Official NFL Thread: 2014-2015 Season

[Robbie]

Seahawks scored late (missed the game myself). Apparently near the end of the game, sounds like they are back on track...

You can see the ending of the game at:
[video][/video]

Despite the win, it was a very sloppy win and with countless blown chances and mistakes. And I wouldn't say the Seahawks are back on track with this slopping win. Last season the Seahawks were the most penalized team but eventually that will catch up with them and if they want to defend their Super Bowl title they better discipline themselves over that.

[South Pender]

Despite the win, it was a very sloppy win and with countless blown chances and mistakes. And I wouldn't say the Seahawks are back on track with this slopping win. Last season the Seahawks were the most penalized team but eventually that will catch up with them and if they want to defend their Super Bowl title they better discipline themselves over that.

I agree, Robbie. If not for some Russell Wilson heroics, the 'Hawks lose another one. Part of the problem is injuries on the O-line, with Stephen Schilling playing at C for all-pro Max Unger. And both Carpenter and Sweezy out at times on Sunday, replaced by Alvin Bailey and Garry Gilliam. And then there`s the absence of TE Zach Miller`s great blocking with Luke Willson a good receiver but only so-so blocker. I think (or maybe `hope`is the better word) that things will tighten up for the Seahawks when some of these injured guys get back.

[notahomer]

The Monday Nighter was not OVER- by 6 PM! What I mean is many of these games have been big blowouts but yesterdays game was an exception.....

The Washington team started with a field goal and got some turnovers. Cowboys leaned heavy on the run ALL GAME but, IIIRC, two different RB's put the ball on the carpet at different points in the game. D. Murray, the Cowboys stud in the run game ran for over 130 yards ON THE GROUND and another 75 + (those are ballpark basement figures, BOTH ARE PROBABLY HIGHER) in passing.
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The game really seemed to turn on a nasty sack by a Washington player, knocking Romo out of the game for about a full quarter of play. Romo just lay there, almost motionless and I was certainly wondering if that would be it FOR HIS CAREER, let alone would he be back. He did make it back to play late. A lot of Washington's success was a full out blitz look. Sometimes EVERYBODY came and othertimes guys fell back into coverage. Dallas' QB's struggled with this concept. Eventually the game went into overtime and Washington won the coinflip. Drove down, booted the field goal and Dallas was unable to convert on their possession.
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Based on what I saw last night, the Eagles are going to win the NFC East. The Eagles lost this week too but they were on the road. The Cowboys lost AT HOME to a division rival, in spite of a strong run game and their opponent starting their 3rd string quarterback (Texan Colt McCoy). What was weird, IMO, but its just pure chance (I'm no conspiracy theorist, at least NOT on this issue). Dallas Owner Jerry Jones had an ON-AIR interview with the MNF broadcast crew. Usual chatter that one might expect, I guess. Just had finished talking about his QB (Tony Romo) struggles with back injuries, they complete the conversation and WHAM, poor Romo injured badly. Went to the dressing room for X-rays or whatever. Still a little surprised he returned but I guess they say what they wanted to see on the tests. Based on the hit I thought he was done......

[South Pender]

Week 9 NFL Picks:

1. CBS Sports: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/w ... aight-up/9

2. SB Nation: http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/10/29/ ... cks-week-9

3. Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2248 ... rojections

4. Pro Football Talk (NBC Sports): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... e-picks-2/

5. ESPN: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks
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This week's Thursday nighter could be a good one: Saints at Panthers. Neither team is firing on all cylinders yet in 2014, but this game could go some way towards establishing the ultimate winner of the NFC-South. Here's the preview (Saints favored by 3):

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410300 ... ab=preview
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Interesting piece from Pro Football Talk on Da Bears:

George McCaskey: Fans have every right to be upset with Bears
Posted by Josh Alper on October 30, 2014, 3:16 PM EDT

The Bears have a bye this week, so they won’t have to face the possibility of incurring more wrath from their fans for losing a fifth game in their last six tries.

The last time the Bears played at home, they heard plenty of boos from their fans while losing a game to the Dolphins and guard Kyle Long reacted angrily toward the people paying to watch him play football. Bears chairman George McCaskey was asked about that during an appearance on CSN Chicago and thinks that the team’s play this season has justified the response.

“They have every right to be [upset],” McCaskey said. “We’re 3-5. That’s a losing record. We’re winless at home and that doesn’t fit the formula for making it to the postseason. You’ve got to dominate at home. You’ve got to control your division and you’ve got to do pretty well for yourself on the road. We’re outside that formula right now and we need to correct that.”

McCaskey said he’s “very disappointed” in the 3-5 start for a team that “everybody in the building was expecting this team to contend for a Super Bowl,” adding that he is interested now in seeing how the team reacts to adversity. McCaskey said he has “every confidence” that General Manager Phil Emery, coach Marc Trestman and the players will have a successful response. Left unsaid are the possible repercussions if they again fail to meet the bar that ownership’s set for the team, but such reading can be done between the lines.
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I find the Bears' performance so far hard to understand. They have a good offense, with really topnotch receivers in Marshall, Jeffery, and Bennett, and a really solid RB in Matt Forté, along with Marc Trestman's offensive acumen. The defense hasn't been very good, however. And it seems some Bears fans are starting to wonder whether Jay Cutler is good enough at quarterback. The guy has a real cannon for an arm, but fumbles more than he should and pouts a lot--lacking the maturity that a guy like Russell Wilson, for example, has.

[notahomer]

Really did NOT think the Saints would beat the Panthers in large part because it was a ROAD game for the Saints. Lots of turnovers by both teams. Saints scored a late TD in the first half that was just a headshaker. You had to have known where they were going and the DB was all over Graham but Brees completed it like it was taking candy from a baby.......

[South Pender]

Looks as if the Saints are back--now on top of the surprisingly weak NFC-South. They've had some early-season hiccups (like the Seahawks), but should have little trouble winning this division. Here's the recap of last night's game:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410300 ... &tab=recap

Brees his usual efficient self, completing 71% of his passes, but Cam Newton seems to be really struggling, with only 36% of his passes completed last night. Looks as if Mark Ingram is starting to finally live up to his potential as a 1st-round pick.

And here's a short piece from Pro Football Talk re Cam Newton:

Cam Newton takes the blame for Panthers’ loss
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2014, 6:16 AM EDT

Cam Newton had one of the worst games of his career on Thursday night, completing just 10 of his 28 passes, for 151 yards with an interception and a fumble. Afterward, he put the blame on his own shoulders.

“I know I missed a lot of throws,” Newton said, “and I’m not blaming anybody but myself.”

Newton is right: He did miss a lot of throws, and the Panthers missed on some potential big plays as a result. Although Newton had a solid game running the ball, gaining 43 yards and scoring on a 10-yard run, this was a rough night for him.

And it was a night when the Panthers fell to 3-5-1 and ceded first place in the NFC South to New Orleans. This is now the Saints’ division to lose.
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Looking ahead to the Seahawks-Raiders game this Sunday, we will likely see a newcomer at FB for the 'Hawks: 285 lb. Will Tukuafu. You'd have to think that if he has any quickness and agility, he should be able to clear a pretty big swath for Marshawn Lynch. In the last two games, Robert Turbin, a tailback, has had to take on the FB duties because of the loss of Derrick Coleman. Interestingly, the Seahawks see Tukuafu as a spare part for their D-line as well. Here's the story:

http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/a ... 2613a48ca3

[South Pender]

NFL Week 9 Previews and Odds.

1. Sunday, Nov. 2, 10:00 PST:

Chargers at Dolphins: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Odds: Dolphins by 2.5

Jaguars at Bengals: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Bengals by 10.5

Buccaneers at Browns: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Browns by 6.5

Washington at Vikings: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Vikings by 1

Eagles at Texans: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Eagles by 1.5

Jets at Chiefs: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Chiefs by 9.5

Cardinals at Cowboys: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Boys by 3.5

2. Sunday, Nov. 2, 1:05 or 1:25 PST:

Rams at 49ers: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Niners by 10

Broncos at Patriots: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; Broncos by 3

Raiders at Seahawks: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... ab=preview; 'Hawks by 14.5

3. Sunday, Nov. 2, 5:30 PST:

Ravens at Steelers: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411021 ... ab=preview; Ravens by 1.5

4. Monday, Nov. 3, 5:30 PST:

Colts at Giants: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411030 ... ab=preview; Colts by 3

BYES: Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers, Titans

Some game notes:

1. Best morning game: Cardinals at Cowboys. I think this will be a great game between a 6-2 team and a 6-1 one. For Seahawks fans, strategic cheering would be for the Cowboys, but I'll have a helluva tough time cheering for a Jerry Jones team!

2. Afternoon games: the Broncos-Patriots game will probably be the best, but, for me anyway, it will have to share time with Seahawks-Raiders. With the latter, the line was 15.5 points early in the week, but has come down (slightly) to 14.5 after a bunch of Seahawks injuries surfaced, with a number of key players either out or questionable.

3. The Washington-Vikings game should see the return of RGIII. Can he stay healthy?

[notahomer]

1. Best morning game: Cardinals at Cowboys. I think this will be a great game between a 6-2 team and a 6-1 one. For Seahawks fans, strategic cheering would be for the Cowboys, but I'll have a helluva tough time cheering for a Jerry Jones team!

2. Afternoon games: the Broncos-Patriots game will probably be the best, but, for me anyway, it will have to share time with Seahawks-Raiders. With the latter, the line was 15.5 points early in the week, but has come down (slightly) to 14.5 after a bunch of Seahawks injuries surfaced, with a number of key players either out or questionable.

3. The Washington-Vikings game should see the return of RGIII. Can he stay healthy?

I am looking forward to that Cardinals/Cowboys game too. IMO, its the Cardinals game. IMO, who has been the biggest addtion to the Cowboys DEFENCE? D Murray the Cowboys RB-StUD IOW, his running game has dramatically helped their defence....
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The Raiders/Seahawks game will be cool for me. I like the Raiders but I'll be cheering for the Seahawks.....

[South Pender]

Seahawks win in a nerve-racking (for me at least) game. They just didn't look like what we've come to expect from the 'Hawks. I guess this is what you get with so many starters out of action; on offense: Lewis Patrick starting at C for Max Unger and Alvin Bailey (who really looked bad with his penalties) and Garry Gilliam in on the O-line for Russell Okung and, later in the game, James Carpenter. As a result, Russell Wilson seemed to be running for his life the whole game. The O-line has been the weak link for the Seahawks for a long time now, and with three backups starting (or playing for long stretches), there just wasn't any offensive rhythm. And on defense: undrafted rookie Brock Coyle in for Bobby Wagner, and DeShawn Shead and Marcus Burley playing at the corner opposite Richard Sherman. I got the impression that Pete Carroll held a couple of these guys out (particularly Unger, who was dressed) for extra healing time because he thought that this would be an easy win. Wagner, Byron Maxwell, Max Unger, Russell Okung, Malcolm Smith, and Zach Miller are needed as soon as possible, with the Giants up next. The other impression I had from this game was that the Seahawks really need a big possession receiver if they are going to be balanced on offense. They need a guy like Vincent Jackson; they're just not good enough at WR. We saw the two rookie draft picks in action today--Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood--but they lack seasoning. Here's the recap:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... e=boxscore

A bit of a surprise in Foxborough today with the Patriots whupping the Broncos 43-21. The much-publicized Manning-Brady showdown. Manning wasn't at his best today, and Brady was efficient. The Patriots' defense has been a surprise this year, playing great today against the most potent offense in the NFL. Here's the recap of that one:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... &tab=recap

Cowboys pretty much throttled today by the surprising Cardinals. It's clear the Boys aren't going anywhere without Tony Romo. Recap:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201411020 ... u=gameinfo

[notahomer]

Missed ALL the action save the Seahawks game today......

Hawks started strong but the Raiders look better than a lot of teams with better records. In a few seasons maybe this Raiders team will be competing again...
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Loved seeing the Cardinals result. I realize they are the division rivals of my favourite NFL team but still I like watching them succeed especially since they were facing Jerry's team. Had no idea until today that Romo had two bones broken in a hit during last weeks game against Washington. Now that we know that its kinda curious he even came back to play the end of that game.....
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Patriots/Broncos was suppossed to be another one of those SUPERGAMES. Sounds like the end result was not so much. Brady is facing quite the string of QB's over the next few weeks. Actually I know, it'll be the Patriots defence. Still they'll be facing Luck (Colts), Stafford (Lions), Rodgers (Packers) and Rivers (Chargers). And they started it off versus Manning! If they can sweep that (THEY WON"T) the Patriots would look to be strong favourites in the conference, IMO.....
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Rams over 49ers. This was another big win for the Rams, IMO. They have wins over 49ers/Seahawks now. IIRC, the Seahawks have only played ONE divisional game so far (loss to the Rams). 49ers are 4-4 heading into the stretch run....
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Ravens lose another one to the Steelers. IMO, I thought both of these teams were done weeks ago but guess not...

[South Pender]

Peyton Manning after yesterday's loss:

Peyton: I don’t usually stink, but I stunk today
Posted by Josh Alper on November 3, 2014, 6:08 AM EST

There are a lot of quarterbacks who have never thrown for 438 yards in a game and even fewer who have done it and then referred to the game as one of the worst performances of their career, but that’s just what Peyton Manning did after he and the Broncos slumped to a 43-21 loss in New England.

Manning added two touchdowns and two interceptions to all those yards and said after the game that he thought his play was “below average” and well below the standard he has set throughout his career.

“I don’t usually stink, but I stunk today,” Manning said, via the Boston Globe and presumably not in the cadence of the Nationwide jingle.

Manning noted that the team moved the ball well for much of the game, but called one of his interceptions a “bad, bad throw” and lamented the team’s inability to convert third down opportunities all day long. One thing he didn’t do was chalk the loss up to playing in Gillette Stadium against the Patriots.

“I guess I’m not smart enough to draw that many connections,” Manning said. “I kind of take them one year at a time. [There are] different players and we didn’t on offense do the things we talked about doing. That starts with me — I’ve got to play better. That’s pretty plain and simple. When the quarterback stinks, usually you’re not going to win too many games.”

Sunday’s loss makes it likelier that a rematch in the playoffs this year will be held at the same place, so Manning may have a chance to redeem himself in a few months. It won’t be easy, though. The Patriots have now won 34 straight regular season games at home against AFC teams and they’ve won 14 straight at home overall, leaving a tall task for Denver and anyone else in the conference that has to go through New England this season.

[notahomer]

I used to like Manning more than I do now but I HAVE ALWAYS respected him as a QB (person too but does that matter, he's an absolute ANGEL compared to some of the bad guys).

I'm glad he'd be frustrated with parts of his game. Missed it myself but he obviously needs to do better if they meet again in the playoffs....

The thing is, it seems like he's laid an egg from time to time that really hurt his team. To backtrack a bit, its fair to say that HE IN TOTAL has NEVER been responsible for a loss either as a Colt or Bronco. Certainly more when he was a Colt, I do think it fair to say, that when he has been a bit off, the COLTS went from contender to pretender.

For awhile there, many were wondering, is this the best QB to have every played that WILL NEVER play in a Superbowl. Thankfully he got that monkey off his back the year AFTER his younger, less talented brother, Eli, won the first of his TWO Superbowls. Peyton has appeared in three Superbowls now, LOSING TWO.

I really do wonder if this is it for Manning. He's had a solid season but to have it end again in anything but a Superbowl maybe a reason to come back. If he leads the Broncos to a Superbowl WIN this season, I hope he retires on top ala Elway's second Superbowl. Elway kinda had a similar rep, IIRC, but its faded since he went out two for two in Superbowls his last two seasons.

IMO, in terms of the AFC anyways, this is an amazing storyline should these teams meet again in the playoffs. Once again, multiple Superbowl winner Brady (leading a strong well coached, well balanced team) versus one time Superbowl winner Manning (looking awesome in the regular season, keep it for the playoffs?).....

[South Pender]

Here's a piece by Danny O'Neil of 710Sports.com on the injury situation in Hawkville and how it affected yesterday's Seahawks-Raiders game:

The Seahawks survived on Sunday.

That's closer to a compliment than a complaint after Seattle's 30-24 victory over its Division I-AA opponent. For all the flaws you could point to – and there were plenty, starting with the play of quarterback Russell Wilson – the sheer number of absences the Seahawks overcame made Sunday's victory impressive even if it was against the Raiders.

The game shouldn't have been that close. The fact that it was has nothing to do with complacency or chemistry or the weight of defending a Super Bowl. This was about injuries, plain and simple. Seattle was missing six starters, two of whom suffered injuries mid-week, and down to the third tier of its depth chart at both center and strong safety.

And while a six-point victory over the league's last winless team won't earn much in the way of credibility, it does buy something even more important for Seattle: time.

"We've got to see if we can endure," coach Pete Carroll said.

The expectations haven't changed for this Seahawks season, but the reality has, and to pick at the flaws of Sunday's victory over Oakland without acknowledging the underlying reality is unfair.

To say Seattle was hamstrung by injuries would be an understatement and also an error. Hamstrings are the one thing that hasn't been plaguing the Seahawks.

Calves have been a problem, sidelining both left tackle Russell Okung and cornerback Byron Maxwell on Sunday. Linebacker Bobby Wagner is out due to a toe injury, center Max Unger because of his foot and tight end Zach Miller has missed five games now since undergoing ankle surgery. Strong safety Kam Chancellor has been bothered first by an ankle injury this season, then a sore hip and finally a strained groin muscle that he sustained late in the week. He was technically active for Sunday's game, but he wasn't in uniform.

Chancellor's backup, Jeron Johnson, was already ruled out because of a concussion, which left DeShawn Shead the starter in a secondary already down two cornerbacks in Maxwell and Jeremy Lane, who's eligible to return for Seattle's next game.

Seattle's offensive line was in even worse shape.

"Tom Cable said this was the most challenging game he's ever coached," Carroll said of his offensive-line coach.

Okung's strained calf left him inactive, and while Unger and his backup, Stephen Schilling, both dressed for the game, Carroll said the hope was that neither would have to play. That changed in the second half after left guard James Carpenter suffered an ankle injury when Schilling was brought in to provide some stability to the offensive line.

Now, think about that for just a second because not only is Schilling in his first year with the Seahawks, but he's playing center for the first time since his days at Bellevue High School, and Seattle needed him to play in spite of a knee injury because the left side of the line was composed of tackle Alvin Bailey and undrafted rookie Garry Gilliam, who was a tight end through his junior season at Penn State.

Seattle's situation will get better this season, whether it's because the injured players like Unger return or because their replacements get experience.

But the storyline for Seattle's season has now changed. This isn't about replicating last season's success so much as it is surviving a wave of injuries that's threatening to capsize the season.

And on Sunday at CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks did just that. They survived. And while that may not merit celebration, it should certainly be acknowledged.

[Robbie]

I've always wondered in cases in which an American State does NOT have an NFL team, then what team does most of their residents root for? Now, courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods that just released a map of the top-selling jersey in each state, we have a general idea if team jersey sales represent the most number of fans for a particular team per state.

Dick's Sporting Goods has released a similar and very interesting map that shows the most popular NFL jersey among women. It's much more detailed compared to the one above in that:

1. The data is collected over a six month period from May 2014 to October 14.
2. Aside from the team, it actually shows the most popular player's jersey for women in that state.



It looks like several conclusions can be drawn by this:

1. In cases where the U.S. State does have an NFL team, then the most popular jersey for women would be the starting quarterback from the most popular team in that state: a) Russell Wilson in Washington, b) Colin Kaepernick in California, c) Peyton Manning in Colorado, d) Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, e) Joe Flacco in Maryland, f) Tom Brady in Massachusetts and other Northeastern States.

2. There are also notable exceptions in that non-NFL states have women who like a player who plays for a team that is much farther away geographically: a) In Oregon, instead of neighbouring Wilson or Kaepernick they love Andrew Luck who which is actually the top-selling female jersey overall, b) Alaskan ladies love Tony Romo, c) North Dakota loves Heath Miller, d) New Mexican women love Russell Wilson instead of Fitzgerald or Witten, e) Oklahoma women love Eli Manning more than Witten or Jamaal Charles.

3. While quarterbacks may still be the most popular position to attract women, there are notable exceptions as well with Witten, Fitzgerald, Welker, Charles, Polamalu, Kuechly.

4. And finally, unlike the most popular NFL jersey overall, for women and their NFL jerseys there is the biggest anomaly in that there are cases in which a U.S. State does have an NFL team but their most popular jersey is not from that team. Specifically in Minnesota their women love Aaron Rodgers instead of anyone from the Vikings. The reason must be because Aaron Rodgers is still a single man, as is Andrew Luck. With Russell Wilson being a single man again soon with his divorce he might become even more popular among women.

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Asking the same question, I wonder if SportChek ever tracked the most popular women's CFL jerseys to find out what is the most popular (or rather, favourite hearthrob) among Canadian women. There used to be a fair amount of women on this board but it looks like they've all left so I don't have women to ask. Have you asked your wives, girlfriends, or even daughters who their favourite CFL player is? If I had to make any kind of generalization as to who was the most popular BC Lion past or present among women....it would be Brent Johnson.

[notahomer]

Score-wise it was an ugly Monday Nighter. Andrew Luck and his Colts OWNED the NY Giants. So, IOW, both of the Manning brothers had tough weeks in terms of results. IMO, Eli's was the rougher of the two. One topic that I never heard mentioned (probably because it was ludicrous on my part for thinking it) is suppose Peyton had never had that year off due to back troubles thereby leading him to be released. Tonights matchup would have been one of those Manning vs Manning games.
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There IS NO WAY its happening this season, and probably never will. But speaking of Manning versus Manning, I wonder what they think about meeting in the Superbowl? The Brothers Harbaugh Bowl a few years back was enough of a distraction. IMO, it would have been neat to see a Giants/Colts matchup a few seasons ago. Of course, IF it happens it'll be a Broncos/Giants matchup now, but I can't see Tom Coughlin making it another season. His teams have struggled for too long now. SOunds weird as they are not that far removed from their last Superbowl win (the Raiders haven't made the playoffs for OVER A DECADE) but still in a division like the NFC East, in a media centre like NY, this has got to be Coach Coughlins last season at the helm of the Giants. Have to think it might be just time to call it a career coaching wise, relax and do a little broadcasting maybe?
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I think the Seahawks MAYBE in a little trouble. Its not that they are that bad but that the Cardinals seem so solid. The real advantage the Seahawks HAD last season was that home field advantage and perhaps the Cardinals help erase some of the sheen that was on that. It just seemed like GOOD LUCK you are in Seattle, but now, even the Raiders fought back to make a game of it. As a Seahawks fan, I sure hope they turn it up and reclaim the division title but I don't see it. That being said, once the playoffs start, as a defensive team with a solid run game.... they could easily go far even from a wildcard.
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Personally I am thrilled that the 49ers are struggling. I was really surprised at some of the mistakes made at the endgame that ended up costing the 49ers the game versus the Rams. Lots of football still to be played in this division but I sure hope the 49ers continue struggling. This was suppossed to be one of those special kinda seasons. Looked good going into the season, strong in the recent past and you have a brand new palace to play in.....