Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees?

     Last February, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers was voted Most Valuable Player of the NFL in a “uninamous” decision. There is no question Rodgers deserved a spot on the ballot, for his MVP-like season may be one of the best in league history. However, Saints quarterback Drew Brees was just as good, if not better. 2012 was labeled as the Year of the Quarterback, and rightfully so when you are dealing with big names such as Tom Brady, Eli Manning and Mathew Stafford. Rodgers may have won the MVP Award, but in no way does that make him better then the Purdue alum. So who is the better quarterback: Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees?
    Three years; that’s how long Rodgers sat on the Packers bench, watching star quarterback Brett Favre calling out plays on the field. Aaron Rodgers was drafted 24th overall out of UCal, and would be Favre’s replacement when needed. His career started off slowly, but things were looking up for the quarterback. Brett Favre was on the wrong side of 30, and later announced he would be retiring (or so we thought) by the end of 2007. When 2008 rolled around, it was Rodgers’ time to shine. In his first year as a starter, Rodgers passed for 4,038 yards and 28 touchdowns. However, the trait that differentiates Rodgers is his mobility. Early on in his career, it was clear to football fans the new quarterback possessed extraordinary speed. Rodgers has evolved his running game so that he can make a spectacular throw off balance, as well as rushing for a few extra yards. The next two seasons of Rodgers’ career were spectacular as well, where he ended up beating Pittsburgh for his first Super Bowl title. Undoubtedly his best year in the NFL came in 2011. The Packers quarterback threw for 4,643 yards, and was just 5 touchdowns away from the touchdown record with 45. His Green Bay Packers earned a 15-1 record, but were dethroned by New York in their first playoff game. Rodgers’ regular season success won him the MVP Award last February, and rightfully so. Taking all of this into account, I still find Aaron Rodgers one of the more overrated quarterbacks in the league. Now don’t get me wrong, Rodgers is clearly an elite passer, but not quite as elite as people think. When comparing Rodgers to Drew Brees, you will notice Rodgers’ receiving corp is dramatically better then that of New Orleans. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley are all spectacular weapons that allow Rodgers to put up extraordinary statistics. The main reason why I am doubting Rodgers is due to Week 17 of the 2011 season. Green Bay started Matt Flynn in order to rest their star quarterback for the playoffs. Flynn had started in just one other NFL game, yet he was able to throw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns against Detroit. Had Flynn been dealing with the Saints’ wide receivers, there is no way he could put up the same statistics. Rodgers has exemplified fabulous accuracy in his 4 seasons as a starter, but I am not sure if he is a better quarterback than Drew Brees.
     Brees’ career began as the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers back in 2002. Many had doubted Brees due to his problems with injuries in the past, which is why was taken 33rd overall. He may not have been an elite quarterback when he first became a starter, and clearly the Chargers were not satisfied. That is why San Diego traded for NC State passer Philip Rivers. Brees stayed a starter for the rest of 2004, and was later slected to the Pro Bowl team. After one more season spent in San Diego, Brees was signed by the New Orleans Saints. Over time, he was able to improve his game bit by bit, and eventually brought a Super Bowl trophy home to New Orleans. He may not have been succesful in his quest for a second Super Bowl title, but last season statistically was the best of Brees’ career. In 16 games, Drew Brees threw for 5,476 yards (an NFL record), 46 touchdowns and a passer rating of 110.6. The most impressive feature of Drew Brees is his lack of weapons at wide receiver, even though the Saints quarterback manages to put up great staistics. Brees has spectacular accuracy (.71 completion percentage) which allows him to hit the smallest of targets. He may not have the same speed as Rodgers, but Brees definitely has the capability of escaping pass rushers. Overall, Brees has experience, arm strength, and awareness on the football field, the main reason why he has been so successful in the league.

     Both quarterbacks are basically equal when it comes to statistics, but in the end, I would rather have Drew Brees on my opening day roster than Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers Overall: 97.5

Drew Brees Overall: 98

2012 NFL Mock Draft

     It has been 2 months since the final whistle was blown, and every football fan knows when April rolls around, it is time for the NFL Draft. This year's draft class is a spectacular group of athletes, led by quarterback Andrew Luck. Many have compared Andrew Luck to players such as John Elway or Peyton Manning. The Draft is always interesting, and The NFL Report has you covered on each and every first round pick.

1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck: Though many football experts have speculated whether or not RGIII deserves the number one spot, there is no doubt in my mind quarterback Andrew Luck will be drafted first overall. Size, speed and strength are clear characteristics of the Stanford quarterback. Luck owns the record for the highest single season completion percentage in Pac-12 history with 71.3%. With Peyton Manning on the road to Denver, the Colts are in need of a quarterback, and Andrew Luck seems like the obvious choice.

Morris Claiborne

2. Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III: Though this year's top college player is off the board, the Redskins have a great second pick; Robert Griffin III. Washington traded draft picks with the St. Louis Rams to get the Heisman Trophy winner and, like the Colts, are in need of a passer. While at Baylor, RGIII threw for 4,293 yards and 37 TD's. However, what differentiates RGIII from the average quarterback is his running ability (official dash time of 4.41). Even though Luck is practically taken, Washington will still have a great alternative in RGIII.

3. Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil: Not only is there a great class of quarterbacks in this upcoming draft, but there are also many spectacular offensive lineman, led by star tackle Matt Kalil. Last season with USC, Kalil showed off his pure strength by dominating the opposing team's pass rush. Thanks to his 6'7", 280 pound build, the OT excels at both run blocking and protecting the passer. Matt Kalil is the ideal offensive lineman, and possesses the intangibles necessary to succeed in the league. Minnesota has stated they need someone who can protect quarterback Christian Ponder as well as Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson; Matt Kalil fits the bill.

4. Cleveland Brown: RB Trent Richardson: Due to the departure of running back Peyton Hillis, there is a large hole that needs to be filled in Cleveland. Many top-notch players are still on the board, and the one best for the job is running back Trent Richardson. While at Alabama, Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 2 National Championships. At the combine (though battling injury), Richardson ran the 40 yard dash in 4.45 seconds. The Alabama alum may be short, but he sure knows how to make big plays. His intelligence, speed and upper body strength should earn him the number four spot in the draft.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Morris Claiborne: Many teams have attempted to redesign their roster over the past few months. The team with the biggest off-season in 2012 has been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, thanks to the signing of Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks. Now that they have improved their offense, some work needs to be done on the defense--more specifically, their pass defense. In this upcoming draft, the best defensive player goes to CB Morris Claiborne of LSU. The fact that he scored 4 out of 50 on the Wonderlic Exam hurts his draft stock slightly, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to focus on drafting a high end cornerback. Morris Claiborne exhibited fabulous speed while at LSU, along with a spectacular leaping ability. Tampa Bay ranked 30th in passing touchdowns allowed last season, and a top notch player like Claiborne should be the perfect fit.

6. St. Louis Ram: WR Justin Blackmon: There are many extraordinary players in this years draft class, but among the best is former OSU wide receiver Justin Blackmon. While playing for the Cowboys, Blackmon ended his career with 3,564 receiving yards, 252 receptions and 40 touchdowns. During his final college game in the Fiesta Bowl, Blackmon exemplified speed and, more importantly, awareness on the football field. He finished the game at 8 receptions for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. Blackmon should be a great weapon for first-overall pick Sam Bradford, who appeared to be missing a reliable No. 1 wide receiver all of last season.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Quinton Coples: Now that Morris Claiborne has been taken, it appears as if the next player Jacksonville wishes to take will be DE Quinton Coples. Size is not a problem for Coples, who weighs in at 6'6, 280 pounds. However, Coples is one of the more inconsistent players in this years draft, and is also not the best when it comes to pass rush. His defense against the run is top notch, but I would suggest Jacksonville trade down or select someone like DE Melvin Ingram (if Melvin Ingram was just 3 or 4 inches taller, he would be selected closer to 5th overall). Coples is still a great choice, and would be a great fit for Jacksonville.

8. Miami Dolphins: QB Ryan Tannehill: This past off-season, no one should be more disappointed than the Miami Dolphins. Not only did they miss out on future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, but they were also unable to sign ex-Packer quarterback Matt Flynn. Unless they want their number one quarterback to be Matt Moore, I suggest Miami tries to draft a high end quarterback. The best quarterback remaining at number 8 on the board is Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M. Tannehill may not be an Andrew Luck or RGIII, but his 3,744 passing yards and 33 total touchdowns proves he can be a starting quarter back in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers: DE Melvin Ingram: Though he is not the biggest guy in this years draft class, Melvin Ingram has what it takes to be an elite player in the NFL. Ingram spent much of his college career as a linebacker, before switching to defensive end. Last year, he set the school record for sacks with 10, and was selected to the All-American team as well. The Carolina Panthers ranked 25th overall in sacks last season, and they could add Melvin Ingram to improve this statistic.

10. Buffalo Bills: OT Riley Reiff: After a busy off-season spent towards improving the defensive unit, Buffalo should focus more on offense in the draft. The best way to start: draft offensive linemen Riley Reiff with the 10th overall pick. While at Iowa, Reiff showed off his brilliant technique to NFL scouts. It appears as if Reiff is a smart player, and could adapt easily to the NFL. He may not be the strongest lineman in this draft class, but he clearly has earned a top 10 pick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: G David DeCastro: Now that Kansas City is done shopping for running backs (acquired Peyton Hillis in off-season to go along with Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster), it is time they invest in a player who can protect their running game. With Reiff off the board, their next choice should be ex-Stanford guard David DeCastro. DeCastro did a great job blocking for star quarterback Andrew Luck while in college, and I suspect he can do the same in the NFL. He did not have a spectacular combine, but this will not be enough to hurt his draft stock. DeCastro is in no way lacking size, so I suspect the best pick for him as at number 11.

Luke Kuechly

12. Seattle Seahawks: ILB Luke Kuechly: No one in this year's draft class has the same pure athleticism as linebacker Luke Kuechly. Kuechly absolutely dominated the ACC last season, getting 191 tackles while at BC. His spectacular performance in 2011 won him the Dick Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Award and the Vince Lambardi Award. As Kuechly enters the draft as a junior, the best fit for him will be with the Seattle Seahawks.

13. Arizona Cardinals: DE Fletcher Cox: With two defensive ends already taken, the next best option when it comes to that position is Fletcher Cox. Though the Mississippi alum lacks the stand out statistics, Fletcher Cox has the strength necessary to succeed in the league. He may not always bring the passer down, but Cox does a great job of rushing the quarterback into making poor decisions. The Cardinals defense has come along way, and picking up Fletcher Cox in the draft will only increase their playoff chances.

14. Dallas Cowboys: S Mark Barron: Besides a reliable quarterback, the main thing Dallas is missing is an elite secondary. The secondary has made slight improvements since 2010, but they have yet to shut down the opposing team's passing game. In this year's draft class, there is no better safety then Mark Barron of Alabama. Not only did he win the BCS National Championship last season, but the All-American was a part of one of the nation's top defenses. If they wish to top New York in the NFC East, the Cowboys will need to add a star safety to their roster.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe: Before the combine, Dontari Poe was projected to be taken in the mid-to-late second round. At Memphis, Poe had just 22 tackles with one sack, not the type of statistics you'd see from a first round draft pick. However, when the combine rolled around, Poe was absolutely tremendous. The defensive tackle ran the 40 yard dash in 4.87 seconds, and benched pressed 225 pounds 44 times! Both numbers are absolutely eye-popping, and in less then a week, Poe was predicted to be drafted with a top 10 pick. However, many scouts have begun watching film of Poe, and do not like what they see. Drafting Poe in the top 10 is a gutsy move, but many teams will be willing to take the risk. Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles for one need some work on the defensive side of the ball, which is why I believe they will be willing to take Dontari Poe with the 15th pick in the draft.

16. New York Jets: WR Michael Floyd: Last season was somewhat of a disappointment for New York, for they were unable to make the playoffs. Mark Sanchez has yet to play like an elite quarterback, and it is unlikely he improves dramatically enough to make a Pro Bowl team. However, if the Jets were to draft wide receiver Michael Floyd of Notre Dame, Santonio Holmes would no longer be the only deep threat in New York. While playing for the Fighting Irish, Floyd had 1147 receiving yards with 9 touchdowns in 2011. Floyd has spectacular speed, along with the ability to make circus catches. Though the Jets are having trouble choosing a number one quarterback, they shouldn't have any problems incorporating Floyd into their offense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Jonathan Martin: As of now, I believe the Bengals are the number one sleeper team in the NFL. Since the beginning of free agency, the Bengals of Cincinnati have quietly signed several players who can help their Super Bowl chances. Even though the Bengals offense will be without Cedric Benson, they quickly signed free agent Benjarvus Green-Ellis, one of the most (if not THE most) reliable running backs in the league. If they wish for Green-Ellis to succeed in Cincy, the best pick at 17 will be tackle Jonathan Martin. Martin did a spectacular job protecting Andrew Luck, and even earned a spot on the first team All-Pac-12 roster. At 6'5, 312 pounds, the Stanford tackle exemplified great speed for someone his size, and he should do a great job protecting sophomore-quarterback Andy Dalton.

18. San Diego Chargers: DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus: Last season, just ONE player on the San Diego Chargers picked up more then 4 sacks. There are several improvements that need to take place if they wish to dethrone Denver in the AFC West.  The best option with the 18th pick in the draft is linebacker-defensive end Whitney Mercilus. Mercilus led the nation in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (9) last season while playing for Illinois. Not only did the Chargers have trouble sacking the opposing team's quarterback, they also ranked dead last in forced fumbles. There is a lot of tension in San Diego, for if they were to miss out on the playoffs for a third straight year, there is no question Norv Turner would get the boot. Mercilus would be a great addition to this struggling pass rush, and should be able to improve the Charger's playoff chances.

19. Chicago Bears: G Cordy Glenn: In 2010, no offensive line was worse then that of Chicago. Though the Bears allowed 7 fewer sacks last season, they are in need of some major changes. With the 19th pick in the draft, the Bears should select Georgia guard Cordy Glenn. Glenn is incredibly agile for someone his size, which makes him even more lethal. Just because he is fast does not mean he is not strong. In fact, Glenn has long, powerful arms that allow him to block the defender with ease. Glenn is also a great run blocker and, lucky for Chicago, would be able to protect running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush. Just two years ago, the Bears made it to the NFC Championship game, and if they wish for this to happen again, they need to start off by drafting Cordy Glenn.

Whitney Mercilus

20. Tennessee Titans:  CB Dre Kirkpatrick: With the departure of cornerback Cortland Finnegan in free agency, the Titans are now left without a shut down corner. Many experts believe they will try and go after a corner in the first round, and the one best for Tennessee is Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama. Kirkpatrick is a great man-to-man corner, and does not get beaten on jump balls. He has trouble defending large wide receivers, which could create some problems in the NFL, but his athleticism and speed makes up for it. Stephon Gilmore is another great pick, and either way both corners would do a great job of replacing Cortland Finnegan.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Stephon Gilmore: The cornerback situation in Cincinnati is a mess. DB Leon Hall is coming off of an achilles rupture, and there is no guarantee he can play to his full potential next season. The Bengals will also need to find a long term replacement for Jonathan Joseph. Even though Kirkpatrick is no longer on the board, Stephon Gilmore is a great alternative. Gilmore is just 6'1, but has great athleticism. Though he specializes in the zone defense, Gilmore has the potential to be a great man to man defender as well. The Bengals defensive unit was surprisingly reliable last year, and if they can add a great cornerback to their squad, they may be able to make a deep playoff run. 

22. Cleveland Browns: WR Kendall Wright: Last season, the Cleveland Browns played spectacular on the defensive side of the ball. However, offense was a different story. The Browns ranked 27th in passing touchdowns per game, mainly due to the struggle of quarterback Colt McCoy. If the Browns could start off by giving McCoy a weapon at wide receiver, they could give the Steelers and Ravens a run for their money. The best wide receiver remaining is Kendall Wright of Baylor University. Alongside quarterback RGIII, Wright caught for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns. By the end of his career, Kendall Wright owned 10 Baylor receiving records. His size is a problem, and he will have to rely a lot on his explosiveness if he wishes to make big plays. After drafting Trent Richardson, the Cleveland Browns should be happy with yet another great offensive weapon.

23. Detroit Lions: OT Mike Adams: Since 2008, no team has turned their franchise around better then the Lions of Detroit. Their turn around began after drafting quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick. The Lions offense ranked 5th overall in total offense, the main contributor for their success. If they wish to strengthen their offense, the best pick at 23 is OT Mike Adams. The offensive tackle has extraordinary technique with an exceptional build (6'8 320 pounds).  The Lions are in need of someone who can protect Stafford, and if Adams were to succeed in Detroit, the Lions could make it all the way to New Orleans in 2013.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: ILB Dont'a Hightower: Historically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known for their defense. However, last year's defense looked relatively old, where the average starter was 29 years old. After the release of inside linebacker James Farrior, Dont'a Hightower would be a great new addition to the Steelers defense. At the combine, Hightower was checked in at 6'3, 265 pounds, a reasonable build for any inside linebacker. Hightower is extraordinary when it comes to defending the run, for he is extremely versatile. Even though he was clocked at 4.68 in the 40 yard dash, his speed does not always show on the field. If the Steelers wish to make it past the 1st round in the playoffs, drafting Dont'a Hightower and adding more youth to the roster is a nice first step.

25. Denver Broncos: DT Michael Brockers: After making what may be the biggest signing of 2012 (Peyton Manning), the Denver Broncos should enter this year's draft with more confidence. One thing they need to be worried about is opponents rushing the bull in order to keep Manning off the field. The best solution would be drafting defensive tackle Michael Brockers. Many have Brockers being taken earlier in the draft (which just might be true), but I believe Brockers will find his way untaken once it is time for Denver to make their pick. Brockers is the ideal defensive tackle; large, quick, and athletic. The LSU alum gets a great jump on the ball, along with tremendous lateral agility. If Brockers can defend the run like he did in college, the Denver Broncos will find themselves competing for the NFL title.

26. Houston Texans: WR Stephen Hill: The Houston Texans have made it clear they wish to draft a wide receiver come April 26. With the 26th pick in the draft, the best wide receiver still on the board is Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech. Can you imagine the WR duo of Andre Johnson and 6'4-215-pound wide receiver Stephen Hill? Hill is everything you need in a wide receiver, and resembles All-Pro Calvin Johnson in certain respects. Hill has the capability of making big plays, but from time to time will drop the easy pass. He will need to work on his consistency, and, if he succeeds, could make a few Pro Bowl teams later on in his career. For the first time in franchise history, the Texans managed to win the AFC South last season, and adding Stephen Hill would ensure a back to back division title.

27. New England Patriots: DE/OLB Nick Perry: For the second time in four years, the New England Patriots made it back to the Super Bowl, just to lose it all against the Giants. New England's pass rush is mediocre, something they need to work on in this year's draft. The best defensive end they can select with the 27th pick is Nick Perry. As a junior in 2011, Perry totaled 54 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 3 forced fumbles. Had he stayed for his senior year, Perry would be a top 10 pick in the 2013 draft. The USC defender is a great pass rusher, with exceptional size and speed. Perry would fit well into the Patriots defensive scheme, and might be able to lead them back to the championship game in New Orleans next season.

28. Green Bay Packers: OLB Shea McClellin: The Green Bay Packers' defense was somewhat of a disappointment last season. Instead of ranking as one of the league's best defenses like in 2010, the Packers ranked dead last in passing yards allowed, receiving yards allowed, and total yards allowed. However, if they were to draft OLB Shea McClellin who can put more pressure on the opposing team's quarterback, these numbers would gradually decrease. McClellin is a spectacular pass rusher, and would play great alongside Pro-Bowl linebacker Clay Mathews. It is rare that McClellin gives up on a play, and if his motivation can over into the NFL, he could make a few Pro-Bowl team's himself.

29. Baltimore Ravens: C Peter Konz: Ever since the Ravens missed a game winning field goal in the AFC Championship game, things have not gone well. Baltimore has been unsuccessful in signing star running back Ray Rice. Even though Rice will likely be in a Ravens uniform come September, the Ravens are DEFINITELY without guard Ben Grubbs. They are at a loss right now, and the best way to fill void would be drafting center Peter Konz. Baltimore still has their starting center in Matt Birk, but Konz would be a great replacement as soon as his career with the Ravens ends. Konz clearly possess the size necessary to do well in the NFL (6'5, 315 pounds), and has few problems with his game. He is a smart player, and as soon as he gets his hands on a defender, it is difficult for them to escape. Baltimore will look to win their first Super Bowl since 2000, and upgrading their offense may improve their chances.

30. San Francisco 49ers: TE Coby Fleener: The major headline from 2011 is the extraordinary turnaround of San Francisco. Ever since the 49ers hired Jim Harbaugh as head coach, there is a new energy in San Fran. Harbaugh is a big fan of having two tight ends, which is why Coby Fleener would be a great pick in the 1st round. Ironically, Fleener played for Stanford University, and was a reliable weapon for Andrew Luck (667 yards, 10 touchdowns). Fleener has an impressive build at 6'6, 247 pounds, but also possesses moderate speed. Like most tight ends, his size allows him to have a large catch radius, one of the biggest in this year's class. The tight end position is the most important role in any team's offense behind QB, and Fleener could be key in the 49ers success come playoff time.

31. New England Patriots: CB Janoris Jenkins: Though I doubt the Patriots will keep hold of this pick instead of trading it away, Janoris Jenkins would be a spectacular new addition to such a struggling pass defense. The Patriots secondary was the 31st ranked defense when it came to passing yards allowed, only ahead of Green Bay. Enter Janoris Jenkins. He may be small at 5'10, but his other attributes make up for it. Jenkins faired well against some of the nation's top receivers such as AJ Green and Julio Jones, noted to play bigger than his size. He may have had trouble with the law in the past, but Bill Belichick is always willing to take on a challenge. The sooner the Patriots can strengthen their secondary, the sooner they win their 4th Super Bowl.

32. New York Giants: RB Doug Martin: As the defending champions start off their season, their have not been any major changes. However, the one loss that could affect New York is the departure of free agent running back Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs' role in the offense was as a power back who could gain the extra two or three yards. Number one running back Trent Richardson may be off the board, but the Giants could select Doug Martin of Boise State. Martin may not have the same explosiveness as David Wilson, but overall, Martin is a better running back. His consistency and work ethic are both tremendous, and possesses the intangibles needed to be a top running back. He's not the same power back as Brandon Jacobs per say, but Martin never gives up on the play, always trying to earn the extra yard.  

Top 10 Nike NFL Jerseys

     Less then a month ago, the National Football League decided it was time to change each team's jersey. The previous designers were those of Reebok, who had exclusive rights to manufacture the jerseys worn by players since 2002. However, it was announced in 2012 that Nike will be the ones producing and selling the NFL uniforms. The jerseys have finally been completed, and released to the public. Though they are not that much different then the ones in 2011, The NFL Report will rank the top 10 Nike NFL jerseys.

10. Atlanta Falcons: To start off the list, I believe the number 10 spot is owned by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have always had great jerseys, especially due in part with the bright red as their primary color. I believe these uniforms have the potential to be number one (for example, making the helmets red and the jerseys black), but they still deserve a spot in the top 10.

9. Miami Dolphins: I am extremely disappointed with Nike that they did not go with the orange uniform for Miami. However, the turquoise blue remains a classic jersey in pro sports. The colors of turquoise and orange scream Miami, and reminds me a lot of the Flint Tropics (Semi-Pro). Even though I think Nike could have done better, the Dolphins still have one of the best jerseys in the league.

8. Minnesota Vikings: In sports, nothing is more unique then the colors of the Minnesota Vikings. Purple is not your average uniform color, nor is it common to find purple matched with yellow. When it comes to design, Minnesota is in a league of its own. I am glad that Nike did not make any major changes, and I wish the Vikings uniform will be left untouched for the rest of this franchise's history.

7. Carolina Panthers: After a slight change to their logo, the Panthers have stuck with the same jersey design, a smart decision on their part. I love the black and blue jerseys, for they are sleek, as well as bold. Blue helmets would have been a nice touch, but the Panthers have a spectacular color scheme in which they need to keep.

6. Green Bay Packers: The only team with a better color scheme then the Minnesota Vikings belongs to the Packers of Green Bay. If we were taking the helmets into account, Green Bay would have the best uniform hands down. Green and yellow are the best two colors, not only in football, but in all of sports. The jerseys are decent, even though I believe there should be a lot more yellow thrown into the mix.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers jersey is one of the more prestigious uniforms in all of football. The black with yellow sleeves are two great colors when matched, and I love the large Steelers logo in the top left corner. I believe Nike should have gone with yellow helmets to add more color, but the Steelers jersey itself is another perfect 10. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals: In the eyes of football fans, they either love the Bengals jersey, or they don't. These new jerseys from Nike are perfect, for they have the black and white with orange on the sleeves (the stripes on the shoulders are a nice touch as well). The Bengals jersey has made several improvements since the franchise began in 1970, and I love the new uniforms produced by Nike.

3. Buffalo Bills: I assume several people would disagree with the Bills at number three, but I absolutely love these royal blue jerseys. Honestly, there is nothing that Nike could have done to improve such spectacular uniforms, but I am especially glad they chose to keep the stripes.

2. Kansas City Chiefs: I may not be a huge fan of the helmets in Kansas City, but the jerseys are a different story. The red and yellow are absolutely perfect together, and have been for the past 52 years. Similar to Buffalo, the white and yellow stripes on the sleeve are a great addition to such a spectacular tradition.

1. Denver Broncos: I am absolutely dumbfounded by how much I adore these jerseys. It was a great idea on Nike's part to have Denver return to orange as their primary color for home games. After adding Peyton Manning to the team, Denver has made yet another change in 2012. Not everyone will be a fan of the orange, but the Broncos in my opinion will have the greatest home jerseys come September.

Thanks for the read and feel free to comment on your top 10 Nike jerseys!
Also, you can pre-order your team's jersey at the NFL Shop!

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