2017 NFL season thread

[Sylvanfan]

I think the Chargers are going to make the playoffs. 25 years ago they started 0-4 and made it. They have a pretty easy schedule left. They really only need a 9-7 record to get in and winning out could happen.

[puffnstuff]

How has the Giants coach not been fired yet?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

How has the Giants coach not been fired yet?

I'm sure he will be fired on black Monday. Really there's no point in firing him now as their season is over and mid-season head coaching change rarely if ever make a difference.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think the Chargers are going to make the playoffs. 25 years ago they started 0-4 and made it. They have a pretty easy schedule left. They really only need a 9-7 record to get in and winning out could happen.

I doubt it. They'd have to leapfrog one of Baltimore or Tennessee who both have pretty easy schedules the rest of the way.

[Machiavelli]

The Cowboys are just awful to watch lately. holy hell

[Sainters7]

Lattimore was seen in a walking boot, ughhh... #2 CB (with Breaux still out) Crawley may be out as well, with an abdominal injury. No word yet on Vaccaro's potential return this week yet, the secondary is super beat up now.

Between all that and the season ending injury to DE Okafor, who was one of the leading reasons for the Saints D resurgence this season, and that miraculous comeback against the Skins last week is starting to resemble a bit of a Pyrrhic victory. Hopefully the D can hold it together, as the sked is very tough down the stretch. Going to be interesting..

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Lattimore was seen in a walking boot, ughhh... #2 CB (with Breaux still out) Crawley may be out as well, with an abdominal injury. No word yet on Vaccaro's potential return this week yet, the secondary is super beat up now.

Between all that and the season ending injury to DE Okafor, who was one of the leading reasons for the Saints D resurgence this season, and that miraculous comeback against the Skins last week is starting to resemble a bit of a Pyrrhic victory. Hopefully the D can hold it together, as the sked is very tough down the stretch. Going to be interesting..

I think you guys still have the horses to win the division but you may lose out on homefield advantage and I don't like your odds as much if you have to travel to Philly or Minnesota.

[Sainters7]

Agreed, thankfully the Saints are finally built to win in cold weather, smashmouth style games should it come up it (and have had good luck against both those teams in the playoffs in recent years ).

Yeah these injuries definitely have me concerned, but I'm just trying to enjoy the ride. Never saw this season coming at all, it's still surreal to me that they're a contender again, let alone most likely getting to watch a Saints playoff game this year finally. Just going to enjoy the ride until it ends (which will depend very much on Lattimore's health. PLEASE don't let it be long-term..)

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The Cowboys are just awful to watch lately. holy hell

Zeke is the key to that team ya know. They run the ball and keep the defence off the field. Dak can keep to safe passes and that's been the formula. Without him they have no plan B.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

Zeke is the key to that team ya know. They run the ball and keep the defence off the field. Dak can keep to safe passes and that's been the formula. Without him they have no plan B.

It's not just Elliot. Tryon Smith being out is huge. So is Sean Lee coming out of their defence. Without Smith they have a huge hole that they can't plug in the passing game. The receiving core isn't good enough to make quick short passes into longer gains. Dak can't run around and make plays because hes got guys on him right away. The run game also suffers too only being able to run to one side of the field.

Dak is a good QB, but he's more Alex Smith than say Aaron Rogers. Ultimately though at this point in the year Dallas record is likely still the same had they had Elliot the last three games. Not good enough to make the playoffs this year.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

It's not just Elliot. Tryon Smith being out is huge. So is Sean Lee coming out of their defence. Without Smith they have a huge hole that they can't plug in the passing game. The receiving core isn't good enough to make quick short passes into longer gains. Dak can't run around and make plays because hes got guys on him right away. The run game also suffers too only being able to run to one side of the field.

Smith was back against the Chargers.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Agreed, thankfully the Saints are finally built to win in cold weather, smashmouth style games should it come up it (and have had good luck against both those teams in the playoffs in recent years ).

Yeah these injuries definitely have me concerned, but I'm just trying to enjoy the ride. Never saw this season coming at all, it's still surreal to me that they're a contender again, let alone most likely getting to watch a Saints playoff game this year finally. Just going to enjoy the ride until it ends (which will depend very much on Lattimore's health. PLEASE don't let it be long-term..)

This weekend is a pretty key game for the Saints. If they win they keep pace with Minnesota for the 2 seed. Which looking ahead could be key. A loss and they move from 2 seed to 4 seed.

But yeah your defence is down a couple key guys and you still have what looks to be 4 pretty tough games left. I'd never count out Drew Brees but attrition is tough to over come.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by devo22

Smith was back against the Chargers.

But he was still pretty beat up. Once a guy gets injured in football it's hard to be the same when you come back. Especially on a short week.

[Erick Estrada]

I think a lot of people think that because the Dallas OL opens up big holes in the running game (by far the best run blocking line in the league) that they are great but they have never been a top pass blocking OL so while I have no doubt the run blocking has been effected I don't believe the pass blocking has been largely affected. I think the issue stems from what's been a very basic passing offense with Elliott in the lineup require more diversity with him out of the lineup and we haven't seen much of that at all. It seems all their big passing plays come out of play action but they have to find a way to get more big plays out of passing formations with Elliot out of the lineup because defenses are not going to bite in play action when they don't respect the running game.

[Flabbibulin]

Garoppolo not starting against Seahawks is kind of idiotic, especially in light of niners saying they will tag him if necessary. Ya, I get wanting to get the first pick, but makes sense to at least play him against the stronger opponents when you are likely going to lose regardless. I cant recall having so much faith in a QB that has played so little. 3 starts with a team that could make anyone at QB look half decent. Will be hilarious if he ends up being a disaster next year.

[devo22]

John Ross also a healthy scratch again lol. Completely fooled by a great 40 time.

[Sylvanfan]

I thonk New England will have their 18 point spread covered by the first quarter.

[Sylvanfan]

Once again this Chiefs offence looks really out of sorts. On a dime it went back to being awful. Every week they get incrementally worse. I guess Smith wants to be a Jaguar next year.

[DropIt]

Bears offense kissing away cornfield position and turnovers

[Drake]

Third-and-1 and Steve Sarkisian dials up a Mohamed Sanu pass from the wildcat. A 50 yard bomb to Julio for a TD! lol