NFL (2020-2024)

[webny99]

I'm so tired of stupid shit happening every year when the Vikings play in Chicago. Even when they win (which is now 5 straight seasons, shockingly, after winning there only three times from 2001 to 2020), bizarre and inexplicable crap happens.

Well, look at it this way: at least you're winning games. The Bears are enduring the same bizarre and inexplicable games and perpetually losing.

[Max Rockatansky]

I miss something?  It looked as though to me that Minnesota just ended up pulling out a win they needed. 

[JayhawkCO]

I miss something?  It looked as though to me that Minnesota just ended up pulling out a win they needed. 

Might be referring to the onside kick that was recovered by CHI, since that doesn't happen much anymore.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I miss something?  It looked as though to me that Minnesota just ended up pulling out a win they needed. 

Might be referring to the onside kick that was recovered by CHI, since that doesn't happen much anymore.

After the Vikings kicked a field goal to go up 27-16 with 1:56 left:
-Vikings kick deep rather than playing for a touchback, and allow a 60-yard kickoff return that was very nearly taken back the distance for a TD.
-Bears make a number of chicken salad out of chicken scratch plays, Odunze surviving a huge hit for a 4th down conversion catch (that can be argued Chicago should have kicked a field goal rather than risk getting nothing), Williams repeatedly escaping sacks to make plays including the TD to get it to 27-24
-The onside kick
-The Bears basically having one play to get into FG range with no timeouts, and doing so almost unopposed

[Max Rockatansky]

I mean, they still won the game.  Better to pull a win out than end up with a loss.  I doubt many people had the Vikings with 9 wins for the season.  I doubt many has it happening this early into the year, especially in a really good division.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I mean, they still won the game.  Better to pull a win out than end up with a loss.

I mean, absolutely. I just didn't need the unexpected heart attack.

[hobsini2]

With Thanksgiving a few days away, it's time to look at the playoff picture.
Regardless of the outcome of tonight's game, both Baltimore and Los Angeles are still in solid positions for making the playoffs so I will post this tonight.
Somehow, the Giants are still alive. Not sure about that scenario.

Here are the current positions with remaining strength of schedule pct of teams with at least 4 wins.
AFC:
1. KC 10-1 .507
2. Buff 9-2 .426
3. Pitt 8-3 .561
4. Hou 7-5 .491
5. LAC 7-3 .506
6. Balt 7-4 .545
7. Den 7-5 .527
8. Mia 5-6 .433
9. Ind 5-7 .298
10. Cin 4-7 .493

Forks for Cle, NYJ, Tenn, NE, Jax, LV

NFC:
1. Det 10-1 .591
2. Phil 9-2 .463
3. Sea 6-5 .530
4. Atl 6-5 .455
5. Minn 9-2 .606
6. GB 8-3 .576
7. Wash 7-5 .473
8. Ariz 6-5 .463
9. TB 5-6 .354
10. LAR 5-6 .500
11. SF 5-6 .591
12. NO 4-7 .433

Forks for Chi, Dal, Car, NYG

[jgb191]

Apparently the Texans offense haven't heeded the warning signs:  Last year's surprise party came to an abrupt and bitter end (every opponent -- except the Ravens -- took the Texans way too lightly and learned their lesson).  Newsflash: this year every opponent has tape on you CJ and now their defenses are now well-prepared for you and are consequently charging hard at you this year.  The Texans simply CANNOT sneak up anyone anymore like they enjoy doing last season; Baltimore was different last season:  I blame the coaching brilliance of John Harbaugh....I think it's his fault that the Texans were knocked out of the playoffs.

The Texans travel to Jacksonville next week.  Despite their record and their last game at Detroit, I still see the Jaguars as an extremely dangerous team not to be taken lightly....it's gut-check time for the Texans.

[JayhawkCO]

You'll note I didn't do my standard "You'll win by double-digits with 5+ sacks" against the Titans. I had a hunch.

[epzik8]

Wonder if Drew Lock could be poised for a redemption game tomorrow???

[Great Lakes Roads]

If the Dolphins lose to the Packers tomorrow night and the Bills win the game against the 49ers on Sunday, the Bills will clinch the AFC East division!

[JayhawkCO]

Wonder if Drew Lock could be poised for a redemption game tomorrow???

I'm friends with his dad, so I hope so.

[SEWIGuy]

Apparently the Texans offense haven't heeded the warning signs:  Last year's surprise party came to an abrupt and bitter end (every opponent -- except the Ravens -- took the Texans way too lightly and learned their lesson).  Newsflash: this year every opponent has tape on you CJ and now their defenses are now well-prepared for you and are consequently charging hard at you this year.  The Texans simply CANNOT sneak up anyone anymore like they enjoy doing last season; Baltimore was different last season:  I blame the coaching brilliance of John Harbaugh....I think it's his fault that the Texans were knocked out of the playoffs.

The Texans travel to Jacksonville next week.  Despite their record and their last game at Detroit, I still see the Jaguars as an extremely dangerous team not to be taken lightly....it's gut-check time for the Texans.

Their record through 12 games last year: 7-5
Their record through 12 games this year: 7-5

This year is a tougher schedule as well

[Henry]

Tomorrow, I'll be listening to the Bears' game in Detroit on SiriusXM's NFL channel, as I'm expected to arrive in San Diego by midday. As the West Coast is three hours behind the Motor City, I'll be arriving in time for my wife's family dinner.

[jgb191]

You'll note I didn't do my standard "You'll win by double-digits with 5+ sacks" against the Titans. I had a hunch.

You were half-way right though; the Texans defense did their part as usual....they sacked Will Levis eight times.

---------------------

Apparently the Texans offense haven't heeded the warning signs:  Last year's surprise party came to an abrupt and bitter end (every opponent -- except the Ravens -- took the Texans way too lightly and learned their lesson).  Newsflash: this year every opponent has tape on you CJ and now their defenses are now well-prepared for you and are consequently charging hard at you this year.  The Texans simply CANNOT sneak up anyone anymore like they enjoy doing last season; Baltimore was different last season:  I blame the coaching brilliance of John Harbaugh....I think it's his fault that the Texans were knocked out of the playoffs.

The Texans travel to Jacksonville next week.  Despite their record and their last game at Detroit, I still see the Jaguars as an extremely dangerous team not to be taken lightly....it's gut-check time for the Texans.

Their record through 12 games last year: 7-5
Their record through 12 games this year: 7-5

This year is a tougher schedule as well

You pointed out another reason for concern -- the first-place schedule.  And I don't like using injuries as a point of explanation, but I can't help but wonder how different our record could have been if Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, and Will Anderson Jr. played every game this year.

I predicted an 11-6 record initially -- one-up from last year's 10-7.  But now we'd have to finish 4-1 the rest of the  way.

[epzik8]

Wonder if Drew Lock could be poised for a redemption game tomorrow???

I'm friends with his dad, so I hope so.

Pretty awesome flex.

[JayhawkCO]

Wonder if Drew Lock could be poised for a redemption game tomorrow???

I'm friends with his dad, so I hope so.

Pretty awesome flex.

Not really a flex. He was a regional manager at a restaurant I used to work at. Now he owns a local chain in KC. He's a solid guy and we remain friendly.

[Max Rockatansky]

The Lions coaching staff needs to work on making half time adjustments.  The Bears were lingering around at half time due to keeping the Lions out of the end zone.  This seems to be a pattern with the Lions.  They get a big lead by half time and don't change anything while the other team responds.

But holy shit, that was some horrible clock management by the Bears at the end of the game.  I don't get why they didn't just use their last time out. 

[epzik8]

I expect Matt Eberflus to be sent packing by the Bears tomorrow morning

[Big John]

But holy shit, that was some horrible clock management by the Bears at the end of the game.  I don't get why they didn't just use their last time out. 

No reason to take 30 seconds to set up the next play in hurry-up.

[Max Rockatansky]

They got the right quarterback, Williams could have folded but didn't.  Dumping that crap coaching staff would be a good way not to ruin his potential. 

[NWI_Irish96]

They got the right quarterback, Williams could have folded but didn't.  Dumping that crap coaching staff would be a good way not to ruin his potential.

Getting a GM who understands the importance of offensive and defensive lines should be priority #1.

[Henry]

What a way to ruin my Thanksgiving! The Bears are going to regret not taking their last timeout and letting their kicker try for a tying FG while they were within range. Caleb Williams is definitely a great QB, but he can't carry the team by himself.

[SEWIGuy]

I expect Matt Eberflus to be sent packing by the Bears tomorrow morning

The Bears take a wierd pride in not doing that, so I doubt it.

But he will be fired. And if so it will be the THIRD straight time the Bears have kept a mediocre coach, drafted a "quarterback of the future," only to fire him after the quarterback's rookie year - forcing him to learn a new offense in year two.

And you wonder why they can never get the quarterback position right?

Compare to the Packers who had their last three quarterbacks develop under the same coach for multiple seasons - Favre under Holmgren, Rodgers under McCarthy, and Love under LaFleur.  Oh and none of those quarterbacks were drafted as high as the three by the Bears.

[NWI_Irish96]

I expect Matt Eberflus to be sent packing by the Bears tomorrow morning

The Bears take a wierd pride in not doing that, so I doubt it.

But he will be fired. And if so it will be the THIRD straight time the Bears have kept a mediocre coach, drafted a "quarterback of the future," only to fire him after the quarterback's rookie year - forcing him to learn a new offense in year two.

And you wonder why they can never get the quarterback position right?

Compare to the Packers who had their last three quarterbacks develop under the same coach for multiple seasons - Favre under Holmgren, Rodgers under McCarthy, and Love under LaFleur.  Oh and none of those quarterbacks were drafted as high as the three by the Bears.

They've already fired the OC, so they're getting a new offense coach or not.

I know exactly why they haven't gotten the QB position right. It's because they've never given their QBs an offensive line that's good enough to allow the QB to develop. This year's OL is mediocre, as opposed to awful, so the QB is actually able to produce some, but he's still getting sacked way too much.

If the GM doesn't prioritize upgrading the OL (and DL for that matter), it doesn't matter who his coach or QB are.