American Football

[kieran_vale]

One really interesting hire already is Mike Mayock as the new Raiders GM. Based on the amount of picks they have in the draft and Mayock (despite a really annoying habit on spoiling picks before they’re made on draft night) does have an almost encyclopaedia level knowledge of all the college players.

That said does also come down to can him and Gruden work on the same page but this could be an inspired choice for them.

 

[Stagat]

Can see the Chargers beating the Ravens in the NFC,

A?

I know the Chargers are technically the lower seed against the Ravens but the 12-4 team going over the 10-6 one wouldn't be that surprising! Home field advantage notwithstanding, but still. Bit of a bollocks rule for me anyway, getting bosted down to below three teams with a worse record just coz your divisional rival was exceptional. (edit: finished higher than you but on the same record, actually!)

Enjoyed the Bills season, especially for a 6-10 one. Feelgood factor was high once Peterman finally stopped playing and Allen got a run of starts to the end. The Dolphins game was a good way to end it on really and the Kyle Williams send off too.

Hope Allen doesn't have to be running as much as his career develops. He can obviously do it but it seems half the time is because he's not spotting anyone to throw to, which is a thing he needs to improve.

Saw this chart on Reddit too for next year's fixtures. It's ace. Aside from the obvious 6 divisional games, teams play those in the same colour box and also those in the same row and column as them. So for example Buffalo play Denver and Tennessee as well as the AFC North and NFC East while New England play Kansas City and Houston for their extra two games.

Someone pointed out in the thread teams play 4x games against teams who finished 1st the previous season, 4x vs 2nd, 4x vs 3rd and 4x vs 4th placed teams. I didn't know that.

 

[kieran_vale]

You can never tell certainly at this point with the draft and free agency to come but that looks a bitch of a schedule for all the AFC East at first glance.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Enjoyed the Bills season, especially for a 6-10 one. Feelgood factor was high once Peterman finally stopped playing and Allen got a run of starts to the end. The Dolphins game was a good way to end it on really and the Kyle Williams send off too.

Hope Allen doesn't have to be running as much as his career develops. He can obviously do it but it seems half the time is because he's not spotting anyone to throw to, which is a thing he needs to improve.

Bills look really good going into next year the defence looks legit the key issue is the bills are going to have to build around Allen the O line in particular needs work and also he needs some better receivers Free Agency could be interesting given the projected cap space the Bills have to play with.

On Allen running I don't think he will do as much runs especially if the Bills sort out the other offensive issues O line and receivers as Allen really does not use many designed runs say like Lamar Jackson does.

 

[Aberstone]

It's imperative to have a competent offensive line, just look at Andrew Luck since Chris Ballard has come in and sorted them out, he's got the comeback player of the year award all locked up.

It's the dilemma that the Vikings find themselves in since there offensive line is a total mess and with the Cousins contract, there's no wiggle room to try and lure somebody in free agency.

Meanwhile Antonio Brown decides to go full diva, this week on days of our Steelers...

 

[JJ1532]

Haha, you watch Urinating Tree too? He's so good with his shitposting videos and the way he rips into the Steelers every week is something else. He's been calling them out on their bullshit for the last couple of years and he's absolutely right.

 

[pride_of_notts]

It's the dilemma that the Vikings find themselves in since there offensive line is a total mess and with the Cousins contract, there's no wiggle room to try and lure somebody in free agency.

I think generally you have to draft O line as they rarely ever come up and if they do your paying a big premium a good case in point was how much Giants overpaid for Nate Solder

Meanwhile Antonio Brown decides to go full diva, this week on days of our Steelers...

It's going to be interesting see what happens there Steelers look like a mess going into 2019 especially if they trade AB as much as I like Juju I don't think he is ready to be no1 Also it looks like Jags are moving on from Fournette some interesting potential movements in the Running back market

 

[kieran_vale]

Meanwhile Antonio Brown decides to go full diva, this week on days of our Steelers...

If it was me making the decision I would actually call AB's bluff and trade him. With the rise of Juju and if Washington can make that second year leap there are still plenty of good options as well as the two TE's with far less a headache in the locker room. Get what you can now and reinvest it in the secondary. He actually played ok against us but if Artie Burns is in the lineup I know where I'm looking every time and that needs to change.

 

[Aberstone]

Haha, you watch Urinating Tree too? He's so good with his shitposting videos and the way he rips into the Steelers every week is something else. He's been calling them out on their bullshit for the last couple of years and he's absolutely right.

That goes without saying - Sportsball, Days of our Steelers and Sacksonville Abbey have provided great entertainment this season. He'll go full Yinzer this week.

I'm OK with the notion of AB being traded and kieran_vale has nailed it above, if it's going to happen then it absolutely has to be invested in the secondary. Finding an athletic middle linebacker is also an absolute must too because I've seen Vince Williams, Jon Bostic and LJ Fort get burned way too often this season.

JuJu is definitely a number one receiver, it may also force the team to become more balanced and commit to the running game.

Edit: Fair comment that it would need to be post June 1st so there is no dead money against the cap.

 

[Aberstone]

My play-off bracket:

AFC:
(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (3) Houston Texans
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Baltimore Ravens

(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs
(4) Baltimore Ravens @ (2) New England Patriots

(4) Baltimore Ravens @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs

NFC:
(6) Philadelphia Eagles @ (3) Chicago Bears
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Dallas Cowboys

(4) Dallas Cowboys @ (1) New Orleans Saints
(3) Chicago Bears @ (2) Los Angeles Rams

(3) Chicago Bears @ (1) New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl LIII:
(4) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) New Orleans Saints

 

[.V.]

My play-off bracket:

AFC:
(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (3) Houston Texans
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Baltimore Ravens

(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs
(4) Baltimore Ravens @ (2) New England Patriots

(4) Baltimore Ravens @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs

NFC:
(6) Philadelphia Eagles @ (3) Chicago Bears
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Dallas Cowboys

(4) Dallas Cowboys @ (1) New Orleans Saints
(3) Chicago Bears @ (2) Los Angeles Rams

(3) Chicago Bears @ (1) New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl LIII:
(4) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) New Orleans Saints

I’ll take the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

I still think a team from left field will win it this year. I’m going Cowboys, as much as wouldn’t want them to win it. They’ll lose to the Seahawks tonight now.

 

[kieran_vale]

I would go with the following

AFC:
(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (3) Houston Texans
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Baltimore Ravens

(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs
(3) Houston Texans @ (2) New England Patriots

(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) New England Patriots

NFC:
(6) Philadelphia Eagles @ (3) Chicago Bears
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Dallas Cowboys

(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (1) New Orleans Saints
(3) Chicago Bears @ (2) Los Angeles Rams

(3) Chicago Bears @ (1) New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl LIII:
(5) Los Angeles Chargers vs. (1) New Orleans Saints

The one team I'm going backwards and forwards on is the Seahawks. I really think that team is on the kind of roll right now that could see them do a Wild Card run all the way like the Giants in the past but New Orleans in the dome is as tough as it gets.

Ultimately though looking at these teams the Chargers and Saints are the most rounded teams in both conferences and think that will ultimately play out with the Saints having a slight advantage in the big game. One advantage for the Chargers also is their home games are almost always quasi road games due to the travelling support at least equalling the home one so being away throughout will not concern them.

Edit - just to add although clearly for as long as the Pats are in I'm obviously rooting for my own team (though too many flaws realistically) would absolutely love to see Phil Rivers make a Super Bowl run, few QB's I enjoy seeing go to work than him. Only downside is the Spanos family reaping the benefit.

 

[Aberstone]

Baltimore seem to have all the chips stacked in their favour and the two things that you absolutely must have in January - a running game and a stud defense.

Obviously I'm hoping the Chargers bump them off (some hideous refball would be sweet, sweet irony) but I can see them making it to Atlanta.

In the NFC, the only teams I can see beating New Orleans are the Seahawks or Cowboys. Both match up well with a loaded front 7 who could stifle New Orleans' offense whilst they have weapons offensively to cause the Saints defense fits.

 

[kieran_vale]

That looked ominous from the Colts on that opening drive. TY Hilton off to a flier. Got to say I would like to see the replay earlier in the drive as swear Luck should have been pinged for intentional grounding.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Colts have been looking good for a while they are one of the two bets I have for the superbowl.

 

[kieran_vale]

They have, not sure they can go into Kansas and win though, just don't think they match up well.

If Houston don't get their stuff together on defence especially third down soon it is going to be a very long day for them. Not helping giving up free yardage with a couple of pre-snap penalties also.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Chiefs don't really convince me I can see them losing against Colts It does seem like the Chiefs are typical Andy Reid great offense terrible defense I do think they are there for the taking even if they are the No1 seed

 

[kieran_vale]

This game is just going to show that playoff football is always won at the line of scrimmage. Houston just getting dominated on both sides. The OL is getting manhandled (not such a surprise really), not able get any push at all. Couple that with pre-snap penalties still totting up and some of the play calling this is very disappointing so far from them. Had an opportunity off the turnover and did literally nothing.

 

[Bobbin']

Yeah, garbage.

 

[Bobbin']

I’ve long defended BOB but genuinely think it’s time to go our separate ways now. Some of the play calling this season has been atrocious.

Have some serious weapons in this side who should be doing a lot better.

 

[kieran_vale]

I’ve long defended BOB but genuinely think it’s time to go our separate ways now. Some of the play calling this season has been atrocious.

Have some serious weapons in this side who should be doing a lot better.

Yep, there is some excellent talent in that side being sold short. A couple of the drives it was the mirror image of everything frustrating I find with the Pats playcalling with the attempted bomb downfield on first down usually off play-action, draw play for 2 yards on second down and then attempt an underneath throw on third and long. That won't get it done against any decent opponent. BOB is a likeable guy but really I think he's hit his ceiling on what he can achieve in Houston.

Some serious work needs doing regardless on this offensive line when barring a miracle Houston lose this. Been a weakness of theirs for years.

 

[Bobbin']

Yep, there is some excellent talent in that side being sold short. A couple of the drives it was the mirror image of everything frustrating I find with the Pats playcalling with the attempted bomb downfield on first down usually off play-action, draw play for 2 yards on second down and then attempt an underneath throw on third and long. That won't get it done against any decent opponent. BOB is a likeable guy but really I think he's hit his ceiling on what he can achieve in Houston.

Some serious work needs doing regardless on this offensive line when barring a miracle Houston lose this. Been a weakness of theirs for years.

Yep and it’s the same every week until he realises it’s not working and then risks Watson by constantly running him (and as I type this, Watson runs straight away).

Oh god yeah, the o-line is terrible and has been neglected for some time but think it’s time for a new HC to come and try and sort it. Everything else is already in place with some decent coaching.

 

[kieran_vale]

Texans finally on the board but I assume BOB does know the game is only four quarter. Why the fuck is he not going no-huddle?

Edit - Well they might be on the board assuming this isn't overturned as a fumble. Looks just ok to me but who knows.

 

[Luke_1884]

We keep on rollin' with another tight affair.

Dak, Zeek and Cooper all in good nick.

 

[kieran_vale]

I get the feeling Lamar Jackson is a little nervy. Can’t be that slack in ball protection. Chargers are too good to do this against.

 

[pride_of_notts]

I get the feeling Lamar Jackson is a little nervy. Can’t be that slack in ball protection. Chargers are too good to do this against.

It's been a problem all year round for Lamar It's an interesting start from the Chargers Ravens have to get there run game started as you don't want to rely on Lamar's arm.

 

[kieran_vale]

Chargers defensive scheme has been on point so far. Derwin James is really what is tying it all together right now. Chargers are very lucky he fell into them in the draft.

 

[kieran_vale]

That is horrible officiating, should have been a TD to the Chargers and then an awful spot afterwards.

Fortunately not cost the Chargers on the next play or so it seems pending another review.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Agree there for me it was a Touchdown really I think it is time for Elite Joe.

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye I think you’re right, they’re in obvious passing situations every down now so may as well go with jump ball Joe. Need to be perfect from here on out on every possession and probably need a short field or turnover also.

Feel for Lamar though getting some heat from the crowd. This Chargers defense is extremely good, many better QB’s would also struggle against these.