2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[Enigma869]

Atleast Houston has Arian Foster, a healthy offensive line and a potential home game to get ready for

Right...and they're without their first and second string QB and a WR who is better than any receiver the Steelers have, including Mike Wallace (who I think is VERY good).

[S2M]

Atleast Houston has Arian Foster, a healthy offensive line and a potential home game to get ready for

Right...and they're without their first and second string QB and a WR who is better than any receiver the Steelers have, including Mike Wallace (who I think is VERY good).

2011's version of Renaldo Nehemiah, strictly a burner/track star that has a limited talent ceiling. Time will tell if this guy can hang getting the shit kicked out of him on a yearly basis. I'm waiting for someone to pull a Harrison on him and watch as the Pittsburgh faithful turn hypocrite and complain about the legality of the hit....

[YoungJRNY]

Atleast Houston has Arian Foster, a healthy offensive line and a potential home game to get ready for

Right...and they're without their first and second string QB and a WR who is better than any receiver the Steelers have, including Mike Wallace (who I think is VERY good).

T.J Yates is arguably playing better than most starting QB's around the league and even has a come from behind victory on the road as a testament to the team against a good defense. A serviceable young QB who proved he can win games with the players around him. Atleast the Texans aren't scared to shell the kid. Houston should be fine with a stout runner and a good defense, atleast for the opening round at home. Andre Johnson will probably be back for the playoffs as well as they'll sit him week to week until then.

[Enigma869]

T.J Yates is arguably playing better than most starting QB's around the league .

It doesn't change the fact that he's a third string QB who has kept his team in first place. Again, injuries are part of football, and most teams have guys (and top guys) injured. I can't tell you how many times Tom Brady has had to have surgery after a season ends, and nobody ever hears about it, because the guy simply refuses to draw any attention at all to his injuries.

[YoungJRNY]

T.J Yates is arguably playing better than most starting QB's around the league .

It doesn't change the fact that he's a third string QB who has kept his team in first place. Again, injuries are part of football, and most teams have guys (and top guys) injured. I can't tell you how many times Tom Brady has had to have surgery after a season ends, and nobody ever hears about it, because the guy simply refuses to draw any attention at all to his injuries.

I think Tom Brady has been on the injury report since 2001, haha. The Steelers injuries hurts their chances as an overall advantage point as far as how they beat up on teams. Here's my take on the 4 top-dawgs in the AFC:

New England: Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez & Rob Gronkowski are primed and peaking just at the right time for New England's offense. They can easily put 30 points up on the board and put up a significant amount of points against a very tough Broncos defense on the road. As bad as their defense is, they are still an opportunistic squad at forcing turnovers. The Pats are 11-3 with a very bad defense. As long as that offense is clicking, the Pats are in good shape and own the #1 seed at the moment.

Baltimore: A healthy team that has a tough defense led by Suggs, Lewis, Reed, Ngata and Jarrett Johnson, who I think is a total nightmare. Ray Rice is probably a top 3 back in the league and is just as dangerous in the passing game. Baltimore is 7-0 at home this season but just 3-4 on the road. The glaring question mark is QB Joe Flacco who is as up and down as any other in the league. With Pittsburgh losing, they now own a first round BYE and the AFC NORTH division.

Pittsburgh: The Steelers can't run the ball and have a very poor offensive line. The team has now turned into a passing offense and showed glimpse's of being dangerous. Now with Ben hanging on a thread with his ankle and also a broken foot, it's pretty easily to tell the Steelers rely on scoring points off of Roethlisberger's mobility and the chances being takin' downfield. None was present Monday Night as Ben can't plant on his feet and deliver the football anywhere outside of 10-15 yards, which makes his speedy WR's useless to split the defense. This Steelers team is -11 this season in the turnover ratio and the defense is not only lacking turnovers of their own, but also lacking a healthy pass-rush. Result? 0 touchdowns against the 49'ers.

--------------------

Houston: T.J Yates is a serviceable quarterback that has won very big games for the Houston Texans both at home, and on the road. He also proved his will to the team when he engineered a comeback victory in Cincinnati against a good defense with the AFC SOUTH on the line. The Texans have a HUGE offensive line, one of the biggest in the league and they have a stout, powerful and athletic runner in Arian Foster running behind them. Yates can thrown the ball downfield and Andre Johnson should be back for the playoffs. They also own one of the best defense's in the league on the other side of the ball.


If you would ask me, at this very moment, Pittsburgh is the weakest of the 4.

[Enigma869]

[


If you would ask me, at this very moment, Pittsburgh is the weakest of the 4.

And I probably wouldn't disagree with you...at this very moment. Of course, I could feel they are the strongest of the 4 by this time next week. This is a very strange NFL season.

[YoungJRNY]

[


If you would ask me, at this very moment, Pittsburgh is the weakest of the 4.

And I probably wouldn't disagree with you...at this very moment. Of course, I could feel they are the strongest of the 4 by this time next week. This is a very strange NFL season.

No doubt about that. Should be exciting either way that's for sure.

[Enigma869]

Houston versus Indianapolis - The Colts are coming off of their amazing one game win streak. I'm sure Polian will remind them before tonight's game that they still have a season to throw and St. Louis is fast on their heels. It's time for Houston to bounce back coming off of their loss to Carolina, and a bad Colts team is exactly what they're looking for. Texans by 10.

[YoungJRNY]

Houston @ Indianapolis: Football is a game of momentum. It's also a game of adversity and the Texans stare it in the face, going on the road in fear of losing the #2 seed to the Baltimore Ravens. Good teams take care of bad teams and shove their 1 win victory up their wazoo if they ever want to respond. The Texans have a chance to rebound from a bad performance at home against the Panthers. Texans by 17.

[Ehwmatt]

I feel really bad for the Texans this year. I know injuries are part of the game, but damn, they've gotten the gauntlet. And I know when the Browns someday, finally DO have a competitive team and season, the same exact thing will happen to them. lol.

[Ehwmatt]

A trio of former RBs (Jamal Lewis, Dorsey Levens, and Ryan Stewart) are suing the NFL over the lingering side effects of their concussions. The crux of the allegations is that the NFL knew about the risks of head injuries to some extent as early as the 1920s (hard to believe considering we didn't even know smoking was bad for you until relatively recently) and that the NFL affirmatively misled players about those risks.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/73793 ... oncussions

This is bullshit. I feel bad for players who have to cope with being messed up after their NFL careers. And I think most fair-minded people do, too. But the more they start pulling these little shenanigans, the more public opinion will shift to the "they made millions and assumed the risk" theory.

I'm kind of in the middle right now. I feel bad for them, but players of Lewis's vintage also were compensated quite handsomely for their troubles.

If you're a former NFL player thinking of suing on theories like these, my advice to you would be to strike while the iron's hot. A few years' worth of a pattern of suits like these, and juries will be completely unreceptive to these types of claims. Early claims might have a chance just because of the whole public, pervasive hubbub about concussions in the NFL and their effects later in life.

My sister's fiance's father was an offensive lineman for the Kardiac Kid browns of the 80s. He has no knees and a fucked up shoulder, but he doesn't complain. He certainly doesn't sue. He just enjoys the life he's lived, physical warts and all, because he did pretty well as an NFL player even playing in the 70s and 80s.

[squirt1]

Cincinnati Bengals now totally owned by the Brown family. Seems they had a spare 200 million plus to make it happen. They had been playing to 25-30,000 below capacity and now probably more .

[YoungJRNY]

Are the Indianapolis Colts in jeopardy in missing out on the #1 draft pick and potentially landing Andrew Luck? Current 3 teams with 2 loss's and the worst records in the NFL: Indianapolis Colts (2-13); St.Louis Rams (2-12) & Minnesota Vikings (2-12).

Colts 19, Texans 16. This is why the NFL is so exciting. Truly jaw-dropping, unpredictable results that makes you want more.

[conversationpc]

So much for the Colts throwing the season on purpose?

[Enigma869]

So much for the Colts throwing the season on purpose?

Up until last week, it certainly looked like they couldn't lose enough games. I stand by what I said...it was embarrassing. I applaud them for deciding to actually try. I will say that if I were a fan of the Colts, I would actually be more pissed, and not raining smiley faces down on message boards. The reality that they have been fucking putrid the entire season, had the number one pick locked up, and are now in danger of losing out on that pick. Most franchises get a chance at a franchise QB once every 30 years (if they're lucky). The Colts are setup to have the potential of getting another franchise QB to replace their old and banged up QB. It's a dream scenario for an NFL franchise. I applaud them for trying but still hope they get the number one pick. Nothing would be more satisfying than listening to everyone in corn country debate whether Luck should replace Peyton.

[DavidWT]

Still hoping for a Jets Vs. Giants Superbowl this year.
(yeah, I know it's not very likely.... I think I'll have to settle for this weekend's Jets-Giants game as the closest I'll get to seeing that, since the game is pretty crucial to both teams.)

[Enigma869]

Oakland at Kansas City - All you need to know about how bad the NFL is this season is that both of these awful teams are still alive for playoff spots! Raiders by 4.

Jacksonville at Tennessee - Tennessee still believes they have a shot at the playoffs (they don't). Jacksonville has a bunch of guys playing for jobs, which will make this game quite close. Titans by 3.

Miami at New England - Miami is a much better team than most think they are. Even in the games they've lost (aside from Philly), they have all been very close. Since the Patriots last lost a game 7 weeks ago, I've said they would lose one more game, and yet I've picked them to win their past 6 games. Miami has won 5 out of their last 7 and is only giving up about 15 points per game over that time, so this is Miami's week to keep rolling and avenge an earlier season loss. Not so fast. These games are almost always close, and I don't expect this one to be any different. I just don't see the Patriots losing an important game (to them) in December, given that they've lost a total of 4 December games in the past 10 years. Patriots by 4.

Arizona at Cincinnati - The Bengals season hangs in the balance with that last playoff spot there for their taking. They're young and very inconsistent. This is their chance to "grow up" a bit, in a game that they absolutely MUST win. Bengals by 7.

Denver at Buffalo - Interesting how quiet the Touchdown Jesus crowd has been this week. Don't get used to it. Denver is the best running team in the NFL going against the worse rush defense in the NFL. Strength against weakness does not equal a good outcome Buffalo. Touchdown Jesus by 10.

St. Louis at Pittsburgh - Oh no. The Rapist has a boo boo and can't play. The sky is falling. No freakin' way the Steelers win a game against this vaunted powerhouse team. Oh, wait. It's the Rams they're playing? Charlie Batch...Trent Dilfer...Tylar Palko, or a stiff to be named later won't matter in this one. The Steelers need Ben in the playoffs. They don't need him against pathetic teams like the Rams. Steelers by 14.

NY Giants at NY Jets - One of many great games on the schedule this week. A "no win" for any Boston fan, any time two NY teams are facing each other. As poor as the Jets have been playing, I still think they're a team who could play well enough, defensively, in a playoff game to beat a team who shouldn't lose to them. This is one of many "toss up" games for me this weekend. I like the Giants by 6.

Minnesota at Washington - Another "who cares" Bowl. The Redskins are coming off of a complete blowout against the Giants so should be full of confidence. A bad Minnesota team should bolster that confidence. Redskins by 7.

Tampa Bay at Carolina - On paper (at least according to record), two evenly matched teams. When you look a bit deeper, Tampa is reeling with 8 straight losses. Cam Newton continues to play well, and in my opinion, wins the rookie of the year...and this game. Panthers by 8.

Cleveland at Baltimore - Not a lot of margin for error for the Ravens left in this season. They are a bad road team, but no worries this week, with the home field and a bad team to face. Ravens by 14.

San Diego at Detroit - San Diego is rolling along in December, as usual. They look unstoppable. Playing on the road, but in a dome, helps that San Diego offense. The Chargers have an outside shot at the playoffs, but cannot lose a game. The Lions still don't have anything locked up. I see this game being very high scoring and the last team with the ball wins. I like Detroit to win the game on their final drive of the game. Lions by 3.

Philadelphia at Dallas - Another great matchup. Dallas continues to be a poorly coached team. The Eagles appear to have figured some things out, even if way too late. I like the upset in this one. Eagles by 4.

San Francisco at Seattle - Seattle is supposedly the toughest stadium to play in. Not sure that it matters when the team who plays there is forever .500. Niners by 7.

Chicago at Green Bay - The Bears are on quite a slide with 4 straight losses. Given their current QB situation, I don't see any hope of them turning this around. I have zero concerns about Green Bay, in spite of them not showing up to play KC. Green Bay by 17.

Atlanta at New Orleans - What a great way to cap off a weekend of games. It's nice to have a great Monday night matchup. Drew Brees is on a role and breaks Dan Marino's record this week against Atlanta, and obliterates it next weekend. In my opinion, Brees should be the MVP winner, if nothing happens over the past two weeks to change my mind (I thought Aaron Rodgers was the runaway winner for the first 10 weeks of the season). I think Atlanta is a good team, but not as good as some others think. They're simply not consistent enough, yet, for me to have blind faith in them. Saints by 10.

[YoungJRNY]

Oakland at Kansas City - Even though Kyle Orton isn't the messiah that Tim Tebow is, he is very underrated on what the leauge thinks of him. He's capable of putting up points and gunslinging it downfield with his quick release that had him top of the league at one point last season. Still, Kansas City won't pull an Indianapolis Colts and go on a two game win streak, though I won't be remotely surprised to see it happen in the NFL. Hard to believe the Chiefs can have a showdown next week for the WEST. Raiders by 7.

Jacksonville at Tennessee - Tennessee is still alive and are a tough bunch to play at home. I believe their defense will get it done against a very one dimensional offense that is already packing their bags for the golf course. Tennessee is still playing for their playoff hopes as well. They must respond to have a chance in a tight race. Titans by 10.

Miami at New England - Miami simply doesn't have the tools to get into a shootout with New England. Even though Brady usually struggles with Miami atleast once a season, New England is going to show how primed they are for January. Patriots by 16.

Arizona at Cincinnati - Tough matchup to predict once you look at it closely. Arizona has found some balance and is simply starting to play better football as their overall product. I always believed throughout the season that the Bengals will own that 6th seed in the NFL playoffs and those hopes start for them right now. Bengals by 7.

Denver at Buffalo - Buffalo is another prime example on how to beat a Tim Tebow offense. Even though Buffalo has showed why they "circle the wagon" and ultimately played pretender this season, Fitzpatrick is still capable of scoring points at home and that usually spells doom for Tim Tebow if he gets behind in a shootout with the opposing offense that can potentially keep their foot on the gas peddle. Bills by 8.

St. Louis at Pittsburgh - Happy to see James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley be on the same field since the very few first weeks of the season. That makes Steelers Nation very happy to potentially have those two healthy for the postseason. Steelers by 13.

NY Giants at NY Jets - Mark Sanchez is still under the same category as Tony Romo and Joe Flacco. Quarterbacks who can't be trusted in key moments. For the Jets, there will be a lot of key moments in this game and Eli Manning has passed that test with flying colors this season in the 4th QRT. I'm still going with the Giants to win the NFC EAST. Giants by 10.

Minnesota at Washington - Redskins by 14.

Tampa Bay at Carolina - Buccaneers by 3.

Cleveland at Baltimore - The Ravens are one helluva football team at home. Seneca Wallace may shock some people and be able to move the ball better than Colt McCoy but with the Ravens looking for revenge and the AFC's #2 seed, this could get ugly for Cleveland. Ravens by 20.

San Diego at Detroit - The San Diego Super Chargers are one scary football team in the month of December. Now, everything is positive. Even Norv Turner can grab an extension when he was a dead-body in the water some 2 weeks ago. Detroit are the comeback kids of the 2011 season but I believe a hot Phil Rivers is tough to stop in the 12th month of the year. Chargers by 10.

Philadelphia at Dallas - Like the Chiefs, hard to believe that the Eagles can potentially WIN their division! As I said, I like the Giants in the EAST when it's all said and done so with the Giants winning above, the Eagles will take care of Dallas. Even Jerry Jones is said to be "scared" of the Eagles. Eagles by 7.

San Francisco at Seattle - UPSET: I've been on Marshawn Lynch's jock all season and will continue to be on it in the upset this week. The 9'ers are coming off an emotional win against a BANGED UP Steelers football team. They'll be thinking they are the shit heading into Seattle, where that place will be JUMPIN" and Lynch will be bustin the Skittles out. This will be the week the 9'ers concede the#2 seed to the Saints. -Seattle by 6.

Chicago at Green Bay - This once was thought to be a preview between two giants not only in the NFC NORTH, but the NFL as well. Green Bay got embarrassed and the Bears will pay for it at a hostile LamBeau Field. Packers by 17.

Atlanta at New Orleans - Drew Brees has a shot to take down Dan Marino in front of a National Audience on Monday Night Football. What a great matchup. The two teams that I think has the best shot to take down the Green Bay Packers in the NFC PLAYOFFS. I love this Falcons teams entering the playoffs but the Saints, in Prime Time, with the #2 seed on the line plus what could be a historical night could spell doom for the Falcons, atleast for one week. Saints by 14.

[S2M]

I figured the officials would give me a Xmas present today. No dice. Just as fucking lame as every other week. Welker is getting mauled.

But that ball was catchable?! FTW!

This game was decided when they chose this officiating crew. Game over.

[AR]

I have my fantasy football championship game today with Brady at QB.

[Enigma869]

I figured the officials would give me a Xmas present today. No dice. Just as fucking lame as every other week. Welker is getting mauled.

But that ball was catchable?! FTW!

This game was decided when they chose this officiating crew. Game over.

You once again prove how fucking clueless you are. The Patriots aren't losing because of the officials. In the event you haven't noticed, they can't get out of their own fucking way on offense. I promise you that the officiating crew had nothing to do with Brady throwing the ball at Welker's ankles!

[S2M]

I figured the officials would give me a Xmas present today. No dice. Just as fucking lame as every other week. Welker is getting mauled.

But that ball was catchable?! FTW!

This game was decided when they chose this officiating crew. Game over.

You once again prove how fucking clueless you are. The Patriots aren't losing because of the officials. In the event you haven't noticed, they can't get out of their own fucking way on offense. I promise you that the officiating crew had nothing to do with Brady throwing the ball at Welker's ankles!

John, please fuck off. Anytime you want to go point-counterpoint - let me know. You arrogant prick.

2 reasons for this pathetic outcome so far: Officiating, and maligned O-line.

Merry Christmas.

[AR]

The Browns had a chance to score a TD on the Ravens from inside the 10 with 12 seconds left an RAN the ball - got stuffed and the clock ran out. They had time for 2 pass plays. Coach/Offensive Coordinator should be fired on the sideline.

[Enigma869]

John, please fuck off. Anytime you want to go point-counterpoint - let me know. You arrogant prick.

2 reasons for this pathetic outcome so far: Officiating, and maligned O-line.

Merry Christmas.

Again...you're a fucking moron and easily the worst sports fan on the planet. You whine about a ball being uncatchable but completely ignore the fact that McCourty committed an absurd penalty. According to you, the ball was uncatchable (which I actually agree with). Again, you can't overlook the fact that McCourty fucking mugged the guy for no apparent reason!

[Enigma869]

The Browns had a chance to score a TD on the Ravens from inside the 10 with 12 seconds left an RAN the ball - got stuffed and the clock ran out. They had time for 2 pass plays. Coach/Offensive Coordinator should be fired on the sideline.

I couldn't agree with you more, Ed. I watched that in complete astonishment. That was worse than Jason Garrett icing his kicker. I couldn't believe these fucking clowns called a running play with the clock running and no time outs left. One of the worse calls I've ever seen on a football field. I would escorted these fuckers out of the stadium, IMMEDIATELY! Matt had to be completely out of his fucking mind watching that clusterfuck

[Enigma869]

Bungholes luck out after leading 23 -0 to start the 4th qtr, only to let the Cards back in the game which they almost tied up at the end. Bungs now hold a one game lead for the 6th seed Wild Card over the Jets. Bungs got Balti next week while the Jets have Miami to finish things up. New Years Day is gonna be a nail biter.

And the Giants and Cowgirls play for that division next week. Eagles are officially eliminated from the playoffs.

[Ehwmatt]

The Browns had a chance to score a TD on the Ravens from inside the 10 with 12 seconds left an RAN the ball - got stuffed and the clock ran out. They had time for 2 pass plays. Coach/Offensive Coordinator should be fired on the sideline.

I couldn't agree with you more, Ed. I watched that in complete astonishment. That was worse than Jason Garrett icing his kicker. I couldn't believe these fucking clowns called a running play with the clock running and no time outs left. One of the worse calls I've ever seen on a football field. I would escorted these fuckers out of the stadium, IMMEDIATELY! Matt had to be completely out of his fucking mind watching that clusterfuck

Pat Shurmur has made so many inexcusable decisions, calls, statements etc this year. And you can't just fall back on the first-year coach excuse. He's bad. Really bad. No signs of a good coach in there. At least Mangini showed an ability to game plan here and there.

[RedWingFan]

Game to watch next week. Kyle Orton leads the Chiefs into Mile High to face Tebow!

Should be fun to watch!

[Enigma869]

Game to watch next week. Kyle Orton leads the Chiefs into Mile High to face Tebow!

Should be fun to watch!

Orton over Touchdown Jesus by 10

[RedWingFan]

Game to watch next week. Kyle Orton leads the Chiefs into Mile High to face Tebow!

Should be fun to watch!

Orton over Touchdown Jesus by 10

How bad does Orton want to stick it to the fans that booed him out of town and knock the Broncos out of the playoffs???