The 2013-14 NFL football season thread

[bigjnyc]

I'm not going to try to make any predictions.

It's just awesome that the four best teams made it this year. Exactly how it should be. I think alot of us Pats fans were saying back when we won the regular season matchup that we were looking forward to the rematch in the AFC Championship game... it just seemed like it was destined to happen, and here we go.

There's three more football games left this year and all three of them are going to be phenomenal.

This truly is the best conference championship round matchups I could ever remember.

I am really looking forward to the AFC game its just going to be nice fundamental hard nosed football with 2 of the best classic passing QB's of our generation

The NFC game on the other hand while a great matchup features 2 teams that have become 2 of the most annoying teams in the NFL... there will be trash talking, mocking, chirping and just a back and forth all day that will distract from the game. I know this goes on in every game but to a certain extent. These 2 teams are good but so hard to cheer for with all of the crap and classlesness their players have going on.

 

[ucfgrad93]

This truly is the best conference championship round matchups I could ever remember.

I am really looking forward to the AFC game its just going to be nice fundamental hard nosed football with 2 of the best classic passing QB's of our generation

The NFC game on the other hand while a great matchup features 2 teams that have become 2 of the most annoying teams in the NFL... there will be trash talking, mocking, chirping and just a back and forth all day that will distract from the game. I know this goes on in every game but to a certain extent. These 2 teams are good but so hard to cheer for with all of the crap and classlesness their players have going on.

Great analysis and I think you are spot on. The Super Bowl could almost be a let down after these games.

 

[Peace]

I admit the Seahawks defenders do a lot of trash talking,mocking and general mayhem stuff but they are the #1 defense in almost every category . They may trash talk you but then they back it up in your face on the field.

That isn't trash talking. That's taking out the trash and dumping it on the field.

I just hope they do it with Kap one more time.

He's not your everyday nice guy either.

 

[Queen of Spades]

I admit the Seahawks defenders do a lot of trash talking,mocking and general mayhem stuff but they are the #1 defense in almost every category . They may trash talk you but then they back it up in your face on the field.

That isn't trash talking. That's taking out the trash and dumping it on the field.

It gets a bit old, speaking as a neutral viewer who actually really likes Russell Wilson. If the Patriots drop out, I will be rooting Seattle, but the chest thumping and self-promotion really wears thin after about 5 minutes. The fact that they back it up doesn't make it less annoying.

 

[Peace]

It gets a bit old, speaking as a neutral viewer who actually really likes Russell Wilson. If the Patriots drop out, I will be rooting Seattle, but the chest thumping and self-promotion really wears thin after about 5 minutes. The fact that they back it up doesn't make it less annoying.

Doesn't seem to bother Seahawks fans.

 

[mscriv]

You know, I really don't mind trash talking from a team perspective. "We're gonna wear you guys out... Our defense/offense is blah, blah, blah. But, it really saddens me to see or hear the personal self aggrandizing that is so common today. It seems like everyone is now pointing to their name on the back of their jersey when they make a play. Seriously!?! Football is a team sport. It took all 11 men on the field doing their job for the outcome of that play to happen. Teamwork is what enables success on the field, not any one individual's effort, no matter how talented that player may be.

 

[63dot]

It gets a bit old, speaking as a neutral viewer who actually really likes Russell Wilson. If the Patriots drop out, I will be rooting Seattle, but the chest thumping and self-promotion really wears thin after about 5 minutes. The fact that they back it up doesn't make it less annoying.

Absolutely. I don't know if the Seattle bravado comes from the fans and loud stadium or the other way around. I guess it's cool if the Seahawks are your team.

This story below could be written about the most likely matchup's resolution for the upcoming Super Bowl.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9613915/seattle-seahawks-defense-too-good-ignore

 

[Peace]

So you don't like all the bravado ?

Mike Holmgren does.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...-playoffs-mike-holmgren-says-pulling-seahawks

"Holmgren still has connections in the Seahawks building with many of the staff and a couple of players that have remained on Pete Carroll's roster. He's had a chance to attend practices on occasion and developed a relationship with a few new players, including All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.

"When I watched him play in the beginning, I didn't know him, and I didn't like some of the things he did, quite honestly. Great football player, but all that other stuff," Holmgren said. "Then I was over there and had a sandwich with him, had lunch with him one day and I got a chance to meet him, talk to him. I'm one of his biggest fans, he's a great kid."

If anybody has ever watched the daily media briefings the hawks put on you would know Richard Sherman is actually a nice guy.

And yes. He won his appeal. Get over it.

Don't get mad bro !!

 

[63dot]

That Sherman piece is hilarious. If the Seahawks win it all I know the advertisers are going to town on this one. I wonder what words he had with Kap, if any, and I hope it's one of our SF boys who has something to say to Sherman if we beat Seattle, even if it's a, "Good game, are u mad?"

 

[Peace]

That Sherman piece is hilarious. If the Seahawks win it all I know the advertisers are going to town on this one. I wonder what words he had with Kap, if any, and I hope it's one of our SF boys who has something to say to Sherman if we beat Seattle, even if it's a, "Good game, are u mad?"

I won't get mad. I think San Fran is going to win.

Hopefully my prediction record holds up.

 

[einmusiker]

I say Seattle pounds SF. As far as the AFC game I will be happy that either team lost

 

[ucfgrad93]

I think that the Seahawks and Broncos will win this weekend.

 

[63dot]

I think that the Seahawks and Broncos will win this weekend.

That's certainly not a stretch since that's what I have been reading mostly. I would prefer Pats-Niners though and that would make a great match. If it's Seahawks-Broncos, then I give it to the Seahawks to win.

 

[ucfgrad93]

That's certainly not a stretch since that's what I have been reading mostly. I would prefer Pats-Niners though and that would make a great match. If it's Seahawks-Broncos, then I give it to the Seahawks to win.

At this point, the only team I would be surprised if they won the Super Bowl is the Patriots. But I can very easily see the other 3 teams winning it.

 

[Peace]

At this point, the only team I would be surprised if they won the Super Bowl is the Patriots. But I can very easily see the other 3 teams winning it.

I would love to see Seattle play the Patriots again..

But I think it's gonna be Broncos-49ers.

 

[63dot]

At this point, the only team I would be surprised if they won the Super Bowl is the Patriots. But I can very easily see the other 3 teams winning it.

The Patriots may not have Gronk but more than make up for it with their amazing running game. I think they have as good a chance as anybody to win it all. We talk about Brady, Gronk, and Blount but what they have that nobody else has is Belichick. As long as he could stand and talk, he will be a coach somewhere if not for the Pats for the next 20 years be akin to the 80 year old college coaches who are only breaking their own records year after year.

The betting odds put the Pats at 4th but anything can happen:

http://www.betvega.com/super-bowl-odds/

I can't think of a coach who has so many versions of one team. Keep Brady to no touchdowns and less yards than usual? No biggie, the coach will just have people run it in six times! While I think the Broncos are stronger I still won't be surprised if the Pats beat them this Sunday.

 

[zioxide]

I can't think of a coach who has so many versions of one team. Keep Brady to no touchdowns and less yards than usual? No biggie, the coach will just have people run it in six times! While I think the Broncos are stronger I still won't be surprised if the Pats beat them this Sunday.

This is why Bill Cowher was calling Belichick the greatest coach of all time in that interview before the game last weekend.

Bill builds his team differently than many teams. Most teams will bring in some solid players and build their team around them with players that complement them well. Nothing wrong with that, but Bill doesn't operate that way. Every guy is the same whether it's a guy like Gronk or a guy like Hooman. Bill loves smart football players with versatility... guys who can play different positions, different situations, and have very high "football IQs" to adapt and make it work. They might not be the best player at the position or get it done every single time (no player does) but generally they work.

Herb Brooks (coach of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team) said it best... "I don't want the best players.. I want the RIGHT players."

That's why, even with all the injuries and the Pats having half a Pro Bowl team on their IR, they're still in the hunt just like they have been every year. And since they have so many players who are versatile and can play different positions and different styles of football, every game you're going to see something different.

 

[63dot]

This is why Bill Cowher was calling Belichick the greatest coach of all time in that interview before the game last weekend.

Bill builds his team differently than many teams. Most teams will bring in some solid players and build their team around them with players that complement them well. Nothing wrong with that, but Bill doesn't operate that way. Every guy is the same whether it's a guy like Gronk or a guy like Hooman. Bill loves smart football players with versatility... guys who can play different positions, different situations, and have very high "football IQs" to adapt and make it work. They might not be the best player at the position or get it done every single time (no player does) but generally they work.

Herb Brooks (coach of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team) said it best... "I don't want the best players.. I want the RIGHT players."

That's why, even with all the injuries and the Pats having half a Pro Bowl team on their IR, they're still in the hunt just like they have been every year. And since they have so many players who are versatile and can play different positions and different styles of football, every game you're going to see something different.

While I don't make it a job to follow coaches other than Raiders or Niners, Bill has come into my spotlight this year more than anybody due to his ability to change.

Yes, around my parts you have big winners like Walsh, Siefert, Holmgren, Madden (all beloved who worked in my Bay Area parts in Niners, Raiders) and they win and have great records and made their mark. But they all had a certain style which was still determined by the players they had. However, with Belichick it also seems like he is ten different great coaches at the same time and can make a winning team with ANY group of players.

We had a bit of that type of flexible genius in Tom Flores who took the Raiders into some winning territory. He could use players others considered washed up and make them productive again.

With Belichick, his high winning percentage and number of wins is in striking distance of Don Shula's wins and percentage. Wherever he coaches from now on, I don't have a doubt he will make the playoffs virtually every single time and can be a perennial for years like Halas and Shula.

The commentators on the radio were mentioning that Bill can stop Manning since much of his early and best work was in defense. Besides the Super Bowl XXV where his defensive genius did the job to win against most predictions as defensive coordinator of the NY Giants, people who know him say that's where he is strongest at so no matter who the Pats have healthy on Sunday, you can never count them out to slow down or embarrass Manning.

One reason or another may make the Pats have a bad defensive game on any given Sunday, but it's certainly not Bill's fault. In the year Bill's defense with the Giants won it all, he allowed a league low 211 points and it was good enough to shut down Jim Kelly and his usually overpowering no huddle offense. Bill Belichick stuffed the Buffalo Bills that day and I think this game plan is always alive in his head and is the thing that can contain Manning. If Bill can stop Manning, then Wilson or Kap should be able to dissect in the same way.

When people were just talking about Brady and his passing, while the best, I was talking about watching out for the Pat's D and running game. I heard it from analysts so much but nothing came of it and then there was the trouncing of the Colts on just those two areas.

Expect interceptions of Manning, sacking him at least a couple of times, and having the Pats put up big running yards in Denver this Sunday. If the Broncos trounce Blount, then Bill will have other runners pound through Denver's defense. This is why I think the odds makers are wrong about the Pats and basically why all four teams have a pretty even chance of winning it all (with slight edge to Seattle). The game for AFC is in Denver and while a huge advantage for Manning and company, the Broncos may*win it but in no way by a lot of points.

 

[Queen of Spades]

Mel Kiper's first mock draft is out. It's...puzzling. But I am salivating over the prospect of grabbing Jace Amaro, so that part I can get behind. Not sure how on earth Manziel is #1 all of a sudden, and there's no way Bridgewater falls to #8, but stranger things have happened.

(last 4 picks are ordered in terms of oddsmakers' chance of winning SB)

(1.) Houston Texans - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
(2.) St. Louis Rams - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
(3.) Jacksonville Jaguars - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
(4.) Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
(5.) Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
(6.) Atlanta Falcons - Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA
(7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
(8.) Minnesota Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
(9.) Buffalo Bills - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
(10.) Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
(11.) Tennessee Titans - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
(12.) New York Giants - C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
(13.) St. Louis Rams - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
(14.) Chicago Bears - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
(15.) Pittsburgh Steelers - Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
(16.) Baltimore Ravens - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
(17.) Dallas Cowboys - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
(18.) New York Jets - Marqise Lee, WR, USC
(19.) Miami Dolphins - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
(20.) Arizona Cardinals - Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
(21.) Green Bay Packers - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
(22.) Philadelphia Eagles - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
(23.) Kansas City Chiefs - Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
(24.) Cincinnati Bengals - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
(25.) San Diego Chargers - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St.
(26.) Cleveland Browns - Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
(27.) New Orleans Saints - Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
(28.) Carolins Panthers - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
(29.) New England Patriots - Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
(30.) San Francisco 49ers - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
(31.) Denver Broncos - Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon St.
(32.) Seattle Seahawks - Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State

 

[63dot]

The crowd noise at Seattle may be a scary factor here...more than 747 noise...architecture 101.

http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/...k-line-vegas-odds-prediction-injuries-weather

 

[rdowns]

If the Patriots drop out,

This must happen. I will kill myself if they get to play a Super Bowl in the Jets house.

 

[Peace]

This must happen. I will kill myself if they get to play a Super Bowl in the Jets house.

If you don't kill yourself I will kill you..



But it's gonna be 49'ers and Broncos so you're safe.

With that said. The weird news of the day.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...rsement-deal-call-company-name-line-scrimmage

After hearing Peyton Manning yell "Omaha" more than 40 times at the line of scrimmage during Sunday's victory over the San Diego Chargers, an official with Omaha Steaks says the company is considering offering the Denver Broncos quarterback an endorsement deal that could include calling out its name during the big game.

 

[rdowns]

If you don't kill yourself I will kill you..



But it's gonna be 49'ers and Broncos so you're safe.

With that said. The weird news of the day.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...rsement-deal-call-company-name-line-scrimmage

After hearing Peyton Manning yell "Omaha" more than 40 times at the line of scrimmage during Sunday's victory over the San Diego Chargers, an official with Omaha Steaks says the company is considering offering the Denver Broncos quarterback an endorsement deal that could include calling out its name during the big game.

Omaha Steaks, Omaha Steaks, filets, rib eyes, hut, hut , hut

 

[Queen of Spades]

This must happen. I will kill myself if they get to play a Super Bowl in the Jets house.

The odds are in your favor. And at least it gives you something to passionately root for!

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...rsement-deal-call-company-name-line-scrimmage

After hearing Peyton Manning yell "Omaha" more than 40 times at the line of scrimmage during Sunday's victory over the San Diego Chargers, an official with Omaha Steaks says the company is considering offering the Denver Broncos quarterback an endorsement deal that could include calling out its name during the big game.

Why not, it's the last product on earth he doesn't hawk. Now he can ask for a "Bud Light in his mouth" and an "Omaha Steak in his belly." Truth be told, I really don't mind Peyton Manning. He plays the right way, is a student of the game, and what he did this year after all the neck problems and such is pretty special. He respects the Patriots and Brady, so I hold no special animosity toward him. But he's a giant slut in terms of endorsements.

 

[Peace]

The odds are in your favor. And at least it gives you something to passionately root for!



Why not, it's the last product on earth he doesn't hawk. Now he can ask for a "Bud Light in his mouth" and an "Omaha Steak in his belly." Truth be told, I really don't mind Peyton Manning. He plays the right way, is a student of the game, and what he did this year after all the neck problems and such is pretty special. He respects the Patriots and Brady, so I hold no special animosity toward him. But he's a giant slut in terms of endorsements.

Oh. I understand endorsements. They all do it. But to get paid for hawking out Omaha Steak on the line of scrimmage for money ? That's a bit too much and actually the NFL shouldn't allow that kind of thing.