# NFL 2018 Regular Season **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 30, 2018, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323 "2018-11-30T06:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/141 "2018-12-11T14:22:24Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Not even that. If the first team only takes 10 minutes off the clock and kicks a field goal or turns it over, the second team gets to finish their possession, whether it takes 3 minutes or 12. > > The theoretical maximum possession from a touchback, 5 seconds per play (run three yards, fall down, pile up doesn’t take very long), no fourth downs, no penalties, and exactly 10 yards per first down is is 18 minutes, with the last set of downs starting at the opponent’s five. The actual longest NFL drive was just under 13 minutes while only going 53 yards, and the Navy Midshipmen took almost 15 minutes off the clock back in '04, though that drive started almost backed up against the Navy endzone. It’s POSSIBLE to take up that much time, but it’s highly improbable, given that it’s never happened in over 10,000 NFL games. Yes, that’s correct. In the playoffs, if the first team gets a field goal, the second team gets a full possession no matter how long it takes. In the playoffs, the 15 minutes OT periods really only exist for keeping track of timeouts, switching sides, etc. The game is always played until there’s a winner, and it’s always sudden death after the first 2 possessions (if not decided earlier). ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/142 "2018-12-11T15:10:58Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > As a franchise, the Giants sure do love long, clock-killing drives. Reminds me of the Steelers-Chargers playoff game in 2008, where the Chargers only ran one offensive play in the 3rd quarter. It was an interception 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/143 "2018-12-11T20:07:53Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Wrong. > > How often in NFL history has a team done what the Dolphins did (score a TD starting at their 30 with no time outs and 7 seconds on the clock? > > The answer to that question shows that NE did exactly the right thing. A miracle is not something you bother to try and strategize for. Obviously our opinions differ on this. Now, had the Fins not run the kickoff out of the end zone, they would have had the ball at the 25 with 15 seconds left. And that would be enough time for two plays, the second of which would be the Hail Mary to the end zone. That, I believe, has been done in the past. But I don’t know for sure. And I certainly don’t know the answer, but how many times has a team gotten the ball on their own 4 with 15 seconds on the clock and no timeouts, and then was able to kick a field goal? But I’m still glad that the Pats lost. And I read this morning that this play was the longest game-winning play (last play of the game that scored the winning points) in NFL history. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/144 "2018-12-11T20:10:50Z")
On the heels of last night’s loss to Seattle (and weeks of poor offense), the Vikings have fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. [https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/12/11/vikings-fire-john-defilippo-offensive-coordinator](https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/12/11/vikings-fire-john-defilippo-offensive-coordinator) ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/145 "2018-12-11T20:33:43Z")
That’s the guy who convinced the team to sign Kirk Cousins rather than any of the three quarterbacks they already had on their roster, isn’t he? How are their performances looking compared to Cousins (that’s not a rhetorical question – I’m not following the NFL super closely) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/146 "2018-12-11T20:59:51Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > That’s the guy who convinced the team to sign Kirk Cousins rather than any of the three quarterbacks they already had on their roster, isn’t he? How are their performances looking compared to Cousins (that’s not a rhetorical question – I’m not following the NFL super closely) Cousins is #8 in passing yards and #9 in PTDs, with a season rating of 98.4, so, a yeoman’s job at least. I would not be complaining about his performance. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/147 "2018-12-11T21:01:17Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > That’s the guy who convinced the team to sign Kirk Cousins rather than any of the three quarterbacks they already had on their roster, isn’t he? How are their performances looking compared to Cousins (that’s not a rhetorical question – I’m not following the NFL super closely) Teddy Bridgewater is the Saints backup. Sam Bradford started in Arizona for three games, was pulled, and eventually cut. Case Keenum is doing not great out in Denver. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/148 "2018-12-11T21:01:37Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > That’s the guy who convinced the team to sign Kirk Cousins rather than any of the three quarterbacks they already had on their roster, isn’t he? How are their performances looking compared to Cousins (that’s not a rhetorical question – I’m not following the NFL super closely) Case Keenum is the only one starting, sitting right in the middle of the pack in Denver. Bradford was cut and Bridgewater is Brees’ backup in New Orleans - thus a candidate for yet another former Viking to get a Super Bowl ring. Cousins IS better than any of the quarterbacks Minnesota had, but he’s virtually guaranteed to be their quarterback for the next two seasons, given his contract. If he gets a bad injury, they have a $30m lawn ornament that they can’t even trade. Good player, TERRIBLE contract. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/149 "2018-12-11T21:22:05Z")
I’d like to point out that Cousins has received a lot of criticism this year and the Vikings have received criticism for signing him. Just read almost any article about the Vikings and you’ll see it. However, none of the criticism is leveled at his ability or the idea that they signed the wrong person. The criticism is almost solely about Kirk getting overpaid and the Vikings giving away far too much in the contract. Well, there are some criticisms about his penchant for check downs and his inability to win in prime time and/or against quality teams but that’s different from saying that’s he’s **bad** … ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/150 "2018-12-12T14:26:34Z")
Case Keenum is an average QB, which for what he costs ($8M) compared to what Cousins costs ($22.5M) may have been enough for the Vikings considering they were depending on having a rock solid defense. And Cousins isn’t exactly doing amazing things. Every game the Vikings have won, the defense held the opponent to 21 points or fewer. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/151 "2018-12-13T21:47:12Z")
Looking forward to the game tonight. KC’s big games this year (Pats, Rams) have been entertaining, so hopefully we get something like that. I’m hoping that the Chargers can at least make a competitive showing. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/152 "2018-12-14T04:33:33Z")
That was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/153 "2018-12-14T04:48:57Z")
Hahahahahahahahahaha I think all the bad calls kind of evened out, but who the hell knows. Is this what it’s like to cheer for normal NFL teams? It’s fun! I don’t even care that I left Mike Williams on my bench in fantasy. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/154 "2018-12-14T05:23:20Z")
Wow, epic collapse by the Chiefs. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/155 "2018-12-14T05:30:53Z")
I loved the fact that the Chargers were behind for the first 59 minutes and 56 seconds of the game. They only managed to hold the lead for 4 seconds of the game. When it’s the last 4 seconds though, the rest of the game doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/156 "2018-12-14T17:14:10Z")
Similar to the win against the Steelers, they were down two touchdowns in the second half and found a way to win. Charges seem to have a bit of the magic this year. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/157 "2018-12-14T17:17:47Z")
How bizarre would it be to see a LA v. LA SB just a couple years after they got teams back after not having one for decades. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/158 "2018-12-14T20:18:02Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > How bizarre would it be to see a LA v. LA SB just a couple years after they got teams back after not having one for decades. Too bad the Super Bowl isn’t in LA this year. They’d even be able to fill the seats and everything! ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/159 "2018-12-14T21:54:09Z")
Martavis Bryant indefinitely suspended. Color me shocked. Next, I’ll find out Pope Francis is Catholic. > **[Martavis Bryant suspended indefinitely by NFL - ProFootballTalk](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/14/martavis-bryant-suspended-indefinitely-by-nfl/)** > > Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant‘s season ended earlier this month when the team placed him on injured reserve with a knee injury and it is unclear when he will be making his next appearance.There were reports in September that Bryant was facing... ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323/160 "2018-12-14T22:27:15Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Too bad the Super Bowl isn’t in LA this year. They’d even be able to fill the seats and everything! I think they need a real stadium in LA first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2018-regular-season/825323.md?page=9)