NFL 2020 - 2021 Season

They were the first two teams to clinch playoff spots, which is funny because the Steelers are the undefeated team.

I was so thrilled to see Sean Payton's offense finally unleash Taysom Hill's pocket passing abilities. I'm really hoping that the Saints can hang on that NFC #1 seed, and that Saints/Chiefs game could be the difference maker because Green Bay beat the Saints early this year and therefore owns the tie-breaker.

Green Bay's remaining schedule is at Lions, host Panthers, host Titans, at Bears. They [i]could] lose one of those games, but they're likely looking at a 13-3 record, which means the Saints have to also win out. At least the game against the Chiefs is in New Orleans, but i'm almost equally scared about hosting the Vikings the very next week, as it seems like they've been Saints spoilers for almost as long as i can remember.

Utterly insane: nobody in the NFC is mathematically eliminated from postseason play, and only the two teams with 1 win or less have been mathematically eliminated from the AFC postseason picture. The Bengals are 2-9-1 and somehow mathematically they still have a shot to win the Superbowl! LMFAO!

That Browns victory over the Titans was damned impressive. Cleveland will finally be going back to the playoffs this year, and with a high enough seed to have a chance at a post-season victory, too! It warms the cockles of my heart.

I was driving Jeff nuts yesterday because it seemed like i was rooting for both teams watching yesterday's Jets game. I cheered when the Jets did well, because i like to see that; i also cheered when the Raiders did well because i want the Jets to draft Trevor Lawrence. LOL!

I think I've decided my second-favorite Superbowl fantasy. #1 is of course the Saints winning.

#2 is currently that the Steelers go undefeated in the regular season and the AFC playoffs, while the NY Giants win their division with a 6-10 record by virtue of tie-breakers, and go undefeated in the postseason.

The Giants were the only team that beat the 18-1 1985-86 Chicago Bears Superbowl Champs; that was an otherwise meaningless regular season game, but the '72 Dolphins owe the franchise a case of champagne each for that, and a second case for when they beat the 18-0 Patriots in that Superbowl. Also, that Giants team were a Wild Card seed that year. 

To see the Giants go into the playoffs as a team with double-digit losses, that only made it into the playoffs by tie-breakers with other teams with double-digit losses, and win the Superbowl by again beating a previously undefeated team, would be incredible, even more so if the Giants win with Colt McCoy under center because it would be the second Giants Superbowl win with a backup QB.

It might be worth mentioning that the eventual Superbowl champion Denver Broncos were 13-0 until they came up against the NY Giants. They finished the regular season 14-2, but it's possible that they might have played to win the last game of the regular season if they'd remained undefeated at that time, even though they had the #1 seed already locked.

Well the Steelers lost to the Washington FT so goodbye undefeated season. If KC runs the table and the Steelers do not then the Steelers must play an extra playoff game. Of course if the reverse happens the Chiefs play an extra play off game. The Steelers' schedule is loaded with AFC teams while the Chiefs play two games from each conference. A tie between the Steelers and the Chiefs may rely on AFC wins to determine the number one seed and the bye.

I double-checked and it was the Miami Dolphins who gave the 85-86 Chicago Bears their only loss. The Bears did play the Jets in the regular seasons and it was during that game that some announcer proclaimed that the Bears would win the Super Bowl. The Bears hosted the Giants in a playoff game. The Bears won that and then hosted and defeated the LA Rams before defeating a plucky New England team who took out the host Miami Dolphins in the AFC championship game.

The NY Giants did have that one year where as the 6th seed ran the playoff table---including defeating the then undefeated Brady-led New England Patriots. I think as far as the second SB victory over the Pats the Giants were a better team. The Giants had an interesting SB win over Denver (which Washington also defeated the subsequent year) and that thriller over Buffalo (which Washington also defeated the subsequent year).

Washington FT this year may be---how should I say this?---giving the NYGs a run for their money in the NFC East. The crushing of Dallas on Thanksgiving. This win over the Steelers. Next four games for both teams are as follows. Washington FT: at SF; hosting Seattle; hosting Carolina; at Philadelphia. NYG: hosting Arizona; hosting Cleveland; at Baltimore; hosting Dallas. I hope one of the teams reaches 9-7. And since NYG hosts the Browns I hope it isn't the Giants.

Forgot to mention that Pittsburgh at Buffalo has some extra importance. Kansas City defeated Buffalo earlier in the season. If Pittsburgh loses to Buffalo that's a tie-breaker advantage for Kansas City. You might think so what if either Pittsburgh or Kansas City has to play an extra game. But the AFC by and large has been stronger than the NFC and I don't think there's a specific team in the AFC playoff spectrum that would be an automatic pushover.

What? The Browns at Giants game has been moved to Sunday night? Okay. That's great. But I still would have chosen the Chiefs at Saints game.

The Cowboys v 49ers game got pulled from prime time for that Giants v Browns game.

Jerry Jones probably had an infarction about losing a prime time game slot, especially to the divisional rival Giants.

At least the Saints v Chiefs game is the 4:25 game, and not a 1 o'clock game. I'd have thought that this game would've been initially scheduled for prime time, though. The Chiefs are the defending champs and damn near everybody predicted the Saints to be at least a playoff team.

Rats. A nice comeback by The Browns but the Ravens' kicker done 'em in. I think that the Browns can win twice in New York and then if they play tough against the Steelers in the season finale I'd be happy. For next season the Browns need to improve their defense.

KC is now the favorite to be the top team in the AFC. The NFC is up for grabs. I think New Orleans as the top team is now in dispute.

Washington wins three in a row. They have a good chance at winning the next three too. I hope so. It would make them 9-7.

New Orleans will not be the NFC #1 seed. They lost the proverbial trap game this past week, they face the defending Champ (and probably best overall NFL team) Chiefs this coming weekend, and then face the Vikings next. The Vikings are our historical nemesis, and we could be looking at a three game losing streak headed into week 17. Also, Green Bay owns the tie-breaker this year.

That's all okay, though, and hopefully the Saints will remain calm and not try to rush Drew Brees back from a punctured lung and 11 broken ribs. The Saints have the Panthers week 17, and that's a game they should win. As long as they do so, or if Tampa drops just one of their remaining three games (not likely, Falcons, Lions, Falcons) the Saints will win their division and have home field until the Conference Championship.

That Browns Ravens game was difficult to watch. Once again bad kicking later impacted an outcome of a game.

I thought it was hilarious how many NFL talking heads were trying to talk up the NFC East all of a sudden last week. It's even funnier how fast ALL of them have dropped that shit now! It's definitely possible for a team to get hot late in the season, make the playoffs as a low seed and even a losing record, and wind up going deep in the playoffs; personally i don't think that the division winner will be able to beat the best wild card seed this year, even at home, much less win two games.

I think it'll be fun if the Steelers drop another game and give the Bills a shot at the AFC 2 seed. Does anybody think the Raiders or Ravens can pass the Dolphins for the 7 seed?

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

I think it'll be fun if the Steelers drop another game and give the Bills a shot at the AFC 2 seed.

That would be fun. Unfortunately, this year the 2 seed doesn't get a first-week bye.

The Seahawks still have a shot at the 1 seed in the NFC, but need to win out to get it. @ Football Team this Sunday, then it's division games to finish the season, home to the Rams and away to the Arizona 49ers.

I think it's Kansas City's Super Bowl to lose. They're the best team. I think everyone else is 2nd place or less.

I think the Ravens won't lose another game. Jaguars. Giants. Bengals on the road. The Browns have to win out just to keep ahead of them. The Dolphins have the worst schedule. New England. Then on the road in Vegas and Buffalo. They better hope that Buffalo doesn't need that game and sends in the reserves. Colts and Titans might be jockeying for one in as division champs and one totally out. Each has a difficult road game in week 16. Colts at Steelers. Titans at Packers.

TBC, it is different try to think of seven seeds in each conference, but i think it'll stick for now, until they decide to go to eight. Which seems inevitable i guess, and it's at least still better than the NBA which already sends 16 teams to the playoffs each year but has only 30 franchises.

BA, i agree that the Chiefs have that look about them, of champions that have continued to dominate and are ready to repeat.

That week 17 Cleveland Pittsburgh game could be as much of a corker as the Bills Dolphins game. The Raiders seem to be in a tight spot, but if they can win out they'll probably wind up in the playoffs, because they face Miami next week and, if they can beat Miami they'd tie them for overall record (if they both win this week as well, which seems likely to me) and have the head-to-head tie-breaker.

Brees is getting today's start in spite of having had 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung less than a month ago. Brees himself even admits that he's not 100% yet.

I don't think he's starting because he gives the team the best chance to win today, i think he's starting because he gives the best chance to win in the playoffs, and it's going to take a few games to get him and the offense around him back into their best rhythm. I'm okay with that, i don't see this game as all that important, and it would be very un-Sean Payton to pull out all the stops for a late regular season game with the team in the driver's seat of the division anyway.

I think that what bothers me most about it is that Michael Thomas is out because of an ankle injury. Thomas only came back from his previous injury after Brees got hurt. He's the only genuine deep threat receiver that the Saints have (though Emmanuel Sanders is a decent #2), and he and the QB haven't shared the field during a game since... early September maybe?

I've heard wagging heads on TV saying Brees can't throw the ball down the field anymore this year. They're wrong, but without Thomas running a post there's been no way to prove it.

Posted on the Hawks-Niners trash talk FB page:

It's time to sing that traditional 49ers holiday carol "I'll Be Home For The Playoffs".

Also, congratulations to the Jets for finally winning a game and thanks for picking the Rams as the victims. If the Seahawks win at home next Sunday they will be the division champs.

Browns win in a rather quick game. They really must win the next two games to keep ahead of the 9-5 Ravens and Dolphins. And to keep the same record with the Titans and/or Colts. The Browns own the tie-breaker with each of them.

PATS OUT OF PLAYOFFS

That's weird to say. Look for a big bounce back next season, out of salary cap hell.

And a QB hopefully.

Oh, Bengals whooping the Steelers. We'll see if it holds up.

How do the Steelers lose three straight after going undefeated? They suddenly look like a one-and-done playoff team.

And yes, the Patriots got eliminated from the playoffs and will come in third in their division. Miami and Buffalo have gotten better; NE has regressed. Salary cap space will help, but let's face it, they really need to draft better. As far as a QB goes, my best hope is that SF decides they prefer Mullens and his contract and trade Jimmy G back to NE. That would, of course, be a huge contract to take on. (But I'm one of those who also clings to the hope that Brady could be traded back to NE and retire here, his comments on never moving back to the northeast notwithstanding.)

Not sure why we don't play Stidham the rest of the season and see what he's got. Belichick must have already made up his mind about him.

With the Steelers unexpected loss the Browns have an outside chance at taking the division. The Ravens do not. The Browns need to win against the Jets on the road and the Steelers at home, while the Steelers must lose to the Colts at home and of course the Browns on the road.

The last time the Browns won their division was 1989. That division no longer exists (AFC Central), and that franchise moved to Baltimore. So i'm kind of hoping for them to pass Pittsburgh this year.

I actually feel pretty confident about Saints v Vikings, so put your money on Minny, because they always spoil shit for the Saints when i feel confident.

Minnesota could go for another two point conversation just at time expires. I don't remember the year where that happened.

For New Orleans the bad loss was really at Philadelphia. Green Bay is probably set to claim the number 1 spot for the NFC.

Green Bay owns the tie-breaker against the Saints. They host the Titans this week and close the season in Chicago.

I don't know if i'd call the Philly loss a bad one exactly, though if you mean just in the sense of how it affects seeding, then yes. In preseason, i figured New Orleans for the NFC 3 seed behind Green Bay and Seattle, so i'd feel okay with the 2 seed.

Yes I meant bad loss in terms of mathematics. A win over Philadelphia would have helped New Orleans there.

Well, the Saints wrapped up the division today with an important win.

Green Bay hosts the Titans this weekend and visit Chicago in week 17. Go Titans! Go Bears! They would need to lose BOTH of those games for the Saints to have a shot at the 1 seed.

I will go for a Titans loss (for tie-breaker purposes against the Browns). The Bears can do whatever.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

And yes, the Patriots got eliminated from the playoffs and will come in third in their division. Miami and Buffalo have gotten better; NE has regressed. Salary cap space will help, but let's face it, they really need to draft better. As far as a QB goes, my best hope is that SF decides they prefer Mullens and his contract and trade Jimmy G back to NE. That would, of course, be a huge contract to take on. (But I'm one of those who also clings to the hope that Brady could be traded back to NE and retire here, his comments on never moving back to the northeast notwithstanding.)

Not sure why we don't play Stidham the rest of the season and see what he's got. Belichick must have already made up his mind about him.

A) Nope, not at that contract

B) It's obvious-he's not that good. There may be another QB Bill has his eye on, whether on another roster or in the next draft (Trask?). Need weapons, and need to replace the aging and departed defensive stars.

I know that the Browns were depleted with the Covid but outside of some parts of the second half they played badly. This is a Jets team that the Browns should have defeated. Now holding on the fifth seed in the playoffs comes down staying in the playoffs at all. At least Indianapolis lost. And maybe Tennessee will as well (at Green Bay tonight). Cleveland must beat Pittsburgh next week. Pittsburgh may have their own ideas.

To be fair, Cleveland was missing all their best receivers and had held their last practice in some unfamiliar place, and this Jets team has been playing fairly well the last few weeks and no longer have draft motivation to lose any more games, they're pretty much stuck at the #2 pick overall.

I'd like to see the Titans win tonight, and give the Saints an outside chance at the 1 seed.

It looks like New England is going to need a season or two to rebuild, but i think they've exceeded expectations for this season, thanks in large part to the contributions of Cam Newton, who may have a tough time finding any further playing time going forward from the end of this season.

There are five 10-5 teams in the AFC, and 4 playoff spots available for them. I guess from that standpoint, the expanded playoff field is a good thing.

If the Giants and Eagles both win next week, the NFC East Champion would be the 6-10 Football Club. If FC and/or Dallas win, the champ will be an only marginally better 7-9, which looks a lot better on paper. Regardless, i expect there will be lots of griping, from fans of teams with better records primarily, about the division champ with a losing record getting to host at least one playoff game.

Theoretically, football could work without divisions at 32 teams, but i don't think those alternatives really offer a better system, and i think most fans enjoy divisional rivalries.

Currently the low team on the AFC 10-5 totem is the Colts, but they get to host the Jags, while Cleveland hosts the Steelers and the Dolphins go to Buffalo. Baltimore gets to visit Cincinnati. I think Pittsburgh is most likely to rest a lot of starters, so i think Miami will go 10-6 and miss the postseason, a highly disappointing end to a renaissance season and even if that happens i think Brian Flores is the NFL Coach of the Year.

The Saints are going to Carolina, and while the worst thing that can happen to them positionally is dropping from the 2 seed to the 3 seed, and they have no upward mobility potential, i expect the offensive starters will play most or all of the game, as Payton will likely want the squad to have as many live downs together as possible before the playoffs start, and they'd also much prefer hosting the Bears or Cards in the first round as opposed to the Rams or Bucs.

I am just happy that the Seahawks clinched the Division, impressively holding the Rams to three FGs. They will have a chance to move up from the 3 seed to the 2, but all that will impact is which teams the Seahawks and Saints host in the Wild Card Round and where they would play in the event both win. And to be frank, the way the Seahawks are playing lately I would not be uncomfortable with them traveling to N'Awlins.

Bills look tough. Will they beat Miami next week? Hope so.

TBC wrote:

I am just happy that the Seahawks clinched the Division, impressively holding the Rams to three FGs. They will have a chance to move up from the 3 seed to the 2, but all that will impact is which teams the Seahawks and Saints host in the Wild Card Round and where they would play in the event both win. And to be frank, the way the Seahawks are playing lately I would not be uncomfortable with them traveling to N'Awlins.

I'm pretty sure that the only way the Seahawks can play in The Big Easy this postseason is to first win at Lambeau Field, then go to NOLA for the Conference Championship.

I wouldn't be uncomfortable with that either.

davidalan wrote:

Bills look tough. Will they beat Miami next week? Hope so.

I think they will. I'll be rooting for those Browns as they host Pittsburgh this week too, idk if the Steelers will play their starters or not.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

TBC wrote:

I am just happy that the Seahawks clinched the Division, impressively holding the Rams to three FGs. They will have a chance to move up from the 3 seed to the 2, but all that will impact is which teams the Seahawks and Saints host in the Wild Card Round and where they would play in the event both win. And to be frank, the way the Seahawks are playing lately I would not be uncomfortable with them traveling to N'Awlins.

I'm pretty sure that the only way the Seahawks can play in The Big Easy this postseason is to first win at Lambeau Field, then go to NOLA for the Conference Championship.

I wouldn't be uncomfortable with that either.

The Saints and Seahawks are going to have the 2 and 3 seeds. Only thing which can change right now is who gets which. If both teams hold form in the Wild Card round the the match-ups with be 4/5 winner at GB and 3 at 2. Quite honestly I am not impressed with any of the teams who could get 4-7 with the exception of the Buccs, who are just about locked in on the 5 seed. Personally I think it would be great if the Buccs knock of the Packers and then the Saints-Seahawks winner would host the NFC Championship.

I notice that Allen set a new Bills single-season TD record in the blow-out win over the Pats. I knew he was going to be special in his Soph year at Wyoming. There is a vid clip on ESPN NFL of one of the squawks at ESPN saying that not even Brady could have made to play-offs with this season's Pats. Not sure about that. The Bills still would have won the division, but that statement makes it seem like the drop-off from Brady to Newton is not that much. But there is. Sure, team is overall weaker across the board but Cam really sucks.

That's a good point about the seeding, TBC, and i agree about Cam. He'll never be an MVP again, nor even a Pro Bowl selection barring several miracles. I doubt he'll ever be a starting QB again, but i think it was smart of the Pats to give him a chance. So many people want to compare Cam to TB12, and i get why, but there's no comparison there and it's a pointless exercise. The real point of comparison for Cam is Jarret Stidham, and i've a feeling that Belichick made the right choice.

Forget what the Pats might've done if Brady had stayed, he wasn't ever going to, and his reasoning has been validated by reality - the Pats would not have been a Superbowl contender this year regardless. If you want to evaluate whether the Cam Newton deal was wise, ask yourself how the Pats would've fared with Stidham as the starter.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

That's a good point about the seeding, TBC, and i agree about Cam. He'll never be an MVP again, nor even a Pro Bowl selection barring several miracles. I doubt he'll ever be a starting QB again, but i think it was smart of the Pats to give him a chance. So many people want to compare Cam to TB12, and i get why, but there's no comparison there and it's a pointless exercise. The real point of comparison for Cam is Jarret Stidham, and i've a feeling that Belichick made the right choice.

Forget what the Pats might've done if Brady had stayed, he wasn't ever going to, and his reasoning has been validated by reality - the Pats would not have been a Superbowl contender this year regardless. If you want to evaluate whether the Cam Newton deal was wise, ask yourself how the Pats would've fared with Stidham as the starter.

If the Pats had committed to Stidham and not signed Newton they probably would be finishing with a better record because the $$$ they paid for Newton could have been used to help at other positions.

Newton signed a $1M one year deal iirc. Maybe it was $1.1M base salary? And i don't think he's hit any worthwhile performance incentives if the deal even had any. I don't think they really could've attracted much significant talent with an extra M-Bar to work with, but if you feel differently, i'd definitely be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

One million? That's all? That's barely veteran backup QB money nowadays. Pretty sure Gino Smith is making more than that and the only snaps he's taken all year were in garbage time against his former team.

Cleveland is in They'll likely go to Pittsburgh.

Miami is probably out.

Tanpa is in, They'll likely go to demolish the NFC East winner.

There's been a lot of chatter over the last week in sports talk shows about what QB has the most pressure on them. A lot of the talking heads were talking about Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Big Roethlisburger (sp?), towards the ends of their careers.

Those guys are all Hall of Fame locks, though, so i don't see Brady Brees nor Ben as being under particularly heavy pressure. Imo the old-ish guy who's under pressure is Phil Rivers, but even in his case, it was his first season with Indy, so i don't think it's that big a deal that the Bill just beat them. I don't think Indy won't want Rivers back next year.

I think the QB under the most pressure headed into this week is Lamar Jackson. Last year's MVP has never won a playoff game.

Day one done.

The Indianapolis at Buffalo game was one I should have watched but I had a commitment.

I didn't watch LA at Seattle due to the same commitment.

The game I did see was Tampa at Washington which was a lot closer than I thought it would be. For a 7-9 team Washington was having fun. But there's a reason they're 7-9. If Chicago does something weird tomorrow Tampa could host the Rams.

Big ouch. FWIW, I think the late-season offensive woes come down to the play calling. There just was not enough variety in the passing game so opposing DCs had an easy time.

It's always tough to play a divisional opponent again in the playoffs. If the Saints win today, they'll host Tampa next week, and i think i'd rather the Saints host the Bucs rather than the Rams.

Whaaaaaaat????

Cleveland is ahead 14-0. Of course it's early.

I bet KC is rooting for Cleveland. Otherwise they play Baltimore.

Cleveland ahead 21-0. The Browns running back just pushed Steelers defenders into the end zone.

28--0. An easy run in TD a couple of plays after a pick off.

35-10 at the half. Pittsburgh scored a TD but Cleveland scored one in response. Pittsburgh ends the half with a field goal. Cleveland gets the ball in the 3rd quarter.

If you're a Browns fan the mantra to the team is keep scoring! Everyone knows that Pittsburgh can score in droves. There is no safe lead!

Steelers coming back! It's now 35-23.

Cleveland scores! It's now 42-23!

Final Score: Cleveland 48 Pittsburgh 37.

That was a WILD one for sure, BA!! Roethlisburger put up some unbelievable numbers but also threw 4 picks out of the team's 5 turnovers. Cleveland had 0 turnovers, they may have gotten some big breaks early in the game, but they also played a much cleaner game for a well-deserved win.

It feels so wrong to be rooting for the Rams over the Packers.

I want the Rams to win this game because then, as long as the Saints handle their business against Tommy & Da Bucs (which is not a given, but i like to believe it's likely), the Rams and Saints would face off in the Conference Championship game YET AGAIN, and hopefully the better team would win THIS time.

Also that would put the Conference Championship game in NOLA, which is always to be desired.

Buffalo wins 17-3. Thankfully. Hate the Ravens.