Well, here we are ladies and gentlemen. After weeks of upsets and surprises, the stage for Super Bowl LII has been set and the Eagles and the Patriots will fight for the right to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in two weeks in Minnesota. But how they got there is what matters today, because the Conference Championships were the stuff of legend, filled to the brim with incredible comebacks and outright domination and fascinating storylines through and through. So, as we bask in the wonder of another incredible round of the playoffs, let’s take a moment and discuss what we learned from Championship Sunday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars blew a golden opportunity.
While it seems that the New England Patriots are invincible when they take the field, there is in fact, a formula to beating this team and it’s a proven one that’s been used time and time again. First and foremost, a defense has to pressure Tom Brady and interrupt his well-timed passing game, and second, that same defense has to play man-to-man coverage all day long since Brady loves it when a D plays zone and most importantly, any team opposing the Patriots cannot show any sign of weakness, nor can they let up when they have the lead and unfortunately for the Jaguars, they did all of those things, and then abandoned the plan in the fourth quarter.
 
But for three quarters, the Jaguars were the better team on the field. They contained Brady, they set the tempo for the game and for the life of me, I cannot figure out what happened. Because suddenly, in the fourth quarter, they switched to zone defense, the play calling became ultra conservative and well, that gave Brady exactly what he needed, allowing for New England to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LII and when all is said and done, this has to be a tough loss for Jacksonville because, they blew it. They had the Pats right where they wanted them and let the AFC Championship slip through their hands and while I’m sure the Jaguars will rebound next season; this loss is going to sting for quite a while…

The Philadelphia Eagles thrive in the underdog role.
The underdog role tends to add lots of pressure to a professional sports team simply because it engenders doubt in the player’s minds and that doubt can grow if a team lets it. Unless of course you’re the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that has been the underdog for the entirety of the playoffs with their star quarterback on injured reserve. Because rather than let that kind of title get under their skin, the Eagles have held it close to the chest and used it as fuel come game time and it has served them incredibly well because they continue to impress and last night was a fine demonstration of how just far that label has managed to propel them forward.
 
Because the Eagles completely and utterly dominated the Minnesota Vikings with a defensive and offensive showing for the ages and oddly enough, despite establishing an early lead in the game, Philadelphia did the opposite of Jacksonville, and never took their foot off the pedal and thanks to a stifling defense and a prolific offensive performance from quarterback Nick Foles, the ‘underdog’ Philadelphia Eagles are NFC Champions once again, and I have no doubt that they will once again embrace their newfound title and use it as fuel when they arrive in Minnesota for Super Bowl LII. 

There really is a special air that surrounds Championship Sunday in the NFL and it’s there for good reason. After all, today’s set of games are quite the big deal since every participant is a mere sixty minutes away from potentially playing in the Super Bowl and losing here is simply not an option. But sadly, someone has to lose, which means that these teams will likely give us their all when they take the field, which is why some believe the Conference Championships are better than the Super Bowl itself in some cases because every man involved today, knows what’s at stake. But, before these for teams square off for a shot at glory, let’s take a moment and preview what to expect from the AFC and NFC Championships.

THE BUZZ
I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. Because normally the buzz surrounding the AFC Championship revolves around the New England Patriots and their winning ways, but all of that has changed this year thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the Jaguars are in essence, the Cinderella Story of the 2017 NFL Season since they are a team that was barely in the Super Bowl discussion back in the offseason, but they wowed the football world all season long with some stunning victories and considering the fact that they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, in a shootout, I think it’s safe to say that everyone is starting to believe that the Jaguars may have a legitimate shot at beating Tom Brady in Foxboro.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
So, let’s discuss the million-dollar question, is there a way for Jacksonville to beat the Patriots? The answer is a resounding yes, provided of course the Jaguars execute on a few key things. First and foremost, they cannot turn over the ball on offense. New England feasts upon mistakes, so Blake Bortles has to make smart throws all game long. Plus, the Jags need to wear the Pats defense down, so a heavy dose of the run game will help them do that. As for the Jacksonville D, well we all know they’re amazing against the pass, and get to the QB with ease, but their one glaring weakness is their ability to stop the run, which means that New England is likely going to make that a focus of their offensive game plan. But, if Jacksonville can shore up that interior and keep the Pats from pounding the rock and execute when it comes to everything else we’ve discussed here, then there’s a fair chance they’ll pull of the upset. But, if they falter, or lose their heads in the slightest, then this Cinderella Story will come to a heartbreaking end. 

THE BUZZ
I made mention earlier of the fact that some football fans firmly believe that the Conference Championship games are better than the Super Bowl and I think it’s matchups like this one that allow for that kind of mantra to exist. Because this game is shaping up to be a knockdown, drag it out brawl to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII and really, you couldn’t ask for a better set of teams to appear in a Championship game. After all, they both feature fantastic defenses that know how to adjust on the fly to seal off opposing offenses, and they both feature a pair of plucky quarterbacks that have beaten the odds time and time again and with so much to prove to both their fanbases and the football world, I expect this game to thrill us all when all is said and done.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Sometimes it’s difficult to analyze precisely what will give a team an edge when both squads are as evenly matched as the two taking the field for the NFC Championship today, but once in a while, something obvious presents itself and in this case, the key to this game, is minimizing mistakes. Because really, when both of these teams fail to execute their game plan, they’ve either suffered a loss or come close to one and for proof, look no further than their last respective games. Philadelphia let Atlanta score ten points on them by playing loose on defense before tightening up in the second half to ensure their victory and oddly enough, mistakes both hurt and helped Minnesota in their thrilling victory over New Orleans. Which means that the first team to slip up in this particular game will pay the price dearly and if they cannot recover from their gaffe, they’ll spend the rest of the offseason playing a painful game of ‘what if?’

For a brief moment this weekend, it seemed as though the National Football League had returned to normal during the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. After all, Saturday featured two home team wins, and a blowout for that matter as well, so perhaps the wild surprises that the regular season featured were about to become a distant memory. But as it turns out, that was simply not the case, Sunday once again brought about some jaw dropping moments that taught us so much about the teams featured during this weekend’s games. So, with that in mind, let’s not waste any more time and get right down to breaking down what we learned from the Divisional Round.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles silenced every doubt surrounding their team.
Let’s be honest. Every single football fan out there, myself included, had our doubts about the Philadelphia Eagles heading into Saturday’s game. After all, they seemed like a different team with Nick Foles at the helm, almost as if the squad didn’t quite jell around him once he took over for Carson Wentz. But, all of those doubts and concerns were put to bed on Saturday, since this team played as one, and Foles demonstrated precisely why the team put their faith in him as the starter as he led this squad to an incredible victory, one where they utterly shut down the Falcons on both offense and defense and at this point, it’s inherently obvious that not only do the Eagles have one another’s backs no matter what, but they also have a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl this year.
 
The Tennessee Titans utterly melted down against the Patriots.
Things were supposed to go differently for the Titans on Saturday night. They should have once again put on quite the show, and given Tom Brady a run for his money in Foxboro. But instead, the Titans completely and utterly fell to pieces against the Patriots, letting New England take control of the tempo of the game and well, I hate to say it, but the blame for this failure needs to be placed squarely on the coaching staff. They didn’t settle this team down when it was necessary, they didn’t adjust the game plan in the slightest and unfortunately for the Titans, they get to spend their offseason wondering what could have been, had they been properly prepared for this matchup, and oddly enough, the franchise and head coach Mike Mularkey parted ways this morning, and while the team called the move a mutual separation, one has to wonder if the end result of this game had anything to do with Mularkey’s exit…
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars proved to everyone that they are a tough team.
Once again, I think it’s safe to say that the collective mentality of football fans everywhere when it comes to this game was that Pittsburgh was probably going to win. However, the Jaguars once again shocked the football world by beating Pittsburgh at home to advance to the AFC Championship in tough and thrilling fashion. Teams that can overcome adversity are the ones we deem the cream of the crop and the Jaguars are just that. They executed some incredible plays, and survived a shootout with Ben Roethlisberger and well, I’m done doubting this team. They’re for real. They’re tough and battle tested and if they tighten up that run defense and play like they did on Sunday against the Patriots, there’s a solid chance they can punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
 
The New Orleans Saints reminded us of the importance of not making mistakes in football.
Sometimes in football, victory can come down to a single play, and for proof, look no further than yesterday’s Saints/Vikings game. Because a blown tackle, on the final play of the game, ended the Saints’ season in utterly heartbreaking fashion and really, that served as an incredible reminder as to just how important it is to execute on every single play in this sport. But, mistakes aside, I do need to take a moment to say that holy cow, this matchup was one for the ages. That’s the kind of game we tune in to watch during the playoffs, and while New Orleans was sent packing, at least they didn’t go down without a fight and I also have to tip my cap to the Minnesota Vikings, for not panicking when the going got tough and for taking advantage of every opportunity that came their way. 

After months upon months of surprise after surprise in the NFL, it would seem that some balance was restored during the first day of the Divisional Round. Because often times in the playoffs, the home team truly has an advantage, and both of them definitely enjoyed that to the fullest yesterday. But, Saturday still had its share of surprises, since another underdog enjoyed the wonder of victory and as Day Two prepares to get underway, I think we’re all curious as to what treats today will have in store for us, and with that in mind, let’s take a moment and preview what to expect from Day Two of the Divisional Round. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Jacksonville endured quite the up and down season in 2017, sending their fan base into fits of hope and despair with their wild 4-3 start to the season before their bye week. But once that was over, something magical happened and the team went 6-3, locked up the AFC South and inspired their fans everywhere with the notion that maybe, just maybe, they could do something special in the playoffs and well, once they got their nerves out of the way in the Wild Card Round, they did just that and secured an incredibly important playoff win. As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, well their story isn’t quite as dramatic, since they are a team that flat out dominated during the regular season with a dynamic offense and stout defense that netted them a 13-3 record, the AFC North and a wonderful first round bye, meaning this team is rested and ready to continue their hunt for a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
If the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field with a touch of swagger today, well, they’ve earned it. They’re a Cinderella story in many ways with their turnaround this season and they’re one of the three teams that beat Pittsburgh in the regular season. But once game time comes around, the past won’t be a factor in this game. Because the Steelers don’t partake in such matters, they’re focused on today, and a win and really, this is Pittsburgh’s game to lose. They know how to win in the playoffs, and they’re an incredibly talented team. Which means if Jacksonville wants a shot at the AFC Championship, their offense needs to step up its game. Ten points simply won’t cut it against the Steelers, so if Blake Bortles can settle down and play his game, there’s a chance they can pull off the upset. But if the Pittsburgh D gets in his head and Big Ben gets a hot hand going, the Steelers will lock this game up, no problem.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
It’s always an enjoyable time when you see a team take the field with a chip on their shoulders and the two teams featured in this matchup, spent the entire season playing with an ‘us against the league’ mentality. It paid off in spades for both of them, but if anything, the Vikings did a far better job of translating that attitude to the field. After all, their defense was the stuff of legend this season, as they stifled their opponents all season long before letting Case Keenum unleash his fury on offense and for their efforts they boasted a 13-3 regular season record that helped net them a first round bye, and today they host the New Orleans Saints, the other scrappy team in 2017 who are a formidable force when they put it all together. But a few lapses in their defense and a few mediocre offensive showings led them to an 11-5 record. But, they were able to leave all of that behind and play big when it counts since they handled the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round with ease to earn a spot in the Divisional Round.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
What’s truly fascinating about this game, is that it is either going to become a shootout for the ages, or a defensive struggle that will frustrate football fans everywhere and really, this one is, in my mind, is completely up for grabs. Because on one hand, the Vikings have indeed established themselves as a powerhouse team through and through and if they go out there and execute in calm and cool fashion, then they’re headed to the NFC Championship game. However, New Orleans is no slouch, and their QB has plenty of playoff experience, and if Drew Brees can get going, that may spell bad news for the Vikings D. Not to mention, if the Saints defense can confuse and frustrate an inexperienced Case Keenum into making some mistakes, that could also turn the tide their way. Either way, I fully expect this game to be the finest of the Divisional Round and whomever walks away the winner, will have earned their victory in epic fashion. 

‘Expect the unexpected’ seemed to be the unofficial motto of the 2017 NFL season and considering how last week’s slate of playoff games turned out, it would seem this mantra followed the league into the postseason as well. Because surprises were everywhere to be found in round one of the NFL Playoffs and as the Divisional Round gets under way today, one has to wonder what other incredible wonders await us when today’s competitors take the field. Either way, we should be in for some amazing games and here is a quick preview of what to expect from day one of the Divisional Round. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This game features a pair of teams that made it this far in vastly different fashion. Atlanta for instance, dealt with a season where it never quite seemed they were the superior team, since they lost six games during the regular season and they found themselves battling out some close ones as the season came to a close. But none the less, they were able to lock up a playoff spot and they utterly dominated the Rams in their Wild Card matchup last weekend. Their season is in stark contrast to the Philadelphia Eagles who enjoyed a wonderful 13-3 record, and they made their incredible string of victories look easy thanks to the fact they hammered their opponents on offense and defense, and for their efforts, they locked up Home Field Advantage throughout the playoffs.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
One would think that a team that went 13-3 would easily be able to handle a #6 seed in a playoff game, but the fact of the matter is, the Eagles are going to have their hands full today. Atlanta showed incredible poise and skill in defeating the Rams last week, and they’re looking to put on a repeat performance when they take the field, and the fact of the matter is, this game is really Philadelphia’s to lose and much of their success is going to come down to QB Nick Foles, who needs to do the opposite of what Jared Goff did last week, and leave his nerves in the locker room. If anything, all #9 has to do in this matchup, is keep a level head and protect the ball, and if he can accomplish those things, there’s a fair chance the Eagles will head to the NFC Championship game. But…if Atlanta can rattle him and force some mistakes, and wear that defense down, they’ll be headed to the next round of the playoffs instead.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
The Tennessee Titans are the unexpected surprise of the Playoffs, not because of the fact that they made it to the Divisional Round, but because of HOW they made it here. Because last week against Kansas City, they wowed the football world by coming back from an 18-point deficit to secure the win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, wiping away any uncertainty that they belong in the tournament. But while their journey has been one filled to the brim with grit and thrills, the New England Patriots more or less waltzed their way into the playoffs, and despite suffering an embarrassing loss in week one, the Pats were once again a difficult opponent for teams to face this year and their 13-3 record helped them once more lock up Home Field Advantage throughout the playoffs.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest, while the Titans thrilled all of us last weekend in KC, the fate of this game rests in the hands of the powerhouse Patriots. But there does remain the possibility that the Titans can pull of a win, provided the coaching staff can make more incredible adjustments during the course of this game once again. So, if the Tennessee offense can exploit New England’s weaknesses when they’re on the field, and if the Titans defense can clamp down on the Patriots’ receiving corps and find a way to harass Brady while he’s in the pocket…then they have a wonderful shot at pulling off the upset. But more than likely, the Patriots will be hosting the AFC Championship in a week, since playoff football is where they thrive. 

Wow, Wild Card Weekend truly lived up to its namesake, didn’t it? Because we were witness to some incredible games this past weekend, ones that left us in complete surprise, and if the Wild Card round is any indicator of what to expect in the weeks to come, well we are in for a real when it comes to the remainder of the NFL Playoffs. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the weekend that was, and discuss what we learned from all the thrilling storylines that presented themselves during Wild Card Weekend.
 
The Tennessee Titans proved to everyone they deserve to be in the playoffs.
I know I’m not the only person out there who had a firm belief in the back of their mind that Tennessee was likely going to be blown out by Kansas City since they really hadn’t wowed any of us during the regular reason and boy…was I wrong about that. Because the Titans played a game for the ages on Saturday Night, defeating the Chiefs in stunning fashion and well, not only do I need to eat a little crow when it comes to thinking that they couldn’t get it done, but I also need to tip my cap in respect their way. Because the adjustments made at halftime by the team on defense, and the incredible play from QB Marcus Mariota, demonstrates that this team completely deserves to be in the postseason, and I look forward to seeing what other surprises they have in store for us come this weekend.
 
The Los Angeles Rams weren’t quite ready for prime time.
We like to think that nerves simply don’t play a part of football. That these groups of intrepid men are supposed to be made of iron internally and nothing gets in their head. But that’s simply not the case. These guys have the same nerves that we do, and in turn, they get jittery when they know what’s at stake on the national stage and sadly, it would seem that nerves got the better of the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Because the normally confident Rams seemed apprehensive in both their play calling and play and it allowed for the Falcons to take full control the game and secure the win. But you know what? While there are no moral victories in the NFL, the fact of the matter is, this will serve as a great learning experience for the Rams as they look to rebound next season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars reminded all of us of the importance of having a solid defense.
Speaking of nerves, they were also on display in the Jacksonville/Buffalo game as well since it took quite some time for both teams to settle down. But once the Jaguars did, they accomplished wonders, and the defense quickly took full advantage the jitters running through Tyrod Taylor’s veins and well…thanks to their incredible defensive play and ability to impose their will upon the Bills, the Jags are headed to the Divisional Round and this game just serves as another fine reminder, that defense truly does win championships and if Jacksonville can keep this up, they will certainly go far in the playoffs.
 
The New Orleans Saints continued to dominate the Carolina Panthers.
I heard plenty of talk before the final Wild Card game on Sunday about how the regular season series between these two teams didn’t matter when it came to this matchup and well, it’s obvious the day after, that everything that happened in the regular season, DID matter. Because despite a late game rally by the Panthers, for three and a half quarters, they looked like a team that was completely and utterly afraid of their opponent and well, that’s quite the incredible feat for the Saints to accomplish. So, if anything, this loss will allow the Panthers to spend the offseason doing a little soul searching, wherein they can learn how to enter a game with a clean mind so that none of their AFC South opponents can find a way to rattle their psyche once the 2018 regular season starts this fall. ​

Once again, Wild Card Weekend lived up to its namesake, since yesterday’s slate of games delivered some incredible and thrilling moments and in all honesty, I think we can expect more of the same today. Because Sunday features more teams hungry to prove their worth and they too want nothing more than to hoist the Lombardi, and they’re willing to give it their all to come one step closer to holding that incredible trophy in their hands. So, with that in mind, let’s get right down to it and preview what to expect from today’s matchups. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This game features two teams that took two vastly different paths to the postseason. Jacksonville arrived here by wowing the football world with quality performance after quality performance on the field, allowing for the Jaguars to enjoy their first playoff appearance, and Division Title in eighteen years. But as for the Bills, well they unfortunately made the playoffs with a stroke of luck, because without that big time win from the Bengals, they simply would not be here considering that their season was filled to the brim with inconsistency on both offense and defense, and a touch of drama at the quarterback position as well.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Every year it seems there are a pair of teams in the playoffs that the fans don’t quite think are worthy enough to be there, and this game features those exact teams. Because Jacksonville’s overall reputation has everyone wondering if they’re for real this year, and Buffalo basically backed into the tournament. So really, the key to this game, is for one of these teams to show us they belong in the postseason, and whichever squad plays flawless football today, with beautiful execution on the field, not only gets a shot at the Divisional Round, but some well-deserved respect as well.

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
Everybody loves it when a scrappy team that can hang in any game makes the playoffs, and oddly enough, this game features two such teams. Because the Carolina Panthers found themselves in some tough games this year, and were able to grind it out to earn the win and the same goes for the New Orleans Saints, but their path to the playoffs was slightly different, considering the fact that their season started out in near disaster with an 0-2 start before they pulled together an impressive eight game win streak. But aside from their plucky attitudes, the real magic when it comes to both of these teams is their prolific offensive play, since these squads can seemingly score at will.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
There is in fact, quite the interesting twist when it comes to this game, in that, this is the third meeting this season between these two teams and in the two prior matchups, New Orleans was able to beat the Panthers by no less than ten points. Which means, the Saints are walking into this one with plenty of confidence and swagger which means psychology is the key to this game. If the Panthers can keep the fact they’ve lost to this team all season long out of their minds and just do their thing on the field, they’ve got a shot at winning this one no problem. But, if New Orleans gets under Carolina’s skin and rattles them, then they’re headed to the Divisional Round. Either way, this game could be quite the impressive matchup and don’t be surprised in the slightest if this one ends up being a shoot-out.

It’s a great day for football fans to say the least. Because after a long and winding regular season, the NFL quite literally ups its game a notch since today, signals the beginning of the 2017/2018 playoffs, wherein the first of twelve teams will take the field and every single last one of them have only one thought on their collective minds…win, and keep winning in order to have a shot at hoisting the magnificent Lombardi Trophy. But the stakes for such a prize are quite high, because it’s win or go home in the NFL Playoffs, which means that we should be in for some incredible matchups as the playoffs roll on and here is a preview of what to expect from today’s slate of games as Wild Card Weekend gets underway. 

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
It’s a firm belief in the NFL that in order to make it to the postseason, a team has to give it their all week in, and week out and well, there is a lot of truth to that. But there is a flip side to that mantra that few wish to discuss in that, sometimes in order to make the playoffs, a team simply has to do just enough and ‘just enough’ should in fact be the motto of the two teams that are kicking off Wild Card Weekend this year. Because that’s precisely what the Titans and Chiefs put in to make it to the postseason, since they both dealt with some up and down campaigns this year that no doubt left their fans pondering as to whether or not their teams would make it here in the first place. But, they played well when it counted and while they may not the be flashiest teams in this contest, they now have quite the chance to shine.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Both of these teams were plagued by inconsistency during the regular season, and well, if they want to advance in the playoffs, there’s simply no room for mental errors, turnovers and poor execution, and that’s really the key to this game, consistency. Whichever team can figure out how to protect the ball, and play with a sense of discipline today is the one that will walk out of this one as the victor, and while I don’t expect this matchup to be mistake free since bad habits are now routine for both of these teams, I do expect one of these teams to wake up and realize that it’s either play their game the right way, or see their season come to a heartbreaking end.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
Everyone that’s a fan of the NFL loves a feel-good story, and both of these teams fit that bill. After all, it seemed for a while there that the Atlanta Falcons were suffering through a nasty Super Bowl Hangover, the kind that allows for a team to miss the playoffs a year after reaching the big game, before they buckled down their play in order to secure a playoff spot and a shot at redemption and well, look at the turnaround for the Rams. A year ago, they were lost and facing another offseason full of uncertainty, but thanks to the fine work of Rookie Head Coach Sean McVay, this team pulled it together and wowed the NFL world with some impressive offense, solid defense, their first Division Title since 2003 and their first playoff berth in thirteen years.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
This could be quite the interesting matchup when all is said and done, simply because both of these teams feature powerhouse offenses. Which means that by all means this game could turn out to be a shootout for the ages. But, there are some important nuances that comes into play here when one digs a little deeper, like the whole matter of experience. The Falcons know what it takes to win in the postseason, the Rams sadly do not, and Atlanta could take full advantage of any nerves that will be on display on the Los Angeles sideline and force a few critical mistakes along the way. However, if Coach McVay has his team properly prepared, nerves simply won’t be a factor and in all honesty, I think this game will come down to the age-old adage of who wants it more, and whichever team buckles down and plays their game to perfection, gets a chance to show their stuff in the Divisional Round.  

​Well ladies and gentlemen, just like that, the NFL Regular Season has come to a close, and regardless of whether or your team ended their year with a bang or a whimper, I think we can all agree that this past year was one hell of a ride, and in keeping with tradition for this season, Week 17 was filled to the brim with incredible surprises and fascinating storylines that taught us something important about our favorite teams. So, with that in mind, let’s dig right in and discuss what we learned from the final week of the 2017 NFL season.
 
The Cleveland Browns made history, for all the wrong reasons.
Well, it finally happened. Another team in the NFL managed to go 0-16 in the regular season and wouldn’t you know it, that team just so happened to be the Cleveland Browns. However, while one would have expected this squad to have been blown out by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the Browns did make a game of it. But a loss is a loss, and the Browns now join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only other team to accomplish this historic and unfortunate accomplishment and while I think we all knew this was inevitable, the biggest surprise to come out of this disastrous season, is that Hue Jackson is safe after all as Head Coach. So, if there’s any silver lining to come out of this mess, it’s that it can’t get much worse for this team in 2018.
 
The Denver Broncos started their offseason makeover early.
Throughout his tenure as General Manager/President of Football Operations for the Denver Broncos, John Elway has made two things inherently clear: he expects the Broncos to be competitive every single year, and he is not afraid to make sweeping changes to ensure that happens, and for proof, look no further than what happened at Dove Valley on Monday, since the Broncos said goodbye to six assistant coaches. Granted, while some fans would have preferred that number to be seven, with Vance Joseph’s name included in the mix, it’s clear that Elway wants to give Vance every chance to succeed, and a new set of offensive coaches, and in turn a new unified vision, may help him do just that. Either way, Monday’s coaching purge is likely just the beginning of a massive offseason makeover for the Denver Broncos that will likely include the roster, next.
 
The Buffalo Bills are back in the playoffs, thanks to quite an assist.
The last time the Buffalo Bills enjoyed a playoff berth, dial up internet was still a thing and there were no smartphones around to deliver sports fans instant updates on scores and stats. But alas, that dark stretch for the Bills came to an end on Sunday as they locked up their first playoff berth in eighteen years by way a solid win over the Dolphins, and with an assist from the Cincinnati Bengals. Yes, that’s right, Cincy’s big win over Baltimore is what propelled Buffalo into the tournament, courtesy of playoff math and well, this is one of those strange twists of fate that I’m okay with. Buffalo really isn’t that bad of a team this year and now they have the opportunity to prove to everyone they belong in the postseason with a strong showing this weekend.
 
Head Coach Bruce Arians is calling it a career.
You know, I truly respect it when anyone in the NFL makes the decision to retire from the league on their own. Because this is a sport that is hard to walk away from since it gets into your blood, and we’ve seen far too many players and coaches refuse to leave the game when their skills or football acumen have declined and thankfully that unfortunate moment for Bruce Arians will never come to pass. Because yesterday, Bruce announced his retirement from the NFL and despite the fact that he’s going out on his own terms, this is still quite the loss for the league and the Arizona Cardinals. Simply because Coach Arians was that rare breed of coach; the kind that brought out the absolute best in his players time and time again and whomever takes the reins in Arizona, has some big shoes to fill. Either way, I wish Bruce Arians nothing but continued success in whatever awaits him in the next chapter of his life.
 
Black Monday was surprisingly kind to NFL Head Coaches this year.
Sometimes, Black Monday is a wholesale blood bath, with Head Coaches being shown the door left and right, and you’ll often find a surprise firing or two mixed in there as well. But, this year, outside of assistant coaches, this unofficial and ugly holiday in the NFL was quite gentle to head coaches around the league. This year only five vacancies were created on Sunday and Monday and each and every single one of them made sense. However, despite the fact that decisions were made for the good of a particular franchise, you still hate to see coaches be dismissed since they have families and bills like the rest of us. So, here’s to hoping these men find continued work in the NFL at some level and that future Black Mondays, are as equally as kind as this one.