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Ah, nothing like a 49ers game to get your team back to looking good...

...aside from that potentially very troubling injury to your QB though, right?

Hopefully it isn't too serious though.

It makes for a boring season/league if too many elite/star players go down with injuries.

 NorseSig wrote:
It will be interesting to see if the Vikings can even compete against the Panthers, or if it will be a quash match. The Vikings offense is so bad the defense has to score all the points.

Guess that answers that!

Broncos game damn near gave me a heart attack. Two or three almost INT, offense was falling apart, and defense was lackluster until the second half. However, when he wasn't falling all over himself, Siemian was throwing some huge bombs for Touchdowns. 3 of them were 40+ yards.

Assuming our defense stays the same and can adjust with Ware being out, our offense rallies around Siemian, and Siemian can get rid of the Away game jitters, I think the Broncos could go for a Superbowl or at least the Playoffs.

Well, the 'playoffs' are pretty much a sure thing, but the Super Bowl?

Ah hell, who knows?

They did it with Peyton at half speed/strength last year, right?

 Alpharius wrote:
...aside from that potentially very troubling injury to your QB though, right?

Hopefully it isn't too serious though.

Reports are that it's minor and he's not expected to miss any games, thankfully. He actually went back in for a few plays, and going to the backup probably had more to do with having a 30-point lead late in the game than Wilson being unable to play.

And the Bears make baby Jesus cry, once again, but do provide one of the best highlights from the week with Amos' toe curling hit of Beasley.

 BigWaaagh wrote:
And the Bears make baby Jesus cry, once again, but do provide one of the best highlights from the week with Amos' toe curling hit of Beasley.

That was a tremendous shot. I guess it knocked the wind out of him. He was back in a few minutes later, thankfully.

As harsh as the Eagles were on Pittsburgh...

The Chiefs/Jets game was BRUTAL to watch... 8 turnovers, 6 ints, three of those in the endzone. Ryan Fitzpatrick ended with a QB rating of 18 and change.

Still, Philly is looking legit. Their DEF has just been beast mode, they haven't really needed to dial up the blitzes. Sacking Big Ben is supposed to be tough, they caught him 4 times, got a forced fumble and an INT. They held Pitt to 29 yds rushing.

So, First game Sunday is in London, Colts vs Jags. Looking at the stat lines, this one seems like a borefest. Jags have the Pass Def while the Colts have the Run Def, not that they need it. The Jags are one of the worst run teams. They do, however, have the better overall Def.
I'm gonna back the Jags in this one.

NFC East.
Philadelphia got the early bye, so no game for them.

Cleveland at Washington: 2nd best Pass game vs 4th best Run game and 2 of the worst overall Defenses.... Likely looking at a high scoring game.
Cleveland can win this if they can keep Washington's offense off the field by eating the clock with the run game.

Dallas at San Fran: Cowboys have the advantage here Offensively. Defensively they are about even, ranked 22nd (Dallas) and 20th (SF). This one comes down to Turnovers.
49ers can get the win here with a couple of picks.

NYG at Minnesota: Vikings are undefeated despite having an abysmal offense. Giants have one of the best offenses. Thgis one goes to the Defenses. Vikings have the advantage here as Eli tends to hold the ball too long and the Minn Def has been a sack machine racking up 15 over 3 games.
Vikings manage another win with some surprises on Offense, I'm thinking Petersen finds his rhythm in this one, slashing the Giants for 100yds.

 helgrenze wrote:


NYG at Minnesota: Vikings are undefeated despite having an abysmal offense. Giants have one of the best offenses. Thgis one goes to the Defenses. Vikings have the advantage here as Eli tends to hold the ball too long and the Minn Def has been a sack machine racking up 15 over 3 games.
Vikings manage another win with some surprises on Offense, I'm thinking Petersen finds his rhythm in this one, slashing the Giants for 100yds.

Unless I'm missing something, probably...not?

 Alpharius wrote:

 helgrenze wrote:


NYG at Minnesota: Vikings are undefeated despite having an abysmal offense. Giants have one of the best offenses. Thgis one goes to the Defenses. Vikings have the advantage here as Eli tends to hold the ball too long and the Minn Def has been a sack machine racking up 15 over 3 games.
Vikings manage another win with some surprises on Offense, I'm thinking Petersen finds his rhythm in this one, slashing the Giants for 100yds.

Unless I'm missing something, probably...not?

I'm an Eagles Fan. Gotta dis the rivals a bit.
Besides, look at who the Giants have played so far, Dallas - who racked up 101yds on them, New Orleans - a non rush team who managed 41 yds on 13 carries, and Washington - another team with no run who managed 90 yds on 30 carries. They haven't really faced a decent run game yet this year. And The Vikings haven't really been running the ball that much so far this year.

 Alpharius wrote:
Unless I'm missing something, probably...not?

Nah, maybe their defense really is so bad that an injured player can run up a 100 yard game on them.

Broncos beat the Buccs pretty handily, although our QB nearly getting taken out was scary (came back okay, but they didn't play him I assume to not risk it).

Steelers slaughtered KC. Bills beat the pants off the Pats, and I kind of feel bad for the Browns next week. Going up against a fresh Tom Brady with a whole team screaming for revenge? Yeah, I'm calling a 60-0 Pats win.

Plus:

Jags beat the Colts (now 1-3!)

Falcons drubbed the Panthers (now 1-3!)

...and the Rams beat the Cardinals (who are now, wait for it, 1-3!).

Weird weekend in the NFL!

Very weird weekend!

I now have a rotation of teams to root for:
-Patriots - - because feth the commissioner. Brady is back bitches and being 3-1? High Fives Ya'll.
-Broncos - - my fam lives in Denver now, and this team is interesting.
-Green Bay - - why not.
-Vikings - - I'll admit it... I'm a fan of Bradford. He's finally has a team that "fits" him.
-Rammies - - hate the owners, but can't just disengage from following certain players. Their defense is beastly.

There does seem to be a bit of a 'changing of the guard' going on, at least in the NFC?

Maybe?

Or this could just be a bit of a blip, and the usual 'Haves' will be there in the end...

It's still only week 4.

 Alpharius wrote:
There does seem to be a bit of a 'changing of the guard' going on, at least in the NFC?

Maybe?

Or this could just be a bit of a blip, and the usual 'Haves' will be there in the end...

Personally, at least when you look at a division like the NFC South, it isn't so much a changing of the guard, it's more that Atlanta is performing the way they've been expected to the past couple years, while Carolina has just for whatever reason stunk up the joint with their play.

NFC East, maybe there's a change coming, and interestingly, I've heard NFL commentators talking about how, when Romo comes back, JJ is probably going to make him start again since Romo is "his guy," despite the play of the new kid

NFC West, I also don't really see as much of a change, because it's been a perennially muddy conference. We kinda just beat the gak out of each other and see who's standing at the end.

In terms of the NFC west, the Seahawks getting an early bye week is about the best thing they could ask for. Wilson desperately needs some healing time.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
There does seem to be a bit of a 'changing of the guard' going on, at least in the NFC?

Maybe?

Or this could just be a bit of a blip, and the usual 'Haves' will be there in the end...

Personally, at least when you look at a division like the NFC South, it isn't so much a changing of the guard, it's more that Atlanta is performing the way they've been expected to the past couple years, while Carolina has just for whatever reason stunk up the joint with their play.

NFC East, maybe there's a change coming, and interestingly, I've heard NFL commentators talking about how, when Romo comes back, JJ is probably going to make him start again since Romo is "his guy," despite the play of the new kid

NFC West, I also don't really see as much of a change, because it's been a perennially muddy conference. We kinda just beat the gak out of each other and see who's standing at the end.

Romo, again? Man, can't he just retire before he gets hurt again?

Well Houston proved that they can win. If they are playing a terrible team that plays terribly.

Patriots, though. Wow. Looked like they were out of quarterbacks!

They kind of were?

But no worries - the best of all time is back next week!

The Texans vs Vikings game should be interesting. I might have to start getting out the ole vcr to record games so I can watch them. Apparently I can't record them on demand as the nfl has made a deal disallowing that feature :/ . I hear the Vikings offense is starting to gel, but I have been unable to watch as I have to work on weekends and mon/tues. Anyone else out there watching the Vikes? What is your take on the O?

 NorseSig wrote:
The Texans vs Vikings game should be interesting. I might have to start getting out the ole vcr to record games so I can watch them. Apparently I can't record them on demand as the nfl has made a deal disallowing that feature :/ . I hear the Vikings offense is starting to gel, but I have been unable to watch as I have to work on weekends and mon/tues. Anyone else out there watching the Vikes? What is your take on the O?

Gruden and that other guy on MNF made a huuuuuuge deal about how "conservative" the Vikes O has been these first weeks of the season. Strangely, I think this particular brand of conservatism in their play-calling is working. I wouldn't necessarily call it conservative, more that they have slimmed down, and simplified the playbook to allow Bradford time to learn their systems. This, I think, has lead to an O-line that has protected B-ford pretty well, as well as opening decent holes for AP, and his backup to run through. The pass protection is allowing him to make perhaps a bit more dangerous throws than we've seen from Bradford previously (IMHO, he was threading the needle a few times... almost to a point where I'd consider them to be Favre-esque, without Favre's brand of theatrical play. And by Favre-esque, I really mean that there were a number of completions that left me wondering how the heck the ball made it to the receiver)

And what's more interesting to me is, despite the "conservative" play-calling, slimmed down playbook, or whatever anyone wants to call whats going on there, The play-calling in game has been quite good thus far: they've kept defenses guessing and had pretty decent success moving the ball.

 Alpharius wrote:
Plus:

Jags beat the Colts (now 1-3!)

Loving it! Go Texans!

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 NorseSig wrote:
The Texans vs Vikings game should be interesting. I might have to start getting out the ole vcr to record games so I can watch them. Apparently I can't record them on demand as the nfl has made a deal disallowing that feature :/ . I hear the Vikings offense is starting to gel, but I have been unable to watch as I have to work on weekends and mon/tues. Anyone else out there watching the Vikes? What is your take on the O?

Gruden and that other guy on MNF made a huuuuuuge deal about how "conservative" the Vikes O has been these first weeks of the season. Strangely, I think this particular brand of conservatism in their play-calling is working. I wouldn't necessarily call it conservative, more that they have slimmed down, and simplified the playbook to allow Bradford time to learn their systems. This, I think, has lead to an O-line that has protected B-ford pretty well, as well as opening decent holes for AP, and his backup to run through. The pass protection is allowing him to make perhaps a bit more dangerous throws than we've seen from Bradford previously (IMHO, he was threading the needle a few times... almost to a point where I'd consider them to be Favre-esque, without Favre's brand of theatrical play. And by Favre-esque, I really mean that there were a number of completions that left me wondering how the heck the ball made it to the receiver)

And what's more interesting to me is, despite the "conservative" play-calling, slimmed down playbook, or whatever anyone wants to call whats going on there, The play-calling in game has been quite good thus far: they've kept defenses guessing and had pretty decent success moving the ball.

I completely agree. A streamlined offense is less confusing for the line and makes cuts down the time the QB needs to learn the schemes. I think coaches try to get too cute a lot of the time and forget that it is fundamentals and not making too many mistakes that win games. If you have good passer protection, tight play and decent talent, you can go a long way.

 jmurph wrote:

I think coaches try to get too cute a lot of the time and forget that it is fundamentals and not making too many mistakes that win games. If you have good passer protection, tight play and decent talent, you can go a long way.

Agreed. I think there's something to be said about coaches who focus so much on "outsmarting" the opposing coach, they lose sight of the actual how to win: which is playing better than the opponent.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 jmurph wrote:

I think coaches try to get too cute a lot of the time and forget that it is fundamentals and not making too many mistakes that win games. If you have good passer protection, tight play and decent talent, you can go a long way.

Agreed. I think there's something to be said about coaches who focus so much on "outsmarting" the opposing coach, they lose sight of the actual how to win: which is playing better than the opponent.

I agree with this also.
Interestingly, Philly is running the same kind of O... Keeping it refined but allowing the QB to make plays as needed. Keeping the O "simplified" keeps the O-line from making too many mistakes. Superb Def play also helps, and building drives helps keep them fresh.


On to this weeks 'predictions'.....
Tonight a pair of 1-3s, Cards vs Niners: The 10th best Rush Offense (SF) and worst run Def vs the 15th best Rush O and 20th best Run Def (AZ), and the worst passing game in the league (SF) vs the 7th best Pass D. AZ has allowed 4 yds less than SF has gained per game and SF has allowed 40 yds more than AZ has gained. couple that with SF's abysmal pass Def and AZ's 9 sacks and 5 Ints....
This one goes to the Cards.

NFC East

Washington vs Baltimore: Given the strength of the Ravens Defense and their penchant for creating turnovers and the relative weakness of the Skins Offense and vulnerability to turnovers...
Ravens win this one in a low scoring match.

Dallas vs Cinncinati : Each actually plays to the others weakness on D. Bengals 3rd rated passing game and meh Run game vs Cowboy's meh pass D and ok run D, and Cowboys excellent run and meh passing vs Bengals meh run D and decent pass D. Hate to say it but....
Cowboys run all over the Bengals.

Philly vs Detroit: Eagles have a better than average Offense going up against one of the worst total Defenses in the league. Lions bring some decent O play but are going up against the 3rd best Defense....
Eagles rack another win.

Sunday Night, NYG in Lambeau vs Green Bay: The question here is which Defense comes out on top. GB hasn't been stellar except in one category, Sacks. NYG hasn't been running the ball much and that trend will continue against the top rated Run D. GB's offense really needs to step up here though. It's officially Fall now, so maybe they just needed the cold to wake them up...
GB in a close one.


And Yeah I know, my record so far is meh.... But it is better than some "experts".

Dammit 49ers, you were supposed to take Arizona out of the division race entirely! You had one job to do!