Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Worst to first, zero to hero

24

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 2,746 ✭✭✭taidghbaby


    Lions I'd say!

    Eagles might but that's as much about question marks over RG3 and the Cowboys not being very good, as it is about how good the Eagles could "potentially" be! Giants could put in one of their good years too!

    Chiefs have a chance cuz there's only really Denver in their division!

    The rest have no hope!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,557 ✭✭✭madalig12


    None of the above will do it this year:eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    You're saying a ten year streak will be broken? :eek:

    Brave man!


  • Posts: 3,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The Bucs or Lions will do it. They're long shots though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    I'd go with the Eagles as having the best chance. The NFC East is such a close division with not much between the teams in terms of talent (bookies odds reflect this, with the Redskins favourites at 2/1, Cowboys 13/5, Redskins 11/4 and Eagles 4/1) and Chip Kelly's offense will have the element of surprise this year especially which could catch plenty of teams on the hop.

    Next best for me would be the Chiefs. Top running game, a workable quarterback and a good D, but I do expect the Broncos to win the division.

    The third best chance would be the Bucs. They will have a seriously improved defense this year, potentially one of the best in the league if everything goes right, but as Matthew has said being in Atlanta's division makes it tough.

    A lot of people will fancy the Lions to do this, but I think their coaching (and discipline issues) stops them from being anywhere near as good as they could be and I don't think Green Bay will have the down year which would be required.

    Jaguars, Browns, Bills and Cardinals have about as much chance as me waking up beside Mila Kunis tomorrow morning.

    So, IMO:

    1) Eagles
    2) Chiefs
    3) Bucs

    4) Lions

    5) Jaguars, Browns, Bills, Cardinals


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,139 ✭✭✭Red Crow


    Skins and Cowboys will do worse this year IMO. We could do slightly worse but I don't think the Eagles are going to do that much better. I think they might struggle again this year. The Cowboys won't be as good and they could have major trouble on their DLine and RGIII won't take as many risks and the offence won't be as effective. We could struggle this year too especially if Eli has another average year. I still think we might win the division.

    I think the Bucs have the best chance but I can't see any of those teams turning it around that much. Maybe the Cheifs can do it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Lionbacker


    Lions and Eagles is my guess.
    For the Lions all their new additions should give them a decent chance. Bush adds some much needed balance to their offence & the secondary is looking much improved along with a huge D-line (all starters are over 6 foot 5! Expect to see a few batted balls).

    My other fancy is the Eagles purely on the basis that the division is very closely matched. I can't see RGIII replicating what he did last year. The Cowboys are very hit or miss & the Giants didn't seem to improve their defence all that much. The Eagles under Chip Kelly should be in with a good shout.

    Outside bet would be the Browns:eek:


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 5,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭GoldFour4


    I'd discount the Bucs straight away. Atlanta is one of the leagues best teams. Also as was pointed out, the three other teams all finished 7-9 last year, any of them could win it. The Eagles intrigue me and would be my pick.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,795 ✭✭✭✭Pudsy33


    I'm saying no one will this year either.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,599 ✭✭✭matthew8


    Every year they say it can't be done and it happens. However, last year the run of 5 new playoff teams came to an end and only 4 new teams made it in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,317 ✭✭✭HigginsJ


    I failed badly at this last year tipping Chiefs to turn it around and had a pop at people tipping the Skins for the NFC east.

    AFC East: Buffalo Bills (6-10)
    AFC North: Cleveland Browns (5-11)
    AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
    AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)
    NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (4-12)
    NFC North: Detroit Lions (4-12)
    NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
    NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (5-11)

    I didn't like the Browns draft so I can't see them doing it this year. It's hard to see any of these turning it around. The Chiefs are an obvious selection but ill go with the Buffalo Bills to go worst to first.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭D3PO


    HigginsJ wrote: »
    I failed badly at this last year tipping Chiefs to turn it around and had a pop at people tipping the Skins for the NFC east.

    AFC East: Buffalo Bills (6-10)
    AFC North: Cleveland Browns (5-11)
    AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
    AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)
    NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (4-12)
    NFC North: Detroit Lions (4-12)
    NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
    NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (5-11)

    I didn't like the Browns draft so I can't see them doing it this year. It's hard to see any of these turning it around. The Chiefs are an obvious selection but ill go with the Buffalo Bills to go worst to first.

    Tampa have a great chance I liked their draft and Revis added will make a big difference too.

    Kansas have a real chance of last to first too and the Eagles were much better than they played last year and have a chance to.

    For me one or multiple of these 3 will win their divisions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,942 ✭✭✭✭eagle eye


    I didn't buy into the Kansas thing last year, went for Bucs over Colts.

    This year I'll go for Andy Reid and the Chiefs over his old team and Chip Kelly. I expect both of them to do well but Reid for me is one of the best coaches in the NFL. I think he does better with the Chiefs than he did with the Eagles.


  • Registered Users Posts: 209 ✭✭theRB


    1. Tampa Bay- They have a real shot if Freeman has a decent season. I like Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson on offense and their secondary is phenomenal.
    2. Cleveland- Their defense is decent and Trent Richardson has potential. I think they're probably the worst team in the division but not far off Pittsburgh and I don't like the Ravens receivers situation. Cincinnati should win the division but if Dalton can't produce Cleveland have a shot.
    3. Philidelphia- Unlikely but they have a lot of players who, in theory, could be very productive. They're so unpredictable I'd say they have a small chance.
    4. Buffalo- Patriots could be weaker than in the past this season with their receiver issues and I don't like their defense. If EJ Manuel works out well Buffalo have a chance albeit a small one.

    I'd be surprised if Jacksonville weren't last in their division. Kansas will finish ahead of Oakland but can't see them finishing ahead of San Diego or Denver. Can't see Detroit finishing ahead of the Packers in any scenario. Arizona have absolutely no chance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,369 ✭✭✭UnitedIrishman


    Been looking at this stat over the last couple days and the one thing that is prevalent in all of the last ten seasons is the fact that the year before they were 'worst' in their division, the team had a relatively decent season. 8 of the 13 sides who bucked the trend had a win % of 50% or more two years previously whilst all had won at least 6 games two years previously.

    The reasons I bring this up is that it shows that teams who are consistently bad have rarely bucked the trend, but sides who maybe had a tougher schedule last year due to their relatively good finishing position the season before, or suffered a key injury to their QB etc. for a season are the sides to look out for.

    If you were using this as a basis to make your choice you'd be down to Kansas, Arizona, Detroit and the Eagles.

    The Bills, Jags and Jets have showed little sign of bucking their trend of being losing sides, Tampa are on the upgrade but in a fiercely competitive division and the Browns, despite some positive signs, have been 3rd or 4th the last 5 years.

    Of the four left Kansas are 7/1, Eagles are 10/3, Lions 6/1, Cardinals 40/1 - to win their respective divisions. The Cardinals are in a seriously tough division and I just can't see it happening against the 49ers or Seahawks and the Lions have a tough enough schedule this season despite going close in a lot of their games last year.

    I have the Eagles and Kansas possibly winning 9-10 games, which could be enough to win the NFC East for the Eagles but might not be enough for Kansas to outdo Denver to win the division.

    So after that longwinded answer, I'm backing the Eagles to go from worst to first.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    Paully D wrote: »
    I'd go with the Eagles as having the best chance. The NFC East is such a close division with not much between the teams in terms of talent (bookies odds reflect this, with the Redskins favourites at 2/1, Cowboys 13/5, Redskins 11/4 and Eagles 4/1) and Chip Kelly's offense will have the element of surprise this year especially which could catch plenty of teams on the hop.

    Next best for me would be the Chiefs. Top running game, a workable quarterback and a good D, but I do expect the Broncos to win the division.

    The third best chance would be the Bucs. They will have a seriously improved defense this year, potentially one of the best in the league if everything goes right, but as Matthew has said being in Atlanta's division makes it tough.

    A lot of people will fancy the Lions to do this, but I think their coaching (and discipline issues) stops them from being anywhere near as good as they could be and I don't think Green Bay will have the down year which would be required.

    Jaguars, Browns, Bills and Cardinals have about as much chance as me waking up beside Mila Kunis tomorrow morning.

    So, IMO:

    1) Eagles
    2) Chiefs
    3) Bucs

    4) Lions

    5) Jaguars, Browns, Bills, Cardinals

    How are people feeling about their picks so far then now that we're coming to the business end of the season?

    Eagles and Chiefs are giving me a good run, although I do still expect the Broncos to win that division.

    I was horrendously wrong about the Buccaneers and the Lions could profit big time from Rodgers' injury. I read today that they have the easiest schedule during the run-in on paper too.

    So it looks like the 8 year (and 10 of the last 11 years) trend of a team coming from bottom of their division to winning it has a great chance of happening once again, with the Eagles, Chiefs and Lions all in with a cracking chance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    It's a longer streak then that Paully. ^^^^

    10 years in a row and 12 of the last 13 :)
    Paully D wrote: »
    How are people feeling about their picks so far then now that we're coming to the business end of the season?

    My prediction was the Lions and they lead the NFC North


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    The Eagles it is. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    The streak continues!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,369 ✭✭✭UnitedIrishman


    Somehow I got my prediction spot on! :pac:

    Pity it happens about once in a blue moon.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    That time of year again! :) This thread has been going 3 seasons and the streak is still alive :)

    For 11 years in a row and 13 out of the last 14 a team that finished last in their division the previous year has won it. So an incredibly high percentage, it's almost a given.

    Below are the last place finishers from last season.

    Who do you think has the best chance at winning their division and going zero to hero?

    ***********************************************
    EDIT: Falcons & Bucs had the same record and both are now added!

    AFC East: Buffalo Bills (6-10)
    AFC North: Cleveland Browns (4-12)
    AFC South: Houston Texans (2-14)
    AFC West: Oakland Raiders (4-12)
    NFC East: Washington Redskins (3-13)
    NFC North: Minnesota Vikings (5-12-1)
    NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) / Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
    NFC West: St Louis Rams (7-9)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,599 ✭✭✭matthew8


    Texans are the most obvious choice, Redskins have a chance too and Browns can't be counted out in a bad division.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,317 ✭✭✭HigginsJ


    I will go with the Vikings or the Bucs. If Bridgewater was starting for the Vikes they would have a great shot I reckon.

    It is probably said all the time but it is hard to see any of these teams realistically doing it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,557 ✭✭✭madalig12


    Im sticking with...no team will do this this year.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    I'd have to go with the Redskins, that division is a crapshoot and anyone could win it, if RG3 is a little less terrible than Romo or Eli they have a chance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    Redskins D is awful but i think they can overcome that in a weak division and finish 2nd behind the Eagles.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,178 ✭✭✭Guffy


    Wow... I can't really see it this year.

    texans obv choice but gona tip the browns I think.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    I'm going to go with the Vikings

    Mike Zimmer will sort out that D and Norv Turner will get the offence flying. Whether its Cassell or Bridgewater who starts I don't really know, maybe both will contribute


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,176 ✭✭✭Amerika


    Washington Redskins could have a fine year as they’ve beefed up the WR position, but it all depends if RG III gets back in form. The Atlanta Falcons reached the postseason three consecutive seasons before going 4-12 last year, and have the best chance of worst to first IMO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    Called the Eagles correctly last year.

    I'll go for the Redskins this year. As Adrian has mentioned, the NFC East is a crapshoot and I wouldn't be confident on calling any team to win it. That's the main reason I went for the Eagles last year too. With RGIII back properly fit, they have almost as good a chance as any of the teams in the division despite their obvious deficiencies. They're the same odds with the bookies as the Eagles were last year. I don't know if they can do it but I'd give them the best shot.

    I'm a big fan of the Vikings' potential but I think if Rodgers stays healthy he gives the Packers the win in that division this year. Perhaps a year or two too early for the Vikings.

    Texans D is very good, they've also got a couple of weapons on O, but they lack where it really counts at the QB position and I'm not high on them in many parts of the field. I think the Colts take that division and could see the Jags frightening the Texans too.

    Buccaneers should be hugely improved under Lovie but the Saints are genuine Super Bowl contenders there and will be extremely hard to finish ahead of IMO.

    I'll go:

    1) Redskins
    2) Vikings
    3) Buccaneers
    4) Texans

    I'm struggling to split which one of the Vikings and Buccaneers should be 2nd or 3rd.

    I can't see the others, including the Browns, coming close.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    madalig12 wrote: »
    None of the above will do it this year:eek:
    madalig12 wrote: »
    Im sticking with...no team will do this this year.

    Don't question the streak. The streak doesn't fail :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,724 ✭✭✭kennyb3


    Think the Vikes will finish bottom of the division. So going to say the Texans. Redskins would be my second choice.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    How come the Buccs are deemed bottom in the NFC South yet Atlanta had the higher draft pick?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,724 ✭✭✭kennyb3


    adrian522 wrote: »
    How come the Buccs are deemed bottom in the NFC South yet Atlanta had the higher draft pick?

    Conference record over points difference?

    http://espn.go.com/nfl/standings/_/year/2013/seasontype/2


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    I took it from the NFL website, it shows the Bucs at the bottom
    http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2013-REG&split=Overall

    I've now looked elsewhere ESPN show Atlanta at the bottom
    http://espn.go.com/nfl/standings/_/year/2013/seasontype/2

    Ok, I'll put both of them in as they were both 4-12


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,724 ✭✭✭kennyb3


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    I'm going to go with the Vikings

    Mike Zimmer will sort out that D and Norv Turner will get the offence flying. Whether its Cassell or Bridgewater who starts I don't really know, maybe both will contribute

    20/1 at present if you fancy it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,225 ✭✭✭Chardee MacDennis


    mikemac1 wrote: »
    I'm going to go with the Vikings

    Mike Zimmer will sort out that D and Norv Turner will get the offence flying. Whether its Cassell or Bridgewater who starts I don't really know, maybe both will contribute

    agree with the Vikings myself, also think the Jags could do it but it's a much less likely.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,446 ✭✭✭glued


    We all hear the same rhetoric about the NFC East and now the word 'crapshoot' can be added as a poor description to mass hyperbole surrounding this division. It's all a bit tiring really to hear so many becoming blasé about the division. It's definitely one of the more exciting divisions in the league and it's quality is definitely underestimated. To describe it as a 'crapshoot' too is slanderous, particularly to the Eagles, who were a fine team last season and are arguably a better team despite losing DeSean. With RGIII in his second year of recovery after his ACL you would expect him to be better and with their WR core they should be a pretty talented offence.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    slanderous? Really. You have 4 teams no better than 9-7. Any of them could conceivably win the division, any of them could finish bottom.

    Crap shoot seems a pretty apt description. I'll take my chances on getting sued for slander for using that term.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,446 ✭✭✭glued


    adrian522 wrote: »
    slanderous? Really. You have 4 teams no better than 9-7. Any of them could conceivably win the division, any of them could finish bottom.

    Crap shoot seems a pretty apt description. I'll take my chances on getting sued for slander for using that term.

    Don't worry I think the NFL have bigger fish to fry. Do you think that the Eagles could finish bottom? Do you think the Cowboys will win the division? Eagles were 10-6 last season too, Washington the year before. It's a tough division where anyone could beat anyone but the Eagles aren't going to finish last and the Cowboys aren't going to win anything. It's not as tight as everybody would like to make out.

    Crapshoot is also just a silly Americanism.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    I don't think the cowboys will win or the eagles will finish bottom but it wouldn't shock me at all if that happened. I think any of the teams could finish top and any of them could finish bottom .

    I could easily see 2 games separating all 4 teams come the end of the season.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,176 ✭✭✭Amerika


    I don’t understand people picking the Redskins or Cowboys over the Eagles this season. The Eagles took the division last year and had the third best offense in the NFL. They now have powerful strong play at the quarterback position and a good running back. The Eagles have the best chance of taking the NFC East.

    I’m going to the Eagles/Jets game tomorrow night and the first two quarters should be interesting as both teams starting and backup quarterbacks look good, and expect to see good plays from the running backs. The production from the receiving corps will determine the game. Eagles have a better defense than the Jets though. I think the last two quarters will be much ado about nothing as I think they'll put a lot of guys in who are expecting to get cut when they go down to the 53 man roster this weekend, so they can showcase them off for other teams possibly needing roster pickups.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,477 ✭✭✭✭Knex*


    Vikings and Texans would be the glaring ones for me. QB too big an issue for the former, so I will go with Teddy Cassell and the Vikings.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,317 ✭✭✭HigginsJ


    The NFC East is the weakest division in football tbh. The Eagles should comfortably win it & I wouldn't expect any of the other 3 to be better than 7-9. It's not a crapshoot, it's just awful


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,902 ✭✭✭✭Realt Dearg Sec


    glued wrote: »
    Don't worry I think the NFL have bigger fish to fry. Do you think that the Eagles could finish bottom? Do you think the Cowboys will win the division? Eagles were 10-6 last season too, Washington the year before. It's a tough division where anyone could beat anyone but the Eagles aren't going to finish last and the Cowboys aren't going to win anything. It's not as tight as everybody would like to make out.

    Crapshoot is also just a silly Americanism.
    I don't think that word means what you think it does.

    http://i.word.com/idictionary/crapshoot


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,710 ✭✭✭✭Paully D


    HigginsJ wrote: »
    The NFC East is the weakest division in football tbh.

    AFC South for me at present.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,446 ✭✭✭glued


    I don't think that word means what you think it does.

    http://i.word.com/idictionary/crapshoot

    I do know what it means and it certainly is a poor description of the NFC East.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,902 ✭✭✭✭Realt Dearg Sec


    glued wrote: »
    I do know what it means and it certainly is a poor description of the NFC East.

    It says nothing about quality, which you clearly implied you thought it did, it just means it's difficult to call, which you yourself said. Either you don't understand crapshoot, or you don't understand slander, it's your call.

    On topic, the Texans would be my prediction. Quarterback issues notwithstanding.


  • Registered Users Posts: 805 ✭✭✭SameOleJay


    The East is awful, to be fair; and has been for some time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,719 ✭✭✭JaMarcusHustle


    This amazing streak could be at an end this week if the Pats, Colts and Bengals all win their games.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement