Just like last year, I’m beginning this year’s box office predictions with a preview of the biggest opening weekends. Today, I’m going to guess what films will do the best at the North American box office, and hold the biggest opening weekends once the year is over. Have a look! Continue reading “Box Office Predictions – Biggest Opening Weekends of 2017”
Last September, Dagobah Day focused on four predictions I had for Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Two of my four predictions look pretty good today and – technically – the last two could still be true if they explain more about Snoke and Poe in the future.
I’m not caught up on the Poe Dameron comic book, so that may have actually debunked my theory. Today, I want to try to speculate and make some predictions about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘s plot.
Continue reading “Rogue One Predictions – Dagobah Day #21”
I love the Academy Awards. There’s just something special about that show, even if I don’t think they pick the right winners each and every year. Often times I find myself agreeing with the nominees for the BAFTAs instead, but only the Academy Awards can make me straight-up giddy to see accolades being handed out. Today I’m trying to predict the winners of each and every category! Continue reading “88th Academy Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #6”
On the 10th of January 2016 Ricky Gervais hosts the 73rd Golden Globe Awards. In this Motion Picture Thoughts post I predict the winners in the film categories. Carol may have the most nominations, but I definitely think this is Spotlight‘s year. Keep in mind that these aren’t necessarily the films I want to see win, these are just who I think will. Continue reading “Golden Globe Awards: Predictions – Motion Picture Thoughts #3”
Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe begins in 2016, but rumors are already coming in. So, before we get any official trailers for Phase Three films, let’s try to make some predictions! Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #35 – Nine Phase Three Predictions”
Power Ranking (It’s back!)
Predictions (61% accuracy so far)
Quite possibly the biggest sporting national football/soccer league is about to begin in twenty different Premiership stadiums. Three newcomers await their chances to prove their talent, two experienced managers are ready for their revenge and one new coach looks out at the league unimpressed – ready to unveil his revamped Manchester United squad. This is the English Premier League – we’re back folks. In this article I’ll look at the four biggest teams challenging last year’s winners Manchester City – as well as give several predictions for the season, including a predicted league table. I’ll be starting off with a look at this year’s Community Shield winners – Arsenal.
Last season felt disastrous for Arsenal, especially with Wenger’s 1000th game (the 6-0 loss to Chelsea, in case you’ve forgotten) – but it was actually a pleasant surprise for Arsenal fans, who got in a comfortable position in the league, while taking their first trophy in a very long time. They capped it off last weekend by winning the Community Shield against Manchester City. They’re extremely happy at the Emirates – but they need to remember that Manchester City didn’t have the likes of Zabaleta, Agüero, Negredo, Lampard and Joe Hart in their squad – while Arsenal really only missed Mertesacker and Özil.
Now, Arsenal did win 3-0 against Man City – and they do have a very good squad in place; especially now that they’ve added the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Alexis Sanchez to the squad. However, with last year’s league results in mind – they’ve not improved more than their rivals have. Now even Tottenham and Everton could be vying for their spot in the top.
Last season was heartbreaking for The Reds – and though they never walked alone, their tears were plentiful. They let it slip out of their hands, and now the title seems farther away from them with Luis Suarez gone to Barcelona. Will this then be the swift return out of the top 4? Or can they fight back, and retain a fine placement in the top? Personally, I would feel very happy with the moves they’ve made if I were a fan of the Merseyside Reds – and the fact that they’ve tapped most of the talent out of Southampton is both scary and fascinating. I have the Reds finishing in the top yet again, and that’s due to a great coach that is still controlling the Kop through his personally-designed system, first unveiled to the Premiership during his stint at Swansea. This will probably be a very good season for the former top team.
Look at his grin. While I may not be a fan of his new team, or the man himself, one has to respect his managerial talent and his mind. This man fooled everyone when he subbed in his reserve goalkeeper in the World Cup in Brazil – only to have him ready for the Penalty Shootout. It worked, and he skillfully became the envy of most clubs. Now he will begin his adventure in the best league in the world – taking hold of the Manchester United squad. A team in need of a fresh feeling. He’s brought in a lot of people to help the team succeed. Personally, I feel that he’s rushing things by bringing in these new players in new surroundings without knowing the team himself. He’s changing the formation as well, thus making limited strides with the in-house players. He needs to work with players like Kagawa and Mata, not bring in a ton of his own players – for this team was set-up right with Sir Alex Ferguson.I feel that the team will improve from last year, but that it still won’t be enough of an improvement to push off the top teams. They’re still a step behind the two oil-clubs, and don’t have the player-for-player advantage in surroundings that Merseyside does. However, they’ve improved much more than Arsenal has – and they should finish higher than them.
José Mourinho said goodbye to Chelsea Legends like Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, and is ushering in Atletico players left and right. This means that they know eachother, and will have an easier way of adapting to their surroundings. Adding to that, Chelsea has gotten younger – and added two huge stars in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.
Having seen all of their Pre-Season games, I can tell that they’ve improved their ball-pressure; and have reworked their possession tactics. However, some things just don’t work – including their 3-man defense when attempting to play an offensive 3-6-1. Their main formations are still 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, but they work with more fluidity now. Their team has improved.
The following is a list of bold predictions I’ve thought long and hard about. The list of predictions includes a league table I’ve tried to think out, along with projected points for each team.
Look at the picture, what’s the first thing on your mind? My guess is you think, that I’ve said the Bears will win this year; this season. While I’d love that to happen, and I don’t think that’s inpossible, that’s not my prediction. But before I go any further, let me tell you how my predictions work: I start by writing down every game, every week. Then I go over each and every game, and pick a winner for the game in question. That leaves me with a record for every team, following that I predict the playoffs, as it would play out with my predictions in mind. That is how I give you my complete predictions for this NFL Season. Here we go.
AFC EAST
The most exciting QB ‘battles’ happen in the AFC East this season. Yes, the Brady-division – heck, why not? Let ’em have some fun for once. First and foremost, I have the Buffalo Bills finishing 6-10. The Bills have strengthened their team, and I’m a big fan of E.J. Manuel, but the fact that Jeff Tuel (an undrafted rookie) is starting week one, leaves me worried that they won’t get to 7-9. The battle between Manuel & Kolb was fun, but in the end it sucked. Manuel was clearly better than QB-Journeyman Kevin Kolb. Next up are two disaster teams, that I fear will be nothing more than simple notes, when we look back at this season, one year from now. The teams in question are the New York Jets & the Miami Dolphins, I have them both finishing 3-13… Brace yourselves, fans. The Jets are always fun to watch, not because they’re good, but I imagine lots of drinking games are built on their turnovers and losses. Mark Sanchez battled Geno Smith this pre-season, and it would probaby be smart to start Geno – seeing as Mark Sanchez, clearly, is not the future of the New York Jets. I fear for Rex Ryan, he will have to become a coordinator once again to regain credability. The Dolphins aren’t ‘that’ bad, but they’ve not really improved – and I don’t see them making anything exciting this season. Sorry ‘Phins. Finally, the Patriots look great as always – even with Tim Tebow on their proposed 53-man roster. Danny Amendola will become a great receiver for this team, and they will once again win this division with a record of 14-2.
AFC NORTH
This division is the exact copy of the NFC North, even more than just the ‘north’ part. Every team is so equal, talentwise, and have incredibly intense games and rivalries. I have the Bengals winning this division with a record of 11-5, they win by having the most complete offense in the division. They should be proud of that, seeing as they are in the division of the Super Bowl Champions, the Baltimore Ravens (A team that I called would be in the Super Bowl last year.). Speaking of the Ravens, I have Baltimore getting an AFC Wildcard spot by going 9-7 in a faulty AFC. They have lost a lot of strong players, and I fear they will play catch-up all season. The Pittsburgh Steelers had long been the leaders of this division, but they’ve lost a lot since then – they are no longer who we thought they were. I have them going 7-9. Finally, I have the Cleveland Browns, the ultimate catch-up’ers, going 5-11. Yes, they are improving – but I’m not confident in Chudzinski or Weeden. They have some spots to fill, before they can be good again.
AFC SOUTH
Let’s not beat around the bush, Houston Texans are the best team in this division and will once again win. I see them going 13-3, with a strong team and a smart coach. This could be a great year if they learn to play in the playoffs. The other Wildcard team in the AFC are the Indianapolis Colts, I have Andy Luck stepping up once again – and getting them to a record of 10-6. The Anonymous team in this division is the Tennessee Titans, I don’t see them doing much – and I see them finishing 3-13. Sorry Jake Locker, not this year. Finally, the awful Jaguars, with new colours (la-di-da), will finish 1-15. Sad, but that’s how I see it. I liked how Blaine Gabbert did in the Pre-season against the Jets, but then again – that was the Jets… Sorry Shahid Khan (Khaaaaaaaan!).
AFC WEST
Welker & Manning = Division winners. Wes Welker is not just created by the Patriots, and he will regain it all this year. This is truly an impressive team, expect to see them A LOT. I have them going 16-0, yes I said that – and get used to reading that. I like the Kansas City Chiefs, there I said it, but why shouldn’t I? Andy Reid + Alex Smith = A great situation. I have them going 8-8, and that could be better if the Broncos fail. The Chargers look really, really bad. They’ve not really improved a lot, sure D.J. Fluker looks good and Manti Te’o could be good. But we’ve only seen bad things from San Diego. I have them going 7-9. Rivers should be shopped around next year. Finally we have the Oakland Raiders. They are just awful, sure Pryor has potential, but they are a BAD team. I have them going 1-15.
NFC EAST
R.G. Three. That dude is just awesome, I’m a fan. I have his Redskins finishing 8-8, and that makes me sad – I desperately want them to win this division. But, in the end, the Giants are too good. Eli will give New York a new Playoff-adventure, by going 12-4. There are two 7-9 teams in this division, the Cowboys & the Eagles. Vick will dominate, but overall his team is not good enough – and the Cowboys are not yet ready for the 4-3 / Tampa 2 defense. I suggest calling Lovie Smith, just don’t make him a Head Coach.
NFC NORTH
The Bears are good with Marc Trestman, and I’m not worried about Marshall’s hip-problems, it will all be good – and Jay will succeed with Marshall, Forte & Jeffery. This season will be good, because of a new O-Line with Long & Mills on the right side, and Bushrod and Slauson on the left. Also, don’t forget about Jon Bostic, that dude is amazing. I have my Bears going 12-4. However, they are NOT winning the division, they are ‘just’ getting a Wildcard spot. The Packers still have the best QB in the NFL, and they will win this division… 15-1… Moving on, the Vikings look good – but too many young/inexperienced players starting. Peterson is not God, and they will only go 6-10. Finally, the Lions will end 2-14. No discipline, fire that coach.
NFC SOUTH
Steven Jackson + Matt Ryan + Julio Jones + Roddy White = Best Offense in the NFL. They will win this division, 13-3. The Saints will return as a good team, but nowhere near as strong as Atlanta. N.O. will finish 9-7. The Panthers aren’t ready, and Cam is not mature yet. They will finish 6-10. Finally the Bucs, will finish 3-13. Shop your QB around, build anew.
NFC WEST
The Strongest Division in Football will once again see the San Francisco 49ers win, this time it’ll be with a record of 16-0. They are perfect. PERFECT. However, the Seahawks are good, and will get a wildcard, by going 10-6. The Rams are still a work in progress, and will finsh 7-9 – while the Arizona Cardinals will go 6-10. Not bad for a ‘rookie’ coach in AZ.
THE PLAYOFFS
The Wildcard round will result in the Bengals beating the Colts, the Texans beating the Ravens. In the NFC The Giants will beat my Bears in New York, sadly… Sigh… And the Falcons will beat Russel Wilson and the Seahawks. In the Divisional round the Broncos will beat the Bengals, The Patriots will beat the Texans. In the NFC the 49ers will beat the Giants, and the Packers will beat the Falcons… Do you see where this is going? No you do not. The AFC Champion will be the Broncos, after a match between Brady and Manning (AWESOME). The NFC Champion will be the 49ers! The Packers will not be able to beat the most exciting QB in the game, and the best Coach in the game. Harbaugh & Kaepernick are on their way to the Super Bowl yet again. Only this time, I see them beating the Manning-led Broncos! Two 16-0 teams, one PERFECT team. The San Francisco 49ers. The Perfect NFL Season? I think so.
– I’m Jeffrey Rex.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 