Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? Don’t believe lies from the “Get Woke Go Broke” bros. The facts say NFL ratings are not only not tanking, but are doing quite well. In fact, other sports like the NBA, NHL, and MLB have declining ratings for a very particular reason.
Jalen Ramsey fights Golden Tate
Jalen Ramsey and Golden Tate fight over the same three things men always fight over: Women, Pride, Money.
NBA Needs More Jimmy Butler Energy
Jimmy Butler statline of 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in 45 minutes doesnt even begin to tell you why the NBA needs more players like Jimmy Buckets.
Don’t believe lies from the Get Woke Go Broke bros. Here are the facts about sports ratings.
I have to apologize to Joe Burrow and almost on the verge of apologizing to Josh Allen
Jalen Ramsey and Golden Tate fight over the same thing men always fight over.
Ron Rivera is brave and honorable for coaching through cancer treatment. How is it affecting his team?
NBA needs more Jimmy Butler Basketball
Wrighster or Wrong?
Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? The intersection where sports, business, society, and pop culture meet the truth. Daily Fire… FACTS ONLY… Check Your feelings at the door. This ain’t the place for the left, right, snowflakes, social justice warriors. ABSOLUTELY No BS. I keep it 100.
The George Wrighster podcast features great interviews where you get to know great people discussing faith, family, fatherhood, food, and sports. We get to know and learn from the personalities that entertain us outside of what they are famous for. Shoot me an email with comments or guest ideas: GWpodcast@unafraidshow.com. Please be sure to share the podcast with a friend, subscribe, and leave a 5* rating.
Who is George Wrighster?
George Wrighster is a former Pac-12 and veteran NFL tight end. As a television/radio host, opinionist, writer, speaker, and analyst, he is UNAFRAID to speak the truth. Contrary to industry norms he uses, facts, stats, and common sense to win an argument. He has also found success in the business world as an entrepreneur and investor. George is a lifelong learner who loves having conversations that educate and uplift. He has also covered college football, basketball, NFL, NBA, MLB since 2014.
I had high hopes for the NBA Finals inside the NBA Bubble. LeBron going for his fourth ring and having to do it against the team that helped him win his first is a great storyline. However, after Game 1, those high hopes quickly evaporated.
Top Story: LeBron And The Lakers Dominate Game 1
In Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals, the Heat came out firing. Jimmy Butler was 4 of 4 from the field, the Lakers couldn’t stop the Heat’s ball movement, and Miami appeared to be a resectable advisory to the favored Lakers. The Heat jumped out to a 23-10 lead. Then, all hell broke loose. The Lakers went on a jaw-dropping 75-30 run on their way to a commanding 116-98 win. LeBron James was LeBron, finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, Anthony Davis was on another level of dominance. The Heat had no answers for AD as the superstar big man finished with 34 points and 9 rebounds.
The Heat Are In Trouble Thanks To Their Lack Of Size And Depth
The Lakers were the better team going into the series because they have the best player in the world and another player ranked in the top 5. However, Miami’s top 6 players and their ability to frustrate opponents on defense led many people to believe that the Heat had a chance to upset the Lakers. I was one of those people and right now, my prediction is not looking so good. Going into the series, the Heat would have no answers for LeBron, but at least they have an athletic big man in Bam Adebayo who could contain AD to an extent. In Game 1, Bam was in foul trouble early, and the Lakers had clear mismatches inside and on the glass. The Heat had no answers for AD especially when the Heat went small. The rebounding disparity was noticeable as the Lakers outrebounded the Heat, 54-36. Simply put, the Lakers were bigger, stronger, and tougher in Game 1.
Unfortunately, the Heat were decimated with injuries to three of their key players. Goran Dragic suffered a left foot torn plantar fascia and is doubtful for Game 2. Dragic is the team’s second-leading scorer and when he left the game, the score was only 41-40 in favor of the Lakers. I would be shocked if Dragic returned at any point in this series. Bam is also listed as doubtful for Game 2 due to a neck strain. If Dragic and Bam don’t return to the series, it will most likely end in a Lakers sweep. Keep in mind that Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle in Game 1 so even if he plays in Game 2, he may not be 100%.
INJURY UPDATE: Goran Dragic (left foot torn plantar fascia) is listed as doubtful to play in tomorrow's #NBAFinals Game 2 vs the Lakers.
Bam Adebayo is also listed as doubtful after a MRI revealed a neck strain (left side).
I will be first to admit that I did not believe in the Lakers’ supporting cast behind LeBron and AD. I would take five to six guys on the Heat before I would take the third-best player on the Lakers. Clearly, they heard my comment and came firing in Game 1. The Lakers hit a franchise-record 11 3-pointers in the first half and according to ESPN Stats & Information research, 8 of 12 were open looks. KCP, Rondo, Danny Green, and Caruso were all great, especially in the first half. I wouldn’t expect the Lakers to make 11 3-pointers again in the first half, but if they can continue to make consistent shots from behind the arc, Miami is in for a rude awakening.
One quick thought: Do not be a prisoner of the moment. The Lakers supporting cast played a great game. but do not act like they’ve been great all year. I saw so many takes about how we all “knew this was a good supporting cast.” Really? The same people making those takes were the same people banishing Danny Green and KCP to Mars for their poor shooting performances earlier in the NBA Bubble. They played well, but let’s all stop pretending that we didn’t slander the entire Lakers bench all season.
Thought process: LeBron is going to average a triple double and AD will have some monster games. After those 2, when would you take another Laker player over a Heat player? I’ll definitely take 5-6 Heat players before I choose a third Laker. Going with the upset. #heatwave
I stand by this rationale. However, right now it seems as if I was incorrect and will be taking a huge “L” within the next week. What’s ironic is I picked the Lakers to win the title both before the season and before the bubble.
Time for my #NBA Predictions. East: Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Magic, Heat, Nets West: Nugs, Lakers, Jazz, Clippers, Blazers, Warriors, Rockets, Spurs ECF: Bucks over Sixers WCF: Lakers over Clippers NBA Finals: Lakers over Bucks
Week 10 Storyline: Erik Spoelstra Needs To Be Houdini
If there was ever a time for Erik Spoelstra to pull a rabbit out of his hat, it would be now. Spo faces a tall task especially if he loses both Dragic and Bam. It’s clear the Heat need more size, but can Kelly Olynyk, Meyers Leonard, and Solomon Hill be trusted to play tough defense and rebound? I’m not sure. However, Spo has made the right adjustments in every series so far so I’m expecting an improved game plan from here on out. I’m not ready to declare the Heat dead just yet, but they will be on life support if they lose Game 2.
What are your top storylines from Week 9 inside the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
To call The Social Network a perfect movie may be an understatement, or an overstatement, depending on your admiration for David Fincher’s 2010 iconic film about Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook. The Social Network is arguably the best film from the year 2010, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences disagreed with this sentiment when it awarded Best Picture to The King’s Speech.
Regardless of your personal opinion, there’s one scene that’s as close to perfect as you can get and it includes lines like “Sorry, my Prada’s at the cleaners along with my hoodie and my fuck-you flip-flops, you pretentious douchebag,” and “You better lawyer up, asshole, ‘cause I’m not comin’ back, for my 30 percent, I’m comin’ back for everything!” The scene is known as the “You set me up” scene, where Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) confronts Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) about having his share of Facebook diluted from 34% to 0.03%.
Watching this scene again is like watching a football team flawlessly execute a 12-play, 90-yard scoring drive. Minute by minute, line by line, the scene builds in suspense and anticipation as Eduardo and Mark go back and forth at each other at both the deposition and party. Eduardo and Mark are the Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan of the scene, but Justin Timberlake, Aaron Sorkin, and David Fincher play the roles of Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and Charles Barkley to round out the Dream Team starting lineup. All five guys are in complete control of the scene.
First, there’s David Fincher, who’s as intricate as it comes behind the camera. Fincher is a perfectionist in every sense of the word. In the opening scene of the movie, where Erica Albright dumps Mark, Fincher had Eisenberg and Rooney Mara do 99 takes of this six-minute scene. Try doing something 99 times over the course of two days for your job and see if you still love it after. Just ask Jake Gyllenhall about his time onZodiac. But if you trust Fincher’s process, he’ll push you to great heights, which usually leads to terrific performances.
Director David Fincher had Jesse Eisenberg and Rooney Mara do 99 takes of the opening six-minute scene over the course of two days. (via Loquaciousmuse, MTV News) 🎬: The Social Network (2010) pic.twitter.com/4Loj7Tb6ao
Fincher may be the perfectionist behind the camera, but Aaron Sorkin is the maestro behind the script. Sorkin is known for his fast, rhythmic, and over-lapping dialogue that makes the scene play like a musical. It’s why Sorkin is one of the most unique and successful screenwriters of the last 30 years. One would think a director as precise as Fincher and a writer as detailed as Sorkin would clash like oil and water. It turns out that Fincher and Sorkin perfectly balanced each other out, and Sorkin’s script won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.
As previously stated, if you trust Fincher’s process, he can bring the best out of you. In Justin Timberlake’s case, his turn as Sean Parker is the actor’s best performance. Everything about Parker screams snake-oil salesman. In the film, Sean is the cool senior who’s showing off to the freshman so he can eventually get the younger kid to do his homework in exchange for popularity. Timberlake is so cool in this movie, and yet you want to punch him in the face throughout the entire exchange between Eduardo and Mark.
Finally, the heart of this scene is the friendship and betrayal between Eduardo and Mark. As Eduardo tells Mark in the deposition, “I was your only friend.” Eduardo’s teary-eyed and emphatic plea is so raw and full of emotion that the audience has to side with the former CFO of Facebook. In turn, Mark starts off as his usual cocky self, blaming Eduardo for his mistake, but Eduardo’s passionate speech eventually shakes Mark to his core. Behind the billionaire-genius is still a guy who wants to be liked. Eisenberg received a well-deserved nomination for Best Actor, but the fact that Garfield did not find himself in the supporting category is still a mistake 10 years later.
If you’ve never seen The Social Network, watch this one scene because it tells you everything you need to know about each character. Sean is manipulative and arrogant, but at the other end of his Facebook mug is an insecure coward. Eduardo is a deer in headlights whose pride gets the best of him, but he’s the film’s most sympathetic character. Then, there’s Mark, who was best described by Marylin Delpy, played by Rashida Jones. At the end of the deposition, Marylin said, “You’re not an asshole Mark. You’re just trying so hard to be.”
It’s up for debate as to whether Mark is a good guy or not, but what’s not up for discussion is the perfection of this scene.
What is your favorite scene from The Social Network? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
Am I Wrighster or Am I WrongInterview with Daniel Libit and Luke Cyphers. They are Co-Editors of The Intercollegiate . They join me to discuss their fight for transparency in college athletics. Their investigative journalism has uncovered secrets the universities were hiding in plain sight. We discuss how the NCAA has been allowed to keep up the sham of amateurism. They tell us what the future may look like for college sports and what the solution should be for name, image, and likeness legislation. They also tell us some of their findings that have let to coaches and administrators resigning.
Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? The intersection where sports, business, society, and pop culture meet. Daily Fire… FACTS ONLY… Check Your feelings at the door. This ain’t the place for the left, right, snowflakes, social justice warriors. ABSOLUTELY No BS. I keep it 100.
The George Wrighster podcast features great interviews where you get to know great people discussing faith, family, fatherhood, food, and sports. We get to know and learn from the personalities that entertain us outside of what they are famous for. Shoot me an email with comments or guest ideas: GWpodcast@unafraidshow.com. Please be sure to share the podcast with a friend, subscribe, and leave a 5* rating.
Who is George Wrighster?
George Wrighster is a former Pac-12 and veteran NFL tight end. As a television/radio host, opinionist, writer, speaker, and analyst, he is UNAFRAID to speak the truth. Contrary to industry norms he uses, facts, stats, and common sense to win an argument. He has also found success in the business world as an entrepreneur and investor. George is a lifelong learner who loves having conversations that educate and uplift. He has also covered college football, basketball, NFL, NBA, MLB since 2014.
Say goodbye to the Emmys and say hello to the Oscars! Even though the Oscars won’t air until April 2021, the last quarter of 2020 signals the start of the Oscar season. Even in a year full of delays, postponements, and a pandemic, studios are still looking to acquire films at major festivals to bolster their awards’ chances. There’s one major studio that has stood above the rest and we all know who it is. Is This The Year Netflix Wins Best Picture?
Is This The Year Netflix Wins Best Picture?
2020 has been the year from hell for most major studios. Giant tentople franchises like Wonder Woman and James Bond have moved their release dates to the end of the year. Marvel and The Fast and Furious punted in 2020 and moved their major releases to 2021. If there’s one major studio that could survive a pandemic, it’s Netflix. Not only has Netflix survived, but it’s thrived beyond belief.
This past week, two major dominoes fell in the Best Picture race. First, West Side Story, one of the most anticipated films of 2020, was pushed back an entire year from Dec. 2020 to Dec. 2021. The iconic musical from Steven Spielberg, which was set to be a frontrunner for Best Picture, now moves to the 2022 Oscars.
When one door closes, another door opens, and in comes Aaron Sorkin. The second major domino revolves around Sorkin’s new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, which released its first trailer this past week. Originally scheduled for a theatrical release from Paramount, the Chicago 7 was sold to Netflix for over $50 million and now, will be released in select theaters on September 25 before debuting on the streaming service on October 16. The film centers around the famous Chicago Seven, who led protests during the 1968 Democratic Convention. The cast is stacked and includes Oscar-winners Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance as well as recent Emmy-winners Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jeremy Strong.
All you have to say is “Aaron Sorkin wrote a courtroom drama” and this film would be up for awards. From A Few Good Men to The West Wing, the film and television academies love Sorkin in the courtroom. Critics agree as the first wave of reviews has been overwhelmingly positive with Richard Roeper calling it an “instant classic.” In terms of 2021 Oscars, nominations in Best Picture and Best Orginal Screenplay are automatic. Best Director for Sorkin also seems likely. In the acting categories, depending on how Netflix possessions each actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, Redmayne, Rylance, Abdul-Mateen II, and Strong will be considered in either Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven is only one of the Oscar-hopeful films that Netflix has at its disposal. There is a world where Netflix could receive five Best Picture nominations with five established and well-respected directors behind each film. Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloodswill be in the mix due to its critical acclaim. Later this year, Netflix will release Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom from George C. Wolfe, Hillbilly Elegy from Ron Howard, and Mank from David Fincher, who hasn’t made a feature film since 2014’s Gone Girl. If there’s ever a time for Netlfix to win Best Picture, it’s this year.
Other News And Notes
-There have only been five female directors to receive a nomination for Best Director and only one, Kathryn Bigelow, has won the award. At the 2021 Oscars, there could be not one, but two women nominated for Best Director. They are Chloe Zhao for Nomadland and Regina King for One Night in Miami. Nomadland, based on the novel about a woman traveling as a modern-day nomad starring Frances McDormand, recently won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. The last three films to win that prize were Joker, Roma, and The Shape of Water. All three films were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro won Best Director for Roma and The Shape of Water, respectively) so history is on Zhao’s side.
The other film, Regina King’s One Night in Miami, revolves around a fictional meeting between Jim Brown, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, and Sam Cooke in a Miami hotel room in 1964. The film premiered to positive reviews, praising King’s directorial debut. King, an Oscar and Emmy winner, would be the first black female to be nominated for Best Director.
-Speaking of Netflix, the streaming service acquired Pieces of a Woman, a drama about a couple who must face their midwife after she loses their baby and faces criminal negligence. The performance that drew the most buzz was from Vanessa Kirby, who plays the grieving mother that must navigate fractured relationships with her husband, mother, and midwife. Kirby’s performances have been hailed the “performance of her career” by Variety. Expect a huge campaign from Netflix to elevate Kirby into the Best Actress category.
-Will I ever see Tenet?
Which film from Netflix has the best chance of winning Best Picture? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
You know what’s coming in this NBA Bubble recap. Did somebody say Tyler Tuesday?
Top Story: Tyler Herro’s Coming Out Party
For some players, the lights are a little too bright for them on the biggest stage. For Tyler Herro, the lights aren’t bright enough. The 20-year old rookie sensation saved his best performance for the biggest game of the season as the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics, 112-109, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. The eclectic Herro led the Heat with 37 points on 14-21 shooting including 5-10 from behind the arc. Herro also tallied 6 boards and 6 assists. Simply put, Herro was sensational.
Most points in a Playoff game Age 20 or younger
42: Magic Johnson 37: TYLER HERRO * 36: Derrick Rose 34: Brandon Jennings 29: Tony Parker
Tyler Herro scored 37 points tonight, tied for the 5th-most by a player off the bench in a playoff game since 1971 (most by a rookie over this span).
It is also the 3rd-most by a rookie against the Celtics in a playoff game all-time, behind Wilt Chamberlain (50 & 42 in 1960). pic.twitter.com/pLFDr2V9az
I’ve been on the Herro bandwagon for a few months, but even I will admit that I never expected this star trajectory in such a short amount of time. It’s not that Herro is scoring the ball, but it’s how he’s creating offensive opportunities for him and his teammates. If you’re slow to close out, he’ll hit the 3. If you’re too aggressive, Herro will take you off the dribble and finish with either hand at the rim. I’m most impressed with his ability to attack off the pick-and-roll. Herro does this hesitation move where he has his defender on his back, which freezes the help man. He’s in full control of the moment and in a split second, makes a decision to shoot, drive, or pass. It’s so impressive to watch this level of offensive creativity from a 20-year-old kid.
I mentioned it before, but Herro shines when the lights are brightest. He has no fear in his eyes. This confidence in oneself is something that cannot be taught. Herro is the type of guy to bring a knife to a gunfight and still think he’ll win easily. Now, we’re all left to imagine Herro’s ceiling as a player. If last night was a preview of the future, Herro will be an all-star sooner rather than later.
Should The Lakers Be Worried?
No… at least, not yet.
"We feel like we should be up 2-1 right now, to be honest."
Jamal Murray isn’t wrong. First of all, the Nuggets should not be overlooked. Rightfully so, Denver earned America’s respect after overcoming 3-1 series deficits to both the Jazz and Clippers. Secondly, the Nuggets should be up 2-1 They couldn’t grab a rebound at the end of Game 2, allowing the Lakers to extend the game and eventually hit a game-winning shot. Plus, if Plumlee follows Anthony Davis instead of trapping LeBron, the Lakers probably have to take a tougher shot instead of the three that Davis made to win the game. Also, the Nuggets outplayed the Lakers for three and half quarters in Game 3 in their 114-106 win.
With all that being said, the Lakers are still the best team standing inside the NBA Bubble. As long as LeBron James stays healthy, the Lakers should win the NBA Finals. Even in Game 3, where the Lakers were outplayed for most of the game, LeBron still accumulated a triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. I also wouldn’t expect AD to only grab 2 rebounds in the next game. The Lakers are going to be fine in the long run if they’re healthy, but that doesn’t mean the road to a championship will be bumpy. Do not be surprised if the Nuggets win another game to force the series to a sixth, or even seventh game.
The Miami Heat have used their 2-3 zone defense to help achieve a defensive rating of 91.9 in the clutch during these #NBAPlayoffs, tops among remaining teams! #NBABreakdown
We’ve all heard the stereotypes about zone defense. They include “Zones are lazy defenders,” “Zone defense is a cop-out,” and “Zones will never work at a professional level.” Erik Spoelstra and his zone defense are putting those stereotypes to rest because the Celtics have few answers for Miami’s zone. According to Miami Herald, the Celtics scored just 41 points in 48 total possessions against the Heat’s zone in the first two games. Although the Celtics figured the zone out in Game 3 thanks to the return of Gordon Hayward, the Heat played zone for most of the Game 4, stifling the Boston offense and in particular, Jayson Tatum, who had zero points in the first half. The zone may not be the future of the NBA, but for now, it’s working as Miami is one game away from the NBA Finals.
Week 8 LVP: The Nuggets Strategy At The End Of Game 2
for those of you wondering “what the hell was Mason Plumlee doing?” , here is the iso cam of Jerami Grant calling Plumlee’s name/attention to help with LeBron, as needed, before the play began. pic.twitter.com/iczft57Q3T
For the Nuggets, I truly don’t know what happened on this play. Was it miscommunication or a missed assignment? Whatever the case may be, it was a gigantic mistake, plain and simple. I hate to blame one play for the reason why a team lost, but this play makes a strong argument for blaming one specific play that led to a loss.
Storyline For Week 9: Will The Heat And Lakers Put Away Their Respective Opponents Sooner Rather Than Later?
The worst thing a team can do is to give their opponent hope. Both the Heat and Lakers are in the driver’s seat in their respective series. Put away the Celtics and Nuggets early because the longer they hang around, the more dangerous they become. My advice is to do the exact opposite of what the Jazz and Clippers did.
What are your top storylines from Week 8 inside the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.
The Pac-12 may be making a return to football, but it will be a week before we know whether it’s real or not. Commissioner Larry Scott approved management bonuses to be paid early before they laid off 88 workers. Guess which Pac-12 Coach made the Statement about Ping Pong and #WeAreUnited? The Big Ten is clearly leading the Pac-12 around. What does the conference need to do to forge its own path?
The Pac-12 Apostles is a podcast for fans who love the Pac-12 conference. George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are committed to the honest and fair conversation about the Pac-12 conference. They talk about the good, bad, and the ugly about the Pac-12. Join them in becoming a Pac-12 Apostle by subscribing and sharing the podcast. Send your thoughts, comments, and :30 ranks to immad@unafraidshow.com. The best comments and rants will be included in the show.
Visit Unafraid Show to read unapologetic articles about the conference and the teams you love.
—
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pac-12-conference/message
Give LeBron James his Flowers While He’s Still Playing
Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? Us sports fans have to stop being haters. Appreciating greatness like LeBron James while he is still here is important. However, we will miss him when he’s gone. Clay Travis advocated for coronavirus herd immunity for college football. It was dumb, and I had to call him out.
Analytics in Sports are Important
Analytics in sports are very valuable and extremely useful tools for winning a lot of games. However, manalytics are much more valuable and the only way to win a championship.
NBA MVPs but not Championship Contenders
NBA MVP system is broken when MVPs aren’t real title contenders. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a 2-time MVP but won’t make the Finals.
Give people their flowers while they are here to smell them, See LeBron James
Clay Travis advocated for coronavirus herd immunity for college football. it was dumb
Analytics are valuable but Manalyics matter more valuable
NBA MVP voting needs an overhaul
Wrighster or Wrong?
Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? The intersection where sports, business, society, and pop culture meet. Daily Fire… FACTS ONLY… Check Your feelings at the door. This ain’t the place for the left, right, snowflakes, social justice warriors. ABSOLUTELY No BS. I keep it 100.
The George Wrighster podcast features great interviews where you get to know great people discussing faith, family, fatherhood, food, and sports. We get to know and learn from the personalities that entertain us outside of what they are famous for. Shoot me an email with comments or guest ideas: GWpodcast@unafraidshow.com. Please be sure to share the podcast with a friend, subscribe, and leave a 5* rating.
Who is George Wrighster?
George Wrighster is a former Pac-12 and veteran NFL tight end. As a television/radio host, opinionist, writer, speaker, and analyst, he is UNAFRAID to speak the truth. Contrary to industry norms he uses, facts, stats, and common sense to win an argument. He has also found success in the business world as an entrepreneur and investor. George is a lifelong learner who loves having conversations that educate and uplift. He has also covered college football, basketball, NFL, NBA, MLB since 2014.
There was a new six game spring season proposal for the Pac-12. Will the new testing partners ultimately mean a return to play? How will recruiting be impacted with the Pac-12 not playing so far this season, yet. Players are opting out of the 2020 season for the NFL draft.
The Pac-12 Apostles is a podcast for fans who love the Pac-12 conference. George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden are committed to the honest and fair conversation about the Pac-12 conference. They talk about the good, bad, and the ugly about the Pac-12. Join them in becoming a Pac-12 Apostle by subscribing and sharing the podcast. Send your thoughts, comments, and :30 ranks to immad@unafraidshow.com. The best comments and rants will be included in the show.
Visit Unafraid Show to read unapologetic articles about the conference and the teams you love.
—
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pac-12-conference/message
A different-looking NFL Season will start this season, as 2020 will feel a sense of normalcy. The regular season will begin on its scheduled day of September 10, as the Kansas City Chiefs will start their title defense against the Houston Texans. Super Bowl 55 is scheduled to take place in Tampa, Florida on February 7, 2021.
As with the MLB Season prediction, this NFL prediction was used with the aid of NFL Playoff Predictor. Anyone can input their prediction for who will win and predict their champion. However, there can only be one team that lifts the trophy at the end of the season.
Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Win the Super Bowl
The
Baltimore Ravens were the story of the NFL last season until they weren’t. They
are led by Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player. However,
Jackson and the Ravens’ regular season success did not translate into
postseason success, as they lost to the Titans in a 28-12 clunker.
Many have criticized Lamar Jackson’s two postseason performances. The Ravens fell behind early in both games, which they did not experience a lot of, especially during the 2019 regular season. Some may label this team as frontrunners, but they made some adjustments in the off-season.
.@markingram21 was voted Best Personality in the NFL…
The Ravens had an eventful off-season because of one player: Earl Thomas. The team released him after he punched defensive lineman Chuck Clark in an altercation during practice. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens as a team respond to this, but they have the pieces to possibly make a championship run. If Lamar Jackson shows even more improvement in his throwing abilities, the Ravens will have a chance and should be the favorites to win the Super Bowl. My prediction is that they will beat the New Orleans Saints in Tampa Bay.
It
may be hard for fans to be confident in the Saints to win big games in the
playoffs. They will be judged on their postseason performance this year. The
past three years, they arguably should have gone at least one round further. It’s
Super Bowl or bust in New Orleans.
However,
the NFC has been an arena of unpredictability the past few seasons. The 49ers
ended up making the Super Bowl last year, which was a surprise. While they had
dealt with injuries, their running game proved lethal and almost vaulted them
right to the top of the league. Some teams get to go from a losing record to
the mountaintop, like the Eagles did in the 2017 NFL Season.
Others, such as the Saints, have to play the long game of making the playoffs every year and being disappointed. A Super Bowl has to happen for this era of Saints football, right? They have been among the NFC favorites for three seasons running now. This year may be the last chance with Drew Brees to win the championship.
Overall Standings Prediction For 2020 NFL Season
Here were the overall standings in the prediction:
AFC
North
(1)
Ravens 12-4
Steelers
8-8
Browns
7-9
Bengals
3-13
AFC
South
(4)
Titans 11-5
(5)
Texans 11-5
Colts
8-8
Jaguars
2-14
AFC
East
(3)
Patriots 11-5
(6)
Bills 10-6
Dolphins
5-11
Jets
4-12
AFC
West
(2)
Chiefs 12-4
(7)
Broncos 9-7
Raiders
7-9
Chargers
4-12
NFC
North
(3)
Vikings 11-5
(7)
Packers 10-6
Lions
5-11
Bears
5-11
NFC
South
(1)
Saints 12-4
(5)
Buccaneers 12-4
Panthers
8-8
Falcons
4-12
NFC
East
(4)
Eagles 10-6
Cowboys
7-9
Washington
5-11
Giants
4-12
NFC
West
(2)
Seahawks 12-4
(6)
49ers 11-5
Cardinals
9-7
Rams 7-9
The Two Teams People Are Underestimating for 2020 NFL Season: Patriots and Cardinals
Apparently Bill Belichick is not the greatest coach of all time. All I am hearing is that the Patriots will not be as good this year. While on paper their roster is not necessarily scary, Belichick and his staff always get the best out of their players. They have simply made the Super Bowl too often to be counted out already.
In
2016, when Tom Brady was suspended, the Patriots went 3-1 with quarterbacks Jimmy
Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett making their first career starts. Patriots
offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is one of the best in the league at
maximizing his talent. Cam Newton is going to make the Patriots running back
corps a bigger threat. While James White is no Christian McCaffery, he plays
similarly. Also expect Sony Michel to have the best season of his career. If
Cam Newton stays healthy, the New England offense will be a threat.
Another team that no one will want to play is the Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray is going into his second season and now has DeAndre Hopkins to throw the football to. Having both Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald will help Murray build upon his first season. While the Cardinals may not make the playoffs due to a packed NFC conference, they will be a tough out every week. Their offense will be lethal.
Cowboys Among Mediocre Teams Looking to Break Through
Bar keeps gets pushed higher for QBs such as Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson…. pic.twitter.com/KjdO7FC6Kz
The
Cowboys might have four wins already against the Giants and Washington this
season. However, they will still struggle to win their division. Expect their
offense to be better, but the x-factor for them will be how the defense does
under first-year head coach Mike Nolan. Everything this team does is
scrutinized. It is hard to evaluate Dak Prescott as a quarterback because of
the team he plays for. New head coach Mike McCarthy will be able to get more
out of him this season. However, Prescott is not the type of player who can
carry a team.
Did
we get the prediction right? What team’s prediction did we butcher? Let us know
by tweeting us @unafraidshow. Here’s to a safe and successful 2020 season.
