Chapter 19

I CANT WAIT FOR SUNDAY. See, I’m excited for the games. We got the best four offenses! It is a nice change of pace from last year when we had Keenum vs. Foles, and Brady vs. Bortles #DUUUVAL. In a year where the offenses put up historic numbers, this is only fitting. Brees set an NFL completion percentage record, Goff had the Rams on a scoring rampage for the majority of the season, Mahomes threw for FIFTY touchdown passes, and Brady … well he actually had the statistically worse year out the four, but when the lights start shining, he amps his game up the most.

This weekend isn’t just about the games for me though. My dad and his friends put on their big fundraiser of the year, for the Butch Kowal’s Scholarship Foundation. This Sunday from 3-11 we’ll be renting out Luciano’s, where we will have an open buffet, and open bar, and have plenty of TV’s to watch the games! It comes with a fee though of $100, but if you come hungry and like to have some bud lights, you can get your money’s worth! Just know that your contribution ultimately goes to a good cause. Last year, we were able to give out a record 22 $500 scholarships, 20 of which went to Rahway High School! Lets hope this snow slides more up north, and we get another 150 people Sunday!

Now, this article is important so you all sound smart Sunday, in a room that will have many touts! Last week was a rough one, where the Goose went a disappointing 1-3, lets go 4-0 this week, with both games by the spread and the over/under!

Recap:

Chiefs (-5.5) vs. Colts – HIT! Chiefs 31 Colts 13

Cowboys (+7) vs. Rams – Miss. Rams 30 Cowboys 22

Chargers (+4) vs. Patriots – Miss. Patriots 41 Chargers 28

Saints (-8) vs. Eagles – Miss. Saints 20 Eagles 14

Time to go 1-3 again!

Saints (-3.5) vs. Rams, Under 57 – Our first game will be played in the New Orleans Superdome. There are two major impacts this will have on the game. It will be indoors so the weather will have zero impact, and if the Saints make some plays, it will get loud! The dome plays right in the hands for how the Saints are set up. Brees is an all-time great quarterback, but has definitely benefited having the weather not effect the offense for half his games. He set an NFL completion percentage record this season completing 74.4% of his passes.

The Rams are star studded on both sides of the ball. Their lack of depth has relatively unaffected them throughout the year, and they have rolled to the NFC Championship game, just like many have thought. While the Rams have plenty of big names, I am not a fan of their experience. Last year, as the new kids on the block, they lost in the first round of the playoffs when hosting the Falcons. This year, they rolled threw the regular season, but when they slipped up, McVay immediately put the blame on his shoulders. While accountability is good, McVay seems to say the same things every loss. He will do a better job and they will get better. Sure, the Rams beat the Cowboys a week ago, but I don’t think McVay is ready just yet for this spotlight. When the crowd gets loud at the Superdome, it will be interesting to see if the Rams fold.

Experience and revenge defiantly falls in favor of the Saints. Drew Brees and Coach Payton have been here before, they know what its like to win a Super Bowl. Yes, it was back in 2010, but these two leaders know how to get it done. They should have gotten it done last season. Look, one play doesn’t win or lose a game, but that Minnesota Miracle shouldn’t have happened last season. A majority of that team is back from last season, and know they have to be mentally sharp for the whole 60 minutes on Sunday.

This game will ultimately come down to who will run the ball better, in my opinion. Todd Gurley on the Rams is the best running back, but Kamara and Ingram are the best running back duo! A good running game will make the game come easier for these quarterbacks, and hopefully help them avoid third and longs. This is why I like the under in this game. I expect the clock to constantly run, as both teams love to keep the ball on the ground. This will cut off a possession or two throughout the game. When these two met in week 9 of the season, the Saints won 45-35. I don’t expect that kind of shootout Sunday, with the nerves being amped up. If the Saints can somewhat contain Gurley (nobody can really figure that out) and force Goff to make throws, I think they will be in good shape. There isn’t anything similar to a third and long in the Superdome. The Rams will need to clear their ears out to communicate presnap with one another. I think the home crowd prevails as a defining factor this weekend.

Saints 28 Rams 24

Patriots (+3) vs. Chiefs, Over 56 – This is the first game where I hope I’m wrong. Normally, when I’m passionate about a game, I write with my heart instead of my head. It’s easy to hate on greatness, it’s easy to dislike the Patriots. I get that Brady and Belicheck are the goats, but it is hard to wrap my head around this is Brady’s eight straight AFC Championship game. A month ago, many people counted out the Patriots. They lost to the Dolphins, followed by the Steelers. The team looked old, slow and not as athletic as the upper tier teams. People were ready to say the dynasty was over. Then they go out and demolish the Chargers in the divisional round. They still have more to prove.

This game, unlike the NFC game, will be played outside in Kansas City. Early in the week they forecasted for a kickoff at 0 degrees. While it will still be cold, it wont be historically cold. It will be a more normal Kansas City winter night at 20 degrees. I do not believe the weather will have an impact in the over/under. More importantly than the temperature, there will be a light wind. When winds get up to 20+ mph, that’s when you have to worry about the over/under, and Sunday that will not be the case.

Kansas City has four loses, to four playoff teams (they went 2-4 vs teams that made the playoffs) but they didn’t play bad against these teams. They lost the four games by a combined 14 points! Kansas City has an awful defense. They don’t do much right, and give up a ton of points. This will have Brady licking his chops. He knows he will have just enough time to find an open receiver, getting his consistent five yards and driving down the field. Sure the Patriots will make mistakes, they might turn the ball over once and punt a couple times, but they will keep getting their five yards a play all night.

The Chiefs can and will strike quicker. The thing is, even Patrick Mahomes admitted this week that his first time playing against the Patriots was extremely difficult because the Patriots will always be the more prepared team, and they also confused Mahomes. They gave him looks he simply never seen and wasn’t prepared for. Mahomes still threw for 352 yards and 4 touchdowns, but had two costly interceptions. I see this game being played similar to how it was early in week 6 at Foxborough. The Patriots won that one 43-40, Mahomes lit up the scoreboard, but in the fourth, the Patriots will separate themselves.

Patriots 35 Chiefs 34

**UFC preview**

LETS GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEE … okay wrong sport. This UFC card has three fights with popular names. Two of which I think will be beat downs. Paige Vanzant will win. She had two fights in the past two years and lost them both. This fight will restart her career, and will help the UFC have another woman fighter to promote. Greg Hardy will win too. I wish he wouldn’t, but he’s fighting a scrub and Hardy will probably win in a first round knockout. Again, another marketing opportunity. The main event though? That one will be fun! These are two champions where the favorite, Dillashaw, cut 10 pounds to Cejudo’s weight class. This is a big deal cutting weight. While I know very little in the UFC world, I will be pulling for Dillashaw. Many people dislike him for his attitude, but if you ask me, this fighter has swagger.

Thank you,

Goose