NFL Conference Championships week

[The Sybian]

the worst decision was running on third down before the TD and calling timeout though

I read that Campbell has evolved and I believe it, and that is probably the number 1 good sign for your coaching staff.

But damned if every time I really watch this team they aren't doing baffling shit.

That looked like a playcall by someone so convinced of the good outcome they didn't factor in how bad the bad outcome would be.

My son had an interesting idea for a ballsy call on 4th down. Since onside kicks are impossible these days, he said they should have run a QB draw where Goff intentionally goes down at the goal line. He figured it's more likely to get a safety and get the ball back down 8 than it would be to score and recover an onsides kick. He was joking, but I'd like to see the NextGen stat on that.

[Jerloma]

Guys, I highly doubt the Ravens gameplan was to not run the ball. Finite amount of plays in a football game and that number tends to get smaller when you don't have the ball.

SIX carries by running backs. Did they only have 15 total offensive plays?

Probably not, but beyond just getting first downs, they could have had a lot of unfavorable down and distances that aren't conducive to running, but more importantly, they were losing the whole game. The Ravens were the #1 rushing team in football because they were playing with big leads all season. Also, their passing game tends to produce a fuckton of rushing yards because freak QB.

[Ryan]

My son had an interesting idea for a ballsy call on 4th down. Since onside kicks are impossible these days, he said they should have run a QB draw where Goff intentionally goes down at the goal line. He figured it's more likely to get a safety and get the ball back down 8 than it would be to score and recover an onsides kick. He was joking, but I'd like to see the NextGen stat on that.

That's...not crazy? I guess anyone can tush push their way forward now if they absolutely had to, but I like the thought process

[L-Jam3]

There's a small but not insignificant chance that even if you fail and get stopped at the one that you still might force a safety. I think that fact gets factored in when the decision to go for it vs. kick when your team is that close to the goal line.

[Nonlinear FC]

It would’ve been the same if it were a score.

And we don’t do this often, but that was a difficult yet accurate call by the refs. Seeing that he lost possession before crossing the plane, at full speed, took some professional-level skill.

Good point. It looked like a TD in real time on TV. Was a great call.

I happened to be focused on the Line Judge and he sprinted over and dropped a bean bag and so I was clued in right away that the on field call was a fumble.

And, man, Flowers really had an unfortunate series of events in that game. Feel bad for the kid.

[Nonlinear FC]

Congrats Bronto. Stupid penalties. Best running team in the league ran the ball 16 times. Frustrating.

This was one of the dumbest gameplans I have seen in some time. Defense bringing the house, so let's run three routes all 20 yards down field.

Defensively I'm not sure if they adjusted or if Andy Reid just decided to start running clock with 30 minutes left in the game. Weird all around.

Agree with all of this, but the bolded part was incredibly frustrating.

[tennbengal]

Guys, I highly doubt the Ravens gameplan was to not run the ball. Finite amount of plays in a football game and that number tends to get smaller when you don't have the ball.

SIX carries by running backs. Did they only have 15 total offensive plays?

Probably not, but beyond just getting first downs, they could have had a lot of unfavorable down and distances that aren't conducive to running, but more importantly, they were losing the whole game. The Ravens were the #1 rushing team in football because they were playing with big leads all season. Also, their passing game tends to produce a fuckton of rushing yards because freak QB.

Gus Edwards ran the ball like, twice, after this. That was at the 5 minute mark in the first quarter - in a game the Ravens were never down by more than 10. I don't understand your defense of the gameplan. Probably you being contrarian.

[DSafetyGuy]

The outro music was San Francisco's own The Greg Kihn Band's "Jeopardy."

They also played "I Don't Know Anything" when things went sideways in the third quarter.

[degenerasian]

I think he was right to go for it in the 3rd quarter, put the game away. You can't predict the events after, a TD, then a fumble and another TD.

But you'll never convince me that not tying up the game with 7:32 left when you opponent had scored on 4 straight drives is the right decision.

You need to tie the game, and keep it a one possession game. Had they done that the game likely goes to OT and you have a chance still. Instead it's a two possession game and you have under 4:00 minutes left to try to get two scores.

[Gunpowder]

Guys, I highly doubt the Ravens gameplan was to not run the ball. Finite amount of plays in a football game and that number tends to get smaller when you don't have the ball.

SIX carries by running backs. Did they only have 15 total offensive plays?

Probably not, but beyond just getting first downs, they could have had a lot of unfavorable down and distances that aren't conducive to running, but more importantly, they were losing the whole game. The Ravens were the #1 rushing team in football because they were playing with big leads all season. Also, their passing game tends to produce a fuckton of rushing yards because freak QB.

They weren't exactly getting blown out, that's no reason to abandon it completely. You can't just try to hit downfield shots all game when the defense is sending 6 or more at you and they are getting home every time.

They tried throwing short one drive, they both got batted down at the line and that was it.


The Bears are also very good running, and they aren't playing with big leads. It's because having that kind of QB really opens things up for RBs.

[EnochRoot]

I think he was right to go for it in the 3rd quarter, put the game away. You can't predict the events after, a TD, then a fumble and another TD.

But you'll never convince me that not tying up the game with 7:32 left when you opponent had scored on 4 straight drives is the right decision.

You need to tie the game, and keep it a one possession game. Had they done that the game likely goes to OT and you have a chance still. Instead it's a two possession game and you have under 4:00 minutes left to try to get two scores.

IMO if momentum was their concern, then the FG to go up 17 points in the 3Q was the right call to put all the pressure on the last player picked in the 2022 draft. I can see it both ways, but IMO this was Dan Campbell’s hubris. I loved the tweet yesterday where it was akin to hitting on 18 at the blackjack table.

[sancarlos]

And, man, Flowers really had an unfortunate series of events in that game. Feel bad for the kid.

[bfj]

Guys, I highly doubt the Ravens gameplan was to not run the ball. Finite amount of plays in a football game and that number tends to get smaller when you don't have the ball.

SIX carries by running backs. Did they only have 15 total offensive plays?

Probably not, but beyond just getting first downs, they could have had a lot of unfavorable down and distances that aren't conducive to running, but more importantly, they were losing the whole game. The Ravens were the #1 rushing team in football because they were playing with big leads all season. Also, their passing game tends to produce a fuckton of rushing yards because freak QB.

The Ravens built big leads all season by rushing the ball. It opens up everything for Lamar. Edwards was getting almost 7 yards a carry on his 3 carries. 6 carries by running backs is ridiculous.

[DSafetyGuy]

[tennbengal]

He was a replacement kicker for them, right? Their regular kicker was hurt late in the season?

[EnochRoot]

Lions’ holding open kicking tryouts to fill in for injured kicker:

“How are you at, oh…kicking field goals?”

“Well….”

YOU’RE HIRED!

[EnochRoot]

FWIW he made a 41 yard FG on Dec 30 at Dallas.

[tennbengal]

[tennbengal]

[degenerasian]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

[Brontoburglar]

FWIW he made a 41 yard FG on Dec 30 at Dallas.

that stadium is indoors

[EnochRoot]

FWIW he made a 41 yard FG on Dec 30 at Dallas.

that stadium is indoors

Retractable roof. No idea if it was open or closed though for that game.

[Jerloma]

Guys, I highly doubt the Ravens gameplan was to not run the ball. Finite amount of plays in a football game and that number tends to get smaller when you don't have the ball.

SIX carries by running backs. Did they only have 15 total offensive plays?

Probably not, but beyond just getting first downs, they could have had a lot of unfavorable down and distances that aren't conducive to running, but more importantly, they were losing the whole game. The Ravens were the #1 rushing team in football because they were playing with big leads all season. Also, their passing game tends to produce a fuckton of rushing yards because freak QB.

The Ravens built big leads all season by rushing the ball. It opens up everything for Lamar. Edwards was getting almost 7 yards a carry on his 3 carries. 6 carries by running backs is ridiculous.

Yeah, I can't argue that. That's wild. I just mean I don't think that was the game plan going in but it was more of a response to the game flow. Questionable coaching nonetheless. I think as a Steeler fan, it's just been so ingrained in me that the impose your will crap tends not to work in the playoffs.

[Brontoburglar]

FWIW he made a 41 yard FG on Dec 30 at Dallas.

that stadium is indoors

Retractable roof. No idea if it was open or closed though for that game.

the roof was closed

[DSafetyGuy]

"All three phases of the game are important... (until it becomes time to put resources toward the third phase)."

[sancarlos]

"All three phases of the game are important... (until it becomes time to put resources toward the third phase)."

When the 49ers’ rookie kicker missed the field goal attempt on their first possession, I thought about how they cut Robbie Gould (the most accurate 49er kicker ever) last offseason to save money on a kicker with a bigger leg.

[EnochRoot]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

Goff has that fanbase believing in a QB in a way Detroit hasn't since Bobby freakin Layne. He's getting paid.

[Pruitt IV]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

Goff has that fanbase believing in a QB in a way Detroit hasn't since Bobby freakin Layne. He's getting paid.

Better big game QB than Lamar Jackson.

[brian]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

Goff has that fanbase believing in a QB in a way Detroit hasn't since Bobby freakin Layne. He's getting paid.

Also there’s no one better out there unless the staff has been slow playing Hooker’s progress in practice. But he’s only been active for like 6 weeks.

The nice thing is that the Lions can extend Goff and actually IMPROVE their salary cap situation in the short term since they can spread the hit out. They have a shitton of space but they need to do new deals for St. Brown, Jonah Jackson and need to be ready next year to make Sewell the highest paid right tackle in history. Goff’s deal won’t break the bank and he might be willing to do a 4-5 year deal and bet on getting one more big payday at age 34.

[sancarlos]

I just read a story on yahoo that Tom Brady has been promised the analyst spot on Fox’s number one team for football broadcasts next season. ($375 million for 10 years.)

But, we have no indication if he is any good (or bad) at his new job.…

ETA: I just debated on this with my wife. I don’t think any football fan watches (or doesn’t watch) a game because of who is announcing it. Sure we all have our most and least favorite, but that’s not the reason we do or don’t watch a particular game. My wife counters with “these guys care about money, so it must matter financially.” I dunno…

[EdRomero]

I just read a story on yahoo that Tom Brady has been promised the analyst spot on Fox’s number one team for football broadcasts next season. ($375 million for 10 years.)

But, we have no indication if he is any good (or bad) at his new job.…

Yeah, that seems to be a pretty big risk, especially since I thought Olsen was outstanding. I know they're doing it for the name, but it will be interesting if he can expand on what Romo did with the presnap reads.

[Pruitt IV]

ETA: I just debated on this with my wife. I don’t think any football fan watches (or doesn’t watch) a game because of who is announcing it.

Agree 100% with this.

[The Sybian]

ETA: I just debated on this with my wife. I don’t think any football fan watches (or doesn’t watch) a game because of who is announcing it.

Agree 100% with this.

And the number of games I've watched Chris Collingsworth butcher proves people won't turn a game off because of the announcer.

[Gunpowder]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

This season is essentially guaranteed unless they cut him before it even starts. I don't think he'd hold out.

I can't see any way they'd go with Hooker and I also don't see the point in replacing Goff with Cousins. The time to replace Goff was years ago, at this point they probably have to ride with him and he's pretty low on the reasons they lost that game. Just gotta avoid a slight breeze or chilly outdoor game.

[Gunpowder]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

Goff has that fanbase believing in a QB in a way Detroit hasn't since Bobby freakin Layne. He's getting paid.

Also there’s no one better out there unless the staff has been slow playing Hooker’s progress in practice. But he’s only been active for like 6 weeks.

The nice thing is that the Lions can extend Goff and actually IMPROVE their salary cap situation in the short term since they can spread the hit out. They have a shitton of space but they need to do new deals for St. Brown, Jonah Jackson and need to be ready next year to make Sewell the highest paid right tackle in history. Goff’s deal won’t break the bank and he might be willing to do a 4-5 year deal and bet on getting one more big payday at age 34.

Goff's deal will absolutely break the bank. I don't see him signing for less than like $45 mil a year.

[Johnnie]

ETA: I just debated on this with my wife. I don’t think any football fan watches (or doesn’t watch) a game because of who is announcing it.

Agree 100% with this.

And the number of games I've watched Chris Collingsworth butcher proves people won't turn a game off because of the announcer.

I'd legit mute the TV and then turn on music because announcers were noise over an otherwise intriguing sporting event.

[Gunpowder]

"All three phases of the game are important... (until it becomes time to put resources toward the third phase)."

When the 49ers’ rookie kicker missed the field goal attempt on their first possession, I thought about how they cut Robbie Gould (the most accurate 49er kicker ever) last offseason to save money on a kicker with a bigger leg.

Robbie Gould hasn't been particularly accurate in like 5 years

[sancarlos]

Gould was 85% from all distances over the last three seasons (66/78). Jake Moody was 80% as his replacement (24/30).

[brian]

So what to do with Goff? He's not going to play another down without guaranteed money. Keep him or move on?
Go with Hooker? Go after someone like Cousins?

Goff has that fanbase believing in a QB in a way Detroit hasn't since Bobby freakin Layne. He's getting paid.

Also there’s no one better out there unless the staff has been slow playing Hooker’s progress in practice. But he’s only been active for like 6 weeks.

The nice thing is that the Lions can extend Goff and actually IMPROVE their salary cap situation in the short term since they can spread the hit out. They have a shitton of space but they need to do new deals for St. Brown, Jonah Jackson and need to be ready next year to make Sewell the highest paid right tackle in history. Goff’s deal won’t break the bank and he might be willing to do a 4-5 year deal and bet on getting one more big payday at age 34.

Goff's deal will absolutely break the bank. I don't see him signing for less than like $45 mil a year.

That’s about what he makes now. I think his 2024 cap hit is like $41M. If they extend him at let’s say 4/190 they can lower that cap number a little in 2025 and 2026. After that either the cap and QB salaries go up so much that a $55-57M cap hit is reasonable or they can cut/trade him if Hooker develops.

[brian]

But as you said they’re married to Goff now and that’s OK because there’s no one else better out there. Cousins is way older and not as talented.