2014 NFL Playoffs Thread - Page 27

Thomkal · 01-19-2014, 05:12 PM

Too bad it wasn't closer though-with all the hype all week for both games, it'd be nice to see one with a lot of drama and back and forth on the scoreboard.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

At the half it was 13-3. By no means a blow-out. Your whole game plan should be to keep manning off the field. It's a moot point now, but I don't think they ran the ball twice in a row all game.

Denver only had the ball four times in the first half and scored three times. They were chewing clock every time they had the ball.

New England ran the ball 16 times and Blount had five carries for six yards.

Buccaneer · 01-19-2014, 05:14 PM

I'm happy the Patriots made it to the AFC Championship game against the odds and held their own against a better and stacked team.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 05:14 PM

That is an ugly trophy.

Desnudo · 01-19-2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Denver only had the ball four times in the first half and scored three times. They were chewing clock every time they had the ball.

New England ran the ball 16 times and Blount had five carries for six yards.

That's the point. And Denver scored one TD and was up by 10 at the half. I have no idea how that equates to abandoning the running game in the first half.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desnudo

At the half it was 13-3. By no means a blow-out. Your whole game plan should be to keep manning off the field. It's a moot point now, but I don't think they ran the ball twice in a row all game.

You are right, but by the time the Patriots got the ball in the second half, 8 minutes had gone and it was 20-3.

I think the Patriots were caught in no mans land today to be honest. One one hand, you want to run the ball. On the other, the Denver pass defense is their weak point and you have TOM FREAKING BRADY as your QB.

The thing about great running teams is they go in with that mindset and do not deviate from it until AFTER everyone else thinks they should. You really have to have the mindset to do it. The Patriots couldn't run the ball early and it was easy to back off from it when it didn't work right away. Again, you have Tom Brady against the Denver pass defense.

If you take the time Von Miller was playing out, Denver's run defense this year was pretty dominant. They averaged under 3.5 yards per attempt in game he didn't play. (including SD last week)

I was never really worried about the NE running game to be honest. I was worried about Brady getting hot and putting the pressure on Denver. I think I would have started the game no huddle and throwing it. That's your best shot to win IMHO.

One last thing: I know he's untouchable and I know why, but McDaniels called a couple of HUGE plays that Brady simply missed. He hits those two massive overthrows and it's a different football game.

Carman Bulldog · 01-19-2014, 05:30 PM

Thought I would do a full analysis of the starters...

Denver -
1st Round - 6 (1st, 7th, 12th, 16th, 22nd, 28th)
2nd Round - 2
3rd Round - 4
4th Round - 3
5th Round - 1
6th Round - 1
7th Round - 0
Undrafted - 5

New England -
1st Round - 6 (17th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th, 32nd)
2nd Round - 1
3rd Round - 0
4th Round - 0
5th Round - 3
6th Round - 2
7th Round - 2
Undrafted - 8

Interesting that both teams have 6 1st's (albeit significantly higher picks on the Broncos) but there is a huge discrepancy in Rounds 2-4. The makeup of the defences is actually very similar (Pats - 4 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 5th, 1 6th, 1 7th, 3 u/d, Broncos - 3 1sts, 2 3rds, 1 4th, 1 5th, 1 6th, 3 u/d) but there is a significant difference on offence. The Pats 1st rounders are Solder and Mankins, they have two 5th rounders, a 6th a 7th and 5 undrafted guys. The Broncs have three 1sts, two 2nds, two 3rds, two 4ths and two undrafted.

Lathum · 01-19-2014, 05:43 PM

not a great start

Galaril · 01-19-2014, 05:45 PM

Who I am so happy for is Champ Bailey to make it to his first SB. The obviosuly played thru some age issues so happy to see someone earn it.....Also congrats to Pats fans class group and team. So impressed how they hung in there all the injuries.

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 05:45 PM

Damn. Blown opportunity.

Travis · 01-19-2014, 05:45 PM

Thanks D. Wilson, take two.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 05:47 PM

Wilson definitely needs to take better care of the ball.

MrBug708 · 01-19-2014, 05:47 PM

Nice play calling inside the 20 Harbaugh..

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

Thought I would do a full analysis of the starters...

Denver -
1st Round - 6 (1st, 7th, 12th, 16th, 22nd, 28th)
2nd Round - 2
3rd Round - 4
4th Round - 3
5th Round - 1
6th Round - 1
7th Round - 0
Undrafted - 5

New England -
1st Round - 6 (17th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th, 32nd)
2nd Round - 1
3rd Round - 0
4th Round - 0
5th Round - 3
6th Round - 2
7th Round - 2
Undrafted - 8

Interesting that both teams have 6 1st's (albeit significantly higher picks on the Broncos) but there is a huge discrepancy in Rounds 2-4. The makeup of the defences is actually very similar (Pats - 4 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 5th, 1 6th, 1 7th, 3 u/d, Broncos - 3 1sts, 2 3rds, 1 4th, 1 5th, 1 6th, 3 u/d) but there is a significant difference on offence. The Pats 1st rounders are Solder and Mankins, they have two 5th rounders, a 6th a 7th and 5 undrafted guys. The Broncs have three 1sts, two 2nds, two 3rds, two 4ths and two undrafted.

As great of a coach Beli is, he's really whiffed on a lot of draft picks over the years.

The Denver guys are interesting. They have some guys who people believe shouldn't have been drafted as high as they were. Guys like Moreno and Ayers for example. Others were high picks but are well passed their prime. (Sorry Champ, it's just reality)

Both teams are missing a ton of high draft picks to injuries. Denver: Clady, Miller, Wolfe and Rahim Moore were all high picks. The Patriots without Wilfork, Mayo, Spikes, Gronk, Hernandez (not to injury obviously) and others who were high picks.

It's amazing either of these teams played today. They both had plenty go against them all year and both still made it to the AFC title game. A testament to both teams picking up guys who can fit in the system quickly.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 05:51 PM

This 49er defense is scary. They are playing really, really well right now. That LB core may be the best I have seen since the Giants group. Bowman, Brooks, Smith and Willis? Wow, what a group. There aren't a lot of players on ANY team who would crack that group.

Carman Bulldog · 01-19-2014, 05:56 PM

Hard to believe that a single play in Week 11 (Kuechly pass interference on Gronkowski in the end zone) may have actually been the deciding factor in the AFC Championship as I think it's a very different game in Foxboro.

Vince, Pt. II · 01-19-2014, 05:59 PM

I simultaneously love and hate how much they're having Kaepernick run.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 05:59 PM

Dangerous territory for Seattle here.

Lathum · 01-19-2014, 05:59 PM

I smell a safety

ColtCrazy · 01-19-2014, 05:59 PM

I see a lot of social media going on about how the Pats overcame adversity to survive this far. But looking at the IR reports, the Broncos and Pats are virtually tied in the number of guys that were lost for the season. And it's not like the Broncos lost chumps. Clady, Miller, Harris, Koppen, Vickerson. They had much to overcome too.

Vince, Pt. II · 01-19-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

Hard to believe that a single play in Week 11 (Kuechly pass interference on Gronkowski in the end zone) may have actually been the deciding factor in the AFC Championship as I think it's a very different game in Foxboro.

Ditto the Ahmad Brooks personal foul on Drew Brees.

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I simultaneously love and hate how much they're having Kaepernick run.

Yea. Hoping it opens up things for us.

gstelmack · 01-19-2014, 06:02 PM

Well, good season for New England. Glad the officiating settled down, it was weird early with letting everything go (not just the throw into the endzone, but also DRC grabbing Collie's jersey on the 3rd down play on the first drive), then some mixed calls (more in a sec), and then they settled in for the second half with a much more consistent game.

Big play of the game for me was made by Welker. The sack on 4th-and-2 where Mankins just whiffed on Knighton was close and definitely a key, but the uncalled pick by Welker that blindsided and hurt Talib was probably the big play. That opened up the passing game quite a bit for Denver, plus if the pick had been called (like it was on Hooa the drive before) it would have stalled the TD drive.

I think it would have been much closer and even lower scoring if Talib was in there, but I think overall Denver was the better team today. Brady was inaccurate on many throws, especially early, and Denver was playing well on both sides of the ball.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

Hard to believe that a single play in Week 11 (Kuechly pass interference on Gronkowski in the end zone) may have actually been the deciding factor in the AFC Championship as I think it's a very different game in Foxboro.

We can get into that discussion all day. If you say that, then what do you say about the call the Patriots got against the Browns in the final minute? Or what about that pick call against Denver in OT that killed the Broncos drive after Gronk shoved off for multiple key catches on the other side? I'm as hard on the refs as anyone, but the season didn't come down to one call for the Patriots, in fact, if they call the PI, there is no certainty the Patriots score on the next play anyway.

gstelmack · 01-19-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

Hard to believe that a single play in Week 11 (Kuechly pass interference on Gronkowski in the end zone) may have actually been the deciding factor in the AFC Championship as I think it's a very different game in Foxboro.

The big difference to me was letting Miami march down the field to win that game. New England going down to Miami and losing when they had the #1 seed wrapped up was a big part of what scared me for today's game.

stevew · 01-19-2014, 06:03 PM

I wouldn't be surprised to see this break into a massive fight at some point today.

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:04 PM

Seems like both teams have their heads on straight. Not a lot of extra curricular stuff going on.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:05 PM

Do receivers not stretch out for passes anymore?

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:06 PM

That was close.

Lathum · 01-19-2014, 06:06 PM

wow, crazy throw by Wilson

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Seems like both teams have their heads on straight. Not a lot of extra curricular stuff going on.

This is a lot tamer than I expected it to be. That was a very iffy throw there.

That hit was brutal.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:07 PM

Not sure I see that flag...

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:07 PM

This is football.

Lathum · 01-19-2014, 06:08 PM

It's not a great call but one they have made all year

stevew · 01-19-2014, 06:08 PM

Hit on defenseless should be a spot foul.

Probably not a penalty there though.

Vince, Pt. II · 01-19-2014, 06:09 PM

Man, one of the rare cases where live I thought that was a good call, but the replay showed shoulder pad. Hard to blame a ref on that one.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:09 PM

Am I the only on that saw his head was hit by the forearm?

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:11 PM

Bowman. Best linebacker in football.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:12 PM

Wow. I'll ask another question, am I the only one who thinks Bowman is the best LB in the game right now? Despite my opinion of the holds, Sherman is the best DB in the game now. If you combined these two teams defense, you would have a defense that would make the '85 Bears look like a college team.

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Bowman. Best linebacker in football.

kingfc answers the question before I ask it. ESP?

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:14 PM

That had to hurt!

TroyF · 01-19-2014, 06:15 PM

What is it with 49ers return men in championship games?

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJasper

That had to hurt!

Kyle Williams flash backs.

miami_fan · 01-19-2014, 06:15 PM

That was necessary roughness.

Vince, Pt. II · 01-19-2014, 06:16 PM

I'd love an NFC Championship game where special teams wasn't a gut-wrenching experience every time.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:18 PM

Should've been a face mask penalty after looking at the replay.

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:20 PM

LOL on Sherman.

BillJasper · 01-19-2014, 06:21 PM

This game is probably going to come down to Kaepernick's legs.

Vince, Pt. II · 01-19-2014, 06:22 PM

kingfc22 · 01-19-2014, 06:22 PM

Packers know this feeling.

01-19-2014, 05:14 PM	#1304
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	That is an ugly trophy. __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 05:30 PM	#1307
Carman Bulldog College Benchwarmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada	Thought I would do a full analysis of the starters... Denver - 1st Round - 6 (1st, 7th, 12th, 16th, 22nd, 28th) 2nd Round - 2 3rd Round - 4 4th Round - 3 5th Round - 1 6th Round - 1 7th Round - 0 Undrafted - 5 New England - 1st Round - 6 (17th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th, 32nd) 2nd Round - 1 3rd Round - 0 4th Round - 0 5th Round - 3 6th Round - 2 7th Round - 2 Undrafted - 8 Interesting that both teams have 6 1st's (albeit significantly higher picks on the Broncos) but there is a huge discrepancy in Rounds 2-4. The makeup of the defences is actually very similar (Pats - 4 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 5th, 1 6th, 1 7th, 3 u/d, Broncos - 3 1sts, 2 3rds, 1 4th, 1 5th, 1 6th, 3 u/d) but there is a significant difference on offence. The Pats 1st rounders are Solder and Mankins, they have two 5th rounders, a 6th a 7th and 5 undrafted guys. The Broncs have three 1sts, two 2nds, two 3rds, two 4ths and two undrafted. Last edited by Carman Bulldog : 01-19-2014 at 05:30 PM.

01-19-2014, 05:45 PM	#1310
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	Damn. Blown opportunity. __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal

01-19-2014, 05:45 PM	#1311
Travis Pro Rookie Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Canada eh	Thanks D. Wilson, take two. __________________ "I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." - Rogers Hornsby

01-19-2014, 05:47 PM	#1312
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	Wilson definitely needs to take better care of the ball. __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 05:12 PM	#1301
Thomkal Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Surfside Beach,SC USA	Too bad it wasn't closer though-with all the hype all week for both games, it'd be nice to see one with a lot of drama and back and forth on the scoreboard.

01-19-2014, 05:14 PM	#1303
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	I'm happy the Patriots made it to the AFC Championship game against the odds and held their own against a better and stacked team.

01-19-2014, 05:43 PM	#1308
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	not a great start

01-19-2014, 05:45 PM	#1309
Galaril Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2004	Who I am so happy for is Champ Bailey to make it to his first SB. The obviosuly played thru some age issues so happy to see someone earn it.....Also congrats to Pats fans class group and team. So impressed how they hung in there all the injuries.

01-19-2014, 05:47 PM	#1313
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Nice play calling inside the 20 Harbaugh..

01-19-2014, 05:51 PM	#1315
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	This 49er defense is scary. They are playing really, really well right now. That LB core may be the best I have seen since the Giants group. Bowman, Brooks, Smith and Willis? Wow, what a group. There aren't a lot of players on ANY team who would crack that group.

01-19-2014, 05:56 PM	#1316
Carman Bulldog College Benchwarmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada	Hard to believe that a single play in Week 11 (Kuechly pass interference on Gronkowski in the end zone) may have actually been the deciding factor in the AFC Championship as I think it's a very different game in Foxboro.

01-19-2014, 05:59 PM	#1317
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	I simultaneously love and hate how much they're having Kaepernick run.

01-19-2014, 05:59 PM	#1318
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	Dangerous territory for Seattle here. __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 05:59 PM	#1319
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	I smell a safety

01-19-2014, 05:59 PM	#1320
ColtCrazy College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midwest	I see a lot of social media going on about how the Pats overcame adversity to survive this far. But looking at the IR reports, the Broncos and Pats are virtually tied in the number of guys that were lost for the season. And it's not like the Broncos lost chumps. Clady, Miller, Harris, Koppen, Vickerson. They had much to overcome too. __________________ The Field Generals and Statis Pro Basketball Super League

01-19-2014, 06:02 PM	#1323
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	Well, good season for New England. Glad the officiating settled down, it was weird early with letting everything go (not just the throw into the endzone, but also DRC grabbing Collie's jersey on the 3rd down play on the first drive), then some mixed calls (more in a sec), and then they settled in for the second half with a much more consistent game. Big play of the game for me was made by Welker. The sack on 4th-and-2 where Mankins just whiffed on Knighton was close and definitely a key, but the uncalled pick by Welker that blindsided and hurt Talib was probably the big play. That opened up the passing game quite a bit for Denver, plus if the pick had been called (like it was on Hooa the drive before) it would have stalled the TD drive. I think it would have been much closer and even lower scoring if Talib was in there, but I think overall Denver was the better team today. Brady was inaccurate on many throws, especially early, and Denver was playing well on both sides of the ball. __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

01-19-2014, 06:03 PM	#1326
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	I wouldn't be surprised to see this break into a massive fight at some point today.

01-19-2014, 06:04 PM	#1327
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	Seems like both teams have their heads on straight. Not a lot of extra curricular stuff going on. __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal

01-19-2014, 06:05 PM	#1328
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	Do receivers not stretch out for passes anymore? __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 06:06 PM	#1329
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	That was close. __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 06:06 PM	#1330
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	wow, crazy throw by Wilson

01-19-2014, 06:07 PM	#1332
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	Not sure I see that flag... __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 06:07 PM	#1333
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	This is football. __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal

01-19-2014, 06:08 PM	#1334
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	It's not a great call but one they have made all year

01-19-2014, 06:08 PM	#1335
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Hit on defenseless should be a spot foul. Probably not a penalty there though. Last edited by stevew : 01-19-2014 at 06:09 PM.

01-19-2014, 06:09 PM	#1336
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	Man, one of the rare cases where live I thought that was a good call, but the replay showed shoulder pad. Hard to blame a ref on that one.

01-19-2014, 06:09 PM	#1337
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Am I the only on that saw his head was hit by the forearm?

01-19-2014, 06:11 PM	#1338
kingfc22 Head Coach Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, CA	Bowman. Best linebacker in football. __________________ Fan of SF Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Arsenal Last edited by kingfc22 : 01-19-2014 at 06:12 PM.

01-19-2014, 06:12 PM	#1339
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Wow. I'll ask another question, am I the only one who thinks Bowman is the best LB in the game right now? Despite my opinion of the holds, Sherman is the best DB in the game now. If you combined these two teams defense, you would have a defense that would make the '85 Bears look like a college team.

01-19-2014, 06:14 PM	#1341
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	That had to hurt! __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.

01-19-2014, 06:15 PM	#1342
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	What is it with 49ers return men in championship games?

01-19-2014, 06:15 PM	#1344
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	That was necessary roughness. __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

01-19-2014, 06:16 PM	#1345
Vince, Pt. II Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Somewhere More Familiar	I'd love an NFC Championship game where special teams wasn't a gut-wrenching experience every time.

01-19-2014, 06:18 PM	#1346
BillJasper Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Kentucky	Should've been a face mask penalty after looking at the replay. __________________ The Confederacy lost, it is time to dismantle it.