American Football

[pride_of_notts]

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.

I think it raises all the concerns I had with Lamar all season there was a good reason the Ravens switched to an offense that ran all over defenses taking away the run game I was curious to see how Lamar would do he shown he is far less refined as his fellow rookie Qb's in the passing game.

 

[kieran_vale]

For as long as he’s able to front run then is perfectly good but playing from behind he’s clearly been exposed a bit.

Nice throw there for the TD though, first time he’s been able to plant his feet and release one.

Go for the onside kick?

 

[Craig]

Colts then. I can live with that.

 

[kieran_vale]

If the Chiefs can get up early then that should free up the likes of Dee Ford and Justin Houston to go hunting. In that instance I expect them to take care of the Colts easily.

Chargers for the Pats. Really tough matchup and with the early line I’ve seen of the Chargers +4.5 I would jump on that all day. If Melvin Gordon can go and with our porous run defense I can see them going to town on us. Think our secondary is one of the best in the league so can keep Rivers in check but it will be the run where am concerned.

Edit - Nick Foles is the new Eli Manning, as soon as the playoffs come round this guy becomes a killer.

 

[Craig]

IGGLES!!

 

[kieran_vale]

DOINK!! Oh no Cody Parkey. What a game though.

 

[pride_of_notts]

If the Chiefs can get up early then that should free up the likes of Dee Ford and Justin Houston to go hunting. In that instance I expect them to take care of the Colts easily.

The problem with the Chiefs is the defense apart from the Bengals they was the worst I think it will be close but I can see Colts edging it as there defense is more likely to get some stops.

Patriots and Chargers will be interesting Chargers are probably the most balanced team in the Afc but I don't think you can ever dismiss the Pats especially with home field advantage plus Belichick and Brady

 

[kieran_vale]

The Chiefs are very good at rushing the passer in fairness to them, as I say if they get up early and create obvious passing situations that will make a huge difference. One wild card to throw in is Andy Reids game management will need to be on point which he has had issues with in the past.

Pats at home are still a formidable prospect for anyone, only team unbeaten at home all year however the Chargers themselves are 8-1 on the road this year which is pretty exceptional. Way to beat them will be with lots of James White and Rex Burkhead in the passing game, we were able to exploit matchups against their Linebackers doing this last season with some success so would imagine a similar gameplan. Chargers will live and die through Melvin Gordon and also if Ekeler can supplement that also, thats the glaring weakness in the Pats Defense and it won't be changing any time in next few weeks.

As for the NFC I really like this Cowboys and Rams matchup. Can go a number of ways but if I was a Cowboys fan I'd be quietly optimistic.

 

[kieran_vale]

KC have the Colts right where they want them. Two drives each and up 14 in the first quarter. Highly impressive start from Mahomes and the offense. KC defense has done its job so far, tipped every pass attempt from Luck at the line, taking advantage of the one area you'd call a strength of theirs on that side of the ball.

 

[Craig]

I’m very happy.

 

[kieran_vale]

Maybe see you next week Craig (for what it's worth am erring to the Chargers winning tomorrow).

Great effort from KC moreso on the defensive side of the ball where they were a revelation tonight in all honesty. Indy definitely contributed towards their own downfall though, as with Houston last week you can't have that many pre-snap penalties etc and hope to win many games. And as for that taunting penalty after the fourth down stop and also the running into the kicker penalty at the end they deserved to lose for them alone.

 

[Stagat]

That running into the kicker one seemed harsh to me in terms of how much contact there was, i.e. none, but I guess in that situation you should be staying well away and not giving the refs the chance to make a call.

Well done though Chiefs, not reaching the Championship game would have been a travesty after the season they had and I'm pleased for Creg too ofc.

 

[kieran_vale]

That felt like one of the most one-sided one score games I've seen. Rams getting 273 yards on the ground against a very good defense is a phenomenal effort. Dallas never stood a chance against that.

 

[Aberstone]

And with that recovery, that's game. Only Frank Reich could orchestrate a comeback of this magnitude.

 

[kieran_vale]

Have to admit I’m not sure why the Chargers have stuck to their sub-package defense especially when the Pats have largely operated off power runs. Not that am complaining, go hard at them for one more quarter then look at pulling Brady towards the end.

 

[Craig]

Foles is at it again.

 

[Craig]

Saints turning it on now.

 

[Craig]

Foles is at it again.

Comment still works.

 

[JJ1532]

Funny old game isn't it? Last season, the Saints season ended at this stage last season on a horrible miscue right at the end of the game. Fast forward 12 months, and they advance thanks to a horrible mistake by Jeffrey. Fair play to the Eagles, they came back from the dead to make the post season and weren't far away from causing an upset in this game.

Jeffrey catches that ball like he should and it puts them close to the 20 yard line. The way they were moving, I'd have backed them to wind the clock down, run in a TD and then kick the extra point with virtually no time left. Tough loss, but they'll be back.

The final 4 are the deserving teams though. I hope its a Rams v Chiefs Superbowl, as I can't stand Sean Payton and I'm don't want to watch the Pats win it yet again. Plus, I'd love Andy Reid or Sean McVay to win it.

 

[Aberstone]

 

[KevinMcallister]

Football fans I recommend watching qb1 beyond the lights on Netflix

Great documentary following 3 high school qbs entering college

2 seasons so far, 1st season got me following Tate martells Ohio state career after turning down the Texas longhorns which they hate him for

2nd season this justin fields looks a good kid

High school football with 20k crowds wow it really is something else in the US

 

[Craig]

Nervous and excited for Sunday. Defence is stronger going into this than the regular season game and they really stepped up against the Colts but it’s the Pats so I can’t help but get a horrible feeling it’s going to go tits up. That said I’m a naturally pessimistic feller so it maybe take no notice.

You got planned for the game kieran_vale ? I’m off work on Monday and the fridge is stocked.

 

[kieran_vale]

Will just be watching at home Craig, got the morning booked off work though as win or lose will probably be needing a few beers.

This is a game I think you can genuinely make an argument for either team. I think Vegas has the Chiefs at -3 which given they usually give the home team 3 points makes it a virtual pick'em type of game. I expect we will line up almost exclusively in our nickel defense and challenge the Chiefs to beat us with Williams or a lot of dink and dunk type offense rather than the bombs away style Mahomes and co prefer to employ. One cause for optimism for me is Kareem Hunt is obviously not there any more and he has killed us on the ground and in the passing game each time we've played.

Overall I think this may end up a low scoring type game especially given it is expected to be cold and will come down to who can control the line of scrimmage. Key is stopping the Chiefs getting up early, as we saw with Indy when that happens then its game over with that pass rush.

 

[KevinMcallister]

Chiefs will win and mahomes will start off his legacy by winning the super bowl too

 

[KevinMcallister]

I'm gonna watch the draft this year too falcons better work on that defence

 

[Stagat]

Anyone know the story of Maurice Clarett? One of my favourite people right now. Never heard of him until he was on Theo Von's podcast. Very inspiring story though. Love it when people turn their life around like that.

Started listening to a podcast he does now called Business and Biceps. Also good in its own way. There's a 30 for 30 about him too but I've not watched it yet.

 

[kieran_vale]

Am struggling to understand with Sean Payton when you have one of the greatest QB’s of all time in Drew Brees so why would you take him out in place of Hill for a couple of plays. It may be the greatest play design in the world but I would still rather my chances with the ball in Brees hand.

 

[Craig]

Oh yeah this is a championship game alright.

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye been a classic. Saints must be absolutely raging about that non-interference call on their last drive. One of the worst calls I’ve ever seen. Just hope the Pats and KC game doesn’t have any game changing decision like that either way.

Payton’s play calling at times has helped keep the Rams in this it must be said.

 

[Craig]

Enjoy Kieran and I just wanna say any negative comments made in the next few hours are not personal.