NFL Thread

[mojoween]

I don't remember reading that Nantz and Simms were staying on as the announcers once the games switched back to the NFL Network. Now I feel badly for Mike Mayock and the other guy, whose name is currently escaping me.

[Haleth]

Was Thurs night football on CBS only a temporary thing?  It's going back to NFL network for the rest of the season?

[Snowprince]

Yes. The contract with the league gives CBS the first half of the season (8 games) while NFL Network gets exclusive rights to the second half. 

Edited November 1, 2014 by Snowprince

[HalcyonDays]

Poor Tony Romo has a fracture in his "transverse process" - a small bone that sticks out on either side of the vertebrae. It's not related to his previous back problems. He also didn't practice all week. They say he'll "probably" start, but most likely it'll be Brandon Weeden. I feel really bad for Romo - his back is his weakness, like the knees are RGIII's weakness. Say what you will about the Coyboys, but Romo is a tough bastard. I mean, he played with cracked ribs and a punctured lung for an entire game.

[yourpointis]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000420803/article/tony-romo-will-not-play-brandon-weeden-to-get-start

 

Romo Will Not Play; Brandon Wheedon to Start

Cowboys coaches expected Romo to show up and talk his way into Sunday's game, but the quarterback made the call Saturday night that he couldn't play this week, per Rapoport, according to a source informed of Romo's injury.

 

Rapoport added on NFL Network's GameDay First that Cowboys coaches are already preparing for the possibility that after Romo sits out today he also doesn't go to London and rests up until after the team's Week 11 bye. It's a pain and functionality issue. The bone will likely never heal, but the pain will have greatly subsided by then.

 

[Fukui San]

You have been watching a special playoff preview presentation. We will now return you to Peyton Manning Regular Season Domination already in progress.

[twoods]

I guess the Broncos don't play well in windy conditions? Yikes.

The end of the SF game cracked me up because I hate them. That's what happens when you don't go for the tie.

Poor Raiders. They aren't that horrible but don't see when they will win their first game. They play the broncos next week and I'm sure Manning is pissed after this week's embarrassment.

[xaxat]

It's kind of awesome that Antonio Brown is rockin' a Nino Brown. 

[DrSpaceman]

You have been watching a special playoff preview presentation. We will now return you to Peyton Manning Regular Season Domination already in progress.

Patriots beat them last year in the regular season and then got beat in the playoffs.

Still lots left to play. THis doesn't guarantee anything for the Pats, not even home field in the playoffs. The same way everyone overreacted to the Pats loss vs KC they will now do the same with the Pats win. Epic battle or two great QBs or not, its one game, it wasn't a playoff game, in the large scheme of things it may end up meaning nothing. It didn't last year.

SF is in serious trouble. Actually with the way AZ is playing and there schedule, plus the records of the potential wild card teams in the NFC North and East, Seattle is not on solid ground either. NFC West may have 3 of the best teams but that doesn't mean more than 1 of those 3 make the playoffs.

[merylinkid]

In honor of Mean Joe Greene's number being retired by the Steelers tonight:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8

 

The greatest commercial of all time.

[nowandlater]

The trend this season: I get hyped up for a game, and the game disappoints.

[mojoween]

Is Marcus Lattimore of the Niners the kid from South Carolina who had that horrific knee injury a few years back?

[Danny Franks]

Is Marcus Lattimore of the Niners the kid from South Carolina who had that horrific knee injury a few years back?

 

Yep. Really sad if the stories about him having to retire are true. I was pulling for him to make it, after that injury, and was pleased that the 49ers drafted him, because it seemed the ideal spot for him to sit and heal and learn behind Frank Gore.

 

But injuries that severe sometimes just don't heal up. The Ravens drafted an injured kid that year too, in Kapron Lewis-Moore. He sat out his rookie season, recovering from his ACL tear, and was looking good this Training Camp. Then he tore his achilles. Some guys just don't get a fair shake.

[merylinkid]

At the time, apparently Lattimore was told he might never walk unassisted again.   He got back to the point he could go through drills.   Unfortunately, he was in pain the next day.   So he healed up really well.   He just didn't heal up football well enough.   Poor kid.  

[AimingforYoko]

I would say the Cowboys are done, except for the fact that now the Eagles are depending on Mark Sanchez.

Interesting stat of the week:
Ben Roethlisberger is the first QB in NFL history to throw for 6 TDs in consecutive weeks. The Minnesota Vikings, as a team, have 6 passing TDs. For the season.

[twoods]

When did the Steelers get this good? Like the Patriots, they looked like shit in the beginning but seem to be playing pretty well. What a shame, because I was hoping they would both suck this season.

How are the Lions in the lead of their division? They don't look that good either.

[ketchuplover]

The Packers signed their head coach to a 5 year extension.  They also cut Derrick Sherrod who(m) they drafted 3 or 4 years ago in the first round.  

[Snowprince]

How are the Lions in the lead of their division? They don't look that good either.

"You are what your record says you are" - Bill Parcels.

 

The Lions always start strong and disappear in the back half of the season, we'll see if the pattern holds. As for the Steelers, I believe the rest of the division did to them what Admiral Yamamoto said the Japanese did at Pearl Harbor..."awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve."

 

Speaking of sleeping giants, the Seahawks and my 49ers are still snoring while the Cardinals are running away with the NFC West. Both teams will benefit from the return of injured/suspended players, but it may not be enough. If the season ended today, neither would qualify for the playoffs.

 

The Saints are leading the "I don't want it, you take it" division (NFC South) pretty much by default. The Panthers have been playing over their heads but seem to be coming back down to earth, the Bucs are an unfunny joke and I have no idea what to make of the Falcons.

 

The NFC East will be an interesting race, as it's shaping up to be the battle of the backup QB's in Dallas and Philly. Can Mark Sanchez return to form as a playoff caliber QB? Will Tony Romo's back hold up if he comes back too soon? If not, can DeMarco Murray's legs carry them to the division title?

 

The Dolphins and Bills are much improved, but I don't think either will have enough in the end to loosen the stranglehold the Evil Empire has on the AFC East. Same in the west with the Broncos, the Chiefs and Chargers don't have the horsepower to mount a serious threat, IMO. The South is the Colts' to lose, Houston not withstanding.

 

This should be interesting and fun to watch.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Snowprince

[Bastet]

It is physically painful to be a Giants fan this season.

[mojoween]

Bastet I don't even yell at the TV any more. It's just not worth the energy because NOTHING CHANGES. All I can do now is root for the Cowboys to reach 8-8 and laugh and laugh if Sanchize leads Philly to the NFC championship.

[merylinkid]

You have it so right about the NFC South.    No one wants that division title.   It's not like they have to face Seattle in the playoffs this year.   I have no idea what the hell happened to the Falcons the last two years.   They have essentially the same players and coaches as when they went 13-3.   They added a few pieces and lost Gonzalez, but Julio Jones is back from injury.   Yet its a freaking mess.   Talent doesn't suddenly disappear.   Coaches don't suddenly forget to coach.   All I can think is a curse of some kind.   

[wingster55]

I have no idea what the hell happened to the Falcons the last two years.   They have essentially the same players and coaches as when they went 13-3.   They added a few pieces and lost Gonzalez, but Julio Jones is back from injury.   Yet its a freaking mess.   Talent doesn't suddenly disappear.   Coaches don't suddenly forget to coach.   All I can think is a curse of some kind.

 

There are some injuries in the O-Line. Coaches don't forget to coach, but I've never had faith in them..they were lucky to have the talent they did.

[DrSpaceman]

When did the Steelers get this good? Like the Patriots, they looked like shit in the beginning but seem to be playing pretty well. What a shame, because I was hoping they would both suck this season.

How are the Lions in the lead of their division? They don't look that good either.

Yeah I am not happy about the Colts giving up 52 to the Steelers, but when Roethlisberger, as much as I don't like him, goes out and then backs it up with ANOTHER 6 TDs vs. a baltimore defense, it kind of takes the sting out of things and puts some perspective on what it means. Its wasn't just a one time bad showing for the Indy D or all on them when he does it again on another pretty good defense.

Romo is supposed to be back this week, so wouldn't count them out yet. And Sanchez did have some success in NYJ the first few year. I don't think he is a great QB but neither is Nick FOles and he did pretty good in that offense. A decent QB in that scheme may continue to work out OK.

Edited November 5, 2014 by DrSpaceman

[Magog]

Since the Cowboys & Jaguars are playing in London this weekend and it will air on FOX, who is doing that game? I hope that its not Joe Buck & Troy Aikman. 

 

Speaking of London, there will be 3 more games there next season. The games are Jets - Dolphins (week 4 on 10-4-2015), Bills - Jaguars (week 7 on 10-25-2015), & Lions - Chiefs (week 8 11-1-2015).

[Jx223]

I am very happy that Cleveland won tonight and are now tied for first place in the AFC North division with Pittsburg. This is a big win for them. I don't think that hardly anyone predicted they would win this game. All of the sports analysts that I saw on TV today picked Cincy to win. I thought that Cleveland played well on both sides of the ball tonight and I am very happy that their run game returned tonight.

 

The past few games they lost their run game and that caused them to struggle against teams with losing records. Their run games is how they have been able to win games, the absence of it the last few games was a big issue for them. Glad to see all the RB’s score tonight. Also happy with plays from several other players on the team.

 

Also, I thought it was sweet that Leah Still was able to attend the game and see her father play tonight. The Devon/Leah Still story is a very feel good story in the NFL and I am happy to see all the support she’s received and money the NFL has raised for cancer research.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Jx223

[Danny Franks]

Well, the AFC North just ironed itself out a little, with the news that Jimmy Smith is out for the season. Without him, the Raven's secondary can't stop anyone (as they proved against the Steelers). Not even Tim Tebow throwing the ugliest, most inaccurate passes you've ever seen.

 

Bet the Browns still stuff up and miss the playoffs, though. But last night's game was a reminder that the Bengals aren't this wonderful, complete powerhouse of a team that many media heads were making them out to be. They go as far as Dalton takes them, and that honestly isn't particularly far.

[nowandlater]

Why are the late games so shitty on Sunday?

 

Broncos (good team) vs. Raiders (bad team).

 

Seahawks (mid-tier) vs. Giants (terrible)

 

Cardinals (good team) vs. Rams (bleh).

 

(Yes, Giants-Seahawks once seemed compelling. Maybe still is.)

Edited November 7, 2014 by nowandlater

[mojoween]

The Giants are going to Seattle. It is going to be a bloodbath because the Giants are physically incapable of winning there.

[nowandlater]

Oh yeah, Joe Buck and Troy are in Seattle.

[DrSpaceman]

The red zone announcer had a good line

Cecil SHorts scored a TD, he comments how they are in the UK so he would really be Cecil Knickers.

[Jx223]

I thought that was an exciting end to the Miami/Detroit game, with Matt Stafford's game winning TD pass to Theo Riddick. I was also glad to see Megatron back.

 

Also, I thought that Michael Vick did a good job today, helping the Jets win against Pittsburg. Vick also set a record today and became the first NFL QB to rush for 6,000 yards.  I think that a lot of people probably thought that Pittsburg would win this game, especially given how well they've played their last couple of games. But the Jets pulled off a win against them. Free Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was very effective for the Jets today, including giving them two interceptions. I also think that Rookie WR Martavis Bryant continued to be impressive for the Steelers.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Jx223

[Rick Kitchen]

Niners really needed that win.  Whew.

[AimingforYoko]

Much more than the Saints. 8-8 is probably going to win that division.

[mojoween]

ARGH until that interception Odell tipped the Giants actually looked like a real football team! Bastet I broke my rule and yelled at the TV because they could have had it. I do not know how many times Russell fooled them though so that was indeed frustrating.

I'm not even mad at Seattle because I like them and since New Orleans shit the bed against San Fran (effing Jimmy Graham, what a bonehead) it was important for Seattle to maintain behind Arizona in the West.

And speaking of Zona...poor Palmer. I hope it isn't serious.

It is vitally important that Philly win tomorrow. C'mon Carolina, I know you can play poorly.

[Bastet]

Against anyone but the Giants, I’d have been rooting for Seattle, and given their respective chances, I’m not terribly upset by the result.  But damn.  I was working in the yard and had it on in the garage so I could easily check in on things.  I was pretty pleased they were making a game of it.  Then I came in just in time to see Seattle score a TD to pull ahead 24-17.  Okay, completely manageable.  The next time I came back, Seattle was up 38-17!

[DrSpaceman]

Much more than the Saints. 8-8 is probably going to win that division.

Seriously, 7-9 probably wins that division and there is an outside chance 6-10 could do it.

[yourpointis]

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/arizona-cardinals-qb-carson-palmer-believed-to-have-torn-acl-done-for-season-110914

 

 

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer done for year with torn ACL

[AimingforYoko]

Jesus, he just signed that extension. Well, the Cardinals are going to play playoff games in Glendale, but not in February.

[mojoween]

Aww that sucks. I wonder if that's it for his career. I still feel like Cincy had a shot in their playoff game against Pittsburgh if Palmer hadn't gotten hurt.

I have no problem with Green Bay beating Chicago, but is it too much to ask for the game to be competitive?

[DrSpaceman]

Sucks for Carson Palmer. ANd Maybe Arizona, but Arians is a hell of a coach, wouldn't count them out yet.

This Bears performance is one of the most pathetic I have seen in a long time. There have been worse games by teams, but not by teams and QBs that are supposed to be decent. In a rivalry game.

[BabyVegas]

That's too bad for the Cardinals. Torn ACL sucks and I hope it's only a season ender, not a career ender.

I really thought the Seahawks-Giants game was going to be closer than it was. I don't know if the Giants got worn down or what, but even as a Seahawks fan I know interceptions like that aren't going to fly. But it did get me wondering - why do teams with known weather issues build open air stadiums? CLink is open air and it rains during the winter which seems to be affecting play. How does it snowing not affect play in Lambeau or Ford or any of the other cold weather fields? Is it just a cost thing?

[mojoween]

I understand that Chicago is sucking hardcore right now, but I feel like Al and Cris are being unseemingly in their comments about how pathetic the Bears are. I mean, Al asked if they were going to flex the game after halftime, and I feel like as a play by play guy it's not his place to say things like that.

I don't know, maybe I just feel sorry for Chicago. But Al and Cris aren't being very professional.

[twoods]

Poor Cardinals and Palmer. They looked fantastic and after that big contract extension, blew his ACL again. Stanton is pretty good but don't know if they will go to the Super Bowl. I was so happy for Carson after all these years of playing decently for mediocre teams. He deserves better than this.

The Sunday game is just brutal. Cocky Packers fans and their players are making me sick, along with the crappy Bears.

[Irlandesa]

But it did get me wondering - why do teams with known weather issues build open air stadiums? CLink is open air and it rains during the winter which seems to be affecting play. How does it snowing not affect play in Lambeau or Ford or any of the other cold weather fields? Is it just a cost thing?

No, it's a football thing.  Maybe it has happened but I can't recall a city ever telling its football team that they'd give them hundreds of millions of dollars for a stadium but were drawing the line at adding a dome. Playing in the elements are as old as football itself. They might affect play but everyone has to adjust to those elements.  If it's snowing, raining, windy, hot or cold, everyone has to adjust to it.   Maybe one day they'll decide that every new stadium must have a dome for pristine playing conditions for all teams, but I just love the unpredictability of the weather.

 

As a viewer at home, I live for rainy games like this  or snowy games like this.   Evey crazy fog games like this.   If I were going to a game, I'd hrather sit in a 20 degree Denver or NY than in 90 degree weather in Miami

 

 I feel like as a play by play guy it's not his place to say things like that. I don't know, maybe I just feel sorry for Chicago. But Al and Cris aren't being very professional.

I think Chris is the color commentator and Al's the play-by-play guy.  I guess I would rather them make jokes about the state of the game than offer "insight."  The game was a disaster for the Bears and such a lopsided game is a disaster for SNF.   If it were on FOX of CBS, they would have cut away from it except in the local markets.  They also made a joke about thanking anyone who actually watched the second half. 

 

I get not liking what they were saying but I didn't think anything they said was beyond the pale or unprofessional.   They had to make the best out of what they were given and what they were given was one team who showed up and another team who had some players give it all until the end and others, once they got down by two scores, just sort of go half assed.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Irlandesa

[Danny Franks]

How crappy is it for a team to possibly lose their QB for good (ACL tears are no joke at 24, let alone 34) in the year they're having a great season and are already guaranteed to be picking in the bottom half of the draft?

 

They've got to be looking at potential successors to Palmer, even if he does make it back from this. Drew Stanton will hopefully keep them ticking over, because it turns out I actually quite like the Cardinals, and want to see them win that division. Not least because all the hype is always about the Seahawks and 49ers.

 

Can't believe what a dumpster fire the Bears are at the moment, but I'm interested in watching the game to see if Jay Cutler ever appeared to give a shit about what was happening. It's just a shame that Packers fans are so unbearably smug at all times, because I like guys like Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. Seriously, the fact that Rodgers isn't inarguably considered the best QB in the league just shows how biased the media is to Brady and Manning. Rodgers is just so good, so effortlessly good, and I really hope he gets a second ring, to cement that in the eyes of many.

 

Meanwhile, in a game I had interest in, the Ravens' defense turned up the heat in the second half, which was nice to see. Shut the Titans down completely, and had more sacks than they allowed 1st downs. And that was with the new look secondary that had Anthony Levine, a ST specialist and nominal Safety starting at CB, and Danny Gorrer, a guy who was cut by the Lions a couple of weeks ago, as the Nickel.

 

Justin Forsett continues to have a fantastic season, and I'd say he should be a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year except... he had nothing to come back from. His career so far has been that of a perennial 3rd stringer, and now he's the starter and he's running well, consistently. Both his TDs were impressive bits of play from him, and the patience he showed on the second one was outstanding. Just waiting for that hole to open and then exploding through it. Ray Rice must be watching and cursing his own colossal stupidity, that he missed the chance to run in Kubiak's scheme. Well, serves him right.

[Elsydeon]

Aww that sucks. I wonder if that's it for his career. I still feel like Cincy had a shot in their playoff game against Pittsburgh if Palmer hadn't gotten hurt.

I have no problem with Green Bay beating Chicago, but is it too much to ask for the game to be competitive?

 

They would have wrecked the Steelers were it not for that cheap shot. And if anyone says it wasn't intentional, they're lying.

[nowandlater]

Justin Forsett continues to have a fantastic season, and I'd say he should be a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year except... he had nothing to come back from.

 

Cal leads the NFL in RBs, and yesterday former Cal RB Marshawn Lynch had 4 TDs, his backup at Cal Forsett had 2, and CJ Anderson had a dazzling 51 TD catch and run from Peyton Manning at the Raiders. (Manning previously looked mediocre.)

 

(Also, Forsett and Lynch's former teammate at Cal, Aaron Rodgers, tossed 6 TDs.)

 

It's a shame former Cal RB Shane Vereen of the Patriots had a bye week, or there could've been much, much more.

 

Anyways, Forsett is a deeply Christian possibly future minister/Grey's Anatomy and Scandal fan....From his "journeyman" status, I always assumed he was living on extended time in the NFL..

Edited November 10, 2014 by nowandlater

[Fukui San]

They would have wrecked the Steelers were it not for that cheap shot. And if anyone says it wasn't intentional, they're lying.

You mean the team who tried to have a player throw a top rope bodyslam onto a QB during a kneeldown play and a coach who intentionally unintentionally impeded a punt returner had a history of dirty play? Who knew?

[Rick Kitchen]

Kurt Warner needs to stfu about his religious views while discussing football.

[Bastet]

I'd vote for Kurt Warner shutting up, period.  And maybe he could spend his time reading a science textbook instead.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Bastet