NFL Preview - 2022

-

Okay, let’s have a go at it.

Last time I accurately picked the Super Bowl Champs was the year Brady led the Patriots to the title.

So, I have some work to do.

Let’s go with the NFC first:

Division winners include:

Eagles, Packers, Bucs and Rams. 

Other playoff teams:

Dallas, 49ers and Vikings.

I often fall into the trap of believing that Rodgers can win a big game. I know Tommy can, but his o-line isn’t great, and Gronk didn’t come back - yet.

The obvious pick might be the right pick here;

Packers.

In the AFC there will be a whole lot of competition:

Bills, Ravens, Titans and Chargers will win their divisions.

Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins will be playoff teams.

And the trendy pick is, of course, the hometown Bills.

They have the most talent.

Yet I’m always weary of teams who come into a season with this much love.

(If you read the baseball previews you’d have been absolutely convinced that no one was beating the Blue Jays - they haven’t been the world beaters everyone believed).

But the Bills ARE loaded!

Von Miller is a true leader and well known winner. He’s a bit older, but his presence will mean a lot.

The Bills will get over the hump and make it back to the Super Bowl if their coach can figure out how to play defense in the last 13 seconds of a game.

But.

I’m from Buffalo and I’ve watched them blow it when they had the best team in the sport.

They were better than 10 point favorites when they lost to the Giants.

They’ll go into the Super Bowl as double digit favorites…

…and lose.

To freaking Rodgers and a D that shuts them down on the last drive as a ball gets deflected and bounces off a couple of helmets.

‘Cause…

…Buffalo.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more