Re: NFL Week 16

[Exile on Waveland]

After much profanity-laced ranting and raving -- and don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed -- the Colts wanted to lose so the Jets made the playoffs. They did the same a few years ago with Denver. Conspiracy theory perhaps, but I think they wanted the Jets in.

 

Doesn't mean I'm not still furious.

 

But the Jets will be out in the first round, so it doesn't really matter. Damn it!!! The Colts always play like crap in the playoffs when they sit for the last game or two at the end of the season. I hate this.

 

The Colts wouldn't expect to play the Jets in this scenario. But the Jets making the playoffs would keep out all but one of the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Texans, and Dolphins. It would also possibly/likely set up a second-round matchup with the Bengals, who would be the next least-intimidating playoff team (in my opinion).

[OleMissCub]

couldn't happen to a better guy

 

http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_14077222?nclick_check=1

 

Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith broke his left arm in Sunday's 41-9 victory over the New York Giants.

 

Coach John Fox said that Smith broke his radius and will have surgery on Monday.

 

And I imagine it is "don't let the door hit ya" time for Delhomme as well. Matt Moore has done pretty well so far.

[dew1679666265]

After much profanity-laced ranting and raving -- and don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed -- the Colts wanted to lose so the Jets made the playoffs. They did the same a few years ago with Denver. Conspiracy theory perhaps, but I think they wanted the Jets in.

 

Doesn't mean I'm not still furious.

 

But the Jets will be out in the first round, so it doesn't really matter. Damn it!!! The Colts always play like crap in the playoffs when they sit for the last game or two at the end of the season. I hate this.

 

The Colts wouldn't expect to play the Jets in this scenario. But the Jets making the playoffs would keep out all but one of the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Texans, and Dolphins. It would also possibly/likely set up a second-round matchup with the Bengals, who would be the next least-intimidating playoff team (in my opinion).

 

That makes sense, but I still don't understand not telling the players you're going to pull them at some point in the game.

[Exile on Waveland]

After much profanity-laced ranting and raving -- and don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed -- the Colts wanted to lose so the Jets made the playoffs. They did the same a few years ago with Denver. Conspiracy theory perhaps, but I think they wanted the Jets in.

 

Doesn't mean I'm not still furious.

 

But the Jets will be out in the first round, so it doesn't really matter. Damn it!!! The Colts always play like crap in the playoffs when they sit for the last game or two at the end of the season. I hate this.

 

The Colts wouldn't expect to play the Jets in this scenario. But the Jets making the playoffs would keep out all but one of the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Texans, and Dolphins. It would also possibly/likely set up a second-round matchup with the Bengals, who would be the next least-intimidating playoff team (in my opinion).

 

That makes sense, but I still don't understand not telling the players you're going to pull them at some point in the game.

 

Trust me, I hate everything about how this was handled, much less conceding the game. I'm just trying to assign some logic to the decision, especially the decision to pull Manning when one more TD drive ostensibly would have ended the game (at least against that offense).

[NCCubFan]

my opponent in fantasy football finals has jonathon stewart. [expletive] you, giants.

I have Stewart in one of my leagues and Williams in the other. Unfortunately, the league I'm playing for the championship in is the one I have Williams in and the league I didn't even make the playoffs is the one I have Stewart in.

[dew1679666265]

couldn't happen to a better guy

 

http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_14077222?nclick_check=1

 

Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith broke his left arm in Sunday's 41-9 victory over the New York Giants.

 

Coach John Fox said that Smith broke his radius and will have surgery on Monday.

 

And I imagine it is "don't let the door hit ya" time for Delhomme as well. Matt Moore has done pretty well so far.

 

Or perhaps not . . .

 

"This move doesn't change anything about his future," said Hurney. "We feel the same about Jake as we did yesterday before we put him on I.R. We've made it clear we have confidence in Jake."

[Guest]

After much profanity-laced ranting and raving -- and don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed -- the Colts wanted to lose so the Jets made the playoffs. They did the same a few years ago with Denver. Conspiracy theory perhaps, but I think they wanted the Jets in.

 

Doesn't mean I'm not still furious.

 

But the Jets will be out in the first round, so it doesn't really matter. Damn it!!! The Colts always play like crap in the playoffs when they sit for the last game or two at the end of the season. I hate this.

 

The Colts wouldn't expect to play the Jets in this scenario. But the Jets making the playoffs would keep out all but one of the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Texans, and Dolphins. It would also possibly/likely set up a second-round matchup with the Bengals, who would be the next least-intimidating playoff team (in my opinion).

 

That makes sense, but I still don't understand not telling the players you're going to pull them at some point in the game.

 

Trust me, I hate everything about how this was handled, much less conceding the game. I'm just trying to assign some logic to the decision, especially the decision to pull Manning when one more TD drive ostensibly would have ended the game (at least against that offense).

 

I really hope now that New England gets the third seed. Even though I'm rooting against the Colts in the playoffs, I refuse to pull for New England so them getting the three seed would mean they would play the Chargers with a first round win.

[Exile on Waveland]

I really hope now that New England gets the third seed. Even though I'm rooting against the Colts in the playoffs, I refuse to pull for New England so them getting the three seed would mean they would play the Chargers with a first round win.

 

I really want New England to get the third seed as well. I've wanted some combination of San Diego and New England as the two- and three-seeds for some time. That way, the Colts would only have to play one or the other, but not both. Obviously, I'm coming at this from a different angle than you are.

[Andy]

You're welcome, Packers and Cowboys fans. Where the [expletive] was this team in September?

 

And of course Smith has to break his arm. I swear something has to happen to him every year.

 

And yeah, it might be time to let Moore see what he can do as the starter.

[Garwilly]

Packer at Cards in two straight weeks?

[Flames24Rulz]

Packer at Cards in two straight weeks?

 

Sure looking like it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

[Garwilly]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

 

 

Thats the wrong mindset, Cowboys are pulling the 2 seed.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

 

 

Thats the wrong mindset, Cowboys are pulling the 2 seed.

 

I would love that to happen, but for it to happen---we need the Vikings to lose out and Green Bay to beat Arizona.

[TruffleShuffle]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

 

 

Thats the wrong mindset, Cowboys are pulling the 2 seed.

 

it's much more likely that the eagles would pull the 2 seed.

[ScrubMD]

After much profanity-laced ranting and raving -- and don't get me wrong, I'm still pissed -- the Colts wanted to lose so the Jets made the playoffs. They did the same a few years ago with Denver. Conspiracy theory perhaps, but I think they wanted the Jets in.

 

Doesn't mean I'm not still furious.

 

But the Jets will be out in the first round, so it doesn't really matter. Damn it!!! The Colts always play like crap in the playoffs when they sit for the last game or two at the end of the season. I hate this.

 

The Colts wouldn't expect to play the Jets in this scenario. But the Jets making the playoffs would keep out all but one of the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos, Texans, and Dolphins. It would also possibly/likely set up a second-round matchup with the Bengals, who would be the next least-intimidating playoff team (in my opinion).

 

That makes sense, but I still don't understand not telling the players you're going to pull them at some point in the game.

 

Trust me, I hate everything about how this was handled, much less conceding the game. I'm just trying to assign some logic to the decision, especially the decision to pull Manning when one more TD drive ostensibly would have ended the game (at least against that offense).

 

I think they just kept Peyton in until he got to 50,000 yards for his career. That's the only thing that makes sense with the timing, and that's completely stupid. After this, if the Colts don't win the superbowl, Caldwell is probably not going to end up being a very popular coach during his stay. The fans and a lot of the players seem pretty pissed.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

 

 

Thats the wrong mindset, Cowboys are pulling the 2 seed.

 

it's much more likely that the eagles would pull the 2 seed.

 

Not after they lose to the Cowboys

[hawkeyecub]

The Cowboys aren't getting the 2 seed. The Vikings won't lose both of these games. I am worried about winning both though so go Cowboys next week. The NFC really is wide open, any of the 6 could make it.

[CubColtPacer]

I am somewhat fine with the Colts resting starters but the way they did it was exceptionally poor. Announce that you're going to rest them before the game if you're going to do it. Or if you're not going to do that, then pull them early. Pulling them when playing a couple of more possessions would have very likely won the game is terrible. It was still a close game and the Jets would have been careful not to throw any cheap shots late in the game. There was little danger and as the game went along the chances for going undefeated grew bigger and bigger.

 

The only way I would have supported pulling them that late in the game is if another offensive lineman had been hurt and they decided to be careful because of that. But the offensive line starters didn't even come out of the game!

 

The Jets have a chance of getting this break twice in a row. They moved the Jets-Bengals game to Sunday night. If everything goes as expected on Sunday, then New England will very likely have clinched the 3 seed over Cincy based on SOV earlier in the day (obviously needs a NE win as well). Cincy still has a mathematical chance to catch them in that but they need almost everything to go their way next week.

 

So if that happens, the Bengals will also have the situation where they can lay down versus the Jets and then play them in the first round.

[Exile on Waveland]

I am somewhat fine with the Colts resting starters but the way they did it was exceptionally poor. Announce that you're going to rest them before the game if you're going to do it. Or if you're not going to do that, then pull them early. Pulling them when playing a couple of more possessions would have very likely won the game is terrible. It was still a close game and the Jets would have been careful not to throw any cheap shots late in the game. There was little danger and as the game went along the chances for going undefeated grew bigger and bigger.

 

The only way I would have supported pulling them that late in the game is if another offensive lineman had been hurt and they decided to be careful because of that. But the offensive line starters didn't even come out of the game!

 

The Jets have a chance of getting this break twice in a row. They moved the Jets-Bengals game to Sunday night. If everything goes as expected on Sunday, then New England will very likely have clinched the 3 seed over Cincy based on SOV earlier in the day (obviously needs a NE win as well). Cincy still has a mathematical chance to catch them in that but they need almost everything to go their way next week.

 

So if that happens, the Bengals will also have the situation where they can lay down versus the Jets and then play them in the first round.

 

That's pretty much where I stand as well. I easily could have stomached pulling people at halftime or even after the third quarter. But pulling Manning backed up against your own endzone, with five minutes left in the third quarter, while leading by five, and likely only needing one touchdown to win (yes, I realize the Jets scored 29, but I really doubt the Colts blow a 22-10 lead to that offense, even with backups) is more difficult to swallow. It felt more like conceding than resting. It's not necessarily the resting that bothers me -- I hate pulling the starters after one series, but after the half makes some sense to me -- it's the blase attitude towards winning the game that bothers me.

 

Further, from reading, it looks like the Bengals-Jets is the most probable Nos. 4-5 first-round matchup. If so, the Colts either play the winner of that crapfest or the sixth seed, which would mean the Patriots were knocked out. Seems like a win-win. So there's (hopefully) that.

[shnsajax]

It also looks like Cowboys-Eagles will play back-to-back. The only question is will both games be in Arlington or one in Arlington and the second in Philly.

 

 

Thats the wrong mindset, Cowboys are pulling the 2 seed.

 

it's much more likely that the eagles would pull the 2 seed.

 

Not after they lose to the Cowboys

 

I really don't like this whole setup. If the Cowboys win yes we get the home game, but we have to beat Philly 3 times in a season. If we lose we have to go to Philly in Jan. I just want to find a way to play Arizona.

[CubColtPacer]

The tiebreakers are simply awesome this year. Denver is the #5 seed as of today but they don't control their own destiny while two other teams behind them do.

 

And then of course look at how Denver can make the playoffs:

 

1) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie

2) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + PIT loss or tie

3) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + HOU win

4) DEN win + BAL loss or tie + PIT loss or tie

5) DEN win + BAL loss or tie + HOU win

6) DEN tie + NYJ loss + BAL loss + PIT loss

7) DEN tie + NYJ loss + BAL loss + HOU loss or tie

8) DEN tie + NYJ loss + PIT loss + HOU loss or tie

9) DEN tie + NYJ loss + PIT tie + HOU tie

10) DEN tie + BAL loss + PIT loss + HOU loss or tie

11) DEN tie + BAL loss + PIT tie + HOU tie

12) PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + JAC loss

13) PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + NYJ loss

14) PIT loss + BAL loss + JAC loss + NYJ loss

15) PIT loss + HOU loss + JAC loss + NYJ loss

16) MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + JAC loss or tie

 

I'm not sure I've ever seen a team with 16 different scenarios to make the playoffs in the last week.

 

This could be made very easy if the Jets and Ravens do win on Sunday. Otherwise this race could be one of the most complicated ones in history.

[dew1679666265]

Two items of interest:

 

Panthers to retain John Fox, his staff and GM Marty Hurney.

 

Carolina Panther general manager Marty Hurney, head coach John Fox and Fox's entire coaching staff will be offered the opportunity to return next season, the Charlotte Observer has learned.

Fox, whose contract will expire after the 2010 season, will not be offered an extension, however.

 

Also, former Buckeye Troy Smith wants to be traded.

 

Cindrich wrote the following message today on his Twitter account: "Ravens QB Troy Smith, Ohio State alum, native + Heisman winner wants playing time. Ravens notified. Will seek trade after play offs, SB run."

 

Elaborating on Smith's outlook, Cindrich wrote: "semantics. U start in 09 in NFL ur starting quality. Troy wins job, gets sick, backup kills it, becomes starter. Old as NFL. .. no team is permitted to discuss other players and none has been contacted.Still, coaches and GM's are having discussions. .. if he is better than a few starters, that's starter quality. How else does he or anyone know? .. there are teams that could use a QB who can dance and duck. .. There are a lot of openings and how else do you find out? I have had and seen a number of QB's where it took opportunities."

[Andy]

I hope the Panthers at least sent out some feelers to Cowher before making that decision.

[Terp]

What would have to happen for the Packers to not play the Cards in the first round?