American Football

[ArFella]

Real shame about Carson Wentz's injury, I hate Philly because of their fans but that team was exciting to watch and I was hoping they would break their fans heart's in January/February instead during the regular season.

Meanwhile the Pats still can't win in South Beach, Jay Cutler looked like he actually gave a damn what happened and Brady got straight beat up by the pass rush, makes next week's matchup with the Steelers even more epic, how great would it be if the Jags got the 2 seed and the bye, been a while since Brady had to battle on Wildcard weekend.

Elsewhere, the snow game was awesome! The NFC South is the most exciting division in football and they all play each other over the last 3 weeks so there is some really great games to look forward to. I f*****g LOVE December Football!!!

[Real ale Madrid]

Real shame about Carson Wentz's injury, I hate Philly because of their fans but that team was exciting to watch and I was hoping they would break their fans heart's in January/February instead during the regular season.

Meanwhile the Pats still can't win in South Beach, Jay Cutler looked like he actually gave a damn what happened and Brady got straight beat up by the pass rush, makes next week's matchup with the Steelers even more epic, how great would it be if the Jags got the 2 seed and the bye, been a while since Brady had to battle on Wildcard weekend.

Elsewhere, the snow game was awesome! The NFC South is the most exciting division in football and they all play each other over the last 3 weeks so there is some really great games to look forward to. I f*****g LOVE December Football!!!

Stayed up for the 1st Q last night - God I'm getting old - had to hit the hay. Pats were in trouble early but if they win the last 3 games they are guaranteed to be No.1 seed so while they never would admit it, they certainly had an eye on next Sunday.

The Snow Game in Buffalo was great alright, spent most of Sunday evening watching it over better match-ups elsewhere.

You can't beat December football alright - throw in the Bowl madness and the CFP on New Years Eve and its a great time of the year for the Fuseball.

[BonnieShels]

It was a nice thing to wake up to. Great to hear TB got milled out of it too. Hupp. Really looking forward to PIT-NE. As I'm sure everyone is really.

Watched our game v Jets; and we turned up. It was disappointing. We can't even blow a season correctly. ;)

Packers Panthers has potential as well on Sunday to be a whopper. Cmon Aaron!!!

[Mr A]

FFS Raiders.

That is all.

[BonnieShels]

What what?

[Mr A]

Just expressing general discontent with the Raiders, having finally shown signs of life absolutely rolling over for Kansas and that's the season basically hosed. There is potential there but it ain't coming together for some reason.

[BonnieShels]

I assumed but then I was hoping something else. Dammit.

[Real ale Madrid]

Here's to the #1 seed and not knowing what a catch is.

[ArFella]

Here's to the #1 seed and not knowing what a catch is.

Unbelievable! There must have been about 4/5 catches yesterday where the ruling made no sense. Then the stupidity to try a fake spike and throw to 1 receiver against 5 Patriots instead of taking the FG and going to OT at home, crazy.

[BonnieShels]

Just give them the trophy already. I'll probably start watching again when that schmuck retires. FFS.

[BonnieShels]

Unbelievable comeback by the Titans tonight. 21-3 down and win 22-21.

That's Smith done in KC now.

[Mr A]

Yeah, that was a mad game. KC looked irresistible and then fell apart. Amazing sometimes that these teams with huge rosters are still massively reliant on one or two players.

[BonnieShels]

Saints looked wonderful in fits last night. Brees is special. Let Carolina back into it though. They'll have to knock that out of their game.

NFC is looking great.

NO-MIN is looking tasty. Very very excited for that like I haven't a game in a long time. Super Bowl 50 perhaps...

[ArFella]

Great Wildcard weekend, bar the Jags-Bills game. Pats get another cupcake playoff game before they face the Steelers who should overcome the Jags but it will be a tough physical game leaving them nice and softened up for the Patriots, who never seem to get any luck :rolleyes:

NFC looks great, Falcons look set for another NFC championship game as Nick Foles is Nick Foles, so we could see a Superbowl rematch which could be interesting, but I'd prefer the winner of Saints-Vikes to go to the SB. Vikings playing a home Superbowl would make for an equally interesting narrative.

[Real ale Madrid]

Great Wildcard weekend, bar the Jags-Bills game. Pats get another cupcake playoff game before they face the Steelers who should overcome the Jags but it will be a tough physical game leaving them nice and softened up for the Patriots, who never seem to get any luck :rolleyes:

NFC looks great, Falcons look set for another NFC championship game as Nick Foles is Nick Foles, so we could see a Superbowl rematch which could be interesting, but I'd prefer the winner of Saints-Vikes to go to the SB. Vikings playing a home Superbowl would make for an equally interesting narrative.

Don't need luck when you win at least 13 games per year. The #1 seed is supposed to get the easiest game. That's why its important.

Steelers to beat the Jags eventually.

I reckon Atlanta v New Orleans in the NFC.

Nick Foles v Matt Ryan

Case Keenum v Drew Brees.

Hint - the future Hall of Famers are in bold. Moneyline 4 team accumulator is roughly 7/2.

[BonnieShels]

Don't need luck when you win at least 13 games per year. The #1 seed is supposed to get the easiest game. That's why its important.



Easy enough to win 13 games a season when 6 are in the AFC East though...

[Real ale Madrid]

Easy enough to win 13 games a season when 6 are in the AFC East though...

Ah that old tired argument. Which AFC division had the most wins this season? Let's check!

East 32
West 29
North 26
South 27

So the Patriots won 13 games in statistically the strongest Division.

Come back to me when we get to play the Browns twice a year, every year.

[BonnieShels]

It's not a tired argument at all. I enjoy it.

It truly is easy to rile a Pats fan.

That took no time at all. :P

I'm sure you can do a run through over the years perhaps as well to completely disprove the argument even further...

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Nice warm-up with the Titans though. And Steelers getting injured in practice. Sure it's handy. The NFC are gonna beat the crap out of each other. Softened up for ye.

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It's almost as bad as a Kerryman complaining about the toughness of Munster on the basis that Tipperary and Clare got to the QF in one anomalous year or that half the teams in the AISF 2016 were from Munster, therefore Munster is tough...

[Real ale Madrid]

It's not a tired argument at all. I enjoy it.

It truly is easy to rile a Pats fan.

That took no time at all. :P

I'm sure you can do a run through over the years perhaps as well to completely disprove the argument even further...

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Nice warm-up with the Titans though. And Steelers getting injured in practice. Sure it's handy. The NFC are gonna beat the crap out of each other. Softened up for ye.

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It's almost as bad as a Kerryman complaining about the toughness of Munster on the basis that Tipperary and Clare got to the QF in one anomalous year or that half the teams in the AISF 2016 were from Munster, therefore Munster is tough...

People moaning about injuries when Patriots won the SB least year without Gronk and have played the entire season this year without the best slot receiver in modern times. Not to mind others on the IR list - Cannon, Ebner, Hightower. Key players like Gilislee, Hogan, Van Noy and Flowers also hurt, but no - the Steelers are getting hurt in practice!

NFC is good.

Kerry football something.

[BonnieShels]

I've watched the first half of this.

I don't know why I thought it would go any other way. Pats got out of jail with a couple of decisions and now punishing the Titans. Sickening.

[Real ale Madrid]

NFL clearly biased towards the Pats. Chiefs taken out by refs last week as well, in case they would have given Bill , Tom and Robert a decent game.

[BonnieShels]

I wouldn't call it bias. I know, Even me!

Just bad under-pressured refereeing. The "hold" when TEN were 7-0 up was a disgrace.

The Titans didn't help themselves, but I'd say it's impossible to keep your head together with that standard all around you in Foxboro.

When I see Pats fans (boards.ie/nfl.com) go all "woe is us, the NFL are against us", it's annoying. Hence my Kerry-esque comments.

TLDR; Pats were always gonna win, but would have been nice to see them under a bit of pressure. Worried about Pitt tonight.

Vikings-Saints is gonna be a classic.

[BonnieShels]

I was right to be worried about Pittsburgh. Game and time management was diabolical. Tomlin doesn't know what he's at!
But he'll never get the sack. good game though. Big Ben couldn't have done much more really.

Vikings-Saints was a cast-iron classic. That second half and that ending will go down in lore. Incredible game.

[ArFella]

Those Sunday playoff games were a joy to behold after a bit of a disappointment on Saturday night.

Brady, Bortles, Foles and Keenum are the Final 4 QBs, the GOAT and three actual goats... Must be hard for the Patriots, beat 2 AFC South teams and you're in the Superbowl, give me bucket.

[Real ale Madrid]

When I see Pats fans (boards.ie/nfl.com) go all "woe is us, the NFL are against us", it's annoying. Hence my Kerry-esque comments.


I don't read those fora but I listen to WEEI weekly and there is definitely a chip on shoulder developed within the fanbase but IMHO its somewhat understandable in the light of deflate-gate. It is interesting to hear people go on about marginal calls that went against the Titan's on Saturday yet those same people were quiet when the Chiefs were hard done by the week before. The commentary is too selective for me. And the article on ESPN last Week re. Brady/Garoppollo/BB/Craft was the worst pile of contrived nonsense ever and people are quoting it as fact. Again - very annoying! Its the whole narrative surrounding the Pats -
Belicheat - deflatgate - AFC is crap - AFC East is crap - even in the post above this - AFC South is crap (pass the sick bucket comment) its constant. Everyone is looking for the Pats to take a fall which is fine - but the "woe is me" while annoying to others has somewhat developed over time.

The Vikings / Saints finish was stomach churningly awful yet amazing at the same time. Keenum looked as surprised as anyone. I thought the Saints deserved to win but I suppose you couldn't begrudge the Vikings an NFC spot and they may never have a better chance than this to win a SB.

[BonnieShels]

I will get to the above tomorrow. But I must have watched this 30 times today...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJzpoj_NxqQ

Buck's commentary was perfect.

What a game that was.

[Real ale Madrid]

The AFC is sh1t.

[BonnieShels]

Eugh.

[Real ale Madrid]

My only comment after that is commiserations.

To the Detroit Lions.

[BonnieShels]

What a game it was though. My my my.


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Thoughts on Josh Mayflowering the Colts?

It reads like NE are coming apart at the seams the last couple of months and only Tom's greatness is getting them through.

[ArFella]

I think it all sets up perfectly for next season, when a hell-bent for revenge Patriots team tear up the league next season and make it to Superbowl LIII where the young pretender Jimmy Garoppolo waits to do battle with his former master, lose again and it's surely lights out for TB12, but a win at 41 years old, then there could be no question about the GOAT.

[Real ale Madrid]

Thoughts on Josh Mayflowering the Colts?

It reads like NE are coming apart at the seams the last couple of months and only Tom's greatness is getting them through.

Must be something to the notion that Belichick is either leaving or leaving soon i.e. next season. That or he was not convinced with the health of Luck for the Colts. If the Pats fall apart at the seems at this stage - after 18 winning seasons, 8 AFC Champs, 5 Superbowls - then I'm ok with that - it was always going to fall sharply when it did. Hey - we always have Brad Stevens starting his Dynasty across town with the Celtics - you could make a case he is already the 2nd best coach in the league after Pop!

[Crosby87]

Guess there is hope for the Jets what with Cincy going to the SB....I don't think the moment will be too big for Joey B. Kid is game for the pressure...

[Crosby87]

And goodbye to Tom Brady as he is officially out....sentenced to spending his days with Gisele.

[D24Saint]

And goodbye to Tom Brady as he is officially out....sentenced to spending his days with Gisele.

Some career , NFL legend.

[Mr A]

Brian Flores is not taking any prisoners. Fair play to him.

[Crosby87]

IDK, I mean 24-25 overall started 1-7 this year in a league with mostly terrible teams...sometimes you have to go back and be a coordinator again. The guy the Giants hired may not work out but surely he has paid his dues. The Dolphins organization is a mess, Ill give him that.

[Mr A]

2 winning seasons in a row with the Dolphins ain't nothing. And 31 out of 32 white head coaches in a predominantly black league indicates there absolutely remains a problem.

[joey B]

Not a very active thread and I’m not sure if there’s many NFL fans here but the Jets might be the most cursed team in the league,Aaron Rodgers lasting 4 snaps before being injured for the season is next level bad luck!

[Crosby87]

Was at the game. You could hear a pin drop.

As a life long Jets fan I'm not that surprised.

They don't let Zach throw up field. So I'm not sure how its going to work.
Monster D, Monster Running backs, but if he can't throw up field its not going to happen for us.

[joey B]

They clearly have zero faith in Wilson and why would they?
Doesn’t appear to be an NFL level QB,Robert Salah is saying he’s the starter but I’d give it 3 or 4 weeks and if he’s hurting the team they’ll trade for someone,the rest of the roster is far too good to waste on another year of that….

[Crosby87]

Who do you think they are going to trade for? You really think Gardner Minshew or Case Keenum are that much better then zach?

[joey B]

I’d take those 2 over him every day,his own teammates were done with him last season,the touchdown he scored last night took absolute genius from Garret Wilson to come down with it,he’s bad bad as far as I’m concerned…

Fwiw I’d take a game manager like Andy Dalton for them,his best days are behind him but he was fine last season for the most part,I was watching him all season!!!

[Crosby87]

Jets....Super Bowl or bust!

This is the year. I'm sure of it.

[Mr A]

Ah yes, the return of the NFL and a few glorious months of having my weekends ruined not only by Harps but also the Raiders.

[Crosby87]

Yes, they are a bottom 3 team I would assume.

I'm so sick of the Chiefs.

Some good college games tomorrow as The Buffs head to Lincoln. #Sko

[Mr A]

That was a difficult watch. Defense is good but there has to be something on offense or eventually you will get caught

[joey B]

I’m basking in the glory of probably the high point of my team the Saints season ,the Cowboys,Chiefs,Eagles and Bucs to come in the next 5 weeks will bring us down to earth fairly quickly I expect!!!!

[Crosby87]

Great win for NO for sure!

Giants are so, so bad.

Pats players love their coach. Showed.

C'mon Jets tonight. Notre Dame and Colorado got scrubbed, had to watch that awful Giants team at a party yesterday afternoon, can't watch anymore bad football tonight!!

[joey B]

Great win for NO for sure!

Giants are so, so bad.

Pats players love their coach. Showed.

C'mon Jets tonight. Notre Dame and Colorado got scrubbed, had to watch that awful Giants team at a party yesterday afternoon, can't watch anymore bad football tonight!!

I hope you enjoyed Rodger’s first touchdown drive! You finally have an actual Quarterback!