2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[Yoda]

One of the things that always bugs me is happening again in this years playoffs. Denver, which played on Sunday late, has been slotted into playing on a short week by playing NE on Saturday Night, while the Texans who played on Saturday get an extra day off and play on Sunday at Balti. Why do they do this damn near every year? Both NE and Balti could easily be flip flopped as they've had the bye. The NFL takes pride in the ability to flex games to fit their idea of a schedule yet punishes Denver with a short week, plus a cross country flight to boot. I'm not railing on this because I like Denver, I've seen it happen almost year in and year out in the playoffs where one team seems to get short shift on game week when it doesn't need to happen. One day doesn't seem like much but I'd bet an NFL player would think differently.

I think they do it in putting more pressure on those Wild Card teams. Everybody expects to see a New England VS Green Bay Super Bowl, so I guess they're trying their best to make it happen.

[Enigma869]

Everybody expects to see a New England VS Green Bay Super Bowl

Really? I think it's absurd to expect any one or two teams to be in The Super Bowl. Everyone (including me) expected the Steelers to beat Denver last week. How did that turn out? The NFL has always been the least predictable league. You're just as likely to see a Baltimore versus Sants Super Bowl as you are any other combinations. The only team who I would truly be stunned by getting to The Super Bowl would be Denver. because I just don't think they're good enough. Not to mention, Green Bay doesn't exactly have a slam dunk of a game this weekend. Last I checked, they beat the Giants by all of 3 points during the regular season and the Giants could easily beat the Packers.

[YoungJRNY]

Everybody expects to see a New England VS Green Bay Super Bowl

Really? I think it's absurd to expect any one or two teams to be in The Super Bowl. Everyone (including me) expected the Steelers to beat Denver last week. How did that turn out? The NFL has always been the least predictable league. You're just as likely to see a Baltimore versus Sants Super Bowl as you are any other combinations. The only team who I would truly be stunned by getting to The Super Bowl would be Denver. because I just don't think they're good enough. Not to mention, Green Bay doesn't exactly have a slam dunk of a game this weekend. Last I checked, they beat the Giants by all of 3 points during the regular season and the Giants could easily beat the Packers.

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's. Out of all the offense's displayed though, I think New England's has shown more cracks than say, Green Bay or New Orleans so it'll be a superb matchup of high power offense vs high power offense in XLVI.

[Enigma869]

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's.

Teams with bad defenses winning isn't exactly unprecedented in the NFL. The Saints just won a Super Bowl two seasons ago with a bad defense!

[conversationpc]

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's.

Teams with bad defenses winning isn't exactly unprecedented in the NFL. The Saints just won a Super Bowl two seasons ago with a bad defense!

They weren't utterly horrible, though...25th in yds/per game and 20th in points allowed per game. Not good, certainly, but at least in points allowed, they were close to the middle of the pack.

[AlteredDNA]

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's.

Teams with bad defenses winning isn't exactly unprecedented in the NFL. The Saints just won a Super Bowl two seasons ago with a bad defense!

They weren't utterly horrible, though...25th in yds/per game and 20th in points allowed per game. Not good, certainly, but at least in points allowed, they were close to the middle of the pack.

Also 3rd overall in Takeaways/Giveaways at +11 - that was a big part of the defense that year...

[mikemarrs]

Everybody expects to see a New England VS Green Bay Super Bowl

Really? I think it's absurd to expect any one or two teams to be in The Super Bowl. Everyone (including me) expected the Steelers to beat Denver last week. How did that turn out? The NFL has always been the least predictable league. You're just as likely to see a Baltimore versus Sants Super Bowl as you are any other combinations. The only team who I would truly be stunned by getting to The Super Bowl would be Denver. because I just don't think they're good enough. Not to mention, Green Bay doesn't exactly have a slam dunk of a game this weekend. Last I checked, they beat the Giants by all of 3 points during the regular season and the Giants could easily beat the Packers.

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's. Out of all the offense's displayed though, I think New England's has shown more cracks than say, Green Bay or New Orleans so it'll be a superb matchup of high power offense vs high power offense in XLVI.

Same here i want to see a real good shootout,prefer either New England vs. Green Bay or New England vs. New Orleans i'll take either of those.

[mikemarrs]

For some reason i get the feeling the Giants are going to upset Green Bay but i hope it does not happen.The Giants seem to always play pretty good close games with Green Bay.....

[Enigma869]

They weren't utterly horrible, though...25th in yds/per game and 20th in points allowed per game. Not good, certainly, but at least in points allowed, they were close to the middle of the pack.

Right, and New England is 15th in points allowed and Green Bay is 19th, which means that they're both better defensively, than New Orleans was the season they won it all.

Also 3rd overall in Takeaways/Giveaways at +11

Green Bay is second in the NFC with a + 24 and New England is first in the AFC with a + 17. I see a pattern here!

I've never suggested that the Patriots have a good defense, because they don't. The thing that drives me nuts is the media going on and on about how New England is 31st and Green Bay is 32nd and defense. That's on yards allowed, ONLY! Last I checked, games aren't won or lost on yards given up. It's a completely irrelevant statistic. Just like I've never viewed "The number one defense" as the team who gives up the fewest yards, as it's a meaningless stat. Now, if you want to focus on the team who gives up the fewest points...that's something I'll buy into, because it actually means something.

[YoungJRNY]

That's what I was telling my bro the other night. New Orleans VS Baltimore may take place in Indianapolis but I'd finally like to see an offensive shootout for the ages, either Rodgers VS Brady or Brees VS Brady, any of the combination's will do. The science of the NFL for decades was that defense wins championships and so far this season, anything BUT has been winning. Hell, you have New England and Green Bay DEAD LAST in the league, #30 & #31 in total defense, giving up the most yardage in the league but yet, have 13+ victories and each hold the #1 seed in their respected Conference's.

Teams with bad defenses winning isn't exactly unprecedented in the NFL. The Saints just won a Super Bowl two seasons ago with a bad defense!

They weren't utterly horrible, though...25th in yds/per game and 20th in points allowed per game. Not good, certainly, but at least in points allowed, they were close to the middle of the pack.

Also 3rd overall in Takeaways/Giveaways at +11 - that was a big part of the defense that year...

^ This X10. I made a reference awhile back that the 2011 New England Patriots defense reminds me a lot like the 2009 New Orleans Saints team. Even though the Saints were giving up huge amount of yardage and the defense wasn't that spectacular, stat wise, they ALWAYS came up with that turnover at the most opportunistic times. That's what makes a bad overall defense GOOD IMHO, the +Turnover ratio. EVERYTIME this season that I watched a New England Patriots game, they came up with the opportunistic turnover and even did it against Tebow and the Broncos earlier, forcing 2 STRAIGHT turnovers to really put the Broncos behind the 8-ball. They did the same thing to Fitzpatrick the last game of the season, intercepting him at a big rate. The Pats D is bad, but their ability to create the turnover and give Tom Brady an extra possession is their formula for success & it was the Saints formula back in '09.

To put things into perspective, and I was very WORRIED about this heading into the post-season and said it numerous times, that even though the Pittsburgh Steelers team ranked #1 overall defense and #1 overall in pass defense, they had a VERY embarrassing amount of turnovers this season compared to last season (15 in '11/34 in '10) so it's turnovers and timing that kept New England's defense from being victimized to higher scoring.

[YoungJRNY]

Pretty hard to believe the Patriots haven't won a playoff game since 2007. Kind of blows your mind considering the league's so use to them rattling off 16-0 in 2007, 11-5 in 2008, 10-6 in 2009, 14-2 in 2010 and 13-3 this season. I don't see them blowing their 3rd post-season game in a row at Foxboro to Tebow.

[Enigma869]

Pretty hard to believe the Patriots haven't won a playoff game since 2007. Kind of blows your mind considering the league's so use to them rattling off 16-0 in 2007, 11-5 in 2008, 10-6 in 2009, 14-2 in 2010 and 13-3 this season. I don't see them blowing their 3rd post-season game in a row at Foxboro to Tebow.

Not really that tough for me the believe. The funny thing for me, as a kid who was a Patriots fan when most people didn't even know that they were an NFL team, is that there are so many people who really believe that a 3 game losing streak (which is all that you're talking about when you say "since 2007") is something catostrophic. The truth is that the Patriots team who lost to Baltimore two years ago was a shit team who was never going deep into the playoffs. Belichick hated that team and the guys like Adalius Thomas who he thought poisoned the locker room. There were too many "me" guys on that team and those teams never win in the playoffs. I felt the Patriots were better than the Jets last year and absolutely should have won that game. I won't push the panic button unless they lose to Denver. I just think Belichick is a whole lot smarter than all of Pittsburgh's coaches combined, and there is ZERO chance that he leaves the middle of the field wide open all night like the arrogant Pittsburgh defense did. It might be a close game, but I just can't envision the Patriots losing this game tomorrow night. I thought they would have beat the Steelers easily if they had advanced. This Patriots fan is not and should not be The Super Bowl favorite. That said, they have the best coach and QB (by a long shot) of the teams remaining in the AFC playoffs, so I don't thing that it's unreasonable to think that they have a very good chance of making their way to Indy, and I never would have believed that halfway through this season. If they advance next week, they have to be the favorite, regardless of who their opponent is in the AFC Championship Game. They'll be an underdog in The Super Bowl if they face GB or NO. It would be the first Super Bowl that they would be underdogs since they played the Rams. That alone would give them a puncher's chance, because they're always a better team when everyone says that they don't have a chance.

[Enigma869]

New Orleans at San Francisco - Given that San Francisco is the higher seeded team here, I'm still trying to think of a way that they can win this game, and I have come up with a hypothesis. If Drew Brees gets injured, I'm picking San Francisco by 3. If Drew Brees doesn't get hurt, give me the Saints. This game is simply a mismatch at the most important position on the field. I have zero confidence in Alex Smith's ability to score enough points to beat the prolific offense the Saints have. Saints by 16.

Denver at New England - The Touchdown Jesus Tour continues. This is one of the few games that Brady has played in over the past 10 years where nobody is talking about him. It's all Tebow, all the time. There is ZERO chance that Belichick and his staff play the same arrogant and moronic defensive scheme that Lebeau rolled out last week against Denver. Belichick will gladly give up 5 yards per carry to McGahee, as long as his Safeties don't leave the middle of the field open like the Steelers did during the entire game last week. Denver has only one chance to win this game. If they hold onto the ball with very long drives and keep Brady off of the field along with forcing turnovers on New England's offensive drives, they can pull it out. I simply don't see it happening. Denver will keep this close for a half. New England pulls away in the second half and the Touchdown Jesus Show comes to a screeching halt. Patriots by 17.

Houston at Baltimore - Baltimore is a good team, but still very suspect at the QB position. That said, they're going against a third string QB and get to play this game at home, where they have a big advantage. Ravens by 3.

NY Giants at Green Bay - In my opinion, this is one of the tougher matchups that Green Bay could draw. Their home field weather advantage is completely wiped out against a northeast team who is used to the elements. Also, the Giants have some guys who can get after the QB. Add to that, Eli gets to throw the ball against a defense who gives up yards and points at a ridiculous clip, and this game stays close and entertaining. Green Bay by 3.

[YoungJRNY]

New Orleans at San Francisco - Two things we'll witness today: If San Francisco's defense is as good as advertised or if Alex Smith becomes a man in a shootout if it EVER comes to it if his defense fails him. I think New Orleans and the Saints are destined this season and they will put on an offensive cinema to whoever is in their way until Green Bay for the Title game. New Orleans finally gets one for the road team. Saints by 10.

Denver at New England - Tim Tebow only completed 42.2% of his pass's last week, completing 10 for 316 yards. That's finding the void in an obvious scheme-failure for the Steelers defense and it's the Broncos, not the Steelers, advancing because of it. The Steelers did the Patriots a favor in my eyes. They will play Tim Tebow as is but they WILL be ready in their pass-coverage if Tebow-time ever presents itself. The Steelers failed to adjust, not going to happen this week. Bill Bellichick is the best in the game of football when measuring up to an opponents weakness and Tom Brady is the perfect exclamation point to make it happen. Patriots by 20.

Houston at Baltimore - This matchup is as close as anyone thinks. It'll all come down to how Ray Rice is unleashed. IMHO, the Texans have a better overall defense going after an offense known to choke time and time again due to their inconsistent QB in Joe Flacco. Flacco is the biggest crybaby of them all, whining and crying how he doesn't get any credit. Prove it, Joe. I give the slight edge to Baltimore since they are 8-0 at home and this game is in Baltimore. Ravens by 7.

NY Giants at Green Bay - Great matchup. In S2M's words, if the refs wouldn't have botched a touchdown in their first matchup this season in the Meadowlands, it would have been a resurfacing Eli Manning and the G-MEN taking the Packers down for the first time this season. Still, I think Rodgers will be too much this time around in front of their hungry fans. Lambeau Field IS the difference. A BIG one. Packers by 13.

[AR]

Houston at Baltimore - This matchup is as close as anyone thinks. It'll all come down to how Ray Rice is unleashed. IMHO, the Texans have a better overall defense going after an offense known to choke time and time again due to their inconsistent QB in Joe Flacco. Flacco is the biggest crybaby of them all, whining and crying how he doesn't get any credit. Prove it, Joe. I give the slight edge to Baltimore since they are 8-0 at home and this game is in Baltimore. Ravens by 7.

I don't consider Flacco a crybaby at all. In fact the fans in Baltimore are all over his shit when they really shouldn't be.

After watching Kyle Boller for all those years Flacco looks like Unitas.

And he is sure as fuck better than Teblow.

[AlteredDNA]

Geaux Saints!!!

[S2M]

Already a bogus call....GEAUX REFS!!!!

[AlteredDNA]

Whatever - turn your head around and make the play on the ball and you won't get flagged

[tater1977]

Yeaa..hard hitting game...can you say "concussion?"....

[S2M]

And before the influx of helmet to helmet comments - H2H doesn't count on runners. Only defenseless receivers/QBs.

[RedWingFan]

Already a bogus call....GEAUX REFS!!!!

Yeah, absolutely a weak call. That's a perfect example why there should be an asterisk next to any passing records that happen these days. DB's can't do anything in this NFL.

[AlteredDNA]

I don't complain about the officiating...

[RedWingFan]

I don't complain about the officiating...

I don't have a horse in this race, but a bad call is a bad call. Ignoring it would be stupid. Refs are graded by the league for a reason. Too many phantom PI calls like that and the league should send Magoo packing.

[AlteredDNA]

I don't complain about the officiating...

I don't have a horse in this race, but a bad call is a bad call. Ignoring it would be stupid. Refs are graded by the league for a reason. Too many phantom PI calls like that and the league should send Magoo packing.

Not disagreeing, just stating as a fan, bad calls are part of the game...

On that particular call, however, had the defender at least looked back to the ball, he most likely wouldn't have been flagged. They've been calling it that way for years...

And Thomas WAS a receiver on the fumble - H2H -

Anyway, enjoying the intensity of the game so far!

[YoungJRNY]

Houston at Baltimore - This matchup is as close as anyone thinks. It'll all come down to how Ray Rice is unleashed. IMHO, the Texans have a better overall defense going after an offense known to choke time and time again due to their inconsistent QB in Joe Flacco. Flacco is the biggest crybaby of them all, whining and crying how he doesn't get any credit. Prove it, Joe. I give the slight edge to Baltimore since they are 8-0 at home and this game is in Baltimore. Ravens by 7.

I don't consider Flacco a crybaby at all. In fact the fans in Baltimore are all over his shit when they really shouldn't be.

After watching Kyle Boller for all those years Flacco looks like Unitas.

And he is sure as fuck better than Teblow.

Did you ever watch his press conferences? He's been doing it for years. He was "shocked" and hurt that he couldn't believe that Tebow was getting more press-time than he was. He called himself a top 5 QB and wants to name his price in the off-season. After asked a question for this game, he said somewhere along the lines of "No matter what happens I'm sure I wouldn't be apart of ANY of the success in you people's eyes.." Instead of going out there and consistently proving it, he cries to the media about how he thinks he's better than what people think. Comes off as a whine-o to me. This is his chance to prove his salary.

[AR]

Houston at Baltimore - This matchup is as close as anyone thinks. It'll all come down to how Ray Rice is unleashed. IMHO, the Texans have a better overall defense going after an offense known to choke time and time again due to their inconsistent QB in Joe Flacco. Flacco is the biggest crybaby of them all, whining and crying how he doesn't get any credit. Prove it, Joe. I give the slight edge to Baltimore since they are 8-0 at home and this game is in Baltimore. Ravens by 7.

I don't consider Flacco a crybaby at all. In fact the fans in Baltimore are all over his shit when they really shouldn't be.

After watching Kyle Boller for all those years Flacco looks like Unitas.

And he is sure as fuck better than Teblow.

Did you ever watch his press conferences? He's been doing it for years. He was "shocked" and hurt that he couldn't believe that Tebow was getting more press-time than he was. He called himself a top 5 QB and wants to name his price in the off-season. After asked a question for this game, he said somewhere along the lines of "No matter what happens I'm sure I wouldn't be apart of ANY of the success in you people's eyes.." Instead of going out there and consistently proving it, he cries to the media about how he thinks he's better than what people think. Comes off as a whine-o to me. This is his chance to prove his salary.

See, but I hear all of them and he gets badgered to death constantly here. I agree though = his chance to prove it.

[S2M]

You have Gore on your team, and you're passing the rock from the 3 yard line?! SMH.

[S2M]

Another horrible call....how can forward progress be stopped if the RB is falling forward?! Gift TD because of it.

[AlteredDNA]

"The runner's forward progress toward the opponents' goal line is stopped by contact with an opponent, with little chance to be resumed."

[Enigma869]

He called himself a top 5 QB and wants to name his price in the off-season.

The only chance Flacco ever has a chance of being a "top 5 QB" in the NFL is if the NFL contracts to only 5 teams. Even then it wouldn't happen, because he wouldn't be good enough to be a third string QB. The guy is as mediocre as mediocre gets!