Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Jonathan Bachman

Author: Jon Kuzma

The Minnesota Vikings are riding high after beating the New Orleans Saints 26-20 in the NFC Wildcard. It feels like most people believed the Saints were going to win that game. But Dalvin Cook had other plans and now he’s officially turned the Vikings around. Thanks to a 2 touchdown performance from Cook this team is moving on to the divisional round. Clearly just getting to the playoffs wasn’t enough for Mike Zimmer’s ball club and their next opponent will be the San Francisco 49ers. That means Cook will have to show what he can do against the best defense remaining in the playoffs.


Carving up the Saints is one thing because that’s always been their achilles heal. However if Dalvin Cook goes out West and lights up the 49ers. Then it’s going to be such a pivotal moment for this guy’s career. He was drafted out of Florida State and always had a ton of upside. Yet Cook had to overcome some injuries before getting to where he is now. But make no mistake about it he’s the x-factor for Minnesota. Everyone wants to talk about how Kirk Cousins is changing the narrative. Really it’s been Cook who’s carrying the torch for this offense. And then we all know how good Zimmer is on the other side of the ball. So far it’s been a recipe for success.

Charity of the day: Unbound

Go donate! www.unbound.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit:

Author: Jon Kuzma

When it’s crunch time your best players have to step up and D.K Metcalf did that for the Seattle Seahawks. Yeah the Philadelphia Eagles were wore down because of injuries. But it’s still hard to go across the country and win a playoff game on the road. Luckily the Seahawks were able to do that because D.K Metcalf was incredibly sharp in this win over the Eagles. Metcalf racked up 160 yards and 1 touchdown before the NFC Wildcard was over with.


Perhaps the most impressive thing about this performance is Metcalf did all of the things the scouts said he couldn’t do. There were curl routes, slants, and crossing routes early on. And then Metcalf ended the game with some acrobatic catches down the field. So as the game went on that’s when Metcalf started to work his vertical stuff and it put an end to Philadelphia’s season. Metcalf then waved a goodbye to the home crowd and the Seahawks will move on to the divisional round.

Charity of the day: World Resources Institute

Go donate! www.wri.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Christian Petersen

Author: Jon Kuzma

When you think about everything that Deshaun Watson’s reputation and brand is. It was all built off the fact that he can make plays during the most high pressure situations. Watson lived up to his legend in the AFC Wildcard against the Buffalo Bills. Because he came alive when the Houston Texans needed it the most. After going into halftime trailing 13-0 Watson was able to rally Houston and send this game to overtime. And when you look at some of the plays he made down the stretch it was some of the same things we seen when he was at Clemson. Two moments really stand out. On one play Watson rushed for a touchdown and he carried a defender to the end zone on that run. It was sheer determination on Watson’s behalf and it sent a message to his teammates.


Everyone on the Texans knew they had a chance after that play and how about the sack Watson was able to spin out of? Just when it seemed like Houston’s season was coming to an end Watson evaded the pressure and found Taiwan Jones for a 34 yard pickup. Those plays were the difference maker for the Texans and it made for an incredible game. Eventually Ka’imi Fairbairn would go on to kick the winning field goal in overtime. And Watson’s resume gets another milestone added to it. No stage is too big for him.

Charity of the day: World Neighbors

Go donate! www.wn.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Adam Glanzman

Author: Jon Kuzma

The best player on the Tennessee Titans roster is Derrick Henry. In fact Henry was also the best player on the field when the New England Patriots and Titans met up for the AFC Wildcard. Henry rushed for 182 yards and 1 touchdown in that matchup and it sent the defending Super Bowl champions packing in the first round. New England allowed one player to beat them which is uncharacteristic for a Bill Belichick defense. But it also says something about how overpowering Henry is. Most running backs that are 240LBS aren’t supposed to run as well as this guy does. And when he gets lined up against cornerbacks or safeties.


It’s like watching a semi-truck crush a go kart. You can almost make a case that Derrick Henry has been the top performer in the NFL after Lamar Jackson. Those two guys have been unstoppable this year and while Jackson has gotten the credit he deserved. The same thing can’t be said for Henry. There’s no way the Titans would’ve made the playoffs without him. And there’s absolutely zero chance that Tennessee would’ve beaten the Patriots in Foxborough without the NFL’s 2020 rushing champion. Henry destroys anything that’s in his path and because of that this team is marching on.

Charity of the day: World Neighbors

Go donate! www.wn.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Thearon Henderson

Author: Jon Kuzma

Want more sports? Click here https://bit.ly/2QsRV7r

Dave Gettleman got to stay in New York as the GM after Pat Shurmur was fired. But make no mistake about it that was a warning shot from John Mara and Steve Tisch. If things don’t shape up quickly it’s not going to end very well for Gettleman and that means he needs to make a splash. One of the best coaches out right now is hands down Washington State’s Mike Leach. And if Mara and Tisch know what’s best for their organization they’d be on a flight right now meeting with Leach. Very few coaches can go to an underdog like Texas Tech or Washington State and have the kind of success Leach had. This guy has been flying under the radar for so long but everywhere he goes the football team gets better. All you have to do is look at the results and that’s the sign of a great coach. Not to mention it’s a great move for Leach because the Giants do have some promising young talent in Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, and Darius Slayton. The structure that Leach would bring to that bunch should optimize each player’s potential. System-wise you also know that they’ll be crisp in their execution. Those are the things a top notch coach can do for you and Leach would probably listen if it’s the perfect offer. The Giants just have to step up and make it worth Leach’s while financially. New York also has to buy him out of his current contract but that’s the price you have to pay for a mastermind like Mike Leach.

Charity of the day: World Vision

Go donate! www.worldvision.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Sean Gardner

Author: Jon Kuzma

Want more sports? Click here https://bit.ly/2QsRV7r

With news coming out of Dallas that Jerry Jones will move on from Jason Garett. Everyone is wondering who the next Dallas Cowboys head coach will be? Of course Urban Meyer fueled the fire a little bit when he said that he would take the Cowboys job if it was offered to him. And when you think about what the Dallas Cowboys’ brand is. They’re the highest valued sports franchise in the world and that goes for any pro sport. So when you think about the ratings the Cowboys do. It’s the perfect stage for Meyer who’s been one of the most successful coaches of all-time.




We also know that Meyer went to a Redskins game to evaluate their talent. Ultimately Washington went with Ron Rivera and that’s probably because Meyer decided to stick with the Cowboys. There seems to be an agreement between Jones and Meyer that the public doesn’t know about. We’re going to find out if there’s any truth to those rumors because Dallas should be conducting interviews shortly. Let’s make one thing clear though. If Jerry Jones does land Urban Meyer then the Cowboys will be back in the Super Bowl before you it.

Urban Meyer shares his thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys head coaching position… #NFLpic.twitter.com/PBI8Nv1iYu

— SMH (@BTCballer1) January 3, 2020

Charity of the day: Hearing Health Foundation

Go donate! Hearinghealthfoundation.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Icon Sportswire

Author: Jon Kuzma

Want more sports? Click here https://bit.ly/2QsRV7r

Let’s start by saying that the Houston Texans have a lot of weapons. Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are two of the best in the business. But the reality is Buffalo can cause the Texans fits if their defense has one of their better performances. One of the biggest reasons why is because Ed Oliver has been coming on so strong lately.


The rookie has been dominating at the line of scrimmage and it forces Buffalo’s opponents to rethink their game plan. In fact the Bills have been so good on defense that they’re ranked in the top five in points against (16 per game), yards surrendered (298 per game), and passing yards surrendered (195 per game). It’s because Oliver does his thing up front and then they have a star in the secondary with Tre’Davious White. After being selected to his first Pro Bowl you know White’s confidence is high. And if Watson and the Texans aren’t careful they could be in for a rude awakening this weekend. The Bills are one of the teams in the playoffs that have a little Cinderella in them. Which means Houston is on upset alert.

Charity of the day: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Go donate! www.pcf.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Adam Glanzman

Author: Jon Kuzma

Want more sports? Click here https://bit.ly/2QsRV7r

There’s been so much speculation throughout the years. Everyone is wondering whether or not Tom Brady will retire or leave the New England Patriots for a different team? Brady has been certain that he’ll play until he’s 45 years old and that means he’ll probably finish his career in a different uniform. Bill Belichick wants to go with Jarrett Stidham and see if he can get the job done without Brady. And the same thing can be said for Brady because he’s sick of Belichick’s attitude.


Over time Belichick can wear on you and Brady has been there longer than anyone else. The dynasty started with him and it’s possible it’ll end when he leaves. Now will Brady be able to accomplish some of things he was able to achieve in Foxborough when he moves on? Who knows but before then we get to see how he finishes his time with the Patriots. Is their enough gas left in the tank to put together one more miracle run? And If this franchise does get their 7th Vince Lombardi Trophy do they call off the breakup and keep the band together? Only time will tell but until then you know their only focus is on the Tennessee Titans.

Charity of the day: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Go donate! www.pcf.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Streeter Lecka

Author: Jon Kuzma

It doesn’t matter if Jay Gruden or Bill Callahan is the head coach of the Washington Redskins. Ron Rivera is an upgrade over both of those guys and that’s why he was with Carolina for all of those years. So right away off of just the stability that Rivera will provide it’s easy to see that this hire was a step in the right direction. When you add in Jack Del Rio who‘s also a better coach than Gruden is it becomes obvious that Washington is starting to shape up.


Sure they’ll have to overcome the struggles this organization has with their owner (Daniel Snyder) and front office. But they got the right football people in the building and sometimes that can mask some of the problems that can come from above. Now Snyder doesn’t need to take over the draft or flex his muscles to show he’s the one in charge. Just sit back and let Rivera and Del Rio handle everything and the overall process should become smoother. And it’s amazing that Washington was able to pair these two up. Each of them have had their own success but it’s going to be interesting to watch them work on the same staff. Rivera and Del Rio have so much knowledge to draw from and it’s going to rub off on their players.

Charity of the day: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Go donate! www.lls.org

Embed from Getty Images
Photo credit: Mitchell Leff

Author: Jon Kuzma

Want more sports? Click here https://bit.ly/2QsRV7r

The Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks will meet up in the NFC Wildcard and Seattle seems to be more complete. The Seahawks are 11-5 compared to the Eagles 9-7 record. Although the game will be in Philadelphia because they won their division. So everything is shaping up into a high stakes matchup and if there’s one player who has to be at his best it’s Carson Wentz.



Right now Wentz deserves all of the credit in the world for getting the Eagles to the postseason. But there is some pressure on Wentz’s shoulders because it was Nick Foles who helped win this team a Super Bowl back in 2018. Therefore Wentz has to be poised once he does take on Pete Carroll and his bend-but-don’t-break-defense. Not only does Wentz have to overcome that challenge but he’ll also need to outplay Russell Wilson. We all know Wilson will be ready when the time comes. Wentz has to fight fire-with-fire and do everything he can to steal the night. A 4 touchdown and 300 yard performance would be everything the Eagles hoped for. Then they have to pray that Wilson can’t top that. One thing is for certain though. All eyes are on Wentz and the outcome of this playoff game will go a long way in shaping his career. The last thing Wentz wants to do is flop because a narrative will emerge that he can’t get the job done.

Charity of the day: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America

Go donate! www.bbbs.org