Carey

Downs goes Minnesota!

If I'm up I'll watch it. Chances are I will watch MNF by default. However, I'm off on Monday so I try to be productive, turn in at a decent time, and get my (short) week going. The league was okay when the postseason was reserved for the weekend

Ten-to-one the schedule for the Divisional Weekend will be disclosed at the conclusion of SNF. Maybe before that. The wait is related to what happens between Bengals/Ravens, though the bigger issue would've been over the result of Giants/Vikings. Since 2009, the NFL loves to have the top seeds play on Saturday to further pimp their advantage. However, I don't think it'll be fair for Tampa Bay or Dallas to travel to Philadelphia for a Saturday game on 4 days rest. So, I'm guessing that the Eagles game will be on Sunday unless New York wins at US Bank Stadium. It could still be on Sunday, but if it's Saturday, then it's 5 days rest for the Giants, which is normal. For the AFC, it should not matter too much, but IMO, if Baltimore wins at Paycor, then Kansas City should be in the Saturday slot. I don't think the league is having Buffalo, despite the home team, play off of a short week against Jacksonville, who'll have an extended period of rest. Of course, if Cincinnati wins, they Chiefs still could be on Saturday (I'd bet on it). They'd host the Jaguars off of a bye. Normal rest for the top 4 seeds

I think Miami should stick with Thompson. Tua's injury history has been a thing for about a half decade. He'll be in his 4th year in the league. Plus, get another veteran for support. Bridgewater is not the answer

Despite 0-3, this has been a rather exciting postseason. Hats off to Miami. If it hadn't been for their recent slide, this would have been what I'd expect from division postseason football. Basically what I expected from Seattle/San Francisco happened this afternoon. Some Western Pennsylvanians are saying that the Steelers would've won had it been them, based on a surprising Bills performance. No, you would have not won at Orchard Park

Wow. What a way to end the game!

Part of the problem why the Bills might not win it this season. They have no run game

I wasn't aware anyone had a good opinion of Skip Bayless. That is fair enough. People have praised Mike Al Michaels more than might be deserved. Not many, if anyone, praised Skip. Though to be fair to Bayless, First Take took a hit when he left, but has sorta since rebounded with the current format (Stephen A vs someone different that can stand up to him). BTW, even though you didn't indicate it, there's a chance that you could've been referring to people that call football games or other sporting events. Skip Bayless doesn't do that, Al does/has. Yeah, I don't think there are many that I'd put in terms of overrated (and I actually don't have a problem with Michaels while happy Mike Tirico finally took over). Gus Johnson may have been that guy, but I believe he's toned it down, which is a pretty good thing

No. That would be Skip Bayless

As of this post, Brandon Staley is still employed. Unless he isn't (with news on that slated to break later). Calvada, fair points. ITA. I actually don't mind Tony Dungy. I think it's pretty good as a color guy. That's mainly because it's rare. He's more studio than broadcast. That's okay for me. What helped for me was the option to turn on Westwood One with Ian Eagle on the call there. A couple of thoughts on today's games or so: The Bills are 13.5 favorites. That is a lot of points. However, it could be twice as much, and I'd still take Buffalo to cover the spread. I think this could turn out to be a De Facto bye for the AFC East Champions as they rest for their next game against the Bengals or the Jaguars. The late game might be the best of today's TV triple-header. The Giants have improved. It's been a pleasant surprise. You just never know what team will show up. Same can be said for Minnesota. I think based on this season, the GMEN will have to blow out the Vikings to win. If it's close, the NFC North champions will survive. Unless they don't since trends are meant to be broken. Of course, I'm all in on New York this week, and I could see a bonus TD to win by 10 for comfort. The only things that suck about the primetime AFC North matchup are that it just happened a week ago, and Lamar is out. The Bengals are benefitting for the second consecutive year, but I think they'd still persevere with Jackson. It's division football & Baltimore's defense has been unkind for Cincinnati, who are not 100% up front. An upset is possible (which would get the league off the hook for their missed/omitted decision to work with Cincy & Buffalo in terms of not having to play at Orchard Park without a coin flip). Low scoring close win for the AFC North Champions, IMO, is the best call here

Oh I knew. I like the Chiefs, but I wanted the Bills to win last year. That was a painful loss for the AFC East Champs. That being said, that is a total crock of shit. The league never did anything for when the Packers lost in back-to-back years, or whenever Manning lost in the same fashion to those pesky Bolts teams. Or when Mahomes didn't get a chance against Brady, or when Matt Ryan (also the MVP at the time of the game) didn't get a chance (though he would've been unsuccessful anyway). I omitted the Steelers and Vikings from my examples; Minnesota in 2009-2010 lost in OT where New Orleans didn't even get into the endzone. The rule was changed not too long after that. The Steelers, while banged up & without Ryan Clark, were the first team to play under the modified rules and lost on the first play in what would've been plus territory for them. Sorta feels like the league has been wishing for the Bills to win for a long time. To where they don't have to travel to Arrowhead, BUT, Cincinnati has to travel to Orchard Park. I do like the Bills; can't say the same for Dallas. However, I might smile a little if the Cowboys get to the end and beat Buffalo for a third time

Yeah, only Pat Summerall can get away with that haha! I can't blame Mike Al Michaels (for the most part). A 78-year old legend going from calling the best games to the worst games. There are so many comparisons or coincidences between last night's game and the other super-blown leads (1992 Bills/Oilers & 2013 Colts/Chiefs). Jacksonville, like the 2013 Colts, won the regular season matchup on the road prior to duplicating the same feat in overtime. Indianapolis went on to get blown out in their next game, and the Jaguars are expected to get blown out in their next game. It's doubtful they're getting another home game next weekend against Baltimore. Jags/Bolts was a game between teams without a Super Bowl, just like Buffalo/Houston was a game between teams without a Lombardi. BTW, there are now 4 teams without a title still remaining in the playoffs. Obviously someone had to lose the last game. So there's three in the AFC, and one in the NFC (unlikely to make it). The Jaguars are getting better every second, but teams like Buffalo & Cincinnati are built to win at least one over the next several years. BTW, Minnesota has a chance to get better following a decent year with a first-year HC. Naturally, the Oilers (as the Tennessee Titans) would avenge their loss in a big way against Buffalo (which led to a 2-decade drought for the Bills). Kansas City avenged their loss against the Colts (which preceded the end of Luck's run resulting in rather legit chaos for Indy). All 3 games featured a 5 seed losing on the road to a 4 seed. By the way, the Bills, on the road for the remainder of the 1992 season, outscored their next two opponents by a combined 36 points, holding them to 13 before being held to a similar score while losing by a similar margin in Super Bowl 27

What's amazing is that it feels like Kansas City has won the division for 11 years in a row (it's been 7). Yet they managed to catch up to everyone else at 15 a piece. It's laughable since the Raiders haven't won in 20 years, and Denver won 5 years in a row before KC started dominating the division. A rather comical AFC West. Almost comical, but more than traditional!

Well, I guess they can forgo the Chiefs/Chargers after all. However, I'll hold off on a suggestion to cancel Chiefs/Jaguars

Harbaugh and Payton might not screen anybody tonight

Well, here come the old takes throughout the Internet & the globe!

I guess I'll hold off on making posts like, "Just cancel Chiefs/Chargers Part 3 & just fast forward to Chargers vs. winner of Buffalo/Cincinnati." LA might survive & they actually can hang with KC, but it looks like the NFL version of TCU/Georgia might not happen tonight

This game is proof that a higher seed playing on the road is not a big deal. So when if Dallas loses to Tampa on Monday, Jerry Jones might just simple stomp his HC to death. Of course, if the Cowboys GM has a heart, he might just simply fire him (Haden-to-Kiffin style)

Part of me wanted to see the Niners lose just to see Planet Earth meltdown over the possibility of Tom Brady backdooring into 2-3 home playoff games. The NFC may have been wide open; it would've been the first ever time a 2 seed wasn't part of the divisional round in a normal season. Either Minnesota or Tampa would've been guaranteed a second home playoff game (would've been a first for a 3 or 4 seed due the postseason expansion). The chance of San Francisco tying Pittsburgh isn't that much of a big deal, but it's a big deal. FWIW, the Steelers would've been pummeled by this team had they made a run (they get their chance next season). I think I'd be okay if nobody from the NFC reached a sixth SB title, but I'll gladly take San Francisco over Dallas. As mentioned, the Chiefs is the only matchup that doesn't really favor the Niners, but the NFC West champions have a plant of sorts from the Buckeye state

Well, I'm off to a very lovely start. There are 12 more of these things

Oh I know that it'll be the Giants heading to Philadelphia. What I don't know is the status of Lane Johnson. If he's out, then I can see the 2023 playoffs happening without the Eagles winning a game. You would know more than I would, but I've seen past New York teams, albeit better teams, conquer teams that were better than this San Francisco team. While they've been running well, this very season they somehow got smacked around like nothing against Kansas City. The 2011 Packers and 2007 Patriots never suffered a loss like that. Different team, different era, but same franchise. I guess it's fair and a moot point if the Giants can't beat San Francisco, then they probably won't be able to get by Philadelphia or even Minnesota. If the Vikings do win, then I think the winner of whoever Philly plays has the best shot at the niners

Probably the only teams that can are Tampa & Philadelphia (unless New York has something up their sleeves). In the AFC, I think it's only the Bengals and Ravens. Not sure about Kansas City or Buffalo, but I don't think the Bills or KC need to in order to conquer San Francisco

Here are my picks against the spread & the O/U (Over/Under) Seattle/San Francisco Niners by 9.5 O/U of 42.5 Seattle covers & under hits Los Angeles/Jacksonville Chargers by 2.5 O/U of 47.5 Jaguars and over Miami/Buffalo Bills by 13.5 O/U of 43.5 Bills and under New York/Minnesota Vikings by 3.0 O/U of 48.5 Giants & over Baltimore/Cincinnati Bengals by 8.5 O/U of 40.5 Ravens and under Dallas/Tampa Bay Cowboys by 2.5 O/U of 45.5 Bucs cover & under hits In terms of my thoughts toward the playoff games, I'm going to start with MNF (in case I don't post on Monday). Dallas should win despite the history. This team hasn't won a road playoff game in 30 years. However this is the best version of Dallas in a long time (other years include 2007, 2014, and 2016). The road thing should not be an excuse. The Buccaneers are not playing well. The Cowboys aren't playing well either, so that could prevent a postseason edit (where the team w/ a better record hosts over a division champ). They nearly got shutout at home against Tampa. Finally, Tom Brady, a super-seasoned postseason NFL player, is undefeated against the Cowboys. In addition to the fact that Dak has turned it over about 8 games in a row, there isn't a great reason to pick against TB12. So, until Dallas beat Brady, I'll keep picking the GOAT over the Cowboys. It's tough to beat the same foe 3 times. Sure the Steelers did so against the Ravens, the Cowboys did so against the Eagles, & the Seahawks against the 49ers when the 2013 Champions were very good. Speaking of that NFC West matchup, the Niners swept the Seahawks, and it wasn't pretty. I wouldn't be shocked if Seattle won outright, and I obviously would not be surprised if San Francisco won by double digits. However, Pete Carroll has a ton of postseason experience, his team exceeded expectations, and it's division football in the postseason. If all goes well, it'll be a close game (with the weather as a factor) and Niners survive a close game at home. In addition to the sixth & final game of "Super" Wildcard Weekend, the first of 2 NBC games this weekend features a scenario where it's possible that another coach can lose his job. To be honest, there was no reason for the HC to play key people last week, especially when certain players like Joey Bosa & Mike Williams have histories with being hurt. Now the latter is probably out for the rest of the postseason, definitely inactive in their game at Jacksonville. While I had them as my Super Bowl team, I see the AFC South champs winning at home. I probably would have had the Bolts winning & advancing with an active Williams & healthy Bosa (before losing to Kansas City), but Jacksonville is rolling. They didn't look great last time, but that was against the previous division champs in Tennessee. I would not be stunned if Brandon Staley got fired with a loss. Bad decision making, plus the league is pivoting to offense. Get someone like Harbaugh or Payton in there (before Denver gets one of those two). Ditto with Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy; though an offensive guy, it would be a bad loss in a decent season. Ravens HC John Harbaugh should be fine, but he might have to revamp/retool the offense again. Plus, the defense needs an update (following several games lost while leading by double digits)

Oh I see. Fair enough re: LA. The Tampa situation was rather unique; I don't even think one could call it a De Facto home game with homefield situations. There were about 25K to 30K fans that game due to the pandemic. The Bucs winning was more related to that team being stacked and Mahomes was hurt. The fan situation was probably the 3rd factor if there even was a factor. I agree about some elements. A little rain or snow is fine. 20 degree conditions are fair enough. I understand the league wanting to move away from worse cases, but it still is an outdoor sport

No kidding. Stop speaking this shit into existence. It was already too late before this "idea" was spoken or typed. Real quick picks: San Francisco, Jacksonville, Buffalo, New York, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay. I'll do the odds and O/U (Over/Under) later. Of course SoFi last year, but Raymond James Stadium is sorta a bigger deal (though not to the benefit LA had last year IMO). I do have my "complaints" about the neutral stuff, since it would totally shut out the AFC North, the AFC East save for Miami, and the originals (Packers & Bears). I'll leave out the Giants since they actually had the Super Bowl at MetLife. When if they go forward with this plan, that would be sad since certain teams would never get to host a conference title game ever again. However, a couple of things: The league probably will not have someone hosting unless it's impossible to plan something at the last minute. It shouldn't be a selection process like the Super Bowl. If it is, the Chargers or Rams could luck out and get to "host" somebody. TBH, the good thing is that you get to see the best of the best. I don't need to see Mahomes & Allen struggling in bad weather. Sure they can handle it, but no one wants to watch a total, low-scoring slugfest with a ton of ground game stuff and bad football. The game has changes with the times of the game