Primetime Preview: Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers

Primetime Preview: Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers

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by | Nov 24, 2019 | Featured, NFL

 

One of the biggest games of the season will be going down in San Francisco as the 9-1 49ers will be playing against the 8-2 Packers. The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the biggest surprises of the season as Jimmy Garoppolo has led them to the best record in the NFC. Jimmy Garoppolo has stepped his game up this season and has turned into an elite quarterback and someone that just doesn’t manage games. Jimmy G has 2,478 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. This year he’s been all about winning and improving his players around him. One thing that’s noticeable with his game this season is the fact he’s able to find multiple reads on a play. Last year Jimmy Garoppolo would just look at one player the whole time and this season if option A or B isn’t available he will hit C for the right play. Another player that has been able to help Jimmy G this season has been George Kittle who’s a game-time decision tonight against Green Bay. Having Kittle in the lineup will definitely help against a Green Bay defense that gives up a lot of big plays to tight ends this season. Either way with Kittle or not the receiving core of the 49ers has been able to step up with these injuries and it has opened the door for Deebo Samuels. Jimmy G will be getting Emmanuel Sanders back as well in week 12 against the Packers which will help them out even more. While Jimmy Garoppolo has been special this year he’s been able to have a great running back by committee behind him as well. Tevin Coleman has been a beast since coming back from his injury and he’s been the complete running back that the 49ers expected him to be from day one. Since Matt Breida has been out Coleman has had total control of the backfield and has evolved into a runner and pass catcher. The 49ers offense has finally hit that stride and has matched the intensity that the defense has been able to play with all season. This 49ers defense has been ball-hawking all year and they are able to get turnovers and sacks. The defense will have a tough task ahead of them as they will try to stop Aaron Rodgers coming off a bye week and being ready to gameplan against them. If the 49ers can get into the backfield and get to Rodgers that will help them in this game. It could be a good or bad thing because Rodgers has shown that he can be a huge threat inside and outside the pocket. The 49ers will have their hands full tonight as they play the Packers and try to prove that they’re a legitimate contender in the NFC.

 

 

The Green Bay Packers are coming into tonight trying to prove that they’re still title contenders and that starts with #12. Aaron Rodgers has been a complete quarterback this season and has made plays inside and outside the pocket. The great thing about Rodgers is the fact he can get any receiver and still make the right play. It has been a really good sight for the Packers to get Davante Adams back from his injury as he’s looking to make some huge plays on the big stage. When Rodgers and Adams start connecting there isn’t much a defense can do because these two have undeniable chemistry. The Packers have a lot of receivers in the passing game that can make any catch and it helps to have one of the greats throwing the ball to you. When Aaron Rodgers is behind the center he makes plays that are tough look very easy. Look for Rodgers to be on the move a lot in San Francisco as he will have Nick Bosa coming after him all night. The part of the Green Bay game that has emerged this season is the pass-catching of Aaron Jones. When Rodgers gets in trouble he’s able to get that ball out to Aaron Jones who’s been able to step his game up to another level this season. On the season Aaron Jones leads the NFL with 14 total touchdowns and doesn’t look to slow down any time soon. The 49ers defense will be a tough challenge for Aaron Jones but he’s ready for the challenge and has shown he can carry the load. The Packers have been running their offense through Jones all season and they will be looking to have the same success against the 49ers. The Green Bay defense has had some good games and they’ve had some bad games. They will need a huge effort from the defense and hope that Martinez can get to Jimmy G before he makes any plays on the offensive end. The Packers are a complete team on both ends and they will want to use this game against the (9-1) 49ers. Green Bay can show the world that they’re one of the teams that should be watched. This should be a great battle on both ends of the field so it will come down to who can get those stops on the defensive side.

 

 

This will be a close game in San Francisco so look for a true battle on the field. This game will have a lot of significance for the NFL playoff picture going down the road. Both teams are good at running the ball and throwing the ball so this should be down the middle throughout the game. Coaching will be on full display as well because you have two great offensive-minded coaches who want to set the tone in Matt LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan.

Score Prediction: Green Bay Packers Win (28-24)

Nov 24, 2019 No Comments
SR NFL Week 12: Preview and Predictions

SR NFL Week 12: Preview and Predictions

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by | Nov 24, 2019 | Featured, NFL

 

1:00 PM EST

Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns

 

The Miami Dolphins are coming into this game with 2 wins on the season. They’re in a prime position to get a great draft pick in April but they will first have to head to Cleveland. The Dolphins have been hit with injuries and suspensions on the season which doesn’t hurt. The one bright spot for the Dolphins has been the emergence of DeVante Parker the young wide receiver who’s putting the NFL on notice. The Dolphins have Ryan Fitzpatrick starting at quarterback and it’s helped them be in some close games since the switch. The Dolphins defense will be in for a tough matchup as this lines up to be one of those Baker Mayfield/Odell Beckham Jr get back games. The Browns are looking for anything positive after the malicious episode on Thursday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This should be a great game overall for the Cleveland Browns as they will look to get both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the mix to open up some plays for the play-action for Baker. If the Browns can stop a couple of playmakers on the Dolphins from getting loose in the secondary this should be a piece of cake. The Browns defense will suffer after losing Myles Garrett but if anyone can help a team that’s in a funk its the 2 win Dolphins. Look for the Browns to kick it into high gear as they’re trying to stay in the mix for their division against the Baltimore Ravens. Baker Mayfield has 12 interceptions to 11 touchdowns on the season and he will be looking to add more TDs this weekend against the Dolphins.

Score Prediction: Cleveland Browns Win (31-14)

 

Detroit Lions @ Washington Redskins

 

This will be the matchup of Dwayne Haskins vs Jeff Driskel on Sunday in Washington DC. What we can expect to see is some great wide receiver play in this one. The Redskins have Terry McLaurin the young rookie who’s been able to lead this team in touchdowns and receiving yards. On the flip side, the Lions have the two-headed monster of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr who can get open in the secondary with the quickness. Both teams have playmakers that can make things happen but it will be a tale of who’s defense can step up in this one. The Redskins have the ageless Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice in the backfield to help out the rookie Haskins. The play of the Redskins running backs as of late has helped take some pressure off Haskins. If the Redskins can continue to switch things up they could have a true chance in this game. The Lions running game has been banged up as of late but the signing of Bo Scarbrough helped them in a big way on the ground. Last week he got signed by the Lions and came in and ran for 55 yards with a touchdown. If the Lions can continue to get him the ball and if Jeff Driskel can make the necessary plays in the pocket and outside of the pocket this should be a win for the Lions. Both defenses are banged up but look for Darius Slay to try to put a stop to the Redskins passing game in this one on Sunday afternoon.

Score Prediction: Detroit Lions (19 -10)

 

Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets

 

The 6-4 are coming into New York to play the Jets as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. People wrote off this Raiders team after all the foolishness at the beginning of the season but they found something special after their win in London. The Raiders will test the Jets secondary as they have one of the best receiving cores in the NFL. Darren Waller has been a great addition this season and has been near the top in all the statistics for the tight end position. Derek Carr has been playing at a high level and this season he’s been able to flourish because of the running game. Josh Jacobs has been a complete beast in the backfield and it’s something that Oakland hasn’t had in a long time. The way that Jacobs has been running it’s opened up a lot of things for the passing game and it’s helped Carr big time. The Jets have a good defense but they will be challenged against a Raiders team that’s trying to make a statement early in the season. One thing that’s working for the New York Jets is the fact that they have one of the easiest schedules down the 2nd half of the season. Sam Darnold is coming off one of his best games this year as he threw for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns. One thing that the Jets need to do is get their bell-cow Le’Veon Bell the ball a lot more. When the ball’s in Bell’s hands’ great things do happen for the Jets and that needs to continue in this game. Bell can run and catch out the backfield all day on the Raiders but will need the opportunity to shine in this showdown as the Raiders don’t stop the run that good. The Jets have a great wide receiver pair in Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder so look for Darnold to lean on them a lot in the passing game as well.

Score Prediction: Oakland Raiders Win (27-17)

 

New York Giants @ Chicago Bears

 

 

The Chicago Bears are 4-6 and will need this game badly if they’re going to make a playoff run. It seems like nothing has gone the Bears way this season from kicking problems to QB controversy. Mitch Trubisky will be starting after getting pulled from the game against the LA Rams with a hip injury. The Bears need the Mitch from last season at home this Sunday against the Giants. Last season Mitch was running all over the place and was making smart decisions with the football in the passing game. Sunday will be the make or break for the season in Chicago so look for Mitch Trubisky to get his main receiver Allen Robinson involved quickly and early. Robinson has been having a great year and will need to attack that Giants secondary as they give up a lot of yardage weekly. People will put the blame on Mitch Trubisky but the Bears need to help by getting that running game going as well so look for David Montgomery to have a bounce-back game as well. When Montgomery is running the ball at a high level we see how it can really help the offense. The Bears defense will only have to worry about Saquon Barkley who’s coming off a bye week and ready to put on a show against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Giants offense runs through Barkley and they will need to get him involved in both the running and passing game to have a chance. With Evan Engram and Sterling Shephard out again, things will be on Golden Tate and Saquon Barkley for Daniel Jones. It’s going to be a tough matchup for the Giants but when you have a talent like Saquon Barkley on your team all it takes is one run that can change the tide of a game.

Score Prediction: Chicago Bears Win (17-10)

 

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

 

The NFC South has been one of those divisions that have been extremely competitive. Without Cam Newton this season it’s been the Kyle Allen show in Carolina. Allen has been able to step up his game but it takes a full team effort to win games in the NFL. The Panthers are 5-5 on the season and have given the keys to Christian McCaffrey on the offensive side. The stats on the season for McCaffrey this season have been unreal as he has 11 touchdowns with 1,059 yards on the season so far. If the Saints are going to win this game it starts with stopping Christian McCaffrey in the running and passing game. Some of the plays that he’s made this season really have been spectacular and majority of them have been created by himself making people miss. With CMC in the backfield that helps out big time but the Panthers will need to spread the ball around and try to get the ball to Olsen, Samuels, and Moore. The Panthers receiving core has improved this season but will need to make some plays against a Saints defense that’s loaded and ready to attack the quarterback. The Saints defense has played very well and they will try to hold McCaffrey in check. Drew Brees has been looking like the MVP candidate that he always looks like since coming back from his Thumb injury. Brees will look to get the ball to Alvin Kamara who’s been off lately in the running back. If Kamara can have a monster game against this Panthers defense on Sunday then that will help put the Saints in a position to win. Michael Thomas has been playing like an all-pro player this year as well with 1,141 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. If the Saints can get him the ball early and make sure that Luke Kuechly doesn’t get to Drew Brees they should improve to 9-3 on the year.

Score Prediction: New Orleans Saints Win (34-28)

 

Seattle Seahawks @ Philadelphia Eagles

 

Russell Wilson has been playing elite football all season and has made defenses trying to defend him look silly. The fact that Wilson can throw the ball and run the ball has helped him become one of the league’s most impactful players. Wilson has been able to be everything for this Seahawks team throughout the years and this season he’s put up some monster numbers. Russell Wilson has 2,737 yards on the year with 23 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. Russell Wilson will try to put the Seahawks on his back against the Eagles on the road as he looks to take advantage of a banged-up defense. The Seahawks are a running team and they’ve used Chris Carson a lot on the season as he’s been able to get behind his fumbling ways from the start of the season. If the combination of Wilson and Carson can run all over this Eagles defense on Sunday it should be easy. The Seahawks use the run game to open up the passing game so they can get the ball to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf who have been gobbling up targets all season from Wilson. This Seahawks team is complete as they can beat you in all the levels of the game but the defense has to step it up a little more. If Bobby Wagner can get to Carson Wentz then it could help the Seahawks get the victory on the road. The Eagles have been a team that’s up and down but are coming off a strong showing against the Patriots even in a loss. Carson Wentz has been without his wide receiver unit all season pretty much and has had to depend on Zach Ertz to be the go-to receiver. Carson Wentz like Russell Wilson has the chance to get out the pocket and make some magic happen. If Wentz can get some good running from Miles Sanders in the backfield then they can try to create more opportunities to have a chance to win. The Eagles will need an all-out effort against the Seahawks who want to make that playoff push for January.

Score Prediction: Seattle Seahawks Win (27-24)

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

 

The Atlanta Falcons have been hot as of late and it’s crazy that it has happened since Austin Hooper went down with an injury. The Falcons have had impressive wins against the Saints and Panthers in back to back weeks. The Falcons defense has been hot and holding teams to under 10 points the last couple weeks. If the Falcons defense can force some turnovers against Jameis Winston on Sunday then they could sweep their division during this stretch. Matt Ryan has been playing like the Matt Ryan we all been waiting to see now. Ryan has been able to help the Falcons to wins but it’s been his arm that’s making it happen. Once Freeman went down with his injury the Falcons turned it over to the passing game and haven’t looked back as they’ve looked like the Falcons team that made it to the Superbowl. Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones have been playing outstanding the last couple of weeks for Atlanta. If the Falcons can continue to play through them and keep the Buccaneers offense to a minimum this could be a huge week for them. The Buccaneers and Jameis Winston just have to play it smart and not turn the ball over in this game. All season it’s been hit or miss for Jameis Winston as he’s been very hot but also very cold. If Jameis can get the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin throughout the day this should be a great day for the Bucs. Jameis Winston has to make sure that he can get out the pocket and not get sacked in this one. The Falcons defense will try to force Jameis to beat them as the Bucs don’t have a reliable run game just like the Falcons don’t. This will be a shootout throughout the air and both defenses will be put to the test early and often in Atlanta.

Score Prediction: Atlanta Falcons Win (31-24)

 

Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills

 

The Buffalo Bills will be looking to build on their amazing season so far as they have the Broncos heading into town. The Bills have been able to establish the run with Josh Allen and with Devin Singletary on a weekly basis now. When the Bills got rid of LeSean McCoy early in the season they knew what we now see from Devin Singletary. Devin has taken this opportunity and he’s made the best of it and has looked amazing since coming back from his injury. Singletary has 2 touchdowns on the season but he’s been a real threat in the passing game and running game. Josh Allen has shown that he’s comfortable throwing the ball and running the ball at a high level this season. One thing about Josh Allen is the fact that he’s a true gamer and someone that will put it on the line for his team. Lately, Josh Allen has been able to link up with John Brown the speedster and the connection between both of them has been something special. Josh Allen has shown a lot of growth in his second season in the NFL and he will need to continue that with Von Miller coming for him. Josh Allen will need to lean on his running game a lot as Denver is one of the few teams in the NFL that love to blitz a lot. If the Broncos defense can get to Josh Allen then it could be a long day for Buffalo. The Broncos have a strong defense and that’s something they try to build off in every game. If the Broncos defense gets to Josh Allen or if they can stop the run that would help. Brandon Allen will be making another start and will be leaning on his two playmakers (Phillip Lindsey/Courtland Sutton) to help him get the victory. This has been a down year for Lindsey but this has been a great year for Sutton who has emerged as the number 1 option in the passing game. If the Bills secondary can shut down the Broncos receiving core and make them commit to just running the ball it could be a long day for Denver. Both teams have a good defense but it will come down to the play of the offense and who can get the edge in this game that should go down to the wire in Buffalo.

Score Prediction: Buffalo Bills Win (16-10)

 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals 

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers look to get back in the win column as they will be facing the 0-10 Bengals. The Steelers will be without James Connor and Juju Smith-Schuster for this one as both were hurt in the game against the Browns. Mason Rudolph who was fined $50,000 for his involvement in the situation in the game in Cleveland will be playing. The Steelers will be shorthanded but still have a good defense that can make things tough for the Bengals. This will be a true test for the Steelers as they will have to play without key players in their lineup for the first time in a long time. Now the Bengals, on the other hand, are going to be without AJ Green as he was placed on the IR. The Bengals will be relying on the running game from Joe Mixon to get things going for them if they’re going to have any chance to get a win out of this game. Ryan Finley will be behind the center as he will try to get the first win for his career. Both teams need this game but it’s clear that the Bengals are in rebuild mode at this point and ready for the NFL Draft in April.

Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers Win (13-7)

 

4:05 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennesse Titans 

 

This matchup should be very defensive in Tennesse as the Jaguars and Titans but are stingy with points. This battle should be very good as Nick Foles will be looking for his first win of the season. Nick was able to connect with his receiver DJ Chark for two touchdowns last weekend and he will look to continue that on the road. The Jags were sluggish last weekend in Indianapolis and they will be looking to rebound against the Titans. If they’re going to leave Tennesse with a win they will need Leonard Fournette to be present in this game. Fournette is one of the best RBs in the NFL and when he rushes over 100 yards in a game the Jags are usually in good shape. The Jags will need both the run and pass game going if they want to be successful. The thing about that is the fact the Titans get a lot of takeaways and their defense has a great front seven that can get to the quarterback. The Titans have Ryan Tannehill who’s career has been rebooted in Tennesse with the way he’s been playing as of late. If Tannehill can connect with his receivers AJ Brown and company it will be a great day for them. The Jaguars still have a great secondary with AJ Bouye who has been playing extremely well since Jalen Ramsey left the team. The Titans will have the advantage at running back with Derrick Henry as he’s running at an unstoppable pace right now. Henry runs with aggression and will try to find his way in the end zone as many times as he can to help the team out. Both teams need a win if they will make a run at the wild card or even have a chance in their divisions.

Score Prediction: Tennesee Titans Win (20-14)

 

4:25 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys @ New England Patriots

 

This is the game of the week and everyone will have eyes on this matchup between America’s teams (Patriots vs Cowboys). The Patriots defense has been dominating every matchup this season except the Ravens. The Patriots defense will be facing another quarterback that can run but not as much as Lamar Jackson in Dak Prescott. They will have their hands as Dak Prescott has been having a career year coming into this game with 3,221 yards and 21 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. The Patriots will try to make it tough on Dak and they will try to take away one of the weapons on the team either Ezekiel Elliott or Amari Cooper. The Patriots will want Dak to have to play like superman in this matchup so he will be forced into turnovers. The Cowboys will go as far as Dak takes them with the way he’s been playing this season. The Patriots will be ready for the Cowboys defense and Tom Brady will be coming into this game with an elbow injury. Nothing will stop Brady at this point in his career as he’s been able to play in these games with a great offensive line that doesn’t get him touched much. Tom Brady still has the IQ and he’s got some playmakers on the team that help him continue his GOAT statues play on a weekly basis. If the Patriots are going to be successful in this matchup they will need to find Julian Edelman and James White in the passing game because both have been consistent all year. The Patriots running game has been shaky all season with Sony Michel but a game like this can bring him back to the end zone. The Cowboys and Patriots should be a great battle on both sides of the ball so we should be expecting a great game either way. The Patriots are trying to continue to gain ground in the AFC #1 seed race. The Cowboys want to keep space between themselves and the Eagles.

Score Prediction: New England Patriots (24-21)

 

 

Nov 24, 2019 No Comments
The OKC Thunder Drop Close One To The Los Angeles Lakers (130-127)

The OKC Thunder Drop Close One To The Los Angeles Lakers (130-127)

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by | Nov 23, 2019 | Featured, NBA

The Thunder have fell victim to losing close games as of late. This team competes on a nightly basis has been a breath of fresh air for the fans and the organization. Coming into tonight the Thunder were 5-9 on the season and they’ve played extremely well as a unit. This was the second time the Thunder were playing the Lakers in this week. The Thunder lost to the Lakers on Tuesday but saw some bright spots from Dennis Schröder as he led the way in that game. Tonight the Thunder showed a lot of heart against the Lakers and they were able to fight back in this one. The Thunder had six players in double figures tonight led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his 24 points. Shai was special tonight and was able to get to the basket with ease especially when the Laker bigs came out the game. Shai has been able to create his shot and he’s been able to create offense from others. You know that you’re making big moves when LeBron James gives you compliments and that’s what happened postgame tonight. When Shai has the chance to get it going and when he has the green light he makes the best IQ play at that moment. Shai had Danny Green draped all over him on defense tonight and was able to get loose to help bring them back from 15 points.

 

 

Steven Adams was able to get his offense going tonight as he finished with 22 points on the night. Adams was able to dominate in the paint against Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee all night. This was exactly what the Thunder needed to see from Adams especially with the late scratch from Nerlens Noel (illness). When Steven Adams plays like this with the addition of the other Thunder players stepping up in a high scoring game anything is possible with this team. Adams was able to get his jump hook and layups going on the pick and roll tonight. Chris Paul has started off slow in games but when he gets it going he finishes strong. Chris Paul has been the leader of this team and has been able to use his passing/scoring to keep the Thunder in these games. Chris Paul finished the game with 18 points on the night and was able to get it going in the 4th quarter. It was pretty impressive to see Chris Paul guarding LeBron James to end the game as well. Chris Paul and LeBron James both know each other moves on the court. When Paul was guarding James he was able to get him away from the rim. One thing that’s unstoppable even if LeBron is away from the rim is his passing ability. James made some unbelievable plays down the stretch to get Anthony Davis open.

 

The difference in this game was the fact that the Lakers had some playmakers down the stretch and the Thunder just didn’t execute. LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 56 points on (18/39) shooting from the field. LeBron James put everyone on notice tonight that he’s still the best player in the game and he showed off some OBJ type skills right before the half. When LeBron actually puts his mind to it he can do anything he wants on the court. LeBron was able to get to the basket at ease and the only time he let people off the hook is if he would shoot. LeBron can score on any play either by foul or just making the shot but it’s been his IQ that stands out no matter the situation. Anthony Davis was able to get anything he wanted tonight in OKC because of his length and willingness to shoot the ball at a high level. Anthony Davis has been a thorn in the Thunder’s side since coming in the league and that didn’t change with the “Purple & Gold”.

 

 

 

 

The game was tight down the stretch as it was between 3 points for the end. The Thunder were making two points at a time and kept sending Anthony Davis to the line and he was able to deliver for the Lakers. The Lakers had 6 players in double figures as well but were able to execute with the free throws down and secure the victory. The Thunder played this game as well as anyone can against the Lakers but just wasn’t able to execute with a short amount of time on the last possession of the game.

Nov 23, 2019 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans (TNF Week 12)

Primetime Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans (TNF Week 12)

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by | Nov 21, 2019 | Featured, NFL

The last time these two teams played each other in October it was a close one score victory for the Colts (30-23). Jacoby Brissett had one of his best games in his career posting 326 yards and 4 touchdowns in the afternoon. Deshaun Watson had one of those games he would like to forget posting 308 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Coming into this Week 12 showdown on Thursday Night both teams are tied at (6-4) on the season and are looking to separate to make that push for the playoffs. With the AFC South is one of the tightest divisions record-wise as the lead is only by a game. So whoever wins this game tonight in Houston will have control of the first place and could be in the driver seat to win the division.

 

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a huge division win against the Jacksonville Jaguars where they dominated from start to finish. Jacoby Brissett led them to a 33-13 victory at home and looked comfortable after coming back from injury. Brissett will be the key to this victory if the Colts win as they’re now without Marlon Mack their leading running back who’s out with a fractured hand. The Colts have been banged up all season from wide receivers to running backs but still, have made the best of the situation. The Colts might be getting their pro bowl receiver (TY Hilton) back for this game and if he’s available that will instantly increase their chance to win on the road in Houston. Hilton has been battling a quad injury all season and will help this Colts offense dramatically with the absence of Mack. The Colts will be going running back by the committee against the Texans who don’t have JJ Watt in this matchup as they did in October. If the Colts can have a little bit of success to add to the offensive side that should open up the play-action game. Jacoby Brissett has been spectacular this season especially playing without expectations. This Colts team has been scrappy and they’ve worked for every win this got this season. One unsung hero for this Colts team has been the offensive line play. They’ve dominated almost every matchup and have given Brissett the time he needs to make plays with his arm and his legs. If the Colts defense can mimic what the Baltimore Ravens did to the Texans on Sunday it could be an easy night. That’s a huge “Could” because it will be rare to see Watson have to back to back games being shutout like that. If Brissett can keep them in this game it should come down to the wire.

 

 

The Houston Texans are trying to forget about what happened on Sunday in Baltimore when they lost (41-7). The Texans got beat in every way you can think of Sunday. The Ravens had the edge on the offensive, defensive, and special teams. If the Texans are going to be successful against the Colts it’s going to start with their quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson will need to stay in the pocket and find his main target, DeAndre Hopkins. They were able to connect in the Ravens game but not for a touchdown. The Colts defense isn’t as deep and dominant in the secondary so they should have no problem getting in the end zone. The Texans are well-balanced on the offensive end as they can run the ball with Carlos Hyde. The switch-up in the backfield between Hyde and Johnson has worked out and kept many teams neutral when trying to commit to the run or pass. Watson has been able to pick teams apart in the RPO and play-action so we should expect the same tonight. With Will Fuller still banged up and Kenny Stills playing hurt look for Watson to get Nuke involved heavily. DeAndre Hopkins has been one of the best if not the best in the NFL. If he can connect with Watson early in this one it can be a long night for the Colts defenders. The Houston Texans defense has been banged up all year and the secondary has been getting shredded weekly. They will need to limit Brissett in the passing game if they want to come out victorious in this one. It’s been tough without JJ Watt and someone on the Texans defensive side will need to pick up from where he left off.

 

 

Prediction: The Texans will win this game 27-21 against the Colts. Watson and Hopkins should connect tonight and the offensive will be too much for the Colts to try and stop. Deshaun Watson will have a huge bounce-back game in what should be a Thursday Night shootout in Texas. The Texan’s defense will do just enough to hold on for the victory as they play their way to first place in the AFC South Division.

Nov 21, 2019 No Comments
The Overtime Surge From The OKC Thunder Beats Philadelphia (127-119)

The Overtime Surge From The OKC Thunder Beats Philadelphia (127-119)

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by | Nov 16, 2019 | Featured, NBA

 

The Thunder came into this game after getting a reality check-in Indiana from the Pacers. That was the first game all season that the Thunder weren’t really into a game at the end. This Thunder team has been competitive all season and that didn’t change tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. This was a complete game from the OKC Thunder tonight as 4 players had 19+ points. The player that stood out and made a huge difference in the game from the tipoff was Terrance Ferguson as he was locked in from the start. This is a sight that OKC Thunder fans have been waiting for from the native from Tulsa. Ferguson played with a lot of confidence and was able to make the best of his open opportunities from the 3 point line as he finished with 19 points on (5-7) from downtown. If the Thunder can continue to get this kind of explosiveness that Ferguson played with tonight they will be a scary sight to see on a nightly basis. The confidence that Ferguson played with tonight rubbed off on his teammates as they were able to click on all levels.

 

The trio of Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was getting whatever they wanted in the second half of this game. Combined all three of them finished with 79 points on the night and they made the 76ers pay from all over the court. Chris Paul was able to get his offense going as he went into takeover mode in second half. When Chris Paul gets into attack mode he’s still one of the best to do it in the NBA. People were quick to turn their back on the talent of CP3 and tonight against the 76ers he let them know he’s still got it. Chris Paul was able to have the 76ers defenders on a rope and was able to get catch them with their hands in the cookie jar on his sweep thru move. Paul has been able to get to the line with ease and he’s been able to master his mid-range jumper. Paul was able to hit his jumper on anyone that was in his way didn’t matter if it was Joel Embiid or Al Horford. The play and leadership of Chris Paul have translated over to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he’s taken that next step in his career in OKC. Some of the moves that Shai was able to get off against the Philly defense was unreal. The 76ers had Josh Richardson guarding Shai all night and it didn’t matter who has been in front of him because of his dominant play. When Shai gets the confidence from his teammates he gets even more aggressive in his play and it showed tonight. Some of the layups and drives to the lane against Philly he had that look like he won’t be stopped. Shai is the future of OKC but he’s meshing well with Chris Paul in the present and it’s working. Shai finished with 24 points but made some clutch shots against the 76ers down the stretch. The last of the trio that went off tonight for the Thunder was Danilo Gallinari as he’s been an automatic sharpshooter from the perimeter and he’s looking for his shot at any moment. The one thing that was on display against the 76ers tonight that we haven’t seen from Danilo Gallinari’s game was his playmaking ability as he was making some sexy behind the back passes. We know he’s a walking bucket for the Thunder but if he can start opening the offense for the team like he did tonight when Philly was running out to him at the line it would help. Gallinari finished with a game-high 28 points on the night and was making some tough shots. When he’s in a zone like he’s been the last couple of games anything is possible for his game moving forward. In overtime, the Thunder were able to put their foot down and make the plays that the 76ers couldn’t down the stretch.

 

 

The 76ers were in this game for the majority of the night but in overtime, it was all OKC. The 76ers lost Tobias Harris as he fouled out and they weren’t able to capitalize on the hot hand of Josh Richardson who finished with 28 points. Joel Embiid had a big game for Philly with 31 points on the night but he needed some more points in the overtime that didn’t happen. The Thunder threw Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel at him to try and slow down the best big in the NBA. The Thunder were double-teaming Ben Simmons on the night and they were able to hold him to 16 points on the night. One thing OKC did in the second half was defend Simmons and Richardson differently with multiple looks. The 76ers weren’t able to execute in the overtime and that was the reason they lost this game. They had a chance to win in regulation but Joel Embiid couldn’t convert and now they’ve lost 5 of the last 7 games. The Thunder will be playing both LA teams next week as they look to improve on their record, even more, moving forward.

 

Nov 16, 2019 No Comments