Superbowl LIV Prediction

The NFL season is coming to a close. Superbowl 54 is just 1 weeks away. The top NFC defense San Fransisco 49ers are set to be the home team in Miami vs the the high flying Kansas City chiefs offense. With all championship games the story lines are abundant. 49ers have the aging top corner Richard Sherman's remarkable comeback after an achiles tear that was thought to have derailed his career just 2 years ago. A former backup to Tom Brady, Jimmy Garropollo getting his own chance to win his own ring and a head coach who can earn a Superbowl victory just like his father. The Cheifs have a pheonom Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, trying to follow up an mvp season that came just short of the big game with a season ending in victory. The Head coach who is arguably the best to never win a superbowl can finally get that monkey off his back. A victory for the Cheifs would mark 50 years since their only championship in Superbowl 4. What a way for the 100th season to end with that symetry.

It'll come down to experience. The Niners have the edge with Kyle Shanahan, Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Sanders and Jimmy Garropollo all having superbowl experience. All of whom were vicrotious aside from Shanahan. A big factor in achieving success in the Superbowl is managing all of the distractions that come with Superbowl week. The media frenzy and the many requests from family and friends to hook them up with tickets are mentally exhausting for players. Those who have been there before know what to expect and have a better chance of managing. Andy Reid has lost a Superbowl as the head coach of the Eagles. Another person with experience is Terrell Suggs who won eith the Ravens in superbowl 47.

The 49ers not only have a great defense but their offense is very good. Their Run game against a medicro Cheifs run defense should be the decided not only by running but with play action as well. Raheem Mostart romminated the Packers in the NFC championship so the Cheifs will have that in mind when game planning. Shannahan is a great offensive mind and he'll use this as an advantage in the passing game. Look for the Niners to win and don't be surprised when Emmanuel Sanders wins mvp. Kittle is going to command alot of attention and Deebo Samuel has been balling out. Sabders has been quiet lately but hes a big game player and he's been there before. Sanders is a free agent this offseason so you better believe he's gonna put on a showcase for any teams interested in him. 

More than a Game

It wont come as a shock to most of you when I say sports are my passion. They have been the constant in my life that has gotten me through the good times and the bad. On the other hand I know that many people find them stupid or pointless and I respect their opinions but I also think they just havent seen sports in a similar light as I have.  

Sports serve many purposes. They are great methods of exercise and help athletes live healthy lifestyles. They give people a sense of confidence that they may not have had prior to playing sports. They serve as a way to socialize. Most importantly they can help us through very difficult tikes in our lives. 

I used to be a very shy person. Having conversations with people i didnt know very well was nearly an impossible task. Funny enough though as soon as sports were mentioned I broke out of that shell and talked about sports with anyone and everyone as if I knew them well. Just the topic of sports brightened up my mood and gave me the confidence to talk. When I would have alot on my mind and life got tough I turned to sports. Whether it was going for a run to shooting hoops on the court or kicking a rugby ball, sports helped me clear my mind everytime.  

The world has turned to sports in times of conflict. In South Africa the Rugby World cup served as a way to unite the nation when Apparteid had the country divided. 
The Saints first game back after Hurricane Katrina electrified the city that was underwater just months before. The Red Sox rallied around the city of Boston amd won the World Series after the Marathon Bombing. Mike Piazza hit a homerun in New York after the 9/11 tragidies. The lost goes on and on. Sports have the ability to change the moods of a large group of people and help them take a step back from whatever adversity they are facing and just relax and enjoy the entertainment they feel so passionately about.  

Athletes like many celbrities have the power to make someones day with just a simple act. Whats just a few seconds of their time can make someones world a whole lot brighter. Theres something about feel good sports stories that hits me on an emotional level more than any other subject does. I think this video gives a brief glimpse of why sports are amazing. 

Attached is a video of a Little boy named Josiah Vierra who inspired me. He was just a little kid faced with a 1 and a million challenge who just wanted to do was play baseball. 

https://youtu.be/IffZ2UyofZA

Where in the World will Tom Brady Go

The Patriots season is over after falling short to the "Patriots of the South" the Tennesee Titans Saturday Night. The Titans lead by a bruising running attack from Derrick Henry ran through the Patriots top ranked defense like the koolaid man bursts through a wall. This wasnt just a loss to end the season it was a loss that had made everyone question if the 20 year dynasty is over. 

Tom Brady is a free agent for the first time in his first ballot hall of fame career and many think he will depart foxboro and play for another team. This idea has been building all season long since Brady negotiated his contract to void following the 2019 season and did not allow the Patriots to franchise tag him. So what teams are possibilities for Brady to play for? 

Well the list is not as long as you'd think. Alot of factors come into play. First and foremost does Brady think he can win a chamionship. This is huge. The Patriots have been superbowl contender ever since Bradys first year as a starter. Brady has never had a losing season as a starter. He's not going to go to a team that has a losing culture. That takes out Miami who many have rumored him being interested in. 

He needs to trust his offensive line. This rules out the LA Chargers. They couldnt protect Philip Rivers all season long. Rivers rarely had the time needed to throw which resulted in him rushing his decisions and turning the ball over in crunch time. 

He has to get along with the coach. This rules out the Los Vegas Rams. I just don't see Brady and Jon Grudens personalities meshing. 

Jerry Jones interfering with football operations in Dallas is the only reason Brady needs to avoid Dallas. 

Bradys going to asses all his options and feel the love that free agents get he'll feel appreciated and leverage the Patriots for a 2 or 3 year contract. He's going to finish out his career as a Patriot and he and Belichick will continue to chase that elusive 7th ring. 

If you think he's going to retire now after his final throw was a pick six then you clearly don't know Thomas Edward Patrick Brady. He's just too much a competator to go out like that. 

On a related note don't be surprised if Phillip Rivers plays for Tampa Bay next season.