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MLB 2020 Playoff Predictions

9/28/2020

 
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This MLB season has already been one of the craziest seasons in recent memory. One week after the season started, there were so many COVID cases that commissioner Rob Manfred threatened to end the season. But the game went on, and with this year's format of 16 playoff teams because of the shortened 60 game season, this postseason will probably be even more wild. 

American League:

Wild Card                                                               


1. Tampa Bay Rays 2                    ALDS
8. Toronto Blue Jays 0
                                                 1. Tampa Bay Rays 3
                                                 5. New York Yankees 2

4. Cleveland Indians 1       
5. New York Yankees 2                                                               ALCS
                                                                                                      
                                                                                              1. Tampa Bay Rays 4                                                        
                                                                                              2. Oakland A's 2

3. Minnesota Twins 2
6. Houston Astros 0

                                            2. Oakland A's 3
                                            3. Minnesota Twins 1

2. Oakland A's 2
7. Chicago White Sox 1

                                                                                                                                                 World Series
                                                                                                                                            
1. Los Angeles Dodgers 4
                                                                                                                                            1. Tampa Bay Rays 2

National League:

Wild Card

1. Los Angeles Dodgers 2                NLDS
8. Milwaukee Brewers 0
                                                   1. Los Angeles Dodgers 3   
                                                   4. San Diego Padres 0

4. San Diego Padres 2                                                                          NLCS
5. St. Louis Cardinals 1
                                                                                                 1. Los Angeles Dodgers 4
                                                                                                 2. Atlanta Braves 1

3. Chicago Cubs 2
6. Miami Marlins 0
                                                   2. Atlanta Braves 3
                                                   3. Chicago Cubs 2

2. Atlanta Braves 2
7. Cincinnati Reds 0

Why the Jets Should Fire Adam Gase

9/25/2020

 
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The New York Jets have been abysmal in their first two games. They look unprepared, make no adjustments, and should be embarrassed at this point. At the center of this atrocity, is head coach Adam Gase. Dubbed a "brilliant offensive mind", he hasn't lived up to that title and should be fired at some point between now or the end of the season. 

1. Development of Sam Darnold
Gase was hired in the 2019 offseason to groom Sam Darnold into a franchise quarterback. It was an odd move at the time given his back to back non-playoff seasons with the Miami Dolphins. But after he was recommended by Peyton Manning and approved by Sam Darnold, there was hope that this was the coaching change the Jets needed. The team also added pieces around Darnold such as Le'Veon Bell, and there was lots of optimism for next season. Instead, Darnold got mono, which affected him in the first game and sidelined him for the next three games. The Jets got off to an 0-4 start, which had some people calling for Gase to be fired. But with a healthy Darnold, he showed promise, going 6-2 in the second half of the season while throwing for 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. There was still room for Darnold to improve, but Gase hasn't been using Darnold to his strengths. He never has him throw to reliable targets or roll outside of the pocket which is something that Darnold is good at. For us to see how Darnold really is, Gase has to go. 

2. Doing things his way
In addition, Gase only tries to win games his way. He's never willing to make adjustments on offense even if his game plan is failing. He also doesn't like to use his weapons. Bell came to the Jets as one of the league's best all-purpose running backs, but Gase always does basic and predictable run plays with Bell. He's also a good receiver out of the backfield, but Gase never has Darnold throw to him. When Bell does get targets, the Jets offense is clearly better, but that's very rare. Other notable weapons for Darnold are tight ends Chris Herndon IV and Ryan Griffin. Both players have established chemistry with Darnold during  his first two seasons and there was optimism that Gase would call the offensive plays with both of them on the field. They've instead had limited action with both of them not even combining for 10 receptions yet. The worst thing is that Gase has boasted about these players during training camp.

3. Lack of preparation
There have only been two games of the regular season so far, but there are times where Jets haven't looked prepared before games. Even though last year was promising, their lack of preparation was sometimes apparent dating back to last season when they gave the Dolphins and Bengals their first wins. This year, their unpreparedness is evident. In their opening game against the Buffalo Bills, the offense's first five possessions went nowhere, which included three straight 3 and outs along with an interception. Against the San Fransisco 49ers, they let Raheem Mostert score a touchdown on the opening play. At halftime in both games, they were down 21-3: not a good trend. Gase's own players are starting to note the team's lack of preparation in practices.

https://twitter.com/RichCimini/status/1308820311442370563?s=20

4. No accountability
After games in press conferences, Gase never holds himself accountable. He never regrets his horrible play calling, which has usually featured a bunch of dive plays on the ground and screen passes to backup wide receivers in the air. During halftime of the 49ers game, he blamed the entire first half on the defense. They didn't play a good first half without question, but Gase also should've held his play calling accountable as well. His press conferences were no different, stating "That s--t is no fun getting your ass beat." Shortly after he said, "If we execute the play called we'll be fine." That is simply not a good recipe for winning. Head coaches have to take responsibility just like the players, and Gase hasn't done that nor is there a reason to believe he will hold himself accountable at some point. 

https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/1308795979970248706?s=20

Last year, Gase showed a little promise going 6-2 in the second half of the season despite injuries to players such as C.J. Mosley and Darnold. This year's team has also been plagued with injuries as well as the departure of their best player Jamal Adams, but there are still no excuses. The 49ers didn't have any of their core players either, but they didn't use that as an excuse last Sunday. Gase on the other hand calls a soft game plan every week and then doesn't hold himself accountable. That's not a way to win games and for that, Gase has to go. 


NFL Playoff Predictions

9/8/2020

 
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Football is in a weird spot. Without a bubble for players and coaches to quarantine, there are expected to be a lot of bumps in this upcoming season. Teams have to be trusted by the NFL to follow the health and safety guidelines to avoid COVID related setbacks.


Given these unprecedented times, the playoffs will be more difficult to predict than ever. Especially with one of the notable changes during the offseason being the addition of one more playoff team to each conference. This not only leaves the door open for teams that have playoff ambitions, but only one team from each conference will get a first round bye among other ripple effects. Here are my playoff predictions, which will hopefully be more accurate than last year. 




AFC: 


Wildcard
#2 Ravens over #7 Texans 
#3 Titans over #6 Colts
#5 Steelers over #4 Bills 


Divisional Round
#1 Chiefs over #4 Steelers
#2 Ravens over #3 Titans


Championship Game
#1 Chiefs over #2 Ravens




NFC:


Wildcard
#2 49ers over #7 Falcons
#3 Eagles over #6 Seahawks
#4 Packers over #5 Buccaneers 


Divisional Round
#1 Saints over #4 Packers
#2 49ers over #3 Eagles


Championship Game
#1 Saints over #2 49ers 




Super Bowl: Saints over Chiefs

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