The OFFICIAL 2015 NFL Thread

[Hotchilidog]

One of my favourite days in the NFL for a long time. Redskins actually really turn someone over, the Cowboys lose in absolutely hilarious fashion, as do the Eagles and then the Giants lose to the magician that is Tom Brady in a game they deserved to win. I shall enjoy this week, as to be honest I think that maybe as good as it gets for me, surely only downhill from here.

As an aside, I think this season has been terrific, the number of really close games, spectacular personal performances have really shown what a great game this is.

 

[spring hall convert]

Who needs Le'Veon Bell?

(Us probably when we are playing a team not as poor as the Browns.) They managed to combine having no pass rush with an awful secondary last night. Roethlisberger could have beaten them sat down.

 

[Shatner's Bassoon]

Unlike your Redskins

I'm cautiously optimistic, although - yesterday notwithstanding - I'm not convinced by Kirk Cousins in any way. Or Jay Gruden, for that matter. But I do like what the new GM has done so far: he appears to have a plan. If the ridiculous ownership stays out of it I think they have a chance of improving nicely over the next couple of seasons.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I'm cautiously optimistic, although - yesterday notwithstanding - I'm not convinced by Kirk Cousins in any way. Or Jay Gruden, for that matter. But I do like what the new GM has done so far: he appears to have a plan. If the ridiculous ownership stays out of it I think they have a chance of improving nicely over the next couple of seasons.

I'd tentatively disagree re Cousins and Gruden. Cousins is now improving week in week out, the extended playing time and backing from the coaching staff is finally paying off. Whilst he is unlikely to reach the elite level I think he is now turning into a decent starter. His accuracy has improved greatly, even last week at the Pats he threw very well, he was just let down by his receivers. Cousins has also led game winning drives late in the game in addition, he can lead a team to win.

As for Gruden, the play calling has improved and getting Morris heavily involved yesterday was a masterstroke. There was an opportunity to restore Alfred's confidence against a woeful defence and Gruden took it.

Totally agree re Mcloughan, Scherff, Crowder, Jones, Pea, Knighton have all been brought in and improved the team.

The Skins are still a mediocre team but considering how low they were the rebuild has definitely begun. Not having to hunt for QB in the draft and FA means we can now concentrate on the secondary and TE and WR positions where I believe there is more talent available.

 

[John Bumlick]

Peyton Manning breaks the all time yardage record. Then gets benched having thrown for 35 yards, 0 TDs and 4 interceptions.

After the game Manning hinted that he was hurt and that his desire to play hurt the team. Kubiak then took the blame saying that he wasn't healthy enough to play and that he should not have made the decision to start him.

Of course, that could all be spin...

The only way this season ends well for Manning and the Broncos is if Kubiak sits Manning for a month and he gets healthy for the playoffs.

 

[Shatner's Bassoon]

I'd tentatively disagree re Cousins and Gruden. Cousins is now improving week in week out, the extended playing time and backing from the coaching staff is finally paying off. Whilst he is unlikely to reach the elite level I think he is now turning into a decent starter. His accuracy has improved greatly, even last week at the Pats he threw very well, he was just let down by his receivers. Cousins has also led game winning drives late in the game in addition, he can lead a team to win.

As for Gruden, the play calling has improved and getting Morris heavily involved yesterday was a masterstroke. There was an opportunity to restore Alfred's confidence against a woeful defence and Gruden took it.

Totally agree re Mcloughan, Scherff, Crowder, Jones, Pea, Knighton have all been brought in and improved the team.

The Skins are still a mediocre team but considering how low they were the rebuild has definitely begun. Not having to hunt for QB in the draft and FA means we can now concentrate on the secondary and TE and WR positions where I believe there is more talent available.

Interesting on Gruden and Cousins. If you're right then I think there should be plenty to look forward to. Frankly I expected them to be in the race for the first overall draft pick, so I'm certainly pleasantly surprised.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

After the game Manning hinted that he was hurt and that his desire to play hurt the team. Kubiak then took the blame saying that he wasn't healthy enough to play and that he should not have made the decision to start him.

Of course, that could all be spin...

The only way this season ends well for Manning and the Broncos is if Kubiak sits Manning for a month and he gets healthy for the playoffs.

Reporting this evening that Osweiler will start against the Bears and Manning won't even suit up next week. They say he has plantar fasciitis which, as previously discussed on here, can be very painful.

 

[The_Viper]

As a Bears fan witnessing Peyton's dreadful performance against the Chiefs, I'm definitely liking our chances in that Denver game. I honestly think they are on the brink of imploding and a loss over at Chicago against their former head coach would probably put them in panic mode, especially with the Patriots game right after this matchup. It's still going to be a tough game but I'm hoping the weather gods are with us and a young Brock plays in terrible conditions. And we all know Fox, Gase, and Cutler are motivated to get some personal revenge against their former team.

For the Packers game... I mean if Detroit won there, we can too. I don't have my hopes up too high for this game knowing Cutler's spotty record against Green Bay but we have a shot in making it competitive. That's all I'm going to say really. These next two games coming up will tell us a lot about our playoff chances and where we stand in the league.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Texans 10-6 Bengals..... WHAT??

 

[Dave the OAP]

Texans 10-6 Bengals..... WHAT??

Woooohooo. The Eagles can go and suck!

Go Texans y'all.

 

[spring hall convert]

Bit early for the Bengals to start tanking. 2 poor offensive performances in 3.

Not that it did me many any favours, I needed AJ Green to outscore Alfred Blue by about 5 points to win my FF matchup.

 

[hart's shirt]

Bulls on Parade once again. I didn't see this one coming.

If you haven't seen DeAndre Hopkins catch, it's well worth watching. Not quite as good as Beckham's, but a little bit of magic in a defensive encounter.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Well that’s my Thanksgiving sorted – Eagles v Lions before the big nosh and then Panthers v Cowboys and Bears v Packers whilst all that turkey is being digested. Lions and Eagles could both be playing for NFC wild card spots. The evening game between the Bears and Packers has been described as “the most unconscionable decision by the NFL” – sure they are great rivals but it’s very one sided, the Packers have won 9 of the past 10 games – we shall see.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

The evening game between the Bears and Packers has been described as “the most unconscionable decision by the NFL” – sure they are great rivals but it’s very one sided, the Packers have won 9 of the past 10 games – we shall see.

A few weeks ago you would have said this would be very one sided but given the results of the last couple of weeks then this could be a lot closer than expected. Of course, now I have said that, it will be a 30+ point blowout!

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Double post

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Yikes. I've stayed up to watch Titans @Jags. 6-6 at H/T. No hint of a TD at any point.

 

[Shatner's Bassoon]

Yikes. I've stayed up to watch Titans @Jags. 6-6 at H/T. No hint of a TD at any point.

Worth it in the end for you, I'm sure.

 

[daves143]

Yikes. I've stayed up to watch Titans @Jags. 6-6 at H/T. No hint of a TD at any point.

2 wins on the trot, you must be ecstatic!! Lol

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

2 wins on the trot, you must be ecstatic!! Lol

Well, yeah, as it happens. 3 wins out of 4 sees us move to 4-6, already a huge improvement on last season. Still playing some pretty ugly football and Bradley is still making some awful decisions, but to still be in the hunt for the division is nice, even though it's not the greatest quality.

 

[daves143]

Well, yeah, as it happens. 3 wins out of 4 sees us move to 4-6, already a huge improvement on last season. Still playing some pretty ugly football and Bradley is still making some awful decisions, but to still be in the hunt for the division is nice, even though it's not the greatest quality.

Would be great to see the jags in the playoff hunt, good to see you guys on the up turn! Falcons have been playing pretty ugly most of the year and some how were 6-3, win is a win though, that's all that matters! Lol