Here's that play and catch again ...

 

Hey @Dappa Dan & @Clintosaurus ... both your teams are the underdogs but I reckon there's a few factors that can go your way next week. 

With the Eagles it's home field,  the weather,  their defence,  the underdog status which the Eagles players are feeding off and the fact that in a possible low scoring game the aforementioned factors come into being.  Again,  this is a line-ball game and fumbles/picks/luck could play a big part. 

The Jags have a much tougher task but have a strong defense which the Pats aren't too familiar with.  A nothing-to-lose attitude can be a factor in the sense that the Jags could try a few different plays that might surprise.  Beating the Steelers (twice) will fill the team with confidence too.  It's a big ask but you never know.

Edited January 15, 20187 yr by Macca

  On 15/01/2018 at 09:09, Macca said:

Hey @Dappa Dan & @Clintosaurus ... both your teams are the underdogs but I reckon there's a few factors that can go your way next week. 

With the Eagles it's home field,  the weather,  their defence,  the underdog status which the Eagles players are feeding off and the fact that in a possible low scoring game the aforementioned factors come into being.  Again,  this is a line-ball game and fumbles/picks/luck could play a big part. 

The Jags have a much tougher task but have a strong defense which the Pats aren't too familiar with.  A nothing-to-lose attitude can be a factor in the sense that the Jags could try a few different plays that might surprise.  Beating the Steelers (twice) will fill the team with confidence too.  It's a big ask but you never know.

Jags secondary can make it hard for Brady. I actually think that it is going to come back to, Can Bortles play a sokid game. 

Whilst the vikes play in the dome, the weather wont be a major factor, pretty sure they have been training out side as well.

This game is a toss of the coin. Could easily go either way.

  On 15/01/2018 at 20:37, Gorgoroth said:

This game is a toss of the coin. Could easily go either way.

The media narrative is pretty accurate I reckon. Eagles fans were pretty down in the dumps going into Falcons game. They were begging for more run game, super D and Foles not to turn it over. Got all their wishes and scraped over the line... so there's renewed hope now. I think the pundits will be friendlier this time. Pop quiz for everyone... if you're an Eagles fan who would you rather play. Vikes or Saints?

  On 15/01/2018 at 09:09, Macca said:

Hey @Dappa Dan & @Clintosaurus ... both your teams are the underdogs but I reckon there's a few factors that can go your way next week. 

With the Eagles it's home field,  the weather,  their defence,  the underdog status which the Eagles players are feeding off and the fact that in a possible low scoring game the aforementioned factors come into being.  Again,  this is a line-ball game and fumbles/picks/luck could play a big part. 

The Jags have a much tougher task but have a strong defense which the Pats aren't too familiar with.  A nothing-to-lose attitude can be a factor in the sense that the Jags could try a few different plays that might surprise.  Beating the Steelers (twice) will fill the team with confidence too.  It's a big ask but you never know.

Jags won't be blitzing too often. Brady destroys blitzes. Much better to go with the front 4 for pressure and linebackers and the secondary covering short routes that the Pats love to run with their running backs and wide receivers. Gronk will be an issue.

I'm a little confident.

  On 16/01/2018 at 00:45, Dappa Dan said:

The media narrative is pretty accurate I reckon. Eagles fans were pretty down in the dumps going into Falcons game. They were begging for more run game, super D and Foles not to turn it over. Got all their wishes and scraped over the line... so there's renewed hope now. I think the pundits will be friendlier this time. Pop quiz for everyone... if you're an Eagles fan who would you rather play. Vikes or Saints?

It's a tough one...  I'd go the Saints purely because your offense would move the ball eaiser on their D rather than the Vikings

  On 16/01/2018 at 01:30, JV7 said:

It's a tough one...  I'd go the Saints purely because your offense would move the ball eaiser on their D rather than the Vikings

That was my thought. Then... Brees...

Also, once you crack the Eagles vaunted run D, you REALLY crack it. Those wide run schemes were hurting the Eagles a lot... and if there's one thing Kamara does well, it's that. (There isn't just one thing he does well)

Vikings D > Saints D

Brees > Keenum

So in the end. Who the hell knows. I don't think it has as much to do with the opposition as it does the Eagles staying focused on their home ground. 

@Macca I dunno what I'm supposed to do. I'm nervous and feel sick but excited at the same time. Any advice from the Pack? Same goes for you @JV7

Edited January 16, 20187 yr by Dappa Dan

  On 16/01/2018 at 00:45, Dappa Dan said:

The media narrative is pretty accurate I reckon. Eagles fans were pretty down in the dumps going into Falcons game. They were begging for more run game, super D and Foles not to turn it over. Got all their wishes and scraped over the line... so there's renewed hope now. I think the pundits will be friendlier this time. Pop quiz for everyone... if you're an Eagles fan who would you rather play. Vikes or Saints?

Vikes, I reckon you can hold their receivers or break even, their run game isn’t as good and Keenum ain’t Brees.

 

  On 16/01/2018 at 06:43, Dappa Dan said:

@Macca I dunno what I'm supposed to do. I'm nervous and feel sick but excited at the same time. Any advice from the Pack? Same goes for you @JV7

It's going to be some sort of game ... the 2 D's could dominate but it doesn't always pan out that way.  As an example, the over/under total points in the Jags/Steelers game was around 40 points yet both teams scored over 40 points each!  And as Gorg said (above) you won't be facing Brees.  

The weather might be mild and not too cold though ... which swings things over to the Vikes (only slightly)  I reckon the Eagles were in their element in the game against Atlanta (re the freezing windy conditions)

I can't make up my mind which team I'm going to pick and with 2 points on the line,  I won't want to get it wrong.  If I were an Eagles fan I'd be quietly confident - but I might say the same about the Vikes. 

This should be a close game throughout but again,  sometimes these games are blowouts.

  On 16/01/2018 at 06:43, Dappa Dan said:

@Macca I dunno what I'm supposed to do. I'm nervous and feel sick but excited at the same time. Any advice from the Pack? Same goes for you @JV7

Man I do envy you, it was great this time last year! I know the feelings... I was worried, nervous, sick, excited, happy all at the same time. Was an overwhelming feeling when I knew we were going to make it to the SB... Just enjoy it! 

  On 16/01/2018 at 06:54, Gorgoroth said:

Vikes, I reckon you can hold their receivers or break even, their run game isn’t as good and Keenum ain’t Brees.

 

That's what the homers are saying on Philly radio. I think midway through the third Philly types had all turned white watching Brees and imagining him doing it again vs Foles.

  On 16/01/2018 at 07:02, Macca said:

The weather might be mild and not too cold though ... which swings things over to the Vikes (only slightly)  I reckon the Eagles were in their element in the game against Atlanta (re the freezing windy conditions)

As discussed before, totally agree. Looking at the forecast at the moment, it's going to be 12 C, no rain. Only the wind would help.

  On 16/01/2018 at 08:20, JV7 said:

Man I do envy you, it was great this time last year! I know the feelings... I was worried, nervous, sick, excited, happy all at the same time. Was an overwhelming feeling when I knew we were going to make it to the SB... Just enjoy it! 

That's sort of what I'm doing. A couple of days before Falcons game I gave up analysing. It was too depressing. I think that's the theory when it comes to fandom in the USA. No-one knows what the hell is going on behind closed doors, and there's no such thing as a footy predictions expert. Just sit back and enjoy.

Philly 20 Minnesota 16

Evil Empire 27 Jacksonville 26

Vikings 17 @ Eagles 13

Jags 23 @ Patriots 20

Vikings 20 @ Eagles 17

Jags 10 @ Pats 24

Reckon I'll drop some cash on tge jags.  Must be decent odds on them. Especially the win margins

Minnesota 20  Philadelphia 17

Jacksonville 20  New England 31

I'm not confident with the Vikings pick so I wouldn't be displeased with an Eagles win.  Same sentiment for the Patriots - I'd like to see the Jags knock them off that pedestal. 

Putting the post-season tipping comp aside,  it would be great to see Dappa & Clint squaring off in the Super Bowl ... one would have to win that elusive SB with that match-up.  Of course if @cowboy_from_hell was still lurking here we'd have 3 reps out of the last 4. 

Ok

Jags 28 Pats 21

Vikes 27 Eagles 26

 

'Apparently' Tom Brady hurt his hand at Wednesday practice and didn't practice on Thursday.  Normally you'd be inclined to dismiss the concerns but he is a 40yo. 

They are saying he 'collided' with a teammate.  My guess is his hand followed through onto his teammate's helmet during practice.  But is it a serious injury?  Vegas reacted by bringing the Pats into -7.5 favs (they opened at -9.5)

Anyway,  we'll find out soon enough whether he's effected or not. 

Read more here ...

ill-advised Jimmy G trade will haunt Patriots if Tom Brady isn't healthy

Edited January 19, 20187 yr by Macca

Yeah I was watching NFL live, he was practising with two gloves on which he never does and said he didnt like gloves a year ago. 

Also cancelled his press conference again.

Brady will play. 

  On 19/01/2018 at 20:49, Clintosaurus said:

Brady will play. 

Yeah he will play but if his hand is sore that may mean he isnt as acurate.

Bleacher report listing brady as questionable...

 

Cant be 100%

  On 20/01/2018 at 10:14, Gorgoroth said:

Bleacher report listing brady as questionable...

 

Cant be 100%

Brady at the latest press conference with gloves on ... would the Pats go that far to try and fool people?  Maybe. 

My guess it's a thumb injury and it's in some sort of cast/bandaging.  And thumb injuries can be nasty & painful.  If he needs to take a painkiller then his throws could be off - especially the deep throws. 

The story isn't going away Gorg.