NFL 2015-2016 Season Thread

moontayle

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When it comes down to it, and something a lot of teams seem to miss, is the stability the Patriots have had over the years. I'm not just talking QB and Coach, but largely scheme. You never hear them talk about changing their offensive or defensive scheme, even when a new coordinator comes in to replace the next Belichick disciple to land a job. When they do change things up it's not drastic either. The personnel change and the capabilities of both sides of the ball fluxuate from year to year but the system is the same. I think that's why Cassell really had great success that year when Brady went down. He wasn't stepping into anything new to the entire team, which something he's had to deal with a few times now.

And to keep with the favorite theme this forum has on Cowboys posters: That's why I believe he could keep the ship afloat until Romo comes back. This is a system that's been in place for years. And hell, it certainly can't be worse than "stare 'em down" Wheedon.
 

Phazael

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Yeah my team is also in the same boat, having retained a QB and HC combo for a long ass time. But the Pats (and the Pack) have also benefited greatly from having weaker divisions to play in. I think until recently, the NFCN was stronger than the AFCE, but really neither team has much to contend with for six games on their schedule, particularly this year. Not having to scheme much against your own division is a pretty good comfort zone, since it gives you 10-11 nearly assured wins a year. If either team was in a division like the AFCN or NFCE and thus had to actually work for a playoff berth, I doubt you would see the same level of consistency. As it stands, both teams are pretty much dialed into locking up homefield a couple games in after they have confirmed they are not having any major issues.

Only thing that bothers me is that the Pack has been running very vanilla the last couple weeks, to keep stuff off of film for other teams, and letting shitbird teams hang in there. I am not a fan of running up the score, but it would be nice to put a team like the 49ers away early and sit Rodgers so he takes less abuse. That's where I think the Cards are fucking it up. Why leave Glass Jaw Palmer in there to run up the score against the Lions? Sit his ass down and give the backup some reps (since you know he is going to need to play at some point).

Anyhow, looking at the remaining schedule, the only even minor test the Asterisks are going to get is going to be the Giants. The rest of their schedule is garbage and I am amazed at how soft the schedules of the high seeded teams from last season are down the stretch. Packers should beat the Broncos, especially coming off of a bye. Beyond that, the only legitimate test is going to be going to Arizona, assuming Palmer is still the starter, but I think we would have the edge in that game. I am actually far more worried about brain farting against the Raiders (or perhaps the Vikes at home), especially since we will be pummeling our own division most of the way down the stretch and McFatty will be on autopilot. The Cards have several much tougher games, but unless they have a complete collapse like last year they should still take their division. The Packers/Cards game may end up deciding home field. Given how soft the schedules are, I think there is a really solid chance the Asterisks enter the post season unbeaten and the Pack probably go 15-1 (14-2 is more likely). This should theoretically line up for the SB showdown that should have happened last year, but Pack and Pats fans both always get nervous when it looks like the Giants are going to sneak in with single digit wins.
 

Famm

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the Pack probably go 15-1 (14-2 is more likely). This should theoretically line up for the SB showdown that should have happened last year
Talk about setting yourself up for disappointment! You still have to play the games dude. Talking 14-2 and shit already. They do have an easy as shit looking schedule but a LOT of shit can happen between now and December man.
 

Alex

Still a Music Elitist
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Yeah that's pretty ridiculous to assume all that. The only games left on the Bengals schedule I'm considering as likely wins are Texans, 49ers, and one of the Browns games. The path to 8-8 begins now.
 

Axlrose

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Unlike the Cheese Head, I predicted my team to go 02-14 so since we have our two comeback wins tucked away, the rest of the season should be a loss.
 
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Unlike the Cheese Head, I predicted my team to go 02-14 so since we have our two comeback wins tucked away, the rest of the season should be a loss.
I think the bears win four or five. Probably win both games or at least split against the lions. Then we get one or two more wins off the bucs, redskins, and Vikings.

Not that I want five wins, would rather be a one win team at this point.
 

Merrith

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I'm guessing the Skins end up in the 5-11 to 8-8 range. If I had to guess I'll go optimistic and say 7-9. We can hang in there with some teams and are not the complete tire fire we have been the last 2 years. Would be nice to get a little healthier though.
 

Phazael

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I don't think its that unreasonable at all. Most of what we have left is divisional games, and lets face it our division is seriously weak right now. If Romo had not rebroken his collar bone, I would have labeled that game a toss up. But even if he returns for that game, I cannot see them beating us at home with him recovering. The road games against likely playoff teams (Broncos, Raiders, Panthers, and Cardinals) are where we will drop a couple games. I figure we lose two of those. One we will get straight up beat and the other we will be caught napping thanks to McFatty's shitty coaching. Assuming a healthy Palmer, I figure the Raiders and Cards are where we lose.

Seriously, its not about the Packers being so awesome as much as everyone else being in the shitter. This year has some serious parity issues, mostly because of line play and a lack of good QB prospects.
 

Phazael

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I'm guessing the Skins end up in the 5-11 to 8-8 range. If I had to guess I'll go optimistic and say 7-9. We can hang in there with some teams and are not the complete tire fire we have been the last 2 years. Would be nice to get a little healthier though.
I think the 7-9ish prediction is a fair one, given their schedule and the state of the NFCE. For what its worth, your predictions for this season are looking the most likely. I must have been high when I thought the LOLphins would make a wild card berth.
 

Famm

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I don't think its that unreasonable at all. Most of what we have left is divisional games, and lets face it our division is seriously weak right now.
Calling it now, you'll inexplicably drop at least two division games.
 

Tenks

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Its amazing how Watt is unquestionably the best defensive player in the NFL but since he's a DE he can only manage to get a few wins. But there are so many elite QBs who carry bad teams on their backs. Kind of goes to show just how important that position is compared to everything else on the field.
 
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I don't think its that unreasonable at all. Most of what we have left is divisional games, and lets face it our division is seriously weak right now. If Romo had not rebroken his collar bone, I would have labeled that game a toss up. But even if he returns for that game, I cannot see them beating us at home with him recovering. The road games against likely playoff teams (Broncos, Raiders, Panthers, and Cardinals) are where we will drop a couple games. I figure we lose two of those. One we will get straight up beat and the other we will be caught napping thanks to McFatty's shitty coaching. Assuming a healthy Palmer, I figure the Raiders and Cards are where we lose.

Seriously, its not about the Packers being so awesome as much as everyone else being in the shitter. This year has some serious parity issues, mostly because of line play and a lack of good QB prospects.
too confident against your own division. packs gonna be in the superbowl barring a rodgers injury or a miracle, but you can't assume they're winning all the divisional games.

packs probably more likely to drop 2+ to the lions, vikings or bears than to probably anyone else. (except the future 2015 superbowl champion patriots)
 

Ambiturner

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too confident against your own division. packs gonna be in the superbowl barring a rodgers injury or a miracle, but you can't assume they're winning all the divisional games.

packs probably more likely to drop 2+ to the lions, vikings or bears than to probably anyone else.(except the future 2015 superbowl champion patriots)
I thought only Cowboys and 9ers fans were living in the past.
 

Alex

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6 targets for Antonio Brown. You'd think a back up QB might want to get the best receiving weapon on his team involved....
If Antonio Brown was hands down the best receiver in the NFL he would be able to put up elite numbers even with a backup. Brown is no better than Heyward-Bey without Big Ben. Sorry, Grimm. Antonio Brown ain't that good.
 

Famm

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Or maybe he was covered and Vick doesn't have the skill/confidence/coaching approval etc to get it to him as often/easily as Ben can in sketchy situations. Or isn't able to throw him open or buy time to let him get there. I didn't watch the game, but I'd imagine that's more on Vick than Brown.
 

Arcaus_sl

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There were several times when Brown was open enough to throw to. Vick can't read defenses for shit. His check downs go through about a half second per receiver before he panics. Not only is he a despicable human being but he can't play football anymore.

Give me Landry Jones!