|
NFL
Jan 9, 2021 11:53:46 GMT -4
Post by themandalorian on Jan 9, 2021 11:53:46 GMT -4
Well it's been an odd season to say the least but the NFL managed to get the season in and start the playoffs on time. I think just getting to today with a full regular season completed is an accomplishment in itself.
That said, who are the NFL fans on here?
My team, Pats, didn't make it but I love the game and this is still one of my favorite times of the year. I think KC makes it into the SB again with Tampa led by Brady getting hot at the right time of the year.
I would love to see Brady-Mahomes in the playoffs again but in the big game. I think the only team in the AFC that might have a shot at KC is Buffalo but Buffalo has to get there and are they ready for the pressure? In the NFC I think Chicago could upset NO otherwise Brady's quest to get to another SB will have to be winning 3 playoff games on the road if NO beats Chicago and Seahawks beat the Rams.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 11, 2021 10:28:01 GMT -4
Post by elementz on Jan 11, 2021 10:28:01 GMT -4
My Minnesota Vikings had a tough season this year but no sense dwelling on that. I know the Steelers have been struggling after their 11-0 start but did not expect that beatdown from the Browns yesterday. My predictions are:
AFC KV vs BUF = KC
NFC GB vs TB = GB
KC vs GB superbowl which would be a lot of fun.
Speaking of an unusual season...here are some highlights:
- Browns made the playoffs - Pats did not make the playoffs - Tom Brady is a Buccaneer - A WR started at QB - A team played with no name - A rookie QB threw 30 TD's
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 11, 2021 10:35:51 GMT -4
Post by Jack Bauer on Jan 11, 2021 10:35:51 GMT -4
My Minnesota Vikings had a tough season this year but no sense dwelling on that. I know the Steelers have been struggling after their 11-0 start but did not expect that beatdown from the Browns yesterday. My predictions are: AFC KV vs BUF = KC NFC GB vs TB = GB KC vs GB superbowl which would be a lot of fun. Speaking of an unusual season...here are some highlights: - Browns made the playoffs - Pats did not make the playoffs - Tom Brady is a Buccaneer - A WR started at QB - A team played with no name - A rookie QB threw 30 TD's How cool would a Buffalo v Brady Super Bowl be for Bills fans? I agree with your predictions though. KC v GB is the game we're going to see I think. New Orleans defense might have something to say about Brady moving on though.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 12:12:03 GMT -4
Post by Captain Obvious on Jan 25, 2021 12:12:03 GMT -4
NFL teams averaged 3.7 punts per game in 2020, the lowest in league history. Many NFL coaches are embracing what analytics advocates have said for years: punting -- especially on fourth and short at or near midfield -- is counterproductive if a team's goal is to put points on the scoreboard. From the mid-80s to 2017, NFL teams averaged around 4.8 punts per game -- a rate that has dropped in each of the past four seasons. Fourth down aggressiveness has taken center stage during the 2021 postseason. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin elected to punt on fourth and short in a Wild Card Weekend comeback attempt against Cleveland, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid called a game-winning fourth down play against Cleveland in the Divisional Round, directing backup QB Chad Henne to take the snap -- instead of trying to draw the Browns offsides -- and throw a short pass to Tyreek Hill. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel decided to punt on fourth and short while trailing the Ravens in the Wild Card round -- a disastrous decision that doomed Tennessee to a first round loss. More analytically minded coaches could make punts from midfield a relic of an ultra-conservative NFL past.
From Rotoworld
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 16:31:48 GMT -4
Post by SteveUL on Jan 25, 2021 16:31:48 GMT -4
NFL teams averaged 3.7 punts per game in 2020, the lowest in league history. Many NFL coaches are embracing what analytics advocates have said for years: punting -- especially on fourth and short at or near midfield -- is counterproductive if a team's goal is to put points on the scoreboard. From the mid-80s to 2017, NFL teams averaged around 4.8 punts per game -- a rate that has dropped in each of the past four seasons. Fourth down aggressiveness has taken center stage during the 2021 postseason. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin elected to punt on fourth and short in a Wild Card Weekend comeback attempt against Cleveland, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid called a game-winning fourth down play against Cleveland in the Divisional Round, directing backup QB Chad Henne to take the snap -- instead of trying to draw the Browns offsides -- and throw a short pass to Tyreek Hill. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel decided to punt on fourth and short while trailing the Ravens in the Wild Card round -- a disastrous decision that doomed Tennessee to a first round loss. More analytically minded coaches could make punts from midfield a relic of an ultra-conservative NFL past. From Rotoworld Most Coaches are just protecting their jobs by being less aggressive. You get fired over one bad call that affects your season ... social media demands it. Will GB fire their Coach after kicking a field goal instead of going for it on 4th down late in the 4th ?
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 16:38:05 GMT -4
Post by Jack Bauer on Jan 25, 2021 16:38:05 GMT -4
NFL teams averaged 3.7 punts per game in 2020, the lowest in league history. Many NFL coaches are embracing what analytics advocates have said for years: punting -- especially on fourth and short at or near midfield -- is counterproductive if a team's goal is to put points on the scoreboard. From the mid-80s to 2017, NFL teams averaged around 4.8 punts per game -- a rate that has dropped in each of the past four seasons. Fourth down aggressiveness has taken center stage during the 2021 postseason. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin elected to punt on fourth and short in a Wild Card Weekend comeback attempt against Cleveland, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid called a game-winning fourth down play against Cleveland in the Divisional Round, directing backup QB Chad Henne to take the snap -- instead of trying to draw the Browns offsides -- and throw a short pass to Tyreek Hill. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel decided to punt on fourth and short while trailing the Ravens in the Wild Card round -- a disastrous decision that doomed Tennessee to a first round loss. More analytically minded coaches could make punts from midfield a relic of an ultra-conservative NFL past. From Rotoworld Most Coaches are just protecting their jobs by being less aggressive. You get fired over one bad call that affects your season ... social media demands it. Will GB fire their Coach after kicking a field goal instead of going for it on 4th down late in the 4th ? I'd say there's a better chance of it then if he went for it with who most viewed as this seasons league MVP at QB on 4th and goal and gave Brady the ball inside his own 10. No fans would have been there screaming to kick the FG thats for sure. Kicking a FG and giving him the ball just needing 1 1st down was a very low percentage move that still would have required a touchdown to be scored on a final drive that never came. Makes no sense to me.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 16:44:45 GMT -4
Post by Captain Obvious on Jan 25, 2021 16:44:45 GMT -4
Most Coaches are just protecting their jobs by being less aggressive. You get fired over one bad call that affects your season ... social media demands it. Will GB fire their Coach after kicking a field goal instead of going for it on 4th down late in the 4th ? I'd say there's a better chance of it then if he went for it with who most viewed as this seasons league MVP at QB on 4th and goal and gave Brady the ball inside his own 10. No fans would have been there screaming to kick the FG thats for sure. Kicking a FG and giving him the ball just needing 1 1st down was a very low percentage move that still would have required a touchdown to be scored on a final drive that never came. Makes no sense to me. Yeah, even with a FG you still need a stop AND a touchdown. If they were down by 4-5 or 6, then you can argue that two FG wins or ties it. Best case with the call they made was a stop and you get the ball with about 1:30 to 1:40 around your 25 needing a TD with no TO's.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 17:14:37 GMT -4
Post by hal on Jan 25, 2021 17:14:37 GMT -4
Coach's can challenge with Video Review ....what's a Catch ? ......where to spot the ball ? .....but not Pass Interference ? .....Joke ......even the CFL will let you challenge Pass Interference .....Use it for Anything or Nothing at All !
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 25, 2021 17:31:50 GMT -4
Post by Jack Bauer on Jan 25, 2021 17:31:50 GMT -4
Coach's can challenge with Video Review ....what's a Catch ? ......where to spot the ball ? .....but not Pass Interference ? .....Joke ......even the CFL will let you challenge Pass Interference .....Use it for Anything or Nothing at All ! Problem with PI is it's a judgement call. Not all tripping is a tripping penalty in hockey. And not all contact after 5 yards is pass interference in the NFL. They had PI as reviewable for 1 year. They reversed basically 0 calls as they could rarely see clear evidence to overturn the call on the field. They could literally have reviews on 80% of NFL plays if they allowed defensive holding and other penalties to be reviewed. They really can't win no matter what they do with review. Not using it isn't an answer. Neither is reviewing too much. I don't know what the answer is. But i'm confident there's no realistic alternative that offers improvement.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 26, 2021 8:38:02 GMT -4
Post by Captain Obvious on Jan 26, 2021 8:38:02 GMT -4
Coach's can challenge with Video Review ....what's a Catch ? ......where to spot the ball ? .....but not Pass Interference ? .....Joke ......even the CFL will let you challenge Pass Interference .....Use it for Anything or Nothing at All ! They did last year and it was overdone. I think they should have kept it but limit it to blatant calls.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 26, 2021 15:39:48 GMT -4
Post by Captain Obvious on Jan 26, 2021 15:39:48 GMT -4
As we are nearing the Super Bowl...my favorite SB commercial...
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 26, 2021 21:49:01 GMT -4
Post by themandalorian on Jan 26, 2021 21:49:01 GMT -4
NFL teams averaged 3.7 punts per game in 2020, the lowest in league history. Many NFL coaches are embracing what analytics advocates have said for years: punting -- especially on fourth and short at or near midfield -- is counterproductive if a team's goal is to put points on the scoreboard. From the mid-80s to 2017, NFL teams averaged around 4.8 punts per game -- a rate that has dropped in each of the past four seasons. Fourth down aggressiveness has taken center stage during the 2021 postseason. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin elected to punt on fourth and short in a Wild Card Weekend comeback attempt against Cleveland, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid called a game-winning fourth down play against Cleveland in the Divisional Round, directing backup QB Chad Henne to take the snap -- instead of trying to draw the Browns offsides -- and throw a short pass to Tyreek Hill. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel decided to punt on fourth and short while trailing the Ravens in the Wild Card round -- a disastrous decision that doomed Tennessee to a first round loss. More analytically minded coaches could make punts from midfield a relic of an ultra-conservative NFL past. From Rotoworld The rise of prolific offences like KC now, NE up to the last couple seasons, Colts with Peyton Manning have led to this. Unless you are deep in your end or it's 4th and longer than 7 or 8 near midfield it is best to try to get a first down to not only continue the drive but keep the ball away from Mahomes or Brady or Peyton.
One of the gutsiest plays ever was by the Saints against the Colts in 2010 with the onside kick to start the 3rd quarter; Sean Payton is looked upon as a legend for calling that, it turned the tide of that game because we all knew the Colts were probably going to score on that drive to go up 17-6 and take 7-8 minutes off the clock in the process. It was the right call to make even if it hadn't worked. Philly special 3 years ago against my Pats was the right call on 4th and goal late in the 2nd quarter.
Now if you have a skilled punter who can routinely pin the other team in deep while punting from midfield then that is another metric to take into account, too many touchbacks are given and you only gain 30 yards in field position.
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 27, 2021 9:25:16 GMT -4
via mobile
Post by yesisaiditfirst on Jan 27, 2021 9:25:16 GMT -4
I think you have to try and keep the ball to save your defense. Those elite offenses maintain drives and can pile on in the second half if the D never gets off the field. Attrition and fatigue on D will eventually hurt even the best defensive units.
What Brady has done well for his tenure is give his D breaks. Shorten the game clock means not so many incomplete passes or out of bound plays that stop the clock so much. Even if they are against a really good coverage the plays they choose to try and buy time maybe move the sticks a couple of times before punting or the inevitable field goal.
I recall the big lead Atlanta had on NE in the Superbowl there was so much time left on the clock. A good running game or short passing game can really help an offense take some time off clock when they make drives. Need to play the long game. Want the other side beaten up a bit for the 4th quarter (not the other way around).
|
|
|
NFL
Jan 27, 2021 9:31:23 GMT -4
Post by Captain Obvious on Jan 27, 2021 9:31:23 GMT -4
I think you have to try and keep the ball to save your defense. Those elite offenses maintain drives and can pile on in the second half if the D never gets off the field. Attrition and fatigue on D will eventually hurt even the best defensive units. What Brady has done well for his tenure is give his D breaks. Shorten the game clock means not so many incomplete passes or out of bound plays that stop the clock so much. Even if they are against a really good coverage the plays they choose to try and buy time maybe move the sticks a couple of times before punting or the inevitable field goal. I recall the big lead Atlanta had on NE in the Superbowl there was so much time left on the clock. A good running game or short passing game can really help an offense take some time off clock when they make drives. Need to play the long game. Want the other side beaten up a bit for the 4th quarter (not the other way around). I think you guys both nailed it. Offenses are prolific, but they also are so much more advanced, adding college strategies and concepts to make short passing and including QB's TE's and WR into the run game. Lots of misdirection and pre snap movement. Look at how Reid uses Hill to open up running lanes and short passes by putting him in motion or running him across the formation. In that case speed kills. Baltimore uses the threat of Jackson getting outside to free up their RB and Andrews at TE. A lot of it is small details but it creates openings and mismatches. Another factor is the rules on defenders, not being able to contact down field, rules against hitting defenseless receivers and QB's. Those are all slanted towards the offense.
|
|
|
NFL
Feb 7, 2021 18:04:45 GMT -4
Post by themandalorian on Feb 7, 2021 18:04:45 GMT -4
Just a few hours before Tom Brady's TENTH, YES TENTH, Super Bowl appearance.
It wasn't always easy this season with games having to be postponed a bit and played on some Tuesdays and Wednesdays but the NFL has got it done and the Super Bowl is being played on the first Sunday of February as it should be.
I'm going to go with the Bucs beating the Chiefs tonight, the Bucs D has played really well the last 2 games against the Saints and Packers getting to the QB with pressure and I think that Arians watched how the Patriots beat the Chiefs 2 years ago and we'll see a lot of Leonard Fournette tonight and using play action to score and keep Mahomes off the field as much as possible. Mahomes is amazing but he is prone to struggling if he can't get in rhythm.
I'm saying Tampa Bay by a FG at the end.
|
|