Week 3 NFL Power Rankings. Trouble in New Orleans

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. The New Orleans Saints are struggling in the absence of their head coach Sean Payton (pictured above).

By Wesley Kaminsky

After two straight losses to non-playoff teams from a season ago, the New Orleans Saints look like a different team from 2011. That offense, which was so unstoppable under Sean Payton, is out of sync, and the defense is struggling without Gregg Williams. In an improved NFC, the Saints appear to be in trouble. Payton was that important to this team and it’s showing.

In this weeks power rankings, the Eagles and the Dolphins made the biggest leap, jumping seven spots, while the Bears and Redskins had the biggest fall, tumbling six spots. The Falcons cracked the top five, and the 49ers maintained their number one ranking.

Enough of me spoiling it, time for you to find out for yourself where your favorite team ranks.

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Coughlin deserves it

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tom Coughlin (pictured above) has been highly criticized over the years. Yesterday, he finally received some of the credit he deserves in signing a three-year extension worth 20 million dollars.

By Josh Kramer

Tom Coughlin never actually looks happy.  He was likely smiling on the inside yesterday though when he signed a three-year contract worth 20 million dollars.  Not too many coaches have sat on a hotter seat than Coach Coughlin has during his “tumultuous” eight years roaming the sidelines at the Meadowlands.  Yesterday, Coughlin was finally awarded monetarily for bringing the Giants their second Super Bowl championship in five years.

The harshest critics in the world reside in New York City.  If you can’t take the heat, then get out is the motto in the Big Apple.  Over the years, Tom Coughlin has dealt with as much, or more heat, than any other coach in the NFL (that still has a job).  If we are being entirely honest, if the Giants had failed to win in Week 16 and Week 17 last year, Coughlin likely would have been fired.  Instead, the Giants went on a magical run of six straight victories resulting in the organization’s fourth Super Bowl championship.

I for one have never understood the skepticism in regards to Coughlin.

Patriots Blow Golden Opportunit​y-Giants Win Super Bowl XLVI

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. According to our very own Wesley Kaminsky, Tom Brady (pictured above), the Golden Boy, blew it for New England on Sunday.

By Wesley Kaminsky

Let me start by saying I’m not a Patriots fan. I’m an Eagles fan. I’m merely an angry, bitter, disgusted Eagles fan who has tasted playoff failure for my entire life. I’ve witnessed the Eagles lose in four NFC championship games, and one Super Bowl. I was in attendance in Jacksonville during that Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Patriots. I haven’t tasted a Super Bowl victory, and neither have any Eagles fans. Instead, I’ve had to suffer through watching the Giants win two Super Bowls in the last four years. I didn’t sign up for this.

I’ve taken a couple of days to reflect on what took place in Indianapolis on Sunday night. The more I think about it, the more I cannot believe the Patriots lost.

The more I realize how lucky the Giants got.

The more I realize how Tom Brady blew it. The Golden Boy.

Food for Thought 2-7-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Eli Manning (pictured above) likely stamped a ticket to Canton with an outstanding performance in Super Bowl XLVI.

By Josh Kramer

So long football season.  It has been real. Now America’s favorite sport goes on an extended hiatus.  Basketball takes center stage and baseball is on the horizon.  I think it is safe to say that the 92^nd edition of NFL football did not disappoint by any means and we are all as excited as ever for Year #93.   Here are the main items that have caught my attention over the past couple or days.

NFLP?

So maybe the big game was not as high scoring of an affair as many would have hoped.  I think we can all agree that it was far more entertaining than the BCS National Championship Game that we all had to suffer through nearly a month ago.  The fact of the matter is, the entire football world got to bear witness to an outstanding football game that came down to the final play.  Really, what more can you ask for?

Super Bowl XLVI Preview

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Tom Brady (pictured above) was not a happy man four years ago as he exited the field following a loss in Super Bowl XLII. Do not expect the same outcome on Sunday.

By Josh Kramer

Coughlin vs. Belichick.  Manning (Eli) vs. Brady.  New York vs. Boston.  It does not get any better than the scenario that has been set up for Super Bowl XLVI.  There are millions of storylines floating around about America’s most anticipated sporting event of the year.  And 99.9% of the storylines will be moot come Sunday at 6:29PM, when the ball is kicked off in the “House that Peyton Built (Lucas Oil Stadium).”  Four years ago to the day, these two teams representing two of the biggest sports markets in the world met in Glendale, Arizona for rights to the Lombardi Trophy.  If Sunday’s rematch can be half as good as what America was able to witness four years ago, the game will be a memorable one.

For nearly two weeks, we have been well aware of the matchup on Sunday for football’s biggest prize.  And for two weeks, this game has been dissected and analyzed until I feel like there is nothing more to discuss.  It gets to the point every year where it is time to just play the game.  When the analysis and incite loses its luster.  I feel like we have hit that point.  Just like any big sporting event, this game will likely come down to one or two key plays.  Four years ago, “The Catch” was the play that in essence ended Brady, Moss, and New England’s remarkable attempt at football immortality.  Who will make the play this year that changes history?

NFL Week 16 Predictions

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Mark Sanchez (pictured above) will have to bring his "A" game on Saturday if the Jets want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

By Josh Kramer

Don Shula and the 1972 Dolphins can breathe a major sigh of relief, while the 2008 Lions, well, their record is safe.  Week 15 was one of those weeks that typified why the NFL is the benchmark of parity in American professional sports.  Nobody could have predicted all of the improbable outcomes that occurred.  Now we have just two weeks left, and five playoff spots yet to be determined.

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 15, here is the scoreboard.

CB-141

TSK-147

CV3-139

DC-138

Week 16 Slate:

NFL Week 14 Predictions

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com. The game of the week pits two NFC East super powers against each other. Cowboys (left) and Giants (right).

By Josh Kramer

Peyton Manning’s days in Indianapolis may be numbered.  Aaron Rodgers is putting up one of the greatest regular season bodies of work of all time.  And Tim Tebow continues to shock the world.  The NFL this year has been extremely unpredictable, but extremely fun.

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 13, here is the scoreboard.

CB-121

TSK-129

CV3-118

DC-119

Week 14 Slate:

2011 NFL Season: Pre-Season NFL Power Rankings

Photo courtesy of nflnewsworld.com.

By Wesley Kaminsky

After a long off-season in which there were questions as to whether or not there would be a season in 2011, the NFL is back, and better than ever. Following the conclusion of the lockout, it was madness in the NFL, with big names such as Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Donovan McNabb all on new teams. That’s just to name a few.

Heading into the season, teams such as the Patriots and Eagles are in a Super Bowl or bust mentality. These two teams have been the story of the off-season, with the Patriots landing Chad Ochocinco, Shaun Ellis, and Albert Haynesworth, while the Eagles landed Nnamdi Asomugha, and Ronnie Brown, among others.

It seems to me that people are forgetting about the team that won the Super Bowl last season, the Green Bay Packers. They didn’t make noise in free agency, but don’t forget they were without Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley during their Super Bowl run.

Without further ado, here are my NFL power rankings heading into the 2011 season.

Five NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2011

Photo courtesy of franklinstripfanatics.com. According to our very own Wesley Kaminsky, Marvin Lewis (pictured above) is one of five coaches on the hot seat as we get ready for the NFL season.

By Wesley Kaminsky

It’s almost that time of the year again, and yes I’m talking about the NFL season. With the lockout nearly over, it is time to start thinking about the 2011 NFL season, and forget about all the nonsense that went on this off-season.

Every year, at some point, there are head coaches fired during the season. It simply is something that always happens every season, and this season I expect nothing less.

There will be teams that exceed expectations, and teams that disappoint. If a team is struggling badly, the scrutiny is put right to the head coach. Here we go.

“Food for Thought 3-8-11”

Could the days of Jim Tressel (pictured above) and the trusty sweater vest be over in Columbus? Don't count on it.

There is so much going on in sports right now.  NCAA Basketball madness all day.  MLB Spring Training.  NFL Labor Negotiations.  NBA Basketball.  And I could go on.  It is time to delve into some of the major headlines today.

Tressels Sweats it Out in the Sweater Vest