NFL Playoffs Thread 2017-2018 Season or Who is going to Minneapolis?!?!?

[albionmoonlight]

Heh. Media so desperate for new Patriots angles that "Brady's mom grew up in Minnesota" is now a thing. I guess after eleventy-billion Super Bowls, you start to dig deep.

[PilotMan]

It's destined to become Pats/Vikes, where the Vikes go up by 17 at half, and the Pats lose half the offense due to cramps and the team has to dress ball boys to finish the game and Brady leads an epic comeback for the win, while simultaneously fucking all the virgins in Minneapolis so not only do the Vikes have to think about blowing it, but they have an entire city of little Tom Brady's running around for 20 years so they can never forget.

Fuck.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by digamma

Nantz is full on fan boy mode right now, arguing for the Amendola catch.

Im a bellichek fan but not a brady/pats fan.

But the last 5 minutes there were insufferable. I honestly think someone was jacking off in the booth.

[AlexB]

They just put up the stat that this will be NE’s 10th SB. Also on the list was PIT and DEN with 8 each too

That means exactly half the time NE/PIT/DEN are representing the AFC in the Super-Bowl.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

It's destined to become Pats/Vikes, where the Vikes go up by 17 at half, and the Pats lose half the offense due to cramps and the team has to dress ball boys to finish the game and Brady leads an epic comeback for the win, while simultaneously fucking all the virgins in Minneapolis so not only do the Vikes have to think about blowing it, but they have an entire city of little Tom Brady's running around for 20 years so they can never forget.

Fuck.

Made me LOL

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

If it ends up being Pats-Vikings, I think I'll hope like hell that the Vikings win. But I don't know that I'm going to watch.

+1

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Major league hold missed on the edge there

I think you are right but I am generally a "let the players decide the game" in those situations so I am good with the non-call there.

The Patriots did what the Patriots do.

[Thomkal]

:::sigh:::

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by AlexB

Major league hold missed on the edge there

They weren't calling flags on the Pats today. Did they get called for a single penalty?

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

They weren't calling flags on the Pats today. Did they get called for a single penalty?

1

[EagleFan]

Really wanted the Jags to win that one; that way it would have guaranteed that whomever won the super bowl was going to be a first time winner.

[Butter]

Patriots had 1 penalty for 10 yards. It all worked out.

[Butter]

Is it just me or does it look like Troy Aikman just woke up?

[korme]

The people saying they won't watch the Super Bowl because the Pats are in it are being flat out babies. The best team won the game, that's usually how sports works. Don't take your ball and go home just because the greatest QB of all-time did it again. Appreciate greatness. It's rare.

[Vince, Pt. II]

It's early but this is looking pretty awful for the Eagles already.

And Keenum has made a couple really pretty throws.

[Carman Bulldog]

While the penalty numbers favoured the Patriots, I would say that it was a fairly well officiated game. Most of the calls that were penalties (and the calls that weren't) were pretty spot on, outside of the missed Holding at the end of the game and arguably the Defensive PI call late in the first half. Ramsey's PI call in the 2nd half looked like it was deserved however.

[stevew]

I watch the game because Al Michaels is doing it and this could be his last one

[Vince, Pt. II]

What the hell is wrong with the field? And what the hell are the Eagles WRs doing?

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by korme

The people saying they won't watch the Super Bowl because the Pats are in it are being flat out babies. The best team won the game, that's usually how sports works. Don't take your ball and go home just because the greatest QB of all-time did it again. Appreciate greatness. It's rare.

Fuck that shit. It’s my time and my mental well-being. I don’t owe the NFL jack. I don’t enjoy watching the Patriots win time after time. Would you tell an Indiana Jones fan they had to watch Crystal Skull, Part II? Fuck no. So don’t lecture me on what I should watch.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by korme

The people saying they won't watch the Super Bowl because the Pats are in it are being flat out babies. The best team won the game, that's usually how sports works. Don't take your ball and go home just because the greatest QB of all-time did it again. Appreciate greatness. It's rare.

Thanks Shane. You get it.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Fuck that shit. It’s my time and my mental well-being. I don’t owe the NFL jack. I don’t enjoy watching the Patriots win time after time. Would you tell an Indiana Jones fan they had to watch Crystal Skull, Part II? Fuck no. So don’t lecture me on what I should watch.

You get it.

[EagleFan]

Now that was nice. Hopefully that changes the way this game goes.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by korme

The people saying they won't watch the Super Bowl because the Pats are in it are being flat out babies. The best team won the game, that's usually how sports works. Don't take your ball and go home just because the greatest QB of all-time did it again. Appreciate greatness. It's rare.

Why should I appreciate proven cheaters?

[Buccaneer]

We’re rooting for the Eagles here and Mrs. Buccaneer even got her Eagles shirt on.

[thesloppy]

I only know him from the Verizon ads, but I'd like to see Thomas Middleditch burned alive.

[JPhillips]

I have little interest in watching Brady vs. Foles or Keenum. If it was Ryan or Brees or Rogers, sure, but Brady crushing a journeyman isn't very exciting to me.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

While the penalty numbers favoured the Patriots, I would say that it was a fairly well officiated game. Most of the calls that were penalties (and the calls that weren't) were pretty spot on, outside of the missed Holding at the end of the game and arguably the Defensive PI call late in the first half. Ramsey's PI call in the 2nd half looked like it was deserved however.

I thought the Pats were very physical with Jags receivers in a game where tick tack DPI was being called on one team.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

So about that Garoppolo trade...

Still looks necessary. Can't even imagine what a media circus the thumb thing would've been with Jimmy G, not Hoyer as the backup.

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Bets on whether Gronk gets cleared? Even whether he enters the protocol?

I assumed he'd be waved through while concussed. But what is Gronk's baseline test, saying the number 69 & seeing if he immediately starts laughing?

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Church should be suspended for the Super Bowl if they get there. That’s about as blatant a head shot as it gets.

It was bad, but what could he do? Gronk was leaning down due to the pass, he didn't lead helmet to helmet, and if he really tried to pull up he would've been obliterated or looked like Marcus Williams. Or gone for the knees which is just as dangerous. Definitely a penalty, but despite the result it was called right

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I'd agree with that. Anything with the Jags won't match up the same as the Pats in pure TV power. The bottom would be Jags-Eagles.

I'd say Eagles get more national attention than the Vikings.

Originally Posted by AlexB

They’ve pointed out on our coverage regardless of fumble/no fumble, Jack shouldn’t have been blown dead as he was untouched once he gained possession. He would have had an open runback for the TD

He literally stripped Lewis while going to the ground and tackling him. I agree with the Jags getting possession, think it would have stood either way under the NFL rules, but unless Jack rolled on top of Lewis calling it down at the spot made sense.

[Buccaneer]

I understand about not wanting to watch, I don't watch much of the playoffs because of the commercials. I went through the 49ers dynasty of the 1980s-90s as well as the current Alabama dynasty. While I do not like them, I can respect and appreciate their greatness (players, coaches, organizations). It's not often we can get to see consistent greatness in a hyper-competitive era. Besides, I love dynasties in all of sports, even if they are teams I do not like (I think it all started with Wooden's UCLA dynasty that made such an impression on me when I was a kid). I know others do not like dynasties and that's cool.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I have little interest in watching Brady vs. Foles or Keenum. If it was Ryan or Brees or Rogers, sure, but Brady crushing a journeyman isn't very exciting to me.

If Case Keenum is leading the Vikings in a Minnesota Superbowl that's not an interesting storyline? I get Patriots fatigue, but if you hate the Patriots you're not going to watch & hope they lose? I guess I just like football too much to actually ignore a game between two good teams.

Got texts saying the same stuff earlier "why are the Patriots happy about beating Blake Bortles?"... shurg, because we beat a good team to advance to the Super Bowl while coming from behind vs a great defense & missing our top two targets?

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I thought the Pats were very physical with Jags receivers in a game where tick tack DPI was being called on one team.

Haven't watched that all 22, but which ticky tack call? The Cooks one to end the first half was debatable, though I think that's called 80-90% of the time, but the others were a chokehold & a helmet to helmet vs Gronk.

[Jughead Spock]

No one will ever convince me that Brady is the greatest QB, or even top 10.

Nor will anyone ever convince me that Belichick is NOT the greatest coach of all time.

If I'm starting a team that doesn't have Belichick as the coach, Brady is not my #1 pick.

But overall, I'm just really out of the NFL these days anyway, and this season sure didn't do anything to help it.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

If Case Keenum is leading the Vikings in a Minnesota Superbowl that's not an interesting storyline? I get Patriots fatigue, but if you hate the Patriots you're not going to watch & hope they lose? I guess I just like football too much to actually ignore a game between two good teams.

Got texts saying the same stuff earlier "why are the Patriots happy about beating Blake Bortles?"... shurg, because we beat a good team to advance to the Super Bowl while coming from behind vs a great defense & missing our top two targets?Haven't watched that all 22, but which ticky tack call? The Cooks one to end the first half was debatable, though I think that's called 80-90% of the time, but the others were a chokehold & a helmet to helmet vs Gronk.

The point spread won't be ridiculous, but what would the odds be for a Patriots loss against either team, 15-1, 20-1, 50-1? Belichick and Brady aren't going to lose to Case Keenum or Nick Foles.

[Carman Bulldog]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I have little interest in watching Brady vs. Foles or Keenum. If it was Ryan or Brees or Rogers, sure, but Brady crushing a journeyman isn't very exciting to me.

Minnesota at home would have been an intriguing story, although it seems like that's not going to happen. So would have been Wentz vs. Brady, but what's the story line with Foles vs. Brady? A Rocky-esque narrative fits considering that it's Philadelphia, but Rocky lost.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I understand about not wanting to watch, I don't watch much of the playoffs because of the commercials. I went through the 49ers dynasty of the 1980s-90s as well as the current Alabama dynasty. While I do not like them, I can respect and appreciate their greatness (players, coaches, organizations). It's not often we can get to see consistent greatness in a hyper-competitive era. Besides, I love dynasties in all of sports, even if they are teams I do not like (I think it all started with Wooden's UCLA dynasty that made such an impression on me when I was a kid). I know others do not like dynasties and that's cool.

I begrudgingly agree. I don't love dynasties at all but have great appreciation for the greatness needed to build them. The last couple of years I have grown to really appreciate Belichick, his staff, the players, how they are developed and Brady especially. Seeing guys like Brady and Manning play has been pretty fortunate regardless of who we root for.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The point spread won't be ridiculous, but what would the odds be for a Patriots lose against either team, 15-1, 20-1, 50-1? Belichick and Brady aren't going to lose to Case Keenum or Nick Foles.

I don't know. The Patriots were going up against the #1 pass defense short-handed, a team that matched well with them and could bring the pressure to disrupt their gameplan - and barely won against Bortles (I had given it a 50/50 chance of winning). Vikings and Eagles have a great front 7 plus can move the ball with a balanced offense down the field. I have doubts of the Patriots beating the Vikings on their home field, even with Keenum.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I would have thought hard about taking a shot at the end zone there instead of the field goal. Your offense is rolling, you're still up two scores if you fail...

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The point spread won't be ridiculous, but what would the odds be for a Patriots lose against either team, 15-1, 20-1, 50-1? Belichick and Brady aren't going to lose to Case Keenum or Nick Foles.

I'm honestly not sure they'd lose in that scenario if you amputated Brady's throwing hand & made him use the other one.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The point spread won't be ridiculous, but what would the odds be for a Patriots loss against either team, 15-1, 20-1, 50-1? Belichick and Brady aren't going to lose to Case Keenum or Nick Foles.

They actually have posted odds of the super bowl matchups. Vikings(at home) were a 1 point fav against the Pats.

Did you miss the Pats game this afternoon against the Jags? Bortles isnt any better than Keenum or Foles.

Looks like another Vikings choke job! Being a fan of this franchise is so frustrating.

[molson]

Brady and Belichick have lost to Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco in the playoffs, there are no guarantees in the nfl.

And foles might actually be really good.

[albionmoonlight]

Bill Belichick tried to express human emotion and immediately regretted it pic.twitter.com/rtM36iwHb5

— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) January 21, 2018

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

Minnesota at home would have been an intriguing story, although it seems like that's not going to happen. So would have been Wentz vs. Brady, but what's the story line with Foles vs. Brady? A Rocky-esque narrative fits considering that it's Philadelphia, but Rocky lost.

If you consider Pats vs Eagles to be a rematch; Rocky did win in Rocky 2.

[Carman Bulldog]

Furthering my earlier post, in my opinion, Patriots vs. Eagles is the least intriguing contest.

I thought Jags vs. Eagles or Jags vs. Vikings would have been interesting as both matchups are unproven quarterbacks trying to capture their franchises their first ever Super Bowls.

Pats vs. Vikings at least has the Vikings being the first franchise ever playing in a Super Bowl at home.

Pats vs. Eagles is just meh. I'll watch, but in my book the Patriots absolutely cemented their dynasty last year. I enjoy watching greatness to an extent but at this point there is nothing left to prove.

A New England win is really meaningless, outside of tying Pittsburgh for franchise championships which I don't put much value in.

Philly capturing their first title with Nick Foles would just seem... I dunno, odd. I mean, good for them I guess but it seems like he's just keeping Wentz' seat warm. Does Super Bowl winning QB Foles simply get relegated to the bench again next year? Is he good enough to actually have much trade value?

[Carman Bulldog]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

If you consider Pats vs Eagles to be a rematch; Rocky did win in Rocky 2.

It only counts as a rematch if TO is there.

[PilotMan]

Oh wow, this one is getting ugly. Didn't expect that.

[Eaglesfan27]

WOW! Foles exceeding all of my expectations!

[Thomkal]

So much for the battle of the best defenses.

[korme]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Fuck that shit. It’s my time and my mental well-being. I don’t owe the NFL jack. I don’t enjoy watching the Patriots win time after time. Would you tell an Indiana Jones fan they had to watch Crystal Skull, Part II? Fuck no. So don’t lecture me on what I should watch.

And I get that, I do. I just disagree. I think part of the beauty in sports is the pain, is the sour. I watch the Steelers or Ravens win a SB and fucking hate it, but you watch so when you (hopefully) have a team that mirrors that success, it is that much sweeter, because of all of the bad times. It wouldn't feel right if I only watched sports when the teams I wanted to win got to play.

To each their own, sorry to upset you.

[miami_fan]

So...uh... Nick Foles has a legit claim to the "Nobody believed in me" narrative huh?

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

A New England win is really meaningless, outside of tying Pittsburgh for franchise championships which I don't put much value in.

That's the thing. I thought LAST year's win was already meaningless. We learned the Pats are really good, and have been forever? That's not news (Atlanta winning would have been). If they win again it's another year where I feel like you might have just not bothered with the season. We didn't learn anything new. You might as well have been watching a season of reruns.

I also don't think I'll reminisce twenty years from now and say, "man, you know what? I wish I would have seen MORE of the Patriots." I won't miss it, just like I don't miss the Niners of the 80s or the Cowboys of the 90s. With luck the NFL will still be around, and we'll have more great players and more great teams.

(My daughter just chimed in that "they need to nerf the Patriots." She's been playing Overwatch. But yeah, if you put it in video game terms - if I play against someone and keep losing, I'm not going to keep playing for very long, there's no point. Players may not feel that way, but I do as a spectator. It's part of the reason why I don't care about women's NCAA. Wow, UCONN won again? That is so new and exciting! Now, you might say "get better." I feel like at this point it's not a matter of teams needing to get better, it's just waiting for Brady and Belichick to get old. I'm ready for that.)

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

So...uh... Nick Foles has a legit claim to the "Nobody believed in me" narrative huh?

Vikings staff was outcoached badly and the Eagles offensive line is a lot better than I expected. They are dominating the usually excellent Vikings defensive line.

Foles has played nearly a perfect game. Congrats to the Eagles and their fans.