Primetime Preview: Los Angeles Rams @ Cleveland Browns

Primetime Preview: Los Angeles Rams @ Cleveland Browns

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The Cleveland Browns will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football tonight. The Browns were able to beat up on the short-handed New York Jets on Monday Night last week and want to keep it going. Baker Mayfield didn’t look that well last week against the Jets and will look to capitalize on tonight. Baker had a couple of big plays to Odell Beckham Jr and if he didn’t have those plays it would have been an average outing for the Heisman winner. It’s time for Baker to prove that he can get it done in a big game with the whole NFL fanbase watching. The Browns have been able to make some big plays on the season but they’ve yet to play defense as the Rams possess. OBJ and Landry can beat any cornerback in the league on any given play they just need Baker to have time in the pocket to get it to them.

 

 

Baker and the Browns offensive line will have to deal with Aaron Donald all night long. Donald is the reason that Drew Brees has a broken thumb and will be out for 6 weeks. Donald is unstoppable off the line and puts pressure on the QBs on almost every play. The secondary of the Rams has not been what it was last year but they have a chance to bounce back with Baker behind center because he has thrown 4 interceptions so far. The Browns do have a nice safety blanket with Nick Chubb who was able to get going last week against the Jets. Chubb has shown that he can be that every-down back and with his slippery moves out the backfield with pass-catching and running it will be a big game for him. The Rams have something to prove on the defensive end adding Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews but this Cleveland offense has to do the same. Both teams will have the spotlight on them and both teams have amazing followings. We know the Rams defense has been dominant in the past but can the Browns defense match it.

 

 

The Browns defense last week was able to get to the Jets QBs and a huge part of that was Myles Garrett. The Browns will be down a couple of defensive players this game and they will have to deal with Jared Goff/Todd Gurley. This Rams offense has been unstoppable over the last season and they want to continue that tonight. Todd Gurley has had limited touches this season but he’s still been able to get the yards and now some touchdowns. If the Browns can’t contain Gurley and that Rams offense then that passing offense can get going in a hurry. The fact that the Rams have Kupp, Cooks, and Woods lining up against a Browns secondary that will be shorthanded could spell trouble for them quickly. Both teams have something to prove in this game and will have the spotlight on them but only one team can be victorious. The new coach vs the young coach on Sunday Football and this should be a great one to close out the Sunday games for Week 3.

 

Score Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 31- 27

Sep 22, 2019 No Comments
SR NFL Week 3: Preview and Predictions

SR NFL Week 3: Preview and Predictions

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1:00 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills

 

The Buffalo Bills are at home and look to go 3-0 as they play the Bengals who have yet to find their identity. Josh Allen and the ageless Frank Gore will be leading the offensive attack today in Buffalo. Josh Allen has been able to get it done in the air and on the ground with ease. The Bengals defense has yet been able to shut down the opposing offense but they do have Andy Dalton who has been throwing the football at a career-high pace so far in the season. The Bengals will have a chance if they can get Joe Mixon going and with his injuries, it can be tough at times especially behind that offensive line. The Bills have shown through the two weeks that they’re a big deal and want to show that to everyone outside of Buffalo New York.

Score Prediction: Buffalo Bills 27-10

 

Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers

 

The Green Bay Packers got it going last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings on the ground with Aaron Jones as he rushed 116 yards on 23 attempts with a touchdown. If the Packers can continue to get Jones the ball that will free up the play-action for Aaron Rodgers. The one surprise so far for the Packers is the fact that Davante Adams has yet to score on the season for the Packers. Adams has 11 receptions for 142 in two games and will look to get his first touchdown against Chris Harris Jr in the Broncos secondary. The Broncos on the flipside will have to get the ball out of Flacco’s hands very quick as the Packers defense has improved this season with Martinez in the linebacker spot. The Broncos have a good receiving core but they need to make sure they can make some plays ASAP in this game. Von Miller will also be a huge part of this game for Denver if they will come out of this victorious in the tough Lambo Field.

Score Prediction: Green Bay Packers 31-13

 

Miami Dolphins @ Dallas Cowboys

 

Poor Miami Dolphins…..The Dolphins have got rid of players and have been playing terrible these last two weeks against the Ravens and Patriots. Now the Dolphins head to Dallas in a showdown with the red hot Dallas Cowboys who are 2-0 on the season and primed to feed Zeke. The Cowboys offense has been amazing this season but they will be without Michael Gallup which will give Randall Cobb and Amari Cooper more opportunity in the air attack. Also, Dak Prescott has looked amazing early in the season as he’s right up there with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in touchdowns. Dak is showing that he’s worth the money he wants and they will lean on the defense and Zeke to run the Dolphins down to the ground in Dallas. The Miami Dolphins don’t have anything exciting going for them but they will be starting Josh Rosen hoping that he can change the direction that this team has been going. At this rate, the Dolphins should be ready for the NFL Draft right now because they have 3 first-round picks.

Score Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 38-14

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Indianapolis Colts

 

 

The Atlanta Falcons finally got Julio Jones going in Week 2 against the Eagles as he connected with Matt Ryan for 2 touchdowns. If the Falcons want to continue to be successful they will need to keep getting Julio Jones involved and with the emergence of Calvin Ridley in the mix, the Falcons have a great tandem. One person that’s been hiding is Devonte Freeman and this should be the week that he finally gets to go off against one of the worst run defenses in the Colts. The Colts will have a banged-up Marlon Mack but they will need to get that running game going to help Jacoby Brissett behind the center. If Brissett can get some time to throw in the pocket he should be able to find Hilton or Ebron against this Falcons secondary. Both teams are good offensively it will be on the defense and who gets the takeaway that will seal the deal in this matchup.

Score Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 31-27

 

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

 

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have had the New York Jets number for the last 20 years. This time the Patriots will be without Antonio Brown as he only lasted for 11 days in their uniform. Brown’s drama off the field got in the way of his availability on the field for any NFL team this season it looks like. Now with that being said the departure of Brown opens the door for Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman to have more targets and you know Tom loves to throw the ball. On the other hand, the Jets are putting out their 3rd string QB Luke Falk and it didn’t look nice against the Browns on Monday. The Patriots defense has been unbelievable these first 2 weeks and will try to make Falk beat them and keep Bell in a stacked box so that he can’t have the 25+ touches that he had last week. The Patriots are in rare form right now and look ready for another Superbowl run but the Jets won’t be in the way of that at all.

Score Prediction: New England Patriots 38-7

 

Detroit Lions @ Philadelphia Eagles

 

Could this be the week Miles Sanders goes off and gets the touches that he deserves in that Eagles backfield? We’re about to find out but the Eagles need to have a steady backfield if they want to be effective in the passing game. The Eagles will be without Jackson & (Jeffrey) is a game-time decision so that means they will depend on Zach Ertz heavily. The Eagles defense is good but needs to bounce back after last weekend against the Falcons. The Detroit Lions will be looking to get Kerryon Johnson going early but have shown that they can get it done in the passing game. Matthew Stafford has been slinging the ball and has been depending on Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr to help him out. Both teams have QBs that don’t mind throwing the ball but Carson Wentz has the better weapons around him but he needs to be able to have time in the pocket to get the victory.

Score Prediction: Detroit Lions 18-13

 

Oakland Raiders @ Minnesota Vikings

 

The Minnesota Vikings have found their identity so far in the young season and it’s simply got the ball to Dalvin Cook. Cook has been explosive this season and has been ripping defenses apart every single week. The Raiders have a tough defense but with the volume that Cook has received, it’s clear that he will help carry the Vikings this season if they will get victories. Kirk Cousins has struggled so far and that’s hurt the production of Diggs and Thielen but they should be able to get on track. The Vikings have way too much firepower on the offensive end and with that stout defense, it should be a long day for the Raiders. The Vikings have a lockdown corner in Rhodes and he will try to stop Williams as he’s not 100% for Oakland. The Raiders have Josh Jacobs but he’s been under the weather and we don’t know what will happen with that situation. The running backs for the Raiders are slim but they will have to try and do it through the air with Darren Waller their mismatch. Overall this should be a decent matchup but the hometown favorites will be dominant in this contest.

Score Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 31-13

 

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs

 

This will be a SHOOOOOOOOTOUT in Kansas City between two great offenses. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson will both be putting on a show for the NFL fans all around the world. Mahomes will be at home and he’s coming off a 4 touchdown quarter against the Raiders. Earl Thomas was saying they wanted to eliminate the big plays before they happen. Mahomes will be throwing the ball a little bit more knowing that his running backs are limited and also he’s still without Tyreke Hill. Something that has been special about Mahomes is the fact that it doesn’t matter who’s on the field he will make them better just like Michael Jordan did in the NBA. Mahomes has every throw in the book and will just need his defense to slow down Jackson to get the victory. Lamar Jackson has been nothing less than spectacular this season for the Ravens and he’s shown that he can throw the ball and run the ball with ease. So far heading into week 3 Jackson has silenced the haters and has been able to be efficient in the pocket while delivering some dimes to his good friend Hollywood Brown. Both teams have playmakers that have shown up on the season and it will come down to the defenses making plays. The safety blankets for both these QBs will be for KC (Travis Kelce/Sammy Watkins) and BAL (Mark Ingram/Mark Andrews). This game will be the game of the week and this will be a matchup that we will probably see down the road in the playoffs.

Score Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 38-31

 

4:05 PM EST

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a great win against the Carolina Panthers. This defense has shown some great heart and has been able to get turnovers in crucial moments. The biggest question for the Buccaneers offense has been (Where is Mike Evans?) and that’s the guy that can get this team going. Can Winston find his guys OJ Howard and Mike Evans who have been struggling out the gates but their partner in crime Chris Godwin has been able to flourish in those moments. Both of these guys are great talents and if the Bucs running game can’t get going against the Giants it could be a passing exhibit in Tampa. For the New York Giants, this is the start of a new era with Daniel Jones behind center and not Eli Manning. This will be Jones first start and he will have to depend on Saquon Barkley in the check-downs and hope that his receiving core is healthy enough to make it happen. Jones will have to look to hook up with Engram early as he tries to bring a victory to the “Big Apple” on the road.

Score Prediction: Buccaneers 28-13

 

Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

 

Kyle Allen…Yes, Kyle Allen will be starting for the Carolina Panthers today as Cam Newton will be out after reaggravating his foot he injured in the preseason. Allen will have to depend on Christian McCaffrey in this game as the offense should be running through him all day long against this Cardinals defense. The Panthers have the weapons to win this game as they have Olsen, Moore, and Samuels but they need to make plays on the defensive end to get those chances. Luke will try to slow down Kyler Murray and that Cardinals college-style offense that has been working for the Cardinals. Murray has been special for the Cardinals so far in the season and has been able to use Fitzgerald, Kirk, and David Johnson to his advantage against opposing defenses. Both teams will have something to prove on the offensive end but it will be the defense and special teams that will determine the game flow for sure.

Score Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 24 – 17

 

4:25 PM EST

New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks

 

Teddy Bridgewater will be leading the Saints into Seattle as Drew Brees will be out for the next 6 weeks with a broken thumb. Bridgewater will have to deal with being the new starter and also being on the road in the most hostile arena in the NFL. One thing that will be working in Bridgewater’s favor is the fact that he still has Kamara and Thomas to get the ball to whenever he’s in trouble with that Seahawks defense. The Saints defense will be in for a tough matchup going against Russell Wilson who was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Wilson has been able to show off the deep ball and he’s been able to find Metcalf and Lockett at the right times. The running game will be important in this game between Carson and Kamara. This game will be won on the ground and it will be interesting to see how the Saints utilize Hill and Bridgewater behind center today in Seattle. The Seahawks defense has not made noise this year but this can be the game that gets Bobby Wagner and the crew back on track.

Score Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 28 – 17

 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ San Francisco 49ers

 

No Big Ben for the Steelers as he’s out for the season but they will have Mason Rudolph under center against the 49ers. This will be a tough matchup as the 49ers defense has been playing lights out behind the energy of Richard Sherman. The Steelers will need to get the ball to Juju a lot more than they have the past 2 weeks and they will need to get Conner involved in the running game very early. The Steelers are ground and pound we all know that and it will be a challenge against that defense on the road. Jimmy G has been able to play amazing the last couple of weeks and has some running backs behind him to support him now. The 49ers have 3 running backs that can take over the game on their end and have some playmakers in the wide receiver position that want to make a name for themselves as well. With the emergence of Deebo Samuels and others, this game will be very interesting especially for the winless Steelers who need a victory badly.

Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 17 – 14

 

Houston Texans @ LA Chargers

 

The Houston Texans went from a heartbreaking loss in Week 1 against the Saints to a pull a rabbit out the hat win against the Jags in Week 2. In Week 3 they will need to get Deshaun Watson back going again as he struggled against the Jaguars. One thing about Watson is he will never give up and he’s shown that time and time again. Watson will have to get the ball to his weapons Hopkins, Fuller, and Stills early in this game as it looks to be a shootout. The Chargers have been able to do whatever they wanted on the offensive end as they have things running through Keenan Allen and Austin Ekler. Phillip Rivers will continue to sling the ball no matter what and that’s what he will need to do against this Texans defense with JJ Watt coming after him. Both these offenses will be making big plays and it will be exciting for the fans but not the defenses. The Chargers will try to get to Watson as he’s been sacked the most in the past couple of seasons and they will try to continue that trend. This game along with the Chiefs/Ravens game should have a lot of fantasy points and look forward to some fast pace offense with points on the scoreboard.

Score Prediction: LA Chargers 34 – 27

 

Sep 22, 2019 No Comments
BREAKING NEWS: New England Patriots Release Antonio Brown

BREAKING NEWS: New England Patriots Release Antonio Brown

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The wild ride that is Antonio Brown’s 2019 NFL season took another turn today as it was announced that the New England Patriots would be cutting him.

The Patriots signed Brown as a free agent after he was let go by the Oakland Raiders—who had traded a third and fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the All-Pro wide receiver.

He played in the Patriots Week 2, 43-0 blowout of the Miami Dolphins where he finished with  four catches, 56 yards and one touchdown.

Unlike his departure from the Bay Area, Brown’s release this time comes on the heels of more serious allegations of misconduct than helmet grievances, frozen feet, or confrontation with upper management. Since joining the Patriots, two women have accused Brown of sexual misconduct and lewd behavior.

For his part, Brown took the news in stride, and even broke it on his twitter account in a series of tweets:

After a one-game, 11-day stint with the defending Super Bowl champions Brown will become a free agent again. It remains to be seen if a third team will take a chance on him.

Sep 20, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 9/19

SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 9/19

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Each week, SneakerReporter will put out their power rankings of all 32 NFL teams. 

With Week 3 kicking off tonight (Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans, 8:20 PM EST on NFL Network) it’s time to unveil where each team sits.

The fun begins below and be sure to check back each Thursday to track how far up or down your favorite team moves from week-to-week. 

 

1. New England Patriots 2-0 (LW: 1)

What do you know, giving Tom Brady an All-Pro wideout makes New England even better. 

 

2. Kansas City Chiefs 2-0 (LW: 2) 

In two weeks there have been 46 occasions where an NFL team didn’t score 28 points or more in an entire game, the Chiefs scored that many in one-quarter last week—without Tyreek Hill. 

3. Los Angeles Rams 2-0 (LW: 5)

The team looked much more like last year’s version this previous Sunday than they did in Week 1. 

 

4. Baltimore Ravens 2-0 (LW: 4)

EVERYONE NEEDS TO WATCH BALTIMORE VS. KANSAS CITY THIS WEEKEND!

 

5. Dallas Cowboys 2-0 (LW: 6)

Two division games against the bottom of the NFC East and the Cowboys look like they’ll be a top team in the league once again. 

 

6. Green Bay Packers 2-0 (LW: 7)

The home opener was a thing of beauty for Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur—except the whole yelling on the sideline moment. 

7. New Orleans Saints 1-1 (LW: 3)

Drew Brees being out is going to stink but watching Sean Payton go all-in on Taysom Hill will be worth the six-week absence. 

 

8. Houston Texans 1-1 (LW:10)

It wasn’t pretty—and the offensive line is still struggling to keep Deshaun Watson upright—but they pulled out a needed victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. 

 

9. Philadelphia Eagles 1-1 (LW:9)

We got a classic Eagles vs Falcons game on Sunday Night Football, but this time Philadelphia wasn’t able to pull out the victory.

 

10. Minnesota Vikings 1-1(LW: 8)

The Vikings avoided embarrassment in Green Bay but Kirk Cousins is not living up to his massive free-agent contract from a couple of offseasons ago.

11. Chicago Bears 1-1 (LW:11)

Matt Nagy’s offense hasn’t been as prolific in his second season as it was when he took over a year ago, if that trend continues it’s going to be a long season, no matter how clutch their kicker appears to be. 

 

12. Cleveland Browns 1-1 (LW:12)

In beating a depleted New York Jets team on Monday, we saw that the Cleveland Browns still have things to do if they are going to meet the lofty preseason goals place upon them. 

 

13. Atlanta Falcons 1-1 (LW: 20)

What a difference one week can make, after finally getting over the hump in the battle of the birds, Atlanta is on track to turn things around rather quickly. 

 

14. San Francisco 49ers 2-0 (LW: 23)

14 MORE GAMES JIMMY GAROPPOLO, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

 

15. Buffalo Bills 2-0 (LW: 24)

The Fighting Josh Allen’s are kings of New York—and New Jersey—just two weeks into the season, Buffalo this might be the high point of your season.

 

16. Seattle Seahawks 2-0 (LW: 18)

It’s hard to find valid reasons to keep a 2-0 team outside the top half of the league and that’s what the Seattle Seahawks are. 

 

17. Indianapolis Colts 1-1 (LW:17)

Their win over the Tennessee Titans keeps hope alive that this team could still make noise in the Post Andrew Luck era. 

 

18. Tennessee Titans 1-1 (LW:14)

They followed up their Week 1 statement victory with a question mark-filled defeat in Week 2. 

 

19. Los Angeles Chargers 1-1 (LW: 13)

Austin Ekeler wasn’t the problem, Phillip Rivers just didn’t show up to play in Week 2. 

 

20. Oakland Raiders 1-1 (LW: 22)

For a moment it looked like we all had underestimated Jon Gruden and the scrappy Raiders, then the second quarter and Patrick Mahomes happened. 

 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers 0-2 (LW: 15)

0-2, no Ben Roethlisberger and James Connor nicked up if they don’t get an immediate return on investment from Minkah Fitzpatrick this season could easily go down the drain soon for the Steelers. 

 

22. Detroit Lions 1-0-1 (LW: t26)

Having Matthew Stafford is a nice fallback option but it seems like this team is molding into Matt Patricia’s ideal team each week: defense-first and run-heavy. 

 

23. Carolina Panthers 0-2 (LW: 16)

A hurt Cam Newton is no good for anyone so hopefully, the quarterback doesn’t miss too much game time after re-aggravating his preseason foot injury. 

 

24. Arizona Cardinals 0-1-1 (LW: t26)

Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury looked like failures for three quarters but when the lights were the brightest they both found a rhythm to pull out a tie.

 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-2 (LW: 21)

Losing Jalen Ramsey is NOT what this team needs in any shape or form. 

 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-1 (LW: 28)

Jameis Winston was surprisingly efficient and that led to the Buccaneers upset win over the Carolina Panthers last Thursday. 

 

27. Washington Redskins 0-2 (LW:29)

BUY ALL OF THE TERRY MCLAURIN STOCK THAT YOU CAN!!

 

28. Denver Broncos 0-2 (LW: 30)

The clock probably should’ve run out (giving Vic Fangio his first win) but compliments to the first-time head coach for going for the two-point conversion instead of the extra point with his team trailing by one late in the fourth quarter.

 

29. New York Jets 0-2 (LW: 17)

Oh, how the mighty (and the first and second-string quarterbacks) have fallen. 

 

30. Cincinnati Bengals 0-2 (LW: 27)

Justin Herbert is going to have a ready-made deep threat in John Ross III next year. 

31. New York Giants 0-2 (LW: 31)

*sung to the tune of PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME*
“DANIEL JONES STARTER TIME, DANIEL JONES STARTER TIME! DANIEL-JONES-STARTER, DANIEL-JONES-STARTER, DANIEL-JONES-STARTER-ELI-NEVER-COME-BACK”

 

32. Miami Dolphins 0-2 (LW: 32)

They’re still REALLY tanking.

Sep 19, 2019 No Comments
BREAKING NEWS: Miami Dolphins Name Josh Rosen Their Starter for Week 3

BREAKING NEWS: Miami Dolphins Name Josh Rosen Their Starter for Week 3

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In what could become remembered as the “Year of the Quarterback Change”, the Miami Dolphins have just made a switch of their own at the game’s most important position.

This offseason, they let Ryan Tannehill go in a trade with the Tennessee Titans, and it left a gaping hole at quarterback. They signed veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick and during the 2019 NFL Draft, they traded a second-round pick and fifth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Josh Rosen who was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Cardinals were willing to move on so quickly because they brought in a new coach and drafted Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In his one season with Arizona, he didn’t look particularly great and some of the blame of that fell on the porous offensive line that the team had compiled to protect him.

With Miami, Rosen was offered a fresh start and all he had to do was beat out Fitzpatrick in training camp and he would be named the starter. That didn’t happen. Rosen saw the field in both of the first two games, due to the Dolphins losing both games by a combined 92 points.

Heading into a road meeting with another team unquestionably better than them in the Dallas Cowboys, the Dolphins announced that Rosen would be named the starter over Fitzpatrick.

The masses believe that part of the reason that Miami is playing so poorly is in an attempt to secure a future franchise quarterback in the draft. Rosen will get his chance now to prove to them that he can be that guy to build around.

Sep 19, 2019 No Comments