpack have the fourth-lowest turnover rate in the country and this veteran group won’t succumb to the pressure, especially at home. The Syracuse offense primarily hinges on shooting - they’re 94th in spot up frequency but just 56th in efficiency per Synergy. Against an NC State defense that ranks in the 86th percentile defending spot-ups, that’s not a recipe for success. NC State is in the 80th percentile for the rate of guarded jump shots per Synergy, so expect restricted air space for Judah Mintz and JJ Starling. Syracuse has been awful on the road this season, going 2-6 straight up and ATS on the road this season with their six road losses coming by an average of 19.5 points per game. NC State has an uphill battle to reach tournament consideration, but this is a veteran group that is looking to finish the season with pride. Expect a blowout win for the Wolfpack on Tuesday night. Best Bet: NC State -5.5 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/3491d132-d0e3-48d4-9e01-f910124dd2ed/Creighton+Stripe+Out.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/20 Slate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/c18bb2ad-2747-4a99-a629-3ff83f1e5d8a/Baylor+at+BYU.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/20 Slate - Baylor at BYU It’s been a rough go for BYU lately, and they’re coming off their worst performance of the season on Saturday as they lost on the road to a mediocre Oklahoma State team that ranks outside the top 100 in KenPom’s rankings. However, I love this as a bounce-back spot for the Cougars at home against Baylor. Baylor has been soaring lately with wins in five of their last six games, but I still have serious questions about their defense. The Bears rank 320th in eFG% allowed on the road per BartTorvik and are in the 15th percentile defending in transition per Synergy. BYU’s transition offense is lethal, ranking in the 85th percentile. BYU is also a lights-out shooting team, ranking 2nd in attempt rate with five different players who have made 30+ threes this season. Baylor is allowing opponents to shoot the third-highest 3-point clip in conference play and is ranked outside the top 220 teams in defending catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble 3s per ShotQuality. Meanwhile, BYU should be able to limit Baylor’s opportunities from deep. The Bears are in the 97th percentile in spot-up efficiency per Synergy but BYU is in the 94th percentile defending jump shots. Most of Baylor’s offense comes from pick-and-roll sets with their potent ball-handlers, but BYU ranks in the 86th percentile in defending pick-and-roll. Provo, Utah has been a fortress for the Cougars as they’ve gone 13-2 straight up and 10-5 ATS at home. That includes impressive home wins over San Diego State, Texas, and Iowa State, all by 9+ points. Meanwhile, Baylor has had troubles on the road, ranking 348th in Haslametrics’ away-from-home rating. BYU lost to Baylor earlier this season, but the game was back and forth the whole way before Baylor pulled away late. This time around, I’m betting on BYU exacting revenge. Most metrics sites have this game priced at around 3 points, but BartTorvik lines this game at BYU -4.5, and I’m more in line with that number. Bet on BYU bouncing back in front of a raucous crowd. Best Bet: BYU -3 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/college-basketball-best-bets-213-slate monthly 0.5 2024-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/6eac90fa-d0e5-4d3f-a251-9d0495cc0afb/Iowa+State+at+Cincinnati+2%3A13.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/13 Slate - Iowa State at Cincinnati We should see a defensive slugfest in this Big 12 matchup as Iowa State and Cincinnati have two of the best defenses in the conference. They’re both top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency this season according to KenPom. However, Iowa State’s stifling defense hasn’t been nearly the same on the road. The Cyclones are 362nd in Haslametrics’ away-from-home metric as their defense drops from 33rd in eFG% at home to 279th on the road. Concerningly, they’re also 350th in defensive rebound rate on the road while Cincinnati is 25th in offensive rebound rate at home - expect some second-chance opportunities for the Bearcats. Cincinnati handled themselves very well against Houston on Saturday, finishing the first half on an impressive 19-4 run to take a lead at halftime. However, they lost another close heartbreaker, which has been a common theme in conference play - they’re 2-6 in conference games decided by 5 or fewer points. The Bearcats are 341st in KenPom’s luck ratings, and I’m betting on that luck turning around on Tuesday night. Best Bet: Cincinnati ML https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/fde11f46-c714-40b0-9ea5-54798c634b49/Ohio+State+at+Wisconsin+2%3A13.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/13 Slate - Ohio State at Wisconsin Two weeks ago, Wisconsin was a No. 2 seed in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology. Then, they lost four straight games, and it feels like the sky is falling in Madison. However, we should expect positive regression for the Badgers off this recent stretch. Across those four losses, they shot just 25% from 3, and they’re a 34% shooting team this year. Ohio State’s defense provides a perfect opportunity for the Wisconsin offense to right the ship as the Buckeyes are in the 27th percentile in PPP allowed in the half-court per Synergy. In particular, they are awful at defending the 3, ranking in the 7th percentile for PPP allowed to spot-up attempts. When Ohio State has been on the road, they rank third-worst in the country allowing opponents to hit 47% of their 3-point attempts. Overall, Ohio State is 0-6 in true road games, including a 25-point loss to Northwestern and a 14-point loss to Nebraska. They’re 342nd in eFG% allowed on the road, and Wisconsin should have a ton of success on offense in a kitchen sink spot where Greg Gard will throw everything in his playbook at the Buckeyes. Coming off a double overtime win over Maryland, it would be natural for Ohio State to take their foot off the gas as they’re back on the road, and they’re still a team that has stunk for most of the season. Chris Holtmann’s job is in serious jeopardy, and this looks like an awesome buy-low, sell-high (ish?) spot for these teams. Best Bet: Wisconsin -9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/d627a4d1-7b98-4518-a65e-efa1cdebb698/Nevada+ESPN+Team+of+the+Week.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/13 Slate - New Mexico at Nevada When these teams played earlier this season, New Mexico stomped Nevada 89-55 in a game where everything went right. However, Nevada is 3-0 since that game including two impressive wins over ranked opponents in Utah State and San Diego State. Now, they host New Mexico in Reno for a late-night Mountain West special. Nevada has an excellent defense, ranking 33rd in adjusted efficiency, and Kenan Blackshear is a menace on that end of the floor. The Wolf Pack is in the 86th percentile for guarded jump shots per Synergy and is top 25 in field goal percentage allowed on 3-pointers and near-proximity shots, forcing opponents into contested jumpers. New Mexico doesn’t have a Quad 1 or 2 win on the road this season - their four road wins in conference play were against New Mexico State, Air Force, San Jose State, and Wyoming, three of whom are outside the top 220 teams in NET. Meanwhile, Nevada is 12-1 at home this season, including three wins over top 50 teams by NET. While Kenan Blackshear and Jarod Davis are the typical heroes for Nevada, Nick Davidson has become a real impact player for the Wolf Pack, averaging 20.3 points per game during this current three-game win streak. With Davidson adding a new wrinkle to the offense and Nevada already boasting an outstanding defense, I love this revenge spot for them to tack on another home win. Best Bet: Nevada -2.5 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/a0793070-8b00-47d7-b38c-307b53fc73f3/San+Diego+State+Basketball.jpeg Basketball - College Basketball Best Bets - 2/13 Slate - Colorado State at San Diego State Coming off a tough overtime loss to Nevada, San Diego State returns home for a crucial Mountain West contest against Colorado State. The Aztecs are tied for second in the Mountain West with a 7-4 conference record, and these next two home games are crucial leading up to a matchup against conference-leading Utah State. Colorado State is one of the teams tied at 7-4 in conference play after four straight wins. However, three of those four wins came at home, including their 79-71 win over San Diego State. The Rams benefitted from a stark free throw advantage in that game, getting 22 foul shot attempts compared to just 7 for the Aztecs. The Rams rank just 342nd in free throw rate on the road this season, so I’d expect that to be corrected. San Diego State’s defense has been outstanding this season, as expected under Brian Dutcher. In conference play, they lead all Mountain West teams in both adjusted defensive efficiency and eFG% allowed. Dutcher’s stifling defense led the Aztecs on a run to the NCAA Championship last season, and it’s back in business this year. The defense has been particularly stout at Viejas Arena, where they’re 9th in adjusted efficiency. That stout defense has led them to an 11-0 home record this season. Their five conference wins have come by a staggering 16 points per game, as well. Meanwhile, Colorado State is 1-4 on the road in conference play. Bet on San Diego State’s defense standing tall at home in this conference matchup as they bounce back off a loss and get revenge on a Colorado State team that has become overvalued in the market. Best Bet: San Diego State -5.5 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/ja-morant-has-arrived monthly 0.5 2021-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1621658765600-CM6MW8TCCM7BRHP8YWID/ja+morant.jpeg Basketball - Ja Morant Has Arrived - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1621659476103-SH5U4D0PG2WNULEG431O/ja+morant+3.jpeg Basketball - Ja Morant Has Arrived - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/remembering-kobe-bean-bryant-824 monthly 0.5 2021-05-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679391253-MOX8YB64BOKWM1R8K8UH/ww_kobe.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679775386-8EW067FVAJVOQF6V2VYV/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611680001416-D992L50060WKISUK246K/ww_kobe.9.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679696552-OORBFBHU68JGCT65Y01L/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679730267-HJCX827USBV15LM0ICLU/ww_kobe.3.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679937304-TR10Z91TKBUTZ8HLI5X1/ww_kobe.8.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679838553-KZDIE8B1FWGZINUVLR2U/ww_kobe.6.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611680043416-1EZ33JSZTE626LWB5H7J/ww_kobe10.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679902565-YCCQ5EGDG2LHDP8YEXVH/ww_kobe.7.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679808496-8H2ZFM0V1C09XFZWAJEI/ww_kobe.5.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1611679650279-GPAI9GJ7OXX16PNYBSR2/ww_kobe.1.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/beware-of-brooklyn-are-the-nets-the-favorites-in-the-east monthly 0.5 2020-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609108006940-T0PP19XEZ5JFIDG2BCUP/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Beware of Brooklyn: Are the Nets the Favorites in the East? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609108089340-H9XQATKVRAVHAKVX6ZT1/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Beware of Brooklyn: Are the Nets the Favorites in the East? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609108049798-PCHLE9NCFG48OB70GSXU/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Beware of Brooklyn: Are the Nets the Favorites in the East? https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/ze02fo5dhm74ouacwbrqhg8614uhat monthly 0.5 2020-11-23 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/k8suan6gtl9h0io1vhst8h7napx14a monthly 0.5 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605589844593-2VYXASZP515JH58ERZ9B/dennis+schroder.png Basketball - NBA Trade Grade Log https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605588650038-X4G3X3GT5BM7PYOSSNI9/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Trade Grade Log https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605591918930-QZHAK4NIX05TLIAYPYYK/jrue+holiday.jpg Basketball - NBA Trade Grade Log https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605594905419-C5CFU59VGTL1XV5PRAG2/bogdan+bogdanvoic.jpeg Basketball - NBA Trade Grade Log https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605589106465-CXHP3KW5QMQBV7JC6F8Z/robert+covington.jpg Basketball - NBA Trade Grade Log https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/1asm3a21rrr8kadfsgzp88tze6xc84 monthly 0.5 2020-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605553450802-8V54GPE6SMM61LCGCDIO/devin+booker+2.jpg Basketball - Phoenix Rising: Chris Paul to the Suns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605553531156-TZGRTNWOVFLVR370KRZP/suns.jpg Basketball - Phoenix Rising: Chris Paul to the Suns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605553408454-H8Y4BSPOYISU79DI2KDK/chris+paul+2.jpg Basketball - Phoenix Rising: Chris Paul to the Suns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605553279328-IFXPS5IU3TLTQ68PLHFM/chris+paul.jpg Basketball - Phoenix Rising: Chris Paul to the Suns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1605553560164-Y0SGU4V8MGCYJSZJZMAY/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Phoenix Rising: Chris Paul to the Suns https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-mock-draft-10 monthly 0.5 2020-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808510474-3SACA3WZW975MGCU71FS/devon+dotson.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #24 - Milwaukee Bucks: Devon Dotson Dotson impressed in his two seasons at Kansas and should be a high-impact two-way point guard right away in the NBA. He will bring an impressive motor and advanced ball-handling moves that allow him to frequently score in the paint. He needs to work on his shooting and team defense in order to consistently share the court with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but in the interim Dotson would provide Milwaukee with some off-the-bench scoring punch that they currently lack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604806741213-MDPIAROOTQG7FMH2F6C8/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #3 - Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball With James Wiseman off the board, the Hornets take a shot on the guy who could end up being the best player in this class if he can put it all together. NBA teams are concerned about Ball’s shot selection and decision-making, but the Hornets had encouraging results last year under James Borrego and the presence of Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier will help Ball learn how to play professional ball early in his career. Ball’s high-level playmaking and creativity aren’t usually found in a 6’8” frame. He needs refinement, but his upside is massive and the Hornets should look to capitalize. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807768939-2F4Z5J05WLAN2NYZFXY3/kira+lewis.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #15 - Orlando Magic: Kira Lewis With R.J. Hampton and Tyrell Terry off the board, the Magic grab the next-best guard available to boost their offense. Kira Lewis is potentially the fastest player in this class and he combines that pure speed with creative ball-handling and dynamic dribbling moves to get into the paint and create space in the offense. He’s also an evolved pick-and-roll ball handler. His defense needs some work, but Lewis would contribute right away on a team desperately in need of some juice out of its backcourt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807515811-M79LC9ZLKD69DPFRX9JR/patrick+williams.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #11 - San Antonio Spurs: Patrick Williams One of the biggest risers in this draft class is Patrick Williams who scouts and NBA executives are fawning over. Once considered a late first-round pick, Williams has solidified himself in the lottery and could end up being picked as early as the top-six. The Spurs at #11 feel like his floor and San Antonio would love to add him here. Williams is one of the youngest players in the class at 19 years old. He’s an explosive athlete with the strength, quickness, and confidence to become a versatile defensive centerpiece for a team. Williams has to add more polish to his offense, but at worst he’s a high-energy rotation piece that actively helps you win games. His ceiling could be one of the best players in this class. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808674430-SQONYHMIN2WTU84SP7A5/jalen+smith.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #26 - Washington Wizards (TRADE): Jalen Smith This is the second pick the Wizards gained from moving back in the first round, and they’ll add Jalen Smith to their young corps. Smith is a highly-talented big man who made 36.8% of his threes last year and can both handle the ball and score off the dribble. He’s a high-energy, high-IQ defender, and he’s an impressive shot-blocker and rebounder. His passing needs some work and he has to refine some of the technical aspects of his defense, especially his lateral movement. However, at this point in the draft, Smith’s skillset is way too enticing to pass up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807276323-S0XAZ7XUYLLM5XFK7ZQR/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #7 - Detroit Pistons: Devin Vassell The Pistons are very much in flux as a franchise right now and they really need to nail this draft pick. They probably can’t land a leading franchise guy this late in the lottery, but Devin Vassell would contribute a ton on both ends right away. Vassell shot 41.5+% from 3-point range in both of his college seasons and checks all of the boxes you;re looking for in a 3-and-D prospect. He’s a hard-nosed, versatile defender and his off-ball movement makes him a constant threat to drain long-range shots. The Pistons have a lot more work to do, but Vassell would be a great addition to their ongoing rebuild. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604806561094-VAC50NOHFJZD3B6LXC78/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #1 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards The Wolves will look at James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball at #1, but there’s no prospect that offers the kind of athleticism, explosion, and leadership that Edwards will. Next to D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt, Edwards would be free to play off ball and make cuts and the duo would be dynamic together. Ant Man is one of the fastest players in this draft and he has the offensive skillset to become a go-to scorer on a playoff team. The Wolves will love his two-way play and charisma. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807630428-165GSL3KERPGJL4D67KL/isaac+okoro.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #13 - Atlanta Hawks (TRADE): Isaac OKoro The Hawks picked up Jrue Holiday as they moved down seven spots in the draft and they also add another defensive stalwart here in Isaac Okoro. At 6’6”, 225 lbs and with a 6’8.5” wingspan, Isaac Okoro is one of the toughest and most physical players in this class. He’s a defensive stalwart with the length, quickness, strength, and determination to take on any player one-on-one. The Hawks need to surround Trae Young with plus defensive players, and they’d be well on their way to doing so with Okoro, Holiday, DeAndre Hunter, and Clint Capela on the roster. Okoro’s offensive game needs some polish, but he does have upside there. Even if he never becomes more than just a hard-nosed defensive specialist, though, he would have value for Atlanta at #13. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604809010885-2EKSMY0E2CFNJNU10C5V/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #29 - Toronto Raptors: Malachi Flynn With Kyle Lowry now 34 years old and possibly not long for the Raptors, they should look to add another young ball-handler to the roster. A junior out of San Diego State, Malachi Flynn is a polished passer who can shoot off-the dribble and run both half-court and pick-and-roll offense. He’s not an elite athlete by any means, but his ability to contribute across the board, high motor, and basketball IQ make him feel like a perfect fit for the Raptors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604806852030-NIGC95J1OH9F7R1TU7R8/deni+avdija.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #4 - Golden State Warriors (Trade): Deni Avdija The Warriors have been heavily linked to Avdija throughout the pre-draft process and there’s a chance they go ahead and take him at #2. In this scenario, they add Wendell Carter Jr. for their troubles and grab Avdija as a potential Year One starter for their team. With Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in tow, Avdija provides the perfect blend of big-time experience, versatility, and team-first mentality. He could make a huge impact in the Warriors’ playoff run next season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807711015-PW3118KKZBDMPPUYWWFH/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #14 - Washington Wizards: R.J. Hampton The Wizards move back five spots and still grab the guy they likely would have considered taking at #9. Hampton could have been a top five pick in this class if not for a major hip injury (one he says he’s now fully healed from) and a lack of proven production as he played in just 18 games in the NBL in New Zealand. However, Hampton is an explosive combo guard with ball-handling moves for days and a 6’7” wingspan that suggests high defensive upside in the long run. He’d benefit from playing behind and learning from John Wall and Bradley Beal in Washington and Hampton has future All-Star upside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807330238-2F1I7D59ETKHWLW5VPQ1/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #8 - New York Knicks: Cole Anthony Recent reports have suggested that Anthony could slide in the draft and the Knicks aren’t as interested as they may seem, but this pick makes too much sense. The Knicks are desperate for a playmaking, scoring guard who can unlock the offensive potential of the rest of their young players. Anthony had a rough freshman year at UNC, but he’s a Manhattan native and the son of former Knick Greg Anthony. Cole has untapped offensive potential and his athleticism and dribble-drive game makes him an intriguing fit for a team in need of an offensive spark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808132484-ZMEWLYRSTB5KE6NJVE66/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #19 - Brooklyn Nets: Tyrese Maxey It seems like Spencer Dinwiddie could be on his way out of Brooklyn this offseason, but even if he sticks around, the Nets could use some more offensive punch off the bench. Maxey has an all-around impressive offensive game with his ability to score off the dribble, run pick-and-roll offense, and also contribute as an off-ball shot maker. Maxey is also a strong defender, both on and off-ball, with his hustle, court vision, and 6’6” wingspan. He’s also a very capable transition scorer and his ability to fill a number of roles makes him a great fit for a team with championship aspirations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808577023-3854C504X9K3MASET7GV/aleksej+pokusevski.png Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #25 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Aleksej Pokusveski Pokusevski is potentially the most difficult player to pin down in this draft. He’s a 7’0” big man with a 7’3” wingspan, but he weighs just 200 pounds and will need to bulk up a ton to maximize his frame in the NBA. He has the scoring and playmaking skillset of a wing or guard in a big man’s body, but there’s nobody in the NBA who has succeeded with this profile. The Thunder are a rebuilding team with plenty of picks and veteran leadership in Chris Paul, so this feels like the right spot for Pokusevski to go where he can hone his game without the pressure to start right away. Pokusevski’s floor feels like the Thunder at 25 and he could be a boon for them long-term. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604809089855-NVJATL7WWWFLL0A3IPOK/nico+mannion.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #30 - Boston Celtics: Nico Mannion The Celtics already used two of their three first-round picks to trade up for Onyeka Okungwu, but they have another pick here and they use it to add possibly the steal of the draft. Mannion is one of the best passers in this draft class and he can drain 3-point shots off the dribble or off a screen in the catch-and-shoot game. The Celtics are lacking a dynamic ball-handler who can run the offense when Kemba Walker isn’t in the game, and Mannion fits that mold to a tee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807460455-N8BCHL2CR6PQH8K7F1YH/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #10 - Phoenix Suns: Obi Toppin Some NBA teams might pass on Obi Toppin at the top of the draft as he’s 22 years ol and is theoretically more of a finished product than a lot of the guys at the top of the board. However, the Suns drafted Cam Johnson in the lottery last year who is older than Devin Booker and they probably wouldn’t have a problem taking Toppin as they look to push for a playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference. Toppin would provide the team with some much-needed scoring and shooting as well as another playmaking offensive hub. The Suns have the assets to trade up if they want, but if Toppin falls here he could be a steal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808772992-A34RYVW5JP3RSRZELPER/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #27 - New York Knicks: Vernon Carey The Knicks could look to add Vernon Carey here as the former college teammate of current Knick R.J. Barrett. 30 years ago, Carey could have gone in the lottery as he’s likely the best post scorer in the NBA. Carey is also a very strong rebounder and decent ball-handler for a big man, but he needs to refine his decision-making on offense and he has a lot of work to do on defense before he’s not a liability on that end of the floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807567678-AXO6RWG2B6EW1ZBCN33A/tyrell+terry.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #12 - Sacramento Kings: Tyrell Terry Terry is another player who has shot up draft boards in recent weeks and is beloved by several scouts around the NBA. The former Stanford product is an incredibly smart player who plays with a fire lit under him at all times. At 6’3”, 170 lbs, he’s not the prototypical NBA body, but he did reportedly add 20 pounds of muscle over the past couple of months. Terry shot 40.8% from 3 on 4.9 attempts per game last year and is the type of off-ball guard who is constantly moving around the court and will demand defensive attention everytime there’s the hint of a catch-and-shoot opportunity. It remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time 2-guard in the NBA, but he could start off his tenure with the Kings on the bench and eventually take over as a cheaper alternative to Buddy Hield who the team is seemingly ready to move on from. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808332731-D2LDELX6VUV8FZECAVGU/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #21 - Philadelphia 76ers: Desmond Bane The Sixers have given Desmond Bane an in-person interview as we head into the draft and that’s a great sign of their admiration for the senior out of TCU. Bane already has a veteran skillset and will contribute as a role player for this team right away. The Sixers have to add more shooting and Bane fits the bill as a 43.3% career 3-point shooter at TCU. Bane can also provide additional offense as a secondary ball-handler who can score off the dribble and produce as a secondary playmaker in the offense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807405557-WJW67T0HQSBUHQFVV3AJ/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #9 - Boston Celtics (TRADE): Onyeka Okungwu The Celtics have built up a ton of draft capital and they have the ammunition to make a move up the board. Onyeka Okungwu makes a ton of sense for Boston as perhaps the best defensive big man in the draft. He’s a high-energy, committed player who has a championship pedigree and personality traits NBA teams will fall in love with. He needs more polish on the offensive side of the floor, but he would fit in nicely in his first year with the Celtics as a rim-rolling big man who makes most of his impact on defense and in rebounding. He shouldn’t fall much further than this and I expect the Celtics to make a move up for him if Okungwu begins to slide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808093731-5GCU8AVK0GCIG76MWFX1/josh+green.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #18 - Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green The Mavericks will be looking for defensive-minded wings to play alongside Luka Doncic and Josh Green would be a great fit with his strong frame, impressive wingspan, and athletic determination. Green is a willing slasher and catch-and-shoot guy, but he’s also also comfortable playing on-ball at times. He’s one of the many solid 3-and-D prospects in this class but his feel for the game and high-energy play make him stand out among the rest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808943962-P5Z2U9JIB68428DXACQH/leandro+bolmaro.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #28 - Los Angeles Lakers: Leandro Bolmaro The Lakers will likely be looking to add another creative ball-handler and shooter to their roster as their frontcourt is already set heading into next season. Bolmaro already plays like a refined NBA veteran, possessing the court vision and reaction time to make every pass in the book. He’s also a high-effort and high-IQ defender which helps make up for some of his physical limitations. Bolmaro isn’t an elite shooter yet, but his skillset would translate to immediate playing time with the Lakers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808220193-R656VWRI7ICUOZT3DH84/precious+achiuwa.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #20 - Miami Heat: Precious Achiuwa With his 6’9” height, 7’2” wingspan, and weight of 225 lbs, Achiuwa’s size makes him an intriguing high-upside project for a team with a strong player development staff. The Heat have helped Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo become crucial parts of a team that represented the Eastern Conference in the Finals and they would help Achiuwa fine-tune his skills. Early in his career, Achiuwa will provide interior scoring and rebounding as a high-energy big man (think Montrezl Harrell), but he has a ton of untapped upside on both ends of the floor and the Heat would love to help him reach his potential. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604806907672-M09P20MMVI19HPUUCCRO/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #5 - Cleveland Cavaliers: Killian Hayes The Cavs have drafted Colin Sexton and Darius Garland in recent years, but I don’t necessarily think that means they eschew the point guard position in this draft. Sexton and Garland haven’t shown enough for the franchise to truly commit to them long term and the value of Hayes here is too good to pass up. Some people have Hayes listed as the #1 prospect in the draft with his combination of off-the-dribble shooting, court vision and feel for the game, and the ability to play on or off the ball. Hayes could evolve into the best shooter in this class and the Cavs should love his long-term potential. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807115377-LVGDS9I5N6MQKCBSRQIN/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #6 - New Orleans Pelicans (Trade): Tyrese Haliburton Per Zach Lowe, Travis Schlenk has been given a clear win-now directive by the team’s ownership. With the pressure on, they push some chips in to acquire the Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday who provides instant-impact defense and leadership next to Atlanta’s Trae Young. For the Pelicans, they recoup Kevin Huerter in the trade and also get to move up to select Tyrese Haliburton here. Haliburton may not be the type of point guard who can carry an entire offense unto himself, but he’s a selfless player who does all of the little things to help you win. He’s going to be a plus defensive player in the NBA and his ability to play on-ball or as a catch-and-shoot presence makes him a great fit next to Zion Williamson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604806655441-EKXXPU4OR7MEA4X3M0BV/james+wiseman.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #2 - Chicago Bulls (TRADE): James Wiseman Based on what I’m hearing around the NBA, I would be shocked if Wiseman falls past the Hornets at #3. In this exercise, the Bulls leapfrog the Hornets and trade with the Warriors to secure their franchise big man. With Wiseman in Chicago, Wendell Carter Jr. becomes expendable and he’s enough of a sweetener for the Warriors to trade down. Wiseman is a bit unproven as he only played a couple of college games, but he has an impressive combination of size, speed, and feel for the game that isn’t common among most big men. His two-way impact would make him a great fit for this young Bulls game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808369020-PLVCF1JIHVA1F9JG0ZKT/killian+tillie.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #22 - Denver Nuggets: Killian Tillie With Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol, the Nuggets have shown that they won’t decline to draft a significant talent just because of an injury, and their training staff has done a great job of helping those guys get into playing condition. Tillie suffered several lower-body injuries while at Gonzaga and that could cause him to fall to the second round. However, the Nuggets shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to add another high-IQ, sharpshooting big man to their roster. Tillie is a physical on-ball defender and a smart team defender who rarely makes mistakes. His ability to shoot, score off the dribble, and pass the ball would also make him a great pick-and-roll partner in the NBA. Tillie would benefit from playing alongside Nikola Jokic with the space he affords his teammates and the Nuggets are a great landing spot for this high-upside talent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807836551-Q7OUGXQYZ3AT3SV6KI3T/saddiq+bey.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #16 - Portland Trail Blazers: Saddiq Bey The Blazers have to be absolutely thrilled to land Bey here at #16. The former Villanova forward is going to be a high-impact 3-and-D wing right away and could join the starting lineup for the Blazers early on in his career. Bey is able to impact a team’s ability to win in a number of ways and he can be a high-impact player even when is shot isn’t falling. His defense would boost the Blazers on the perimeter and he would help freshen up this team as they look to make another run at the playoffs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604807938774-6P37CUNGK6O5HETVW71A/aaron+nesmith.jpg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #17 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Aaron Nesmith With Anthony Edwards already on board and joining D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns, the Wolves should look to add a low-usage, two-way player who can start right away. Nesmith might be the best shooter in this draft as he hit 52.2% of his 8.2 3-point attempts per game last year. At 6’6”, 230 lbs, Nesmith is capable of guarding the 2-4 spots and his defense, rebounding, and low-usage offensive game make him a versatile, high-impact role player. At 21 years old, he fits this team’s timeline very well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1604808457786-JFIWRM6CU387V9YLW29W/jaden+mcdaniels.jpeg Basketball - NBA Mock Draft 1.0 - #23 - Philadelphia 76ers (TRADE): Jaden McDaniels Jaden McDaniels came into Washington as one of the most-hyped up freshman talents, but he underwhelmed as a freshman due to poor finishing, a lack of playmaking, and poor defense due to a very thin frame. McDaniels is still very intriguing, though, with his ability to score off the dribble and potential to become a versatile team defender. The 76ers would be able to surround him with plenty of defense to mask his weaknesses and help him hone in on his strengths, as well as the benefit of spacing that comes from Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. With Bane already in tow, the Sixers should cash in on their litany of second-round picks and take a chance on a high-upside guy in McDaniels. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/eastern-conference-finals-preview-3-celtics-vs-5-heat monthly 0.5 2020-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599943777003-APJJ7B9CG6C6WQQJTHFX/8.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Kemba on the other hand has absolutely no playoff resume, having spent his entire career until this past fall on the always-depressing Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets. This is actually his first trip past the first round, let alone within four victories of a trip to the finals. As a 6-footer (at most), Kemba has always been a physical underdog, and has spent his whole life finding crafty ways to create his own shots and defend much bigger guards, resulting in an extremely fun to watch on-court style that is highly evocative of old-school NYC street ballers. He hasn’t gotten to show it in the NBA yet, but his legendary 2011 NCAA tournament run should leave absolutely no doubt that deep down, this guy is nothing but a winner. Although I’ve watched almost all of Kemba’s postgame interviews this year, I’ve heard him talk about his own game maybe a half-dozen times. His only priority is the Boston Celtics, a stark contrast to some of the stars the team has had in years past, as he has led the complete culture overhaul that has allowed the Celts’ young stars to flourish. Like Butler, he knows how rare this opportunity is, and he’s worked far too hard to let it slip, especially after a highly disappointing- and likely, highly motivating- series against the Raptors, and after questions about the status of his injured knee threatened to end his season prematurely. He will be salivating at the chance to attack a Miami defense that has somewhat struggled to defend quick guards who penetrate from the perimeter, a weakness that the Bucks were either unwilling or unable to exploit. Still, despite everything both of these men have accomplished, this is both of their first trips to the Conference Finals- neither really has a track record that suggests what will happen next. It’ll be thrilling to see who can step up and bring their team a step closer to their ultimate goal of becoming champions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599945036920-B3JCW023UDLJ7EER30D1/gordon.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - There is one X-factor that has the ability to turn this series from a tough matchup between two scrappy underdogs, into a comfortable win for Boston. That would be the potential return of their fourth (!!!) near-elite-or-better scorer in Gordon Hayward. Three years removed from an All-Star campaign in Utah, and two removed from a horrific, season-ending opening day ankle injury, Hayward has been able to thrive away from the spotlight this year, putting up a very respectable and efficient line of 17.5 / 6.5 / 4.5, either serving as a sixth man or sliding into the lineup and allowing Marcus Smart to fill that role. He is able to be much more than a high-teens scorer, however, and he has consistently shown that when the Celtics have had other key players on the shelf with injuries, or simply mired in a cold stretch. The need for Hayward has never been more apparent than when Jaylen Brown went to the floor with what looked like a serious injury late in game 7 against the Raps. When everyone’s healthy, Hayward provides Boston with yet another lethal option, allowing them to have a high-ability scoring wing on the floor for essentially all 48 minutes of the game while still giving everyone ample rest. When someone gets hurt, Hayward becomes even more valuable, as a high-level insurance policy for Tatum and Brown. If he is healthy enough to be himself and play a significant role, it is extremely hard to see how Boston would be eliminated in this series, or even the next. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944810607-XETEOAKPY1XJLT0RDRTS/theis.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - While the Celtics don’t have a flashy, high-flying bench like the Heat, there are still a few more players who are going to be seeing some big minutes this series. Daniel Theis, of course, will be starting at center in the Celts’ relatively small lineup. Theis’ off-ball movement has been key in creating open looks and alley-oops when some of the team’s primary scoring threats have been clamped down on. He is reasonably able to shoot open looks from most spots on the floor, and has been a key defender against opposing bigs, although he has proven somewhat prone to fouls. Which brings us to Boston’s need for a solid backup plan for when he gets in foul trouble, as was often the case against Toronto (he actually fouled out in game 7). Enter the Williamses, Robert III and Grant. Grant, a rookie out of Tennessee, has been getting solid minutes all season, even contributing in the fourth quarter of game 7 against the Raptors after Theis exited the game. He drew a clutch foul, bricked both free throws, and then ultimately stifled Fred Van Vleet’s final attempt to bring the Raps back into the ballgame. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944938987-TS9O5CAJ4UD5YNBLJWZD/ROB.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - An alternative option is Robert Williams, nicknamed “Time Lord” by the Celtics faithful, namely for his ability to bend space and time, seemingly always resulting in him being in the right place at the right time. While he wasn’t a huge factor in the first round against Philadelphia, he saw significant minutes in the Conference Semifinals, throwing down vicious dunk after vicious dunk, and holding his own on the defensive end. He is a big, long presence unlike any other on the Celtics (other than Tacko Fall, I guess) and the fact that he has proven to Brad Stevens that he can be trusted with important minutes could end up being vital during the matchup with a very physical Miami team; his ability to score the ball inside could be something that Boston’s mastermind coach could turn to when other options begin to stagnate, and his length could be extremely valuable in containing Adebayo. Along with Theis, either member of the Williams duo could plausibly be tasked with running with Adebayo or Butler for long stretches of this series; these matchups would be ones to pay close attention to. If the Celtics youngsters aren’t able to at least limit the Heat’s power duo during their minutes on the court, it may cause damage that the starting 5 are not able to negate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944531859-PO71Z9KPY1RMELVKTH8J/jae.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Beyond all of that top-end talent on both squads, there are a few more key contributors on both sides that will have a legitimate role in determining this series’s outcome. For the Heat, it’s an embarrassment of riches in terms of long-range snipers, as they feature a ridiculous three playoff contributors who shot over 40% on three-pointers for Miami this season- and that doesn’t even include rookie sharpshooter Tyler Herro who fell just short of the 40% mark, at 38.9%. These three are Duncan Robinson (44.6% on 8.3 attempts per game), Jae Crowder (44.5%, 6.4) and Kelly Olynyk (40.6, 3.5). Weirdly enough, Crowder and Olynyk were both members of the mid-2010’s Celtics, but they find themselves on the other side of this matchup after Olynyk’s move directly to Miami, and Crowder bouncing around the league for some time before heading to South Beach. While both were legitimate contributors in Boston- who could forget Kelly’s game 7 against the Wizards- neither thrived offensively in the way they have in Miami. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599946436870-4RQS3KF06H3WP0MB4FBN/mahcus.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - It’s not often that a sixth man has a case to be the most important player on a team- especially a playoff team with multiple All-Stars, including a budding top-ten player. But that’s exactly the truth for Marcus Smart, who doesn’t start on the rare occasion that all of the Celtics are healthy. Nonetheless, the team would be completely lost without Smart, their do-it-all backup guard, and the longest-tenured Shamrock. A First-Team All-Defensive selection this season, Smart is able to viably guard almost any player in the league of any position, and is constantly making the high-effort plays that can make or break a close game. This season, he has significantly improved on the offensive end, finally justifying the volume of three-pointers he takes, as his clutch scoring ability has been key in more than one major Celtics victories this year, especially during the Raptor series. His stellar playmaking has also been key over the stretches when Kemba has been either injured, or simply taking some minutes off. It’s more than fair to say that the Celtics would not have secured the third seed, or gotten through Toronto, without their veteran leader, and they will need him to continue to be at his best if they hope to secure their 18th NBA title this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599945960949-M3SNMLWGWGZIRQN38UP1/kemba+heat.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat This series is one rife with tantalizing narratives, and contrasting styles and trends. Other than Miami’s shocking three-point offense, and Boston’s stifling three-point defense, which I’ve already discussed, the teams also are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of free throws. The Celtics allowed the seventh-most opponent free throw attempts per opponent field goal attempt, whereas the Heat were the best team in basketball at getting to the line, as measured by the same metric. This could spell trouble for Boston, and already has, as the Heat have twice shot 30+ free throws against the Celtics in matchups this year, resulting in a win for each team between the two contests. Letting Miami live at the line, while simultaneously seeing numerous players approach foul trouble, could create some very uncomfortable situations for the Celts, especially if Hayward is not available to provide extra depth. The Celtics also did not win a single third quarter in their entire series against Toronto, something that seems like a trivial trend, but if two of the games had not been Boston blowouts from the beginning, we would be talking about it a whole lot more. If the Heat are able to jump ahead early, the Celtics have not shown that they would have much of an ability to fight back early in the second half. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944028943-ILXJEQLJUWN4BMIWFNY0/JT.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - As well as hyper-elite coaches and driven veteran leaders, both of these teams feature a bevy of young stars and key role players who will help to define the story of this year’s NBA. Nonetheless, the only one of this group that transcends the label of “young star” and trends more towards the stratosphere of “superstar” is Boston’s 22-year-old phenom Jayson Tatum. Having earned his first All-Star nod this year, Tatum has been an absolute menace on both ends of the floor over the second half of this season, as well as the playoffs. He has emerged as the team’s leading scorer, an elite shot-creator and shooter from all across the floor, a serious rebounder, and a much-improved passer and defender. Simply put, he’s on his way to becoming an all-around, two-way mega-star, and is likely the best player in this series. The one concern for Tatum in these playoffs is that he has not necessarily shown that he is the “closer” that a championship team needs, as he was fairly ineffective on offense down the stretch in the Celtics’ game 7 win over Toronto, as well as a handful of the preceding games. This issue might only be exacerbated in the Miami series, as he will likely have to deal with a very skilled and intense Butler defending him in these same situations. One of the biggest determining factors in Boston’s success in this series, and beyond, is whether or not he will be the player that his skill dictates he can be when the team needs him most. We’ve all seen his ability to take over a game in the regular season, and even in the postseason- but he will need to do it in the closing minutes if the Celtics are going to continue to advance deeper into this postseason, and for him to solidify his standing among the league’s very best players as he has begun to do this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944138730-Q9IW9LC4YX0QTAYMAX3A/bameron.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Although Tatum has been absolutely brilliant, I would be remiss to not discuss the Heat’s own first-time All Star, Bam Adebayo. More of a silent contributor, Bam’s value is often more on the defensive end. While very effective inside, Adebayo is a mostly one-dimensional scoring threat who doesn’t really have a three-point shot, and struggles mightily from the free-throw line. That being said, he hit a number of big shots during the Bucks series- shots we haven’t seen from him in any sort of volume before. It’s possible that he’s expanding his repertoire, and that will only serve to increase his value in the Celtics series and beyond. It is also worth noting that his five assists per game are quite an impressive figure for a center/power forward, not a role that is often associated with creating shots for others. Defensively, however, he played an enormous part in taking down the Bucks, as he was very often the guy who drew the assignment of guarding (presumptive) two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he did a damn good job with it. During the three full games he played against Miami, before going down with an injury early in game four, Giannis was limited to just over 22 points per game on 45% shooting from the field, after averaging 29.5 and 55% in those two figures during the regular season. While the Heat will certainly need to defend at least as well as the Raptors did to have a shot in this series, and will thus rely heavily on Adebayo’s services, it’s worth noting that there isn’t really a “Giannis” on the Celtics, they are a much smaller, quicker, more shooting-oriented team with more than one or two massive scoring options, particularly if Hayward is available. Bam will certainly be a defensive force to be reckoned with, but it is not as clear who he will seek to neutralize to create value for Miami in this series, as Boston will try and avoid him at all costs when they run their offense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599945856993-54QZQ9IBH64MCQOLWI1M/2012.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat While it’s been eight years since the Celtics’ and Heat’s big threes clashed for a spot in the NBA Finals, there is absolutely no love lost between the two franchises. The rosters may be different, but the intensity is the same, as each team’s new stars have carried the torch from their predecessors. The animosity starts all the way at the top, with legendary executives Pat Riley of Miami, and Boston’s Danny Ainge, two men who have had a rivalry since Ainge’s playing days, when his Celtics often clashed with the Riley-coached Lakers in big spots, and it has extended into their front office careers, as the two have competed for everything from free agents to Eastern Conference titles. Neither of these teams were supposed to be here, and both know that they have to take advantage of this opportunity to seize the East. This is more than a series, it is the chance to parlay what is already a nice run into Eastern dominance, which really has yet to be asserted by any team even two years after King James moved West. Each team has a simple path to victory, and they’re pretty similar- hit threes and get to the line, and don’t let your opponent do either. But there are still endless permutations of how this could turn out, and I’m thrilled to watch the most wide-open Conference Finals in years- the first Eastern Finals in modern history that features neither a #1 or #2 seed. FiveThirtyEight gives the Celtics a 75% chance to advance- and a 54% likelihood of winning it all- and my final verdict is similar; Celtics in 6. Boston’s star-power, versatility, and playoff pedigree will be too much for the Heat to overcome, but don’t tell them that. They’re going to go all-out, and make sure we get one hell of a series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944588847-0NOQDSH57397S9IMDX0W/duncan.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Amazingly, Robinson might somehow have an even more bizarre story. Just one of two Division-III players to ever make it to the NBA, he originally played his college ball at Williams College, before transferring to the University of Michigan, where he served as the team’s sixth man, essentially a highly effective bench shooter, en route to an appearance in the 2018 Final Four. After going undrafted, he found himself in Miami, and the rest, as they say, is history- he has become one of the league’s most lethal shooters from downtown. This season, he became the first shooter to hit over 45% of his catch-and-shoot threes in a year while taking over 500 such attempts. If there had been 82 games this season, as per the usual, Duncan’s league-high 270 threes had him on pace for somewhere between 295 and 305 threes made, good enough for either the fifth or sixth highest total of all time, as well as the highest total accrued by anyone other than Steph Curry or James Harden. Absolutely ridiculous, and he’s not even Miami’s only elite-level sniper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599943301211-Q5HHPC1S640SN724M72F/BRAD.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Brad Stevens, however, has been the king of elevating his roster to a level higher than the sum of its parts. Whether it was taking the mess of a roster he inherited to the playoffs years ahead of schedule, salvaging an Eastern Conference Finals trip on the shoulders of teenagers and journeymen after crushing injuries to Kyrie and Gordon Hayward, or even this year, continuing the Celtics’ recent success after the departure of Irving, Al Horford, Marcus Morris, and Aron Baynes, four massive contributors from the past few seasons, Brad has led the Celtics beyond expectations almost every year he has been at the helm. This series was one of his best, as it was nothing short of a chess match between two grandmasters, as he went toe to toe with reigning NBA champion and Coach of the Year Nick Nurse- and won. However, there is one thing that he hasn’t accomplished, one that looms large when you’re the coach of the NBA’s winningest franchise- he hasn’t brought banner #18 to TD Garden, or even gotten his Celts to the Finals. You could spin this by saying he’s as hungry and motivated as any coach in the league, and that may be true. But in the battle of minds that will be on display in the ECF, I have to give the edge to the coach who’s actually been there four times, and won it twice, not to mention the guy with the less talented group who toppled an enormous juggernaut in Milwaukee. Brad is a legend on the rise, but he will be hard pressed to out-coach Spoelstra in this epic showdown of fantastic leaders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599943447481-IE55SGZHGD7D66INMT7N/jimmy.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - Although Nick Nurse might tell you otherwise, the coach has to stay on the sidelines, on-court leadership has to come from someone else. Luckily for both of these squads, they have two of the league’s toughest veteran leaders to rally their teams into this battle. In fact, both are longtime underdogs with a chip on their shoulder, spending their first season with their current team. For the Heat, it’s Jimmy Butler, one of the most driven athletes I’ve ever watched, a guy who has a borderline-maniacal work ethic and desire to win. From a homeless childhood, to Junior College ball, to mid-major Marquette to the NBA, Jimmy has always had an unmatched hunger and drive to make it to the next level and a refusal to fail to do so. His past has made him one of the most mentally and physically tough players in the NBA, and that killer instinct was on display as he led the Heat to a stunning upset of the Bucks, highlighted by a 40-point explosion in game one and another 30-point outburst in game two. It’s worth noting that it has often taken strong three-point shooting performances to take down these Celtics, and that is an area where Jimmy has struggled this season. Regardless of any shortcomings, though, after spending years fraught with disappointing early-round exits during stops in Chicago, Minnesota, and Philly, Butler has shown just how much he is relishing the opportunity to achieve something special in Miami. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944297340-OWVITNKOK8E7FD6EV1PY/jaylen.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - On the other hand, and back on the Boston side of things, we know exactly what Jaylen Brown’s role will be. He’s going to have the daunting task of slowing Butler, one that even Giannis, the Defensive Player of the Year, didn’t even want or think to attempt. But he’s shown that he’s up to the challenge, as he was a defensive stud in the Toronto series, locking down Raps All-Star Pascal Siakam to the point where people were wondering if Kawhi’s heir apparent was capable of performing at a championship level. Butler is a totally different player of course, but physically, Brown is up to just about every challenge you can throw at him on defense. He was also a key shot creator for Boston, after a regular season where he quietly averaged over 20 points per game, when some of the other usual scorers went cold during the Toronto matchups. Conversely, Brown himself has proven to be susceptible to abhorrent slumps from beyond the arc, which he will need to avoid, as the Celtics will certainly be in need of his catch-and-shoot ability in their attempts to take advantage of any chinks in Miami’s defensive armor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599942936293-MLEHM8IF37N3IC88SRHG/jimmy+jay.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat There were still seconds left on the clock at the end of the Celtics’ gritty Game 7 Eastern Conference Semifinal victory over the Toronto Raptors, but the TNT officiating crew said what we were all thinking; “The Celtics can start to prepare for Miami.” It’s a tough way of thinking, as all of Shamrock Nation, including the players, want nothing more than to revel in their triumph, but it’s the only necessary mindset; on to Miami. Because as ugly as the finish was, the Celtics have a golden chance to win the Eastern Conference Finals that nobody expected; Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat. Now I know what you’re thinking- no, it’s not 2012, these Celtics and Heat teams are extremely different than the ones who needed 7 games to decide a conference champion just under a decade ago- namely, these two were much bigger surprises. Very few analysts would have imagined it before the season, or even when the playoffs started, but these are the two teams left standing to duke it out for a spot in the NBA finals. For the Heat, the road was shockingly the more straightforward one, as they leapt out to an astounding 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, eventually completing the gentleman’s sweep in game 5 in a game where (largely-neutralized) MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with an injury. The Celtics, on the other hand, were considered by many to be less of an underdog against the defending World Champs, but fewer ESPN analysts selected them than Miami to advance to the Conference Finals. Nonetheless, it was a series between two evenly-matched teams that had absolutely everything- blowouts, wire-to-wire games, clutch buzzer-beaters, big defensive stops, massive scoring slumps, signature offensive performances, officiating controversy galore, multiple overtime periods, and no shortage of late-game excitement. Through it all, however, Boston always looked like the better team, and never trailed in terms of games won, as the “away” team won all seven (neutral-site) games. Now, both clubs are in a position that very few outside of their players and staff thought they would be in, but one at which they themselves never doubted they’d arrive. So, there’s only one remaining question- who will continue to survive and advance, and represent the Eastern Conference in this year’s NBA finals? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599943222286-23JVMX2IY5GIRSWSKHWS/spo.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - We’ll start our discussion from the top, the men whose influence touches every play, all 48 minutes- the head coaches. Erik Spoelstra and Brad Stevens are two of the most brilliant coaches in all of sports today, let alone basketball. Spo in particular has done it all- took a team of superstars to two championships, and now has led a ragtag group of overachievers to a 4-1 victory against a record-breaking Bucks team. There is no doubt that he has had a huge role in maximizing the effect of youngsters such as Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro- and to an even greater extent, All-Star and Most Improved Player finalist Bam Adebayo. Similarly, he has elevated veteran role player Jae Crowder from a trade afterthought into a significant contributor to the Heat’s playoff success. There is no question that while the Heat matched up well with the Bucks, they had a sizable talent deficit and it took a mastermind head coach to truly exploit the advantages his team had in the matchup. That’s exactly what Spoelstra did, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I’m writing about his squad instead of the Bucks. The Heat believed that, entering the bubble, they had a mental advantage, a professional culture that would allow them to focus on their game despite the unique circumstances, and they were right. This success can be largely attributed to a head coach who is an expert at setting the culture, and maximizing his roster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1599944654276-XJQ8C7OXECZ6EUCMA8WB/tyler.png Basketball - Eastern Conference Finals Preview: #3 Celtics vs. #5 Heat - As I mentioned a bit earlier, shooting the three has proven to be one of the best ways to compete with this Celtics team, and this trio of snipers- not to mention Herro, the Kentucky product who hit so many daggers against the Bucks- makes that a very, very viable route to victory for Miami. All of that having been said, the Celtics boast an all-time great three-point defense- Boston’s defense has been no worse than sixth in the NBA in limiting opponent three point percentage in each year over the past decade. Specifically this season, they were second in that category, only allowing 34% of opponent threes to hit, and in these playoffs, that figure has been 29.2%, despite an overall increase in league shooting percentage in the bubble. Additionally, it remains to be seen if lineups featuring both Herro and Robinson at the same time have the defensive ability to be playable when three or more of the Celtics’ top scorers are on the floor. For the Heat, who had the second-highest 3pt% this year, it will be the case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object; something has to give, and seeing which side can buck the other’s trend will be key in crowning an Eastern Conference Champion. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-restart-notes monthly 0.5 2020-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596229557516-XIDUC6Q21ACCQ20Y3J77/bucks.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Milwaukee Bucks 53-12, 1st seed in Eastern Conference Major question - can they recapture their elite form? X-factor - Donte DiVincenzo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231630350-5JQSPYNBEIQ53S2PGTPP/austin+rivers.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Houston Rockets 40-24, 6th seed in Western Conference Major question - can the second unit provide enough offense? X-factor - Austin Rivers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231756309-W7SXW0ZTSLXOXZ0GP4YJ/maxi+kleber.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Dallas Mavericks 40-27, 7th seed in Western Conference Major question - is Luka Doncic ready to perform under the spotlight? X-factor - Maxi Kleber https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596232244812-HMHVXHBAB6ZTQOKCFYG2/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - San Antonio Spurs 27-36, 12th seed in Western Conference Major question - how does the offense work without LaMarcus Aldridge? X-factor - Lonnie Walker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596229878912-G31YXOPHWNBQRS33PY5O/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Boston Celtics 43-21, 3rd seed in Eastern Conference Major question - is Daniel Theis/Enes Kanter/Robert Williams enough at center? X-factor - Robert Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231173326-K9FJQ8F4K1GAMWUJ5HSR/reggie+jackson.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Los Angeles Clippers 44-20, 2nd seed in Western Conference Major question - is Paul George really 100% healthy? X-factor - Reggie Jackson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596230637386-N4JKZ5AWCR1G6YFMNT2C/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Washington Wizards 24-40, 9th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - what is the biggest need heading into the draft? X-factor - Rui Hachimura https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231288255-UDWRBT1V6HNBR2TPLTIR/michael+porter+jr.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Denver Nuggets 43-22, 3rd seed in Western Conference Major question - is the all-big lineup feasible? X-factor - Michael Porter Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231432135-JI8VTISVGHMY07CV24R4/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Utah Jazz 41-23, 4th seed in Western Conference Major question - how will the offense work without Bogdanovic? X-factor - Jordan Clarkson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596232314304-3ANGGVBABQ4JBNOA7VXB/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Phoenix Suns 26-39, 13th seed in Western Conference Major question - will Kelly Oubre be ready to play? X-factor - Cameron Johnson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596229993842-H3OD0KC4Y7LRD4OCVKO7/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Miami Heat 41-24, 4th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - how deep should the rotation be? X-factor - Andre Iguodala https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596232109456-I9ZCPH5N7LBR7Y98X6V0/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - New Orleans Pelicans 28-36, 10th seed in Western Conference Major question - is Zion Williamson ready? X-factor - Lonzo Ball https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231528603-9KWW0J0CG6MFL7ES4K12/andre+roberson.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Oklahoma City Thunder 40-24, 5th seed in Western Conference Major question - is there enough shooting? X-factor - Andre Roberson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596230437324-O155U8CUVIPSHN5QVRZX/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Orlando Magic 30-35, 8th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - can Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz get healthy? X-factor - Michael Carter-Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596229585986-OIEIRDBN8NBKTM3IDD5H/chris+boucher.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Toronto Raptors 46-18, 2nd seed in Eastern Conference Major question - who starts at center and does the jumbo lineup work? X-factor - Chris Boucher https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231080061-KMBEFHZTOZFS4HIJPIOS/alex+caruso.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Los Angeles Lakers 49-14, 1st seed in Western Conference Major question - what does the guard rotation look like without Rondo/Bradley? X-factor - Alex Caruso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596230162004-PJI4BBIT67BQPOJ2S6S0/holidays.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Indiana Pacers 39-26, 5th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - how healthy is Victor Oladipo? X-factor - Justin and Aaron Holiday https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596230236961-EA9PEUS9OK46GTSLG6O1/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Philadelphia 76ers 39-26, 6th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - can the team play outside of Philly? X-factor - Shake Milton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596232141525-8MQHWYO3C3Y4EPWISJAC/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Sacramento Kings 28-36, 11th seed in Western Conference Major question - how can they manage their missing pieces? X-factor - Buddy Hield https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231966515-TL8CRTCGA9YXSBLSFF7E/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Portland Trail Blazers 32-33, 9th seed in Western Conference Major question - what is the big man rotation with Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins healthy? X-factor - Anfernee Simons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596230350709-UQZUGKLZBIWL81LD3U9Y/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Brooklyn Nets 30-34, 7th seed in Eastern Conference Major question - do they have enough bodies? X-factor - Jamal Crawford https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596231841172-E7Y9UFRHJ0X75KXTF0JG/dillon+brooks.jpg Basketball - NBA Restart Notes - Memphis Grizzlies 32-33, 8th seed in Western Conference Major question - have Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke improved over the “offseason”? X-factor - Dillon Brooks https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-award-selections monthly 0.5 2020-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595143011794-8IFZ1R5RSMGF5OTRHULN/anthony+davis+3.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz- Anthony Davis, C/PF, Los Angeles Lakers. HM: Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks Other than a healthy LeBron, the biggest difference between last year’s Lakers and the 2019-20 iteration is the addition of Anthony Davis. This year, LA has the third-best defensive rating in the NBA (105.5) as compared to 13th last year. Undoubtedly, the addition of such a physically dominant big man has been a large contributor to that shift. He is imposing enough to play inside against other big men, yet athletic enough to often play on the outside and guard against the three pointer against skilled wings, if the situation necessitates it. He has blocked 2.4 shots per game, and limited opponents’ options all season long as the face of LA’s defensive revolution. Giannis has analytically been an absolute monster on the defensive end, holding opponents to less than a point per possession, but I give Davis the edge due to the value of filling the role of a traditional defensive center while also being able to provide high-level help on the outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595142900999-03MYPNQ5SDHL0ZU6EMYP/lebron+james+2.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz- LeBron James, SF/PG, Los Angeles Lakers. Honorable Mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks In one of the tightest MVP races of all time, I have sided with the best player in the world, rather than the trendiest. LeBron does things that nobody else could do, seamlessly slipping into the role of essentially a 6’9” 260 pound point guard and serving as the sole ball handler and distributor in a Lakers offense that is completely hapless when he sits on the sideline. Under The King, LA has raced out to the West’s best record and the NBA’s second-best point differential, but when he is on the sideline, the Lakers actually allow more points than they score, even when Anthony Davis is playing. But beyond the numbers, they simply become a painful team to watch, certainly not the title contender that they are. No one player has such a resounding effect like LeBron, who elevates his team from lottery participant to NBA favorites. He’s also leading the league in assists this season, setting a career high with 10.6 per game thus far, while still serving as the dominant scoring force we know he can be when it’s been needed, producing 20 games where he has cracked the 30-point plateau. His defense has improved, as he has learned to replace the freakish athleticism that characterized his early career with veteran wile that helps him manipulate the game in all phases, as he currently ranks third in defensive win shares among players who have appeared in at least 50 contests. And as any MVP should, he dominated on the biggest stages, handling Giannis and the Bucks as well as his crosstown rivals, the Clippers, in two banner performances just before play stopped. Giannis has had a stunning two-way impact, scoring nearly 30 points per game while vaulting himself into Defensive Player of the Year consideration, and putting up insane numbers for a player who plays just around 30 minutes a night. The thing is, that without Giannis, the Bucks are diminished, but still a playoff team. They can afford to play most of the fourth quarter without him each night, as evidenced by his minutes- the Lakers cannot do the same with LeBron, because he is simply too valuable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595142510340-9ZKMKN3I3ZHI266J7W5I/dennis+schroder.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz - Dennis Schroeder, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder HM: Montrezl Harrell, C, Los Angeles Clippers I don’t know how we ended up here, but we did- the Oklahoma City Thunder have not one, not two, but three excellent guards in Chris Paul, an All-NBA candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a MIP candidate, and the third, Dennis Schroeder my pick for 6th Man of the Year. The German international has managed 19 points per game, despite only making one appearance in the Thunder’s starting lineup. He’s been effective in leading Oklahoma City’s second unit, facilitating solid offensive production and keeping them in games, providing the Thunder with the ability to get high-level play while giving much-needed rest to the aging CP3. Another close candidate is, as usual, a Los Angeles Clipper, but this year, it isn’t Lou Williams- Montrezl Harrell has passed his teammate as the Clips’ best bench player. Lou’s value has usually been as a pure scorer, but this season, Trez trails him by just .1ppg, essentially a wash. The big man is also an important rebounding presence on a relatively small Clippers team, and helps Doc Rivers’ rotations by shouldering the inside defensive responsibility when the full-time starters are taking a rest. However, he does have another elite bench player on his roster, whereas Schroeder is the sole leader of the Thunder’s second unit. For this reason, the OKC guard is my pick for this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595143056966-ZWSYG5NUTHYCX4898U2E/giannis+3.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks. HM - Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers. The conversation for defensive player of the year for me starts with the best defensive team this season - the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks lead the NBA in defensive rating by far - 3 points per 100 possessions better than the next-best team. The Bucks’ 101.9 points allowed per 100 possessions is the 2nd-best mark in NBA history, behind just the 1995-96 Bulls. Giannis has obviously been a huge part of this; he leads the NBA in all of the following - defensive win shares, defensive box plus minus, and defensive rating. Giannis also ranks inside the top five players in the NBA this season in opponents’ points off turnovers and opponents’ second chance points (minimum 30 minutes per game). He also leads the NBA in defensive field goal percentage allowed (minimum 55 games played and 10 shot attempts against per game). The Bucks have produced historic defensive efficiency this season on the back of an all-time great season from their best player. Giannis deserves to be honored with his second MVP award and first DPOY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595143098414-1G9FHQRRQN5YIDPKAWHY/brad+stevens+2.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz- Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics. HM: Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors There were not a lot of believers in the Celtics after they failed to meet high expectations last season, and then lost (theoretically) their top two players over the offseason as well as several other key cogs. On top of all of that, the team dealt with an almost unbelievable amount of injuries all season long. Still, their coach was able to foster the rapid developments of their young stars, facilitate the redemption arc of a fallen veteran, and keep his team at or near the top of the East by competing with and beating the best teams in the league. He has given life to a franchise that had almost lost hope after a discouraging decade, and shown its fans real reason to believe that there will be success in years to come. Finally healthy, his group will be an interesting one to watch during the league’s return- you can bet that Coach Stevens is already drawing up some master plans for a potential marquee matchup against the rival Philadelphia 76ers. Nick Nurse has also done a fantastic job, as his defending champions lost their MVP, Kawhi Leonard, and hardly missed a beat, staying steady in the top 3 of the east for most of this season. However, even though they lost Kawhi, this team is still the defending champion, and I believe that more credit is due to a coach who rallied his team from a failed season, rather than one that followed the greatest in franchise history with more success. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595143136868-RJG2WU5U2PATLPK7Z0LB/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz- Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat HM: Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics If you guys have read any of my basketball writing so far, you know that Jayson Tatum is my favorite basketball player. Nobody has enjoyed watching his superstar leap more than I have, as he ascended from solid player, to fringe all-star, to franchise player who stood toe to toe with the league’s best, and matched or even outplayed them. As much of an unstoppable force as Jayson has been as he improved on both ends of the floor, the recognition for the Most Improved Player belongs to another first-time all-star, but not one who was already in the public eye- a name that only serious fans knew. Miami’s Bam Adebayo rose from relative anonymity to be one of the most important pieces in his team’s success in this season, helping to lead a squad chock-full of new players. He has started every game he’s played in, raising his scoring average from 8.9 to 16.2 and cracking the 10-rebound plateau for the first time, serving as a solid double-double player. His defense, however, is what really sets him apart, as he has been able to defend multiple positions and be an anchor inside against imposing offensive threats. This is one of the most crowded fields for any award- Luka Doncic has made the jump to a top-five MVP candidate and neither myself or Wayne picked him as even a runner-up- but Bam has elevated himself more than any of the other candidates as compared to the player he was just a year ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595142579938-6N8LXNN6DP4M6QDOAUTL/lou+williams.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Lou Williams, SG, Los Angeles Clippers HM: Derrick Rose, PG, Detroit Pistons. Sixth man and Lou Williams are synonymous in my head. I hear the song “6 Man” by Drake every time I watch Lou pick up a basketball. Lou Williams named his newborn son “Syx” in a beautiful example of poetic justice - his third-born son named after the award he’s won three times. Dennis Schroder is currently the favorite for this award, but Lou Will is averaging 22.9 points per 36 minutes compared to Schroder’s 22.1. I also favor Lou over Montrezl Harrell due to Williams’s 7.0 assists per 36 minutes - the Clippers rely on him as often their best playmaker on the team. I really hope voters don’t get Lou Will fatigue because he’s still one of the coolest players in basketball and is an ice-cold assassin off the bench. I also think Derrick Rose deserves a ton of credit for his turnaround this season. He’s done an awesome job of rebuilding his game after the beginning of his career was derailed by his ACL injury and ensuing leg issues. Rose scored 25.2 points per 36 minutes this season off the bench, the 16th-best mark in the NBA and more than Jayson Tatum, Pascal Siakam, Kemba Walker, Nikola Jokic, Chris Paul, and Jimmy Butler, all of whom were All Stars this season. The Pistons have completely flown under the radar this season as a team, going 20-46 and offering little in the way of offensive production. Still, with little help from his teammates, Rose has been an awesome scorer off the bench this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595142295306-N9KJPF47B1A0MHV5VF1F/luka+doncic+2.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Luka Doncic, SG, Dallas Mavericks HM: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder It’s rare that an MIP candidate also earns MVP votes, but everything Luka Doncic has been able to accomplish has been rare. After averaging 21.2 points per game for an unsuccessful Mavs team in his rookie year, Doncic has elevated his game across the board and is scoring 28.7 points per game for a playoff-bound club. Luka is also averaging 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season and is clearly the best player on a team that has produced the best offensive rating in NBA history - no, that isn’t a typo. Luka Doncic leads the NBA in offensive rating this season and is second in assist percentage behind just LeBron James. In Doncic’s rookie season, the Mavs finished as the 14th seed in the West with a 33-49 record. In his sophomore year, the team had accelerated to a 40-27 record before the NBA season was postponed. Luka was an All-Star this season as a 20-year-old, had the 2nd-most 30+ point games before his 21st birthday (behind just LeBron) and may be set to make the All-NBA First-Team this season. Sure, he already flashed this type of upside in his rookie year, but nobody thought it would all come together this early. Still just 21 years old, it’s unclear how many levels Doncic has under his belt, but he’s improved drastically this season and deserves a nod as the MIP. SGA has boosted his stats by a considerable margin from his rookie season. His points per game average has shot up from 10.8 to 19.3, more than any 2nd-year player who started a significant amount of games in their rookie season. SGA has also improved from 2.8 rebounds to 6.1 rebounds per game. After a rookie season with the Clippers in which Gilgeous-Alexander flashed upside but never put it all together in terms of statistical success, SGA has elevated his game across the board this season. The Thunder drew a line in the sand with the Paul George trade negotiations, telling the Clippers SGA had to be a part of the deal if they wanted PG13. As a Clippers fan, I will always have some love for Shai, and I saw that star potential in him early on during his days at Kentucky. He deserves more love for this award as currently the 5th or 6th favorite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595141711199-ASAHJJ3IOTT3I4DUGV9A/ja+morant+2.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies. HM: Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans Ja Morant is a massive favorite to take home this award, coming in at -3000 on the FanDuel Sportsbook. Zion Williamson is going to end up being the best player from this draft class, but Morant has played over 1,200 more minutes than him this season. There may not have been a more exciting player to watch on League Pass this season than Morant, whether it was his high-flying, dunking antics or his passing wizardry. Ja is one of the most explosive players in the NBA at the moment and reminds me of an early-career Derrick Rose at times. The Grizzlies made a surprising run to the #8 seed before the NBA season was cut short. Morant’s team’s projected win total was set at 26.5 before the season, a benchmark they passed in mid-February. Morant led all rookies in points and assists by a significant margin, as well as win shares and PER. He has a bright future ahead of him in Memphis on a fast-rising roster full of young talent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595141654775-NVF3N1LC0RBXYKYMBN6T/ja+morant.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Schwartz- Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies HM: Kendrick Nunn, SG, Miami Heat I’m aware that the best first-year player in the NBA this season has been Zion Williamson. I have no doubt that the Pels’ new superstar will be an award-magnet over the course of his career, but that will just have to wait. As impressive as Zion has been, his 20 or so games of high-level play are simply not enough to even vault him into consideration for this award, as this rookie class has produced strong performers who have been balling since opening day. Far and above the rest has been the Grizzlies’ star guard Ja Morant. Ja has been lethal since day one, helping to lead the Grizzlies on a surprise playoff push. He’s averaged 17.6 points and 6.9 assists, an extremely promising start for a young floor general. For the first time in some time, the future is bright in Memphis, and this can be attributed in large part to their prized rookie. Another team that hopes to return to greatness is the Miami Heat, and their ascent has also been aided by strong rookie performances. Along with Kentucky product Tyler Herro, undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn has provided a spark for the Heat, standing in as a productive and efficient scoring option for a squad that has been a paragon of selfless play and teamwork. Both of these players, as well as Zion and too many others to name, all have an extremely bright future in the NBA- Ja has just distinguished himself among the highly talented group this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595142964086-F6TN96WILFJFLP8W4R5G/giannis+4.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks. Honorable MentionL LeBron James, PG/SF, Los Angeles Lakers Come on, Schwartz. Is LeBron having a dominant season? Sure. But when you start diving into historic metrics, it becomes obvious that Giannis deserves the MVP award this year. Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James. Those are the only players who have produced a better Player Efficiency Rating in a season than what Giannis has done this season. LeBron has only beaten Giannis’s current 31.6 PER once. Giannis’s stats fly off the freaking screen - 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. That’s before you realize that he’s only played 30 damn minutes per game. Per 36 minutes, his numbers sit at 34.5 points, 16 rebounds, and 6.7 assists - that’s absolutely obscene. Practically every advanced metric you work through puts him in an impressive historic light among all-time greats. Before the NBA season was cut short due to pandemic-related obstacles, Giannis’s Bucks were on pace for a 67-win season (currently 53-12). The Bucks have a 28-3 home record and their +11.2 points differential ranks over 4 points per game better than the next-best team. Giannis’s defensive metrics are also absurd (more on that shortly) and he’s arguably the best defender in the NBA today. Schwartz mentioned the more recent Lakers win over the Bucks in Los Angeles shortly before play stopped. However, Giannis shut down LeBron in the two teams’ first matchup back in December to the tune of 8-19 shooting and just 21 points. LeBron did have a triple double in that game, but Giannis was dominant with 34 points, 11 rebound, and 7 assists in just 32 minutes. Giannis also held LeBron to just two points over the final ten minutes of that game. The concept that Giannis isn’t as valuable to the Bucks because he plays less minutes is flawed logic - the reason he’s able to sit on the bench late in many games is because of the massive impact he makes early in the contest. Giannis’s net rating is absurd and the game is often over before it really even starts when he’s playing, especially in Milwaukee. There’s no more impactful player in basketball than the Greek Freak - yes, even LeBron James. LeBron has turned back the clock this season in Los Angeles, reinventing himself as a floor general who controls the flow of the game on both ends of the floor. However, he’s not even the statistical leader in most categories for the Lakers - that would be Anthony Davis - and while LeBron’s plus/minus is much better than his Unibrowed teammate, he isn’t asked to shoulder as much of a burden as Giannis. For the first four months of the season it looked like Giannis was running away with this award and if the season wasn’t abruptly stopped, LeBron likely would have made a real run at MVP, but I’m sticking with Giannis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595141963553-SBHNWEPMPMPBBVWWDW8V/nick+nurse+2.jpg Basketball - NBA Award Selections - Wayne - Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors HM: Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder The Raptors were supposed to lose significantly more games this season after Kawhi Leonard, the reigning champion and Finals MVP, joined the Clippers in free agency. After 58 wins last season, Toronto’s projected win total heading into this season was 46.5. They got to 46 wins in just 64 games and were on pace to win 59 games before the season was postponed. Nick Nurse has had an incredible 2020, winning the NBA championship as a 51-year-old first-year head coach before leading a supposedly worse Raptors team to the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Nurse has made player development his trademark skill early in his career, coaxing better-than-expected play out of young players like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Terence Davis. Nurse has built on the Raptors’ success from last season, continuing with the Kawhi-inspired head-down, hard work mentality. Toronto has allowed the fewest opponent points per game this season despite losing Kawhi and Danny Green, and not having a clear-cut All-Defensive team candidate. Anytime a team performs much better than just the sum of its parts, the head coach deserves massive credit for the performance. Along with Nick Nurse, Billy Donovan should earn much more mentions for the Coach of the Year award than was expected heading into this season. After losing Russell Westbrook and Paul George over the offseason, the OKC projected win total fell to 32.5 - they hit that mark in mid-February. Donovan has rallied his team around an unexpected level of talent and has led the Thunder to the #5 seed in a stacked Western Conference. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-final-four-championship-game monthly 0.5 2020-07-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595443007374-OTVRSGPQW0LCZFHMZUFO/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Final Four + Championship Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595442871207-GUSH60IVTG5SI2P3Q8GQ/kawhi+vs+kd.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Final Four + Championship Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595442980145-67RT5VTZ8TCSTNC16QLO/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Final Four + Championship Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595442813860-42DZHNOMHXWATPSEI3G0/lebron+vs+tatum.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Final Four + Championship Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595442947368-X7SOIS0FGBB5DXQS7VCK/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Final Four + Championship Game https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/2020-all-nba-team-selections monthly 0.5 2020-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592355434094-OSWP92XUAI2CC5HTGMLN/giannis+kawhi+lebron.jpg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592355764875-1CVF1184RPJCKPD5CKFH/rudy+vs+anthony.jpg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592355995740-0MMNK85Q3OL0LN3NG1PX/joel+embiid+pascal+siakam+2.jpg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592355338175-7X8M6D6RDIU2FHB9PIWS/dame+and+harden.jpg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592355473071-XT7G1UWFU9BH8C3R4NIK/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592356080178-LYQTUNN9ZIUYF8UROEVU/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - 2020 All-NBA Team Selections https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-round-of-16 monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168388572-ZO1W5ZGICRADWQ67RSSF/klay+and+ad.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 2) Anthony Davis over 10) Klay Thompson There aren’t a ton of players in this league that Klay Thompson doesn’t have a chance to defend, but unfortunately, he runs into one of them in the Sweet 16. Davis’s length and physical ability stifle Klay, never letting him get hot from deep, and deliver the Brow into a big LA matchup in the Elite 8. Final score: 21-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592175845031-6TYAZDWDQII1WR0DTT2Y/nba+players.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168153813-YCACWL3RO1XP4BVDT2A8/kawhi+and+siakam.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 1) Kawhi Leonard over 4) Pascal Siakam The master meets the apprentice for a duel between the two best players from the Raptors’ historic champion team a year ago. Siakam has come a long way since these two stars last met, but his abilities are not quite enough to knock off his old teammate, as Kawhi’s stifling defense and a raucous crowd of LA natives at the Venice Beach court is the difference makers in this clash between two highly talented wings. Final score: 21-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168572587-WDAHW7KASIXJKN03U4G0/towns+and+kd.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 2) Kevin Durant over 6) Karl Anthony-Towns KAT has made a nice run to the Sweet Sixteen, but he shouldn’t really have any chance against KD. Durant is just too good at, well, everything. Both players can snipe from long range, and both can score inside, but there’s one major piece of the game that sets the MVP in this matchup apart- defense. Towns, while a unique offensive force, is fairly inept on the other end of the court, and one of the most versatile scorers in league history methodically picks him apart from all parts of the floor, getting buckets on almost every possession. Final score: 21-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168334122-Z54APVFOI1ACSY22FKUS/lebron+and+mccollum.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 1) LeBron James over 12) C.J. McCollum Unfortunately, McCollum’s attempt to continue his Lehigh Cinderella story is stopped short when he encounters the King. LeBron is one of the best players in NBA history for a reason, and he takes down CJ rather easily despite his hot streak from his prior matchups. McCollum has the outside shooting advantage but no hope of defending LeBron inside or competing with him on the glass. Final score: 21-9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592175551476-5VMFVRUSVBOOCIA7MM16/jt+and+steph.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) An NC native and a Duke one-and-done come together to provide the Durham crowd with one of the most intriguing matchups of the whole bracket. Jayson is a much-improved defender these days, but Steph’s unmatched ability to either find a favorable shot, or nail a challenging one still leaves the young Celtic scrambling to hold his own on defense. Still, Jayson has developed some slick perimeter moves himself, and Steph isn’t exactly an all-world defender. The young wing’s size is a serious issue for an undersized guard too, as Jay is able to score inside at will to help ice the upset win after using the deep ball to pull ahead early on. A fighter to the last, Steph gets red-hot and unleashes a barrage of long-range missiles to storm back into the game, but Taco Jay continues to eat, and effortlessly drives past Steph after getting the ball back with a 1-point lead, and ends the game. Final score: 21-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168235467-36W4BMHV1QHW8JBUK6PQ/dame+and+pg.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 3) Damian Lillard over 2) Paul George These two are pretty familiar with each other, as Dame knocked down one of the best game-winning, buzzer-beater 3s I’ve ever seen live in PG’s face during last year’s playoffs. PG has a slight home-court advantage in this clash of California natives out at Venice Beach, but he’s still not 100% after his shoulder surgeries during last offseason. PG has the defensive advantage, but after last year’s matchup, Dame owns the mental edge, burying numerous “bad shots” as he continues to build the apartment complex he owns in PG’s head. A hot, late shooting streak carries the Blazers star to a thrilling win. Final score: 22-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592168463877-ILJE9802HWCIPC9XJ9LC/kyrie+giannis.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 1) Giannis Antetokounmpo over 4) Kyrie Irving Contrary to Irving’s belief, he cannot take on Giannis by himself. No, really. The last time he tried to defend Giannis on his own in a big spot it went very very poorly as the Bucks exposed the Celtics in the playoffs. At least in this matchup, Kyrie will get to pass the ball exactly as much as he did last time. Sorry, Kyrie, not even your Uncle Drew alter ego can get you out of jail against the Greek Freak. Giannis is just too damn good. Final score: 21-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592175431833-1OJSV9NGM8Y26KWCC42G/zion+and+cp3.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 16 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) 5) Zion Williamson over 8) Chris Paul CP3’s Cinderella run ends here, as Zion catches a break in not having to take on Harden who’s foul-drawing capability would surely ruin the young big man… oh, wait. Regardless, it’s CP3 he has to face, and no amount of veteran know-how is able to help NOLA’s former hero bridge the physical gap with the Pels’ new superstar. Zion dominates on the way to a convincing win with a handful of highlight-reel, high-flying dunks along the way. Final score: 21-14 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-round-of-32 monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177426882-E6B29FV0KKSJFR85OP4P/steph+westbrook.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) 2) Steph Curry over 7) Russell Westbrook We’ve seen this before. Westbrook has the physicality to overpower Curry inside, but he’d be hard-pressed to keep up with a 3-point barrage on either end of the floor. Russ has never been seen as an elite perimeter defender, nor does he have any sort of elite shooting acumen to speak of. Instead he’d be reliant on his inside scoring and overall flair, but Curry is just far too good of a sharpshooter, dribbler, and layup-maker to let Russ stop him this early. Westbrook would surely score nearly every possession, but in this format, the difference between inside shots and deep balls creates even more of a premium, as shots from behind the arc are worth twice as much as ones from inside. Steph forces Russ to play from behind all game, and the UCLA alum’s skill set is simply not tailored for a comeback in this format, letting the Dubs legend to pull away with a barrage of deep balls. Final score: 21-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176358206-2Z5PS6XAKGD63112PJJD/damian+lillard+zach+lavine.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 3) Damian Lillard over 11) Zach LaVine LaVine was cute as a first-round upset and he has the hops to make him a fan favorite in this format. However, both players would be pretty reliant on their 3-point shots in this tourney, and Lillard is the more advanced marksman. Lillard also had the easier first-round matchup and won’t have to deal with the level of wear-and-tear LaVine accumulated from grinding against Simmons every possession. Final score: 21-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176650295-PZV9PWEWSMY14GEHG6NO/ja+davis.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 1) LeBron James over 9) Trae Young Unfortunately for Trae, being a 9 seed means he encounters LeBron in the Round of 32. In another world, he might be making a run to the Final Four, but in this one, he’s forced to deal with the King’s overpowering combination of size, finesse, and strength. Trae could stretch LeBron away from the rim with his elite sharpshooting range, but LeBron is way too good of an all-around player to let Trae keep this close. Easy dub for Bron. Final score: 21-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177076548-PJ9I00LK29JMRD1B18V6/kevin+durant+deaaron+fox.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 2) Kevin Durant over 10) DeAaron Fox We like all Kentucky grads here at Wayne’s World and Schwartz, but against one of the most unique stars in league history, De’Aaron has almost no opportunity for success on either end of the floor. KD walks through this matchup without even trying, which makes him feel nostalgic about his effort-free regular season days in Oakland. It’s really not going to be as much fun in Brooklyn. Nevertheless, KD moves on to represent his new team in this tourney before actually playing a minute for them Final score: 21-6 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177152185-XQXY8LOINJIVAMO61VSB/butler+kat.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 6) Karl Anthony-Towns over 3) Jimmy Butler KAT is back with a vengeance against his former Timberwolves teammate Jimmy Butler. This time, though, we’re not just talking about practice. Towns has trained for years for this moment and is ready to take on the man he lost to in embarrassing fashion in the first go-around. Luckily for him, this time he doesn’t have to play alongside Jeff Teague and Andrew Wiggins, and can take on Butler on his own. Butler has the defensive tools to make things difficult on Towns, but this becomes a scoring contest and KAT has the deep stroke and rebounding to move past Butler. Round 3 should be in a boxing ring. Final score: 21-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176271569-O0U0E72Q46O2AHY5L7IG/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 2) Paul George over 10) Jaylen Brown In a duel of two players who were once nearly traded for one another, Paul George shows that Jaylen, a player many consider to be in the same mold, is not quite there yet. Jaylen leans too much on his strong but inconsistent deep ball in this game, and Paul, one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, doesn’t let him get away with it. Brown has the potential to be the versatile defender and physical aggressor PG has been at his best, but he doesn't quite have enough skill to his game yet to win this matchup. Final score: 21-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176576446-4Z8N7Y2TNDFBGX8VF5UY/lebron+and+trae.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 1) LeBron James over 9) Trae Young Unfortunately for Trae, being a 9 seed means he encounters LeBron in the Round of 32. In another world, he might be making a run to the Final Four, but in this one, he’s forced to deal with the King’s overpowering combination of size, finesse, and strength. Trae could stretch LeBron away from the rim with his elite sharpshooting range, but LeBron is way too good of an all-around player to let Trae keep this close. Easy dub for Bron. Final score: 21-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177539437-KKFKGRUKDVGPCGLC9IZH/zion.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) 5) Zion Williamson over 13) D'Angelo Russell Most NBA big men struggle to deal with Zion’s inside scoring - good luck to D’Angelo Russell in trying to stop the high-flying freight train. Russell would make some 3s, sure, but he’s no Steph or Dame from deep and Zion’s foot speed on the perimeter is underrated. DLo might just get scared off the floor by Zion who would have free reign at an endless rack attack. Final score: 21-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176204931-RVCVJQF6VWI2UZJMHAXD/kawhi+and+kyle.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 1) Kawhi Leonard over 8) Kyle Lowry Kyle and Kawhi are probably the two most important Raptors players of all time after their role in bringing Toronto its first championship (although Siakam is right behind them). This matchup doesn't end up being all that close though as Leonard's size and athleticism would overwhelm the smaller Lowry. Lowry has the hustle and intensity to make Kawhi work for this, but from a physical standpoint, there's no way Kawhi loses here. Final score: 21-9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177236589-TVGDII87VW8QK3J22PX3/kyrie+kemba.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 4) Kyrie Irving over 5) Kemba Walker This is one of the most hyped-up matchups of the entire tournament. Kyrie recently challenged Kemba to a 1v1 matchup, so this isn't so far-fetched from being reality. A former North Jersey blue-chip prospect, versus a born and bred NYC native. An NCAA tournament legend versus a top prospect who dazzled the nation for just 11 games before bowing out with an injury. The Celtics’ much-maligned old point guard versus Boston’s new poster boy. And of course, two of the most creative layup artists and jaw-dropping dribblers to ever step onto a court, from outdoor asphalt to NCAA and NBA hardwood. These two pull out all the stops in a heated, emotional battle that drives the NYC crowd into a frenzy, as they watch an absolutely stunning duel between two hometown legends. Each possession comes with a crazier dribble and inside move than the last, and stops are not plentiful. The two competitors battle straight through the 21 point plateau, as neither is able to pull away by as much as two points. But it has to come to an end at some point, as Kyrie is finally one step ahead of Kemba, knocking away the UConn grad’s layup attempt, snatching it up and driving inside for a reverse, off-handed finish of his own. An instant-classic marathon at Rucker Park goes to NYC’s new NBA star. Final score: 27-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177006762-B4I8DPZUUK9JH6GNMQOF/giannis+bam.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 1) Giannis Antetokounmpo over 8) Bam Adebayo The Greek Freak gets freaky with it in a matchup against Bam who’s surprisingly well-suited to guard him. Giannis is just far too good to lose in the Round of 32, even if his opponent is as cool as Bam. Adebayo is able to hold his own against Giannis on the defensive end, but is pretty much unable to score the ball in what becomes a long, grueling matchup. The reigning MVP lives to fight another day in this tourney. Final score: 21-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177684741-5OXOTBVA3XODYRB1G7A6/nba+players+4.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176440374-SHDQ1ASSAF4QUIZV8W4I/pascal+siakam+devin+booker.jpeg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 4) Pascal Siakam over 5) Devin Booker Siakam’s positional versatility on defense gets tested here as he takes on the sweet-shooting Booker who can score in a flurry. I have Spicy P edging him out in a close contest, although this is truly a tossup. Booker’s 3-point shot could get him the dub alone, but Siakam is fiesty on both ends of the floor and he does the little things to move to the next round. He'll outrebound and outhustle Booker which is enough to move him to the next round. Final score: 21-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176803620-FMXNF7RFBL3XCNK5ZU4U/klay+jc.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 6) Klay Thompson over 14) John Collins John Collins, you were supposed to be the Cinderella! Klay wants none of that, though, and he continues to drain threes in this contest. The fact that Klay is so dependent on the catch-and-shoot game could keep this interesting, but Collins likely couldn't keep Thompson from catching fire. Klay definitely can't guard Collins in the post, but 3 points is always better than 2 and Klay does enough to move on. Final score: 21-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177471895-8PYBBQ7KKR6QP44LJIDR/donovan+mitchell+vs+jayson+tatum.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) 3) Jayson Tatum over 6) Donovan Mitchell As two of the three young stars in a much-discussed rookie class, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell’s careers have been linked in a unique way, despite the two players not sharing the court all that often. Well, they do here, and it’s the Duke alum’s former home court, giving Jay Smooth a clear advantage, as the Durham locals are thrilled to see one of their former stars tearing it up again. Both players flash the talent that quickly endeared each of them to their NBA fan bases, but Tatum’s clutch ability to create those late, open threes, paired with some timely defensive play, lifts him past the Jazz’s franchise centerpiece in a tight and entertaining matchup. Final score: 21-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592176861481-XECKZXQU89CANMT5YLZA/cj+embiid.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 12) C.J. McCollum over 4) Joel Embiid Another upset? Was this kid on that Lehigh team or something...oh yeah this actually really checks out. Usually the Robin to Dame’s Batman, CJ is able to shine on his own in this tournament, as his quickness and deep ball keep Embiid playing from behind all game long, forcing him into some bad, late shots and allowing the Blazers #2 to run away with what started out as a close game. Final score: 21-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592177323110-U2DCYHOL48FUDBH7GYXX/harden+cp3.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 32 - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor Stadium) 8) Chris Paul over 1) James Harden Can we get Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets coach who had to deal with these two on the same court, to call this game? It’s no secret that the CP3-Harden marriage in Houston was a failed one, and the two former teammates get to take out that animosity on the court in this early-tournament matchup. Harden repeatedly barges into the lane, and the ref does indeed call a foul for him, but much to the scoring champ’s chagrin, he’s simply given the ball back instead of being placed at his favorite place in the entire world - the foul line. With no way to get to the line, Harden feels out of place and helpless, as he has to rely on offensive skill to compete. Luckily, he has plenty of that too, and is able to run with the veteran point guard for a tough, well-fought game. In the end though, CP3’s experience-driven, wily defense allows him to come up with a couple of key late takeaways and pull off the serious upset. Final score: 23-21 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-round-of-64 monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592180379661-QK6YGLEQCCSBQ675HP3T/nba+players+3.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Round of 64 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-introduction monthly 0.5 2020-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592184231200-MOBUL6S2XFB151QVFQ7W/nba+all+decase.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Introduction https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-first-four monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/does-jalen-greens-decision-seal-the-fate-for-ncaa-basketball monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270500982-TLSDGYE161U3E77VBN9D/ncaa+mission.png Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270390070-3LULG1R1RFPJTBK2Y9DG/jalen+green.png Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270472801-98D4KVN0KP8ZXQJ2Y575/ncaab.jpg Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270565259-QT12E4O9YWQJNRR6GPU5/jalen+green+isaiah+todd.jpg Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270529371-WA9SHHMY1UA140HM6XTO/rj+hampton+and+lamelo+ball+2.jpg Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270441923-NO4PQ8XOCS30DERYZO7B/nba+g+league.jpeg Basketball - Does Jalen Green's Decision Seal the Fate for NCAA Basketball? https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/revisiting-the-2013-finals-the-3-heard-round-the-world monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592191529295-C26QT04UQZPYVLUHM51G/ray+allen+3.jpg Basketball - 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An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592259061653-JE6DS0U0JMAT1G6SLS55/rockets.jpg Basketball - An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592258834175-QW9Z2CKADWF3WHG8CHEW/daryl+morey.jpg Basketball - An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592259007588-ITNVL8SYY2ADG09UP4ZP/russell+westbrook.jpg Basketball - An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592258891005-WA56476Z7G5ZHVO14EDO/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592258929602-3TAHAY26K22KLP7R7KFJ/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - An Inside Look at the Analytics-Driven Evolution of the Houston Rockets https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/the-stunningly-smooth-rise-of-taco-jay-by-schwartz monthly 0.5 2020-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592249681230-53K8SK7CPZIEW0A8P56K/jayson+tatum+knicks.jpg Basketball - The Stunningly Smooth Rise of Taco Jay Jayson sends the Boston crowd home happy after a way-too-close call with the Knicks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592249597459-Z88EJR9RYP08HCW2E83K/jayson+tatum+paul+pierce.png Basketball - The Stunningly Smooth Rise of Taco Jay Paul Pierce shows his enthusiastic approval of the heir apparent to his roles of leader and champion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592249749311-74Z51V7ADG9Z4A84EDUX/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - The Stunningly Smooth Rise of Taco Jay Jayson flies in for a block of rival point guard, and serial misser of open shots, Ben Simmons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592249833568-6RXEPDY3G1UXFKPRNSF7/jayson+tatum+paul+george.jpg Basketball - The Stunningly Smooth Rise of Taco Jay Reigning DPOY finalist Paul George grimaces in disappointment after getting thoroughly embarrassed by Jayson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592249907034-MBX8MBDT711STW2IQG1X/jayson+tatum+clippers.jpg Basketball - The Stunningly Smooth Rise of Taco Jay In a second meeting with the Clippers, Jayson throws it down after driving through about 80% of their team https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-all-under-25-team-usa-vs-world monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/we-the-north-no-kawhi-no-problem monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592212982791-OKRNXWTWN2EXH90P6I9G/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - We the North - No Kawhi, No Problem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592212866761-XTIH0S81XB0ZAU5IFQ2O/raps.jpg Basketball - We the North - No Kawhi, No Problem https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592212910489-ISVS78HULJNLEK80JML4/sergge.jpg Basketball - 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NBA All Star Picks - Eastern Conference https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/remembering-kobe-bryant-bostons-goodbye-to-the-ultimate-rival monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211569912-THGXMH10R8GMVBDNZ1DT/kobe+paul+pierce+2.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bryant: Boston's Goodbye to the Ultimate Rival https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/remembering-kobe-bean-bryant monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211189653-OJ0MJ4C8OGOJ2VWP05UI/kobe+lebron.jpeg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210784240-42LHYNLHIL9NTG4BJCR1/kobe+rip.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211239771-X90Z5UW1LIS27UB8KY0D/kobe+gianna.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211117367-NNFFI9962KTHANB1GJMQ/image-placeholder-title.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant - As the 2015 NBA season began, the Lakers were coming off a handful of disappointing finishes, and the health of their Mamba was in serious question. Kobe had given everything he had to the Lakers. The Mamba mentality was both a blessing and a curse, but ultimately took a toll on his body and ended his career sooner than any of us, including Kobe would have wanted. He spoke about his love for the game in his Player's Tribune article announcing his retirement titled "Dear Basketball": "A love so deep I gave you my all - from my mind and body to my spirit and soul. [This season] is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it's time to say goodbye - and that's ok, I'm ready to let you go." Before the Lakers' game against the Pacers that night, a letter from Kobe was handed out to Lakers fans which said "what you've done for me is far greater than anything I've done for you... my love for this city, this team and for each of you will never fade. Thank you for this incredible journey." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210933272-0R04JEVVAWTKRXSNKOCT/kobe+2.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant - With 3 minutes and 8 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, the Lakers trailed by 2 as Kobe looked to drive into the paint. He was fouled by Harrison Barnes as he went to the ground yet again, but this time he did not bounce back up. He grabbed at the back of his left calf and was in obvious pain. The Lakers called a timeout, at which point Kobe must have known the situation was dire. Kobe gingerly stepped back onto the court to shoot his free throws on what would later be diagnosed as a torn Achilles. He sank them both, giving the Lakers a chance to go on and win the game before he made his way back to the locker room. On this night, as he had done so many times before, Kobe taught us the importance of self-sacrifice and perseverance. He put his body on the line for his beloved Lakers and paid the ultimate price as he would never fully recover from this injury. Most individuals can’t even stand up after an Achilles injury, let alone walk back and forth across the court and make two free throws - doctors have since said this feat defied medical odds. Kobe truly left his heart on the court that night and gave it every ounce of resolve he had. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210889997-3N1DG2P8ZK35QUHS3THO/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant - The pantheon of Kobe’s career came as he willed a less-talented Lakers team on paper to a 7-game finals win over some all-time greats in Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo - a team that had bested them in the finals two years prior. Bryant took his game to another level, winning his second finals MVP award and his 5th finals series. After the series was over, Bryant spoke about how he just knew the Lakers would win. He didn’t know how, but he knew he would find a way to make it happen. The raw confidence he showed at this moment was characteristic of his entire career. He knew he was destined to be one of the all-time greats from the minute he came into the league. When asked by reporters during his rookie season, if he was surprised at how quickly he had made the transition successfully to the NBA, he said no with a sly grin on his face in classic Kobe fashion. Despite the criticism he faced for making the jump to the NBA from high school at a time when this wasn’t universally accepted, he remained steadfast in his belief that he was ready - and he proved he was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210835877-0C81XQUWVTAWMAPWAW64/kobe+3.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211304652-REVUVE2PMBFW87WQ97PQ/kobe+dear+basketball.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592211354035-DEIW744NY5WY45N97HQ6/kobe+mural.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210978902-29JA5MI2NHTQAJI1BDO7/achilles.jpg Basketball - Remembering Kobe Bean Bryant https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-all-star-picks-western-conferences monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592210254163-04102NPKO1RXTTDF718E/nba+western+conference.jpg Basketball - NBA All-Star Picks - Western Conferences https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/zion-williamson-the-debut-of-a-future-superstar monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592209912377-TXMSDURKJ9C2LA8TMU48/zion+williamson+10.jpg Basketball - Zion Williamson: the Debut of a Future Superstar https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/i-need-juwan-dance monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204620023-JE7RQ9MGTMFM8PLJNG5Q/juwan+howard.jpg Basketball - I Need Juwan Dance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204733569-AU07I6OHAADMTH3GICP9/teske+livers.jpg Basketball - I Need Juwan Dance https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-coach-of-the-year-check-in monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203727084-Z4LMOSREWB1QS02N4AI1/brad+stevens.jpg Basketball - NBA Coach of The Year Check-In - #1: Brad Stevens — Historically, the coach of the year award in the NBA has gone to the coach of one of the top few teams in the league. The Celtics are 11–4 so far this season and look like much more of a Finals contender than I expected going into the season. Stevens has been able to turn the losses of Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Aaron Baynes, and Marcus Morris into a positive for the team. And it’s easy to see why. Those guys tended to be ball stoppers, Kyrie in particular, of course, and Stevens Ball is predicated on constant movement and teamwork. Guys like Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker are much better fits for this system, and Stevens’ coaching talent is shining now that he is coaching the guys he wants on his team. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have taken major steps forward, thanks to inspiration and mentorship from Stevens, and the Celtics have vastly outperformed expectations this year. The team has the 4th best defensive rating in the NBA, thanks to their switchability, length, and athleticism. With the 76ers and Bucks both struggling to some extent, and certainly looking worse than last year, Boston seems to have a chance to grab the one seed in the East and make a Finals run. If they finish with the most wins in the Eastern Conference, despite their offseason losses and the injuries they have already faced, Stevens has to be considered the frontrunner for coach of the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203760995-M6Q3HORFAHCSIIM6QY4R/nick+nurse.jpg Basketball - NBA Coach of The Year Check-In - #2: Nick Nurse — Toronto Raptors fans entered a state of panic after Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green departed this offseason. Yeah, they just won their first Finals, but it was unclear if the team would even be in playoff contention after losing 2 starters, including the Finals MVP. It didn’t feel like the Raps got their fair due in terms of being celebrated as the defending champs. Kawhi is the first Finals MVP to ever leave for another team immediately after winning the championship. This offseason quickly saw basketball media turn its collective focus towards the West Coast and away from the champions up north. But the Raptors took that as more fuel for their chippy, hard-working group and have gotten out to their best start in franchise history. Pascal Siakam looks ready to take the next leap in becoming a superstar, true number one option on his team. And Nick Nurse has this team playing great basketball as they attempt to secure a top-4 seed in the East. The Raps are currently tied with the Celts and Heat for the 2 seed in the East. Toronto is in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating, typically the hallmark of a real contender, and the team is 4th in the NBA in net rating. They should continue their great early season pace with plenty of depth on the roster, and a top-4 finish will make Nurse a surefire finalist for this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203806644-7U31VFO1PBYVELYSC5ML/spo.jpg Basketball - NBA Coach of The Year Check-In - #3: Erik Spoelstra — The Heat looked prime to get back into serious playoff contention after their sign-and-trade for all-star wing Jimmy Butler this offseason. I thought they could challenge for maybe the 6 or 7 seed in the East, but I never expected them to be this good this quickly. Despite Butler missing a handful of the team’s games, Spo has found reliable depth all over the roster to help the team win games. Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro have been revelations as rookies and seem primed to be finalists for the Rookie of the Year award. Justice Winslow, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson are all young guns who Spo has coached up a level this year. Goran Dragic has embraced a 6th man role and seems reinvigorated on offense. The Heat Spo’s game planning and scheming has always been well-appreciated, as he was a former video coordinator for the Heat. He knows a thing or two about the tape. But he has found himself as a talent developer recently, and he now seems to be one of the better leaders of young talent in the NBA. This Heat team continues to outperform expectations and Spo is a huge reason why. The sky is the limit for this group as new teammates build chemistry and Butler logs more games with his new team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203845430-ML63RIJTI5YX10C2T3WJ/monty+williams.jpg Basketball - NBA Coach of The Year Check-In - #4: Monty Williams — Ask NBA fans over the past few years which team they would least like to be a fan of, and you’ll invariably hear responses of the Hornets, Wizards, Knicks, and Suns. The Suns haven’t made the playoffs since 2010. The team won 19 games last year, and despite boasting young studs in Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton, the team couldn’t string together good performances. Phoenix seems to be rising this season. Williams has installed a team culture and identity that hasn’t been seen since Mike D’Antoni used to roam the sidelines calling out plays for his 7-seconds-or-less offense. The crazy part of the Suns’ success is that nothing this offseason led me to believe they would see a major improvement. Losing TJ Warren for nothing, signing Ricky Rubio to what I thought was an inflated contract, trading down in the draft for Cam Johnson and Dario Saric instead of drafting Jarrett Culver, and signing confusing role players like Frank Kaminsky and Aaron Baynes had me questioning the direction of this team. But the Suns are 8–8 despite DeAndre Ayton’s suspension and injuries to Ricky Rubio and Aaron Baynes (who has quietly become one of the best 3 point shooting big men in the NBA). The Suns are 13th in net rating, 10th in pace, and 10th in effective field goal percentage. This has all been with the most difficult schedule in the NBA (per ESPN). Phoenix looks ready to make a jump into the playoffs, and if Monty Williams is able to help the team get there for the first time in a decade, he’ll be a strong candidate for coach of the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203921552-1BVC89WX20Q600BBEADV/doc+rivers.jpg Basketball - NBA Coach of The Year Check-In - #5: Doc Rivers — I was in favor of Doc winning coach of the year last season, taking a plucky group of veterans to 48 wins and a playoff berth. The team’s closing projected win total was 37.5, so they vastly outperformed expectations. Nobody was sleeping on the Clippers this year after they landed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the offseason. But consider this — Leonard and George have only played in a combined 18 games this year, and the Clippers are still 12–5. This is with the 5th most difficult schedule in the NBA (per ESPN). You might be inclined to say that the star power on the Clippers should make Doc ineligible for this award, but it seems highly unlikely George and Leonard play more than 60–65 games each. If the Clippers are still able to secure a top-3 spot in the Western Conference, Doc should garner some serious consideration. The Clippers grit and hustle from last season has carried over to this year, and Doc has helped guys like Rodney McGruder and Moe Harkless fit right in. The team has sorely missed the shooting of Landry Shamet, but Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell continue to be one of the most lethal pick-and-roll combos in the NBA. The Clippers are deep and talented and have one of the best-formed identities in all of basketball. Leonard and George have been integrated seamlessly, credit to Doc’s patience and player-oriented coaching style. The Clippers have a shot to finish the one seed in the West even without their stars playing every game, and Doc would be the catalyst for that type of season. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/anfernee-simmons-how-the-florida-kid-became-the-blue-chip-prospect-in-portland monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592202179245-6SSU16PSN6X7B5UI3N8Z/image-asset.jpeg Basketball - Anfernee Simmons — how the Florida kid became the blue-chip prospect in Portland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592202230628-D85SHWSFO9885NW7YNKZ/anfernee+simons+2.jpg Basketball - Anfernee Simmons — how the Florida kid became the blue-chip prospect in Portland https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/213-the-revival-of-a-downtrodden-franchise monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592201441217-J7E7JG06U29HM53TPLS0/kawhi+pg.jpg Basketball - 213: the Revival of A Downtrodden Franchise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592201564417-8YOBIZQN0ZOLC9WY73VR/clippers.jpg Basketball - 213: the Revival of A Downtrodden Franchise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592201486811-9A7K0B21EZ0Y4FBL0FPF/kawhi+pg+2.jpg Basketball - 213: the Revival of A Downtrodden Franchise https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/nba-1v1-madness-quarterfinals-regional-finals monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592166810558-13WC6NJUVG9MH5XJUXC8/giannis+and+kd.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Quarterfinals (Regional Finals) - East Region (location: Rucker Park) 2) Kevin Durant over 1) Giannis Antetokounmpo KD might be the only player in this tournament who can take down the Greek Freak, and the two butt heads here in the Elite 8. Durant has a three-point stroke that Giannis can only dream of, and he’s also one of the few players who could actually defend Giannis. The Bucks star certainly has the advantage in the post with his physicality and size, but KD is stronger than his slim frame suggests and blocks a few of Giannis’s inside shots. Both players are elite in their own right, but KD gets the slight edge - he’s a better shooter, comparable rebounder/defender, and was arguably the best player in basketball before injuries derailed his season with the Warriors. It’s impossible to know for sure how good he will be in his return from injury, but if we’re assuming both players are healthy then this is a no-brainer pick for the player who’s proven himself in the biggest moments time and again. Final score: 21-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592166497633-C9ZKCLML2KYKNKLQ7RLA/Giannis-Antetokounmpo-Kawhi-Leonard-LeBron-James.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Quarterfinals (Regional Finals) Giannis Antetokounmpo (left), Kawhi Leonard (center), and LeBron James (right) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592166942954-FQWAB30Z4BBNXG3JR3GX/jt+and+zion.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Quarterfinals (Regional Finals) - South Region (location: Cameron Indoor) 3) Jayson Tatum over 5) Zion Williamson THIS is the battle that the Duke faithful came to see. Two of Duke’s best players of the decade, which is saying a lot for a blue blood program which churns out NBA talent on the regular. These two guys figure to define the next generation of basketball, and both bring wildly different skillsets to the table. Zion is a ferocious dunker and highlight reel waiting to happen, but Tatum’s much-improved defense catches him by surprise here, slowing down the Pels’ young mega-star just enough to give himself some breathing room on offense. JT is also the much better 3-point shooter, which makes all the difference in this format as he uses the deep ball to open up a narrow lead. Zion will have his time, but it’s not coming just yet as Jayson punches his ticket to the Final Four. Final score: 21-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592166638027-8TZZ2QF93PXHO0DN7H9B/kawhi+and+dame.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Quarterfinals (Regional Finals) - West Region (location: Venice Beach) 1) Kawhi Leonard over 3) Damian Lillard After a taxing matchup versus Leonard’s wing partner, Dame is spent for his matchup against the face of the Clippers franchise. He pulled off a fantastic win against PG, but isn’t able to execute his gameplan with the same level of success against a similar style of player in Kawhi. Leonard’s elevated physical ability carries him to a disappointingly comfortable win, and a ticket to the Final Four. Final score: 21-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592166689999-MCTGZAX9CGIM24JKTNDH/lebron+and+ad.jpg Basketball - NBA 1v1 Madness: Quarterfinals (Regional Finals) - Midwest Region (location: Hoosier Gym) 1) LeBron James over 2) Anthony Davis LeBron takes on his teammate, the guy he moved worlds to get on the Lakers this season. Davis may be taking the torch from LeBron as the best Lakers player in due time, but it’s not that time yet and LeBron still has the better all-around game. This is a pretty close matchup for a spot in the Final Four, but LeBron’s big-game experience and all-around gamesmanship pushes him past the Brow. Final score: 21-17 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-bball/category/basketball monthly 0.5 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb daily 0.75 2024-04-11 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-mock-draft-10 monthly 0.5 2024-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/dc4a9dba-bc4b-413b-9706-26430d4c3585/NFL+Draft+2024.jpeg Football - NFL Mock Draft 1.0 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/2021-nfl-draft-grades-nfc monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/2021-nfl-draft-grades-afc monthly 0.5 2021-05-17 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-mock-draft-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684224246-BL2GL57CLY0A30JVE3G2/devonta+smith.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #7: Detroit Lions - WR Devonta Smith, Alabama While I still see Ja’Marr Chase as the best receiver in this class, a Heisman-winning 2020 campaign put DeVonta Smith right on his heels. On his way to 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, Smith showed that he has the full package of ball skills, route-running, body control, and foot speed. The Lions lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones this offseason, and they will want to find a way to add pass-catching talent for new quarterback Jared Goff. Smith would likely be the team’s best receiver from Day 1. Smith is a game-breaking specimen at wideout and he fits any scheme in the NFL. The Lions can start to rebuild a young offensive nucleus around him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721548943-744CH1MFP4YEBBXDU3XY/ronnie+perkins.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #44: Dallas Cowboys - EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma After adding a cornerback to fortify their pass coverage, the Cowboys land a pass-rusher to enhance their pressure off the edge. Perkins needs to add some muscle to enhance his power rushing game, especially after losing weight over the course of his college career. Despite being undersized, though, he possesses a tremendous speed rushing game and has experience as a three-year starter for Oklahoma. Perkins needs to develop stronger hands and a more enhanced power game overall, but he will make an immediate impact for a Dallas team desperately in need of more pass-rushing help. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684491473-K5XI2IG408OW9U10QLIO/micah+parsons.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #9: Denver Broncos - LB Micah Parsons, Penn State I had originally mocked a cornerback for the Broncos in this spot, but they addressed that need in a huge way in free agency with the signings of Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby. Linebacker will currently be manned by Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell, but some more talented could be added to the group. Micah Parsons would bring a brand of physicality and playmaking to Vic Fangio’s defense that is currently lacking in the linebacker corps. Parsons could drop in the draft a bit due to not playing last season and being named a “ringleader” in the Penn State hazing scandal, but teams shouldn’t hesitate to capitalize on his talent. He is a phenomenal pass-rusher as well as a consistently stonewalling tackler. Parsons also has the athleticism and speed to reliably succeed in pass coverage. Parsons is a no-brainer pick here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720087253-09E07C41BG508TRDP06R/travis+etienne.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #30: Buffalo Bills - RB Travis Etienne, Clemson The Bills aren’t a team with many needs heading into this draft, but they could stand to improve a ground game that produced the 6th-fewest rushing touchdowns and the 7th-fewest yards per attempt last season. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss were surprisingly ineffective given the overall potency of the offense. Etienne would be a breath of fresh air for Josh Allen and friends as a runner with home-run ability and absurd balance through contact. He also became a formidable receiver last season as he caught 48 balls for 588 yards, the most in the country among running backs. Etienne would enjoy a versatile role in the Bills’ offense, and he would go a long way to keeping opposing defenses honest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684374793-18YHF8A77RIK696YD32Z/kyle+pitts.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #8: Carolina Panthers - TE Kyle Pitts, Florida It’s unfair to simply call Kyle Pitts the best tight end in the draft. He is a tremendous route runner and has strong downfield speed. He showed the ability to consistently separate from cornerbacks in college and has a massive catch radius at 6’5”, 235 lbs. Pitts is also an improving run-blocker and should be able to contribute in that facet of the game. The Panthers would assemble a tremendously talented young offensive nucleus with Pitts joining Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, and Robby Anderson. Matt Rhule and Joe Brady would have a tremendous time working with that group. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719426301-7ELECGMPYRDLRO4X1P81/walker+little.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #23: New York Jets - OT Walker Little, Stanford There may not be a more difficult player to evaluate in this class than Walker Little. At 6’8”, 313 lbs, he has the ideal size for the tackle position with special footwork for his size and a powerful anchor. The problem? He’s only played 72 snaps over the past two seasons. A knee injury ended his season in Week 1 of 2019 and he opted out of the 2020 season. The lack of information on his development and a lack of real playing time since 2018 will have scouts concerned. However, NFL teams always have the most information on these prospects, and I believe a team is going to see his upside as worthy of a first-round pick. The Jets already got their quarterback of the future in Zach Wilson. Now, they can pair Mekhi Becton with Walker Little to form a high-upside tackle pairing of the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720164036-OYC40YZ6ZMWE7I2428WG/samuel+cosmi.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #31: Kansas City Chiefs - OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas Samuel Cosmi is a tremendous athlete who at 6’7”, 309 lbs, also has the power to stifle opposing pass-rushers at the line of scrimmage. Cosmi was a three-year starter at Texas who allowed just 6 sacks on over 2,500 snaps. His technique needs some more development in a number of ways, but you can’t teach Cosmi’s combination of athleticism and power. The Chiefs released starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, so they need to address the position. That’s especially true after a Super Bowl LV game in which Patrick Mahomes was hit a whopping 9 times. Cosmi is a long-term starter for the Chiefs, and a smart investment at this point of the draft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720250268-CEEF2W2SLGSZI8J4THST/christian+barmore.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #32: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - IDL Christian Barmore, Alabama This would be quite the slide for Christian Barmore, a player who many have going inside the top 20. However, the rich get richer here as the Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers add a high-upside defensive tackle to a position of some strength for them. Barmore only had one season as a starter at Alabama, but he racked up 8 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 27 hurries on 476 snaps last year. At 6’5”, 311 lbs, he has ideal size for the defensive tackle position. Barmore also possesses powerful arms, dominant hand usage, and special flexibility for a guy his size. Tampa already has Vita Vea, Ndamukong Suh, and William Gholston starting on the defensive line, but Barmore would be a dominant depth piece and a surefire long-term starter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725673479-5HN5681271499XUZZ1Y3/joseph+ossai.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #60: New Orleans Saints - EDGE Joseph Ossai, Texas After being born in Nigeria, Joseph Ossai didn’t play a single game of football until he was 10 years old. A late bloomer to the game, Ossai didn’t find his true position until 2020 when he was a full-time starting defensive end. He lacks high-end athletic traits, but his production as a pass-rusher speaks for itself. An every-down player with natural movement and the consistent ability to defeat blocks, Ossai has strong starting fundamentals for an NFL pass-rusher. His upside is capped given a lack of size and athleticism, but his skillset makes him a Round 2 pick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719831484-DZHXU8AKCWWHGEZ6G25C/zaven+collins.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #27: Baltimore Ravens - LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa Zaven Collins might be my favorite player in this draft. At 6’4”, 260, he has rare size at a linebacker position that continues to trend smaller and smaller. Make no mistake, though - he moves like a player 40 pounds lighter than him. Collins is the total package. He can cover receivers in space - he had four interceptions in only eight games last season. He is a strong contributor in run defense. His best attribute, though, may be his pass-rushing as he is going to dominate one-on-one matchups, particularly against running backs in pass protection. The Ravens did just draft Patrick Queen last season, but Collins is a very different type of player and is a great fit for a blitz-heavy Baltimore defense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725856503-SSVS2URQAPP9Y2Y2EY1C/payton+turner.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #62: Green Bay Packers - EDGE Payton Turner, Houston Payton Turner only played in four games in 2020, but he had five sacks in those games to break through in a meaningful way. He hasn’t played top opposition at Houston, but he has a great frame and the ability to harness it in physical play. The Packers could stand to improve their pass rush for next season, and while Turner can likely contribute in a rotational role, his real value is as a developmental project who continues to improve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617722305954-8F95QJ7T0SBRUMK5YVS2/jackson+carman.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #52: Chicago Bears - OT Jackson Carman, Clemson At 6’6”, 328 lbs, Jackson Carman is a behemoth on the offensive line whose pancakes stand out as he destroys some top-level opposition. However, his technique and consistency have been problematic throughout his career, and he never quite made the progression his physical profile suggested he should. He’s a project for the Bears, but one that can fill in at guard or tackle in his first NFL season. With his physical tools, the upside is phenomenal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684139920-7CQN96OVXCAGD3LEPKSY/ja%27marr+chase.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #6: Miami Dolphins - WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU The Dolphins came into the offseason with the clear goal of adding receiving help for Tua Tagovailoa with the signing of Will Fuller. He, DeVante Parker, and Mike Gesicki form a solid foundation for the team. But why not add the best receiver in a loaded class to the mix? Justin Jefferson just put together the best rookie season of all time, but he wasn’t even the best receiver on his team in college. That would be Chase who had 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in Joe Burrow’s 2019 Heisman-winning campaign. Chase would have been a first-round pick after that season, but he was still just a sophomore. After not playing in 2020, Chase may not have the media’s attention as much as a year ago. However, nothing has really changed. Chase still has elite ball skills and combines sneaky speed with a physical 6’1”, 200 lb frame. Despite a talented pass-catching group in place for Miami, Chase could be the best receiver on the squad right away and they can’t pass that up here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719595006-B2YTQC3UWUYUFC105P2L/dillon+radunz.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #24: Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State As of now, the Steelers have yet to resign Alejandro Villanueva in free agency, leaving them with a massive hole at left tackle. Villanueva could still return to the team, but tackle would remain a need as Zach Banner has underwhelmed at right tackle. Dillon Radunz is on the smaller side for an offensive tackle, but he makes up for a lack of size with arguably the best athletic profile at his position in this class. Radunz will need some adjustment time as he played in an overwhelmingly run-heavy offense at North Dakota State, but he has the explosiveness and athleticism to be a long-term starting-caliber tackle. The Steelers need to invest in a young player at the position, and Radunz makes a lot of sense for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721275391-KF3TGPQRQAM67NIEA6OI/landon+dickerson.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #41: Detroit Lions - IOL Landon Dickerson, Alabama Landon Dickerson might be the strongest player in this draft and at 6’6”, 326 lbs, he’s a fridge in the middle of the offensive line. He allowed just 1 sack through his three seasons at Alabama which he spent playing every position on the offensive line. Dickerson also proved to be scheme-diverse as Alabama shifted its offense from Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones, two very different quarterbacks. If Dickerson hadn’t torn his ACL in the SEC title game, he would have been a first-round pick this year. Here, the Lions capitalize on his drop in the draft to make him arguably the best value pick so far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617683718717-0NC3LRSUGKX59QMIAEZS/zach+wilson.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #2: New York Jets - QB Zach Wilson, BYU In most draft classes, I would have Zach Wilson rated as the best quarterback on the board. Make no mistake about it - his standing as the 2nd-best QB in this draft has more to do with Lawrence’s historic upside than Wilson’s lack of ability. Zach Wilson has the ability to throw on the move and deliver balls with supreme accuracy, and he can zip balls downfield despite not having a stable platform. Wilson has a slightly concerning injury history, but a phenomenal 2020 campaign with 32 touchdowns and 3 interceptions didn’t completely come from out of nowhere. The Jets’ new regime may want to see what they have in Sam Darnold, but they won’t have another opportunity to get a quarterback this good for some time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720578224-OBHZ73P086R15G0VC6XS/azeez+ojulari.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #33: Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia I almost mocked Ojulari to the Jaguars at #25, but they get their guy here. The Jaguars generated just 18 sacks last season, the second-fewest in the NFL, and they need to find a way to juice up their pass rush. Ojulari is a lightning-quick speed rusher who consistently keeps offensive linemen off-balance with a variety of rush moves. The power aspect of Ojulari’s game is limited, and he might struggle as a run defender at first. However, there’s no doubt that Ojulari would enhance Jacksonville’s pass rush and he’s a steal at this point of the draft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719344265-VIDLN2XQD49FS2T54YV0/asante+samuel.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #22: Tennessee Titans - CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State The Titans allowed the second-most passing touchdowns and the fourth-most passing yards last season before releasing Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler over the offseason. They need to invest in cornerback in this draft. Some teams will have Asante Samuel Jr. off their board entirely as he stands at a diminutive 5’10”, 180 lbs. However, the Titans put a lot of faith into Jackson over the past few years, and they don’t seem to be scared off by undersized corners. Samuel is a tremendous athlete who is constantly making plays on the ball, and he can play across the field, covering a number of types of players. Samuel may lack the size to hang with massive possession receivers downfield, but his natural feel for the game and balance should translate right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720655118-8CXC1UTI89JRNZUTXJT3/terrace+marshall+jr.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #34: New York Jets - WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU With 23 touchdowns over the last two seasons, Terrace Marshall Jr. has often been the forgotten man in an offense that has featured Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. At 6’3”, 200 lbs, Marshall has to fill in his frame to be a consistent contested catch player in the NFL. However, he has legitimate downfield speed and acceleration that are rare for a player with his height and length. The Jets brought in Corey Davis this offseason and still have Jamison Crowder and Denzel Mims, so Marshall wouldn’t be overburdened right away. His upside is too good to pass up here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721350710-H792WNFR02SJYPVAKYMI/nick+bolton.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #42: New York Giants - LB Nick Bolton, Missouri The Giants are putting together a physical brand of defense under second-year defensive coordinator Patrick Graham with talent at all three levels. They could use another ball-playing linebacker, though, and that’s exactly what Nick Bolton is. Some will criticize him for a lack of standout physical traits, but Bolton had the most stops in the SEC each of the past two seasons - he’s just plain productive. He handles himself well in coverage and has elite processing speed to make plays wherever he’s needed. Bolton would be a Day 1 starter for the Giants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725930457-SQ4GYO7PI1HKGQ0SG7IF/josh+palmer.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #63: Kansas City Chiefs - WR Josh Palmer, Tennessee Josh Palmer never caught more than 34 balls or had more than 484 yards in any of his three seasons at Tennessee, but he played in an offense that failed to utilize his physical frame and downfield acceleration. However, I’d be willing to wager that Patrick Mahomes will know how to utilize his intriguing talent. Palmer’s ball skills and play strength make him a logical replacement for Sammy Watkins who departed in free agency. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617726000575-DJ4Z6PZBSWRBVCE38DM6/aaron+robinson.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #64: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Aaron Robinson, UCF Aaron Robinson is a unique projection as a 6’1”, 193 lb player who has the skill and desire to mix it up in the box and play downhill. He has the size to play outside cornerback, but never showed the technique or consistency to beat wide receivers in one-on-one coverage in press. Robinson has great route recognition and loves to mix it up. His energy is infectious. The Buccaneers land a nice developmental piece for their secondary, one that Todd Bowles will love to experiment with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684909895-YQ8M6IPGY9S3TU5V48VY/jaylen+waddle.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #12: Philadelphia Eagles - WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama The Eagles have more needs than they can possibly hope to fill in this draft, so I’m giving them arguably the best available player on the board here. Waddle is just 5’10”, 182 lbs, but he is one of the fastest players in this draft and is a blur with the ball in his hands. Reuniting Waddle with his former quarterback in Jalen Hurts is the cherry on top here, and the duo’s past experience together should serve Philadelphia well. Jaylen Waddle has everything you could want out of an elite deep threat in the NFL - top-end speed and acceleration, ball-tracking, and contested-catch potential. However, he should be able to contribute in a number of ways, and he would go a long way towards helping an offense with some of the least amounts of playmaking from skill position players in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725522311-NSUX1M25L910TG74MP7L/liam+eichenberg.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #58: Baltimore Ravens - OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame Orlando Brown’s future with the Ravens is still murky after he requested a trade earlier this offseason, and he still may not be with the team when the season starts. Eichenberg was a three-year starter at left tackle for Notre Dame and he didn’t allow a single sack on over 800 snaps in each of the past two seasons. Eichenberg is already 23 and he lacks high-end athletic traits for development, but he is as NFL-ready as it gets and has the floor of a solid starter right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617722067385-HVC4315FYBLUF1MHH641/wyatt+davis.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #49: Arizona Cardinals - IOL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State The Cardinals seem to have their tackles figured out for the long-term with D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum, but the interior of their offensive line could use an addition. Wyatt Davis rarely gets beat one-on-one in pass protection and he only allowed 4 sacks and 1 QB hit in three seasons at Ohio State. He has ideal physical tools and a measured play style that keeps him on balance. Davis is a plug-and-play starting offensive guard for the Cardinals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719636260-9QEM46HYZRM8J8BZP1DU/alex+leatherwood.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #25: Jacksonville Jaguars - OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama The run on offensive tackles continue here as the Jaguars land what they hope will be a long-term starting offensive tackle to protect Trevor Lawrence. Cam Robinson was signed to a franchise tag over the offseason, but the team has yet to agree to a long-term contract with him, and they could look to add another Alabama tackle to eventually take his place. Leatherwood doesn’t have great movement ability and he struggles to make an impact at the second level. However, he is a force when he has his feet set and most opposing pass rushers have no hope of powering past him. His length and powerful lower body are highly desirable traits at the position, and his lack of athleticism isn’t a dealbreaker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719992258-5FWXSRFX0S1OPJBU5W4D/kadarius+toney.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #29: Green Bay Packers - WR Kadarius Toney, Florida I can’t wait until I mock another high-level wide receiver to the Packers and they take a backup at quarterback or tight end instead. I kid, but only partially as Green Bay has been impossible to project in recent drafts. Here, I’ll give them a receiver with joystick-like movement and unreal acceleration to separate from defenders. Toney isn’t close to a polished route runner and he is untested as a contested catch player, but he’s a true playmaker with game-breaking flexibility and explosiveness. Toney may be limited to more of a gadget role early in his career, but the Packers can bring him along slowly and develop him into an integral part of their offense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617683612417-JIU5NLUFUELTWXUFE67N/trevor+lawrence.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #1: Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Trevor Lawrence, ClEmson This pick has been set in stone for months now, and a new era of football in Jacksonville will kick off with Lawrence and new head coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence is one of the best prospects we’ve seen in recent years after throwing for 90 touchdowns to just 17 interceptions through 40 college games. This is a historic quarterback class, but Lawrence stands head and shoulders above his peers. He’s the total package with arm strength, processing ability, pocket presence, and foot speed, and he’s continued to improve in terms of passing accuracy. Lawrence has future MVP potential in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617718415499-Q198EDVPPYJFTLXG02VO/caleb+farley.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #16: Arizona Cardinals - CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech A second back procedure for Caleb Farley raised a ton of red flags for draft analysts, and it wouldn’t necessarily be shocking to see him fall into the second round depending on how teams view his health. What isn’t questionable is Farley’s upside to turn into a high-level starting cornerback in the NFL. With a 6’2”, 207-lb frame, he can cover bigger wide receivers downfield, but he doesn’t lose any speed as he’s one of the fastest corners in this class. Farley had six interceptions in two seasons and, despite opting out of the 2020 season, we’ve seen enough of him to project him as a Day 1 starter. The Cardinals need to get younger at the cornerback position, and Farley represents a high-upside project at the corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721877560-BEMAYZ42LPU6R7VU8UGM/jevon+holland.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #47: Los Angeles Chargers - S Jevon Holland, Oregon The Chargers solved one of their biggest issues in the first round with an offensive tackle, and now they add a valuable jigsaw piece to the secondary. Jevon Holland played great football for two seasons at Oregon, one at free safety and one in the slot. The Chargers can stand to upgrade over Nassir Adderley at free safety, but they could also use more cornerback depth after losing Casey Hayward Jr. and Desmond King over the past year. Holland is a sound tackler and a ball-hawk in the secondary, and he has the versatility to play a number of positions in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719179420-Z04S8YMLKMCXQNB7B3Y3/jaycee+horn.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #20: Chicago Bears - CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina The Bears could look to draft Mac Jones here, but I’ve made no secret about my lack of love for the player and I don’t think that would be the best use of this selection. The Bears lost Kyle Fuller over the offseason and need to add another physical man corner to play across from second-year CB Jaylon Johnson. Jaycee Horn is a beast at the catch point and has remarkable ball-tracking and playmaking tendencies from a defensive player. As with most young cornerbacks, Horn’s technique and diligence could use some ironing out. However, he is a logical fit for the Bears defense and would fill a major need. Caleb Farley’s murky injury status could push Horn up the board for some teams, but in this scenario, the Bears land him as the third cornerback off the board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617718722449-NCOQMGWDBD99JS06N0XU/rashod+bateman.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #19: Washington Football Team - WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota After signing Ryan Fitzpatrick to helm the offense, Washington will be looking to add another pass-catcher to a group that has limited upside outside of the speedy Terry McLaurin. Rashod Bateman seems to be a perfect complement to McLaurin as a physically dominant player with a finely-tuned route-running and release package. Bateman is a stud with the ball in his hands, breaking tackles with ease, and he has the ability to line up in the slot or outside. He won’t wow you with game-breaking speed or acceleration, but Bateman is a surefire starting wide receiver in the NFL with his physicality, versatility, and technical refinement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720868307-X758L04P73Y5UOC1QIMF/gregory+rousseau.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #36: Miami Dolphins - EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami Gregory Rousseau is one of the most fun players in this draft to project to the NFL as he has a basketball frame at 6’6”, 265 lbs. He racked up 16 sacks on 529 snaps in 2019 and he flashed special ability to get after the quarterback from the inside or outside of the defensive line. Rousseau needs to fill out his frame and develop his pass-rushing toolbox, but his physical profile alone is enough to put him in consideration for a Day 1 pick. Rousseau played wide receiver, tight end, outside linebacker, and safety throughout his high school career, and that positional versatility should lead to him being a valuable chess piece on defense in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725393266-X0RWSMF5JE62X3H132C9/quinn+meinerz.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #57: Los Angeles Rams - IOL Quinn Meinerz, UW-Whitewater From his crop top jersey to his production against high-level opposition, Quinn Meinerz exploded onto the scene during Senior Bowl week. He has an ideal build for the center position, elite explosiveness, and smart positional awareness. With virtually no collegiate experience to think of, Meinerz is far from being ready to start in the NFL. However, Meinerz’s enticing potential makes him worthy of a second-round pick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617722162155-L2ZTUWF8O2IMRVVQNSQI/najee+harris.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #50: Miami Dolphins - RB Najee Harris, Alabama The Dolphins added Malcolm Brown in free agency, but with a truckload of draft picks it makes sense to further invest in the running back position. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed played very well for stretches of last season, but Miami’s rushing game needs a major supplement. Najee Harris was one of the most highly-recruited running backs in recent memory, and his talent turned into production at Alabama. Harris had over 2,700 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns over the last two seasons. With size and strength for days, he breaks tackles with ease, and he has a phenomenal catch radius. He’s not a fast ball-carrier and we’ve never seen him play behind a sub-par offensive line, but he’s a safe pick for guaranteed production. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684569797-VO2ONL0FEGFX89DL19PC/patrick+surtain.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #10: Dallas Cowboys - CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama The Cowboys had a tough time in pass coverage last season, but Trevon Diggs looks like a legitimate long-term contributor with upside. Dallas could look to bolster the cornerback position with Patrick Surtain II, Diggs’s former Alabama teammate. Surtain has been starting at Alabama since his freshman season and he hasn’t allowed over 65 yards in a single game over the past two seasons despite facing some of the top receivers in college football. He’s as technically sound as it gets and he has played more coverage snaps than any player in college football over the past 3 years. His speed is still a bit of a question mark, as is his change-of-direction ability, but that does more to limit his ceiling than anything else. He’s a high-floor prospect who should make an impact as a starter right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617718609285-DGS2F6NZACSG99T2MU4S/alijah+vera-tucker.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #18: Miami Dolphins - IOL/OT Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC Alijah Vera-Tucker shot up draft boards this year after playing at the tackle spot last season, further expanding his remarkable versatility as a starter at three positions at USC. Vera-Tucker lacks ideal size or speed for the outside in the NFL, so he’ll likely be better suited to play guard. However, his experience at multiple positions is undoubtedly valuable and he’s a plug-and-play starter for Miami at offensive guard. The Dolphins got their top wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase to pair with Tua Tagovaiola, now they get another offensive lineman who makes a huge difference upfront. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617685605823-NZ5PT7T5VSLT4O8PDR21/jeremiah+owusu+koramoah.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #15: New England Patriots - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame As much as the Patriots struggled in 2020, they really don’t have many needs entering the draft. The offensive line is set in stone as a top-end group while the defense added Matt Judon, Henry Anderson, and Kyle Van Noy in free agency. The Patriots also addressed a barren pass-catching group by bringing in a number of players in free agency. So at #15, I’m giving New England a dynamic, unbelievably versatile defensive weapon in JOK. His remarkable speed and athleticism allow him to run with wide receivers in the slot, explode past the line of scrimmage, and make sideline-to-sideline plays. He would immediately be the smallest linebacker in the NFL at 6’1”, 215 lbs, but Bill Belichick would be thrilled to work with a multi-positional player who can contribute in a number of ways right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617722234576-FKK6L8SOQYH2RJFJ29HR/ar%27darius+washington.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #51: Washington Football Team - S Ar’Darius Washington, TCU Some teams will have Washington off their board entirely - he’s a diminutive 5’8”, 178 lbs and there aren’t many players who have had success in the NFL at that size. Those teams would be missing out on a defensive back with the versatility to play in the slot or over the top. Washington’s instincts are absurd and he reads the game better than most every player he’s ever faced. He’s a great fit for the Washington defense, outside of the shared name, as his field vision and explosion would be all-the-more valuable when paired with their elite pass rush. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720944189-B05K350Y4F6JO27L3EGJ/jalen+mayfield.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #37: Philadelphia Eagles - OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan The Eagles’ offensive line is one of many sore spots for the team, and it needs to be addressed with an early pick in this draft. Lane Johnson could retire after this season, and the duo of Andre Dillard and Jordan Mailata has a limited ceiling. If the Eagles are looking for a high-ceiling offensive tackle, they can get one in Mayfield. At 6’5”, 320 lbs, Mayfield is a powerful player with a strong core who rarely gets pushed off his line. However, he also has the nimbleness and quick footwork to mirror opponents. Mayfield’s technique is a mess at times, and he needs help with his discipline in hands and feet. However, he has the upside to be an elite player at the tackle position, if he cleans up his game considerably. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721205147-NLTSDQYPGV1EWRDJ8HGZ/carlos+basham.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #40: Denver Broncos - EDGE Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest The Broncos highly value versatility on the defensive front, and Carlos Basham Jr. has the ability to contribute across the line of scrimmage. At 6’4”, 285 lbs, he has the size of an undersized nose tackle, but he flies across the field to make plays. He was inconsistent last season in terms of effort, hand usage, and decisiveness, but those are coachable traits which Vic Fangio could certainly iron out. Basham Jr. is a high-upside pass-rusher who should contribute in a number of ways right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617683935269-MJOY36T457W2G8DLABBZ/trey+lance.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #4: Atlanta Falcons - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State Four quarterbacks off the board in quick succession here as the historic class gets paid its dues in the draft. Trey Lance may have the most physical ability out of the top four QBs here, and his rushing ability is a phenomenal asset. Lance has a cannon of an arm and rarely makes bad decisions. However, his accuracy, anticipation, and timing all need work. Lance is a project, and he likely can’t start right away. That works well for Atlanta, though, who still have Matt Ryan in place. New head coach Arthur Smith reportedly wants to work with Matt Ryan, but the Atlanta brain trust is very impressed with Lance. The long-term upside is worth a selection here, despite players on the board who could help the Falcons more right now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617724647132-FI97MFB8REGWCM5DZ0YR/alim+mcneill.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #54: Indianapolis Colts - DT alim McNeill, NC State Alim McNeill is a centerpiece on the line of scrimmage who can impact plays by stuffing the middle against running backs and pushing the pocket against quarterbacks. He moves way faster than you’d expect for someone who is 320 pounds, and he was a consistent pass-rushing threat in college despite never really developing much of a pass-rushing repertoire. McNeill would form a formidable duo in the middle of the defensive line for the Colts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725307065-K6ML81R883AJFMNYPI6O/tyson+campbell.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #56: Seattle Seahawks - CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia The Seahawks allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL last season, and they’ll be looking to add to their cornerback group with their first selection in the draft. Campbell is a high-level defender at the catch point thanks to his length and change-of-direction ability, and he’s a tremendous tackler as well. His instincts and discipline need practice, and he needs to put on some muscle, but the upside is there for him to become a high-level starter in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721120599-T23WKHW3V5AAKG1F5VA3/jaelan+phillips.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #39: Carolina Panthers - EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami Among the crazy stories in this draft class, Jaelan Phillips sure does stand out. He was hit by a car while riding a scooter at UCLA in 2018, suffering head and wrist injuries in the process. He suffered another concussion during the 2018 season and retired from football. Then, he returned to the game with something to prove as he racked up 9 sacks and 36 total pressures in his final seven games of the season. The medicals will be a question mark, but Phillips has remarkable power and timing in his pass-rushing. The Panthers could use another edge rusher across from Brian Burns, and Phillips has massive upside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617720753637-PO78JPB8VM8IZ1V64ETU/elijah+moore.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #35: Atlanta Falcons - WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss Two wide receivers come off the board in quick succession here as the Falcons get a phenomenal complementary piece to Calvin Ridley as Julio Jones’s career is starting to wind down. At 5’9”, 178 lbs, Moore won’t wow you with physical dominance. However, he’s a catch machine who had just 10 drops on 200 catchable targets throughout his collegiate career. Moore’s intrigue doesn’t stop in the slot, though, as his speed suggests a more versatile role in his NFL future. He is a force to be reckoned with in the screen game, and he refuses to give up at the catch point. Moore could be among the most productive receivers right away in this draft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725592354-ZOYNHHSFC7MR4TYZWZ0E/jabril+cox.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #59: Cleveland Browns - LB Jabril Cox, LSU The Browns have needs in coverage that they already addressed in this mock with Greg Newsome, but they also need another linebacker. Jabril Cox is a perfect match as a linebacker with tremendous coverage skills. He’s not a hard-nosed run defender, and his closing burst is lacking, but any scheme can utilize his abilities in coverage. The Browns would benefit from his presence on defense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617718507703-2FFV2LH4DY9B1SNTAVC1/teven+jenkins.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #17: Las Vegas Raiders - OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State The Raiders’ offensive line needs a major face-lift, and the team should look to dip into a talented group of players at this pick. Teven Jenkins allowed no sacks and just 2 QB hits in over 1,300 snaps over the past two seasons. At 6’6”, 310 lbs, he’s one of the strongest players in the draft and he tosses around smaller edge rushers with ease. Jenkins hasn’t faced top-notch opposition in the Big 12, and he is already going to be 23 years old on draft day. However, he represents a plug-and-play prospect at offensive tackle, and he’d go a long way towards solidifying the Raiders’ offensive line. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684022280-UQI08OFJ3GF86YOMXREF/penei+sewell.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #5: Cincinnati Bengals - OT Penei Sewell, Oregon Penei Sewell only played a season and a half of college football, but he proved enough to make him the obvious first offensive lineman off the board. He allowed zero sacks and just 2 QB hits in 926 snaps in the 2019 season as no opponent came close to bettering him over a full game. His footwork and short-area burst are absurd for a 6’6”, 331 lb behemoth - his highlights are arguably the most fun to watch of any player in this draft. Keep in mind that he was only 19 years old in that 2019 season and he won’t turn 21 until the fall. The Bengals need to do a better job of keeping Joe Burrow upright after he took 32 sacks in 10 games in his rookie season before a season-ending injury. With Riley Reiff now on the roster, the tackle isn’t as grave a need as it was before free agency. However, Sewell is the best non-quarterback in this draft and he’ll go a long way in securing the pocket next season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617683843703-U1IUIS7HXZBEPQ5909XM/justin+fields.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #3: San Francisco 49ers - QB Justin Fields, Ohio State The 49ers sent three first-round picks and a third-rounder to move up to this spot, and they will want to maximize the upside of the selection. Fields has special physical tools and is an incredibly accurate passer. His production was a bit up-and-down last season with some ugly games along the way, and there are valid concerns about his game including slow processing and inconsistent decision-making. Those things could make him a candidate to spend a season on the bench in the NFL, and San Francisco has the opportunity to make that happen with Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster. Fields is a dynamic two-way player, and his downfield passing has been consistent. A season on the bench would help iron out some consistency issues, and Fields’s upside in Kyle Shanahan’s offense is a terrifying thought for the rest of the NFC West. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617684666760-LDWCFV4Z533HBQ8QNBG5/rashawn+slater.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #11: New York Giants - OT/OG Rashawn Slater, Northwestern Giants fans will moan and groan about another first-round offensive lineman, but Rashawn Slater makes too much sense here with his positional versatility. A starter for Northwestern from 2017 to 2019, Slater is a special talent who plays much bigger than his 6’3” frame would suggest. With processing speed like a robot and remarkable athleticism, he can make opposing defenders who try to trick him look silly. The Giants lost Nate Solder and Kevin Zeitler this offseason, and they have needs across the offensive line. Slater can start at right tackle, as he did in college, to form a stout duo on the outside with Andrew Thomas. He can also line up at either guard spot. For a Giants offense with plenty of skill talent but an inconsistent offensive line, Slater’s pro-ready game and versatility make him an easy choice here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719916264-EJGYBI61YTRJY78N5O0Z/trevon+moehrig.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #28: New Orleans Saints - S Trevon Moehrig, TCU Late first-round picks are usually made with a best-player-available focus. However, most teams picking in the late first-round don’t have as many overwhelming needs as the Saints. Trevon Moehrig can help fill multiple needs. As the leader in college football in pass breakups over the past two seasons, his size and length are a huge factor as he closes in on the catch point. Moehrig isn’t going to be a single-high safety in the NFL, but that works for New Orleans who found a way to keep Marcus Williams. Moehrig can consistently handle coverage in the slot, though, a position of increasing importance. The Saints could also look to add a pass-rusher here, but Moehrig makes a lot of sense as a multi-faceted safety with few holes in his game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721019096-I2T0I847O24SY5QK4Q5O/rondale+moore.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #38: Cincinnati Bengals - WR Rondale Moore, Purdue In Rondale Moore’s freshman season in 2018, there wasn’t a cornerback who he faced who had a prayer of stopping him. He racked up 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns that season. However, Moore has been sidelined by injuries over the past two years and has just 64 catches for 655 yards and 2 touchdowns in that span. Stil, he’s a blur with the ball in his hands and a remarkably strong player for his 5’7”, 180 lb frame. If it weren’t for injury concerns, he’d be a clear-cut first-round pick. He joins Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins in a dynamic young receiver group for Joe Burrow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719273127-CC4Q1XK3HIWOI2RDTDGX/jayson+oweh.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #21: Indianapolis Colts - EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State Jayson Oweh didn’t become a full-time starter for Penn State until he was a junior, but he registered 7 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 39 hurries in 744 career snaps. He’s a physical freak at the position at 6’5”, 257 pounds with remarkable speed off the line of scrimmage. Oweh improved significantly as a run defender last season, and he now looks to be an every-down player in the NFL. The Colts don’t have any glaring needs, but Oweh is an enticing, high-upside project on defense. Oweh is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, which makes him a great long-term prospect for the Colts to work with and develop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721458823-3ROCM9NC7AILF3W1S71Z/jamar+johnson.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #43: San Francisco 49ers - S Jamar Johnson, Indiana Indiana’s ascent into relevancy this past season was keyed by a tremendous pass defense; Jamar Johnson was an integral part of that effort. His interception of Justin Fields was an eye-opening highlight, but not a fluky play - Johnson’s coverage skills are special. He can cover receivers in the slot or downfield, in man or zone coverage. He didn’t play a ton of snaps over the past three years, but he has universal coverage capabilities that make him a valuable addition to a Niners secondary that suffered a ton of injuries last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617685271566-GRHAQZ8BJYACR539B1JB/kwity+paye.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #14: Minnesota Vikings - EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan Paye has one of the most unique stories in this draft as he was born in a refugee camp in Guinea and migrated to the United States with his mother and brother when he was just six months old. Since then, a down-on-his-luck kid has grown into a 6’4”, 272-pound pass-rushing behemoth. Paye is a ridiculous athlete for his size, and his combination of finesse and power will allow him to make a difference lining up at a number of positions on the defensive line. The Vikings will get Danielle Hunter back from injury this year, but they could stand to get younger on the defensive line, and Paye would give the team some much-needed pass-rushing juice. Paye’s technique and pass-rushing toolbox could use some development, but his physical ability is undeniable and he’s improved steadily every year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721623126-TYIRSA9S4H5L13LK9018/pat+freiermuth.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #45: Jacksonville Jaguars - TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State The Jaguars addressed the wide receiver position in the offseason by adding Marvin Jones to a group featuring D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault. However, the offense is still lacking a reliable over-the-middle target for rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Pat Freiermuth doesn’t have the elite speed of some seam-busting tight ends in the league, but he makes up for that with a well-developed route tree and excellent in-line blocking. He’s a remarkably strong player and at 6’5”, 251 lbs, he can impose his will on smaller or weaker defenders. Freiermuth would be a nice addition to Urban Meyer’s new Jaguars offense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725128978-HHA42YW8YD8AR3FUXZYO/javonte+williams.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #55: Pittsburgh Steelers - RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina The Steelers’ rushing offense was a thorn in the side of the team all season as they were unable to close out games they should have won late in the year. James Conner, Benny Snell, and Jaylen Samuels simply didn’t get the job done. Anthony McFarland has upside as a gadget player, but Pittsburgh needs more juice on the ground. Javonte Williams is as complete as a prospect gets at running back with a violent running style, elusivity to get in and out of breaks, and burst for days. His ball skills need to improve, and he hasn’t proven he can handle a massive workload, but he’d be a valuable addition for this team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617685050904-CWGGSWDT2SYQO5OBJQPP/christian+darrisaw.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #13: Los Angeles Chargers - OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech There are some who believe Christian Darrisaw is the most pro-ready offensive lineman in this draft, and it’s hard to argue that point after he didn’t allow a single sack or QB hits in 668 snaps last season. Darrisaw’s 6’5”, 314 lb frame and powerful hands make him an unmovable force at the line of scrimmage, and he faced a talented slate of opposition last season with nobody getting the better of him. The Chargers addressed the interior of their offensive line with the signings of Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler, but they still need a partner for Bryan Bulaga on the outside. Justin Herbert broke just about every rookie passing record last season, and the Chargers should look to continue to fortify his offensive line. Darrisaw is a Day 1 starting left tackle for this team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617719752341-L2JTF2XCW7TCQNAJA30X/greg+newsome+ii.jpg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #26: Cleveland Browns - CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern The Browns addressed some of their cornerback problems with the signing of former Rams’ player Troy Hill, a player capable of playing both inside and out. Denzel Ward also returns as a high-end press corner. However, Greedy Williams’s health is far from a guarantee at this point, and the Browns could stand to add depth at the position. Newsome only played 387 snaps last season, but he allowed just 12 catches on 34 targets for 93 yards over that span. Opposing passers had a 31.7 passer rating against him last season. He didn’t see a ton of high-level opposing talent and he doesn’t jump off the charts in either athleticism or physicality. However, he is technically sound, has great length, and is a smooth player in coverage. He’s a nice developmental piece for Cleveland at such an important position. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617725781043-GOYKCTMIVQ9M131RJ8JH/marvin+wilson.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #61: Buffalo Bills - DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State A borderline first-round pick last season, Marvin Wilson returned to Florida State for his senior year in hopes of boosting his draft stock. Instead, the opposite happened as he had his worst season to date, seemingly losing his previously high-level upper body strength. Wilson isn’t a very explosive player, and his technique needs work, but his strength provides a solid baseline for play. The Bills have drafted Ed Oliver and Vernon Butler in recent years, both of whom have been a bit underwhelming, but Wilson could get the job done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721819989-QGQFZMD8EGJDL0783E4T/mac+jones.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #46: New England Patriots - QB Mac Jones, Alabama For the life of me, I don’t understand where the Mac Jones hype is coming from. With all due respect to the leader of the best offense in the country last season, Jones isn’t as good as some people think he is. Jones is being considered for a top-four selection in the first round if you ask some media pundits. He lacks velocity and downfield accuracy, he has a severely limited athletic profile and no real rushing capability, and his one year of elite play came in an offense that provided him a bevy of open targets and all day to throw to them. The Patriots need to address their quarterback position at some point, and Jones does have some translatable skills including anticipation, timing, and underneath accuracy. However, I see his upside as being severely capped in the NFL and he’s not a first-round pick on my board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617721970041-7GB9KFXIOBUWCTHUGAE0/elijah+molden.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #48: Las Vegas Raiders - CB Elijah Molden, Washington Among the versatile defensive backs available in the second round, Elijah Molden stands out as a heat-seeking missile of a tackler. He had just 22 missed tackles on 172 attempts and was responsible for 17 pass breakups over the past year and a half. Molden is just 5’10”, 190 lbs, which likely makes him a slot corner in the NFL, but he has the closing speed and physicality to spend time at safety as well. The Raiders are undergoing a period of transition in the secondary, and Molden would be a welcome addition to Gus Bradley’s defense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1617722393827-NUD2WCCKQ1GPWYVN0XX2/dyami+brown.jpeg Football - 2021 NFL Mock Draft - #53: Tennessee Titans - WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina After losing Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Jonnu Smith this offseason, the Titans need to find a way to reinforce their pass-catching depth. Dyami Brown had 1,000+ yards in each of the past two seasons and racked up 20 touchdowns over that span. However, he has a limited route tree and didn’t develop technically as teams would have hoped while at UNC. Brown gets off the line of scrimmage quickly and can make plays downfield or over the middle. His route running will progress over time, and he’ll have a valuable supporting role on an elite Titans offense. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-playoff-super-preview monthly 0.5 2021-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609890542225-3ZOVW5Y4XDWWNKFUX0UC/rodgers.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Chiefs vs. Packers Prediction: Chiefs 28, Packers 34 It’s rotten luck really- three years as a starter, two playoff losses, and they’re to Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Or maybe it was just phenomenal luck that his path last year involved Deshaun Watson dragging a horrible Texans roster, and then Ryan Tannehill and Jimmy Garoppolo. Regardless, Pat Mahomes falls just short of ring #2 after a thrilling matchup against an all time great. The Chiefs are realistically the better team here, but Rodgers has been a man on a mission all season, and will not be denied his second Super Bowl ring in as many trips. The Super Bowl plays out as a game that never devolves into a blowout of any sort, as the Packers let the Chiefs stay dangerously within striking distance, keeping all of America on their toes waiting for another last-minute flurry, but they hold steady, run long drives, and control the game after taking an early lead. Most importantly, they limit their mistakes, surrendering zero turnovers compared to two from the Chiefs- a pick and a fumble from Mahomes. Rodgers takes home MVP honors after a low-volume but surgical outing, and with two rings, two Super Bowl MVP’s, three league MVP’s, and arguably the best rate-based career stats in league history, cements himself for good as a top-ten passer of all time. The Chiefs’ window is far from closed, but they’ll have to wait another year to assert themselves as a true dynasty- because as fans have been so fond of pointing out, one ring doesn’t come close to making you a dynasty. The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday 1/9 on CBS at 1:05 PM ET with the Colts/Bills Wild Card Matchup. Saturday and Sunday will each feature a playoff triple header; the action wraps up with Browns @ Steelers, Sunday night at 8:15 PM on NBC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884744671-W3F2U4XW006A5HBV9ALJ/chase.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884203736-1G2F83B90JZNA35ADDPD/bake.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Browns (11-5, 3rd Place AFC North, #6 seed, First Round Matchup: @ Steelers) MVP: HC Kevin Stefanski DPOY: Myles Garrett X-Factor: Baker Mayfield Only in 2020. The NFL’s longest playoff drought, spanning 18 years, has finally come to an end, as the Cleveland Browns beat their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and secured a playoff spot after a memorable 11-5 campaign. Truly, a stroke of historically awful luck almost cost them the opportunity after they lost their entire wide receiver group to COVID-19 a day before a potential playoff-clincher against the Jets, but here they are. I genuinely despise the term “emotional rollercoaster,” but there’s no other way to describe this Browns campaign; from the rough start, to losing Odell Beckham, to the convincing wins, to the late, heartbreaking losses and eventually, to clinching the playoff spot that has eluded them for so long- there’s been nothing like it in recent memory. Despite all of the injuries and COVID hurdles on the offensive side, the defense remains the biggest culprit for Cleveland’s near miss, and the most likely group on the team to prevent them from making a deep run. Behind the two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and perhaps the best offensive line in the league, the Browns have established themselves as one of the top rushing attacks in all of football. In the passing game, Baker Mayfield, who has had a touchdown/interception ratio of 16/1 since Odell Beckham Jr’s injury, has taken a huge step forward. This is due in large part to the presence of new Head Coach and Coach of the Year candidate Kevin Stefanski, who has proven to be a true offensive mastermind- I know it’s unconventional to name a coach his team’s MVP, but he has truly been the biggest individual driver of this team’s success. Baker has also benefited from the help of a wideout group led by the steady-handed Jarvis Landry, and a strong tight end room that goes three players deep. Suffice it to say, the offense is not going to be the death of this team, if most key players are on the field. Cleveland’s air defense has been less than splendid, as the secondary has been a sieve and the front seven, other than Myles Garrett, have not done much to create pressure. Still, anyone who has followed this team will tell you that they’re on a mission; they believe that they are a championship contender through and through, and that belief could get them somewhere. Their ceiling is hard to pin down, although realistically, a single playoff win would be an extremely satisfying end for this group, and a very solid accomplishment. Even sweeter, however, is the fact that the win would come against the rival Steelers, an immediate rematch of their week 17 battle, and an enticing grudge match between division adversaries who split their two meetings this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884930799-2QCXKMCQFA26A7USMC8F/tom.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Bucs (11-5, Second Place NFC South, #5 seed, First Round Matchup: @ WFT) MVP: QB Tom Brady DPOY:MLB Devin White X-Factor: WR Antonio Brown If you’ve read any of my football articles, you probably didn’t think there was anything more I could say about the brilliance of Tom Brady. Well, think again. At age 43, on a new team, with no offseason to adjust, he is once again proving that he is the best to ever play the game. Despite adjusting to a new system for the first time in two decades, and enduring a rocky start to the season during which he and his receivers were clearly not on the same page, Brady threw the second-most touchdowns of his career (40) and led Tampa Bay to their first playoff appearance since 2007, snapping the second-longest drought in all of football. He wrapped up the year third in the league in passing yards, and second in touchdowns, and he should end up within the top five or so MVP candidates. However, there’s far more to this team than their veteran QB, as Brady had the luxury of throwing the ball to one of the most talented wideout groups in the NFL, featuring Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and midseason addition Antonio Brown. If Evans recovers quickly and thoroughly from his week 17 injury, and Brown retains the All Pro form he showed during the late stretches of the season, this passing attack is as dangerous as any in the entire NFL. Tampa has also featured a highly-improved defense, rising to the 6th-best yardage defense this year as compared to 15th a year ago, and taking a jump to 8th from 29th in terms of scoring defense. They were also the league’s best defense against the run for the second straight year. The defense is a highly talented group, headlined by a strong linebacker duo of Devin White and Lavonte David, rookie sensation Antoine Winfield, and somehow the team’s lone Pro Bowler, the eight-fingered Jason Pierre-Paul. While they have perhaps the most complete roster in football, the Bucs have shown inconsistency. Ugly losses, including two to the Saints have been interspersed between extreme highs, including a drubbing of the Packers. They have played competitively with some of the best teams the league has to offer, and if they’re able to keep their form and continue to play up to their talent level, there’s no reason that they can’t become the first team to play, and perhaps even win, a Super Bowl in their own home stadium. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609883259456-P6MFTT8Z3BYCXSLDVXIY/tyreek_hill.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609882984040-JZ52I06G3NNRRZUU19C5/i.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609888236653-RR8C754148SA1B5FQYSF/hawks.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Rams @ Seahawks Prediction: Rams 19, Seahawks 25 This divisional rivalry has provided us with some of the best on-field drama in recent years, and this season has been no exception. They split the season series, after a pair of tense, hard-fought matchups, and now are destined for a tiebreaker. This could be the best NFC Wild Card game we get to see, as both teams have real aspirations to go deep into this postseason, and there’s no love lost between the two. The case for LA basically boils down to their defense- to put it plainly, it’s been the best in the business this year, and has a solid chance to slow down a Hawks offense that has struggled of late. Of course, that offense still features Russell Wilson, and he has a highly talented wideout duo at his disposal in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. That offensive firepower and the team’s recent defensive resurgence, combined with the veteran leadership of Super Bowl champs Wilson, Head Coach Pete Carroll, and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, is enough to lead me to believe that the Hawks will come out on top in what promises to be a very closely contested and highly entertaining matchup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609888038918-5I12991S1OB0AOL3DGSM/trubisky.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Bears @ Saints Prediction: Bears 20, Saints 17 Who dat say dey gonna have a playoff run without some sort of horrible catastrophe? Not the Saints, whose last few forays into January football have been capped off with terrible, season-ending officiating, miracle touchdowns, and just plain bad performances. This year, despite having one of their most complete teams in recent memory, New Orleans will not be able to escape the horrors of their recent playoff history, and will become the first ever #2-seed in NFL history to lose on Wild Card Weekend. All it takes to know that this year won’t be any different is to watch the tape of New Orleans’s loss to the Chiefs just a few weeks ago. The team did everything they could to put themselves in winning positions, but Drew Brees’s arm was clearly expired, and he wasn’t able to get anything going at all in the entire first half. Don’t let the somewhat respectable final stat line fool you- the legendary signal caller was depressingly bad on the big stage. It’s not hard to imagine that Chicago’s formidable front seven might create some similar problems, disrupting Brees to the point of rendering him useless, and stifling the Saints’ potent run game. Whether or not the Bears’ own offense will be able to take advantage of their defense’s performance and get enough points to win remains to be seen, but I believe that after a few solid weeks of offensive football, albeit against lower-caliber defenses than the one they’ll see this week, they will be able to find just enough to get the job done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609883451238-O36FXOH7E7N0W5Y8GWYO/diggs.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Bills (13-3, AFC East Champions, #2 seed, First Round Matchup: vs. Colts) MVP: WR Stefon Diggs DPOY: S Jordan Poyer X-Factor: CB Tre’Davious White With Tom Brady’s departure, and that of so many fellow Patriots this offseason, many believed that a power vacuum existed in the AFC East, which New England had ruled for so many years. Well, the division is a vacuum no longer, as the Bills have soundly entrenched themselves at its top, possibly for years to come. Buffalo was a perfect 6-0 in divisional games this year, en route to a 13-3 record- which could have easily been 14-2 if not for a miracle Kyler Murray toss- and their first division title since the mid-90s. It was truly a show of dominance, as a team that last year was characterized by a tough defense and floundering offense became quite the opposite in 2020. This was due in large part to the star leap made by dual threat QB Josh Allen, which itself was due in large part to the arrival of blossoming superstar wideout Stefon Diggs, who led the league in catches, was selected to his first Pro Bowl, and just might earn his first All Pro honors this year. This duo was key in leading Buffalo to be the second-most prolific passing attack in the NFL, by yardage. The defense doesn’t look like a championship-level unit, but if it comes close to finding its 2019 form alongside the new-look offense, the Bills can make the most of the opportunity presented by their first home playoff game in over 20 years, and go on a deep playoff run. They’ve beaten some of the toughest teams in football this year, and will have to continue to do so if they are going to be the AFC threat to Kansas City that some believe they can be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884004100-21OKN5T0N6OZGAXTP464/lamar.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Ravens (11-5, 2nd Place AFC North, #5 seed, First Round Matchup: @ Titans) MVP: QB Lamar Jackson DPOY: CB Marlon Humphrey X-Factor: WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown Viewed by many as football’s most complete team before the season started, the Ravens have endured a rockier path than almost anyone could have expected. After a strong start to the year, they struggled through a period of over a little a month when they went 1-4, and temporarily fell out of the AFC playoff picture. The defense has been one of the ten or so best in football, rather than the top three to five unit it could have been, and while the rushing attack has continued to be football’s most prolific, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson has shown signs of somewhat predictable regression under center. Still, as they showed on their Monday Night Football showdown against the Browns, a veritable regular season game of the year candidate, this team has the ability to close out the close games, and play their best when it matters most. Injuries have slowed down what should have been a very balanced side, but if they can dictate pace and play their game, they just might be able to do what the new-look Jackson-led ravens still have yet to accomplish- win a playoff game. If that’s going to happen, it’ll have to be against the Tennessee Titans, who eliminated top-seeded Baltimore in one of the most thrilling upsets of last year’s playoffs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609885514894-O4P991UTPLKD7QD7J532/brack.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview As I repeatedly mentioned before the season began, I hate the NFL’s new 14-team format. Since 2012, exactly zero non-bye teams have reached the Super Bowl, let alone won it, and creating a system that offers only one bye for each conference essentially guarantees your final matchup before the playoffs even start. In this spirit, I’ve picked both of the top seeds to advance through their conference and meet in the Super Bowl, even though I’m not thoroughly convinced that they’re necessarily the two best teams in the sport. That being said, the extra seed has gifted us with two extra playoff games, and a thrilling array of Wild Card Weekend matchups. Although I think the final pairing is more or less already decided, it looks like we’re in for a really fun path to that foregone conclusion. Let’s take a look at the matchups! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884306465-LVOM1WKB7JNU0S408E2G/darius.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Colts (11-5, 2nd Place AFC South, #7 seed, First Round Matchup: @ Bills) MVP: OG Quenton Nelson DPOY: LB Darius Leonard X-Factor: WR T.Y. Hilton Entering the final game of the season, the Colts were the only team in the AFC on the outside of the playoff picture, but still hanging onto a mathematical chance to make their way in. Fortunately for them, they did it, at the expense of the Dolphins. Now, they have the opportunity to validate all of the voices that lauded them as one of the preseason favorites in the AFC, and make a deep playoff run. For Philip Rivers, this may be his last chance to bolster his resume ahead of the eventual Hall of Fame vote, as his postseason shortcomings are a primary reason that he may be excluded from Canton when all is said and done. Unfortunately for Indy, the Texans’ upset bid against the Titans came up short, ensuring that the Colts would be relegated to the 7th seed, rather than earning the AFC South title. This has gifted them a first round date with the Bills, in a possibly quite snowy Buffalo. The outlook isn’t great, but this team has shown fight all season long, right down to the last snap, and their veteran experience could outweigh Buffalo’s high-flying talent in a tight matchup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609883569294-WA7B4C7PGMRIHSXPSHQ1/TJ.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609886237030-AZ8FWK93NCGV97B92VSC/colts+.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609889561165-ZDRO1QFBTPUQIQTIFP3T/afc.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview bills @ CHiefs Prediction: Bills 27, Chiefs 38 These two teams have truly been the best in the AFC all season long and here, they get the chance to square off in one game to decide who will represent the conference in Super Bowl 55. Unfortunately, the game is not as competitive as the viewing public may have hoped, as the Bills defense is more or less rendered useless against the blistering Chiefs air attack. For once, Mahomes and friends don’t fall behind early, as they rip off a scorching start and take a lead that they never relinquish. The KC defense disrupts Josh Allen and gets just enough stops to keep the Bills at arm’s length all game long. Buffalo has had an impressive season, winning the AFC East for the first time in over two decades, and surpassing expectations as much as almost any team in recent memory. Still, it’s all over now, and they’ll have to wait until next year to try to build on this season and establish their dominance in the East. They’ve emerged as a true threat in the AFC, but they were no match for the defending conference champs, who are headed back to the Super Bowl for a second straight year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609883835616-QC00PEDHC2H1E6PII6FN/derrick.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Titans (11-5, AFC South Champions, #4 seed, First Round Matchup: vs. Ravens) MVP: RB Derrick Henry DPOY: S Kevin Byard X-Factor: WR AJ Brown Much like the Bills, this 2019 playoff underdog featured a staunch defense, a dominant rushing and red zone offense, and not much else. This year’s edition, however, is quite different from the one that was a win away from earning the honor of losing to the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Currently, the Titans boast the fifth most prolific offense in the NFL in terms of total yardage, and the third best in terms of points. This is once again fueled by the league’s second-best rushing attack, trailing only the Ravens, who have the benefit of speedster QB Lamar Jackson- this is to say, it’s fair to consider the Titans as the best running back-only rushing attack in football. However, Tennessee is now burdened with the league’s fourth-worst yardage defense, leaving them as a club that is far more fun to watch, but perhaps not as big of a threat as they were a year ago. They have largely beaten bad teams and lost to the good ones, with the exception of an early win over a Bills team that had yet to pick up momentum, and a midseason triumph over a Ravens squad that was in a total free fall. Now, the Titans will get to host that same Ravens team, although they are playing much better football than when the last two teams met, and hope that they can knock them out of the playoffs for the second time in as many years en route to another daring postseason run. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609888727162-M1Q56ZGXDDDCCNKMPZWC/chiefs.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Browns @ Chiefs Prediction: Browns 30, Chiefs 45 It’s been nothing short of a Cinderella story for Baker Mayfield and co. as they not only advanced to the playoffs for just the second time since the Browns were revived in the late 90s, but they went a step further and actually won a game for the first time in that span. However, the end is imminent when they face the heavily-favored chiefs in their second round. Cleveland takes advantage of KC’s bye week hangover, as well as the fact that they’ve basically been sleepwalking ever since Super Bowl 54, and takes an early lead. But as they so often do, the Chiefs storm right back, and end up smashing the Browns shoddy secondary and pulling away for a comfortable win. The Browns produce a valiant effort, but in the end, they’re just not as talented as the Chiefs, nor are they remotely as experienced in a playoff setting. There’s a bright future in Cleveland for the first time in a long time, but any championship aspirations will have to wait. For now, the Chiefs take full advantage of their first round bye and move within a win of returning to the Super Bowl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884676222-VPMKYHR4JFU8AD8UBXQC/russ.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Seahawks (12-4, NFC West Champions, #3 seed, First Round Matchup: vs. Rams) MVP: QB Russell Wilson DPOY: LB Bobby Wagner X-Factor: S Jamal Adams Early on, it looked like things were going better for Seattle than they had since Malcolm Butler snatched Super Bowl 49 away from them back in February of 2015. Russell Wilson seemed well on his way to that elusive MVP award, and the Hawks seemed destined to make their way back to the Super Bowl to probably face the Chiefs in an offensive shootout. But eventually, their awful pass defense caught up to them, and the second Russ cooled off, the team’s fortunes took a turn for the worse. They seemed in danger of losing the NFC West crown, but thankfully, they secured it, along with the NFC’s third seed. While the defense has perked up, and the team has smoothed out en route to a 6-1 run to finish the season, the offense is a bit of an area for concern; other than a 40-3 drubbing of the then-openly tanking Jets, the Seahawks offense has not cracked 30 points since their Week 9 loss to the Bills; their last victorious 30-point performance was the previous week against a shorthanded Niners team. Wilson is still one of the best players in the entire league, and the star skill trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Chris Carson is finally all healthy, so the offense can certainly be viewed as a sleeping giant that could snap into action at any moment. If this were to happen, alongside the improved defense- which hasn’t given up more than 23 points since that same game against the Bills- Seattle is as dangerous and complete a squad as any in this year’s postseason. Otherwise, they seem destined to win a game or maybe two, before facing a more potent offense, most likely Green Bay’s, and simply getting outgunned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609889294705-PSLZZP5KQ33KP00BLN0C/hawks.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Buccaneers @ Seahawks Prediction: Bucs 34, Seahawks 24 Stop me if you’ve heard this before- Brady vs. Russ in a high-powered playoff matchup. Last time was a classic, and this time, the game is no letdown either. Both teams come out on fire, lighting up the scoreboard in a two-sided air raid, but after halftime, the Tampa defense settles in, but Seattle’s does not. After a bit of back-and-forth football that features a couple of lead changes in the first half, the Bucs charge into the second half with a slim lead to protect, and they get enough stops to do just that until a late Ronald Jones touchdown gives them a 10-point lead and salts the game away. The Seahawks are left with questions and disappointment after a year that started with so much promise, as their attention now has to shift towards maximizing what may be the final few years of the Wilson/Carroll championship window. Tom Brady, on the other hand, is headed back to Championship Weekend, a very familiar feeling, although he’s experiencing it from a new angle for the first time- competing in the NFC Championship Game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884595280-YW0BJW0BEHGVODZIM5DY/alvin.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Saints (12-4, NFC South Champions, #2 seed, First Round Matchup: vs. Bears) MVP: RB Alvin Kamara DPOY: DE Cameron Jordan X-Factor: WR Michael Thomas For so many years, the Saints have failed Drew Brees- it’s hard to believe that as long as he’s been one of the very best quarterbacks in football, he’s only won, or even played in, one Super Bowl. But this year, it seems that the opposite is true; the legendary signal caller is failing his team. Nothing can change the fact that Brees is one of the best passers to ever play the game, he’s always been one of the most accurate throwers of the ball, and his bulk counting stats will leave him in second place in most categories when he retires. New Orleans employs some of the best offensive weapons in the game in do-it-all running back Alvin Kamara, possession receiver extraordinaire Michael Thomas, the speedy Latavius Murray, and a wily veteran wideout in Emmanuel Sanders. Additionally, they’re currently fielding one of the league’s best defenses. Still, largely due to a steady stream of injuries and an arm that is failing him at the age of 41, Brees has failed to maximize this talent, as he hardly runs the Saints offense at a higher level than Taysom Hill, whose primary role in the league is as a wildcat player and special teamer. Brees’s veteran know-how and steady leadership are still invaluable, however, and as I’ve mentioned, his supporting cast is perhaps the best it’s been since that fateful 2009 run. It’s hard to envision a deep run with him at the helm this year, but he’s not nearly as decrepit as Peyton Manning was when his Broncos won Super Bowl 50, and he just might have one more trick up his sleeve before he brings down the curtain on his legendary career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609886118202-EVT8M5BQ70FZY3L7DO1O/browns.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Browns @ Steelers Prediction: Browns 24, Steelers 20 To me, this is the best game of the first round. If the long term history between these two teams and fanbases wasn’t enough, there’s also the gritty, emotional showdown they had in each team’s previous game. This time, however, the Steelers won’t be playing their backups, and the Browns presumably won’t be hamstrung by only having the opportunity to hold one practice in two weeks. Cleveland also might have the services of Denzel Ward, their top corner, who would shore up a position of immense need. Both of these teams have their strengths and their flaws- the Browns feature a very potent and quietly balanced offense whose air game has earned a top-10 total QBR, and also racks up the third-most running yards per game. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has a bit of an anemic offense at times, but sports perhaps the game’s best defense. To me, I think that the Steelers offense is just a little bit more helpless than the Browns defense, particularly if Ward is available, and that the Cleveland attack will be able to find just enough points to pull ahead and secure the win over a team that has really floundered over the final stretches of the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609885234859-8TD4A3NQDTJUM6DSZ6WW/mitch.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Bears (8-8, Second Place NFC North, #7 seed, First Round Matchup: @ Saints) MVP: WR Allen Robinson DPOY: MLB Roquan Smith X-Factor: QB Mitch Trubisky I told you we wouldn’t forget! As topsy-turvy as the AFC North was all year, nothing could possibly compare to what Chicago fans had to endure at the hands of their painful, sadistic, but now playoff-bound football team. Da Bears “raced” out to a 5-1 start, which featured a flurry of fourth quarter comebacks and fifth-down shenanigans from Tom Brady and the Bucs, before dropping six consecutive games in the middle of the season. Not to be deterred, they then won three games in a row, scoring 30+ points in each- the first such streak in franchise history since the 60s. This late push earned them a win-and-in game against the rival Packers, which they lost horrifically, but then of course made the playoffs anyway after the Cardinals were dispatched by the Rams. The Bears, as has been the case in so many recent years, feature one of the NFL’s most talented and exciting defenses, even though the fact that they’re forced to constantly be on the field diminishes their statistical output. Standout youngster Roquan Smith continues to be an anchor at middle linebacker, as he led the team in total tackles as well as tackles for loss, ranking 5th and 4th in the NFL in those two categories, respectively. Khalil Mack also continued to be one of the most disruptive and versatile front-seven defenders in the NFL, finishing 9th in the league in TFL, although his sack numbers took a bit of a hit this year. Chicago’s offense continues to rely almost entirely on star wideout Allen Robinson, although it has exploded a bit in recent weeks, which has curiously coincided with the reintroduction of theoretical franchise QB Mitch Trubisky into the starting lineup. If the offensive spike can continue alongside a dominant defensive performance, the Bears are a serious Wild Card Weekend upset candidate, and could be headed towards a revenge-minded visit to Green Bay in the Divisional Round. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609888871944-CGGJJ9Z23RIISJBHCJQB/bills.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Ravens @ Bills Prediction: Ravens 33, Bills 35 When the Ravens are playing their best football, they can really run with anyone in the NFL. As hot as they’ve been lately, they will certainly give Buffalo a run for their money on what would hopefully be a snowy playoff game day in upstate New York, but I see them coming up just short. The Bills have been dominant all year, and have blown the doors off of even the most dominant defenses in football. The Ravens do not do well when they’re forced to play from behind, and that’s just what happens when they travel to visit a team that is nearly as talented as they are, and arguably in even better form. The Bills score first, and then second, building a first-quarter lead that the Ravens challenge, but never surpass. Their red zone efficiency proves to be the difference, as they convert all of their drives inside the 20 into 7 points. The Ravens strong finish to the season comes to a close, and the Bills earn a date with the Chiefs with the Lamar Hunt Trophy on the line. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609885088002-NJOIQW4YUKXDXMLMTGZR/AD.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Rams (10-6, Second Place NFC West, #6 seed, First Round Matchup: @ Seahawks) MVP: DT Aaron Donald DPOY: Donald X-Factor: RB Cam Akers Although their NFC West aspirations were crushed by a shocking loss to the then-winless Jets, and then the next week, another defeat at the hands of the rival Seahawks, the Rams still have plenty to play for heading into the postseason. After following up their Super Bowl 53 loss with a playoff miss, the Rams were out for vengeance in 2020. They picked up a handful of solid wins against the Bucs, Cardinals, Seahawks, Bears and Patriots, but were once again unable to find consistency on offense in year four of the Sean McVay/Jared Goff pairing. However, the defense rediscovered its hyper-elite form, finishing as the league’s best in terms of both overall yardage and scoring, as well as passing yardage and even fantasy points. They were led, as usual, by perhaps the most dominant defender since JJ Watt’s prime in do-it-all d-lineman Aaron Donald, who amazingly was second in the league in sacks and tied for second in tackles for loss, while primarily working from the defensive tackle position. Donald is joined in the front seven by a resurgent Leonard Floyd, who racked up a career-high 10.5 sacks, as well as steady performer Michael Brockers. The secondary also performed quite well, en route to that league-best pass defense, led by shutdown corner Jalen Ramsey. The main question for this team is whether or not Goff will be available for their first-round grudge match with the Seahawks, which will break the tie in the two teams’ season series, as well as of course offering a spot in the Divisional Round. Even as mediocre as he is, without Goff, the Rams offense looked shaky at best in week 17 against the Cardinals; they won’t win again with a similar offensive performance against a suddenly-improved Seattle defense and an offense led by one of the best veteran quarterbacks in the league, Russell Wilson. If they can survive and advance, it’s not hard to see how their dominant defense could carry LA far in the postseason, but there’s no comfortable matchups for this team, it will be a true week-to-week proposition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609886454628-UROE16PFGCA9V1PDD93U/ravens.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Ravens @ Titans Prediction: Ravens 41, Titans 35 When these two teams last met, the Ravens were not necessarily at their best. In the first matchup between the two squads since the Titans’ infamous playoff upset a year ago, Tennessee stormed out front in the fourth quarter, before finally putting the game away in overtime thanks to another Derrick Henry touchdown. This time, however, things will be different. The Ravens are as hot as any team in the NFL, and they are playing solid football in all three phases of the game. However, the results have been somewhat deceiving. Other than their Monday Night triumph over the Browns, perhaps the game of the year, the Ravens have been basically beating up entirely on horrible teams (Cowboys, Jags, Giants, Bengals). This leads me to believe that there’s a chance that Tennessee could hang some points on them, as their defense’s recent stretch of dominance hasn’t really been against playoff-level competition. Still, I think the Ravens will go ahead early this time, and not relinquish their lead. Lamar Jackson, the owner of a 21.5 total QBR in two playoff appearances thus far, will earn his first playoff win, and his team will survive the rare ground-based shootout and move on to the Divisional Round. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609884488760-SH8J5DW1JB8BUESDFLVV/arod.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Packers (13-3, NFC North Champions, #1 seed, First Round Matchup: Bye) MVP (League MVP): QB Aaron Rodgers DPOY: CB Jaire Alexander X-Factor: TE Robert Tonyan Over the offseason, when the Packers made the surprising choice to use their first-round pick on Jordan Love, a horrible QB prospect out of Utah State, Aaron Rodgers stated that it might signal the end to what he had hoped to be a career-long marriage with his team. After his comments, there was speculation that this year, Rodgers might be on a mission to prove the team wrong and show that he was still the answer at the game’s most important position. Well Aaron, if that was your mission, it has been thoroughly accomplished. Football’s weirdest star signal caller turned back the clock and had a season for the ages, tossing a league-leading 48 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions, all of which amounted to the league’s third-ever 120+ passer rating season (one of the other two such seasons was courtesy of Rodgers himself). He was helped out by Davante Adams, who wrapped up the year with a ridiculous 18 touchdowns despite sitting out two games, and will be in contention for Offensive Player of the Year. Accompanying these two on the NFL’s highest-scoring offense were breakout tight end Robert Tonyan, and the perennially productive Aaron Jones. Paired with an improved defense that ranked within the top third of the NFL in yards allowed and within the top half in points allowed, the Packers are the favorite to advance from the NFC, and perhaps even knock off the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609888410243-D3TQ0HYHKWFY1G3X93J7/AB.jpg Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Buccaneers @ Football Team Prediction: Bucs 27, Football Team 13 On paper, this is one of the most lopsided potential matchups of the entire postseason. Tampa has finally found its groove, as Tom Brady and his vast arsenal of weapons are finally clicking. However, the Football Team is a very talented defensive team, hosting a playoff game for the first time in years, and will be itching to play their best for a coach and quarterback who have gone through more challenges, both on and off the field, than any such duo in recent memory. We all know that the way to take down Brady is to hit him early and often, as evidenced by both Giants Super Bowl upsets of the Patriots as well as the 2015 Broncos’ masterclass in punishing the GOAT, and Washington is a football team primed to do just that. Still, it’s more likely than not that the talent gap is simply too large, and although they might have to compete a bit more than many might hope, Tampa should have no problem getting through this matchup. This is particularly the case if the two teams’ Week 17 performance was any indication- the Football Team struggled mightily in getting past an Eagles team that was very clearly trying to lose the game, and is pretty horrible in general, even when they do want to win. Meanwhile, the Bucs absolutely scraped a similarly pathetic Falcons team as the offense was roaring at full force. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609890018030-FZ4C7EFIN1RW6LNDWKSH/rodgers+copy.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Buccaneers @ Packers Prediction: Bucs 35, Packers 38 Twice, we’ve been robbed of a Brady-Rodgers postseason matchup, because the Packers got knocked out of the NFC Championship Game by the Seahawks and Falcons, and arguably a third time when they capped off a 15-1 season with a loss to the Giants in the 2011 Divisional Round. Granted, all three of the resulting Super Bowls were veritable all-time classics, but it always seemed that we were waiting for a playoff matchup between the two best quarterbacks of the current era. Well, the wait is no more, as Brady broke the system by hopping over to the NFC and meeting Rodgers a game early. This game is a thriller from the start, featuring the league’s #1 and #3 scoring offenses, and every score is answered with one from the other team. With just a minute to go before the end of the game, a short-range Brady dart to Antonio Brown on fourth and goal brings the Bucs level, but it turns out that a minute is just a bit too long. Rodgers leads the Packers down the field, and after a sideline strike to a receiver we’ve not yet heard of (Malik Taylor maybe? Who knows) Mason Crosby kicks the first field goal attempt of the game through the crisp Lambeau air directly through the goalposts as time expires, sending the Packers to the Super Bowl. The first Brady-Rodgers postseason showdown gives us everything we ever could have hoped, and we’re all left hoping that the Bucs can make a run again and give us a rematch next season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1609889122519-75ZWL0KKMMEHK47R512L/pack.png Football - NFL Playoff Super-Preview Bears @ Packers Prediction: Bears 22, Packers 31 The Packers have already been the perpetrators of the Bears’ two worst defensive performances this year. Here, we see some improvement from a hot and highly motivated Bears team, but not quite enough to get them into the NFC Championship Game. The end result is a scoreline that looks a lot closer than what the fans see on the football field, as Chicago is able to move the ball, and settles for far too many field goals. The Pack build a nice early lead over a seemingly flustered opponent, and by the time the Bears offense heats up, they are in a two-score hole that they never cut back down to one. The legend of Mitch Trubisky is at an end for this season, and perhaps forever in Chicago, as a very up and down 9-9 season raises questions about the offense overall, and what must be done about it. The Packers, however, are headed back to the NFC Championship Game for the second straight year, and are a win away from their first Super Bowl appearance since the third year of Aaron Rodgers’s tenure as the starter. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/week-4-nfl-picks-schwartz monthly 0.5 2020-10-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591277072-N8G5MJY94BSCTEZ37VE1/BDN.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Eagles (0-2-1) @ Niners (2-1): Niners -7, -320 Picks: Niners to win and cover The Niners are one of the most injured teams in football, but don’t tell them that- they were back to business this Sunday despite all of the missing starters, dispatching the Giants in an absolutely disgusting rout. The Eagles played a game where it genuinely looked like neither team wanted to win, and both got their wish, as they tied the Bengals. This team, thought by many to be a playoff contender, can be described as nothing other than garbage. The defense has been porous, the once-elite offensive line has been nonexistent, and Carson Wentz looks absolutely lost. It’s a sad statement about the state of the Eagles franchise, but I’m very confident in a devastatingly-injured Niners team to win convincingly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591449245-EDWI49PT09KWCZIVVFHW/fr.png Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Steelers (3-0) @ Titans (3-0): Never mind https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590677105-VGEPUW7U1L5DWPV6RPYT/bucs.png Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Chargers (1-2) @ Buccaneers (2-1): Bucs -7, -330 Picks: Bucs to win and cover This is another one that’s a relative no-brainer, at least in terms of who wins. The Chargers are coming off of a puzzling defeat at the hands of a really rough Panthers team (one that the Bucs effortlessly dispatched) while Tampa’s offense finally seems to be clicking, as they throttled the Broncos. It’s definitely unfortunate that Chris Godwin will be out again, a development that stopped me from making Tampa Bay -7 one of my bets of the week. Nevertheless, the defense looks fantastic, and Tom Brady is beginning to settle in and develop a rapport with guys like Mike Evans and Scotty Miller. The Chargers might be able to make this one look somewhat competitive, but it should be comfortable for Tampa from beginning to end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590239483-ZJWBZXZXDIWI2GUJZ4G5/bbay+chark.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Jaguars (1-2) @ Bengals (0-2-1): Bengals -3, -160 (Jags +140) Picks: Jaguars to win and cover After their first poor showing of the season, the Jacksonville players who are fighting for their jobs in years to come- namely QB Gardner Minshew- need a big bounce-back performance. Luckily, there’s nearly no better team to face when you need a win than these Bengals; an inexperienced bunch that struggles to close games, and is led by a rookie quarterback. It’s also worth noting that DJ Chark, who was missing last week, one of the biggest reasons for the Jags’ anemic performance, has been medically cleared, and begun practicing again. His presence does wonders for Minshew and Jacksonville’s offense, and will help them to take advantage of a questionable Cincy defense. Joe Burrow will be pressing hard, as this might be his best opportunity yet to pick up that first NFL win, and his offense has begun to look more and more in sync. This game is going to be pretty competitive, and there’s a lot of exciting things to watch on both sides. However, I have the Jags getting back to their winning ways and completing what Vegas sees as a minor upset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591129648-6N3G4KZCZIHPARX6Y9LO/ewscripps.brightspotcdn.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Patriots (2-1) @ Chiefs (3-0): Chiefs -7, -310 Picks: Chiefs to win, Patriots to cover EDIT (Newton out, game postponed): Chiefs -11, -650 Picks: Chiefs to win and cover One of the most exciting rivalries in recent NFL years is back with a new look- there’s no more Tom Brady to do battle against KC’s high-powered attack. But the Patriots are still a serious threat, behind the revitalized Cam Newton, a solid offensive line and rushing attack, and an always-stout Belichick-led defense. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not going to win. The Ravens are essentially a better version of this Pats team, with a very similar “run first, pass if necessary” approach and a strong defense. But to that same end, Belichick and McDaniels have a week to see how the Chiefs attacked that sort of attack, and see how they can do better. I think the Chiefs own brain trust of Reid and Bienemy will be able to find a way and snuff out the Pats, but this game should be more competitive than either team’s last. Chiefs win, but the Patriots make it a contest down to the last minute and cover the touchdown spread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590801449-SX3SE8RTDUTZT9W6G5XA/mark.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Ravens (2-1) @ Washington Football Team (1-2): Ravens -14, -900 Picks: Ravens to win and cover This is just not a competitive matchup. Despite what just happened on Monday Night Football, the Ravens are near the very top of the NFL when playing any team other than the Chiefs (in the regular season). The Football Team have shown flashes of strong play, but they are just not going to keep up with the Ravens’ offensive attack or make any progress against their stifling defense. I’m not too confident about this- how can you be with a two-touchdown line?- but I think the Ravens, who will be highly motivated to come out and blow the roof off the place, will even be able to maintain a blowout and cover this extremely wide spread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590172224-SFART2FMHRIPJTLVQPED/chi.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Colts (2-1) @ Bears (3-0): Colts -3, -135 (Bears +115) Picks: Bears to win and cover It’s simple; keep betting on Chicago until they lose. Once again, the Bears were able to pry victory out from the jaws of defeat, as the most inconsistent pro of all time, Nick Foles, came to the rescue in relief of Mitch Trubisky, exploding for three fourth-quarter touchdowns to take down the Falcons. Meanwhile, the Colts looked great in dominating a very, very bad Jets squad in quite the predictable win. I think the Bears just might have to put together four consecutive competitive quarters if they want to move to 4-0, but I also believe that they’re up to the task. They’ve shown the ability to close in tight games, they are much more battle-tested than the Colts, who have played one of the weakest schedules thus far. Both teams are among the healthiest groups in this young season, one that is increasingly filled with unfortunate injuries, so this will be a great contest to watch. I’m taking the Bears to pull off the small upset, and continue an impressive, undefeated start to the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590930252-TMAYQGFMYRKASSP85UC4/Kyler-Murray1.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Cardinals (2-1) @ Panthers (1-2): Cardinals -3.5 (Bets of the Week Selection), -180 Picks: Cardinals to win and cover I can understand why the line on this one is a bit tighter than one might have originally imagined it might be- the Panthers are coming off of their first win, and the Cardinals will be a week removed from a shocking loss. But make no mistake, Arizona is still an extremely lethal team, and Carolina is a very flawed one. Kyler Murray played about as poorly as he ever has as a pro, and the team was still very much in the game until the very end- unless he somehow repeats his performance, the Cards should feel very confident about facing a mediocre Panthers squad. Justin Herbert was effective in his first non-surprise start against this team last week, and a highly-motivated Murray should seriously tear their inexperienced defense up. The Cardinals need a win to get back on track and continue their early playoff push, and they’ll get it. I have them winning as well as covering, one of my picks for bet of the week. I’m very confident in this team to get it done, and do so emphatically. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591389161-KT3RLL591WBWFUTXSP58/aarod.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Falcons (0-3) @ Packers (3-0): Packers -7.5, -360 Picks: Packers to win and cover Who let this be a primetime matchup? The Packers have mostly looked great as they’ve raced out to a somewhat surprising 3-0 record. Meanwhile, the Falcons have blown every lead humanly possible, in every way humanly possible, while playing defense worse than what I previously thought was humanly possible. I know this Falcons team is not quite as bad as its record, but the timing is simply not ideal for them to be facing a very hot Packers team. They will not be able to slow a dangerous Packers air attack, although they might be able to put up some points of their own. Still, I’ve picked against the Packers’ cover one too many times, and I can see them running away with this one. Not my most confident pick, but I’m taking Green Bay to win and cover the spread in the last game of week 4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590420544-UANFVTP8VG3J5U6LV24G/russ.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Seahawks (3-0) @ Dolphins (1-2): Seahawks -7 (Bets of the Week Selection), -310 Picks: Seahawks to win and cover I’ll level with you guys- I have literally no idea how the spread for this game is only 7. When we saw this line, Wayne and I sold all of our worldly possessions, and invested all of the earnings in Seahawks -7. If we lose, I might not have a computer to write these picks next week. Basically what I’m saying is that this bet is not only one of my bets of the week, it is the absolute lock of the season. There’s absolutely no way the Dolphins come close to knocking off the NFC’s best team thus far, they will not be the team to slow down Russell Wilson’s torrid start. I have very little to say on this matchup other than not to overthink this one; Vegas messed up, and this is one of the ultimate open-and-shut decisions you’ll ever see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591068741-LGBQLZAC6XY8G6K7REY8/Screen+Shot+2020-10-01+at+6.23.59+PM.png Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Giants (0-3) @ Rams (2-1): Rams -13, -800 Picks: Rams to win and cover I’ve tried to make a habit of keeping these segments short for both New Jersey teams, out of respect for the fans. The Giants are awful. I hesitate to pick a 13-point cover, especially for a team that is going to come back to Earth any day now, but Nick Mullens just annihilated this team, without the services of Raheem Mostert, George Kittle, or Deebo Samuel. This team is terrible, the Rams are at least as good as this hyper-injured version of the Niners, and the Giants having to travel across the entire country doesn’t help. Rams will win, and it should be a serious blowout- they will have to answer some real questions if it isn’t https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590305977-GEW5NTCQ1VRP43DFT5HO/dak.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Browns (2-1) @ Cowboys (1-2): Cowboys -5, -225 Picks: Cowboys to win, Browns to cover After a shocking loss to the Rams on opening weekend, and then a tough loss to the Seahawks, the Cowboys find themselves in a 1-2 hole. It’s quite a disappointing start for a team that many saw as an offseason favorite, and especially for a team that entered this season with so much continuity. They still have all the talent in the world, but haven’t quite found their identity. Luckily, they still sit atop the pitiful NFC East, but they need to get back to consistent winning if they want to be serious contenders. The Browns, on the other hand, are above .500 for the first time in over half a decade, as their up-and-down start to the season has been somewhat cushioned by a couple of subpar opponents. Still, the offense finally looked solid against what has been regarded as a strong Washington defense, and there is plenty of reason to believe that this will continue to be the case. I’m picking the simply better, more talented team here, but I think that Cleveland can keep this one competitive and cover the spread https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590363642-0VZYP5NHB5QEFJV8REMO/emman.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Saints (1-2) @ Lions (1-2): Saints -4.5, -210 Picks: Saints to win and cover The Lions have been very, very up and down this season, building big leads on the Bears and Packers before blowing both of them, and then beating a very hot Cardinals team. The Saints have been puzzling; they looked strong when they played Tampa on opening day, but are coming off of consecutive ugly losses. It’s tempting to stick with the hot hand, and pick the Lions to send the Saints to a puzzling 1-3 start, but I think the Saints are simply too experienced, level-headed, and well-coached to continue to spiral, and will win this game, one they desperately need. There’s not much to say other than the fact that the Saints are a better team than they’ve shown thus far, and they will seize this opportunity to get back on track. I’m not too confident in the cover- this Lions team will not be put away easily at all. Still, I think they can secure a one-touchdown lead and close the game out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590984776-PJIUF2BDZSFWKTKW8VMP/rawImage.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Vikings (0-3) @ Texans (0-3): Texans -4 (Bets of the Week Selection), -190 Picks: Texans to win and cover Well here’s a winless matchup that not many people thought we’d see. For Houston, they’ve fallen victim to a ridiculous stretch of schedule, opening the season by playing the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers. For the Vikings, it’s been due to...terrible, terrible football in all phases of the game. In particular, Kirk Cousins has really struggled without Kevin Stefanski, producing some of the most dreadful passing performances I’ve ever seen. Their new-look defense has also continued to be brutal, which also does the team no favors. Both teams need a win, but only one is capable of actually turning their season around. The Texans, for all of their flaws, have proven leaders on both sides of the ball, in Deshaun Watson and JJ Watt, and as much as we all love to laugh at his decisions as a GM, head coach Bill O’Brien has been nothing but a winner in Houston. They can still claw back in a mediocre AFC South, and they’ll need this win to do so- a fact of which they are well aware. Houston will come out on fire and keep the gas on all game, winning in emphatic fashion- their spread-cover is one of my bets of the week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601591201042-2PZF7VGDNVD52CFL22LS/other+josh+allen.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Bills (3-0) @ Raiders (2-1): Bills -3 (Bet of the Week Selection), -175 Picks: Bills to win and cover The Raiders came back to Earth after a hot start, getting embarrassed by the Patriots in a week three rout. The Bills built a giant lead, blew it, and ultimately ended up on top in a thriller against the Rams. Essentially, both of these teams hit the first real bump in the road after a very comfortable start to the season. The Raiders might be showing their true colors, and the Bills seem poised to help them continue their fall. The Patriots are better than many expected, putting pressure on Buffalo to continue to lead the division, and these are the games they will need to win to do just that. The Raiders are solid but unspectacular, very beatable, and it’s easy to suspect that their defense is worse than it has appeared thus far- the Rams began to expose it in the second half on Sunday. Josh Allen and co. will stay hot, and the Bills will win by about a touchdown, securing the cover. I’m confident enough in Buffalo to make this one of my bets of the week, as they should have no problem playing from ahead all game long https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601590020683-8515C5W9S4QVHU4UIPUL/brett-rypien-broncos.jpg Football - Week 4 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Broncos (0-3) @ Jets (0-3): Jets -1, -115 (Broncos -105) Picks: Broncos to win and cover Vegas sees this game as more or less a toss-up, and it’s hard to disagree. With the amount of injuries the Broncos have sustained, and just the general state of the 2020 Jets, it feels like we’ll be in for a closely contested Thursday Night battle, but not really in a good way. The reason I’m giving the edge to Denver, the slight underdog, is very simple; they actually want to win this game, and the Jets probably do not. Week four is always a bit early to throw in the towel on a whole season, but if you’ve watched these Jets, it’s not hard to understand why the rest of this season’s best usage might be as a trek towards the first overall pick. Denver also might have too many injuries to contend, but they believe that they already have the core they need to be competitive, and want all of their talented youngsters to build confidence going forward. Their organization is simply not in a tanking mindset, and desperately need this win in order to feel somewhat positively about their prospects the rest of the way. I have them winning this game, and thus covering the modest spread; Denver takes the pillow fight of the year (so far). Congrats to Brett Rypien for making your debut against literally the worst team imaginable. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/week-3-nfl-picks-schwartz monthly 0.5 2020-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600978326581-XL044BQT0VTNJAICXAEP/lamar.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600978243060-3I5VXZRW0C3F3Z0FZR8H/alvin.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977297200-GBDYWW2VIWW27QEX8G61/cam.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977199962-88PIRFXTXOZ35XL3Z6KS/tj.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977952723-CM9QLZETYT10B5S4EF5T/russ.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600976962117-H10R62T88D3GNZFY07ZF/money.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600978123443-HPETZ93BDZ6464SN0U2X/TB+TB.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977654795-VMICGUBU88DWV3IUTKX7/obj.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977811300-VX46HC72LL1CS4156RLX/darius.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600978008163-LE78QP3VTJ6JVLAEWH3O/kyler.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977027836-BZ2TBUUPDZ92GOKAV6Z9/went.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977556325-GKXZMPKTBKG9ZUGAHG68/Ryan+Tannehill.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977364056-QAO0055HVKGXYTPTSGZX/dosh.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977749508-C7MX5DC54LM9S0N2ZNOE/herbie.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600977430802-CPI6S3L1UH9QJFLFDEP1/nick-mullens.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) Niners (1-1) @ Giants (0-2): Niners -4, -200 Picks: Niners to win and cover This one has the potential to be UGLY! The Giants are a supremely unsurprising 0-2, while the Niners have had the least-encouraging opening two weeks they could have possibly imagined. Week one was a surprise loss to Arizona, and week two featured a dominant win against the Jets, during which pretty much everybody relevant got hurt. Here’s a sampling of the injured list going into week three- Dee Ford, Richard Sherman, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Jimmy Garoppolo, Solomon Thomas and Raheem Mostert. Things have the potential to seriously get out of hands and cost San Fran their shot to get back to the Super Bowl. Luckily, they’re about to enter a stretch of relative pillow fights, squaring off against the Eagles and Dolphins after this clash with the Giants, before they face a crazy run of Rams, Patriots, Seahawks, Packers, Saints, Rams Bills- that’s two extremely daunting months of football, whether or not they’re healthy. What I’m getting at is that, as injured as they are, Kyle Shanahan’s team needs to be absolutely sure to come out of this game with a win, and they surely will. Nick Mullens has proven to be a serviceable backup, and against a completely putrid team like the Giants, the duo of Shanahan and Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh should be able to scheme the Niners through this game even with limited personnel. It won’t be pretty, this is a serious example of “survive and advance,” but the 49ers will get by the Giants, and I don’t expect them to have to sweat it out that much, as their backups seemed more than capable of dominating the Jets a week ago after all of the injuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600966008855-8YEN5OUKYJJ0Q23F30K0/gardner.jpg Football - Week 3 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/1hq034x68ulgtuop97w5svvy5iz9j0 monthly 0.5 2020-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600965349370-DRJJZL2UIQVEPUETFLVE/image-asset.jpeg Football - NFL Week 3 Picks (Wayne) https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/3aho9edmfxq62i3nasqhfzbqkizude monthly 0.5 2020-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600893589917-HQEU6LTHTP04UYT97WB5/arren+waller.gif Football - NFL Week 3 Power Rankings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600893342334-4WNJACK7T4WRF2LU39QJ/image-asset.gif Football - 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Russ looks off the entire defense and gets them flowing left. He’s once again under enormous pressure from Winovich (who had a very strong performance, by the way). He dials up one of his signature “fadeaway” throws, basically falling away and throwing entirely off of his back foot. Wilson unleashes a teardrop, and hits his man precisely in stride, and most importantly gives him exactly enough room to get two feet inbounds while keeping his pace- you don’t want to trust your running back with a challenging toe tap. Just masterful manipulation of the play from start to finish, and unbelievable touch and placement. Also puts the game (nearly) out of reach after Cam’s first passing touchdown cut the Hawks’ lead down to 5. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600715358248-OVVSC3VSH80P9N2OG1SW/russ+again.jpg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600714617752-R7GGVPV4MGPDG2ITZLOF/throw.jpg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600714719467-U6E3Q9ZKF7A909WXMZ6R/decaf.jpg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks - TD 2 (6:57 Q2, Wilson to Metcalf): Phenomenal throw as he nearly hits Metcalf in stride; the ball is left a tiny bit short, perhaps to fish for a DPI call, but his big-bodied receiver is able to keep playing through tight coverage, snag the ball and get into the end zone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600714473164-BRNMM3Q2TEHVD3VBBUAK/again.png Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600714808219-OVHLLUPHC944QMNKW7DB/image-asset.jpeg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks - TD 3 (2:00 Q3, Wilson to Moore): Firstly, this ball was thrown from the damn parking lot. He’s standing a yard or two ahead of midfield and more or less smacks the pylon itself, so it flies almost exactly 50 yards. He’s a moment away from getting hit. The DB is either pass interfering, or has entirely taken away the overtop and the inside, however you like to look at it. So what does he do? an over the shoulder look that sails directly to the pylon and takes advantage of the approximately 1 foot window between the coverage and the sideline. also a phenomenal toe tap https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600715481397-YEMMR5Y8Y13IFHODTUGF/wakana.jpg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600715411265-TR749O6BF5DLETHUPI5I/az%3Asf.jpg Football - Three Meetings, Two Teams, One Yard: The Madness of Patriots-Seahawks https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/week-2-nfl-picks-schwartz monthly 0.5 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384437997-YK7TBT5UW00A3NTCBIIO/TB+TB.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384350893-V91RZBXO9FS5TVVGPQYI/donald.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377232690-FXJMLWUEWWV0T0WA3BU4/gay.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384813388-77C6WKPDYW45R2CMEM98/rw.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600376977818-5Z9EHPAXP3K99YU0UO18/bake.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377369884-GA09J6R17GJZT8VMEI6Y/gardy.png Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384943752-FC247VF8XOVF1WFEWC5T/king+of+the+drews.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384657763-CITZDCYW4OPO5HYJ959A/also+lamar.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384524315-NUFKK5GS99YUE3PF7PF1/cheetah.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377465171-JWTOF7JD7TL24A0XL143/leonard.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377538773-P8SM10FXBVRAK6P1YWAD/Screen+Shot+2020-09-17+at+5.18.37+PM.png Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384474149-YSZXMDHG3Y9NWNZX9OA5/k1.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384400518-OP7V6KFMTL91MAWJGYFK/twatt.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377194581-IBWWE7KQ8BNNFZQU8Q74/dak-prescott.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600377082995-XIR6KN0AMKAIJN9UCL5G/mack.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600384571097-6OESJCWHYUEES13BX6ZA/razza.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks (Schwartz) https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/yavvgmhh9wpojiclo7blppj269jgif monthly 0.5 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600359779871-GAFEBWHKEH7Q8MGCAGUU/lineups7.jpg Football - Week 2 NFL Picks and Predictions https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/week-one-overreactions-from-every-nfl-game monthly 0.5 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104586147-W3IXMJRLR9CNTGCLGDTK/moxie.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Chargers @ Bengals Overreaction: The Bengals are on a one-way path to a second consecutive first overall pick. Overreaction Meter: 6 In reality: The Bengals showed a lot of good things on Sunday against a generally-mediocre but fairly talented Chargers squad. Rookie QB Joe Burrow, making his pro debut, struggled at times in the passing game against a stout Chargers defense, but created plenty of value with his legs, and finally put it all together on a fantastic final drive, which of course ended in a short, shanked game-tying field goal attempt as time expired. Cincy’s defense also showed up in a big way, bending and not breaking by limiting Tyrod Taylor and co. to just one touchdown on offense, and allowed them to convert just 6 out of 16 third down opportunities. This team is certainly a candidate to be the league’s worst, as the offense largely sputtered, and they are going to need simple things like short field goals to be automatic if they are going to steal the few close games they play in, but they aren’t a lock to be at the bottom again, as they displayed a number of positive trends in their season opener, even after an abbreviated offseason program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103854644-3BFVH0GFEHJYGXNEM6VX/%24%24%24.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Bears @ Lions Overreaction: MITCH TRUBISKY IS THE TRUTH!!! Overreaction Meter: 9 In reality: Woah, woah, let’s slow down. Although he strung together one of his most impressive statistical performances as a Bear, and a fourth quarter to remember en route to a fantastic comeback, he still looked very much like Mitch Trubisky for the first 45 minutes of game time. He made a handful of impressive throws, such as the A+ dime he tossed to Anthony Miller to put the Bears ahead for good, but he’s still largely the same QB as a year ago. While he has certainly bought himself some time with his late-game heroics, with Nick Foles looming on the sidelines, Mitch is far from proving that he can be a long-term guy for Chicago. It’s also worth noting that if D’Andre Swift snagged Stafford’s perfectly-thrown potential game-winning throw, the Bears’ furious fight back would have been entirely for naught, and much more focus would be on Mitch’s shortcomings over the first three quarters of football. That being said, both of these teams showed high potential at different times in this game, and provided us with one of the best contests of week 1. Don’t be surprised to see either of them win the wide-open NFC North division this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104942781-7QEHXF8R70Y3E94VFATJ/zeke.png Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Cowboys @ Rams Overreaction: The Cowboys offense is going to let us down after an offseason of hype. Overreaction Meter: 7 In reality: It was an ugly start for the Dallas attack, but perhaps not quite as ugly as the scoreline would indicate. For instance, they put together 380 yards of team offense, well above league average, which resulted in 17 points, well below league average. This indicates red zone struggles, and it’s seriously challenging to expect that to continue, especially with Ezekiel Elliott looking so in-form in a dominant opener. A year ago, the Niners actually scored 30 points per game on the exact same average yardage output behind a strong rushing performance, which is a very promising indicator that the Cowboys will be able to do the same, especially since the passing game will probably get into a better rhythm as Coach Mike McCarthy and high-talent rookie CeeDee Lamb settle into their new roles in Dallas. We’re also talking about an offense that racked up the most yards in the league last year, and only got more talented, so there shouldn’t be much to be concerned about. The only response is to tip your hat to a brilliant coaching job from Sean McVay, who helped to ensure that his Rams held onto the ball for over ten minutes more than Dallas, a great debut performance from Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley, and some superstar efforts from Jalen Ramsey and the always-dominant Aaron Donald. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104683375-YA12ERA0OSGW1EM1G8IG/tom.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Buccaneers @ Saints Overreaction: Tom Brady is done! Overreaction Meter: 8 In reality: Wait, is this 2014? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. We’ve been hearing this for years now- after his ACL tear, after a number of early-season blowouts, and after an unceremonious end to his New England reign. But Tom Brady is certainly not done, even after a fairly brutal opener to his Tampa Bay tenure. A more valid concern might be that without a full offseason, the first chapter of the “Tompa Bay” experience might have always been doomed. Without a preseason to get comfortable, rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs looked overwhelmed (against Cameron Jordan, to be fair, but still) and newcomer Donovan Smith, on the left side, looked simply overmatched. Brady’s first pick was the clear product of miscommunication between a QB and his Wideout, a concerning play in the micro, but one that likely gets smoothed out over the course of a season. Mike Evans also looked awful, he was completely unable to find space all day long, but he might deserve a free pass due to his questionable level of health. Still, the important positive takeaway is that Brady’s arm seems to be completely fine at age 43, he has plenty left in the tank and was shaky at times, but more than able to accurately throw the ball downfield. He completed a couple of tough throws, including a beauty over multiple defenders off of his back foot, and created off-the-stat sheet value with two gorgeous throws that resulted in long Pass Interference calls against New Orleans. It’s also important to keep perspective; this Saints team is one of the NFL’s best and while they are the kind of squad the Bucs will need to beat in order to achieve their highest goals, they were certainly a brutal first test for a group that has hardly played together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103413516-3C7LXJF5AP2J8V5I0ZP5/sad+deshaun.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104339024-29HJGQAA50NTAVD85263/gardner.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Colts @ Jaguars Overreaction: Gardner Minshew is the best quarterback alive Overreaction Meter: 10, but if you read between the lines of the take, more like a 5 In reality: I see no lies here. No, just kidding, as much as I would love for this to be true, and as many times as I said this on Sunday, the King of Florida still has a long way to go in proving that he is a legitimate NFL superstar. But jokes aside, let’s just make the real take, the one that garnered a 5 rather than a 10 on the Overreaction Meter, “Gardner Minshew is a top-level NFL starting QB.” If that’s the scope, it’s much more reasonable- after he produced a historically-efficient opener and lifted the Jags, a squad that was expected to be among the league’s worst, to victory over a likely playoff-bound Indy squad. Anyone who watched that performance can see that Minshew is able to make the plays that his team needs him to make for them to win games. His passes were pinpoint, his poise veteran-level, and his clutch ability absolutely on display. Obviously, there’s a lot of Week 1, post-pandemic flukiness in the Jaguars beating the Colts, this is still not a great team and are unfortunately not likely to be gracing our screens with more electric late-game heroics come playoff time. Gardner is going to throw more than one incompletion per week, and will not be finishing the season with a video game-level passer rating of 142. If the Jags do snag the top pick, Minshew might still lose his job to Trevor Lawrence, but he and the Jags’ talented and thrilling wideout group showed that they might be able to keep Jacksonville away from the bottom of the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103286971-GZDTRVCA0TWFKWB6X8ZU/cam.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Well that was quite the start! Opening weekend had everything we could have asked for and more. Strong debuts, offensive fireworks, stunning upsets, and standout performances from familiar stars. But with the action, and the surprises, there will always be some way-too-soon conclusions being drawn, the classic Week 1 overreactions. Let’s take a look some of the takes that have arisen from the Week 1 games, and try and separate the fact from the fiction. This article will feature the debut of the Overreaction Meter, which will measure each take on a scale from 1-10, where a 1 is 100% true, not an overreaction at all, and a 10 is absolutely wrong, a huge overreaction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600136711410-AGI6H8EHNUROUHY7NGOF/dimes.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Steelers @ Giants Overreaction: The Giants are the worst team in all the land Overreaction Meter: 3 In reality: Well, I’m not sure that it was a surprise that the Giants would look so overmatched. It’s just shocking how competent some of the other candidates for the #1 pick looked in their first outing of the year. The Jaguars beat the Colts, the Washington Football Team knocked off the Eagles, and the former LSU Joes, Brady and Burrow, seemed to have an immediate impact in their new homes (Carolina and Cincinnati, respectively) Meanwhile, the Giants, who were inexplicably given a primetime, Monday Night slot against the playoff-bound Steelers, hardly looked better than anyone expected. Their dismal defense got relatively shredded by a somewhat-healthy Big Ben and a shaky Steelers skill group, to the tune of three touchdowns through the air. The promising young offense sputtered under the pressure of a crushing Pittsburgh D, as Daniel Jones had a couple of ugly turnovers, and Saquon Barkley was absolutely stifled beyond the line of scrimmage, racking up 6 rushing yards on 15 carries. To be fair, Jones made a handful of nice throws, and Barkley had some nice production in the receiving game. Still, neither showed any progress from a year ago as both were back to their 2019 ways, flashing the exact same promise and exhibiting the exact same reasons for concern. More importantly, the Giants went completely silent after racing out to a 10-3 lead, getting completely dominated on both sides of the ball- the Steelers put up 23 unanswered points following Jones’s bomb to Darius Slayton, not conceding again until a garbage-time touchdown for the Giants. This team is going to lose a ton of games by being dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Honestly, I’m not even confident of their chances against the other cellar dwellers in their own division, the Eagles and the Football Team. The Jets and maybe the Dolphins are the only teams I would say are currently on the same level as the G-men, keeping this overreaction from scoring a perfect 1 on the scale as a true prophecy- but those two play each other and someone has to win each game. It’s a brutal time for the Big Blue, who, if they secure the top pick, will have to decide just how much they believe in Daniel Jones, or if it’s time to go in a new direction, presumably with Trevor Lawrence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104256482-OQHKESD2MI1VNDDK6LOR/cmc.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Raiders @ Panthers Overreaction: The Panthers are going to waste Christian McCaffrey Overreaction Meter: 1 Reality: It’s really hard to disagree with this one. As big of a fan as I am of CMC, handing out such a large deal to a halfback is never a sound investment. While I had hoped that Carolina would minimize McCaffrey’s mileage after investing in him long-term, he actually had six more carries and two more touches than his averages a year ago. They’ve also shown no ability to parlay his most explosive performances into wins, starting in 2018, when his blistering breakout stretch actually coincided with a brutal Carolina losing streak, and of course continuing into last season when his historic 100 catch/1000 rushing yard/1000 receiving yard season resulted in a 5-11, fourth-place finish. Giving a monster deal to a do-it-all offensive weapon who might not have a long prime is something you do if you’re ready to win now. While new QB Teddy Bridgewater looked solid, the Panthers are completely unable to win even when McCaffrey is his usual, hyper-effective self as he was on Sunday as Carolina fell to a very mediocre Las Vegas team. The super-young defense is not quite there yet and if the Panthers are going to make their investment look like a good one, they will have to turn things around extremely quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104180616-YFNK6O4O8VKVYURZV8DK/chase.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Eagles @ Washington Football Team Overreaction: The Eagles are pretty rough/The Washington Football Team is pretty solid Overreaction Meter: 4/7 Reality: Hail to the Washington Football Team! There’s a bit of truth to each of these statements, albeit different degrees of accuracy between the two. On one hand, the Eagles are definitely not a good football team. Carson Wentz was dismal in the loss, throwing two picks against a very young team en route to a total QBR of 14.2, and his line did him no favors either, allowing him to get sacked a shocking eight times and not doing anything to really establish the run. The theoretically-strong Philly defense was also very concerning, as they allowed Insane Dwayne and co. to rack up 27 consecutive points to end the game. But as the line gets healthier, and the season goes on, Philly will begin to get better results for sure- just don’t expect them to win the East or come anywhere near a Wild Card spot. Washington, however, showed some very promising stuff in Ron Rivera’s team debut. Namely those 8 sacks- while they won’t rack up quite this many every week, Riverboat Ron’s defense is going to hit the QB all game long. It was particularly exciting to see rookie end Chase Young secure his first 1.5 NFL sacks, and fellow youngster Montez Sweat record a QB takedown of his own, as well as another tackle for loss. This team, although they shockingly sit atop the NFC East, are no sort of playoff contender, but they should be excited about their future after a very strong defensive start to the Ron Rivera era. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103637783-NL0ES9KJQBVIRZPC4OYG/russ.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Seahawks @ Falcons Overreaction: Russell Wilson is unbelievable, he’s going to do this every week and win MVP. Overreaction Meter: 4 In reality: This one has some truth to it too. Obviously, Russ isn’t going to light opposing defenses up to this extent every week- 31/35 for 322 yards, 4 scores and no turnovers en route to a 143.1 passer rating- and he isn’t going to be the Hawks’ leading rusher each game either (hopefully). But he really is unbelievable, and this year, his statistical production might actually reflect that. Seattle seems to have finally realized that running the ball for three quarters, falling behind after a bunch of stagnant offense, finally unleashing Russ for the fourth quarter and watching him frantically try and complete a surgical comeback isn’t the way to go. On Sunday, they actually let Wilson do his thing right from the first quarter, opening up the playbook and letting him improvise with both his legs and his arm, and the results were spectacular. Look for more of the “feed Russ” mentality this season as the Seahawks get deeper into their schedule, and if he continues to play at such a high level, his (long overdue) first MVP might finally be in order. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103981703-1577V98XA74VXGN18IZ4/cook.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Packers @ Vikings Overreaction: Wow, neither of these teams play ANY defense. Overreaction Meter: 5 In reality: They kind of don’t. The Packers were one of the most deceiving 13-3 teams in league history last year, and one of the biggest frauds of all was the idea that they had a passable defense. The fact was that they were statistically very lucky, and the team way outperformed their pythagorean wins projection, particularly in terms of allowing a ton of yards and not nearly as many points. Call it bend-not-break defense if you want, but I don’t buy it; Matt LaFleur is not Bill Belichick, this team got lucky. On the Minnesota side, this was a solid defense a year ago, but the loss of Everson Griffen and the team’s three top corners from 2019 are nothing short of devastating. This is a better unit than Green Bay’s, despite losing Sunday’s contest, but they probably will not achieve to the same level they did last year, when they held opponents to just 18.9 points per game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600103756729-6SN4JDG3I1Z7T0RT9GTX/diggs.png Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Jets @ Bills Overreaction: This Bills offense is a juggernaut! They looked unstoppable at times yesterday Overreaction Meter: 8 In reality: The Bills do have a more talented offensive group than they have in years past, but they’re far from a league-best unit. They victimized a Jets defense that was clearly unprepared after late-offseason losses of their best two players, Middle Linebacker CJ Mosley (COVID opt-out) and superstar do-it-all Strong Safety Jamal Adams (trade to Seattle). Josh Allen, in particular, was deceivingly impressive. While it’s true that he can do special things while rushing the ball, his arm is still not NFL-caliber and although the statistics were impressive, he often failed the eye test when throwing the ball, even in a dominant win. The Bills offense looked great on Sunday, but this is still a team that is likely to go as far as their defense can take them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104095496-LTXMZGWBKV5D1200YX9O/cam+1.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Dolphins @ Patriots Overreaction: The Patriots upgraded at Quarterback. Overreaction Meter: 8 In reality: Come on. Let’s be very clear- Cam Newton was extremely impressive in his non-Carolina NFL debut, and showed that he is absolutely healthy enough to alter the game with his unique physical ability. However, he is a far cry from proving that he is better than even the 2019 version of Tom Brady, who dragged an aggressively mediocre Pats team to a 12-4 finish a year ago. Brady is far from washed- I’ll get to that later- and he wasn’t nearly the main reason for the team’s offensive struggles last season. It’s also important to remember that Cam’s much-lauded opening performance came against a dismal Miami Dolphins defense that struggled to integrate a number of new pieces, as they mostly looked like the unit that allowed the third-most yards and the most points in the league a year ago. That being said, Cam’s new-look Pats offense still only hung 21 points on them, as New England’s comfortable win was more due to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s red zone failures more than anything their own offense did. As soon as the Patriots play a team who has any ability to slow Newton on the ground, the one-dimensional nature of their offense will be painfully clear to the New England faithful. While Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels will certainly open up the playbook as the year goes on, this has all the indications of being a team that lives and dies by the run, and will be comfortable as long as they can set the tone but struggle if they fall behind (see: 2019 Ravens, 2019 Titans, but less talented). Cam wasn’t really asked to throw the ball downfield, as he only attempted 19 throws for a total of 155 air yards. It was certainly an encouraging start to the post-Brady era, but as a Patriots fan, I am nervously holding my breath more than planning our seventh Super Bowl parade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104775037-3AV0MU2RPBTG25P1XUHN/nuk.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Cardinals @ Niners Overreaction: The DeAndre Hopkins trade was an all-time highway robbery Overreaction Meter: 3 In reality: You thought I was only going to rip on the Texans in their own segment? Ah, come on, they’re too inept to be contained like that. All offseason, skeptics said that the Cardinals hype train was out of control- one wideout, as good as he is, can’t transform a team overnight. Well, I’ve got news for you, he might be able to. After just one game, Hopkins has shown his value as Kyler Murray leaned on him against a tough Niners defense, to the tune of 14 catches on 16 targets en route to 151 yards and a big opening day upset win. The Cardinals obviously won’t be riding the veteran receiver to 16-0, and there will be weeks where he isn’t able to make a game-breaking impact. But he has shown that he has the ability to take over games, and change the course of Arizona’s season, and that is worth far more than what they had to send over to the Texans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600104495590-RXQQT0EKVZUABVRVWRO4/unhappy+bake.jpg Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Browns @ Ravens Overreaction: Well, that’s it, time to close the book on Baker Mayfield. Overreaction Meter: 5 In reality: This was definitely not a good start to what many see as Mayfield’s last stand to defend the Browns’ decision to make him the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. Yet another tipped-ball interception on Cleveland’s opening drive was an absolute crusher, as their only real hope in this game was to set the tone and force Baltimore to play from behind the entire game and make Lamar Jackson throw the ball 30, 40, 50 times, as the Titans did in last year’s playoffs. But it’s not time to call it a day yet on the polarizing passer. Cleveland is a team full of new pieces, including a new head coach, and after an abbreviated offseason, they might need time to gel. Baker has put himself in a serious hole, but let’s see how he performs against any defense other than the one that just might be the NFL’s most talented, especially after their already-potent 2019 unit added Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, and highly impressive rookie LB Patrick Queen. And let’s not pretend that anyone else on the Browns was particularly impressive in a 38-6 loss. Let’s see what he and the rest of the Browns can do on Thursday night as they take on fellow Heisman winner Joe Burrow and his Bengals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600181249356-BDJRLNP0NIEDLWEBO7L8/lock.png Football - Week One Overreactions From Every NFL Game Titans @ Broncos Overreaction: The Broncos got too much love this offseason Overreaction Meter: 8 In reality: I guess this one depends on just how much you bought into the Broncos over the summer, but as I understood it, this team was perceived as young and talented with a serious shot at the postseason. If that’s the case, then I don’t think that those aspirations should fade away after one narrow loss. Sure, you could argue that the scoreline was closer than it should have been, as Stephen Gostkowski missed an egregious 10 points worth of field goals, but Denver really looked to be in control all game long. Even Gostkowski’s misses were from long range, as Tennessee didn’t spend too much time in Broncos territory, where they can be so dangerous. Although the Titans’ workhorse back had a nice statistical night, I felt like the Broncos defense did a really good job of containing Derrick Henry, as he was stuffed on an uncharacteristic amount of important runs and was held to 3.7 yards per carry. Overall, Denver defended very well in the absence of all-time great Von Miller, with the obvious, glaring exception being their failure to squash out Tennessee’s final effort. The main issue, in the eyes of many, was the failure of Drew Lock and the Denver offense. It’s true that they failed to execute at times, particularly on a goal line stand that featured some inexplicable playcalling and resulted in a fourth-and-goal stop on the one yard line. But the offensive line protected lock well, not allowing a single sack against Tennessee’s formidable front seven. Melvin Gordon also played well in his Denver debut, averaging over 5 yards per carry, breaking a 25-yard run, the game’s longest, and scoring a late go-ahead touchdown. Lock and the passing game sputtered at times, but the group’s talent was very evident. Lock completed a number of high-level throws, including a wild, across-the-body throw to a heavily covered Noah Fant- who also had a stellar season opener- to secure Denver’s first touchdown of the year. Rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy, the Alabama alum, was quite impressive in his pro debut, as he looked comfortable with the NFL game throughout the contest, and late in the game, he hit his signature dead-leg cut to perfection to pick up some big extra yardage after the catch. But most importantly, this team will be getting back their star top receiver, Courtland Sutton, and adding another talented rookie pass-catcher in KJ Hamler. If Lock and the rest of the offense can become more acclimated to each other, and Sutton and Hamler are as productive as they can be, there’s no reason to believe that this team won’t be in the playoff hunt deep into December. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/sleepless-in-seattle-how-jamal-adams-makes-the-seahawks-super-bowl-contenders monthly 0.5 2020-07-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595713444324-MU198II9IP9XUANB5WJY/image-asset.jpeg Football - Sleepless In Seattle - Per PFF, Adams was the third-most efficient tackler at the safety position last year (minimum 900 snaps). He was also the eighth-most productive pass-rushing safety among players at his position with at least 500 pass-rush snaps. He had 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits last year which is incredible production from the safety position. Adams is also a stud in coverage - he ranked top-ten in yards per coverage snap (minimum 480 snaps) and his elite tackling allowed him to give up just 58 yards after the catch and 2 touchdowns on the season. It’s rare that a safety is above-average in all three of tackling/run-stopping, pass-rushing, and pass-coverage, but you can pretty easily make the case that Adams is elite in all three. He’s an outstanding athlete and should immediately make the Seahawks’ defense one of the best in the NFL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595711689548-GXXIWO93A62VLO6EMUK2/image-asset.jpeg Football - Sleepless In Seattle - Last week, I wrote about Jamal Adams’s list of teams he would be happy to be traded to. As his relationship with the New York Jets, specifically with head coach Adam Gase, has begun to deteriorate over the past year, the writing was on the wall - it was only a matter of time before the All-Pro safety was traded. On Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks made it official - they would be sending safety Bradley McDougald, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Adams. In my article detailing where Adams fit in best, I spoke about how his arrival would make any team a clear-cut Super Bowl contender. He’s the best safety in the NFL and impacts the game in a multitude of ways. The Seattle defense was in desperate need of a game-changer like him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595712572415-M0MVT0TO41G9TYST6DCG/Screen+Shot+2020-07-25+at+2.29.12+PM.png Football - Sleepless In Seattle - John Schneider was named the Seahawks’ general manager ahead of the 2010 season concurrently with the hiring of Pete Carrol as the head coach. Schneider has done a great job of evaluating late-round talent, including taking Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman with 5th-round picks, Malcolm Smith and Chris Carson with 7th-round picks, and Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett with 3rd-round picks. He hasn’t had a great history with first-round picks, though, as he has two slam dunk first-round picks - Earl Thomas and Bruce Irvin - in his time as the GM. The other players have been relatively ineffective or injured. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595714519377-P0A8KB8R5RDIAB1CH48N/image-asset.jpeg Football - Sleepless In Seattle - The arrival of Jamal Adams in Seattle will give the team the best defense they have had in years, probably since the Legion of Boom defense. Russell Wilson has buoyed an elite offensive attack for the past several years and the team’s run offense has been one of the league’s best, but the defense hasn’t been up-to-par to get the team back to the Super Bowl. The NFC West figures to be the toughest division in the NFL with the 49ers and Rams both recent NFC Champs and the Cardinals one of the fastest-rising teams in football. Adams will give the Seahawks a chance to win every week, though, and the best chance to get back to the Super Bowl since Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor patrolled the defense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595712058663-JCWUEZOG5Z91KWE6MQUD/Screen+Shot+2020-07-25+at+2.19.39+PM.png Football - Sleepless In Seattle - The Jets had made it very clear in recent weeks that they would not be trading away Adams unless they received a significant trade offer. This deal qualifies as the Jets pick up an additional two first-round picks to continue to fill out their young roster as well as a solid safety in McDougald who had 70 tackles and 2 interceptions last season. Current Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider made arguably his biggest career acquisition with the trade for Adams. Jamal Adams is under contract through the 2021 season, at which point Seattle will need to negotiate a contract extension with their new defensive superstar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595713882539-P7SOK5WB5FALAESOAXEE/bobby+wagner.jpg Football - Sleepless In Seattle - So who does Adams join in Seattle? For starters, the Seahawks employ the best middle linebacker in the NFL, Bobby Wagner, who has been a First-Team All-Pro player in five of the last six seasons. The Seahawks also have some great secondary talent in Quandre Diggs, Shaquill Griffin, and recent trade acquisition Quinton Dunbar, all of whom ranked in the top 25 of their respective positions last season. One area the Seahawks could really use some help is in the pass-rush - they ranked just 16th in team pass-rush win rate per ESPN, and that’s with Jadeveon Clowney who recently departed in free agency. The team also has a ton of room to improve in their rush defense, as Football Outsiders graded them as the sixth-worst in run defense last season. Jamal Adams’ Jets ranked 2nd in the league in run defense per FO, and he should be able to transform Seattle in that regard. The combination of Adams and Wagner should have all Seahawks fans excited as those two might be the best safety/linebacker duo the NFL has seen since Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595713024105-XEJUNBEXKZOUNZM1BQCL/jamal+adams+5.jpg Football - Sleepless In Seattle - It is highly unlikely the Seahawks would have found someone nearly as impactful as Adams with the handful of draft picks they sent to the Jets. For New York, they get a decent haul for a player who they never should have needed to trade away in the first place. Adams is going to absolutely transform the Seahawks’ defense in a variety of ways. He’s an incredible leader, both vocally and with the way he identifies offensive formations and calls out adjustments to his teammates. Seriously, go watch some of his stuff on YouTube - he’s a cerebral mercenary out there. Brett Kollmann did an awesome job of breaking it down here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjED7LRBbrM&t=670s. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/cam-newton-to-the-patriots monthly 0.5 2020-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593404226514-6K9O0Z5NU8YOVSAX64MX/lisfranc.jpg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots Image pulled from OrthoInfo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593457084389-I5XR46XCYX0MT5IRVGGJ/cam+newton+2.jpg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots Cam Newton won the MVP award in 2015, leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593457631939-TOIFY9JK22O6PTXOCNOP/patriots+offense.jpg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots The Patriots’ offense hasn’t shown the type of high-level ability needed to support Cam Newton in 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593457212342-6PQVHXS8J8TPF5NL3X3D/julian+edelman.jpg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots Julian Edelman had 100 receptions for 1,117 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593405398157-N9Z4PV1710AY8CFZE0YY/cam+pats.jpg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots Cam Newton agreed to a one-year $7.5 million contract with the Patriots on Sunday https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593459198867-RLUX2DR65TJAAETQF3S7/image-asset.jpeg Football - Cam Newton to the Patriots Bill Belichick has plenty to prove this season as he attempts to replace Tom Brady with Cam Newton https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-nfc-south monthly 0.5 2020-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805803715-WNDY3K13L4NGZ28RDN4R/panthers+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 5.5 SOS: #8 2019 RECORD: 5-11 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: OVER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805707245-ZVSZZO811RANEOH8UDH0/falcons+2019.jpeg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 7.5 SOS: #1 2019 RECORD: 7-9 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: Under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805344708-XESW1UVNABJB1KB51M72/image-asset.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC South https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805303798-6CQ0ZVQ177GTEYUF38E8/image-asset.jpeg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 10.5 SOS: #9 2019 RECORD: 13-3 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: OVER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805558150-9COC2MSR4ETECR6G0UV7/buccaneers+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 9.5 SOS: #29 2019 RECORD: 7-9 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: OVER https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-afc-south monthly 0.5 2020-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592467569955-NDF96FWFATMOCWDSK9DT/colts+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 8.5 SOS: #32 2019 RECORD: 7-9 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: OVER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592467709394-8BELLW2L1OMK8WBZBHLD/titans+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 8.5 SOS: #30 2019 RECORD: 9-7 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: Under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592467958116-0FS5S47LRVNR14NB5ACA/texans+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 7.5 SOS: #10 2019 RECORD: 10-6 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: Under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592802749712-CVHU579D1GFUSQIHRVQ4/AFC+South.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC South https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592468118306-IO4BZJWRVHYUA2CGJXKC/jaguars+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC South - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 5 SOS: #18 2019 RECORD: 6-10 SCHWARTZ: Push WAYNE: Under https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/jamal-adams-where-the-all-pro-safety-fits-in-best monthly 0.5 2020-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592519712312-MFZRNFLVNNMEGHQJ7OQZ/jamal+adams+cowboys.jpg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - The Cowboys have long been the presumed favorite in a potential Jamal Adams trade. The team had hoped to acquire Earl Thomas for quite some time before the joined the Ravens and Jerry Jones would pounce at the opportunity to add a player of Adams’ caliber. The Cowboys did add HaHa Clinton-Dix over the offseason and have had Xavier Woods perform much better than would be expected for a former 6th-round pick, but there’s no question that Adams would be an elite addition to the defense. The Cowboys replaced Byron Jones with Trevon Diggs in the draft and have some solid talent all over their front seven with Leighton Vander-Esch, Demarcus Lawrence, Gerald McCoy, and Jaylon Smith. The Cowboys will undoubtedly be an offense-driven team in 2020 with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb leading the charge behind an elite offensive line, but there’s no question that the arrival of Adams would make them a Super Bowl contender. The financial aspect of this is a little more complicated as the Cowboys will be up against the cap once they renegotiate Dak Prescott’s long-term contract, but with $67 M in cap space coming up in 2022 (Adams’ free agency year) they can probably find a way to make it work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592524986870-GSSBV8J4QK03923VD3HW/jamal+adams+49ers.jpg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - Jamal Adams said it himself - any defensive back would love to play alongside a defensive line that features Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw. When your defensive back is as special as Adams is, though, you’re talking about what would have the potential to be one of the best defenses of this generation under the direction of Robert Saleh. The 49ers already ranked 8th in points allowed last season and the presence of an All-Pro safety in Adams would help take some pressure off Richard Sherman who, while still elite, is now 32 years old. The tandem of Adams and Jimmie Ward might be the best combination of safeties in football. The 49ers were a few plays away from winning the Super Bowl this past season and it’s not hard to imagine them bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay with Adams in tow. John Lynch is a master negotiator and, after trading away DeForest Buckner, the team opened up $15 M in cap space - enough to acquire Adams for this season. They can also begin working on an extension right away with plenty of long-term cap space to work with. This is a dark horse destination that makes a ton of sense for all parties involved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592524527772-98HYB4MVDRZD8A1GEEJ9/jamal+adams+eagles.jpg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - Schwartz and I published our NFC East win total predictions today and we both had the Eagles at under 9.5 wins. That would change in a hurry if the team is able to acquire Jamal Adams. Their biggest issue last season was a lack of secondary talent and the team lost a mainstay at safety in Malcolm Jenkins over the offseason. Even after signing Darius Slay and Nickell Robey-Coleman as well as drafting K’Von Wallace, there is a lack of talent at safety that could hold the team back this season. Adams would quickly transform it into their biggest strength and it would also help the Eagles get one back over their division-rival Cowboys after how the CeeDee Lamb situation played out. It’s a real question if the cap numbers make sense, though, as Carson Wentz’s extension sets in next season and he will represent a $30 M+ cap hit each year over the next several years. The Eagles already project to be $50 M over the cap next season and that’s before trying to fit in Adams. While the Eagles could make a run back to the Super Bowl with Jamal Adams on the roster, it’s unlikely that the financial numbers make sense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592525332384-LGO8W8NH2JKF6PU6K3AK/jamal+adams.jpeg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - It’s been a few years of transition since the days of the Legion of Boom when Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Richard Sherman dominated proceedings in Seattle. Shaquill Griffin, Quinton Dunbar, and Quandre Diggs are well on their way to giving Seattle an above-average secondary again, but the addition of Jamal Adams would vault them back into elite territory. The Seahawks only ranked 22nd in points allowed last season so an addition like Adams would be incredibly impactful. Jadeveon Clowney is still a free agent, and while the team still has $13 M in cap space available, it seems like his days in the Pacific Northwest are numbered. With a bit of salary matching in a trade, Adams could be the high-priced defender to take his place. He and Bobby Wagner would form arguably the best safety-linebacker duo in football and would help the Seahawks elevate back into title contention. With Russell Wilson on offense, a solidly above-average defense, and Pete Carrol on the sidelines, the Seahawks would quickly become one of the best teams in football. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592524125514-G9X2WLCBUA9F3VGLH70B/jamal+adams+chiefs.jpeg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - This is the one that absolutely scares the shit out of me. The Chiefs are coming off a Super Bowl win and while they did lose a handful of defensive starters this offseason, the offensive trio of Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce will ensure Kansas City is among the best teams in football once again. They currently have the best Super Bowl odds in the NFL at the moment and they would certainly be prohibitive favorites with the addition of Adams to a defensive nucleus that already features Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Frank Clark, and Chris Jones. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo has keyed a turnaround in Kansas City - the team ranked 7th in points allowed last year after finishing 24th the year prior - and the addition of Adams would transform their productivity on that side of the ball. The real concern for the Chiefs would be that key players in Chris Jones, Sammy Watkins, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyrann Mathieu are set to hit free agency in the next couple of years and the team may already struggle to pay all of them without trying to fit in a mega-extension for Adams. It may be wiser for the team to hold onto its draft picks and future assets with Patrick Mahomes likely resetting the QB market with his extension in a couple of years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592525614250-UUE9UUQMQK7P1N19DYFN/jamal+adams+4.jpg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592519123905-G55M6S8NBAORY429240O/jamal+adams+ravens.png Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - The Ravens rank just below the Chiefs in Super Bowl odds at the moment, and you would have to imagine that adding Jamal Adams would make them the clear title favorites. Baltimore already ranked 3rd in points against last season and added former First-Team All-Pro defensive end Calais Campbell to the roster. Jamal Adams and Earl Thomas would instantly become the best safety tandem in football by far, perhaps of all time when all is said and done. Adams - the hard-hitting, physical specimen who flies all over the field for tackles is the perfect Kam Chancellor-esque complement to what Earl Thomas provides a defense. Joining them in the secondary would be Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphery, and Jimmy Smith to form the best back-end unit in football. Lamar Jackson is going to become a free agent the same season as Adams, but with over $100 M in cap space coming up in 2022, the Ravens would be well-positioned to offer Jackson and Adams lucrative long-term deals. Adding Adams to the Ravens’ already formidable roster would make them a clear Super Bowl contender for years to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592523672972-1J3QY90I22S1J7H9O56Q/jamal+adams+texans.jpg Football - Jamal Adams - Where the All-Pro Safety Fits In Best - The Texans are perhaps the most confusing inclusion on this list as they certainly seem to be on the downswing as of late with their recent trade of DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. There’s no question Adams could immediately improve their defense, however, as Justin Reid is a force at free safety but the team has a massive hole alongside him. The Texans currently have $20 M in cap space and plenty of room heading into the future, so perhaps a deal for a player of Adams’ caliber would make some sense, especially since he has displayed an interest in playing there. Deshaun Watson will be a free agent in 2022, the same season as Adams, and his impending departure is certainly a storyline in Houston. A trade for Adams would reaffirm the team’s commitment to winning and likely make Watson more likely to stay long-term. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-nfc-east monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592464882204-1LZ84EZB71X0IQXPQSMU/eagles+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 9.5 SOS: #14 2019 RECORD: 9-7 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: Under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592464716939-IAQW07RNQSWYV9BTEOTS/cowboys+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 9.5 SOS: #25 2019 RECORD: 8-8 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: OVER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592466258872-12ASFGU04WUHE0W4VTAS/redskins+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 5.5 SOS: #7 2019 RECORD: 3-13 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: Over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592467210109-6HCK6ESZJ9M4OGXOZ4RE/NFC+East.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC East https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592466009494-HWO9F4LPN24Z91920CGS/giants+2019.jpeg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 6.5 SOS: #2 2019 RECORD: 4-12 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: Under https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-afc-east monthly 0.5 2020-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592464191489-TZLCV2ULJBZQ65CMY1XE/dolphins+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 6 SOS: #7 2019 RECORD: 5-11 SCHWARTZ: Push WAYNE: Push https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592463689817-Z0QRZLSUHB39WX0V1K1I/bills+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 9 SOS: #11 2019 RECORD: 10-6 SCHWARTZ: Push WAYNE: OVER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592806024196-ZVU3JK3K9VQ4DESEWV5A/image-asset.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC East https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592463805972-4SL8IDWQO5PEIC512TQT/jets+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 6.5 SOS: #4 2019 RECORD: 7-9 SCHWARTZ: OVER WAYNE: UNDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592463176790-2R8NXA8V5E3TXHMTR5US/patriots+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC East - 2020 WIN TOTAL: 9 SOS: #11 2019 RECORD: 12-4 SCHWARTZ: Under WAYNE: Under https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-nfc-west monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592283519879-CW5YGRXXFC7TNJCDKIBM/seahawks+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC West - 2020 win total: 9.5 SOS: #20 2019 record: 11-5 Schwartz: over Wayne: under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592283085302-VDJRT9KF8NWUTB8X5J40/49ers+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC West - 2020 win total: 10.5 SOS: #19 2019 record: 13-3 Schwartz: over Wayne: over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592283811108-BC5P5YAG82GHUREOVBEE/kyler+and+fitz.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC West - 2020 win total: 7 SOS: #12 2019 record: 5-10-1 Schwartz: over Wayne: over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592460340244-RZCRHQNN9CG0WN7BIPPX/NFC+West.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC West https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592283698270-5QGG9UJSLUUK1J28FSYO/rams+2020.jpeg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - NFC West - 2020 win total: 8.5 SOS: #6 2019 record: 9-7 Schwartz: under Wayne: under https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-win-totals-ou-afc-west monthly 0.5 2020-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592805196421-KGHAAWPO4GCGTESIGNMM/image-asset.png Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC West https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592282690124-V6IWNLN7C4U3HN0B9RYJ/courtland+sutton.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC West - 2020 win total: 7.5 SOS: #5 2019 record: 7-9 Schwartz: over Wayne: over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592281950009-90DLPFLM3BRFZHXRZCF2/chargers+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC West - 2020 win total: 7.5 SOS: #23 2019 record: 5-11 Schwartz: over Wayne: over https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592284596732-SOVAYODV71BTFBC70W0M/mahomes+and+tyreek.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC West - 2020 Win Total: 11.5 SOS: #26 2019 record: 12-4 Schwartz: over Wayne: under https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592281707288-E5H2TWLOLXVA39KGPXS9/raiders+2019.jpg Football - NFL Win Totals O/U - AFC West - 2020 Win Total: 7.5 SOS: #3 2019 record: 7-9 Schwartz: under Wayne: under https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-7-coaches-special-teams-and-superlatives monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496489701-35O8YF9SH6RZNJZ03VWZ/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives No surprises here; the player whose name is inscribed on the college punter of the year award stands as the greatest ever at his position. Ray Guy was a force on special teams, consistently pinning opponents in challenging field position to help prop up the Raiders defense. A 6 time first-team All-Pro, Guy boasts a stellar career average of 42.4 yards per punt, a category in which he led the league three times. There’s not too much to say about such a straightforward choice, but Guy was a player who silently added value for his team every time he kicked the ball. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497198892-94CSCOIAGFQDN41LWIEB/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Best Nicknames- the one category where I’ll allow players who missed the roster: Ochocinco (Chad Johnson. Legally his name so not quite a nickname but we’ll count it), White Shoes (Billy Johnson), The Fridge (William Perry), Beast Mode (Marshawn Lynch), Broadway Joe (Namath), Iron Mike (Webster), Night Train (Richard Lane), The Bus (Jerome Bettis), Megatron (Calvin Johnson), The Sheriff (Peyton Manning), The Juice (OJ Simpson), The Sanchize (Mark Sanchez. I don’t care that he isn’t even above average, his nickname is), Mean Joe Greene, and the winner; Primetime (Deion Sanders). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496197780-69PNH4OZUD6LBMVDIMTH/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - As Lombardi set the standard for leadership in the NFL, Bill Walsh did the same in regards to offensive innovation. The Bay Area legend, who led both the Stanford Cardinal and the San Francisco 49ers during his career, is credited with developing the West Coast offense, which prioritized using every inch of the field from sideline to sideline and created high-percentage opportunities for Walsh’s quarterbacks. He implemented the system to perfection to say the least in San Francisco, putting together a dynastic run with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, the implied second-stringer on our all-time team, which included three Super Bowl titles, by way of a 10-4 postseason record. Walsh’s impact on football is still felt today, with many of the most prolific modern offenses running some adaptation of the West Coast system. His mentorship of strong assistants led to the rise of an extensive coaching tree, which includes top offensive minds such as Mike Shanahan (and indirectly his son, Kyle), Gary Kubiak, Mike Tomlin, Mike McCarthy, Andy Reid, Jon Gruden, Tony Dungy, John Harbaugh, and John’s brother Jim, the only coach on this list who has never been a champion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496564663-XX37KQSMUKYODP6AWZP8/image-asset.jpeg Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Offense: QB: Tom Brady HB: Jim Brown, OJ Simpson WR: Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Don Hutson (flex) TE: Tony Gonzalez LT: Joe Thomas LG: John Hannah C: Mike Webster RG: Bruce Matthews RT: Anthony Munoz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497780881-3L8VC0K50A5E70N1Y04K/staubach.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Toughest tough guy: JJ Watt, Earl Campbell, Jim Brown, Brett Favre, John Elway, Dick Butkus, Lawrence Taylor, Chuck Bednarik, Night Train Lane, John Randle, all of the offensive line starters, Mean Joe, Jack Lambert and frankly the whole Steel Curtain Defense, Walter Payton and every 1985 Bear, and the winners, one each for offense and defense; Ronnie Lott and Roger Staubach Author’s note: I understand that picking a QB for “toughest” is a bit surprising, but this goes beyond football. Between winning the Heisman and making his pro debut, Staubach was a soldier, fighting in one of America’s most grueling wars ever, which is frankly tougher than anything anyone has ever gone through on a football field, and we have to recognize his service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496639563-7AMKLSQ83RWXZ3GB81D3/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - I thought it was a bit odd to have two players at such a niche position on the All-Time squad, so I removed Billy “White Shoes” Johnson and will turn to Devin Hester for both kick and punt return duties. Both players were famously quick in open space, and were lethal threats on special teams. However, Johnson was able to find the end zone in just three seasons of his career, and returned kicks and punts for just 8 total touchdowns. The two players had comparable yards per return numbers for both kicks and punts, but Hester took it to the house 5 times off of kick offs - not including his iconic runback of the opening kickoff in SB XLI, the fastest touchdown in Super Bowl history - and scored on a ridiculous 14 punt returns across his career, all but one of his return scores coming during his unique and electric tenure as a Chicago Bear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496421521-84BJ2721RM15E3PDOH2G/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - However, any fan with half a brain, and who watched any playoff football across the first decade of the 2000s, would bet on Adam Vinatieri to join them. One of the most clutch performers in pro history, Vinatieri hit a game-winning overtime kick on a snowy night in the iconic tuck rule game, and proceeded to knock two game winners through the uprights in the Pats’ next two Super Bowl appearances, providing 6 points in their third via a field goal and three extra points (New England won by 3). He also won a fourth ring by crossing over to the Patriots’ primary rival of the decade, the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he won another championship. Vinatieri, the starting placekicker on our team, holds a ridiculous amount of records, including consecutive field goals made (44), total games played (397), field goals made (599), and points scored (2,673). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496346114-GHQ7B32Q8ETTUY2NRNGI/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - While it’s not the most exciting of my edits to the original list, I wanted my two kickers to be the embodiments of the two most important goals of the position; consistency of production, and clutch. That’s why I picked Morten Andersen, who stood for years as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. The Danish-born star was a five time first-team All-Pro across a 25-season career and boasted an impressive range, hitting field goals from as far as 60 yards away. He managed to find his way onto both the 1980s and 90s all-decade squads, and along with Stenerud, who he pushed off of this list, is one of just two full-time placekickers to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592496073655-M2OCH6HCEZA6LSJBQU48/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Lombardi falls into the head coach spot because above all else, he exemplified winning, to the point where his name is forever etched onto the Super Bowl trophy itself. Over his career, mostly at the helm of the Green Bay Packers, he attained a combined regular and postseason winning percentage of .750, including a dominant 9-1 record in postseason play. A coach who never experienced a losing season, the New York native led the Pack to five pre-merger NFL titles, and won the first two Super Bowls in such resounding fashion that many wondered out loud whether pitting the AFL against the NFL was even such a good idea. While he was the epitome of a tough, old-fashioned football coach, Lombardi was ahead of his time in many ways. Throughout his time in Green Bay he made it a priority to make the team a welcoming environment for the most talented players regardless of race, even in an era of existing Jim Crow segregation laws, always saying that he saw players as “neither black nor white- only Packer green and gold.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497367489-CRC6E215YS1ZQNXTSVOL/joe+beer.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - I’d like to grab a beer with that guy: Deion Sanders, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Mean Joe Greene, Mike Singletary, Earl Campbell, Mike Ditka even though he got cut, Rob Gronkowski, Ronnie Lott, Dick Butkus, Vince Lombardi and the winners, one each for offense and defense; Joe Thomas and Luke Kuechly. Author’s note: there’s no defensive ends in this category, those guys are way too scary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497860414-U1JPWP2LYKSNAEXE0N5L/tommy+handsome.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Most stacked position group: Defensive Tackle, Linebacker, and the winner; Wide Receiver Most Handsome: Tom Brady https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497249148-X1ROAC65CVSJLFZN3LO2/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - 12th men of the year (anyone who made the team but missed the lineup is eligible): Joe Montana, Walter Payton, Marvin Harrison, Larry Fitzgerald, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, JJ Watt, Rod Woodson, and the winners, one each for offense and defense; Rob Gronkowski and Jack Lambert https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592497160933-UWKK9DZTCCRO8DOPKIPJ/dick+again.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Defense: DE: Bruce Smith DT: Randy White- off the field for 3-4 DT: Mean Joe Greene DE: Reggie White LOLB: Jack Ham MLB: Ray Lewis- off the field for 4-3 MLB: Dick Butkus- strong side for 3-4, Mike for 4-3, playcaller ROLB: Lawrence Taylor CB: Deion Sanders- top WR shadow CB: Darrelle Revis SS: Troy Polamalu FS: Ronnie Lott Nickelback: Charles Woodson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495979332-QJSDO35LTPEA5KTHR30Q/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives - Finally we arrive at the evil emperor, Bill Belichick. During a tremendous tenure in New England where he has been a champion more times than he’s smiled, Belichick one-upped Walsh and pieced together not one but two separate dynasties of 3 titles, each entirely different from a stylistic standpoint. The first relied upon brutal, stifling defenses, a trademark Belichick developed as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, where he developed such a strong strategy to upset Jim Kelly and the dominant Bills offense in Super Bowl XXV that the game plan itself has been enshrined in the football Hall of Fame. The second was perhaps more impressive from the standpoint of assembling a defense, as Belichick did not have the Hall of Fame level defensive talent he was able to employ in New Jersey, with the Giants, or his first Pats dynasty, but was able to be creative and resourceful enough to create elite defenses nonetheless. He would frequently accomplish this by using players other teams had cut or traded to New England in exchange for almost nothing, and who would routinely revert to their previous, unimpressive form in their next NFL home following Foxborough. It’s worth noting that Bill himself has been responsible for most of these acquisitions, as he also serves as the Patriots’ general manager. One fun piece of trivia about Belichick is that he even head coached the Cleveland Browns to their most recent playoff victory - there’s really nothing he can’t accomplish in the postseason. He’s about to face his greatest challenge yet, as he will seek to return to a championship level without Tom Brady, with whom he has won all of his Super Bowls in New England. The odds are stacked against the Pats to be sure, but with Belichick at the helm, I wouldn’t count out the possibility of him walking the sideline wearing a hoodie and a scowl all the way into the playoffs in January. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592498047696-YYCCRTXV15IRTMIAIGIQ/peyton%2Blol.jpg Football - NFL 101 Part #7 - Coaches, Special Teams, and Superlatives https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-6-quarterbacks-and-running-backs monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495367128-DY98YIGYNDRJQ8PRD8OQ/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - The USC product is joined in the backfield by perhaps the greatest back in league history, the fortuitously named Cleveland Browns legend, Jim Brown. The face of the dominant late 50’s and 60’s Browns squad, the Syracuse grad had a relatively short but extremely sweet career, rumbling his way to both a rushing title and a first-team All-Pro selection in 8 of his 9 pro seasons (he was a second-teamer in the one other year). The definition of a workhorse back, Brown also bruised defenses at the goal line to the tune of 5 league-leading rushing touchdown campaigns, including a (tied) career-high 17 in his final season, and was even a factor in the passing game, rare for a fullback in his era. A true model of consistency, Brown averaged 5.2 yards per carry for his career, never dipping below an average of 4.3 in any given year. There’s rarely been a player who was so clearly the best at his position for his entire career, but there’s no other way to describe Brown, who was uniquely dominant every single season he played, racking up 3 MVPs across his tenure, also including one in his last campaign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495333267-C1SA07PFXOI3DB3NL95H/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - One of these two starting running backs will appear as a no-brainer to many fans of the game, while the other may be met with some controversy - let’s start with the latter. OJ Simpson, for all of his off-field troubles, is one of the most electric runners in league history and the definition of a generational athlete. While he didn’t play for the longest time, as tends to be the case with running backs, The Juice enjoyed one of the most absolutely dominant peaks of any pro regardless of position. In 1973, he became the first NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards, and remained the only to do so for 11 seasons. His yardage from that MVP-winning 1973 season is still the 7th highest total of all time, despite the fact that every other back in the 2k club had their banner year in a 16-game season, whereas OJ did it in just 14. Unsurprisingly, his 143 yards per game from that campaign is still the league record. That season was the second of a 5-year stretch during which time Juice was a first-team All-Pro every season, and racked up 4 rushing titles while finding the end zone 46 times, including a ridiculous 23 scores from scrimmage in ‘75. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495484149-RMQ88VX9Q86DEPMZB570/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - Okay, I lied. I added 2 backs from this side of the turn of the millenium. But you can’t blame me for including LaDanian Tomlinson, who put together one of the craziest seasons, and career peaks, you’ll ever see. His 2006 campaign featured a league-record 28 rushing touchdowns, paired with 3 through the air to give him an absolutely disgusting final total of 31 scores, just one short of two per game. He’s the league’s 7th leading rusher, which is particularly impressive considering he played in a pass-first offense during a pass-first era. Tomlinson rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 8 seasons, including 3 years in which he surpassed 1,600. In each of his first 9 seasons, he eclipsed the 10-touchdown mark, going over 15 four times and thrice leading the league in that category. Unsurprisingly, the six-time All-Pro (three first-team) ended up with 145 career scores, which is good for second on the all-time list. While they weren’t on the original list, I felt that it was necessary to include these modern legends on my roster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494900260-VI02TX0ZNSJ1OV56A17D/TB12.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - Not only does Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. earn the position of starting quarterback in my lineup, but the Patriots legend is quite possibly the best player at any position across this entire legendary team. This was so far from a question that I almost forgot to even designate a starting QB; I figured it would just be apparent who it should be. Over his two decades in New England, TB12 has won pretty much everything possible, topped off of course by nine Super Bowl appearances from which he has garnered an absurd six rings and was named the game’s MVP four times. Somehow, a 320+ yard, 4 TD winning performance against the best defense of the decade doesn’t even come close to his best performance in the biggest game of them all, as he followed it up with 466- and 505-yard efforts, between which he threw a total of one interception. An unmatched competitor, Brady’s desire to prove the league wrong after being picked just 199th in the 2000 draft has fueled the most decorated and remarkable career in league history, as there has never been a hole too big for Brady to dig his team out of. The 3-time league MVP is the beginning and the end of the history of the (tied for) winningest franchise in the NFL, and is responsible for two veritable dynasties separated by a decade- a young Tom Terrific won 3 rings in his first four seasons, and more recently, he led the Pats to 3 in 5 campaigns. After winning 11 consecutive division titles, and appearing in 8 consecutive AFC title games, however, he has opted for a change for the final chapter of his career. Recently, Brady was named the first-team all decade QB for a second consecutive decade, another unprecedented feat for the New England great. While all of Patriots Nation is sad to see him go, he has forever changed the franchise, and it will be thrilling to see how he can add to his legacy and continue to rewrite the record books in Tampa Bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495176031-P3UQ47JW2MNUC4OP5593/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - One of the players whose omission from the NFL 100 surprised me the most was Drew Brees. While both titles are still somewhat up for grabs, he’s the league’s all-time leader in both passing yardage and touchdowns, holding the edge in an ongoing battle versus Brady. While he is a bit lacking in personal accolades, never having won league MVP, he has come extremely close a number of times and has almost always been considered among the very best, if not THE best passer in all of football, but has suffered in the voters’ eyes by playing for poorer teams. Considered to be one of the most precise throwers of the football of all time, Brees has worked with some seriously shoddy supporting casts, and ran offenses that had to prop up some embarrassing defenses, and put together impressive, efficient seasons nonetheless. The crowning achievement of his career, of course, is rallying a destroyed, defeated city of New Orleans behind the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl run in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A magical path to the ring, that involved daring comebacks against legendary opponents in Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, led to a victory that meant more to New Orleans than almost any win has meant to any city in sports history, forever enshrining Brees as a legend and a hero down by the bayou. His inclusion means the removal of Sammy Baugh, an early NFL legend who accomplished a great deal for the Redskins of the 30s and 40s, but unfortunately owns more league interception crowns than touchdown titles. While he remains a legend and an all-time great, Baugh’s accomplishments were not quite enough to merit his inclusion over any of the other names on the list, namely Brees’s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592495419575-9YHTBGH4UUJ2PY99EYAH/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #6 - Quarterbacks and Running Backs - There were just entirely too many running backs on the initial list. However, I could not believe that Adrian Peterson was not one of them, and I came fairly close to making him a starter when I sat down to put this team together. AP stands out as the best runner I’ve ever gotten to watch, and while the modern NFL isn’t a running back’s league, it would be a crime to not have a single back representing the 21st century. Plenty of quarterbacks, coaches or defensive units have dragged a mediocre team to a high level, but Peterson is the only halfback I’ve ever personally watched run a team into the playoffs, and he might be the last one we ever see do it. His MVP season in 2012, a post-injury season which many believed could prove disastrous, was an awe-inspiring masterpiece as he battered the NFL on his way into the 2k club, coming just 8 yards - realistically just one nice carry - away from Eric Dickerson’s all-time record. The NFL’s fifth all-time leading rusher (so far), Peterson was the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year and never looked back. He has rushed into the end zone 111 times, placing him fourth in league history, and earned 3 rushing titles en route to 7 All-Pro selections, four of which were first-team nods, and most recently, was a unanimous, first-team selection to the NFL’s all-2010s roster. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-5-linebackers monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493955709-UPNO03X59Q0EJ5O7IWK4/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - Lining up across the formation from him is Jack Ham, the other starting OLB. As poor as defensive stats are today, they were far worse during Ham’s NFL tenure, so the only truly impressive statistic we can look to from his legendary career are his 32 interceptions, impressive for a player whose role often kept him near the line of scrimmage. That role was one of the leaders of the legendary Steel Curtain defense, that helped the early Steelers to a stretch of dominance that included four Super Bowl wins. A big-play maestro with an innate feel for the game, Ham’s performances were awarded with 6 first-team and 2 second-team All-Pro selections to go along with a Defensive Player of the Year award. Still, his greatest legacy is that he’ll be remembered forever as perhaps the best player on one of the league’s all-time great units. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494615974-U81V04Y4Z49V1G0ZBZJ6/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - Another consistent performer who anchored a highly competitive, modern defense was Patrick Willis. He was named a first-team All-Pro five times, and twice led the whole NFL in tackles. Although his career sadly lasted just 8 years, he was a force the entire time, reaching the Pro Bowl every season except his last. Finally, Brian Urlacher was yet another Chicago Bears linebacker who I considered for this team. He helped the Bears to their most recent NFC title, and was a dominant force across a 12-year tenure that saw him named both Defensive Rookie of the Year and later Player of the Year, alongside four first-team All-Pro honors. This position is one of the most well-rounded across the entire roster, and there’s not possibly enough room to include or discuss all of the deserving players - but the 12 who made the cut are truly transcendent players and some of the best representatives the sport has ever had. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494082353-G6F1W2IL5ZAKSBDXZ6N5/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - He is joined by one of the more contemporary selections on my list, the Ravens’ Ray Lewis. One of the most intense competitors, exuding almost a maniacal, unhinged persona at times- on the field and unfortunately, sometimes off- Lewis was nothing short of terrifying for every AFC offense not located in Baltimore. As the leader of the Ravens defense for 17 seasons and the centerpiece of two championship defenses, separated by over a decade, Lewis’s set of accolades is fairly unmatched in the modern era. He was chosen to play in 13 Pro Bowls, to be on 7 first-team and 3 second-team All-Pro teams, and was twice named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. A stud performer from September to February, Lewis owns a Super Bowl MVP, served as the heart and soul behind a second run, one of the most iconic postseason pushes ever, and he earned three regular season tackling titles. One of the most passionate players I’ve ever been lucky enough to watch, Ray Lewis thoroughly earned his spot among the legends of years past in the all-time starting lineup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494566107-IIQJCB1H6PP5B52KT71B/ware.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers I would be remiss to not discuss some of the linebackers who came close to being a selection for this team but fell just short, as this position is uniquely deep and there are just too many players that need to be recognized. One of these players is DeMarcus Ware, one of the greatest sack artists in league history. Ware’s 138.5 sacks are good for 9th on the all-time list. He registered most of those QB takedowns during his tenure in Dallas, where he was named to four first-team All-Pro squads, and twice led all of football in sacks. His greatest accomplishment, perhaps, is contributing to the Broncos’ Orange Crush 2.0 defense, one of the best of the modern era, and winning Super Bowl 50. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493792016-GYM4GA5C940H2P4EPDXA/LT.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - Oh man, I really struggled with the linebackers. From making the final cuts, to deciding which four would be starters, there wasn’t a single easy decision in this entire position group. Well, except for one; Lawrence Taylor would be in the starting lineup. Besides being one of the few topics of conversation, along with lacrosse and the United States Navy, that can make Patriots coach Bill Belichick smile, LT spent over a decade on the gridiron racking up stunning accomplishments. He put together one of the most dominant seasons by a defender in league history in 1986, terrorizing offenses to the tune of 20.5 sacks, his most productive season in a 132.5-sack career. He garnered not only Defensive Player of the Year honors and his first Super Bowl ring, but pulled off the nearly impossible task of winning a league MVP as a defender, becoming just the second player- and possibly the last- to ever do so. Overall, Taylor garnered 8 first-team All-Pro selections, and two more DPOY awards to go along with the one he earned in ‘86. His dominance anchored the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defense of the late-1980s Giants, and he is considered by many to be the best defender, if not football player, to ever live. It should go without saying that he will occupy one of the outside linebacker spots in our starting lineup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494406798-1WOU2UP7251D6AMO10AI/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - It truly does pain me to cut anyone out of the original roster at such a highly talented, historic position, even to make room for players as deserving as Kuechly and Singletary. The victims in this case were none other than Willie Lanier and - this decision really, really hurt - the late Junior Seau. These two players were wildly productive, and their efforts were honored as such - the two combined for a whopping 18 total All-Pro selections. Seau, a fan favorite during his tenures in New England, San Diego, and Miami, is one of the saddest stories in league history, taking his own life a few years after his retirement, most likely due to symptoms of the football-related head trauma that was found upon later analysis of his brain, as he was almost certainly a victim of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Still, his legacy lives on in the hearts of all football fans, even if he doesn’t find his way onto this list. Lanier carved out his own spot in history, helping his Chiefs to win Super Bowl IV and boost the legitimacy of the AFL that the Jets began to build by bringing home the title the year before. This helped to solidify the two-conference format that has been so successful to this day. However, neither player defined the position in their era the way the other legends on the list were able to, and for that reason, they missed out on inclusion by the narrowest of margins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494583153-A9HWCHTZUNEEXVQW9ED1/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - I also took a hard look at his teammate Von Miller for a spot on this roster, as Miller was the best player on that entire dominant defense. In fact, his efforts throughout a playoff run in which he was nothing short of spectacular were rewarded with Super Bowl MVP honors. Although, if you ask him, he might relish the memory of terrorizing Tom Brady in the AFC title game a bit more than he does the MVP award. Miller recently cracked the 100-sack plateau and likely has more in the tank - it’ll be exciting to see how high on the list he can climb. Just this April, he further padded his trophy case by being named a unanimous, first-team selection for the NFL’s all-2010s team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494287853-W5IS3S96BTC1P493V65R/bobby.jpg Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - One of the few players who has challenged Kuechly’s dominance is the Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner, who is, behind Seau, the toughest linebacker for me to leave off this list. While the Legion of Boom receives much of the credit for Seattle’s defensive dominance during the early stages of the last decade, nothing on defense works without a functional front 7. Wagner led the Hawks’ linebackers admirably without the benefit of playing in a star-studded position group, like the secondary. In his 8 seasons so far, he has led the league in tackles twice, including last season, earned 4 first-team All-Pro selections, all within the past 5 seasons, and of course was the leader and arguably best defensive player on one of the most historic, dominant champion defenses in recent memory. The frequency with which he has been honored in recent years, paired with the departure of his main competition in Kuechly, suggest that the 29 year old mega-star is far from finished racking up accomplishments. Hopefully when the NFL does this exercise for its 125th anniversary, his resume will be too strong to overlook a second time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494045705-H3F3V7MJWF2YZQ20ZPGJ/Dick.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - It’s a shame that Dick Butkus was only able to play nine professional seasons in Chicago. What he managed to do in such a short time, however, is truly staggering. One of the players who defined the vital position of middle linebacker, Butkus expertly commanded a dominant Bears defense, and he gained a reputation as perhaps the most brutal hitter in the history of the sport. Although his career was short, almost the entire span can be considered his prime, as he was wildly productive throughout; during those 9 seasons Butkus was named a first-team All-Pro 6 times, was on the second team twice, and pulled in two Defensive Player of the Year awards. One of the first true defensive superstars, who has inspired many linebackers throughout the years to wear the now-iconic #51 jersey, Butkus has a place in my lineup, and in anyone else’s who compiles such a list. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494178089-NOO5E19RRQAN9CGM2IMR/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - Today’s middle linebackers play an extremely technical game, engaging both opposing quarterbacks and offensive coaches in a never ending game of chess before and after the snap. Their efforts to slow down hyper-speed attacks in an increasingly offensive game went unnoticed by the selection team for the NFL 100 list, but not by me. One of two current stars whose greatness is nearly parallel had to be added, and they are Bobby Wagner and the recently (tragically perhaps?) retired Luke Kuechly. Luke, the former Panther, is another linebacker who didn’t enjoy the longest of careers, but over his eight seasons, he twice led the league in tackles, en route to 5 first-team and 2 second-team All-Pro nods. In fact, he only missed out on the postseason honor after a campaign where he missed 6 games; he was even once able to garner a first-team selection after playing in just 13 contests. He was the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, a three-time Butkus Award winner as the league’s best linebacker, a distinction that many believed him to hold for far more of his career than just three seasons. He will be greatly missed in the NFL, but not on this list, as he edges out Wagner for the spot. This is for the simple reason that while both were in the league, and in their primes (so until a couple of months ago), you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who would rather have Wagner on their team than Kuechly, although the margin is razor-thin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592494323323-TSETPCVMH69FHJPXPIPR/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #5 - Linebackers - My second addition to the linebacker group is a player who I’m shocked was left out, Mike Singletary. He grew up in Houston Texas and had a challenging childhood, during which two of his brothers tragically passed away, but the adversity made him a stronger person, as he developed into one of the best linebackers in league history. He was the middle linebacker for the 1985 Bears, serving as the leader of what many consider to be the best defense ever. Singletary pulled in no shortage of awards, mostly during a 9-year stretch when he earned a ridiculous 8 first-team All-Pro nods, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, three NFC Player of the Year selections, the 1990 NFL Man of the Year award, and of course, a Super Bowl ring in 1985. He was instrumental across the Bears’ title run, as he led shutouts in both NFC playoff games, laying monster hits and recovering three fumbles including a Super Bowl record two in the big game. Singletary is the ‘85 Bears’ only defensive representative on this list, which speaks volumes to the immense individual impact he had as the undisputed leader of the league’s most legendary unit of all time. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-4-wide-receivers-and-tight-ends monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493289414-6JE1TFVAD7B9XOAVS74L/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - At his best, Gronk is quite simply THE best. He’s the most unstoppable weapon of the league’s current offensive explosion, blending speed, power, skill and finesse in ways that have absolutely never been seen on a football field. On any given Sunday, Pats fans were equally likely to watch Gronk lay down a fearsome block, tiptoe the sideline to secure extra yardage, run directly through a middle linebacker, or leap over a safety and expertly bring down a high ball for a touchdown. NFL officials have admitted to officiating the Patriots instant-legend differently, since it’s simply not fair to let him play by the same rules as everyone else; he’s just that much better. Of course, he owns the all-time record for touchdowns in a season for a tight end, with 17, and racked up a first-team All-Pro nod every season he played at least 14 games, save for his rookie campaign. Of course, that only amounts to five seasons, which is the issue with Gronk’s case as the GOAT of tight ends. His peak was stunning, but his longevity is simply not there. However, since I initially concluded work on this project, Gronk has un-retired to join his longtime quarterback, Tom Brady, on the Buccaneers, so perhaps the story has a few more chapters left before we can conclude that Gronk is or is not the greatest, as he now has a chance to pad his resume. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493399254-5KHIU5ILO653366FNZPZ/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends One tight end who did have a timeless talent was Tony Gonzalez, our starter. Truly the best tight end in the entire league for most of his career, he earned first-team All-Pro nods 6 times, with his first selection coming 13 years before his last. Second among all tight ends on the touchdown list, Tony found the end zone 111 times across his 16-season career which also included 14 pro bowl appearances and amazingly, a receptions title, a true rarity for tight ends. It pains me to not be able to include Gronk in my starting lineup, but I’m more than happy to recognize one of the true all-time greats and the blueprint for today’s tight end position, Tony Gonzalez. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492729985-DEAXJSF8DBKFD5YZ1VKQ/MOSS.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - The remarkable receiver who’s in second on the scoring list behind Rice is also going to appear in our starting lineup, and that is Randy Moss. Unlike Rice, who enjoyed the stability of a hall of fame QB and coach duo in San Francisco for much of his career, Moss’s challenging personality caused him to bounce across the league. However, he put up monster numbers and created electrifying highlights on a weekly basis from coast to coast. A scoring machine, he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns for the first time as a rookie, en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and would top the league in that same statistic four more times including a ridiculous, league-record total of 23 scoring grabs in 2007. While his counting stats don’t stack up favorably with those that Rice put up, it’s not unfair to consider Moss the most physically gifted wideout in league history, or recognize his peak as the pinnacle of receiver dominance. I personally think that this duo has the highest ability of any of the starting position groups in this entire team, and I would love to be able to see these legends tear apart a defense together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493706565-QR08NE7MSNMA7FY3NOO7/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - Another swap I made on this list was removing the legendary Mike Ditka in favor of Shannon Sharpe. While Ditka was an admirable tight end, embodying the toughness at the line of scrimmage that characterized the early years of the position, he had a phenomenal first season that he was never able to quite equal, and it seems to me that his career - while extremely strong - has been somewhat romanticized in the wake of his iconic coaching tenure as the leader of perhaps the greatest football team of all time, the 1985 Bears. Sharpe, however, helped the Denver Broncos to their first two Super Bowl titles, as well as winning the first in the Baltimore Ravens’ young history. He had a dominant peak, putting up three of his four first-team All-Pro selections in consecutive years during the height of the Broncos’ strength. One of the rare tight ends to enjoy a long and consistently productive career, topping 1,000 yards three times (and reaching 995 one other season) Sharpe earns a spot on this list over some highly talented players. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493527455-NLH3EK86YIW3O69T6XE3/antonio.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends I truly could not believe that Antonio Gates was left off of this list. With 116 career touchdowns, he leads all NFL tight ends in all-time scoring. For a position that is characterized by dominant goal line threats, I didn’t understand the decision to ignore the group’s leading scorer. Maybe it’s because his amazing career actually began on the hardwood, as a forward for Kent State’s basketball team, and didn’t play his first football game beyond the high school level until he reached the NFL. Still, he more than made up for lost time, as a perennial threat who had a strong early peak during which he was a three-time consecutive first-team All-Pro. His addition comes at the expense of Kellen Winslow, who had a similar early peak to Gates, but didn’t have the same longevity, as injuries cut his career short after just 9 seasons. As such, he scored less than half as many times, which was enough for me to make the tough call to leave him off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492918710-PABVAPVBWXAUC8O1CA87/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - The last receiver I’d like to talk about in my lineup is Don Hutson, who sneaks into the starting offense as a flex player. I struggled with how exactly to make this decision- whether I should use it as a spot to add the next-best WR or RB, or include the person who could do the most to improve the offense. In the end, I believe Hutson covers both pursuits, narrowly edging out do-it-all backs such as Barry Sanders and Walter Payton, stud possession receivers like Fitzgerald and Harrison, or even the inclusion of a dominant second tight end in Rob Gronkowski. Hutson’s insane dominance and productivity in an early era of the game, before the passing game took the front seat, was enough to convince me that he belonged on the field. He is also considered by many football historians to be the template for the modern receiver, as he pioneered the development of a number of routes that you can still see implemented in games today. In Hutson’s 11-year career, he led the league in yardage 7 times, touchdowns 9, and closed out his career with a run of 8 consecutive first-team All-Pro selections. He also led the NFL’s first dynasty, the Green Bay Packers, to NFL three championships, and managed back-to-back MVP awards, a real challenge for a wide receiver, particularly in a run-first era. Despite teams’ preference for the run game, Hutson found the end zone 99 times through the air, and remains 11th on the all-time list in this category, his scoring highlighted by a truly ridiculous 17 scores in 1942, a staggering total even for today, let alone the era of the second world war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492814878-I4KCJ1NCKOH6S78LYAJ8/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - Breaking form a bit, I’d like to discuss two receivers who came extremely close to making the lineup, but fell short. The first of these two is Larry Fitzgerald, who is actually still in the league and adding to his already-monstrous career production. Fitz is second behind Rice on both the all-time receptions and receiving yardage list, and depending on his longevity, has a fair chance to crack Rice’s record for catches as he’s just 171 away. He missed the list as he’s never quite been the very best wideout in the league, and has only been a first-team All-Pro once, possibly a product of languishing on a number of lackluster Arizona teams and catching balls from a carousel of quarterbacks. Still, his overall production, as well as the on and off the field character that netted him a Man of the Year award, made him a real consideration for a starting spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492865402-O121QT6SPU76ZMZRT1YK/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - A nearly opposite case belongs to Marvin Harrison, whose career lasted 3 years fewer than Fitz’s has already spanned, which accounts for him being slightly below Fitz on both the receptions and yardage list (5th and 9th). However, he played on a fantastic offense and peaked extremely highly, bolstering the Colts air attack as a nearly unstoppable force when at his best. He was a first-team All-Pro three times, including the 2002 campaign when he was a young Peyton Manning’s favorite target, hauling in a then-record, and still insane, 143 catches. He was also a second-team All-Pro, led the league in catches and yards twice each, and once co-led the league in touchdown receptions. Both were hard to leave out of the lineup, but ultimately didn’t have an argument over possibly two of the most physically gifted players at any position, or the league’s first true star wideout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493115675-G1L3KPV6R4O2TQ19WE7B/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - A closer call was between Calvin Johnson and Raymond Berry, as both enjoyed a relatively short career highlighted by a transcendent peak. Johnson’s unique physical ability set him apart, however, and he gets a certain benefit of the doubt from playing almost entirely on terrible offenses, so that opposing defenses were able to devote a lot of attention to slowing him down. This is quite the opposite of Berry’s career, during which he was lucky enough to catch passes from the legendary Johnny Unitas and be part of some truly dominant Colts squads. None of these players are ones I wanted to cut, and my dive into the candidates for this position showed me just how deep the talent pool has been at the wide receiver position. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592493068398-UJ9F4I2URNUXKM9AX9WY/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - Keeping with the theme of selecting dominant touchdown scorers, Terrell Owens is the first wide receiver on my list who didn’t make the NFL 100. I can’t understand the rationale of leaving the league’s third leading touchdown catcher of all time off of the roster, so that was an amendment I quickly decided on. Owens, like Moss, was a challenging character to deal with, but his production is undeniable, as he checks in at third place on both the all-time touchdowns and yardage list for wide receivers. Only he, Moss, and Rice rank in the top five all-time on both lists. Making room on the roster for Owens was the departure of Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, a dominant scorer in his own right. However, his 1951 campaign, during which he racked up nearly 1500 yards to go along with 17 scores in just 12 games, is by far the peak of his career, as it is the only season where he led the league in any of the main 3 categories - yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Crazy Legs also never topped 6 touchdowns in any other season of his career. He put together one of the great receiving performances of all time, but one admittedly incredible season is not enough to be enshrined alongside players whose entire careers were characterized by dominance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492622153-JC23V3YMAFWEJU7LZPBS/image-asset.jpeg Football - NFL 101 Part #4 - Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - Wide Receiver was a position group where making decisions to trim the roster was challenging, but picking the starters took under a minute. Considered by many to be the greatest overall football player of all time, Jerry Rice is the centerpiece of a stacked offensive skill group on my starting offense. Nobody racks up records like Rice, who owns just about every single regular and postseason career record available to a wideout. Most notably, he has caught by far the most touchdowns of anyone in league history, as his total of 197 scores is a staggering 41 touchdowns ahead of second place. Rice enjoyed three Super Bowl titles in as many appearances, including MVP honors in one of those games. He put together two separate runs of 5 consecutive first-team All-Pro selections, with the year separating them resulting in a second-team nod. 6 times each, he led the league in touchdowns and yardage. This insane production was enough to net him two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and an appearance on both the 1980’s and 90’s first-team all-decade roster. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-3-defensive-backs monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492148433-6L3FT04GIF5J03LS8OLI/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs I’m not going to pretend that there’s not a little personal sentiment sneaking into this post. I go to Michigan, Charles Woodson is our best player ever (best college player, don’t worry I haven’t forgotten TB12, we’ll get there), so naturally I was pretty pissed off that the league left out one of the most versatile DBs of all time. Of course his stunning two-way college accomplishments aren’t part of the criteria for his list, but he continued to make an impact as a returner in his NFL career. When the physical abilities that made him a four-time first-team All-Pro corner began to fade, he seamlessly transitioned to safety for his return to Oakland, where he was able to actually pick up one last second-team All-Pro nod in his final season. A champion and a class act, I couldn’t leave him off of my roster. In fact, he snuck his way into the lineup, the last “starter” as the nickelback, the defense’s 13th man. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492253035-ADIPBXGFBY24F9ENM5X7/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs - I’d like to start out by saying that, while he is a phenomenal player, Troy Polamalu is not who I consider to be the second-best safety of all time. However, he is the player I believe to be the best true strong safety of all time, and I intend for this starting lineup to have appropriate positional fits wherever possible, and that is how Troy finds himself in the lineup. Which brings me to the discussion of why I not only vetoed the NFL’s decision to leave the newly-minted Hall of Famer out of the team, but elevated him all the way into the starting lineup. Troy held a prominent role on the Steelers’ two championship defenses, in which he was equally likely to drop back and defend a pass as he was to bust through, or literally over the offensive line. This provided a blueprint and defined the modern strong safety, a position that is vital to almost every successful modern defense, featuring stars such as the Legion of Boom’s Kam Chancellor or Jets phenom Jamal Adams. Troy earns a spot on this list and in the lineup not only for his significant personal accomplishments, which include six All-Pro seasons (four first-team) and a Defensive Player of the Year award - he’s here because of his impact on the game. And on offensive players’ rib cages, because that dude could really really hit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492298738-NYO8R6IMF4ALWJ3T8EOA/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs - The other starting safety on my defense, the free safety, is the guy I actually do believe is the best safety of all time, and that player is Ronnie Lott. There’s no way to describe Lott, who had his broken pinkie amputated in order to reduce recovery time, as anything other than a different breed. It’s also worth noting that in his first pinkie-less season he set a career high in picks despite missing two games. He was the safety behind one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties, as he won 4 Super Bowls with the 49ers. Not only was he one of the toughest open-field tacklers in league history, his ball-hawking skills were nearly unparalleled, as was his clutch gene. Those two factors allowed him to pick off a ridiculous nine passes in 20 career postseason appearances. These two safeties together would create serious problems for an offense in both the offensive and defensive backfields, and generate a lot of confusion. They’re a duo I absolutely love in my starting lineup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492489522-M2QU9Q8QN6NT3YOSND4K/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs - Another modern safety that needs to be recognized is Earl Thomas. The team’s other All-Pro stud, Richard Sherman’s brash, vocal presence, often led to him being seen as the leader of the Seahawks’ historic “Legion of Boom” secondary. Still, many pundits, players, and members of the Seahawks organization consider Thomas to be the keystone of their dominant defensive back corps. His individual greatness was often overshadowed by the fantastic defense he was a part of, leading to him only being a first-team All-Pro three times thus far. Still, I believe that it would be unfair to not recognize his leading role in a secondary that shut down high-powered air attacks in an offensive-minded, and specifically pass-first, age of football. His feel for the game makes him a truly perfect safety, as it contributed to the dominant run that led to him earning a place on this list. His addition means the loss of Lions great Jack Christiansen, who simply did not play long enough (8 seasons) to retain his spot on my roster. Furthermore, his role as a pass defender in an extremely run-heavy era, the 1950s, did not help his case. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492011259-DL63SYSBIXJLCOCSVVWE/neon.jpg Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs It’s widely believed that wide receivers have the most swagger of anyone on a football field. What I personally believe is that shutting them down is a job meant for someone who can match or even top that level of swagger, and that dream becomes reality in the form of Deion Sanders. One of the ultimate no-brainers, Neon Deion is likely the best defensive back of all time and easily high-stepped his way into my lineup. As one of the best raw athletes in football history, running a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the combine, Sanders was a threat in all phases of the game. He supplemented his 9 consecutive first-team All-Pro nods as a corner with separate selections as a kick returner, and then later a punt returner, roles in which he put up 9 touchdowns. His 53 interceptions on defense, including 10 pick-sixes, are paired with 60 receptions on offense, three of which he took to the house. Finally, my favorite Primetime stat - when he won his lone Defensive Player of the Year award, he was just two years removed from leading the MLB in triples despite playing in just 97 out of 162 games due to his commitment to football. Sanders is the only person to hit a professional home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week, and similarly, is the only athlete to compete in both a World Series and a Super Bowl, as he raised the Lombardi one time in each of Dallas and San Francisco. He did everything - on the gridiron, on the diamond, or off of both - with an effortless flair, and I think it’s extremely fair to say that we will never see another defender quite like Deion Sanders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592492067983-3YEXYAZCKVWIM17RUFJS/island.png Football - NFL 101 Part #3 - Defensive Backs On the absolute other end of the spectrum, Darrelle Revis was a silent, cold-blooded killer. One of the very reasons that I wanted to write this article was the criminal omission of Revis off of the original team, and I feel that he has more than earned a spot not only in the top 100, but in the starting lineup. At his very best, Revis was quite literally untouchable. His career interception numbers, and as a result, his accolades, suffered from the fact that no quarterback had any intention of throwing the ball anywhere near him. A four-time first-team All-Pro, Revis “Island” would truly isolate even the best receivers and neutralize their threat for four quarters every single Sunday. After terrorizing them for so many years, he finally crossed enemy lines to join the New England Patriots and lead the defense of perhaps the very best of their 6 teams to win a Super Bowl. Although polar opposites, both of these star corners got the job done and made it frustratingly hard for any offense to move the ball through the air. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-2-defensive-linemen monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491290513-NSHVB5400TQD5CVUC3DN/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line I didn’t think it was right that the NFL’s single-season sack leader wasn’t recognized on the list of best sack artists of all time. Similarly, the end who has defined a generation of hyper-talented edge rushers in an offensive league, who has seemingly made his career an assault of the aforementioned sack record, also deserves a place among the game’s greats. This reasoning is how JJ Watt and Michael Strahan landed on my all-time roster at the expense of Lee Roy Selmon and Bill Hewitt. Watt, a unanimous first-team all-decade player in the 2010s, is a truly unique case, as he pulled in an unprecedented three Defensive Player of the Year awards in four years, accounting for one of the most dominant peaks of all time during which he racked up an insane 20.5 sacks...in two separate seasons. During one of those seasons, 2014, he was even employed as a dominant *offensive* goal line threat, scoring 3 touchdowns on just 3 targets. He has put up 96 sacks in just 112 games, but his overall accumulation of statistics will surely be hurt by the time he has already missed due to injury, and his likely early retirement for the same reason. Still, he has made great use of his time while sidelined, raising nearly 50 million dollars for Hurricane Harvey relief, supporting his adoptive hometown of Houston and thoroughly earning himself Man of the Year honors. While the best years of Watt may already be behind us, I feel extremely lucky to have watched them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491188776-Q0O6O8A2PTCIC8JDTRKW/bruuuuuuce.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line - If there’s any way to top a career that included 198 sacks, it’s to be the only player to ever reach the 200-sack plateau, which is exactly what Bruce Smith did. A one-of-a-kind force for the Buffalo Bills, the league’s all-time sack leader put together 8 first-team All-Pro seasons within the span of a decade, including two Defensive Player of the Year campaigns. A first overall pick who lived up to the hype, Smith managed to find himself on two all-decade teams, being named to the second team for the 1980s but first team for his efforts in the 90s. This is a duo of defensive ends that would be nearly impossible to stop. Although it was one of the tougher decisions I had to make as far as the lineup, they belong above the rest as the starters on this team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491539819-ZH22KF1PWF9XKRO1XX0P/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line It really says something about these two starters that although defensive tackle is one of the most stacked positions in the entire sport, I didn’t even have to think twice about who I’d line up if given the chance. Let’s start with one of the great nicknames in sports history - Mean Joe Greene. As I mentioned earlier, the Steel Curtain defense is one of the most iconic units in sports history, and its dominance of the line of scrimmage started with their monster defensive tackle. Considered by many to be the best overall player of the 1970s, Mean Joe racked up 10 Pro Bowl appearances to go along with 8 All-Pro nods (5 first-team 3 second) and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Most importantly, he was a role model for all of his fans off of the field. He was given the Man of the Year award for his contributions in his community, and starred in the iconic “Hey kid, catch!” Coca-cola Super Bowl commercial, which helped to paint him as a lovable hero whose nickname only applied between the sidelines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491564320-SBXOHWLD0WGUN4747IFN/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line Another star of the 1970s, Randy White racked up 9 consecutive first-team All-Pro commendations, while anchoring the Dallas Cowboys defense. He helped them to their second Super Bowl title, winning co-MVP honors in the process, still one of just ten defenders to do so. While the statistic wasn’t officially kept until the middle of his career, White is generally accepted to have racked up over 110 sacks, putting him in rare territory for an interior linemen. These two tackles would be a terror for any offensive line to deal with, and while there is a litany of talented options, I’m extremely confident picking them as my two starters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491120453-JEFOL8BW4M6BYRY2GV66/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line - There have been so many dominant pass rushers that it was nearly impossible to pick just the two I felt were best at getting into the backfield, so in the end, I started at the top, with a player who took down the QB 198 times - Reggie White. After starting his career in the doomed USFL, White’s move into the NFL proved to be highly fortuitous. He pulled in a crazy amount of individual honors, garnering 8 first-team All-Pro selections as well as 5 second-team nods. His peak production was insane, putting up back-to-back league-leading sack totals, which were each accompanied by defensive Player of the Year awards. In the final season of what can be considered his prime, he put together one final All-Pro effort, and capped it off by helping the Packers to their first Super Bowl title in decades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491366629-CV5QW6SKF12YJYH0FCV1/image-asset.jpeg Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line - Michael Strahan, on the other hand, did have a full career, resulting in 141 sacks, good enough to land him in sixth on the all-time list. A four-time first-team All-Pro, including a Defensive Player of the Year season during which he famously set a league record with 22.5 sacks, Strahan capped things off right with his final game, one of the great upsets in league history: Super Bowl 42, where his Giants knocked off the undefeated Patriots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592491589414-46PT1HZAKRR01ZJLXWDJ/image-asset.png Football - NFL 101 Part #2 - Defensive line It’s rare that a defender is a serious part of the discussion for best player in the entire league. That has been the case for the entirety of Aaron Donald’s career, as he has wreaked havoc from the defensive tackle position. So far, Donald has piled up an insane 5 first-team All-Pro nods to go along with back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a 20-sack season, all in just a 6 year career, which led to him being a unanimous choice to the NFL’s All-2010s team. At just 28 years old, Donald has taken the league by storm and has many, many honors and statistics ahead of him; the only thing we have yet to see is whether he’ll be a champion, as his Rams came up just short in Super Bowl 53. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/schwartzs-nfl-101-part-1-offensive-line monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490870459-RUE8RU7G11PFVZ33KG9E/munoz.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - Staying within the AFC North, and within the state of Ohio, my other starting tackle is one of the only positives in Bengals history, Anthony Munoz. For all but his first and last full seasons, Munoz was a pro bowler, and either a first- (9 times) or second- (twice) team All-Pro, and was even honored for his actions off of the field as the 1991 Man of the Year for his personal humanitarian work. Although this isn’t part of the reasoning for his spot on this list, he was a pitcher on USC’s 1978 College World Series champion team, earning the first of two rings he’d win with the Trojans that year, the other being from a less-surprising football championship. Along with Thomas, he completes a formidable duo of legendary starting offensive tackles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490642727-QD4E36RA90DR4LVL2YHP/joe+d.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - The second guard I added to this team was also the second one my line coach loved to teach us about, Joe DeLamielleure. I was truly stunned to not see him on the league’s list, as he is regarded as one of the best inside blockers of all time, and was awarded with six consecutive first-team All-Pro selections and a spot on the 1970s all-decade team, an era associated with strong offensive line play. He paved the way for OJ Simpson’s (more on him later, don’t worry) 2,000 yard 14 game season, during which the Bills set a league record with 3,000 team rushing yards. I can’t give him one of those cool red jackets, but I can give him a spot on my list, and that’s exactly what I’ve done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490403188-PN36MVJ3TSATGO0BH4QF/bruce.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - My second starting guard is Bruce Matthews, who punished NFL defensive linemen for a staggering 19 seasons, all of which he spent with the Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans. He one-upped Hannah’s near-sterling injury record by producing a literally spotless record, starting 293 games without ever missing one for injury. His 14 pro bowl selections are tied for the most in league history, and he bolstered those with 9 first-team All-Pro honors. His versatility was perhaps the most impressive part of his career, however, as he made more than 15 starts at all five offensive line positions, and even acted as a long-snapper. I love that willingness to slide across the line, but he slots into my starting lineup as a guard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490974250-88JQSUR78ZEO6AJT2RIV/yary.jpg Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - The first lineman to be picked first overall, Ron Yary, is the last lineman to make my team after being left off of the original list. A dominant force for the Minnesota Vikings, and for one season, the LA Rams, his 6 first-team All-Pro nods and a bruising career that was honored with a spot on the 1970’s all-decade team were too much for me to overlook, earning him a position on my roster. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490343011-5ZHVB2XA61880XV3YSFE/hannah.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line There were two offensive guards my old line coach loved to talk about, and one was John Hannah. The first truly great Patriot, and the only one to appear on this list from outside of the Brady/Belichick era, Hannah was the ultimate model of consistency as he racked up 10 consecutive first-team All-Pro nods, and was named to both the 1970s and 80s all-decade teams. He missed 5 total games due to injury out of 191 possible contests over his career, over which he managed to excel in every type of blocking scheme from pulling-heavy run plays to high-finesse pass protection, as he led the Patriots to a then-record total of rushing yards in 1978. It’s hard to seriously consider anyone as his equal, and he comfortably earns a spot in my lineup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490919401-WFV10PNSWOFVFE0IWLZ5/tyron.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - Another modern era star who missed the mark for the original list was the Cowboys’ Tyron Smith. Although he lacks some of the accolades of certain players on this list, as he has compiled two of both first- and second-team All-Pro nods, he is the most feared player on the league’s most respected offensive line. This has been the case for almost the entire decade of the 2010s, a brutal era in regards to the freak athlete edge rushers he’s had to block. I felt that Smith earned a spot on this team, as someone who has been held up as the standard of great offensive line play for much of the time I’ve been watching football. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490470203-ZZKABVCE7GK63S01X7UC/zack.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line As was a theme with the NFL’s entire list, the guard position was entirely devoid of contemporary stars, which deeply saddened me. When I was learning to play guard, I felt lucky that so many of the position’s all-time greats were playing, and I was able to watch and learn from them every Sunday, but it seems that the NFL writers did not agree. So, on my own list, I’ve included one of the best guards still on the field today; Zack Martin. It’s worth noting that the recently-retired Marshal Yanda, who I respect as much as any player who’s ever stepped onto the gridiron, almost beat out Martin for this spot, but they have extremely similar accolades to this point, and Martin still has seasons ahead to expand his already impressive resume. Speaking to that resume, Martin has already appeared in six pro bowls in as many seasons, and has also appeared on the first (four times) or second (twice) All-Pro teams each year of his career. He’s been an anchor of one of the best modern offensive lines in Dallas, and has been responsible for blocking many of the hyper-talented defensive linemen of the past decade. In fact, he’s had such a strong performance so far that he was named to the NFL’s all-2010s roster. As a player who has yet to pass his 30th birthday, I’m excited to see what else Zack Martin can accomplish before all is said and done, particularly without Yanda challenging him for All-Pro selections. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490777841-2SASD41WI9JKO7Y6H54M/joe.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line - As insanely durable as Hannah and Matthews were across their careers, Joe Thomas’s incredible streak of over 10,000 consecutive snaps takes the cake. One day, he stepped on the football field for the Browns; many years later, he stepped off and retired. There were no offensive plays for Cleveland in between which didn’t involve him. A true standard of toughness at a position defined by the toughest athletes the NFL has to offer, Thomas played in the black-and-blue division, the AFC North, and consistently stood his ground against the toughest edge rushers of his generation, unanimously earning first-team all-decade honors. Most importantly, in an age of ego and attitude in professional athletes, Joe Thomas has acted with nothing but class from the day he first came into the national spotlight in college, right through to the present. I thought one of the most disrespectful decisions of the entire NFL 100 list was leaving Thomas out of the list of top linemen, and I’ve sought to rectify that mistake and even go a step further by putting him in my starting lineup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592490225754-5NQSA3VCN476HRNMR2GP/iron+mike.png Football - NFL 101 Part #1 - Offensive Line The center is a position that was most key in the days of run-first football, as he needed to be not just a punishing blocker, but was responsible for calling out blocking assignments and ensuring that the five offensive linemen acted as a single unit, like five fingers that make up a fist and deliver a devastating punch. In today’s pass-first league, the center remains a leader, but his role is just not quite as prominent as it was in years past. As such, I really don’t mind the original list’s exclusion of modern linemen. We’ve watched some fantastic centers these past few years, but none that have distinguished themselves above the rest like these four that made the cut. Amongst those four, one elevated himself even further, and that player is Mike Webster. “Iron” Mike was quite literally the centerpiece of the Steelers offense that helped the team to four Super Bowl titles between 1975 and 1980. Although historically the dynasty’s most famous feature is the “Steel Curtain” defense, Webster created holes for the dominant rushing attack that made sure that the sterling defensive efforts were rewarded with the championships they deserved. A unique star from an era long gone, Mike Webster has more than earned his spot as the starting center on the all-time team https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-draft-prop-bets monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-mock-draft-1st-round monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/new-englands-qb-future monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/the-comeback-king-a-patriot-fans-goodbye-to-the-greatest-of-all-time-by-schwartz monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270051370-ZA6VIYIQLZWAQAUS1C42/tom+brady+12.jpeg Football - The Comeback King: a Patriot Fan's Goodbye to the Greatest of All Time https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592269983979-81SSHSWD0I5XU0P5IPGZ/tom+brady+6.jpg Football - The Comeback King: a Patriot Fan's Goodbye to the Greatest of All Time https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592270024893-RP75HOGAHZ4MJETH1027/tom+brady+5.jpg Football - The Comeback King: a Patriot Fan's Goodbye to the Greatest of All Time https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/tua-tagovailoa-scouting-profile monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/joe-burrow-scouting-profile monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/tom-bradys-next-chapter-tampa-bay monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592260412581-795XNUP3AX066RUC3G9N/tom+brady+tampa.jpg Football - Tom Brady’s Next Chapter: Tampa Bay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592260515807-WOXM6OI98BIBSL25HQ83/tom+brady+1.jpg Football - Tom Brady’s Next Chapter: Tampa Bay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592260468480-IV303C2BMONQH1G69PGE/image-asset.jpeg Football - Tom Brady’s Next Chapter: Tampa Bay https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/could-a-tom-brady-and-jimmy-garoppolo-swap-make-sense-for-the-patriots-and-49ers monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/nfl-qb-carousel monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/2020-super-bowl-recap monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/2020-super-bowl-props monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592212079635-TN8851REJJLPJFB88YJ1/Screen+Shot+2020-02-02+at+8.26.36+PM.png Football - 2020 Super Bowl Props https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/super-bowl-mega-preview monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592209684059-6GL0ZUXBDV6CB5HOQ243/image-asset.jpeg Football - 2020 Super Bowl Mega Preview https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/state-of-the-union-michigan-football monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/antonio-brown-2019s-sports-pariah monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208310546-901YJL7GACYD5R5UDOHU/ab2.png Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208421649-TQ3OG548NUY4RFSMH9CX/ab3.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208589716-RSNXX9X8KNOK347771X0/ab5.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208178587-DS1HHR9E2KPTAQIHSQTA/ab.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208386499-FEHW24TCVECHPKZUUFQX/tomlin+ab.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208692551-Z0X002MKZ3ALIGULHB93/ab6.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208744695-M18WSK0GG5S8GOW5L7YZ/image-asset.jpeg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208240981-XQFJTFN39YALOR7BES6D/image-asset.jpeg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208490317-UJ1FDCK9TXOFQF401ZK7/mark+twain+quote.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592208555957-B80HB7HFST3G4UJGB0MC/ab4.jpg Football - Antonio Brown - 2019's Sports Pariah https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/super-bowl-rankings-week-16-ed monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/fantasy-football-mvp-candidates monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/myles-garrett-vs-mason-rudolph-i monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592202458048-O22JXYP7OLUQ2MIM7PYE/image-asset.jpeg Football - Myles Garrett vs Mason Rudolph I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592202587981-RPB33VGGJWB7H49CQLTC/image-asset.jpeg Football - Myles Garrett vs Mason Rudolph I https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/a-memoir-kickoff-to-disaster monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204317827-C1XKT2IINT3X2T3KLTDO/super+bowl+48.jpeg Football - A Memoir: Kickoff to Disaster https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204361399-NQLUUIN38NE5666RFLDD/peyton.jpg Football - A Memoir: Kickoff to Disaster https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/dark-horse-candidates-to-win-every-nfl-award monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200981959-IMPMV4D955DCG1F5POSH/cj+mosley+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - CJ Mosley (+5000): To be completely honest, I have absolutely no idea how Mosley is this big of an underdog. Later on, when we do our picks for these awards, Mosley will be mine for Comeback Player of the Year. During the one half he played last year, the Jets absolutely dominated the Bills, who ended up being an 11-win playoff team, before his departure due to injury, after which they utterly collapsed for the rest of the game and most of the season. As a mike linebacker, Mosley is nothing short of a transformative, game-breaking force, one the Jets desperately need as they hope to step up in a confusing AFC East division, and a very crowded wild-card race. Expect him to be among the league leaders in tackles, and to lead a very strong Jets defense, both of which could place him among the contenders for Defensive Player of the Year as well as this award. All signs point towards a healthy start to 2020 for the former Alabama standout, and if he plays 16 games at the level he’s capable of, there’s no reason that anyone else should win this award unless Stafford goes insane and launches himself into the MVP discussion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592195997439-PHFN8GY37O0MXOCIGDVY/kyler+murray+2.jpeg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Kyler Murray (+2300): Although the Cardinals’ franchise QB may be small in stature, he might have the largest amount of pure talent of any passer in the entire league. He was solid as a rookie but didn’t put up the gaudy numbers that really turn heads, and moreover, the team wasn’t all that successful. However, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the next logical personal goal for him to turn his focus on is the MVP, football’s biggest individual award. Kyler was given an enormous gift this offseason; DeAndre Hopkins, arguably football’s best wideout, to go along with an already-talented wideout group and a coach (Kliff Kingsbury) who is always looking to get the ball in the air. They also drafted Josh Jackson, a true steal I might add, to help protect their diminutive, yet critical, investment. This team would need to make the playoffs to give Kyler even the slightest chance of taking home the award, but that is a distinct possibility in a tough but vulnerable NFC West, where there are solid teams but every game is very winnable for this team. There are also not many true locks for the NFC wild-card spots, and if Kyler is able to lead the Cards to the 5-seed while putting legitimate pressure on the Niners in the West, he has a real chance to win this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592201062505-FD0L6H1OFNQJBJR3EMYN/antonio+brown+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Antonio Brown (+2500): This one requires some imagination, as AB is not currently on an NFL roster and may not be by the time the season kicks off. However, it wasn’t that long ago (2018) that he was putting up close to 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in a Steelers uniform. Brown had been one of the best receivers over this decade, making four straight First-Team All-Pro rosters from 2014 to 2017 and having at least 1,200 receiving yards in six straight seasons with double-digit touchdowns in five of those. If Brown were to be signed to a roster, there’s no doubt he would make an instant impact and likely become the team’s top wideout - he was arguably the best receiver in football before his career got sidetracked by off-the-field issues. If Brown can pull himself together before this season and refocus his energies on the football field, the narrative would be on his side for him to win this award. I’m not totally sure we’ll ever see peak AB again, but if we do he would be a lock to win Comeback Player of the Year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592199488254-2MWZAV3YE7XB1D8ZVVMR/laviska+shenault.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Laviska Shenault (+3300): Here’s what I wrote about Shenault heading into the NFL draft: “He is a physically dominant player, utilizing his huge frame to body defenders for contested catches as well as break tackles after the catch. Shenault looks like a running back in the open field, using power and balance to pick up extra yards. Shenault has the upside to be the best receiver in this class with his physical tools, but his injury history and lack of polish could cause him to fall to the back of the first round.” Needless to say, I was pretty surprised that a guy who I thought might be the best pure talent at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft was still on the board for the Jaguars with their third selection. Sure, D.J. Chark will likely enter the year as the team’s top wideout after a breakout campaign, but I think Shenault is the better talent. Gardner Minshew is one of my favorite QBs in football - his deep-ball accuracy was better than Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray last year. The Jaguars will likely be down in games pretty often with how poor their defense should be. CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy are the big names at receiver heading into this season, but they play in crowded offenses and I’m not sure if they’ll be instant-impact players. I expect Shenault to start right away, and if he can stay on the field for 16 games, he could be one of the big stories as a 1,000-yard rookie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592199923341-FJL0PZDRUJDF33DBZHUK/zack+moss+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Zack Moss (+5500): The former Utah running back was perhaps my favorite player at his position in this year’s class, but he predictably got pushed to the wayside in favor of more high-profile names from high-profile schools in Clyde Edwards-Helaire, D’Andre Swift, and Jonathan Taylor. Moss is an incredibly physical runner who is tough to bring down - he broke 0.33 tackles per rush attempt over his three seasons as the starter at Utah, the third-best rate in the nation over that span. He was also much-improved as a pass-catcher in his final season at Utah, averaging 14.5 yards per reception in 2019 and dropping just one pass on his 31 targets. Yes, Devin Singletary is the presumed starter heading into this season, but Moss is more of a complete running back and the two complement each other very well. Frank Gore had 179 touches on this team last year and the addition of Stefon Diggs to the passing game should only create more space in the middle of the field as well as more red-zone opportunities for the offense. A 36-year-old Gore had 13 carries inside the 5-yard line last season and only managed 1 touchdown with them - it’s not hard to imagine Moss faring much better than this. Sure, he will be hard-pressed to see more than 200 carries in what should be a true timeshare alongside Singletary, but I love Moss’s talent and he’s a dark horse to break out for a Bills team that really wants to establish the ground game this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196572805-SSKJNA9KAR023OJWE8AP/tyreek+hill+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Tyreek Hill (+6500): Tyreek Hill is a touchdown waiting to happen, on every snap, completely regardless of field position. At +6500, he’s just too good of a value to ignore as a pick for offensive player of the year. This year, Michael Thomas became the first wideout since Jerry Rice in the early 90’s to garner Offensive Player of the Year honors, setting a new precedent and opening the door for more of the NFL’s hyper-talented group of pass-catchers to step up and win this award. True, Thomas had to put up historic numbers for a fantastic team to do so, but Hill has the opportunity to do both of those things, and likely top Thomas’s surprisingly low total of 9 touchdowns. Tyreek is never going to catch 150 balls like Mike did, but he can set records for average yardage, explosive plays, or any number of statistics that represent his unique, game-breaking ability. Patrick Mahomes is only getting more experienced, Andy Reid more confident, and the Chiefs will be in a litany of close games this season as they navigate a meat-grinder of a schedule, creating a perfect storm for the league’s most unique offensive talent to have a wildly productive campaign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592199416103-6Y63RHDTBSCLPT9JMY3T/minkah+fitzpatrick+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Minkah Fitzpatrick (+2900): The Steelers, in a shocking turn of events, will also need to play strong defensive football if they’re going to have a successful season. While there’s a lot of talent on their defense, there’s arguably nobody whose performance will tell their story than their do-it-all safety. Minkah combines an ability to immediately read a quarterback with run-stopping ability that PFF estimates to be the third-best among all safeties - even better than Jamal Adams. Since his arrival from Miami, Fitzpatrick has been a key cog of the Pittsburgh defense, as he has been freed from a more focused box safety role, to one where he is able to help the team in a variety of ways. The presence of a star front-seven player in T.J. Watt gives me pause, as it will be a challenge for Fizpatrick to outshine such a franchise cornerstone. Still, his high level of talent and importance to the team make Minkah a serious candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592199705712-CN4S1GANNQRJERLTI8J1/cam+akers.jpeg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Cam Akers (+2000): Of all of the longshots to win this award, Akers offers something unique- a nearly-guaranteed starting role. After the decline and subsequent departure of Todd Gurley, the Florida State alum is poised to take the lead in the Los Angeles backfield this season. The sheer bulk of touches he will get as compared to other candidates, as well as his high talent level, make him an attractive option for this award, as he has a chance to accumulate counting statistics that few other rookies this season do. The Rams are in a bit of a downswing but will continue to be a high-scoring offense. Akers figures to get into the end zone a number of times during his rookie campaign, always a big boost in the hunt for Rookie of the Year honors. It will help Akers’s case if the Rams play from ahead more than I expect them to, as he will be their workhorse back who helps grind away clock and put games to bed. There are certainly reasons to imagine that other rookies may be more productive, as LA might look to the air more than the ground this year, but Akers is a high talent in a starting job, which is nothing if not a formula for success in year 1. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196906626-JR8D7VPAIOJNW33XGA63/image-asset.jpeg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Tre’Davious White (+2900): I’m going to be honest, White was my late-season pick for this award last year. I stood in Gillette Stadium and watched him dominate the Patriots in a key divisional matchup, while actual winner Stephon Gilmore almost lost the game by allowing his only touchdown of the year, a back-breaking 53 yard home run. White, however, was at his best in the biggest game of the year, even if his team fell short. He didn’t allow a touchdown last season, tied Gilmore for the league lead in picks, and defended 17 passes, good for fifth in the league, en route to allowing the sixth-lowest passer rating of any corner (46.3). The narrative is also there, as the Bills will almost certainly need to ride a stifling defense if they want to seize the division after the departure of Tom Brady, and they will need White to remove talented wideouts from the game if they’re going to do that. In my estimation, White was good enough to earn this award a year ago - don’t be stunned if he’s just as effective again, and this time with a division title under his belt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200172542-ZCXX2UIRH9I7M0GFSKB4/antoine+winield.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Antoine Winfield (+3800): In my mock draft heading into this year’s draft, I had Antoine Winfield as the Buccaneers’ first-round pick. While I knew this wasn’t particularly likely, I thought he perfectly fit their roster and scheme. I also absolutely love his talent and if he hadn’t missed extensive time with injuries in 2017 and 2018 I believe he would have been a first-round lock. Winfield is an instant-impact in-the-box safety who has a tremendous ability to read the game and find the ball. He’s the hardest-hitting safety in this year’s draft class and should be a vicious tackler and turnover-forcing machine. I had him comped to T.J. Ward, the former Bucs’ safety, and I can see him having a similar impact as a roamer who can make plays all over the field. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s one of the leading tacklers in Year One from this class and he also has the big-play ability to deliver some signature moments on his way to a stellar rookie season. The Bucs are bound for the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and Winfield could be a big reason why on the defensive end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592195942407-DFCQR3CKEYNJ6TH2O3L6/drew+lock+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Drew Lock (+6500): The Broncos may have found their franchise quarterback in 2019 as the former Missouri QB led Denver to a 4-1 record in his 5 starts. He threw for 1,020 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions which would have been a 16-game pace of 3,264 yards, 22.4 touchdowns, and 9.6 interceptions. Those aren’t exactly world-beating numbers, but for a rookie who had never run a pro-style offense, his production was impressive. Things should only get better this season with an improved offensive line - the Broncos get back a healthy Ja’Wuan James, signed Graham Glasgow in free agency, and drafted Lloyd Cushenbery. The additions of Melvin Gordon, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler should help open up the offense as well. Lock already had a go-to receiver in place with Courtland Sutton (PFF’s 10th-best wideout in 2019). The addition of Pat Shurmur as the team’s new offensive coordinator should also help with Lock’s ascension. The Broncos will need to win the AFC West and knock off Patrick Mahomes’s Chiefs, which doesn’t seem very likely on paper - hence the long odds for Lock. However, with the elite talent around him and him being a rising talent himself, Drew Lock could shock the world this season and compete for the MVP. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196233901-IOWQGH84PO8RG70QS92M/matthew+stafford+3.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Matthew Stafford (+4400): 5,000 yards, 38 Touchdowns, 10 interceptions. Those are some numbers that get you squarely within the MVP conversation, and they’re the ones that Stafford was on pace to put up if he didn’t miss the second half of the 2019 season. Furthermore, he had led the Lions to a very competitive 3-4-1 start that featured a number of tight losses, and the team spiraled to an 0-8 finish after his departure. In a division in flux, Stafford and the Lions could fill the power vacuum and surge to a playoff berth behind a year of similarly solid play. Normally, a lower team win total disqualifies a player from MVP consideration, but I would imagine that given the general struggles that the Lions have experienced, sneaking the team into the playoffs with any winning record, while keeping his level of play as high as it was in 2019, Stafford will at least be getting some MVP buzz come February. His numbers received a boost last year via the addition of Darrell Bevell as the offensive coordinator, after he held that position for several seasons in Seattle, helping to facilitate the rise of Russell Wilson and create a potent offense with very little true star-power. I don’t expect the Lions to have a successful season. But if they do, it’s because of their quarterback, and he should be recognized for it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196425455-4OBL4ORI9GGUGGMQT6WV/nfl+quarterbacks.jpeg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200764034-T77PMSATM2G5TG23JDWG/image-asset.jpeg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Matt Rhule (+3000): As I discussed in my bit on Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Panthers have completely overhauled their entire franchise this offseason. Rhule, the new head coach, has been given a rookie draft class completely comprised of defensive players, a brilliant Offensive Coordinator in Joe Brady, the man who created Joe Burrow, a franchise quarterback who Brady has familiarity with, Teddy Bridgewater, and the NFL’s most devastating offensive weapon in do-it-all dynamo Christian McCaffrey. Rhule worked wonders at both Baylor and Temple, turning around both programs in much less time than anyone could have ever hoped. He has all the tools to succeed in Carolina, but still has to navigate a hyper-competitive division with perhaps two of the top three or four teams in the NFC to contend with. If he’s able to do so successfully and lead the Panthers to a winning record in his first season, he’d have to garner some votes as the best coach of 2020, as this would be no small accomplishment. I don’t think there’s any guarantees for this team, but if they do find success, their head coach deserves much of the credit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196050216-EGLRLXCD0L4SHZ75N1N2/matt+ryan+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Matt Ryan (+4400): The veteran Falcons’ quarterback won the MVP award in 2016 at the helm of an awesome roster. Kyle Shanahan certainly helped as the offensive coordinator that season - he’s now the 49ers head coach - but the talent surrounding Ryan this season in Atlanta may be the best of his career. PFF had Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both ranked as top-30 receivers last year, but that doesn’t even do justice to how elite this wideout duo can be. Julio had gone over 1,400 yards in 6 straight seasons before last year (was 6 yards off in 2019). Ridley still has yet to exceed 1,000 yards in a season, but he was drafted in the 1st round and is no doubt an elite talent at his position. Austin Hooper departs for the Browns after 75 catches for 787 yards, but Hayden Hurst will do just fine as his replacement - he was PFF’s 12th-ranked tight end in 2019 although he didn’t see the field too often behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore. With Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary entering their sophomore seasons after being first-round picks last year, the right side of the offensive line should be vastly improved in 2020. If the offensive line can do a better job keeping him upright, Ryan has the potential to lead the league in passing yards this year, especially with how often his team will be trailing thanks to a defense that ranked 23rd in points allowed per game last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196513336-8TYRVD7RFSX1QLPQI3VZ/nick+chubb+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Nick Chubb (+4400): What happens when an incredibly skilled football player meets a coach who knows exactly how to utilize him? Usually some pretty incredible things. Dalvin Cook’s 2019 Pro-Bowl campaign is the perfect example. The former Florida State running back put up 1,654 combined yards and 13 touchdowns in just 14 games. Kevin Stefanski was largely responsible for devising a scheme that utilized Cook’s talent in the perfect way. Stefanski now heads to Cleveland where he will take over an offense with plenty of talent. Perhaps the most talented player on the Browns’ roster is Nick Chubb. PFF absolutely adores the former Georgia running back, ranking him 2nd among all running backs (min. 200 carries) in elusive rating and first in breakaway percentage in 2019. Chubb was also PFF’s #1-ranked runner last year - yes, ranking higher than Christian McCaffrey. The last running back to win Offensive Player of the Year was Todd Gurley in 2017 - the former Rams’ runner put up 2,093 combined yards and 19 combined touchdowns. Chubb put up some career-best production last year with 1,494 rushing yards on 298 carries. He ranked second in the NFL in carries inside the 10-yard line, so 8 touchdowns was likely on the low-end - he could see some positive regression here. Stefanski also likes to involve his running backs in the passing game with screens, slants, and hitches, so Chubb should be due for a career-high in receptions (his previous best was in 2019 with 36 catches). Yes, the Browns do have Kareem Hunt in the backfield to compete with Chubb, but they’ve talked about wanting to use him more as a slot receiver than a running back this year. The Browns will likely be a top-five team in rushing attempts this year under Stefanski and Chubb will be the one to benefit - I currently have him ranked second in the league in rushing yards behind Derrick Henry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200704758-903ORBF5NK991I72SX2J/mike+tomlin+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Mike Tomlin (+2600): The longtime Steelers’ head coach has never finished with a losing record in any of his 13 seasons. However, over the past two years, Pittsburgh has disappointed at 9-6-1 and 8-8. In 2018, the offense was stellar with Ben Roethlisberger throwing it to Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster who combined for 2,723 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. In 2019, the defense elevated to the 5th-best unit in points allowed on the back of an elite front seven featuring Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Devin Bush, and Vince Williams. Big Ben is now expected to be fully healthy after missing all but two games last season and his return should elevate this team’s offense after an abysmal year with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges under center. If the offense can regain an above-average standing to complement what should be one of the best defenses in football, especially with a full season of Minkah Fitzpatrick, there’s no reason this Steelers’ team can’t win double-digit games and return to the playoffs. Perhaps they can even challenge the Ravens for the AFC North title. If they do, Mike Tomlin would certainly be rewarded for his long-time impact on this team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200898528-RZKR9N87Z3R9CE855ZL9/derwin+james+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Derwin James (+3300): When Schwartz and I started the Google Doc for this article, I raced to claim Derwin James for this category because I know how much we both love him as a player. After a First-Team All-Pro rookie season, James suffered a stress fracture in his foot in August of 2019 which kept him out of all but 5 games last season. James is an undeniable talent though and one of the best safeties in football when fully healthy - PFF ranked him 31st on their list of the top 50 players entering 2020. The Chargers were already a top-ten defensive unit in yards allowed last year and they should be even better with James back healthy and Chris Harris Jr. joining the secondary. James is the type of player who can elevate everyone around him with his Swiss Army Knife capabilities. His closing speed is astounding and he can do everything from rush the passer to defend tight ends in the passing game to provide an in-the-box presence against running backs. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley previously helped Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor become household names in Seattle and James has the same level of talent as those two did in the Legion of Boom. While comeback player could be given to an offensive player, James is perhaps the most talented candidate for the award and should have a breakthrough campaign in LA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200314392-RPXDPF5DZ9UZ1142RPRW/k%27lavon+chaisson+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - K’Lavon Chaisson (+3100): Chaisson is expected to be an instant-impact pass rusher for the Jaguars after they lost Calais Campbell in free agency. In his final season at LSU, as a member of their national championship-winning team, Chaisson put up 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. After only playing one game the season prior, he put himself back on the map as a first-round caliber talent. Now in Duval County, Chaisson will be playing alongside some solid defensive talent in Taven Bryan, Josh Allen, Myles Jack, Joe Schobert, Jarrod Wilson, and fellow first-round-pick from this year C.J. Henderson. That’s not exactly a murderer’s row of talent, so there’s a chance Chaisson is the Jags’ best defensive player this year. He’s a high-character player - he was given the #18 jersey at LSU to signify this. He has an impressive toolbox of pass-rush moves for his age and he could have a surprising number of sacks as a full-time starter for the Jaguars. He has some work to do in run defense, but Chaisson’s pass-rush impact could be enough to make him a surprise candidate for this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196852614-0IGTIXE6GUGNFCC6NEVW/calais+campbell+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Calais Campbell (+4200): The former Miami defensive end has long been one of my favorite defensive players in football and it saddened me deeply when he chose the Jacksonville Jaguars over his hometown and my beloved Denver Broncos back in 2017. At 6’8”, 300 lbs, Campbell is an absolute physical freak and he’s been dominant over his decade-plus in the NFL with 88 career sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and 3 touchdowns. In his career, he’s been a 5-time Pro Bowler, 2-time Second-Team All-Pro, and one-time First-Team All-Pro. Among all interior defenders last year, Campbell ranked third on PFF. He tied for first in QB hits, ranked third in total hurries, but only managed six sacks. Now on the Ravens, Campbell will be surrounded by the most defensive talent of his career. Baltimore has some excellent secondary coverage between Earl Thomas, Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphery, and Jimmy Smith - that support on the back-end will give Campbell even more time to get to the opposing QB. The Jaguars ranked 26th in pass coverage last year while the Ravens ranked 7th, per PFF. Surrounded by elite defensive talent, the career 3-time All-Pro Calais Campbell has the opportunity to reach double-digit sacks and earn the first DPOY of his career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200084217-50IWTM2WBEJOHQ51VGTE/aj+dillon.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - A.J. Dillon (+7500): While Dillon doesn’t have a starting job, what he does have is an insane level of talent. When he was healthy at Boston College, he was an undeniable force, breaking off massive runs both on the outside and between the tackles. If he’s able to stay on the field, he is the very definition of a workhorse back at 6 feet tall and nearly 250 pounds, and is still able to be quick enough to clock a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the combine. Simply put, Dillon immediately enters the league as one of the best athletes at the running back position, and has already shown the polish of a pro halfback. Aaron Jones is a fixture in the Green Bay backfield, but a healthy Dillon could steal a good amount of touches, particularly near the goal line, as he has a much more imposing frame than Jones and offers the Packers a much better push into the end zone. He is the darkest horse I discuss in this article, a true long shot, but he has the ability to shine if he’s given the ball enough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196767972-4AM0GZ2KADTGZ51CX88C/dalvin+cook+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Dalvin Cook (+2400): The Vikings had a rough offseason, as they lost Stefon Diggs as well as Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski. However, none of their division rivals have really improved, and the North is theirs for the taking. Without Diggs and Stefanski, expect the Vikes to take what has become a rare approach in today’s NFL, and ride a strong rushing attack to the postseason. When he’s been healthy, Cook has been absolutely lethal, averaging over 4.5 yards a carry in each of his pro seasons, and this past season, racking up over 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns in just 14 appearances. If he’s able to win the NFL’s rushing crown- a distinct possibility since the Cowboys seem poised to move to the air, the Panthers could take touches away from CMC to protect their new, massive investment, and Derrick Henry is the very definition of a regression candidate - and lead the Vikings to a home playoff game, there’s no reason to ignore the Florida State product as a candidate for this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200527594-V8J6HPD2244VKZMN9N4T/vic+fangio+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Vic Fangio (+2400): So, this is a homer pick. I’ll acknowledge it right off the bat. To be fair, though, I am more excited about this Broncos team heading into this season than I have been since Peyton Manning hung up his cleats. Denver has finally put together what should be an above-average offensive line and a great receiving corps featuring Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, and KJ Hamler. The run game should also be heavily featured with Melvin Gordon and Philip Lindsay. Finally, the defense should be much-improved with a healthy Bradley Chubb and the offseason acquisitions of A.J. Bouye and Jurrell Casey. The Broncos have not made the playoffs since Manning retired but I believe this is the year that drought ends. If it does, Vic Fangio would deserve some love on a national stage. Fangio has been coaching up defenses as a coordinator of position coach since 1979 - it’s in his blood. Last year was his first season as a head coach, though, and we should be expecting a significant improvement in Year Two, especially with Pat Shurmur as the offensive coordinator. Fangio has instilled his mantra of “death by inches” in Denver and he’s the guy to help this talented, young roster come together for a playoff push. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592201137319-387DT0GNFKRGQSMDNA0R/bradley+chubb.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Bradley Chubb (+3300): Chubb’s case is quite straightforward. He flashed enormous potential during a 12-sack rookie season, and will be joining a Broncos defense that is flush with talent and hoping to make a playoff push. If Chubb can reach and even exceed the level of play that he flashed in his first season, while staying healthy in year 3, he will be one of the most serious candidates for this award. It would also help his case if the Broncos do find success, particularly if their approach is defense-driven. Chubb represents the future in Denver, and this season is the one where he will be expected to receive the proverbial torch from Super Bowl veterans such as Von Miller and become a true leader in Denver’s front seven. If he’s able to do so, and dominate across a healthy campaign for a playoff team, his story will be among the most compelling in the eyes of Comeback Player of the Year voters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592196713898-HQG39T4SZDDAQSGAJY2F/chris+godwin+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Chris Godwin (+4100): The former Penn State wide receiver enjoyed a massive breakout season in 2019, putting up 1,333 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in just 14 games. He was PFF’s 2nd-best receiver last year behind only Michael Thomas, who broke the record for the best completion percentage of all time for the second-straight year. Godwin caught 86 of his 87 catchable targets, dropping just one for the lowest drop rate in the NFL other than future HOFer Larry Fitzgerald. However, Godwin had 28 total uncatchable targets and plenty of others which were not perfect as Jameis Winston was erratic for most of 2019. Godwin should benefit from the arrival of Tom Brady in Tampa Bay as he will now be catching passes from a future HOFer and likely the best quarterback in NFL history. Brady was PFF’s 12th-best QB last year while Winston was only ranked 29th. One area where Godwin may be hampered by the switch at QB is in deep passing - Winston led the NFL in deep passing attempts last year while Brady was outside of the top 12 in that category - this could limit Godwin’s YPR upside. His efficiency should be much improved this year, though, and 1,500 yards with 12 receiving touchdowns shouldn’t really be outside the realm of possibilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200382843-8BSERKZ3VGTCVXFUX0ER/grant+delpit+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Grant Delpit (+2500): One of the more maligned stars from LSU’s champion team, Delpit will look to maximize the talent that once made so many teams recognize him as one of the top prospects in the nation. A bit of a risky pick here, after he flashed some issues at LSU, namely poor finishing on open field tackles, Delpit will need to rise to the occasion and fill a massive need in the Cleveland secondary. Like Brown, he comes to a team that needs big defensive changes in 2020, but unlike Brown, Delpit’s team has postseason aspirations. If Cleveland finds their way back to the postseason for the first time in over a decade, and Delpit finds his upside and plays solid football, don’t be surprised if voters for this award take note of his role in what figures to be an improved defense under the new regime in Cleveland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200616276-B2OLWIUZWBWK09GSL3WP/matt+patricia.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Matt Patricia (+3000): I know, I know. Stop writing about the Lions, Schwartz. But just like the situation with Stafford, if the Lions surpass their expectations and make a playoff push, their oft-maligned head coach will have to be recognized for it. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think the former Patriots assistant has done a bad job in Detroit, he’s just received a very tall task and has not yet accomplished much. The Lions had an active offseason, during which Patricia brought in a number of defensive players who he worked with in New England. There’s been a trend of players performing strongly with the Pats, going elsewhere, and fully flopping, but Patricia has reason to believe that, as their former coach and defensive mastermind, he can be the exception to the rule and get the most out of these players once again. If he succeeds in this gamble, and the Lions crack .500 behind a strong defensive performance, Patricia will have completed one of the more impressive coaching jobs of the season and be the subject of chatter around this award. It will help him if Stafford is healthy and reaches his ceiling as well, as this defense is improved, but is not likely to be able to carry the team to success without solid QB play. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592199342011-TBLYB11BPK8N3OJ5TLLE/jamal+adams+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Wayne - Jamal Adams (+3300): There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how incredible a football player Adams is. The NFL is stacked with elite athletes - that’s a given with football being the most popular sport in the United States. What allows great athletes to become special players is preparation and mental aptitude. Adams sets the standard at the safety position in that regard and watching him dominate with pre-snap adjustments and mid-play reads is a thing of beauty. There’s nothing that Adams doesn’t do well on the football field. He profiles as an in-the-box hard-hitting safety/linebacker hybrid, and he dominates in the run game - he ranked third in tackling efficiency among safeties last year per PFF, just behind Justin Simmons and Kevin Byard. Adams is also a force in pass coverage, though, ranking fifth in the NFL in total yards allowed among players with at least 450 snaps in pass coverage. There’s nothing that Adams can’t do to help his team win and he sets himself apart as the best safety in football with the way he dissects the game mentally. The Jets defense has plenty of talent and they certainly have an opportunity to make the playoffs in a weak AFC East. If they do, the narrative would be on the side of Adams, as would the fact that he’ll put up some monstrous numbers along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592200246368-7RFQWEAAAV7OOPAUAT0S/derrick+brown+2.jpg Football - Dark Horse Candidates to Win Every NFL Award - Schwartz - Derrick Brown (+2500): I frankly don’t understand how or why Derrick Brown has such long odds to win Rookie of the Year. He was an absolute force at Auburn, and it’s not wrong to consider him the most talented defender in this year’s draft class. He is absolutely pro-ready and fills an enormous need for a rising Carolina front seven. Winning this award as an interior lineman is a challenge, as they often lack the flashy stats that edge rushers or linebackers accumulate, but Brown’s game tape will speak for itself, as will his role in elevating the Panthers’ defense. It’s not unrealistic to imagine him in a DeForest Buckner-type role, where he is a true lynchpin of a solid defense. Carolina is going through a franchise overhaul, the centerpiece of which is a defensive revolution. Brown figures to be an enormous part of this shift, and I believe that he could be recognized for this role as early as season 1. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/category/soccer monthly 0.5 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynesworldofsports-fb/category/football monthly 0.5 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer daily 0.75 2021-07-14 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/italy-player-ratings-euro-2020-champions-edition monthly 0.5 2021-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281830975-LF4GD5FKPWFUE26HGJUM/Screen+Shot+2021-07-14+at+11.56.32+AM.png Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Jorginho, Midfield Surely thought he would score the winning penalty against England as he had against Spain, but the Chelsea midfielder still put together a tournament to remember. Important box to box midfield contributions in all 7 matches as he covered more distance, played more minutes, and drew more fouls than any other outfield player in the tournament, completed the second-most passes among all players, and of course drilled a memorable, ice-cold shootout winner in the semifinal. Ballon d’or shouts are overzealous and will get him overhated, but he is a truly quality player having a remarkable year. 8/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282350198-MS7LLSTUXMKL6JK5QTHI/federico-chiesa-italy-austria-euro-2020.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Federico Chiesa, Right Wing Could have and should have started at any of the three forward positions from the start of the tournament. One of the few reasons for Juventus fans to be optimistic about the future (along with the inevitable eventual signing of Donnarumma). Creative and highly talented, he is one of the players that I can truly say were essential to the tournament run- Italy do not even reach the final without him. While he only scored twice, his impact on offense was immense, as he completed the fifth-most dribbles of all players across the tournament. It was noticeable how much danger went out of the team’s attack after he left injured late in regulation. If he had been healthy enough to stay on, I don’t doubt that he might have been the overtime hero and either been named man of the match, or even earned player of the tournament honors . 9/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626283224742-TLIBUFT0HSXCJ3CFE2SM/1002975842-scaled-e1622702857225.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Bukayo Saka, Midfield/Wing, England I could talk about the fact that every time he touched the pitch, his wayward, leaderless side looked markedly better, or the near-moment of brilliance we may have seen had Chiellini not tactically fouled him at the end of regulation in the final. But none of that really stacks up to the fact that, as one of the youngest competitors in Euro history at the age of 19, and having never shot a penalty outside of the training pitch, he picked up the ball, stepped up to the spot, and confidently rocked a penalty that was certainly of a professional caliber. That penalty simply happened to be saved by a special keeper, one who will certainly be remembered as one of the very best in football’s history when we look back upon his career. Saka showed courage and poise of the highest degree throughout the tournament and particularly at the penalty stripe, and he deserves nothing but praise for that. 10/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281357802-2JK6I4G9917JOPW7301H/emerson.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Emerson Palmieri, right Back Played at a roughly similar level to Di Lorenzo, effort was admirable in relief of Spinazzola but the level was not remotely the same. Really, he was a spectator at times- such as when he was absolutely clueless to Trippier’s run that led to the opener- but did just enough to contribute to a tournament success. 5/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282263523-ANYUXLTKI9G42D6M3WNL/Screen+Shot+2021-07-14+at+12.04.05+PM.png Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Lorenzo Insigne, Left Wing My review of Insigne will come in the form of a handful of scattered thoughts. He was the side’s most consistent spark at the top, never had any quit. Almost scored a number of stunning free kicks, and would’ve had a late winner in regulation against England were he taller than 5’4. His goal against Belgium was the greatest combination of confidence and skill I’ve seen in some time, and is perhaps my favorite Azzurri goal ever. Lorenzo is the leading candidate to be my first son’s name. Hats off for a killer tournament from a fantastic player, well done Lorenzo! 8/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626283095841-PGXP48K8AFS9DYMIFTM0/3000.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Yann Sommer, Goalkeeper, Switzerland Yann Sommer, Goalkeeper, Switzerland Saved more shots than any other keeper in the tournament despite being eliminated with two rounds to go. Absolutely heroic and instrumental in his country’s shootout win against France, and his performance was beyond vital in getting his team through 120 minutes against Spain. He may have given up 9 goals, but no keeper did more with the circumstances they were given. 10/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282727572-3ZA8DBWQNKHMH1O9Z5NU/1233577771.0.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Federico Bernardeschi, Forward/ Attacking Midfield Hardly played, and it’s a shame- he looked lively and effective when he came on, particularly through taking some dangerous-looking free kicks, and credit is due to the Juventus man for drilling his penalties in both winning shootout efforts. I’d love to rate him higher, but it’s hard to justify for a player who picked up so few minutes. 7/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626280363440-LG522K4Y5Q8EFTX0NTFQ/champs+2.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281098357-HUEQ2DXU0IG3BGS0OVNC/Screen+Shot+2021-07-14+at+11.44.39+AM.png Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Leonardo Bonucci, Centre Back One could make the argument that he scored the biggest goal of the tournament, and he came damn close to scoring on other occasions as well. And of course, he has been the other half of one of the great centre-back pairings in European history. The Juve veteran completed the fifth-most passes of all players in the tournament, and even scored two of the smoothest penalties you will ever see, including one in the final which the English announcer accurately described as “magnificent.” A true contender for player of the tournament, and may have won the honor if not for the sheer brilliance of Donnarumma. 9/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626280857989-ALZMFZYIGH9EWKWBBHNN/NINTCHDBPICT000665442123.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Giorgio Chiellini, Centre back A rock in the back, cruelly robbed of a goal against Switzerland but provided veteran leadership and strong defense all along. So happy for this hero, all-time great, and Italian legend to have his first major international trophy, as he is showing his age the tiniest bit (prime Giorgio would never have had to resort to a wily grab of Buyako Saka’s jersey) and may not have many more chances. Excited for what should be a grand and emotional Azzurri sendoff for the captain at next year’s World Cup. 8/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282992691-YS6V99I7Q1K7FC4CBLHA/0_GettyImages-1270678123.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Andrea Belotti, Forward Only had a real influence in the Wales game, where he put together some nice chances, and the two penalty shootouts, regaining momentum with a confident smash after Locatelli’s opening miss against Spain, and a disappointing but not particularly poor effort that was saved by Pickford. Another substitute who generally did what was expected of him, and not much more. 6/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626283505053-B2NW3HN8R5LIUEK1W548/16253016862783.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Make it stand out Denmark Men’s National Football Team Never have I watched a side experience adversity quite in the way the Danes did this tournament, as they watched their best player, veteran leader, and friend Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch in the opening match of this tournament. We know now that he seems to have made a strong recovery, although his footballing future seems hazy, but that doesn’t alter the magnitude of what his teammates, the fans, and the whole footballing world felt in that moment. This band of Vikings managed not only to continue to play and honor Eriksen, they continued to fight hard to just escape the group stage, and then went on a magical, instantly-legendary run to the semifinal where they were cruelly eliminated by a truly shocking penalty decision. They won the hearts of a worldwide audience, and their emotional, heroic performance will never be forgotten. I could name any number of players, from Damsgaard and Dolberg who led the relentless attack, to Højbjerg who was actually named to the team of the tournament to centre back and captain Kjaer and the stalwart keeper Schmeichel, who together anchored a valiant defense that never quit, but really, the whole squad is deserving of the top rating. Before their pivotal game against Russia, I remember expressing my doubts about their chances, telling a friend that life isn’t a football movie. Well, sometimes it is. Thank you Denmark for reminding us of that. 10/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626280432527-KHDD3YL3EBUJ0HOR5M6D/gigio.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Gianluigi Donnarumma, Goalkeeper Player of the tournament, and the first keeper to earn that honor. First keeper to win two shootouts in one Euro- the fourth and fifth shootout wins in his senior career, a perfect record achieved across five tries. Three clean sheets and no more than one goal allowed in any match. 22 years old. What else is there to say about Italy’s next SUPERSTAR. While I’m sad to see him leave Milan and Serie A, I know that more greatness is ahead of him in Paris, and of course with his national teammates for years to come. And how (perhaps unintentionally)cold was that walk-off after making the tournament-winning save? 10/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282070853-OU9X39G03G2BXUS3N6O6/Screen+Shot+2021-07-14+at+12.00.54+PM.png Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Nicolò Barella, Midfield You’d think that anyone that Inter employs would be total crap, and you’d almost be right- if not for this midfield superstar. Yes, I said superstar, and I mean it. There is no chance Italy would have won Euro 2020 without him, nor is there any chance Inter would have run away with Serie A without him. If he were a striker or CAM with the same influence, he’d be a ballon d’or candidate. His goal against Belgium will certainly live on in Azzurri lore for as long as he lives and beyond. Was a bit quiet in the final, but all things considered, that can be forgiven. 8/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282149733-FSZD9L4XAPU0BJY9T9AD/pessina.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Matteo Pessina, Midfield Clutch in relief, and instrumental in providing rest for some of the more high level players. His contributions will not be forgotten, although top tier opponents were able to expose his lack of polish. Still a well-deserving champion. 6/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282885016-RMWKDFC3ZRCCJPPB6AB7/Italy_AP.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Bryan Cristante, Midfield Played his only major minutes in the final and did well to give some life to an understandably fatigued midfield. No special contributions, no grave mistakes in his short cameo. 6/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626280545521-QY122I31UYBYGQGNP0K8/sipa_33898840.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Leonardo Spinazzola, Left Back Again, what can I say? Italy’s breakout star fullback did a fantastic job throughout the key early stages of the tournament, and it was plain to see how much he was missed in the last two matches. He was one of the most pleasant surprises of the event, as he made UEFA’s team of the tournament despite missing the final two matches. Italy will hope dearly for a full recovery, as a healthy Spinazzola will certainly be central to any future success for the Azzurri. Get well soon! 9/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626283684955-K53WZ1CG8DLR9CDR49E9/italy-euro-expectation-rankings.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Make it stand out It was a tournament to remember, truly the best I can remember in international football, or really any sport. But let’s hope that only rings true for a little over one more year- the winners will be back in action against a field of hungry competitors looking for redemption in the 2022 World Cup. Until then, FORZA AZZURRI! CAMPIONI D’EUROPA! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281426685-6F348ESF9LPOJHI3SVTS/800.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Manuel Locatelli, Midfield The hero of one of the most fun matches of the tournament! An all-time hustler, and a fantastic cog in the midfield while Verratti returned to health. Was a bit susceptible to spells of quietness, he wasn’t necessarily able to make his presence felt at all times the way he did against Switzerland. Disappointing penalty attempt against Spain. Still, a very strong tournament for the Sassuolo man. Will surely have a transfer market. 7/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281648228-G59YDQ16J6PTSEBFTSZZ/Marco-Verratti.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Marco Verratti, Midfield Rarely is his impact truly captured on the scoresheet, but his team-leading three assists (T-2nd among all Euro players) after missing most of the group stages and exiting before the end of many games is quite an impressive total. Of course, his influence on the tournament still goes beyond those three passes- a maestro in the middle, he won back a ridiculous amount of balls for Italy particularly in the Spain match (His 8 tackles won across the tournament was tied for third among all players, one off of the lead), and was a handful for England in the final. He even led all players in the tournament with 14 key passes! A welcome return after his injury- he started over an impressive Locatelli for a reason. A very compelling case can be made that he is Italy’s best outfield player. 9/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626281260788-2GC1ZPTSQL86UC4IUPVG/GDL.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Right Back I’ll not say that anyone in the first choice defense played POORLY, but he was clearly fourth best when the full lineup was healthy. The flank he defended was at the heart of a lot of successful opposing moves, Doku of Belgium in particular gave him fits. Contributed sufficiently to a strong team defensive record, though. 6/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282559697-4PX56RUOTNLPY93C1I7N/1233527159.0.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Domenico Berardi, Right Wing had less of a presence as the tournament went on and Chiesa’s star rose, but had some nice runs and passes, and was adequately effective on the wing. Particularly his run and pass to set up the first of Locatelli’s two strikes against Switzerland was greatly appreciated by Italian fans, and will not be forgotten anytime soon. If this team is going to continue to compete at a high level, he will have to be involved, and he will have to take that step from good to great. 6/10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1626282486705-C54BUUOISLG7JOVAQ4Z2/italy-1024x576.jpg Soccer - Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition - Ciro Immobile, Striker I want him to be good for Italy, I really do. But after a shaky but promising start in the group stage, he contributed very little. Hard to even call him a deserving champion, but he was certainly a veteran presence in an attacking group that did not have too many Italy caps between them. Showed a lot of ability to get into position to score goals, but unfortunately connected on a disappointingly low amount of those chances. Did well to score twice in groups and get the team off to a scorching and unprecedented start, as he was the leading man in Italy’s first- and second-ever three-goal efforts at the Euro (vs. Turkey and Switzerland, respectively). 5/10 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/mqn5t5rc9s42bbzy9v1ef6qorcx4w1 monthly 0.5 2020-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039586189-HHA6B6WPW272XGNQGIV7/atleti.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Other than Atalanta, Los Colchoneros are possibly the most dangerous sleeper team in this tournament. Simeone’s bunch have already stunned the defending champs, and as well as the strong defense his sides have always featured, the offense has roared to life in Atleti’s recent La Liga matches. Playing a depleted Leipzig squad, they are nearly a lock to reach the semifinals, but would still be absolutely massive underdogs in the last two matches. Still, the combination of great coaching, staunch defense, veteran leadership, young talent, and truly unfair goalkeeping performances out of Jan Oblak make Atleti a very tough out in any individual match, even for teams like Bayern or Juventus. There’s hardly a matchup (other than Leipzig) where I’d put my faith in Atletico to advance...but there’s also not one where I’d bet against them. They might not be the biggest name in the tournament, or feature the biggest star, but if you only get to watch one match each round, I would strongly consider watching Atletico Madrid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596040393776-ILOMDERE5ISWB6FAZFKT/napoli.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances The biggest thing that Napoli must keep in mind is that they control their own fate. After an acceptable 1-1 draw against the Spanish juggernaut at home, they are now tasked with heading to Barcelona and either winning the game, or fighting for a non-scoreless draw. The away goals tiebreaker absolutely favors Napoli here, since it’s far from impossible to imagine that Napoli could sneak two goals past this Barca team and hang on for the win or draw. However, they have been in poor form in Serie A, and it’s hard to imagine them playing any better against a side of Barca’s caliber. An attack that we imagined would be lethal has really been more lethargic, as Napoli have somewhat disappointingly only scored the 6th-most goals in Serie A, sitting many goals behind the top attacks, and in danger of falling to 7th with the post-COVID resurgence of AC Milan. Their top scorer (Milik) has just 11 goals, a result of an attack that has been balanced almost to a fault, as no one or two players have really emerged as lethal focal points of the attack. They will need to find their direction, and find it soon, if they are going to be offensive enough to knock off Barcelona. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596040274914-SGR48S785Y3C56BBHW7K/RBL.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Leipzig are really quite a good side. They’ve been competitive in a surprisingly deep Bundesliga this season, and have done well in winning a quietly competitive UCL group and then resoundingly dispatching Tottenham in their round of 16 matchup. Unfortunately, the road likely ends here for the German side. Timo Werner, the driving force behind much of Leipzig’s success during this campaign, will not be participating in this match. They still should not be ruled out, however, as they still have one of Germany’s toughest defenses, as well as midfield maestro Marcel Sabitzer, who has enjoyed a very strong season behind Werner. It’s hard to imagine Leipzig making much noise in this tournament, but a relatively friendly draw against an Atletico side, whose attack could very plausibly be dumbfounded in one game against Leipzig’s defense, means that it’s far from impossible https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596038088588-UVCQO2EIDRFFPYSLBF18/messi.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances There’s little to be said about this side that hasn’t already been said. They have one of the best starting XI’s in all of Europe, perhaps the best outside of Munich and Liverpool, outstanding substitutes, a strong keeper and arguably the best footballer to ever live. Still, it’s hard to have faith in this side - they appeared to have chemistry issues and faltered in almost every key match after the Coronavirus break en route to falling out of first place and losing La Liga to bitter rivals Real Madrid. They also gave an uninspiring performance in the first half of their current UCL tie against Napoli, although that was several months ago. Still, they have placed themselves in a precarious position where they should be strongly favored to advance, but no sort of guarantee. With Messi on your side, all things are possible, and this team is one that is talented enough to rally together and look like the best in the world at any moment - we just haven’t seen that from them. You could blame managerial woes, and you might not be wrong, but it all comes down to what the men on the pitch do, and Barca’s players have not been at their best when they’ve needed to be. I have them this high because it’s hard to call them underdogs in almost any matchup, but I feel like they lack the steadiness required in a one-game knockout format, where one lapse in form can end your run. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596042059827-M0BHGX4HR4V4DNUPDUF9/chelsea.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Chelsea are an unfortunate 12th place, as they have played high-quality football as of late. However, London’s Blues are more or less disqualified from consideration for winning this event since they are already down 3-0 to the best team in the world after the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup, which took place many months ago. For Chelsea, this game is about getting minutes for their talented youngsters and gearing up what is sure to be a thrilling 2020-21 campaign in both England and Europe. No disrespect is intended towards what I think is an excellent side who have high hopes for next season and beyond- I’m simply ready to close the book on their UCL campaign considering the situation they’re in. But what do I know, maybe they’ll pull a Liverpool and make this prediction look awful, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596040317430-UCFJF9VM5RPJ8F3O6GMR/sabitzer.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - player to watch Without Werner in the fold, Sabitzer is going to be the absolute apex of the Leipzig attack. The defense will play well, no reason to question that, but if Sabitzer is able to facilitate big chances against Atletico’s monster defense, or even score a goal or more himself, Leipzig will have a really good chance to pull off the shocker and advance to a semifinal where they should feel hopeful about their chances to upset either a defensively-challenged Atalanta or an injured PSG side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596041871362-Y8M27MLYI45T91O28154/lyon.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Lyon have had a very nice European run this year, and find themselves above last place in my rankings due to the fact that they have earned a 1-0 edge on Juventus while Chelsea currently trail Bayern 0-3 in their matchup. Still, I hardly see any hope for the French side to move on. It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that an extremely highly motivated and well-rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus squad are candidates to make quick work of a one-goal deficit against a lesser opponent. Lyon’s best hope is to try and knock in one goal and play for the draw, after Juve squandered their opportunity to score an away goal in the first half. This is hardly an impossible scenario, but I simply do not see Lyon mustering up the level of play that would be necessary to not only do that, but win three more enormous matches against European giants. Their Juve clash may well be more entertaining than many expect, but it should still be the end of the road for Lyon’s 2020 season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039708747-AL7I3TDZ6XXWYSNXXBLA/oblak.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - player to watch It’s not often that a goalkeeper can be considered an exciting television athlete. You see it every once in a while- Tim Howard in the 2014 World Cup, Gigi Buffon in 2006, prime-years Manuel Neuer in both international and club events. But Jan Oblak has played his way into that category, as he routinely makes saves on shots that nobody could ever hope to be knocked away. For all of Atleti’s question marks and key performers, there is nothing that will dictate their ability to stay in this tournament more than whether or not Oblak continues to be an absolute wall at the back and turn away what appear to be sure goals. Atletico will rarely be the more talented team in any matchup, so they will need their goalkeeper to shift the balance and neutralize key threats if they want to continue to make a splash in this tournament. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596040778289-1I29IGPUPWH1HPO09BIQ/kouli+2.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - player to watch Kalidou Koulibaly missed the first leg against Barca, and Napoli conceded a huge away goal despite the Spanish side not being at their best. One could imagine that their world-class centre-back was probably extremely frustrated at not having the opportunity to help his team keep a clean sheet. Look for him to be extremely motivated to do so in the second leg, as a shutout of Messi and co. would go an extremely long way toward seeing Napoli advance to the quarterfinal in what could be Koulibaly’s swansong run with the club. Speaking of which, he could do a lot to justify his already-high transfer value with a strong performance against Barca and beyond. Simply put, there is no Napoli player with more motivation to perform in this match than Koulibaly, and nobody who is more up to the task of knocking off a true European giant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039055142-FADPJNG501ZIGBZYILMB/icardi.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances When the French champs are healthy, they have absolutely all the talent you could ever ask for. There’s a good chance that they would have been second in these rankings if France hadn’t been the only league to cancel the season - they won’t yet be in good enough form and got a deceptively tough draw in Atalanta. They were dealt yet another blow when they learned that Kylian Mbappé would miss their first UCL fixture. But if they can survive, we’ll have to assume their usual level of play has been maintained and they become a huge threat to win it all, especially with their soft draw for a potential semifinal. Also, if they make it through, there is at least some hope that Mbappé might be able to potentially appear as a sub in their next matchup, or the final if Paris make it that far. They have a strong chance to get through a potential semi-final vs. Leipzig/Atletico even without Mbappé, so all focus is on the Atalanta matchup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596037696153-B6Z4X6BOQU6TPFALQ651/phonzie.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch The easy answer would be Lewandowski, arguably the best forward in the World these days, but let’s get a bit more interesting and talk about Alphonso Davies. The 19-year-old Canadian international has taken the Bundesliga by storm with blazing speed that has rarely ever been seen on the football field, let alone from a fullback. His shocking speed and skill have had an impact for Bayern on both ends of the pitch, as he has racked up 3 assists for Bayern in just 4 UCL appearances. Davies’ continued excellence will be vital going forward, as his presence is going to make the game very different from what Bayern’s opponents are used to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596040055033-IDC2SUTMS91VEWQSX15Y/gab.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch You already all know to watch Kevin de Bruyne, who has arguably been the best player in the World this year. But the player whose performance will be most key for City will be the replacement for Sergio Aguero, who has been the beneficiary of so many of Kevin’s lovely through-balls throughout the years - Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward has been absolutely dreadful for City this year- don’t let his respectable goalscoring numbers fool you. In relief of Aguero, he has been one of the most wasteful shooters in all of Europe, squandering the most Big Chances of anyone in the Premier League. He also doesn’t bring the passing or leadership qualities of the Argentine legend, and could really hold City back by failing to convert the types of opportunities you need if you’re going to beat great teams - the types that would be no-doubters with Aguero on the pitch. He has more than enough talent to do what needs to be done, but has shown that it is far from a guarantee that he will step up when he is needed. All eyes should be on the position that has been so steady at the Ethiad for so long, but is now one of the squad’s biggest questions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596037784069-CMIZSI14L0VCBXC5N409/cristiano.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Before their recent hiccups, Juve were beginning to once again look like the side that have been such a lock to earn the Serie A title each year for nearly a decade. Lately, however, their energy has been lacking, teamwork subpar, and the leadership of Maurizio Sarri has been called into question. Nevertheless, this is a team that I fully expect to pick themselves out of the dirt and play close to their best football during this European sprint to the finish. Finally and officially the Serie A champs, Juve have a weight lifted off of their shoulders that I suspect has been there since their failure to secure the Coppa Italia at the beginning of project restart. Their talented defense should round into form, and make it extremely challenging to score enough goals to knock them off in a one-game, winner-take-all format. And of course, who’s insane enough to bet against Cristiano Ronaldo in any win or go home European match? That’s just not what wise people do. They are currently down 1-0 to Lyon after a first leg that feels an eternity ago, but that is far from an insurmountable deficit - if anything, I believe that it will spark the sense of urgency that this club needs to pave their path to long-overdue European Glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039404350-1M5X3EAPIOE7RC2WKSI7/bale.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - player to watch Similarly to Atalanta’s Muriel, but with much, much more big-game pedigree, Gareth Bale is a Super-Sub of the highest quality. Famous particularly for his substitute performance against Liverpool in the 2018 final of this competition, his ability to inject life into Madrid’s attack in the late stages of a match is going to be more vital than ever in this year’s format, since the ability to turn the tide in one game will be the difference between advancing and elimination. The way Madrid have played this year, I wouldn’t be shocked if Bale is called on to break open one or more 1-1 or even 0-0 defensive stalemates with his signature world-class speed and his penchant for stepping up in the biggest moments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596037618701-7STFFS9PVHQ547Q2YCDX/lewa.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances It’s hard to argue with the statement that Bayern are the best team in the world today from top to bottom. From (former) Ballon D’Or frontrunner Robert Lewandowski at striker to the legendary Manuel Neuer at the back, there are extremely few spots in Bayern’s XI that are not manned by a world-class talent. They have also shown their form since the COVID break much more consistently than any of the other major European clubs, as they have picked up where they left off without missing a beat en route to icing yet another Bundesliga title. Their impeccable, fluid teamwork deserves much of the credit for their continued success, and it will continue to make them a tough draw throughout this tournament, even with the altered format. They’ve won 15 consecutive games, dating back to February, so you can hardly say that they’re vulnerable even with the single-game ties. They have a comfortable 3-0 lead on Chelsea, so it’s more or less safe to say they’ll be moving on to the quarterfinal- but I imagine that they have their ambitions aimed somewhat higher than that. They are my pick to win the tournament https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596037887446-VJ924M4ZB695ABP2B9PK/dybala.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch Similarly to the case with Bayern, it would be quite easy to say Ronaldo himself, but again, let’s take a look at a different star who rarely gets his due. Since the restart, Paulo Dybala has arguably been the most important contributor in Juve’s attack, even more than Ronaldo himself. His signature creativity and flash that earned him the nickname “La Joya” have been on display, and he has often injected life into a Juve attack that has been somewhat lethargic since the restart. Look for him to provide a spark for a team that inexplicably finds themselves down 1-0 to Lyon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596038531592-STUCJL8RHCCVC0PMZKKW/MATS.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch Messi is obviously the player you want to watch anytime he’s on the pitch. However, the person I think might have the most ability to determine Barca’s fate is their world-class German keeper, Marc-André ter Stegen. When the Catalonian side have been at their best, their keeper has been a large part of that. Barcelona have a lot of strengths, but their back four are not quite on the same level as their extremely solid midfield and their lethal attack. Still, when he’s at his best, ter Stegen is able to nullify many of their shortcomings. Just look at the UCL tie vs. Liverpool last year- in the first leg, a 3-0 win for Barca, MATS was phenomenal, turning away an egregious amount of very solid Liverpool strikes, making the final score far more lopsided than the game ever actually was. But back at Anfield, little lapses from the keeper such as a failure to hold onto the ball, allowing a second effort, allowing a well-struck but poorly-placed shot to sneak into the net, and of course, turning his back on the corner kick-taker, caused another evenly-played game to turn into a second rout, but with the roles reversed. You can’t win if you’re getting constantly scored on, but when ter Stegen is at his best, it’s extremely rare that Barca concede all that many goals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596038786791-R2K1ZX34F7FTTFVKOEZA/atalanta.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Serie A and Europe’s biggest surprise of 2020 have been in absolutely disgusting form since the restart. Featuring a “double the offense, half the defense” approach, they have been the Italian version of Oregon Football’s point-a-minute offense that rocked college football in the early 2010s, making for some extremely entertaining matches. They should be able to take advantage of a rusty Paris team who haven’t seen serious action (depending on how you feel about the Coupe de France) since March, and are missing their best player - the one-game format really favors them. In fact, so does the draw, since the winner of this matchup is extremely likely to make it all the way to the UCL final. This game will likely be a scoring fest, and that is not the type of game where you bet against these guys, especially when the best attacker for the other team is going to unfortunately be on the bench. Beyond the Paris game, I still love the benefits of the one-game format for this club, since they are a threat to unleash three goals in the first 20 minutes of any game and put it out of reach for their opponent. They could lose their first game, or go all the way- every single outcome is on the table for Atalanta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596037266373-1RJ5ANLIV77SHL40JKGM/MRN.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Unlike a normal season, we didn’t know that after the last UCL game we watched, we’d have to wait months to see it again. But, here we are, approaching August 2020, and UEFA is finally getting ready to wrap up what started up as (and we hope will finish as) a thrilling Champions League campaign. We haven’t seen European action since March, but other than PSG and Lyon, all of the teams have been on the pitch in their leagues, and even PSG got a tune-up performance in the Coupe de France final recently. So, here’s my preview of each team- what we can expect out of their next match and beyond, as well as an overview of the players who could define the rest of the tournament. I hope you’re all as excited as I am for some more UCL football - play the theme, let’s go! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039244665-GLWG5SI2UW85A8PXR7VI/sergio.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Los Blancos would be much higher on this list, maybe even second if they weren’t already losing and facing a trip to Manchester. They have been in really good health and form since the restart, and are riding high after claiming La Liga. The defense in particular have been extremely strong, delivering team points on numerous occasions when the attack has simply not scored as many goals as they should. That being said, Madrid’s forwards have also shown a penchant for finding the goals they need to survive and advance, even when they aren’t at their best. They’re just too far from a lock to even advance through this stage, but if they do, all bets are off- they could win the whole thing for the fourth time in five years (Note - Zidane is magic). One can only hope for a one-game, winner-take-all UCL El Clasico vs Barcelona, one of the most exciting potential matchups in this format. I believe that Madrid are one of the largest beneficiaries of the one-game format, since their staunch defense forces the opposition to really work hard for every goal, and a shutout is always a possibility in any one match, no matter the opponent. This is especially the case with Sergio Ramos on the pitch, one of the driving forces behind both Real’s La Liga push this year, where he served as the defensive rock as well as hitting many key penalties, and their recent European success. The man is a competitor above all else, as well as a great leader, and when the season is on the line, the smart money is never against his team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596038848654-OVGL4QXVJIL1B9H0FS7R/muriel.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to watch Luis Muriel is one of the most shocking X-Factors I’ve ever seen, scoring a goal in every 68 minutes (!!!) of gameplay in Serie A this season. He has done all of this largely off of the bench, as he has played a full 90 minutes just once for Atalanta in league play. The team’s attack overall is football’s closest thing to must-watch television, but the most exciting member of a talented group is the Super-Sub who is knocking in a goal almost 1.5 times per 90 minutes. His presence is going to be absolutely vital in the late minutes of the one-match, winner-take-all games we are going to see as the UCL wraps up- an added-time Muriel goal could be the difference between Atalanta sending their opponent home, or being eliminated themselves. We might see him display his late-game, heartbreaking abilities as soon as Atalanta’s fascinating first tie against Paris Saint-Germain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039831138-T2YDC8VKD0QWRJYMTOC4/shitty.jpg Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances Pep Guardiola’s side are fortunate to have an edge on Real after the first leg, as the two teams’ form have relatively swapped since they last met. Even if they do hang on and knock off Madrid, it’s tough to pick this team to get by Bayern and then (probably) Juve or Barca. They have been one of the most inconsistent squads in Europe this year on a match-to-match basis, somehow losing 9 Premier League games, often to shocking opponents. For this reason, the one-game matchups seriously do not favor the Citizens, since they are candidates to crash and burn in any one game versus the likes of Norwich or Burnley, let alone Paris or Barcelona. When they’re on, they’re one of the best, and can have the ability to compete with anyone in Europe. City employ the world’s best midfielder (perhaps the best player even) and their combination of high-end talent and substitute depth is more or less unparalleled. However, the danger to lose any one game makes it extremely unlikely, in my eyes, that they run a three-game gauntlet of Europe’s most talented clubs. Besides, they have a proud history of losing the big European matches, and why would they want to sacrifice the club’s only tradition? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596039134956-WKYC0B6UDEG8L5SP9A51/ney.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch Absolutely everybody! Paris played their last UCL match way back in March, and while they looked fantastic then, about 5 months will have passed from that day to their clash with Atalanta. The quickness of Keylor Navas in the net, the reliability of the defense, the teamwork of the midfield and the killer instinct of the attack will all be under heavy scrutiny after such a long break. But if I had to choose a single player who will determine Paris’s fate, I would have to pick Neymar. When he is healthy, as he appears to be right now, he can stake a legitimate claim to the title of best player in the world, as he displays the kind of talent that can take over and win games even if the rest of the team is not at their best. Neymar at full force is a sight to see, as he is the human embodiment of beautiful football, and we can only hope that his unique talents will be on full display in his first competitive opportunity in quite some time. I’d also like to give a shout to Mauro Icardi, who has really come into his own in his French home and played some great football- in Mbappé’s absence, he will need to be at his very best if Paris are going to survive and advance in the UCL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596803512031-QQSSBE7U8OD550I0CC19/mateo.jpgjavascript%3Anoop%28%29%3B Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - player to watch Well, this was originally going to be a spot on Christian Pulisic, Chelsea’s high-flying American winger. But it doesn’t seem like he’ll be competing in this match, after a tough injury in the FA cup final, so we’ll have to go in a different direction. If Chelsea are to pull off a historic comeback, they will need absolute dominance for 90 minutes, and total control of the ball. This starts with the midfield, and the tone for Chelsea’s midfield this year has been set by Mateo Kovacic (apologies for neglecting the accents in Kovacic’s last name- they did not format properly into the text). Kovacic has been the engine behind much of Chelsea’s success this year, as he has arguably been their best player en route to a Champions League berth. He will be instrumental in keeping the pressure on Bayern, ensuring that Chelsea keep the ball out of their own half and have as many attempts on goal as possible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596041957377-K7M72LMS92UQUIQQCXVZ/moussa.png Soccer - Ranking Every Remaining Team's UCL Chances - Player to Watch Moussa Dembélé has been a bright spot in what has shaped up to be a dismal Ligue 1 campaign for Lyon, scoring 16 goals in the competition. Along with Dutch international Memphis Depay, he represents the best opportunity for Lyon to steal the away goal they so desperately need to stay alive in this tournament. Watch for these two to play their best, most creative football in hopes of staving off elimination. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/63etst3lroup3ry083ezcopodmp7b1 monthly 0.5 2020-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596115040089-YJL6GG2D7JFSA39I3JC8/pk.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King - After a 2-2 draw against SPAL, during which Zlatan only appeared as a sub, Milan sat at 7th on the table. Europa league, something that seemed impossible after such a lethargic start, became within reach, but no sort of guarantee. Especially since Milan were staring down matchups with Lazio, Juventus, and Napoli, the two top teams on the table, and a traditional Italian sleeping giant, much like Milan themselves. First was the Lazio game. One side fighting for their dignity, versus another who had serious hopes at bringing home the Serie A trophy. And what happened? Milan smashed in three goals, including a penalty from Zlatan to double their lead, and held a clean sheet to secure an enormous three points. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596114794749-TW9FV6DSQMS27R0YHDKH/return+of+the+king.png Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King - The rise began rather quietly, a true oddity for Zlatan. The first appearance of his second AC Milan tenure came as a substitute, in a 0-0 draw that saw Milan fall from 11th to 12th place in Serie A. For the rest of the season, they would never fall that low on the table again. The next game, however, Milan won, in part behind the first goal of Ibra’s return. Incidentally, since it was his first goal of the 2020s, this goal gave Zlatan the unique distinction of having scored in four separate decades. Then, after the first win, they won another, and another- the first three-game league win streak of Milan’s season, in the first three starts of Zlatan’s tenure. Coincidence? Extremely hard to say so. In fact, since Zlatan has arrived at the Italian club, Milan have not been shut out in a single Serie A game that he has started in, after it happened to them 5 times in the first half of the season, as well in Ibra’s debut during which he only logged 35 minutes as a substitute. In February, he even helped them secure a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Coppa Italia matchup with Juventus, a result that would have been laughable just a few weeks before. After that quick run of good form, Milan hit a rough stretch of schedule and dropped a few points. Then, came the COVID break. And it changed absolutely everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596115358993-Q72G6M0IA3P6J6HQIDQX/ibra%21.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King This meteoric rise has coincided with Zlatan’s presence and health, as his veteran leadership and unique skill set have once again helped his team to achieve something special. One of Italy’s most historic clubs has hope for the first time in a long time, in the wake of their one-year European suspension for financial fair play violations. The Rossoneri have not finished in the top 4 in Serie A since the 2012-13 campaign, a long absence from the Champions League for one of the competition’s most successful clubs. Now, they have a talented young core, an inspired coach, and of course, a veteran striker to be the team’s leader on and off the pitch. Luckily, after he recently served as a model in Milan’s 2020-21 kit unveiling, it seems that he will be remaining at the San Siro for at least one more year to help Milan make their European return. The competition at the top of Serie A will be stiff next year, as this year’s top four is a talented bunch and aren’t going anywhere. But with Zlatan, football’s self-proclaimed Benjamin Button, on the squad, nothing is impossible. Even the impossible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596114626762-GWEN37QASCIUGIHZ2TU5/andy.gif Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596114931365-NX94WEFDHXHLBXO20ARB/ac%3Ejuve.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King - Three days later, against Juve, the league leaders, the Rossoneri netted 4 goals all in the second half- led off by another Zlatan penalty- to complete a shocking comeback from down 2-0, earning another key win. Less than a week later, they drew Napoli 2-2, and had suddenly escaped their death stretch with 7 miraculous points. Behind Ibra’s strong play, European football had gone from being on nobody’s radar, to a pipe dream, to the expectation. This club could hardly help themselves from rising up the table, and nobody knew when it would stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596114554016-0CEHYXB0HF5PNGW3MHEY/king+ibra.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King I was sitting in a Business Psychology class that I had absolutely no interest in. It felt like any other normal day in the mid-semester grind. I absentmindedly checked my phone under the desk and scrolled through the notifications until I saw one that immediately grabbed my attention: Bleacher Report: Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly in negotiations to return to AC Milan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596114730565-HQ60UJZVZ3A2LXMAAMMF/ibra+is+back.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King - Get out. Somebody pinch me. Somebody wake me up, there’s no way this can be real. At age 38, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming back to AC Milan, and he’s wearing Andrea Pirlo’s #21 shirt. And so began the Return of the King Get out. Somebody pinch me. Somebody wake me up, there’s no way this can be real. At age 38, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming back to AC Milan to rescue the club from it’s sad state, and he’s wearing Andrea Pirlo’s #21 shirt. And so began the Return of the King https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1596115174427-QLNUPP62CP2D1B8VAQ3T/ibra+smash.jpg Soccer - AC Zlatan: Return of the King On Wednesday, AC Milan defeated Sampdoria by a score of 4-1, behind two more goals from Zlatan- he opened up the scoring just five minutes into the game with a signature header. These were his fifth and sixth since the restart, bringing his total to 9 goals (as well as 5 assists) in just half of a Serie A season. Despite his short tenure he is the second-leading scorer on the team, just two goals off of the team lead, and has vaulted the team up to sixth place, after they were in 12th place shortly after his arrival. Most importantly, the team secured their spot in the Europa league today, after falling six spots on the table below qualification. Since the COVID break, they have scored a fantastic 32 goals in 11 matches- the most in Serie A-, after scoring just 28 in the first 26 outings of their Serie A campaign. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/premier-league-matchday-38 monthly 0.5 2020-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725073557-HRLNPX8B17GR495RDT83/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725481872-BS0CI0R31UHDSK0LTF67/everton+vs+bournemouth.jpg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595718777827-RT0FTKR1B5SJW4J3FQ3H/image-asset.png Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 All of the permutations for Chelsea-Wolves and Leicester-Man Utd. with how the table would play out https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725116762-A69GMSS7N9Q1R5HGRN6D/sheffield+vs+southampton.jpg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595717143830-S0V2WL4LHO3NA6ODHI2G/image-asset.png Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725173512-KJ3GIBBNXFXKMG3WJ0WR/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595724759061-KZD7HMSTJSWMQOD873YS/Screen+Shot+2020-07-25+at+5.52.09+PM.png Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595724839793-0SR9MJHREHVAUG8QC8GR/Screen+Shot+2020-07-25+at+5.53.40+PM.png Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725344435-NHFIJOK12YCUFYNIQDK1/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725453250-WAR6C8V4JWMLOM6FDNY4/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725263276-4BH1DGE5ESSNTGDP8S23/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595717120668-LKZUQK5BJPXLVVMVB4WP/Screen+Shot+2020-07-25+at+3.44.18+PM.png Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725201197-DQ68296PDF4OW2VT5PQQ/west+ham+aston+villa.jpg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725012812-BTAQ6CYJZCA45D76VUM3/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725539707-TOE9PPP4YO6RD59C9T8T/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595725399791-WORMZT80ANRGL687P2M1/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Premier League Matchday 38 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/previewing-the-final-week-of-the-premier-league-season monthly 0.5 2020-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595224808154-13INZU77SVVT8926U3IC/chelsea+2020.jpg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 3rd-place, 63 points, +15 GD; remaining fixtures: Liverpool (away, 7/22), Wolves (home, 7/26) Notable injuries: Christian Pulisic should be ready to play Liverpool on Wednesday, N’Golo Kante unclear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595232586982-7MK32WGB7D8B7NITNI66/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 8th-place, 54 points, +3 GD; remaining fixtures: Everton (home 7/20), Southampton (away 7/26) Notable injuries: none https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595226710254-GNK36THZ022LEQQ9NVSJ/leicester+city+2020.jpg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 4th-place, 62 points, +28 GD; remaining fixtures: Manchester United (home 7/26) Notable injuries: James Maddison, Ben Chilwell, Christian Fuchs out for the remainder of the season; Marc Albrighton doubtful vs Manchester United https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595228461312-JXMMGKHPEPPHS2Y012R9/man+utd+2020.jpg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 5th-place, 62 points, +28 GD; remaining fixtures: West Ham (home 7/22), Leicester City (away 7/26) Notable injuries: Luke Shaw questionable, Eric Bailly out https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595236061420-KUC6EWIZR654CX3FKZ2H/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595233549697-UWYDM6QD6SHOGEYLFNLA/arsenal+2020.jpg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 10th-place, 53 points, +8 GD; remaining fixtures: Aston Villa (away 7/21), Watford (home 7/26) Notable injuries: Mesut Ozil could return against Aston Villa, Gabriel Martinelli out for the season, Bernd Leno likely out for the season https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595223601591-D9OVZB023H7STIESTPA9/Screen+Shot+2020-07-19+at+10.39.38+PM.png Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595230673277-JUCLEEAWTFVARG5AT64D/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 7th-place, 58 points, +11 GD; remaining fixtures: Crystal Palace (home 7/20), Chelsea (away 7/26) Notable injuries: Adama Traore playing through dislocated shoulder (because he’s a badass); Leander Dendoncker, Matt Doherty, Jonny, Pedro Neto should be available this week https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595234993041-MME2391ZYL8CYD35C1UU/Screen+Shot+2020-07-20+at+1.49.09+AM.png Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595229777122-I18GCJU4R33O3521ZVFF/tottenham+2020.jpg Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season - 6th-place, 58 points, +14 GD; remaining fixtures: Crystal Palace (away 7/26) Notable injuries: Dele Alli expected to play vs Crystal Palace, Eric Dier returns from suspension vs Crystal Palace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595234554602-EHQW60G8CXI5V2R0CSGI/image-asset.png Soccer - Previewing the Final Week of the Premier League Season https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/way-too-early-2020-21-premier-league-projections monthly 0.5 2020-07-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593315563513-D7UW3HMZ72BAWWOS7HHH/image-asset.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 10. Virgil Van Dijk, Centre-Back, Liverpool For the discussion of my top picks for Prem Player of the Year, let’s start at the bottom, and with the current holder: Liverpool’s dominant centre-back, Virgil Van Dijk. The reason I have Big Virg, who has a serious claim as the best player in the Prem, this low is a simple concept: voter fatigue. The fact of the matter is that if you’re name isn’t Lionel or Cristiano, it’s tough to win the same award twice, as members of the football media love to stay trendy. To win this award as a second time, Virgil would likely have to convince voters that he has surpassed the already-insane standard he set in winning this award the first time- a particularly tall task since statistics for defenders are not always that indicative of performance. He’s truly made a high level of play seem routine, and the lack of flash that goes along with being a star centre-back is going to hurt him, as it did when he was criminally robbed of the 2019 Ballon D’Or in favor of Lionel Messi, who he had embarrassed in a head-to-head matchup about half a year before. Whatever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593205157315-D5J3OR8XM1GW5F6E81I2/wingers.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593320055654-KYME1IW9HPLRCTUM7CDX/pog.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 1. Paul Pogba, Midfield, Manchester United “Do you think Pogba is World-Class?” What a bad question. Yet it’s one I’ve seen on many football debate pages, and one I’m extremely tired of. Yes, I think Paul Pogba is World Class. What more does the man have to do to prove himself? Win the World Cup? Dominate Serie A? Inject life into an otherwise-hapless Man U team every time he touches the pitch? The French midfielder can absolutely do it all on the pitch, and I’ve rarely seen a team more transformed by one player’s presence more than United is by Pogba’s- namely the new, Ole version of United. That’s key, as it was clear that as great as they both are at what they do, Pogba and Mourinho were often at odds and did not combine to create a good situation for Pogba to flourish. If he continues to facilitate the addition of all of United’s new pieces as well as he has in the short time we’ve seen him these past couple of weeks, to the extent where he vaults the club from a 60-point, 5th place season (current pace) to an 87-point, runner-up campaign, this award will be his. There is a lot of talent on United, but to the educated eye, it’s plain to see which player is the true engine for the team’s success. The top of the table will be crowded next year, and Man United’s ability to stay as high as they can will hinge largely upon Pogba’s play. If he’s healthy, I wouldn’t bet against him to get this team as high as they can possibly go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593201055573-HDER5ECAWHWEXRF7EUUK/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - The last two beneficiaries of City’s decline that we’ll take a look at are two London foes- Chelsea and Tottenham. Chelsea are a solid squad, who already seem to be in contention for a European spot this season, and only figure to rise with the additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig, respectively. Spurs, on the other hand, are in a bit of a down year after a handful of top-four finishes, but I believe that with a full season of Jose Mourinho in control, and a healthier Harry Kane, the Spurs will be able to come closer to securing a UCL berth. Still, in my projection, they only seal the deal because of City’s suspension- I doubt the Great One will complain though, as we all know how much he relishes the opportunity to play European football. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593202653409-XJG0R2V515VB0PFAIZX8/leicester.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - Leicester City were one of the pleasant surprises of this Prem season, as they took advantage of the fact that most of the traditional top-six of clubs were in serious disarray, to vault into second place for much of the year before settling in third. They seem poised to compete in next year’s Champions league but a year from now, they may not be so lucky. Slight regression to the mean from Leicester paired with improvement from the aforementioned typical top-six might spell trouble for the Foxes, who I see as likely to find themselves qualifying for the Europa league next time around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593203635232-C7LURBZSHV3UNLEXDA5E/harry.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - This group of players includes two men who have won at least a share of the past four Golden Boots, and one total newcomer to the prem. We’ll start with Harry Kane, who won the award two consecutive times, only to be denied a three-peat by Mo Salah’s record-setting 32-goal campaign. What often gets overshadowed is that in that same year, the English striker scored 30 (!!!) goals of his own. 30! That’s an insane number, and it came on the heels of 25- and 29-goal years, both of which won him a golden boot. With some luck, Kane will be healthier than he has been as of late, and return to being Tottenham’s target man and penalty taker. It’s easy to forget that the Spurs and English national team’s captain is just 26 years old- he has far more left in the tank, and I think that next year’s Golden Boot could be coming his way https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593200682597-VC19IMLRFRIE5FMJPJO0/table.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593318187078-7PT262OQM8906DR6PG6P/kante.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 5. N’Golo Kanté, Defensive Midfield, Chelsea Earlier, I mentioned that Timo Werner would excel, but not be Chelsea’s best player. That distinction goes to The Blues’ wide-smiling, tackle-making, bike-loving, terrible-height-gene-having French midfielder. Often forgotten among the stars of the Premier League, possibly due to the flashier stats and styles of play of many of the forwards and attacking midfielders, Kanté is the rock in the middle of Chelsea’s midfield, and is absolutely key to the team’s success. His box-to-box effects cannot be overstated, as the difference between Chelsea when he plays and when he doesn’t is absolutely night and day. However, the reason we know that is that he’s had issues staying on the field, and if he doesn’t play well in excess of 30 matches, he will obviously not be taken seriously for this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593319660599-1XDJTRCOHZGQKTQ2VFLU/ABSOLUTELY.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 2. Mohamed Salah, Forward, Liverpool What a season I’m projecting for Mo- second in goals, second in contributions, second in the Player of the Year race. But the important thing is first in the table, and that’s exactly where Salah’s scoring outburst has his Reds in my projections. A second straight title after a 30-year drought would be quite the exclamation point on Salah’s already absurd Liverpool résumé. His best statistical season since his record 32-goal campaign, paired with a league title for the Reds, would make Salah’s candidacy for this award hard to ignore. Of course, some still would, as he is still somehow labeled by some as a one season wonder, despite his consecutive Golden Boots and his current bid at a third, and the success he has guided Liverpool to. Salah, as well as his club and teammates in general, has made greatness seem a bit too expected. Last season, the words “down year” were tossed around far too much in regards to a player who knocked in 22 goals, won the Golden Boot, helped his team to 97 points in the Prem, and secured a European cup. This is part of the biggest issue with Salah’s candidacy- very little that he, or his team, can do will be viewed as exceptional or award-worthy. He will be among the league’s best once again, but fall short of this recognition in favor of someone who helps his team shock the world like Salah did two years ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593203447073-YFJ5P5709M4L5EMXOAAN/image-asset.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593202871503-HKON7K4Q0531QP058RJC/auba.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - Amazingly, the Europa league berth that I see coming for Arsenal a year from now would be an improvement, as where the Gunners currently stand, they won’t be playing any sort of European football next season. They have shown promising strides, however, and if they’re able to shore up some of their deficiencies on the defensive end, they should be able to salvage a Europa league appearance on the strength of their attack and promising youth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593203901132-97BMGPK1XB894LJB5QQP/salah+celly.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - And then there’s Salah. Despite the critics who labeled him a one-season wonder, it’s hard to deny that the Egyptian King has been the best player in the Prem since his English return almost three years ago. In his first two seasons, he has netted a PFA player of the year award, the Prem scoring record, two consecutive golden boots, and led the league in goal contributions once. Salah is on pace to come in at least second place in both goals and contributions once again this season en route to Liverpool’s first-ever Premier League title. While it’s hard to pick him to top the league in scoring yet again due to Liverpool’s egalitarian goalscoring within their elite front three, it’s even harder to rule him out, as he has shown that he is lethal from anywhere on the pitch, and has the ability to score at a rate that few players can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593201385691-2DOJ69GLTM85QBNWT3KM/pog+and+marcus.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - One of the teams that I expect to fill the void created by the fall of City is their very own crosstown rivals- Manchester United. One England’s biggest clubs throughout history, United have recently been mired in a rough stretch since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. However, I think that the beginning of the end is near in terms of their struggles, and next season figures to be a great one for Manchester’s real team. Paul Pogba finally came back from injury since the end of the Coronavirus hiatus, and has been an enormous difference-maker in his first couple of matches against quality opposition. Along with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and newer acquisitions Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and more, Pogba will aim to bring United back to the heights to which they are accustomed. They’ll just have to overcome the butterfingers of David De Gea in the net. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593318756442-PRH1GOJOA8H73XS4QALK/jadon+2.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 4. Jadon Sancho, Forward/Attacking Midfielder, Manchester United There’s really not enough room here to say all the nice things I’d like to about Jadon Sancho. If he does come over to United, he will be the perfect player to lead the huge club’s rebuild, as the young Englishman will instantly become one of the very faces of the Premier League. The kid can play in multiple roles on the field, and is equally comfortable setting up his teammates to score goals as he is knocking them in himself. He just turned 20 a couple months ago, and his improvement could continue to be extremely quick- there’s no telling how good he might be this time next year. But the scary thing is, he still might not be the best player on his own theoretical new team. In that case, he would still garner a serious amount of votes, but clearly not win this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593201243508-LYQMHK8XTE6EB5L4K65C/poor+pep.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - Speaking of City, the future is not nearly as bright as the past. The franchise’s greatest player of all time, Sergio Aguero, is undergoing knee surgery at age-32, which could spell the end of his remarkable, historic run at the Ethiad. In Aguero’s absence this week, manager Pep Guardiola trotted out a bizarre, three-wing front line without a true striker, and the results were less than optimal. Leroy Sané also looks to be on the way out, as could the team’s current best player, Kevin De Bruyne, who hinted that he might look to transfer if City’s two-year UEFA suspension is upheld. Ah, yes, the suspension. Despite all of these potential flaws, City are a highly talented and well-managed bunch, and should manage a UCL-level amount of points. However, they still won’t be participating in European competition, as they have been suspended for two seasons. Tough luck! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593315939018-07YW1WBX1OOQQASLCB72/timo.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 9. Timo Werner, Forward, Chelsea How the tides have turned for young Timo. Just a few weeks ago, he was expected to join Liverpool as more or less a glorified backup, to fill in for Salah and Mané during the upcoming African cup, and/or when one or both of them is inevitably injured. Now, he’s expected to be the face of a new-look Chelsea squad, and should be raining goals again just like he did in Germany. He’s going to make a splash in his first season in England, but a likely very egalitarian Chelsea squad, of which it’s not even clear he’s the best player (but more on that soon), will cost him a serious bid at this award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317025009-T5XTVLH2PO2LJO6M0DB2/bernardo.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 8. Bernardo Silva, Forward/Attacking Midfield, Manchester City Despite my complete and utter disdain for everything Manchester Football related, either blue or red, I actually really like Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese international is extremely creative in City’s midfield, and his steady play has been one of the constants that has kept City (more or less) running smoothly amid a handful of key injuries. The thing is, he just doesn’t put up that many stats, which isn’t his fault. It’s just not his role to score the ball, or even give the last pass before a goal. Other than the historic dominance shown by Virgil last season, and the utter weirdness that has contributed to Jordan Henderson’s award campaign this year (I’m a Liverpool fan and still think it’s madness, just for the record) you generally need numbers to be recognized as the best player in England, whether that’s fair or not. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593204126696-DBX6RGSRHPLHLPP11LRU/jadon.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - Now we have the English youngster, Jadon Sancho, who is rumored by so many to be making the journey to play in his home country. Specifically, the Dortmund star is linked to a Manchester United move, as he has been for years. If he comes over, Sancho is actually my pick to lead the Prem in total goal contributions, as he has shown both elite scoring and passing ability during his time at Dortmund, and his equal ability to create for either himself or others is one of the reasons I expect United to be so improved a year from now. I struggle with placing him above two established English goalscoring machines, especially since it’s hard to take Bundesliga stats seriously in comparison to Prem numbers. Still, as one of the most rapidly improving talents in the sport, it would be foolish to rule him out if he does indeed make the move to Manchester, as I expect him to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593354079036-H8USMNQTCA41XZ2X2UKT/reds.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593314121803-5D1GTGG3PULQLMKIRUTX/moonchester.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections These three goalscorers from Manchester’s two teams are players that I feel are in the right situation to score a ton of goals, but as players, they might not be quite up to the task of putting up a league-leading total. Sterling, figures to be the focal point of City’s attack in an Aguero-less world. However, he was supposedly “much improved” last season, but put up a goal and an assist less than he did the year before. A talented player to be sure, but I wonder how far he really is from his ceiling, and feel like a Golden Boot may not be in his near future. Speaking of the void left by Aguero, Gabriel Jesus figures to get the bulk of the minutes up top, if Pep decides to use a striker at all. He has had a fairly strong scoring rate in limited time for City, but as a less-established player, it’s really not for any of us to say that he can contend to be the Prem’s top scorer. And then there’s Marcus Rashford, who unlike Jesse Lingard is actually still pretty young at age 22. This season, United’s offense has largely focused on getting scoring looks for him and I think he will be a seriously important piece going forward. But if the addition of Sancho becomes a reality, as I’m treating it in this piece, I can’t imagine that Rashford will once again get the lion’s share of United’s shots on goal. Still, any of these three men could be beneficiaries of a “right place, right time” situation and shock us all by leading England’s top flight in scoring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317721614-7UNRAU5Z9QV1KTB971V6/harry+2.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 6. Harry Kane, Striker, Tottenham Hotspur My case for Harry Kane is simple, and my case against him isn’t much more complicated. On a surface level, it’s easy to consider the projected Golden Boot winner as at least a top contender to be named the league’s player of the year. However, a handful of issues surround Kane’s candidacy. One is the fact that he scores an inordinate amount of his goals from the penalty spot, a blemish on his record in the eyes of many. Another is that while he is clearly an elite goalscorer, his assist totals really hurt his standing in terms of goal contribution. And the last-and by far the biggest issue- is that I’m simply not going to project that this award goes to a player on a fifth-place side. Yes, I know that Salah won it when the Reds came in fourth a couple of years ago, and that this is more or less the same since the Spurs would theoretically make the UCL anyways. But Mo literally made history by scoring 32 goals, while also being a top-ten assister in the Prem. And frankly I’m not sure how differently the voters saw the second, third, and fourth place teams given how close they were to each other, and how far they were from City in first place. If Kane wins the Golden Boot he will certainly be considered, but I feel that he will still fall short of being named England’s best player https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593201166587-GVTTXGRXQ70ZE9AOY2FZ/oh+mane+mane.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - Yes, I do expect the current champs to successfully defend their title. This team is hyper-talented, extremely resilient, showcase incredible teamwork and are possibly the best-managed squad in Europe, so they are more than capable of following up 30 title-free years with a back-to-back. However, with a (hopefully) more successful European Campaign to attend to, and a gaggle of solid competitors, I don’t see them picking up points at a historic pace for a third straight season. There is, of course, regression to consider, as we saw in what many thought would be year three of Man City racking up an ungodly amount of points, as they are currently on pace for a very solid, but unspectacular by their recent standards, 77 points. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593203143551-89DSRIK2GL2T0O9Q2W04/everton.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - There hasn’t been much to brag about on the other side of Liverpool this year, as the Toffees have struggled mightily and don’t even sit in the top half of the Premier League table. However, over the second half of the season, they have shown some promise under former Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti, who joined the club just before Christmas. I think the veteran Italian manager will be able to do great things with this squad with a full year to coach them. An appearance in the Europa league- gifted by City’s European suspension, and my projection that they will win the Carabao Cup- would be a really nice first step. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593319078331-KQS0K2Q6PW7UCYA7E0QV/kevin.png Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 3. Kevin De Bruyne, Attacking Midfield, Manchester City I’m a good Liverpool fan. I’ll defend Salah’s superstardom to anyone who will listen, and I’m still complaining about the insane screw job that resulted in Messi taking home Virgil’s rightful Ballon D’Or. But I’d be lying if I told you that I believed, when everyone is healthy, that either of those two men is the best player in the Premier League. That distinction goes to Manchester City’s Belgian midfield maestro, Kevin De Bruyne. Granted, that “when everyone is healthy” has been quite the stipulation for KDB these past couple of seasons- his inability to consistently stay on the pitch is why you’ll catch me saying that Salah has had the best performance these past couple of seasons. Still, when he’s available, De Bruyne is the key cog in their offensive juggernaut, and his downright silly assist numbers show it. He can also score it too, as evidenced by his absolute thunderbolt of a free kick in City’s recent defeat to Chelsea. If City lose Aguero to surgery and possibly others to a UCL-suspension-related mass exodus, and Kevin (assuming he isn’t a part of said mass exodus) keeps the ship running, he will be a serious part of the Player of the Year discussion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317271735-HPQT6WOMLKO61IFSVGE1/trent.jpg Soccer - Way-Too-Early 2020-21 Premier League Projections - 7. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Right Fullback, Liverpool Ahhhh Trent. I absolutely love this kid, he would actually be my personal vote for this year’s award if I had one. 12 assists- 12!- from a defensive position, is absolutely nuts, and it’s good for second in the league only behind Kevin De Bruyne’s ridiculous 16, which I’ll be discussing later. My point is, Trent fills a unique role, and it shows by the unique stats and highlights he puts up. Tell me the last 20-year-old fullback you saw taking setpiece strikes on goal for the world’s best team- and absolutely drilling them. It’s tough for a defender to win this award, but that’s really not what Trent is. He’s this weird fullback/midfielder/passing winger hybrid that only exists at Anfield as of right now, a role different than even the one that prime Marcelo occupied with Real Madrid. Trent isn’t my pick for this award, but if he plays similar football but scores a couple more goals, and Liverpool go top again, I wouldn’t be stunned to see him haul in yet another individual trophy for the Reds. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/liverpool-at-long-last-are-premier-league-champions monthly 0.5 2020-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593138321408-T7XB1C225IG79PYFMFHO/kop.jpg Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593138477987-VX1BJFISLCUBTLRJX1NK/never+give+up.png Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions Still, we’ve seen a lot of teams play great football in this era. What has set these Reds apart is their genuine love for the game, the club, and for each other. You can feel it in every glimpse you get into not the footballers, but the people that are a part of this club. There have been countless moments and resulting permanent mental images over the past couple of seasons that have endeared myself and others to these men. The tears Mo Salah shed after he dug deep to fight through the pain when he was injured in the 2018 UCL final, but ultimately couldn’t go on. That same day, after the loss, when the boss himself wasn’t lamenting the loss, but rather singing with fans in the airport late at night, celebrating the amazing things that the club had done to get to that point. During the iconic comeback vs. Barcelona, when Mo Salah couldn’t participate due to injury, but stood at Klopp’s side all game, sporting a shirt that fortuitously featured the phrase “Never Give Up,” and Naby Keita, stuck recovering at home, watched the game on TV in his full kit, just like we all did as kids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593137625446-HULIV0F4KD7AJOQM4DKD/pools+prem.jpg Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593137846549-6ZBAY4THS37PTMYEZ6KS/liverpool+timeline.png Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions - Enormous sales of their three best players (Suarez, Sterling, Coutinho) to allow the club to bring in high-level talent, but still have the 14th-lowest net spending in the Prem during the Klopp era a failed Balotelli experiment a journeyman Egyptian winger who broke the scoring record en route to two (and counting) Prem Golden Boots a centre-back who the secured a Prem Player of the Year award a 97-point second-place campaign two losses across two Premier League seasons a backup striker scoring a double against the then-best side in the world a defensive midfielder scoring from 25 yards out against City a teenage, Liverpool-born-and-raised right back with the passing acumen of Andrea Pirlo a keeper who was so embarrassing in club football’s biggest match that Liverpool leadership spent a record fee on his replacement a manager whose brilliant career had been plagued by questions about winning big games LeBron James picking up an ownership stake in the club a 100+ day suspension of Prem play due to a global pandemic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593138737079-KB4NHFCZNAJKF9DXFCGH/silly+reds.jpg Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions The social media banter between Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner and others, as well as the hilarious team Yoga sessions that Klopp led for the team during quarantine. All of these memories have served to lead myself and so many other fans of Liverpool and of the sport to truly care for these players and their manager. I’m thrilled to see Liverpool Football Club lift the Premier League Trophy, but I’m far happier to see this group of people become champions together. We wouldn’t have expected this end to the story when Mo came over from Roma, when Mane or Virgil came from Southampton, when Klopp came from Dortmund, and certainly not during the mass exodus of star talent leaving from Anfield- nobody would have dared to imagine that the drought might actually be in its final stages. But still, over the past few years, the people that are a part of this club, through their actions both on and off of the pitch, have gradually turned everybody who has witnessed their rise, both those inside and outside of the club, from doubters into believers. After becoming the first Premier League manager to ever win both the league and the Champions League titles in his first 4 seasons at a club, Klopp called this end to his club’s mission “the best thing he could ever imagine,” and from where I’m sitting, it’s pretty hard to disagree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593138407014-ZX18UHVFLCC72SG281RU/klopp.png Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions It’s certainly a strange time. But today, the only emotion you’ll see from any of the players, fans, and especially Klopp himself is joy. The Reds’ cheerful, steady, and endearingly normal leader’s mission is complete- Liverpool are Champions of England, and there are absolutely no doubters left- if you watch this club play for even one match, you can’t be anything other than a believer. And that’s part of what has made them such a joy to follow over the past couple of seasons. The style of play, of course, is absolutely electric. The Reds feature a hyper-talented front three who seem to communicate telepathically, a midfield inhabited by a revolving door of inventive and extremely different contributors, and a defensive group featuring a stunningly dominant centre-back, and the most unique pairing of passing, and even scoring, fullbacks in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593138088583-DGH1TPQWEMPP5KAFVULU/up+the+reds.png Soccer - Liverpool, at long last, are premier league champions https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/raheem-sterling-the-trojan-horse monthly 0.5 2020-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317076152-ISVAYY9FK7K9RUUTWMNH/raheem+sterling+2.jpg Soccer - Raheem Sterling - the Trojan Horse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593316236869-3GY0ASEB8A77RAD0AUZL/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Raheem Sterling - the Trojan Horse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317052624-8AW77ZU52N92DZIUGM4Z/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Raheem Sterling - the Trojan Horse Man City coach Pep Guardiola's life expectancy has declined in recent years as Raheem Sterling has produced several migraines for the Spanish manager. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1593317006149-WUUE1ROE3STCXA6DYBFB/raheem+sterling.jpg Soccer - Raheem Sterling - the Trojan Horse https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/napoli-lift-coppa-italia-trophy-after-scoreless-draw monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592445105084-AESJTLLSJBU4W12MWYL3/napoli+juve.jpg Soccer - Napoli Lift coppa italia trophy after scoreless draw https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592444997124-8NVTZOGJ1I0VKJK7L8EI/napoli+coppa.jpg Soccer - Napoli Lift coppa italia trophy after scoreless draw https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592445140374-FD5T0ULZVMA31NRM9D8O/napoli+coppa+2.jpg Soccer - Napoli Lift coppa italia trophy after scoreless draw https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/haalands-heroics-earn-dortmund-a-first-leg-win-against-psg monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592250374650-3FTC2GMZX8VD7EUM7HPC/erling+haland.jpg Soccer - Haaland's Heroics Earn Dortmund a First-Leg Win Against PSG https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/european-stadium-review-estadio-santiago-benrnebeu monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/ucl-round-of-16-predictions monthly 0.5 2020-06-28 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/european-club-power-rankings-1 monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/manchester-is-red monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204881818-RIQEAHH41T37I93KDMZC/man+utd+1999.jpg Soccer - Manchester Is red https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204988638-AAYIB9PQCMXCP89B11TJ/marcus+rashford.jpg Soccer - Manchester Is red https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204949944-YTT71Y9LWZFC4GRZLVT9/rooney+ronaldo+tevez.jpg Soccer - Manchester Is red https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592205123641-G2A0GN4RTUKZ7UEDB160/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Manchester Is red https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/the-return-of-the-special-one-jose-mourinho-to-tottenham monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203529426-ZJDEHD71LY5J0IWDHHJF/jose+mourinho+2.jpg Soccer - The Return of the Special One - Jose Mourinho to Tottenham https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592203579485-NWUWRI61IJAM4YIRIYSB/jose+mourinho+3.jpeg Soccer - The Return of the Special One - Jose Mourinho to Tottenham https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/soccer/thank-you-zlatan monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204881818-RIQEAHH41T37I93KDMZC/man+utd+1999.jpg Soccer - Thank You, Zlatan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204988638-AAYIB9PQCMXCP89B11TJ/marcus+rashford.jpg Soccer - Thank You, Zlatan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592204949944-YTT71Y9LWZFC4GRZLVT9/rooney+ronaldo+tevez.jpg Soccer - Thank You, Zlatan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1592205123641-G2A0GN4RTUKZ7UEDB160/image-asset.jpeg Soccer - Thank You, Zlatan https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3 daily 0.75 2021-05-31 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/jc7hdny6uxvq4qitdpa91b78kimsd0 monthly 0.5 2021-06-04 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/series-spotlight-1-dodgers-vs-4-padres-in-the-nlds monthly 0.5 2020-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006278099-ITDO9NJ0CEO656NTCV32/clev.png Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 2- Get Clevinger and Lamet healthy and throwing Clevinger was very strong for both the Indians and the Padres, but hasn’t pitched since an arm injury he sustained shortly after his trade to San Diego. Getting him back for this series, for just one start or even a long-relief role, could really turn the tide for the Padres, as their rotation is less than consistent from top to bottom. Zach Davies has given the team solid innings all year, but former rookie phenom Chris Paddack has quite frankly looked like crap during most of the regular season and his outing against the Cardinals in the Wild Card round. Adding a steady arm in Clevinger would give the Padres some much-needed depth in their rotation, and prevent the team from leaning too heavily on a bullpen that is realistically just as uneven as their starting rotation. Lamet has also been fantastic this season, flirting with Cy Young contention due in large part to his extremely high strikeout rate and equally low opponent batting average. His health seems to be somewhat less of a question than Clevinger’s- he has been throwing this week- but after leaving his last regular season start almost two weeks ago, there is reason to be concerned about his condition. Having one, or preferably both of these starters in the fold would do wonders for the Padres’ odds. If both miss the entire series, however, it’s challenging to see to whom they’re going to turn to throw the quality innings that they’ll need to take down LA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006197162-D75E0HRT1SRCLIC9239J/claytonkershaw.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 1- Get to Clayton Kershaw Get to Clayton Kershaw. I’ll start this section out by saying that the Dodgers’ legendary left hander has been nothing short of fantastic this year. In what can only be described as a vintage performance, the 32-year old put up a 2.16 ERA and a 196 ERA+, the third-best of his career. He was also great in dominating the Brewers to help the Dodgers secure their Wild Card Series victory. All of that being said, his postseason struggles have gone beyond a fluke, or anything that can be described by a small sample size- he is simply a worse pitcher in the biggest moments. Kershaw’s ERA skyrockets the deeper you get into the playoffs. His career marks for each round are as follows: Wild Card, 0.00 (1 game). Division Series, 3.99 (14 games, 12 starts). Championship Series, 4.61 (13 games, 9 starts). World Series, 5.40 (5 games, 4 starts). The bottom line is that to get through good teams this postseason, the Dodgers, who lost a handful of starters to free agency and COVID opt-outs this year, are going to need to win because of Kershaw, not in spite of him. It’s the Padres’ job to make sure that they don’t, and keep Kershaw in his usual Postseason form. If he throws 8 innings in a game like he did against the Brewers, the Padres have to absolutely punish the decision, or they will have little to no chance of winning the series after falling into an 0-1 hole and leaving LA with a fresh bullpen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006449902-E4MF9O70C4YO951EQJBH/walk.png Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 1- Don’t ask too much of the starters If you’ve read even a single postseason preview article from ESPN, you already know that LA had the lowest team ERA in baseball this season. But with 18 quality starts, they had less than half such performances than the league leaders had (Cleveland, 37). Their total was tied with the Yankees, who had a very average team ERA (14th in baseball) and their opponents, the Padres, actually had more with 22. We also all know that LA has a dominant bullpen; how else would they lead the league in ERA without having quality starts? This is an asset that Dave Roberts cannot be afraid to leverage as much as he needs. Of course, if a starter is rolling like Kershaw was against the Brewers, it’s important to take advantage of that and protect the bullpen (a luxury that only runs can buy, but we’ll get to that). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006637250-93OHBXJ4LTMJ5QY1MVL8/bellinger.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 3- Get the stars to settle in I’ve already touched on a few of these guys, but some of the biggest names in LA have struggled to varying degrees this season. Kenley Jansen has been uneven, trending towards ineffective, towards the later parts of September, and he will need to be a rock in the 8th or 9th inning for the Dodgers to win the closer contests in this series. Cody Bellinger, the reigning NL MVP, decided for whatever reason that a pandemic shutdown following his best-ever season was an appropriate time to tweak his mechanics, and the results have been less than satisfactory. His swing appears longer, and he is having a tougher time catching up to some pitches on the inside; he’s simply not as tough of an out as you would hope him to be. At times, he’s also been somewhat less than an MVP in the playoffs, as he set the record for most strikeouts in a World Series last year. Max Muncy followed up two strong seasons by continuing to strike out a lot, but not get on base or put the ball out of the yard nearly as often. He began the year with a broken finger so he gets somewhat of a pass, but he is healthier now and seems to have simply slipped into a slump after letting a rough start to the season get to him mentally. I’ve already discussed Walker Buehler’s struggles, which have been exacerbated of late due to flare-ups of a blister on his pitching hand, but he too will need to be in near-top form in order to help lead the Dodgers back to the NLCS. Similarly to the Yankees, on paper, the Dodgers have all the star power they need to get them all the way through October- those stars just have to play as well as we’ve seen them play if that’s going to happen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006524231-4VNV95TBMEANU9CFWRG9/seager.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 2- Score more runs! I know, this one is simple and obvious, but after a comfortable first-round win, it’s not being focused on enough. The Dodgers breezed by the Brewers in the first round because, well, the Brewers (29-31 record) were probably the worst team in MLB postseason history, courtesy of the expanded field. Still, LA only scored a total of seven runs in their two games against the Brew Crew, a shortcoming that was largely masked by a strong pitching performance but is concerning nonetheless. Now, you could say that the Brewers are a solid pitching team, and you would be right- but the Padres actually outpaced them in ERA and finished just behind them in strikeouts, so the two squads are pretty similar from a pitching perspective. Of course, the Dodgers got away with it, because the Brewers are a weaker offensive team. On the other hand, “Slam Diego” scored the 3rd-most runs this year, racked up the 4th-highest team OPS, hit the 4th-most homers, and struck out the 6th-least of all teams. Of course, the Dodgers were slightly better in all of those categories (1st, 2nd, 1st, 4th, respectively) so if they play up to their potential they will be fine. But another series where the offense is flummoxed by solid pitching performances won’t be acceptable, as the Padres will undoubtedly hit the ball well enough to bury the Dodgers. Increased offense would have an exponential effect, as the extra runs would take a ton of pressure off of a shaky starting rotation and a bullpen that will no doubt be worked to the wire. It’s also worth noting that while Kershaw’s postseason struggles have been well-documented, Walker Buehler does not have the same track record, but has not been his dominant self this year. His ERA sat above 4.00 for much of the season, and weirdly enough, he walked away with just a 1-0 record. The bottom line is that the Dodgers cannot be afraid to pull these guys out of the game if they begin to unravel; the Padres offense is unforgivingly explosive, and will put the game far out of reach if they get too much time against an overmatched arm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006745626-4IKSNIL9LV8G02LECKBP/LA.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - My Pick Remember how I said the ALDS between the Yankees and the Rays was basically the ALCS? Well...I’m not going to say that again, since the Braves are a very talented and gritty squad, and the Marlins have some sort of evil voodoo magic that prevents them from losing playoff series- but this is as good of a matchup as you could ask for this early in the postseason. Like the AL series, this acts as a de facto division championship, between two teams that have looked to be among the best in the league at various points of this season. Like the Yankees, the Padres have a very fair gripe that their division is the only thing that prevented them from being a top seed- and this is their chance to prove that they deserved that privilege all along. They should give the Dodgers a serious run for their money, as has been the case in more than one series over the past decade when LA has faced a “maybe seeded lower than they should be” type of underdog. That being said, the Dodgers are on a serious mission, and if the Padres show the inexperience that they did against the Cardinals, they won’t be able to claw out of a hole again- the Dodgers are a deadly combination of talented and well-versed in postseason baseball, they are the kind of team that takes a mile if you give them an inch. My official projection is for this series to go to a decisive Game Five, where the Dodgers’ pitching depth shines and the Padres’ lack thereof proves to be disastrous in the later innings, as LA runs away with a convincing, series-clinching win. The Dodgers’ quest for a 21st-Century Championship continues, as Kershaw and friends head back to the NLCS for the fourth time in five years- 2015 is the last time they weren’t eliminated by the eventual World Champions, 2014 the last time they were knocked out by anyone other than the NL Pennant winners. This time, LA will seek to hold both of these titles themselves, after they finish on top in a thrilling California classic against the Padres and, in quite the familiar development, head off to the NLCS- and play in the first MLB games this year to be played in front of fans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602006366485-D2NIGQO6UE2DXUR50H6U/tatis.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS - 3- Hit the damn ball- looking at you, Tatis The NL MVP candidate was one of the breakout stars of this shortened season, and is a truly unique and thrilling talent to watch play the game. However, in 10 matchups with the Dodgers, he slashed just .205/.244/385- far below his season totals. While the drop was less dramatic, the team experienced more of the same, struggling against their neighbors to the north. The Padres have a solid array of arms (pending item #2 in this piece) but they aren’t about to pitch their way into a series win; they have to stay true to what they’ve been doing all season and hit the crap out of the ball. Long, quality at-bats from Tatis, Machado, and more will be key- ones like the plate appearances we saw in the last game and a half of the Padres’ series with the Cardinals. This team is as capable as any other of outscoring the Dodgers, but only if they aren’t stymied the way they have been in previous meetings, and they play up to their extremely high potential. Particularly, Tatis and co. will have to figure out how to maximize offense in their at-bats against Dodgers lefties, an area where the Padres’ relatively righty-heavy offense has inexplicably struggled this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1602005930499-DSEPDZJMXE1ME8807FQN/LA+SD.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Dodgers vs. #4 Padres in the NLDS https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/series-spotlight-1-rays-vs-5-yankees-in-the-alds monthly 0.5 2020-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601919717843-UQI3LLUZ9SW6QRNTA441/cole.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 1- Win Game One Tampa has a distinct pitching advantage in this series, in terms of both the rotation, and somewhat surprisingly, the bullpen. One of the few times this will not be the case is when Gerrit Cole is on the mound. Although Blake Snell is a hell of an arm himself, Cole is unmatched in big-game opportunities, and particularly did unspeakable things to the Rays in last year’s Division Series. He should also benefit from ultra-pitcher-friendly Petco Park, as he’s had slight issues keeping the ball in the yard this season; some of those homers will turn into fly balls in San Diego. This year, however, due to the compressed schedule, it’s highly unlikely that Cole is able to make multiple starts- he’s never pitched on three days’ rest, as he would have to in order to be ready for Game 5 after starting the opener. So, the Yankees really need to make the most of their 300 million dollar ace and start the series out with a win; if they don’t, it will be a seriously tough hole to climb out of on the backs of a handful of inconsistent starters, and thus a potentially heavy reliance on a bullpen that oftentimes hasn’t pitched up to its potential this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601920921948-HET5BDMVA6ZMQQ5GZHIX/snell.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 2- Throw some junk As dominant as the Yankees offense has been against fastballs, and in general, they have struggled against soft and/or breaking pitches all season long. Similarly, as their dominance against fastballs is going to increase with their full-strength lineup being intact, their struggles against breaking pitches will do the same. Giancarlo Stanton, in particular, looks absolutely helpless against a well-thrown curve, and fellow big swinger Clint Frazier might see some more time as the head to head matchups that made Brett Gardner such an attractive option in the Indians series might not apply as much this time around. The Rays regularly took advantage of this chink in the Yankees’ armor during the regular season, limiting them to 34 runs in the two teams’ 10 meetings. The only difference was that with all of New York’s injuries, the Rays were less likely to get punished for leaving men on base during a wild inning. If they want to succeed in this series, Tampa will have to replicate this same breaking-ball dominance, one of the keys in their 8-2 regular season record over the Yanks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601919510359-APU92GSZHELE6JJVXLKB/yanks+rays.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601919878672-EJA52VXAJ6E6P6NSJKFM/G.png Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 2- Crush the hard stuff As Rays manager Kevin Cash threateningly and inappropriately pointed out on live television, the Rays have a whole stable of guys who throw 98+ miles per hour. Unfortunately for Cash, that doesn’t mean a damn thing against a Yankees team full of bat-speed monsters- hello, breakout seasons for Luke Voit and Clint Frazier- who happen to be the group that scored more runs on hard pitches (fastball, cutter, etc) than any other team in baseball. Tampa have limited the Yankees in their 10 meetings this year, but those matchups have more or less coincided with the very peaks of the Yankees’ injury problems. With quick swingers such as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton back in the fold, as well as MVP candidate DJ LeMahieu, who missed a handful of the showdowns, a Yankees offense that just murdered the best pitcher in baseball this year, as well as arguably the best closer, may be able to take the Rays’ elite velocity and turn it against them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601920824387-O8K03CBVDNM2DB711OJ6/wendle.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 1- Put the ball in play Well, that and hit it somewhere other than third base, where Gio Urshela appears to be the best defender in baseball. But the Yankees committed the most errors of any team in baseball this season, 48 in just 60 games, and as a result, gave up a super-gross 28 unearned runs. Especially concerning was the defensive performance of Shortstop Gleyber Torres, who committed 9 errors in just 40 appearances at one of the most pivotal defensive positions. With postseason maestros such as Cole and Masahiro Tanaka taking the mound in the first two games, the Rays will need to take advantage of every break they can get if they want to avoid falling into a dangerous 2-0 hole, and simply putting the ball in play, and putting the pressure on the Yankees defense rather than their pitching staff is a viable route to victory, especially if the Rays’ own pitching staff limits the Bombers’ offense. As healthy as they are right now, it’s going to be really hard to beat this Yankees team- but the Rays just might be able to force them to beat themselves. The issue with this approach is that it doesn’t play to Tampa’s strengths compared to New York’s. The Rays are actually pretty awful at putting the ball in play, they struck out the most times of any team in the MLB this season, and the Yankees pitching staff racked up the 11th-most punchouts in the league. It’s also worth noting that the Yanks walked the fourth-fewest batters of any team this year, so if Tampa can’t put the ball in play, baserunners are going to be seriously hard to come by. Still, this team is highly resilient and open to change, and if they can alter their approach for the next week, it could pay enormous dividends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601920152629-6VBT6PBG6C38W6SFDCLS/DLM.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 3- Work the count The Yankees’ lineup is as talented as any I’ve ever seen. However, it seems that sometimes, many of the guys are absolutely lost out there and have no real approach. This has led to some dismal, uninspired performances from a team that is capable of doing, well, what they just did to the Indians. This team has been often labeled as one that is too dependent on the home run, as some of the hitters choose to simply swing for the fences each pitch rather than putting together coherent at-bats, which lets good pitchers hang around too long and deters the team’s ability to create long, productive innings. During the Cleveland series, however, they didn’t live and die by the long ball. Make no mistake, the Yankees hit it out of the yard early and often, but some of their most important offense came from simply getting long at bats, walking, singling, having guys on base and moving them around- particularly, the final stages of their Game Two comeback. With a team that has as much pitching depth as the Rays, it will be imperative for New York to see as many pitches as possible and force them to burn their potent bullpen arms as quickly as possible. Players like DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Hicks, and Brett Gardner who are content to work the count and/or take a walk will be key if the Yankees are going to be successful in raising Tampa’s pitch count https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601921068055-RT0ASLTDZV22T15G8JSX/savages.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1601921001124-RQOZBT901CPUFUWL908P/TG.jpg Baseball - Series Spotlight: #1 Rays vs. #5 Yankees in the ALDS - 3- Get a bunch of innings out of Snell and Glasnow Neither of Tampa’s top two guys necessarily threw like aces this year, but the team was 4-1 in their five combined starts against the Yanks. Sure, that’s the same as the other five games the two teams played, but these five included some of the Rays’ worst offensive performances, including a Snell start where Tampa won 1-0, and a Glasnow outing where he actually outdueled Cole. And, beyond these two guys, there really isn’t anyone that Cash seems to trust throwing a ton of innings. So if they are forced into short outings in the first two games, the bullpen is going to be unnecessarily taxed heading into potentially three more games without a day off, one or more of which might be an opener game- sort of a formula for disaster. The Rays’ bullpen is great to be sure, but if even Tampa’s top starters are producing some of the ultra-short starts that we’ve seen from the team this season, the pen is going to have a hard time giving the amount of quality innings that the team is going to need from them. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/where-i-was-right-and-where-i-was-wrong-mlb-preview-review monthly 0.5 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600321015650-JQ6AHMPOWMIM6CRTB1Y7/judge+but+sad.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - ...I overestimated the Yankees. The main issue I had with the Rays in the preseason was nothing about them- it was my lack of belief that they could surpass the Yankees. But that’s exactly what they’ve done. As both teams have been slammed by injuries, Tampa have remained consistent while the Yankees have floundered. In particular, the Rays have maintained a dominant 8-2 record in the teams’ head-to-head matchups, allowing them to pull away in the division. The two teams might meet again in October, and the Yankees could then reclaim the East, but for now, Tampa has soundly entrenched themselves in first place https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346305372-LFTR51QZPUU90QD18V19/LA.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - We’ve already gone over the excellence of LA’s pitching staff, which has been the absolute key to their 2020 success. On offense, although reigning MVP Cody Bellinger has struggled to even be a league-average hitter, many of his teammates have picked up the slack, including new acquisition Mookie Betts, who might just take the award from Bellinger when all is said and done. LA is in prime position to make it back to the Fall Classic, and this year, they might just win it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346682159-7FY7ER71SKVTBM42HX4T/dad.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - This might be the worst miss in my entire MLB preview. They were the middle team in the most mediocre tier of my power rankings, but now, they own the second-best record in the NL, trailing only their division rival in LA. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have been the star duo that many hoped they would be on San Diego’s left side. Jake Croneworth and Wil Myers have also hit the ball well, but to be honest, very few Padres have not done so. This team mashes the ball, and have been extremely fun to watch all year. Both the rotation and bullpen are a bit top-heavy, which could prove problematic in the postseason. Still, the Padres are leaps and bounds beyond where I projected them to be at this time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346828944-HHELXWJTIXA8N2H1J5PD/card.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Perhaps the COVID-related schedule disruptions have thrown them off, but the Cardinals have simply not been the team they’re supposed to be. They’re tied with the Reds for a playoff spot right now, but sit below .500 and have impressed just about nobody. Paul Goldschmidt has been fantastic, and somehow leads the team’s pop-free offense with a total of 6 home runs. The offense has been no better than average, as there are only a few bats that they have been able to rely on all season long. Adam Wainwright and Dakota Hudson have thrown really well, and Kwang Hyun Kim has been highly impressive in somewhat limited time, but last year’s ace Jack Flaherty has really struggled and the bullpen hasn’t been anything to write home about. This team could become more dangerous towards October- it’s all about being hot at the right time, and St. Louis could still find their way into the playoffs. Nonetheless, they have been a disappointment thus far, and one I absolutely did not see coming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346964469-5UHT8N9EWRQREGV7MD9P/miami.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review Nope. Not at all. These teams checked in at 28, 29, and 30 in my power rankings, the final three spots, and none of them have done anything but prove me wrong all season. The two AL teams have cooled down since their hot starts, but Detroit and Baltimore sit just 2.5 and 2 games away from the AL’s last playoff spot- not nearly an insurmountable gap. Miami’s situation, however, is far more interesting. The Marlins, after a bizarre, COVID-muddled start where they had played significantly fewer games than the rest of the league, have stormed out to a start that nobody would have expected. They are currently sitting in the NL’s fifth seed, primed for a super-intriguing matchup with the Padres. I have no idea how this all happened. Maybe it invalidates the legitimacy of this season a little bit. But maybe that’s just how baseball is- a team can go from last place to champs, and then back to last again (2012-13-14 Red Sox). A team can spend the first quarter or more of the season in the cellar, and win the World Series (the reigning Champions, the 2019 Nationals). And apparently, the group of three teams that many saw as the worst in the league can send one or even two of its clubs to the playoffs. That’s baseball, baby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600321422257-3WDVAC43K94GT43KHFF8/walker.png Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Buehler has evened out after a rougher start to the season. He’s been fine, much better as of late, but his season numbers placed him outside of Cy Young Award contention over a month ago. The Dodgers should be confident in their presumptive ace heading into the postseason, as he has come into better form, but he won’t be considered for any regular season awards this season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600320695773-ZWPVP7XVCG6XRTEQGR9U/all+rise.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Over the early stretches of the season, the face of the Yankees franchise was on fire. He smoked six homers over a five-game streak, including four over a weekend sweep of the rival Red Sox. By early August, he was leading the MLB in home runs, hitting over .300, and putting up a ridiculous OPS of over 1.200. Simply put, he was an impossible out, the one guy in the whole sport that no pitcher wanted to face. After his last home run in that Boston series- and by far his biggest- A-Rod bizarrely and perhaps fittingly compared #99 to the likes of Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan. All of America had risen, as Judge fever was at an all-time high. Combined with his always-elite defensive play, he was hurtling towards the MVP that has eluded him since an aggressively-cheating Jose Altuve won at his expense- my projection that he’d take home the award could not have been looking more phenomenal. And then... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346502227-3OSKRLY34L2ADSF2MGRW/CWS.png Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - As I write this segment (9/17/20), the Southsiders actually own the American League’s best record, and the second-best in all of baseball. Rookie phenom Luis Robert has impressed, while Tim Anderson has amazingly continued his 2019 form. Second-year pro Eloy Jimenez has been excellent, and Jose Abreu, who has smacked 15 homers while hitting over .325, just might win this year’s MVP. In the rotation, Dallas Kuechel has been his best self, Lucas Giolito has shown his star potential, and Dane Dunning and Dylan Cease have been pleasant surprises. The bullpen, led by Alex Colome, Matt Foster, and Evan Marshall has also largely been better than expected, although there have been some weaker performances. Cincinnati, on the other hand, sit below .500 and are only in line to make the postseason because of the bizarre, one-year format that we will see this year- they will likely have the worst record of all playoff teams if they do end up making it. Trevor Bauer might be a serious Cy Young candidate, but nothing in the pitching staff has gone too well, and the same could be said about the offense. Cincy’s bats should wake up in the future, but they might be out of time to improve within this season. Better luck next year to the reds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346780075-6IC9987EJRFS9VLHOJZJ/ian.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Chicago have raced out to a .600 winning percentage, and could not be more in control of the ragtag AL Central. While Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez and Anthony Rizzo have all struggled, guys like Jayson Hayward and Ian Happ have seriously picked up the slack. The lineup only features three guys with an OPS+ of 125 or better, and just one additional hitter over 100, but these Cubbies have been the kings of finding a way to win. However, the rotation has overperformed, as Yu Darvish has been a revelation and has a real shot at this year’s NL Cy Young award, especially after perennial contender Jacob deGrom just took himself out of the race with a short and rough performance. Kyle Hendricks and Alex Mills have been very effective as well, and Jon Lester, although not his best self, has given the team some tough innings. The Cubs are back, and they will be a tough out when October comes along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600321259623-OXSTX1JUSWRLHUIAVMGQ/ohtani.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Rendon has played fairly well, although not MVP-level. Injuries forced Ohtani to end another pitching season- during which he pitched only 1.2 innings over two appearances and racked up a 37.80 ERA- and to make matters worse, he has been dreadful at the plate, hitting under .200. Regardless, the team’s lack of success, and Trout’s high level of play, would have made these two non-contenders, almost regardless of what they each did on the field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600346413968-XPX79YCCEVMDCWHDURPP/nats.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Well, if you interpreted “2019 form” as getting off to a dreadful start, I suppose I was right on this one. However, unlike last year, the shortened season means that there won’t be enough time for the Nats to recover and make a postseason run. Other than young stars Juan Soto and Trea Turner, the offense has largely sputtered. Nobody in the starting rotation- not even Max Scherzer- has an ERA under 4.00, and two starters, as well as closer Daniel Hudson, have garnered a total over 7.00. Nothing has gone well for the defending champs and sadly, they’ll have less time to get over their World Series hangover than teams in the past. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600320745943-KRGVD7C3L3PCO5497PYN/image-asset.png Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - ...he got injured, fittingly, while hitting a home run. Just 17 games into New York’s campaign, their best player hit the Injured List. He returned for one game two weeks later (Aug 26), and injured himself again. Finally, on September 16, he returned, but his MVP case has been completely destroyed, as he will have played less than half of the Yankees’ games when all is said and done. Hopefully, he’ll be able to return to form as the Bombers make a postseason push, which he would tell anyone that he would prefer over any sort of personal award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600320925562-9PJX3PM4B4L6SKZU85H1/tampa.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Wow. The Rays have endured a litany of injuries, and a highly challenging schedule, to take control of the East, and at times, own the best record in the entire American League. They have featured a balanced offensive attack and a flame-throwing bullpen, and have competed very well against the best teams in the East Superdivision. It’s not too much of a surprise to anyone who watched this team last year, but they are among the very top contenders to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy in the most unique postseason ever. I was pretty on top of this, as I had them at fourth in my preseason power rankings. Still, they probably should have been higher because... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600321344890-MJZXI3NK90GZ0A283BGX/ginger.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - So much has gone right for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, en route to the team owning the best record in the MLB and clinching 2020’s first playoff spot. Clayton Kershaw has looked like his old self, Tony Gonsolin has been super-effective, and Julio Urias has been more than passable. On top of that, the bullpen has stepped up in a huge way, featuring an insane six relievers who have thrown 15+ innings and maintain an ERA below 3.00, including an unfair 0.60 and 1.13 from lefties Adam Kolarek and Victor Gonzalez, respectively. May, as well, has been at the center of the staff’s success, as he’s pitched to an ERA of 2.81, although curiously, he sports just a win-loss record of 1-1. Nevertheless, he has thrown extremely well, and has more than proven that he is a very viable postseason arm for LA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600321208576-L4RWZI4CBRRTEAZPBZXA/please.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review - Nailed it. The A’s have a stranglehold over the West, the Astros, in a fair playing environment, are the definition of mediocre, sitting a game above or below .500 and in the AL’s last playoff spot most days, and the currently-fourth-place Angels actually spent a little bit of time with the worst record in baseball. The A’s’ remarkable performances in the past few years were only rewarded with a wild card berth- but no longer. With Houston playing the same game as everyone else, the West is theirs. As far as the Angels, their stars have largely played well, but as many predicted, the depth has simply not been there- this isn’t the NBA, two stars don’t make you a contender. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600320534247-LZMX3X4VYLC4B8MYZ5OW/padres+2.jpg Baseball - Where I Was Right and Where I Was Wrong- MLB Preview Review “I’m sure some stuff in there is going to look like prophecy a couple of months from now, and some is going to look downright stupid” -Me, on my own three-part MLB preview, two months ago And wasn’t that the truth. Since I published those words, we’ve been witnesses to a ridiculously jam-packed 50ish games of the MLB’s weirdest and shortest season ever. Crazy superstar leaps, giant letdowns and collapses, and dominant, weird stats have characterized the past two months or so of this campaign. We’ve learned that nothing is a given, even the completion of the season itself, as the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened it more than once. And like I projected, some of the statements in which I was most confident have been...completely and utterly wrong. So, as we approach the final stretch before the postseason, I’ve decided to take a look back and see which projections in my preview were “prophecy,” and which takes were total garbage. Without further ado...here they are, with one bad take to balance out each good one https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/the-state-of-the-mlb-as-described-by-barney-stinson monthly 0.5 2020-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595431763255-5SHL67LN92Y896PDYFW0/bored.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595596329808-22MN1X1M06J1QL8ZHZ8P/barney+shove.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430704651-HRQM0W5UNXEAHFUUEVXQ/tmp-4.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595596118823-V5TBWK8HHAOCM42AM4BW/barney+excited.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430672924-IPTF7EU3E3XNAKWOY7B0/I+should+go.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430417553-1W89CVNPTJLANR480XF1/so+not+raven.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430655311-BN4Q0UO3NLAQ7LIPXS2G/I+don%27t+even+care.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430578245-LGC5ZRNLDZBW3GJJ0FBA/friendship+over.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595431917117-MP2LUSEHBO56OM5BRM70/idiots.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430501868-RB1YARIHSDA1UAKBH1W8/barney+sad.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595432039753-XNDKCRJT8M4KLPE2JPNP/no.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430760597-OGBZVX43OF7W27FBUEPF/challenge.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430443743-DBVXLC8704E30RGPR24Z/suitup.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595448306766-KMUJA248U2I7JPCG2X1W/everything%27s+fine.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595432179551-KOL11YB803AMI556VTKO/awesome.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430773264-A6HL4O3TEO0XOQDIQY00/true.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595431823787-42JIKTV8H2N1HQIRBDJA/bang.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595448276624-PRZ5I6SXC5YAESD5OI0B/can+you+be+cool.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430787548-BYFML1GR3PHDOZJHEYD8/self+five.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595430352591-UZG186TYY3NE9UG2WSH7/barney+blog.gif Baseball - The State of the MLB as Described by Barney Stinson https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/o7518iw6ctxxmymc0f62fb349zwv9u monthly 0.5 2020-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421188408-P4SN05UEE6FKT4EKX1AA/chapman.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - Back in the AL, the A’s take full advantage of winning their first division title in quite some time, and earn a trip straight to the ALDS without playing an AL East juggernaut in a Wild Card game for once. They knock off the higher-seeded Twins, with their balanced lineup jumping on opportunities to bury Minnesota’s still-lacking pitching staff whenever they can, particularly in the late innings. Yankees, A’s, Dodgers, and Braves all win the Division Series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595420924349-O74A6N64SSA7DZ79SEJM/DJ.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - Both leagues get one or more 2019 playoff rematches this round, and all are full of drama. The Yankees will be out for blood after the Astros and their rampant cheating cost them two trips to the Fall Classic, and the ‘Stros will be salivating at the chance to hit against their former teammate who could not have been more clear that the last out of the 2019 World Series was his last moment as an Astro. This time, without AJ Hinch, Dave the Camera Guy, and of course, Cole himself on Houston’s side, the Yankees finally win the battle of the two AL superteams and get the better of their rivals for the first time in four recent postseason matchups. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595419676640-YK6MCILMJMZBPCMJSS4S/postseason.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421125022-D5RRMYO6HMHEEQ6X3JF3/freddie.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - The other NL series is also a 2019 rematch, but this time, with another year of experience behind them, the Braves’ extremely talented group of youngsters pull out the decisive game 5 win this time, and move onto the NLCS. The Cardinals have always had a knack for figuring it out in October against more talented teams, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to do it to the same team two years in a row, especially against a squad that is only trending upwards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595420418685-7G9ADN5PTU60DOAFZISS/mad+max.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - The postseason gets off to a fast start, with two wild-card games thrown by four unbelievable pitchers. If health and rotations line up properly, we would be looking at Justin Verlander vs. Blake Snell - the last two Cy Young winners in the AL - and Jacob DeGrom vs Max Scherzer - the Cy Young winners for the past FOUR years in the NL. There may be less than 10, or even 8 total runs scored between the two games. It’s extremely hard to pick between such masters on all fronts, but in this instance, I see experience winning out on both sides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421771510-WUXZJB087SQY4JKVXGBV/tanaka+2.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - The main difference-makers in this series, which will be rightfully billed as one between two elite front-end rotations and punishing offenses, are the bullpens, as well as the third and fourth starting pitchers. Dustin May is a strong up and comer, but he doesn’t stack up well with Masahiro Tanaka, who has been historically great in October. The Dodgers will seriously miss World Champion David Price in this respect, even though he was a question mark himself after a number of postseason letdowns. Similarly, LA has talent in their pen, but the depth doesn’t compare to what the Yankees have. Realistically, the hyper-talented Adam Ottavino is around the fourth best reliever they have behind the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Tommy Kahnle, and Zack Britton (also hard-throwing long reliever Chad Green, at times). More importantly, the Dodgers relief staff doesn’t stand up to the Yankees offense, as the Bronx Bombers take three of their four wins in the late stages of the games, of course including a thrilling game 7 instant-classic after an even 6 games between historic rivals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595422013418-77Z3XZIMINF9IBR27CUP/aroldis+and+gary.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - The game starts as an evenly-fought duel between fan-favorite Tanaka and the Dodgers’ youngster May, punctuated by another failed Kershaw playoff relief performance, before the Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman slams the door in the top of the ninth, sealing a 28th championship in the Bronx. CC Sabathia smiles, Alex Bregman cries. The Series MVP goes to LeMahieu after he seals one game in each city with a late homer, and this time, there is no answer from the opponent to ruin it. The Yankees are World Champions again, and another season of MLB baseball gets yet another thrilling finish. Yankees win the World Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595420480153-01CHBJ83L5AUTJJS2ODU/JV.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - Both Scherzer and Verlander, the former Tigers teammates, are World Champions, and both have thrown in must-win battles of aces more times than I can count. Furthermore, while the Mets and the Rays have both put together a lot of great talent, I think the bats behind JV and Mad Max are simply better, and better versed in October nights. Last year’s World Series teams both survive for now. Nats and Astros win the Wild Card Round https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421860819-HCNS5ZWGC0TQ2HIONLG9/mookie.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - We finally get the series that it feels like we’ve been just a step or two away from for a couple of years, and it really, really delivers. The history of this former crosstown NYC rivalry comes to the forefront, and everyone on both sides can feel it. But this time, the series is played out on two coasts and the whole nation gets to enjoy the show. By then, there might actually be fans in seats for the first time in nearly a year, adding a unique energy to this year’s Fall Classic. This is a truly star-studded matchup - the amount of talent on the two sides is simply absurd. You could say the teams each have the best pitcher in their league, and it would be hard to say you’re wrong. You could say the teams each have the best hitter in their league, and it would once again be hard to say you’re wrong. With little separating the two rosters, the two teams battle it out 7 games, including two matchups between the eventual Cy Young winners, with both aces living up to the hype in pitching battles for the ages, each winning the game played at their home ballpark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421054471-HTRYIN3OS7M49J5LHNMS/kershaw.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - In the NL rematch, we have a reversal of results as well. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Dodgers’ failure against the Nationals was the driving force behind the aggressive offseason they’ve had, and they’ll be fired up for this series. Last year, the Nationals’ depth was a real boost for the team, but with the loss of Rendon to free agency, and a handful of players such as Ryan Zimmerman to simply opt out of playing, I don’t see the same advantage for them this year. The Dodgers’ sheer talent level will be too much for them to overcome a second year in a row.The good news for LA is that the big moves pay off - they return the favor and once again, get back to their former tradition of sending the Nats home in yet another truly thrilling 5-game NLDS. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595421306842-CPDES8A2MVO6FK7XQO28/belli.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - After a thrilling opening couple of rounds of baseball, the bracket begins to become a bit chalky here. As is too often the case, a wild card team with solid momentum is the best challenge that either top seed will face, and the lower-seeded division winners that the Yanks and Dodgers run into in their respective Championship Series are simply not up to the task. The Braves’ youth shows, and their uneven pitching staff proves too weak to hold down the Dodgers’ bats. A great season for Atlanta comes to an end at their own ballpark, as the Dodgers close things out in 5. Their new World Champion, Mookie Betts, is an absolute terror at the top of the lineup, starting off too many big innings for the Braves to handle, and is named NLCS MVP. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595514773055-5UX012HW9681DGV67ZIT/judge+and+g.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 3 - Similarly, the A’s talent once again comes up short against the evil empire. The Oakland bullpen remains strong, but pitching can’t really lead comebacks, and the Yankees offense does more damage against the Oakland starters than the A’s can come back from. The Yanks close out the ALCS at the Oakland Coliseum, and hopefully don’t come back until the new stadium is built, because that place is gross. Gleyber Torres’s timely hitting with runners on base proves fatal for the A’s relievers when backed into tough situations, and the young shortstop brings home the ALCS MVP. Yankees and Dodgers win the Championship Series. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/mlb-2020-preview-part-2 monthly 0.5 2020-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389613305-Q2AHJNFQA74UR45P7WYY/yeli.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Finally, we come to the NL MVP. Last year, a thrilling race between LA’s Cody Bellinger and the then-reigning MVP Christian Yelich was heartbreakingly cut short when an injury ended Yelich’s season. This year, both “Yeli and Belli” figure to be at the forefront of the race again, although for the defending winner, in this case Bellinger, it’s hard to come away with the award for a second consecutive year. Yelich’s past season and a half or so, starting near the end of his 2018 MVP season and running up until his injury last year, have been otherworldly, leading or nearly leading the entire MLB in Home Runs, slugging, on base, hitting, and more over that stretch. A healthy Yelich is a unique force- not one anyone should bet against, and is my pick to win the NL MVP. However, since I have the Brewers on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, he would need to put up some absolutely stunning numbers to win the award. Of course this has been done, as it is largely following in the mold of what Mike Trout has done in recent years, but trying to be Trout is a dangerous game. If the Brewers crash and burn while the Dodgers rock and roll, it wouldn’t be shocking if Bellinger gets the nod once again. Or, it could be someone from a playoff contender on the other coast… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386498146-FBBZ9X8QB2OJ5KV1ABMS/lux.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - In the NL, the Dodgers’ infielder Gavin Lux is my pick to take home the award, as he’s well positioned to have a big impact for a serious contender after a promising showing in his short MLB stint last year. We recently learned that Lux will be starting this season in the minors. Still, everything about LA’s infield situation and the high regard that the organization views him with would suggest that he’ll be a pro sooner rather than later, and will play a good amount of innings this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389681111-ALR31102B2Y76J7Y5I76/acuna.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - ...since some of the young talent in the NL East is equally hard to ignore. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna (41 HR, 37 SB) flirted with a 40/40 season last year in just his age-21 season, and if he continues to rise at the rate he has been, he will be in the discussion for MVP not only this year, but for many to come. Washington’s answer to Harper’s departure, Juan Soto, has also put his stamp on the game through an unforgettable playoff performance, which nearly ended with a World Series MVP. Famously, if the series ended just 5 days earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to (legally) share the team’s celebratory champagne- he was just 20 up until then. With a championship behind him and absolutely everything on the table in front, there’s no reason to count Soto out of this year’s race, and a chance to bolster his already-growing resume with some hardware. The youth of the National League’s stars is staggering- of the four players mentioned in this segment, only Yelich (27) was older than 24 when the season ended last year. It’s good that these guys make for a pair of fun MVP races, because we might be watching this exact group of stars challenge each other for the award for years to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386548810-ZDJLIJR54BNGFAKH22I1/carter.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Carter Kieboom, a young Nationals infielder who homered in his pro debut last year, could also have a large role as the defending champs try and fill the hole in their lineup left by Rendon, but with the acquisition of Starlin Castro to man the middle infield, I’m not quite sure what Kieboom’s place will be. Still, Nats’ skipper Davey Martinez has shown every intention of playing Kieboom as much as possible, so it’s hard to count him out of this race. Lastly, Giants catcher Joey Bart looks to follow in the footsteps of San Fran legend Buster Posey, who opted out of the season, and take home the award after a strong season behind the dish. Bart is a compelling talent, and could see a lot of time on a struggling Giants team. There’s a lot of great young talent in the MLB, and it’s going to be extremely exciting to see who rises to the top fastest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386737236-GFO5Z3MZXINOOCULD71J/rojas.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - On the NL side, as much talent as they have, it would be extremely impressive for a brand new manager to get the Mets out of their recent funk, navigate an almost unrealistically challenging NL East, deal with inevitable injuries, already including the loss of Noah Syndergaard, and make it to the playoffs. As tough as this would be, that is exactly the season the Mets have a great chance to have, and their rookie manager Luis Rojas would have to take home the hardware if his team pulls it off. There’s a lot of great managers in baseball, but the likes of Dave Roberts and Dave Martinez would have to pull off some small miracles to be given the award, granted how successful their teams have already been. Back in the AL, one last contender that cannot be ignored is Joe Maddon. He’s an extremely accomplished skipper taking on a new challenge, and the results could be award-worthy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389368532-CC29E8H75QHWVRKIQWMT/G.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - While I see this as a two-horse race, essentially defined by Judge’s health, each of these mega-stars has a teammate or two in contention. The Angels’ SP/OF/DH/everything Shohei Ohtani, reigning World Champ Anthony Rendon, the baby bomber Gleyber Torres, a hard hitting middle infielder, and a finalist from last year, DJ LeMahieu all have a shot at the award. Gleyber is poised to slide over to Shortstop on a full-time basis with the departure of Didi Gregorius and is primed to build on an age-22 season where he hit nearly 40 home runs as one of the centerpieces of a fantastic team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595388826007-57ASJXOOV0AQS1M895I4/snell.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Aside from his former Houston teammate, who is still very squarely in the mix, Cole will have to contend with an AL East foe who could be a serious challenger, as former Cy Young winner Blake Snell still throws for the Rays. It’s special to have this many amazing arms in the league at once- it’s even more exciting that we’ll certainly see some of them competing head to head at numerous points throughout the season, especially with the geographically-oriented schedule. It’s a real possibility that one or more of these guys in each league- or someone else- will finish the 60-game season undefeated, making for a truly unique Cy Young race. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389028601-LAY8K40I2EUXBPQGAO72/dinger.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - But healthy has often been a big “if” for the Yankees superstar. He hasn’t played a full season since his historic rookie campaign, and even that season, he played through injuries, en route to a brutal slump. To make matters even more complicated, he came into Spring Training with upper body ailments that now seem to have stemmed from a partially-collapsed lung, and upon recovery from that, immediately tweaked his neck. The good news is, Judge has been participating in full practice activities at Yankee Stadium, including a live-action intrasquad scrimmage in which he took James Paxton deep, a matchup vs. the Mets in which he went yard twice, and another tune-up against the Phillies Monday night when, you guessed it, he also hit a long homer. The Yankees’ biggest star is absolutely ripping the cover off of the ball, and all questions about his health coming into the season can be put to bed. After the long offseason and plenty of time to get healthy for a short schedule, I believe that Judge can put together an extremely explosive 55 or so games and secure the MVP- the first half of his brilliant rookie season comes to mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389125550-5ENDTSFWOQAJWPTRKSGZ/trout.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - But if he does fail to stay on the field, voters would have to turn to the most reliably brilliant star we’ve seen in recent memory, Mike Trout. It’s hard to say anything that hasn’t been said about the Angels outfielder’s brilliance, particularly since he’s already won this award 3 times and been the runner-up 4 additional times. He is the true five-tool player, exhibiting every sort of baseball skill you could hope for in all phases of the game, and consistently puts up the ridiculous numbers that you would hope for such a unique talent- he has now led the AL in OBP four years in a row, and in OPS+ a ridiculous five consecutive seasons. The Millville Meteor finally has a few teammates to support him, and that should only help both his team and individual success, creating a hell of a case for his fourth MVP- he is my runner-up pick for the Award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389015919-AYYPF17OSI2KRGYGYPBS/judge.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - The biggest award is always the hardest to predict. There’s too many superstars in both leagues to give the MVP to just one, but that’s exactly what we have to do at the end of every season. Since we have to choose someone, I’d like to start my discussion of the biggest award with the biggest man- New York’s colossal right fielder, Aaron Judge. When #99 is on, it’s simply unlike anything that’s ever been seen in baseball history. His skillset is so complete and diverse that he’s equally able to turn on a high fastball and smash it nearly out of the whole ballpark, or sit back on an outside splitter and send a 120 mile per hour laser over the second baseman’s head. He’s also a serious defensive force as his rocket arm and 6’8”, homer-robbing frame have saved a big game for the Yanks on more than one occasion. The best player on the best team is always a strong contender for this award, and I think that is exactly what a healthy Aaron Judge would be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389553458-BOAE4LV59ZLV1CWXST8H/image-asset.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Lastly, Rendon is one of the most complete players in baseball, as he is nearly flawless at the plate and a big plus at the hot corner. Not only was he an absolutely vital piece in the Nationals’ run to their first World Series title, but he finished third in MVP voting, only behind Bellinger and Yelich after a sensational regular season that saw him hit a career-high 34 homers and OPS over 1.000. It’s going to be hard to get past the narrative of being Trout’s sidekick, rather than the Angels’ top dog, but I wouldn’t say that it’s out of the question for Rendon to match or even outperform LA’s franchise guy- he’s certainly done what seemed impossible before. Separated by a whole country, but not at all by gaps in high-end talent, these Yankees and Angels stars are set to put on a show to remember for baseball fans across the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595388742054-Z1V8TJVN5WT6HTYIJT1L/cole.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - In the AL, we could be looking at a battle between former teammates. Last year, it was the Astros’ Justin Verlander taking home the award for the first time in years, edging out his teammate Gerrit Cole. However, Cole, who will be throwing in the Bronx this year, had the statistically better season, and was generally the arm the Astros trusted in their biggest games. Frustrated by the failure to capture his first ring, fueled by the excitement of playing for his favorite team, and not an older arm like JV, should be spinning gems all summer and fall, and this time, go home with the Cy Young Award. A Yankee today, tomorrow, and forever, Cole is going to rise to the occasion now that he finally gets to live his dream, and be the best pitcher in the AL for his favorite team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595381415104-SM00WQ6F8TY0TLTQTJX7/yelli.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 Now that we’ve taken a dive into who’s playing where and what we can expect from each team, let’s look at the players who are going to define the 2020 season. The league is as full of talent as it’s been in the past decade or so, and every one of these award races- if we do, in fact, have individual awards- is going to be hotly contested. Let’s get into it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386174910-EQME3PQAERQJM13H0NDF/case.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Detroit’s young pitcher Casey Mize is another strong contender to make a run at the award. My friend and old teammate has firsthand experience facing Mize’s 94-mile per hour splitter in the 2018 NCAA tournament, and can’t speak highly enough about the right hander from Auburn, who has reportedly only gained more MLB-level refinement in the minors, already having thrown a no-hitter in his AA debut. However, lingering injury concerns might delay Mize’s big league debut, so this year’s ROY might not be his. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386675374-B04W2VVPO7QR9FG4YY9H/bob.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Manager of the year is a tough award to predict, because it’s usually awarded to a manager who’s team had a surprise performance and those usually come as...well…a surprise. But even though many people could potentially see it coming, I see the A’s potential dethronement of the Astros in the AL West as cause to reward veteran manager Bob Melvin. The Astros are in turmoil, but it’s still going to take a great season and a strong leader to knock off a high-level juggernaut like the one in Houston that has ruled the West for the past few years. I think the A’s can have that season, and if they do, Melvin would be thoroughly deserving of his fourth MOY award, and the third of his Oakland tenure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595388395404-9X6PZ0L1254S0WIX62DB/max.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Even though we’re in the home run age, there’s a stunning breadth of pitching talent in today’s MLB. That makes my job extremely hard as I try to pick out just one ace from each league to win the Cy Young award. In the senior circuit, I’ve been known to pick Max Scherzer no matter what, and that strategy generally turns out pretty well. I wouldn’t be surprised if everything I’m about to say is proven wrong and the legend in Washington wins the Cy again. However, I’m really afraid that Mad Max spent the last bit he had left in the tank to add a ring on top of his Cooperstown-worthy career, as he needed a cortisone shot to be able to throw in the Nats’ historic game-7 victory. A hero’s effort, to be sure, and the only right decision- but one that leaves him out of my prediction. Since I initially wrote this, he has thrown some exhibition innings, and unfortunately hasn’t looked like his usual, dominant self- but of course the regular season is very often quite different from spring training. I would be absolutely thrilled if he returns to his usual form to take home the award yet again and proves me wrong, but he is not my pick to win it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595388677567-COOB6LNG0TRW5IVFQ6ZL/jake.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Of course, the Mets ace, and two-time defending Cy Young winner, Jacob DeGrom will be a factor for this award, as he always is. Scherzer and Buehler will both have teammates in the running; DC’s World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg will have a shot at the award, as will the ever-great Kershaw. The rising star in St. Louis, Jack Flaherty is primed to have a fantastic season, and will look to stake his claim as the most deserving candidate. It will be a real treat to see these aces and others duke it out for the distinction of best pitcher in the National League. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389417890-KUUIJ9LAN995AOIH36CR/machin.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - DJ of course is coming off a season where he was the one consistency in a Yankees team that overcame an inhuman amount of injuries, flashing power, hitting the ball for contact, and playing defense wherever he was needed. After a season of putting up ridiculous numbers in clutch situations, his last swing was one the Yanks thought might save their season- a game-tying ninth inning two run homer after an epic 11-pitch battle against Astros closer Roberto Osuna. Although LeMahieu tested positive for the Coronavirus, he played in a tune-up game against the Mets, so it seems that he will be ready to go by Opening Day- but stay tuned on his situation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595388596895-1IMX25YMK79WKOAE2A5O/buehler.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - That distinction goes to Walker Buehler, the kid from Kentucky who’s tearing it up on the west coast. Buehler has played second fiddle to Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu for the early stages of his career but as he’s matured, Ryu has gone east, and Kershaw’s prime is ending, that will not continue. Buehler has absolutely filthy stuff, as well as the polish and poise of a much older hurler, and will be a true ace for the Dodgers this year. It’s time for Walker to be the man in sunny LA, and he will be rewarded for his efforts with some hardware. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595386111653-ED4SBEQPXUCD3UYRRPJZ/jo.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - There’s some high-level young talent in LA. Today’s league might be an East-centric one, but the future could likely be on the Golden Coast. My pick for American League Rookie of the Year is Jo Adell, the Angels outfielder who is poised to be an absolute force alongside Mike Trout for years to come. Anaheim’s preps-to-pros star is only 20 but since he was drafted as a teenager, he’s gained plenty of polish in the minors, tearing it up at all levels. If the Halos are going to take a big, playoff-sized jump this year, Adell is going to need to fly fast, and I think he can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595389476717-12AKF5XDBBYV1QEMV5NZ/shohei.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview Part 2 - Ohtani has a really unique case, as he pitches and hits for the Halos. I see him as someone who will either be a shoo-in if he does both at around an all-star level, which he is capable of, or a guy who has no case if either one is lackluster or he’s unhealthy- he’s already had surgery on his throwing arm. If Shohei can hit about 10 homers and win 4+ games on the mound, he’s going to be hard to vote against, and with a shortened slate, he is less likely to be harmed by the wear and tear of both pitching and DHing. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/blog-3/mlb-2020-preview-part-1 monthly 0.5 2020-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355543435-QNJ4A0Y7ZGAKA0JLS5XH/JD+2.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Red Sox maintain much of their championship roster from two seasons ago, with the glaring omissions of 2018 MVP Mookie Betts, up-and-down lefty David Price, and cheating scumbag manager Alex Cora who was ALSO A 2017 ASTRO. Whatever. Talents such as JD Martinez, Andrew Benintendi, and Xander Bogaerts are still in Beantown, but all of the turmoil combined with an extremely strong pair of contenders in the AL East lead me to leave the Sox outside of my postseason predictions. Unfortunately, the Sox’s playoff odds were harmed even further by the loss of Chris Sale to Tommy John surgery, as their embattled ace will miss the entire season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595357157004-FD6TCDYFSXIXWXEBEN35/adley+2.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - And then there’s the Orioles, who have all of the concerns of many other low-tier teams without any of the upside. They do have Adley Rutschman, the former first-overall pick catcher out of Oregon State who was intentionally walked with the bases loaded back in college. That’s pretty nuts, and while Adley probably won’t make his debut this season, he’s a real bright spot to look forward to. Additionally, he won the College World Series in 2018, and that’s the closest the words “won,” “World Series,” and “Orioles” have been in a long time so that’s kind of cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595353890595-ECZU4IXGB8UHHALENCFS/nats.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356256763-9QUUP5TM122AN2PR1GGR/rhys.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - Speaking of crowded divisions, the Phillies have a ton of exciting talent, from former MVP Bryce Harper to young star Rhys Hoskins, but they are still extremely likely to once again finish fourth in the ridiculous NL East division. Luckily, they did steal SP Zach Wheeler from the division rival Mets, and bring in some more former Yankees, Sir Didi Gregorius, their new shortstop, and skipper Joe Girardi, who of course managed the legendary 2009 Yankees, the best team we’ve seen in some time. Still, it’s hard to see them improving too much on a mediocre 2019, considering the division competition they’re up against- 3 teams in the top 10 of these rankings. Their talent didn’t mesh last year, and while Girardi has a great track record at managing huge personalities, it’s not a lock for great team chemistry to be there right away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595354233988-7R5QO5J3K3OHOH5S1SNM/cole.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - Here they are, your top dogs. Two superteams, and the defending champs. Arguably, no teams have made a bigger (positive) splash this winter than the Yankees and Dodgers, two already-elite teams that have bolstered their ranks. For the Yankees, the key to their offseason was not only adding ace Gerrit Cole to a megadeal, but prying him away from their top AL competition, the Houston Astros. The addition of Cole is more valuable than ever, as the Yankees will be without rising star Luis Severino for the entirety of the season, as he elected to undergo Tommy John surgery several months ago. It’s worth noting that Severino has barely participated in the Yankees’ recent success, missing nearly all of last regular season, and rarely being at his best in October, so there is still reason to believe that the team will be successful even without their hard-throwing righty. Similarly, Domingo German will now miss the entire season due to his domestic violence suspension, as the regular season will be three games too short for the suspension to be satisfied. Youngsters Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt and Michael King have all been strong in the minors and extremely sharp in early scrimmages, and they will look to fill the void left by these two arms. Still, Severino and German are both major losses to be sure, and having Gerrit Cole on the roster feels better than ever. To be totally frank, Cole’s deal would be worth the money if all they did with him was sit him down on the bench and have him cheer for the team; the bottom line is they never have to face him in a key October game again, and that is priceless. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355415257-12DMRPCMP6IOR0H8OVEM/altuve+cheats.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - When settling on the order of these power rankings, I spent a good 15 minutes staring blankly at my laptop screen when it came time to place these three teams. Each with the talent to contend, each with fatal flaws that could keep them out of October altogether. The Astros were the most challenging of the bunch. Their roster remains likely within the top 3, and could vault them to that lofty region of the rankings, where they’ve been perennially situated for the last three or so years. Or, the organizational turmoil that has been brought down by the sign-stealing scandals from 2017 and 2019 could prove too much to overcome, particularly with the loss of the man I’m now calling Dave the Camera Guy, or whoever was responsible for gifting them with the tools to essentially be unbeatable at home until whatever happened in the 2019, road-sweep world series. Beyond the culture shock- and the question of just how good these guys (who have posted suspiciously dramatic home/away splits the past 3 seasons and more notably, postseasons) will be offensively- there are legitimate, concrete losses that will affect this team. The largest of course is Gerrit Cole, who has defected to his boyhood favorite team, the New York Yankees. Jeff Lunhow, the general manager who brought in Justin Verlander just in time to snuff out the 2017 Yankees in the ALCS, is also no longer at Houston’s disposal, so we will have to see how far the remaining talent can take them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355821548-RCPG81CFP3F0SVETMOWY/tony.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - This tier is a hodgepodge of previously good teams that have developed some serious concerns, and previously bad teams that are beginning to elevate themselves. The White Sox and Angels fall into the latter designation, having made some of the biggest waves this offseason. The Angels struck a deal with a pair of World Champions, 2017 Cubs manager Joe Maddon and Nationals superstar third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Halos hope this October-seasoned duo, along with baseball’s best player in Mike Trout, will help elevate their organization to where they would like to be. They also recently brought in Julio Teheran to aid a rotation that I see as the most likely issue that could cause them to struggle in their quest to return to October. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355893694-GTC5I89A4HJ7DEGTH0N8/jose.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 The White Sox shelled out an ungodly amount of money this offseason, bringing in stud catcher Yasmani Grandal, veteran starting pitchers Dallas Kuechel and Gio Gonzalez, and a high upside power hitter in Edwin Encarnacion, while on the side, inking franchise cornerstone Jose Abreu to a serious extension. It’s unclear how much of a leap this team can take in one year, but Chicago’s southsiders are making a serious attempt to find out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356512681-IOPE4P9SZVIMX347D81Z/arenado.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - These teams both have a bit of star talent, but are not good enough to be considered contenders. They’re also not in the sort of full-fledged downward spiral that generally denotes a rebuilding franchise. The Rangers in particular acted like a team with playoff aspirations this winter, reportedly making heavy runs at Anthony Rendon and Madison Bumgarner. Of course, they missed out on both, but came away with decent consolation prizes in Corey Kluber and Todd Frazier, both solid veterans. The Rockies, meanwhile, didn’t add or lose anyone just yet, but have an increasingly strained relationship with their best player, third baseman Nolan Arenado. It seems extremely likely that Arenado will be on his way out of the Mile High City before too long, but for now, both of these teams are in a limbo that no franchise wants to be in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595354659093-3XK1TL2TL2G86VXDE5LE/nats+2.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - But don’t tell that to the Nationals, who despite losing Anthony Rendon, one of the best players in franchise history, have every intention of beating LA again and defending their title. Washington has also temporarily lost longtime starter Ryan Zimmerman, who has chosen not to participate in this season after the league gave players the option to sit out without consequences. Joe Ross and Wellington Castillo made the same choice, leaving the Nats somewhat shorthanded. They retained instant-legend and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, and of course Mad Max Scherzer, who remains perhaps the best pitcher in baseball; but watch out for the health of his arm after opting for a cortisone shot before World Series game 7 and pitching through a brutal injury to deliver the Nats their first title. As a sort of indirect replacement for Rendon on their infield, Washington also brought in Starlin Castro, who has had some really solid seasons over the years. Nothing is at all certain, but it would be a real surprise if a team outside of these three raises the Commissioner’s Trophy this fall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356806644-7V6E5NVR8URVG9P4AUEJ/vlad.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have already called much of their young talent up to the league, and their development in year 2 will be intriguing to watch. Young, hopefully future superstars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio all hope to take a step forward in 2020. Bichette in particular impressed during his time in the pros last year, and Vlad Jr. was once the top prospect in all of baseball, so plenty of eyes will be on the Jays’ youngsters this season. It will also be interesting to see what the Jays have in Japanese righthander Shun Yamaguchi, as they hope he will be a cornerstone of the rotation along with new acquisition Hyun-Jin Ryu. Neither of these teams has high hopes for 2020, but both should be excited about the years to come later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595354993211-VQX4HYPMY0OHTBZR0DZ0/image-asset.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Twins famously brought the “bomba squad” out of absolutely nowhere, riding an unreal offensive surge to the tune of an MLB-record 307 Home Runs. They somehow added even more pop to their lineup by adding former MVP Josh Donaldson, curiously instead of addressing the pitching that got carved up by the Yankees. I would keep an eye on the Twins offense to come back to earth due to the combination of a healthy dose of regression, as well as the MLB’s efforts to tweak the baseballs, which were clearly a bit off last year. A less homer-friendly ball could really affect an offense that really lived and died by the longball, and doesn’t really have the pitching staff to put out great arms every single day in a shortened season, which might be the standard for contenders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355613402-DJPH61PE5VAY947SYUVI/sad+mr+met.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - And that brings us to Steve Cohen’s almost-acquisition, the Mets. They were minorly affected by the same scandal that rocked the two aforementioned teams, but not as much because the manager they let go, Carlos Beltran, never actually managed a game for them. Their more pertinent fatal flaw is the injury bug, which should be considered fluky and not something that you can assume from year to year, but it really does always happen to the Mets. That being said, having ditched the worst manager in baseball, and with high hopes that they won’t get slammed quite as badly by health issues this year*, the Mets have legitimate aspirations to play some October baseball, even playing in the hyper-talented NL East division, and now having to face off against the also insane AL East https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355117465-IWMSZSI9WGU0SQR5W9BL/image-asset.jpeg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - These five teams were all participants in last year’s playoffs, and there’s no reason to expect anything less from them in 2020. While only one of them actually won a postseason series, and it was against another team within this group, each team impressed all of us with both their talent and resolve from start to finish of the 2019 season. Atlanta’s youth showed plenty of promise in their hard-fought series against the Cardinals, the Rays pushed the (openly cheating) Astros to the absolute limit before falling, and the A’s fought tooth and nail all regular season against the filthy cheaters in their division, eventually losing a hard-fought AL Wild Card game to the Rays that was far closer than the final score indicated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356661529-BFLHNYNID9CWXSKP4LLW/vogelbach.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Mariners came into 2019 on a tear, defying expectations and drawing murmurs about playoff baseball returning to Seattle. These aspirations quickly subsided, as the team’s success absolutely evaporated and the season spiraled to garbage. However, there is plenty of optimism around the organization’s future, and 2020 will be an interesting year in its ability to answer some questions. Mitch Haniger, Seattle’s 2018 All Star, had his season cut short by injury, and the M’s will want to see how his bounce-back attempt goes. Large and endearing slugger Daniel Vogelbach, much like the team, starting the year on a blistering rampage of homers, before also spiraling into total garbage before the season was over; his form will be of note for the Mariners as well. The organization boasts a top-rated farm system too, so some top prospects could get their first taste of MLB action as the season likely becomes a lost one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595354352683-HGXW4WS616Y06OHJUDJI/mook.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - Speaking of priceless, so are the Boston Red Sox after dealing lefty David Price and star right fielder Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. This move is one that really affects both top contending teams in a positive way- the Dodgers by adding a superstar, and the Yankees by further weakening their biggest division rival. But when I initially wrote this piece, Price was expected to be a key postseason arm for the Dodgers, shoring up a somewhat top-heavy rotation. However, in a highly interesting development, he has chosen to opt-out of the MLB restart due to concerns with the pandemic. While the Dodgers lost all-star starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, they retain a strong core of their rotation in the talented youngster Walker Buehler (more on him later) alongside LA legend Clayton Kershaw, and managed to bolster their bullpen with A’s late-game maestro Blake Trienen. While anything can happen in baseball, all eyes are on these two teams to meet in late October to decide a champion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356396649-IVI81T7STNT9ZS7XQWPW/votto.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Reds may be the best poised to make the leap out of all the teams in this group, as their division doesn’t have a true stalwart who we can expect to come out on top, but I have the least faith in the team itself out of this group. Cincy had a hell of an offseason, bringing in strong veteran players, the versatile Nick Castellanos and World Champ Mike Moustakas, as well as exciting Japanese product Shogo Akiyama to bolster the outfield. They also have new experienced arms in Wade Miley and Pedro Strop, and of course Joey Votto remains a constant in Southern Ohio, even if he’s coming off a serious down year. For the Reds, like every team in this tier, October isn’t a pipe dream. Baseball is always changing, and anything can happen for teams like these. However, if their postseason dreams are going to come true, these squads have a lot of work ahead of them. It is worth nothing that despite their flaws, the added randomness of a shorter schedule this season will likely afford one or more of these clubs the chance to play October ball. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595357005084-F9LEWHP5LPWWKVR05ETW/bell.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - Oh boy. Pretty much all of these teams were on the minus-side of the winter transactions, or at best stood pat, which isn’t too great for a group of clubs who already weren’t so strong on the field last year. There isn’t too much to write about any of them, as they know as well as we do that they won’t be playing meaningful games for too long this year. The best they can hope for is to have a breakout player or two that they can move at the trade deadline, whenever that may be, and turn into valuable assets for years to come. Otherwise, this year is all about staying healthy, developing youth talent, and seeing what you can expect your farm system to produce for the future. Good luck to these teams in the 2021 draft, it’s going to be a big day for all of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355985153-6KXGMD9CX7OPUBTUXTD9/brewers+cubs.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - Then there are the two NL Central stalwarts to discuss. The Brewers had some extremely strong stretches last year, but what we saw when they lost 2018 MVP Christian Yelich for an extended period, as well as the loss of Grandal, raise serious concerns about the team’s depth. They were fortunate to retain closer Josh Hader, as the bullpen ace was at the center of numerous trade rumors this offseason. The Cubs, of course, won the 2016 World Series and had all the makings of a true dynasty, but they haven’t attained that level of success since then. This offseason, they didn’t really add or lose anyone key, and have balked at extending their young star third baseman Kris Bryant, so it’s really hard to expect them to be too much better this year. Still, a return to 2016 form is possible, with most of that team’s core still intact. None of these teams are anything near a lock to play postseason baseball, but if they are able to stay healthy and be their best selves, they all have a shot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595353933548-KATV5WFZD48PZXGA6FDV/image-asset.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595355175473-GAFSUXN33YV42E52QASF/acuna.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - These teams had highly varying offseasons, from the Rays’ strong efforts to catch the Yankees, to the bevy of both additions and losses in Atlanta, to the puzzling lack of really anything happening in St. Louis. But all of these teams remain highly talented and should have solid expectations of a postseason appearance- and an attainable goal of making it last well into October. I expect all of the Braves, Twins, and Cardinals to win their crowded, open divisions, the A’s to take full advantage of the potential decline of the juggernaut Astros and contend for the AL West crown, and the Rays to push the Yankees into September in pursuit of the AL East title. All five teams in this tier have significant obstacles to face, both internal and external. I especially see the Braves’ starting pitching as a glaring flaw that could hamper their ability to make a deep run, and they also lost Donaldson to the Twins and Nick Markakis and Felix Hernandez after the duo decided not to join project restart. But all of these clubs have the talent in the organization to have a really impressive season and make this a year to remember. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356202194-AJA52QTILI0ZDA9J0QFT/lindor.jpg Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - These are 5 of the most in-the-middle teams in all of baseball. Each one has a number of reasons to believe they can make a playoff push, but all have more reasons that they maybe shouldn’t hold onto hope for too long. The Indians, playing in the extremely confusing AL Central, can hope for the regression of the upstart Twins, and stalling in the progress of the new White Sox’s rise. However, having lost Corey Kluber and not really adding anyone over the offseason, and potentially in the market to trade franchise leader Francisco Lindor, I don’t really see them rising to the top in a crowded division. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595356313854-5XZUJU10Q09R5MZTKHPZ/tatis.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - The Padres have as much young talent as any team could hope for, headlined by phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. and a strong farm system. The Diamondbacks also added some huge talents in Madison Bumgarner, arguably the greatest postseason pitcher ever, and Starling Marte. However, much like the Phillies, both of these teams have to contend with an absolute beast atop their division, the stacked LA Dodgers. To even make a wild card, they’d have to outpace every team within this tier, as well as the NL East teams that fall short of the division title. The future could very well be bright in both the Arizonan Desert and in Ron Burgundy’s home city, but they’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see some success. The Padres in particular could suffer from inexperience if they’re in position to make a run towards the end stages of the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1595357245681-LF9M02EMRITVAAO42PPS/sad+tiger.png Baseball - MLB 2020 Preview: part 1 - I...I don’t wanna do this, man. I like Detroit fans, I like Austin Romine. I don’t like Miguel Cabrera but as for the rest of Tigers Nation…this would be too shitty for you guys to read, and moreover, too horrible for me to write. Try again next year and love you all. Here’s a picture of a cute but sad tiger cub, to summarize how I feel about this team. https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/aboutus daily 0.75 2021-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1591811864992-LSHT467KNWU7ULVLLNYQ/wayne.jpg About Us Wayne looking sharp at the Coliseum in Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1591818595233-NT3IEQOIQLFPESQ4OMY4/Schwartz.png About Us Schwartz in his full-beard, full-suit, can’t-lose Ross mentality https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1622045814760-WJEB7K2VANTA4GUJD7YX/IMG_2511.jpeg About Us Gillman is always looking his best and dressing for success https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/home daily 1.0 2024-03-06 https://www.waynesworldofsports.com/waynes-lineups-articles daily 0.75 2020-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee017e18bf20504a57974de/1600358929993-52SD9WL699MMRM6MY9FN/lineups5.jpg Fantasy Football 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