Dappa Dan

Not too many teams know that better than Eagles. Interesting on the list rebuild. Going into last season I really thought we were 10/10 on our list. Loved it. Thought it was chock full of good young talent and exactly the kind of list you want to get in on the ground floor. This year, I'm closer to a 6-7/10. I'm not as confident despite the generally good off season we had. You? I was suspicious of it at first with the USA style changes. And still am with guys like Hutchy who do really want it to become Americanised. But there are definitely some things the Yanks have learned through bitter experience we can simply slide in and nick. There was a ripping article a few weeks ago on AFL.com going through all the elements we could possibly bring in. One was something like "4 week contracts." Where you can take a VFL guy for four weeks, then drop them again. As well as going in line with the NFL injury designations. Even that is coming in a little already with the use of probable, doubtful and out. I say why not bring them in straight away. If they don't work, fine, turf them. Man. I'm pumped for tomorrow. And for this time next week. I didn't think it would be as fun as this winning playoffs. Keep in mind I follow demons AND Eagles. Not one playoff/finals win in a decade among them. Is this what it's like to follow Packers?

Future picks trading and draft day trading coming in either this year or next!!! That's gotta count for something. And the wild card thing I've gone on record on the main boards with. I loved when 50% of teams were rewarded with post season action. Never saw the sense in only making it a small portion of clubs that could enjoy it. But I understand that's not for everyone. Yeah. Footy and Tests really are even. NFL a respectable but somewhat distant third. Basically no interest in other sports, including Olympics... I have gotten into the horses rescently. If you know a little something, don't be shy...

Yes another way we could learn in the AFL.

Yeah. Brady probably, at least early on, was more coachable because he was a backup who hadn't discovered himself yet. More malleable. Having said that. With colossal ego comes colossal confidence. Rodgers' confidence leads to some pretty special things.

Good post. And I think you'll find, exactly what Dougie went for in the first half. You can always tell when they want to use the vertical game cos Wentz of Foles, they'll drop back and sling it as hard as they can without really even waiting to see what's happening downfield. Foles was exactly what Philly begged for, and what Petersen promised. I was surprised to hear him say it, but when pressed, he said "he knows what Nick Foles is" or words to that effect. Seems daft to me to place limits on a player. That said, I think what he meant was that he had to do a better job of coaching to Foles' skill set and not stubbornly keep coaching like it's Carson in there. I'll say this though. Foles DOES have a long ball. It's not like he's completely useless at it. It's just you'd say it's not as good as, well, anyone left in playoffs. Maybe Keenum's long ball is similar I'm no expert on him. What he needs though is a DJax style deep threat, which Eagles really don't have. Really interesting stuff on the Brady comments. Just do the smaller stuff. Make sure you have a Gronk-type somewhere on your list... And use your long ball on your terms, not when you're desperate. I see what you mean, but as you say... I feel like in a dome, Brady will get more out of his arm than Foles would. Same is true of Brees. Ben. etc etc... That's why I reckon with bad weather... It's game on in a week. I might even pick the Eagles... you never know... I'm off to Hats and Tatts in South Melbourne wearing my Mike Vick jersey. Lovely american style dive bar with American sports paraphernalia everywhere.

It's not a question of what he can do, of course. It's a question of what he can't. No question in my mind that's a comfortable win with Wentz under centre. Not just because he's a great player, but because he's the ideal type of player in a windy game where you need a guy to move well with his legs and pick defenses apart before the snap. Foles aint great at either of those things. He has got starter-level attributes of course... But you saw that first ball he threw into the wind... Horrible. Same thing for Ryan... so if it's the same next week, you'll see it all over again. I think you'll see the pundits get around the Eagles a little more this week since the weather took away Ryan's main strength over Foles... the same will be true with Brees and Keenum. The Falcons linebackers gave Eagles enough space on the RPOs to get a couple of good drives going... and basically the D did what it needed to do. I feel like, maybe, if it's New Orleans... they set up similarly to Falcons... and we might just see a replica game. I already feel better about this coming week than I did 24 hours ago. That win, I have to say, is massive for the organisation. First playoff win in almost ten years... But the key is all those new kids and new recruits. Confidence is a big thing... Knowing they can do it missing an all pro LT, their starting Middle LB and an MVP QB... And not only that but they can do it clutch. Next year they'll fear nothing. Imagine being Cowboys... They didn't have any injuries when they went 13-3... Still couldn't win.

Oh yeah. I was done. 1st and goal at the 7 with those guys? Even with a super performance by Eagles D, odds were Falcons would go in. JVs right, the shovel pass was the first point I felt like just maaaayyybe we could eke it out. Totally agree. With all due respect to Dougie P who was best on... The Linc and the city of Philadelphia won that game. Cheers Carson Wentz for getting the Eagles to where they got. Agree. Now that we've seen what Philly offers up, if we have another dome team coming in and it's below freezing again and windy, then all bets are off. With Wentz, you'd pick us, without... there's just no solid favourite. Pats? I've been on them to win the lot all year. But, if you're asking my second pick behind them in the AFC? Steelers with a bullet. If you go back and see when they met earlier in the year... there was nothing in that game either. It could be historic if it's those two playing in the AFC championship game, and for the right money, I'd bet on Steelers happily... assuming Brown is fit and playing... which apparently isn't a certainty at all. What do you think?

And yet, he got there, and in position for a very catchable ball that Ryan threw to the perfect spot. Watched it over and over and still can't believe it happened. And yeah no blame. After all he did catch about three balls in that drive that got them the opportunity.

I reckon they played a good professional game the Falcons. Eagles D were the difference I reckon... if not for Ajayi and the special teams coughing it up, it might have been a shutout. Still a great game to watch even with the weather. And yeah. I reckon you have every right to be philosophical. It's not like they embarrassed themselves.

And kicking. I can't believe he didn't come down with that ball. He was three feet above Mills. Do it again 10 times he gets it 10 times. Amazing game. Happy satisfied Eagle here. Felt like I just had a meal.

Alrighty... Nestled in at second place. Very much where I've been all year. Winners left of page, Macca. Falcons 17 Eagles 10 Patriots 33 Titans 7 Steelers 23 Jaguars 13 Vikings 23 Saints 20

Haven't signed on this week til now. Man... Rams will go away very bullish about the next few years. They have some fun ahead for their fans. I have to say though, I reckon they underachieved this year. I've been on them since about week 3 or 4... Easily the most fun team to watch outside of your own team, league wide. I had them at worst playing week 2 of playoffs. Just felt like they needed a tip of the hat on a super season. Had I only just discovered how good NFL was, I'd have settled on Rams as my team based on the last 6 months. They're very much a team you can get behind, as you feel like you're getting in on the ground floor. Similar to Eagles and Texans with Wentz and Watson being so young. Pumped to watch them next year.

Philly sports radio has been on and on about using Ajayi for weeks. Nothing seems to make Dougie want to use him any more than he already has. He did have one week he went off on them back when he was a Dolphin, but I dunno... I'm sceptical about him this season. Philly has sneakily ended up one of the top rushing teams this year partly because they have 3 pretty good RBs. Look out for Clement and Blount... they're pretty good footballers. And no. The Foles talk isn't over the top. He's awful. He absolutely is a slouch. Interesting though... as the week wears on you're less confident? As the week wears on, I'm more confident. But in the end, I think it's just that my team made the top 8 this year in a 32 team comp. Rough equivalent of top 4 in the AFL, and that's something to enjoy and buy into regardless of how the teams are in terms of form. Can they win? Sure... If Foles doesn't screw up, If the D stops Freeman etc... and mostly if the weather stops Matty Irony... (Ice) In your heart of hearts though, you know one of two things will happen. Either it's a 17-10 game and Ryan gets that match winning TD with 7 minutes remaining. Or it's a shootout, and you win cos you have way more weapons. They're bookies favourite for a reason. Also... answer me this... who covers 11.

Don't they ever... Philly fans smiling a little smile... I saw Freeman early in the game take off to the sideline, pushed out, and a couple of metres over the line is a slab of concrete that he slipped A over T on. It boggles the mind.

By the same token players do get used more in certain game scripts. How many times were Rams miles ahead, blowing teams out, and then they lean on the run to make longer drives? But yeah... I wouldn't complain if Gurley got the nod. Be a nice break from all the QBs, certainly. Good game. NFC East... Giants: OBJ and Collins I'd say. Eli probably third. Redskins: Cousins, and maybe Norman? Cowboys: Obviously Dak and Zeke. Lee a very close third. Bryant has dropped off for now... their O line should feel hard done by too. Eagles: Wentz and Cox. Interesting that your QB ISN'T one of your two. That's a pretty good position to be in.

How good's Barnwell.

Also there's the same factor that made me say Zeke should have won rookie of the year last year. What more can a rookie RB do to win... I know QBs have it harder etc... But still. If he couldn't win it with that, you can NEVER win it. Bit like Gurley this year. His numbers are just crazy, and almost never had an off day. What more can an RB do? Speaking of rookie of the year... who do we have? Has to be Hunt I guess?

And probably what will happen next year. And yeah, good point.

I had Brady a touch ahead of Wentz when he got hurt. But I reckon you're right now. Gurley to surprise.

So who does everyone think should get MVP? Brady as usual? Gurley a late charge? Wentz a sentimental vote?

The panthers most likely to snatch an unlikely one. Almost went for them.

OK going nice and early. Winners left of page Macca. KC 27 - Tennessee 20 LA Rams 37 - Atlanta 30 Buffalo 13 - Jacksonville 27 New Orleans 37 - Carolina 17

Yeah the meme is everywhere. Cross breeding in all the sports is rife. Every time you see a funny Tweet in the NFL it's a matter of hours til the equivalent AFL ripoff is seen. Still pretty funny though.

Mate of mine texted this to me today.... 32. We 31. Should 30. Stop 29. Trying 28. To 27. Predict 26. The 25. Order 24. Of 23. The 22. 2019 21. Draft 20. Because 19. The 18. NFL 17. Is 16. So 15. Wildly 14. Random 13. And 12. Teams 11. Can 10. Turn 9. It 8. All 7. Around 6. In 5. Just 4. One 3. Off 2. Season 1. Browns

How many times have people said that about the poor old Browns.