2012 NFC North/NFL Thread

[GGGG]

A QB like Ponder is always going to look better at home.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

A QB like Ponder is always going to look better at home.

Career QB Rating:

Home: 76.9
Road: 74.1

So, you're right... sort of.

[GGGG]

Career QB Rating:

Home: 76.9
Road: 74.1

So, you're right... sort of.

Heh...I said "look."

(Yeah...that was lame.)

BTW, a healthy Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson both on the field?  WOW!!!

It would be nice to be able to resign him but I don't think that's happening.

[GGGG]

Hmmmm....apparently the Vikings have not won outdoors all season.  They have won road games at St. Louis, Detroit and Houston.  (Assuming Houston had the roof closed.)

[wadesworld]

Heh...I said "look."

(Yeah...that was lame.)

BTW, a healthy Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson both on the field?  WOW!!!

It would be nice to be able to resign him but I don't think that's happening.

And Randall Cobb didn't even play...Plus James Jones scored another TD...

[Dish]

I say this believing the Packers win next Sunday afternoon...

Other than the Texans who pissed away home field (and I think will lose against Cincy Saturday afternoon), I think the Packers were the biggest loser today.

Biggest benefit they get is playing next Sunday (instead of a short week) and being at home, but they now get a divisional opponent, who is physical in the opening round. With a win against the Vikings, they earn a trip out to San Fran, another physical team. If they can survive those two, I believe they would have to root for Atlanta. I think hosting Seattle or Washington would be tougher.

Tough sledding. San Fran gets huge benefit of getting extra week off, as they're beat up right now.

[GGGG]

The Packers are playing Saturday night...and if they win the Saturday night after that.

[Dish]

Ouch, just heard that too. My guy at the Bears had heard NBC was going to get Hawks/East winner.

[Dish]

What a brutal Cowboy loss.

[Jay Bee]

I'm not sure what quarterback got into Ponder's body before the game (nh), but I hope he's back next week. Nice job out there - couple of very good plays, but overall just a solid effort with few big mistakes.

Frozen tears in Lambeau will be so pretty, even on those huge chick fans of theirs.

[MU B2002]

Who are some hot GM names?  Jags need a new one.


And I only care because I happen to have season tickets.

[MUEng92]

This could result in a trifecta of Packer schadenfreude.

Lose to Vikings...Bears fans are distraught

"Let ( )" Peterson get within 10 yards of the NFL rushing record but come up short in the end...Vikings fans extremely disappointed

Crush Vikings next week...Vikings fans distraught, Bears fans apoplectic thinking why couldn't Packers play like that last week!

BTW, that is not a prediction, just an observation.

[MerrittsMustache]

This could result in a trifecta of Packer schadenfreude.

Lose to Vikings...Bears fans are distraught

"Let ( )" Peterson get within 10 yards of the NFL rushing record but come up short in the end...Vikings fans extremely disappointed

Crush Vikings next week...Vikings fans distraught, Bears fans apoplectic thinking why couldn't Packers play like that last week!

BTW, that is not a prediction, just an observation.

Yesterday may worked out beautifully for Bears fans. The Bears won, the Packers lost and it appears Lovie and his staff are on the way out (fingers crossed). The Bears weren't going anywhere in the playoffs even if they had gotten in. You think they were going to go to SF and beat the Niners?

[Hards Alumni]

The Packers did themselves a favor yesterday and lost so they only have to play outside at Lambeau once more this year.

[MU B2002]

You think they were going to go to SF and beat the Niners?

No, but as a fan, I sure wanted them to have the chance. I don't know if Lovie gets fired, but we shall see.
I am more concerned about the D next season.  A lot of critical pieces are getting a bit long in the tooth.

[Dish]

Just got confirmed to me, Lovie and staff are out.

[Blackhat]

Rex or Rob Ryan your seat is ready.   

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Hmmmm....apparently the Vikings have not won outdoors all season.  They have won road games at St. Louis, Detroit and Houston.  (Assuming Houston had the roof closed.)

MN played 4 outdoor games:

Seattle
Chicago
Green Bay
Washington

None of those are easy games, regardless of location... so I don't know if it's "the outdoors" as much as it's about who they played this season.

Also, Houston's turf is so bad that you can almost consider that an outdoor game.

With all of this said, historically, the Vikes have been better on turf/indoors because they had a 10-12year run of decent QBs, great receivers and a speedy defense. This team doesn't have that DNA.

Green Bay usually has a short and fast playing surface, so I don't think field conditions will be a big factor. Crowd noise is a factor. Turnovers are a factor. Weather can be a factor.

The Vikes can win, but they will have to out-execute GB. They will have to run it right at them with success over and over. The Vikes aren't good enough to get exotic and trick teams. They just have to be better than GB at blocking and tackling, and make the big plays when they are there.

If GB comes out and has success early, it's over. But, if they struggle, the Vikes will be tough to put away because they are very physical.

[MU B2002]

Rex or Rob Ryan your seat is ready.   

Rex kept his job.

No way Rob Ryan gets a HC spot after the way the Dallas D got shredded the final 1/2 of the season. But what the hell do I know.


I am surprised Mel Tucker hasn't gotten some serious looks yet.

[GGGG]

Just got confirmed to me, Lovie and staff are out.

I never realized he only made the playoffs three times in nine years.

[nyg]

Rex or Rob Ryan your seat is ready.   

Really?  No way Rex, but Rob Ryan?


Fast and Furious so far:

Bills
Chiefs
Browns
Eagles
Bears

UpNext:

Chargers
Cardinals ?
Jaguars?

[Blackhat]

I just wanna see Rob join this posse




Come on Bears, do it,  you know Buddy Ryan was your last great coach..   

[nyg]

Bill
Chiefs
Browns
Eagles
Bears
Chargers
Cardinals

Thats 7 coaches canned.  Probably only Andy Reid gets a new job somewhere. 

Does Chip Kelly go to Philly with his high power offense, but gets full control of football operations?
Does Nick Saban get the job in Cleveland with same control?
Does Bill O'Brian leave Penn State?

Fun to watch over next few weeks. 

[MU B2002]

Chip Kelly to Carolina, where he can use Newton the same way RG3 and Russell WIlson have found success.

Andy Reid to SD.

[MerrittsMustache]

Lovie is going to be a very good defensive coordinator for somebody. He won't be out of work long.

If you think about it, Cutler's thumb injury last season may have ended up costing both Angelo and Lovie their jobs. If Cutler stays healthy last season, the Bears beat at least Oakland, KC and Denver, finishing the season 11-5. Good enough for the NFC 5-seed and a road loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Giants. No shame in that. Angelo stays and Lovie is not on the hot seat this season. Fading into a 10-6 record this season (assuming the same results with Angelo at GM - Marshall was HUGE for the offense but there weren't many other changes) may have put Lovie on the hot seat going into the final year of his contract...or maybe Angelo would have extended him after making the playoffs in 2011.

Depending on who the Bears hire, Cutler's broken thumb may have been a blessing in disguise.