General

Excited to see if the Steelers can make the playoffs today.

ClearSights wrote:


Would be pretty funny as I think the only way they can is if Buffalo falls out. Tons of scenarios for like 10 teams, and shockingly the Falcons are technically alive.

A lot of game to play, but how disheartening for Jags fans if they lose this. They were sleeper SB picks prior to the season.

Wow. Shouldn't be a big shock the way Jacksonville has played, but with the division on the line with a team with nothing to play for. I didn't think this had a high percent chance. I guess money does talk, or pride.

TB limping in.

Jags went from 8-3 and in the hunt for #1 seed in AFC to home for the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence is not nearly the can't miss, generational talent at QB that he was supposed to be. He's got decent weapons, half ass O-line, and he's got 69 total TDs to 60 total turnovers.

Falcons fire smith about 10 weeks late. He seemingly had no concrete plans as evidenced by the QB waffling and indecisive play calling. He did the same with mariota. For a guy who was cocksure Matt Ryan was the problem its completely perplexing that he though any of his QBs were the answer. Bon voyage.

So we now know the result of the botched Lions/Cowboy ineligible call. Cowboys take the 2nd seed, Lions the 3rd. 49ers were able to rest yesterday and ultimately lose vs the Rams, where as a Lions win would have meant the 49ers would have been playing for the 1 seed yesterday...who knows what transpires if that's the case, maybe they win handily, maybe a star player gets banged up. *shrug*

Jaguars epic collapse ultimately allows the Steelers to sneak in.

Chiefs and Eagles playing less than ideal heading into the playoffs.

If I could have it my way, I'd pick the Texans or Browns to rep the AFC; I'm more forgiving with the NFC, so anyone but the Cowboys, Eagles, or Packers.

Ultimately I'm thinking it will be the Ravens (ugh) from the AFC, and hoping for the Lions in the NFC. 49ers or Bucs (no chance, but my son roots for them) would be fine too.

I've been very outspoken on that call, but I rewatched it with audio and my stance has softened a bit. Don't get me wrong, the ref messed up multiple times which ended up escalating things to where they got, and the NFL poured fuel on the fire by publicly (seemingly) absolving the ref, but the Lions were just as guilty for the mix-up. They were trying to fool the 'boys by having 2 line-men report as eligible at the same time (which can't be done). The ref clearly stated 70 was eligible, and Decker didn't do much of anything to get the ref's attention to correct it nor did 70. Had the flag been thrown for illegal formation or illegal man downfield or illegal touching immediately the Lions wouldn't have celebrated as long, and it wouldn't have been as much of the clown show it was.

As for the play-offs, no one is hotter than the Ravens and (a mostly healthy) Rams. Nobody is unbeatable, and I may be wrong but I think 3 teams in the AFC can beat the Ravens (doesn't mean any will). I still say the 9rs are the favorites in the NFC if they stay healthy. Rarely do two 1 seeds play each other, so expect at least one upset.

Rooting for the Chiefs for obvious reasons, but honestly if I wasn't a lifelong fan I probably wouldn't. Too much exposure and praise, and not enough admission of faults. If not the Chiefs then the 9rs for Purdy (go Cyclones!). The only teams I'd rather not see win it are ones that have won it in the past 15-20 years (Bal, Pit, Sea, TB, Phi, GB) and Dallas... because Dallas fans are insufferable. I actually wouldn't mind the Rams oddly enough because that would be a good story, they were supposed to be terrible, and I like Stafford. Also would pull for Hou, Det, Cle or Buf to finally get one.

Holy crap Pete Carroll ousted as head coach. Staying with the team as an advisor. Interesting head coach carousel already. Belichik still in waiting.

Nick Saban retiring is pretty big football news.

Belichik out. Curious to see if he tries to chase 1 more ring to prove it wasn't just Brady. My assumption is yes. Pretty amazing Bill leaving is less of a shock than Pete. Will be interesting to see who goes where. I don't think Pete stays in Seattle unless he's paid well.

Pete Carroll said after it was succeed that he wouldn't be the coach, that he has lots of energy and he "competed pretty hard" to remain the coach, also said it was his intention to return.

Now this is nuts....
PFT is reporting that the Patriots have a contract in place with Jerod Mayo to be the next successor to Belichick. That's interesting for sure, what's crazy is that the contract was put in place before the session started. So now, the Patriots may not follow through with Mayo, going with Vrabel instead.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumo...

I'm hoping the Pats bring Mike Vrabel back. However, it looks like Jarod Mayo is the front runner for head coach, I like him too, but I want to see a HC with previous HC experience.

More than another ring, I think Bill is just chasing that all-time win record. He's just 15 wins away, if he can land on a playoff ready team, he can achieve that in his final two years, when he'll ultimately retire.

Yeah, Bill isn't chasing rings now, he has them. And did nothing without Brady in New England.

It's other long-term records that would be the incentive. I didn't know about the 15 wins away, that sure seems like it's worth his time for 2 more years somewhere.

And Vrabel should be welcomed everywhere. I think he did an amazing job with what he had. Tannehill has been barely adequate since Mariotta was out, and the new QB (forget his name, Willis?) is not going to be the guy either. But both QB's have exposed how bad the team build has been.

I want Justin Herbert to get some support. Would love Vrabel or Belichick to come to the Chargers and get them to not lose all their games by 7 points or less.

Dolphins-Chiefs will only be available on Peacock outside of their respective markets. Even Sunday ticket subscribers won't be able to watch it without subscribing to Peacock. I wonder how many fans and sports bar owners know this? I heard it would be exclusively on Peacock all week, but I assumed Sunday ticket would still get the game much like ESPN and Amazon Prime games.

Its going to suck for some fans this weekend but I hope it brings attention to this mess with big games being all over the place behind pay apps/subscriptions instead of over the air. I understand having some in season games like this, but damn, the playoffs too? I missed the college championship because I don't have ESPN and I don't mind, rather keep the money in my pocket then cave to ABC/ESPN.

YouTube tv had a five day free trial. I used it to watch CFP semis but missed the NCG. It’s getting silly to see these games.

Jarod Mayo is officially the Patriots' new head coach. I can't be too upset about not going with Vrabel. Mayo has been with the Pats a long time. He definitely appeals to the players and should be defensive-minded enough to keep the Patriots defense rolling.

I have YouTubeTV with Sunday Ticket and I'm certain the Amazon games are still exclusive to Amazon. At least those were mostly notoriously bad TNF matchups. This exclusive playoff game nonsense is obviously worse. At least Peacock is cheap I suppose...

incubus421 wrote:

30+ Year Chiefs fan, former season ticket holder. I'm not giving 1 cent to support the NFL moving their product behind multiple pay walls.


back4more wrote:

I'm right there with you. I'll stop following the NFL if they keep going down this path. I've already stopped watching the NHL, MLB and college sports because it became increasingly more difficult and costly to watch my teams.

Another bad NFL PR move:
Detroit is excited to host a playoff game since I don't know when. A theater wanted to throw a free watch party at 8 theaters. The NFL caught wind of it and put a stop to it. Another group was holding a jersey swap at a Twin Peaks. They were going to take in Stafford Lions jerseys and give out jerseys for current players, then donate the jerseys they take in to LA homeless shelters. The NFL stopped that too, though I don't know how legally.

NFL is turning into Nintendo... lol

At the very least you can watch the Chiefs game in a rerun (or first time if you have Peacock) on NFL network on Saturday at 11 p.m CST.

Looks like they are moving the Buffalo game til Monday afternoon.

My goodness Stroud looks every bit of the next great QB. Houston should be excited. This offense is more fun to watch than KC's offense this season.

Grats to Houston! Many "pros" wrote them off.

Green Bay vs Dallas... can they both lose? Looking forward to Rams vs Lions. Buffalo in a weird play-off spot two years in a row.

Rams and Lions feel like the dangerous teams for sure.

Dallas looking like they are giving up partway into the second quarter. If McCarthy can't spark anything, as much as I hate calling for a firing he needs to go. Too many intriguing coach options out there to hang your hat on MM.

Edit: Down 3 TD's now.

I wish both of these teams could lose too, but the Cowboys bias really irks me. So far I've mostly heard the announcers create this excuse narrative for the Cowboys poor play by saying "Dak and CeeDee definitely have something going on between them" instead of the reality that the Packers are just handing them their collective asses.

Also, I can't stand the "YEA...HERE WE GO!!" pre snap Dak either.

Oof, 4 TDs.

Just wish the cowboys could at least be what people claim they are. It’s been 30 years…

Feeb wrote:

They won’t be until they have a new owner probably

Bet Dallas wishes the refs didn’t screw over the lions with the 2 point call lol.

I’m excited for my Lions tonight. Super nervous but this has been my favorite team since I have been alive, only rivaled by 2014. Hoping to win at least one playoff game this year. It’s been way too long.

incubus421 wrote:

Haha thanks now I can’t unhear that.

Would not be surprised by any result in this game. My most anticipated match up.

Great intro by Eminem. Epic game low key. Polar opposite head coaches. Lions 100% take a steel cage match for the W.

Dusk wrote:

Enjoy the win sir, and hopefully a few more for you over the next month

I was extremely happy to see Dallas not only get beat, but absolutely embarrassed at home. I was kinda hoping that the Niners would get a chance to play Dallas in the NFC championship, but this is almost as satisfying for me. I was glad to see Detroit have some success and knock out the Rams. So far, the playoffs are off to a good start for me!

Buffalo strikes first against Pittsburgh, and marching again. I don't think the Steelers can win if down double digits.

Congrats to Lions fans! Long time coming. Keep working!

Good win for the Chiefs. This might have been the first game I've seen Josh Allen lose some poise. Two wide open receivers underneath for 5-10 more yards and he takes two ill-advised shots to the endzone instead.

Thoughts this weekend:
It's fun seeing Taylor Swift's TD celebration when the Chiefs score instead of the player's. NOT

Jason Kelce shirtless and pounding beers was fun. He's way cooler than his brother.

Kelce/Mahomes eclipse Gronk/Brady for postseason TDs. Well earned.

Now I'm forced to root for the Ravens in the AFC for a change of scenery, but GO LIONS!

If the Lions win the Super Bowl in the same year Michigan brought home the Natty, that state might implode!

I’m definitely joyous as a long time lions fan.