NFL

[Clintosaurus 7,936]

Pats, Steelers, Bears.

Alex Smith injury was terrible. Reminded me of Jason Snell against us on Easter Monday 2001.

[layzie 34,426]

30 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Pats, Steelers, Bears.

Alex Smith injury was terrible. Reminded me of Jason Snell against us on Easter Monday 2001.

Really was a shocker wasn't it? Terrible luck for a guy who's had to work at it hard to get where he is.

Something about Washington QBs and leg injuries..

Edited November 21, 2018 by layzie

[Macca 17,120]

57 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

It’s not that I want you successful, I just see Rodgers being frustrated and I think [censored] off at they way the team is being ran at the min.

Yeah Rodgers is frustrated but if he wasn't frustrated you'd be a bit alarmed!

There are a number of highly touted teams that have hardly fired a shot this year including the Vikes,  Packers,  Falcons,  Eagles,  Jags,  Dallas & Seattle.  All are likely to miss winning their respective divisions unless 1 or 2 of them get on a winning run.  And that is unlikely. 

1 or 2 can snag a wild-card but any of the 7 still need to start winning consistently.  And just like McCarthy & Rodgers,  the coaches & QB's of those 6 other teams would be mighty frustrated.  The weird bit is that all 7 teams are all quite capable of playing at a much higher level. 

Dallas & Seattle could get there but neither team inspires me.  Maybe the Vikes but they've been largely unimpressive as well.  So really,  the best that could be hoped for is a wild-card spot or 2 for those 7 aforementioned teams. 

The reality is that the NFC has 2 dominant teams with the Bears on the improve and then it falls away dramatically.  Can anyone see an NFC Championship game that doesn't include the Saints & Rams?

For once,  it's much more competitive in the AFC with any number of teams vying for top dog.  The Chargers & Texans are nipping away at the top 3 and neither of those 2 teams are going away in a hurry. 

That's the way I see it after week 11. 

 

Edited November 21, 2018 by Macca

[Gorgoroth 13,190]

Texans could be dangerous come jan.

Bears are interesting, not seen enough of them live but what I’ve seen they are doing well but Trubisky is still an mystery to me.

[Gorgoroth 13,190]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2807058-todd-gurley-suffered-minor-ankle-injury-vs-chiefs-not-expected-to-miss-time

 

Gurley did get injured. Thought as much.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

On 11/21/2018 at 3:00 AM, Gorgoroth said:

Gurley got tackled where the players rolls on his knee/ankle from behind. Wonder if he tweaked something. It was early in second I think.

We didn’t run the ball in the last 11:04 of the game...

Thats insane.

He has to be injured.

 

On 11/21/2018 at 7:33 AM, layzie said:

Think there’s possibly something to that. Season low 12 carries. I know McVay was going ballistic with the play calling but gee wiz.

Not a good day for the fantasy peeps! 

Yup ankle, as you pointed out.

Yeah Gurley a quietish game... Still won my matchup by 20 though.

On 11/21/2018 at 11:04 AM, Macca said:

How do you rate McVay? 

Now that IS a question.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Bears, Patriots, Seahawks

[Gorgoroth 13,190]

Bears, Jags, Patriots

[Macca 17,120]

3 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

Now that IS a question.

McVay has obviously got the smarts in terms of the technical aspects of the game ... seems that way anyway.  Handles himself with aplomb whenever I've heard him speak too. 

And the W/L record speaks for itself ... we're no longer mentioning Wade Phillips as the steadying influence although he may well be playing that role still in terms of influence. 

Hats off to the bloke,  he is doing a fine job.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

2 hours ago, Macca said:

McVay has obviously got the smarts in terms of the technical aspects of the game ... seems that way anyway.  Handles himself with aplomb whenever I've heard him speak too. 

And the W/L record speaks for itself ... we're no longer mentioning Wade Phillips as the steadying influence although he may well be playing that role still in terms of influence. 

Hats off to the bloke,  he is doing a fine job.

Gone past Dougie P already I think. Looking at the length of Fisher's career based of doing so little years ago, we'll be seeing this guy coach for decades.

What did you think of Rams KC?!!

[Macca 17,120]

16 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Gone past Dougie P already I think. Looking at the length of Fisher's career based of doing so little years ago, we'll be seeing this guy coach for decades.

What did you think of Rams KC?!!

Well I'm old school so I do enjoy a defensive struggle as long as it's not 2 poor offense teams going at each other.  A good balance is what I prefer so scorelines of 28 - 24 or thereabouts is what I prefer. 

A high scoring barnburner is always great value though but I wouldn't want to watch see those types of scorelines all the time.  The rapid scoring means we probably won't see the total package.   But as Gorg pointed out,  35 of the points came about because of the defenses of both teams.  Great QB play all the same ... Goff & Mahomes are super-talented.

Having said all that we are going to see more high scoring games and shoot-outs as the rules now are making it harder & harder for defenses.  But we seem to be seeing more strip-sacks,  pick 6's and points scored from turnovers so the defenses are effectively creating more points. 

Things might change a bit when the weather turns nasty .. especially those snow-bound games.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

7 minutes ago, Macca said:

Things might change a bit when the weather turns nasty .. especially those snow-bound games.

Yup. GB...

The Mahomes thing... He's MVP along with Gurley and Brees, and in a dream world, Donald...

I was so smug last year looking at Wentz becoming MVP and taking on that mantle of potential best in league. Already have him anointed as best Eagle in my time, and a shot at best ever.

Now it's so clear without dominant O line play, and a run game, he starts to sputter. My hope was that he'd be a Rodgers generational talent... Now I'm just hoping he doesn't end up a few notches down like a Rivers or Ryan. Both good quarterbacks but not in the top echelon.

Mahomes arm on that deep ball he threw to Hill. It just got out so quick and covered ground so quick. Some QBs get the distance but float it. He has a laser beam.

Edited November 22, 2018 by Dappa Dan

[Macca 17,120]

9 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Yup. GB...

The Mahomes thing... He's MVP along with Gurley and Brees, and in a dream world, Donald...

I was so smug last year looking at Wentz becoming MVP and taking on that mantle of potential best in league. Already have him anointed as best Eagle in my time, and a shot at best ever.

Now it's so clear without dominant O line play, and a run game, he starts to sputter. My hope was that he'd be a Rodgers generational talent... Now I'm just hoping he doesn't end up a few notches down like a Rivers or Ryan. Both good quarterbacks but not in the top echelon.

Mahomes arm on that deep ball he threw to Hill. It just got out so quick and covered ground so quick. Some QBs get the distance but float it. He has a laser beam.

KC should be able to hold on to the 1 seed ... last 5 - @ Oakland,  vs Ravens,  vs Chargers,  @ Seattle,  vs Oakland.  I see them winning 4 of those 5 and maybe all 5.  Therefore the Pats would probably have to win-out to get to the 1 seed. 

The Pats remaining schedule is easy with 4 games against divisional rivals but with a trip to Pittsburgh (week 15) which will be telling.  The Steelers are the other threat although Houston & the Chargers keep winning.

In our conference I see it as a match-race between the Rams & Saints although you never know for sure.  As for the Eagles - a gap year?  You'll bounce back and the reality is that the NFC East this year is still up for grabs.  Just gotta start winning.  It's a bit that way in the NFC North too but if the Bears beat the Lions tomorrow,  they'll be hard to peg back. 

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

33 minutes ago, Macca said:

In our conference I see it as a match-race between the Rams & Saints although you never know for sure.  As for the Eagles - a gap year?  You'll bounce back and the reality is that the NFC East this year is still up for grabs.  Just gotta start winning.  It's a bit that way in the NFC North too but if the Bears beat the Lions tomorrow,  they'll be hard to peg back. 

With you with all the above aside from that the Eagles are any chance at all. Way too many things wrong. I really think even without Smith and other injuries, Skins would only need to pinch one against Dallas and they'll have done enough. And if they fail, Dallas will make it on 9-7 or even as low as 8-8.

Gap year feels about right. The ridiculous amount of injuries have derailed the season for Eagles, but tbh I really feel they have it where it counts going forward. We'll lose a lot of the superbowl team as that's how the NFL goes, but with Wentz, Cox, Johnson, some of the WRs, Brooks, Kelce and the D line mostly staying we'll be relevant again soon.

[Gorgoroth 13,190]

Can’t see the skins doing too much without Smith.

 

Give Wentz next year so he has had a full year post acl.

[layzie 34,426]

Jags, Pats, Steelers.

The Jags will be ticked off after last week's result so the Bills better be ready.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[DeeSpencer 26,562]

Jags, Pats, Steelers

Great to wake up to the Bears stealing a win with a back up QB on a short break. Usually that's the Bears throwing a game away like that. 

[Macca 17,120]

8 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

 The ridiculous amount of injuries have derailed the season for Eagles

All teams have to deal with that from time to time so you have to take the good with the bad

As we saw with Wentz going down last year,  teams can still win with injuries

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

28 minutes ago, Macca said:

All teams have to deal with that from time to time so you have to take the good with the bad

As we saw with Wentz going down last year,  teams can still win with injuries

Yeah. Had just as many, arguably worse ones last year, so you can say with some degree of accuracy that the Eagles have gotten worse since then.

The injuries they've copped this year are too wide spread. There was a point where I felt we'd cope, but then in a blink, at one point, there was no cornerback available who was on the roster three weeks ago. Add that calamity to the RB situation, O line problems, Wentz not as confident. It really is just a mess. Not a hopeless one, just needs a good honest cleanout and three picks in the first 2 rounds.

I'm actually going for Dallas now. If they win and Eagles win... then Eagles play Skins next week for the opportunity to have all 3 sides locked on 6-6 (Cowboys have Saints). Dallas 3-1 in div, Skins 2-2, Eagles 2-1... That would at least give us the remaining 4 games to enjoy.

[Macca 17,120]

2 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

Yeah. Had just as many, arguably worse ones last year, so you can say with some degree of accuracy that the Eagles have gotten worse since then.

You lost 2 of the 5 most imporrant positions last year (Wentz & left tackle) and still won the big one

I didn't even complain when Rodgers went down (twice) ... I blamed Green Bay

You just have to wear it Dappa

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

3 hours ago, Macca said:

You lost 2 of the 5 most imporrant positions last year (Wentz & left tackle) and still won the big one

I didn't even complain when Rodgers went down (twice) ... I blamed Green Bay

You just have to wear it Dappa

I'm not saying I'm not wearing it. It's easy to wear it while you're still reigning NFL champion.

I'm saying my concern is the health of the list. The turnover of it will be massive as they've had the tightest cap squeeze over the past two seasons. Guys like Ajayi will be gone. Peters will retire or be phased out. Jenkins will be done before long. Their window was only open for a short time.

I'm saying get used to Philly being stuck in the middle of the pack. ALong with the rest of NFC East it seems.

[Macca 17,120]

38 minutes ago, Dappa Dan said:

I'm not saying I'm not wearing it. It's easy to wear it while you're still reigning NFL champion.

I'm saying my concern is the health of the list. The turnover of it will be massive as they've had the tightest cap squeeze over the past two seasons. Guys like Ajayi will be gone. Peters will retire or be phased out. Jenkins will be done before long. Their window was only open for a short time.

I'm saying get used to Philly being stuck in the middle of the pack. ALong with the rest of NFC East it seems.

You can rebuild very quuckly in this league and in this sport. 

You'll be right

[Gorgoroth 13,190]

Bears lions game in the first half was terrible.

Picked up in the second thankfully!

[Macca 17,120]

8 & 3 now are the Bears ... 2 more wins will probably secure the division.  This is after the Vikes & Packers were expected to fight out the NFC North.  Wild-card best option for the latter two I reckon.

Saints go on their merry way whilst Dallas now control their own destiny after beating Washington today ... last 5 - vs Saints,  vs Eagles,  @ Indi,  vs Tampa,  @ NY Giants.   That isn't easy but they could get to 9 & 7 and that might be enough.  

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

18 hours ago, Macca said:

You can rebuild very quuckly in this league and in this sport. 

You'll be right

Yeah. The core is there. Only really massive issue now is the corners. So many picks spent on them with not much outcome from them.

12 hours ago, Macca said:

That isn't easy but they could get to 9 & 7 and that might be enough.  

Yup. Almost certainly will be.