NFL Week 16

Playoff time is quickly approaching, and NFL fans are beginning to feel the excitement of a possible Super Bowl appearance or the possibility of having the 1st round pick in the 2014 Draft. Going into Week 16, there are only two games that do not have any playoff relevance, and the playoff picture is still clear as mud when it comes to seedings. Teams like Denver and Kansas City could be the #1 seed in the AFC, or they could end up being the #5 seed if they do not win their division. Teams like Miami, Baltimore, Carolina, San Francisco, Dallas, and Green Bay are all considered in the chase for wild card spots and potentially division titles as well. It has been an interesting and unpredictable year in the NFL, and the playoffs will definitely reflect the season. Here are a just a few of the things to watch in week 16 of the NFL playoff chase:

New Orleans at Carolina

If New Orleans wins, they will win the division and receive a 1st round bye. If they lose, then they are still battling for the division title and a wild card seed going into week 17. The first time these teams played in New Orleans, Carolina was able to start fast, but Drew Brees and the Saints offense were unstoppable. Carolina will be in the playoffs with a win and a chance to win the division going into week 17. Cam Newton and the team were hitting their stride and playing very well going into New Orleans, and they were left feeling they did not play up to expectations. Look for Newton and the Panthers to come into this game playing very inspired football!

Chicago at Philadelphia

Both teams are sitting atop of their division, but they have huge division games next week with Green Bay and Dallas. Neither team can afford to suffer a loss here, and losses this week could decide their fate for the playoffs. Both teams could potentially fall from the division lead to not even making the playoffs. The Eagles were embarrassed last week in Minnesota, and the Bears beat a stingy Cleveland Browns team with Jay Cutler back at the helm. Look for an emotional and hard fought game, as the players on both teams realize what is on the line.

New England at Baltimore

New England will win their division with a win this week, but they have a very inspired Miami Dolphins team close behind. Baltimore was able to get a huge win at Detroit last week with a game ending 61 yard field goal. New England will have to travel to Baltimore, and the Ravens appear to be playing the outstanding defense that everyone is used to seeing. Tom Brady will have his hands full trying to avoid pressure from Suggs and Dumerville, but can Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense put up TD’s and not just rely on field goals? Baltimore still has a chance to win the division and needs a win to maintain their wild card position. This will be another hard fought battle, and minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities to score will make the difference.

At this point in the season the playoff hunt is still pretty open, and the teams that are finding their momentum now will keep things interesting! These Week 16 games are going to be exciting and hopefully will clear up the playoff picture. Enjoy!

Heads Up with Kevin Kaesviharn

As South Dakota athletes prepare for their transition to Heads Up Football, I have spoken with many of the people who will be bringing that change to area athletes. The effort toward improved player safety is a joint effort between the NFL and USA Football, and I wanted to include the perspective of NFL players. I spoke with NFL Ambassador for Heads Up Football, Brian Hansen, and with Kevin Kaesviharn, another well known South Dakota athlete who enjoyed a successful NFL career. 

Kaesviharn graduated from Augustana College and went on to play in the AFL, XFL, and NFL, most notably for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints. His career was affected by injuries, and he suffered a serious neck injury toward the end of his playing career. Kaesviharn played safety, which also seems to be one of the most scrutinized positions involving tackling. I asked him to share his perspective on youth football and on the current efforts to improve player safety.

How old were you when you started playing football? 
I started playing flag football around 7 yrs old and started tackle football in 9th grade.

How much work did you put in during off seasons growing up? What kinds of things did you do to train?
I didn't put a lot of time and training into football until 10th grade because I was busy playing other sports and didn't know that training would help me as much as it did at the time. I was content just being a kid. Basic strength training, speed development and agility drills were mostly what I did in high school and progressed from there.

Did you learn good fundamentals at a young age? How important is it for kids to work their fundamentals?
I learned the fundamentals of the positions I played (WR/DB) and also proper tackling. Fundamentals are essential to the development of any football player. You need a good foundation to build your skills upon and need to continue working on the fundamentals even when you think you may know everything about the game. It's the old saying "If you don't use it, you lose it." You will resort to your old ways when you get fatigued, and if you were taught good fundamentals, they will keep you safe and also help you to be successful on the field. If you have poor fundamentals and are fatigued, you put yourself at a higher risk of injury as well as not giving yourself the best chance to be successful.

You experienced serious injuries during your career, at a time when there was less emphasis on player safety. What are your thoughts on the NFL/USA Football Heads Up Football movement for kids? How will it affect the game?
I think they are bringing more awareness to the importance of proper tackling, which is good. I also think there are a lot of coaches that don't know the proper/safe way to tackle, maybe because they were never taught it as a player. As a football player, you are not always in the best position to make the "form/proper tackle" which is why injuries will always be a part of the game. However, if we can reduce the number through these educational programs, I think it is a step in the right direction.  I also feel that the NFL is feeling pressure from the public and former players about player safety, which is why they are being more proactive in this area. There is definitely a fine line when it comes to keeping the appeal of the game and the safety of the player in check by changing the rules of the game. The NFL is trying to set a positive and safe standard that will hopefully trickle down to youth football. I think the program is good for football at all levels and will help reduce injuries. My hope is that the program has staying power with good, consistent instruction.  

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My coaches and I are looking forward to starting the process of teaching kids Heads Up Football as SD Junior Football Camp gets underway next week. It is not an easy or small task to change the culture of football to increase focus on player safety issues. Given our increasing knowledge on the effects of concussions, the NFL and USA Football are taking reasonable and necessary steps to promote that change. At Riggs Premier Football, we are focused on teaching proper fundamentals to improve kids' ability to play well and safely. We are proud to be part of these essential changes taking place in youth football, and we look forward to working with coaches, athletes and parents in the coming weeks!