JACOB WALTERS
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • About
  • The Blog
  • Product
  • Contact

Bold Predictions for Next Season

1/31/2019

0 Comments

 
With the NFL season coming to a close after Super Bowl 53, I thought I'd lay down some bold takes for next season. I have a feeling that most of these won't come true, but one can hope, right?
  1. The Cleveland Browns Will Win the AFC North: Yes, THOSE Cleveland Browns. I wished they would've hired interim head coach Gregg Williams as their new coach since the team rallied around him and Baker Mayfield. But Freddie Kitchens doesn't seem like a bad pick for head coach. Anyway, the Browns have Mayfield under center (finally, a franchise quarterback for Cleveland!), an up-and-coming defense anchored by Myles Garrett, and tons of swagger after last season's late run. Plus, the Bengals are a dud, the Steelers seem to be headed for some turmoil, and the Ravens got in despite not having the best offense. Cleveland can make a run for the AFC North if they get a few missing pieces filled and they build off last season's run.
  2. The Indianapolis Colts Will Make the AFC Championship: Like Cleveland, the Colts have an up-and-coming defense led by the NFL's leading tackler, Darius Leonard (164 total tackles). Offensively, Andrew Luck saw the number of sacks he took cut drastically, going from 41 in 2017 to just 18 in 2018. With a newfound offensive line protecting Luck and lots of cap room, the Colts will make their way to the AFC Championship next year.
  3. Daa Bears Will Make the NFC Championship: If Cody Parkey had not missed a late fourth quarter field goal against Philadelphia in the wild card round, the Chicago Bears would've possibly made a deep run in the playoffs. The defense resembles the 1985 Bears that won it all and Mitchell Trubisky is making Bears fans forget about Jay Cutler (thank goodness). If the Bears can secure a tight end and another receiver in an NFC North division that is experiencing some turmoil right now, the Bears may have Chicago fans thinking about a Super Bowl Shuffle redux.
  4. The 49ers Will Barely Miss Out On the Playoffs: Yes, the Niners were devastated by injuries last season. The Niners may have found one of the better tight ends in the game in George Kittle. But I'm not sold on San Francisco making the playoffs... yet. The defense only mustered seven turnovers last season and the secondary is still pretty young sans Richard Sherman. There's also the NFC West, which has the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams and a resurgent Seattle Seahawks team. If the Niners can snag a big-time receiver (looking at you, Antonio Brown) and can draft wisely on defense, the Niners could make this prediction look silly come next January.
0 Comments

Jaguars' Off-Season Checklist

1/29/2019

0 Comments

 
A year after making the AFC Championship game, Jacksonville petered out to a 5-11 record, good for last in the AFC South. What can the Jaguars do to get back to the AFC Championship game and beyond?
  • Find a New Quarterback (not done): This is becoming a regular thing with these bottom teams, not having a proper signal-caller. However, Blake Bortles took a turn for the worst, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. There are plenty of teams that need a quarterback as well, so Jacksonville will have to remain steadfast on getting their guy.
  • See What Jalen Ramsey Can Fetch (not done): Ramsey has been an outspoken figure for much of the season, clamoring about quarterbacks such as Josh Allen. Ramsey has also been at the center of trade talks. Jacksonville should look into what they can get for Ramsey and set a good price for him. At least two draft picks will suffice.
  • Make Sure Leonard Fournette is Healthy (not done yet): Fournette was out for a good chunk of this season with injuries. He is a fairly big running back and the Jaguars are hoping he'll recapture his rookie magic. If Fournette is injured again, the Jaguars should try to stockpile talent at the running back position.
Picture
0 Comments

Rams vs. Patriots: Tecmo Super Bowl 1991 Edition

1/29/2019

0 Comments

 
The Super Bowl is this Sunday. That will mean a half hour dedicated to drawn-out ceremonies, a national anthem, and lengthy player introductions. It's become a regular motif for big sports events, but that's beside the point. We're here to talk about these two teams:
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Giants' Off-Season Checklist

1/28/2019

0 Comments

 
The rebuilding New York Giants may have finished 5-11 this year. However, they have found another exciting player on offense. What do they need to do to continue moving forward?
  • Find a New Franchise Quarterback (not done): The Giants actually had a chance to obtain a quarterback in last year's quarterback-laden NFL Draft, but got an offensive stud in running back Saquon Barkley instead. Eli Manning's (possibly) out the door, so the Giants need a new face. They can try for Dwayne Haskins in the NFL Draft this year or they can take a risky flyer on Nick Foles in free agency.
  • Rebuild the Defense (not done): The defense, particularly the corners, was a huge hindrance for the Giants. Granted, much of the defense is young and still needs to develop. But a staple of championship Giants teams has been a strong front seven, namely a stable defensive line.
  • Get Another Playmaker for the Giants (not done): The potential new Giants quarterback (and Odell Beckham Jr., to a degree) would greatly appreciate getting another wide receiver, namely a number two wide receiver. The Giants will need a receiver that has solid breakaway speed as the offense continues to blossom.
  • Offensive Line Help is Needed (not done): The Giants were also notorious for having subpar blocking. Ereck Flowers was cut from the team not too long ago and Eli Manning was sacked a career-high 47 times this season. In order to have a scary offense, the Giants must draft offensive linemen in the later rounds of the draft.
Picture
0 Comments

What is the Super Bowl?

1/26/2019

0 Comments

 
Every year, millions of Americans get ready for one date and, no, it is not Christmas or Thanksgiving. It's the Super Bowl. This big event is celebrated with lots of food, a marquee halftime performance, and two of the best teams in the NFL. Here's a lowdown on what this big event is about for non-NFL fans.
  • What is the Super Bowl? It is a match-up of two of the best teams in the NFL. The AFC champion takes on the NFC champion in a winner-take-all game.
  • Who is Playing This Year? The New England Patriots will represent the AFC, while the Los Angeles Rams will represent the NFC.
  • Who is the Halftime Show? Maroon 5 is the headliner with Travis Scott and Big Boi joining them on stage.
  • Who are Some People You Need to Know? For the Patriots, it is the quarterback Tom Brady. The legendary quarterback tries to win his sixth Super Bowl title in his career. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is another name to get familiar with along with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. For the Rams, get familiar with their head coach, Sean McVay. McVay is the youngest head coach in the NFL today and one of the youngest to coach in the Super Bowl. Also get familiar with Rams running back Todd Gurley and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
  • How Much is Spent on the Super Bowl? Last year, consumers spent $15.3 billion on the Super Bowl match-up between the Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. This was an 8.5% increase from $14.1 billion in 2017.
  • What is Consumed During the Super Bowl? Chicken wings, pizza, chips, nachos, and alcoholic beverages are regularly consumed during the Super Bowl. Other items include shrimp, vegetable platters, fruit platters, and soda drinks.
Picture
0 Comments

Teams That Are Likely to Make the Super Bowl Next Year

1/25/2019

0 Comments

 
The Super Bowl match-up for this year may be set in stone. However, that does not mean that the following teams can't sulk with a bright future ahead. Which teams can make the Super Bowl next season with the right moves?
  • Indianapolis Colts: Armed with the most cap room in the NFL and a young, rising defense led by Darius Leonard, the Colts are heading in the right direction. Andrew Luck also has protection (finally!) and just needs a number two receiver alongside T.Y. Hilton to make his team a Super Bowl threat.
  • Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs may need to find some help defensively. However, the Chiefs also have one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes and one of the better receiving groups in the NFL. They will have to hope that Damien Williams will be better with Spencer Ware leaving for free agency this off-season.
  • Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott won me over as a postseason quarterback this postseason, showing his ability to single-handedly keep his team in games. If the Cowboys can get another receiver or find Prescott a tight end, the Cowboys could be bringing Dallas to the glory days of the '90s.
  • Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks regained their identity as a running team, becoming the top rushing team in the NFL (2,560 total rushing yards). Chris Carson was a major catalyst along with the fact that the Seahawks rarely turned the ball over. Seattle will have plenty of cap space to add a receiver or two in the off-season (they can also draft one).
There are other teams to consider such as the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Chargers. In any case, keep an eye on these teams next year in their pursuit of the Super Bowl.
0 Comments

Getting to Know the Patriots

1/24/2019

0 Comments

 
On the other side in the Super Bowl are... the New England Patriots. The Patriots made their third straight Super Bowl behind the likes of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Here's what you need to know about the New England Patriots.
  • How Did They Get Here? It was business as usual, with the Patriots finishing 11-5 and atop the AFC East. The Patriots rocked the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round, 41-28, and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, 37-31, in overtime.
  • What Are They Known For? Tom Brady. Bill Belichick. Rob Gronkowski. Winning. Deflategate. Spygate. Winning. 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl 51. Upsetting the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Being the AFC East champions year in and year out. Julian Edelman. Anonymous receivers that come out of nowhere. The Patriot Way.
  • Who's Their Secret Weapon? You know about Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. But have you heard about Sony Michel? The Patriots rookie has 242 rushing yards, five touchdowns, 14 first downs, and 4.6 yards per carry on 53 carries this postseason. Belichick will want to run Michel as much as possible in the Super Bowl to open the game up more for Brady.
  • What Should Patriots Fans Be Worried About? The Rams' defensive line is large and fearsome. Coached by defensive coordinator/defensive guru Wade Phillips, the Rams have both Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh up front. Belichick will have to be careful with what he does here, for double-teaming one player will mean another will have an easier time getting to Brady. Sean McVay will also test the Patriots defensively with a diverse offensive playbook.
  • What Do the Patriots Need to Do to Win? Let Tom Brady be Tom Brady. No. 12 has been on this stage numerous times and the Patriots have the edge in experience over the Rams. As long as the Rams don't generate too much pressure on Brady, the Patriots will get ring number six in Atlanta.
Picture
0 Comments

Nostalgia Game Review: Castlevania

1/23/2019

0 Comments

 
In this installment of Nostalgia Game Review, I'm going to review another game in a series I've never tried before: Castlevania. It takes Simon Belmont on a journey to abolish Dracula and his castle for good. Along the way, he collects sub-weapons and fights monsters such as Frankenstein, mummies, and Medusa. Simon also collects hearts to fuel his sub-weapons and wall meat (you read that right) to fuel his health.

The premiere game of the series was quite fun, packing a variety of sub-weapons to use and enemies to fight. They range from a cross that acts as a boomerang to holy water that can stun enemies and bosses (it is very helpful in this game). The game is also challenging, which is a hallmark among Konami games. This is especially true when you get to Dracula himself and his second form. The game will truly test everything you got, leaving you cussing like a sailor. The gothic feel of this game gives it that perfect feel of classical horror, which is apparent in the boss music.

There are some gripes that I have with this game. One, there are certain things you can't do in this game (which has been mentioned in the Nintendo Life review of Castlevania). For example, you can only whip from the front and you can only climb up the stairs by pressing up. Granted, that isn't a bad thing in some cases. However, not pressing up to climb the stairs can lead you to aimlessly wander off the ledge to your death. You also cannot change your jump in mid-air. Once you have made your jump, you're committed to that jump. That can be problematic, especially when you're in a heated boss fight. This is also true for the controls, which can stick at times.

Overall, the game is a great challenge to try. You may have a few problems with the mechanics of the game and the insane difficulty. However, don't let that deter you from giving Castlevania a go!
0 Comments

Getting to Know the Rams

1/23/2019

0 Comments

 
The Super Bowl 53 match-up is set, so now it's time to get to know the teams. Let's start off with the Los Angeles Rams, a team that's fresh off a move from St. Louis and is now on the biggest stage of them all.
  • How Did the Rams Get Here? The Rams won the NFC West, finishing with a 13-3 record. The Rams got a first-round bye, defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round, 30-22, and proceeded to defeat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game, 23-20, in overtime.
  • What Are They Known For? Having one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL, the Rams saw their playbook open up under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams were second in the NFL in offensive efficiency (24.6%) this season, combining a loaded group of receivers with a potent running game and a stout offensive line. The Rams were also the best rushing team in terms of rushing efficiency (22.1%), anchored by Todd Gurley and, most recently, C.J. Anderson.
  • Who's the Rams' Secret Weapon? Punters are rarely heralded in the NFL, but there is one that just may be better than Ray Guy. Johnny Hekker. The Rams punter averaged 46.3 yards per punt, with 21 of his punts going inside the 20-yard line. Hekker also had a mere two touchbacks during the season and had none of his punts blocked. He also has a bit of an arm: Hekker is 11 for 19 in his career, throwing for 156 yards and a touchdown. Hekker will be a key to making sure Tom Brady doesn't do a whole lot of damage against the Rams.
  • What Should Rams Fans Be Concerned About? The lack of experience in playoff games, especially in the Super Bowl, will be of concern for the Rams. Will Jared Goff crack under the pressure? Will Todd Gurley actually show up? Bill Belichick will also want to run the ball as much as possible, which may be a concern for Los Angeles's front seven.
  • What Do the Rams Need to Do to Win? The Rams must be careful not to turn the ball over. It is important for Los Angeles to not give Tom Brady a whole lot of touches, which means clock management will be of the essence. C.J. Anderson will also be an important player, especially if Todd Gurley is not playing. Sean McVay must diversify his play-calling and not fall into a complacent set.
Picture
0 Comments

Jets' Off-Season Checklist

1/22/2019

0 Comments

 
The Jets had yet another Jets-y season, finishing last in the AFC East and going 4-12. They have yet another new quarterback under center, but their team is still dysfunctional. What should the Jets do to actually take a step forward?
  • Get a New Head Coach (done): Todd Bowles went out the door in favor of... Adam Gase. Gase had a 5-1 record against the Jets as the Dolphins head coach, but should that be the reason a team hires a head coach? Gase has a 23-25 record as a head coach, including a postseason appearance for Miami.
  • Fix the Offense (partially done): Gase has been heralded in some circles as the "quarterback whisperer". His work with Sam Darnold will be imperative to the future success of the New York Jets. The Jets ranked 29th in total offense this year with 4,787 total yards. Gase will have to overhaul the offense if the Jets are to have success in the future. Another thing to keep note of: the Jets have $15,680,205 in cap space, so they'll have to hit their mark in free agency.
  • Just Get It Together (definitely not done): Seriously, Woody Johnson. Get your shit together and put a winning team on the field.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous

    About Me

    My life! Food, sports, school. It's what it is!

    Categories

    All
    Gaming

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • About
  • The Blog
  • Product
  • Contact