Photo credit: Dilip Vishwanat

Author: Jon Kuzma

The St. Louis Rams are officially no more. The league publicly announced last night that the Rams will be relocating to Los Angeles. The move was made with a number of factors in mind. First the Los Angeles market is booming right now and will only continue to grow in the near future. That means the Rams will be running in the green on the spreadsheet in a lot more columns than they would be in St. Louis. Those extra funds can be used in so many facets of the team and really at the end of the day it was a no brainer for the Rams. Whether it be more sponsorship or more ticket revenue from the excitement of pro football being back in Los Angeles. Business wise you have to tip your hat to Stan Kroenke and the other NFL owners. It wasn’t an easy business decision but at the end of the day it was the right business decision. As much as you could go on and on about the financial benefits of the move, you also have to talk about Los Angeles as a destination. We’re talking about a major hub for entertainment and culture. Los Angeles isn’t just an attractive destination for businesses it will be a great landing spot for free agents in the off-season as well. Players want to play and live in sunny southern California and the Rams should benefit greatly from their new location. California also has a healthier lifestyle than many other cities as well. There are gyms and healthier food choices all around you in California so players will have access to so many amenities if they were to play for the Rams.  Just a few more advantages of moving the team to LA. The only real con of Los Angles is the distractions that will be around the players. Tinseltown has the most talented people in the world. There will always be events going on and things for people to do. The Los Angles Rams have to block out all the distractions and make sure they’re “professional football players.” If they can do that good things are certainly coming for this franchise. The Chargers will actually have the option to join the Rams in Los Angeles. However the Chargers and Raiders both got offered 100 million dollars to stay in their previous locations of San Diego and Oakland. We will see shortly if the Chargers exercise that option. One thing is certain at this point, The Rams are back in LA.

Charity of the day: American Brain Tumor Association

Go donate! www.abta.org

Photo credit: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

The New England Patriots looked outstanding at the beginning of the season. Tom Brady’s play on the field was nearly perfect and this Patriots team was looking almost unbeatable. A lot has changed since the beginning of the season however. The Patriots have seen several key losses to starters on this football team. Injuries to Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, and Nate Solder have all set this team back. Then Dion Lewis and Legarrette Blount went down and you really started to wonder if this team can get back to the Super Bowl? One thing has remained consistent throughout all of those key injuries though. That is the fact that Tom Brady was on the field for this football team and leading them into the future. Brady had to win games when the talent around him was nearly depleted. That grit is why Tom has become the leader that he is today. Resilience is a key trait that is ideal not only in life but also for quarterbacks in the National Football League as well. Brady’s past experiences with adversity with the knee injury in 2008 and the Deflategate case this past offseason have prepped him for the situations he has faced this year. Brady is a mentally tough guy and that inspires the other Patriots on offense to feed off his energy. You can really say Tom is the catalyst for the Patriots offense attack. Defensively the Patriots have been outstanding as well. They were a top ten defense in points surrendered, yards against, and rushing yards surrendered. That defensive effort will go a long way in determining how far this Patriots team goes in the postseason. The offense will be a huge factor against the Chiefs but remember defense wins championships. If the defense can take Alex Smith out of the game with their pass rush then it will go a long way in securing a Patriots victory this weekend. Still adjusting the game plan to compensate for all the players that are banged up and playing hurt will be the key factor for this team. Look for the Patriots to make the necessary adjustments and play at a higher level than they have been the last couple weeks or so.

Charity of the day: United Cancer Support Foundation

Go donate! www.unitedcsf.org

Photo credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

Nick Saban is an outstanding football coach. Just last night he won his 4th National Championship for the Alabama Crimson Tide showing why is arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time. While Saban is riding the college football season success he has seen of recent. There was a time when he was the Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins and had a rather lackluster showing. Saban’s first year of 9-7 in Miami shows that with the right personnel and circumstances around him he could indeed win in the National Football league. Yes, you could say that for almost any football coach but Saban is different. He is an outstanding tactician of the game and he coaches the fundamentals to a T. Meaning his preparations are nearly perfect and every angle of the game plan is covered with his players. That formula along with a G.M who is capable of putting the right players in Saban’s system would of yielded big results from the coach if he would of stuck around longer at the pro level. Many critics out there want to throw out the fact that Saban failed at the NFL level but so did Pete Carroll during his first and second stint in the NFL. The thing that was really the biggest letdown for Saban in the NFL was his second season and a few roster moves that would plague his time in South Florida. The Dolphins elected to sign Daunte Culpepper over a then injured Drew Brees as the their starting quarterback. Culpepper would eventually be benched during that second year and we all know what happened with Drew Brees. Saban would of benefited greatly from Brees commanding his offense and he could of still been with the Dolphins right now had that been his choice. Everything happens for a reason though and in the end it all worked out for coach Saban when he headed to Tuscaloosa. His college football heroics certainly trump his NFL letdowns. However don’t write the coach off as being an incompetent pro coach. A 9-7 season is a year that coaches like Rod Marinelli dream of. So lets start being fair to Nick and giving his respect he deserves as a “football coach” regardless of what level he coaches at.

Charity of the day: United Cancer Support Foundation

Go donate! www.unitedcsf.org

Photo credit: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

The Redskins started off the NFC Wildcard very well. Kirk Cousins and Jordan Reed were putting on a great passing display and things were looking promising for the Redskins. Defensively they were doing a great job of attacking Aaron Rodgers and they were really shaking things up for the Packers offense. That is when things changed. The Packers started to get in a groove and Aaron Rodgers showed why he is a former National Football League Most Valuable Player. Rodgers would finish the game with 210 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. He made the throws when necessary in less than ideal conditions. Two particular plays that stand out from Rodger’s performance are his touchdown pass to Davante Adams and his touchdown pass to Randal Cobb. Both passes were big plays for the Packers that resulted in points on the scoreboard. Eddie Lacy was more effective than he has been for the most of the year for the Packers as well. He rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on the day. While James Starks also contributed 53 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Pack as well. For the Redskins Kirk Cousins was effective with 329 yards and 1 touchdown pass. Yet the Redskins offense stalled late in the game. The Redskins will have to develop a better rushing attack heading forward if they want to win games in the postseason. They only rushed for 84 yards as a team compared to the Packers 141. Jordan Reed was a stand out performer for the Redskins hauling in 9 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Defensively the Packers had the night worth mentioning, they recorded 6 sacks and put pressure on Cousins all night. The Packers were the better team all around and that is why they are moving on to the divisional round next week against the Cardinals.

Photo credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

The Seattle Seahawks are who the Minnesota Vikings thought they were. After playing 3 quarters of better football than the Seahawks. The Vikings would have a catastrophic meltdown in the 4th quarter when the Seahawks were able to score 10 unanswered points. Even then the Vikings still had a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter. Blair Walsh who had made three out of three kicks on the day would step in and likely advance the Vikings to the divisional round. Walsh is one of the leagues top kickers and from 27 yards out the kick should of been made. Yet with the pressure on and the Vikings playoff hopes on the line. Blair Walsh hooked the kick left and the Seahawks were let off the hook. After the kick Richard Sherman just laid on the field grateful that the football gods have spared the Seahawks the loss. The Seahawks have been having an up and down season all year long. To advance to the divisional round after all of the adversity they faced this year was the reason Sherman laid there on the field after that kick. Even Michael Bennett looked up and said a prayer which was brilliantly captured by NFL film crews. The fact is this the Seahawks were quarantined for 3 quarters and really should of been put out of their misery. All of that momentum changed on one play in the game before that Blair Walsh kick. It was a bad snap by the Seattle offense which sent the ball sailing behind quarterback Russell Wilson. If the Vikings can tackle Wilson it would of been a huge loss and likely would of sealed the Seahawks fate. Instead Russell Wilson evaded a few Vikings defenders and found a wide open Tyler Lockett for a 35 yard pass. That play led to a touchdown and the Seahawks late fourth quarter surge. At the end of the day Wilson finished with 142 passing yards and a touchdown. Throwing for more touchdowns than Teddy Bridgewater who finished the game with 146 passing yards without a touchdown or an interception. The cold really hurt both teams offensive production and not one receiver or running back was able to go over a 100 yards rushing or receiving for either team. Defensively the Seahawks were slightly better as well holding Minnesota to 183 total yards compared to Seattle’s 226 total yards. The Seahawks will face the Carolina Panthers this weekend in the divisional round of the playoffs. Kick-off is slated for 1:05 P.M.

Charity of the day: Food for the Poor

Go donate! www.foodforthepoor.org

Photo credit: Grant Halverson

Author: Jon Kuzma

Looking to watch and play some of the best football games around? Check out some of these football sites around the internet. Keep in mind these websites are not affiliated with endzoneblog.com or litfootballgames.com. They are just being provided to enhance football lovers online experience. Serf these websites and your own risk and always be cautious about giving out your personal information. With that being said vipleague is a great site that will allow you watch any football game or show. It’s a great online resource to keep in the pro football loop. The other sites are mini football games to help you kill a little time. Try your luck and see if you can capture a high score!

http://www.vipleague.se/sports/american-football.html

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http://www.espn.com/free-online-games/sports/football/_/gid/194/return-man-2

Photo credit: Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

Lets all be honest, Ben Roethlisberger is a very tough football player. After Roethlisburger was knocked out of the game by a Vontaze Burfict hit last night. The Steelers quarterback would come back in the game when the team needed him the most. Late in the fourth quarter when the Steelers were trailing. That is when the Cincinnati Bengals really started to unravel. After a completion to Antonio Brown by Roethlisberger. The Steelers decided to go back to Brown on the ensuing play. The ball was thrown high and on Brown’s way down Burfict came flying over to defend the play. Burfict then struck Brown in the head which was deemed helmet to helmet contact. Which resulted in a 15 yard penalty against the Bengals. Due to the violence of the hit, Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter walked onto the field to confront the Bengals. While most of the Bengals handled it well, Adam Pacman Jones came charging at Porter and attempted to either confront or strike the coach. Jones was pushed away by his teammates and another penalty was thrown. While the Bengals could argue that Porter coming onto the field was a penalty of it’s own. You have to let the referees take care of that if you’re the Bengals. Instead Adam Jones acts like an idiot and cost his team even more yardage in a crucial time. Eventually the Steelers kicker Chris Boswell would kick the game winning field goal and would send the Steelers on to the next round. The Steelers had this game in their control most of the game. They were leading at the end of the 3rd quarter 9-0. To lose control of this game after a 16 point fourth quarter from the Bengals. Then to have Roethlisberger come in the game and inspire this team. Show how much he means to this team. On the opposite side of the spectrum. To be the Bengals and to score 16 points and take the lead and lose because the team lost it’s cool down the stretch hurts. The Bengals might have some of the baddest defenders in the world but it doesn’t matter if they can’t play under control. Discipline is key in football and the Bengals don’t have it. That is why the Steelers and their gritty leader Ben Roethlisberger are moving on to the divisional round.

Charity of the day: Alzheimer’s Association

Go donate! www.alz.org

Photo credit: Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport

Author: Jon Kuzma

The Kansas Chiefs are complete football team. Yes, we knew that entering into last night’s match up because the Chiefs were on a 10 game win streak. Yet the showing on the field was still just as impressive. The Chiefs played four quarters of fundamental football while the Texans looked like a disaster for most of the night. The scoring started off early for the Chiefs when Knile Davis was able to take the opening kick off 106 yards to the house. From that first moment in the game the Chiefs never looked back. Alex Smith was outstanding for Kansas City really setting the tempo of the game with his play. Smith can make quick strikes from the pocket but he also can take off and beat the defense with his feet. Smith is unusually quick for a quarterback and that created a natural match up problem for the Texans all night. Smith finished the game with 190 yards passing and 1 touchdown on the night. His main target on the evening was tight end Travis Kelce who hauled in 8 receptions and 128 receiving yards. Defensively Allen Bailey contributed 4 tackles and 2 sacks to the Chiefs efforts. For the Texans it was a struggle especially at the quarterback position. Brian Hoyer had a terrible performance throwing 4 interceptions and losing 1 fumble for his team. It’s hard to win a game when you have that many turnovers. Despite those poor efforts from Hoyer coach O’Brien decided that it would be in his best interest to stick with the player. A move that resulted in zero points for his offense. Believe it or not there were a few bright spots in the game for the Texans. Alfred Blue looked effective running the football and if the Texans gave him more chances they likely would of scored. On one particular drive down by the goal line the Texans put JJ Watt in at quarterback and tried to run him behind Vince Wilfork who checked in the game as a blocker. Feeding Blue would of been a much more reasonable option and on the next play Brian Hoyer threw an interception. Defensively the Texans did get a decent night from Brian Cushings with 13 tackles and Whitney Mercilus also had a big night with 3 sacks. It just wasn’t enough to beat a good Chiefs team. The Chiefs head to either Denver or New England with a ton of momentum. It will be a tough match up for either the Broncos or Patriots and will require a ton of game planning. The Texans on the other hand will have a full offseason to think about this loss.

Charity of the day: Alzheimer’s Association

Go donate! www.alz.org

Photo credit: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Author: Jon Kuzma

There has been coaching news flying all around the press and media lately. Chip Kelly reportedly interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers. A move that seems like a good fit for both parties. Will Kelly be back on the NFL sidelines for 2016? It seems like he will be, the uber talented coach will likely find a new home shortly. Whichever team takes a risk on him whether it be the 49ers or another team will get a truly talented coach who can turn a team into a contender quickly. If Kelly doesn’t get a shot in the NFL he also met with the University of Alabama and Nick Saban. So Chip Kelly in Crimson Tide red could also be an option in the near future. Kelly isn’t the only coach who is on the move. Adam Gase the former offensive coordinator of the Bears and Broncos took the head coaching job at Miami. Gase has been highly coveted by NFL teams recently and the interest became so overwhelming for Gase that you knew he was going to be a head coach very soon. Gase replaces Dan Campbell who was the head coach for the Dolphins after Joe Philbin was fired. The Dolphins are hoping Gase’s systematic approach will result in success down in Miami. Finally the Philadelphia Eagles made headlines by announcing that Tom Coughlin will interview for their head coaching position. The Eagles have interviewed a wide variety of different candidates but you have to figure stealing Coughlin away from the Giants would be their main goal at this point. The move stirs things up in the NFC East by putting Coughlin on the enemy’s sidelines. You have to figure Coughlin would be motivated to beat the Giants and show the world what he can do as well. Despite Coughlin’s old age he still has a lot of energy and that burning passion to get even with the Giants and the naysayers might be exactly what the Eagles need to get back on track. One thing is for certain, the coaching wheel keeps on turning.

Charity of the day: Environmental Defense Action Fund

Go donate! www.edf.org

Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Author: Joey Carr

A couple of months ago, I predicted that the Washington Redskins would win the NFC East, but also have a .500 record or below. At the time, Kirk Cousins was struggling to win games and the defense was average at best. Fast forward to now: Cousins is arguably the hottest quarterback in the league coming into the playoffs, the defense has performed beyond expectations, and the Skins as a team are meshing together quite nicely. So, a matchup at home with the slumping Green Bay Packers this weekend might seem like a cakewalk for the Packers, but I say differently.
Naturally, Aaron Rodgers and the Pack are going to be favored in this matchup. However, the Redskins finished the season on a real hot streak and the Green Bay on the other hand, did not. This, paired with the fact that Rodgers has been less than impressive, points to a very possible upset, which I am behind. So, before you call me crazy and shout “Blasphemy!” at me for choosing Rodgers over Cousins, look at the stats. Kirk led the league in completion percentage and yards per attempt down the stretch, leading the Skins to a 5-1 record. While Cousins was proving to the league that he’s a legitimate quarterback, Rodgers was struggling mightily, throwing more picks than he ever has and costing Green Bay the NFC North Title. The Washington receivers and tight ends performed marvelously at the end of the season, catching more touchdowns than any other corps in the league. The Packers receivers, as you can guess, didn’t play up to par by any means. The running game for both teams was not their strongest suit, but if I had to, I would give the advantage to GB, as they have more depth with stronger runners. The defense on the other hand is more in favor of the Skins. Now, there’s always the possibility that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will turn it on for the postseason, playing like they were expected to play all season long and blowing out the unmatched Redskins in their own home. However, if I was a betting man, and I’m not, I would be choosing the Redskins this weekend for the simple fact that they possess more momentum and, simply put, have the better quarterback as of right now.

Charity of the day: Environmental Defense Action Fund

Go donate! www.edf.org