Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 1.15am
DO YOU REMEMBER what you were doing on 6 January, 2019?
I’m not privy to the memories of the presumptive NFL MVP, but I’m willing to guess that Lamar Jackson does.
It was on that date a little over a year ago that he became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to start an NFL playoff game.
Having taken the reins of the struggling Ravens earlier that season, the rookie had energised the offense and the fanbase, who packed M&T Bank Stadium in the cold, ready to see him run all over the LA Chargers.
Things didn’t go to plan.
At half time, the Ravens had 67 yards of total offense. They’d turned the ball over twice and the Chargers were on their way to New England, despite a late fightback.
Reports after the game suggested some fans had booed Jackson, demanding Joe Flacco be put in the game. For even his most ardent supporters, the game proved one thing: Jackson was a special athlete, but a below average NFL passer. NFL experts lined up to rank him among the bottom rung of NFL QBs – in a league where Mitch Trubisky exists.
In Week 1, Jackson only completed 17 passes. But five went for touchdowns and he became the youngest quarterback ever to post a perfect passer rating. In his own words – not bad for a running back.
That was no fluke and Jackson has gone on a tear since, breaking the single season rushing record for a quarterback, throwing 36 TDs to 6 INTs and generally being the most exciting thing about a very exciting Ravens offense.
On Saturday, he gets the chance to bury last season’s nightmare ending for good at home to the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans themselves come into the game riding the momentum of a prodigious talent – one Derrick Henry.
Henry accounted for 221 yards on his own in last week’s upset victory over the reigning champion Patriots and Mike Vrabel will need him to be at his undeniable best to keep pace with Jackson.
But Tennessee will need more than that. To do what just two teams have done this year – beat the Ravens – the Titans will have to be perfect on offense. In both of those losses, the Ravens scored 25 and 28 points. As well as the Titans D played last week, it is unlikely that they will shut out this Ravens attack.
That means that Ryan Tannehill has to throw for more than his 75 yards in Foxboro. It means that top two receivers Corey Davis and AJ Brown need to combine for more than last week’s one catch for four yards.
And then? Then it’s a case of hoping that the Jackson from last year’s playoffs shows up and not the guy we’ve seen this year.
Pick: Ravens 28-13
Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers, Saturday 9.35pm
I picked against the Vikings last week and was shown up by a couple of brilliant Kirk Cousins passes and a Vikings defense that played lights out.
A one-off or a sign that this Vikings team is ready to jump from good to great? That’s what we’re about to find out. Personally, a healthy 9ers pass rush is the deciding factor here. Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander look set to return to a defense that barely needs the help up front.
Pick: 49ers 30-24
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday 8.05pm
The fact that some have called this the TrubiskyBowl due to both quarterbacks being picked after the Bears traded up to draft young Mitch has some in the Windy City angry, but football fans should be delighted.
This promises to be a spectacular game, with two quarterbacks showcasing the future of the sport.
In the end, the Texans will be outgunned by last year’s MVP, Patrick Mahomes.
Pick: Chiefs 31-24
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers, Sunday 11.40pm
Put in the late Sunday slot, it’s clear the NFL believes this is the pick of the games and it’s hard to argue.
Packers fans will still remember that game. The onside kick. Blowing a 19-7 lead. Russell Wilson playing like Michael Jordan in the second half against the Monstars.
Having gutted out a scrappy win against the Eagles last week, the Seahawks have another tough road game ahead of them. This time, though, it’s against Aaron Rodgers, not Josh McCown.
That name alone is enough for me to pick the Pack.
Pick: Packers 20-17
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A win is a win :)
Couldn’t agree more.
Another great performance from Heaslip against a very good Glasgow side. Where are all his haters now?
Still here. 2 decent games doesn’t change the fact he’s been sh*t for the past 2 years.
I’m a Munster man. But I disagree. You’re only as good as your last performance. So he’s doing well.
@Loud and Angry! Clearly don’t know much about the game man, He does a huge amount of work. Granted he’s not barreling over people like O’Brien and running in tries from the half way line like he has but he’s huge part of the team,
Last 2 years – selected for Lions, x2 Heineken Cup titles, selected as Ireland capt. (2 dodgy performances in 6 Nations though).
Right here sees as you asked. His been a donkey since he got sent off against the ABs hasn’t even had a half decent game since then in green. How he got picked for the Lions is beyond me.
Like most people, you probably think that unless a back row is making barrelling runs then he’s not performing. I’d say many aspects of the sport are beyond you to be fair.
I would confidently state that I have forgotten more than you know about the duties of a no 8. Those blue tinted glasses must be a pain in the hole at times. Do yourself a favour and take the off once in a while. The real world awaits.
Well enlighten us then, sweetheart.
Blue tinted glasses? The rest of the world rates heaslip as a top class no8.
Kidney rated him so highly he made him captain, joe rates him and gatland rates him highly enough to bring him on the lions tour. I guess you know more about the duties of a no8 than those 3?
I’m glad to say not all Leinster supporters are as ignorant to the game as ye. Some can even acknowledge the fact that Heaslip has been shite. Gatland was sacked by the IRFU which shows that even our lads didn’t rate him. Kidney made him Captain and ultimately that was one of the decisions that saw him sacked. And Schmidt had no option but to play him due to the restraints of IRFU contracts and the lack of any other options.
Tell us Martin – do you think Heaslip has been playing the traditional role of a number 8 the last season with SOB at 6′s and 7′s so to speak? With Jennings on and SOB off the field against Glasgow and Biarritz, can you explain Heaslip’s sudden “return to form”? Or do you just judge blindside backs rows on their ability for barrelling runs?
No sweetheart I judge a no 8 on his all round game. And I have judged him to be shite. He is slow to the breakdown always off his feet his discipline has been poor and he has done Fu@k all for Irish Rugby in the last two years.
Can’t disagree about his recent credentials in a green jersey to be fair to you. Although the same could be said for a lot of players from all provinces. But this is an article about Leinster (where Heaslip has actually been performing) vs Glasgow – so why derail it? Oh that’s right… you’re a troll.
Well it was Leinster supporters that criticised the Munster Players for not carrying there form for province into the national squad. There are many quality club and provincial players in this and other countries. A great player is judged by there exploits in international and test matches. I.e BOD, ROG,POC,Darcy and others. Somewhere a village is missing there idiot.
Yes, an idiot who can’t spell ‘their’.
I find the best way to deal with a grammar Nazi all I need to say is there their they’re everything will be ok okay.
im a munster man to and your a ejit !realy silly comments numptey
Silly and numpty. What age are you?
Really hope it gets moved to aviva. It may have been a low turn out but 5 home games in a row could drive divorce rates up if you went to them all. Good win in difficult conditions but I feel may 25 deserves a better stadium. C’mon Leinster.
Once the venue is picked they can’t move it I think. Need to consider other events, extra policing for a larger crowd etc.
I heard people saying tonight that a lot of people didn’t make it due to communions which were on today?
Why would it be switched to the Aviva..if they cant fill the Rds for a semifinal what hope would they have of filling the Aviva which has 3 times the capacity?
Calling for it to be moved to the Aviva. What a joke ye don’t have enough support to fill the RDS. And for anyone who gives a red thumb. How is it ye couldn’t pack a stadium for a semi final match. That’s a absolute disgrace. It wouldn’t have happened in Munster.
At the risk of feeding a troll, I was looking back at Irish Celtic/Magners/Rabo semi final attendances this morning.
2012-13: Leinster 13,235
2012-13: Ulster 10,700
2011-12: Leinster 15,112
2010-11: Leinster 14,476
2010-11: Munster 13,147
2009-10: Leinster (v Munster) 19,500
Ok but the point stands. Ye couldn’t fill the RDS. Ye have a population of over 2.5 million and ye couldn’t fill the RDS for a semi final. What makes ye think ye would fill the Aviva. Are you suggesting that Leinster supporters are only big day supporters? Only interested in finals.
Fair dues to the 13325 who came out to shout for their teams.Must be very disappointing for Leinster rugby that in a province with 2.6million people that a semi final wasnt a sellout.
I find it funny that im getting thumbsdown condemnation for my post.Its not like i was the the one stopping an extra 5000 Leinster fans from attending a cup semi final..I will find it hilarious thou when there is a big uproar looking for the final to be switched to the Aviva to accommodate all the “fans” who want to see the match.The same fans who cant be arsed to turn up to the semi will demand tickets for the final..Its why i applaud the genuine hard core supporters who turned up tonite
Hear! Hear!
Hear hear. Armchair supporters is all they are.
Blah blah blah Shite talk blah blah blah. Back under your bridge troll. Your about two hours late for this debate.
Well done Leinster, great win against a good Glasgow team. Dave Harmon Elviria Spain.
Wheels still on the bandwagon so
Why don’t they move the final to Lansdowne Road?
Is it not Ulsters choice as rhey were top seeds and technically they have picked RDS as their home ground. If they move to Aviva they’ll lose numerical supporter advantage.
Comes down to money or trophy I guess. Well see which they want more.
Ticket allocation is 50/50 for the final…
I can’t understand why ulster nominated the RDS…. Baffling.
Ravenhill is currently not big enough and undergoing renovations. RDS was the next option within the IRFU jurisdiction.
Why though? Surely thomond would have been a better option? Bigger and better than the RDS but without gifting Leinster a home game?
No brainer:
Belfast to Dublin: 1 hour 40 mins or so
Belfast to Limerick: 3 hours 30 mins or so
Well, if it was Munster, I’d prefer to travel the distance to Belfast rather than give away home advantage…. I know a few Ulster fans who feel the same way.
I know what you are saying, but it takes more than a few to fill a stadium though. More chance of getting people to go to a game the closer it is…
Have to agree.
Then your an idiot. Home ground advantage at the RDS. Motivation to win the trophy in Leinster’s own patch.
Derp.
Firstly they decided on the RDS before the Semi’s were played. And maybe they’d rather play on the capital and make a weekend out of it for their supporters without the fear of a night out in limerick
2014 suggestion:
One massive communion RDS @ 3pm
Semi-final @ 7.30
All happy
Would make for better pictures than the usual scary priests looking bored outside churches.
just find an aunt/uncle/cousin to bring the kid to the communion. They’re boring affairs anyway
Anyone doubting heaslip is a fool hes a top player
It’s ulsters choice they chose RDS
Jeez….what happened Heaslips head?
It was a disgrace how the reffing was this evening. The rucking was a free for all. It was dangerous it was reffed so poorly. Thankfully we got through and have two finals to look forward to
Heaslip hitting form at business end thats a gash
Great to see him coming back into form, but don’t know about at the business end if things. The 6 Nations and HEC are more important than the Rabo and Aviva.
And please don’t mention the Lions. If Irish players put a bit more emphasis on Irish success than on Sky Sports/ British Lions promotional 15 success we might not have such a pitiful record.
A real shame with the empty seats – but what a match. Edge of the seat stuff throughout
I believe the Aviva charge about a million to rent it out for the night so reckon finance comes into play.
Leinster were not good tonight but helped big time by a very poor referee. In fairness, he should have penalised Glasgow for off-the-feet at almost every ruck in the first 15 minutes, but the yellow card was farcical. Not even a penalty.
Time and again, though, Leinster were allowed blatant offsides. Heaslip lost control of the ball, although exerted downward pressure for his try. Iffy. One thing is for sure, he is very lucky to make the Lions.
Admittedly, though at the game tonight, I only picked up on the iffy try after watching a recording. However, after both being there and watching the recording, the better team lost tonight.
You might need to read the rule book again if you think his try was “iffy”.
You don’t need control. Just a suggestion but you might want to know the laws of rugby before you start criticising their implementation.
Under the laws of rugby “A player may ground the ball in one of two ways: (1) if the ball is held in the hand(s) or arm(s), merely touching the ball to the ground in-goal suffices and no downward pressure is required;” Heaslip knocked the ball on, therefore did not have control of the ball. Watch the replay, learn the game the comment.
And where in your quote of the laws is the word control?
Rugby team plays poorly, get outscored 2 tries to 1 but digs deep and wins. Playing in Red and its boring, shows they are a team going nowhere, shite. Playing in Blue and it shows they try to play the right way just didn’t work out tonight, on the up, going places, brilliant.
“”Double dream” seriously? If the Rabo and Amlin represent a dream , the bar must be very low.
It’s better than nothing. And sure it’ll add a bit of variety to all those years of Heineken Cup wins.
Yep, seriously.
This is Leinster’s third straight season in two finals. It’s not the dream double, but it is a double dream.
What are the odds Lonster choke for the 4th time in a row ?!!!!
Well 3 of those were after Heineken Cup Final victories the previous week… I reckon that’s a good enough prize ;-)
I agree RDS stupid easy fill Aviva,think the Ulster men will steamroll Leinster.
As Ulster get an advance of a home grand final, it has been cancelled at Ravenhill due to Reconstruction and moved to the RDS. Why not Aviva ? I am bored at visiting the RDS four times in four weeks.