N.F.L. 24-25 Season (2 Viewers)

[Panzer ace]

I am not about to make excuses for Dan Campbell, aka muscles maximum cranium minimum but the Lions were beyond devastated by injuries, they really had no business winning 15 games, last night’s loss was inevitable.

 

[Combat]

Too many injuries on defense for the Lions to overcome. I'm sort of split on Goff. He's a good guy who helped to turnaround a losing franchise, but I'm tired of hearing about him being traded by the Rams. As though the Rams betrayed him. The Rams couldn't win a SB with Goff. They made that trade and won it without him. It's business.

Meanwhile it's already snowing here in old PA. Should be an interesting game in Philly with the heavy snow coming down this afternoon during the Rams game.

 

[tdubel]

I don't think the refs caused the Texans to lose. It is really simple. Travis Kelce - one of the greatest tight ends to play got open on every play. Xavier Worthy, caught nearly all targets, etc. Kareem Hunt scored. It is just simply executing the plays in front of you and the KC Defense certainly did enough to win. Game plans taliored to your talent win football games.

Hate the Chiefs, Hate the Ravens, singularly will do nothing to the outcome of the game. My money is still on the Chiefs, they know how to win and can execute a gameplan like no one else this year.

As to the penalty, anytime there is even a remote blow to the head area on a QB, they will call it, that is the League. Every great QB got those calls throughout their careers, that is what it is. It certainly doesn't change the scoreboard IMO.

Mahomes is an elite QB with elite receivers and an elite coach.

Tonight should prove interesting, the Bills literally have every environmental advantage they could hope for, but they still have to play and win the game. Same with Philly.

TD

 

[Warrior]

I don't think the refs caused the Texans to lose. It is really simple. Travis Kelce - one of the greatest tight ends to play got open on every play. Xavier Worthy, caught nearly all targets, etc. Kareem Hunt scored. It is just simply executing the plays in front of you and the KC Defense certainly did enough to win. Game plans taliored to your talent win football games.

Hate the Chiefs, Hate the Ravens, singularly will do nothing to the outcome of the game. My money is still on the Chiefs, they know how to win and can execute a gameplan like no one else this year.

As to the penalty, anytime there is even a remote blow to the head area on a QB, they will call it, that is the League. Every great QB got those calls throughout their careers, that is what it is. It certainly doesn't change the scoreboard IMO.

Mahomes is an elite QB with elite receivers and an elite coach.

Tonight should prove interesting, the Bills literally have every environmental advantage they could hope for, but they still have to play and win the game. Same with Philly.

TD

There is no denying Mahomes' talent, but he's perfected the art of flopping and it's monumentally annoying how he gets call after call after call.

The first roughing the passer was a clear shoulder to shoulder hit, the second one was worse, two Texan defenders banged helmets and did not hit Mahomes, but he got the call anyway.

Both extended drives that led to scores.

Next year that will change as those non penalties that are called penalties will be reviewed thankfully.

And yeah, without those calls they probably win anyway because the Texans kept settling for field goals that their tomato can kicker kept missing, but at one point, it was a tie game.............until he missed the PAT, my God you stiff, you've got one job as they say.

Al's up in heaven smiling, his Redskins are going to the NFCCG for the first time since 1991 and his Ravens are one game away from getting there..................

 

[Warrior]

Good luck to everyone who has a dog in the fight today; I'm pulling for the Rams and the Ravens...................McVay is a top 5 NFL head coach, maybe top 3, a genius really and Henry is a beast and a joy to watch the way he runs over, around and through people.

That said, it will be Bills and Iggles............and Bills; don't steal one of my favorite all time songs (Mr Brightside) and use it as your anthem.

After watching Glenn's defense and Johnson's offense yesterday, I'm glad the Patriots hired Vrable, that defense couldn't stop a nose bleed and that offense got too cute at times, just keep running the ball, Goff was off yesterday, stop forcing him to throw when he's not up to the task.

I heard a stat today that Dallas has the longest zero championship game appearances in their conference.

That's.................................something else.

 

[Combat]

The Rams gave it a good try but came up short. All you can ask is for a good effort and the Rams gave that in tough conditions.

 

[tdubel]

The Rams gave it a good try but came up short. All you can ask is for a good effort and the Rams gave that in tough conditions.

Honestly thought they had it. One second away, bad block by the Center on 2 plays made it tough. Other than that, literally put themselves in perfect opp to win it. I know Coach was mad on I think he thought roughing the passer, they didn't give a good replay so I never got to see why he was fumed. Also saw the running back coming out the backfield asking for a flag, again, horrid replay (almost like it was network planned).

Anyhow, I thought they had it.
TD

 

[Combat]

Honestly thought they had it. One second away, bad block by the Center on 2 plays made it tough. Other than that, literally put themselves in perfect opp to win it. I know Coach was mad on I think he thought roughing the passer, they didn't give a good replay so I never got to see why he was fumed. Also saw the running back coming out the backfield asking for a flag, again, horrid replay (almost like it was network planned).

Anyhow, I thought they had it.
TD

If they make that call in Philly, no one gets out alive. LOL. I don't think it was pass interference even though the defender grabbed Puka. The pass was uncatchable. For the most part, I think the game is decided on the field and all the hue and cry about the officials is for losers even if there are bad calls. The Rams defense and special teams played hard. The offense made a few mistakes and that was the difference.

 

[Combat]

"Small game" Lamar comes up short again in the playoffs. Not exactly his fault tonight but some guys are big time and some guys are not. With Henry, Baltimore should have won easily. Onward. I think the SB is Buffalo and Philly.

 

[tdubel]

Small Game is going home again. And since R Smith from the Ravens was so eager to wish Patrick Queen a good Cancun vacation last wrek, well maybe Smith can join him! Sorry but not sorry, the lights are off in Baltimore and guess what you are not going to the super bowl. Thankful I will be spared the local circus.

 

[Warrior]

The difference this weekend; turnovers, turnovers, turnovers..........and a dropped two point conversion.

If they hadn't gone for two earlier in the game, they wouldn't have needed one at the end, but with the amount of time on left on the clock, it's pretty likely the Bills would have scored anyway to win it.

And blown calls, like the DPI on the Baltimore cornerback who got shoved to the ground/a clear push off by the WR and they called the penalty on him vs the WR, or the facemask penalties that were not or the roughing the QB calls that were not.

And that throw to Puka may have been uncatchable, but for the love of Christ, you cannot touch a WR when the fudgeing ball is in the air, this isn't rocket science.

The referees had nothing to do with any of the losses; keep thinking that if it helps you sleep at night.

No dog in the fight, but I want the game decided on the field, not by yellow flags or no yellow flags.

At least the food was outstanding at both gatherings this weekend, so there's that and all four games were entertaining/were close.

Really wanted the Lions, Texans, Ravens and Rams to win; I was 0-4, yet another reason why I don't gamble.

 

[tdubel]

We will have to agree to disagree. The calls all weekend were judgemental calls. They didn't decide the games. The ravens cbs all year have been atrocious with pass interference. They forgot about 5 yards and hands. It could have been called on every pass play against them. The particular play they were 15 plus yards downfield and the cb was still engaged. That is pass int or def holding all day long

I don't have a dog in this hunt either but last time chiefs bills played in champ game was one of the best I ever saw

Hopefully the next 2 games are exciting, certainly has been an upgrade from the regular season games I saw. And as a Steelers fan today was "Just Too Sweet" in the words of Kevin Nash.

 

[tdubel]

The "defense" opening argument is already beginning here on Lamar Jackson. It is all Mark Andrews fault according to the early stories. They are brushing over the Lamar Jackson fumble, Lamar Jackson interception..........oh. they were in the first half, guess they don't matter as much.................BS. Baltimore is still trying to justify draining the coffers on yet another quarterback who can't and probably won't ever win the big one. Well, he may, every other team will have to reload at some point, then maybe Baltimore has its shot. I think the predictable script played out in this game - Baltimore got behind and when that happens, they lose their cool and don't play as well. Their demeanor changes from Coach to player, they are just not cool under pressure. Andrews got unlucky in that cold weather hurts soft hands, the fumble was a perfect hit and I am not sure that 2 point conversion was as easy as some may think after rewatching it a few times, it was falling away and those are not easy, especially in the cold.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[marco55]

I'm really disappointed that the Lions didn't go further. They have never been to a SB and it would have been nice to see them there. Now I'm rooting for the Eagles and the Bills.
Mark

 

[Combat]

There was also a possible roughing the passer on call on that last Rams play but no way are the refs throwing a flag in that game. The Philly fans would have burnt down the stadium. Even as a Rams fan, I wouldn't have called a penalty in that situation. A possible game deciding call when the pass was uncatchable. McVay should have adjusted his play calling. There were too many long developing plays downfield in poor weather with the Rams not able to protect Stafford in the pocket.

 

[Warrior]

I'm really disappointed that the Lions didn't go further. They have never been to a SB and it would have been nice to see them there. Now I'm rooting for the Eagles and the Bills.
Mark

The Lions getting there would have been a great story, but with their wounded defense, KC or the Bills would have shredded that team. Same thing if the Commanders get there, I can't see them beating either team.

 

[Warrior]

There was also a possible roughing the passer on call on that last Rams play but no way are the refs throwing a flag in that game. The Philly fans would have burnt down the stadium. Even as a Rams fan, I wouldn't have called a penalty in that situation. A possible game deciding call when the pass was uncatchable. McVay should have adjusted his play calling. There were too many long developing plays downfield in poor weather with the Rams not able to protect Stafford in the pocket.

McVay is a great coach, not much you can do when weather is a factor, Puka did not have a great game either.

Too bad, I was pulling for them to win it.

Will be interested to see how Hurts bounces back with a bum knee, if he's not 100%, it will be Barkley time for the Iggles.

 

[Warrior]

The "defense" opening argument is already beginning here on Lamar Jackson. It is all Mark Andrews fault according to the early stories. They are brushing over the Lamar Jackson fumble, Lamar Jackson interception..........oh. they were in the first half, guess they don't matter as much.................BS. Baltimore is still trying to justify draining the coffers on yet another quarterback who can't and probably won't ever win the big one. Well, he may, every other team will have to reload at some point, then maybe Baltimore has its shot. I think the predictable script played out in this game - Baltimore got behind and when that happens, they lose their cool and don't play as well. Their demeanor changes from Coach to player, they are just not cool under pressure. Andrews got unlucky in that cold weather hurts soft hands, the fumble was a perfect hit and I am not sure that 2 point conversion was as easy as some may think after rewatching it a few times, it was falling away and those are not easy, especially in the cold.
Just my 2 cents.

When you lose the turnover battle 3-0, it's hard to win, I thought Lamar played a good game, when it was first and goal on the two, the Ravens could not punch it in and had to settle for 3 vs 7, I give them credit, they were down 21-10 in Stalingrad weather conditions, they could have packed it in but did not, outscored the vaunted Bills offense 15-6 in the second half, it never would have come down to a 2 point conversion if they had just kicked the PAT on their earlier TD vs going for two, all they would have needed at the end was a PAT and it's tied, but again, they left time on the clock, the Bills probably would have scored anyway at the end to win it.

I think the Chiefs will win on Sunday, Mahomes and Kelce will find a way, their DC will dial it up and stop the Bills, he's a great DC, he should get a lot of the credit for their run as well as Mahomes, Reid just stands there like a walrus waiting for a fish to be thrown to him.

It's amazing what a great QB and DC will do to make a HC look good, like Shady Brady did all those years.

 

[tdubel]

When you lose the turnover battle 3-0, it's hard to win, I thought Lamar played a good game, when it was first and goal on the two, the Ravens could not punch it in and had to settle for 3 vs 7, I give them credit, they were down 21-10 in Stalingrad weather conditions, they could have packed it in but did not, outscored the vaunted Bills offense 15-6 in the second half, it never would have come down to a 2 point conversion if they had just kicked the PAT on their earlier TD vs going for two, all they would have needed at the end was a PAT and it's tied, but again, they left time on the clock, the Bills probably would have scored anyway at the end to win it.

I think the Chiefs will win on Sunday, Mahomes and Kelce will find a way, their DC will dial it up and stop the Bills, he's a great DC, he should get a lot of the credit for their run as well as Mahomes, Reid just stands there like a walrus waiting for a fish to be thrown to him.

It's amazing what a great QB and DC will do to make a HC look good, like Shady Brady did all those years.

Very true. Like I said before, I am not a "fan" of any of the teams left, but I give them credit. I think the Chiefs have the coaching edge in a big way this week. As you pointed out, the Bill honestly should have put the Ravens away, they were just frankly outplaying them, but IMO, poor playcalling early second half put the Ravens back in it. The Ravens are a good football team, especially when you give them the chance.

As a local, I just do not like Lamar Jackson. I think he is a terrible role model, if you see him in interviews, it is not about his literacy or lack thereof. It is his dismissive attitude and quite frankly, he comes off as an arrogant jerk. Even in Brady's worst moments as he did have them, he came off better and more likable and he is the greatest of all time, so if someone would have the right to be an arrogant jerk, Brady has that. (BTW, his color commentary is improving, he seems a lot more comfortable). Jackson last week basically said, I don't socialize with opposing players or make friends in the offseason. Well, maybe he should, he may learn something from them. Guy is just not a normal human being.

Also, the venom being spewed locally at Mark Andrews is about borderline psycho. The guy has been a rock for the Ravens, came back from injuries that would have been the end for most. He is actually the player who consistently hurt the Steelers most over his years. Biggest weapon, now he is biggest local punching bag. Cracks me up. Like I like to say, you just can't make it up how much lunacy is involved in a fan base. The Sun rose this morning same as every other day.
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