NFL Skills Preview

As I know all of you have your DVR’s set for Rent Live on FOX sunday night, you might be wondering, What do I watch before then? Well folks we got two all star games this weekend, NHL (preview coming soon) and NFL. And I know no one actually cares about the games (NHL 3 on 3 is kinda dope), so we are going to dive right in to talk about the fun stuff, the skills competitions. Neither sport gives us who is doing each specific competition, so I will be having some fun and doing a little speculating.

Date: Thursday, Jan. 24
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Florida
Channel: ESPN and Disney XD
Stream: Watch ESPN

*Competition descriptions Directly from nfl.com.

*40 Yard Splash presented by McDonalds: A new challenge that puts teamwork to the test as players participate in a football-inspired take on a fire bucket brigade. Players race to fill up a dunk tank and attempt to hit the target with a football, dropping an opposing team member into the tank.

Juice’s Thoughts: This competition seems like you need some speed and agility and maybe someone lighter that can get into the dunk tank. I think for the AFC we see a Duo of Denzel Ward (4.32 40) and Jamal Adams (4.45 40), vs a dynamic offensive duo of Saquon Barkley (4.4 40) and Mike Evans (4.53 40).

Think you have to go with Saquon and Evans in this matchup.

*Gridiron Gauntlet presented by Castrol EDGE: Five players from each team will participate in a head-to-head relay race designed to showcase strength, speed, and agility. Competitions include a fumble scramble through an inflatable path, among others.

Juice’s Thoughts: The relays are always really fun because everyone gets really into it. For the AFC you will see guys like Von Miller, Myles Garrett, Eric Ebron, Kyle Williams, and James Conner. And for the NFC were looking at George Kittle, Bobby Wagner, Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Jordan and Akiem Hicks.

I think the AFC will be a little more well rounded and take this one, with those dominant athletes.

*Best Hands presented by Madden NFL Overdrive: Two WR-QB duos from each conference will compete in a timed relay race to catch a series of passes at a sequence of downfield targets as quickly as possible. Designated targets require a specific style of catch — diving, one-handed, over the shoulder, etc. — which must be executed before the receiver can move on to the next target.

Juice’s Thoughts: For this one its pretty obvious, you need a WR with great hands (who would have thought?) and a QB who can get it there. AFC will have to go with Deshaun Watson and Juju Smith Schuster. While NFC would be smart for this one to go with Mitchell Trubisky and Adam Thielen.

I just think Thielen has incredible Hands and will be able to pull this one off.

*Precision Passing presented by Madden NFL Overdrive: Each conference’s two quarterbacks and one captain-appointed non-quarterback will battle it out in a one-minute accuracy competition, as they attempt to hit as many targets as possible.

Juice’s Thoughts: Easiest pick of the night here, you’re gonna have Andrew Luck (67.3% completion) vs. Russell Wilson (65.8% Completion).

Andrew Luck should win this.

*Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball presented by Skittles: In the grand finale, Pro Bowlers will compete in a classic game of dodgeball, with every member of each team participating. In a best of three series, the team with the last person on the court wins.

Juice’s Thoughts: Last years Dodgeball game was very fun. I think it was a very smart idea by the NFL and is a good way to get everyone involved. Just taking a look at the teams its very hard to pick, but the AFC has my vote. Von Miller, Myles Garrett and company will be extremely tough to beat and will be firing lazers throughout the game. Lets just hope QB’s this year throw better than our boy Alex Smith.