2017 NFL Season Thread

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Broncos fire offensive coordinator Mike McCoy

Hmm! Fire the offensive coordinator because the quarterbacks suck. Yeah, that'll turn things around! Brilliant move! Meanwhile head poobah John Elway ticked off his players by calling them soft. Fun times in Denver these days!

[Scott Taylor]

Falcons almost found a way to lose, but they couldn't quite grasp defeat from the jaws of victory this time. And how amazing is Russel Wilson? Several moments early in that game would have torn out a lesser man's fighting spirit, but that guy keeps going and going.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Meanwhile, AFC West dysfunction isn't only in Denver:

Andy Reid throws Alex Smith under the bus following latest loss

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Another AFC West coordinator bites the dust as Ken Norton Jr. who headed the defense in Oakland was shown the door today.

[BeastieRunner]

Well that opens the door wider for the Steelers and Patriots.

Titans might be the only team that can stop either one right now.

[HowitzerJoe]

Well that opens the door wider for the Steelers and Patriots.

Titans might be the only team that can stop either one right now.

Titans just got nutted on by Pittsburgh. I'd put more stock in KC even with the recent struggles. Or even Jacksonville who already beat Pittsburgh. Titans will probably make the playoffs, but really it's because the AFC is so awful this year.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Titans just got nutted on by Pittsburgh. I'd put more stock in KC even with the recent struggles. Or even Jacksonville who already beat Pittsburgh. Titans will probably make the playoffs, but really it's because the AFC is so awful this year.

Yeah, it’s the West that’s dragging the AFC down. Kansas City has been leaking oil for a month now, Oakland has been a major disappointment while Denver has been an utter disaster. Any team from that division would easily be one and done in the playoffs.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Semifinalists announced for 2018 Hall of Fame class

First year eligible candidates include Ray Lewis, Ronde Barber, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher.

[HowitzerJoe]

Meanwhile, AFC West dysfunction isn't only in Denver:

Andy Reid throws Alex Smith under the bus following latest loss

I don't see that as throwing a player under the bus. I mean, saying it's the quarterbacks responsibility to get the offense in sync should be a general expectation.

I think that MSN article is the only one trying to take Reid's statement and cause unnecessary drama. Click bait.

[Gray Lensman]

Well that opens the door wider for the Steelers and Patriots.

Titans might be the only team that can stop either one right now.

Romo mentioned on air after the Pats/Raiders that the team New England needs to worry about is Jacksonville. They play man coverage and can get pressure without additional pash rushers. Pull that off well and that's how you stop Brady from carving you up.

[Surf]

Turkey day game spreads.


Minnesota @ Detroit 2.5

LAC @ Dallas pick 'em

NYG @ Washington 7.5

Minnesota covers. Chargers win and I'd take Washington to cover or hell even to win outright against the Giants. New Orleans is pretty solid this season and that was a huge deficit they overcame but this is still the 2017 Giants and I don't believe they've turned any corner.

[Witchfan]

This week's predictions:

The Eagles rout the Bears at home, and continue to lead the NFC.
The Lions beat the Vikings, and get within a game of them.
The Rams beat the Saints, giving the Eagles a two-game lead over the rest of the NFC.
The Falcons beat the Bucs, putting them one game behind the Saints.
The Panthers beat the Jets and tie the Saints.
The Cowboys beat the Chargers, taking pressure off the Chiefs.
The Redskins beat the Giants.
The Chiefs beat the Bills.
The Raiders beat the Broncos, leaving them two games behind the Chiefs.
The Cardinals beat the Jaguars.
The Titans beat the Colts, letting the Titans tie the Jaguars at 7-4.
The Bengals beat the Browns.
The Patriots beat the Dolphins, putting them four games ahead in the AFC East.
The Seahawks beat the 49ers and remain one game behind the Rams.
The Steelers beat the Packers
The Texans beat the Ravens, putting them four games behind the Steelers.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Turkey day game spreads.


Minnesota @ Detroit 2.5

LAC @ Dallas pick 'em

NYG @ Washington 7.5

Minnesota covers. Chargers win and I'd take Washington to cover or hell even to win outright against the Giants. New Orleans is pretty solid this season and that was a huge deficit they overcame but this is still the 2017 Giants and I don't believe they've turned any corner.

I'm surprised NBC didn't try to find a way to flex out of that game which has "dog with fleas" written all over it. The Giants, long ago toe-tagged at 2-8 versus the Deadskins who's season is close to flatlining. Yeah, that'll make for compelling television. As much as I love NFL football, I'll give that dreck a hard pass and watch college hoops instead.

[Scott Taylor]

Romo mentioned on air after the Pats/Raiders that the team New England needs to worry about is Jacksonville. They play man coverage and can get pressure without additional pash rushers. Pull that off well and that's how you stop Brady from carving you up.

Pressure on Brady is the key. Disrupt him and you disrupt the Patriots. You have to commit to it fully, use sets that aren't on any film, and eliminate the low-hanging fruit of the short-passing routes for him. And time, you have to control the clock like a maniac.

Ok predictions:

Dallas over Chargers = I know the Chargers are favored, but this is actually a winnable game for the boys. And Jerry's angry.
Lions over Vikings = Because its in the Motor City.
Saints over Rams = Would love the Rams to win this, but the Saints are peaking. High scoring game.
Falcons over Bucs = Keeping pace until its choke time.
Panthers over Jets = The Jets, they are going to get stomped and run over
Giants over Redskins = Its that most wonderful time of the year when the Redskins fold
Steelers over Packers = I'm sad that this game won't have Aaron Rodgers in it
Texans over Ravens = Real toss up
Chiefs over Bills = Tyrod Taylor versus Alex Smith. Smith wins.
Raiders over Broncos = Look we found someone worse than the Raiders!
Jaguars over Cardinals = But Larry will do well
Titans over Colts = The Colts will get shoed
Bengals over Browns = The who cares game
Patriots over Dolphins = Fish will sink
Seahawks over 49ers = Need I say more?
Eagles over Bears = Easiest pick.

[KNIGHT OF THE LAKE]

Pressure on Brady is the key. Disrupt him and you disrupt the Patriots. You have to commit to it fully, use sets that aren't on any film, and eliminate the low-hanging fruit of the short-passing routes for him. And time, you have to control the clock like a maniac.

Ok predictions:

Dallas over Chargers = I know the Chargers are favored, but this is actually a winnable game for the boys. And Jerry's angry.
Lions over Vikings = Because its in the Motor City.
Saints over Rams = Would love the Rams to win this, but the Saints are peaking. High scoring game.
Falcons over Bucs = Keeping pace until its choke time.
Panthers over Jets = The Jets, they are going to get stomped and run over
Giants over Redskins = Its that most wonderful time of the year when the Redskins fold
Steelers over Packers = I'm sad that this game won't have Aaron Rodgers in it
Texans over Ravens = Real toss up
Chiefs over Bills = Tyrod Taylor versus Alex Smith. Smith wins.
Raiders over Broncos = Look we found someone worse than the Raiders!
Jaguars over Cardinals = But Larry will do well
Titans over Colts = The Colts will get shoed
Bengals over Browns = The who cares game
Patriots over Dolphins = Fish will sink
Seahawks over 49ers = Need I say more?
Eagles over Bears = Easiest pick.

You could say that about any QB.... too bad Brady has a league leading 136 passer rating under pressure this year. He's literally the player that least applies to. Jacksonville would be trouble for any pass first team. But the Patriots scheme so many RB's in space, which is the most effective counter to that.

Also when you play man against the Pats you run the risk of gassing late in the game. Happened to Atlanta last year and it's why Brady almost made a comeback in Denver in 2015.