National Football League

[SHAD0W93]

A coaching change seens probable. Some of Bowles comments after the 49ers game were bizarre. A touch of denial. maybe from frustration with the results.

Some of the comments have been bizarre after every game. Take him not wanting to call a timeout in the Browns game because he was worried about Brady throwing an interception (when at that time he had 2) and didn’t use a single timeout. Yet if they had more time Brady was putting them in range for a potential game winning field goal but they ran out of time. I don’t remember who said it, ( was either Sharpe, Ryan Clark, or Wright) but defensive head coaches usually play conservative while offensive take risks and I think that describes Bowles. Which is crazy since he loves to blitz!!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I cannot see Jimmy G playing unless he's completely healthy, and Purdy really struggles.

Colt are exactly what the Vikings need to get some of their mojo back.

Today is Watson's big chance to show some of that money he is making as Cleveland takes on Baltimore.

Cold and some snow in Buffalo will do Miami and Tua in. Plus, this is somewhat of a revenge game for the Bills.

 

[Unchained]

This!

I have to keep reminding myself that SEA is so much better this year than I expected, but that doesn't keep me from being frustrated/disappointed.

If the fate of Gino and the Seahawks are directly tied to the offensive line, reason for concern. Because I don't know the game at that level I was literally blown away at the Russell Wilson, Gino Smith events. Looks like Seattle insiders saw something I didn't and ditched Russell like a bucket of smelly prawns in the hot sun..Bosa is certainly better than most but I feel like Smith is not the best under average pressure..
If I got anything extraordinary from the season, if given the chance some unlikely heroes emerge.. Maybe premature to label Purdy a hero but I like the idea of the ultra underdog. I feel like the Rams are a complete do over..wondering if there is much Brady magic left..curious to see if grit of Josh Allen gets it done.. and wondering if Eagles stop soaring..
Don't have good feelings about Chargers.

 

[Oldermanish]

If the fate of Gino and the Seahawks are directly tied to the offensive line, reason for concern. Because I don't know the game at that level I was literally blown away at the Russell Wilson, Gino Smith events. Looks like Seattle insiders saw something I didn't and ditched Russell like a bucket of smelly prawns in the hot sun..Bosa is certainly better than most but I feel like Smith is not the best under average pressure..
If I got anything extraordinary from the season, if given the chance some unlikely heroes emerge.. Maybe premature to label Purdy a hero but I like the idea of the ultra underdog. I feel like the Rams are a complete do over..wondering if there is much Brady magic left..curious to see if grit of Josh Allen gets it done.. and wondering if Eagles stop soaring..
Don't have good feelings about Chargers.

Wilson's lack of "team" chemistry started pretty much after their SB loss. He seemed much more ambitious in a post-NFL player sense; maybe his "positive thinking" had him believing in a stature like Jordan, Brady or that stratosphere. That's a personal opinion at best but the team felt 2nd class and it began to show. Geno started out the season skittish because he had no running game or cohesive OL. That improved and may yet again. SF surrounded him on every pass and he delivered some close-window lasers so he isn't the problem, alone. Fortunately SEA has several 1st round draft picks coming and DL and OL selections are forecast.

Agree on Purdy; love the underdog over any overhyped QB.
The Rams mortgaged everything to win the SB. They will pay for awhile unless stupid money management becomes their model. Stan Kronke has stupid money to burn.
Brady should retire; nothing more to achieve and his marriage is in the rear-view. Enjoy time with the kids while you can.
Josh Allan has a ways to go to redemption but good luck to him if he seeks that.
Hope the Eagles get deep into the playoffs and lose a home game to a hated rival. Their fans deserve that.
Chargers? Hard to tell past the hype there.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Someone must have forgot to tell the Vikings they were playing today!

 

[Unchained]

Someone must have forgot to tell the Vikings they were playing today!

I can't believe the 35 minutes of football I just witnessed.. what a miracle looks like

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Talk about a collapse. A couple thoughts: One, you play to win in this league, that's it. The Colts completely blew it in the 2nd half by playing conservative on offense with too many obvious runs and WR screens, and giving up on the blitz and any press coverage on defense. This whole bend don't break strategy was a spectacular fail, again. However, there had to have been a dozen close, iffy calls that went the Vikings way in the 2nd half. Going along with what we talked about recently how the refs are calling ticky-tacky calls in favor of the losing team in order to keep games closer. I can't make a list, but if you watched the game, there were several. I honestly think this would have been the difference in the game. But the Colts have no one to blame but themselves. They lost it. Period.

I'm so unimpressed by the Vikings, I'll be surprised if they get past the WC round. I don't care if they finish 14-3, I have little faith in them. Even if they get past WC, does anyone really think they can beat Philly or SF?

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Talk about a collapse. A couple thoughts: One, you play to win in this league, that's it. The Colts completely blew it in the 2nd half by playing conservative on offense with too many obvious runs and WR screens, and giving up on the blitz and any press coverage on defense. This whole bend don't break strategy was a spectacular fail, again. However, there had to have been a dozen close, iffy calls that went the Vikings way in the 2nd half. Going along with what we talked about recently how the refs are calling ticky-tacky calls in favor of the losing team in order to keep games closer. I can't make a list, but if you watched the game, there were several. I honestly think this would have been the difference in the game. But the Colts have no one to blame but themselves. They lost it. Period.

I'm so unimpressed by the Vikings, I'll be surprised if they get past the WC round. I don't care if they finish 14-3, I have little faith in them. Even if they get past WC, does anyone really think they can beat Philly or SF?

The Vikings had one fumble return for TD that they didn't even get the turnover on because it was ruled to be blown dead even though you could clearly hear the whistle well after the ball came out. Then they had another fumble return for TD ruled out when the back coughed up the ball on initial contact in a mind-blowing display of ref incompetence. Maybe they were trying to make up for those or maybe it was just more ineptitude

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That might be it. Just referee incompetence. It's hard job, no question, but soooo many questionable calls on key plays this year.

Let me be clear if I wasn't before. The refs didn't give this game to Minnesota, the Colts did.

 

[jmdirt]

Talk about a collapse. A couple thoughts: One, you play to win in this league, that's it. The Colts completely blew it in the 2nd half by playing conservative on offense with too many obvious runs and WR screens, and giving up on the blitz and any press coverage on defense. This whole bend don't break strategy was a spectacular fail, again. However, there had to have been a dozen close, iffy calls that went the Vikings way in the 2nd half. Going along with what we talked about recently how the refs are calling ticky-tacky calls in favor of the losing team in order to keep games closer. I can't make a list, but if you watched the game, there were several. I honestly think this would have been the difference in the game. But the Colts have no one to blame but themselves. They lost it. Period.

I'm so unimpressed by the Vikings, I'll be surprised if they get past the WC round. I don't care if they finish 14-3, I have little faith in them. Even if they get past WC, does anyone really think they can beat Philly or SF?

does anyone really think they can beat Philly or SF?

Yes, they can. You can't get to 11-3 (14-3) by not knowing how to win.

 

[Unchained]

That might be it. Just referee incompetence. It's hard job, no question, but soooo many questionable calls on key plays this year.

Let me be clear if I wasn't before. The refs didn't give this game to Minnesota, the Colts did.

Unless the refs are responsible for missed assignments and missed tackles!!!
This is the 3rd or 4th game in a week have seen officials call roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness ( helmet to helmet) that are clearly not infractions on the replay..
Ridiculous that contact can be made by a 4.5, 40yard 220+ pound defensive player and somehow they are expected to defy gravity, midflight and not land on the quarterback.. A player like *** Butkus or Lawrence Taylor probably can't watch the games wo getting ill..
My TV says that North Texas is playing Boise State..

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Yeah, some of the "roughness" calls are getting hair splitting absurd. There was a call in the 3Q I think when Stefan Gilmore hit Jefferson with his arms and shoulder pads in the body, and was called for unnecessary roughness. Heads didn't touch, nothing like that. Hit wasn't from Zaire Franklin (LB) or Julian Blackman (FS), not Bob Sanders(!), it was Gilmore, a cover specialist CB. What was he supposed to, move out of Jefferson's way so he could catch the ball cleanly, then chase him down and only tackle him by his feet X yards later down the field?

The hit wasn't even that hard. Jefferson was a bit sore, but walked off, and was back a few plays later.

 

[movingtarget]

Miami giving the Bills a game as expected.

Talk about chalk and cheese, could the two earlier games have been more different ? It seems the more the Vikings win, the more questions are asked ! Matt Ryan will have a restless night as will the coach. Everything the Colts did right in the first half, they couldn't execute in the second half. Once Cousins finds his rhythm and best players, the Vikings show how good their offense can be and Dalvin Cook is deadly in the broken field. Wouldn't want to be the one to set the odds for the Vikings in the playoffs They are so hit and miss within every game they play.

Special teams took the day off in the Browns game. Dour sort of game but the Browns run game was better overall and Watson made some timely throws.

 

[movingtarget]

Bills/Miami was very entertaining. Allen made some killer throws on some of those extended plays and his running was a constant problem but he also had some ball security issues again in the second half. Not the result Miami needed but they made the Bills work hard for the win. Miami's run game looked a lot better than the past few games.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That Buffalo-Miami game was one of the best all season! Great play by both teams. Obviously the Bills are now in, but I'm hoping Miami makes the playoffs too, just from how much they put out there tonight. They deserve that shot.

Huge respect to Tua congratulating Josh when the game was over. Both teams left everything on the field.

Buffalo @ Cincinnati on January 2nd may be for all the marbles in the AFC. Mark your calendar.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Thoughts on today's games:

DET@NYJ - Maybe the most interesting game. Can the Jets tough defense slow the Lions down? Goff has a history of not playing well in the cold, but it won't be that cold.

TEN@LAC - The Chargers are playing good, most of the time, relying on Herbert. Titans are struggling, but a win could really help them cement their division.

CIN@TB - The Bengals are simply on a roll, but both teams need to win to gain control of their division.

ATL@NO - This is interesting for two reasons, no one is completely out of the division hunt in the NFC South. Also, Desmond Riddler is their QB, but the mystery of Mariota hangs over the team.

PIT@CAR - Panthers are playing better all the time, and Pickett is out. If the Panthers somehow win out, they will win the division!

NE@LV - Raiders get Waller and Renfro back. Will it matter?

NYG@WAS - These two teams tied two weeks ago, in a game the Commanders really should have won. Will they this time? Winner much more likely to get a WC spot.

The default game where I live is KC and Houston. Uh, who thought anyone would want to watch this? If the Chiefs aren't ahead by double digits and have the game well in hand at halftime, I'll be shocked. Thank goodness this game is in a dome. God forbid we don't have to watch these teams struggle with the Houston weather. A nasty 55 degrees with a 8mph wind. That could really ruin the game.

 

[Unchained]

That Buffalo-Miami game was one of the best all season! Great play by both teams. Obviously the Bills are now in, but I'm hoping Miami makes the playoffs too, just from how much they put out there tonight. They deserve that shot.

Huge respect to Tua congratulating Josh when the game was over. Both teams left everything on the field.

Buffalo @ Cincinnati on January 2nd may be for all the marbles in the AFC. Mark your calendar.

Wow!! all those wishing to eliminate the weather from football certainly would reconsider after watching Dolphins vs Bills..
Just saw Chiefs player drinking what looks like a 40oz Heineken!!! yes a bottle

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Can't believe the Chiefs are behind the Texans in the 4th Q. Turnovers really, and I expect Mahomes to pull this out, but I can't believe how close the game is. Maybe they are drunk?!

Agree on Bills-Dolphins. To me that was the best game of the season. Close, and both teams played great and looked like winners. They looked great even when it started snowing!

 

[SHAD0W93]

Bucs went from playing one of, if not their best half of the season besides the missed field goal to turn the ball over 4 times on their side of the field in the 3rd quarter. An absolute meltdown right now.

Bucs missed field goal, turned over on downs on a fake punt that was fumbled, interception, fumble, fumble, and interception.

You then come down to one or your last drives. And I don’t care if it’s your side of the field, you go for that fourth and 1 the way the game was playing out and try and give your defense a break. If you don’t get it, Bengals can’t run out the clock. To then not use any timeouts to give the defense a break, which ends with Burrow false starting and Bucs getting called leading to a touchdown. And they still can’t convert a two point conversion.

It’s crazy that three of the games the offense has looked good to great in spurts they turned the ball over that lost them the game. Chiefs, Ravens, and now Bengals.

 

[movingtarget]

Detroit wins again while some of the front runners show signs of struggles to get over the line. What to make of the Cowboys ? The Buccs are on the wrong sort of trend and keep making it worse. Denver get another win.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The Raiders-Pats game had the craziest ending I've ever seen. Impossible!

What a zany weekend of twists and turns, flops, comebacks and collapses.

 

[Unchained]

Raiders-Pats it was if I was witnessing a bad dream.. But wait Cowboys game same thing.. and Chargers game same nightmare but a happy ending..
And watching some of the leg speed and power of people in the world cup, my curiosity gets the best of me.. Why are some of those guys not kicking in the NFL...or at the very least for the Kansas City Chiefs!!! disaster..
Tom Brady looking pretty human all the sudden

 

[jmdirt]

Several games this weekend that played out as the tale of two halves.

KC barely pulled out a win over HOU! DAL loses to JAX*! But MIN is the team that doesn't belong?

*JAX is actually a solid team...for next year. I was surprised at how good they look (we never get their games in Idaho, until today).

One good game in cold weather (on heated turf) DOES NOT diminish my assertion.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Several games this weekend that played out as the tale of two halves.

KC barely pulled out a win over HOU! DAL loses to JAX*! But MIN is the team that doesn't belong?

*JAX is actually a solid team...for next year. I was surprised at how good they look (we never get their games in Idaho, until today).

One good game in cold weather (on heated turf) DOES NOT diminish my assertion.

Technically Buffalo and Patriots had an amazing game in the cold and snow before, the only problem is it was one sided.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Of course, Minnesota doesn't belong. 11-3 with a +2 point differential. All season squeak by in close games against mediocre opponents, got obliterated vs PHI and DAL. I haven't watched an NFL game in 15 years and even I know they're not good.