National Football League

[SHAD0W93]

Damn, I just found out the Bears are 6-3.

 

[Nomad]

While the Eagles won, I'm not entirely sure they're happy about how the game went.

As I said, Packers needed to get the ball moving and into the end zone, and they couldn't.

Probably not since Barkley was held to a season low 60 yds rushing & their whole running attack was neutralized. And with only 10 pts scored (season low), this is where Love needed to play better & somehow just manufacturer one scoring drive there at the end to win the game

Maybe just a bad game for him, because Love has been throwing the ball real well this year. He's kept the turnovers down with only 3 picks so far, and he's way above his career averages in completion Pct (68 vs 64) & passer rating (103 vs 96). And let's not forget he's Tier-2 described as a "Bit of gunslinger...but more consistently good than bad."

The situation with the Pack moving forward is their BRUTAL schedule: Games against NYG, Detroit, Denver, Baltimore, Chicago (twice), Minnesota (twice). It's going to be a donnybrook as they'll be going toe to toe with these teams. Should make for some exciting football to watch.

 

[Nomad]

Broncos with another win, though they have to be firing on all cylinders against the Chiefs. If the. Broncos win. I think they take the division.

What do you think of the Chargers though? They're 7-3 & just one game behind the Broncos. They still have the 2nd games against the Broncos & Chiefs, with the Bronco game the last one of the year (wouldn't that be something if that game was for the division title).

In fact, I'm surprised the Chargers have been doing so well given their horrendous injury situation: They're down to their 3rd string RB, and All-Pro stud tackles Alt & Slater are out for the year. But Herbert has risen to the occasion playing some of his best football. Unbelievably, the guy is currently #1 in QB rushing yards! (already more than last season's total). Plus he's #2 in passing yardage behind D. Jones. The guy is getting done with his arm & legs.

I'll say it again; Greg Roman was dead serious that he wants Herbert to use his athleticism & run more.

NFL Qb Rushing Yards Leaders 2025 | StatMuse

Justin Herbert has rushed for the most yards by a quarterback this season, with 324 yards.

www.statmuse.com

 

[Nomad]

Cowherd's take on Drake Maye:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/rpJvyhz4HWo?si=cz8I3FgZMUWwtnlf

 

[Nomad]

Don't ask me who the best team in the AFC is. The USA Today guys mostly think it's the Chiefs who will prevail!

C'mon man, you must have an opinion? I personally thought it was the Patriots - but you pointed out their weak schedule which changed my mind - even with the Tampa win last week.

IMO, the Broncos are winning with luck barely squeaking by lousy teams. And Nix has regressed from the last season (if it wasn't for their defense, I think they'd be below .500).

The Bills looked like the King of the Jungle & the team to beat with that impressive shootout win over the Ravens in week #1, but the loss at home to NE, the loss to Atlanta & the crushing defeat at the hands of the hapless Dolphins has raised some concerns.

The Chargers are a badly damaged warship only staying in the battle because of Herbert & some key backups stepping up. But how much longer can Herbert keep that up? (particularly if he's running the ball a lot, his risk of injury goes up). They have a fairly tough 2nd half schedule with big games against the Eagles, Chiefs & Broncos.

Could it be the Colts? The one-two punch of Jones & Taylor? Any holes in their game?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Colts were somewhat exposed as being this year's Vikings when they could barely do anything against the Steelers. But they immediately bounced back. They are #1 in the league in point differential. Who is next in the AFC at #5 overall? KC. Yards per play? Colts are again #1. Chiefs? 9th. Colts also #1 in yards overall, and yards per game. Their 1-2 punch is indeed impressive. I compare the two teams because the Colts play at KC in two weeks.
Which brings up a point. Chiefs really need to beat the Broncos this weekend, then also beat the Colts the following weekend. They do that, then we'll know some of their losses were just tough losses, and they are for real and maybe the team to beat in the AFC.

Ravens play Browns, Jets, Bengals, Steelers coming up. They could definitely be 9-5 at that point and in first place.

I honestly don't know what to think of the Patriots. Other than they are obviously good, and Maye really good. Vrabel has that team drilled, dialed, and motivated. And Josh McDaniels is obviously perfect for Maye.

The Bills have to show me something before I believe in them. In my 50 years of watching football, teams don't have bad losses, then just turn a switch on and win, especially when it comes to the playoffs. Tampa next on their schedule, with tough games at New England, then the Eagles late. They need to essentially win all these games.

Denver's offense needs to show me something. This is why I think they will lose to KC (other than KC desperate). I see the Chiefs grinding ahead, maybe something like 10-3, and Denver unable to ever catch up or take the lead.

I'll believe Herbert is good when I see him win a big game, or a playoff game. Until then, he's Andy Dalton, or Derek Carr (Trent Green, Sonny Jurgensen...). And if he wins just one, and it's a team win, then he folds again, he's Kirk Cousins.

 

[Potomac]

Two NFL coaches getting fired before Thanksgiving?
That's got to be the record. Unfortunately, I don't think the football statistic websites make that kind of research any easier.

And yes, best teams in the AFC is a conundrum. And when I say best team, I mean who will play in the AFC championship game.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think it was 2021 that a third of the coaches were fired or resigned by year's end. Total bloodbath. But fired before Thanksgiving? That I don't know.

The AFC champion's hope is that the powerhouses in the NFC take each other out, or wear each other down, or a key upset happens. Basically, someone like Indy, NE, KC, need to get through the AFC unscathed, then hope something like the Lions take out the Eagles, Tampa takes out the Rams, then Tampa takes out Detroit. This leaves Mayfield with no receivers going up against the AFC team.

• Marino's 1993 Dolphins had a decent chance at beating the Cowboys who went through the Eagles and Niners to get to the SB. But the Dolphins, who had HFA, botched the AFC championship against the Bills, who were ez pickins for the Cowboys in the SB.
• After the 1996 season Denver was a powerhouse but fell completely flat against Jacksonville in the playoffs, this allowed Green Bay to take out New England.
• The following season Denver got to the SB, but may have gotten a gift when the Packers beat the 13-3 Niners in the NFC Championship. Denver was damn good this year though.
• The year after, the 15-1 Vikings lost in the NFC championship against Atlanta (who granted, finished 14-2, but with an easier schedule), and a lot of people think the Vikings would have beaten Denver.
• 2019 playoffs the Saints were screwed by the worst no-call in NFL history and should have beat the Rams. They would have been much more formidable against the Pats in the SB, where the Rams could only put up 3 points.

 

[SHAD0W93]

What do you think of the Chargers though? They're 7-3 & just one game behind the Broncos. They still have the 2nd games against the Broncos & Chiefs, with the Bronco game the last one of the year (wouldn't that be something if that game was for the division title).

In fact, I'm surprised the Chargers have been doing so well given their horrendous injury situation: They're down to their 3rd string RB, and All-Pro stud tackles Alt & Slater are out for the year. But Herbert has risen to the occasion playing some of his best football. Unbelievably, the guy is currently #1 in QB rushing yards! (already more than last season's total). Plus he's #2 in passing yardage behind D. Jones. The guy is getting done with his arm & legs.

I'll say it again; Greg Roman was dead serious that he wants Herbert to use his athleticism & run more.

NFL Qb Rushing Yards Leaders 2025 | StatMuse

Justin Herbert has rushed for the most yards by a quarterback this season, with 324 yards.

www.statmuse.com

I think they’ll charger somewhere and be the sixth seed though they have been playing well so far.

 

[Unchained]

I think they’ll charger somewhere and be the sixth seed though they have been playing well so far.

Chargers are in the top ten for rushing and the decisions that they made looked to me originally crazy, I would have kept Eckler, but I was wrong, backfield is doing ok.. No way of knowing but it sucks that Eckler has a season ending injury...KC not playing well, Denver is.. Chargers need to be more aggressive on first down and not burn plays on running as a rule. Herbert is playing well.. Hope Chargers can protect the football and keep interceptions and fumbles to a minimum for balance of the season. Chargers have a long, long ( too long) tradition of beating themselves. Defense is OK, but soft secondary constantly an issue, poor coverage, poor fundamentals with blown coverage, arm tackles, missed tackles..
They do look good so far. Harbaugh has made a difference..

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

KC not playing well, Denver is.

I'll argue KC is playing better at times. And what's really happening is Denver is winning, when KC isn't. The Broncos have found ways to win games they simply shouldn't have. But they did. But by the numbers the Chiefs are just as good. They are more dangerous on offense because of Mahomes, while Denver's offense is flat, Nix struggling. Chiefs aren't always in sync on offense, but if anyone can fix that by season's end it's Reid and Mahomes. KC's defense is still good, Denver's defense is however superb. No doubt. But as I pointed out earlier, the Chiefs absolutely must win in Denver this coming weekend. KC cannot afford to lose this game, and I think they'll find a way to pull it out.

 

[Unchained]

I'll argue KC is playing better at times. And what's really happening is Denver is winning, when KC isn't. The Broncos have found ways to win games they simply shouldn't have. But they did. But by the numbers the Chiefs are just as good. They are more dangerous on offense because of Mahomes, while Denver's offense is flat, Nix struggling. Chiefs aren't always in sync on offense, but if anyone can fix that by season's end it's Reid and Mahomes. KC's defense is still good, Denver's defense is however superb. No doubt. But as I pointed out earlier, the Chiefs absolutely must win in Denver this coming weekend. KC cannot afford to lose this game, and I think they'll find a way to pull it out.

It was bound to happen, he pulled too many rabbits out of too many hats. Mahomes showing signs of being human when his line poorly blocks. Cheifs do have weapons.. And Chargers and Broncos might have better records with inferior teams.. If I am picking a winner Mahomes is a better player than Herbert or Nix..half the season left.. I am not betting against Kansas City.. Plus I love Christian Okoye lite..Isiah Pacheco..I love anyone who plays like Frank Gore, Robert Newhouse, Csonka, smashers..guys who enjoy running into people as much as running around them.

 

[Nomad]

I'll believe Herbert is good when I see him win a big game, or a playoff game. Until then, he's Andy Dalton, or Derek Carr (Trent Green, Sonny Jurgensen...). And if he wins just one, and it's a team win, then he folds again, he's Kirk Cousins.

Well, he's got a ways to catch Andy "The Red Rifle" Dalton. Lol. Dalton, 0-4 in the postseason is tied with Y.A. Title (remember him back in the day?) for the most career playoff starts without a win. Herbert, at 0-2, is halfway there. But I don't think it matters much with ownership if he keeps losing playoff games. What are they going to do - dump him & replace him with Lance? Lol. Or draft another QB in the 1st rd where there's only a 36% chance that he'll be a "hit" vs a "miss."

I think most owners are happy to just make the playoffs every year as long as their franchise QB is playing well. Herbert, a Tier 2 (described as a "A click slower than some of the elites, but he is a stud") has played well in all of his seasons starting with his impressive ROY season.

If you recall Dalton remained the starter at Cincinnati even though he was losing opening round playoff games & was only traded after 4 consecutive losing seasons in the 9 yrs he was at Cinncinati. I think owners are more apt to change coaches than their franchise QB if their team is having trouble advancing in the postseason. As long as Herbert maintains "Tier 2" status & the team wins enough to make postseason, I don't see ownership ever departing from Herbert.

You might find this interesting. A successful "hit" QB taken in the 1st rd is becoming more difficult to find:

Hoping a first-round QB will save your franchise? They're way more 'miss' than 'hit' | FOX Sports

As teams turn to the NFL Draft to find their quarterbacks of the future, there's a surprisingly low chance their choice will be right. Here's what history tells us.

www.foxsports.com

 

[Nomad]

It was bound to happen, he pulled too many rabbits out of too many hats. Mahomes showing signs of being human when his line poorly blocks. Cheifs do have weapons.. And Chargers and Broncos might have better records with inferior teams.. If I am picking a winner Mahomes is a better player than Herbert or Nix..half the season left.. I am not betting against Kansas City.. Plus I love Christian Okoye lite..Isiah Pacheco..I love anyone who plays like Frank Gore, Robert Newhouse, Csonka, smashers..guys who enjoy running into people as much as running around them.

Pacheco has got to change his running style. He's not big enough to be playing head on, smash-mouth football. Granted he's listed at 215 lbs, but that's not big enough in today's game. Because of his reckless running style, he keeps getting hurt. According to Reid, Pacheco hasn't practiced all week & now looks doubtful for the Bronco game. He's of NO value to the team if he's on the sidelines hurt (I would bet that his RB coach is trying to work with him in changing that style).

Look at James Cook. A buck 90 & he's an every down back. He's currently 2nd in rushing yds only behind Taylor. In four seasons as a starter, he has not missed any games due to injury. Cook is elusive, agile & doesn't try to go head on with defenders. And he'll prefer to run out of bounds than to try & go head on with a charging LB or DB.

Christian Mac is another back that doesn't try to go smash mouth. He's about 210 lbs but plays more like Cook. And look at his longetivity in the league - 10 seasons & 29 yrs old!

 

[Nomad]

LB Singleton has surgery for testicular cancer

Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton underwent surgery Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week, he announced Monday on social media.

www.espn.com

Detected during a random drug screening by the NFL.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

At least they caught it in time.

Well, he's got a ways to catch Andy "The Red Rifle" Dalton. Lol. Dalton, 0-4 in the postseason is tied with Y.A. Title (remember him back in the day?)

Yah, that 1948 Baltimore Colts team was something.
I'm old, but...

for the most career playoff starts without a win. Herbert, at 0-2, is halfway there. But I don't think it matters much with ownership if he keeps losing playoff games. What are they going to do - dump him & replace him with Lance? Lol. Or draft another QB in the 1st rd where there's only a 36% chance that he'll be a "hit" vs a "miss."

They are not. And you are right. I think most owners (and fans) would be satisfied, if not fully blissful, if their team made the playoffs most years, and won a few playoff games.

There's definitely ways to look at the QB issue though. The Raiders have refused to draft a QB in the first round for years, having been burned by JaWalrus Russell, and nostalgic about Gannon and Plunket. But look at what happens when a team continually signs one washed vet after another after another, or only drafts QBs in rounds 4, 5, etc.: A whole lot of 5-12 seasons is what happens.

You look around the league for the last decade and you can see how the roulette wheel spun, how some came up winners, and some not. But most winning QBs in the NFL were drafted in the first round, often high in the first round: Allen, Mahomes, Goff, Stafford, Lamar, Daniels, Nix, Caleb, CJ, Love, both Jones, Mayfield, Darnold, etc. Call them the "winners".

Then there are guys like Tre Lance, Zach Wilson, Trubisky, Richardson, Rosen. Or go back further: Bortles, Lynch, Couch, etc. Call them the "non winners".

I'll give Wentz a pass, due to injuries. Same with Luck and RGIII.

A few 2nd round guys starting really worked out: Hurts for example. Carr as a 2nd round pick. And then there's the miracle of Brock Purdy, and years ago a guy named Brady.

But by and larger, you basically have to draft a guy in the 1st round, you have to roll the dice. Are the odds good he'll be your franchise QB and win you playoff games? No. But the odds aren't very good if you sign some vet, or draft some guy in the middle rounds either. There are only so many Brady's to go to a Tampa.