2013 non-Colts thread

[ECKrueger]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Owning a football team has to be one of the greatest things ever. I mean they're rich and they get amazing seats for every single game.

What a life.

[Basketball Fan]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

It's the curse of the Giants being a joke in the regular season and having a quarterback who will never be able to kick it into a consistent elite gear. Going into this season, the Giants had missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.

It's bizarre to say that a QB/head coach duo that has won two Super Bowls is a disappointment, but that's exactly what they are. Amazing that a team that looked all world in the playoffs two years ago is such a joke now.

Except when the Giants missed the playoffs they weren't below .500

Last year they had the same exact record as they did in 2011 but missed the playoffs because they didn't win the division.

This year I think they will win 6 games at most.

Its odd that this team is starting 0-4.. Eli is having one of his worst seasons ever while Peyton is having one of his best two years ago it was the opposite.

[Ransom]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

It's the curse of the Giants being a joke in the regular season and having a quarterback who will never be able to kick it into a consistent elite gear. Going into this season, the Giants had missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.

It's bizarre to say that a QB/head coach duo that has won two Super Bowls is a disappointment, but that's exactly what they are. Amazing that a team that looked all world in the playoffs two years ago is such a joke now.

I'm willing to bet most fans of say, the Falcons or basically any team that hasn't win a Super Bowl recently would say they'd gladly trade results.

Ironically, Eli missing the playoffs again means his record remains as 8-3 and better than Peyton. It's silly I now, but just wait till next year if they get back to the playoffs and maybe win a wild card game.

"Eli hasn't lost a playoff game in 3 years!"

They did it with Brady after the Patriots went Super Bowl/miss playoffs/Super Bowl/Super Bowl.

[Slick Pinkham]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Torn achilles for Vince Wilfork, and the Patriots lose their 2nd best player for the season. yikes.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Torn achilles for Vince Wilfork, and the Patriots lose their 2nd best player for the season. yikes.

Ouch. That's certainly a big loss. Definitely hurts the run D.

I'm sure the Pats will figure out a way to keep winning though, like they always do. That was an impressive win last night. I just don't think that the Falcons are ever going to be able to break through. When they are in the red zone and need a do-or-die touchdown to win/tie a big game, they can't convert. Last night was like a replay of the NFC championship game last year. This team has looked flat all season. I think that the NFC championship game loss is still haunting them. They may never have an opportunity like that that again.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Theyll have to win some division games to do so, but sadly you may be right (Dal is down right now 0-7 against SD)

Yeah, I probably spoke too soon. Dallas never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They are 2-2 and have Peyton rolling into town next weekend, and will be 2-3 when they lose that one. For as laughably bad as the Giants have been, they would only be one game out of the division lead with a win and a Dallas loss.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

I'm willing to bet most fans of say, the Falcons or basically any team that hasn't win a Super Bowl recently would say they'd gladly trade results.

Ironically, Eli missing the playoffs again means his record remains as 8-3 and better than Peyton. It's silly I now, but just wait till next year if they get back to the playoffs and maybe win a wild card game.

"Eli hasn't lost a playoff game in 3 years!"

They did it with Brady after the Patriots went Super Bowl/miss playoffs/Super Bowl/Super Bowl.

Oh, no doubt that fans of virtually any franchise except the Patriots and Steelers would trade their last decade with the Giants. I'm just saying that despite the impressive two Super Bowl wins, they have still largely been a disappointment, as strange as it might sound. You would think that a quarterback and team that was able to play so fantastic in the playoffs two years ago would figure out a way to consistently win in the regular season, but they just can't ever put it together. And they play in a weak division.

I remember after the Super Bowl win two years ago, some were asking if Eli was better than Peyton. Eli was fresh off of a second magical playoff run, while Peyton had missed the entire season. These past two seasons have shown that Eli still doesn't even belong in a discussion with Peyton. Peyton would never blow a division lead after starting out 6-2 like Eli did last year. Peyton would never start out 0-4, even if he were surrounded by a practice squad. After winning that Super Bowl two years ago, Eli had the opportunity to go on a tear and become a true elite quarterback by consistently putting together great regular seasons. But it just doesn't look like he'll ever be able to do it. I know it sounds strange to say that someone with two Super Bowl MVP's could have had a better career, but his career certainly leaves a lot to be desired at this point.

[Ransom]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

I actually totally agree with you, it's just that in our modern discussions winning during the regular season is almost a negative if you don't follow it up "when it counts" in the playoffs. I believe from the public perception it is literally better to miss the playoffs than to lose a playoff game and be seen as choking.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

I actually totally agree with you, it's just that in our modern discussions winning during the regular season is almost a negative if you don't follow it up "when it counts" in the playoffs. I believe from the public perception it is literally better to miss the playoffs than to lose a playoff game and be seen as choking.

Definitely agree. Eli's resume' would be better if he were 8-5 in the playoffs instead of 8-3. Going one and done in the playoffs is certainly better than not making the playoffs at all.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Peyton is getting a lot of credit for his historic start to the season. Deservedly so.

Brady is getting a lot of credit for the depleted Patriots being 4-0. Deservedly so.

But what about Drew Brees and the Saints? Man, that team looks scary good right now. I knew that they would come back with a roar with Sean Payton back on the sidelines. That guy is easily a top 5 coach in the NFL. And why did Dallas kick Rob Ryan out the door? He is a big reason why that New Orleans defense has completely turned around. I will never like the Saints because they crushed our hearts in the Super Bowl, but there's no doubt that they are a top team right now. Atlanta missed their opportunity last year when New Orleans was shaken by the suspensions. They will probably never have an opportunity like that again. The Saints should comfortably win the division.

[Basketball Fan]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

Peyton is getting a lot of credit for his historic start to the season. Deservedly so.

Brady is getting a lot of credit for the depleted Patriots being 4-0. Deservedly so.

But what about Drew Brees in the Saints? Man, that team looks scary good right now. I knew that they would come back with a roar with Sean Payton back on the sidelines. That guy is easily a top 5 coach in the NFL. And why did Dallas kick Rob Ryan out the door? He is a big reason why that New Orleans defense has completely turned around. I will never like the Saints because they crushed our hearts in the Super Bowl, but there's no doubt that they are a top team right now. Atlanta missed their opportunity last year when New Orleans was shaken by the suspensions. They will probably never have an opportunity like that again. The Saints should comfortably win the division.

He is getting credit but I think based on last season they may not give Drew credit since the Saints weren't too hot without Sean Payton most people think his success is mostly because of him.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

He is getting credit but I think based on last season they may not give Drew credit since the Saints weren't too hot without Sean Payton most people think his success is mostly because of him.

Yeah, but that situation last year is something that none of the other premier QB's have ever had to deal with. I'm not going to fault Brees too much for the bad season.

I get what you're saying though. This wasn't a playoff team last year and some people probably wrote them off a bit this year. But they are one dangerous team right now.

[Basketball Fan]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

At home the Saints are dangerous but they have to go to Chicago and New England and Seattle later in the season ..... I think that will be a real test for them.

[Slick Pinkham]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

I give the Saints full credit if their production on the road (especially on offense) does not take the precipitous plunge that it has in past seasons. I recall seeing career home/road splits for Brees and it is striking. He is one of the best ever at home and merely pretty good on the road. There is nowhere near a big a dip for Brady and Rogers, and a smaller one for Peyton too.

I'm not saying that there should be no dip at all if you play in a home dome. Most QBs are more effective in perfect weather. Brady had a much higher passer rating in dome games, for example, even though every single one of them is of course on the road. But it shouldn't be night vs. day.

Oddly NO also has had home /road night/day effects even with their team defense.

[Sollozzo]

Re: 2013 non-Colts thread

I give the Saints full credit if their production on the road (especially on offense) does not take the precipitous plunge that it has in past seasons. I recall seeing career home/road splits for Brees and it is striking. He is one of the best ever at home and merely pretty good on the road. There is nowhere near a big a dip for Brady and Rogers, and a smaller one for Peyton too.

I'm not saying that there should be no dip at all if you play in a home dome. Most QBs are more effective in perfect weather. Brady had a much higher passer rating in dome games, for example, even though every single one of them is of course on the road. But it shouldn't be night vs. day.

Oddly NO also has had home /road night/day effects even with their team defense.

Saints' road record from 2009-11 when they made the playoffs three straight seasons:

09: 7-1 (6-2 at home)
10: 6-2 (5-3 at home)
11: 5-3 (8-0 at home)

So during those three years, they went a combined 18-6 on the road, compared to 19-5 at home. I didn't look at Brees' stats, but the team itself had basically the same results on the road as they did at home. The reason I cherry-picked those years is that those were the three years in which the Saints were a true elite team.

I don't doubt that Brees' splits are way better at home. He didn't even make the playoffs as a starter in 2005, 2007, and 2008. But that team was just a monster overall from 09-11. Keep in mind that they don't really play many cold weather games. Atlanta plays in a dome, Tampa is warm, and Carolina isn't exactly the northeast.

I don't see any way in which Atlanta can make up three games on them, so at the very least, they should be hosting a playoff game in that dome.