2015 NFL thread

[Tiberius]

I just realised I hadn't written up my Patriots game opinions for two weeks, so here they both are:

Patriots vs Colts. 34 - 27

This game wasn't as close as many thought it would be, and the Patriots didn't embarrass the Colts as much as the Colts managed to embarrass themselves. Offense and Defense were good for the Patriots. Not spectacular, but not terrible either. Tom Brady had his first interception this season, but for what it's worth, the interception was entirely Julian Edelman's fault after bobbling the pass (likely due to the finger he injured early on).

The Colts played pretty well until this happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7VKQwDS2s

After that, well, you just don't live that down. It's was even ranked the #4 worst play of all time on an NFL video released just two days later.


Patriots vs Jets. 30 - 23

The #1 offense vs the #1 defense. AFC East #1 vs AFC East #2. Regardless of the Jets' poor performances in previous seasons, whenever they are up against the Patriots, the games always seem to be close, and could go either way. This game was no exception. The lead went back and forth for the entire duration, but somehow the Patriots came through.

If there was ever a game to demonstrate just how much the team relies on Tom Brady, this was it. His receivers were disappointing, dropping 11 passes over the course of the game, and it seemed that Gronkowski and Amendola were the only targets who were reliable. Brady didn't let up though, and three for 355 yards, with two touchdown passes. With the running game abandoned early on due to the Jets' defense, Brady even managed to lead the Patriots for rushing yards (15 with one touchdown) for the first time in his career.

The Jets deserve the #1 defensive ranking. They are a formidable opponent, but once again the Patriots were saved a late comeback thanks to a bad play after the onside kick recovery.

[SteelCurtain]

This is akin to sinnerdaniel94s recent thread masturbation...

[Faith No More]

That would be a big surprise to Lions fans?!? This is the team who pissed away the talent of arguably the greatest running back to ever play the game. Them trading or even cutting Stafford outright wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Then you don't know the Lions organization. Sure, they pissed away Sanders' talent, but the one thing they refused to do was let him play for anyone else. They were such bastards about it that he chose to retire, because he wasn't able to leave.

There is absolutely no way they're just going to abandon the franchise quarterback that got them to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, especially with the Johnson/Stafford combo having been so successful in the past. They'd pretty much have to get rid of Johnson, too, because without a decent quarterback, there's no way they can justify paying Johnson what he can demand. They've spent the last seven years building this team around Stafford, and the Lions have been better than they have in two decades. Even the Lions aren't dumb enough to abandon all of that over one bad season, especially when it's not his fault the team sucks. They have one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

No, if anything, they'll hold onto him for too long.

[Ravenshire]

That would be a big surprise to Lions fans?!? This is the team who pissed away the talent of arguably the greatest running back to ever play the game. Them trading or even cutting Stafford outright wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Then you don't know the Lions organization.  Sure, they pissed away Sanders' talent, but the one thing they refused to do was let him play for anyone else.  They were such bastards about it that he chose to retire, because he wasn't able to leave.

Yeah, wasn't really thinking of that when I posted, but 'tis sadly true.

There is absolutely no way they're just going to abandon the franchise quarterback that got them to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, especially with the Johnson/Stafford combo having been so successful in the past.  They'd pretty much have to get rid of Johnson, too, because without a decent quarterback, there's no way they can justify paying Johnson what he can demand.  They've spent the last seven years building this team around Stafford, and the Lions have been better than they have in two decades.  Even the Lions aren't dumb enough to abandon all of that over one bad season, especially when it's not his fault the team sucks.  They have one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

No, if anything, they'll hold onto him for too long.

Kinda like we've done with OverPeyton?

[Faith No More]

Kinda like we've done with OverPeyton?

Precisely. With all the surgeries Manning has had to have over the years, it probably should have been clear that the end was near.

[Tiberius]

Patriots vs Dolphins. 36 - 7

The Dolphins played exceptionally in weeks 6 and 7. Then they met the Patriots. What should have been a close game became a blowout, with the Patriots defense only allowing the Dolphins one score in the entire game. The Dolphins' defense played well, causing a number of three-and-outs for the Patriots, and sacking Brady multiple times. The Patriots offensive line is weak from multiple injuries and it shows against a good defense, but Brady still manages to get to his receivers thanks in part to his quick release time, and he threw for four touchdowns.

The Patriots are 7 - 0 in the season, and Brady has 20 touchdown passes with only one interception.

[Tiberius]

So, watching the Seahawks vs Cowboys, and this happened:



Looks like a fumble right? Well, Seattle recovered it, but the call was reviewed and it was ruled an incomplete pass. What? McFadden not only caught the ball, but takes three steps, and then drops it. How on earth is that not a catch?

[Tiberius]

Wow, and now the refs gave Seattle a touchdown when Luke Wilson's butt was down before the ball broke the plane. Terrible calls so far, in both directions.

[SteelCurtain]

Yeah, that's a fumble.

[Ravenshire]

Yeah, that's a fumble.

I don't know.

Did he have possession with both feet down?

Or, did he have clear control and then make a "football move" (whatever the fuck that means)?

Or, did he maintain control "throughout the process" (again, whatever the fuck that means)?

The rules committee has over-complicated the rules to no good purpose. In 1985 that's a catch and a fumble. In 2015 it whatever the officials decide it is and they seem to make different decisions in different games.