Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that will focus on one of the best Championship Sundays to ever grace the NFL Playoffs. Because this weekend’s slate of games was downright epic and filled to the brim with massive surprises and a huge upset and well, now that the dust has settled upon the Conference Championships, the time has come to recap this round of the NFL Playoffs before we look ahead to Super Bowl LVI.
 
The Kansas City Chiefs took the Cincinnati Bengals for granted.
There is no greater mistake to be made on the football field, than to take one’s opponent for granted. Because this is a sport where any one can lose on any given Sunday, and all it takes to even remotely allow for that to happen… is to assume that the win is yours and sadly, that is precisely the mindset that the Kansas City Chiefs locked into before they took the field for the AFC Championship Game. That might be attributed to the fact that this was their fourth straight appearance in the Conference Championships and that prior to yesterday, they’d only been bested once in this round of the playoffs.
 
But regardless of the reason, the bottom line is that they expected to easily handle the Bengals in their house and cruise to Los Angeles and well… they paid the price dearly for that line of thinking. Because they blew a 21-point lead and lost one of the biggest games of the year at home, to a team they could have beaten had they bothered to take them seriously and prepare for them and well, the good news is… the Chiefs now have the entire offseason to learn humility and that they should never take their opponent for granted again. And hopefully that lesson sticks when they make another run for the Super Bowl, later this year.   
 
Matthew Stafford finally gets to play in a Super Bowl.
You’ve heard time and time again, from pundits and commentators and coaches and players alike, that getting to a Super Bowl in the NFL is a difficult venture and they say that often, because it is 100% true. Because for every Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, there are other greats who spend their careers languishing in playoff losses and lost seasons. To the point where they enter the Hall of Fame without a single Super Bowl Championship on their resume. Which is why Sunday’s win over San Francisco, was a supremely special moment for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
 
Because he spent the first eleven years of his career, just dreaming of the Super Bowl. For the Detroit Lions did little to support him or build a cast around him, making it appear as though he too would be a typical Lions great, wherein he would achieve wonders on the field but never enjoy the majesty of a Super Bowl Run or even making it out of the first round of the playoffs. But thanks to a loaded Los Angeles roster, Stafford’s dream is finally coming true. For his quality play and the quality play of his teammates, netted him first ever Super Bowl start and regardless of what happens in the big game, at least Stafford can revel in the majesty… of finally playing in the biggest game in all the land.

Hello again football fans, and welcome to a very exciting edition of the NFL Roundup. Because today, we get to spotlight Championship Sunday. A day where two teams will advance to the biggest game in all the land, the Super Bowl, and all they have to do to make that happen… is leave it all on the field and beat the tar out of a quality and strong opponent. Which means we are likely in for some epic and powerhouse games, the kind that will undoubtedly take our breath away and have us talking about the big moments for days on end. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and preview what we can expect from tomorrow's AFC and NFC Championship Games. 

​THE BUZZ
This is a game that has everyone excited because it is in essence, a David and Goliath type story. For the Chiefs are a juggernaut in the playoffs and are fearless and fierce in championship games. To the point where they have begun to instill terror into their opponents in the postseason. And they’re also hungry, as evidenced by how hard they fought for the win in last weekend’s Divisional Round, and they are hosting a supremely unique underdog in the Cincinnati Bengals. Because despite having some leaders on both sides of the ball, the Bengals just haven’t put a complete game together yet in the playoffs and keep making mistakes. But ironically, those mistakes sure don’t stop them from finding a way to will themselves to a win, and that sheer desire has made them the most exciting team to watch this post-season and it will also make for one exciting matchup here. 
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is of course a game that on paper, is Kansas City’s to lose. After all, they’re home for this game, which means they have the earth rattling noise of their fans behind them. Plus, Kansas City is clicking on offense and Mahomes keeps finding new ways to beat defenses that adjust to him. But it is possible for Cincinnati to win this game. Provided that a few things fall into place. First and foremost, the secondary has to play lockdown man coverage on KC’s many weapons and disrupt their routes and second to that, the defensive line has to generate pressure and contain Mahomes so he doesn’t run all over the place. As for the offense, well they need the line to stay stout so Burrow and his weapons can attack the weak secondary that KC boasts. And if they can pull all that off, they’ll win and honesty… there’s a chance they might pull off the upset. Because this team continues to find a way to just forge ahead. So, don’t be shocked if the Bengals end up hoisting the Lamar Hunt Trophy before booking their plane tickets to Super Bowl LVI.

​THE BUZZ
Conference Championship games that feature a pair of teams from the same division are rare, but when they do happen, they are often something special. Because both teams involved, know that there are additional bragging rights that come with beating a rival and advancing to the Super Bowl in doing so, and that alone makes this game exciting. But there are more reasons as to why people are eager to watch this game and a lot of it has to do with the improbable nature of how these teams got here. After all, the Niners were expected to lose in the Divisional Round. But thanks to their patience and execution on special teams, they were able to knock off the mighty Green Bay Packers. As for the Rams, well they defied the odds and their own stupidity on the field to beat the ageless wonder that is Tom Brady and now both teams will try and play a perfect game, so they can compete for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI.
 
KEYS OF THE GAME
The fact of the matter, is both of these teams are evenly matched and that should lead to quite the game. One that should be high scoring in nature and fun to watch across the board. But evenly matched or not, the path to victory for either team… revolves around perfection. Because both of these teams are mistake prone at times and that’s cost them in big games and they can in fact, use that to their advantage. For instance, if the Niners D attacks Cam Akers’ ball handling or rattles Matthew Stafford with a fierce pass rush, they should be able to generate mistakes and turnovers. As for the Rams D, well they simply need to use disguised looks in the passing game to confuse Jimmy G, since he struggles to read masked defenses and makes mistakes because of that. As to who wins this one, well that is indeed anyone’s guess. Because both of these teams are talented enough to hoist the George Halas trophy and really in the end, this game might come down to who wants it more.

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to reflect upon… some of the best football this writer has ever seen. Because the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs sent four perfect games our way. The kind that thrilled us and frustrated us and sent our spirits soaring with big moment’s and thrilling finishes and everything else a football fan could ask for. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and reflect upon the weekend that was and every incredible moment that the Divisional Round sent our way.
 
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to impress.
Make no mistake about it, the Cincinnati Bengals should have lost Saturday’s game against the Titans. After all, Tennessee boasted the better offense and defense and their star running back returned from injury. But none of that mattered to the Bengals. For they walked into Nissan Stadium with a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality and their play reflected that. Because they went big on just about every play and for their efforts, they shut down the vaunted Tennessee running game, and they made Ryan Tannehill look like a rookie and Joe Burrow tore through that tough defense, despite having a sieve for an offensive line. And for their efforts, they’re now headed to their first AFC Championship Game in forever and if they keep up this mentality, they might give the Chiefs a run for their money, or outright stun them with an upset.
 
Special teams turned out to be the Achilles heel for the Green Bay Packers.
There are tough losses in the NFL and then there are devastating losses, and the Packers endured the latter of those on Saturday night. Because despite dominating the 49ers on offense and defense, they lost the freakin’ game and well… there’s surprisingly a very simple reason for that. Because it turns out that Green Bay’s Special Teams unit was simply not prepared to take the field on Saturday night and their lack of preparation and effort, cost the team a shot at the NFC Title Game. Because San Francisco was able to block a key punt and score a touchdown off of it and that would in turn energize the Niners just enough to pull out the win and well… it just goes to show that the best teams out there, bring their best to the table in all three phases of the game and had Green Bay shored up its Special Teams play… they might have won this game.
 
Tom Brady’s career may have ended in an embarrassing manner.
There’s been a lot of talk as of late regarding Tom Brady. In that, he might be finally ready to hang it all up and leave the game of football behind and if that is indeed the case, boy what a horrible way to end his storied career. Because the fact of the matter is, the Los Angeles Rams had no business winning Sunday’s early game. Because after an inspired first half, they made mistake after mistake, and kept coughing up the football and couldn’t execute their plays. If anything, it seemed as though they were trying to hand the game to Tampa Bay. But despite Tampa’s best efforts to fight back and keep it close… the Rams pulled off the win and get to host the NFC Championship Game and now Brady has a tough decision to make in the weeks ahead. And if he does call it a day, it will be strange to know that the career of a special player, one that snagged seven Super Bowl rings… ended in the most routine way imaginable.
 
The Buffalo Bills simply cannot beat the Kansas City Chiefs in big games.
After last week’s epic victory over the New England Patriots, it really seemed as though the Buffalo Bills were primed to deliver quite the upset over the Kansas City Chiefs. For they had proven to the football world that they too could score at will and that their defense could be stifling in every way imaginable. But while they held their own in the Divisional Matchup against the Chiefs last night, and stayed in it until the very end, they simply could not beat Kansas City. In fact, their defensive play calling was suspect at critical times, as was their offensive play calling and I hate to say it, but it really does seem as though Mahomes and the Chiefs have gotten inside the heads of every player and coach in Buffalo. Because they are an uncertain team when they play KC in big games and well, this one will undoubtedly sting for a long time in Orchard Park. Since the Bills could have won this one, had they exuded the same fearlessness they mustered in the Wild Card round.

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to spotlight what should be some incredible football. Because thankfully, the better teams won during Super Wild Card Weekend, and that means we should be in store for some hard fought, knockdown, drag it out playoff football this weekend. The kind that will drop our jaws with incredible plays and stunning moments and well, with that in mind… let’s not waste any more time and preview everything that the Divisional Round should have to offer us.

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is definitely a position in the playoffs that both of these teams had to work hard for. Because the Bengals had a bit of an up and down stretch in the middle of the season, where no one was certain that they would be a playoff team. But they buckled down and played some solid ball and lit it up in the Wild Card Round and now they take on the Tennessee Titans, who also had question marks surrounding them this year. Because Tennessee is built around Derrick Henry and when he went down with an injury, so many of us wondered if the Titans could overcome his loss and eventually, they did, and they managed to take home the AFC South Divisional Title on their way to becoming to becoming the number one overall seed in their conference as well.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest. This is Tennessee’s game to lose. Because they’re rested and they have Derrick Henry back in the lineup for this big game and well, with him running the ball and the defense playing well, it’s going to be tough for Cincy, but a win is possible. Provided of course, they can stop the best running back in the NFL. Because when the Titans cannot run the ball and have to put the passing game on QB Ryan Tannehill’s shoulders, they’re not the same team and they’re beatable and that’s how the Bengals walk out of this one a winner. But the fact of the matter is, Derrick Henry is going to bowl over that Bengal defense no problem and propel his team to the AFC Championship Game.  

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
What is fascinating about this matchup, is that the teams involved took two very different paths to get to this point. For the Niners dealt with an up and down season. One that saw them lose a few tough games and put their QB of the future into the lineup a little earlier than they wanted. But eventually, they figured out a way forward and got hot at the right time and of course, they knocked the Cowboys out of the Wild Card Round, and they are taking on a Green Bay team, that is the toast of the NFC. Because the Packers were on cruise control most of the year since Aaron Rodgers came forth with a vengeance after a tough week one loss, allowing for his boys to lock up the NFC North once again and secure home field advantage in the playoffs.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is another one where the home team has quite the advantage over its opponent. Because the Packers are playing well in every phase of the game and seemingly cannot be stopped. Which means that if the Niners want a shot at winning this game, they have to stick to a very particular plan. One that involves playing mistake free football in every way imaginable, alongside long and sustained drives, that end in points. Because they need to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field, and they need to keep pace with an offense that will score when it does touch the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field, and if they can do that, they have a shot. But in reality, Green Bay is going to host the NFC Championship Game, because they are just that much better than San Francisco.  

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
Both of these teams found their way into the second round of the playoffs, through sheer domination. For the Rams, that involved beating the tar out of a divisional opponent. Since they utterly creamed the Arizona Cardinals and made Kyler Murray look like a rookie. As for the Bucs, well they just offered up a down home beatdown of the Philadelphia Eagles, exposing to the world that the Eagles need a few more pieces on offense and defense before they can properly compete in the tournament.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
As for how these teams win… well that all revolves around one man, Tom Brady. Because there is a blueprint to beating him. In that, if you blanket his tight end, and play press cover on his receivers, you disrupt his perfectly timed game, bringing about frustration for #12. Plus, he doesn’t like being hit, so getting pressure and sacks is paramount to forcing Tom Terrific into critical mistakes. As for the Bucs, well they just need to let Tom be Tom and use his experience and leadership to guide the offense into the end zone often. Because he can outscore and outduel anyone. As for who wins, it is honestly hard to say. Because the Rams are legit and the Bucs are no slouch and this one might be decided by a late game drive, or a critical mistake.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE DIVISIONAL ROUND
This is ironically, another game featuring two teams that made their way to round two by utterly destroying their last opponents. Because the Buffalo Bills straight up embarrassed the Pats to get here. By outright having a perfect game plan that let them blow out the storied Patriots and as for the Chiefs, well they smacked around a woefully weak Pittsburgh Steelers squad. One whose QB had nothing left in the tank and now these two teams get a chance to beat up on each other in what some could consider to be a revenge game for the Bills. Since the Chiefs sent them packing during last year’s AFC Championship Game.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
As to how these teams advance, is simple. For the Bills, they need to stick with last week’s game plan. Which means they need to unleash hell upon the Chiefs and show them they’re for real and not to be messed with. Because the Chiefs rarely deal with that kind of aggressive behavior and tend to struggle with it for certain. And putting them on their heels and taking advantage of every scoring opportunity while they catch their breath, will help Buffalo advance. As for the Chiefs, well they need to exercise patience. Which is difficult for them since they love to showcase their flash and dash offense. But Buffalo’s defense is full of confidence and calm, and they won’t give Patrick Mahomes that many opportunities. So, the Chiefs need to take them as they come and score as often as possible, because their suspect defense won’t do them any favors here. As to who wins, well this is another one that is up in the air since both teams’ feature QBs that will their teams to victory often and this is one that might come down to the old adage of, who wants it more.

​Hello again, football fans, and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to focus upon a weekend that lived up to its namesake. For Super Wild Card Weekend was as epic as it gets, since it was filled with incredibly satisfying beat downs and stunning upsets and moving drama and well, with that in mind… let’s not waste any more time today and dig right into every magnificent moment that the first round of the NFL Playoffs sent our way.
 
The Cincinnati Bengals won their first playoff game in thirty-one years in a breathtaking manner.
I think we can all agree that the pressure of winning the franchise’s first playoff victory in decades, translated to the field on several occasions for the Cincinnati Bengals. Because at times, it was incredibly obvious that these guys were nervous, and the boneheaded mistakes made on the field reflected that through and through. But eventually, the Bengals settled down and figured out how to best the Raiders and stop them when it counted in the most dramatic and cinematic way imaginable and just like that, Cincy got its first playoff win in forever and hopefully the fans of this proud franchise hang onto this one for a long time. Because regardless of what comes next, this is stunning progress for this franchise and hopefully, this team can keep the magic going when they take on the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.
 
To call the Patriots game an ‘embarrassment’ would be a gross understatement.
Make no mistake about it, what happened in Buffalo on Saturday night, was about as ugly as it gets. Because not only were the Patriots unprepared to face the Bills in any capacity, but they made zero adjustments throughout the game, and they certainly didn’t show any desire to fight for a win in the slightest. Not to mention, the Bills basically exposed Mac Jones in a lot of ways, leaving football fans everywhere to wonder if he is indeed the long-term answer at quarterback and well… if Robert Kraft cares about this team in the manner he claims to… serious changes should come about in the offseason to the coaching staff and the personnel structure. Because this was a direct result of bad coaching and seeing as to how Big Bill is also the de facto GM in Foxboro, it would make sense to take a few things off of his plate. To ensure this team is never this unprepared in a big game, again.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles had no business being in the playoffs this year.
Speaking of ugly games, let’s talk about that Eagles/Bucs stinker. Because Philly was outclassed and outcoached at every single turn in this game and hot streak in the regular season or no, their performance here makes it clear that the weird nature of the 2021/2022 season benefitted them in a manner that it shouldn’t have. Because this team isn’t ready for this kind of big-time game in the slightest, and they’re going to need to make some major changes to the roster and the playbook in the offseason to avoid this kind of messy loss in the future. So don’t be surprised to see some changes take place on the coaching staff play calling wise to keep things fresh and expect this team to upgrade the offensive line and the receiving corps, so that Jalen Hurts can succeed in big games going forward.
 
The Dallas Cowboys have an ego problem, and it reared its ugly head again on Sunday.
Something I’ve made mention of before regarding the Dallas Cowboys, is that they have a tendency to get a little full of themselves and think they are God’s gift to football and that’s backfired on them more times than I can count. Because it gives them a sense of invincibility in big games, and they take their opponents for granted and once again… it happened on Sunday. Because ‘Dem Boyz’ really thought they were going to dominate the Niners at home and cruise to success. But San Francisco’s opening drive, wherein they marched down the field and punched the ball into the end zone, left the Cowboys shell shocked and unsure of how to proceed. To the point where they shot themselves in the foot often and for their egotistical efforts, they were sent packing in the first round of the playoffs… again. And sadly, this will continue to happen, until the Cowboys show a sense of humility, and who knows when that day will come.
 
Ben Roethlisberger’s storied career ended on a low note Sunday night.
Obviously, every player that enters the National Football League, is looking to end their careers a la John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Jerome Bettis. Wherein they win the Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset… a champion. But there are only a handful of players that get to have that kind of storybook ending and a vast majority of them will either fade away late in their careers or see it end with an ugly loss and the latter of those two options is precisely how Ben Roethlisberger’s career came to a close. Because the Pittsburgh Steelers, another team that really had no business in being in the playoffs this year, were blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs. Ending an eighteen-year run that featured two Super Bowl rings for Big Ben and well, that’s simply how it ends for #7, with a loss that was unsatisfying and uneventful. But thankfully, this will be nothing but a footnote in his career, courtesy of the incredible resume he put together as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
 
Matthew Stafford finally enjoyed a playoff victory.
It is obvious that trade the Los Angeles Rams made for QB Matthew Stafford was designed to help both parties. For the Rams needed a dynamic QB that could utilize the weapons present on this team and Stafford, wanted to play for a contender and get his first ever playoff victory and well, last night both sides got what they wanted. For Stafford once again showed his command of the Rams’ offense by dropping dimes all night and he got his first career playoff win. Giving him a taste of the good life in the NFL at last after spending years in playoff purgatory in Detroit and well, it is wonderful to see a talented QB such as Stafford finally get his due in the postseason and hopefully the magic of this win will translate over to the Divisional Round. Because the Bucs will be a real test for this team, and they’ll need Stafford’s best if they want a shot at the George Halas trophy.  

​Hello again football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that gets to spotlight a very special time of year. For this is it, the NFL Playoffs are about to get underway, and fourteen teams will now duke it out for a chance to be crowned as the NFL’s finest team and well… let’s not waste any time today and dive right in and preview what to expect from Super Wild Card Weekend.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This game features a pair of teams that reached the playoffs in a shaky manner. Because neither of these teams were dominant this year and lost some big games that would have helped them notch a higher seed in the tournament. But despite Las Vegas’ entry into the playoffs coming down to the wire and Cincinnati having some serious scares here and there throughout the season, the Raiders are in, and the Bengals won the AFC North and now they have their shot and, in the NFL, sometimes a shot at glory is all a team needs to be inspired to go the distance.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
While it is wonderful to talk about inspiration and hope when it comes to the playoffs, none of those elements will help these teams win, here. In fact, in order for these teams to advance to the Divisional Round, they need to exhibit serious discipline. Because sloppy play is what kept these teams from being outright elite this season and really, the first team to execute flawlessly in every phase of the game and maintain patience with their opponent is the one that will win, and it will be quite interesting to see which team lets bad habits control their destiny in this one.

HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This is a matchup that features a pair of teams that reached the playoffs in supremely unique ways. For the Buffalo Bills were expected to dominate this year and didn’t, since they lost some games, they shouldn’t have. But despite having some dubious moments on the field, they did do enough to lock up their second straight AFC East title. As the Patriots, well… no one expected them to be here. For it is rare for Rookie quarterbacks to lead their teams to the postseason in their debut year. But Mac Jones pulled it off, and the Pats are back in the tournament.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Now this is a game that Buffalo should win. Because they have playoff experience now, and this new Patriots roster really doesn’t. In fact, Mac Jones hasn’t a clue what to expect from his first postseason start and if the Bills defense takes full advantage of that, and Josh Allen does his thing, they’ve got this in the bag. But… and there is a big ‘but’ here, if the Bills take their opponent for granted, things might go south easily. Because while Jones is inexperienced, he will take full advantage of a team that gives him an opening and march the Pats down the field and into the end zone. So really, this is Buffalo’s game to lose, and if they can keep their focus and keep the pressure on, they should be able to lock up a Wild Card win.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
Now this is a game that features a pair of teams that reached the postseason in a supremely polarizing manner. For the Philadelphia Eagles were all but forgotten this season and rightfully so. For their early season performance was fairly blasé and no one thought they’d make the playoffs. But they went on a tear late in the year and made magic happen and now, they’re in the tournament. Whereas the Bucs really didn’t have to worry all that much. Because their defense performed well again, and Tom Brady once more turned on the juice and led this team to victory after victory and another NFC South crown.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Let’s be honest, this is a game that Tampa Bay should win easily. Because they’ve got Tom Brady running the offense and that defense is no slouch either. So, we should expect the Bucs to advance to the Divisional Round no problem. But anything can happen in the playoffs and this season has been wild and well, if the Philadelphia Eagles have done their homework and execute the age-old blueprint that exists to bringing down Tom Brady… wherein they blitz heavy to frustrate #12 and play press cover on his receivers to disrupt his routes and find a way to score… they could advance instead. But more than likely, Tampa Bay is going to walk out of this one, the winner.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
Ironically, Saturday’s games feature a trio of games where the teams involved took polarizing paths to the playoffs. For the Niners were all over the place earlier this year in the win/loss column and looked like a team that was going to miss the playoffs entirely. But they did enough to secure a berth and they’re taking on a Dallas team… that was one of the crown jewels of the NFC this year. Because they played lights out football for a better part of the year and dominated their opponents often on their way to an NFC East title. 
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
This is another matchup where the home team, should win no problem. Because Dallas has it all, a great defense, solid offense and both of those units score and score often. So, if San Francisco wants a chance at moving to the Divisional Round, they need to achieve some very specific goals on offense and defense. From an offensive standpoint, they have to be patient with drives and offer up a conservative game plan. One that moves the ball and wears that defense out and scores points. As for the defense, they have to make the Cowboys offense one dimensional, so that the team overcompensates and makes mistakes. But while that is a sound plan, the Niners don’t have the talent to pull it off consistently and that’s why Dallas should advance no problem

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
The NFL saved the best for last when it comes polarizing paths to the playoffs. Because the Chiefs, absolutely earned their berth through and through, since their season started off soft before the team buckled down and played some incredible football, netting them the #2 seed and their sixth AFC West title in the process. Whereas the Steelers, basically backed their way into the playoffs. Because they really didn’t have that strong a record this year, but the math and a Raiders win, catapulted them into the postseason unexpectedly.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Once again, the home team has a ridiculous advantage here. Because the Kansas City secondary is finally playing good football and the offense has found its groove and is scoring up a storm. Whereas the only thing the Steelers have going for them, is their stout defense. One that gets worn down often because the offense cannot produce. So really, as cynical as this sounds, the Steelers just don’t stand a chance in this game. Because Big Ben has little left in the tank and the Chiefs want another shot at the title, so expect KC to just do their thing and rip the Steelers to shreds on their way to the Divisional Round.

​HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
If there was a good nickname to apply to this particular game, it would have to be the ‘Blue Collar Bowl’. Simply because these teams worked overtime to make it to the postseason and had to fight through all kinds of adversity to get here. For the Cardinals, their struggles related often to injury and fatigue, but despite losing some big games, they managed to lock up enough wins to be here. As for the Rams, well tinkering with the roster lead to some conflicts on the field, and some sloppy play made their journey the playoffs perilous at times. But they too fought back and fought hard and locked up the NFC West this year.
 
KEYS TO THE GAME
Now this is a matchup, that could go either way. Since both teams boast dynamic offenses with equally as dynamic quarterbacks and stout defenses that enjoy keeping their opponent to minimum yardage. Which means that the key to this matchup is going to be patience and execution. Because there is no margin for error here and turnovers will be disastrous if they happen. So, the first team that plays sound and efficient offense and stifling defense that forces mistakes, will be the one to win this game. As to which one that is, is anyone’s guess, since both of these teams are so evenly matched.

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is going to be filled to the brim with awe. Because the final week of the NFL season was jam-packed with stunning surprises and the morning after offered up a few of its own as well. So, let’s not waste any time today and dive right into all the top storylines and stunning moments that Week 18 in the NFL, sent our way.
 
The Denver Broncos made the right call, in firing Vic Fangio.
Make no mistake about it, Vic Fangio is in fact, a great defensive football coach. For he truly improved the Broncos defense during his time as head coach with the team, to the point where every player found success in his system. But alas, being a great defensive coordinator with the title of head coach, does not bring you great success, nor does failing to hold the offense and special teams accountable to their mistakes and those are the reasons why Denver let him go on Sunday and the team definitely made the right call. Because the Broncos need a true leader at the helm of this team and now that Vic is off to his next DC job, the search can begin for a genuine leader, one that will get the most out of the coaching staff and this team and finally lead the Broncos back to their winning ways.
 
The NFC North had quite the housecleaning Monday morning.
It is definitely safe to say that everyone around the league expected Mike Zimmer and Matt Nagy to be relieved from their respective duties this morning and that definitely did happen first thing. But what was genuinely surprising about their exit is that they weren't alone when it comes to their respective franchises. For General Managers Rick Spielman and Ryan Pace were also fired on Black Monday and well, that kind of housecleaning just goes to show that ownership in Minnesota and Chicago, fully understand that a fresh start and a fresh set of eyes are needed to get these teams over the hump and hopefully, they make the right hires at all levels this time since these fans deserve better than what they’ve received as of late.
 
The Miami Dolphins made a huge mistake in firing Brian Flores.
Every year, Black Monday offers up a surprising firing. One where a coach that deserved better is sent packing and this year; the Miami Dolphins decided to be the team to make that happen. For they released Brian Flores this morning and uh, that’s a dumb move. Because Flores did an amazing job with a team that is young and unproven. In fact, he only had one losing season in his time with Miami and put forth one heck of a 2021 campaign. One where he took a 1-7 start and transformed it into a 9-8 season, and it just doesn’t make sense to fire a guy that can get that kind of performance out of a raw team. But that’s what Miami did, and it was a poor decision, and now they’re back to square one when they could have been in a great place in 2022 with Flores at the helm.
 
Another year, another set of records (mostly) fall.
Say what you will about the addition of an extra game and what it will do to records, but one way or another, they continue to fall, and this season is no exception to that. Since Sunday saw two players make quite the splash with single season records. For T.J. Watt tied the coveted single season sack record by netting 22.5 this year, putting him amongst the league’s elite pass rushers and Cooper Kupp… well he basically has every single season passing record known to man and extra game or no, they did this, they broke those records, and they deserve every ounce of praise and every accolade that comes with their accomplishments. 
 
Head Coach Brandon Staley made a boneheaded mistake last night.
It is a prevailing belief in the NFL, that you do whatever it takes to make it to the playoffs. Because a shot at the tournament, is a shot at the Super Bowl and that's why you don't hear teams complain which seed they receive if they make it in, because they know this is their shot. With that being said however, clearly Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley, missed that memo and that mantra. Because despite having a chance to make it to the playoffs by forcing a tie against the Raiders last night, Staley opted to call a timeout for no apparent reason and in doing so, gave the Raiders the chance to ponder upon how best to win the game and well... they did. Sending Los Angeles home and hopefully teaching Staley a valuable lesson. In that, sometimes when a grand opportunity presents itself, you don't play it safe and go for broke. 

Hello again, football fans and welcome to a somewhat historic edition of the NFL Roundup. Because normally this time of year, this blog is focused on Wild Card Weekend and the rest of the postseason. But thanks to a big change in the league’s overall schedule structure, there are now 18 weeks in a season and there are still plenty of regular season football matters to discuss. Such as who might be losing their job on Black Monday, since that is an NFL standard that isn’t going away. So, with most of the playoff seeding set and few important games waiting in the wings, let's talk about which coaches are on the Hot Seat and might be leaving their respective jobs come Monday.

Pete Carroll – Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks
It is definitely safe to say that Pete Carroll has enjoyed quite the career in the NFL as Seattle’s Skipper. Since he’s guided this team to multiple Super Bowl Berths and won one over Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII. Plus, he introduced the world to the Legion of Boom and helped develop Russell Wilson into a superstar quarterback. But the team has been sliding into decline over the past couple of years and they aren’t as good on the field as they used to be. Which could be related to the message just not resonating in Seattle and that slide, combined with some internal strife with Wilson, could cost Carroll his job come Monday.
 
Mike Zimmer – Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings
Zimmer is another one of those wonderful NFL stories since he basically earned his way into the Minnesota job through brilliant defensive work and for a time it seemed as though Zimmer was the right man for the job. For he led the Vikings to wonderful wins and even got them deep into the playoffs on a couple of occasions. But once again, this is a team that has become stagnant under its head coach’s leadership and despite being loaded with weapons on offense and having a solid defense, this team just isn’t responding to his direction and sadly… that likely means that Zimmer’s time as the head coach of the Vikings will be coming to an end.
 
Matt Rhule – Head Coach, Carolina Panthers
Rhule was hired to a massive contract by Panthers Owner David Tepper, out of the belief that he could transform this team back into a championship competitor and unfortunately for Tepper and Panthers fans… that was simply not the case. Because Rhule has gone a combined 10-22 since he took over as Head Coach and has more or less employed a carousel system for quarterbacks in this town. Since he’s gone through Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold, Cam Newton and P.J. Walker over the past two seasons… with minimal success. Plus, the defense is about as inconsistent as it gets and well, it is obvious that Matt just isn’t working out as the leader of this team and that means he is a likely candidate to be relieved of his duties on Monday morning.
 
Vic Fangio – Head Coach, Denver Broncos
There was a prevailing belief in the Mile High City, that Vic Fangio was finally going to turn this team around when he was hired three years ago. For his hard-nosed, old-school approach to football should have inspired this team to dig deep and use the grit they find within to win. But alas, that never translated to the field. Instead, he’s produced three losing years with the Broncos, the kind that have been free of accountability and have seen the Broncos be outcoached on a consistent basis. And while he is indeed respected by the front office and players by way of his demeanor and impressive resume, it is obvious now that he is way in over his head and cannot handle the head coaching job and that should help General Manager George Paton to release Fangio on Monday. But ironically, while it is inherently clear that Vic is a better coordinator than head coach, it is possible he might land another year in Denver. Provided of course he make some changes to his coaching staff and if he agrees to that, he could get one last shot, and this will indeed be the most fascinating situation to watch over the next few days.
 
Matt Nagy – Head Coach, Chicago Bears
Matt Nagy is another coordinator turned head coach that came to his new job with high hopes surrounding him. Since the Bears were desperate to win again and truly believed his football mind would change their fortunes and unlike Fangio and Ruhle, Nagy made quite the splash in his first year. For he took the Bears to the playoffs for the first time in years, making it seem as though at last… Chicago made the perfect hire. But then… things went south quickly. For the Bears quickly returned to mediocrity under Nagy’s watch, and they even backed into the playoffs and lost again before everything fell to pieces. Which just goes to show that Nagy was a flash in the pan hire, one that quickly lost this team and can no longer lead them and judging from a report that Boomer Esiason dropped the other day, it won’t be long now before Matt Nagy is gone.  

Hello once again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is going to be a bit emotional in nature. Because there were a lot of big and moving moments that took place this past weekend and some shocking ones as well. The kind that speaks to a need for better mental health care in the NFL and also informed us that the playoffs will be anything but predictable. So, with all of that in mind, let’s dive right in and reflect upon all the big stories and moments, that Week 17 in the NFL sent our way.
 
Antonio Brown’s actions speak to a need for better mental health care programs in the NFL.
Ironically, this is a topic that came up earlier this year when we saw several players take part in some ugly actions related to poor mental health and here, we are talking about it again. Because whether you’re a fan of Antonio Brown or not, we can all agree upon the fact that his actions on Sunday were not healthy in the slightest and that moment and the many odd ones he’s brought forth in the past, speak to a man that needs help and sadly, the league really doesn’t offer that. Instead, it still stands by outdated notions that men must be men and if they don’t tough it out, they’ll get mocked by Terry Bradshaw (as was the case here), and well… look, enough is enough. The league has the resources, and they need to use those resources in offering counseling and care from a mental health perspective to all of its players and personnel so that we don’t have to see a moment like this one, become a meme, ever again.
 
Turns out the Bengals still have a little fight left in them.
Make no mistake about it, the Cincinnati Bengals should have lost at home on Sunday. Because they’ve been playing loose, and Kansas City has been playing hungry. But clearly, they knew what was at stake and they knew they had a chance to knock out an AFC juggernaut to lock up the AFC North and boy… did they impress. For they played fearless football on Sunday and hung with the Chiefs every step of the way and for their efforts… they do indeed ‘run the north’ and they have a chance to do something quite special in the playoffs. All because it turns out that they hadn’t given up or lost the fight they exhibited earlier in the season. They just needed a wakeup call, and they certainly answered it.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles proved their worth on Sunday.
Let’s be honest, the Eagles are a team that has slipped through the cracks in every way imaginable. Because they really haven’t had many flashy games this season, they’ve just been grinding quietly behind the scenes and amassing just enough wins to put them into playoff contention. But they’re definitely on our radar now, because their win over the Washington Football Team was quite significant. Since it put them into the postseason for the first time in a couple of years, behind a new coach and a slightly green QB no less, and that means that this is a team to keep an eye upon in the playoffs. Because teams that stick to fundamentals and grind on the field, are tough to beat and don’t be surprised in the slightest if Philadelphia pulls off a stunning upset in the postseason, courtesy of the foundation they've built this season.
 
It is definitely safe to say, the New York Giants are a mess right now and will be for some time.
There are a great many things that indicate to fans that their favorite franchise is stable and in a good place. For instance, the roster is loaded with talent, and the team is hungry for success and has an identity. Plus, bad behaviors are held accountable and their head coach… don’t go off on weird tangents for twelve minutes that are nonsensical in nature. And it is that latter issue, that has made it clear that the New York Giants are NOT stable nor are they in a good place. Because that’s exactly what Head Coach Joe Judge did on Sunday and uh, it really does leave one to wonder what it is going to take to get this team back to glory and stability and sadly… it will take some guts on ownership’s part to clean house and get some real football minds in there. But it doesn’t seem as though ownership is inclined to do much but stay the course right now, and that’s just terrible for the fans.
 
Ben Roethlisberger received one heck of a send-off last night.
For most players in the NFL, their careers end in a supremely unceremonious manner. Wherein the ones on the ‘decline’ find themselves bouncing around the league before retiring, or some are simply cut and never return to the game again. Which is why it is a big deal when a player actually gets to decide when their career ends and that decision is only sweetened further when said player gets a beloved send off from the fan base. Because it speaks to what they accomplished and how much they meant to their town and that’s why last night’s Monday night game was so special. Since Ben Roethlisberger received that kind of beautiful farewell against the Browns and well… it will be weird to not see #7 prowling the sidelines at Heinz Field next year, but it is clear that he is bucking the norm and going out on his own terms and it is a wonderful thing that his goodbye tour involved one last game beneath a sea of terrible towels, and loyal fans.  

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is filled to the brim with anticipation. Simply because we are in the home stretch of the regular season, where plenty of teams still have a shot at locking up a postseason berth and that means we are going to be treated to some ridiculously great football this weekend. The kind where a bevy of teams will leave it on the field and give it their all and with that in mind, let’s dive right in and look at all the fascinating games that await us this weekend and the top storylines hanging over Week 17 in the NFL.
 
The football world suffered a great loss with the passing of John Madden.
Football fans are quite blessed for certain, because not only is the sport beloved by so many but it is accessible in ways that other sports are not and a big reason that’s the case, is because of the late John Madden. For this brilliant coach, who wowed the sport by way of his innovative play with the Raiders, spent his post coaching career teaching everyone about the sport via his work in the commentator’s booth and through the revolutionary Madden video game franchise. Both of which made football palatable and accessible to the folks who wanted to learn more about the intricacies of the sport and his passing… is a huge loss to football. For few have done so much for the game and truly, he deserves every tribute he has coming tomorrow… and hopefully the league figures out how to integrate his namesake permanently into the fabric of the game that he helped to bring into the mainstream.
 
Will the Miami Dolphins make it eight wins in a row?
Truly no story has been more compelling than the Miami Dolphins journey this season. For this is a team that started off the year in a disastrous manner with 7 straight losses and a push to trade their ‘franchise’ QB. Only to follow it up with 7 straight wins and a shot at the playoffs and that does leave one to wonder, if Miami can string together their 8th win in a row against the Titans tomorrow and honestly, it’s possible. Because while the Titans have done a fine job of compensating the loss of Derrick Henry, they are still a one-dimensional team, offensively. So, if the Dolphins defense can rob Tennessee of the run and play press cover and force Ryan Tannehill to try and beat them with his arm, they can snag a huge win and bring this team one step closer to a storybook season. 
 
Will any head coaches lose their job after this weekend?
It is definitely safe to say that there has been greater scrutiny around head coaching moves this year, courtesy of the rule change that now exists. Which allows teams to start interviews earlier than usual if they either release their head coach or inform them of their impending release and to date, surprisingly, the majority of teams likely to fire their head coach, have yet to take advantage of this new rule. Which begs the question, will that change after this weekend? After all, there’s only one more week of football after tomorrow’s games, giving these teams the perfect opportunity to get started on the search and honestly, I’m not sure anyone will. For it really seems as though everyone is committed to the old school; ‘give them the year,’ approach. But this is of course a year full of surprises and one bad loss… might see a team or two indulge in this new opportunity.

​This is a game of note, simply because it features a pair of AFC teams with some wildly different goals. For instance, the Kansas City Chiefs are eager to pad their playoff standing by locking up the number one seed in the AFC and a win here will go a long way in helping that to happen. Whereas the Bengals are simply looking to assert dominance in the AFC North and a win here helps them there. Which means this should be an intense game through and through, one where both teams give us a heck of a show as they work toward their respective goals. But in the end, I’d wager that Kansas City is going to win this game, because they’re on fire right now and are hungry to get back to the postseason. 

​This is one of those games… where both teams have something to prove. For while the big moves that the Rams made at the Trade Deadline are starting to pay off, they need to keep winning to silence any and all doubt revolving around such bold roster decisions. As for the Ravens, well they are just trying to prove to the league that they are elite and deserve to be part of the championship conversation and those two elements will lead to an intense game. One where these teams try to assert dominance through epic play and once again, I have to give this one to the away team. Because Los Angeles just has weapons abound on both sides of the ball, and the Ravens are struggling, and their quarterback play is all over the place. So, expect the Rams to win big here as they work to lock up a home game or two in the postseason.

​One would think that this game is of interest because of the record these two teams boast. Since 10-5 vs. 11-4 should bring forth an epic clash of the titans. But alas, this game is of note, because it is a litmus test for the Arizona Cardinals. Because this team, which was once the toast of the NFC… is struggling to win or put a quality product on the field right now, due to injury and just poor play calling. Which means they need to show the football world and their fans that next man up is a standard in Glendale, and that the moment is never too big for this team and sadly, I’m not sure they’ll be able to pull that off. Simply because they really are starting to crack under the pressure surrounding them, and they are facing a team that is playing lights out football right now.