National Football League

[movingtarget]

Rams v Bucs could simply come down to the better QB play. Both teams have injuries and offenses that are struggling. The Rams always struggle against the 49ers in the regular season so that game can be misleading and the Bucs were poor in the second half last week. Both teams have to get it sorted now if they are thinking playoffs still. Slightly favor the Rams.

Hawks should beat the Cards on form but the Cards simply have to put a game together to have a shot. So far they are taking three steps forward and two back in most of their games although they definitely look better with Hopkins back. Hawks in a close one.

Henry is back in ominous form for the Titans but I think the Chiefs have the more complete game at the moment. Should be a good game but Chiefs to win.

A loss by GB to the Lions would be disastrous at this stage.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Rams v Bucs could simply come down to the better QB play. Both teams have injuries and offenses that struggling. The Rams always struggle against the 49ers in the regular season so that game can be misleading and the Bucs were poor in the second half last week. Both teams have to get it sorted now if they are thinking playoffs still. Slightly favor the Rams.

I think it’ll come down to what team runs the best to control the clock, problem for TB as they’re bad running and stopping the run.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Chargers at Falcons may be a game to see who is for real. The Chargers were supposed to be good, but are average. The Falcons were supposed to not be good, but are average (and in 1st place).

I still think Miami is one of the better teams in the league, with Tua, and despite the Bears looking better, I see Miami winning going away.

The Panthers looked surprisingly decent last week, while the Bengals looked sub-average. Which version of which team shows up? Chase still out. Maybe the Panthers new DE will cause some disruption. ;-)

The Lions have very poor defense, and a streaky offense. If the Packers cannot beat them, there's something seriously wrong with the team.

I'm more than confident the Raiders can make Trevor Lawerence look like Peyton Manning, and help Doug Pederson find his SB coaching form and the Jaguar defense shine.

I think the Bills will flatten the Jets. They are in such a good position they moved Poyer from doubtful to out, just to get him the rest he needs. If the Bills get a fully healthy Poyer, plus Tre'Davious White back heading into the playoffs, after all their young DBs get all this experience...

Are the Vikings as good as 6-1? Are the Commanders really a decent team at 4-4? This game is in Washington.

Seattle at Arizona comes down to one thing to me. How well the Seattle defense can control Murray. If they can keep him in the box, keeping him from running for big yards, and force him to pass a lot, I see them winning. I also see a workman like offense from Seattle. Pound and slash with Walker, have Geno thread seams. Rinse. Repeat. Score.

As bad as both the Rams and Bucs are playing, I'll take the Rams here, simply because they have a better defense. Barely. I think.

I still think KC is the 2nd best team in the NFL, and I'll take them over Tennessee. The only exception is if it's deep into the 2nd half, the game is close or the Titans are ahead, and the Chiefs cannot stop Henry. But I can see KC's offense never letting that happen.

 

[movingtarget]

Chargers at Falcons may be a game to see who is for real. The Chargers were supposed to be good, but are average. The Falcons were supposed to not be good, but are average (and in 1st place).

Couldn't believe the Panthers lost that game last week. A ridiculous penalty and two bad kicks is all it took. The Falcons also have their RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson back this week which should make a difference and they already have a good run game.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Huge win for the Jets over Bills to be a half game back for the division lead and to give them confidence.

Miami held on to keep in the hunt for the division and wildcard.

Patriots could run the table. We thought a division from the AFC could take up all the wild card spots, almost no one would pick the AFCE as doing it.

Jaguars with a huge win and much needed over Raiders. Same goes to Bengals.

With the Packers loss and Vikings win the division should be out of reach. A year with Rodgers and Brady struggling and both likely miss the playoffs.

Bucs looking like their usual self with going nowhere rushing the ball, penalties killing big plays, drops, receivers falling down, bad oline play, and Brady rushing the pass. Coaching issues all abound. If they win this game losing 10-6 it’ll be a miracle. Brady has had more completions vs Bucs leading rusher in 5 games.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Seattle looked good, yet again. Another solid team performance. Loved the way Geno calmly rebounded after the pick-six to win the game out.

Jets looked impressive! I'm not saying they showed how to beat the Bills, but they definitely played to their strengths as the game went on. I was surprised how listless Buffalo looked in the 4th quarter.

Uh, I don't know about the Pats running the table, just because they beat Indy, though their D looked good. They play: Jets, @MIN, Buffalo, @Ari, @LV, Cin, MIA, @Buf. The only gimmie there is the Raiders.

Justin Fields ran too much, but he also threw the best he has since coming into the league. I'm impressed, even though Miami did what it took to win.

The fact that the Packers could barely score against the Lions says all one really needs to know.

Pretty amazing comeback by Brady and the Bucs. All the dropped plays, inability to put anything together, all wiped away by one last heroic drive.

Yet another embarrassing, pathetic collapse by the Raiders, just as I predicted. Raiders have blown a lead of 17-plus points in three losses this season. They had five such losses in the first 62 seasons of the franchise combined.

 

[movingtarget]

Saleh seems to have turned the corner with the Jets. Turned off the TV thinking the Rams had the game won ! Two weeks in a row that Allen wasn't at his best for the Bills Dunno what to make of the Raiders. GB look done. Had a feeling they could get beat. Colts not looking good either. Vikings win again. If the 49ers lose next week to the Chargers, the Hawks will have a good shot at winning the NFC West. No one was predicting that at the beginning of the season.

 

[jmdirt]

SEA with another win!

BUF?!

MIN is being overlooked, but I think that they are enjoying that.

The night game was entertaining, but 'strange'.

Seven six win teams below PHI and MIN.

 

[Nomad]

Weiterleitungshinweis

No mercy for Reich despite going to the playoffs 2 out of his 5 seasons. 2020 was playoffs (one & done), last year 9-8 & only 3 wins at this point of the season. Can't say he didn't try by bringing on Matt Ryan, who looks like he should call it a career & retire.

Jeff Saturday at the helm? I guess it's so bad they're now going to start plucking former players from the media. Lol.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Turned off the TV thinking the Rams had the game won !

I thought the game was over after Miller had the ball bounce off his face. The game came down to a quarterback being great at the end vs running the ball considering TB was their usual self. Crazy if true about Fournette being upset about touches considering he’s been terrible running the ball. They had a stat showing how often the team runs on first down and how they get barely any yards or lose them. Having more completions than rushing yards in 5 games tells it all, especially when they do try establishing the run before abandoning it. Though at least play action is still barely alive and they won off the same play of Gronk’s first touchdown in the SB on the opposite side.

After watching the GB vs DT game compared to reading what’s happening it looked like it’d be the usual GB vs NFCN rival games of GB giving the game away but the other team not sealing the deal. Their season should be over and there’s even the personalities saying GB should have traded Rodgers! Honestly a complete mess.

Chiefs made the better adjustments against the Titans who could only run the ball. The Titans played hard but with no passing game and barely any yards gained in the second half due to stopping the run the Chiefs win was inevitable but occurred from Mahomes putting the team on his back with those runs.

I think the Ravens should grind out a win tonight against the Saints.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Jeff Saturday, zero coaching experience at the NFL or college level. Wow. Time to clean house in Indy. I think the bitter taste from first Wentz, then Ryan, was something Irsay just couldn't get out of his mouth. The Colts originally wanted Josh McDaniels. As a Raider fan, I'd be happy to trade him for Reich about now.

As I noted before, this coming off-season looks like a very good year for QBs in the draft. The Raiders are on track to finish between 2-15 and 5-12. The obviously rebuilding Texans, and now the Indianapolis Tanks will be in that hunt as well. At least, I don't think the Raiders are so stupid they'll extend Carr to $40m a year, but maybe they are.

Agree on last night's game. It was just better coaching as the game adapted too. It's almost like Reid lured the Texans into a trap by letting them run, some. But when it got late, and into OT, they put 8 men in the box and dared them to pass, which the Texans couldn't. Mahomes still looks like an MVP. They also look like they could lose a playoff game if they can't play a full game on offense instead of relying on him to save them with his legs, and arm.

I watched the condensed version of the Packers-Lions and the game wasn't quite as bad as the numbers looked. I still like the Lions quick strike offense, but they struggle to string plays together during a drive. I thought it was interesting seeing Rodgers, who normally likes things controlled like a surgeon, compelled to take risks. He threw 3 int's, which just never happens (one was tipped), but he also improvised some very impressive throws. Not saying the Packers are any good, but they didn't look like a disaster and the game was competitive. However, it may have been the right time to trade Rodgers in the off-season, the way Seattle did with Wilson. I don't know how much longer he'll play, and I can't see them righting the ship by season's end.

Really like Dan Campbell as the Lions coach. I know they are only 2-6, but they are playing with a lot of passion, and he isn't afraid to show it. I don't know how much their roster will change in the off-season, if they'll keep Goff (far worse QBs than him out there), but I see them contending in the years to come if ownership gives Campbell (and GM Brad Holmes) time.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Really like Dan Campbell as the Lions coach. I know they are only 2-6, but they are playing with a lot of passion, and he isn't afraid to show it. I don't know how much their roster will change in the off-season, if they'll keep Goff (far worse QBs than him out there), but I see them contending in the years to come if ownership gives Campbell (and GM Brad Holmes) time.

Yeah I really liked him as the Dolphins interim HC and wish they went with him over Gase.

 

[Oldermanish]

New Orleans made it very easy for Lamar and Co. to make some mistakes and still dominate. Meanwhile Andy couldn't seem to pass higher than 8' and probably set a record for passes deflected by 300lb, 36 year old defenders that have no vertical leap.
Baltimore and Lamar are still one of my favorite teams to go the distance. It'd be great if our broadcast market gave us more exposure but I'm investing money in outdoor Winter sports this year, rather than Covid TV.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I too have liked the Ravens since before the season. They are just a couple plays from being 8-1. On any given Sunday I could see them knocking off either Buffalo or KC. Any game between these will be close. And I still like Miami's playoff chances too, if they stay healthy. Not to look too far ahead.

Dalton looks almost as bad as Derek Carr. I thought Winston was healthy enough to play last week? It makes me wonder what their plan for the season is?

 

[movingtarget]

Saints just another team with a limited offense. Dalton made some good throws but not when it counted especially on third downs. The Saints remind me of Denver. A good defense that always seems to have QB issues but even the defense wasn't too good this time and to think that the Ravens had two RBs missing and still ran easily. The Ravens simply have to put it together at the end of the season which they have struggled to do in the past few seasons. Giving up on plays because you think the opposition stepped over the sideline is not a good look either. They just handed the Saints 7 points on that play. The Ravens have to convert that field position, Way too many 3 pointers which should have been 7. No wonder Harbaugh looked grumpy even with the game never in doubt. If Matt Ryan looks done then Dalton is looking like a natural back up and will probably keep drifting from team to team as long as he wants to play.

As for the Colts they have pretty much cried uncle on the season by signing Jeff Saturday and will hope to get a good QB from the draft. You knew as soon as they signed Wentz there would be trouble ahead and then they signed Ryan who was already looking like a shadow of his former self ! So its either the draft which is supposed to be good one for QBs or they go short term again and try someone like Jimmy G and they also need to find a quality coach.

Can't see the Raiders offering Carr a lucrative long term contract but the Colts probably would !

 

[BullsFan22]

Seahawks on a role. I like their chances against the Bucs. If they win, and the Chargers beat the Niners, they are gonna be sitting pretty at 7-3 and the rest of the division below .500

 

[SHAD0W93]

Seahawks on a role. I like their chances against the Bucs. If they win, and the Chargers beat the Niners, they are gonna be sitting pretty at 7-3 and the rest of the division below .500

What sucks the most for SEA is they have a bigger time change than Bucs but their defense has been playing well. It should be a defensive game.

 

[jmdirt]

RE: Jeff Saturday- I think that everyone is looking at it differently than the colts (good or bad). They are bringing Jeff in to be a director/locker room builder. Now, that would have made more sense prior to dumping the OC, but Jeff's role will be to build attitudes and let the other coaches do their thing.

Who else is going to come in and make a huge impact? No one, so go with a guy who can hopefully build some good energy in the building.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Bills fear Josh Allen suffered elbow injury in loss to Jets: report | Fox News

Jets defensive end Bryce Huff hit Allen's forearm as he tried to throw ball on Bills' final drive

www.foxnews.com

If Allen is inured that can open the door even more for Jets or Dolphins to take the division considering they’re half a game up. Imagine on January 8th there are three teams playing for the division.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Looking at the Bills schedule, they play the Vikings, Browns, @Detroit, @NE, Jets. How many of those games can Case Keenum win if Allen needs to rest? Keenum is very good at quick reads, distributing the ball, and marching offenses down field. He doesn't have Allen's arm, or deep field accuracy. He's good, but with a fairly weak running game, I'm not sure how far he could lead them?

If Allen needs surgery on the UCL, that's basically Tommy John surgery, and he'd be out the rest of the year. The irony is people who have this surgery almost always come back with an even stronger arm. Could you imagine..?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

As to Seattle. I think they can definitely beat TB, and agree it will mostly be a defensive battle.

I am petty confident in the 49ers beating the Chargers.

Both teams have a mixed schedule remaining, and the December 15 night game in Seattle looks key. But while Seattle's schedule is a little easier before that game, the 49ers schedule gets easier after it.

I think the Colts are in a decent position, honestly, with Saturday just there to build bonds. If it turns out that Sam Ehlinger looks like he could be a good starting QB, then next draft they can look for badly needed upgrades at tackle.

I'm wondering if teams will truly tank to get CJ Stoud, Will Levis, Bryce Young, etc.? It seems fairly obvious Houston, Tennessee, maybe Carolina (Matt Corrall?), probably Las Vegas, and possibly Detroit, will be looking for a new QB in the draft, or maybe in FA.

I should note, I really do think the NFL is slowly moving towards more mobile QBs. I don't necessarily mean someone who really can run like Hurts, Jackson, Fields. I mean someone who can extend plays, move very well within a pocket and broken pocket, gain several yards running if needed, and likely run an RPO, but still throw the ball and throw it well with a strong arm. Both Mahomes and Allen fit within this. One could argue this really started years ago, guys like Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, heck, go back to Steve Young or Fran Tarkenton if you like. But a real turning moment was RGIII's rookie year. He ran the RPO perfect, had a strong, accurate arm, and could run, fast. Too bad his career basically ended after 1 amazing year. Lamar and Mahomes just cemented things. Turning QB and OC coaching, planning, scheming, for the QB position on its side, and away from the three step drop, statue pocket QB. This is why Bryce Young, who is shorter than Mayfield, Wilson, etc. will get drafted very high. Even CJ Stoud, who is more of a drop back passer with a great arm, still moves all over the place in or out of the pocket as needed. But just look at the other guys coming out, Levis, Hooker, etc. They all pass well, and have great feet.

 

[movingtarget]

Bills fear Josh Allen suffered elbow injury in loss to Jets: report | Fox News

Jets defensive end Bryce Huff hit Allen's forearm as he tried to throw ball on Bills' final drive

www.foxnews.com

If Allen is inured that can open the door even more for Jets or Dolphins to take the division considering they’re half a game up. Imagine on January 8th there are three teams playing for the division.

How quickly an NFL season can change..........

 

[Nomad]

I should note, I really do think the NFL is slowly moving towards more mobile QBs. I don't necessarily mean someone who really can run like Hurts, Jackson, Fields. I mean someone who can extend plays, move very well within a pocket and broken pocket, gain several yards running if needed, and likely run an RPO, but still throw the ball and throw it well with a strong arm. Both Mahomes and Allen fit within this. One could argue this really started years ago, guys like Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, heck, go back to Steve Young or Fran Tarkenton if you like. But a real turning moment was RGIII's rookie year. He ran the RPO perfect, had a strong, accurate arm, and could run, fast. Too bad his career basically ended after 1 amazing year. Lamar and Mahomes just cemented things. Turning QB and OC coaching, planning, scheming, for the QB position on its side, and away from the three step drop, statue pocket QB. This is why Bryce Young, who is shorter than Mayfield, Wilson, etc. will get drafted very high. Even CJ Stoud, who is more of a drop back passer with a great arm, still moves all over the place in or out of the pocket as needed. But just look at the other guys coming out, Levis, Hooker, etc. They all pass well, and have great feet.

The NFL has always had their fair share of mobile quarterbacks through the decades. You don't think Elway wasn't mobile back in the earlier part of his career? The guy could flat out scramble & run plus that cannon of an arm - the strongest in the NFL at that time. Josh Allen is a clone of Elway. They're basically the same size, speed, arm strength & it's uncanny how Allen's style of play is so similar to Elway's. Good mention on Tarkenton & Young - plus Aikman was very mobile (he ran the wishbone for the 2 yrs he was at Oklahoma before transferring to UCLA). Brees, Rivers & Favre were all mobile and scrambled a lot in the earlier years of their careers. And there's many more we could list over the years.

What's changed is the "dual-threat" QB that started about 25 yrs ago in the college ranks. A QB with a strong arm & ability to pass - and a QB with blazing speed who could run like a RB (QBs coming out of HS are either classified as "dual-threat" or "pro-style" - see the Rivals ranking system for HS recruiting profiles). These new generation of QBs could beat you with their arm or their feet (both Mahomes & Allen were listed as dual-threats coming out of HS). And in comes the RPO spread that almost every college is running with their dual-threat QBs. Some of these dual-threats were running & passing machines. I'm still in awe that Lamar Jackson ran for over 4,000 freaking yds & 50 TDs & passed for over 12,000 yds in just 3 seasons at Louisville! And Murray had a 1,000 yd rushing season & passed for over 4,300 yds with 42 TDs in the same season at Oklahoma for over 5,300 yds in total O! That's insane! Mariota ran for over 2,200 yds & 29 TDs & passed for over 10,000 yds & 105 TDs in just 3 seasons at Oregon!

I think the dual-threat QB is changing the game in the NFL if coaches let them run an offense similar to what they ran in college. That's the best way to utilize their talent & skill set. These guys aren't pocket passers & they never were from the time they played middle-school ball. Let them do what comes natural to them & encourage them to slide & run out of bounds more often to avoid being hit all the time. These QBs are game changers & can single handedly change the dynamics of any game. Look at what Hurts is doing in Philly! - a pure dual-threat QB able to effectively run & pass from an RPO type offense. And we saw the Gunslinger pass the snot out of the ball & lead the team in rushing with 2 TDs in beating Tennessee. He was a one-man wrecking crew! If that wasn't exciting to watch then I don't know what was.

 

[Nomad]

Elway recreating the iconic "helicopter" move on the 25th anniversary of SB 32:

View: https://youtu.be/jnVBUtG6n80

 

[Oldermanish]

Looking at the Bills schedule, they play the Vikings, Browns, @Detroit, @NE, Jets. How many of those games can Case Keenum win if Allen needs to rest? Keenum is very good at quick reads, distributing the ball, and marching offenses down field. He doesn't have Allen's arm, or deep field accuracy. He's good, but with a fairly weak running game, I'm not sure how far he could lead them?

If Allen needs surgery on the UCL, that's basically Tommy John surgery, and he'd be out the rest of the year. The irony is people who have this surgery almost always come back with an even stronger arm. Could you imagine..?

They can probably afford to lose two with the AFCs pending playoff teams. Take that as a loss to the Vikings and then maybe Jets. I'd rest him and concede the Vikings if there's any hope. That'd be tough for long-suffering Bills fans.

By comparison 3 of 4 NFC Division leaders can afford a short term hiccup or even to rest folks as they get towards the playoffs. No way in the AFC except maybe KC.