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Season Predictions

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The 2021 NFL season is about to begin!
Can you feel those excitement butterflies swimming around in your stomach?

To honour the start of the 2021 NFL season, Wade and Ryan once again are back with their picks on how this one plays out.
The guys break it all down in one Seasons Predictions podcast.

After a whoop-ass season delivered by the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Chiefs and the AFC will be looking for vengeance this year.
With so many great teams, who are the teams that actually have a shot at winning it all?

Luckily Wade and Ryan are armed with their predictions for all the teams and their records this year.
The guys also made their pretty early Super Bowl picks, a punt in the dark as to who they think will be the two teams making it to the big show.

AFC

Being a Bills fan, Ryan is prone to favouring the AFC at every moment.  Fortunately he has some pause in this podcast to appreciate that the Bills might struggle to dominate the whole division this year.

Wade on the other hand sees the AFC as Chiefs Kingdom, and think it’s going to be pretty tough for anyone to take the divisional throne from the heir apparent.

In the AFC East Ryan likes his Bills to smack around the Patriots, Dolphins and Jets. He has them capturing the division with a 13-4 record, and moving their way to a Super Bowl appearance.
Wade also has the Bills taking the division, but has the plucky play of the Fins taking them just ahead of the Pats for second place and a potential wild card spot.

It’s Browns for both guys in the AFC North, as they both like Cleveland to punch their tickets to the playoffs ahead of their rivals.
Ryan likes the Ravens to post a 10-7 record, behind the leading Browns at 11-6, and ahed of both the losing Steelers (8-9) and woeful Bengals (5-12).
Wade has the Steelers pipping a 10-7 record, behind the Browns and ahead of the Ravens and Bengals. He’s not big on this division, and has them beating the crap out of each other first.

The AFC South will not rise again, as a tepid division looks to crown its champion.
The Titans are tops for Wade and Ryan, who both have them taking the division ahead of their rivals.
Both guys have the Colts at 8-9, followed by the losing season of both the Jaguars and Texans.
Houston will most definitely have a problem this season, and like a NASA craft, will have to figure this out on their own.

The AFC West is best when looking at which teams have the ability to go all the way.
KC is favoured by both guys to crush it this year, as Wade & Ryan like them to go 14-3.
Both guys are hot on the LA Chargers and Justin Herbert, pegging them at 10-7, and a chance for a playoff spot as well.
Las Vegas has promise now that they can finally fill that shiny new stadium, and the guys expect some surprising things from them.
As far as the Broncos, it’s another lonely season out to pasture.

NFC

What bright spots does the NFC hold?
Will the Packers suit up for the Last Dance, or leave the dance floor early?

The NFC East has been a total joke for the past few years.
Too ugly to turn away from watching, the division has failed to be competitive outside of their own teams, often getting blown out by real teams.
This year should be different, with the Cowboys looking to post a healthy season under Dak.
Wade likes them to win this division, whereas Ryan has sipped some Fitzmagic, seeing the WFT taking top honours.
Ryan thinks that the Giants have a chance over the Eagles, who will finish bottom of the heap.
Wade is more bullish on Philly, and thinks that they will cause divisional problems for everyone this year.

Aaron Rodgers is pretty confident that he and the Packers will cruise to a Superbowl just like Jordan did. Let’s see if his arrogance and attitude make him look like a visionary, or a cheesehead.
Wade and Ryan both think that Green Bay will win the NFC North, but that they won’t be able to make it all the way.
Wade likes his Bears to run to 9-8, atop the Vikings and Lions, who will both struggle.
Ryan thinks the Vikes will take second, followed by the Bears and Lions.

Hitting the road to the champions in the NFC South, the Bucs are heavily favoured to repeat.
Ryan & Wade both like Tommy Boy to repeat his stint as champions, although they differ as to how the other teams will end up.
Ryan thinks Jameis can lead the Saints t0 10-7, with the Falcons able to jump atop the Panthers for third.
Wade thinks Carolina will surprise some folks this year, and has them going 11-6, to take second place in the division.
Ryan thinks that Matty Ice and the Falcons will be back and ready to attack.

Lastly, but definitely not least, is the tough as nails NFC West division.
Matt Stafford has made the Rams the big head of the group, and both guys think that they will go 11-6 to lift the title.
Ryan likes Seattle to chase the heels of the Rams, followed by a struggling 49ers squad, and lastly the Cards.
Wade has San Fran punching a wild card ticket, with the Seahawks ending up as the low face on the totem pole in this one.

Super Bowl

So who is going all the way to the big show?
Depends on who you ask.

Ryan Cull believes that his Buffalo Bills will face the Los Angeles Rams in February, but he won’t say who he thinks wins it. (pssst Bills!)

Wade McElwain throws his tomahawk at the Chiefs bandwagon to return as AFC champs, to face the Super Bowl hosts the LA Rams.

Los Angeles Rams will make the Super Bowl!
Of course that’s just our way too early picks.

Who do you have?

Have a listen to the podcast!

2021 Predictions

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Thank God 2020 is done! Who invited that idiot to the party anyway? Geez.  Now that the worst year ever is done and dusted, it’s time to look ahead to the year that will be, as we make our 2021 Predictions.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you should never know what to expect in the NFL.
Covid was the main factor in the 2020 season, taking fans out of the games, and featuring a series of checks and balances that kept every team on their toes.
We’ve seen dynasties rise (Chiefs), fall (Patriots), continue to fall further (Jets), and teams that just implode on themselves in pressure situations. (Browns/ Falcons/ Jags).

So, what can we expect in 2021? Here are out top predictions.

No London Games

Covid 19 is still on the field, which means that everything planned is once again on hold. The London NFL games involve travel, meeting new people, and engaging with fans…all things that we still aren’t allowed to do under this new normal. With the London games usually announced in the spring, it would seem highly unlikely that the league would risk pushing ahead with UK games given the uncertainty of next season. It’s no secret that players and coaches aren’t fans of traveling across the pond to play games, so the looming spectre of 2021 Covid will be enough for the NFLPA to pump the brakes on London games. Teams would also find it difficult to get insurance for such a trek, not to mention the potential of having zero fans at Wembley, which would make it feel like a ‘Little Mix’ concert.

Covid Rules

It seems highly unlikely that we will have a vaccine and protocols in place for live sports viewing completed within the next few months, which means we will be once again under stricter protocols. While 2021 might be less rigorous in Covid control, there are still several billion people on the planet who are potentially at risk. We’ve already seen how the virus adapts to stay alive, which makes it the New York Jets of infections. Like the Jets, hopefully Covid still won’t have a chance next season.

Sports Bars Die

Don’t mix with other households. Don’t scream or yell. Don’t stand at the bar.
We got a brief glimpse of this in 2020, as governments cracked down on public gatherings in an effort to control the spread. With the virus still with us for the foreseeable future, these restrictions will continue to flex in and out as our frontline workers battle the ever changing nature of the beast.
Sadly sports bars will continue to suffer under this weight. Fans have already started to get use to watching at home, as well as saving money drinking at home.
While nothing can replace the excitement of watching sports with mates, the NFL will be a casualty to football.
We’ve already seen the Premier League move later on Sunday nights, making it an easier choice for bars to go with the low-hanging fruit of a football fan, rather than cater to niche American football fans.
The sports bar is in for a rough ride in 2021, and the NFL right along with it.

Not the Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs are primed to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2021…or are they. If the year has taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen. Pittsburgh went undefeated to then lose to a bunch of losers and put their playoffs at risk. The Bears blew a huge run of games to expose their true talent. The Jets couldn’t even properly tank to get the best new player next year.
Everything you think is going to happen…doesn’t.
With that in mind, this year’s Super Bowl will not be made up of favourites.
Can the NFC East mount a challenger to go all the way? It’s happened before, and it can happen again.

Sam Darnold

‘To me, you are perfect’. Those are the kind of ‘Love Actually’ signs that Darnold could find popping up on his back porch. Adam Gase took a perfectly good, shiny new toy, and left it outside to rust. The Jets will move on from Gase and Darnold, which will allow a new suitor to pick him up and mould him into something other teams will fear.
That team? Why not the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rivers Retires

Old Man Rivers has been fortunate to get another run at the game after leaving the Chargers. Sure, the Colts have looked goodish, but Rivers isn’t the passer he once was. Like any man in his late 30s’, the balls are starting to drop and wobble more. Rivers has already hinted that this might be his last season, so a big Colts loss in the post season could have him call it a day.
Like other former Colts QBs who retire, he will be taken out behind the shed and shot in the head.

Bears Keep Trubisky

You can’t get rid of herpes, you can only contain its flares. Mitch has itched his way to the top of the shaft once again, pushing out points as the Bears make a late playoff squirt.
The best discharge scenario is to scrape Mitch from the tip, and start fresh and clean again…or is it?
No one is going to want to take a Trubisky Ride after seeing him spooge bad decisions every week, so the Bears might just want to wrap him up and keep him in the back pocket.
The Bears will need to rebuild a are program under a new QB, but until then, you gotta itch Mitch.

Bye Bye Julio

Julio Jones is as much Atlanta as a peach tree, but it’s time for this little peach to leave the farm. After all, what’s more vulnerable than a peach? Julio is getting on in years, and you wonder how much more he has left in the tank? With Hopkins and other older receivers still finding ways to make hay, it would seem logical that he test his skills on a new team in 2021.
Which teams would Julio make interesting in 2021? The Chargers, Broncos and Jaguars all could be interesting spots in 2021.

Among some of the other bold predictions we have for the 2021 season include:

-The Jaguars will make the playoffs in the 2021 season.
-Jimmy Garoppolo returns to the 49ers who mount a decent comeback.
-Matt Stafford moves from Detroit to either the Colts, Broncos, or Patriots. 
-Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will turn the XFL into a viable spring league. 
-Dak resigns with the Cowboys, but they have another frustrating season. 
-Allen Robinson leaves the Bears for the Dolphins.
-Shaq Barret leaves the Bucs for the Patriots. 
-Kenny Golladay signs with the Colts.
-Tom Brady retires after the end of the 2021 season after losing once again in the NFC Championship final. 

Those are our predictions for the NFL in 2021, hopefully it’s not all that bleak and sad.
We all want the NFL to return to normal, to have games back in London once again, and for all of us to meet up together to share in the joy of the NFL games.
The sooner this happens, the better a place the world will be.

Good luck to everyone in 2021, happy new year.

Week 1 Picks

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Praise to the NFL Gods! We’re back with the 2020 season, and Wade & Ryan couldn’t be happier.
This whole year has felt like a Cowboys vs Patriots Super Bowl, with screaming idiocy everywhere, but at least we can find comfort in the start of another year of football.
The guys might not be able to predict what the bloody hell is going to happen in the next 6 months, but at least they will steer you right in their NFL picks.

The first week of the NFL is always tricky to handicap, as there are so many unknown factors and new dynamics rolling off of training camp. 2020 is an even tougher year to predict, as the lack of preseason and physical preparation are all going to factor into some wild and crazy scores. Injuries will also be a major issue, as the lack of a preseason means some of these guys might be soft and brittle the first time someone plows into them.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull have done the research, looked at the tape, read a few fantasy magazines and are ready to prognosticate. Wade had a whopping 64% correct against the spread last season, while Ryan came in with 57% correct. Will Wade be able to repeat his wizardry this year? Let’s find out with some of their top picks.

TNF-Texans vs Chiefs (-9) +54.5

The reigning Super Bowl champs kick off the season at home against a foe they face early on in the playoffs last year. Despite trailing 24-0 to Deshaun and the Texans, Mahomes was able to rally his team to go all the way. So how much is changed the season?
Hopkins is gone, Cooks is in and the running game now rests in the hands of Duke Johnson.
The Chiefs have much of their magic back, although some of the blocking on the O line is weaker due to some trades and opt outs.
Both Wade & Ryan like the Chiefs to win here, although Ryan sees the Texans keeping this game closer, while Wade predicts a blowout in from of a smaller Chiefs crowd.
Wade-Chiefs 31 Texans 20
Ryan-Chiefs 31 Texans 28

Dolphins vs Patriots (-6.5) +43

This is the first time we see Bill Belichick without his Tommy Boy, so how will he react to his new NFL normal? He’ll be fine, as BB is known for his meticulous planning for any opponent. Cam will add a nice healthy dose of dip and dash to the offence, and old man Edelman will prove his worth in some quick cuts and short routes. Fitzmagic will need to find his magic wand, as many of his tools have either been traded or regressed in the offseason. Fitz will have some success, but the Patriots D is still one to be feared in the league. Ryan likes the Dolphins to cover, whereas Wade sees this as another beatdown.
Wade-Patriots 30 Dolphins 17
Ryan-Patriots 24 Dolphins 20

Seahawks (-2) vs Falcons +49

The Seahawks are out for a title this year, and many believe that this could be ‘their year’, but first they have to get through some tough competition. The Falcons have struggled with great talent and bad injuries in the past few years, and one wonders if Matt Ryan will ever make a trip back to the Super Bowl in his career. The dome might be lacking in fans, but there will be a lot of eyes on new acquisition Todd Gurley and whether he can stay healthy.
Ryan likes the Seahawks to rough up the Falcons, with Russell Wilson having an impressive day hitting Tyler Lockett.
Wade on the other hand is quick to point out the traditional slow start of the Seahawks, and Pete Carroll not covering the spread on Week 1 since 2014. He has Atlanta in an upset.
Wade-Falcons 30 Seahawks 28
Ryan-Seahawks 31 Falcons 21

For the rest of the predictions, have a listen to our podcast for all the games and scores.
How will the boys do this week?
Make sure you join us one weekend for an NFL event once all of this malarky is behind us.
Stay safe, stay sane, let’s go NFL!

NFC-Division Preview

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The bridesmaids of 2019, the NFC is looking to hoist one of their top teams to Super Bowl glory in 2020, but will they have enough to wrestle the feisty AFC teams in contention?
Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull break down all of the divisions so that you don’t have you. What will each division yield in a tumultuous new season?

NFC East

In the 90s, the NFC east was a spirited division with rivalries between the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins (the Eagles mostly sucked then). It’s been a while since the Eagles had a dominant victory over the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and it’s hard to see one of them repeat that kind of team intensity this year. Wade & Ryan both think that their strong D and running game will give them a winning record of 9-7 with a playoff chance very likely.
Both guys have the Giants hitting at 8-8, which means that they will have some close games, bad losses and terrific upsets. Daniel Jones has bulked up to shake up this division and inspire some real battles. Dallas is the interesting team in this mix, as they have all of the tools to be very good this year. If Mike McCarthy can get this team firing, plus the added bonus of a competitive Andy Dalton, the Cowboys could be VERY good this year. Wade & Ryan both peg them at a respectable 11-5. As for the Washington…team…guys…thing. They will suck harder than an ‘hourly employee’ paid for by Dan Snyder at 3am. Swimming out of that toxic swamp in a city that is a toxic swamp, during a toxic swamp election year will be nothing but stinky. They have some players who will make for some interesting games, but you will only see those moments on RedZone or in the morning.

NFC North

This has to be one of the toughest divisions in football this season. Aaron Rodgers is now in a ‘prove it or lose it’ position with Jordan Love stroking himself in preparation on the sidelines. The Vikings came so close last year, but injuries and inconsistency left much to be desired in a title quest. They have added some great defensive players & Cook is primed for another stellar season.
Oh those Bears. Ask Wade anything about the Bears and expect a flurry of eyerolls and gasps. What do we do with the Trubisky situation. It’s like when you invite your wife’s cousin over to stay for a few nights because you think he’s cool and lonely, and then he moves in and squats in your garage. Use him or lose him. He has a lot to prove in Chicago this year if he wants to stop having dog shit thrown at his house. The Lions are in for a tough season. They lost a lot of tools, and Matt Stafford will still be chucking the ball to Jones Jr for big plays. They can inflict some damage, but will likely whimper off as the post season looms. Both Wade & Ryan like the Packers but Ryan likes the Vikings a little bit more.

NFC South

Oh the south will rise again, because Tom Brady is here! There are a lot of expectations from the Bucs this year as the old Patriots become the new TB with a few solid weapons. They almost made the playoffs last year with Winston, so they should do very well if they stay healthy. Wade & Ryan both think that they will hit a 10-6 record. If Tampa sucks this year, how much could it affect the dynasty of TB12?
The Saints will be marching in this year with playoffs on the playlist. After coming so close in the past few seasons, they finally seem to put a dent in the NFC. Wade likes them at 13-3, while Ryan sees them a more comfortable 11-5.
Atlanta is that flashing button on the microwave. The oven still works fine, but for some reason you don’t know how to fix it. Matt Ryan has incredible numbers, but their injuries in the past few seasons have been woeful. The are Mr. Mediocre for the past few years and look to stay that way in 2020. Wade says 8-7, Ryan has them at 8-8.
Lastly is team Christian McCaffrey, the little engine that runs over teams and tops all the fantasy tables. Adding Teddy B will take a break off of CMcC’s back, & adding the wheels of Robby Anderson makes them interesting. Just not winners. If Christian gets hurt they are well and truly screwed.

NFC West

The West has a bevy of good teams in it, but are they good enough?
Many have already begun to write off the 49ers after their offseason moves. They had the lead in the SuperBowl and looked poised to lift it up, but just didn’t have the tools to beat a crushing KC team. Wade and Ryan both see the Niners dropped off huge from last season, with Wade calling 8-8 and Ryan 9-7.
The Rams saw their hype get chin-booted in 2019, with the trauma of Tom Brady’s beating in the Super Bowl still fresh on their vibe. Goff has loads to prove, and you can only rely on the defence for so long. Wade has them going 9-7, while Ryan is a .500 man at 8-8.
Arizona has a team with incredible potential and nothing to really lose. Kyler Murray was impressive last year, and could be the softmore to watch, as adding Andre Johnson makes them a fun prospect. They won’t have enough on D to stop the big guys, but they should be able to disrupt and score some fun upsets. Both guys have them at 8-8.
Both guys think that the Seahawks will crap all over the competition. Russell Wilson is primed to explode this year, provided their team doesn’t implode with injuries. They came close last year, this year the go hard.

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NFC East Prediction

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The NFC East has been a bit of a dumpster fire in the past decade, so what’s to say it’s going to get any better?
Can anyone emerge from here that is able to fight off those plucky AFC teams?
There can be only one…and their name is the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull look at this tight division to see who might pop from the ashes to take on the NFC contenders.
The Eagles have the best all around team, and with the addition of WR DeSean Jackson, they might have all the tools to go all the way. Will their QB finally rise to the challenge now that the distraction of Big Dick Nick is gone?
Probably.
The healthiness of Carson Went will always be factor, but the running game might also be something to examine.
At the end of it, the Eagles have more tools to go further in this division.

The Giants are a mess. Internally, externally-just a mess.
Yes, Saquon Barkley will be a beast in fantasy, but other than that-it will be watching Eli Manning implode as quickly as the fans do.
They might upset a few games, but mostly themselves.

The Dallas Cowboys are like 3 kids fighting in the back seat while dad ignores them and threatens to smash their toys when they get home.
Everyone wants to get ‘paid’, but do they deserve it and are they worth it in a tight fisted league?
Zeke looks like he is doubtful to suit up soon, and Amari Cooper is probably teetering too.

The Washington Redskins are just atrocious. If there was any time to succumb t the fans and change your name, it’s now.
Dwayne Haskins looks like the kid from ‘Get Out’ stepping into that mental minefield.
Redskins fans will just have to wait and see…and wait and see.

Eagles take the division-Ryan sees them going places.
Wade sees them getting knocked out by the Bears.
Sweet justice.