🏈NFL 2023 DISCUSSION THREAD🏈

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:00 pm Post subject:

Did Michael Thomas go catchless? Talk about a major disconnect this season between he and team. There's no way that happens last year.

Saints are $95MM over the cap next season. Will be an interesting offseason for them, that's for sure.

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:02 pm Post subject:

Wow, Chargers hire Brandon Staley. Big loss for the Rams. And now the OC hire will be very important for the Chargers. If Daboll doesn't get a head coaching gig, that will be big for the Bills to retain him, also.

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:03 pm Post subject:

Packers open as a 4-point favorite over the Bucs.

lakersken80 · Retired Number Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38776

Guess Chargers are still fighting for LA....take away the Rams DC in the process of finding a head coach. My guess is Stan is gonna up the Chargers rental rates at the new stadium...

ksmgf · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5057

adkindo · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:13 pm Post subject:

is there any chance Rams get involved in trying to get Watson from Texans?

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

Happy for Brady. The Tampa Bay defense changed radically from their first two regular season games against New Orleans and it paid off big. Gone was that insipid zone defense with cushioning, and that insipid sending 5, that just played to Bree's strengths. Lots of man defense in coverage, and a deserved confidence that they could stop the run up front. Kamara is going to gash you from time to time, but certainly not enough to lead to lead to a win if the offense is somewhat effective.

The Tampa Bay offense still has lots of room for improvement. They wasted the entire first half, they began to morph more towards a New England style balanced, horizontal passing game the second half. Memo to Arians and Leftwich: stop being stubborn, embrace your offensive strengths.

Tampa Bay beat Green Bay decisively, but that was just the regular season.

panamaniac · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:33 pm Post subject:

ChickenStu · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:50 pm Post subject:

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

Devin White has been the best defensive player on the Bucs all season. Sometimes he gets lost on his reads, but I've seen that out of other quality ILBs and MLBs. Yesterday he was the most impactful player on the field, with 11 tackles (10 solo), 1 pass defended, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery. He's been excellent all season, and yet his PFF grade is 43.4, which equates to practice squad material.

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

I've always liked Drew Brees, my favorite non-Patriots player in the NFL. I rooted for Brees and had hoped to see a great Super Bowls between New Orleans and New England. I figured that the rib injury was a blessing in disguise, as missing a few games fairly late in the season would help preserve what was left of his arm. Even after losing his fastball, he had the ability to read the defense and make good decisions.

Last night he had nothing. He wasn't presented zones to pick apart, and he doesn't have the arm to zing it into good man coverage. It has been the same story the past three seasons, he loses more and more zip as the season progresses. It's time to hang the cleats up, he's been a great QB but it is clearly over.

I thought it was too bad that Brady and Brees didn't say more after the post-game handshake, but that's because both prefer private moments. Here's a great clip of them visiting with one another after the game, with Brady hugging Brees while encouraging him ("...another great season...") then lofting a TD pass to one of Brees' sons ("Where were you? I could have used you tonight."):

https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1351017125444546568

BadGuy · Star Player Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 3616

Rivers retired. Glad to see he will no longer be on the Colts. Time for the Colts to draft a QB or go get Watson.

Basketball Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24761

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

Rivers' arm was shot to hell by the end of last season, he was practically shot-putting the ball, a sure sign of a shoulder problem.

He'll make it to the HOF, but it's amazing when you look at his stats and the lack of success among his peers.

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

I don't expect the Bucs to win this weekend, despite blowing out Green Bay earlier this season. I consider it just one of those games that happens to every NFL team every season.

I liked what Tampa Bay did last week, they finally played more man defense in coverage. I'd like to see them mix in a little more zone this week, and keep two men high when going to man. You have to respect Rodgers deep ball, he's what I call a bucket thrower in terms of placement. With Brees it made little sense to chase him down, he releases the ball too damn fast. Rodgers likes to watch his plays develop, he's someone that you want to send more than just three. Unlike playing New Orleans, this is a game where the pass rush is very important.

It was just announced that Antonio Brown is out, Tampa needs Godwin to stop dropping so many passes. The offense should be about ball control, instead of that insipid "no risk it no biscuit" this game should be about the receivers breaking shorter routes, with an occasional long ball to keep GB honest. I don't like RoJo being hobbled, Fournette lacks quickness and balance.

I sincerely doubt Vita Vea will make a return. I think he's being showcased to force GB into game-planning for his presence.

ChickenStu · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:46 am Post subject:

Mahomes is cleared to play on Sunday. For now, the line is still KC -3.5. I'm guessing the line will inch closer to 5. Keep in mind that the Chiefs have not covered the spread for about 3 months.

loslakersss · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 1:27 pm Post subject:

Rivers spent his entire career in the same conference as Peyton and Tom* (and even Big Ben). I think it’s just one of those victim of timing things with him and his playoff record— had he come in a few years earlier/later or gone to NFC he probably would have more playoff wins.

Is GB’s defense better than NO? I thought if we could get past NO defense then we pass our toughest test for offensive production, and our defense will be the deciding factor going forward. But am I overlooking how good the GB defense is? Or are they really not as stingy as NO?

Unfortunately for the Bills, I think KC blows them out and becomes the favorite heading into the SB.

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32752

ChickenStu · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 4:44 pm Post subject:

loslakersss · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:08 pm Post subject:

Appreciate the breakdowns. As a casual fan who gets more interested during the postseason I find myself trying to play catch-up to understand what to expect from different matchups.

jonnybravo · Retired Number Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 30679

^^^

ChickenStu's overall sports knowledge across the majority of sports is literally second to none on LG. If we're talking full range, it ain't even close.
_________________
KOBE

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580

OK, so it is that time again, you fearless NFL Prognosticator is back with his picks vs the spread for this weeks playoff games.

Week 1 was a brutal 1-4-1 vs. the spread but rebounded last week for 2-2 vs the spread and trending in the right direction (I think)

So here we go for the conference championship games, lines courtesy Bovada.

Tampa Bay at Green Bay -3.5

This should be a great game. Tampa gave GB a drubbing earlier in the season, so it isn't like they can't beat them. However, this is the first NFC Title Game for Rodgers in Lambeau Field and the MVP (I have called it) is not losing this game, he is just too good. The extra half point is scary as it could easily be decided by a field goal, but I am going with the Packers to cover the 3.5 and go to the Super Bowl.

Buffalo at Kansas City -3

Another great matchup, both teams have tons of firepower and are extremely well coached. I picked against Buffalo vs. Baltimore last week and ended up regretting it. The defense they played vs. Baltimore was unbelievable, if they get anywhere near that effort again they are going to be very difficult to beat.

I love KC and Mahomes, but he is banged up (I am more concerned with his toe than the concussion, but neither is great going into a championship game) and I think will have limited mobility. Buffalo did a great job containing the big plays when they played KC earlier in the season and I think they do it again here.

In a LakerLanny upset special, I am picking the Buffalo Bills to not only cover the spread, but win the game outright and have them dancing in the streets of Western New York.

So Green Bay and Buffalo are the picks. You know what to do.
_________________
Love, Laker Lanny

loslakersss · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject: