Super Bowl LII

[Jaymann]

The Falcons showed why they made it to the big show last year, with poise and experience. I am still not a believer, but they have a chance.

[RunningMn9]

They’ve got what should be a fairly manageable game against the Eagles, and then probably on to Minnesota. That will be a test.


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[Pyperkub]

They’ve got what should be a fairly manageable game against the Eagles, and then probably on to Minnesota. That will be a test.


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How's the Eagles rush defense this year? The Rams was pretty terrible and that was the difference in the game (plus the two early special teams turnovers by the Rams when their defense hadn't broken down).

Side note, I took a nap after the first half of the Chiefs-Titans game. Boy was I surprised when I woke up and saw the highlights!

[RunningMn9]

This is probably the last time I’ll be allowed to post in here, so Godspeed to the rest of you.


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[Isgrimnur]

There’s still probably 8-10 more punts before we have to pack it in.

[Jeff V]

This is probably the last time I’ll be allowed to post in here, so Godspeed to the rest of you.


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But hey, it only took a year but they invalidated the very premise of this thread (see post one, page one).

[RunningMn9]

At least I’ve got that going for me.


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[Jeff V]

I'm hoping that works for the Bears next year.

[Jaymann]

So you want to be an NFL quarterback. How about 4th and 3 with a buck 17 left...

[RunningMn9]

Oof. That was a bad turn of events for Tyrod. And of course Peterman immediately throws a pick.


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[stessier]

That pick wasn't Peterman's fault. It was a really good defensive play.

[Jaymann]

What trickery is this? A forward pass?

[RunningMn9]

That pick wasn't Peterman's fault. It was a really good defensive play.

That pick was 100% Peterman’s fault. You can’t float a pass on an out route, which is exactly what he did. That will get intercepted almost every time. That ball took forever to get there.

Edit: it was a really good defensive play, but Peterman has to either not throw that, not put it on the inside shoulder, or throw it like he means it so the DB can’t recover in time.

[gameoverman]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

[Isgrimnur]

That pick wasn't Peterman's fault. It was a really good defensive play.

That pick was 100% Peterman’s fault. You can’t float a pass on an out route, which is exactly what he did. That will get intercepted almost every time. That ball took forever to get there.

Edit: it was a really good defensive play, but Peterman has to either not throw that, not put it on the inside shoulder, or throw it like he means it so the DB can’t recover in time.

I don’t get the feeling that he’s had a lot of experience in playing with those wind conditions.

[Jaymann]

With all the injuries you can definitely see the advantage of a first round bye. Looks like Steelers at Foxboro is inevitable.

[RunningMn9]

That’s not a “wind conditions” mistake. That’s a rookie mistake, not realizing that you cannot make that throw to the sidelines without putting some mustard on it (which helps cut through the wind). It’s the same mistake he made on his last pick in the Chargers game.

[El Guapo]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

I will say, not since the Patriots got to play Tebow in the playoffs have I been as excited about a playoff matchup as Patriots - Titans. Should be a fun game to watch.

[Jaymann]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

I will say, not since the Patriots got to play Tebow in the playoffs have I been as excited about a playoff matchup as Patriots - Titans. Should be a fun game to watch.

Mularkey got his contract extension, so he is playing with house money. Literally.

[gameoverman]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

I will say, not since the Patriots got to play Tebow in the playoffs have I been as excited about a playoff matchup as Patriots - Titans. Should be a fun game to watch.

The Patriots are in a superior position but I think Mariota is the kind of quarterback that can surprise them. They can't prepare for him the way they would for a conventional QB and any guy who can throw a touchdown pass to himself in a playoff game clearly has some powerful mojo on his side.

[naednek]

In the Bills vs Jax game, the decision to throw at the 1 yard line before the half ended was incredibly stupid. Got called for a holding call (If I remember correctly).

[stessier]

In the Bills vs Jax game, the decision to throw at the 1 yard line before the half ended was incredibly stupid. Got called for a holding call (If I remember correctly).

No, it was OPI. Good play call otherwise.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I agree that it was a terrible call to pass. 1st and goal on the one against a team whose main defensive weakness is the run? Run the ball twice and throw on third down if needed.

[El Guapo]

As a Patriots fan, I could not be more supportive of teams deciding to throw at the 1 yard line.

[naednek]

I agree that it was a terrible call to pass. 1st and goal on the one against a team whose main defensive weakness is the run? Run the ball twice and throw on third down if needed.

exactly.

[RunningMn9]

In the Bills vs Jax game, the decision to throw at the 1 yard line before the half ended was incredibly stupid. Got called for a holding call (If I remember correctly).

Benjamin got called for OPI for Gronking Jalen Ramsey.

The play call was a run, but it gave Tyrod the option to throw the back shoulder fade to Benjamin if it was clear 1:1 coverage. Tyrod chose to do that, which was a terrible decision, and not just because of the OPI. You have four plays to hammer the ball in against a team whose only weakness is run defense. You do that. Four times. And if they stop you, Bortles has to start at his 1 or 2 yard line. Why they would give him an option there, against the NFL's best pass defense, I don't know.

Rick Dennison should be fired. I don't care one way or the other about Tyrod. If they keep him, I can live with that - as long as they run a system that takes advantage of his strengths, and surround him with more talent. If they don't keep him, I'm fine with that too.

At this stage, I'm not going to concern myself with what I think their needs are. Beane and McDermott need to use free agency and the draft to field the team they want to field, and I'll watch. They've earned that at least.

[stessier]

As a Patriots fan, I could not be more supportive of teams deciding to throw at the 1 yard line.

My statement must have been too subtle.

[El Guapo]

As a Patriots fan, I could not be more supportive of teams deciding to throw at the 1 yard line.

My statement must have been too subtle.

It was.

[El Guapo]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

I will say, not since the Patriots got to play Tebow in the playoffs have I been as excited about a playoff matchup as Patriots - Titans. Should be a fun game to watch.

The Patriots are in a superior position but I think Mariota is the kind of quarterback that can surprise them. They can't prepare for him the way they would for a conventional QB and any guy who can throw a touchdown pass to himself in a playoff game clearly has some powerful mojo on his side.

I'm not an expert on the Titans, but my impression is that Mariota is a talented (though inconsistent) quarterback. He's probably good enough to win, but the rest of the team (and especially the coaching staff) is mediocre at best.

[msteelers]

I’m not an expert on the Titans, but I owned Mariotta on several fantasy teams. My impression is that he didn’t take the step forward that many people thought he would this year, and maybe even regressed.

[gameoverman]

That's what makes them dangerous. Mariota and his team are pinballing through this season, it could have ended horribly for them at any time. And yet here they are. That's the kind of intangible that you can't really prepare for, preparing for a conventionally good team is a lot easier in comparison. At least then you know what kind of game you're going to have.

[El Guapo]

That's what makes them dangerous. Mariota and his team are pinballing through this season, it could have ended horribly for them at any time. And yet here they are. That's the kind of intangible that you can't really prepare for, preparing for a conventionally good team is a lot easier in comparison. At least then you know what kind of game you're going to have.

Yeah, if you have a "good" team then you know that they're going to consistently do things like, throw and catch the ball. Whereas if you have a terrible football team, they could do anything at any time! Can't game plan for that. Also - you don't really need to, if they're not throwing and catching the ball.

[noxiousdog]

I’m not an expert on the Titans, but I owned Mariotta on several fantasy teams. My impression is that he didn’t take the step forward that many people thought he would this year, and maybe even regressed.

There's a lot of conjecture he's been hampered by injuries though he denies they are affecting his play.

[Pyperkub]

I’m not an expert on the Titans, but I owned Mariotta on several fantasy teams. My impression is that he didn’t take the step forward that many people thought he would this year, and maybe even regressed.

Regressed was Jameis Winston. I thought he would be a pro-bowl calibre QB this year, especially with the weapons upgrades he got. Derek Carr too, but after the back injury, he gets more of a pass for the year.

[Kurth]

In the Bills vs Jax game, the decision to throw at the 1 yard line before the half ended was incredibly stupid. Got called for a holding call (If I remember correctly).

Benjamin got called for OPI for Gronking Jalen Ramsey.

The play call was a run, but it gave Tyrod the option to throw the back shoulder fade to Benjamin if it was clear 1:1 coverage. Tyrod chose to do that, which was a terrible decision, and not just because of the OPI. You have four plays to hammer the ball in against a team whose only weakness is run defense. You do that. Four times. And if they stop you, Bortles has to start at his 1 or 2 yard line. Why they would give him an option there, against the NFL's best pass defense, I don't know.

Rick Dennison should be fired. I don't care one way or the other about Tyrod. If they keep him, I can live with that - as long as they run a system that takes advantage of his strengths, and surround him with more talent. If they don't keep him, I'm fine with that too.

At this stage, I'm not going to concern myself with what I think their needs are. Beane and McDermott need to use free agency and the draft to field the team they want to field, and I'll watch. They've earned that at least.

Not to mention that the Bills have Shady, who -- gimpy ankle and all -- was playing a very solid game. With him in the backfield, giving Tyrod the option to throw was just terrible. I put that on the Bills coaching staff.

[Pyperkub]

Blake Bortles, playoff game winner. Not since the days of Tim Tebow have I been so...I don't even know how to describe it. It's why they play the game I suppose. Anything is possible. He just wins PT 2.

Carolina did make it exciting at the end, I'll give them that. I can't help but wonder if Newton regrets not diving for the ball back when he was in the Super Bowl. You have to seize your opportunities when they present themselves, waiting for better ones is risky since there might never be a better one.

Trent Dilfer, Super Bowl Champion starting QB.

[EvilHomer3k]

That's what makes them dangerous. Mariota and his team are pinballing through this season, it could have ended horribly for them at any time. And yet here they are. That's the kind of intangible that you can't really prepare for, preparing for a conventionally good team is a lot easier in comparison. At least then you know what kind of game you're going to have.

Yeah, if you have a "good" team then you know that they're going to consistently do things like, throw and catch the ball. Whereas if you have a terrible football team, they could do anything at any time! Can't game plan for that. Also - you don't really need to, if they're not throwing and catching the ball.

All the Patriots need to do to win is play smart football (which is something they excel at). The Titans shouldn't even be in the playoffs. They are a mediocre team, at best. This game will only be fun to watch for people who enjoy watching a 30 year old man beat the crap out of a 10 year old girl. The only way this becomes interesting is if Gronk or Brady gets taken out of the game due to injury. Even that would only be interesting due to what it means in the next game.

[Kurth]

I’ve been living with a creeping dread all week as Saturday approaches. I’ve been rooting for the Eagles since the Ron Jaworski days, and about mid-way through the Rams game this season, I actually started to believe they might have a shot at making a deep run in the playoffs this year. Then Wentz and his stupid ACL. I have very little faith in Foles, and after playing competently in finishing out the Rams game, the Eagles offense sputtered to a halt the final two games, barely beating the Raiders and then losing to the Cowboys to end the season. Although we’ve actually got talent at WR (Alshon, Nelson Agholor, Tory Smith), Foles seems completely unable to get his receivers involved, looking solely to his TE or his checkdowns to his backs.

Now they’ve got the Falcons. Even though this Atlanta team has been a pale shadow of its offense from last year, they’re still potent and can put points on the board. I think the Eagles’ only chance is if our defense plays to its strengths and gets pressure on Ryan in order to protect what I think is a somewhat suspect secondary. The Eagles D has been pretty solid most of the year, but I’m afraid a lot of that comes from playing ahead. I’m not optimistic.

And the Pats get the Titans at Foxboro.

So, two of the things I hate most are likely to occur on Saturday: An Eagles loss and a Patriots win. I’m planning to make a big pot of pulled pork and have copious amounts of good beer on hand to ease my suffering.

[El Guapo]

I mean, the bad news is that you're probably right. The general expectation is that the Eagles will probably lose to the Falcons (unless Foles pulls an amazing game out of his ass, which is possible).

The good news is that you are now blessed with low expectations. If the Eagles lose...well, that's what you expected anyway. If they win...gravy!

[stessier]

The weather in Foxboro is supposed to be 20s at game time and dropping. A cold 10-15mph wind and drizzle/freezing rain/snow round out the report. That is running weather and the Titans strength is stopping the run. They have a HUGE running back of their own who is very fresh (having only been starter for a game or two) to go against the Pats suspect run defense.

I want the Patriots to win, but this is not going to be an easy game and I can see them losing easily.