~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Matchup Preview *|* December 7, 2014
	@
New England Patriots (9-3, 4-2 Away)		San Diego Chargers (8-4, 4-2 Home)
Injury Report Tom Brady(QB) Shoulder Tear(3 Weeks) Shareece Wright(CB) Fractured Foot(IR) Kendall Reyes(DE) Pectoral Tear(IR) Game Notes In 2008 the New England Patriots lost Tom Brady for the year after a Torn ACL. Yet the Pats rallied behind Matt Cassel and Bill Belichick for an 11-5 record despite missing out on the Playoffs. Now the Pats find themselves in a similar situation heading into Sunday Night vs the Chargers. Tom Brady suffered a torn shoulder last week in Green Bay and will miss the next few games. Brady is clear to return in the Week 17 Finale vs Buffalo but New England should have the Division wrapped up by then if lightning strikes twice. For the next 3 Games Belichick will start Ryan Mallett at Quarterback and the Pats will try to test out the fact that New England can keep winning Games without TB12. Tonight with the lights on bright on Primetime, New England will face a possible Playoff opponent in San Diego.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Mallet lights up Southern California as PATRIOTS crush CHARGERS 41-17 on Sunday Night....







RECAP







San Diego, CA- If the San Diego Chargers(8-5) meet the New England Patriots(10-3) at any point in the Playoffs, there's A LOT of work to do.

"Tonight we had our butts handed to us. Can't say I'm surprised, New England is the best and they have the best Coach ever." Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoy stated.

The Patriots came into San Diego with Franchise Quarterback Tom Brady sidelined with a shoulder injury from last weeks loss to Green Bay.

So Head Coach Bill Belichick turned to Ryan Mallett at Quarterback. Mallett stepped in for Brady in Green Bay but couldn't lead the Team to victory.

Now with a full Week of practice with the Team Belichick was ready for San Diego with Mallett.

"We felt confident with Ryan at Quarterback while Tom rests up." Belichick stated.

And Ryan Mallet was very confident with the lights on bright.

Mallet shined bright tonight as the Patriots(10-3) pounded the Chargers(8-5)

Mallet had 458 yards and 4 Touchdowns. The Chargers Secondary was left out to dry and couldn't do anything.

"We had huge holes out there in the Secondary. It was like an damn Ocean between our guys and theirs. That's something we need to work on this Week." Chargers Defensive Coordinator John Pagano stated.

Mallett was so in the zone that the Patriots took a 34-7 lead into Halftime.

San Diego struggled bad on Offense in the first half. The 7 points they had was a kick return by RB Danny Woodhead.

"I felt like we were embarrassed in the first half. We made some adjustments but New England is too tough. Everything we tried they shut us down." Chargers Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich stated.

The Chargers was forced to kick a Field Goal in the third after TE Antonio Gates dropped a pass on 3rd and Goal at the once yard line.

Gates dislocated his knee on the play and was helped off the Field. Doctors announced he's done for the year missing the next 6 games.

"That's a blow for us. Losing a star Player like that is never easy." McCoy added.

In the 4th, San Diego found a little consistency in "Garbage Time" as Rivers led the Chargers on a Touchdown Drive that made it 41-17 Patriots.

Chargers RB Ryan Matthews was completely shut down managing only 29 yards off 10 carries. He did score from two yards out.

Danny Woodhead had just 10 yards.

Julian Edelman had 142 yards. Brandon LaFell had 111 yards and a Touchdown.

Matt Patricia's Defense shut down San Diego.

Patriots RB Shane Vereen had 98 yards and a score but fumbled in the 4th leading to the Chargers Touchdown.

New England sacked Rivers 8 times with Rob Ninkovich picking up 3 of them.

New England(10-3) now turns it's attention to the final Games where they face Division Rivals.


UP NEXT

Patriots(10-3) VS Dolphins(5-8) Next Sunday...

Chargers(8-5) VS Broncos(2-10-1) Next Sunday...

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Matchup Preview *|* December 8, 2014
	@
Atlanta Falcons (3-9, 3-3 Away)		Green Bay Packers (8-4, 4-2 Home)
Injury Report Omar Moralles(LB) Broken Collarbone(IR) NONE Game Notes The Packers are in trouble as Head Coach Mike McCarthy continues to make Drama inside the Organization. Last week vs the Patriots, Aaron Rodgers had to take the Game over and audible his own plays which lead to a come from behind win vs New England. If the Green and Gold are going to have any kind of a shot at Playoffs, Rodgers will have to be Superman and carry the Team by himself. That's easier said than done as the Packers Defense is among one of the worst in the league. It's an all out war between Players and McCarthy and the Atlanta Falcons are foaming at the mouth for this one.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

FALCONS upset PACKERS on Monday Night Football 28-14...








RECAP








Green Bay, WI- The ship continues to sink for the Green Bay Packers(8-5) in 2014. The Pack looked lost on Monday Night Football when the Atlanta Falcons(4-9) came in and just dominated with the lights on bright.

"Rough loss for us. Need to believe in the system and get back to work." Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stated.

Green Bay(8-5) was doomed from the start however thanks to Mike McCarthy.

McCarthy opened the game up by non stop running the Football. Eddie Lacy was stuffed all 3 times. McCarthy punted.

This was the pattern in the first half as Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had just 2 passes before halftime.

McCarthy chose to run the ball constantly tonight but it did no favors.

RB Eddie Lacy had 24 carries straight but only managed 18 yards. Atlanta shut down the Packers running Game.

But McCarthy chose to keep trying.

"It was bad man. We kept telling him that it wasn't working and he kept ignoring us." Eddie Lacy stated.

The Packers were held to 3 and outs the entire First Half as Tim Masthay had 9 punts.

The Falcons rolled to a 21-0 halftime lead.

"It's ridiculous. Mike (McCarthy) kept choosing to run the ball and even though we tried to tell him that it wasn't working he shrugged us off." Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated.

The Packers faithful inside Lambeau Field tonight booed the Packers every time they kept running the ball and punting.

"Hearing the fans boo and know they too are frustrated with how this year has gone. We completely understand. But Mike refuses that." Packers WR Jordy Nelson stated.

Down 21-0 at the start of the third, Atlanta went back to work running over the horrible Defense of Green Bay.

Falcons RB Steven Jackson had 109 yards and 2 Touchdowns. QB Matt Ryan had 333 yards and 2 Touchdowns.

The Falcons(4-9) took a 28-0 lead until Aaron Rodgers knew he had to do something.

"We all turned to Mike and told him running the ball wasn't working. We said need to make a change. He blew us off saying shut up." Rodgers stated.

"I'm the Head Coach, I call the plays." McCarthy stated.

But the Team and fans disagreed. McCarthy's Schemes were outdated. Every time Rodgers passed, his WRs were covered.

But then AR12 began to take the game over in the huddle. This pissed off McCarthy.

"It got to the point where every time in the huddle I basically said someone try to get open. We were down 28-0 and needed to do something." Rodgers stated.

Rodgers led 2 Touchdown Drives to cut the deficit to 28-14. He had 203 yards and a Touchdown.

Lacy scored from the one yard line.

Cameras caught Rodgers and McCarthy arguing again but the Packers backed up their QB.

The Packers were scoring under Rodgers and left out to dry under McCarthy.

Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith even noticed the Packers problems.

"Makes no sense. You have Aaron Rodgers as your Quarterback and you run 20 straight running plays that only gets you 18 yards. Mike completely left Rodgers out to dry." Smith added.

The Packers(8-5) suffer another rough loss as Mike McCarthy has no interest in changing.


UP NEXT

Packers(8-5) @ Bills(6-7) Next Sunday...

Falcons(4-9) VS Steelers(5-8) Next Sunday...

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

WEEK 14 RECAP PART 1

Week 14 Transactions

NONE

Week 14 Scoreboard

Thursday's Games

Cowboys 17 Bears 24(TNF)

Sunday's Games

Steelers 10 Bengals 48

Rams 27 Redskins 17

Giants 0 Titans 32

Panthers 24 Saints 16

Jets 21 Vikings 13

Ravens 27 Dolphins 22

Colts 31 Browns 17

Buccaneers 38 Lions 22

Texans 24 Jaguars 0

Bills 41 Broncos 14

Chiefs 10 Cardinals 25

Seahawks 31 Eagles 3

49ers 35 Raiders 10

Patriots 41 Chargers 17(SNF)

Monday's Games

Falcons 28 Packers 14(MNF)

BYE WEEKS: NONE

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NFC OFFENSE: Josh McCown(QB)(Buccaneers)- 317 yards, 5 Touchdowns.

NFC DEFENSE: Jesse Williams(DT)(Seahawks)- 4 Sacks.

AFC OFFENSE: Ryan Mallett(QB)(Patriots)- 458 yards, 4 Touchdowns.

AFC DEFENSE: Ed Reed(S)(Jets)- 6 Tackles, 2 Interceptions, 1 TD.


LEAGUE LEADERS

Passer Rating: Russell Wilson(SEA)(112.6)
Touchdowns: Drew Brees(NO)(40)
Yards: Drew Brees(NO)(4,743)
INTs: Peyton Manning(DEN)(32)
Rushing Yards: Jamaal Charles(KC)(2,102)
Rushing TD's: DeMarco Murray(DAL)(16)
Tackles: D'Qwell Jackson(IND)(129)
Sacks: Aldon Smith(SF)(26)
INT's: Lardarius Webb(8)

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~



WEEK 14 RECAP PART 2

NFL Standings - Updated: Dec 9, 2014
NFC EAST	W	L	T
Dallas Cowboys	9	4
New York Giants	7	6
Philadelphia Eagles	6	7
e-Washington Redskins	2	11
NFC NORTH	W	L	T
Chicago Bears	11	2
Green Bay Packers	8	5
e-Detroit Lions	4	9
e-Minnesota Vikings	3	10
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T
Y-Tampa Bay Buccaneers	11	2
New Orleans Saints	7	6
e-Atlanta Falcons	4	9
e-Carolina Panthers	2	11
NFC WEST	W	L	T
Arizona Cardinals	11	2
San Francisco 49ers	10	3
Seattle Seahawks	9	4
St. Louis Rams	6	7
NFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T
5. 49ers(10-3)
6. Seahawks(9-4)
Packers(8-5)
Saints(7-6)
Giants(7-6)
AFC EAST	W	L	T
New England Patriots	10	3
New York Jets	9	3	1
Buffalo Bills	6	7
Miami Dolphins	5	8
AFC NORTH	W	L	T
Cleveland Browns	9	4
Cincinnati Bengals	7	6
Baltimore Ravens	6	7
Pittsburgh Steelers	5	8
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T
Y-Tennessee Titans	9	4
e-Indianapolis Colts	4	9
e-Houston Texans	4	9
e-Jacksonville Jaguars	3	10
AFC WEST	W	L	T
Kansas City Chiefs	10	3
San Diego Chargers	8	5
e-Denver Broncos	2	10	1
e-Oakland Raiders	0	13
AFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T
5. Jets(9-3-1)
6. Chargers(8-5)
Bengals(7-6)
Bills(6-7)
Ravens(6-7)

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

FAST FIVE STORYLINES for Week 15...

Browns/Bengals meet in the "Battle of Ohio" in Cleveland. The Browns won the first matchup.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles looks to set new NFL Single Season Rushing Records. 4 yards away from a new Record.

Dolphins look to sweep Patriots for first time since 2000.

49ers look to sweep Seahawks in Seattle after a Thanksgiving Victory..

Cowboys look to beat Eagles on Sunday Night Football.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE- WEEK 14




NFC Division Leaders


NORTH: Chicago Bears(11-2)



EAST: Dallas Cowboys(9-4)



SOUTH: Y- Tampa Bay Buccaneers(11-2)



WEST:Arizona Cardinals(11-2)


NFC WILDCARD



San Francisco 49ers(10-3)




Seattle Seahawks(9-4)



IN THE HUNT



Philadelphia Eagles(6-7)



Green Bay Packers(8-5)




New York Giants(7-6)



New Orleans Saints(7-6)


ELIMINATED



Carolina Panthers(2-11)



Washington Redskins(2-11)



Minnesota Vikings(3-10)



Atlanta Falcons(4-9)



Detroit Lions(4-9)

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE- WEEK 14




AFC Division Leaders


NORTH: Cleveland Browns(9-4)



EAST: New England Patriots(10-3)



SOUTH: Y-Tennessee Titans(9-4)



WEST: Kansas City Chiefs(10-3)


AFC WILDCARD



San Diego Chargers(8-5)


New York Jets(9-3-1)



IN THE HUNT



Cincinnati Bengals(7-6)


Buffalo Bills(6-7)


Pittsburgh Steelers(5-8)


ELIMINATED



Oakland Raiders(0-13)




Indianapolis Colts(4-9)




Houston Texans(4-9)




Jacksonville Jaguars(3-10)



Denver Broncos(2-10-1)

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

TENNESSEE TITANS: The Cinderella Story....



12/9/14



Written by: Adam Schefter




When the 2014 Season kicked off no one gave the Titans a chance. Many had the Indianapolis Colts winning the AFC South and the Titans fighting for the #1 Pick in the draft.

"Nobody really gave us a chance. They all wrote us off and that's what motivated us." Titans Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt stated.

The Titans dropped their first 3 Games, upset the Rival Colts where Andrew Luck broke his collarbone. Then lost again Week 5 to the Cleveland Browns.

That dropped the Titans to 1-4 on the year.

All hope was gone. Many people wrote them off.

But then a Cinderella Story was born.

The Titans never gave up hope and rallied behind Ken Whisenhunt and Quarterback Jake Locker.

A streak began.

The Titans rattled off 8 wins in a row and clinched their first South Division Championship since 2008.

"We believed in each other and everything Ken preached to us. We're all excited for the path in front of us." Quarterback Jake Locker stated.

At 9-4, the Titans prepare for their first trip to January in six years. How far will this "Fairy Tale" last for #TitanUp?

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

DALLAS COWBOYS: Out to kill the "December Curse"...



12/9/14



Written by: Adam Schefter




If there's anything to be known about the Dallas Cowboys when it comes to December is the "Curse."

The past 3 years, Dallas has finished with identical 8-8 records with each time losing the Division in Week 17.

In Jason Garrett's first year at the helm in 2011, Dallas entered December with a 7-4 Record.

They finished 8-8.

In 2012, they entered December at 5-6 to finish 8-8.

Last year Dallas was 7-5 and Quarterback Tony Romo was also hurt. Dallas started Kyle Orton at Quarterback in Week 17 with the Division up for grabs.

Philadelphia won and Dallas was once again 8-8.

Now after a Week 14 24-17 loss in Chicago at the hands of the Bears, Dallas is in December rocking a 9-4 Record.

Dem Boyz' are still sitting well leading the NFC East and are looking to kill the "December Curse" that has haunted Dallas in Jason Garretts tenure.

A Sunday Night Showdown this week in Philly should be a great stepping stone for the Cowboys to exercise the Demons.

Nevertheless, Jason Garrett has his Football Team motivated for the remaining 3 Games.

Dallas beat Philly on Thanksgiving 41-38.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

NEW YORK JETS: Future looks bright for Rex Ryan and Company....



12/9/14



Written by: Adam Schefter



Gone are the years of the New York Jets making back to back AFC Championship Appearences. Gone is Mark Sanchez. The 2010-2011 Jets are just gone.

2012, the Jets finished 6-10 thanks to a circus performance by the Team. "Butt Fumble" anyone?

Many questions were left unanswered if Rex Ryan was still the man for the job. In 2013 the Jets took Geno Smith in the Second Round.

New York finished 8-8.

As 2014 came, Smith was injured in a Preseason Game when he tore his Achillies and was placed on Injured Reserve.

This left a spot open in the QB room.

Rex Ryan invited former USC QB John David Booty to Jets Camp and Preseason.

It worked wonders. The Jets are 9-3-1 and in a Wildcard Spot thanks to the diamond of QB Booty.

The future looks bright for "Gang Green." 2014 could be the year the Jets return to the playoffs. A place they haven't seen since 2010.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

The Race for the NFC #1 Seed....


12/9/14



Written by: Adam Schefter





As we enter Week 15, one of the Top Stories in the NFL is the 3 way Race for the NFC #1 Seed.

The Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all hold 11-2 identical Records with the Bears sitting in the #1 spot thanks to tiebreakers.

Here's how the 3 Teams sit seed wise:

1. Bears
2. Buccaneers
3. Cardinals

So far Chicago and Tampa have Homefield and a BYE with Arizona playing on Wildcard Weekend.

But with 3 Games left anything can happen as well as Teams like Seattle and San Francisco leapfrogging Arizona.

Heres each 3 Team's remaining schedule.


Chicago:

VS Saints
VS Lions
@ Vikings

Tampa Bay

@ Panthers
VS Packers
VS Saints

Arizona

@ Rams
VS Seahawks
@ 49ers

A lot can still happen as we approach the final games of the year.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

DENVER BRONCOS: What happened in 2014?


12/9/14



Written by: Adam Schefter




In the 2013 AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos were victorious over the New England Patriots and were heading to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1998.

But things took a bad turn before the final piece of confetti hit the field in Denver.

The Broncos whose Offense set NFL Records during the season was blown out by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8.

Things looked great for the Broncos as 2014 approached and Denver looked to take the next step forward.

Instead the Broncos took 10 steps back.

"This season was absolutely not up to our standards and we demand nothing but the best from our Organization." GM John Elway stated.

The Broncos crushed the Indianapolis Colts on Opening Sunday Night 62-24 where Peyton Manning threw 7 Touchdowns and Denver looked to be their old 2013 selves.

But what happened next was nothing short of a disaster.

After that Week 1 blowout win over Indy, Denver entered a 3 game skid where Peyton Manning was a turnover machine.

The Broncos went into their Week 4 BYE with a 1-2 record and were blown out in Seattle in a much anticipated "Super Bowl" Rematch.

A loss in Week 5 to the Arizona Cardinals knocked Peyton out a few games with a shoulder injury.

But the losses kept coming.

Denver went 0-6-1 after their Week 1 win.

The Broncos were in trouble. Even when Manning returned, so did the Turnovers.

"This season was a mirror opposite from last year." Head Coach John Fox stated.

Denver snapped their streak with a Week 10 win over the winless Raiders.

Then Denver proceeded to lose their next 4 straight and were eliminated from the Playoffs after a Week 13 Sunday Night Showdown in Kansas City.

Peyton Manning has been leading the league in Interceptions all year and now have 32 picks heading into Week 15 in San Diego.

Denver has been in a nose dive this year.

Despite the turmoil for the 2014 Broncos, John Elway has stated that John Fox was still his Head Coach and Peyton Manning is still his Quarterback.

"We're upset with how this year has gone for us. Our focus is finishing the year and getting to work for next year. Peyton is still my QB and John is still the Coach." Elway said.