NFL Conference Championship Sunday

[dixiehack]

I think it is possible to find interesting stories in a team going for a third straight Super Bowl that has had to remake itself on the fly as the salary cap shackles start to dig into their skin. That doesn't even include the rash of injuries early in the year that led them to start plucking guys off the discard pile.

And with the running back position starting to have a revival, here comes Saquon Barkley with a chance to not only define his career with one more big night but also to put a dent in the narrative that pro football is quarterbacks uber alles and no other positions need apply for MVP consideration.

But what do I know?

 

[Batman]

I don't mind the Eagles, but as a Broncos fan I'm just done with the Chiefs. And it's made worse by then winning all these crazy close games. I just don't like them. In any way. Although I will respect what they have accomplished. On the other hand I'm weird and actually never totally minded the Patriots one way or the other.

Also, I feel really bad for the Bills.

Ah, OK. The Broncos fandom explains it. I get that.
Kind of like how I wasn't rooting for the Commanders' feel-good story as an Eagles fan. I grew up with some really annoying Redskins fans during their heyday and it's taken 30+ years of them being dreadful and miserable, and Jayden Daniels playing for them to get me to the point where I'm kinda sorta OK with them winning a little bit. But if the Cowboys and Giants both go another 30 years without winning anything I'll be perfectly fine with that.

 

[Scout]

I'm so happy the Tush Push or whatever they call it didn't work. I hate that play.

And three of the last four teams had running backs who were let go by other teams. I'm glad to see the RB making a comeback.

 

[da man]

I'm so happy the Tush Push or whatever they call it didn't work. I hate that play.

And three of the last four teams had running backs who were let go by other teams. I'm glad to see the RB making a comeback.

I hate it, too. I am on the record as favoring a return of the "helping the runner" penalty for teammates intentionally pushing a ball carrier forward.

And maybe @MileHigh or another officiating/rules expert can help answer this one: Isn't pulling the runner forward still a penalty? I thought it was but in the past couple weeks I've seen plays in both NFL and college games in which a lineman has blatantly grabbed and pulled a ball carrier over the goal line for a touchdown, with no call.

 

[exmediahack]

Really, the most amazing part for the Chiefs is that they're on the precipice of a third straight Super Bowl victory after the unthinkable loss of Eric Bieniemy on the coaching staff.

I'm amazed they have overcome it and not gone 5-12 every year.

 

[Della9250]

I hate it, too. I am on the record as favoring a return of the "helping the runner" penalty for teammates intentionally pushing a ball carrier forward.

And maybe @MileHigh or another officiating/rules expert can help answer this one: Isn't pulling the runner forward still a penalty? I thought it was but in the past couple weeks I've seen plays in both NFL and college games in which a lineman has blatantly grabbed and pulled a ball carrier over the goal line for a touchdown, with no call.

Yes it is still not allowed to pull the runner forward. One of the most blantant ones recently was a Skattebo TD against Texas

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Every interior running play now ends with blockers trying to push the runner forward and often succeeding, yet no objections to that. Like every development in football ever, the Tush Push is "revolutionary" until somebody figures out how to stop it, then it isn't. I submit that Kansas City showed that the play is in the end reliant on 1. Superior O-Line. 2. The amazing leg strength of Jalen Hurts.

 

[Hermes]

Having Chris Jones helps.

 

[Cosmo]

Now that I'm out of the moment, I'm starting to really appreciate the fact that Daniels and Quinn were able to drag that roster to 14 wins this season. Curious to see how the offseason unfolds. There's no way they get to 12 wins again next year, but they could very well be a better team. That road schedule is rough -- Green Bay, KC, the Chargers, Minnesota and Atlanta along with the division games. I have a sneaking feeling that the Miami game will be in Madrid. Add in home games against Detroit and Denver, and I think 10 wins is a realistic goal. Drawing the NFC North and AFC West in the same year is tough for all of the NFC East teams.

 

[Scout]

Every interior running play now ends with blockers trying to push the runner forward and often succeeding, yet no objections to that. Like every development in football ever, the Tush Push is "revolutionary" until somebody figures out how to stop it, then it isn't. I submit that Kansas City showed that the play is in the end reliant on 1. Superior O-Line. 2. The amazing leg strength of Jalen Hurts.

Or the QB always going the same way.

 

[da man]

Every interior running play now ends with blockers trying to push the runner forward and often succeeding, yet no objections to that. Like every development in football ever, the Tush Push is "revolutionary" until somebody figures out how to stop it, then it isn't. I submit that Kansas City showed that the play is in the end reliant on 1. Superior O-Line. 2. The amazing leg strength of Jalen Hurts.

I have objected to that and continue to do so strenuously. The helping the runner penalty should be enforced and extended to include pushing again.

 

[playthrough]

I have objected to that and continue to do so strenuously. The helping the runner penalty should be enforced and extended to include pushing again.

If pushers can help the runner on offense, then defenders should be allowed to catapult over one another to block kicks. Except this league isn't too keen on helping defense.