NFL (2020-2024)

[webny99]

I wonder how upstate New Yorkers that are paying attention are feeling about this Ravens/Bills divisional round matchup that looks inevitable at this point.

...

I don't think it's inevitable, so I don't have any specific thoughts on the matchup yet, but no one is losing sleep worrying about the Ravens.

I'll take the Ravens to win at Buffalo, if/when that matchup happens. Then I'll take the Chiefs to beat the winner of that game.

OK, *now* we can have a real conversation about this matchup, or at least everyone else can because I know better.

[ZLoth]

Mike McCarthy is out per reports.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43398409/source-mike-mccarthy-not-expected-return-cowboys-coach
https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-head-coach-mike-mccarthy-reportedly-part-ways-after-contract-negotiations-stall-162540850.html
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cowboys-mike-mccarthy-unable-to-reach-agreement-head-coach-leaves-after-five-seasons-in-dallas/

[JayhawkCO]

For whatever reason, Philly is the team that's still remaining in the NFC that I'm least concerned about.

This is fascinating because I couldn't disagree more.

Lions you know very well and despite just losing to them, recent experience tends to favor the losing team in the event of a rematch. Darnold obviously has to play better but if he does, plays can be made against their defense and I can see a path to the Vikings keeping up in a shootout.

Commanders are very high variance and lack playoff experience. You could get in a shootout with them but again I trust the Vikings there.

The Eagles are a ground and pound team with a lot of playmakers and a very good defense. Surprisingly I think they may be the least well-coached of the three, but I still don't see that matchup going well for the Vikings on either side of the ball, especially in a hostile road environment.

For me, because our defense is so blitz heavy, the teams that have quick hit options (Rams) or mobile QBs that can get away from the blitz (Commies) are the teams that worry me more. It's really tough to beat a team three times in a year, and I think we had plenty of opportunities to win the games we played against the Lions.

Philly is more "straight forward". Hence why they're less of a concern to the others for me. Now, watch us play them and get smoked, but every team that's remaining is good, and anything could happen.

[JayhawkCO]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

[SSOWorld]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Boo, Dallas.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Is it so much to ask that a team I like can compete in the playoffs?

[thspfc]

I don't understand why Philly is less intimidating than Washington or LA, but if we accept that as the truth I suppose we can conclude the Eagles would be up by 14 at halftime of this game.

Would've loved Vrabel to any team except the Patriots. Another Belichick disciple. Snooze, eye roll. It was time to move on. The culture will be the same, the staff will look eerily similar, the front office philosophy will be the same. For a team that has been among the worst in the league over the last 5 years.

[DenverBrian]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Deion Sanders as a possible replacement. Can't order enough popcorn for that one.

[thspfc]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Deion Sanders as a possible replacement. Can't order enough popcorn for that one.

I would be there for it. For the entertainment value if nothing else.

There are many, many talking points from this game that will be discussed at length in the media. But one small factor that isn't going to be mentioned is the differences in late-season schedules for the two teams. Vikings played the 10-7 Seahawks on the road in a tight game, the rival 11-6 Packers in a tight game (at the end) with major seeding implications, and the 15-2 Lions in a de facto playoff game. The physical and emotional toll, especially from the DET game, must have been huge. Rams played the 5-12 Jets, 8-9 Cardinals, and rested starters in week 18.

[Big John]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Deion Sanders as a possible replacement. Can't order enough popcorn for that one.

[Henry]

So much for home field disadvantage in L.A., because over in Arizona, the Rams are now leading the Vikings 27-9 in the third quarter.

[JayhawkCO]

I don't understand why Philly is less intimidating than Washington or LA, but if we accept that as the truth I suppose we can conclude the Eagles would be up by 14 at halftime of this game.

Rams will beat the Eagles.

[Max Rockatansky]

I guess the Minnesota QB controversy resolved itself.

[JayhawkCO]

I guess the Minnesota QB controversy resolved itself.

I knew it would.

See this Vikings fan's playoff picks above. (I picked the Rams.)

Go JJ!

[thspfc]

I don't understand why Philly is less intimidating than Washington or LA, but if we accept that as the truth I suppose we can conclude the Eagles would be up by 14 at halftime of this game.

Rams will beat the Eagles.

I disagree.

[Max Rockatansky]

That's going to be tough heading out east into a cold weather game.

[webny99]

Would've loved Vrabel to any team except the Patriots. Another Belichick disciple. Snooze, eye roll. It was time to move on. The culture will be the same, the staff will look eerily similar, the front office philosophy will be the same. For a team that has been among the worst in the league over the last 5 years.

Not saying Vrabel is the best hire but he's a good coach with a proven track record of success with limited talent in Tennessee. You can draw parallels to Belichick culture-wise but he will absolutely be a shift from Jerod Mayo. And we haven't seen a good QB + good coach there together since Brady left. I'm not rooting for it to work by any means, but it's enough of a changeup and still early enough in Maye's career that if he's good, it could work.

[SEWIGuy]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Deion Sanders as a possible replacement. Can't order enough popcorn for that one.

I would be there for it. For the entertainment value if nothing else.

And that's what Jerry cares about more than anything. No coincidence this info was released on a Monday night just prior to kickoff.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Mike McCarthy is out per reports.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43398409/source-mike-mccarthy-not-expected-return-cowboys-coach
https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-head-coach-mike-mccarthy-reportedly-part-ways-after-contract-negotiations-stall-162540850.html
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cowboys-mike-mccarthy-unable-to-reach-agreement-head-coach-leaves-after-five-seasons-in-dallas/

I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were a Cowboys fan. If history is any guide, Jerry Jones is likely to pick someone who he likes and is loyal to him, not to winning.

[webny99]

There are many, many talking points from this game that will be discussed at length in the media. But one small factor that isn't going to be mentioned is the differences in late-season schedules for the two teams. Vikings played the 10-7 Seahawks on the road in a tight game, the rival 11-6 Packers in a tight game (at the end) with major seeding implications, and the 15-2 Lions in a de facto playoff game. The physical and emotional toll, especially from the DET game, must have been huge. Rams played the 5-12 Jets, 8-9 Cardinals, and rested starters in week 18.

Come to think of it, there's a strong possibility the Rams purposefully rested starters to fall to the #4 seed and set up the wild card match with the Vikings.

[SEWIGuy]

They clearly rested starters. I don't think they cared much about who they played.

[mgk920]

The Vikings FINALLY deserved their forking!  MAN, did they stink up that screen!

 

Mike

[1995hoo]

Boo. McCarthy out in Dallas.

Deion Sanders as a possible replacement. Can't order enough popcorn for that one.

That would be one of the most Jerry Jonesian moves of all time—although I suppose it's also Dan Snyderesque.

[ZLoth]

I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were a Cowboys fan. If history is any guide, Jerry Jones is likely to pick someone who he likes and is loyal to him, not to winning.

Being born on October 13, 1942, Jerry Jones is 82 years old. Since Jerry Jones the owner will not fire Jerry Jones the general manager, I'm not holding out hope for a good replacement coach. The same occurred for the 49ers once Jim Harbaugh left after the 2014 season and all the fans blamed the York family.

[ZLoth]

Cowboy's Defense Coordinator Mike Zimmer is contemplating retirement.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-mike-zimmer-contemplating-retirement
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cowboys-defensive-coordinator-mike-zimmer-contemplating-retirement-after-mike-mccarthy-exit-per-report/