2021 NFL Season

[moneygamelover]

The overtime rules do suck. It was the Chiefs who were on the other end of it in the 2018 AFC Championship Game.  I'd rather they adopt college overtime rules or play out a full quarter.

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are gods. I always thought that the longest game in NFL history on Christmas Day 1971 was the greatest divisional round game ever. Now, I think the Allen-Mahomes showdown is the greatest divisional round game ever. Man, Allen and Mahomes were both so clutch when it mattered. Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL right now. WOW!

[SeaBreeze341]

I'm not a fan of the overtime rules, especially when it comes to tonight's result.  Especially when you factor in the fact that the Bills antagonist was in the same spot in the very same stadium, but with the opposite result (as mentioned).

That being said, I'll take this over the college rules all day, any day, period.  Especially now since they changed the rules to a 2-point conversion contest in the 3rd OT and beyond.

I do think that they need to modify it a little bit (and I'll map out what I'd do later); I've often said to try and win in regulation.  Both teams did everything they could in regulation.  This is one of those cases where I can't fault the Bills or even the Chiefs.  Most times, people play for the tie or play it safe and settle for OT, and it costs them.  Kansas City was actually going for the win with 13 seconds left.  That's how you do it

[SeaBreeze341]

Opening Lines & Over / Under Totals:


Kansas City Favored By 7 (O/U 53.5)
Los Angeles Favored By 3.5 (O/U 46.5)

[Ccook]

On TV:

Cincinnati at Kansas City - 3 PM ET, CBS

San Francisco at Rams - 6:30 PM ET, Fox

[Ccook]

Sean Payton has announced he is stepping down as head coach of the Saints.

[SeaBreeze341]

Here are couple of links to the Breaking News Ccook posted as I was updating my tags to make sure I posted the correct message from the Rap Sheet.


1486048076343226370[/tweet]]Sean Payton Stepping Down As Saints Head Coach

Payton Era Ends After 16 Years


BTW, this was rumored on Sunday morning from Ian Rapoport around the same time news on Brady not being committed to 2022 broke


ETA: Source/Proof courtesy of the main NFL Webpage

[Ccook]

A week from today, the Washington Football Team announces their new name. A dude on YouTube claims that the name was leaked, and it's the Washington Commanders. Of course, this is to be taken with the ol' grain of salt. Wait till it becomes official.

[Ccook]

Official: Ben Roethlisberger calls it a career.

[JayC]

The Denver Broncos are hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach, making him the first new head coach hired of the offseason. Hackett had been the Offensive Coordinator of the Green Bay Packers for the past 3 seasons, and with him and Aaron Rodgers having a great relationship this fuels speculation the Broncos will trade for Rodgers to be their new QB.
https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-finalizing-deal-to-make-nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach

[SeaBreeze341]

Hackett actually might be the second.  Maybe the first with Matt Eberflus being announced prior, but nevertheless, 2 of the 9 vacancies have been filled.

The Denver hire, IMO was better.  Offense seems to be the key.  A lot of success has come from HC with offensive minds (outside of Bill Belichick, everyone that's won the Super Bowl featured a head coach with an offensive background).  2013 was the last time a defensive-minded guy won the Big Game (save for 2014, 2016, and 2018).

The last four teams left featured teams with an offensive coach.  Maybe Eberflus works out, but it's Fields' second year; a decent OC would be needed in Chicago

[Ccook]

Commanders is out as the new name for Washington. Commanders.com was already registered by another interest. So we wait till February 2 for the actual name.

[SeaBreeze341]

Aww shucks!  The Commanders would've been a cool name for Washington.  Though I think I recall that it had been unavailable around this time 1.5 years ago.  I'd still stick with calling them Washington anyway, and their eventual new name could be uninspiring enough that maybe The Football Team would work as their permanent name.  Though they haven't won enough to be considered that in addition to its lameness.

Staying with that division, the New York Giants have hired their next coach.  Now the former Bills OC, Brian Daboll brings 4 years of recent success from Buffalo. With the exit of Daboll and the Giant's new GM Joe Schoen, also from Buffalo (assistant GM) who was hired a week prior, that's a big loss the Bills will have to deal with.  It's sad too since you'd think Buffalo would attempt to go for it one more time.  It could be good news for New York, but I don't know if it'll be at a championship level.  However, it could be enough for the NFC East.

FYI: Pretty significant line movement between the AFC Title Game the last time I checked.  Kansas City is now favored by 7.5.  Wowzers!  Los Angeles is still favored by 3.5.  That might change prior to the NFC Title Game if it hasn't already

[SeaBreeze341]

Ratings & Viewership For The Divisional Round:


If last weekend is a trend of what’s to come, then it’s possible the NFL can set a new record for their conference championship games & a seven-year old super bowl record.


Totals:

Chiefs/Bills: over 42.74 Million Viewers (21.7 rating)
Rams/Bucs: 38.1 Million Viewers (Hollywood reporter)
Bengals/Titans: 30.75 (HW reporter)
Niners/Packers: 36.92 (HW reporter)


The Cincinnati/Tennessee game was the most watched game in that spot since 2016, and the Kansas City & Buffalo was the most watched Divisional Round game in 5 years & the most watched one on CBS in 6 years.  Los Angeles/Tampa Bay posted a 19.8 rating.

The info comes to you courtesy of Sports Media Watch and several other places including the Hollywood Reporter

[SeaBreeze341]

Tom Brady calling it quits after 22 seasons & halfway to his 45th birthday.  That's your breaking news for January

[moneygamelover]

I'm surprised he's retiring because he'd always talked about wanting to play at 45 and it feels weird to walk away from that goal at the precipice of it.

Tom Brady walks away as the GOAT quarterback and NFL player. In fact, my overall Mount Rushmore of Pro Football would be George Halas, John Madden, John Facenda, and Tom Brady.

Congratulations to Tom Brady on a fabulous career.