2021 NFL Preview: Another valiant attempt at predicting the NFL season, and my picks for Super Bowl LVI

September 8, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

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

2021 NFL Preview: 11 storylines to track, and the 11 games that will test them

August 25, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

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

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Northwestern duo comes off the board early, Jones tumbles

April 28, 2021April 28, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

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

NFL Offseason: 49ers, Bucs Among Early Winners

March 31, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

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

NFL Season in Review: Top Storylines, Quarterbacks, Games from a Thrilling Season

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

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

Week 17 Read Option: The Final Column

January 4, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

Option 1, 2020’s Burning Question: Which 10-win team is left out in the AFC? The NFL voted to expand the playoffs from six to seven teams per conference during the offseason. Yet entering Week 17, one double-digit team was guaranteed to miss the playoffs, a rarity even in a six-per-conference year. Baltimore left little doubt … Continue reading Week 17 Read Option: The Final Column

10 Burning Questions for the sports New Year

January 1, 2021 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

March 11, 2020 will go down as one of the most important days in the history of America. And of all aspects of American life to serve as an announcement of the arrival of the coronavirus to American shores, it was sports that took center stage. In the early evening hours, news broke that Utah … Continue reading 10 Burning Questions for the sports New Year

Week 16 Read Option: Miami survives thanks to Mack Hollins, Fitzmagic

December 28, 2020December 28, 2020 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

Option 1, Week 16’s Burning Question: Who clinches a trip to the playoffs? The penultimate week of the season presented a couple teams the opportunity to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The Browns and Bucs looked to end playoff droughts of over a decade, while a couple of division leaders, including Washington and Pittsburgh, … Continue reading Week 16 Read Option: Miami survives thanks to Mack Hollins, Fitzmagic

Week 14 Read Option: Lamar’s return helps Ravens edge Browns

December 15, 2020 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

Option 1, Week 14’s Burning Question: How will the AFC Wild Card race shake out? The addition of a seventh playoff team for each conference has made one of the best parts of the NFL season, the playoff hunt, even better. And with multiple games between playoff contenders on the slate, Week 14 promised to … Continue reading Week 14 Read Option: Lamar’s return helps Ravens edge Browns

Week 11 Read Option: Taysom Runs (And Passes) Wild

November 23, 2020 ~ jrike10 ~ Leave a comment

Option 1, Week 10’s Burning Question: Who comes out on top in Tennessee-Baltimore? One of the most significant results of last year’s playoffs was the 1-6 matchup out in the AFC, with the visiting Tennessee Titans upending the 14-2 Baltimore Ravens and MVP Lamar Jackson. Back in Baltimore but in the day time slot and … Continue reading Week 11 Read Option: Taysom Runs (And Passes) Wild