The NFL thread - 2010 edition

[agricola]

One thing is for certain - tomorrow's shows will be amusing.

Indeed, and the amusement has already started:

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said the Vikings ran up the score, and Brooking agreed.

"I thought it was classless," Brooking said. "I thought it was B.S. Granted, we get paid to stop them, but we had zero timeouts left. I didn't think there was any call for that."

Shiancoe laughed after hearing Brooking's comments. "OK, we apologize. I'm sorry. Better?"

 

[g force]

Shinacoe's comment had me properly loling

 

[flash]

First time that I have ever gone 0-4 on a playoff weekend when I've been taking it half seriously. It's Tuesday evening and I'm still in shock. Going to put some brief thoughts out for next weekend (cue suggestion to bet the other way given my current form):

Jets (+7/+7.5) vs Colts - Rex Ryan takes one back from the Colts for what happened last week to the Ravens (if you wondered why their D has been so iffy this year - Rex left) - incidentally the Colts still win outright as it's a close game.
Saints (-3.5) - if the New Orleans Secondary and Offensive Line isn't any better than Dallas's they don't deserve home-field advantage let alone a trip to the Superbowl.

 

[agricola]

Straight after the Colts get a FG, Sanchez throws a glorious pass to a wide-open Edwards and its 7-3 Jets.

 

[agricola]

Another Colts FG is followed by a successful wildcat play, and another Sanchez touchdown - Jets 14-6 up.

 

[agricola]

Addai fumbles, Jets recover and kick a FG; 17-6.

 

[flash]

And surprisingly the pick does look like Jets +7. Best Superbowl would be Jets vs Vikings - I read it on another blog but it's the truth, Jets players would be taking turns to sack Favre as he freezes up once he gets outside and after the fallout from last year.

 

[flash]

4 play 80 yard 60 second drive from Manning makes it 17-13 at the half.

 

[flash]

How to kill a team in about half an hour (allowing for half time) with my current form - they were 17-6 up, I post a couple of remarks on here and they are now 20-17 down.

 

[agricola]

4 play 80 yard 60 second drive from Manning makes it 17-13 at the half.

Thats what has changed this up to this point - Manning hasnt really been at his best, but when he does that it as easily as he made that look, it must really send the shivers through the defensive players.

 

[agricola]

Colts pick off Sanchez with 2 minutes left, surely game over.

 

[Silva]

I cant help but feel the game was decided when the Jets went for a +50 FG attempt when they had the lead. That had to be a coffin corner, and try to hold manning for a punt.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

What a moment right there.

 

[g force]

All I can say is "Fuck You! Brett Favre!"

Did someone write a script yesterday...Saints win in the Superdome, whiel Garcon gets record yardage in an AFC game and dedicates it to his family back in Haiti. Tough call now on who I want to win the Superbowl...i like both teams, or at leats don't despise both but I'll prob root for the Saints.

 

[flash]

On the basis I have just gone 0-6, (2-8 playoffs - worst ever by a long shot for me) I'm now going to predict Colts (-4) to win the Superbowl. This seems like the sensible pick as Garcon and Collie become the new Wayne and Harrison, with Dallas Clarke giving Manning a third out. The Saints haven't looked Superbowl worthy for some time and the Colts have backed into the AFC title and should close this out. Based on the current 0-6 streak I would stick your money on the Saints now though. Having said that, this could be a complete carve up, both teams play in Domes and the game's in Miami (outdoors).

 

[leftistangel]

The Vikings were clearly the better team but fumbled away their chances. However their loss was a result of a coin toss. Another illustration, as if needed, of the abursdity of the overtime rules, a classic case of why it's a bad idea to not give each team one possession in overtime. Currently its like having a penalty shoot out with only one team allowed to take them.

 

[stupid kid]

The Vikings were clearly the better team but fumbled away their chances. However their loss was a result of a coin toss. Another illustration, as if needed, of the abursdity of the overtime rules, a classic case of why it's a bad idea to not give each team one possession in overtime. Currently its like having a penalty shoot out with only one team allowed to take them.

Ball security and forcing fumbles are part of the game though. Saints D clearly had a gameplan of messing up Brett Favre and stripping AP, he fumbled 3 times in 15 carries! I think the Vikes were actually pretty lucky they didn't give most of their fumbles up (fumble recovery is much more an issue of luck than forcing fumbles IMO), and they did blow their own chances by calling a timeout in FG range with the game on the line then bringing 12 into the huddle! Discipline and ball security cost them. Think the Saints got a couple of lucky calls in OT though and I do prefer NCAA overtime rules.

 

[Silva]

The Vikings were clearly the better team but fumbled away their chances. However their loss was a result of a coin toss. Another illustration, as if needed, of the abursdity of the overtime rules, a classic case of why it's a bad idea to not give each team one possession in overtime. Currently its like having a penalty shoot out with only one team allowed to take them.

Don't think so. A team that doesn't hold on to the ball, and fumbles it 6 times during a Conference final can't claim to be "clearly better". In these games, it's more about making less mistakes than the opponent. The Saints had a simple strategy defensive: beat the hell out of Favre, and gang on Adrian Peterson. It worked, even if barely.

I do agree with the overtime rule thing. "The defense can stop it" is no excuse.

 

[flash]

At the end of the day surely the Adrian Peterson era has to be over - the only people with more fumbles were QB's (Cassell and Vince Young). Steven Jackson for a one dimensional Rams, more attempts, more yards, same average, 4 less fumbles. And at the end of it no title, Brett's on the scrap heap and Tavaris Jackson won't do it for you at QB, even though the D is good I'd say the next year looks bleak for the Vikings.

 

[stupid kid]

So who do people fancy for the pro-bowl, I like the NFC to avenge last years defeat!

 

[Silva]

At the end of the day surely the Adrian Peterson era has to be over - the only people with more fumbles were QB's (Cassell and Vince Young). Steven Jackson for a one dimensional Rams, more attempts, more yards, same average, 4 less fumbles. And at the end of it no title, Brett's on the scrap heap and Tavaris Jackson won't do it for you at QB, even though the D is good I'd say the next year looks bleak for the Vikings.

Peterson has the media behind him. It's true that other running backs had some sort of "issue" when it comes to define greatness (LT never winning a superbowl, Bo Jackson's 4 season career, Sanders running backwards, and so on), but Adrian Peterson is the only one that can blame himself. He simply doesn't know how to protect the ball, which is the basic skill for a power runner.
The Vikings will probably get a new QB this offseason. Maybe McNabb (who is in the trade block) if they're lucky, or Delhomme, Jason Campbell, Orton, Cassell or Hassellback, if they want someone who has any kind of experience and might be up for grabs. Or try to sneak a QB from the draft - Sam Bradford or Clausen will be gone as top 10 picks, but there should be someone suitable lower in the draft.

So who do people fancy for the pro-bowl, I like the NFC to avenge last years defeat!

I reckon AFC will win it. Again. I just hope that instead of hawaiian shirts, coaches dress in pure miami vice fashion

 

[Hoss]

there seems to be a few experts on this NFL thread, so I'm seeking your help for my SB sweepstake.

It's based on 12 people putting in £5 per half, 1 draw per person, 1st score wins the pot. Is this fair (although haven't worked out where to put safety for either team) All tickets go back in the hat for the 2nd half:

1 TD Colts 1-5min, FG Saints 26 – 30min

2 TD Colts 6-10m, FG Saints 21-25m

3 TD Colts 11 -15m, FG Saints 16-20m,

4 TD Colts 16 - 20m, FG Saints 11-15m,

5 TD Colts 21-25m, FG Saints 6-10m,

6. TD Colts 26 – 30, FG Saints 1-5 m,

7 TD Saints 1-5 m, FG Colts 26 – 30m

8 TD Saints 6-10m, FG Colts 21-25m

9 TD Saints 11-15m, FG Colts 16-20m,

10 TD Saints 16-20m, FG Colts 11-15m,

11 TD Saints 21-25m, FG Colts 6-10m,

12 TD Saints 26 - 30, FG Colts 1-5m,

 

[flash]

Ermmm yeah Colts (-4) or whatever the spread is. Should be about a 7 point game and don't even think of picking the Saints as Dwight F is in a bad way (or whatever other plausible excuse that you can think of).

To borrow what someone else said (somewhere else) - if you pick the Saints at +4, you'll be in the 4th quarter, with the Saints down by 10, the Colts on their own 30 yard line, Manning under centre with a spread offense and you know that you won't be winning anything any time soon as he marches down the field for another TD.

Collie and Garcon also look like reasonable picks for MVP.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

My relatives were at their place in Louisiana when the Saints won the conference. People went wild, setting off fireworks in the streets.

 

[Silva]

So, should we use this thread for the Favre novel of 2010, draft things, uncapped year free-agency, or does anyone wants to kick off the 2011 thread later in April ?