# NFL Conference Championships **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 20, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074 "2018-01-20T21:25:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/181 "2018-01-26T22:06:07Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Or, being an asshole isn’t something considered worthy of arrest. There’s no law against being an asshole. At least not in California which I find surprising. There were some true gems in a company I used to work for. And then, at the old Candlestick Park, there were some Niner fans that were true gems too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/182 "2018-01-26T22:09:48Z")
Wow. Bears games average less than one arrest per game, tied with Seattle and Tampa for least-arrested fanbase in the nation. I mean, I think Chicagoans are a fairly polite crowd all and all, but I am slightly surprised by that. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/183 "2018-01-26T22:29:17Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > With respect, all that says is that in Philadelphia, bad behavior isn’t even punished. :dubious: As a suburb of New Jersey, plus Baltimore, in conjunction with whatever dragons lie to the west, Philadelphia is in a convergence zone where “bad behavior” has a different meaning than what we use in the rest of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/184 "2018-01-29T03:52:22Z")
I think it’s time for a separate thread focusing on the game this coming Sunday. I didn’t see any. What do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/185 "2018-01-29T17:19:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I liked the gridiron stuff, the POV of players on the field…and also the subplot involving Dick Vermeil. He was as much an underdog as Papale was. Greg Kinnear’s pretty good when he’s not doing over-the-top comedy. > > (I was an Eagles fan back then, mostly because of the underdog thing; same with the Pats when Pat the Patriot was on the helmet. I always hated the 'Boys and Vikes, though; it seemed every year they’d beat my Rams in the playoffs. Also, the America’s Team thing rubbed me completely the wrong way.) > > Finally, I’m a pushover for Elizabeth Banks, especially when she was that young. Cool character, too. \*Invincible’\*s greatest accomplishment is making it seem like beating the mid-70’s NY Giants was an accomplishment. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/186 "2018-01-29T17:28:24Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > With respect, all that says is that in Philadelphia, bad behavior isn’t even punished. :dubious: You realize that this is the town that has police horses on the field by the 7th inning of a potentially winning World Series game in 1980 and 2008, and hunted down the looters on Broad st. Then there was the jackass who thought it would be fun to run on the field during a baseball game…and got stun gunned. No sympathy from anyone, even the mayor called the guy stupid. Yes these are baseball examples, but its not like the names change. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/187 "2018-01-29T20:59:18Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 20+ arrests per game v 3.2. > > Maybe MetLife Stadium needs a jail cell. Maybe the arrest rate has more to do with how lax the enforcement is. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/188 "2018-01-29T23:23:59Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > \*Invincible’\*s greatest accomplishment is making it seem like beating the mid-70’s NY Giants was an accomplishment. A rookie special-teamer forcing a fumble and then taking it to the house to fire up a lackluster team that hadn’t found its identity until that very moment? That’s an accomplishment in any year. Especially for _that_ rookie. ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/189 "2018-01-30T04:45:30Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > You realize that this is the town that has police horses on the field by the 7th inning of a potentially winning World Series game in 1980 and 2008, and hunted down the looters on Broad st. What that tells me is that the police know exactly what kind of jackals they’re dealing with, and came extra prepared. The Philly police probably vacation in Caracas, looking for a little peace and quiet. > [@](#): > > Then there was the jackass who thought it would be fun to run on the field during a baseball game…and got stun gunned. No sympathy from anyone… Yeah, and if they’d shot him with a real gun, the mob would’ve been downright ecstatic. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/190 "2018-01-30T16:10:39Z")
I started a Super Bowl thread, if anyone wants to discuss the game or its commercials — [Really? No Super Bowl LII thread? What about the commercials??!!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=20756692#post20756692) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/191 "2018-01-30T18:05:36Z")
I would participate, but a “what, no X thread?” a week before the event made me kill myself. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/192 "2018-01-31T12:16:24Z")
See ya. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/193 "2018-02-11T06:57:26Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Well, I won’t make that bet, then! Thanks for that info. Yeah I was thinking he might say he’s done enough in football. > > I’m pulling for the Eagles because I want to see them win their first Super Bowl. Ron Jaworski and Donovan McNabb both lost, with the 1980 and 2004 Eagles respectively, so with the 2017 Eagles maybe Nick Foles and crew can do it. The Pats are vulnerable. > > But don’t count out Belichick and Brady. Never count them out. As I think we all (most) know. > > **I’m a 49ers fan and absolutely LOVE Joe Montana, but Joe has to step aside. He is no longer the QB GOAT, and he hasn’t been for at least a year. Even before Super Bowl LI last year, even before last year’s playoffs, Brady has been the QB GOAT.** > > It is amazing what Brady has accomplished in his 18 year career, and to think he might play 4-5 more years and win maybe 2 more Super Bowls … incredible! > > ETA: Like **RickJay** says! You are wrong. Montana played in a much harder era. Montana played when teams like the Giants, Bears, and Redskins could have all been dynasties. The salary cap has made the era of great teams a thing of the past. The league is now filled with watered-down, mediocre teams. Rule changes have also increased the passing game to the point where the NFL is an inferior product. When Montana played, the quarterbacks were in the trenches. Montana got rag-dolled more than any other QB of his era. And DBs got away with A LOT more contact. As a final note, Brady’s entire legacy began with a gift from the officials. And his last two rings were gifted to him by huge coaching blunders. Brady’s super bowl record could easily be 2-5, with the first appearance never happening since NE really lost the divisional game that year. (Brady is also a little bitch whenever he gets hit or doesn’t get his way.) Brady is not the GOAT. No QB from this era is. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/194 "2018-02-11T08:57:52Z")
> [@Lorne\_Armstrong](#): > > You are wrong. Montana played in a much harder era. Montana played when teams like the Giants, Bears, and Redskins could have all been dynasties. The salary cap has made the era of great teams a thing of the past. The league is now filled with watered-down, mediocre teams. > > Rule changes have also increased the passing game to the point where the NFL is an inferior product. When Montana played, the quarterbacks were in the trenches. Montana got rag-dolled more than any other QB of his era. And DBs got away with A LOT more contact. > > As a final note, Brady’s entire legacy began with a gift from the officials. And his last two rings were gifted to him by huge coaching blunders. Brady’s super bowl record could easily be 2-5, with the first appearance never happening since NE really lost the divisional game that year. (Brady is also a little bitch whenever he gets hit or doesn’t get his way.) > > Brady is not the GOAT. No QB from this era is. You are wrong. Sammy Baugh played in a much harder era. The rules did not favor the forward pass. He played both ways, offense and defense. Oh, and he played special teams too. I’m being a bit facetious, to make a point of how wrong you are. Who’s the best NBA player of all time? Jordan? Kareem? Wilt? Yes they played in different eras, and it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but if you say you cannot choose that just means you are running and hiding. \>\> Brady is not the GOAT. No QB from this era is. That’s a fallacy. If you say that then by the same logic you have to say that you can never pick any QB as the GOAT. And that is running and hiding. Fine, if you want, but don’t come back here and say anyone else is the GOAT. And you’re being a crybaby by bringing up the tuck rule, Pete Carroll’s blunder, and the Falcons’ epic collapse. To be consistent you’d also have to bring up The Lucky Catch, and then Eric Wright’s lucky one-handed tackle of Drew Pearson; the fact that there were only 10 trams in the playoffs, not 12 like today, for the first 3 49ers Super Bowls; the fact that Montana had Jerry Rice (and John Taylor) and Bill Walsh and Ronnie Lott and Fred Dean and Charles Haley; and Lewis Billups drops a sure Super Bowl interception; and there are many more. Brady is clearly the NFL QB GOAT. And not just because I say so. Look it up and there is a very strong general consensus among people a lot smarter than I. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074/195 "2018-02-11T16:19:31Z")
I don’t care much for Tom Brady and I’m not at all a Patriots fan. But he’s the GOAT. You can argue that the rules favor pasers and offenses in general these days. True. But remember, a QB is only as good as what he’s throwing to. He can’t win games if he’s not blocked well and is being sacked. If his defense is giving up points every time the opponent gets possession (as it did in the last SB). The salary cap makes all of that difficult. You have some great teammates, you get successful, so next season those guys are worth more money due to that success. You are not allowed to pay them what they’re worth and they leave. You can’t maintain a great team year after year. The rules are designed to enforce parity and try to prevent dynasties. Yet somehow the Patriots manage to do it over and over again. One of the few constants on that team during their current dynasty is Brady. That’s going to counter any accusations of him being helped by rules favoring passers. So just look at the numbers. The records. His rings. All of that shows that he’s better than others before him. Even if I think he’s something of a weasel. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-conference-championships/807074.md?page=9)