2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[YoungJRNY]

There's PLENTY of room for the line to fluctuate. IMHO, this is as an unpredictable TITLE GAME in both Conference's than we had in some time. Literally anyone can take it.

[Enigma869]

When you look at the overall big picture, there's two guys that evolved and has gotten eons better from the year before. Alex Smith and Eli Manning. If you ask me, Eli did it with less and carried the Giants on his back throughout the ENTIRE season and led his team week to week and he didn't disappoint. Eli has impressed me this season and he continues to be the comeback player of the year if you ask me.

Alex Smith has proven what I've said forever about NFL QB's...you simply CANNOT turn the ball over and be successful. The guy's numbers aren't off the charts, but the number that helps him to be successful is the fact that he threw only 5 picks. In terms of Eli doing it with less...I couldn't disagree more. I think Eli is a much better QB than Alex will ever be. That said, Eli's receivers are as good as any in the NFL. Manningham, Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks are all VERY good receivers! The Giants are the only team in the NFL who had two Wide Receivers who ranked in the top 12 this season, so I'm not sure how you come up with the fact that Eli does more with less. Beyond Vernon Davis, I don't think any of the Niners 'receivers are that outstanding.

[Enigma869]

There's PLENTY of room for the line to fluctuate. IMHO, this is as an unpredictable TITLE GAME in both Conference's than we had in some time. Literally anyone can take it.

I could't agree more. Right now, I'm picking New England and NY, but San Francisco and Baltimore winning wouldn't exactly shock me.

[Ehwmatt]

I still think going 16-0, 15-1, or even 14-2 is not necessarily the best thing for a team. I just feel like teams have to remember losing a few times.

I also think this shows again why resting players is generally not a good idea. Rodgers hadn't played since the kids were looking for Santa's sleigh.

[YoungJRNY]

When you look at the overall big picture, there's two guys that evolved and has gotten eons better from the year before. Alex Smith and Eli Manning. If you ask me, Eli did it with less and carried the Giants on his back throughout the ENTIRE season and led his team week to week and he didn't disappoint. Eli has impressed me this season and he continues to be the comeback player of the year if you ask me.

Alex Smith has proven what I've said forever about NFL QB's...you simply CANNOT turn the ball over and be successful. The guy's numbers aren't off the charts, but the number that helps him to be successful is the fact that he threw only 5 picks. In terms of Eli doing it with less...I couldn't disagree more. I think Eli is a much better QB than Alex will ever be. That said, Eli's receivers are as good as any in the NFL. Manningham, Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks are all VERY good receivers! The Giants are the only team in the NFL who had two Wide Receivers who ranked in the top 12 this season, so I'm not sure how you come up with the fact that Eli does more with less. Beyond Vernon Davis, I don't think any of the Niners 'receivers are that outstanding.

What I really meant is that Eli has more responsibility in his offense to perform while Harbaugh used Smith as an obvious game manager all season and you said it best : TUNE DOWN THE MISTAKES and just let the defense and running game carry you. Of course, it was NICE to see Alex Smith rise to the occasion but for what it's worth, I think Eli did WAY more for his team and rode them on his back more-so than Smith was ever asked all season.

[Enigma869]

I also think this shows again why resting players is generally not a good idea. Rodgers hadn't played since the kids were looking for Santa's sleigh.

I've always believed that resting players was a VERY bad idea and said as much on here the week the Packers decided to let Rodgers do nothing. Having a guy sit for three weeks is just plain stupid, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise. Ultimately, football players are supposed to play football...not stand on the sidelines.

[Ehwmatt]

I also think this shows again why resting players is generally not a good idea. Rodgers hadn't played since the kids were looking for Santa's sleigh.

I've always believed that resting players was a VERY bad idea and said as much on here the week the Packers decided to let Rodgers do nothing. Having a guy sit for three weeks is just plain stupid, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise. Ultimately, football players are supposed to play football...not stand on the sidelines.

Yep. Anyone who's played sports knows 3 weeks off from actual competition is no small break. Moreover, at the pro level, the margin for error is so small. Being "off" even a bit is just enough, especially in the playoffs.

[Enigma869]

Yep. Anyone who's played sports knows 3 weeks off from actual competition is no small break. Moreover, at the pro level, the margin for error is so small. Being "off" even a bit is just enough, especially in the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers is about to learn that winning more than one Super Bowl is VERY tough. The history of the NFL is replete with guys who won a single Super Bowl, and many of them weren't very good (Doug Williams, Marc Rypien, Trent Dilfer, et al.). Rodgers has been annointed the greatest QB in the NFL, and at this point, I'm not really sure what people are basing it on, other than one Super Bowl. Sure, he had a great season this year, but I think Brees was better, and now they're both done with football for the season.

[AR]

Your resident Ravens fan here.

On to New England. Total respect for them but Flacco and Co. can win there. Will they? Who knows? They have before. I think the last time they did it was 2 different teams = both much improved.

[AR]

It's almost like Denver will fuck with your heads, you can't really measure how good you are playing at home against Tim Tebow.

Um, how is it any different than Baltimore facing Houston? While I don't disagree that the Patriots aren't nearly as good as they looked against a bad Denver team, let's not lose sight of the fact that they only managed to score 20 points against a very mediocre Houston team. I promise you that TJ Yates (or whatever his name is) didn't test that defense the way Brady will. Baltimore isn't beating the Patriots scoring 20 points, this time around! Definitely strength against strength. A great offense against a great defense. If this second game shakes out the way I think it will, it will be the first time in as long as I can remember that the top two seeds from each conference have advanced to the Conference Championship Game.

Patriots defense is awful. Brady will not light up the Ravens as he did Jesus.

Going to be interesting, I will say that.

Flacco had a lot of drops yesterday but did have some nice throws. Terrible protection. I see this game won or lost by the O-Line play for the Ravens and if the Patriots Defense is better than advertised.

[DavidWT]

Just finished watching the Giants game (I DVR'd it, so I'm a bit late getting in on this)....
All I can say is wow, those officials must be so frustrated that their team lost. I mean really, how much more help could the officials possibly give them?

I, on the other hand, am thoroughly enjoying the moment.

[AR]

I want a Ravens vs. Giants rematch from Jan 2001.

This year is anyone's for the taking and the AFC winner has every shot at it.

[slucero]

When you look at the overall big picture, there's two guys that evolved and has gotten eons better from the year before. Alex Smith and Eli Manning. If you ask me, Eli did it with less and carried the Giants on his back throughout the ENTIRE season and led his team week to week and he didn't disappoint. Eli has impressed me this season and he continues to be the comeback player of the year if you ask me.

Alex Smith has proven what I've said forever about NFL QB's...you simply CANNOT turn the ball over and be successful. The guy's numbers aren't off the charts, but the number that helps him to be successful is the fact that he threw only 5 picks. In terms of Eli doing it with less...I couldn't disagree more. I think Eli is a much better QB than Alex will ever be. That said, Eli's receivers are as good as any in the NFL. Manningham, Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks are all VERY good receivers! The Giants are the only team in the NFL who had two Wide Receivers who ranked in the top 12 this season, so I'm not sure how you come up with the fact that Eli does more with less. Beyond Vernon Davis, I don't think any of the Niners 'receivers are that outstanding.

What I really meant is that Eli has more responsibility in his offense to perform while Harbaugh used Smith as an obvious game manager all season and you said it best : TUNE DOWN THE MISTAKES and just let the defense and running game carry you. Of course, it was NICE to see Alex Smith rise to the occasion but for what it's worth, I think Eli did WAY more for his team and rode them on his back more-so than Smith was ever asked all season.

The name of the game is to WIN... I bet if you ask Rogers, he would take the win over the Giants versus picking them apart any day of the week.. especially today...

To win the game you have to score, and have more points than the other when time runs out. Smith is the quarterback... if they don't score touchdowns they score field goals... the Niners offense has outscored opponents when they had to. And yesterday Smith stepped up and carried his team to victory, when the defense couldn't finish.

As far as Smith being a "game manager" that's just fucking bullshit. Terry Bradshaw called Eli a "came manager" in the post game wrap... so that means Smith is in good company I guess eh?.

2:11 to play, 49ers trailing 24-23: - Smith led an 80-yard comeback drive, punctuating it with a 28-yard sprint around left end for a touchdown,
1:37 to play, 49ers trailing again: - Smith delivered yet another comeback, 85-yard drive by zipping a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with nine seconds left.

Marginalizing Smith's play after he does this... and after Bradshaw and Howie Long calls it his "coming out party".. is nonsense.

It also doesn't say much about the Giants if you put all their success on Eli's back. They're a great team... and their defense is playing phenomenal... they sealed up GB even when Rogers had time, no one was open.... give the Giants TEAM some credit.

[YoungJRNY]

When you look at the overall big picture, there's two guys that evolved and has gotten eons better from the year before. Alex Smith and Eli Manning. If you ask me, Eli did it with less and carried the Giants on his back throughout the ENTIRE season and led his team week to week and he didn't disappoint. Eli has impressed me this season and he continues to be the comeback player of the year if you ask me.

Alex Smith has proven what I've said forever about NFL QB's...you simply CANNOT turn the ball over and be successful. The guy's numbers aren't off the charts, but the number that helps him to be successful is the fact that he threw only 5 picks. In terms of Eli doing it with less...I couldn't disagree more. I think Eli is a much better QB than Alex will ever be. That said, Eli's receivers are as good as any in the NFL. Manningham, Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks are all VERY good receivers! The Giants are the only team in the NFL who had two Wide Receivers who ranked in the top 12 this season, so I'm not sure how you come up with the fact that Eli does more with less. Beyond Vernon Davis, I don't think any of the Niners 'receivers are that outstanding.

What I really meant is that Eli has more responsibility in his offense to perform while Harbaugh used Smith as an obvious game manager all season and you said it best : TUNE DOWN THE MISTAKES and just let the defense and running game carry you. Of course, it was NICE to see Alex Smith rise to the occasion but for what it's worth, I think Eli did WAY more for his team and rode them on his back more-so than Smith was ever asked all season.

The name of the game is to WIN... I bet if you ask Rogers, he would take the win over the Giants versus picking them apart any day of the week.. especially today...

To win the game you have to score, and have more points than the other when time runs out. Smith is the quarterback... if they don't score touchdowns they score field goals... the Niners offense has outscored opponents when they had to. And yesterday Smith stepped up and carried his team to victory, when the defense couldn't finish.

As far as Smith being a "game manager" that's just fucking bullshit. Terry Bradshaw called Eli a "came manager" in the post game wrap... so that means Smith is in good company I guess eh?.

2:11 to play, 49ers trailing 24-23: - Smith led an 80-yard comeback drive, punctuating it with a 28-yard sprint around left end for a touchdown,
1:37 to play, 49ers trailing again: - Smith delivered yet another comeback, 85-yard drive by zipping a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with nine seconds left.

Marginalizing Smith's play after he does this... and after Bradshaw and Howie Long calls it his "coming out party".. is nonsense.

It also doesn't say much about the Giants if you put all their success on Eli's back. They're a great team... and their defense is playing phenomenal... they sealed up GB even when Rogers had time, no one was open.... give the Giants TEAM some credit.

The 49'ers are playing a VERY old-school style and brand of football. They have a humongous offensive line, a great running game and a defensive juggernaut. Alex Smith, all season, limited his mistakes and wasn't asked to make the throws that would hurt his football team, forcing nothing and never putting his team in hurtful situations. He became a manager of the game, a good one at that, that made just enough throws a game to keep his teams head above water and never threw the pulverizing interception like he once did. Harbaugh did an AMAZING job with Smith this year, which was take a LOT of the pressure off of a kid who was on his last legs in the Bay area. He performed well yesterday and showed he can get the job done. No shame in that role but he's not going to be Drew Brees consistently anytime soon. You'll see a strong run game and a stout defense with a little bit of balanced mixed in. That makes the 9'ers TOUGH to beat with Smith protecting the football like he's been doing.

[Enigma869]

Patriots defense is awful. Brady will not light up the Ravens as he did Jesus.

I agree. The Ravens should win this one easily! I see Flacco shredding the "awful" Patriots defense and probably passing for 4 TD's.

[S2M]

Your resident Ravens fan here.

On to New England. Total respect for them but Flacco and Co. can win there. Will they? Who knows? They have before. I think the last time they did it was 2 different teams = both much improved.

I guarantee you - NE will drop 40+ on Baltimore. Mark it down.

This isn't the Ravens vs. Former KISS Guitarists

[YoungJRNY]

Your resident Ravens fan here.

On to New England. Total respect for them but Flacco and Co. can win there. Will they? Who knows? They have before. I think the last time they did it was 2 different teams = both much improved.

I guarantee you - NE will drop 40+ on Baltimore. Mark it down.

This isn't the Ravens vs. Former KISS Guitarists

I wouldn't say 40+ but I do believe the Ravens will give up a boatload of points that destroys their season average. I just think the Ravens offense going up against Bellichick is a TOTAL mis-match. Cam Cameron might be the WORST offensive coordinator who doesn't utilize his weapons not name Bruce Arians. I'll say somewhere along the lines of 34-20 Pats.

[Don]

The Bengals, Titans and Chargers all went over 400 yards vs the Ravens. San Diego totally destroyed them on Ray Lewis' first game back from injury.
With just normal protection, Brady should be able to score some points; If Flacco plays as subpar as he did today, Patriots move on with ease.

[slucero]

When you look at the overall big picture, there's two guys that evolved and has gotten eons better from the year before. Alex Smith and Eli Manning. If you ask me, Eli did it with less and carried the Giants on his back throughout the ENTIRE season and led his team week to week and he didn't disappoint. Eli has impressed me this season and he continues to be the comeback player of the year if you ask me.

Alex Smith has proven what I've said forever about NFL QB's...you simply CANNOT turn the ball over and be successful. The guy's numbers aren't off the charts, but the number that helps him to be successful is the fact that he threw only 5 picks. In terms of Eli doing it with less...I couldn't disagree more. I think Eli is a much better QB than Alex will ever be. That said, Eli's receivers are as good as any in the NFL. Manningham, Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks are all VERY good receivers! The Giants are the only team in the NFL who had two Wide Receivers who ranked in the top 12 this season, so I'm not sure how you come up with the fact that Eli does more with less. Beyond Vernon Davis, I don't think any of the Niners 'receivers are that outstanding.

What I really meant is that Eli has more responsibility in his offense to perform while Harbaugh used Smith as an obvious game manager all season and you said it best : TUNE DOWN THE MISTAKES and just let the defense and running game carry you. Of course, it was NICE to see Alex Smith rise to the occasion but for what it's worth, I think Eli did WAY more for his team and rode them on his back more-so than Smith was ever asked all season.

The name of the game is to WIN... I bet if you ask Rogers, he would take the win over the Giants versus picking them apart any day of the week.. especially today...

To win the game you have to score, and have more points than the other when time runs out. Smith is the quarterback... if they don't score touchdowns they score field goals... the Niners offense has outscored opponents when they had to. And yesterday Smith stepped up and carried his team to victory, when the defense couldn't finish.

As far as Smith being a "game manager" that's just fucking bullshit. Terry Bradshaw called Eli a "came manager" in the post game wrap... so that means Smith is in good company I guess eh?.

2:11 to play, 49ers trailing 24-23: - Smith led an 80-yard comeback drive, punctuating it with a 28-yard sprint around left end for a touchdown,
1:37 to play, 49ers trailing again: - Smith delivered yet another comeback, 85-yard drive by zipping a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with nine seconds left.

Marginalizing Smith's play after he does this... and after Bradshaw and Howie Long calls it his "coming out party".. is nonsense.

It also doesn't say much about the Giants if you put all their success on Eli's back. They're a great team... and their defense is playing phenomenal... they sealed up GB even when Rogers had time, no one was open.... give the Giants TEAM some credit.

The 49'ers are playing a VERY old-school style and brand of football. They have a humongous offensive line, a great running game and a defensive juggernaut. Alex Smith, all season, limited his mistakes and wasn't asked to make the throws that would hurt his football team, forcing nothing and never putting his team in hurtful situations. He became a manager of the game, a good one at that, that made just enough throws a game to keep his teams head above water and never threw the pulverizing interception like he once did. Harbaugh did an AMAZING job with Smith this year, which was take a LOT of the pressure off of a kid who was on his last legs in the Bay area. He performed well yesterday and showed he can get the job done. No shame in that role but he's not going to be Drew Brees consistently anytime soon. You'll see a strong run game and a stout defense with a little bit of balanced mixed in. That makes the 9'ers TOUGH to beat with Smith protecting the football like he's been doing.

I think the obvious point is.. he doesn't need to be Brees... and the proof is the game itself and who won.... 2 of the leagues best QB's (Rogers and Brees) lost to 2 supposed "game managers"...


After all, it WAS Smith and the offense beating Brees and his offense... maybe Brees & Rogers would be better imitating Manning and Smith.

[Enigma869]

I just think the Ravens offense going up against Bellichick is a TOTAL mis-match. I'll say somewhere along the lines of 34-20 Pats.

Aren't you the same guy who just said one page back that the Ravens are the best matchup against the Patriots and are the only team who can handle them? Make up your mind, dude!

[RedWingFan]

I just think the Ravens offense going up against Bellichick is a TOTAL mis-match. I'll say somewhere along the lines of 34-20 Pats.

Aren't you the same guy who just said one page back that the Ravens are the best matchup against the Patriots and are the only team who can handle them? Make up your mind, dude!

Remember "can" and "will" are two totally different things.

[No Surprize]

It will be the Supercracker vs The Giants in the super bowl. Giants "D" is playing it's best football of the year right now. I would like to see the 49ers instead but I don't see them winning. Baltimore doesn't stand a chance, unless it's a snowstorm in NE. NE wins big, 38-17. OH, Giant's over 49ers 30-20.

[Memorex]

It will be the Supercracker vs The Giants in the super bowl. Giants "D" is playing it's best football of the year right now. I would like to see the 49ers instead but I don't see them winning. Baltimore doesn't stand a chance, unless it's a snowstorm in NE. NE wins big, 38-17. OH, Giant's over 49ers 30-20.

Not sure how you don't see the 49ers winning. Maybe they will or won't, but I would say after their performance on Saturday, it's definitely a very good possibility. I saw nothing in that Giants game that I think the Niners could not overcome.

Even with their red zone issues, they posted 36 points. Their defense was the best of the weekend. It's going to be a good matchup!!!! Glad they are at home for this one.

[Enigma869]

It will be the Supercracker vs The Giants in the super bowl. Giants "D" is playing it's best football of the year right now. I would like to see the 49ers instead but I don't see them winning. Baltimore doesn't stand a chance, unless it's a snowstorm in NE. NE wins big, 38-17. OH, Giant's over 49ers 30-20.

This is an interesting post. How exactly are the Patriots at some huge disadvantage if there is a snowstorm? You do know that this is Boston and it snows, right? It's snows far more in Boston than it does in Baltimore. It's not like we live in Miami and aren't used to snow. Not to mention, the Patriots use a short, controlled passing game. It's not like Brady is throwing the ball 50 yards down the field like he did when Moss was around. Incidentally, the early forecast for Sunday is between 45 and 50 degrees (not bad, considering that it was 2 degrees when I left my house this morning).

On another note, I also favor the Giants, but the Niners certainly have a chance. I honestly thought that SF would get smoked by the Saints, but they played their asses off. It's not like they got lucky. Alex Smith was forced to win that game and he did just that. Anyone who takes the Niners lightly will be very surprised.

[Ehwmatt]

It will be the Supercracker vs The Giants in the super bowl. Giants "D" is playing it's best football of the year right now. I would like to see the 49ers instead but I don't see them winning. Baltimore doesn't stand a chance, unless it's a snowstorm in NE. NE wins big, 38-17. OH, Giant's over 49ers 30-20.

Not sure how you don't see the 49ers winning. Maybe they will or won't, but I would say after their performance on Saturday, it's definitely a very good possibility. I saw nothing in that Giants game that I think the Niners could not overcome.

Even with their red zone issues, they posted 36 points. Their defense was the best of the weekend. It's going to be a good matchup!!!! Glad they are at home for this one.

I only saw the first quarter because my cousin got married Saturday, so I had to leave. But the 49ers defense hits BIG. I'm impressed with them, even more than I was during the season. But at the end of the day, Alex Smith is still Alex Smith and I've seen enough of him to know he's not good.

I know he had some heroics in this past game, but don't forget the Saints had to shoot themselves in the foot plenty of times before giving him the chance to do that (yeah, I know the 49ers D had a role in some of those turnovers).

I don't see the Giants doing that, and accordingly, I don't see the 49ers putting up enough points to beat the Giants balanced offensive attack. But I think it's going to be a hell of a game... certainly far better than Pats-Ravens should be. I like the Giants, but like John said the 49ers winning would not shock me nearly as much as it did when they beat the 9ers.

[YoungJRNY]

I just think the Ravens offense going up against Bellichick is a TOTAL mis-match. I'll say somewhere along the lines of 34-20 Pats.

Aren't you the same guy who just said one page back that the Ravens are the best matchup against the Patriots and are the only team who can handle them? Make up your mind, dude!

Uh, and I STILL stand by that statement. Saying the Ravens are the best matchup against the Patriots and are the Patriots worst nightmare of all the teams in the AFC doesn't necessarily mean I think Baltimore will go into Foxboro and win by 8 TD'S! I think it'll come down to the Patriots defense bending, but not breaking and Flacco/Cameron and their offense is just, BAD. THEY can't make up their mind! To run Ray Rice, or not to run Ray Rice? Flacco is the most confused QB left in the playoffs going into the Title games and I think Bellichick can expose that. The only thing I see BALT giving N.E problems is their swarming defense. They will get to Brady and it'll come down to open field tackling on the 6'7 Gronkowski, Hernandez and Welker, which I think they can do. It'll come down to the best, and the best is Brady. As I said, 34-20 Pats.

[AR]

After all the talk about NFC superiority it looks like the AFC representative has a very good shot at winning the Super Bowl.

[YoungJRNY]

After all the talk about NFC superiority it looks like the AFC representative has a very good shot at winning the Super Bowl.

After the Saints and Packers bailed out (I REALLY thought it was going to be either of those teams) then absolutley that the AFC has a better chance than they did at winning the Super Bowl. The Conference games AND the Super Bowl will be as unpredictable as it gets, with EITHER combination of the 4. That's pretty exciting.

[YoungJRNY]

Another reason why I think the AFC's is New England's is because the total lack of turnovers they do commit. If you look back at the Houstin/Balty game, the Texans turned the ball over at basically any turn. Muffing that punt at the 2 yard line really did Houston in. Baltimore was issued short fields all game and capitalized on 14 points off of Texans turnovers while Houston outplayed Baltimore completely in every other faze besides the turnover ratio. Tom Brady is one of the best at protecting the football. Should be interesting how Baltimore utilizes Ray Rice. I think he's their only hope on attack.

[YoungJRNY]

Out of ALL the teams that played, I sat there and watched and got the biggest impression of Super Bowl football from the Giants. Patriots took care of a team that should of never even been considered, the Ravens have literally ZERO offense and looked bad in a victory as it comes and San Francisco was caught in a shootout, which means back and forth defensive breakdowns in the last 4 minutes.

Giants feel SUPER BOWL ready. Could you imagine Eli winning the Super Bowl on Peyton's turf? Haha. So many juicy storylines.