2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

I considered the Cowboys but I can't see them winning what would most likely be back-to-back games at Green Bay and Seattle.

You make a good point. Although: Cowboys would have road-field advantage in that case.

[yoshi_5]

Originally Posted by Eye Candy

From the Commissioner:

NFL Divisional Playoffs

Saturday, Jan. 10

NFC: 8:15 p.m. (ET) Detroit/Arizona/Carolina at Seattle (FOX)

Sunday, Jan. 11

NFC: 1:05 p.m. (ET) Dallas/Carolina/Arizona at Green Bay (FOX)

Assuming Arizona is 1/Done (Does anyone think this won't happen?).

If the Lions beat Dallas in Dallas (it's a stretch, I know), but if the Lions do pull it out, do they stand a chance in Seattle? Otherwise, is Carolina a team that can go into Seattle and shock the world?

I think if Dallas beats Detroit, Dallas has a good chance to go into Lambeau and take the game. Especially if Rodgers is still suffering from the injury. Packer's run defense has improved, but Murray would be an extremely tough challenge. I think Carolina in Green Bay would be the desired opponent for the Packers fans, but just like Carolina in Seattle, it could scream underdog victory. If Dallas does beat Green Bay, then Seattle should definitely be very concerned.

I see the NFC playoffs playing out like this:

Lions beat Cowboys in typical Lion "squeak by" fashion

Panthers over Cardinals

Seahawks over Lions

Packers over Panthers

Then, unfortunately, Seahawks over Packers....

I just hope this first round bye for Green Bay and Rodgers allows enough healing time.

[rickah88]

I like the new poll, but I think another option should be added: None of the above.

[dcowboy7]

2015 sched is now out - the dates/times out in april:

https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com...termined-2.pdf

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Kyle Williams has been in this league 9 years. This week when he leaves the Bills facility, it will be the first time he completes a season with a winning record. Next year we're getting him into the playoffs!

Easy there, it may take longer than the next year now. You dont have a decent QB anymore now. Thats a step back for the bills imo.

[burner xxx]

Dallas, then Seattle.

I'm hoping for 1 win. 1 nice solid win so we can celebrate for at least a little bit.

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

2015 sched is now out - the dates/times out in april:

https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com...termined-2.pdf

damn. 2015 lions needs to play good to have a chance.

[West E]

I think Lions fans deserve a Superbowl appearance. I'm going with them.

[iam1bearcat]

sorry if this has been discussed to death, by why is Seattle the #1 seed? They lost to the Cowboys and have the same record, yet ESPN says that because Seattle (and GB) have better conference records than Dallas, that Dallas is the 3 seed. Seems wrong.

Cardinals are 5 because they beat the Lions, so why isn't it the same for Seattle and Dallas? Granted, I'm happy Seattle has home field, but it just seems wrong since they're both 12-4 and Dallas won the head to head. And isn't Seattle #1 and GB #2 because Seattle beat GB? It doesn't make any sense to me!

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

sorry if this has been discussed to death, by why is Seattle the #1 seed? They lost to the Cowboys and have the same record, yet ESPN says that because Seattle (and GB) have better conference records than Dallas, that Dallas is the 3 seed. Seems wrong.

Cardinals are 5 because they beat the Lions, so why isn't it the same for Seattle and Dallas? Granted, I'm happy Seattle has home field, but it just seems wrong since they're both 12-4 and Dallas won the head to head. And isn't Seattle #1 and GB #2 because Seattle beat GB? It doesn't make any sense to me!

Once you get 3, or more teams, with the same record you start using the tie-breaks, the first of which happens to be Conference record. Which Seattle owns.
You can't apply head-to-head when three, or more teams are involved as they all might not have played one another.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Easy there, it may take longer than the next year now. You dont have a decent QB anymore now. Thats a step back for the bills imo.

Unless Manuel suddenly develops, the QB position is going to have to be addressed. Quite frankly, we planned on addressing it even before Orton decided to retire.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Once you get 3, or more teams, with the same record you start using the tie-breaks, the first of which happens to be Conference record. Which Seattle owns.
You can't apply head-to-head when three, or more teams are involved as they all might not have played one another.

Thank you. I can see how using head-to-heads for 2 of the 3 would cause problems.

[sycro]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Not sure I agree with that. Only 2 losing seasons in 6 years, to go with 2 straight AFC Championship appearances. Also finishing 2nd in the AFC East 4 times, unfortunately having New England win the Division every year. Which has been, arguably, the best team in the last 10-15 years.

As for opting to go the DC route, I doubt Atlanta would be his first choice...especially since they nixed Ryan to go with Smith 6 years ago, but stranger things have happened.

He also only had 2 winning seasons. Atlanta just fired a more successful coach.

[burner xxx]

Did they or didn't they tank?

[Show spoiler]That's the question many are asking the day after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a 23-20 loss to New Orleans.

Not that this terrible 2-14 Tampa team isn't capable of such a collapse, but there was enough evidence during the game that made it look more suspicious than coincidental, including the pulling of most starters in the second half:

» Wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, who each passed 1,000 yards this season, were benched.

» Three starters on the offensive line were pulled in favor of a trio that had a combined two years of NFL experience.

» LB Lavonte David, whom Bucs coach Lovie Smith has called the best outside linebacker in the NFL, was a healthy second-half scratch.

» Quarterback Josh McCown, who completed 12 of 20 passes in the first half, had only three attempts in the third and fourth quarters.

Any one of the above items could be legitimate, but all put together, there was probably something a little more devious at play. After Sunday's game, Smith and others were predictably in full-denial mode.

"Yeah, we didn't have some of our best players there right in the end," Smith said. "But the guys we had in there we felt like we could move the ball and be able to win."

"I don't think anybody tanked it," quarterback Josh McCown said. "We played the guys we played to rotate guys in to give them a look. As far as players are concerned, the draft and that stuff isn't relevant to us."

To most players, the draft isn't relevant. To most. But to some who could directly benefit from the fruits of the No. 1 pick, it most definitely is. Perhaps that's why Jackson, who would love a quarterback who could more consistenly get him the ball, left the field Sunday with a finger in the air representing the No. 1 sign.

It was the first time in their last 25 games in which they had a lead of at least 13 points going into the fourth quarter that the Buccaneers did not walk away with a win. In this case, they walked away with something much more valuable.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...2015-nfl-draft - source

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Once you get 3, or more teams, with the same record you start using the tie-breaks, the first of which happens to be Conference record. Which Seattle owns.
You can't apply head-to-head when three, or more teams are involved as they all might not have played one another.

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Thank you. I can see how using head-to-heads for 2 of the 3 would cause problems.

If one team of the 3 has a head-to-head sweep over both remaining, that wins a 3-way tiebreaker.

[Navster]

My pick to win it all is Dallas, I want to see Romo hoist the Lombardy trophy

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by Navster

My pick to win it all is Dallas, I want to see Romo hoist the Lombardy trophy

i know you're a Raiders fan.....and it's been a LONG time.....but it's Lombardi.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by burner xxx

Did they or didn't they tank?

[Show spoiler]That's the question many are asking the day after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a 23-20 loss to New Orleans.

Not that this terrible 2-14 Tampa team isn't capable of such a collapse, but there was enough evidence during the game that made it look more suspicious than coincidental, including the pulling of most starters in the second half:

» Wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, who each passed 1,000 yards this season, were benched.

» Three starters on the offensive line were pulled in favor of a trio that had a combined two years of NFL experience.

» LB Lavonte David, whom Bucs coach Lovie Smith has called the best outside linebacker in the NFL, was a healthy second-half scratch.

» Quarterback Josh McCown, who completed 12 of 20 passes in the first half, had only three attempts in the third and fourth quarters.

Any one of the above items could be legitimate, but all put together, there was probably something a little more devious at play. After Sunday's game, Smith and others were predictably in full-denial mode.

"Yeah, we didn't have some of our best players there right in the end," Smith said. "But the guys we had in there we felt like we could move the ball and be able to win."

"I don't think anybody tanked it," quarterback Josh McCown said. "We played the guys we played to rotate guys in to give them a look. As far as players are concerned, the draft and that stuff isn't relevant to us."

To most players, the draft isn't relevant. To most. But to some who could directly benefit from the fruits of the No. 1 pick, it most definitely is. Perhaps that's why Jackson, who would love a quarterback who could more consistenly get him the ball, left the field Sunday with a finger in the air representing the No. 1 sign.

It was the first time in their last 25 games in which they had a lead of at least 13 points going into the fourth quarter that the Buccaneers did not walk away with a win. In this case, they walked away with something much more valuable.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...2015-nfl-draft - source

Of course Tampa tanked. Thye'd have been idiots not too pull their key guys and give that game away.

[walruswarrior]

Originally Posted by Navster

My pick to win it all is Dallas, I want to see Romo hoist the Lombardy trophy

Personally I'd like to see him fumble the XP to tie the game again, and lose it for his team

I'd like to see the Steelers make it out of the AFC.

[Navster]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

i know you're a Raiders fan.....and it's been a LONG time.....but it's Lombardi.

Lol it has been a while

But my bad

[ChadFL]

Carolina winning yesterday and edging out Atlanta in that horrible division sure bossted the Falcons in the draft. Has Atlanta won the division they'd have no better than the 21st draft pick in the 2015 draft. Missing the playoffsat 6-10 gives them the #8 overall pick.