Discussion NFL: Wild Card Weekend

[Captante]

INT by Browns. The fat lady had finished her song and left the building.

I must admit to being surprised by this given the team Cleveland brought to the field tonight.

Not unhappy though! 😀

 

[Svnla]

I must admit to being surprised by this given the team Cleveland brought to the field tonight.

Not unhappy though! 😀

Me too. I thought it would be a toss up but Browns came to play and play hard smash mouth tough football.

I think so far, all the play off games were good. No blow out game.

 

[brianmanahan]

holy crap

i gave the browns like a %10 chance of winning that game, tops

 

[Torn Mind]

Being shafted regarding byes twice definitely took a bit out of PIttsburgh.

So I'm glad the Titans got their ass handed to them by Baltimore because of that.

 

[Captante]

Being shafted regarding byes twice definitely took a bit out of PIttsburgh.

So I'm glad the Titans got their ass handed to them by Baltimore because of that.

Pretty sure Ben is going to retire. See the shot of him crying? 🙁

(I think he's making a mistake if he doesn't)

Like I said I've never been a fan BUT he's one of the all-time great QB's.

 

[BoomerD]

Pretty sure Ben is going to retire. See the shot of him crying? 🙁

(I think he's making a mistake if he doesn't)

Like I said I've never been a fan BUT he's one of the all-time great QB's.

He is, but at the same time, he's a typical Steelers qb. Takes big chances, makes some fabulous plays, but also gets picked...a lot.

 

[manly]

right, but that's what he's saying. If Lamar is going to continue being good at what he does now, he probably has those ~3 more years to reach a super bowl at that level, or start working more on his passing game to extend his overall effectiveness a bit longer.

Russell Wilson had to do it, as you may recall about 3 or 4 seasons ago he had that noticeable slowdown in his step, but he's also much more of a deep passer now. So, changing up his game and has had a bit of a resurgence, but if you notice, he also tends to just fall off a cliff halfway through a season now. Last 2 seasons now he just kinda flattens out. All the years and all the tackles are going to add up and effect your overall game and stamina, and you either adjust or don't, but it is going to effect you regardless.

We all know reaching a SB is as much about the team's performance as it is about the QB's performance on offense. Russell Wilson is a great example; he was a gamer early in his career but the Legion of Boom carried that team. Russ has certainly played at a high enough level in recent regular seasons to get to a SB, but his teams just aren't the same. Now I'm not saying Lamar is the next RW but that's the crux of the challenge.

I think my point is that although it's hard to project out 4+ years, I'd certainly rather have a young Lamar Jackson or Russell Wilson than a young Michael Vick. In yesterday morning's game, Lamar made accurate short throws that good QBs are expected to make, to sustain drives. There's a long history of QB prospects with cannon arms and no touch, so even the short throws are a good indication. Will he ever win another MVP or make it to a Super Bowl? Who the fuck knows!

 

[Torn Mind]

Lamar could be the perfect quarterback, but his tunnel vision is limiting the potential of his offense.

He absolutely can destroy man-to-man and blitz via his legs and his arm, which is a combination of abilities pretty much every QB would dream of having; less gifted QBs can beat man and the blitz via arm talent only, like Tom Brady. That's because Ds are forced into zone. But since he cannot just pick apart a D like a Brady or Mahomes despite backing Ds into a strategic corner, the Ravens always can be beatable if you can outtalent their talented Oline and Defense. .

 

[dasherHampton]

Lamar's runs are breathtaking but almost every one I've ever seen has happened under almost exactly the same circumstances.

It's 2nd or 3rd and long and the LBs are in coverage. The DL can't quite get to him and he runs through the holes opened up by the moving LBs. By the time the DBs react its too late.

I know it's easier said than done but I can't believe DCs keep letting this happen. Lamar needs a permanent spy on him in those situations.

 

[JujuFish]

Go Lake Erie bros! My ideal AFC championship would be Bills v. Browns, but I think it's going to be an extremely hard time for both of them in the coming weekend.

 

[manly]

Lamar's runs are breathtaking but almost every one I've ever seen has happened under almost exactly the same circumstances.

It's 2nd or 3rd and long and the LBs are in coverage. The DL can't quite get to him and he runs through the holes opened up by the moving LBs. By the time the DBs react its too late.

I know it's easier said than done but I can't believe DCs keep letting this happen. Lamar needs a permanent spy on him in those situations.

Lamar can out-run many DBs, so how do you spy on him with any LB or safety?

 

[dasherHampton]

Lamar can out-run many DBs, so how do you spy on him with any LB or safety?

A spy can force Jackson towards other defenders or (more importantly imo) prevent him from getting up to full speed so quickly.

As I said - every one of those runs I've seen him pull off has the same characteristics.

1) The DL is in an all out pass rush and can't reach him
2) Jackson evades them and steps up into a vacant field
3) With no defender near him he's quickly at top speed
4) LBs and DBs are in coverage and have no chance of catching up once he gets going

If no spy - at least play a zone in those situations and make him consistently beat your D with the pass. If he completes a 7 or 10 or 15 yd pass so be it. I don't see him doing it consistently at this point.

 

[Captante]

Go Lake Erie bros! My ideal AFC championship would be Bills v. Browns, but I think it's going to be an extremely hard time for both of them in the coming weekend.

I like the Bills chances ... I agree though should be a tight matchup.

The Steelers however as I've said previously have to be the worst 12 win team in NFL history in all aspects of the game so while it was a nice win last night it doesn't mean that much. I'm really happy Cleveland won but also pretty sure the party's over next week in KC.

 

[KMFJD]

having been forced to watch way too many Steeler games i just want to say 1 thing - ahahahahahhahahahahahha

reminds me of the time the Eagles dropped 56 on the Lions in the playoffs

 

[Captante]

having been forced to watch way too many Steeler games i just want to say 1 thing - ahahahahahhahahahahahha

reminds me of the time the Eagles dropped 56 on the Lions in the playoffs

I'm laughing with you btw !!!

😀

I can recall the Steelers pissing me off as far back as the early 1970s ... because they were too damn good!

😉

 

[KMFJD]

I'm laughing with you btw !!!

😀

I can recall the Steelers pissing me off as far back as the early 1970s ... because they were too damn good!

😉

no doubt, probably the best run organization in the league , they have 7 losing seasons since 1972

 

[Spacehead]

I must admit to being surprised by this given the team Cleveland brought to the field tonight.

Not unhappy though! 😀

How do you think i feel 😀

I'm really happy Cleveland won but also pretty sure the party's over next week in KC.

🙁

having been forced to watch way too many Steeler games i just want to say 1 thing - ahahahahahhahahahahahha

😀

Pretty sure Ben is going to retire. See the shot of him crying? 🙁
(I think he's making a mistake if he doesn't)

Like I said I've never been a fan BUT he's one of the all-time great QB's.

Seriously, as a long time hater of the Steelers i was glad to see Ben come back from that injury. That would of really sucked if that ended his career.

 

[Svnla]

@Captante who will you pick for this week? Try to be better than 50% this time, eh? 😀

Go Saints. I heard that if Saints don't make it to the SB this year, Brees will retire.

 

[Captante]

@Captante who will you pick for this week? Try to be better than 50% this time, eh? 😀

Go Saints. I heard that if Saints don't make it to the SB this year, Brees will retire.

I didn't realize my 4 out of 6 last weekend = 50% ... must be the new math? 😉


Anyway here's my picks: 🙂

(1) Packers ~ This could however easily go the other way with LA's D

(2) Chiefs ~ If the Chiefs/Mahomes show up mentally it won't be close

(3) Bills ~ I'm sticking with Buffalo but expecting a back & forth game

(4) Saints ~ Brees over Brady in what MAY be their last big meeting


On paper at least 4 really GOOD match-ups ... for the first time in a LONG time all 4 playoff games in the divisional round were a fairly tough call.

 

[Svnla]

I didn't realize my 4 out of 6 last weekend = 50% ... must be the new math? 😉


Anyway here's my picks: 🙂

(1) Packers ~ This could however easily go the other way with LA's D

(2) Chiefs ~ If the Chiefs/Mahomes show up mentally it won't be close

(3) Bills ~ I'm sticking with Buffalo but expecting a back & forth game

(4) Saints ~ Brees over Brady in what MAY be their last big meeting


On paper at least 4 really GOOD match-ups ... for the first time in a LONG time all 4 playoff games in the divisional round were a fairly tough call.

Oh, I was talking about your picks of WFT and Bills = 50%. We will see how well your prediction is.

My pick - Saints, KC, GB, and Bal (I want Bills to win but I don't think they will able to stop Lamar's running). I will go ahead with my SB choice of KC vs. NO.

Full disclosure: my betting history is horrible. LOL.

 

[Captante]

Oh, I was talking about your picks of WFT and Bills = 50%. We will see how well your prediction is.

My pick - Saints, KC, GB, and Bal (I want Bills to win but I don't think they will able to stop Lamar's running). I will go ahead with my SB choice of KC vs. NO.

Full disclosure: my betting history is horrible. LOL.

Sounds good! 🙂

I will admit to a slight rooting-interest for the Bills but aside from that I don't really have a horse in the race ... this actually can make for a more enjoyable and MUCH less stressful watching experience in some ways!

For SB right now my call is also KC vs NO ... but let's not get ahead of ourselves!

 

[darkswordsman17]

Chiefs/Browns will be closer than people think. I have a hunch one of them will jump out to a decent lead before the other makes it close. I'll give the edge to the Chiefs, but they haven't been inspiring confidence that much this year after the rookie RB (who finally looked like a proper replacement for Kareem Hunt) went down. But they still were winning and we saw what happened last year and what they're capable of (plus Kelce and Hill pretty quietly both had damn good years). Kinda have a hunch we might see the Browns look to force Kareem Hunt down the Chiefs' throat to get TOP and setup play action, so it'll be interesting to see if he plays with an extra big chip on his shoulder.

I think the Bills will win and possibly very convincingly. Not that I can't see the Ravens play well (and even win very convincingly over the Bills), but I feel like the Bills can build a lead and they've shown they can put good teams away and the Ravens struggle when a good team builds a lead on them.

I think the Packers will win. How easy that is will depend on how good Donald plays.

I think I'll give the edge to Brady, but I won't be surprised any which way that game goes. I think in the end the Saints will fuck themselves but then rage claiming some bad call cost them everything once again. Honestly, I think the biggest question might be if Brees has a bad first half will Payton pull him and what a sad end to his career that would be.

 

[JujuFish]

Kelce and Hill pretty quietly both had damn good years

Apparently breaking the record for yards by a tight end is quiet.

 

[zinfamous]

Chiefs/Browns will be closer than people think. I have a hunch one of them will jump out to a decent lead before the other makes it close. I'll give the edge to the Chiefs, but they haven't been inspiring confidence that much this year after the rookie RB (who finally looked like a proper replacement for Kareem Hunt) went down. But they still were winning and we saw what happened last year and what they're capable of (plus Kelce and Hill pretty quietly both had damn good years). Kinda have a hunch we might see the Browns look to force Kareem Hunt down the Chiefs' throat to get TOP and setup play action, so it'll be interesting to see if he plays with an extra big chip on his shoulder.

I think the Bills will win and possibly very convincingly. Not that I can't see the Ravens play well (and even win very convincingly over the Bills), but I feel like the Bills can build a lead and they've shown they can put good teams away and the Ravens struggle when a good team builds a lead on them.

I think the Packers will win. How easy that is will depend on how good Donald plays.

I think I'll give the edge to Brady, but I won't be surprised any which way that game goes. I think in the end the Saints will fuck themselves but then rage claiming some bad call cost them everything once again. Honestly, I think the biggest question might be if Brees has a bad first half will Payton pull him and what a sad end to his career that would be.

you poor guys losing your rookie RB...now you have to slum it with Le'Veon Bell. 🙁

 

[Torn Mind]

Brady train continues as the Saints will be tragically ousted by the refs yet again.

Rams beat the Packers because they're quietly going "2000 Ravens" on the NFC even without Aaron Donald

Patrick Mahomes will put the Dawgs out.

Josh Allen shows the world Lamar is the worse quarterback.