Discussion NFL Divisional Round thread + poll

[Captante]

I thought everyone believed Bills/Chiefs would be the meaningful team and this Titans/Bengals winner would just be the obligatory formality for the Bills/Chiefs.

That was me. (however I picked KC to win the SB pre-playoffs)


And that hasn't changed.... while anything can happen I doubt the Bengals can handle KC or Buffalo.

Titans were "weakest #1 seed" in a long time. That L didn't surprise me.

But this game? I don't know how the 9ers pulled it off but we did.

I was surprised by the Titans loss but not shocked even though I picked them to win yesterday.

TN was inconsistent all season, beating up on Buffalo then getting blown out by the dismal Texans, but they did show a lot of heart in some big comeback wins.

I think the week off did more harm than good far as the Titans were concerned... the offense really came out flat.


Also .... the walk of shame.

 

[Muse]

I thought everyone believed Bills/Chiefs would be the meaningful team and this Titans/Bengals winner would just be the obligatory formality for the Bills/Chiefs.

Here's some data from https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/nfl-thread-2021-2022.2596058/page-68

Muse said:
Tennessee being top seed in the AFC boggles my mind. They were so bad in the first half of that game. I see no chance for them to survive in the playoffs.

Tennessee was without multiple linesman and the best running back in the league, had a bad half, and still handed the 49ers their only loss in their final 5 games. But you see no chance for them to survive. Okay then.

- - -
And:

I'm not sure what you saw but I think you need your vision checked!

The Titans NEARLY went down in flames as a team this season when they lost Henry, but once they adjusted and got over the shock they've been very solid.

I'm still picking the Chiefs to take the AFC but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Titans win it.

- - -
And:

Lets put it this way, they finished the last 4 games very strong, the defense got healthy and has been terrific and the offense was scoring well WITHOUT the league's best running back who will be back for the playoff's. Oh, they get a bye the 1st round and can stay home and get healthy AND will have home field advantage for any opponent until the superbowl, if they make it.

- - -
And:

I think the AFC will come down to those two as well, and if it does it should be a great game. KC's D has come quite a ways since the early games but they seem to get a lot of penalties, we'll see if that gets cleaned up in the playoff's.

All these guys were high on the Titan's chances, nobody saw them losing their only playoff game this season. But I was not surprised.

 

[BUTCH1]

49ers might be doomed in getting Brady as the opponent though.

Given that SF didn't want Brady even though Brady wanted to be a 49er, it is highly likely he will have an extreme desire to humiliate the entirety of the 49ers staff.

So, Brady might already be looking ahead and will be laser focused against the Rams tomorrow because I have no doubt he wants to smash the 9ers.

Tell you what, that 49'er defense impressed the hell out of me yesterday, the didn't do well on GB's opening drive but if any defense can hold GB to just 10 points playing on the road is playing some seriously good football.

 

[BUTCH1]

Here's some data from https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/nfl-thread-2021-2022.2596058/page-68

Muse said:
Tennessee being top seed in the AFC boggles my mind. They were so bad in the first half of that game. I see no chance for them to survive in the playoffs.


- - -
And:


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And:

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And:



All these guys were high on the Titan's chances, nobody saw them losing their only playoff game this season. But I was not surprised.

Oh I saw them possibly losing, but not at home to the Bengals, my fault, I didn't realize just how talented/determined the Bengals really are.

 

[MrSquished]

How were the games? I really wanted to watch the packers game to see them lose.

Checked the score and it was tied in the fourth with like 30 seconds to go. Looks like I missed a crazy ending?

 

[Captante]

Here's some data from https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/nfl-thread-2021-2022.2596058/page-68

Muse said:
Tennessee being top seed in the AFC boggles my mind. They were so bad in the first half of that game. I see no chance for them to survive in the playoffs.


- - -
And:


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And:

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And:



All these guys were high on the Titan's chances, nobody saw them losing their only playoff game this season. But I was not surprised.

Saying "I wouldn't be surprised" is very different then picking them to win it which I NEVER did. I was expecting them to beat the Bengals (who are NOT that good overall)
and then lose in the AFC title game.

However I stand by what I ACTUALLY DID say.... at points this past season TN looked like one of the best teams in the NFL.

And since we're going down the "gloating" road.... how much cash did you win in the bet you obviously placed on Cinn?

 

[Muse]

49ers might be doomed in getting Brady as the opponent though.

Given that SF didn't want Brady even though Brady wanted to be a 49er, it is highly likely he will have an extreme desire to humiliate the entirety of the 49ers staff.

So, Brady might already be looking ahead and will be laser focused against the Rams tomorrow because I have no doubt he wants to smash the 9ers.

Projecting Brady's thoughts, feelings, motivations at this point is a losing game. Rodgers was spurned by the 49ers, yes and he had grown up a 9ers fan in Chico. IIRC Brady was not spurned by the 49ers, he was a last round draft pick by NE. I can't imagine him seething about 49ers and him itching to prove he can trounce them. Yeah, he grew up in the Bay Area and was undoubtedly a big 9ers fan, but hating them for not picking him? I don't think so. Get real.

 

[Muse]

And since we're going down the "gloating" road.... how much cash did you win in the bet you obviously placed on Cinn?

I've never bet money on any sports. But if I did, I think taking cincy and the spread would have been smart.

 

[Muse]

How were the games? I really wanted to watch the packers game to see them lose.

Checked the score and it was tied in the fourth with like 30 seconds to go. Looks like I missed a crazy ending?

Yesterday's games rocked. If today's games are as good ...

 

[Captante]

I've never bet money on any sports.

(that was a joke)


Point was you had a hunch you didn't "know" anything..... the Bengals beating TN was a fairly large upset and was (mainly) the result of inexplicable dumb play calls and piss-poor strategy BY the Titans.

The Bengals couldn't get out of their own way for a lot of the game except on D.

 

[Captante]

I've never bet money on any sports. But if I did, I think taking cincy and the spread would have been smart.

Well no $hit ?!?

You hooking up with Dionne Warwick and her psychic friends?

Yesterday's games rocked. If today's games are as good ...

Here I completely agree.... this is usually the best weekend of the playoffs in terms of quality matchups.

 

[Torn Mind]

That's exactly what I was thinking, too. Brady and Rodgers were both 49ers fans growing up and both were rejected by the 9ers.

I thought we were doomed vs. the Packers yet we pulled out a miracle, so here's to hoping the Rams take them out of the playoffs.

Rodgers has had a history of failure. Brady seems to get results w

Projecting Brady's thoughts, feelings, motivations at this point is a losing game. Rodgers was spurned by the 49ers, yes and he had grown up a 9ers fan in Chico. IIRC Brady was not spurned by the 49ers, he was a last round draft pick by NE. I can't imagine him seething about 49ers and him itching to prove he can trounce them. Yeah, he grew up in the Bay Area and was undoubtedly a big 9ers fan, but hating them for not picking him? I don't think so. Get real.

He apparently wanted to go there and live out his dream once NE “freed” him

Projecting Brady's thoughts, feelings, motivations at this point is a losing game. Rodgers was spurned by the 49ers, yes and he had grown up a 9ers fan in Chico. IIRC Brady was not spurned by the 49ers, he was a last round draft pick by NE. I can't imagine him seething about 49ers and him itching to prove he can trounce them. Yeah, he grew up in the Bay Area and was undoubtedly a big 9ers fan, but hating them for not picking him? I don't think so. Get real.

I am a casual yet passionate Washington fan; Tom Brady not someone I care enough about to do psychological projection. I can relate just a little because I do have a little competitve streak but I mostly loathe Brady because he is willing to cheat at least a bit like with Deflategate or court scoundrels like Antonio Brown.

But, Tom Brady has provided evidence for my point.

He just did speak on a podcast and the man himself alleges he lost his allegiance to the 49ers when they selected Carmazzi(such an Italian name btw). https://heavy.com/sports/san-francisco-49ers/former-head-coach-tom-brady/

Mariucci responds to Brady's jab at 49ers for not drafting QB

Tom Brady will never let it go.

www.nbcsports.com

“I lost my allegiance for the Niners when they skipped over me six times 22 years ago, and drafted Giovanni Carmazzi after they had me do a local workout with Steve Mariucci, and decided I wasn’t good enough to play there,” Brady revealed when asked by Jim Gray.

I posted the article earlier about him calling the 49ers up when NE "freed" him. If the 9ers wanted him, he would have signed immediately and with no courting of other teams in FA.

Tom Brady wanted the 49ers in 2020, but they didn't want him, new book says

When it became clear in the early months of 2020 that Tom Brady would not be returning to New England for his 21st NFL season, the GOAT had a clear destination in mind once he hit free agency. Brady had grown up in California as a San Francisco 49ers fan, idolizing…

bucswire.usatoday.com

So, being fueled by two slights by the same team. The Rams better sack Brady because he will almost be certainly mentally sharp against the Rams today. He likely wants to face San Fran and personally bury their run this year.

 

[Torn Mind]

(that was a joke)


Point was you had a hunch you didn't "know" anything..... the Bengals beating TN was a fairly large upset and was (mainly) the result of inexplicable dumb play calls and piss-poor strategy BY the Titans.

The Bengals couldn't get out of their own way for a lot of the game except on D.

If Vrabel took the XP and/or the late FG instead feeding Henry both times, we'd probably be talking about a Titans win and Burrow's valiant effort. But Cincy making a mistake of having 12 men wound up benefitting the Bengals.

 

[Captante]

If Vrabel took the XP and/or the late FG instead feeding Henry both times, we'd probably be talking about a Titans win and Burrow's valiant effort. But Cincy making a mistake of having 12 men wound up benefitting the Bengals.

Agreed and that was my point about TN.... they handed the game to the Bengals.

I'm not sure what all the people saying how "great" the Bengals played are talking about.... all the Titans needed to do was execute "football 101" and they win.


EDIT: One COULD even stretch a bit and bring up that TN would have been UP BY ONE if those morons just kicked the freaking extra point in the first half.... could have taken a knee in that last drive.

 

[MrSquished]

Ari Meirov

@MySportsUpdate

Joe Burrow says Evan McPherson came up and said "looks like we're going to the AFC Championship Game" right before he went out to kick the 52-yard game-winner. Talk about having confidence.

 

[Captante]

Ari Meirov
@MySportsUpdate

Joe Burrow says Evan McPherson came up and said "looks like we're going to the AFC Championship Game" right before he went out to kick the 52-yard game-winner. Talk about having confidence.

Never underestimate the value of having a solid FG kicker!

 

[dlerious]

I was surprised by the Titans loss but not shocked even though I picked them to win yesterday.

TN was inconsistent all season, beating up on Buffalo then getting blown out by the dismal Texans, but they did show a lot of heart in some big comeback wins.

I think the week off did more harm than good far as the Titans were concerned... the offense really came out flat.

I'm really surprised TN didn't use Foreman more in the 4th quarter. He certainly had better luck than Henry when he touched the ball.

 

[Captante]

I'm really surprised TN didn't use Foreman more in the 4th quarter. He certainly had better luck than Henry when he touched the ball.

Hard to understand I know....

I realize Henry is the "big star" but wth... once he proved ineffective he should have been used sparingly if at all in lieu of Foreman who was tearing it up.

They were discussing Henry's surgery during the game and apparently it was some pretty gruesome stuff involving a metal plate and multiple screws.

No wonder he's lost a few steps!

 

[BUTCH1]

Rodgers has had a history of failure. Brady seems to get results w

He apparently wanted to go there and live out his dream once NE “freed” him

I am a casual yet passionate Washington fan; Tom Brady not someone I care enough about to do psychological projection. I can relate just a little because I do have a little competitve streak but I mostly loathe Brady because he is willing to cheat at least a bit like with Deflategate or court scoundrels like Antonio Brown.

But, Tom Brady has provided evidence for my point.

He just did speak on a podcast and the man himself alleges he lost his allegiance to the 49ers when they selected Carmazzi(such an Italian name btw). https://heavy.com/sports/san-francisco-49ers/former-head-coach-tom-brady/

Mariucci responds to Brady's jab at 49ers for not drafting QB

Tom Brady will never let it go.

www.nbcsports.com

I posted the article earlier about him calling the 49ers up when NE "freed" him. If the 9ers wanted him, he would have signed immediately and with no courting of other teams in FA.

Tom Brady wanted the 49ers in 2020, but they didn't want him, new book says

When it became clear in the early months of 2020 that Tom Brady would not be returning to New England for his 21st NFL season, the GOAT had a clear destination in mind once he hit free agency. Brady had grown up in California as a San Francisco 49ers fan, idolizing…

bucswire.usatoday.com

So, being fueled by two slights by the same team. The Rams better sack Brady because he will almost be certainly mentally sharp against the Rams today. He likely wants to face San Fran and personally bury their run this year.

Yea, Brady slipping to #199 6th round truly peeved him beyond belief, not that he was a 1st rounder that year but should have been a solid 2nd or 3rd round pick at worst, maybe it was that crappy combine he had a few months before. I agree now that he'd personally like to bury SF's superbowl hopes but after watching that Niner defense yesterday I'd say be careful what you wish for!.

 

[Torn Mind]

Ari Meirov
@MySportsUpdate

Joe Burrow says Evan McPherson came up and said "looks like we're going to the AFC Championship Game" right before he went out to kick the 52-yard game-winner. Talk about having confidence.

Justin Tucker now has competition.

 

[Torn Mind]

Hard to understand I know....

I realize Henry is the "big star" but wth... once he proved ineffective he should have been used sparingly if at all in lieu of Foreman who was tearing it up.

They were discussing Henry's surgery during the game and apparently it was some pretty gruesome stuff involving a metal plate and multiple screws.

No wonder he's lost a few steps!

I think "in the moment", coaches fall in love with the "peak performance" of their starters.

Just like San Fran using Kwon Alexander in the Super Bowl proved disastrous, as Damien Williams scored the backbreaking touchdown to fifish the game.

It also reeks of insecurity and fear with regards to Tannehill. For a team with Julio Jones to be so inconsistent in their passing attack...is an indictment on the QB.

Yes, Cam Akers looks to be fully back, but a foot injury is far more "touchy" than even an Achilles and Akers got a few reps in Week 18. Henry was going in cold turkey

 

[BUTCH1]

Never underestimate the value of having a solid FG kicker!

Norwood WAS a solid FG kicker, he was a Pro-bowl'er in 1988 and was very solid but he had a shorter range than most and didn't kick that well off natural grass. Gotta remember too that 47yds was considered a rather longish kick back then. Credit to Norwood when he stood at his locker after the game and answered every question, many would run and hide after a miss like that.

 

[BUTCH1]

Justin Tucker now has competition.

Tucker took over when Cundiff missed the 32yrd try vs the Pats, momentum had shifted way to the Ravens in the 2nd half and n OT I thought they would have prevailed..

 

[olds]

Projecting Brady's thoughts, feelings, motivations at this point is a losing game. Rodgers was spurned by the 49ers, yes and he had grown up a 9ers fan in Chico. IIRC Brady was not spurned by the 49ers, he was a last round draft pick by NE. I can't imagine him seething about 49ers and him itching to prove he can trounce them. Yeah, he grew up in the Bay Area and was undoubtedly a big 9ers fan, but hating them for not picking him? I don't think so. Get real.

I think you're missing part of the picture.
Before he went to TB, he wanted to go to the 49ers. They choose to stay with Jimmy G over him. He said something about "that dude over me?"

 

[BUTCH1]

I think you're missing part of the picture.
Before he went to TB, he wanted to go to the 49ers. They choose to stay with Jimmy G over him. He said something about "that dude over me?"

At the time the Niner's had a SB appearance with Jimmy G and although he was not as experienced or as good as Brady they felt Brady was not a huge upgrade plus he could conceivably just play one season then retire whereas Jimmy G is still 15 years younger.