NFL 2007 Season - Discuss it all here

[freedom78]

...and now they say that Freeney may need season ending foot surgery.  Man!  The misfortune is piling on more that the Pats against the blind school JV squad. 

Freeney is indeed out for the season, place on IR earlier today.  Tough blow for the Colts.

They should still make the playoffs and will probably win the division, but this makes a first round bye seem less and less likely.  It really all depends on the other injuries.

[faldor]

...and now they say that Freeney may need season ending foot surgery.? Man!? The misfortune is piling on more that the Pats against the blind school JV squad.?

Freeney is indeed out for the season, place on IR earlier today.? Tough blow for the Colts.

They should still make the playoffs and will probably win the division, but this makes a first round bye seem less and less likely.? It really all depends on the other injuries.

Yeah I think they'll be alright.  I was actually surprised people even posed the question whether they'd make the playoffs or not.  I could maybe see questioning them holding off Jacksonville or Tennessee for the division title, but I'd have to think they'll still make the playoffs at the very least.  They did just fine last year without Bob Sanders for quite some time, and he may be just as important as Freeney to their defense.  Maybe Simeon Rice will find the fountain of youth.

[Bobarcord]

I think them holding off either Jacksonville or Tennessee is a damn fine question at this point.

[freedom78]

If the offense gets healthy, they'll be fine.  They've done it on great offense w/ no defense, so if the offense gets back to form, they'll have no problem.  Jacksonville and Tennessee are good teams, but Jville always seems to find a way to lose one or two that they should have won and Tennessee...well, we'll see how VY holds up to the pressure of really contending for a playoff birth.

[faldor]

This is for you freedom78.  The Sports Guy's views on the Colts.

I'm furious about all these Colts injuries that probably killed their season. The football fan in me is furious because this particular Colts team was built for cold weather/January football, which would have made the AFC Championship Game a helluva lot more interesting than the Steelers getting blown out in Foxborough (which is where we're headed). The Patriots fan in me is furious because a 19-0 season wouldn't feel quite the same if they didn't beat the Colts twice.
If the Pats could claw their way to the AFC Championship Game with a battered secondary and a CFL receiving corps, then the Colts should do the same this season without Freeney and with Harrison limping around. It's only fair.

And an added bonus about the Pats.  Remember everyone saying about how it was a huge deal that the Pats were losing their own 1st round pick in next years draft as a result of "spygate".  Well in case you've forgotten they have control of San Fran's first rounder next season.  Let's see, 32nd pick or top 5 pick?  I'll take a top 5 thank you very much.  Seriously though, how bad of a trade is that for San Fran?  They traded this years pick (a top 5 probably) for last years 28th pick.  I mean I guess you could say they didn't plan on being THIS bad this year.  But did anyone think they'd be among the top 5 teams in the NFL?  I think people would've ranked them nearer the bottom 5 than the top 5, no?  Anyway, here's the Sports Guy's comment about the Niners.

Having San Fran's No. 1 pick next year is like owning a casino and seeing Charles Barkley walk in.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Let's not fall to our knees and say the Colts season is done.  I'm looking at their remaining schedule and I think it's an automatic Division Championship for the Colts.  Even if they go 4-3 the rest of the way (it's a very easy schedule the rest of the way, and I doubt that will happen) they'd be 11-5.  They'll own the tie-breakers with the Jags and Titans, so no worries there.  The Titans' Haynesworth is banged up as well.  VY's a risk to get hurt every week, so if he goes down, how far is Kerry Collins takin' 'em?  Not far.

I think the Colts, despite injuries, will finish with 12 or 13 wins.  With road games against teams with quarterbacks like Harrington, Boller, and Culpepper/McNown, can it get any easier???  Screw the hedging, put the Colts down for 13 wins.
The Steelers will likely have 13 or 14 wins, but the Steelers will win the tie-breaker if it comes to that.   

The Colts will be at the very worst, a #3 seed in the AFC, which would require them to beat some poor team in Indy before going to Pittsburgh, and if they're lucky enough to get out of there, which right now I don't think they would, they'd be up in N'England where nobody but the Patriots will win.

In the NFC, anything could happen.  Dallas does look like a lock at this point for home field though.  People have to be thinkin' a Brady-Romo Super Bowl...with a shot at Brady-Favre not far behind.

[freedom78]

This is for you freedom78.  The Sports Guy's views on the Colts.

I'm furious about all these Colts injuries that probably killed their season. The football fan in me is furious because this particular Colts team was built for cold weather/January football, which would have made the AFC Championship Game a helluva lot more interesting than the Steelers getting blown out in Foxborough (which is where we're headed). The Patriots fan in me is furious because a 19-0 season wouldn't feel quite the same if they didn't beat the Colts twice.
If the Pats could claw their way to the AFC Championship Game with a battered secondary and a CFL receiving corps, then the Colts should do the same this season without Freeney and with Harrison limping around. It's only fair.

And an added bonus about the Pats.  Remember everyone saying about how it was a huge deal that the Pats were losing their own 1st round pick in next years draft as a result of "spygate".  Well in case you've forgotten they have control of San Fran's first rounder next season.  Let's see, 32nd pick or top 5 pick?  I'll take a top 5 thank you very much.  Seriously though, how bad of a trade is that for San Fran?  They traded this years pick (a top 5 probably) for last years 28th pick.  I mean I guess you could say they didn't plan on being THIS bad this year.  But did anyone think they'd be among the top 5 teams in the NFL?  I think people would've ranked them nearer the bottom 5 than the top 5, no?  Anyway, here's the Sports Guy's comment about the Niners.

In other words, he's mad because he's afraid the Pats will do something amazing in a season in which their biggest competition looked like it had been run through a garbage disposal, and that that might lead to some "19-0...but what if?" talk.

Of course if you want to see good football and are neutral, you probably don't want one team to roll over everyone...it just isn't entertaining. 

RE: their pick from the Niners...well, the Pats play the draft well.  You can't blame 'em for that.  Of course, the commish didn't want to take away that good of a pick, which is why they would've given up a 2nd & 3rd (am I remembering correctly?) had they not made the playoffs.  In other words, the best pick he would have taken away from them would have been #21.  The fact that they're good enough to trade away a first round pick means they can really play the draft, unlike the desperate teams (Niners), who give up their picks in future years.  The Colts trade out of the first round a fair amount, too, though not in the last couple of years, as they needed replacements for Edgerrin and Stokely.

I think the Colts, despite injuries, will finish with 12 or 13 wins.  With road games against teams with quarterbacks like Harrington, Boller, and Culpepper/McNown, can it get any easier???  Screw the hedging, put the Colts down for 13 wins.

I appreciate your enthusiasm!  Indy is a lovely city, should you ever desire to move here and switch allegiances.

[sandman]

another mcnabb injury. it's like clockwork every november.

this one came at a good time cause i'm not sure we would have won that game with the way he was playing. his QB rating was .4.

can't wait to see the line for the patriots game. it has to be close to 20.

[Axl4Prez2004]

sandman, I have to say during Eagles' games, I'm thinkin' 'bout ya!  When Feeley came in, I was happy for you. 
When he threw the pick, I did chuckle though.  I was thinking how many eagles fans started chanting Bring In Kolb!!! 

someone on 610, ray didinger made a good point.  the eagles rely way too much on the pass when donovan's in the game.
it's like 60-40.  when garcia, feeley, etc are in, it's closer to 50-50.  they need to do that with donovan.

[sandman]

like i said, there are a few things i don't like about mcnabb and i have my doubts about his ability to lead a team to a SB victory.

but we can definitely agree on a couple things. i heard Ray Diddy this morning as well - he's awesome! and they covered two good points:

1. run pass ratio is out of wack for this team
2. reid hasn't given d-mac great WRs

watching Owens and Moss after the birds game yesterday really put things into perspective. there was a play during the eagles game where the QB (can't remember if it was d-mac or feeley) scrambled and bought ALOT of time, and there was still no one open. it was ridiculous.

[gilee7]

someone on 610, ray didinger made a good point.? the eagles rely way too much on the pass when donovan's in the game.
it's like 60-40.? when garcia, feeley, etc are in, it's closer to 50-50.? they need to do that with donovan.

I've always thought that, too. It's like last year, when Jeff Garcia came in and started winning games, it wasn't because Garcia is a better QB than McNabb (because he isn't), but because the team started relying on Westbrook a lot more. A lot of people say that the Eagles are a better team without McNabb, but he isn't the one calling the plays. He can't help the pass/run ratio is so skewed.

I'm really hoping that McNabb will be able to play against the Pats, though. Feeley is good at managing the game, but they're going to have to score a lot of points to keep up with the Pats. This would make my year if the Eagles could somehow upset the Pats. I wouldn't even care if the Eagles lose every game after that, just as long as they beat those damn Pats.

This will be the first time the two teams have met in a regular season game since their Superbowl matchup, correct??

[faldor]

someone on 610, ray didinger made a good point.? the eagles rely way too much on the pass when donovan's in the game.
it's like 60-40.? when garcia, feeley, etc are in, it's closer to 50-50.? they need to do that with donovan.

I've always thought that, too. It's like last year, when Jeff Garcia came in and started winning games, it wasn't because Garcia is a better QB than McNabb (because he isn't), but because the team started relying on Westbrook a lot more. A lot of people say that the Eagles are a better team without McNabb, but he isn't the one calling the plays. He can't help the pass/run ratio is so skewed.

I'm really hoping that McNabb will be able to play against the Pats, though. Feeley is good at managing the game, but they're going to have to score a lot of points to keep up with the Pats. This would make my year if the Eagles could somehow upset the Pats. I wouldn't even care if the Eagles lose every game after that, just as long as they beat those damn Pats.

This will be the first time the two teams have met in a regular season game since their Superbowl matchup, correct??

Baby steps.  Instead of hoping for an upset of the Pats, why not just hope the Eagles can cover the spread or not lose by more than 30?  Start small.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Sandman,  to you man!  Yep, we've had our disagreements over time, but ratio and receivers, both are off and have been off for the Eagles. 

I'm just hoping for a good game with the Patriots...but things aint lookin' good.  I haven't seen the spread, but it's gotta be at least 15.  The Pats are just ridiculously loaded.  The only thing that could stop them now is injury problems.

[C0ma]

Opening line for the Philly-Pats game is 21... and I see them beating Philly by at least 31.

[sandman]

the only way the birds can win is if they keep the pats offense off the field. they need long drives that end with TDs. we have one of the best RBs in the game, so hopefully we use him.

the birds D is decent, with some very good corners. they have to prevent the big plays, and then hold them to FGs in the red zone. which is what they do pretty well.


PATS GENERATE RECORD POINT SPREAD

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that the New England Patriots are a whopping 23.5-point favorite over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Pats host the Eagles on Sunday night.? Amazingly, NBC opted to broadcast the slaughter of the birds, only days after the slaughter of the turkeys.

Paolantonio reports that it's the largest point-spread for an NFL game not involving an expansion team.

Folks, the Eagles are 5-5.? When the Dolphins go to Foxborough next month, the line will likely be north of 30.

"Nowadays, you don't see too many spreads over 16 or 17 points," Sean Van Patten, an oddsmaker at Sports Consultants in Las Vegas, told Paolantonio.? "That's because most teams take their starters out in the fourth quarter of a lopsided game.? The Patriots don't.? I call this phenomenon The [Bill] Belichick Factor."

The point spread is not an indicator of respect or a predictor of outcome.? Instead, it's a device aimed at generating equal betting on both teams.? So the spread keeps going up until the action on the favorite equals the action on the underdog.

On second thought, maybe the spread for the Fins-Pats game will be more than 40.

[GeorgeSteele]

Eagles fans are amazing.  I work with one and all last week he's miserable and whining about how the Eagles will lose to the winless Dolphins and now this week he's convinced the "Iggles" have formulated a game plan that will beat the Pats.   

[freedom78]

Eagles fans are amazing.  I work with one and all last week he's miserable and whining about how the Eagles will lose to the winless Dolphins and now this week he's convinced the "Iggles" have formulated a game plan that will beat the Pats.   

Does it involve food poisoning?

[Axl4Prez2004]

^ ha, that's great!  something tells me Belichik's got a paranoid side...I don't think anything bad's gonna get through to the Patriots.  That said...23 1/2 points is a huge spread.  Granted, had Donovan not tweaked his ankle last week, I think it would be a 16 or 17 point spread.  If it is AJ Feeley's game, with Kolb backing him up, it'll be an easy cover for the Patriots.

Stop 'em deep, go with Welker's slants and Moss and stallworth's designed quick catches for automatic 5 yard gains.  Try to jam 'em at the line, Brady's protection and the speed downfield will mean easy touchdowns.  Listen, this Eagles defense is not good.  Plain and simple.  NBC's Sunday night "game of the week," will have to be re-named NBC's "Massacre of the Week" pretty soon.   

[gilee7]

As an Eagles fan, I'm actually excited and looking forward to Sunday's matchup. I was nervous last week about the Dolphins, just because they hadn't won a game and I was afraid the Eagles wouldn't take them seriously and would end up losing, which is kinda what happened in the first half but then they turned things around in the second. This week, nobody is giving the Eagles a chance. The Patriots are supposedly the greatest team of all time and can't be beat, which I don't believe. They're going to lose a game at some point this year, even if it's in the postseason.

I already hated the Patriots just for beating the Eagles in the Superbowl a few years back (and the Panthers the year before that, which is my hometown team). This year, with everybody talking about how the Patriots are so great, it just makes me hate them more. So of course I'm going to think they're going to lose, at some point, 'cause they have to, for my own sake. Should the Patriots make the Superbowl, and the Eagles don't make the playoffs, I hope Brett Favre and the Packers make it to the Superbowl and beat them. That'd be an awesome way for him to end his career, winning the big game against the supposed beat team ever.

I'm not scared of the Patriots. Hopefully the Eagles aren't scared, either. I honestly think that's why Belicheck has been running up the score, because the end result looks so lopsided that it intimidates all future opponents--- Teams think they're going to lose before they even get on the field. I just hope the Eagles come out and play with passion, unlike they have in a few games this year, where they don't even appear to care (i.e. the game against Dallas a couple weeks ago). Andy Reid is a good enough coach to figure out a way to at least slow down the Pats. I say give the ball to Westbrook about a hundred times. Maybe they can somehow keep Tom Brady from even being on the field during the first quarter or so.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Here's Axl4Prez's strategy for beating the Pats...(warning:  only works in 1 out of 17 attempts if mastered, and is combined with a sub-par game from the Pats and/or Pat injuries )

1:  never, ever, run a play with more than 3 to 5 seconds on the play clock.  Kill the clock.  Increase time of possession.  If a player on my team runs out of bounds willingly, he's benched for at least a play.   

2:  Westbrook pitches, Westbrook sweeps, Westbrook option pass downfield to Curtis once the Pats get 8 in the box.
no turnovers allowed.

3:  on the 1st series, put in all the backup offensive linemen.  Shotgun formation.  Direct snap to the fastest player on the team who is able to throw the ball 25 yards.  With the snap, o-line gives weak blocks, allows d-line through to chase our fast guy around.  After about 20 or 25 seconds of 300 pound Patriot defenders tiring themselves out, the fast guy goes toward the sideline and chucks it just out of reach of a receiver on the sideline, or tries to scramble for a couple yards. 

No, it doesn't give 'em a first down, but yes, it would be funny seeing Patriot d-linemen looking like contestants on The Biggest Loser.   

Option 4...take out Brady.  There's only one way to slay the dragon...and if the dragon is slain...the Pats dream season is over.  I'm not advocating this, but it almost seems like that's what it would take.

Happy Thanksgiving guys.
btw:  Cowboys, Packers, and Colts win today.  Only team not to cover the spread, the Colts (11 1/2)