Topic: NFL Thread

[dmastous]

A few games into the season NE looked like one of the best all time teams. They really beat Pittsburgh good. I don't know how they could lose another game.


In the playoffs, Indy has a chance and Dallas also.
I think NE is better than both though.

I still say that Miami game could be kind of hard. Wierd, but hard. I mean the Jets? The Jet's coach started the whole camera-gate thing, and the coaches were feuding before that, so I doubt there will be any quarter given to the Jets. That game may rival the Bears 73-0 win over the Redskins back in the 30's or something. Not saying it will be 73-0, but I won't be surprised to see Brady in there throwing bombs with 5 minutes to go and a 30 point lead.
Miami is different because it will be a huge media game. If form follows (Pats win, Fins lose) this weekend, it will be 14-0 vs 0-14. Add the fact that the 0-14 team is also the only team to not lose a game all season, and you've got a perfect media storm. They will break out all the tapes of the '72 Dolphin team. There will be nutty fans doing nutty things. Former '72 Dolphin team members saying and doing nutty things. The Pats as usual will shut the media out so that will piss the media off even more. It's just not a game I'd like to make a spread on.
But to me the Giant game in the final week is still the most dangerous one (after the Steeler game yesterday, which I thought would be the streak ender). It really depends on the Giants position in the playoff hunt, and if there is anything for them to play for, like home field or something. The Pats will most likely have wrapped up all the perks they can and will only be playing for perfection.

[Jamesdster]

How satisfying it must've been for Patriot fans to see that big mouth Anthony Smith eating a big ole plate of crow!   

[dmastous]

How satisfying it must've been for Patriot fans to see that big mouth Anthony Smith eating a big ole plate of crow!   

And I don't think that crow went down well either...

[swish]

How satisfying it must've been for Patriot fans to see that big mouth Anthony Smith eating a big ole plate of crow!   

And I don't think that crow went down well either...

I second or third that!!! 

[dmastous]

How satisfying it must've been for Patriot fans to see that big mouth Anthony Smith eating a big ole plate of crow!   

And I don't think that crow went down well either...

I second or third that!!! 

He might have gotten a second or tenth helping from his coach and teammates. 

[Jamesdster]

Smith's comments were ridiculous.  Here he is going against maybe the best team of alltime, and he says WHAT?  That'd be sort of lke me getting ready to play Federer and guaranteeing a victory.  Ok, maybe not quite that ridiculous.   

[Chris1987]

Well we've reached Week 15 of the NFL season and with just 3 games to go for each team, other than Houston and Denver who met on Thursday with Houston prevailing its very much a critical week in the season in terms of who's clinching the Divisions and who's going to get the Wildcard playoff berths. Here's the low done on all the challenges for the Divisions and the playoffs:

If the season ended today ...
NFL.com
 
AFC
Division leaders W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
1. yz-New England Patriots 13-0 4-0 10-0 NYJ (3-10), MIA (0-13), @ NYG (9-4) = 12-27 (.308)
The only thing left for the Patriots is wrapping up home-field advantage. Oh, and something about a perfect season. 
2. x-Indianapolis Colts 11-2 4-0 7-2 @ OAK (4-9), HOU (7-7), TEN (7-6) = 18-22 (.450)
The Colts are in the playoffs, and it seems they are going to soon be locked into the No. 2 playoff position. 
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-4 5-0 7-3 JAC (9-4), @ STL (3-10), @ BAL (4-9) = 16-23 (.410)
After being throttled by the Patriots, Pittsburgh is hoping to just hang on atop the AFC North. 
4. San Diego Chargers 8-5 3-1 7-3 DET (6-7), DEN (6-8), @ OAK (4-9) = 17-23 (.425)
Winning the AFC West is a near certainty at this point, and the No. 3 seed is within reach.
 
Wild cards W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-4 2-3 6-3 @ PIT (9-4), OAK (4-9), @ HOU (7-7) = 20-20 (.500)
A win at Pittsburgh on Sunday could send a message around the AFC and nearly solidify the No. 5 seed.
6. Cleveland Browns 8-5 3-2 6-4 BUF (7-6), @ CIN (5-8), SF (3-10) = 15-24 (.385)
Their division crown hopes are dim, but a favorable closing slate should help in trying to hold off other wild-card hopefuls. 
 
Within two games W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
Buffalo Bills 7-6 4-2 6-5 @ CLE (8-5), NYG (9-4), @ PHI (5-8) = 22-17 (.564)
The Bills' last playoff berth was in 1999, and with their closing slate, their next might have to wait a year. 
Tennessee Titans 7-6 3-2 4-5 @ KC (4-9), NYJ (3-10), @ IND (11-2) = 18-21 (.462)
The remaining schedule includes two teams playing for next season and another that is likely to be resting for the playoffs. 
Houston Texans 7-7 0-4 4-6 @ IND (11-2), JAC (9-4) = 20-6 (.769)
Mathematically, they're still in it, but their tough (impossible?) final two games does them no favors, nor does their 4-6 AFC mark. 
Denver Broncos 6-8 3-2 6-5 @ SD (8-5), MIN (7-6) = 15-11 (.577)
True fact: Broncos can win division and get into playoffs if they win their last two and Chargers lose their final three.
 
NFC
Division leaders W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
1. y-Dallas Cowboys 12-1 4-0 9-0 PHI (5-8), @ CAR (5-8), @ WAS (6-7) = 16-23 (.410)
Home-field advantage is almost a certainty, especially with that closing schedule. 
2. y-Green Bay Packers 11-2 3-1 7-2 @ STL (3-10), @ CHI (5-8), DET (6-7) = 14-25 (.359)
With the division wrapped up, the Packers have a slim shot at the top seed and a near-lockdown on the No. 2 position. 
3. y-Seattle Seahawks 9-4 5-1 8-2 @ CAR (5-8), BAL (4-9), @ ATL (3-10) = 12-27 (.308)
With five straight victories, the Seahawks are playing their best ball, but their next big test won't come until the playoffs. 
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-5 4-0 7-2 ATL (3-10), @ SF (3-10), CAR (5-8) = 11-28 (.282)
The division is all but locked up, but they missed out on an opportunity to close gap for No. 3 seed. 
 
Wild cards W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
5. New York Giants 9-4 3-2 7-4 WAS (6-7), @ BUF (7-6), NE (13-0) = 26-13 (.667)
Another big win by the Giants, who hope they can sew up a wild-card berth before they face the Patriots in the regular-season finale. 
6. Minnesota Vikings 7-6 2-3 5-5 CHI (5-8), WAS (6-7), @ DEN (6-7) = 17-22 (.436)
If the season ended today, the Vikings would be in the playoffs. The way they're playing now, they might be in at the end, too. 
 
Within two games W-L Div. Conf. Remaining opponents
New Orleans Saints 6-7 3-3 5-4 ARI (6-7), PHI (5-8), @ CHI (5-8) = 16-23 (.410)
They're still in it after their victory over Atlanta on Monday night, and plus-.500 conference mark is playing in their favor.
Washington Redskins 6-7 1-3 4-5 @ NYG (9-4), @ MIN (7-6), DAL (12-1) = 28-11 (.718)
Winning in a short week that included a funeral wasn't an impossible task, but remaining schedule might be. 
Arizona Cardinals 6-7 2-3 3-6 @ NO (6-7), ATL (3-10), STL (3-10) = 12-27 (.308)
Their remaining schedule is anything but daunting, but their loss to Seattle on Sunday was a blow to their wild-card hopes.
Detroit Lions 6-7 3-2 4-7 @ SD (8-5), KC (4-9), @ GB (11-2) = 23-16 (.590)
The Lions have a lot of things working against them, namely a beast of a closing schedule, a poor conference mark and a five-game losing streak. 
Carolina Panthers 5-8 2-3 5-4 SEA (9-4), DAL (12-1), @ TB (8-5) = 29-10 (.744)
With three division leaders who have combined to win three-quarters of their games, the Panthers can start working on next season. 
Philadelphia Eagles 5-8 1-4 3-7 @ DAL (12-1), @ NO (6-7), BUF (7-6) = 25-14 (.641)
The Eagles have to win their final three and get lots of help in order to make the playoffs, and with that schedule ...

x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division title
z-clinched first-round bye
*-clinched homefield advantage
 

[OSU Buckeye]

Go Brownies!  Back in the playoff hunt again after seemingly forever!   

[Chris1987]

Go Brownies!  Back in the playoff hunt again after seemingly forever!   

What a big game they have tomorrow against the Bills, its a huge match for both teams and a win for your Browns will almost give them a playoff berth and that'll be a huge achievement for them.

Here's hoping that the Colts will wrap up the AFC South Division title again tomorrow away at Oakland, and almost guarantee a first round bye and the number 2 seed in the AFC. Hopefully then we can rest a few of our remaining non injured stars and look to the playoffs and hopefully go in with a fully fit team. Then we'll really get at New England if we both get to the AFC Championship match.

[swish]

Jets must run the ball and keep Brady off the field


This could get ugly as the Patriots will look to destroy the Jets in a bitter AFC East rivalry. Jets head coach Eric Mangini would take a lot of pride in stopping his nemesis from making history, especially after turning in his former teacher Bill Belichick for Spygate. The Patriots have the most explosive offense in the NFL led by QB Tom Brady. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will continue to spread the field, while creating mismatches that the Patriots can exploit on the backend.

How will the Jets slow down this high-powered offense? Expect the Jets to run the ball against a Patriots' run defense that continues to be vulnerable, especially between the tackles. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees must find a way to contain the Jets' running game, while pressuring QB Kellen Clemens in the pocket. The Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win.


As a side note the patriots are favored by 24.5!!!

[Chris1987]

The Patriots will be looking to absolutely crucify the Jets today.
The match I'm watching right now is the game from Cleveland where the Browns are taking on the Bills and its an absolute blizzard in Ohio, the pitch is completely covered and it must be so difficult for the players out there.

[Chris1987]

New England didn't beat the Jets badly at all they only won 20-10 but still move to 14-0 for the season, Tom Brady didn't throw one touchdown pass, great news for us Peyton Manning fans hoping he keeps his 49 touchdown in a season record. The Browns are very close to the playoffs now with a win over the Bills, the Titans kept their playoff hopes alive at Kansas City and Miami were up 16-13 against the Ravens at home with 8 seconds to go until Baltimore kicked a field goal to tie it up and take it to overtime. Tampa Bay clinched their Division by crushing the Falcons and the Jaguars won away at the Steelers meaning they have clinched their playoff place and sit at 10-4 whereas the teelers are now level in their Division with the Browns at 9-5, so thats a close one going into the final 2 matches. The Colts have just started away at Oakland and a win will clinch the Division and a first round bye in the playoffs as a result of finishing in the AFC top 2.

[Chris1987]

DOLPHINS WIN!!! They won 22-16 in overtime against the Ravens.

Colts are up 10-0 already against the Raiders, a 90 yard punt return by Rushing and a Vinatieri field goal.

[conchita]

DOLPHINS WIN!!! They won 22-16 in overtime against the Ravens.

that is a miracle 

[swish]

DOLPHINS WIN!!! They won 22-16 in overtime against the Ravens.

Colts are up 10-0 already against the Raiders, a 90 yard punt return by Rushing and a Vinatieri field goal.

It would if been so strange that the only team to go undefeated would go winless when their record would have been tied by the Patriots in the same year.

[Chris1987]

It is a miracle that they've got their win at last and it really would have been strange if they had gone winless but the Patriots had tied the Miami record of going unbeaten.

[Chris1987]

In the late games the Colts are leading 10-7 at Oakland at the half, San Diego are crushing Detroit 27-7, and the Cowboys are leading the Eagles 3-0, both of those games are just over a minute away from halftime.

[Dallas]

In the late games the Colts are leading 10-7 at Oakland at the half, San Diego are crushing Detroit 27-7, and the Cowboys are leading the Eagles 3-0, both of those games are just over a minute away from halftime.

Well my Cowboys better wake up or else.  They are behind 7-3 at the half.  Tony Romo's girlfriend (Jessica Simpson) is sitting in his box with his jersey on... I guess that's why Tony is something like 2 for 13? 14? with 2 interceptions!  He's done NOTHINIG in this game yet.  He needs to get his mind off Jessica and back on the game!

[Chris1987]

In the late games the Colts are leading 10-7 at Oakland at the half, San Diego are crushing Detroit 27-7, and the Cowboys are leading the Eagles 3-0, both of those games are just over a minute away from halftime.

Well my Cowboys better wake up or else.  They are behind 7-3 at the half.  Tony Romo's girlfriend (Jessica Simpson) is sitting in his box with his jersey on... I guess that's why Tony is something like 2 for 13? 14? with 2 interceptions!  He's done NOTHINIG in this game yet.  He needs to get his mind off Jessica and back on the game!

Yeah Cowboys are really not doing too well against the Eagles right now. Didn't know Tony Romo was dating Jessica Simpson. You'd better hope he does get his mind off her in the 2nd half and on the game because he's only at 5-17 right now and the Cowboys need him to come good in the 2nd half.
Colts are making the game at Oakland tough, although without 5 starters its not helping and knowing they are basically assured of the number 2 AFC spot, they are pretty big factors id say

[conchita]

It is a miracle that they've got their win at last and it really would have been strange if they had gone winless but the Patriots had tied the Miami record of going unbeaten.

Patriots 14-0

remaining matches:
Dec 23 MIA @ NE  4:15 PM
Dec 29 NE @ NYG  8:00 PM  

only difficult match remaining at Giants.
I think Patriots will be 16-0!