National Football League

[SHAD0W93]

Looking at the AFC standings again, Kansas should have a good chance of grabbing the last wildcard spot.

What stinks for them is they need help from other teams while still winning themselves. Only way they control everything is if they win out.

 

[Nomad]

Rodgers dodged a bullet with a slight fracture to his left, non-throwing, wrist (he missed the 2nd half of the game yesterday with Rudolph in relief). Tomlin says he's "50-50" pending further evaluation (just wrap it up & take some pain killers Aaron. Lol).

Not so lucky for Penix Jr with a knee injury:

Report: Michael Penix Jr. will be placed on IR, has damage to ACL

While it’s currently unclear whether or not Michael Penix Jr. will miss the rest of the 2025 season, he is at least going to be sidelined for four weeks.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

Rodgers dodged a bullet with a slight fracture to his left, non-throwing, wrist (he missed the 2nd half of the game yesterday with Rudolph in relief). Tomlin says he's "50-50" pending further evaluation (just wrap it up & take some pain killers Aaron. Lol).

Just needs a quick ayahuasca hit and a darkness retreat and he’ll be 100%.

 

[Oldman]

The fact that Seattle had 4 INT’s and still could have won this game actually speaks well of their defense. I suspect this will light a fire and you’ll see a better Darnold the rest of the way.

Several reviews have noted Darnold's anxious passing for 3 games. Seahawks had huge leads and managed to ride on first half scoring; letting the D close the games out. They almost did that yesterday. If SEA had that last field goal several feet to the left and won by a single point they shouldn't feel much better than losing the game. Their D is solid and running game showed up. Darnold's gotta calm down; particularly when he needs to scramble.
LA was offensively vital in the first quarter; but Coach Mike's D had them locked down for most of the remaining game. Puka Naqua was the bulk of the LA offense and Stafford didn't look much better than Darnold. Arguably he looked worse in the last quarter. The game at the end of December could confirm which is the better playoff team with pressure on both.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

My concern about any team drafting Penix is hopefully not coming true. The kid had multiple injuries in college.

If the Chiefs win out they'd be 12-5. I don't know anyone who sees this happening, but you never know. Here's the current AFC ranking, plus a probability rate per NextGen factoring in remaining schedule:

1. Broncos - 95%
2. Patriots - 98%
3. Colts - 90%
4. Steelers - 39%
5. Bills - 92%
6. Chargers - 60%
7. Jaguars - 64%

Teams in the hunt:

• Texans - 33%
• Chiefs - 51%
• Ravens - 77%
• Dolphins - 1%
• Everyone else: less than 1%

 

[SHAD0W93]

Dolphins at 1% and not less than is hilarious.

 

[Nomad]

Chiefs essentially have to go 5-2 (at least) to make the playoffs. That would put them at 10-7. They have four potentially tough games left: Colts, Texans, Chargers, Broncos. They also play Tenn, LV and DAL.

If Mahomes can get his passing game fixed, it's possible that they could go 5-2 & get in at 10-7. The good news is the 3 toughest teams they play in that stretch; Colts, Chargers & Broncos are all at home. And they get the rematch with the Broncos on Christmas day which could be a huge game if they're still in the hunt for a playoff spot.

But Mahomes has got to fix that passing game. For the 2nd straight week, he's terrible not looking anything like a Tier 1 QB. He finished the game with only a 79 passer rating - well below the 100+ he was averaging against the Broncos since he became the starter years ago. His QBR against the blitz yesterday was bad...really bad at 58 (his career QBR of 91 against the blitz is one of the all-time bests in the league). And the Broncos were without PS2 - Mahomes should've had a field day against the backup! For whatever reason, he's not throwing the ball well against pressure & looks lost a lot of times out there. Uncharacteristic of the Gunslinger.

OTOH, Nix really rose to the occasion with his passing game. He had no choice because the running game was essentially non-existent (59 yds). Almost 300 yds with clutch precision passes keeping drives alive there in crunch time in the 4Q. And against pressure, Nix was outstanding going 6-of-8 for 113 yds against the KC blitz. And this is from a 2nd yr QB who some experts thought was overrated as a 1st rd selection. Lol.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1990224047461073108

View: https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/1990224047461073108

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Nix did look good. Some of his other wins were smoke and mirrors luck. But Denver won this game in all three phases.

Denver's run game couldn't possibly be worse than the Raiders, who have looked just terrible against the Cowboys. Geno Smith is terrible, but the offensive line is more terrible. Can't pass block. Even worse at run blocking. Probably the worst OL in the league. I won't be surprised if a bad and not ready Shedeur Sanders and the Browns beat the Raiders next week. Heck, I'd like Ohio State's chances against the Raiders. One has to think Pete Carroll is wondering what he signed up for.

 

[Oldman]

Nix did look good. Some of his other wins were smoke and mirrors luck. But Denver won this game in all three phases.

Denver's run game couldn't possibly be worse than the Raiders, who have looked just terrible against the Cowboys. Geno Smith is terrible, but the offensive line is more terrible. Can't pass block. Even worse at run blocking. Probably the worst OL in the league. I won't be surprised if a bad and not ready Shedeur Sanders and the Browns beat the Raiders next week. Heck, I'd like Ohio State's chances against the Raiders. One has to think Pete Carroll is wondering what he signed up for.

It's the latent curse of Al Davis moving from Oakland....

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Al didn't move from Oakland (unless you mean aeons ago when he moved to LA). It was Mark who moved the team to LV. And financially it has been a huge windfall for him. Just enormous. The team value skyrocketed, as did Mark's personal wealth. Despite his goofy appearance, he's far more business savvy than his father ever was. Al tried forever to get his own stadium and never could. Mark did in just a couple years, and he got others to pay for most of it, while he has controlling interest in Allegiant. Too bad Mark doesn't understand football the way his father did (until Al went senile).

 

[movingtarget]

NFL suspends Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase one game for spitting at Steelers' Jalen Ramsey

 

[Oldman]

Al didn't move from Oakland (unless you mean aeons ago when he moved to LA). It was Mark who moved the team to LV. And financially it has been a huge windfall for him. Just enormous. The team value skyrocketed, as did Mark's personal wealth. Despite his goofy appearance, he's far more business savvy than his father ever was. Al tried forever to get his own stadium and never could. Mark did in just a couple years, and he got others to pay for most of it, while he has controlling interest in Allegiant. Too bad Mark doesn't understand football the way his father did (until Al went senile).

Like I said...cursed.

 

[Unchained]

Chargers were confused about the date of the game, that's why they didn't show up.
Broncos played good enough.. Chiefs also fell down on the job.
Over the last @2-3 years I have observed a strange trend, to me anyway. Punters and place kickers are excellent, with fantastic distances, placement and hang time..despite what I see as punting as a good play more and more teams go for it though n 4th down, often with 5 or more yards to go. Because I don't have a mainframe crunching NFL stats for probability.. I always see it as too risky to give up field position if you don't make it. I am not saying that it cost teams games but it was a factor in a few games I watched.. It does make watching the game more exciting and home fans in the stands act as if they have rabies when their team goes for it on 4th down so that's a bonus.

 

[Unchained]

Al didn't move from Oakland (unless you mean aeons ago when he moved to LA). It was Mark who moved the team to LV. And financially it has been a huge windfall for him. Just enormous. The team value skyrocketed, as did Mark's personal wealth. Despite his goofy appearance, he's far more business savvy than his father ever was. Al tried forever to get his own stadium and never could. Mark did in just a couple years, and he got others to pay for most of it, while he has controlling interest in Allegiant. Too bad Mark doesn't understand football the way his father did (until Al went senile).

The team owners prove time and time again that even if they don't pass bond issues, hold cities hostage.. build us a stadium or we will leave.. NFL ownership is a license to print money. Las Vegas puts a terrible product on the field but still people show up to watch..

 

[SHAD0W93]

NFL suspends Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase one game for spitting at Steelers' Jalen Ramsey

Crazy that he tried denying it.

 

[movingtarget]

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) to miss third straight game; Davis Mills to start vs. Bills

 

[Nomad]

Crazy that he tried denying it.

With video evidence? Lol

 

[Nomad]

Al didn't move from Oakland (unless you mean aeons ago when he moved to LA). It was Mark who moved the team to LV. And financially it has been a huge windfall for him. Just enormous. The team value skyrocketed, as did Mark's personal wealth. Despite his goofy appearance, he's far more business savvy than his father ever was. Al tried forever to get his own stadium and never could. Mark did in just a couple years, and he got others to pay for most of it, while he has controlling interest in Allegiant. Too bad Mark doesn't understand football the way his father did (until Al went senile).

How much is Davis involved in the day to day operations? Also, does he get involved at draft time providing input on the prospects? Or is he just a hands-off owner delegating everything to the GM & coaching staff?

It was funny in the game last night, the camera zoomed in giving a close up shot of Davis in his luxury box cubicle & he looked like an tired, weary old man. The decline of Raider football must really be getting to him as he watches a poor product game after game.

What's his next move? Fire Carroll & Spytek & start all over with a new GM & coaching staff? Or does he retain these two & hope there's dramatic improvement next year? (I've always wondered would he ever sell the team & walk away from the NFL?).

 

[Nomad]

Texans QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) to miss third straight game; Davis Mills to start vs. Bills

This is turning out to be a big deal. Not being able to pass concussion protocol has got to be a growing concern by the medical staff. It was a completly legal hit with Abrams-Draine's shoulder impacting the upper chest area of Stroud. Looking at the replay, I'm wondering if the concussion actually occurs when the back of the head area of Stroud impacts the turf? (similar dynamics to Fields' concussion earlier in the year). I'm not seeing any contact at all to the head or neck area on the initial hit. It also looks like Stroud started his slide too late as Abrams-Draine is coming in with a full head of steam (I think he was going for the 1st dn marker).

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/5c3ddZGxiIk?si=dlTsChHYp-IBP4TS

 

[movingtarget]

This is turning out to be a big deal. Not being able to pass concussion protocol has got to be a growing concern by the medical staff. It was a completly legal hit with Abrams-Draine's shoulder impacting the upper chest area of Stroud. Looking at the replay, I'm wondering if the concussion actually occurs when the back of the head area of Stroud impacts the turf? (similar dynamics to Fields' concussion earlier in the year). I'm not seeing any contact at all to the head or neck area on the initial hit. It also looks like Stroud started his slide too late as Abrams-Draine is coming in with a full head of steam (I think he was going for the 1st dn marker).

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/5c3ddZGxiIk?si=dlTsChHYp-IBP4TS

Yeah kind of an odd one. Not a typical QB hit but awkward looking because of the slide. i remember one of two of Tua's concssions came from his head bouncing off the ground. Even the whiplash motion of the head sometimes seems to cause concussion without the head getting actually hit or impacting the ground.

 

[SHAD0W93]

With video evidence? Lol

Literally caught in 4K by multiple angles with high-tech slow mo on every camera. He should get one game for spitting and one for lying honestly.

 

[Nomad]

Denver's run game couldn't possibly be worse than the Raiders, who have looked just terrible against the Cowboys. Geno Smith is terrible, but the offensive line is more terrible. Can't pass block. Even worse at run blocking. Probably the worst OL in the league. I won't be surprised if a bad and not ready Shedeur Sanders and the Browns beat the Raiders next week. Heck, I'd like Ohio State's chances against the Raiders. One has to think Pete Carroll is wondering what he signed up for.

It's hard to believe this is the same Raider team that beat NE in week #1 & almost beat Denver a couple weeks ago. Lol.

But this is Pete Carroll's fault for failing to reconstruct the team! Aikman made the comment last night that the talented Maxx Crosby is on a defense that is lacking playmakers. Carroll took the job in January - why wasn't he busy trying to rebuild the defense through trades & the draft? (WTH...he drafted only 2 defensive players? Lol). He specialty is defense, right?

And why didn't he draft Tyler Shough with his 2nd rd pick instead of some stiff WR he took that isn't anything special? By the time he gets around to drafting a QB it's not until the 6th rd where he takes an undersized FCS guy with a marginal NFL-caliber arm who's destined to be a backup at best. Lol.

I get it that he didn't want to trade the house away to move up & take Ward. So, he went RB with Jeanty. Okay...risky taking a RB in the 1st rd but Jeanty is supposed to be a "superstud," so we'll see how that eventually goes. But Shough was available in the 2nd round & that, IMO, would have been the way to go at that position (elite size, elite arm strength, athletic & mobile - and some scouts even stating he had the best arm talent out of this year's prospects!). You still sign & start Smith but they have their potential franchise QB in the house. And you can keep O'Connell as QB3.

And now Shough has taken over as the starter in NO. Has looked pretty good, IMO, with a great game beating the Panthers. Definately has the arm & mobility. And in 3 starts so far, he has a higher completion pct, passer rating & QBR than Cam Ward (and the Saints don't exactly have a good OL. Lol). Look at what Carroll is missing:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/wijj3KKC9p8?si=8bF4ewrEiE5S-lgr

 

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/2F1AlBiqmRQ?si=z4n_7K3xUUeUfbqV

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'm a fan of Shough too. I think Pete just thought Geno still had it in him, and they could wind the clock back to 2022. But Geno looks just washed. Pete and Chip Kelly also reshuffled the Raiders OL from when they were average last year, moving them around to where guys are out of position. His own son is the OL coach, if that tells you anything.

I think at this point the Raiders must draft a QB with their first pick next year, and then the OL in their next picks, and spend some of their $100m in FA money to do so. Spytek was supposedly a "trenches" guy when at Tampa. So we'll see when he's (supposedly) more in charge of the draft next year.

I don't think Mark Davis makes any decisions anymore on drafting or free agents. I think he slowly has given that up. As to selling the team, I honestly think he already has that in motion. A minority owner by the name of Tom Brady is likely going to assume more and more control as Mark gets old, and after 8+ more years, I think Tom will be controlling owner of the team. Mark my words.

The team owners prove time and time again that even if they don't pass bond issues, hold cities hostage.. build us a stadium or we will leave.. NFL ownership is a license to print money. Las Vegas puts a terrible product on the field but still people show up to watch..

Vegas is a great venue for visiting teams. No local will pay to watch the garbage product on the field, so whatever team is visiting has an extra home game, at a city where it's easy to get to a hotel, and the stadium.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Chargers were confused about the date of the game, that's why they didn't show up.
Broncos played good enough.. Chiefs also fell down on the job.
Over the last @2-3 years I have observed a strange trend, to me anyway. Punters and place kickers are excellent, with fantastic distances, placement and hang time..despite what I see as punting as a good play more and more teams go for it though n 4th down, often with 5 or more yards to go. Because I don't have a mainframe crunching NFL stats for probability.. I always see it as too risky to give up field position if you don't make it. I am not saying that it cost teams games but it was a factor in a few games I watched.. It does make watching the game more exciting and home fans in the stands act as if they have rabies when their team goes for it on 4th down so that's a bonus.

You mean like the Detroit Lions? How they just blew a game by going for it (and not getting it) multiple times on 4th down? The Packers did similar the other week.

Yeah kind of an odd one. Not a typical QB hit but awkward looking because of the slide. i remember one of two of Tua's concessions came from his head bouncing off the ground. Even the whiplash motion of the head sometimes seems to cause concussion without the head getting actually hit or impacting the ground.

I knew a girl who was prone to concussions (an excellent soccer goalkeeper. In college her career ended early because of concussions). She later rode a somewhat rough roller coaster called Boulderdash, and ended up with a concussion from it, without hitting her head on anything.