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1) The New York Jets will crumble. They have a tough schedule to start the season, and if they lose early, there will be calls for Tebow. The defense will turn on the offense, as the Jet locker room is notorious for bickering. They only have one wide receiver, and really he's there only elite level offensive weapon. And he happens to be one of the attitude problems that are at the heart of Jet drama. When things start going bad this year, the team will finally lose patience with Rex Ryan.
2) watch our for Denver. A young, talented defense, a football hungry town, and now Manning
3) San Diego is loaded again. But they're still San Diego and will disappoint in the end.
4) a rebuilding year for Pittsburgh. They will be competitive, but will just miss the playoffs again.
5) San Fran and Detroit will take it up a step and compete with New Orleans and Green Bay for best record in NFC.
6) Giants will once again squeak into the play offs, but do damage there.
7) Buffalo will grab a wild card.
Cleveland will get off to a decent start, then the Romeo Crennel magic will wear off and they will morph back into Cleveland.
9) Dallas will do what its done for years. Show flashes, tease its fans, miss the play offs.
10) Philly will improve if...if...their back up quarterback(I forget his name) is solid enough to win a couple of games for them. You know Vick will miss 3 to 6 games.
11) Baltimore is in decline, especially with Suggs out for the year.
12) New England: better than last year on both sides of the ball, an easy schedule, they will win at least 14 games, could go 16-0
AFC Championship: Denver at New England NFC Championship: Giants at San Fran(again) Super Bowl: New England vs Giants Patriots 29 - Giants 23
ahh no better way to make yourself look like a complete idiot than making NFL preseason predictions.... its like predicting the lottery..
but its still so much fun. so here it goes.
with a full off season under Jim Harbaugh...and a reloaded offense....the 49ers will be even better... and do what they should have done last year - win the superbowl - handidly.
the Giants finish with the same record they did last year, however this time - they are 3rd in the division and miss the playoffs.
my cinderella pick....the Tampa Buccaneers. people forget this team was 10-6 just 2 years ago. they edge out detroit and seattle for the final playoff spot. Schiano wins coach of the year... and Josh Freeman has a huge comeback year
For The Saints - the bounty gate sanctions will prove to be little more than an annoyance. lead by Drew Brees and an inspired Spagnuolo defense..they win the south by 2+ games
Lions get off to a rough start (0-2) and never recover...playing 3rd wheel to Chicago and Green Bay.
Ravens miss the playoffs and the Bengals win the #2 seed
Tim Tebow continues to defy convention, and wins several football games for the Jets with 4th quarter heroics.
The two worst teams last year - colts and rams - will both win 5-6 games this year.
The Kansas City Chiefs will edge out the Denver Bronocs to win the West and make the playoffs.
I used to think so highly of you. Being a fan of all the "cat" teams, I hate living in Mass. and dealing with these teams every year.
Hockey P.S. Very few people were happier than me when the Kings won the Cup. Now, I need the Panthers and the Indians...
LOL. I'm a born and raised New Englander, what do you expect? We do seem to be strengthening our weaknesses this year. Say what you want about our team. We're not afraid to shake it up to get it done.
And yeah, I loved that the Kings went all the way after the Bruins flopped.
Regards. E.D.
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Not seen American Football since it was broadcast here on channel 4, many moons ago. Are there three or four teams that are always going to get to the Super Bowl or is it more open? I'm just looking for comparisons with the English football season which starts next week, where realistically only a handful of teams have a chance of winning the league.
Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.
Alfy, the NFL is pretty good in that any team can rise within a couple of years. But it does often seem to be the same teams over long periods that can be dominant. There is a salary cap, though, so every team is more or less equal in resources. So every team has realistic hope.
My team, the Patriots, has been on top over a decade. But believe me, they were on the bottom for many years. I still watched them, of course!
I moved to New England the year they won their first Super Bowl. I didn't know much about football then, but I've been hooked ever since... and yes, I'm a Pats fan. Glad I wasn't around Football in the 90s though. Not so glad I'm around it now... Or at least for the past 6 or so years. It hurts.
'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
Not seen American Football since it was broadcast here on channel 4, many moons ago. Are there three or four teams that are always going to get to the Super Bowl or is it more open? I'm just looking for comparisons with the English football season which starts next week, where realistically only a handful of teams have a chance of winning the league.
The salary cap has certainly made a diff, alffy. Years ago, the top clubs could buy the good players from other teams at whim. But it was never as bad as the current situation in the EPL and football in Europe in general.
A side effect of the salary cap in the NFL has been a decline in the overall standards of the game - by that I mean the champion teams of the 80's and 90's would smash the current best teams. But the evenness of the comp has made it better without the salary cap. UEFA should seriously look at this because people will stop following football at some stage in the future and the ludicrous money involved will cause a massive crash.
Stevie, I couldn't agree with you more. European football is out of control. The money being spent on and paid to footballers is disgraceful. All the talk of financial difficulties in Europe seems to not include the deep pockets of football. Players being paid Ł200,000 a week is beyond a joke and teams being run by billionaire oil tycoons means they can buy whoever they want and loyalty to a club is non existent nowadays. Money talks and if a player is offered more money he basically bullies the club into selling him; seemingly wiping his arse with the contract.
Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.
Stevie, I couldn't agree with you more. European football is out of control. The money being spent on and paid to footballers is disgraceful. All the talk of financial difficulties in Europe seems to not include the deep pockets of football. Players being paid Ł200,000 a week is beyond a joke and teams being run by billionaire oil tycoons means they can buy whoever they want and loyalty to a club is non existent nowadays. Money talks and if a player is offered more money he basically bullies the club into selling him; seemingly wiping his arse with the contract.
I couldn’t agree with you more Alffy. Soccer teams in Australia also have a salary cap but the reason it won’t be introduced in England or Europe should I say is not because of the clubs (I promise you that club owners would love it, nobody wants to spend silly money) but the problem lies with EU tax law and that is a totally different kettle of fish altogether.
There were days long before Sky where a club like “Derby County” under Brian Clough could be promoted and go on to win the top league the season after. Unfortunately those days are gone and I can’t see them ever coming back. All I can hope for is my team Villa win a League cup every so often…hope I said.
I couldn’t agree with you more Alffy. Soccer teams in Australia also have a salary cap but the reason it won’t be introduced in England or Europe should I say is not because of the clubs (I promise you that club owners would love it, nobody wants to spend silly money) but the problem lies with EU tax law and that is a totally different kettle of fish altogether.
There were days long before Sky where a club like “Derby County” under Brian Clough could be promoted and go on to win the top league the season after. Unfortunately those days are gone and I can’t see them ever coming back. All I can hope for is my team Villa win a League cup every so often…hope I said.
Sorry to change this thread from NFL to soccer…
COOP, U FOLLOW THE VILLA??!! So do I! For 34 years now. Good stuff!!
Go, the Villans! I don't actually support Villa but they not a bad team, and owned by an American, Randy Lerner, so kind of dragging this back to the NFL. I think he own the Browns at some point? Villa were pretty good in the 90's with the likes of Staunton, Atkinson, Daley and co.
Check out my scripts...if you want to, no pressure.
That whole rapport thing we had, living in the same state and all... gone. I kid, in a way. I never could stand all the Boston teams as long as I've lived here (17 years). In football, the top 5 are probably the four cat teams (Panthers, Jaguars, Lions, Bengals in order) and the Niners between the Jags and Lions. =)
9 opening day wins in a row for the Pats. Business as usual.
I'd say they want beyond business as usual. Having a blowout when Brady only throws for 230 yards A very healthy running while stuffing the Titans on the ground to boot. Rookies paying dividends on opening day as well.
Could be a very bumpy ride for the rest of the AFC east.
E.D.
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I lot of people predicting big year for Atlanta. Matty Ice making the next step, they say. We'll see.
San Fran looked real impressive yesterday. I think I'd put them on top.
I didn't get to watch Chicago, another favorite.
And Detroit barely pulled their game out against a weak team.
So my NFC ranking would be: San Fran, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, NY Giants, New Orleans, Philly, Detroit. It's only one week, but Giants, Saints, and Packers not only lost, but lost at home, so they have to fall in ranking.
Anyone else have a ranking? Am I forgetting a team?
New England is the best team in the NFL at this early point.
a great QB does not make a great team. the NY giants showd us this last year. The 49ers showed us this yesterday....
i strongly beg to differ. New england does not have a very good defense. and dont tell me about yesterday... they were facing a rookie QB.
the 49ers are the best TEAM in the NFL. without a doubt. Defense, special teams, running game, game planning, coaching. talent. Passing game is not the center of their team - and people cant grasp that in this age of Fantasy football.
they just keep whacking these so called "elite" QBs one after the other... Drew Brees. Aaron Rodgers. Matthew Stafford. Michael Vick. Ben roethlisberger. they beat eli manning in the regular season last year as well.
I like San Fran. I think Smith is really growing as a QB, they have a strong running game, and a great defense.
New England has much more than just an elite QB. They have not one, but 2 elite TE's; they have 2 WRs that are either elite or close to it; and they have a solid running game. On paper this is one of the greatest offenses to ever play the game.
And it's being run by the highly experienced McDaniels. They will be scary.
The defense was better than is commonly thought last year. Based on point allowed, I think they were like 15 th. But let me show you why stats are unreliable: look at the Jets game yesterday. They had a 35 - 7 lead at halftime. Dominant defense which set up much of the offensive output with turnovers.
Yet the final score was 45 - 28. 28 pts makes that defense look pretty bad, when the reality is the game was over at halftime, and they cruised in the second half. Big leads often produce inconsequential yardage and points.
Look at the Pats in the playoffs last year: crushed the Denver offense, and then held Baltimore and New York down around 20. Very solid.
And they are MUCH improved this year, adding several draft picks, including 2 first rounders.
Is the defense as good as SF? No, definitely not. The 49rs have a great secondary, the Pats do not.
But the Pats defense is better than you think. And their offense is something the 49rs can only dream about. Would be a great Super Bowl!
I lot of people predicting big year for Atlanta. Matty Ice making the next step, they say. We'll see.
San Fran looked real impressive yesterday. I think I'd put them on top.
I didn't get to watch Chicago, another favorite.
And Detroit barely pulled their game out against a weak team.
So my NFC ranking would be: San Fran, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, NY Giants, New Orleans, Philly, Detroit. It's only one week, but Giants, Saints, and Packers not only lost, but lost at home, so they have to fall in ranking.
Anyone else have a ranking? Am I forgetting a team?
Using just the teams you listed, I'll give it a whirl, best to worst:
San Francisco - Atlanta - New York - New Orleans - Green Bay - Chicago - Detroit - Dallas - Philadelphia.
Added to this, I would put Washington ahead of Philadelphia, but you didn't list them, so I won't.
Yeah, maybe Washington will make the list soon. Big win yesterday. Griffin was VERY impressive. Nice story, cause he's a good kid. But he is a rookie. We'll see.
Yet the final score was 45 - 28. 28 pts makes that defense look pretty bad, when the reality is the game was over at halftime, and they cruised in the second half. Big leads often produce inconsequential yardage and points.
Look at the Pats in the playoffs last year: crushed the Denver offense, and then held Baltimore and New York down around 20. Very solid.
I didn't like this portion of your argument. Yes, that first part (saying their defense had a rough day) is misleading, but your team really shouldn't be packing it in like that. Remember when New England beat Tennessee in that snow game 59-0? That was a much better defense that they put on the field than what was out there yesterday. They are not the team they used to be, because they're buying a bunch of high-priced individuals.
And, yes, the Pats last year did hold teams to around 20. Specifically, 10, 20 and 23. Roughly 18/PPG. You'd hope for a solid defense to give up about 15/game. So, about 9 less, total.
That said, the team that got 10: Tebow's offense-based Broncos. Honestly, nobody should give up more than that to any team designed for a quarterback who is a glorified running back.
Game 2: Ravens v. Pats. Only reason the Pats won? Cundiff shanked a tip-in game-tying field goal. Had he made it and not cracked, you're looking at 23 points, minimum.
Super Bowl: Gave up 23 points. Lost. Giants (mainly Ahmad Bradshaw) gave them a shot by running in the TD instead of stopping and being able to run down the clock with the lead.
Those playoff stats aren't exactly going to blow anyone's hair back and I'm not convinced they've truly upgraded their defense. I'm on the opinion that their problems have changed positions.
Yeah, maybe Washington will make the list soon. Big win yesterday. Griffin was VERY impressive. Nice story, cause he's a good kid. But he is a rookie. We'll see.
I'm not saying because of him. Even if it is Cam Newton syndrome, he kind of died off at the halfway point because teams figured him out. I'm talking about how they upgraded their receiver corps (big fan of Garcon's ability). Perhaps Shanahan will learn to stick with 1 RB from now on (I know, I know. Wishful thinking).
45 - 28 was the Jets game, not the Pats. My point was no one thinks the Jets have a bad defense, but they gave up 28 points. Had the Jets offense been their usual low scoring kind, the defense would have given up much less. You see the point? If you have a high scoring offense, the defense will give up more points and yardage. It happens. ' The Pats held both the Ravens and the Giants down until late in the game. And remember, the Giants had a safety, and were held scoreless for the second and third quarters. Not too shabby for a crap defense.
The Ravens missed a field goal. San Fran dropped punts in the NFC championship game that allowed the Giants to win. It happens.
The game against Tebow was not Tebow's fault. The Pats defense blew apart the Broncos offensive line for more tackles for a loss than I've ever seen in a playoff game.
What high priced free agents did the pats get? Lloyd came over at a very team friendly contract. Most of the other veterans they signed did not make the team. The Pats have rebuilt mostly through the draft.
2 of the starters on defense now are rookie first rounders. A second rounder plays extensively in the nickel alignment.
Chris Johnson, one of the best running backs in the league, ran 11 times for 4 yards!
The Pats still have problems in the secondary. But their defense will be decent, and no one will run on them.
The Ravens defense was ferocious tonight... when these guys get up for a football game at home - they are virtually unbeatable.
ive noticed that high flying passing attacks agaisnt Brady and Manning they look lost at times... but when a team comes in and tries to play smashmouth.... the Ravens players go absolutely batshit. its like a feeding frenzy....i remember when they did that to the 49ers on Thanksgiving... just overwhelmed them
I have the Cincinnati Bengals making a deep playoff run and the Ravens just eviscerated them. Flacco was just surgical against a top 10 defense.
sick.
based on Week 1 1. 49ers 2. Ravens 3. Patriots 4. Texnas 5. Falcons
I agree with most of that list. I'd probably put the Niners on top because they beat a very high quality team on the road. And the Ravens are too high at 3. They beat the Bengals at home, big whoop. So, my top 10 would look more like: 1. 49ers 2. Pats 3. Falcons 4. Texans 5. Bears 6. Ravens 7. Broncos 8. Packers 9. Cowboys 10. Giants
And they definitely rank Buffalo too high at 24. They should be sharing a room in the cellar with Miami.
I don't know if I'd put Atlanta or the Texans ahead of the Ravens. I'm basing this on over a decade of the Ravens being a contender, though only one title. And Flacco is looking more and more lie the real deal, while the defense continues strong.
But, tough to rank anyone after first week. Glad the NFL is back!
Last year's playoffs did support the case for defense. Though the previous 2 years we had New Orleans and Green Bay, teams whose defense ranked below the Pats last year. So who knows. San Fran and New England or SF and Baltimore would be a great SB. Gonna be a ride and a half!
Except for Dolphins and Rams fans. Are they mathematically eliminated yet?!
You guys are killing me. Glad football is back, as well, although for the first time in like 15 years, no fantasy football team for me this season. Kind of changes the way I watch and the interest I have. Sucks, actually.
1 week down and some obvious surprises, dissapointments, and the same old same old.
The Rams actually looked very good in week 1 and should have won. Their D is odd because it's actually quite good 85% of the game, the they always give away yards and points in the latter half of the 4th quarter. It's thye O that sucks, but it did look a little better.
You just can't make predictions after 1 week. Next week at this time, alot of week 1's winners will be 1-1, and peeps will be saying different things.
That being said, Stevie's 49'ers impresssed me big time. The Jets actually impressesd me as well, as Buffalo was supposedly much improved and they dominated them everywhere. Denver alos impressed and it's great to see Peyton back and looking like the old Peyton. Ravens cruised and looked tough. Jury's out on everyone else.
Rams will continue to impress and hopefully actually win a few.
Cards D fired up when they had to and Kolb now has his chance to show he was worth the money shelled out on him.
And, I have to say, let's ont overlook the Lions. They came back and won a tough game. They clicked exactly when they had to, and Stafford overcame 3 INT's, which could have been 5, actually, to throw the game winner. Lions will be a Playoff team, IMO.
There were numerous bad calls in week 1. The replacement refs did a Hell of a job, but let's face it, they're not the caliber of the reals.
I'm actually also going to send a shout out to the Eagles, who overcame a surprisngly tough game with Cleveland and won. Vick doesn't seem to have that same step he used to, and he continues to force passes into bad situations. But, McCoy looked great when he had a chance, and as bad as the passing game looked overall, it actually was impressive at times, against an under-rated Brownies' D.
Skins looked great and big props to Mr. Griffen the 3rd...very impressive.
Fuck the Saints, but they'll definitely be back.
Yes, the Texans do look pretty good as well. Remember, Schaub missed much of the 2nd half of the season, and they still were a force last season. Tate is a beast of a backup, adn the D is solid.
Falcons? Yeah...they looked great against the Chiefs, but is that a big surprise? The O looked quick and a big win is a big win.
Kevin...funny. I was actually thinking the same thing...seriously.
But...the Pats are just 1 of those teams...now...OK...for teh last 10 years or so...that are expected to be good...or great.
Yeah, they won big, but they didn't lookgreat to me early on. I don't have alot of faith in the Titans.
Should they be in the top 5 of any Power Rankings? Yeah, I'm sure they should. But, I am ont in the camp that they are gong to be a total force this season. We'll see, obvioulsy.
You're sitting right where you should be at 1-0. You'll win 12 games probably. You got a good team again, motherfucker, but...damn...sorry. I hate the Pats, as you know. You beat my Warner Rams. I hate the Celts as well.
All right, sorry I haven't been around too much, I skimmed over this thread, so I'm sorry if what I have to say was more relevant a week or two ago.
Wow, Kev. I can't believe how much strength you (and A LOT of other people) are giving the Giants and Saints.
The Giants made too many poor decisions in the offseason (releasing Manningham and not to mention a couple key defense pieces) to have ANY relevancy this year. Don't forget, the Giants, though Superbowl Champions last year, were still only 8-8. Now, with EVERYBODY in their division making upgrades, they have no chance at all this year.
And yes, the Saints have Drew Brees, so anything's possible. But Sean Payton was responsible for all their decision-making. Without him, they'll flail. Drew Brees isn't a head coach yet. They'll have their moments, but they'll flail in the long run.
And, I think you also underrated the Ravens. In a very poor AFC this year, they will be tops, between them and the Texans and the (I'm not just saying this to piss you off) mediocre Patriots, who will only look great this year because not only of how poor their division is, but because of, once again, just a weak AFC in general this year.
I think most of your other predictions, you hit the nail on the head, though.
The Cowboys may eek out a playoff spot over Philly and Washington this year, (notice I left the Giants out of it? :-) but they will most likely crumble in the Wild Card game.
Tops in the NFC will be San Fran and Chicago, and I'm going to stick to it and say that New Orleans won't be relevant.
As for the replacement refs ... they were okay in the games I watched ... but I've heard the stories in the other games, so I'm not going to make a decision yet. At least it's still early enough that you know none of them are getting paid off yet. :-)
And, my predictions aren't based on anything special that happened in week 1. (Except I have a lot of respect for Robert Griffin III, not that I didn't have any before.)
And Jeff, you're right... Fantasy ruined the game for me last year. It was the first year I actually played and I found that I actually had to root against my team, Dallas, late in the year last year. That's just not right and I will never play Fantasy again.
Although, I will say, it was the first year that Dallas actually came through for me since the mid 90's. Just not in the way I wanted.
So who wins the NFC East?? The Cowboys looked really good but their schedule sets up for another epic december meltdown.
The Giants looked fat and happy vs the Cowboys. they had a letdown season in 08 when the won the superbowl... and i expect more the same... 9-7 but 3rd in the division
The Eagles looked terrible, Andy Reid's play calling is doing Mike Vick no favors.
the redskins defense can be really good. RG3 obviouslly impressed a ton..... the best thing i heard about RG3 actually is that he was Jim Harbaugh's first QB recruit when he got to stanford..
I also underestimated Arizona's defense, if they can get any help at all from their QB situation.. i think they could win 9 games, i predicted the Rams would see meteoric improvement under Jeff Fisher. i have them finishing 6-10 and 3rd in the division. i think Seattle doormats it, largely because of their schedule. they could be 1-7 or 2-6 by mid season
I think the NFC East once again comes down to the cowboys and giants. Redskins have made huge strides but I don't really see them at the top of the heap down the stretch. I'd give the edge to the Giants because even though they lost some key offensive players, they've retained most of that defense. Last season, giants were a team that looked hopelessly lost at times, then managed to put it all together by the end of the season. I see them doing the same thing and the cowboys performing their usual December swoon.
Giants and Cowboys are always tough to call. Obviously the Giants get a boost in rank based on last year's playoffs, but time will tell if they deserve it. Mark is right, they barely made the playoffs and they struggle making the playoffs every year.
The Cowboys are Jeckle and Hyde because you never know which Romo is gonna show up.
Jef, the Pats are better than they were last year, possibly much better. But that doesn't mean they'll be in the SB. You need some luck for that to happen. Why are they better?
The one thing the lacked on offense was an a deep/outside threat. They signed one of the best in Lloyd. So the offense, if healthy, will be harder to stop than last year when teams like the Giants took away the middle and dared them to go outside.
On defense is where they made their biggest upgrade, adding youth and athleticism. Two first round picks are already in the starting line up and looking good. Nobody will run on them. The pass defense will be still shaky, but better than last year.
I think the NFC East will come down to between Philly and Dallas. Philly does have a strong team, they just have to get it together. I think it'll all come down to how well Andy Reid handles the horrible off the field issue he's dealing with. If Andy's not into the mindset, I don't think his team will be. But I do have them finishing first in the division.
Dallas I think, IF IF IF everyone stays healthy, will get the wildcard. If all these hamstrings add up to Miles, Bryant or Murray missing some time, not only will they miss the wild card, but Washington might pass them up and be 2nd in the division.
Of course, I'm going to have to see how Washington does against a couple valid teams, first.
The Giants I think will be bringing up the rear.
Whew, I just went and made my next week's early picks. There's quite a few games I'm not sure which way to go. Buffalo and Kansas City I have no idea. I don't think I'll go the 14-2 that I did last week.
Any time the Fins win and the Jets and Pats lose, it's a good day, not a weird day. If only the Bills could have dropped, it would have been a perfect day.
Miami's meager hopes seem to rest entirely with Reggie Bush's feet. I wish we faced that Raider defense every week. This Sunday we have Mark Suckchez and the rest of the god forsaken hellspawn known as the New York Jets. The evil must be destroyed.
Pats defense is for real. Chandler Jones is already the most exciting defensive player I've seen in a Pats uniform, and I've watched pretty much every game since the mid 70s. Jones was getting through on every play until they double teamed him in the second half.
There will be hiccups still. There are 2 rookies and kind of 3(nickel formation) in the starting defense, so mistakes will happen. But turnovers lead directly to half the points they gave up(interception, blocked punt).
The offense is struggling, though. Losing Hernandez will hurt. No excuses, though, they still have weapons.
San Fran def number one at this point.
Giants freaking lucky again.
Pack is back.
Rex Ryan going out of his way to create QB controversy? What's he thinking?
Saints only NFC team to start 0-2... yeah...didn't see that one coming.
are the Eagles REALLY 2-0??? i thought it was a typo. if they get the turnovers fixed that team will have a ton of confidence.
Trap Game Syndrome.
You cant blame Goskowski for that one. it should never have gotten to that point to begin with. its comforting to see that even a Bill Belichick run team isnt immune to looking past an inferior opponent. Patriots definetly got caught peaking ahead to Baltimore and got exactly what they deserved.
Arizona's defense just put the league on notice. if they get any help from the QB they will be in every game. Schedule sets up nicely for them now. they could be 6-2 come mid season.
Dallas obviously hit the snooze button on Seattle after the big win against the New York Giants.
You have to admire the mental toughness of those Mannings. they put on a helluva show after a hellacious start.
Should only be a minor hiccup for the Bronocs.... given how terrible KC and OAK are they are huge favorites to win the West going away. This is of course providing the streaky chargers can be counted on to take their annual mid-season slumber at some point.
i give the Giants a lot of shit for hang-dogging it, being fluke-lucky, and playing up-and-down to their competition... but Eli 'Rain'Manning is absolutely MONEY in the biggest moments.
andrew luck is being overshadowed by RG3 and rightfully so... but Luck is quietly showing why he is the #1 pick. he does not rattle, and is played really solid football. The Colts are going to win more then 2 games this year.
Bad Luck contributed to Mike Nolan's fall in SF... but you have to wonder that its only a matter of time before he gets another nod. he had Atlanta BALLIN last night.
I'm on record saying the Rams would show meteoric improvement under Fisher... and so far they are making me look good.
The Baltimore Ravens showed us why we still can't take Flacco or their defense seriously. they are simply a different team on the road.
Very happy for my 49ers... not happy that the defense fell asleep at the end and opened the door for stafford... or else game would have been a blow-out and they would have kept Matthew Stafford shut out of the endzone and under 300 yards. only 2-3 defenses in the league are capable of doing that.
the only question i have left about alex smith is can he beat an elite defense on the road.. like a baltimore or houston? they went to baltimore last year and got bushwhacked... dont really hold much water in that loss cause it was a thursday night game cross country... road teams were 0-13 on thursday night at that point when going cross country.
Saints only NFC team to start 0-2... yeah...didn't see that one coming.
I called that one.
Although, that's about the only thing I've gotten right so far.
After going 14-2 in my picks the first week, I just broke even going 8-8 this week. Although I did call a couple of the upsets correct. I chose the Cardinals over the Pats and the Seahawks over the Cowboys. (and yes, I'm a Cowboys fan. They always lose after a big win.)
But I didn't see the Dolphins coming like that. They might win four games now this year.
Latest ESPN ranking. Only thing I might argue is to put Baltimore ahead of NE at this point. Losing home opener to a team you were favored by 14, should pay a price.
Have I ever mentioned how ESPN's power rankings remind me of the reason I hate college football?
Really? The Giants, Steelers AND Broncos all ahead of the Chargers? And I don't know if I like Houston (who played the Dolphins and Jaguars) at No. 2 over Atlanta (who had to beat the Chiefs and Broncos, who are both better than Miami or Jacksonville).
But I didn't see the Dolphins coming like that. They might win four games now this year.
Miami owns the Raiders. I think they've won the last 10 out of 11. My prediction for them was 3-3 at the break, but then the hard games start. I have them winning six or seven this year.
Even though they're 0-2, the Saints are a much better team than 24. Brees and Co. will get their act together and I still think they have a shot at a wildcard.
KC looks absolutely lost right now.
Jax should be at the bottom of that pile, not Cleveland. Jax is the only team with less talent than Miami. Gabbert looks like a total bust.
Bengals look like another team ranked way too high. They got exposed by Pitt, just squeaked by the Browns. Saints, Bucs, Skins and Panthers are all better teams.
SF is still the big boy until someone proves otherwise. Too much freaking talent everywhere on that team.
I look at the Pats loss as an anomaly, as much as I enjoyed it. Losing Hernandez for awhile hurts, but their offense is still an arsenal.
Have I ever mentioned how ESPN's power rankings remind me of the reason I hate college football?
Really? The Giants, Steelers AND Broncos all ahead of the Chargers?.
its not always about record. reputation has a lot to do with it.... everyone is just waiting for the Chargers to blow themselves up....
myself included.
pound for pound... i rank Giants, Steelers, and Broncos ahead of Chargers cause i think the Chargers would lose games against those teams more times than not.
It was time to bring them back on Wednesday of week 2. But, Goodell doesn't give a fuck. Virtually everything he has done (with the exception of trying to get rid of helmet to helmet hits) has been to destroy what Tagliabue did to make the NFL rise like it had during his tenure.
Jeff have you jumped on the Cards bandwagon already? Thought you were a hardcore Rams guy. Wouldn't blame you for bailin' off that barge, though.
Once again my fins find new ways to lose. Game in hand, running game established, let's switch to all passing to our nonexistent receiving corp. You're welcome, jets.
Had a feeling Vikes were gonna be tough in the dome, but the way Ponder stepped up at the end really surprised me. And Jamaal Charles single-handedly choking out the Saints. That was shocking to watch.
Falcons are tough and talented, just like last year. But until they do something in the playoffs, they're going to have the reputation of postseason swooners.
I've lived much of my adult life in AZ, and when the Cards got my boy Kurt Warner, I was a full fledged fan for life.
I will never abandon my Rams but it's obviously very tough these last 7 years or so. I am not a big Sam Bradford fan and am shocked how poorly we've drafted when we routinely have one of the very top picks in the draft.
My other team is the Pack, because I was born in WI and my parents have lived there now for the last 12 years or so.
My least favorite team is the fucking Patriots, so I am thrilled they are stinking up the joint this year, along with the equally shitty Boston Red Sox.
Unfortunately, and I think this is bullshit, but the reviewers can't reverse the ref's calls on who caught the ball, they can only reverse the ref's calls on if both the reciever's feet were inbounds and if they had possession all the way to the ground.
There was definately possession all the way to the ground, it was just the wrong person the ref gave credit for having possession.
And review can't actually call penalties, either, for Tate pushing Jennings. And, on a hail mary anyway, pass interference will NEVER EVER be called, not even by the official refs. Hail Mary's are always every person for himself.
And review can't actually call penalties, either, for Tate pushing Jennings. And, on a hail mary anyway, pass interference will NEVER EVER be called, not even by the official refs. Hail Mary's are always every person for himself.
Usually I'd agree. Hail Marys are free for alls when it comes to leaping and grabbing for the ball. It's very rare for penalties to be called, especially on the offense. But what Tate did was so incredibly blatant it looked like a cheap playground move. Any regular ref who saw that would have called offensive interference, IMO.
reviewers can't reverse the ref's calls on who caught the ball, they can only reverse the ref's calls on if both the reciever's feet were inbounds and if they had possession all the way to the ground.
If that is the case, couldn't they see he didn't have possession at all?
'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
This was a botched call all the way around, from the refs who didn't call any interference to the ref who called it a TD at that time, to the review process. Just pathetic, really.
As Gruden kept on saying over and over...just shocking and appalling, and something I've never seen before...and hopefully, won't ever see it again, either.
I have to say, it seems that it was a tougher call than might first appear. Watching live, it looks like Jennings has the ball, and Tate tries to pull it away, but never had possession.
On replay, because Jennings has the ball close to his body, it looks like he has initial possession.
But...on closer look, Tate does have a hand in there from the beginning. The ball is more in possession of Jennings...but is there such a thing as "more in possession"? I don't think so.
And Jennings never takes sole possession either. Never.
As bad as it looks, I wonder if the refs actually got it right? Kind of like the tuck rule in 2001.
If there is no distinction between degree of possession; and if the tie does indeed go to the receiver; then crazy as it sounds, the refs got it right. Maybe! I'm curious to see a better explanation from the league.
I have to say, it seems that it was a tougher call than might first appear. Watching live, it looks like Jennings has the ball, and Tate tries to pull it away, but never had possession.
On replay, because Jennings has the ball close to his body, it looks like he has initial possession.
But...on closer look, Tate does have a hand in there from the beginning. The ball is more in possession of Jennings...but is there such a thing as "more in possession"? I don't think so.
And Jennings never takes sole possession either. Never.
As bad as it looks, I wonder if the refs actually got it right? Kind of like the tuck rule in 2001.
If there is no distinction between degree of possession; and if the tie does indeed go to the receiver; then crazy as it sounds, the refs got it right. Maybe! I'm curious to see a better explanation from the league.
While there may be some truth to that particular call... The truckload of bad calls that got us there is still the root of the problem.
And it does appear that the NFL is supporting the ref's call.
E.D.
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UPDATE: The NFL says the refs got that part of the call correct. The part they got wrong was the offensive pass interference, but that is not review-able. So in the replay curtain, they made the right call.
But hell yeah, a ton of other bad calls. In the Pats game, there were plenty of bad calls both ways, but the ones against the Pats came at really bad times that kept the Ravens in it. Mo excuses, you have to overcome it. But it's starting to make the games hard to watch. You wait for a strange call on every important play.
Anyone can say "they" made the right call in the review booth, and the NFL itself wouldn't help themselves by saying anything different.
It was not the right call, though. It is clear that the D player is the one who caught the ball and had possession all the way to the ground. IMO, it was far from dual possession.
By the rules, they got it right. They cited the rules, and if you read them, they got it right.
I left my first post on this before I read that, too.
You have to look at what constitutes a legal catch, and what is possession. The rule is clear, too.
The Seattle player had a hand on the ball, had shared possession, right from the start. The Green Bay player had better possession, but there is really no such thing. You can't, for example, say one player had 80% possession, the other 20%. All you have is dual possession. And the rule says that dual possession goes to the offensive player.
It's like the tuck rule. It seems bogus in this situation, but it's the only way the rule can be written. They don't want refs trying to determine which player has better possession. That would be crazy.
Now, the league admits the offensive interference should have been called. But I don't think regular refs would want to call that either on a hail Mary, which the pass was close to being.
The refs got a lot wrong this weekend. But this was a tough situation.
But...on closer look, Tate does have a hand in there from the beginning. The ball is more in possession of Jennings...but is there such a thing as "more in possession"? I don't think so.
And Jennings never takes sole possession either. Never.
Jennings has total possession from the get go. Both hands on the ball and, as you say, has the ball close to his body. That's possession. Tate putting his hand on the ball doesn't equal shared possession. As the rule says:
"It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control."
But it is true the review ref isn't allowed to overturn a td call based on possession, which is mind blowing in itself. I never expected the NFL to overturn the decision. That would make it look like their replacement refs have lost all control of these games. Which is pretty much true. These scab zebras are here for at least a couple more weeks, whether or not a new agreement can be signed.
A player (or players) jumping in the air has not legally gained possession of the ball until he satisfies the elements of a catch listed here.
Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL Rule Book defines a catch:
A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:
(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
(c) maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.).
So as long as the offensive player gets some possession of the ball before they hit ground, it seems to me, it's dual possession.
Look at the point when the ball comes down. Tate clearly gets at least one hand on it. But Jennings brings it down. However, Tate's hand remained on it the whole way. That's dual possession, no matter how weird it came to look.
Also, Jennings made a selfish play, arguably. If he knocked the ball away instead of trying to pad his stats, game over.
One other thing: there was a late hit on the quarterback which was not called. And should not have been! Let the guys play at the end.
The refs had a bad weekend. But this call would have been tough either way.
Like I said, it compares to the tuck rule with Brady. It seems to defy common sense when you watch it. But it's a correct interpretation of the rule. And the rule will not be changed, just like the tuck wasn't, because it's the only way the rule can be sensibly written.
I'm not a Seattle fan, either. I am neutral on this one. I'm an AFC guy.
Kev, I read all this on NFL.com, and understand the rule even before I read it.
The thing is that there are definite times when there is dual possession, but IMO, this is far from one of the. Having a hand on the ball does not count as possession, and IMO, there's really no way anyone can view this and say they feel Tate had any form of possession.
Also, as to the offensive pass interference, sure, stuff like this usually is not called at the very end of the game, but this was so blatant and really is the entire reason why Tate even got a hand on the ball. It should have been called. I realize that a review cannot alter a missed call like this, but it's just insult to injury.
Sorry Kev, not sure what you're looking at here. Jennings' catch satisfied all three of those legal terms. In fact, I was just watching Jerry Austin, a former head ref, on ESPN and he also concluded that as Jennings hit the ground he had total possession, meaning both hands on the ball, and the ball locked into his body. Tate merely got one hand on one end of the ball, then another as they landed and fell to the ground.
One of the multiple screw ups here if that the head ref didn't confer with the two officials in the end zone. He assumed the call on the field was a touchdown before clearing it up with those two. If you watch the replay, the one official in the back of the end zone begins to raise his arms, with his colleague watching him. Then that guy quickly raises his hands to signal a touchdown. But then, he looks to his buddy and sees him signal for timeout. You can see the looks on both their faces, lol. ""Awww, shitt."
There is no question Jennings had possession. The question is whether Tate also had possession.
Possession does not occur until the player hits the ground.
So does Tate have enough of a grip on the ball to qualify as dual possession when Jennings hits the ground?
Here's part of the problem: for argument's sake, let's say Jennings comes down with the ball by himself. Until he has both feet down, or lands on the ground, he does not have possession. So if he drops it into another player's arms, they have possession.
So the refs see him coming down in a crowd. They have to watch until he lands both feet, or on his ass. If they lose him in the crowd, and when they finally find him, there is dual possession, it's a touchdown.
However, that could still be reversed if the refs on replay find clear evidence.
Was the evidence clear here? I'm not sure. Again, we can't say "Jennings had better possession because he locked the ball to his body". We either have dual possession or we don't.
It's an interesting argument! Would be more fun to have it in a bar!
To my eyes it doesn't even come close to dual possession. It's one guy catching it with both hands, securing the ball to his body while another player has one hand on a part of the ball. I wouldn't say Jennings had "better possession", he had total possession.
If Tate had simultaneously snagged the ball with both hands along with Jennings, then they went to the ground, then we'd have a real interesting situation. But this one is cut and dry. Jennings possessed it, Tate had contact with it.
Haha...nope ... I'm a bag lady! Can't afford a trip to Mexico crazy!
Lanapoleros Jacksonville Florida Shazaam! It was uh...like being in Mexico I guess. I had a margarita even. And Mexico has claimed the exclusive international right to the word "tequila", so I was in my own lil fantasy Mexico I guess.
Refs back to work real soon, hopefully this weekend, if not than the following one for sure... after MNF's debacle and all the bad press, I have no doubts.
No, Miami should be 3-1. But this is par for the course for the fins. Fold under pressure and invent new ways to lose. As I posted at the beginning of the season:
Man, that was a nail-biter tonight in Dallas! (And by nail-biter, I mean that everytime the ball was in the air, I was biting my nails.)
So, the big question is... when Dallas plays Baltimore on Oct. 14, does Kyle Orton get the start? Or does Tony Romo take his defensive backs out on the field with him?
(That's just a joke, by the way. I don't think there's any way Jerry Jones will ever admit to a 60 million-dollar mistake.)
I'm a huge Dallas fan, but I've never been a believer in Romo. I'm not basing it on this one game, but Orton is a starting quarterback in this league, and this would be a great time to see what he can do.
honestly, there is nothing wrong with dallas a real headcoach cant fix. but that will never happen. Jerry Jones would rather have his muppet/fall guy he can manipulate from behind the scenes. hes the new Al Davis.
Tony Romo just needs someone to sit on him. he needs to be in a run-first play action pass style offense... i bet a Jim Harbaugh would do wonders with a Tony Romo.
and no Kyle Orton SUCKS. stick with Romo.... get a new coach and dump dez Bryant... that guy is a QB killer.
I still remember his first professional snap in the NFL (in the regular season) was an interception. I mean, is that not the perfect example in history of foreshadowing?
so i'm going upsets this week... so far... I got Washington handing Atlanta their first lost I got the underrated St Louis Rams trap-slapping the overrated Arizona Cardinals and I got New Orleans getting their first win against the San Diego Chargers.
I'm very close to taking the Rams over the Cardinals, too, although I haven't made it official yet.
I'm also going to take the Titans over the Vikings, I think, too. I haven't seen the Vikings play at all this year yet, (I don't even think I saw highlights), but I'm not going to buy into their record just yet.
When I checked the line earlier, the Saints were a favorite by 4. (I might have read it wrong, I'll check again in a bit), but if that's the case, I'll definately take the Chargers as an underdog. (Although, I do see Drew Brees playing his heart out in this one.)
Finally, the chink in the Cardinal armor I was expecting to show sooner than later. Bet there's a lot of teams that will be watching film from this game.
And good on the Rams for being over .500 for the first time in SIX YEARS!
E.D.
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its funny how everyone is starting to copy what Harbs is doing - especially the other NFC-W teams... only problem is.. we do it all better than they can... and that is why they'll have a hard time this season
Every team, every year loses a game or 3. It does not make them a bunch of posers.
The Rams and the Cards will be in the thick of things in the West.
I agree they aren't posers, bro, but I can't see either being around at the fat side of the season. I watched the whole game yesty and it was laughable at times.
The Cards did well to get 4-0 but the reality might set it now. The Rams have been very competitive all year but just won't hold up against the better teams.
When was the last time the Pats ran for more than Brady passed and WON? With Gronk playing well and Hernandez expected back sooner, things could heat up.
It was just nice to watch a Pats game where the refs didn't decide it!
E.D.
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the Patriots have been blessed with a division that is falling apart around them. when your toughest competition looks to be a rookie QB/Coach lead dolphins team.... life is good.
The Texans look to continue to get fat and happy on a division and schedule that even Texas Tech could make the playoffs on. Does anyone else get the feeling something special is brewing in Indianapolis?
i thought denvers defense would put more of a fight....maybe they're not the sleeping giant of superbowl picks afterall...? though i still think they'll run down San Diego for the division.
If Big Ben's back is sore its because he's carring the entire team on it. The Ravens defense doesnt look the same without T-Suggs....and i still dont trust Flacco. The Bengals might finish with a winning record but they still arent even close to the level the Ravens and Steelers are on.
Man, it's nice to just sit back and not ask 'Where the hell were you throwing that?' and 'Really, a running play up the middle on first down again?' over and over.
I hate the new york fucking giants. i will be damned if they fluke their way to another superbowl at our expense. i can still hear pat summerall in that 1990 NFC Championship game as clear as 22 years ago
"And the kick...is good! There will be NO three-peat" >
im still laughing at Joe Flacco going 13 of 27 for 187 yards and an interception against the Chiefs. for someone likes to call himself the best QB in the league.. he's not even the best QB in his division
What is it with the NFL this year? Kooky refs beget the kookiest games I've seen a while. All topped off by the 35 point comeback of Peyton Manning last night.
There's like TWO TEAMS in all of the AFC over .500?!?!
This feels more like the free agency league this year. Where are the elite teams we look to? What a wonky first six weeks of the season.
E.D.
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I would normally be worried about the Patriots, and they have a lot to fix (namely, Brady's silly mistakes and the secondary), but this is an interesting statistic:
Average margin of victory = 18.3
Average margin of defeat = 1.3
It seems to me the ball isn't bouncing their way this year on close games. Of course this is largely their fault, and a loss is a loss no matter how close, but I think they could turn it around. Their "off" games still come down to the wire as opposed to some other teams out there.
'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
Yeah. But you also have to remember, New England's only beating teams with .500 and sub-.500 records. They haven't beaten a winning team, yet.
They certainly won't have to worry about not making the playoffs, though. Because of their division, they have a super-easy schedule the rest of the way. (They only have to face 2 teams with winning records. (Houston and San Francisco)).
But once they get to the playoffs and against good teams, it'll be all downhill from there.
10 teams total are over .500. 3 in the AFC. It's a crazy year. Are teams bad, or, is the salary cap, along with the lower teams drafting higher finally merely achieving the evenness it's intended to bring?
Stevie, u good thing! You sure are lucky living over there in Oz. I wish I could get out of this Arizona jail. But then I guess I would miss the nightly bang sessions with my biker friends...
tonight we'll find out how serious harbaugh is about Alex Smith. pay attention to see how much time Kaepernick gets tonight we'll find out if Kapernick's playing time is a gimmick or an audition
Fins strolled into New York and ripped the still-beating hearts right from the rotten chest cavities of the lowly jets. God, I love it. Never has one team deserved so much scorn and misery as the New York Jets and their big mouth greasy slob of a head coach.
The Pats offense is super elite. The defense is at best vulnerable.
However, there are 4 rookies at the moment in the starting defense. A lot of guys learning the NFL and getting used to playing with each other. If they stay healthy they should improve.
And no one is elite in the AFC anymore. Maybe Houston, but they are not looking elite lately. And Baltimore has to reinvent its defense now.
Fins strolled into New York and ripped the still-beating hearts right from the rotten chest cavities of the lowly jets. God, I love it. Never has one team deserved so much scorn and misery as the New York Jets and their big mouth greasy slob of a head coach.
Yeah, the Rams made the Pats look like they are ready for the elite. As a Pats fan, I know they're not.
Even as a lifetime Pats fan, I have to agree with this. But with the rest of the conference being even more of a mess, we look great.
Nice cakewalk to go into a bye week with. Glad to see our division coming down to us and Miami. Though I don't know what the QB situation in Miami will be like. Too bad their bye wasn't this week.
E.D.
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I was too ill after watching that debacle to even say anything.
Obviously, my Rams did not want to win that game. They did literally everything in their power to lose, much like the Bills handed the weakass Pats a win on a silver tray, coated in dogshit.
I'm shocked there's no chatter here about Stevie & Jeff's TIE!!
No trash talk all week between you guys?!?
Come on, guys!!
E.D.
Yeah, I planned to come on yesty after the game but I was buzzing a bit and went out to the garage and did my Spartacus workout.
I listened to the game on my radio app on he IPad. The station was in Grass Valley, Nevada or somewhere out the back of Bumfuck. It's great hearing the crowd in the BG, and the local ads!
The game? Yeah, I went through the emotions of near victory and near loss. A ties was a fair result - you could argue neither team deserved to win. Niners seemed a bit rusty after the bye, but full credit to the Rams, they dished it up to us. We still have far too much talent to not be there at the pointy end of the season. Tough one next v the Bears, though they were brought down a peg by playing a decent team. I think we can come out and smash them.
The fins basically walked out onto the field and took a nice little three hour nap. They should all donate their paychecks for that game to some sleep disorder charity. Can't explain that performance any other way. To allow the Titans to do that to you, you have to want to lose. And now Buffalo on Thursday. If Miami loses that, it's pretty much clear sailing for the pats.
What NFL teams are elite now? Steelers barely beat the Chiefs; 49ers should have lost to the Hams; Giants lost to the Bengals; does anyone really think Atlanta is elite?
Suddenly Denver is close to elite. Houston might be the best team in the NFL, but I don't consider them a team that will be consistent in the playoffs with that one dimensional offense. Baltimore, Green Bay. I guess it'll come down to who's hot.
Even though an NFL team can turn it around in one year, the reality is it's the same small group of teams usually competing for long periods.
So in the AFC it will be NE, Balt, Pitt, and Peyton. Houston could host the AFC championship, but that's as far as they go.
As I've been saying to my local friends all year, there are very few good teams this season. Most are not good and many downright suck. There are a number that suck that really shouldn't suck, which makes the whole thing that much more irritating.
I don't look at it as parity. I look at it as a bunch of under performing suckass teams.
Well, looks like we'll be putting Belichek's workman strategy to the test. His system is set up to focus on team effort over individual achievement. So, we'll see if having our two star RBs out slows out offense a lot. Unless we get Hernandez back on Turkey Day, it could be a rough day with the Jets. Those trash talkers always play the Pats super hard. So many QBs out this year already. Never seen a MNF like last night. It was Battle of the Back Ups!
E.D.
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That image of Mark Sanchez running face first into the big, fatass of his own offensive lineman, then fumbling to give up a td, is the greatest Jet highlight of all time.
That image of Mark Sanchez running face first into the big, fatass of his own offensive lineman, then fumbling to give up a td, is the greatest Jet highlight of all time.
They gave up 3 touchdowns in 52 seconds to the Pats.
Can't help but think back to when all the AFC East teams were stuck at 3-3...
Here we are five weeks later. The Pats went 5-0. But the Fins and Bills are 1-3 with tough opponents today. And the trash talking Jets are 1-4.
Say what you want about the Pats as a team. But I believe that abstaining from trash talking keeps your focus on the game.
E.D.
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Say what you want about the Pats as a team. But I believe that abstaining from trash talking keeps your focus on the game.
Also playing teams in that span of time that have a total record of 8-16-1 helps a lot, too.
Like I said, Pats have the easiest schedule besides maybe the Dallas Cowboys. I'm surprised the MIT Engineers weren't on their schedule this year.
I'll admit they have a VERY explosive offense, and I'll also admit I'm a huge Tom Brady fan, but the only, ONLY, way that I'll say they can do damage in the playoffs is if they handle Houston and San Francisco in the next few weeks they way they've handled the lowly Jets and Bills.
Quoted from Penoyer
Championship Game as i see it now will be SF vs NY and NE vs DEN
I'll put Chicago there before I will New York. I'm just not buying the Giants this year. (I'll also admit I see a train wreck in Chicago as the playoffs roll around. They'll make the playoffs, but something'll happen and they'll lose quick.) And I'm definately not going to dismiss a 10-1 team, either. I say San Francisco and Atlanta.
I also can't see an AFC championship team without Houston being there. Denver might be there, but New England no way and I won't count out Baltimore. I say Houston and Denver, but Denver is interchangable with Baltimore.
Pats have lost their 3 games by a total of 4 points. Their wins were mostly blow outs.
There are some big problems for the Pats. The defense only stops teams by getting turnovers, which they excel at, but tough to count on that.
And their kicker is suddenly as reliable as New England weather.
Still, who is better in the AFC? Houston and Baltimore are struggling. Pittsburgh could become a factor again if Roethsberger gets healthy, but they are looking at the wild card.
Denver is on fire. They might be the biggest threat to NE, though we did beat them already. Manning always scares us, especially with our secondary(which is finally improving).
I just looked back at my preseason picks at start of the thread: NE vs Denver in AFC championship. I like that even more now.
In the NFC, I picked Giants and 49ers, and that looks about right too, especially after yesterday.
Atlanta? Chicago? Like Houston, they are pretenders to the crown. It'll be the same old song and dance: Brady vs Manning, and in the NFC a repeat of last year's championship game.
I also can't see an AFC championship team without Houston being there.
I hear what you're saying about the Pats schedule and all, but...
Houston needed overtime to defeat two subpar .500 teams this month. I don't think they're as strong as most would like to think.
I'm pretty sure the Pats can CLINCH the division this coming Sunday with a win. That would put us four games up on Miami with four games to play. We'd have the best division record as well.
Having that sewn up can let the Pats form some buku strategy for Houston and SF.
E.D.
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Fisher just flat outcoached Harbaugh in this one. Even Kaepernick and Staley were saying after the game that the Rams were in the 'perfect defense' for almost every play.
I wont blame this one on Kaepernick. Triple Option on their own 17 on 3rd down was a horrible call. on 49ers ensuing drive - after Kaeps 50 yard scamper - Delanie Walker drops winning TD pass
My new ranking, which takes into consideration not only achievement and record, but recent performance.
1) Patriots: Call this a homer call, but who is better? We'll find out more the next couple weeks with Houston then San Fran. The Defense is suspect, injuries are mounting, but no one is playing better. 2) Denver: Peyton's hot, has a solid defense, and a crazy easy schedule. 3) San Fran: sorry Stevie, no team with a self generated QB controversy is topping my list. And no team that lost to the Rams. Kaepernick over Brady or Manning? Nope. 4) Pittsburgh: think I'm crazy? They have the best defense in the league, and were playing great when Big Ben went down. If he comes back healthy, they're probably the best team in the league. There will be lingering health issues for him, though. 5) Atlanta: we'll see if they're for real. I'm not convinced, but they are hanging in their, finding ways to win every week. 6) Green Bay: they're still dangerous. But a defense that has barely improved and an offensive line that can't protect Rodgers, they seem to be in decline. 7) Baltimore: fading fast. The offense has been anemic for about 2 months, and now Suggs has torn bicep. These guys have been unimpressive for a month. Giants: still scary in the playoffs, but other than last week, the Giants have been lousy for a month and half. They couldn't stop Washington when they needed to tonight. These guys think that you can barely make the playoffs, then win every game in the last minute. Sooner or later that gets you into trouble. 9) Colts: Luck still going strong. 10) Seattle: Pete Carol keeps 'em playing hard. If they make the playoffs, they could get a first round win again.
Didn't realise there was a football thread on the site... Even more awesome - for the first time in years I actually got to see the Cowboys win on SNF... and even then they nearly managed to stuff it up as usual. Bloody Romo! *shakes fist*
I think I'd actually put Houston behind Atlanta. We'll know more this week.
Houston has been struggling. They should have lost last week, maybe the last two. Could be just bumps in the road, every team has them.
I wish the Pats weren't so banged up. Losing Edelman hurts more than people know. Missing he and Gronk reduces them to a couple of weapons, and now all teams have to do is focus on those.
Yeah, he is what he is. Kind of a disappointment. Edelman was really a big part of what they do, even playing the number 2 sometimes. That hurts them more than people realize. If the offense runs well against Houston, despite losing two key players(Gronk and Edelman) and having injuries on the O line, that'll be impressive.
Either way, I need both Daniels and "White Arms" (Welker) to have huge games. Plus, I like both of them anyway. But, I am definitely rooting for the Texans because I can't stand the Patriots.
I think it will be close either way. Honestly, if we had Gronk and Edelman I think we'd blow them out. Beat them soundly anyway. Too big a stage for those boys.
Gronky is an issue, as I thing he's # 1 TE in the league.
But, it doesn't really matter into big pic, cuz my Rammies are going to sneak in to the Playoffs and sneak into the Super Bowl and maybe..just fucking maybe...pull off the upset of the history of all things unholy and bright.
I'd be more inclined to believe that if it wasn't for the Pats takeaway rating. They make teams pay when they strip the ball. And the Texans are struggling in OT against teams not picking them off.
Injuries aside, I think the game will come down to capitalizing on turnovers. It's gonna be a fun MNF tilt!
E.D.
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1) Patriots: Can't really be argued. Could change this Sunday after the Niners game. 2) San Fran: solid all around. Untested QB. Head Coach with limited experience. There will be hiccups. Big chance this week. 3) Denver: Peyton scares me. 4) NY Giants: still do it when they need to. 5) Green Bay: still weak on O line, and defense still vulnerable. But still dangerous. 6) Houston: their defense settled down, but it was too late last night. A second go round could be different. Shaub looked mediocre. Not like he had a bad game, but that he's just not elite. 7) Pittsburgh: if Roethsburger returns to form, they could make a run. Baltimore: if they get healthy and dominant on defense, they can be a spoiler. But they can't reach the Super Bowl. With 3 tough games left, they will limp into the playoffs. No way they will win 3 games in the post season with a weary Flacco and a new O coordinator. This team heading into decline. 9) Seattle: they believe. That's worth something. 10) Atlanta: exposed as the pretenders we all knew they were. 11) Chicago: just not elite. Just can't win big games. Just not going anywhere. 12) Minnesota: one dimension don't cut it.
Sucks to be a Patriots hater in December! Always does.
They looked damn good last night, though. I am very surprised how easily they crushed the Texans. Also shocked that the Texans gave up 42 points.
A lot of came down to capitalizing on early turnovers. Big time demoralizer for a visiting team.
And no offense to that fine Texans squad... But the fact is Schaub just doesn't have that pressure cooker experience Brady does. Schaub hasn't got that comeback mojo like Brady and the Mannings got down cold.
And if the Texans and Pats meet up again in the post, I doubt it will be a blowout. However, we will have the #1 TE in the league back by then.
Even though we can't seem to keep WR's on the field! Edleman last week. Stallworth on IR this week. Looks like Branch is going to get his second re-signing already this year!
E.D.
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Conventional wisdom is that great defenses overcome great offenses.We'll see!
One note: I think great defenses do much better against the Pats once they've seen them once. This was the case with the Giants in 2008 and last year. Miami always slows the Patriots because they are so familiar with them. Baltimore sees them in regular season every year.
Usually the first time a team sees it, they are overwhelmed. Everything is so fast with New England. That's what happened a few years ago when the Bears played them with the top defense, in Chicago, in the snow. The Pats dropped like 40 on them in a blow out.
Not saying that's going to happen. Should be interesting. Except for Stevie!
ill take an elite defense over an elite offense any day.
Colin Kaepernick is the key/x-factor to this game. if he plays big time.. the 49ers win. if he falls apart the patriots win.
its that simple.
30-26 49ers.
All those stats are cool, but... As to this Sunday's game, I think it will come down to turnovers again... Assuming the inked rookie doesn't fold in our house in the first quarter.
There's not a team out there right now that capitalizes on turnovers like the Pats. 49ers Turnover Ratio: +6 Pats Turnover Ratio: +24
Cough up the ball in our house and you're done. Looking forward to a stellar tilt!
E.D.
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What is going on with the Giants? Does this mean Atlanta is actually for real? I'm starting to believe.
Flacco is done. He has killed Baltimore, and they won't recover.
Getting excited Stevie?
Hell yeah, mate! The game is on at 1130 am here -its Monday now. Its very warm outside now - at 0820 and theres a smoke haze from fires in the hills. The kids first day of school holidays. I am watching the Lions/Cards live now.
All those stats are cool, but... As to this Sunday's game, I think it will come down to turnovers again... Assuming the inked rookie doesn't fold in our house in the first quarter.
Kaepernick is no rookie....he's a bonafied badass with the best offensive coaching staff in the league...and Jim Harbaugh.... grooming him
A well earned win by the Niners. Will make a great Super Bowl matchup hopefully.
Credit to your guys, Kev for a great comeback. I was screaming at the Tv when it was tied! But the Niners came out and iced it when panic was maybe looming.
Gonna be a full on playoff series with both conferences tight amongst the better teams. That augers well for us as we have played our best v the best
That kick off return was killer. I think without that the Pats would have won. But the Niners were the better team tonight. Some good hits caused those fumbles.
I was shocked in the first half and beginning of the third quarter... But when they came back from that deficit, I said, "Even if they lose this game, that was outstanding."
Great game by the Niners, terrible half by the Pats. You never know who is going to step up on a rainy night. Belichick is going to have these guys playing with greased up balls after all those turnovers.
'Artist' is not a term you should use to refer to yourself. Let others, and your work, do it for you.
Thanks for choking at home, Shittsburgh, you knocked my fins outta the playoffs. Woulda been nice to go up to New England for a game that actually meant something. Damn!
There's still a lot on the line for the Pats in the AFC. Even though it's the last game of the regular season... Home field Advantage and a first round bye are within reach.
Though I doubt that Peyton's gang will drop a deuce against KC. But the Texans falling to the Colts and the Pats beating the Fins? Now, that's a lot more realistic!
And still three teams on the outside in the NFC with a chance. Should be a stellar end of the regular season. I hope RG3 and the skins take out the Cowboys.
E.D.
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Tough call. Cinci looks hot right now. Houston is reeling. But it is in Houston, a tough place to play. I'm going with the Bengals for one reason: did anyone see the eyes on the Houston bench early in the fourth when they were still in the game? That's a defeated team.
Colts vs Ravens
Another tough one. The Ravens crushed the Giants last week, but have been pretty bad for over a month. Colts have magic. But I'm going Ravens. Lewis is running out of shots, the Colts are happy getting this far.
Minnesota at Green Bay
Who would have thought this would be a tough call? But the Vikings are playing well, and it's been a while since anyone said that about Green Bay. Can the anemic Pack defense stop Peterson? I'll go with the Pack because they should be able to slow him down at least.
Seattle vs Washington
Man, another tough one. Two rookie Qbs, two teams with momentum, 2 veteran coaches. I'm going with Seattle because they are crazy hot.
Never a good feeling to get blown out by the pats on the final sunday, but I'm hoping this loss finally convinces Miami owner Stephen Ross to dump this loser of a GM Jeff Ireland. Ireland promised us playoffs and gave us 7-9. Damn, another season gets flushed.
As for next week, I'd go with Houston, Washington, Green Bay and Colts.
I would not call this season a loss for Miami. The biggest hurdle in becoming a winner is you need an elite QB, and they might have the right guy. They're in much better shape than Buff or NY.
Yeah, we're better off than Buff or the Jets, but the chasm between the Fins and Pats is still pretty huge. Miami has five picks in the first three rounds and are 40 million under the cap. If they get a real gm who knows personnel, they can make big strides. If Ireland stays on, they'll never be anything more than mediocre. He's the last remnant of the failed Parcells era.
8 of last years 12 playoff teams back in the playoffs....
6 of the 12 teams in the playoffs have QBs with 2 or less years experience. Rookies....Luck, Griffen, Wilson 2nd year players.. Kaepernick, Dalton, Ponder
My final 4 prediction Seahawks @ 49ers Patriots @ Broncos...
8 of last years 12 playoff teams back in the playoffs....
6 of the 12 teams in the playoffs have QBs with 2 or less years experience. Rookies....Luck, Griffen, Wilson 2nd year players.. Kaepernick, Dalton, Ponder
My final 4 prediction Seahawks @ 49ers Patriots @ Broncos...
get ready for a 49ers/Patriots superbowl
Now that's a REMATCH I look forward to!
And how exciting are all those youngblood QBs in the post sesaon?
Regards, E.D.
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Yeah, we're better off than Buff or the Jets, but the chasm between the Fins and Pats is still pretty huge. Miami has five picks in the first three rounds and are 40 million under the cap. If they get a real gm who knows personnel, they can make big strides. If Ireland stays on, they'll never be anything more than mediocre. He's the last remnant of the failed Parcells era.
Your sage words case me to reflect on the young QBs in the playoffs this year... And WHY hasn't Miami landed a franchise QB by now?!?
Glass Jaw Pennington was the closest to consistency in years for the Fins. :/
Regards, E.D.
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Yup, 2008 Fins won the AFC East, then got right proper fisted at home by Baltimore. I'm pretty sure Pennington still sees Ed Reed in his nightmares. As for the current fins, the lack of talent on the team is just shocking. Jeff Ireland has been there for five years, has had many, many high draft picks, and yet the the only consistent player is Cameron Wake. Busted picks, lame free agents. They've tried to do everything on the cheap as far as qbs. If you look at the list of qbs they've had since Marino, it's about 27 also-rans. Tannehill I can see turning out to be Flacco-level, but he has absolutely zero talent surrounding him except maybe Reggie Bush. And as a Happy New Year gift I see it reported that Jeff Ireland is expected to remain in Miami. Maybe 2015 will be our year.
It's tough to build in the NFL. The Pats have stockpiled picks the last 10 years, but hit on a low percentage. They've had 8 or 9 second round picks in the last 6 years that are no longer with the team, most out of football.
Miami got 7 wins with a rookie QB. They're heading in the right direction. And unlike Jets and Bills, they are way under the cap and have a ton of high picks this year. Miami is in great shape.
Lol. I just went over some of my predictions at the beginning of the season. I don't think I did too bad this year. I'm almost ready for 'First Take'.
Quoted from myself
I can't believe how much strength a lot of people are giving the Giants and Saints.
Probably the prediction I'm most proud of. Although, I was ready to admit I was wrong on the Giants when they were tearing it up early on.
As for the NFC East predictions:
Quoted from myself
I think it'll all come down to how well Andy Reid handles the horrible off the field issue he's dealing with. If Andy's not into the mindset, I don't think his team will be.
I like him personally. Hopefully he can put this year in the past and move forward with another team.
Quoted from myself
If Miles, Bryant or Murray miss some time, not only will they (Dallas) miss the wild card, but Washington might pass them up.
I'm a Cowboys fan, but Washington deserves to be there. They really came together at the midpoint of the season, (all thanks to Shanahan lighting that fire, I think.)
I've grown up hating the Redskins, but I'm such a huge fan of Griffin, I hope they go all the way this year and take it.
That's not my prediction, though. I don't know what to think of anybody in the NFC. I'd like to say it'll be San Fran and Atlanta in the championship, but I really can't see the 49ers there right now, not with Seattle playing the way they are, but I don't know what to think of them and their away record, either.
I'll stick with my prediction with New England, because of their horrible defense. They got rocketed by a rookie quarterback, imagine what'll happen to them when Manning starts cutting them up.
I think it'll be a Broncos-Falcons Super Bowl, with the Broncos coming out on top. (Peyton will NOT let his little brother have more Super Bowl rings than him.)
Not much doubt about the AFC games this week, except to remind that "on any given Sunday..."
Houston vs New England
Watts could be a big factor. He's a huge disrupter. But if Houston does not get serious turnover help, they are cooked. At best they can slow the Patriots down, and if they do, does anyone see Schaub scoring more than 20 points? The Pats defense is healthy and is much better than people realize at this time of year. Last year, the Patriots defense simply blew up the Denver offensive line at literally every position. It looked like the 85 Bears for that game. Tebo didn't have a chance. That won't happen this week, but this defense will be ready, and when's the last time Houston's offense was ready? Two months ago? They've been laying eggs, son.
Baltimore vs Denver
Peyton, a solid defense, one of the best home fields in the league, against a team that staggered through the entire second half of the season. Flacco's going to be throwing up prayers early and often, and that's a roll of the dice. If it works things could stay interesting a while, but if it doesn't, this will get ugly sooner or later.
Get ready for Manning vs Brady again! Like Bird and Magic, like Williams and Dimagio, like Russell and Chamberlain, like Kevin vs Jeff in a Jaeger contest...a classic.
Green Bay vs San Fran
My money's on San Fran. Green Bay has underwhelmed since early in the year. This might even turn into a rout. Green Bay's defense is awful. And Rogers can be unstoppable, but he can also get frustrated in games like this. He has a ring, but his playoff record is spotty. In fact, I think he's never won at home. Strange guy. And San Fran is going to get to him, make him uncomfortable.
Atlanta vs Seattle
Someone tell me, because I have no idea. Atlanta's last couple of games they looked like world beaters. But so did Seattle. Should be exciting with QB scrambles on one side and long bombs on the other. I'll go with Seattle because Carroll got the big road win last year, I think it was in New Orleans.
AFC Championship: Pats vs Broncos
Pats will have a solid lead, like say 10 to 17 points, but Denver will roar back in the 4th. Will Pats hold on? Yes. They will launch a time consuming drive to lock the game. NFC: Seahawkes, 69ers End of the road for Seattle. Will be close til the 4th, but San Fran will shut down the rookie QB.
Super: Pats vs 49ers
Yikes will that be a good game. Toss a coin. No sleet this time, less turnovers. Will be close all the way.
Most exiting week in the NFL, even if your team is already out. Can't wait!
Agreed! It's about the only reason I'll stop working right now. LOL.
Hoping the Pats won't start cold a la the 49ers. As much as everyone loves a Brady/Manning reunion... I wouldn't be opposed to an AFC Champ game in our building either!
SO many exciting postseason stories... and a rookie still in the mix! This is what I like so much about football... It all comes down to ONE GAME!
E.D.
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Congratulations, Jeff. It looks like the Rams are getting themselves a great new defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan. I need a new team to root for now, so I was planning on following and rooting for Ryan wherever he went.
Jerry-fucking Jones. I'll become a Cowboy fan again once that old bitch croaks. What the hell was he thinking?
Jerry: 'Hmm. Our quarterback threw more to cornerbacks and safeties than he did to wide receivers... give him an extension. Our coach is the most predictable play-caller and only works one side of the team which is responsible for all our losses. So fire that defensive coordinator who we only gave a 2nd and 3rd string defense to work with this year. And Romo, what the fuck are you looking at?! Get back out there and keep playing catch with Demarcus Ware!'
Hope the Broncos keep playing the way they are. I'd like to see a Broncos/Falcons superbowl. Wouldn't mind if Seattle was there, either.
Rob Ryan is terrible(and annoying), sorry to say Jeff.
You sure you're not thinking of Rex Ryan? Don't let the teams that (Rob) Ryan coaches fool you. He takes bottom of the barrel teams (Raiders, Browns, Cowboys) and makes them very competitive DEFENSIVELY. He should not be responsible for teams' offensive problems, not to mention horrible opponent starting field position. (Romo has to take credit for that stat.)
Now, that being said, while I think Rob Ryan, (I've been following him since the Cardinals and Patriots, he's made Teddy Bruschii who he is) is the best defensive coordinator in the business, I don't think he'll ever make the cut as a HEAD coach. He's just too one-side of the ball.
If the Rams can upgrade (or even come together) a little bit offensively, Rob Ryan will do his job and the Rams'll be in the playoffs next year. (As a wild card. They still probably won't be better than the 49ers, though they gave them hell this year.)
As they should be, the conference championships are a tough call.
Ravens vs Patriots
This game is always close. The official line will be high, so take the points and the Ravens. But the Pats should win.
It will play out like it usually does. The Pats will be up 10 to 14 points in the 4th. But the Ravens will make their last stand as the Pats play the clock. Hopefully it doesn't get as tight as it did last year, but it probably will.
Some reasons the Pats should fare a little better this year:
-- they have a much better running game. The offense is very diverse, even without Gronk. They can react to whatever the defense shows. -- the defense, though still young, is much improved. Flacco will get his shots down field, but he's going to need 30 points. That's always a tall order for the Ravens.
Reasons the Ravens can win:
Baltimore always plays the Pats tough. It should be close, and anything can happen.
49ers vs Falcons
Atlanta needed to prove they can win a playoff game. They did. Now they can get ready for golf. San Fran will only be satisfied one way.
San Fran is much more battle tested over the last 2 years. They'll make Ryan's life miserable.
However, Kapernic, however you spell it, will not run wild the same way. Green Bay's defense is a joke. This will be a much tougher challenge. A little back to reality.
They're a damn good team, though. Every year as of late. Always tough, always a challenge, and almost always, a favorite.
I just don't see the r=Ravens being able to do what they did last week and win this game. I'll be rooting for Flacco and company and wouldn't iut be awesome to see Ray go out with another ring? Hmmm...maybe it's destined...
I also hate the Niners. That new A-Hole QB is a punk, a thug, and a gang banger. I don't like him one bit. But, I don't see the Falcons being able to do much defensively to hold this prick back...or even slow him down. Niners D is also tough and I don't see Ryan and company having much sustained success.
Rams will rock next season. We showed flashes of what we'll soon be. I just hope Bradford has a big season, because if he doesn't and they don't make the Playoffs, I say get rid of his ass. He needs to prove he's worth even a fraction of all the hype.
My Cardinals? We need a premier QB and even then, I still see a mediocre season at best.
Come over to the dark side of the hoodie, Jeff. They serve Jaeger on the Pats bandwagon!
It's easy to hate the Pats if they're not your team. I get that. But as villeins go, it's kind of tough to hate them too, because they don't ever talk crap. They just play. Very professional.
Only blemish is spygate, and by now it's clear that was a lot about nothing. They have been just as dominant since then. Have they won the SB? No, but let's look at that.
Before spygate, they won 3 SBs, but each came down to the final minute. Since spygate the've lost 2 SBs, but again, it went to the last minute.
So really it's just the way the ball bounces. They've been the same team. The spy thing, which I am not excusing, gave them no advantage and every team was doing it in some form or another hoping for some small edge.
When I used to go to Miami, the bartenders down there said no one drinks like Pats fans. Except Jets fans.
They won 3 Super Bowls before they were busted for cheating, and since then, when they can't cheat any longer, they've lost 2 Super Bowls.
You know? For reals.
But, they are a great team, as I said. I'll always HATE them. They've cost me good money against good friends that I never hear the end of, and most importantly, they fucked my Rams with that last second field goal bullshit.
The Rams lost because they were too stubborn to hand off to Marshall Faulk, and everyone knows it. They wanted to keep being the Greatest Show on Earth, when they had the best running back in the league.
They also lost for the oldest reason in sports: they didn't respect their opponent.
As I said, Jeff, all 5 SBs came down to the last minute, and all 5 could have gone either way.
49ers @ Falcons Homefield hysteria and creative defensive schemes keep Falcons in it early. But 49ers physicality on both sides of the football eventually wear down Atlanta...and the 49ers pull away in the 4th Quarter 30-21.
Ravens @ Patriots with no Gronk or Cundiff this one can go either way.... but im sticking to my preseason prediction. Baltimore puts on an inspired effort for Ray Lewis... but in the end Tom Brady makes one more play than Joe Flacco.. Patriots on late Brady TD 27-24
A good day in football . Great to see the dirty birds get shot down yet again, even after a 17-0 lead. C-Kap stepped up, Matty Ice melted. And on the AFC side, I couldn't believe how completely Flacco outplayed Brady. Dude was on. And Lord did that Ravens D slap the crapp outta the Pats in the second half. Pollard's hit on Ridley was one for the ages. THUD.
Boring playbook? That's not their problem at all. They have the most varying and dynamic playbook in the game. But it takes more than scheme to win.
You need every weapon against Baltimore. We were without Gronk AND Edelman. In today's NFL you need a quality 3rd receiver. You just do. Unless you have 2 tight ends that are weapons. So if you lose one of those...
Pats also lost 2 guys in their secondary to injury in the first half. I knew they were in serious trouble when Talib went down. Their secondary is fragile. They ended up eventually having to use Cole, literally from the end of the bench.
Baltimore well deserved the win. They have overcome their own injuries. They've managed to stockpile some great talent.
Pats are extremely young so will be in great shape for next year.
But...it's good to be hated. No one hates the Dolphins...or the Rams...or the Cardinals.
Good luck with the 49ers Stevie. Coming back being down 17 to 0 on the road is impressive.
Congrats to the 49ers and Ravens. It should be a bang up tilt. The QB too young to take it all in and the wily veteran looking to retire on top. And why not, that plan worked for Franco Harris. All the makings for a media frenzy. Should be a good Super Bowl.
As for my home team, I knew we were in trouble when Talib went down. Suddenly, after that Baltimore moved the ball on us pretty much at will.
Playoff football is the best of any national sport!
E.D.
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All part of the game, Felipe. Most of the team was actually pretty healthy this year. Gronk had broken arm, Edelman a broken hand. Not much a trainer can do about that.
We could use some big safeties who could lay some hits like Pollard and maybe cover a pass half as good as Reed.
What I meant about about 'boring' is countless times this season, I'd watch a great game live, then the next game would be the Pats and whoever , and it just looks so different. Very slow looking, no excitement, etc. Maybe it's the uniforms, I dunno. Baltimore, Denver, all similar. Actually it might be the day games look faster for some reason, and night games make it all seem in slo mo.
Oh, and the injuries? Yep, for sure, big effect on the Pats. But the Niners have made the SB without: Manningham Hunter Williams ( all is forgotten now Kyle...)
Steelers are the most accomplished team in the league. They never fall far from the top. And they don't do it by buying players. Patriots are on top now, best team over the last decade plus, but the Steelers have been at or near the top since the early 70s. Not even the Celtics or the Yankees or the Montreal Canadians can say that.
I just have a bad feeling that Colin Kaepernick is going to run the ball and Ray Lewis is going to break him in half. There's no tomorrow for Lewis. He's going all out.
I just have a bad feeling that Colin Kaepernick is going to run the ball and Ray Lewis is going to break him in half. There's no tomorrow for Lewis. He's going all out.
Jordan
So Lewis is actually going to play in the Super Bowl? Thought he'd be too busy crying and doing the Lords good work to save all of our souls.
I feel like a kid on Christmas morning....except today I get to watch Kap, The Inconvenient Truth, VD, Crab, Cowboy, PW, The Hawk and the rest of the Niner champs unwrap the biggest present of all:
Heading over to a Super Bowl bash. I'll probably be alone but I will be rooting for the Ravens. I will also be rooting for that punk gangbanger, Kapernick-fuckface to be broken in 2 at the hands of Ray and the Baltimore D.
Final score...
Ravens 30
49ers 21
Big difference will be the Niners missing a minimum of 2 FG's and Kap throwing 2 INT's and losing 1 fumble.
Heading over to a Super Bowl bash. I'll probably be alone but I will be rooting for the Ravens. I will also be rooting for that punk gangbanger, Kapernick-fuckface to be broken in 2 at the hands of Ray and the Baltimore D.
Final score...
Ravens 30
49ers 21
Big difference will be the Niners missing a minimum of 2 FG's and Kap throwing 2 INT's and losing 1 fumble.
Better luck next time, Stevie. It seems that the 49ers are only going to get better with the core people they have, so I'm very confident in saying that there will definitely be a next time, if not next year.
I didn't have a horse in this race, either, really, and I'm not usually one to look at the officiating (unless the Mavs are playing), but it seemed like the Ravens got away with some VERY timely no calls at the end there. I'm going to go review those plays again, to be sure, but there were two important holds that the Ravens should've gotten called for.
But, also, San Fran should've never played as miserable as they did in the first half.
Either way, at least it was an exciting game. Can't ask for anything better than that when you really don't care for either team.
Better luck next time, Stevie. It seems that the 49ers are only going to get better with the core people they have, so I'm very confident in saying that there will definitely be a next time, if not next year.
I didn't have a horse in this race, either, really, and I'm not usually one to look at the officiating (unless the Mavs are playing), but it seemed like the Ravens got away with some VERY timely no calls at the end there. I'm going to go review those plays again, to be sure, but there were two important holds that the Ravens should've gotten called for.
But, also, San Fran should've never played as miserable as they did in the first half.
Either way, at least it was an exciting game. Can't ask for anything better than that when you really don't care for either team.
Thanks mate. Yeah some dodgy calls during the game. One that no one has really mentioned was a helmet grab on LMJ just before he fumbled. Thought more would've been made of it.
But, in the end, we couldn't quite get that go ahead td to win the game
It was a well played game, Stevie. I was really hoping the Niners would win. I had even accepted that I'd have to share the title of most Super Bowl wins with your team.
There's a penalty every play, it's just unfortunate when the refs seem to call them on your team more than the other. Any given Sunday.
Hopefully it'll be the Steelers and Niners in the Super Bowl next year.
After all that up and down, the difference maker was special teams. What should've been a back breaking second half kick off TD return, wasn't... Enjoying a reflective 35 minute potty break, the 49ers FINALLY came to play.
But the tattoo kid ain't no Montana. And shame on folks throwing that name around so soon. For that matter, he ain't no Brady, who won a SB his first year starting. But the 49ers do have the makings of an NFC dynasty, will be fun to watch them grow.
See you back on the gridiron in seven months!
E.D.
LATEST NEWS CineVita Films is producing a short based on my new feature!
Lol. Yeah, murder and rape and not much happens to Lewis and Roethlisburger. But somebody lets two dogs fight each other and you're the league's biggest villain. Shows where priorities are, huh?
When the game finished, I felt ok. Sad but calm. I turned off the TV immediately as had no desire to see the Ravens celebrating. I did watch the two brothers meeting later on the Net as that was special.
Last night though, I just kept thinking about that last drive and how we nearly had the td. Had a massive headache trying to sleep. Still feeling sorry for myself this morn, mainly thinking how guys like Vernon, Frank and Cowboy may never get another crack at it. Or one as good as that.
Gotta feel proud of the boys for the fight back. I knew they would even at 28-6 but didn't think they would get as close as they did.
I have to laugh at the Niners fans on the forum I hang on - they talk of the dark years between 2003 and 2010, when a few seasons the team was shit... Well I follow St.Kilda in the Australian Football League. We have one championship to our name way back in 1966.
Since then we have been in 4 Grand Finals losing all of them. Between 1973 to 1991, we never made the playoffs. In 2009 we had one of the greatest seasons in AFL history, losing only 2 games ( that didn't matter anyway) and recording the lowest ever points scored against. But we lost the big one by 6 Pts. The next year we got to the Grand Final where we fought back to draw the game only to be smashed in the replay.
Now the Saints team is ageing, though we have some good youngsters claiming through. So it might be a few years till we rise up to challenge again.
When we lost in 2009/10, it took me nearly 3 years get over it. I would lie in bed thinking about what might have been if the ball bounced differently in those 2 games, as that as literally the difference between winning and losing. Much like if the Ravens get the PI on Crab called yesterday.
Anyway Coop will understand what I'm raving about as he follows the footy too! Cheers mate
Just wanted to get this off my chest.
Oh, and I've seen photos and vid show Crab being illegally held in front of 2 refs, and also a photo that shows Delanie Walker being held by 2 guys during Jones's return td. I don't usually whinge about refs but when heaps of neutral people with no bias say it was the worst ever officiated game then I guess something wasnt quite right.
I will miss my Mondays watching 3 games of NFL live while doing the housework! At least I can concentrate on my script now, lol
I don't care what anyone says, the Super Bowl Halftime show would of been 100 times better if Bane showed up instead of Beyonce.
Phil
Yeah, that blackout hit about fifteen minutes late. Woulda been great if God pulled the plug on Beyonce's syncin.'
Kap was very impressive in the second half, but was unable to attain Joe Cool status. For now. Of course, Montana didn't even get a whiff of the playoffs in his first couple of seasons. To go from the bench to the super bowl in one season is always an amazing feat.
Niners are stocked for the future. They're gonna be nfc bullies for awhile.
I heard the blackout was caused because there was a secret camera in the stage, directly under beyonces arse, and a live feed was going out across the Net, lol.
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NFL 2012
Cleveland will get off to a decent start, then the Romeo Crennel magic will wear off and they will morph back into Cleveland.
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