NFL 2023 Mock Draft - Version 1

Adamo Marinelli

April 11, 2023

The 2023 NFL draft is just over two weeks away. Here is the first version of my 2023 mock draft that's based on each team's biggest needs and also on the best player available basis.

1. Carolina Panthers (via Bears) - C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (biggest needs: QB, Edge, WR)

The 2022 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, who threw for 3,688 yards and ranked second in the FBS with 41 touchdowns to only six interceptions, Stroud has all the intangibles including a strong arm, elite deep-ball accuracy, mobility, and the ability to escape pressure with his legs.  

2. Houston Texans - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (biggest needs: QB, WR, Edge)

Despite being slightly undersized, his high football IQ, ability to scan the field efficiently, use his eyes to manipulate defenders to create easier throws, avoid turning the ball over and his high confidence level on the field and in the film room make him a franchise-altering talent.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (biggest needs: DL, CB, OL)

Arguably the best defensive prospect in the draft, if his off-field problems get sorted before the season, he checks off all the intangibles for any pass rusher: explosiveness, toughness, talent, and potential to grow and develop. He’s quick off the line and can shed blocks efficiently with clean step and swim moves, but he can use a bit more mass to compete against the biggest guards.

4. Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (biggest needs: QB, CB, OL)

Levis is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the draft. He is an athletic passer with a strong release that can get the ball to virtually anywhere on the field with high velocity, however, his accuracy issues have led to many uncatchable passes. He has the prototypical QB build but has struggled to consistently play well and will need a strong offensive-minded coach as a mentor to develop.

5. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) - Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama (needs: DL, WR, OG)

Anderson is an impact player off the edge who is well-built. He possesses excellent footwork and long arms and has the talent and explosiveness to get off the line. He can shave edges or open holes in the offensive line with his excellent swim moves and block-shedding ability. He has a nose for the QB and can get there quickly but he needs to ensure his energy doesn’t wane.

6. Detroit Lions (via Rams) - Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech (needs: DL, DB, TE)

With a stout build, strong core, and long arms, he has the skill to engage and beat blockers and has the motor to be a three-down player. He is agile, flexible, and quick enough to get around the edge but his adequate ability to change direction makes him a threat when he counters back inside. He is savvy, versatile, and rarely misses tackles but needs to develop a wider repertoire of pass-rush and swim moves to succeed in the NFL.

7. Chicago Bears (via Raiders) - Peter Skoronski, G/T, Northwestern (needs: DL, OL, CB)

An extremely versatile specimen with a big, strong frame, he has the skill set to play at left tackle and protect the QBs’ blindside but he can also play guard with his strong balance, upper body, and core. He has a clear understanding of positioning and angles at the point of attack and has excellent footwork and hand movement to counter-rush moves. He excels as a run blocker but needs to alter his hand placement in pass sets to be less predictable.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa (needs: Edge, CB, WR)

Van Ness is a well-developed defensive end who uses his strength and agility to be a proficient run-defender and pass-rusher. His long arms generate a good push and his agility and excellent timing help him corral mobile QBs but he needs to diversify his rush repertoire beyond bull-rush challenges and his arsenal of hand attacks to shed blocks quicker to succeed in the NFL.

9. Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (needs: CB, OL, DL)

Gonzalez possesses a rare blend of athletic and physical traits and is arguably the best cornerback prospect after a great college career and an excellent combine. He plays with an elite speed that allows him to match up with top-end receivers, can press receivers on the line or match their footwork to follow them and shadow their routes in man coverage. He has average instincts to jump routes, and challenge catches and his ball-tracking skills will need improvement.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson (needs: S, DL, RB)

He is an athletic interior defensive lineman who excels at stuffing the run but possesses an ongoing motor that allows him to get past blocks and can even overpower some double teams. He is able to understand opposing blocking schemes and operates with smart hand placement and movement to put pressure on and engage blockers, but needs to develop his block-shedding technique to have more of an impact pass rushing in the backfield.

11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State (needs: OL, WR, DB)

Johnson Jr. is a versatile prospect with the skillset, hands, and footwork to play at guard or tackle. He has a big frame but is only going to fill it out more and get stronger. His agility will be key in keeping up with agile edge defenders. He’s a much better-moving blocker than man-blocking.

12. Houston Texans (via Browns): Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU (needs: QB, WR, Edge)

Despite some glaring inconsistencies on tape that can be fixed with coaching and experience, he has the height, weight, speed, and hands to cement himself as a future WR1. He excels in the slot but is better outside in space and his long strides and agility create lots of separation. He is proficient at making late adjustments to haul in deep throws and is explosive off the line.

13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (needs: OL, DT, S)

A freakily athletic prospect with the size, agility, length, and potential to develop into a starter at left tackle, Jones is talented at working into space and landing a block to propel the running game. He has nimble feet to mirror opposing rushers or recover after a mistake. Jones’ frame and technique both are in the developmental phase but will improve with time development. 

14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (needs: DB, OT, WR)

He is a high-octane prospect but his strengths are dependent on the scheme he’s in. The Patriots’ 4-3 zone coverage scheme will help Witherspoon excel. He plays with urgency, and anticipation, and has great route recognition with a unique ability to break up passes. He is a tremendous ball-hawk and can cover space very quick in zone schemes, but his coverage can be handsy after five yards in man, he’s sluggish to match route breaks from his backpedal and his top-end speed could be an issue.

15. Green Bay Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (needs: S, WR, TE)

The Packers need to surround their young QB with pass-catching talent. Smith-Njigba provides that. While he lacks the speed to run past outside cornerbacks and the shake to separate underneath, but is tough in the middle of the defense and can make catches in traffic. If he can fine-tune his route running, and speed and develops a burst after the catch, he’s a great slot receiver. 

16. Washington Commanders: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida (needs: CB, OL, TE)

The Commanders have other needs and Howell is at QB already, but a rebuilding team with no aspirations to compete for at least a few years, Richardson should be a project they’re willing to take on. While most of his production came from one season, Richardson is a physical specimen who had an excellent combine. He is a dual-threat QB but needs a lot of experience and coaching to reach his extremely high ceiling. Can Washington do it?

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (needs: OL, CB, DL)

He’s not the most athletic and agile left tackle of the bunch but has the size, length, and potential to be a starting left tackle with time and proper development. He has a feel for pocket depth, is agile and has great balance for his size, and has elite footwork and hand placement to keep up with defenders. He struggles to recover when beaten, has average speed, and can fail to get a strong initial push.

18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (needs: DL, DB, TE, RB)

Arguably the best RB in his class, Bijan Robinson will immediately fill the hole left by Jamaal Williams and will fit nicely with D’Andre Swift. Robinson is agile and well-built with a compact frame. He is a three down-back with elite footwork and agility to alter his pace and direction, he runs hard and low to the ground and can break through contact while finding gaps to split. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor (needs: OL, S, DL)

Possessing solid athleticism for his size, Ika is a huge body who will be able to eat up blocks on the interior of the defensive line, stuff the run, and occasionally rush the passer. He has the power and quickness to recognize a play and penetrate the line to blow it up and has the agility & lateral quickness to create multiple rush angles. His balance and taking on double teams need work.

20. Seattle Seahawks: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida (needs: DL, WR, OG)

After addressing their defensive line earlier, they bolster their interior offensive line to provide Geno Smith with extra protection. His large size helps to generate movement as a drive blocker, his wide build makes life difficult for interior rushers, he has good balance for his size and is well disciplined, taking very few penalties in 2022, but is somewhat indecisive and struggles to mirror athletic rushers due to physical/athletic limitations.

Miami Dolphins: pick forfeited

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College (needs: WR, DL, TE)

After an excellent combine and a great college career, Flowers is exactly what the Chargers need to surround Herbert with another weapon. He is very athletic, with great speed off the line, great hands & ball-tracking skills. He’s an elite deep-ball threat, is slippery in the open field and his routes are quick and maintain momentum through turns. He does have smaller hands and he often rushes his routes, which occasionally needs more attention to detail and salesmanship.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC (needs: WR, CB, QB)

A dynamic route runner who is agile, shifty, and possesses excellent acceleration, he has the speed and technical ability to excel on all three levels of the field. His elite footwork helps him beat coverage especially close to the line of scrimmage, but he lacks the size and catch strength generally possessed by elite NFL receivers. He will be an extra weapon for Lamar if he resigns. 

23. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland (needs: CB, DL, WR)

Banks is a perimeter CB with a desired blend of size, strength, and athleticism that is seen in his college tapes and excellent performance at the combine and he excels in multiple different schemes. He has the speed and agility to run with the opponent and mirror the receivers’ cuts. His arm length allows him to contest catches but he needs to improve his route anticipation and discipline.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (needs: CB, OT, DE)

An ascending CB with CB1 potential if he’s developed and utilized properly, Porter Jr. is one of the most physical corners in the draft and has the frame to close catch windows in man coverage against bigger receivers. His smart hand usage helps bail him out when his feet are late and he has great recovery and length to swat away underthrows, but his sluggish change of direction generates a lot of penalties so his success will be dependent on his team's scheme.

25. New York Giants: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina (WR, OL, CB)

The Giants need all the offensive weapons they can get to aid Daniel Jones. Downs has dynamic footwork, agility, and a sixth sense of how to elude opponents with his athleticism. His tempo changes make it difficult to be covered or pressed in man and his sharp turns & cuts create loads of separation. He can be slowed by a bigger press corner and he needs to be more disciplined in his route running, sometimes he leaves routes unfinished or ends them prematurely.

26. Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (needs: DL, OL, TE)

Kincaid is by far the best tight end in the draft and will fit right into a dynamic passing attack that lost Dalton Schultz. Kincaid runs fluid routes and has the athleticism, speed, and agility to create mismatches against weaker coverage. He has excellent ball-tracking skills and solid hands that allow him to scoop up 50-50 balls. He is not the best run blocker, his balance is average, and struggles to block for extended periods of time.

27. Buffalo Bills: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh (needs: WR, DT, LB)

He is a nightmare for offences as a speedy pass rusher, who possesses a strong motor and elite leverage - often too much for guards to handle alone. He posted 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in two years as a starter and has a nose for the QB. He is strong and determined, but his lack of mass and length make him hit or miss as a run defender and he will be pushed around a decent amount. He’ll be most effective as a three-down pass rusher & a rotational run defender.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State (needs: OT, TE, RB)

Jones is a massive right tackle with rare length who has the size and strength to hold up pass rushers and will help protect Joe Burrow. However, his limited athleticism can impact his consistency. His massive wingspan overwhelms rushers when his hands are set properly, is balanced and agile for his size, and can follow and mirror edge rushers effectively. 

29. New Orleans Saints (via 49ers): Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (needs: DL, TE, OL)

Smith possesses a rare blend of size and quickness and is incredibly mobile for his size. He is a solid run blocker, can pull guards off balance easily, and can control and shed base blocks with relative ease, but he needs to become more effective at beating double teams, securing his gap, and matching the initial movement of interior offensive linemen to be more effective.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (needs: S, DL, RB)

Gibbs is a fierce running back who can stretch defenses wide and has the agility, and ability to cut and change direction to elude tacklers in space. While he may not be the offence’s main engine or a three-down back, he can definitely add juice to any offence thanks to his versatility and pass-catching ability & will slot in nicely in the Eagles’ potent rushing attack that includes Jalen Hurts.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Drew Sanders, OLB, Arkansas (needs: WR, OT, Edge)

He has the physical traits, athleticism, and versatility to be used as an inside linebacker or a stand-up edge rusher. He has a large arsenal of pass-rush moves and wickedly fluid slide-and-swim moves as an A, B, or C gap rusher. He has the strength to beat guards on the inside & the athleticism and balance to beat tackles around the edge. He upgrades the Chiefs' defense automatically.

Arsenal regain five point lead atop EPL table with comfortable win

Adamo Marinelli

March 13, 2023

Arsenal comfortably defeated an inform Fulham club, 3-0 away at Craven Cottage yesterday - a tough place to play - to complete their away sweep of London and regain their five-point lead atop the Premier League Table and keep their dreams of winning their first league title in 19 years alive.

Arsenal now has 11 road wins, in nine of those they kept clean sheets. They have a total of 12 clean sheets, tied for most in the league with Newcastle United.

The Gunners also become the only Premier League team to win five consecutive London derbies away from home, keeping a clean sheet in each match. They defeated Fulham 3-0, Brentford 3-0, Crystal Palace 2-0, Chelsea 1-0, and Tottenham 2-0.  

Belgian International, winger Leandro Trossard recorded a hattrick of assists in the first half, becoming the only player to record three assists in a first half of an away match in Premier League history. What a bargain signing for only £27 million. 

Gabriel scored his third goal of the season, and second against Fulham - after scoring a late 85th-minute winner to lift Arsenal to victory at home on August 27 - off a brilliantly placed corner by Trossard in the 21st minute. All three of Gabriel’s goals have come off a corner. 

Gabriel Martinelli scored his 12th goal of the season with a header to double Arsenal’s advantage five minutes later. Trossard received a pass from Granit Xhaka and ran into open space on the left flank, before crossing it into Martinelli who made no mistake with timing his jump to connect with the ball.

Martin Odegaard brilliantly controlled a cross into the box by Trossard before juking around a defender and firing it past Bernd Leno. 

Arsenal was brilliant defensively all game but shut down Fulham in the second half, Fulham’s best chance was hitting the crossbar in the 70th minute.

With the win, Mikel Arteta recorded his 100th win as the Arsenal manager in 168 games. He posted a record of 100-26-44.

Arsenal has a chance to extend their lead atop the table to eight points on Sunday when they host Crystal Palace. Manchester City doesn’t play a league game this weekend as a result of the FA Cup quarter-finals. If Arsenal go eight points clear, the pressure is really on City.

Ottawa Senators bolster blue line, acquire all-star Chychrun from Coyotes

Adamo Marinelli

March 1, 2023

After needing another top-four defenceman for years, the Ottawa Senators finally added a proven NHL talent to bolster their blue line to help them make a playoff push. 

The highly coveted defenseman they acquired, former Arizona Coyotes’ defender Jakob Chychrun, 24, is one of the best, most proven, and most talented young defensemen in the NHL. He is arguably a top 10 defenseman in the league and is one of the biggest names on the NHL trade deadline bait list.

Many teams have been rumored to acquire Chychrun for the last several months. The Senators were able to acquire him for a top-five protected 2023 first-round pick, a conditional second-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2026.

Arguably, the best part of the deal is that the Senators didn’t have to give up any roster players or any of their young offensive prospects like Shane Pinto or Ridly Greig. This is critical for the Senators’ offensive success this season and in the future seasons because they are lacking depth in their bottom six forwards, particularly at center – where Pinto and Greig both play – so the Senators need all the help they can get to bolster their bottom six. Pinto and Greig both play a vital role in doing so.

“A defenceman we’ve coveted, Jakob is big and plays imposing. He possesses a quality skill set; he defends hard and is highly skilled. He uses his heavy shot with accuracy and is effective at creating offence as a threat at the offensive blue line,” General Manager Dorion, who was extremely thrilled to bring in Chychrun, said in a press conference.

Chychrun is a physical specimen, who isn’t afraid to throw his body around to make a play, forechecks well, creates turnovers, is speedy for his size, and has the passing and shooting ability to get involved offensively, especially on special teams.

Chychrun has been sidelined since February 10 for trade-related reasons and in 36 games this season he has 21 assists and 28 points in 36 games played and can get pucks to the net, recording 114 shots on goal this season.

The Senators acquired Chychrun for quite the bargain. Arizona’s General Manager Bill Armstrong originally wanted two first-round picks and a high-level prospect in return for Chychrun, but because a handful of contenders dropped out of the sweepstakes after acquiring other defenders and the because Senators didn’t require Arizona to retain any salary, the Senators were able to get the deal done.

Chychrun will make an immediate impact on Ottawa’s blue line and help them win games down the stretch to solidify their playoff spot. They’ve won the last three games, including beating Detroit 6-2 and 6-1 in two consecutive games on February 27 and 28, respectively.

Chychrun will likely slot into Ottawa’s first defensive pairing with Jake Sanderson; Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub will form the second line and Eric Branstromm will pair with Travis Hamonic on the third line. 

Chychrun is under contract for the next three years, until the end of the 2024-25 season, at an average annual value of $4.6 million per year, and will be 27 years old if the Senators decide to resign him in 2025. He is a quality player who can make an impact in Ottawa for years to come.

Great move by Pierre Dorion and the Senators’ management. Grade: A+ (A++ if they sign him to a good-value, long-term deal in 2025).

Super Bowl 57 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Adamo Marinelli

February 9, 2023

We all should have seen this Super Bowl 57 matchup coming from a mile away given the number of storylines that come out of this game. 

Both the Eagles and Chiefs have a 16-3 record so far this season; both teams scored 546 points (regular and post-season) ahead of the Super Bowl; both teams have a Kelce brother: Jason plays center for the Eagles; Travis plays tight end for the Chiefs, both teams finished first in their respective conference at 14-3 and received a first-round bye, and both have six all pro players including their respective quarterback and Kelce brother. 

Finally, Andy Reid coached the Eagles in the 2000s, leading them to two Super Bowl appearances and multiple NFC championship games. Now he is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs - the closest thing the NFL has had to a dynasty since the New England Patriots won six Super Bowls in 18 years - and his tactical brilliance and excellent playcalling have led the Chiefs to host the last five AFC Championship Games and made the Super Bowl on two of those occasions. 

However, both teams took two very different routes to get to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs relied on their excellent passing attack led by NFL MVP and Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes, who had an incredible season, completing 67 percent of his passes, throwing for 5250 passing yards, 41 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions. The Chiefs led the NFL in passing, averaging 294.5 yards per game, a whopping 21.2 yards per game higher than the second-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, unlike in previous seasons where the Chiefs dominated opponents with the deep ball, scoring points using the pure speed of their receivers, the Chiefs took a more methodical approach to their offensive playcalling this year with longer, meticulous drives that ate up the clock and incorporated their tight ends and running backs into the passing attack more often, especially with all the quick throws and screens Mahomes made to avoid pressure and the blitz. 28 of his 41 touchdowns went to running backs and tight ends which shows how drastically their offensive scheme changed. 

The Chiefs’ offensive line is still one of the best in the league - it ranked third during the regular season - and gives Mahomes a lot of time to throw. Mahomes’ elusiveness and speed also give him the ability to run out of the pocket to buy time for his receivers or scramble for the first down. The Chiefs rank 19th in the league in rushing yards, but scored 18 rush TDs, seventh best in the league. 

In the playoffs, the Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-20 in the divisional round, thanks in 

part to backup QB Chad Henne who stepped in and excelled when Mahomes briefly exited with an ankle injury and then defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on a last-second, game-winning field goal. They’ve scored 25 points per game and allowed 20 in the postseason. 

The Eagles relied on their potent rushing attack and excellent pass rush to achieve all their success this season on their way to a second Super Bowl in five years.

The Eagles finished fifth in the league in rushing with 2509 total yards (147.6 tards per game) but scored a league-leading 32 rushing touchdowns thanks to elite blocking from their offensive line, ranked number one in the NFL by PFF and from elite speed, creativity, physicality and quickness from their runningbacks and quarterback.

Their running back trio consisting of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell posted a combined 1726 yards and 18 touchdowns: Sanders posted 1269 yards and 11 touchdowns, Scott posted 217 yards and three touchdowns and Gainwell posted 240 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was just as - if not more - effective on the ground as he was through the air, rushing for 760 yards, fourth most in the league, and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns, more than any other QB in 2022. Hurts scored two rush touchdowns in the postseason to increase his total to 15 which breaks the record for most rush TDs by a QB in a single season (including playoffs) breaking Cam Newton’s 2015 record of 14.

Hurts was also excellent through the air, completing 66.5 percent of his passes while recording 3701 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and throwing only six interceptions. A big reason why is the addition of all-star wide receiver A.J. Brown who the Eagles got from the Titans in exchange for a first and fourth-round draft pick in 2022. Brown was more than worth the capital and every penny of the four-year, $100 million extension and had a career year with 88 receptions, 1496 yards (fourth best in the NFL), and 11 receiving touchdowns (tied for third in the NFL). He paired nicely with Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. The Eagles’ top 10 passing attack will have the advantage over the Chiefs’ middle-of-the-pack secondary.

The real MVP of the Eagles is their dominant defense, especially their dominant front seven, which recorded a whopping 70 sacks, 15 more than the Chiefs who ranked second with 55. The Eagles fell just short of the 1984 Chicago Bears’ NFL record of 72 sacks in a single season. The Eagles made history, having four players with 10 or more sacks: Hassan Reddick (who was acquired in free agency and was arguably their best defensive player) recorded 16, Josh Sweat Javon Hargrave, and veteran Brandon Graham each recorded 11 sacks, a simply incredible stat that shows the immense amount of talent across their entire defensive line. 

The Eagles can get to the opposing quarterback in a hurry which will be the key to victory. If they can get to Mahomes, put pressure on him, hurry up his reads, and not allow him to scramble out of the pocket to make a play, they will have an advantage. However, Mahomes is hard to bring down because of his athleticism to avoid sacks, the Chiefs’ playcalling which gets the ball out quickly, and their solid offensive line which only gave up 26 sacks, the third-fewest in the league this season. The Eagles gave up 44 sacks which sounds high considering how good the Eagles’ offensive line is. The Chiefs’ pass rush is talented, especially Chris Jones and Frank Clark who combined for 20.5 of the Chiefs’ 55 sacks this year, but it is tough for any team to put pressure on Hurts when they have to get through the Eagles’ offensive line which ranks top five in nearly all metrics this season. 

The Eagles continued their dominance getting to the quarterback and in the running game in the postseason. They beat the Giants 38-7 in the divisional round and beat the 49ers (who were down to their 4th-string QB) 31-7. They average 34.5 points per game in the playoffs, better than any other team, and allow only seven points a game - also the fewest among all playoff teams. Against the Giants, the Eagles rushed for 268 yards and three touchdowns and had five sacks; against the 49ers the Eagles rushed for 150 yards on the ground, had four rushing TDs, and recorded three sacks. In both games, the Eagles gave the opposing offense no chance. 

The 49ers have better offensive weapons than the Chiefs, but they had a fourth-string quarterback in for most of the game. Mahomes has a strong supporting cast, not as strong as the 49ers, but he is miles better than any QB on the 49ers roster currently, so we can’t compare the Eagles-49ers to the Eagles vs Chiefs Super Bowl, however, the Eagles’ defense makes it tough for any team to protect their quarterback, run the ball and keep drives alive. 

Not only is the Eagles’ pass rush, but their secondary is also among the best in the league with a duo of Darius Slay and James Bradberry - another brilliant free agency addition by GM Howie Roseman - who deserves a lot of credit for building this roster - leading the way. The Eagles gave up only 3057 passing yards (179.8 per game), the fewest in the NFL. They will be tested against the Chiefs’ NFL best passing attack, but have the pieces in place to prevent the Chiefs’ receivers from having a good game and to prevent Mahomes from having time to throw. There have also been conflicting reports about the status of Mahomes’ ankle: his father said it was nowhere near 100 percent ready, but Sporting News reported that his ankle is “doing really well” ahead of Sunday. 

Both teams are very well built, have a lot of talent at almost every position, and are well coached, however, the coaching edge has to go to Andy Reid over Nick Sirianni. Despite this, the Eagles are 1.5-point favourites as of 11:30 p.m. EST on February 8, 2023, because they have the better pass rush and run game. Defense wins championships and a strong pass rush is critical to postseason success (look no further than Aaron Donald in Super Bowl 56 or Von Miller in Super Bowl 50); Hasan Reddick can be the difference maker on Sunday. While the Chiefs have a better passing game, the Eagles have a better run game and a solid passing game which is better than the Chiefs' secondary, all reasons why the Eagles are favoured.

It will be a good game regardless of the outcome, but the Eagles will win their second Super Bowl and prevent the Chiefs from winning their third. I believe the Eagles will win 31-23 in a high-scoring affair.

A full team effort helps the Ravens defeat the GeeGees 66-60 in Capital Hoops Classic thriller

Adamo Marinelli

February 3, 2022

The Carleton Ravens’ women’s basketball team defeated the University of GeeGees 66-60 to win their second consecutive Capital Hoops Classic after an all-around team effort on both sides of the ball. The Ravens now lead the all-time series 9-5. 

The Ravens are a perfect 9-0 in 2023. In that stretch, the Ravens are playing strong, physical defense as a team and are getting offensive production from everyone. 

In seven of their nine victories in 2023, the Ravens have had two players recording double-digit points and in four of their nine wins, the Ravens have had three players score more than 10 points. 

The Ravens’ fantastic ball movement creates open shooting lanes and open shots from high-percentage areas which the Ravens have capitalized on. 

In their first seven games of the campaign, the Ravens’ offense flowed primarily through star point guard Kali Pocrnic who scored 22 or more points and led the team in scoring in five of seven games.

Recently, the Ravens have gotten more consistent production from all five starters and their bench unit on both sides of the ball, although Pocrnic has still been producing at an elite level scoring 27 points twice and 15 or more points six times. 

The Ravens’ bench outscored its opponent in seven of its nine wins in 2023. The efficient production from the bench helps keep the Ravens in games or helps the Ravens build on their lead while at the same time ensuring the starters don’t get overworked. 

When everyone on the floor is a threat to score, it prevents the defense from narrowing in on an opponent’s star player which in turn creates more shot opportunities for all five players on the hardwood. 

During their long win streak, the Ravens have also been proficient on the glass and in transition. The Ravens have outrebounded their opponents in seven of their last nine games, including dominating the GeeGee’s on the glass by a margin of 50-38. 

The Ravens are dominant on the glass on both ends of the floor, each paying massive dividends to the team’s success. The Ravens’ dominance on the offensive glass helps them create second-chance point opportunities against the opponent's unset defence which almost always leads to an open shot with their precise and efficient ball movement. The Ravens have more second-chance point opportunities in eight games during their nine-game winning streak. 

Their dominance on the defensive glass not only helps them end their opponents’ possessions and prevent them from creating second-chance opportunities or open shots from high-percentage areas like the key and in the paint, but the Ravens’ immaculate distribution and fantastic playmaking, allows for the Ravens to quickly attack in transition which results in uncontested layups and high-percentage jump-shots.

During the Ravens’ nine-game winning streak in 2023, they recorded more outscored their opponents in the paint on six occasions, which has been an extremely critical part of the Ravens’ success, as five of the nine games have been decided by 10 points or fewer. 

Finally, the Ravens’ strong team defense is key to their success. The Ravens held their opponent to under 55 points in five of nine games during their long unbeaten run. 

The Ravens are a phenomenal perimeter defense team and held the GeeGee’s - one of the best shooting teams in the OUA - to under 33 percent from both the field and beyond the arc which is excellent

The Ravens are quick, versatile, and aggressive on defense. Their tight defensive press gives the opposing ball carrier less space to advance the ball up the floor, pass the ball to a teammate or shoot. The Ravens are aggressive on the ball and force a lot of turnovers, which aids their transition attack immensely. 

The Ravens forced 16 GeeGee’s turnovers which resulted in 21 points in transition, making it the seventh time that they have scored more points off turnovers than their opponent during their long win streak. The Ravens also excel in transition and outscored their opponent on the fastbreak in eight of their last nine games. 

Defensively, the Ravens are quick to close down shooting lanes to counter the opponents’ ball movement and are agile rolling off screens to block and contest their opponents’ shots.

The Ravens moved the ball efficiently, consistently creating open shot opportunities from high-percentage areas and recording eight assists on 22 made field goals. The Ravens shot 34.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The Ravens’ physical, agile, and versatile defense combined with their excellent ball movement and sharpshooting gave them the lead early and the Ravens never really looked back. The Ravens’ largest lead was 15 points midway through the third quarter and even though the GeeGee’s fought back, cutting their opponent’s lead to eight and even six points on multiple occasions, the Ravens did enough to hold on for a huge victory.

The win helps the Ravens improve to 16-2 on the season, second in the OUA standings only behind the 17-1 Queen’s Gaels. 

This win puts them ahead of the 15-3 GeeGee’s and has massive implications on the playoff picture. The top team in each of the three divisions automatically receives a bye to the quarterfinals. The remaining teams are then seeded based on their record and the team with the best record that didn’t win their division also gets a bye.

In the same division as the Gaels, the Ravens are currently the best non-division winning team in the OUA and are in a position to receive the final bye. 

However, with a 1-1 head-to-head record against the Gaels, the Ravens can still win their division if they win their remaining four games and if Queens loses one of their next four.

What we learned from NFL conference championship weekend

Adamo Marinelli

Jan. 30, 2023

Super Bowl 57 is set. The NFC’s number-one-seeded Philadelphia Eagles will do battle with the AFC’s number-one-seed Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona on February 12. It shall be known as the battle between Jason and Travis Kelce for their second ring and Andy Reid’s current vs former team.

NFC Championship: San Fransisco 49ers 7 - Philadelphia Eagles 31 

Unfortunately, this game between the two best teams in the NFC was never particularly close, quite anticlimactic, actually. Of course, Brock Purdy got hurt early. The 49ers had to rely on backup QB Josh Johnson, who clearly wasn’t game ready, and also relied on running back Christian McCaffrey in the wildcat formation when Johnson exited with an injury. Still, the biggest factor in this game was the Eagles’ defence that forced two turnovers deep in 49ers territory which they capitalized on by scoring two touchdowns to build an early 21-7 lead at halftime. The 49ers' defence was solid all game, but their offence left them some short fields, which is hard for any defence to prevent touchdowns, especially against a dynamic offence like Philadelphia’s. McCaffrey led the way for the 49ers with 84 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but that’s where the 49ers’ offensive production ended. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ offence did not make a single mistake, didn’t turn the ball over and controlled the clock with their effective run game, which combined for 150 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Jalen Hurts only threw for 121 yards, but like against the Giants, they built a big lead early and didn’t need to pass the ball. The only questionable call in this game was Devonta Smith’s huge reception on third down in the first quarter which led to the Eagles’ first touchdown. The replay showed it was incomplete, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t throw the challenge flag because his sideline staff didn’t have the definitive angle at the time. Regardless, the Eagles’ defence also pressured both 49ers’ quarterbacks all game, forcing three sacks two fumbles and being in the 49ers' backfield all day. The Eagles’ number-one pass rush which recorded a franchise record of 70 sacks this season is how they win games, and it was no different tonight. The Eagles will return to the Superbowl for the first time since 2017.

AFC Championship: Cincinnati Bengals 20 - Kansas City Chiefs 23

Joe Burrow is no longer perfect against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Just like the Bengals’ three previous victories against the Chiefs, this game was also decided by three points after an unnecessary roughness penalty against Mahomes who after scrambling for a first down on a hurt ankle - great play by him putting his body on the line for the win - was hit late out of bounds by Begals’ defensive end Joseph Ossai which led to Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal. While that call was correct according to the rule book, many other suspect calls in this game led many people who were on the fence about if the NFL was scripted to believe it definitely was. Most notably, the Chiefs getting to re-do a crucial third down, several missed holds and blocks in the back on the punt return that led to Butker’s game-winning kick, several missed roughing the passers on Burrow, the intentional grounding on Burrow even though Samaje Perine was in the area. Also, many people also argued that it was Ossai’s momentum that carried him out of bounds and as a result, the refs should never decide a championship game with a call like that. People are even calling for the officiating crew to be investigated. Regardless of how bad the referees may have been, the Chiefs’ pass rush was the real reason they won the game. The Chiefs pressured Burrow all night, especially in the first half and capitalized on the Bengals’ makeshift offensive line, recording five sacks and pressuring Burrow, forcing him to hurry up his reads. This led to Burrow throwing two interceptions. Chris Jones and Frank Clarke combined for 3.5 sacks, including the one that forced a Bengals punt, leading to the Chiefs’ game-winning drive. The Chiefs' run game was borderline ineffective, however, even with an ankle that wasn’t 100 percent, Mahomes looked good, completing 29/43 passes for 326 yards and two TDs; and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the leading receiver with six grabs, 116 yards and one TD. The Bengals kept it close and only trailed by over seven points one time after Travis Kelce’s touchdown in the second quarter. In the second half, Burrow was more composed and found ways to escape pressure and get the ball downfield to his playmakers, but with five minutes left in the game Burrow had the chance for a game-winning drive but his deep ball intended for Ja’Marr Chase was intercepted. After both teams exchanged punts, the Chiefs drove down the field with the help of the major foul on Ossai to give the Chiefs the win with seconds remaining. The Chiefs will go to their third Superbowl in five years.

What we learned from the NFL divisional playoffs

 Adamo Marinelli

January 24, 2023

The conference championship weekend is set. In the AFC, we have a rematch of last year’s championship game. Joe Burrow will look to improve his record to 4-0 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs when the Bengals visit Arrowhead and in the NFC, the two best teams in the conference will square off when the San Fransisco 49ers travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles.

Let’s take a look at how we got here. 

Jaguars 20 - Chiefs 27 

The Jaguars kept it close with their strong defense, but even with Patrick Mahomes missing some time in the second quarter with an ankle industry the Chiefs still drove the ball downfield meticulously with Chad Henne. The Chiefs had a 17-10 lead at halftime after Travis Kelce caught his second TD of the game after Henne found him open in the endzone. The Jaguars’ offence struggled to move the ball downfield and couldn’t get their run game going in the second and third quarters got going in the fourth quarter and pulled to within seven points after a Travis Etienne touchdown, but a Mahomes pitch and catch to Marquez Valdes Scantling also sealed the game. The Jaguars’ defence gave them a shot to win this game, and although Trevor Lawrence didn’t have a bad game by any means, he wasn’t as great as he was in the second half against the Chargers, throwing for 217 yards, one TD and one interception. His teammates cost the team, especially with Christian Kirk’s crucial drop and a Jamaal Agnew fumble late in the game. Mahomes and Henne combined for 218 yards and three TDs. 

Giants 7 - Eagles 38

Absolute domination on both sides of the ball all game long for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts was phenomenal, the Eagles’ run game dominated the New York Giants’ run defence, and their pass rush was relentless, constantly in Daniel Jones’ face giving him no time to make a play. The Eagles’ passing game was quiet, but it doesn’t have to do much when you have such a big lead and one of the best rush attacks and defences in the league. The Eagles had five different players score a touchdown and were up 21-0 early in the second quarter. This game was not particularly close at any point. This win is a testament to how good the Eagles are on both sides of the ball, but also is a testament to how mediocre the Giants were. The Minnesota Vikings’ defence made Jones - who was shut down by the Eagles - look like prime Tom Brady; which makes us wonder if the Vikings were ever true Super Bowl contenders.

Bengals 27 - Bills 10

The Buffalo Bills end their wild season on a sour note, much earlier than expected after a tough

loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game where neither their offence nor defence showed up. The Bengals started strong offensively on the road despite the intense blizzard conditions and moved the ball down the field efficiently. Burrow found the endzone twice in the first quarter thanks to touchdown passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Hayden Hurst to open up a 14-0 lead. Burrow scanned the field well and consistently found the open receivers who were finding gaps in the Bills’ secondary with ease. Joe Mixon’s excellent 105 yards and one touchdown on the ground helped to open up the passing game for Burrow, who had a really good game with 242 yards and two TDs. The Bills’ offence could never seem to get going and despite a rushing touchdown from Allen to cut the lead to 14-7; seven points was the closest the Bills would get to tying the game. The Bengals’ defence was phenomenal in coverage limiting Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis to 69 receiving yards and their front four consistently pressured Allen who struggled to find any rhythm completing only 25/42 yards for 265 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Bengals are scary on both sides of the ball and the Bills seem to be regressing in the playoffs recently and have a long off-season ahead of them with many free agents.

Cowboys 12 - 49ers 19

Both defences were phenomenal in this game. The Dallas Cowboys’ defence kept them in the game and limited arguably the best defense in the NFL - which averages over 35 points per game - to only 19 points and held Christian McCaffrey - one of the best runningbacks in the league - to a mere 35 yards, although he did score the San Fransisco 49ers lone touchdown to give the 49ers a 16-9 lead early in the fourth quarter to break open a defensive deadlock. The Cowboys’ offence started the game strong, taking a 6-3 lead after Dak Prescott found tight end Dalton Schultz in the endzone, however, Brett Maher’s extra point was blocked, meaning he’s missed five extra points in two playoff games but he redeemed himself with two field goals from 25 and 43 yards out. After that drive, the Cowboys struggled to move the ball. The 49ers shut down the Cowboys’ rush attack, holding Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard - who exited with an injury - to a combined 48 yards on the ground. The Cowboys’ poor performance on the ground, the absence of production from any receiver except Ceedee Lamb who caught 10 passes for 117 yards, and Prescott’s two costly interceptions in opposition territory took potential points off the board. Prescott’s many mistakes in key moments of crucial games are alarming.

The Cowboys’ defence was excellent in coverage and their pass rush was consistently pressuring Brock Purdy who had a solid game, completing 19/29 passes for 214 yards. Interestingly, Prescott and Purdy both have two career playoff wins.

For the most part, the divisional round was very entertaining; let’s hope the conference championship games will be just as memorable.