991 replies to this topic

[Mackus]

Its interesting that they've been so dominant but the two Super Bowl losses they've had were such beatdowns.

[Ravens2006]

The PHI lines won them their title this year. Good DL, good OL. Hurts and Barkley were able to do what they did because the OL was often dominant. Still say that EDC and company should focus on building that "stone wall" type line for Lamar for as long as he's still productive.  It's a good run block group because of their size and the more scripted nature of run blocking in general (execute a plan with decisiveness).  It's NOT a good pass block group overall, and Lamar hides it because of who he is and what he can do.  I love everything Derrick Henry did, and hopefully will be effective again next year, but I think if you put a more well-rounded group in front of Lamar... the rest of the skill position players become more interchangeable / replaceable.

 

Mahomes looked a little slow to move in (and out of) the pocket last night.  I know the DL pressure was good, but he still seemed to be sitting a second longer than he would have in past seasons. And it wasn't always a case of "well, both edges were sealed and collapsing right away". Frankly to my eye he stepped up in to pressure more often than typical, vs feeling it and moving out to buy time (where he makes so many of his highlight reel throws).  He's had a couple very not good knee injuries in his career including one in November againt Tampa. And some ankle stuff too.  I think it's going to come out that the dude is playing through some stuff that would have sidelined a lot of other QBs for an extended period of time.

[Ravens2006]

It's crazy how some games a team catches everything and other games they seem to collectively have the drops.  Look at last year's AFC title game in Baltimore... Kelce made more than a couple tremendous grabs on balls that were high, low, behind him, etc.  The first TD  was a twisting back-hip adjustment while Hamilton (?) was draped all over him.  A guy made a nice, "not easy" catch on the throw that basically sealed the game late with a KC first down and took a final possession chance away from the Ravens.  Then last night, at least until the game gradually grew "definitely" out of reach, KC was dropping anything and everything that wasn't 100% on the money.  Kelce had a couple balls that were at minimum "easier" grabs than his TD here last January and got meat hook hands. Hopkins had a drop on a ball that was a little out front.  Basically they made NO plays on the receiving end of the ball until late when it didn't matter anymore.

[Ravens2006]

https://www.youtube....h?v=kObmcOaPcbM

 

Brady with some comedic work at about the 1:15 mark...

 

The Ryan Fitzpatrick thing at about 7:10 is clever too.

[makoman]

It’s interesting that they've been so dominant but the two Super Bowl losses they've had were such beatdowns.

DL destroyed them both times. Madabuike is a great start. Be nice if Travis Jones takes another step.

[ivanbalt]

First Take morons dumbed down the Super Bowl to Jalen Hurts single-handedly destroying the Chiefs.  Also made a point to emphasize he did what Allen and Lamar can't do which is beat Mahomes.  Apparently the Eagles defense was good, but not very significant in the win.

 

Something tells me that if the Bills or Ravens defense held the Chiefs to zero points through nearly 3 quarters, Allen or Lamar would get their victory.  But hey, football is just a one on one between QBs even though they never share the field.

[CantonJester]

Agree but I'm not sure which one defensive guy to give it to. 100% the Eagles defense was the star.

 

Josh Sweats would’ve had to solve a murder mystery at halftime to give him the nod?

[Mackus]

Josh Sweats would’ve had to solve a murder mystery at halftime to give him the nod?

The pressure was coming from everyone, Sweat racked up more sacks than his linemates but sometimes thats cleaning up rather than having wrecked a play solo. The line was getting pressure all night and I think Carter and Davis were equally as impressive as Sweat.

I also think the pick 6 from DeJean was as vital as any of the individual lineman's contributions. Lots of stellar options to choose from on the Eagles defense.

[glenn__davis]

I would have gone with Sweat as the symbolic representative of the D-line.  I have no problem with Hurts winning it but to almost always give it to an offensive player is lazy.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I thought Hurts was deserving last night. He hit the big throws when he needed to and had some consequential scrambles. The bye week definitely helped him the most, IMO. Spag's strategy was clearly to neutralize Saquon and make Hurts beat them offensively, and he did.

 

Agree that the primary reason for their domination was their DLine though. Hard to argue otherwise, IMO.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I admire the way that Hurts has pretty consistently overcome adversity going back to his college days. Have a lot of respect for the man. He's no Lamar though. Annoys me that he has a ring, and Lamar doesn't, with an equally supportive cast around him.

[Ravens2006]

Dilfer has a ring. Marino doesn't. Jim Kelly doesn't. Peyton Manning got rings when he had a bad playoff run, and then again near the end when he was a game manager who got benched in the regular season briefly.

Team sports...