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I can't believe Green Bay is 7-2. What in the hecks.

I watched the Bills vs Cardinals game last night. Thought the Cardinals had blown it but then that last drive with the clock ticking down. What a final pass and catch. Couldn't believe they made that!

On a slightly tangential note; I regularly browse a site (football365.com) for football (or soccer if you prefer) related content. I am looking for a similar site for American Football content. Can anyone recommend a similar sitte in the same vein? I want something that is a good blend of news and opinion pieces.

Bills v Cardinals was a great game, but the wrong team won! LOL.

Talk about down tot he wire, and a tough loss for the Bills.

The Washington vs. Lions game was also surprisingly good and memorable to me.

I'm having a hard time getting my head around how bad the NFC East is. Lordy. We might see a six-win team make the playoffs.

Well that was an ugly week. Current record after going 2-2 is 25-13-1

On to this week, eh?
Thursday Night
Arizona at Seattle
Oh boy. The top 2 offenses face off. Should be a show. And with one Defense being average and the other worst in the league (Yes, Worse than the NFC East), it should be a high scoring affair. Is 60 possible? Certainly. And no Fans in the Dome...
Gotta go with the Cards on this.

NFC East.
Ny Giants are off so no loss for them.

Philadelphia at Cleveland
Eagles are slightly better on both Offense and Defense. Mayfield has had issues with aggressive pass rushers, but can run which the Eagles have had issues with. Outside of QBs, they have been good against the run. Plus the Browns have trouble actually scoring.
Eagles get a surprise win on the road.

Cincinnati at Washington
The TEAM has a great Def but almost no Offense. Bengals have a mediocre Off and almost no Defense. Can Joe Burrow lead his team to a win?
I'm gonna say Yes.
Bengals win.

Dallas at Minnesota
The 5th best run game vs the 31st run Def. By Stats they are 23 (D) and 24(M) for Defense, so high bottom tier for both. Dallas looks better on Off... On paper, but Dak is out and they are on their 4th QB.
Vikings win this as Jerry slides into a depressed rage.

Not going to do a comparison on Pittsburgh at Jacksonville We all know this should be a Steelers win.

NY Jets at LA Chargers
Jets 32nd ranked O and 28th ranked D vs Chargers 5th ranked O and 12th ranked D....
Chargers win, Jets fans start drooling over Trevor.

Keeping it with LA
LA Rams at Tampa Bay
Rams Offense is top 10, Buccaneers are average. New additions probably won't help TB as they really need to fix the O-line. Both have top 5 Def so it will likely come down to the Rams Pass Rush. Brady doesn't like pressure and he's been facing a lot of it. Penalties will also figure highly in this one.
Rams on the under.

Watched the Green Bay / Colts game on Sunday as it was televised live here in the UK on Sky. I am a Green Bay fan - not sure why; I picked them as my team in the early '90's just on a whim - had no idea where Green Bay or Wisconsin actually were. Thought they did OK in general apart from some odd decisions I thought to throw on a 3rd and 1 a couple of times. But then in the second half, they just imploded combined with good defense from the Colts. Was hoping they would sneak it in overtime but I had to switch off at that point as was getting late. Woke up to find they lost :(

I know Helgrenze called the Rams, but I was still a bit surprised with the Rams/Bucs game.

 Easy E wrote:
I know Helgrenze called the Rams, but I was still a bit surprised with the Rams/Bucs game.

Yeah, but I missed on the over/under. Like I said, Brady don't like pressure, he gets erratic and makes bad throws to avoid getting hit.

Only hit on 2 this week, but who's gonna call a QB injury? Between Brees' now 11 cracked ribs and Burrow's knee.... Its kinda been an ugly year for QBs. I think Brees is done, no amount of kevlar is gonna keep him playing.

So I am 27-17-1, Just a brutal week for my picks. What I get for bragging, I suppose.

Posting early this week because Thanksgiving. Starting there:

Houston at Detroit.
Matt Patricia is on the hotseat, he really needs a win... not gonna get it. Penalties and Sacks are gonna ruin his day.
Texans win.

Washington at Dallas
The TEAM held the Cowboys to 3 points last time. Dallas should do better this match.. but not good enough. Zeke finally had a 100 yd game, but Washington is good at stopping tthe run. Dalton isn't going to be having a good time against the top pass D.
The Team wins.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Ravens have the #1 Run game and the #30 pass game. Both have good defenses, and have been getting lots of sacks. Turnovers and Penalties are the story here as well. Look for things to get chippy. Ravens need this to stay in the playoff pic. Steelers seem to have all the right pieces in hitting at the right times.
Steelers win.

Tennessee at Indianapolis
Colts have the better D and are almost as good on O.
Colts win a close one.

Miami at NYJets
The 2 worst Offenses face off. Will Tua start or not seems to be in question. Not that it matters much, Jets cant seem to stop the pass. Dolphins have problems with the run, a Jets strong suit. Still, Dolphins shut them out last time. Jets stay in a coma.
Dolphins win


Finishig the NFC lEAST.
NYG at Cincinnati
Burrow is done, might not even start next season. Finley is a major unknown quantity at QB. This game could go either way.
For Fandoms sake, I gotta call this for Bengals, but don't think it's gonna happen.
Coin flip.

Seattle at Philadelphia
Unlike the last few meetings, This one is in Philly. Its gonna be cold and rainy, not ideal for either team but Seahawks don't tend to play well in weather. Eagles have been good on D and if they can contain Wilson and IF Philly can get the passing game going, they have a shot. Eagles weak spot is QB runs and Sweeps. The points spread is 5 points, which says a lot. I'm thinking Eagles get a bounce back here.
Eagles win UGLY, but stay on top of the lEast.

Brees may be done for good.... like his career might be over. Your thoughts?

 Easy E wrote:
Brees may be done for good.... like his career might be over. Your thoughts?

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Unless they perfect this from 40K (Space Marine)
"Ossmodula
Phase 2: A small, complex, tubular organ, the ossmodula secretes hormones that both affect the ossification of the skeleton and encourages the forming bone growths to absorb ceramic-based chemicals that are laced into the Marine's diet. This drastically alters the way a Space Marine's bones grow and develop. Two years after this implant is first put in the subject's long bones will have increased in size and strength (along with most other bones), and the rib cage will have been fused into a solid, bulletproof mass of interlocking plates."

He's got a Ring, multiple passing records, and millions of dollars. He should honestly retire at this point. What's left for him to achieve?

 trexmeyer wrote:
He's got a Ring, multiple passing records, and millions of dollars. He should honestly retire at this point. What's left for him to achieve?

Technically, he is still battling Brady for the Career Passing TD record. Though with Brees being out Brady can pad his lead.

I think Brees is Hall of Fame bound too.

 helgrenze wrote:

 trexmeyer wrote:
He's got a Ring, multiple passing records, and millions of dollars. He should honestly retire at this point. What's left for him to achieve?

Technically, he is still battling Brady for the Career Passing TD record. Though with Brees being out Brady can pad his lead.

Sure, but someone else will likely come along and break whatever either one reaches. Someone will definitely clear 600. It's been broken like 5 times in the last 20 years?

Also, even if he did somehow retire with more TDs than Brady, Brees isn't in the running for the greatest QB of all time unless magic happens.

Brees had to get a second SB win to get greatest of all time no doubt, and if he's out its gonna take the Saints Defense staying at 120% to win it all.

I think the league owes the Saints, and it was a hard tilt to thinking they were going to the SB this year, but injuries always change things.

The league doesn't owe anything to the Saints. They suffered a bad call in a big game. Wasn't nearly the first or last time that will happen. You don't get to complain about the call that didn't go your way while 'keeping' the calls that did. Everyone wishes officiating was better -- and it's fallen off a cliff in recent years -- but everyone has to deal with it.

Right now, the Saints are the #1 seed in the NFC. That's a first round bye. Worst case scenario is the have to play the Rams in the second round, IF the 2 and 3 seeds, currently Green bay and Seattle, win their games. The Rams, currently the #5, play whoever survives the East implosion, currently the NYGiants.

Nola doesn't even have to win out, though there is only one question mark in their remaining schedule, KC. And only the Philly game is likely to be bad weather. Vikings and KC are home games.
Packers have a slightly tougher schedule including a game vs Tennessee and three home games in the final 5.

For comparison sake, Philadelphia's remaining schedule... Just look at the next 4 games.: Seattle, Green Bay, New Orleans, and Arizona. Plus, after tonight, three of the final 5 are road games.

So Saints have a good chance of making it to the SB, barring bad calls and such.

 gorgon wrote:
The league doesn't owe anything to the Saints.

At least not after forcing that monstrosity to be played on Sunday.

To be clear as a Broncos fan the Broncos deserved what happened to them based on what information is publicly available. The way in which this was handled was still in stark contrast to the rescheduling efforts for other impacted games.

Yep, it's been completely arbitrary, like everything else that comes out of the league office. Look how they've bent over for the Ravens and have now painted themselves into a corner. It's fueled by the NFL's overall lack of a COVID plan, of course.





Automatically Appended Next Post:
Looks like Steelers-Ravens moved to Wednesday now. How long before they're playing a doubleheader on Sunday?

Note that when i say the league owes the saints a SB im not just talking about a bad call. Im saying they tend to give advantage to teams in states where a major disaster took place, such as the wildfires last year giving the rams/49rs advantage, and the hurricane during the year the saints actually won the superbowl.


Obviously this isnt the only factor in play, but I truly believe the league office does put in nods towards certain teams depending on the national situation.

So, looking at the upcoming schedules for the NFC East.... It's ugly.
Starting from the least worse
NY Giants - Seattle, Arizona, Cleveland, Baltimore, Dallas. Their biggest win was by 10 points. Jones is out, so they are starting Colt McCoy.
Anyone see more than one win here? I'm thinking maybe Dallas.

Washington The TEAM - Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Carolina, Philadelphia. Other than blowing out Dallas twice, not much else going on. Maybe 2 wins but Carolina would be the question mark.

Philadelphia Eagles - Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas, Washington.
The next three games are going to be ugly, though they may have a chance if Brees is still out. Dallas and Washington are going to be tougher than usual. Still, They might be able to pull together 2-3 wins down the stretch... Maybe.

Dallas Cowboys - Baltimore, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Philadelphia, NY Giants.
easiest stretch for any NFC East team. Potentially 3-4 wins if they can get their act together. Does look like McCarthy has lost the locker room though.

Yeah it looks bad for everybody. The Tie from Philly gives them an advantage if win records even out though.
Don't see anybody getting to 7 wins no matter what magic happens down the stretch.
8 for Dallas or Philly requires winning out, don't see that happening with these schedules.
NYG and The TEAM would need to win 4/5 to finish with 8. Washington has a slightly better chance but not by much.
Whoever wins will likely have to face LA Rams or Tampa Bay in the first round.

Not doing NFC East predictions from this point unless some team goes on a tear.

Had a better week, went 4-2 so sitting at 31-17-1

This week.
New Orleans at Atlanta
Brees is still out, Don't think Hill is close to that good. Still, Falcons are horrid against the pass and the saints have a top D.
Saints win this.

Cleveland at Tennessee
Mayfield needs to get some passing done, right now the Browns are a one trick pony... Its a good trick though. This one is going to be all about the run, who does it better and who stops it. Titans have the better pass game though.
Going Titans here.

LA Rams at Arizona
Cardinals top ranked O vs Rams top ranked D. Murray might need track shoes for this one.
Rams look slightly better here.

New England at LA Chargers
Chargers are riding a 3 game losing streak. Patriots have won and lost games they shouldn't have. Not likely to be a shootout.
Chargers break their streak.

Not doing individual breakdowns for NFC East, but look for Seahawks, Packers, Steelers, and Ravens wins. Ravens especially if Lamar plays.

2-2 last week. Record now at 33-20-1
Not counting the Least but went 2-2 there as well. Surprisingly, all the NFC East teams are still "in the hunt".

KC and Nola have already clinched a playoff berth, they just jockeying for position now.

4 teams are eliminated, All from the AFC: NY Jets, Jaguars, Bengals, and Chargers.

AFC Side: Steelers clinch a spot with a Win and the AFC North with Win + a Browns loss.
KC gets the AFC West with a win OR a Raiders Loss.
Bills and Titans need lots of help to clinch.

NFC Side: Saints clinch the NFC South with a Win OR a Buccaneers Loss.
Packers Need a Win and a Vikings Loss to clinch the NFC North. A win and a Cardinals Loss, or a Seahawks Win clinches a playoff spot.
LA Rams and Seahawks will likely go the distance.
NFC East is a train wreck into a dumpster fire at this point.... someone will win the division, no-one deserves to.

Picks. Keeping with the playoff.. avoiding the NFC Least.
Kansas City at Miami
KC has the #1 pass game and this game features 2 mediocre defenses. Not enough 'Fitzmagic' left.
KC wins.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay
Vikings have the better Offense, Bucs the better D. The run game is going to decide this one.
Vikings.

Tennessee at Jacksonville....
Yeah this one is almost predetermined... Titans.

Indianapolis at Las Vegas
Evenly matched on Offense, Colts are better on D. Still Raiders have shown flashes.
Colts in a close one.

NY Jets at Seattle...
Nuff Said. Seahawks.

Green Bay at Detroit
Packers have the #2 offense and the Loins the #28 D. Still, Lions could play spoiler here with new coaching. Gonna be close.
Packers.

Pittsburgh at Buffalo
On one hand we have a Good offense vs a Good defense, on the other, a bad Defense vs a bad Offense.
Coinspinner says Bills.

Baltimore at Cleveland
Horrid passing on both teams, top two run games. On D, Ravens are better against the pass, Browns better on the run. If Baker can find his pass game again...
Browns win.

NFC Least has some playoff influence, but, Bengals beat Dallas, Arizona beats NY Giants, 49ers beat THE TEAM, and well....
New Orleans at Philadelphia
Its the gadget play back ups facing off. Neither Offense has been good in Pass, Both have been good in run. Both teams have played well on D, though Eagles have been burned in the run. Jalen Hurts is basically an unknown and should spark.... something.
Backing the Eagles here, because, why not?

Do we all think the Jets might win 0 games this year?

 Easy E wrote:
Do we all think the Jets might win 0 games this year?

Given their next three games, Rams, Browns, Patriots...... It's not looking good for the Win column. All three are looking at a playoff spot.

LA Rams need to stay ahead of Seattle who play The TEAM before their rematch. Plus the Cardinals are currently in the mix.
Cleveland has the Giants before the Jets and finishes against Pittsburgh. Needs to keep ahead of Indy.
New England plays their last 3 Divisional games in the next three. Currently outside looking in.

Rodgers may actually edge out Mahomes for MVP.
Brady has 30 TDs already...and he's 43...is that an age related record?

Hmm. 2-2 in the Least. 6-2 on the ones I am counting. Record 39-22-1

Play off potential games.
AFC
Pittsburgh and KC have punched their tickets. That doesn't mean they won't have something to play for. KC needs a win + PIT loss + BUF loss or tie to clinch a first round bye. Pitts wins the division with a win or a Cleveland loss. Buffalo wins their Div with a win or a Miami loss. Tennessee gets in with a win and some help, lots of different scenarios there.

Kansas City at New Orleans
Last week Saints showed they can be vulnerable to the run, and quick passes as well as penalties. Chiefs had trouble getting their run game going and deep passes. However, we also saw that Hill is no Brees who is listed as "questionable at best to play".
Chiefs.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
The last couple weeks Steelers haven't looked good. They are average in passing and near the bottom for Run. Bengals are only slightly better in total offense. Bengals are likely to start Finley, which isn't good news for Cincy.
Steelers.

Cleveland at NY Giants
Neither team has looked good in the pass game, though Baker looks more comfortable throwing deep.... he just needs to work on targeting. Jones looks to be out again this week, so it's Colt McCoy for NYG. Giants look good on D but Mayfield is starting to make good passes.
Browns.

Buffalo at Denver
Mile High is a tough place to play, mainly due to the altitude. This game is one of those 'opposites attract' types. Buffalo has a good Pass Off, Denver a good Pass D. Broncos have a good Run Off, Bills a good Run D. I'm thinking Bills Offense has the edge.
Bills.

Play off potential games.
NFC
Yes all of the NFC East teams are still in it, That could change this week. A Dallas loss should eliminate them.
Packers and Saints are in. Green Bay has clinched their Div. New Orleans wins their Div with a win or a Tampa Bay loss. Rams are in with a win or Min-Chi tie. Seahawks are in with a win or a Min-Chi tie. Tampa bay is in with a win AND a Min-Chi Tie.
Wow, so much depending on a tie in one game.
Already covered New Orleans.
LA Rams are playing the NY Jets. Rams.

Chicago at Minnesota
This could be a fun one to watch. Bears have been on/off all season, but they do have a good pass rush. Vikings have been really good in the run game. Cousins isn't as mobile as he used to be, but he does protect the ball.
Vikings.

Seattle at Washington
Wilson had a bad game vs NY Giants, then played the NY Jets. Not much to say about that. The TEAM has a top pass D. and a good Run D, their issues are on Offense. Seahawks have a top pass Off and a good Run O. Seattle seems to have better luck finding the end zone. Looks like Haskins is starting for The TEAM.
Seahawks.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta
This is actually the first of the two games these two have to play.... who made this schedule? Falcons look better on the stat line than their record. Buccaneers have Brady. It's going to be the defenses that decide this one. Tampa is better there.
Buccaneers.


If all the NFC east teams wind up with 6 wins (7 each isn't possible, both Dallas and Philly would need to win out and they have to play each other next week) Eagles win the Div due to the Tie in their record.

How about those Jets?

Also, how did Brees recover so quickly to even be playing? He must be a terminator now, more machine than man? He took some hits in the game too..... he really should not have been out there.

Brees just really wants to play that bad, and considering this is his last season (even if he gets a SB), the only reason to not put him out there is if he is actually the worst QB on the team.

I predict that if the Saints actually make it to the SB this year Drew is going to sustain a true career ending injury at some point.

Also, I knew the steelers sucked ass. Finally showing their true colors.

Browns looked bad, but I heard that their normal starters were decimated for various reasons. In a Must Win game, they lost to the Jets!