American Football

[Ciderhead]

Carolina would be my dark horses now they've got a running game going. Newton blowing so hot and cold holds them back but I'd fancy him to turn it on should they make the playoffs, and when he does they're hard to stop. That defence is as good as anybody

 

[.V.]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1719715411408473

 

[Aberstone]

So close. Nick that and we were right back in the hunt with Rodgers potentially coming back earlier than expected. How was that helmet shot on Hundley not called at the end?! Difference between a 1st on the 35 and a 2nd on the 15 was huge at that stage.

Feel like Jones and Williams are going to be a very solid running duo in the foreseeable future. With King and Josh Jones as well showing flashes it doesn't look a bad draft class.

Steelers ought to be contenders easily but they make a lot of basic mistakes. As improved as we were first half especially we were given a big helping hand by dropped catches, inopportune penalties and just basic busts in coverage on their part.

At least all those bitching about it being primetime ahead of Saints Rams weren't disappointed

Because the refs love the Steelers...

Swings and roundabouts really because whilst TJ Watt's shot should have been called, Artie Burns was called for an awful hands to the face penalty when they were nowhere near. No call there and the Packers punt on 4th and 12 on their opening drive. Cam Heyward was also being held repeatedly on the Packers drive in the 4th quarter to tie it up at 28.

Eli Rogers has regressed terribly from last year, now granted he's gone down the pecking order with MB's reinstatement and JuJu balling but there were a couple of unforgivable drops which killed drives.

As for our secondary, my thoughts on Mike Mitchell have been known for a long time - can't tackle, can't cover and regularly misses his assignments. Artie Burns is a bust too, 2nd year in so should have the fundamentals of coverage locked down but once again like in the Colts game, we're playing zone coverage and he goes walkabout leading to a TD on a blown coverage.

Packers right side of the offensive line looked good and I liked Jamaal Williams' no nonsense north south running style. Blake Martinez had a solid game at MLB too.

 

[Posh Hammer]

Carolina would be my dark horses now they've got a running game going. Newton blowing so hot and cold holds them back but I'd fancy him to turn it on should they make the playoffs, and when he does they're hard to stop. That defence is as good as anybody

They might be in form but can you realistically see them getting to the play offs as potential 5th seeds where they would look at a run of games of potentially @Rams, @Vikings, @Eagles, vs Patriots.

I could maybe see them winning at the Rams providing they stop their running game, but I don't see anyone going to the Vikings and winning.

 

[Ciderhead]

They might be in form but can you realistically see them getting to the play offs as potential 5th seeds where they would look at a run of games of potentially @Rams, @Vikings, @Eagles, vs Patriots.

I could maybe see them winning at the Rams providing they stop their running game, but I don't see anyone going to the Vikings and winning.

Wouldn't put money on it, but I do think they're flying under the radar.

And tied for the division, one win back from Minnesota who still have to travel to Charlotte (and Atlanta), far from beyond question they'll gain home advantage. Fancy them to beat the Saints next week.

Can't really see past the Eagles tho

 

[Ciderhead]

Wow just looking at the schedule though are there some good games coming up in the NFC these next 2 weeks!

Vikings @ Falcons
Panthers @ Saints
Eagles @ Seahawks

Followed by:

Saints @ Falcons
Vikings @ Panthers
Eagles @ Rams

 

[kieran_vale]

Eli benched by the Giants. I don’t really understand the thinking on this given the QB he’s been benched for is Geno Smith. If it was a chance to see what he’s got I could follow it but we know what Geno can do as there is extensive film on him from his time with the Jets. I wouldn’t be surprised though if Eli is playing elsewhere next season. Maybe Denver.

 

[Anon]

Agreed on if you're benching Eli, it should be for Webb not Smith.

I dunno, Eli's not been the only issue there by far but I don't think it's a given that in a new and better team suddenly we see one of his decent seasons again. Maybe some team will pay him for a season for that chance, but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

[pride_of_notts]

Maybe the Chargers could do a swap for Eli..

But honestly i am not convinced it's a wise decision whoever they have won't change the Giants are simply a bad team this year

 

[RavenBish]

They're clearly intent on binning Eli so they're just playing for a high draft pick to get his replacement now.

 

[Aberstone]

Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo sticking one big middle finger up to the Giants before they get fired. Does anybody know if Davis Webb has had any first team snaps in practice? Just thinking that this could be another Nathan Peterman scenario behind that O-Line and his confidence would be shot so makes sense not to start him just yet.

 

[Anon]

Only thing I'd read on Webb was him only ever practising with the 3rd stringers, which tells you all you need to know about their opinion of him compared to Geno.

Everyone is seemingly chucking McAdoo under the bus but in reality they've largely drafted badly for years now and from the quotes from Mara, seems like the benching of Eli was ok'd by Reese and allowed by Mara (rightly or wrongly on his part since it can be argued ownership involved in personnel decisions is a slippery slope).

Cleanse of the house in NY come summer methinks.

 

[RavenBish]

pledging my allegiance to whichever team drafts Baker Mayfield

 

[.V.]

Why did I start Cousins over Alex Smith? Smith has more points in under 5 minutes today than Cousins accrued in a full game against the Cowboys.

 

[kieran_vale]

Very poor from Gronk doing what can only be described as a people’s elbow on that Buffalo player. Granted he clearly got frustrated that he is constantly being held every game and never gets a call but no need for that. Wouldn’t surprise me if the league try and make an example of him for that. At least a fine coming his way.

 

[Aberstone]

Definitely a two game suspension for that hit on Tre'Davious White.

 

[kieran_vale]

I wouldn't put it past the NFL. Should have Hogan back for another flea-flicker for that game and possibly Malcolm Mitchell back off IR. Assuming we beat Miami next week though I believe the Pats will go to Pittsburgh on the verge of setting a new NFL record for consecutive road wins.

AFC West is proving to be a fascinating battle. Chargers look pretty well placed in light of KC's recent slump but Cleveland currently giving them all they can handle.

 

[Anon]

Watson and Robinson's injuries finally took their toll.

I'm the only 7-6 team to miss out on the proper playoffs . Can I ask that for next season teams that are tied are separated on points scored? Much fairer than a completely arbitrary h2h record.

 

[Stagat]

Watson and Robinson's injuries finally took their toll.

I'm the only 7-6 team to miss out on the proper playoffs . Can I ask that for next season teams that are tied are separated on points scored? Much fairer than a completely arbitrary h2h record.

I'd also make it so not everyone makes the playoffs. 1-4 in the proper one, 5-8 in the consolation one. Last couple of weeks have been uninteresting for me coz I knew I'd be in the consolation. If I had to make 8th get in then there'd have been a bit more excitement to it.

 

[Aberstone]

So are we pretending last night didn't happen then?

JuJu and George Iloka were always going to be suspended. Ryan Shazier out for any considerable time is absolutely disastrous for the defense and hopefully the news is as positive as what I've seen this evening, no other linebacker can stuff the run like he can.

Banged up team on a short week against the Ravens next Sunday night. Just need to repeat the successful plan earlier on in the season in Baltimore - feed Bell and Conner and absolutely dominate time of possession.

 

[kieran_vale]

Seems the NFL are being consistent at least giving them two a game ban the same as Gronk. Juju may have got away with it I feel if he hadn't then gone and taunted Burfict afterwards.

Good comeback from the Steelers to win it but far from convincing performance again on the road from them. Wins a win though.

 

[Anon]

For once it seems like the latest round of suspensions were about right. Jujus hit was hard but fine, but yeah he got it for the taunting more than anything else, and rightly so.

Yeah I'm still not convinced by Steelers either. Can easily see Patriots coasting to the SB again.

 

[Renegade]

Gronk's was far more dangerous, should have been multiple weeks. White was lying on the ground, if his head was planted Gronk could have broken his neck. Mental reaction to being held.

 

[JJ1532]

Good game to watch last night. 2 good teams really going for it in a wide open division. Both QBs made some questionable decisions though. Ryan intercepted 3 times, Brees with no situational awareness to run backwards into a sack and then gave up the game deciding pick on a 2nd and 10. Such an odd choice. There was no need to force it in that position, could have run a couple more plays and then if they come up short, go for the field goal. They had enough time. The throw was just terrible though, nowhere near enough elevation on it. There have been signs this year that Brees is starting to show his age a little bit.

 

[kieran_vale]

This Bills and Colts game is fantastic. About time we had a good old fashioned snow game

 

[TomPNE94]

Fuck is going on with fantasy? How has Kev got in the playoffs with a 3-10 record?

 

[kieran_vale]

It's the consolation bracket. Got a wildcard round in it so top two in both the Championship and the other one have a bye week. Just as well my team are on the bye week as not exactly a prolific score this week.

Jags looking incredibly good. Have to admit I'm more wary of them than the Steelers. Also say the same of the Chargers and Ravens. Them three defences are as good as you'll get.

 

[TomPNE94]

It's the consolation bracket. Got a wildcard round in it so top two in both the Championship and the other one have a bye week. Just as well my team are on the bye week as not exactly a prolific score this week.

Jags looking incredibly good. Have to admit I'm more wary of them than the Steelers. Also say the same of the Chargers and Ravens. Them three defences are as good as you'll get.

Annoyingly this has probably been my highest scoring week!

 

[Ciderhead]

Looks like Wentz is out for the season. Brutal

 

[JJ1532]

Injuries have been terrible this season, tet another star player done for the year. Their season is going to essentially end like the Raiders did with Carr last season and the Texans did with Watson this year right?