corta765

Well the issue was the NFL said you can have your team back but you need a stadium ready by opening day and that was like 3-4 years tops from what I read. Not saying I wouldn't be angered either, but I can kind of understand the rush job when you lost your team and can get it back. Also stadiums made in the 90s or updated missed a lot of the time on the future of NFL stadiums with suites, club areas, overall better fan experience things etc... The Falcons and Browns both got nice new stadiums in the 90s but had they been planned in say 98-2000 timeframe they probably are upgraded instead.

So from what I read when they made the stadium back in the 90s it was a rushed job on the cheap because they needed it done in time for 1999 and in general they cut corners. As a result there are a lot of things now that are vastly more difficult and costly to upgrade because of this which make a new stadium a more realistic possibility over a renovation.

Is part of this because of the increase in WR pick plays that also happen now?

you dont have to though

I was less concerned last year. LB is a very replaceable spot as shown when Kiko was lost for the year and Spikes stepped in without missing a beat. T The defense this year is legitimately changing a lot of areas that were dependable and Milano will take time to recover. I think they will be decent just not as stout.

You keep this up and we will have to put you on double secret probation, that is how concerned I am

I would expect in general that people should scale their expectations back with the defense to what it was in 2017, bend not break unit that has some talented players, some vets who can do stuff, and some kids finding their way. From 2019 on the defense in the regular season rarely gets blown out and has been pretty stout while being normally in the top 10 if not top 5 statistically. I could see the defense a bit more lower top 16 as they recalibrate what they are.

Agree with all of that. It is why I said they were a caught swing pass away from missing and the hype train is way different.

lol in our apartment after thanksgiving 2012 putting up the xmas tree. Pats throttling Jets already and my wife goes oh dang and yep the buttfumble happened. Great game choice NBC lol

I love Stroud and what they are doing... but someone made a great point that HOU was a dropped flat pass away from missing the playoffs and division. For as much promise as they showed they went 7-3 in one score games which means the pendulum swings back this year in those games which means they need to win more games straight up. On their side turnovers they were middle of the league and they did not feast on TDs on defense so that is a positive. I expect them to make the playoffs, but yearly there is team which comes on hot and makes the playoffs and then the next year fails to meet expectations. I personally expect the Browns to be the team that falls back to earth at like 7-10 as they don't have good QB play while feasting off one score wins and crazy turnover luck, but not impossible HOU goes 8-9 as things go a little off path.

my dark horse pick is IND goes 11-6 with Richardson and HOU misses at 9-8

4 to 7. If the offense gets revving which is possible with their talent I think they will have a few surprise victories over better opponents. Still rookie QB who needs to find his way with a defense rebuilding the safe range is between 4 to 7 for me. Titans and Pats both could be 2 win teams. The talent on offense is that bad on both clubs and while I get the media loves the NE defense, people forget how much BB did to help that scheme. I could easily see a SF Tomasula type outcome where they are 2-15.

YEP. It is very interesting how the Bills despite the SBs and playoff runs with Kelly & crew were in a very shaky stadium situation by 97-98 and it was a real possibility they could leave. Fans almost gloss over the realness of that and how big getting the club seats done were to the viability for another decade or two. Once Flutie stepped in and the madness started people went nuts, it was really fun. I remember in middle school how divided the region was for Johnson v Flutie. Johnson even said he knew he was toast the moment Flutie ran that in against Jax. The fans/region just pulled for the guy with the way he played. A lot of the pieces I have read with RoboJ the last bunch of years hes a pretty decent dude and very real to everything. No ill will towards Buffalo as much as just maybe how it played it, but he talked about his shoulder getting messed up and never recovering either.

I am just going to post based on games I went to live because TV I have too many fun memories, here is my top 5 1. Snowbowl in 2017. We were front row the entire game, wildest experience of my life at a Bills game 2. Packers 2014. I have said many times it felt like the start of the change for the Bills fortunes from drought back to relevance. To this date loudest gate I have been to, my ears hurt the next day it got so intense by the end. 3. Steelers 2022. I hate Pittsburgh (respect but hate) and to throttle them at home the way they did was just so much fun. The game wasn't in doubt from the moment Allen threw a 98 yard TD on. Having a franchise torch them made the drought feel worth it. 4. 2011 Raiders. I was at that comeback and it is forgotten about with how wild and fun it was. 5. 2022 Dolphins playoff game. First playoff game I got to see for the Bills ever and it meant a lot after all the bad years and never thinking it would happen.

Ok so I did vote from TV, BUT in a perfect world where tailgating and leaving the stadium are easy and I'm home at 4:30pm or right after game ends I would pick live. There is something truly special about the game live in Buffalo and the environment. I also have found live I get less upset then on TV as without the announcers it is far more just an experience vs being narrated. In a non perfect world I do 3-4 regular season games and preseason. The rest is a lot of family football parties with maybe 3-4 games quiet. The parties a ton of fun and a great experience in a different way.

Sacrifice to the football gods

I have wondered myself if they start slow the first half before getting it together. The AFC North is really interesting as each team has some legit questions: Ravens- roster turned over a lot especially on their D, does it take them a bit to get it together? Is their a let down after failing last year to make the SB and being the 1 seed? Bengals- Burrow last year took a bit to comeback from injury and this injury is far more critical to his throwing. Is he the same player and how long does it take him to get going if he does return to form? Browns- They benefited from turnovers, went 6-2 in one score games, and had surprisingly decent QB play that supported the loss of Chubb. With Watson back can he ever find any form of the QB he use to be and when fortune swings back this year with turnovers/one score games who do they respond? Steelers- Can either QB find enough of a form to lead the offense to middling form? Talent exists for the offense to do some things even with Arthur Smith as OC and the defense is solid, but QB play will sink this team quickly given the division.

Naw just one of those things he got hooked as a kid and has never stopped. My one dream in life is in one Fall to hit all of the major college football stadiums for the experience, Death Valley, Ole Miss, Big House, The Horseshoe, Golden Dome, Iowa. Literally every weekend Sept-Nov try and just catch a game at each.

Haha don't worry I still watch and my buddy is a huge UM fan so I pull for them. I am a U Miami guy so its been a bit lol. I am curious with Saban gone how this all shakes out.

To me once you win the crown you gain another level of confidence and 13 seconds with the way that game was going AND then the proceeding dumb*ss kickoff, no I def would've had confidence in tying if I was KC. Last year they seemed to relish the challenge truthfully and the "underdog" status. BUF-KC has turned into a classic breakthrough battle ala BOS-NYY Manning-Brady OAK-PIT NFL 70s where one team has had the hammer forever but the other is getting close. Now it also could turn into Knicks-Bulls but I am not putting myself mentally into that head place lol

I just realized Jaawan Taylor is only 26, I swear he has been in the NFL for like a decade already lol. Your best case and worst case is the same as what I have. Realistically if the worst case for the Chiefs is some parts show some age and they still win a division crown and host a playoff game that is pretty impressive. The one think more then anything working against the Chiefs is their run of AFC title games in a row and statistically they should have an off year. BUT the only two teams that have scared or beaten KC in the post season are CIN whose DEF seems to match Mahomes while Burrow can hold serve and BUF which is basically because Josh somehow goes off yearly against KC before Mahomes beats the Bills defense lol. Who do you think emerges from the WR corp besides Rice at this point? Worhty is new, does Watson have a shot? Exactly. Almost yearly there is a team that comes out of nowhere or exceeds prior expectations to have a year like that. Even that Bears team in 2018 that went 11-5 and ran hot a lot of people thought in 2019 would be better... except they ignored the historically high turnover margin the team had and # of TDs the defense contributed that was due for correction in the following year. Football is weird weird weird, it is why top QBs are what you want and follow and they have the most consistent trajectory.

It is why it is best case scenario. Realistically it isn't happening and right now I have Miami at 9-8/8-9 range. Teams do have season everything is perfect from health, turnover luck, a few things fall their way and you get a dream season. I read a good piece by Bill Barnwell which explained good teams over the long term are regularly 11-6/12-5 range, hitting 13/14/15 wins truthfully is a lot of luck circumstance and everything falling your way just given the way football is with all of those factors. The Bills 2017 team was decidedly the worst of the 2015-2017 group yet some turnover luck, fortune, better coaching gave them the playoff berth out of that group which combine was a perfect 24-24 over three seasons. Since Tua arrived in 2020 Miami has a record of 39-28 floating a little above .500 but any time they have met resistance they have wilted. I think it is more likely they go 7-10 then 13-4 at this point and last year was the max of this group, but again circumstance and luck has a way sometimes.

Their defense is in a sizable reshape and rookie QBs usually take some time even with a decent supporting cast. I think the big thing is they stay competitive throughout the season and show true progress at QB/across the board so they can spring board in 2025.

My honest thought is Minnesota has a 6-11 type year where the record looks bad but the back half JJ finds his groove a bit and they are in most games. I think if they start Darnold it is a mistake given the supporting cast they have for a rookie to learn with.

Like I did yesterday this is my NFC version of best/worst case season outcomes for each team. This is based off of todays roster and where I think it is going while understanding things can change. Arizona Best: With Kyler healthy the Cardinals offense takes off with Harrison Jr in the fold and the Cards clinch a wild card berth Worst: Kyler fails to return to the high end player he had showed in the past and another nondescript 6-11 year goes by without any tangible progress in any area. Atlanta Best: Captain Kirk has a career year unleashing the skilled playmakers ATL have as they take advantage of a light schedule for a 13-4 1 seed year and berth in the NFC title game. Worst: Cousins age and injury shows as the Falcons struggle in 6-11 year and insert in Penix for the final 5 games who looks overwhelmed showing no sign of competence. Carolina Best: Bryce Young takes major steps forward showing he is not a bust as the offense finishes in the top half. The Panthers are in the playoff hunt before falling late in a 7-10 year. Worst: Young shows no signs of improvement, the offense is as bad as in 2023, and the team goes 4-12 missing out on the top 3. Chicago Best: Hype train is real as Williams throws for 3700 yds 28 TDs as the Bears finally have a passing offense and take a wildcard spot winning a game. Worst: 6-11 season as Williams is very down with few highlights and they have to put the backup in a few times. The defense fails to show the promise it had in 2023 and a new head coach/gm come in continuing the cycle in Chicago of constant coach/gm change. Dallas Best: It finally comes together as the Cowboys win back to back division crowns, beat the 49ers in the divisional round, and go to their first NFC title since 96'. Dak wins MVP and Jerry has to pay him a new oil well. Worst: 7-10 season sees coach get fired, Dak not receive a contract extension hitting FA, and Dallas implode from top to bottom. Even the mascot calls it quits and throws their outfit in the salvation army bin. Detroit Best: They close this time in the NFC title as they host the game in Detroit for their first Super Bowl ever. Worst: Last year was a mirage as Goff looks more like the system QB he was in LA, the Packers & Bears blow by in the division, and Detroit misses the playoffs at 8-9 recalling questions on the QB position long term. Green Bay Best: The high octane offense GB and Love showed the back half of 2023 hits full stride on the way to a 12-5 division crown as Love finishes establishing himself as a franchise QB. The Packers make a run to the NFC title game also. Worst: The Packers fail to improve on last year falling to 7-10 as the Bears even pass by them and questions start on whether Love is the QB long term. LA Rams Best: The offense explodes as Stafford helps the young playmakers reach another level while the Rams defense sees strong young contributions as they take the division crown from the 49ers. Worst: Stafford gets hurt and the offense regresses while the defense cannot survive the loss of Donald as the Rams are out of playoff contention by December. Stafford retires and the Rams enter a major transition period with more questions then answers and McVay enters broadcasting Minnesota Best: JJ flies in his rookie year as with an offense loaded in playmakers he lets them do the work on the way to a surprise playoff berth at 9-8 Worst: Darnold holds the starting spot for over half the season before JJ finally comes in and shows very little to be excited about and the Vikes as a team go 5-12. New Orleans Best: In a lukewarm NFC South the Saints go 10-7 to win the division and knock out the 49ers at home. Worst: The Saints go 7-10 spinning their tires as they have the last few years being not good enough to do anything but not bad enough to get a top pick in the draft. NY Giants Best: Nabers is a revelation as he gives Jones a true passing target and the offense takes some real steps. The defense becomes a top 10 unit and the Giants go 10-7 in route to a wildcard berth. Worst: The offense is as bad as it looks on paper, Jones is an overpay cut target leaving NY with a QB question, and the rebuild with Bills NYC has flashing lights on its long term viability while also missing out on a top 5 pick. Philadelphia Best: Moore fixes the offense/Hurts to 2022 form, Fangio does wonders on defense, and the Eagles roar back to a 13-4 season grabbing the 1 seed and returning to the SB. Worst: Hurts 2022 season feels more like an aberration as his uneven play in 2023 continues throughout 2024, the Eagles miss the playoffs at 8-9 and questions explode about the coaching staff being a fit long term. San Fran Best: The win the SB breaking through on years of almost. Worst: Purdy is uneven as his turnovers go up, CMAC gets hurt, the defense isn't the same after some attrition, and the 49ers bow our as a wildcard quickly. Seattle Best: Geno continues his solid play of the last two years and stays healthy while Macdonald infuses a new energy to the defense and they return to the playoffs as a wildcard. Worst: In their worst season in a decade plus Geno is lukewarm at QB and gets hurt, the defense goes through growing pains in year 1 and the Seahawks are out of playoff contention by the end of November giving the 12s a long offseason to think on. Tampa Bay Best: Year 2 Baker is even better finally having stability as they win another division crown and finish 12-5 with the 2 seed. Worst: Year 2 Baker is more uneven as the offense isn't as dynamic, the defense slips after losing key veterans and the Bucs miss the playoffs at 7-10 forcing thoughts of a true rebuild. Washington Best: Jayden Daniels has an RG3 esq rookie year as the offense takes off in year 1 while Quinn stabilizes the defense into a bend don't break unit and the Commanders take the final wildcard and Daniels wins ROTY. Additionally they change their name to the Redtails with far better logo, uni set, and overall brand. Worst: Mariota starts the year and does nothing, Daniels comes in and does nothing, the defense shows zero improvement, and the Commanders waste a year with no real progress to build on for the future.