American Football

[Stagat]

I just had to auto-draft and see what I got coz I couldn't get to my computer last night. It turned out okay but would have preferred a better (or more proven, maybe a better way to say it) QB than Trev.

Tried to remedy that by proposing trades of Zeke for Allen and Lance for Mahomes. Both got rejected. That last one in particular was ridiculous haha but tbf to me I was quite drunk and in north Wales at the time and didn't remember doing it until I read the email this morning telling me it had been rejected.

 

[kieran_vale]

Season starts tonight. Should be a cakewalk for the Bucs for tonight at least anyway. Dallas offensively have the ability to hang with anyone though missing Zach Martin will hurt and will see how long it takes Dak to recover. That Dallas D still looks horrendous to me though, Micah Parsons can't do it all by himself.

As for the season will go with the following prediction wise

AFCE - Bills
AFCS - Colts
AFCW - KC
AFCN - Browns

Wildcards - Pats / Titans / Broncos

NFCE - WFT
NFCS - Tampa Bay
NFCW - Rams
NFCN - Green Bay

Wildcards - Seahawks / Vikings / 49ers

I think the AFCE in general will be very interesting as you can make a good case for three teams. I just think Miami will fall short. They keep changing OC's at a ridiculous rate and they clearly don't believe in Tua as otherwise they wouldn't keep getting linked with Deshaun Watson (whatever is going on there). The Pats will be strong but it's hard to make the case in his rookie season for Mac leading us back to the top and the Bills have managed to keep hold of everyone they wanted to. Also think the Jets will get at least 1 surprise win over the others in the division and quite probably more so in terms of competition it's the deepest its been.

I will take the Rams to take down KC in the Super Bowl. I just think the addition of Stafford at QB will make the difference as the rest of the team is loaded especially defensively.

 

[Aberstone]

Glad somebody else is also looking at Denver, I think they’re being massively underrated within US media of opening kickoff, that defense alone should get them close to .500, I could see them sneaking a playoff place.

The Ravens have been cursed with the injury bug this off-season, their entire running back room are out for the season as it seems is Marcus Peters alongside long term injuries to Rashod Bateman and LJ Fort.

Looking objectively, 3 of the 4 AFC Divisions are stacked and I’ll still argue that the AFC North is a better division than the NFC West, but that’s for another time. I honestly can’t call the Steelers this year, it’s a bit like last year where the team could easily go 13-4 or 5–12. I know that’s hedging bets but the team will be competitive throughout. I hope it’s the former as I’ve got so many tweets bookmarked that I want to copy Old Takes Exposed into come 2022.

Predictions are as follows:

AFCE - Bills
AFCN - Browns
AFCS - Titans
AFCW - Chiefs
Wildcard - Ravens / Patriots / Dolphins

NFCE - Cowboys
NFCN - Packers
NFCS - Buccaneers
NFCW - Rams
Wildcard - 49ers / Vikings / Saints

The Vikings much like Denver aren’t getting enough love, that defense is stacked with key pieces back and Mike Zimmer always makes the playoffs in odd years.

 

[Aberstone]

So glad football is back tonight. Kyle Brandt predicting the Steelers to win the Super Bowl on GMFB today makes me feel like our season is already jinxed.

KC returning 18 starters this year cannot be understated, with the other three teams in the division suffering from injuries/big losses/mediocrity, they’ll understandably be favourites to go back-to-back.

The NFC is a complete landmine, half of the teams have legitimate Super Bowl ambitions. I’m not sold on New Orleans or Tampa Bay - as a hunch, I’ve got either Minnesota or Seattle winning the NFC.

Saying that, this was my NFC prediction last year so clearly I’ve got form for being overconfident on Minnesota.

Not being sold on Tampa Bay looked good around week 11-12 last year but that looks horrific in hindsight.

 

[kieran_vale]

Looking forward to tonight. KC are obviously big favourites but with no preseason and only limited reps in training camp am expecting the first few rounds of games to be quite messy affairs all round.

AFC wise it’s hard to see past KC and Baltimore. They’re the class of the conference now. After that I think the Titans should repeat winning their division, big question is whether Tannehills run at the end of last year was a fluke or not. All of which leaves the AFC East and I genuinely have no idea who is favoured in that. The Bills a lot of people like with good reason but it is also asking me to put faith in Josh Allen he hasn’t really earned yet. The Pats are looking at a rebuild but no BB led team will ever just give in. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Fins crept on the outside and took it themselves.

NFC I really like the Seahawks and Cowboys. I’m not sold on Tampa either, they got some crazy skill position players but they are about to discover Bradys decline is real and that O-Line is still questionable. Don’t be surprised if Aaron Rodgers has a big FU tour to his front office also this year and guides the Packers deep into the post-season.

For what it's worth I just had a glance at my predictions from last season (above) and I was with you on Tampa and that turned out badly wrong. Add some seriously hot takes on Josh Allen and really liking the Cowboys in the NFC (won't be doing that again) I did get the Aaron Rodgers FU tour right though to be fair given he was league MVP I'm taking that one.

The Steelers I think will be ok. I like the drafting of Najae at RB as that part of the offense last season I think was a large part of why I always felt that 12 game streak at the start was somewhat on shaky foundations. I just wonder how the Steelers go about it with what is a rebuilt O-Line and that's what is making me pause on a wildcard slot for them.

Denver to me it's a surprise not more rate them higher. As you say that D is possibly even the best in the NFL. Offensively they have an excellent receiving corp and Fant is a very good TE. Obvious questions at QB but really all you are asking is like the Pats in some respect for him not to lose you the game with cheap turnovers and while Teddy isn't exactly dynamic he is more than capable of doing that.

 

[kieran_vale]

Think that will be a missed opportunity for Dallas tonight. Missed FG's cost them in the end. I do think they got hosed by the officals on the final drive as that was clear OPI by Godwin pushing off to move Tampa into range.

Dak looked really good though. Few more games like that and he has comeback player of the year nailed down.

 

[pride_of_notts]

My predictions

Afc East- Bills really want to see how our D line performs Epenesa has apparantly been really good in Training camp and Rousseau has flashed in preseason also excited to have Star back so we can move Oliver back to 3 tech on our Offense I think we could be even better with Sanders as no2 receiver on the other I expect Phins to be our biggest challengers Pats for me have a feel of a .500 type of team.

Afc West - Can't see past the Chiefs but I want to see how Herbert for the Chargers comes back year 2

Afc North - Browns for me initially I was leaning towards Ravens but then there Running Back room literally died within a week will be interesting to see Lamar have to throw more.

Afc South- Titans adding Julio there to Brown and Henry they should really exciting to watch


Nfc East - Feel this is the one where all four teams have genuine shot but would lean towards Cowboys as long as Dak can stay healthy.

Nfc West - Seahawks Nfc West has a feel of a blood bath if the teams can stay healthy so it's another that could go in multiple directions


Nfc North - Packers it's hard to see past them thee only one I could see upsetting them would be the Vikings.

Nfc South - Has to be the Bucs especially with Brees retiring though it will be interesting to see how Winston handles the starting role hopefully with a lot less picks.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

AFC North - Browns
AFC East - Patriots
AFC South - Titans
AFC West - Chiefs
Wildcards - Bills, Chargers, Ravens

NFC North - Packers
NFC East - Cowboys
NFC South - Bucs
NFC West - 49ers
Wildcards - Rams, Saints, Washington

Browns over Packers in the Superbowl.

Can't help but feel the Vikings are going to get bitten by the COVID rules at least once in the season, team seems a bit dysfunctional at the moment. If they can't beat the Bengals Sunday they might as well pack up and come back next season.

 

[kieran_vale]

Steelers defensively are great but man this offense just cannot move the ball at all. Just not sure you can make deep playoff runs any more playing that way.

Zach Wilson having a difficult time of it against the Panthers. Seen a few flashes to tell me though he can be good though. Got a hell of an arm just needs to understand when to use it and when to accept a play is dead.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Steelers D line will be nasty again been really hard going getting the offense going been quite impressed with our D line getting a lot more disruption than last year.

 

[kieran_vale]

Based on so far today I think the AFCS could be as bad as last years NFCE. That Titans D is terrible. Cant stop either the run or the pass. Colts probably the best but they’re getting their arses handed to them by Seattle and well we all know what the Jags and Texans are.

 

[kieran_vale]

Sam Darnold revenge game

 

[pride_of_notts]

Both ex Jets to get the TD's.

 

[Stagat]

Nice to see the NFL Fantasy app and website not working on opening Sunday. Just gonna presume I'm doing well.

 

[kieran_vale]

The Bills are coming off as trying to be a little too clever for their own good. That was just a horrible design and was never going to work. Can’t be letting any team hang around in games like this.

 

[Stagat]

Just gonna presume I'm doing well.

Narrator: he isn't

 

[kieran_vale]

Narrator: he isn't

Count me in on that score too.

Should be set up for a nice finish in the Jets game anyway. Losing Becton is going to hurt them a lot though as that looks an IR job.

 

[kieran_vale]

Huge win for the Steelers on the road in Buffalo. Not exactly panic stations for the Bills but there were some bad signs for them offensively starting with play calling.

Adds a little extra intrigue to the Bama Bowl coming up between Mac and Tua.

 

[Stagat]

Huge win for the Steelers on the road in Buffalo. Not exactly panic stations for the Bills but there were some bad signs for them offensively starting with play calling.

Adds a little extra intrigue to the Bama Bowl coming up between Mac and Tua.

Yeah, that was disappointing and kinda wank tbh. Congrats Aberstone. Better team, deserved it.

 

[kieran_vale]

Ok now the Niners and Lions has my interest. What a turnaround.

 

[Stagat]

Count me in on that score too.

Should be set up for a nice finish in the Jets game anyway. Losing Becton is going to hurt them a lot though as that looks an IR job.

I traded Jamarr Chase out for Brandon Aiyuk. Played Aiyuk and left Deebo Samuel on the bench. Chase scored 15, Samuel scored 22. Aiyuk scored 0.

Played Bills D instead of Steelers. Bills D scored 2, Steelers scored 12.

Also left 14-point Godwin on the bench on Thursday.

 

[Aberstone]

Yeah, that was disappointing and kinda wank tbh. Congrats Aberstone. Better team, deserved it.

Rather suspect coaching from the Bills side, pretty much abandoning the run game from the first whistle. Myself and most other Steelers fans were so surprised Cam Sutton stayed around for a cheap 2 year deal as he definitely could have got more on the open market. He’s making that other outside corner spot his own and Jason Pierre is a beast at nickel.

Long story short, the defense is still elite whilst there are question marks on offense and special teams. When was the last time Josh Allen had such a low YPA?

 

[pride_of_notts]

Offense was not there today starting with the O-line holding far to much Allen was not great and the receivers made some bad drops and then there is our inability to run the football lots of problems to correct before week 2.

 

[kieran_vale]

Seems like a really intense encounter between the Browns and KC. Playing like two teams knowing they’ll see each other a second time.

Interesting battle between the Pats and Fins. Largely kept the training wheels on Mac so far but he’s making some nice plays and looks in command pre-snap which is half the battle for us. Tua made some nice throws too but our D has slowly been getting on top of them.

 

[kieran_vale]

Don’t know if we are going to win this game or not but am really encouraged with what have seen from Mac today. He’s got a bit of a stronger arm than people gave him credit for pre-draft.

Just to note as well Miami have done extremely well to get hold of Waddle. He is going to be some player based on today. Add in Fuller at some point they will be a problem.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Jones has the look of being a really good game manager High floor not that high ceiling as long as you don't ask him to do to much with his arm he should be good.

 

[kieran_vale]

Should not have lost that game. Penalties and turnovers cost us which is not very Patriot-like.

On the plus side Mac had a great game, some really good clutch throws on third down. At least this season you get us in third and long there’s a serious threat we can convert. The two TE’s did a nice job also in the second half. Get to see how Mac and Wilson stack up against each other at MetLife next Sunday. I am quietly confident we are going to have a good season though.

Could be worse, could be Aaron Rodgers today.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Yeah some interesting results apart from us Packers and Titans had bad games Also Jags losing to Texans but I get the feeling Meyer is going to be a disaster in the Pros.

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye Meyer is not going to last long. Jags had better just hope he doesn’t completely break Lawrence on the way out. May as well be coaching two different sports such is the difference between college and the NFL.

Speaking of not lasting long somehow I don’t think Bears fans are going to tolerate starting Dalton over Fields more than another couple of weeks. Personally with that Bears O-Line I would hold it off as long as possible as it’ll get someone killed. Stafford looks great though. Him and McVay should be deadly.

 

[pride_of_notts]

O line is looking a lot better early on against Miami also it's nice to see us getting pressure against the QB as well looks like Tua is out after Epenesa hit.