FantasySavvy 2017: King of Harpoons League Update (6th Annual)

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Harpoooons. Identify your target, raise the Harpoon and toss it with the precision of a snake attacking a beaver’s left sour toenail on a hot sweaty Alabama morning in September. Six mothofo’in seasons of the Harpoons. Well, five in the books, the 6th TBD. The action resumes this weekend, starting tomorrow with the Falcons taking on the Eagles and the Titans as 14 point dogs vs New England. Then on Sunday with the Saints taking on the Vikings and the Jaguars going to the Steel City to take on Pittsburgh.

Current Standings and Review

1st Place w/ 132.4 Points- Foon Dog (Sandra and Greg Santos) 

This squad is looking fine and dandy with possibly the best strategic positioning. The team is led by 1st round Pick Drew Brees who has a great shot of taking out the Vikings this weekend. Follow that up with Derrick Henry who showed his coach Mike Mularkey that he truly is the best back on the team. Mularkey was running Murray into the ground and showing favoritism to Murray all year. Henry just needed the rock full-time and he will get another favorable matchup against New England. The key will be game flow. But Murray will catch all the dink and dunks from Mariota regardless. Two more excellent picks were Julio Jones and Mohammad Sanu on Atlanta who are favored to beat Philly tomorrow by 3 points. They also have Will Lutz another Saint and of course Willie “Make ya Bleeeeeed” Snead contributing a catch every 75 hours or so. The Saints are my pick to make the Super Bowl, so the Foon Dog is looking mighty good right now.

2nd Place w/ 116 points- Coin Slot (Espo)

The Defending Champ returns with another solid team this year. They have Matt Ryan, the Falcons D, Michael Thomas, Jerrick McKinnon and Alshon Jeffrey. Ideally they would want a Falcons run, but with Foon Dog carrying Julio and Sanu to offset Ryan, they likely want Minnesota to upset and ride out with Mckinnon. But that may cost them a money spot. Foon Dog also counteracts the Michael Thomas pick with their Drew Brees, Will Lutz combo. Coin Slot needs the Jags to beat Pittsburgh and have Josh Lambo kick his way into New England. At the end of the day Coin Slot is likely due for another high finish but in Pure Espo fashion will likely finish just outside of the top position. Foon Dog has him cornered in almost every direction. If you still haven’t figured out Espo’s nickname “Coin Slot” you better have it figured out after this weekend.

3rd Place, 102.2 Points- Hack (Rob D.)

Hack had a strong WildCard round with Cam Newton and Tyreek Hill, unfortunately with both of them going out early, he is pretty much done at this point. Both Carolina and KC had great shots to win, but ran out of gas at the end, and this is the fate of Hack’s team as well. He does have a very slim shot of possibly finishing in the money but will need three bottom role players for the Pats to emerge in Danny Amendola, James White and Kenny Britt, coupling that with the Saints and their Mark Ingram pick in the SuperBowl.  Hack, however is likely already focused on Basketball. He’s probably watching the Rockets, Suns game right now.

4th Place, 84.5 Points (Pete)

Pete was also hurt by the KC and Panthers losses losing Alex Smith and Greg Olsen. But this team was crafted and drafted well, with some high end options remaining in Alvin Kamara, Martavis Bryant, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, Matt Bryant and the Saints D. Their path to victory is with the Vikings or the Saints. But there is Foon Dog again with them Saints, so Pete may need to root for the Vikings.  If they can get Thielen and Rudolph in the Super Bowl, Pete will have a good shot to take this down.

5th Place, 70.5 Points (Dennis)

Another team that was well put together, headed by Big Ben. The Christian McCaffrey loss hurt, but at least he got a big splash on that 80 yard TD before he went out. He also has some solid options with Dion Lewis, Stefon Diggs, Tevin Coleman, Delanie Walker and the Pats D. Dennis will need a Pats, Steelers AFC Champ game to take this down, but then have to be careful if the Steelers make the SB as the person behind him will be nipping at their turnens!! Either way I see some good things for this team ahead.

6th Place, 61.8 points Tom & Rachel’s Wedding (Steve D.)

Tom and Rachel’s Wedding? Terrific name, highly original. The meaning behind it may come next week, if they are in the money after this weekend. The Two time champ is 70 points back from the lead but certainly has a pathway to victory. The Jared Goff pick proved to go bust thanks mostly thanks to Pharaoh Cooper’s turd hands, but they still have Le’Veon Bell, Steelers D and Steelers Kicker Chris Boswell. Also throw in Chris Hogan who is healthy and coming off a big Playoff run last year. Zach Ertz can also put up some points this week and Josh Hill showed he is starting to factor into the Saints offense. Dede Westbrook is another nice piece. They will obviously need the Steelers in the SB to win this and their is a good chance that may happen, but that still may not be enough for him to win. It’s all about putting up points!!!

7th Place, 49.8 Points (Frank)

Another team crushed by the Chiefs loss losing Kareem Hunt and Harrison “I take it in the” Butker. They have Brandin Cooks and some other pieces, but their is one way that this team wins it all and that is through the Jaguars. Blake Bortles, Chris Ivory and Marcedes Lewis will need to ride through the forests and get it done. This is very unlikely, but according to expert prognositcator and Harpoon Owner, Ken DeAngelo, the Jaguars will be meeting the Vikings in the SuperBowl, so we shall see. But they still will need Leonard Fournette to roll an ankle and Marcedes Lewis to have another 3 TD game like he had earlier this year. But the chances of all that happening is slim. And if that does happen, Ken will likely outscore him anyway. Frank’s chances aren’t looking so hot from my perspective! Him and Rob are currently projected to finish at the bottom.

8th Place, 48.9 Points (Kenny D)

Jags, Vikings SB he says? Well if that happens then his Leonard Fournette, Case Keenum, Vikings D, Keelan Cole and Allen Hurns picks will likely get him to the promise land. Losing Gurley hurt, so he will need this exact scenario to win this. Blake Bortles vs Case Keenum in the SB? The ratings may never be lower.

9th Place, 47.6 Points, Plunker (Joe Portman)

Joe usually has slow starts in the Harpoons, but then comes on like a bat out of Texas and finishes strong. With Tom Brady, a healthy Rex Burkhead, Latavius Murray, Ted Ginn and Kai Forbath this may be the case again this year. He will need a New England, Vikings SB.  Another likely scenario. Joe has a a solid shot to finally take down his first title.

10th Place, 23.8 Points, ChaseManhattan (Chase)

It all comes down to Nick Foles. Foles will have to go nuts and revert back to his superb regular season from years back and lead Philly to the promise land. Then if he gets Pittsburgh in with his Antonio Brown, J.J. Schuster, picks, he will be looking really good. He also has Philly Kicker, Jake Elliott. But if Philly does lose to Atlanta, he has Devonta Freeman, so Chase has some outs here. He is pretty far back right now though, so I am not sure he can do enough to catch up. In this courts opinion Nick Foles sucks and Philly will be losing tomorrow, and Chase will finish somewhere in bottom 5.

All the best to everyone this weekend. Enjoy the games and stay tuned for a Championship week update.

 

 

 

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FantasySavvy 2017: Making Sense of Week 17

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Week 17 is usually very uneventful, Fantasy Leagues are done, Most Teams are playing for little and you’ve been filled with enough food, booze, lack of sleep, College Games, kids screaming to have the energy to really grasp everything. I’m usually in this boat, but after looking at everything I’m here to help make it very clear for you. Happy New Year to all! Follow me on Twitter @FantasySavvy and stay tuned for some NFL Playoff Picks, Fantasy Info and more.

 

1PM Games

Green Bay @ Detroit (Det -7, O/U 44)

Neither team is in contention but the Lions are playing all starters and Green Bay will be without Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Jordy Nelson. Detroit looks like a good play here, Brett Hundley has been turrible. Stafford should have his way through the air, so Marvin Jones, Golden Tate and the surging TE Eric Ebron should all be productive. 27-16 Lions. 

Chicago @ Minnesota (Min -12, O/U 38)

Vikes clinch a bye and the #2 seed with a win here. Also clinch with either a Saints Win or Panthers loss. Pretty much looks like they got it wrapped up. Bears have a stingy D, but have been leaking holes in the run game. Latavius Murray figures to be a solid Fantasy Play. Also 12 points is a lot to cover, but don’t see Bears doing much at all here in this spot. Vikings D could be in for a huge day. Don’t see the Bears scoring more than 10 points. Possibly give the under a look. 23-10 Vikings.

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh (Pit -6.5, O/U 37)

Steelers can get the #1 overall seed with a win and a New England loss to the Jets, but Mike Tomlin knows there is no chance Bryce Petty is beating New England in Foxboro. Thus, Pittsburgh is resting most of it’s starters most notably Le’Veon Bell and Big Ben. Landry Jones will start at QB, he’s awful. On the flip side, Josh Gordon should get a ton of looks from DeShone Kizer and seems like the best Fantasy Play in this game. 20-17 Cleveland

Dallas @ Philadelphia (Dallas -3, O/U 40)

Philly is all clinched up with the #1 seed in the NFC and has nothing to play for so they are likely to rest players early or not play anyone at all. Also we really don’t know what Dallas is going to do on their side of the ball. Staying away from everything in this game seems like the best approach. UPDATE: Cowboys are expected to play all their starters. 24-17 Dallas.

New York Jets @ New England (NE -15, O/U 43.5)

New England wins and they lock up homefield throughout the playoffs. So all systems go for the Pats. Jets are starting Bryce Petty, he is not good. This looks like blowout city. Dion Lewis will get a ton of carries again at RB as Rex Burkhead is OUT again. Gronk and Cooks also should have good days along with the Pats D. Brady of course. 34-10 Pats.

New York Giants @ Washington (Skins -3, O/U 40.5)

Neither team is playing for anything. Giants will start Eli 4 quarters, but he’s without Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard. RB Wayne Gallman should catch a lot of passes and is an affordable DFS play. Skins should control this game, look for Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson to have good games. Skins looks good in this one. 27-17 Skins.

Houston @ Indy (Colts -5.5, O/U 41.5)

Another meaningless game. Houston is starting T.J. Yates, he may be the worst starting QB this week and are without Star WR, DeAndre Hopkins. Their pass D has also been brutal, meaning Jacoby Brissett may have a nice day along with T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle. Future Hall of Fame RB, Frank Gore is looking for 10 straight seasons with 1,000 yards, something only NFL greats Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Curtis Martin have accomplished. Gore needs 139 yards which is unlikely, but the Colts probably will give him a bunch of carries. Colts look like the play in this game. 24-13 Colts. 

4:25 PM Games

San Francisco @ L.A. Rams (49ers -4.5, O/U 43.5)

Rams are clinched up and resting basically everyone, including Todd Gurley and Jared Goff. Good news for rising QB Jimmy Garrapolo. SF will look to keep their momentum and finish strong going into 2018. 23-16 San Fran.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore (Baltimore -9, O/U 40)

Ravens clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Bills or Titans loss. Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis have both needed to go for years, but remain. I like Alex Collins and Baltimore D from a fantasy standpoint. Could see this one being somewhat close. 23-16 Ravens

Buffalo @ Miami (Buffalo -2.5, O/U 42.5)

There are three Week 17 scenarios in which the Bills would make the playoffs:

— Bills win AND Ravens loss OR

— Bills win AND Chargers loss or tie AND Titans loss or tie OR

— Bills tie AND Chargers loss AND Titans loss

Buffalo is likely to feed LeSean McCoy heavily in this game. Tyrod Taylor should have a decent day and Charles Clay looks like his best bet this week in the passing game. On the flip side, Phins would be smart to get the ball back in the hands of RB, Kenyan Drake. Jarvis Landry should have another nice day. 24-17 Buffalo.

Arizona @ Seattle (Seattle -9, O/U 38)

Seattle wins and Falcons lose and they are in. Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin are extremely solid, safe fantasy plays. Larry Fitzgerald should have a big day for the Cards. 24-13 Seattle.

Kansas City @ Denver (Broncos -4.5, O/U 38)

K.C is not playing for anything here. Both teams will start new QB’s. KC will start their shiny big armed Rookie QB, Patrick Mahomes and Denver will start 2nd year QB Paxton Lynch. Chiefs will be resting basically all their players. Mahomes will be interesting to watch against a still extremely solid Denver D. C.J. Anderson should get a ton of work on the ground. Emmanuel Sanders is out for Denver so Demaryius Thomas should get a ton of targets. Paxton Lynch has just looked really bad in his few career starts. I would take the points, but Denver D could cause some havoc. 20-17 Denver. 

Jacksonville @ Tennessee (Ten -2.5, O/U 42) 

Jacksonville is playing for nothing but will start their starters to get try to get some momentum going into the playoffs. Not sure how long they will play. Titans on the other hand need a Win to get in, so they will be all in. Or they can get in with both a Chargers and Bills loss. Derrick Henry will get all the carries this week as DeMarco Murray is out with a MCL tear. He looks like the only solid fantasy play in this one. Possibly Keenan Cole for the Jags. 20-17 Titans.

Carolina @ Atlanta (Falcons -4, O/U 45)

The Falcons need to win or have Seattle lose to get in. They are playing for a lot. The Panthers are playing for a first round bye, but it seems unlikely. For that to happen they must defeat Atlanta, New Orleans must lose or tie at Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Rams must lose or tie to San Francisco and Minnesota must lose at home to Chicago. What seems more likely is them winning the NFC South and playing a first round home Wild Card game. They need a win and a Saints loss for that to happen. Atlanta has more to play for in this one, but you know Cam and the Panthers won’t make it easy. Julio Jones, Mohammad Sanu, Cam Newton, Greg Olsen and Christian McAffrey are suggested Fantasy Plays. Carolina 27-24.

Oakland @ San Diego (SD -7, O/U 42)

San Diego needs a win and major help to get in.

Chargers clinch a playoff berth with:

— Chargers win AND Titans loss or tie AND Bills loss or tie OR

— Chargers win AND Titans loss or tie AND Ravens win or tie OR

— Chargers tie AND Titans loss AND Bills loss or tie.

Chargers will bring it in this game, Oakland has been lost all season. I like Antonio Gates in this game, in possibly his last game as a Charger. Chargers should roll with their strong defense. 27-17 San Diego. 

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay (NO -5.5, O/U 49)

The Saints are in, but playing for the NFC South title and a home game in the WildCard round. They achieve that with a win or a Panthers loss. Their running game should once again dominate with Ingram and Kamara. Ted Ginn could be a sneaky fantasy play. Saints should do most of the scoring in this one. They are my pick to represent the NFC in the Superbowl. 31-20 Saints.  

Any questions email me, SteveDeAngelo@gmail.com. See you in 2018!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FantasySavvy 2017: Update

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Hello everyone,

You may have noticed we have not done our podcast/radio show for sometime as well as not posting much on the site. One of my Best Friend’s lost his battle with a Brain Tumor recently and fighting alongside him daily supporting, researching and my thoughts constantly being with him set precedence. We ask for your prayers during this time. We will be starting a foundation for him in the near future. Thank you to all the readers/listeners over the years.

We hope to have a Fantasy SuperBowl write up as well as some NFL Playoff and SuperBowl articles as well. Please follow me on twitter @FantasySavvy

I am still very active in my leagues however (4 remaining) and am always here to help with lineup questions at SteveDeAngelo@gmail.com. We will be back stronger than ever next season! I will assure you of that! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. All the best to your Fantasy Teams.

Thank you,

Steve DeAngelo

FantasySavvy’s Radio Show: Week 2 Final Recap and Waiver Wire Discussion 09/20 by FantasySavvy | Sports Podcasts

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Have a listen as we break down some more of the games from Week 2 as well as discuss the top Waiver adds going into Week 3. Follow us on Twitter @FantasySavvy. Thanks for Listening.

Source: FantasySavvy’s Radio Show: Week 2 Final Recap and Waiver Wire Discussion 09/20 by FantasySavvy | Sports Podcasts

FantasySavvy’s Radio Show: Week 2 Preview (Part 2) 09/16 by FantasySavvy | Sports Podcasts

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Join us as we close out the rest of the games in Week 2. We breakdown the 4 O’clocks and Sunday and Monday Night games, as well as taking your calls at 347-324-5450

Source: FantasySavvy’s Radio Show: Week 2 Preview (Part 2) 09/16 by FantasySavvy | Sports Podcasts

FantasySavvy 2017: Week 1 Notebook

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Football is back and so is FantasySavvy, back for our 7th year. Thanks to all our hardcore followers over the years. We are ready to contribute and bring you as much value as we possibly can this season. Rankings, Weekly Notebook, Film Review for Waivers and Different games as well as NFL and Daily League picks will be posted throughout the season. Also stay tuned for our Weekly Podcast which will start back up next week.  Check back for our Rankings next week as well. Follow me @FantasySavvy on twitter.

Jets @ Bills

Sheldon Richardson Gone, two starting NT, David Harris, All missing this year

Zay Jones, son of Cowboys LB Robert Jones, Career College leaders in Receptions. 

Charles Clay, best familiarity with Taylor to start. 

Jets, ArDarius Stewart, Kearse, Kerley and Anderson are Jets WR’s, Stewart is inactive today. 

 Jets w/ Points, possibly over

 Eagles @ Skins

Eagles Secondary ton of ? Marks, 1 of 3 teams to allow 3,000 yards to WR’s

Skins allowed 2nd most yards to TE’s last year- Ertz

RB situation unclear, stay away this week. 

Skins – the points.

Raiders @ Titans

Raiders 5th worst against Tight Ends, Delanie Walker good play.

Texans @ Jags

Hopkins 11 catches for 120 yds in 2 games with Savage last year

Cards @ Lions

David Johnson all day

Carson Palmer Strong play

Fitz will be facing off against 5’9 Quandre Diggs, who he should abuse.

Cards allowed fewest rec yds to RB’s last year.

Cards allowed 2nd fewest yards and catches to Tight Ends, only Two TE’s. Mathieu, Peterson, etc

Cards – the points.

 Falcons @ Bears

Bears Underatted D

Howard a solid play

Ravens @ Bengals

Bengals RB Coach Kyle Caskey promised hot hand, Mixon has the best shot to get that hot hand and ride with it.

AJ Green has a history of torching the Ravens

Eifert has 100 yds 2 TDs in last 2 meetings. Is he healthy?

Flacco out all preseason and camp, little rapport with Maclin. Woodhead off ACL, Terrance West? JAvoirus Allen? Ehhhh.

Bengals – the points

Steelers @ Browns

Corey Coleman only Brown I trust, should get heavy usage, will get open, Kizer can get him the ball.

Pitt, Bell, Brown, Ben, Bryant.

Steelers by 4

Colts @ Rams

Gurley Good Matchup,

Cooper Kupp Solid chemistry and play.

Avoid Colts

Rams – the points

Seattle @ Packers

Seattle D gets a bump with Sheldon Richardson,

Cobb is healthy and coming off a solid playoffs. Has best matchup here vs Jeremy Lane.

Wilson played with a Torn MCL and High Ankle Sprain last year. He is healthy now and will bounce back, offensive line is still a concern. But doesn’t have good success vs Pack.

Doug Baldwin has good success, Only start I trust, possibly Richardson for cheap play in DFS. Or Prosise.

Pack/Sea U

Panthers @ SF

McCaffrey not a great RB2 play in first game, Panthers should still use Stewart and will be able to control game and pound Stewart. However both are solid flex plays this week.

Olsen and Benjamin look like solid plays. Cam also looks solid.

Carlos Hyde looks solid, outside of that, possibly Garcon. Don’ trust Marquise Goodwin.

SF/Car U?

Gmen @ Cowboys

Gmen Held Zeke to 150 yds and 1 TD in 2 games. Zeke still must be started.

Dak Struggled, Bryant struggled also, just 20 yds in 2 games. Janoris Jenkins shut him Down, DMC shut down Beasley. Cowboys lost twice last year, no doubt Garrett will make some adjustmetns here, maybe he starts moving Dez Around.

Witten has the most success vs the Gmen.

Beckham very ??, Running game ehh. Brandon Marshall? Eh, Don’t trust any Giants, See a lower scoring game.

Gmen/Dal U

 New Orleans @ Minny

NO allowed 2nd most Rec yards to backs last year. Cook looks like solid play.

Don’t trust Diggs with Bradford, Trust Theilen way more, especially now in the slot.

Rudolph also a decent play.

Not Crazy about Saints backs.

Michael Thomas lined up with Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes had a 47.0 Passer rating allowed, Best in NFL last year

Ted Ginn looks like a good play here with a good matchup on turf.

TommyLee Lewis is interesting, Originally undrafted two years ago, Recommended by Bill Parcells to Sean Payton. Someone to eye at WR for NO. 

Saints/Minny O?

Chargers @ Denver

Rivers terrible last year vs Denver, Allen tough matchup, Tyrel Williams tough matchup. Melvin Gordon only really solid play.

Henry n Gates still offset each other.

Bad Matchups with Sanders and Thomas vs Heyward and Jason Verrett.

CJ Anderson decent, but how much does Jamaal Charles play? Maybe he takes the job!!!!

Chargers/Den U!!

 

 

FantasySavvy 2017: Super Bowl 51 Analysis & Prediction

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Super Bowl Sunday, an American staple and unofficial National Holiday. It will be official once they make Monday a day off. Everybody is mostly shot out anyway after drinking tons of beer, wine, vodka, coke, Dr. Pepper or whatever. Then add in all the wings, chips, dips, etc. and most people feel like their name is Gorky Tuckens come Monday Morning. Might as well just give everybody the day off. But the Super Bowl is something everybody and their Mother will watch. Well while you are stuffing your face and talking to some guy who you never met before you may miss a big play or two. Or if you’re talking to your Friends Wife’s sisters friend, nevermind just try to have some good laughs with your buddies or close family and watch as much as you can! Also some guy named Tucker Beencorse will leave during halftime because he has a long ride home, has an early flight somewhere or an early meeting. Or another guy will start telling a story about how he grew up in Delaware and be loud as hell about it. Some other young chic might be too drunk and loud. Kids will be running around screaming. Point is the Super Bowl is usually a game you can’t fully focus on because of so many different people being around. For me it’s a time to meet up with my friends I haven’t seen in a while and have a good time, but I def miss a lot of things and can’t fully focus in like I usually do. End of the day it is what it is, enjoy the game and make sure to fully tune in when it matters! Enjoy the orange pasted guacomole roasted pepper bean dip that your Friends wife made from some random internet recipe.  On to the game at hand……………….

ATLANTA

I liked Matt Ryan early in his career, but over the last few seasons it looked like he was starting to regress. He would start out hot but flop in the 2nd half the season and in the Playoffs. This year you could notice there was something different when you watched Ryan. His arm looked stronger, he looked much more decisive and was making deep, accurate throws with consistency. Ryan must have taken an off-season approach to really improve his body, arm and mind. Also Kyle Shanahan helped tremendously with his play calling and offensive design. Ryan looks like he has mastered this offense and it has shown all season.

Julio Jones, not much to say other than the play vs the Packers last week where he stiff armed and out ran the defense on his way to a TD shows how gifted and talented he is. The trade the Falcons made for him by giving up all those draft picks was for made for this reason, to win them a Super Bowl. I remember agreeing with the trade at the time, because how many times can you get a sure-fire player like that in the draft. Jones was an animal in College and his game has translated perfectly. We will see if that trade fully pays off today. It will be very interesting to see how the Pats go about covering him.

The Falcons running game is obviously another huge concern for Pats. Freeman and Coleman are both young, fresh, dynamic and extremely talented RB’s. Both are effective out of the backfield and Shanahan uses them in the passing game wisely. Many times throughout the season he had these guys lined up against guys who had no business covering them. Freeman has the ability to make guys miss and is one of the more agile backs in the league. Coleman is more of a one cut straight away runner but he hits holes hard and has good speed.

The Falcons main role players Sanu, Gabriel and Austin Hooper also are solid players. Sanu may have a big game if the Pats really go all out on stopping Julio. Hooper I think has a future in this league and he could have a nice game today, the Pats aren’t great at defending Tight Ends. Gabriel hasn’t done much in recent weeks with a fully healthy Julio, but is still a threat because of his explosive speed.

The Falcons Defense isn’t great statistically but is young, talented and I trust Dan Quinn will have his guys fully prepared. Vic Beasley led the NFL in sacks and obviously creating pressure on Brady will be a huge factor. Normally when you see Brady struggle it’s early and often and that happens consistently throughout the game. Brady just looks uncomfortable all game. I have seen it many times,  the Jets historically have always done a good job at disrupting Brady every now and then. We’ve seen the Giants do it to him twice in the Super Bowl. This is usually when Brady and the Pats lose, when defense create consistent pressure on him. However, I don’t think this will be the case in this game, but the Alanta defense may be able to make a big play or two to swing this game in their favor. Sometimes it just takes one big play.

NEW ENGLAND

Tom Brady wins this game and the talks begin for the next two weeks about him being the best of all-time. It is amazing what he has done throughout his career. Brady has perfected a few things. Accuracy, pocket presence and mastery of this offense. Ryan has mastered his offense this year, but Brady has mastered his offense long ago because he has been in the same system forever. That is why you get all these new guys in the offense over the years and Brady just keeps rolling along with success. The Pats also do a great job of just keeping that continuity within the team, bringing in the same type of players to just plug-in. It’s like a Plug n Play offense. Brady knows his offense like the back of the house he grew up in. This can not be overlooked, this is truly one of the main reasons why Brady is so great. It’s like a book he has read 200 times.

The popular narrative in this game seems to be that LeGarrette Blount having a big role in this game. It makes a ton of sense, since the Falcons haven’t been great at defending the run this year and it will also help keep the Falcons offense off the field. Also Dion Lewis fumbled twice in their Divisional Round matchup vs Houston leading to decreased snaps in the AFC Championship game vs the Steelers. Maybe Bill doesn’t fully trust Dion in this game? No doubt Dion will be used, but maybe Bill is a little more reluctant to rely on Dion. Maybe we see more James White. Either way, the Pats backs will be used in the offense, as they have done historically. Will we see a lot of Blount? The logic says yes. Certainly Dion Lewis is a very talented back and he should be utilized often in this game. But you just never know what the Pats may do.

Julian Edelman is a staple in this offense and he will likely lead the Pats in receiving in this game. The Falcons play mostly man defense and the Pats will be ready for that with a lot of man beaters running rubs, pick plays and using Edelman in motion to free him up. Chris Hogan has emerged recently as a Brady favorite, exploding in the AFC Championship game. He is a good player and should have a nice game as well. I like Malcolm Mitchell as a player and he was coming on towards the end of the season but now with Hogan back healthy and also Danny Amendola he has been phased out again. I think they should utilize him more in this game. Amendola who knows what he will do. Bennett is playing hurt and hasn’t been that effective of late, but maybe he just goes all out in this game. Regardless Brady has a lot of weapons at his disposal and all of these guys seem to be on the same page with Tom.

The Pats Defense has allowed the fewest points in the league, but if  you look at their schedule, they have faced some awful offenses and QB’s. Brock Osweiler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Charlie Whitehurst, Landry Jones, etc. The best two QB’s they faced in the Regular season were Andy Dalton and Russell Wilson and both guys had good success with QB ratings over 100. Yes they did a good job on Ben last week, but Ben was horrible on the road all season, just not the same player he was at home. I don’t think this defense will do much to disrupt the Falcons offense.

PREDICTION

I think this is going to be another great Super Bowl coming down to the very end. The Pats have been in some very good Super Bowls and I think it continues today. I also think this game is going to be very high scoring. This is the highest total ever in a Super Bowl at 58 points and I think the score exceeds that. I believe this could be the highest scoring SB ever. The highest ever to date was Super Bowl 29 when the 49ers and Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ricky Watters, destroyed the San Diego Chargers led by Stan Humphries, Junior Seau and Natrone Means Business. The 49ers won 49-26 for a total of 75 points. I really think this game could exceed that. The reason I believe this is because the mastery of the offenses by both of these QB’s, combined with a lack of a truly elite defense on either side. Both of these offenses are models of consistency and it may come down to whoever has the ball last.

I believe the Pats will be to get mostly anything they want on offense whether it’s LeGarrette Blount or a whole lot of Julian Edelman/Chris Hogan. I also believe the Falcons will be able get what they want with Matt Ryan having an excellent game and the RB’s producing a good amount of combined yards in the running and passing game. This game is going to be a high-powered offensive shootout led by two excellent QB’s.

As I am writing this, I still don’t have a good feel for who will win this game. My logic tells me the Patriots, but my heart tells me the Falcons, although there is some logic thrown in there as well. The majority are picking the Patriots and rightly so. Part of me wants to say Brady and Belichick have one more in them or maybe even two more. They would really be the greatest ever breaking all records. Records are made to be broken. Another part of me says the Falcons and owner Arthur Blank will get a championship that has been a long time coming for their organization and city. The Braves in 1995 were the last time this city won anything. I could see such a quality coach in Dan Quinn hoisting the Lombardi trophy, with Julio Jones or Matt Ryan being the MVP. But Tom Brady may want this Super Bowl more than any other, since his Mom has not been to one of his games all year as she has been sick with some kind of ailment. She will be there today to watch her son. I could see Tom dedicating this win to his mom at the end of the game.

How will Alex Mack’s broken fibula effect the Falcons offense and running game? Will the Patriots be able to control the game and keep the Falcons offense off the field with LeGarrette Blount? Will Julio be contained? Will it matter? So many questions. But I have decided.

I am picking the Atlanta Falcons to win this game. Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, are just too dynamic for me to pick against. Yes the Pats have Brady and Belichick, but I think the Falcons are the better team. I see Vic Beasley making one huge play in this game that will swing the game. But even with that big play, this game will not be won by defense it will be won by offense. I think the Falcons offense is a well oiled machine even more so than the Pats. This game will be high scoring and exciting. Their will be a lot of lead changes. So let’s go with this, Falcons 41, Patriots 38.

Enjoy the games be safe and have a blessed Sunday. Please follow me on twitter @FantasySavvy. Next season we will have our podcast every week along with our weekly film review, NFL Picks and daily and seasonal league info. In the meantime it’s College Hoops with some NBA here and there. March Madness is almost here!