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!!!!!