NFL 2016/2017

[Aristo]

The Chiefs game was basically their 2015 season ins a microcosm. The scored first, then proceeded to s*** the bed and dug themselves in a hole that was too large to reasonably climb back out of. Then they proceeded to climb right out of it.

The reality is, they don't win that game is Keenan Allen doesn't get hurt. He was destroying their secondary, which in turn created giant holes for Melvin Gordon running the ball. Marcus Peters looked like rookie trying to keep up with him, and was benched for a time because he was also losing his cool.

On the plus side, Andy Reid and Alex Smith not only got the offense back on track, but gone was the ridiculous time management that cost them in their playoff game with New England last year. They had multiple drives and were able to score three times in the 4th quarter to tie the game. Of course, if this were Madden, the chargers would be calling the Chiefs a bunch of cheesers. They got the offense jumpstarted with 13 passes to their HBs, and just pummeling the middle of the field with short passes, exporting Manti Teo's coverage skills.

I think next week will tell a bigger story on where the Chiefs are. And it may be Week 4 before they get really tested, by Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. It was a great win, but they can't count on every team turtling like the Chargers, and they need to shore up their secondary.

On the plus side, Spencer Ware is fantastic. I think he and Charles will be a fantastic thunder and lightening tandem. And his ability to catch balls really helped open up the chiefs offense.

[TCrouch]

Absolutely insane and gutsy call of the day, Jack Del Rio going for 2 points instead of the tie in hostile territory against a high potent offense. It worked for him, but wow.

Best part of that whole thing? He made the call before they even started the game winning drive.

Not sure how I felt about it, but if that game went to OT, there's no way the Raiders won it. Brees was having his way with the secondary, and Sean Smith was benched after the 98 yard touchdown to Brandin Cooks (ridiculously accurate throw). So they had DJ Hayden out there getting pass interference penalties every possession. I really can't blame him, and holy crap the faith in Derek Carr to call a FADE for a 2 point conversion??

I don't know, it's all still crazy. Payton and Brees had never lost a home opener. They put up 34 points. And Del Rio coached to win the game, not thinking about job security. On all of those fronts, it's awesome. But the defensive performance and showing zero faith in that revamped defense is obviously concerning. I knew there would be mistakes and growing pains on defense, and that Brees would expose them early and often...but still, a 98 yard TD pass where Smith didn't even get a hand on the WR is tough. And he bit on double moves a lot. I'm sure it'll be a month before everybody starts working together, but to play a horrible defensive game against Brees and still come out with the win?

Nice start to the season, something the Raiders haven't had in a decade.

[dbdynsty25]

At least Raider fans are seeing how terrible Sean Smith is. You guys were all hyped about the signing, but I said, he's big and physical, and can't cover. Now it's apparent to you guys.

[pk500]

Jimmy Garopollo is the reincarnation of Matt Cassell. Some NFL team will shower him with a big free-agent contract after this season, only to discover he sucks outside of Belichick's system.

RG III out for eight weeks. Does anyone have Johnny Football or Tim Tebow on speed dial? Both are appropriate replacements for that trainwreck of an organization.

And Sammy Watkins is starting to look like the Sam Bowie or Greg Oden of recently drafted star wide receivers. Problems again with the same foot. Ugh.

[10spro]

Tim Tebow? Doesn't he play baseball now?

[Aristo]

It feels like St. Louis won the Super Bowl last night. Sorry, 34, but that was the most fun I've had watching a football game in a long time.

The best call of the night came from Kevin Harlan.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/kevin ... 1786562558

[sportdan30]

It feels like St. Louis won the Super Bowl last night. Sorry, 34, but that was the most fun I've had watching a football game in a long time.

The best call of the night came from Kevin Harlan.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/kevin ... 1786562558

Agree! Loved every minute of it. Hope the Rams lay an egg in their home opener too.

Conversely, the Chiefs showed some determination and rallied from their biggest deficit in franchise history. Great win.

[Rodster]

Kickoffs might be eliminated in the near future. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/roger ... ated-soon/

[Wilk5280]

They've been trying to remove it altogether for a few years now. The problem is that they can't seem to come up with a good solution. You can't just let a team start on the 20 or 25 because it completely eliminates the onside kick or the possibility of returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Two elements of the game that, if removed, would drastically take away from the excitement of the sport in those late game situations.

[Rodster]

According to the article they are considering former Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano's idea he proposed to the NFL.

[MizzouRah]

It feels like St. Louis won the Super Bowl last night. Sorry, 34, but that was the most fun I've had watching a football game in a long time.

The best call of the night came from Kevin Harlan.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/kevin ... 1786562558

I feel dirty for rooting for the 49ers.. but I loved every minute of it!

[fletcher21]

Entertaining Thursday game. Last year most of them were turds. Good to see forte shine.

[Rodster]

And last night's game was the first to be streamed on Twitter. I downloaded the app on my ATV 4 and it wasn't too bad after the initial buffering.

[fletcher21]

I watched it on CBS. Nice not to need NFL Network. Last Thursday was on nbc. I wonder how many Thursday games will only be on NFL Network?

[Aristo]

Is XXXIV okay? I have not seen him around, and I kind of looked forward to his rants after the Rams game.

[dbdynsty25]

Is XXXIV okay? I have not seen him around, and I kind of looked forward to his rants after the Rams game.

Jeff Fischer signed an extension...he's probably under a bus stop somewhere passed out.

[fletcher21]

I'm retired from sports gambling but I put up $100 on green bay to beat the Vikings tomorrow night. The guy I bet with will be there with his wife. He paid $1000 for the tickets, which is crazy to me for a sporting event. I get it that its a spectacle being the first game at us bank stadium, but still. I'm thinking the Vikings could win if Bradford plays up to par, but who knows. Rodgers owns this team. Should be the game of the week. Nothing like 20+ million people watching you lay an egg at home in your billion dollar stadium.

[fletcher21]

Jimmy g doing his best Matt cassel fill in for Tom Brady routine. Pats not missing a beat.

[Aristo]

The Pats are missing plenty of beats now.

[Rodster]

Predictable Dolphins performance, getting beat by a QB who is Matt Cassell II and will probably get paid well until the team figures out he's not Tom Brady but benefited by Bill Belichick's system. Awful Dolphins 1st half until Garoppolo got knocked out of the game and Tannehill again puts up gaudy meaningless numbers that don't reflect the score.

[dbdynsty25]

Predictable Dolphins performance, getting beat by a QB who is Matt Cassell II and will probably get paid well until the team figures out he's not Tom Brady but benefited by Bill Belichick's system. Awful Dolphins 1st half until Garoppolo got knocked out of the game and Tannehill again puts up gaudy meaningless numbers that don't reflect the score.

I really question if you watch these games, or just look at the box score when they are done. He had a throw at the end to tie the f*cking game...how are the numbers meaningless, coming back to literally be 30 yards from a game tying score? The defense was way more "offensive" to me until they brought in the 18th string QB which predictably got them back in the game.

[Rodster]

Different year, new coach, same results. The Phins are 0-2 and it's the same Tannehill every year. His numbers look good and you say how the hell did they lose but they did. Just admit that Tannehill is a backup QB at best. This team is already looking at an 8-8 maybe 9-7 season, again.

[fletcher21]

Bradford looks dreadful

[dbdynsty25]

Different year, new coach, same results. The Phins are 0-2 and it's the same Tannehill every year. His numbers look good and you say how the hell did they lose but they did. Just admit that Tannehill is a backup QB at best. This team is already looking at an 8-8 maybe 9-7 season, again.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/19/nfl- ... d-patriots

Read. Learn something.

[Rodster]

Different year, new coach, same results. The Phins are 0-2 and it's the same Tannehill every year. His numbers look good and you say how the hell did they lose but they did. Just admit that Tannehill is a backup QB at best. This team is already looking at an 8-8 maybe 9-7 season, again.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/19/nfl- ... d-patriots

Read. Learn something.

Don't need to read because it's the same average team who got slaughtered by a backup QB with a team who didn't even have Gronk or Brady. As JJ likes to say the NFL is a results business and the results, show the Dolphins are still an average team. They're not terrible and they're not great. They play inconsistent just like an average team. When the Dolphins can bring it and play consistently on both sides of the ball for 4 Qtrs then give me a shout. What I saw Sunday was just the opposite.

You just need to stop being in denial.