The Shenoa Report Conference Championship '19 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 20, 2019

Conference Championship Sunday

If you live in the North East you are under a thick blanket of snow. Chances are you aren’t going anywhere today, which is good.  After you shovel you can sit on the couch and watch football for the rest of the day!

The NFC East is officially out of the playoffs and this makes me happy. I went 4-0 on my picks last week and my overall pick record is better than all of the hosts on Inside the NFL! This has been my best season for predictions in all the years that I have done this blog. It makes me think I’m learning more about football every year. Either that, or I am becoming a little less biased.

With all that being said we still have two more weeks of predictions to go and I could tank them all.

Let’s recap Divisional Weekend.

Colts @ Chiefs 13-31

The Colts playoff run came to a halt when they faced the Chiefs defense. Surprising sentence being that the Chiefs defense had been almost non-existent all season.  It’s safe to say that Chiefs annihilated Indy. The Chiefs got out to a big lead early in the game and the Colts never really found their rhythm. The Chiefs didn’t seem to miss Kareem Hunt much as their new running back Damien Williams ran all over the Colts for 129 yards and a touchdown. Tyreek Hill continued to be a force with 72 receiving yards and a touchdown run and Patrick Mahomes seemed to feel quite at home in the snow and cold. The Chiefs defense was amazing in that the Colts first four possessions were three and outs. The Chiefs will stay at home and play the Patriots for a chance at the Super Bowl.

Cowboys @ Rams 22-30

The Rams backup RB, CJ Anderson, had two touchdowns while their starting RB, Todd Gurley, had one of his own, as they ran all over the Cowboys defense. This was a close game but I’m glad that the Rams came out on top. When I was young I thought the Rams helmets looked like a bumblebee so I was rooting for the bumblebees during this game. Head coach Sean McVay, 32, made history, as he is the youngest head coach to make it this far into the playoffs. The Rams will travel to New Orleans to play the Saints in the Conference Championship Sunday.

Chargers @ Patriots 28-41

If you’re not a Patriots fan this game was dreadful to watch. I think that the Chargers just forgot how to play football. They looked terrible. Their defense could not stop the run at all as Sony Michel ran for 129 yards and had three touchdowns. It was pathetic. The Patriots will be heading to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs Sunday.

Eagles @ Saints 14-20

This game was a little too close for comfort. The Eagles jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter and I really thought that the Saints weren’t going to recover. Had I known that the Eagles wouldn’t score again after the first quarter it would have put my mind at ease. The Saints didn’t score until the second quarter but scored in every quarter after. Drew Brees threw two touchdowns and Marcus Lattimore intercepted Nick Foles twice giving the Saints the win. Lattimore’s last interception ended an Eagles comeback drive and sent them to the off season. The Saints will play the Rams at home on Sunday to decide who goes to the Super Bowl.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS  

Sunday, January 20th  

Rams [13-3] @ Saints [13-3] (3:05pm FOX)

Last week I picked all home teams and it worked out in my favor so I was considering doing it again this week. This will not be the first time these two teams faced off this season. This will be a rematch of week 9 when the Rams beat the Saints 45-35. A lot has changed since that game. The Rams picked up CJ Anderson, who has really helped the offense confuse the defense, especially when Todd Gurley is also on the field. The Saints barely made it this far, and had it not been for an interception late in the game last week the Rams very well could be playing the Eagles. It is extremely difficult to win when you are the visitor in New Orleans but the Rams have already done that this season. There is a 14 year difference between Drew Brees and Jared Goff. Do I go with young and agile or old and experienced? This is a tough pick. I think I’m going to have to pick the Rams to win this game.

Patriots [11-5] @ Chiefs[12-4] (6:40pm CBS)

There are 18 years between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. This is the biggest age gap in NFL history between quarterbacks in a playoff game. The Patriots played lights out against the Chargers last week but have lost 5 on the road this season. The Pats are out of their comfort zone and the Chiefs have only lost one at home all season and that was against the Pats in week 6, 43-40. Things have changed since week 6. The Patriots no longer have Josh Gordon and the Chiefs waved Kareem Hunt. Kansas City is also supposed to have a stronger defense this time around. The Patriots haven’t won a postseason game on the road since 2006. There was an arctic blast predicted that would affect the game but the lows for Sunday will only be 19. With all that being said I think I’m going to have to pick the Chiefs to win at home. I’ll be rooting for them too.

Thanks for the edit Eric!

The Shenoa Report Divisional Weekend '19 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 11, 2019

Divisional Weekend

There were four games last weekend and four games this weekend. Three out of the four games last weekend came down to the kicker, and not in the ways you would expect. More about that in the recap. We are down to the elite 8 from 32 teams that started this season. In the coaching carousel news, the Browns have hired Freddie Kitchens, their former offensive coordinator. This was a surprise to me. I thought interim head coach Gregg Williams who had a 5-3 record would be their new head coach. Williams will not be returning to Cleveland next season.  The Jets are going to hire Miami’s former head coach Adam Gase as their new head coach. The Broncos have poached Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and hired him as their new head coach after letting Vance Joseph go. The Packers have decided to hire Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur after firing Mike McCarthy mid season. McCarthy has already said he will not return to coaching in 2019. Tampa Bay hired Bruce Arians to replace Dirk Koetter. Arians was the Cardinals head coach but retired in 2017. Arizona hired former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Bengals and Dolphins are still looking for head coaches.

Last week I went 3-1 on my picks and now we are heading into Divisional Weekend. I would like all but one of the home teams to win this weekend.

Let’s recap Wild Card Weekend.

Colts @ Texans 21-7

The Colts started the season 1-5, but now have won 11 straight. They are one of two teams in NFL history that started the season 1-5 and made it to the playoffs. After their performance against the Texans it makes you wonder how far they will go in the postseason.  The Colts got out to a big lead early and the Texans were never able to catch up. This was the least exciting of all the games. Andrew Luck threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, and the Texans defense ceased to exist. Maybe next year Houston. The Colts move on to play the Chiefs.

Seahawks @ Cowboys 22-24

When I picked the Cowboys to win this game I was hoping I’d be wrong. Sometimes I don’t like when I’m right. This was a heartbreaker for the Seahawks, and ultimately it was a game that came down to the ability of the kicker. Seattle had everything going for them until their kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, pulled his hamstring at the end of the first half attempting a 57 yard field goal. He was out for the rest of the game. Without their kicker the Seahawks went for 2 on a couple of scoring drives cutting the Cowboys lead to two points. In order for the Seahawks to attempt to win the game they had to recover an onside kick. With their kicker sidelined they looked to their punter, who had never attempted an onside kick, and the rest is history. The onside kick was not successful in that the Cowboys easily recovered the ball (it was kicked right to them in the air, so no worries) and they lined up in victory formation. The Cowboys will play the Rams next and the Seahawks will go home.

Chargers @ Ravens 23-17

Lamar Jackson, the youngest quarterback to play in the postseason, was not ready for the playoffs. The Chargers beat up on him defensively and the Ravens couldn’t recover. The Ravens defense did hold the Chargers to scoring mostly field goals. Michael Badgley kicked 5 field goals through the game and the Chargers didn’t have a touchdown until the 4th quarter. Points wise it was Badgley who won the game for the Chargers and advanced them to the next round. The Ravens will just go home and the Chargers will play the Patriots to move one step closer to a Super Bowl appearance.

Eagles @ Bears 16-15

This game still has me heartbroken. In a wild card weekend that highlighted kickers, the Bears kicker would feel better if he wasn’t remembered at all. The Bears had a chance to win the game on a field goal at the end of the game. The first one Cody Parkey kicked was good, but the Eagles had called a timeout. The second attempt was tipped, hit the upright and the crossbar and bounced out. The crowd fell silent and then Parkey was booed off the field.  And so ended the Bears season. The Eagles season continues, as they take on the Saints in the Divisional round.

DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND

 Saturday, January 12th  

Colts [10-6] @ Chiefs [12-4] (4:35pm NBC)

The Chiefs are coming off another bye. Their record at home is almost perfect, only losing one game there all season. I’m picking them to beat the Colts. I expect it to be a high scoring game if nothing else.

Cowboys [10-6] @ Rams [13-3] (8:15pm FOX)

The Rams are also coming off another bye and are near perfect at home. I am picking them to win this game and hopefully beat the Cowboys soundly.

Sunday, January 13th  

Chargers [12-4] @ Patriots [11-5]  (1:05pm CBS)

The Patriots are coming off a bye and are perfect at home. The Chargers on the other hand have only lost one game on the road all season. This should be a good game. I’d love to see the Chargers beat the Pats and knock them out of the playoffs. It could happen, and I’ll be rooting for the Chargers. All that being said, I’m going to pick the Patriots to win this game.

Eagles [9-7] @ Saints [13-3] (4:40pm FOX)

The Saints also had a first round bye and have only lost two at home all season. The Eagles are 4-4 in away games. I’m picking the Saints to win this game and will be rooting for them as well.

Thanks for the edit Eric!

The Shenoa Report Divisional Weekend '19 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 11, 2019

Divisional Weekend

There were four games last weekend and four games this weekend. Three out of the four games last weekend came down to the kicker, and not in the ways you would expect. More about that in the recap. We are down to the elite 8 from 32 teams that started this season. In the coaching carousel news, the Browns have hired Freddie Kitchens, their former offensive coordinator. This was a surprise to me. I thought interim head coach Gregg Williams who had a 5-3 record would be their new head coach. Williams will not be returning to Cleveland next season.  The Jets are going to hire Miami’s former head coach Adam Gase as their new head coach. The Broncos have poached Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and hired him as their new head coach after letting Vance Joseph go. The Packers have decided to hire Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur after firing Mike McCarthy mid season. McCarthy has already said he will not return to coaching in 2019. Tampa Bay hired Bruce Arians to replace Dirk Koetter. Arians was the Cardinals head coach but retired in 2017. Arizona hired former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Bengals and Dolphins are still looking for head coaches.

Last week I went 3-1 on my picks and now we are heading into Divisional Weekend. I would like all but one of the home teams to win this weekend.

Let’s recap Wild Card Weekend.

Colts @ Texans 21-7

The Colts started the season 1-5, but now have won 11 straight. They are one of two teams in NFL history that started the season 1-5 and made it to the playoffs. After their performance against the Texans it makes you wonder how far they will go in the postseason.  The Colts got out to a big lead early and the Texans were never able to catch up. This was the least exciting of all the games. Andrew Luck threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, and the Texans defense ceased to exist. Maybe next year Houston. The Colts move on to play the Chiefs.

Seahawks @ Cowboys 22-24

When I picked the Cowboys to win this game I was hoping I’d be wrong. Sometimes I don’t like when I’m right. This was a heartbreaker for the Seahawks, and ultimately it was a game that came down to the ability of the kicker. Seattle had everything going for them until their kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, pulled his hamstring at the end of the first half attempting a 57 yard field goal. He was out for the rest of the game. Without their kicker the Seahawks went for 2 on a couple of scoring drives cutting the Cowboys lead to two points. In order for the Seahawks to attempt to win the game they had to recover an onside kick. With their kicker sidelined they looked to their punter, who had never attempted an onside kick, and the rest is history. The onside kick was not successful in that the Cowboys easily recovered the ball (it was kicked right to them in the air, so no worries) and they lined up in victory formation. The Cowboys will play the Rams next and the Seahawks will go home.

Chargers @ Ravens 23-17

Lamar Jackson, the youngest quarterback to play in the postseason, was not ready for the playoffs. The Chargers beat up on him defensively and the Ravens couldn’t recover. The Ravens defense did hold the Chargers to scoring mostly field goals. Michael Badgley kicked 5 field goals through the game and the Chargers didn’t have a touchdown until the 4th quarter. Points wise it was Badgley who won the game for the Chargers and advanced them to the next round. The Ravens will just go home and the Chargers will play the Patriots to move one step closer to a Super Bowl appearance.

Eagles @ Bears 16-15

This game still has me heartbroken. In a wild card weekend that highlighted kickers, the Bears kicker would feel better if he wasn’t remembered at all. The Bears had a chance to win the game on a field goal at the end of the game. The first one Cody Parkey kicked was good, but the Eagles had called a timeout. The second attempt was tipped, hit the upright and the crossbar and bounced out. The crowd fell silent and then Parkey was booed off the field.  And so ended the Bears season. The Eagles season continues, as they take on the Saints in the Divisional round.

DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND

 Saturday, January 12th  

Colts [10-6] @ Chiefs [12-4] (4:35pm NBC)

The Chiefs are coming off another bye. Their record at home is almost perfect, only losing one game there all season. I’m picking them to beat the Colts. I expect it to be a high scoring game if nothing else.

Cowboys [10-6] @ Rams [13-3] (8:15pm FOX)

The Rams are also coming off another bye and are near perfect at home. I am picking them to win this game and hopefully beat the Cowboys soundly.

Sunday, January 13th  

Chargers [12-4] @ Patriots [11-5]  (1:05pm CBS)

The Patriots are coming off a bye and are perfect at home. The Chargers on the other hand have only lost one game on the road all season. This should be a good game. I’d love to see the Chargers beat the Pats and knock them out of the playoffs. It could happen, and I’ll be rooting for the Chargers. All that being said, I’m going to pick the Patriots to win this game.

Eagles [9-7] @ Saints [13-3] (4:40pm FOX)

The Saints also had a first round bye and have only lost two at home all season. The Eagles are 4-4 in away games. I’m picking the Saints to win this game and will be rooting for them as well.

Thanks for the edit Eric!

The Shenoa Report Wild Card Weekend '19 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

January 4, 2019

Wild Card Weekend

Happy New Year! 2019. Wow. The Regular season is now over and the playoffs are just about to begin. Did your team make it to the postseason? Mine didn’t, and of course they lost their last game of the season by one point. Smh. In other news, there were a lot of head coaches fired this season, some during the season and some after the last game of the regular season.  Jets head coach Todd Bowles, Miami’s Adam Gase, Tampa Bay’s Dirk Koetter, Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis, Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy, Arizona’s Steve Wilks, and Cleveland’s Hue Jackson. Thus starts the coaching carousel.  I went 13-3 on my picks, not too shabby.

Let’s recap week seventeen.

Dolphins @ Bills 17-42

Bills dominated the Dolphins in their season finale. This was defensive tackle Kyle Williams last game with the Bills and after 13 years of playing in Buffalo he decided to retire. What a way to go out.

Lions @ Packers 31-0

Aaron Rodgers went out with a concussion and the Lions used that to their advantage beating up on the Packers one last time this season. It’s not often, if ever, that the Packers get shut out at home but with a division rival it makes the pain that much worse. Lions fans are happy with the season ending this way, I’m sure.

Jets  @ Patriots 3-38

The Pats get the win and a first round bye in the playoffs. The Jets just get to go home, which they are happy about after playing so horribly.   

Panthers @ Saints 33-14

This game shocked me. Even with Drew Brees out I thought that the Saints would still have won this game. Kyle Allen thrived in the QB roll for the Panthers before an injury took him out. Still, it was enough to beat the Saints at home in this meaningless game.

Cowboys @ NY Giants 36-35

I don’t want to talk about it.

Falcons @ Buccaneers 34-32

This was another close divisional game that really had no meaning other than pride. The Falcons won, ending a mediocre season. At least it was better than the Bucs season.  

Jaguars @ Texans 3-20

The Texans clinched the AFC South title with this win over the Jags. And Jacksonville just goes home.

Chargers @ Broncos 23-9

The Chargers didn’t play their best game against the Broncos but they still got the win and more importantly they are in the playoffs. The Broncos are just going home for the playoffs.

Raiders @ Chiefs 3-35

The Chiefs locked up home field advantage and clinched the AFC West with their win over the Raiders. The Raiders are just happy that the season is over. They will need all of the offseason to lick their wounds.

49ers @ Rams 32-48

The Rams got the win and a first round bye in this exciting game vs the 49ers. Jared Goff threw four touchdowns and Brandin Cooks and Josh Reynolds each caught two of them. The Rams need to tighten up on defense for the postseason, otherwise they are ready.   

Bears  @ Vikings 24-10

I knew that the Bears wouldn’t let the Vikings into the playoffs. The Bears are the NFC North Champions this season, that’s a weird sentence to write, but they sure did dominate this season and theirs isn’t over! The Vikings season is though.

Bengals @ Steelers 13-16

The Bengals tried to ruin the Steelers day, but with the Ravens win over the Browns, it was the Ravens that ruined the Steelers chance of the playoffs. The Steelers had put their kicker Chris Boswell on IR and Matt McCrane started in his place. In my opinion, he’s way better and should have the starting job next season.

Cardinals @ Seahawks 24-27

Sebastian Janikowski kicked the game winning field goal on the last play of the game bring the Seahawks to victory and sealing the number 5 seed in the playoffs. The Cardinals are just glad the season is over with.

Eagles  @ Redskins 24-0

The Eagles shutout the Redskins at home and snuck into the playoffs at the same time. Booooo.  

Browns @ Ravens 24-26

The Browns really tried to spoil things for the Ravens but Baltimore persevered and beat Cleveland in the final minutes of the game. The Ravens are in the playoffs, something that hasn’t happened in four years.

Colts @ Titans 33-17

After starting the season 1-5 the Colts earned the last playoff spot by beating the Titans. The Colts are playing really good football. Luck feels invincible, as do the Colts heading into the postseason.

WILD CARD WEEKEND

 Saturday, January 5th  

Colts [10-6] @ Texans [11-5] (4:35pm ESPN/ABC)

I think this will be a good game and a close game. I want the Texans to win but I’m going to pick the Colts to win.

Seahawks [10-6] @ Cowboys [10-6] (8:15pm FOX)

Man, I hope the Seahawks beat the Cowboys. I just don’t think it’s going to happen.  It took half the season for the Cowboys to figure it out how to play good ball and they’ve almost perfected it.  I’m going to pick the Cowboys to win and hope I’m wrong.

Sunday, January 6th  

Chargers [12-4] @ Ravens [10-6]  (1:05pm CBS)

Lamar Jackson, Ravens rookie and youngest quarterback to get to the postseason ever, will try to get the win Sunday afternoon against the Chargers veteran QB Philip Rivers. I’m going to pick the Chargers to win this game, mostly because I think that even though Jackson has been good these past few games, playoffs is another monster that he isn’t ready for.

Eagles [9-7] @ Bears [12-4] (4:40pm NBC)

This is the game I’m most excited about. The Bears defense is outstanding, better than the Ravens. Mitch Trubisky is a clutch quarterback and Nick Foles is starting for the Eagles.  I'm picking the Bears to win and hope they do too.

Thanks for the edit Eric!