Basketball Bonanza: Bricks or Buckets?

After a classic Super Bowl, stale commercials, and likely, a forgotten halftime show, it's time to shift our attention to hoops.

All-star weekend has come and gone, and many people are still marveling at the display of Zach LaVine. If you are a basketball enthusiast like me, you probably got out of your seat for some of those eye-popping dunks! After the excitement of his performance wore off, I began thinking about how the rest of the participants, with the exception of one Victor Oladipo dunk, flat out stunk. This seems to be the theme of the contest for years.

So, as an NBA fan, I find myself continuing to question why the stars don't show up for the contest, like back in the day. After all, it is the fans that help these players make their astronomical seven to eight-figure contracts, and All-star weekend is supposed to be for the fans. If 8 of the best shooters can engage in a 3-point contest, then give me a handful of the best dunkers! It seems as though players egos and social media has gotten the best of this event, but here's hoping LaVine's performance sparks some of the greats to enter.

As we turn the page to the 2nd half and get to business, let's take a look at five story lines for the rest of the season and the playoffs:

Splash Brothers and Co.

While this name could make for a great law firm, we are talking about the Golden State Warriors right now. This is a team playing as well as anyone in the league, with depth for days. Steve Kerr, along with two top-notch assistants, Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams, have resurrected the team from last year's debacle. At 42-9 with the best record in basketball, the question becomes if the team can keep up the pace and ultimately, win the conference and the championship.

It's a tall task in a loaded Western Conference, but if healthy, they certainly leave little reason for doubt. I said before this year that they would reach the finals within four years, and it might not take that long. The key is Bogut's health. They can get by in the regular season with him being absent, but come May, his presence is the key to defense and rebounding, two of the top keys to winning a championship. Perhaps, they make a move to get even better, dealing a David Lee or an Andre Iguodala to help fill any holes they may have.

East Electricity

Okay, maybe I'm overreacting, but the Eastern Conference is light years ahead of the last handful of seasons, in terms of quality and excitement.

In a conference that many thought would be a two-horse race between Chicago and Cleveland, the Hawks, Raptors and Wizards have stepped up and made it a real battle for supremacy. All three of these surprise teams are led by three young floor generals and are extremely well-coached. They make up for talent in sheer hard work and will. But, the story line becomes if they can keep it up and topple Chicago or Cleveland?

I still believe the Bulls and Cavs are the teams to beat out east. When healthy, they both possess the best collection of players and/or quality experience of any team out east. It is hard for me to envision either losing in a 7-game series to anyone other than each other. But, that's why they play the games!

The 8 Seed

Normally, this is a dreaded spot for the team that lands it, squaring off with the top dog in the conference. But, this year, it may just be the other way around. If Oklahoma City can erase their small gap and grab the spot, it could be the Warriors or Grizzlies who are lamenting the matchup. I still believe the one seed will hold on, but it will take a strong effort to move on. We all know the Thunder are only there because of early injuries, and they've shown signs of strong play of late. Maybe a move by the deadline vaults them into their customary playoff berth.

MVP Race

Right now, the MVP is being talked about as a two-horse race between Curry and Harden. I would back the breaks up a bit. With a lot of the season still to play, there's nothing to say that a Rose or LeBron can't take their team on a monster 2nd half run.

The Ship

You know it's a wild NBA when the Clips, Spurs and Thunder all represent the six through eight seeds, three teams who are accustomed to home court advantage in the first round. Throw on top of that the Hawks and Warriors leading their conferences, and you have what seems like a fun and unpredictable four months ahead.

My original prediction wasn't so original, with the Spurs beating the Cavs. I will stick with my prediction, as the Spurs are just two games back of the 3 seed, and the Cavs are playing great basketball of late. But, I must say, the west will truly be a war come playoff team, and the east should be competitive too.

I think we all thought the Spurs age would get the better of them the last couple years, and until they prove that to be the case, I cannot stray away from their greatness.

Wrap-up

The NBA regular season may be hard for many to invest time and energy into, but this year seems different. If you are a big fan like me, you're in for a real treat down the stretch. Enjoy the hoops!

Playoffs and the Big Game

Before we get too caught up in bad referees, choke jobs and deflated balls, let's stay positive and reflect on the playoffs and the Super Bowl ahead!

Sure, some would say it was marred by the picked up pass interference call on Dallas, the Dez Bryant overturned catch in Green Bay and the lack of a Manning-Brady clash. But, there are many good takeaways from this playoffs. Here are a handful:

One Great Game

The best game, by far this postseason, was Baltimore and New England. It was a pure slugfest! Just when everyone thought Joe Flacco was a one-hit wonder and an overpaid quarterback, "Cool Joe" earned his nickname yet again, dueling with one of the greatest of all-time. In what felt like a heavyweight fight, Brady barely outlasted his counterpart, but it was not without some legendary and dramatic exchanges.

The Great Finish

Some people are calling this a great game or one of the greatest they've seen in recent memory. I strongly disagree. It was one of the most boring games you'll ever see for about 58 minutes. However, it was the most entertaining finish this playoffs, and one both fan bases may never forget.

When Brandon Bostick let the ball go through his hands and into the arms of the Legion of Boom, I could not help but think of 2012, when Kyle Williams fumbled the ball for the 49ers against the Giants in the NFC Championship. The timing of both changed Super Bowl berths (maybe fates?), and will have fans playing the "What if" game for a long, long time.

Quarterbacks 

Like it or not, it's a quarterback league, and they eat up story lines, as well as blame. Before we get into the major players, let's first touch on the team everyone has forgotten: the Arizona Cardinals. It was an incredible season for them, and injuries certainly played a significant role in their playoff exit. Bruce Arians is one heck of a coach, and the team looked on their way to a first round bye until injuries set in. It would've been nice to see what they would have been able to do with a healthy Carson Palmer, or even Drew Stanton, in that Wild Card Game.

Now, on to the popular ones. Tony Romo had the best season of his career in my mind, but he didn't do himself any favors in terms of legacy. On the other hand, Andrew Luck showed some real signs of elite progression when he defeated Manning, albeit with Manning's injury. Despite losing badly to the Pats, I keep saying Luck does more with less than any QB in the game. Just give him time to reduce some of the human and inexperienced errors, and maybe a few more weapons and a defense to boot.

Next is Aaron Rodgers, who could only stand on the sidelines for the finals minutes of regulation and all of overtime. This game was entirely not his fault. He played a good game, especially considering he was not close to 100%. His defense stepped up like never before, but a couple fluky plays determined the fate of this one. That guy should've returned that interception to or near the house in the final five minutes. You can't take anything for granted in this league, and certainly, many of us assumed Rodgers would have another ring or Super Bowl appearance by now.

Then, there's that guy named Tom Brady. Remember in the first month when people and the media wanted to cast him off as over the hill? Now, people are saying he's still the best quarterback in the league.

Super Bowl

The fans have a real treat on their hands with this one. It's a battle of the league's two best teams on the grandest stage of them all, and weather will not be a factor. So many story lines: Will Seattle repeat? Can Brady and Belichick add to or cement their legacy? What happens to Marshawn Lynch post-Super Bowl, and will the result change that? Carroll vs. Belichick. Player matchups. Deflategate.

I'm so over that last one, but the rest should be great! For me, this is a legacy-defining game. Seattle is looking to win the rare back to back, and perhaps begin a dynasty. On the other side, it's just two of the very best of all time trying to shake off some of the past and rekindle some of the magic they've shared three times.

If Seattle wins, a juggernaut emerges that few ever saw coming a few years ago. Also, Russell Wilson will have to be in the discussion for top playoff quarterbacks, as painful as it is for me to admit. Moreover, Pete Carroll can start to be in the discussion for top coaches in history. It's truly remarkable how he has turned the franchise around, and won this much this fast.

However, if the Pats can pull it out, Brady vaults way ahead of Manning, who couldn't defeat Seattle last year. It is one of the best debates in sports history, but if Manning can't win another ring or two, and Brady wins this one, it's all but over in my mind. Manning is a fantastic quarterback, and you can argue a better one in general, but Brady's accomplishments, along with Manning's playoff record, stands out way too much.

Prediction

This game should be really solid, and I don't see a blowout happening at all. Given the injuries to Sherman and Thomas, the balance and weapons of the Pats that they haven't had in their last two Super Bowl appearances, and my belief in Brady over Wilson, I have to go with the Pats. Pats win 24-20. Enjoy the "Big Game!"

Reversing the East Coast Bias: Voices, Philosophies and the Odyssey playing out in the Bay Area

By  Sports Enthusiast and Guru Ryan Mitchell, Contributing Blogger

In the summer of 2011, the Golden State Warriors surprised fans everywhere in making the shocking hire of then ESPN commentator Mark Jackson as head coach. It was a sign of the things to come for the upstart Warriors franchise that had been reinvigorated by a much-needed change in ownership and the emergence of superstar point guard Stephen Curry. Despite zero coaching experience, he was presumably hired for his ability to bring in East Coast media attention, spout out popular league catchphrases, relate to the players, and most importantly, at least preach defense. Ownership allowed Jackson to assemble his own staff, but also pushed for the hiring of defensive guru assistant coach Michael Malone to assist with the X’s and O’s and supplement Jackson’s inexperience.

In a lot of ways, Jackson was a necessary personality for a franchise that lacked a recognizable identity since the departures of colorful former head coach Don Nelson and controversial point guard Baron Davis. The question still remained though: could he coach and could he “change the culture” in Golden State? I always wondered what that question meant when media outlets, particularly those on the East Coast, praised the hiring. Were they talking about the losing culture that had plagued the franchise for 15 out of 17 years prior, or were they talking about the Warriors culture of playing up-tempo, fast paced basketball? The more I listened and the more I watched Jackson speak and coach, I took it to mean “changing” the latter of the two.

This led to the realization that the East Coast media did not approve of the Warriors previously effective and exciting style of offensive basketball. As his first season began, they praised Jackson’s ability to get the Warriors to defend, while playing what could only be called an extremely conservative traditional offensive system, full of isolation plays and jump shots while milking the shot clock. The team suffered through a rash of injuries and scoring droughts and finished up 23–43, falling from 12^th in the league in scoring efficiency to 14^th, and also falling down one spot from 26^th in the league defensively to 27^th. It was not the greatest of starts for the new regime that had infamously “promised playoffs.”

The 2012-2013 season, however, brought greater success and expectations, as the defense spiked in efficiency all the way to 14^th in the league, thanks in large part to the infusion of players, such as Andrew Bogut, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, into the lineup. Offensive efficiency-wise, the Warriors made gains to 11^th in the league, due to an increase in pace out of necessity when Bogut went down with a back injury during the regular season. The Warriors were forced to play a smaller and faster unconventional lineup without a true center for most of the season and excelled, going 47-35 and clinching a playoff spot. Once again in the playoffs, Jackson’s hand was forced to play small with David Lee missing major time. Rookie forward Harrison Barnes thrived and the result was a first round upset of the Denver Nuggets and a near upset of the San Antonio Spurs, in which the Warrior guards exploded. Once again, an unconventional and fast style worked, which went against the traditional style Jackson so dearly loved.

The 2013-2014 season marked a season of change with Michael Malone leaving to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings and the loss of contributors Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry. The Warriors management addressed these changes by bringing in veteran super subs Andre Iguodala and Jermaine O’Neal. Coach Jackson had say in his staff and brought in the inexperienced Brian Scalabrine to replace his head tactician, which had been Malone. He also reimplemented a traditional lineup and slower pace that, despite finally healthy, regressed to 12^th in efficiency, while the defense continued to improve to 4^th in the league. In spite of a full roster, the Warriors finished only marginally better at 51-31 and drew the LA Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Seemingly again, Jackson was dealt another blow as Bogut missed the end of the regular season and the entire playoffs due to injury. Forced to play the small lineup, the Warriors rallied and played their best basketball of the season, pushing the Clippers to 7 games and nearly pulling off the upset.

 Fittingly, much like the Mark Jackson era ended against the same Clippers team, it had begun against with a closer, though unfortunately, similar result. A talented and traditional lineup at his disposal and the ability to prove his coaching style, it proved that he was was more substance and less talk, little to no improvement on the offensive end resulted. Credit where credit is due, the team made significant strides defensively under Jackson, though much of that credit belongs to the system that Michael Malone implemented. The Warriors shined when they went small and pushed the ball up the court and struggled to find any rhythm when they went traditional and slow. The insistence of the head coach to not go with what worked was bullheaded and wrong. During Jackson’s tenure it’s fair to say they were consistently outcoached and outschemed from the start of the fourth quarter through late in-game situations, and more often than not, they relied on Stephen Curry isolations to bail them out.

In his final days, he lacked a quality assistant coach’s voice, one who could make up for his lack of creativity and stubborn laziness. The East Coast style of basketball that Jackson heralded failed the roster and failed the team. In the Western Conference with loaded teams on the slate, trying to grind out defensive games is not the way to succeed. After all, this is the West Coast. Basketball is meant to be played up-tempo, a precedent set by the fast paced model shown by the “Showtime Lakers” of the 1980s and RUN TMC Warriors of the early 1990s, and even the Sacramento Kings of the early 2000’s. Fans want to see points and lots of them. This was something Jackson was never going to accept, understand or embrace.

Enter Steve Kerr, who, at the time of Jackson’s dismissal, was a commentator for TNT, working on the NBA Playoffs. He was a former Yahoo Sports columnist and former General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, had no prior coaching experience, and was likely headed to New York to be reunited with mentor Phil Jackson and the Knicks. All of that until the Warriors management came knocking and then knocking again in their feverish courtship of the former 5-time world champion. Kerr had grown up in Southern California and starred at the University of Arizona, and for all accounts was a West Coast guy so it made more sense for him to start his coaching career with the superiorly talented and organized Warriors, although that’s not what the media was selling. To them, the Warriors were merely a formality in the process, and the East Coast allure would draw him to that opportunity. Meanwhile, an informed fan was wondering what kind of style he would prefer and what kind of coach he would be. It was presumed that he would run a triangle offense, much like the one he played in, especially if he were to choose New York. It was the Mark Jackson frenzy all over again. The media told us what he would run and where he would run it, despite never having seen him coach before. It was absurd. It was speculation. It was lip service. It wasn’t Steve Kerr. It wasn’t his style.

Much to the delight of this blog, Steve Kerr shocked many and turned down his mentor and the Knicks and accepted the position of head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He couldn’t abandon his West Coast roots, his Southern California home and the teachings of former University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson’s successful up-tempo offense. He had seen the Warriors many times up close, he had had won with up-tempo basketball and he knew that suited the Warrior’s roster the best. He wasn’t on a mission to project a particular style onto the players; instead, he tailored what he knew worked best for them in the past. He was the anti-Mark Jackson. He came not to preach, but rather, to teach.

In order to accomplish this, Kerr knew he had to take advantage where Jackson had not, in terms of resources and those he surrounded himself by. He turned to Alvin Gentry, who was his former head coach in Phoenix and is considered one of the top offensive assistant minds in the game, convincing him to leave the rival Clippers for a lateral position. That Impressive move, along with bringing in defensive veteran assistant Ron Adams, gave him another experienced and diverse voice on the staff.

The 2014-2015 season has started out with a bang for the Warriors, who, at 27-5, currently hold the best record in the entire NBA, off the heels of a recent franchise record 16-game winning streak. The offense is thriving, pushing the ball more consistently and looking for points in transition every opportunity they get. They own the fastest pace rating in the league and improved their efficiency to 8^th in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, they rank first in defensive efficiency and look much improved. These results beg numerous questions about the so called “culture change” that the pundits demanded. Taking a deeper look, it becomes even more questionable considering the fact that Lee and Bogut have missed significant this season. The up-tempo style Kerr has installed is winning and winning at a high level in the ever-brutal Western Conference.  

Kerr and the Warriors continue to show all of the East Coast pundits (including newly rejoined member Mark Jackson) out there that maybe the “change of culture” wasn’t really necessary, and that maybe it was only more of an educated tweaking that was required.  

Remembering Stuart Scott

With TV celebrities and personalities, it's often hard for us to know who they are as people. But, with Stuart Scott, we've found out quite a lot in the last few years.

In Scott's most recent battle with cancer, he opened up to the public like never before, delivering one of the most inspirational speeches I've heard, as he accepted the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS.

Athletes loved him, sports fans liked him and aspiring broadcasters wanted to be him. For more than 20 years, Scott graced our televisions and quickly became one of the very best sports anchors in history. With catchphrases like "As cool as other side of the pillow" and "Boo-yow," he entertained us. Yet, it was not until his third and final battle with cancer and his epic speech that we really got a look into his thoughts and perspective.

The strength, courage and conviction he showed puts life into perspective. If we are able to display just half of the fight, hard work and unwillingness to fail that he displayed over the years, we just might turn out alright.

As Scott says, "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live." If you agree with me that those words are true, then he beat cancer.

We have lost a true pioneer in the business, but more importantly, we lost a warrior that stared adversity in the eye and beat it. Thanks for all the memories.

Rapid Reaction to Rajon Rondo

The first blockbuster trade of the NBA season hit us like a ton of bricks last night. And, Mavericks fans should be smiling that it came at the hands of Mark Cuban. 

Flash back to June 2011, and there I was, sprawled out on a hotel room floor, staring through the crack of a chair, mouth open, one eye closed, teeth grinding, watching the waning seconds tick away and the Mavericks finally wining a championship. Rewind 6 months before that, and I was making my way through a circus of people to place a Mavericks Championship sports bet, just weeks after Caron Butler went down with a season-ending injury. What a full-circle experience!

As the feeling began to wear off and the Mavericks reverted to mediocrity over the next two years, things looked bleaker than Vanilla Ice's comeback attempt as a rocker. But, then it happened! Landing Rajon Rondo sends a jolt up my body for the first time since those two moments of sacrifice and out-of-body joy I felt in 2011.

Without further ado, here are 5 reasons I love the Rajon Rondo deal:

Keeping Up with the West

We are just over 1/4 of the season in, and the Western Conference is as hot as Vanilla Ice's one hit of his career. But, unlike his album, the NBA West is filled with tons of hits. 

Off to franchise-record starts, the Warriors are 22-3 and the Grizzlies are 21-4. Throw on top of that the daunted Spurs, an under-the-radar 20-6 start by the Trailblazers, and the Clippers and Rockets at 18 and 19 wins, respectively, and the West is shaping to be a battle at the old corral.

So, now is as good a time as any for the Mavericks to pounce on a top-flight free agent and put themselves in the mix for contention. They have 19 wins, but few felt they were a championship-caliber team until Rondo came on board.

Striking Out to Scoring Gold

If you read or listened to any Dallas sports news or talk over the last few years, you'd know that the Mavericks missed out on stars like Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, and that many people were calling Mark Cuban merely "content" and "complacent" with one title and a complete failure post-title. 

Well, that's all changed lately! After getting Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler, and now, Rondo, Cuban is back to his wheeling and dealing reputation, something Dallas fans have come to appreciate and long for. 

Filling the Void

When you watch this team, their biggest positional weakness is point guard, and their biggest weakness to contend is defense. Both gaps are filled with Rondo. Sure, it's been 6 years since he led the Celtics to a title, and there are people out there that think he is injury prone or not a good defender. But, I disagree with both! The man is only 28, he's just missed one season from an injury he healed from rather quickly and he has been irrelevant in Boston lately.

Give him the platform in Dallas, and he will get back to his old ways on a grander stage. You watch!

Triple Double Machine

Throw away the shooting knock for a minute. The old school point guards didn't need to score, and with guys like Monta and Dirk around, Rondo's services are just what the doctor ordered. Oh, and he's also a walking triple double! 

Nelson wasn't giving the squad much scoring as it was, and he was off and on with aging injuries. Rondo, for my money, is the best passer in the league (Nash is effectively done), very solid at defense, a terrific rebounding guard and the floor general this team needed. 

What Was Given Up

Some fans are hung up on Brandan Wright's departure, and, while I loved Wright's attitude and effort, he's merely a backup. The same goes for Crowder, who, quite frankly, has been a disappointment in the overall big picture. Nelson was a nice piece, but nothing too special at this stage in his career. But, as for Rondo, he's a game-changer in his prime! 

The biggest question mark is whether he will sign a deal past this season. Even if he doesn't, I like the risk/reward of the move. What the team lost is replaceable, and the first round pick is protected. If he stays, it's a slam dunk! And, who knows? Maybe his presence brings other guys in a domino effect that seemed possible when the club pursued D Will. 

Cuban is a trading extraordinaire, but if the club can strike gold in free agency, that would put it over the top! As the Spurs window and Dirk's window closes, Mavs fans can only hope this move puts them back in contention with their rivals. 

Fifteen Weeks in the Books: Contenders, Pretenders, Spoilers and Observational Corrections

By Sports Enthusiast and Guru Ryan Mitchell, Contributing Blogger

Back in early October, we examined each NFL team, as they currently stood after Week 5, and offered optimism and criticism of each. We’re now approaching Week 16 and the stretch run of the season, so what better time to look back and look forward at the teams that matter, as well as those that surprised us?

Contenders:

Seattle Seahawks: At last look, the defending champions were coming off a hot start and big wins, thus earning them the top spot in our review. Go figure, a mini tailspin would ensue in which the offense faltered in losses to the Cowboys and Rams, along with close calls against the lowly Panthers and Raiders. Since that point, they have greater balance in the running game, led by Marshawn Lynch, and have seriously tightened things up defensively after a sluggish start. The offense is still a concern, as they lack big play explosiveness, but seem to patch things together week after week. This year’s edition will have to rely even more on their defense to lead them in the playoffs. Look for them to win the NFC West, if they can beat Arizona this weekend, and gain a significant edge with a home game come January.

Denver Broncos: The defending AFC champions have seemingly coasted through the 2014 season with less fireworks than last season, yet similar success. As predicted, San Diego gave them more of a challenge for the AFC West divisional crown before faltering. A deflating blowout loss, instead of a narrow loss in New England, and a heavier commitment to the running back by committee basically sum up what we know about this team this season, as compared to last. Injuries to Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball have changed the dynamic from earlier in the year. These guys aren’t running away from teams in the fashion of 2013, but they are winning and the defense is improved from last season. Look for them to clinch a bye and the #2 seed heading into the AFC Playoffs. From there, it’ll be a wait and see approach.

New England Patriots: It’s very easy to argue that the Pats have been the best team in the NFL since our last look at them. They have only one loss in that time (@GB) and have lived up to their title of the annual “model of consistency.” Much like Denver, they have plugged and played running backs Shane Vereen, Jonas Gray, Stevan Ridley and newcomer LeGarrette Blount, to create a dual threat offensive attack to complement their passing game. The offense is the best in the league and torches even the best defenses on a weekly basis. There is no reason to think they won’t be the team to beat in the AFC Playoffs, as they will run away with the AFC East and don’t look like they’re stopping there. As of now, they have surpassed the Broncos as the likely Super Bowl favorite.

Green Bay Packers: A complete 180-degree turnaround from early to late season for the 2014 Packers has them in a fight with the Lions for the NFC North title. In October, we worried about their ability to stop the run defensively, but ever since, they have made great strides. They continue to force turnovers and force the other team make plays. Offensively, they couldn’t be any more impressive. They run the ball effectively, and Aaron Rodgers may be the best QB in the league this season. It’s hard to see this team being beat by anyone outside of their kryptonite opponent in Seattle come playoff time. Look for them to win the NFC North and lock up the #2 seed in the NFC Playoffs. This team has to be considered the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, should they be able to avoid or beat Seattle.

Indianapolis Colts: Despite the loss of Ahmad Bradshaw, who at the time was anchoring the running game, the Colts have been able to plug in young Daniel Herron with much success and offensive continuity. They have locked up the AFC South as predicted, and now look to finish a better than expected season on a high note. The offense continues to thrive under the improved Andrew Luck, despite injuries and consistent turnovers. They can score in bunches, and often in key situations late in games, which is invaluable. The defense has made strides toward consistency and creates turnovers each week, which fuels its success. Though it will always be the Achilles heel for this team, in 2014, it is better than when we last looked. Keep an eye out for this team in the AFC Playoffs, as they could spoil their way into the AFC Championship game, should they figure out how to finally beat the Patriots or Broncos.

Threats:

Dallas Cowboys:  At long last, Cowboy fans can rejoice their lack of appearance in the late season “pretenders” category, provided they play every game from here out on the road! Jerry’s team has somehow managed not to revert to back to their Jerry’s kids style of play come this December. The running game, featuring Demarco Murray, did not lose a step from earlier in the season, and neither has the play of the offensive line. Murray is now banged up but should continue to contribute at a high level. Tony Romo has taken advantage of having tons of time in the pocket and developed big play chemistry, while it’s Dez Bryant that makes this team explosive. The defense isn’t great, but it is improved, and consistently forces turnovers, creating numerous opportunities. Somewhat surprising, they’ve seemingly conquered their regular season woes but cannot rest on their laurels, as they have to finish the job in the next two weeks against the formidable Colts and divisional Redskins. Look for them to get the monkey off their back and win the NFC East, but don’t count on more than a short-lived cameo appearance come January.

Baltimore Ravens:  Over the course of this season, the Ravens basically followed suite to our projections and expectations by grinding their way through the AFC North race. They have improved the defense on the whole from the 2013 and found ways to incorporate Torrey Smith back into the offense. Now, with a deep threat in place, their running attack has been able to sustain its effectiveness, led by the resurgent Justin Forsett. They are dangerous because they are good on both sides of the ball and have cut back on killer offensive turnovers. Given their past track record of being able to go on the road and win in the playoffs, this is hardly a team that anyone wants to face. A favorable final two games on the slate should ensure a spot in the AFC Playoffs, and a chance to see this team go up against the elite AFC teams in a matchup that the schedule has denied us thus far.  

Pittsburgh Steelers: Much like their counterparts in Baltimore, the Steelers have impressively stayed on course with early season expectations. The offense has been expanded with big-time receiver play from Antonio Brown and equally solid contributions from dual threat running back Le’Veon Bell. They have transformed into more of a passing team and rely on their offense to win. The dumping of locker room knucklehead LeGarrette Blount hasn’t changed a thing. The defense is largely mediocre but forces turnovers and stops the run, which is a recipe for late season success. Two home games against AFC Playoff hopefuls stand between Pittsburgh and the AFC Playoffs. Look for them to do enough to get in, be it as AFC North champions or as a wild card.

Pretenders: 

Arizona Cardinals: As a fan of change and of unpredictability, it hurts the blog to put the impressive and well-rounded 11-3 Cards into the “pretender” category, but it must be done. Injuries have maligned an incredible start that saw them fly out of the gate and take the league by storm. The Cardinals avoided the concerns we expressed in October by plugging and playing new QB’s and RB’s for injured starters Carson Palmer and Andre Ellington, much to the credit of Head Coach Bruce Arians. It’s hard to argue that anyone has done more with less than he has this season in the NFL. All compliments aside, though, it just isn’t feasible that a team going on its fourth QB is going to be much of a Super Bowl threat, despite the game being played in its home stadium. The Cardinals have clinched at least an NFC Wild Card berth and have a shot to win the NFC West against Seattle this weekend. That seems rather unlikely, though, and expect them to grind out games as they have all season but fall flat in the Playoffs come January.

Detroit Lions: In short, the Lions “are who we thought they were,” as no other team provided as predictable a result over the course of the season from what we saw early on. The Lions used several close wins to springboard themselves into the NFC Playoff picture, as well as the NFC North race. The best defensive team in the league has been saddled with an offense that cannot consistently run the ball worth a lick. They struggle at times to put up points, despite having a potent wide receiver duo in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. Overall, they epitomize a team that took advantage of games against weaker opponents, but for the most part, struggled against the better teams. Fortunately for them, they have one of each on their remaining schedule, which should afford them a spot in the Playoffs, with an outside chance at the NFC North crown should they sweep the Packers. Don’t count on that or their offense showing up in January.

Philadelphia Eagles: Quite the fall from grace for the Birds, as they squandered a 9-3 start and a shot at essentially locking up the NFC East by losing consecutive home games to NFC playoff teams. Offensive ineptitude, primarily on the hands of RB LeSean McCoy and QB Mark Sanchez late, may leave the Eagles sitting at home come playoff time. They have two road divisional games left, which may or may not matter depending on what Dallas and Detroit do. Overall, it’s a wasted season should they not get in, as they were in the driver’s seat coming off an emphatic Thanksgiving Day performance in Dallas. Should they sneak in, they are a potential one game matchup nightmare, but this seems rather unlikely now.

Cincinnati Bengals: The story of their season was fairly predictable and has played out as such, as this team continues to underwhelm despite a solid record. Their outlook is brief because, frankly, QB Andy Dalton just isn’t very good. It’s near impossible to have success in the AFC Playoffs without a top-of-the-line guy at that position. For all of the success they have had on the ground in the regular season, they’ve been exposed time and time again when it comes to passing the ball. They’ve also had their share of injuries, which hasn’t helped either. The harsh reality is that they’re the sort of team that will rely on the tie they have to get them into the AFC Playoffs, though we have a hard time believing they’re better than the Chargers, Chiefs or Bills, all of which likely won’t go. Unfortunately, Cincinnati fans will be subjected to another 60-minute session of Andy Dalton playoff quality football, which should ensure a quick exit.

Life Supporters:

San Diego Chargers: In a season in which injuries, the running game and schedule makers did the Chargers little to no favors, they have had a solid season. Credit has to be given to Head Coach Mike McCoy for keeping the team competitive, as well as the consistent QB Phillip Rivers, who does a lot with less compared to other playoff bound rivals. Their season is summed up by the fact that on consecutive late season home weekends, they were unable to beat the AFC’s two best teams. Fair or not, that likely has determined their fate, as it has so often in the past. Close but no cigar for a franchise that seems to always be in this spot.

Kansas City Chiefs:  A fairly well-balanced team and follow-up season to one in which many deemed to be “overachieved.” The Chiefs season can be summed up by one rainy night in Oakland in late November. A single loss to the then-winless Raiders cost the Chiefs a shot at the AFC West title race and more than likely a playoff spot. It’s the sort of game that you expect to be tough and maybe even close, but to lose Raiders and the Titans in the same season is unacceptable. Impressive wins over the Patriots and Seahawks only make their lack of presence in this year’s AFC Playoffs more maddening.

Buffalo Bills: They are very similar to San Diego, in that injuries and lack of a running game hurt them throughout the season, though they did come on late. Their defense is top notch and has helped them climb back into the AFC Playoff race. They must win out in Oakland and at New England and get help for any chance to get in, which is likely asking too much. That being said, their performances against Denver and Green Bay the past couple weeks cannot go unnoticed. The Dumb and Dumber line, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance,” should become their late season mantra.

New Orleans/Carolina/Atlanta: Sub-.500 records in a weak NFC South division categorize these teams into their own capsules of analysis. This division has been awful from the start of this season, all the way to the end of it. Whichever team comes out of it, which will likely be the Saints, will earn a spot in the NFC Playoffs. It’s not impossible to see them winning a home game during Wild Card weekend, which could spark a run, but the fact that they’ll be hosting a game is downright disturbing enough. Hopefully, during the offseason, these teams find better coaches, personnel and health.

Whoops:

San Francisco 49ers: The only one team deserves to be placed in this disgraceful category after falling all the way from being early “contenders” is the 49ers. The embarrassment stretches from on the field to off the field issues, leading to an utter end of season collapse. From rape and arrest allegations to the likely unwarranted dismissal of their head coach, this organization is an absolute mess. The offense regressed as the season went on, due to lack of production from aged RB Frank Gore and mediocre, at best, play from exposed QB Colin Kaepernick. The defense, however, held strong and kept the team competitive all the way to the end, which is a testament to Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who dealt with a myriad of injuries and suspensions. Sitting at 7-4 with the NFC West division, or at least a Wild Card spot potentially theirs for the taking, the Niners scored 23 points over the course of two losses to rival Seattle, sandwiched with an inexcusable loss to the Raiders. All of this in spite of excellent defensive performances sealed the deal for the team from the city by the Bay. Thus, the 4-year window of greatness that started in 2011 will turn into one of the most mystifying in the history of the league. Expect Harbaugh to be elsewhere next year, and this roster to continue to regress.