NFL Week 9: Brady vs. Rodgers with no damn question mark

[outofplace]

There are some excellent matchups this week. Packers at Patriots Sunday night is near the top with Brady and Rodgers.

The Rams play the Saints in New Orleans in what is probably a better game with the top two teams in the NFC.

The best rivalry game of the week is Pittsburgh at Baltimore. I know the Ravens lost two in a row to fall to third place, but I still think they are more of a threat than the Bengals.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Given the Ravens wiped the field with Pittsbugh on Sunday night a few weeks back I would understand why you felt that way.

 

[HanSenSE]

Find anything else to do on Thursday. Go ahead, write that piece on how hard the kids on the JV team tried.

 

[outofplace]

Given the Ravens wiped the field with Pittsbugh on Sunday night a few weeks back I would understand why you felt that way.

Actually, it was more about having very little faith in the Bengals. The Ravens led by three points after three quarters in Pittsburgh and it was a six-point game with four minutes remaining. Your standard for a wiping of the field is a bit lower than mine.

I'm surprised the Ravens seem to be going backward, especially after getting Jimmy Smith back. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them win the division.

That said, I doubt the Steelers will give up on running the ball so easily this time. Conner seems to have earned more trust. More importantly, Roethlisberger is going to have to show up for all four quarters for Pittsburgh to have a shot. He was terrible in the second half of the game in Pittsburgh. It wasn't even great pressure or coverage by the Ravens, though their defense was very good that night. It was Roethlisberger missing on throws he usually makes.

 

[Cosmo]

Rams-Saints is going to be fantastic. I think this is where L.A. finally trips. Rams will still easily secure home field in the NFC because their schedule is way easier at the end. Saints finish Panthers-Steelers-Panthers, I think. That won't be easy.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

This is the third Patriots' Sunday Night game so far this season. I will bet that the total mentions of the 88 other players dressed for the game will not equal Al and Cris's mentions of Brady and Rodgers. And the coordinators of course. Collinsworth obsesses about them.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Actually, it was more about having very little faith in the Bengals. The Ravens led by three points after three quarters in Pittsburgh and it was a six-point game with four minutes remaining. Your standard for a wiping of the field is a bit lower than mine.

I'm surprised the Ravens seem to be going backward, especially after getting Jimmy Smith back. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them win the division.

That said, I doubt the Steelers will give up on running the ball so easily this time. Conner seems to have earned more trust. More importantly, Roethlisberger is going to have to show up for all four quarters for Pittsburgh to have a shot. He was terrible in the second half of the game in Pittsburgh. It wasn't even great pressure or coverage by the Ravens, though their defense was very good that night. It was Roethlisberger missing on throws he usually makes.

I mean sure 26-14 final score doesn't look bad on paper but did the Steelers even cross the 50 in the second half of that game? They had less than 25 yards rushing if I remember and like you I expect them to try a little harder this time.

 

[outofplace]

I mean sure 26-14 final score doesn't look bad on paper but did the Steelers even cross the 50 in the second half of that game? They had less than 25 yards rushing if I remember and like you I expect them to try a little harder this time.

They foolishly gave up on the running game early and Roethlisberger seemingly lost the ability to throw an accurate pass in the second half. Roethlisberger seems healthier now, or at least he has overcome the way the early-season elbow injury was messing with his mechanics. Conner is more clearly established in the offense. He's not a fill-in any more. He's a focal point.

The first and second meetings of those teams were very different last year. Pittsburgh dominated the first one, with Bell carrying much of the offense on the ground. In the second, the Ravens dominated early and the Steelers rallied, primarily through the passing game. I'm guessing we will see something similar this time around, with significant differences between the first meeting and the second. That doesn't mean the Ravens won't win again, but I'm guessing the storylines will be different.

 

[poindexter]

From the Department of Overestimating your Value:

 

[poindexter]

What's even more interesting to me is that in 2018, Bell's contract would basically match his *career* earnings.
*NOW* is when he decides to take a stand.
Holy crap!
Le'Veon Bell

 

[outofplace]

What's even more interesting to me is that in 2018, Bell's contract would basically match his *career* earnings.
*NOW* is when he decides to take a stand.
Holy crap!
Le'Veon Bell

He's not taking a stand. He thinks this is going to earn him more money in the long run.

 

[justgladtobehere]

Matt Patricia has tense exchange with reporter after Golden Tate trade