The 2013-14 NFL football season thread

[Queen of Spades]

If you put the Pats in a competitive division would they still have the success they have had the past decade. Sure early 2000's they were a legit contender, the past 5 years they have gotten in by default.

Divisions change. The AFC South used to be a joke except for the Colts for the longest time. The AFC West is currently the Broncos and a bunch of easy wins. The Vikings, Bears, and Lions all sucked at once for awhile, too. Same with the NFC West when the Rams were on top. The league is cyclical. It's not like a team can pick their division.

But for fun, let's see how the Patriots have fared in terms of SOS.

Patriots strength of schedule, 2007 - 2012

2007: #3 hardest (average opponents winning percentage: .539).
Only 2 teams with harder schedules: Raiders, Bills
Easiest schedule: Cardinals

2008: #32 hardest schedule, aka the easiest, aka the year Tom Brady went out with an ACL injury in the 1st quarter of game #1 (average opponents winning percentage: .387)
Second easiest: Chargers

2009: #3 hardest (average opponents winning percentage: .590)
Only 2 teams with harder schedules: Dolphins, Panthers
Easiest schedule: Bears

2010: #6 hardest (average opponents winning percentage: .531).
Notable teams with easier schedules that year: Giants, Ravens, Packers, Saints, Steelers, Broncos, 49ers, Colts, Bears
Easiest schedule: Cardinals

2011: #15 hardest (average opponents winning percentage: .504)
Notable teams with easier schedules that year: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Falcons, Bears, Steelers, 49ers, Ravens

2012: #32 hardest schedule (average opponents winning percentage: .453)
2nd easiest: Green Bay

3 out of the last 6 seasons they've had a top 6 hardest schedule, and 4 of the last 6 seasons they've hard a harder schedule than more than half the league.

So the facts don't support your conclusion that they have an annual cake walk. You're, once again, basing your analysis on the current news cycle. The Jets were good as short as 2 years ago, and Miami is on the rise. Divisional rivalries are more fun when the teams iare competitive, but that's hardly New England's fault.

 

[mscriv]

Methinks all this fan debate is going to make for a fun fantasy season here at MR. I bet there will certainly be some key games that people really want to win. Sports sure can be fun as long as we keep our good sportsmanship at the forefront.

It's too late now, but zioxide, why don't you play fantasy football with us?

 

[rhett7660]

If you put the Pats in a competitive division would they still have the success they have had the past decade. Sure early 2000's they were a legit contender, the past 5 years they have gotten in by default. They are like the Braves, who can beat them in the regular season.

I would like to see them play in a division with the Saints, Packers, Niners, Giants every year and see how they do.

I think your hate of the Bosox's is spreading to the Pats. Jezz dude, even when the facts are presented to you, you still disregard them.

 

[Queen of Spades]

Methinks all this fan debate is going to make for a fun fantasy season here at MR. I bet there will certainly be some key games that people really want to win. Sports sure can be fun as long as we keep our good sportsmanship at the forefront.

I actually don't find it amusing at all. It's one thing to good naturedly trash talk each other and whatnot, but it's another to totally deny a team any credit and act like a total homer, making constant negative posts about one team in particular and generally behaving like a d-bag in a thread I used to get a lot of enjoyment out of. So yeah, good sportsmanship my foot. I have considered blocking, but I'm hoping logic and sense will start to seep in.

I think your hate of the Bosox's is spreading to the Pats. Jezz dude, even when the facts are presented to you, you still disregard them.

Thank you.

 

[mscriv]

I actually don't find it amusing at all. It's one thing to good naturedly trash talk each other and whatnot, but it's another to totally deny a team any credit and act like a total homer, making constant negative posts about one team in particular and generally behaving like a d-bag in a thread I used to get a lot of enjoyment out of. So yeah, good sportsmanship my foot. I have considered blocking, but I'm hoping logic and sense will start to seep in.

I try to remind myself that so much in life just has to be "taken with a grain of salt". I don't think there's any doubt that the Pats have had one of the best teams in the league for many years, as you and others have argued, the numbers speak for themselves. However, sometimes there's just something irrational about being a sports fan and you don't care about the facts. I also try to keep in mind that with sports, some fans are going to say or do things just to try to annoy, one up, or get in the head of the person they don't agree with. I'm not saying anyone in specific on these forums is doing that, but sometime I do wonder and with all internet communication, sports or not, that fact is always lurking in the back of my mind.

Don't take the debate on here too serious. First, it's not worth getting worked up over and second, people are always going to disagree on how to view/interpret the facts in any given situation. I don't believe any of it is personal or malicious.

That being said, I do know that we humans, as emotional beings, get frustrated and that's why I think people will take some measure of joy in beating certain "rivals" on the fantasy turf. Heck, I know I do. Over the past few years I've lost in the MR championship game on more than one occasion. It definitely "puts a feather in my cap" when I am able to win over those players. (I'm talking about you stonyc, einmusiker, etc.) In the end all you can control is yourself and my hope is that personally I can be a good sportsman regardless of how frustrated, angry, or wronged, I feel on the inside.

 

[rdowns]

Back to football.

I absolutely can't stand blowhard Keith Olbermann but just caught this opening of his new show and man is he right on. The circus we all love to talk about when discussing the Jets is mainly due to the horrible NY beat writers. (Of course, the Jets share some of this blame).

Is it as bad in your town?

Video here

 

[ucfgrad93]

Of course, the Jets share some of this blame.

Ryan is an idiot. I can't believe he is still head coach. Playing Sanchez so late in the game behind the scrubs was just beyond stupid. I look forward to watching them totally stink it up this year.

 

[bigjnyc]

Ryan is an idiot. I can't believe he is still head coach. Playing Sanchez so late in the game behind the scrubs was just beyond stupid. I look forward to watching them totally stink it up this year.

There are way bigger idiots in the NFL, coaches pull way stupider moves on a weekly basis... and there are teams with way worse QB situations (Jaguars for example) But you would think the Jets are the only team with these issues due to the NY media and ESPN latching on to something and not letting go. I'm not saying they Jets are a model franchise they do stupid things like signing Tebow for headlines last season. My point is there are many NFL teams that do things which are way worse, have players committing crimes, getting arrested. But yet if you listen to any of the talking heads or watch any national sports channel you would think the Jets are the only boneheaded team in all of sports.

 

[einmusiker]

Back to football.

I absolutely can't stand blowhard Keith Olbermann but just caught this opening of his new show and man is he right on. The circus we all love to talk about when discussing the Jets is mainly due to the horrible NY beat writers. (Of course, the Jets share some of this blame).

Is it as bad in your town?

Video here

I love Olbermann! glad he's back. he reminds me of Stephan A, says what he thinks and is well informed.

 

[zioxide]

We're happy with the recent success of our team. Are the Patriots a dynasty? No, not anymore. But they have had an actual chance at a super bowl nearly every year for the last decade. They've won far more games than they've lost. That's all any fan can ask for from their team. Lots of teams in the NFL don't make the playoffs every year.

I think the funniest part is that the two Patriots fans on here are the ones saying the dynasty is over, yet Wikipedia still says it's going on and while I was at lunch today I saw ESPN with a graphic over Bill Belichick's presser about saying "Patriots have won at least 10 games every year the past 10 seasons".

If you put the Pats in a competitive division would they still have the success they have had the past decade. Sure early 2000's they were a legit contender, the past 5 years they have gotten in by default. They are like the Braves, who can beat them in the regular season.

I would like to see them play in a division with the Saints, Packers, Niners, Giants every year and see how they do.

Aside from QoS tearing you a new ******* with the Strength of Schedule numbers, you're putting too much stock into divisions anyways. Divisional games are the toughest games on the schedule, regardless of what division you play in, because the teams are so familiar with each other. I remember the Pats going down to Miami in December a few years back and getting beat by a Dolphins team that had won like 4 games that year. It's that whole thing about any given sunday...

You also ignore the fact that since the Patriots have won their division for 11 out of the past 13 seasons, every year, they play the winners of each other division in the conference. So, even if you are in a division with a team like Buffalo (that the Pats pretty much own), you're still playing some of the best teams in your conference every year. Meanwhile, the team that comes in 4th in their division is playing the other 3 divisions' 4th place finisher.

It's too late now, but zioxide, why don't you play fantasy football with us?

I'm just not really big into fantasy. I've played it a few times with friends but I always end up forgetting to check it and set my lineups each week, missing the draft, or whatever. Maybe next year...

 

[ucfgrad93]

Aside from QoS tearing you a new ******* with the Strength of Schedule numbers, you're putting too much stock into divisions anyways.

In all fairness, the Patriots did have the easiest schedule in 2 of the 6 years listed by Queen of Spades.

That said, the Patriots are an impressive team and are always contenders in my opinion.

 

[zioxide]

In all fairness, the Patriots did have the easiest schedule in 2 of the 6 years listed by Queen of Spades.

This is true, but one of those years was when Brady went down in the 1st quarter of week one. I like to just forget about that year altogether, even though they went 11-5 and missed the playoffs on a tie breaker.

That said, the Patriots are an impressive team and are always contenders in my opinion.

Thanks. Glad we have some sane fans.

The impressive thing about it is no matter what the circumstances are, they find a way to win games. That stat ESPN had up today about winning at least 10 games every year for the last 10 years is impressive. I mean, there's plenty of times where a team has one of the easiest schedules by the SoS numbers, yet they still **** the bed and miss the playoffs.

The fact that the Patriots have been able to maintain a winning record regardless of the circumstances, whether it's their HOF QB getting injured, drama with players (Moss, Ochocinco, Haynesworth), a complete rebuild of the defense, etc just makes me appreciate what they've done even more.

Everyone likes to rag on Belichick because he's not friendly with the media (though I think it's hilarious) but there's no denying he's one of the very best to ever coach this game. Between the Pats and when he was Parcells' DC for the Giants, he's been to at least 8 Super Bowls. That's impressive.

 

[MacDawg]

The Pats are a solid and consistent team that usually gets the most out of their stars and their role players
Most teams give their fans a rollercoaster of ups and downs over the span of a few years
While every team's roster will change, many are a Jekyl and Hyde year to year
With the Pats, you usually know what you are going to get

 

[ucfgrad93]

Thanks. Glad we have some sane fans.

I'm not a fan at all of the Patriots, however, I do acknowledge that they are not a team to be taken lightly.

 

[Queen of Spades]

There are way bigger idiots in the NFL, coaches pull way stupider moves on a weekly basis... and there are teams with way worse QB situations (Jaguars for example) But you would think the Jets are the only team with these issues due to the NY media and ESPN latching on to something and not letting go. I'm not saying they Jets are a model franchise they do stupid things like signing Tebow for headlines last season. My point is there are many NFL teams that do things which are way worse, have players committing crimes, getting arrested. But yet if you listen to any of the talking heads or watch any national sports channel you would think the Jets are the only boneheaded team in all of sports.

You're right about the unfair emphasis on the Jets. That's the drawback of being in New York, though. When it's good it's great, but when it's bad, it becomes a thing unto itself.

I still think Rex Ryan is a good coach, he's just had some drafts not turn out as well as hoped, Idzik hasn't done all that well with getting him talent, and now he's just so obviously frustrated he's kind of losing it. I can easily see him getting fired this year, and that's probably what the Jets need. A complete cleaning of house and bring in some people with good ideas for turning it around. Starting with QB.

But I expect Rex to get a job as a defensive coordinator in a hot second.

 

[Peace]

East Coast Problems LOL

 

[bigjnyc]

You're right about the unfair emphasis on the Jets. That's the drawback of being in New York, though. When it's good it's great, but when it's bad, it becomes a thing unto itself.

I still think Rex Ryan is a good coach, he's just had some drafts not turn out as well as hoped, Idzik hasn't done all that well with getting him talent, and now he's just so obviously frustrated he's kind of losing it. I can easily see him getting fired this year, and that's probably what the Jets need. A complete cleaning of house and bring in some people with good ideas for turning it around. Starting with QB.

But I expect Rex to get a job as a defensive coordinator in a hot second.

I agree and i think he is definitely getting fired unless the Jets somehow defy all odds and get in to the playoffs which is highly unlikely..... I thick Idzik's agenda is to clean house and bring in new people anyway. Woody probably had a say in having Rex Ryan stick around this year, but he's pretty much being set up for failure unless he pulls a miracle out of his a$%. I agree that he will get a defensive coordinator job before he leaves the jets facility though.

As far as the AFC east is concerned I'm really not buying the hype on the Dolphins and I think your Pats will easily coast through the season. I feel like thats a curse these days in the NFL though. more and more you are seeing these teams who barely sneak in to the playoffs, get hot at the right time and go all the way.

 

[Moyank24]

You're right about the unfair emphasis on the Jets. That's the drawback of being in New York, though. When it's good it's great, but when it's bad, it becomes a thing unto itself.

I still think Rex Ryan is a good coach, he's just had some drafts not turn out as well as hoped, Idzik hasn't done all that well with getting him talent, and now he's just so obviously frustrated he's kind of losing it. I can easily see him getting fired this year, and that's probably what the Jets need. A complete cleaning of house and bring in some people with good ideas for turning it around. Starting with QB.

But I expect Rex to get a job as a defensive coordinator in a hot second.

Exactly. The talent he's had the last 2 years has been awful. As bad as Mark Sanchez was last year, look at who he was throwing to. Especially after Holmes got hurt. Couple that with a run game that was ineffective and bad things happened.

The defense has also been much worse than it was his first two years and couple that with a bad offense you aren't going to win many games. The defense and run game in the 2 years they made the AFC championship game was enough to cover up Sanchez' flaws, but now they just don't have the talent to get away with it.

Tannenbaum should have been fired probably a year before he was and Idzik has already had a pretty bad first season.

I think if it was only Rex's decision to play Sanchez in the 4th quarter it was because he hoped he would excel against a 3rd or 4th team defense and put a rest to the "competition". He may be going crazy from the frustration of bad management because playing him behind a horrible and inexperienced O-Line was a bad oversight. I've defended Rex all along, but he made a mistake Saturday night.

I agree and i think he is definitely getting fired unless the Jets somehow defy all odds and get in to the playoffs which is highly unlikely..... I thick Idzik's agenda is to clean house and bring in new people anyway. Woody probably had a say in having Rex Ryan stick around this year, but he's pretty much being set up for failure unless he pulls a miracle out of his a$%. I agree that he will get a defensive coordinator job before he leaves the jets facility though.

As far as the AFC east is concerned I'm really not buying the hype on the Dolphins and I think your Pats will easily coast through the season. I feel like thats a curse these days in the NFL though. more and more you are seeing these teams who barely sneak in to the playoffs, get hot at the right time and go all the way.

I'm not sold on the Dolphins either. The Redskins have proven that loading your team with FA doesn't always equal wins, so we'll have to see how it plays out. And in this league, without a consistent QB it's hard to win. And Tannehill still has a long way to go. With 6 games against this division, the Pats are definitely headed to another top 3 finish in the AFC (if they stay healthy of course).

 

[Queen of Spades]

WTF? I'd be pissed too. What NFL suit was the brains behind this?

NFL promotes Broncos/Ravens season opener in Denver with banners of Joe Flacco

The first game of the 2013 NFL season is on Sept. 5 in Denver and to celebrate, the league decided it would be a good idea to hang up Joe Flacco banners all over the city.

Denver is now covered in Flacco banners and as you can imagine, nobody in Denver is too happy about it and that includes Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, Manning was asked about the giant Flacco banner that currently hangs outside Sports Authority Field in Denver, "It doesn't seem to make much sense that the Denver Broncos have to have an opposing player on their stadium," Manning said, via KOA-AM 850 in Denver.

Every Broncos fan in Denver seems to agree with Manning and an all-out assault against Flacco banners has started.

 

[Moyank24]

WTF? I'd be pissed too. What NFL suit was the brains behind this?

NFL promotes Broncos/Ravens season opener in Denver with banners of Joe Flacco

Well that makes absolutely no sense and is a complete slap in the face to the Broncos and their fans. But the NFL (more than ever with Goodell at the helm) has always been about money and marketing and not about the fans. Or the players.

 

[ucfgrad93]

WTF? I'd be pissed too. What NFL suit was the brains behind this?

NFL promotes Broncos/Ravens season opener in Denver with banners of Joe Flacco

This is just an inexcusable move by the NFL.

 

[krazykleo]

Looking forward to see how GB bounces back!!

 

[MacNut]

Back to football.

I absolutely can't stand blowhard Keith Olbermann but just caught this opening of his new show and man is he right on. The circus we all love to talk about when discussing the Jets is mainly due to the horrible NY beat writers. (Of course, the Jets share some of this blame).

Is it as bad in your town?

Video here

I hate Olbermann doing politics but when he talks sports he is somewhat enjoyable. This new show isn't half bad.

----------

Well that makes absolutely no sense and is a complete slap in the face to the Broncos and their fans. But the NFL (more than ever with Goodell at the helm) has always been about money and marketing and not about the fans. Or the players.

Don't forget to buy your over priced pre-approved clear bag.

 

[mscriv]

WTF? I'd be pissed too. What NFL suit was the brains behind this?

NFL promotes Broncos/Ravens season opener in Denver with banners of Joe Flacco

Well that makes absolutely no sense and is a complete slap in the face to the Broncos and their fans. But the NFL (more than ever with Goodell at the helm) has always been about money and marketing and not about the fans. Or the players.

This is just an inexcusable move by the NFL.

Oh, come on... it's brilliant sports marketing. Let's give some credit, Flacco is the defending Superbowl Champion QB, but the genius part is riling up the Broncos fans like that so the first game of the season will be a great environment.

 

[Moyank24]

Don't forget to buy your over priced pre-approved clear bag.

As a season ticket holder, I've actually already been mailed my bag! And for free! (I'll ignore the fact that I did have to purchase 10 games for that pleasure).

Although, I've learned over the years to just bring my phone and wallet. Luckily we don't have to worry about cold weather gear or anything else like that.