So many people care about Footsportsball now - Lounge

CA Dreamin

Gender: Male

Location: LA

This thread is about football. NFL isn't in the title, but it's been the dominant theme. I still want to quickly say congrats to Indiana for winning the college championship.

Alright, recap and predictions:

Repo and CA Dreamin wrote:

Repo - Bills by 2
CA Dreamin - BUF Bills 24 DEN Broncos 23 [at one point in the 4th, that was the exact score]

What actually happened: Broncos 33, Bills 30

An exciting game that ended in tragedy for both teams. The Bills were the better team by the stats. Significantly better in total offense and time of possession. However I predicted the game would come down to which team "makes a costly mistake late in the game." Well, it wasn't late in the game, but it was the end of the second quarter that proved to be that costly mistake. Broncos score a TD with 17 seconds left before halftime. Bills get the ball back and have 0 timeouts. Just take a knee and go to the locker room, right? Wrong. Sean McDermott decided to run plays. They fumble, Denver recovers and scores another 3 points before halftime. What the hell? So stupid. I was at work following updates from my phone. When I read that, I was like "Oof, that's gonna come back to bite them." And sure, enough...it did. The Bills gifted the Broncos 3 points, and the final margin of the game was 3 points. Unbelievable. Every year it seems, Buffalo gets knocked out of the playoffs in a close game, that they could have (arguably should have) won, but their own mistakes are the reasons they lose. I like Sean McDermott, but at this point, I completely understand why he was fired after this game. As for the Broncos, they proved their greatness, but lost their leader, in the most tragic asinine way. QB Bo Nix breaks his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game, a casual run play, designed only to gain a few yards to get a little bit closer for a game-winning field goal in overtime. The kicker made the field goal, Broncos win. Now what? Would have been better had the kicker missed, and Bills won. At least that way, we'd have two healthy in the AFC Championship game.

Repo and CA Dreamin wrote:

Repo - Seahawks by 14
CA Dreamin - SF 49ers 10 SEA Seahawks 27

What actually happened: Seahawks 41, 49ers 6

Yikes. We predicted blowouts but not to this degree. There isn't much to say here. The Seahawks look like juggernauts.

Repo and CA Dreamin wrote:

Repo - Pats by 10
CA Dreamin - HOU Texans 16 NE Patriots 19

What actually happened: Patriots 28, Texans 16

Repo was right about CJ Stroud. Either he wasn't cut out for this game, or he just wasn't ready yet. I predicted defenses would keep this low-scoring. Turned out the defenses were so great, it wound up a little higher-scoring. The defenses forced 8 turnovers combined. Wow. This led to short fields and easy points for both teams. The differences were NE was scoring TDs while Houston was kicking fields, plus Houston turned the ball over 5 times to the Patriots' 3.

Repo and CA Dreamin wrote:

Repo - Rams by 10
CA Dreamin - LA Rams 27 CHI Bears 23

What actually happened: Rams 20, Bears 17

The opposite of last week for these teams. Based on the highlights I saw, they played clean and consistent for the whole game, both fighting to the end, with LA coming out a little better.

Ok, next round predictions:

AFC Championship Game

NE Patriots 26
DEN Broncos 13

As a fan of a team who won the 2017 Super Bowl with a backup QB, I say there isn't much hope for Denver. It's not the same scenario as it was with my team. In 2017, Nick Foles came in with previous starter experience, he had 3 regular season games and a bye week before his first playoff start, plus the Eagles had a Top 5 defense and rushing offense that year, who won games for them while Foles worked into a rhythm. It took over a month before Foles was tuned up and ready for a big game against an evenly-matched opponent. This Broncos backup QB has less than a week, has never been a starter, and certainly has never played in a game like this. Yes, the Broncos have a solid defense, and a solid running game. You may have heard RB JK Dobbins is coming back from injury. But can he really save the day? The only way Denver wins is their defense has to force several turnovers, while the offense protects the ball, and hope their new QB and RB can turn some magic (a special teams TD would help too). I doubt it. The Pats very good, healthy, and well-greased.

NFC Championship Game

LA Rams 20
SEA Seahawks 31

Both games in the regular season between these two were won by the home team, and decided by less than a field goal. But I don't think it'll be that close this time. I'm going off the eye test, and right now the Seahawks look significantly better. Since their last match-up, Seattle has been on a reign of terror, winning all their games by double digits, while LA has mostly been in tight games, and even lost to Atlanta. I think EyeKanFly is right about LA. They're a great team but they aren't the most reliable. I think it'll be close for 3 quarters, before the Seahawks put it away in the 4th.

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

CA Dreamin wrote:

Ok, next round predictions:

AFC Championship Game

NE Patriots 26
DEN Broncos 13

As a fan of a team who won the 2017 Super Bowl with a backup QB, I say there isn't much hope for Denver. It's not the same scenario as it was with my team. In 2017, Nick Foles came in with previous starter experience, he had 3 regular season games and a bye week before his first playoff start, plus the Eagles had a Top 5 defense and rushing offense that year, who won games for them while Foles worked into a rhythm. It took over a month before Foles was tuned up and ready for a big game against an evenly-matched opponent. This Broncos backup QB has less than a week, has never been a starter, and certainly has never played in a game like this. Yes, the Broncos have a solid defense, and a solid running game. You may have heard RB JK Dobbins is coming back from injury. But can he really save the day? The only way Denver wins is their defense has to force several turnovers, while the offense protects the ball, and hope their new QB and RB can turn some magic (a special teams TD would help too). I doubt it. The Pats very good, healthy, and well-greased.

This kinda sucks, right! Especially since last Sunday was Bo Nix's coming out party. He went toe-to-toe with Josh Allen and WON! Life is NOT fair!

BUT, we learned last week by watching the Texans @ Pats game that the Broncos STILL have a chance for TWO reasons. First & most important, even a back-up quarterback like Jarrett Stidham probably will NOT play as bad as CJ Stroud over these past two weeks. 🤦‍♂️ That poor boy is gonna need therapy! Second, our O-Line (especially our young left side) showed that we have a hard time against a good, well coached defense, and Denver has that in spades!

Do i still think we're going to win? YES! OF COURSE I DO!!! 😈 I just think Denver has more of a chance than I would have thought if I'd heard this news two weeks ago.

Pats by 10!!!

CA Dreamin wrote:

NFC Championship Game

LA Rams 20
SEA Seahawks 31

Both games in the regular season between these two were won by the home team, and decided by less than a field goal. But I don't think it'll be that close this time. I'm going off the eye test, and right now the Seahawks look significantly better. Since their last match-up, Seattle has been on a reign of terror, winning all their games by double digits, while LA has mostly been in tight games, and even lost to Atlanta. I think EyeKanFly is right about LA. They're a great team but they aren't the most reliable. I think it'll be close for 3 quarters, before the Seahawks put it away in the 4th.

Totally. By the eye test, the Seahawks look unbeatable rn. BUT, they are divisional opponents, and divisional games can get pretty wonky especially if you have a good coach, which Sean McVay is. PLUS, they easily have the better quarterback, even though I'll be routing for Sam Darnold. Why? That's a better story! How cool will it be if Sam Darnold goes to the Superbowl one year after essentially getting fired by the Vikings! Minnessota's got it rough rn!!! 😅 ( We can either laugh or cry with what's going on. I CHOOSE to laugh since it gives me more strength!)

Seahawks by 7.

GO PATS!!!

EyeKanFly

Head Bear Master/Galactic Emperor

Age: 34

Location: Gotham

I guess I missed predicting last round, I think I would've gotten most close to right except the Bears, I was expecting more out of them (and less out of the Rams).

At the start of the playoffs, I would've guessed an Eagles vs Broncos super bowl.

With Bo Nix out, I don't think Denver has it in them to beat the dominant Pats. I'll be rooting for the Broncos though. My prediction is Patriots 20 - Broncos 16

The Seahawks looked good against the 49ers, I think they'll look just as good against the Rams. My predictions is Seahawks 26 - Rams 24.

Interesting that 3/4 possible Super Bowl matchup is a repeat from the last 12 years (not Broncos vs Rams). If it ends up being Pats vs Rams, they'd even have the same head coaches. Can't say I'm super excited for the rest of the playoffs but I guess I'll be rooting for the Broncos and Seahawks. And Bad Bunny when he's up.
_________________
51 Washington, D.C. albums!

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

We're Back, Baby!!! 😈

CA Dreamin

Gender: Male

Location: LA

CA Dreamin, Repo, and EyeKanFly wrote:

CA Dreamin - NE Patriots 26, DEN Broncos 13
EyeKanFly - Patriots 20, Broncos 16
Repo - Pats by 10

What actually happened - Patriots 10, Broncos 7

We all got this one right, but it was a no-brainer. The Patriots actually won this game last week, am I right? Not so. Broncos still had their chances here. Backup QB Stidham made some plays. They had the momentum in the early going, taking a 7-0 lead. Sean Payton going for it on 4th instead of kicking for 3 to go up 10-0 stopped their momentum (turned out they'd never score again). Then the fumble late in the first half swung the momentum the other way. Nevertheless, the Broncos defense did a great job. Kept them in the game. The Broncos had one last chance to tie it late in the 4th quarter, but that blocked FG by NE sealed it. It still would have been close, but I think Denver would have won if Bo Nix was playing. They may be the AFC favorites next season.

CA Dreamin, Repo, and EyeKanFly wrote:

CA Dreamin - LA Rams 20, SEA Seahawks 31 [at one point, this was the exact score]
Repo - Seahawks by 7
EyeKanFly - Seahawks 26, Rams 24

What actually happened - Seahawks 31, Rams 27 (dang I was only off by a TD)

We all got this one too.The Seahawks weren't so dominant this time, then again they were playing a much better opponent. Credit to the Rams for playing so hard, fighting to the finish. McVay and Stafford might be the best current coach-QB duo, and as long as they stick around, plus Nacua, their offense will light up scoreboards.

As for New England and Seattle, their SB matchup is both exciting and boring. Boring because casual fans want to see new teams in the SB. Both these teams won SBs in recent memory. On the other hand, casual fans also want to see new faces. The rosters and coaching staffs of these franchises are entirely different from their championship teams of last decade. So what can we say? Credit to these teams for quickly rebuilding.

I'll post a prediction later, but I need to head off for work and errands. Got two weeks before this game so plenty of time. Think I'll get on the next Ozzy and/or Beach Boys album in the meantime.

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

The Pro Football Hall Of Fame just became as irrelevant as the Rock n' Roll HOF. What a joke!!! 😅 Honestly, this news flash may be be even more shocking than Luka Doncic being traded to the Lakers. Just another WTF story that you feel must be AI generated or sth and then have to fact check. lol. BONKERS!!!

I now like our chances in the Super Bowl even more though. WE are gonna be pissed! 😈

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

Repo wrote:

The Pro Football Hall Of Fame just became as irrelevant as the Rock n' Roll HOF. What a joke!!! 😅 Honestly, this news flash may be be even more shocking than Luka Doncic being traded to the Lakers. Just another WTF story that you feel must be AI generated or sth and then have to fact check. lol. BONKERS!!!

I now like our chances in the Super Bowl even more though. WE are gonna be pissed! :twisted:

And NOW we hear that Robert Kraft didn't get in either. (For context, Jerry Jones has been in since 2017. )

And u know what?!

I freakin' LOVE it. Us against the World, baby!!! Fuel for the fire! Let's roast us some Seahawks! 😈

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

CA Dreamin wrote:

I'll post a prediction later, .

It's time! 🔭👀

Romanelli

Bone Swah

Gender: Male

Location: Broomfield, Colorado

Moderator

Repo wrote:

The Pro Football Hall Of Fame just became as irrelevant as the Rock n' Roll HOF. What a joke!!! 😅 Honestly, this news flash may be be even more shocking than Luka Doncic being traded to the Lakers. Just another WTF story that you feel must be AI generated or sth and then have to fact check. lol. BONKERS!!!

I now like our chances in the Super Bowl even more though. WE are gonna be pissed! :twisted:

The Denver Broncos, like your Patriots, have existed since 1960. They have 16 HOF members.
7 of those (Willie Brown, Tony Dorsett, DeMarcus Ware, Ty Law, Brian Dawkins, John Lynch & Peyton Manning) play most of their careers and earned HOF honors with other teams.
1 of those (Pat Bowlen) was an owner and never played.

That leaves just 8 in 65 years.

Despite having played in 6 Super Bowls at the time, the Broncos did not have their first real HOF'er until 2004 (Elway). The next one wasn't until 2008 (Gary Zimmerman). 2010 was their first and only pre-SB player (Floyd Little). Shannon Sharpe came in 2011. They have had just 4 in the past decade, despite having played in 2 more SB's. And not one head coach. Including Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan.

The Patriots have even fewer in the Hall...but their period of greatness is much more recent. It's pretty easy to note that the HOF will become crowded with Patriots, and soon. Including Belichick and Kraft. There have been only 3 coaches who got in first year (Landry, Shula and Noll), and not one owner.

Patience. You'll get a LOT of HOF'ers in the next ten years.

And it will NEVER be as bad as that rock and roll hall. 😎
_________________
I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history

Repo

BeA Sunflower

Location: Forest Park

Romanelli wrote:

And it will NEVER be as bad as that rock and roll hall. 8)

😅🤣

Very true! Pretty much an impossible task! 😅