Keenan Reynolds Cleared to Play in NFL

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Former Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds received some great news in regards to the future of his playing career. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that Reynolds can defer his military service in order to play in the NFL. This means Reynolds can hold off serving his five year military term, in order to pursue a career in the NFL.

Carter made the announcement during his commencement speech at the Naval Academy. “It is a blessing to hear the news from Defense Secretary Carter, Reynolds said. I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability to fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL.” Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus submitted a request to the Defense Secretary two weeks ago, saying that he “strongly recommended” that Reynolds be cleared to play.

Mabus said he couldn’t think of a better ambassador for the United States Navy or for the United States military than Reynolds. The Baltimore Ravens selected Reynolds in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, as they plan to convert the triple option quarterback into a wide receiver and returner. “This is good news, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said, "and congratulations to Keenan on his graduation.”

Reynolds was a standout as a quarterback at Navy, as he set FBS records for most total touchdowns (88), rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559), and points scored (530). “I would like to thank the Navy for allowing me to represent them while taking advantage of this unique opportunity”, Reynolds said.

NFL Announces Sites for Super Bowls LIII, LIV, LV

The NFL owners met in Charlotte, NC today to discuss matters. One of those manners included where Super Bowls LIII, LIV and LV would be played in 2019, 2020, 2021. These are the sites for each Super Bowl:

Super Bowl LIII: Atlanta

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This will be the third Super Bowl that will be played in Atlanta. The Cowboys beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII in 1993 and the Rams beat the Titans in 2000. The game will be played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, which is scheduled to open in Sept. 2017.

Super Bowl LIV: Miami

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Dolphins Stadium will host it's fourth Super Bowl since it first opened in 1987. It's the first Super Bowl in South Beach since the Saints beat the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

Super Bowl LV: Los Angeles

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Los Angeles will host it's first Super Bowl since 1992, when the Cowboys beat the Bills the first time. Los Angeles also hosted Super Bowl I way back in 1967, when the Packers beat the Chiefs 35-10, as well as other Super Bowls such as Super Bow XIV in 1980 in which the Steelers beat the Los Angeles Rams to win their fourth Super Bowl in six years. 

Breaking Down the NFL Thanksgiving Games

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Lions vs Vikings: The Lions suffered a huge loss during the offseason when wide receiver Calvin Johnson retired from the NFL. They did, however, replace him with a great receiver in Marvin Jones. Having him alongside Golden Tate will make the Lions receving core great again. On the other side of the ball, the Vikings offense was already dominant with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running back Adrian Peterson and wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Cordelle Patterson. With the addition of wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, the Vikings offensei just got that much better. Whichever offense is better will win this game.

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Cowboys vs Redskins: the second game of the NFL Thanksgiving series features two NFC East rivals. Whenever these two teams meet, there's always bad blood. Last season, the Redskins came out with the win in Dallas, but that was without quarterback Tony Romo playing as he was lost for most of the season with a fractured collarbone. This season, Romo will return to take on Kirk Cousins and the Redskins hot offense. The Cowboys offense was great with receivers Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and tight end Jason Witten.

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Steelers vs Colts: the last time these two teams met, Big Ben Rothliesberger and the Steelers dominated Matt Hasselback and the Colts on Sunday Night Football. They'll meet once again on Sunday Night Football, this time on Thanksgiving night. Both teams will be without big name receivers. For the Steelers, they will be without Martavis Bryant as he is serving a one-year suspension. The Colts will be without Andre Johnson, who spent just one season in Indianapolis. The Colts will have Andrew Luck, however, who missed a majority of last season with a lacerated spleen.

Breaking Down the NFL International Series

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Week 4: Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars and the Colts will face off in a matchup of AFC South rivals at Wembley Stadium in London. The Jaguars are much improved from last year, and the Colts are getting healthy after being ravaged by injuries last season. This game will feature two of the game’s best young quarterbacks in Blake Bortles and Andrew Luck. This game will also show how the AFC South might turn out, since these two teams are in contention for the AFC South title. We will also get to see wide receivers Allen Robinson and T.Y. Hilton, who are likely to put up huge numbers in this game. Both teams have talented offenses which should result in a shootout. Past games between these two haven’t been very close, but expect a very close game between these two division rivals in London.

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Week 6: Los Angeles Rams vs New York Giants: The Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants will face off at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Both of these teams are teams that have had talent for a long time, but they have been unable to break through. We will get to see the number one pick Jared Goff at quarterback for the Rams, while we’ll see veteran Eli Manning on the other side for Big Blue. We will also be seeing other stars in this game, such as Todd Gurley for LA, and Odell Beckham Jr. Not to mention, former Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins will be playing against his former team for the first time. This game should be another shootout, as two very quality offenses will go against two defenses that were nothing short of average last year. Expect a good one in the first game ever played at England’s national rugby stadium.

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Week 8: Cincinnati Bengals vs Washington Redskins: Low and behold, we’ve got ourselves a matchup of two playoff teams facing off at Wembley Stadium in London. Both the Bengals and Redskins are looking to build off of what they accomplished in 2015, as they both know they can do more. Both quarterbacks, Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins will be looking to prove that they are some of the best in the game. A.J. Green, one of the league’s best receivers, will go head-to-head with Josh Norman, who is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL. This game features players that are tops at their positions, so expect an interesting one over in London.

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Week 11: Houston Texans vs Oakland Raiders: Instead of London, we’re shifting over to Mexico City for this matchup between the Texans and the Raiders. This game is the first NFL game in Mexico in 10 years, and fans should get a treat. By Week 11, both of these teams will be fighting for a playoff spot, so this game could have major playoff implications. Featured in this game are two young quarterbacks, Brock Osweiler and Derek Carr. We’ve also got two of the league’s best young wide receivers in this game. DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper are set to put on a show. Perhaps the most intriguing part of this game are the defenses. Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt are sack machines who will put on a show for the fans at Estadio Azteca.

Games to Watch for in 2016, Weeks 13-17

Week 13

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Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

In the game slated for the NBC Sunday Night Football timeslot, the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers will travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks. The last time the two teams met, in the Divisional Round of last year’s playoffs, Carolina jumped out to a 31-0 first half lead. Seattle clawed its way back in the second half, but fell short at 31-24. Both teams are lead by superstar quarterbacks and (Cam Newton for Carolina, Russell Wilson for Seattle) and unrelenting defenses with playmakers of their own (Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly for the Panthers, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Brandon Browner for the Seahawks). If their seasons go according to plan, both teams should enter the game with records in the 9-2 range, barring any unforeseen circumstances. And while Carolina may feel like they have the upper hand, Seattle’s 12^th-man home-field advantage is one of the best in the league and provides them a boost that pushes them past most of their opponents.

Week 14

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Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins

In an atypical, cross-division matchup, the firepower of the Cardinals will be looking to push towards a division crown and possible first-round bye while the Dolphins will be fighting for their playoff lives. Larry Fitzgerald and Jarvis Landry are two of the best open-field playmakers in the game, and both defenses feature can’t-miss talents and household names. Both teams will throw everything they have at each other, so don’t expect to find even a kitchen sink by the end of it.

Week 15

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New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

It won’t have the same zeal as the old Brady-Manning bowls, but with playoff hopes on the line and the NFL’s best defense going up against the NFL’s best game-planning head coach, the matchup should still be entertaining. How many times will Von Miller and Demarcus Ware drive Tom Brady into the turf? Will the Bronco quarterback, whoever it will be at that point, be composed enough to manage the Pats defense? Will freezing temperatures help or hurt both teams? Tune in to find out.

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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh eliminated Cincinnati from the playoffs last year. This final matchup of the 2016 season could be the Bengals’ opportunity to return the favor and keep the Steelers out, should the circumstances work out that way. Andy Dalton has the regular-season acumen to pull it off, but Big Ben Roethlisberger is one of the sturdiest, big-game-experienced quarterbacks ever. And both teams just plain don’t like each other. Physicality and animosity will abound.

Week 16

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Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

This game will determine the division, unless other things go awry. Palmer versus Seattle’s defense and Wilson versus Arizona’s defense. Superstars, Pro Bowlers and All-Pros will litter the field on both sides of the ball, bringing everything they have to earn the division title and a possible first-round by in the playoffs.

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Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders

A rare non-divisional matchup at the end of the season pits two teams against each other who will each be making pushes to end the season well while attempting to position themselves for the playoffs. The Colts will be hoping to gain momentum heading into their last game of the season against the Jaguars. The AC/DC receiver/QB combination of Amari Cooper and Derek Carr is going to be one the best in the business over the next few years, as are the Colts tandem of T.Y. Hilton and Andrew Luck. Slowing these duos down is the key to success for either team in this matchup.

Week 17

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Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

The Jets somehow manage to always find themselves controlling their own destiny in the last game of the season. There doesn't seem to be any reason to expect otherwise this year. And with the upstart Bills gaining some momentum over the past two seasons, this matchup in the last week could propel one of these teams into the postseason while sending the other packing. 

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Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Two years ago, this game would have been a joke. Andrew Luck as an elite quarterback, easily dispatching of the lowly Jaguars and putting the final mark down on a division championship before heading into the playoffs. This year will be a different story. Jacksonville has quietly put together a team that is ready to burst back into the championship-caliber conversation. "Championship" may be aiming optimistically high, but the talent on offense is there (Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, TJ Yeldon), the defense is stacking up (Malik Jackson, Jalen Ramsey, Paul Posluszny, Myles Jack), and expectations have increased as a result. And with the struggles Andrew Luck had last year, the underachieving Texans were able to win the division with just a 9-7 record last season. It will be a major surprise if this game does not crown the AFC South champion.

Games to Watch in 2016, Week 9-12

It’s difficult to tell what games will be important for the third quarter of the season three months before the season begins. Injuries, trades, surprise teams and teams that falter unexpectedly always change things up. However, it’s fun to anticipate possible matchups. And looking ahead to the time of year teams are prepping for a playoff push, there are quite a few intriguing matchups.

WEEK 9:

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Indianapolis @ Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers against Andrew Luck was looking like a matchup of the top two QB’s in the NFL last season. While Luck had an off season, he should return to being healthy this season, and a Rodgers Luck matchup is one that could be a Super Bowl preview.

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Denver @ Oakland: The defending super bowl champions verse the up and coming division rivals. Expect Oakland to be vying for first place by the time this game rolls around, and could be the turning point for both teams. Additionally, their recent twitter fight should make the on field competition that much more heated.

WEEK 10:

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Seattle @ New England: Week 10 is right about the time of year that Seattle turns it on every season, and New England will be a team on a mission trying to make up for Tom Brady being suspended the first four games. A Super Bowl XLIX rematch, this matchup will revolve around Brady’s surgical approach to picking apart defenses against one of the best secondaries in football.

WEEK 11:

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Arizona @ Minnesota: A matchup of the two best defenses in football, with two completely different styles of disrupting an opponent. Minnesota likes to play a hard-nose in-your-face style of defense, clogging up the middle and forcing teams to the air. Arizona has a ferocious secondary, with speed off the edge that makes passing the ball a nightmare.

WEEK 12:

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Washington @ Dallas: Thanksgiving day football games are great, but only get better when Dallas is facing the reigning division champions. The Cowboys did not lose when Tony Romo started and finished a game healthy last season, and should be competing for the division title in what was one of the weakest divisions in football. A home matchup on Thanksgiving against the Redskins could end up the difference maker down the stretch.

Pro Bowl Moved from Hawaii to Orlando

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After being plagued by low attendance and low ratings, the NFL has decided to change to the Pro Bowl yet again. According to Bloomberg.com, the NFL has decided to change the location of the all-star event. 

The Pro Bowl will now be held in Orlando, Florida for the immediate future. The event has been held in Honolulu, Hawaii since 1979. 

Orlando beat out Houston, Honolulu, and Sydney to get to the NFL's all-star game. The game will now be held at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. 

This stadium underwent a $200 million renovation in 2014. This stadium is home to UCF football, and to Orlando FC of the MLS. The NFL's contract with Hawaii's tourism authority expires May 31, which is a likely cause for the relocation.

 Other than Honolulu, the event has also been held at two Super Bowl cities. The Pro Bowl was in Miami in 2010, and in Glendale in 2015. 


After ratings for the event have suffered, the NFL has changed the format in hopes of attracting more viewers. While ratings have suffered, the Pro Bowl has the best ratings of every All-Star game in all of the four major sports. 

The Pro Bowl has suffered low ratings because many of the players back out so they avoid injury. But, they did enjoy the reward of going to Hawaii. It will be interesting if even more back out because its no longer in the Aloha state. 

Games to Watch for in 2016: Weeks 5-8

Week 5:

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Green Bay Packers vs New York Giants:

Two of the league’s top quarterbacks will face off in an intriguing matchup on Sunday Night Football. Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers will clash in a meeting of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks. These teams met in 2011, when New York pulled off a shocking upset on its way to a Super Bowl victory. How will a revamped Giants defense fare against a fully healthy Packers offense? We should get a treat in this one, as this could be a potential playoff game.

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Minnesota Vikings vs Houston Texans:

This matchup features two up and coming teams as they’ll face off in the brand new U.S. Bank Stadium. Both teams feature young and promising quarterbacks, Houston having Brock Osweiler, and Minnesota having Teddy Bridgewater. We’ll also be seeing two talented wide receivers, as DeAndre Hopkins lines up for the Texans, and rookie Laquon Treadwell lines up for Minnesota. This is a very interesting game that features some of the football’s premier young talent.

Week 6:

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Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys

Remember in 2014, that controversial play where we officially didn’t know what a catch was? Well, you’re right, it was the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. Now the two teams meet again, this time both teams are at full strength, unlike last season. Quarterbacks Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers will face off, while new Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott will be in the Dallas backfield, opposing Eddie Lacy. Finally, we have two Pro-Bowl receivers, as Dez Bryant lines up for Dallas, and Jordy Nelson will be back and healthy for the Packers. Storylines reign supreme in this game.

Oakland Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs:

Two AFC West foes meet in a matchup that has all the qualities of an interesting game. Oakland is staring up at Kansas City in the AFC West, as they look to move ahead of them in the division this year. Both defenses will make this game low scoring, and that means it will be very competitive. This game could make a big impact on standings within the division.

Week 7:

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots:

This game features two no doubt Hall of Famers, and both are at quarterback. Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger will meet yet again in a rematch of last year’s season opener. These two have put on great games before, so nothing but the best should be expected. Also, we’ll be seeing two of the game’s best pass catchers, Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. This game will be an instant classic, so be sure to tune in.

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs Oakland Raiders:

This matchup features two of the best up and coming young teams in the league. We get to see quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Derek Carr go head to head for the first time. Young star wide receivers Allen Robinson and Amari Cooper will also go up against each other. Finally, two young and extremely talented defenses will be on display in this one.

Week 8:

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Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals:

This is a rematch of the NFC Championship last year, and hopefully we will get a different result. Last year’s game was a blowout, but we should expect a closer game this time. Carson Palmer and Cam Newton are the quarterbacks in this matchup. Judging off both of their performances during the regular season last year, this should make for a great matchup.

Games to Watch for in 2016: Week 1-4

Week 1

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Jaguars vs Packers: both offenses are going to be hot in 2016. The question in this week 1 matchup is which offense will outdo the other? That is who will win this game.

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Cardinals vs Patriots: if Tom Brady does wind up playing this game, this could be a Super Bowl LI preview with two of the hottest offenses in the NFL and two great defenses, as well. 

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Seahawks vs Dolphins: The Seahawks have one of the best offenses in the NFL over the past few seasons and the Dolphins' defense is going to be one to watch out for. It will be interesting to see whether the Seahawks offense or the Dolphins defense will step up to win this game.

Week 3

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Patriots vs Texans: Tom Brady or no Tom Brady, this game will be one to watch big time. The Texans are projected to be one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Without Tom Brady, they could pull off a big upset in Foxboro. If Tom Brady does play, this game could go right down to the wire.

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Panthers vs Vikings: the Panthers' offense will be that much better with WR Kelvin Benjamin coming back from his torn ACL. The Vikings were a field goal away from going to the second round of the playoffs last season and now they have a second great receiver in Laquon Treadwell. This will be a high-scoring affair and will most likely come down to the final seconds.

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Jaguars vs Ravens: the Jaguars will be hot. The Ravens will be, too, with all of their players, such as Joe Flacco, Terell Suggs and Steve Smith Sr, coming back healthy. The Jaguars won the last meeting between these two teams last season with a field goal as time expired. Don't be surprised if we see the same this time around.

Week 4

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Ravens vs Raiders: the Raiders, like the Jaguars, are a sleeper in 2016. The Ravens brought the Raiders to the wire last season with a bunch of backups. This season, everyone is back. This game could equal last season's meeting or even beat it out. 

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Vikings vs Giants: the Giants fell apart against the Vikings last season. They'll have a much better offense with Victor Cruz coming back, as well as Odell Beckham Jr and rookie wide receiver Sterling Shepard and running back Paul Perkins. Both offenses are evenly matched and fans are in for an exciting game when these two teams meet in week 4.

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Texans vs Titans: the most interesting matchup in this game is the Titans' running duo of Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry against the Texans dominant defensive line of Jadaveon Clowney, Vince Wilfork, and JJ Watt.