The Packers and Falcons will be meeting for the second time this season in the NFC Championship game. The Falcons won the first match up 33-32. Here are five key match up to watch for in this game. Matt Ryan Vs. The Packers Secondary: Matt Ryan threw for 288 yards and 3 touchdown passes in the first meeting between these two teams. Ryan should put up similar numbers in this…
Vallee’s View: Patriots Stumble into the AFC Championship Game
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…
AFC Championship Week Means It is Officially Whining Week in New England
It is AFC Championship week in New England. That means Patriots fans are going to whine about how their team is not getting any respect nationally and that Roger Goodell is a piece of excrement for not coming to New England. By John Sarianides It is AFC Championship week in New England. You know what that means right? It’s whining week! That’s right. It is the yearly rite of passage…
What Marshfield High School Has Done to Coach Silva is Unacceptable
By John Sarianides The administration at Marshfield High School recently informed long time football coach Lou Silva that they were going to be opening the head football position for next season. The administration cited a desire to have the football coach in the building. Silva has been the head football coach at Marshfield for 36 years. In that time, he has complied a record of 236-144-7 and won five Super Bowls….
Josh McDaniels Made the Right Decision Staying in New England
Josh McDaniels announced this morning that he is staying in New England and is no longer a candidate for the 49ers opening. By John Sarianides Josh McDaniels announced this morning that he has withdrawn his name for consideration for the San Francisco 49ers head coaching opening. McDaniels cited relocating his family as the primary reason for withdrawing his name for the job. I believe McDaniels when he says that but…
NFL: The Dime Package for Divisional Weekend
Aaron Rodgers will haunt the Cowboys and their fans for a long time. Here are ten thoughts from an up and down divisional weekend in the NFL. By John Sarianides 1. The Seahawks are a shell of the team they were two years ago. They don’t have the aura of invincibility that they had in 2013 and 2014. It might be time Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider shook…
NFL: Sunday Divisional Round Playoff Preview
Divisional Sunday will start later as usual thanks to old man winter. The Packers will visit the Cowboys at 4:40 while the Steelers, Chiefs game has been pushed back to 8:20. Here is three key preview for both games. By John Sarianides #3 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 Kansas City Chiefs The Build Up: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs are meeting for the second time this season. The Steelers…
Patriots Pulse Recap: Patriots 34 Texans 16
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…
NFL: Saturday Divisional Round Playoff Preview
The divisional round of the 2016 NFL playoffs is upon us. First up will be the Seahawks at the Falcons and the Texans at the Patriots. By John Sarianides #3 Seattle Seahawks at #2 Atlanta Falcons Build Up: The Seahawks travel to Atlanta to battle the Falcons in a rematch of the 2012 playoffs in which the Falcons beat the Seahawks 30-28. The Falcons led the NFL in points scored…
Three Step Slant: Comparing Sean McDermott to Anthony Lynn
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…