2 Weeks To Go

So as the 2016 regular season comes to an end what have we learned?

The Jaguars are an organization that is perfectly fine with losing. It's acceptable to their owner. This guy let a coach go 14-48 over 4 seasons and didn't fire him until week 15. That accomplished nothing. By week 8 it was obvious the Jags were headed for another season that would land them a top 3 draft pick. It was also obvious that Bradley had to go. With a guy like Doug Marrone on the staff, it only made sense to give him at least 6 to 8 games to show what he could do with this squad. You had a legitimate potential replacement on the staff and you stuck with Gus because he was "so well respected" in your building. 14-48 brings up a lot of feelings for me regarding him, respect isn't one of them.

The Raiders have two unbelievably rare finds on their roster in Mack and Carr. My God! When was the last time a team landed back to back draft picks like these two studs? It takes 53 players to win a championship, but these two are the foundation. It's like getting Von Miller and Andrew Luck in the same draft. I'm not sure about this year, but this combo should bring another Lombardi to the great Raiders Nation eventually.

I've been a Jets fan for 3 decades, although last season I tried to wash my hands of them... if that's possible. Nonetheless, it's hard for me to be impartial about the Patriots in general. But if Brady wins the MVP in a season where he was suspended for 4 games for cheating, it will be the ultimate cherry on top of a society that has given up on the concept of character. It's just simply absurd, and I'd say there is a 90% chance it happens. Gross.

Further proving the theory that building through the draft is the only way to create sustainable success in this league, the Cowboys also deliver an amazing one two punch drafting Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott in this years draft. These two impact rookies have helped lead the Boys' to a 12-2 record. Jerry Jones also took Jaylon Smith in the early second round, and he has a big chance of being a game changer for them next season.

The only team to beat the Cowboys this season was the Giants. They spent big in free agency, and turned around a historically bad defense. Their GM went from the chopping block to potentially executive of the year. I still question some of the dollar amounts that were handed out to those free agents, but as for 2016... that invested cash is paying dividends.

Two players who I was dead set against in the 2015 draft were Marcus Mariota and Vic Beasley. I called them both 3rd to 4th round picks who would be top 10 busts. The Mariota thing was a bit of a roll of the dice. I acknowledged the outstanding intangibles he brought to the table as well as his physical gifts. I said he may have a chance log term, but I didn't see him doing this well this quickly. He is the real deal. He makes huge plays in big moments and minimizes mistakes.

As for Beasley I said BUST, BUST, BUST. I called him a work out warrior, and a combine freak. I saw another Vernon Gholson. Well, 30 games, 20 sacks and countless game changing plays later... this guy is also the real deal. I am happy to say I was wrong and that the NFL has gained another star. Good for the dirty birds!

The Steelers, Packers and Chargers have some fundamental problems somewhere in their organizations right now. The first two clubs are legendary teams, but like the Chargers all three are wasting, or maybe taking for granted the fact that they have franchise QB's. AND, none of these guys are getting any younger. All three have defenses and O-lines that are simply not good enough to win it all. 2 years ago I started saying this about the Giants and Eli. They didn't have the proper skill players around him and the defense was falling apart. They have started to make roster moves with a sense of urgency. And not a moment too soon.

The Rams finally got rid of Fischer. Another over due move. This guy hasn't had a winning record in this league for a long time. After losing his challenge flag mid game (yes, that actually happened) and complimenting Danny Woodhead during a media conference call as a key part of the Patriots offense (a guy who hasn't been on Belichick's roster for over 2 years and is also coincidentally on IR for the 2016 season) he was dumped. But another clumsy move by a piss poor organization. They did it 72 hours before a Thursday night game and they put their special teams coordinator in charge. This guy looked like a pop warner coach they pulled in off the street. When asked if he what he would change about what the fired head coach was doing his answer was "nothing". SMH. What a leader!

The other coaches that should be relived of their duties on black Monday are Rex Ryan (all talk, no results... the circus need to fold it's tent for good with this one), Marvin Lewis.. (is it like 15 years he's been in Cincinnati now??? Still never even one playoff win??? How is him being their HC still a thing? Mind boggling) Chip Kelly (please leave the NFL forever).

And finally Bill O'Brien. Holy shit this guy is like poison to QB's.. he couldn't find one if you gave him 20 more seasons. Sadly they still might make the playoffs. If they did I can't imagine him being let go... but he should be. This is a team that gave a QB $72 million with 37 guaranteed without ever sitting down with him and doing an interview??? If I was that owner I would have no choice but to clean house. This same group passed on Khalil Mack with the #1 overall pick in 2014 AND THEN traded away the top pick of the second round... to the Raiders.... who took Carr. Again, HOLY SHIT... clean house. Period.

So I will now predict the conference championship match ups, winners, and my Super Bowl prediction:

AFC Championship game will be in New England with the Pats taking on the Chiefs.

NFC Championship game will be in Green Bay with The Pack taking on the Giants.

I see Green Bay winning their division and probably beating the Bucs and Seattle to host the NFCCG... The Giants would have a tough pair of road games vs the Falcons and Cowboys.

Meanwhile the Pats and Chiefs as the top 2 seeds on the AFC side would be on a collision course.

I think the Patriots beat the Chiefs and face the Giants in the Superbowl... for the 3rd time in a decade. My heart tells me that the G-men pull it off, but I think that Brady has a play making defense and a trio of running backs that will make up for the loss of Gronk...

So Tom Terrific gets ring #5... and hopefully fucking retires!