OFFICIAL 2013-2014 NFL Thread

[slucero]

It was the 9er D that had to win the game. It's obvious the return of Crabtree and Manningham STILL hasn't amounted to the "miracle" everyone was saying it would be...

They're getting lucky...and while that's great.. and I'm still not seeing this monstrous improvement that was supposed to make them unstoppable.. they look like an average team.. beating average teams.. Atlanta is no AZ... and AZ is way better defensively (5th ranked) than Atlanta .. And AZ (5th rank D, 10th rank O) just beat Seattle (1st rank D, 9th rank O). Clearly AZ is peaking...

Clearly you are not a Niner fan and have some wish for them to suck. That's cool. That's sports. I think it's neither sunshine or as bad as you say. Crabtree had some great plays - long yardage - in the second half. Over 100 yards after a slow start. All while Niners were having success in the running game. I personally have not read (or said) any statements about some miracle that was supposed to happen. Only that we are 11-4 after not having our 2 top receivers for most of the year. We are on a 5 game win streak (best in the league at the moment) and Crabtree looks much better week after week. We were without Mannigham last night as well.

Gore was 3 yards shy of 100. And Matt Ryan is a great QB and Atlanta is a far better team than their record suggests.

As far as the play where Kap ran into the defender - um, no QB in the league would have gotten rid of it as he had no idea the guy was there. I don't have the energy to find what I'm sure are a large number of plays that look exactly the same for every QB going back to game one of football. Silly to pick plays out like that. Why not show the successful scrambles, the long run, the TD he scored?

As far as AZ, hell yea they are good. And so is SEA and the Rams are going to be a powerhouse. I love this division. We are 40-20. The only division where every team can finish at or above 500! Still a chance to see 3 playoff teams from that division. In a conference that has not one single division winner yet. That's a prideful thing, not a bad thing. I love AZ. I root for them anytime they are not affecting the Niners' chances. Same with Rams and SEA.

It's too bad the SEA-STL game is on at the same time as AZ-SF Sunday. The outcome I want in my game depends on the outcome of the other. And we risk nothing by losing next week, unless SEA loses. I want AZ in, so.....

And you SF's D had to win the game last night. But it was ATL's D that played really well. Nothing wrong with a good defense! Another prideful thing.

That said - this team is not firing on all cylinders. Not at all. We would be lucky to win a couple playoff games. Just glad we have the chance.

Actually I am a Niner fan... just not a fan of this Niner team.

[Memorex]

Actually I am a Niner fan... just not a fan of this Niner team.

Bummer. It's quite a team to watch. Not without its frustrations, but a lot of really fun stuff. Especially on defense and Gore.

[slucero]

Actually I am a Niner fan... just not a fan of this Niner team.

Bummer. It's quite a team to watch. Not without its frustrations, but a lot of really fun stuff. Especially on defense and Gore.

IMHO, they were a better team in 2012.... much better. Teams have their number this year.

[Memorex]

Actually I am a Niner fan... just not a fan of this Niner team.

Bummer. It's quite a team to watch. Not without its frustrations, but a lot of really fun stuff. Especially on defense and Gore.

IMHO, they were a better team in 2012.... much better. Teams have their number this year.

Yes - at 11-4, the teams have them all figured out. What a disastrous year. If only all our years could be this bad.

I kid. I know what you are saying.

[YoungJRNY]

Merry Christmas football friends. Good luck to everyones team advancing to the
tournament!

[Jonny B]

wow.. Xmas came early for the 9ers...

Their D is no where near as dominating as it was last year..

Our D is awesome. We've had ups and downs, but look at my posts all last year - same issue. ups and downs. It's a weird team. The D has kept us around for sure.

There were definitely better aspects last year - but I don't think this year is anything to sneeze at.

The 9ers (12th rank O, 3rd rank D) just beat the Falcons (7th rank O, 12th rank D)

It was the 9er D that had to win the game. It's obvious the return of Crabtree and Manningham STILL hasn't amounted to the "miracle" everyone was saying it would be...

They're getting lucky...and while that's great.. and I'm still not seeing this monstrous improvement that was supposed to make them unstoppable.. they look like an average team.. beating average teams.. Atlanta is no AZ... and AZ is way better defensively (5th ranked) than Atlanta .. And AZ (5th rank D, 10th rank O) just beat Seattle (1st rank D, 9th rank O). Clearly AZ is peaking...

Next week its the 9ers (12th rank O, 3rd rank D) vs. Arizona (10th rank O, 5th rank D).

I expect to see more of this next week...I'm sure this had Harbaugh sharting a bit..



I think the 9ers lose next week.

My new front-runner for Sack of the Year.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[Jonny B]

Earlier in the year, I thought the Steelers had the worst shot of the contenders of claiming that final playoff spot. Even now, they need to win and then have the Ravens, Dolphins, and Chargers all lose....But when I looked at the match-ups for this final week and looked at my pick'em choices, I suddenly have them squeaking in. Here's my reasoning:

To start, they're playing the Browns. Seriously, it's the Browns. Enuf said. If they don't beat the Browns, the Steelers definitely earned their tee time.

The Jets always give the Dolphins a hard time in their divisional match-ups. With everything that has been wrong with them, the Jets have a ferocious front four, and no other QB has been on his back more than Ryan Tannehill. I have the Jets winning in an upset, which could very well be won in the trenches.

The Chargers are playing the Chiefs. Yes, the Chargers are at home, and they've always had the talent to be great, but they always find a way to screw up the important games. My gut tells me the Chiefs will play their most balanced game both offensively and defensively and win.

Finally, you got the Bengals and Ravens. Is there any other team who has won more by doing so little as the Ravens? I know the Bengals have made a habit of defeating themselves, but I believe the Ravens' luck runs out in this game.

So if assuming my pick'ems are spot on (and note that haven't all year,) then I do have the Steelers as the 6th seed. Tell me why it won't happen, other than because I jinxed them.

[YoungJRNY]

I'll give you 4 reasons, Jonny:

Geno Smith
Rex Ryan
Andy Dalton
..
Chase Daniels.

Other than that, don't look now but this is a COMPLETELY different Steelers team that started 0-4 and who got waxed in the 4th qrt by NE. Ben is playing just as good as any current elite and the offense is setting records and givin the 2nd half of the season, tops in the league. They may have screwed themselves early, but right now, Pittsburgh is more deserving than a team like Balty, but that's not how it works. I'll be there Sunday to enjoy my men out there, but I don't expect all to happen even though my eyes will creep on that scoreboard.

[Memorex]

Brooks won his appeal over "hit" on Drew Brees.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/brooks-wins-appeal-hit-brees

Kinda stings a little more now. But oh well - march on and handle the next game.

[Jonny B]

I'll give you 4 reasons, Jonny:

Geno Smith
Rex Ryan
Andy Dalton
..
Chase Daniels.

Other than that, don't look now but this is a COMPLETELY different Steelers team that started 0-4 and who got waxed in the 4th qrt by NE. Ben is playing just as good as any current elite and the offense is setting records and givin the 2nd half of the season, tops in the league. They may have screwed themselves early, but right now, Pittsburgh is more deserving than a team like Balty, but that's not how it works. I'll be there Sunday to enjoy my men out there, but I don't expect all to happen even though my eyes will creep on that scoreboard.

AFC East divisional games almost never go as one would expect. There's always at least one close game in each match-up. I mean, even my terrible Jets did beat New England this year (almost twice) when it shouldn't have been close. And the Jets always give the Dolphins a hard time at least once a year. They're due to steal one.

In addition, I think we can all agree that the Ravens have overachieved this year and probably should have lost a lot more than they have. Flacco's deep ball is the only thing that has bailed him out this year, and so I believe he's due for a 3 or 4 INT game against a ferocious Bengal's D. I think this is one game that not even Andy Dalton could cough up even if he did it intentionally.

Think of all the years where the Chargers have been in big games and ended up choking it up. Even though they're talking about resting the Chiefs' starters, their backups are no slouches either. The Chargers could very well underestimate the Chief's backups and blow another big game.

[Memorex]

Wish they hadn't pushed so many games to the later start time. 7 afternoon games. Al I'll have is Red Zone and they aren't big on showing the Niners. Because I want AZ in if SEA beats STL and NO loses, and the games are on at the same time, I'm not sure who to pull for.

Interesting that on the last week, all NFC division titles are open, as well as 3 wildcards. Crazy.

[Enigma869]

Ben is setting records and givin the 2nd half of the season, tops in the league.

Huh? What the hell are you smoking, kid? What kind of "records" is it that Ben is setting?

[Enigma869]

On another note...Only Detroit could play in a division where both Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers go down injured, and the Lions still figure out a way to miss the playoffs! They are fucking AWFUL, and their idiot coach needs to be fired, immediately. I'm convinced that the Lions and Cowgirls are the same team!

[Memorex]

Awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEK5XaNKHLQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[slucero]

Carolina looks to the peaking.... Their D was impressive..

Bengals looking to be peaking too...

[slucero]

looks like I was wrong about the Niners.. they're walking all over the Cards at the moment..

[YoungJRNY]

Ben is setting records and givin the 2nd half of the season, tops in the league.

Huh? What the hell are you smoking, kid? What kind of "records" is it that Ben is setting?

Not league-wide persay, but more of the offense breaking Steelers records that wasn't even in sight after the first 4 games. They've really turned it around. Antonio Brown broke Yancy Thigpens receiving single season recor. Le'Veon Bell broke Franco Harris's all purpose rookie record and Ben has snapped practically all of Bradshaws records but Super Bowls. Great stuff how far this.offense has come on only half a season.

[YoungJRNY]

JESUS CHRIST AM I A NERVOUS WRECK. I WAS AT THE GAME nD THE PA ANNOUNCER UPDATED US AND IT WAS JUST WILD. THE STEELERS GETTING IN IS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE. LAST WEEK, WE NEEDED 8 THINGS TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT 7/8. LET'S GO KC!!!!!!!!

SRRY FOR CAPS, ON PHONE.JESUS CHRIST AM I A NERVOUS WRECK. I WAS AT THE GAME nD THE PA ANNOUNCER UPDATED US AND IT WAS JUST WILD. THE STEELERS GETTING IN IS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE. LAST WEEK, WE NEEDED 8 THINGS TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT 7/8. LET'S GO KC!!!!!!!!

SRRY FOR CAPS, ON PHONE.

[slucero]

Niners win....

Feely misses 2 FG's... bet he's cut this week....

[AR]

I was sort of rooting for the Steelers to squeak in. Don't tell anyone but I was a fan in between the Colts and the Ravens for awhile.

[YoungJRNY]

A season full of harsh daggers and the harshest one came by a kicker that doesn't even suit up in Black & Gold! Crazy finish. We'll be back. Good luck to everyones teams who advance for the Lombardi.

[Enigma869]

Okay, Chargers at Bengals....Freezer Bowl Part Deux anyone?

Even Marvin Lewis can't fuck up that matchup! The more I watch San Diego, the more awful I realize they are.

[YoungJRNY]

Since the AFC is all locked up, here was my predictions in September before the season. The actual and final results in RED:

AFC EAST:
1. New England Patriots: 11-5; 12-4
2. Miami Dolphins: 7-9; 8-8
3. Buffalo Bills: 5-11; 6-10
4. N.Y Jets: 2-14; 8-8

AFC NORTH:
1. Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6; 11-5
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; 8-8
3. Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; 8-8
4. Cleveland Browns: 7-9; 4-12

AFC SOUTH:
1. Houston Texans: 12-4; 2-14
2. Indianapolis Colts: 9-7; 11-5
3. Tennessee Titans: 7-9; 7-9
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13; 4-12

AFC WEST:
1. Denver Broncos: 13-3; 13-3
2. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6; 11-5
3. San Diego Chargers: 8-8; 9-7
4. Oakland Raiders: 3-13; 4-12

AFC SEEDING:

1. Denver Broncos; Denver Broncos
2. Houston Texans; New England Patriots
3. New England Patriots; Cincinnati Bengals
4. Cincinnati Bengals; Indianapolis Colts
5. Kansas City Chiefs; Kansas City Chiefs
6. Pittsburgh Steelers; San Diego Chargers

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

AFC REPRESENTATIVE:
Denver Broncos

[Enigma869]

That said, if we beat San Diego next week, I'll see you here in 2 weeks for a Bung/Pat Blowout! Deal?

I fully expect that to be the case, because San Diego is as soft as soft gets. I sort of like Rivers sometimes, but the dude really isn't as good as he should be. I would welcome a re-match against the Bengals. Interestingly enough, a lot of the so-called "experts" and fans in Boston are scared beyond belief of the Bengals, and I'm really not sure why. Sure, the Bengals beat the Patriots earlier this season, but so what. It doesn't mean a thing, and will have ZERO bearing on a game two weeks from now. Dalton has some talent but is VERY capable of giving a game away. The fact that Dalton threw 4 picks today and still won the game really illustrates just how AWFUL Baltimore is! Not sure how a Super Bowl winning team can suck this bad, because Ray Lewis wasn't that good, at the end, and Ed Reed couldn't cover anyone! I think I may be the only guy in Boston looking forward to a Bengals matchup. This Patriots team is capable of losing to anyone, given the guys they actually have out there on the field playing, but I still really like the matchup. I see this Patriots team winning one game, and losing to Denver in the AFC Championship Game.

[AR]

I was sort of rooting for the Steelers to squeak in. Don't tell anyone but I was a fan in between the Colts and the Ravens for awhile.

LOL

Well I could make the trip to the Burgh once in awhile back then between 1983 after the Colts left and 96 when the Ravens got here.

I get the rivalry full force, but soft spot if the Ravens are not involved if that makes sense.

[YoungJRNY]

Waitaminutewaitaminute....

Did AR just become a Steelers fan?

[YoungJRNY]

Even greater news for Steelers fans:

Mike Pereira ‏@MikePereira 52m
Replay did not stop the game because the ruling of forward progress is not review-able. Should have been a strip and TD

Mike Pereira ‏@MikePereira 12m
Hate to add fuel to the fire, but some of my followers have pointed out that SD was in an illegal defensive formation on the missed FG

The season that was never meant to be

[AR]

Waitaminutewaitaminute....

Did AR just become a Steelers fan?

Always a Baltimore fan first and fore most.

But there is a 1994 picture of me out there with a naked hooker/stripper on me with me wearing Steelers garb. It is online SOMEWHERE!

[No Surprize]

Losing to the winless Tampa Bay Bucs. To have the playoffs set before you the final two weeks of the season and blow it? To score one touchdown with Tannehill,over the final eight quarters of the season against teams with losing records? To lose to Thad Lewis not once but twice and then regress against Geno Smith in the second meeting he outplayed your defense? To spend over $200 million in offseason contracts, including over $100 million in guaranteed money, and you improve only one game from 7-9 to 8-8? Play calling that is beyond pathetic. Who told OvertheTannehill that he's a pocket passer? USE YOUR LEGS. Your noting more than a back-up! The shame and humanity of it all.

[YoungJRNY]

AR, That's awesome bro! Man, I'd kill to have a brew with you, John , FF, Matt and hell, everybody in here watchin a good game of football. We should make it happen one day. JFB, your on my bucket list to meet man lol.