The National Football League

pjhawks

HughFreakingDillon said:

at what point does this just become a farm league with so many of the starters out?

this happens with some teams every season. Just this year COVID is taking guys out for a week.  My Eagles have used 10 different offensive line combinations in 11 games (only the 2nd team ever to have to do that) and none because of COVID. Last year the Eagles used some insane number of defensive backs in a season. It's just the way the league is these days.

The Juggler

Merkin Baller said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

at what point does this just become a farm league with so many of the starters out?

It's a fake season.

Yeah this is what I am going with too. 2020 doesn't count. 

MayDay10

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Halifax2TheMax

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

Wobbie

igotid88 said:

Tony Romo is annoying. Haven't really paid attention to his game calling before.

maybe eli could do better?

Wobbie

pjhawks said:

Wobbie said:

lions: rebuilding since 1958.

The Lions have never had a great team in my lifetime. Not once. That’s almost Impossible in the NFL with the revenue sharing.

I feel kinda bad for matthew stafford. he might be OK with a decent team around him.

MayDay10

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

F Me In The Brain

Would be curious to see what the # of injured players looks like vs. other years.  I think there is something there....damn, Niners would be fucking monsters if they fielded a more normal roster.  Still have a shot at the playoffs with the worst injury pile up I can recall seeing.

Merkin Baller

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

F Me In The Brain

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

and on injuries....?

Merkin Baller

F Me In The Brain said:

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

and on injuries....?

That too. 

MayDay10

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

Not really?  Did someone tell the Chiefs or Saints about all these issues?  Its a challenging season.  Always is.  Everyone hates preseason anyways and those games are pointless.  The Bills have had plenty of shit thrown their way this season.  They have had a few unlikely heroes and have overcome to be 8-3, because they are good and well run.  Same reason the Bills were shit for 20 years.  They were crappy and poorly run.  If there was a pandemic in 2008, Im sure I would try to blame the Bills' failures on some micro-issues, perhaps letting Russ Brandon and Dick Jauron off the hook for a few months.

The games have been entertaining and pretty good.  The Superbowl will count equally as much as any other season. 

F Me In The Brain

MayDay10 said:

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

Not really?  Did someone tell the Chiefs or Saints about all these issues?  Its a challenging season.  Always is.  Everyone hates preseason anyways and those games are pointless.  The Bills have had plenty of shit thrown their way this season.  They have had a few unlikely heroes and have overcome to be 8-3, because they are good and well run.  Same reason the Bills were shit for 20 years.  They were crappy and poorly run.  If there was a pandemic in 2008, Im sure I would try to blame the Bills' failures on some micro-issues, perhaps letting Russ Brandon and Dick Jauron off the hook for a few months.

The games have been entertaining and pretty good.  The Superbowl will count equally as much as any other season. 

Someone is going to win or lose (almost) every game.  The fact that the Chiefs and Saints are good again does not change any of the questions.  Perhaps the Bills are in position to win the division for the first time in what seems like forever is because Brady left.  But, could arguably the best coach in NFL history not having an opportunity to prepare his team & having 3 key starters opt out have an impact on a team he might have built to challenge for that division title?

Heck, they did lose games by 5, 6, and 7 points....could BB's coaching and those three players have impacted those games?

They even lost to your Bills by 3 points.  Could that have been impacted?

I think this is a funked up season, no two ways around it.

Just like in MLB, I would celebrate a title as much as any other season....but it is for sure messed up.

pjhawks

F Me In The Brain said:

MayDay10 said:

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

Not really?  Did someone tell the Chiefs or Saints about all these issues?  Its a challenging season.  Always is.  Everyone hates preseason anyways and those games are pointless.  The Bills have had plenty of shit thrown their way this season.  They have had a few unlikely heroes and have overcome to be 8-3, because they are good and well run.  Same reason the Bills were shit for 20 years.  They were crappy and poorly run.  If there was a pandemic in 2008, Im sure I would try to blame the Bills' failures on some micro-issues, perhaps letting Russ Brandon and Dick Jauron off the hook for a few months.

The games have been entertaining and pretty good.  The Superbowl will count equally as much as any other season. 

Someone is going to win or lose (almost) every game.  The fact that the Chiefs and Saints are good again does not change any of the questions.  Perhaps the Bills are in position to win the division for the first time in what seems like forever is because Brady left.  But, could arguably the best coach in NFL history not having an opportunity to prepare his team & having 3 key starters opt out have an impact on a team he might have built to challenge for that division title?

Heck, they did lose games by 5, 6, and 7 points....could BB's coaching and those three players have impacted those games?

They even lost to your Bills by 3 points.  Could that have been impacted?

I think this is a funked up season, no two ways around it.

Just like in MLB, I would celebrate a title as much as any other season....but it is for sure messed up.

so the pandemic has made it harder for Patriots to cheat?  

Merkin Baller

MayDay10 said:

Merkin Baller said:

MayDay10 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

MayDay10 said:

Haha.  It counts fine unless your team stinks and there are sour grapes 

Or you’re holding out hope for a dynasty of greatness versus one of mediocrity.

I do not understand...

This season has been fine though IMO (so far) and has gone far better than I expected from a logistical standpoint.

The league standings arent flukey at all.  We have had some silly things like the Broncos' QB situation and shuffling of a few games.  Overall though, the good teams are at the top and will qualify for the playoffs. The bad teams are bad for the most part.  Not much has happened that is unexpected.  Maybe the Steelers at 11-0, but their schedule has been a cake walk.  

You don't think player opt outs, a drastically limited training camp, 0 pre-season games and in some cases teams having to take the field with minimal in person practices have had a negative impact on the level of competition? 

Not really?  Did someone tell the Chiefs or Saints about all these issues?  Its a challenging season.  Always is.  Everyone hates preseason anyways and those games are pointless.  The Bills have had plenty of shit thrown their way this season.  They have had a few unlikely heroes and have overcome to be 8-3, because they are good and well run.  Same reason the Bills were shit for 20 years.  They were crappy and poorly run.  If there was a pandemic in 2008, Im sure I would try to blame the Bills' failures on some micro-issues, perhaps letting Russ Brandon and Dick Jauron off the hook for a few months.

The games have been entertaining and pretty good.  The Superbowl will count equally as much as any other season. 

I feel like if Buffalo has an outbreak in January forcing them to field a bunch of walk ons for the divisional round game & they lose, your tune might change. 

MayDay10

Its an odd season...  

But the Patriots are the Patriots and they are what their record is.  Brady left and Belichick/Kraft had zero succession plan.  Zero receivers (other than old and roid-ravaged Edelman) and have drafted like dog shit for almost a decade.  It has caught up to them.  
In the past, the Patriots have been famous for weathering key injuries through the season, finding contributors from everywhere to remain on top.  Now they lose a few players and it is a convenient excuse? 
The Bills were knocking on the door to overtake the Patriots and would have likely surpassed them this year, even with Brady (although their previous game reeks of one Brady would have ripped their hearts out at the end as opposed to Newton fumbling).

It is challenging for everyone.  The Bills had a key space-eating cog of their defense opt out as well as their 2nd CB and it has hurt bad.  Arguably their 2nd best defensive player has been out most of the season with injury too.  They lost their secondary position group due to covid before 1 game, and the Tight end group before another.  They had to have their schedule shifted for a few weeks around because the Titans' issues (and were in limbo for a week).  They are a good team though, and have overcome a lot and have seen things like the emergence of a trash-heap acquisition of AJ Klein become a dynamo in the last month (and the AFC Defensive Player of the Week).   

Merkin Baller

MayDay10 said:

Its an odd season...  

But the Patriots are the Patriots and they are what their record is.  Brady left and Belichick/Kraft had zero succession plan.  Zero receivers (other than old and roid-ravaged Edelman) and have drafted like dog shit for almost a decade.  It has caught up to them.  
In the past, the Patriots have been famous for weathering key injuries through the season, finding contributors from everywhere to remain on top.  Now they lose a few players and it is a convenient excuse? 
The Bills were knocking on the door to overtake the Patriots and would have likely surpassed them this year, even with Brady (although their previous game reeks of one Brady would have ripped their hearts out at the end as opposed to Newton fumbling).

It is challenging for everyone.  The Bills had a key space-eating cog of their defense opt out as well as their 2nd CB and it has hurt bad.  Arguably their 2nd best defensive player has been out most of the season with injury too.  They lost their secondary position group due to covid before 1 game, and the Tight end group before another.  They had to have their schedule shifted for a few weeks around because the Titans' issues (and were in limbo for a week).  They are a good team though, and have overcome a lot and have seen things like the emergence of a trash-heap acquisition of AJ Klein become a dynamo in the last month (and the AFC Defensive Player of the Week).   

Yup, the BIlls are an awesome team, and would have been awesome even if the pandemic never happened. No one's disputing that. Nor am I crying about NE having taken a step back after Brady left. This is normal and completely expected, and after 20 amazing years, I'm ok with what's going on with the Pats. 

With that being said, I'll repeat my last statement: 

I feel like if Buffalo has an outbreak in January forcing them to field a bunch of walk ons for the divisional round game & they lose, your tune might change. 

MayDay10

I don't think my tune will change.  I don't think I will claim 'fake season' and try on social media to diminish the accomplishment of KC, New Orleans, Tennessee, or whoever will likely win the Superbowl.  (i dont believe the Bills can take KC or probably Tennessee anyways)
Tough break? yeah. But no different than a tough call, costly injury, or weather.  Ultimately, the result of the games will forever be what the boxscore shows.

Now if the entire league has an outbreak and the Giants win the NFCE with a 6-10 record and go on to win the Superbowl.... then I will hear the case. haha.

Ledbetterman10

MayDay10 said:

I don't think my tune will change.  I don't think I will claim 'fake season' and try on social media to diminish the accomplishment of KC, New Orleans, Tennessee, or whoever will likely win the Superbowl.  (i dont believe the Bills can take KC or probably Tennessee anyways)
Tough break? yeah. But no different than a tough call, costly injury, or weather.  Ultimately, the result of the games will forever be what the boxscore shows.

Now if the entire league has an outbreak and the Giants win the NFCE with a 6-10 record and go on to win the Superbowl.... then I will hear the case. haha.

My team is the Dolphins and if they somehow won the Super Bowl because, for example, Mahomes and a bunch of Chiefs had to miss a playoff game because of Covid, I'd take it. I'll take a tainted Super Bowl over a by-the-book 8-8 season. I've endured too many of those already.

But other than something extreme like that (a Super Bowl-favorite being upset in the playoffs because they had a big Covid outbreak), I'm not calling it a "fake season" either. It sure doesn't look fake to the players that are out there. Look at Tom Brady. He's out there screaming at lineman and letting that miscreant Antonio Brown live with him. He wants to win. If by some chance the Bucs were to win the Super Bowl, ya think he's going to think "this doesn't count like my other six do"? No way. 

Merkin Baller

MayDay10 said:

I don't think my tune will change.  I don't think I will claim 'fake season' and try on social media to diminish the accomplishment of KC, New Orleans, Tennessee, or whoever will likely win the Superbowl.  (i dont believe the Bills can take KC or probably Tennessee anyways)
Tough break? yeah. But no different than a tough call, costly injury, or weather.  Ultimately, the result of the games will forever be what the boxscore shows.

Now if the entire league has an outbreak and the Giants win the NFCE with a 6-10 record and go on to win the Superbowl.... then I will hear the case. haha.

So what you're saying is that you're not the type to make excuses, or diminish the accomplishments of other teams?

You wouldn't for example, go out of your way to point out someone on a rival team having taken steroids in the past, despite 100% of NFL teams having had players suspended for steroids in the past, does that sound about right?