By Wayne Yeaw – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Okay, so here we are after a season of kneeling and a QB who started it all because the United States is unjust………(Grumble). Before I go any further into who I think will progress to the Super Bowl, I want to say one thing. When Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys Owner) stated and I paraphrase, “You are the players on my stage and you will play accordingly…..” I understand that was not close to what Mr. Jones stated but he put it in such a way that let everyone know that he was the owner and what he was saying would be understood and adhered to in regards to the fans and the players earning their paychecks. It was a breath of fresh air and it needed to be said. Too bad other owners were not as vocal and allowed the players to run the programs and watch fans walk out or turn off the TV for better things.
Anyways, the picks. . . . . . Let me say this, my picks are based on a couple of different factors. First, experience, New England “should” be the ultimate shoe in because the Patriots have won more playoff games in their current history with Tom Brady than the other three teams. Also, the whole staff of New England are veterans to this whole process and of course I think this will be the one game in which the stadium will be to maximum capacity and that is where the fans come into play and can rattle Blake Bortles. Another point to be made are the overall playoff and Super Bowl statistics. Number 12 and company have a record against the Jags 10-1 (99.9%) winning record. The Jags have not been to the playoffs since 2007, and had won consecutive playoff games only once in 1996. They won two games in the past two weeks which the win over the Bills was not impressive and the comeback against Pittsburgh was impressive, but the defense should have not allowed Pittsburgh to gain 42 points in the first place.
Philadelphia Eagles, it has been a long time coming and they honestly deserve to win this game. When their QB became injured they still made a way to win and take the number one seed. They kept and keep on trying and making great strides to insure that their team is ready for the next opponent unlike other teams which watched their QB’s and other players go down after an injury. What it shows is resiliency and the desire to still do great things after a loss. The overall historic record is 0-2 and they last won the NFC Championship in 1960. They also have a history of losing conference games between 2001 and 2008.
YDS/GM 334 last games without Carson Wentz 277.5 YDS/GM
PTS/GM 15, RUSH/GM 96, PASS/GM 238
Minnesota Vikings, I don’t think the Vikings can pull off another upset like they did against the Saints. Anything is possible and the sun could shine down upon them again, but with a hungry defense like the Eagles, I just don’t see the Vikings progressing to the Super Bowl. I think the Vikings will give the Eagles a run for everything that it is worth, I just don’t think it will be enough. The Super Bowl history for the Vikings is 0-4 and tied in with the team is a long string of defeats in championship games. The other thing to remember is that in the last 10 seasons when a team has done a walk off touchdown the following game 5 of those teams went on to lose the next game by an average of 23 points.
YDS/GM 403, PTS/GM 29, RUSH/GM 95, PASS/GM 308
PREDICTION – Eagles Win
Jacksonville Jaguars, I do not think that Blake Bortles has the calm demeanor as Tom Brady. I do not think that the Jaguars have the personnel to stop Rob Gronkowski. I do think though that if the Jaguars offense can run with the Patriots in regards to scoring then they will have a chance. If the LB’s and the Defensive line makes a way to Mr. Brady and shakes him up and gets him rattled and frustrated then the Patriots can be stopped and Mr. Brady will have to try a different year. But, if the Jags allow number 87 to get open down the field then you can bet on the Brady Gronkowski connection and within the 5 or so yards leading into the end zone, look for the Patriots running game to come alive as they either pound it in or throw short passes to any receiver that will accept them.
YDS/GM 304, PTS/GM 28, RUSH/GM 159 PASS/GM 144
New England Patriots, yes I understand the overall conversation is, the officials are paid off. I understand how that can be true, but let us talk team for a moment. Tom Brady has more experience in playoff games and even has been in more playoffs as well as Super Bowls than the three other Quarterbacks this weekend. That gives number 12 a definite advantage. Next, number 87, Rob Gronkowski is by and far the best TE in the playoffs and has not been covered by any defense and if he is covered then he is covered inadequately and still makes plays. Then you have a decent running game – no not the best, nothing like the Eagles running game, but there is still one and in the short yardage game they are and have been successful in either scoring or gaining the 1st down. Then there is the coaching staff of New England, they will lose great coaches and coordinators to other teams after this year and in the meantime the staff is filled with all sorts of experience in the payoffs as well as the Super Bowl. Anyways, before I go on and on, there has been speculation on Tom Brady’s “injury” will it stop him from being effective this weekend? Will the Jags have a leg up on the Patriots? We will wait and see.
YDS/GM 438, PTS/GM 35, RUSH/GM 101, PASS/GM 337
PREDICTION – Patriots Win
Super Bowl – Patriots and Eagles, Patriots win.
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