NFL 2015: mid-season through the Super Bowl

[Town Heretic]

So in this other life/site I posted weekly looks at the upcoming games and, thereafter, power rankings through the top ten and invited anyone interested to jump in. I don't know if there's much interest for it here, but I'm a creature of habit, so...

Going into tonight's game, this is what it looked like:

Week 8 Picks:

Mia @ NE(-7.5): Flip a coin the last two years the games haven't been close, but they've been evenly divided...this year, the way the Pats are playing I went with New England. Result: 1-0

Det @ KC(-5.5): the Lions are a horrible, horrible football team and the Chiefs are better than their record, playing at home and in need of a consolation game. Chiefs to cover. Result: 2-0

Cin @ Pit(+2.5): I liked the Steelers against the line with Ben in the line up. They were playing competitive football without him, developed a running game and a solid defensive identity. Result: 2-1

TB @ Atl(-7.5): Wasn't crazy about the line considering how well Tampa played last week, but the Falcons have one of the most potent offenses and their defense has been much improved over the last three or four weeks. I was blindsided by this upset. Result: 2-2

NYG @ NO(-3.5): Didn't see the final score being that high (had it a 26-27 NO victory) so I took the Giants to foil their cover and likely lose by a point. I wasn't much off. Result: 3-2

Min @ Chi(+2.5): There's a fine line between being a Bears fan and full blown narcolepsy. I took Minnesota.
Result: 4-2

Ari @ Cle(+5.5): Arizona has been beating up on most of their opponents and Cleveland looked to be the next victim. It was a nervous pick through the first half, but ultimately the Cardinals were the Cardinals and Cleveland? Well, they once set a river on fire. Result: 5-2

SD @ Bal(-3.5): hated this game and both teams, so I couldn't get enough confidence in either to go beyond a fg on the spread. In this case, that put me in the Chargers camp and just in time for another win.
Result: 6-2

SF @ StL(-8.5): Hated the line. Hated the Niners more. Result: 7-2

Ten @ Hou(-.5 ): Ten made Atlanta look like a gifted soccer team and Houston managed to make Miami look like the Rams when they had an offense. Titans. Result: 7-3

NYJ @ Oak(+6.5): started off with the Jets, then switched on a hunch and because the Jets are still playing back ups under center and Oakland has their future qb in growth mode. Result: 8-3

Sea @ Dal(+6.5): "That's a big line. Seattle should win this one, but I can't forget that they got past the Lions by a fg. Dallas." And so it went. Result: 9-3

GB @ Den(+3.5): The money is all over GB and 3. At 3.5 I'm staying with Denver at home. Result: 10-3

Ind @ Car(-6.5): Picked Indy early, but given the latest medical reports on Luck, time to give that Carolina defense their due. I'm going with the Panthers to leave me 11-3 later tonight.

Now all I have to do is wait.

 

[Quetzal]

I have Aaron Rodgers on my fantasy team. The Tampa Bay game got me, too. Also... where are you pulling those emotes from?

 

[Town Heretic]

I have Aaron Rodgers on my fantasy team. The Tampa Bay game got me, too. Also... where are you pulling those emotes from?

Hey, good to see you. Rodgers is a good get. He just ran into this year's Seattle on defense. And am I feeling better about my "Peyton hasn't lost his skillset/it's the new scheme" defense? Yes, I am.

I stole the emotes from the old place. Flaggerent copy and paste job.

You should tell Cald about this place. It would be good to have a couple of you knuckleheads to talk football with and I'm weary of the HS drama in the old joint.

 

[Quetzal]

Hey, good to see you. Rodgers is a good get. He just ran into this year's Seattle on defense. And am I feeling better about my "Peyton hasn't lost his skillset/it's the new scheme" defense? Yes, I am.

I stole the emotes from the old place. Flaggerent copy and paste job.

You should tell Cald about this place. It would be good to have a couple of you knuckleheads to talk football with and I'm weary of the HS drama in the old joint.

To play devils advocate, Peyton did not find the end zone himself!

 

[Town Heretic]

Well, he did hit his number one wr within a yard of the goal line and set up most of the running game, made about every throw you'd need to see to realize we haven't seen the sudden drop off some were worried about.

 

[Quetzal]

Well, he did hit his number one wr within a yard of the goal line and set up most of the running game, made about every throw you'd need to see to realize we haven't seen the sudden drop off some were worried about.

Fair enough. So with that said... NEXT WEEK, THE PLAYGROUND, BE THERE!... With your Week 9 picks! You are going down Tony... or Tigger... or whoever the heck you are.

 

[Town Heretic]

Fair enough. So with that said... NEXT WEEK, THE PLAYGROUND, BE THERE!... With your Week 9 picks! You are going down Tony... or Tigger... or whoever the heck you are.

Will do. Prepare to meet your prognosticating doom!

Though first I'll have to revise my Top Ten Power Ranking after tonight.

 

[Quetzal]

How about those Panthers?

 

[Town Heretic]

How about those Panthers?

A good win by them, but it still cost me against the line. Well, I can live with ten on the week and it's hard to be upset when your rooting interest does better than expected. It may be time for a new power ranking.

 

[Quetzal]

A good win by them, but it still cost me against the line. Well, I can live with ten on the week and it's hard to be upset when your rooting interest does better than expected. It may be time for a new power ranking.

What do you think about all the hub-bub in San Fran this morning? Davis going to the Broncos (fantasy fans out there might look into snagging him off a waiver) and Colin taking a seat next week against Atlanta?

 

[Town Heretic]

The Ten: Power Rankings for Week 9

Legend:
(^___) up from ___ position last week
(v__) down from last week
(-) no change

1. New England (-): Bradt and company 's defensive dominance of a more than competent Dolphins offense was impressive. And the offense kept rolling nicely, though they're still fairly one dimensional and that remains a danger for them if unchanged by the time they run into Denver in a bit.

2. Denver (^6): yes, they leapfrogged a couple of teams that also won and yes, they should have. The only thing that kept the Broncos from the two spot was offense and they not only found that gear, they found it in balance against a pretty good defense in Green Bay and they shut down the then 5th best offense in the league (out of first by a couple of points). If they can bring even this much, there's room for improvement offensively yet, we're looking at this year's Seattle. It's early, but Denver fans have to be excited.

3. Cincinnati (^4): a road victory over a solid Steelers team with its qb back and the fifth best defense in the league is
a reason to finally start wondering if this Bengals team will be different come playoffs.

4. Green Bay (v 2): because you can't assign all the value to a win or a loss. They're still a potent combination and nearly unbeatable at home, where they still may find themselves for the most part come playoffs. That and Arizona had to come from behind to beat Cleveland while Carolina managed a home win against a team nobody was picking to be in the game.

5. Arizona (v3) : I know, I know, how do you win and lose? By having to launch a comeback victory over Cleveland, that's how. Still a very good team and the favorite to challenge Green Bay for the NFC title in couple.

6. Carolina (v5): a really good football team that had to work too hard to take care of a home win against a shaky opponent.

7. Seattle (^8): it wasn't pretty, but it was a win against a game Cowboys team while the surrounding contenders were losing or wobbling along themselves.

8. Minnesota (^9): a win over the Bears only buys you so much. Fortunately for them in this league of haves and mostly have-nots, that's enough for now.

9. Atlanta (v7): now everyone is thinking this is the soft team of old. Tampa will be a good football team, but they really aren't yet and the Falcons failed on both sides of the ball against lesser talent.

10. Pittsburgh (-): a loss in a game they were in against a top-tier opponent while sporting a rusty realignment of offense isn't going to drop them out of the top ten just yet. It remains to be seen if they can rebound in time, but I wouldn't bet against the talent and coaching on this team.

To watch: Rams. They're consistently good qb play away from roaring into the mix.

 

[Town Heretic]

What do you think about all the hub-bub in San Fran this morning? Davis going to the Broncos (fantasy fans out there might look into snagging him off a waiver) and Colin taking a seat next week against Atlanta?

I think it's a great day for Denver. Davis is a difference maker at a position of need that can make a real difference in a Broncos offense finding its rhythm. San Fran began to fail itself the moment they fired their coach. Back you go, SF.

 

[Quetzal]

Alright, this week I will try picking with the odds in play. Prepare to meet your end!

 

[Town Heretic]

Alright, this week I will try picking with the odds in play. Prepare to meet your end!

Well, let's just say "an end" and meet in the middle.

This could be more fun that Cats as a tv series.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I root for the Colt's to loose every week, just because they are so damn popular around here. I'm having a good season this year, especially after that loose and ultra-WTF play against the Patriots.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What exactly happens is the Luck playing with unreported broken ribs thing is true? On the radio they said the Colt's could get into trouble over it, but not exactly what kind of trouble.

 

[Town Heretic]

What exactly happens is the Luck playing with unreported broken ribs thing is true? On the radio they said the Colt's could get into trouble over it, but not exactly what kind of trouble.

It varies. A simple fine would be the lightest outcome; a fine along with a draft pick and suspensions for some involved would constitute the other end of that spectrum. There's a great deal of latitude and much of it will depend on who knew what and when.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It varies. A simple fine would be the lightest outcome; a fine along with a draft pick and suspensions for some involved would constitute the other end of that spectrum. There's a great deal of latitude and much of it will depend on who knew what and when.

I'd say I hope to hear the tears of agony as many fans weep over Luck being suspended, but the back-up quarter back did really good, so I hope he doesn't get suspended. Although it makes me wonder if Pagano is still not worried about his job (or if he just accepted he most likely won't be around next year).

 

[Town Heretic]

I'd say I hope to hear the tears of agony as many fans weep over Luck being suspended, but the back-up quarter back did really good, so I hope he doesn't get suspended. Although it makes me wonder if Pagano is still not worried about his job (or if he just accepted he most likely won't be around next year).

I think it's more likely to be a front office fine/penalty and maybe a low draft pick given the Colts position on the Pats and their play to the "integrity of the shield" in making it. It has given me a little more respect for Luck and understanding why his play has been so problematic of late. He has a great stand-in who should probably be playing if for no other reason than to let Luck heal and not risk worse injury and continued sub par play (by his standards) on a team that really isn't going to win it all this year no matter what transpires.

I don't see how your coach survives another season. Not everyone is ready to be the HC. Some guys are better off at position levels or coordinator levels. Denver's defensive coach would be the first to agree on the point.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I think it's more likely to be a front office fine/penalty and maybe a low draft pick given the Colts position on the Pats and their play to the "integrity of the shield" in making it. It has given me a little more respect for Luck and understanding why his play has been so problematic of late. He has a great stand-in who should probably be playing if for no other reason than to let Luck heal and not risk worse injury and continued sub par play (by his standards) on a team that really isn't going to win it all this year no matter what transpires.

I wonder if it may have something to do with the way they gave Manning the boot, even though he wasn't ready to return, and he's playing well again from what I've heard and the little bit I've seen. The last bit of a game I saw it was the same Manning making a consistent drive up the field, and it won them a game they were loosing/tied with up to that point.

I don't see how your coach survives another season.

There are a ton of people here who don't see him being around next season, but the news showed an interview of him saying he isn't worried about his job, even though it's his last year on contract and practically no one thinking he'll still have a job. People started asking after the Colts kept loosing, but after that play against the Pats everyone started saying he's gone. But, then again, the Colts are known for shining for a moment, and then sucking for awhile, and then shining again, and then sucking again. If they don't make it to the play offs, it's not like it's the first time that's happened.