Monday, January 20, 2020

3 Standouts from NFL's Conference Championships

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers punched their tickets to Super Bowl LIV. The AFC Champion Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-24, while the NFC Champion 49ers pounded the visiting Green Bay Packers 37-20. Here are three offensive players who dominated the Conference Championship Round.

1. Raheem Mostert
The 49ers fed Tevin Coleman the rock 22 times during their win over Minnesota last week. It was Raheem Mostert’s turn in the NFC Championship. 

On the 49ers’ second drive, Mostert busted out a 36-yard TD run on a halfback draw. By game’s end, Mostert had amassed a jaw-dropping 220 yards and four TDs.

Mostert carried the ball 29 times, as Coleman exited the contest early with a shoulder injury. The undrafted running back gashed the Packers for 160 yards and three TDs in the first half.  He is the only player in NFL history to rush for at least 150 yards and a trio of TDs in the first half of a playoff game. Mostert’s 220 yards were the second-most rushing yards by a player in league history.

The 49ers’ offensive line did a remarkable job at creating holes up front for Mostert. According to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers provided nearly three yards of open run room before contact per carry. Mostert took advantage of these gaps and refused to go down once he was hit by a defender. Mostert gained 159 yards after contact and broke seven tackles.

The rushing attack was so dominant that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo attempted only eight passes, the second fewest ever in a postseason contest. 24 minutes of game time went by between Garopolo’s sixth and seventh pass attempts. He ended the night with six completions for 77 yards.

2. Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes demonstrated why he is the best player in football Sunday afternoon. The 24-year-old quarterback threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns. His most highlight-worthy play came on a 23-yard TD run. He finished with 53 yards rushing on eight carries.

All three of Mahomes’ TD passes were thrown to wide receivers. This is a direct contrast to last week’s touchdown barrage in which Mahomes threw all five scores to running backs and tight ends.
Mahomes will play in his first Super Bowl after winning the AFC Championship. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)
Mahomes has compiled nine TDs (eight passing) in two games this postseason. A week after the Chiefs stormed back from a 24-0 deficit, they erased a 17-7 early hole behind Mahomes to advance to the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 50 years.

3. Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins caught three 3 TDs this season—all three coming in Week 1—but dismantled the Titans’ secondary in the AFC Championship. He collected seven receptions for 114 yards and the dagger touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter. 

Watkins broke wide open in the middle of the field on his 60-yard TD grab, building a commanding 35-17 advantage for Kansas City.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

2019 MLB Awards: AL Picks

The 2019 MLB season was the year of the home run. In fact, 15 teams set franchise records for home runs. Furthermore, the Minnesota Twins broke the all-time record for most homers in a single season with 307. 

But this season, like any other year, will also be remembered for which players took home the league's most prestigious individual honors—MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.


Here are my picks for each notable award in the American League.


MVP: Alex Bregman, Astros

There is a great case for Mike Trout to nab his third American League Most Valuable Player award. After all, the Los Angeles Angels outfielder led the AL in on-base percentage, OPS and slugging. He ranked second in homers with 45, despite missing 28 games due to injury.

Unfortunately for Trout, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman had by far the best year of his career. Bregman finished first in the AL in the all-important Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 8.4, just above Trout (8.3). The 25-year-old drew the most walks (119) and finished top-5 in runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, OPS and slugging. Bregman is the fifth player in AL history to reach over 40 homers, 110 and 35 doubles with less than 90 strikeouts in a seasons. The other fourFrank Thomas (1993), Ted Williams (1949), Lou Gehrig (1936) and Babe Ruth (1920, 1921 and 1924)—all won MVP in their respective season(s).

Alex Bregman spearheaded the Astros a MLB-best 107 wins. (AP Photo)
Cy Young: Gerrit Cole, Astros
Astros ace Justin Verlander, a one-time Cy Young winner, has finished runner-up for the award three times (2012, 2016 and 2018) in his legendary career. He is likely to be the runner-up again this year, despite going 21-6 with 300 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA. Verlander achieved a career-best .803 WHIP.

The only player to outshine Verlander among AL pitchers, teammate Gerrit Cole led MLB with 326 strikeouts. Cole (20-5) set the Astros single-season record for strikeouts. Cole went 16-0 in the final 22 starts of the 2019 season with a 1.78 ERA and 226 punchouts. He had the No. 1 ERA (2.50) in the American League. Amazingly, he struck out 10 or more batters in each of his last nine starts.


Rookie of the Year: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Yordan Alvarez played only 87 games, but he's still the odds-on favorite to win ROY. Since his June call-up, the designated hitter has posted a 1.078 OPS with 27 home runs and 78 RBIs.

In the second half of the MLB season, Alvarez wasn’t just the best rookie in the AL, he was among the best hitters in the league. He registered a tremendous slash line of .313/.412/.655. 

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez also had a fine inaugural season in the majors, mashing 31 homers and slugging .513.

Manager of the Year: Aaron Boone, Yankees
New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone led his club to 103 wins, winning the AL East with ease. They accomplished this despite setting a MLB record for most injured players in a season.

This award could go to Twins first-year manager Rocco Baldelli. The Twins rebounded from a 78-84 finish in 2018 to win 101 games this season. They seized their first AL Central division title since 2010. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Patriots' Defense Playing at Historic Level

The New England Patriots are playing at a historically dominant level defensively.

New England’s defense has allowed just one offensive touchdown through four contests, tied for the fewest in the Super Bowl era. The NFL's top-ranked defense has surrendered just 6.8 points per game. (That 6.8 mark would be lower if not for the special teams and the offense surrendering a touchdown each in Week 3 versus the Jets)

Devin McCourty has an interception in every game this season, the first player to accomplish that feat since 2003. He leads the NFL in interceptions, while teammate Jamie Collins ranks second with three picks. As a team, the Patriots have 10 interceptions, double the amount of the next closest clubs (Giants, Bills and 49ers have amassed five interceptions).

J.C. Jackson was masterful in the Patriots' 16-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, becoming the first player since 1989 to record two interceptions and block a punt in the same game.



Kyle Van Noy had the best game of any New England defensive player. He recorded eight tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles. He was named Week 4's AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Patriots have allowed just 13 points on defense in 2019.



Up next for the Patriots is a road tilt against the winless Washington Redskins (0-4). The Redskins rank 28th in total offense.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

NFL Standings Predictions 2019

National Football League - Wikipedia
Standings Predictions
AFC East
Record
NFC East
Record
New England Patriots
14-2
Philadelphia Eagles
12-4
Buffalo Bills
8-8
Dallas Cowboys*
 10-6
New York Jets
6-10
Washington Redskins
5-11
Miami Dolphins
1-15
New York Giants
4-12
AFC North
Record
NFC North
Record
Cleveland Browns
10-6
Minnesota Vikings
11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers*
10-6
Chicago Bears*
10-6
Baltimore Ravens
 9-7
Green Bay Packers
 9-7
Cincinnati Bengals
 4-12
Detroit Lions
 5-11
AFC South
Record
NFC South
Record
Tennessee Titans
10-6
New Orleans Saints
13-3
Houston Texans
9-7
Atlanta Falcons
9-7
Indianapolis Colts
8-8
Carolina Panthers
8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars
7-9
Tampa Bay Bucs
5-11
AFC West
Record
NFC West
Record
Kansas City Chiefs
12-4
LA Rams
12-4
LA Chargers*
 11-5
Seattle Seahawks
 9-7
Denver Broncos
 6-10
San Francisco 49ers
 7-9
Oakland Raiders
5-11
Arizona Cardinals
 
4-12

*Indicates Wild-Card Team

  • Note: I initially picked the Indianapolis Colts to win the AFC South. But following Andrew Luck's decision to retire, I switched my selection to the Tennessee Titans.


AFC Championship: Patriots defeat Chiefs

NFC Championship: Saints defeat Eagles

Super Bowl: Patriots defeat Saints

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

NBA Standings Predictions: Eastern Conference

Here is a projected order of finish for the 2019-20 NBA season in the Eastern Conference.
Eastern Conference

1. Milwaukee Bucks

2. Boston Celtics

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Toronto Raptors

5. Indiana Pacers

6. Miami Heat

7. Brooklyn Nets

8. Orlando Magic

9. Detroit Pistons

10. Atlanta Hawks

11. Washington Wizards

12. Charlotte Hornets

13. Chicago Bulls


          14. Cleveland Cavaliers


15. New York Knicks


Monday, September 2, 2019

NBA Standings Predictions: Western Conference

Here is the projected order of finish for the 2019-20 NBA season in the Western Conference.

1. LA Clippers 

Key additions: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Maurice Harkless

Key subtractions: Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Garrett Temple

2. Denver Nuggets

Key additions: Jerami Grant

Key subtractions: Trey Lyles

3. LA Lakers

Key additions: Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Jared Dudley

Key subtractions: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Tyson Chandler

4. Utah Jazz



Key additions: Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Ed Davis, Jeff Green 

Key subtractions: Jae Crowder, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors, Kyle Korver

5. Houston Rockets

Key additions: Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler

Key subtractions: Chris Paul

6. Portland Trail Blazers

Key additions: Hassan Whiteside, Anthony Tolliver, Kent Bazemore, Mario Hezonja

Key subtractions: Evan Turner, Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu, Enes Kanter

7. Golden State Warriors



Key additions: D'Angelo Russell, Willie Cauley-Stein, Glenn Robinson III, Alec Burks

Key subtractions: Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, DeMarcus Cousins, Shaun Livingston
8. San Antonio Spurs

Key additions: DeMarre Carroll, Trey Lyles

Key subtractions: Davis Bertans

9. Sacramento Kings


Key additions: Trevor Ariza, Dewayne Dedmon, Cory Joseph

Key subtractions: Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks, Frank Mason III

10. New Orleans Pelicans


Key additions: Zion Williamson, JJ Redick, Derrick Favors, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Hart

Key subtractions: Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Elfrid Payton

11. Dallas Mavericks

Key additions: Seth Curry, Boban Marjanovic, Delon Wright

Key subtractions: Dirk Nowitzki

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

Key additions: Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell, Jarrett Culver

Key subtractions: Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Dario Saric

13. Oklahoma City Thunder

Key additions: Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mike Muscala


Key subtractions: Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Jerami Grant, Markieff Morris


14. Phoenix Suns


Key additions: Ricky Rubio, Dario Saric, Aron Baynes, Cameron Johnson

Key subtractions: Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren

15. Memphis Grizzlies

Key additions: Ja Morant, Andre Iguodala, Josh Jackson, Tyus Jones, Jae Crowder

Key subtractions: Mike Conley, Avery Bradley, Delon Wright