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A good road win for the Seahawks. As usual for the 2019 Seahawks, another nail-biter. Surprisingly (or maybe not with the O-line injuries), the ground game was non-existent, with Marshawn Lynch picking up 7 yards on 6 carries and Travis Homer getting 12 yards on 11 carries. Yikes! Russell Wilson helped, though, with 45 rushing yards on 9 carries. Wilson had a great game through the air, passing for 325 yards, and rookie D.K. Metcalf was fabulous with 160 yards and a 22.9 yards/catch average.

I think the absence of starters LT Duane Brown and LG Mike Iupati explains the poor rushing effort. With luck, these guys will be back for the Packers game.

According to Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk, yesterday's Seahawks-Eagles game generated the biggest TV audience since the last Super Bowl:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... uper-bowl/

Now on to the frozen tundra....

Two huge upset road wins by the Tennessee Titans - first over defending champions NE Patriots, and then first place seed Baltimore Ravens.

Amazing comeback by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half - trailing 24-0 to the Houston Texans, and then scoring four answered touchdowns to take a 28-24 by halftime.

A tough end to the 2019 season for the Seahawks yesterday. They came close despite having lost so many starters. It was a typical game for the 'Hawks--lousy first half with a come-from-behind second half, but this time they ran out of time. With so many starters out with injuries, I was surprised that they got as far as they did in the playoffs.

I think Seahawks fans would have to consider 2019 a successful season. They did far better, at 11-5 in the regular season and the one playoff win, than had been predicted before the season (I had predicted a 9-7 season) and got to the NFC divisional playoff game.

I think the two remaining NFC teams--49ers and Packers--are probably the two best in the NFC, and I'd probably bet on either of them beating the AFC finalist in the SB now that the Ravens have been knocked out. I expect the 49ers to take the NFC final, and the Chiefs to take the AFC final (although it looks as if you really can't count out the Titans).

The defeat of the Ravens was a complete shocker. They had clearly been the best team in the NFL through the regular season, amassing a 14-2 record and leading the NFL in a number of offensive categories. However, I've never been a fan of the Ravens after Art Modell took his Cleveland Browns out of Cleveland and had to rename the team the Ravens in Baltimore (the city of Cleveland was able to hold onto the Browns name). It was another case of a billionaire owner trying to blackmail a city--Cleveland in this case--into building him a new stadium (although Modell would argue that the stadium at the time was actually causing him to lose money). And then they brought in Ray Lewis, a thug who had skirted murder charges in a very strange court decision. The team then proceeded to burnish the thug reputation particularly in their early years. So I was pleased to see the Ravens bounced out of the playoffs.

I think the Seahawks have a lot to build on for next season. They have the makings of a great offense--a true franchise QB (in the top 3 or 4 in the NFL), a solid RB room, with rookie Travis Homer looking good in his limited action, and Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny returning, and two really excellent WRs, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Their O-line will need some help, and that was really evident yesterday when they were down to a rookie, Phil Haynes, who hadn't taken a snap at LG in the regular season, and who had to come in when Jamarco Jones (who was replacing starter Mike Iupati) went down. Decisions will have to be made re center, LG, and possibly RT. So if they can acquire a little help on the O-line, they should be very strong offensively in 2020. Having a hall-of-fame QB will, I think, continue to keep them in all games.

On defense--which didn't perform that well through the 2019 season--they seem to have found their safety combination, with Quandre Diggs in the fold now at FS, but will now need to look for a top-flight RCB, as it seems clear that Tre Flowers (who got beaten like a drum yesterday by Davante Adams) just isn't up to the task. LCB Shaquill Griffin seems to be a keeper. The other area of real need is in the pass rush. I really hope they pay Jadeveon Clowney enough money to keep him. He has been consistently strong, even while fighting through, and playing with, a painful core injury for much of the season and playoffs. They should let Ziggy Ansah go, I think, and use the money saved to go after one more bona fide pass rusher. With those additions to the secondary and D-line, the Seahawks should be much stouter against both the run and pass in 2020.

So for Seahawks fans, the off-season will be exciting. Free agency, trades, and the draft will be worth watching. They can build up their cap funds (which will be needed to sign Clowney) by letting C Justin Britt and DL Ziggy Ansah go, and I think those moves are likely. GM John Schneider is very shrewd at identifying and acquiring talent, and I think we'll see some upgrades where needed in the off-season.

Thanks guys -- I always appreciate the comments and summaries in this particular thread, though the contributing voices are few. What an enjoyable couple rounds of playoff football NFL-style so far this year, eh! Even the few games that didn't end up close in final score all had their tense and exciting moments. Great entertainment. Sad to see my two faves -- Drew Brees and the Saints and Russell Wilson and the Seahawks hit the dust, but so it goes. My mantra now, going into the finals is "anyone but the Packers". And I'd really enjoy seeing the Tennessee Titans continue to surprise. But so long as the games continue to offer up stellar strategizing and stellar play, I'm happy. Given what the surprising Titans have already done I'll make no predictions.

Oh, I meant to mention... I'm cheering on the Titans not only because they're a surprise and obviously underdogs, but also very much because former BC Lion great -- Cam Wake is on their roster. Sad to say he's currently injured, but he no doubt made his contribution throughout the earlier part of the season. (I'm no clear on how far back the injury occurred, or if it will keep him out of all future action through the post-season, but he remains an all-time favourite for me among our Lions alumni. A wonderful fellow! I wish him well.

Their is no tomorrow
You go for it on 4th 11. Packers run out the clock. No tomorrow

Gridiron Ernie wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 5:23 pm

Oh, I meant to mention... I'm cheering on the Titans not only because they're a surprise and obviously underdogs, but also very much because former BC Lion great -- Cam Wake is on their roster. Sad to say he's currently injured, but he no doubt made his contribution throughout the earlier part of the season. (I'm no clear on how far back the injury occurred, or if it will keep him out of all future action through the post-season, but he remains an all-time favourite for me among our Lions alumni. A wonderful fellow! I wish him well.

Yes, Cam Wake! He went on injured reserve at the end of November, and I think this means he can't return for the post-season. He's 37 now, and it will be interesting to see whether he has another year of football left. That's really getting up there for a pass-rush specialist (although Julius Peppers went to 38).

Another thing about the Titans is that they switched QBs mid-season. Their starter, Marcus Mariota (1st rnd, 2nd overall pick in the 2015 draft) was benched for Ryan Tannehill (1st rnd, 8th overall pick in the 2012 draft) in the week 6 game, and Tannehill has started ever since. Tannehill had a pretty mediocre career with the Dolphins (missing 2017 due to injury and amassing an 87.6 passer rating), but has been lights-out with the Titans for the 12 games he's played this season, with a 117.5 passer rating--a pretty amazing uptick due, one would guess, to a new and more favorable offensive system in Tennessee.

So the Titans' offense isn't just Derrick Henry, although he's been spectacular. Tannehill has some competent receivers to throw to as well: A.J. Brown (who's gone over 1000 yards in receptions in 2019), Corey Davis, and Adam Humphries. So, despite the fact that it will be Seed 6 vs Seed 2 in the AFC championship game on Sunday, I think it will be a good game.

Gridiron Ernie wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:08 pm

My mantra now, going into the finals is "anyone but the Packers".

I guess we'll have disagree on this one, Gridiron Ernie! For the early part of my career as an NFL fan until the Seahawks joined the league in 1976, the Packers were my fave team. So at this point, they're my 2nd fave team. However, I fear they'll have more than they can handle against the 49ers next Sunday in Santa Clara.

I will be cheering for Titans over Packers.

Interesting, to me at least, is that the very real possibility of 49ers/ Chiefs SB would be the first time the two teams that Joe Montana played for met in the SB

South Pender wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:35 pm

Gridiron Ernie wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:08 pm

My mantra now, going into the finals is "anyone but the Packers".

I guess we'll have disagree on this one, Gridiron Ernie! For the early part of my career as an NFL fan until the Seahawks joined the league in 1976, the Packers were my fave team. So at this point, they're my 2nd fave team. However, I fear they'll have more than they can handle against the 49ers next Sunday in Santa Clara.

Heh heh -- no worries. I understand! The reasons we're emotionally invested in certain teams or players or coaches is always interesting to me. I can laugh at myself about comments I make and attitudes I have, especially when I make grand statements such as "anybody but..." or "I hate so-and-so..." Your comment concerning your long-term history with the Packers put me in mind of the late 60s and early 70s when I was a die-hard Viking fan. I think as a kid I'd initially picked them simply because purple was my favourite colour that minute! What a fickle criterion! Ah, but, then along came legendary (CFL/NFL) Bud Grant and that cemented things! (That and the totally incongruous fact that it was Bob Dylan's home state!) And given the team rivalry with Green Bay, well, how could I ever love the Packers? Heh heh. But time changes things of course, and I no longer care much about the Vikings, and there have been seasons and play-offs wherein I actually cheered on the Packers (depending on who the opposition was). So, long story short, I do have considerable respect for guys like QB Aaron Rodgers, he's pretty great, and I hope he plays well and the game with the '49ers next Sunday is a real close contest. (But that they lose it in overtime... sorry, South Pender!) Cheers!

San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

Two explosive offensive teams in the Super Bowl. Will likely be a high scoring game. It looks like the team with the better defence will win the game.

The Tennessee Titans streak of upsetting teams came to an end after a valiant effort with an early lead. But their defence couldn't hold on the Chief's second in a row comeback win to take the AFC championship.

Too bad that Seahawks couldn't dominate the Green Bay Packers the way the San Francisco 49ers did in the NFC championship. Had the Seahawks won last week, could they have won in San Francisco? Unlikely given their weak defence.

I'm pulling for San Francisco. Have been a closet fan since the Montana/Rice days. However KC is very deserving as well having not made it to the show in 50 years. Should be interesting. I hope it is a good game.

Sir Purrcival wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:03 pm

I'm pulling for San Francisco. Have been a closet fan since the Montana/Rice days. However KC is very deserving as well having not made it to the show in 50 years. Should be interesting. I hope it is a good game.

I'm glad it will be this matchup. With NE out (perhaps the beginning of a new era after nearly 2 decades of mostly Bellichik-Brady), it's time for some different qbs to shine.
I also tend to be more nostalgic for SF. One of my earliest NFL memories was of John Brodie (even though he never made it to the SB, he was exciting to watch at that time.) I also worked in the Bay Area in the late '80s and have some good memories of that time. At the same time, I would love to see Mahomes win--he has carried KC on his back--that running TD yesterday was incredible.

I wasn't too surprised to see the Chiefs beat the Titans, but sure was surprised to see the 49ers put such a complete beat-down on the Packers. It really wasn't as close as the 37-20 score would indicate. I hope that Seahawks' GM John Schneider and HC Pete Carroll took notice of what a good physical O-line can do for the running game, as the 49ers O-line (with some help from the tight ends) just pushed the Packers' D all over the field and let 4th-string RB Raheem Mostert rush for 220 yards. Imagine the success that Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and Travis Homer could have with that kind of push up front. Pete Carroll and OC Brian Schottenheimer are firmly in the run-first school of offensive football, and some upgrades on the Seahawks' O-line are urgently needed.

Jimmy Garoppolo put the ball up only 8 times in the whole game, completing 6, for a measly 77 passing yards. This is extraordinary and shows, I guess, how effective smash-mouth football can be. The Niners just beat the hell out of the Packers (as they had done earlier in the season), and I think we can expect a similar game plan for the Super Bowl in two weeks. Interestingly, the odds-makers have made the Chiefs a 1-point favorite in the opening odds. Based on what we saw yesterday, if I were a betting man, I'd put some money on the 49ers.

Anybody but the Pats