(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) By John Sarianides Game Rewind: Tom Brady and the Patriots took control early and never looked back on route to a 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots will be going to their record ninth Super Bowl when they battle Matt Ryan and Atlanta Falcons on February 5th in Houston. Here are five thoughts from the game. 1. Brady the Magnificent: Tom Brady was once again…

By John Sarianides The Pittsburgh Steelers run a variety of counter trap plays designed to take advantage of LeVeon Bell patient running style. Here are four examples of how the Steelers use counter plays out of compressed formations as staples of their running game. Tackle Wrap With a Built in RPO: The Steelers are big, strong and athletic along the offensive line. The tackle wrap play is a staple spread…

Feature image courtesy of Jim Rogash/ Getty Images By Michael Vallee -Send In the Clowns:  It was supposed to be easy.  A laugher.  A joke.  Another gift from the AFC South.  The NFL equivalent of the proverbial walk in the park.  A mere tuneup before the real playoffs begin next Sunday.  In a week when most of the talk centered around such questions as, “How much will New England win…

Game Rewind: After sleep walking through a lackluster first half, the Patriots pulled away in the second half and beat the Texans 34-16 to advance to their sixth straight AFC championship game. Here are five thoughts from the game. 1. Sloppy Performance: The Patriots came out uncharacteristically flat last night. It was as if they knew they were going to win so it didn’t really matter how they played. It is…

The Buffalo Bills did a complete 180 in hiring Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott instead of former interim head coach Anthony Lynn. Here’s how they compare.  By John Sarianides 3 Thoughts on Sean McDermott 1. Experienced and Proven Coach: Sean McDermott has been one of the top defensive coaches in the NFL for years. McDermott learned at the feet of the late Jimmie Johnson in Philadelphia as a position…

The Denver Broncos named Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as their new head coach yesterday.  By John Sarianides O.K kiddos, I am not messing around. Here are three reasons why I like the Vance Joseph hire for the Broncos and three reasons why I don’t like the hire. 3 Positives 1.Has Connections to the Organization: Joseph has crazy connections to the Broncos organization going all the way back to his…

Normally I would be giddy about Tom Brady and the Rock smack talking each other but I am not because all they are doing is peddling pajamas (Brady) and a movie based on a really bad T.V show (Baywatch, The Rock) As much as I like and respect both men, I get annoyed with them when they do stuff like this. Stop peddling your bullshit products and just play football…

By Michael Vallee   The NFL playoffs are as good as it gets.  Nothing is more anticipated, relevant, analyzed and enjoyed in the world of sports.  Whether you are tailgating at Gillette, watching the games with friends at a bar or house or parking your backside on the couch for 8 straight hours, if you are among the millions of football fans virtually your entire social calendar over the next…

Cal inexplicably fired head football coach Sonny Dykes on Sunday. While the firing was late, there are several quality coaches available to fill the opening. 1. Chip Kelly, Free Agent: Of course Chip Kelly would be at the top of this list. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s a proven winner at the collegiate level, runs the spread offense and is a terrific recruiter. Kelly also has ties to high school…

By John Sarianides Clemson beat Alabama on a last second touchdown pass from Deshaun Foster to Hunter Renfroe. The play is mired in controversy because Alabama and their fans think Clemson committed offensive pass interference on the play.  I tend to agree with them. I think it was offensive P.I but Renfroe got away with it. Give Dabo Swinney and co-coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott. They made a great…