2013 NFL Season Preview & Predictions

2013 NFL Season Preview and Predictions

by Statmark

I wrote my first NFL preview back in High School in 1991 which makes me a youngin to most experts and an old fogey to the whippersnappers. Regardless, I’ve been writing about football for a long time and have never made an effort to put it out beyond my inner circle of friends and to the masses. So we’ll see how this goes. When I did this post last year, I talked about the “inner hunger teams” of that came oh-so-close but fell just short are so frequently the most logical choice to go to the Super Bowl the following yet and conveniently enough, the 2011 Conference championship losers – the Ravens and 49ers – confirmed my statement by meeting in this past Super Bowl. So which two teams fall into that category this year? Ironically enough, those two teams BOTH fall into the NFC while the AFC has no one team that truly represents that “inner hunger”. The Patriots and Broncos (or more specifically, Brady and Manning) are perennial powerhouses that can’t replicate the desire of those teams that have never tasted the sweet sod of Super Bowl Sunday. However, in the NFC, we have both the Falcons and the Seahawks (and many might say the 49ers fall into that category as well, although as a general rule, the Super Bowl loser is LESS driven than a team that lost in the Conference Championship). 


As the case for the last couple of years, the NFC is (by leaps and bounds) the superior conference once again and teams that finish 10-6 or so in the AFC are generally an 8-8 (at best) squad f they played in the NFC. Keep in mind that no matter how “great” you feel your favorite NFC team is, the reality is that the competition is so highly elevated over there, that there will likely be some quality teams that miss the playoffs while watching some lesser AFC teams squeek in.

Oh, and in these previews, I talk a lot about quarterbacks. No position is more important than the quarterback so I really don’t care how awesome your left guard is, if Blaine Gabbert is your quarterback; you’re not winning games.

AFC East

4. NY JETS – Much like my constant mocking of the Browns as the “Cleveland Feces”, I may just start referring to the Jets as the “NY Abortions” cause gawd knows that’s what this complete train wreck of a franchise has become. Does everyone realize how bad Geno Smith could play and STILL win the starting job? Now, they are on the verge of Sin Cara-ing themselves and become such a parody of a franchise that it could actually be entertaining to watch their games but for now just get the coat hanger already.
Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 8, vs. Oakland. Their most likely chance to get a victory (or the first pick in the 2014 Draft).
Record: 1-15

3. BUFFALO BILLS – Over the past five years, Kevin Kolb has gone from a cute little piece of potential in Philadelphia to the worst starting QB this side of Mark Sanchez. And oh look, he really is right beside of him. Bills fans should be praying (actually, I’m sure they are) that E.J. Manuel gets healthy quickly goes god knows if he doesn’t start Week 1, then they’ll be looking to bench Kolb by Week 2. Now, if Manuel can come in and do just 25% better than Kolb, that’s probably all they need because I’m pretty sure C.J. Spiller is gonna get about 1,000 carries this year.
Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Oct. 20, at Miami. At this point of the season, the Bills won’t be mathematically eliminated yet and this will be the game to determine whether they can at least pretend to be in the wild card race.
Record: 5-11

 2. MIAMI DOLPHINS – Boy, does this team ever finish in second place by default. Finishing ahead of the Jets and Bills is like winning a race at the Special Olympics. Look y’all, Ryan Tannehill is a cute little tease of a franchise quarterback but reality is, he’s about one step below Andy Dalton and does anyone REALLY feel that Andy Dalton is going to be a Super Bowl championship quarterback? Sure, it COULD happen but that achievement would come because his entire team was a beast; he’s not going to do it on the sheer willpower of a Brady or Rodgers.
Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Oct. 31, vs. Cincinnati (Thursday Night). They have zero chance to actually catch New England and while there is no rivalry with Cincy; if they want to actually attempt to compete for the playoffs, THIS will be their must-win game.
Record: 7-9

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – Year-after-year, we know the deal with this team and once again, Tom Brady will make “superstars” out of guys that you’ve never heard of on his way to another (ho hum) AFC East title (and for the record, assuming he stays healthy; Danny Amendola will make Patriots fans forget Wes Walker by about the 3^rd quarter of Week 1). It’s truly amazing that over the past decade, NO AFC East team has been able to consistently put anything to even compete on a long-term basis with this team. Now, keep in mind that Brady doesn’t play defense and the Patriots D is going to get absolutely torched a some this year (obviously not by anyone in their division though. That’s laughable) but luckily for them, the Pats schedule has very few high octane teams on it.
Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 24, vs. Denver (Sunday Night). THE matchup to determine home-field in the AFC Playoffs.
Record: 12-4

AFC North

4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – This has become that one division where it actually sucks to pick anyone to finish last. Anyone else remember 1989 & 1990 when everyone in the AFC Central basically finished 8-8 or 9-7 and the difference between first place and last place was literally 1 game? That kinda feels what we’re on the verge. As far as the Steelers go, there’s a lot of similarities between them and the Patriots this year. Both teams are one giant question mark except for the QB and the coach. In both situations, that may be all they need (although the Patriots are better in both of those departments as well). The Steelers are primed to have some of the sleep-inducing football games played this year but when it comes down to it, they should still be in the chase…to some extent.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Oct. 20, vs. Baltimore. Cause isn’t it always.
Record: 7-9

3. CLEVELAND FECES – To be clear, if the Browns win the Super Bowl; I’m still gonna refer to them as the Feces. That said, the future may finally be here in Cleveland. Of course, Cleveland would probably throw a parade for a .500 season at this point since it’s been a decade since they’ve even seen one of those. Weeden appears to be (at worst) a competent game manager with some decent weapons and possibly the best defense this side of Seattle. As much as we all want to, you can’t sleep on the Feces this year.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 29, at Pittsburgh. The final week of the regular season come well come down to a “Win-or-go-home” scenario for one, if not BOTH teams, in the wild card chase.
Record: 8-8

2. BALTIMORE RAVENS – I give the Ravens all the credit in the world for their amazing run last season and I hope their fan base enjoy that feeling for as long as possible because of there is one team in the entire NFL that is primed and ready to be a major disappointment, it’s Baltimore. Two Hall of Famers are gone, Pitta is hurt, Boldin bounced, Flacco got paid, that “inner hunger” simply can’t be replicated, and their big off-season move was due to a Fax machine error. Now, there IS still enough talent there to make the playoffs but if this team misses out on the wild-card the final week of the season; no one should be surprised.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Sept. 5, at Denver (Thursday Night). This is as big as it gets for the Ravens. Forget the whole opening day gimmick, if the Ravens have ANY hope to truly contend this year, they need to get the job done IN Denver against a true Super Bowl contender when, in theory, the Broncos should be at their most vulnerable.
Record: 9-7

1. CINCINNATI BENGALS – Well, this is it Bengals fans. The Steelers and Ravens are on the decline so it’s YOUR chance to actually win this division for once (try not to screw it up and let Cleveland take the spot you’ve worked so long for). I don’t think anyone feels that Cincy can win the big ones in the playoffs yet but this will be THE year to show it or Andy Dalton is going to have that stigma hanging over him until he does.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 15, at Pittsburgh (Sunday Night). Week 15 will be the time to find out just how real this team is - on the road, in primetime, and against a division rival.
Record: 10-6

AFC South

4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – I am still not convinced Jaguars owner Shahid Khan is not intentionally tanking this team to the point that no fans show up and it’s “easier” to justify a move to Los Angeles. I mean, who else would stick with Blaine Gabbert as a starting QB in their right mind? This team won two games last year and made zero moves to make one thing that they would like to win three.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 5, vs. Houston (Thursday Night). This is a ridiculous attempt to make any of their games meaningful, so I’ll take the easy route and pick their only primetime affair (against a divisional rival, conveniently enough).
Record: 2-14

3. TENNESSEE TITANS – The Titans will get wins over the likes of the Jags and Jets, and then add in the obligatory one or two upset wins and there ya go. Too good to get the top pick in the draft and too awful to be anywhere near a wild-card. The Jets are more entertaining in a losing effort than the Titans are exciting in a winning effort.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Sept. 29, vs. NY Jets. The one game that Titans fans may not immediately delete off the DVR.
Record: 4-12

2. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – It’s the annual “Sophomore Slump” debate where everyone wonders if Andrew Luck can repeat the magic of his rookie year? On one hand, his offensive coordinator is gone and on the other hand, their schedule is arguably easier this year than last year (No games vs. Patriots, Broncos, Ravens among others). Luck doesn’t seem like the kind of person that’s going to have any kind of meltdown so this seems to be as safe of a “Wild-card-at-worst” bet that you can make.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 15, vs. Houston. Week 15 matchup will likely determine the division champion.
Record: 10-6

  

1. HOUSTON TEXANS – Boy, there’s a lot of quality quarterbacks in the AFC who are pretty good but it’s very hard to view them as THAT guy. You know, the one guy that wins playoff games and Super Bowls. Oh…hi there, Matt Schaub. There’s more talent in Houston than in Indy but Indy just “feels” like a winner while if Houston goes out in the second round of the playoffs for the next ten years, I’ll never be surprised. But yeah, they’re good and we’ll see them in January. For one game anyways.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 1, vs. New England. I dare you to beat them and prove yourself worthy. I double dare you.
Record: 10-6

AFC West

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS – Matt Flynn is good. Really good actually. He’s not going to make many mistakes and going to give you every chance to win. Unfortunately, he has possibly the absolute most putrid offensive line in the league and will get very little time to do ANYthing with the ball. That said, Terrelle Pryor should probably be this team’s starting QB as at least he can keep plays alive with his legs with the line breaks down on every other play.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Sept. 23, at Denver (Monday Night). I wanted to say the Jets game, but I’ve already made fun of the Jets enough in this. P.S.: The Jets are freakin’ horrible. That 0-16 Lions teams could smoke them. Seriously.
Record: 3-13

3. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – It’s time to accept it. Phillip Rivers is not a leader. With all the talent the Chargers have had over the past decade, it’s more clear than ever that despite all the excuses you can make for them, eventually it has to come down to the quarterback. The Chargers annual implosion may have happened under multiple coaches but it’s only happened under one QB. All the talent Rivers has makes him almost untradeable but man, if I’m in the front office; I’d be dying to make a “Hershel-Walker-To-Minnesota” deal in a heartbeat and set my franchise for the next ten years.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 10, vs. Denver. Boy, a lot of these AFC teams “Super Bowl” is against Denver.
Record: 8-8

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – It’s very rare that I can see a two win team turning it around to a wild card the very next year but I’m pretty confident that the Chiefs are going to be one of those. I’m still not sure how they only won two games last year with all of their talent but when you add in Alex Smith (who should be the second coming of Jeff Garcia for Andy Reid), you have a team that’s going to score it’s fair share of upsets this year.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: at Philadelphia, Sept. 19 (Thursday Night). It may not mean much in the whole playoff scenario but you better believe it’s going to mean the world to Andy Reid and his former city.
Record: 9-7

1. DENVER BRONCOS – It was almost as if the football gods determined that this team was TOO good to actually not have any setbacks so they set the pieces in motion to fix that problem. Arrests, Fax machines, and suspensions and NOW maybe we’re back to a level playing field. That’s cute and all but the Broncos are still miles ahead of the rest of the AFC. Anything less than a game in Metlife Stadium in February will be a disappointment (I feel like there should be a Jets joke here. Anyone?).

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 24, at New England (Sunday Night). The annual Brady-Manning clash for home field throughout.
Record: 14-2

NFC East

4. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Welcome to the NFC side of things where even “last place” teams could go 8-8 and contend for a wild card in the AFC. Enter the Eagles who (preseason means nothing) have exceeded expectations and then some in the preseason and Michael Vick looks as competent (if not more so) than he ever has in his entire career. There was always the talk that Andy Reid wanted to change Vick’s “style of play” which seems like the primary reason why Vick is so enamored with Chip Kelly. The Eagles will certainly score some impressive wins this season as an underdog but the reality is they have virtually no defense and no true star receivers to bail Vick out when he becomes…Vick.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Sept. 19, vs. Kansas City (Thursday Night). Keeping in mind that the Eagles will still be in contention in week 3 and the bananas atmosphere in Phily that night, it’s easy to rank this game above the late-season matchups with their divisional rivals.
Record: 6-10

3. NY GIANTS – The Giants have gotten a tad worse while everyone else in the NFC has gotten a tad better. And it’s not like the Giants wouldn’t lay an egg when they were more stacked. As long as Eli is there, they’ll always have a chance. That’s about as generic of a review as I’m gonna write for a team this season. Much like the Giants. Generic.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 24, vs. Dallas. Boy, the networks love the matchups between these two teams. Boy, I love seeing what other games are on.
Record: 8-8

2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS – One season under his belt and RGIII is already the next-Michael Vick but not in the ability department and not in the dog massacring department but in the “How long can he stay healthy playing that style of football” department. Yes, Redskin fans, this is your future for the next 5-7 years; going into every season hoping beyond hope that your franchise QB can make it through the whole season and when he goes down in week nine, you can reassure yourself that all is well because “By golly, he’ll be back better than ever next year and we’re winning it all!”. Oh, by the way, this team is good enough to go deep in the playoffs but nothing really matters except for RGKnee.
Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 25, vs. San Francisco (Monday Night). Heck of a clash between two (in theory) NFC Super Powers that could determine…something.
Record: 9-7

1. DALLAS COWBOYS – I’m gonna say it right now and I mean it. The single biggest “free agent” pickup in the offseason was the Cowboys hiring a new defensive coordinator in Monte Kiffin. Rob Ryan has always been far overrated and while he can’t help but improve the Saints defense, Kiffin is the real deal and will give the Cowboys the direction on defense they haven’t had in years. An improved defense combined with Tony Romo being no worse than average (he’s actually much better than many give him credit for; he just chokes in the spotlight) will equal a division title and hey, maybe even a playoff win. Call me crazy.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 22, at Washington. The game that should seal the NFC East for them (especially if RGIII is already out for the year).
Record: 10-6

NFC North

4. DETROIT LIONS – Reality check Lions fans: What we saw last year was the real Matthew Stafford. He will put up the yards and then some but he stares down his receivers wayyyy too much, relies on Calvin Johnson wayyy too much, and defenses simply know how to play him. That said, if Reggie Bush is properly utilized (and god only knows with that coaching staff), he could take some of the heat off of Stafford. The Lions lost a ton of close games last year and their “real” record was probably closer to 9-7 but they have done nothing to make anyone think they can win it when it counts.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 28, vs. Green Bay (Thanksgiving). Likely their last chance to stay alive in any form of wild-card race.
Record: 7-9

3. CHICAGO BEARS – The pass the media gives Jay Cutler each and every year continues to perplex me. Every year, the “experts” always praise Cutler as being on the cusp of greatness to which he then goes out and has an awe-inspiring (that’s sarcasm) 3:2 Touchdown-to-Interception ratio and the Bears crumble as the season closes. I really don’t even want to learn their head coach’s name yet because if I do and he gets fired by week nine, then I’ve taken up that small vital piece of my brain that would need to know the next Dorito’s flavor instead.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 29, vs. Green Bay. Because hey, they could have a shot at the wild-card. That’s what the “experts” tell me.
Record: 8-8

2. MINNESOTA VIKINGS – While Stafford has been exposed and Cutler is Cutler; I’m not convinced yet that Christian Ponder sucks. In fact, I’d say he may be closer to being an Alex Smith-type game manager that anyone gives him credit for (having the best running back since Barry Sanders doesn’t hurt either). As much as I personally despise them, they did finish 10-6 last year and have certainly gotten no worse.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 1, vs. Chicago. The game that should separate the Vikings from the Bears in the wild-card race.
Record: 9-7

1. GREEN BAY PACKERS – Drew Brees. Dan Marino. Dan Fouts. Aaron Rodgers. If you have quarterbacks like these, you are going to the playoffs EVERY SINGLE YEAR. That’s not even up for debate. The only question is what happens after that. Last year’s stumbling block was the 49ers (in both week 1 and the playoffs). I’m not as concerned about the 49ers this year as the Packers have evened that playing field up. The real hurdle this year will be the seemingly inevitable playoff showdown with the Seahawks. I would happily book my ticket now for a game that technically doesn’t even exist yet.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 17, at NY Giants (Sunday Night). While the Giants may not be a huge threat in the playoff chase; this is a huge mental hurdle for the Pack to climb. After the 15-1 playoff loss and a primetime embarrassment last year, a win over the Giants this year could very well prepare them mentally for bigger challenges down the road.
Record: 11-5

NFC South

4. CAROLINA PANTHERS – In yet ANOTHER ridiculously tough NFC division, the Panthers could vie for a wild-card spot but still finish last. They have quietly built one of the better defenses in the NFL but Cam is still going to make his mistakes. If he could actually be any form of a game manager (or, god forbid – a leader), they could make the playoffs with that defense. However, that would require Cam to become something he’s never been so let’s not get carried away here.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 18, vs. New England (Monday Night). Whoever even put this game on Monday Night must have this sadistic death wish on the Panthers that they really wanted the world to see. BUT, if somehow Carolina won this game, it would probably be in the top 10 wins in franchise history.
Record: 8-8

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – While I’m not sure if Josh Freeman is “real” or not, anyone who throws for 4,000+ yards with 25+ TDs in an “off year” is real enough for me. Once again, if he was playing in the AFC, he wouldn’t even be on the hot seat right now. It’s pretty unfair that the Bucs realistically can’t hope for anything better than a Wild Card and it may cost Freeman his job. But such as the life of the NFL as this improved “7-9” team WILL be better but still can’t break the glass ceiling of the NFC.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 17, vs. Atlanta. A win will likely keep them alive for the wild-card for the time being.
Record: 8-8

2. ATLANTA FALCONS – Now that Matt Ryan has finally won a playoff game, the Falcons have done everything except actually go to the Super Bowl which means it’s their time right? Heck, they went 13-3 and got even better in the off-season on BOTH sides of the ball. Very few teams can claim that. But yet, here I am not even picking them to win their own division. That might be absolutely moronic on my part but I am still not sold on this team doing anything past the regular season. The second half of their schedule is absolutely brutal this year so even if they start off 6-2 or 7-1; don’t be surprised if they start to come back to reality late in the year.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 15, vs. Washington. A Week 15 home clash with two teams that will likely be battling for playoff positioning.
Record: 10-6

1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – I think everyone that’s automatically picking the Falcons to win this division are missing the boat on all the reasons you should be picking the Saints instead (Sean Payton is back! The defense is improved! Brees! Brees! Brees!). Not to mention that the Saints get the third place schedule instead of the Falcons’ first place one. That said, there’s still that something that just feels missing from the Saints. Maybe it is that “inner hunger”, although I’m pretty sure there aren’t many people hungrier than Payton after last year’s fiasco. Regardless, no one on the Falcons has convinced me they’re a winner yet; something that the Saints have already proven.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 2, at Seattle (Monday Night). Well, that should be an interesting game…
Record: 11-5

NFC West

4. ST. LOUIS RAMS – If there is one thing the NFC West has a monopoly on, it’s defenses. You could make the argument that the four best defenses in the NFL are all in the same division. So even if you say that all things equal on that side of the ball, guess which one has far and away the worst offense? The Rams at least made an attempt in the draft to give Sam Bradford some weapons but if he still can’t deliver this year, I feel it may be time for the Rams to start looking in a new direction.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Sept. 26, vs. San Francisco (Thursday Night). No one played the 49ers tougher than the Rams did last year and this early in the season would be a great opportunity to keep in the division race.
Record: 6-10

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS – I’ve said it for years and Carson Palmer has never, ever been the same since that infamous Bengals-Steelers playoff game years ago. Now, Bruce Arians is supposedly an offensive genius and all talk is that ‘Zona is gonna light things up again like they once did with Kurt Warner. I’m very much a “I’ll believe it when I see it” person on this although they, like everyone in this division, has a fantastic young defense and god knows they’ll score more than St. Louis.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Oct. 17, vs. Seattle (Thursday Night). This will unquestionably be the one game where ‘Zona needs to show up and prove they can hang with the big boys. This may actually be one of the most underrated games on the entire NFL schedule.
Record: 7-9

2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Ok, we all know this team is good (if not great); so let’s look at the reasons they won’t win their division. As heralded as the 49ers defense is, they are still lacking in the Cornerback department; something that is NOT an issue with Seattle. The entire NFL it seems spent the off-season preparing to face Colin Kaepernick (and RGIII, etc.) and it’s hard to imagine him replicating 2012 to the same level of success. Finally, their Wide Receiver issues still seem to be far from settled. All that said, we all know where this team is going, it’s just a matter of how far they make it.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Dec. 23, vs. Atlanta (Monday Night). The final regular season game EVER at Candlestick Park and very likely the final game there period (assuming Seattle wins the division, the 49ers will be a Wild Card and on the road regardless of how good their record is). Not to mention it’s a matchup that should be critical to virtually every NFC team’s playoff hopes.
Record: 11-5

1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – In a lot of these team reviews I do, I specifically discuss the quarterback and by and large, that’s what it all comes down to. But once in awhile you get that team that the quarterback is no greater than any other piece in the machine; it just so happens that virtually every piece of that machine is good to great. It’s when the overall focus turns from an individual to a team that you know you have something special on your hands and that’s what has happened in Seattle. As great as Brady and Manning may be, no one is talking about their “team” in a positive sense as much as they just lavish the individual with praise. Russell Wilson is the perfect complement to what has become a virtual juggernaut of a defense (especially at home). Their schedule is far easier than the 49ers and it’s hard not to picture them with home field throughout the NFC playoffs which should clear the path to the Super Bowl.

Their Regular-Season Super Bowl: Nov. 10, at Atlanta. The rematch of the game many felt Seattle should have won in the playoffs and one of the few road tests this season for a team whose only question mark IS the road.
Record: 12-4

THE PLAYOFFS

AFC:

1 – Denver Broncos (14-2)

2 – New England Patriots (12-4)

3 – Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

4 – Houston Texas (10-6)

5 – Indianapolis Colts (Wild Card) (10-6)

6 – Kansas City Chiefs (Wild Card) (9-7)

NFC:

1 – Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

2 – Green Bay Packers (11-5)

3 – New Orleans Saints (11-5)

4 – Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

5 - San Francisco 49ers (Wild Card) (11-5)

6 – Atlanta Falcons (Wild Card) (10-6)

Wild-Card Round: Indianapolis Colts def. Houston Texas
Cincinnati Bengals def. Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers def. Dallas Cowboys
New Orleans Saints def. New Orleans Saints

Divisional Playoffs: New England Patriots def. Cincinnati Bengals (Fascinating matchup of two teams that you never even really think about facing one another in the playoffs)
Denver Broncos def. Indianapolis Colts (It would be far more intriguing in Indy, but we do get that one on Oct. 20^th. A fantastic playoff storyline regardless)Green Bay Packers def. New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks def. San Francisco 49ers

Championship Games: Denver Broncos def. New England Patriots (Is anyone else pretty much sick of Brady vs. Manning by now?)Seattle Seahawks def. Green Bay Packers (If there was ever a matchup that seemed destined to happen in the playoffs this year, this is it.)

SuperBowl XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks def. Denver Broncos (In case we do get inclement weather in New York, that will only play in Seattle’s hands that much more.)For those that are reading my ramblings for the first time, I greatly appreciate it. Especially if you finished the whole freakin’ thing. Feel free to praise, ridicule, and follow me on the twitter machine at @statmark.My byline: Grant Sawyer is a lifelong sports fan and obsessive statistician who took his background in the  film and video industry (having worked at multiple television outlets, including FOX) and go on to establish relationships with numerous independent wrestling organizations to tape, edit and produce their events; and become a prolific creator of content on the North Carolina independent wrestling circuit. Today the majority of his production work can be seen at CWF Mid-Atlantic’s official YouTube channel. He has written one book, “The Official 2013 CWF Mid-Atlantic Record & Fact Book”, and is currently editing “The History of Professional Wrestling” series. Grant also enjoys comic books, his smokin’ hot wife, and NFL football where he obsessively loves and follows all things related to the Green Bay Packers.