Week 18 Review of the NFL

One Year Turnaround

I certainly did not have the Jacksonville Jaguars making the playoffs this season. As I’m sure most Jaguars fans (if there are any) didn’t have them making it either. Yet, I did expect them to be markedly better than the previous two years in which they had 1 and 3 wins respectively. QB Trevor Lawrence was in a lose-lose situation last year with no help in front of him on the offensive line and a lack of playmakers to get the ball to. Those two things have greatly improved and show why he was selected number one overall. The defense has shown vast improvement as well with the Jaguars winning 7 of their last 9 games to clinch the porous AFC North division title. That’s another reason as to why the Jaguars have improved so quickly. Playing the Texans, Colts and Titans twice every season will do that. Regardless it’s good to see fresh faces in the playoffs and the Jaguars fit that mold to a tee.

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Week 17 Review of the NFL

It’s Been A While

The New York Giants took care of business and punched their ticket to the playoffs. They haven’t had a playoff appearance since 2016. There have been numerous failures along the way with Ben McAdoo, Pat Shurmur and Joe Judge being their head coaches for only two seasons each. In McAdoo’s case he didn’t finish his second season. Now with Brian Daboll as their head coach, there seems to be some semblance of balance. The defense has been good and the offense is impressive, but not amongst the most dynamic. That’s okay though as the results have the Giants in the playoffs. It will be good to see RB Saquon Barkley see some action in January.

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Week 16 Review of the NFL

8 In A Row

They boast the best defense in the league this season, but they’ve had three different quarterbacks start a game for them this year. Usually that’s a bad sign, but not for the San Francisco 49ers. They are currently in the midst of an 8-game winning streak and with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals as their last two opponents it could be a 10-game winning streak. Their current quarterback Brock Purdy is passing every test opposing teams have thrown at him so far. There will be more no doubt as they approach the playoffs. For now just marvel at how this is being done and wonder why it doesn’t happen more often.

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NBA Finals and Awards Projections

* – indicates playoffs

MVP – G Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Rookie – F Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic

Coach – JB Bickerstaff – Cleveland Cavaliers

Defensive Player – F O.G. Anunoby – Toronto Raptors

Most Improved – G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder

Sixth Man – G Jordan Poole – Golden State Warriors

Executive – Koby Altman – Cleveland Cavaliers

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Stanley Cup Prediction

Eastern Conference

1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. 4. New York Rangers

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 3. Washington Capitals

1. Boston Bruins vs. 4. Florida Panthers

2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. 3. Toronto Maple Leafs

Western Conference

1. Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. Winnipeg Jets

2. Minnesota Wild vs. 3. Dallas Stars

1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 4. Edmonton Oilers

2. Calgary Flames vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings

Conference Finals

Hurricanes over Lightning

Avalanche over Kings

Stanley Cup Finals

Hurricanes over Avalanche