NFL Week 8 Picks

[Viq]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when Brady's in late in the 4th of a 38-0 game and gets his fuckin leg snapped intentionally.

How is that even deserved? It's fucking professional football. A higher score really makes 0 difference in the W-L column, and after all teams in the league accuse you of cheating, you try and prove a point. If anyone thinks Brady deserves to get hurt because they want to score a meaningless 7 points needs to have their head examined and grow up

Brady's not even playing in the 4th quarter if the Pats are up big. This will never happen. Every TD NE scores seems to go to Brady though, even on 3rd and goal they pass.

Pats have been up "big" in every game, and his backup has played next to zilch outside of this week. I'll also laugh my ass off if brady gets injured in the 4th quarter, not because they deserve it for running up the score, but because Belichik deserves it for being so fucking ignorant.

Did you wish the same harm to Manning when he and the Colts set the current TD record? They had a four game stretch where they won 49-14, 41-10, 41-9, and 51-24. Where you whining about how horrible Manning and the Colts were for running up the scores in those games? Their backup QB tossed a total of 29 passes that entire season.

I'm not trying to say that the Colts are evil or anything. Just the opposite, actually. That was an amazing team, and they've maintained an amazing team for many years. The issue is perception. When Manning "runs up" scores you hear about how unstoppable and amazing the Colts offense is. When the Pats play the same way you hear about how people want Brady to get hurt, and Belichik is the worst human being since Hitler.

[Tyche]

Perception is reality, and reality is going for it on 4th and 2 with your starters in while being up 40-something to 0. I can't say I recall peyton doing that, but none the less, i'm not some indy fanboy, so if i felt dungy (this is more about coaching, less about QBs) was being a prick about it, they yeah, i would.

Edit for clarification: It has nothing to do with runningup the score and everything with being a pompous dumbass and leaving your starters in when up 30+ with 9 minutes left. Does he really have that little faith in his D?

[octopus]

I'm bored at work so I looked up those 4 games mentioned:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 4 (all by Manning), Run attempts: 4

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 0, Run attempts: 14

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 2 (none by Manning), Run attempts: 8

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 3 (2 by Manning), Run attempts: 9

Edit: And in those 4 games, there was 1 TD thrown by Manning in the 4th quarter

Edit 2:

By comparison, this last Pats/Skins game:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 8 (6 by Brady), Run attempts: 12

[Plow]

Did you wish the same harm to Manning when he and the Colts set the current TD record? They had a four game stretch where they won 49-14, 41-10, 41-9, and 51-24. Where you whining about how horrible Manning and the Colts were for running up the scores in those games? Their backup QB tossed a total of 29 passes that entire season.

I'm not trying to say that the Colts are evil or anything. Just the opposite, actually. That was an amazing team, and they've maintained an amazing team for many years. The issue is perception. When Manning "runs up" scores you hear about how unstoppable and amazing the Colts offense is. When the Pats play the same way you hear about how people want Brady to get hurt, and Belichik is the worst human being since Hitler.

It's because indy was getting up by those scores in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. They kneeled when they could. They ran the ball straight up the middle when they couldn't, unless they were trying to convert a 3rd down.

The issue is when it goes beyond disrespect and into disrespect at the risk of your team's future by being just plain stupid. Having your backup throwing trying to score more late in the 4th of a blowout, going for 4th in the same situations, etc, is plain old disrespect. Having Tom Brady on the field, throwing the ball, going for 4th downs, in the 4th quarter of a 38-0 game is just plain stupid, and disrespectful not only to the other team and the rest of the league, but your own damn fans.

Seriously, how are you going to feel about BB if it does happen, and the pats don't even get to go to the super bowl?

By comparison, this last Pats/Skins game:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gi ... page=plays

4th quarter: Pass attempts: 8 (6 by Brady), Run attempts: 12

Don't forget the sack and the touchdown run that were supposed to be throws as well.


Also, you're right, we shouldn't wish harm on them for something so petty. But that doesn't mean we have to be sympathetic if it does happen!

[Akiyama]

It's like the Pats have something to prove until they beat the Colts and knock them off the NFL Championship podium. The Colts have nothing to prove until they lose, which obviously has a very good chance of happening this year. Maybe that's what the Pats are thinking by "running up the score".. but I just think the Pats beat their opponents into an unconscious state to the point that they no longer defend. I guess they just don't like running the ball. D:

[Yangsing]

What can you say, Bill Belichick is a douchebag.

[Tyche]

A lot of ppl are saying that belichik is doing this because of the whole spying thing, which I don't buy for a minute. I think Belichik realizes he's lost 3 strait to the colts, and they (the colts) have been, consistently, a hell of a lot better team. He's trying to intimidate them and get the upper hand any way he can for a very tough road game. I honestly dont think Belichik gives 2 shits about being caught cheating, he's a football coach doing whatever it takes to win the game, even if it involves using 7 games to intimidate the hell out of a team he has had no luck beating lately. I know if I were the colts, Id be a little worried, but then again, they are professionals. Can't wait til sunday to sit in a sportsbar in indiana and watch complete madness (no matter who wins). This is the biggest game of the season, not even the superbowl can eclipse it, maybe in ratings, but not in fanaticism.

[Plow]

A lot of ppl are saying that belichik is doing this because of the whole spying thing, which I don't buy for a minute. I think Belichik realizes he's lost 3 strait to the colts, and they (the colts) have been, consistently, a hell of a lot better team. He's trying to intimidate them and get the upper hand any way he can for a very tough road game. I honestly dont think Belichik gives 2 shits about being caught cheating, he's a football coach doing whatever it takes to win the game, even if it involves using 7 games to intimidate the hell out of a team he has had no luck beating lately. I know if I were the colts, Id be a little worried, but then again, they are professionals. Can't wait til sunday to sit in a sportsbar in indiana and watch complete madness (no matter who wins). This is the biggest game of the season, not even the superbowl can eclipse it, maybe in ratings, but not in fanaticism.

afc championship when it really matters


although this could potentially decide where that one is played, which is kind of a big deal

[Tyche]

AFC championship has potential to be bigger, but if the pats come into the RCA dome and embarrass the colts, then there may not be much to look forward to for the colts. Barring brady getting injured, i cannot see the colts going into boston in freezing weather and beating a team that they couldnt beat in the RCA dome. Any meetings between these 2 teams though, yeah, it's the biggest sporting event in the HISTORY OF THE WORLD (pun intended).

[Plow]

but if the pats come into the RCA dome and embarrass the colts

Well, on the one hand, can you really see that happening? Sure, the patriots are better than they were last year. But last year's colts were better than the patriots were last year too-- and they're even better this year.

Like I said before, I see Indy succeeding on the short 3rd downs and goal line plays, where I think the game will be decided, more so than NE. Keith is all rested up and with that line and the threat of Manning throwing on even 4th and an inch, I don't think anybody in the league can stop him for less than 2 yards.


Then, of course, on the other hand is the fact that the main thing on the line is just home field. Even if indy went out and played terrible, 5 interceptions and lose by 30 points... in the end it's no different really, if not better than say a fantastic game played by both won by NE on a last minute drive. Same goes for vice-versa, I'm sure BB would be much more happy with just a crappy game and a loss where it was obvious vs a great game where he's got to pull a lot of tricks and in the end they still come up short.

[Daahan]

Wow comparing the Colts large margin leads to the Pats is ridiculous. The fact of the matter is that the Pats are purposely driving up the score to be a bunch of douchebags. There's just no excuse to go for it on 4th down with the lead that they had. Belichik couldn't even pull the "hey I've seen teams score 3 TDs in 4 minutes excuse" again. They had 5 freaking touchdowns at that point in the game. As much of leads as the Colts have they never pulled that crap. Yes the Patriots are probably the best team in the NFL right now and maybe one of the best in NFL history, but there's something called sportsmanship. Their status in the league doesn't give them the right to flaunt themselves around. That's just my personal opinion; I'm a huge fan of humbleness in the NFL. That's why I like Marvin Harrison a lot more than TO.

[archibaldcrane]

I have to be honest, I'm enjoying watching Belichik be a total dick about this, I find it amusing. I'll also find it amusing if Brady gets hurt when most coaches would've long-since pulled him or had him just hand it off constantly with a huge lead.

This team is ridiculously good, and it's more entertaining to watch them dominate 4 quarters than to watch them dominate 2.5 and then go into "ok, time to close up shop and make sure we're all healthy for next week". It's more like watching a game of Madden than the NFL.

[Ganzar]

I'm absolutely loving.


...but of course I have brady as my starting fantasy QB too. *whistle*

[Viq]

Here's an interview with Belichik from this afternoon His weekly spot on WEEI usually yields the best answers from him. The stuff about running up the score starts at about the 10 min mark and last 5-6 minutes.

[Plow]

For the most part it's about what I'd expect to hear him say, although I was a little suprised to hear him outright say "well I come from a defensive background and it's your job to limit the score." If I were Joe Gibbs I'd call a press conference and say "Bill Belicheck, suck my balls. That is all."

[archibaldcrane]

Enough Patriots talk. Green Bay game is starting, and I know you all have tears in your eyes over Deanna Favre's poem.

[Kailee]

Bailey got beat by a rookie.

[archibaldcrane]

Haha Champ Bailey got owned in his face.

[Boyiee]

ohshit deanna is going to be in the booth.

[archibaldcrane]

So, halftime. Only up by 6, which sucks, although the way we've been able to run the ball as well as throw it, I feel good about our ability to put up more points. Hopefully our D can keep Cutler in check.