Game Thread: SUNDAY WEEK 14 Battle for the Playoffs

[Fountain City Blues]

It's quite interesting that MVPs never win the Super Bowl. I think that is probably just a coincidence, but it could also mean that teams really dependent on one player can struggle when that player inevitably comes down to earth a little against better opponents focused on that one player in the playoffs.

As for Mahomes-Hurts, while I think Mahomes is a better player, I think Hurts might win it just because he is the shiny new object for the media, and because the Eagles have the best record. Mahomes has thrown a lot of picks in recent weeks and that might sink his chances. But honestly, without Mahomes that team would be nowhere near this good. The talent around Mahomes is nowhere close to the talent around Hurts right now. If you stuck Mahomes at the head of the current Eagles offense, behind that veteran line, that would actually be amazing to watch.

There was a stat about highly paid WR's and the SB too ... then the Chiefs won it with

*checks notes*

Sammy Watkins.

Same energy. Although I would concede the Chiefs would be the classic archetype of the MVP carrying the rest of the team rather than a balanced outfit. Mahomes has a *decent* day by EPA and it's a 1 score game in Denver.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Purdy good news for Deebo and the 49ers.....

49ers get positive news on injured Samuel, Purdy

The 49ers said Monday that WR Deebo Samuel has a sprained MCL in his left knee and a sprained left ankle, but is expected to return at some point in the regular season. Meanwhile, QB Brock Purdy is day-to-day with a rib/oblique injury.

www.espn.com

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Jets expect QB White to be OK for Lions game

The New York Jets expect to have banged-up quarterback Mike White on Sunday for their critical game against the Detroit Lions.

www.espn.com

 

[PhilSimms11]

NFC South
TB (6-7)
CAR (5-8)
ATL (5-8)
NO (4-9)

I contend that if you have a losing record by the end of the season you don't make the playoffs. Stipulations can be made. Hopefully, that goes into effect sooner than later. It's definitely worthy of discussion. It happened in 2010, 2014, 2020 and could happen in 2022. This is how the NFC playoff picture would look as of right now...and I'm well aware MIN is a division leader and DAL is not. They played HTH and DAL won so I give it the 2-seed.

(1)PHI (12-1)*
(2)DAL (10-3)
(3)MIN (10-3)*
(4)SF (9-4)*
(5)WAS (7-5-1)
(6)NYG (7-5-1)
(7)SEA (7-6)
*division leader

 

[Schmoopy1000]

NFC South
TB (6-7)
CAR (5-8)
ATL (5-8)
NO (4-9)

I contend that if you have a losing record by the end of the season you don't make the playoffs. Stipulations can be made. Hopefully, that goes into effect sooner than later. It's definitely worthy of discussion. It happened in 2010, 2014, 2020 and could happen in 2022. This is how the NFC playoff picture would look as of right now...and I'm well aware MIN is a division leader and DAL is not. They played HTH and DAL won so I give it the 2-seed.

(1)PHI (12-1)*
(2)DAL (10-3)
(3)MIN (10-3)*
(4)SF (9-4)*
(5)WAS (7-5-1)
(6)NYG (7-5-1)
(7)SEA (7-6)
*division leader

I think if you want a better chance of not having a sub .500 team in playoffs, they would need to be less than 4 divisions per conference.

 

[PhilSimms11]

I think if you want a better chance of not having a sub .500 team in playoffs, they would need to be less than 4 divisions per conference.

Agreed.
That's another excellent idea.

Western Conference
West (6)--ARZ, LAC, LAR, LV, SEA, SF

Midwest (5)--DAL, DEN, HOU, KC, TEN

North (5)--CHI, DET, GB, IND, MIN
-----------------
Eastern Conference
Central (5)--BAL, BUF, CIN, CLE, PIT

East (5)--NE, NYG, NYJ, PHI, WAS

South (6)--ATL, CAR, JAX, MIA, NO, TB


When they first did the division format in 1967 this is how it looked (16 teams).

Eastern Conference
Capitol--Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Saints
Century--Browns, Cardinals (St Louis), Giants, Steelers

Western Conference
Coastal--49ers, Colts (Baltimore), Falcons, Rams
Central--Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Agreed.
That's another excellent idea.

Western Conference
West (6)--ARZ, LAC, LAR, LV, SEA, SF

Midwest (5)--DAL, DEN, HOU, KC, TEN

North (5)--CHI, DET, GB, IND, MIN
-----------------
Eastern Conference
Central (5)--BAL, BUF, CIN, CLE, PIT

East (5)--NE, NYG, NYJ, PHI, WAS

South (6)--ATL, CAR, JAX, MIA, NO, TB


When they first did the division format in 1967 this is how it looked (16 teams).

Eastern Conference
Capitol--Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Saints
Century--Browns, Cardinals (St Louis), Giants, Steelers

Western Conference
Coastal--49ers, Colts (Baltimore), Falcons, Rams
Central--Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

the pushback if any ownership wanted to take this seriously.
None of them are ready to get rid of their rivalries. So your groupings would get shot down.
Although I agree with 5/5/6 in each division.

 

[molsaniceman]

I think if you want a better chance of not having a sub .500 team in playoffs, they would need to be less than 4 divisions per conference.

its happened 5 times they aint changing it

 

[Schmoopy1000]

its happened 5 times they aint changing it

View attachment 316651

oh I know they arent changing it.
but the early days had 28 teams not 32 in 3 divisions & it was a strike year.

Although I do remember all the SportsHoopla when the Seahawks made the playoffs & beat the Saints because (well maybe not because) they got to host them instead of other way around. The thought was yeah this wont happen again.
& then........ LOL
To me the Seahawk one was the 1st legit sub .500 playoff controversy.
The 82 season was whatever. I was just happy to have football again.

 

[PhilSimms11]

oh I know they arent changing it.
but the early days had 28 teams not 32 in 3 divisions & it was a strike year.

Although I do remember all the SportsHoopla when the Seahawks made the playoffs & beat the Saints because (well maybe not because) they got to host them instead of other way around. The thought was yeah this wont happen again.
& then........ LOL
To me the Seahawk one was the 1st legit sub .500 playoff controversy.
The 82 season was whatever. I was just happy to have football again.

Agreed. I don't count the '82 season either. They allowed 8 teams from each conference in the playoffs.