OutsiderFan dateline='[url=tel:1700243679' Wrote: 1700243679[/url]']
I've believed ever since Niners lost to Vikings that the Lions would be the #1 seed in the NFC. Their schedule is just so damn soft, not Steelers the rest of the way soft, but soft nonetheless.
Heard an amusing discussion on ESPN Radio with Greeny, Graziani, and Tannenbaum today. They were basically saying all the AFC teams they assumed made it the best conference in the NFL, are all looking a lot less dominant than they suspected they were. They agreed the Chiefs are really the only team anyone can trust, and they are struggling on offense this season, so the conference is not as great as presumed.
After watching the season play out, and the impact injuries have, it points to how foolish it is to try predicting what is going to happen. Hell, the Lions could lose Jared Goff on Thanksgiving day against the Packers and struggle to make the playoffs thereafter. But, the Lions OL is one of the best in the NFL, so the odds of that happening are low.
Gotta love the Chicago Bears. It’s amazing to me how some NFL teams have the ability week after week to figure out a way to lose. Bears are exhibit A. Chargers exhibit B. How Brandon Staley still has a job is beyond me.
OutsiderFan dateline='[url=tel:1700492332' Wrote: 1700492332[/url]']
I thought for sure someone - other than me 14 hours after the game ended - would have posted something about FHOF Brock Purdy turning in the 80th perfect Passer Rating in NFL history.
Purdy now:
#1 PER: 115.1 (+9.1 over Tagavailoa)
#1 QBR: 77.1 (+3.3 over Prescott)
#1 Comp %: 70.2 (.1 over Prescott)
#1 YPA: 9.7 (+2 over Prescott)
#2 (tie) Fewest INT (-1 behind Wilson, Carr, Pickett)
#4 TD: 18 (-4 behind Allen)
#6 YDS: 2,662 (- 376 behind Howell)
In any case, another big win margin. No win has been by less than 7 and that would be 10 if the Rams didn't kick a meaningless FG as time expired. You'd like to have proof of ability to win a close game, but do you really want a close game if you can avoid one? Of course not. Games are close when they start obviously. Still, it would be nice to know that the Niners can make plays in tight games at the end to win. I'm going to assume they can because it's hard to imagine a team this good not being able to perform in the clutch.
The Hufanga injury obviously sucks, so good thing they were starting to get Ji'Ayir Brown more reps. Typically, losing an All-Pro like Hufanga would be a mighty blow, but Brown was very Hufanga-like in college, really good at LOS and a ballhawk. He certainly showed he is no weak link when he got his opportunities and helped solidify 27-14 win.
He’s playing at an All-Pro pro level. No question. But (there’s always a but, right) he has one more box to check. Winning a close game, particularly in the fourth quarter, when things aren’t going particularly well. The 49ers have been great front runners. Not so much when they fall behind. I’m not suggesting that’s all on Purdy. Far from it. But what sets quarterbacks apart from being very good to being great is the ability to put the team on his shoulders when necessary. Purdy hasn’t had many opportunities. But he will get some. Maybe in some of the biggest games of the year. No reason to believe he won’t be successful.
And one of the things that’s obvious is what Tim Ryan said – Purdy is the right quarterback to lead this team with this coach. A great symbiotic relationship.
Second of course is further downstream – that’s winning a championship.
Losing Hufanga hurts. But it’s the NFL. No team escapes major injuries.