NFL Week 12 - Gobble Gobble Edition

[DeToxRox]

Three games today, and thankfully, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are both starting for the Lions despite injuries. Makes this game a lot more interesting, at least until the kickoff anyway.

[Abe Sargent]

Lions make it interesting

[RendeR]

The only interesting thing about the Lions Packers game will be the odds on the Lions scoring more than 6 points....

Poor Lions.

[mauchow]

Well, they've got seven already and held the Packers to 3 points on their drive..assuming Crosby knocks this one in.

[mauchow]

Bwahahah... He missed it.

Lions winning will make my day, no doubt.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by RendeR

The only interesting thing about the Lions Packers game will be the odds on the Lions scoring more than 6 points....

Well, since that question has been answered, I guess there is nothing interesting left about this game.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by mauboy1

Bwahahah... He missed it.

Lions winning will make my day, no doubt.

Me too, not because I like the Lions, but I love seeing an uber-underdog win.

[Abe Sargent]

Well, you knew the dream was going to end soon

[MrDNA]

Go Lions! Yeah, sure, why not?

[Lathum]

I don't care who is playing. It's football all day on a Thursday, can't ask for much more.

[mauchow]

I'm just happy that I've got NFL Network now, so I finally get to watch the Thursday night game... which is the most intriguing matchup of the day.

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by mauboy1

I'm just happy that I've got NFL Network now, so I finally get to watch the Thursday night game... which is the most intriguing matchup of the day.

How is the matchup between two teams that won't make the playoffs intriguing?

[mauchow]

Because the other two matchups today include two out of the three worst teams in the NFL...

[Radii]

Originally Posted by RendeR

How is the matchup between two teams that won't make the playoffs intriguing?

Yeah, two teams over .500 that are both one game out of their respective division leads is really a pretty worthless game, good point!

[miami_fan]

One of the receivers not named Calvin Johnson might want to make a play for Stafford at some point today.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by RendeR

How is the matchup between two teams that won't make the playoffs intriguing?

Who pissed in your pumpkin pie today?

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Logan

Who pissed in your pumpkin pie today?

Par for the course. Just ignore him.

[Abe Sargent]

This game is odd. If the Packers were playing like this against other teams they'd be down something like 30-10.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

This game is odd. If the Packers were playing like this against other teams they'd be down something like 30-10.

Yes. The Lions are bad. I fucking get it.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Yes. The Lions are bad. I fucking get it.

Actually, my point was about how much the Packers suck.

[bhlloy]

Why would you still have Stafford in the game? He's a hit away from being out for the year and a few interceptions away from being booed off the field. Neither of which is very good for your young qb's development.

And he's back out there - very strange

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

Actually, my point was about how much the Packers suck.

I'm just tired of being a Lions fan. I usually can laugh about it, but it's really getting to me lately.

[Lathum]

You drinking already Schmidty?

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Par for the course. Just ignore him.

Hey I was gonna point out that your lions ought to be lynching the packers coach for being a ridiculous prick, but if you want to nit pick too you can defend your own team's honor

I was being serious. Neither the Giants or the broncos are gonna be a playoff team at this point unless something major changes for both squads. Why is this game intriguing?

[RendeR]

DOLA

and to be honest I WAS trying to get a rise out of Lathum but I doubt he's paying attention

[RendeR]

then of course he posts

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Why would you still have Stafford in the game? He's a hit away from being out for the year and a few interceptions away from being booed off the field. Neither of which is very good for your young qb's development.

And he's back out there - very strange

Because from what I can see out there Stafford is their leader and he's leading. Sure they could sit him and throw culpepper out there, but he's building something with his teamates there and teh coaches see it. I see it.

If it were that bad an injury I doubt he would be in there, its his off shoulder and he's able to play through it. I don't see the issue.

[RendeR]

QUINTUPLE DOLA!!!!!



I'm having a much better day today

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by RendeR

I was being serious. Neither the Giants or the broncos are gonna be a playoff team at this point unless something major changes for both squads. Why is this game intriguing?

I don't see how you can say with such certainty that neither team will make the playoffs.

After the Denver game the Giants get Dallas and Philly at home. Then they finish at Washington, home to Carolina and at Minnesota, who likely will have nothing to play for at that point.

The giants could easily finish 10-6 and win the wildcard. Also despite their swoon they are 2-1 in division. Of their 3 remaining division games the get the Cowboys and Eagles at home and the Redskins on the road. There is a good chance they finish 5-1 in the division.

In the case of the Broncos after tonight the have KC twice and the Raiders once which puts them to 9 wins. Then they go to Philly and Indy, 2 very tough games. A win tonight puts them at a good shot for 10 wins on the season.

So what that means is the team that wins tonight is in a good spot to play their way in to at least a wildcard and the team that losses is likely out of a realistic wildcard shot.

So IMO tonight's game is actually a huge game.

[DeToxRox]

About what I expected today. Good to see Stafford tough it out but his biggest problem is what all rookies face: trusting his WR's over his arm. He is tentative on quick throws and delivers it late, which is how most of his INT's occur. The accuracy still needs work but I am impressed he played and stuck with it today.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Lathum

You drinking already Schmidty?

I've had two Brown Shugga's so far. They're awesome. From Lagunitas Brewery. 9.9% ABV. I'm also eating lots of chips.

My wife just made me clean the cat box. Today sucks so far.

[Chief Rum]

I actually like what I have seen from Stafford. He's learning, but for the first time in the past few weeks, I have seen indications he will be a good one when it's all said and done.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by RendeR

Because from what I can see out there Stafford is their leader and he's leading. Sure they could sit him and throw culpepper out there, but he's building something with his teamates there and teh coaches see it. I see it.

If it were that bad an injury I doubt he would be in there, its his off shoulder and he's able to play through it. I don't see the issue.

If by leading you mean losing the game on national TV when the entire nation is watching, I guess. I see what you are saying, he's gaining the respect of the locker room by playing in the first place and that could be invaluable down the line. From what DeTox is saying above I guess I'm misreading public opinion about this, but there have been QB's that have been ruined by high expectations and playing too much too early, and that was a very winnable game for Detroit if Stafford plays better. For that reason I'm leaning towards protecting my young QB in that situation, and giving the shoulder an extra week and a half to heal doesn't hurt either.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

If by leading you mean losing the game on national TV when the entire nation is watching, I guess. I see what you are saying, he's gaining the respect of the locker room by playing in the first place and that could be invaluable down the line. From what DeTox is saying above I guess I'm misreading public opinion about this, but there have been QB's that have been ruined by high expectations and playing too much too early, and that was a very winnable game for Detroit if Stafford plays better. For that reason I'm leaning towards protecting my young QB in that situation, and giving the shoulder an extra week and a half to heal doesn't hurt either.

I see where you're coming from, but Schwartz said the doctors told him he couldn't get injured any worse so it was up to him to see if he could play or not. I think it says a lot to the team for him to be out there, and I don't think the injury caused him to struggle, it was just forcing the issue and a couple of problems with the WR's.

I loved the pick when we made it, and he's done nothing to sway me.

I just know with the ups will come downs, so I personally will just stay grounded over it all.

But I will say this, fuck Daunte Culpepper. I am glad Mayhew chewed into him. Yes I know you want to play, but don't handle your business like that when you know the cameras are on you.

[Abe Sargent]

Man, those Raider's away jerseys look ugly

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I'm just tired of being a Lions fan. I usually can laugh about it, but it's really getting to me lately.

Switch to being a Jaguars fan like me!

[Karlifornia]

The Raiders should still blame this beatdown on JaMarcus Russell. His knit cap is distracting everyone from making good plays!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

Switch to being a Jaguars fan like me!

I have been thinking about doing this to prepare for their eventual arrival in LA.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

But I will say this, fuck Daunte Culpepper. I am glad Mayhew chewed into him. Yes I know you want to play, but don't handle your business like that when you know the cameras are on you.

I am trying to figure out why, as a veteran, he was so pissed. Everything that I read before the game did not rule Stafford out of the game. The worst I heard was that he was doubtful. I don't mind him being pissed. That is the "fire" that some folks love in their QB

[jbergey22]

Eli is really un"clutch" this year.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Eli is really un"clutch" this year.

Clearly a top 5 QB

[RendeR]

Whya ren't they just letting "MVP" brandon Jacobs dominate the game?

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am still baffled as to why the NFL Network has such a hard time producing a professional looking live broadcast of their own games. While they have improved somewhat since the first year they started airing games, the games aired and produced on the NFL Network still have a very second-rate look and feel to them (Millen and whoever is with him in the booth do not help).

It's surprising, since the NFL is, in all other aspects, so great at marketing and packaging their product. Their NFL Films division, for example, is fantastic. But when it comes to a live broadcast of their own product, I find the NFL really, really lacking.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am still baffled as to why the NFL Network has such a hard time producing a professional looking live broadcast of their own games. While they have improved somewhat since the first year they started airing games, the games aired and produced on the NFL Network still have a very second-rate look and feel to them (Millen and whoever is with him in the booth do not help).

It's surprising, since the NFL is, in all other aspects, so great at marketing and packaging their product. Their NFL Films division, for example, is fantastic. But when it comes to a live broadcast of their own product, I find the NFL really, really lacking.

I heard the NHL on Versus guy from year 1 was a consultant for them.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I don't see how you can say with such certainty that neither team will make the playoffs.

After the Denver game the Giants get Dallas and Philly at home. Then they finish at Washington, home to Carolina and at Minnesota, who likely will have nothing to play for at that point.

The giants could easily finish 10-6 and win the wildcard. Also despite their swoon they are 2-1 in division. Of their 3 remaining division games the get the Cowboys and Eagles at home and the Redskins on the road. There is a good chance they finish 5-1 in the division.

In the case of the Broncos after tonight the have KC twice and the Raiders once which puts them to 9 wins. Then they go to Philly and Indy, 2 very tough games. A win tonight puts them at a good shot for 10 wins on the season.

So what that means is the team that wins tonight is in a good spot to play their way in to at least a wildcard and the team that losses is likely out of a realistic wildcard shot.

So IMO tonight's game is actually a huge game.

You were dead on with this Lathum. I thought the winner of this game would have a solid shot at the playoffs, the loser would be essentially done.

Denver is still likely going to win 10 games now. Two against KC, 1 against Oakland. Look at the AFC standings. I think 10 wins is going to get you a wild card berth this year.

The Broncos have a very good chance of getting to that point now. (as long as Chris Simms never takes another snap for them again)

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

One of the receivers not named Calvin Johnson might want to make a play for Stafford at some point today.

My favorite play of this game was watching Stafford throw to Pettigrew on a crossing route and the Packers defender cutting in front. Can't remember if it was one of the picks or if he just knocked it down. Announcers praising the speed of the defender to close from a trailing positing to get in front and make the play. All the while during the slo-mo replay you watch the Packer reach out, grab Pettigrew's jersey, and use the leverage to slow Pettigrew down / leap in front

[Lathum]

At this point I almost hope we lose every game the rest of the year and address the issues on defense. The big turning point of the game was when Ware fumbled, if the Giants get a good drive and a score there it is a different game. Instead Denver scores and then can pin there ears back and go after Eli.

I also am questioning Tom Coughlin. It was evident coming off the short week the Giants weren't ready to play and the Broncos were.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Lathum

At this point I almost hope we lose every game the rest of the year and address the issues on defense. The big turning point of the game was when Ware fumbled, if the Giants get a good drive and a score there it is a different game. Instead Denver scores and then can pin there ears back and go after Eli.

I also am questioning Tom Coughlin. It was evident coming off the short week the Giants weren't ready to play and the Broncos were.

I think it's the wounded dog mentality lathum.

Denver lost a monster game the previous week. Made it four losses in a row. And they knew another loss would finish them. Even though the Giants had the same record, they felt a little better about themselves after the win against Atlanta.

Also, Denver didn't have to hop on a plane for their short week. Still, I agree with you. I don't really understand what the Giants are doing now.

[Radii]

The worst case scenario for the Giants after this week is that they are 2 games out of the division lead, 1 game out of the wild card, with 3 divisional games in a row coming up. Green Bay and Philadelphia(the two teams potentially ahead of them for the wild card) and Atlanta(potentially tied at 6-5) are all very flawed teams too, and don't forget the Romo collapse that everyone else in the NFC East is hoping for.

Minnesota and New Orleans seems too perfect a NFC Championship game matchup, we all know there's a real good chance someone is going to come along and fuck it up. The Giants have as good a shot as anyone right now.

[Radii]

Looks like Roethlisberger may not play against Baltimore after all.

Source: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sit Sunday against Baltimore Ravens - ESPN