The 2019-2020 NFL Season - Super Bowl LIV - 49ers vs. Chiefs

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**nels1031**

What an awkward photo to use...

https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/sneaky_reason_why_ravens_not_patriots_are_afcs_best/s1_13132_30473663

Are Ravens the AFC best?

I'm cautiously optimistic, they have laid at least one egg this season against the Browns, but maybe that was just an off day...

Call me a prisoner of the moment if you wish -– I’ve heard worse -– but rarely has one game so drastically altered my opinion about the balance of power in the NFL.

What the Ravens did to the Patriots on Sunday night in a 37-20 win opened my eyes. I’m officially a Ravens convert, and while quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to impress and must be mentioned in any MVP discussion, he’s not the only reason John Harbaugh’s bunch is the team to beat in the AFC.

Don’t look now, but Baltimore’s defense is becoming a force.

The Ravens gave up 25 points per game in Weeks 1-4. In Weeks 5-8, that number has dropped to 19 points per game. Their rush defense, which surrendered 333 yards in consecutive losses to Kansas City and Cleveland, has limited its past four opponents to 72.5 yards per game, which would be best in the league if projected over the course of a full season. The Ravens, who held New England to 342 yards, are 24th in yards per play allowed (6.0) but ninth best over the past three games (5.0).

Baltimore still ranks low –- 26th in the league -- against the pass, and the lack of a consistent pass rush is a major weakness. That said, Marlon Humphrey is playing like one of the league’s best corners, and a bold move to acquire Marcus Peters from the Rams gives the Ravens two corners with shutdown capability.

Peters is a risk-taker, a trait that cuts both ways, but in his first game, he became the first (and so far, only) man to intercept Russell Wilson. He took the pick to the house, one of two defensive scores for Baltimore in its impressive 30-16 win at Seattle.

Peters and Humphrey aren’t the only bright spots on the back end. Safety Earl Thomas, after a rough three-game stretch that included him jogging on a long TD run by the Browns' Nick Chubb, is steadily improving and resembling his old self.

Corner Jimmy Smith is back after suffering an MCL injury in Week 1, and though he allowed a touchdown against New England, Harbaugh is happy with his play. "He really doesn’t miss a beat," the coach told reporters after the game.

Former NFL scout Matt Williamson also likes what he sees in the Ravens' secondary. “Like New England, the entire key to Baltimore's defense is their secondary," he told me. "While I don't think they are great on this side of the ball, being great (and healthy) in the secondary has a huge trickle-down affect for the entire defense. They ask a ton from their DBs, but in turn, it allows them to blitz a ton and stack the box since they have extreme faith in their cover men.”

Defense is a sneaky reason the Ravens are ascendant, but none of this matters without Jackson. Did you see the look on Bill Belichick’s face Sunday night? That wasn’t a man playing possum, anticipating a playoff rematch and not wanting to show his entire hand, as some suggested. That was a man without answers against Baltimore, which rushed for 210 yards, by far the most on the Patriots this season. He wasn’t kidding when he called Jackson “a big problem” in the run-up to the game. Belichick is the greatest defensive mind of this generation, maybe ever, and he was powerless to stop what Jackson and Baltimore did.

Williamson is bullish on Jackson, too. “I’m not sure he will ever be ‘figured out,’ as he is a much better passer than most give him credit for," he said. "The misconception exists because when he misses, he often missed really badly, but those incompletions count the same as nearly missing.”

What a boost it must be for Jackson to have his head coach overhaul the offense philosophically and personnel-wise to better fit his skill set. As electrifying as Jackson is, Harbaugh’s handling of him and embrace of the unconventional should have him on the short list for Coach of the Year.

A long-held belief among many NFL observers is that a true running quarterback will never win big because of the injury possibility or passing shortcomings, or both. Harbaugh thumbed his nose at that and is being rewarded for it. Jackson is rewarding his faith by, among other things, continuing to display a unique ability to avoid clean hits.

Harbaugh, by the way, also gives the Ravens an advantage should they see New England again in the postseason. No other coach in the league is as successful at matching wits with Belichick. Harbaugh’s teams almost always acquit themselves well against the Patriots, even if they must play in Foxborough.

On Sunday night, I saw a quarterback look totally at ease in a massively hyped, high-pressure environment. I saw a defense continue to come into its own. I saw a coach who had all the answers. I saw the best team in the AFC, and much to my surprise, it was the Ravens.[/url]

**Ensis Ferrae**

Vaktathi wrote:
Sooooo Chargers left San Diego after the city wouldn't pay to build them a new stadium, they moved to Los Angeles to play in a (comparatively) pint sized soccer stadium while trying to share the city with the Rams, have had very little success in LA and seemingly lost their SD fanbase, now there's talk of...London?

Is it just me or does this whole thing feel like a repeated series of self inflicted Derp?

Yeah, lot of self-inflicted pain. . . But the entire fething idea of publicly funded stadiums really pisses me off. And really, its for a host of reasons. . . . Firstly, the teams, across basically all major sports, are owned by incredibly wealthy people, they can most definitely "afford" new facilities. . . Secondly, there's been a few times where we've seen facilities that aren't in bad shape being replaced seemingly "just cuz" (although at time of writing, I am drawing a blank). . . And finally, and quite possibly the least major, is the naming. . . Used to be, you had evocative names that people instantaneously KNEW what team, what city and what sport. Soldier field, The Vet, RFK, Old Trafford, Yankee Stadium. . . Very rarely does a corporate named stadium take on character/recognition on its own, such as Wrigley Field. . . . Nowadays, there's places like Levi's Stadium, T-Mobile Park, Sun Life Stadium, AT&T Field. . . . You practically need to be watching the sporting event itself to figure out/know what/where it is.

**nels1031**

I think a final tally of 9 drops for the 49ers last night... unreal. The last "0" team falls.

Had to mute the game though, as the commentary team seemed amateurish. Seems like it always does for MNF.

**Alpharius**

Jimmy G narrowly missed...what?...3 more interceptions?

It was a good game though, and I can see Seattle making it back to the Super Bowl.

I imagine a Seahawks/Raven game would be pretty good...

If the Patriots can't make it there, of course!

(And I'm not so sure they can this year, sadly!)

**nels1031**

Alpharius wrote:
Jimmy G narrowly missed...what?...3 more interceptions?

Yeah, had his game been tighter it would've been a solid win, but they just kept giving the most likely season MVP Russell Wilson chances to win it.

**Ensis Ferrae**

nels1031 wrote:

Had to mute the game though, as the commentary team seemed amateurish. Seems like it always does for MNF.

Its been a fair number of years since they've had a solid 3 person crew of commentators.

**helgrenze**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:
nels1031 wrote:

Had to mute the game though, as the commentary team seemed amateurish. Seems like it always does for MNF.

Its been a fair number of years since they've had a solid 3 person crew of commentators.

At least they trashed the "Booger Mobile"

**nels1031**

Seems like the NFL is trying to close out the Kaepernick saga, one way or the other.

A surprise workout combine featuring one dude. Think its an NFL first. All teams are invited to attend, though its on a Saturday where most scouts will be watching college ball and not every team has a need to sign a backup QB.

To me it just looks like the NFL are throwing this dude a bone and putting the onus on the teams and Kap's people. If no one signs him after this workout, they can say they tried. If someone does actually want him and signs him, they can do a victory lap. And if someone does want him and Kap's people want more money than that teams wants to give, they can also say they tried but the interested parties couldn't work it out. Just seems like a PR circus.

With most reports saying Cam Newton is leaving his team at the end of the season and many suitors are lined up as well as any team that's looking for a QB will probably be heavily invested in drafting one from college, I just don't see how a team signs Kap. He was phenomenal for a few seasons, but dude's last two seasons of play were bottom of the barrel.

On Tuesday, we learned that Colin Kaepernick is set to work out for NFL teams at the Falcons’ facility. Today, we have more details on the surprise audition, via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

On Saturday, Kaepernick’s workout will have something of a draft combine feel. He’ll get started at 3pm ET, interview at 3:15pm ET, and take measurements and warmup afterwards. He’ll be timed and tested at 3:50 and conduct quarterback drills at 4:15, with all parts being recorded for distribution to all 32 NFL teams.

Since becoming a free agent, Kaepernick has only received a workout invitation from one team — the Seahawks — and that was in the summer of 2017. Later on, the Seahawks cancelled a 2018 visit with the polarizing QB. The passer’s camp also spoke to both the Alliance of American Football and the XFL. In each instance, his camp reportedly asked for a $20M salary, consistent with the middle tier of signal-callers in the NFL.

Several clubs have reportedly inquired about Kaepernick’s football readiness and Kaep’s camp says he’s been “working out five days a week, for three years, in preparation to play again,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

An exec from one NFC team says they have “nothing to lose” by attending the workout (Twitter link via ESPN’s Josina Anderson). The full list of attending teams is not yet known, but the Cowboys will be among them, Anderson hears.

**helgrenze**

So far it looks like Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New England, NYG, NYJ, and Tampa Bay have confirmed they are sending "somebody".

**Ensis Ferrae**

helgrenze wrote:
So far it looks like Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New England, NYG, NYJ, and Tampa Bay have confirmed they are sending "somebody".

If anyone gets a great deal on Kaep, its gonna be the Pats. . . I don't know what it is in their office water, but they seem to just nail down dudes who are known for asking too much or whatever, and getting them cheap

**helgrenze**

They are also known for quickly dumping "Problem players" just before the problem comes into play. Look at some of their latest releases.

**queen_annes_revenge**

Why would the pats want kaep when they have TB? Surely they're not going to pay him to sit on a bench.

**Alpharius**

Because TB is only under contract for this year, can't be franchised next year and if Kaepernick is...OK to Good...they might want him as 'insurance'/leverage.

There's been a lot of crazy speculation as to what might or might not happen with Brady and the Patriots moving forward.

Maybe...

**nels1031**

Alpharius wrote:
Because TB is only under contract for this year, can't be franchised next year and if Kaepernick is...OK to Good...they might want him as 'insurance'/leverage.

There's been a lot of crazy speculation as to what might or might not happen with Brady and the Patriots moving forward.

Maybe...

I think alot of that crazy speculation is just sports show talking fodder. Dude is the GOAT and no way they let him walk.

I don’t think any team will sign Kaepernick*. Dude regressed significantly after multiple injuries and was never the same electric player that almost beat the Ravens in the Super Bowl. He was already relegated to backup when this whole thing started. Though I do love a good comeback story.

My bet is Cincinnati though, if we’re putting wagers up! They have nothing to lose at this point, aside from every game for the rest of the season.

**Alpharius**

A lot depends on what happens this season and 'how' it happens too.

I don't think Kraft wants Tom Brady to play anywhere else, but now it is also up to Tom Brady.

And I agree with you on Kaepernick - this whole thing seems like a fraud effort by the NFL for some CYA...

**nels1031**

NFL confirms the following teams will attend Kap’s workout:

Patriots
Dolphins
Broncos
Lions
Cardinals
Falcons(kind of a given, its at their facility)
Browns
Giants
Jets
Bucs
Redskins

Via Twitter.

**Alpharius**

I’d love to see him back in the league - and I’d love it even more if he can buck the odds and get back in as a starter!

**nels1031**

Alpharius wrote:
I’d love to see him back in the league - and I’d love it even more if he can buck the odds and get back in as a starter!

I'm pretty ambivalent about the whole situation. Though I find the drama of it immensely interesting.

Without all the baggage, he was 3-16 as a starter the last 2 seasons he played, with some piss poor QB stats. Phenomenal for a few years, but the injuries took a toll very quickly.

**Alpharius**

To be fair, I seem to remember him being on some really bad teams those last few years, and that his stats weren’t...horrible?

Or at least, better then a lot of other QBs?

It was ‘all the other stuff’ that was keeping him out of the league - or at least it was the last 3 years.

**nels1031**

Big brawl at the end of the Browns v. Steelers game. A Browns player ripped the helmet off the Steelers QB and hit him with it. Wtf.

**queen_annes_revenge**

Wow that was stupid. Should be permanent ejection from the league for that. The steelers lineman kicking him in the head was stupid too.

**helgrenze**

Wow. looks like I turned off the game too early.
There are going to be multiple fines for that and at least one suspension.

**nels1031**

I've only viewed a few clips, but the Steelers QB was clearly twisting one of the Browns players helmets off before the Browns player tore his helmet off and hit him with it. Should be quite a few fines coming on both sides, imo.

Love it when AFC North teams that aren't the Ravens go to war like this!

**queen_annes_revenge**

I couldn't see him doing that, but he shouldn'tve grappled garrett, as he was clearly going to get a RTP call anyway.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh yeah watching the other angle I see it.. So dumb... You'd think guys getting paid millions would be able to hold it together.

**Alpharius**

Garret out 'indefinitely", fined, other players with 1 to 3 game suspensions and, for some reason, each team fined $250K.

All for a play that happened with about 8 seconds left in a 21-7 game...

**gorgon**

Brownies are the new Bungles.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/11/myles-garretts-actions-on-thursday-should-cause-browns-to-look-deeper-at-why-keeping-composure-has-been-so-difficult.html

**queen_annes_revenge**

Alpharius wrote:
Garret out 'indefinitely", fined, other players with 1 to 3 game suspensions and, for some reason, each time fined $250K.

All for a play that happened with about 8 seconds left in a 21-7 game...

That's the other thing! The browns had hammered the steelers too... Totally pointless way to ruin a good win.

**nels1031**

gorgon wrote:
Brownies are the new Bungles.

Thought the same thing. Main difference is, the Bengals owner would give Freddie Kitchens a 5 year extension for such mediocrity. The Browns will add this guy to all the other notches where they keep a tally of fired head coaches. Probably before the season is out.

**gorgon**

I think that's the good news for their organization. The gakshow gives them cover to fire another HC after one year without catching a lot of flak for it. The FO can claim the high moral ground and move on. Kitchens is a disaster, honestly. In way over his head. That team needs a firmer hand at the wheel that commands more respect to manage all those young guys and big personalities.

The interview with Mayfield after the game was revealing. He seems to get it.

**helgrenze**

gorgon wrote:
I think that's the good news for their organization. The gakshow gives them cover to fire another HC after one year without catching a lot of flak for it. The FO can claim the high moral ground and move on. Kitchens is a disaster, honestly. In way over his head. That team needs a firmer hand at the wheel that commands more respect to manage all those young guys and big personalities.

The interview with Mayfield after the game was revealing. He seems to get it.

But Belichick already has a job.

If you watch the whole thing, Rudolph not only grabbed Garrett's helmet but kicked him in the crotch. Then when he had 2 of his own linemen jump between them he came at Garrett. That's when the helmet was swung.