2017 NFL thread v. Patriots Dynasty

[RoeDent]

When was the last time we had THREE shutouts in a single week?

And the Jaguars continue their trend of trouncing their odd-week opponents. Their point differential is joint-top (w/Chiefs) in the entire NFL. Extremely impressive defense too.

[mikeyd23]

Good divisional win by the Steelers yesterday. Their defense has all of a sudden become fantastic.

[Dream Team]

Bryant wants out. Can't get open, has hands of stone, and is probably only a few weeks away from his next drug infraction. Whoever wants him can have him.

[mikeyd23]

Bryant wants out. Can't get open, has hands of stone, and is probably only a few weeks away from his next drug infraction. Whoever wants him can have him.

Yeah he didn't show up to a mandatory meeting today.

[PowerSlave]

I heard that he was saying a few things after the game yesterday. It's a shame, but this team can't afford him to continue to be a distraction. It very well might be time to cut ties.

[mikeyd23]

^ He was, and he apparently threw JuJu under the bus on Twitter or Instagram or something yesterday as well. And then didn't show up to a mandatory meeting...

At this point, I think the cons are outweighing the pros.

[KevShmev]

Good divisional win by the Steelers yesterday. Their defense has all of a sudden become fantastic.

The pass defense, yes. The run defense is still an issue.

At this point, I think it's a given that Pitt, NE and KC will be the top 3 seeds.  It's just a matter of what the order will be.  Pittsburgh has the advantage of playing in the weakest division of the three.

Also, I can't believe the Saints went from 0-2 and looking like the Payton/Brees era was in need of the Ol' Yeller treatment to leading the division in just a month. I don't expect them to hold the lead for long without a few bumps along the way but a wildcard at the very least would be very nice.

I hope they keep it up. I'd love to see Brees have a shot at another postseason run, before Father Time overtakes him.

[PowerSlave]

I think we need to start a petition to have Ed Hoculi tested for steroids.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Peters' injury could change the trajectory of the Eagles' season...

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Wentz is incredible.

[King Postwhore]

That was a Houdini moment.

[KevShmev]

Wentz is incredible.

To say the least.  He is an absolute joy to watch.

[King Postwhore]

Wentz is incredible.

To say the least.  He is an absolute joy to watch.

And to see grow.

[RoeDent]

For a bit of fun, I did my own pick 'em for this week's games. Managed a 10-5 record, which I'm extremely chuffed about. I'm gonna keep doing this, I think. Obviously I can't really do a season-total, as I've started so late, but I'll just take each week at a time. Maybe next year I might join the DTF Pick 'Em league.

[mikeyd23]

Good divisional win by the Steelers yesterday. Their defense has all of a sudden become fantastic.

The pass defense, yes. The run defense is still an issue.

At this point, I think it's a given that Pitt, NE and KC will be the top 3 seeds.  It's just a matter of what the order will be.  Pittsburgh has the advantage of playing in the weakest division of the three.

I would agree on all counts Kev. The pass defense has been great, the run defense still needs some work but has loads of potential.

And I totally agree that I envision the AFC as a three team race. The Steelers need to take advantage of a weak division and get a bye. They will not beat the Pats in the playoffs, they just can't do it. They will need KC to beat the Pats for them if they want to get to the Super Bowl.

[KevShmev]

Post-Week 7 Power Rankings

Top 10
1. Philadelphia - Jason Peters is a huge loss, but they have, hands down, been the best team through seven weeks
2. Pittsburgh - can they avoid the usual hiccups agains subpar teams the rest of the way?
3. New England - deep down, we all knew Belichick would get that defense better in a hurry: 38 points allowed the last three weeks
4. Kansas City - the defense looks like a mess, all of a sudden
5. New Orleans - Alvin Kamara is quietly one of the best rookies this season
6. LA Rams - Rams D now used to the 3-4 and dominating
7. Seattle - the combo great D and a top QB is always something to fear
8. Jacksonville - still 2nd in the league in point differential
9. Buffalo - offense came up big, which is a good sign for them
10. Minnesota - feels like 10-6, a division title and a first round home loss

Trending Up
Miami - Cutler injury is a blessing; Matt Moore is better
Houston - tough schedule coming up; are they up to the challenge?
Chicago - you know the D is good when you win a game in which your QB completes 4 passes
LA Chargers - look like a real threat now
Tennessee - ugly win, but 4-3 is 4-3

Trending Down
Green Bay - stick a fork in them
Denver - stick one in them, too
Atlanta - lucky to not be 1-5
Tampa Bay - I was dead wrong about this team; I thought they were a legit sleeper to win the NFC
Baltimore - Flacco is stealing money from the Ravens


Bottom 5
28. Arizona - I could see them losing out now, given their pathetic backup QB situation
29. Ny Giants - ugly
30. Indianapolis - coaching staff better get their resumes ready
31. San Francisco - this team is bad
32. Cleveland - 

NFL MVP Top 5
1. Carson Wentz - if he keeps this up, will voters give it to a 2nd year QB?
2. Tom Brady - 40 and still damn good
3. Alex Smith - still no turnovers
4. Todd Gurley - unbelievable the difference a year makes
5. LeVeon Bell - he makes all the difference on that offense

[PowerSlave]

Kev, 3 things about this week's ranking post.

I disagree with Pittsburgh's, and the Pats positions. As much as it pains me to say this, the Brady bunch are still the better team, and should be ranked above the Steelers until proven otherwise.

Your words on the Bucs nail it. I didn't think that they were contenders, but I expected more from them.

If I was the Dolphins I'd pay Cuttler to stay home the rest of the season.

[TAC]

Miami - Cutler injury is a blessing; Matt Moore is better

I still don't think Matt Moore is a #1.

[KevShmev]

Miami - Cutler injury is a blessing; Matt Moore is better

I still don't think Matt Moore is a #1.

I doubt anyone does.

I disagree with Pittsburgh's, and the Pats positions. As much as it pains me to say this, the Brady bunch are still the better team, and should be ranked above the Steelers until proven otherwise.

I rank based on how they have looked thus far, not on how I think they will end up, otherwise I would certainly have NE ahead of Pittsburgh.  So far though, I think Pittsburgh has been better.  They were clearly the better team in all five of their wins.  Yes, NE is 5-2 as well, but needed a lot of help from the zebras to beat the Jets and a lot of missed field goals to beat the Bucs. 

[PowerSlave]

Oh, I definitely understand that. I just think that NE has played better teams overall. Chicago has been a little bit of a surprise, but the Steelers other loss was an embarrassment despite how well Jax is playing.

The Steelers are rarely ever a pretty team in how they get through the regular season, but that loss tied to the dysfunction in the locker room makes them the fat chick that you bang without telling any of your buddies. It gets the job done, but you just don't brag about it.

[El Barto]

"Well, obviously I was only referring to unimportant players. David Irving is a really good player."
https://www.thenation.com/article/jerry-jones-isnt-going-to-punish-dallas-cowboys-players-for-protesting-after-all/

The more interesting part is the behind the scenes accounts of Jerry and his dealings with Grabby, if true, of course. After the Ezekiel Elliot thing and now this it's looking like Jerry doesn't have the clout he used to. When you align yourself with flakes you generally get burned. Between Goodell and Lil' Donnie he's associating with two people who are completely unpredictable and devoid of loyalty.

[mikeyd23]

Oh, I definitely understand that. I just think that NE has played better teams overall. Chicago has been a little bit of a surprise, but the Steelers other loss was an embarrassment despite how well Jax is playing.

The Steelers are rarely ever a pretty team in how they get through the regular season, but that loss tied to the dysfunction in the locker room makes them the fat chick that you bang without telling any of your buddies. It gets the job done, but you just don't brag about it.

Totally agree. I'd have a hard time putting the Steelers ahead of NE as well.

[Dublagent66]

I think the biggest head scratcher for me is Denver. 


Also, seeing Philly in the #1 spot is extremely painful.

[Stadler]

I think the biggest head scratcher for me is Denver. 


Also, seeing Philly in the #1 spot is extremely painful.

Look, I get it, he's playing well, but I'm going to wait until he MAKES the playoffs, let alone wins a playoff game or wins the big one before I anoint him.  Even as a Giants fan, he's the type of player I'd like to see do well, but I think we should let him achieve the goals before we give him the credit for those goals.   

As for Denver, wow, how the mighty have fallen.  I always thought the Gary Kubiak thing was sort of odd, and it seems to be playing out that way.  We'll see. 

[Dublagent66]

I think the biggest head scratcher for me is Denver. 


Also, seeing Philly in the #1 spot is extremely painful.

Look, I get it, he's playing well, but I'm going to wait until he MAKES the playoffs, let alone wins a playoff game or wins the big one before I anoint him.  Even as a Giants fan, he's the type of player I'd like to see do well, but I think we should let him achieve the goals before we give him the credit for those goals.   

As for Denver, wow, how the mighty have fallen.  I always thought the Gary Kubiak thing was sort of odd, and it seems to be playing out that way.  We'll see.

Oh, I totally agree.  Wentz is good, no doubt about it, but we'll see how long it lasts.

[Dream Team]

Oh, I definitely understand that. I just think that NE has played better teams overall. Chicago has been a little bit of a surprise, but the Steelers other loss was an embarrassment despite how well Jax is playing.

The Steelers are rarely ever a pretty team in how they get through the regular season, but that loss tied to the dysfunction in the locker room makes them the fat chick that you bang without telling any of your buddies. It gets the job done, but you just don't brag about it.

The Steelers have played 3 or 4 of the toughest defenses so far. Advanced analytic sites have them ranked much higher than public opinion, but that's ok I prefer they were under the radar anyway. All of their remaining 9 games are very winnable, even NE at home since they presumably will have Ben, Bell, and Brown healthy for the game (which wasn't the case either time they played them last year).

[mikeyd23]

The Steelers have played 3 or 4 of the toughest defenses so far. Advanced analytic sites have them ranked much higher than public opinion, but that's ok I prefer they were under the radar anyway. All of their remaining 9 games are very winnable, even NE at home since they presumably will have Ben, Bell, and Brown healthy for the game (which wasn't the case either time they played them last year).

As a lifelong Steeler fan, I'll believe a Tomlin team can beat a Belichick team in a significant game when I see it. Until then, I always work under the assumption the Pats are one up on the Steelers because of, well, history.

[PowerSlave]

Oh, I definitely understand that. I just think that NE has played better teams overall. Chicago has been a little bit of a surprise, but the Steelers other loss was an embarrassment despite how well Jax is playing.

The Steelers are rarely ever a pretty team in how they get through the regular season, but that loss tied to the dysfunction in the locker room makes them the fat chick that you bang without telling any of your buddies. It gets the job done, but you just don't brag about it.

The Steelers have played 3 or 4 of the toughest defenses so far. Advanced analytic sites have them ranked much higher than public opinion, but that's ok I prefer they were under the radar anyway. All of their remaining 9 games are very winnable, even NE at home since they presumably will have Ben, Bell, and Brown healthy for the game (which wasn't the case either time they played them last year).

True, but they've yet to face a good offense. Cincy marched on them the first couple of drives Sunday quite easily. The defense looked amazing in KC, but the chiefs are far from prolofic. And the way Jax ran on them is embarrassing.

[Stadler]

The Steelers have played 3 or 4 of the toughest defenses so far. Advanced analytic sites have them ranked much higher than public opinion, but that's ok I prefer they were under the radar anyway. All of their remaining 9 games are very winnable, even NE at home since they presumably will have Ben, Bell, and Brown healthy for the game (which wasn't the case either time they played them last year).

As a lifelong Steeler fan, I'll believe a Tomlin team can beat a Belichick team in a significant game when I see it. Until then, I always work under the assumption the Pats are one up on the Steelers because of, well, history.

And  I'm sorry, if it ever comes down to purely Tomlin versus Belichick, history WILL repeat.   

[mikeyd23]

And  I'm sorry, if it ever comes down to purely Tomlin versus Belichick, history WILL repeat.

No argument from me Stads.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Word is that the Steelers are making Bryant inactive for Sunday's game. Good on them!!

[PowerSlave]

I've thought about the Bryant situation, and I've somewhat changed my stance. At first I wanted the team to cut him. Now I'm hoping that they simply deactivate him on a weekly basis, then release him after the season. I'm all for people having the opportunity to redeem themselves. Especially those that I believe are suffering from serious mental health issues. However, there comes a point where ya gotta cut a man loose because he doesn't appreciate what has been given to them. Martavis has now reached that point, and has ventured beyond.

And to clarify my stance about the Steelers being lesser than the Pats, there are very few coaches that I would rather have on my team's sideline than Mike Tomlin. However, he has made some decisions over the years that have been to his (and the teams) detriment. He has an opportunity this season to rectify that. My sincere hope is that he does.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Leaving this here in case anyone missed it. Carson Wentz and Lukas the Dutch Destroyer.

[KevShmev]

And  I'm sorry, if it ever comes down to purely Tomlin versus Belichick, history WILL repeat.

No argument from me Stads.

Me neither, except that a football game has never come to purely one coach vs another, otherwise how do you explain Belichick once losing a home playoff game to Rex Ryan?

[mikeyd23]

I've thought about the Bryant situation, and I've somewhat changed my stance. At first I wanted the team to cut him. Now I'm hoping that they simply deactivate him on a weekly basis, then release him after the season. I'm all for people having the opportunity to redeem themselves. Especially those that I believe are suffering from serious mental health issues. However, there comes a point where ya gotta cut a man loose because he doesn't appreciate what has been given to them. Martavis has now reached that point, and has ventured beyond.

And to clarify my stance about the Steelers being lesser than the Pats, there are very few coaches that I would rather have on my team's sideline than Mike Tomlin. However, he has made some decisions over the years that have been to his (and the teams) detriment. He has an opportunity this season to rectify that. My sincere hope is that he does.

I think deactivating him for Sunday's game is going to be the extent of his punishment, unless he does something else dumb.

And  I'm sorry, if it ever comes down to purely Tomlin versus Belichick, history WILL repeat.

No argument from me Stads.

Me neither, except that a football game has never come to purely one coach vs another, otherwise how do you explain Belichick once losing a home playoff game to Rex Ryan?

No doubt, but I'd still put bets on the rule not the exception, and if we use history as our guide, the rule is that in meaningful games, Belichick teams beat Tomlin teams. Obviously, anyone can beat anyone else any given week, etc...etc... but in this instance, I'll believe it when I see it.