[BostonCard]

I don’t have a dog in this game, but what an entertaining game.  The kid from Cal is doing well, but dang, Pat Mahomes is something else.  I think the over is pretty safe.

With 2:47, down four, Goff has a chance to be a hero.

BC

[BostonCard]

I don’t have a dog in this game, but what an entertaining game.  The kid from Cal is doing well, but dang, Pat Mahomes is something else.  I think the over is pretty safe.

With 2:47, down four, Goff has a chance to be a hero.

BC

[FarmBoy]

It's video game football. Crazy. 

Both QBs with over 400 yards and 10 TDs to 1 INT total. 

Goff left too much time on the clock.

[FarmBoy]

It's video game football. Crazy. 

Both QBs with over 400 yards and 10 TDs to 1 INT total. 

Goff left too much time on the clock.

[JJJ]

Truly crazy. Good entertainment though!

[JJJ]

Truly crazy. Good entertainment though!

[BostonCard]

Goff wins it.  What a game.

BC

[BostonCard]

Goff wins it.  What a game.

BC

[cardcrimson]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

[cardcrimson]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

[CompSci87]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

[CompSci87]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

[cardcrimson]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

As a diehard Raider fan in the 60's and 70's, hated Cosell. But, I have to admit, you had to listen to him--he was great at what he did.

[cardcrimson]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

As a diehard Raider fan in the 60's and 70's, hated Cosell. But, I have to admit, you had to listen to him--he was great at what he did.

[lex24]

Fun game. But it’s becoming like watching a 7-7 drill. There are, I believe, 6 QB’s over 70 percent. Brees is at 76.9. (25 TDs. 1 int. But only 5 completions over 40 yards all year). The defensive backs have no chance. Between the big outside receivers that run like the wind, lightning bug slot receivers, TEs that go 250 and run like WR’s used to and RB’s that are dual threats the backs and linebackers are helpless. Especially when they get flagged for breathing on the guy. Of course, you also can’t hit the QB. And the lineman hold constantly.



60 point games are coming. Best live NFL game I ever saw was when the Niners beat the Giants 7-3 on MNF. Every yard was earned. Lott was a heat seeking missle.

[lex24]

Fun game. But it’s becoming like watching a 7-7 drill. There are, I believe, 6 QB’s over 70 percent. Brees is at 76.9. (25 TDs. 1 int. But only 5 completions over 40 yards all year). The defensive backs have no chance. Between the big outside receivers that run like the wind, lightning bug slot receivers, TEs that go 250 and run like WR’s used to and RB’s that are dual threats the backs and linebackers are helpless. Especially when they get flagged for breathing on the guy. Of course, you also can’t hit the QB. And the lineman hold constantly.



60 point games are coming. Best live NFL game I ever saw was when the Niners beat the Giants 7-3 on MNF. Every yard was earned. Lott was a heat seeking missle.

[qwerty49]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

As a diehard Raider fan in the 60's and 70's, hated Cosell. But, I have to admit, you had to listen to him--he was great at what he did.

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

---

Fun  game. But it’s becoming like watching a 7-7 drill. There are, I believe, 6 QB’s over 70 percent. Brees is at 76.9. (25 TDs. 1 int.  But only 5 completions over 40 yards all year). The defensive backs have no chance. Between the big outside receivers that run like the wind, lightning bug slot receivers,  TEs that go 250 and run like WR’s used to and RB’s that are dual threats the backs and linebackers are helpless. Especially when they get flagged for breathing on the guy. Of course, you also can’t hit the QB. And the lineman hold constantly.

Time to lower the mound again.

[qwerty49]

Great game. Worst announcing team in the history of MNF. Just painful to listen to. . ..

Could anyone be worse than the original, Howard Cosell? We used to turn off the sound on the TV and turn on the radio...

As a diehard Raider fan in the 60's and 70's, hated Cosell. But, I have to admit, you had to listen to him--he was great at what he did.

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

---

Fun  game. But it’s becoming like watching a 7-7 drill. There are, I believe, 6 QB’s over 70 percent. Brees is at 76.9. (25 TDs. 1 int.  But only 5 completions over 40 yards all year). The defensive backs have no chance. Between the big outside receivers that run like the wind, lightning bug slot receivers,  TEs that go 250 and run like WR’s used to and RB’s that are dual threats the backs and linebackers are helpless. Especially when they get flagged for breathing on the guy. Of course, you also can’t hit the QB. And the lineman hold constantly.

Time to lower the mound again.

[FarmBoy]

60 point games are coming. Best live NFL game I ever saw was when the Niners beat the Giants 7-3 on MNF. Every yard was earned. Lott was a heat seeking missle.

Did you lose your way here intending to visit an SEC discussion board?

I'm not advocating for regular games of 50+ vs. 50+, but I found last night's game a heck of a lot more entertaining than any 7-3 game. 

Defense's holding offenses scoreless may become a thing of the past, but last night was won by the team with the superior defense, so I don't see defense's role disappearing.

[FarmBoy]

60 point games are coming. Best live NFL game I ever saw was when the Niners beat the Giants 7-3 on MNF. Every yard was earned. Lott was a heat seeking missle.

Did you lose your way here intending to visit an SEC discussion board?

I'm not advocating for regular games of 50+ vs. 50+, but I found last night's game a heck of a lot more entertaining than any 7-3 game. 

Defense's holding offenses scoreless may become a thing of the past, but last night was won by the team with the superior defense, so I don't see defense's role disappearing.

[stupac2]

It's kind of strange to complain about the defenses in a game that had 3 incredible defensive scores and a whole bunch of turnovers.

[stupac2]

It's kind of strange to complain about the defenses in a game that had 3 incredible defensive scores and a whole bunch of turnovers.

[OutsiderFan]

The Big 12 has come to the NFL. You can’t really hit the QB to put any hesitation into them, refs call ticky tack penalties on defenders in pass coverage, and now they can't even try jarring balls loose because they get flagged for "hitting a defenseless receiver" penalties. And on top of all that, fast tempo offense wears out defenses with only 53 man rosters.

Saints have scored 45 (Rams), 51 (Bengals), and 48 (Eagles) in last three weeks. They didn’t score against Rams in 3rd, and they came within a yard of 52 against Eagles; nearly 50 three games in a row. And we’ve reached the point a team can score 51 and lose? If you score 54 in a game you should be winning by at least 3 TDs. The game shouldn't be competitive.

I expect to see occasional offenses capable of dominating the scoreboard in college football because most teams don’t have elite athletes on defense across the board. But the NFL is suppose to be different, where scoring 40 is considered a rare accomplishment and 50 happens maybe a couple times a year across the league.

Teams are scoring 2.5 PPG more than 2017 in 2018, the greatest year to year jump since 1956-57 (+2.8 PPG), when it became illegal to grab the facemask of non-ball carriers, and 1974-75 (+2.4 PPG) when it became illegal for defenders to block any eligible receiver below the waist.

In other words, the rules have taken the physical force out of defense. If you like defense like I do, the game just isn't that interesting any more. It's one thing to take hits on QBs out of the game, but quite another to eliminate the ability for DBs to jar balls loose from receivers. Going over the middle used to come with a risk of being hit hard. Now I see these tiny WRs running across the field totally without any fear of being hit, enabling QBs to put up ridiculous passing numbers.

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

[OutsiderFan]

The Big 12 has come to the NFL. You can’t really hit the QB to put any hesitation into them, refs call ticky tack penalties on defenders in pass coverage, and now they can't even try jarring balls loose because they get flagged for "hitting a defenseless receiver" penalties. And on top of all that, fast tempo offense wears out defenses with only 53 man rosters.

Saints have scored 45 (Rams), 51 (Bengals), and 48 (Eagles) in last three weeks. They didn’t score against Rams in 3rd, and they came within a yard of 52 against Eagles; nearly 50 three games in a row. And we’ve reached the point a team can score 51 and lose? If you score 54 in a game you should be winning by at least 3 TDs. The game shouldn't be competitive.

I expect to see occasional offenses capable of dominating the scoreboard in college football because most teams don’t have elite athletes on defense across the board. But the NFL is suppose to be different, where scoring 40 is considered a rare accomplishment and 50 happens maybe a couple times a year across the league.

Teams are scoring 2.5 PPG more than 2017 in 2018, the greatest year to year jump since 1956-57 (+2.8 PPG), when it became illegal to grab the facemask of non-ball carriers, and 1974-75 (+2.4 PPG) when it became illegal for defenders to block any eligible receiver below the waist.

In other words, the rules have taken the physical force out of defense. If you like defense like I do, the game just isn't that interesting any more. It's one thing to take hits on QBs out of the game, but quite another to eliminate the ability for DBs to jar balls loose from receivers. Going over the middle used to come with a risk of being hit hard. Now I see these tiny WRs running across the field totally without any fear of being hit, enabling QBs to put up ridiculous passing numbers.

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

[Goose]

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

I tend to agree. The rules are too much in favor of the offense. They need to make the bump-and-run legal again. This would allow keeping the rules designed to protect players while still protecting the defense from impossible situations. Consideration should also be given to getting rid of no intentional grounding when you throw the ball away outside the tackle box. Make the QB either extend the play or take the loss. You can't destroy him, but you can tackle him. If he doesn't want that to happen, he can slide or throw the ball away and take the penalty.

[Goose]

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

I tend to agree. The rules are too much in favor of the offense. They need to make the bump-and-run legal again. This would allow keeping the rules designed to protect players while still protecting the defense from impossible situations. Consideration should also be given to getting rid of no intentional grounding when you throw the ball away outside the tackle box. Make the QB either extend the play or take the loss. You can't destroy him, but you can tackle him. If he doesn't want that to happen, he can slide or throw the ball away and take the penalty.

[OutsiderFan]

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

I tend to agree. The rules are too much in favor of the offense. They need to make the bump-and-run legal again. This would allow keeping the rules designed to protect players while still protecting the defense from impossible situations. Consideration should also be given to getting rid of no intentional grounding when you throw the ball away outside the tackle box. Make the QB either extend the play or take the loss. You can't destroy him, but you can tackle him. If he doesn't want that to happen, he can slide or throw the ball away and take the penalty.

Completely agreed on all these suggestions. Makes nothing but absolute sense.

[OutsiderFan]

If the QBs can't be hit, and receivers can't be hit, put flags on the QB. The minuscule margin of error the rules are placing on defenders is making the game hard for me to watch.

I tend to agree. The rules are too much in favor of the offense. They need to make the bump-and-run legal again. This would allow keeping the rules designed to protect players while still protecting the defense from impossible situations. Consideration should also be given to getting rid of no intentional grounding when you throw the ball away outside the tackle box. Make the QB either extend the play or take the loss. You can't destroy him, but you can tackle him. If he doesn't want that to happen, he can slide or throw the ball away and take the penalty.

Completely agreed on all these suggestions. Makes nothing but absolute sense.

[needle]

Even a great back like Gurley takes a backseat to those "rub" receiver routes in this iteration of the NFL. Twelve carries on the night.

What does all this mean for college programs that seek to build an identity around power running?

[needle]

Even a great back like Gurley takes a backseat to those "rub" receiver routes in this iteration of the NFL. Twelve carries on the night.

What does all this mean for college programs that seek to build an identity around power running?

[BostonCard]

I don't disagree with those who generally bemoan the loss of defense in the NFL these days.  That being said, this particular game was particularly entertaining, largely because it was a back and forth affair, with several lead changes and some unbelievable plays, both offensively (and, as some here have noted, some big defensive plays).  Specifically, there were three big strip/sacks, two of which led to a scoop and score (well, one wasn't a scoop, as the ball never hit the ground after the strip).  There was also a pick-six, and another almost scoop and score that was later reversed on video when the QB's arm was found to be moving forward (this was the correct call).  So, the defenses weren't completely devoid of big plays, and in the end, it was the St. Louis LA defense that twice stopped KC drives with interceptions.

This game aside, I think the single biggest thing that could be used to improve the game is to better enforce holding.  I think if the offensive line was made to actually block, instead of being allowed to hold subtly, pass rushers would have a better chance to pressure the QB and dirsupt the passing game.

BC

[BostonCard]

I don't disagree with those who generally bemoan the loss of defense in the NFL these days.  That being said, this particular game was particularly entertaining, largely because it was a back and forth affair, with several lead changes and some unbelievable plays, both offensively (and, as some here have noted, some big defensive plays).  Specifically, there were three big strip/sacks, two of which led to a scoop and score (well, one wasn't a scoop, as the ball never hit the ground after the strip).  There was also a pick-six, and another almost scoop and score that was later reversed on video when the QB's arm was found to be moving forward (this was the correct call).  So, the defenses weren't completely devoid of big plays, and in the end, it was the St. Louis LA defense that twice stopped KC drives with interceptions.

This game aside, I think the single biggest thing that could be used to improve the game is to better enforce holding.  I think if the offensive line was made to actually block, instead of being allowed to hold subtly, pass rushers would have a better chance to pressure the QB and dirsupt the passing game.

BC

[Embo]

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

Sorry about this thread drift.  But since you've mentioned a camera shot of a despondent fan, I have to post this.  Remember a few weeks ago, when WSU was the then center of the college football universe by hosting College Game Day and taking on Oregon?  They did this item before the game, and I am proud to say Stanford played a big role in the creation of this legend:

The search for WSU's Popcorn Guy

[Embo]

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

Sorry about this thread drift.  But since you've mentioned a camera shot of a despondent fan, I have to post this.  Remember a few weeks ago, when WSU was the then center of the college football universe by hosting College Game Day and taking on Oregon?  They did this item before the game, and I am proud to say Stanford played a big role in the creation of this legend:

The search for WSU's Popcorn Guy

[Nan3cy]

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

Sorry about this thread drift.  But since you've mentioned a camera shot of a despondent fan, I have to post this.  Remember a few weeks ago, when WSU was the then center of the college football universe by hosting College Game Day and taking on Oregon?  They did this item before the game, and I am proud to say Stanford played a big role in the creation of this legend:

The search for WSU's Popcorn Guy

Don't apologize, Embo -- that was a great story.

[Nan3cy]

Howard, Dandy Don and Frank.  The ultimate unholy trio.  My best MNF memory:  A meaningless game in Buffalo, Bills are way behind in the 4th Q, most of the fans have left and it's snowy and cold.  Camera zooms in on a lone Bills fan bundled up in the low corner by the end zone, he looks up and flips the bird.  Dandy Don, right on cue: "Look, Howard, he says Buffalo is #1."

Sorry about this thread drift.  But since you've mentioned a camera shot of a despondent fan, I have to post this.  Remember a few weeks ago, when WSU was the then center of the college football universe by hosting College Game Day and taking on Oregon?  They did this item before the game, and I am proud to say Stanford played a big role in the creation of this legend:

The search for WSU's Popcorn Guy

Don't apologize, Embo -- that was a great story.

[CornFed]

"Don't apologize, Embo -- that was a great story."


Let The Cardboard be The Cardboard!!!

What would it be w/o thread drift?

[CornFed]

"Don't apologize, Embo -- that was a great story."


Let The Cardboard be The Cardboard!!!

What would it be w/o thread drift?

[winflop]

The game was great but it was marred by the worst MNF broadcast team in history.

The comment that ruined it for me was when Tessitore called Aaron Donald a "generational player." He's had four and half great seasons since being drafted, but if his career ended after this season he wouldn't even make the top 25 all-time great defensive players.

[winflop]

The game was great but it was marred by the worst MNF broadcast team in history.

The comment that ruined it for me was when Tessitore called Aaron Donald a "generational player." He's had four and half great seasons since being drafted, but if his career ended after this season he wouldn't even make the top 25 all-time great defensive players.