The College Playoff Picture is set, NFL week 13 is in the books, Binge Fantasy Football is in disarray and there are plenty of BSV’s from the listeners to drive this show forward. And thank God for that…because drunk PJ cannot drive…Gimme your Keys
Remember to call us with your questions/comments/suggestions for the show #708-316-8822…
You didn’t think you were getting off without me, did you? Wait, what? Okay, let me try that again. Welcome to another edition of Highlights of 2016: The Luke Norris Edition. That doesn’t go against my third-person count, does it?
In any event, I figured that since I used to write the weekend column at this here site, I’d wait until today to get my list of things for 2016 out there. I’ll get to some movies and TV here in a bit, but seeing as I’m the sports guy I’ll go ahead and start there. It just so happens that my favorite thing of 2016 came from the sports world anyway and I don’t think anybody will be surprised by it.
The Cubs Win The World Series
Moreno said it earlier in the week and he was absolutely right. Just saying that the Chicago Cubs won the World Series is still a very strange thing to say and probably will be for a while but that doesn’t mean that I won’t keep doing it. For those that know me, you know how much the Cubs mean to me and to say that watching them win that epic Game 7 was a very special moment for me. I’m trying to keep these short today so I won’t go into as much detail as I did in my “What The Cubs Winning The World Series Means To Me” piece I wrote over at The Luke Norris Experience (shameless plug and I don’t feel bad about it) but it was something that I will never forget and was easily one of the biggest and best stories of the year in any form of entertainment.
The End Of An Era In The NBA
There’s a lot of people out there that simply don’t like the NBA anymore, or just don’t like the NBA at all, but it’s always been something that I’ve followed closely and 2016 marked the true end of an era as three of the all-time greats in Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett all retired, making this current season the first since Bill Clinton’s first term not to have at least one of these three in the league. While Kobe Bryant embarked on a farewell tour, including his 60-point closing game, Tim Duncan stayed true to form and just quietly walked away. I think KG really wanted to play another season but after 21 years of intensity, his body just couldn’t take anymore and he joined his fellow future Hall of Famers as spectators. In the end, these three played a combined 40 seasons, scored 86,210 points, won four MVP awards (how that total isn’t higher is beyond me), played in 48 All-Star Games and won 11 titles. Incredible.
The Dallas Cowboys
Outside of the Los Angeles Lakers, my sports teams have had a pretty good 2016. The Cubs did what they did. Michigan football, while losing their last two games, put themselves in title contention and look to be headed back towards what they used to be and the Dallas Cowboys have surpassed every expectation coming into this NFL season and no matter what happens tomorrow against the Eagles will go into the playoffs with the best record in the NFC. And while I knew that Ezekiel Elliott would do well, especially behind that amazing offensive line, Dak Prescott has shocked everyone with his poise and control as the field leader of this offense. When Tony Romo went down in the preseason, I don’t think anybody could have expected what’s happened since. Obviously, I’ll have to wait until 2017 to see how all of this plays out but the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl could be an early contender for one of my favorite moments of the new year.
The Passing Of Icons
We all know that 2016 has seen a lot of celebrity deaths and the sports world wasn’t immune as a few of the biggest icons in sports history were lost this year. One of the best hockey players in history, Gordie Howe, died on June 10 and it really didn’t get the coverage that it deserved, but that was mainly due to the fact that Muhammad Ali passed only seven days before. And trust me, I could sit here and write for hours on Ali’s legacy but there’s plenty of documentaries and films out there if you’re not as familiar as you’d like to be about him. And yes, they’re all worth watching. And I know I don’t have a big audience for it here, but the death of Arnold Palmer in late September was a big deal to those of us that follow golf and a true loss for the sports world.
Okay, I’ll stop with the sports stuff for a minute and get to some TV. I’ve mentioned before on a few podcasts that I’m a very impatient person when it comes to television and I miss out on a lot of conversations because of it. It’s why I don’t watch a lot of new TV, even with all of the amazing shows that are out there right now. I’ll often wait until a series is completely over until I even start an episode because I don’t like waiting nine or ten months before it returns. But I did make a few exceptions this year, and will likely make a few more in the upcoming year, and I’ll start with another obvious entry.
Better Call Saul
It’s no secret that I’m a big Breaking Bad guy and I could write and talk for hours upon hours about that show. And yes, I’ll go ahead and take the blame for falling behind on those podcasts that we were doing. We had some scheduling conflicts and I had some computer issues and we just got away from it. Sorry. But I love everything about that universe and although I was scared in the beginning that Better Call Saul wouldn’t be able to live up to the hype, I’m okay with being wrong on this one. While the first season was very solid, the second was exceptional and I can’t even imagine what the third has in store for us. Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks have both been brilliant and the supporting players are carrying their own weight and then some. There isn’t a scene that I don’t look forward to and while we may question them in real time, every one ends up having a purpose in the overall story. And then you add Gus Fring to the mix coming up. Damn.
The Path
And since we’re on Breaking Bad a little bit, I have to mention how much I enjoyed The Path. I’ve made no secret of the fact that Jesse Pinkman was my favorite character on the show and I hoped that Aaron Paul wouldn’t fall off the map after the show ended. After a role like that, it’s easy for an actor to only be looked at as that one character and I’m extremely happy that both Paul and Bryan Cranston have found success beyond Breaking Bad. Paul’s role as a husband and father on this show is obviously very different than what he did before and he’s doing it well. I won’t get into the plot points or anything here for those who haven’t seen it, but I highly recommend watching the first season before the second gets going here in a few weeks. Very nice surprise.
Stranger Things
Honestly, I really had no plans to watch Stranger Things right away. But after everyone and their mother started talking and posting about how much they enjoyed it, Shawshank and I sat down one night and started it, figuring we’d watch an episode to get the feel of it and go from there. Nope. I think we stayed up until about 2 or 3 in the morning watching five or six episodes that night and I’m pretty sure we finished it the next day. That kind of show normally isn’t my thing but throw in all of the 80s goodness, Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine and I’m in. Another fun surprise.
O.J.: Made in America
I don’t know if they’re classifying this as TV or a movie but I really don’t care. O.J.: Made in America was absolutely phenomenal. I watched these events unfold in the mid-90s as a teenager and I was captivated by it then. As a sports fan (and a Naked Gun fan as well), I knew who O.J. Simpson was but as his football career was before my time, I really didn’t know a ton about him except that he was one of the all-time greats. I knew he was an actor and a celebrity and that everyone seemed to like him, which is obviously what made those murders the big deal that they became. And this documentary captured all of it. From his time in college to his pro career to his acting days and his personal relationships, every single aspect of this man’s life was covered. Mix all of that with the controversial history of the LAPD and the trial coverage and you’ve got one of the best documentaries of the year. It took me back to my high school days when I couldn’t get enough of the coverage and I learned so much more. Outstanding.
Yeah, I know once I get rolling that these things get a little long but I just want to mention a few flicks and I’ll let you out of here. Now, there’s a couple of the awards season contenders that I haven’t gotten to yet and while I will mention a couple of those below, I first want to quickly talk about a couple of movies that will obviously not be a part of that conversation.
I’m always looking for fun, stupid movies. Movies that you can hit up on a Sunday afternoon when you’re hungover and don’t want to have to think about anything. And I found a couple of those year.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
I love the Lonely Island and their brilliance is on full display here. Following all of their albums and music videos and such, it was only a matter of time before they tried it out on the big screen and I’m so happy that they did. Outside of the guys themselves, this flick is full of outstanding cameos (I think Seal might be my favorite…”Fucking wolves”) and crazy awesome tracks that I’ve got no problem admitting I listened to repeatedly just so I could get all of the lyrics down. Don’t judge me.
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
I really had no idea what to expect from this one but I sat down and gave it a chance one day and I’m glad that I did. Again, there’s not much substance here but I’m okay with that. You’ve got Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick playing crazy chicks who like to drink (I’m sold right there) and a very funny dude in Adam DeVine. And then you’ve got Zac Efron. Now, I don’t know who exactly it was that decided he was going to start being in all of these comedies, but I want to shake that person’s hand. He’s the only thing that’s good about the Neighbors movies and he upped his game even more in this one. And you’ve got Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick playing crazy chicks who like to drink. Wait, did I say that already?
The Magnificent Seven
Was this remake necessary? Certainly not. But did I enjoy the hell out of it? Absolutely. I’ve always been a big Denzel fan and watching him in this role only proved that this guy can do it all. He’ll likely get an Oscar nomination for Fences, which will be well-deserved I’m sure, but he was cool as hell here. And I did mark out a little bit seeing him and Ethan Hawke back onscreen together as I’m a big fan of Training Day. Throw in Chris Pratt in the Steve McQueen role and you’ve got gold. Really fun flick. And watch Seven Samurai already, will ya?
The Birth of a Nation
Just getting this film made was a difficult task for writer/producer/director Nate Parker, but the end result was amazing, even if it became a disappointment at the box office. There were always going to be people out there that wouldn’t like it for a variety of reasons, including the controversy surrounding Parker himself, but strictly from the perspective of a moviegoer, I was captivated from start to finish. To me, it was everything that 12 Years A Slave wasn’t. And yes, I’m aware that the latter took home numerous Best Picture awards but I could never get into it. Although the source material was great, I was never connected to the characters and it always felt very flat to me. It was the complete opposite for me here. The story of the relationship between Parker’s Nat Turner and Samuel, played brilliantly by Armie Hammer, was told very well and the supporting players were excellent. I may be in the minority here but I really dug this flick.
Hell or High Water
As I mentioned earlier, there’s still a few movies from this year that I’ve yet to get around to but this is my favorite film of 2016. It’s got a very No Country for Old Men feeling to it without being No Country for Old Men. Jeff Bridges is always going to do his thing but underappreciated actors Ben Foster and Chris Pine absolutely slay it in this film. It’s unfortunate that so many people will only ever see Pine as Captain Kirk because he’s got so much more versatility than he’s given credit for. I dug him next to Denzel in the underrated Unstoppable and he showed he’s got some comedic chops as well in last year’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. I’m hoping the attention this movie’s going to get during awards season wakes people up a bit. And Ben Foster was phenomenal in this flick. I remember seeing him in a couple of episodes of Boston Public when he was a youngster years and years ago and he’s been killing it ever since. This is another one I could go on and on about…the direction, the acting, the cinematography…everything was superb here.
Okay, I think I’ve held you up long enough. Happy New Year to everyone in our little slice of paradise here at Binge Media.
Welcome to an all-new edition of the Binge SportsCast. This week, I’m talking baseball, baseball, and more baseball with my special guest, Jim Poljak, a former host of Back Porch Sports and The Curtain Call. He’s also a former writer for The Bleacher Report and The Outside Analysis and happens to be one of the most knowledgeable guys I know when it comes to sports. But I also met him through Supka, so take that for what it’s worth.
But before that, we talk a little bit about the Open Championship, the Dez Bryant contract, and my hatred of this year’s ESPY Awards and the Caitlyn Jenner situation.
But yes, then we do get into all things baseball. We’re breaking down each division, every team, the All-Star Game, the playoff situation, Pete Rose vs Frank Thomas, and much more. It’s a damn good show and you should listen to it right now. And after you do, get your votes in for the all-new polls I’ve put below, where you get to make your picks on which five teams will make the MLB postseason. And just so you don’t get frustrated, yes, you must make five picks.
Thanks to Jim for coming on the show, and I’ll be back in just a couple of days with a new wrestling version of the Binge SportsCast. It’s been five weeks since the last PPV so you know we’ll have a lot to talk about. Until then, you can always leave your thoughts on the show below or follow me on Twitter @THElukenorris and you can always get the latest updates on my doings here @BingeSports. You’ll be hearing from me.
Welcome back to Binge Sports and our continuing coverage of the NFL Playoffs. Outside of the Dallas/Detroit game, Wild Card Weekend wasn’t quite as exciting as I expected it to be, but hey, what are you gonna do? But look at the match-ups we’ve got this weekend. Iconic franchises and future Hall-of-Famers are everywhere on Saturday and Sunday. As I did last weekend, I’ll give you the teams, how they got here, when the game is, the betting line (at least as it is when I write this), and a quick breakdown. I’ll also show you how you did in the voting last week and of course, I’ll give you another chance to vote on this week’s winners. So let’s not waste any more time. Let’s make Jack happy and lead off with the first game on Saturday….
(6)BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6, 3rd in AFC North)
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(1)NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4, won AFC East)
When: Saturday, January 10th, 2015-4:35E/3:35C-NBC
WC Weekend: New England-bye, Baltimore-def. Pittsburgh 30-17 (9% voted correctly)
Current Line: New England favored by 7
Why You ShouldWatch: Because the Ravens can actually win this game. They went on the road and beat a Steelers team that had been a role and did it fairly easily. That gave the franchise ten road victories in the playoffs, tying them with Green Bay for the most in NFL history. What makes that even more impressive is that they’ve only been in existence since 1996. One of those wins happened in Foxboro only two years ago in the AFC Championship game. But the Patriots are well rested and one of the hottest teams in the league. They won ten of their last twelve, but that includes resting their starters in the season finale against Buffalo. Both teams know what it takes to win these big games and this is a nice start to the weekend.
[yop_poll id=”163″]
(4)CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-8-1, won NFC South)
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(1)SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4, won NFC West)
When: Saturday, January 10th, 2015-8:15E/7:15C-FOX
Why You Should Watch: Because both of these teams have exciting, mobile quarterbacks, good defense, and both are on a hot streak. Carolina comes in having won five in a row and are only allowing about twelve points per game during that stretch. Not to be outdone, the Seahawks enter this game having won six in a row and have only allowed 6.5 points per game during their stretch. Seattle also has the advantage of playing at home. “The 12th Man” should be rocking on Saturday night. The defending champions have only lost two games at home over the past two years and come in as a pretty heavy favorite in this game.
[yop_poll id=”164″]
(3)DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4, won NFC East)
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(2)GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-4, won NFC North)
When: Sunday, January 11th, 2015-1:05E/12:05C-FOX
WC Weekend: Green Bay-bye, Dallas-def. Detroit 24-20 (78% voted correctly)
Current Line: Green Bay favored by 6.5
Why You ShouldWatch: Because it’s the Cowboys and the Packers. Two of the most iconic franchises in sports renew their rivalry in the opening game on Sunday afternoon. It won’t exactly be “The Ice Bowl”, but it’s going to be cold in Green Bay at game time, topping out in the high teens. But this is one hot match-up. The Packers had last week off and that should benefit Aaron Rodgers, who had some time to recover from the nagging calf injury. The Cowboys come in after a hell of a game against the Lions and will have to adjust to the weather. And in a situation we don’t see very often, the Packers are 8-0 at Lambeau this year, but Dallas was 8-0 on the road. Expect another classic.
Why You Should Watch: The storyline is pretty easy here. It’s Peyton Manning playing his old team and their new golden boy, Andrew Luck. And Luck looked very good once again in their defeat of the Bengals last weekend. There’s been a lot of football played in between this match-up and the Week 1 encounter between these two teams, which Denver won 31-24 after a late surge by Indianapolis. Is this Peyton Manning’s last ride? Is this the day that the torch is truly passed? We’ll find out in the last game of the weekend.
[yop_poll id=”166″]
There you have it. Eight teams are left on the road to the Super Bowl, with seven of them being division winners. Who’d you pick? Comment below (we already know Jack will) or follow and tweet @BingeSports and/or @THElukenorris. And don’t forget that this isn’t the only playoff going on right now. Check back soon for my preview of the upcoming national title game between Ohio State and Oregon.
Happy New Year! And what better way to kick off 2015 than with tons and tons of football. After some great college bowl games over the past few days, it’s time for the big boys to take their turn. It’s time for the NFL Playoffs and you know what that means. Welcome to Binge Sports and our wall to wall coverage of the road to the Super Bowl. It’s Wild Card weekend and eight teams are set to do battle. I’m going to keep the breakdowns light as there’s not much we don’t already know about these teams. But I’ll give you a reason or two to watch each game and of course give you a chance to vote for the winners. But before we get to the games, let’s see how you did in picking the division winners.
AFC East: New England Patriots-88%
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers-75%
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts-50%
AFC West: Denver Broncos-100%
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys-33%
NFC North: Green Bay Packers-67%
NFC South: Carolina Panthers-0%
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks-50%
Overall, you picked 58% correctly. The lack of faith in the Dallas Cowboys, the chaos of the dreadful NFC South, and the surprisingly low percentage for the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks dragged your total down, but not bad. You’ll have a chance in a few moments to make up for it, so let’s get to this weekend’s games, which will be listed in the order they’ll be played, starting on Saturday afternoon in the NFC.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-5, 2nd in NFC West)
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CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-8-1, won NFC South)
When: Saturday, January 3rd, 2015-4:35E/3:35C-ESPN
Current Line: Panthers favored by 6.5
Why You Should Watch: Well, the big reason to watch here is simply because it’s the first game. I do find it funny that a team that’s under .500 is favored in a playoff game. But the Panthers domination of the Falcons last week showed that they can be an exciting team to watch. The Cardinals are just running on fumes these days. After an amazing start to the season, injuries at the quarterback position have really hindered this team. They’re going to have to rely on their defense to win this game.
[yop_poll id=”159″]
BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6, 3rd in AFC North)
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-5, won AFC North)
When: Saturday, January 3rd, 2015-8:15E/7:15C-NBC
Current Line: Steelers favored by 3
Why You Should Watch: Because it’s the Ravens and the Steelers. I really shouldn’t have to say much more than that. This rivalry has been one of the best in football for years and this should be another good game. Pittsburgh has been playing very well lately, but I’m sure they won’t be underestimating the Ravens. And it’s always nice to watch two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks have at it.
[yop_poll id=”160″]
CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-5-1, 2nd in AFC North)
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5, won AFC South)
When: Sunday, January 4, 2015-1:05E/12:05C-CBS
Current Line: Colts favored by 3
Why You Should Watch: Because watching Andrew Luck work is fun. Hopefully, we’ll get a better game than we did in week 7 when the Colts dominated the Bengals 27-0. The Bengals are going to need to have a better offensive game than they have the last three postseasons to have any kind of chance here.
[yop_poll id=”161″]
DETROIT LIONS (11-5, 2nd in NFC North)
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DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4, won NFC East)
When: Sunday, January 4, 2015-4:40E/3:40C-FOX
Current Line: Cowboys favored by 6.5
Why You Should Watch: Because this is probably the best matchup of the weekend. Watching Detroit’s defense against a very potent Cowboys offense should be amazing, especially now that Ndamukong Suh has won his appeal and will play on Sunday. Can Tony Romo keep rolling after having one of the best Decembers in NFL history? We’ll find out in the weekend’s final game.
[yop_poll id=”162″]
And there you have it. We’ve got some great match-ups here and we should get a hell of a weekend. If you feel the need to justify your picks, you can do so below or hit me up @BingeSports and/or @THElukenorris. We’ll be back soon with continuing coverage of the NFL Playoffs as well as the upcoming national championship game in college football. Enjoy.
Welcome to the NFC portion of the Binge Sports breakdown of the final five weeks of the NFL regular season. If you missed yesterday’s AFC breakdown, click HERE to check it out and cast your votes.
The NFC South is looking to screw some deserving team out of a playoff berth, much like the Cardinals were left out last year. Let’s take a look at how things may shake out in the NFC and don’t forget to vote for who you think will win each division.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
CURRENT STANDING: 8-3, T-1st in NFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @DAL, SEA, DAL, @WAS, @NYG
BREAKDOWN: The Eagles were the favorite coming into the season and the next three weeks will tell the tale of their 2014 campaign. With two games against the team they’re currently tied with atop the division, the Dallas Cowboys, and a game against the defending champs, it’s go time for Philly. We’ll see how it starts tomorrow.
DALLAS COWBOYS
CURRENT STANDING: 8-3, T-1st in NFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: PHI, @CHI, @PHI, IND, @WAS
BREAKDOWN: Obviously, as you read above, the two games with the Eagles over the next three weeks will go a long way in deciding which direction this division is going to go. The Cowboys haven’t had luck in Chicago recently, Indy will be fighting for their playoff position, and they’ve already lost to the Redskins. If the Cowboys can get three of the five, I like their chances to get in.
NEW YORK GIANTS
CURRENT STANDING: 3-8, tied for last in NFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @JAC, @TEN, WAS, @STL, PHI
BREAKDOWN: This breakdown was going to be longer, but it’s been intercepted. Damn right that’s an Eli joke. The Giants are terrible.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
CURRENT STANDING: 3-8, tied for last in NFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @IND, STL, @NYG, PHI, DAL
BREAKDOWN: The team name isn’t the only controversy in D.C. anymore. RGIII is in danger of losing his job. The saving grace for them this year could be to keep the rival Cowboys out of the playoffs in Week 17.
[yop_poll id=”152″]
GREEN BAY PACKERS
CURRENT STANDING: 8-3, 1st in NFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: NE, ATL, @BUF, @TB, DET
BREAKDOWN: If I had to put money on it right now, I’d bet on the Packers to go to the Super Bowl. They’ve been annihilating opponents recently. Aaron Rodgers has never looked better, but a big test looms this weekend with a game against Tom Brady and the Patriots. But the three games after that should be a breeze. It’ll be interesting to see what the significance of the Detroit game is in Week 17.
DETROIT LIONS
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, 2nd in NFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: CHI, TB, MIN, @CHI, @GB
BREAKDOWN: After all these years, the talented Lions are finally playing up to their potential. They’ve got four division games left out of their five remaining contests and if they can get three of those, a Week 17 matchup with Green Bay could decide the division. A wildcard spot may seem more likely at this point.
CHICAGO BEARS
CURRENT STANDING: 5-6, 3rd in NFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @DET, DAL, NO, DET, @MIN
BREAKDOWN: The Chicago Bears are quite the disappointment this season. They’ve got a ton of weapons on both sides of the ball and a 5-6 record at this point is not what Bears fans were hoping for. Jay Cutler has taken a lot of heat. With five games to go, two of which are against a team they’re chasing in the standings, can the Bears make a final push for the playoffs? Maybe, but winning the division is certainly out.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CURRENT STANDING: 4-7, last in NFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: CAR, NYJ, @DET, @MIA, CHI
BREAKDOWN: The Vikings have had to endure all of the Adrian Peterson drama this season, so 4-7 at this point is probably about right. I’ve seen some things I like with Bridgewater, so we’ll have to see how the AP situation works out and how they do in the offseason. But 2014 is done.
[yop_poll id=”153″]
ATLANTA FALCONS
CURRENT STANDING: 4-7, T-1st in NFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: ARI, @GB, PIT, @NO, CAR
BREAKDOWN: This division is disgraceful and it’s a shame that one of these teams is actually going to make the playoffs. Seriously, look up. 4-7 is leading a division. And somebody’s going to get screwed, whether it’s the Cowboys, Eagles, Niners, Seahawks, or whoever. But let’s talk about the Falcons. They’re a mediocre football team at best and should get crushed the next three weeks.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CURRENT STANDING: 4-7, T-1st in NFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @PIT, CAR, @CHI, ATL, @TB
BREAKDOWN: I really thought the Saints would be better than this. They’re not just losing games, but they’re losing games at home. Sure, Drew Brees is putting up yards, as he always does, but they can’t really stop anybody. Experience may just win them this division.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
CURRENT STANDING: 3-7-1, 3rd in NFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @MIN, @NO, TB, CLE, @ATL
BREAKDOWN: The Panthers have certainly taken a step backwards. I think the loss of Steve Smith hit them harder than they ever thought it would. Sure, Cam Newton has all the talent in the world, but I just don’t think he’s ready to be the leader of a team just yet. Hopefully, that will come, but with 3 wins after 11 games, they’re still in the playoff hunt. Pathetic.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
CURRENT STANDING: 2-9, last in NFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: CIN, @DET, @CAR, GB, NO
BREAKDOWN: And with only two wins after 11 games, the Bucs are still in the playoff hunt as well. But they’ve got a very tough schedule coming in. But hey, get to 5 wins and who knows? Could you imagine the backlash if a 5-11 team would get in the playoffs while a 10-win team could go home?
[yop_poll id=”154″]
ARIZONA CARDINALS
CURRENT STANDING: 9-2, 1st in NFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @ATL, KC, @STL, SEA, @SF
BREAKDOWN: The injury to Carson Palmer certainly hurt the Cardinals, but they’ve done fine in his absence this season. They’re a sneaky 9-2 and don’t get a ton of press in this division, but as of right now, they’re the number one seed in the entire NFC. They’ve got three division games to finish the season, which is never easy, especially in the most competitive division in the NFC this year.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in NFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: SEA, @OAK, @SEA, SD, ARI
BREAKDOWN: The 49ers schedule coming in isn’t the easiest but they’ve got some advantages. They’ve got a short week this week to prepare for the defending champs, but at least they’re at home, always a good thing for a Thursday game. They get a game against Oakland. Enough said. They do have to go to Seattle and everyone knows it’s difficult to win there. But they get two home games to finish up, but they’re against playoff-caliber teams. Should be interesting.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in NFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @SF, @PHI, SF, @ARI, STL
BREAKDOWN: This season probably isn’t what the defending champion Seahawks had in mind, but they’re still in the playoff picture. But their next four games are against teams fighting for playoff positions and three are on the road, where they’re much more vulnerable. They do finish at home against the Rams, but they’ve already lost to them once. It’ll be a fight to even have a chance to defend their title.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
CURRENT STANDING: 4-7, last in NFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: OAK, @WAS, ARI, NYG, @SEA
BREAKDOWN: I know the Rams aren’t going to make the playoffs this year, but damn are they fun to watch. I’ve always liked Jeff Fisher and at some point, he’s going to get this team to the playoffs. Having a constant at quarterback will be nice and I don’t think it’s going to be Sam Bradford.
[yop_poll id=”155″]
Okay, so how do you justify the votes you just made. Comment below or follow and tweet @BingeSports and/or @THElukenorris.
And here we go. Welcome to the first of a series of previews as Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 NFL season begins. Each preview will give you a look at eight teams, four from the AFC and four from the NFC. I’ll tell you how they did last season, followed by a quick look at the highlights (and lowlights for some) of the team this year. We are having some issues on the site with the voting options, but as soon as the boys sober up from Lawlapalooza, I’m hopeful we can get it taken care of. I’ve been told to leave the title of the poll up, so the plug-in team can see what they’re dealing with, so know that I’m not a moron and just forgot to list the teams. I may end up making the vote its own post later next week, so just keep checking in. But let’s move ahead with at least the previews. We’ll start today with the teams in the AFC and NFC East. Enjoy.
BUFFALO BILLS
LAST SEASON: 6-10, FINISHED 4TH IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is the biggest addition to a Buffalo (not Toronto, sorry Bon Jovi) team that is still looking to break through just to get to .500. It’s been almost a decade since they’ve done that. The question remains whether or not last year’s first round pick, QB EJ Manuel can get Watkins the ball. He’s still got some improving to do, but a nice 1-2 running back combo in CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson may open up the field a bit.
The defense is on the rise. CB Stephen Gilmore comes back from a broken wrist and could very well become a top corner in the entire NFL if he can play to potential. On the line, they’re still waiting for the Mario Williams signing to pan out, but the real beast is Kyle Williams. He’s made three of the last four Pro Bowls and d0uble teams on him could allow everybody else to step it up.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Dolphins are looking to get beyond the Richie Incognito drama that plagued them last year. They’ve started that process by completely overhauling the offensive line to protect QB Ryan Tannehill, who got knocked around in the 2013 campaign. WR Brian Hartline seems to have become his favorite target, even though they still have Mike Wallace, who still has to be laughing at all the money he was given. A new system that allows Tannehill to move around a little more should help everybody.
The defense is the strong suit of this team. A solid line that includes Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who finished with 11 1/2 sacks in just his second year, mixed with a decent secondary should keep Miami near the playoff hunt throughout the season.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LAST SEASON: 12-4, WON THE AFC EAST, LOST AFC CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE DENVER BRONCOS
2014 PREVIEW: Even with the hodgepodge of receivers he had to work with last year, QB Tom Brady still led the Pats to the second best record in the AFC and a spot in the AFC Championship, eventually losing to rival Peyton Manning. It seems that no matter who they put on the field, they find a way to get things done. If the injuries can remain limited, especially to Shane Vereen and Rob Gronkowski, the offense should be very sharp.
The dangerous thing about New England this season is the upgrade on the defensive side of the football, the biggest addition being perennial All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, who signed after a very short time in Tampa. He can change the way an entire offense plays, which may help if they run into the Broncos again in the playoffs. I’ll go ahead and cast my vote here. The Patriots will win this division and are a strong contender for the Super Bowl. (How happy did I just make Jack?)
NEW YORK JETS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED TIED FOR 2ND IN THE AFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: J.E.T.S., J.E.T.S., J.E.T.S., JETS, JETS, JETS!!!!! That’s about as excited as anyone can get about the green and white this season. Sure, they brought in some big names to fill the back page in Michael Vick and Chris Johnson, but neither are anywhere near their prime. Instead, Jets fans get Geno Smith and Chris Ivory, who just aren’t ready to compete for this division.
The defense doesn’t help much. Muhammad Wilkerson is a monster and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson is up and coming, but the secondary is atrocious. They’ll squeak out four or five wins, but is that enough to save Rex Ryan’s job again?
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Before I write anything, just know that I root for the Dallas Cowboys, but I’m still a professional, so I’ll still talk about the positive aspects of the other teams that I despise so much in this division. I just wanted you all to know how painful it is for me. Let’s continue.
DALLAS COWBOYS
LAST SEASON: 8-8, FINISHED 2ND IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The offense is there. Bash Tony Romo all you like, but the guy puts up numbers. TE Jason Witten may be the most consistent player on this team and maybe one of the most consistent in the league. Year after year, he continues to produce. The maturity of wideout Dez Bryant has made him one of the best receivers in football, and he could have his best year yet. RB DeMarco Murray could be an All-Pro if he could only stay healthy, but that’s a really big if. Throw in arguably the best offensive line in the league, and the Cowboys could put up 35 a game.
The problem is that they’ll give up 36. After the worst year in franchise history on that side of the ball, something has to change. Just when the offense would do something great, the defense would do something equally awful to hinder any momentum. Throw in the fact that DeMarcus Ware moved to Denver, and there could be real trouble in Big D. People have been waiting for years for this team to realize its potential, and we may have to continue to wait. The talent is there, but the coaching is not. As a fan, I hope they surprise me, but if I had any big money to throw around, the easiest bet in football right now is an 8-8 finish.
NEW YORK GIANTS
LAST SEASON: 7-9, FINISHED 3RD IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The Giants are moving to a West Coast offense. What? After ten years of playing in a system, Eli Manning looks to bounce back after a dreadful 2013. It will be interesting to see if this new style can limit his interception total. He’s got some good receivers in Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle to get the ball to.
The defense could go either way depending on injuries. Jason Pierre-Paul is getting older and didn’t have a great year last year, so he’ll be looking to get the defensive line back on track. They didn’t get to the quarterback much last year, which you have to do in this division. The secondary isn’t spectacular, but can be very efficient. But here’s the thing about New York. Every time I count them out, they end up going on a run and sneaking into the playoffs. We’ll see if the new schemes can get them back on track.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LAST SEASON: 10-6, WON THE NFC EAST, LOST IN THE WILD CARD ROUND TO THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2014 PREVIEW: Head coach Chip Kelly surprised everyone last year by making a smooth transition to the NFL. He won’t be able to sneak up on teams anymore, but they’re still going to be very good. Quarterback Nick Foles became a star last year, yes you read that right. In his ten starts, he threw for 27 touchdowns while only throwing 2 picks. Mix that kind of passing efficiency with a strong 1-2 punch at running back and you’ve got a recipe to win football games. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles can change an entire game with the ability to run and catch passes out of the backfield. Look for this offense to score a ton of points.
The defense isn’t terrible either. It could certainly be better, but part of the reason that they give up so many yards is because the offense scores so quickly. But some free agent signings like Malcolm Jenkins and the improvement on the corners of Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams could move them in the right direction. The Eagles have to be considered the favorite in this division. (I just threw up in my mouth a little.)
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
LAST SEASON: 3-13, FINISHED 4TH IN THE NFC EAST, MISSED PLAYOFFS
2014 PREVIEW: The biggest topic in the offseason was actually just the team name itself. On the field, all eyes will obviously be on Robert Griffin III. New head coach Jay Gruden is looking to limit how much RG3 runs the ball, but we’ll have to wait and see if that becomes a reality. He’s a hell of an athlete, but he’s got to learn how to throw the football. Former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson gives him another option opposite Pierre Garcon. Injury will always be a question for Griffin, but they’ve got a great backup in Kirk Cousins, who may still end up on another team.
Defensively, the ‘Skins need to improve. There’s really no other way to say it. The numbers aren’t as bad as the rival Cowboys’, but something needs to change. They take a ton of chances on defense and have a tendency to get burned. I think they’ll get more than the three wins they got last year, but not by much.
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8 down, 24 to go. Next time I’ll take a look at the North Divisions, so I know my loyal Illinois readers will be excited about the Bears preview, but I’ll also be looking at the Packers, Lions, Vikings, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, and Browns. There will certainly be plenty to discuss with those teams. Again, I really hope our voting system gets fixed quickly and I’ll let you know as soon as it does. If you want to leave a vote in the comments section, feel free to do so and we can punch it in later, and I know I’ll have at least one Pats vote (yes, Jack, I’m talking to you). But if you’re thinking upsets or otherwise, let me know below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris.