The NFL - Superbowl LIII (53) - Rams v Pats

Who is Lill?

Mr Goo wrote:

This Sunday sees the conclusion of possibly the best NFL season I can remember in years.
Except for a misfiring Aaron Rodgers (Packers) all the top Qbacks have been in scintillating form and a couple of rookies have made a great start to their professional career ( Baker Mayfield & Sam Darnold). The outstanding Qback for me has bed Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City Chiefs. Google the 'no look pass'. Incredible.
The outstanding game of the season had to be Chiefs @ Rams in week 11, a 54 - 51 win for Rams. If only Mahomes and Co had got going earlier in the AFC Championship game against the Pats then perhaps we might have seen a similar game.
Any how for my part I'm rooting for the Rams. Should be a great game.

I think the last couple of seasons have been pretty decent.
I think there has been some great balance this year though. Both conf championship games saw the best two teams and each were new vs old as will the superbowl.

crispybug2 wrote:

Yep, Darnold does look like he could fix a few of the Jets problems but it’ll need a lot more than just him, the new head coach will hopefully address a few more of the teams shortcomings!

The AFC east is big problem for the NFL as it seems that the Jets, Dolphins and the Bills have spent over a decade now rolling over and playing dead to the Patriots!

There does seem to be a slew of new QB’s who’ve seemingly appeared at once, Goff and Mahomes are already living up to their promise, Darnold is starting to be great but I think in the next couple of years Baker Mayfield could emerge as a true great and drive the almost permanently underperforming Browns to a divisional title and maybe a first ever Super Bowl!

There's a wealth of talent at QB at the moment. In addition to those mentioned, you've got Wentz, Rodgers, Luck, (Foles as super sub), Brees, Rivers, Wilson, Bortles so it's interesting times.

I was disappointed the Eagles didn't fly quite so high this year. Wentz was amazing last season in effectively his rookie season. Goff was drafted same year and has been consistently progressing. Both players hugely influential in the trajectories of the two teams early in their careers.

But Mahomes, he's something else. Will be interesting to see how he develops vs how teams learn (or don't) to handle him.

A little bit harsh on the AFC East given that Pats consistently get to the championship game (it's not just those 3 teams struggling with them). Dolphins had looked to be steadily improving but kinda derailed mid-season.

I follow Cincinnati. Any talk of Browns is depressing.

..always find Brits funny when they talk about stuff like this. They try to go all yank

Swell?? It's got to be the winningest stats in any semester since homecoming! Jeeez

Robert88 wrote:

..always find Brits funny when they talk about stuff like this. They try to go all yank

I find the same with cycling when y'all start waffling in poncy French with yer bidons, pelotons and maillots of the Jaune persuasion.

It's just the vernacular mais non?

Anyway is Kaepernick playing or is trumps ban on him still in force?

Mr Goo wrote:

morstar wrote:

bianchimoon wrote:

Anyway is Kaepernick playing or is trumps ban on him still in force?

He gets mentioned now and again but nobody has bitten yet. I doubt he'll play again. Only last season, it seemed daft when there were some decidedly ropey Qb's with starting slots and or big money.

With so much talent entering the league of late, it now seems less likely. Although if he stays fit a back up slot may open up.

Kaepernick has been out of game too long now to be reinstated.

Will be interesting to see the 2019 draft in April. The poorest performing teams have reasonably good QBs so may go for linemen as their first choice.
Mind you I'm yet to be convinced by Alex Smith since his move to Redskins. Maybe they'll go for Nick Foles on a free trade or draft in Drew Lock or Kyler Murray.
Will the Cardinals stick with Josh 'The Chosen' Rosen or will they use their first choice draft to replace him. Or will Foles be attracted to warmer climes.

LA Rams v Cincinnati Bengals is one of the London games this autumn. Might even be at Spurs new ground if it ever gets opened. Quite a soft spot for the Bengals so might go.
The other 3 games are:
Bears v Raiders
Texans v Jags
Panthers v Bucs

Where Foles ends up is an interesting one. Washington could be a good fit. Smith is never going to be one to light up the place but at the same time, was Cousins really worth mega bucks? I can see why they looked elsewhere but then again, at some point they need to get a qb they are going to stick with.

Been considering the Bengals game. I'm not convinced it will be a great contest though as Bengals are a weak team at present unlike the Rams. If Hue Jackson becomes head coach, well...

Bears v Raiders could be an interesting match up. Carr and Gruden both have a lot to prove next season and Bears have made huge strides forward.

Mr Goo wrote:

orraloon wrote:

How can a 'major' sport have a season that starts in September, runs to December-ish then peters out in January? Is 4 months plus some add ons. Insignificant.

You need to understand any sport before making judgements.
NFL is exceptionally physically demanding, complex and ultimately makes for a very exciting sport. But only if you understand it.

Tbh, I love the short season. Every game really counts and every play is executed at 100%. + It isn't a lifestyle choice to follow it. Blooming English football goes on all year.

Mr Goo wrote:

orraloon wrote:

How can a 'major' sport have a season that starts in September, runs to December-ish then peters out in January? Is 4 months plus some add ons. Insignificant.

You need to understand any sport before making judgements.
NFL is exceptionally physically demanding, complex and ultimately makes for a very exciting sport. But only if you understand it.

this exactly. when i was at college over there (BC) i loved it. lost touch coming this side of the pond but its still really enjoyable.

orraloon wrote:

How can a 'major' sport have a season that starts in September, runs to December-ish then peters out in January? Is 4 months plus some add ons. Insignificant.

That’s the best thing about it.

More or less every match matters.

Dovetails nicely with the cycling season.

Patriots 13 - 3 Rams

Apparently a really awful game, not that any Patriots fans will care

Patriots now have six Superbowls to tie the Steelers with the most victories

It’ll be interesting to see now how much longer both Brady and Bellichek will, or want to, carry on, I suspect they’ll try for one more to get the all time record but their statuses as the greatest QB and coach is already assured