The NFL Thread

[Tony Towner]

On nights this week so had to have a good night's sleep, so just watched the Eagles game without knowing the score. I try hard to avoid bias, but they have the best 2-22 roster in the NFL. Number 1 defense by ranking, best Oline, top 5 WR and another that would be the number 1 for ½ the teams in the league including teams still left in like KC, Buffalo and Baltimore, an all pro RB, an elite TE for the half games a season he's fit for.

Then there's the QB. Now they will still win games as long as he protects the football like he did last night, but he's not going to win them any himself. Last night they had the lead so it didn't matter too much that GB could pack the box and limit the run, but there will be times when they won't and the passing game will be needed to win games, I'm not sure this version of Hurts is capable of that. Difficult to see on tv but he had lots of time and you'd think given the talent available that players would have been open, but the usual run around and throw the ball away or take an unnecessary sack.

I hope the Rams win tonight as Flores will have him seeing ghosts. I'm happy Washington won for the same reason, Bowles always has his number.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Best running game must be Baltimore or Philly for sure.

 

[Dire Wolf]

Best running game must be Baltimore or Philly for sure.

Barkley and Henry, both going to be Hall of Fame RBs. Barkley is a remarkable talent, no question, but if I'm a defender Henry scares me more because he's just so damn difficult to stop. If he gets a head of steam up, forget it. He can run by you or he can run through you. He's an absolute nightmare. If there is one player on the Ravens I'd hope was out for some reason it is him. Sadly, he's healthy as he's ever been!

 

[Tony Towner]

Barkley and Henry, both going to be Hall of Fame RBs. Barkley is a remarkable talent, no question, but if I'm a defender Henry scares me more because he's just so damn difficult to stop. If he gets a head of steam up, forget it. He can run by you or he can run through you. He's an absolute nightmare. If there is one player on the Ravens I'd hope was out for some reason it is him. Sadly, he's healthy as he's ever been!

Different styles with similar results. Barkley will make you miss, Henry will run through you. They both would have run for nearly 200yds this week if Saquon hadn't slid to kneel the game out. Both benefit to various degrees with their Oline and mobile QB, I'd take Henry first if you didn't have either of those things, he's had the better career elsewhere and been more durable.

 

[Tony Towner]

Weirdly, having been denied by Dallas (which I don’t really understand since McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys ends today), their second option appears to be Pete Carroll, who is almost certainly a better choice outright!

Bananas little franchise, Chicago is.

Dallas officially not renewing McCarthy. Everyone waiting on Johnson

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

As ALWAYS, the Texans are playing the Saturday afternoon playoff. Presumably we are the least attractive TV draw.

At least we are playing the Chiefs - a very underwhelming 15-2 team. Didn't want to play Josh Allen. We did beat the Bills earlier this season, but Buffalo in winter is a completely different proposition and the Bills are much better now. Really glad we have avoided Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry - we have a good pass defence but are average against the run and Henry always has a monster against us.

Unlikely to win anyway, but I would be surprised if it's a complete blowout, and the Chiefs are due to lose a tight game.

 

[Deano]

The Vikings laying an egg in the play offs again. Same old. Long night ahead

 

[Tony Towner]

Darnold is costing himself a LOT of money tonight

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Vikings getting destroyed but it is pretty much all on their mistakes. LA have had it so easy today. I don't know whether they can challenge the Eagles, and I think it is a VERY long shot for Washington to challenge the Lions, but it looks like a decent NFC final four.

 

[Dennisons Wrong Foot]

Looks like the Vikings were still affected by their mauling by the Lions. It's a shame for them after such a great season, but they peaked too soon. There was always a danger that might happen, but the margin of victory is still a surprise.

Darnold will get over it and find himself a nice little earner next season. He will still be the best QB on the market.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Cleveland will be desperate with Watson FUBARED and a very weak QB draft class. Would Darnold want to go there though? They are a dumpster fire.

 

[Dire Wolf]

I think the Rams could be a tough out for anyone. The Vikings lost 4 games: 2 to the Lions, 2 to the Rams. They were 14-0 against everyone else.

Almost as freaky as when the Jags went to the AFC Championship game and lost to the Titans. Their only other 2 losses that season were to the Titans.

 

[Jack Regan]

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Germany getting spoilt with another team with a massive potential hole at QB.

 

[Alan]

Forever hoping they force a team to kit out in Frankfurt Galaxy gear for one of the Germany games. I’d waste so much cash on that shit if they brought it back.

Wait holy shit

The Galaxy still exist!?

 

[Dire Wolf]

Stay classy Ravens fans...

 

[Jack Regan]

The afraid of the the cold Dolphins are heading to Madrid as the designated home team.

 

[Alan]

Madrid???

This timeline sucks.

 

[Tony Towner]

Madrid???

This timeline sucks.

What do you mean?

 

[Alan]

What do you mean?

I don’t know if it’s justified of me but I have grown to really dislike the international games, on the whole. I think mostly because it means a team loses a home game.

They’re neat, and I’m always here for bringing in new fans, but there’s definitely a selfish “this is mine!” feeling about it for me (which is obviously hypocritical as shit, since I know that’s how many Brits must feel about soccer in the US).

I know the cultures of supportership aren’t 1:1, but the more cities and countries they add the more I think about how ridiculous the idea of Birmingham City and Wrexham playing a league match stateside is.

It’s complicated but this morning I don’t like it.

 

[Tony Towner]

They don't lose a home game versus where it used to be though, the schedule is created so they can. If anything they actually gain a home game every other season if they aren't picked for one overseas. This year it's the AFC so Miami, Cleveland, Indy etc will still have 8 home games. Jacksonville is different but that's their own choice.

The change I would make is to increase to 8 games abroad every season (plus whatever the Jags want to do) so every side in a division plays a 'home' game away which takes out the imbalance of 2025 where the Ravens, Steelers and Bengals will have 9 home games and the Browns 8 at home and 1 in Europe for instance

I do understand your objection, but in the land of the franchise that seems weak to me.