NFL 2018 Season Thread

[Ben Kenobi]

Imagine, some people were comparing Cutler to Rivers

[Demonbinder]

As "Jaws" said today on PTI - Cutler still hasn't learned the fundamentals. Sad to see that when you see new guys coming into league with no problems.

[Spaced Cowboy]

I'll just be happy if Chicago can continue to "suck" for just one more game.

[-Jrabbit]

I think you'll be very pleased by Sunday night, Spaced.

In fact, I think The Beloved are open to tanking the season. Since Fox arrived, they've dumped all their offensive weapons save Jeffery and Long. That's Forte, Marshall, Bennett and Slauson, presumably so Fox can rebuild in his own image. The defense is in mid-rebuild and Fangio is an awesome coodinator. But since they have no DBs and 5 defensive starters (Travathan, Goldman, Houston, Amos and Callahan) went down last week, the Dallas O-line should have a field day.

I'm expecting Zeke Elliott to have a huge week, and Prescott to throw his first TD - maybe 2.

Hoping I'm wrong but doubt that I am. Planning to switch over to John Oliver at 10pm.

BTW, in case the Bears cruise home with a 3-win season, which college QBs should I be watching?

[Zopperoni]

Watson (Clemson) might be the best QB prospect. Looking around, Kizer (ND) and Kaaya (Miami) have some buzz and first-round potential, but all three are underclassmen and it's looking like a weak QB class.

Other options include trading for Garoppolo or Siemian, and Kaepernick might become a FA.

[Zopperoni]

Patriots got two turnovers off two kick-off returns, which both led to touchdowns.

This will definitely fuel the whole "kick it shallow" discussion.

[Ming]

I don't know why anybody would not want to kick it shallow.
Unless it's against the Bears, because they seem to want to run it out of the end zone. Not only do they get crappy returns not even close to the 25, they also are more than likely to get a holding or push in the back call as well

[Zopperoni]

You do need a solid coverage unit, but yes, there's an advantage to kicking it shallow. The Niners missed one clear opportunity to get a long return, because, well, Luke Kuechly...

[rah]

Imagine, some people were comparing Cutler to Rivers

Who was doing that?

[rah]

And Houston spending all the bucks for that quarterback.

[Zopperoni]

It's not all his fault. Tom Brady looked horrible two years ago against KC and all it did was spark the "We're on to [X]"-mantra all the way to a SB win.

The Patriots' defense was incredible last night: good deep coverage, solid run stopping, consistent edge rush... it looked like the Seahawks defense from a couple of years ago...

The Texans' receivers are young and they'll get better. There probably wasn't enough time to adjust in-game to a short passing game with combination routes (like the Patriots used against the Seahawks in the SB).

Hopefully for them, the Patriots didn't hand the rest of their opponents a blueprint on how to defeat them...

[-Jrabbit]

Who was doing that?

Cutler was considered the bargain of his draft class (Vince Young and Leinart were drafted ahead of him). Back in his first couple years, he was definitely compared - often favorably - with other young QBs, including Rivers, Big Ben, and Eli, all 2 years older. Cutler vs Rivers was a natural, since they were in the same division, and Jay compared favorably to Rivers in arm strength.

To put that in perspective, the young Cutler was also often compared to a young Brett Favre - huge arm, riverboat gambler style, poor mechanics, too many turnovers. The difference is, Favre learned and got better. Sadly, Cutler has just gotten older.

[rah]

I was thinking more, no one here has claimed that.

[Ben Kenobi]

I have a Broncos' fan as a friend and yes, he still considers Cutler to be better than Rivers.

[Demonbinder]

Bears: It's third and short so lets go with an empty backfield and throw it. Opposing team defense: Look the Bears are going with an empty backfield and are going to pass it. Let's bring up our DB's and stop it. I am not liking this OC.

Better second half but they have to learn to play sixty minutes. Also have to stop the critical dropped passes and penalties. I wonder what would have happened if refs had not called offside on onside kick (still looking for the offside BTW), but considering how they were playing probably wouldn't have made a difference. Only bright spots were Kevin White starting to show up, AJ doing his usual great catches and the rookie RB looks good but needs more carries. They get away from the running game too early. Fox is kidding himself if he thinks this team can win 11 of next 14 (or whatever it was) after going 0-3 (with Denver?).