NFL (since 2016)

[crystal falace]

"Free agency started last night and was pretty crazy some huge money being spent. Osweiler getting £18m a year for the Texans, leaving the Broncos without a QB, Giants have spent a fortune on good but not great players, Oliver Vernon has more guaranteed money than JJ Watt. lots more deals but cant be bothered to list them all."

[southbankbornnbred]

"I fancy the Ravens to 'upset' the Bills. Jackson's movement upsets some teams and not others. Unfortunately for the Bills, I think they seem vulnerable to a scrambling QB. They like to press defence/cover in straight lines, and they are good at it, but that is something Jackson upsets. He'll run for first downs when the Bills will assume they've covered their bases. Two good sides, though, so it should be a good match-up. In fact, I like the look of all four games. No easy predictions in any of them. The Brownies are inconsistent - lose to the Jets one week and then deal well with the Steelers. Their game against the Chiefs will all depend on the start they get. If it is close after the first half, then they will start to believe they can cause the big upset. I doubt they will come back from being more than a score down, though. It's hard to tail-chase the Chiefs - you have to cause panic/uncertainty among them, and they don't panic if they're ahead. Packers-Rams will be tight and much will depend on Donald's availability. If he's on the line of scrimmage on the first snap, and almost fully fit, then his presence will play on Rodgers' mind. If he's not, you might see the Packers slant their pocket/bootleg etc to give Rodgers some easier targets in parts of the pitch the pass rush usually gets to. If Donald is missing, expect a big day for a Packer tight end. Saints/Buccs another tough one to call. I want the Saints, just because I have an aversion to Tom Brady following years of torture (no Stockholm Syndrome for Jets fans!). But he is superb and he does have a lot of weapons to aim for. Saints running game will need to keep Tampa on the pitch for long periods."

[Hermit Road]

Rams @ Packers. - Packers. Rams are battered up and have QB problems. Ravens @ Bills - Bills. They are getting stronger with each game and March down the field with ease. Browns @ Chiefs. - Browns are improving but I think the Chiefs will have too much for them. Buccs @ Saints - Bucks. I think the Saints are vulnerable and the Buccs look like they are getting stronger. Bills then best KC and make it to the SB where they defeat the Buccs who have dispatched Green Bay.

[Lee Trundle]

I'd go with that. I'd possibly have the Saints over the Bucs if they have the refs on their side. Have the BROWNS recovered from their covid outbreak?

[cup of tea]

"DIVISIONAL ROUND FIXTURES AND PREDICTIONS Rams @ Packers Rams have been slow and steady in a mixed season. Done well to get this far but Rogers and his team will be a step too far for the Rams this time. Packers by 15 Ravens @ Bills The Ravens have gone about their business quietly but without doing anything spectacular. The Bills have impressed me this season and seem solid both defensively and offensively Bills by 10 Browns @ Chiefs I think this could be the tie of the round. The Browns from being whipping boys have become solid and hard to beat. They seem to have a good team spirit and have had some very good results. The chiefs with Mahomes can never be written off and I still think they are Superbow faves. A closer game than a lot will think. Chiefs by 5 Buccaneers @ Saints Tom Brady - you can never write him off can you? Well, can you? Done very well to get this far after a mixed season. Saints have done well but not as impressive as previous seasons. I am finding this one hardest to call and I am going to go for a 'shock' Buccaneers by 3"

[southbankbornnbred]

"""It's just another game during which I have to wear a bag over my head..."""

[southbankbornnbred]

"TM - yep, I think it's madness. It also greatly increases the chances of players getting injured during the later part of the season and missing play-off games - which is exactly when you want teams to be as close to full strength as possible. Sixteen games is plenty. We're bad enough at 2-14. Another game just makes us 2-15 and we know we're shit already!"

[Mr. Burns]

Takashi Miike 6:32 Wed Jan 13 Re: NFL (since 2016) Brown is seen as more of a short yardage 3rd down back I think but yes he'll have to step up and I think he's decent enough. Everett and Reynolds are often lambasted by the fans (yes we do have some) for dropping the ball too much. Would be good to get Van Jefferson more involved although I do think Kupp will play (as will Donald on the defensive side).

[Takashi Miike]

"it's going to be difficult for it to be a fair process, especially when we're already lined up to play so many play off teams & the possibility of another in the bills or ravens"

[southbankbornnbred]

"If they can't find another media sponsor, then it most likely won't happen in 2021."

[southbankbornnbred]

"It all looks and sounds like a plan to play more matches in Britain, Germany, Japan and Mexico, though."

[southbankbornnbred]

"Sorry, I wasn't being very clear there... The plan is for the 17th game to be one single AFC V NFC match-up. Making it three ""loose"" (non-divisional) games per season - two against sides from your own conference and one against a side from another conference. So the no-names would play 12 games against NFC teams and five against AFC."

[Takashi Miike]

"brown didn't look too bad in the carries he got, goff/mcvey need to get higbee or everett involved. woods can't carry the receiving corps on his own. reynolds isn't bad, but the TEs are decent and could really help"

[southbankbornnbred]

"TM - yeah, not sure if they plan to start that in 2021 or 2022. Personally, I think it's a bad idea, but the players have provisionally OK'd it and the owners have done their usual fudge by agreeing to it ""in principle"" but only as far as potential scheduling for 2021 goes. So it's all still slightly up in the air for 2021. The plan is for the extra game to be another single AFC v NFC match-up, making it three (of those games) against teams from the other conference (on top of the four from one other conference division). It's all getting messy. The deal - which requires another huge media partner to fund it - would mean shortening the pre-season by one game, expanding the season to 18 weeks (with everybody still having a bye week) and pushing back the play-offs/superbowl."

[Mr. Burns]

"Takashi Miike 6:07 Wed Jan 13 Re: NFL (since 2016) It's going to be very difficult for the Rams. Donald, Akers and Kupp are all banged up. You make a good point about Akers and unfortunately Henderson is out who could have taken some of the burden from him. If they can stifle the Packers offence and then run the ball well they have an outside chance. I'm looking forward to it."

[Takashi Miike]

*talking*

[Takashi Miike]

"SB, was listening/watching dan patrick taking to the browns centre yesterday about the proposed new 17th game, which the players in the league have voted for. no idea if it starts next season, or how the opponent is decided?"

[southbankbornnbred]

"The main NFL rule to remember, Gaffa, is... ...if you support the Jets, just take your medication and be grateful that you're allowed out at weekends."

[southbankbornnbred]

"Gaffer, Yeah, TM has it spot on. You play the three teams in your division home and away - SIX GAMES. You play one NFC division per season (two home, two away) - FOUR GAMES. You play one AFC division per season (two home, two away) - FOUR GAMES And you play one side from each of the remaining two divisions within your conference (AFC or NFC) - TWO GAMES. TOTAL = 16 GAMES. So you always play 12 games against sides from within your own conference (AFC or NFC) and four from the other lot."

[Takashi Miike]

that first game saturday should be good. I can see another upset if donald's fit & akers can last the game

[Mr. Burns]

Come on Miike I'm just pulling your (spiral/compound fractured right) leg.

[Takashi Miike]

"you smashed up a team led by a bloke playing his first game since a spiral/compound fracture of his right leg, where he almost died. big deal"

[Mr. Burns]

Luckily it looks like you won't be getting smashed up by the Rams again next season Miike.

[Takashi Miike]

"gaffa, I'll explain the skins schedule next year.... 6 games within the division against the Cowbows, Chiefs, Eagles (H&A) 4 games against the teams in an AFC division, this year the AFC West and the Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers & Broncos (2H, 2A and the division you play is rotated every year) 4 games against the teams in another NFC division, this year the NFC South and the Saints, Bucs, Panthers & Falcons (2H, 2A and again the division is rotated every year) The remaining two games are decided on his well you performed the previous season, so because we finished 1st we have to play the two highest seeds in the NFC which was the Packers & Seahawks (the Saints were no2 were but we're already playing them)"

[Gaffer58]

"I enjoy the NFL but don't really follow any team, what I'd like to know is as there are 16/17 league games before the playoffs how is it decided who plays who as there are 32 teams, so obviously you cannot play everyone as per the premiership. Any simple explanation would be appreciated."

[southbankbornnbred]

"A few reports in NYC today suggesting that the Jets are 'winding down' their search and that Saleh looks like he'll get the job. You'll probably be hearing me complain a lot more on here, then!"