*Please note that this video was recorded before Connor Cook was named the starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.
While the 49ers are off looking for a new general manager and head coach…again, 12 NFL teams are looking to Houston and Super Bowl 51. It all starts this weekend. Today, let’s talk AFC, including the team you guys wanted me to adopt – the Raiders! Bay Area Unite.
The Oakland Raiders are off to Houston to face the Texans. This one’s going to be a bit of a letdown.
- Instead of seeing MVP candidate and Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr, who was injured on Dec. 24 and out, it will be rookie Connor Cook for the Raiders. For the Texans, it will be quarterback bust Brock Osweiler. See what I mean about a letdown?
- Both defenses boast enviable pass rushers. Jadeveon Clowney is finally healthy and having a solid year with 40 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble. But the Raiders’ Khalil Mack has 11 sacks, 54 tackles and five forced fumbles. And he could very well be Defensive Player of the Year. Advantage Raiders.
- With the quarterback situation for both teams in flux, it will come down to defense. This one could go either way, but I’m going to give it to the Raiders because why not? I adopted them.
Let’s head to Pittsburgh for the Steelers vs. the Dolphins:
- The running backs will be the ones to watch in this one. The Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell is as dynamic as they come, with 1,268 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, and 616 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ Jay Ajayi has rushed for 200 yards or more three times this season, but has also been held to less than 80 yards 11 times. Clearly, the Pittsburgh defense needs to keep him to the latter.
- Adam Gase will be coaching his first playoff game and it looks like he’ll be doing it without quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Mike Tomlin is a playoff veteran so advantage Steelers, even though they’ve only won one playoff game in the last five years.
- Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and home field advantage. It’s a lot colder in Pittsburgh than it is in Miami. I’m giving the Steelers the win.
Good luck this weekend gentleman! Go Raiders?
And be sure to check back for my NFC Playoff preview tomorrow!
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