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Tuesday, November 06, 2012

OT: NFL/NHL thread

i estimate that absolutely noone gives a damn about the NHL, so by folding that thread into this one, we won’t distract from what this thread is really about: boner pills, blood doping (is it low t?), and…jesus christ did mike vick just throw another ####### interception?

you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: November 06, 2012 at 12:03 AM | 3943 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: nfl, nhl

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601. Meatwad denied pope, reveals he faked it at mass Posted: December 16, 2012 at 03:04 PM (#4326033)

flip

602. Meatwad denied pope, reveals he faked it at mass Posted: December 16, 2012 at 03:23 PM (#4326042)

dammit lovie take a shot down field gb gets the ball to start the half, nothing to lose doing it

603. SoSH U at work Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:34 PM (#4326073)

All things considered, that lateral on the punt return in the Bears-Packers game may very well be the dumbest thing ever attempted in a pro football game. Congrats.

604. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:38 PM (#4326076)

So, does this beatdown of NYG make the Falcons more interesting outside of Atlanta?

605. jmurph Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:43 PM (#4326080)

I wish people would remember these (extremely common) terrible Eli Manning performances the next time they pretend he's a great quarterback.

606. jmurph Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:46 PM (#4326081)

So, does this beatdown of NYG make the Falcons more interesting outside of Atlanta?

Probably, but I think most people are just waiting for "Matty Ice" to win more playoff games than those of us posting here have won.

607. SoSH U at work Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:47 PM (#4326082)

I wish people would remember these (extremely common) terrible Eli Manning performances the next time they pretend he's a great quarterback.

You and me both. He's had one great season. A little jewelry really goes a long way in inflating the general opinion of a quarterback.

608. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 16, 2012 at 04:51 PM (#4326084)

He's had one great season. A little jewelry really goes a long way in inflating the general opinion of a quarterback.

The way to beat the Giants, executed perfectly by the Falcons today, is to stop the run, keep the defensive line in check, don't give them points off of defense or field position, and make Eli Manning beat you.

609. Meatwad denied pope, reveals he faked it at mass Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:04 PM (#4326090)

Whelp i may be biased but it sure as hell looks like those refs sucked ass in todays bears packers game

610. MHS Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:15 PM (#4326094)

The worst news of the day is Denver finally beating a quality team. Now some of the Broncos/Manning press might be justified.

Sam H, no. The Falcons are not any more interesting. Middle of the pack in all 3 phases doesnt excite mst people. Their strong record is largely a schedule illusion. They had 3 tough out of division games all of them at home, and amazingly enough haven't had to play a single game in football weather (and may not). Their oline and secondary had good games this week at least.

611. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:18 PM (#4326097)

That's about what I thought. Beat the hell out of Captain Clutch Eli, shut down the fearsome Giants d-line, continue to dominate the conference... Nothing. Okay. I mean, after all, they haven't played in "football weather."

Whatever.

(BTW, the win in Philadelphia was absolutely in "football weather.")

612. Howie Menckel Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:19 PM (#4326098)

Redskins or Cowboys win the NFC East if they win out (they play each other in Week 17).

#controltheirowndestiny

If Jets beat their three remaining tomato cans (granting that they are a tomato can themselves) and finish 9-7 with a wild card, while Giants miss playoffs - it might be time to check the archives for who wrote the least prescient midseason column...

613. MHS Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:23 PM (#4326099)

But it wasn't against a football team. This was a good win for the Falcons, best of the season. Unfortunately they have been they haven't been impressive most of the year so it will take more than 1 impressive win to be "interesting".

614. MHS Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:25 PM (#4326101)

Bowie, don't worry the Jets won't win out... But with the Ravens luck they might.

615. Slivers of Maranville (SdeB) Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:25 PM (#4326105)

All things considered, that lateral on the punt return in the Bears-Packers game may very well be the dumbest thing ever attempted in a pro football game. Congrats.

Has this play already been forgotten?

616. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:34 PM (#4326109)

That's about what I thought. Beat the hell out of Captain Clutch Eli, shut down the fearsome Giants d-line, continue to dominate the conference... Nothing. Okay. I mean, after all, they haven't played in "football weather."

Whatever.

Nobody doubts the Falcons in the regular season. Well, nobody should, they're a perennial playoff team.

(BTW, the win in Philadelphia was absolutely in "football weather.")

Take it from an Eagles fan: the Eagles are ####### awful.

617. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:37 PM (#4326111)

So which teams are going to be favored over Atlanta in the playoffs? Green Bay? San Francisco?

618. MHS Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:47 PM (#4326117)

SF, GB certainly. SEA potentially. Taking advantage of a soft schedule to get home field should pay dividends if they actually show up.

I wouldn't be surprised if the against are favored against them,methought I can see why that would be infuriating.

619. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: December 16, 2012 at 05:56 PM (#4326126)

Has this play already been forgotten?

i think the standard for bonehead plays will always be this one.

620. Slivers of Maranville (SdeB) Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:00 PM (#4326127)

So which teams are going to be favored over Atlanta in the playoffs? Green Bay? San Francisco?

Seattle.

621. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:00 PM (#4326130)

I would take the Packers and Niners over the Falcons. Between the Falcons and the Seahawks I would take the home team, which would be the Falcons. The Giants and the rest of the NFC East are a joke but we knew that already and the Bears are good enough to be good but not good enough to be great.

622. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:19 PM (#4326141)

Has this play already been forgotten?
i think the standard for bonehead plays will always be this one.

Nay, truly, though those plays are dumb, nothing compares to this, because they did it on purpose. Highly paid men thought that up and practiced it and then actually tried to use it in a game.

623. MHS Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:22 PM (#4326144)

the Bears are good enough to be good but not good enough to be great.

that's how I would describe te falcons as well.

624. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:25 PM (#4326147)

BourbonSamurai is right, that one was the worst. The others were accidents, we can post a hundred foul ups like that. The Redskins play was thought up in advance, installed and practiced and was called at that point in the game for optimal strategic use, and at no point did anyone with authority realize "there is no way this is going to work." Although it had no impact on the play, the shot of Albert Haynesworth looking mean on the sideline is the cherry on top for Redskins schadenfreude.

625. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:31 PM (#4326152)

I don't think San Fran is going to win today but it's going to be interesting to see how they match up with the Pats. The Niners have excellent and fast middle linebackers in Willis and Bowman so they should be able to cover the Pats tightends better than most teams. They are obviously capable of rushing the passer. That said, I just don't see anyone stopping the Pats from scoring 25 points at home right now.

I'd like to see Vernon Davis be more involved in the offense. He's a supreme talent whose production hasn't been what you'd expect.

626. Dan The Mediocre Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:47 PM (#4326158)

i think the standard for bonehead plays will always be this one.

Another Leon Lett highlight.

627. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

Posted: December 16, 2012 at 06:53 PM (#4326159)

The Lions have reverted to their default status as America's Most Hapless and Incompetent Sports Franchise.

628. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 16, 2012 at 07:18 PM (#4326175)

I know there's more to the game than just numbers but I feel that Cam Newton is having a better sophomore season than he's given credit for.

629. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 07:24 PM (#4326182)

that's how I would describe te falcons as well.

I do too, which is why I'm favoring 2 or 3 NFC playoff teams over them.

I know there's more to the game than just numbers but I feel that Cam Newton is having a better sophomore season than he's given credit for.

He started off bad but has picked it up in the second half. The rest of his team stinks though, so it's not as apparent as it should be.

630. SoSH U at work Posted: December 16, 2012 at 07:37 PM (#4326190)

BourbonSamurai is right, that one was the worst. The others were accidents, we can post a hundred foul ups like that. The Redskins play was thought up in advance, installed and practiced and was called at that point in the game for optimal strategic use, and at no point did anyone with authority realize "there is no way this is going to work." Although it had no impact on the play, the shot of Albert Haynesworth looking mean on the sideline is the cherry on top for Redskins schadenfreude.

And that's why I nominated the play in the Packers game. Up 11 with 7:30 left, against a team that hasn't moved the ball well, and you throw a lateral on a punt. Truly, truly stupid, and much less excusable than a mid-play brain fart.

631. puck Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:02 PM (#4326205)

I don't think San Fran is going to win today but it's going to be interesting to see how they match up with the Pats.

This is an important game for AFC playoff positioning, too, right? If the Patriots lose, the Broncos move up to the 2nd spot in the AFC, with home games vs. the Browns and the Chiefs left.

632. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:03 PM (#4326206)

And that's why I nominated the play in the Packers game. Up 11 with 7:30 left, against a team that hasn't moved the ball well, and you throw a lateral on a punt. Truly, truly stupid, and much less excusable than a mid-play brain fart.

It was a bad decision, but as a play on a whiteboard it was not nearly as awful as the Redskins' play.

633. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:11 PM (#4326219)

The Lions are just an odd pathetic team....

634. JJ1986 Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:17 PM (#4326223)

I think the theory behind the swinging gate is that you shift into it and see what the defense does. If they don't react, then you run the play. If they do, then you call timeout. There's no reason to run it if the defense recognizes it.

635. SoSH U at work Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:23 PM (#4326227)

It was a bad decision, but as a play on a whiteboard it was not nearly as awful as the Redskins' play.

Obviously, context be damned, the Skins play is worse (and the Pack play isn't really a badly drawn one). But down 24-0 is a perfectly logical time to try a low-risk play that will, if it works, get you 7 instead of 3. Up 11 with 7 and change remaining against a team struggling to move the ball is most definitely not a time to try any kind of risky play.

636. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:29 PM (#4326232)

I agree that the Packers decision to use a trick play was worse than the Redskins decision to use a trick play. But when you account for the play itself, the Redskins' was worse, because that play had no chance of working. YMMV.

This Cowboys-Steelers game is a really good bad game.

637. zempf Posted: December 16, 2012 at 08:59 PM (#4326237)

If I remember that swinging gate play right, the Redskins lined up and ran out in the weird formation.. then the Giants called timeout. And the Redskins lined up and did it again after the timeout. That's what makes it particularly bad.

638. Howie Menckel Posted: December 16, 2012 at 10:39 PM (#4326279)

If Redskins win 2, they win the division.
If Cowboys win 2, they win the division.
If Giants win 2, they win the division OR they are a wild card if one of the other 2 teams win 2.

Interesting.

Likely that Redskins-Cowboys game is flexed into Sunday Night Football Dec 30. Could be that winner:
- wins division
- gets home game against paper tiger on road Seahawks
- then gets road game against panicky Falcons in Atlanta

and that loser:
- goes home

That would be very watchable...

639. zenbitz Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:01 PM (#4326295)

Can they all split?

640. JJ1986 Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM (#4326298)

If they all split, I think Washington gets the 4 seed and the Giants get the 6 if Chicago and Minnesota lose a game.

edit: I think I'm wrong. If they all split, and Dallas beats Washington, they'd be tied in H2H, tied in the division, and I think Dallas wins on common games (they lost to Seattle and Chicago while Washington split with St. Louis and Minnesota (the 4 non-com opponents).

641. Eddo Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:07 PM (#4326300)

- gets home game against paper tiger on road Seahawks

There's a reasonably strong case to make that the Seahawks are the last NFC team you'd want to face right now.

642. Kurt Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:19 PM (#4326306)

Someone smarter than me will have to figure out what happens if they all split. All I know is the Redskins would win the division if they beat the Cowboys, and that the Cowboys would have the tiebreaker over the Giants for the division but not if they're competing for a wildcard spot.

643. JJ1986 Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:27 PM (#4326308)

edit 2: think I'm still wrong. If Dallas/Washington and New York end up tied for a WC slot, the Giants are eliminated because division tiebreakers are applied first.

Washington would beat Minnesota/Chicago on the tiebreaker (conference record). Dallas against either one gets complicated.

644. Kurt Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:27 PM (#4326309)

There's a reasonably strong case to make that the Seahawks are the last NFC team you'd want to face right now.

True, but neither the Redskins nor the Cowboys nor the Giants are in any position to worry about the quality of the playoff team they face. But I agree that Howie is crazy to just wave any of those teams through a Seattle matchup., even at home.

645. Eddo Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:33 PM (#4326314)

Someone smarter than me will have to figure out what happens if they all split. All I know is the Redskins would win the division if they beat the Cowboys, and that the Cowboys would have the tiebreaker over the Giants for the division but not if they're competing for a wildcard spot.

I'll try (not saying I'm smarter), using the ESPN Playoff Machine.

(Note: Cowboys and Redskins meet in week 17)

Scenario I: Redskins L-W, Cowboys W-L, Giants W-L:
1. Redskins
2. Giants
3. Cowboys

Scenario II: Redskins W-L, Cowboys L-W, Giants W-L:
1. Cowboys
2. Redskins
3. Giants

Scenario III: Redskins L-W, Cowboys W-L, Giants L-W:
1. Redskins
2. Cowboys
3. Giants

Scenario IV: Redskins W-L, Cowboys L-W, Giants L-W:
1. Cowboys
2. Redskins
3. Giants

So assuming no ties, it looks like the Giants need to win out in order to win the division. And if they don't, the week 17 Redskins/Cowboys winner takes it.

EDIT: I forced all games not involving these three teams to be won by the home team. That could affect things, but I'm not sure it does.

EDIT II: Travis at Quirky Research has a more comprehensive breakdown.

646. JJ1986 Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:41 PM (#4326321)

If Dallas beats New York on common opponents, how is NYG ahead in Scenario 1 (they would be tied in Divisional record).

647. Eddo Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:48 PM (#4326328)

If Dallas beats New York on common opponents, how is NYG ahead in Scenario 1 (they would be tied in Divisional record).

It appears I typed that incorrectly. Scenario I would be 1. Cowboys 2. Redskins 3. Giants. Apologies.

648. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:50 PM (#4326329)

The Niners are kicking the crap out of the Patriots. I was thinking that the Patriots were the one great team in the league but this night has made me change my mind. They are 1-3 against the NFC west and their record may be inflated by their division. To be fair, San Francisco has a defense that is suited to play New England.

The Niners are a good kicker away from being 12-2 if they win this game.

That penalty against Goldson on that Hernandez hit is a joke. You can't play defense anymore.

649. JJ1986 Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:51 PM (#4326330)

I think the Giants have to win 2, or hope for a miracle (Seattle loses 2, Minesota loses 1, Chicago loses 1). They're in a bad position with any split.

650. DKDC Posted: December 16, 2012 at 11:55 PM (#4326334)

According to ESPN, Scenario I is 1. Redskins 2. Cowboys 3. Giants

If all three teams split, winner of the Skins-Cowboys game gets the division. The Skins can fall back on the #6 seed if the Bears drop one.

651. JJ1986 Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:00 AM (#4326337)

I would guess the Giants lose next week in Baltimore and Chicago wins both, meaning that Redskins/Cowboys would be 4-seed or go-home.

652. Eddo Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:00 AM (#4326338)

According to ESPN, Scenario I is 1. Redskins 2. Cowboys 3. Giants

Yes. Both my attempts were wrong. It's best to just use the chart linked in my "EDIT II" section of post 645: helpfully re-linked.

653. Kurt Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:03 AM (#4326340)

I think the Giants have to win 2, or hope for a miracle (Seattle loses 2, Minesota loses 1, Chicago loses 1). They're in a bad position with any split.

Yes, and I think they clinch a playoff spot if they win out. Wild stuff.

654. Eddo Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:04 AM (#4326344)

Yes, and I think they clinch a playoff spot if they win out. Wild stuff.

They do. They hold the tiebreakers with all non-divisional opponents.

655. Howie Menckel Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:04 AM (#4326345)

Funny that the Seahawks crushing the surrendering Cardinals and Bills has people fearful of them.

The Seahawks, who historically are an extreme home/road team, have little shot of a home game this playoff.

On the road this year:
- at Cardinals, lost 20-16
- at Rams, lost 20-13
- at Panthers, won 16-12
- at 49ers, lost 13-6
- at Lions, lost 28-24
- at Dolphins, lost 24-21
- at Bears, won 23-17
- at Bills, won 50-17

so the Seahawks are 3-5 on the road, losing to 4 teams that missed the playoffs. the only possible (and I doubt this) playoff team they have beaten on the road are the Bears in the midst of their epic freefall.

and THIS is the last NFC team I want to host right now?

please show your work.

and their home "win" against the Packers fails on many levels

656. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:09 AM (#4326348)

I was just about to say that Howie. They beat the #### out of two really bad teams, and in the Arizona game everything went wrong for Arizona. Playing them at home is one thing--undefeated there and Seattle is always a tough place to play because of the noise--but they're getting overrated because of two games. In the previous two games they lost to Miami and went to OT against the Bears. That is not a team to fear.

The Niners are looking like the team to fear in the NFC, if such a thing exists.

657. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:14 AM (#4326352)

The Niners are looking like the team to fear in the NFC.

Because they're beating up the Patriots? Who lost to Arizona at home and Baltimore at home? Who almost lost to Buffalo at home?

Perhaps the AFC isn't that good this year.

658. Eddo Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:14 AM (#4326353)

please show your work.

Pro-Football-Reference's Simple Rating System (SRS): 9.0 (3rd, behind New England and San Francisco)
Football Outsiders' DVOA: 38.8% (2nd, behind New England - and the 11th-best through week fourteen from 1991 onward)

All figures above through week fourteen (i.e. prior to the Buffalo blowout).

659. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:17 AM (#4326356)

Because they're beating up the Patriots? Who lost to Arizona at home and Baltimore at home? Who almost lost to Buffalo at home?

Games in September are indicative of how a team plays in January? Also check my edit, "if such a thing exists." "Team to fear" is narrative and I hate narrative.

Perhaps the AFC isn't that good this year.

The NFC isn't any better.

660. Answer Guy Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:23 AM (#4326362)

Because they're beating up the Patriots? Who lost to Arizona at home and Baltimore at home? Who almost lost to Buffalo at home?

Minor quibble: That game was at Baltimore.

661. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:23 AM (#4326363)

The NFC isn't any better.

They have the much better record against the AFC.

662. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:24 AM (#4326365)

And here come the Patriots. You have to be careful playing prevent defense against the Patriots. I don't blame them for doing so with a 28 point lead but the Patriots can score quickly against those defenses.

663. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:26 AM (#4326368)

Minor quibble: That game was at Baltimore.

Fair point. It's just I'm not sure where people get this "Patiots, unstoppable juggernaut" narrative from. They've lost to Arizona and Baltimore, one team which is out of playoff contention and another that is falling fast. They had to struggle against Buffalo and the Jets. I don't think last week's results against Texas make them a favorite to do anything in particular. Nor do I think the 49ers play tonight makes them notably favored either.

664. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:26 AM (#4326369)

They have the much better record against the AFC.

Entering the weekend, the AFC, by record, has the three worst teams in the league and the three best teams in the league. Records alone aren't going to prove anything.

665. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:28 AM (#4326370)

Fair point. It's just I'm not sure where people get this "Patiots, unstoppable juggernaut" narrative from.

Seven straight wins and they're scoring 0.5 points a game less than their 16-0 team. And the defense is much improved from last year. When a team almost wins a Super Bowl and plays even better the next year, you get that clout.

666. SoSH U at work Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:32 AM (#4326372)

Entering the weekend, the AFC, by record, has the three worst teams in the league and the three best teams in the league. Records alone aren't going to prove anything.

Records alone, no. But the records of the AFC vs. the NFC is a good place to start if you want to compare the quality of the two leagues. The NFC looks a little better to me.

And I'm with Sam. An NFL-wide search for juggers yields naught.

Seven straight wins and they're scoring 0.5 points a game less than their 16-0 team. And the defense is much improved from last year. When a team almost wins a Super Bowl and plays even better the next year, you get that clout.

And playing mostly crap during that stretch, save the Houston win.

667. Answer Guy Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:33 AM (#4326373)

It's just I'm not sure where people get this "Patiots, unstoppable juggernaut" narrative from.

They are along with Atlanta the only team that hasn't really been humiliated yet. Tonight would have qualified if not for this rally, and may yet, I suppose qualify. Yes, losing to Arizona sucks, but they started hot and still had Kevin Kolb at QB. Baltimore was a better team early in the season too. Seattle, as everyone here agrees, is a tough place to win no matter who you are.

668. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:35 AM (#4326374)

Records alone, no. But the records of the AFC vs. the NFC is a good place to start if you want to compare the quality of the two leagues. The NFC looks a little better to me.

Well we're talking about playoff teams. I'd rather not include the records of the bad teams.

And I'm with Sam. An NFL-wide search for juggers yields naught.

I'm not arguing that there are. Every team has flaws, it's been a strange year.

669. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:36 AM (#4326376)

Part of the reason the AFC has teams with good records is they beating up on horrible teams.

670. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:38 AM (#4326378)

And playing mostly crap during that stretch, save the Houston win.

Agreed. The difference between the Patriots' 7 game win streak and the 7-1 start by the Bears is timing and proximity. They beat up Texas last week, and handled a moderately good Colts squad. Otherwise, the Jets, Dolphins and Bills? Oh my!

671. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:39 AM (#4326380)

I'm not arguing that there are. Every team has flaws, it's been a strange year.

The primary differentiator between the Falcons and Patriots this year is narrative about historical pedigree.

672. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:40 AM (#4326381)

This is a good game.

Part of the reason the AFC has teams with good records is they beating up on horrible teams.

Same for the NFC. The Falcons have had a really easy schedule.

673. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:40 AM (#4326383)

God, the Patriots are amazing.

674. Answer Guy Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:43 AM (#4326385)

God, the Patriots are amazing.

As good as their offense is, that's how bad their pass defense is.

675. NTNgod Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:44 AM (#4326387)

God, the Patriots are amazing.

Then, just as quickly...

676. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:44 AM (#4326388)

And the Niners come right back. We actually get a prime time game that lived up to the billing.

677. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:44 AM (#4326389)

Same for the NFC. The Falcons have had a really easy schedule.

How is the 49ers schedule notably more difficult? Or the Packers? The Falcons didn't get to feast on the Bears' o-line this year.

678. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:45 AM (#4326390)

Well, perhaps I should say that the Patriot offense is amazing. The defense, less so.

679. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:48 AM (#4326393)

How is the 49ers schedule notably more difficult? Or the Packers? The Falcons didn't get to feast on the Bears' o-line this year.

The Falcons have played 10 games against a team with a losing record. The Packers 5, the 49ers 6. Football Outsiders says they have played the easiest schedule in the league, of course that is influenced by them winning 11 of their 13 games, meanwhile the Packers have played the 8th hardest and the Niners the 9th hardest.

680. NTNgod Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:49 AM (#4326394)

Well, perhaps I should say that the Patriot offense is amazing. The defense, less so.

Your reverse jinx mojo (even if unintended) seems to be very strong tonight.

681. MHS Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:50 AM (#4326396)

Sam, if you can't look at the 49'ers schedule and the Falcons schedule and see which is tougher then their is no reason to carry on the conversation. Your trolling.

682. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:51 AM (#4326399)

Sam, if you can't look at the 49'ers schedule and the Falcons schedule and see which is tougher then their is no reason to carry on the conversation. Your trolling.

Oh. I should just look at see. Because, it's like, obvious and stuff. This indicates to me that you can't make a solid argument for your position.

683. DA Baracus is gritty and hits with RISP Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:53 AM (#4326400)

Sam if you weren't a Falcon fan you would think they are a paper tiger.

684. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:55 AM (#4326402)

Green Bay, the Patriots, and who? Minnesota? Where is this hugely difficult schedule? Seattle intra-division?

685. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:57 AM (#4326406)

Sam if you weren't a Falcon fan you would think they are a paper tiger.

I haven't made an argument that the Falcons are notably better than the rest of the league, so I'm not sure what you're arguing against. I'm simply asking where this "strong schedule" for the 49ers comes from. I mean, that was an impressive tie against an Arizona team that Atlanta barely got past, admittedly. And certainly the way the Giants team that the Falcons just annihilated today had a really hard time going into SF and pounding the #### out of the 49ers.

My point is and has never been that the Falcons are head and shoulders above the league.

686. MHS Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:58 AM (#4326407)

Atlanta hasn't played any of the top teams in the league. This is obvious, you are a ridiculous fanboy.

687. Howie Menckel Posted: December 17, 2012 at 12:58 AM (#4326408)

"Pro-Football-Reference's Simple Rating System (SRS): 9.0 (3rd, behind New England and San Francisco)
Football Outsiders' DVOA: 38.8% (2nd, behind New England - and the 11th-best through week fourteen from 1991 onward)

All figures above through week fourteen (i.e. prior to the Buffalo blowout)."

Fascinating.
When did the NFL switch to neutral fields for conference play again?

lol

688. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:00 AM (#4326409)

Atlanta hasn't played any of the top teams in the league. This is obvious, you are a ridiculous fanboy.

Make an argument, son. If it's obvious, it should be easy to make the argument. Go ahead. I'm listening. Impress me.

689. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:01 AM (#4326410)

Honestly, the Niners have been able to relatively easily cover the Patriots when they have gone man to man. San Francisco can cover their tight ends with Bowman and Willis. Take away their tight ends, and this offense isn't amazing. It's not easy to do unless you have great linebackers but the Niners do.

The only time the Patriots looked great tonight is when the Niners went to zone coverage.

690. Eddo Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:05 AM (#4326412)

Fascinating.
When did the NFL switch to neutral fields for conference play again?

The two metrics I cited consider both home and road games equally, so I'm not sure how that matters.

691. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:05 AM (#4326413)

The Falcons have beaten the #2 AFC seed Broncos. They've beaten the 4th seed NFC Redskins. (All seeding current as of tonight.) They've also beaten the Giants and the Cowboys (both playoff chase teams.)

692. puck Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:07 AM (#4326416)

So now the Broncos likely have a bye and home game in the playoffs. Despite the early games vs. Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Houston and New England, overall their schedule has been pretty weak as well, right?

693. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:12 AM (#4326418)

I think right now in the NFL everybody is overrated. Except for my favorite team.

694. MHS Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:12 AM (#4326419)

Russilan, they have covered better man to man, but have struggled against the pats when they used the spread, which for some unknown reason they didn't use hardly at all in the first half... And about half a dozen drops.

Sam, my argument has been made. Atlanta hasn't played any of the best teams in the league, (den before they started playing well). They have missed all of the other top teams.
Sea
GB
Hou
NE
SF
Bal

695. MHS Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:13 AM (#4326420)

Puck, yes broncos first quality win was today. Atlantas too.

696. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:14 AM (#4326424)

Sam, my argument has been made.

No, your question has been begged. Your argument is absolutely vapid. "Atlanta hasn't played any of the top teams in the league, by which I mean this random list of teams I claim to be the top team in the league, excepting the one team that Atlanta played and beat which happens to be the #2 seed in the AFC, ranked above everyone but Houston, because I'm going to handwave that away as a 'too early win' because otherwise that wouldn't support my assumption that Atlanta hasn't played any good teams."

This is the best you can do?

697. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:15 AM (#4326425)

Puck, yes broncos first quality win was today. Atlantas too.

Because he says so, that's why.

698. Howie Menckel Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:16 AM (#4326426)

"The two metrics I cited consider both home and road games equally, so I'm not sure how that matters."

ok, let's move away from your metrics for a moment. Choose any one of those eight Seahawks road games that would make any NFC host agree that "there's a reasonably strong case to make that the Seahawks are the last NFC team you'd want to face right now."

feel free to list which OTHER NFC playoff team they would rather host, and please denote which feebler road efforts and other evidence would make this host prefer this other team....

699. Russlan is fond of Dillon Gee Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:17 AM (#4326427)

Huge win for San Francisco. All they have to do to win the division is beat the Cardinals in San Francisco. If they beat Seattle, they will get a first round bye in all likelihood.

Thoughts:

New England defense is pretty awful. 1-3 against the NFC West.

I was impressed by how easily San Francisco was able to defend the Patriots man to man, and how easily the Patriots picked apart the prevent defense.

David Ackers is a problem. He was so money last year and he's been so awful this year.

Kaepernick is still pretty raw but the talent is certainly undeniable.

700. MHS Posted: December 17, 2012 at 01:19 AM (#4326428)

SF special teams were outstanding and out coached NE tonight.

A very interesting game, it would have been interesting if NE played more spread in the first half.

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