2018-2019 NFL Season Thread Football • Page 1063

I see what you’re saying but I think the rivalry games are more important and fun than doing that.

 

Jesus I’m dumb lol

 

Last week when the Packers were playing the Patriots they said it was only the second match up between Rodgers and Brady. And their next match up would be 2022 unless they meet in a Super Bowl. Granted Rodgers was injured and missed one of those meetings, it’s crazy they would have only met 3 times total since they’ve both been starters since 2008.

Meanwhile the Packers play the Seahawks seemingly every year for a decade straight because I guess that’s a “rivalry”?

 

Yes, we have been robbed of seeing those two go against each other more often. No doubt about that.

 

Although I’d fucking hate the constant gushing over the two of them every show did like last week so I’m fine if these two teams play less while those QB’s are there lol. But there should be more variety in the scheduling.

 

Still, I like that there’s top QB in each conference that never play each other. Keeps the discussion alive and has essentially allowed Rodgers and Brees to have their own legacy unaffected by Brady and Manning

 

i really don’t like divisions. That they skew standings so much trumps the entertainment value for me. American sports are already convoluted enough for entertainment. Sure some rivalries are nice but it’s not like none of the new games wouldn’t be equally entertaining.

 

Divisions are great IMO

 

It's so weird that the Eagles won the Super Bowl last year after being loaded with injuries and this year they are again loaded with injuries but have zero ability to overcome. I don't get it and that's okay, I don't need to.

 

Yo

 

FEEL THIS. Change this to me putting on a coaching headset and its accurate.

"I'm tired of losing, I'm tired of being a bitch, I'm tired of being a sorry sad ass motherfuckin organization, I don't give a fuck"

I am sure I said something like that today at least twice

 

Also, re: the discussion about divisions

All y'all salty about NFL divisions need to go watch NBA basketball or some other predictable sport like that.

The competition of divisions, and the fact that underdog teams can get into the playoffs, is what makes football so dramatic and what makes me prefer it to other sports. The familiarity raises the competitve standard, idk how some of you are arguing it reduces it. Trying to defeat someone who knows your tendencies and your tricks is a major challenge. Not to mention, it raises the emotion of the game when you have more specific rooting interests, teams to root against.

You always hear the saying, keep your enemies close - knowing each other's strategy and game flow that well makes the game a chess match. You see teams do things differently and delve deeper into layers of strategy to get those division wins. You see teams with way less talent, or way more injuries, find ways to thwart the opposing gameplan and win with worse players. You can have a bad season and turn it around by outsmarting your closest peers. How is that not exciting and better competitively?

The competition goes so deep that teams will literally sign certain-style players and coaches, and build the team strictly based on attacking the weaknesses of their rivals. It can define the whole "direction" and identity of a team. The concept of close-knit divisions really is essential to the strategy of NFL football.

Keep in mind the Patriots under Belicheck would have SEVEN superbowls, and they would pop champagne just like Shula's Dolphins yearly, and we would never stop hearing about how they went 19-0, if the Giants didn't make the playoffs both years at 9-7 due to a very competitive division.

In a way, I think the fact the Giants had to scrap their way into the playoffs, despite a season with so much adversity, is the reason why they were so tenacious and resilient once they got there. It's the reason why they could win a fucked up, sloppy game in those Superbowls, while the Patriots weren't as well prepared for that, because they'd had smooth sailing all season.

You can change the outcome of your whole season, if you're a smart coach who knows how to gameplan and adapt, to beat the teams you face more regularly. So in my mind, 6 / 16 games being divisional and most the rest being in-conference puts pressure on the coaches to show they can respond when they get beat or when they've been surprised. It's not all about paying or drafting the best players because strategically, your divisional opponents are always going to cause you problems.

Besides, the good teams in each conference are still ultimately the gatekeepers in the playoffs. That dynamic still exists despite the smaller subgroups of competition.

 

i LOVE the division stuff for baseball, the amount of games and the playoffs. For football, I love the division stuff for the games but I can understand the frustration when it comes to seeding in the playoffs. It's not so much the first game... like I really don't care if we have to beat the Texans first in Houston, but the fact that it's the difference of playing IN Foxboro or IN arrowhead, is annoying.

But it is what it is. The Chiefs have had home field before and we won diddly so whatever. Just get me to the AFC championship game, that's all i want.

 

Rays fan checking in: FUCK divisions in baseball

 

I went to a music festival and nearly died this weekend not even from the music festival.

I also saw a jags squad with dudes wearing Ramsey, Jack and Fournette Jersey.

 

Lack of depth.

 

You not dying now??

 

imagine having to deal with the greatest QB and coach for 20 fucking years

then get back to me about divisions

 

Dear Colts and Jags and Texans fans

I’m with you now. Fuck the Titans.

 

Try doing that twice a year

 

God they’re aggravating. Dion Lewis mouthing off like the Pats didn’t salvage his career for him.

 

Dion Lewis, former Pitt great

 

Low expectations. That way you aren't as depressed throughout the week when they lose & are exceedingly jovial after they fire Hue Jackson and actually find a way to win

 

Felt great to beat the Eagles in Philly and throw a(nother) wrench in their season. So far our offense looks much wider open with Cooper stretching the field, whether or not Dak can consistently hit him, so good for Cooper but bad for Dak.

Overall, Zeke destroyed and Dak looked good for the most part, LVE is easily in the DPOY running, and as bad as Heath can be, he somehow shows up and makes incredible plays like the fake punt sneak and the final tackle on Ertz.

On another note, I heard a Cowboys insider say that they're still considering demoting Linehan from playcalling and says he would be surprised if it turns out Garrett has already taken over starting last night.

Pretty happy with that win.