Dappa Dan

Yeah, I'm not betting for the same reason. I was actually thinking of putting money on the cowboys. Whatever way the NFC East works out. I win.

NFC North just got real. Just quietly Gorg... Second week running with Eagles at 1 and Rams at 2 on the power rankings. I don't have much money, but putting it on Rams and Eagles for NFC Championship game would probably pay well. Still a lot of people out there yet to discover the Wentz/Goff show. We are totally spoiled.

Surprised a lot of Philly people. Left tackle was what many of us wanted, to replace Peters. And Brown went to Seattle. Also thought we'd get middle Linebacker help as we're desperately thin there now. Ajayi though count for 1.5 mil over the next two seasons as he's on his rookie contract. So that's a pittance. He may only get a few years before his knees give out, but only a 4th rounder... It's massive, as you say. Watching on the weekend, his pace and ability to cut has him ahead of Blount as a player. And he's better at pass catching and most importantly, blocking, too.

Wow. I'm still pretty scared of Seattle. For them to put together that many wins with basically no run game. Cowboys are right back in it, even without Zeke. Rams are amazing. Vikings, if Bradford can come back and get good again... can beat anyone.

I already was. you'll need to work on Gorg tho. Actually... for all the fun Eagles fans are having right now... Check this out. Eagles are 8-1, Cowboys 5-3... Next week Eagles have the bye, while Cowboys should take care of Falcons. Then Eagles and 'boys play each other in Dallas. If they win that, Dallas will be 7-3 and Eagles 8-2... With Dallas holding the tiebreaker with superior division record. Basically a half game back. And that's all very plausible. They just beat KC... a feat the Eagles couldn't manage. Crazy.

Agreed. I watched him and had to grundgingly say he's managing the game as he should. I sort of hope Bridgewater comes in, as an NFL fan... but sort of also don't cos I'm still behind the Eagles.

Yeah he was included as part of the deal but there was some salary cap reason why they had to let him hit waivers before taking him. And yeah. The NFL without Watson and Rodgers. Ugh.

Rieeeght?!! And yeah. I tell you what tho... One surefire way to get no points this week is to be out of it on Friday. What it was was a classic case of me thinking the Bills and Jets are no good... but also thinking the Bills keep winning so very timidly picking them, and they absolutely humiliate themselves. They're the Freo of tipping. What say you on Watson? The starting 22 on IR would be a helluva team.

God damn it Bills...

That's insane. So freaking sad. Had he kept going he would have been an MP threat.

I'm usually glass half empty. I talked friends out of picking the Eagles last week against San Fran, as I thought they'd get to Wentz with their front 7. Which they did. But I didn't realise how bad San Fran were. This week is way scarier. Wentz won't be able to pass as easily, and they have Von Miller. But oddly, I feel better about it than I did San Fran. Based mostly on the fat that Brock Osweiller is playing. The Eagles D has been absolutely outstanding, even though Wentz has got all the press. I feel like it might be the same as last week. A game where the Eagles screw up for the first half, but are bailed out by the D. Then they just lean on them to close the game out. 8-1. MVP level QB. Ajayi. It's all getting a bit Richmond.

I see. Didn't realise there was a post season one. Sweet.

Here's a question for you Macca. As the rule maker... is there any precedent here for a tie breaking procedure? I know we've had it in the past that it's just multiple winners... but as an idea: Two or more players end on the same amount of picks, it goes to sudden death in playoffs. You pick out of the four wild card games. If no winner decided, goes to Div round. Then Championship round. Then superbowl.

Agonised over your third one there. Went with Rams.

Bills Rams Raiders

Yeah I see it now. Still. If you take away home field and toughness of schedule etc... Rams are second in power rankings... It's a good place to be.

Something about "team rules." So either he spat the dummy at his coaches or missed training or whatever. As far as the Eagles' remaining schedule... We have two games circled. One's obvious, Seattle. The other is Rams. Cowboys X2 would have been big games, but now with Zeke. I had a look at Rams schedule. Holy smokes. It's not 8 weeks of hell, but there's some top-flight teams coming up. Texans, Vikings, Saints, Eagles and Seahawks.

Yeah what happened there? Let's keep in mind. They could have had 10 Jenkinses.... Rams aren't losing to the Giants.

Holyyyy crap. Ajayi.

Part 1: Aaaaabsolutely. First 4 weeks last year with Lane Johnson and Jason Peters Wentz was rookie of the year by a mile. Take one away, and he goes 15:15 TD:Int or thereabouts and leads the lead in fumbles (not losses). Fast forward to this year and he's up there with the MVP favourites. Then in his first game ever without Peters protecting his blindside, and his rating drops about 30 points. I dunno that it's what he's being asked to do though. He's being asked to play at QB. You get hit at QB. When his line breaks down he uses escapability, but I don't think they're designing many plays where they get him to run. The one area he might be right is where Wentz is holding onto the ball too long. We're going ok right now based partly on deep threats, and you have to let those plays develop. So yeah, you might find when they play the big time defenses, Wentz might go no huddle/hurry-up more often to get the ball out quicker. But as far as what he's being asked to do... Yeah... you might find Petersen finds new ways to get him protected. There's other small factors too though. Eagles RBs aren't great blockers, and Ertz virtually never blocks. Saturday could also factor in that Wentz is copping the Blitz more than anyone in the league so far. But then, he's reading them so well that that's playing into the Eagles' hands. I think we might find before the cutoff tomorrow/tonight, Eagles make a move. Part 2: It sort of could be yeah. I think Rodgers moves laterally so well, and throws so well when he does, that it's something McCarthy deliberately coaches for. As we covered a couple of weeks ago. Wentz isn't like that though. He escapes pressure and steps up, then if possible takes 4-5 steps and dives head first. He's an awesome open field runner when he gets on the move... but in terms of direct comparisons to Rodgers, I don't think they're the same. You might have a point though. Eagles paid Johnson to keep him, went and got Vaitai, Wizniewski, Seumalo, Warmack... all of whom have lifted. But now that Peters is out, what moves are they making to get Wentz the protection he needs to involve his deep threats like Jeffrey? Ertz's lack of blocking was shown up on one super ugly play that has Eagles fan radio getting very grumbly. It's not good. And yeah, Eagles fans are super happy, but if it takes a turn for the worst it'll be because Wentz gets hurt from the Peters' injury.

Not to big up my team unnecessarily... but the way Beatherd was smashed all day by the Eagles DL... it's no great surprise they paid through the teeth to get something to be excited about. Now let's see if Hyde gets moved.

Took 8 weeks for the favourites to start doing their thing.

Not for you. lol I think you being the only one picking Falcons might make everyone look completely stupid in about 15 hours time.

He's #1 for a reason.

I'm with you. I reckon it was just a classic case of a linebacker passionately and single-mindedly keeping a player from the first down marker. Which is why he defended himself so much. I feel like you have to ping him in some way shape or form because late hits on QBs are a plague... but nothing more. I really don't think it was dirty. The things they expect of these footballers in such short periods of time. When you watch it in real time... it's ridiculously close. Second part... It's starting to look like a lot of people think Jets win. I can't think of a better example of how weird and wonderful the NFL is. The team that 7 weeks ago was fielding 0-16 win-loss bets is now seriously being talked about as a winner against the team who had the Patriots more than two scores down in the third quarter of the last Superbowl.