You asked for it, you get it. A 2022 NFL season preview, complete with tiered team rankings and analysis, an awards ballot and playoff predictions. Below, I've predicted each of the 272 regular season games and 13 playoff games and crowned a prospective Super Bowl winner. Whether you agree or disagree with my projections, this … Continue reading 2022 NFL Season Preview: Mahomes, Herbert star in electric football fall
I’ve been watching ESPN’s eight-part documentary on famed Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. It’s an interesting watch for me, because I certainly remember Jeter’s Yankees in the back-half of his career and, as a fan of the Red Sox, how much I detested those teams. So far, the documentary is well-paced, has interviews with just about … Continue reading Yankee shortstops, Alabama running backs among most high-profile positions in sports
ATLANTA — This spring, school looked a lot different. I can’t remember any other year when my day started at 2 p.m., when my homework was circulated to thousands of people I had never met or when watching sports was a welcome obligation, rather than a midday distraction. So I don’t think it’s hyperbole to … Continue reading Welcome to Atlanta: How my journalism residency at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports desk compared to expectations
The NFL Draft is the Super Bowl of the offseason calendar, and there's no better way to get in the mood than with mock drafts. Obviously there's never going to be a perfect mock draft, but for the third consecutive year, our crew of NFL Draft experts went at it, splitting up selection duties for … Continue reading 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 – Edge rushers dominate top five picks
We’re entering the biggest football weekend of the year, and all signs point to an all-time classic Super Bowl LVI. After divisional and conference championship rounds that had all six games decided by a field goal, the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals survived and will have the opportunity to win their first Super Bowl … Continue reading Read Option: Super Bowl LVI Edition
The 2021 NFL season kicks off tomorrow night with one of the most electric matchups I can recall from my time as a fan — Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers against Dak Prescott and my Dallas Cowboys (I just want the Boys to escape Florida without any major injuries, though a miracle would be … Continue reading 2021 NFL Preview: Another valiant attempt at predicting the NFL season, and my picks for Super Bowl LVI
I say this every year, but I can legitimately say that I am more excited for this NFL season than I’ve ever been for a football kickoff. Both of my teams, the Ravens and Cowboys, have reason for optimism after uneven 2020 seasons. Beyond those two, though, there’s plenty of intrigue and must-watch action to … Continue reading 2021 NFL Preview: 11 storylines to track, and the 11 games that will test them
The Riker Block mock draft has officially become a tradition. Last year's mock draft had no shortage of bold picks, with some (Justin Herbert at 3, Justin Jefferson at 16) making their drafters look like geniuses and a handful of correctly predicted picks. Most of last year's cast of characters returned for the 2021 iteration, … Continue reading 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Northwestern duo comes off the board early, Jones tumbles
As with most pro sports leagues nowadays, the term “offseason” has become a misnomer in the NFL. The months following the Super Bowl, the most-watched sports event in America, are packed with contract decisions, free agent signings, pro days and combine performances for prospects, and, the highlight of the offseason, the NFL Draft from April … Continue reading NFL Offseason: 49ers, Bucs Among Early Winners
Two gloomy, football-less Sundays have passed since the finale of the 2020 NFL season. But the football calendar hasn’t turned to its new year, giving me an excuse to return back to what was a thrilling season and knock out my season in review. In four downs, let’s look back on 21 weeks of madness. … Continue reading NFL Season in Review: Top Storylines, Quarterbacks, Games from a Thrilling Season
Riker's Block 