National Football League

[jmdirt]

Good win for the Rams, and I'm happy Stafford gets a ring, same with a few other guys. The better team won, but that penalty on 3rd down was sketchy close, and may have changed the game.

Is it just me, or is it despite the close game, and close score, this game had nowhere near the drama as so many games in recent weeks?

It had a strange 'feel', but all in all a good game.

SB fans are usually less enthusiastic because 'true' football fans can't afford to go (at least in large numbers).

 

[jmdirt]

And from an old-school viewer that loves good music over throngs of fake fans and lip-synch artists: Best Superbowl halftime entertainment in decades.

I took the dog for a walk so I'll have to take your word for it.

 

[SHAD0W93]

And for Kupp I think I’d rather be Super Bowl MVP vs regular MVP. The former comes with a whole lot more.

And as of now I would think Rams are favorite in the NFC and Stafford could likely surpass Aaron at 2 and join Ben, Eli, and Peyton among others.

 

[movingtarget]

And for Kupp I think I’d rather be Super Bowl MVP vs regular MVP. The former comes with a whole lot more.

And as of now I would think Rams are favorite in the NFC and Stafford could likely surpass Aaron at 2 and join Ben, Eli, and Peyton among others.

The Cards host the SB next season so they better get it together if they also want to win at home ! Rams will definitely be the NFC favourites if they retain most of their best players, take your pick for the AFC.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

And from an old-school viewer that loves good music over throngs of fake fans and lip-synch artists: Best Superbowl halftime entertainment in decades.

I thought it was a good show. Obviously R&B, rap, and hip-hop aren't for everybody, but I was familiar with (and like) the majority of the songs, so I could get into it. I liked the dancers a lot more than the usual fake fans excitedly jumping up and down at any rate.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

And as of now I would think Rams are favorite in the NFC and Stafford could likely surpass Aaron at 2 and join Ben, Eli, and Peyton among others.

Let's save this post, see if I turn out to be an idiot, because I don't think the Rams are going to repeat, at all. In fact, I think they are going to somewhat struggle next year. Not tank, but maybe 10-7 struggle. Too many old players, too much risk in "we finally did it", which doesn't have the same drive that a team who did well, but fell short has. Too many teams gunning for them. They will have to do it with the same aging players as well, because they are over the cap, and have no quality picks in the draft. They mortgaged that away for years to come. I also don't put Stafford in the same category as the likes of Brady, P Manning, even Mahomes, who can will their teams to back to back to back championship contending years. I'm not even sure I put Stafford in the same category as QB's who had repeated winning seasons, even if they didn't win multiple SB's. Brees, Rodgers. He's good. Very good. But so are a handful of other QB's without rings.

Let's also not forget that while they won in January, when it counted, they had several games where they looked mediocre. They also barely won this game, against a younger, hungry team. I'll even argue that late flag against Logan Willson was a gimmie for the Rams to win this game. Would the Rams have converted on 4th and 8? We'll never know.

They may win the division next year. I'm not sure Arizona, or Murray, has what it takes to win a championship, the Seahawks are in some sort of re-tooling, and the 49ers are going to rebuild with Lance. But I'll be surprised if the Rams get deep in the playoffs. If they do, it's because the NFC is weaker than the AFC right now, especially with Brady's retirement. If Rodgers moves to the AFC, that could help as well, but Rodgers isn't much of a playoff winner it seems, so that shouldn't matter as much.

The last team to repeat was the Patriots, 17 years ago. Are the Rams that good?

 

[jmdirt]

On the way to work Bill Reiter (who I don't care for) said that TB is looking very seriously at Watson. He might not really know anything, but if that's true, I just don't get it. I wouldn't bring him in until all of the legal stuff is completely settled (unless you're the Jets).

 

[jmdirt]

Let's save this post, see if I turn out to be an idiot, because I don't think the Rams are going to repeat, at all. In fact, I think they are going to somewhat struggle next year. Not tank, but maybe 10-7 struggle. Too many old players, too much risk in "we finally did it", which doesn't have the same drive that a team who did well, but fell short has. Too many teams gunning for them. They will have to do it with the same aging players as well, because they are over the cap, and have no quality picks in the draft. They mortgaged that away for years to come. I also don't put Stafford in the same category as the likes of Brady, P Manning, even Mahomes, who can will their teams to back to back to back championship contending years. I'm not even sure I put Stafford in the same category as QB's who had repeated winning seasons, even if they didn't win multiple SB's. Brees, Rodgers. He's good. Very good. But so are a handful of other QB's without rings.

Let's also not forget that while they won in January, when it counted, they had several games where they looked mediocre. They also barely won this game, against a younger, hungry team. I'll even argue that late flag against Logan Willson was a gimmie for the Rams to win this game. Would the Rams have converted on 4th and 8? We'll never know.

They may win the division next year. I'm not sure Arizona, or Murray, has what it takes to win a championship, the Seahawks are in some sort of re-tooling, and the 49ers are going to rebuild with Lance. But I'll be surprised if the Rams get deep in the playoffs. If they do, it's because the NFC is weaker than the AFC right now, especially with Brady's retirement. If Rodgers moves to the AFC, that could help as well, but Rodgers isn't much of a playoff winner it seems, so that shouldn't matter as much.

The last team to repeat was the Patriots, 17 years ago. Are the Rams that good?

You can't complain about gimmies without talking about the Q3 TD for CIN.

 

[Unchained]

Don't know the collective opinion,but for me, I think that this years playoffs and Super Bowl were really really fun to watch. Yesterday's game was excellent and both offences were very good..both lines gave time and there was balance, that made it go down to the final minutes. Overall excellent in my mind. And Kupp and Donald are both coaching nightmares!! With Beckham Jr not doing much, the world, everyone on both teams knew that Cooper was the go to guy and they still could not defend against him..and Donald was often doubled at the line and had someone from the backfield assigned to block him and they just couldn't do it..and I saw a few plays were Rams defender blocked to the ground,off their feet but still got up to make or be involved in the tackle..Some of their fitness made my wing,cake,Dorittos consumption feel even more guilty but I pushed through because I didn't want to make others uncomfortable by dieting at the party,plus the chocolate flan cheesecake may have gone bad if I didn't eat it..I don't know for sure but eating 3 pounds of guacamole doesn't appear to have effected me that much..
The half time thing tanked w me and I didn't like Brady Bunch or Partridge Family music lip syncing and I felt like the show could have been done cheaper w holograms and just phone it in..next year Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins will do a show where everyone in the mosh pit is using a walker and Velcro close shoes, w diabetic socks..again about my eating and personal girth..that was a Pilsbury version of 50 cent..I thought my clothes don't fit right..at least I am aware!!!I have been told over and over that old age is not for whimps..

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

You can't complain about gimmies without talking about the Q3 TD for CIN.

Totally correct. Terrible call. Not as dramatic, or hard to swallow, as it didn't happen at the very end of the game.

I'll still contend the Rams are not going to repeat as SB champs. That was the crux of my post. If I had to make a gut pick right now, I'd say either Buffalo or KC. Ask again in 6 months.

Someone also linked Watson to talking to the Steelers. I doubt that as well.

I will be surprised if any team touches Watson. While it looks like some sort of settlement with the victims is possible, Watson buying their silence, my gut tells me there will be tremendous pressure on the NFL to not let it slide and just let him go right back to playing. There would be an absolute howl of protest if that happened, and it wouldn't die out slowly. So, what happens if you sign him, and find out he's suspended for the season? Then what?

This also assumes he doesn't actually face legal trouble, which is still under investigation, and could drag out for months. Let's pretend that surfaces in, say, September? Then what? And what happens if he ends up in jail? While pretty unlikely, just the spectre of it is downright ugly. If he skates that, what happens if he's given extended probation?

I don't think even the Jets are that stupid.

 

[jmdirt]

Totally correct. Terrible call. Not as dramatic, or hard to swallow, as it didn't happen at the very end of the game.

I'll still contend the Rams are not going to repeat as SB champs. That was the crux of my post. If I had to make a gut pick right now, I'd say either Buffalo or KC. Ask again in 6 months.

Someone also linked Watson to talking to the Steelers. I doubt that as well.

I will be surprised if any team touches Watson. While it looks like some sort of settlement with the victims is possible, Watson buying their silence, my gut tells me there will be tremendous pressure on the NFL to not let it slide and just let him go right back to playing. There would be an absolute howl of protest if that happened, and it wouldn't die out slowly. So, what happens if you sign him, and find out he's suspended for the season? Then what?

This also assumes he doesn't actually face legal trouble, which is still under investigation, and could drag out for months. Let's pretend that surfaces in, say, September? Then what? And what happens if he ends up in jail? While pretty unlikely, just the spectre of it is downright ugly. If he skates that, what happens if he's given extended probation?

I don't think even the Jets are that stupid.

Time in the game is somewhat irrelevant. If CIN doesn't get that score, LAR might not have needed a heroic last drive.

 

[SHAD0W93]

You can't complain about gimmies without talking about the Q3 TD for CIN.

But then they also missed called on Ramsay so as drastic as the miss face mask is in that it gave up a touchdown, they weren’t really calling anything all game. Then that call happened and then the Bengals committed every penalty after that. It’s like with people upset about last year on the holding call on Godwin when his Jersey was pulled. Either call it all game or dont nitpick at the end of the game.

I don’t know the contract situation for any but if Rams can keep Stafford, Kupp, OBJ, Woods, Donald, Ramsay, Floyd, and Miller they’ll be in good shape. Though today someone reported that Donald was saying if they won the Super Bowl he was seriously considering retirement. If Chiefs can fix how inconsistent they can be they should absolutely be favorites in a heavy AFC but NFC is far more open and why I think it’ll be easier for Rams.



Shhh, we’re not supposed to bring up home field next year.

 

[Unchained]

There is Brady series and a bunch of other great video on ESPNs 30 for 30 and a few great interviews with Gumble and Bob Costas..and one theme that Donald may have picked up on is many NFL players say that they stayed too long..stayed too long at the dance..I look at Donald and players like him and see them as effective,contributors to winning but they are the ones doing it..
And if you are feeling NFL withdrawals..American Underdog..the story about Kurt Warner and his football,Super Bowl,Hall of Fame journey is excellent in my opinion..rated G for good..

 

[movingtarget]

Let's save this post, see if I turn out to be an idiot, because I don't think the Rams are going to repeat, at all. In fact, I think they are going to somewhat struggle next year. Not tank, but maybe 10-7 struggle. Too many old players, too much risk in "we finally did it", which doesn't have the same drive that a team who did well, but fell short has. Too many teams gunning for them. They will have to do it with the same aging players as well, because they are over the cap, and have no quality picks in the draft. They mortgaged that away for years to come. I also don't put Stafford in the same category as the likes of Brady, P Manning, even Mahomes, who can will their teams to back to back to back championship contending years. I'm not even sure I put Stafford in the same category as QB's who had repeated winning seasons, even if they didn't win multiple SB's. Brees, Rodgers. He's good. Very good. But so are a handful of other QB's without rings.

Let's also not forget that while they won in January, when it counted, they had several games where they looked mediocre. They also barely won this game, against a younger, hungry team. I'll even argue that late flag against Logan Willson was a gimmie for the Rams to win this game. Would the Rams have converted on 4th and 8? We'll never know.

They may win the division next year. I'm not sure Arizona, or Murray, has what it takes to win a championship, the Seahawks are in some sort of re-tooling, and the 49ers are going to rebuild with Lance. But I'll be surprised if the Rams get deep in the playoffs. If they do, it's because the NFC is weaker than the AFC right now, especially with Brady's retirement. If Rodgers moves to the AFC, that could help as well, but Rodgers isn't much of a playoff winner it seems, so that shouldn't matter as much.

The last team to repeat was the Patriots, 17 years ago. Are the Rams that good?

I agreed with JM that the Rams will be paper favourites but I agree with you, I don't see them repeating. There was a lot of pressure on them to get it done now after having a younger arguably better team lose to the Patriots in 2018 where the Patriots defense stifled the Rams offense and neither team did anything much on offense. The main improvement for them since 2018 has been Stafford and Kupp. While Goff had a great season in 2018 he never recovered from a poor SB performance. OBJ is only there to cover for Woods ' injury and Von Miller was a decent pick up although way past his best. Kupp was always good but this season he was almost unstoppable for most defenses with Stafford throwing to him.

The NFC West is going to be interesting with so much change going on especially possibly at the QB position. The 49ers like the Rams have an aging team but now with a young QB so while they don't need a full rebuild they will need to pick up some pieces like the Rams did. The Cardinals have had a rebuild and its just a matter of time for Seattle.Once again the 49ers could be be in a QB quandary if Lance doesn't develop as quick as hoped for. This season's QB rookies had a mixed season at best even though it was regarded as a good QB draft but with rookie QBs mostly getting on the field quicker now, its no surprise.Why the 49ers didn't wants Brady when he left the Patriots still puzzles a lot of people except for the biggest Jimmy G fans..........

 

[King Boonen]

Disgusting, chicken sh*t for sure, but lifetime ban?

I said long, not lifetime.

 

[movingtarget]

https://www.nfl.com/news/bengals-qb-joe-burrow-knee-sprain-wont-require-offseason-surgery

 

[movingtarget]

https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-order-2021-regular-season-final

 

[Unchained]

Aaron Rodgers lost another teammate..she is moving on

 

[movingtarget]

You could argue that the SB window for GB wasn't going to be more open than the past few seasons especially for Adams and Rodgers. Rodgers second SB win is looking more elusive than ever and the window is closing for GB if Rodgers leaves along with possibly other elite players. GB will be left with a rookie QB who has hardly seen the field and doesn't seem to inspire GB with much confidence otherwise Rodgers would have been gone already. If Rodgers does leave I think GB will be looking at the Rams success and belief in signing big names instead of developing rookies. McVay has missed the playoffs once and been to two SBs in five years so why wouldn't they keep using their draft picks to grab name players but the window for success doing that is smaller not that the Rams care now. If Rodgers does leave, GB only has themselves to blame in not building a team around Rodgers sooner. Others argue that as good as Rodgers is, he often doesn't deliver in the playoffs and only has himself to blame. But if GB can at least retain their other elite players and pick up a quality QB they will probably be optimistic but elite QBs are never easy to come by and they cost.

Should be an interesting off season for QB movements. Many seem to think Rodgers, Wilson etc will stay put and Brady won't be back. I think Jimmy G will probably be the first QB of note to go as it seems the 49ers are already getting a quite a bit of interest from teams like Washington. Also rumors that the Colts will dump Wentz. The more desperate teams will want to lock up a new QB asap of course. Seems the Texans will run with their rookie for the moment. What happens with Watson is anyone's guess.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The last 3 years and in 2014 were defines GB’s chances to make it back to the Super Bowl and they lost them all for one reason or another. Just like Saints had their window with the Minneapolis Miracle and NFCGC. If I was SF or TB GM I’d be trying to court Rodgers like crazy.

 

[movingtarget]

The last 3 years and in 2014 were defines GB’s chances to make it back to the Super Bowl and they lost them all for one reason or another. Just like Saints had their window with the Minneapolis Miracle and NFCGC. If I was SF or TB GM I’d be trying to court Rodgers like crazy.

if reports are to be believed, Brady was pissed when the 49ers didn't want him in 2020 and he has no interest in the 49ers anymore. 49ers have at least contacted GB about Rodgers last season, pre the Lance signing.. I think the Rams win will put some pressure on Shanahan to pursue Rodgers but it seems they are all in on Lance for the moment and even Jimmy G acknowledged that a few weeks ago after the Rams loss.

 

[Oldermanish]

Let's save this post, see if I turn out to be an idiot, because I don't think the Rams are going to repeat, at all. In fact, I think they are going to somewhat struggle next year. Not tank, but maybe 10-7 struggle. Too many old players, too much risk in "we finally did it", which doesn't have the same drive that a team who did well, but fell short has. Too many teams gunning for them. They will have to do it with the same aging players as well, because they are over the cap, and have no quality picks in the draft. They mortgaged that away for years to come. I also don't put Stafford in the same category as the likes of Brady, P Manning, even Mahomes, who can will their teams to back to back to back championship contending years. I'm not even sure I put Stafford in the same category as QB's who had repeated winning seasons, even if they didn't win multiple SB's. Brees, Rodgers. He's good. Very good. But so are a handful of other QB's without rings.

Let's also not forget that while they won in January, when it counted, they had several games where they looked mediocre. They also barely won this game, against a younger, hungry team. I'll even argue that late flag against Logan Willson was a gimmie for the Rams to win this game. Would the Rams have converted on 4th and 8? We'll never know.

They may win the division next year. I'm not sure Arizona, or Murray, has what it takes to win a championship, the Seahawks are in some sort of re-tooling, and the 49ers are going to rebuild with Lance. But I'll be surprised if the Rams get deep in the playoffs. If they do, it's because the NFC is weaker than the AFC right now, especially with Brady's retirement. If Rodgers moves to the AFC, that could help as well, but Rodgers isn't much of a playoff winner it seems, so that shouldn't matter as much.

The last team to repeat was the Patriots, 17 years ago. Are the Rams that good?

No. They were fortunate to win the division based on injuries to most every other team.
I loved that the NFC West generally overachieved based on the East Coast sports/head media bias. That said: Mathew Stafford threw a few good passes but he's not on the 2nd tier yet. Scroll the footage and see the lofty and pickable throws that missed. Rams defense won this game IMO.

 

[Oldermanish]

You could argue that the SB window for GB wasn't going to be more open than the past few seasons especially for Adams and Rodgers. Rodgers second SB win is looking more elusive than ever and the window is closing for GB if Rodgers leaves along with possibly other elite players. GB will be left with a rookie QB who has hardly seen the field and doesn't seem to inspire GB with much confidence otherwise Rodgers would have been gone already. If Rodgers does leave I think GB will be looking at the Rams success and belief in signing big names instead of developing rookies. McVay has missed the playoffs once and been to two SBs in five years so why wouldn't they keep using their draft picks to grab name players but the window for success doing that is smaller not that the Rams care now. If Rodgers does leave, GB only has themselves to blame in not building a team around Rodgers sooner. Others argue that as good as Rodgers is, he often doesn't deliver in the playoffs and only has himself to blame. But if GB can at least retain their other elite players and pick up a quality QB they will probably be optimistic but elite QBs are never easy to come by and they cost.

Should be an interesting off season for QB movements. Many seem to think Rodgers, Wilson etc will stay put and Brady won't be back. I think Jimmy G will probably be the first QB of note to go as it seems the 49ers are already getting a quite a bit of interest from teams like Washington. Also rumors that the Colts will dump Wentz. The more desperate teams will want to lock up a new QB asap of course. Seems the Texans will run with their rookie for the moment. What happens with Watson is anyone's guess.

Wilson and Seattle suffered from every key edge offense player being injured simultaneously while the QB and running back were down, too. Tyler Lockett seemed to carry alot of freight along with 3rd choice running backs for half the season. They deserve to get plenty of targets next year as a reward, hopefully.
Meanwhile SF will search for a field General. As a Hawks fan I'd love to see Rodgers go there. He won't because his history seems to go dark around Seattle.

 

[jmdirt]

Wilson and Seattle suffered from every key edge offense player being injured simultaneously while the QB and running back were down, too. Tyler Lockett seemed to carry alot of freight along with 3rd choice running backs for half the season. They deserve to get plenty of targets next year as a reward, hopefully.
Meanwhile SF will search for a field General. As a Hawks fan I'd love to see Rodgers go there. He won't because his history seems to go dark around Seattle.

NO! No ARodg in SEA! I've been a fan since the mid '70s, and stuck with them through a lot, but that would make it really tough for me.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

McVay has missed the playoffs once and been to two SBs in five years so why wouldn't they keep using their draft picks to grab name players but the window for success doing that is smaller not that the Rams care now.

Because the Rams mortgaged their future, in entirety, on winning this year? Not just so many draft picks, but the money. They will be $20m over the cap this coming season, and only four other teams have committed more money than them. It gets slightly better in 2023, and poor again in 2024. They also are paying out some huge money in the future to players who are doing good now. Stafford, Donald, Woods, Kupp, and Floyd are all under contract, and have pretty big salaries. The Rams could try to restructure some or all of them, but that requires kicking the money can more into the future, with even more difficult decisions and less money down the line. Ramsey's contract comes to mind. To get him they gave up two first-round picks, a fourth-round pick, and a huge money extension for the future. How long will he really be earning that, by comparison to his peers? There's also the issue of Miller. He's at the end of his career, but says he'll be back, at 33. The Broncos ate most of his $20m salary this season. I presume he'll work for less in a new team friendly contract (meaning back-ended, another mortgaging of the future), but those two draft picks to get him are forever gone. They could cut both Whitworth and Robinson, which would free up the $20m over the cap they are. Whitworth, at 40, is due $14m next year, and I'm sure he'll stay on past the cut dates to get the most money he can, or just stay and play another year. But if you were him, why would you? And how good is he really going to be next season? He looked like he was running on fumes at the end of this year.

But I don't think that matters to them. This strategy, the win now at all costs, paid off. Future be damned. Draft picks be damned. Money be damned. They'll just have to figure out how to cut players at the right time in order to free up more money to buy more. It's a big risk, without question, as draft picks are free (well, inexpensive) players. There is going to be big money to pay, and moving a player like Ramsey if he doen't keep performing at a high level is impossible. Or, impossible, period But like I said, they won the Super Bowl. If they are mediocre, or in salary cap hell with few draft picks for a few years, so what? They will have that banner to look at in the stands, and players with rings on fingers to polish.

Rumors that the Colts will dump Wentz.

They gave up too much to get him, assuming Frank Reich could work with him. Two draft picks, including a first rounder. Ouch. The Rams gave up a lot to get Stafford, but Stafford is pretty good. Wentz had maybe 1 1/2 good seasons. Even to trade him now his draft capital is crap. Mid to late round would be my guess, at best, as teams know the Colts will want to cut him before the mid March deadline when they have to pay him. But I agree, he's gone in Indy. An expensive lesson. Or, maybe not if they can buy a better player (see Rams strategy above!).