National Football League

[Nomad]

Creative thinking:

Saints QBs prepared for frozen tundra by going in freezer

The Saints are playing at Lambeau Field on Monday night.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Unchained]

Speaking of QBs & commercials, isn't that Stafford & his hot wife doing that "sleep number" mattress commercial? After seeing that, I'm going to come back in the next life as a 6-3 Gigachad elite QB. Lol.

I personally feel less,feel cheap, feel I am living under achievement when I see bedding, mattress advertisements that say $750 off,$1000 or 1200 off! What is the MSRP!!!!?
Stafford can maybe afford Duxiana..not me!!
I felt bad when Trek said Ultegra bike was $9000+ with 170s and a 9cm integrated stem cockpit and white paint and I needed to add another $7-900 to get the bike I want.. From Trek no less!
Ain't spending @$70,000 for a Purdy pretty pickup..
No chance for @$6-8000 mattress unless Stafford and his wife come with it.. And no way I am buying a fairly plain looking Trek for $10 grand no matter who tells me that the bike fits me!!
I am in the market for beer,wings and pizza that NFL types tell me I need!!
I used to make a pooled donation at work to United Way which was a long time NFL association..
I also get an uncomfortable white and old feeling from NFL shop clothing ads during the games, complete with hip hop sound track.. Makes me feel fairly out of touch!! The ad with the guy wearing Colts overalls I can get behind!!

 

[SHAD0W93]

Nonsense Shadow - your dislike for the Gunslinger obscures the statistical evidence you're overlooking. You're correct on the defense - the Chiefs have an elite D that's going to keep them in games most of the time. But you still need an effective offense to score & win games, especially during crunch time when the chips are down.

Mahomes achieved 4000+ yds & 24+ TDs in each of his six seasons starting. 4000+ yds plus 24+ TDs passing are benchmarks of what defines a good passing QB in the league. Less than dozen QBs have achieved this over the last 3 seasons - even with the 17 game schedule. Less than half of all 1st rd QBs have a achieved a season with 4000+ yds & 24+ TDs. Last year Mahomes finished 6th in total passing yds throwing for 4183 & 27 TDs. Factor in his 389 yds rushing & you have 4572 yds total O (269 average per game) --- that's an offensive machine! He was even better in the playoffs last year (4 games) with 1051 passing, 6 TDs, 141 rushing - 1192 total O or 298 average per game.

 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2023/passing.htm

Now let's look at 4th Qtr comebacks & game winning drives - a true benchmark of a great QB. Mahomes currently has 42 4th Qtr comebacks/game winning drives more than any active QB except Rodgers, Stafford & Wilson! However, they have 19, 15 & 12 yrs in the league, respectively, vs Mahomes 7 yrs (and all are future HOF, btw).

Patrick Mahomes's Career 4th quarter comebacks and game-winning drives | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Patrick Mahomes Career 4th quarter comebacks for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

This season Mahomes is 7th in passing (3608 & 23 TDs). However, he has a career high seven (7) 4th Qtr comebacks/game winning drives already this season & there still is a game or two to go! Like I said, the 4000/24 benchmark might be in jeopardy this year depending upon if he plays in the last two games of the season or just the one against Pittsburgh.

So, if you have a QB pumping out 4000+ yds & 24+ TDs routinely every season, you have an outstanding passing QB with good receivers (nothing new there). That's far from an "elite game manager." Lol. And if you have a QB with that kind of 4th Qtr comeback ability, you have an elite QB who's going to win you close games more often than not.

We will have to agree to disagree. The actual film tape hadn’t shown Mahomes being a gunslinger. Again, we’re talking about the last two seasons not Mahomes whole career. This Mahomes isn’t the 2018-2021 version or even 2022. Looking at his stats and play he’s been a game manager, an elite one. There’s a lot of run after the catch yards. His stats are similar to Rodgers this year and Rodgers is playing poorly as well. Mahomes the last two seasons has; missed receivers, made poor throws, and made more mistakes compared to before previously. That isn’t even talking about the other issues the offense has had but the team has struggled on the deep threat and some of that is on Mahomes missing the throw. The offense struggles to score points consistently unless they are playing a poor defense or their own defense/special gets turnovers. The Chiefs defense and special teams has been what’s carrying the team through the past two seasons until more often than not Mahomes wins the game. Mahomes passing hasn’t been the difference maker, in fact it’s gotten the team in trouble. His legs have been carrying the offense.

There’s nothing wrong with being an elite game manager. Manning, Brady, and Brees were all that at times in their careers. He’s not being called a Cousins or Smith.

 

[Sciatic]

SEA plays sloppy too often, especially in critical moments.

DK gave up on that route at the end.

Bah, humbug . . . (re: Hawks)

 

[Nomad]

We will have to agree to disagree. The actual film tape hadn’t shown Mahomes being a gunslinger. Again, we’re talking about the last two seasons not Mahomes whole career. This Mahomes isn’t the 2018-2021 version or even 2022. Looking at his stats and play he’s been a game manager, an elite one. There’s a lot of run after the catch yards. His stats are similar to Rodgers this year and Rodgers is playing poorly as well. Mahomes the last two seasons has; missed receivers, made poor throws, and made more mistakes compared to before previously. That isn’t even talking about the other issues the offense has had but the team has struggled on the deep threat and some of that is on Mahomes missing the throw. The offense struggles to score points consistently unless they are playing a poor defense or their own defense/special gets turnovers. The Chiefs defense and special teams has been what’s carrying the team through the past two seasons until more often than not Mahomes wins the game. Mahomes passing hasn’t been the difference maker, in fact it’s gotten the team in trouble. His legs have been carrying the offense.

There’s nothing wrong with being an elite game manager. Manning, Brady, and Brees were all that at times in their careers. He’s not being called a Cousins or Smith.

Yep, we'll definitely have to agree to disagree. And "game manager" whether elite or not is a stupid term anyway. What the F is it exactly supposed to mean in the context of a starting NFL QB in a pass-orientated league? Throwing for 4000+ yds every season is not "game management" or whatever crazy term you try to use to undermine Mahomes. Lol. If 4000 yds passing isn't a big deal - why do so few accomplishment it every season? For example, why hasn't Murray, Trubisky, D. Jones ever accomplished it and Wentz & Lawrence only once in their careers? (and these guys are all top 1st rd picks - cream of the crop supposedly. Lol).

Of course Brady, Brees & Manning in the latter years of their careers didn't light up as ferocious as they did earlier on, but they still had very high 4th Qtr comeback/game winning drive ability (those 3 guys are the top guys in all-time comebacks/game-winning drives). FFS, Mahomes this year has already seven (7) 4th Qtr comebacks/game winning drives - that's not "game management" BS. I'm done with this BS - have fun with your groupthink beating up on the Mahomes & the Chiefs. Lol.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

What an absolute drubbing. Packers beatdown of the lowly Saints was painful to watch. I can't imagine even Packers fans enjoyed that lopsided snoozefest. And so much for the Saints playing Madden in a meat freezer to "train". A month ago they hard benched Rattler for many mistakes. Last week they started Haner, who was completely ineffective, and made mistakes, and put Rattler back in, who had one good drive. This game Rattler looked worse than Haener. The entire Saints org is a mess. I won't be at all surprised if the Raiders beat them next week. What a sad season for them, starting 2-0.

Packers being stuck in the best division in the NFL, losing just four games to the Lions (twice) Vikings and Eagles. Three were very close, one a 10 point loss to Detroit. I have a feeling as a wildcard they make take out some serious frustration on whatever team they travel to come playoff time (Philly? Rams? Tampa? Atlanta? Wash? Sea?), and maybe even in a divisional game.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I can see Packers going all the way, they were close last year to beating the Niners. With the Lions injuries I’d give the best odds to Lions, Packers, or Eagles with the Commanders and Vikings playing spoiler.

 

[Potomac]

Still two games left, but I think Washington will play at philadephia in the first round of the playoffs

 

[jmdirt]

Sort of weird that NFL has figured out a way to extend the season, left Thursday night football in place for too long into the season, played in Europe, expanded viewership to Netflix, and are figuring out more ways every year for paid promotions, including standard TV commercials, wearing customized shoes with promotional messages, wearing pink all over to show male concerns for breast cancer..
I don't know when soccer just gave up and let sponsor logos become more prominent so identifying the team became near impossible but everyone knows, should come as no surprise, when Nike, Coca-Cola, Gatorade or something unrelated become prominent uniform features.
Do you think players and coaches will have much say if the owners come to agree on integrated TV time outs? No.
I can't help but imagine NFL owners meetings sounding like production execs from Game of Thrones or Walking Dead trying to figure out ways to spin something off for profit, some way to nurse out revenue from the existing brand.
San Francisco broadcast has 2 Toyota commercials featuring Broc Purdy and 49ers logo and at close of the commercial, it says SF 49ers are official partners w Toyota. I am guessing on Browns or Commanders being first.. Maybe the X Browns, Tesla Browns, Meta or Nike Commanders.. It's coming, slowly creeping in.. You see pro teams uniforms looking more like cycling, F1 and NASCAR..
In college bowl games it came on in an almost overnight way, sponsors were more prominent than traditional titles for the games..

I don't understand the Netflix deal.
-Is anybody going to get a month of Netflix just to watch parts of games around family activities?
--IMO the NFL blew this. Experiment with Netflix, but not on xmas day.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Netflix streaming of that Paul-Tyson pro wrestling dancing contest thing was a streaming disaster also.

I'm not convinced the Eagles can win even the NFC Championship. Look at their schedule. The Vikings? Maybe.

The league could expand to 8 more franchises/cities, actually. Four in the US, and four in Europe. Then push to an 18 game season, with two bye weeks. Four things make this very challenging:

1. Injuries. Rosters would need over 60 players, maybe double the size practice squads.
2. Lack of elite QBs. No one wants to see a sloppy game where Desmond Ridder duals Spencer Rattler.
3. Need serious commitment from billionaires to join the club. Most billionaires have huge egos, and want to rule the club.
4. No one wants to pay over $1b for minimal use stadiums. Only a few city governments are dumb/corrupt enough.

As to TV ads, there are almost no way to avoid them and watch football, live. You can:

• Have RedZone as part of a cable package, or NFL+ or Premium and watch on an app. This doesn't show true games though, it's like flipping a TV between channels, but you're not the one with the remote. However, there are no ads. It's both cool, and can be frustrating to watch.
• If you have NFL+ you can watch the games after the fact without ads. But only on the website or app. Good if you can port your app to your TV. But it's not the same as watching live, and you'll very likely know the outcome before watching. It's almost impossible to not find out. For if you watch one game without knowing the score, you'll still see all the graphics and hear them talk about other games. Still, good if you want to see a specific game or two, with no ads. These apps also have the condensed games (few replays, no breaks, no commercials), which I watch often. But it too takes the excitement out of watching a tight tame, even more so than RedZone. You can also watch A-22 "coaches" footage of all games with NFL+. Both interesting, and mind numbing.
• Have a TV and DVR, and start watching a game a good hour after it starts, and fast forward through commercials.

 

[jmdirt]

As to TV ads, there are almost no way to avoid them and watch football, live.

I mostly do. There is almost always two games on, one of them is my preferred game, but when there is a commercial break I hop to the other game, if both are on commercial break I watch some other sport (BB, VB, Skiing,...). For SNF, MNF, TNF when they are the only game on, I'll flip to the news, Rick Steves, a silly sitcom, or ice road truckers. I even do light work tasks on my laptop at commercial breaks sometimes. Plus, I have to use the men's room, grab something to eat/drink... I honestly watch very few adds.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I mostly do. There is almost always two games on, one of them is my preferred game, but when there is a commercial break I hop to the other game, if both are on commercial break I watch some other sport (BB, VB, Skiing,...). For SNF, MNF, TNF when they are the only game on, I'll flip to the news, Rick Steves, a silly sitcom, or ice road truckers. I even do light work tasks on my laptop at commercial breaks sometimes. Plus, I have to use the men's room, grab something to eat/drink... I honestly watch very few adds.

When I was single I’d play my video games during the ads, now I do that or a chore but it’s easier since I mostly watch on my phone.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Christmas games on Netflix:

KC@PIT - With how the Steelers looked last week, I'll take KC in another close, low scoring game. 17-16 on a late missed FG after a few questionable calls.

BAL@HOU - I like the Ravens here. Their D is playing better, while the Texans offense is sputtering. Baltimore looked both efficient, and dangerous upending the Steelers.

Thursday:

SEA@CHI - Seahawks are at least good, and must win. The Bears season a huge disappointment.

 

[movingtarget]

Christmas games on Netflix:

KC@PIT - With how the Steelers looked last week, I'll take KC in another close, low scoring game. 17-16 on a late missed FG after a few questionable calls.

BAL@HOU - I like the Ravens here. Their D is playing better, while the Texans offense is sputtering. Baltimore looked both efficient, and dangerous upending the Steelers.

Thursday:

SEA@CHI - Seahawks are at least good, and must win. The Bears season a huge disappointment.

Hope Seattle win and take the NFC West down to the final week with the Rams. They missed a huge opportunity last week and the Rams made hard work of the Jets game. Think the Ravens are playing a bit better than the Texans and the Texans have also had injury issues. Ravens should win, same with Kansas, probably another 7 point win or something like. I would like to see a Vikings/Bills SB but GB might be the team hitting form at the right time in the NFC.

 

[Potomac]

...

• Have a TV and DVR, and start watching a game a good hour after it starts, and fast forward through commercials.

TV DVR is the best way if you can avoid spoilers. My DVR had 30 second jump button, so I didn't even have to watch the huddle. I could go from a tackle to just a few seconds before the snap.

 

[Unchained]

Merry Christmas..
Netflix not fumbling the coverage, it's decent. Lost from Netflix, usually can watch something, a show or movie without a bunch of pesky commercials interrupting everything!! Netflix has as many commercials as anywhere else!!

 

[jmdirt]

Merry Christmas..
Netflix not fumbling the coverage, it's decent. Lost from Netflix, usually can watch something, a show or movie without a bunch of pesky commercials interrupting everything!! Netflix has as many commercials as anywhere else!!

How many streaming services does the NFL expect us to get?!

Happy Holidays!

 

[SHAD0W93]

Merry Christmas everyone, stay safe.

Merry Christmas..
Netflix not fumbling the coverage, it's decent. Lost from Netflix, usually can watch something, a show or movie without a bunch of pesky commercials interrupting everything!! Netflix has as many commercials as anywhere else!!

I will say I was not expecting the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer! Netflix has to get that money back from getting two NFL games

How many streaming services does the NFL expect us to get?!

Happy Holidays!

All of them honestly. It’s only going to get worse if the season expands to more games. Next up in my opinion is Disneyplus (though Disney owns ESPN). Also wouldn’t be surprised if they have a Cartoon Network game as well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

What the NFL expects you to get, is their own NFL Premium package.

If you have a tablet, and NFL+ subscription (the cheap one) you can watch today's games on the tablet.

Steelers got a lump of coal under their Christmas tree. They looked flatter than they did last week against the Ravens, and I was surprised how in the 4th Q they pretty much rolled over. Zero sacks, very little pressures all game. They look ripe for another early playoff exit. But this was a solid win for the Chiefs, and vintage Mahomes, I mean The Gunslinger™. Their fans have to be feeling fairly positive about that three-pete that no one else wants to see.

All the talk about Buffalo and ways they can beat you, but the Ravens look like they are on a serious upward trajectory right now. They beat Buffalo, and were an inch from beating KC, in KC earlier this year. And they definitely look like they are playing their best ball now.

 

[Nomad]

Chiefs look like they're peaking. Good performance by the "game manager." 320 yds (2nd highest this season), 3 TDs, (ties season highest) & highest QB rating this season. Of course, he's just managing the game...no big deal. I would guess the vast majority of starting QBs in the league could easily do this if they were playing in KC's O. Worthy continues to shine with 8 grabs & a score, and Kelce moves ahead of Gonzalez for most TD receptions in franchise history.

https://www.kmbc.com/article/travis-kelce-1000-catches-chiefs-record-77-touchdowns-nfl-history/63279911

With the win the Chiefs seal up the #1 seed giving the Broncos virtually a gift of making the playoffs. I can't imagine any of the starters, especially Mahomes, playing in the season ending game with the #1 seed locked up & nothing to prove. So, if the Broncos were lose on the road to Cinn, they could still clinch with a win over KC.

 

[Nomad]

QB Mason Rudolph to Start Again for Titans on Sunday vs Jaguars

Sounds like Rudolph is auditioning for the starting job next year. The next "Brett Favre" has not shown any improvement over last year: 2-9 in 11 starts (5-15 career), a terrible 12/12 TD-INT ratio (6 pick-6s!) & a low 79 rating. IMO, he looks to be released or sent to rehab for a full year. But can Rudolph be the guy to lead them to the promised land? (he wasn't at Pittsburgh).

The downfall of Levis is certainly starting to have an effect on the faithful. Lol

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/5eQGidYwiZ0?si=V3v4iVmE6VXbRF75

 

[jmdirt]

HOU only scored two points! What the Xmas nightmare is that?

 

[jmdirt]

What the NFL expects you to get, is their own NFL Premium package.

If you have a tablet, and NFL+ subscription (the cheap one) you can watch today's games on the tablet.

Steelers got a lump of coal under their Christmas tree. They looked flatter than they did last week against the Ravens, and I was surprised how in the 4th Q they pretty much rolled over. Zero sacks, very little pressures all game. They look ripe for another early playoff exit. But this was a solid win for the Chiefs, and vintage Mahomes, I mean The Gunslinger™. Their fans have to be feeling fairly positive about that three-pete that no one else wants to see.

All the talk about Buffalo and ways they can beat you, but the Ravens look like they are on a serious upward trajectory right now. They beat Buffalo, and were an inch from beating KC, in KC earlier this year. And they definitely look like they are playing their best ball now.

We have an antenna on our roof, and a fire stick stuck in the side of the TV. We always have one streaming service (Peacock for SX, MX, SMX, cycling...), and frequently two ( a rotation of Hulu and Prime) depending on what they have that we want to watch. We had Netflix starting WAY back when our Blockbuster closed (2009?), but we haven't had it for several years now. I may explore more YouTube option in the future...maybe.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Ravens completely destroyed the Texans and felt bad enough to give them 2 points. I agree with Alpe that they can be dangerous in the playoffs. Their passing has been good and running the ball has been stellar. Of the defenses they will face the problem is the Chiefs. If they can’t get anything going running the ball they’ll win that game again. Baring Allen and Goff playing extremely well I think Lamar will lock up MVP.

The end to the game summed up how the Steelers were playing. Chiefs defense and special teams was stifling and their offense looked great on 4 drives.Chris Jones were also out and Steelers couldn’t get anything done. Definitely should have been their first game scoring 30 points this season. Steelers got their a$$ kicked every which way and looked like they gave up. They had 4 opportunities to get a turnover and couldn’t come up with it, though Chiefs really lucky on that punt. I think Steelers should start Fields again otherwise another bad loss in the playoffs and fans calling. For Tomlin’s head.

Chiefs look like they're peaking. Good performance by the "game manager." 320 yds (2nd highest this season), 3 TDs, (ties season highest) & highest QB rating this season. Of course, he's just managing the game...no big deal. I would guess the vast majority of starting QBs in the league could easily do this if they were playing in KC's O. Worthy continues to shine with 8 grabs & a score, and Kelce moves ahead of Gonzalez for most TD receptions in franchise history.

https://www.kmbc.com/article/travis-kelce-1000-catches-chiefs-record-77-touchdowns-nfl-history/63279911

With the win the Chiefs seal up the #1 seed giving the Broncos virtually a gift of making the playoffs. I can't imagine any of the starters, especially Mahomes, playing in the season ending game with the #1 seed locked up & nothing to prove. So, if the Broncos were lose on the road to Cinn, they could still clinch with a win over KC.

Mahomes had two deep passes, otherwise it was a lot of YAC. Yes a lot of quarterbacks would look good to great on the team, I already gave you a list. Though it was funny, one of the commentators did call Mahomes a gunslinger like Favre. But the offense looked good, it definitely looked like their playbook was more opened up with Brown there, and they were able to get the deep passes connection. And I agree, Chiefs definitely sitting everyone and at most playing a drive or two. Even with their backups I think they have a chance against the Broncos who haven’t been playing well as of late too.

 

[movingtarget]

Stroud and Purdy having down years after being really good last year but often with good reasons. 49ers are down to their third string O line and Stroud has had his best receivers all hurt. Detroit should have no trouble scoring on the 49ers this week but their defense will be interesting to see re the playoffs not far away. 49ers have just put more players on IR re Trent Williams who has hardly played at all and probably Greenlaw as well who seems to have come back a bit too soon also lost more of their O line. 49ers look like a good bet for a top 10 pick at this stage.

As usual Kansas start to ramp it up a little with the playoffs approaching. looks like they will be ready again but I'm still interested to see how they go in a high scoring game with another good offense. Their defense is usually more settled than it used to be especially in the playoffs. and they have maybe the best DC in the business.