Midwest Sports

Both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots have great defenses. Seattle gave up a league best 17.2 points per game while New England gave up 18.8 points per game. Seattle had 47 sacks and New England had 48 sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, Seattle is led by Sam Darnold who throws to Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Rashid Shaheed. Seattle lost star runningback, Zach Charbonnet to injury, but Kenneth Walker has played well in his absence. Darnold had over 4,000 yards, 25 touchdowns, and a 67.7 completion percentage. During the playoffs Darnold has 4 touchdowns to zero interceptions. Seattle's offense is 8 of 11 in the redzone in their two playoff games. New England is led by second year quarterback Drake Maye who came up just shy of winning the league MVP. Maye threw for almost 4,400 yards, 31 touchdowns, and a 72 completion percentage. However, in the Patriots' three playoff games Maye only has 4 touchdowns,  2 interceptions, 3...

JJ McCarthy's first ten games started look very similar to Christian Ponder's first ten games. Ponder: 54.3% completion percentage, 1,853 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and was sacked 30 times. Record 2-8 McCarthy: 57.6% completion percentage, 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and was sacked 27 times. Record 6-4 Minnesota needs to figure out who their starting quarterback will be because the rest of the roster is ready now. Go get Joe Burrow. 

The Green Bay Packers ended the year on a five game losing streak and blowing the biggest playoff lead since Tom Brady and the Patriots came back against the Falcons in the Superbowl being down 28-3. And they lost in the playoffs to their division rival Chicago Bears.  Backup quarterback, Malik Willis is a free agent. As a starter the past two seasons he was 2-1, throwing 6 touchdowns, and rushing for 3 more. He completed 78.7% of his passes. He'll get paid from someone. Backup runningback, Emanuel Wilson is also a free agent. He was the only Packer runningback to rush for over a 100 yards in a game this past season (Josh Jacobs did not have a 100 yard rushing game - I know I was shocked when I read that too).  Other notable free agents is linebacker, Quay Walker, wideout, Romeo Dobbs, and left tackle, Rasheed Walker.  Who will stay and who will go? It is noted that first round pick Matthew Golden did not have a touchdown during his rookie season so maybe the Packers keep...

Who the heck is going to be the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings in 2026? You hear rumors and read articles that state many different names like trading for Mac Jones, Lamar Jackson, Tua Tagovailoa, or Kyler Murray. Or possibly signing Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, Aaron Rodgers, or Marcus Mariota.  The biggest rumor you've probably heard about is the Vikings going on in for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. The rumored offer has the Vikings sending JJ McCarthy, Jonathon Greenard, three first round picks, and a second round pick for Burrow.  Would the Bengals accept that offer? If they do, the Vikings need to jump on that trade fast. Joe Burrow dragged the Bengals to the Superbowl a few years ago. Imagine him playing with Kevin O'Connell calling plays, throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, with Brian Flores' defense?

Why didn't you kick a field goal?! Ben Johnson opted to go for it on 4th and goal twice in the game against the Rams instead of kicking field goals. Chicago fans were frustrated and I'm sure it will keep Ben Johnson up at night for a little while. The Chicago Bears made a big jump from last year to this year though earning the two seed and winning the NFC North. Their main priority last offseason was to bulk up the offensive line and it paid off. They produced three pro bowlers in Joe Thuney (LG), Darnell Wright (RT), and Drew Dalman (C). The offensive line only let Caleb Williams get sacked 24 times over the course of the season. They can build on this season going into next year, sign some key free agents (maybe a true number one wide out), and hit on draft picks. They are still going to be in one of the best divisions in the NFL, but they proved they can hang with the best of teams.

Sam Darnold was drafted by the New York Jets with the third pick in the 2018 draft. Unfortunately for Darnold he was drafted by the Jets where players' and coaches' careers go to die. Darnold's record for those three seasons was 13-25. In 2021 and 2022 he played for the Carolina Panthers, but coaching turnovers most likely played a role in Darnold's regression.  In 2023 Darnold backed up Brock Purdy with the 49ers. He was then signed to a one year deal to compete with then rookie JJ McCarthy for the starting quarterback position in 2024 with the Vikings, but McCarthy got hurt in the preseason so Darnold got the start.  Darnold threw for 35 touchdowns and 4,319 yards leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record. Unfortunately he lost in the wild card round. Darnold's four losses that year (including the playoffs) were against the Lions and Rams. The Vikings decided to roll the dice with McCarthy and let Darnold walk. In 2025 Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks where...

Patrick Mahomes has a 17-4 postseason record. He has helped the Chiefs make the playoffs 7 of his 8 years in Kansas City (2018 - 2024).  He has played in 7 AFC championship games (winning 5 of them). He played in 5 Superbowls and won 3 of them. The Kansas City Chiefs will be fine. They'll figure out the cap (projected to be over the cap limit for next year). The Chiefs need to bolster up the defensive line and the secondary. They should look to add a wide out.  Can you name the quarterbacks Mahomes has lost to in the playoffs?

Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase are two of the top wide receivers (might be the best two) in the NFL. Vikings and Bengals fans have argued who is better.  Justin Jefferson career stats:  94 games played, 579 receptions, 8,480 yards, and 42 touchdowns. Jefferson was Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, has two All Pro seasons, and two second team All Pro seasons. Ja'Marr Chase career stats:  78 games played, 520 receptions, 6,837 yards, and 54 touchdowns. Chase was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, has two All Pro seasons, and one second All Pro season.  Jefferson averages 90.2 yards/game and 96.5 catches/year. Chase averages 87.6 yards/game and 104 catches/year. Both of these wide outs are damn good. Justin Jefferson has had Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall, Sean Mannion, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer, and JJ McCarthy throwing him the ball. While Chase has primarily had Joe Burrow throwing him the ball. Chase had Jake Browning and J...