16 hours ago, Macca said:

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.

 

It's the dome factor that worries me. I like the idea of Wentz playing in weather against a team that has a big time passing game. Wentz moves beautifully. And rainy days haven't stopped him at all. Theoretically, if Saints and Eagles were seeded 1 and 2 and played in the championship game... on one hand they could be playing in the snow at the linc... or in the dome in sunny NO. That could be the game right there.

I think you'll put up 7. TBH I hope GB push. I want it to be interesting right up til the end. I keep doing ladder predictors and have lots of NFC teams on 13 or 14 wins, which is a bit boring.

Haven't decided yet but my three picks will most likely come from Lions, Chiefs, Jags, Patriots and Eagles.

3 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Haven't decided yet but my three picks will most likely come from Lions, Chiefs, Jags, Patriots and Eagles.

Yeah this begs the question. I dunno if this is something that comes up every year... but when it comes to picking.. isn't it an advantage for people behind Clint to see his picks first?

5 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

Yeah this begs the question. I dunno if this is something that comes up every year... but when it comes to picking.. isn't it an advantage for people behind Clint to see his picks first?

What has previously happened (by default?) is that we tend to put our tips in at the time that we normally do.  JV & Gorgo generally go early and I more often than not post my tips up on Thursday.  Gentlemen's agreement should be the order of the day.  We're not playing for a sheep station (unless we are )

 

8 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

I think you'll put up 7. TBH I hope GB push. I want it to be interesting right up til the end. I keep doing ladder predictors and have lots of NFC teams on 13 or 14 wins, which is a bit boring.

If they stopped the season now and went straight to the playoffs, this is my finishing order (see below)  I don't fully trust the Rams & Eagles yet but I do like what I'm seeing from the Saints.  The Pats are the Pats and they have the best coach.

I've included 6 teams from each conference but on pure form & the ability to find good form,  I'd replace Tennessee & Baltimore with Atlanta & Detroit.  Dallas have just lost too many games and I can't see them recovering in time. Zeke being out isn't going to help the Cowboys cause either. 

And it's line-ball between the Eagles & Saints.  The Rams,  Panthers & Seattle are thereabouts.  The Vikings would need Keenum to maintain his excellent form but I'm not convinced he can.  And Bridgewater may or may not return to his best. 

Regardless,  Detroit can push the Vikings for the NFC North.  Green Bay's season is over if we lose to the Ravens.  Atlanta need to defeat the Seahawks for similar reasons.  Both teams would need to win 5 of 6 to get to 10 wins if they both lose on the weekend.  A big ask.

The Pats should cruise through in the AFC.  In fact, they probably will.  The Raiders might make a late run and snag a wild-card spot (8 wins might be sufficient for 1 of those AFC wild-cards)  However,  I favour the Ravens for the last wild-card spot in the AFC.

Was a difficult assignment though as I feel I'm putting a lot of trust in the Saints and to a lesser degree,  the Jags.

But there is always a team or 2 that can make a late run ... similarly,  1 or 2 well performed teams can often fall away. 

 

1 - New England

2 - New Orleans

3 - Philadelphia

4 - Pittsburgh

5 - LA Rams

6 - KC

7 - Seattle (wild-card)

8 - Jacksonville

9 - Carolina (wild-card)

10 - Minnesota

11 - Tennessee (wild-card)

12 - Baltimore (wild-card)

 

Edited November 16, 20177 yr by Macca

Here are the games again ... hopefully,  the image works.  Otherwise,  go here

 

 

 

Detroit

Philadelphia

Jacksonville

Jags

Eagles

KC

Jags

Chiefs

Pats

Kam Chancellor joins Sherman on IR.. Big blow for Seattle

3 hours ago, JV7 said:

Kam Chancellor joins Sherman on IR.. Big blow for Seattle

Rams are now warm favourites to take out NFC West. 2/3 of Seattle's big name guys out is massive.

On 16/11/2017 at 7:07 PM, Macca said:

What has previously happened (by default?) is that we tend to put our tips in at the time that we normally do.  JV & Gorgo generally go early and I more often than not post my tips up on Thursday.  Gentlemen's agreement should be the order of the day.  We're not playing for a sheep station (unless we are )

 

 

Was a difficult assignment though as I feel I'm putting a lot of trust in the Saints and to a lesser degree,  the Jags.

 

1 - New England

2 - New Orleans

3 - Philadelphia

4 - Pittsburgh

5 - LA Rams

6 - KC

7 - Seattle (wild-card)

8 - Jacksonville

9 - Carolina (wild-card)

10 - Minnesota

11 - Tennessee (wild-card)

12 - Baltimore (wild-card)

 

I'm all over the shop when it comes to doing my picks. Like today. I can't make a choice. I only have 2 solids.

Good work on the power rankings. I haven't got the Saints in as NFC's best just yet. Boy they've taken the league by storm though. It's certainly the popular view that they're the team to beat. I think Eagles 1 more win will hold them in good stead in the long run. I like the rest. Might swap Jax for KC... and a big one there is Seattle as the wild card. With Wilson runnign round like a headless chook and the defense all falling to bits... Green bay, Detroit and Dallas are now eyeing that 6th spot.

39 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

I'm all over the shop when it comes to doing my picks. Like today. I can't make a choice. I only have 2 solids.

Good work on the power rankings. I haven't got the Saints in as NFC's best just yet. Boy they've taken the league by storm though. It's certainly the popular view that they're the team to beat. I think Eagles 1 more win will hold them in good stead in the long run. I like the rest. Might swap Jax for KC... and a big one there is Seattle as the wild card. With Wilson runnign round like a headless chook and the defense all falling to bits... Green bay, Detroit and Dallas are now eyeing that 6th spot.

I've got Seattle going out in week 2 of the playoffs so it's no biggie.  The real question is which teams make the overall last 4 (NFC & AFC Championship games)

It's out of 5 teams for the SB winner as I see it ... Pats,  Saints,  Eagles,  Steelers & Rams ... the Panthers,  KC might surprise.  But another team or 2 could get on a roll ... the winner of the NFC North could win a couple of playoff games.

I'm not sure we're going to see a wild-card team that can progress to the SB ... the Panthers maybe but that's a stretch.

1 hour ago, Macca said:

I've got Seattle going out in week 2 of the playoffs so it's no biggie.  The real question is which teams make the overall last 4 (NFC & AFC Championship games)

It's out of 5 teams for the SB winner as I see it ... Pats,  Saints,  Eagles,  Steelers & Rams ... the Panthers,  KC might surprise.  But another team or 2 could get on a roll ... the winner of the NFC North could win a couple of playoff games.

I'm not sure we're going to see a wild-card team that can progress to the SB ... the Panthers maybe but that's a stretch.

One thing I feel is certain is that a team on either side of the draw will go bang and put together a really good December. And one of the higher ups will wobble. Most people will point to the Rams and Eagles, as they have the tough schedules.

14 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

One thing I feel is certain is that a team on either side of the draw will go bang and put together a really good December. And one of the higher ups will wobble. Most people will point to the Rams and Eagles, as they have the tough schedules.

I can see an NFC Championship match-up involving the Rams & Eagles but that might mean that New Orleans fall away.  There are so many factors at play including of course,  home field advantage & the seedings.   The Panthers are my dark horse in the NFC.  With Chancellor out now as well as Sherman,  Seattle could start losing games they would ordinarily win.

Over in the AFC I wouldn't bet against the Pats not making the SB unless they end up not being the 1 or 2 seed.  The Pats have to visit Pittsburgh and that might decide things ... however,  KC do not have a tough schedule on their run in either.  It's out of those 3 teams unless something extraordinary happens.  I'd like to see the Jags do well but the other 3 teams probably have their measure.

1 minute ago, Macca said:

I can see an NFC Championship match-up involving the Rams & Eagles but that might mean that New Orleans fall away.  There are so many factors at play including of course,  home field advantage & the seedings.   The Panthers are my dark horse in the NFC.  With Chancellor out now as well as Sherman,  Seattle could start losing games they would ordinarily win.

Over in the AFC I wouldn't bet against the Pats not making the SB unless they end up not being the 1 or 2 seed.  The Pats have to visit Pittsburgh and that might decide things ... however,  KC do not have a tough schedule on their run in either.  It's out of those 3 teams unless something extraordinary happens.  I'd like to see the Jags do well but the other 3 teams probably have their measure.

Death, Taxes and the Pats.

Lions

Chiefs

Eagles 

KC Pats Eagles

16 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

One thing I feel is certain is that a team on either side of the draw will go bang and put together a really good December. And one of the higher ups will wobble. Most people will point to the Rams and Eagles, as they have the tough schedules.

Bit like the Falcons last year.. We hit form at the right time of year, snuck into the #2 seed by a missed XP & went on a run.. I can see a side doing that this year in both conferences in an open race 

42 minutes ago, JV7 said:

Bit like the Falcons last year.. We hit form at the right time of year, snuck into the #2 seed by a missed XP & went on a run.. I can see a side doing that this year in both conferences in an open race 

Looks like we were right. Saints getting beaten. KC somehow throwing it away against Giants.

You've gotta be kidding me. There goes my tipping year. NY beating KC.

Looks like only @Macca can get points this week. Jags had to work hard but the D got it done.

Nathan Peterman from the Bills has 5 INTs in the first half of his starting debut. That's career ending stuff.

Hope this isn't a trap game for the Eagles. Surely not.  

3 hours ago, Macca said:

Hope this isn't a trap game for the Eagles. Surely not.  

First half Philly phans were cranky... then bang. Then bang, bang, bang.

5 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

Nathan Peterman from the Bills has 5 INTs in the first half of his starting debut. That's career ending stuff.

Poor old Bills. Gee you gotta feel for that kid too.

40 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

First half Philly phans were cranky... then bang. Then bang, bang, bang.

Dallas have really dropped away ... the Eagles stepped it right up though (as they have done all season)  The NFC East is decided unless something extraordinary happens.  For the Eagles,  it's all about their seeding now. 

The Vikes with Keenum are playing great too ... I keep expecting them to hit a snag in the road but it ain't happening.  They are @ Detroit on Thanksgiving (next Friday our time) and if they win that,  the NFC North is almost certainly done as well.