Tag: New Orleans Saints

2019 NFL Schedule: Top Matchups

Just days from the 2019 NFL Draft,  the NFL announced the regular season slate for all 32 teams, highlighted by title game rematches and some big-time matchups. A look at the highlights of the 256-game schedule.


 

Week 1: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

To kick off the ‘Road to Super Bowl 54’ in Miami, the NFL bucked the tradition of having the defending Super Bowl champions host the opening game, opting to instead highlight the league’s 100th anniversary by showcasing one of the league’s most historic rivalries.

Last season’s Week 1 matchup between the Bears and Packers proved to be one of the more exciting games of the entire season, seeing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tossing three second-half touchdown after an injury, leading the Pack to a 24-23 victory.

Week 2: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams

One of the most anticipated rematches of the last decade in the NFL, the #1 seed in the NFC last season, the New Orleans Saints, travel to LA to face off against the reigning NFC champion Rams in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship game.

This past offseason, the NFL expanded its use of instant replay to include missed pass interference calls, directly in response to the blatant missed call at the end of the NFC Championship game. The rematch of these two teams promises bad blood, fireworks, and offensive displays of firepower that could easily make the matchup the best game of the 2019 season.

Week 5: Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs

A rematch of the 2018 divisional playoff game, the Chiefs come into the season reigning AFC West champions and easily the favorite in the AFC. The Indianapolis Colts, however, have reloaded their roster, and look to capitalize on a promising 2018 campaign, most notably adding former Chiefs pass rusher Justin Houston the an already formidable defensive front.

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

Another rematch from the 2018 playoff slate, the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots once again welcome quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs into Gillette Stadium in a rematch of the 2018 AFC Championship game.

Sporting two of the more electrifying matchups from the 2018 season, both the Patriots and Chiefs remain atop the AFC’s Super Bowl favorites, and it appears possible the two could be headed for an AFC title game rematch as well.

 

 

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Super Bowl 54 in Miami

Countdown to Super Bowl 2019 Atlanta: Super Bowl XLIV

All roads to Super Bowl 53 in the NFC run through New Orleans, where the Saints currently hold the #1 seed. The last time they held home field advantage? The 2009 NFL season, which resulted in a Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Another For New England

Super Bowl XLIV, played between the Saints and Colts, was played on February 7, 2010 in Miami, Florida at Sun Life Stadium. In front of nearly 75,000 fans, the Saints would go on to capture the Lombardi Trophy, by a final score of 31-17.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees took home Super Bowl XLIV MVP honors, completing 32 of his 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Brees tied a record previously held by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, with 32 total completions in the big game. Brady set the record initially in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Super Bowl XLIV was aired on CBS in front of a total of 153.4 million viewers, with the cost of a 30-second commercial rising to a whopping $3 million. Commentators Jim Nantz and Phil Simms boradcasted Super Bowl XLIV, with legendary band “The Who” performing at halftime.

 

 

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2019 Super Bowl: Top Possible Matchups

Past the halfway point on the Road to Super Bowl 53, the 2018 NFL season enters Week 10 with plenty of teams emerging as conference favorites. So what are some of the top matchups we could see when teams hit the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia in February 2019?
 

Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) vs. Los Angeles Rams (8-1)

 
One of the NFL’s elite offenses meets the best statistical defense in the league in this hypothetical matchup, as the two current-conference leaders, primed for #1 seeds and home field advantage in the playoffs, meet in Super Bowl 53.

A lone last-second loss to the New England Patriots stands between the Chiefs and an undefeated record, but that doesn’t deter any excitement when it comes to this Chiefs offense. Something many didn’t see come, the Chiefs are led by an early MVP-favorite in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has completed 66% of his passes for 2,526 yards and a league-leading 26 touchdowns.

Quarterback Jared Goff has seemingly made another leap under head coach Sean McVay, completing 68% of his passes for 2,425 yards and 17 touchdowns thus far. The feature of the Rams offense, the aforementioned Gurley, leads the league in rushing with 800 yards and 11 touchdowns through the first eight games.

The Kansas City Chiefs, sitting at 8-1 and led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is progressing at a record-setting pace, would meet the high-flying Los Angeles Rams, who for the second-straight season are leaving many surprised. Despite coming off a loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, the Rams remain heavy favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots (7-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (8-1)

 
The classic Boston vs. Los Angeles matchup comes to the NFL. After decades of the historic rivalry of the Boston Celtics vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, and on the heels of a Boston Red Sox World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NFL’s version of this historic rivalry could make its way to Atlanta in 2019.

After starting 1-2, the New England Patriots are on a six-game win streak, led by none other than five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. As long as Brady and Belichick continue to lead the way, the Patriots will continue to be odds-on favorites to reach the Super Bowl.

Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) vs. New Orleans Saints (7-1)

 
The offensive matchup that would create fireworks would most likely be the Kansas City Chiefs meeting the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta for Super Bowl 53. The two highest-scoring offenses in the NFL, the Chiefs (36.3) and Saints (34.9) are both scoring at lightning paces, which would make for an exciting Super Bowl matchup.

Quarterback Drew Brees, in a year where he set the record for most passing yards in NFL history, has thrown for 1,990 yards and 14 touchdowns, with Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara seeing the lion-share of those targets (55% of Brees’ completions).

Not to be outdone, the Saints defense ranks #1 in rushing yards allowed per game, holding their opponents to an incredible 74.1 yards per game. With Brees at the helm and a solidified defensive from anchored by defensive end Cam Jordan and cornerback Marcus Lattimore, the Saints can never be counted out to make it to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta in 2019.

 

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2019 Super Bowl 53: Mid-Season Favorites

Officially through Week 8 of the 2018-19 NFL season, the regular season has reached its halfway point. So what’s teams are looking like the league favorites to head to Atlanta at the end of the season for Super Bowl 53?

Los Angeles Rams (8-0, 1st in NFC West)

Touting one of the best offenses in the NFL (and the #1 rushing attack featuring running back Todd Gurley), the Los Angeles Rams once again find themselves the darlings of the NFL season, standing alone as the remaining unbeaten team at 8-0.

Quarterback Jared Goff has seemingly made another leap under head coach Sean McVay, completing 68% of his passes for 2,425 yards and 17 touchdowns thus far. The feature of the Rams offense, the aforementioned Gurley, leads the league in rushing with 800 yards and 11 touchdowns through the first eight games.

Until someone steps up and dethrones the Rams as the league’s lone undefeated team, the Rams will remain a heavy favorite to be the NFC representative in Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta.

 

Kansas City Chiefs (7-1, 1st in AFC West)

One of the biggest surprises of the 2018 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs tout the league’s most prominent offense when it comes to scoring, racking up a staggering 36.2 points per game so far in the first half of the season.

A lone last-second loss to the New England Patriots stands between the Chiefs and an undefeated record, but that doesn’t deter any excitement when it comes to this Chiefs offense. Something many didn’t see come, the Chiefs are led by an early MVP-favorite in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has completed 66% of his passes for 2,526 yards and a league-leading 26 touchdowns.

As long as Mahomes is continuing to sling it, and key playmakers such as running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Tyreek Hill can remain healthy, this Chiefs team will remain one of the favorites to reach Super Bowl 53 in 2019.

New Orleans Saints (6-1, 1st in NFC South)

After a disappointing end to the 2017 campaign following the “minneapolis miracle joe buck” the New Orleans Saints have surprised many, sporting the second-highest scoring offense (33.4 points per game) in the NFL to go alongside their staunch defensive front.

Quarterback Drew Brees, in a year where he set the record for most passing yards in NFL history, has thrown for 1,990 yards and 14 touchdowns, with Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara seeing the lion-share of those targets (55% of Brees’ completions).

Not to be outdone, the Saints defense ranks #1 in rushing yards allowed per game, holding their opponents to an incredible 74.1 yards per game. With Brees at the helm and a solidified defensive from anchored by defensive end Cam Jordan and cornerback Marcus Lattimore, the Saints can never be counted out to make it to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta in 2019.

New England Patriots (6-2, 1st in AFC East)

Is it really a Super Bowl favorites “preview” without the New England Patriots? Despite another slow start to the season, the Patriots, touting the league’s fourth-ranked offense in points per game (29.9), have rattled off five-straight wins, most recently a 25-6 drubbing of the AFC East-rival Buffalo Bills.

One can argue that as long as head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady remain at the helm, the Patriots will continue to be favored to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. And if the team can capitalize on the early five-game win streak and big divisional lead, they’ll be a favorite to reach Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta in February.

 

 

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Road to Super Bowl 53: NFC South Preview

After a seemingly disappointing year in 2017 after such a successful campaign in the 2016 season, will the NFC South be able to rebound in the 2018 NFL season on the Road to Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta?

New Orleans Saints

2017 Record: 11-5, NFC South Champions

After a relatively disappointing year in 2016, the New Orleans Saints rebounded in 2017, clawing their way to an 11-5 record and walking away winners of the NFC South via a tiebreaker with the Carolina Panthers.

The 2018 offseason was about not only securing the present, but preparing for life post-quarterback Drew Brees. While the status of Brees’ re-signing was up in the air, the Saints and Brees eventually agreed to a two-year contract extension, giving the Saints a few more years to prepare for the future. But that doesn’t mean the team is using Brees as a placeholder. The team reloaded on offense, signing former Browns running back Terrance West to pair with 2017 offensive standout rookie in Alvin Kamara. Returning wide receivers Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr., the team also signed former Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith, brought back tight end Benjamin Watson, and re-signed offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod.

 

 

Carolina Panthers

2017 Record: 11-5

After finishing second in the division and trading offensive playmaking wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, the Carolina Panthers were due for a minor reset in the 2018 offseason. However, a relatively quiet offseason leaves fans wondering what the 2018 edition of the Panthers might look like once they hit the field.

Running back Jonathan Stewart departed in favor of the New York Giants, All-Pro offensive lineman Andrew Norwell signed a monster contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and defensive playmakers Star Lotulelei and Kurt Coleman also chose to go elsewhere. To help buffer those losses, the Panthers brought in defensive backs Da’Norris Search and Mike Adams, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, and acquired wide receivers Torrey Smith (PHI) and D.J. Moore (2018 NFL Draft, #24 overall pick).

 

 

Atlanta Falcons

2017 Record: 10-6

Just a year removed from a standout campaign in 2016, which saw the team capture the #2 overall seed in the NFC Playoffs and a Super Bowl LI appearance against the New England Patriots, the Falcons seemingly regressed in 2017, finishing with a 10-6 record and failing to make the playoffs.

The headline of the 2018 offseason thus far for the Falcons (and the NFL, for that matter) has been the ongoing contract negotiations (or lack thereof) with wide receiver Julio Jones, who reportedly is ready to holdout amidst the talks.

On the transactional side, the Falcons were relatively quiet on the free agency front, bringing in players like defensive backs Leon McFadden and Justin Bethel. But it’s the team’s 1st-round draft pick that has fans excited.. Calvin Ridley, a lengthy wide receiver out of Alabama, who has drawn comparisons to Jones himself.

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2017 Record: 5-11

After a disappointing 5-11 campaign in 2017, it appears the offseason made matters worse for Buccaneers fans across the country.

Re-signing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick became a priority the team didn’t know they needed after starting quarterback Jameis Winston received a three-game suspension due to conduct detrimental. And after losing running back Doug Martin (OAK) and a handful of key defensive contributors, the team was left looking at a minor rebuild.

Bulking up on the defensive side of the football, the Buccaneers signed Super Bowl champion defensive end Vinny Curry and acquired New York Giants standout Jason Pierre-Paul via trade, as well as drafting defensive tackle Vita Via out of Washington, adding to the depth of the defensive front-seven. To help on the offensive side, the team re-signed running back Charles Sims and drafted running back Ronald Jones out of USC to help carry the load.

 

Looking for travel packages, tickets and information for Super Bowl 53, including the 2019 Players Tailgate, the #1 Super Bowl weekend event?

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2018 NFL Draft Winners, Losers & Maybes

With April’s 2018 NFL Draft officially in the rearview mirror, teams are beginning to set their sights on Atlanta for the pinnacle, Super Bowl 53 in 2019. What teams walked away from the draft winners, losers and maybes?

Winners

 
Arizona Cardinals: On the hunt for a franchise quarterback after the retirement of Carson Palmer, the team managed to not only move up five spots by giving up just a third- and fifth-round pick, but they also manage to snag one of the consensus top three quarterbacks on the board. Former UCLA standout Josh Rosen, who has arguably been one of the more outspoken quarterbacks in this draft, fell right into their lap. And general manager Steve Kim wasn’t done adding wide receiver Christian Kirk out of Texas A&M, and a solid, versatile offensive lineman in Mason Cole.

Indianapolis Colts: For second-year general manager Chris Ballard, the emphasis for the Colts seemed to be clear in this draft; solidify the front lines on both sides of the ball. Ballard took arguably the best physical prospect in this draft, Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, when the offensive linemen fell to them at #6, and continued the run, grabbing Auburn’s Braden Smith in the second round. Ballard’s moves proved to be fruitful for the team’s draft positioning, with five picks in the first two rounds, and the team used the remaining three to round out the defense with linebacker Darius Leonard(LB, South Carolina State), Kemoko Turay (DE, Rutgers), and Tyquan Lewis (DE, Ohio State).
 

Losers

 
Oakland Raiders: In a draft that many expected to see the Raiders and new head coach Jon Gruden stand out, the team was seemingly quiet. After starting the draft dropping five spots and only receiving a third- and fifth-round pick in return from the Arizona Cardinals, the team took offensive tackle Kolton Miller out of UCLA. While Miller is a solid prospect, the Raiders have gaping needs on the defensive side of the ball, and plenty of defensive talent was on the board. The Raiders then flipped their third-round pick to the Steelers for controversial wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who, though has tremendous upside, has had his fair share of controversies.

New Orleans Saints: Although the Saints were able to grab one of the top defensive prospects in this draft in UTSA’s Marcus Davenport, the team paid a pretty penny to grab him, giving up two first-round picks to acquire him. Pair that with the team’s lack of a second-round pick in this year’s draft, and the Saints ultimately give up two first round picks to come away with just one player in the first two rounds, and a player who, though raw, has solid potential at best.
 

Maybe…

 
Cleveland Browns: The jury is still out. While the Cleveland Browns held both the #1 and #4 overall picks in this year’s draft, it felt as though they still managed to shock the country and experts alike, taking Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and following that up with a first-round stunner in Ohio State defensive back Denzel Ward at #4. Both players have tremendous upside and athletic ability, but because they’re the Cleveland Browns, we’ll wait to judge this draft until we see the finished products.

New York Jets: One could argue that the New York Jets were one of the winners of the draft, given the team’s having USC quarterback Sam Darnold falling to them at #3, despite many considering Darnold the top quarterback prospect in the draft class. However, Darnold’s 22 turnovers (13 interceptions, nine fumbles) have to leave Jets fans skeptical of Darnold becoming the quarterback of the franchise. But the real loss comes at the price the Jets paid for Darnold, giving up the #6 pick, as well as the #37 and #49 overall picks, and a 2019 second-round pick, just to move up three spots. And as the draft began to unfold, it became increasingly clear a quarterback would have probably been available at #6, albeit hypothetical.

 

 

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2018 NFL Expert Mock Draft: Picks 25-32

As teams get set for the month of April, the next step on the journey toward Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta involves invigorating the team’s rosters with an infusion of youth; the 2018 NFL Draft. We’re gathering some of the top experts from around the NFL world and taking a look at who they predict will go where, finishing up with picks 26-32.

 

#26: Atlanta Falcons

CBS Sports: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida | Bleacher Report, NFL.com: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

 
“The Falcons don’t have many needs, but one spot they could be targeting in the first round is defensive tackle, with Dontari Poe only signing a one-year deal last offseason. Bryan has earned some J.J. Watt comparisons despite the lack of stats at the collegiate level, and he put up similar numbers to Watt at the combine. Defensive tackle is one of the Falcons’ few needs, and they’ll be fortunate if Bryan makes it to them.” – R.J. White, CBS Sports

 

#27: New Orleans Saints

CBS Sports: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland | Bleacher Report: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina | NFL.com: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

 
“The New Orleans Saints have a legitimate Super Bowl window at the end of Drew Brees‘ career. The best way to take advantage of that after nailing the 2017 draft is to get him a weapon for the middle of the field and up the seam. Hurst might get knocked for being an older prospect (25 at the start of the season) after playing minor league baseball for two seasons before playing college football, but he’s a stud. Hurst has the best combination of traits, as a pass-catcher and blocker, to get onto the field right away. In New Orleans, he’ll open up the entire offense for Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and Co.” – Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

 

#28: Pittsburgh Steelers

CBS Sports: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU | Bleacher Report: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas | NFL.com:  Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

 
“After signing Morgan Burnett to bolster the safety position, the Steelers turn their attention to linebacker, and find an instinctive one in Vander Esch” – Charles Davis, NFL.com

 

#29: Jacksonville Jaguars

CBS Sports: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State | Bleacher Report: Mick McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame | NFL.com: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

 
“Blake Bortles signed an extension that doesn’t necessarily lock him into being the Jaguars‘ long-term option at the position. With value not on the board at other potential positions worth targeting, the Jaguars grab Rudolph with the hope they can develop him into a guy who can raise the ceiling on the offense higher than Bortles has shown capable.” –  R.J. White, CBS Sports

 

#30: Minnesota Vikings

CBS Sports (traded to Cleveland Browns): Connor Williams, OT, Texas | Bleacher Report: Billy Price, OG, Ohio State | NFL.com: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

 
“Just call this Ohio State north. After drafting center Pat Elflein in the third round last year, the Minnesota Vikings can now select the guy who took his job and also played next to him in previous seasons. Price excelled at center in 2017, but in Minnesota he’d go back to playing guard and can be a dominant force there. Lining up these two maulers side by side and handing the ball off the Dalvin Cook makes this offense potent. Add in that Kirk Cousins needs interior pass protection, and suddenly the prospect of getting Price looks good.” – Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

 

#31: New England Patriots

CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, NFL.com: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

 
“The loss of starting LT Nate Solder to the Giants clears room for this athletically gifted youngster.” – Charles Davis, NFL.com

 

#32: Philadelphia Eagles

CBS Sports: Justin Reid, S, Stanford | Bleacher Report: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama | NFL.com: Josh Jackson, DB, Iowa

 
“With two potential tackle options coming off the board right before their pick, the Eagles pivot to taking Reid, a safety they’ve reportedly had a lot of interest in. Corey Graham is a free agent, so Reid can come in and immediately fill the third safety role for the Philadelphia defense while giving them a long-term plan when Malcolm Jenkins or Rodney McLeod get too old or expensive to keep.” – R.J. White, CBS Sports

To see full mock drafts:

For Matt Miller and Bleacher Report’s full 2018 NFL Mock Draft, click here.

For Charles Davis and NFL.com’s full 2018 Mock Draft, click here.

For R.J. White and CBS Sports’ full 2018 NFL Mock Draft, click here.

 

 

Looking for travel packages, tickets and information for Super Bowl 53, including the 2019 Players Tailgate, the #1 Super Bowl weekend event?

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2018 Super Bowl Countdown: Super Bowl XLIV

Just days away from kicking off the divisional round on the Road to Super Bowl 52, we’re heading back to Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

February 7, 2010

Super Bowl XLIV, played between the Saints and Colts, was played on February 7, 2010 in Miami, Florida at Sun Life Stadium. In front of nearly 75,000 fans, the Saints would go on to capture the Lombardi Trophy, by a final score of 31-17.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees took home Super Bowl XLIV MVP honors, completing 32 of his 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Brees tied a record previously held by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, with 32 total completions in the big game. Brady set the record initially in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Super Bowl XLIV was aired on CBS in front of a total of 153.4 million viewers, with the cost of a 30-second commercial rising to a whopping $3 million. Commentators Jim Nantz and Phil Simms boradcasted Super Bowl XLIV, with legendary band “The Who” performing at halftime.

 

 

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Road to Super Bowl 52: Wild Card Weekend

The Road to Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis is officially here! Taking a quick look at all the games slated to kick off the 2017-18 NFL Playoffs throughout Wild Card Weekend.

Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans (9-7), just one game short of an AFC South title and coming off a win-and-in victory in Week 17, will travel to Kansas City to take on the AFC West champion Chiefs (10-6) to kick off NFL Wild Card weekend.

After a strong start to the 2017 NFL season had Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith in the early NFL MVP conversation, the Chiefs seemed to cool down in the second half of the season, losing 6 of 7 games in the middle of the season after winning their first five, and ending on a four-game win streak, to finish the year with 10 wins. The Titans, on the other hand, struggled with injuries early on, most notably with Mariota and a nagging hamstring injury.

 

Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC)

After a collapse in Super Bowl 51 in Houston, the Atlanta Falcons (10-6) seemingly struggled to overcome that “Super Bowl hangover” in 2017. Touting one of the highest-flying offenses in 2016, the Falcons ranked just 14th in points per game (22.1), and quarterback Matt Ryan cooled off after his MVP campaign in 2016, throwing just 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, completing 65.7 percent of his passes.

The Los Angeles Rams (11-5) are the opposite. After an uninspiring campaign in 2016, the team brought in Sean McVay to be the new head coach, and the team was an offensive firestorm, leading the league in points per game (29.9), thanks large in part to a stellar season from running back Todd Gurley II, who finished the season with 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns.

 

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS)

Perhaps the most surprising Wild Card matchup of the playoffs kicks off our Sunday action, as the Buffalo Bills (9-7) travel to take on the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6).

Boasting the second-ranked defense in the league, the Jaguars held their opponents to just 15.5 points per game in 2017, second only to the Minnesota Vikings’ 14.8. The Jaguars also relied heavily on the legs of running back Leonard Fournette, as the team finished at the top of the league in rushing yards per game (141.4) and second in rushing touchdowns (18).

The Buffalo Bills seemingly snuck their way into the playoffs, thanks to a game-winning touchdown in Week 17 from the Cincinnati Bengals, defeating the Baltimore Ravens. When you look at the statistics, the Bills seem to have no business being in the playoffs, ranking second-to-last in passing yards per game (176.6), 27th in passing touchdowns (16) and 29th in sacks (27). However, the team ranked 6th overall in rushing yards per game (126.1), thanks large in part to running back LeSean McCoy.

 

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET on FOX)

One of the more highly anticipated matchups in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs is the Carolina Panthers (11-5) traveling to New Orleans to take on the NFC South champion Saints (11-5). These teams will face off for the third time this season (second in New Orleans) as both are members of the NFC South, which has a staggering three of its four teams in the playoffs.

Despite struggles early in the season, the Panthers offense returned to form, ranking 4th in rushing yards per game (131.4) and 7th in rushing touchdowns (15), thanks to a committee of quarterback Cam Newton and running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Stewart. The defense was also nothing to balk at, ranking near the top of the league in getting after the opponent’s quarterbacks (3rd – 50 sacks in 2017).

The Saints, whom plenty were ready to write off at the beginning of the season, were one of the best teams in the NFL in 2017. The offense, ranked near the top of the league in every statistical category, was a powerhouse, averaging 28 points per game (4th), 261.8 passing yards per game (5th), and had 23 rushing touchdowns on the season (1st). The defense, however, was the game changer for the Saints, thanks large-in-part to a stellar campaign from defensive end Cameron Jordan, who finished the season with 13 sacks, 48 tackles and two forced fumbles.

 

 

Super Bowl LII Travel Packages to Minneapolis

Get excited for Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis! Book your five-star travel and hospitality packages today with Bullseye Event Group. Luxurious hotels such as the Hotel Ivy, Radisson Blu, Marriott AC Mall of America and the Marriott Towne Place Suites, a ticket to the 2018 Players Tailgate at the Super Bowl and more. Learn more about Bullseye’s complete Super Bowl 52 Travel and Hospitality Packages today!

 

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2017 Expert NFL Mock Draft (#11-15)

With NFL teams fine tuning their strategies for the upcoming season, sights are set on Super Bowl LII in Houston in 2018. A look at some of the expert predictions for the teams selecting #11-15 in this months NFL Draft from Philadelphia.

#11: New Orleans Saints

CBS Sports, Bleacher Report: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan | MMQB: Solomon Thomas, DL, Stanford

“Here’s all you need to know: 30th, 32nd, 31st — that’s where the Saints’ defense has finished the last three years. So it stands to reason that they continue to add defensive playmakers early in the draft, which is why defensive end Taco Charlton — who has drawn comparisons to Chandler Jones — is the pick here.” – Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

#12: Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia)

CBS Sports: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama | Bleacher Report: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama | MMQB: DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

“Securing a starting quarterback and a generational talent like Garrett would be a home run of a draft for the Browns’ front office. Don’t mess this up, Sashi Brown. Among the top QB prospects, it feels like Kizer is the guy talked about least. He has traits to be a strong pocket passer and is the biggest of the first-round candidates.” – Emily Kaplan, MMQB

#13: Arizona Cardinals

CBS Sports: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington | Bleacher Report: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan | MMQB: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

“The Cardinals need help in the secondary and Jones is a rangy cornerback who plays like a receiver when the ball is in the air. He’s been compared to Marcus Peters, the Chiefs’ 2015 first-round pick.” – Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports

#14: Philadelphia Eagles (From Minnesota)

CBS Sports: John Ross, WR, Washington | Bleacher Report: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson | MMQB: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

“Williams is a specialist in traffic and excels at making the tough grade with defenders all around him. He’s not the fastest player in the class by any means, but he is the best overall wide receiver on my board. His route-running, size and length all add up to making him a true No. 1 wideout prospect.” – Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

#15: Indianapolis Colts

CBS Sports: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee | Bleacher Report: Charles Harris, EDGE, Missouri | MMQB: Cam Robinson, OL, Alabama

“One of the reasons Chris Ballard was attracted to the Indy GM job was Andrew Luck. So Ballard must do everything he can to ensure that Luck is in the best position to succeed—and for Indianapolis, that means addressing an Achilles heel: the offensive line. Pair Robinson with his former Crimson Tide teammate Ryan Kelly, and the Colts are getting back on track.” – Emily Kaplan, MMQB

Full 2017 NFL Draft 1st-Round Mock Drafts.

For Ryan Wilson’s CBS Sports mock draft, click here.

For Matt Miller’s Bleacher Report mock draft, click here.

For Emily Kaplan’s MMQB mock draft, click here.

Want to learn more about Bullseye Event Group’s events such as the 2017 Colts VIP Tailgates, the Derby Launch at the Kentucky Derby, Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, Gate 6 Hospitality at The Masters and more? Click here.

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