# NFL Week 14 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 8, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465 "2011-12-08T03:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/121 "2011-12-12T00:24:52Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > At least Marion Barber can file for unemployment claiming that he lost his job due to an act of god. > > All I know is that Tebow suddenly becomes awesome when it’s needed and it’s fun to watch. I’m actually pretty inclned to be a natural Tebow hater, but the Tebow haters are so over the top in denying him in any sort of credit that my inclination to distance myself from them has overcome my natural inclination to hate Tebow. > > He’s good for football. Pretty much everybody said he has a good game last week. Everybody says he does well in the 4th quarter. Everybody gives him his due. It’s just that his input on the winning is minuscule when compared to the whole. Tebow is on every headline. “Tebow leads Broncos to comeback victory!” While he goes 7-19 for 80 yards, and the defense has 6 sacks and a pick six. The media has been fellating Tebow non stop for years, that’s where the haters come from. ---
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/122 "2011-12-12T00:25:36Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > QFT. And the win still doesn’t explain why he can’t play like that until the last 2 minutes of a game. Denver abandons their conservative running game late in the game when behind – Tebow is best while using his only talent - scrambling and heaving. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/123 "2011-12-12T00:27:31Z")
Sure, the Dolphins lost today but the fact that the Broncos won again in pretty stunning fashion makes my day somewhat better. ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/124 "2011-12-12T00:30:47Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The replay system is broken so no more reviews. Its unfortunate, but shit happens, hardly makes it a joke. Hold on now, that’s not even the best part. Don’t sell it short. The Raiders made a legitimate challenge and after like five minutes the ref comes out and says (basically), “The replay system is broken. There isn’t anyone we could possibly borrow a TV feed from, so let’s all pretend Oakland didn’t challenge. It’s cool, they’re losing anyway.”. It’s a joke now. The incompetence, the impotence, all of it. How can you not find the bullshit funny at this point? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/125 "2011-12-12T00:32:22Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > Hold on now, that’s not even the best part. Don’t sell it short. The Raiders made a legitimate challenge and after like five minutes the ref comes out and says (basically), “The replay system is broken. There isn’t anyone we could possibly borrow a TV feed from, so let’s all pretend Oakland didn’t challenge. It’s cool, they’re losing anyway.”. > > It’s a joke now. The incompetence, the impotence, all of it. How can you not find the bullshit funny at this point? Wow. Couldn’t somebody in the booth with a cell phone call their buddy and tell them what happened? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/126 "2011-12-12T00:38:56Z")
It’s fairly obvious that Tim Tebow is the greatest football player that’s ever lived. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/127 "2011-12-12T00:39:59Z")
Seeing the Broncos do this every week is fun just for the sheer insanity of it. ESPN actually does have quite a few people who hate Tebow and think it is a disgrace he ever started a game in the NFL. There are very few who think he is a good QB. The one guy who does champion Tebow is an idiot and is deservedly mocked for his Tebow love. Somehow that makes it all the more hilarious and fun that he keeps winning. The best defense for Tebow is rarely brought up: that the Broncos have an abysmal group of receivers. Tebow would certainly have better numbers if he had anyone to throw to. Still not good, but not hilariously bad. The 49ers game made me sad. Not much I want to say about it. Except maybe, when your offense has been based on running, try a running play on 3rd and 1, 4th and 1, or 3rd and 2, with the game on the line. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/128 "2011-12-12T00:48:17Z")
What a fun day. The Packers in in a landslide and look like the best team in the NFL. The Bears get absolutely embarrassed in a loss to the Broncos, the 49ers lose, making homefield throughout the playoffs more certain for the Packers. Too bad the Saints pulled out a victory though. Still, a good week. The biggest downside is another week of “Tebow just wins” idiocy, despite the fact that the Broncos defense won them another game. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/129 "2011-12-12T00:54:10Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > The biggest downside is another week of “Tebow just wins” idiocy, despite the fact that the Broncos defense won them another game. The tone and atmosphere will be different after the Broncos play New England next week. Tebow won’t get away with 10 points (a typical game for him). ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/130 "2011-12-12T00:57:05Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > The tone and atmosphere will be different after the Broncos play New England next week. Tebow won’t get away with 10 points. What if-- by some miracle-- the Broncos win next week? What then? (Well, NE has a shitty defense, so I guess you could always blame a Denver win on that, should they win.) ---
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/131 "2011-12-12T01:00:21Z")
> [@Carmady](#): > > ESPN actually does have quite a few people who hate Tebow and think it is a disgrace he ever started a game in the NFL. Its a disgrace he was drafted in the first round. Third rounder at the best. But there are plenty of worse first round picks every year. My team drafted a DL in high round one 2008 and he can’t start a game. I’d trade him for Tebow in a second. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/132 "2011-12-12T01:03:25Z")
The reason Tebow does well in the fourth quarter is opposing coaches switch from what made him go 3-16 in the first three quarters to the stupid prevent defense. The Bears rushed three or four guys all fourth quarter, and Tebow just sat in the pocket forever until a receiver eventually came open. He can hit wide open guys when he has all day to throw, but under normal defenses that make him make throws to tight spots and make quick decisions, he does what he does in the first three quarters. Marion Barber was the reason the Bears lost that game. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/133 "2011-12-12T01:11:01Z")
Damn, I celebrated too early. I didn’t realize Greg Jennings left with an injury. Here’s hoping he’s OK. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/134 "2011-12-12T01:19:29Z")
So, I worked out the completion percentages for Q1-Q4. Q1: 14/30 46.7% Q2: 14/42 33.3% Q3: 14/37 37.8% Q4: 46/72 63.9% Total: 88/181 48.6% I didn’t do overtime because I forgot to include it while I was making my spreadsheet and I’m too lazy to fix it. Attempts go way way up in the 4th, because they’re usually losing. To find out while they’re usually losing, look at Q1-Q3. Hypothesis as to why completion percentage goes up in Q4? I’d say prevent defense. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/135 "2011-12-12T01:22:38Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > What a fun day. The Packers in in a landslide and look like the best team in the NFL. The Bears get absolutely embarrassed in a loss to the Broncos, the 49ers lose, making homefield throughout the playoffs more certain for the Packers. Too bad the Saints pulled out a victory though. Still, a good week. > > The biggest downside is another week of “Tebow just wins” idiocy, despite the fact that the Broncos defense won them another game. I wouldn’t even say it’s their defense. The Bears are averaging 11 points a game with Hanie and 6.5 with Hanie and Barber. Small sample size to be sure, but god damn they’re bad. Anybody read Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinow? In a chapter he breaks down why 1961 said next to nothing about Roger Maris. The next edition will include a chapter about Tebow. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/136 "2011-12-12T01:32:10Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > So, I worked out the completion percentages for Q1-Q4. Thanks. More or less as marked a difference as I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/137 "2011-12-12T01:32:35Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I wouldn’t even say it’s their defense. The Bears are averaging 11 points a game with Hanie and 6.5 with Hanie and Barber. Small sample size to be sure, but god damn they’re bad. Whether you want to credit the Broncos defense (they had 4 straight 3 and outs in the 4th quarter and got a forced fumble in OT to save the game) or blame the Bears offense (Marion Barber could be the dumbest man in the NFL for that showing, and Hanie is Hanie), the point is that the win had little to nothing to do with Tebow’s abilities, but instead was due to the defense/poor Bears offense and the big leg of Matt Prater. I’m glad they got the win, and I would be an extremely happy camper to have the Broncos representing the AFC in the Super Bowl this year, but crediting Tebow over the defense for these wins is just silly. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/138 "2011-12-12T01:33:57Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Whether you want to credit the Broncos defense (they had 4 straight 3 and outs in the 4th quarter and got a forced fumble in OT to save the game) or blame the Bears offense (Marion Barber could be the dumbest man in the NFL for that showing, and Hanie is Hanie), the point is that the win had little to nothing to do with Tebow’s, but instead was due to the defense/poor Bears offense and the big leg of Matt Prater. I’m glad they got the win, and I would be an extremely happy camper to have the Broncos representing the AFC in the Super Bowl this year, but crediting Tebow over the defense is just silly. Oh, believe me, I am NOT crediting Tebow. Their defense has generally been outstanding since they got healthy. I’m just trashing on the Bears. Even a shitty defense beats them today. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/139 "2011-12-12T01:49:05Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Oh, believe me, I am NOT crediting Tebow. Their defense has generally been outstanding since they got healthy. I’m just trashing on the Bears. Even a shitty defense beats them today. I’m all for trashing the Bears. The Broncos season this year reminds me of the Bears season last year, where a team has a very good defense, but also catches a ton of breaks with injuries, facing bad teams, and catching good teams at great times. Good to see the tides turning. ---
**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 12, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465/140 "2011-12-12T02:01:30Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Damn, I celebrated too early. I didn’t realize Greg Jennings left with an injury. Here’s hoping he’s OK. I was listening to the Packer radio broadcast after the game; McCarthy said that it looks like a sprained knee. We’ll know more tomorrow, I’m sure. Fingers crossed it’s not serious. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-14/605465.md?page=8)