NFL - Discussion Thread

New England v Atlanta rematch.

Can't believe Denver destroyed Dallas. 4TDs to Trevor Seimian proved my belief that he is the superior QB for Denver. Elliot was held to EIGHT yards off NINE CARRIES!

Sunday's Results:

Baltimore defeated Cleveland 24-10
Tampa Bay defeated Chicago 29-7
Pittsburgh defeated Minnesota 26-9
New England defeated New Orleans 36-20
Kansas City defeated Philadelphia 27-20 after trailing 6-10 in Q3
Tennessee defeated Jacksonville 37-16 after trailing 0-3 in Q1
Arizona defeated Indianapolis 16-13 in overtime after trailing 3-13 in Q4
Carolina defeated Buffalo 9-3
Oakland defeated New York Jets 45-20
Miami defeated Los Angeles Chargers 19-17 after trailing 10-17 in Q3
Seattle defeated San Francisco 12-9 after trailing 6-9 in Q4
Washington defeated Los Angeles Rams 27-20 after being tied 20-20 in Q4
Denver defeated Dallas 42-17
Atlanta defeated Green Bay 34-23 after leading 34-10 at 3QT

« Last edited by Matt77 on Sep 18th 2017 »

I agree, Super Bowl Rematch is looking more likely the passing weeks. Raiders aren't ready to overthrow the Patriots, and no one in the NFC can hang with Atlanta's speed and big play capabilities.

I still fancy the Raiders doing it this year, I think it is their time now. I predict Derek Carr will win MVP this season if he stays healthy. Khalil Mack is a monster on defense and I expect him to also have a big year with the improvements the Raiders have made in the secondary helping his game, don't forget Mack is also the current reigning defensive player of the year and if he continues the form he showed towards the end of last year he is going to cause a lot of problems for offenses.

A team I'm concerned about is Seattle. They were trailing San Francisco 6-9 in the last quarter, AT HOME. They'll still win the division and get some wins due to the NFC West being awful but come playoffs they will be one and done if they don't improve immediately.

Just had a look at Seattle, I agree with your assessment - one and done. One of those horrible teams that has a good win one week and then reverts to being a mediocre team the following week. I think Seattle have had their day and are a team on the decline. The Falcons are the new birds on the block.

The Patriots have dropped 62 points in two games. I don't think they will be going to the Super Bowl this year, I can see them getting upset by Pittsburgh or one of three teams in the AFC West at the divisional playoff stage, probably the Raiders.

The Seahawks just have to find a rhythm on offense; they're still the #2 team in the NFC, followed by the Pack at #3. The NFC is Atlanta's to lose, and after what I saw them do against the Packers, the Seahawks Defense is probably the only thing that could possibly stop the Falcons.

The Raiders are too inexperienced to go far in the playoffs. They also have spotty play from their non-superstars. I'm not even sure they will win their division this year, as the Chiefs are looking pretty good to start. But 11-5 wouldn't be too bad for them, perhaps one win in the playoffs.

If anyone is going to defeat the Patriots, it's going to be the Steelers or Chiefs. Both of them have a better balance between the talent of their players, and both of their schemes are more favorable against the Patriots. Still, I doubt either of them will be able to get the job done in the Playoffs since the Patriots always take things a step further toward a Super Bowl run.

I don't rate Seattle one bit. At the start of the season I thought there was hope but they've been mediocre just like last season. They started with a 12-10 come-from behind win against the then-awful Dolphins AT HOME and then didn't score a touchdown against LA Rams. This season they didn't score a touchdown against the Packers (I know they're a good team) and then had a 12-9 come from behind win against the now-awful 49ers AT HOME. They start every season the same, and have their pattern. Start awful, slowly improve until they peak and have a massive upset (New England away from home last season), and then start to flatline at a mediocre level.

I know you're a knowledgeable football person but Seattle are NOT the second best team in the NFC. They'll have to show that they can score more than 1 touchdown in two matches (which they missed the extra point on). Next week they have Tennessee away from home. That is a match I expect them to lose, but here's a chance for them to show me that they are actually half-decent.

I think these are the best 6 teams in each conference:

New England
Oakland
Kansas City
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Tennessee

Atlanta
Green Bay
Dallas
Carolina
Seattle
New York Giants

« Last edited by Matt77 on Sep 18th 2017 »

Yeah...

Patriots
Steelers
Chiefs
Raiders
Broncos
Ravens

Falcons
Seahawks
Packers
Cowboys/Giants/Bucs/Carolina/Eagles/Lions/Vikes

Last two NFC is up in the air to me.

Was temped to put Denver but remember they started last season 4-0 and went 4-8 afterwards.

Do you expect Seattle to be able to beat Green Bay, Dallas, or New York Giants in the playoffs?

In playoffs? Yes.

I finished 13-3 this week; now 22-9 overall.

Oakland Raiders
Kansas City
New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Denver

Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers
Carolina
Detroit
Dallas

Obviously that list will change as its based on two games. For example I'll be surprised if Detroit and Carolina are still in it in a couple of more weeks once we've seen them play a bit more.

Carolina's defense seems good to start (have conceded 0TDs and 2FGs in two matches) so I think they'll stay around. Cam Newton should start improving soon too, to make the offense functional.

11-5 this week was disappointing, considering I started 10-0 and then went 1-5 and 0-4 to finish the week. Still, 21-10 (67.7%) is reasonable compared to 20-12 (62.5%) last season. You've returned to your rightful place in front of me (by 1 tip) Warrior but remember, my understanding of the game will only grow week to week...

« Last edited by Matt77 on Sep 19th 2017 »

Had another look at the Miami result + watched the highlights (my computer fixed itself so now I can watch). They should've lost that game. An intercept steal from Parker and two reasonable field goal misses by LA (including a game-winning 44-yarder), along with a 54-yard field goal by Miami, is what you call lots and lots of luck. A massive bonus for Miami; now when they go play Tennessee they should be 3-0 and full of confidence. One thing that needs to change though; our secondary is terrible! Rivers (who I thought was average last season) passed for 300+ yards (31/39). On one play he threw to a receiver open with about a 10-yard radius of space around him, but simply ran out of the field instead of turning around & realising how awful the defense was. New York Jets hopefully shouldn't be a problem, but New Orleans could upset us in London if we're not careful. One thing's for sure; if Miami are not at least 3-1 (preferably 4-0) after week 5 their playoff chances are 100% over. They NEED a good start win-loss wise since they don't have a bye and have to travel to London for a home game, and possibly may have some players getting tired towards the end.

Potentially destroying New York Jets twice this season (they usually play well against Miami so here's only hoping) would be a huge win for Miami, so that they can rest players for a quarter as a mini-bye.

Week 3 is crazy. Did a no-no and picked 12 Road Teams, but I couldn't force myself to pick a home team I honestly felt would lose even with home field advantage.

My Week 3 Predictions: (Season: 21-10) (Last Week: 11-5) (This Week: 7-9)

Los Angeles Rams 20-16 over San Francisco
Baltimore 20-9 over Jacksonville
Cleveland 27-23 over Indianapolis
Philadelphia 21-20 over New York Giants
Miami 27-23 over New York Jets
Denver 19-10 over Buffalo
Carolina 30-24 over New Orleans
Pittsburgh 27-24 over Chicago
Atlanta 31-28 over Detroit
Tampa Bay 29-13 over Minnesota
New England 34-16 over Houston
Seattle 20-15 over Tennessee
Green Bay 41-21 over Cincinnati
Kansas City 20-17 over Los Angeles Chargers
Oakland 31-24 over Washington
Dallas 35-20 over Arizona

Picked 12 road teams also. However three were in prime time and my prime time record this season is 2-5, so don't be surprised if Washington and/or Arizona spring upsets. A couple of tricky ones here; Atlanta @ Detroit, Tampa Bay @ Minnesota, Seattle @ Tennessee, New York Giants @ Philadelphia, & Cleveland @ Indianapolis. Actually there's a few.

« Last edited by Matt77 on Sep 26th 2017 »

Picked all the same except for Colts & Giants. If Giants don't win, they're done. Went with Colts because they almost beat the Cards.

I think Phily are good enough to win. Eli is nearing the end; he had an average 2016/17 and that hasn't changed. They haven't been close in their two games (lost by combined 13-43). Dallas kept them to a field goal and then the next week gave up 6 touchdowns to Denver. They may win, but I doubt it.

In theory Indy should win but I went with my gut with Cleveland. Andrew Luck is arguably the most valuable player in the NFL alongside Derek Carr, and without him they are a 3-13 team. Giving up a 13-3 lead in the fourth quarter and losing is deflating, meanwhile Cleveland had the expected result against a red-hot Baltimore. There is some logic in the upset pick. Also almost beating Arizona is not an achievement. Arizona are average without David Johnson.

We shall see who will reign supreme in week 3.

I can't argue with any of your predictions this week Matt. They're obviously not all going to come in but for the life of me I can't see where the upset wins are going to come from. I'm obviously hoping one of them will be Washington beating Oakland but I can't see it. All I see in that match though is a Raider win 27-17.

Primetime games have been filled with upsets. I predict there will be one, either in Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco, Oakland @ Washington, or Dallas @ Arizona.