Octopus Overlords

Kurth wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 2:03 pm Definitely a safety should have resulted from intentional grounding when the Vikings got to Goff on the end zone and he threw it away (not in the direction of any receiver). And lots of play clock issues, as noted above. Just sub-par.

That was the moment I moved from WTF about 3 misses on running off the clock in 2 short drives to the officiating just being bad. It got so the Lions started flailing around to try and the the refs to watch the clock was at 0. Was it a make up non call? They even discussed it. Just let 'em play doesn't work for me when so many have been getting major injuries all season. Though I do admit some guilty pleasure when Jefferson is looking butthurt every time PI isn't called for him and about 1/3rd of the time he was probably right. OtOH, there were a lot of late hits all around. Again, seeing so many go down, that's just no good.

I felt much better when I moved to listening instead of watching. If I can't see all of the crazy non calls going on, then they aren't happening.

EvilHomer3k wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 4:31 pm Yes, it should have been a safety but Darnold was completely flummoxed by the lions defense. Certainly, a safety there could make a big difference but Darnold was completely ineffective the entire game. The Vikings defense played well but they were gassed by the middle of the third quarter.

That's been a staple of the Lion's MO for 2.5 seasons. They change what they are doing every week but the cornerstone of the offense is always time of possession and keep the defense moving and extra physical by reading them and forcing them to adapt to the run on pass plays and play action passes on run plays.

Well, the Texans stood up and the Steelers fell down. I'm proud of the Texan's effort. it looked ugly early and could have fallen apart. CJ Stroud turned a fumbled snap into the play that turned the game around as part of a 99 yard drive touchdown drive. It feels weird having to root for the Bills, but I don't think Houston could take being stomped by the Ravens for the fourth time in two years. At least the Kansas City game was close. The most you can ask this time of year is to be still playing.

Hrothgar wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2025 2:47 am Well, the Texans stood up and the Steelers fell down. I'm proud of the Texan's effort. it looked ugly early and could have fallen apart. CJ Stroud turned a fumbled snap into the play that turned the game around as part of a 99 yard drive touchdown drive. It feels weird having to root for the Bills, but I don't think Houston could take being stomped by the Ravens for the fourth time in two years. At least the Kansas City game was close. The most you can ask this time of year is to be still playing.

Congrats to the Texans for overcoming those turnovers. Although since they thumped my Chargers I will be rooting for Bills (and Lions) from here on out.

I really hope the Packers can make a run, but I am NOT optimistic.

Finally an exciting game. Call it the Mayfield Mishap perhaps?

The Chiefs are favored by 8.5 even after a season full of close, one score wins by the Chiefs. Ouch. And the NFL put the game in early Saturday spot. As a fan, I'm holding out hope, but that's harsh.

Eel Snave wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2025 3:28 pm I really hope the Packers can make a run, but I am NOT optimistic.

I am not either.

El Guapo wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:10 am

Eel Snave wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2025 3:28 pm I really hope the Packers can make a run, but I am NOT optimistic.

I am not either.

I am very optimistic about it!

Almost forgot:

Texans 32 - Chargers 12 Scorigami!

With the possible exception of the Commies @ Bucs, I thought all of this year's wildcard games were snoozers. Uncompetitive. Ugly. Boring football. Even the Commies win was kind of uninspiring - in true Commie fashion, they won off a freaking last minute FG that doinked its way through the uprights. Just not a lot of exciting games. Very bleh.

I'm hoping the divisional round will be better. Except for Eagles v. Rams, which I hope the Eagles win in a landslide.

Go, Birds!

A few weeks ago I would have given the Hams a Trent Steel against the Eagles. But if they play defense like they did tonight I have to give them a puncher's chance.

I was disappointed that the Vikings game was on ESPN. Then I saw the score a few minutes into the first quarter. Sounds like Darnold completely folded under the pressure again.

EvilHomer3k wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:48 pm I was disappointed that the Vikings game was on ESPN. Then I saw the score a few minutes into the first quarter. Sounds like Darnold completely folded under the pressure again.

youtube tv had it on ESPN and the ABC affiliate... I'm assuming that's the same nationwide on all platforms.

Jaymann wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:52 am A few weeks ago I would have given the Hams a Trent Steel against the Eagles. But if they play defense like they did tonight I have to give them a puncher's chance.

I think the Rams are going to beat the Eagles. The Eagles offense (even with Saquon) looks generally inept, and had Love not imploded the Packers would've had a decent shot at upsetting the Eagles.

EvilHomer3k wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:48 pm I was disappointed that the Vikings game was on ESPN. Then I saw the score a few minutes into the first quarter. Sounds like Darnold completely folded under the pressure again.

It was on ABC as naednek noted but you didn't miss much as far as an exciting game goes.


Darnold was under constant pressure. It was called out in the Lions game that he takes too long but the line was letting him get hurried and hit and sacked all night. At one point in the 3rd quarter they posted a stat that Darnold had been sacked 8 times and 7 different Rams players had a least 1/2 sack. That's everyone getting a piece.

naednek wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:58 pm

EvilHomer3k wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:48 pm I was disappointed that the Vikings game was on ESPN. Then I saw the score a few minutes into the first quarter. Sounds like Darnold completely folded under the pressure again.

youtube tv had it on ESPN and the ABC affiliate... I'm assuming that's the same nationwide on all platforms.

When I see ESPN I just assume it's not on ABC. Probably should have checked.

LawBeefaroni wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:09 pm

EvilHomer3k wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:48 pm I was disappointed that the Vikings game was on ESPN. Then I saw the score a few minutes into the first quarter. Sounds like Darnold completely folded under the pressure again.

It was on ABC as naednek noted but you didn't miss much as far as an exciting game goes.


Darnold was under constant pressure. It was called out in the Lions game that he takes too long but the line was letting him get hurried and hit and sacked all night. At one point in the 3rd quarter they posted a stat that Darnold had been sacked 8 times and 7 different Rams players had a least 1/2 sack. That's everyone getting a piece.

I did watch the Detroit game and I think someone on Reddit mentioned that as well. They also mentioned that the Lions/Rams are the only teams to beat the Vikings this year. Many were calling for Darnold to be traded/let go. But if you are getting pressured that much it's tough to go through your reads quickly and everything kind of snowballs.