• The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

National Football League

Page 29 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Jun 15, 2009
8,529
1
0
Visit site
on3m@n@rmy said:
@Foxxy... hahahahahaha, okaaaaaay rub it in. :)
We should have bet on that ATL-NYJ game too. But I prolly would not have taken that bet. Ya know, the Giants, Eli, Coughlin, the playoffs, anything could happen especially vs a slightly better than average ATL. Not a sure enough thing for me. ;) But if it helps, you really look good in yellow signing # "7".

Interesting the thinktank thoughts that NO needs to run vs SF. I will say though, NO could use the pass to set up the run and get their yards on the ground that way. Just enough to keep SF guessing and to work the clock.

Yeah, the Giants. You never know which team shows up. Hopefully the one i saw vs. NO. :)

Thanks for your compliments. I like my avatar more and more. ;)

Actually NO does this since Brees and Payton signed for them. The pass sets up their runs. I mean honestly they don´t have a "superstar" RB, but an awesome corps of QB/WR/TE/OL. DEN OTOH must play 70s style, setting up the pass with their runs. It always depends on the "material" you have.

Looking forward another great playoff weekend.
 
Jun 22, 2009
4,991
0
0
Visit site
on3m@n@rmy said:
Not sure about the audience, but I guess when the touchdown pass was thrown, the national TV rating peaked at 31.6, as reported by NBC.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/16482529/2012/01/09/tim-tebow-win-coincidence-or-divine-intervention

Uh, that figure certainly is coincidentally, shall we say, spooky? But sure, coincidences do happen.

Well, my mind is made up for this weekend.

Saints
at Niners - Brees is in the form of his life.

Broncs at Pats - I believe that the miracle stops here...but hey...who knows...

Giants at Packers - I really can't imagine an upset here, though it could be closer than expected if the real Giants turn up.

Texans at Ravens - I see no reason why the earlier result should not be repeated.

Are you going to be venturing score predictions again, Foxxy?
 
Amsterhammer said:
Saints at Niners - Brees is in the form of his life.

Broncs at Pats - I believe that the miracle stops here...but hey...who knows...

Giants at Packers - I really can't imagine an upset here, though it could be closer than expected if the real Giants turn up.

Texans at Ravens - I see no reason why the earlier result should not be repeated.

I'd go with those picks too. The only one I see potentially different from that is the Niners knocking off the Saints. But I don't think that will happen.
 
Sticking with my picks from before, same as yours.

Don't buy the "Saints need to run" talk. Sure, Sproles needs to get into the game and they need to run sometimes, but Brees is going to do what got them there. 49ers can't get far behind or they will be done. But, I saw them play several games and they are way more physical than people realize. Weather: 60 and perfectly clear.

I don't see a miracle in NE, and think the Pats will win, but it will be closer than last game. Weather: About 30 degrees and breezy, but no real snow. If the wind picks up a lot it could equalize the game.

IF the Giants can consistently get to Rodgers, and IF Manning plays with consistency, AND the Packers have an off day... This happened last time in NY and the Packers still won. Weather: Cold (about 20), chance of light snow. If the weather turns it's hard to say who it will benefit, probably Green Bay playing at home.

Agree on Ravens-Texans. Similar result as previous game. But IF the game is close at the end, I wouldn't count the Texans out. This game should be very tough. Herm Edwards likes the Texans chances. Weather: Low 30s and breezy. Neither team passes well, so not a huge factor.

Injury comments and weather updates later.
 
Jun 15, 2009
8,529
1
0
Visit site
Alpe d'Huez said:
Not sure why I get thanks. I mean, I'm no Tim Tebow. :eek: ...Though I guess I did say I didn't see the Steelers getting very far. Too old, too banged up.

Here's a peek at next week's games. Historically, next week is often the best round in the playoffs:

NFC

New Orleans at San Francisco - Classic offense vs. defense match-up. I realize the Saints aren't the same on the road, but I like them in a tough game. About 20-16.

NY Giants at Green Bay - The Giants give the Packers style problems, and played them very close in NY early this year, and an upset wouldn't be shocking. But at Lambeau, I think the Packers are going to be looking to prove something. If Rogers has time to throw deep, and the Giants can't get after him, the Packers may blow them out. I like them to win about 41-30.

AFC

Denver at New England - While I think the Patriots aren't as good as their record, and these teams played a few weeks ago for an easy Patriots win, I think it will be fairly close. About 38-27.

Houston at Baltimore - While I like the way the Texans won last week, I think they're going to have a tough time even moving the ball much on the Ravens. The Ravens won't score much either, but I'll take them anyway, about 16-9.

Amsterhammer said:
Uh, that figure certainly is coincidentally, shall we say, spooky? But sure, coincidences do happen.

Well, my mind is made up for this weekend.

Saints
at Niners - Brees is in the form of his life.

Broncs at Pats - I believe that the miracle stops here...but hey...who knows...

Giants at Packers - I really can't imagine an upset here, though it could be closer than expected if the real Giants turn up.

Texans at Ravens - I see no reason why the earlier result should not be repeated.

Are you going to be venturing score predictions again, Foxxy?

My picks for the weekend:

NO 24, SF 20
DEN 23, NE 31
HOU 20, BAL 13
NYG 17, GB 24

So far i am 3 of 4 straight, 3 of 4 ATS, and 2 of 4 O/U
 
Jun 22, 2009
4,991
0
0
Visit site
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
My picks for the weekend:

NO 24, SF 20
DEN 23, NE 31
HOU 20, BAL 13
NYG 17, GB 24

So far i am 3 of 4 straight, 3 of 4 ATS, and 2 of 4 O/U

First of all, apologies for the necessity of the messages im my signature, they'll be removed again when appropriate.

Pardon my ignorance, but what do the ATS and O/U stand for? Houston to win, huh....
 
Mar 17, 2009
2,295
0
0
Visit site
Amsterhammer said:
First of all, apologies for the necessity of the messages im my signature, they'll be removed again when appropriate.

Pardon my ignorance, but what do the ATS and O/U stand for? Houston to win, huh....

against the spread and over/under
 
Jun 15, 2009
8,529
1
0
Visit site
ATS is against the spread/line

Example: NO-SF is NO-3,5. That means if you bet on a NO win, they need to win at least by 4 to make your bet successful. That´s why Vegas and/or mob can pay out 2:1 minus their comisson/profit (around 10%). That´s why i think gambling big time is for losers. You have no chance on the long run b/c of the comission, and that the Vegas guys are very very good at setting the line.
The only chance you might have is to bribe players/coaches to lose intentionally. ;) Serious, all that stuff happens, not only in soccer...

Straight bets are popular in europe. But it´s the same as w/the line. The sportsbooks get rich out of the comission. And betting "sure" games don´t win you anything.
Example: If you bet NE on sunday you get 1,12:1. No "seeable" comission here, the underdog DEN is at 5:1. That means around 9% profit for the book just b/c they don´t pay out real odds.

O/U is betting on total score.
Example: NYG-GB is at 52 1/2. You either bet over, that means 53 or more total points must be scored, or under (no more than 52 pts should be scored to win the bet).
Anyway it´s just another long run loser. No way to beat Vegas...
 
It will be like a holiday for me! :)

Here's an injury update, and comments:

49ers have a few questionable players, but should be at full strength. No key players will be out. Saints will be missing WR Lance Moore, and backup TE John Gilmore. Not key players, and shouldn't affect the outcome.

Packers LB Robert Francois is doubtful. Key WR Greg Jennings says he's healthy. Packers OL at full strength for the first time since week 3, if you can believe that. Giants LB Mark Herzlich is out. DL at full strength.

Patriots have some banged up offensive linemen, but report everyone ready to play. Broncos missing WR Erik Decker still, and SS Brian Dawkins is out. This sounds worse than it is as they haven't been playing and the secondary gelled very well against the Steelers.

Ravens have several players with nagging injuries, but will play. LB's McClain and Ayanbadej, WR Boldin the biggest names. Texans have no less than 18 players listed as probable, and I won't list them. This isn't the same team that had Schaub and Williams at this point, so that doesn't matter.

Lots of talk in the sports news sphere that the Giants are going to beat the Packers. I think a lot of it is emanating from the homer NY media. The style match-up bodes well for NY, but I think it ends there. An upset wouldn't be shocking. but consider this: The Packers were 6-0 against playoff teams, the Giants 1-3 (2-3 if you include the Wildcard win). The Packers haven't lost at home since October of 2010. The Giants only beat one team with a winning record on the road this year, that's it (Patriots).

In other news, Mark Davis told ESPN it was numerous reasons for Hugh Jackson being fired in Oakland, not giving up too much for Carson Palmer. He pointed to a record number of penalties, stupid penalties, the defense supposed to be good, but giving up huge yards and points late in the year, and the team going from 7-4 in 1st place, to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs. Said just like his father he was dedicated to excellence, and would not tolerate mediocrity. Look for an off-season frenzy to have stadiums built in Santa Clara, Oakland (not likely) and especially LA. Santa Clara has the cash and could build a monster stadium to house both the 49ers and Raiders, the same way NY does with the Giants/Jets. Los Angeles will get a team, and deserves one. St. Louis, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Oakland and San Diego are all possible, in that order I think. StL, Oak and SD are all franchises that played there before.

RG3 was asked if here were drafted by the Colts would he be willing to sit behind Manning for a couple years and answered "absolutely". Herm Edwards called BS on it and said RG3 was being polite! Said he knows RG3 wants to play, and if were in the coaches office would be lobbying to be the starter, and Edwards (or any coach) would expect that from him. Said a QB taken in the 3rd round could have no such claim, but a QB drafted #1, or any of RG3's pedigree, does. Edwards also thinks the Rams will give up the #2 pick in a trade because RG3 will be that coveted. Seems all but certain Luck and RG3 will go 1-2 in the draft.
 
I don't know how much they are willing to give up, beyond the #6 pick, but after cutting Haynesworth and Hall, next year I believe their numbers will be off their books, giving them a lot of room. They can likely get Flynn for a lower pick, and a fat check, so it's possible. They could also trade their pick and another player to move up to 2nd or 3rd in the draft to be certain they get RG3. Seattle may try to go after Flynn as they need a QB. Or they may try to find a 2nd round QB to draft who will sit most of 2012, but be ready after that (Kirk Cousins? Nick Foles? Austin Davis?).

Also, I still believe that the Colts will trade Manning and start anew with Luck. Presuming he heals, Manning has at least two good years left. For a team like Washington this could be beneficial. I could also see Manning going to the Chiefs, Dolphins, Cardinals or Jets as well.
 
Amsterhammer said:
So, who do you think the Skins can attract as a new starting QB? Any chance of Flynn?

A lot of folks are saying RG3 will be gone by the time the Skins pick at the 6th pick of round 1. I think that's a certainty. The same folks are talking about the Browns taking RG3 at th 4th pick if he's still available. And these same folks are also saying the Skins may take Texa A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, who's rated as a reach for a top 10 pick but could be a legit first rounder. Tannehill is rated as the 3rd best QB in the draft, but suffered a significant offseason foot injury while training. The injury is expected to keep him out of the Senior Bowl and could hurt his draft stock.

But Flynn is the new Kolb and is the subject of much speculation in Seattle that the Seahawks may be going after him. Seattle GM John Schneider was part of the front office that drafted Flynn to GB.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/13/matt-flynn-is-a-popular-man-in-seattle/
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/13/1981144/qb-flynn-divine-after-two-starts.html
 
I too am starting to think Cleveland will pick RG3 if he's there. Not that this means Colt McCoy is hopeless, but Griffin is such hot property McCoy becomes expendable. I also think the same is probably true in Tampa Bay with Josh Freeman. If Cleveland doesn't take RG3, TB (5) will. Thus Washington has to move if they want him. I think it makes more sense to pursue Peyton Manning and use the draft and off season to make sure he gets OL protection.

Tannehill looked erratic and made some questionable decisions in the loss to Texas, and the close win over Northwestern in the Meinke Bowl. I'm honestly not sold on him, either is Rob Staton, former NFL scout who has an informative blog for the Seahawks. Here is his 1st round mock. Some are saying Tannehill and Kirk Cousins are overrated. I agree Cousins doesn't look like a 1st rounder to me But this doesn't mean Tannehill (or Cousins) will be an NFL bust. Just that they probably shouldn't go in the 1st round and expect to start next year.

As I said several posts ago, with Barkley (and Jones) staying behind, what once looked like a great year for QB's, has left us with is a long list of fairly talented QB's coming out of college that could get drafted in the 2nd to 4th round, but shouldn't be taken higher. Tannehill, Cousins, Keenum, Weeden, Nick Foles, Tyler Wilson, Brock Osweiler, Kellen Moore, Austin Davis, Chandler Harnish, Ryan Lindley, etc. Some of these guys will rise in stock before April, some will drop. Several will get drafted and hardly pan out after sitting a few years. A couple will get drafted, play some and bust. One or maybe two will slip some, get picked and turn into a solid NFL QB for a few years. One might end up a star. And it's possible, though unlikely, one will slip to the 5th round or beyond and end up a starting NFL QB. Though highly unlikely the next Tom Brady or Kurt Warner. And one could end up the next Giovanni Carmezzi.
 
I have to say that 49ers-Saints game was one of the most exciting battles I've seen in recent years. I'd like to say the better team didn't win, but I think an analysis goes beyond that, because both teams played at a very high level. I did not expect Alex Smith to play that well in the clutch either. I also imagine the Packers and Giants have to be happy with he result. FWIW, the 49ers beat the Giants 27-20 in week 10 in a game where Frank Gore saw limited play. The 49ers and Packers have not met.

The Patriots and especially Tom Brady played like they were trying to make a big statement today. Brady must have been sick of hearing about Tebow. Pats played like they were sick of critics like me reminding everyone of their lackadaisical loss to the Jets last year. I don't see them rolling over either Baltimore or Houston this way, if at all, but today, an incredible win.
 
I’m out of the country and have a bad internet connection, and I thought it was playing tricks on me. It’s 24-23 Saints with about four minutes left, which sounds about right, then the game goes crazy. Alex Smith runs for a 28 yd TD to win the game? The 49er defense gives up a 66 yd bomb with less than two minutes to lose the game? The 49ers pull it out with 9 seconds left? The paramedics must have been very busy in the stands. What a game for Vernon Davis. Not only two TDs, but the two key plays on the last two drives, 37 yd and a 47 yd receptions. Four of his 7 catches for twenty or more yards.

Alpe wins the prize for the most accurate pick, saying some time ago that this would be the game of the year. That prediction is worth any number of W-L or even spread picks. This game I think will go down as one of the most dramatic playoff games of all time.

I’m happy that the Niners won, but their pass defense, which I think was around 20th in the NFL, was exposed as being less than elite. Brees torched the 49er secondary; you have to be moving the ball well to turn it over five times and still nearly win. His two interceptions were understandable, given he threw the ball more than sixty times. But the three fumbles, all of them killers, were very uncharacteristic of this team, particularly as none involved RBs. The 49ers were also lucky in that they recovered one of their own fumbles, while the one they lost occurred late in the first half and near midfield, not giving the Saints enough time to capitalize on it.

I’m not a Pats fan (they must be the first team in NFL history to reach the conference championship without beating a team with a winning record—the win over Denver, though, was their seventh over .500 teams), but I was glad to see Denver eliminated. I think they have been extraordinarily lucky. Has any other team in NFL history played four OT games in one season, let alone won them all? Once you get into OT, it’s a crapshoot. Denver rolled the dice four times this year and got four heads. Not to mention playing in a division where 8-8 is good enough to win, and a system where the 12-4 team has to play at your home field. I give them credit for taking advantage of the breaks, but enough already. They are not a final four team by any stretch.

The yo-yo career of Tebow (who went from the Biblical 316 yards passing last week to the slightly different 136 this week) must be driving Elway and the other brass nuts. He has played brilliantly at times, but never for an entire game, and he has played entire games miserably. If he were consistently bad you could just dump him, but he shows just enough promise to create conflict about what to do. Personally, if it were on me, I would look for another QB, on the theory that Tebow will never be so good that I would regret cutting him loose. My feeling is that if he is the starting QB for the Broncos all next season he will be much as he is this year, playing great some times, crap at others. He will improve over time, but so will the defenses designed to stop him.

Anyway, we’re assured that both title games will feature a strong offense vs. a strong defense. This means that all three options—offense vs. offense, offense vs. defense, and defense vs. defense—are still in play for the SB. If the Giants upset the Packers, a Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh II game, which seemed unlikely before, becomes a very bettable possibility. But I’m sticking with my prediction of GB vs. NE. The NO/SF game provides a preview, I think, of what as SF vs. GB game would be like, except I think GB at Lambeau would win by 10. I am very curious to see how Brady will fare against the defense of the Ravens, who I expect to beat Houston tomorrow. I would root for Houston except I think Baltimore has a better chance of eliminating the Pats.

In college news, Oregon QB Darron Thomas says he’s going to enter the draft. I don’t see him as a hot NFL prospect (think Dennis Dixon with possible character issues), but it should mean that USC will dominate the Pac-12 next year. Even if LaMichael James leaves, the Ducks will have a potent running offense, but Thomas is the guy who makes that offense roll. Predictions this far out are grasping at straws, but not hard to imagine that USC could be back in the national championship game next year.
 
Jun 22, 2009
4,991
0
0
Visit site
Alpe d'Huez said:
I have to say that 49ers-Saints game was one of the most exciting battles I've seen in recent years. I'd like to say the better team didn't win, but I think an analysis goes beyond that, because both teams played at a very high level. I did not expect Alex Smith to play that well in the clutch either. I also imagine the Packers and Giants have to be happy with he result. FWIW, the 49ers beat the Giants 27-20 in week 10 in a game where Frank Gore saw limited play. The 49ers and Packers have not met.

The Patriots and especially Tom Brady played like they were trying to make a big statement today. Brady must have been sick of hearing about Tebow. Pats played like they were sick of critics like me reminding everyone of their lackadaisical loss to the Jets last year. I don't see them rolling over either Baltimore or Houston this way, if at all, but today, an incredible win.

The only thing I'd disagree with here is your comment about both teams playing at a consistently high level. I thought neither team showed any consistency, they both had good patches and pretty poor patches. The four lead changes in the last 3.50 mins were mind-blowing! It certainly was one hell of a game to watch for the neutral observer! I foolishly thought the Saints had done enough when they took their last lead, but what a clutch performance by Alex Smith - very impressive and pretty much unexpected by me.

Timmy got blown away in the first quarter already. I made it till HT and then went to bed.
 
Jun 15, 2009
8,529
1
0
Visit site
Oh sooo sad. Thank you Mr. Williams for gambling away the great Saints-Offense.
Nice but lucky win for the former back up of BigMäc. Even the blow out win of NE can not console me. What a disappointment.... :(

EDIT: I mean there are teams that perform on high level year in year out, and then come obscure clubs hitting a luck streak like the Seahawks 2010 and 49ers 2011. Can´t stand that, i am p.....
 
Jun 15, 2009
8,529
1
0
Visit site
Merckx index said:
I’m out of the country and have a bad internet connection, and I thought it was playing tricks on me. It’s 24-23 Saints with about four minutes left, which sounds about right, then the game goes crazy. Alex Smith runs for a 28 yd TD to win the game? The 49er defense gives up a 66 yd bomb with less than two minutes to lose the game? The 49ers pull it out with 9 seconds left? The paramedics must have been very busy in the stands. What a game for Vernon Davis. Not only two TDs, but the two key plays on the last two drives, 37 yd and a 47 yd receptions. Four of his 7 catches for twenty or more yards.

Alpe wins the prize for the most accurate pick, saying some time ago that this would be the game of the year. That prediction is worth any number of W-L or even spread picks. This game I think will go down as one of the most dramatic playoff games of all time.

I’m happy that the Niners won, but their pass defense, which I think was around 20th in the NFL, was exposed as being less than elite. Brees torched the 49er secondary; you have to be moving the ball well to turn it over five times and still nearly win. His two interceptions were understandable, given he threw the ball more than sixty times. But the three fumbles, all of them killers, were very uncharacteristic of this team, particularly as none involved RBs. The 49ers were also lucky in that they recovered one of their own fumbles, while the one they lost occurred late in the first half and near midfield, not giving the Saints enough time to capitalize on it.

I’m not a Pats fan (they must be the first team in NFL history to reach the conference championship without beating a team with a winning record—the win over Denver, though, was their seventh over .500 teams), but I was glad to see Denver eliminated. I think they have been extraordinarily lucky. Has any other team in NFL history played four OT games in one season, let alone won them all? Once you get into OT, it’s a crapshoot. Denver rolled the dice four times this year and got four heads. Not to mention playing in a division where 8-8 is good enough to win, and a system where the 12-4 team has to play at your home field. I give them credit for taking advantage of the breaks, but enough already. They are not a final four team by any stretch.

The yo-yo career of Tebow (who went from the Biblical 316 yards passing last week to the slightly different 136 this week) must be driving Elway and the other brass nuts. He has played brilliantly at times, but never for an entire game, and he has played entire games miserably. If he were consistently bad you could just dump him, but he shows just enough promise to create conflict about what to do. Personally, if it were on me, I would look for another QB, on the theory that Tebow will never be so good that I would regret cutting him loose. My feeling is that if he is the starting QB for the Broncos all next season he will be much as he is this year, playing great some times, crap at others. He will improve over time, but so will the defenses designed to stop him.

Anyway, we’re assured that both title games will feature a strong offense vs. a strong defense. This means that all three options—offense vs. offense, offense vs. defense, and defense vs. defense—are still in play for the SB. If the Giants upset the Packers, a Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh II game, which seemed unlikely before, becomes a very bettable possibility. But I’m sticking with my prediction of GB vs. NE. The NO/SF game provides a preview, I think, of what as SF vs. GB game would be like, except I think GB at Lambeau would win by 10. I am very curious to see how Brady will fare against the defense of the Ravens, who I expect to beat Houston tomorrow. I would root for Houston except I think Baltimore has a better chance of eliminating the Pats.

In college news, Oregon QB Darron Thomas says he’s going to enter the draft. I don’t see him as a hot NFL prospect (think Dennis Dixon with possible character issues), but it should mean that USC will dominate the Pac-12 next year. Even if LaMichael James leaves, the Ducks will have a potent running offense, but Thomas is the guy who makes that offense roll. Predictions this far out are grasping at straws, but not hard to imagine that USC could be back in the national championship game next year.

Good summary, there´s not much to add. Only wonder how you come up with the pass defense stats. Actually SF was a very good 9th inY/PP defense. Anyway, the loss is to blame solely on blitz happy Williams....
 
Jun 22, 2009
4,991
0
0
Visit site
Man, that was squeaky:eek:

The offense will have to do much, much better if they don't want to get murdered in Foxboro next week. We'll have to resume the disussion about this one and the upcoming one on Tuesday.;)
 
11 first downs for Baltimore the entire game. Despite a tough defense, I can't see them beating New England next week unless their offense really steps to another level. Not the Patriots team that just flattened the Broncos anyway. We'd have to see a Pats meltdown like last year against the Jets. It's possible, but not something you gamble on.

The Giants are up 20-10 in a strange game. If you told me they were up 20-10 because they were harassing Rodgers with a serious pass rush, and that Jacobs was pounding them out on defense, I'd believe you. But to see the Packers fumbles, and especially the dropped passes like this is disconcerting. The 49ers have to be liking what they see.
 
Jul 29, 2009
441
0
0
Visit site
Alpe d'Huez said:
The Giants are up 20-10 in a strange game. If you told me they were up 20-10 because they were harassing Rodgers with a serious pass rush, and that Jacobs was pounding them out on defense, I'd believe you. But to see the Packers fumbles, and especially the dropped passes like this is disconcerting. The 49ers have to be liking what they see.

Unfortunately for some reason there has been only one fumble by GB. I cannot understand why another wasn't given on the drive leading to the GB touchdown. Would be 20-3 otherwise.

Oh well got to go to bed. Hope the Giants can keep going for the win but GB easily pull this one back.
 

TRENDING THREADS