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Studio 46 - Non-TPiR Discussion => Out In Left Field => Topic started by: SeaBreeze341 on July 31, 2020, 11:28:50 PM

Title: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on July 31, 2020, 11:28:50 PM
The 101st season, which will mark 50 years since the NFL Merger, is slated to begin on Thursday, September 10, 2020 in Kansas City.  Currently, it is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, February 7, 2021 in Tampa.  For the 15th time since 2004, the season will begin with the defending champions hosting another opponent; this year features the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Houston Texans.  For the most part at least, the opening game features a rematch of a notable game from the previous season (if not a notable historic rivalry).  The home team/champs winning percentage is at least 80%.  Other games scheduled in Week One include 12 Sunday games on Fox and CBS including a CBS/Fox game of the week at 4:25, then the primetime slate with Sunday Night Football on NBC and the annual opening double-header on ESPN.

As of present time, everything is scheduled to start on time, but there is cause for concern given the number of opt-outs added to the mess that has occurred in Major League Baseball.  No secondary plans yet, or if there are, they haven't been disclosed to the public.

Pandemic aside, big news post Super Bowl 54 to present time includes this being the first year since the beginning of the Century & Millennium that Belichick and Brady are not on the same team.  The Raiders are now in Vegas, and the playoffs have expanded to 7 teams per conference.  That rewards the 7-best AFC or NFC team at the expense of the 2nd best AFC/NFC team
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on July 31, 2020, 11:34:48 PM
I like the 7 team per conference playoff format because it makes the 1 seed more important. In the past, with 2 1st round byes, there was actually a bigger difference between between being a 2 seed or a 3 seed than between being a 1 or a 2 seed. Only one 1st round bye per conference makes the 1 seed more important and that's a good thing.

I would expect more from the Buccaneers than the Patriots. I believe Vrady made Belichick in New England. Belichick wasn't all of that in Cleveland before Brady.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on August 01, 2020, 12:03:41 PM
Hopefully the season does indeed happen and there's not the kind of case outbreak we're seeing in the MLB that's causing several postponements. It will be interesting to see how the very atypical offseason effects teams and which teams are best set to work through it.

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on August 01, 2020, 12:06:10 PM
I like the 7 team per conference playoff format because it makes the 1 seed more important. In the past, with 2 1st round byes, there was actually a bigger difference between between being a 2 seed or a 3 seed than between being a 1 or a 2 seed. Only one 1st round bye per conference makes the 1 seed more important and that's a good thing.

I would expect more from the Buccaneers than the Patriots. I believe Vrady made Belichick in New England. Belichick wasn't all of that in Cleveland before Brady.


It was probably time for playoff expansion, but I would've been okay if they had kept it as it was.  Now, if they go to 8, that would be fitting.  It would complete the unintentional move to eliminate teams with bye weeks (it actually used to be three teams until 1990).  However, it might be criticized unless the NFL can add more teams into its league (from 32 to 36).  In my opinion, there should be more teams soon, but it doesn't appear that way; it's been nearly 20 years.

I could go either way as it relates to Belichick and Brady.  Some people forget about Cleveland, or choose to disregard the fact that this is Bill's second stint as a head coach, not his first and only.  He did turn it around late with the Browns before the move to Baltimore.  The thing is Tom doesn't play defense, and Coach Belichick has had a ton of success as it relates to defense (in addition to his offensive inputs).  Too be fair to Bill, we've seen him succeed without Brady (in 2008), while we'll never know with Tom.  As in prime Brady.  Tom is great as what he does, but he does have his weaknesses that have cost him.  The good thing is that most of his opponents didn't have the skills or personnel to get to him.  Only a handful have (Ravens, Broncos, Giants).  Belichick's weaknesses can and have been addressed.

Tom Brady has helped Bill Belichick during those 20 years, but the coach has evolved into something else.  I doubt we'd see two decades of this dominance with Brady, but Bill would've had success regardless.  The guy was a mastermind as DC in New York
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on August 01, 2020, 10:10:19 PM
If everything's able to go on as scheduled, I think Kansas City has a reasonably good chance to repeat.  Baltimore, if they can maintain what they had going last year, has to be considered a strong contender as well.  In the NFC, San Francisco could well repeat too; I think Seattle has a good chance as well. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on August 02, 2020, 04:57:57 PM
Hopefully the season does indeed happen and there's not the kind of case outbreak we're seeing in the MLB that's causing several postponements. It will be interesting to see how the very atypical offseason effects teams and which teams are best set to work through it.

A significant difference between MLB and the NFL is that the MLB fought during the pandemic over money, whereas the NFL fought during the pandemic over safely protocols.  Baseball was so focused on the CBA that they disregarded what was important.  During early testing the league dropped the ball, and now with the nonsense Miami pulled they've stopped at nothing to make sure their season sorta fails or doesn't happen.  The NFL will make sure an outbreak doesn't occur over carelessness.  If there is a setback through no faults then that's that.  However, if, say Cleveland has 2 or 3 dozen players test positive because they went to Atlanta to party, then the Browns would likely get punished to a point where they're kicked out for 2020.

I think the biggest concern is with the injuries that'll happen this year due to the lack of training and conditioning.  The thing that'll suck is if there's a major injury that trickles into 2021.  People will say that these athletes could have worked out on their own & that they should've known better.  The problem is that they couldn't this year, obviously.

If everything's able to go on as scheduled, I think Kansas City has a reasonably good chance to repeat.  Baltimore, if they can maintain what they had going last year, has to be considered a strong contender as well.  In the NFC, San Francisco could well repeat too; I think Seattle has a good chance as well. 


I do like Kansas City's chances.  They are respecting everything that's going on, and it looks like the pandemic won't stop them (unless the season is cancelled).  I think Baltimore might take them out, though I think it might occur if the Ravens are the underdog and/or road team.  The Niners should be okay, but I think Seattle could've knocked them off last year, except they literally punted to the 2020 season at Lambeau

Fixed maligned quoting.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on August 02, 2020, 05:12:54 PM
I Chiefs in the AFC, maybe the Titans could be their biggest threat as Derrick Henry is the best Running Back in the NFL just like Patrick Mahomes is the best Quarterback.

It's a close call for the NFC between the 49ers and the Seahawks. Maybe adding a pro bowl player like Jamaal Adams puts the Seahawks over the 49ers? Also, the Seahawks clearly have the better quarterback as Wilson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Garoppolo.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on August 02, 2020, 05:31:12 PM
To paraphrase Johnny Carson: The Falcons will be going to the Super Bowl. They'll be in aisle 350, row 25, seats 1-30. (Unless the Coronavirus persists, then they'll be watching from section HD.)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on August 02, 2020, 09:49:39 PM
Other possible contenders: 

-Buffalo has a chance to seize control of the AFC East should New England finally falter, as they appear poised for some kind of breakout and seem closer than Miami (who does seem to be getting there) to being a legitimate division champion 

-although Aaron Rodgers appear to be starting his decline, never count Green Bay out when he's under center 

-same with New Orleans with Drew Brees calling the shots 

-Philadelphia could be a dark horse contender if all goes right and they finally have better injury luck, and while Dallas' offense might have strong potency, I'd give the Eagles a slight edge for being a more complete team and a steadier coaching staff (and with Dallas having squandered their chance to get Prescott to a deal without having to pay the gross national product of a small country, Elliott arguably being overused, and the offensive line getting older, perhaps their window's only going to be open a little bit longer)

-and Pittsburgh always manages to contend to some degree each year, and may again be a surprise. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 10, 2020, 08:56:28 PM
Former Cardinal David Johnson, now playing for the Texans has scored the first touchdown of the season. Good on him, but as a Cardinals fan, I hope he doesn't prove to be "the one that got away."
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on September 10, 2020, 11:07:05 PM
The Cardinals did get DeAndre Hopkins from the deal, so it's not like they gave away (injury prone) David Johnson for nothing.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 10, 2020, 11:24:35 PM
The Chiefs ultimately go on a 31-0 run after that 1st Texans touchdown and go on to win 34-20. The Chiefs looked like the AFC favorites that they are.

With Brady, Rodgers, and Gronkowski past their primes, Mahomes and Kelce are the best quarterback and tight end in the NFL right now.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on September 13, 2020, 02:42:15 PM
At the half, Philly leads the Washington Football Team 17-7, with the Eagles secondary being strong against the struggling Washington offense for the majority of the first half. As for New England in their first regular season game without Tom Brady, they lead Miami 14-3 as of this post.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on September 13, 2020, 04:09:16 PM
Atlanta's Matt Ryan put up some high caliber stats--36 for 53, 434 yards, 2 TDs--only to come up short against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, 38-25. Too many missed opportunities. Two failed fourth down conversions, a fake punt that got fumbled and the incapability to stop the Seattle pass game. The Falcons would have been booed off the field if there had been a crowd (canned crowd noise can't boo).

As for Washington, looks like they got their second wind. They beat Philly, 27-17.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 13, 2020, 04:22:16 PM
Some things don't change: The Browns still suck, the Lions still find ways to blow it, the Patriots still win, and Aaron Rodgers still throws touchdowns.

The Patriots win Cam Newton's debut 21-11 behind Newton's 2 rushing touchdowns. Newton now has 60 career rushing touchdowns.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 13, 2020, 07:44:53 PM
YES! My Cardinals are 1-0 after being the 49ers 24-20! :) DeAndre Hopkins had a stellar debut with 14 receptions for 150 yards, including a key 4th quarter catch that set up the go ahead touchdown. Kyler Murray threw for 230 yards and 1 touchdown in the game. GO CARDINALS!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 14, 2020, 07:11:38 AM
Based on yesterday, looks like Cleveland is in mid-season form as it relates to their efforts to acquire Trevor Lawrence.  Meanwhile, if the Pats somehow get the Clemson star, they'll do so in a different way
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on September 14, 2020, 09:41:26 PM
Same old Giants.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 15, 2020, 01:36:48 PM
Same old Giants.

I think people were saying that about the Steelers, as it relates to their annual tradition of losing games (to teams) they have no business losing (to).

It's one week.  Sure, it might make the difference in the end, though at least most times other factors lead to a team’s placement in the standings (regular and post season) after all is said and done.  It might take until November 5-9 which is the mid-point of the season for teams to figure out everything and stay fit for NFL football.

Personally, my concern is more than the lack of pre-season games, off-season workouts, and watered-down training camp, leading to a watered-down product.  The Giants did not look great last night, but the team that beat them wasted no time losing players due to injury.  That could have a domino effect throughout the season
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on September 20, 2020, 04:41:46 PM
Atlanta blew leads of 29-10 and 39-24 and lost to Dallas, 40-39. What doomed them was the failure to properly recover Dallas'  onside kick. Instead of falling on the ball, the Falcons just let it roll ten yards and allowed Dallas to recover it. The Cowboys kicked the winning field goal with :00 left.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on September 20, 2020, 04:54:46 PM
While Dallas celebrated there come from behind win against Atlanta. Sources are telling ESPN that the New York Giants are fearing that running back Saquon Barkley tore the ACL in his right knee after trainers carried him off the field after a run early in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears and appeared to be in serious pain.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29929409/new-york-giants-saquon-barkley-carried-come-back
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 20, 2020, 05:07:10 PM
I didn't follow the Giants game that much (I'm actually tuning into the US Open during the period of all the sports at the same time).  I did hear about it and saw an image of him being carried off, and I was not happy.  Wasn't sure of the injury, but before the fears set in, I didn't for once think it was a minor thing where New York was being cautious for their star RB.

That sucks for the Giants, but I though Barkley was in danger last Monday against Pittsburgh.  Speaking of which, New York is coming off of a short week playing a Sunday afternoon game following a Monday night game. This in a season where injuries are slated to occur more often than the norm
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 20, 2020, 07:46:32 PM
Yes!! My Cardinals are 2-0 after coming away with a 30-15 win over the Washington Football Team as Kyler Murray threw a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins and ran for 2 himself. :) Go Cardinals.

The Cowboys only had a 2% win probability halfway through the 4th 1/4. Amazing win for the Cowboys as the ghost of 28-3 came back to haunt the Falcons again.

Josh Allen threw for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Bills went to 2-0 with a 31-28 win over the Dolphins.

I'm REALLY surprised that the Bears are 2-0. When Scott Hanson ran through a list of 2-0 teams and the Bears were on it, I gasped. This is a genuine intuitive surprise to me.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 2-0 as Patrick Mahomes did his thing in the 4th 1/4 and is 9-0 in September. Harrison Butker made a game tying 30 yard field goal on the last play of regulation and an incredible game winning 58 yard field goal in overtime! Wow!

The team in Washington has finally got rid of that offensive nickname; I'd ask you to not use it as well. Sure the current name is silly, but it exists for a very good reason.

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on September 20, 2020, 09:27:19 PM
Just because I've already edited one post-

The football team in our nation's capital is currently called the "Washington Football Team". Their former nickname is offensive to Native Americans and has rightfully and mercifully been retired. As such, I'd ask that nobody use said nickname in this thread as well. It's in the past. Leave it there. The current name might be silly, but it's their name; let's use it until they come up with something better.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on September 26, 2020, 10:54:10 AM
Unconfirmed scuttlebutt on Atlanta sports talk radio is that Dan Quinn's job is riding on the next two games (Chicago,  @ Green Bay). They're favored against Chicago,  an underdog against the Packers.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 26, 2020, 05:35:55 PM
For some reason I didn’t think about a mid-season change in Atlanta.  I did think of an off season move before 2021 Football for sure; Atlanta might win some games, but 0-2 with New Orleans & Tampa twice in 2020 + Kansas City doesn’t add up to 14 wins easily.  Anyway, I didn’t factor in Dan’s interim replacement for some reason.  The pandemic and the thought of Atlanta playing for Trevor Lawrence factored into why I never considered the head coach in any immediate danger.  That blown game against Dallas was so not good.

Mr. Blank might kick out Quinn if they lose to Chicago.  While they used to beat Green Bay all the time, I don’t think so this time.  Chicago is a surprise this year; Atlanta might start 0-4, and then Dan Quinn would be gone for sure.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on September 26, 2020, 09:54:12 PM
Can't see Atlanta moving on from Matt Ryan even if they had the #1 pick and could get Trevor Lawrence. Too much money tied in and too much dead cap if they cut bait.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on September 27, 2020, 02:49:38 PM
Damn the Bills look good right now...easily the best I've seen them in years. Could a fifth Super Bowl loss be in the books this year?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on September 27, 2020, 03:39:10 PM
The Giants are getting blown out by the half-injured 49ers. The Mara's need to sell the team. They cannot continue to run the franchise on the cheap.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 27, 2020, 03:57:41 PM
I probably would've agreed with the Bills chance at losing in February (and finally, possibly to the Niners), except they had a 28-3 lead
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on September 27, 2020, 04:10:15 PM
I don't see how that interception was an interception but whatever. Josh Allen with the statement late after the Rams penalty to improve to 3-0. What a game.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on September 27, 2020, 04:29:06 PM
Falcons blow another big lead, up 16 going in the 4Q, outscored 20-0 and lose 30-26.

So who's getting fired first?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on September 27, 2020, 04:32:45 PM
Egads. Again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 27, 2020, 04:38:22 PM
Just when I thought NFL Nation spoke too soon, so did I.


The Bills are for real.  Maybe not Super Bowl contenders, but a very good team.  I still won't put them over New England, and I would've said the same thing had Buffalo won without blowing a 25-point lead.  Still a little bitter that they blew it against a mediocre team in Houston (AFC South), but winning's winning.  The officiating might have been to blame but both Buffalo and the Rams suffered from it.

Atlanta?  Could be it for Dan Quinn.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 27, 2020, 04:53:50 PM
I do think the Bills win the AFC East with Josh Allen now elite and Tom Brady out of the division. However, I still like the Chiefs to win the AFC Championship come playoff time.

The big question now is, whose future is more in doubt: Dan Quinn or Mitch Trubisky?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 27, 2020, 05:12:14 PM
Quote
The big question now is, whose future is more in doubt: Dan Quinn or Mitch Trubisky?

Mitch Trubisky.  Not sure of his contract status, but if he exits Chicago, he'll probably end up on another team as a backup or on their practice squad.  Not that secure.  If Dan Quinn gets fired, while he might not get another HC job right away, he was a very good DC (defensive coordinator).  So with DC's (and OC's) getting head coaching opportunities, it vacates DC positions

I guess we'll see how the AFC East plays out, moneygamelover.  No surprise from me whether it's New England or Buffalo.  Kansas City winning the AFC outright is the safe bet, but I still wouldn't count out Baltimore (even though I haven't fully respected them yet without a playoff win).  Those two AFC powerhouses face each other tomorrow night
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 27, 2020, 07:57:57 PM
My Cardinals suffer their 1st loss as a struggling Kyler Murray threw 3 interceptions and Matthew Stafford threw 2 touchdowns as Matt Prater hit a game winning 39 yard field goal st the buzzer.

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes: "We're MVP candidates. "Russell Wilson: "Hold my beer."
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on September 27, 2020, 08:15:23 PM
Despite the Seahawks' Jamal Adams exiting the game with a groin injury, five touchdowns passes by Russell Wilson along with a hat trick by Tyler Lockett towards the end netted them a 38-31 victory over while Dallas falls to 1-2 for the season.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/seahawks-beat-cowboys-behind-wilsons-5-touchdown-passes/2451149/
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 28, 2020, 09:00:44 AM
Can't see Atlanta moving on from Matt Ryan even if they had the #1 pick and could get Trevor Lawrence. Too much money tied in and too much dead cap if they cut bait.

I don’t know why I thought Matt Ryan’s contract was coming to a close real soon.  I was thinking a 4-year deal after his awesome 2016 run, but it followed the 2017 season for 5 years, $150,000,000.   That goes into 2022.  So, you’re right; there’s no way they’re parting with Ryan.  Unless the deal is right; the other reason why I said what I said about Matt is that he’s in his mid-30s.  Of course, with QB’s playing longer, he’s got time left.  Besides, he’s actually done more than enough to win games for Atlanta.  Dan Quinn has been a disappointment; he’s a defensive guy.  Maybe he’d survived with kicking Morris off the team to take complete control of the defense.

Despite the Seahawks' Jamal Adams exiting the game with a groin injury, five touchdowns passes by Russell Wilson along with a hat trick by Tyler Lockett towards the end netted them a 38-31 victory over while Dallas falls to 1-2 for the season.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/seahawks-beat-cowboys-behind-wilsons-5-touchdown-passes/2451149/

Man, if there was a cheat code to turn the Seahawks defense into the 2013-2014 version!  Maybe if Quinn gets fired, Seattle can fire its DC (not a safe bet at all) and Quinn can take over. 
It’s still early, but Mahomes & Lamar might cross each other out.  If Russell can continue this streak with the defense playing the way it has been, it will be his to lose.  Rodgers had a great game last night, so he’ll still be in the mix (with no great weapons on offense)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Archviler on September 28, 2020, 10:03:12 AM
I'm amazed Dan Quinn hasn't been fired after yesterday's game. What a brutal start of the season for Falcons fans. I think at this point you have to move on from Quinn just to cleanse the palate and shift the culture.  Those chokes, crowned by the SB collapse, are going to haunt the franchise for a long time.

I watched my Redskins lose to the Browns yesterday. It's not that big a surprise, but five turnovers was brutal to see. Haskins feels like he regressed several steps and had an awful game, and there's only so much good McLauren can do in spite of being a top tier WR.

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on September 28, 2020, 11:51:15 PM
The Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start with a 34-20 win over the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes threw for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions.

Mahomes is now 10-0 lifetime in September with a touchdown to interception ratio of 32-0! Wow!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on September 29, 2020, 07:59:29 AM
That is just brilliant.  Mahomes is who he is.  The more surprising stat is that Lamar is 0-3 against Kansas City, given how he ran over everybody else.  Well, most of them; no playoff teams yet
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 01, 2020, 09:22:47 AM
Sunday's Pittsburgh-Tennessee tilt has been postponed due to several Titans players testing positive for COVID-19.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 01, 2020, 09:48:41 AM
There is a way that Tennessee and Pittsburgh can make it up without any major disruption.  It does involve the Ravens; while it'll be okay, another team can have a similar outbreak.  That includes a team on the Steelers schedule.  If that happens, then it gets very difficult to impossible to reschedule to where everyone plays 16 games (before January 4th)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: danderson400 on October 03, 2020, 12:54:28 PM
The patriots-Chiefs game is also posptoned.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 03, 2020, 03:27:13 PM
Whether it's until this Monday/Tuesday or indefinitely has yet to be determined.

The reason for the league pushing it back is due to the QB of the Pats testing positive, and members of the Kansas City Chiefs also testing positive
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 04, 2020, 06:12:47 AM
John Kincade (CBS Sports radio): "The Falcons tested positive of choking."
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on October 04, 2020, 03:36:53 PM
The Patriots vs Chiefs game will be played tomorrow night at 7, as long as there are no more positive test results. Falcons vs Packers has been moved up to an 8:50pm start time.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on October 04, 2020, 04:40:50 PM
Wow, Jaylon Smith pulled a Leon Lett as the Cleveland Browns who were going for the extra point, scored two points on the Cowboys blunder. All in all the Browns won over the Cowboys 49-38, but he's going to have to watch the film and also look back at Thanksgiving 1993.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 04, 2020, 09:59:43 PM
I think that team will have to look at more than Turkey Day 1993 and Leon Lett 2.0 in order to survive what appears to be an NFC East division nobody wants to win
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 04, 2020, 10:29:53 PM
The NFC Least is going to come down to who wins the head to heads in the division. They obviously can't best teams outside the division.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: LiteBulb88 on October 04, 2020, 11:33:54 PM
The Eagles beat the 49ers 25-20, giving them a 1-2-1 record and 1st place(!) in the NFC East.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on October 04, 2020, 11:56:22 PM
Meaning if they can finally get healthy, there is opportunity for them.  They've overcome more dire situations than this before in the last few years, after all. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 05, 2020, 08:14:34 AM
Big Brother fans flooding CBS switchboards to kvetch about the football game tonight in 3...2...1...
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: sayingsorry on October 05, 2020, 07:11:07 PM
Big Brother fans flooding CBS switchboards to kvetch about the football game tonight in 3...2...1...

What fans at this point? With how the season has gone it somehow surprises me that people still watch, but you always have those who are faithful/don't read the internet so who knows
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on October 05, 2020, 09:38:34 PM
The NFL is now enforcing stricter coronavirus guidelines in light of the recent schedule shuffling and the Raiders hosting a charity event without masks. Teams can now be forced to forfeit their games if they don't comply.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-stresses-new-covid-19-protocols-in-memo-says-violations-that-result-in-sched
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 05, 2020, 09:57:36 PM
That would be unprecedented if it came to that: a team forfeiting a game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on October 05, 2020, 10:32:13 PM
After starting the season 0-4, the Houston Texans have fired coach and general manager Bill O'Brien who was with the organization for six seasons and had four AFC South division titles. As for O'Brien's successor, associate head coach Romeo Crennel is taking over as interim head coach for the Texans.

https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-fire-bill-o-brien-as-general-manager-head-coach
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 05, 2020, 11:59:21 PM
There are 4 4-0 teams 1/4 of the way into the season. Those teams are the Bills, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Packers. The quarterbacks of those 4 teams, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers are the MVP candidates at this point with Wilson being the leader of that race right now.

Meanwhile, with the Falcons 0-4, is Dan Quinn about to get the Bill O Brien treatment?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 06, 2020, 12:12:08 AM
There are 4 4-0 teams 1/4 of the way into the season. Those teams are the Bills, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Packers. The quarterbacks of those 4 teams, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers are the MVP candidates at this point with Wilson being the leader of that race right now.

Meanwhile, with the Falcons 0-4, is Dan Quinn about to get the Bill O Brien treatment?

I don't think so.  I'd say no for now; possibly next week at the very earliest.  They have a game on Sunday.  It could go either way, but really, it looks like Atlanta could end up 2-14.  OTOH, it could be 4, 5, or 6 wins.  I'm not sure Arthur Blank will kick out Dan Quinn, who's under contract through 2022.  Plus, the teams they've lost to are a combined 12-4 including two undefeated teams.  In addition, they are dealing with a ton of injuries.  At least they didn't blow a lead tonight!


Could've been five teams at 5-0 had it not been for the Tennessee outbreak.  I can see Rodgers passing Wilson for league MVP.  Kansas City & Buffalo might be playing for the best in the AFC.  Allen might need to win that game and conquer New England.  KC is a complete team, possibly more complete than Baltimore was a year ago.  Finally, Rodgers is playing with less, though their defense is much better than Seattle's


I think, if anything, Brian Hoyer will be looking for work before Dan Quinn
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 06, 2020, 06:00:42 AM
From Atlanta's 92.9 "The Game": Falcons will not cut bait with Dan Quinn...yet. The next five games are winnable (giving 3 this week against Carolina), and yes, injuries have been a factor. There was a rumor that Julio Jones was trade bait, but those have since been dispelled.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 11, 2020, 04:00:47 PM
Carolina 23, Atlanta 16. This time, Atlanta blew an early lead. Anybody got a can of spinach for the Falcons?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 11, 2020, 04:24:01 PM
In Atlanta's defense, Carolina is actually a pretty decent team, but the fact is the Falcons are still 0-5


In better news (albeit rather predictable), Alex Smith saw action for the first time in nearly two years.  Not sure what's next, but when you almost died, and less than 24 months later you got your job back, that is amazing!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 11, 2020, 04:33:15 PM
My Cardinals snap a 2 game losing streak with a 30-10 win over the Jets as Kyler Murray threw for 380 yards and a touchdown and DeAndre Hopkins went for 131 yards and a touchdown.

The Steelers are 4-0 for the 1st time since 1979. I'm legitimately surprised Big Ben hadn't been 4-0 before.

And how bout those Raiders! Derek Carr finally beats the Chiefs. Bet Patrick Mahomes wishes it could be September forevermore.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 11, 2020, 04:39:16 PM
Tony Rodriguez on the OT (Fox postgame) says if Arthur Blank doesn't fire Dan Quinn now, he won't the rest of the season. Houston already sent Bill O'Brien out the door and then they beat Jacksonville.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 11, 2020, 06:09:55 PM
Tony Rodriguez on the OT (Fox postgame) says if Arthur Blank doesn't fire Dan Quinn now, he won't the rest of the season. Houston already sent Bill O'Brien out the door and then they beat Jacksonville.

Per the Athletic, it's all but done.  It likely will be announced on Monday, maybe tonight
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 11, 2020, 06:55:53 PM
Thursday's Kansas City-Buffalo game has been moved to Monday afternoon October 19 at 4:30 PM ET.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on October 11, 2020, 07:31:38 PM
My Cardinals snap a 2 game losing streak with a 30-10 win over the Jets as Kyler Murray threw for 380 yards and a touchdown and DeAndre Hopkins went for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Very easy to break a losing streak playing the Jets (unfortunately for me, my team).

A slew of schedule changes are coming to several weeks including next week because of the Broncos-Patriots game being moved to next week: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-multiple-schedule-changes-moves-broncos-patriots-to-week-6 (https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-multiple-schedule-changes-moves-broncos-patriots-to-week-6)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on October 11, 2020, 08:43:08 PM
The Seahawks better clean up those uniforms. It looks like somebody puked on them.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on October 11, 2020, 10:12:40 PM
While the Los Angles Lakers in basketball have won the 2020 NBA Championship, the Atlanta Falcons have given coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff their walking papers after an 0-5 start.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30093946/atlanta-falcons-fire-coach-dan-quinn-gm-thomas-dimitroff-0-5-start
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 11, 2020, 10:22:34 PM
The Seahawks better clean up those uniforms. It looks like somebody puked on them.

I actually like those neon uniforms.  It might be one too many steps away from their regular uniforms, but it stands out.  Maybe too much, but I'll take those over the Browns uniforms anyday!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 12, 2020, 06:02:39 AM
While the Los Angles Lakers in basketball have won the 2020 NBA Championship, the Atlanta Falcons have given coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff their walking papers after an 0-5 start.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30093946/atlanta-falcons-fire-coach-dan-quinn-gm-thomas-dimitroff-0-5-start
Now watch the Falcons beat Minnesota this Sunday.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 12, 2020, 10:10:13 AM
Falcons defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has been named interim head coach.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 13, 2020, 05:08:34 PM
First, it was Russell with his late game heroics against Minnesota.  Then it was Brees with his late game heroics against the Chargers (back to back primetime games).  Speaking of the Vikings and Falcons playing each other, looks like Los Angeles may have taken the "magic" from Minnesota of saying "No thank you" to massive leads.

Atlanta never really recovered from that Super Bowl loss nearly 4 years ago (they did make the postseason the following season, winning a playoff game); meanwhile there's promise for the Vikings & the Chargers.  Both are better than their record, especially LA.  Really, they both aren't good, but not as bad as their record indicates
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 13, 2020, 10:26:43 PM
The Chargers could easily be 3-2. They literally dropped a game winning touchdown pass that would've been the Panthers and missed a game winning field goal that would've beaten the Saints. The Chargers are LITERALLY 2 plays away from being 3-2.

Tonight the Titans played surprisingly well for a team that hasn't been able to practice and improved to 4-0 with a 42-16 win over the Bills.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 14, 2020, 10:12:45 AM
The Bills performance against the Titans is exactly why I won't ever put them ahead of New England until they actually pass them.  They're much improved, and I don't think it's a brief run like New York had around a decade ago or the one lucky and wasted year for Miami in 2008.  They should be a very good team for a long time, but I expected better from Buffalo.  I was not surprised that Tennessee won the game, but 42-16 was a surprise.  Everyone's saying Pittsburgh & Buffalo are upset; I guess I might want to add Tennessee to that group
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 14, 2020, 05:00:22 PM
The 2021 Pro Bowl has been cancelled,  but they will still name players for the teams.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 14, 2020, 05:12:43 PM
The Pro Bowl was never a great or relevant game anyway . I'm glad that they're still naming the teams though. The best players at each position in any given NFL season deserve to be acknowledged as such so I'm glad they still will be.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 14, 2020, 06:26:21 PM
I'm okay with the lack of the Pro Bowl as well.  It really was only a big deal for the league as it produced ratings & generated revenue.  For what it's worth, it would've been a mistake to have injected meaning into the Pro Bowl a la MLB All-Star game not too long ago.  The stupid rule for the summer classic actually led to a painful World Series loss within the past decade.

I didn't mind the recently added stuff the NFL did the Thursday before the game (skills competition).  I actually enjoyed it, more than the game itself (which I didn't enjoy).  It'll be back, but I agree moneygamelover: it was never great.  At least recently.  It was on a weekend where I was burned out from football & ready for college hoops.  More often than not it would be on a Sunday/weekend opposite WWE PPV, the Grammys, and Duke/UNC (which is Saturday but too much TV that weekend that the Pro Bowl was not needed).


Glad their naming the players.  They do that for the all-decade team (which, obviously excludes a game featuring them).  You won't get some down the line player that's new or old news on a 5-11 team "making the pro bowl thanks to the dozen of people that skipped the game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 14, 2020, 06:40:26 PM
On a related note, Las Vegas gets the next game (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/las-vegas-to-host-the-2021-pro-bowl-after-missing-out-on-the-2020-nfl-draft/).  Just like the draft, the pandemic let to the postponement of two NFL events that were scheduled to occur in Vegas
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 16, 2020, 07:37:58 AM
Atlanta and Indianapolis have closed their facilities after positive COVID tests turned up.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 16, 2020, 02:27:58 PM
It's a false positive for the Colts.  Therefore the facility has re-opened, and Indianapolis is still scheduled to play on Sunday
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 16, 2020, 06:58:26 PM
Falcons have reopened theirs as well. Their loss--...er, game against Minnesota goes on as scheduled.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 18, 2020, 04:13:06 PM
Baked crow. Yum. Atlanta prevails, 40-23. (Then again, I did say watch Atlanta win after firing Dan Quinn.) After going eleven quarters without a TD pass, Matt Ryan gets four. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins's INT rate spiked higher than COVID with three today.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 18, 2020, 04:22:51 PM
Never been a Kirk Cousins fan. Never believed he was an elite quarterback. On the other hand, I bet Julio Jones wishes he could play the Vikings every week.

An amazing comeback win by the now 5-0 Titans. A.J.Brown caught a miracle game tying touchdown,  Tanehill's 4th of the day, with 4 seconds left and the best running back in the NFL today scored the game winning touchdown in overtime out of the wildcat.

The Bears remain the biggest surprise in the NFL now being 5-1.

The Steelers flat out dominated the Browns in the head to head to remain unbeaten. The Browns are better this year, but not ready for primetime yet. The AFC North is still a Ravens-Steeers battle.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on October 18, 2020, 04:57:57 PM
The Giants get their first win after the Washington No-Names botch a two-point conversion one point behind.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 18, 2020, 06:50:53 PM
Brady and Tampa Bay are outclassing Rodgers and the Pack. Rodgers has been sacked three times; Brady zero times.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 18, 2020, 07:24:39 PM
The Buccaneers are 4-2 having won 4 of their last 5. Brady's Buccaneers are having a better time of it than his old team, as the Patriots lost to the Broncos and are 2-3.

One note of interest: After catching his 1st Buccaneers touchdown, the Gronk has 80 career touchdown becoming only the 3rd tight end to achieve this mark. Antonio Gates retired with 116 and Tony Gonzalez retired with 111. Time will tell if any other tight ends join the 3 Gs in the 80 touchdown club.

Edit: They just showed a fact at the end of the game that the Buccaneers had NO penalties today for the 2nd time in franchise history with the 1st being 12/18/1983.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 18, 2020, 07:59:47 PM
Tampa and New England were actually closer than that before today.  Several thought Green Bay would win, and I didn't think New England would lose at home to Denver.  The Bucs did have an extended break, but that would be an excuse for the Packers, since they were on a bye a week ago
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 19, 2020, 11:30:53 PM
My Cardinals are now 4-2 after Kyler Murray threw 2 touchdowns and ran for another in a 38-10 win over a Cowboys team, to be blunt about it, played like kindergarteners tonight.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs ran 46 times for 245 yards in a 26-17 win over the Bills in rainy Buffalo to get to 5-1. The 46 rushing attempts are a single game record for an Andy Reid coached team.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on October 19, 2020, 11:56:38 PM
My Cardinals are now 4-2 after Kyler Murray threw 2 touchdowns and ran for another in a 38-10 win over a Cowboys team, to be blunt about it, played like kindergarteners tonight.

Everyone in the NFC East plays that way now. The Cowboys are the division leaders despite being two games under .500.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: DRPrice on October 20, 2020, 08:59:56 PM
     Someone on the radio this morning said the Cowboys might win the division at 5-11.  In this year of bizarreness, would not surprise at all.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 21, 2020, 09:42:41 PM
Las Vegas Is The Latest To Deal With COVID (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30163319/las-vegas-raiders-trent-brown-covid-list-o-line-sent-home)

     Someone on the radio this morning said the Cowboys might win the division at 5-11.  In this year of bizarreness, would not surprise at all.

The scariest thing is that with the new playoff format, Dallas (or whomever win the NFC East) could possibly host all three weeks of their postseason preceding the Super Bowl
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 25, 2020, 11:34:47 AM
Programming note: For those who may or may not know, the Seahawks/Cardinals game swapped with the Bucs/Raiders game.  Seattle vs Arizona, which was previously scheduled on FOX, will move to Sunday Night Football.  With that move, the Tampa vs Las Vegas game, originally scheduled to air on SNF on NBC, will move to FOX.  Not the game of the week, which CBS has (regionally), but a 4:05 EST start.

Speaking of Tampa, if all goes well, Antonio Brown is scheduled to make his return against New Orleans.  It's a revenge game of sorts.  the Saints ruined Brady's Buccaneers debut, while the Saints passed on AB.  That aside, Tampa Bay looks like the team to beat in the NFC, if not the NFL.  Seattle still has at least one game to give, but unless something happens to where the 12th man can be made relevant in a possible January matchup, homefield would be meaningless.

Actually, if the NFL follows the success of the other three sports, it won't matter if the state of Washington lifts all restrictions (which they will not be doing anything soon, definitely not before spring 2021)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 25, 2020, 06:47:06 PM
Lather, rinse, repeat. Falcons get a lead against Detroit and can't preserve it. 23-22 Lions.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on October 26, 2020, 12:19:53 AM
YES! My Cardinals upset the Seahawks 37-34 in overtime as Zane Gonzalez atoned for an earlier miss in overtime by making a game winning 49 yard field goal. Kyler Murray threw for 360 yards and 3 touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Deandre Hopkins added 10 catches for 103 yards an a touchdown. The Cardinals are 5-2 :)

The Steelers are last remaining team.

Most pleasant surprises so far: Bears and Browns.

Biggest disappointment so far: Cowboys.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on October 26, 2020, 02:35:25 AM
Speaking of the Cowboys not only did they lose their game but they also dealt another blow when Andy Dalton left the game. I have a feeling there will be a hearing with Jon Bostic (Washington Football Team) and a possible suspension with regards to the targeting hit.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on October 30, 2020, 01:20:58 PM
The Falcons win last night, 25-17 over Carolina. Perhaps the season can be salvaged? (Naaaahh!!)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on October 31, 2020, 04:52:12 PM
Quote
The Steelers are last remaining team.


That statement has more relevance in February.


The Falcons win last night, 25-17 over Carolina. Perhaps the season can be salvaged? (Naaaahh!!)


Despite the skepticism over the optimism, two of Atlanta's nine remaining games feature Tampa Bay.  It is slated for Week's 15 & 17; so despite the "face" of the franchise, I'd take it FWIW
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 01, 2020, 04:30:37 PM
The Steelers firmly establish themselves as the class of the AFC East a 28-24 win over their archrival Ravens while the Browns have been exposed as pretenders not contenders.

The Patriots reign is clearly over after a 24-21 loss to the Bills as the AFC East is now a Bills-Dolphins fight.

The Dolphins win Tua's debut 28-17 as Tua throws 1 touchdown to Devonte Parker. The Dolphins actually scored touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams today.  Outstanding all around performance by those Dolphins.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 01, 2020, 08:00:25 PM
The Broncos completed an amazing comeback from 24-3 to win 31-30 as Drew Lock threw a game winning touchdown pass to KJ Hamler on the final play of the game

Meanwhile the Saints beat the now exposed Bears 26-23 in overtime as Will Lutz hits a game winning 35 yard field goal.

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 05, 2020, 07:32:35 PM
Tonight might be the first time that Rodgers gets to beat the team that passed him over.  Since early last decade, Aaron hasn't had much success unless San Francisco's roster was built to draft high in the following draft.  The 49ers have somewhat of an outbreak, but with Trent Williams testing positive and everything else happening so close to the game, I think Green Bay could actually avenge their loss from a season ago.  Not total revenge, but it might be something.

I'm starting to think that 5 wins might be enough to win the NFC East.  After Philly's win on Sunday, I think they probably could've clinched by now had it not been for the fact that the Eagles face NFC West & AFC North teams, to go along with their massive injuries
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 08, 2020, 04:32:27 PM
Atlanta is on a bit of a roll, staving off a late run from Denver and preserving a 34-27 win. Matt Ryan throws for three TDs.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 08, 2020, 07:44:24 PM
My Cardinals lose to the emerging Dolphins 34-31 as both quarterbacks had fantastic days with Kyler Murray throwing for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns and adding a rushing touchdown while Tua Tagovailoa threw for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns as neither threw an interception. Ultimately Jason Sanders made his kick and Zane Gonzalez botched his.

The Bills upset the Seahawks to get to 7-2 as Josh Allen threw for 415 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Bills-Dolphins race in the AFC East is going to be fun to follow.

The Chiefs survive a Panthers bid as Patrick Mahomes threw 4 touchdowns and the Panthers attempt at a miracle piece of NFL history sailed wide right.

I didn't think a fanbase or team could suffer more than the Falcons this year but the Chargers are proving that wrong.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jmorgan on November 12, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Even though we're less than three months away from the super bowl, it was announced today that The Weeknd (yes, that's how it's spelled) will be the half-time entertainment.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/the-weeknd-to-perform-at-pepsi-super-bowl-halftime-show/ar-BB1aXd6n?ocid=msedgntp
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 12, 2020, 03:51:38 PM
I'm surprised they're still planning to go ahead with a traditional halftime show given that the chances are high that nobody will be allowed to attend the Super Bowl, and the large number of people required to make it happen would be an outbreak waiting to happen. Maybe they plan to pre-record it for broadcast?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 12, 2020, 05:26:10 PM
The Super Bowl is in Florida this season.  The last I heard their governor lifted restrictions to where full capacity was allowed there.  Fortunately Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami used common sense and didn't change their maximum capacity.  Though in my opinion, it was more league-driven and less team-driven.  Right or wrong I don't think any team would want to deal with an outbreak that could cost them down the road in several ways.

Barring a major surge, I think there will be fans, but at a reasonable number (10,000 perhaps).  That would be reasonable for the halftime show and the game itself.  I'll be honest: I totally did not think about the Super Bowl halftime show this year.  I usually do, but for obvious reasons I didn't.  I'm surprised as well that there will be one, and that the Weeknd "volunteered" to perform.  I would've hoped that someone would've waited until 2022 and beyond, but maybe the Weeknd will be invited back in a couple years given the pandemic
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on November 12, 2020, 09:42:31 PM
Right now the plan is to allow 20% capacity in the stadium (13-15,000 people), with fans being required to wear masks and being seated in "pods."
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 15, 2020, 12:10:25 PM
Right now the plan is to allow 20% capacity in the stadium (13-15,000 people), with fans being required to wear masks and being seated in "pods."

That's fair enough.  I wonder what the costs will be given everything, especially with a limited number of seats.

I wasn't ever going to the game, even without a pandemic.  My second home or new "winter" home is in the area so the original plan was to be there for Super Bowl week.  Outside of the Steelers getting to the Super Bowl, there were no plans to actually attend the game itself.  It will be an interesting period, but hopefully the last time that will occur, ever.

Speaking of the Steelers, the result against the Bengals will not be a shock, regardless of the outcome.  I think Cincinnati is for real and might be 1-2 years & a defense away from being a major contender.  IMO, Cincy reminds me of Cleveland 2 years ago when they rallied in the second half and finished strong against expectations.  Pittsburgh might point to covid issues in an event of a loss, but the Bengals have been dealing with the coronavirus as well.  Cincy had a bye, but despite the fan turnout, it's at Heinz Field.

Week Ten Picks includes: Cleveland, Detroit, Tampa, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Buffalo, Miami, Vegas, Seattle, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Chicago.

The Eagles are getting several people back.  Despite the jokes on a 5-win NFC Team, I think Philly might run away and possibly get that number to 7-9 wins.  The problem is they are losing several people, including their entire defensive line, thanks to their assistant coach testing positive


Edited because the second after I posted, I learned of the news that the Eagles are dealing with their own outbreak
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 15, 2020, 06:06:34 PM
Right now the plan is to allow 20% capacity in the stadium (13-15,000 people), with fans being required to wear masks and being seated in "pods."

There's still the fact that the halftime show, at least as we know it, is more than just a short concert. It's a stage show- a massive spectacle at that, one that requires an extremely large number of people in the same close proximity at once to pull off, especially when the show is live. It takes a lot of hands to set up and tear down the entire stage in just a few moments. This is a possible super spreader event waiting to happen.

Of course, it is Florida, one of the more...errm, irresponsible... states when it comes to handling this pandemic...
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 15, 2020, 07:38:08 PM
YES!! My Cardinals pulled off their most unlikely win since moving to Arizona in 1988 as Kyler Murray threw an incredible 43 yard game winning touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 seconds left. Murray also ran for 2 touchdowns in the game. DeAndre Hopkins, you're the man! :)

Cardinals now find themselves in a 3 way tie for 1st place in the NFC West as the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Rams are all 6-3.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 16, 2020, 09:37:05 AM
Atlanta is getting 7 against the Saints next week. With Jameis Winston as Drew Brees' back-up, the Saints should roll handily.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 16, 2020, 10:49:32 AM
Buffalo shows HC Sean McDermott the door after the conclusion of last night's Cardinals-Buffalo game.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 16, 2020, 10:55:08 AM
Buffalo shows HC Sean McDermott the door after the conclusion of last night's Cardinals-Buffalo game.

What?!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pannoni1 on November 16, 2020, 12:40:23 PM
All of a sudden, Baltimore looks like a middling team that may struggle to even make the playoffs this year after losing their TE for the season. Combined with depleted lineman both offensively and defensively, what advantages the Ravens had are all but gone compared to a few weeks ago. And it was very fitting that the heaviest downpour came right during the final drive, and all of a sudden, the Patriots have renewed playoff hopes, even if its a longshot. If they lose against TN on Sunday, they will be out of playoff position and will likely get manhandled by Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving. Even if they win out the remaining games, 11-5 may not be enough to sneak into the playoffs this year in the AFC.

Too bad Washington's rally fell just a little bit short against the Lions against the NFL's FG record holder; otherwise they would have been just a half game behind the Eagles. It's looking like we'll have a playoff team with a losing record this year, unless if one of those teams turns red hot down the stretch.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 16, 2020, 04:00:05 PM
Buffalo shows HC Sean McDermott the door after the conclusion of last night's Cardinals-Buffalo game.

I don't know where you heard this, but it cannot be verified by any credible source, so as such, it's fake news. Sean McDermott is very much still the Bills' coach.

In an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire (and people are gullible enough to gobble it up and accept it as truth), be very careful about what you post...
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 16, 2020, 06:03:57 PM
Meanwhile culpability. My source was errant. I retract my report.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 16, 2020, 11:49:30 PM
Meanwhile culpability. My source was errant. I retract my report.

At first I was stunned from your post.  Then when nothing came from it (no confirmation from Glazer, Schefty, Rap Sheet etc) I figured it was a joke, or just inaccurate.  No big deal.

Sean McDermott getting fired would have been the worst move in NFL history, even topping the final offensive play in the Seahawks most recent Super Bowl.  If Buffalo had lost due to a successful miracle from Arizona (similar to how Miami beat New England last year), and they had been 4-6 & on a 4-game losing streak, in addition to the Bills underperforming for the past 3 seasons, then a change would be more reasonable (though I'd disagree with it mid-season).


Well, Cousins finally wins on Monday Night.  Not a great game, but the Vikings maintain their status.  On the other side, I'm feeling bad for Foles.  It hasn't been great as of late for the Bears, but I hate to see those types of injuries, in addition to any injury.  Not a great week for QB's
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 17, 2020, 07:34:12 AM
And I meant to say "Mea culpa," but I was using my phone and our good friend Autocorrect changed it. :P
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 20, 2020, 12:38:04 AM
My Cardinals lose to the Seahawks 28-21 as their last ditch effort is snuffed out by Carlos Dunlap. At 6-4, the Cardinals still have a chance to make the playoffs BUT they MUST play better in the 1st 1/2 of games in order to do so. The Cardinals got away with their slow start against the Bills as the Hail Murray bailed them out but starting too slowly caught up with the Cardinals tonight. Better starts to games will be required for a successful rest of the season.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 20, 2020, 08:23:39 PM
Man, the NFC West is stacked.  Imagine if the Niners were not dealing with a ton of injuries.  Next year, if Arizona, Seattle, and Los Angeles hold in terms of success, and if San Francisco can emulate their 2019 self (featuring Sherman, Bosa, Kittle, and maybe Jimmy G), 9-7 might be the last-place record in that division!  In fact, we might see every team within a division make the postseason.  I might have to check to see the closest that would've happened before the newly added 7th team.  Maybe 2014, but even so, Cleveland blew it in the AFC North.

I think the Cardinals will be okay.  As mentioned, the first half has to be better.  3-3 down the stretch could do it, but 4-2 is a safer bet.  Looking at the schedule, it looks like 3-4 wins are possible if all goes well
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 22, 2020, 03:13:13 PM
To paraphrase Ringo in Yellow Submarine , Matt Ryan has a hole in his pocket. He's been sacked six times already as of this post and the third quarter isn't even over yet. Saints lead, 17-9.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 22, 2020, 04:18:05 PM
The Steelers are 10-0 for the 1st time in franchise history with a 27-3 win over the lowly Jaguars.

After holding off the Eagles 22-17, the 7-3 Browns are off to their best start since 1989.

Derrick Henry. That is all.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 22, 2020, 04:19:11 PM
Saints 24, Falcons 9. Taysom Hill simply outplayed Matt Ryan, whose last 0 TD/2 INT game was 2015. Ryan was sacked eight times total.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on November 22, 2020, 04:29:04 PM
At this rate, one team could win the NFC East division with a losing record with these teams being closely stacked to the point where all of those teams in the division still have a shot.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 23, 2020, 01:22:10 AM
After a late Carr to Witten touchdown gave the Raiders a 31-28 lead. Patrick Mahomes showed why he is best player in the NFL by putting together a game winning touchdown drive culminating with a game winning touchdown to best tight end in the NFL, Travis Kelce, with 28 seconds left.  The Chiefs are 9-1 and clearly the kings of the NFC west. The Raiders are an improving team but the Chiefs showed tonight that the AFC west is still their kingdom. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 23, 2020, 01:45:55 AM
Kansas City is still the AFC West kings even if Las Vegas had survived.  Though the Raiders would have had a better argument.  While I could care less for them, it did suck that several of their players missed the entire week of practice.  Yet the Chiefs nearly got swept. 

I wonder what'll happen in the future when Allegiant Stadium is at full capacity for a primetime game.  Probably don't know if I'd ever rank it as high as Arrowhead, the Superdome, or the former Century Link field, but that venue looks like it'll be a nightmare for opposing teams.  However, it was neat to hear the players during the game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 23, 2020, 01:23:01 PM
Breaking News: Multiple People Within The Ravens Organization Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 (https://twitter.com/Ravens)


The above comes from the Baltimore Ravens themselves.  No mention from ESPN or the NFL yet.  Nothing from Jay Glazer or Adam Schefter either, but Ian Rapoport noted it on his Twitter Account


ETA: The persons or people that contracted the coronavirus within my hyperlink
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 23, 2020, 02:01:52 PM
Noted on ESPN's website. (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30373843/baltimore-ravens-close-facility-positive-coronavirus-tests)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 23, 2020, 02:17:13 PM
Thanks Ccook.  Just saw it (and the NFL link).  While still too early to tell, not much from anyone else, especially Jason LaCanfora or Mike Florio, as it relates to postponing the game.  I'd be surprised if they kept it, but not shocked.  I'm not sure the NFL would want to move a Thursday Night Thanksgiving game of that magnitude (Steelers/Ravens).  Of course, they could move the Lions and Cowboys games up to 3:00 and 7:00, respectively
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 25, 2020, 01:37:14 PM
No Thursday Night Football on Thanksgiving this year.  Steelers/Ravens game being moved to Sunday (time TBD later).  First time without the third game in 15 years
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 25, 2020, 04:08:46 PM
Pittsburgh at Baltimore will be a 1 PM kickoff on NBC.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on November 25, 2020, 04:19:37 PM
So there goes the one compelling matchup of tomorrow's slate. Hopefully the Ravens (and the Steelers) can stay case free until Sunday so the game can go on then.

How does NBC fill the timeslot now?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: tpirguyMN on November 25, 2020, 04:41:23 PM
How does NBC fill the timeslot now?

Re-air the Macy's parade from earlier in the day?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: jude_este on November 25, 2020, 04:50:04 PM
How does NBC fill the timeslot now?

According to TVLine (https://tvline.com/2020/11/25/thanksgiving-night-ravens-steelers-postponed/), NBC will be airing an encore of the National Dog Show from earlier in the day followed by a rerun of The Wall.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pricefan18 on November 25, 2020, 04:57:03 PM
This would be the first time FOX, NBC and CBS would be carrying a game at the same time would it not? I can't imagine another time where they all were.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 25, 2020, 09:41:55 PM
It is, pricefan.  Since Day One, I believe, it's been CBS and NBC and no one else.  As in Day One in the current era (Modern).  FOX added sports to go with the Simpson, Married with Children and whatever else was on their network in their 9th season, and immediately obtained the NFC package from CBS, four years before the latter would take the AFC package from NBC.  NBC followed their 8-year NFL hiatus by taking over primetime football from ESPN.  It's hard to believe that FOX has had football for more than a quarter century, but there you go!


The closest we've come to where all three aired simultaneously would have been every Week 17 since 2006 (except 2017) where both CBS & FOX would have the double-header.  Both games usually last into FNIA (Football Night in America).  Barring overtime, late national games end by 7:30 or 7:45, just in time for FNIA to get that final highlight in before their 8:20 kickoff. 

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pricefan18 on November 25, 2020, 09:47:54 PM
It is, pricefan.  Since Day One, I believe, it's been CBS and NBC and no one else.  As in Day One in the current era (Modern).  FOX added sports to go with the Simpson, Married with Children and whatever else was on their network in their 9th season, and immediately obtained the NFC package from CBS, four years before the latter would take the AFC package from NBC.  NBC followed their 8-year NFL hiatus by taking over primetime football from ESPN.  It's hard to believe that FOX has had football for more than a quarter century, but there you go!


The closest we've come to where all three aired simultaneously would have been every Week 17 since 2006 (except 2017) where both CBS & FOX would have the double-header.  Both games usually last into FNIA (Football Night in America).  Barring overtime, late national games end by 7:30 or 7:45, just in time for FNIA to get that final highlight in before their 8:20 kickoff.

I wouldn't count that really, that's a different scenario vs. actually scheduling games concurrent with each like this. Guess this is the 2nd time the league has seen history this year, the first being 2 weeks ago when FOX had every game in the 1pm window (I thought maybe it was 1 AND 4 when I realized the Masters was why this was, but discovered later that wasn't the case, woulda been really interesting if it was), the first time one network has monopolized an entire segment of the day like that. 2020 is something else huh? lol
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on November 25, 2020, 10:48:45 PM
According to TVLine (https://tvline.com/2020/11/25/thanksgiving-night-ravens-steelers-postponed/), NBC will be airing an encore of the National Dog Show from earlier in the day followed by a rerun of The Wall.
Oh ok. I was thinking they'd go with an early showing of It's a Wonderful Life.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pricefan18 on November 25, 2020, 11:45:23 PM
Oh ok. I was thinking they'd go with an early showing of It's a Wonderful Life.

That was my first thought too actually....or some other holiday movie, Home Alone perhaps for example. Would certainly fit the time, or.....if you wanted to go Thanksgiving themed more.....Planes, Trains and Automobiles woulda been a great choice too. Doesn't get as much play as it should I feel.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 26, 2020, 12:12:01 AM
That was my first thought too actually....or some other holiday movie, Home Alone perhaps for example. Would certainly fit the time, or.....if you wanted to go Thanksgiving themed more.....Planes, Trains and Automobiles woulda been a great choice too. Doesn't get as much play as it should I feel.

Home Alone came to my mind as well.  Before the 3rd game showed up in 2006, Home Alone used to air in primetime & was the go-to movie.  Although that might have been Wednesday on Thanksgiving Eve.

Couldn't really care about what NBC airs in place of Steelers-Ravens.  I would've gone with a past game from an earlier season. 


Quote
2020 is something else huh? lol

You can say that again.  It'll be gone 5 weeks from Friday.  That's too long, but I'll take it.  Also gone soon will be the current NFL TV deals.  The league typically uses an emergency situation and makes permanent changes (ex. Steelers/Chiefs moved from 1:00 to 8:00 over weather concerns; 4 years ago in a playoff game; now the league no longer has early starts after Wild Card weekend)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 26, 2020, 07:49:12 AM
.if you wanted to go Thanksgiving themed more.....Planes, Trains and Automobiles woulda been a great choice too. Doesn't get as much play as it should I feel.

Oh yes, that movie is a classic. Sadly they'd have to take out what is easily the best line in the entire film to make it TV-friendly... good thing I have a physical copy of it I can watch whenever! (And I totally should, too. Thanks for picking something for me to watch!)

Shame that Ravens-Steelers got moved, considering the other two games on the docket for today are less-than-appealing matchups. At least both traditional hosts have a chance of winning this year because they are playing teams as equally terrible as them? :lol:
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 26, 2020, 08:56:11 AM
It is, pricefan.  Since Day One, I believe, it's been CBS and NBC and no one else.  As in Day One in the current era (Modern).  FOX added sports to go with the Simpson, Married with Children and whatever else was on their network in their 9th season, and immediately obtained the NFC package from CBS, four years before the latter would take the AFC package from NBC.  NBC followed their 8-year NFL hiatus by taking over primetime football from ESPN.  It's hard to believe that FOX has had football for more than a quarter century, but there you go!


The closest we've come to where all three aired simultaneously would have been every Week 17 since 2006 (except 2017) where both CBS & FOX would have the double-header.  Both games usually last into FNIA (Football Night in America).  Barring overtime, late national games end by 7:30 or 7:45, just in time for FNIA to get that final highlight in before their 8:20 kickoff.
In the early 60s, ABC had the AFL games. There were some cities that had an ABC/CBS dual affiliation, e.g.: Anderson S C's WAIM (today My Network TV affiliate WMYA) ran the CBS game at 1 PM then joined the AFL game from ABC in progress afterwards.

A listing from November 24, 1963 showed the scheduled games (which were scuttled after the JFK assassination two days earlier) as Washington at Philadelphia as the CBS game at 1 (assumed national--all five CBS stations in the listing carried it), then on ABC was Kansas City at New York Jets at 2 (regional, on WTVK in Knoxville TN) and Oakland at Denver at 3:30 (regional, on WLOS in Asheville N C). WAIM joined the Oakland-Denver game in progress.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 26, 2020, 09:11:58 AM
Oh, and to clarify, the listings were from the Charlotte/Knoxville TV Guide from the week of November 23-29, 1963.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 26, 2020, 11:41:44 AM
Quote
So there goes the one compelling matchup of tomorrow's slate. Hopefully the Ravens (and the Steelers) can stay case free until Sunday so the game can go on then.

Same here, JayC.  The Steelers fans may not like it, but some of those Ravens players will be available given the timeline of the restrictions.  Not a big deal at all, and it even helps Pittsburgh since they had several key players banged up.  After all, prior to Monday, I expected Baltimore to have all of their players available (not counting the ones on Injured Reserve).



Shame that Ravens-Steelers got moved, considering the other two games on the docket for today are less-than-appealing matchups. At least both traditional hosts have a chance of winning this year because they are playing teams as equally terrible as them? :lol:


To be fair, The Cowboys and Washington are playing for first place!  So I can honestly say that there is something on the line for that second game!


Thank you for the info, Ccook.  I wasn't sure of what the broadcast deals were before the 1970 Merger.  I always assumed that the NFL wasn't a big deal for ABC before Monday Night Football.  How the times have changed!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 26, 2020, 05:35:23 PM
My pleasure. I was a mere pup of seven years old back then and remembered dad watching on San Diego's channel 6 on Sundays (we lived in metro S.D. at the time).
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 26, 2020, 08:16:39 PM
With Washington's 41-24 win over the Cowboys today, they are likely to finish the week in 1st place in the NFC East at the end of the league week. I don't see the Eagles beating the Seahawks.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 27, 2020, 02:23:37 AM
That score was 41-16. Houston-Detroit was 41-25 Houston.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 27, 2020, 03:47:53 AM
With Washington's 41-24 win over the Cowboys today, they are likely to finish the week in 1st place in the NFC East at the end of the league week. I don't see the Eagles beating the Seahawks.

If the Giants beat the Bengals, then they will take first place on Sunday.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 27, 2020, 11:31:36 AM
If the Giants beat the Bengals, then they will take first place on Sunday.
This is correct. I was off on the Giants by a game. If the Giants win then they and Washington will both be 4-7 but the Giants won the head to head.

I don't see any way Ravens-Steelers can be played on Sunday with the Ravens situation. I wonder if the NFL might just cancel this game and invoke the 8 playoff teams per conference due to canceled games scenario.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Archviler on November 27, 2020, 11:43:57 AM
That was the best Thanksgiving game I've seen in awhile. Nothing like seeing the Redskins beat up the Cowboys on Thanksgiving afternoon to make it a great day.

I'd be happy about 1st place in the NFC East too but that's hardly much of a prize.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 27, 2020, 03:08:43 PM
This is correct. I was off on the Giants by a game. If the Giants win then they and Washington will both be 4-7 but the Giants won the head to head.

I don't see any way Ravens-Steelers can be played on Sunday with the Ravens situation. I wonder if the NFL might just cancel this game and invoke the 8 playoff teams per conference due to canceled games scenario.

The game has been moved to Tuesday.  Which isn't a surprise before the announcement.  Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin cancelled practice ahead of the breaking news

As mentioned, the Giants have position on Washington & will move to first place with a win at Cincinnati.  However, the good news for Washington is that New York's remaining schedule is brutal (including games against Seattle, Cleveland, and Baltimore)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 28, 2020, 05:27:27 PM
Big changes in Detroit (https://www.nfl.com/news/detroit-lions-fire-head-coach-matt-patricia-general-manager-bob-quinn).  I was all but certain Patricia & Quinn would get tossed at seasons-end, but I didn't think it would be now.  Though it made sense (and I saw a mention of it somewhere).


Steelers are now dealing with their own Covid issues, and San Francisco can no longer play their games in their state.  The Niners have games at home scheduled for December 7th & 13th.  I'm not sure how a bubble plan would kill the league, but I guess I'd like to know if there is a way someone dies from playing in a bubble (mainly late season & the postseason)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: LiteBulb88 on November 28, 2020, 06:57:51 PM
San Francisco can no longer play their games in their state.  The Niners have games at home scheduled for December 7th & 13th.  I'm not sure how a bubble plan would kill the league, but I guess I'd like to know if there is a way someone dies from playing in a bubble (mainly late season & the postseason)

Slight correction: it's a county mandate (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30408401/contact-sports-ban-leaves-san-francisco-49ers-other-bay-area-teams-limbo), not a state one, that's preventing the 49ers from playing at their home stadium. (The Rams and Chargers can still play in L.A., at least as of the time I'm typing this.) So they could play at one of the college stadiums in the nearby area, though Stanford and San Jose State are both in Santa Clara county, so they'd have to go a bit farther afield.

Regarding a bubble, it won't work for the regular season, even late regular season. There are just too many games to play (16 per week), so they'd need multiple bubbles and teams would have to consistently travel between the bubbles, which defeats the purpose of a bubble. I could see a bubble working starting in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on November 28, 2020, 08:14:15 PM
Or the Niners could just travel across the Bay Bridge and play in the Coliseum... not like the Raiders are using it anymore...
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on November 28, 2020, 11:08:58 PM
The Denver Broncos have a big problem due to COVID also-- none of the quarterbacks on their roster are eligible to play in tomorrow's game because they have been placed on the Reserve/COVID list. Practice squad WR Kendall Hinton will be their starting quarterback for the game against the Saints. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30408624/sources-denver-broncos-qbs-ruled-ineligible-vs-new-orleans-saints (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30408624/sources-denver-broncos-qbs-ruled-ineligible-vs-new-orleans-saints)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on November 29, 2020, 03:49:52 PM
Atlanta, a 3-point underdog, is taking Las Vegas to the woodshed. The Raiders have been shooting themselves in both feet with turnovers and Atlanta has been capitalizing. Late in the third, 30-6 Atlanta. (Fingers crossed they don't go vanilla from this point on.)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on November 29, 2020, 04:03:05 PM
And the 4-7 New York Giants are in first place, barley beating the Bengals 19-17. It's their first 3-game winning streak in four years  :-D :-D
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 29, 2020, 04:13:57 PM
My Cardinals suffer a surprising loss in New England. Unfortunately, Zane Gonzalez missed a late 45 yard field goal to take the lead and Nick Folk won the game at the buzzer for the Patriots for a 50 yarder. The Cardinals are slipping and may well miss the playoffs now as they have to play the Rams twice.

The Browns are 8-3 and poised to end the NFL'S longest playoff drought (2002)

The Bills are 8-3 and well positioned to win their 1st AFC East title since 1995. Still may come down to beating the Dolphins head to head.


I know the MVP race is mostly about quarterbacks and Patrick Mahomes is the rightful leader right now, but man Derrick Henry deserves consideration. Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL since prime Adrian Peterson and easily the best running back in Titans history.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 29, 2020, 04:15:08 PM
Atlanta, a 3-point underdog, is taking Las Vegas to the woodshed. The Raiders have been shooting themselves in both feet with turnovers and Atlanta has been capitalizing. Late in the third, 30-6 Atlanta. (Fingers crossed they don't go vanilla from this point on.)

It's the old West Coast team travelling to the East Coast for a 10:00 PST game.  Maybe I could've been wrong thinking the Raiders were going to win, but I did not expect this beatdown!  The Raiders travelled to Pittsburgh 11 years ago (minus a week) in non-ideal weather, but ended up winning.  Likely a situation of not being ready.  The Harbaugh era Niners used to win these games when they had them.

And the 4-7 New York Giants are in first place, barley beating the Bengals 19-17. It's their first 3-game winning streak in four years  :-D :-D

Probably the first time in forever I actually picked the Giants correctly.  As they should've won; if Burrow had played I don't know or think New York would've won the game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 29, 2020, 07:34:24 PM
The torch has been passed from Brady to Mahomes. The Chiefs beat the Buccaneers 27-24 as Mahomes threw for an incredible 462 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brady did throw for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns but also had 2 costly interceptions. Ultimately, Unitas was the quarterback of the 60/70s era, Montana was the quarterback of the 80s/90s era, Brady was the quarterback of the 00s/10s era, and now Mahomes is the quarterback of the 20s/30s era. Unitas, Montana, Brady, and Mahomes make up my Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 29, 2020, 08:55:22 PM
Do you think that Mahomes (and Reid) can do enough to pass Brady & Belichick as the best duo ever?  I don't know how long Coach Andy will stay on with Kansas City or even in the NFL, but I guess they could be on pace to accomplish more than Bill and Tom by the end of the decade.  Kansas City can't win 17 division titles in 10 seasons, but it is possible that they can win 6 or more Superbowls & 9-10 AFC Titles before 2030.

Meanwhile, that Saints/Broncos game looked exactly the way I expected it to look any other day.  And I forgot that Richard Sherman was returning today; San Francisco escaped against the Rams and swept them.  That NFC West is basically the reverse of the NFC East.  The former could've had a team with a winning record in last place if it hadn't been for the Niners' awful luck in terms of injuries

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 29, 2020, 09:42:33 PM
Do you think that Mahomes (and Reid) can do enough to pass Brady & Belichick as the best duo ever?  I don't know how long Coach Andy will stay on with Kansas City or even in the NFL, but I guess they could be on pace to accomplish more than Bill and Tom by the end of the decade.  Kansas City can't win 17 division titles in 10 seasons, but it is possible that they can win 6 or more Superbowls & 9-10 AFC Titles before 2030.

Meanwhile, that Saints/Broncos game looked exactly the way I expected it to look any other day.  And I forgot that Richard Sherman was returning today; San Francisco escaped against the Rams and swept them.  That NFC West is basically the reverse of the NFC East.  The former could've had a team with a winning record in last place if it hadn't been for the Niners' awful luck in terms of injuries

Brady's status as the GOAT quarterback is secure for awhile  (IMO the overall NFL GOAT debate is pretty much down to Tom Brady vs Jerry Rice.) However, I do think Mahomes will get multiple rings. As for Reid, I have no feel for how long he'll coach.

With the Cardinals and Buccaneers fadi, there might be a chance for the 49ers and Vikings to make playoff pushes as both are only game out of 7th place in the NFC with both the 49ers and Vikings wins today. The Vikings did screw the pooch by losing to the Cowboys last Sunday though.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on November 30, 2020, 07:55:30 PM
Ravens/Steelers postponed again, to Wednesday. They're desperate to get that game in.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on November 30, 2020, 08:03:58 PM
In addition, Steelers-Washington has been moved from Sunday to Monday and Cowboys-Ravens, which was originally Thursday, has been moved again from Monday to Tuesday.


https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30423599/baltimore-ravens-pittsburgh-steelers-game-postponed-again-wednesday-source-says

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on November 30, 2020, 08:36:43 PM
I wonder if Fanduel or Draftkings had a bet available on their app on whether the Jaguars & Jets would have fewer or more combined wins than the total number of Ravens/Steelers schedule changes

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 01, 2020, 12:45:42 AM
I've just learned some bad news, at least for myself. Apparently, the December 26th 49ers-Cardinals game will not be on TV and will be a streaming only game. I'm very disappointed at not being able to see my hometown team's last home game of the season vs a division rival on TV.  Le Sigh.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pricefan18 on December 01, 2020, 04:24:02 AM
I've just learned some bad news, at least for myself. Apparently, the December 26th 49ers-Cardinals game will not be on TV and will be a streaming only game. I'm very disappointed at not being able to see my hometown team's last home game of the season vs a division rival on TV.  Le Sigh.

Why are they doing this? That's a BS move......and unprecedented to be stream only isn't it?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 01, 2020, 11:27:30 AM
Why are they doing this? That's a BS move......and unprecedented to be stream only isn't it?


The NFL had an agreement prior to the start of the season where 1 of those 5 games that were flexed to Saturday would air exclusively on Amazon.  So, it isn’t something the league create on the fly.

I have no idea why moneygamelover would be unable to view the game.  If anything, Arizona & San Francisco fans should be able to watch on television, not the other way around.  In the past, the only time people would have their games blacked out in their area is if there wasn’t a home game sellout.  That wouldn’t make any sense this season, obviously.

You would think that the other games (that feature the Browns, Jets, Chargers, and Broncos) would get the streaming only treatment.  Out of respect, I guess the league didn’t want to have Amazon streaming a disaster of a game featuring disaster teams
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 01, 2020, 03:08:00 PM
I managed to find an article explaining it in more detail. Fortunately, there will be a local TV broadcast here in Atizona as well as in San Francisco.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2020/11/30/21726810/nfl-amazon-cardinals-49ers-prime-video-twitch-exclusive-saturday-football-game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 03, 2020, 10:05:41 AM
The Steelers remain undefeated, but HC Mike Tomlin said his team's efforts against the Ravens yesterday was like "junior Varsity." They have Washington next Monday (no line, O/U is 44).
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 03, 2020, 12:54:22 PM
Yesterday's game might have been the first time I felt worse than I normally would after a loss.  One of the lines Coach Tomlin gave, however, were more to the point.  In answer to one of the questions, he kept it simple: "Us sucking."

Then earlier this hour (Noon EST during his press conference), He topped that with "We were sucking all game well before Bud Dupree went down".  While the Steelers held Baltimore to 14 points, half of those came because someone didn't know about the importance of fair catching.  FWIW, the Ravens were missing a ton of people, so that was more likely the case for a bad game than Pittsburgh's defense playing well.

Washington is not going to be an easy game.  That what I assumed even before all the schedule changes.  However, it's the most affordable loss the Steelers can take (assuming they take care of business against Cincinnati)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 04, 2020, 04:28:04 AM
Pittsburgh is now giving 8 and their FPI is 74%.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 04, 2020, 11:19:13 PM
Now it's down to -7
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on December 05, 2020, 12:32:51 PM
You would think that the other games (that feature the Browns, Jets, Chargers, and Broncos) would get the streaming only treatment.  Out of respect, I guess the league didn’t want to have Amazon streaming a disaster of a game featuring disaster teams
I'm sure the deal wasn't cheap, and if they stuck Amazon with a bad matchup they would be less likely to do it again next season. Out of the matchups that were available to them, 49ers-Cardinals was the best draw.

I really can't see Washington beating Pittsburgh, even with Pittsburgh on short rest. The rest could hurt rather than help Washington too, they're going to have quite a long time between games and could very well suffer from rust. The Steelers will be extra motivated too given their performance against the Ravens.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 05, 2020, 02:04:58 PM
I'm sure the deal wasn't cheap, and if they stuck Amazon with a bad matchup they would be less likely to do it again next season. Out of the matchups that were available to them, 49ers-Cardinals was the best draw.

I really can't see Washington beating Pittsburgh, even with Pittsburgh on short rest. The rest could hurt rather than help Washington too, they're going to have quite a long time between games and could very well suffer from rust. The Steelers will be extra motivated too given their performance against the Ravens.


The good news for Washington is that the Steelers have yet to sweep all four of their interconference opponents since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach.  The bad news for Washington is that the Steelers haven't lost to the former 3-time Super Bowl champion since 1991.  Other than that, I can see this game going either way.  As it relates to Kansas City, this is the one game the Steelers can afford to lose in the event that both KC & PITT are 15-1.  The Steelers can't lose to Buffalo, and a loss to Cleveland, Indianapolis, or Cincinnati isn't ideal either.

Washington is playing much better.  They started off real bad before making changes to become a better football team.  The issue is that they're playing games against the two best divisions in football (AFC North & NFC West).  What helps Washington, especially their QB, is that Bud Dupree is done and the Steelers defense isn't going be as dynamic as before.

Kansas City has a tough game in the Superdome later on.  Other than that, I don't see where another loss is coming from as it relates to the defending Super Bowl champion

Kansas City has a tough match-up later on in the Super Dome
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on December 05, 2020, 03:02:41 PM
I'm sure the deal wasn't cheap, and if they stuck Amazon with a bad matchup they would be less likely to do it again next season. Out of the matchups that were available to them, 49ers-Cardinals was the best draw.

If anything, choosing that game to be streaming-only likely increased possible viewership. It was an NFL Network exclusive originally, meaning only those with said Network (which isn't everyone) could watch it. By streaming it via Amazon's platforms (which includes Twitch), it suddenly becomes available for more people to watch, including those of us who don't subscribe to the NFL Network. As always with cable-exclusive games, the NFL's broadcast contracts require games to be available over-the-air on free TV in each team's local markets.

I personally think it's a great experiment. This is 2020, distribution methods have changed, and with an increasing number of "cord-cutters" cutting cable and satellite TV because it's just becoming too damn expensive, providing an alternate method, one widely available to the masses, is a great idea. The NFL is easily the most intelligent of the major American sports leagues when it comes to webcasts... they realized that trying to shut down all of the bootleg streams was a waste of time, so why not do it themselves and make a profit off it, and in higher quality to boot? If you have a smart TV or streaming player (like Roku) you can easily get the game through the Twitch or Amazon Prime video apps...and having watched some of the Thursday night games on Twitch versus Fox, I find the video quality of the stream superior... when my internet connection doesn't take a dump, that is.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 06, 2020, 02:30:04 PM
I wonder if it would it be a record if the NFL on CBS moved to a more competitive game in the first half of a game scheduled within one's region.  For example, moving from Cleveland at Tennessee to Las Vegas at New York Jets.


In my area, I usually get two early games, with the late game being the national game on either CBS or FOX (both in Week 17).  This week, two late games, the national game of the week on CBS and one on FOX.  One early game on CBS: Cleveland vs Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on December 06, 2020, 04:15:03 PM
Derek Carr and the Raiders pull a miracle against the Jets, who are now 0-12.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 06, 2020, 04:22:13 PM
Several teams had opportunities to pull out late wins but couldn't (Bears, Falcons, Texans) Only the Raiders made the clutch play.

With their own win and the Bears, the Saints clinched a playoff berth.

How bout those Browns! Just wow!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 06, 2020, 04:53:08 PM
Derek Carr and the Raiders pull a miracle against the Jets, who are now 0-12.

That wasn't a miracle.  That was the Jets being the Jets!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 06, 2020, 05:54:11 PM
Several teams had opportunities to pull out late wins but couldn't (Bears, Falcons, Texans) Only the Raiders made the clutch play.

With their own win and the Bears, the Saints clinched a playoff berth.

How bout those Browns! Just wow!


Cleveland nearly blew a 31-point lead.  I get not keeping the foot on to make it 76-14 but Tennessee nearly came back.  If it was the old Pats vs a loveable team, that totally would've happened.

You know it's 2020 when a team is 11-0 and isn't the first team to clinch anything.

Hats off to the Raiders, but really the Jets blew it because they rushed the QB as opposed to protecting the sidelines and the endzone.  Las Vegas' goal was to win the game, and they did.  I just wouldn't call it a miracle.  Just my opinion
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 06, 2020, 06:17:26 PM
Miracle no. Clutch yes. Jets did blow it though. Poor Trevor Lawrence. On the other hand, if the Raiders ending up beating the Patriots by 1 game for that last playoff spot, the Patriots really rule losing to the Texans.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has become the 7th quarterback in NFL history to reach 400 career touchdown passes doing so in a record low 193 games.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on December 06, 2020, 07:18:48 PM
The Giants, with Colt McCoy under center, beat the Seahawks for the first time in 10 years!  xlx xlx xlx
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 06, 2020, 07:45:06 PM
Meanwhile, the Patriots shut out the Chargers big time.  45-0.  Pretty much the first time in a couple decades that I picked against New England (against an above average team or worse).  I think I decided not to pick them based on inexcusable losses to Denver, San Francisco, and most recently, Houston.  I don't think I can rule them out anymore since they hold the tiebreaker against the Ravens & Raiders (the two teams close to them in the standings)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 06, 2020, 11:29:38 PM
Despite not playing their best game, the Chiefs clinched a playoff berth with a 22-16 win over the Broncos but Honey Badger got a game clinching interception. Travis Kelce became the 1st tight end in NFL history with 5 consecutive 1000 yard seasons.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 07, 2020, 07:52:41 AM
Travis Kelce has overtaken Gronkowski in terms of the best tight end in the NFL.  I do have to check the numbers, and that could be premature.  It shouldn't be, but an argument can be made for Kelce.  Rob didn't have anything like that, mainly because he missed time a lot over the past decade.  Travis didn't even play with Mahomes during this streak, Gronk has had Brady throwing to him his entire career.


I don't know if Gronk ever reached 1000 yards in a season where he got put on IR and didn't return.  I don't know off the top of my head, but I think it might have happened four years ago
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 07, 2020, 02:37:02 PM
New Orleans has all but punched their ticket to the postseason with their 21-16 win over Atlanta. And without Drew Brees.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 07, 2020, 04:35:54 PM
New Orleans has all but punched their ticket to the postseason with their 21-16 win over Atlanta. And without Drew Brees.


The Saints are already in.  They were the first team to make it, thanks to the Steelers game being pushed back, and for Chicago's failure to defeat their division rival at home.  That's six straight losses for the Bears, the latest coming from a Detroit Lions team that just fired its head coach 10 days ago.

My first reason was somewhat of a joke, BTW.  The Steelers are heavily favored, but taking Washington and the points is the way to go.  Anything can happen, and while it looks like the Steelers should win, Washington has professional football players on their team too.

Looks like the Jets scapegoated, at the expense of Gregg Williams.  Or not; but what a horrible call from the defensive coordinator
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on December 07, 2020, 08:30:29 PM
A no-named team will give the Steelers their first loss.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 07, 2020, 08:36:40 PM
A no-named team will give the Steelers their first loss.

A no-named team gave the Steelers their first loss in 2020
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 08, 2020, 01:56:57 AM
The NFC East is down to Washington and the Giants now. The Eagles don't have a quarterback and the Cowboys are in shambles.

 Gronk actually had 4 1000 yard seasons but never more than 2 in a row (11, 14, 15. 17.) Kelce's 5 in a row is unprecedented. As Gronk is clearly past his prime, Kelce is definitely the best tight end in the NFL at this nanosecond and has been since the 2018 season. 

Meanwhile, the Bills get to 9-3 with a 34-24 over the 49ers as Josh Allen throws 4 touchdowns, including 1 to Cole Beasley, who caught 9 passes for 130 yards.  Interferingly, the Bills and 49ers both scored 17 points in the 2nd 1/2. The real difference in the game was that the Bills outscored the 49ers 17-0 in the 2nd 1/4. The Bills maintain a 1 game lead over the Dolphins in the AFC East. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 08, 2020, 11:58:47 AM
The NFC East is down to Washington and the Giants now. The Eagles don't have a quarterback and the Cowboys are in shambles.

 Gronk actually had 4 1000 yard seasons but never more than 2 in a row (11, 14, 15. 17.) Kelce's 5 in a row is unprecedented. As Gronk is clearly past his prime, Kelce is definitely the best tight end in the NFL at this nanosecond and has been since the 2018 season. 

Meanwhile, the Bills get to 9-3 with a 34-24 over the 49ers as Josh Allen throws 4 touchdowns, including 1 to Cole Beasley, who caught 9 passes for 130 yards.  Interferingly, the Bills and 49ers both scored 17 points in the 2nd 1/2. The real difference in the game was that the Bills outscored the 49ers 17-0 in the 2nd 1/4. The Bills maintain a 1 game lead over the Dolphins in the AFC East. 


Good to know re: Gronk.  When healthy, Rob was that good, but the team he played for held the division title every nanosecond within a calendar year.  In fact, they were no more than two wins away from winning a superbowl for 8 consecutive years.  Unless Kansas City can, I could be around for nine lifetimes (which, I’d say no chance right now), and I’m never going see the dominance New England had ever again.  Either way, Kelce has a great chance at becoming the best tight end, period.  No debate.  IMO, he’s definitely Canton-bound.

Nice win against San Francisco for the Bills.  The Niners were missing several players, but Buffalo can only play against the players that are on the field when the game comes and goes.  Unlike the Steelers, they did enough to win and win comfortably.  No inconsistency, just a great game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on December 08, 2020, 01:13:20 PM
The NFC East is down to Washington and the Giants now. The Eagles don't have a quarterback and the Cowboys are in shambles.

 Gronk actually had 4 1000 yard seasons but never more than 2 in a row (11, 14, 15. 17.) Kelce's 5 in a row is unprecedented. As Gronk is clearly past his prime, Kelce is definitely the best tight end in the NFL at this nanosecond and has been since the 2018 season. 

Meanwhile, the Bills get to 9-3 with a 34-24 over the 49ers as Josh Allen throws 4 touchdowns, including 1 to Cole Beasley, who caught 9 passes for 130 yards.  Interferingly, the Bills and 49ers both scored 17 points in the 2nd 1/2. The real difference in the game was that the Bills outscored the 49ers 17-0 in the 2nd 1/4. The Bills maintain a 1 game lead over the Dolphins in the AFC East.
 

In fairness to Philadelphia and Dallas, it would be hard for even a great quarterback to thrive behind offensive lines as heavily injured as they've been thus far.  In Wentz's case, I personally suspect that, like I myself do sometimes, in such situations he then tries to do too much to compensate, which when done wrong can go wrong--but he's not lost yet, as there've still been enough flashes of the better Wentz from time to time this year to warrant staying with him at least partially through the end of the guaranteed part of his current contract.  I'd still shake up the team's coaching staff (although keep Pederson for now) and front office after the season, but for now would hold back from a total and complete overhaul, as there's still a basis of a good team there to build on. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on December 08, 2020, 03:48:33 PM
Speaking of Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts has been named the starter for Sundays game against the Saints.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on December 08, 2020, 09:26:50 PM
So be it.  He did show enough flashes this previous Sunday to warrant a closer look; let's see how he can do in a full game.  And on the other side of the coin, let us remember that 12 years ago, Andy Reid's decision to briefly sit Donovan McNabb down after he fell into a rut did wonders for him; he came back stronger than ever and led them to the conference championship game, and only lost about 4 games the following season.  So perhaps a respite of some length will be just as beneficial in the long run for Wentz, who, as I noted above, is probably still a pretty good quarterback underneath. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 08, 2020, 10:54:45 PM
Philadelphia has so many issues though, compared to their 2008 season.  Moreover, McNabb was proven prior to that year.  5 NFC East titles, 4 conference finals appearances & one Super Bowl.  Wentz does have a ring, but Carson was on IR when Philadelphia beat New England.


Looks like the Ravens are going to survive against the Cowboys.  That Monday Night Football game is going to be a classic between Baltimore & Cleveland.  Speaking of the AFC North, who would've thought that the Steelers could use help from Baltimore against the Browns.  If it gets to that, then Pittsburgh, despite an 11-0 start, does not deserve to be in the playoffs.  However, the Ravens have routed the Cowboys which may hold some hope that they can escaped Cleveland with a victory.  Therefore, the Steelers, who will reach the postseason without winning a game again (unless Kansas City loses on purpose again) would win the division with just one more win

Yeah, it's down to Washington and the Giants.  The bad news for New York is their schedule.  Washington has a favorable schedule, but they might regret everything if they dropped a game to San Francisco
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on December 09, 2020, 03:15:30 PM
The Cleveland Browns-New York Giants matchup will now be the Sunday Night Football game for week 15, replacing Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers. It's the first time this season the Sunday matchup was flexed to provide a better game (the other replacement Seahawks vs Cardinals for Buccaneers vs Raiders was COVID related and not because of the game quality).
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 09, 2020, 03:31:02 PM
The Cleveland Browns-New York Giants matchup will now be the Sunday Night Football game for week 15, replacing Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers. It's the first time this season the Sunday matchup was flexed to provide a better game (the other replacement Seahawks vs Cardinals for Buccaneers vs Raiders was COVID related and not because of the game quality).


Not only that, but I think it's the first time ever that the Dallas Cowboys have been flexed out of Sunday Night Football.  The league usually announces that no less than 12 days before the actual game (unless it's for Week 17, then it's the Sunday or Monday before the final game of the regular season).  With Week 13 concluding last night as opposed to Monday, it delayed the inevitable with "America's Team" officially becoming the 5th team (and first NFC team) booted from postseason contention
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 09, 2020, 04:42:07 PM
Browns-Giants is looking like a pretty good game but I surprised Chiefs-Saints wasn't flexed in instead. Chiefs-Saints could legit be 1 of the best games of the year, especially if Brees is back by then and we get Brees vs Mahomes. Really legitimately surprised that wasn't picked for flex even though what they did pick is pretty good.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 09, 2020, 05:04:32 PM
Browns-Giants is looking like a pretty good game but I surprised Chiefs-Saints wasn't flexed in instead. Chiefs-Saints could legit be 1 of the best games of the year, especially if Brees is back by then and we get Brees vs Mahomes. Really legitimately surprised that wasn't picked for flex even though what they did pick is pretty good.

Chiefs at Saints is protected by CBS
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on December 09, 2020, 09:36:43 PM
The 4:25 Game of the Week games on CBS and Fox are protected and cannot be flexed into Sunday night.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on December 10, 2020, 11:08:18 PM
The Patriots NFL-record of consecutive seasons of at least 10-wins has come to an end tonight.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 11, 2020, 08:53:00 AM
The Patriots NFL-record of consecutive seasons of at least 10-wins has come to an end tonight.

To add to that, if Buffalo defeats Pittsburgh on Sunday Night, there will be a new AFC East Champion.  The Bills can't clinch, as Miami isn't too far behind them, but chances are that it will be close enough to where they will get there sooner rather than later.  The Dolphins are hosting Kansas City, and while anything can happen, this looks to be a great weekend for Buffalo.  Of course, the Bills host Miami to close out the season.

Buffalo might clinch before Week 17, but they also could be in a battle for the 2 seed.  Either way, that would mean that everyone in the NFL has finally won its division since 2002, with the exception of Detroit and Cleveland (who still has a fair enough chance to win it this season)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 13, 2020, 04:10:00 PM
Have an afternoon,  Hasson Reddick. Five sacks on Giants QB Daniel Jones in the Cardinals' 26-7 win.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 13, 2020, 04:30:11 PM
Glad to see my Cardinals back in the win column after the win over the Giants. The Cardinals move back into playoff position with the win and the Vikings loss to the Buccaneers Go Cardinals! :)

Meanwhile,  Washington takes 1st place in the NFC East if they beat the 49ers today.

The Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win over the Lions today.

Patrick Mahomes has joined Dan Marino and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 4000 yards in 3 of their 4st 4 seasons. Great job Mahomes, that's very elite company to be in.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 13, 2020, 04:35:34 PM
Any word if the Viking threw Bailey overboard yet?


Miami looks like that one team that can upset Kansas City in the postseason if they make it.  Next year they would be a problem for the Chiefs for sure, but I don't think they'll be able to pass Buffalo before seasons end
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 13, 2020, 04:55:13 PM
Meanwhile, Kansas City takes the AFC West crown with a 33-27 win over Miami.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 13, 2020, 04:59:47 PM
Houston became the fifth team eliminated from postseason contention.  Atlanta will become the sixth team with a loss.  New Orleans & Green Bay will join Kansas City as division winners if they both take care of business.  Pittsburgh could too I guess, but I'd be the least surprised if they got blown out at Orchard Park.  Plus they need help to clinch the AFC North title anyway
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 13, 2020, 06:25:10 PM
Right now, Philly is giving the Saints the business. Saints finally score, it's 17-7 Eagles, and there's still plenty of time.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 13, 2020, 07:36:29 PM
New Orleans will have to wait to pop the champagne corks as the Eagles held on for a 24-21 win. Atlanta fell to the Chargers, 20-17 which officially eliminated them from postseason.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 13, 2020, 07:39:29 PM
After seeing that Eagles win today, I'm NOT looking forward to my Cardinals having to play them next week.

Meanwhile, the Packers have clinched the NFC North with a 31-24 win over the Lions.

Washington, playing much better recently with a great young defense, moves into 1st place in the NFC East with a 23-15 win over the 49ers.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 13, 2020, 07:48:49 PM
Right now, Philly is giving the Saints the business. Saints finally score, it's 17-7 Eagles, and there's still plenty of time.

All the Saints had to do was keep their streak against Pennsylvania teams alive as well as their winning streak.  They'd clinch the division title and force TB12 to travel.  Now, it is rather possible that Tampa Bay can reach the top seed.  That would be the biggest backdoor in 12 years.

Of course, that would include Green Bay losing at least 2 of their last three games
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 14, 2020, 02:27:54 AM
Meanwhile the Bills are 10-3 with a 26-15 win over the Steelers. The Steelers loss moves the Chiefs into the 1 seed in the AFC. I'm pretty confident that the Browns and Colts will take 1st 2 AFC wild cards but I don't know whether to favor the Dolphins or Ravens for the last one. I'm counting the Raiders out due to their kindergarten level run defense.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 14, 2020, 11:55:06 PM
WOW! The Browns and Ravens play 1 of the best game of the year. A back and forth 4th 1/4 saw Lamar Jackson throw a go ahead touchdown pass to Marquis Brown on the 1st player after the 2 minute warning. Atonement for Brown, who'd had several drops. Then Baker Mayfield scored a game tying rushing touchdown with just over a minute left. Then, a few Jackson to Andrews and Snead completions set up a game winning 55 yard field goal by the GOAT kicker. The Browns hook and ladder went the wrong way and the Ravens got a tack on safety. 47-42 Ravens. I now like the Ravens rather than the Dolphins to make the playoffs. This will go down a classic Monday Night Football game.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 15, 2020, 12:35:56 AM
I had to tune out everything Monday for various reasons (except for classic Price which is saved as a website and one click away or whatever), but I totally agree.  That Monday Night Football game was pretty awesome.  Not something you'd say over the past decade or so, but something that was the case back in the day.


I guess I have to congratulate those fans of Ravens -4 after consoling those fans for Browns +3.  For the record, I didn't check the most recent and valid spread, but when that safety happened, that was the first thing that came to mind over the significance of the results of the actual game.

Miami does have a tougher schedule compared to Baltimore & Cleveland, both of whom could win their 3 remaining games.  I don't think the Dolphins will win more than one more game.  By the way, their defense is one to respect and might be in the future.  While Kansas City didn't play its best game, to be fair, Miami was missing several people on the defensive side (while key offensive players got knocked out of the game).  Didn't help that the Dolphins didn't capitalize enough, but they might have beaten the Chiefs had they had their complete lineup.  That South Beach franchise sure knows how to pull the upset against the best!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on December 16, 2020, 03:24:14 AM
CBS and Nickelodeon will be simulcasting a playoff game in January. It will be the wild card on the 10th at 4:40 PM ET. More about it here. (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30524548/cbs-simulcast-wild-card-game-nickelodeon?platform=amp)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: pricefan18 on December 16, 2020, 03:39:21 AM
CBS and Nickelodeon will be simulcasting a playoff game in January. It will be the wild card on the 10th at 4:40 PM ET. More about it here. (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30524548/cbs-simulcast-wild-card-game-nickelodeon?platform=amp)

Nickelodeon? Uhh.....why? Who thinks football there?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 17, 2020, 10:41:39 PM
Nickelodeon? Uhh.....why? Who thinks football there?


If the league can profit off of something, then they will do it.

For what it's worth, it does give families that include younger children a family-friendly experience of the game.  Outside of that, this did not need to happen
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on December 17, 2020, 11:50:16 PM
Meanwhile Justin Herbert has blown out the flame on the Raiders season. The Chargers beat the Raiders 30-27 in overtime as Herbert throws for 314 yards and 2 touchdowns and scores a game winning rushing touchdown. Worth noting that Herbert has tied Baker Mayfield's record for most touchdown passes in a season by a rookie with 27. They're not going anywhere this year, but there are better days ahead for the Chargers.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on December 18, 2020, 10:31:10 AM
Indeed, with Denver seemingly improving as well, and Kansas City likely to stay strong for some time, the AFC West should be a very entertaining division for the next few years. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: name456 on December 18, 2020, 04:51:32 PM
Imagine where the Chargers would be if they had a competent coach. Hard to say if Herbert will have a sophomore slump, but so far he certainly looks like a starter for years to come.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on December 18, 2020, 05:50:31 PM
Imagine where the Chargers would be if they had a competent coach. Hard to say if Herbert will have a sophomore slump, but so far he certainly looks like a starter for years to come.

It depends on who the Chargers hire.  The good news is that his division faces the NFC East next season.  The bad news is that his division faces the AFC North.

Los Angeles wasn't topping the Chiefs in the AFC West, even with 2-3 more wins.  However, they would've been in the playoff hunt with that, and possibly a threat in the postseason.  They did nearly defeat Kansas City earlier in the year; they might beat them in Week 17, but it's highly possible that the value of that won't mean much
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on December 18, 2020, 09:37:09 PM
It depends on who the Chargers hire.  The good news is that his division faces the NFC East next season.  The bad news is that his division faces the AFC North.

 

Well simple odds say at least one NFC East team will be much better next year, if not more than one.  Could be any of them under the right set of circumstances for each. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 02, 2021, 10:40:06 PM
I agree as it relates to the NFC East.  After all, they do have bragging rights: they are the only division in which every member is a former world champion (teams, not players).  That division is the current leader in terms of Lombardi Trophies; they hold the edge over everyone, including the AFC North, the AFC East, and the NFC West.


Previously in the NFL: The 14 team playoffs are getting close to being decided.  Kansas City and Pittsburgh have nothing to play for, Buffalo has position, and Tennessee/Indy are battling for both a playoff berth & and the AFC South.  Meanwhile, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Miami cannot start at home.  However, it's win and they are in.

Green Bay, who can clinch the lucrative top seed with a win, will have a tough task against Chicago.  If they fail, they better hope Seattle and New Orleans falls as well.  Arizona and Los Angeles have a meaningful game, but the Cards could go all in a win for nothing if the Bears win vs the Packers.

Finally, the NFC East (save for Philly) are all still alive, and could actually win out to clinch another Super Bowl.  That would get Bruce Arians fired for sure!

Just a down year for that division.  Dallas lost its franchise QB, New York lost its franchise RB, Washington is rebuilding but had to start slow given the fact that Ron Rivera just got there, and all the restrictions.  Finally, Philadelphia got crushed with injuries, but Hurts is their future.  Glad they're not booting Doug Peterson out of there.  Since 2016, they've won a Super Bowl, two division titles, and make the playoffs three years in a row.  The year they didn't win the NFC East, they won a playoff game and came close to winning another before a painful loss in the Superdome
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 03, 2021, 12:57:14 PM
AFC Postseason Spots, IMO: Kansas City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Indianapolis

NFC Postseason Spots, IMO: Seattle, Green Bay, New Orleans, Washington, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Chicago
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 03, 2021, 05:53:24 PM
Atlanta's dumpster fire of a season ends with a 44-27 loss to Tampa Bay. If Raheed Morris is still interviewing for the Falcons HC job, the last five games better not be on his resume.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on January 03, 2021, 11:24:45 PM
Normally I don't root for Tom Brady but I hope he destroys the No-Names next week.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 04, 2021, 12:10:23 AM
Tampa Bay likely will win, but I totally have no issue with how Philadelphia approached their game tonight.  None whatsoever.  It's not the Eagles responsibility to help deliver a postseason berth to a franchise that produced six wins within a 16-game season
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on January 04, 2021, 01:23:09 AM
My quick picks for wild card weekend.

Bills over Colts.
Browns over Steelers.
Ravens over Titans.
Saints over Bears.
Seahawks over Rams.
Buccaneers over Washington.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on January 04, 2021, 01:42:47 AM
I wonder if perhaps the NFL will change the rules to bar teams with losing records despite winning the division (i.e. minimum of .500 as the benchmark)? Or in the alternative, have the team that won the division guarantee the playoff spot but not necessarily a home game if their record isn't better than the team facing against.

On another note, I think the Dallas Cowboys should move to the NFC South (and one of the NFC South teams move to the NFC East).
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Alfonzo on January 04, 2021, 06:29:16 AM
On another note, I think the Dallas Cowboys should move to the NFC South (and one of the NFC South teams move to the NFC East).

That will never happen under Jerry Jones' ownership. He loves the rivalries with the Giants, Eagles and the Football Team.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 04, 2021, 08:15:36 AM
I wonder if perhaps the NFL will change the rules to bar teams with losing records despite winning the division (i.e. minimum of .500 as the benchmark)? Or in the alternative, have the team that won the division guarantee the playoff spot but not necessarily a home game if their record isn't better than the team facing against.

No chance that'll happen.  The NFL has had several seasons in which a team finished at 500 or worse, and as a result, they ended up hosting and winning a playoff game.  Of course, they got destroyed in their next postseason game against even better competition.  Save for the 2014 Carolina Panthers and the 2011 Denver Broncos, we nearly had a situation where those bad teams were in position to host a conference championship game (2008 San Diego Chargers & 2010 Seattle Seahawks).

The old saying is still the norm: win your division.  Homefield is a big deal and an advantage, but if you’re good enough, then you can win anywhere.  The Baltimore Ravens were the perfect example of that, primarily from 2008-2012.

This was not a normal year, but the league still got through all 256 games, and regardless of the outcome, after another 13 more games, it will be a success after everything.  What we saw from the NFC East, while something to laugh at, was not who they are.  They are still the most decorated division in terms of accomplishments (most super bowls & every member having at least one Lombardi).  It was just a down year for them.

This will get discussed during the winter meetings and the owners’ meetings in the offseason, but I wouldn’t bet on change.  The league office can propose such a major postseason change, but it’ll likely get shut down by the owners.  I think the issue here is that there are so many divisions, the most out of the four major sports.  The fact that there are way too many divisions throughout the league makes the chance of a 6-10 team winning their division.  A better solution would be to merge (while keeping the NFC East intact).  Or go back to having three per conference, but they might have to add some teams into the league first.  No word on that yet, but it’s been quite a long time since they’ve added a new team into the league
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on January 09, 2021, 11:50:10 AM
With the playoffs about an hour away, my picks for the weekend in order are Buffalo, Seattle, Tampa, Baltimore, New Orleans and Cleveland.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 09, 2021, 01:44:16 PM
It's a blast from the past today with an NFL playoff game early Saturday afternoon with the Bills hosting.  Any resemblance of retro/classic NFL is good for me!

Speaking of which, it would be pretty awesome if Buffalo comes out of the AFC but loses to Tampa Bay or the Bucs coming out of the NFC bus losing to Baltimore.  Pretty much would culminate with bragging rights for the eventual champion.

Kansas City is the defending champion, but right now I don't see how I would ever bet on them to win a game against Baltimore or Buffalo.  Everyone else I definitely will not bet against them.  However the way things are this year, the act of never betting against Patrick Mahomes is meaningless and non-traditional.  Green Bay should be okay, especially if the weather plays in their favor
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on January 09, 2021, 05:08:39 PM
Turns out the Buffalo Bills faced a tougher match than I thought they would as they held on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 and win a playoff game for the first time since 1995.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 09, 2021, 11:50:21 PM
Turns out Tampa faced a tougher match than expected.  Unlike Indy, Washington did win its division and unlike Buffalo, Tampa was a wildcard.  Ron Rivera was 2-0 against Brady and his defense is pretty good.  Heinickie added a spark to the offense and kept them in.  At the end of the day, it was a great game; Washington played as if they belonged in the playoffs, and the better team won in Tampa.

Meanwhile, Seattle is overrated, and now with Los Angeles' injures, the Bucs are hoping Chicago can pull the upset tomorrow
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on January 10, 2021, 12:29:01 PM
IMO, the Bears beating the Saints in this game would be almost as big of an upset as the Jets beating the Colts in Superbowl III and the Giants beating the Patriots in Superbowl XLII.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on January 10, 2021, 07:13:39 PM
Saints have gone to getting screwed over by the refs to getting a lot of help from the refs.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 11, 2021, 12:13:53 AM
I guess the "narrative" of a team that features a legend in his final season needing to ride off into the sunset lives on.  And although Tampa might fare better against New Orleans this time, maybe the NFL isn't a fan of a team "hosting" the Super Bowl.  Looks like the Bucs have to earn it.


Next Week's Schedule (Unless it's not)

Packers host the Rams in Saturday's early game
Bills host the Ravens in Saturday's late game
Kansas City hosts Cleveland in Sunday's early game
New Orleans hosts Tampa Bay in Sunday's late game



Quick reminder: Sunday's divisional round kicks off a couple hours later than in the past. In other words, the kickoff mirrors whatever the Conference Championship weekend kickoffs are (3:00 and 6:30 both EST).  Approximately 4:40 and past 8:00 both EST for Saturday
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on January 11, 2021, 12:21:56 AM
Meanwhile the Browns set an NFL record for points in the 1st 1/4 of a playoff game with 28. The bad snap on the Steelers 1st play from scrimmage set the tone for the game and the Browns eventually built a 28-0 led. The Steelers closed the gap a bit but shot themselves in the foot by not going for it on 4th and 1 when the 4th 1/4 began. It's the first win of a playoff game for the Browns since the 1994 Browns beat the Patriots 20-13 in the Wild Card round. The Bills also getting off the snide leaves the Bengals to still have the longest drought having not won a playoff game since the 1990 season.

Quick picks for next week:

Packers over Rams.
Bills over Ravens.
Chiefs over Browns.
Buccaneers over Saints.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 11, 2021, 06:21:36 AM
Lines for the divisional rounds:

Saturday
Green Bay 7 over Rams (4:30 PM ET, Fox)
Buffalo 2.5 over Baltimore (8:15 PM ET, NBC)

Sunday
Kansas City 10 over Cleveland (3 PM ET, CBS)
New Orleans 3 over Tampa Bay (6:40 PM ET, Fox)


Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 11, 2021, 07:07:41 AM
Lines for the divisional rounds:

Saturday
Green Bay 7 over Rams (4:30 PM ET, Fox)
Buffalo 2.5 over Baltimore (8:15 PM ET, NBC)

Sunday
Kansas City 10 over Cleveland (3 PM ET, CBS)
New Orleans 3 over Tampa Bay (6:40 PM ET, Fox)


Chiefs -10?!  That is way too much.  Unless that should've read Chiefs -3 and then Saints -10.  The defending champion stuff is a little overrated.  The best QB may be on the field but he's not this year's best QB.

I know those aren't your lines, Ccook.  That's what Vegas has.  It's surprising to me, but when Vegas puts it out there, it's more spot on than not.

Packers -7 is accurate, whereas Bills -2.5 is on point though someone could've said Ravens -2.5 and that would be fair enough.

Speaking of Baltimore, hats off to them for finally getting payback on the Titans.  Mainly hats off to Lamar Jackson for finally getting his first playoff win.  Obviously he would like to obtain more than that, but at this point in his career, not having one is a problem, was a problem, and no longer is a problem.


Early picks for next weekend has me going opposite moneygamelover save for Green Bay.  To be clear, it's Packers, Ravens, Browns, and Saints.  The New Orleans/Tampa game is the toughest of the four to figure out.  Maybe I'll flip to the Bucs; I usually don't change my picks, but I don't usually pick this early either
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 11, 2021, 07:35:43 AM
Cribbed the lines from the CBS Sports app. And yep, they have the Chiefs giving 10. O/U is 56.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 11, 2021, 08:04:00 AM
Sounds good, thank you.  The O/U isn’t easy to figure out.  On one hand, there could be a lot of points scored.  OTOH, maybe not given the fact that both teams, especially Cleveland, can make this game fly by real fast.  The Browns could have the ball for 9 minutes, score a TD, then 4 minutes in the same quarter before settling for a field goal.  But then the remaining two minutes is more than enough time to see Kansas City add 14 points themselves.

It’s more probable than not that the Chiefs will be playing the winner of the Buffalo/Baltimore game one week from Sunday (01/24/2020), but IMO, taking Cleveland and the points now looks great this morning than later on in the week.  In no way, shape, or form am I comparing the Steelers offense to the Chiefs offense.  Even the 2015-2016 Steelers offense pales in comparison to what Kansas City has.  However, Pittsburgh’s defense is better than the Chiefs defense (save for this past game), and the Browns are slated to get several people back, including their play caller, who is their HC.  If they can do what they did short handed without a normal week, they can do it again.  Whether they will or not will be made official on Sunday.

Maybe KC covers, at which point, I'd be wrong with my guess, but I would be surprised if it’s a complete blowout (not shocked though)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 11, 2021, 06:06:08 PM
Philly shows HC Doug Pederson the door.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 11, 2021, 07:56:25 PM
Doug Peterson had to go, but he is the victim of misfortune.  He went from winning a Super Bowl, to winning a playoff game the next year, to winning the division the year after that, and then to this year.  When you lose a locker room, there's nothing you can do about it.  However, several of those Eagles players need to get tossed out in addition to Peterson
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 11, 2021, 08:50:14 PM
Meanwhile, former Falcons HC Dan Quinn is now the defensive coordinator for Dallas.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on January 11, 2021, 09:37:11 PM
Doug Peterson had to go, but he is the victim of misfortune.  He went from winning a Super Bowl, to winning a playoff game the next year, to winning the division the year after that, and then to this year.  When you lose a locker room, there's nothing you can do about it.  However, several of those Eagles players need to get tossed out in addition to Peterson
 

I concede it was necessary at this point, although not without a heavy heart and frustration given it seems every other world champion's allowed a decent period of dominance by fate.  Let us not forget the overarching shadow of too many injuries--which are of course beyond anyone's control--over the last 3 years that came into play.  As for roster changes, you won't have to worry about that with the team currently standing at well over next year's salary cap, so there will be people moving on.  Either way, best wishes to Jeffrey Lurie in hopefully finding the right replacement. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 15, 2021, 06:46:54 AM
A couple of coaching vacancies taken care of over the past 24 hours, including the top story in Jacksonville (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30711061/jacksonville-jaguars-hiring-urban-meyer-coach) as well as the spot for the New York Jets (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30714551/new-york-jets-hiring-robert-saleh-coach-sources-say).  New York is going back to having a defensive minded coach so the fact that they might no longer have the rights to the top prospect might be the best thing for both parties
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on January 15, 2021, 10:52:19 PM
The Atlanta Falcons have filled their coaching vacancy as well, hiring Arthur Smith: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30718750/arthur-smith-reaches-deal-become-atlanta-falcons-new-head-coach (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30718750/arthur-smith-reaches-deal-become-atlanta-falcons-new-head-coach)
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on January 16, 2021, 08:19:58 PM
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on January 16, 2021, 11:16:33 PM
The Buffalo Bills are in the AFC title game for the first time since 1993.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 17, 2021, 06:47:10 AM
And meanwhile, Green Bay takes care of business against the Rams.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 17, 2021, 06:12:12 PM
Chiefs will host Buffalo next week. That line of 10 was a mite rich, wasn't it? And so was the O/U.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: mellongraig on January 17, 2021, 06:28:29 PM
Turns out that Rashard Higgins's fumble resulting in a touchback cost the Browns a chance to go to the AFC Championship Game as the Chiefs managed to win by a score of 22-17. Also there was no targeting call either. Had he got to the end zone things would have been different.

I now wonder if the NFL will change the rules for the fumble touchback at their owners' meeting later in the year, given the current rule states that the defense gets the ball at the 20 yard line. Perhaps the offense should keep the ball, have a new set of downs, and at the 20.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 17, 2021, 06:31:43 PM
Chiefs will host Buffalo next week. That line of 10 was a mite rich, wasn't it? And so was the O/U.


That's why it was the easy pick to go for the Browns and the points.  You wonder if Kansas City covers if Mahomes survives; OTOH, if that awful call doesn't happen against Cleveland, that may change things.

I'm a very rare swap.  Moving my pick from New Orleans to Tampa Bay.  If I'm wrong to do that, so be it.  New, official info has me second guessing my original pick (which is mainly why I don't pick six days in advance).  AB is playing, Tayson Hill is not, and Brees isn't 100%
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on January 17, 2021, 06:58:42 PM
Here come the refs to preserve Brady's legacy.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 17, 2021, 09:59:24 PM
Here come the refs to preserve Brady's legacy.

Nah. Drew Brees told the refs to hold the beer
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on January 17, 2021, 10:00:07 PM
Nah. Drew Brees told the refs to hold the beer

Seems that way. He just fell apart in that half.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 17, 2021, 10:18:13 PM
Early lines on the conference championships are Green Bay giving 4 and Kansas City giving 3. We'll see which way the money goes through the week, especially based on Mahommes' status.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 18, 2021, 01:04:38 AM
Yeah, I will not be making my predictions right now.  I should be leaning one way or another by Friday, but I might not know for sure until late Sunday morning / early Sunday afternoon EST.  There is some optimism with Mahomes, however and maybe the lines reflect that.

I'm not so sure about the O/U.  Both are set in the 50s.  There's a lot more defense in the postseason, and the weather plays out more in the playoffs than in the regular season.  Anyway, I think when you factor in the entire season, the best four teams are the four teams left in the NFL season so the O/U is about right.  As mentioned, Pat's availability and the conditions at Lambeau will be a major factor
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 18, 2021, 12:33:36 PM
The Chiefs say Mahomes is "doing well," and he'll rest until he reaches baseline status. How he does after workouts and such until he clears protocol is naturally up in the air.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: BDE on January 19, 2021, 06:21:05 PM
Turns out that Rashard Higgins's fumble resulting in a touchback cost the Browns a chance to go to the AFC Championship Game as the Chiefs managed to win by a score of 22-17. Also there was no targeting call either. Had he got to the end zone things would have been different.

I now wonder if the NFL will change the rules for the fumble touchback at their owners' meeting later in the year, given the current rule states that the defense gets the ball at the 20 yard line. Perhaps the offense should keep the ball, have a new set of downs, and at the 20.
I wonder the same. We shall see if the NFL does indeed change its rules.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 21, 2021, 11:00:23 AM
Patrick Mahomes went through light workouts yesterday, and they're saying he'll start Sunday vs. Buffalo. Line is still 3, O/U at 54.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 21, 2021, 05:24:52 PM
He's still in the protocol, but I think I'd definitely be shocked if he isn't there on Sunday.  The factors include taking more snaps than not during Thursday's practice & the declaration that he's playing.  No way that gets said if there's a chance Pat doesn't make it
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 24, 2021, 02:56:27 PM
Final notable actives/inactives include Patrick Mahomes being okay to go (got out of concussion protocol); and Antonio Brown missing out on what would have been his third conference championship game and his first NFC conference championship game.

As for today's games, man, I can see any team winning.  It would be a total copout to say Tampa and Buffalo cover but Green Bay and Kansas City will survive.  In other words I can say I got it right based off of the winner or I got it right based off of whether the Bucs or Bills covered. 

While I think we'll finally get that State Farm Superbowl (or simply a State Farm Bowl) the recipe for Tampa to win is so there.  Plus I almost never pick against Brady.  IMO, I think Buffalo has a better chance of pulling the upset over KC than Tampa Bay against the Packers.

Tampa Bay has the run game and the defense to win.  I think the key for the Packers to win will be to obtain a big lead.  Then they won't have to stop the run.  If the Bucs can stop Green Bay from scoring, that should do it, but they'll need to maintain their surge or find a way without AB.



I probably would have picked against the Chiefs if Mahomes was a no go.  As mentioned last week, nobody on the Chiefs defense is scary.  While I hold true to that, it doesn't mean Buffalo should disrespect them.  Cleveland's offense picked up; unlike the Browns, the Bills offense is one-dimensional.  The Bills should get theirs, but their defense isn't that elite.  I don't think an immediate 14-point swing, if it even happens, will be enough to stop the Chiefs from doing what they do



Edited because concussion protocol and contestants row are not the same
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 24, 2021, 06:20:27 PM
Looks like Aaron Rodgers is going to start preparing for his Jeopardy gig.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: 88JRFAN on January 24, 2021, 06:32:54 PM
THE CURSE IS FINALLY LIFTED!!!  :-D :-D
AFTER 54 YEARS, TAMPA BAY WILL PLAY IN THE HOST SUPER BOWL STADIUM!! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Come Super Bowl LV, I don't care who comes out on top ; this home stadium super bowl curse is lifted
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 24, 2021, 07:31:06 PM
THE CURSE IS FINALLY LIFTED!!!  :-D :-D
AFTER 54 YEARS, TAMPA BAY WILL PLAY IN THE HOST SUPER BOWL STADIUM!! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Come Super Bowl LV, I don't care who comes out on top ; this home stadium super bowl curse is lifted


It kind of sucks this year, because of the pandemic.  Of course, this time a year ago I figured we'd have to wait a year or whenever for the Superbowl to return to L.A. as I gave the Rams the shot at being that team to host there.  While not the first team, it's possible.  Moreover, it looks like the Chargers have what it takes to rise to the occasion with Herbert (though they still have Kansas City in their division)

Looks like Aaron Rodgers is going to start preparing for his Jeopardy gig.

He probably might want to prepare well enough to top Ken Jennings for the job.  Until Brady leaves Tampa, it the Buccaneers and nobody else in the NFC.  Whoever survives what will be a stacked AFC will have to deal with Tampa in order to stay the course as it relates to the NFC dominance in the big game
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Superballer on January 24, 2021, 09:55:38 PM

It kind of sucks this year, because of the pandemic.  Of course, this time a year ago I figured we'd have to wait a year or whenever for the Superbowl to return to L.A. as I gave the Rams the shot at being that team to host there.  While not the first team, it's possible.  Moreover, it looks like the Chargers have what it takes to rise to the occasion with Herbert (though they still have Kansas City in their division)

He probably might want to prepare well enough to top Ken Jennings for the job.  Until Brady leaves Tampa, it the Buccaneers and nobody else in the NFC.  Whoever survives what will be a stacked AFC will have to deal with Tampa in order to stay the course as it relates to the NFC dominance in the big game
 

On the other hand, having fewer people in the stands for the game will at least negate whatever advantage Tampa might otherwise have had, so the game will be more fairly balanced. 

I think the various teams in the NFC West could with the right lucky breaks be viable near term threats.  And Brady's clearly close to the end either way--perhaps if Tampa does win he'll decide to go out on top--so I think any period of dominance they might have would be shorter term. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 24, 2021, 10:12:50 PM
 

On the other hand, having fewer people in the stands for the game will at least negate whatever advantage Tampa might otherwise have had, so the game will be more fairly balanced. 

I think the various teams in the NFC West could with the right lucky breaks be viable near term threats.  And Brady's clearly close to the end either way--perhaps if Tampa does win he'll decide to go out on top--so I think any period of dominance they might have would be shorter term. 

I agree about the NFC West.  That division might be the only group of teams that can stop Tampa.  I would agree that Brady might go out on top, but I think he has a valid chance at doing so in the coming years (a la Manning in 2015).  I think there's some unfinished business, an encore following what could be a 7th title.  For instance, knocking off a Superbowl contender version of the Bills, defeating Belichick in Foxborough, and winning an MVP in two separate conferences.  That goes with winning in both conferences.  The Saints are done, so that is two extra wins for the Bucs.  That division sucks so Tampa has a shot at being a very good team with an elite record.


Opening line has Chiefs favored by 3 over Tampa, which was posted at least five minutes before it became impossible for Buffalo to win.


I think the game at Raymond James Stadium would've been balanced with a full capacity.  It's in a nice part of Florida and the league usually won't allow one team to hog all of the tickets.  OTOH, if it's a franchise that isn't big in football, that may be different.  The Chiefs are not the Packers, Steelers or Cowboys in terms of nationwide or worldwide fans but they represent.

As for Buffalo, similar to Cleveland, what a year!  They both were trending that way over the past few years, and both lost to the champ in Arrowhead.  The Bills will get their shot at Brady (if he returns for a 22nd NFL season); it just won't be until the 2021 season
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on January 24, 2021, 10:54:56 PM
Of course Tampa Bay becomes the first team to play the game in their home stadium when Tom Brady joins them. Brady will now be in the first Super Bowl to go to overtime and the first to play in his team's own stadium. I was pretty surprised the Buccaneers won being on the road in Green Bay, but the Packers just couldn't finish the comeback and the Bucs are hot at the right time.

Chiefs looked great tonight after a slow start. Both teams look tough to beat, it will be some game. With the virus provisions, home field won't mean as much for the Bucs as it could've.

Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 25, 2021, 09:25:27 AM
The 56.5 O/U is the second highest in Super Bowl history (58.5 in LI was the highest). So a shootout is expected.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: BillyGr on January 25, 2021, 03:20:23 PM
On the other hand, having fewer people in the stands for the game will at least negate whatever advantage Tampa might otherwise have had, so the game will be more fairly balanced. 

Or will it?  Would it be more likely that those attending will be from nearby (to avoid having people travelling so much), and therefore likely to be more fans of the local team?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: name456 on January 25, 2021, 03:48:48 PM
If someone really wants to go the Super Bowl, it doesn’t matter where they live in the country.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 26, 2021, 12:01:08 AM
If someone really wants to go the Super Bowl, it doesn’t matter where they live in the country.

I mean, there's a guy that's been to all of the previous 54 Super Bowls.  And yes, he's getting into Raymond James Stadium for 55 of 55
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 29, 2021, 12:25:49 PM
Line is still 3, but the O/U has dropped to 48. 
Title: Lions trade Matthew Stafford to Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks
Post by: moneygamelover on January 30, 2021, 10:50:24 PM
The Detroit Lions have traded Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks. So that answers the question of where Matthew Stafford is going.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30808788/detroit-lions-dealing-matthew-stafford-los-angeles-rams-jared-goff-picks-sources-say?device=featurephone
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: FPGWillyT on January 31, 2021, 04:48:35 AM
Line is still 3, but the O/U has dropped to 48. 

Not sure where you got that line from for the o/u, but if you can get a non-teaser bet down on 48, best to hammer the UNDER.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on January 31, 2021, 12:24:15 PM
Can't recall where I got the 48 from, but CBS Sports has it at 56.5 now. The under still sounds like tasty candy to me.
Title: Re: Lions trade Matthew Stafford to Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks
Post by: name456 on January 31, 2021, 03:15:23 PM
The Detroit Lions have traded Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks. So that answers the question of where Matthew Stafford is going.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30808788/detroit-lions-dealing-matthew-stafford-los-angeles-rams-jared-goff-picks-sources-say?device=featurephone

Sounds like a loss for both teams. Stafford is broken down and has never won anything, while Goff has had only one good year. The Lions may be better off because of the draft picks, but they aren’t exactly known as a model franchise.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on January 31, 2021, 06:16:52 PM
Can't recall where I got the 48 from, but CBS Sports has it at 56.5 now. The under still sounds like tasty candy to me.

I'm assuming that someone might have commented on it being 48 or the fact that it should be 48.  56.5 could seem a little high, I agree.  Brady and Mahomes should have success, but both defenses for Tampa & Kansas City are very good.  Combine their stops with the offenses moving the ball and with the clock running, a 27-21 final score for either the Chiefs or the Bucs feels more probable than not
Title: Re: Lions trade Matthew Stafford to Rams for Jared Goff and multiple draft picks
Post by: Superballer on January 31, 2021, 09:34:33 PM
Sounds like a loss for both teams. Stafford is broken down and has never won anything, while Goff has had only one good year. The Lions may be better off because of the draft picks, but they aren’t exactly known as a model franchise.
 

Might just be the beginning of a quarterback carousel of sorts; to cite a few other possible examples, if Nick Sirianni ultimately feels he can't improve Carson Wentz, he may set a trade in motion there (possibly Indianapolis if Frank Reich's interested in a reunion of sorts), and there's no guarantee Dak Prescott stays in Dallas going forward, especially if, as some rumors have held, he's upset they didn't try and get a solid long term deal with him earlier.  And if San Francisco doesn't believe Jimmy Garopalo's a long term answer, he might be shown the door there as well. 
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on February 01, 2021, 05:47:40 PM
Speaking of Jimmy Garoppolo, maybe he'll end up back with New England after all these years.  A situation four years removed from the initial date.  It would be ironic, FWIW, if Brady ends up besting Mahomes, who bested Garoppolo a year earlier
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on February 01, 2021, 09:31:11 PM
The Chiefs put Demarcus Russell (WR) and Daniel Kilgore (C) on the COVID-19 list. Neither tested positive but they were in contact with others who did test positive.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on February 02, 2021, 07:30:25 AM
If all goes well, both Russell and Kilgore could be available in time for the Big Game.  Even if they aren't, it wouldn't be a big loss for Kansas City; I can see the Chiefs making one or both a healthy scratch
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on February 06, 2021, 02:45:43 PM
Andy Reid son in trouble again.  Whatever happens, happens.  I really feel for the victims, especially a kid who's about to start on a 13-year journey toward adulthood.  That may not happen, and that is so not good.


It would suck if Kansas City didn't win over the distractions.  OTOH, people might discredit Tampa Bay winning due to those distractions.  Not being near RJS is an excuse.  The Chiefs have been at home everytime during the Patrick Mahomes Era, it's a bad thing, this tragedy.  It would've been nice if it didn't happen at all, but bad news and awful events could've taken place two or three weeks ago.  Just a bummer that it's Super Bowl Week.  Given the haircut thing, I wonder if they would've been distracted in Tampa more.  And that is surprising given the fact that they are still the champs.

Yeah, I’m going with Tampa for the win tomorrow.  I made my mind up to stick with the Buccaneers yesterday, well before the Reid stuff happened.  Actually, I really sided with the Bucs the evening of and morning after the Conference Title Games.  Much like the previous two games, I didn’t feel the need to go on the record.  There was 2 weeks for anything to happen.

Eric Fisher is missing in action.  Tampa’s D-Line would have been good enough to get home even with Fisher.  Kansas City’s defense is pretty good, but I don’t know if you can stop TB12 and company for 60 minutes.  The Chiefs are the defending champion, but there a guy who’s 30-40 hours away from holding more rings than every franchise in the sport.  Well, Super Bowl rings.  I don’t know for sure if Green Bay has 9 rings prior to Season 47.  Brady has championship experience and has the ability to spread that amongst his players.

Not sure if Mahomes is 100 percent;  if that toe injury is not a thing, then that may be a different story. 

I’m hoping for a good game, but I think Tampa Bay might need to try to win by 21 in order to survive against a team that can score in a hurry.  The Bucs defense is underrated though; while I think the Chiefs will lose, I just don’t know by how much.  It’ll be either 49-9 or 49-18. Just my opinion.


The next Hall of Fame class will be disclosed tonight, if not before.  Apart from Manning (and maybe Charles Woodson), who knows, but it was decided a couple weeks ago.  Meanwhile, the awards were done about a month ago, and that'll be disclosed too, throughout the day.  TJ Watt looked like the DPOY was his to lose, but over time I've actually leaned toward Aaron Donald getting his third title.  Speaking of Aaron Rodgers should get his third MVP
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: JayC on February 07, 2021, 12:03:13 PM
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson, and five others have been inducted into the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30849436/2021-pro-football-hall-fame-inductees (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30849436/2021-pro-football-hall-fame-inductees)

Peyton and Charles Woodson obviously no surprise, but Calvin Johnson is a bit of a surprise given his fairly short career and other great wide receivers that had to wait over one year or are still waiting. Nice to see John Lynch get in, he's been waiting a long time and deserved it earlier. I thought Jared Allen would've been first-ballot also, surprised to see him get snubbed.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: 88JRFAN on February 07, 2021, 02:32:38 PM
Happy Super Bowl LV everyone!  :-)

As we approach the big game, here are some little known facts and stats you may or may not know:

"The Date is Great"
February 7 marks the 3rd time a Super Bowl is played on this date (other 2 are XLIV in '10 ; 50 in '16). Coincidentally ALL 3 have aired on CBS.

"Playing on Feb. 7"
TB and KC are the 5th and 6th different teams playing the big game on Feb. 7, joining Saints, Colts, Panthers, and Broncos. So far, AFC and NFC are tied 1-1 (Saints winning XLIV and Broncos winning SB 50).

City of Tampa and "The Ray Jay"
This is the 3rd Super Bowl Raymond James has hosted (XXXV in '01 and XLIII in '09). AFC is 2-0 with wins by Ravens and Steelers.

6 different teams have participated in Super Bowls in the Ray Jay (Ravens, Giants, Steelers, Cards, Bucs, and Chiefs). Bucs, of course, had finally broken the dreaded 54-year-old Championship Game Host Stadium curse. This is also the 3rd time a Super Bowl in Tampa ends with a 5 (XXV being the other).

The Players & Teams

TAMPA
Bucs are playing in their 2nd ever Super Bowl game, first on CBS. Their first Super Bowl (XXXVII in '03) was televised on ABC.

Tom Brady, in his 10th Super Bowl appearance, playing for the 3rd time on CBS (other 2 being XXXVIII in '04 in Houston and LIII in '19 in Atlanta). Tom is currently 2-0 in Super Bowls on CBS and 4-0 in odd-numbered Super Bowls (wins in XXXIX in '05, XLIX in '15, LI in '17, and LIII in '19)

KC
The Chiefs make their 4th Super Bowl appearance and 2nd consecutive. 3 out of 4 of Chiefs' Super Bowls have been played on CBS (I in '67 (CBS+NBC) ; IV in '70, and today).

Patrick, ironically, is facing the QB who was the most recent winner of back-to-back Super Bowls

Network Stats
CBS is airing the Super Bowl in an NFC stadium for the 4th consecutive time (XLVII in '13 in New Orleans, 50 in '16 in Santa Clara, LIII in '19 in Atlanta, and LV today in Tampa). Prior to that, it was XXXVIII in Houston, and XLI+XLIV in Miami. CBS airing 2 Super Bowls in 3 years makes this a first since FOX aired Super Bowls XXXI in '97 and XXXIII in '99 (NBC chose to swap with CBS to avoid conflict with the 2022 winter Olympics, which airs on NBC)

That's all the stats for today. Enjoy the game, folks!  :-) :-D
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: moneygamelover on February 07, 2021, 02:46:47 PM
This should be a great game. I'll pick the Chiefs because  of the weapons and speed. Both quarterbacks are elite but the Chiefs have more weapons and speed with Kelce and Hill in particular.

I would've had the same HOF class. Manning, Woodson, and Megatron were clear 1st ballot locks and Flores, Nunn, Pearson were deserving members of their categories. I thought Faneca should've made it over Hutchinson last year.
. The inclusion of the long overdue Lynch clears the safety backlog though it's too bad Deron Cherry never got in. Next year's most notable 1st time eligible guy is DeMarcus Ware, who I think will get 1st ballot.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on February 07, 2021, 05:56:18 PM
You know, a lot of people in Pittsburgh are very (surprised and) upset over Aaron Donald winning the DPOY over TJ Watt.  I can see that, and if you'd ask me 6 weeks ago, I might have shared that sentiment.  However, as time passed prior to last night, I was leaning toward AD for the win.  Either player, TJ or Aaron, deserved it.  It sucks that Watt missed out again, but AD winning it was the correct call.

Rodgers, Derrick, Alex Smith, Herbert, are included in the other big awards in MVP, OPOY, CPOY, and ROY.


Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson, and five others have been inducted into the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30849436/2021-pro-football-hall-fame-inductees (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30849436/2021-pro-football-hall-fame-inductees)

Peyton and Charles Woodson obviously no surprise, but Calvin Johnson is a bit of a surprise given his fairly short career and other great wide receivers that had to wait over one year or are still waiting. Nice to see John Lynch get in, he's been waiting a long time and deserved it earlier. I thought Jared Allen would've been first-ballot also, surprised to see him get snubbed.

I see Jared Allen as falling short for the HOF against a ton of deserving candidates more than I saw it as a snub.  What I think cost Allen was that this year featured a class where shoe-ins Manning & Woodson took 40% of the spots.  Faneca & Lynch not being voted in prior to this year didn't help.  It was a toss between Megatron & Allen, mainly due to his short career.  Well, not a toss; figured Calvin would edge out Jared.

Speaking of Calvin Johnson, you know Tom Brady's legacy has been more than validated when he's made more super bowls than number of seasons a WR played in the NFL prior to being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility!


Nice stats from 88JRFAN.  Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that Tampa Bay is the fifth team to reach the big game after having to win 3 road games, including games against the Top 2 teams in its conference.  They will be the fourth team to do so and then face the Top Team from the other conference (1985 Bears, 2005 Seahawks, 2007 Patriots; FYI: the 2010 Steelers were a 2 seed).  Those teams are 3-1 (Steelers, Giants, and Packers won, Patriots did not).  Tampa Bay breaks away from the Jets and Saints from being a team to win the big game in its only appearance to joining the Ravens in terms of teams that won more than once without a Super Bowl loss
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: PatrickRox80 on February 07, 2021, 07:48:39 PM
Brady still gets help from the refs. What else is new?
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Archviler on February 07, 2021, 08:35:35 PM
Brady still gets help from the refs. What else is new?

I was annoyed over the PI flag in Green Bay at the end of the game. With the way the game had been called that flag shouldn't have been thrown, but whatever, Green Bay laid an egg anyway. That was an irritating flag, but but it was just one bad call in context of how the game had been officiated. This is a whole other level, to the point I did something I don't think I've ever done: I turned off the Super Bowl. I don't want to watch what increasingly feels like the announcers and refs coronating Brady yet again.

All of that's just my opinion of course, but at least I can do something productive instead of watch the rest of that game.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: SeaBreeze341 on February 07, 2021, 10:04:04 PM
Here's some good news for Belichick as well as Buffalo: Both New England and the Bills will get their day against Tom Brady in 2021 (granted he doesn't retire or get hurt before the game).  Patriots host Tampa so who knows.  Meanwhile, the new and improve Bills, who got destroyed one win away from facing their nemesis, can get the last laugh against TB12.  That Bills/Bucs game will be at Raymond James Stadium so maybe not.


I have the day off tomorrow, but I had the thought of rescinding it (which would be fairly easy this year given the remote nature).  I will not as I need it for several things, not just the annual PTO day after the Super Bowl.  To be clear, I might actually pass out by 10 PM EST and get a lot of sleep for the first time from a Sunday to Monday in a long time (since Labor Day, I believe).  Probably could be up at 6-7, but 10-12 hours isn't far fetched.  There is always something good to come out of "something bad".


I take no pleasure in "predicting a blowout" but the reason why I even posted that was due to what the Buccaneers had coupled with what the Chiefs didn't have.  Injures are a valid reason, and it'll give Patrick his first loss in regulation.  However it is fair to say it's an excuse.  Brady's last several Super Bowl wins came against people that were hurt or not there.  However, he won four years ago without Gronk, and then Philadelphia managed to beat Tom and New England without their MVP candidate of a QB.

 
It sucks to not enjoy this for the most part, and I say for the most part because Kansas City still employs Hill.  There are some great people on that Tampa team, mainly the coaching staff.  That is so lost in the story of how great this Bucs team is.  TB12 definitely gets the credit and deserves it, but man, what an organization!
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: bigblue999 on February 07, 2021, 10:13:18 PM
The Chiefs are the third team to not score a Super Bowl touchdown.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: UltraPrice on February 07, 2021, 10:27:55 PM
Tampa Bay are Super Bowl champs for the first time in 18 years.  Brady continues to prove he is the GOAT.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: therealcu2010 on February 07, 2021, 11:28:30 PM
Yeah, that game was pretty boring and not what I expected. Congratulations to Tampa Bay for having another championship team!

The part I was most interested in was the Halftime Show... namely how they would pull it off. And I must say, I loved the presentation. They were able to strip it down while keep it feeling big. Using the top of the stadium as the stage instead of the usual on field one was a good idea, and necessary under COVID-19 protocols. As a whole, the NFL did a great job making the stadium look and feel full despite the majority of the "fans" being cardboard cutouts.

CBS' new graphics package looks really sharp, too. Probably my favorite current NFL graphics set.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on February 09, 2021, 12:43:41 PM
Quick numbers: CBS drew 97.4 million viewers for the game, the lowest rating since 2007. They did cite a streaming audience of some 5 million which to them was something of a plus.
Title: Re: 2020 NFL Season
Post by: Ccook on February 09, 2021, 06:01:12 PM
Error: the total viewers was 96.4 million, 5 million of which streamed it. CBS says it was the "highest average minute" viewership in SB history and was up 65% from last year.