Seattle Seahawks

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

So the “super” wild-card weekend wasn’t so super after all. Four of the six games were blowouts and the other two were close but left with the stench of arguments over official rulings during the contests. Fortunately, where wild-card weekend seems to disappoint more often than not, the divisional round gives us wildly-entertaining games on an annual basis.

Injuries look to play a big part in what happens this weekend, with key players either expected to return (Derrick Henry) or miss the weekend altogether (Tristan Wirfs). Others are severely banged up (Jimmy Garoppolo) but expected to play, which could affect their ability. Nonetheless, it’s the postseason, which means the healthiest team is always at an advantage when it’s “win or go home.”

If not for Josh Allen going absolutely insane last weekend, I would’ve gone unbeaten in my wild-card picks, but watching that performance unfold was worth taking the L. I’m far less confident in my picks this week, in fact, I would only put money on one of them. See if you can figure out which one it is.

Cincinnati at Tennessee – Saturday

Joe Burrow and the Bengals weren’t exactly dominant in their wild-card win over Las Vegas, but good enough to get Cincinnati its first playoff win in decades. They have a favorable matchup against the Titans’ pass defense, which can be lacking at times. However, Cincy is facing a ROAD playoff game this time, a road crowd, and the expected return of Henry, who can alter the game on his own. Henry makes a good Tennessee team even better, and they’ll be good enough to advance to the AFC title game this weekend. PICK: Titans

San Francisco at Green Bay – Saturday

The Niners are coming off a big road win at Dallas, but winning at Lambeau Field is a completely different animal. Add the injured hand and shoulder to an already average Garoppolo and San Francisco is suddenly a one-dimensional team. Granted, they run the ball as well as any other team and Kyle Shanahan is a master at moving guys around to cause confusion for opposing defenses. But, this is Green Bay. This is Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. This is the playoffs, and having a big question mark at the QB position is detrimental to success. PICK: Packers

LA Rams at Tampa Bay – Sunday

Oh boy. This is the one I’ve been kicking around the longest and for good reason. Do the Rams come across the country and use their imposing defensive front to overwhelm a decimated Bucs offensive line? Or does Tom Brady have yet another masterpiece up his sleeve? Tampa Bay has played with and overcome injuries all season long, but thinking of what Aaron Donald and Von Miller could possibly do to a depleted Tampa line is enough to give anybody nightmares. But, I’ve learned in the past that it’s not wise to bet against the ageless one. I really want a Brady vs. Rodgers matchup in the NFC title game. So bad in fact that it may be blinding me from the truth here. PICK: Buccaneers

Buffalo at Kansas City – Sunday

I may be the last person to join the Josh Allen hype train, but, better late than never. What he did last weekend against a very good New England defense was nothing short of masterful. I’m fully expecting the Bills to move the ball at will again this weekend, although the Chiefs are more than capable of keeping up. Two elite offenses should keep the scoreboard operator plenty busy in the final divisional game of the weekend. Kansas City is two wins from playing in a third straight Super Bowl. But they won’t make it. The Bills get the ball last and Allen wins it with his legs. PICK: Bills

Last week: 5-1

Overall: 16-9

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

This will truly be a SUPER Wild Card Weekend in the NFL. Give me ALL the football!! Okay, well maybe not all of it. I may have to skip the opening game Saturday since we have a rain-free day forecasted, a rarity for Western Washington this time of year, and one that must be taken advantage of by getting outdoors. Nevertheless, I will be taking in every minute I can, even Monday night’s game while I’m in Salt Lake City on business.

Let’s get to the picks, which are generated mostly on my gut feelings, with a little bit of bias, and an even smaller amount of research. I’ll leave that nonsense to the talking heads on ESPN. If you’re taking them with anything more than a grain of salt, well then I can’t help you.

Raiders at Bengals – Saturday

It’s hard not to root for this Las Vegas team. They’ve overcome a tremendous amount of adversity on and off the field and are in the postseason for just the second time since 2002. The Raiders have won four straight games, by a combined TWELVE POINTS. That’s insane. However, they are a dome team, going on the road to play in cold weather (forecast is 27 degrees at kickoff in Cincinnati) and that’s tough to overcome. Even more difficult is the task of slowing down the Bengals’ high-octane offense. I’m confident they can keep Joe Burrow and Co. from putting up 30-40 points, but unless Derek Carr has a huge day, the story ends here for Vegas. – PICK: Bengals

Patriots at Bills – Saturday

Who doesn’t enjoy a good rubber match? That’s just what we get here with these AFC East rivals colliding a third time. New England comes limping into the playoffs, losing three of their last four, including a 33-21 home loss to the Bills on Dec. 26. Meanwhile, Buffalo has hit its stride at the perfect time, winning four straight heading into Saturday’s game. But I’m not fooled. Aside from their win over the Pats, the rest of that win streak includes the Jets, Falcons, and Panthers. Hardly top-notch competition. This game will be physical, it will be bitterly cold (kickoff temp of FOUR degrees), and I expect it will be low-scoring. The road team won each of the two regular-season meetings and I’m going with the visitors again. – PICK: Patriots

Eagles at Buccaneers – Sunday

Weather won’t be an issue in Tampa when the defending champions take on Philadelphia, and that will likely favor the Bucs and Tom Brady more than an Eagles team that likes to grind it out with the running game. With dry conditions, I don’t see how Philly can keep up with Brady and the Bucs’ passing game. Plus, factor in Jalen Hurts’ turnover troubles and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Tamp Bay is an 8-point favorite, but I could see them winning by twice as much, if not more. – PICK: Buccaneers

49ers at Cowboys – Sunday

This is the one I’m looking most forward to, and for good reason. First, it’s Niners-Cowboys, bringing back memories of an incredible rivalry from the 1990s, and it’s a classic battle of great offense vs great defense. For Dallas, this has to be the worst playoff draw possible. This is one of those rare times I actually agree with some of the so-called “experts” on TV calling this the worst possible matchup for Cowboys. It is just that. Can Dallas slow down the Niners’ physical run game? Can the Cowboys deal with Kyle Shanahan’s brain, which will give them so many different looks over the course of a game? The Cowboys have a great offense, but I always go with defense first in the playoffs, plus the Niners have the X-factor in Deebo Samuel. – PICK: 49ers

Steelers at Chiefs – Sunday

Who are we kidding here? There’s a reason this game has the highest betting spread (12.5 points) of the weekend. Pittsburgh made the playoffs not so much on what it accomplished, but thanks to the misfortune of a few other teams. There is NO WAY the Steelers keep up with Kansas City in this game. If there’s a game this weekend that’s decided by halftime, this is the one. Time to hang ’em up, Ben. – PICK: Chiefs

Cardinals at Rams – Monday

Five games later, we arrive here on a Monday night. NFC West rivals meeting in another rubber match. Like the Patriots and Bills, these two teams split the season series, with each team winning on the road. Unlike the Patriots and Bills, there will be no inclement weather, no low-scoring game, and no road team emerging victorious. I will not apologize for saying this, but the more I watch Kyler Murray, the more I’m convinced that he’s an incredibly gifted athlete, but an average NFL quarterback, at best. HE CAN NOT READ DEFENSES, which is likely a big reason why the Cards have lost four of their last five. Oh, and their defense has been awful, too. – PICK: Rams

Last Week: 7-6

Overall: 11-8

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

I’m not gonna waste my time or yours with a long post about John Madden. Although he certainly deserves any and all praise he receives, there will be so much coming over the rest of the NFL season, and I’d rather not repeat any of those things, but rather keep it short and to the point. John Madden played a huge role in my childhood and into my adult years. The first football game I owned (I had to play Tecmo Bowl at friends’ houses) was Madden ’92.

My introduction to the Madden franchise began here.

That game was so iconic and resonated so loudly with me that I can still close my eyes, see the graphics and hear the sounds. Plus, it had the greatest animation – the renegade ambulance.

Pat Summerall and John Madden — the greatest broadcast team in sports history.

There was something magical about that voice duo of Madden with Pat Summerall. To me, Thanksgiving and Christmas memories include hearing them call the games while I watched from the couch at my great-grandmother’s house with the entire family gathered for the holiday. But he wasn’t just a great X’s and O’s guy. Madden had a way of entertaining in a way I always enjoyed.

Of course, I grew up playing and still play Madden video games. I don’t think most kids today even realize who the man behind the name is, and how much he means to football. But I’ll never forget.

Decades of greatness.

I could go on forever. Madden is a true legend. When I think football, I think of John Madden before some of the iconic players and teams throughout history.

John Madden IS football.

“Nothing jazzes me up like football. I’ve acquired more passion over the years, not less. Not to love it wouldn’t make sense.”

John Madden

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

The 2021 season has been one to remember and based on the slate of games on tap for Sunday, 2022 is gonna kick the door down with some serious attitude. If you thought the playoff race has been crazy, just wait until Week 17 gets going. This will be a Sunday to remember. LET’S GO!!

Eagles (8-7) at Washington (6-9)

Philly currently holds the last spot in the NFC and can’t afford a slip-up against a divisional foe coming off an embarrassing loss. However, if the Eagles win, their ticket is punched.

Rams (11-4) at Ravens (8-7)

This is a huge chance for the Rams one week after leapfrogging Arizona for the NFC West lead. If they win at Baltimore and the Cardinals fall to the Cowboys, Los Angeles claims the division title. The Ravens have lost four straight and a fifth will pretty much ensure they watch the playoffs from home.

Dolphins (8-7) at Titans (10-5)

Tennessee can clinch the AFC South with a win over Miami or an Indianapolis loss. The Dolphins – the first team to have streaks of 7 wins and 7 losses in the same season – now control their own destiny.

Raiders (8-7) at Colts (9-6)

Indianapolis is a near-lock to make the playoffs and can clinch with a win over the Raiders. Las Vegas is on the outside looking in, but still holds an 18% chance of making the postseason.

Chiefs (11-4) at Bengals (9-6)

Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North with a win over Kansas City plus a Pittsburgh loss. The Chiefs can clinch home field in the AFC playoffs with a win plus a Titans loss.

Falcons (7-8) at Bills (9-6)

Every game is big for Buffalo since they’re tied for the AFC East lead with New England. With the Patriots hosting the Jags, assume this is a must-win for the Bills. Neither Buffalo nor New England can clinch the AFC East in Week 17.

Cardinals (10-5) at Cowboys (11-4)

Dallas is in the playoffs. They’ve won the NFC East. They still have a slim chance at home-field advantage if they can win out and the Packers drop one of their final games. Arizona is at the opposite end of the spectrum, having lost three straight and the lead in their own division. This game is all about improving position in the wild-card round.

Vikings (7-8) at Packers (12-3)

A win by Green Bay plus Dallas loss would mean the NFC path to the Super Bowl will go through Lambeau Field, where the Packers are 7-0 this season. Minnesota’s chances to sneak in are low (>18%) and the Vikings will have to pull off a huge upset here to avoid elimination.

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

I keep telling people how bizarre this NFL season is. So unpredictable. There’s nothing to take for granted and no time to get comfortable. It may look like the team you root for is hitting its stride, and then they get blown out by the least likely opponent. Your favorite player may be having an MVP-caliber season and then miss three games in Covid protocol. Bummer. It’s totally insane … and that means it’s INSANELY FUN.

The race for the playoffs has been wildly entertaining this season and impossible to predict. After last week there were still almost 30 teams alive for a playoff spot. THIRTY teams. That’s crazy. Luckily, Week 16 came to hand out some walking papers to a few more teams, while a few others clinched playoff spots, although the exact seeding will likely come down to the final day of the regular season.

Carolina, Chicago, and my Seattle Seahawks were among the latest teams eliminated from the picture. Somehow the Washington Football Team still has a mathematical chance, despite a 6-9 record (nice) and coming off an embarrassing 56-14 spanking by their daddy, the Dallas Cowboys.

Speaking of Dallas, they clinched the NFL East (easily the weakest division in football), one of three teams to win their respective divisions Sunday. Kansas City and Tampa Bay were the other two. I still like the Chiefs to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC and will stick with them until something suggests otherwise.

The Los Angeles Rams not only clinched a spot but lept over NFC West rival Arizona in the process. The Cardinals are an absolute mess. To me, they look like the weakest of the five NFC teams that have clinched.

Only two spots remain in the NFC, with six teams alive to fight for them. San Francisco looks like a solid pick, but who is the seventh? Do I have any faith in the Eagles, Saints, or Vikings at this point? NO. I do not. 

The AFC is a lot more muddled. Cincinnati made a huge statement and took the AFC North lead, Buffalo got its revenge on the Patriots (and regained the AFC East lead), and Tennessee came up big to stay in the second spot. 

Wanna know who I like in the AFC right now, outside of Kansas City? – INDIANAPOLIS. Yeah, I love this Colts team, and they are built for a playoff run. Strong, powerful running game, fast and intelligent defense, and a QB that plays within the system’s constraints. I am enjoying watching Carson Wentz in Frank Reich’s system. Indy is a dark horse pick to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC, playoff matchups willing.

What’s crazy about the AFC is that only one playoff spot has been clinched with two weeks left in the regular season. Yep, ONE. Two weeks left, 12 teams still alive, six spots up for grabs. It’s gonna be awesome. 

The league wanted to add a little drama to the postseason race when it added a 17th game to the schedule, but I don’t think they ever imagined it would be this crazy. This is the kind of chaos that can only be dreamed of.

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

Well, there’s no need to look up the Seattle Seahawks’ playoff possibilities now. Thanks to a 20-10 loss to the Rams, those are gone. Goodbye.

For the first time in the careers of both Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks will finish a season with a losing record, the first losing season in Seattle since 2011.

There will be no playoffs for the first time since 2017, only a few extra weeks to ask a lot of questions. Questions about the future. Questions about what could have been. Questions to which the answers aren’t likely to come any time soon.

As much as I’ve enjoyed keeping track of the Seahawks’ minuscule playoff chances, I’ll enjoy watching a few games without the anxiety that comes with following a team that’s hanging by a thread.

And honestly, it was asking way too much for this team to win six straight games to close out the year — they’re having enough problems winning six games in the ENTIRE season.

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

Several teams have been overhyped at some point this season, but things are a bit wacky here in 2021, and we’ve seen some of the sexy picks from earlier in the year get brought back down to earth.

Buffalo, Baltimore, and most recently, New England in the AFC. Dallas, Tampa Bay, and most recently, Arizona in the NFC. All of these teams had the so-called experts swooning at one point or another. Still, they’ve all had that head-scratching moment where I eventually said, “maybe they’re not as good as people say they are.”

These are good teams, no doubt about it. Most of these will be division winners, legitimate contenders. But today, I’m talking about FAVORITES … not contenders. Favorites are those no-brainers, the teams you look at and think, “this is a championship team.”

And that brings us to today, and we finally have two clear-cut favorites in the NFL.

THE FAVORITES

Green Bay: Yes, the Packers (11-3) have given up an alarming number of points over the past few weeks, but it’s come against quality offenses like Minnesota, Baltimore, and the LA Rams. They’ve also won each of those games. Aaron Rodgers is having another MVP-caliber season, Devante Adams is among the, if not THE best, receivers in football, and if they clinch home field, nobody is coming into Lambeau and making it out alive.

Kansas City: The Chiefs (10-4) looked lost over the first 6-7 games of the season but have won seven straight, including a close win over Green Bay. Kansas City has the league’s best defense over that span of games and is aging at a high level offensively. Their last three games – vs. Pittsburgh and on the road against Cincinnati and Denver is a tough stretch heading into the postseason. Still, the Chiefs are playing at the level needed to get through.

These are my favorites now, and as weird and unpredictable as the season has been, there are still three weeks left to turn the whole thing upside down.

THE CHALLENGERS

Tampa Bay (10-4) — Losing Chris Godwin for the season hurts, but I’ll never bet against Tom Brady, no matter what.

Dallas (10-4) — Defense forces turnovers in bunches, but the offense needs to find consistency to be a real threat.

Arizona (10-4) — Sunday’s loss to Detroit was UGLY. How the Cardinals bounce back will say a lot about the team going forward.

LA Rams (9-4) — Another scary-good defense but inconsistent offense. If they can put it all together, the Rams are almost impossible to beat.

New England (9-5) — The loss at Indy was tough, but I still believe Bill Belichick will have this team ready to play each and every week.

JUST WAIT ‘TILL NEXT YEAR!!

Tennessee 9-5

Buffalo 8-6

San Francisco 8-6

Baltimore 8-6

LA Chargers 8-6

Cincinnati 8-6

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

This weekend’s Seahawks-Rams game is one of three affected by rampant Covid-19 outbreaks, and rescheduled by the NFL as a result.

The change was announced Friday morning that this NFC West matchup will move from Sunday to Tuesday, with a kickoff time of 4:00 pm PST. The game will remain on a FOX broadcast.

So, let’s get right to it. This development favors the Rams in a huge way, after all … it’s their organization with 25+ players currently in the league’s health and safety protocols.

Also, the Seahawks are faced with a short turnaround for their Dec. 26 game against Chicago, a game the league has said it will not move to accommodate Seattle for loss of prep and recovery time.

The real winners here? It’s obviously the Rams, who as of today don’t even have the minimum number of active players required to play. But this isn’t high school or college, there will be no forfeit since that would mean players also forfeit game checks.

So, the pendulum continues to swing in the Rams’ favor, as if they weren’t already a solid favorite in the game itself.

This post was initially published in The Cliff Notes by CSN contributor Cliff Gibson.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars – the whipping boy franchise of the NFL – doesn’t want you, there’s a solid chance no other team in the league will either. That’s the reality Urban Meyer faces after being sacked by the organization, just 13 games into his NFL coaching tenure.

I was skeptical initially and honestly didn’t figure he’d make it past the first season, two at the max. It’s not like he was set up for success, taking over a team among the worst in the league with no NFL coaching experience whatsoever. We all know success at the collegiate level doesn’t mean the same in the pros.

But Meyer didn’t do himself any favors. He treated an NFL franchise like a college program. You can’t do that.

At the college level, the coaches are the untouchable ones. They’re the ones making big money. Players are interchangeable. It’s the opposite in the NFL, where the players are the business. The coaches are secondary.

So it’s no surprise that Meyer didn’t pan out, given his history. He’s not a decent human being. He certainly has no grasp on the business aspect of the NFL. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the curtain call on his pro coaching career.

But a return to the college ranks? Don’t count it out. The timing of Meyer’s firing sets doesn’t do him any favors for finding a job in 2022, with few openings remaining and no big-name programs. But, Meyer will land somewhere in 2023 if he decides to pursue it. And the program that hires him will get his impressive resume and a lot of drama that comes with it.