NFL 2015

[Bunk]

I find all the whining about the end of that game is starting to get on my nerves. Lets think about what would have happened had the ref called that penalty and the Lions won.

How happy would everyone be that a game was decided on a rule that 98% of the people in the game didn't know existed? They've interviewed people all over the league and in the media and most had never heard of the rule.

The ball was on its way out. The player batted it because it bounced up in to his chest and that's what you are taught to do with loose balls when you would retain possession (at least that's what the player thought would happen). He could have caught it, he could have stepped out of the way and let it go out on its own - either way, there were no Lions anywhere near it to recover the ball. It would have been just as shitty a way for the Hawks to lose.

[HaemishM]

I think we can all agree that game was just shitty from start to finish.

[01101010]

I find all the whining about the end of that game is starting to get on my nerves. Lets think about what would have happened had the ref called that penalty and the Lions won.

How happy would everyone be that a game was decided on a rule that 98% of the people in the game didn't know existed? They've interviewed people all over the league and in the media and most had never heard of the rule.

The ball was on its way out. The player batted it because it bounced up in to his chest and that's what you are taught to do with loose balls when you would retain possession (at least that's what the player thought would happen). He could have caught it, he could have stepped out of the way and let it go out on its own - either way, there were no Lions anywhere near it to recover the ball. It would have been just as shitty a way for the Hawks to lose.

Tough shit for the Hawks though. Just because people were not aware of the rule does not mean you don't enforce it. Not about happy it went this way or that, it is about how some rules are basically ignored or just not known well enough even though the rule exists for a reason. As shitty as the game was, there is a huge spotlight on integrity of the NFL and if officials aren't aware of the rules they are charged with enforcing? That is a bit glaring. Taught or not, it was the incorrect action per the rule. Could have happened to any other two teams and people would still be bitching. Nothing saying the Lions would have actually scored and won the game either...

[HaemishM]

The head of the ref's said that the line judge saw the bat but determined at the time that it wasn't intentional. So he KNEW the rule he just applied it incorrectly.

[01101010]

The head of the ref's said that the line judge saw the bat but determined at the time that it wasn't intentional. So he KNEW the rule he just applied it incorrectly.

Yeah I read that and as much as it makes me twitch, I feel myself drawn over to my tinfoil hat. This just sounds like a huge "cover our asses so we don't look stupid AGAIN" presser. Not intentional my ass. His hand and arm pushed the ball in a direction, only one hand and arm. What a load of shit. That ref fucked up probably because he didn't know the specific rule and is in panic mode looking for an excuse, 'oh I knew the rule, but reasons made me think that the rule did not apply.' Refs have been screwing the pooch so often in the last few years that it is hard to take anything they claim seriously anymore. When you have to make up all these conditions that constitute what is or is not a catch and STILL can't agree? Amazing the NFL still has as big a following as it does.

[HaemishM]

Yes, it definitely sounded like ass-covering what is a huge blown call. It's a stupid rule, but the NFL is full of them these days, the "what is a catch" being probably the most idiotic set. It's truly shitting up the on-field product, as is the decline in talent at key positions thanks to the fuck you spread offense.

[01101010]

At this point, I am thinking a QB skills challenge would be more entertaining than most of the games on Sundays.

[MrHat]

At this point, I am thinking a QB skills challenge would be more entertaining than most of the games on Sundays.

I'd love an all star weekend like that.

[Tannhauser]

The head of the ref's said that the line judge saw the bat but determined at the time that it wasn't intentional. So he KNEW the rule he just applied it incorrectly.

Yeah I read that and as much as it makes me twitch, I feel myself drawn over to my tinfoil hat. This just sounds like a huge "cover our asses so we don't look stupid AGAIN" presser. Not intentional my ass. His hand and arm pushed the ball in a direction, only one hand and arm. What a load of shit. That ref fucked up probably because he didn't know the specific rule and is in panic mode looking for an excuse, 'oh I knew the rule, but reasons made me think that the rule did not apply.' Refs have been screwing the pooch so often in the last few years that it is hard to take anything they claim seriously anymore. When you have to make up all these conditions that constitute what is or is not a catch and STILL can't agree? Amazing the NFL still has as big a following as it does.

Yep.  The NFL product SUCKS now.  I'm a Lions fan, I'll always be a Lions fan, but who gives a fuck?  For the first time in over 20 years, I don't have live NFL and I don't give a shit.  Refs blowing calls, refs flag happy, crappy teams, the same teams winning every year; and none of them mine.  Why put myself through it?  At least the Lions (and Titans) had the decency to suck right out of the gate this year, so I cut the cable and it's no great loss.  You root for the same team year after year after year and they never make it.  I can't even watch the Lions because I'm way down in Florida.  I do like the Phins but they suck too.  Sit and watch a game for three hours only to see my team lose and/or the refs blow it or hit up espn.com, glance at the scores and go 'yep lost again'?  Easy choice.

[Mithas]

Looks like Hasselbeck is getting the start tonight. He was in the hospital after the game on Sunday due to a virus. He's still sick, but Luck can't play. Thursday night football is awesome.

[HaemishM]

So it's Social Security vs. Mallet Time/Cleveland Steamer?

[shiznitz]

It will be an awful game. I would rather play Catan on my iPad against the AI opponents.

[sickrubik]

Looks like Hasselbeck is getting the start tonight. He was in the hospital after the game on Sunday due to a virus. He's still sick, but Luck can't play. Thursday night football is awesome.

He was in the hospital as late as 2am on TUESDAY.

[Mithas]

Seriously these roughing the passer penalties are just laughable now.

[WayAbvPar]

You should have seen the one in the USC game. A kid got EJECTED for brushing the QB's helmet.

[Segoris]

So Hasselback was surprising tonight. He wasn't lights out or legendary (as the announcers liked to remind us of previously ill players like Jordan or Favre after his dad's death) but he was a solid game manager and made some good calls. I even played Hou's defense in anticipation of his illness getting the best of him and he did really well.

And yes, that RTP call was bullshit.

[shiznitz]

Best Thursday Night game in a long time. I watched it expecting to turn it off in disgust and then interesting things kept happening. It didn't hurt that I have fantasy interest in Hasselback, Gore and Foster.

[Paelos]

Bungles 5-0, Bears won, Seahawks lost, and the Falcons are 5-0 too. What a world.

[01101010]

So many comebacks today.

[Paelos]

I'll never make fun of Tony Romo again. I've seen life without him and it's staring into the same QB abyss as 20 other teams.

[WayAbvPar]

Seahawks are giving up way too many 4th quarter leads. They had that game salted away if they can get a few fucking first downs. Good thing they didn't trade for a guy in the off season who can help them do that.

[TheWalrus]

Hawks are done. I don't think you come back from fucking up a season this bad at the get go. Still love em, but damn, man.

[Paelos]

Hawks are done. I don't think you come back from fucking up a season this bad at the get go. Still love em, but damn, man.

They had to pay their QB. It was the inevitable doomsday device of the NFL.

EDIT: Also Davonte Freeman is really showing up some teams now. Lordy he can run. Falcons may have a gem in that kid.

[HaemishM]

I had a light football day yesterday, mainly because most of the matchups on TV sucked monkey ass. Turns out the 2nd-worst looking matchup on became a competitive ballgame (San Fran - Giants) but fuck that, I'm not watching the Niners.

The Green Bay - St. Louis game was a lot tighter than the score might indicate. St. Louis missed 3 field goals (one was blocked, the other two were long ones) that could have put them in touching distance. Nick Foles got picked 4 times mainly because he was getting man-raped behind that O line. I don't necessarily blame their O line as Green Bay has an outstanding pass rush this year and when their DC isn't calling for the prevent defense, they will absolutely destroy a QB. At one point Foles got sandwiched between two defenders with one of them being Clay Matthews, and Matthews helmet ended up directly in Foles' sternum. Kid got back up and continued to play. His numbers look terrible, but again... running for his fucking life. St. Louis had injuries on their O line as well. Meanwhile, Todd Gurley is a motherfucker of a player. Kid has got speed, strength and the ability to make people miss. Even when stacking the box, there were times Green Bay just couldn't stop him. Tavon Austin is also a playmaker but it remains to be seen if he's a difference maker. Also, St. Louis defense is sho nuff for real, y0. Their front line just buried Eddie Lacey all day and made Aaron Rodgers as uncomfortable as Foles on the other side of the ball. Of course, this is A-ARON so he naturally tossed 2 TD's but he threw his first 2 picks at Lambeau since 2012 and fumbled twice as well. For him, that's unheard of but he really was just getting chased out of the pocket all game. Ty Montgomery may well be another gem of a wide receiver for them, which makes the loss of Jordy Nelson for the season bearable - behind Cobb and James Jones, they have 3 dangerous wideout weapons, plus Richard Rodgers at tight is turning out to be good as well.

I tried watching the Pats/Cowboys game but holy shit are the Cowboys bad with Brandon Weedon at QB. I mean, it's not like everybody couldn't have predicted that but he's not even a serviceable backup, IMO. Either he can't find any reads past 5 yards or his receivers just aren't getting open downfield but there's just no threat to the offense. Yes, he's making due without Dez Bryant and with 3 RB's who are not the equivalent of 1 Demarco Murray but still. He's just unable to do anything and it isn't like he's getting swamped by pass rush. But hey, Cowboys fans, you have a bye and you can spend the next two weeks dreaming about how good Matt Cassel's going to do when he gets the start against the Giants.

The Giants by the way are still terrible but they are less terrible than the Cowboys without Romo. Also, the Eagles blew the Saints out but don't think that means they are any better. They still stink on ice. New Orleans just happens to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year. Though they can't be the worst because Detroit is still winless. Things got so bad for Detroit yesterday they pulled Matt Stafford for DAN ORLOVSKY because Stafford threw 3 picks. It didn't get any better but they did manage to set an NFL record for most pass attempts in a game at 70. YES, THAT'S RIGHT - THEY THREW THE BALL 70, THAT'S 7-0 TIMES. They apparently cannot fucking run the ball at all and though they appear to be trying very very hard, they can't fucking pass the ball either. Good thing Stafford is signed to a big contract through 2017. I put even odds that Jim Caldwell loses his job this year.

Wow, Washington almost beat Atlanta but looking at their box score, I don't see how. They couldn't run the ball based on their stats, which is insane because that's the only thing Washington is supposed to be moderately good at with Alfred Morris. But Cousins numbers are still better than Stafford's. CRAZY TOWN!!!!

Also, Peyton Manning shits the bed and still wins thanks to Denver's defense. Does my fantasy team no fucking good though. I think his arm is ready to fall off of his body at any minute now.

[sickrubik]

Also, Peyton Manning shits the bed and still wins thanks to Denver's defense. Does my fantasy team no fucking good though. I think his arm is ready to fall off of his body at any minute now.

Not a lot you can do when the O-Line is playing shitty and the receivers break their routes and drop passes. Not that I'm saying Peyton isn't playing as well as he did in his prime, but hanging everything on him isn't exactly fair.

[HaemishM]

Oh there's a lot wrong with Denver that isn't Peyton's fault. Kubiak's offense for one thing. Lack of Julius Thomas and an offensive line in tatters for another.

[Azuredream]

The Giants by the way are still terrible but they are less terrible than the Cowboys without Romo. Also, the Eagles blew the Saints out but don't think that means they are any better. They still stink on ice. New Orleans just happens to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year

It feels like the NFL this year is a game of who sucks the least. There's maybe 10 teams you could call good and everybody else is just awful.

On a side note, the difference in the Bears without Cutler versus the Bears with Cutler is stark. I have relatives who are (ignorant) Bears fans so I have to stop myself from shouting that they're all fucking retards for mocking Cutler all the time, as if he's the reason you suck. No. He's the reason you aren't complete and utter garbage.

[Paelos]

Oh there's a lot wrong with Denver that isn't Peyton's fault. Kubiak's offense for one thing. Lack of Julius Thomas and an offensive line in tatters for another.

Having $30M+ of your cap tied up in 2 offensive players always strikes me as iffy.

[HaemishM]

Yeah, but as long as one of those is a QB who doesn't suck, you should probably be ok. Though Baltimore and Detroit would probably disprove that notion.

[Paelos]

Yeah, but as long as one of those is a QB who doesn't suck, you should probably be ok. Though Baltimore and Detroit would probably disprove that notion.

You can win a playoff spot that way. It's hard to win a title though.

[sickrubik]

Re: Julius Thomas. God no. Was glad he was gone. Great talent, but TERRIBLE blocking ability and would give up on plays constantly.

[Merusk]

Seahawks are giving up way too many 4th quarter leads. They had that game salted away if they can get a few fucking first downs. Good thing they didn't trade for a guy in the off season who can help them do that.

I turned that game off after the 2nd touchdown in 118 seconds. I figured the Bengals were done and the old cats were back, the prior weeks being just a blip. Color me surprised when Facebook late yesterday was awash in "5-0 BABY" posts.

I take all credit in diverting my Jinx gaze from the game for the sudden turnaround and apologize for what was surely a lot of cursing and swearing for the last 45 mins on your part.  

[01101010]

The NFL needs to nail down what is or isn't a catch. Especially on touchdowns. I was under the impression that once the nose of the ball crosses the goal line and is under control, it is immediately a touchdown and that is that. How many times have I seen a player running and stretch for the pylon, break the plane, go flying into the ground while being tackled and have the ball go bouncing off. But because it was caught, the rules are suddenly different.

[Johny Cee]

Much like the Gorgons of Greek myth, I'm fairly certain the Giants wideouts all share one set of healthy hamstrings between them.  In the final drive, you had Cruz, Beckham, and Randle all sitting on a bench watching their team drive down the field.  Luckily, the 49ers didn't bother to cover Vereen, the only healthy receiver Eli had to throw to (who wasn't a rookie or a 5th stringer).

[Mithas]

Didn't expect the game to be good tonight, but it was entertaining at least. Someone mentioned it earlier, but 70% of the teams are hot garbage. I'm having a hard time finding a team with a legitimate shot outside of Green Bay, New England, Arizona, Denver, Atlanta and Cincinatti.