NFL

[Macca 16,972]

4 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

Cheers Falcons. Eagles now, I don't think will lose NFC East.

It's yours to lose now (the NFC East) ... Dallas can't win games,  Washington are just average and the Giants are well & truly cooked. 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited November 13, 2017 by Macca

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

2 hours ago, Macca said:

It's yours to lose now (the NFC East) ... Dallas can't win games,  Washington are just average and the Giants are well & truly cooked. 

 

 

 

 

.

Win next weekend as they're favoured to do... warmly... and they'll be at worst 4 games clear with 6 games left. I feel like I'm in some sort of dream. And the demons are supposed to be in finals next year too.

[Macca 16,972]

9 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Win next weekend as they're favoured to do... warmly... and they'll be at worst 4 games clear with 6 games left. I feel like I'm in some sort of dream. And the demons are supposed to be in finals next year too.

Yes,  I've heard that too ... hundreds here have said in fact. 

So it must be true.

You could have got any sort of odds that the Saints,  Eagles,  Rams & Vikings would all be the standout teams in their respective divisions.  A lot different in the AFC where only the Jags have stood out amongst the less fancied teams.  KC,  the Pats & Steelers were all popular picks to win their divisions.

That's what is great about the league ... it can often only take 2 or 3 years for a team to make big strides.  And other teams like the Giants can fall away dramatically.  Not many saw the Falcons & Dallas not making the playoffs either - both teams need to get moving in order to make it.
 

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

54 minutes ago, Macca said:

Yes,  I've heard that too ... hundreds here have said in fact. 

So it must be true.

You could have got any sort of odds that the Saints,  Eagles,  Rams & Vikings would all be the standout teams in their respective divisions.  A lot different in the AFC where only the Jags have stood out amongst the less fancied teams.  KC,  the Pats & Steelers were all popular picks to win their divisions.

That's what is great about the league ... it can often only take 2 or 3 years for a team to make big strides.  And other teams like the Giants can fall away dramatically.  Not many saw the Falcons & Dallas not making the playoffs either - both teams need to get moving in order to make it.
 

I beat the NFL system/free agency/recruitment drum all the time... and not many listen. It's so hard to convince Aussies of the merits of something new. Especially if they have to give up on certain things... If we lost Hogan or Clarry to free agency without much compensation, I'd be filthy... but then... if it meant that overall no team in the league needs to fear being "down" for more than a couple of years. Then overall, the sport wins. I'm yet to come across someone who is completely down on the Jags enjoying success. And most fans I speak to really want to Browns to get better. Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have teams like Gold Coast perenially disappointing and being easy beats? I'd love it if the longest premiership drought in all of footy was no more than 30 years.

[Macca 16,972]

17 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

I beat the NFL system/free agency/recruitment drum all the time... and not many listen. It's so hard to convince Aussies of the merits of something new. Especially if they have to give up on certain things... If we lost Hogan or Clarry to free agency without much compensation, I'd be filthy... but then... if it meant that overall no team in the league needs to fear being "down" for more than a couple of years. Then overall, the sport wins. I'm yet to come across someone who is completely down on the Jags enjoying success. And most fans I speak to really want to Browns to get better. Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have teams like Gold Coast perenially disappointing and being easy beats? I'd love it if the longest premiership drought in all of footy was no more than 30 years.

The salary cap being what it is in the NFL and a lot of the salaries not being guaranteed often leads to the parity that we see.  The teams that get themselves into trouble often commit too much money to a player or 2 who aren't elite.  Or have incompetent GM's or poor coaching.   The heat is currently on the Giants ...

The word is that McAdoo may be let go soon but teams usually wait until the end of the season (Black Monday)  But the Giants are a poor team and something has to give.  Their GM (Jerry Reese) has been there since '07 and has overseen 2 SB's so parting ways with him won't be easy.   Has he lost it?

Edited November 13, 2017 by Macca

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

1 hour ago, Macca said:

The salary cap being what it is in the NFL and a lot of the salaries not being guaranteed often leads to the parity that we see.  The teams that get themselves into trouble often commit too much money to a player or 2 who aren't elite.  Or have incompetent GM's or poor coaching.   The heat is currently on the Giants ...

The word is that McAdoo may be let go soon but teams usually wait until the end of the season (Black Monday)  But the Giants are a poor team and something has to give.  Their GM (Jerry Reese) has been there since '07 and has overseen 2 SB's so parting ways with him won't be easy.   Has he lost it?

A lot of people are saying that, yes, Reese is the problem. The superbowl wins are the insulator though. And I can't see that stopping, not when there's a sacrificial lamb right there in McAdoo.

[Gorgoroth 12,963]

Yay Rams!!!

First half offense was frustrating but our D kept getting ther ball back for them in great field position. 

How was the 94yrd Td to woods. Goff add in the end zone for ages before releasing. Oline was huge on that play. 

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

5 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Yay Rams!!!

First half offense was frustrating but our D kept getting ther ball back for them in great field position. 

How was the 94yrd Td to woods. Goff add in the end zone for ages before releasing. Oline was huge on that play. 

How are you coping Gorg? Goff is the MVP darling this week. Articles titled "from bust to MVP"... and in 9 games...

[Clintosaurus 7,851]

2 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

How are you coping Gorg? Goff is the MVP darling this week. Articles titled "from bust to MVP"... and in 9 games...

Wait until Wentz is back. No-one will remember Goff. Fair game by Adrian Clayborn for the Falcons yesterday - 6 sacks. Jags kissed on the dick after throwing the game away twice yesterday.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

1 minute ago, Clintosaurus said:

Wait until Wentz is back. No-one will remember Goff. Fair game by Adrian Clayborn for the Falcons yesterday - 6 sacks. Jags kissed on the dick after throwing the game away twice yesterday.

I had to have a look. The record is 7 in a game. That's fair going against the greatest O line in the world, if you ask cowboys fans.

[Clintosaurus 7,851]

6 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

I had to have a look. The record is 7 in a game. That's fair going against the greatest O line in the world, if you ask cowboys fans.

Derrick Thomas (RIP). He also had 6 in a game too. Surely there would have been 7 or more by a player in a single game before 1982 when they were first recorded as a stat.

Cowboys fans would argue Tyron Smith missing was the sole reason Clayborn's happened. 4 of the sacks were through left tackle.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Clintosaurus

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

10 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Derrick Thomas (RIP). He also had 6 in a game too. Surely there would have been 7 or more by a player in a single game before 1982 when they were first recorded as a stat.

Cowboys fans would argue Tyron Smith missing was the sole reason Clayborn's happened. 4 of the sacks were through left tackle.

That is exactly what the ones I'm talking to are saying. You try to say to them that Zeke out is a downgrade and they won't hear it.

It'll be interesting to see what Dak produces without a sparklingly good line. Keep him in the pocket and what kind of QB is he?

[Macca 16,972]

The Panthers can go all the way but they always seem to be 1 loss away from being an also-ran.  Newton has absolute star quality (as he showed last night) but he also doesn't handle himself very well when his team loses. 

The game after that loss (which invariably will happen) therefore becomes difficult to predict.

They are an odd team to get a handle on. 

 

.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Macca

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

3 hours ago, Macca said:

The Panthers can go all the way but they always seem to be 1 loss away from being an also-ran.  Newton has absolute star quality (as he showed last night) but he also doesn't handle himself very well when his team loses. 

The game after that loss (which invariably will happen) therefore becomes difficult to predict.

They are an odd team to get a handle on. 

 

.

Might be the most enigmatic in the league this year. They can do anything on a football field. Defend, run, run with the QB, catch out of the backfield, defend like beasts. Supertstar linebacker play. But they just don't have consistency. I have Cowboys in that area this year too.

So NFC fans... who are your teams at this (sort of) halfway point. As crazy and wacky as the whole NFC has been, I'm just about ready to call it, after a quick playoff predictor.

Eagles and Saints early pick for the bye. Both are far from sure things.

Vikings 3rd seed easily winning the NFC North. GB will beat the Lions to have both teams 9-7 and missing playoffs.

Rams 4th seed. Game against Seahawks week 15 decides it.

Wild cards Panthers 11-5 and Seahawks 10-6.

Cowboys could easily take week 17 against Eagles and will still miss out. Lions and Packers also winning seasons but miss out.

[Gorgoroth 12,963]

12 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

How are you coping Gorg? Goff is the MVP darling this week. Articles titled "from bust to MVP"... and in 9 games...

Just normal media hype. Ignoring it wholly.

[JV7 2,351]

3 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

Might be the most enigmatic in the league this year. They can do anything on a football field. Defend, run, run with the QB, catch out of the backfield, defend like beasts. Supertstar linebacker play. But they just don't have consistency. I have Cowboys in that area this year too.

So NFC fans... who are your teams at this (sort of) halfway point. As crazy and wacky as the whole NFC has been, I'm just about ready to call it, after a quick playoff predictor.

Eagles and Saints early pick for the bye. Both are far from sure things.

Vikings 3rd seed easily winning the NFC North. GB will beat the Lions to have both teams 9-7 and missing playoffs.

Rams 4th seed. Game against Seahawks week 15 decides it.

Wild cards Panthers 11-5 and Seahawks 10-6.

Cowboys could easily take week 17 against Eagles and will still miss out. Lions and Packers also winning seasons but miss out.

Pretty much agree with your seeds DD. 

The saints have really surpised me, been a divisional rival I take a bit more of an interest. Coming into the season I thought it would be same old, poor defense & rely on Brees but their run game is what has them playing so well, taking a huge load off Brees & their controlling the game. The defense has improved to be good enough and they'll be tough to beat come playoffs.

WC spots to come down between Seattle, Dallas, Carolina, Falcons (more hope than anything)

Big game for us in Seattle on MNF.

Edited November 14, 2017 by JV7

[Gorgoroth 12,963]

I'm already worrying about the vikes game... 

We have a though run, not sure about Seattles run but still not confident of getting a playoff spot. 

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

15 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Just normal media hype. Ignoring it wholly.

I don't believe you. lol I know your heart is pumping every time you read that stuff. Must be nice. Noone ever cracked into Wentz for being a bust. The turnaround is twice as big for Goff.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

12 hours ago, JV7 said:

Pretty much agree with your seeds DD. 

The saints have really surpised me, been a divisional rival I take a bit more of an interest. Coming into the season I thought it would be same old, poor defense & rely on Brees but their run game is what has them playing so well, taking a huge load off Brees & their controlling the game. The defense has improved to be good enough and they'll be tough to beat come playoffs.

WC spots to come down between Seattle, Dallas, Carolina, Falcons (more hope than anything)

Big game for us in Seattle on MNF.

Yeah. Philly radio this week has gone from booking tickets to MInnesota for the Superbowl, to being scared of about 4 sides. Saints being the main one. The main worry is... what happens if you play them in a championship game IN New Orleans? Ouch.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

7 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

I'm already worrying about the vikes game... 

We have a though run, not sure about Seattles run but still not confident of getting a playoff spot. 

Oh yeah. Man. We have a fun month coming up. There's like 6 must watch games. Eagles-Cowboys, Rams and about 4 teams... the big 6 or so competitors have games against one another that have huge ramifications on home field/wild card etc. It's wicked.

[Macca 16,972]

1 hour ago, Dappa Dan said:

Yeah. Philly radio this week has gone from booking tickets to MInnesota for the Superbowl, to being scared of about 4 sides. Saints being the main one. The main worry is... what happens if you play them in a championship game IN New Orleans? Ouch.

The Saints are fast becoming a team that is built on a strong defence with a multi-pronged running game.  They might be scary to play anywhere. 

Their coach has reinvented himself but what he is doing makes perfect sense to me ... and he's still got Brees to lean on (whenever)

I'll do my top 12 teams soon ... I might have to include 7 or 8 NFC teams though!  Either that or just include 6 teams from each conference.

 

Edited November 15, 2017 by Macca

[Macca 16,972]

Leaderboard in the comp

9 - Clintosaurus

7 - Go the Biff

6 - Dappa Dan

3 - JV7

2 - Gorgoroth,  Macca

0 - The usual suspects
 

Guess the Lines Week 11 With Bill Simmons & Cousin Sal

2 points on offer this week ... there are a number of possible road wins there but can any of us put 3 of them together?  Time will tell.

n.b. The Pats/Raiders game is being played in Mexico but New England are the designated 'road' team and can therefore be included in your tips.

All 3 of the night games are good match-ups but the Rams/Vikings might be the pick of the games. 

 

[JV7 2,351]

8 minutes ago, Macca said:

Leaderboard in the comp

9 - Clintosaurus

7 - Go the Biff

6 - Dappa Dan

3 - JV7

2 - Gorgoroth,  Macca

0 - The usual suspects
 

Guess the Lines Week 11 With Bill Simmons & Cousin Sal

2 points on offer this week ... there are a number of possible road wins there but can any of us put 3 of them together?  Time will tell.

n.b. The Pats/Raiders game is being played in Mexico but New England are the designated 'road' team and can therefore be included in your tips.

All 3 of the night games are good match-ups but the Rams/Vikings might be the pick of the games. 

 

Clint with 9 at this time of year has to be some sort of record surely ?

[JV7 2,351]

Chiefs

Jags

Pats 

[Macca 16,972]

Just now, JV7 said:

Clint with 9 at this time of year has to be some sort of record surely ?

I'd say so but I introduced a couple more bonus weeks in the 4th year of the comp ... I could scroll back but I reckon Gorgo has put up the highest overall score (is it 12 points?)  But Clint has certainly set a hot pace ... Go the Biff is nicely placed and Dappa is not far behind.

One thing I do know is that more points tend to be scored in the back half of the season.  Anyway,  there's still 12 points available so there is hope for us stragglers yet!  We probably need to go a bit rogue/left field in order to catch the top 3.