The Shenoa Report Conference Championships '18 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 21, 2017

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

I can’t believe the football season is almost over. Only 3 weekends left, and that’s if you count the Pro Bowl, but the good news it we still have three weeks of football!!!  Today we find out who is Super Bowl bound! I went 2-2 on my picks last week but I was happy to see the Jags beat the Steelers. I wasn’t happy however, to see the Eagles beat the Falcons. This week are the Conference Championship games and there should be at least one good match up.

 Let’s recap the Divisional Weekend

Falcons @ Eagles 10-15

Whenever I root for the Falcons they always seem to let me down. Not that I root for them a lot; just last year’s Super Bowl against the Patriots and this game against the Eagles. This wasn’t an exciting game to watch unless your favorite player is a kicker. Eagles kicker, Jake Elliott, may have missed an extra point but went ahead and made up for it by kicking three field goals, also scoring the most points on both teams. The Eagles haven’t won a playoff game since the 2008 season, which is entirely too soon if you ask this NY Giants fan. Atlanta will go home to watch the playoffs wrap up and Philadelphia will host the Vikings this Sunday.

Titans @ Patriots 14-35

Well, the first quarter was good. But then the Patriots decided to show up and play and it was all down hill from there. I didn’t even really watch the game after that, it was on, but my 1,000 piece puzzle was far more entertaining. The Titans not only lost this game but also parted ways with their head coach Mike Mularkey. The Patriots will host the Jaguars for the Conference Championship on Sunday.

      

Jaguars @ Steelers 45-42

The Steelers were so busy focusing on playing the Patriots that they forgot they had to play Jacksonville first. Jacksonville did not forget who they were playing, and weren’t concerned coming into this game, as the last time these teams met in Pittsburgh the Jaguars prevailed handily. We had gone out for brunch so I missed the first two Jags touchdowns but it was ok because they had four more! 6 touchdowns in total and Fournette had three of them, it was glorious.  The Steelers cut the lead in half by half time with two touchdowns but could never claw all the way back. What a great game, if you’re not a Steelers fan, which would be me!  The Jags have already said they are Super Bowl bound, but maybe they should learn from the Steelers and take it one game at a time. The Jags will travel to Foxburough to face that Pats and the Steelers will just go home.

Saints @ Vikings 24-29

I think the NFL saved the best game for last. It didn’t get really exciting until the last 5 minutes of the 4^th quarter. Minnesota lead by 17 at halftime but let Drew Brees and the Saints come back and even take the lead in the 4^th. There were FOUR lead changes in the final THREE minutes of the game! Saints Wil Lutz kicked a 43-yard field goal with 25 seconds left and thought they had sealed the win… I was Pouty McPouterson because I had picked the Vikings to win and didn’t want to go 1-3 on my picks. Also, fun fact, there has never been a team in NFL history that was able to play in their stadium in a Super Bowl.  This year’s Super Bowl will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium, which is Vikings Stadium and I think it would be cool if the Vikings made it to the Super Bowl, but I know, one game at a time.  And then, The Vikings, with 25 seconds had 4 plays for 75 yards… As time expired Stefon Diggs caught a 61-yard pass from Case Keenum and ran into the end zone! It’s what people are calling the Minnesota Miracle. And it was. The Vikings will head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles and the Saints will head home.

Conference Championships

Sunday, January 21^st        

Jaguars (12-6) @ Patriots (14-3) [3:05pm CBS]

So, Tom Brady is on the injury report because he hurt his hand in practice Wednesday. Sports Center is saying that he has stiches in his right hand due to the injury. It seems that he is always on the injury report when playoff time comes around. This is bad news for the Patriots but good news for the Jags, although I think the Jags should play like Tom Brady is completely healthy. I am going to pick the Patriots to win this game but I will say this; ever since Tom Coughlin joined the Jaguars they have been a completely different team. And, Tom Coughlin has beaten the Patriots a number of times with the NY Giants and twice when it really counted, in the Super Bowl. I will obviously be rooting for the Jags and hoping for an upset.

Vikings (14-3) @ Eagles (14-3) [6:40pm FOX]

I have proclaimed that I am a Vikings fan for the rest of their season. Hopefully, I’ll be a Vikings fan in February too. I’m picking the Vikings to win this game. Mostly, because I think they can and partially because I refuse to think that there could be an Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl. I feel sick just saying those words in a sentence.  Fun fact, both the Eagles and the Viking QBs were not starters when the season began. It’ll be fun to watch two back up QBs play for a chance at a Championship win.

GO Jaguars, Vikings, and as always GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the edit Eric!!!!!

The Shenoa Report Divisional Weekend '18 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 13, 2017

DIVISIONAL WEEKEND

First of all, to all the Buffalo fans, I am truly so sorry.  I even got choked up at the end of the game and I’m not even a Bills fan. As for the KC fans, you can call up all of the Atlanta fans and ask them how they handled blowing a big lead and losing in a big game. Rams fans, hey, at least you had a kick ass season and that’s more than you could say for years. Panthers fans, did it really surprise you? It probably did, #sorrynotsorry. If it makes you feel better I went 2-2 on my picks. This week is Divisional Weekend and there will be some pretty good match ups.

 Let’s recap the Wild Card Weekend

Titans @ Chiefs 22-21

I still can’t believe that Chiefs blew an 18 point lead to lose the game. Granted Travis Kelsey was knocked out of the game in the second quarter but the Chiefs were still able to score a touchdown late in the quarter to take an 18 point lead to end the half. They would not score again the rest of the game. On the other hand Marcus Mariota played lights out in the second half. He made key blocks to extend plays, used his legs when no one was open for a pass, and even threw a touchdown to himself. Take that Gisele.  (You may remember Tom Brady’s wife ranting about Pats wide receivers after a New England loss, and I quote, “My Husband Can Not F^<%ing Throw The Ball And Catch The Ball At The Same Time”) Maybe she should marry Marcus Mariota. The officiating of this game was garbage, so much so that one of the referees actually retired after this game. That was a good call… The Chiefs will probably go through a lot of changes in the off season and this will also likely be Alex Smith’s last game as a Chief.  The Titans head further into the playoffs, next stop New England. Enjoy this win while you can Titans fans.

Falcons @ Rams 26-13

This game really surprised me. I really thought that the Rams, with Todd Gurley, would have run all over the Falcons.  This was not the case. I guess it must have been another instance of a young team crumbling in the pressure of the post season. Atlanta’s defense showed up big, and Matt Ryan was on point even though he was pressured throughout the game.  The Rams will go home but I don’t foresee many changes in the off season, coaching or player wise. LA should be proud of the team and how far they made it this season. Atlanta is back in the post season again and hopefully they don’t blow a big lead again as they travel to Philadelphia in their next stop.

   

Bills @ Jaguars 3-10

Oh, Buffalo! I’m sorry. This was a great defensive game; hard fought, and sometimes hard to watch.  Buffalo will now look to another streak, the last time they won a playoff game; which was a wild card game in1995 against the Dolphins. Jacksonville, somehow, advances to the next round in the playoffs and visits Pittsburgh. The Bills will just go home and watch the play offs from their couches like they’ve done for decades.

Panthers @ Saints 26-31

Even though the final score looks close, it was really never a close game. The Saints played a better game on offense and defense. The Panthers tried to claw their way back to defeat the Saints but failed on a 4^th and super long when Cam got sacked and the Saints sealed the win. The Panthers are out and the Saints advance to Minnesota for the divisional round.   

DIVISIONAL WEEKEND

Saturday, January 13^th        

Falcons (11-6) @ Eagles (13-3) [4:35pm NBC]

The Eagles may be 1^st in overall rankings but they are the underdogs in this game. The Eagles haven’t played since last year and they will be starting Nick Foles at QB not Carson Wentz who is responsible for their 13 wins this season. Like I said earlier, the Falcons defense is really coming together at the right time and will be a strong force in this game. I am picking the Falcons to win and I will also be rooting for the Falcons.

Titans (10-7) @ Patriots (13-3) [8:15pm CBS]

Last week I mentioned that the Pats were in the news once again. An article, written by Seth Wickersham, came out about another controversy regarding the New England Patriots. The long and the short of it is there is trouble in paradise between Belichick and Brady. Belichick doesn’t like Brady’s trainer, Guerrero who came up with TB12 Sports Therapy, and restricted areas and rights Guerrero once had access to.  Brady didn’t want backup QB, Garoppolo, on the team and because Brady and Pats owner Robert Kraft are bff’s, Brady told Kraft that he wasn’t going anywhere and didn’t have need of Garoppolo.  Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers and Belichick was furious at this trade. You can read the whole article here. It’s worth the read. It doesn’t talk about deflating footballs but after reading the article it makes me believe, even more, that Brady is be capable of such thing and absolutely had a hand in deflate gate and Garoppolo’s send off.

Ok back to my picks. It would take a miracle for the Titans to win this game in Foxborough. I believe in miracles. I am rooting for the Titans and want them to win this game but I am picking the Pats for the win. 

  

Sunday, January 14^th       

Jaguars (11-6) @ Steelers (13-3) [1:05pm CBS]

The last time the Steelers and the Jags met the Jags picked off Big Ben FIVE times. It would be nice to see that happen again. Many of the Steelers wins have come down to field goals in the final seconds of games where they had trailed for the majority. The Jags are the second best defense in the league; it’s their offense that held them back in many cases. Steelers WR Antonio Brown will be back in the game after sitting out the last few weeks with a calf injury. This along with RB Le’Veon Bell should give the Steelers a great offensive game. I am picking the Steelers to win but want the Jags to win and will also be rooting for them as well.

Saints (12-5) @ Vikings (13-3) [4:40pm FOX]

I think this is the end of the road for the Saints. They are going up against the number one defense in the Vikings and Minnesota also has an explosive offense to boot. This could become a shootout but I am picking the Vikings for the win and will be rooting for them as well.

GO Falcons, Titans, Jaguars, Vikings, and as always GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the edit Eric!!!!!

The Shenoa Report Wild Card Weekend '18 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 6, 2017

WILD CARD WEEKEND

The post season is here. Did your team make it? If you’re a Bills fan you can finally say, YESSSSSSSS!!!!!! I’m just happy that the Giants actually won their last game of the season; at least we ended on a high note and sealed the 2^nd pick in the 2018 draft.  It was weird just watching football without any fantasy implications last week, but nice.  I went 10-6 on my picks.  This weekend there are two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday.

 Let’s recap week seventeen  

Redskins @ Giants 10-18

The Giants WON! It’s a New Years miracle!!!! It felt like we were watching a preseason game because I had no idea who most of the people on the field were. But, they played well; really well for the season they had and all the injuries they endured. It was also nice to beat a division rival for the first time this season… 3-13, and the second pick of the draft… GO GMEN!

Packers @ Lions 11-35

Maybe if the Lions had played this way last week they would have had a chance at the playoffs and keeping head coach Jim Cadwell who was fired the day after this game for failing to get the Lions to the playoffs. At least they finished the season strong, that’s more than the Packers can say.

  

Texans @ Colts 13-22

Even though the Colts won their last game head coach Chuck Pagano was fired immediately after the game, finishing the season at 4-12.

Bears @ Vikings 10-23

The Vikings clinched a first round bye with this win over the Bears.

Jets @ Patriots 6-26

The Pats clinched home field advantage with this win over the boring Jets.

Cowboys @ Eagles 6-0

Shame on the Eagles for letting the Cowboys beat them. Did the Eagles just sit their entire team?

Browns @ Steelers 24-28

The Browns join the 2008 Lions as the only teams in NFL history to go winless in an entire season. What makes it worse is the Browns were playing the Steelers “B” team.

Chiefs @ Broncos 27-24

The Chiefs are in the playoffs and the Broncos just go home. It’s hard to believe that Denver made it to the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago finishing this season 5-11.  

Jaguars @ Titans 10-15

The Jags have just run out of steam as of late. They’ve dropped their last 2 games and could have knocked the Titans out of playoff hopes.

49ers @ Rams (11-4) 34-13

It’s looking like Garoppolo is the real deal and the 49ers will be a good team next season. The 49ers finished the season strong even though they were playing the Rams “B” team.

Raiders @ Chargers 10-30

Jack Del Rio lost his job to Jon Gruden after the Raiders loss to the Chargers. Even though the Chargers won this game they did not make it into the playoffs. 

Cardinals @ Seahawks 26-24

Even though the Seahawks won their game they needed Atlanta to lose to make it into the playoffs. Atlanta won knocking out Seattle from the post season.  In other news Carson Palmer retired after this win.

Panthers @ Falcons 10-22

The Panthers played like the Panthers and blew another opportunity to kick the Falcons out of the playoffs. I can’t say that this surprises me…

Bills @ Dolphins 22-16

The Bills snapped a 17 season streak by actually making it to the playoffs with the help of the Bengals. Not only did the Bills need to win this game to make it into the playoffs they needed help from Cincinnati. The Bengals had nothing to play for other than knocking the Ravens out of any hopes of making the playoffs. After the Bills won this game, they watched the end of the Bengals game in the locker room. When Andy Dalton threw a touch down pass on 4^th and 12 in the final minute of the game, the Bills locker room erupted in celebration. Bills fans, to say thank you to the Bengals, are making $17 donations to Andy Dalton’s Charity and have already raised over $300K! Bills fans are great.

Saints @ Buccaneers 24-31

The Saints clinched the NFC South even though they lost because the Panthers lost too.  The Saints are lucky.

Bengals @ Ravens 31-27

The Ravens didn’t have a chance at making the playoffs as they lost to the Bengals with an Andy Dalton touchdown late in the 4^th.

WILD CARD WEEKEND

Saturday, January 6^th        

Titans (9-7) @ Chiefs (10-6) [4:20pm ESPN]

I’m picking the Chiefs for the win. There are injuries on both sides but the most notable is Titans RB DeMarco Murray.

Falcons (10-6) @ Rams (11-5) [8:15pm NBC]

I’m picking the Rams to win this game. The Rams have the youngest team and the youngest coach in the NFL. Head Coach Sean McVay is just 31.  Also, the Rams have Todd Gurley, so I’ve gotta go with the Rams for the win.

  

Sunday, January 7^th       

Bills (9-7) @ Jaguars (10-6) [1:05pm CBS]

As you know this is the Bills first post-season appearance in 17 years. Jacksonville was arguably one of the worst teams in the NFL for multiple seasons coming into this current season. Both teams, on paper, shouldn’t have even made it to the post season.  So who will win this game? I’m picking the Jags even though everyone around me seems to BILLieve otherwise.

Panthers (11-5) @ Saints (11-5) [4:40pm FOX]

With no allegiance to the Panthers I am picking the Saints to win this game.

PS

I’ve picked all the home teams to win this weekend. Also, I will wait till next week to write about the Patriots news ridiculousness. And, because the Giants won last week I will keep the smile on my face till next season.

GO GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the edit Eric!!!!!