National Football League

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Carolina is streaky and when they loose a game or have issues the problems seem to snowball. It's been that way for that team for awhile now.

So frustrating to watch the Panthers, they've had chances to win every game in the 4th Q over the last 4 weeks but have gone 0-4. Defence has been a huge problem, especially the secondary, and we need a better pass rush. I'm amazed that we still have a chance of the playoffs, not that we have a team anywhere good enough for a long playoff run.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Carolina is streaky and when they loose a game or have issues the problems seem to snowball. It's been that way for that team for awhile now.

So frustrating to watch the Panthers, they've had chances to win every game in the 4th Q over the last 4 weeks but have gone 0-4. Defence has been a huge problem, especially the secondary, and we need a better pass rush. I'm amazed that we still have a chance of the playoffs, not that we have a team anywhere good enough for a long playoff run.

They can definitely be a frustrating team to watch.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

LAC@KC - A rematch of a game earlier this year the Chiefs won. This one is in KC and I'm picking the Chargers. The Chiefs have been winning, but struggling a bit of late with the loss of Hunt, but also teams adapting at least some to Mahomes, and changing weather. The knock on the Chargers is if you watch their games they look like they could beat anybody, but also have a habit of playing down to competition. This cost them their game against the Broncos. Still, I'm going with the Chargers here because they have less injuries, a better defense for sure, and the weather looks to be damp, cold and breezy, which favors a less explosive team, one who can grind things out more. A Charger win gives both teams the same record, but KC will still be in first place due to tiebreaker rules. A Chief win puts them in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

LAC@KC - A rematch of a game earlier this year the Chiefs won. This one is in KC and I'm picking the Chargers. The Chiefs have been winning, but struggling a bit of late with the loss of Hunt, but also teams adapting at least some to Mahomes, and changing weather. The knock on the Chargers is if you watch their games they look like they could beat anybody, but also have a habit of playing down to competition. This cost them their game against the Broncos. Still, I'm going with the Chargers here because they have less injuries, a better defense for sure, and the weather looks to be damp, cold and breezy, which favors a less explosive team, one who can grind things out more. A Charger win gives both teams the same record, but KC will still be in first place due to tiebreaker rules. A Chief win puts them in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

The loss of Hunt can't be underestimated. Only heroics from Mahomes can get Kansas the win I think. The Bears win over the Rams shows that defense still matters.

Pittsburgh have to play the Saints and Patriots. They should beat the Bengals but the Raiders loss could be a costly one.

 

[Nomad]

Re:

LAC@KC - A rematch of a game earlier this year the Chiefs won. This one is in KC and I'm picking the Chargers. The Chiefs have been winning, but struggling a bit of late with the loss of Hunt, but also teams adapting at least some to Mahomes, and changing weather. The knock on the Chargers is if you watch their games they look like they could beat anybody, but also have a habit of playing down to competition. This cost them their game against the Broncos. Still, I'm going with the Chargers here because they have less injuries, a better defense for sure, and the weather looks to be damp, cold and breezy, which favors a less explosive team, one who can grind things out more. A Charger win gives both teams the same record, but KC will still be in first place due to tiebreaker rules. A Chief win puts them in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

The weather actually looks to be pretty decent; clear, dry and mid-30s at kick-off. The injuries for KC look to be concerning. Erving & Ware are listed as doubtful - so if Ware doesn't play they're down to their 3rd string RB. Watkins is out. Hill is listed as questionable but I'm sure he will find a way to play. Gordon is out for the Chargers. Lets see what kind of offensive game plan Reid comes out with. I would imagine we can expect to see some more superhuman throws by Mahomes.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

LAC@KC - A rematch of a game earlier this year the Chiefs won. This one is in KC and I'm picking the Chargers. The Chiefs have been winning, but struggling a bit of late with the loss of Hunt, but also teams adapting at least some to Mahomes, and changing weather. The knock on the Chargers is if you watch their games they look like they could beat anybody, but also have a habit of playing down to competition. This cost them their game against the Broncos. Still, I'm going with the Chargers here because they have less injuries, a better defense for sure, and the weather looks to be damp, cold and breezy, which favors a less explosive team, one who can grind things out more. A Charger win gives both teams the same record, but KC will still be in first place due to tiebreaker rules. A Chief win puts them in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

Yep, whoever wins this will probably probably end up with the best record in the AFC. I'd say the Chiefs will needs this more. They are helped by the good atmosphere and that will be huge in the playoffs. The injuries are mounting and they are going to need all the help they can get.

The Chargers aren't the best in any category, but they are solid. Rivers has seen the Chargers finish with great regular season records only to fall short in the playoffs. In recent years they've struggled to win close games. This year they've been able to see games through. Is this the year they finally put everything together?

I see the Chargers winning this one. 38-28. Yes, a ten point win at Arrowhead...

 

[Archibald]

Re:

LAC@KC - A rematch of a game earlier this year the Chiefs won. This one is in KC and I'm picking the Chargers. The Chiefs have been winning, but struggling a bit of late with the loss of Hunt, but also teams adapting at least some to Mahomes, and changing weather. The knock on the Chargers is if you watch their games they look like they could beat anybody, but also have a habit of playing down to competition. This cost them their game against the Broncos. Still, I'm going with the Chargers here because they have less injuries, a better defense for sure, and the weather looks to be damp, cold and breezy, which favors a less explosive team, one who can grind things out more. A Charger win gives both teams the same record, but KC will still be in first place due to tiebreaker rules. A Chief win puts them in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

good call.
nothing like cutting it to the last minute!

 

[jmdirt]

I really like that the bolts went for the win!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Crazy finish to a tense game. I much preferred this to that high scoring track meet between the Chiefs and Rams. Both of these teams showed some vulnerability, but both also had things that showed they are very good. The Chiefs defense for example held up maybe as good as they have all season. The Charger defense made the stops when they absolutely had to.

 

[Merckx index]

Here's a mind-boggling stat I never would have guessed. Since the year 2000, there have been a little over 2000 NFL games in which one team led by 14 or more points with less than five minutes to go. That team lost the game only 12 times. IOW, with five minutes left, the odds that the Chiefs would lose were < 1%. In fact, there have been 88 such games in the NFL this season, and the Chiefs are the only team that lost in that situation.

The Chiefs still lead the division and are the no. 1 seed, but they have to play a very tough SE team, fighting for a WC, next, then have what should be an easy game vs the Raiders. The Chargers have a tough game against Baltimore, also fighting for a WC, then Denver, which will be eliminated by then, if they aren't already, so may be playing subs. The Patriots, who need to win out and have both KC and the LAC lose one game, have a tough game at Pitt, fighting for the division and maybe WC, then what should be easy games vs. the Jets and Bills.

So next week—game 15 on the schedule—should be a major showdown for the AFC, probably determining both the AFC West winner (and the AFC North winner; the other two divisions have already been settled) and the no. 1 seed. If the Chiefs beat Seattle, they're almost certainly both. If they lose, and the Chargers beat Baltimore, the Chargers are almost certainly both. If both teams lose, and NE beats the Steelers (that game is this Sunday), the Pats are almost certainly the no. 1 seed. And keep your eyes on Houston. They have three fairly easy games left, the Jets, the Eagles and the Jags. If they win out, and the Pats lose to the Steelers, they will move into second place and a bye. I’m not sure whether they could vault past the Chiefs and Chargers if both those teams lose once, I think it would get down to common opponents.

The AFC West situation may revive discussion about whether the seeding rules need to be changed. The Chiefs and the Chargers are tied for the best record in the AFC, yet one of these two teams not only won’t win the division, but will have to play an extra game, and all its PS games, on the road. That’s a huge disadvantage for simply failing at a tie-breaker. There’s also a very good chance they meet in a divisional game. The team that doesn’t win the division will be the first WC, and if they win the WC game, and the home team division winner wins the other WC game, then they will play the no. 1 seed.

So there could be a situation where a team tied for best record in the conference has to play two games on the road, including at the no. 1 seed, just to get into the conference championship game. Not sure that this has ever happened before. A few years ago, the 49ers had the second best record in the NFC, and were a WC, but they didn't have to play the no. 1 seed, Seattle, till the championship game. In 1980, Dallas and Philly tied for best conference record, and had to go all the way down to net points to break the tie, but at least Dallas got to play the WC game at home, and again, they didn't meet Philly till the championship.

 

[Unchained]

Mind boggling for us in San Diego..how the Chargers are kickin' butt...and how there is talk about the Raiders playing here for a year during stadium construction..even as a prank..Ashton Kutcher is behind this I hope..

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Re:

The Chiefs and the Chargers are tied for the best record in the AFC.

Nice detailed analysis there, always like reading your posts, in any forum.

yet one of these two teams not only won’t win the division, but will have to play an extra game, and all its PS games, on the road. That’s a huge disadvantage for simply failing at a tie-breaker.

Not necessarily true, in that they could play against the other WC team and get a home game there. But great post either way.

 

[Koronin]

Wish my dad was still alive to see the Browns this year. I'm glad they are competitive again, just sad that my dad isn't around to see it and be happy. He was a Cleveland sports fan. (What's worse is he died in January the year the Cavs won the NBA title).

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Wish my dad was still alive to see the Browns this year. I'm glad they are competitive again, just sad that my dad isn't around to see it and be happy. He was a Cleveland sports fan. (What's worse is he died in January the year the Cavs won the NBA title).

Well he got to see the Dellavedova heroics the year before ! He is now back at the Cavs and still diving into the crowd this time wiping out one of the Cavs commentators........and playing quite well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Re:

Wish my dad was still alive to see the Browns this year.

Same here. I wish both our dads were here too. :-(

I missed yesterday's picks, and games, but saw the highlights. Great win for the Browns. Considering Hue didn't want to start Mayfield, Chubb, and Callaway too, it's quite possible the Browns would be at least 8-6 now if they played from the start if you look at their schedule. That would put them in first. Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens have them playing so well, motivated and with heart, it makes you wonder how easily it will be for Dorsey and management to not seriously consider them for staying on.

Nice bounce back win for the Texans, who are in a good position heading into season's end.

ARI@ATL - Cards continue grip on top draft pick.
TB@BAL - I'm not sure Jackson is the future QB in Baltimore, but it's not Flacco, as they at least win with Jackson.
DET@BUF - Tough call, two teams with stout defenses. Picked home team in cold weather.
GB@CHI - As resurgent as the Packer offense seemed last week, their OL is banged up, and the Bears top D at home, will prevail.
OAK@CIN - It was tempting to pick the Raiders, who have won 2 of 4 games, and the Benglas are falling, but they are at home, seem more stable than in a bit, and the Raider OL is in bad shape.
DAL@IND - It would not shock me if the Cowboys win here, if they can run the ball well. But I went with the home team, and one of the NFL's best QBs, while few pay attention (except Merxkx ) in Andrew Luck.
WAS@JAX - Washington may not win another game this year and go from 6-3 (with Alex Smith) to finish 6-10. Even as bad as the Jags are...or can be, I'm picking them.
MIA@MIN - This wouldn't surprise me if Miami wins this. The Vikings are better on paper, but Miami seems more focused, and better coached. That win over NE may give them a boost...or a false sense of superiority.
TEN@NYG - The only reason I'm picking the Titans is they are in a tough playoff hunt, and solid across the board. The Giants have a good D, and Barkley may be ROY, but their passing game is iffy, Eli old.
SEA@SF - It was not lost on me that Mullens put up 414 yards on Seattle, in Seattle, a few weeks ago, and only turnovers cost them that game. But I don't see that repeating here, even in SF. But the game should be close.
NE@PIT - Brady has been absurdly good against the Steelers, like, forever, and that likely won't change. The Steelers are at home, Big Ben will play (with cracked ribs, ouch!), but the Patriots are in a fight for the bye, and are likely very focused after blowing last week's game against Miami.

PHI@LAR - Wentz is out for the season, and Foles will step in. Nice to have probably the best back-up QB in the league on your staff, but the Eagles have lots of issues, and the Rams haven't lost two games under McVey yet, and they won't here, at home.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Wish my dad was still alive to see the Browns this year.

Same here. I wish both our dads were here too. :-(

Definitely.

[quote="Koronin":3vcj7fzx]Wish my dad was still alive to see the Browns this year. I'm glad they are competitive again, just sad that my dad isn't around to see it and be happy. He was a Cleveland sports fan. (What's worse is he died in January the year the Cavs won the NBA title).

Well he got to see the Dellavedova heroics the year before ! He is now back at the Cavs and still diving into the crowd this time wiping out one of the Cavs commentators........and playing quite well.[/quote]

Very true. He enjoyed watching the Cavs and like so many Cleveland fans was happy to have a team in contention that had a shot to win.

 

[Koronin]

Very happy (surprised but happy) the Steelers found a way to win.

 

[movingtarget]

Nice upset by the 49ers. Colts was a huge win. I am more convinced than ever that the Patriots run is coming to an end. Great period for them all the same.

 

[BullsFan22]

Terrible officiating in the Hawks-49ers and Pats-Steelers games.

 

[Archibald]

Eagles...
Really looks like the Rams have some issues on both Offense and D... low scoring and other scoring decently against them... Were unstoppable at one point, but now it looks like opponents have worked them out now?

 

[Nomad]

Re:

Nice upset by the 49ers. Colts was a huge win. I am more convinced than ever that the Patriots run is coming to an end. Great period for them all the same.

I agree on the Pats. I'm thinking this is the year of the Bolts in the AFC. Though KC was without Hunt, the Chargers went into Arrowhead the other night and found a way to win (and they did it without Gordon's services).They looked solid on both sides of the ball and 38 yr old Antonio Gates is playing like he's a decade younger. Their playmakers are coming through late in the season. And Rivers looks like he's having a blast out there finally with a solid all-around team (didn't someone post a nice piece on Rivers? MI or maybe Alpe?).

I don't like KC's SB chances anymore with Hunt gone (824 yds rushing on 4.6 yds per carry/7 TDs. 26 receptions for 378 yds (14.5 yds per catch) 7 TDs before his dismissal). You just can't replace that kind of offensive firepower overnight. This puts too much pressure on the Gunslinger to make things happen on practically every play. He's sensational but not Superman.

I think the Bolts win out (BAL, @ DEN) and go 13-3 and either win or tie in the division, and if they make it to the SB, Anthony Lynn is got to be Coach of the Year.

 

[The Hitch]

Re:

Nice upset by the 49ers. Colts was a huge win. I am more convinced than ever that the Patriots run is coming to an end. Great period for them all the same.

Pats have that extremely easy division though. Pretty much any other division in the NFL and the Pats would be fighting for a wildcard, but Brady always gets that luck and they are still favourites for the bye.

I fear that the second seed might actually be better this year due to how good the Chargers are in the 5 seed, so the divisional round could very well look like KC Chargers, Pats Texans. From there you can very easily see the AFC C game being in Foxborough yet again.

A few things have to happen for that, but Murphies Law does say that every year, anything that could happen to aid the Pats, will aid the Pats.

At least there was some small revenge yesterday for that ridiculous game last year, where Jessie James had the TD removed, then in a total fluke on the next play the ball bounced up right into the hands of the Pats player off the helmet, they got the interception, and home field for the playoffs, without which i dont think they make the SB.

 

[jmdirt]

It seems that the high fliers have come back a bit.

RE: Officials: inconsistent.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Agree with all of you guys.

That call late against the Seahawks was highly questionable. The Hawks did themselves in with too many penalties to begin with, but that PI call on Griffin was bad.

Both the Patriots and Steelers looked like they are not the same teams they have been for years. Neither look very efficient, or intimidating in any way. By comparison, the Chiefs, Chargers, Texans and Colts all look like they could beat them on most any Sunday, maybe the Titans or even Ravens too. Also agree the officiating was as sloppy as the play, almost always in tight games late, the refs let questionable plays go. This game they became part of the story too. Never the less, the takeaway is both these teams look they are are on the last run, the downside of a long franchise streak.

It's going to be something if the Chargers end up 13-3 and a wild card. I can definitely see them going to either Pittsburgh or New England and winning, without question.

The Colts looked terrific, and seem to have a formula for winning. They can cover, and get after the QB, this without any real "stars" on defense. They also bend, but don't break against the run and short game. If his receivers would drop the ball less, Luck would look even better than he is, which is already the comeback player of the year, easy.

Really nice win by the Titans to skunk the Giants. That AFC South division is exciting, with the Texans, Colts and Titans all playing well, all fighting for the playoffs, even the division is still up for grabs (if barely).

Agree on the Rams, right now they no longer look like a top team in the NFC, even though they pretty much have a bye locked up. In fact, not only do the Saints and Bears look better overall, it wouldn't surprise me if this Rams team got upset in the first game of the playoffs the way they are playing. Their D should be way, way better than the way they are playing. Way better. Nick Foles didn't even have a great game, but he moved the ball effortlessly and made beating the Rams look easy. Had it not been for some points late, the loss was basically a blowout.

Recommend fans use the ESPN Playoff Machine to predict the last two weeks games, and see who you think will make it.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

 

[The Hitch]

Re:

Agree with all of you guys.

That call late against the Seahawks was highly questionable. The Hawks did themselves in with too many penalties to begin with, but that PI call on Griffin was bad.

Both the Patriots and Steelers looked like they are not the same teams they have been for years. Neither look very efficient, or intimidating in any way. By comparison, the Chiefs, Chargers, Texans and Colts all look like they could beat them on most any Sunday, maybe the Titans or even Ravens too. Also agree the officiating was as sloppy as the play, almost always in tight games late, the refs let questionable plays go. This game they became part of the story too. Never the less, the takeaway is both these teams look they are are on the last run, the downside of a long franchise streak.

It's going to be something if the Chargers end up 13-3 and a wild card. I can definitely see them going to either Pittsburgh or New England and winning, without question.

The Colts looked terrific, and seem to have a formula for winning. They can cover, and get after the QB, this without any real "stars" on defense. They also bend, but don't break against the run and short game. If his receivers would drop the ball less, Luck would look even better than he is, which is already the comeback player of the year, easy.

Really nice win by the Titans to skunk the Giants. That AFC South division is exciting, with the Texans, Colts and Titans all playing well, all fighting for the playoffs, even the division is still up for grabs (if barely).

Agree on the Rams, right now they no longer look like a top team in the NFC, even though they pretty much have a bye locked up. In fact, not only do the Saints and Bears look better overall, it wouldn't surprise me if this Rams team got upset in the first game of the playoffs the way they are playing. Their D should be way, way better than the way they are playing. Way better. Nick Foles didn't even have a great game, but he moved the ball effortlessly and made beating the Rams look easy. Had it not been for some points late, the loss was basically a blowout.

Recommend fans use the ESPN Playoff Machine to predict the last two weeks games, and see who you think will make it.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

You think Texans will hold the 2 seed?

They have to win at Philly next week and then at home to Jags. Lose either one and Pats hold the tiebreaker because they had Texans at home.