Top 10 Free Agents: Wes Welker

9. Wes Welker: Personally, I believe Wes Welker is one of the more overrated players in the league. Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, so he makes Welker that much better. Teams will pay way too much for this wide receiver, who as of late has dropped several balls in key situations. Welker's inconsistent hands are still able to catch balls other wide receiver can't, and he is not afraid to take a hit in order to gain the extra yard. Team's who are looking for a wide receiver that may convert on 3rd and 5 should be eying Welker, but Welker is not worthy of big bucks unless he can reduce the amount of balls he drops.

Top 10 Free Agents: Brian Urlacher

10. Brian Urlacher: Urlacher clearly is not the same at age 34, seeing that he can no longer pursue a ballcarrier the same way. His productivity has dipped, and an injury in 2012 will most likely hurt his value in the free agency. The main thing Urlacher brings to the table is leadership, as he can provide a team in need of leadership with a veteran containing plenty of playoff experience. Brian Urlacher has not recorded five or more sacks in a singe season since 2007, so teams will mainly be looking for a relatively dominant linebacker capable of defending passes and covering the middle of the field. It is likely Urlacher has just one or two years left in the tank, but Urlacher will most definitely give it his all on the field.

Top 10 NFL Free Agents

     On March 12, the NFL free agency period will begin, allowing teams to forget about a disappointing 2012 season, and hopefully, become legitimate contenders for the Lombardi Trophy. Unfortunately, there is no golden prize in this year's free agency as there was last year with Peyton Manning. However, it only takes one player to put a franchise back on track. The NFL Report will rank the 10 best free agents that have the potential to be playing in a new uniform by the time September rolls around.

NFL Award Predictions: Offensive Rookie of the Year

     Last April's draft class proved to have one of the more talented trio of passers in recent memory. Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck all wish to take home Offensive Rookie of the Year on February 2nd, but unfortunately, their can only be one winner.

QB Robert Griffin III: Out of the three quarterbacks competing, RGIII appeared to be the most disciplined, where he showed off his extraordinary accuracy by obtaining a 102.4 quarterback rating. Unlike Andrew Luck, RGIII threw just 5 interceptions in 15 games, as well as rush for over 800 yards with 7 scores. The former Heisman winner resurrected the Redskins franchise, bringing them back into contention before being bumped by Seattle in the Wild Card round. RGIII managed to stay consistent throughout the year, and if not for several injuries, he may have won this award in a landslide. 

QB Andrew Luck: The most impressive of Andrew Luck's statistics might be his ability to succeed even when the odds are against him. Luck was forced to play while a franchise coped with their head coach, Chuck Pagano, battling cancer. Andrew Luck had seven fourth quarter comebacks in 2012, and was also able to break the rookie record for passing yards with 4,374. The only problem with Andrew Luck was the high interception total (18 interceptions compared to 20 touchdowns). A fantastic rookie season will be followed by many more years of success, but it is unlikely Luck will win Rookie of the Year over Wilson and RGIII.

QB Russell Wilson: Unlike RGIII and Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson was the only rookie quarterback to make it into the Divisional Round of this season's playoffs. Wilson likely has the most talented team surrounding him, meaning out of the three quarterbacks, Russell Wilson had to do the least amount of work in order to lead Seattle back into the playoffs. Wilson did manage to tie Peyton Manning's rookie passing touchdown record at 26, and maintained a 100.0 passer rating throughout the season. Wilson is capable of scrambling when needed, similar to RGIII, but his slow start to the year hurts his case for Rookie of the Year.

Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction: Robert Griffin III

2013 NFL Award Predictions

     February 2nd marks the date of this year's NFL award ceremony, where some of the league's biggest stars will come together on the eve of the Super Bowl to be praized for their tremendous play. Seven of the NFL's most valuable awards will be handed out to those most deserving: Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. The NFL Report will discuss those who we believe are most deserving of these seven awards. However, we hope for you to comment on who you think deserves any given award. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!

2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 1-10

Feel Free to send us your mock drafts by emailing me at ledzepfan09@gmail.com!

1. Kansas City Chiefs: QB Geno Smith: Though the "Geno Smith For Heisman" ended halfway through the season, his talent in the eyes of scouts remains valuable. By signing Andy Reid for the head coaching job, Kansas City proved they are not afraid to rebuild this team for the next two or three years. They can start by drafting Smith, and acquiring players to suit their quarterback's needs.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Demontre Moore: Where to begin? Jacksonville needs help at almost every position on the field. Offensive line, defensive line, quarterback; the team struggles in almost every statistical category. Demontre Moore, a defensive end out of Texas A&M, has the potential to revive a pass rush ranking dead last in the National Football League.

Star Lotulelei

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Star Lotulelei: Oakland's defensive line has suffered when it comes to both running the ball, as well as applying pressure on the quarterback. Drafting a well rounded defensive tackle may be a step in the right direction for this struggling front seven.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Luke Joeckel: While coaching Oregon, Chip Kelly enjoyed having many options when running the ball, especially when his quarterback has the speed necessary to accomplish the read-option. Mike Vick has shown off his speed and athleticism, but it is unclear whether or not Chip Kelly wishes to keep him. Maybe the Eagles move up to draft Smith, but the offensive line is struggling as well. Enter Luke Joeckel.

5. Detroit Lions: LB Jarvis Jones: Detroit's disappointing 2012 season, to the relief of Lions fans everywhere, ended last December, so they now have the opportunity to rebuild. Jarvis Jones is one of the most skilled defenders in this year's draft class, and may be able to help Detroit's pass rush.

6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner: Cleveland has shown signs of improvement since their 2011 season thanks to rookies Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson. However, the Cleveland defense could use a shut down cornerback that may be able to stop an opposing team's number one wide receiver (Dez Bryant caught 12 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland).

 7. Arizona Cardinals: QB Matt Barkley: Originally the Heisman favorite, Matt Barkley disappointed many with his play throughout the 2012 season. However, scouts are still impressed with his leadership and throwing abilities, the intangibles Arizona needs desperately at quarterback.

8. Buffalo Bills: QB Ryan Nassib: With many speculating whether or not quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be playing in Buffalo next season, a quarterback is what the Bills ought to acquire in the upcoming draft. Seven coaches who at some point in their careers coached in Syracuse now coach for Buffalo, meaning Ryan Nassib out of Syracuse may be preferred over Ryan Wilson.

9. New York Jets: DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo: The New York Jets were the punchlines of many jokes in 2012 for their embarrassing offense and un-intimidating defense. New York's pass rush ranked 25th in the league, so Rex Ryan will be looking for a speedy pass rusher like Barkevious Mingo out of LSU.

10. Tennessee Titans: DE Bjoern Werner: Some have defensive end Bjoern Werner making an appearance all the way at number two in certain mock drafts, but the FSU defender will eventually fall to the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to create a more dominant pass rush.

NFC Championship Preview: 49ers @ Falcons

     Who would have thought that Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback who replaced Alex Smith, would be named victor over a more experienced Aaron Rodgers, while posting mind boggling numbers through the air and on the ground with the lights shining bright into the evening last Saturday. Sure, San Francisco's defense allowed 31 points to the Packers offense. However, Green Bay ranked fifth in points per game with 27.1, and clearly, Colin Kaepernick realized the importance of jumping ahead early in the game. San Francisco's next opponent will be the Atlanta Falcons, as Kaepernick must travel to the Georgia Dome, beat Matt Ryan, and then San Francisco will have a shot at its sixth Super Bowl title. Even as number one seed in the NFC, Atlanta has been undervalued by most analysts and football fans. Their quarterback, Matt Ryan, had not won a playoff game up until last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, so the fact that the Falcons will be battling for a spot in the Super Bowl comes as a shock. Atlanta's defense has struggled against running quarterbacks, so if Matt Ryan wishes to gain the respect he deserves, he will have to out-duel Colin Kaepernick in the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco 49ers: Similar to future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick was an overlooked quarterback in the NFL draft, who watched as five other quarterbacks were taken before he was selected by San Francisco. After Alex Smith suffered a concussion in a Week 10 game against the Rams, Colin Kaepernick stepped in, just to lead his team down field for a equalizing field goal. From that game onwards, Colin Kaepernick consistently put up exceptional numbers, running his way into the playoffs, and earning San Francisco a first round bye as the number two seed in the playoffs. Once Green Bay beat Minnesota in the Divisional Round, Aaron Rodgers was set to play Kaepernick in one of the more highly anticipated games of the NFL season. Kaepernick's second pass of the game resulted in a Green Bay pick-six, immediately worrying those rooting for the 49ers. Clearly Kaepernick's confidence was not shaken, as he bounced back with one of the best statistical games by a quarterback in the history of the National Football League. The former Nevada quarterback went on to pass for 263 yards with two touchdowns; however, Kaepernick set an NFL record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 181 yards. His four combined touchdowns largely contributed to a San Francisco win over the Packers. Atlanta should be nervous about San Francisco's running game, where head coach Jim Harbaugh has an infinite amount of possibilities in terms of play calling. San Francisco's defense is feared by many for their insane front 7, including players such as Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, and returning defensive end Justin Smith. Constant pressure on Matt Ryan should be accounted for, similar to the pass rush seen by Seattle in the Divisional Round. The only thing against San Francisco may be the trouble surrounding wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who is being investigated in a sexual assault case. It is unclear how this team may cope with the mystery surrounding one of their best offensive weapons. If Kaepernick were to play as he did against Green Bay, Atlanta does not stand a chance.


Atlanta Falcons: The Atlanta Falcons almost blew it last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, where rookie quarterback Russell Wilson overcame a 20 point deficit early in the third quarter. Eventually, the Atlanta Falcons found themselves down 28-27 with a mere 31 seconds left in the game. "Matty Ice" somehow pulled off the impossible with two straight big completions down field. His march led to a Matt Bryant field goal in what appeared to be the end of the game. However, an extremely controversial onside kick gave Seattle amazing field position, keeping them in the game. In the end, Russell Wilson's Hail Mary pass was unsuccessful, and Matt Ryan finally won his first playoff game. Matt Ryan's performance was not perfect; in fact, far from it. Ryan threw two interceptions and was also unable to maintain a consistent lead over Seattle throughout the duration of the game. With weapon's like Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Julio Jones, Atlanta will likely rely heavily on the deep ball, and less on their ground game. The deciding factor for this team is clearly the amount of rushing yards allowed against Kaepernick in tomorrow's game. Atlanta allowed a combined 202 rushing yards to quarterback Cam Newton in the two games played against Carolina during the regular season, along with another 60 yards to Russell Wilson in the Divisional Round. Kaepernick may be the most challenging scrambler to contain within the pocket. All in all, Atlanta's defense does not match up against the talented San Francisco running game.

Bottom Line: Unless the Falcons somehow found a way to contain both Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco is bound to be playing in New Orleans this February.
49ers over Falcons 38-23

AFC Championship Preview: Ravens @ Patriots

     With 00:31 seconds left on the clock, Baltimore wide receiver Jacoby Jones waltzed into the end zone after catching a 70 yard pass from Joe Flacco, tying the game at 35 against Denver in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Denver coaching staff is now under scrutiny for their decision to take a knee, sending the game into overtime. One overtime was not enough, where, with less then a minute left, Peyton Manning threw his 13th interception of the season, and Baltimore went on to kick a game winning field goal in 2OT. This week, they will be preparing to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Brady threw for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41-28 victory of Houston. The score does not properly show the intensity of this game. For the majority of the game, the Texans were losing to New England, but were not too far away from mounting a comeback. In the end, though, Tom Brady earned his 17th playoff victory, an NFL record, and will be battling against the Ravens for his second straight Super Bowl appearance. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!


New England Patriots: Similar to last season, the New England Patriots were dominant in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. After a slow start to 2012, the Patriots finished the season with a 12-4 record, earning the number two seed in the playoffs. Their first opponent was the Houston Texans, where Brady faced off against JJ Watt and the intimidating Houston defense. However, the Houston front 7 was no match for Tom Brady, who was sacked just once, and hit 7 times by the defensive line. Brady was able to find a groove towards the end of the game, and it is likely that the same thing will take place against Baltimore. The last time these two teams played was during the dark ages of the 2012 NFL season, where replacement referees wreaked havoc throughout the league. A controversial field goal sealed the deal for Baltimore, who despite losing for the majority of the game, managed to win 31-30 over New England. However, the loss to Baltimore came after a disappointing loss to Arizona, so clearly the Patriots had not yet reached their full potential. As the season progressed, Brady began to roll, even without his star tight end, Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, Gronk returned in Sunday's game against Houston, just to be taken out within the first quarter due to a a new injury to his arm, and the Patriots will be missing Gronkowski for the rest of the season. Running back Shane Vereen filled the void at wide receiver, but it is likely he will not have back to back incredible performances. Baltimore is bound to double-team Wes Welker, leaving Brady targets such as Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Lloyd, and the option of both of the Patriots running backs. New England's defense has proven to get the job done, but a lot of pressure will be on Brady to put a lot of points on the board, and without Gronkowski, it may be difficult.


Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore started off 2012 showing true potential, where the only two losses came against Philadelphia and Houston. However, the last five regular season games went poorly for Baltimore, who lost three straight games, two of which came against playoff teams. Week 16 brought the Ravens reassurance as they entered the playoffs, where Joe Flacco routed the New York Giants defense. Flacco has been under scrutiny for his inability to lead a very talented Baltimore team through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl. However, last Sunday against the Broncos proved Flacco can compete with the best of them. In a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Ravens have a chip on their shoulder, where a missed field goal lost them a spot in last year's Super Bowl. The fate of the Ravens all depends on Joe Flacco and his success with the deep ball, which proved to be the ultimate difference maker against Denver. There were two things, apart from Flacco's leadership, that can taken away from Baltimore's performance against Denver: a). Both Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis were dominant forces on the defensive side of the ball, and clearly this team is feeding off of Ray Lewis' last ounce of emotion, as he looks to retire at the end of this season b). Baltimore's special teams looked atrocious, as they allowed two touchdowns on special teams, which nearly cost them a shot at the AFC title. Tom Brady will already be putting points on the scoreboard, and if New England were to add to the lead thanks to kick returns and punt returns, Baltimore would not stand a chance. If Flacco starts off the game with two big scores, Baltimore could be looking at a trip to New Orleans. However, if his bombs were to be intercepted, those turnovers would cause a dramatic momentum shift in favor of New England.


Bottom Line: Even though New England is young and talented, this is likely Tom Brady's last shot at another Super Bowl ring. Baltimore will not be able to pull off a miracle on the road, and once again their season will come to a close at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots over Ravens 31-27

NFL Report Update: Chip Kelly

Breaking News: Earlier in the afternoon, it was announced that former Oregon head coach will in fact be coaching in the NFL next season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Originally, it appeared as though Kelly would be with Oregon for yet another season, a team who is coming off of a Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State. Philadelphia on the other hand went 4-12 in 2012, missing out on the playoffs for yet another season, and as a result, Andy Reid lost his job as head coach.

Chip Kelly

NFLR Videos: Patrick Willis

     Just four teams remain in the 2012-2013 NFL Playoffs, and the favorite to win the Super Bowl after a monstrous game against Green Bay is the San Francisco 49ers. Their star linebacker Patrick Willis was named to yet another All-Pro team, and hopefully his ferocity can earn coach John Harbaugh his first title as an NFL head coach. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players.

2013 NFL Playoff Predictions (Full)

Wild Card Round:
AFC: 3. Texans over 6. Bengals
AFC: 4. Ravens over 5. Colts
NFC: 3. Packers over 6. Vikings
NFC: 5. Seahawks over 4. Redskins

Divisional Round:
AFC: 2. Patriots over 3. Texans
AFC: 1. Broncos over 4. Ravens
NFC: 3. Packers over 2. 49ers
NFC: 5. Seahawks over 1. Falcons (OT)

Championship Round:
AFC: 1. Broncos over 2. Patriots
NFC: 3. Packers over 5. Seahawks

Super Bowl: Secretly, everyone hopes to see Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl after a serious neck injury kept him from playing in 2011. However, the Packers will have momentum after rolling past the 49ers, and then the Seahawks, as they take home their 5th Super Bowl title.

Packers over Broncos 33-20

2013 Wild Card Round Preview

Bengals @ Texans: The Houston Texans did not finish the season the way they desired, as they lost three out of the four final games of the season. This unfortunate collapse cost them a first round bye, where New England and Denver swooped in for the 1st and 2nd seed. In the last three losses of the year, Houston's offense was unsuccessful in scoring 16 points or more in a single game. Though Arian Foster has been relatively consistent throughout the duration of the season, the most important thing for Houston shall be the passing game, and Matt Schaub's clutch rating in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston's opponent for tomorrow, are 7-1 in the past 8 games, and this amazing streak propelled them into the playoffs. In a rematch of last year's divisional round matchup, Cincinnati is looking for revenge, where this inexperienced team can eventually play for the AFC Championship game. However, the Houston Texans, at home, will likely beat this young Cincinnati squad in tomorrow's game.
Texans over Bengals 20-6
Stand-Out Performance: Arian Foster: 105 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Colts @ Ravens: Very similar to Saturday's game, Sunday's game featuring the Colts and the Ravens has two very different teams, one who has struggled before the postseason, where as the other has been thriving. After losing their star quarterback to a neck injury, and then to free agency, the Indianapolis Colts drafted Andrew Luck out of Stanford. Luck's leadership managed to abolish their disappointing 2011 campaign, and now, as they enter the postseason, Indianapolis starts their run at the perfect time. After losing to the New England Patriots, the Colts are 5-1, and are playing a very frail Baltimore Ravens team. Linebacker Ray Lewis announced his retirement earlier this week, which could potentially be used as motivation for this defense, a motivation that is an absolute necessity at the moment. The Ravens are 1-3 within the past four games, and even though the Ravens clobbered Cincinnati in the season opener, things are not looking great for this squad. However, Baltimore's running game will dominate the weaken Colts defense, and Ray Rice will single handedly lead this team into the divisional round.
Ravens over Colts 27-13
Stand-Out Performance: Ray Rice: 140 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD

Vikings @ Packers: Last week, when Adrian Peterson came within 9 yards of breaking the single season rushing record, Minnesota managed to beat the Green Bay Packers at home. Peterson led this team into the playoffs, but unfortunately, one can not win into today's playoff system relying heavily on a rushing game, even if it is Adrian Peterson at the helm. Truth be told, Aaron Rodgers and his scary offense in Green Bay will slaughter the Vikings at home. With Greg Jennings back and Jordy Nelson ready to play, Christian Ponder doesn't even come close to Rodgers and the mighty Green bay Packers.
Packers over Vikings 38-17
Stand-Out Performance: Aaron Rodgers: 350 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD

Seahawks @ Redskins: Away from home, Seattle is like a fish out of water. Though this team scored 40-plus points in three straight games, it is unlikely they can repeat that amazing statistic. The Redskins were sensational last week, where Alfred Morris showed the Pro Bowl voters that they made a serious mistake. RGIII also proved he can win big games when the team's Super Bowl chances are on the line. As RGIII matches up against the Seahawks defense, it will be interesting to see how he fares against this amazing pass rush. Seattle's quarterback Russell Wilson has been flying below the radar as two other rookie quarterbacks gain all the attention. Dont't be surprised if Seattle rolls against the Washington Redskins.
Seahawks over Redskins 24-17
Stand-Out Performance: Russell Wilson: 250 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD

NFLR Videos: Playoff Commercial

     To go along with the Super Bowl hype, where New Orleans is now less than a month away, The NFL Report created yet another video. Today's video is a homemade commercial involving each team to be competing for the 2013 title. Please be sure to check us out on Youtube, where you can like the video, comment, and subscribe!

Week 17 Records & Accomplishments

     Tomorrow marks the final regular season game of 2012, and several players are looking to break long lasting records. Three players in particular should be watched as they fight to be number one in any given statistic. Calvin Johnson, who broke Jerry Rice's receiving yard record last year, looks to become the first wide receiver of all time to gain 2,000 yards in a single season. JJ Watt needs 2.5 sacks in his final game against the Colts in order to snap Michael Strahan's single season sack record. Finally, the most important of records to be challenged this weekend, will be Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record, where Adrian Peterson hopes to rush for 208 yards against the Packers. So will these three players accomplish what they set out to do? The NFL Report will analyze all three scenarios, along with our opinion on the likeness of the record being snapped. Be sure to comment subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!

Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson and 2,000 Receiving Yards: With 3:02 minutes left to play in Detroit's game against Atlanta, Calvin Johnson broke Jerry Rice's receiving yard record for a 49-yard gain. Though it may appear as if Johnson has checked everything off of the to-do list as the season comes to a close, Johnson says he is not ready to call it a year. Detroit, after an embarrassing 4-11 record as of Week 17, will not be playing for the Super Bowl in January. Even after surpassing Jerry Rice, Calvin, according to NFL.com, said about the 2,000 receiving yard mark, "(It) would be big--kind of almost put that (record) away for a while." At 1,892 receiving yards for the year, Johnson needs 108 yards in his final game against Chicago in order to become the first wide receiver in the history of the game to acquire 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. Back in Week 7, when Chicago played Detroit at home, Johnson was shut down completely by the Bears defense, catching just three passes for 34 yards (both season lows). Unfortunately for Chicago, the Week 7 game came before Megatron's historic hot streak, and now that Detroit is out of the playoffs, they have no reason not to help Calvin reach 2,000. Charles Tillman, Chicago's number one cornerback, and likely the player to be matched up against Calvin for the majority of Sunday's game, said Johnson was the Lebron James of football. "It would be cool if we did," says Tillman, as he talks about ways to shut down Calvin Johnson. "But I don't know how." Mathew Stafford will consistently fire the football towards Johnson, with little worry of throwing a pick as Detroit's playoff chances are no longer affected. There is little doubt in my mind that Calvin Johnson will become the first 2,000 yard receiver on Sunday.
Calvin Johnson: 7 receptions, 115 receiving yards against Bears 
Record: Broken

JJ Watt

JJ Watt and 22.5 Sacks: If any season deserved to have a defensive MVP winner, 2012 is the year. Three sophomore defenders have wreaked havoc since Week 1, and two are chasing one of the most important defensive records in the book. JJ Watt and Aldon Smith are extremely close to snapping the sack record, which requires a defender to sack a quarterback 23 times in order to be named the new sack champion. Last season, defensive end Jared Allen needed just one sack in order to break the record, but Allen was unsuccessful. However, JJ Watt of the Houston Texans looks to become the king of sacking the quarterback as he plays Indianapolis in the final game of 2012. Watt, nicknamed JJ "Swatt" for his ability to knock down passes, has not focused recently on knocking down passes, which means he is focused more on bringing down the quarterback. Watt has acquired 2.5 sacks or more in three games this season, one against Denver, one against Detroit, and the last one against Sunday's opponent, Indianapolis. Even though Indianapolis has a very spotty offensive line, a group of five ranked 20th in the NFL in pass protection, this team does not wish to give Watt the record. That being said, Luck may prefer to throw the ball away when Watt sprints towards him, rather than let Watt tackle him, becoming one step closer towards the record. Double teaming Watt on Sunday will be expected, so it is unlikely he can reach the quarterback before the ball is thrown away. Maybe Watt does well under pressure, but all the signs point in the opposite direction. Michael Strahan's record will stand for another year.
JJ Watt: 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks against Colts
Record: Intact

Adrian Peterson and 2,105 rushing yards: For an average human being, it is nearly impossible to return to full health after suffering from an ACL tear, especially when your job requires you to take constant shots from 275 pound defenders as they dive at your knees at full speed. However, Adrian Peterson is not average, nor is he human. Adrian Peterson is a beast, and defenses are still trying to figure out how to stop him. After suffering an ACL injury on Christmas Eve, Peterson performed serious rehab in order to rehabilitate his knee, and clearly his hard work paid off, as he needs just 208 yards in order to break the single season rushing record. The Vikings running back rushed for over 100 yards in eight straight games, but was bumped around by the Houston defense, rushing for just 86 yards. Minnesota has the potential to earn a spot in the postseason for the first time since Brett Favre and his 2009 playoff run. In an interview, Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder said about Peterson and the rushing yard record, "That is not really our focus. Obviously, our focus is to keep our wild-card spot that we have right now, and making the playoffs is our number one goal." He went on to say that they do indeed wish Peterson breaks the record, but clearly, Minnesota has a lot more on their plate. As Minnesota looks to beat Green Bay tomorrow, Peterson and his quest for 2,000 may take a back seat to a spot in the playoffs. The last time Peterson played Green Bay, he rushed for a whopping 210 yards with one score. If this outstanding statistical performance were to repeat itself, Peterson would be named king of the running backs. The past four running backs to gain 2,000 yards or more in a single season all had big Week 17 games in order to reach the milestone, and we have seen Adrian Peterson work hard for the things he wants. It is hard to predict the game plan of Minnesota and how many times they are willing to hand off the ball. Either way, Peterson will get the 2,000 yards, but Eric Dickerson's record will likely stay intact.
Adrian Peterson: 22 attempts, 135 rushing yards, 2 TDs against Packers
Record: Intact

Fiesta Bowl Preview: Kansas State vs Oregon

     Once again, the two teams battling for the Fiesta Bowl are two highly ranked football programs; the Oregon Ducks and the Kansas State Wildcats. Similar to last season, where Andrew Luck and fourth ranked Stanford took on third ranked Oklahoma State, the Fiesta Bowl is likely to be yet another offensive showdown. Back in Week 12, before Notre Dame regained their number one spot in the BCS Standings, both Oregon and Kansas State held the top two spots in the rankings. Then, for the first time in a long time, both Oregon and Kansas State were upset in the same week, and suddenly their championship hopes were dashed in a single moment. Be sure to tune in next Thursday, January 3rd, as the Ducks take on the Wildcats in one of the more high scoring games of the season. Also, be sure to comment subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Lastly, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!

Oregon Ducks: When one thinks of the Oregon Ducks, defense is not the first thing that comes to mind.  Though the defense has shown flashes of brilliance, such as a shutout of Arizona and just 17 points allowed against Stanford, games such as a Week 10 matchup against USC (51 point allowed in an Oregon win), reminds us how vulnerable this defense proves to be in certain moments. It has been the offense, however, who has managed to run its way into the 2013 Fiesta Bowl. Though Oregon's schedule shows little competition from opposing teams, there have been several dominant performances against ranked opponents. After destroying Arkansas State, Fresno State, and Tennessee Tech to start off the season, Oregon shut down Arizona 49-0, ranked 22 at the time. A win the following week led to a 52-21 win over Washington, yet another ranked team. Oregon ran all over USC, and after destroying California, Oregon was set to play 13th ranked Stanford. At the time of kickoff, Oregon was second in the nation behind Kansas State, with a BCS Championship not too far out of reach. A win over Stanford would solidify their campaign for the championship. Unfortunately, the Ducks failed to beat their bitter rivals at home, after a missed Oregon kick in overtime led to a game winning kick by Stanford. Oregon's win over Oregon State was practically meaningless, as they missed out on the Pac-12 Championship, which was eventually won by Stanford. Stanford proved that the most important thing in order to beat the Ducks is to stop the run. This season, Oregon rushed for an average of 323.3 yards per game, ranking third in the nation. Their success on the ground led to an average of 50.8 points per game, but as we saw against Stanford, stopping the run means fewer points for the Oregon offense. Running backs De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner have been nearly unstoppable this season, where the two rushers have combined for a grand total of 2,310 rushing yards with 37 total touchdowns. Even quarterback Marcus Mariota has found success on the ground. If Oregon were to continuously gain big yards on the ground against Kansas State, the Fiesta Bowl will be practically theirs for the taking.

Kansas State: Kansas State's quarterback Collin Klein slowly but surely led his team towards a shot at the National Championship. A program not known for their football, Kansas State ranked 22 entering the 2012 football season, and were not considered legitimate threats until a game against 6th ranked Oklahoma put Kansas State on the map. Their 24-19 victory over Oklahoma, followed by two easy games against Kansas and Iowa State, led to a stretch of games against difficult teams. West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State all lost by a large margin to Kansas State, and their miraculous hot streak was rewarded as number two in the nation. TCU was unable to upset the Kansas State Wildcats, and with two relatively easy games left on the schedule, it seemed as though a National Championship for Kansas State was a safe prediction. Then, Baylor did the unthinkable at home; they beat the Kansas State Wildcats. Baylor's win over Kansas State was not by a small margin either, as they upset the number one ranked Wildcats 52-24. The Wildcats managed to beat 18th ranked Texas, but their final game of the season did not earn them the number one spot back from Notre Dame. At one point in time, Kansas State's quarterback Collin Klein was the favorite to win the Heisman after Geno Smith's collapse. His seven total touchdowns in a Kansas State win over West Virginia was followed by several sub-par games, and eventually players like Johnny Manziel and Manti Te'o became the late season favorites. Klein is the center of Kansas State's offense, especially his ability to run the ball thanks to an athletic 6-5, 225-pound frame. Kansas State ranks tenth in the nation in terms of points allowed, where as the offense does very well in big games. Similar to Oregon, the offense must be consistent in terms of putting points on the board, but defense will be key if they wish to win on January 2nd.

Bottom Line: A shootout is destined to take place in Arizona when Oregon and Kansas State take the field. Though Collin Klein tends to overwhelm opposing defenses, Oregon has more experience with BCS Bowl games, as they run all over the Kansas State defense for the Fiesta Bowl trophy.
Oregon over Kansas State: 40-36

Best Pictures (Week 16)

Paul Connors/AP Photo

Ric Tapia/NFL

Nick Wass/AP Photo

Matt Slocum/AP Photo

Robert Mayer/US Presswire

Bob Leverone/AP Photo

Duane Burleson/AP Photo

Dave Einsel/AP Phto

NFLR Videos: Calvin Johnson

As wide receiver Calvin Johnson looks to break Jerry Rice's receiving record, The NFL Report has decided to make montage of some of his best highlights so far. Please subscribe to The NFL Report, as well as our Youtube channel! Enjoy the video!

BCS National Championship Preview: Notre Dame vs. Alabama

     On January 7^th, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have the potential to dethrone the Southeastern Conference as the powerhouse of the BCS National Championship. The SEC has won the past six National Championships, two of which were won by Alabama, Notre Dame’s upcoming opponent. The only thing that stands in Notre Dame’s way from yet another national championship is Nick Saban’s sensational defense, similar to the one who took home the title in 2012. The two teams set to play are both steeped in history, but many college football fans are questioning whether or not the Fighting Irish deserve to battle Goliath for a National Championship. History has proven that the underdogs are capable of defeating the favorites, even on the world’s biggest stage (see Boise State, 2007 Fiesta Bowl), which is why the 2013 National Championship is worth watching.

           

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The 2011 season is still fresh in the minds of Notre Dame fans across the nation, where the Fighting Irish finished the year at 8-5, lost to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl, and showed little promise for the upcoming season in August. After the fourth week of football, however, Notre Dame upset Michigan State on the road, and then trounced 18th ranked Michigan in South Bend. A dominant win over Miami led to the highlight of Notre Dame’s season; an overtime win over rival Stanford, thanks to an unbelievably defiant goal line stand. 8^th ranked Oklahoma could not stop the rolling Irish, who fell, at home, 30-13. After a triple overtime scare against Pitt, and two easy wins back to back, the final game on the schedule was against USC, a struggling team missing their star quarterback, Matt Barkley. Notre Dame kept the perfect season alive, and much of their surprising turnaround can be credited to their senior phenomenon, Mant Te’o. Te’o, the middle linebacker for Notre Dame, is destined to be one of the Heisman finalists in New York. This exceptional defender has proven to be an effective motivator, especially after what he was forced to endure. The death of his grandmother and girlfriend before the season began fueled the fire within him, and his stat line makes an amazing case for the Heisman Trophy over freshman sensation Johnny Manziel. Though Notre Dame’s offense is nothing extraordinary, quarterback Everett Golson is capable of scoring when the game is on the line. The difference maker for Notre Dame will be their sensational defense (ranked first in the nation in terms of points allowed), and whether or not they can shut down Alabama’s respectable offense.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama’s season started off as projected--dominant wins over each and every opponent. An easy win over Michigan in their first game of the season led to a hot streak that carried them through the first nine weeks of football. Mississippi State, ranked 11^th at the time of their meeting, was unsuccessful in jumping out to an early lead, and Alabama went on to win the game with ease. The next game on the schedule was a modern day rivalry between Alabama and fellow SEC powerhouse LSU. Alabama’s 14-3 lead at halftime was not enough to hold off the Tigers of Louisiana, and before long, Alabama found themselves down, desperate to claw their way out. Quarterback AJ McCarron marched Alabama down the field, and eventually connected with running back TJ Yeldon for the game winning score. The following week, Alabama was caught in a similar situation, except this time, a 20 point deficit was too much  to overcome, as Johnny Manziel toppled the number one team, after a Texas A&M interception sealed a victory for Manziel’s squad. Back-to-back shutouts against unranked teams were not enough for Alabama to regain their number one spot in the rankings, at one point held by Kansas State, and then eventually Notre Dame. Finally, in one of the best college football games played in the 2012 season, Alabama beat Georgia for their second consecutive SEC title. In a game that came down to the last second on the clock, Alabama’s rushing attack proved too much for the Georgia defense, and the Crimson Tide held off Georgia for a final tally of 32 points to Georgia’s 28 points. Similar to Notre Dame, Alabama’s defense has proven to be stellar once again, ranking second behind, who else, but the Fighting Irish. The passing game under AJ McCarron has been less than stellar, but Sunday’s SEC showdown proved to football fans that Alabama’s running back tandem is capable of making big plays at the right moment. Both running backs, Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon, rushed for at least 150 yards and a score, but don’t expect the same numbers against Notre Dame’s defense.

Bottom Line: Notre Dame has been underestimated throughout the duration of the season, and they finally have the chance to prove themselves when they take on the heavily favored Crimson Tide. In yet another low scoring National Championship, Notre Dame challenges Nick Saban’s defense early on in the game, but the defending champs prove to be too much by the fourth quarter.

Alabama over Notre Dame 16-10  

Best Pictures (Week 13)

Week 13 Predictions

(Abridged Version)

J. Meric/Getty Images

Falcons over Saints

Bills over Jaguars

Bears over Seahawks

Lions over Colts

Packers over Vikings

Panthers over Chiefs

Patriots over Dolphins (OT)

Jets over Cardinals

49ers over Rams

Texans over Titans

Broncos over Buccaneers (OT)

Ravens over Steelers

Browns over Raiders

Chargers over Bengals

Cowboys over Eagles

Giants over Redskins