football
Talking about college and professional football daily. Chances are we hate your team.
Super Bowl LVI Recap: A Hollywood Ending
Super Bowl Sunday. Even as a diehard hockey fan, I know how absolutely sacred that day is. It's not like any other day. It's a day full of celebration, prestige, and pomp and circumstance--and that's when the game is in other cities. Super Bowl LVI emanated from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; though, let's face it, it's Hollywood. It's Los Angeles. And it's home NFC franchise, the Los Angeles Rams, were playing in their home stadium against a Cincinnati Bengals team who exceeded so many expectations. Regarding myself, I'm always excited for the Super Bowl, but for this one, I was extra elated, as it featured two teams I was happy for in regards to reaching this big game.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
28-3: Five Years Later
Hard to believe that five years have passed since the biggest embarrassment in the history of the Super Bowl. On February 5, 2017, the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons faced off in Super Bowl LI, the final chapter of a very intriguing season and playoffs. The Patriots were attempting to win their fifth Super Bowl and their second in a three year span, while the Falcons were in the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history. To the surprise (and delight) to many watching, this was all Falcons to start. It was scoreless after one quarter, but the Falcons exploded on offense; putting up three touchdowns while their defense held the Patriots to a single field goal, which came at the end of the half.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Introducing the Washington Commanders
After playing their last two seasons without an actual name, Washington, D.C.'s NFL franchise delivered as promised and announced a new name for their team: the Commanders. The name was announced early on February 2, 2022, though it was leaked on social media on the day before. "Commanders" had been a finalist in name choices from the start, with other suggestions including "Red Hogs" and "Admirals." It was a very long road to get to this point, but before I give my thoughts on the new name, I have to detail the history, as ugly as it is.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Conference Championship Recap: Down to the Wire
I always enjoy the Conference Championships, because this is it. It's the final step before the Super Bowl. The winners go on to the big dance, while the defeated lament about coming so, so close to the ultimate goal. For Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, the fact that they got this far was improbable, yet there they were, at Arrowhead, the AFC's current impenetrable fortress. Even with the Bengals' amazing run, many figured that the proverbial clock would strike midnight on this day. After all, these are the Kansas City Chiefs. Their QB is Patrick Mahomes. Their star receiver is Tyreek Hill. They have the #1 tight end in the league in Travis Kelce. And with KC leading 21-3, it looked like the Chiefs were on their way to their third straight Super Bowl.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Is It Time for a Change to NFL Overtime?
The thrilling AFC Divisional Playoff between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs ended up going to overtime tied at 36, due to Patrick Mahomes leading KC to field goal range with little time left. After Harrison Butker made the game-tying kick, KC won the coin toss, and their drive ended with a Travis Kelce touchdown that ended the game and sent the Chiefs to the AFC Championship. Josh Allen and the Bills never saw the ball in overtime, a fate that has befallen several teams who have lost overtime games (regular season and playoffs) played since this current rule was established in 2010.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Divisional Playoff Recap: The End of the Road?. Top Story - January 2022.
I do enjoy the Divisional Playoff round for three reasons. One, it's the last taste of Saturday football in the NFL season. Two, the bye week teams began their playoff road, and three, it's the final step before the home stretch in this destination. The NFL's Elite Eight kicked off in Nashville, as the top-ranked Tennessee Titans hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, but it started of badly for the Titans, as Ryan Tannehill threw an interception seven seconds into the game! The Bengals ended up with a field goal off that turnover, and a second field goal made it 6-0, however, Derrick Henry (who was playing his first game since Halloween) ran it in to the end zone to tie the game, but his two-point attempt fell short. I swear, Mike Vrabel is the only coach who is more obsessed with two-pointers than John Harbaugh is.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Super Wild Card Weekend Recap: Blowouts Galore
I love the NFL Playoffs with a passion. Ever since my childhood, I always loved that opening playoff Saturday, and seeing the kickoff and realizing, "It's here. The playoffs are really here." I had that same exact feeling when the opening game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders, and I was expecting a good game between these two teams. Sure enough, I got just that. The first game of the 2021 NFL Playoffs was close and nail-biting, but also had what usually comes with playoff games: officiating controversy. In this case, it was a badly timed whistle that ended up leading to a Bengals touchdown in the first half.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: The Timeout Wasn't the Only Reason
The playoffs got underway, and many fans of the Los Angeles Chargers are still thinking, "If only Brandon Staley hadn't called that timeout." Yes, Brandon Staley's choice to call a timeout with 38 seconds left in overtime (and the game overall) was responsible for the Chargers' devastating loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in the final game of the regular season. However, what if I told you that it wasn't the only cause of their demise? What if I told you that the timeout was just the cherry on top of a proverbial banana split of blown opportunities that occurred during the final four weeks of the regular season? No, this isn't 30 For 30; this is just a brief look at the factors that resulted in the Chargers missing the playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Stating the Obvious: The NFL Has a Diversity Problem
On January 27, 2007, Michael Pettaway Tomlin became the 16th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, replacing the retiring Bill Cowher, who led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XL in the 2005 season. This current season is Tomlin's 15th as coach, and in that time, he led the Steelers to a win in Super Bowl XLIII, and returned to the big game two years later. He also has the impressive distinction of having never had a losing season. Not one. Why am I stating all of this? This past week, among the head coaches who were fired from their teams was Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins) and David Culley (Houston Texans), and as a result of this, Tomlin is the only Black head coach in the National Football League.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: The Colts Need a Quarterback
In a moment that would even make members of the 2003 Minnesota Vikings pull a Billy Madison and shout, "You blew it!", the Indianapolis Colts entered Week 17 of the 2021 season with a 90% chance of making the playoffs. In each of their final two weeks of the season, the Colts had the simplest clinching scenario: win and in. The most beautiful thing in the NFL is controlling your own destiny and not relying on other teams to help you, but even then, one has to capitalize on it. The Colts didn't do that. Now, I can understand losing to the Las Vegas Raiders; all of the negative stuff, that's off the field. On it, the Raiders are a good team, so the Colts losing to them in Week 17 isn't shameful. Week 18, however, that's another story.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Quoth the (Baltimore) Ravens, "Playoffs?! Nevermore!"
Normally, my "What Went Wrong" stories are usually about teams who were eliminated during the playoffs, and I've done those stories regarding NHL and MLB teams. The NFL is interesting, as the short schedule allows for close races that make in-season eliminations quite gripping. This was definitely the case regarding the Baltimore Ravens, and it still mystifies me as a football fan. Two-thirds through the season, the Ravens were at the top of the entire American Football Conference after an ugly win over the Cleveland Browns, but as we would see in the weeks that followed, it would be their last. So how did this catastrophic collapse happen? Here's a look at Baltimore's last six games of their season.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Week 18 Recap: 70 Minutes and a LOT of Drama
Now I know why the NFL decided to extend the season and add an extra week: for insanity like this. Now I know why the NFL decided to add an extra playoff spot two years ago: for insanity like this. The sounds you heard during this final Sunday of the 2021 regular season were the owners counting their money, and also laughing at the fans whose hearts were racing. Some fans were vested in scenarios that had nothing to do with their favorite teams, adding more nerves to said fans. Yet in spite of all of the infuriatingly nail-biting moments that took place in this final week, this football fan drank in every bit of this.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
