NFL Preview 2012-2013

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Rob Gronkowski (pictured above) and the New England Patriots will redeem themselves on February 3rd with their fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

By Josh Kramer

It has been 208 days since the New England Patriots and more specifically Wes Welker let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. For those of you in need of a refresher, back on February 5th in the house that Peyton Manning built (Lucas Oil Stadium), the New York Giants once again shocked the New England Patriots in a very closely contested Super Bowl game.  That was then though and this is now.  America’s most popular sport is just five days away from its official kickoff.  Who is ready for some football?

AFC East Champion:  New England Patriots

I am sure you are all shocked at this pick.  New England has only won three straight divisional crowns and qualified for the playoffs eight of the past nine years.  People are already comparing this year’s squad to the greatest team to ever grace the gridiron, but fail to win the Lombardi Trophy (2007 Patriots).  With Brandon Lloyd added to the mix, it is hard to say these comparisons are all that far-fetched.  However, it should be noted that the defense has some flaws, and the offensive line will have its fair of struggles due to the absence of Matt Light (retirement), Brian Waters (possibly retirement), Logan Mankins (ACL tear), and Sebastian Vollmer (back injury).  Luckily for New England, the Jets appear to have taken a step backwards with the acquisition of “God” Tebow, and the Miami Dolphins appear to just be a horrible team (Hard Knocks has provided clear evidence of this).  Buffalo is improved, but does not have nearly the firepower to stick with New England throughout the duration of a grueling 17-week season.

A Special Day: #1,000

By Josh Kramer

Let’s get this party started with a little video tribute..

Before we get into the sappy and reflective stuff again, what would a post be without a little sports chatter?

Sports Theories:

Baseball:

-Baseball shot itself in the foot back in 1973 when the American League added the DH.

-The art of bunting has gone in the toilet (watch the Reds if you want confirmation).

-The MLB should nix interleague play, divisions, and the playoffs, just having a World Series between the teams with the best record in the AL and NL.

-Hitting a 100 mph (especially when you aren’t sure it is coming) fastball is the hardest thing to do in sports.

-Due to playing on the wrong coast, Jered Weaver never receives the media attention he so rightfully deserves.

-If I had the opportunity to be a professional athlete for a day, I would choose to be Derek Jeter.

Will the curse apply to Megatron?

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Calvin Johnson (pictured above) was unstoppable last season. Will the Madden Curse slow down the guy people refer to as Megatron?

By Josh Kramer

Things are good for Calvin Johnson these days.  He just had a career year in which he took NFL secondaries by storm reeling in 96 catches and 16 touchdowns.  The guy was simply phenomenal in every sense of the word.  He lived up to his well-known nickname “Megatron.”  In addition, the Detroit Lions made the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  Lastly, CJ just signed a robust contract for eight years and 132 million.  Things just got even better yesterday.

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson will appear on the cover of “Madden NFL 2013.”  A highly regarded honor for NFL players these days.

Nothing is ever as good as it seems though.  Don’t tell me that you are not aware of the widely known Madden curse.

The first edition of Madden NFL (the video game) was released in 1988.  Ever since, the game that bears the name of one of the NFL’s all-time great coaches has become a phenomenon.  Starting in 1999, players began appearing on the cover.  Here is a history of the cover boys.

Food for Thought 1-24-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Billy Cundiff (pictured above) is now the most hated man in Baltimore sadly.

By Josh Kramer

Championship Game Scapegoats

How would you have liked being Billy Cundiff or Kyle Williams on Sunday? New members have joined the exclusive club that features the likes of Bill Buckner, Dan Goodale, and Steve Bartman.  Okay maybe not Steve Bartman.  And maybe not even Bill Buckner for that matter.  But Billy Cundiff and Kyle Williams joined an exclusive club of “Choke Artists” on Sunday.  Now I am a person who firmly believes that all teams win as a team, and lose as a team.  It is never just one specific individuals fault.  But the common fan and the media love to portray losses squarely on the shoulders of a specific individual.  It is just the way our culture operates, especially in regards to sports.  The blame game simplifies things.  It keeps complex situations black and white.  This is the beauty of scapegoating.

NFL Conference Championships

Photo courtesy of inquisitr.com. Jim Harbaugh (pictured above) has pulled a David Blaine like job in San Francisco. Can he get one more win and help the 49ers get to the Super Bowl?

By Josh Kramer

This Sunday is by no means rocket science in terms of the NFL.  Let me clarify any confusion if there is any. If you win, then you’re in.  If you lose, well, you join the rest of America to watch the country’s biggest sporting spectacle on your couch.  At least the commercials for the big game are good right?  All four of the remaining teams are outstanding groups that are still standing for a reason.  28 teams are already making preparations for next year.  This esteemed group of four has their sights set on the present.  They have their sights set on the one and only Lombardi Trophy.

“Tebow Time” may have struck midnight.  And the seemingly invincible team from Green Bay is out, but this weekend will be a treat without a doubt.

Championship Weekend:

Key Storylines:

-Will we get a rematch of the epic game from February 3, 2008?

-Will Jim Harbaugh continue to shock the world?

–Ray Lewis or Tom Brady?  Which superstar will represent the AFC in Indy?

-Will the Ravens recent inner turmoil cost them a spot in the big game?

NFL Season 2012: Ranking the Remaining Playoff Teams

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tom Brady (pictued above) has not won a playoff game in four years. Can he regain his postseason swagger against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos?

By Wesley Kaminsky

The 2012 NFL playoffs are among us, and during Wild-Card Weekend, things started off with a bang. In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of each game.

Game 1: Houston Texans 31, Cincinnati Bengals 10. If you had told me in the beginning of the season that rookie T.J. Yates would be hosting a playoff game against fellow rookie, Andy Dalton, I would have called you crazy. However, led by their strong defenses, both teams were able to find a way into the playoffs, with the Texans winning their first playoff game in franchise history. Arian Foster led the way for the Texans, rushing for 153 yards on 24 carries.

NFL Week 15 Predictions

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tim Tebow has stole the headlines for the past couple of months with his astonishing 7 and 1 record as a starter this season. Meanwhile, Tom Brady (pictured above) has continued to win games too.

By Josh Kramer

Tim Tebow continues to shock the world and “Tebowtize” the NFL as he braces for what should be an epic showdown with Tom Brady’s Patriots.  Aaron Rodgers is putting on one of the greatest regular season performances of all time.  The Bears Sam Hurd is deserving of the ultimate “Cmon Man.”  And the Cincinnati Bengals magical season is all but over in terms of postseason hopes.  Only three weeks remain in what has already been a crazy NFL regular season.

As has become the tradition, we are once again having “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge.”

The participants this season are as follows:

TheSportsKraze (TSK) (defending champion)-Josh Kramer-Founder/Editor-In-Chief of “TheSportsKraze” and former ESPN intern.

CV3-Chad Vordenberge-An elite high school wide receiver and a very successful business owner.

CB-Craig Baker-A former collegiate baseball player and current special education teacher.

DC-David Clark-A dedicated sports fan who was coached by TheSportsKraze on his fraternity flag football team.  After playing for TheSportsKraze, he has developed a slow but steady motivation to show his coach who the real pick’em champion is.

After Week 14, here is the scoreboard.

CB-134

TSK-141

CV3-130

DC-131

Week 15 Slate:

NFL Week 11 Predictions

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Ray Lewis (pictured above) is always excited to meet rookie quarterbacks. On Sunday, he will get his first introductions to Cincinnati rookie QB Andy Dalton.

By Josh Kramer

Everyone is more than aware that football is a rough sport and that the NFL is the pinnacle of physicality.  But last week was flat-out bad.  I cannot think of a week in recent memory where more guys went down.  Despite all of the injuries though, there were some great games.  San Francisco found a way to beat a tough Giants team in New York.  The Pittsburgh Steelers ripped the hearts out of their rivals in Cincinnati, ending the Who Dey’s first five-game winning streak since 1988.  And the Green Bay Packers continued their march towards perfection with a phenomenal showing on Monday Night Football.

As has become the tradition, we are once again having “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge.”

The participants this season are as follows:

TheSportsKraze (TSK) (defending champion)-Josh Kramer-Founder/Editor-In-Chief of “TheSportsKraze” and former ESPN intern.

CV3-Chad Vordenberge-An elite high school wide receiver and a very successful business owner.

CB-Craig Baker-A former collegiate baseball player and current special education teacher.

DC-David Clark-A dedicated sports fan who was coached by TheSportsKraze on his fraternity flag football team.  After playing for TheSportsKraze, he has developed a slow but steady motivation to show his coach who the real pick’em champion is.

After Week 10, here is the scoreboard.

CB-94

TSK-97

CV3-92

DC-90

Week 11 Slate:

Food for Thought 11-8-2011

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton (pictured above) has been better than advertised thus far, leading Cincinnati to a shocking 6 and 2 start.

By Josh Kramer

This weekend was defined by making moves.  Some were positive.  And some were negative.  But football across the land at both the professional and collegiate ranks lived up to the hype and more.  Plus the owners finally put forth an ultimatum towards the players.  The following are the items that have really caught my attention.

Can you say Who Dey?

NFL Week 9 Predictions

Photo courtesy of blitzburghblog.com. Sunday night's AFC North Showdown will feature some of the League's elite defensive players such as Troy Polamalu (left) and Ed Reed (right).

By Josh Kramer

The Philadelphia Eagles appear to have finally woken up from their nearly two month slumber.  Green Bay seems poised to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.  The Rams finally got a W.  And the Cincinnati Bengals are 5 and 2.  Yes, let me repeat that.  The team out of Cincinnati commonly referred to as the “Bungles” and run by that psycho owner is currently tied atop the AFC North with a rookie QB out of TCU.

Week 8 was great, but you better believe that Week 9 has the makings to be even better.

As has become the tradition, we are once again having “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge.”

The participants this season are as follows:

TheSportsKraze (TSK) (defending champion)-Josh Kramer-Founder/Editor-In-Chief of “TheSportsKraze” and former ESPN intern.

CV3-Chad Vordenberge-An elite high school wide receiver and a very successful business owner.

CB-Craig Baker-A former collegiate baseball player and current special education teacher.

DC-David Clark-A dedicated sports fan who was coached by TheSportsKraze on his fraternity flag football team.  After playing for TheSportsKraze, he has developed a slow but steady motivation to show his coach who the real pick’em champion is.

After Week 8, here is the scoreboard.

CB-77

TSK-80

CV3-76

DC-74

Week 9 Slate: