2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE TITAN MYTH.

For Day 12 of my 2013 NFL Predictions we will be breaking down the TENNESSEE TITANS!

The Titans were one of my toughest teams to predict, i don't quite know what to think of QB Jake Locker yet in the system. RB Chris Johnson is a huge threat, but just hasn't produced enough to lead his team to victories. My guy feeling is the problem doesn't lie solely on the shoulders of Johnson... the offensive line play has been terrible, there isn't really a star receiver or even a great tight end on the roster, and the defense as a whole has been iffy. Yet somehow they still come out and win some games they probably shouldn't and lose games they should win... yeah confusing right? Lets take a look quickly at how the Titans drafted this year.

ROUND 1: Chance Warmack OG (Alabama)

ROUND 2: Justin Hunter WR (Tennessee)

ROUND 3: Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB (Connecticut)

ROUND 3: Zavier Gooden OLB (Missouri)

ROUND 4: Brian Schwenke C (California)

ROUND 5: Lavar Edwards DE (LSU)

ROUND 6: Khalid Wooten CB (Nevada)

ROUND 7: Daimion Stafford SS (Nebraska)

I believe the Titans generally improved the whole team with this draft class, i really like the pickups of Warmack and Hunter early. Warmack will open up holes for Chris Johnson to actually run north and south this year. Justin Hunter in my opinion is their best option at wide receiver, i'm not sold on Kenny Britt and Nate Washinton. The defensive secondary took a hit when CB Cortland Finnegan left the team, so picking up secondary players like Wreh-Wilson, Wooten, and Stafford will help shore up a shaky secondary.

With that said lets take a look at how i predict the Titans season will fare.

OPPONENTS                                    W/L

@ PITTSBURGH                                  L

@ HOUSTON                                       L

SAN DIEGO                                        W

NEW YORK JETS                              W

KANSAS CITY                                      L

@ SEATTLE                                         L

SAN FRANCISCO                                L

BYE WEEK

@ ST. LOUIS                                      W

JACKSONVILLE                                 W

INDIANAPOLIS (THURSDAY)           W

@ OAKLAND                                     W 

@ INDIANAPOLIS                              L

@ DENVER                                         L

ARIZONA                                            W

@ JACKSONVILLE                            W

HOUSTON                                          L

FINAL RECORD                             8 - 8

Analysis: This team will have some fight in them this year, but not quite enough to really dominate anybody. They will win some games, just not enough to reach the top of the division. I have them tying with Indy in division, but losing the tie-breaker thus finishing third in the division. However, this team is not in a mess like division rival Jacksonville and should continue to trend upwards. All progress will depend on how Locker progresses as a Quarterback in the NFL. Sorry CJ2K i don't have you reaching 2000 yards rushing.

What are your thoughts? Surprised?

2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE TEBOW-LESS JAGS!

For Day 11 of my 2013 NFL Predictions we will break down the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS!

The Jaguars have struggled since expanding into the NFL with the Panthers, poor coaching, poor play, poor attendance has made things tough on this franchise. The lone bright spot on this team is RB Maurice Jones-Drew who throughout all the trouble with this team has been one of the best running backs in the NFL.Rising star WR Justin Blackmon shows some signs last year that he could become an elite WR but needs someone to get him the ball. This team has so many needs both on offense and defense to the point that many fans are hoping that the Jags bring in QB Tim Tebow to save them. (smirk from me) Let's take a look at the latest draft picks from the Jags.

Round 1: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

Round 2: John Cyprien FS (Florida International)

Round 3: Dwayne Gratz CB (Connecticut) 

Round 4: Ace Sanders WR (South Carolina)

Round 5: Denard Robinson WR (Michigan)

Round 6: Josh Evans FS (Florida)

Round 7: Jeremy Harris CB (New Mexico State)

Round 7: Demetrius McCray CB (Appalachian State)

Honestly the Jags couldn't go wrong in the draft because they have so many needs, but overall they drafted well. Getting one of the best tackles coming out of college will help shore up a terrible offensive line for years to come, drafting heavily around defensive secondary ,including one of my favorite safeties from the Senior Bowl John Cyprien, will help strengthen a terrible defensive backfield. The most interesting pickup in the draft was former Michigan QB Denard Robinson, because the Jags did pass on picking up Tim Tebow to draft another college QB that can't play QB in the NFL? At least Robinson is willing to switch positions to WR to try to make a roster and play the game.

Now lets take a look at how i predict the Jags 2013 season faring.

OPPONENTS                                  W/L

KANSAS CITY                                    L

@ OAKLAND                                     L

@ SEATTLE                                      L

INDIANAPOLIS                                  L

@ ST. LOUIS                                     L

@ DENVER                                        L

SAN DIEGO                                       L

SAN FRANCISCO                              L

BYE WEEK

@ TENNESSEE                                 L

ARIZONA                                           W 

@ HOUSTON                                    L

@ CLEVELAND                                  L

HOUSTON (THURSDAY)                  L

BUFFALO                                         W

TENNESSEE                                     L

@ INDIANAPOLIS                             L

FINAL RECORD                          2 - 14

Analysis: This team won't really improve any from last year, i don't feel that they have all the pieces yet to really threaten too many teams they will play this year. I do think they will sneak in a couple wins which i predicted will come against Arizona and Buffalo, both wins are at home even though the Jags don't really have a strong home presence. Could this team even be a threat in coming years? I think that all depends on the management, Jones-Drew won't be around forever to carry the workload on offense, but after a few more good drafts including shooting for a star to build around this team could make strides and start to threaten the division. Just not right now.

What do you think?

2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE INDY COLTS... SOUNDS LIKE A BAND

For Day 10 of my 2013 NFL Predictions i will break down the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS!

Last year the Colts burst onto the scene with Rookie QB Andrew Luck. Coming from the worst team in the NFL to a wild card contender. A lot of people doubted this team would ever be able to recover from the loss of QB Peyton Manning but the Colts showed us all why the NFL is so great. I mean who else can you name from last years Colts roster? I know i struggled to name many of the players. Speaking of players, lets take a look at who the Colts drafted this year.

ROUND 1: Bjoern Werner DE (Florida State)

ROUND 3: Hugh Thornton OG (Illinois)

ROUND 4: Khaled Holmes C (USC)

ROUND 5: Montori Hughes DT (Tennessee-Martin)

ROUND 6: John Boyett SS (Oregon)

ROUND 7: Kerwynn Williams RB (Utah State)

ROUND 7: Justice Cunningham TE (South Carolina)

I'm not going to lie, this is not a "blow your socks off" draft, but overall i like that the Colts drafted players they can use right away. Offensive line was a need along with Defensive line (especially now that Dwight Freeney is gone). I think DE Werner is a great pickup at #24 in the first round seeing as some experts had him pegged as high as #3. SS John Boyett could fit nicely into a defensive backfield that never really got the most out of Safety Bob Sanders, Boyett could potentially start next to newly picked up S LaRon Landry. One way you can tell you have a solid draft is looking at the later rounds and finding players that could get decent playing time like RB Williams and TE Cunningham. Solid.

Now how will the Colts fare this year? Will Luck hit his sophomore slump? Lets take a look at my predictions.

OPPONENTS                                    W/L

OAKLAND                                          W 

MIAMI                                                   W

@ SAN FRANCISCO                          L

@ JACKSONVILLE                             W

SEATTLE                                             L

@ SAN DIEGO (MONDAY)                W

DENVER                                              L

BYE WEEK

@ HOUSTON                                      L

ST. LOUIS                                          W

@ TENNESSEE (THURSDAY)          L

@ ARIZONA                                        L

TENNESSEE                                      W

@ CINCINNATI                                   L

HOUSTON                                         L

@ KANSAS CITY                              W

JACKSONVILLE                                W

FINAL RECORD                             8 - 8

Analysis: I don't think the Colts will be as good as last year. No i don't think however last year was a fluke, i believe Andrew Luck is the real deal and will be a nightmare for opposing defenses for many years to come. However this year Indy plays against some really good teams like San Fran, Seattle, Denver, Houston is in division, and Cincinnati making six losses at least for me. I do predict a couple of stinkers in there like losses in Tennessee and Arizona, but Colts fans should be happy with the direction this team is taking. And with a few more pieces to play with this team will be right back to Playoff contention.

Thoughts? Let me hear them in the comments section below.

2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

HOUSTON BOUND! YEE HAAAWWW!

For Day 9 of my 2013 NFL Prediction we will be taking a look at the HOUSTON TEXANS.

The Texans have been on the brink of greatness for the last couple of years, but for some reason just can't get over the hump and land in the Super Bowl. RB Arian Foster is a beast to deal with and is consistently a leader in rushing yards; WR Andre Johnson is a star on offense, and QB Matt Schaub is solid. Last year DL JJ Watt burst onto the scene to dominate the opposing offensive lines, and LB Brian Cushing is just ridiculous to deal with. So what is it that this team is missing? Why can they not seem to get to the big game? I think it's the DBs on defense that could use some help along with additional WR to complement Andre Johnson so that he doesn't get focused so hard by opposing defenses. With that said lets take a look at how the Texans latest draft played out.

Round 1: DeAndre Hopkins WR (Clemson)

Round 2: D.J. Swearinger SS (South Carolina)

Round 3: Brennan Williams OT (North Carolina)

Round 3: Sam Montgomery DE (LSU)

Round 4: Trevardo Williams DE (Connecticut)

Round 6: David Quessenberry OT (San Jose St.)

Round 6: Alan Bonner WR (Jacksonville St.)

Round 6: Chris Jones DT (Bowling Green)

Round 6: Ryan Griffin TE (Connecticut)

I really like what the Texans did with their draft. First with WR DeAndre Hopkins, he will be the perfect complement to Andre Johnson, love the fit. SS D.J. Swearinger will get the opportunity to learn from newly brought in FS Ed Reed while getting every opportunity to start at SS. Overall the Texans addressed needs and got quality players. Well done i say. But will the improvements lead to another division title and chance in the playoffs? Lets take a look.

OPPONENTS                                            W/L

@ SAN DIEGO (MONDAY)                         W

TENNESSEE                                               W

@ BALTIMORE                                          W

SEATTLE                                                    W

@ SAN FRANCISCO                                 L

ST. LOUIS                                                  W

@ KANSAS CITY                                      W

BYE WEEK

INDIANAPOLIS                                         W

@ ARIZONA                                               W

OAKLAND                                                 W 

JACKSONVILLE                                       W

NEW ENGLAND                                        L

@ JACKSONVILLE (THURSDAY)             W

@ INDIANAPOLIS                                      W

DENVER                                                     W

@ TENNESSEE                                         W

FINAL RECORD                                   14 - 2

Analysis: YES, i do feel the Texans have made the necessary improvements to win their division, and make a run in the playoffs. Firstly it doesn't hurt that the Texans have Jacksonville in their division, but home games against tough teams like Seattle, New England, and Denver help soften the blow while road games against San Diego, Arizona, and Tennessee should all end in victories. I'm on the train that the Texans will be my favorite to win the AFC this year and be the contender in the Super Bowl. 

I could be wrong, and i may be. But what do you think? Let me know. 

Locals in the NFL (Casey)

Here are all the Local guys that played college football in the state that are now in the NFL and playing for one of the teams in the AFC North!



Cincinnati Bengals:
 There are no current local players on there roster at this time.


Cleveland Browns:

                     Name                     Pos           H        W       Exp       College 

• #69 Dave Kruger               DL           6'5"     285      R         Utah
• #99 Paul Kruger                LB            6'4"     270      5          Utah

Baltimore Ravens:


                       Name                     Pos           H        W       Exp       College 

• #69 Cody Larsen               DT          6'4"       300      R         Southern Utah
• #34 Mo Lee                      CB          6'1"       191      R         Utah
• #88 Dennis Pitta                TE           6'4"       245      4          BYU
• #16 David Reed             WR/RS       6'0"      190       4         Utah

Pittsburgh Steelers:

                        Name                     Pos           H        W       Exp       College 

•  #13 Reggie Dunn                WR           5'9"     178       R          Utah
• #92 Hebron Fangupo           DT            6'0"     324      1           BYU
• #99 Brett Kiesel                   DE           6'5"      285      12         BYU
• #55 Stevenson Sylvester       ILB          6'2"      231      4           Utah 

2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE STILLAS....UH... STEELERS.

For Day 8 of my 2013 NFL Predictions we are going to take a look at the PITTSBURGH STEELERS!

The Steelers are one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL, kind of like the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA, the Steelers i counted out years ago as an old team that didn't have anything left in the tank, but for one reason or another they keep winning games, and not just a couple of them. I've been very impressed with what Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been able to do with this team. QB Ben Roethlisberger is still a solid QB in the league, and safety Troy Polamalu (when healthy) is a game changing defender.But just like every year i have to question how much do they have left? WR Mike Wallace is gone to Miami, LB James Harrison is gone also. Can the offensive line protect Big Ben long enough? Can an almost new defensive line hold when they need to? All good questions waiting to be answered.

First let's take a look at the Steelers latest Draft Class.

Round 1: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

Round 2: La'Veon Bell RB (Michigan State)

Round 3: Markus Wheaton WR (Oregon State)

Round 4: Shamarko Thomas SS (Syracuse)

Round 4: Landry Jones QB (Oklahoma)

Round 5: Terry Hawthorne CB (Illinois)

Round 6: Justin Brown WR (Oklahoma)

Round 6: Vince Williams LB (Florida State)

Round 7: Nick Williams DT (Samford)

I think the Steelers had one of the best drafts in the first four rounds. Jarvis Jones will probably start Game 1,  La'Veon Bell will get a lot of playing time his rookie season. I think one of the biggest steals was the pick of WR Markus Wheaton in the 3rd round, i really like how he plays and he will be making a name for himself year 1. I was a little disappointed that the Steelers didn't try to address their offensive line, but overall i would be very pleased with this draft if i was a Steelers fan.

Now before i show you my prediction for the Steelers take into account that i analyze not only the Steeler's schedule (including byes/extra rest/home vs away games etc...), and their opponents schedule. Here you go!

OPPONENTS                                         W/L

TENNESSEE                                            W

@ CINCINNATI (MONDAY)                       L

CHICAGO                                                W

@ MINNESOTA                                       L

BYE WEEK

@ NEW YORK JETS                              W

BALTIMORE                                            W

@ OAKLAND                                          W 

@ NEW ENGLAND                                L

BUFFALO                                               W

DETROIT                                                W

@ CLEVELAND                                     W

@ BALTIMORE (THURSDAY)               W

MIAMI                                                       W

CINCINNATI                                             W

@ GREEN BAY                                       L

CLEVELAND                                          W

FINAL RECORD                               12 - 4

Analysis: Your silence is deafening..... now breathe and look at this with me closer. The Steeler's toughest games are at home minus a trip to New England, Green Bay, and Cincinnati. Home games against Chicago/Cincinnati/and Baltimore are going to be tough, but the Steeler's are tough at home. What works out well for Pittsburgh is games on the schedule like.. at Minnesota, at Jets, at Oakland, Both Cleveland Games, then Buffalo, Detroit, and Miami at home. That's eight games right there that should be no problem. If the Steelers can stay healthy enough they will win double digit games and make it to the Wild Card fairly easily. Now can they do it?

Now it's your turn to tell me where you think i'm right or wrong. And yes Casey you may comment also.

2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE BROWNS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!! J/K

For Day 7 of my 2013 NFL Predictions, we will be taking a closer look at the CLEVELAND BROWNS.

The history of the Cleveland Browns has been a pretty grim one (except for the Bernie Kosar years), they have been down for a long time, seemingly drafting good players, but for some reason there aren't many winning seasons. 

Speaking of the draft, lets take a look at who the Browns drafted this year.

Round 1: Barkevious Mingo DE (LSU)

Round 3: Leon McFadden CB (San Diego St.)

Round 6: Jamoris Slaughter SS (Notre Dame)

Round 7: Armonty Bryant DE (East Central OK)

Round 7: Garrett Gilkey OT (Chadron St.)

If you're like me you are thinking BLAH with this draft. Mingo could definitely be a solid player in a few years, but drafting him as high as they did (6th overall) after they had picked up DE Paul Kruger as a pass rusher in free agency for their defense doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I do however like the pick of McFadden as i could see him started opposite of talented CB Joe Haden to create a solid pair of corners. Overall, an underwhelming draft.

Will this draft and the current team win games though? Lets take a look at my prediction for the Brown this year.

OPPONENTS                       W/L

MIAMI                                       W

@ BALTIMORE                       L

@ MINNESOTA                      L

CINCINNATI                             L

BUFFALO (THURSDAY)        W

DETROIT                                 W

@ GREEN BAY                        L

@ KANSAS CITY                    L

BALTIMORE                            L

BYE WEEK

@ CINCINNATI                       L

PITTSBURGH                         L

JACKSONVILLE                    W 

@ NEW ENGLAND                L

CHICAGO                                L

@ NEW YORK JETS               L

@ PITTSBURGH                      L

FINAL RECORD                 4 - 12

Analysis: Behind RB Trent Richardson this team will win a couple of games, but i just don't think they have enough behind him to win many more. I did pick them to win a couple of surprise games like Week 1 against Miami and Week 6 against Detroit, then losing against the Jets week 15. The Browns could very well finish at 2-14 or even 1-15, it all depends on QB Brandon Weeden to steer this ship in the right direction. I however am going to give him another year to make better strides. Not real high expectations here.

Think i'm right or wrong? Let me know in the comments section below. And thank you for your support.