Yes, the third team to beat the Bucs, (not the Patriots), would be the Falcons.
My bad, and good catch.
Considering this is likely to be the Cowboys, whoever wins the NFC South has to like their chances. The Cowboys have not won a road playoff game in 30 years; George H.W. Bush was president the last time the Cowboys won on the road in the postseason.
Washington - New York game is close too.
You know, I didn’t really care who won the game tonight between the Giants and Commanders tonight. I wanted to watch a good, close game, and that’s what happened. But that last non-call in the end zone totally screwed Washington and cost them a chance to win the game. That was a horrible, horrible, no-call.
What you can’t wrap yourself completely around a receiver while he’s trying to make a catch?
Yeah, I didn’t care either, but was looking forward to an OT or at least an exciting 2-pt conversion attempt, but that was just complete horseshit.
There were probably like 4 separate instances that should’ve been called either illegal contact or DPI during that coverage.
There were a couple similar uncalled clear DPIs early in the first quarter, which set the tone. I agree that that final play was way over the line for a normally-called game, and even in this “the refs decided to let them play” game it was still a little over the line. But not a ton; it may have even been close enough to fall under the “swallow the whistle on the final play of the game” tradition where you call it looser than your previously-set precedent from earlier in the game.
(Edit: To clarify, I’m saying it was a bad call. The fact that it could be justifiable by the above means the entire game was called poorly. It was like a throwback to the 2000s rules right before Peyton Manning started whining.)
Did they call any DPIs all game? Now I’m curious. (EDIT: I seem to recall they called offensive pass interference on Washington, taking a touchdown away. Or maybe that was the two-point attempt. Either way, I’d be pissed if I were Washington fan.)
And I forgot about that dopey illegal formation penalty. Did the refs bet on the Giants or something?
Ha! Not sure where I got Patriots from.
That one was bad. Yes, the WR was lined up just slightly off the line of scrimmage, but it had no impact whatsoever in the actual play, which was a run up the middle.
He looked at the ref and pointed to the ground, as is apparently what you do when you want confirmation that you’re on the line.
That was a nail biter. Thought for sure the Jets were going to make that 58 yard FG and send it into OT.
Still not sure I agree with Dan Campbell’s constant going for it on 4th down. Yes, there is a time and a place for it. But the very first drive of the game? Yes it’s too bad it stalls out at like the 4 yard line. But maybe take the 3 point chip shot and get on the board? Easy to second-guess the attempt when it fails, though.
I think they were on the 1, but then got tackled for a loss on 4th down. Maybe the 2. On the 2 I think you should kick, but on the 1 I can’t fault going for it. On the 1 is a coach’s call, IMO: Either choice is defensible, you get paid the big bucks to make the call.
Yeah, like I say, as a fan it’s easy to second-guess a ballsy play if it fails. Getting stuffed when going for it on 4th down at the 1 or 2 yard line? WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING LIONS. Faking a punt last week to successfully run for a first down? GENIUS.
Didn’t see it, but I just read this article about the crazy Raiders finish. How often has that ‘ladder’ play, usually done in desperation when the team is behind, not tied, and the clock has run out, actually worked in the NFL? I’ve seen it attempted a handful of times over the years (most recently the Lions on Thanksgiving) and I have never seen it work. I have seen a couple successful Hail Marys, but never seen a successful ladder play.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/19/sport/las-vegas-raiders-new-england-patriots-spt-intl/index.html
Since it was on the first drive of the game, and they had owned the ball for 8 and half minutes, I definitely see the logic in going for it. A one yard punch in? Should be easy enough. If you lose out, you have a whole game left to make it up. If it were the fourth quarter, I would probably have gone for the 3 points instead.
Well, there was famously the Music City Miracle (though it’s more or less certain the ball got lateraled forward).
But yeah, you only do that when you’re behind. This kind of brain fart isn’t supposed to happen on a Bill Belichick coached team. Somebody wanted to play hero and totally screwed up.
Devil’s advocate, starting off the game that well and walking away with nothing can be hugely deflating. But yeah, your point is sound. Also, going for it there demonstrates the coach’s confidence in the players. Good for team morale, possibly even if you don’t make it. Getting stuffed sucks, but it required the Jets to make a big play. Sometimes the other team makes a play. It’s not like you straight fucked up like the Patriots.
I have been thoroughly enjoying the Jets defense this year. They are good, and that goal line stop at the end of the Lions’ first drive was hugely satisfying.
It worked for the Dolphins against the Patriots 4 years ago:
Of course, the Dolphins were behind at the time, so that’s the correct time to do it.
I almost mentioned this last week in the other thread about rule enforcement. The offside/on the line/off the line thing seems like the most selectively-enforced set of rules on the books. Often the off-line receivers are too close to the line of scrimmage, and/or are even with the tackles, and/or a split end has a toe or even his entire foot in the neutral zone, but nothing is called. Until at a crucial moment it is. If I am on the NFL competition committee I would be advocating for all of that to be massively tightened up.
Indeed, to say, “OK, so you drove down the whole field. Well, guess what? You get nothin’!”