NFL Playoffs Heating Up

By Justin Rosenberger, Reporter
January 10, 2018

The 2017 NFL regular season has just concluded, and the NFL playoffs are just around the corner.

One team that will be in the playoffs this year is the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles finished with an impressive 13-3 record, despite being without starting quarterback Carson Wentz for the last few games.

Senior Brendan Paules believes that Nick Foles has what it takes to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship.

“He was our quarterback a couple years ago. I think he has enough experience,” said Paules. “But I think he’s going to have to adapt and get to know the receivers, because that relationship that Carson Wentz had with the receivers was pretty important to the team’s success.”

 

 

 

By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Carson Wentz) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Carson Wentz became a big leader to the team this year.Photo by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Carson Wentz) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

But, Philadelphia is not the only Pennsylvania team dominating.

The Pittsburgh Steelers also finished with a 13-3 record and gained a first round bye in the playoffs.

Junior Shane Watson was really impressed with the Steelers and thinks that with the return of Antonio Brown, the Steelers will be dominant.

By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger truly contributed to the Steelers success this season Photo by Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
“Maybe they will hold him back just a little bit until they are sure he is fully recovered,”said Watson. “But I think they will be using him as Antonio Brown is a big asset to our team. He is a very good all around player.”

However, the same can’t be said for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens finished with a 9-7 record, but just missed the playoffs after a last minute 31-27 loss to division rivals the Cincinnati Bengals.

By Keith Allison (flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Joe Flacco hands the ball of to the running back in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Junior Dan Poole was especially disappointed with the game that ended the Ravens season.

“That 4th down, they should have held them up,” said Poole. “If they would have held them on 4th down, nothing would have happened, and the game would have been saved.”

Both Steelers and Eagles fans will be on the edge of their seats throughout the playoffs.