SUPER BOWL LIV PREVIEW

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers square off in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday evening in Miami, Florida and this game is being billed as one of the closest possible contests in recent memory.
Whether or not that actually plays out remains to be seen. One thing for certain is these two teams have been the hottest ones going as they breezed through both of their playoff games when the final score was posted.
The Chiefs can score from anywhere at any time and quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been on fire this post-season, throwing for eight touchdowns and no interceptions as the Chiefs have racked up 86 points in the two games. Along with Mahomes is tight end Travis Kelce (13 receptions and three TD receptions in playoffs) and wide receivers Tyreek Hill (two receiving TD) and Sammy Watkins (one TD) providing the air attack while running back Damien Williams has scored three rushing touchdowns in the playoffs.
Defensively, Kansas City has been challenged all season, but has been decent in the playoffs when it matters most. They allowed the Houston Texans to get out to a big lead in the divisional round before the defense stiffened en route to a comeback victory in blowout fashion, winning the game, 51-31.
In the AFC Championship, they held Tennessee super running back Derrick Henry in check and for the playoffs, the Chiefs are only giving up an average of 89.5 rushing yards per game. The pass defense gives up some yardage (279 yards per game) but overall they only allowed eight second half points to Houston and 24 for the game against the Titans.
The San Francisco 49ers have been relying on the run game in these playoffs and smashed the Green Bay Packers, 37-20 in the NFC title game as running back Raheem Mostert went off for 220 yards and four rushing touchdowns in the rout. The 'Niners also feature Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman (limited in practice with a shoulder injury) in their backfield, which has averaged 235.5 yards per game in the two playoff victories.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hasn't been asked to do much in the passing game so far this post-season, having thrown only 27 passes (17 completions) for just 208 yards with one TD pass and one interception in the two games. Heck, K.C. quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws for that much yardage in one half of football on some days.
But the 49ers haven't had to throw the ball much because their running game has been so dominant and they get a big lead and play ball control offense the rest of the way. When Jimmy G does throw the ball, his targets include tight end George Kittle and wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel, along with Coleman or Mostert out of the backfield.
Defensively, the 49ers are superb so far in the playoffs and they led the league in pass defense in the regular season as they allowed 169.2 yards per game. They were second overall in total defense, allowing 282 yards per game. In the playoffs, they have given up 211 passing yards per game and just a meager 41.5 yards rushing per game.
Look for a very competitive game this Sunday with the Chiefs looking to avoid the slow starts they had the first two games of the playoffs when they fell behind by double digits before storming back to win by double digits. Meanwhile, the 49ers would love to continue their winning ways by getting out to a lead and then letting their ground game and defense do the rest to get the win.
As long as the Chiefs provide pass protection for Mahomes and his targets get open, then the Chiefs will put up some points on the San Francisco defense. But the 'Niners can get after opposing quarterbacks (NFL best 59 QB sacks) and they have a great secondary, led by veteran Richard Sherman, who has picked off passes in both playoff victories. Mahomes is a very mobile quarterback, so that will be a factor as well.
There's a reason this game is a close one according to the odds makers (Kansas City is a 1 or 1 1/2 point favorite depending on whichever pick you look at), so this game should go down to the wire and could be decided by a late field goal in which case both teams have very reliable kickers. Another x-factor could be Kansas City return men Mecole Hardman and Tyreek Hill. Either one could take it back for a touchdown and the 49ers will be ready to make sure that doesn't happen.


                        PREDICTION -  Kansas City 27, San Francisco 24

NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Dead At Age 41

Former NBA player Kobe Bryant is dead at age 41 after a helicopter crash just outside Los Angeles, CA, it is being reported. Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna and at least three others were also on board and died in the crash. Some reports stated there were as many as nine people killed in the crash.
Bryant starred for 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the team win five NBA championships during the 2000s and beyond.
In addition, Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player along with being named the NBA's MVP in 2008.

                                                                                            
                                                                                                       R.I.P. Kobe Bryant

Friday Night Music Videos

Chiefs, 49ers Advance to Super Bowl

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes celebrates AFC Championship win.

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will face each other in Super Bowl 54 in Miami on February 2 after convincing wins in their conference championship games on Sunday.
The Chiefs got off to a slow start but then took over the game and beat the Tennessee Titans, 35-24 as quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another score to go with 294 passing yards to get Kansas City to their first Super Bowl in 50 years. It was Mahomes' 27-yard scoring run that gave the Chiefs their first lead at 21-17 just before halftime.
The Titans had gone out to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter when QB Ryan Tannehill completed the first of his two TD passes along with a four-yard scoring run by running back Derrick Henry, who after two record setting games in the playoffs, was limited to just 69 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Kansas City had two scoring passes from Mahomes to wide receiver Tyreek Hill along with the Mahomes TD run to get a 21-17 lead and they added to that with 14 points in the fourth quarter when RB Damien Williams scored on a three-yard run and Mahomes completed 60-yard TD pass to WR Sammie Watkins with 7:31 remaining. The Titans scored with 4:18 to play on a second Tannehill TD pass to finish the scoring.
Out in San Francisco, the 49ers rolled to an impressive win over the Green Bay Packers with a 37-20 decision as running back Raheem Mostert dominated the game with four rushing touchdowns and 220 rushing yards on 29 carries. 49ers kicker Robbie Gould added three field goals to account for the

49ers RB Raheem Mostert dominated the NFC Championship Game with four touchdowns.

rest of the points.
The 'Niners raced out to a 27-0 lead at the half as Mostert scored three times on runs of 36 yards, nine yards and 18 yards while the defense dominated as well. For the game, the Packers outgained the 49ers, 358-354 but they only had 62 rushing yards compared to 285 yards rushing for the 49ers. In fact, San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo attempted only eight passes (for 77 yards) as his team had no turnovers while Green Bay turned it over three times (two interceptions and one fumble) and QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked three times.
In the second half, Green Bay scored to make it 27-7 for the 49ers when Rodgers connected with Aaron Jones on a nine-yard scoring pass, but the 'Niners came right back when Mostert scored his fourth touchdown on a 22-yard run to make it a 34-7 lead with 4:49 left to go in the third quarter.
Green Bay did get to within 34-20 with 8:13 left to play in the game, but the 49ers continued to control the ball and Gould nailed his third field goal from 42 yards out with 3:31 remaining to put the game away.

NFC Championship Game Preview

                                       
                                        GREEN BAY PACKERS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ers


The game this Sunday in San Francisco between the 49ers and Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship will feature two teams that really got it turned around since the 2018 season when both missed the playoffs.
The Packers finished 6-9-1 last year while the 49ers went 4-12 in the 2018 season. Both teams had 13-3 record this season and the 49ers smoked the Packers, 37-8 back in November, thus they have the "home field advantage" for this game. Green Bay held on for a 28-23 win at home against Seattle last weekend while the 49ers crushed the Minnesota Vikings, 27-10 to advance.
The Packers feature quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Aaron Jones had his best season, going for over 1,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, including 16 rushing scores to form a solid one-two punch on offense. The 49ers strong defense will present a serious challenge once again for Rodgers and company.
The key will be keeping Rodgers off the ground when he looks to pass the ball. San Francisco pass rushers Nick Bosa (nine QB sacks), Arik Armstead (ten sacks) and DeForest Buckner (7 1/2 sacks) will look to get to Rodgers. The 49ers had six sacks against the Vikings last week.
The 49ers have the three-headed monster for their rushing attack with Raheem Mostert (5.6 ypc average), Matt Breida (5.1 ypc) and Tevin Coleman (4.0 ypc), who scored twice in last week's victory. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been steady and teams with All-Pro tight end George Kittle to keep opposing defenses honest. Just like with Green Bay, the 'Niners offensive line must protect Garoppolo from the Smith "brothers" (ZaDarius Smith had 13 1/2 QB sacks this season and Preston Smith with 12 sacks) in order for the passing game to click.
If Green Bay can get on the board early and keep it close, they have a chance to win the game and get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since they won it all back in the 2010 season. However, if the 49ers get out to a double-digit lead, it will likely turn into another blowout which would put them back into the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years.


                                        PREDICTION -  San Francisco 27, Green Bay 17

AFC Championship Game Preview

                                  

                                    

                                   TENNESSEE TITANS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS


The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years when they host the upstart Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday.
The Titans are on a roll just as much as Kansas City has been as they went on the road and defeated the New England Patriots in the wild card round and then blasted the Baltimore Ravens, the team with the best record in the NFL during the regular season, in the divisional round to get to this point. The Chiefs roared back from an early 24-0 first quarter deficit last week to defeat the Houston Texans, 51-31 to get to the AFC title match for the second consecutive season.
Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and en explosive offense, the Chiefs can score quickly from anywhere on the field and will be looking to exploit a very stingy Titans defense that held the Patriots to just 13 points and the Ravens to only 12 points in an easy win against the NFL's highest scoring offense this past season.
Tennessee has been riding the legs of running back Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 377 yards in the two playoff games, which is an NFL record for a two-game stretch in the playoffs. Along with timely passing to keep opposing defenses honest, the Titans have outscored their post-season opponents by a 48-25 margin so far.
Tennessee did beat the Chiefs during the regular season (35-32 back in Week 10 in Tennessee) and they also eliminated the Chiefs during the wild card round in the 2017 playoffs in Kansas City, so they know they can handle what then Chiefs will bring during the game this Sunday.
All in all, this should be an exciting game that could be a close one provided the Titans can stick to their game plan of running and defense to keep things close, which would bode well for their chances of winning and getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1999 season.
However, if the Chiefs get it going early with their passing attack and light up the scoreboard, it will be difficult for the Titans to keep pace through the air as their quarterback Ryan Tannehill has yet to crack the 100-yard plateau in a playoff game this year.
The Chiefs are favored of course (being the home team) but the Titans have shown they have the mettle to win in the playoffs having taken out New England and Baltimore with road victories, so look for a potentially tight game with the Chiefs getting the win as they draw out to a bigger lead in the fourth quarter and hold off the Titans to get to the Super Bowl.


                               PREDICTION -  Kansas City 31, Tennessee 24

LSU Wins College Football National Championship

FINAL Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten for 2019 Season            

LSU celebrates winning CFB Championship Game

                    


1.  LSU (15-0)
2.  Clemson  (14-1)
3.  Ohio State (13-1)
4.  Oklahoma (12-2)
5.  Georgia (12-2)
6.  Alabama (11-2)
7.  Florida (11-2)
8.  Oregon (12-2)
9.  Penn State (11-2)
10.  Minnesota (11-2)

NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Review

The Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs both served notice they are the ones to beat in the AFC for the right to advance to the Super Bowl in Miami in three weeks.
Tennessee ambushed the vaunted Baltimore Ravens, 28-12 for the road win on Saturday night as running back Derrick Henry went off for the second consecutive week, rushing for 195 yards (on 30

Titans RB Derrick Henry dominated in win

carries) while also throwing for a three-yard score to Corey Davis in the third quarter to give the Titans a 21-6 lead.
The Titans also had two scoring passes and a one-yard scoring run from quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw for less than 100 yards for the second straight playoff game while his team won the game. That feat hasn't been done since the 1974 season when the Pittsburgh Steelers did it en route to a Super Bowl title. The Miami Dolphins also did that in both of their Super Bowl winning seasons of 1972 and 1973.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson suffered through a miserable playoff game for the second straight year even though he put up big yardage numbers individually. Jackson was sacked four times and turned the football over three times (two interceptions and a fumble) while throwing for 365 yards and rushing for 143 yards in the loss.
The Titans controlled the game from the beginning and will advance to face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday in Kansas City for the AFC championship.



Meanwhile, the Chiefs were a comedy of errors in the first quarter as they fell behind the Texans, 24-0 before storming back to take a 28-24 lead at the half as they went on to defeat the Texans, 51-31 and will host the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had five TD passes

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (321 passing yards) had five touchdown passes in the rout with three of them going to tight end Travis Kelce, who had ten receptions for 134 yards.
The Chiefs amassed 434 yards in offense as they rattled off 41 unanswered points before Houston finally scored again late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to ten points at 41-31. From there, the Chiefs scored ten more points in the final quarter as they scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions to set a new NFL playoff record. In addition, the K.C. defense had five quarterback sacks, including three by defensive end Frank Clark, to help the big comeback.
Kansas City fumbled away a punt return (Tyreek Hill) which led to a Texans touchdown as QB Deshaun Watson threw his second scoring pass to make it 21-0. The Texans also blocked a punt for another score to help build the 24-point lead in the first quarter.
The Chiefs finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Mahomes hit running back Damien Williams (three touchdowns scored in the game) on a 17-yard scoring pass and then for whatever reason (with a 24-7 lead) on their next possession, the Texans tried a fake punt on 4th-and-three from their own 30-yard line which Kansas City stopped and that completely changed the momentum as Mahomes and company scored three more times to get the 28-24 halftime lead.



In the NFC games, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the visiting Minnesota Vikings, 27-10 on Saturday as their defense allowed just 147 total yards of offense while they sacked Vikings QB Kirk

49ers D had six sacks in big win.

Cousins six times and forced two turnovers.
San Francisco running back Tevin Coleman (105 rushing yards) scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a scoring pass to lead the offense. Minnesota tied the game 7-7 when Cousins threw a 41-yard scoring pass to WR Stefon Diggs with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter.
After that, it was all 49ers as they rolled to the easy win. They advanced to their first NFC Championship Game in six years and will host the game next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.



The game on Sunday evening saw the Green Bay Packers beat the visiting Seattle Seahawks, 28-23 as QB Aaron Rodgers (243 passing yards) and WR Devante Adams hooked up for two scoring passes. Adams caught eight passes for 160 yards along with the two scores and also made a big third down catch for first down late in the game as the Packers were able to run out the clock to secure the win.

Rodgers (right) and the Packers beat Russell and the Seahawks

The Packers raced out to a 21-3 halftime lead and were able to hold off the Seahawks, who made it close with a one-yard scoring run by Marshawn Lynch (two rushing TD in the game) with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter. Seattle had a chance to get the lead, but the Packers defense stiffened by sacking Seahawks QB Russell Wilson on a third down play with 3:22 remaining in the game.
Wilson passed for 277 yards and also rushed for 64 yards in the loss as the Packers will advance to the NFC title game for the first time in three seasons. Green Bay will travel to play the San Francisco 49ers, who back in November beat the Packers, 37-8. 




Saturday, January 11
San Francisco 27, Minnesota 10
Tennessee 28, Baltimore 12

Sunday, January 12
Kansas City 51, Houston 31
Green Bay 28, Seattle 23 

NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Preview

The NFL playoffs advance to the divisional round this weekend and the top two seeds in each conference will be in action after having their bye last weekend.
The AFC's top team is the Baltimore Ravens (14-2 in regular season) and they are riding a 12-game winning streak as they prepare to face the Tennessee Titans this Saturday. Tennessee knocked off the New England Patriots, 20-13 on the road last week. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4 and number-two seed) will host the Houston Texans, who staged a comeback from a 16-0 deficit to defeat the Buffalo Bills, 22-19 in overtime during last week's wild card round.
The Ravens and Chiefs are no doubt pretty heavy favorites, but keep in mind the Texans did beat the Chiefs during the regular season, so it's no given that K.C. will have an easy time to advance to their second straight AFC Championship Game.
The Ravens had the top scoring offense in pro football this season, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and a strong running attack that set a new NFL team record for single season rushing yardage. The Titans can pound the rock as well and they have Derrick Henry, who led the entire league in rushing this season and also piled up 182 yards on 34 carries with a touchdown against New England last week.
Over in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers (13-3) are the top team while Green Bay (13-3) is the second seed. The 'Niners will host the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday while the Packers will face the Seattle Seahawks in Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The Seahawks beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-9 on the road in last week's wild card round while Minnesota toppled the New Orleans Saints, 26-20 in overtime for the road win to get them to the divisional round.
San Francisco boasts a strong defense and the offense has steadily improved with a balanced attack led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The Vikings have a balanced offensive attack as well with QB Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook, who had two rushing touchdowns in last week's victory. The Vikings also play solid defense and held a high powered Saints offense in check last week, especially in crunch time to get the win.
The game between Green Bay and Seattle should be another episode like the other matches they have had in past playoff games. The Packers beat Seattle back when Brett Favre was still their quarterback and most recently when these two teams met in the 2014 NFC title game, the Seahawks pulled out an overtime win against the Packers, led by QB Aaron Rodgers.
Both teams have solid offenses, with Green Bay running back Aaron Jones having his best season in 2019 and he finished the regular season on a roll while Rodgers has been his usual steady self this year and the passing game is always to be feared. The Seahawks defense isn't the one they have been used to from years past when they would dominate opponents, especially in the post-season. But they likely will give Rodgers and company a battle to keep things close in this game.
Offensively, the Seahawks have league MVP candidate Russell Wilson at quarterback and he and wide receiver DK Metcalf were the big difference last week in the victory over the Eagles.
The Seattle running game has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks and it will be up to backs Marshawn Lynch, Travis Homer and Robert Turbin to help balance the load on offense so Wilson doesn't have to be a one-man show against an improving Packers defense.

All in all, these games should be competitive and the call here is for hard fought battles with three of the four top teams from each conference advancing.

The Heftyinfo picks for the divisional playoff games . . . . . . .   (Home teams are listed in bold)


Saturday, January 11
San Francisco over Minnesota
Baltimore over Tennessee

Sunday, January 12
Kansas City over Houston
Seattle over Green Bay
  

Last Week's Record -  2-2 

Playoff Record -  2-2 

REGULAR SEASON RECORD -  171-84-1
 

Don't Ever Say You Weren't Warned

This bears repeating folks . . .  

NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Review

The Wild Card weekend of the 2019 NFL Playoffs is in the books and four teams will be moving on to the divisional round next weekend. The following is a summary of the action that took place the last two days.




Saturday, January 4

Houston 22, Buffalo 19 (OT) - The Houston Texans overcame a 16-0 deficit in the second half and won this game in overtime when Kai Fairbairn made a 28-yard field goal. The winning kick was set up by a 34-yard pass completion from quarterback Deshaun Watson to Taiwan Jones. Watson made a spectacular move to avoid a sack to set that play up.
The Bills scored their only touchdown of the game on a trick play as wide receiver John Brown threw a 16-yard scoring pass to quarterback Josh Allen. Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka made four field goals, including a 47-yarder with five seconds left in regulation to force the OT session.
Houston scored on a 20-yard TD run by Watson to get to within 16-8 in the third quarter and following a 41-yard field goal by Fairbairn early in the fourth quarter, they took a 19-16 lead when Watson threw a five-yard scoring pass to running back Carlos Hyde and then made a second two-point conversion.
The Texans will face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday in Kansas City in the divisional round.


Tennessee 20, New England 13 - The visiting Titans surprised the Patriots as Derrick Henry, who rushed for 182 yards on 34 carries, scored on a one-yard run just before halftime for a 14-13 lead. The Titans scored late on a "pick six" interception by Logan Ryan to account for the final score.
Tennessee also had a 12-yard scoring pass from QB Ryan Tannehill to Anthony Firkser for a 7-3 lead. From there, New England scored on  a five-yard rushing TD by Julian Edelman for a 10-7 lead, which was followed by Nick Folk's second field goal from 21 yards to make it a 13-7 lead.
Patriots QB Tom Brady, perhaps playing his final game for the team, went 20-for-37 for 209 passing yards with one interception in the loss.  The Titans advance to the divisional round to play the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday night in Baltimore.



Sunday, January 5

Minnesota 26, New Orleans 20 (OT) - The Vikings stunned the host Saints in overtime as quarterback Kirk Cousins completed a four-yard scoring pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph to win the game and move on to the divisional round where they will play the 49ers in San Francisco next Saturday.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (94 yards rushing) scored two rushing touchdowns and Cousins passed for 242 yards with the one TD pass to make the difference. Each team had three QB sacks in the game while Saints QB Drew Brees was intercepted once and also lost a fumble on a sack late in the game while passing for 208 yards, including a 20-yard TD pass to Taysom Hill.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara scored on a four-yard run and kicker Will Lutz made two out of three field goal attempts, including a 49-yard field goal with two seconds left in regulation to force the overtime.


Seattle 17, Philadelphia 9 - The Seahawks got touchdowns from Marshawn Lynch on a five-yard run and wide receiver DK Metcalf  on a 53-yard pass play from QB Russell Wilson, who finished the game with 325 passing yards while their defense had seven QB sacks to lead the way for the road victory to advance to the divisional round next week in Green Bay, where they will face the Packers.
For the game, 'Hawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had seven receptions for 160 yards and the touchdown. Meanwhile, Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz left the game with a concussion and Josh McCown took over, but the Eagles only mustered three field goals by kicker Jake Elliott in the game.

NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Round Preview

The 2019 NFL season is over and now for twelve teams, it's on to the NFL Playoffs.
The Wild Card round gets going this weekend with the two AFC games on Saturday and then the NFC playoff games on Sunday.
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills (10-6) travel to take on the Houston Texans (10-6) and the New England Patriots (12-4) will host the Tennessee Titans (9-7) in what could be two very close games.
The Sunday NFC contests has the New Orleans Saints (13-3) playing host against the Minnesota Vikings (10-6) and then the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) will face the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) on the road as the slight favorite in that one.  In fact, the Seahawks are the only road team favored to win in this weekend's games.

The following offers a brief preview of each game and the Heftyinfo predictions follow up.

Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Houston Texans (10-6) - The Bills defense keeps them in games, while QB Josh Allen and company mix it up on offense so this one should be no different. Texans have the better offense with QB Desahun Watson leading the way and they will also have All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt back in the fold for this one. Take the Texans in a close one.

Tennessee Titans (9-7) at New England Patriots (12-4) - There are some saying the Titans could spring the upset on the Patriots in this one. Tennessee has been solid since Ryan Tannehill took over as the starting quarterback, but the Pats have Tom Brady at QB and it's difficult to pick against him at home in the playoffs. Containing Titans running back Derrick Henry (NFL's leading rusher this season) will be the key for the Patriots strong defense. Patriots pull this one out late in a squeaker.

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3) - Saints QB Drew Brees and company are on a roll heading into the post-season and you know that Super Dome crowd is going to be primed and pumped up for this one. The Vikings defense gives them a chance but they must avoid mistakes on offense and that means QB Kirk Cousins cannot turn the ball over. Saints win this one and advance to face the Green Bay Packers next week.

Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Both of these teams are banged up on both sides of the football, especially the Eagles' offense. Seattle has Marshawn Lynch back in the game plan at running back, but the key to this game is QB Russell Wilson for Seattle and QB Carson Wentz for the Eagles. Both of these teams seem to find a way to get things done, but there's a reason the Seahawks are the road favorite in this one and they would love to get this game and face the 49ers next week in the divisional round.


The Heftyinfo picks for the wild card games . . .   (Home teams listed in bold)

Houston over Buffalo
New England over Tennessee
New Orleans over Minnesota
Seattle over Philadelphia


Last Week's Record -  11-5

FINAL SEASON RECORD -  171-84-1

Lock of the Week Record -  14-3

Here's To The New Year

Here's to the New Year . . .

Let's hope it's a good one for our country we call the United States of America.

Looking back at the past few years, it has to get better for millions of Americans who have been left behind by the current presidential administration. And the word administration is used very loosely with this guy and his cohorts.

The story of 2019 without a doubt was the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kudos to those folks who have the merit to do this. It was long overdue.

As for the new year, it's an election year as well as a leap year, so here's hoping we as a country can leap past the mistake of four years ago when the orange menace was chosen to be the president.

As 2020 begins, we can be hopeful the news media in this country, so much under corporate control, will analyze the upcoming presidential election in an unbiased manner. Unlike four years ago when it was wall-to-wall Trump coverage nonstop. Hell, if Trump took a shit, it was covered by some news outlet. That must stop!

As far as the U.S. House and U.S. Senate elections go this year, here's hoping the Democratic party maintains control of the House and regains control of the Senate from the Republicans, which they have held since the 2014 elections.

The fact is we have a poser president and his many minions in the U.S. Senate that enable him to do the lunacy he has been enacting as POTUS since 2017. That must stop!

Here in Illinois, "recreational" marijuana use is now legal with the new year as Illinois is now the 11th state in the nation to legalize pot. However, that can be both a good and bad thing.

Whatever is in store for the next 366 days of 2020, here's hoping good old common sense takes over from the lunacy that has pervaded Washington, D.C. and many other parts of the United States and people can get back to what it is that makes life worthwhile with good harmony toward each other.

Happy New Year !