Coaching Changes / Playoffs

As the NFL coaching vacancies are being filled, I have some thoughts on some of the hirings.

Tampa Bay - The hiring is not as intriguing as the firing of Lovie Smith. If the team didn't think Smith had them going in the right direction, why wait until 3 days after the regular season. The promotion of Dirk Koetter leads me to the conspiracy theory that Jameis Winston had something to do with it. Having the spoiled primadonna track record that he does, I could see him undercutting Smith to ownership to promote the OC, the coach he is closest to as the players are doing their season ending exit interviews. And I see the Bucs ownership as spineless enough to follow through and cater to him just as everyone else has done in his athletic career

San Francisco - I guess the thinking here is that Chip Kelly can resurrect Colin Kapernick's career. The 49ers wouldn't be in their predicament in the first place if they hadn't parted with Jim Harbaugh. How many teams would kill for the run his teams had to be contenders every year? I think Kelly won't even be as successful as he was in Philly as the NFC West is packed with defense and two of the best in the entire league in Arizona and Seattle. The problem with his up-tempo offense is that his teams play too fast - to the detriment of his own teams defense. They get no rest with the continual constant quick three and outs.

Cleveland - I think the Browns got it right by hiring someone within the division in Cincinnati OC Hugh Jackson. He will know what it takes to beat those teams. For his sake, I hope Jimmy Haslem stays out of his way. The Browns will never move forward changing coaches and quarterbacks every two years.

Moving on to the playoffs, I went 3-1 on my picks last week. Would have been 4-0 if not for the Blair Walsh FG miss. Here are my picks and I have a full breakdown on this week's podcast which is embedded below.

Kansas City at New England / Saturday 4:35 CBS - I think the case can be made that KC is playing the best of any team right now. New England has struggled down the stretch but they are dangerous and at home. That said, I like the Chiefs in this one.

Green Bay at Arizona / Saturday 8:15 NBC - Arizona blew out Green Bay just a few short weeks ago. The Packers will make it a better game this time, especially if they play a lot of no-huddle like last week vs. Washington. I still think Arizona wins because of their defense.

Seattle at Carolina / Sunday 1:00 FOX - Carolina won at Seattle early in the season and they will win again at home this time too in a game that will come down to wire.

Pittsburgh at Denver / Sunday 4:35 CBS - Pittsburgh will be without RB DeAngelo Williams and if they don't have WR Antonio Brwon and QB Ben Roethlisberger that is too much to overcome. Denver will also ride momentum of Peyton Manning being back under center to win this game.

Hope you enjoy this week's podcast!

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