# Season Long NFC North Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 1, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514 "2009-09-01T17:54:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 47
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/921 "2009-12-26T01:06:32Z")
Huh. You’re quite right. Now I wonder who the old white lady whose is attached to my mental note card for Emma Culpepper is. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/922 "2009-12-27T20:36:38Z")
The last two Detroit wins were blacked out in Detroit. The Freep says we have not seen a Detroit victory since 2007. The Lions are 4 away from the longest road losses in a row record. The Lions of course set that record. You can not imagine what a black hole of pro football Detroit is. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/923 "2009-12-28T16:30:25Z")
Packers heating up just as the playoffs get started. I was very happy with the way the running game is coming around, and the offensive line has stabilized nicely. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/924 "2009-12-28T16:54:57Z")
Playing the Seahawks is always good for looking on the top of your game. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/925 "2009-12-28T17:04:34Z")
It’s funny how ugly football is when the Lions play it. 6 turnovers yesterday. Stanton gets his first crack in 3 years and does poorly. Daunte is not staying in Detroit, so we want to see what Stanton can do. It was a bad start for him. He will probably get the start against the Bears to finish off the season. If he reeks, it could be over for him. So next year we have Stafford and no one else. Second draft choice next year. I guess we will take a wide receiver or a QB. Gloom and despair are the future of the Lions. Calvin would be stupid to stay when his contract ends. I HATE FOOTBALL. A Baltimore Sports writer said playing the Lions is like hunting cows, except the cows put up a better fight. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/926 "2009-12-28T17:21:11Z")
Does anybody agree with Jim Caldwell’s decision to throw away the Colts’ perfect season, and break their momentum going into the playoffs, by “keeping the starters healthy” yesterday? I didn’t think so. That’s a move you make up 17 with 7 minutes left, not with a 5 point lead in the frickin’ third quarter. Coach overcoached, and it’s gonna hurt 'em bad. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/927 "2009-12-28T18:22:23Z")
That’s better left to the Weak 17 discussion, since the Colts aren’t an NFC north team. But I myself think it’s lame to throw games late in the season and even lamer that fans accept it. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/928 "2009-12-28T18:34:04Z")
Peter King: I think the NFL is going to have to ask questions to the Competition Committee, and soon, about whether it’s smart to ask fans to pay real money if teams are going to treat late-season games like exhibition games. Read more: [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter\_king/12/27/mmqb/4.html](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/12/27/mmqb/4.html) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/929 "2009-12-28T19:14:42Z")
Everyone Else: why? They already ask fans to pay real money to watch _actual_ exhibition games. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/930 "2009-12-29T02:11:48Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Does anybody agree with Jim Caldwell’s decision to throw away the Colts’ perfect season, and break their momentum going into the playoffs, by “keeping the starters healthy” yesterday? > > I didn’t think so. That’s a move you make up 17 with 7 minutes left, not with a 5 point lead in the frickin’ third quarter. Coach overcoached, and it’s gonna hurt 'em bad. Eh. I don’t know if resting the starters has any bearing on postseason football. Sure, you can do it too much, but I’m fine with Caldwell’s decision. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/931 "2009-12-29T03:25:06Z")
\ It’s not a matter of “resting” the starters. They get plenty of rest with the bye week. It’s a matter of not having your key starters get injured. That may be less important than some coaches make it out to be. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/932 "2009-12-29T03:26:07Z")
I don’t see anyone here commenting on how the Bears are whupping up on the Vikings. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/933 "2009-12-29T05:11:20Z")
That certainly adds some greater interest to the AZ/GB and PHI/DAL games. ---
**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 29, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/934 "2009-12-29T05:58:28Z")
Can anyone believe just how blind the officials are when they call Vikings games? I mean, c’mon!!! They are holding Jared Allen _on almost every damn play_! And that one call was total bullshit. I can’t believe the refs practically handed the Bears the game. What a fucking travesty. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/935 "2009-12-29T14:44:01Z")
After that final touchdown in regulation, I turned to my wife and said ‘They should go for two. Their offense is on a roll, and their defense hasn’t stopped the Bears all game.’ ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/936 "2009-12-29T14:51:43Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Can anyone believe just how blind the officials are when they call Vikings games? I mean, c’mon!!! > > They are holding Jared Allen _on almost every damn play_! And that one call was total bullshit. I can’t believe the refs practically handed the Bears the game. What a fucking travesty. This seems…oddly familiar. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/937 "2009-12-29T15:29:51Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Can anyone believe just how blind the officials are when they call Vikings games? I mean, c’mon!!! > > They are holding Jared Allen _on almost every damn play_! And that one call was total bullshit. I can’t believe the refs practically handed the Bears the game. What a fucking travesty. 😃 But seriously, it’s not fair to tweak Steeler fans at the same time you are making fun of certain Viking fans. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/938 "2009-12-29T15:41:18Z")
I didn’t see Allen being held, but there were some pretty blatant penalties by the Bears the refs chose to not remove their heads from their rectums long enough to witness. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/939 "2009-12-29T19:07:19Z")
This [link](http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/11880/possible-seeding-scenarios-in-the-nfc) shows all the NFC seeding scenarios (barring any ties this weekend). If the winners are **Giants, Cowboys, Cardinals** The seeding will be **Saints Cardinals Cowboys Vikings Eagles Packers** If the winners are **Vikings, Cowboys, Cardinals** The seeding will be **Saints Vikings Cardinals Cowboys Eagles Packers** If the winners are **Giants, Eagles, Cardinals** The seeding will be **Saints Eagles Cardinals Vikings Packers Cowboys** If the winners are **Vikings, Eagles, Cardinals** The seeding will be \*\*Saints Eagles Vikings Cardinals Packers Cowboys \*\* If the winners are **Vikings, Cowboys, Packers** The seeding will be **Saints Vikings Cowboys Cardinals Packers Eagles** If the winners are **Vikings, Eagles, Packers** The seeding will be **Saints Eagles Vikings Cardinals Packers Cowboys** If the winners are **Giants, Eagles, Packers** The seeding will be **Saints Eagles Vikings Cardinals Packers Cowboys** If the winners are **Giants, Cowboys, Packers** The seeding will be **Saints Cowboys Vikings Cardinals Packers Eagles** ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514/940 "2009-12-29T19:12:26Z")
There were some very bad calls in the game, including a first down given to the Bears that was a full yard short, and a non-call on a late hit out of bounds on AP, but it wasn’t the reason the Vikings lost. It was their special teams that killed them. Favre was brilliant, but every time he did something, the special teams would do something to take another step back. The kick coverage was pathetic, obviously, but that botched PAT ended up being the difference in the game. If not for that, there would have been no overtime. I was still basically happy with what I saw from the Vikings offense overall. They woke up in the second half and showed the kind of life we saw for most of the season. In the long run, there’s not much to worry about. Favre silenced everybody who said he can’t play in December. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/season-long-nfc-north-discussion-thread/508514.md?page=48)