2018 NFL Playoff Picks (Plus, Who to Root For)

Who did I pick at the beginning of the season...let's check...Patriots v. Rams.

Okay, I'm not picking that now, but those teams would be my second selections in each conference.

AFC

Wild Card Round:  Colts over Texans
                               Chargers over Ravens

Divisional Round: Chiefs over Colts
                              Patriots over Chargers

AFC Title:             Chiefs over Patriots

In order of rooting preference:

1. Chargers - never won a SB and I like the idea of a Los Angeles team winning this year.
2. Chiefs - Mahomes is fun, that's a football loving city, they haven't won a SB in decades.
3. Colts- I like Luck
4. Texans - Watson/Hopkins is a fun watch, obviously the Texans have never won.
5. Ravens - they beat my Niners in the SB, so it'll be awhile before I want good things for them.
6. Patriots - I'd rather see the Cowboys win the Super Bowl.

NFC

Wild Card Round: Bears over Eagles
                              Seahawks over Cowboys

Divisional Round:  Saints over Seahawks
                                Rams over Bears

NFC Title:    Saints over Rams

Super Bowl 53: Chiefs over Saints

In order of rooting preference:

1. Rams - the LA Rams have never won, and a resurgence of interest in those 70s Rams teams would be good, despite the Rams/Niners rivalry
2. Bears - it drops off fast for me, I have zero, zero interest in any '85 Bears talk, I'd rather hear about any other team in NFL history.
3. Seahawks - Niners most recent blood rivals
4. Saints - I've never really been a Brees guy, not stoked about his winning a second chip.
5. Eagles - don't want to see back-to-back titles
6. Cowboys - because I'm a human person.

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round Two, Group 7)

Last group

24 of the best 32 teams in AL history are set.

7 Yankees

4 Orioles

3 Astros

3 A's

2 Red Sox
2 White Sox

1 Jays
1 Mariners

1 Tigers

Not yet represented - Cleveland; they'll get three shots at it in this group.  Baltimore gets a chance for their 5th team, the A's have two teams in this group, and one each from New York and Detroit.

7. 1954 Indians (lost WS)

v.

71. 1975 A's (lost ALCS)

Catcher: Hegan (33) v. Tenace (28) Winner: A's-Tenace

First Base: Glynn (28) v. Rudi (28) Winner: A's-Rudi

Second Base: Avila (30) v. Garner (26) Winner: Indians-Avila

Shortstop: Strickland (28) v. Campaneris (33) Winner: A's-Campaneris

Third Base: Rosen (30) v. Bando (31) Winner: Indians-Rosen

Left Field: Smith (26) v. Washington (20) Winner: A's-Washington

Center Field: Doby (30) v. North (27) Winner: Push

Right Field: Philley (34) v. Jackson (29) Winner: A's-Jackson

DH: Westlake (33) v. Williams (37) Winner: A's-Williams

SP1: Wynn (34) v. Blue (25) Winner: A's-Blue

SP2: Garcia (30) v. Holtzman (29) Winner: Indians-Garcia

SP3: Lemon (33) v. Bosman(31) Winner: Indians-Lemon

Closer: Narleski (25) v. Fingers (28) Winner: A's-Fingers

Team Offense: A's
Team Pitching: Indians

A's 10 Indians 6 - well, that happened - A's bats dominate, they get enough pitching points to move forward.  The '75 A's join the '74 A's in the next round while Cleveland's best hope to move forward is eliminated.

26. 1971 Orioles (lost WS)

v.

90. 2018 Indians (lost ALDS)

Catcher: Hendricks (30) v. Gomes (30) Winner: Orioles-Hendricks

First Base: Powell (29) v. Alonso (31) Winner: Orioles-Powell

Second Base: Johnson (28) v. Kipnis (31) Winner: Orioles-Johnson

Shortstop: Belanger (27) v. Lindor (24) Winner: Indians-Lindor

Third Base: Robinson (34) v. Ramirez (25) Winner: Indians-Ramirez

Left Field: Buford (34) v. Brantley (31) Winner: Orioles-Buford

Center Field: Blair (27) v. Allen (25) Winner: Orioles-Blair

Right Field: Robinson (35) v. Guyer (32) Winner: Orioles-Robinson

DH: Rettenmund (28) v. Encarnacion (35) Winner: Orioles-Rettenmund

SP1: Cuellar (34) v. Kluber (32) Winner: Indians-Kluber

SP2: Dobson (29) v. Clevinger (27) Winner: Indians-Clevinger

SP3: Palmer (25) v. Carrasco (31) Winner: Indians-Carrasco

Closer: Watt (30) v. Allen (29) Winner: Orioles-Watt

Team Offense: Orioles
Team Pitching: Indians

Orioles 10 Indians 7 - Baltimore's bats just punished the Tribe and the Orioles put their 5th team into the next round.  

10. 1909 A's (2nd in AL-no playoffs)

v.

55. 1920 Indians (World Champions)

Catcher: Thomas (28) v. O'Neill (28) Winner: Indians-O'Neill

First Base: Davis (35) v. Johnston (32) Winner: A's-Davis

Second Base: Collins (22) v. Wambsganss (26) Winner: A's-Collins

Shortstop: Barry (22) v. Chapman (29) Winner: Indians-Chapman

Third Base: Baker (23) v. Gardner (34) Winner: Indians-Baker

Left Field: Hartsel (35) v. Revere (27) Winner: A's-Hartsel

Center Field: Ganley (34) v. Speaker (32) Winner: Indians-Speaker

Right Field: Murphy (32) v. Smith (27) Winner: Push

SP1: Plank (33) v. Bagby (30) Winner: Indians-Bagby

SP2: Bender (25) v. Coveleski (30) Winner: Indians-Coveleski

SP3: Morgan (30) v. Caldwell (32) Winner: A's-Morgan

Closer: Dygert (24) v. Uhle (21) Winner: Push

Team Offense: Push
Team Pitching: Indians

Indians 8 A's 4 - another upset here in Group 7 allows Cleveland its first entrant into the Round of 32.

106. 1985 Yankees (2nd in AL East-no playoffs)

v.

87. 1961 Tigers (2nd in AL-no playoffs)

-let's finish group 7; either the 8th Yankee team or the 2nd Tigers squad moves forward.

Catcher: Wynegar (29) v. Brown (26) Winner: NYY-Wynegar

First Base: Mattingly (24) v. Cash (26) Winner: Det-Cash

Second Base: Randolph (30) v. Wood (24) Winner: NYY-Randolph

Shortstop: Meachem (24) v. Fernandez (29) Winner: NYY-Meachem

Third Base: Pagliarulo (25) v. Boros (24) Winner: NYY-Pagliarulo

Left Field: Griffey (35) v. Colavito (27) Winner: Det-Colavito

Center Field: Henderson (26) v. Bruton (35) Winner: NYY-Henderson

Right Field: Winfield (33) v. Kaline (26) Winner: Det-Kaline

DH: Baylor (36) v. Maxwell (34) Winner: NYY-Baylor

SP1: Guidry (34) v. Lary (31) Winner: NYY-Guidry

SP2: Niekro (46) v. Bunning (29) Winner: Det-Bunning

SP3: Cowley (26) v. Mossi (32) Winner: Det-Mossi

Closer: Righetti (26) v. Fox (25) Winner: NYY-Righetti

Team Offense: Yankees
Team Pitching: Push

Yankees 10 Tigers 5 - the 8th Yankee team is right here; the bats carry them through.

The next time we see this group:

71. 1975 A's (lost ALCS)
v. 
26. 1971 Orioles (lost WS)

55. 1920 Indians (World Champions)
v.
106. 1985 Yankees (2nd in AL East-no playoffs)

The next time we're back, it's NL group 7 - led by the 1909 Pirates.  

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round Two, Group 6)

Last group

20 teams into the round of 32:

4 Braves
4 Dodgers
3 Cards

2 Reds

2 Cubs
2 Pirates

Giants

Phillies

Mets

Coming up here - two chances for the Giants (including the only chance for San Francisco), two for the Cubs, one each for Braves/Cards/Reds/Dodgers.

6. 1904 Giants (1st in NL-no playoffs)

v.

70. 1948 Braves (lost WS)

-only one Giants team in the field, let's see if they can add a couple in this group.

Catcher: Warner (31) v. Masi (32) Winner: Braves-Masi

First Base: McGann (32) v. Torgeson (24) Winner: NYG-McGann

Second Base: Gilbert (28) v. Stanky (32) Winner: Braves-Stanky

Shortstop: Dahlen (34) v. Dark (26) Winner: NYG-Dahlen

Third Base: Devlin (24) v. Elliott (31) Winner: Braves-Elliott

Left Field: Mertes (31) v. Heath (33) Winner: Braves-Heath

Center Field: Bresnahan (25) v. Russell (29) Winner: NYG-Bresnahan

Right Field: Browne (28) v. Holmes (31) Winner: Braves-Holmes

SP1: McGinnity (33) v. Sain (30) Winner: Push

SP2: Mathewson (23) v. Spahn (27) Winner: NYG-Mathewson

SP3: Taylor (29) v. Voiselle (29) Winner: NYG-Taylor

Closer: Miligan (25) v. Barrett (33) Winner: Braves-Barrett

Team Offense: NYG

Team Pitching: NYG

Giants 9 Braves 6 - the Braves commanded the position player matchups, but couldn't take more than a pitching point and head home.  

102. 1967 Cardinals (World Champions)

v.

38. 1940 Reds (World Champions)

-Cards looking to add their 4th representative into the next round; Reds trying for #3.

Catcher: McCarver (25) v. Lombardi (32) Winner: StL-McCarver

First Base: Cepeda (29) v. McCormick (29) Winner: StL-Cepeda

Second Base: Javier (30) v. Frey (29) Winner: Cin-Frey

Shortstop: Maxvill (28) v. Myers (29) Winner: StL-Maxvill

Third Base: Shannon (27) v. Werber (32) Winner: Cin-Werber

Left Field: Brock (28) v. Arnovich (29) Winner: Stl-Brock

Center Field: Flood (29) v. Craft (25) Winner: StL-Flood

Right Field: Maris (32) v. Goodman (31) Winner: StL-Maris

SP1: Hughes (29) v. Walters (31) Winner: Cin-Walters

SP2: Carlton (22) v. Derringer (33) Winner: Cin-Derringer

SP3: Washburn (29) v. Thompson (23) Winner: Cin-Thompson

Closer: Hoerner (30) v. Beggs (29) Winner: Cin-Beggs

Team Offense: StL

Team Pitching: Cin

Reds 9 Cards 8 - classic pitching vs. hitting; the Reds needed to sweep the pitching to force the tiebreaker - they did - and then that pitching advantage was the margin.

11. 2016 Cubs (World Champions)

v.

75. 2002 Giants (lost WS)

-last SFG team standing, can they give me one more round of rooting interest (Joe Nathan's in both bullpens)

Catcher: Montero (32) v. Santiago (37) Winner: SFG-Santiago
First Base: Rizzo (26) v. Snow (34) Winner: Chi-Rizzo

Second Base: Zobrist (35) v. Kent (34) Winner: SFG-Kent

Shortstop: Russell (22) v. Aurilia (30) Winner: Chi-Russell

Third Base: Bryant (24) v. Bell (29) Winner: Chi-Bryant

Left Field: Szczur (26) v. Bonds (37) Winner: SFG-Bonds

Center Field: Fowler (30) v. Shinjo (30) Winner: Chi-Fowler

Right Field: Heyward (26) v. Sanders (34) Winner: SFG-Sanders

SP1: Lester (32) v. Hernandez (27) Winner: Chi-Lester

SP2: Arrieta (30) v. Ortiz (28) Winner: Chi-Arrieta

SP3: Hendricks (26) v. Rueter (31) Winner: Chi-Hendricks
Closer: Rondon (28) v. Nen (32) Winner: SFG-Nen

Team Offense: Push

Team Pitching: Chi

Cubs 9 Giants 5 - yeah, that's about right, the bats are dead even, but the Cubs have a solid pitching advantage and they knock my club out.  

22. 1935 Cubs (lost WS)

v.

43. 2017 Dodgers (lost WS)

Catcher: Hartnett (34) v. Grandal (28) Winner: Chi-Hartnett

First Base: Cavaretta (18) v. Bellinger (21) Winner: LAD-Bellinger

Second Base: Herman (25) v. Forsythe (30) Winner: Chi-Herman

Shortstop: Jurges (27) v. Seager (23) Winner: LAD-Seager

Third Base: Hack (25) v. Turner (32) Winner: LAD-Turner

Left Field: Galan (23) v. Taylor (26) Winner: Chi-Galan

Center Field: Demaree (25) v. Pederson (25) Winner: Chi-Demaree

Right Field: Klein (30) v. Puig (26) Winner: LAD-Puig

SP1: Warneke (26) v. Kershaw (29) Winner: LAD-Kershaw

SP2: Lee (25) v. Wood (26) Winner: LAD-Wood

SP3: French (27) v. Hill (37) Winner: Chi-French

Closer: Root (36) v. Jansen (29) Winner: LAD-Jansen

Team Offense: Chi

Team Pitching: LAD

Dodgers 9 Cubs 7 - the LA pitching edge carries them into the final 32

The next time we see this group:

6. 1904 Giants (1st in NL-no playoffs)

v.

38. 1940 Reds (World Champions)

11. 2016 Cubs (World Champions)

v.

43. 2017 Dodgers (lost WS)

When we return, it's with AL Group 7 led by the 1954 Cleveland Indians

Final 2018 NFL All Pro Selections

Here were the best players in the NFL in the 2018 regular season.

QB
1. D. Brees NO - MVP
2. P.Mahomes KC

RB
1. S.Barkley NYG
2. C.McCaffrey Carol

WR
1. D.Hopkins Hou
2. M.Thomas NO
3. T.Hill KC
4. A.Thielen Min

TE
1. G.Kittle SF
2. T.Kelce KC

C
1. J.Kelce Phi
2. A.Mack Atl

G
1. Z.Martin Dall
2. S.Mason NE
3. M.Yanda Balt
4. J.Bitonio Cle

T
1. D.Bakhtiari GB
2. A.Whitworth LAR
3. J.Staley SF
4. M.Schwartz KC

DE
1. JJ Watt Hou
2. C.Jordan NO
3. C.Campbell Jax
4. M.Garrett Cle

DT
1.A.Donald LAR
2. F.Cox Phi

OLB
1. D.Ford KC
2. J.Clowney Hou
3. V.Miller Den
4. K.Mack Chi

ILB
1. L.Kuechly Carol
2. B.Wagner Sea

CB
1. S.Gilmore NE
2. D.King LAC
3. K.Jackson Hou
4. K.Fuller Chi

S
1. E.Jackson Chi
2. D.James LAC
3. K.Byard Ten
4. J.Adams NYJ

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round Two, Group 6)

Last group

20 of the 32 best teams in AL history are set.

7 Yankees

3 Orioles

2 Red Sox
2 White Sox
2 Astros

1 A's

1 Jays
1 Mariners

1 Tigers

123. 1974 A's (World Champions)

v.

59. 2015 Blue Jays (lost ALCS)

Catcher: Haney (31) v. Martin (32) Winner: Jays-Martin

First Base: Tenace (27) v. Smoak (28) Winner: A's-Tenace

Second Base: Green (33) v. Travis (24) Winner: Jays-Travis

Shortstop: Campaneris (32) v. Goins (27) Winner: A's-Campaneris

Third Base: Bando (30) v. Donaldson (29) Winner: Jays-Donaldson

Left Field: Rudi (27) v. Revere (27) Winner: A's-Rudi

Center Field: North (26) v. Pillar (26) Winner: Jays-Pillar

Right Field: Jackson (28) v. Bautista (34) Winner: A's-Jackson

DH: Washington (19) v. Encarnacion (32) Winner: Jays-Encarnacion

SP1: Hunter (28) v. Dickey (40) Winner: A's-Hunter

SP2: Blue (21) v. Buehrle (36) Winner: A's-Blue

SP3: Holtzman (28) v. Estrada (39) Winner: Jays-Estrada

Closer: Fingers (27) v. Osuna (20) Winner: A's-Fingers

Team Offense: Jays
Team Pitching: A's

A's 9 Jays 8 - back and forth, forth and back, Oakland's pitching advantage the biggest difference between the clubs and that carries the A's into the next round.  

27. 1947 Yankees (World Champions)

v.

91. 1990 A's (lost WS)

-NYY looking for its 8th entrant into the round of 32, the A's just picked up an upset and are looking for another.  

Catcher: Robinson (32) v. Steinbach (28) Winner: NYY-Robinson

First Base: McQuinn (37) v. McGwire (26) Winner: Oak-McGwire

Second Base: Stirnweiss (28) v. Gallego (29) Winner: NYY-Stirnweiss

Shortstop: Rizzuto (29) v. Weiss (26) Winner: NYY-Rizzuto

Third Base: Johnson (28) v. Lansford (33) Winner: NYY-Johnson

Left Field: Lindell (30) v. Henderson (31) Winner: Oak-Henderson

Center Field: DiMaggio (32) v. Henderson (31) Winner: Oak-Henderson

Right Field: Henrich (34) v. Canseco (25) Winner: Oak-Canseco

DH: Keller (30) v. Baines (31) Winner: NYY-Keller

SP1: Reynolds (30) v. Stewart (33) Winner: Oak-Stewart

SP2: Shea (26) v. Welch (33) Winner: Oak-Welch

SP3: Bevens (30) v. Sanderson (33) Winner: Oak-Sanderson

Closer: Page (29) v. Eckersley (35) Winner: Oak-Eckersley

Team Offense: A's

Team Pitching: A's

A's 12 Yankees 5 - not only did the lower seeded team win, they won going away; sweeping the OF and taking every pitching point.  

11. 1969 Orioles (lost WS)

v.

75. 1984 Tigers (won WS)

-this Oriole club is the top seed left in the group

Catcher: Hendricks (28) v. Parrish (28) Winner: Tigers-Parrish

First Base: Powell (27) v. Bergman (31) Winner: Balt-Powell

Second Base: Johnson (26) v. Whitaker (27) Winner: Push

Shortstop: Belanger (25) v. Trammell (26) Winner: Tigers-Trammell

Third Base: Robinson (32) v. Johnson (23) Winner: Balt-Robinson

Left Field: Buford (32) v. Herndon (30) Winner: Balt-Buford

Center Field: Blair (25) v. Lemon (29) Winner: Push

Right Field: Robinson (33) v. Gibson (27) Winner: Balt-Robinson

DH: Etchebarren (27) v. Evans (37) Winner: Push

SP1: Cuellar (32) v. Morris (29) Winner: Balt-Cuellar

SP2: McNally (26) v. Petry (25) Winner: Det-Petry

SP3: Phoebus (27) v. Wilcox (34) Winner: Det-Wilcox

Closer: Watt (28) v. Hernandez (29) Winner: Det-Hernandez

Team Offense: Orioles

Team Pitching: Orioles

Orioles 9 Tigers 5 - Detroit wins the last three pitching matchups, forcing a tie as they headed into the totals - but Baltimore got both of them and advances.

22. 1998 Astros (lost NLDS)

v.

43. 1928 A's (2nd in AL-no playoffs)

-the A's won the first two games in the group, can they leave with a real stranglehold on Group 6?

Catcher: Ausmus (29) v. Cochrane (25) Winner: A's-Cochrane

First Base: Bagwell (30) v. Hauser (29) Winner: Astros-Bagwell

Second Base: Biggio (32) v. Bishop (28) Winner: Astros-Biggio

Shortstop: Gutierrez (28) v. Boley (31) Winner: Astros-Gutierrez

Third Base: Berry (32) v. Foxx (20) Winner: A's-Foxx

Left Field: Alou (31) v. Simmons (26) Winner: Astros-Alou

Center Field: Everett (27) v. Miller (33) Winner: Astros-Everett

Right Field: Bell (29) v. Cobb (41) Winner: Astros-Bell

SP1: Lima (25) v. Grove (28) Winner: A's-Grove

SP2: Reynolds (30) v. Walberg (31) Winner: Astros-Reynolds

SP3: Hampton (25) v. Quinn (44) Winner: A's-Quinn

Closer: Wagner (26) v. Rommel (30) Winner: A's-Rommel

Team Offense: Astros

Team Pitching: Astros

Astros 11 A's 5 - A's won the pitching matchups, but couldn't take the total, add that to Houston's offensive advantage (both Al Simmons and Ty Cobb lose) and the Astros move on.

Next time we see this group:

123. 1974 A's (World Champions)
v.
91. 1990 A's (lost WS)

11. 1969 Orioles (lost WS)
v.
22. 1998 Astros (lost NLDS)

Next time I'm back, it's NL Group 6 as we near completion of the round of 64, their top seed is the 1904 Giants.