Super Bowl 50 Prediction: Broncos vs. Panthers

For the third year in a row, the top seed in either conference will be competing for the Super Bowl title. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks to win his second ring in what will likely be the final game of his career, while the newly crowned MVP Cam Newton will attempt to become the first player in history to have won the Heisman, the National Championship, the NFL MVP Award, and a Super Bowl. The 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl will hopefully make for a great game between these two teams, especially considering the plethora of talent on either roster.

The Denver Broncos may have quarterback Peyton Manning as their starting quarterback, but it has been Denver's defense that has led them to the Super Bowl this season. The Broncos secondary consists of Pro Bowlers and All-Pros such as Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and T.J. Ward, all of whom should do well in covering the Panthers mediocre wide receiver corp. All-Pro's Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware serve as the stars of Denver's pass rush, a group that gave Tom Brady problems for the entireity of the AFC Championship game. With a combination of a lethal pass rush and a shutdown secondary, the Broncos will pressure Cam Newton into making quick decisions that could potentially lead to turnovers.

Offesnively, the Broncos have Peyton Manning at quarterback, who has basically become a game manager at this point in his career. Manning's passes certainly lack the same velocity as they tend to wobble quite often, so Denver's running game consisting of C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman will need to carry this offense in order to have any chance of setting up a half-decent passing game.

Despite losing Kelvin Benjamin to a season ending injury this past summer, the Panthers offense has had absolutely no problem putting points on the board, especially against top tier defenses. Cam Newton has been an absolute superstar this season, and his dual threat capabilities make it nearly impossible to take this athletic freak of nature completely out of the game. Carolina finished first in the league in rushing yards, but there is always the risk that Newton will throw the deep ball to some of his favorite targets like Greg Olsen or Ted Ginn Jr.

The Panthers defense has often been overshadowed in 2015 by quarterback Cam Newton and his MVP campaign, but Carolin'a defense is just as good, if not better than that of the Broncos. The Panthers had more defensive players elected to the All-Pro team (3) including the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly. Carolina's defense also ranked second behind only the Broncos when it came to Football Outsiders' defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), making this showdown one of the best defensive matchups in Super Bowl history.

.@ThomasDavisSDTM expected to start for @Panthers in #SB50  (via @wyche89): https://t.co/cmx3MZubrj pic.twitter.com/PggrgJFE02

— NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2016

Peyton Manning has struggled in the postseason historically, especially when the temperature dips below 40 degrees; however, the temperature is expected to be around 60 degrees at opening kickoff, a positive sign for Broncos fans. In addition, many of the Broncos players simply have more experience in the league, an important factor to take into account when it comes to Super Bowl matchups. Thus, all things considered, I believe the Broncos will narrowly beat the Panthers as Peyton Manning wins his second ring in the final game of his career.
Prediction: Broncos over Panthers 23-20 

In Broncos team meeting Saturday night, Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Ware got choked up. "Both were very emotional... https://t.co/vDVa1sD90e

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2016

1 hour warning, folks. #SB50

— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) February 7, 2016

Cam Newton hasn't stopped jumping around and dancing since he got on the field. Dabbing between warmup snaps. Fired up.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 7, 2016

Cam Newton's gold cleats say 'MVP' and have his stats on them. 🔥😍 https://t.co/CoSj8fIQIE pic.twitter.com/7m760z0hnc

— theScore (@theScore) February 7, 2016

Peyton Manning and the HGH Saga

In a story first reported by an Al Jazeera undercover probe, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been linked to human growth hormones, drugs that are illegal to use according to NFL rules. Manning reportedly received the human growth hormones through the mail in 2011 in the name of his wife, Ashley, to avoid having his name tied up with the shipments. The entirety of the report stems from a man named Charlie Sly, a former intern at the Guyer Institute in Indianapolis whose story continues to change. Since the story first broke, Sly claimed that he was not present at the company in 2011, as the report originally stated, but Al Jazeera released a video proving that Sly did in fact work there in 2011. Sly later recanted his story to Al Jazeera upon the realization that much of the information he had used was made up when talking with the undercover reporter.

As seen in the video below, Peyton Manning responded to these comments in an ESPN video, where his anger and frustration are almost palpable to the viewer. Meaning refers to Sly as "slapstick" numerous times, and uses strong words like "disgusted" when describing his views on this "false" report.

Yet the story can not be fully ruled out yet. While some ESPN analysts have been surprisingly quick to jump to Manning's defense, the NFL has announced they will investigate the Manning controversy: "We are reviewing the matter," said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. "Our procedure is to follow up on any information that potentially involves a violation of this nature." It is not too egregious to argue that Manning may have in fact used performance enhancers, since at the time in 2011, Manning looked to bounce back from a neck injury that caused him to miss the entire 2011 season. Coincidentally, the quarterback managed to have his best statistical season of his career just two years later, causing skeptics online to argue that this type of drastic turnaround must have been assisted by HGH.

So did Peyton Manning utilize human growth hormones in an effort to bounce back from injury? As we learned with the Tom Brady and the Deflategate saga, it is important to be open-minded until more information is released rather than jump to rash conclusions. Right now, all we can do is wait.

Here is a statement from Dr. Dale Guyer of the Guyer Institute in Indianapolis pic.twitter.com/BP2VAd2tJm

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 27, 2015

Peyton Manning story has ripple effect in New England. Questions asked: Does NFL pursue as aggressively as it did Brady/PSI? National media?

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 27, 2015

New comments from Al-Jazeera investigative reporter Deborah Davies on Manning source Charlie Sly recanting story pic.twitter.com/A9is7i3VJ5

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 28, 2015

Tom Brady on WEEI: "I fully support Peyton (Manning) and my friendship with him and over the years. He's a guy I can always count on."

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 28, 2015

2014-2015 Fantasy Football Draft Do's and Don'ts

Football season is right around the corner, which means that Fantasy Football drafts are also right around the corner, which means that you are probably looking for an informed analyst to help with your draft strategy. Well... You've come to the right place. I'll be providing weekly fantasy football articles throughout the season and I guarantee that if you follow my advice you'll finish at the top of your league (disclaimer - fantasy football contains large amounts of luck and I have honestly no clue whether my insight will help your team or not). Before you can actually get to playing games, though, you need to have drafted a team, so here is my guide for your 2014-2015 Fantasy Football Draft.

Do - Draft a Running Back Very, Very High.

The running back position is extremely lacking in depth this year. After the first seven or eight there is a sharp drop, which is followed by another equally sharp drop around number 15. Simply put, if you don't pick up a running back in the first three rounds you are going to be living off of waiver-wire running backs, and that's not a very luxurious way to live. For those of you in two running back leagues, this advice is even more imperative - please pick a running back early.

Don't - Draft a Quarterback High (Unless His Name is Peyton Manning).

In my eight team league, Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, and Jay Cutler are all still on waivers following the draft. With that much depth at the quarterback position, there is no reason for you to be reaching for Russell Wilson with your third pick when you can pick up a statistically similar quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, with one of your last picks. Obviously, if you find yourself at the end of the first round, Peyton Manning might be an alright pick, considering he will be by far the best fantasy quarterback this year, but outside of him there is no need to go quarterback early. Be patient.

Do - Proceed With Caution When Drafting a Tight End.

There is absolutely no denying that the tight end position has top end talent, but there are questions about how much of that talent there is. Jimmy Graham should be a first round pick, which makes sense, Julius Thomas will probably go in the third or fourth, and Vernon Davis and Rob Gronkowski will probably be off the board by the fifth round. After that, unless you find Jason Witten or Jordan Cameron oddly dropping to the tenth or eleventh rounds, I would recommend passing on those 12 or 13 rounders including the likes of Martellus Bennett, Greg Olsen, and Dennis Pitta. Instead, wait until you can pick up a guy like Zach Ertz or Jordan Reed in the 15th or 16th. The best case scenario would be to draft a tight end high, but if that's not possible, don't panic and reach on a mid-level tight end.

Don't - Go on Autodraft.

This is certainly the case every year, but it is even more so this year. Seeing as ESPN doesn't update their player rankings to keep up with injuries and suspensions, you may end up drafting Josh Gordon, Le'Veon Bell, Ray Rice, and Sam Bradford if you're unlucky enough. Outside of the obvious desire to avoid players who are going to miss significant portions of time, your team is just going to be better if you're the one drafting it. For example, I'd much rather have Peyton Manning over Eddie Lacy, but ESPN's fantasy rankings have Lacy ranked higher - bummer.

Do - Pick For Value Over Need.

Most leagues nowadays have at least three flex spots per team, so, even if you feel like you need to fill up that running back slot, if there aren't any top-tier backs available, snatch up that star wide receiver who managed to slide down the board a bit. Flex spots are just as important as other spots and should be treated that way when drafting. Additionally, trades will allow you to acquire players in positions of need after the draft and the additional talent that you managed to nab will help you in your bargaining.

Don't - Pick a Defense Before Eighth or Ninth Round (Not Even the Seahawks).

Defenses are a fairly hard thing to predict considering how many variables they have, so why would you waste one of your first few picks on something so questionable. A large part of what makes a defense perform well or not is the opposition - searching the waiver wire for defenses who are coming up against dismal offenses (the Jets and Jaguars were great for this last year) will often yield you pretty solid results, and you may even end up finding a defense that you end up keeping for the rest of the year (see: last year's Chief's defense).

Best Photos From Super Bowl XLVIII

Super Bowl XLVIII Preview: Seahawks vs Broncos

     Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for. Unlike other sports, where there can be a potential seven games to decide the league champion, the NFL needs just one game to crown a winner, and that game is the Super Bowl. Although tomorrow marks the end of the 2013 season, the Super Bowl brings great commercials, incredible foods, and most importantly, the two bests teams playing for the Lombardi Trophy on national television. Peyton Manning just won his fifth MVP Award on the eve of the Super Bowl, and the league's best offense will now be playing the Seattle Seahawks, who have the NFL's best defense. Good luck to both teams, and we wish everyone a great Super Bowl Sunday!

Denver Broncos: Earlier this evening, Peyton Manning won his 5th MVP Award, as he was just one vote shy of a unanimous selection. Manning passed for 5,147 yards and 55 touchdowns this season, both single season records. Manning's incredible season is a result of years of experience, as well as an incredibly talented receiving corp. Demaryius Thomas caught 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns, and even if he's shutdown by cornerback Richard Sherman in the Super Bowl, Manning has three other options in Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas. All three wide receivers had more than 778 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013, which is why I think the Seahawks will struggle to shut down Denver's passing game, even though Seattle has the best pass defense in the league. Thanks to the incredible passing game, the Broncos have been able to set up a solid running game with Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns, both of which are career highs. Even if the cold weather hinders Denver's passing game, the Broncos may be able to keep up with Marshawn Lynch on the ground with Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball leading the way. Denver's run defense has been spectacular during the postseason, where they limited the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game to just 64 yards and 1 touchdown, even though the Patriots rushed for 234 yards and 6 touchdowns the previous week. Marshawn Lynch is clearly one of the best running backs in the league, so it will be interesting to see how Denver's defense will fare against the man known as "Beast Mode". The Broncos' pass defense is nothing special, but as long as the pass rush is able to pressure Russell Wilson, Seattle's passing game will not be a major problem. Also, be sure to watch returner Trindon Holliday, who returned both a kickoff and a punt for a score in 2013.

Seattle Seahawks: Immediately after the Seattle Seahawks beat San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game, Fox reporter Erin Andrews pulled aside cornerback Richard Sherman, and his arrogant display of emotion has been seen by most everyone through television and social media. Richard Sherman is able to have self-confidence, seeing that he has become the best cornerback in the league. Sherman's 20 interceptions in the past three years ranks first in the league, five more than other cornerback in the NFL. Sherman will likely be covering Demaryius Thomas throughout the game, which leaves defenders like Byron Maxwell, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor to smother Welker, (Julius) Thomas, and Decker on Denver. In 2013, the Seahawks defense ranked first overall in passing yards allowed, total defense, opposing quarterback rating, interceptions, and points allowed per game. The run defense did not do as well as the pass defense in 2013, but the run defense's most important accomplishment is the fact that they ranked first overall in rushing touchdowns allowed with 4. Defense seems to be very important in the Super Bowl, and in the eleven games where the league's top defense made it to the Super Bowl, the best defense has won nine times. The Seattle Seahawks' offense revolves around star running back Marshawn Lynch. Due to the cold weather, Marshawn Lynch is bound to have many attempts on the ground, seeing that throwing the ball will be slightly more difficult in the Super Bowl. For the third straight year, Lynch ran for more than 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is why Lynch was named to his fourth career Pro Bowl in 2013. Quarterback Russell Wilson makes few mistakes, which is key to an offense that revolves around the running game. Wilson passed 3,357 yards, 26 touchdowns, and, most importantly, 9 interceptions. Wilson's lack of mistakes allowed him to eclipse the 100 passer rating mark for the second time of his career, but who knows if nerves will get the best of Wilson in the Super Bowl, which would likely destroy any momentum built by Seattle's offense.

Prediction: If Peyton Manning were to beat Seattle, the second Super Bowl ring would make him the best quarterback of all time, and he knows that, too. Even though the number one defense normally beats the number one offense whenever the two teams meet, the Denver Broncos have the best offense in NFL history, and their abundance of wide receivers, as well as Manning's ability to throw the ball before the pass rush reaches him, is why Denver will win its third Super Bowl in franchise history.
Broncos over Seahawks 30-23
MVP: Peyton Manning: 305 passing yards, 2 TDs

This will be the 3rd time Peyton Manning will be playing outdoors in playoffs vs the No. 1 scoring D from reg season (1 TD, 6 Int in prev 2)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 27, 2014

The age difference of 12 years and 250 days between Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson is the biggest ever for starting QBs in the Super Bowl
— NFL Access (@NFL_Access) January 30, 2014

Via @PANYNJ: The George Washington Bridge is lit in @Broncos orange @Seahawks green for the Super Bowl: pic.twitter.com/PKn5l0eEIM
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 30, 2014

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 28, 2014

Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch at today's media availability: " I’m just here so I won’t get fined, boss. That’s the only reason I’m here."
— Jane McManus (@janesports) January 29, 2014

NFL Award Predictions 2013

Most Valuable Player: QB Peyton Manning: Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Peyton Manning shattered all types of records in 2013 in his second year in Denver, including the single season records for touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477). Manning's multiple weapons on offense helped him reach the third Super Bowl of his career. Manning has little competition this season for Most Valuable Player, even though running backs Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy both had great seasons.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: With the record breaking statistics that Manning put up in 2013, he is not only a shoe-in for MVP, but also Offensive Player of the Year. Most seasons, Jamaal Charles (1,287 yards, 5.0 yards per carry, 19 total touchdowns) would be a legitimate contender for Offensive Player of the Year, but Manning is not your average player, and 2013 was not your average season.

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Luke Kuechly: Not only did the Carolin aPanthers make the playoffs in 2013, but their star defensive player in Luke Kuechly quickly became the best defensive player in all of football. Kuechly led the league in sacks last season, and even though he did not achieve this feat two years in a row, his 156 tackles and 4 interceptions will likely win him Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: With Aaron Rodgers on the sideline for the majority of the 2013 season, rookie running back Eddie Lacy was forced to step up and fill the void left by Rodgers, a former MVP Award recipient. Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, which will likely win him Offensive Rookie of the Year over wide receiver Keenan Allen (1,046 yards, 8 touchdowns).

Defensive Rookie of the Year: DT Sheldon Richardson: The New York Jets may have missed out on the playoffs in 2013, but their defensive line has become one of the best in all of football. The D-line, also nicknamed "Sons of Anarchy", was anchored by Sheldon Richardson, who recorded 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid: After going 2-14 in 2012, the worst record of any team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs hired former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs did a complete 180, as they reached the playoffs, and even gave Peyton Manning and the Broncos a run for their money when it came to the division title. Kansas City's 9-0 start this season practically guaranteed Reid the Coach of the Year Award.

AFC Championship Game Recap

     So Peyton Manning beat Tom Brady today, marking the third team in Manning's career that he will have the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The Broncos were the better, more talented team on all fronts, which was evident in this game. Even though it is difficult to call Manning the superior quarterback over Brady, he sure made an excellent case to be called one of the greatest.

     The Patriots defense had absolutely no response for Denver's passing game, and as soon as Aqib Talib was knocked out of the game following a questionable pick by Wes Welker, it was clear the Patriots would be in trouble. Once Talib walked back to the locker room, cornerback Alfanzo Dennard was to cover a more talented wide receiver in Pro-Bowler Demaryius Thomas. Even if Manning didn't feel like targeting Demaryius, receivers like Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas always seemed to be open. The Patriots failed to create any sort of pressure on Manning, which was key for New England entering this game. Manning's safety in the pocket, as well as his abundance of talented receivers, allowed him to throw for exactly 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. At one point in the game, Denver was able to score on 5 consecutive drives, which further proves the uselessness of New England's defense in today's game; however, Patriots fans should not be too upset. Their team had a shot at a trip to the Super Bowl, which is absolutely astounding considering they were playing without Vince Wilfork, Jerard Mayo, Aqib Talib, and Rob Gronkowski in today's game.

     The ultimate winner from today's game is obviously Peyton Manning. By marching his team up field time and time again, he successfully kept Tom Brady off of the field for the majority of the game, and this consistency allowed the Broncos to score on 5 consecutive drives. Not only did Peyton win this game, but he also proved that he is just as good a quarterback as Tom Brady, and another Super Bowl ring for Peyton would allow him to be called the greatest quarterback in NFL history. I'm not completely sold on Manning, though, considering the plethora of talent that has surrounded Manning throughout his accomplished career. From Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in Indy to Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker in Denver, there is no denying that Manning has been blessed with a skillful group of players year in and year out.

     The biggest loser of the AFC Championship Game is New England's offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. McDaniels continuously tried to rush the ball with LeGarrette Blount throughout the first half, instead of relying on the player that got them there in the first place (Tom Brady). By the time New England started passing the ball, it was already too late, and as if it wasn't bad enough, McDaniels tried to run the ball on a two point conversion, and unsurprisingly, it was unsuccessful. Brady's frustration was clear during the first half, but you can't blame the guy that has put the team on his back since the start of training camp.

     The fact that Bill Belicick and Tom Brady were able to lead the Patriots into the AFC Championship Game is mind boggling. This ragtag group of players earned the second seed in the playoffs, beat the Colts and the Divisional Round, and put up a good fight against a clearly superior Denver Broncos team.

     The bottom line is that the best team from the AFC will be able to play for the Super Bowl, which is not always true. Denver's offense is scary this season, and the Patriots, to be honest, didn't stand a chance. Congratulations to Manning and the Broncos, and good luck to the Patriots next season.

AFC Championship Preview: Patriots at Broncos

     Nearly two months ago, we wrote about the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry in preparation for November's matchup between the Broncos and the Patriots. The Patriots went on to overcome a 24 point deficit and beat the Broncos in overtime. Now, Brady and the Patriots will try their luck a second time in order to beat Denver on the road in the AFC Championship Game. If Tom Brady is able to win this game, there will be no disputing his legacy, where a victory over Peyton will put the nail in the coffin regarding the Brady-Manning debate; however, a victory by Peyton will continue the argument, especially if he goes on to win the Super Bowl. The Broncos are the 5-point favorites entering Sunday's game, but it is always dangerous to go against Tom Brady in the playoffs, especially when his Patriots are the underdog.

New England Patriots: Last weekend, the Patriots played the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, a team that had beaten the 49ers, Broncos, and Seahawks in 2013 (all three of those teams are still in contention). The Patriots led the entire game, and won by a final score of 43-22; however, New England's running game carried the Patriots offense, where all five of New England's touchdowns came from running the ball. New England's running back LeGarrette Blount rushed for 166 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday's win, but don't be surprised if New England does not give Blount as many attempts against Denver. The running game will still be important for the Patriots so that they can keep Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos' offense off the field. Historically, Tom Brady has done well statistically when facing a team led by Peyton Manning, but Brady will no longer be the most important factor in order for New England to win on Sunday. Defensively, the Patriots picked off Andrew Luck four times on Sunday, but because of Indy's weak running game, a large amount of pressure was put on Luck to have a great game. Now, the Patriots will face a more well-rounded offense in the Denver Broncos, so it is reasonable to believe that Manning will not throw more than two interceptions. The Pats defense have lost star defenders like Vince Wilfork and Jerard Mayo, yet they have managed to apply reasonable pressure on the quarterback, as well as smother even the best wide receivers in the league thanks to cornerback Aqib Talib.

Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning has posted great numbers in the regular season throughout his entire career, but his legacy as a quarterback will be questioned if he finishes his career with just one Super Bowl ring. Manning's career passer rating of 76.7 in the Championship Round is his worst rating of any playoff round, where his completion percentage in the Championship Round falls to just 57.1%, as well as a TD/INT ratio of 1:1 (contrary to his rating of 5.5:1 during the 2013 regular season). There is also the belief that Peyton can not play in cold weather games, but if this myth is actually true, Peyton does not need to worry seeing that the temperature is expected to be 52 degrees at kickoff. With all the criticism against Peyton, as well as the immense pressure to beat Tom Brady in the playoffs, we expect Manning to have a reasonable game by his standards against the Patriots defense. Manning's ability to read defenses quickly, as well as his talented offensive line, helped Denver rank first in the league in sacks allowed during the regular season with 20. The Patriots defense is mediocre when it comes to applying pressure on the quarterback, but they certainly deserve credit after losing Wilfork and Mayo for the entire season. With Manning surrounded by extraordinary talent at the wide receiver position, including guys like Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker, the Patriots will just have to pick their poison regarding who to focus on shutting down. Pats corner Aqib Talib has a reputation of smothering the best wide receivers in the league, but then again, he can only be in one place on the field at a time.

Prediction: With the temperature exceeding 50 degrees on Sunday, the great conditions will allow both quarterbacks to successfully throw the ball, which clearly gives the advantage to Peyton Manning. The Patriots will try and keep Manning off of the field for as long as possible, but in the end, we predict Matt Prater to kick the gaming winning field goal, sending Peyton Manning to his third career Super Bowl.
Broncos over Patriots 23-20

8 of the 14 Manning-Brady matchups have been decided by 7 or fewer points, including 6 of the last 7
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2014

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have met 3 times career in the postseason. Home team has won each time, AND won the Super Bowl.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2014

2013 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers

Winners:

Anybody on the Denver Broncos Offense

Before the season started, many fantasy football players questioned how productive any single player on the Denver Broncos offense would be; there are just too many weapons.  Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, and Knowshon Moreno are all superstar-caliber players, and it seemed impossible for them all to provide consistent fantasy performances within the same offense. The remedy for the overcrowded nature of this offense was one we should have seen all along: Peyton Manning.  I guess 5211 yards and 51 touchdowns (plus any stats that he compiles in week 17) was enough to go around.

Defenses Going Against the Giants, Jets, or Jags

The quickest thing to go every week on the waiver wire this year was any defense facing up against the Giants, Jets, or Jags.  The Giant's Eli Manning threw a league high 26 interceptions, while the Jet's Geno Smith was right behind him with 21 interceptions and was also sacked 43 times (third in the league). The Jags dynamic quarterback combo of Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne also never failed to impress, racking up an impressive 20 total interceptions.  Don't be surprised if you find yourself constantly picking up defenses playing any of these three teams next year too.

Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns
Give me one person who thought that Josh Gordon would have more fantasy points than Calvin Johnson after week 16 and I'll give you a liar.  Megatron has had an incredible season, but Gordon's has been just as good if not better, despite playing in one fewer game.  Nine touchdowns and seven games with more than one hundred receiving yards (two with more than two hundred) make for a pretty damn impressive season.  Congrats if you jumped on the bandwagon early; I'm dearly sorry to those of you who passed on this gem of a player.

Top Tier Tight Ends
Receiving tight ends are making a comeback in the NFL, and it is largely thanks to an elite group of a few truly special tight ends.  Included in this remarkable group are the likes of Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Vernon Davis, Julius Thomas, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten (fringe stars include James Cameron, Charles Clay, Greg Olsen, and Antonio Gates). Jimmy Graham has caught an incredible 15 touchdowns, while Vernon Davis has managed 12, Julius Thomas has recorded 11, and Gronk got 4 in just 6.5 games.  The immense consistency of Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten cannot be overlooked either. We may never see a group of tight ends as productive in fantasy terms, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Losers:
Running Backs outside of the Elite
By elite I mean AP, Jamaal Charles, Shady McCoy, and Marshawn Lynch.  Outside of them, this year's running back group has disappointing.  Sure, there have been a few bright spots, like the emergences of Matt Forte, Eddie Lacy, Knowshon Moreno, and DeMarco Murray as good fantasy producers.  However, first round running backs like C.J. Spiller, Doug Martin, Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Trent Richardson, and Steven Jackson have failed to perform.  Where did the projected breakout seasons of David Wilson and Lamar Miller go? Why are Chris Johnson, Frank Gore, and Reggie Bush so inconsistent? Why won't the Redskins give Alfred Morris the ball in the red zone? Where is MJD? Sorry to be cliché, but there are so many questions and really so few answers.

Injures
The NFL has a real problem, and it is the injury bug. Injured quarterbacks have included Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick, and Tony Romo.  Meanwhile the injury list for running backs is much larger, including Adrian Peterson, C.J. Spiller, Arian Foster, Doug Martin, Steven Jackson, Stevan Ridley, MJD, David Wilson, Darren McFadden, Eddie Lacy, Reggie Bush, and pretty much anybody else that you can name outside of Ryan Mathews (how weird is that).  The list goes on and on for wide receivers and tight ends too, but I'm not going to make you read through another long list of injured players.  All I'll say is that something needs to change in the NFL.

Keeping the Same Defense for the Whole Season
It used to be common to draft a defense pretty high and use them consistently throughout the entire season.  To put it simply, there was a remarkable amount of scoring this year, and not even the best defenses were safe from a horrid performance.  The much more reliable technique has become to rotate defenses weekly based on matchups.  The reality is, not even the best defenses are a good start against a team like the Broncos.

Blair Walsh, K, Minnesota Vikings
Walsh was supposed to be the bee's knees this year, and through the first four games it looked like he was just that.  He had more than eight fantasy points in each of those four games, but it went sharply downhill after that, with consecutive fantasy performances of 4, 0, 7, and 5 points.  He has recovered to a certain extent, but still, we expected more out of Walsh.  The morale of the story is, kickers are about as unpredictable as they come, so don't go about drafting a kicker anywhere near the top/middle of the draft next year.

NFL Power Rankings Week 13

1. Seattle Seahawks (10-1): Because the Broncos suffered an overtime loss to the New England Patriots, the Seahawks remain the unquestionable number one team in the power rankings. The Seahawks have not lost a home game since 2011, and even though the defense is gaining a large amount of attention, the offense ranks 2nd overall in points scored (27.8) and 3rd overall in rushing yards (147.9). If the Seahawks are able to obtain the number one seed in the playoffs, the home field advantage throughout the postseason will immediately lift this Seahawks team to the NFC Championship Game, or even the Super Bowl. Plus, Percy Harvin's return won't hurt...

2. New Orleans Saints (9-2): New Orleans close call against the Atlanta Falcons is somewhat worrisome, but then again, rivalry games are a completely different story from regular games, so it is difficult to weigh this narrow victory quite so heavily. Quarterback Drew Brees is having an MVP-caliber season in 2013, and even the defense is showing steady signs of improvement ever since they added Rob Ryan to the coaching staff. If there is any team in the NFC capable of knocking out the Seahawks from the playoffs, it would be the high-flying Saints offense.

3. New England Patriots (8-3): In a game against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, Tom Brady once again got the best of Peyton Manning, as he erased a 24 point deficit, and the Patriots went on to win in overtime. Despite the terrible weather conditions, Tom Brady passed for 344 yards with 3 touchdown passes, culminating a passer rating of 107.4. In his past 3 games, Brady is averaging a passer rating of 116.8, especially after a spectacular performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots are starting to look like their former selves.

4. Carolina Panthers (8-3): The Carolina Panthers won their seventh game in a row last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The Panthers were losing to Miami for almost the entirety of the second half, but for the second straight game, quarterback Cam Newton led an 80 yard drive down field for the game winning touchdown. Luckily, the defense is able to give Cam Newton and the offense the ability to succeed, where linebacker Luke Kuechly is a legitimate contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

5. Denver Broncos (9-2): The loss to the New England Patriots bumped the Denver Broncos down several spots in the power rankings. Peyton Manning no longer looked superhuman, the defense forfeited 31 unanswered points in the second half alone, and several short-term injuries will weaken the team as a whole. The Denver Broncos are playing the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, so a win on the road would be sure to move this team up in the power rankings.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2): The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Chargers last weekend in a 41-38 shootout, but luckily for the Chiefs, Denver lost to New England on Sunday Night, so the Chiefs are still tied for first in the division. To go along with the loss in San Diego, Kansas City suffered two key injuries to leading pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. The two pass rushers have combined for a grand total of 20 sacks in 2013, so the defense will have its hand full with Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense this weekend.

7. San Francisco 49ers (7-4): The 49ers beat the struggling Redskins on Monday Night, and for the first time since Week 1, quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw for three passing touchdowns, along with an additional 235 passing yards. At 7-4, San Francisco is three games behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, but after losing two close games to Carolina and New Orleans, the San Francisco 49ers showed their resiliency by limiting the Redskins to just 6 points in Washington.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4): After having a firm control of the AFC North, Cincinnati lost two straight overtime games to the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. Cincinnati's dominant win over the Cleveland Browns last week is a good sign for Cincy's offense, even though star wide receiver AJ Green was limited to just two receptions for 7 yards and no touchdowns.

9. Arizona Cardinals (7-4): Following two losses to San Francisco and Seattle in Weeks 6 and 7, the Cardinals won four straight, where their most recent victory was a 40-11 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Arizona is flying under the radar in 2013, but similarly to last year, we predict the Cardinals to miss the playoffs after a solid start. In the next game, Arizona must travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles, and then to end the season, Arizona will play both Seattle and San Francisco in the last two weeks.

10. Indianapolis Colts (7-4): The Indianapolis Colts are officially the most inconsistent team in all of football. After beating San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver before the Bye, the Colts have lost to both the Cardinals and the Rams within the past two games. In those two games, the offense has been held to an average of 9.5 points per game, while the defense allowed an average of 39 points. Apart from a Week 16 at Kansas City, the Colts have a relatively easy schedule to conclude the regular season, so there is no doubt in my mind that the Colts will earn a spot in the playoffs despite their inconsistent play as of late.

Tom Brady-Peyton Manning Debate

As Tom Brady and the New England Patriots prepare to play Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in a Week 12 matchup, it is inevitable that people start to argue over who the better quarterback is: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? There is no denying that these two quarterbacks are first-ballot Hall of Famers, and one could argue that they are in top 3 greatest quarterbacks of all time, alongside 49ers legend Joe Montana. But since Peyton Manning and Tom Brady entered the league at around the same time, people have been asking themselves, who is the better quarterback? With very different backgrounds, the two quarterbacks are relatively similar on the field, as they are both able to entirely take control of their offense. In this post, we will analyze the two quarterbacks, and offer our opinion by the end of the post, all in anticipation of Sunday night's game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady: Unlike Peyton Manning, Tom Brady was not drafted 1st overall in the draft; instead, Brady was selected 199th overall by the New England Patriots. In his second season with the Patriots, Tom Brady replaced an injured drew Bledsoe, and as we all know, he went on to win three Super Bowl within his first four years as a starter. Yet within that timespan, Brady's regular season statistics were not mind-boggling. Brady's passer rating averaged 87.7 per season within his first four years as a starter, as well as an average of 3,479 yards and 24 passing touchdowns per season. It is important to keep in mind Troy Brown and David Givens, where neither wide receiver ever eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards or over 6 receiving touchdowns within a single season. However, a solid running game and a dominant defense helped out Tom Brady in winning three Super Bowls with the Pats. Overtime, Tom Brady's regular season statistics improved, but everything changed when the New England Patriots traded for a 30-year old All-Pro wide receiver by the name of Randy Moss. Before traveling to New England, Randy Moss showed steady signs of decline, as he finished the 2006 season with 553 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2007, Brady and the Patriots culminated an NFL Record 589 points on offense, where Tom Brady set the record for passing touchdowns with 50. despite their incredible season, Brady fell one game short of the perfect season after losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. From that point onwards, Tom Brady culminated very impressive statistics, but a fourth Super Bowl eluded him, even after yet another trip to the Super Bowl in 2012. This year, Brady's receiving corp is clearly lacking talent after losing both Wes Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez. The most used argument is that Tom Brady has two more Super Bowls than Manning, but there is also the fact that Brady's receiving corp is not nearly as talented as Manning's throughout both of their careers.

Including playoffs, Tom Brady is 9-4 in his career vs Peyton Manning.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 21, 2013

Peyton Manning: This year, Peyton Manning has a legitimate shot at breaking Tom Brady's single season touchdown record, which currently stands at 50. Since acquiring Wes Welker from New England, Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense is on track to clobber all kinds of offensive records, even though Peyton Manning has had two surgeries on his neck and is on the wrong side of 35. Despite all of this, Peyton Manning is currently leading the league in passing yards per game (357.2), passing touchdowns (34), and passer rating with a minimum of 200 attempts (118.3). Manning has a reputation of dominating the regular season, where his career statistics in the regular season are far superior to Brady's. As we enter the postseason, Manning's statistics see a decrease in productivity. Manning is 9-11 in the postseason, with a whopping eight one-and-done postseason trips. Manning and the Broncos have a legitimate chance at winning Manning his second Super Bowl, which would add a whole other dimension to this argument. A large portion of Peyton Manning's success can be credited to his highly talented receiving corp over the course of his career. In Indianapolis, Manning was able to throw the ball to the likes of Marvin Harrison, a future Hall of Famer, Reggie Wayne, another future Hall of Famer, and tight end Dallas Clark. This season in Denver, Manning's receiving corp consists of Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and running back Knowshon Moreno. Another augment against Peyton Manning is that he played inside a dome for the majority of his career, an environment that clearly favors the passing game; meanwhile, Brady has played in the hostile environment of New England, susceptible to any type of weather that comes his way. Outdoors, especially in very cold weather, we see Peyton Manning's numbers dip pretty significantly. To his credit, Manning has been able to rotate through several coaches throughout his career, but has still been able to produce great numbers.

Bottom Line: Like it says in the tweet above, Tom Brady is 9-4 in his career against Peyton Manning, but on Sunday Night, Manning and the Broncos are the clear favorites. As for the debate over the two quarterbacks, Tom Brady's three Super Bowls and 16-0 season in 2007 proves that he is a complete winning machine, and even though Manning has the better statistics, his environment was more suitable to the passing game. I take Brady over Manning in this one, but another Super Bowl for Manning and I would have to reconsider.

NFL Week 11 Predictions

Game of the Week: Chiefs @ Broncos: I taking a risk by saying that the Kansas City Chiefs will beat the Broncos tommorrow on Sunday Night Football. Yes, you read that correctly. Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs will beat Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Peyton Manning and Denver's high-powered offense will go up against the best defense in the league, who have allowed just 12.3 points per game, ranking 1st overall in the NFL. Kansas City also ranks first in the league in sacks, which is an extremely helpful statistic considering how immobile Peyton Manning is at this point in time. Manning did not practice on Thursday, but we all know that Manning desperately wants to play in tomorrow's game. The key for Denver will be to give Manning time in the pocket, as they do not want their hobbled quarterback avoiding defenders all game. If Manning was completely healthy, I would say the Broncos would win with no doubt in my mind; however, the Chiefs' pass rush will ruin Peyton Manning's tempo throughout the game. It is Kansas City's time to prove that they are the real deal.
Chiefs over Broncos 26-20

Stand Out Performance: QB Russell Wilson: Luckily for Seattle's offense, the offensive line may have three injured starters returning to the starting lineup in a Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Russell Wilson has been very consistent over the last few weeks, and with an improved offensive line, we can see him having a monster game against Minnesota. Percy Harvin might in uniform tomorrow as well, so one can say this is a perfect storm for success. The Vikings are having a hard time stopping the passing game so far in 2013, so we predict Russell Wilson to throw for three touchdowns tomorrow afternoon.
QB Russell Wilson: 305 passing yards, 3 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Alex Smith: Tomorrow's game against the Broncos will be Alex Smith's first truly big game as a member of the Chiefs' offense. Smith has a reputation of making few mistakes on the field, and with just 5 total turnovers this year, Alex Smith is a very consistent quarterback that you can count on. His numbers are not mind boggling, as he has just 9 passing touchdowns and a passer rating close to 85.0. Jamaal Charles really is the core of Kansas City's offense, and Alex Smith is there to provide a consistent passing game to bail this offense out on third down. Smith will have a mediocre game against Denver, where Kansas City's defense will be the true MVP in Sunday Night's game.
QB Alex Smith: 200 passing yards, 1 TD

Week 11 Predictions:

Colts over Titans (Correct)

Jets over Bills

Ravens over Bears

Bengals over Browns

Texans over Raiders

Cardinals over Jaguars

Eagles over Redskins

Steelers over Lions

Falcons over Buccaneers

Chargers over Dolphins

Saints over 49ers

Giants over Packers

Seahawks over Vikings

Chiefs over Broncos

Patriots over Panthers

Last Week: 9-5

2013 Season: 101-46 (68.7%)

Top 5 Fantasy Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks and fantasy quarterbacks are two entirely different breeds, so while you may have an idea who the best quarterbacks in the NFL are, you probably have no idea who will best improve your chances to win your fantasy football league.  For example, a quarterback like Cam Newton, who consistently provides valuable rushing touchdowns is more productive in fantasy football than a quarterback like Tom Brady, who, despite being one of football's all-time greats, is not going to provide you with an incredible amount of fantasy points.

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
Manning is undoubtedly the best quarterback in fantasy football right now.  With a seemingly unlimited supply of weapons, including Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Julius Thomas, Manning's record-breaking rate of production should not end any time soon.  If he continues the pace that he is on, Manning will end the season with 59 touchdowns, shattering the previous record held by Tom Brady by an incredible 9 touchdowns.  Don't expect Manning to be vacating the number one spot in these rankings any time soon.

2. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
The only quarterback who is even comparable to Manning right now in terms of production is Brees, which is largely due to his talented tight end.  Jimmy Graham was on pace for an incredible season (probably even better than Gronkowski's last year), however, the Patriots managed to stifle him for zero catches on Sunday.  If teams are able to consistently stop Graham, Brees could be in a fair amount of trouble, as his other receiving options are only decent.  For now, Brees will stay at number two, but his stock could be on the drop soon.

3. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
The first six weeks of the season have been good, but not great for Stafford, yet there is reason to believe that Stafford may end up a top-three fantasy quarterback when all is said and done.  In three tough games so far against the Cardinals, Bears, and Browns, he has put up very respectable numbers.  Compared to these three games, the rest of the year looks to be a walk in the park for Stafford, playing against the feeble secondaries of the Cowboys, Steelers, Buccaneers, Eagles, and Giants, among others.  Additionally, Stafford will once again get to work with star wide receiver Calvin Johnson who was recently injured.  Now would be a great time to get a window seat on the Matthew Stafford bandwagon which surely will be full by the season's end.

4. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton, at 6'5" and 245 pounds, is a threat both through the air and on the ground in the red zone.  The most important part of fantasy football scoring is touchdowns, and there few better than Newton in this category.  Though he will turn the ball over more than you would want, he can more than make it up by reaching the end zone.  Because of his ability to produce touchdowns, Newton may have the most upside in fantasy football right now.

5. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
After Michael Vick, Wilson is probably the best running quarterback in the NLF.  Additionally, he is an exceptional passer, however, Marshawn Lynch tends to take most of the Seahawks touchdowns, which hurts Wilson's fantasy value.  He is able to make up for this with his running ability and low amount of turnovers.  Thus, though Wilson is unlikely to have a break out game, he will consistently provide for your fantasy team this year.

Notable Omissions:

Philip Rivers: Only good weeks were against Philly, Dallas, and Oakland. Not exactly top tier secondaries.  He has a significantly harder schedule over the second half of the season, and his production will likely not hold up.
Tony Romo: Once again, a very poor early schedule has allowed for solid numbers which will not be maintained over the entire season.
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers has looked pretty good so far, but what really hurts him here is that James Jones and Randall Cobb are going to be out for significant amounts of time with injures, and I am unsure if Rodgers will be able to produce.
Tom Brady: This omission is entirely at the fault of the Patriot's atrocious receiving core.  Any other year Brady would be in the top 5, but when Kembrell Thompkins is your best receiver, you're in trouble.

2014 Playoff Predictions: Super Bowl

Broncos over 49ers: The Denver Broncos offense, especially the passing game, is the best in the National Football League. Peyton Manning can choose between receivers Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker, so no matter who San Francisco decides to double team, Manning will be able to find the open man. The running back tandem of Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball should be able to improve the running game, which once led the league in rushing back when Tim Tebow was still quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a talented quarterback who will create problems for the Denver Broncos defense. If the Broncos defense decides to focus on defending the pass, John Harbaugh will immediately switch to running the ball with his trio of running backs. The defensive edge is awarded to San Francisco, but the Broncos defense is above-average, especially when outside linebacker Von Miller is in the starting lineup. Even with their excellent defense, San Francisco will be overwhelmed by Peyton Manning and his receivers. We predict the Broncos to win 30-27, where quarterback Peyton Manning wins his second Super Bowl MVP.

2013 NFL Award Predictions

Most Valuable Player: QB Peyton Manning: Peyton Manning's performance against the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday perfectly showed how lethal the Denver Broncos offense has become. Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker are bound to be Manning's favorite targets, and we predict Peyton Manning to throw for more than 50 touchdowns this year, breaking Tom Brady's record.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: If Manning is able to break Tom Brady's record of 50 passing touchdowns, he is a shoe-in for both MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. The Broncos offense was able to score 7 passing touchdowns against the Ravens defense, so imagine what they will do against a team like Jacksonville...

Defensive Player of the Year: DE JJ Watt: With the return of cornerback Darrelle Revis, the fight for Defensive Player of the Year will only become more competitive, but we see JJ "Swatt" winning this award for the second consecutive season. Watt was a sack away from breaking Michael Strahan's single season sack record in 2012, and even though we do not see Watt breaking the record in 2013, Watt's dominating campaign will win him this award once again.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: Eddie Lacy is a thick, physical running back who will be used to take some pressure off of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We predict Lacy's main competition to be Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin for this award, but in the end, Lacy will be the 31st running back to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Ezekiel Ansah: Despite having just three years of experience playing football since he left Ghana, Ansah has too much raw talent to be sitting on the sidelines as a rookie. In his first preseason game, Ansah picked off Mark Sanchez and returned it for a touchdown. Big things are clearly in store for Ezekiel Ansah.

Coach of the Year: Sean Payton: The Saints have already taken down Atlanta in Week 1 of the 2013, so Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints are off to a great start. Brees is likely to surpass 5,000 yards yet again, especially if tight end Jimmy Graham is able to stay healthy. If the defense improves slightly, Sean Payton is a shoe-in for this award.

Comeback Player of the Year: CB Darrelle Revis: Despite all this talk about Richard Sherman being the best cornerback in the league, Revis remains the most dominant at the position. His new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ranked dead last in pass defense last season, so this organization is building the defense around their newly acquired cornerback. He will not disappointment. 

2013 Season Opener: Ravens @ Broncos

     The wait is now over. Tonight, the reigning Super Bowl Champions will take on one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history to kickoff the 2013 season. The Baltimore Ravens, last year's Super Bowl champions, are traveling to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. In the 2012 playoffs, the Ravens upset Denver in overtime, and as we know, the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore lost several key players in the offseason, including Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, and Anquan Boldin. Quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice make up the core of this offense, while the defense still has an abundance of talent capable of dominating the league. Peyton Manning of the Broncos gained yet another offensive weapon in the offseason: slot receiver Wes Welker. Yet this defense will be missing two pass rushers that found extraordinary success in 2012. Linebacker Von Miller was suspended for six games at the start of the season, while defensive end Elvis Dumervil left to play for Baltimore after a contract error. The Ravens offense may have lost a key offensive weapon in Anquan Boldin, but Joe Flacco will have plenty of time in the pocket with both Miller and Dumervil gone. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning will have to face the Ravens defense, and will struggle to consistently put points on the board.
Prediction: Ravens over Broncos 27-24

Top 10 Free Agents: Ryan Clady

5. Ryan Clady: Ryan Clady proved to be one of the most valuable players on the Denver Broncos, seeing that he successfully protected Peyton Manning's blind side. Clady and the Denver offensive line allowed just 21 sacks in 2012, ranking second in the National Football League. The three-time All-Pro underwent surgery on his shoulder this past offseason, but many still believe the Denver Broncos will use their franchise tag on Clady.

NFL Award Predictions: Most Valuable Player

     Finally, we have arrived to the most important of NFL awards to be handed out on February 2nd; the Most Valuable Player Award. Out of the many players to be analyzed, there are just three who we believe might take home the NFL's most prestigious award. Those final three players are Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, and J.J. Watt. 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!

Adrian Peterson

QB Peyton Manning: One point in favor of Peyton Manning's MVP campaign has been his impact on the team he plays for. Indianapolis went from 10-6 to 2-14 during the year in which Manning was missing with a neck injury. Then, as he moved to Denver, the Broncos easily made the playoffs as the number one seed. Manning's ability to win makes him extremely valuable, but his statistics are not necessarily as mind boggling as Watt's or Peterson's.

DE J.J. Watt: Watt appears to be the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, but unfortunately, it is extremely uncommon for a defensive player to win MVP. In fact, the last defensive player to win MVP was Lawrence Taylor in 1986. J.J. Watt would be a much more legitimate contender if he had snapped Michael Strahan's single season sack record. Sadly, Watt was unable to gain the two sacks necessary to break Strahan's record; however, Watt managed to rack up 81 tackles over the course of a single season, an extraordinary number considering Watt's role as a defensive end. That being said, Watt was also able to easily bat down passes, a skill that helped the Houston Texans defense disrupt opposing team's passing games. As I mentioned earlier, Watt is unlikely to win MVP due to his inability to break Strahan's record; therefore, the NFL will have to wait for another defensive MVP.

RB Adrian Peterson: Adrian Peterson proved over the course of 2012 that the running game is still alive and capable of making a dramatic impact on a particular team. In 2011, the Minnesota Vikings were 3-13, with little to no defense, and a star running back recovering from a very serious ACL injury. Adrian Peterson single-handedly led this team into the playoffs, where the highlight of his season took place in Week 17, where Peterson rushed for 199 yards against the Green Bay Packers, clinching a spot in the postseason. Although he was unable to break the single season rushing record, Peterson became the 7th running back to be a part of the 2,000 rushing yards club. Peterson's statistics, along with his importance to the Minnesota Vikings organization, ought to earn him the NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

Most Valuable Player Prediction: Adrian Peterson

NFL Award Predictions: Offensive Player of the Year

     Finally, we are down to the three biggest awards to be handed out by the National Football League; Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and the grandaddy of them all, Most Valuable Player. Due to the large number of possible contenders, we will analyze the four best nominees for Offensive Player of the Year. Those nominees are Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Calvin Johnson.

Adrian Peterson

WR Calvin Johnson: After a relatively slow start, Calvin Johnson managed to finish the season strong, even though "strong" is a slight understatement. In the final nine games of the season, Johnson's stat line was absolutely incredible, and thanks to a 225 yard performance in a Week 16 game, Calvin Johnson was able to snap Jerry Rice's receiving yard record. If Johnson successfully eclipsed the 2,000 yard receiving record, he would be a more legitimate candidate for Offensive Player of the Year. However, because Calvin Johnson did not eclipse the 2,000 yard mark, he is not the favorite to win this award.

QB Aaron Rodgers: Even though Aaron Rodgers' stats saw a drop off from his stats in the 2011 season, a league leading 108.0 passer rating and 39 touchdowns keeps him in the competition for the Offensive Player of the Year Award. The Green Bay Packers, along with Aaron Rodgers, got off to a slow start in 2012, but the team as a whole built momentum towards the end of the season. Rodgers was sacked a mind boggling 45 times in 2012, but unfortunately, his fellow competition is too strong for him to win back to back offensive awards.

QB Peyton Manning: We believe Peyton Manning will take home Comeback Player of the Year Award, but the odds are not in his favor for Offensive Player of the Year. Manning's statistics were extremely consistent in 2012, where it appeared that after he adjusted to his new team, Manning became close to unstoppable. Manning not only recovered from a neck injury, but he resurrected a franchise in need of an elite quarterback. Manning makes a strong case for Offensive Player of the Year, but the case in favor of Adrian Peterson is even stronger.

RB Adrian Peterson: After Peterson suffered an ACL tear, many believed this talented running back would never be quite the same rusher as we saw earlier in his career. However, Peterson successfully proved history wrong, rushing for 2,097 yards, 12 touchdowns, and an incredible 6.0 rushing yards per carry. Offensive Player of the Year normally goes to the player with the best statistics, and Adrian Peterson's stat line is the best in the league.

Offensive Player of the Year Prediction: RB Adrian Peterson