Super Bowl LVII Should Be A Blast

 Last year I stopped doing my "Stops to Super Bowl" series because ... well ... I just didn't have the time. With my work commitments and a father to six children I just didn't have the time to do all the research I loved to do on the game. That doesn't mean I don't miss it ... I just don't think I can make it what I want it to be anymore.

But this Super Bowl makes me want to bring it back. This Super Bowl really is fascinating. You have both No. 1 seeds in this game, two relatively recent Super Bowl champion organizations and a load of tidbits to fill up a book of narratives. 

*KELCE BROTHERS.  I think it is so cool that two brothers will face off in the Super Bowl. Two very outgoing brothers at that. Should make for some greats soundbites and pre-game pieces for every NFL show leading up to the game.

*MAHOMES AND HURTS. For the first time we will have Black quarterbacks facing off in the Super Bowl. You'd think this wouldn't be that big of a deal since we are 35 years removed from Doug Williams (1987) becoming the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, but it took 26 more years for the next one to win it -- Seattle's Russell Wilson (2013). Since then, only Patrick Mahomes (2020) has won it which makes for just three of the previous 56 Super Bowls to have a Black winning QB. Steve McNair (1999), Donovan McNabb (2004), Colin Kaepernick (2012) and Cam Newton also started Super Bowls but lost (both Wilson and Mahomes have also started and lost Super Bowls). 

*FLY, EAGLES. I remember when the Cowboys, Redskins/Commanders and Giants were ripping up Super Bowl titles and the Eagles were just not keeping up. Prior to 2017, the Cowboys (5), Giants (4) and Commanders (3) winning 12 Super Bowls while reaching the game 18 times. The Eagles were 0-2 in the big game, but now has the two most recent appearances and the most recent championship. While the Cowboys are always drenched in drama, the Commanders have been a mess for nearly three decades and the Giants perpetually are rebuilding, the Eagles have been making the right moves. 

*GLENDALE: Glendale, Arizona has been the site for some great Super Bowl moments. The last time the game was there (Super Bowl XLIX) was the Patriots-Seahawks game where Seattle didn't hand the ball off to Marshawn Lynch and were picked off on the goal line. The previous game there was XLII when the Giants upset the unbeaten Patriots. Tempe (which is also a suburb of Phoenix) hosted Super Bowl XXX when the Cowboys beat the Steelers. 

*MOST NFL TITLES
13-Packers
9-Bears
8-Giants
6-Patriots, Steelers
5-49ers, Cowboys, Commanders
4-Browns, Colts, Eagles, Lions, Rams

*MOST NFL TITLE APPEARANCES
22-Giants
19-Bears
18-Packers
11-Patriots, Commanders, Rams
9-Browns
8-Broncos, Cowboys, Steelers

*MOST NFL TITLE GAME LOSSES
14-Giants
10-Bears
6-Rams, Redskins
5-Broncos, Browns, Packers, Patriots
4-Bills, Vikings
3-Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles

*MOST NFL TITLE LOSSES WITHOUT A WIN
4-Vikings, Bills
3-Bengals
2-Falcons, Panthers
1-Chargers, Titans, Buffalo All-Americans, Pottsville Maroons

The Jaguars and Texans are the only current NFL franchises to have never played in an NFL championship game.

Sportz' NFL Championship Picks

We're down to the conference championship games. After going 4-2 in the Wildcard round and 3-1 in the Divisional Round, I'm here to tackle who will be going to the Super Bowl. 

49ERS at EAGLES

Philly was sensational against the Giants last week, but the 49ers are a different kind of animal. Offensively they have an outstanding line and great playmakers. Defensively, the Niners are so physical and tackle so well. Of course, that also describes the Eagles. The difference is at quarterback. I just trust Jalen Hurts against the Niners more than a really game Brock Purdy against those Eagles. Eagles by 6

BENGALS at CHIEFS

This game is so hard to pick. Will the Chiefs really lose four straight games in 13 months to these Bengals? Both quarterbacks are elite, defenses playing well and everything is clicking. My main concern is Patrick Mahomes' ankle. Will he be able to make those off script plays against a defensive front that has played well in the playoffs. Bengals by 3.

Sportz' NFL Divisional Picks

Last week I went 4-2 with the Vikings and Chargers letting me down. 

JAGUARS at CHIEFS

The Chiefs have a week of rest while the Jags are coming off one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. That won't happen this week. Chiefs by 13.

GIANTS at EAGLES

Man, this is tough. I have felt the Eagles have been the best team over the first 14 or so weeks of the season. Once Jalen Hurts went out, things have changed. The Giants have become more comfortable in who they are at the moment, but I still like Philly in this one. I think the week off has allowed Hurts to get a bit more healed up.  Eagles by 4.

BENGALS at BILLS

This is the first meeting between Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, making this the best QB showdown of the weekend. The key will be if Allen can stop turning the ball over. He got away with it against Miami last week but won't against Cincinnati. I'm trusting Allen protects the football and gets the win. Bills by 4.

COWBOYS at 49ERS

To me, the Niners are better than the Cowboys everywhere ... except at quarterback. While I'm not the biggest fan of Dak Prescott, this is easily the toughest opponent and defense that the rookie Purdy has faced over his short career. The key is if Dallas can make him feel uncomfortable and puts real pressure on him to make plays. They will, but not to the point where it really damages San Francisco's offense.  49ers by 7.

Looking At Who Has Quarterback Questions Heading Into the Offseason

So, let's get at it.

NO PROBLEM AT ALL

CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes is likely the NFL MVP for 2022.

EAGLES: Jalen Hurts had an MVP-like season.

BILLS: Josh Allen.

BENGALS: Joe Burrow.

CHARGERS: Justin Herbert.

JAGUARS: Trevor Lawrence.

COWBOYS: Dak Prescott. Despite all of the noise surrounding him, Dak will be back. He's their guy. 

VIKINGS: Kirk Cousins isn't the most popular Viking right now, but he's their guy. 

SEAHAWKS: It would seem that Geno Smith is the guy for now in Seattle. 

BROWNS: Deshaun Watson. They spent a lot of money and draft picks on him and hope a full offseason can knock off the ton of rust he showed in 2022. 

STEELERS: Kenny Pickett was their first round pick last year and nearly led Pittsburgh to the playoffs. 

BRONCOS: Russell Wilson may have had a horrendous season, but he's got to be the guy with all the money and resources used to obtain him last offseason. 

BEARS: Chicago may be the worst team in the league and own the No. 1 overall pick, but they won't be using that pick to draft a quarterback. They are all in with Justin Fields. 



A LITTLE BIT OF A QUESTION

DOLPHINS: You would think that Tua Tagovailoa would be the starter, but his concussion issues bring some real world questions about his health going forward. And don't forget that the Dolphins are losing their first round pick in the upcoming draft because they were tampering with Tom Brady.

GIANTS: It seems as if Daniel Jones has proven himself to be the guy for New York, but it is far from a done deal, contract wise. I expect it to get done, but it isn't 100%.

PATRIOTS: Mac Jones regressed last year, but that could be due to New England's messy offensive coaching and play-calling setup. It's doubtful New England looks to make a move right now. 

LIONS: If I wrote this over a month ago, the Lions certainly wouldn't be in this slot. But Jared Goff had a fantastic second half to the season and darn near put Detroit in the playoffs after a 1-6 start. Goff was once the top overall pick and started a Super Bowl so it isn't like he is a bum. 

FALCONS: I'm guessing Desmond Ridder will be given the opportunity to blossom next season. I doubt they draft anyone early in the upcoming draft, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't consider a later round pick. They also could look to bring in a veteran to mentor Ridder. It should be Ridder's job no matter what they do. 

RAMS: This is Matt Stafford's team, but is he in the phase of his career where he'll be missing more time during the season? Baker Mayfield looked pretty good in Stafford's absence, but who could parlay that into a starting opportunity elsewhere. 

CARDINALS: With Kyler Murray down with a knee injury, he could miss a sizeable chunk of the 2023 season. So Arizona will need to figure out who their guy will be in Murray's absence. A Jacoby Brissett type job. 

DECISIONS TO MAKE

RAVENS: The Lamar Jackson saga has reached an ugly turn due to Jackson missing the end of the season and unavailable for Baltimore's playoff game against Cincinnati. With his contract status up in the air and the possibility of the franchise tag being used, this will be one of the main storylines of the offseason. 

BUCCANEERS: Is the Tom Brady era over in Tampa? That will be the question for the second straight season. Will he retire? Will he look to go somewhere else (Miami? Tennessee? Las Vegas?) for a better shot at a championship? Is there any possibility he returns? After that absolute dud of a playoff performance against Dallas, that doesn't seem to be the case. 

PACKERS: Does Aaron Rodgers retire? He sure looked like he was retiring the way he left Green Bay's final game of the season. Of course, he could decide to come back for another season with the Packers ... or he wants to play but the Packers may decide that it is time to go with Jordan Love and move on from A-Rodg. Another major offseason storyline.

49ERS: This is one of the weirdest situations in the league. Trey Lance was the No. 3 overall pick that the Niners traded up for, but who missed most of 2022 with an injury and was already a bit of a project. Jimmy Garopollo was the starter most of the year before he became injured. And, well, everyone just loves what Brock Purdy is doing right now in San Francisco. Jimmy G likely moves on and then a decision will need to be made about Purdy and Lance. I mean, it has to be Purdy, right?

TITANS: Look, Ryan Tannehill is expensive and the Titans can get out from under that this offseason. But Tennessee could stick with Tannehill, especially with Malik Willis clearly not ready. 

COMMANDERS: Word is that the Commanders' brass is telling potential candidates for offensive coordinator that Sam Howell is the plan for next season. Howell showed a lot in college and came off well in his lone playing time (Week 18) during the 2022 season. Expect them to lock in an experienced backup or retain Taylor Heinecke. 

SAINTS: The salary cap limits what New Orleans could do in free agency. Right now, Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill don't seem to be long term solutions but they may have to run it back with one or more of those guys. If not, they may be on the market to look at a Baker Mayfield or Carson Wentz to be a stop gap. Yeah. So maybe running it back is not a horrible option. 

LOOKING FOR A BRAND NEW GUY

JETS: Sure, there may be an attempt to save Zach Wilson's career, but he's shine is all but gone from the fans and his teammates. With some bigger names out on the market and the Jets with a roster that can contend for a deep playoff run, New York will likely look for a better option. 

RAIDERS: All we do know is that Vegas is done with Derek Carr. Carr will be one of the top free agent quarterbacks for several of the teams in this category, but Las Vegas doesn't want him back. Is his replacement Jarret Stidham the answer? Eh. Rumors of everyone from Tom Brady to Aaron Rodgers will stick in Sin City until we get that answer. 

TEXANS: Houston is at rock bottom right now. They need a new coach, new quarterback and lots of talent. They also have the No. 2 pick in the draft and look to draft their next franchise quarterback. 

COLTS: Well, the Matt Ryan experiment ... among other experiments that went on in Naptown ... didn't work and now they need a new plan. And a new coach. With the fourth pick in the draft, expect the Colts to look for their future QB there. 

PANTHERS: Carolina has one of the most interesting quarterback cases in the NFL. Who will be their guy? Sam Darnold looked okay towards the end of the season as Carolina had a real shot at reaching the playoffs. PJ Walker likely isn't the guy. Could Matt Corrall, the rookie who missed all of 2022 with an injury, be looked at as the future hope for the Panthers? There is also the possibility that Carolina could be willing to trade up to draft someone. 

Sportz' NFL Wildcard Picks

The NFL Playoffs start this weekend, so here we go:

SEAHAWKS at 49ERS

Alright, is Brock Purdy ready for this? Is Geno Smith? Seattle combined for just 20 points in the two meetings this season. I think the Niners defense gets it done again. Niners by 9

CHARGERS at JAGUARS

Two young quarterbacks making their first playoff appearances of what both franchise hope to be a regular occurrence. I just like what's around Justin Herbert than what's around Trevor Lawrence. Chargers by 4.

DOLPHINS at BILLS

I picked the Bills to win the Super Bowl with my preseason predictions so I'm riding with them. Miami is starting Skylar Thompson so I think Buffalo flexes its muscle.  Bills by 11

GIANTS at VIKINGS

Basically the question is, "do you trust Minnesota"? I do for this game, and this game only.  Vikings by 3.

RAVENS at BENGALS

Like the Dolphins, the Ravens will be without their top quarterback as Lamar Jackson. This is a rubber match for these AFC North foes, and I think the Bengals beat Baltimore for the second straight week. Bengals by 7.

COWBOYS at BUCCANEERS

What's funny about this game is that we are seeing two of the biggest brands in the NFL facing each other (Brady vs Cowboys) but both are coming into this game not on the best of terms. Tampa Bay is an 8-9 division champ while the Cowboys looked awful in a loss to the Commanders last week. Dallas is more talented, but they can say that most weeks (like against Washington) and it doesn't always work out. Cowboys by 8.