2022-23 NFL Season Discussion Thread

[Déjà Bru]

Week 8 predictions according to the New York Times. Contra-picks in red font.

Thursday Night’s Game

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4), 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
Line: Buccaneers +2 | Total: 45.5
Pick: Buccaneers +2

Sunday’s Best Games

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-1), 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Vikings -3.5 | Total: 49
Pick: Cardinals +3.5

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) at New Orleans Saints (2-5), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Saints +2 | Total: 49
Pick: Saints +2

Chicago Bears (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (5-2), 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Cowboys -9 | Total: 42
Pick: Cowboys -9

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) at Los Angeles Rams (3-3), 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Rams +2 | Total: 43
Pick: Rams +2

Giants (6-1) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3), 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Seahawks -3 | Total: 45.5
Pick: Seahawks -3

Green Bay Packers (3-4) at Buffalo Bills (5-1), 8:20 p.m., NBC
Line: Bills -10.5 | Total: 47
Pick: Bills -10.5

Sunday’s Other Games

Denver Broncos (2-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5), 9:30 a.m., ESPN+
Line: Jaguars -2.5 | Total: 39
Pick: Broncos +2.5

Carolina Panthers (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-4), 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Falcons -4 | Total: 41
Pick: Falcons -4

Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Detroit Lions (1-5), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Lions +3 | Line: 51.5
Pick: Dolphins -3

New England Patriots (3-4) at Jets (5-2), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Jets +2.5 | Total: 41
Pick: Jets +2.5

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-0), 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Eagles -11 | Total: 44
Pick: Steelers +11

Tennessee Titans (4-2) at Houston Texans (1-4-1), 4:05 p.m., CBS
Line: Texans +1 | Total: 40.5
Pick: Titans -1

Washington Commanders (3-4) at Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1), 4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Colts -3 | Total: 39.5
Pick: Commanders +3

Monday Night’s Game

Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-5), 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Line: Browns +3 | Total: 48
Pick: Bengals -3

Supporting blurbs available upon request. Tidbits:

• When Tom Brady can get the ball off and his receivers hang onto those passes he’s still very good: Football Outsiders considers them to be 31st in running the ball but a top-10 passing offense.
• It seems as though the market is waiting for the Giants to come back to Earth: They’re underdogs yet again this week, which may be fueled by the absence of a single Giants receiver with 200 receiving yards for the season.
• Buffalo, now the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, has a way of turning even venerated quarterbacks into underdogs. Before the Bills’ Week 6 drubbing of Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes had never been a home underdog. This week, it’s the first time in Aaron Rodgers’s 18-year career that he has entered a game as a double-digit underdog.
• Unbeaten Philadelphia has won only two of its games by double digits. Pittsburgh has kept all but two of its games within six points. The Eagles should continue their winning streak, but the Steelers could cover.
• Week after week, the Commanders have attracted sharp money and so far this week the public, and the pros seem to be on the same side, taking the points with Washington.

[Syd Thrift]

In terms of “famous last words”, Football Outsiders has the Giants as the 2nd worst 6-1 team since 1981 (which is how far back they’ve managed to take DVOA). The #1 team though was the 1982 Washington <team>, who won the Owl that year.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

In terms of “famous last words”, Football Outsiders has the Giants as the 2nd worst 6-1 team since 1981 (which is how far back they’ve managed to take DVOA). The #1 team though was the 1982 Washington <team>, who won the Owl that year.

Didn't that 1982 team win the SB?

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Didn't that 1982 team win the SB?

As I said, yes, they won the Superb Owl.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

As I said, yes, they won the Superb Owl.

Yeah, I completely didn't understand your post. I was lost. as usual.

But the 1978 Redskins were a terrible 6-1 team.

I'm a Cowboys fan. So I don't like the Giants. But they are not bad. The entire NFC is not that good. The Giants are one of the best teams in the NFC.

[Cobra Mgr]

Who is the best QB in the NFC right now?

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Who is the best QB in the NFC right now?

It appears from multiple sources that the consensus would be Jalen Hurts. Of course, a 6-0 record does wonders along these lines.

[Antonin]

My wife tells me that on some Cleveland sports talk show the other day, callers were demanding that the Browns' coach be fired. Calls for a new coach and a new quarterback are a sure sign that fall has arrived in Cleveland. When sports talk show hosts feel lazy, the surest way to get through their block of time is to ask: "Hey, Browns fans...is it time to make a coaching change? Is [insert QB's name] the right guy at quarterback? Is it time to give [insert backup QB's name] a shot for the rest of the season, just to see what we have?"

In Pittsburgh they can have the same coach and quarterback for 428 years, but not in Cleveland. If you get drafted by Pittsburgh you can bring your family along, buy a nice house, plant an oak tree in your back yard and watch it grow as your kids pass through grade school and high school. But in Cleveland you're better off in a one-bedroom apartment.

[jumpSeat]

The Ravens looked good last night hanging a big 'L' on Brady and the Bucs! Fun game to watch, especially if you enjoy seeing demigods brought down to earth.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

It appears from multiple sources that the consensus would be Jalen Hurts. Of course, a 6-0 record does wonders along these lines.

He is not the best QB. Not even close. What the Eagles did was put a situation around him so he could excel.

The Eagles are hiding him with the RPO and quick passes. If the Eagles are in 3rd and long, they're in trouble. The entire game plan is to have no 3rd and long situations.

The second a defense forces them out of that, Hurts is useless. He's not a passer. Similar to what happened to the Ravens in 2019. They went 14-2 with a similar plan. The Titans stopped their run game and it was over.

[thehef]

Absolute moron of the day: DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers. Thinking of himself, rather than the team, with a stupid "look at me!" move (taking off his helmet) after a great play... Idiot.

There are penalties that occur due to hustle, aggressiveness, instinct, and just plain bad luck. But penalties like Moore's - when you make a conscious decision to put yourself above the team during a non-competitive moment - are inexcusable.

Sure, his kicker didn't help him out, missing the unnecessarily (due to Moore's bonehead penalty) long extra point attempt, and then missing a very makeable FG in OT. But looked at on it's own - the only way to properly evaluate any play - Moore's penalty was just dumb.

(It's actually a shame that Piniero's missed kicks - especially the one in OT - contributed to the loss. They will take the edge of the criticism that Moore so deserves.)

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by thehef

Absolute moron of the day: DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers. Thinking of himself, rather than the team, with a stupid "look at me!" move (taking off his helmet) after a great play... Idiot.

There are penalties that occur due to hustle, aggressiveness, instinct, and just plain bad luck. But penalties like Moore's - when you make a conscious decision to put yourself above the team during a non-competitive moment - are inexcusable.

Sure, his kicker didn't help him out, missing the unnecessarily (due to Moore's bonehead penalty) long extra point attempt, and then missing a very makeable FG in OT. But looked at on it's own - the only way to properly evaluate any play - Moore's penalty was just dumb.

(It's actually a shame that Piniero's missed kicks - especially the one in OT - contributed to the loss. They will take the edge of the criticism that Moore so deserves.)

Yeah, they win the game if he hits a normal extra point.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

He is not the best QB. Not even close. What the Eagles did was put a situation around him so he could excel.

The Eagles are hiding him with the RPO and quick passes. If the Eagles are in 3rd and long, they're in trouble. The entire game plan is to have no 3rd and long situations.

The second a defense forces them out of that, Hurts is useless. He's not a passer. Similar to what happened to the Ravens in 2019. They went 14-2 with a similar plan. The Titans stopped their run game and it was over.

So......who is the best in the NFC IYO?

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

So......who is the best in the NFC IYO?

Excellent question. Does it matter? In a vacuum I'd say Brady, Rodgers, and Stafford. But football is situational. A career average QB like Nick Foles took the Eagles to a SB win.

What matters is that the team supports their QBs strength. Give your QB the supporting cast and gameplan to succeed with his talents. Who's actually better doesn't matter.

Aaron Rodgers didn't suddenly get worse. His supporting cast did. It doesn't matter who the better QB is, what matters is who are the better teams.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by thehef

Absolute moron of the day: DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers. Thinking of himself, rather than the team, with a stupid "look at me!" move (taking off his helmet) after a great play... Idiot.

There are penalties that occur due to hustle, aggressiveness, instinct, and just plain bad luck. But penalties like Moore's - when you make a conscious decision to put yourself above the team during a non-competitive moment - are inexcusable.

Sure, his kicker didn't help him out, missing the unnecessarily (due to Moore's bonehead penalty) long extra point attempt, and then missing a very makeable FG in OT. But looked at on it's own - the only way to properly evaluate any play - Moore's penalty was just dumb.

(It's actually a shame that Piniero's missed kicks - especially the one in OT - contributed to the loss. They will take the edge of the criticism that Moore so deserves.)

I'm with you on DJ Moore's selfish act. But the kicker still deserves as much the blame. You could let him slide to the XP. But the OT FG was no excuse. I'm surprised the Panthers haven't posted an ad on Indeed.com yet.

But let's go back to the helmet thing. Do we remember why that is a penalty? Because the owners thought it was undignified for Emmitt Smith to take his helmet off celebrating TD's. This is from the age when the media got their panties in a bunch over sharpies & organized TD celebrations were disallowed. In other words, no bat flipping. No individualism whatsoever. Cause that "wasn't the image the shield wanted to project". Meanwhile, the owners of the shield were/are Robert Kraft, Jim Irsay, Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Ed Debartalo, Jimmy Haslem & Jerry Richardson.

Today, white QB's are doing the gritty, Eagles WR's are stomping the yard & every defender is posing in the end zone post turnover. We should now be beyond thinking showing your face after a score is the sign of the denigration of our society. Let's grow up. The "servants use the back entrance" mentality maintained by the wealthy needs to be abolished. The helmet rule DJ Moore was flagged for needs to be taken out of the rulebook.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Excellent question. Does it matter? In a vacuum I'd say Brady, Rodgers, and Stafford. But football is situational. A career average QB like Nick Foles took the Eagles to a SB win.

What matters is that the team supports their QBs strength. Give your QB the supporting cast and gameplan to succeed with his talents. Who's actually better doesn't matter.

Aaron Rodgers didn't suddenly get worse. His supporting cast did. It doesn't matter who the better QB is, what matters is who are the better teams.

Of course it doesn't matter. I do think it is an eye opener about the state of the NFL when there isn't one QB in one half of the league who you could say with your full chest "he is the best". The "names" are 35 and over. The younger ones don't look like they have potential. And the ones on playoff teams are all game managers.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Of course it doesn't matter. I do think it is an eye opener about the state of the NFL when there isn't one QB in one half of the league who you could say with your full chest "he is the best". The "names" are 35 and over. The younger ones don't look like they have potential. And the ones on playoff teams are all game managers.

It's not necessarily who is best. Who cares? What team is the best? Forget the QB. This year QB doesn't seem to be making the difference, although they matter. Cowboys are a different team with Dak than they are with Rush. But their defense is winning games.

Fields, Hurts, QBs like that are creating plans to best suit their talents. Neither are pocket passers, yet they have some success.

Rodgers wanted a 50M a year contract. That was what was important to him. Without a supporting cast, he's pretty much neutered. Same with Brady and their OL.

[monkeyman576]

The Eagles and Vikings are good, but have both played very easy schedules so far. I may be a homer, but with wins over the Chargers and Giants, I think the Seahawks can make a case to be the best team in a conference that is not top heavy. Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker III are one of the best QB/RB tandems in the league.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I'm with you on DJ Moore's selfish act. But the kicker still deserves as much the blame.

The kicker absolutely deserves blame, but it's a different kind of blame. But part of the core of sports is that often players try hard and still fail. There's no real comparison of Moore's contribution to the loss and the kicker's. Piniero was trying to win the game and did nothing selfish and intentional to contribute to his team's loss. The same cannot be said of Moore.

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I'm surprised the Panthers haven't posted an ad on Indeed.com yet.

Agree. I'm also surprised the team hasn't fined Moore.

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Today, white QB's are doing the gritty, Eagles WR's are stomping the yard & every defender is posing in the end zone post turnover. We should now be beyond thinking showing your face after a score is the sign of the denigration of our society. Let's grow up. The "servants use the back entrance" mentality maintained by the wealthy needs to be abolished. The helmet rule DJ Moore was flagged for needs to be taken out of the rulebook.

I suppose I'd like to see a middle ground here. Personally, I like to see honest & spontaneous displays of joy, celebrating with teammates and so forth. I do not, however, like to see all the "look at me, I'm a badass" stuff. The angry, "show me respect" poses that dominate the NBA and have also infested the NFL are particularly odious, IMO. I'm neither 100% for or against penalties for this behavior, but as I said: Middle ground. I'd prefer to see an evolution to where some players show that enthusiasm & joy that I mentioned, but also approach it from the perspective of "ya, I expected to do that because I've done it before, and I plan to do it again, so I'm going to quickly celebrate by hugging & high-fiving my teammates and maybe acknowledge the crowd, and then get back to work." (I fully realize that there are many who LOVE the choreographed stuff, and who also love the angry "I'm a badass stuff." Not everyone see it as classless sign of the times, like I do... And some of the choreographed stuff I actually like, I'll admit... most happy & silly celebrations that go along with smiles, rather than angry poses, are cool by me.)

As for the helmet rule itself, I'll plagiarize & edit what you wrote in the "who's the HR record-holder" thread:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

The issue isn't whether [the helmet rule should exist or not].

The issue is [the helmet rule is in place].

Moore should not be excused because one disagrees with the rule (and I'm not saying you are making that claim). Moore knew the rule, selfishly broke it, and cost his team.

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Meanwhile, the owners of the shield were/are Robert Kraft, Jim Irsay, Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Ed Debartalo, Jimmy Haslem & Jerry Richardson.

I don't think that the low bar set by some owners should be an excuse for promoting classless on-the-field behavior by players. Although I realize that some don't see the angry & selfish stuff as being classless. As with many things, YMMV

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

It's not necessarily who is best. Who cares? What team is the best? Forget the QB. This year QB doesn't seem to be making the difference, although they matter. Cowboys are a different team with Dak than they are with Rush. But their defense is winning games.

Fields, Hurts, QBs like that are creating plans to best suit their talents. Neither are pocket passers, yet they have some success.

Rodgers wanted a 50M a year contract. That was what was important to him. Without a supporting cast, he's pretty much neutered. Same with Brady and their OL.

If you don't care, why bother answering the post? Just skip it. Geez.

I asked cause I do care what somebody besides myself thinks.