OFFICIAL 2013-2014 NFL Thread

[mikemarrs]

Before the 2013 NFL season began, it was obvious how superior the NFC was to the AFC. Whoops. Three weeks into the season -- a reasonable enough sample size -- the AFC's flipped the script and whipped its national counterpart.

Week 3's performance by the AFC was particularly dominating with the conference's teams going 6-2 against the NFC. The lone NFC victories were the Seahawks walloping of the expansion-level Jaguars and the Bears primetime beatdown of the now 0-3 Steelers.

That gives the AFC a year-long record of 11-3 against the NFC with the NFC's only other victory being Chicago's Week 1 sneak by the Bengals. The AFC's got some quality wins among that list too, with a pair that really stand out coming in Week 3.

First was the Colts taking down the 49ers at Candlestick. Three days later that game is still a mind-bender. Think what you want about Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson as running back talent, Indy wasn't supposed to have the personnel to out-physical the 49ers on the road. They did it anyway and whipped the defending NFC champs.

The Dolphins also made a statement win with their home-opening victory over the Falcons. Yeah, Atlanta's beat up and was missing Sam Baker, Kroy Bierrman and Sean Weatherspoon. But teams who start the season 3-0 make the playoffs 75 percent of the time and that's where Miami sits after an incredibly impressive comeback by Ryan Tannehill Sunday.

With those two teams and the surprising 3-0 Chiefs (who have two NFC wins, beating both the Cowboys and the Eagles) a wild-card contingent previously perceived as weak is suddenly quite strong.

Division-wise we were wrong too. The NFC East isn't the SEC of the NFL; it's the worst division in all of football. Aside from Jacksonville, the AFC South -- a division everyone thinks of as weak -- is pretty impressive. And in the AFC West there hasn't been an easy out yet this season. The Chargers and Raiders could have a combined five wins if things broke right. Look at the young quarterbacks in the AFC East all you want, but that division's undefeated against non-conference foes.

The elite teams might match up all right, but the dregs of the league are located in the NFC. The AFC might have the Jaguars and Steelers, but the NFC sports the Giants, Redskins, Buccaneers and Vikings, all four of whom look like terrible, winless squads.

It might not stay this way the entire year, but the AFC flipping the script is a perfect example of how we routinely know nothing before the football is actually played.

[slucero]

big game for the 9ers today... another division loss would not be a good thing..

[Memorex]

A loss tonight and it's done. They play Houston next week.

[slucero]

A loss tonight and it's done. They play Houston next week.

I wouldn't go that far.. but lose tonight and they'd have to win the rest of their games.. including beating the Rams and Hawks back-to-back...


5 Sun Oct 6, 2013 Texans
6 Sun Oct 13, 2013 Cardinals
7 Sun Oct 20, 2013 @Titans
8 Sun Oct 27, 2013 @Jaguars
9 --- BYE WEEK ---
10 Sun Nov 10, 2013 Panthers
11 Sun Nov 17, 2013 @Saints
12 Mon Nov 25, 2013 @Redskins
13 Sun Dec 1, 2013 Rams
14 Sun Dec 8, 2013 Seahawks
15 Sun Dec 15, 2013 @Buccaneers
16 Mon Dec 23, 2013 Falcons
17 Sun Dec 29, 2013 @Cardinals

[Memorex]

Good win, but watching this game I felt more like it was the Rams the making us look good. Why the hell are we not picking up another receiver? Anyway, we'll see how it goes with Houston next week. Very happy to have 10 days till that home game.

[slucero]

Good win, but watching this game I felt more like it was the Rams the making us look good. Why the hell are we not picking up another receiver? Anyway, we'll see how it goes with Houston next week. Very happy to have 10 days till that home game.

Agreed.. the 9ers do not look like a playoff team right now.. and the play calling is still suspect..

The run opens up possibilities.. and they have a bunch of great backs..

Staley getting hurt is a bad omen though..

[Memorex]

Fortunately Staley is good to go. His Tweet:

I'm good. And I scream like no dude should ever scream lol my bad.

[Liam]

Meaningless game for me, but Gore and Boldin got me points, so I can't complain.

[Enigma869]

Before the 2013 NFL season began, it was obvious how superior the NFC was to the AFC. Whoops. Three weeks into the season -- a reasonable enough sample size -- the AFC's flipped the script and whipped its national counterpart.

Not sure of the relevance of this. Inter-conference games only matter when it's The Super Bowl, and as far as I can remember, when the last one ended, the AFC walked of the field with the hardware!

[Enigma869]

Hell, as disgusting of a performance Roethlisberger has put out most recently, he still threw for over 400+ yards on the Bears defense and brought the team within a 1 score game.

You do realize that Schaub has better numbers than Ben, right? Ben has thrown for a whopping 10 more yards than Schaub, with a lower completion percentage! The big difference is Ben can't seem to keep the damn ball in his hands. He's playing as sloppy as I've ever seen the guy play, and it's not the offensive line's fault that he doesn't know how to take care of the football!

[YoungJRNY]

Hell, as disgusting of a performance Roethlisberger has put out most recently, he still threw for over 400+ yards on the Bears defense and brought the team within a 1 score game.

You do realize that Schaub has better numbers than Ben, right? Ben has thrown for a whopping 10 more yards than Schaub, with a lower completion percentage! The big difference is Ben can't seem to keep the damn ball in his hands.

That wasn't my point. Shaub is lifeless. Dude has no bite in him whatsoever and isn't a QB I'd trust in to get things kickstarted when things go wrong regardless of stats. Ben hasn't played well and it's a total offensive effort around the board for Pittsburgh, but atleast he fought to get back into the game against Chicago and brought the team back within a 1 score game. Over Shaub's career, he's not the type of QB I'd want when all things go wrong.

He's playing as sloppy as I've ever seen the guy play, and it's not the offensive line's fault that he doesn't know how to take care of the football!

Ben has been at fault, no question, but to say it's not his o-line that has been an issue for this,then you must be a fucking BLIND MAN.



On the first fumble against Chicago, both of the Steelers edge protectors got blown by the ball, which forced Ben to step up into an untouched defender (while Foster blocked nobody) that jarred the ball loose. Ben didn't have time to set his feet off of play action and had to bailout with nowhere to go immediately. 2 hands on the ball is the fault, but the dude has no time to breath.




Cotchery missed his hot read on the pick 6 or simply didn't recognize the blitz (chemistry issue.) A defender came free. Foster blocked nobody. Ben couldn't set his feet. Ben gets the ball out early not to get crushed because Foster missed his block. Cotchery fails to see the hot read, doesn't turn his head around; pick 6.



Bens third fumble, Issaac Redman got bulldozed so hard and it was his elbow that knocked into Bens throwing hand and the ball popped right into Peppers' hands.

This stuff happens to bad teams. Ben needs to play better and find a way to be the best player on the field, but he's getting no help from his lineman and to claim it's NOT his lineman resulting in bad QB play and pinning it all on Ben is laughable.

Blame it all on Ben but remember: Tape never lies.

The Steelers are 0-3 for the first time since 2000, and while there is a lot of blame to go around, a large part of it is because of the offensive line and especially the tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, Adams has allowed the third -most hurries (11) and quarterback hits (four) among tackles through three weeks. Gilbert has allowed the third-most sacks (three).

Gilbert acknowledges his play has been unacceptable.
“We have to get the job done, and that's why they took us out in the second round,” Gilbert said. “When you don't get the job done, then that comes with consequences.”

The Steelers' run game also has suffered gaining a franchise-low 75 yards through three games, thus forcing the Steelers down an unbeaten path when it comes to personnel use.

Tomlin has now been rotating offensive tackles. That's how bad the offensive line is in Pittsburgh. Hopefully they can tighten it up somehow, get a W in London, go into the BYE week and fix some thing and come out a fresh team. Go 0-4, it's pretty much a dead issue. Win and the Steelers will have life to turn a sinking ship around.

[Enigma869]

Read what I wrote Travis! Offensive lines matter and matter a great deal in the NFL. It's probably the most underrated position on the field. I played Guard and Left Tackle so know the position well. I stand by what I said. It's not the Offensive Line's fault that Ben is so careless handling the football. I've watched Pittsburgh twice this season and Ben has been fucking putrid. Hell, even when he doesn't lose a fumble, he still manages to drop it and reclaim it. Even with an awful Offensive Line, it's still the QB's job to take care of the football and not make it so easy for the opposing team to get the ball back!

[YoungJRNY]

Just keepin the thread alive. I agree with you about offensive lineman. You can build a football team around any talent but it always, always starts upfront. It's a total offensive effort across the board for Pittsburgh. Ben has been bad recently, theres no disputing that but theres a ton of activity going around Roethlisberger and when nobody else is picking up the slack and the QB is gunshy because of relentless pressure in an offense thats not totally trusted upon, bad things are going to happen. Ben needs to be better but in order for that to happen, so does everybody else. The Steelers are a bad offense but it's not all the QBs fault.

Anyway, too much talk for an 0-3 team (or soon to be 0-4 according to some fucker who doesn't come in here and say it to my face! Lmao, good to see your name again, S2M Now get your ass in here! )

[YoungJRNY]

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
From what I'm hearing, would be a surprise if #Steelers make a move at OC during bye. Only problem: No one knows. Would come from ownership

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
On #Steelers: Frustration building on O, even as Big Ben has bought in. Todd Haley faces critical game in London for the offense's direction

[Enigma869]

What a historic game for the Steelers if they lose this one (and I predicted them to lose, once again this week). This would be the first time since 1968 that the Steelers would be 0-4. Fuck...I'm REALLY old, and even I wasn't quite born that long ago.

[Enigma869]

It's comforting to know my beloved Bungholes are still the same old Bungholes. Beating the Pack last week really was just an abberation. Of course next week they may beat the Pats, but I doubt it highly.

It's the NFL. Expect the unexpected. Suckbag Flacco just threw 5 picks and lost to a rookie QB! You have KC and Seattle who can't lose (and both look very beatable), and the Giants and Steelers who can't get out of their own way. Weird season, thusfar.

[YoungJRNY]

What a historic game for the Steelers if they lose this one (and I predicted them to lose, once again this week). This would be the first time since 1968 that the Steelers would be 0-4. Fuck...I'm REALLY old, and even I wasn't quite born that long ago.

Shit, I was 8 by 1968, you're still a young pup.

I was -20. Pile it on me, MR'ers

Regroup!

[Enigma869]

I was -20. Pile it on me, MR'ers

Regroup!

You were 20 in 1968? Um, I think not. Hey, look at the bright side. At least you have Pirates baseball to watch in October. Time for the Steelers to start focusing on next season!

[YoungJRNY]

I was -20. Pile it on me, MR'ers

Regroup!

You were 20 in 1968? Um, I think not. Hey, look at the bright side. At least you have Pirates baseball to watch in October. Time for the Steelers to start focusing on next season!

Look closer, John. -20

[YoungJRNY]

So you were born in ''88 and I was already married with 3 kids for 7 years. All 3 of my kids were born before you.

March '88, my friend.

My first Steelers game I was 7 years old. 5:00 a.m in the morning in front of a burn barrel in December in good 'ol Three Rivers Stadium parking lot And I just spilled beer ALL over my keyboard. Par for the course

[slucero]

Texans nearly beat the Hawks... Niners are gonna have their hands full..

[mikemarrs]

So you were born in ''88 and I was already married with 3 kids for 7 years. All 3 of my kids were born before you.

March '88, my friend.

My first Steelers game I was 7 years old. 5:00 a.m in the morning in front of a burn barrel in December in good 'ol Three Rivers Stadium parking lot And I just spilled beer ALL over my keyboard. Par for the course

I turned 13 on March 8,1988 got a Nintendo Entertainment System along with The Legend Of Zelda and Metroid,good times

[mikemarrs]

Well Jake Locker was finally starting to come into his own and was looking really good this season and then he gets injured.
So far on the year Locker had 6TD and 0INT with no turnovers through four games.

Now we are rolling with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB and even though Fitz threw a 77 yard bomb for a TD i still would rather have Locker.Tennessee 3-1 faces 4-0 Kansas City next week.

[Ehwmatt]

It's comforting to know my beloved Bungholes are still the same old Bungholes. Beating the Pack last week really was just an abberation. Of course next week they may beat the Pats, but I doubt it highly. The damn hardest/ugliest team to watch I've ever seen.

The problem is Dalton. The guy is just flat out mediocre. You guys have so many weapons, and he just can't maximize them.

At the same time though, I am going to go out on a limb and say there is no shame in losing to this reinvigorated Browns team. Our front seven is absolutely nasty, Mingo has proven himself worthy of his 1st round pick so far, our cornerbacks who aren't named Haden had the game of their lives today, and Brian Hoyer has this offense moving even without much of a running game to speak of. He's been flat out impressive in his poise. Funny, the guy was the starting QB for my high school football team my junior year, and I never thought he was that great. He clearly learned a lot from Tom Brady -- he gets rid of the ball so fast compared to the bust Weeden and he makes some damn nice hot reads.

Also, I suspect that the bum Trent Richardson was causing more problems behind the scenes than has been let on. I hated that pick from day one for a million reasons, some of which had nothing to do with Trent himself (e.g., that drafting a RB that high in today's NFL is dumb no matter what). But I really thought he looked vanilla in college anyway, and so far, I've been proven right. I think getting rid of him lifted a cloud from the team.

Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron are emerging as bona fide offensive stars in this league too...

Things are finally looking up for the Browns.

[Liam]

Our defense and our inconsistent receivers fucked us yesterday, and it floors me how people are blaming Romo for yesterday. The haters are just STUPID. And some of these haters are Cowboys "fans". Fucking idiots.

[Enigma869]

Our defense and our inconsistent receivers fucked us yesterday, and it floors me how people are blaming Romo for yesterday. The haters are just STUPID. And some of these haters are Cowboys "fans". Fucking idiots.

There is more to winning in the NFL, beyond stats! Jeff George had VERY impressive statistics, season after season and never won anything!

[Liam]

We're 2-2, and the season is far from over. But to blame Romo for yesterday is moronic. He had a shit opening, going 0-4 completions, but yesterday was far from his fault. THAT'S what I'm talking about. Had Williams hung on to the fucking ball at their one, we would've been back in it on the next play. Had our Defense contained ANYTHING...we wouldn't have been OUT of it.
People are acting like Romo threw 6 picks yesterday. It aggravates me, because these people don't seem to understand football.

[Jonny B]

I've been busy with work. Boss is retiring and so I've had a temporary increase in my workload.

I'm curious to know why the Steelers just don't let Rothlisburger run around scrambling and buying time like he once did? I remember they did win a Super Bowl with a bad offensive line, all because he scrambled and bought time. This whole 'keep him in the pocket to extend his shelf life' philosophy is getting him killed faster.

[YoungJRNY]

I've been busy with work. Boss is retiring and so I've had a temporary increase in my workload.

I'm curious to know why the Steelers just don't let Rothlisburger run around scrambling and buying time like he once did? I remember they did win a Super Bowl with a bad offensive line, all because he scrambled and bought time. This whole 'keep him in the pocket to extend his shelf life' philosophy is getting him killed faster.

The Steelers have had possibly the WORST offensive lines in football for some time (obviously, all these #1 and #2 draft picks are wasted BUSTS...I've seen enough of Mike Adams, who is by far the worst LT I've seen in some time) even in those Super-seasons, but NONE as bad as this.

I'll take back those bad lines in a heartbeat in place of these pansy-ass's. I can't recall this many defenders coming free. EVER. There is literally 2-3 guys unblocked 3 out of the 4 passing attempts around Roethlisberger. Ben's a magician, always has been, always will be, but he's getting mauled quicker than ever in his dropback.

The problem is a mixture of things and I don't have enough fingers to point around but it's the lack of running game that's the issue (loved what I saw out of Le'Veon Bell in his first start, which is a positive.) These D coordinators know it and are bringing the house on Ben at every snap. Our tackles have got to be the worst in the league and are letting guys blow by them without getting a finger on them. Literally.

We lack that big wideout on the outside that can get the necc separation off the line of scrimmage. Our tiny, speedy WR's are getting jammed and mauled and the reads just aren't there. Ben has been careless with the football, which has been a tired argument as you see above, but there's guys torpedoing at him at every snap and I don't think it's fixable.

0-4 also means 11 giveaways to a whopping ZERO takeaways...ZERO...the only team left in the NFL not to cause a turnover in one month of play. That's staggering. I never seen this LeBeau defense give up huge play after huge play as well. It's a mess here in Pittsburgh. ALL AROUND.

[Liam]

So I'm the only dumb fuck here that picked the Pats last night? I'll take the Pickem lead.

Guess so. I thought they were due for a loss. They don't look like a 4-0 team, in my eyes.