NFC North/NFL Thread 2016-17

[tower912]

And there is the second score.  I wonder what bone Stafford broke in his hand?

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/12/11/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-finger/95309750/

Dislocated middle finger and torn ligaments.    Maybe.    His passes after the injury were not tight spirals, lacked the customary zip, and seemed to come out with the nose down.    I am guessing he will play through it.   Dan Orlovsky starting against Dallas, NYG, and GB makes my stomach hurt.   

[tower912]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18257782/detroit-lions-qb-matthew-stafford-pip-dislocation-torn-ligaments-middle-finger

Hope this doesn't affect him too much.  Although I'm a Packer fan, Detroit has looked good this year, and they've had enough disappointments over the last 20 years that they deserve a year to celebrate.

Dammit.   Posted while I was typing.   

[GGGG]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18257782/detroit-lions-qb-matthew-stafford-pip-dislocation-torn-ligaments-middle-finger

Hope this doesn't affect him too much.  Although I'm a Packer fan, Detroit has looked good this year, and they've had enough disappointments over the last 20 years that they deserve a year to celebrate. 

Nah.  Not instead of GB.

[forgetful]

Nah.  Not instead of GB.

I'm ok with us just being a wild card and then winning the Super Bowl. 

They (Detroit) deserve the division title and maybe playing for the NFC championship (unless of course they play GB before the title game).

[Dish]

If Dallas wins tonight, Pack fans will have to cheer for the Lions next week to win.

[GGGG]

I'm ok with us just being a wild card and then winning the Super Bowl. 

They (Detroit) deserve the division title and maybe playing for the NFC championship (unless of course they play GB before the title game).

Why do they "deserve" the division title?

[GGGG]

If Dallas wins tonight, Pack fans will have to cheer for the Lions next week to win.

While it would be preferable to have the Lions beat the Giants than lose to the Cowboys, I will take a loss next week. 

[forgetful]

Why do they "deserve" the division title?

Poor choice of words, more just saying they have had a lot of misfortune and nothing to root for, them getting the division title (if it doesn't cost GB a playoff spot), would be something I wouldn't be upset about.

I've had a soft spot for Detroit because of Barry Sanders.  I also do not view them in the same rivalry stance as I do the Bears and Vikings, both of them can rot in the NFL cellar.

Wild card or division title means nothing in terms of getting to the superbowl (unless you get a bye).  Right now I'm just hoping the Pack can win out and get into the playoffs period.

[brandx]

If Dallas wins tonight, Pack fans will have to cheer for the Lions next week to win.

Why? If NYG beats Detroit (assuming GB beats the Bears), GB controls their own destiny.

[Dish]

While it would be preferable to have the Lions beat the Giants than lose to the Cowboys, I will take a loss next week.

For all intents and purposes, Pack has to win out, as the tiebreakers are not friendly to them unless they tie for the 6th seed with the Giants.

A Lions win next week and a Tampa loss almost assures the Lions would go to the playoffs. DET/NYG & TB/DAL are huge next week.

[Dish]

Why? If NYG beats Detroit (assuming GB beats the Bears), GB controls their own destiny.

The Pack would have to win out, and I don't believe they will. Their best shot is the 6 seed.

[MU82]

By the way, the NFL needs to totally revamp PI. No one - players, coaches, officials - seems to know what they should be looking for.

It's very frustrating as a fan. They look at replays from every angle in slo-mo and at regular speed to determine if a spot is correct by an inch ... but they don't have a CLUE what pass interference is. They ignore seemingly obvious PI calls and they call PI where it doesn't exist. And these are huge penalties, often dozens of yards at a time and always automatic first downs.

I'm not sure what the solution is, though. But that's why I don't get the big bucks.

[wadesworld]

Detroit closes at Dallas and NYG and vs. GB. If they Packers beat them and finish with the same record wouldn't that give the Packers the division based on a better divisional record?

Packers should win at Chicago and home versus Vikings. Detroit should lose at least one of their 2 road games. That'd make a winner take all division matchup in Detroit week 17.

Gimme the Giants over the Lions as a Pack fan.

[brandx]

It's very frustrating as a fan. They look at replays from every angle in slo-mo and at regular speed to determine if a spot is correct by an inch ... but they don't have a CLUE what pass interference is. They ignore seemingly obvious PI calls and they call PI where it doesn't exist. And these are huge penalties, often dozens of yards at a time and always automatic first downs.

I'm not sure what the solution is, though. But that's why I don't get the big bucks.

As much as I dislike the college game, they do have it right on pass interference. Simple 15 yard penalty instead of spot of the foul.

[Dish]

That Giants win now all but eliminates a Pack WC chance, division or bust.

If I were a Pack fan, I'd be terrified of this coming Sunday's game at Chicago. There's a reason Vegas set this line at Pack -4.

[jesmu84]

As much as I dislike the college game, they do have it right on pass interference. Simple 15 yard penalty instead of spot of the foul.

I thought this way for a while. But what's to stop a CB/S from intentionally messing with a WR on a deep pass then? "Oh, I can get beat for 50 yards or give up 15... hmm..."

[wadesworld]

That Giants win now all but eliminates a Pack WC chance, division or bust.

If I were a Pack fan, I'd be terrified of this coming Sunday's game at Chicago. There's a reason Vegas set this line at Pack -4.

The Giants could easily lose all 3 games remaining or 2 of 3 games remaining and the Packers have the tiebreaker in them while currently 2 games back.

Tampa is a game up but could also easily lose all 3 games remaining or 2 of 3.

Packers beat Vikings and they're ahead of them. So jump 2 of Skins, Giants, and Tampa and that's a WC spot, with easily the easiest schedule remaining.

Lots of football to be played.

[Dish]

The Giants could easily lose all 3 games remaining or 2 of 3 games remaining and the Packers have the tiebreaker in them while currently 2 games back.

Tampa is a game up but could also easily lose all 3 games remaining or 2 of 3.

Packers beat Vikings and they're ahead of them. So jump 2 of Skins, Giants, and Tampa and that's a WC spot, with easily the easiest schedule remaining.

Lots of football to be played.

The Vikings only shot of making the playoffs is to win the division. The Skins tie means no one can tie with them, and their tie came out of conference. Pack's common opponents and conference record hurt them in most three way tie splits. If the Pack wins out, nothing to worry about.

[Dish]

Funny how the schedule worked out, having two hottest teams in NFC, both go on the road in Week 15 to face intraconference opponents at/near top of the NFC.

Bucs D is playing great, that'll be a really interesting game at Dallas. Lions just keep finding ways to win and get the Giants in a classic let down game spot.

[tower912]

I have complete confidence in Detroit's ability to lose the last 3 and miss the playoffs. 

[GGGG]

Detroit closes at Dallas and NYG and vs. GB. If they Packers beat them and finish with the same record wouldn't that give the Packers the division based on a better divisional record?

The Packers would have the division based on a 2-0 head to head record.

If the above occurs, and there is a three way tie, the Packers would win based on their division record.

[GGGG]

I thought this way for a while. But what's to stop a CB/S from intentionally messing with a WR on a deep pass then? "Oh, I can get beat for 50 yards or give up 15... hmm..."

Right.  But that happens now with holding and illegal contact.

No other penalty assumes the outcome of a play like PI does.  I have always thought the penalty is too harsh and that 15 yards would be better.

[MerrittsMustache]

Right.  But that happens now with holding and illegal contact.

No other penalty assumes the outcome of a play like PI does.  I have always thought the penalty is too harsh and that 15 yards would be better.

Grab a guy by the facemask, swing him around and throw him to the ground after the whistle: 15-yard penalty

QB badly underthrows a deep ball and the DB and WR collide: 50-yard penalty

Something doesn't makes sense here.

[brandx]

I thought this way for a while. But what's to stop a CB/S from intentionally messing with a WR on a deep pass then? "Oh, I can get beat for 50 yards or give up 15... hmm..."

Nothing, I guess. But it works out OK in college. And 15 yards still is a big chunk.

A lineman can give the QB a cheap shot and knock him out of the game and only get 15 yards. I don't see pass interference as more serious than that.

[brandx]

That Giants win now all but eliminates a Pack WC chance, division or bust.

If I were a Pack fan, I'd be terrified of this coming Sunday's game at Chicago. There's a reason Vegas set this line at Pack -4.

Matt Barkley.

If Aaron is healthy, make yourself a little money if the line stays there.