Three Breakout Players in 2012

     There is a lot of change happening in the National Football League; players being signed, coaches getting canned, and franchises starting off the year with a clean slate (the draft in April will only add to the chaos). Not only are teams adjusting, but the new season will cause several players to flourish. After their flashes of brilliance in 2011, here are 3 players destined for a breakout season come 2012.

CJ Spiller

1. RB CJ Spiller: For 2 years, CJ Spiller had sat on the bench, watching running back Fred Jackson dominate defenses day in and day out. That all changed when Jackson fractured his fibula against the Miami Dolphins last year. In the final 6 games of the season, Spiller averaged 74 yards per game, with 5 total touchdowns. Over the course of the season, Spiller also maintained an average of 5.2 yards per carry, a statistic higher than Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy. While playing for Clemson as a senior, Spiller ran for 1,212 yards with 12 touchdowns. The 6^th overall draft-pick possesses extraordinary speed (official 40-yard dash time of 4.37) capable of blowing by defenders. With Jackson still harnessing an injury, it is likely that Buffalo will have the two rushers split the carries, at least for the first few games. Once the 2012 season is in full bloom, CJ Spiller will become one of the elite rushers in the NFL.

2. QB Matt Flynn: Though quarterback Matt Flynn has started in just two professional games, the LSU alum is one of the largest gambles made by an NFL team in recent history. Against Detroit in Week 17, Flynn showed off his arm by passing for a whopping 480 yards and 6 touchdowns, both Packer records. Back in 2010, Matt Flynn gave Tom Brady and the New England Patriots a run for their money while Aaron Rodgers nursed a concussion. Now that Flynn is a Seahawk, he has several decent receivers like Sidney Rice and Mike Williams. Arm strength, accuracy, and confidence are all apparent attributes, so don’t be surprised when Matt Flynn leads Seattle to yet another playoff birth.

3. WR Malcom Floyd: Unlike most NFL players, wide receiver Malcom Floyd showed his true potential at age 30. The 6’6” Charger has exceptional speed for someone his size, which is why Floyd is such a dangerous option deep down field. In 2010, Malcom Floyd had the highest yards per catch average among any wide receivers, with a minimum of 10 receptions. Though the Chargers acquired Robert Meachem to replace Vincent Jackson, it will take time for him to be a part of this offense. As for tight end Antonio Gates, the 8 time pro bowler has been battling injuries for the past two years, and there is no guarantee he can stay healthy in 2012. In his 9^th NFL season, Floyd should blossom as one of the leagues most deadly receivers.

Via Chargerzfan32

Important Announcement

For the past month and a half, The NFL Report has written an insufficient amount of entries. I apoligize for this, but don't worry, I am working on a mock draft wich should be released within the next week or so! Stay tuned!

Stars of the Draft: Andrew Luck

     Andrew Luck walked off the field in disappointment. All around him was celebration, as Oklahoma State won the Fiesta Bowl thanks to an overtime field goal. It is not normal for Luck to be on the losing side; in his entire Stanford career, the star quarterback lost just 8 times (a record of 31-8). But now was different...this was his final college game before entering the 2012 NFL Draft. Luckily for Luck, he is the heavy favorite to be picked first overall by the struggling Indianapolis Colts. So what makes Luck so different? What characteristics does he own that forces experts to call him the greatest QB entering the draft since Peyton Manning? The NFL Report will analyze this future star, and what should be expected from him in later years.

Andrew Luck

     It was the first game of the 2011 season, and Andrew Luck started off with a bang against San Jose State. There was 14:55 left in the 2nd quarter. Luck lobs a ball 41 yards for the score, and goes on to win 57-3. As the season progressed, Stanford fans witnessed their quarterback put up great statistics day in and day out. By the end of the regular season, Andrew Luck had 3,170 passing yards, 35 TD's and a passer rating of 169.7. Sadly, these statistics were unable to beat out Robert Griffin III for the Heisman Trophy. Still, Luck managed to win the Maxwell Award along with being a First Team All American. Along with several awards, Luck now owns countless records, whether it be single season or statistics throughout his entire career. Even if he were to fail in the NFL, Luck should go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Stanford history.
     Size, strength, accuracy.... all three are characteristics that differentiate Luck from the average college quarterback. First of all, fans have witnessed Luck's extraordinary accuracy time and time again, for it is rare to see him miss an open wide receiver. In fact, Luck owns record for the highest single season completion percentage in Pac-12 history (71.3%). As Luck enters the NFL, open wide receivers will become more scarce, meaning his ability to thread the needle will only help him. Though he does not have the arm strength of Aaron Rodgers, Luck is still able to throw a deep ball down field, while staying on target. Unlike college stars like Tim Tebow, Luck has spectacular throwing mechanics, very similar to Peyton Manning or Drew Brees. These mechanics allow him to have consistent passes on target. However, his best trait is the ability to march down the field. Though he has the capability of bombing balls deep down field, it is more common for Luck to throw short passes that help move the chains. Many rookies in the NFL make stupid decisions because they feel rushed. Luck on the other hand will try and get in the end zone one step at a time. The number one prospect has also proved to have great pocket presence when being rushed by defenders. Countless times in the Fiesta Bowl, Oklahoma State put pressure on Luck, but he was still able to throw accurate passes down field. He may not be a Michael Vick when it comes to escaping the pocket, but Andrew Luck has the speed needed to escape defenders, and getting some extra yards in the process. In fact, Luck had the same 40 yard dash time as rookie sensation Cam Newton (4.59).
       Being drafted first overall comes with high expectations, for everyone is watching you. In the past, many quarterbacks have folded underneath the pressure. However, there have also been several success stories in the past few years. For example, Eli Manning was selected first overall by the New York Giants in 2003, and has already won 2 Super Bowl Rings. I believe Andrew Luck is the real deal; any quarterback who is compared to superstars like John Elway, Peyton Manning or Drew Brees has to be a sensational athlete. I am not saying by the end of his career, he will own every major passing record, but I can see many Pro Bowl appearances in this guy's future. Andrew Luck will be selected by the Indianapolis Colts first overall, and I know he has many great years ahead of him.

I Believe in Matt Flynn

     Throughout the Green Bay Packers long and storied history, numerous quarterbacks have come and gone. The names range from Bart Starr, to Brett Favre, to present day Aaron Rodgers. However, there has been one quarterback whom has silently sat on the sidelines for close to 4 years. Matt Flynn was drafted out of LSU after winning that year's National Championship. The 7th round pick has had little playing time under coach Mike McCarthy, mainly due to the up and coming quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. After a stunning performance against Detroit last season, Flynn is back on the radar. Football fans have speculated on if the game was just a stroke of luck, or a true superstar in the making. At age 26, he is on the market as a free agent, and teams in need of a passer are willing to make the gamble.

Matt Flynn  (Getty Images)

       How can an entire team depend on one guy, who has only started in TWO games, to resurrect their franchise? It was just like any other game day at Lambeau Field; freezing. Fans piled in by the thousands to watch their Packers battle it out with Detroit in the last game of the season. Due to the fact McCarthy’s team had already clinched the number one seed, his star quarterback would watch from the sidelines for the entire game. This meant it was Flynn’s time to shine. With time winding down in the 1^st quarter, Flynn quickly passed to Jordy Nelson who galloped into the end zone for the score. From there, Flynn led the Packers to a win over Detroit, throwing for a whopping 480 yards and 6 touchdowns in the process. Social networking sites, along with sports shows, all were talking about the Green Bay quarterback and his record setting performance. In 2010, Flynn also played very well against the rolling Patriots at home, and even came close to upsetting New England.

     In the two games Matt Flynn started, he averaged a passer rating of 118.3. Several experts believe the Packers will use a franchise tag on Flynn as the deadline for their decision approaches. If this were to be the case, Flynn would end up making more money then reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. I just can not see this happening, which is why I believe Flynn will not be wearing a Packers uniform come September. Players like Brandon Marshall have already reached out to the quarterback in an attempt to convince Flynn on playing for their team. With so many options at the quarterback position (Manning, Luck, RGIII), it is unclear where Flynn will end up. Though he lacks experience, Flynn will dominate the league in 2012. Arm strength, accuracy, and confidence are all apparent attributes, so don’t be surprised when Flynn leads his team to the playoffs next season.

Super Bowl XLVI Preview

     For the second time in four years, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants will battle for a Super Bowl title. When Super Bowl XLII arrived in Arizona, the Patriots were heavy favorites after an 18-0 record prior to the big game. However, the Giants were able to get inside Brady's head, bringing him to the ground 5 different times. With 1:15 left in the 4th quarter, Eli Manning eluded several pass rushers, and, in desperation, heaved a ball deep down the field. Somehow, wide receiver David Tyree managed to catch the ball, pin it against his helmet, and not let the nose of the football hit the ground. In the end, New York came out on top, defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 17-14, handing the Pats their first loss of the season. Since that game, Brady has not been able to win in the playoffs...until now. After beating Denver, and then Baltimore, the Patriots look to win their first Super Bowl in 8 years. And who better to play for a championship then the infamous New York Giants. Though the Pats had a better record this season, these two teams appear to be equal in skill, which should result in a close game. Both franchises have a successful history, combined for a total of 7 championship wins. As America's most watched sporting event takes place this Sunday, The NFL Report will give you everything you need to know for what should be a great championship game.

"The Catch"

     Eli Manning. Several years ago, the first thing I would think of when hearing that name would be "Oh, that's Peyton Manning's brother." Now, I think of Eli Manning as an elite quarterback in the NFL. As of late, many people begin to speculate whether or not a second Super Bowl win would guarantee him a spot in the Hall Of Fame. On the other side of the field, Eli will face off against Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer, and in my opinion, the greatest quarterback of all time. Though Brady had a bad game against Baltimore, his 2012 playoff passer rating averages out to 105.8, 2.7 points ahead of Eli. Unfortunately for the Patriots, star tight end Rob Gronkowski has been dealing with an ankle injury these past few weeks, and will be questionable for the big game. If Gronk were to be missing, there would be a large hole in the Patriots offense, for he is a strong and powerful wide receiver capable of trampling defenders. Though a great running game does not necessarily win championships, rushing the ball should be key for both teams this weekend. During both the regular season and the postseason, these two teams were equal when it came to running the ball. Pats running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis has yet to fumble a football in his pro career, so Belichick will use him frequently when needed. As for Tom Coughlin's team, New York has the spectacular running duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs (327 yards 1 touchdown this postseason) which should give New England trouble.  When it comes to defense, the Giants pass rush may force Brady to make bad decisions, for they ranked third overall in sacks with 48 during the regular season. New England's offensive line does a great job of protecting their star QB, and they will have their hands full against the Giants. However, if the Giants are able to get to Brady early on like they did in Super Bowl XLII, New England will have a hard time putting points on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for the Giants, their offensive line looked very weak against the San Francisco 49ers, and Manning took many hard hits late in the game. If pass rushers like Vince Wilfork (6 total tackles, 1 sack against Baltimore) are able to hit Manning hard early on, the Patriots will control the entire game. The 18-1 season is still fresh in the minds of Patriots fans, along with those who played for Belichick in 2007. They will be hungry for yet another championship, and a win against New York would bring closure to die hard Pats fans. On the other hand, Manning threw 16 picks in the regular season, yet he has thrown just one this postseason. If he can stay consistent, Eli should give New England a hard time. Otherwise, Brady will win his 4th Super Bowl and be tied with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history.
Patriots over Giants 27-24
Super Bowl MVP: QB Tom Brady: 305 passing yards, 2 TD's

PASSING EDGE: Patriots

RUSHING EDGE: Giants

WIDE RECEIVER EDGE: Giants

TIGHT END EDGE: Patriots

OFFENSIVE LINE EDGE: Patriots

PASS RUSH EDGE: Giants

RUSH DEFENSE EDGE: Patriots

PASS DEFENSE EDGE: Giants

SPECIAL TEAMS EDGE: Patriots

OVERALL EDGE: Patriots

Via Stevie436

Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots

     It came down to one field goal. Three points would tie the game for Baltimore, sending an already exciting game into overtime. Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff aims, not wanting to miss this 32 yarder. In the playoffs, there is small margin for error, even less so when playing in the AFC Championship game. In this case, an error would keep the Ravens out of the Super Bowl once again. Finally, the ball is snapped, Cundiff makes contact, and sends the ball flying into the air. It appears like it may go in, but suddenly, the football creeps towards the left post, until a large gust sends it wide left. He had missed. The game was over. The New England Patriots did extremely well in the regular season, with a final record of 13-3. Once in the playoffs, Tom Brady dismantled Tim Tebow's Broncos, leading his team to an easy 45-10 win at home. After beating the Ravens in a nail-biting 23-20 victory, the Patriots will play the Giants in the Super Bowl once again. With one week left before Super Bowl Sunday, The NFL Report will break down the Patriots as a team, and how they have been able to do so well this year.

Tom Brady

Offense: Everyone knows that, when it comes to the playoffs, the quarterback position is the most important role. Luckily, Tom Brady knows how to win games. Though things have not gone his way of late in the playoffs, Brady has been great during this years Super Bowl run. In a traditional football season, Brady's outstanding statistics would have won him the MVP Award in a land slide.  Unfortunately for the Patriots quarterback, he will likely finish third in the MVP voting. This does not mean his 5,235 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns is a terrible thing, because obviously it helped him get back to the Super Bowl. In my opinion, Brady is the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, and a 4th Super Bowl win would only solidify my confidence. As a team, the Patriots offense is ranked among the top 5 in nearly every major passing statistic. The Welker-Gronkowski tandem has combined for a league leading 2,896 receiving yards, the most out of any WR-TE duo in the NFL. Last weekend, Gronk suffered a severe ankle sprain against Baltimore, and has yet to participate in practice. Though the Pats have 2nd string tight end Aaron Hernandez to fill that role, Gronkowski's power and size creates serious problems for opposing team's defenses. When it comes to running the ball, the Patriots were disappointed with their running backs Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Instead of ranking among the top 10 in terms of rushing yards per game (ranked 9th in 2010), the Patriots dropped  down to 20th in 2011 (110.2 rushing yards per game). Not only did the team's rushing yards go down, but running back BenJarvis Green-Ellis rushed for just 667 yards compared to 1,008 in 2010. Surprisingly, rookie running back Steven Ridley has been clutch for the Patriots; though he rushed for 441 yards, he was only given 87 attempts, resulting in a 5.1 yards per carry. Sadly, Ridley did not play against the Ravens due to a fumble in the Divisional Round, and it is not likely he will play much in the Super Bowl as well. In this years playoffs, the Patriots' offensive line has been extraordinary. In two postseason games, Brady has been sacked just once, coming against the notorious Ravens D. The offensive line will be extremely important next weekend against a team who has a total of 7 sacks in the playoffs. If there is anything the Patriots can do, it is scoring points. The Ravens did a great job of containing Tom Brady, but he will look for revenge against New York in Indianapolis.

Defense: Atrocious. That is the best way to describe the Patriots defense this season. Ranked close to last  in nearly every defensive statistic. When it comes to the Patriots pass defense, New England allows close to 300 yards in the air each game. Along with yards allowed, New England is tied for last in 1st down percentage each passing attempt (39.6%). However, things weren't all bad for New England; the Patriots were tied for second in interceptions with 23 (only behind Green Bay). Clearly, the Pats did a great job forcing turnovers, for they also tied for second in fumbles recovered with 10. The defensive line did a great job in 2011, allowing 117.1 yards per game, ranked 16th overall. Sadly, the Patriots are not exactly the same status as the 49ers rush defense, with 13 rushing touchdowns allowed during the regular season. The pass rush gradually improved as the season progressed, and they finished 14th overall with 40 total sacks. Considering they were without players like Jerard Mayo (2 missed games) and Patrick Chung (missed 8 games) for several weeks, the defense was still able to contain great teams. So, when you add all of this up, who would have thought the defense was the main reason they were able to conquer Baltimore in Foxborough. The Ravens are not known for passing the ball, but what the Patriots did a spectacular job of was shutting down star running back Ray Rice, limiting him to 78 total yards and no touchdowns. If the momentum on defense can carry over into the Super Bowl, the Patriots do not have much to worry about. Like I said, the playoffs are all about consistency, and that is what New England's defense needs most. 

Conference Championship Preview

 We are just two weeks away from Super Bowl XLVII, and it is sure to be a great one. With four teams remaining (Patriots, Ravens, 49ers and Giants), it shall make the games this weekend even better. The Divisional Round had some exciting outcomes, and I would not be surprised if that carried over to the Conference Championship. From 3 o'clock onwards, football fans everywhere will tune into the NFL playoffs in what should be another memorable weekend for football.


Ravens at Patriots: After dominating the highly revered Denver Broncos, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will move on to the AFC Championship game for the 6th time in 11 years. The offense in New England looked extroidanry against the Broncos, led by future hall of famer Tom Brady (record tying 6 touchdown passes). However, the most astonishing part of last game was how well the Patriot's defense played. Tim Tebow threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns against one of the league's best defenses, the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, in the Divisional Round, Tebow's luck ran out, and he passed for a mediocre 136 yards with no touchdowns against the horrific Pats secondary. It is not like Tebow was running the ball well, either; in 31 dropabcks, the Broncos quarterback was sacked behind the line 5 times, one of which resulted in a turnover. As for Baltimore, the number 2 seed is coming off of a spectacular defensive performance against the Houston Texans (4 turnovers). However, the offense was lacking any sort of stand out performance, especially from star running back Ray Rice. Also, Pro-Bowl safety Ed Reed participated in a limited practice due to an ankle injury. If their star defender were to be missing against the Pats, there is no way the Ravens can beat the outstanding Tom Brady in Foxborough.
Patriots over Ravens: 30-20
Stand-Out Performance: QB Tom Brady: 320 passing yards, 2 passing TD's, 1 rushing TD


Giants at 49ers: Last weekend, the 2 seeded San Francisco 49ers beat Drew Brees in a thriller at home. Though they were ranked higher, the 49ers were considered to be the underdog entering Saturday's game. The main reason they were able to defeat New Orleans (besides with their exceptional defense) was due to their great passing performance from quarterback Alex Smith. Normally, Smith would throw for a mediocre 200 yards each game. However, against New Orleans, he had 299 yards with four total touchdowns. This weekend, they will play the New York Giants at home, a team who is coming off of a surprising win over the Green Bay Packers. Like the defense in San Francisco, the Giants defense was absolutely incredible in the Divisional Round. Traditionally, Aaron Rodgers picks apart defenses, especially in important games. However, New York was able to sack Rodgers 5 times, picked him off once, and recovered a fumble as well. The offense did great as well, led by quarterback Eli Manning (330 passing yards, 3 passing TD's) and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (7 receptions, 165 yards, 2 TD's). If both teams play to their full potential, the 49ers have the edge. However, in the playoffs, it is all about consistency.
49ers over Giants 34-27 (OT)
Stand-Out Performance: K David Akers: 5 FGA, 5 FGM, 1 Game Tying FG

Divisional Round Preview

Someway, somehow, Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos are advancing to the AFC Divisional Round after an overtime thriller at home. Sure the Steelers were affected by a large amount of injuries, but the fact of the matter is Denver wasn't even supposed to make the playoffs once they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Along with Broncos, the three other teams who had home-field won each of their Wild Card games, a rare occurrence in the NFL Playoffs. There are 4 GREAT games taking place this weekend, and The NFL Report has everything you need to know about the 2012 NFL Divisional Round!

Tom Brady

Saints at 49ers: There is no better way to kick off the NFL Divisional Round then with an intense game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. The Saints are coming off of a dominating win over Detroit at home, and have not lost a game since Week 9. Unfortunately for MVP candidate Drew Brees, his team will not be playing at the Superdome this weekend, where their record is an outstanding 9-0 this year. Instead, they will play in windy San Francisco against the rolling 49ers defense. San Francisco has done extremely well at home, with notable wins coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. The Saints have not done very well on the road, losing to mediocre teams whom they should have beaten. However, due to the fact many of the 49ers have never played in a playoff game, the inexperience may come back to haunt them. Quarterback Alex Smith is not considered to be great at his position, so coach Jim Harbaugh must rely heavily on star runningback Frank Gore and the stellar defense as well. The only way the number one offense in New Orleans can defeat the spectacular 49ers defense is if they can finally do well on the road. Otherwise, Drew Brees will fall short of the Super Bowl once again.
Saints over 49ers 24-13
Stand-Out Performance: RB Frank Gore: 80 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Broncos at Patriots: Tim Tebow has shocked the world; last Sunday night, he led his Denver Broncos to win over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steeler in overtime. Many believed his inexperience would lead to a Bronco loss, but he was still able to defeat the defending AFC Champions. The road to the Super Bowl does not get any easier, as they play New England away from home. The last time these two teams faced off, Tim Tebow began by trampling the weak Patriots defense. However, by the end of the 2nd quarter, Tom Brady took over and led his team to 41-23 win on the road. Luckily for Denver, their quarterback was able to pass for 316 yards and 3 total touchdowns against the stellar Steelers defense. Though the Patriots are not known for their defense, I do not expect Tebow to come out slinging for the second game in a row. Foxboro is not an easy place to play in, especially come playoff time. Brady has not won a playoff game since 2007, but I believe that streak will be snapped on Saturday night.
Patriots over Broncos 33-24
Stand-Out Performance: QB Tom Brady: 315 passing yards, 2 passing TD's


Texans at Ravens: There is no better matchup than when a great defense battles a great defense. Though Baltimore may not be as strong as in previous years, veteran linebacker Ray Lewis has led his team to a 12-4 record and a first round bye. Now, Baltimore will play the Houston Texans at home, a team who defeated Cincinnati last weekend. Houston ranks in the top five in nearly ever major defensive category, especially when it comes to yards allowed. Arian Foster is coming off of an extraordinary performance against Cincinnati, with 153 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. However, Ravens running back Ray Rice is one of the best in the league, most likely better than the running back in Houston. Rice ran for 1,365 yards plus 12 rushing touchdowns in the 2011 season, also having 160 total yards when Baltimore played Houston back in Week 6. In this defensive matchup, Ray Rice along with the Baltimore defense will be too much for the Texans, and Baltimore will go on to play in the AFC Championship Game.
Ravens over Texans 20-13
Stand-Out Performance: RB Ray Rice: 135 rushing yards, 2 Rushing TD's


Giants at Packers: Aaron Rodgers. Every football fan dreads the name, for it means the invincible Green Bay Packers are coming to town. The Packers lost just once this season, coming against the mediocre Kansas City Chiefs. The MVP-candidate Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 122.5 this season, a single season record. Though the offense has been great, the defense in Green Bay has been absolutely terrible (ranked dead last in points allowed per game). The New York Giants on the other hand are coming off of a great defensive performance, limiting the great Falcons offense to just two points. Quarterback Eli Manning has been great, one of the 10 passers to throw for over 4,000 yards. Wide recievers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Knicks have both done very well, and are two great options for Eli. When it comes to the rushing game, New York has a large advantage with running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, even though they ranked dead last in rushing yards per game in the regular season. The last time these two teams met, Rodgers and the Packers won thanks to a game winning field goal by Mason Crosby. Unfortunately for New York, they must travel to Wisconsin and try to beat the Packers in Lambeau Field. However, I am predicting an upset on Saturday night, and Eli Manning will come out on top.
Giants over Packers 34-30
Stand-Out Performance: QB Eli Manning: 355 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD

NFL Report Wild Card Round Preview

The 2011 NFL playoffs are finally underway, after several hectic weeks of regular season football. There are many great teams with high expectations entering the playoffs, such as the Packers, Patriots and 49ers. However, every year, an unexpected team makes a deep run and upsets at least one highly favored team. As for this year, I suspect that team will be the New York Giants. In Week 13, New York almost pulled off an upset against the heavily favored Packers, losing by just three points. They enter the playoffs with back to back wins against the Jets and Cowboys, two highly regarded teams in the league. The Giants will play the Atlanta Falcons at home in what should be a great game. Out of the AFC, watch out for the deadly Cincinnati Bengals. Though they lack experience, that team has the heart and soul needed to win the Super Bowl. Without further ado, I present the Wild Card Round Preview:

Arian Foster

Bengals at Texans: Sadly for the Texans, they enter the playoffs with three straight losses, one of which coming against the 2-14 Colts. However, the Texans had clinched a playoff spot in Week 14, so they did not necessarily need to try due to the risk of injury. Ironically, the most recent win for Houston came against the Cinciannati Bengals. This weekend, the Bengals must play on the road in order to advance. They have an extremely inexperienced team this season, led by rookies AJ Green and Andy Dalton. However, the same could be said for Houston, who have just clinched their first playoff birth in franchise history. On paper, Houston has the edge with a slightly better defense and a better running game. However, their cold streak may hurt themselves against the determined Bengals. In the end, it should be a close game, but I think the Bengals will upset the 3rd seed this Saturday.
Bengals over Texans 24-17 (OT)
Stand-Out Performance: RB Arian Foster: 105 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD


Steelers at Broncos: It appears as if Tim Tebow's aura has faded; like Houston, the Denver Broncos have lost their last three games. What is the problem? Defenses have finally figured out Tim Tebow. However, it will not get any easier for Denver, as they face the intimidating Steelers defense this weekend. Pittsburgh is ranked 1st in passing yards allowed per game (171.9), 1st in receiving yards allowed per game (186.3) and 1st in total yards allowed per game (271.8). The most important statistic in favor of Pittsburgh is the fact they are ranked 2nd overall in rushing touchdowns allowed (7). Against a team like Denver who relies heavily on their running game, the defense will need play with a sense of urgency. This should be an easy win for Big Ben, even without star running back Rashard Mendenhall.
Steelers over Broncos 24-10
Stand-Out Performance: S Troy Polamalu: 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD, 1 Sack


Lions at Saints: There is no team in the NFL doing as well as Drew Brees' Saints. In the past three games, the Saints offense averages 44 points per game. The main contributor? Star quarterback Drew Brees. In 2011, the Saints QB set the record for the most passing yards in a single season with 5,476. Not only does Brees have a cannon for an arm, but he is extremely accurate; Brees led the league this season with the highest completion percentage (71.2). The Saints have the most net points in the league as well (208), a combination of points for and points against. Though the Lions have great offense, there is no way they can compete with the rolling Saints. Detroit is coming off a disappointing loss against the Green Bay Packers , even though Green Bay played 2nd string quarterback Matt Flynn (480 passing yards, 6 touchdowns). If the Lions defense can't even control Matt Flynn, there is no way they can handle the amazing Drew Brees.
Saints over Lions: 45-17
Stand-Out Performance: QB Drew Brees: 430 passing yards, 4 passing TD's


Falcons at Giants: After a competitive game against Dallas in Week 17, the Giants are in the playoffs. Sadly, the road is not an easy one for New York fans; Atlanta, led by it's offense, is coming off of a dominating win over Tampa Bay. On paper, the Atlanta defense is better than the defense in New York; they are ahead in nearly every major defensive statistic. The net points are in favor of the Falcons as well, with 52 points compared to -6 for the Giants. However, New York usually is able to match up well against decent teams, and I expect them to make a deep playoff run after defeating the Falcons at home.
Giants over Falcons 27-17

Super Bowl Prediction: Saints over Ravens 34-28
Super Bowl MVP: 375 passing yards, 3 passing TD's, 1 rushing TD, 2 INT

Week 17 Predictions

This is it, the final week of football. Several teams are in the hunt for a playoff spot, and a loss may ruin their hopes of a championship win this season. Though many teams are looking for a win, three teams may actually want to lose in order to draft Andrew Luck. Indianapolis (2-13), Minnesota (3-12) and St. Louis (2-13) all want the star QB, for he is projected to be on of the best prospects of his generation. A total of 7 teams look to clinch a playoff spot this weekend, and the 2011 regular season should go out with a bang!

Cam Newton

Game-to-Watch: Cowboys at Giants: The division rivalry game this weekend decides which team will earn the fourth seed, and which team is eliminated from the playoffs. The last time these two teams played, Eli Manning threw for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns in a win on the road. However, the win did not come easily. In fact, it came down to a blocked field goal attempt from kicker Dan Bailey which would have sent the game into OT. Now, the Cowboys need injured quarterback Tony Romo to lead his team to a win over the rolling New York Giants. The Cowboys have been extremely inconsistent the past few games, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 20-7 last weekend. The Giants on the other hand dominated the New York Jets 29-14 away from home in Week 16. Eli Manning has not been great the past two games, but he should be able to bounce back against the weak Dallas secondary. All in all, New York has the edge in this one, and they should be a threat in the playoffs.
Giants over Cowboys 31-10


Stand-Out Performance: QB Matthew Stafford: Usually, this quarterback would not be picked as a stand out performer during the regular season. However, with many great players being sat in Week 17 in order to stay healthy for the playoffs, Stafford should be playing in as much of the game as he can. In the past two games, Stafford has thrown for 7 passing touchdowns and a total of 764 yards. The Lions look to clinch a playoff spot as they play Green Bay on Sunday. Green Bay will have many of their star defensive players on the bench, so expect Stafford to come out firing.
Mathew Stafford: 295 passing yards, 3 passing TD's, 1 rushing TD


Player-to-Watch: RB Marshawn Lynch: For the first time this season, a running back was able to score a rushing touchdown against the impenetrable 49ers defense. This running back was Marshawn Lynch, the dominant rusher for Seattle. In the past nine games, Lynch has averaged 97.6 rushing yards per game and scored a whopping 11 total touchdowns. This weekend, he will play the Arizona Cardinals at home, so look to see if he adds on to his rushing touchdown numbers.
Marshawn Lynch: 75 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD


Week 17 Predictions:


Lions over Packers


Texans over Titans


Jaguars over Colts


Dolphins over Jets


Bears over Vikings


Patriots over Bills


Saints over Panthers


Eagles over Redskins


49ers over Rams


Seahawks over Cardinals (OT)


Falcons over Buccaneers


Ravens over Bengals (OT)


Steelers over Browns


Broncos over Chiefs


Raiders over Chargers


Giants over Cowboys



Playoff Scenarios: 
Bengals: Win or loss by Jets AND loss by either Raiders or Broncos
Raiders: Win and loss by Bengals OR win and loss by Broncos
Titans: Win AND loss by Bengals AND either win by Jets or Broncos win and Raiders win
Jets: Win AND loss by Bengals AND loss by Titans AND either loss by Broncos or Raiders


The NFL Report Projected Playoff Seeding:

AFC: 1. Patriots   2. Ravens   3. Texans   4. Broncos   5. Steelers   6. Raiders
NFC: 1. Packers   2. 49ers   3. Saints   4. Giants   5. Lions   6. Atlanta

Week 16 Predictions

     The 16th week of football started off with a bang; the 1-13 Indianapolis Colts defeated the playoff bound Texans 19-16 at home. Granted, the Texans were missing both Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub, and they may not have been playing to their full abilities, but this loss shocked many football fans across the country. These past few weeks have been full of upsets, so I do not except this pattern to stop on Saturday. Merry Christmas, and happy holidays from The NFL Report!

Reggie Bush

Game-to-Watch: Giants at Jets: The Battle of New York. This weekend, both New York teams face off in a rivalry game in order to come closer towards a playoff spot. The New York Jets are coming off of a horrendous performance against Philadelphia. The Jets' offense has done well this season, ranked 7th in points per game (24.7). The Jets defense has not been as stellar as in previous years (ranked 21 in points allowed per game with 22.5), so they must step up in order to win against Eli Mannning's team. As for the Giants, the defense may not have spectacular stats (ranked 28th in points allowed with 26.6), but it can be clutch when it needs to be. The offense is led by quarterback Eli Manning, who has done EXTREMELY well this season. The battle of New York should be close, and it will come down to how well the Giants can bounce back from a 1-5 record the past six games.

Jets over Giants: 24-20

Stand-Out Performance: QB Cam Newton: The 2011 Rookie of the Year front-runner has done extremely well in his first year out of Auburn. Newton has thrown for 3,722 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, the most spectacular feature of Cam Newton is his running ability; Newton has rushed for 13 touchdowns, the most by a QB this season. As he plays Tampa Bay on Saturday, it should be an absolutely dominating performance. The last time the Heisman winner played Tampa Bay, Newton scored 4 total touchdowns with 204 passing yards. This weekend should be no different, and I except him to tear apart such a weak defense.

Cam Newton: 250 passing yards, 2 passing TD's, 2 rushing TD's

Player-to-Watch: QB Drew Brees: For 27 years, Dan Marino's single season passing yard record has remained unbroken. However, this record of 5,084 yards may be surpassed as soon as this weekend by none other than Drew Brees. The Saints quarterback already has 4,780 passing yards, leaving him 304 yards away from tying the record. Luckily, Brees averages 341.4 passing yards per game as of Week 16, so there is a chance the record will be snapped even before the 4th quarter against Atlanta. Brees has not missed a game since 2009, and is not prone to injuries. All the signs are in favor of Brees, so watch on Monday Nights as he makes history against the Falcons.

Drew Brees: 325 passing yards, 3 passing TD's

Week 16 Predictions:

Ravens over Browns

Broncos over Bills

Panthers over Buccaneers

Bengals over Cardinals

Raiders over Chiefs

Patriots over Dolphins (OT)

Jets over Giants

Steelers over Rams

Titans over Jaguars

Vikings over Redskins

Lions over Chargers

Eagles over Cowboys

49ers over Seahawks


Packers over Bears

Saints over Falcons

The Denver Gator

     Tim Tebow; the name is everywhere. You see him on ESPN, in sports magazines, and more recently, on TV shows (click here to watch the SNL skit). Off the field, Tebow has managed to prove the critics wrong by winning 6 out of his last 7 games. Though his passing game tends to be atrocious, the ex-Florida Gator has resurrected a dying team thanks to many late 4th quarter come-backs. In Week 15 against the Patriots, the Broncos' magical win streak was snapped, proving the great Tim Tebow could be defeated. Now, with two games left in the season, it appears like his team will make the playoffs for the first time in 6 years.

Tim Tebow

     Entering the 2010 draft, NFL recruiters saw him as a great athlete, but they believed his throwing mechanics needed several adjustments. For this reason, the Heisman winner was projected to be drafted in the second or third round. However, in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, Tebow was selected 25th overall by the Denver Broncos. This surprise pick caught many football fans off guard, especially those in Denver. It was not until Week 15 of the 2010 season where Tebow started in his first professional game. Though he did not win against the Raiders that week, he went 8 for 16, with 1 rushing TD and 1 passing TD. His rookie season may not have been great, but the religious quarterback showed signs of stardom.
     If there is anything Tebow is good at, it is being able to escape defenders using his legs. He may not be the fastest player on the field, but the 218 pound Bronco always manages to pick up a few key yards on third down. No doubt Tim Tebow has amazing arm strength, but the main problem involves the length in which it takes for him to throw. He loses precious time when throwing the ball due to the fact he makes a loop with his arm. Many QB experts helped in shortening his throwing motion, but his form continues to need some minor adjustments. If he wishes to do well in the league, he must work on his passing game instead of depending on the running game so deeply.
     Tebow sure has been spectacular this season, leading his team to an 8-6 record as of December 21. This sophomore quarterback has many years ahead of him in the NFL, wether those years be good or bad, we do not know. It will be interesting to see if Tebow can lead his team to a Super Bowl, or if opposing defenses will finally able to shut him down. Either way, the Broncos quarterback has a lot of potential, the question is, will in be successful in years to come?

Week 15 Predictions

This year's regular season is winding down, and four teams (Texans, Saints, 49ers and Packers) have already clinched a playoff spot. However, many teams remain in the playoff hunt. In the 15th week of football, the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers look to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in order to come closer towards clinching home field advantage. However, the 49ers have just as much to play for in this battle of the defenses,  so expect them to play 100%. This game is not the only great matchup in Week 15; Tim Tebow and the Broncos take on Tom Brady's Patriots at Denver. The Denver Broncos are the only team Tom Brady does not have a career record above .500, so he will look to change that this weekend. Week 15 should be another great week of football and make sure to watch Pittsburgh battle it out with San Francisco on Monday night.

Rob Gronkowski

Game-to-Watch: Steelers at 49ers: Last weekend, the 49ers waltzed into Arizona expecting an easy win. However, the overly confident San Francisco team were handed their third loss of the season. Luckily for the 49ers, their rush defense has yet to allow a rushing touchdown, so they might be able to shut down Rashard Mendenhall in order to compete with such a highly skilled team. The Steelers on the other hand are on a four game winning streak, with a 2-0 record against non conference teams. Pittsburgh's defense is ranked 1st overall in passing yards allowed, and clearly will not face any sort of challenge against Alex Smith. Both teams have been playing without key players due to injuries (Troy Polumalu for the Steelers and Patrick Willis for the 49ers). The Steelers should be able to overpower the weak 49ers offense, and Big Ben will improve his team's record to 11-3. 

Steelers over 49ers: 27-10

Stand-Out Performance: QB Drew Brees: If anyone deserves to break Dan Marino's passing record this season, it is Drew Brees. Brees has been absolutely flawless each game, and already has 32 passing touchdowns (one less than last year). In Week 14, the Saints QB tour apart the Titan's defense, passing for 337 yards and two touchdowns. This week, he should do even better against the weak Minnesota defense. The Vikings rank dead last in passing touchdowns allowed with 26. If anyone can exploit their defense's weaknesses, it is Drew Brees.

Drew Brees: 375 passing yards, 4 passing TD's

Player-to-Watch: TE Rob Gronkowski: For the past six games, the unstoppable force in Rob Gronkowski has managed to reach the end zone 10 times. Last weekend against the Redskins, Gronk set the record for the most touchdowns in a single season by a tight end, even with three games left in the season. Gronkowski goes up against the Denver Broncos, a team with a mediocre pass defense. He has been extremely dominant in 2011, and it does not look like this run will stop anytime soon.

Rob Gronkowski: 90 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Week 15 Predictions:

Cowboys over Buccaneers 

Dolphins over Bills

Seahawks over Bears

Texans over Panthers

Titans over Colts

Packers over Chiefs

Saints over Vikings

Giants over Redskins

Bengals over Rams

Lions over Raiders (OT)

Cardinals over Browns (OT)

Patriots over Broncos

Jets over Eagles

Ravens over Chargers

Steelers over 49ers

Week 14 Predictions

With just 4 weeks remaining in the NFL season, three different quarterbacks are on track to surpass Dan Marino's single season passing record (5,084 passing yards); Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. This 27 year old record is clearly going to be ended by the end of the year. However, the question is, which quarterback is going to set the new record? Drew Brees appears to be the most likely candidate for both the new passing record and the 2011 Offensive Player of the Year Award. This weekend, the New Orleans Saints play Tennessee on the road, an easy game statistically for Drew Brees. Week 14 is important for playoff hopefuls, and should be another great week of football!

Chris Johnson

Game-to-Watch: Raiders at Packers: After a thrilling last second win over the New York Giants in Week 13, Aaron Rodger's Packers remain undefeated. As of December 10th, Green Bay is ranked 4th overall in total offense (405.2 per game) and passing yards per game (308.8 yards). However, even these outstanding statistics can not accurately portray the absolute dominance of the Packers offense. Green Bay has scored more total points than any other team in the NFL, allowing them to have the most net points in the league (158). The Oakland Raiders on the other hand are coming off of an atrocious road loss against the Miami Dolphins. It will be important for the Raider's rushing game to do well (ranked 4th overall) if they want to hand Green Bay it's first loss. Otherwise, this game will be a blow-out.
Packer over Raiders: 34-20


Stand-Out Performance: RB Ray Rice: Last weekend, Ray Rice completely tour apart the Cleveland Brown defense, rushing for 204 yards and a touchdown. This weekend, the star running back will go up against the weak Colts defense. Indianapolis has allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL (17) and the third most rushing yards so far this season (144.2). Rice is one of the league's best when it comes to explosive speed. This weekend, he should have another great game, and lead his team to an easy win over the winless Colts.
Ray Rice: 155 Rushing yards, 2 Rushing TD's


Player-to-Watch: WR Percy Harvin: Finally, the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award has reached his full potential. These past three weeks, Harvin has caught 16 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Harvin's skill has been effected by ongoing migraine problems, the main reason he has not had many extraordinary games. If his migraines do not act up again, Harvin should do extremely well this weekend against the Detroit Lions.
Percy Harvin: 65 Receiving yards, 1 TD


Week 13 Predictions:


Ravens over Colts


Falcons over Panthers


Texans over Bengals


Lions over Vikings


Jaguars over Buccaneers


Dolphins over Eagles


Jets over Chiefs


Saints over Titans


Patriots over Redskins


49ers over Cardinals


Broncos over Bears


Packers over Raiders


Chargers over Bills


Giants over Cowboys


Seahawks over Rams
   

Week 13 Predictions

Maurice Jones Drew

I know I mentioned it last week, but once again I must ask: Is this the week Green Bay loses for the first time this season? Aaron Rodgers and the Packers must play another difficult game on the road against the 6-5 New York Giants. The Packers appear to be the favorites, but there is always the chance of an upset. As for the Detroit Lions, they will be without star DT Ndamukong Suh. His dumb decision may cost his team a playoff spot without such an important defensive player. It should be interesting how each team does this weekend, and I wish you all luck in the last week of fantasy football!


Game-to-Watch: This season, the spectacular offense in New Orleans has been overlooked due to the undefeated Green Bay Packers. However, Drew Brees and the Saints rank 1st overall in total yards per game (449.6), 1st in passing yards per game (324.2) and 2nd in points per game (32.9). However, this Super Bowl contender has yet to secure a playoff spot, with Atlanta just one game behind in the standings. The rest of the season is not exactly smooth sailing for New Orleans, especially with a tough game against Detroit. Fortunately for New Orleans, Detroit will be without Ndamukong Suh due to a suspension. In order for Detroit to remain a legitimate playoff contender, they must win this weekend against Drew Brees' team, something that does not happen often.
Saints over Lions 38-20


Stand-Out Performance: QB Tom Brady: Most years, when the Colt splay the Patriots, it is a great game. This season, though, Indianapolis is 0-11, with an absolutely horrendous defense. The Colts have allowed 19 passing touchdowns this year, tied for 23rd in the league. However, this week, they must play future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady, who is coming off of a 360 yard passing game with 3 touchdowns. Obviously, Brady will tear apart this weak secondary, so you can expect a great game out of him.
Tom Brady: 385 passing yards, 4 passing TDs


Player-to-Watch: Laurent Robinson: When you are told a Cowboys wide receiver has caught 7 touchdowns in 5 games, Laurent Robinson is not the name that first comes to mind. However, it is true; Laurent Robinson has been tearing apart team's secondaries the past five games. Ever since WR Miles Austin left early in Week 9 with a hamstring injury, Robinson has been Romo's go to receiver. This weekend against Arizona, Austin will remain injured and has not been cleared to play. Now, there is no reason for Robinson not to do well against such a weak secondary.
Laurent Robinson: 65 receiving yards


Week 13 Predictions:


Titans over Bills


Bears over Chiefs


Texans over Falcons


Raiders over Dolphins


Broncos over Vikings


Patriots over Colts


Steelers over Bengals


Panthers over Buccaneers


Jets over Redskins


Ravens over Browns


Cowboys over Cardinals


Packers over Giants


49ers over Rams


Saints over Lions


Chargers over Jaguars