American Football

[Craig]

Ok forgot about the draft like a pillock, which one of you jokers took Mahomes?

 

[kieran_vale]

Not me, I took Herbert. He's my new Gronk I overdraft every year.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Some interesting results didn't have the Browns holding Burrow to 82 yards

 

[kieran_vale]

Can add that to the list of gutsy Pats efforts but just fall short when the play was needed to be made to win the game. Our Defense was exceptional against a Philly Offense that for my money is the best in the NFL in terms of how they can attack you. Mac played well after being rattled a bit after the pick 6 but then hit a rhythm and made some beautiful throws.

My very early take is the NFC Championship will be the Niners (who just destroyed Pittsburgh) and Philly and the Super Bowl winner will come from either of them health permitting.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Yeah was impressed with the Pats but kind of expected it playing against young QB's with BB he tends to do well against young QB's as he takes away what they do best but I think the Pats offense is a work in progress after the disaster last year.

 

[kieran_vale]

To a degree that’s right about young QB’s but there’ve been some like Burrow and Tua who’ve bucked that trend. Also what was more encouraging is we have struggled against mobile QB’s before but this time managed to keep him in check. Did notice with Hurts though contrary to the usual thinking of try to keep these sort of QB’s in the pocket it’s the opposite with him and throwing on the run seems to be a real weakness of his, that might be an issue if other teams scheme accordingly. Offensively it’s going to take time to undo the damage BB did with that decision last season.

Cowboys absolutely rinsed the Giants in the SNF game. Not quite sure if it’s that the Cowboys are that good or just the Giants are terrible (I get the feeling they’re kinda stuck now with Daniel Jones).

 

[kieran_vale]

Never like to see anyone get injured but if there is a more J-E-T-S thing ever after all that hype then Rodgers going down on the their opening drive is probably up there. Doesn’t sound promising for him though can never tell straight away the actual severity. Always fancied the Bills anyway but this should be a cakewalk for them now.

 

[Stagat]

Always fancied the Bills anyway but this should be a cakewalk for them now.

It's been putrid! If Rodgers didn't go down we'd have got smashed. As it stands (13-6 with 5 minutes to go) we still might lose.

edit: 13-12 as I type, about to be 13-13

 

[kieran_vale]

DOINK and in, bit lucky but they all count.

Been a nightmare of a game for Josh Allen. Not just the turnovers but some of the decision making like trying a diving leap forward when he was about 10 yards short of the first down marker. Just got to to try and get out of there any way they can in OT.

 

[Stagat]

Jesus, FG in off the post to go to OT

 

[Stagat]

Fucking hell

 

[kieran_vale]

Crazy ending though the play should have been called back for a blatant tripping penalty. Not sure whether it’s the effect of not having Daboll any more but Allen didn’t seem right at all. Might just be the Jets being very good defensively but with that result and Rodgers apparently now done for the season tonight’s real winner is maybe Miami.

 

[Stagat]

Crazy ending though the play should have been called back for a blatant tripping penalty.

Probably so but I don't think the Bills can complain too much about one call in the context of the whole game. That ain't why they lost. Your QB turning the ball over four times is kinda why. And headscratching stuff like trying to run up the middle on 2nd and 15 (I think) in OT.

Not jumping to conclusions after one game but with the second half of last season too, summat ain't been right with the Bills and Allen for a while now tbh.

 

[kieran_vale]

Probably so but I don't think the Bills can complain too much about one call in the context of the whole game. That ain't why they lost. Your QB turning the ball over four times is kinda why. And headscratching stuff like trying to run up the middle on 2nd and 15 (I think) in OT.

Not jumping to conclusions after one game but with the second half of last season too, summat ain't been right with the Bills and Allen for a while now tbh.

Aye it’s too early to read too much into things at this stage. Week 1 very few teams are firing on all cylinders. It’s more just been a weird vibe with the Bills for a while with the whole Steffon Diggs thing etc. For my money you’re still the best in the division and that will show out in the end. I know some are loving the Fins after their win in LA but I kinda think am I meant to be impressed by beating the Chargers who always flatter to deceive?

 

[pride_of_notts]

Hopefully today Allen won't have such a bad game as against the Jets going on the 1st quarter he is looking after the football better

 

[kieran_vale]

I think Allen just needs to keep it simple. Minimise stuff like trying to leap over the defender or at least keep it to when it’s a TD or first down opportunity. Seem like the Bills are running the ball pretty well from what have seen on red zone.

Herbert is playing really nicely at the moment. It’s just a shame for him his career is being wasted having Brandon Staley as his HC.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Yeah I would agree there one of Allen biggest issues he lets frustration get into his play which was very evident against the Jets which lead to some really dumb picks

 

[kieran_vale]

Think you can attribute some of it to coaching. Think Allen was a fair bit more controlled when he had Daboll as OC. On the other side of the ball Matt Milano is having a hell of a season so far.

This Chargers team is annoying me and I don’t even support them. How can they allow this constant under performing to continue? There’s an argument Staley should have gone after gagging that lead in the playoffs last season.

 

[kieran_vale]

That Daniel Jones contract is looking worse by the second. One thing to do this against Dallas but this is the Cards

 

[pride_of_notts]

Think you can attribute some of it to coaching. Think Allen was a fair bit more controlled when he had Daboll as OC. On the other side of the ball Matt Milano is having a hell of a season so far.

This Chargers team is annoying me and I don’t even support them. How can they allow this constant under performing to continue? There’s an argument Staley should have gone after gagging that lead in the playoffs last season.

Yeah I would agree Daboll is a better coach than Dorsey especially with regards to Allen On Milano I agree is one of the best Linebackers in the league but will get little credit being an off the ball Linebacker.

 

[.V.]

ITV not using the US feed again, FFS!

 

[Stagat]

Loving this scoreline. Hating seeing Tre White like that.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Yeah sucks with Tre he was looking back to his old self but the Defense looks massively different with Mcdermott calling it. On the offense it is really refreshing having an actual run game with Cook

 

[kieran_vale]

Well I’ve resisted this feeling despite toying with it for a while but it’s time for Belichick to move aside. That was an absolute disgrace today. His blind spot to Offense has been known about for a while but today really brought it home. I think the best thing to do is tank and get either Caleb or Marvin Harrison Jr.

 

[pride_of_notts]

I think you have a point there Offense has changed massively in the last few years don't think the Patriot system has kept up especially with the number of gunslingers like Allen, Mahomes etc but also I don't think Patriots will be bad enough to be in a position to take Caleb or Harrison personally I think it will be interesting to see what you guy do in 2024 but it would be entertaining to see Belichick followed around by the Hard Knocks cameras.

 

[Stagat]

Pretty rubbish showing by us in London but kudos to the Pats for cheering me up a bit with that scoreline.

 

[kieran_vale]

Pretty rubbish showing by us in London but kudos to the Pats for cheering me up a bit with that scoreline.

Anyway I’m looking forward to the words “with the first pick in the draft the New England Patriots select…”. It’s about all can cling to. Thought the Bills were pretty ordinary today, little run game to speak of and defensively I think losing Milano is a bit of a nut punch. Good news in a few weeks you get us twice so can add to the win column there.

 

[Stagat]

Anyway I’m looking forward to the words “with the first pick in the draft the New England Patriots select…”. It’s about all can cling to. Thought the Bills were pretty ordinary today, little run game to speak of and defensively I think losing Milano is a bit of a nut punch. Good news in a few weeks you get us twice so can add to the win column there.

Yeh, losing Milano is awful. I thought losing White last week was bad enough... Today was the same feeling again, if not worse.

Did you go today btw mate?

 

[kieran_vale]

Yeh, losing Milano is awful. I thought losing White last week was bad enough... Today was the same feeling again, if not worse.

Did you go today btw mate?

I did mate, found myself surrounded pretty much by Bills Mafia (many of whom seemingly had traveled over from Buffalo). Was good fun, certainly in terms of the London games it felt the most authentic NFL style atmosphere there’s been there.

One team who have impressed me almost every week has been the Cardinals. I’ll be honest I thought they were tanking but credit where it’s due they’re giving bloody noses to a lot of very good teams. Dobbs keeps this up can see Kyler on the trade block if he isn’t already.

 

[Stagat]

kieran_vale seeing the Pats at LV right now reminded me you were going over and hoping this would line up with your trip. Has it? Or have you been and come back already? Did you get to another game if so?