Fall NFL Thread

[Coup]

Re: The NFL Thread

Wow at the Eagles and Patriots game last Sunday. I knew all you had to do is give Brady one good square sack then you have a chance .

The Pack lost, but the Cowboys better hope they don't meet a healthy Pack team in the playoffs...

 

[Gold Knight]

Re: The NFL Thread

About to watch the Ravens-Patriots game tonight. Somehow I get the feeling, though, that the Patriots are going come out guns a-blazing, just because of all the "speculation" that they're actually beatable. So, good luck to the Ravens. I certainly don't want to see the Pats go 16-0 since I'm not a fan of them at all (even though their offense is a beauty to behold, cheating or not.)

As for my Titans, they seem to be finally getting back on track. It's been a bad November for them - at one point they seemed to even lose the heart that's defined them throughout Fisher's coaching tenure - but it seems like they're back with that win over the Texans. Vince Young is finally showing some improvement in the passing game. I think that's helped him finally get some good runs off, as well. I've never been overly impressed with LenDale White though. I think Chris Brown is the better running back by far. With Al Haynesworth back, though, I'm hoping they do a better job from now on defensively, though they have a really tough schedule ahead of them - Chargers, Chiefs, Jets, and the Colts.

The Colts seem to have the division well in hand though, having beaten the Jaguars twice. So about all the Titans have to look forward to is just getting into the playoffs, and they're in a chase with the Browns right now for one of the final wild card spots.

Though I have to admit, I'd feel sorry for the Browns if they didn't make it. They've had a magical year and they have a fun team to watch. They probably should have won that game against the Cardinals. I'm not so sure that Winslow Jr. wouldn't have had that touchdown catch at the end if he hadn't been forced out of bounds - that's something that needs to become reviewable in the future for sure.

The Browns do have a better chance than the Titans to make the playoffs though. They have to play the Jets, Bills, Bengals, and 49ers in their final four games. They might even win the AFC North, if the Steelers slip up a bit. The Steelers have the Patriots next week to play as well, and after that they have to play what will probably be a pissed Jaguars team. Then the resurgent Rams and whatever's left of the Ravens.

I feel pretty bad for Miami right now. They might end up being the first team to go 0-16 and I wouldn't wish that on any team, much less a team with such a stored history as the Dolphins.

At this point, the only way the Dolphins can feel good at all about themselves is if they actually beat the Patriots. Wouldn't that be funny.

As for the NFC - I have to say the Minnesota Vikings look great lately and they might actually surprise a team or two in the playoffs, if they get in - and at this point, they seem like the best bet to make it (Detroit has lost their last four games and nobody is probably going to feel confident about the Cardinals' chances.)

The NFL is getting a bit more exciting with all the wild card chases, but it's still considerably more boring than college football had been this past year - everybody knows it's probably going to end up Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, and Packers right at the end.

 

[Coup]

Re: The NFL Thread

I feel pretty bad for Miami right now. They might end up being the first team to go 0-16 and I wouldn't wish that on any team, much less a team with such a stored history as the Dolphins.

At this point, the only way the Dolphins can feel good at all about themselves is if they actually beat the Patriots. Wouldn't that be funny.

Miami won't the first team to go 0-16, Tampa has that record already. I have to admit that I kinda do want Miami to go 0-16 just to say that I experienced it in my era.

Quite a Monday night game it was. I was skeptical about the Ravens being able to subdue the Pats offense but their D did show up. The game was pretty similar to last week's game against the Eagles. Ravens got a bit greedy when they were getting into the redzone in the 4th quarter which resulted in a turn over(what a surprise). They should have atleast came out there with a field goal. And talk about my heart skipping a beat of that last throw of the game... Geez! Just about 2 yards. I was really hoping for that upset. Oh well though, hopefully the steelers will surprise everyone.

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

Yeah....I'm kind of wiped out by that game still, so I don't feel like discussing it anymore.

 

[MadDog]

Re: The NFL Thread

it's more like Sportcenter was being melodramtic in this case. They've gone way down since they were bought by Disney a while back.

I like the Titans this week if Haynesworth is playing. Plus San Diego is not so good on the road. But, I'm not sure they make the playoffs. I like Detroit getting 10 at home vs. Dallas too. And if the Ravens play the Colts the same as the Pats, they could have a shot, but I think they probably drained themselves last week. Who knows...

Anyway, I'll say the Pats/Steelers game is 50/50. They Pats haven't been great against the run, and fast Willie Parker is probably in store for a big game (if he can hold on to the ball). Plus, Roethlesberger is probably the third best QB in the game behind Brady and Manning, and you can bet he won't make any bad decisions like Feely or Boller. Their new coach is pretty good too. Polamalu and Santonio Holmes are banged up, but will probably play. I'm not sure it's worth getting those guys hurt more and losing them for the playoffs though, since this game doesn't have playoff implications, I don't beleive.

Miami really screwed themselves by messing up in the draft over the past 4-6 years. They basically don't have anybody from those drafts, which is why they're terrible now.

Oh, and Gold Knight was correct about Miami possibly being the first team to go 0-16. Tampa Bay was actually 0-14 in '76 since the season was shorter back then, not that it really matters all that much.

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

it's more like Sportcenter was being melodramtic in this case. They've gone way down since they were bought by Disney a while back.

ESPN sucks. But it's a necessary evil, since there's nowhere else on TV to get constant sports coverage.

I like the Titans this week if Haynesworth is playing. Plus San Diego is not so good on the road. But, I'm not sure they make the playoffs. I like Detroit getting 10 at home vs. Dallas too. And if the Ravens play the Colts the same as the Pats, they could have a shot, but I think they probably drained themselves last week. Who knows...

It all comes down to the gameplan for the Ravens. We looked great against the Pats, but the Colts are a different team. What we did against the Pats may not be whats needed to beat the Colts.

Anyway, I'll say the Pats/Steelers game is 50/50. They Pats haven't been great against the run, and fast Willie Parker is probably in store for a big game (if he can hold on to the ball). Plus, Roethlesberger is probably the third best QB in the game behind Brady and Manning, and you can bet he won't make any bad decisions like Feely or Boller. Their new coach is pretty good too. Polamalu and Santonio Holmes are banged up, but will probably play. I'm not sure it's worth getting those guys hurt more and losing them for the playoffs though, since this game doesn't have playoff implications, I don't beleive.

Hmmm. I have an iffy feeling about this game being close at all. I think the Steeler's offense will be able to do considerable damage against their defense, but I think Roethlesberger is still mistake-prone. Much more so than Manning and Brady. That's why the Steelers are still a predominately run-first team.

I think the defense might have problems agains the Pats offense though. The reason I say this is I don't think Pittburgh's defense has the size and strength to punish the the Pat's receivers at the line of scrimmage. That's what Baltimore did last week, and it worked for 59 minutes. Baltimore has a big, strong defensive backfield that isn't afraid to get physical. Aside from Polamalu, the Pittsburgh DBs are forgettable. Baltimore has four Pro-Bowl level DBs in McCallister, Reed, Landry, and Rolle. I think Polamalu will be used much more as a blitzer than a deep coverage guy (like he usually is) and that may leave them vulnerable deep.

It should be a great game though.

 

[MadDog]

Re: The NFL Thread

Good point about Ravens gameplanning for the Colts being different from the schemes they came up with for the Pats. I was thinking more of the level of intensity they came with, which was impressive. I haven't watched all their games this year, so I'm not sure if that's what they bring every game, but it seemed like all the hype surrounding the Pats, and playing a home game on Monday night had those guys on another level. The emotion definetly helped out, but also led to some unecessary penatlites during the game, especially towards the end.

The Ravens could knock the Pats receivers around from scrimmage for most of the game since they had the guys to do it and it's effective. What's kind of ironic is that I beleive the league actually changed the rules about this a few years back since the Pats used to do this heavily. Teams like the Colts were not too happy about it. This strategy works because the refs can't/won't call penatlies on every play, and it taxes the receivers.

Yeah, Roethelesberger isn't in the same class as Brady/Manning, but he's pretty solid and is having one of his best years. He numbers are decent 25 tds (with 11 picks). He's also lacking the caliber of receivers that either the Pats or Colts have (when everyone is healthy). Holmes and Ward are having good years, but you're right in that fast Willie Parker is their primary weopon (which is probably whey he's second in the league in rushing attempts). But Ward can makes some big plays and burn you too. Heath Miller is a solid weopon at TE too. Rothlesberger can handle big game pressure (having won a superbowl) and he's much more dangerous than either of the last two QB's they've played.

The Pats D is hurting, no question. With Colvin out, the Pats have an aging core of LBs who are being asked to handle more of the load. But, I don't think the Steelers will be able to put up more than 24 on the scoreboard. No question that Parker & Davenport will play well, but the Pats were able to better defend against the Ravens running attack late in the game, so I think Belichick will be able to make the necessary adjustments when it matters. They had too many gaps last week, which I don't think will happen again since they know what the problem is, and have focussed on fixing it.

Overall, they're not terrible against the run (well, maybe lately) being sixth in the NFL for fewest rushing yards allowed per game (92.8). Actually, this is kind of misleading since they give up around 4.5 yards a run. Also, they've gone up big early on a number of teams, which forced them to try and play catch-up by throwing the ball. They are kind of weak at safety too (Brandon Meriweather, when he gets in there, does not know what's going on at all).

It looks as if Polamalu is out for the game, according to most reports, so that could open things up. The offensive line (Matt Light in particular) have had a few issues lately, so Brady will probably get hit a few times. But, they still give him plenty of time for the most part. The running game (or lack of) is a different story. It'll be interesting. Can't wait for the game.

 

[gdupninja]

Re: The NFL Thread

YES, Yes, yay the Dolphins finally won a game! In overtime we beat the Ravens! Yes we actually won a game! Chelo Lemon actually threw a touchdown pass. YAY!

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

LOL. Yeah, here's to a crap season between both of them gdup.

Your team ruined the fantasy scenario of an unbeaten team and a winless team meeting in this late of the season though.

It's Cleo Lemon btw.

 

[Coup]

Re: The NFL Thread

Yup! They won... Anyone seen the owner of the Dolphins crying for that one win? I was like wow, can't blame him though. I was hoping the Dolphins would win against the Pats. Come on think about that... Unbelievable right? Heh.

Dallas lost. Now 12-2 with us. Jessica Simpson a bad Omen anyone?

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

Yup! They won... Anyone seen the owner of the Dolphins crying for that one win? I was like wow, can't blame him though. I was hoping the Dolphins would win against the Pats. Come on think about that... Unbelievable right? Heh.

Dallas lost. Now 12-2 with us. Jessica Simpson a bad Omen anyone?

Yeah I thought that was kind of lame to be honest. The celebration was a bit too much, jumping on the backs of some of the Ravens team members. Show some class, act like you've been there before for pete's sake.

I don't buy into that ESPN peddled garbage. It's merely a coincidence IMO. Know one would be saying it if the cameraman didn't focus on her every two minutes. It's all hype.

 

[Gold Knight]

Re: The NFL Thread

I think the reason the Miami players went crazy was because they HADN'T been there before all year, heh! And they probably were starting to think that they never would be. I think it's all easily forgiven either way, considering their circumstances. Their owner was even considering selling the team out of embarrassment!

Actually Jessica Simpson was at two other games that the Cowboys won anyways, they really did make too big a case out of that. -_- Give more credit to the Eagles' defense, geez. By the way, I think the Eagles are definitely the best team out of all the teams that WON'T be going to the playoffs. Too bad for them...

 

[MadDog]

Re: The NFL Thread

The Cowboys fans are nuts to complain about Jessica Simpson. If her sister was singing at halftime or something, then I'd understand, but good lord is she fun to look at. The Eagles always play well against the Cowboys too.

Anyway, I think Pittsuburgh just lost Fast Willie Parker for the playoffs, which they seem to be a lock for. Najeh Davenport is a pretty good backup, but that's going to be tough for them.

Also, good for the Tuna, going to Miami for a couple of years. He's in a good situation since they couldn't possibly get any worse. They'll probably be a decent team a few years down the road, once he's helped them rebuild and then moved on.

 

[Gold Knight]

Re: The NFL Thread

I wouldn't call it a lock for the Steelers just yet, although they do have a better chance than the Titans at this point (since the Titans have to play the Colts in their last game). Still, nothing's guaranteed until the Steelers beat the Ravens.

Not sure about Miami being a better place than Atlanta for Bill Parcells. At least he had a better nucleus of young players in Atlanta than he'll have in Miami. But either way it'll be a challenge, and I suppose he does know the divison, having been a Patriots and Jets coach

 

[MadDog]

Re: The NFL Thread

I probably did jump the gun a bit with the Steelers being a lock. My gut tells me they'll get in there though. They can actually clinch the AFC North this week if either the Bengals beat the Browns, or the Jets beat the Titans, but I seriously doubt either will happen.

The Titans should beat the Jets this week and will make things interesting vs. the Colts in week 17. They came close to beating them in week 2, plus the Colts may decide to limit the playing time for some of their starters to give them some extra rest.

Yeah, Parcells would have had more talent to work with in Atlanta, no question. I'm guessing he probably didn't want to deal with the lingering effects of the Vick scandal. He may have also decided that, from a non-football standpoint, Miami was the place to be if he's going to go back to work for a few more years. Don't remember if he got more money, which is another motivating factor.

 

[Gold Knight]

Re: The NFL Thread

Well, the Browns surprisingly lost, and the Steelers did clinch their division as a result.

Titans control their destiny now, be interesting to see what happens...

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

Well, the Browns surprisingly lost, and the Steelers did clinch their division as a result.

Titans control their destiny now, be interesting to see what happens...

It looks like Manning, Clark, and Addai won't be playing much, if at all in week 17. The Titans have a better chance at getting in to that 6th seed than the Browns do at this point...and I love it. Browns fans are some of the most obnoxious people around, and their team never does anything to warrant their arrogance. They've never won a Super Bowl, and haven't won a division since 1989, yet every year they get pounded by the Steelers, Ravens, and even Bengals. They happen to have a good offense this year, but that defense is pitiful.

 

[MadDog]

Re: The NFL Thread

They're saying that Marvin Harrison has been practicing, and could be available for limited play on Sunday. Dungy also said that if Harrison does play, he might keep Manning in the game longer so they can work on their timing. Looks like Albert Haynesworth is gong to play too, which will definetly help the Titans.

The Browns basically need the Titans to lose in order to get into the playoffs. It doesn't even matter if they win their own game against the 49ers. There's also a scenario where the Browns can get in if there is a TIE, but it's kind of rediculous (there's been 16 tie's in nearly 8,000 games...not that anyone cares). I know I've never seen or heard of a Tie game. Anyone else?

The team that gets me nervous going into the playoffs is Jacksonville. They've won 6 out of their last 7, with their only loss coming in a close game against Indy. (they've actually lost to Indy twice this year) Fred Taylor has been tearing it up, and they'll go up against either the Stealers or Chargers in the first round - both of which they've already beaten this year. That doesn't mean they'll definetly win, but shows they can match up well. It's crazy to think they didn't have on pro-bowl player this year.

 

[xi0]

Re: The NFL Thread

Having no Pro-Bowlers just means that their more team-oriented; everyone does their part. It doesn't help that their a small-market team either.

You're right, regardless of what the Browns do against the 49ers, the Titans win and they're in. If they lose, the Browns are in.

I think a game resulting in a tie hasn't happened since the 2002 season or something. It was a game involving the Raiders...I think...I'm going on pure memory here.

 

[Gold Knight]

Re: The NFL Thread

I vaguely remember watching that game, I think it was a Steelers game.

Anyway, yes the Colts do seem like they're going to play all out for three quarters at least, so it depends on if the Titans can keep up with them until then. If they can, then they have the fourth quarter to themselves.

I'm not too worried about Jacksonville. They weren't able to beat Indianapolis and they lost to Tennessee as well. They only beat the Titans in the second game because the Titans happened to be missing Al Haynesworth in that game and we had absolutely no rush defense.

---

Aha, it was a Steelers-Falcons game.