Championship Weekend

For close to 20 years, the Butch Kowal Scholarship Fundraiser happened on the Sunday of the AFC/NFC Championship games. A ticket to the event covers food, beer/wine, and the rest goes towards scholarships to Rahway students. For the last five years we’ve averaged around 18 $500 scholarships for the Seniors who represented our community well in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Thats what grandpa Butch wanted, to reward those who made him proud to be a Rahway athletics supporter. And none of this would be possible if the 100+ people didnt pack Luchianos in Rahway to celebrate a good time.

Along with others, including Rahway’s own Mr. Lewis and Mr. Farrell, my dad helps drive the ship. He does his best to make sure every paying participant has a grand ole time. And he makes it worth the money. We’ll have raffles for prizes like a Rahway’s own Dion Dawkins signed tee shirt, a Le’Veon Bell signed mini helmet and a 60ish inch TV! Everyone will also get a Butch Kowal tee shirt to represent the brand around the world. As people get older and branch further away, its always heartwarming to see everyone come home to help support the Foundation, and spend time with my father and the rest of the family/friends. 

This year will be a little different. As I am writing this on Friday morning, my dad is getting his second detached retina surgery. While its super unpleasant to see a parent in discomfort, we reflect and thank God that it is “just an eye.” Obviously vision is important and needed, but when this first happened we were scared and nervous as a family. He’s “as strong as a bull” and will get through this, with one or both eyes! If he even attends the fundraiser itll be for less than an hour, and the likelihood is he’ll need to stay in bed for it. It happens, and the show WILL go on! It pretty much runs itself but he’ll be counting on his trustees to have the money in line, the raffles done with integrity, and smiles on all the guests’ faces. In addition, last night the Butch Kowals family lost a member. Big Rudy lit up the room with his smile and loud personality wherever he went. This came to a surprise to us all and itll be weird not seeing him there. Think of the presence of Maui from Moana, with a heart of gold and knew you were safe as can be with him by your side. 

So yes, this will be a weird Butch Kowal’s Scholarship Dinner, but the show will go on without my dad controlling the show, and something tells me Rudy would want us to get extra routy in his memorance. Sunday will be fun.

Recap:

49ers -7 vs Vikings – HIT! 49ers 27 Vikings 10

Titans +9.5 at Ravens – HIT! Titans 28 Ravens 12

Chiefs -10 vs Texans – HIT! Chiefs 51 Texans 31

Packers -4.5 vs Seahawks – HIT! Packers 28 Seahawks 23

Clemson +6 vs LSU -Miss. LSU 42 Clemson 25

Last Week 4-1

NCAAF Final Record – 28-26-1 (51.85% profit rate – under the needed 52.4%)

NFL YTD – 38-18-1

While I do not state Over/Unders, my predicted score is a subtle message of an over/under lean. That being said I got super lucky and hit on the 4 NFL games ATS and the 4 NFL games o/u! Twas a lit week, fam.

Chiefs -7 vs Titans – I’ll beat the drum one more time. I really like Ryan Tannehill! I wanted him to be my quarterback (Jags fan) and when he went to the Titans I didnt want Mariota benched. The dude is good. His playoff stats havent been though, because they havent had to be. He is 15/29 for 160 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception … in two games. But this is because they are POUNDING the rock to Derrick Henry and just need Tanne to find a receiver if they get a third down. Tannehill is very capable for throwing in the 250 / 300 range if thats the gameplan. But when you have Henry, it usually isnt.

Sunday it might have to be in the game plan. The Texans are inconsistent, the Patriots offense was pedestrian, and Baltimore is built off the run. Game four to slay all the division winners comes against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Titans have great athletes on defense, but the speed isnt just based on one player like Lamar Jackson, instead there is Ty Hill, Mecole Hardman, Sammy Watkins, Damien Williams, and a walking mismatch in Travis Kelce. The way Andy Reid spreads out teams is something special and takes a real physical team to slow them down. Last week the Titans needed to be gap disciplined, this week they need to cross their fingers. They need to dig deep and play as physical as teams need to play facing Derrick Henry. They’ll need to get their hands on receivers before it is off to the races.

I dont see this happening. I see the Titans needing to adjust their run first game plan because of Showtime Mahomes taking a lead. I see the Titans great wall of a defense being too spread out to contain the Chiefs weapons. I will say this game gives me 2017 AFC Championship vibes of the Jags vs Patriots, where the Jags all but had it, and it was a close game. Instead, I dont see the Titans giving the early blows like the Jags did, and fall short in this contest. Chiefs 30 Titans 20

Packers +7.5 vs 49ers – Watching the 49ers Vikings game I left unimpressed by the niners. Alright, their first drive was amazing. But this should be the case when your team has a great offensive minded coach. Shanahan mixed in runs and play actions and Jimmy G found his targets. He started 6 for 6 and hit 5 different receivers. That i will say was impressive. But as the game went on and the game script turns to play calls, Jimmy G wasnt efficient. To be fair, he doesn’t have to be. He has a great defense and a great running game, oh and George Kittle is always open so that helps. But he forced some balls, and over threw others. When you are playing an inferior opponent like non 1pm Kirk Cousins’ led Vikings this is okay. But the Packers are a different beast.

The Packers have a huge upgrade in the most important position, they have Aaron Rodgers. They have an Aaron Rodgers that has help too, mainly Aaron Jones in the run game, and super talented Davante Adams. Their coach is no slouch of a play caller too, in Coach Lafluer. But the Packers dont stop at their offense this year, they have a defense thats no joke also! 

The Packers have a good pass rush and good defensive backs. Ultimately the Niners have a better group but the Packers group is young and hungry. The Smith brothers will need to come up big Sunday night. They need to help out in the run as well as pass rush. The Packers play the Bears twice a year and I really feel the Bears are a JV Niners. I say this as the Bears and Niners have similar concepts but the Bears stink while the Niners are good. The Packers should have an idea how they’ll slow down the Niners from this. It’s the playoffs and the Packers can’t get outcoached. Aaron Rodgers to the rescue! Packers 31 Niners 30. 

Thank you,

Goose