NFL (2020-2024)

[Roadgeekteen]

What a snooze-fest the TNF game was. One week after the Rams put up 44 points, and the 49ers put up 38 points, the Rams won 12-6 in a game that only featured field goals. Although I watched the entire game, I could have skipped it.

Just being low-scoring is a snoozefest?

I know football doesn't have such a position, but pitchers and goaltenders are credited with keeping the opposing team at 0 with its own statistic.

Most fans especially more casual ones prefer high scoring games to low scoring slugfests. I find the appeal to low scoring games though I still prefer higher scoring ones.

[thspfc]

There's a reason why the most iconic games are typically high-scoring. It's more entertaining in general. However, I don't understand why fans just thirst over points on the scoreboard even when the game really isn't that exciting. The historic Commanders/Bengals game earlier this season is a perfect example. There was a LOT of offense in that game, to the tune of 71 points, zero punts, and zero turnovers. But it never felt intense, because Washington was one step ahead pretty much the whole way, never relenquishing their lead after the second quarter. Same thing with the Seahawks/Lions shootout in week 4, and kinda the Bills/Rams game last week, though that one I would consider an iconic game because of the absolutely superhuman efforts of Allen and Nacua.

On the flip side, low scoring games are often the most intense battles (as in, low scoring games with high stakes between two good teams, not last week's Jags/Titans depression bowl). When points are at a premium it feels like every play is worth so much more.

[webny99]

On the flip side, low scoring games are often the most intense battles (as in, low scoring games with high stakes between two good teams, not last week's Jags/Titans depression bowl). When points are at a premium it feels like every play is worth so much more.

I agree, but there's still a distinction between low-scoring and "field goals only" like last night's game that was an MLB-esque 9-6 late in the fourth quarter. A game that's, say, 20-17 late in the fourth is much closer the right blend, especially when both defenses are playing well but the offenses are still good enough to at least score a touchdown or two.

[Roadgeekteen]

On the flip side, low scoring games are often the most intense battles (as in, low scoring games with high stakes between two good teams, not last week's Jags/Titans depression bowl). When points are at a premium it feels like every play is worth so much more.

I agree, but there's still a distinction between low-scoring and "field goals only" like last night's game that was an MLB-esque 9-6 late in the fourth quarter. A game that's, say, 20-17 late in the fourth is much closer the right blend, especially when both defenses are playing well but the offenses are still good enough to at least score a touchdown or two.

If there are turnovers and sacks defensive battles can be interesting. A bunch of punts is boring.

[epzik8]

Can the Steelers and Vikings clinch playoff spots today?

[jgb191]

I told one of my co-workers that Los Angeles beat San Francisco by the score of 12-6.

His response:  "I thought baseball season was over."

[ZLoth]

Can the Steelers and Vikings clinch playoff spots today?

Per NFL Playoff Scenarios:

MIN clinches a playoff berth with: 1) MIN win/tie OR 2) SEA loss/tie
PIT clinches a playoff berth with: 1) PIT win/tie OR 2) IND loss/tie + MIA loss/tie

[Great Lakes Roads]

AFC
East- Buffalo Bills (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)
North- Pittsburgh Steelers (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)
South- Houston Texans (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)
West- Kansas City Chiefs (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)

NFC
East- Philadelphia Eagles (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)
North- Detroit Lions (CLINCHED PLAYOFF SPOT)
South- Tampa Buccaneers
West- Los Angeles Ram

AFC Wildcards- Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos
NFC Wildcards- Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders

Week 15 update... With the Dolphins AND Colts loss today, both of the Steelers and Texans have clinched a playoff spot in the AFC division!

Forked from my perspective...

AFC: NYJ, NE, MIA, CLE, CIN, TEN, JAC, LV, IND
NFC: NYG, DAL, CAR, NO, CHI, SEA, SF, ATL, ARI

[1995hoo]

My rather loud-mouthed brother lives in New Orleans. He's strikingly silent this afternoon.

[ZLoth]

My question is if they are going to announce the flex out of next week's SNF game between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys tonight.

[1995hoo]

My rather loud-mouthed brother lives in New Orleans. He's strikingly silent this afternoon.

Just heard from him. He's mad that the officials gave the Skins a "practice kick" (his words) at the end of the third quarter by not blowing the play dead when the clock hit 0:00. He thinks that made the difference in the game. No way to know.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Just being low-scoring is a snoozefest?

It can only really be judged by watching the game in question. Sometimes the defenses are legitimately good, sometimes the offenses just stink.

[Roadgeekteen]

Jonathan Taylor just did the stupidest thing possible in sports.

[oscar]

I told one of my co-workers that Los Angeles beat San Francisco by the score of 12-6.

His response:  "I thought baseball season was over."

But 12-6 in a baseball game could be considered a "football score".

[Big John]

Jonathan Taylor just did the stupidest thing possible in sports.

Colts as in the botched fake punt?

[thspfc]

It's a zero sum league and with all the monumental trainwrecks out there this season, the flip side is that there's also a lot of really good teams. The quartet of the Chiefs, Eagles, Lions, and Bills is the best group of four teams in the same season that I can ever remember. Not to mention there's at least half a dozen pretty damn good other teams. Can't wait for these playoffs.

[Big John]

GB @ SEA in the garish uniform game.

[jgb191]

Why would Dan Campbell hand the Bills a TD (and thus the game) on a silver platter with an ill-advised, premature onside-kickoff?  He knew it was a terrible idea but still decided to gift-wrap an early Christmas present to Buffalo.  I get that the Lions can't depend on their defense, but setting up the Bills for an easy TD with that offense?  This may end up costing them the top seed, first-round bye, and perhaps reduce their chance at a Super Bowl.  Who says one play can't change the course of NFL history?

[ZLoth]

Can the Steelers and Vikings clinch playoff spots today?

Per NFL Playoff Scenarios:

MIN clinches a playoff berth with: 1) MIN win/tie OR 2) SEA loss/tie
PIT clinches a playoff berth with: 1) PIT win/tie OR 2) IND loss/tie + MIA loss/tie

Update 14 (SNF): Updated for GB/SEA - GB safe in division race, SF safe in division race, GB stays alive for 1 seed, MIN clinches playoff berth

https://twitter.com/NFL_Scorigami/status/1868459583422832992

[SEWIGuy]

My question is if they are going to announce the flex out of next week's SNF game between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys tonight.

They generally announce them a couple weeks ahead of time. They can't flex the Saturday games because all four teams also play on Christmans. And the only one that you could conceivably flex from Sunday that's better is Philadelphia and Washington. My guess is that NBC just wants the Cowboys regardless.

The one in week 17 between the Browns and Dolphins looks like a read dud. You could flex the Packers and Vikings into Sunday night there.

[ZLoth]

My question is if they are going to announce the flex out of next week's SNF game between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys tonight.

They generally announce them a couple weeks ahead of time. They can't flex the Saturday games because all four teams also play on Christmans. And the only one that you could conceivably flex from Sunday that's better is Philadelphia and Washington. My guess is that NBC just wants the Cowboys regardless.

Per this NFL page, "For Sunday Night Football in Weeks 14-17, the flexible scheduling decision will generally be made no later than 6 days prior to the game."

[SEWIGuy]

My question is if they are going to announce the flex out of next week's SNF game between the Buccaneers and the Cowboys tonight.

They generally announce them a couple weeks ahead of time. They can't flex the Saturday games because all four teams also play on Christmans. And the only one that you could conceivably flex from Sunday that's better is Philadelphia and Washington. My guess is that NBC just wants the Cowboys regardless.

Per this NFL page, "For Sunday Night Football in Weeks 14-17, the flexible scheduling decision will generally be made no later than 6 days prior to the game."

Right. No later than. But they usually like to announce it earlier if possible.  My guess is that that Miami game will be flexed out but I guess we would need to see who else would be available.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Bucs/Cowboys will be staying, which doesn't surprise me. The Cowboys will draw viewers no matter what, and the Bucs are in position for the NFC South title.

[wanderer2575]

Why would Dan Campbell hand the Bills a TD (and thus the game) on a silver platter with an ill-advised, premature onside-kickoff?  He knew it was a terrible idea but still decided to gift-wrap an early Christmas present to Buffalo.  I get that the Lions can't depend on their defense, but setting up the Bills for an easy TD with that offense?  This may end up costing them the top seed, first-round bye, and perhaps reduce their chance at a Super Bowl.  Who says one play can't change the course of NFL history?

They're now a team that has a good chance of pulling off plays like that.  I'm not saying to always walk the tightrope without a safety net, but I'd rather see the aggressiveness and confidence than the team of yore that would punt on fourth-and-one while 30 points behind. 

[JayhawkCO]

With the Lions losing, it potentially sets up a really juicy Week 18 game between MIN and DET where the winner could not only win the NFC North but also get home field and a bye.