The snow is finally melting, the grass is growing and the NBA Playoffs are here.

Sixteen NBA teams now look to reach immortality and raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy in

mid-June. With every playoff season comes many questions about players, coaches and

teams as they either try to reach expectations set or become Cinderella stories with

nothing to lose. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest questions that will be answered in

the next few months.

Will the “Splash Brothers” shooting stay hot?

The Golden State Warriors feature one of the most exciting duos in the NBA with point

guard Stephen Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson, better known as “The Splash

Brothers.” Both players ranked top 10 in the NBA in scoring this season with Curry

being sixth with 23.8 points per game and Thompson tying for ninth with 21.7 points per

game. They both were also in the top five for three-point percentage with Curry at fourth and Thompson right behind him in fifth. While they put up outstanding offensive numbers during the regular season, playoff basketball is defined by defense, causing early exits for some high-profile teams. The Warriors’ chances in the playoffs will rely on the shooting of the Splash Brothers. If the duo cannot put up similar offensive numbers, the West’s number one seed might be eliminated early.

Should we take Brad Stevens and his band of misfits seriously?

At the beginning of the season, the Boston Celtics were a team that was predicted to trade

off some big name players — Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green — and tank their way to a lottery pick.

Well, they traded the players but added a few key contributors in Isaiah Thomas and Gigi

Datome who have helped propel the Celtics to the East’s seventh seed. A first-round

matchup of the Cleveland Cavaliers is no easy task, but second-year head coach Brad

Stevens has put together a Coach of the Year worthy season that could narrow the gap.

Don’t sleep on the Celtics, as they look to make some noise in the playoffs and start to build towards what looks like a bright future.

Will Houston and Chicago finally live up to their expectations?

The Houston Rockets made one of the largest moves in NBA free agency a few seasons

ago when they signed center Dwight Howard to a multi-year contract to team up with

superstar shooting guard James Harden. On paper this duo should be enough for a deep

playoff run, but will they finally live up to the hype? The East has a similar team looking

to live up to high expectations in the Chicago Bulls. Point guard Derrick Rose appears to

be healthy and alongside superstar shooting guard Jimmy Butler and center Joakim Noah,

they should have no excuse not making the Eastern Conference Finals.

Should we expect a Spurs vs. LeBron rematch?

It’s LeBron James’ and the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA; everyone else is just playing in it.

It should be no surprise to anyone if the San Antonio Spurs and a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers square off in the NBA Finals for a third straight season. Both teams got off to a subpar start in the 2014-2015 NBA season, but seem to be gearing towards playing at a championship caliber level as of late. There would be a number of great themes and comparisons to this matchup. How would the less experienced, but younger and more athletic Cavaliers team matchup against the NBA’s ultimate model of consistency

in the Spurs? Will Tim Duncan tie Jordan in championships or will LeBron win his third

and get halfway to MJ? This is the NBA Finals I predict, but for the series winner and

NBA champion? It will be the Spurs. Cleveland is not as good of a team as last year’s Miami Heat team and even though the Spurs are getting older and older, they’re still the best team in the NBA.

Robert Kraft was recently quoted this offseason as defining the NFL Draft as “the lifeblood” of the New England Patriots. While it is extremely difficult to predict what Bill Belichick will do in the draft, it is always fun to speculate.

Using www.fanspeak.com/ontheclock, I simulated a seven round mock draft as the New England Patriots. I used the big board of player rankings and team needs from Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, which determines what the other 31 teams do in the draft. While some of these players might surprise readers by being available later than what other experts project, remember this was a simulation and not necessarily my predictions on where they’ll land. The simulation also does not allow for trades, so I picked for the current nine selections New England has in the draft.

Round 1, Pick 32: Eli Harold – Virginia – OLB/DE

Harold is a Swiss army knife of an edge player with the ability to play both outside linebacker and put his hand on the ground as a defensive end. While many Patriots fans wouldn’t like this pick as he’s not an offensive lineman, defensive tackle or cornerback, Harold would be a steal at pick 32. While he might be a bit undersized, his explosiveness and skill are enough to make up for it and give the Patriots another versatile defensive weapon to employ in the front seven. A linebacker core of Hightower, Mayo, Collins and Harold could be the best group in the NFL.

Round 2, Pick 64: Byron Jones – UConn – CB

If Byron Jones were available at the end of the second round I would be shocked, making him a no-brainer for the last pick of the second round. Jones is one of the most athletic players available this year, but he isn’t just a workout warrior. He is a talented cornerback, but also has the ability to play some safety and could be an instant contributor on special teams. Being a team captain, great teammate and overall hard worker just makes Jones more attractive for New England.

Round 3, Pick 96: Laken Tomlinson – Duke – G

Tomlinson turned heads at the Senior Bowl when he held his own against Danny Shelton, who is considered one of the top DT prospects of this draft class. Interior offensive line is a major area of need, and the Patriots could find value in the third round, as Tomlinson is a player who should be available on day two of the NFL Draft. While he might be restricted to playing right guard exclusively, Tomlinson would be a welcome addition to the Patriots offensive line.

Round 3, Pick 97: Grady Jarrett – Clemson – DT

The loss of Vince Wilfork puts a need at DT for the Patriots, but Jarrett is not a pure Wilfork replacement. Jarrett is a smaller DT who relies on a quick first step to beat offensive linemen. He projects to be more of an interior pass rusher, and could provide Belichick with another player with a similar skill set to Dominique Easley. A pass rushing line of Chandler Jones, Dominique Easley, Jabaal Sheard and Grady Jarrett could give opposing quarterbacks nightmares and create a lot of pressure.

Round 4, Pick 101: Ben Heeney – Kansas – LB

Heeney is an undersized prospect physically, but makes up for that and more with a high motor and a great work ethic. Heeney would provide depth to not only the linebacker core, but also could be an instant special teams contributor. While he might not project to be a starter at the position, he could add great depth to what has been a relatively thin area for New England lately. The Patriots love players who work hard and are overachievers, and Heeney surely fits the bill.

Round 4, Pick 131: Tyler Lockett – Kansas State – WR

Lockett is a speedy and shifty wide receiver that is also a physical blocker in the run game. He has a top-notch football IQ and is a film rat, which makes him beloved by his coaches. What makes him extremely attractive for the Patriots is how well he runs his routes. He could also step in and have special teams value, as he could be a return specialist. Lockett would be another competitive slot receiver who would complement the current offense with a speed boost.

Round 6, Pick 178: Matt Jones – Florida – RB

The Patriots have lost both Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley this offseason leaving some question marks in the running back group. Jones would be more of a Ridley replacement than Vereen, as he is more of a between the tackles running back. He is a large, physical running back who could take his rookie year as a redshirt year to learn the offense behind LeGarrette Blount, Jonas Gray, James White and Tyler Gaffney.

Round 6, Pick 219: A.J. Derby – Arkansas – TE

The Patriots bolstered their depth at tight end this offseason with the signing of Scott Chandler. They also added Tim Wright before the start of the regular season last year to complement the almighty Rob Gronkowski. Derby would be an interesting late round flier selection, as he has very little experience playing tight end. He is extremely fast for his size, and is dangerous with the ball in space. He projects to be a move tight end, and if he would reach his potential would be a great addition to the tight end group.

Round 7, Pick 253: Geremy Davis – UConn – WR

Two Huskies to the Patriots in the same draft? You better believe it! Davis is an interesting prospect as he poses great size and speed. He has extremely reliable hands as well, shown by him dropping zero passes in the 2014 season. He could have issues creating separation in the NFL, but would at least provide some camp competition for the fourth wide receiver spot along with Aaron Dobson, Brian Tyms, Brandon Gibson and Kevin Dorsey.

Just about every child growing up who falls in love with a sport dreams of making a living in that sport when they grow up. Pee-wee football players dream to be the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, Saturday morning rec. basketball players dream of becoming the next LeBron James, and little leaguers idolize the likes of David Ortiz and Miguel Cabrera.

And while every kid says they want to be a pro athlete for the love of the game, the paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Each year, the NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA spend hundreds of millions of dollars on players’ salaries without batting an eyelash.

So if a kid were to be equally talented in all of the four major sports in America, which one should they choose? In terms of the money and the contracts, it isn’t even close.

Major League Baseball hands out fully guaranteed contracts to every player who signs a deal with a team. While there are some ways to get out of deals, as long as players stay out of jail and don’t retire, they’ll get their money. This is different than other sports, where they only guarantee a limited amount of the contracts and are littered with opt-out clauses.

Compare that to the NFL where the only money actually guaranteed to a player is defined as a “guaranteed signing bonus” and the NFL looks like a joke of a players union compared to Major League Baseball. If a baseball player signs a six-year deal for $60 million contract and blows out his knee in spring training, the team is still obligated to pay him.

In the NFL, if a player signs the same deal and doesn’t get a signing bonus, the team can cut him if they want and not owe him a dime. You kids out there reading this still thinking about picking football over baseball?

Not only is the guaranteed money a bonus, but there is simply more money in contracts for players in baseball. This past offseason, Ndamukong Suh who is widely considered as one of the best players in the NFL, got $60 million in guaranteed money which was the most for any defensive player in NFL history. Rookie Rusney Castillo received a $72.5 million contract before he ever stepped foot onto an MLB baseball diamond.

The NBA is a popular choice, with athletes making nearly $1 million more per year than Major League Baseball, though the largest contracts in sports are nearly all MLB players. The top six largest contracts ever are owned by pro baseball players, as well as 14 out of 15 of the top contracts.

While the NFL is the most popular league in America, if a kid has a chance to pick which sport to play professionally the answer should be baseball. Although there are a lot more games, the wear and tear on the body is much less than either the NFL, NHL, or even NBA.

Playing in the NFL, you run the risk of injuries and concussions that have become a huge concern in the game today. The average career length of an NFL player is 3.3 years according to the NFL Players Association, which is more than two years shorter than the 5.6 year average for baseball players. A longer career means more money.

Get paid the best contracts in American professional sports, have the lowest chance for injury, and get to play the most laid back sport. If you had a choice, baseball gives athletes the most value for their efforts.

Growing up, I idolized the Texas Rangers shortstop wearing number three and hitting home runs that went to the moon. Alex Rodriguez was everything that was great about baseball.

He could do it all: hit for power and average, run, play solid defense and he did it all while playing one of the most difficult positions in the sport. What most of us didn’t know is he also did it all with the help of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

When Alex Rodriguez is mentioned now, it’s not as a hero or an idol; it’s as a cheater and a liar. Ever since the purge of PEDs from Major League Baseball since the mid-2000’s, any player having anything to do with them has been deemed an outcast.

So what went wrong? In other sports, it seems that steroid use is not a big deal at all. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tested positive for PEDs, though he won his appeal, but that is rarely brought up about him. People do not dislike him for his PED use, but instead for his loud mouth and boisterous attitude. So why is A-Rod such an outcast in Major League Baseball?

Baseball has and always will be a sport built on a solid foundation of its history. Within this rich history are records, records that purists of the sport believe should never be broken, and if they are, men of honor, dignity and respect should break them.

Records like Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Ted Williams hitting .406 as the last hitter to bat over .400 and Cy Young’s 511 career wins are just a few of the great historic marks that seem like they’ll never be broken.

Baseball fans were sick to their stomach when Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s home run record. Why? Because Bonds had been linked to steroid use, labeling him as a lying and cheating player.

Alex Rodriguez appeared to be the next in line to break this record eventually. Especially when he was dealt to the New York Yankees before the 2004 season, putting him in a strong lineup that would force pitchers to pitch to him.

But then, it all fell apart. The allegations started coming out and before he knew it, Alex Rodriguez was linked to other steroid players.

While he did win a ring during his stint in New York, he has ultimately become more of a nuisance than a contributor. Last season he was suspended for the entire year for not only using PEDs, but for attempting to cover it up.

Alex Rodriguez fell from the ranks of near immortality to forever being labeled a cheater. I cannot see him doing anything that will change the way he is viewed both within baseball and outside of it in the eyes of the fans. And if he does, it’s going to take a LOT more than a handwritten apology.

It’s amazing how our opinions of a professional athlete can change over time. In 10 years I went from a kid, playing little league baseball, mimicking Rodriguez in my batting stance, to now writing an article criticizing him. This is why we love sports. America loves a great sports hero just as much as they love a villain. Alex Rodriguez is one of the few men to say he’s been both.

The 2015 offseason will feature the same array of drama that we were entertained with last season as teams retool to attempt to make it to Super Bowl 50 in California. Here are some of the major questions that will be addressed in the coming weeks.

1.) A boy named Suh

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is arguably the biggest free agent on this year’s free agent market. At age 28, he is towards the end of the prime of his career, but still is a difference maker that many teams will overpay for. His poor attitude and antics on the field do hurt his value some, but they shouldn’t seriously cost him. I expect a team to make him close to, if not the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. I expect the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and maybe even the Seattle Seahawks to look into signing him.

2.) Dez or Demarco?

The Dallas Cowboys had a great season and look to take the next step next season into making it to at least the NFC Championship Game. Two of their biggest offensive playmakers are free agents this year in wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back Demarco Murray. If they need to pick one, there should be no hesitation in re-signing Bryant. Running backs are easily replaced in today’s NFL, and behind Dallas’s superb offensive line they can turn nearly any NFL running back into a pro bowl running back.

3.) Revis Island staying in Massachusetts?

Darrelle Revis finally has that elusive Super Bowl ring, as he was a key contributor to New England’s Super Bowl XLIX championship run. Now, the team has a huge question mark to address with him as he’s due $25 million next year, a sum not likely to be paid for by New England. The Patriots will look to extend his deal into a multi-year extension to help spread out the money. If they’re not able to, look for AFC East foes like the Jets and Bills to try to sign him. New England also has to re–sign safety Devin McCourty, making their offseason one to monitor closely.

4.) Mariota vs. Winston

Every year, the top quarterbacks in the draft are put on a pedestal and compared against one another extensively. This year that puts FSU’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota at the top of the draft. While Winston is the much more NFL-ready quarterback, but his off-field issues make him a huge risk. Mariota is considered the more mature option, but his inability to run a pro-style offense leaves him with question marks. If I had to pick, I’d go with Winston because of his physical tools. But, by no means are either of these guys home-run picks.

5.) Contractless in Seattle

Seattle had benefited the last few seasons by paying Russell Wilson next to nothing by today’s NFL standards, but that is all about to change. Wilson is near the end of his rookie deal, and looks to be in for a massive contract. Seattle also has looming contract issues with cornerback Byron Maxwell and star running back Marshawn Lynch. Seattle’s ability to draft supplemental pieces to their team will be critical if they look to continue their dominance in the NFL going into the future.

6.) Denver weapons

Remember when the Broncos looked like the clear favorite to win Super Bowl XLIX in September and October? Well, unfortunately for them the Super Bowl is in February. Now, they are faced with huge questions this offseason as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas are free agents. Throw in the fact it’s unknown if Peyton Manning will return and Denver looks like they could be entering the rebuild period.

7.) The curious case of Peterson, Rice, and Hardy

Finally, we come to the futures of Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. All three players look like they will hit the open market after having off-field issues with domestic violence. All three are talented players, and teams needing players at their respected positions might be tempted to sign them. I do think that all three will be playing in the NFL next year, and it will be interesting to see how the public responds to the teams that eventually sign him.

The 2015 offseason will feature the same array of drama that we were entertained with last season as teams retool to attempt to make it to Super Bowl 50 in California. Here are some of the major questions that will be addressed in the coming weeks.

1.) A boy named Suh

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is arguably the biggest free agent on this year’s free agent market. At age 28, he is towards the end of the prime of his career, but still is a difference maker that many teams will overpay for. His poor attitude and antics on the field do hurt his value some, but they shouldn’t seriously cost him. I expect a team to make him close to, if not the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. I expect the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and maybe even the Seattle Seahawks to look into signing him.

2.) Dez or Demarco?

The Dallas Cowboys had a great season and look to take the next step next season into making it to at least the NFC Championship Game. Two of their biggest offensive playmakers are free agents this year in wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back Demarco Murray. If they need to pick one, there should be no hesitation in re-signing Bryant. Running backs are easily replaced in today’s NFL, and behind Dallas’s superb offensive line they can turn nearly any NFL running back into a pro bowl running back.

3.) Revis Island staying in Massachusetts?

Darrelle Revis finally has that elusive Super Bowl ring, as he was a key contributor to New England’s Super Bowl XLIX championship run. Now, the team has a huge question mark to address with him as he’s due $25 million next year, a sum not likely to be paid for by New England. The Patriots will look to extend his deal into a multi-year extension to help spread out the money. If they’re not able to, look for AFC East foes like the Jets and Bills to try to sign him. New England also has to re–sign safety Devin McCourty, making their offseason one to monitor closely.

4.) Mariota vs. Winston

Every year, the top quarterbacks in the draft are put on a pedestal and compared against one another extensively. This year that puts FSU’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota at the top of the draft. While Winston is the much more NFL-ready quarterback, but his off-field issues make him a huge risk. Mariota is considered the more mature option, but his inability to run a pro-style offense leaves him with question marks. If I had to pick, I’d go with Winston because of his physical tools. But, by no means are either of these guys home-run picks.

5.) Contractless in Seattle

Seattle had benefited the last few seasons by paying Russell Wilson next to nothing by today’s NFL standards, but that is all about to change. Wilson is near the end of his rookie deal, and looks to be in for a massive contract. Seattle also has looming contract issues with cornerback Byron Maxwell and star running back Marshawn Lynch. Seattle’s ability to draft supplemental pieces to their team will be critical if they look to continue their dominance in the NFL going into the future.

6.) Denver weapons

Remember when the Broncos looked like the clear favorite to win Super Bowl XLIX in September and October? Well, unfortunately for them the Super Bowl is in February. Now, they are faced with huge questions this offseason as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas are free agents. Throw in the fact it’s unknown if Peyton Manning will return and Denver looks like they could be entering the rebuild period.

7.) The curious case of Peterson, Rice, and Hardy

Finally, we come to the futures of Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. All three players look like they will hit the open market after having off-field issues with domestic violence. All three are talented players, and teams needing players at their respected positions might be tempted to sign them. I do think that all three will be playing in the NFL next year, and it will be interesting to see how the public responds to the teams that eventually sign him.

The MLB hot stove has heated up and cooled off as teams re-tooled to make a run for a World Series championship. Every offseason, teams are judged by how well they addressed their needs and how well their new players will play for them, or how former players perform with their new teams. Let’s take a look at a few teams and see how they did this offseason. Here’s the good, the bad and the “huh?”

The Good: Chicago Cubs

Cubs fans have a lot to look forward to as Theo Epstein is finally making some moves that look like they may make the Cubs a potential playoff contender. The most notable acquisition was signing the diamond of the free agent class in starting pitcher, Jon Lester.

Lester brings to Chicago a championship pedigree, as he has won two World Series rings during his time with the Boston Red Sox.

Although he is 31, Lester has never been a pitcher to blow batters away with high-speed fastballs. Instead, he uses off speed pitches to confuse hitters and produce results. Lester could be a great role model for the young Cubs dugout and locker room as well, teaching the players how to win on the big stage.

The passing of Chicago Cub, all-time great Ernie Banks will give the team more fuel this season. “Mr. Cub” is probably the most iconic Chicago Cub player of all time, and I believe the players will be playing with more energy knowing that Ernie is looking down on them. It’s just a shame that Banks couldn’t see the Cubs win a World Series before his passing.

The Bad: New York Yankees

As of late, it appears the “Evil Empire” has turned more into the “Old Empire” as the Yankees continue to fall to the ranks of mediocrity in Major League Baseball. All of the iconic Yankees from the late 1990s to early 2000s run are all gone. Jeter, Posada, Mussina, Rivera, and Torre are afterthoughts on a roster managed by Joe Girardi.

The confusing part is the Yankees made no major plays during the free agency period. They have glaring holes at many positions, and the only major move was trading for shortstop Didi Gregorius. Scouts say he could be the next Jeter, but who really knows.

The biggest story surrounding the Yankees is the continued clown show that is Alex Rodriguez. It seems like the legal trouble will continue into the 2014 season and could be a distraction.

The “Huh?”: Boston Red Sox

The three stooges that run the Red Sox have struck out again this offseason. The Red Sox talked big about getting a top-line pitcher, but ended up with an overweight third basemen who has three World Series rings and seemingly nothing else to play for, and an injury-prone diva SS/3B that they plan to move to left field. What?

The Red Sox must think that they’re going to just outscore their opponents because as of now their starting rotation is Clay Bucholz, Wade Miley, Rick Porcello, Joe Kelly and Justin Masterson. Not quite the starting rotation fans expect from a club with money like the Red Sox.

The Red Sox look like they’ll have to make a move for a top of the line starter to be a legit World Series contender. While their lineup looks like it could be an elite group, 2011 taught Red Sox fans that you better be careful when you try to buy a championship through just your lineup. Between Lucchino, Henry and Werner, nobody knows what the three stooges will do next, but it will be entertaining I’m sure.

Who doesn’t love being right? Last month I wrote an article predicting the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots would face off in Super Bowl XLIX, and here it is. After an exciting NFC Championship game, and a blowout in the AFC edition, the NFL’s two best teams are ready to play for the ultimate prize on Sunday.

Old vs. New

This matchup has no lack of great themes and comparisons, the most intriguing being “Old vs. New.” Many matchups to this game show the younger Seattle squad trying to become the next New England dynasty team.

On Seattle’s side, you have the young quarterback with Russell Wilson looking to lead the Seahawks to being the NFL’s next dynasty. He is also looking to tie the record for most Super Bowl wins through their first three seasons, a record held by the quarterback on the other team.

Tom Brady and the Patriots come in as the old guard of success in today’s NFL, looking to get that elusive fourth Super Bowl win. The fourth championship that would cement Brady as the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL, while making the Patriots run of dominance arguably the most impressive and unprecedented feat in the salary cap era of the NFL. It would be poetic justice that Brady returns to the University of Phoenix stadium, the place where he lost the 2007 19-0 undefeated season, to come back seven years later to finally capture the fourth Super Bowl that would cement him and Bill Belichick’s legacy as the greatest QB-Coach combination of all time.

Coaching

The next great storyline is the head coaches. Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are near opposites of one another, yet both are Super Bowl winning head coaches who have coached the New England Patriots before.

Bill Belichick is the NFL’s ultimate man of mystery. His stern, unspoken style has led to keeping team matters quiet as he has silenced some of the NFL’s most outspoken players (see Chad Ochocinco). The “Genius” is hailed as a draft expert because of his drafting of great players like Julian Edelman and Tom Brady in the late rounds of the draft.

Then you have Pete Carroll, who is known as a player’s coach and one of the most outspoken coaches in the league who speaks of his players’ accomplishments with great fervor. Carroll is constantly seen on the sideline jumping up and down and showing a great amount of emotion while chewing his trademark gum.

You have a Bill Parcells disciple in Belichick as he spent a number of years working under “The Big Tuna,” and then you have the guy who replaced him as coach of the Patriots in Carroll. Belichick schemes every game differently depending on the matchup, while Carroll is the type of guy to just line his guys up and let them do what they do best. These two are near polar opposites on the coaching spectrum.

But, unfortunately, both have been accused as cheaters during their careers. Belichick being linked to “Spygate,” while more recently allegations about deflated footballs have gotten anti-Patriot pundits like Marshall Faulk and others back in the headlines.

Carrollalso has done his fair share of shady coaching moves, most notably the NCAA scandal at USC, while he has had numerous players suspended in the NFL for use of performance enhancing drugs. Regardless of their opposing coaching styles and baggage associated with them, both are phenomenal head coaches.

Cornerback Battle

I’d be remiss to forget about the cornerbacks. Hours and hours will be spent by the media discussing who is the best cornerback in the league in the race between Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis. Two players, both earning first team All-Pro honors at the position, are widely considered as two of the best defenders in the league.

Richard Sherman has proclaimed himself as the best cornerback in the league, a title previously earned by Darrelle Revis. Sherman’s outspoken personality and great play on the field has made him a household name. While many fans loathe him for coming off as cocky, no one can disregard his skill on the field.

Revis Island is finally making his first appearance in a Super Bowl. Revis has transformed the New England defense by shutting down receivers like Brandon Marshall, AJ Green and Calvin Johnson. I fully believe Sherman’s quick rise to fame in the wake of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run last year lead Darrelle Revis to New England to seek similar fame in helping a team win a Super Bowl. Sherman’s Seahawks are all that stand in the way for Revis to achieve that feat.

A third key cornerback to this game who has donned both jerseys adds to the drama. Brandon Browner was an original member of the Legion of Boom, but was signed by the Patriots this past offseason once Seattle decided to part ways with him.

He most notably tweeted out after the Seahawks trip to the White House in disgust when he was snubbed by the president as a member of the Legion of Boom. Browner’s response? “I’ll see him again…”

Pass to score, run to win

As entertaining as these themes and comparisons are, it’s how these teams actually play on the field that will determine the game. The NFL is transitioning more and more towards a passing league, and headlines will be made about Tom Brady vs. Legion of Boom and Russell Wilson vs. Darrelle Revis and company, but make no doubts that this game will be determined on the ground.

Both teams boast running backs that can churn out yards and break tackles, as Marshawn Lynch and LeGarrette Blount are two of the hardest backs to bring down in the NFL. What these two teams also have is a weakness to stopping the run. Whichever team can run the ball more effectively and efficiently will most likely be the team to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as the clock strikes midnight on the 2014 NFL season.

In the Conference Championship games both teams’ running backs had huge days. Blount went for 148 yards on 30 rushes and three touchdowns, while Lynch had an impressive day himself as he went 157 yards on 25 rushes and one touchdown. While the offensive lines of both Seattle and New England have had their issues over the course of the year, they have played better lately. The health of rookie center Bryan Stork will be pivotal for New England as their line plays much better with him in the starting five.

This season has shown that successfully running the ball on either the Seahawks or the Patriots is key in beating them. In all four losses the Seahawks suffered this year, the opposing team rushed for over 100 yards. Losses to Kansas City and Miami exposed that New England can be weak to an effective run game.

While Seattle’s defense is a great group, they are weak to the run mainly due to an undersized defensive line. Linemen like Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett are phenomenal pass rushers, but are not as effective when stopping the run.

A key player in stopping the Patriots’ run game will be strong safety Kam Chancellor. Chancellor is known for making bone-shattering hits on receivers, but is underrated as one of the best run-stopping safeties in the league with his downhill tackling style.

On New England’s side, they have done a better job lately stopping the run. But, in the Divisional round, Baltimore’s Justin Forsett was effective  running the ball as he went for 129 yards on 24 carries, and in their season opening loss, Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno gashed them for 134 yards on 24 carries.

The Patriots have progressively gotten better over the course of the year in slowing down the run, but it still is far from perfect. Young phenom linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower will have to have big games to contain Marshawn Lynch.

These two need to be able to quickly diagnose and attack the running lanes and be able to successfully use the blockers that are taken up by enormous defensive linemen Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch and Vince Wilfork. Between the three of them the Patriots boast a three man defensive line nearly weighing 1,000 pounds.

Like Seattle, New England’s strong safety will also be key in stopping the run. Pat Chung is on his second stint in New England, but has played more effectively this year thanks to a bolstered pass coverage secondary that allows him to drop down into the box and stop the run. He hits more like a linebacker than a defensive back, and his tackling ability is critical in bringing down Marshawn Lynch.

The Patriot defenders need to focus on smart tackling and hold Lynch to minimal gains each time he touches the ball, preventing him from racking up yards after contact.

When in doubt, air it out

But what happens if both teams successfully stop the other’s run game? Then the game falls right where the Patriots want it to. In terms of passing offenses, it’s not a question as to which team holds the advantage.

Tom Brady is not only the much better quarterback, but he has a much more experienced and talented receiving core to throw it to. Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola all have made contributions all season, and don’t forget about the best non-quarterback offensive weapon ie NFL in tight end Rob Gronkowski. If Seattle decides to focus on taking away New England’s run game, Brady and the Patriots will resort to the “dink and dunk” shotgun-based offense that was so successful against the Ravens.

Although the Legion of Boom is considered the best secondary in football, the big defensive backs will have trouble keeping up with the quick, lateral routes the Patriots will employ with Edelman and Amendola. And once they decide to play tight man coverage? Well that’s when Brady goes deep down the middle to Rob Gronkowski or hits Brandon LaFell down the sideline. Seattle wants to start blitzing Brady? Well, he’ll just dump it off to Shane Vereen for a quick five yard gain.

A player that could be an x-factor for the Patriots on offense is tight end Tim Wright. He has not been used much in games lately, but he normally draws favorable matchups as defenses are more focused on Gronkowski, Edelman and LaFell.

When the Patriots run their popular two tight end packages, they employ both Gronkowski and Wright, making it hard for the defense to predict a run or a pass. He has become a forgotten man in the Patriot offense, but Danny Amendola proved in the Divisional round that no Patriot receiver should be left unaccounted for.

This Patriots offense is the most complex and balanced one the Seahawks have faced all year, and they could be in for a big wakeup call if they think it’s as one-dimensional as the one they beat up on the Denver Broncos in last year’s Super Bowl.

Russell Wilson on the other hand is a very talented young quarterback. He is an extremely smart scrambling quarterback, as he knows when to either slide or get out of bounds. But what he lacks is the help in the receiving core to matchup against a secondary as talented as New England’s.

Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner both thrive in tight man coverage and should both feast on wide receivers like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse. Wilson showed in the NFC Championship Game that if he is kept in the pocket and forced to throw, he is extremely prone to making mistakes as the Green Bay defense came up with four interceptions.

To combat Wilson’s scrambling ability, it will be key for the Patriots to commit a defender as a QB spy. Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, or even a player like Tavon Wilson could be employed to stay home and account for Wilson and make sure he does not take off on them. If the Patriots play man coverage, it is even more important to have a QB spy for if Seattle sends their receivers deep to clear out room for Wilson to scramble.

Seattle’s run-first offense is not made to come from behind in games. Their lack of a passing offense to lean on has hurt them this year, as they are a weak 1-4 in games where their opponent scores over 22 points. If New England can get up early, it could get ugly very quickly for Seattle.

Who goes down in the history books?

This Super Bowl will be a great game from start to finish. The matchup features numerous great themes and matchups, but who will be the team hoisting the Lombardi at the end of the day?

I think the diversity and balance of the New England offense will allow them to adjust depending on what the Seahawks defense will give them. Either LeGarrette Blount will run well on the Seahawks, or Brady will resort to his shotgun-based “dink and dunk” offense to his group of shifty wide receivers. And if Seattle decides to let them be balanced? The Patriots offense will be able to employ play action passes and keep the defense honest with run plays.

I also don’t believe the Seahawks will have an efficient way to shut down All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski who does not forget his first Super Bowl. A high ankle sprain in the 2011 conference game lead him to a quiet twocatches for 26 yards in the Patriot’s Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York Giants. I have to imagine he will come out and play one of his best games of the season on the ultimate stage. And Seahawk cornerback Jeremy Lane saying Gronk “Isn’t that good?” Yeah, I’m sure that won’t end up on the bulletin board for extra motivation.

The Seahawks are simply not as balanced on offense, and I think the Patriots defense will follow the blueprint Green Bay used to beat Seattle. New England will load the box to slow down Marshawn Lynch and make Russell Wilson throw from the pocket.

The talented New England secondary of Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty and company will take away Seattle’s weak receiving core, prevent deep passes, and force Wilson to make mistakes. The key is to slowing down Lynch, which is no small feat as “Beast Mode” can break off a game-changing run anytime he touches the ball. But, if the Patriot defense is up for the task, they will be extremely successful in stopping the Seattle offense.

At the end of the day, I predict the Patriots to come away with a 24-17 win. This game will be an extremely tight contest, but New England finally brings home Lombardi number four. It’s been a great 2014 NFL season, here’s to a phenomenal finish in Super Bowl XLIX.

The NFL regular season is over halfway complete and with that, teams are starting to distinguish whether or not they will be in the playoffs. But just because a team makes the playoffs, does not quite mean they are a legitimate contender to win the Super Bowl. Here’s a look at some playoff-bound teams and find out if they’re postseason players or pretenders.

New England Patriots: Remember in Week four when nearly everyone (unfortunately, almost me) was writing off the Patriots? Brady and Belichick have done it again and the Patriots are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But it’s the defense that’s making me say that. Consider the fact they’ve held two of the NFL’s top offenses to 21 and 20 points without arguably one of their best defenders in Chandler Jones makes me wonder what they will be like when he returns. If the road to the Super Bowl runs through Foxboro, it will be extremely difficult for any of the other AFC teams to come into Gillette Stadium and take them out. Verdict: Contenders

Kansas City Chiefs: The Kansas City Chiefs know how to play a style of game that translates well to the playoffs. Tough defense, solid running game and a quarterback that makes minimal mistakes has this team looking like they could put a solid playoff run together. Although it looks like they will be a wild card team, the Chiefs are a team that can go on the road and win a game to get them to the divisional round. I think the Chiefs are actually one of the biggest threats to the Patriots in the AFC as of now. Verdict: Contenders

Indianapolis Colts: Coming into the season, the Colts were a favorite pick from some to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC due to their soft schedule. But after losses to Denver, New England and some other hiccups along the way it looks like the Colts will be lucky to simply get a first round bye. But even if they do, this team will not go far. They get dominated at the line of scrimmage both on offense and defense as they struggle to run the ball, and struggle to stop it. Andrew Luck is a great, young quarterback to watch, but he does not get the playoff run he wants in 2014. Verdict: Pretenders

Arizona Cardinals: Who would have picked the Arizona Cardinals as a team that could potentially have a home field advantage in not only the playoffs, but also the Super Bowl? Bruce Arians has led his team past injuries, adversity and arguably one of the best divisions in football to be looking like a surefire first round bye playoff team in the NFC. They thrive by playing smart football with a defense that is one of the NFL’s best in stuffing the run and an offense that minimizes its mistakes. If Arizona can get the No. 1 seed in the NFC, we might see one of the first times a team plays in its home stadium for the Super Bowl. Verdict: Contenders

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers is putting together a season that should bring home his second NFL MVP award. The Packers have been beating up on some pretty weak opponents, and clearly seem to be a better team at home than on the road. But what scares me most of this team is the defense. I do not think they play defense at an elite, championship level. They can be run on, and they also have a secondary that is prone to give up big plays. This team looks like it’s leading to the same fate we’ve seen with the Packers the last few years: a great offense in the regular season that gets stopped in the playoffs by an elite defense, with no defense of their own to slow down a playoff-style running game. This might shock people, but I’m not buying the Packers unless they get the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Verdict: Pretenders

Detroit Lions: The Lions always are one of the most talented teams on paper, but this year they’re living up to their roster. Although they might have to enter the playoffs as a wild card team, they have the tools necessary to win in the playoffs. They have arguably the best defensive line in the NFL and have been fantastic in stopping the run. Oh, and don’t forget they have one of the NFL’s best players in Calvin Johnson on offense. I would not be surprised at all to see the Lions in the NFC Championship game this year. Verdict: Contenders

Here we go with my fantasy advice for the week and as always I claim no responsibility for your failures, but all the credit for your successes.

Stock Trending Up

1.) Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts: The latest edition of the “best QB of a generation” has been putting up monster numbers this year and is flirting the single season passing record.  This week he’ll take on the JacksonvilleJaguars in a game that could get ugly real quick.

2.) Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers: Seems like every time I get to see a Packers game, I see Jordy enjoying a Lambeau leap. Nelson is putting up a career year and it helps the fact that the guy throwing him the ball has been on fire this year. Jordy is a must play for the rest of the year, especially since his Packers take on a Vikings team this week that they obliterated in Week  four.

3.) Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints: Now this is the Jimmy Graham fantasy owners have been waiting to see. Graham is turning into the great receiving TE we all expected him to be and putting up big numbers during that process. Although it hurts him that his Saints are all but out of playoff contention, look for Graham to finish the year on a high note.

Stock Trending Down

1.) All offensive players in Arizona vs. Seattle matchup: This game could potentially have less than 24 combined points. Arizona and Seattle are defensive powerhouses in what will be a colossal NFC West showdown. I wouldn’t advise playing any offensive players in this matchup, but if I had to pick a player from each team I’d start Marshawn Lynch or Larry Fitzgerald.

2.) Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins: RGIII just loves teasing Redskin fans and fantasy owners alike. When healthy, he’s one of the most dynamic QBs in the league, but he’s more fragile than an antique glass teacup. This week he goes against one of the meanest, nastiest front sevens in football when they travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if RGIII doesn’t finish this game.

3.) Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers: Man, seems like just a few weeks ago when Rivers was arguably the frontrunner for the NFL MVP award. Well, that’s why the award isn’t given out after only four games. Rivers and his Chargers have cooled off as late, and Rivers is no longer looking like an every week QB1.

Waiver Wire Pickups

1.) Adrian Peterson, HB, Minnesota Vikings: The fact this man could be reinstated and play in the NFL this year disgusts me. Now that I have that off my chest, I would advise owners who need another option at HB to pick up the man I will refer to as No. 28 of the Minnesota Vikings.

2.) C.J. Anderson, HB, Denver Broncos: Although the Broncos are known for their aerial attack, the fact remains that this team wants to become more balanced. Now that Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman are banged up, C.J. Anderson is next in line. For teams desperate for running back depth, Anderson could be a solid option.

3.) Indianapolis Colts, Defense: The Colts defense will take on a pitiful Jaguars offense lead by a QB who throws interceptions like they’re going out of style. Mega fantasy points from the horseshoe crew this week.