I ended up splitting last Saturday, as the Eagles soared above me for a bumpy 15-10 flight over the Falcons, while the Patriots nearly nailed my projected score, winning 35-14 when I predicted 34-17.
My sincere apologies to Fro Fan Club co-founder Doug Muhlbauer for failing to post my Sunday predictions. I received some disparaging texts about that, and rightfully so. Someone has to hold me accountable.
It was another 1-1 day, as Jacksonville covered easily and Stefon Diggs' Vikings fell short ATS by a half-point. Had Minnesota kicked the extra point following Diggs' instantly classic, game-winning touchdown catch and run, Johnny Fro Sports would have finished with another 3-1 weekend.
But, the final score is all that matters, bringing us to an overall postseason record of 5-3. One more thing, before I move on to my Conference Finals predictions...
Did anyone else think Julio Jones should have come down with that final throw from Matt Ryan? I think, if you are a world-class, undisputed superstar, that you absolutely need to make that play. Atlanta's season was on the line. Two successful years of work were on the line. The quest for Super Bowl revenge came down to one, single moment.
It was a stunningly horrific playcall by OC Steve Sarkisian -- why would you limit yourselves to one side of the field by rolling everyone out to the right? -- proving once again that the 2017-18 Atlanta Falcons dearly missed departed OC Kyle Shanahan, who is now reaping the benefits of "The Greek God" Jimmy Garoppolo as the head coach of the 49ers.
I have to think Shanahan would have kept the entire field open there. Personally, in that position, I like to spread out 4-wide with one back directly behind the quarterback. Preferably Julio and Taylor Gabriel inside, looking for one-on-one matchups where they can rely upon their superior athletic gifts to get free, with Mohamed Sanu and Austin Hooper as decoy fade options on the outside.
The 2013 Denver Broncos had the deadliest and most efficient redzone offense I've ever seen, and they used that exact formation all the time in those make-or-break situations. More often than not, Peyton Manning would read the opposing defense at the line, then decide to audible the pass-first play to an inside handoff. Knowshon Moreno, who has since fallen off the face of the earth, had TEN touchdowns that season. Montee Ball, a massive bust who is also out of the league, had four rushing TDs that year. Two NFL castaways thrived in that system; particularly in that formation inside the redzone.
So, I would have spread them out, put the ball in Matty Ice's hands, and let him decide whether or not to hand the rock off to Devonta Freeman, who is a superb redzone rusher. Instead, Sarkisian called for a roll to the right, which increased the play's predictability, tightened throwing windows and eradicated spacing between eligible receivers. He definitely deserves blame, along with head coach Dan Quinn.
And yet, in spite of all that, Ryan did an excellent job extending the broken play and giving his team a clear opportunity for the win. He placed the throw perfectly. All Julio Jones had to do was jump up and catch it. Instead, it literally went right between his hands.
If you want to win a Super Bowl, those are the types of plays your superstars have to make along the way.
Date, Time and Network: Sunday, January 21, at 3:05 p.m. on CBS
Lines and Movement: The Patriots have dropped from -9.5 to -7 (on some sites)
Public Percentage: 61% on the Patriots
These Jags are a feel-good story, aren't they?
From a rooting perspective, I feel like everybody is ridin' into Conference Finals weekend on Jacksonville's bandwagon. And why not? Aren't most of us sick of watching the Patriots do the same ol' thing, over and over?
It's time for a change. Unfortunately, I don't think it's coming.
The particulars indicate that Doug Marrone's jubilant Jags probably should cover ATS, but let's get real here...is there any way in the world the NFL would allow a Jaguars-Vikings Super Bowl? How about Jacksonville v. Philadelphia? Would anyone watch that other than Jags and Eagles fans? Blake Bortles against Nick Foles?
Talk about a marketing nightmare. The NFL needs the Pats in the Super Bowl, and trust me, they know it.
And this Tom Brady storyline is really cracking me up. R.J. Bell, Vegas' modern-day Jimmy The Greek, wrote that "multiple private sources" told him that Brady's injury is worse than everyone thinks. Hmm...well if there are leaks...they had to come from somewhere within the Patriots' organization, right?
The New England Patriots are the masters of gamesmanship. Would you put it past Bill Belichick to leak some disinformation, hoping the Jaguars will subconsciously relax a bit, believing Brady will be a shell of himself? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised; and psychologically, it makes sense.
In the end, even though the indicators suggest Jacksonville, I just can't do it. The Patriots are the better, more experienced, more polished team, and the refs will undoubtedly be on their side.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Patriots 31, Jaguars 20 **
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
These Jags are a feel-good story, aren't they?
From a rooting perspective, I feel like everybody is ridin' into Conference Finals weekend on Jacksonville's bandwagon. And why not? Aren't most of us sick of watching the Patriots do the same ol' thing, over and over?
It's time for a change. Unfortunately, I don't think it's coming.
The particulars indicate that Doug Marrone's jubilant Jags probably should cover ATS, but let's get real here...is there any way in the world the NFL would allow a Jaguars-Vikings Super Bowl? How about Jacksonville v. Philadelphia? Would anyone watch that other than Jags and Eagles fans? Blake Bortles against Nick Foles?
Talk about a marketing nightmare. The NFL needs the Pats in the Super Bowl, and trust me, they know it.
And this Tom Brady storyline is really cracking me up. R.J. Bell, Vegas' modern-day Jimmy The Greek, wrote that "multiple private sources" told him that Brady's injury is worse than everyone thinks. Hmm...well if there are leaks...they had to come from somewhere within the Patriots' organization, right?
The New England Patriots are the masters of gamesmanship. Would you put it past Bill Belichick to leak some disinformation, hoping the Jaguars will subconsciously relax a bit, believing Brady will be a shell of himself? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised; and psychologically, it makes sense.
In the end, even though the indicators suggest Jacksonville, I just can't do it. The Patriots are the better, more experienced, more polished team, and the refs will undoubtedly be on their side.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Patriots 31, Jaguars 20 **
Date, Time and Network: Sunday, January 21, at 6:40 p.m. on FOX
Lines and Movement: The Vikings have dropped from -3.5 to -3 (on some sites)
Public Percentage: 54% on the Vikings
As I discussed with my knowledgeable buddy Ernest "E-Sharp" Lindain, the "right" play here is screaming EAGLES. People have the Vikings fresh on their minds after their ridiculously improbable comeback victory over Drew Brees and the Saints, and the Eagles are about as unsexy a pick as they come without Carson Wentz. Their game was boring against the Falcons, while the Vikes took part in an all-time great.
I know the Eagles are the right play, but I just can't bring myself to endorse that pick. Since Wentz went down and Nick Foles took over, the Vikings have been the premier all-around team in the NFC. Like Philly, they have an excellent D, and their offense is running nicely with Case Keenum spreading the ball around -- through the air and/or handoffs -- to Adam Thielen, Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray, among others.
Match-up wise, I think the Eagles are going to have an extremely difficult time putting up points against Mike Zimmer's talented and relentless defense. Philly struggled against Atlanta's less-intimidating D, and I have more faith in Minnesota's offensive skill players than Philly's right now.
I know the Eagles are the right pick, but in the end, I can't actually see them covering ATS. I have to go with my pure football instincts on this one.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Vikings 23, Eagles 16 **
As I discussed with my knowledgeable buddy Ernest "E-Sharp" Lindain, the "right" play here is screaming EAGLES. People have the Vikings fresh on their minds after their ridiculously improbable comeback victory over Drew Brees and the Saints, and the Eagles are about as unsexy a pick as they come without Carson Wentz. Their game was boring against the Falcons, while the Vikes took part in an all-time great.
I know the Eagles are the right play, but I just can't bring myself to endorse that pick. Since Wentz went down and Nick Foles took over, the Vikings have been the premier all-around team in the NFC. Like Philly, they have an excellent D, and their offense is running nicely with Case Keenum spreading the ball around -- through the air and/or handoffs -- to Adam Thielen, Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray, among others.
Match-up wise, I think the Eagles are going to have an extremely difficult time putting up points against Mike Zimmer's talented and relentless defense. Philly struggled against Atlanta's less-intimidating D, and I have more faith in Minnesota's offensive skill players than Philly's right now.
I know the Eagles are the right pick, but in the end, I can't actually see them covering ATS. I have to go with my pure football instincts on this one.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Vikings 23, Eagles 16 **
A Patriots-Vikings Super Bowl would also be the easiest to market for the NFL. It would probably draw comparisons to the Patriots-Seahawks SB -- which was very successful -- minus the star power of Russell Wilson. I'm sure Stefon Diggs wouldn't mind stepping into that role for the Vikes. You saw him hamming it up after his life-changing play, and rightfully so.
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