National Football League

[jmdirt]

I don't see Nix being drafted over Maye or Williams. He has more starts, more throws, but he's not quite as nimble, and doesn't quite have the arm those guys do. He's not a noodle arm, and does get rid of it quick, but not at their level. Well know more in April when everyone is analyzed to death.

I was just using him as an example, I could have used any of the top QBs for next years draft.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

On paper the Cowboys should beat Seattle. They are at home, have a better record, better numbers in general, are fairly healthy.

But as I said before there's a hidden stat: The Cowboys have not beaten a team with a winning record . In fact, they have struggled against all decent teams. Seattle has beat two good teams (Detroit and Cleveland - feels weird typing that ) they are also fighting for a playoff spot more than Dallas is. My belief is in close games Dak doesn't handle pressure well, but Seattle's pass rush isn't so great. To me Jamal Adams is still playing around 90%, almost always limited in practice. He's played okay, several tackles. But in the past we would see him sent more on safety blitzes, and he'd be getting to the QB and disrupting plays often. This is one game where they could use the "old" Adams.

This game could be telling for both teams, as both have tough games remaining. The winner here could come out with needed momentum heading into the most important time of the season.

In some other good news, the NFL is flexing a MNF game. On Week 15 instead of seeing the Chiefs flatten the Patriots, that game has been canceled with the Chiefs given a win by default (just kidding, it's moved back to Sunday), and MNF is Philly and Seattle. I'm not sure if all ticket holders will love this, but I say hooray!

 

[Nomad]

Sean Payton deserves huge credit here. Russ some too. If you watch closely he's not as fleet of foot as he was in Seattle. And some throws are still errant. He also isn't throwing deep with the same accuracy as a few years ago. But they have drawn up enough plays and called the right plays, to where he's moving enough and finding 2nd and 3rd guys open. If last year, and at the start of this season, people (including me) were thinking Russ had fallen off a cliff, losing 50% of his ability, now it looks like he's only lost maybe 10%, and Payton and the Broncos have found a way to mitigate that very well. Also, don't forget, the Patriots are FLUSH with cash to spend on FA next year, and beyond.

Good points, but let's also credit the Denver D as a big factor in this turnaround. Vance Joseph, since that 70 pt debacle in Miami, has miraculously turned this D from laughable to respectable.

And the production he's getting from his players is incredible. Alex Singleton, an undrafted journeyman LB that played with 5 teams in the last 8 seasons (including a stint in the CFL), is playing like an All-Pro! He leads the team in tackles (110) and, in fact, is top-10 in that category (he's a bargain blowout with only a 3 yr/18 mil contract.).

LB Nik Bonitto, 2nd round pick from OK, leads the team in sacks & TFL! (he started off the season 2nd string but later moved in the starting role when Randy Gregory was benched for poor performance & subsequently traded to SF). Josey Jewell, probably the slowest starting LB in the league (4.79), but with some of the best angles, is 2nd in tackles & #1 in FF. Baron Browning (3rd rd pick Ohio St) is a starter & has been making some big hits including knocking out Thompson-Robinson out of the game. Edge rusher Zach Allen (acquired from Arizona) is 2nd in sacks & TFL!

The secondary has really stepped it up matching well with the top receivers in the league. Surtain II, All-Pro, is playing solid. Simmons is leading the team in picks (3). And get a load of undrafted PJ Locke, who started the year on the practice squad, is now starting - and making some big plays!

The defense has been forcing turnovers at an impressive rate - not seen since the glory days of the Von Miller lead defenses. And they've been spared the injury bug with Kareen Jackson the only one out - though due to the 4-game targeting suspension.

 

[Nomad]

In some other good news, the NFL is flexing a MNF game. On Week 15 instead of seeing the Chiefs flatten the Patriots, that game has been canceled with the Chiefs given a win by default (just kidding, it's moved back to Sunday), and MNF is Philly and Seattle. I'm not sure if all ticket holders will love this, but I say hooray!

Curious, is this the first time the league has flexed a Monday Nighter?

 

[movingtarget]

Last time I saw Flacco play he still had the arm but he was moving like a puppet.................when he could move..........very important game for Seattle and the Cowboys. For the Cowboys re any possibility of the top seed and for Seattle to make the playoffs,, already two wins behind the 49ers. A win for the 49ers this week is the worst result for Seattle, they would probably like to see Green Bay lose as well. Jags have crept up the standings without many people noticing while Detroit have been getting all the media attention albeit with a bad loss last week. Wheels seem to have fallen off the Saints. Raiders needed an upset in one of their recent games to stay in the hunt while not playing badly. The slow start hurt them while Denver's slow start has turned into a run of wins. Eagles win this week will just about wrap up the 1 seed in the NFC.

 

[movingtarget]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V-7AqJcmAE&pp=ygULdm9ubiBtaWxsZXI%3D

 

[SHAD0W93]

Gosh how many times does the Seahawks have to score at the end of the half before they give it to them. I thought the flag was on them for a second.

Really good game so far.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I thought I was watching a Steelers home game. Cowboys escape with the shootout win while Seahawks have the bad loss and potential back breaker for the wildcard. Both offenses played well but Seahawks seemed to run out of gas at the end. Finally a good to great Thursday game.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Got a little ugly at times, and some calls arguably went against Seattle, but the game was back and forth close. I worry at this point about Seattle making the playoffs looking at their schedule. As to Dallas, I still have a hard time believing in them winning a playoff game, unless come wild card time they go to Atlanta, or New Orleans, which is possible.

I think Florio is right. Damn sad story. I mentioned some posts ago that when I was watching Miller play he has lost a step going back to 2021 (recall he tore his ACL in the middle of last year). The story is extra sad also in that every time I've seen Miller interviewed he seemed like a good guy, like a big kid at times. The Bills already lost Tre White for the season. Dane Jackson is on IR, as is Daquan Jones and Matt Milano who is probably out for the year as well. Both starting CBs out, best LB out, EDGE/LB out, DT out. Miller or no Miller I don't see how the Bills can even get to the playoffs.

 

[movingtarget]

Got a little ugly at times, and some calls arguably went against Seattle, but the game was back and forth close. I worry at this point about Seattle making the playoffs looking at their schedule. As to Dallas, I still have a hard time believing in them winning a playoff game, unless come wild card time they go to Atlanta, or New Orleans, which is possible.

I think Florio is right. Damn sad story. I mentioned some posts ago that when I was watching Miller play he has lost a step going back to 2021 (recall he tore his ACL in the middle of last year). The story is extra sad also in that every time I've seen Miller interviewed he seemed like a good guy, like a big kid at times. The Bills already lost Tre White for the season. Dane Jackson is on IR, as is Daquan Jones and Matt Milano who is probably out for the year as well. Both starting CBs out, best LB out, EDGE/LB out, DT out. Miller or no Miller I don't see how the Bills can even get to the playoffs.

Yes a nightmare season for the Bills so far sort of like the 49ers in 2020 with record injuries after going to the SB the year before.

 

[movingtarget]

Good Thursday night games have been rare but this one was entertaining. Much better game for Geno and Metcalf after the 49ers beat down. 19 penalties in the game. Dak played well as did Lamb and Pollard. Parsons made a couple of timely plays. Cowboys will be cheering for the 49ers to beat the Eagles. Seattle in limbo re the playoffs and have to face the 49ers again next week, albeit with some extra rest at least.

Next Gen stat of the game: DK Metcalf reached a top speed of 22.23 mph on his 73-yard TD reception, the fastest speed by a ball carrier since Week 2, 2020 (Raheem Mostert, 23.09 mph).

NFL Research: Thursday was just the fifth game in NFL history with zero combined punts. The other four: Eagles-Chiefs 2021, Saints-Packers 2014, Bears-Packers 2014 and Bills-49ers 1992.

 

[jmdirt]

I'm not even sure what to type...

SEA finally got their offense clicking with 35 points, but the defense gave up 41 points.
130 penalty yards! Granted DAL had almost that many too.

I'll hold off on griping about officiating because I'm already cranky due to an icy/snow/bad drivers commute.

 

[Unchained]

I'm not even sure what to type...

SEA finally got their offense clicking with 35 points, but the defense gave up 41 points.
130 penalty yards! Granted DAL had almost that many too.

I'll hold off on griping about officiating because I'm already cranky due to an icy/snow/bad drivers commute.

May I suggest typing...
Great football game
Exciting
Geno born again!!!

Both teams fought hard..enjoyed the game regardless of outcome..
I can see that if things keep going this way the playoffs are an absolute crap shoot

 

[SHAD0W93]

While an extreme amount, the only time I felt like the penalties were bad was on Cowboys drive that was sustained by multiple penalties. Otherwise refs were just calling it on everything.

 

[Nomad]

Next Gen stat of the game: DK Metcalf reached a top speed of 22.23 mph on his 73-yard TD reception, the fastest speed by a ball carrier since Week 2, 2020 (Raheem Mostert, 23.09 mph).

That's alien for a 6'4" 235 lb Megatron reciever. At the combine though a little lighter at 228 lbs, he smoked a 4.33 & a 40.5 vertical! Either alien genetics...or something else.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Only commenting on a few games. This is the time of year when weather starts to factor in.

LAC@NE - Looks like Zappe is set to go for NE. If the Chargers lose this game Staley may be canned. Cold, wet weather may help NE.
DET@NO - This game could be telling. Will the Saints be competitive? Goff has turned the ball over a surprising amount. At least compared to late last year. He's playing like Derek Carr of late...almost.
ATL@NYJ - Last week's game has Falcons believing. Jets will have a hard time scoring. Constant rain forecast.
DEN@HOU - Intriguing game between two contending teams. I expect Payton to throw an awful lot at CJ.
CAR@TB - First game without Reich. But TB is a better team in almost every facet.
CLE@LAR - Joe Flacco starting for Browns. He had one good game last year...actually, it looks like he's had one good game in the last 6 years. This shows you how desperate the Browns are. Rams still streaky, but playing well.
SF@PHI - I don't know why this isn't the flex game. Rematch of NFC Championship. Both teams superb, I like SF's chances here.

KC@GB - This is the flex game, for some reason. GB is playing better, but this looks like another game that KC struggles at times, but does enough going away to win by a TD or so.

CIN@JAX - If the Jaguars didn't look as good as they have, I'd label this a trap game. Bengals still have a good D, Browning has been better than expected at QB, and no one thinks they have a chance.

 

[jmdirt]

While an extreme amount, the only time I felt like the penalties were bad was on Cowboys drive that was sustained by multiple penalties. Otherwise refs were just calling it on everything.

BUT, the 'when' of calls is critical.

 

[movingtarget]

Only commenting on a few games. This is the time of year when weather starts to factor in.

LAC@NE - Looks like Zappe is set to go for NE. If the Chargers lose this game Staley may be canned. Cold, wet weather may help NE.
DET@NO - This game could be telling. Will the Saints be competitive? Goff has turned the ball over a surprising amount. At least compared to late last year. He's playing like Derek Carr of late...almost.
ATL@NYJ - Last week's game has Falcons believing. Jets will have a hard time scoring. Constant rain forecast.
DEN@HOU - Intriguing game between two contending teams. I expect Payton to throw an awful lot at CJ.
CAR@TB - First game without Reich. But TB is a better team in almost every facet.
CLE@LAR - Joe Flacco starting for Browns. He had one good game last year...actually, it looks like he's had one good game in the last 6 years. This shows you how desperate the Browns are. Rams still streaky, but playing well.
SF@PHI - I don't know why this isn't the flex game. Rematch of NFC Championship. Both teams superb, I like SF's chances here.

KC@GB - This is the flex game, for some reason. GB is playing better, but this looks like another game that KC struggles at times, but does enough going away to win by a TD or so.

CIN@JAX - If the Jaguars didn't look as good as they have, I'd label this a trap game. Bengals still have a good D, Browning has been better than expected at QB, and no one thinks they have a chance.

Interesting that more media is picking SF than the Eagles who keep finding ways to win and have the home game which they haven't lost at for ages. Yes the Eagles opposition in the past month have had opportunities to put the games away but couldn't. Many are also assuming that the 49ers have more to play for and will be more motivated re the sourness of the NFC loss last season and how they lost. Could be one of the games of the season. Hope the weather stays mild although rain is predicted.

Denver/Houston should be good one also. Chargers are so inconsistent that anything could happen in their game against a pedestrian Patriots team.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think it's another reason is that SF, when healthy, pounded out Jax, Sea, Dallas. Three good teams.

BUT, the 'when' of calls is critical.

Seattle's pass defense, Geno being average in the clutch, lost them the game against Dallas more than anything. Too many flags, and one too many against Seattle, was only one tiny piece of a bigger problem they had.

 

[jmdirt]

I think it's another reason is that SF, when healthy, pounded out Jax, Sea, Dallas. Three good teams.

Seattle's pass defense, Geno being average in the clutch, lost them the game against Dallas more than anything. Too many flags, and one too many against Seattle, was only one tiny piece of a bigger problem they had.

I agree with that, but I was replying to a specific comment.

 

[Nomad]

Big setback for Broncos. Stale offense in the 1st half scoring only 3 pts. Much better O in the 2nd half, but this came down to Wilson not getting the job done & letting the team down in crunch time.

With time running out, he has 4 tries inside Houston's 10 yd line to get the game winning score and what does he do - throws a pick in the endzone to end the game.

As I said before, Wilson is a veteran & SB winning QB, and a future HOF. He can not be making rookie mistakes like that when you're in the opponent's red zone with the game on the line (the ball wasn't tipped or anything like that - he tried to force the ball into a well-covered receiver). Inexcusable, IMO.

Credit C.J. Stroud - he played like a seasoned veteran instead of a rookie demonstrating good control of the O. He was also playing hurt & it looked like he got his bell rung on that QB sneak on 4th & short. Also credit DeMeco Ryans' defense. They stepped up & made some big plays including the game winning pick.

Now the Broncos probably need to win 4 out of their 5 remaining games to have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Next week @ the Chargers.

 

[Nomad]

Steelers’ Kenny Pickett expected to miss time as ankle injury needs surgery: reports

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is expected to miss a few weeks, as he's reportedly set to undergo ankle surgery to repair an injury he suffered on Sunday.

www.google.com

 

[Oldermanish]

On paper the Cowboys should beat Seattle. They are at home, have a better record, better numbers in general, are fairly healthy.

But as I said before there's a hidden stat: The Cowboys have not beaten a team with a winning record . In fact, they have struggled against all decent teams. Seattle has beat two good teams (Detroit and Cleveland - feels weird typing that ) they are also fighting for a playoff spot more than Dallas is. My belief is in close games Dak doesn't handle pressure well, but Seattle's pass rush isn't so great. To me Jamal Adams is still playing around 90%, almost always limited in practice. He's played okay, several tackles. But in the past we would see him sent more on safety blitzes, and he'd be getting to the QB and disrupting plays often. This is one game where they could use the "old" Adams.

This game could be telling for both teams, as both have tough games remaining. The winner here could come out with needed momentum heading into the most important time of the season.

In some other good news, the NFL is flexing a MNF game. On Week 15 instead of seeing the Chiefs flatten the Patriots, that game has been canceled with the Chiefs given a win by default (just kidding, it's moved back to Sunday), and MNF is Philly and Seattle. I'm not sure if all ticket holders will love this, but I say hooray!

After SF whupped the Iggles Seattle better be psyched up. Otherwise, season on downslide.

 

[Oldermanish]

Big setback for Broncos. Stale offense in the 1st half scoring only 3 pts. Much better O in the 2nd half, but this came down to Wilson not getting the job done & letting the team down in crunch time.

With time running out, he has 4 tries inside Houston's 10 yd line to get the game winning score and what does he do - throws a pick in the endzone to end the game.

As I said before, Wilson is a veteran & SB winning QB, and a future HOF. He can not be making rookie mistakes like that when you're in the opponent's red zone with the game on the line (the ball wasn't tipped or anything like that - he tried to force the ball into a well-covered receiver). Inexcusable, IMO.

Credit C.J. Stroud - he played like a seasoned veteran instead of a rookie demonstrating good control of the O. He was also playing hurt & it looked like he got his bell rung on that QB sneak on 4th & short. Also credit DeMeco Ryans' defense. They stepped up & made some big plays including the game winning pick.

Now the Broncos probably need to win 4 out of their 5 remaining games to have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Next week @ the Chargers.

On a parallel note from a PNW oldtime fan: Gardner Minshew has the Colts at 7-5 against same record of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston and ahead of Russell. I'm still hopeful the Colts get into some kind of playoff so I can see them on the TEEVEE.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Even more injuries this week and even to a NFL personnel.

Jets continue to show Rodgers shouldn’t come back early, he got the publicity he wanted.
New quarterback same problems in NE and Chargers still floundering compared to preseason hype especially with the new OC.

Browns had a touch loss though benefit from the Broncos losing as well but don’t have the tiebreaker to Texans depending on who wins AFCS.

Lions with a great start to the game and bounce back from last weeks meltdown.

Bucs with a nice, solid win to try and keep in the wildcard hunt. Evans had a great game.

Dolphins keep on rolling and Hill looks set to break the season records for receiving yards. I just hope Dolphins can get some postseason success especially with teams coming to Miami this time.

Chiefs have another tough loss while defense looked good. It’s starting to remind me more and more of the Bucs last year but with a better record. There will be a lot of hate on the noncall PI on MVS but makes up for the terrible flag thrown for Mahomes getting hit while he was still inbounds and attempting to get a first down. Chiefs have to be hoping Bills don’t have their crap figured out for next week so their defense can win the game for them.

Eagles with a tough loss to the Niners and continue to show their secondary weakness. For now they look to be the NFC championship teams.

I doubt many would predict the current playoff picture at the beginning of the year though I had been hoping Dolphins would be 1 or 2 seed. For the AFC definitely a shocker with Bengals missing the playoffs due to injury and Bills are hanging by a thread but can certainly turn it on.