National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

Raiders win the Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes.

 

[SHAD0W93]

C'mon man, they're not winning with Allen. Any SBs? NO. Any AFC championships? NO. He's 0-4 in AFCCGs the last four yrs. He's been a Tier 1 QB for the last four years! Go look at the Tier 1 QBs & their success rate. Mahomes has 3 SBs & is a GOAT candidate. Stafford has a SB. Burrow has a AFC championship & SB appearance (probably more if he wasn't hurt all the time). Jackson, also a Tier 1, has nothing & is 3-5 in postseason (so, where's the firings of the coaches of these guys?). And Hurts wins a SB - and MVP - as only a Tier 2 QB. So what's Allen's excuse?

Allen & Jackson are supposed to be fulfilling the role of a Tier 1. They're not - they're both extremely overrated. Now surely, as an astute fan, you can see the problem here with Allen. And he's not that great of a pocket passer either. Mahomes & Burrow are far better when it comes to pure pocket passing. But so many football zombies worship this guy like he's a God or something (he's just a genetically gifted human being that has the luxury of playing a "sport" for zillions of dollars).

I wouldn't doubt the Bills get eliminated in the WC round no matter who they play. Lol.

We’ve already been over the first paragraph multiple times.

Mahomes is a below to average pocket passer. Without his running ability he’d struggle massively in his current playing style. Chiefs would need to up their whole offense if Mahomes was a pure pocket passer. Only time Mahomes has looked good strictly pocket passing was when he had Hill and Kelce.

I wouldn’t be surprised either with how the whole team is playing, but why risk your only hope getting worse? They had nothing to gain by playing him.



Panthers make it to the playoffs with the Falcons assistance. Bucs and Mayfield only have themselves to blame.

A 67 yard field goal is crazy. Little of the Jags is a monster.

 

[Sciatic]

Seahawks dominated the game, mostly with the running. Myers missed two FG’s and they had a number of drives where they kind of just stalled once they got within the red zone. It could have easily been 33-3.

This is the Seahawks from the LOB days: best defense in the league, elite running game, and a quarterback that knows his role. Obviously Darnold isn’t Russell Wilson, and he likely will never be, but if he stays solid and doesn’t try too much, Seattle can go to the SB.

I do think Darnold should be given one turnover (though he would say it should go to the play caller). First series, 1st and goal at the one. Darnold (1) missed seeing the VERY wide open Charbo for a quick flip TD, and then (2) allowed himself to get sacked for the 10-yard loss. It should be easy to throw the ball away when so close to the goal line, and at worst they should have had it 2nd and goal at the 1. End result (because of puzzling 4th down try) was zero points. That was flagrant non-thinking from Darnold. However he seemed to keep a clear head after that.

 

[Nomad]

Broncos lock up the #1 seed in an ugly win over the Chargers. Defense was good as usual, offense not so good & looked lethargic. And Lance is absolutely terrible - no offensive production other than a measly FG. He doesn't even look like backup material. Broncos have the inside track to the SB as they'll be tough to beat at home (unless you're the Jaguars. Lol).

And Jags lock up the division winning 13 games for first time since 1999. Lawrence hits the 4000 yd mark for the 3rd time in his career & throws a career high 29 TD passes. Amazing transformation going from 13 losses last year to 13 wins this season.

Allen takes his one snap to keep his starting streak alive then sits to rest his "sore" foot while the 37 yr old with a bad back puts on a passing clinic carving up Arizona. Lol. 260 yds - 4 TDs - which gives him a league leading & career high 46 TD passes!

https://www.reuters.com/sports/nfl/...passes-rams-handle-cardinals--flm-2026-01-05/

 

[SHAD0W93]

while the 37 yr old with a bad back puts on a passing clinic carving up Arizona. Lol. 260 yds - 4 TDs - which gives him a league leading & career high 46 TD passes.

https://www.reuters.com/sports/nfl/...passes-rams-handle-cardinals--flm-2026-01-05/

Rams actually had something to play for trying to get the five seed and the better/easier matchup going to whoever wins NFCS.

 

[Nomad]

Raiders win the Fernando Mendoza sweepstakes.

Is the new coaching staff going to be on board with taking a QB with that 1st pick? What about an offensive lineman - especially a left tackle?

 

[Nomad]

Rams actually had something to play for trying to get the five seed and the better/easier matchup going to whoever wins NFCS.

Didn't matter Shadow - McVay said he was going to play the starters regardless of seeding:

McVay to play L.A. starters regardless of seeding

Even if the Rams are locked into their seed on Sunday, coach Sean McVay plans to play his healthy starters against the Cardinals.

www.espn.com

 

[movingtarget]

We’ve already been over the first paragraph multiple times.

Mahomes is a below to average pocket passer. Without his running ability he’d struggle massively in his current playing style. Chiefs would need to up their whole offense if Mahomes was a pure pocket passer. Only time Mahomes has looked good strictly pocket passing was when he had Hill and Kelce.

I wouldn’t be surprised either with how the whole team is playing, but why risk your only hope getting worse? They had nothing to gain by playing him.



Panthers make it to the playoffs with the Falcons assistance. Bucs and Mayfield only have themselves to blame.

A 67 yard field goal is crazy. Little of the Jags is a monster.

Didn't help Raheem Morris. He's gone as the Falcons coach. Jags seem to be flying under the radar. Not sure why.

 

[movingtarget]

49ers get a rematch with the Eagles. Purdy would hope to do better than last time they met in the playoffs. Seems like the 49ers are banged up again. The bye was always going to be valuable for them but their linebacker group has been shredded. They will be desperate to have Pearsall and Williams back next week but the bigger problems are on the defense.Panthers meet the Rams again after beating them about a month ago. Bears get the Packers.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Is the new coaching staff going to be on board with taking a QB with that 1st pick? What about an offensive lineman - especially a left tackle?

No possible way. What team that has no QB and the #1 pick in the draft, doesn't take a QB?? Raiders have LT Kolton Miller, who, when healthy, is pretty good. At times quite good. Raiders do need help across almost the entire OL though. But they badly need a franchise QB they can build around. The only way they don't take Mendoza is if Moore impresses them more. I can't see it.

That's convenient for McVay saying he's playing his starters either way, when it's blatantly obvious it benefited them greatly to win, as it meant the difference between going to 8-9 Carolina, or either Philadelphia or Chicago. This helps give the Rams a fairly likely bump to the divisional round. The Rams problem seems to be a real lack of consistency though. Explosive offense one drive, one quarter, then surprisingly flat.

Game of next week could certainly be Buffalo at Jax. I like the Jaguars. In fact, IF they can keep playing as consistent as they have, I can see them getting to the big dance out of the AFC. I think they can go into Denver and beat the Broncos. Also New England.

 

[Nomad]

Mahomes is a below to average pocket passer. Without his running ability he’d struggle massively in his current playing style. Chiefs would need to up their whole offense if Mahomes was a pure pocket passer. Only time Mahomes has looked good strictly pocket passing was when he had Hill and Kelce.

No question his athleticism & running ability is one of the best in the league. He is the prototypical mobile pocket passer. But it's my understanding he's also an elite pocket passer based on a "Next Gen Stats" that are used to measure QBR from inside the pocket:

"For the 2024 season (which ran into early 2025), Patrick Mahomes' Next Gen Stats inside the pocket performance showed he remained elite, though facing increased pressure, with Next Gen Stats tracking his efficiency and ability to deliver under duress, leading to high overall QBRs (like 72.7 in late 2024) but also tougher stretches, highlighting his skill in making plays even when pressured or trying shovel passes, with overall 2024 stats including high EPA and decent completion rates despite career-high interception."

Also, the annual ESPN QB rankings measures several skill traits (arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, etc) to determine the best QBs each year. Under the category of "pocket presence" which measures a QBs passing efficiency from inside the pocket, Mahomes was ranked 3rd behind Jackson (2nd) & Burrow (1st):

Orlovsky ranks the best NFL QBs in seven different traits: Who makes each top-10 list?

Which NFL quarterbacks have the strongest arms, greatest accuracy and best rushing ability? Dan Orlovsky stacked the 10 best in seven skill areas.

www.espn.com

And of course Mahomes looks good in the pocket with Kelce & Hill - no different than Burrow with Chase & Higgins, and Stafford with Nucua.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

NBC had the graphic up showing how opposing QBs threw 34 TDs and 0 interceptions against the Jets. The worst in history apparently. It's worse than just that though. Not only was their defense terrible, they were at or near the bottom in almost every offensive category. Consider this:

• Their leading passer was Justin Fields. He only played in 9 games. And only 5 of those games did he throw for 20 or more passes. Yes, he was mostly bad. But not compared to the team. Look his stats up, they were respectable. He won 2 of their 3 games. 7 Tds, just 1 INT.
• Fields was also the team's 2nd leading rusher, behind Breece Hall. Who barely gained 1,000 yards.
• Garrett Wilson led them in receiving yards. He missed the last 9 games of the season.

 

[Nomad]

No possible way. What team that has no QB and the #1 pick in the draft, doesn't take a QB?? Raiders have LT Kolton Miller, who, when healthy, is pretty good. At times quite good. Raiders do need help across almost the entire OL though. But they badly need a franchise QB they can build around. The only way they don't take Mendoza is if Moore impresses them more. I can't see it.

It doesn't happen very often. I think Houston in 2014 took Clowney & Cleveland in 2017 took Garrett with their #1 OA picks. Neither team had a top QB on their roster going into the draft.

I was thinking more in line with what the Saints did drafting Kevin Banks with their 1st rd pick then grabbing Shough in the 2nd rd. Banks started day 1 at LT and is playing well. Though Shough threw a costly pick today against the Falcons costing the game, his overall performance since he started has been promising. He'll be the starter next year.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I can't see that. Not with the #1 overall pick. Though I suppose if the Raiders (or any bad team) drafted 4th or so, they could take an OT (or DE/Edge), and take Simpson or Mateer in the 2nd or 3rd round. You mentioned someone should take a look at Levis next year, and I imagine someone will. I also think Miami is done with Zach Wilson, and someone with a good QB coach (SF?) should grab him.

 

[Oldman]

I do think Darnold should be given one turnover (though he would say it should go to the play caller). First series, 1st and goal at the one. Darnold (1) missed seeing the VERY wide open Charbo for a quick flip TD, and then (2) allowed himself to get sacked for the 10-yard loss. It should be easy to throw the ball away when so close to the goal line, and at worst they should have had it 2nd and goal at the 1. End result (because of puzzling 4th down try) was zero points. That was flagrant non-thinking from Darnold. However he seemed to keep a clear head after that.

Seeing that play in slow mo it didn't look like Charbonnet had turned to receive a pass and he was alongside another Seahawk that might have shielded him when Darnold had to make a choice...Seeing it from Darnold's angle would have stopped me from yelling needlessly.

 

[Oldman]

Steelers and Ravens play some sloppy ball and it ends in total chaos. Heartbreak for the Ravens who relied on a rookie field goal kicker. Considering the Steelers knew that pain minutes before was nuts.

 

[Sciatic]

Seeing that play in slow mo it didn't look like Charbonnet had turned to receive a pass and he was alongside another Seahawk that might have shielded him when Darnold had to make a choice...Seeing it from Darnold's angle would have stopped me from yelling needlessly.

Oh, that's a good point, I hadn't noticed that. The combination of the call and the execution was tough to take!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

What a way to end a (regular) season. One of the most dramatic seasons with more great games than I remember, maybe ever. Let's hope the playoffs are as good.

 

[Nomad]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008212750967726506

View: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2008212750967726506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2008212750967726506%7Ctwgr%5E7381bc269c6a15d1b3abe27ffadc9697cf265990%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnfl%2Fnews%2Fnfl-coach-gm-live-updates-rumors-firings-hirings%2Flive%2F

So much for the Pete Carroll era. I think his intentions were good when he took the job. But he walked into an organization that is in complete disarray. Which begs the question: What coaching candidates would be interested in taking a job like this with such a high failure rate? At this point, it would take a miracle worker to turn this team around. Lol

 

[SHAD0W93]

What a way to end the game for Steelers and Ravens. Good for Rodgers in playing better than I and most thought and now the only other player alongside Brady to win a division in both conferences. I don’t give them much hope against the Texans defense. That’s going to be a low scoring, defensive game.

Didn't matter Shadow - McVay said he was going to play the starters regardless of seeding:

McVay to play L.A. starters regardless of seeding

Even if the Rams are locked into their seed on Sunday, coach Sean McVay plans to play his healthy starters against the Cardinals.

www.espn.com

Stafford has still been able to play with his back issues that started in the offseason. Allen injured his most important foot in week 16 and then made it worse in week 17. Why would you play your teams MVP?

No question his athleticism & running ability is one of the best in the league. He is the prototypical mobile pocket passer. But it's my understanding he's also an elite pocket passer based on a "Next Gen Stats" that are used to measure QBR from inside the pocket:

"For the 2024 season (which ran into early 2025), Patrick Mahomes' Next Gen Stats inside the pocket performance showed he remained elite, though facing increased pressure, with Next Gen Stats tracking his efficiency and ability to deliver under duress, leading to high overall QBRs (like 72.7 in late 2024) but also tougher stretches, highlighting his skill in making plays even when pressured or trying shovel passes, with overall 2024 stats including high EPA and decent completion rates despite career-high interception."

Also, the annual ESPN QB rankings measures several skill traits (arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, etc) to determine the best QBs each year. Under the category of "pocket presence" which measures a QBs passing efficiency from inside the pocket, Mahomes was ranked 3rd behind Jackson (2nd) & Burrow (1st):

Orlovsky ranks the best NFL QBs in seven different traits: Who makes each top-10 list?

Which NFL quarterbacks have the strongest arms, greatest accuracy and best rushing ability? Dan Orlovsky stacked the 10 best in seven skill areas.

www.espn.com

And of course Mahomes looks good in the pocket with Kelce & Hill - no different than Burrow with Chase & Higgins, and Stafford with Nucua.

That is still Mahomes using his legs to run around the pocket. His reading receiver progression and defenses is average. Burrow and Stafford do those things better than Mahomes since they need to be good at it, but having those players make it even better. If Mahomes was a pocket passer like Stafford or Burrow, Chiefs aren’t making a single Super Bowl. All the magic is his leg and arm strength, which is why the next two seasons will be huge to see how he recovers from his leg and improves mentally if he has to be more of a pocket passer.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008212750967726506

View: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2008212750967726506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2008212750967726506%7Ctwgr%5E7381bc269c6a15d1b3abe27ffadc9697cf265990%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnfl%2Fnews%2Fnfl-coach-gm-live-updates-rumors-firings-hirings%2Flive%2F

So much for the Pete Carroll era. I think his intentions were good when he took the job. But he walked into an organization that is in complete disarray. Which begs the question: What coaching candidates would be interested in taking a job like this with such a high failure rate? At this point, it would take a miracle worker to turn this team around. Lol

Especially when reports are Brady is taking more control on finding a coach and player personnel. At that point, someone should just tell him to be the HC.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Bills at Jaqs - one score coin flip on who wins with score in the 20s
Chargers at Patriots- two score win for the Pats 23-13
Texans at Steelers - defensive low scoring game with Texans winning 10-9
Rams at Panthers - Rams by two scores
Packers at Bears- Bears by 3 or less in a high scoring game
Niners at Eagles - Eagles by 3 or less in a low scoring game

 

[movingtarget]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008212750967726506

View: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2008212750967726506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2008212750967726506%7Ctwgr%5E7381bc269c6a15d1b3abe27ffadc9697cf265990%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnfl%2Fnews%2Fnfl-coach-gm-live-updates-rumors-firings-hirings%2Flive%2F

So much for the Pete Carroll era. I think his intentions were good when he took the job. But he walked into an organization that is in complete disarray. Which begs the question: What coaching candidates would be interested in taking a job like this with such a high failure rate? At this point, it would take a miracle worker to turn this team around. Lol

Kinda surprised he was hired in the first place even though the players usually love him. Thought he was going the same way as Bill B and his last days at Seattle were not good. Think they needed to go for a younger more offensive minded coach and they will need that anyway when they find the the right QB to lead the franchise.

 

[Oldman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008212750967726506

View: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2008212750967726506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2008212750967726506%7Ctwgr%5E7381bc269c6a15d1b3abe27ffadc9697cf265990%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnfl%2Fnews%2Fnfl-coach-gm-live-updates-rumors-firings-hirings%2Flive%2F

So much for the Pete Carroll era. I think his intentions were good when he took the job. But he walked into an organization that is in complete disarray. Which begs the question: What coaching candidates would be interested in taking a job like this with such a high failure rate? At this point, it would take a miracle worker to turn this team around. Lol

It would take a new Owner.

 

[movingtarget]

Crazy entertaining game at the Steelers. Both QB's had big moments. Steelets defense was good but they blew two coverages badly which kept the Ravens in the game. Steelers got Watt back at the right time and also had the more effective run game. Overall Rodgers looked good while Lamar looked rusty at times which was no surprise with the injury issues. Insane ending with Boswell missing an extra point and he never misses those and then the Ravens kicker missing as well !

 

[Oldman]

That is still Mahomes using his legs to run around the pocket. His reading receiver progression and defenses is average. Burrow and Stafford do those things better than Mahomes since they need to be good at it, but having those players make it even better. If Mahomes was a pocket passer like Stafford or Burrow, Chiefs aren’t making a single Super Bowl. All the magic is his leg and arm strength, which is why the next two seasons will be huge to see how he recovers from his leg and improves mentally if he has to be more of a pocket passer.

Agreed but Stafford and Burrow are taller and carry more upper body weight. They can't move as fast as PM so they've learned to stay put. I haven't checked arm length on Stafford and Burrow but that could also contribute to comfort; they get fewer passes blocked.
Having noted that point; Sam Darnold is taller than all of them but seems to get more batted passes.