Are You Ready for Some FOOTBALL! - Week 14

[reismark]

I never questioned the Toomer call (though I can see why - at the point Toomer gets the second foot down, it's arguable that the first foot had been dragged out-of-bounds) - the one that irked me was the Shockey one simply because in any other place on the field, it clearly was an incomplete pass and I was questioning why the rules were different. Turns out they weren't. Nice to know.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Jaguar
Oh, it absolutely is, and they proved it in the first three games or so. The Bengals lapse was unfortunate, but sometimes when you have two great QBs in a game, the score just goes crazy.

The D was very very good last year, as well, but underappreciated. They fixed up the interior line and the secondary improved, but the DEs and LBs were just as incredible last year. Cato June is the man.

Did you not read my earlier post?

The Colts are good, but very overrated. Especially the defense. The Bengals game proved the defense is not for real. Let's examine the Colts performance this season.

In the beginning they played horrible teams... it's not hard to hold Baltimore to 7 points... Cleveland to 6 points... the 49ers to 3 points... and Jacksonville struggled in that second game, but they still managed to average 5.3 yards per rush. Jacksonville also had more total yardage than Indy in that game. That was also the game where Leftwich could not complete the pass on the last play of the game for the touchdown to tie.

AND THE COLTS DEFENSE LAST YEAR WAS 29TH IN THE LEAGUE

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!?!?!?!

fair weather fans

[Dis]

are you watching the Steeler game Sava?

I think the Colts D is for real.

[Sava]

Pittsburgh is ranked 22nd in the league in offense

they lost to Baltimore last week

[-Jrabbit]

Colts D is much improved this year. They are much more effective when the opposition is behind and must run a predictable, pass-first offense, but there's plenty of talent there. Fun fact: Tony Dungy (an excellent coach IMHO) was Lovie Smith's boss in Tampa. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was Dungy who gave Lovie his first job in the NFL.

Without their state-of-the-art offense, the Indy defense would be good, but not great. But working with this offense, they are plenty good enough.

[Dis]

and what high powered offenses has Chicago faced?

[Sava]

Originally posted by Dis
and what high powered offenses has Chicago faced?

Carolina Panthers averaged 27.4 points per game going into the game versus Chicago

they scored 3 points

also, the Bengals offense could only generate 244 yards against the Bears

they managed to win because of Kyle Orton's 5 interceptions

[Sava]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
Colts D is much improved this year. They are much more effective when the opposition is behind and must run a predictable, pass-first offense, but there's plenty of talent there. Fun fact: Tony Dungy (an excellent coach IMHO) was Lovie Smith's boss in Tampa. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was Dungy who gave Lovie his first job in the NFL.

Without their state-of-the-art offense, the Indy defense would be good, but not great. But working with this offense, they are plenty good enough.

I'm not saying Indy's defense isn't improved.

It most definitely is.

But it is overrated.

They are still winning primarily with offense.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Sava


Carolina Panthers averaged 27.4 points per game going into the game versus Chicago

they scored 3 points

one game does not imply enough. The Panthers have an easy schedule due to an average record last year. The Panthers offense was overrated.

[Sava]

hahaha DanSed

[Sava]

Originally posted by Dis
The Panthers have an easy schedule due to an average record last year. The Panthers offense was overrated.

uhmmm the NFL matches up divisions against each other... the NFC North is playing the NFC South this year, etc... I don't even think the previous year's schedule plays into it. Plus, with all the player movement in the NFL, teams that suck one year could be in the Super Bowl the next. Case in point, the Panthers of 2 years ago.

The Panthers offense overrated?

Steve Smith is probably the NFC's offensive MVP. He leads the NFL in receiving yards. Jake Delholmme's passer rating is almost 90... and was above 90 before the Bear game.

The only thing wrong with Carolina's offense is that they have a poor running game. But that is because their offensive line sucks balls. That left tackle really sucks.

[Sava]

btw, the NFC North is not the worst division in football

the AFC East is!

[Frozzy]

You play 2 games against teams with the same divisional standing in the conference. In Carolina's case, this is the 3rd in the NFC West (ARZ) and the 3rd place in the NFC East (DAL).

Strength of schedule is also made to seem "easier" for good teams, as top tier teams play 6 games against teams with lower ability than them (intra-divisional).

It has to be said though, the AFC East and NFC North are the weakest in football.

[Sava]

I'd say the NFC West is worse than the NFC North... not counting the Bears and Seahawks...

but the Rams, Cardinals and 49ers? that is bad...

the Vikings are 6-5, however...

[-Jrabbit]

Hey Dis, they can only play the teams on their schedule. I think Carolina and Cincinnati were pretty legit tests. Seven wins in a row, capped by consecutive victories against the division leaders in the much-heralded NFC South, can't be ignored.

The Bears are 1st in the NFL in points allowed (10.9 per game), total yards per game, and passing yards per game. And the #2 seed in the NFC if the playoffs started today.