The NFL Thread: 2018 Preseason

[Maineiacs]

Not strictly NFL related, but I was amused: Johnny Manziel just got traded in the CFL. What in the world is an Alouette anyway?

French pastry.

It's a bird; a skylark, specifically.

[Zurkerx]

The Raiders aren't getting anywhere near the playoffs. Grandpa Gruden is about to level that team with his outdated idiocy.

Completely disagree. I think this Raiders team is a lot better than everyone thinks it is. I'm not as high on them as a year ago, but I think this squad has a sub-par, but passable, defense, and an offense that's set to explode in 2018.

I am suprised to see the Titans up there though. I think they're ready, but not a lot of people are pegging them as a playoff squad.

Titans are an average team. The reason I have them making the playoffs (as of now) is because Mariota has the potential to expand despite his mediocre season and with Michael Vrabel as Head-Couch, the Titans could at least replicate their results. I suspect he can build a decent defense that will give the offensive less stress.

[Jerzylvania]

Completely disagree. I think this Raiders team is a lot better than everyone thinks it is. I'm not as high on them as a year ago, but I think this squad has a sub-par, but passable, defense, and an offense that's set to explode in 2018.

I am suprised to see the Titans up there though. I think they're ready, but not a lot of people are pegging them as a playoff squad.

Titans are an average team. The reason I have them making the playoffs (as of now) is because Mariota has the potential to expand despite his mediocre season and with Michael Vrabel as Head-Couch, the Titans could at least replicate their results. I suspect he can build a decent defense that will give the offensive less stress.

Decent defenses take time. Your prediction begs us to believe he accomplishes this overnight. I don't buy it.

[Zurkerx]

Titans are an average team. The reason I have them making the playoffs (as of now) is because Mariota has the potential to expand despite his mediocre season and with Michael Vrabel as Head-Couch, the Titans could at least replicate their results. I suspect he can build a decent defense that will give the offensive less stress.

Decent defenses take time. Your prediction begs us to believe he accomplishes this overnight. I don't buy it.

Well, I mean, I don't expect it to happen overnight, of course. However, it's not out of the realm of possibly. Eagles proved that last year as well as the Jaguars although, perhaps it will take a couple years, I suppose.

[United Kingdom of Poland]

Completely disagree. I think this Raiders team is a lot better than everyone thinks it is. I'm not as high on them as a year ago, but I think this squad has a sub-par, but passable, defense, and an offense that's set to explode in 2018.

I am suprised to see the Titans up there though. I think they're ready, but not a lot of people are pegging them as a playoff squad.

Titans are an average team. The reason I have them making the playoffs (as of now) is because Mariota has the potential to expand despite his mediocre season and with Michael Vrabel as Head-Couch, the Titans could at least replicate their results. I suspect he can build a decent defense that will give the offensive less stress.

I think the first game against Houston will tell us whether or not last season was a fluke. Up until the entire team was hit by the injury bug as payment for the astros world series win, it looked like it was going to be them in the playoff hunt.

[Farnhamia]

Give this cat a contract!

[Shazbotdom]

Give this cat a contract!

STUFFED AT THE GOAL LINE!!!!

[Thermodolia]

It could happen. The Rams are packed with top notch guys on one-year contracts, so they can afford to take chances.
The Chargers have dealt with the apparent weaknesses, and Phil has a couple good years left.

I suspect all three of these teams will make it to the playoffs this year although, I don think the Eagles have a good team for years to come. That last part might have some bias in given I am an Eagles fan.

I'll make my bold prediction as of 7/27 as who will be in the playoffs although, I expect it to not be perfect and I'm not an expert on this given I don't watch as must as others would:

AFC:
Patriots
Steelers
Jaguars
Chargers
Raiders
Titans

NFC:
Eagles
Vikings
Packers
Rams
49ers
Saints

Ya no. The dirty birds got it this time

[Jerzylvania]

Give this cat a contract!

Was that Ethel?

[Zurkerx]

I suspect all three of these teams will make it to the playoffs this year although, I don think the Eagles have a good team for years to come. That last part might have some bias in given I am an Eagles fan.

I'll make my bold prediction as of 7/27 as who will be in the playoffs although, I expect it to not be perfect and I'm not an expert on this given I don't watch as must as others would:

AFC:
Patriots
Steelers
Jaguars
Chargers
Raiders
Titans

NFC:
Eagles
Vikings
Packers
Rams
49ers
Saints

Ya no. The dirty birds got it this time

If I recall, you're a Falcon's fan, correct? I won't lie to you, deciding the winner(s) of the NFC South will be the most difficult in the NFC. You got three good QBs and teams respectively. But fear not, I'm sure while your Falcons dive, my Eagles will soar

[Ranoria]

Ya no. The dirty birds got it this time

If I recall, you're a Falcon's fan, correct? I won't lie to you, deciding the winner(s) of the NFC South will be the most difficult in the NFC. You got three good QBs and teams respectively. But fear not, I'm sure while your Falcons dive, my Eagles will soar

NFC South QBs:
2 NFL MVPs
1 Super Bowl MVP
3 1st overall picks
975-492 TD-INT Ratio

I'd say that's pretty good.

Otherwise, going off the previous convo, the Titans have a 'decent' defense, the run was already very solid, (run defense is a bit overrated but meh), but their pass defense was okay the past couple years, and should be top 8 or so this year as long as Derrick Morgan, Jurell Casey, and Brian Orakpo can keep on racking up decent numbers. (Not expecting much out of Harold Landry in the first couple years tbh). Malcolm Butler, who's top-end imo, Logan Ryan was good for us and he'll be back in the slot, where he's even better, and Adoree's a decent, improving player. Then don't forget KB, who should be good for a few INTs (He almost didn't make 1st team all pro. Ridiculous. He was their Nickel DB)

[Idzequitch]

The preseason injuries have begun. Chargers CB Jason Verrett is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

[Luminesa]

The preseason injuries have begun. Chargers CB Jason Verrett is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

It’s not a regular season for the Chargers if half their team isn’t wrecked by the first game of the year.

[Idzequitch]

The preseason injuries have begun. Chargers CB Jason Verrett is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

It’s not a regular season for the Chargers if half their team isn’t wrecked by the first game of the year.

I'm half expecting to hear that Keenan Allen is out for the year again. I sincerely hope not. He's an incredible wideout when he isn't hurt. He's just literally always hurt.

[Fauxia]

The preseason injuries have begun. Chargers CB Jason Verrett is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

It’s not a regular season for the Chargers if half their team isn’t wrecked by the first game of the year.

Maybe your QB cursed them when he left.
(Forgetting the 5-10 years between when he left and the injury thing, obviously )

[Thermodolia]

Ya no. The dirty birds got it this time

If I recall, you're a Falcon's fan, correct? I won't lie to you, deciding the winner(s) of the NFC South will be the most difficult in the NFC. You got three good QBs and teams respectively. But fear not, I'm sure while your Falcons dive, my Eagles will soar

You do realize that we can both be in it if ya kick out the saints right?

[Jerzylvania]

It’s not a regular season for the Chargers if half their team isn’t wrecked by the first game of the year.

Maybe your QB cursed them when he left.
(Forgetting the 5-10 years between when he left and the injury thing, obviously )

LOL. They were cursed long before that, bro. Like zero super bowls wins. Only one lousy flop of an appearance back in 1994.

[Idzequitch]

Maybe your QB cursed them when he left.
(Forgetting the 5-10 years between when he left and the injury thing, obviously )

LOL. They were cursed long before that, bro. Like zero super bowls wins. Only one lousy flop of an appearance back in 1994.

The Drew Brees/LaDainian Tomlinson show was pretty lethal for awhile. That is, until the playoffs started.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

If I recall, you're a Falcon's fan, correct? I won't lie to you, deciding the winner(s) of the NFC South will be the most difficult in the NFC. You got three good QBs and teams respectively. But fear not, I'm sure while your Falcons dive, my Eagles will soar

NFC South QBs:
2 NFL MVPs
1 Super Bowl MVP
3 1st overall picks
975-492 TD-INT Ratio

I'd say that's pretty good.

Only except that this was mostly achieved by the QB many consider as GOAT.

[Zurkerx]

If I recall, you're a Falcon's fan, correct? I won't lie to you, deciding the winner(s) of the NFC South will be the most difficult in the NFC. You got three good QBs and teams respectively. But fear not, I'm sure while your Falcons dive, my Eagles will soar

You do realize that we can both be in it if ya kick out the saints right?

Most certainly, we can.

[Jerzylvania]

LOL. They were cursed long before that, bro. Like zero super bowls wins. Only one lousy flop of an appearance back in 1994.

The Drew Brees/LaDainian Tomlinson show was pretty lethal for awhile. That is, until the playoffs started.

Teams that always flop in the playoffs only make for great memories during the regular season. Woo-hoo!

[Ranoria]

NFC South QBs:
2 NFL MVPs
1 Super Bowl MVP
3 1st overall picks
975-492 TD-INT Ratio

I'd say that's pretty good.

Only except that this was mostly achieved by the QB many consider as GOAT.

Please never refer to Drew Brees as in the GOAT conversation again, but that is fair. I mean, Cam and Ryan got the MVPs. If Winston turns out then they'll have 4 hella QBs. But Winston's about to have his job taken, which is kinda sad, because I really wanted to see him play the Titans again. Because Jameis is incapable of playing a competitive game against Marcus. That is fact.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Only except that this was mostly achieved by the QB many consider as GOAT.

Please never refer to Drew Brees as in the GOAT conversation again, but that is fair. I mean, Cam and Ryan got the MVPs. If Winston turns out then they'll have 4 hella QBs. But Winston's about to have his job taken, which is kinda sad, because I really wanted to see him play the Titans again. Because Jameis is incapable of playing a competitive game against Marcus. That is fact.

It's a bit early to declare Winston's career as over.

[Ranoria]

Please never refer to Drew Brees as in the GOAT conversation again, but that is fair. I mean, Cam and Ryan got the MVPs. If Winston turns out then they'll have 4 hella QBs. But Winston's about to have his job taken, which is kinda sad, because I really wanted to see him play the Titans again. Because Jameis is incapable of playing a competitive game against Marcus. That is fact.

It's a bit early to declare Winston's career as over.

Nah, it's not over, but Fitzpatrick outplayed him last season, that's pretty hard to dispute, and I think Fitzpatrick is a similar-game qb with a lot more experience...albeit with a much lower ceiling. I think Winston might get a couple starts, but I think it's Fitzpatrick's job to lose, and if he somehow miraculously comes out of their opening stretch 2-2, then I don't think that you can hand him the reigns.

Even if for some reason Tampa Bay didn't re-sign him though, some other team would give him a shot. Guy's got a frikkin' cannon.

[Idzequitch]

Only except that this was mostly achieved by the QB many consider as GOAT.

Please never refer to Drew Brees as in the GOAT conversation again, but that is fair. I mean, Cam and Ryan got the MVPs. If Winston turns out then they'll have 4 hella QBs. But Winston's about to have his job taken, which is kinda sad, because I really wanted to see him play the Titans again. Because Jameis is incapable of playing a competitive game against Marcus. That is fact.

I think Brees belongs in the conversation. Brady is pretty obviously the actual GOAT if you look without bias, but I think I'd put Brees above Peyton. Top 5 for certain.