NFL Week 20 - Divisional Round

[rass]

Aw ray-ray. Some yinzer is blaming Danny Smith for that fumble as I type

[Johnnie]

This was the exchange for those needing some context:

[Rex]

Not gonna lie, Maher did a hell of a job running down the kick returner.

[Jerloma]

“Better send those refunds!”

I don't even know the details of this perceived disrespect but I feel like you have to start preparing for an AFCC at a neutral stadium more than a week in advance.

Aside from the NFL setting up boilerplate cancelable hotel rooming blocks for next Saturday night for the two teams (likely a part of the decision to have the game in Atlanta), there's not that much to do, early or late. They basically would have had to paint the end zones/midfield next week and hang generic "AFC Championship Game" decor on the walls circling the field in the stadium. Plenty of time for those tasks.

I mean regarding the tickets. There's never been a neutral site Championship game. Doesn't the home team usually have some jurisdiction over ticket sales?

[Rex]

I’m still feeling pretty bummed about the loss of hotel tax and liquor tax revenue. So yes, I am triggered by that.

[sancarlos]

“Better send those refunds!”

I don't even know the details of this perceived disrespect but I feel like you have to start preparing for an AFCC at a neutral stadium more than a week in advance.

Aside from the NFL setting up boilerplate cancelable hotel rooming blocks for next Saturday night for the two teams (likely a part of the decision to have the game in Atlanta), there's not that much to do, early or late. They basically would have had to paint the end zones/midfield next week and hang generic "AFC Championship Game" decor on the walls circling the field in the stadium. Plenty of time for those tasks.

If ever a question was teed up for a guy who happens to handle group logistics at big events…

[Jerloma]

TB, for what it's worth, Najee agrees with you.

[L-Jam3]

Hell of a concentration catch by Kittle.

[Johnnie]

This catch is bonkers.

[Rex]

Maher suddenly being able to kick has a "dolphins grow opposable thumbs" vibe to it.

[DSafetyGuy]

“Better send those refunds!”

I don't even know the details of this perceived disrespect but I feel like you have to start preparing for an AFCC at a neutral stadium more than a week in advance.

Aside from the NFL setting up boilerplate cancelable hotel rooming blocks for next Saturday night for the two teams (likely a part of the decision to have the game in Atlanta), there's not that much to do, early or late. They basically would have had to paint the end zones/midfield next week and hang generic "AFC Championship Game" decor on the walls circling the field in the stadium. Plenty of time for those tasks.

I mean regarding the tickets. There's never been a neutral site Championship game. Doesn't the home team usually have some jurisdiction over ticket sales?

I don't know what the NFL decided in this case, but since neutral field would have only happened for KC-BUF, they likely just went with a 50-50 split. The whole point of the neutral field decision was "fairness", so I would expect that would include tickets (and probably on down to splitting ticket revenue after expenses).

[DSafetyGuy]

Maher suddenly being able to kick has a "dolphins grow opposable thumbs" vibe to it.

I saw a tweet saying he had made 11 straight field goals prior to that attempt. Seems like they just need to stay away from 33-yarders.

[L-Jam3]

If it came out in the future that the NFL turned a blind eye to receivers and d-backs using sticky stuff, à la MLB with PEDs in the 90s/00s, I wouldn’t even be mad. The catches these guys make on a weekly basis are crazy good.

[sancarlos]

Cowboys down by seven. If they score a touchdown, do they go for two?

[degenerasian]

Cowboys down by seven. If they score a touchdown, do they go for two?

Probably not since Maher made a few kicks already.

Generally, I would never go for 2 at the end of a playoff game since there are no ties in overtime and with the new rules, it's not sudden death. Let you offense and defense win the game instead of coin flip 2-point conversion.

[Jerloma]

“Better send those refunds!”

I don't even know the details of this perceived disrespect but I feel like you have to start preparing for an AFCC at a neutral stadium more than a week in advance.

Aside from the NFL setting up boilerplate cancelable hotel rooming blocks for next Saturday night for the two teams (likely a part of the decision to have the game in Atlanta), there's not that much to do, early or late. They basically would have had to paint the end zones/midfield next week and hang generic "AFC Championship Game" decor on the walls circling the field in the stadium. Plenty of time for those tasks.

I mean regarding the tickets. There's never been a neutral site Championship game. Doesn't the home team usually have some jurisdiction over ticket sales?

I don't know what the NFL decided in this case, but since neutral field would have only happened for KC-BUF, they likely just went with a 50-50 split. The whole point of the neutral field decision was "fairness", so I would expect that would include tickets (and probably on down to splitting ticket revenue after expenses).

Okay, well either way...there HAS to be a more logical explanation for the presale than just "The NFL didn't think the current AFC Champions could win a Divisional playoff game," right?

[DSafetyGuy]

I really like Olsen, but killing the Cowboys for wasting time before punting was wrong. The officials were holding the snap due to substitution rules and the Niners are not required to sub as fast as possible.

[govmentchedda]

There's a real symmetry here with these unis. Shiny precious metal helmet accented by primary color, white, primary color stripes on the helmet. Sleeve stripes are similar, even if the niners have three and the cowboys two. Pants are similar to the helmets. Single color on the numbers. I don't mind new unis, but I really like these two as a matchup.

[DSafetyGuy]

Okay, well either way...there HAS to be a more logical explanation for the presale than just "The NFL didn't think the current AFC Champions could win a Divisional playoff game," right?

It's standard procedure for every team to sell tickets for any potential home playoff game as soon as the possibility for hosting a game is confirmed. It's just handing money back and forth electronically and I imagine we've reached the technological point where all playoff tickets are just digital.

After Burrow made that statement, I saw a tweet saying Cincinnati was selling tickets for a potential home game against Jacksonville this past week.

[L-Jam3]

How did John Lynch get down to the field so quickly? He was in the press box about two minutes ago.

[DSafetyGuy]

After seeing the Cowboys in that alignment, that was probably a top-three outcome for that play.

[L-Jam3]

Damn. I wanted Dallas.

[DSafetyGuy]

How did John Lynch get down to the field so quickly? He was in the press box about two minutes ago.

He probably went to the elevator when they announced there was a review.

[L-Jam3]

After seeing the Cowboys in that alignment, that was probably a top-three outcome for that play.

That was basically an A-11, but five dudes had to declare ineligible, right?

[L-Jam3]

How did John Lynch get down to the field so quickly? He was in the press box about two minutes ago.

He probably went to the elevator when they announced there was a review.

Yeah, I guess that would make sense. He probably doesn’t need to negotiate the concourse.

[Jerloma]

Okay, well either way...there HAS to be a more logical explanation for the presale than just "The NFL didn't think the current AFC Champions could win a Divisional playoff game," right?

It's standard procedure for every team to sell tickets for any potential home playoff game as soon as the possibility for hosting a game is confirmed. It's just handing money back and forth electronically and I imagine we've reached the technological point where all playoff tickets are just digital.

After Burrow made that statement, I saw a tweet saying Cincinnati was selling tickets for a potential home game against Jacksonville this past week.

Right. I was going to say I definitely recall being able to buy tickets for potential Steelers playoff games.

[Johnnie]

After seeing the Cowboys in that alignment, that was probably a top-three outcome for that play.

Excellent call of "got smoked immediately" there.

Oh, and did you see center Zeke get trucked too? Yeesh.

[Jerloma]

Damn. I wanted Dallas.

For more victory satisfaction or a higher win probability?

[L-Jam3]

Damn. I wanted Dallas.

For more victory satisfaction or a higher win probability?

A little more column B than column A.


ETA: come to think of it, A LOT more column B than column A.

[Rex]

Bill Bates played in the Cowboys' last conference championship game.

[DSafetyGuy]

After seeing the Cowboys in that alignment, that was probably a top-three outcome for that play.

Excellent call of "got smoked immediately" there.

Oh, and did you see center Zeke get trucked too? Yeesh.

Yeah, Zeke got flattened. Bad.

I think the timeout SF called after seeing the alignment might have been a change in their strategy to not sit back and "just make the tackle". With the offensive linemen on the outsides and just one blocker in Zeke, it pretty much had to be a quick pass and lateral(s) to eventually get to a blocking wall down the sideline behind some linemen. The Niners had multiple players driving upfield to make that tackle as soon as Prescott threw it.

[sancarlos]

Damn. I wanted Dallas.

Could be a hell of a game next week.

And, this cracked me up…

[L-Jam3]

I'm too lazy to look this up. Both Kelce brothers appear to be on an HoF track. Have two brothers ever made the HoF in any major sport when they were on "opposite" sides? I thought the Matthews, but Clay didn't make it. The Waners? Are there multiple Sutters enshrined?

[Reaper]

I'm too lazy to look this up. Both Kelce brothers appear to be on an HoF track. Have two brothers ever made the HoF in any major sport when they were on "opposite" sides? I thought the Matthews, but Clay didn't make it. The Waners? Are there multiple Sutters enshrined?

I'm confused on what you mean by opposite sides. Like, in a championship game/series?

[A_B]

I assumes Offense/defense. Barbers won't either one make it right? Don't think Howie's kids will make it both either.

[L-Jam3]

I'm too lazy to look this up. Both Kelce brothers appear to be on an HoF track. Have two brothers ever made the HoF in any major sport when they were on "opposite" sides? I thought the Matthews, but Clay didn't make it. The Waners? Are there multiple Sutters enshrined?

I'm confused on what you mean by opposite sides. Like, in a championship game/series?

No, I meant more like offense vs. defense. Like a forward and a blueliner, or a hitter vs. a pitcher or standout fielder, that sort of thing.

[Brontoburglar]

then it's the Espositos

[L-Jam3]

I assumes Offense/defense. Barbers won't either one make it right? Don't think Howie's kids will make it both either.

I feel like Ronde would be a worthy choice, especially how much he tormented me. Tiki’s career is more HoVG, which isn’t taking into consideration that he was also a total prick.

[Giff]

I'm too lazy to look this up. Both Kelce brothers appear to be on an HoF track. Have two brothers ever made the HoF in any major sport when they were on "opposite" sides? I thought the Matthews, but Clay didn't make it. The Waners? Are there multiple Sutters enshrined?

I'm confused on what you mean by opposite sides. Like, in a championship game/series?

No, I meant more like offense vs. defense. Like a forward and a blueliner, or a hitter vs. a pitcher or standout fielder, that sort of thing.

They're both on offense.

[L-Jam3]

Dude, you’re right. I have absolutely idea why I thought one of them played on defense. Maybe I need another coffee.