The Weird, Wacky and Awesome World of the NFL - General Banter thread V2

Knex* · 19-06-2017 11:13AM

Billy86 wrote: »

Titans should win the South, but Bortles did look a lot better after the coaching change. He's clearly no Luck or Mariota, but their defense could be flat out nasty... I've a weird feeling the Jags are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

People have been saying that about the Jags for years though.

They should have a great defence, and if they're going hardnose football and letting Fournette pound it all game, that in itself could optimise Bortles and see them be more competitive.

However, even with Coughlin there, its hard not to see something fundamentally wrong with the organisation that will take more than one offseason to fix.

I think it'll be at least 2018 before they're on track to be over .500.

I fancy Titans to win the division as well, but the argument against Luck coming back from his shoulder injury could surely be leveled at Mariota too after his leg break last season. I also still have major questions about Mike Mularkey, although he shut me up somewhat this past year.

helimachoptor · 19-06-2017 11:13AM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I think the 2 seed is a reach but not an unreasonable one. One of my best mates is from Tennessee living here about 9 years now and this is the first year he's been optimistic about the team.

Really though you need to win at least 4 maybe 5 of those division games. For me depends how strong the Texans are. That defence could be absolutley lights out this year.

yeah assuming Watt stays healthy, they should have one of the best defences in the league tbh, if they had a half decent QB they'd go places

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 19-06-2017 11:19AM

helimachoptor wrote: »

yeah assuming Watt stays healthy, they should have one of the best defences in the league tbh, if they had a half decent QB they'd go places

I really thought Romo would go there and give it one go for a ring. Pretty disappointed he retired instead.

Still even with facing that defence twice I think the Titans look tasty this year. Plus with the Browns, 49ers and Rams on the schedule it does look a tad easier than last years.

Billy86 · 19-06-2017 12:02PM

Knex. wrote: »

People have been saying that about the Jags for years though.

They should have a great defence, and if they're going hardnose football and letting Fournette pound it all game, that in itself could optimise Bortles and see them be more competitive.

However, even with Coughlin there, its hard not to see something fundamentally wrong with the organisation that will take more than one offseason to fix.

I think it'll be at least 2018 before they're on track to be over .500.

I fancy Titans to win the division as well, but the argument against Luck coming back from his shoulder injury could surely be leveled at Mariota too after his leg break last season. I also still have major questions about Mike Mularkey, although he shut me up somewhat this past year.

This is true, though Gus Bradley proved a disaster and they showed good improvement after getting rid of him. I'm thinking mainly that their defense could be hugely competitive though with the offense needing to 'just do enough' yeah.

The AFC South isn't actually far off doing what the NFC West did about 5-6 years ago.

helimachoptor · 19-06-2017 12:10PM

In fairness to Mularkey, he and Jrob have changed the culture of the Titans in a short space of time.

They get bigger and stronger and meaner than the opponent and physically punish them has been something the team has really bought in to it. now this year they have added some skill positions.

Maybe it doesnt go to plan but i think the pieces are there and after last year there isn't that "we're not going to win anything" mentality.

Beefy78 · 19-06-2017 12:18PM

Texans haven't had a QB for years - the Titans will still need 11 wins to have a shot of winning that division. I actually think they might get some decent play out of Watson

helimachoptor · 19-06-2017 12:31PM

Beefy78 wrote: »

Texans haven't had a QB for years - the Titans will still need 11 wins to have a shot of winning that division. I actually think they might get some decent play out of Watson

I think 10 wins it, but not enough for the 2nd seed i dont think

letowski · 19-06-2017 01:06PM

Beefy78 wrote: »

Texans haven't had a QB for years - the Titans will still need 11 wins to have a shot of winning that division. I actually think they might get some decent play out of Watson

Savage will most likely start week 1 though, Watson may not get a chance.

Billy86 · 19-06-2017 01:15PM

helimachoptor wrote: »

In fairness to Mularkey, he and Jrob have changed the culture of the Titans in a short space of time.

They get bigger and stronger and meaner than the opponent and physically punish them has been something the team has really bought in to it. now this year they have added some skill positions.

Maybe it doesnt go to plan but i think the pieces are there and after last year there isn't that "we're not going to win anything" mentality.

Which is exactly the Titans I remember having started watching in the McNair/Eddie George.

the baby bull elephant · 19-06-2017 02:05PM

Texans had the number 1 D without Watt. Him, Clowney and Mercilus on the same D is terrifying. While I still have the Tits to be top of the South the Texans could really knock their seeding. Jags also had one of the best pass D's last season without the new additions and a coach who'd give Jack time.

Not the complete joke it was for a while is the AFC South.

Edit: this actually makes me think, how would you guys rank the divisions at the moment?

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 19-06-2017 02:15PM

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Edit: this actually makes me think, how would you guys rank the divisions at the moment?

Ranking divisions in June! I love it, we're all obviously missing football.

1.NFC East
2.AFC West
3.NFC South
4. AFC North
5. NFC North
6. AFC South
7. NFC West
8. AFC East

helimachoptor · 19-06-2017 02:18PM

Billy86 wrote: »

Which is exactly the Titans I remember having started watching in the McNair/Eddie George.

Yep, Jrob has said they are emulating big tough football from days gone by.

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

Texans had the number 1 D without Watt. Him, Clowney and Mercilus on the same D is terrifying. While I still have the Tits to be top of the South the Texans could really knock their seeding. Jags also had one of the best pass D's last season without the new additions and a coach who'd give Jack time.

Not the complete joke it was for a while is the AFC South.

Edit: this actually makes me think, how would you guys rank the divisions at the moment?

tbh i like the Texans, they are really a QB away from being a very good team, Hopkins is a great receiver, they had a good TE in Fiedorwitz (sp) but yes their defense is terrifying.

Titans had 1 more sack than in their 2 games next year, but Watt brings a real concern across the line, however i think our o-line play was very good and the reality is now we legit WR threats, so you can leave your HB into block and not loose a receiving option.

j8wk2feszrnpao · 19-06-2017 06:26PM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Ranking divisions in June! I love it, we're all obviously missing football.

1.NFC East
2.AFC West
3.NFC South
4. AFC North
5. NFC North
6. AFC South
7. NFC West
8. AFC East

Hard to argue too much against the AFC East being the weakest.
While the Pats are contenders, I could easily see Miami revert back to missing the playoffs, Bills are an 8:8 team, while the Jets seem to be deliberately tanking.
In saying that, the AFC East combined for 36wins last year, 3rd for most wins (if my very quick math is correct).

eagle eye · 19-06-2017 11:24PM

AFC East is one of the stronger divisions in football. It's just that the Patriots are consistently one of the best teams in football so the other teams look weak because of that.

The two weakest divisions are the AFC South and the NFC West at this time. It'll remain that way this season imo unless the NFC North falls into the abyss and they aren't far away.

helimachoptor · 20-06-2017 07:30AM

eagle eye wrote: »

AFC East is one of the stronger divisions in football. It's just that the Patriots are consistently one of the best teams in football so the other teams look weak because of that.

The two weakest divisions are the AFC South and the NFC West at this time. It'll remain that way this season imo unless the NFC North falls into the abyss and they aren't far away.

Yeah i was just going to say the same, the Pats make the division look weak because the win it at a canter each year but overall the teams arent that bad.

Cant argue with the 2 weakest, AFC south has been poor for a long time, but that's gonna change :cool:

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 20-06-2017 10:30AM

eagle eye wrote: »

AFC East is one of the stronger divisions in football. It's just that the Patriots are consistently one of the best teams in football so the other teams look weak because of that.

The two weakest divisions are the AFC South and the NFC West at this time. It'll remain that way this season imo unless the NFC North falls into the abyss and they aren't far away.

Your opinion and that's fair enough, personally I think the AFC East is the worst at this current time, right up there with the NFC West, I think the Jets will be as poor if not worse than the 49ers and rams this season and I don't think the bills will be much better, in addition I am not sure the Dolphins will do much this year but could be proven wrong. Jets got a lot poorer this year in the off season IMO.

Also I think the AFC South have improved a lot again and will be another tough competitive division this year. AFC East still have the best team in football but it's just a really poor division at the moment IMO. To be fair I think the NFC West and AFC East are probably similar but I think the Seahawks/Card are better combination than Patriots/Dolphins, hence my rankings

Knex* · 20-06-2017 11:53AM

AFC East is definitely not great, but AFC North is possibly worse, IMO. Its definitely not the division is was even two years ago. Toss up between that and NFC West for the worst division, judging by last year and this offseason, anyway.

I'd probably rank them:

AFC West
NFC East
NFC South
NFC North
AFC South
AFC East
AFC North
NFC West

Such is the way of football though, you could probably make a strong case to jump a few divisions around. The top three though, for me, I'd be fairly adamant about. Just not positive on the ordering.

Christy42 · 20-06-2017 11:54AM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Jets got a lot poorer this year in the off season IMO.

This is a feat which required no shortage of skill it has to be said given where they were last year.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 20-06-2017 11:59AM

Knex. wrote: »

AFC East is definitely not great, but AFC North is possibly worse, IMO. Its definitely not the division is was even two years ago. Toss up between that and NFC West for the worst division, judging by last year and this offseason, anyway.

I'd probably rank them:

AFC West
NFC East
NFC South
NFC North
AFC South
AFC East
AFC North
NFC West

Such is the way of football though, you could probably make a strong case to jump a few divisions around. The top three though, for me, I'd be fairly adamant about. Just not positive on the ordering.

Would agree with that I think the top three are definitely the top three but like you said order is tough to rank.

The NFC south could be explosive this year.

TOss Sweep · 20-06-2017 01:31PM

The AFC East has had its ups and downs over the years with the Pats dominating but no where being close to the worst division at the moment. Based on 2016 the division has been at its strongest. Only 3 divisions last season had 2 teams with Double Digit wins the AFC East being one of them. The Dolphins going 10-6 and Bill 7-9 had better records at least 3 other divisions and to say the Jets bring it down lets be honest there is what 4 divisions that had worst records than the Jets in 2016.

Without a game being kicked off yet for 2017 it is extremely hard to say the AFC East is the worst division in football.

AbusesToilets · 20-06-2017 01:46PM

I think the AFC South will be a much more competitive Division this season. There is some real talent coming up, Texans already have the best D in the league, give them a good QB and they could be in business.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 20-06-2017 01:47PM

TOss Sweep wrote: »

The AFC East has had its ups and downs over the years with the Pats dominating but no where being close to the worst division at the moment. Based on 2016 the division has been at its strongest. Only 3 divisions last season had 2 teams with Double Digit wins the AFC East being one of them. The Dolphins going 10-6 and Bill 7-9 had better records at least 3 other divisions and to say the Jets bring it down lets be honest there is what 4 divisions that had worst records than the Jets in 2016.

Without a game being kicked off yet for 2017 it is extremely hard to say the AFC East is the worst division in football.

Wasn't hard for me to say at all, it is my opinion after all. And having looked at it I still stick with it. I think the NFC West and AFC East are equally poor but who knows what will happen in 2017, both could have super strong teams and being among the best. That's the beauty of the NFL.

TOss Sweep · 20-06-2017 01:49PM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Wasn't hard for me to say at all, it is my opinion after all. And having looked at it I still stick with it. I think the NFC West and AFC East are equally poor but who knows what will happen in 2017, both could have super strong teams and being among the best. That's the beauty of the NFL.

So it is your opinion that both Bills and Dolphin with perform worse than last season?

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 20-06-2017 01:53PM

TOss Sweep wrote: »

So it is your opinion that both Bills and Dolphin with perform worse than last season?

yes

mcgratheoin · 20-06-2017 03:26PM

eagle eye wrote: »

AFC East is one of the stronger divisions in football. It's just that the Patriots are consistently one of the best teams in football so the other teams look weak because of that.

This is how last season looks if you remove Divisional wins from the records.

AFC East 24 - 16
AFC North 14 - 25 - 1
AFC South 17 - 23
AFC West 26 - 14
NFC East 27 - 12 - 1
NFC North 18 - 22
NFC South 21 - 19
NFC West 12 - 28

That makes the order

NFC East
AFC West
AFC East
NFC South
NFC North
AFC South
AFC North
NFC West

If you look further at the distribution of wins you can see that the NFC West is the most lopsided - (i.e. without the Seahawks, the others only won a combined 5 games outside the division) whereas the NFC South is the tightest division, (6 wins for the Falcons and 5 for all the others).

phatkev · 20-06-2017 11:07PM

Ryan O’Callaghan's story has been shared all over twitter today, so I assume some have seen it, but for those who haven't it's well worth a read
https://www.outsports.com/2017/6/20/15835374/ryan-ocallaghan-gay-nfl-new-england-patriots-kansas-city-chiefs

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 21-06-2017 08:59AM

mcgratheoin wrote: »

This is how last season looks if you remove Divisional wins from the records.
AFC East 24 - 16

AFC North 14 - 25 - 1

AFC South 17 - 23

AFC West 26 - 14

NFC East 27 - 12 - 1

NFC North 18 - 22

NFC South 21 - 19

NFC West 12 - 28

That makes the order
NFC East

AFC West

AFC East

NFC South

NFC North

AFC South

AFC North

NFC West

If you look further at the distribution of wins you can see that the NFC West is the most lopsided - (i.e. without the Seahawks, the others only won a combined 5 games outside the division) whereas the NFC South is the tightest division, (6 wins for the Falcons and 5 for all the others).

All well and good for last season. Doesnt reflect the up coming year very well though, IMO, the strength of schedule for a lot of teams changed significantly this year

Realt Dearg Sec · 21-06-2017 09:25AM

Isn't the strength of schedule a reflection of last season?

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 21-06-2017 09:44AM

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

Isn't the strength of schedule a reflection of last season?

Depends how you weight it. Part of the reason I would have the AFC East at the bottom is that I feel their schedules are really tough this year. With fixtures against the NFC South which IMO is a minefield of possibly great teams. I dont think any of the AFC East teams match or improve their record this season.

adrian522 · 21-06-2017 09:47AM

I think the NFC West is clearly the worst division, the Rams and the 49ers probably won't get 5 wins between them (and given they play each other twice, that's quite a statement). Arizona could be ok but probably a 7 or 8 win team, then Seattle probably will win 10-12 games. I don't think any other division is that poor.

When comparing the AFC East, NE > Seattle, Miami > Arizona, Buffalo > Rams. Maybe the Jets are on a par with SF, but overall the AFC East is stronger. The AFC South could be pretty poor as well but not as bad as the NFC West.

The Weird, Wacky and Awesome World of the NFL - General Banter thread V2

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