NFL-Week 14

[Thomkal]

Let's go beloved Cardinals! Worried AP will run all over them like Gurley did in his first game. But they shut him down last week and have a good run defense overall, so hope they can limit his big runs. A lot of defensive injuries for Minnesota makes me feel good about Palmer's chances tonight. Cards can clinch a playoff spot with a win and the division with a Seattle loss.

[jbergey22]

Palmer will thread the defense. Cards will score 27+ and the Vikings dont have the firepower on offense to stay with that number.

[Thomkal]

Palmer will thread the defense. Cards will score 27+ and the Vikings dont have the firepower on offense to stay with that number.

I hope you are right!

[BishopMVP]

That non-fumble that Stands might literally be the definition of a 50/50 call... all the slow motion shots and angles in the world can't give a real answer.

[Thomkal]

sigh

[Thomkal]

Cards have done a good job at stopping Peterson after his TD, but not liking how Bridgewater keeps marching them down the field. May come down to who has to ball last.

[BishopMVP]

Burn that defensive call. You've got 2 DB's lined up against trips right on 3rd down, maybe at least roll your safeties to that side, or don't have the one on that side backpedaling 15 yards deeper than the 1st down line at the snap. Yeah, one of the CB's blew his assignment when both followed the inside guy, but you still would have had 2v1 on the outside. Shurg.

[jbergey22]

Some decent prime time games lately. Well played game by both teams. Nice win for the Cards. Not sure how Teddy can take a sack there or why he was taking more than a 3 step drop in the first place. Odd decisions there.

[Thomkal]

whew! Thank God we signed Dwight Freeney!. Didn't like how they let the Vikings hang around, then come back in the 4th quarter. Bridgewater played better than expected, but Cards got sloppy with tackling in the fourth quarter. At least now they will have till Sunday night to rest up for the crazy Philly offense. Can we just let Stanton start the next 3 games and keep Carson healthy please? :)

[stevew]

I thought all these games were intra division.

[BishopMVP]

I'm still baffled by the last play call as well. You're already in FG range, but far enough away from the end zone that it's not really a credible threat. If you get tackled short of the sticks, game over. Tackled past 10 yards I still don't think you're able to spike it, so it has to be a pass outside the numbers, even further limiting your options. If you decide to try and pick up a few more yards (and I don't hate that part of it, because even though Blair Walsh had hit a 54-yarder earlier, it looked shaky and a 49-yarder is no gimme) don't you have to roll Bridgewater out, give him like 2 levels of out-breaking routes with the option to run it OOB for 5-6 yards if they're covered and nobody spies him or strict instructions to throw it away if they do?

Mike Zimmer seems like a good coach overall and I hate second guessing results, but man, between that call, the reverse that was fumbled and that horrible coverage on the Michael Floyd TD that's 3 enormous play calls that were extremely questionable at the time and look even worse after thinking about it.

[albionmoonlight]

If you decide to try and pick up a few more yards (and I don't hate that part of it, because even though Blair Walsh had hit a 54-yarder earlier, it looked shaky and a 49-yarder is no gimme) don't you have to roll Bridgewater out, give him like 2 levels of out-breaking routes with the option to run it OOB for 5-6 yards if they're covered and nobody spies him or strict instructions to throw it away if they do?

+1

That's football 101, especially with a young QB.

[Thomkal]

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker might have a second career lined up after football...and he might be even better at that his "day" job:

404 - StoryLine (http://wpde.com/news/entertainment/ravens-kicker-justin-tucker-sings-ave-maria-for-benefit-concert)

[PilotMan]

Andy Dalton in the locker room with a thumb injury.

..and he's out for the rest of the game.

[Thomkal]

Big injuries so far-Dalton as mentioned. Rawls (sp?) for Seattle also done for the day with an ankle injury.

[PilotMan]

Eifert is now in the locker room under the concussion protocol.

[Thomkal]

wow

[PilotMan]

The Steelers are already over 60 penalty yards.

[JPhillips]

Andy Dalton in the locker room with a thumb injury.

..and he's out for the rest of the game.

He's already in street clothes with a cast. I wonder if he's back for the playoffs.

[EagleFan]

Had Dalton and Rawls in my afternoon lineup; my jinx of players continues.

[JPhillips]

I swear there's some sort of curse of Paul Brown. Every time things look good for the Bengals something shitty happens.

[NobodyHere]

The Colts really need to get an offensive line.

[Radii]

Awesome half for Carolina, but the Olsen injury will overshadow everything if he's out for more than just the rest of the day. Watching the replay of it I expected him to get carted off, the fact that he walked off is a good sign.

[Thomkal]

The Steelers are already over 60 penalty yards.

They were going at it with the Bengals in the pre-game warmup, and so not surprised by this.

[Abe Sargent]

Julius Thomas just had his 5th TD in six games for the Jags (after returning from an injury) Guys been worth the money so far.

[JPhillips]

Even without Dalton the Bengals should win against the 49ers and Ravens, but there is a hell of a drop off to AJ Mcarron. They could go 0-4 and limp into the playoffs.

[Abe Sargent]

Well we just blew up teh Colts!

Bortles? 250 yards and 3:0. 114.6 rating
Hurns? 3 for 105 and 1 score
TE Thomas? 5 for 51 and 1 score
Robinson? Stymied, Colts tried to take him away, still got a score


Rushing, score, special teams score, defense score. They were just dominated by us. Yay Jags!!!

[rowech]

Even without Dalton the Bengals should win against the 49ers and Ravens, but there is a hell of a drop off to AJ Mcarron. They could go 0-4 and limp into the playoffs.

That assumes they still would get in if they lose their last three.

I don't think talent wise there is a huge drop off to be honest. Experience and reps is huge though. McCarron said he typically doesn't take a single first string snap. Given that, I'm not sure today was all that bad. I expect them to lose their next two and division likely comes down to beating Baltimore in the last week.

[Thomkal]

Dalton has a fracture in his throwing hand, will see a specialist, definitely miss next week vs SF.

[rowech]

Dalton has a fracture in his throwing hand, will see a specialist, definitely miss next week vs SF.

He's done at least through week one of the playoffs from the sound and look of it.

[claphamsa]

That assumes they still would get in if they lose their last three.

I don't think talent wise there is a huge drop off to be honest. Experience and reps is huge though. McCarron said he typically doesn't take a single first string snap. Given that, I'm not sure today was all that bad. I expect them to lose their next two and division likely comes down to beating Baltimore in the last week.
shuold still beat SF, they are SOOO bad.

[miami_fan]

At what point do teams begin to give the backup QB some work in practice? Especially when dealing with a veteran starting QB.

[MIJB#19]

That assumes they still would get in if they lose their last three.The Jets or Chiefs dropping one game will be sufficient for the Bengals to get in as a wild card. Although both going 3-0 isn't a complete miracle, the Jets-Patriots game being the one that could save the Bengals in this scenario.

[Julio Riddols]

I think McCarron can play, he needs to be a little more patient, but I think the team will win 2 of their last 3 at least. It'll be a real trip if they go into the playoffs and win one with McCarron under center.

This week the problem was the defense though. Pittsburgh converted so many 3rd downs it was preposterous.

[bob]

What the hell happened to the Falcons? I mean, i never believed they were 5-0 good, but yikes.

[NobodyHere]

Just realized that I need to root for the Patriots tonight :(

[Vince, Pt. II]

shuold still beat SF, they are SOOO bad.

Quoted for truth :(

[frnk55]

Just realized that I need to root for the Patriots tonight :(
Oh that's a punch in the balls.:(

[panerd]

So does Cincy go with McCarren or some journeyman QB like Josh Freeman or Taveris Jackson? My friends were asking me why I wasn't more pissed when dalton had the cast on and my only response was this was pretty much expected as a Bengals fan.

[bhlloy]

So... About Osweiler getting than contract in the 15-18 million range...

[Galaril]

Wow nice job Broncos losing to the Raiders at home and no TDs though they were dominating the Raiders in the first half. I am expecting the Steelers to take these Broncos to the woodshed next weekend in Pittsburgh.

[Galaril]

So... About Osweiler getting than contract in the 15-18 million range...

Yeah that shit ain't happening.

[Solecismic]

So... About Osweiler getting than contract in the 15-18 million range...

I've been meaning to take a long look in the Frontier at quarterback free agency for next season. Remember how bad it was last year.

[JPhillips]

So does Cincy go with McCarren or some journeyman QB like Josh Freeman or Taveris Jackson? My friends were asking me why I wasn't more pissed when dalton had the cast on and my only response was this was pretty much expected as a Bengals fan.

They'll sign a journeyman backup, but it's AJ all the way.

[Thomkal]

What the hell happened to the Falcons? I mean, i never believed they were 5-0 good, but yikes.

They played the NFC East in three (four?) of those wins

[Thomkal]

So does Cincy go with McCarren or some journeyman QB like Josh Freeman or Taveris Jackson? My friends were asking me why I wasn't more pissed when dalton had the cast on and my only response was this was pretty much expected as a Bengals fan.

Having gone through this in an even worse (lost their #1 and #2) situation last season with my beloved Cardinals, my heart bleeds for you Cincy fans. My advice to the Bengals-don't sign the QB's the Cards ended up using...it didn't turn out well.

With Denver losing (and hopefully NE too) its not a good week for the AFC frontrunners.

[Thomkal]

Uh-oh...

Andy Dalton of Cincinnati Bengals likely to miss rest of season with fractured right thumb (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14356358/andy-dalton-cincinnati-bengals-likely-miss-rest-season-fractured-right-thumb)

[SnowMan]

I'm sure Seattle would trade Tarvaris Jackson for Hill right now...Trade deadline be damned!

[Solecismic]

McCarron will start. He had a solid camp and he's a far better option than anything out there.

They will probably promote Keith Wenning from the practice squad. He was picked later in the 2014 draft than McCarron and doesn't seem ready from his training camp play, but he should at least know the offense and be ready for emergency duty.

If they don't think Wenning can at least handle a disaster, they have to sign a free agent. Pickings are very slim. Maybe Christian Ponder, who has bounced around a lot this year. Maybe Ricky Stanzi, who Detroit has stashed on its practice squad. It's not ideal. The viable quarterback universe in the NFL is very, very small. Even Jimmy Clausen keeps getting chances.

[bhlloy]

Tebow time!

[claphamsa]

in the end, the next 3 weeks the bengals have the 49s, and the ravens both who are worse teams with worse QB options than the bengals, with the Broncos in the middle, who are a slightly less good (but still very good) team with a slightly better QB (albeit shitty)...so its hope dalton can be back in time for the playoffs....and a bye is not too far to pray about.

[JPhillips]

ESPN is reporting that the teams thinks Andy is done for the year.

It sucks to be a Bengals fan.

[PilotMan]

Just seeing McCarron today, it looks like he throws a really good ball. Not that it's much consolation right now, but I think he'll be better than say Landry Jones.

[Thomkal]

Seattle also reporting Rawls is done for the year with a broken ankle.

[Thomkal]

Brian Hartline broke his collarbone and out for the rest of the year in Cleveland

[Thomkal]

Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen were hurt in the Carolina game. No ACL damage with Olsen, don't know with Stewart yet. If both of those guys are hurt, have to think CAR starts to lose games, regardless of their defense.

[Radii]

Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen were hurt in the Carolina game. No ACL damage with Olsen, don't know with Stewart yet. If both of those guys are hurt, have to think CAR starts to lose games, regardless of their defense.

Carolina lost a starting CB not named Josh Norman for the rest of the year. After seeing everything that happened to other contenders today, Carolina should probably feel pretty lucky.

[Thomkal]

Carolina lost a starting CB not named Josh Norman for the rest of the year. After seeing everything that happened to other contenders today, Carolina should probably feel pretty lucky.


whew glad its not Norman

[Butter]

McCarron has the chance to be an Osweiler-level replacement. He may win a game or two, but he may also be terrible occasionally.

McCarron threw a couple of really awful picks, but also made some really good throws. That may be enough to beat the Niners and Ravens, if the Bengals can get their running game going.

Really, if Dalton can be back for the playoffs this is like any other year. Just get to the playoffs and see what happens. All the Bengals need is one loss from the Chiefs, Jets, and Steelers to clinch a berth. And really just one loss from the Steelers to win the division and get a home game.

[Kodos]

Ouch. Sorry, Bengals fans.

[BishopMVP]

So... About Osweiler getting than contract in the 15-18 million range...As the most anti-Brock Osweiler poster here and someone who's argued vociferously when people thought he'd be good or hyping him after those first few games, I have to stick up for him now. He played the same exact game yesterday he did the first 3.5 weeks, but his team had multiple fumbles, the kicker missed a FG, Khalil Mack is a beast, and they lost a close game instead of winning a close, low-scoring game. Nothing should have changed in your assessment of him.

Andrew Luck now uncertain to return at all this season? That's a weird scroll across the bottom line. And fwiw, as long as we're taking QB's I think the Bengals will be fine with McCarron the next couple weeks. Tons of weapons, poor opponents. The idea they could miss the playoffs now is ludicrous - the Jets/Chiefs/Steelers aren't all going 3-0 while they go 0-3. And a win over Baltimore or a Steelers loss at either the Ravens or Browns gives them the division. Bengals need Dalton back to have a chance in the playoffs, but I don't even think any doctor in the world could tell you today if he'll be ready in a month.

[Thomkal]

Good news Bengals fans:

Dalton won't have surgery; return for playoffs hopeful - NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000601513/article/dalton-wont-have-surgery-return-for-playoffs-hopeful)

[tucker rocky]

Well we just blew up teh Colts!

Bortles? 250 yards and 3:0. 114.6 rating
Hurns? 3 for 105 and 1 score
TE Thomas? 5 for 51 and 1 score
Robinson? Stymied, Colts tried to take him away, still got a score


Rushing, score, special teams score, defense score. They were just dominated by us. Yay Jags!!!

9 seasons ago:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612100jax.htm

Yesterday:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512130jax.htm

Coincidence?

[BishopMVP]

9 seasons ago:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612100jax.htm

Yesterday:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512130jax.htm

Coincidence?Yes?

Although it is fun to imagine this is you and we're JUST. NOT. SEEING. THE CONNECTIONS.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_nTpsv9PNqo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[EagleFan]

Good news Bengals fans:

Dalton won't have surgery; return for playoffs hopeful - NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000601513/article/dalton-wont-have-surgery-return-for-playoffs-hopeful)

But is that good news... ;)

[Abe Sargent]

I'm going to give you guys a name from the Jags. Only we know who he is right now, but damn is he good. In a few years, I would not be surprised if everyone will know him. LB Telvin Smith. Watch out league.

Telvin Smith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telvin_Smith)

[EagleFan]

What makes those gloves the receivers use any more legal than stickum? Kind of shines a different light on some of those "miracle" receptions that have been happening the past few seasons.

[stevew]

I'm going to give you guys a name from the Jags. Only we know who he is right now, but damn is he good. In a few years, I would not be surprised if everyone will know him. LB Telvin Smith. Watch out league.

Telvin Smith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telvin_Smith)

Please...he was an elite player in mobile Madden last season.

[Abe Sargent]

Okay. I don't play Madden though. :)

[BishopMVP]

What makes those gloves the receivers use any more legal than stickum?They're standardized so any player could have the same advantage.
Kind of shines a different light on some of those "miracle" receptions that have been happening the past few seasons.Yes and no. No way ODB makes that catch vs Dallas without the gloves, but no way that catch isn't extremely impressive and unique regardless.
I'm going to give you guys a name from the Jags. Only we know who he is right now, but damn is he good. In a few years, I would not be surprised if everyone will know him. LB Telvin Smith. Watch out league.

Telvin Smith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telvin_Smith)Not gonna claim I thought he was gonna be close to this good, but I really liked him at FSU. I'm guessing if he was 10-15 pounds heavier he would have been drafted a lot higher.

[Abe Sargent]

I was thinking about the Miami all-time team and thought that would be very for my team:

Coach - Tom Coughlin
GM - David Caldwell

QB Mark Brunell
RB Fred Taylor
WR Jimmy Smith
WR Keenan McCardell
TE Mardedes Lewis
OT Tony Boselli
OT Leon Searcy
OG Chris Naeole
OG Vince Manuwai
C Brad Meester

K Josh Scobee
P Chris Hanson

DT Marcus Stroud
DT John Henderson
DE Tony Brackens
DE Gary Walker

LB Paul Poz OR Mike Peterson
LB Daryl Smith
LB Telvin Smith OR Kevin Hardy

CB Rashean Mathis
CB Aaron Beasley
FS Carnell Lake??
SS Donovan Darius


Returner - Montell Owens

The only real questions are whether or not Sen'Derrick Marks earns a DT Spot (not enough consistency yet, and no pro bowls), whether its Taylor or Jones-Drew at RB, and at the lesser spots you could make lots of arguments. Like OG, where we've not had great players. We've had a lot of solid but not amazing LB play. Since K Mike Hollis had a Pro Bowl, you might give him the nod, but I wouldn't. But certainly the new guard of Bortles/Robinson/Hurns/Linder/ and signee TE J., Thomas aren;t good enough yet.


EDITED to add GM Caldwell, because he has been downright amazing thus far. Caldwell is golden. DT Marks was a relative no name, and he came in and had one of the best seasons for a DT last year. CB Davon House, a dimeback for the Packers who was signed as a starter, has had 3 picks, 1 FF and recovery, and 19 pasdef this year thus far. After the franchise''s serious problems with WR Talent since Smith retired, he just went out and in one draft picked up Lee, Robinson, and from UFA Hurns and set things up wonderfully. Brandon Linder is the best O Line guy on the roster right now, and 5th round LB Telvin Smith looks like a great pickup. Aaron Colvin is a good nickel, he brought in lesser name folks to play and do well, he likes to try and identify players on the rise in FA, instead of the big names, and that's worked very well every time (other than RB Toby Gerhart, but we were under the cap, and in a post-Jones Drew malaise, and there's weren;t other options and the draft was weak on RB. And he chased RB Murray this past year.) Great stuff from the guy!

Coughlin was a solid drafter too, better than people think. he had a system, stuck to it, and drafted a bunch of Pro Bowlers - Taylor, Boselli, Brackens, Brady, Stroud, Henderson, etc. He had some solid mind and late round pickups too like 4th rounder DT Seth Payne and like 7th rounder FS Marlon McCree, traded for Brunell to get the team started, and signed FAs Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardeel who were no names. Smith was cut by the Cowboys after doing nothing, signed and released from camp by the Eagles, and then signed by the Jaguars after being out of football for a year. McCardell was a 12th round pick by the Redskins, cut after a year, signed by the Browns, was there for three years, and left very quietly as their 3rd/4th option with just a little over a 1000 yards in 3 seasons. Coughlin brought him in. So Coughlin signed and found on the FA Scrap heap Smith and McCardell, traded for Brunell, traded away Rob Johnson whom he drafted and developed for the 1st round pick that was Fred Taylor, and had success finding and identifying talent at multiple levels of the draft, with only one 1st round bust, and that was one late in teh 1st round, which he left his system to get (he always wanted high character, high motivation, high motor folks, and he felt he team was strong enough with them to make an exception) with R Jay Soward. He publicly admitted his mistake, and went back to doing what he did and grabbed Stroud and Henderson the next two drafts.

[stevew]

At least MJD could be included as the returner. Owens has almost 0 returns of any kind. Although I'm thinking you meant Owens as a gunner maybe? Or as the fullback?

[Abe Sargent]

At least MJD could be included as the returner. Owens has almost 0 returns of any kind. Although I'm thinking you meant Owens as a gunner maybe? Or as the fullback?

Sure. MJD as a returner works, he played that role early.

[EagleFan]

I am missing something and have been discussing this with someone at work; we can't figure it out. How on earth does Miami losing to the Giants last night clinch the division title for the Patriots? Miami isn't catching New England win or lose.

[molson]

If, after Sunday, the Patriots lost out and the Jets won out, the Jets could win on the 5th or 6th tiebreaker based on strength of victory or strength of schedule. Saw this somewhere else:

"In the scenario where the Pats lost out and the Jets won out, the Pats would have lost to the Dolphins once but the Jets would have beaten them twice. A Giants win contributes (# of Giants wins) to both team's SoV (since both beat the Giants) but a Dolphins win would have contributed (# of Dolphins wins) to the Pats but 2*(# of Dolphins wins) to the Jets. That difference-- between 1x the Giants win total and 2x the Dolphins win total, could have made a difference if a lot of other things played out right for the Jets. If all those things still happen, we'll move on to tie-breaker 6."

[Solecismic]

I am missing something and have been discussing this with someone at work; we can't figure it out. How on earth does Miami losing to the Giants last night clinch the division title for the Patriots? Miami isn't catching New England win or lose.

Because for the Jets to catch the Patriots, they would have had to win three and the Patriots would have had to lose three. That would have set up a tie in head-to-head, division, and common games. Which leaves strength of victory.

Since to get to that point, New England would have to lose to Miami in week 17, and the Jets would have two wins over Miami, every Dolphins win helps their strength of victory. Turns out the Dolphins loss made it impossible for the Jets to beat the Patriots in SoV, clinching the division, as the Patriots hold an edge in the next tie-breaker, which is strength of schedule.

[EagleFan]

Found that after posting. Thank you. Seemed to be the first time I remember a team clinching something after a game due to strength of schedule tie breaker like that. (that kind of scenario)

[Thomkal]

Injuries keep piling up for the Pats: Lost a DT (Easley) and of bigger news RB LaGarrette Blount both done for the season now.