(Disclaimer: In no way is this topic official. Then again, they rarely are).
Starting moderator CitizenKane is a no show, so his backup ThePickle will be taking control of the field with this one. Let's break down our week 1:
Week 1 (9/9/12)
Home
Away
Final Score
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
24-17 DAL
Chicago Bears
Indianapolis Colts
41-21 CHI
Cleveland Browns
Philadelphia Eagles
17-16 PHI
Detroit Lions
St. Louis Rams
27-23 DET
Houston Texans
Miami Dolphins
30-10 HOU
Kansas City Chiefs
Atlanta Falcons
40-24 ATL
Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars
26-23 MIN
New Orleans Saints
Washington Redskins
40-32 WAS
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills
48-28 NYJ
Tennessee Titans
New England Patriots
34-13 NE
Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
20-16 ARZ
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
30-22 SF
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers
16-10 TB
Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers
31-19 DEN
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
44-13 BAL
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers
22-14 SD
Be sure to follow ZODIAC MOTHERFUCKER for your minute to minute live tweeting coverage of the Detroit Lions!
Ice Cube made another song about the Raiders. Better than Raider Nation? Nothing is. But it's fine I guess. It's associated with Pepsi. So you know it's gangsta. http://www.pepsianthems.com/artists/ice-cube
As a Bronco fan that music video at the end made me want to vomit
It's been a while since I last posted in this topic (as I'm sure you are all aware of....or not..) but man this season has been well...by the books. It seems like almost everybody's prediction as to who would win their division and wild card spots is right on the money, and while that's OK I always enjoy the unexpectedness that comes with sports.
So, with that in mind, here are the three reasons why I liked this past NFL season:
1.) Rookie QBs are no longer a long term project. RG III, Andrew Luck & Russell Wilson were able to flourish in their team's system this season because they weren't forced to be like everyone told them to be and were just themselves. That old adage of college systems never working in the NFL are slowly starting to go away, and this season is proof of that.
2.) Peyton Manning is doing everything I never thought he would be able to do anymore, and then some. I will admit, I didn't think Peyton would be able to get back to form so quickly, if ever. So it's nice to be wrong on that front. But what is steering this Broncos team is a combination of Manning (obviously) and that stout defense. They will be a force to be reckoned with this post season.
3.) Adrian Peterson is my MVP. I, like many of you, grew up in an NFL where RBs were more of a focal point in the offense. But this past decade has seen the passing game get more of the focal point and RBs just aren't what they used to be. AP was one of the very few to really command an offense and take charge of the game. So when he went down last season, I thought this could be it for him. You already have a short shelf life in the NFL as a RB so that only made me more nervous for him. But dammit, that wasn't going to stop him! Not only did he have a great season, but his team is one win away from going to the Playoffs (after being predicted of going 4-12) and he might be eclipsing Eric Dickerson single season rushing record! That's unbelievable. I know it's more than likely that Peyton will get the MVP, but Peterson will conclude a season that I will always remember...even though he's going up against my Packers. Loyalties be dammed, I will still be *quietly* rooting for Peterson to break the record.
I have never cared, nor will I ever care about the Pro Bowl. I'm all for making the Pro Bowl selections like the NCAA makes their "All-American" selections. Make it purely out of respect, but don't actually have the Pro Bowl.
@Empirepaintball: I'm with you too about how Pro Bowl selections should be made, just have fans select who they thought were the best players this season without forcing them to play a pointless game.
As for the season, I couldn't be more interested in the NFC right now. I want RG3 and his Skins to torch Dallas! Also, Patrick Klepek will hate me for saying this, but I want Minnesota to beat the Packers to clinch the 6 seed and they can beat out Da Bears and the Giants for a spot. The Vikings QB, Christian Ponder, went to Florida State and I want him to represent the Noles in the postseason!
9 damn yards, man, feel so sorry for AP right now, he deserved that one, carried the team on his back the entire year, so close! Seahawks got the win, played like shit today, but hey, can't wait for next week. Playoffs baby!
also, this is the best/worst thing ever: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000119231/Monkeys-riding-dogs?campaign=Facebook_videos_dogmonkey
@Milkman: That GIF pretty much sums up how I've felt all evening after that amazing win by my Colts. I think we can beat Baltimore, but I honestly don't see this team going into Denver and New England and getting it done. That's too much of an ask for this young wacky team. But that's not important: it's been a hell of a ride this season, and has exceeded all my expectations.
Vikings win was incredible, but I can't help but feel that the Packers are going to smack them in Green Bay next week. Doesn't matter who wins between Redskins and Cowboys; I wouldn't be confident in either of those teams beating the Seahawks. And as @RecSpec said, a first-round bye for the 49ers is going to make a huge difference. That defense just isn't the same without Justin Smith causing havoc up front and making space for Aldon Smith.
Suuuuper fucking disappointed that the Texans managed to lose three of their last four. I think (hope?) they'll beat the Bengals next week, but there's no way in hell they beat the Patriots in the Divisional Round.
Broncos, on the other hand, are going all the way. I haven't been this excited for a Broncos season since 2005, and 1997/1998 before that.
And here's my end of season awards: Adrian Peterson MVP, Calvin Johnson OPOY, J.J. Watt DPOY, Peyton Manning CPOY, Rusell Wilson OROY, Janoris Jenkins DROY, Chuck Pagano/Bruce Arians COY
And here's my end of season awards: Adrian Peterson MVP, Calvin Johnson OPOY, J.J. Watt DPOY, Peyton Manning CPOY, Rusell Wilson OROY, Janoris Jenkins DROY, Chuck Pagano/Bruce Arians COY
Looks pretttty good, but I'm not sold yet on Packers over Seahawks. My prediction would match yours, except I'd go Seahawks over Packers, still losing to the Broncos in the SB.
As for awards, I'd switch AP and Peyton (and I wouldn't be surprised if RG3 won OROY, or even if Luck did).
Remember, the Seahawks are a pretty young team with not a lot of playoff experience, and as much as I love my team, I don't expect them to go that far this year, the team still needs a consistent pass rush to go that far, in my opinion.
The Seahawks are pretty hot at the moment and as a fan I really hope they do good in the playoffs, but I think a lot of people are forgetting that they have to play on the road now. They're really not as good on the road. Hopefully they can prove me wrong.
They were so close to being the number 2 seed too. Damn it
That Falcons-Seahawks game is going to be fascinating, because you either have the Falcons finally winning a big postseason game and getting over that hump, or you have the rookie Wilson taking this raw young team all the way to Lambeau.
The more I think about it, the more I think that the Seahawks probably aren't as ready for prime-time as we're thinking they'll be. This is a team that is rock-solid on defence, with a great offensive line, but Wilson has been much more erratic on the road this year, and asking them to go into the Georgia Dome is going to be tough, even if I think the Seahawks are probably a better team than the Falcons right now, pound for pound. Especially since the Falcons not resting their starters potentially will mean that Dunta Robinson and John Abraham will miss the playoffs, which is really, really dumb on Mike Smith's part. If the Seahawks had home field for the playoffs, they would be my favourite to go to New Orleans; as is, I'll still take them over the Redskins/Cowboys, but I'll need more time to consider that Falcons game.
Got bored watching Cowboys-Redskins, so taking a break from football. Will watch the second half tomorrow.
As much as I hate the Cowboys, I feel kind of sorry about how poorly they've scouting players for the draft. They've consistently picked overrated prospects and on top of that they've clung onto an underachieving quarterback for so long. Next year is a great year for quarterbacks in the draft, could see them picking up Landry Jones or Tyler Wilson easily, although I think Collin Klein is probably the best fit for their current offense.
Couldn't be happier with the niners right now, this is the best we've been since the haydays.
And here's my end of season awards: Adrian Peterson MVP, Calvin Johnson OPOY, J.J. Watt DPOY, Peyton Manning CPOY, Rusell Wilson OROY, Janoris Jenkins DROY, Chuck Pagano/Bruce Arians COY
Looks pretttty good, but I'm not sold yet on Packers over Seahawks. My prediction would match yours, except I'd go Seahawks over Packers, still losing to the Broncos in the SB. As for awards, I'd switch AP and Peyton (and I wouldn't be surprised if RG3 won OROY, or even if Luck did).
You guys are nuts! The Patriots will beat the Broncos. Their defense is just bad against the Pats. This is in no way a homer pick...
Now as to whether the Pats can be the Seahawks (who're my pick from the NFC)... Fuck I hope so!
Go Pats!
edit: Also this year the Giant's didn't make it so I don't have to worry about them again! Yay!
Bucs fan here.. gotta say my team has A LOT of potential. I was honestly not expecting a 7-9 season this year.. at best 5-11.
The offense looks good, with the exception of our bipolar quarterback. We have a solid receiving corps, two very good running backs, a good fullback, and if they stay healthy - a solid offense line.
The defensive line looks okay, but there is tons of room for improvement.
The two biggest problems for our team are the weakness at linebacker and our quarterback. Hopefully those will be addressed in the offseason. Josh Freeman has had more than enough time to prove himself.
Black Monday indeed, however, as a fan of a sucky team/team that did bad this year, I'd be excited for the possibility of getting Gruden if he is willing to come back, he is such a good headcoach (in my opinion).
Black Monday indeed, however, as a fan of a sucky team/team that did bad this year, I'd be excited for the possibility of getting Gruden if he is willing to come back, he is such a good headcoach (in my opinion).
I'll be really happy to have in out of the Monday Night Football booth.
Life-long Redskins fan here (and old enough to remember/miss the glory days of the 80s/early 90s) and we are all pretty excited here in town after last night. Not much sleep last night, but no one is complaining.
That said, the Seahawks absolutely terrify me. I'm disappointed with that draw if only because after Washington, I would be pulling for Seattle in the playoffs. I would think that the other NFC teams would be happy to have one of those two offenses off the board after the first weekend though. Should be an interesting game.
Good luck to the fans of all the teams who made the dance!
I think the Bengals have a really good chance of winning this game. They have a very good offensive line, so they have a reasonable chance of neutralising the threat of the Texans front seven and J.J. Watt. Also there's that ol' momentum argument - Bengals ended the season winning 7 of their last 8 games, while Houston lost 3 of their last 4. However...I just can't in good conscience bet against the Texans in this one. They're a better team, a more balanced team with Foster's rushing, they have a defence that can neutralise the Bengals' passing attack, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is not the kind of back to dominate a game against a defence like this. I think it'll be close - 20-14 maybe - but I'm picking the Houston Texans.
These two games have been a colossal bore considering they're playoff games. And who the heck was doing commentary with Mayock during the early game? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Oh shit the Redskins are going to play the Falcons next week aren't they? On one hand the Falcons have a history of choking in the playoffs but on the other hand this Falcons team has been brutal. Someone tell me what to think!
This one's so much more interesting.You can feel these two teams playing with fire in their bellies. The other 3 games lacked momentum swings, and you knew who was going to win in the first half. Just lifeless football from the losing teams.
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