National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

That was very smart of Kingsbury to run a college-like RPO for Daniels. Let's not forget that Kliff was the architect of the Texas Tech Air Raid.

This loss by Detroit reminds me a little of how Baltimore crumbled last year in the AFCC against the Chiefs. They were never terribly behind, but played like it was near desperation, even as soon as 2Q. Goff also did play too much hero ball, almost panicking. And I think that pick right before the end of the 1st half was very much like some of the forced throws Lamar made last year against the Chiefs. And in both games, the winning team played mistake free.

One has to imagine the Lions will almost certainly lose Ben Johnson. This was really the one year for him to win a SB with them. My guess is Mark Brunell will get their OC job if Ben leaves. Glenn may be gone as well, but that's harder to say. He's very respected, but they gave up too many points too often. But the Lions lost so many players to injuries, including early in the game yesterday when CB Amik Robertson broke his arm. If they can avoid that next year, their D could be both stacked, and a lot of back-up guys seasoned.

All the Rams need to do is force Hurts to throw the ball a lot, and downfield, and they will win. And preferably force Hurts to play from behind. He can't do it. I know this isn't a small order, but it's why I am not that impressed with the Eagles. They get out ahead, Barkley gains yards, Hurts runs some and makes short passes, and that's all they can do.

 

[jmdirt]

Entertaining enough fist half...

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Weather only partly affecting the game, which is good. It seems the field/cleats is as much of an issue. I hope both teams adapted for the 2nd half.

I still stand by what I said about Hurts inability to beat a team with his arm, especially from behind. Weather, or no weather. Eagles need to stay ahead, and keep running and throwing real short passes, to win.

Rams just need to find a way to get ahead. I'm thinking run a little more, and throw less out passes than they are so common to do because of Stafford's ability to zip a ball on the money there.

 

[Potomac]

I love a game in the snow.
This has been great,

 

[Potomac]

Rams getting the ball back, with a chance for one final drive to take the lead.

They only need 80 yards....hmmm

 

[Potomac]

Watching this game I thought I was mostly neutral. But here at the end I realize just how much I despise the Eagles.
Except for Barkley.

 

[Potomac]

....and how much I'm tired of listening to Chris Collinsworth.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Agree on all points.

So far, all three teams I'd hope would win, lost. Though I'm good on Washington.

I don't really care who wins the last game. I just want it to be entertaining. And whomever wins it, to beat KC. The worst possible Super Bowl to me would be a KC-Philly rematch.

 

[Nomad]

Let's no put the cart before the horse, the way KC played they would lose to either Buffalo or Baltimore, IMO. Reid has got a lot of things to fix offensively (the run game was nonexistent for one) or they're not heading to their 3rd consecutive SB.

Entertaining game in Philly. The Barkley show dominated as expected particularly in those snowy conditions (205 yards!). Nice comeback attempt by Stafford though he didn't look all that comfortable in those conditions.

The NFCCG will be the rubber game of the matchup between Wash & Philly with the teams splitting the regular season contests; Wash losing to Philly on the road but beating them in the 2nd game at home. The long range forecast is looking real good for the game with seasonal temps & dry conditions. And what a storyline that would be if Daniels & the Commanders win & play in the SB!

 

[movingtarget]

Ravens defense seems to be adjusting while the Bills are starting to struggle against the run. Henry got easy yards on the previous drive.

 

[movingtarget]

Second critical mistake by Andrews..........

 

[Sciatic]

I did not have a favorite in the Bills-Ravs game. But frustrated--that when it's do-or-die--that have to have the 2pt conversation, to call a play where the catch is short of the goal line. It's possible if Andrews did catch it he might have been short of the goal line.

Of course they were in that position because they went for two earlier with tons of time left in the game. That makes sense to me IF a team has a knockout a play for two pointers.

 

[Potomac]

I was watching the Bills Ravens game with my in-laws....rabid bills fans. Even the dog had a Bills jersey on

 

[movingtarget]

Two very interesting games for next week. One expected, one not.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I did not have a favorite in the Bills-Ravs game. But frustrated--that when it's do-or-die--that have to have the 2pt conversation, to call a play where the catch is short of the goal line. It's possible if Andrews did catch it he might have been short of the goal line.

Of course they were in that position because they went for two earlier with tons of time left in the game. That makes sense to me IF a team has a knockout a play for two pointers.

Yeah Ravens should have kicked the extra point the first time around. But both teams played well in the cold. It’ll be some fun games next week.

 

[jmdirt]

I was yelling at the TV in the Q3 when BAL went for 2! STUPID! STUPID! Immediately it kills the thrill of the score, but look what it did to the end of the game! STUPID! F analytics, these Muti million $$ coaches are stupid! Fn think man! I don't care how great a coach Harbaugh has been, that was STUPID! Use you head, not a spread sheet! See what you get?!

Anyway, strange game overall.

The early game was also strange really.

Both entertaining enough, just strange.

Since I had the rant above, I will hold off on ranting about games that are affected/dictated by weather...for now...

 

[Sciatic]

I was yelling at the TV in the Q3 when BAL went for 2! STUPID! STUPID! Immediately it kills the thrill of the score, but look what it did to the end of the game! STUPID! F analytics, these Muti million $$ coaches are stupid! Fn think man! I don't care how great a coach Harbaugh has been, that was STUPID! Use you head, not a spread sheet! See what you get?!

Anyway, strange game overall.

The early game was also strange really.

Both entertaining enough, just strange.

Since I had the rant above, I will hold off on ranting about games that are affected/dictated by weather...for now...

Totally in agreement about the early go for 2. Announcers and I’m guessing many coaches treat “analytics” like the Bible, when it should be one of many statistical tools they have on hand. I wonder how many coaches & media actually read “Moneyball” as opposed to seeing the movie? Because the biggest point of the book is how prone our brains are to following conventional wisdom and accepted truths which leads to biased decision making. So now analytics has become the conventional wisdom that seems to obscure the full context of each game-time decision.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Vikings Predicted to Exchange Sam Darnold for 4-Time MVP Quarterback

The Minnesota Vikings have been floated as a landing spot for Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, while Sam Darnold has been linked to New York.

heavy.com

All I know is I approve this prediction so Rodgers can complete his destiny.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'll admit it was a somewhat strange couple of games. Weather will do that. But I also think in the end the better teams won. The second game was quite good towards the end.

The problem with analytics in football is unlike baseball, which is pretty much pitcher vs. catcher, then add fielding, it's much more spread out, and much more in real time. Here you have to factor in trends and subtle things you've seen with your own eyes, as previous as the last play. Hundreds of factors.

Mark Andrews is an outstanding TE, and he really should have caught the ball. But wasn't a perfect pass either. Lamar didn't have a great game, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the playoff games he lost in the past. In these conditions, it's hard to blame either of them, and Buffalo played well. Smart. Also, even if the Ravens made the last 2 point conversion, there was still plenty of time left on the clock for the Bills to march down the field and kick a FG, and they had been moving the ball fairly well late.

Buffalo right now looks liked the best team in the league. But they have had playoff games they've blown the last three years, so I wouldn't read too much into that.

That would be absolutely comedic if Rodgers went to the Vikings. Hilarious. If the Vikings want a vet to mentor JJ, Rodgers is the wrong guy. Flacco will be a free agent, isn't as old, and played fairly well this year. I'd try to get him. I can easily see Flacco ending up a QB coach, or college coach when he's done playing. Rodgers is likely to crawl into a cave, then appear every so often to chant conspiracy theories.

 

[Sciatic]

I'll admit it was a somewhat strange couple of games. Weather will do that. But I also think in the end the better teams won. The second game was quite good towards the end.

The problem with analytics in football is unlike baseball, which is pretty much pitcher vs. catcher, then add fielding, it's much more spread out, and much more in real time. Here you have to factor in trends and subtle things you've seen with your own eyes, as previous as the last play. Hundreds of factors.

Mark Andrews is an outstanding TE, and he really should have caught the ball. But wasn't a perfect pass either. Lamar didn't have a great game, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the playoff games he lost in the past. In these conditions, it's hard to blame either of them, and Buffalo played well. Smart. Also, even if the Ravens made the last 2 point conversion, there was still plenty of time left on the clock for the Bills to march down the field and kick a FG, and they had been moving the ball fairly well late.

Buffalo right now looks liked the best team in the league. But they have had playoff games they've blown the last three years, so I wouldn't read too much into that.

That would be absolutely comedic if Rodgers went to the Vikings. Hilarious. If the Vikings want a vet to mentor JJ, Rodgers is the wrong guy. Flacco will be a free agent, isn't as old, and played fairly well this year. I'd try to get him. I can easily see Flacco ending up a QB coach, or college coach when he's done playing. Rodgers is likely to crawl into a cave, then appear every so often to chant conspiracy theories.

Really good point about plenty of time left on the clock for Bills to score even if Ravens tied it. Easy to lose sight of that in the big spotlight on the drop (and for me on theplay call).

 

[Nomad]

I would agree that Buffalo is the best team right now. The key to their win was turnover free football & execution of their running game with Cook & the rotation all contributing. Allen had a sub-par game throwing the ball but weather could have been part of that, even for him.

Baltimore, OTOH, can not turn the ball over 3 times on a road playoff game against a team like Buffalo & expect to win. And on the 2-pt conversion attempt they failed to execute which would have kept them alive for possible OT.

I'm disappointed in Baltimore because how many more chances are they going to get a shot at the SB? 12 wins & another division title this season, another MVP possibility for Jackson, Derrick Henry, who's running the ball superbly & injury free, added to your team, and they come up short...again. This team's legacy will go down in history as underachieving never able to win the "big one" let alone even get to the SB (having Jackson as a multiple MVP, nonetheless). IMO, this is all on Harbaugh - he's not making it happen.

Interestingly, all four teams moving on the championship game played turnover-free football in their divisional round.

So, it'll be Allen vs Mahomes, McDermott vs Reid & the Bills vs the Arrowhead crowd. And the long range forecast for the game is showing near seasonal temperatures & dry conditions.

 

[BullsFan22]

I would agree that Buffalo is the best team right now. The key to their win was turnover free football & execution of their running game with Cook & the rotation all contributing. Allen had a sub-par game throwing the ball but weather could have been part of that, even for him.

Baltimore, OTOH, can not turn the ball over 3 times on a road playoff game against a team like Buffalo & expect to win. And on the 2-pt conversion attempt they failed to execute which would have kept them alive for possible OT.

I'm disappointed in Baltimore because how many more chances are they going to get a shot at the SB? 12 wins & another division title this season, another MVP possibility for Jackson, Derrick Henry, who's running the ball superbly & injury free, added to your team, and they come up short...again. This team's legacy will go down in history as underachieving never able to win the "big one" let alone even get to the SB. IMO, this is all on Harbaugh - he's not making it happen.

Interestingly, all four teams moving on the championship game played turnover-free football in their divisional round.

So, it'll be Allen vs Mahomes, McDermott vs Reid & the Bills vs the Arrowhead crowd. And the long range forecast for the game is showing near seasonal temperatures & dry conditions.

I mean, it’s not just Baltimore, it’s Buffalo, it’s the Lions, the Vikings, Packers, Niners, Bengals, Steelers, etc. How many chances will those teams have?

 

[Nomad]

Rodgers is likely to crawl into a cave, then appear every so often to chant conspiracy theories.

He likes to hang out with McAfee on that weird show of his. Lol. This is probably one of the weirdest talking head shows that I've ever seen with the strange people as his regulars. But Rodgers likes appearing on the show from his man cave where he looks like he's high half the time anyway. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

I mean, it’s not just Baltimore, it’s Buffalo, it’s the Lions, the Vikings, Packers, Niners, Bengals, Steelers, etc. How many chances will those teams have?

That's a good point. Then it's absolutely a must win for Buffalo. McDermott & Allen must figure out a way to beat the Chiefs. The Bills may not have another chance - the last time they played in the AFCCG was in the 2020 season. With Allen, you arguably have a top 3 QB in the league. He probably feels that he's every bit as good as Mahomes. It's time for him to lead his team to victory.

 

[BullsFan22]

That's a good point. Then it's absolutely a must win for Buffalo. McDermott & Allen must figure out a way to beat the Chiefs. The Bills may not have another chance - the last time they played in the AFCCG was in the 2020 season. With Allen, you arguably have a top 3 QB in the league. He probably feels that he's every bit as good as Mahomes. It's time for him to lead his team to victory.

Top 5 qbs (in no particular order): Allen, Mahomes, Jackson, Burrow, Daniels. IMO.