2024-25 NFL Thread

[MU82]

Daniels, like Mahomes, would not have succeeded had they started in Chicago

We'll never know.

[Uncle Rico]

We'll never know.

Either way, the Bears made the wrong choice

[MU82]

Josh Allen actually outpaces Patrick Mahomes in roughing calls

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/26/nfl-playoff-primer-josh-allen-bills-chiefs-patrick-mahomes/?

There is a quarterback set to play in the AFC championship game who tends to get plenty of calls from the officials for illegal hits. And it's not Patrick Mahomes.

Much was said last week about the two controversial personal fouls called on the Houston Texans for hits on Mahomes during the Kansas City Chiefs' divisional-round victory. There was grumbling about Mahomes and the Chiefs getting more than their fair share of calls as they vie to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

But when Mahomes's Chiefs renew their postseason rivalry with quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's AFC title game, Mahomes may be overmatched in that regard.

According to NFL penalty data, the Bills benefited from seven roughing-the-passer calls on their opponents during the 2024 regular season. That was the second most in the league, behind the eight such calls that benefited the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs were the beneficiaries of five roughing-the-passer calls against their opponents, tied for fifth most.

Allen ranked second among NFL quarterbacks in the number of roughing-the-passer and unnecessary-roughness penalties drawn per hits absorbed, behind only the Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa. Mahomes ranked eighth. Last season, Allen ranked second behind the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott and Mahomes ranked 29th.

The Bills have had 15 more penalties called against their opponents than against them in their 19 games this season, including the playoffs, according to TruMedia. Their opponents have 198 more penalty yards than the Bills, the third-biggest margin in the league. The Chiefs, in their 18 games, have had 17 more penalties called against their opponents than against them for 73 more yards. That's the 10th-biggest margin.

[Uncle Rico]

Dan Quinn is overrated going for it all the time

[Pakuni]

What a nut punch to Washington after that opening drive.

[Uncle Rico]

What a nut punch to Washington after that opening drive.

It was a good season for the Commanders.  Can they build on it next season?  We shall see.

[MU82]

Chasing 2-point conversions in the second quarter. Ugh.

[MU82]

Washington just gave away the game.

[MuggsyB]

Washington is probably not gonna win this game but Daniels is extremely impressive.  Incredible poise. 

[forgetful]

Hurts is pulling back on the hard count. Should be a penalty on him.

[CreightonWarrior]

Just snap the damn ball.

[tower912]

I have.never heard a referee say that before.

[Uncle Rico]

Will Jayden Daniels ever play in another NFC Championship game?

[MU82]

Eagles 30 Commanders 17

Good call, Unk. I wish I knew beforehand that Washington would be so loose with the football. Credit to Philly, though - they relentlessly went for the football on D, and they were near impossible to stop on offense.

[Uncle Rico]

Good call, Unk. I wish I knew beforehand that Washington would be so loose with the football. Credit to Philly, though - they relentlessly went for the football on D, and they were near impossible to stop on offense.

They have more playmakers than the Commanders but yeah, this game hinged on turnovers and scoring TDs instead of kicking FGs.

[Jockey]

There are leaders and there are followers.

The followers (like NYG) bought into the absurd idea that RBs no Matta.  You can always find one. They were willing to pay $40+ mil for a guy that EVERYONE knew made no difference whatsoever, but held the line on a real difference maker at 1/3 the price.

The leaders said you win with a great RB. Philly, Baltimore, GB said screw your 'wisdom'. Great players win regardless of position. There are teams that will literally pay a guard more money than a superstar RB and then pat themselves on the back over how smart they are.

[jesmu84]

There are leaders and there are followers.

The followers (like NYG) bought into the absurd idea that RBs no Matta.  You can always find one. They were willing to pay $40+ mil for a guy that EVERYONE knew made no difference whatsoever, but held the line on a real difference maker at 1/3 the price.

The leaders said you win with a great RB. Philly, Baltimore, GB said screw your 'wisdom'. Great players win regardless of position. There are teams that will literally pay a guard more money than a superstar RB and then pat themselves on the back over how smart they are.

I think this is partially true.

Barkley is a great player who is also running behind one of the best OL in football.

It's not either/or.

And at the end of the day, each team only has so much cap space.

NE never had a superstar RB during their super bowl run.

[MU1in77]

Will Jayden Daniels ever play in another NFC Championship game?

Great question - remember C.J. Stroud was the toast of the NFL after last season then seemed to regress this year.

[jesmu84]

I think we need to circle back to what the refs said..

They can just award points at their discretion?

[Uncle Rico]

I think this is partially true.

Barkley is a great player who is also running behind one of the best OL in football.

It's not either/or.

And at the end of the day, each team only has so much cap space.

NE never had a superstar RB during their super bowl run.

Correct.  Credit to the Eagles, though. They maximized his talent.  Lots of organizations wouldn't have.  Have playmakers everywhere on offense, too. 

[Uncle Rico]

I think we need to circle back to what the refs said..

They can just award points at their discretion?

Yes

[MuggsyB]

Abysmal start for Buffalo. 

[wadesworld]

There are leaders and there are followers.

The followers (like NYG) bought into the absurd idea that RBs no Matta.  You can always find one. They were willing to pay $40+ mil for a guy that EVERYONE knew made no difference whatsoever, but held the line on a real difference maker at 1/3 the price.

The leaders said you win with a great RB. Philly, Baltimore, GB said screw your 'wisdom'. Great players win regardless of position. There are teams that will literally pay a guard more money than a superstar RB and then pat themselves on the back over how smart they are.

I suppose Kansas City is a follower, then.

[Pakuni]

There are leaders and there are followers.

The followers (like NYG) bought into the absurd idea that RBs no Matta.  You can always find one. They were willing to pay $40+ mil for a guy that EVERYONE knew made no difference whatsoever, but held the line on a real difference maker at 1/3 the price.

The leaders said you win with a great RB. Philly, Baltimore, GB said screw your 'wisdom'. Great players win regardless of position. There are teams that will literally pay a guard more money than a superstar RB and then pat themselves on the back over how smart they are.

The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls with Isiah Pacheco as their leading rusher
Rams won with Sony Michel as leading rusher
Tampa won with Ronald Jones II as the leading rusher
Chiefs won before that with a Damien Williams/washed up LeSean McCoy platoon
2018 Patriots - Sony Michel
2017 Eagles - LeGarrette Blount
2016 Patriots - LeGarrette Blount
2015 Broncos - Ronnie Hillman

Not exactly a murderer's row of running backs. And it's not just the winners. The lead backs of Super Bowl losers since 2015: Jonathan Stewart, Devonta Freeman, Dion Lewis, Todd Gurley, Raheem Mostert, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Joe Mixon, Miles Sanders, Christian McCaffery.

If the Eagles win the Super Bowl, Saquon will be the first guy to lead the league in rushing and win a ring in the same season since Terrell Davis in 1998.

Really not much evidence that you win with a great running back.

[CreightonWarrior]

That fumble notwithstanding the Bills haven't shown capable of slowing down the chiefs offense.