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."

[crystal falace]

"Chiefs definitely favourites but cant bet against Brady. Also as mentioned the chiefs are missing some Olinemen. Think points and touchdown passes are the way to go. Some decent odds for post QBs to have 3 passing TDs. Take whaterver the over is for mahomes yards, would expect them to abandon any running game very early on against that Bucs line."

[Grumpster]

"In 2 hours and 15 mins of 1st quarters in superbowls, Brady has a massive 3 points in total. Astonishing stat."

[zebthecat]

"I have a sneaking suspicion that the Bucs will do it. Mahomes has both his starting guards missing, this combined with the Bucs brilliaint edge rushers are going to make his life pretty tough. He is brilliant at throwing on the move though so who knows."

[Grumpster]

"Cant see past the chiefs tonight purely as I want to win some more money this weekend!!! Couldn't see past them after they beat my boys last year and so after backing them from the off, haven't seen anything to change my mind. Skinniest odds I've ever seen for a team to win from the start and bookies generally know the time of day. I don't hate brady, but he has cheated in the past so fuck the old cսnt and its Impossible to dislike mahomes and reid."

[southbankbornnbred]

"TM, yep, the word is that the Jets are taking a look at what a potential trade for Deshaun would look like in reality. So they are receiving advice/chat about what value Darnold would have on the market. I still think the most likely outcome is that we keep him, but there are definitely a few indicators that the Jets might actually consider a Watson trade! It looks like any ""buyer""ù for Darnold might have to give up a late first rounder, or early second at least, because the Jets would likely have to give away three first rounders (and other picks) for Watson. I like the fact that Joe Douglas is testing the water (he'd be a fool not to at least take a look), but he needs to make sure he still has Darnold's confidence if he's sniffing around a Watson megatrade: because the likelihood is that it won't come off. So you've got to keep your starting QB on side. If they're sensible (which we've rarely been), the way the Jets will play it will be to heap any trade inquiries onto the returning Woody Johnson/Joe Douglas and keep Saleh as formally ""neutral""ù on Darnold and Watson for the time being. Could get crazy in Gotham."

[Takashi Miike]

"joe, I've heard wentz is a possible to the bears with foles & a pick going the other way. carr's another rivera likes, but they want far too much for him"

[Joe C]

"Darnold, Wentz and Carr going into trade next week from the sounds of things"

[Takashi Miike]

"SB, strong rumours we're looking at darnold. I thought he might be included in a trade for watson for you, but they'd probably be getting that second pick anyway so could take one of the new QBs. he'd be a good signing, but not for a first round pick"

[Joe C]

"I hope the Bucs win, just to rub everything in the Patsies faces"

[Takashi Miike]

"I think Mahomes is the best QB in the game now and ultimately will be the difference. After the match earlier in the season, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs try and take away Hill's threat which could open up even more room for Kelce. the Bucs have great weapons themselves, but I think it would make sense to lean on their run game & you could see both Fournette & Jones getting a lot of work. because the Chiefs don't blitz very often, Gronk will be more of a threat in the attack (instead of blocking), and has been targeted a lot in the red zone this season. I still think the Bucs will struggle to keep a lid on the Chiefs main two catchers, and will get it done 35-28"

[southbankbornnbred]

"Okay, folks, the season finale is almost upon us. Who wins tonight and why? I think (and hope) it will be close, but the Chiefs should edge it. In normal circumatances, I'd have the Chiefs to win by more than a touchdown, but they have got a few of the offensive linemen missing and Bowles' D-Line will cause the Chiefs some trouble as a consequence. There's been a lot of chat about this being Brady v Mahomes Both superb QBs, so expect top-class reads and accuracy. The difference, I think, will come down to which defensive line creates the most pressure, as there won't be a lot of time for either set of linebackers or blitzing secondaries to get at two quick-minded QBs. Unless Spag is brave enough to shove a few 46-looking shapes at Brady. Can see the Chiefs edging it - just. Brady and Arians are both wise old fuckers and they got a good look at the Chiefs, the strongest all-round side in the league, earlier this season. Reid will be Reid under pressure. It should be a good game. Chiefs to win the Super Bowl again."

[southbankbornnbred]

"At least the Jets troubled the scorers. Once! If you took out the most successful franchise/team in history, Belichick's Patsies, the AFC East would be abysmal! I still have nightmares over that fucking napkin..."

[Takashi Miike]

Super Bowl wins/appearances per division Division Wins NFC East 13 Dallas(5) New York Giants(4) Washington(3) Philadelphia(1) AFC East 9 New England(6) Miami(2) New York Jets(1) AFC North 8 Pittsburgh(6) Baltimore(2) AFC West 8 Oakland(3) Denver(3) Kansas City(2) NFC West 7 San Francisco(5) Los Angeles(1)* Seattle(1) NFC North 5 Green Bay(4) Chicago(1) AFC South 2 Indianapolis(2)** NFC South 2 Tampa Bay(1) New Orleans(1) Division Appearances NFC East 21 Dallas(8) Washington(5) New York Giants(5) Philadelphia(3) AFC East 21 New England(11) Miami(5) Buffalo(4) New York Jets(1) AFC West 17 Denver(8) Oakland(5) Kansas City(3) Los Angeles(1)*** NFC West 15 San Francisco(7) Los Angeles(4)* Seattle(3) Arizona(1) AFC North 12 Pittsburgh(8) Cincinnati(2) Baltimore(2) NFC North 11 Green Bay(5) Minnesota(4) Chicago(2) NFC South 6 Carolina(2) Atlanta(2) Tampa Bay(1) New Orleans(1) AFC South 5 Indianapolis(4)** Tennessee(1) * - 1 win/2 appearances when in St. Louis ** - 1 win/2 appearances when in Baltimore *** - when in San Diego

[southbankbornnbred]

"Hermit - I tell him that all of the time! I wouldn't be remotely surprised if, statistically, it was the NFC East. Historically, it was always full of big beasts. I remember when the Eagles were considered, by some distance, to be the 'weakest' side in that division - yet they had one of the most entertaining QBs of all time, Randall Cunningham, and a grade-A defense coached by Buddy Ryan. Went to play-offs several years in a row, while the sides around them in the division all took Superbowl titles around that broader era. In most other divisions, the Eagles would have been dominant."

[Hermit Road]

southbankbornnbred 3:53 Mon Feb 1 Takashi had some interesting stats on this a while back that pointed heavily to it being the NFC East but I can't remember what it was. That's all I have to add to that apart from the fact that your mate's missis is not good looking enough to compensate for the team she has inflicted on him.

[southbankbornnbred]

"Sanders, for me, was hands down the best RB of all time. I'm not even sure anybody else comes close, in terms of ability. Yardage, sure: the likes of Smith and others look superb: but they had grade-A offensive lines and/or QBs to distract the defense. Everybody knew exactly who the Lions would turn to whenever it came to the crunch, and he delivered most of the time. Which is extraordinary, considering the paucity of talent elsewhere on many of his Lions line-ups. The Lions have had a few others who would draw praise elsewhere. Calvin Johnson was a beast at WR, Stafford has been a good QB often without a decent coach or set of receivers. Lem Barney (CB) was a proper hall of famer: a shutdown CB in the style of Revis Island. You didn't throw to his side of the field. But they have been a naff side for far too long in a league obsessed with equality."

[Far Cough]

Barry Sanders*

[Far Cough]

"The Lions have let the division down, history wise and that is in spite of having arguably at one time, the greatest running back of all time in Barry Sander but if you ignore him, I'm struggling to come up with anyone else on that franchise that has made a significant impact?"

[southbankbornnbred]

"Yeah, it's a real shame, too, because those teams and fans in that division deserve better - given the incredible histories they all have. The Pack keeps going, due largely to having had back-to-back hall of fame quarterbacks in Favre and Rodgers. It's a well-run place, too. Chicago and Detroit in particular have had more false starts than a twitchy 100m runner. Bit like the non-Patsies in the AFC East."

[Far Cough]

"I DID say they were in a bit of decline but as Arnie says, we'll be back"

[southbankbornnbred]

"The black and blue division hasn't been in the top three or four most competitive for some time, though. Excellent franchises with great histories, all of them. But with the exception of the cheeseheads, they've not performed consistently for some time. The Bears and Lions in particular, are struggling. The Vikes seem to constantly flatter to deceive. Right now, it's not as competitive as the the AFC North, NFC West, NFC South - hasn't been for a while. The only things black and blue in that division are the loyal fans."

[Far Cough]

"Even though it's in a bit of decline apart from the Packers, the Black and Blue division will always be the best, it wasn't called Black and Blue for nothing"

[Takashi Miike]

*early 80s*

[southbankbornnbred]

Yep - you're a fucking disgrace! ;-)

[IsaacHock]

"southbankbornnbred 3:53 Mon Feb 1 Re: NFL (since 2016) ""And us and the Fish stink to high heaven!"" Did you just bracket the 2 win Jets with the narrowly missed the playoffs with 10 wins Dolphins?"