You give the grade

[Rex Racer]

Minnesota averaged 22 points / game scored 31 against Rams,
Seattle 26 PPG scored 31 (twice)
Denver 20 PPG scored 20
GB 24 scored 27
KC 35 scored 51
SF 21 scored 32
Dallas 21 scored 22

OUCH!

 

[Rex Racer]

Today Pats WR core vs Rams WR core TEs included in this bunch.

This is a case of the QB making things that might not otherwise be there.

Edge NE

 

[Rex Racer]

TE's...Gronk.

A bad Gronk wipes the slate clean for a good anyone else.

You didn't really need to ask

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

If I were starting a team I’d want the Rams receivers. If I need to win one game, give me Edelman , Hogan, and Gronk all day.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Today: Special Team Pats v Rams

 

[NWPATSFAN]

I haven't watched enough of the Rams to go just by an eye test. So it bothers me to have to use stats for this one. Even before I looked at the stats I would've given the edge to NE for a couple reasons. First BB treats STs like they were his O or D. Experience is another big factor. Does any other team keep guys like Slater and Ebner just to play STs. Sure some keep a great returner and NE has two pretty good guys returning that can do more than just that. Hekkler we know is a stud. So after looking at the stats it just solidified my pick.

 

[nefansince75]

LA has the one big name in Girly and she a very versatile back and they have that old fat plow horse Anderson, but NE has a stable of versatile RB's and will use all 4 out of every formation imaginable.

Edge NE

as long as Burkhead doesn't leave his feet.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Today: Special Team Pats v Rams

Slater, Ebner, Gostkowski, Allen, Patterson.

Without knowing much about the Rams ST, and knowing what a premium BB puts on ST, I will give the edge to the Pats.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Team Defense Pats vs Rams. Who you got

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Special Teams - Placekickers, snappers, and coverage guys are about even. Pats have better return guys, Rams have the better punter. Hekker's passing ability on fakes gives the Rams a slight edge.

 

[nefansince75]

Special Teams - Placekickers, snappers, and coverage guys are about even. Pats have better return guys, Rams have the better punter. Hekker's passing ability on fakes gives the Rams a slight edge.

I think Hekker's ability to pass is only useful when the opposing team isn't expecting it. What else can he do? Tunnel through to the endzone?

The only edge he brings is forcing the Pats to respect his abilities and be more conservative with returns... which I guess I can't argue isn't an advantage.

 

[YankeeRebel]

I think team D edge goes to Pats, their front 4 is better but team D?

Edge Pats.

 

[BigKen]

I think team D edge goes to Pats, their front 4 is better but team D?

Edge Pats.

Aaron Donald is without question a remarkable player. When teams give him too much attention, then Suh becomes a problem. Fowler was brought in from the Jaguars and can be a problem. The strength of the Rams is with these three. When neutralized, the remaining 8 have serious problems. Talib and Peterson are not young studs and depend on the front line to allow them coverage. The front three or four are no run stoppers. The Rams rank 24th against the run and it's the offense that allows the defense to play at it's best. If the offense gets up by 10 or more, opposing teams generally try to play catch up and that plays into the Rams pass rush.

The big difference with the Patriots is that they will run the ball down your throat. They will not abandon the run. It also establishes the play action which freezes the linebackers and tires the D-line. One other problem for the Rams is that Brady can get back in the gun and release the ball in less than 2 seconds. No defensive lineman can fight through a blocker and get to a quarterback seven yards deep in 2 seconds. That and the Patriots do not play long ball, they are more than willing to take 13-15 plays and 6-8 minutes to score a TD.

The Patriots defense on the other hand, has ben improving week in and week out for the past month and a half. They shut down both the Chargers and Chiefs running games and forced them to play catch up. Goff has tailed off since the beginning of December. His completion percentage has fluctuated incredibly over the past two months. He had a super 79.1 against the miserable Cardinals but was pitiful at 45.45 against the Bears. For the months of December and January he's just under 60%. As an aside, he's fumbled 8 times over the same two month period.

Belichick has had near perfect game plans for the Chargers and Chiefs and you have to expect that he will have a few surprises for Wade Philips and the Rams defense.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Today's you give the grade

California Sushi Roll or Maine Lobster Roll

 

[YankeeRebel]

For me the Lobster Roll

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Wow that is tough. My wife is a west coast gal but loves the food from NE. This was tough for both of us.

But we agree the lobster roll. The problem is I love to eat and two lobster rolls would do me in. I could eat sushi all night.

 

[nefansince75]

First half - maki rolls
Second half - lobster roll

 

[BigKen]

I'm allergic to Seafood, Strawberries and Mushrooms.

For me it's spicy chili and nachos. For some reason, Mexican food and football just seem to be the best for me.

 

[YankeeRebel]

I'm allergic to Seafood, Strawberries and Mushrooms.

For me it's spicy chili and nachos. For some reason, Mexican food and football just seem to be the best for me.

damn allergic to mushrooms that would suck for me I love mushrooms.

I am doing some chicken and beef nachos for the game too Mex food does go great with football.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

LOBSTAH!!!!

A friend/coworker is going to do the Appalachian Trail next year from south to north with her husband.
I told her I would meet he at the base of Mt Katahdin for their last day then drive them back to Tennessee.
My selfish reasons to drive to Maine and back...???

LOBSTAH ROLLS!!!!

The plan is she calls when the think they have 3 days left.
I drive to Maine and have a lobstah roll, get a hotel nearish to Katahdin, spend the night.
Get up at the butt crack of dawn, drive to their base camp, load up their gear, hike up, hike down go have lobstah rolls and whoopie pies.
Go back to hotel.
Next day, leave for Mass, stopping only for lobster meat in a top split frankfurter roll. Mmmmmm mmm.
Upon reaching Mass, head straight for Woodman's for fried clams, whole belly.

I shall be full by then but not satiated.

I may need to stop in Rockport to pick up some live lobs and dry ice to boil when I get back to TN.