National Football League

[BullsFan22]

Glad that the Texans won today. That franchise desperately needs some success.

The Ravens putting the hurt on the Steelers, who are thinking in bringing in Terry Bradshaw as their ‘new’ starting qb.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Lamar is incredible. Derrick Henry is incredible. Looking forward to them going to Buffalo next week. They beat the Bills handily early in the season. But this could be a completely different game. Even if the Ravens win next week, everyone will be thinking the same thing: They and Lamar have to prove to us they can beat KC. But if they run like they did today, against one of the best rushing defenses in the league, they can beat anyone.

Russell Wilson is now a aging, average QB.

 

[jmdirt]

Great game plan and execution by BAL. I hope that the knee to the back doesn't bother Jackson too much this week!

 

[Nomad]

Not a surprise with Baltimore dominating Pittsburgh when you have Henry running wild. The Ravens out rushed the Steelers 299-29! This is it for the Ravens - it's now or never for them to dethrone the Chiefs & get to the SB. The Ravens may never have team like this where you have both Jackson & Henry injury free & playing their best football of their careers. The window is short to play in a SB in this league.

And the Steelers have problems. They're not one of the elite AFC teams. They're just barely making the playoffs & that's it. Since 2016 when they played in the AFCCG, they're 0-5 in the playoffs. Tomlin's career playoff record is only 8-11 - with all the success coming under Big Ben. Maybe Tomlin's coaching philosophy & style has gotten stale & this is the best you get with the Steelers.

 

[Nomad]

That was a horrible loss for the Chargers. Terrible for Harbaugh, and even more so Herbert. He couldn't even "game manage" the offense. Is it too late for the Chargers to apologize to Brandon Staley? Great win for Houston though. They showed grit people didn't think they had. I'd be pretty surprised if Harbaugh seeks to dump Herbert, and trade for McCarthey. But today's loss was so bad, nothing would shock me I guess.

If they don't dump Herbert, it'll be more of the same with him (MOTS). C'mon, the Chargers were embarrassed & Herbert looked like a rookie QB out there. How can Herbert face the Charger faithful when he gets back to town? What's going to be his excuse? He can't use injuries as a way out. Lol.

Herbert isn't mobile enough - he's just a big stiff who can throw the ball. But you need more than that from your franchise QB in this day & age. Look at the success of Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Hurts, Stroud, etc - they can all run the ball & provide that dual-threat capability. And a big part of Nix's success is his running ability - 430 yards rushing!

I really think reuniting McCarthy with his college coach would be a good thing for the young QB. Like I said McCarthy not only has good size & arm strength but he's fast & can run. And Harbaugh recruited & developed him at Michigan.

 

[movingtarget]

Steelers run defense got overwhelmed. 21 points down and the game was over. Another one and done for the Steelers.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

If they don't dump Herbert, it'll be more of the same with him (MOTS). C'mon, the Chargers were embarrassed & Herbert looked like a rookie QB out there. How can Herbert face the Charger faithful when he gets back to town? What's going to be his excuse? He can't use injuries as a way out. Lol.

He did look like a rookie. Some passes were bordering on panic. Many were way off the mark, like he was lost. Even that wild TD throw on 3rd and deep borders on being luck. The excuses are already appearing though. That his receivers dropped balls. Ran wrong routes. The excuses will never end. Like I said last year, and earlier this year, Herbert has potential. And that's how he will forever be thought of.

Herbert reminds me very much of Marc Wilson. Remember him? Another "stiff" who had a good arm, great numbers in college. When he got to the Raiders he sat, got hurt a lot. When he played he could throw a pretty ball. Put up a lot of yards between the 10 yard lines, or when games were out of reach. But was not mobile at all. Had an impressive year in 1985, going 11-2 in the regular season. Nice guy too. But when games were on the line? Well, that same 1985 year he was flat as Herbert and lost in the playoffs with an identical performance to Herbert tonight. Wilson was more injured than Herbert, so he gets a little bit of a pass, but he was also so bad he lost his job to an aging, banged-up Jim Plunkett, who he was drafted to replace. And was after that soon out of the league.

Is Herbert destined to be that bad? Who knows. Maybe we'll see him do better next year. After all, he has potential.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I wonder if Chargers overlooked the Texans and was already thinking of round 3 with KC. They completely unraveled and Herbert got worse and worse. I wonder if he’d do better with a change of scenery ala Baker or Darnold.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

But Harbaugh was supposed to be THE coach that turned him into an elite QB that excels and wins playoff games.

Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as HC, just as I (and many others) predicted.

 

[jmdirt]

I thought that DEN was going to give BUF a battle, but no.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Bills just too good for the Broncos. What a drubbing.

 

[Nomad]

Not a surprise with the Bills dominating the Broncos. Broncos were outclassed & never made a game of it. Nonexistent running game & Nix couldn't mount any drives with too many 3 & outs. Great rookie season for Nix but I think the Broncos are a year or two away from a deep playoff run. I'm sure Payton will be busy in the offseason working to improve on the weaknesses of the team (RB, WR, TE, DL) & continue developing Nix.

Like with the Ravens, what can you say about Allen & the Bills. Undefeated & averaging 35 pts at Hallmark! An incredible aerial display by Allen. Turnover free football. Potent running attack with Cook hitting 120 & a score. Speedster Curtis Samuel stepping it up with 3 big catches & a score. Dominate defensive performance. Excellent halftime adjustments.

Battle of the Titans next week with a rematch between the Ravens & Bills at Hallmark. Hope there's not a blizzard or something to ruin this barnburner. Lol.

 

[SHAD0W93]

But Harbaugh was supposed to be THE coach that turned him into an elite QB that excels and wins playoff games.

Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as HC, just as I (and many others) predicted.

Sure but maybe he needs a complete change of scenery and atmosphere. Right now, no he’s looking like a worse Rivers.

 

[Sciatic]

Wasn't interested in Houston-SD so skipped it, but disappointing that the subsequent 3 games were (or appear to be) dominated by one team. Most interesting watch today was Belgium Cross Nats

 

[Unchained]

All the games so far have been terrible, nothing close.
If you review some posts, from just a few days ago, Herbert's play this year and numbers were said to be solid, promising.
Herbert played terrible, offensive coordinator and Harbaugh played way worse. First downs, time of possession.. Harbaugh tried to be careful, scientific instead of urgent , no killer instinct. Chargers were absolutely destroying Texans for first 20 minutes and they were jogging on and off, hurry up offense was nowhere, score, the game reflected it.
Chargers played traditional Charger football, flame out

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Eagles won a lot like I expected. I still question if Hurts can throw deep, and especially if he and the Eagles can come from behind to win a game late, or win a tough, close game. I'll believe it when I see it.

Bucs and commanders finally a really good game! I was about to look for the ghost of Mark Mosley on that last kick. Whew! Felt bad one team had to lose.

If it means anything, historically, it's next week's divisional round that usually has the best games.

Next week, I'll go with KC over Houston. Buffalo in a high scoring nail biter. Detroit over Washington, and Minnesota (presuming they beat LA) over the Eagles.

 

[jmdirt]

WASH vs TB was definitely the best game of the weekend. Not just the close score and last second winning field goal, the entire game was just better than anything else this weekend.

 

[Nomad]

Definitely the best game of the weekend & maybe the entire opening round (we'll have to see what kind of fireworks await tomorrow).

First playoff win for Wash in almost 20 yrs. And Daniels becomes the fourth rookie QB in NFL history to win his first career playoff start on the road. Impressive passing performance, key runs for 1st downs, great poise under pressure. Turnover free football. Daniels is the real deal & worthy of that #2 OA pick. His future looks bright.

Kinda felt bad for Mayfield. He played his guts out - 100% on every play. Smashing into tacklers instead of sliding. The one costly turnover was his undoing leading to a Wash FG. But he's a true competitor not just in it for the money. He's definitely redeemed his career after getting flushed by Cleveland. Lol.

 

 

[Nomad]

I wonder if Chargers overlooked the Texans and was already thinking of round 3 with KC. They completely unraveled and Herbert got worse and worse. I wonder if he’d do better with a change of scenery ala Baker or Darnold.

I'd be surprised if they overlooked the Texans. It was just 2 yrs ago that they had that embarrassing loss to Jacksonville on the road where they quit playing after halftime letting the Jaguars back in the game. I'm sure Harbaugh reminded them of that game all week long. And you have plenty of veterans on the team, including Herbert, that experienced that demoralizing loss.

Let's face it: This was all on Herbert & the O. He threw 4 picks that all led to points for the Texans including the pick 6. You can't have a veteran QB turning the ball over 4 times in a playoff & expect to win. And what's his excuse? He wasn't playing injured or ill, he wasn't missing a lot of offensive starters, weather wasn't factor playing indoors & it's not like he's never faced a good team on the road before.

I get the gut feeling that this is not Harbaugh's guy. Of course, he had to say all the right things about him when he took the job & plays catch with him during pregame warmups, and all that rainbows & marshmallows stuff. Lol. But Harbaugh wasn't hired to just accomplish winning seasons & be one & done in postseason. I have feeling Harbaugh wants a different QB.

Chargers, Vikings urged to team up for wild Justin Herbert trade

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert just had what may have been the worst team of his NFL career, going 14-for-32 with 242 yards, a touchdown and fo

www.si.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

Detroit in fact will not see Vikings next week. I’m sure Commanders coaching staff will be playing that sound bite quite a bit. With the way the Commanders are playing it should be the highest scoring game next week. Commanders didn’t punt at all and only had the two turnover on downs within field goal range. Both teams look like they’ll go for it on fourth down as well.

Kinda felt bad for Mayfield. He played his guts out - 100% on every play. Smashing into tacklers instead of sliding. The one costly turnover was his undoing leading to a Wash FG. But he's a true competitor not just in it for the money. He's definitely redeemed his career after getting flushed by Cleveland. Lol.
 

Even worse it was a touchdown right after the defense got the turnover on downs against a first and goal on the one (with some help).

 

[Nomad]

Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as HC, just as I (and many others) predicted.

So, even though Vrabel was unable to turn it around with Levis, Kraft is going to let him try his luck with Maye?

It's a crazy world of the revolving door of HCs in the league. Fired one day & then given a nice coordinator job the next day. Lay low for a year or two, then start interviewing for HC vacancies. Vrabel fired in 2022, hired the next year at Cleveland as a "Coaching and Personnel Consultant" & now hired as a HC again.

HCs never had it so good for Job security - always something out there for them. I guess the only stress is having to relocate & find another multi-million dollar home to live in. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

Even worse it was a touchdown right after the defense got the turnover on downs against a first and goal on the one (with some help).

Good point & you could see Mayfield's anger & frustration with himself on the sidelines after that fumble. It was costly but he played his heart out.

The hit he laid on Bobby Wagner knocking him back while driving for extra-yardage caused me to jump out of my recliner almost spilling my coffee. Lol. And Collingsworth said the coaches for the Commanders told the defense to "tackle him like he's a fullback." That's getting some serious respect in the league.

I'm sure though if he was knocked out of the game he be criticized by the fans for being stupid & not sliding. But you really can't blame a guy for his competitiveness & giving everything you have to try & win the game.

 

[Nomad]

I still think there's a good chance Rex Ryan gets the Jets job.

Here's the verdict:
  

Jets Have Passed on Rex Ryan as Head Coach: Report

The New York Jets interviewed Rex Ryan for their head coaching position, but have reportedly already passed on the former head coach.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Unchained]

WASH vs TB was definitely the best game of the weekend. Not just the close score and last second winning field goal, the entire game was just better than anything else this weekend.

Like I said my post was premature, pessimistic and wrong!! Washington- Tampa game was excellent and while it didn't make up for hours of boring blowouts it was a great way to end the weekend!!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Let's face it: This was all on Herbert & the O. He threw 4 picks that all led to points for the Texans including the pick 6. You can't have a veteran QB turning the ball over 4 times in a playoff & expect to win. And what's his excuse?

The latest excuse from the Herbert apologists is he was under constant pressure. Even Harbuagh said so, throwing his OL under the bus. Add in all the dropped passes, and the poor guy never had much of a chance. Just wait until next season when he has a better team around him.

You believe that, don't you? Can I also interest you in some ocean front property in Arizona?

Was he under "constant pressure"? I didn't see that. But even if he was, I know for a fact Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, Burrow and every other truly elite QB making big money play quite well under pressure. Heck, just look at the fight Mayfield put up in a losing effort, and he was definitely under constant pressure.

Here's the verdict:
jets-have-passed-rex-ryan-head-coach

It ain't over 'til it's over! Wait until they find out no one else wants the job!

Mike McCarthy out in Dallas. Not a huge surprise, might actually be better for Mike as much as the Cowboys. But the real problem there is Jerry Jones. They will however find another HC, easier than the Jets. Even though the Cowboys are behind the curve now.