2009 NFL Regular Season Thread

[DJ_NAV]

GO EAGLES! what an intense high scoring game on sunday night.

[Montana Moe]

Good post OILFAN.

The Colts D is underrated, IMO. When healthy they'll obviously be even tougher.

The Saints defense is not as good, they're battling through some tough injuries right now but they're sticking to my 28 points or less theory for the most part. (Keep the opponent under 28 points = Win!)

They're extremely opportunistic, 2nd in INT's with 24/5 returned for TD, recovered 13 of 14 forced fumbles/3 returned for TD, etc.


To avoid multiple posts, I'll ask this here:

I know I shouldn't listen or care about what national media people say, but there's a sentiment out there that the Saints are the worst 13-0 team ever. Fran Tarkenton (bless his heart) said so today, and I've seen/heard it other places as well.

There have only been seven total, so that's not too shabby, but seriously? OILFAN #81 just showed how many close games the Colts have been in, but I've never seen this statement made about them.

The Saints have had to rally for two 4th quarter comebacks:
@Miami
@Washington

The Colts have had six:
@Miami
SF
Houston
NE
@Baltimore
@Houston

I'm not here to dismiss what the Colts are doing, they're the model of consistency. I just don't see the justification for labeling the Saints as the "worst 13-0 team ever".

The only reasonable hypothesis I can come up with is that people just don't expect them to be good because of their 40+ year history of suckage, and they see this season through that filter.

Any ideas?

[Saint Troy]

Moe, You summed it up, the Saints have no history of winning and until they do, you'll have morons like Tarkenton treating them like the Saints teams he played in the 70's. I say keep the haters coming, teams tend to stay pretty focused when they have a chip on their shoulder.

[troutman]

NO handled NE much easier than IND did.

Did they play any other teams in common?

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by troutman

NO handled NE much easier than IND did.

Did they play any other teams in common?

Miami- Both teams had a tough go there, Miami was up big early on the Saints, but the Saints eventually won by 12. Indy had a record low possession time but still got it done on a game winning drive and won by four.

St. Louis-Indy crushed them, the Saints struggled but won by 5.

I think that's it, but looking at the schedule I was surprised that Indy had played in so many tight games.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

This is something I disagree with. Indy's defense shows up pretty much every week and have given up the 2nd fewest points in the entire NFL. The only game that was not the norm for them was the 35-34 win over the Patriots where Moss made some big catches. But against Tom Brady, that happens from time to time. And they came up and made the stop in that game at the most important time. Manning, Wayne, Clark, etc always get the press but Indy's defense this year has been dynamite. Missing 4 key players virtually the entire season (2007 defensive player of the year Bob Sanders, Marlin Jackson, Hayden and Hagler) resulting in two rookies (Powers and Lacey) having to play full time status, and the defense hasn't missed a beat. Indy has allowed the 2nd least points in the entire NFL with a injury depleted defense and has allowed more then 17 points only 3 times all season. Indy's defense has won them games this year (14-12 vs Jacksonville, 18-14 vs SF, 20-17 vs Houston, 17-15 vs Baltimore). If not for the outstanding play of the defense this year, we have 3 or 4 losses for sure.

In terms of the Saints..........I just wanted to say if I had an MVP vote at this point of the season, Drew Brees would be my vote. I'd rather have Manning as my QB but Brees has done an amazing job with the Saints and his numbers back it up. Hats off to him.

Oh and in the playoffs, never count out New England. Tom Brady can turn the switch on in a second like only a few quarterbacks can (Manning, Brees, etc).

But it helps Indy's defense when they turn into a pass only defense, because the offense has racked up so many points that it forces the opposition to abandon the run.

So while it's impressive that the defense hasn't missed a beat with all those injuries, I think the offense has a hand in that success.

[Bobblehead]

I'm still really not sure what to think about last nights game, but a few thoughts.

That is the defense the 49ers have been trying to get all year. The last few weeks they are starting to get pressure on the QB and they have the LBs & secondary to fly to the ball. No way you can expect too many 7 turnover games, but an already tough D just gave some offensive coordinators a bit more to worry about.

The offense is still not quite there, but the best thing about last night was they seem to have figured out that they can be effective running and passing the ball; it doesn't need to be an either/or scenario. Clean up a few of the drops by Davis and Crabtree (although what a grab on his TD!), add a few play actions, and teach Smith a pump fake and things will only get better.

Overall a great win, but it really makes you wonder about what could have been if they had been able to finish off the Vikings, Colts and Seahawks like they should have earlier in the season.

[burn_baby_burn]

I think the Saints recent struggles have got some people wondering if they can complete in the playoffs. They got lucky to beat the Skins who are not very good (the Chiefs beat them and the Chiefs are probably the worst team in the NFL right now). They just got by a banged up Falcons team. People are going to start to point fingers when the hottest team in the league start to show signs of mediocrity.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

But it helps Indy's defense when they turn into a pass only defense, because the offense has racked up so many points that it forces the opposition to abandon the run.

So while it's impressive that the defense hasn't missed a beat with all those injuries, I think the offense has a hand in that success.

I agree, this has also helped the Saints defense as well, not in the past 2 games, but overall. When you force a team into passing situations you're going to get more opportunities for takeaways.

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I think the Saints recent struggles have got some people wondering if they can complete in the playoffs. They got lucky to beat the Skins who are not very good (the Chiefs beat them and the Chiefs are probably the worst team in the NFL right now). They just got by a banged up Falcons team. People are going to start to point fingers when the hottest team in the league start to show signs of mediocrity.

I don't worry too much about the Falcons game, divisional games are always a different animal.

The Skins game concerned me though. The offense was fine, Washington has one of the best passing defenses in the league, and Brees carved them up to the tune of 419 yards and 2 TD. The Saints D made Campbell look like a Pro-Bowler, that was what was disconcerting about that game, especially when the Saints DC was working for Washington last year.

The list of injuries on the Saints D is long and distinguished, most will be healthy for the playoffs if not sooner so I'm feeling good about their chances in the playoffs.

The Dallas game should be interesting, they've got to prove that they can win in December, and they may need to win out to get to the playoffs. The Saints play better at home, and play great at night on national TV.

The Saints then play Tampa at home and finish at Carolina. Two very winnable games from the outside looking in, but as I said before, divisional games are a different animal.

[Sainters7]

We need to get more pressure on the QB from the DL, but I still maintain that if we have Porter and Greer starting at CB its a much different secondary. QB's didn't start putting up big passing #'s against the Saints until those two went down.

[Sylvanfan]

I will credit the Colts in that their defence has been pretty solid and consistant all year. I think they have yet to give up a Touch Down against after turning the ball over which is pretty impressive.

My point was that no other team in the NFL has a defence that stands above what the Colts have that they're going to walk into Indianapolis and beat the Colts 13-10. The other AFC teams who can play defence and maybe keep the Colts under 20 points don't really have good enough offences to put up enough points against the Colts. I also don't think anyone in the NFL has a defence who if they're forced to can stop the Colts from going down the field on that last drive and getting the points they need to win the game.

So in my opinion, if you want to beat the Colts you better have an offence that is capable of putting up more than 24 points. Thats why I think San Diego and New England are the two teams who are best equipped to beat the Colts. Theres a good chance those two teams meet up before they ever play the Colts.

Whereas in the NFC there are 4 other playoff bound teams besides the Saints who have offences capable of putting up a lot of points, and the Saints in all likelyhood are going to have to beat 2 of them to get to the Superbowl. Hence the Colts have an easier road to the Superbowl than the Saints do in my opinion. So now I'll wait for Colt fans to continue ripping me for disrepecting their team.

In my opinion any team who wants to go all the way this year is going to need to be able to put up points, and will likely be doing so on the strength of their offence. The team who wins the Superbowl is going to have to win a game by putting up more than 28 points at some point in the playoffs.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I will credit the Colts in that their defence has been pretty solid and consistant all year. I think they have yet to give up a Touch Down against after turning the ball over which is pretty impressive.

My point was that no other team in the NFL has a defence that stands above what the Colts have that they're going to walk into Indianapolis and beat the Colts 13-10. The other AFC teams who can play defence and maybe keep the Colts under 20 points don't really have good enough offences to put up enough points against the Colts. I also don't think anyone in the NFL has a defence who if they're forced to can stop the Colts from going down the field on that last drive and getting the points they need to win the game.

So in my opinion, if you want to beat the Colts you better have an offence that is capable of putting up more than 24 points. Thats why I think San Diego and New England are the two teams who are best equipped to beat the Colts. Theres a good chance those two teams meet up before they ever play the Colts.

Whereas in the NFC there are 4 other playoff bound teams besides the Saints who have offences capable of putting up a lot of points, and the Saints in all likelyhood are going to have to beat 2 of them to get to the Superbowl. Hence the Colts have an easier road to the Superbowl than the Saints do in my opinion. So now I'll wait for Colt fans to continue ripping me for disrepecting their team.

In my opinion any team who wants to go all the way this year is going to need to be able to put up points, and will likely be doing so on the strength of their offence. The team who wins the Superbowl is going to have to win a game by putting up more than 28 points at some point in the playoffs.

On the first bolded part, I agree 100%. San Diego and NE are the two teams that Indy would have the toughest time against to advance. Both those teams can put up the offense as they have great QBs and great offensive weapons.

On the second bolded part, I wasn't ripping you. You make great points in all your posts and I just disagreed with one part in your last post. No team in the NFL is a perfect team (including NO and Indy) regardless of their record. Every team has a flaw and can be beaten on any given day.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

But it helps Indy's defense when they turn into a pass only defense, because the offense has racked up so many points that it forces the opposition to abandon the run.

So while it's impressive that the defense hasn't missed a beat with all those injuries, I think the offense has a hand in that success.

Agreed that the offense has helped in that regard. However, I was focusing on the 4 games that I mentioned. Down by 3 pts or less with plenty of time left did not eliminate the running game for the opposition.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

No chance. Tomlin isn't a terrible coach, and won the SB last year. You don't get fired like that. Amazing how their teams goes as Polamalu does. If he's out, they're done.

I wouldnt say he is a great coach. He inherited a great team with a great defence.

He definately isnt done, that isnt the Pitt way but if next season is like this - then I would be worried.

Not that it will happen, but if the colts win the SB this year, is there first year head coach a great coach?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Not that it will happen, but if the colts win the SB this year, is there first year head coach a great coach?

Manning is the coach for all intents and purposes.

[transplant99]

the Chiefs beat them and the Chiefs are probably the worst team in the NFL right now

The St. Louis Rams say hi...and its not even close IMO. KC has a lot of good pieces to work with,......the Rams? Not so much.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Worst 13-0 team is an oxymoron IMO.

What a ridiculous comment to make. The Saints are scary.

[Montana Moe]

I've gotta be honest here, no more platitudes respecting the opponent, etc.

I fataing HATE the Cowboys! There is no divisional opponent that even comes close.

You want to talk about delusions of grandeur, their fan base takes the cake. I hope to gawd that they don't hire Shanahan/Cowher/Holmgren to take over. I doubt they will because Jerry wants a yes man more than a leader.

I hope the 42-17 beatdown in their last matchup in 2006 pales in comparison to what happens to the Cowboys this Saturday night. The Cowboys haven't beaten the Saints since 1994, and this trend will continue on Saturday. Dallas hasn't won a post season game since 1996, and I'd like to keep it that way by killing their chances this weekend.

Here's hoping for the Saints first shutout this season. 45-0 Saints
/end rant

I feel better...

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

I've gotta be honest here, no more platitudes respecting the opponent, etc.

I fataing HATE the Cowboys! There is no divisional opponent that even comes close.

You want to talk about delusions of grandeur, their fan base takes the cake. I hope to gawd that they don't hire Shanahan/Cowher/Holmgren to take over. I doubt they will because Jerry wants a yes man more than a leader.

I hope the 42-17 beatdown in their last matchup in 2006 pales in comparison to what happens to the Cowboys this Saturday night. The Cowboys haven't beaten the Saints since 1994, and this trend will continue on Saturday. Dallas hasn't won a post season game since 1996, and I'd like to keep it that way by killing their chances this weekend.

Here's hoping for the Saints first shutout this season. 45-0 Saints
/end rant

I feel better...

There's some weird scenario in which if the Eagles and Cowboys both win this weekend, the Eagles clinch a playoff spot. That being said **** the Cowboys. I hope New Orleans kills them, and then Philly finishes them off in week 17 to knock them out of the playoff race.

Screw you, Romo, you overrated sack of crap!

[Machiavelli]

Booo....I harbor no ill will to the Eagles. I actually quite like McNabb. In fact, when the Cowboys are eliminated I'll probably "cheer" for them.