NFL Divisional Playoffs, Jan 16-17

[Cuda1447]

What are they supposed to do? They are in FG range but if they kick a field goal they are running up the score. Hand off to AP and they may or may not get the 1st down to end the game. Throw caution to the wind and throw a pass into the end zone. Why the hell not. Dallas had quit so fuck em.

Not that I am criticizing the action THAT much, but to play devils advocate.



I would think the Vikings just wanted to run out the clock. If they wanted to just get the points and be done with it just kick the FG. Since they weren't, it was assumed they just wanted to run one more time, get the first down and end the game without running up the score. If he slips in, so be it, but that is not their goal. It is an honorable way to end the game. Instead, they pass when no one thought they would, for no other reason than stat padding. Sure, Dallas should have stopped them, but let's be honest... they didn't. Doesn't make what the Vikings did good sportsmanship. The game was over, just run the ball once and end the game. It's easy. If you wanted to score kick the FG. Don't go for 7 just to stat pad. That's bad sportsmanship no matter who did it.



That said, Dallas needs to stop them. They can't blame anyone but themselves.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Can you "beat" another team if they let you win by sitting starters?


Hmm, I wonder why someone with a Pittsburgh oriented avatar would feel that way

I think this gives the Colts added incentive to win. Anyone who saw the Colts vs. Jets game a few weeks ago probably remembers the pissed look on the faces of Manning, Clark, Wayne, etc. when they were pulled with the lead against the Jets. I think (or at least I HOPE) they will be looking for payback.

 

[Cuda1447]

I told a friend that I would be mildly surprised if the Vikings beat the Cowboys. Well, I am INCREDIBLY shocked (and sad) at the level of whoop ass laid on the Cowboys today. I was hoping to see Favre get planted several times courtesy of Ware.

I think a Colts vs. Vikings Superbowl is coming up.

The Vikings defense looked dominant. But I think that is a product of some bad play (injuries) and horrid play calling by the Cowboys. I don't think their defense will look even close to that good against the Saints or Colts (jets though, haha).

Just thinking outloud here, but as someone who watches almost every Cowboys game, I can't help but think Garrett was a major problem today. As clever and inventive as that guys play calling can be, other times it is just bad. We had no time to throw the ball, that much was obvious. What do you do to combat though? Running the edge worked at times, but was to one dimensional. Screen passes? Didn't see many of those, sure would have helped. How about those bubble screens that we threw 20 of against the Eagles? Holy shit we didnt even try one. We were immensely successful with that against Philly. I am not saying it would have worked, but it was OBVIOUS nothing else was. I know the play is in our playbook, let's just try it no? And then obviously 3 step drops. Slants to Miles Austin and Witten. Let your playmakers make plays. Take the pressure off Romo, he wasn't in a position to survey the field and make plays. Austin is a physical force and has phenomenal hands, throw it up to him and see what happens.


But I'm not a coach or anything. I am probably overlooking simple reasons why those things didn't occur. I was frustrated as hell though.

 

[a123456]

I personally have no problems with pro teams running up the score ever (even if it's going for it on 4th down and they're up 50 points), but as mentioned earlier in this thread, if that had been Brady going for it on 4th down and scoring the 4th TD with less than 2 minutes left, there would have been a huge outrage from many people.

So, I was cool with Favre running the score, especially in a playoff game. In general, for the "sportsmanship" fans, kicking a FG on 4th down is not considered running up the score just like scoring a TD on a running play is not considered running the score.

In other news, what is up with kickers this season? No one can buy a clutch kick late in the season and postseason. Rackers, Suisham, Folk, and now Kaeding. Rackers and Kaeding used to be really good too. Kaeding even made the pro bowl for his 21 straight FGs or whatever this season.

I guess FGs are like putting in golf. It's mostly in the mind and some people just aren't clutch.

For next week, both matchups look pretty good. Jets kept it close with Manning in the game a couple weeks ago so I don't expect a 30 point blowout or anything. NFC game is interesting. 2 high powered offenses. Vikings seem like they have better D, though. Should be good.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Dallas choking late in the season and then the playoffs

San Diego choking in the playoffs

Yes, and fortunately San Diego's choke job happened BEFORE they played the Colts this year, since the Chargers have been such a PITA for the Colts in the playoffs.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

i wonder what cry me a rivers and lt will have to say about this game. Those two are the biggest bunch of whiners in the nfl.

qft. Somewhere, probably at a sports bar in the metro Chicago area, Jay Cutler is laughing his ass off.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

"I....I....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

 

[The_Dude8]

I personally have no problems with pro teams running up the score ever (even if it's going for it on 4th down and they're up 50 points), but as mentioned earlier in this thread, if that had been Brady going for it on 4th down and scoring the 4th TD with less than 2 minutes left, there would have been a huge outrage from many people.

So, I was cool with Favre running the score, especially in a playoff game. In general, for the "sportsmanship" fans, kicking a FG on 4th down is not considered running up the score just like scoring a TD on a running play is not considered running the score.

In other news, what is up with kickers this season? No one can buy a clutch kick late in the season and postseason. Rackers, Suisham, Folk, and now Kaeding. Rackers and Kaeding used to be really good too. Kaeding even made the pro bowl for his 21 straight FGs or whatever this season.

I guess FGs are like putting in golf. It's mostly in the mind and some people just aren't clutch.

For next week, both matchups look pretty good. Jets kept it close with Manning in the game a couple weeks ago so I don't expect a 30 point blowout or anything. NFC game is interesting. 2 high powered offenses. Vikings seem like they have better D, though. Should be good.

dam u kaeding, missed 3 fgs. What happened to the freaking chargers offense?

 

[a123456]

dam u kaeding, missed 3 fgs. What happened to the freaking chargers offense?

Well, the 57 yard try was not really his fault. But the other 2 were very easy, relatively. And given his pro bowl status and history, he really should have nailed those and the Chargers would have been in a much stronger position with those 6 extra points.

Jets play a grind it out type of football, sort of like the Ravens. Colts looked pretty good against the Ravens so I'm sure they're quite happy with that matchup instead of the Chargers, who seem to beat the Colts a lot.

 

[MotF Bane]

Colts are gonna rape the Jets.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Colts are gonna rape the Jets.

Let's hope!

 

[Arkaign]

What are they supposed to do? They are in FG range but if they kick a field goal they are running up the score. Hand off to AP and they may or may not get the 1st down to end the game. Throw caution to the wind and throw a pass into the end zone. Why the hell not. Dallas had quit so fuck em.

Kicking a FG on 4th down is normal, it's what any team would do unless they were *desperately* behind, or had like 4th and inches. Going for a TD on 4th down with 2 minutes left is ridiculous, not to mention keeping crucial starters on the field long after the game was 'over' at risk of injury or further exhaustion. Even if the chance may only be 1 in a 100 that someone is gonna get injured in a given quarter of play, that's pretty immature and unnecessarily risky considering the importance of (hopefully) the next two games (the conference championship and the superbowl).

It has nothing to do with any particular team either, as I said earlier I'm happy no matter who wins this game (or the SB for that matter). If the roles were switched and Romo and the starters were still in, going for a TD on 4th down with 2 minutes left and 20+ fucking points ahead, I'd call them the dumbfucks that they were, starting with the coaching staff and to the QB if he was involved.

The Vikings played a hell of a good game, and I'm happy to see them move on, but god damn what a dumbshit series of decisions. It could have EASILY come back to bite them, particularly if Farve got a hard or blind sack (unlikely, but as I said, why even risk it with NOTHING to gain?).

 

[MotF Bane]

Let's hope!

I try to be realistic about what will happen.

 

[child of wonder]

Kicking a FG on 4th down is normal, it's what any team would do unless they were *desperately* behind, or had like 4th and inches. Going for a TD on 4th down with 2 minutes left is ridiculous, not to mention keeping crucial starters on the field long after the game was 'over' at risk of injury or further exhaustion. Even if the chance may only be 1 in a 100 that someone is gonna get injured in a given quarter of play, that's pretty immature and unnecessarily risky considering the importance of (hopefully) the next two games (the conference championship and the superbowl).

It has nothing to do with any particular team either, as I said earlier I'm happy no matter who wins this game (or the SB for that matter). If the roles were switched and Romo and the starters were still in, going for a TD on 4th down with 2 minutes left and 20+ fucking points ahead, I'd call them the dumbfucks that they were, starting with the coaching staff and to the QB if he was involved.

The Vikings played a hell of a good game, and I'm happy to see them move on, but god damn what a dumbshit series of decisions. It could have EASILY come back to bite them, particularly if Farve got a hard or blind sack (unlikely, but as I said, why even risk it with NOTHING to gain?).

I think it was more to rub the Cowboys' faces in shit. The national media had been gushing over the Cowboys all week and they were talking a lot of smack on the field. Prior to the final Vikings drive, the Cowboys had their starters in and were playing a hurried, no huddle offense so they were clearly still giving it a go.

Doesn't matter anyway.

 

[spacejamz]

maybe the NFL rules committee should come up with a white flag so a coach can throw it when they know they will lose so they don't have to worry about the scoring being run up.

 

[LegendKiller]

I think it was more to rub the Cowboys' faces in shit. The national media had been gushing over the Cowboys all week and they were talking a lot of smack on the field. Prior to the final Vikings drive, the Cowboys had their starters in and were playing a hurried, no huddle offense so they were clearly still giving it a go.

Doesn't matter anyway.

I think it was to rub everybody's face in it. Everybody and their mother has been down on the Vikings all week about all sorts of shit. People thought the D was flat, the o-line porous, AP done, and Favre too old and slow to keep up with any determined D. Most of all, they thought Childress and Favre will still at odds.

I think it's great they did it. They showed the whole league they are players, not pussies. Fuck everybody else, they got it done and got it done so fucking well that they made read-headed step children out of the Cowgirls.

 

[Arkaign]

I think it was to rub everybody's face in it. Everybody and their mother has been down on the Vikings all week about all sorts of shit. People thought the D was flat, the o-line porous, AP done, and Favre too old and slow to keep up with any determined D. Most of all, they thought Childress and Favre will still at odds.

I think it's great they did it. They showed the whole league they are players, not pussies. Fuck everybody else, they got it done and got it done so fucking well that they made read-headed step children out of the Cowgirls.

I didn't. And I didn't talk shit about the Vikings or Favre at any time.

EDIT : Not to mention, the Vikings had absolutely nothing else to prove by that point, they had totally blown away the Cowboys at every level, anyone who doubted their superiority this day would have been out of their mind.

I can't think of anyone else in recent memory that has gone for a TD on 4th down with 20+ points ahead. With their starters to boot, when there are still two critical games left.

Anyway, go Vikings, hope Favre gets his SB

 

[a123456]

I can't think of anyone else in recent memory that has gone for a TD on 4th down with 20+ points ahead. With their starters to boot, when there are still two critical games left.

Anyway, go Vikings, hope Favre gets his SB

That's easy. NO went for it on 4th down in the 4th quarter while being up 30+ points just this week and they were still throwing pass plays on that series. The 4th down play was a running play, though.

Before that, in week 17, it was 34-0 against the Giants and Favre went for it on 4th down again and threw his 4th TD there. In Week 14, Panthers were up 26 with 7 minutes left and got a TD on a Collins pass play on 4th down.

The most obvious example was the Pats going for it on 4th down twice in that 59-0 game in Week 6.

If I had to guess, that type of situation pops up maybe a dozen times a season where teams still go for it while up big since it's pro ball. It's what you do if you're a big name QB. It's more likely to happen to Manning, Roethlisberger, Favre rather than someone like Russell.

I don't think it helps a team that much to run up the score, though, in terms of a boost to morale or anything like that. I mean, the Giants didn't seem to care about the blowouts on the way to their SB victory a couple of years ago.

Edit: I think Brooking's reaction was stupid. If Dallas wants to get upset, it should be upset that their D was so terrible. If you want to stop the running up of the score, then play better D. This is the NFL. I would feel differently if the teams are obviously mismatched, like a high school game with a top ranked team in the nation versus some local newbies with the score at like 98-0. But in pro sports, any team can defeat any other team on a given day since the talent levels are relatively similar. Just see all those handful of games where 14+ point underdogs pull out the win.

 

[thegimp03]

From ESPN, hilarious..."Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams, meanwhile, said Brooking was lucky to escape the Minnesota sideline in one piece."

Big D gets a Big Asskicking and throws a temper tantrum. Didn't they run up the score against the Eagles? They didn't feel too bad about doing that a week ago. With all the smack talk and the way all the news organizations bowed down before the Cowgirls in the past few weeks, I say they deserved it.

 

[MotF Bane]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/tom_brady_id_have_booed_us

lmao

 

[Terzo]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/tom_brady_id_have_booed_us

lmao

That led me to this, which I find even more entertaining now considering all the kicker fails we've been seeing over the playoffs.

 

[spacejamz]

dam u kaeding, missed 3 fgs. What happened to the freaking chargers offense?

Kaeding was screwed as soon as CBS put up the stat that he hasn't missed in 16 attempts.

Don't the broadcaster know they shouldn't jinx the players with crap like that??

 

[Nemesis 1]

Cowboys > Vikings
Saints > Cards
Chargers > Jets
Ravens > Colts


Cowboys > Saints
Chargers > Ravens

Chargers > Cowboys

Looks like you took a beating . I will wait to get link to what I said befor season started. LOL

 

[mugs]

Kaeding was screwed as soon as CBS put up the stat that he hasn't missed in 16 attempts.

Don't the broadcaster know they shouldn't jinx the players with crap like that??

And right before the third one he missed, they commented on the last time he missed from that distance, and I think it was in a previous playoff game against the Jets. And then he missed.

Can't blame him for missing the 57 yard attempt.

 

[Nemesis 1]

The Vikings defense looked dominant. But I think that is a product of some bad play (injuries) and horrid play calling by the Cowboys. I don't think their defense will look even close to that good against the Saints or Colts (jets though, haha).

Just thinking outloud here, but as someone who watches almost every Cowboys game, I can't help but think Garrett was a major problem today. As clever and inventive as that guys play calling can be, other times it is just bad. We had no time to throw the ball, that much was obvious. What do you do to combat though? Running the edge worked at times, but was to one dimensional. Screen passes? Didn't see many of those, sure would have helped. How about those bubble screens that we threw 20 of against the Eagles? Holy shit we didnt even try one. We were immensely successful with that against Philly. I am not saying it would have worked, but it was OBVIOUS nothing else was. I know the play is in our playbook, let's just try it no? And then obviously 3 step drops. Slants to Miles Austin and Witten. Let your playmakers make plays. Take the pressure off Romo, he wasn't in a position to survey the field and make plays. Austin is a physical force and has phenomenal hands, throw it up to him and see what happens.


But I'm not a coach or anything. I am probably overlooking simple reasons why those things didn't occur. I was frustrated as hell though.

Ah BS 2 teams lined up against one another and 1 got bitched slapped its that simple.

The Cowboys CRING about The Queens running the score is laughable . I watched the game the weak befor . What a bunch of looser cry babies.