American Football

[kieran_vale]

Spurs season ticket holders also have priority access, so don’t expect that game to go on general sale at all. Can imagine loads of Wembley season ticket holders missing out. Ridiculous and stupid decisions.

I didn't even know that about Tottenham fans. Can see a hell of a lot of tickets appearing at inflated prices on getmein not longer after release then. Shame as the NFL likes to talk about 40000 season ticket holders for these games and then goes and does that. Way to piss off a loyal fan base. Notice also the discount is now 10% rather than 20% though less concerned about that so much.

I'd imagine they have to hold some back for some form of general sale though again it's going to end up a case of people needing about 4 browsers open clicking refresh and hope for the best. It'll be a scalpers dream this.

 

[RavenBish]

Mike Vrabel in the ultimate falling upwards move. Co-ordinator of the 32nd ranked defense in the league and gets a HC gig. The NFL is summat else.

 

[Anon]

Mike Vrabel in the ultimate falling upwards move. Co-ordinator of the 32nd ranked defense in the league and gets a HC gig. The NFL is summat else.

I wouldn't rule out him to do well.

At the Texans it obv didnt help that the offense post-Watson was gash, losing 2 of their three best pass rushers for most of the season too. Not to mention the differing skills needed to be a HC.

I seem to remember last season Vrabel having a lot of 'destined HC' buzz about him too.

Intrigued by his OC choice. There's a decent team on both sides of the ball and some marginal improvement with Mariota, who's looked no better than his rookie year, would help both sides immensely. Haley is available as an experienced ex HC.

Makes you wonder what Vrabel does with LeBeau - Titans defense flew under the radar at time, thought they were good.

 

[kieran_vale]

Jags looked the better of the two teams so far. Done exactly what they needed to do on Defense and also more notable Offense. First quarter flew by.

Pats trying to use a lot of misdirection but you can see how well the Jags are prepared that they are not biting at all.

 

[Bobbin']

Jags looking the real deal, it must be said.

 

[kieran_vale]

Just dominant from the Jags. Dominating the line of scrimmage and the Pats have no answer.

Patricia needs this Defense to get its shit together quickly. Wonder what Detroit must be thinking right now with him set to be their next HC.

 

[kieran_vale]

Almost the perfect half from Jacksonville. Just got to give credit where it's due.

That was dirty from Barry Church on Gronk. I'm sure they will feel it was worth it but the kind of one where hopefully karma catches up with him.

 

[Aberstone]

Tom Brady 4th quarter comeback #55286. It’s boring now.

 

[kieran_vale]

If the NFC game is half as good as this then we are in for a treat. What a performance from Jacksonville and a gutsy effort by the Pats to hang in there even when not at their best.

Edit - probably my least favourite play in the NFL the big lob down field to try and draw DPI. I’m glad we’ve benefited but I just don’t like it.

 

[Renegade]

Could you please just fuck off and retire Tom? Bortles played as well as could reasonably be expected, but he and their predictable offence was exposed in the end.

The Vikings are the one true hope.

 

[kieran_vale]

Phew definitely dodged a bullet there. Nothing better than TFB in the fourth quarter.

I really feel for the Jags they were incredible. Maybe went a little soft second half but credit where it’s due to them. Am sure they will come again.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Nervous wreck, this is going to be a horrible 3 hours or so.

Come on Vikings, please.

 

[kieran_vale]

Fantastic drive from the Vikes to open up. Established the run well and then a bomb from Keenum to finish it off. Nice.

 

[Anon]

Actually at the point I think i want the Vikings to win the SB. What a world.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Phew definitely dodged a bullet there. Nothing better than TFB in the fourth quarter.

I really feel for the Jags they were incredible. Maybe went a little soft second half but credit where it’s due to them. Am sure they will come again.

Yeah I would agree with the jags they look like they are set up really well for another tilt next year as they do have a lot of there key pieces contracted up I think it will be interesting to see what direction they go especially QB wise as the free agency market looks good and I can see the jags being an attractive option.
On Brady to me it is just a massive privilege seeing an all time great still at the top of his game even at 40.

 

[kieran_vale]

Truck stick enabled by Legarrette Blount. Always seems to make a big play on Championship Sunday. Shaping up to be another good one this.

I would imagine Bortles has earned the right to another year. His play on the road against the Pats and Steelers shows he is capable though obviously the offense needs simplifying greatly for him.

 

[Renegade]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bortles got another year, but I don't think the Jags should afford him the chance. They have the roster to win a championship, a bunch of cap room and only one obvious position to upgrade. I would go all out to get either Cousins or Smith in free agency. He's one of the worst starters in the league, why persist?

This game has started worryingly so far. The Eagles D is putting the vaunted Vikes D to shame so far. A Pats vs Eagles Superbowl would be quite anticlimactic, especially after the Minnesota Miracle.

 

[kieran_vale]

Fletcher Cox is putting on a masterclass on that Philly D-Line. He is literally unblockable, right up there with Aaron Donald for me.

 

[Renegade]

Eagles are just the best team in the trenches in the league. If they had Wentz, I reckon they would have been a lock for the Superbowl, seriously impressive roster. And yeah, Fletcher Cox is a beast! A man that big should not be able to move like that.

 

[Renegade]

Vikings defence has lost the plot.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Shocking, even more so after the first possessions for each team.

At least we won't be able to blow it in the 4th quarter/overtime.

 

[kieran_vale]

Third flea-flicker of the day. Beautifully executed by Foles.

Vikes just look shellshocked.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Fair play to Philly, didn't imagine they had this in them and whilst we haven't shown up, they've been incredible. Well deserved.

 

[Anon]

Actually at the point I think i want the Vikings to win the SB. What a world.

Thankfully that's not going to happen. The Minnesota Miracle becomes the Minnesota Minor Footnote.

McVay deserves the reg season HC of the Year, but surely if we're counting the post season Pederson has surpassed him. I didn't give them a chance without Wentz, but his design of plays around Foles has been quite something and their defense has kept up their level too, which can be hard to do when the offense takes a step back.

Great story.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Please, please, please, let the Eagles win. I hate the Pats nearly as much as I hate the Swine

 

[pride_of_notts]

Gronk has cleared concussion protocol ( I don't think there was a doubt he would fail to clear) it's going to be interesting to see how the Eagles handle Gronk especially as I hold not a great deal of confidence in the Eagle's secondary.

Also it is interesting to see where Cousins lands up with Alex Smith going to the Redskins.

 

[Renegade]

Seems destined for the Broncos. Great defence, good receivers, the Elway allure. A shame, I really like Cousins and think he will make them relevant again. Was hoping he'd go to the Jags.

 

[kieran_vale]

Probably go to Denver but if I was him I'd be looking at Arizona. Get Larry Fitz back for another year and in David Johnson an elite running back. Denver are going through some upheaval I think, not guaranteed that Sanders and Thomas will be back and will quite likely move on from Talib on the other side of the ball. That said after seeing Alex Smiths contract extension Cousins is going to get a monster deal and Jimmy G will be not a million miles behind either.

Gronk was always going to be ok with two weeks rest before the Super Bowl. Philly will likely do the standard approach to Gronk and disrupt his rhythmn by bumping him at the line. Best way to stop him would be to get to Brady and that is where they do have an advantage with the likes of Fletcher Cox being able to get interior pressure.

Will be a close game, Philly apart from the QB and TE (though Ertz is pretty good) player for player are better talent wise than the Pats. I expect as with all Pats Super Bowls during the Brady-Belichick era it will be a one score game either way. Will (more hope than expectation) take the Patriots to just squeak it in the fourth quarter maybe needing another comeback ala Super Bowl 49 as despite all the numerous Pats haters this team is about as mentally tough a sports team as you will see.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Seems destined for the Broncos. Great defence, good receivers, the Elway allure. A shame, I really like Cousins and think he will make them relevant again. Was hoping he'd go to the Jags.

I would agree there Broncos are the most likely but I kind of would like to see Browns throw a pile of cash at him especially how much that would alter the draft where they could probably take Fitzpatrick and Barkley at 1 and 4

 

[Camborne Gills]

Hoping Ajayi moving from the Dolphins, is fully justified come Sunday