2018 NFL thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

McVay almost out Andy'd Andy with his clock management in that game, including burning all three timeouts with five minutes left. And obviously Orlando Scandrick dropped the game with that missed INT. But even with Hill not letting the ball bounce at the end, the Chiefs threw three underneath passes short of the sticks in the middle of the field, with only one timeout, before Mahomes threw the desperation final pick. Not sure what the point was, were probably better off taking three shots to Tyreek down the field. Mahomes got greedy the drive before, no need to force anything there with that much time and only needing a FG. Exciting and entertaining game, and if they don't change the rules to help the defense a bit more these types of games will become common. Maybe not quite like this, but high 30's to high 40's will be possible. It certainly feels like the Big 12 with basically Air Raid offenses taking over. That the Chiefs scored 51 with five turnovers is crazy.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Acey

Yeah I dunno how people are calling this one the best games in NFL history. That was trash football. Exciting as hell, though.

It's exciting like a 10-9 hockey game. A nice novelty thing but would get old watching teams just go up and down the field without opposition. Poor defense in the NFL is becoming a big problem and it's partially rules and partially the fact that defensive players aren't very good at fundamentals anymore;

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/10/16/de...acks-new-rules

No doubt, offensive explosions are crowd-pleasers. But for those who love defense, much of the 2018 season has been hard to watch. “So disgusted by defenses in the league I can’t stand it,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who played under Belichick in Cleveland, tweeted during the game. And grumbled one longtime defensive coach, “Some of the worst football I’ve ever seen.” Sentiments that pair perfectly with the look on Belichick’s face.

[Senator Clay Davis]

What constitutes the best game ever? I doubt anyone would nominate a 9-6 game. Perhaps something like 34-31 is the sweet spot, but we almost always judge the best games ever by how exciting and memorable they are. This certainly fit the bill on both fronts. And really how often does something truly live up to the exact bill? We all thought it would be close to the 60's for each team, and it was, although it ended up that way somewhat unexpectedly.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

What constitutes the best game ever? I doubt anyone would nominate a 9-6 game. Perhaps something like 34-31 is the sweet spot, but we almost always judge the best games ever by how exciting and memorable they are. This certainly fit the bill on both fronts. And really how often does something truly live up to the exact bill? We all thought it would be close to the 60's for each team, and it was, although it ended up that way somewhat unexpectedly.

The problem to me is the ease the offenses moved the ball. There really wasn't any suspense that the offenses were going to face adversity as you just knew that each offense was just going to respond to the other and score when they got the ball back. It was just so easy that while you marvel at the big plays there's little suspense that either defense was going to stop these offenses. So many receivers were so wide open it's not like either QB really had to thread the needle on a lot of the big plays. I'm not going to say I didn't enjoy the game but to me that's not good football at all.

[kermitology]

Is the purpose not to be entertained? Plus all the clapping on defence and there were 5 turnovers by Mahomes, and 2 by Goff with three defensive touchdowns including two by a defensive lineman who on his second rumbled into the end zone like a fullback trucking Mahomes.

What more do you want?!

Edit: oh and 8 total sacks.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The problem to me is the ease the offenses moved the ball. There really wasn't any suspense that the offenses were just going to respond to each other by scoring. So many receivers were so wide open it's not like either QB really had to thread the needle on a lot of the big plays. I'm not going to say I didn't enjoy the game but to me that's not good football at all.

Well it's half good football really. It's not like Mahomes and Goff didn't make a ton of great throws tonight, it's just the rules are too slanted to offense now, but that's what the NFL wants because fantasy. Diehards are always gonna watch, casuals need touchdowns for their fantasy team. Don't see it changing, but who knows?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Is the purpose not to be entertained? Plus all the clapping on defence and there were 5 turnovers by Mahomes, and 2 by Goff with three defensive touchdowns including two by a defensive lineman who on his second rumbled into the end zone like a fullback trucking Mahomes.

What more do you want?!

Edit: oh and 8 total sacks.

Absolutely entertaining but a 10-9 hockey game would be entertaining for a night but nobody would call it a classic or masterfully played game because when you score that amount of goals it means defense and goaltending was extraordinarily poor.

[FireGilbert]

From the 16 minutes of highlights I watched it looked like the best game ever.

[Hockey Fan #751]

The big thing for me and why it was entertaining is all the lead changes and teams coming back from big deficits. The defences weren't great but they did make some big plays.

In the fantasy league I was in, Rams D got 23 points. Crazy for a team that gave up 51!

[FireGilbert]

Teams scoring over 50 points in a game now have a record of 217-1.

[devo22]

I know a lot of people love this, but as someone who primarily became a football fan because of the defense, a Madden-style shootout with 100+ points really is not for me. It's a shame the rules are so tilted towards the offense these days.

[troutman]

If i just wanted scoring, I would watch basketball, arena football or lacrosse.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think there only needs to be a couple rule changes to help level the playing field a little bit

- Eliminate illegal contact: It's too redundant to holding and it's just another penalty that can be called. Pass interference and holding should be the only fouls.
- Defensive holding is no longer an automatic first down: This is one of the worst things, especially on a third and 6+ where it hands a first down.
- Pass interference like college, 15 yard penalty: I remember Rodgers once got like a 66 yard penalty off PI. That's a bit much.
- The ability to challenge roughing the passer and helmet to helmet/defenseless receiver penalties: This year more than ever these penalties are keeping drives alive.

Game will still have tons of offense, the Air Raid offenses aren't going away. But it should help avoid games becoming Madden on Easy.

[Lubicon]

Last night Mahomes threw for 478 yards, 5 TD's, and put up 51 Points. And lost.

In 2016 he threw for 734 yards, 6 TD's and put up 59 points. And lost to Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well speaking of "best game ever", Bill Barnwell ranked his and provided the criteria (regular season only). I think the criteria is pretty good.

• The game had to be high-scoring.
• Both teams had to eventually make the playoffs.
• There had to be at least one fourth-quarter lead change.
• The final margin of victory has to be seven points or fewer.
• No ties
• The game can't involve replacement players or take place with backups in Week 17.

10. Chargers 41, Chiefs 38 in Week 12, 2013
9. Packers 38, Giants 35 in Week 13, 2011
8. Patriots 38, Giants 35 in Week 17, 2007
7. Eagles 43, Rams 35 in Week 14, 2017 (cheating, but was a two point game before the final play)
6. Patriots 43, Chiefs 40 in Week 6, 2018
5. Rams 41, Broncos 36 in Week 1, 2000
4. Bucs 38, Rams 35 in Week 16, 2000
3. Raiders 40, Cowboys 38 in Week 8, 1983
2. Bills 47, Oilers 41 (OT) in Week 3, 1989
1. Rams 54, Chiefs 51 in Week 11, 2018

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2...eason-win-ever

[troutman]

I think the craziest NFL game I ever saw was "The Epic In Miami":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_in_Miami

The Epic in Miami was the National Football League AFC divisional playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins that took place on January 2, 1982 in the Miami Orange Bowl. The game, won by the Chargers in overtime, 41–38, is one of the most famous in National Football League lore because of the conditions on the field, the performances of players on both teams, and the numerous records that were set.[1] Many former players, coaches and writers assert it as one of the Greatest Games in NFL History. It was also referred to in the Miami Herald as the "Miracle That Died", while Sports Illustrated dubbed it the "Game No One Should Have Lost". The game aired on NBC with Don Criqui and John Brodie calling the action and Bryant Gumbel serving as the anchor, one of his final assignments for NBC Sports as he began co-hosting Today two days after the game.

But perhaps the best performance of the game was put in by Kellen Winslow. In addition to his blocked field goal, he recorded an NFL playoff record 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown, despite suffering numerous injuries. During the contest, he was treated for a pinched nerve in his shoulder, dehydration, severe cramps, and a gash in his lower lip that required three stitches. A picture of an exhausted Winslow being helped off the field by two teammates after the game is an enduring image in NFL lore and has been replayed constantly ever since.

[GirlySports]

i don't know if it has to be high scoring to be a classic.

For example I really liked the Cardinals-Packers playoff game in 2017. Packers tie it up on a Rodgers hail mary only to lose to a TD in overtime. 26-20

[transplant99]

Michael Grodsky, spokesperson for William Hill, which has 108 sportsbooks in Nevada, told ESPN the game was a "healthy seven-figure loss" for the book, with 69 percent of customers betting the over.

The game had opened and closed at 64, the highest over/under in an NFL game since at least 1986, according to ESPN Stats & Information research

I heard on radio yesterday that some books had 90%+ taking the over.

Blood bath for them.

[GirlySports]

not only taking the over but these British sites have live betting so people can take the over like 5 times as the game is progressing.

over 64, 74, 84, 94, 104

[Sainters7]

Kind of weird some of the blowback I'm hearing about Mahomes this morning with some of the media. Not often you hear a QB criticized after a 5 TD, 400 yard performance..