NFL Thread

[Carey]

10 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Sorry Cleveland.

You have nothing to be sorry for.  [Depending on who you ask]  I see that franchise represented 7 times based on the graphic!

[Carey]

I'm not too happy the Steelers lost, but probably the best I've felt over a loss.  I don't know or think I'd had made it to January 5th if Cleveland actually pulled the upset only for Cincinnati to do the same.  So there's that.

Baltimore didn't look good, but they didn't really need to.  They did, however, need to maybe not play some of their key players.  They should be okay against Pittsburgh (in terms of a win).  However, forget my past comments on KC/Baltimore.

Yep, pretty much saying that there's no way Buffalo is losing their first round game, and LA isn't losing to Vegas on Sunday.   The Bills might end up playing at that 1:00 Sunday slot that didn't happen last year, IMO.  The official schedule will be right here for sure by Monday.

ETA: Barring a Vegas win: Rather simple bet that Chargers/Texans opens postseason play (after 4:30 ET on 1/11) with Steelers/Ravens Sunday night on NBC.  Chances are that the latter might be Saturday night.  NFC North Runner Up probably gets stuck playing on Monday night on ESPN.

ETA2: Chances and changes aren't the same thing.  And on a different note, a link to the Wild Card Schedule.  FYI: A mention of the NFL Postseason Schedule will be disclosed at some point on Sunday Night Football. Maybe even some of it during the late game window by Romo & Nantz

Edited Sunday at 07:57 PM by Carey
Gametime predictions sure to go wrong

[Magog]

Man, pretty much all of the 1 pm games today are basically 3-hour naps. Except for the Washington - Dallas game because I want to see the Cowboys lose again one more time this season. 

The 4 pm game are not much better & the only exciting game from that is seeing that green team & their pathetic quarterback fall flat on their faces again for the last time this season. There better be plenty of booing from the home team fans today.

All of these Playoff seeding scenarios for me are just meh... to me. Frankly, who cares where the Chargers might end up after today's games anyway. Those losers are going to find a way to lose next week in the Playoffs like they usually do. Jim Harbaugh is not ever going to change that.

Frankly, the most important game today is the Sunday Night game. 

Edited Sunday at 03:16 PM by Magog

[mojoween]

This feels like tampering but what do I know 😀

 

[mojoween]

The Giants are playing the Eagles … AND THEY’RE STILL NOT ON TV.

I swear to Satan whoever decided that CBS was no longer AFC exclusive and FOX is no longer NFC exclusive is the dumbest motherfucker on the planet.

I can’t believe I just spent seven dollars to watch this stupid game.

Edited Sunday at 05:48 PM by mojoween

[Carey]

Magog: I think you & I are thinking alike.  Except for that Chargers thing.  I can totally see Los Angeles beating the crap out of Houston.  I also can see the Texans surviving since they're sort of taking the week off.  As for everybody else (Pittsburgh, Denver, Miami): get ready to make your golf reservations starting around January 12.  You're not winning at Orchard Park or at M&T Bank Stadium, period.

So, I'll take the day off before SNF.  Personally I might just watch the NFC side of the postseason, as it's IMO basically status-quo on the AFC side.  Kansas City beats the Texans/Bolts winner.  Buffalo/Baltimore might be interesting but the winner gets rewarded toward another runner-up finish at the AFC Championship Game Invitational or whatever Nick Wright calls it.

Speaking of which: someone elsewhere mentioned the part of how a 14-win team may have to go to Tampa.  Or even worse: SoFi to open their postseason play.  Meh.  I'm not going to call that scene "awesome" but I totally do not care for the NFC North runner-up.  Just be thankful you're in the playoffs.  If you can't beat the Rams or the Bucs regardless of the venue, then maybe you should have been in the postseason.

I wonder if we'll pass the 25% mark of fired head coaches starting today & tomorrow.  I don't know if we'll end up losing 6 coaches (and some GMs), but I think 2-3 for sure within the next 24 hours.  Then there's always a surprise, and even someone could get next week for a poor playoff performance.  Then there's Mike McCarthy who isn't really getting fired, but Dallas will be going in a new direction.  Or the same direction with a new HC; depends on who you ask

[mojoween]

There probably isn’t a big overlap of fans of the NFL and fans of the Golden Globes, but I know for a fact it isn’t zero (it’s at least two!).  Curious why the Globes are so early; too bad for them they fall against one of the most important games of the season

[Calvada]

18 hours ago, mojoween said:

TJ Watt took his hat off and was standing on the sidelines in short sleeves.  Unknown Bengal was in a winter hat, balaclava and giant stadium coat.  

Watt's a Wisconsin guy, after all 🤣 

[ebk57]

31 minutes ago, mojoween said:

There probably isn’t a big overlap of fans of the NFL and fans of the Golden Globes, but I know for a fact it isn’t zero (it’s at least two!).  Curious why the Globes are so early; too bad for them they fall against one of the most important games of the season

At least 3! 

I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with this tonight.  I want to watch the game, but I like commenting in real-time in the GG thread here, so recording it won't help.  Dammit.

[Crashcourse]

So glad the Commanders pulled it out. 

Heartbreak for Dem Cowboys!  😂

[mojoween]

CBS - Atlanta has nothing to play for and we’re up against our NFL obligation, so we’re bailing on our bonus coverage.

[Carey]

It's not 4:25 yet.

The GG show is usually on this day (first Sunday primetime of a calendar year).  Until the beginning of the decade it was never an issue since the wildcard round used to wrap up by 7-8 PM.  Over the years, since adding more teams to the postseason, that meant a third Sunday game.  Then soon after the postseason was pushed back.  Feels like the NFL wants to wreck people's love for other TV shows (in addition to film) for their stuff.  Not a total surprise.

Well, the Eagles & Packers is the first confirmed postseason game, with the former favored by 3.5

[Crashcourse]

I'm not interested in the GG show because I haven't seen 90% of the movies and tv shows nominated, and that Nicki Glaser chick is annoying, so I look forward to watching the Vikings and Lions.

[Marley]

I like the Chiefs but I’m rooting for the Broncos today. I want them to make the playoffs. Also the Chiefs have no chance since they are resting most of their starters & they usually just pull out the game WITH their starters lol.

[mojoween]

I would watch the GG only to drool over the stars of Shogun (except for Blackthorne, the weakest character of any show, ever).

Alas, I’ll check for highlights on social media because I gotta watch the Lions.  That stadium will be electric, no matter what the Vikings are trying to do about it.

[Carey]

Is it me, or are other people getting ADS while watching Red Zone?  I do recall seeing one several weeks back (specifically one with Lamar Jackson pimping a product)

[mojoween]

Jerod Mayo didn’t deserve that.

[Carey]

That Vele TD for Denver to go up 3 scores probably ends up as an interception in the endzone for Kansas City any other time, but it doesn't change the fact that it was very damn amazing!

Despite my dislike for KC, I still do respect them.  To be clear, there's not a chance in hell I'd root for Baltimore over them.  Some fans of Pittsburgh have a role saying that you don't root for them unless it helps the Black & Gold.  To which I followed up with: Agree to disagree, before ending the conversion & leaving the area.  I just don't want them to change who they are just because they're playing the champs.  They finally played their A game on 12/21, so they should be able to do that going forward.  Of course I don't even know if they'll beat Buffalo a second time around; they might not even make it to Arrowhead.

I also admire Denver.  Same with Baltimore, I don't think they can win in Orchard Park, but they look more capable to pull the upset than Pittsburgh and definitely Miami

[kathyk2]

24 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Jerod Mayo didn’t deserve that.

I agree with you. Whoever replaced Bill Belichick was going to struggle and it's not a good look to fire the first black coach in team history after one year.

[roamyn]

What BS.  He's been developing Drake Maye well.  And wasn't he handpicked a few years ago to follow Bellicheck?  The plan was in place at NFL HQ so they didn't have to go thru the hiring process.

Cleveland intends on keeping Stefanski, which makes sense since the problem is Haslam and the QBs.

Congratulations to Baker & Evans.  Evans got another 1,000yrd receiving season, and Baker beat Brady's 40 TD record for the Bucs by throwing two more for a total of 41 on the season.

With the Patriots win, the Titans have the #1 draft spot and Cleveland has #2.  Too bad there's no great QB, but I'd take a chance on Cam Ward.  SIT HIM for a year and then dump Watson's +ss. 

[Carey]

It's a bad look, but people close to the situation (mainly fans that have followed the organization forever) wanted this to happen.  Their issue was how were things going to be different & better, and more important: what this year gives the Patriots hope that they can regain their success to where Buffalo is back to looking up to them?  Or simply just competing with the Bills.

I hate to ping Fukui San but I guess I'm curious to obtain an opinion on the user that follows the team more than anyone else here.

One more thing: As mentioned elsewhere, I think New England would rather not see someone like Mike Vrabel go to the Jets.  If so, there was no big obligation to listen to Belichick when it came to his recommendations for Mayo.  Mike Vrabel was available after the 2023 season

[Chit Chat]

18 minutes ago, roamyn said:

Congratulations to Baker & Evans.

I was coming on here to post the same thing!  I was happy to see the crowd rooting loudly for Mike!  He's been such an asset for the Bucs. 

Thanks to everybody for not posting pre-game how the Bucs should win this game easily! That's a sure jinx for them!  They played like ass the first half, but at least they got it together the second half.  They're going to have to play a lot better than that if they want to remain in the playoffs (no illusions here!!)

The penalty against McMillian for unsportsmanlike conduct for the supposed gun gesture was crap.  I think he was trying to do what they all do, and that was to point out he just made the down.   I think he just held his fingers wrong, and he got called for it.  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the fans boo the refs for about 5 minutes straight! 

[roamyn]

Looks like Cinci and Miami are SOL.  Denver is currently winning 31-0 w/less than 10 min to go.

Come sit next to your Ohio brothers on the couch Cincinnati.   At least we have the Buckeyes.

[shoregirl]

The Bengals were really asking for a lot relying on Carson Wentz to extend their season 

[Carey]

The AFC Side has been finalized in terms of the postseason.  Save for the 1 seed and the NFC North title, that's finalized too.

I'm not thrilled about Baltimore being favored by 8.5.  IOW, that is actually correct, probably would've been more had it not been for Flowers' exit, but I might not be happy if the Ravens win by 8 or less.

I do not care about Miami.  They sucked in their game so it was totally moot.  Speaking of caring & what might suck:  My case for the NFC North runner-up going on the road not being a big deal took a hit.  Just a little bit.

[mojoween]

Where have these Jets been all year?

[Carey]

It's the same Jets.  They're playing a crappy, overrated team that can't play great football when it's cold or when it's December and/or January

[Fukui San]

1 hour ago, Carey said:

I hate to ping Fukui San but I guess I'm curious to obtain an opinion on the user that follows the team more than anyone else here.

Mayo was in way over his head and this is a mercy killing. The Krafts did him no favors by not pairing him with experienced coordinators like rookie HC Sean McVay had with Wade Phillips would could take on the Defense all by himself. Alex Van Pelt was at least credible and Maye certainly showed flashes. The DC Covington, who was an elevated defensive line coach, was an utter disaster. In hindsight one of the two coordinators should have had more experience.

Very few players on the team did not noticeably regress in play quality throughout the season, particularly WR Boutte and CB Christian Gonzalez. They seemed to be the only young players who seemed to developed as the season went on. A bunch of players we were excited and/or hopeful in this offseason and early season seemed lost or checked out by the end. Keion White, Kyle Dugger, any and every offensive lineman. The two rookie WRs looked even more hopeless than Belichick's famously bad WR draft picks (and who were drafted using the picks obtained by trading away the pick used on Ladd McConkey). The defense as a whole just regressed from top five unit to bottom five unit. And most alarmingly Maye was starting to show signs of being shellshocked by the end of the season. We do not want to David Carr him.

Also, after a year I have no idea what Mayo believes in as a coach. What style he was trying to instill.

And while Mayo being frank with the press was hailed early on as a breath of fresh air by the long time browbeaten local press corps, it became a weekly occurrence that Mayo would say something in the Monday pressers that he would have to walk back the next day. Rookie WR having a mental issue with drops. Questioning his own O-Coordinator's play calls. Questioning his team's effort level in a game. Saying that he would bench Rhamondre Stevenson for his fumbling issues and then not actually doing so. All the stuff that Belichick would never say in favor of his famous beige nothingness. Yeah, there's a reason why you don't give the media anything and Mayo demonstrated it.

90% of Patriots fans will shed no tears over Mayo's departure. Love the player, I'm sure he's a nice guy. He appeared on Patriots podcasts after his playing days but before his coaching career and was fun and personable. I don't hate him and I think he tried his best but I'd be surprised if he surfaced elsewhere and was a success at coaching. 

[kathyk2]

2 hours ago, Carey said:

It's a bad look, but people close to the situation (mainly fans that have followed the organization forever) wanted this to happen.  Their issue was how were things going to be different & better, and more important: what this year gives the Patriots hope that they can regain their success to where Buffalo is back to looking up to them?  Or simply just competing with the Bills.

I hate to ping Fukui San but I guess I'm curious to obtain an opinion on the user that follows the team more than anyone else here.

One more thing: As mentioned elsewhere, I think New England would rather not see someone like Mike Vrabel go to the Jets.  If so, there was no big obligation to listen to Belichick when it came to his recommendations for Mayo.  Mike Vrabel was available after the 2023 season

The Patriots are my team that's why I made my first post. Did he make mistakes or say things to the press that he shouldn't? Yes but every rookie head coach does that. I don't think it's such a big deal not to have the first pick in the draft this year there's no great player who will automatically make an impact.  Congratulations to the Bengals for not tanking after starting 1-4.

[mojoween]

These Lions uniforms are terrible and the sloppy guys not tucking in their shirts so their white undershirts are showing look ridiculous

[Carey]

Well, there are a couple of things I got wrong.  Or at least "thought wrong" this evening.  I assumed that the NFL would not release the schedule for the Wild Card Weekend until 11:25 or when the Lions/Vikings game ended.  Maybe they'd say something at halftime, but given how obvious it was, the league didn't wait.

The only thing I was off on was the Ravens/Steelers and the Commanders/Buccaneers game.  Which makes sense, as Pittsburgh had turned into a team that hit a rookie wall, whereas Washington & Tampa Bay are rolling.  Plus, the Steelers still draw a crowd (even though they're very miserable more often than not).  So it's a smart move to have them on Saturday, but unless you're in the area or near the US Capitol, you have to pay to watch the game.  Save your money or use it smartly.

Bucs & Washington are on Sunday night, and that's complimentary.  I may not post the schedule here (which I would with the announcers & the spread), as I've linked to the schedule from the second post on this page.

[twoods]

Both defenses have done pretty well so far in the first half. 

[roamyn]

Did Tyreek Hll ask for a trade or is he retiring?  I wasn't sure with that graphic.

Boy, the Vikings cannot get in the end zone.  

ETA:  I'm one of the few glad Saquon didn't break the record as I adore Dickerson as a player.

Edited Yest. at 03:50 AM by roamyn

[Carey]

Any chance Saquon wins the MVP?  If not, who does?  Too bad it can't be Darnold

[Lamb18]

Boo hoo! Sniff! 

But Vikings are still in the playoffs.

Detroit could definitely win the Super Bowl.

[meowmommy]

Just now, Lamb18 said:

Boo hoo! Sniff! 

But Vikings are still in the playoffs.

Detroit could definitely win the Super Bowl.

Especially if they get Aidan Hutchinson and David Montgomery back.

Anybody but KC.  Please.

Did any of us Giants fans really need to see Daniel Jones?

[roamyn]

39 minutes ago, Carey said:

Any chance Saquon wins the MVP?  If not, who does?  Too bad it can't be Darnold

Probably not.  Tho it would be deserved.  But I'm guessing Josh Allen with Saquon as OPY.  Just please not Lamar.  I'm sooooo sick of him.

[Carey]

I remember thinking about Barkley having to get the award if he broke the record.  To be fair, he beat both LA and Baltimore on the road in venues Josh Allen went 0-2 in.  Thinking back to 2012, AP ended up winning without the record.  He had a chance to break it, but decided that winning was more important.  Though IIRC, the 2012 season didn't feature any decent QB candidates.

[Bastet]

I like the Lions and don't care about the Vikings, so I'm happy with the result (plus, while I don't think the Rams can get past either team, I think they have a better chance against the Vikings than the Lions), but I was expecting a closer game.

[Carey]

FYI: This is the first time Detroit has been the Number 1 overall seed.  One of five teams that haven't reached that point.  FWIW: both of their losses were at home (combined record for the 2 teams that beat them is 23-11, I believe).  However, good (historic) things are coming their way if they can take care of business at home.

One win has them hosting the NFC Title Game, which means all 16 NFC teams would've done so at least once in the past 55 years.  Two wins results in all 16 NFC teams reaching the Super Bowl at least once.  I guess it's safe to say that they're due.

On a different note, Tennessee losing and New England winning results in the former earning the first overall pick for 2025

[NUguy514]

If Zac Taylor can't figure out a way to coach the Bengals so that they don't start every season 0-2 or 0-3, it might be time to find a new head coach.  The Bengals could've been a sleeper team in the playoffs, but if you start off the season with a loss to a terrible Patriots team, you deserve to miss the playoffs.

I'm rooting for one of two teams to win the Super Bowl, but I won't say which two for fear of jinxing them.

BECAUSE I AM OBVIOUSLY THAT POWERFUL.

And because it can't be said enough, fuck the Chiefs.

[mojoween]

4 hours ago, Bastet said:

I like the Lions and don't care about the Vikings, so I'm happy with the result (plus, while I don't think the Rams can get past either team, I think they have a better chance against the Vikings than the Lions), but I was expecting a closer game.

It was 10-9 when I fell asleep in the second half, I was surprised to wake up to that score.

The committee really should have taken into account how the Steelers have played the last few weeks and put Cincinnati in instead.

Edited Yest. at 10:15 AM by mojoween

[Carey]

Given how Minnesota's defense has been solid, it's rather surprising that Detroit routed them that way.  So that should pretty much shut up the Vikings fans crying over having to travel to Los Angeles in one week.

Although Barkley didn't play on Sunday, the Eagles still did enough to win, which was no surprise.  Given how one franchise managed to use him properly, the league should pretty much move toward striping the Giants first round pick & giving it to Philadelphia.  That is totally the right call.  It's night & day when measuring how one team manages a team & franchise.

[bluegirl147]

8 hours ago, roamyn said:

Probably not.  Tho it would be deserved.  But I'm guessing Josh Allen with Saquon as OPY.  Just please not Lamar.  I'm sooooo sick of him.

God please not Lamar.  If Cincinnati had made it into the playoffs I would have said Burrow.

8 hours ago, Bastet said:

I like the Lions and don't care about the Vikings, so I'm happy with the result (plus, while I don't think the Rams can get past either team, I think they have a better chance against the Vikings than the Lions), but I was expecting a closer game.

On the NFC side I would be happy with any team going to the SB except LA or Green Bay.  So Minnesota should take care of one of then and Philly should take care of the other one.  Wait a minute.  Will Hurts be back?

6 hours ago, NUguy514 said:

If Zac Taylor can't figure out a way to coach the Bengals so that they don't start every season 0-2 or 0-3, it might be time to find a new head coach.  The Bengals could've been a sleeper team in the playoffs, but if you start off the season with a loss to a terrible Patriots team, you deserve to miss the playoffs.

I'm rooting for one of two teams to win the Super Bowl, but I won't say which two for fear of jinxing them.

BECAUSE I AM OBVIOUSLY THAT POWERFUL.

And because it can't be said enough, fuck the Chiefs.

If Cincinnati had made it in they probably would have won a wild card game. 

3 hours ago, mojoween said:

 

The committee really should have taken into account how the Steelers have played the last few weeks and put Cincinnati in instead.

As a Steeler fan I agree. 

 

[roamyn]

4 hours ago, mojoween said:

The committee really should have taken into account how the Steelers have played the last few weeks and put Cincinnati in instead

Except there isn't a committee.  

[roamyn]

Doug Pedersen has been fired.  The GM will remain.

The Giants are keeping all personnel.
 

 

[shoregirl]

16 minutes ago, roamyn said:

 

The Giants are keeping all personnel.
 

 

As a totally unbiased Eagles fan I say good.

 

[Carey]

Daboll being fired would've been worse than Jacksonville retaining its GM IMO.  Though the latter decision was one I was livid about for no more than 45 seconds.  Daboll isn't to blame period

[roamyn]

Cinci has fired their DC.

Why haven't they fired Taylor tho? As long as hes been HC they've started 0-2 or 0-3.  He never has this team prepared for the start of the season.

[bluegirl147]

18 minutes ago, roamyn said:

Cinci has fired their DC.

Why haven't they fired Taylor tho? As long as hes been HC they've started 0-2 or 0-3.  He never has this team prepared for the start of the season.

Taylor is lucky he has Burrow Chase and Higgins.  Without them he probably would have been fired a few years ago. He is not one of those coaches who makes a team better. He is one of those coaches who's team makes me him look good.  Or at least not bad.