Notes from the Sports Desk by Tyler Julson

 

The Tigers won their first football game in the second week of the season! I told y’all this is going to be a special year for the team. It’s going to be a great atmosphere tonight for the first football game at Hammer Complex. I’m really excited about it.

The Albert Lea volleyball team also played well against Austin Tuesday night. The student section was loud and certainly had a great impact on the team throughout the match. I suspect they will be on the upward swing through the rest of the season.

The Gophers have gotten out to a start, I guess. I mean they are 2-0 but only beat South Dakota State by a touchdown and Fresno State by three in overtime. I know a win is a win, but I wouldn’t be too confident if I were a Gophers fan. And listen, I’m in the same boat. Iowa State only beat Northern Iowa by three in triple overtime. I’m worried, too, but please — for all that is pure, beat Iowa this weekend.

Keeping with tradition, I’m not going to mention the Twins for fear of jinxing them. 

Finally, my NFL playoff predictions. If you’ve been following along, you know my playoff standings look like this:

 

AFC

1. Chiefs 12-4

2. Patriots 11-5

3. Texans 11-5

4. Ravens 10-6

5. Chargers 10-6

6. Browns 10-6

 

NFC

1. Saints 11-5

2. Rams 11-5

3. Eagles 10-6

4. Bears 10-6

5. Seahawks 10-6

6. Cowboys 9-7

 

After seeing some of the results in week one, I wish I could go back and change a few things, but that would be cheating.

I’ll start in the AFC. The wildcard matchups would be the Browns at Texans and the Chargers at the Ravens. I’m taking the Texans and Chargers to move on. That would put the Chargers against the Chiefs and the Texans against the Patriots. Of course, I’m picking the Chiefs, but it pains me to say Tom Brady isn’t going to the AFC Championship game, as I’m taking the Texans.

In the battle for the AFC crown, I’m taking the Chiefs. I told you I was going all in on them this year.

In the NFC, I’ll take the Eagles over the Cowboys and the Bears over the Seahawks in the wild card round. I will pick the Saints over the Bears and the Eagles over the Rams in the divisional round and the Saints in the championship game.

Kansas City vs. New Orleans, the Super Bowl that many fans would have preferred last year over the Patriots vs. Rams.

I think the Chiefs figure things out defensively and stifle Drew Brees and the Saints offense just enough to come out on top in the end, 35-31.

 

Tyler Julson is the Tribune sports reporter. Contact him at tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com.