The Playoff Picture

Week 12 gave us a few more ideas on what to expect come playoff time.  Both the Bears and the Falcons proved that they are for real in the NFC, and the Chargers proved that they are right back in the hunt in the AFC.  For those of you that are not quite sure of how the playoffs are pieced together, I will explain, and will also go through what to look out for in the remainder of the season.

The playoffs consist of 6 teams from both the AFC and the NFC.  The 4 division winners from each conference are automatically in the playoffs, regardless of record.  The other 2 teams in each conference are the 2 teams with the best records, despite division.  These teams are known as the 'Wildcard' teams.  It is possible for both wildcard teams to come out of the same division.  Therefore it is possible, that 3 teams could make the playoffs, from the same division.

The 4 division winners from each conference are seeded 1 to 4, on overall record.  The top 2 seeds have a bye in the first weekend of the playoffs - the 'Wildcard Round'.  Here the 3rd seed hosts the 6th seed, and the 4th seed hosts the 5th seed.  Obviously in playoff football the winner advances, and the loser goes home.  In the rest of the rounds the highest seed always plays the lowest seed, with the teams in between playing each other.  The highest seed always hosts the game.  Therefore the team that is seeded 1 has what is termed as 'Home Field Advantage'.  This means that team will play every game at home, until the Superbowl.

I know that sounds very complicated, so here is the playoff situation at the moment:

AFC

1. Jets 9 - 2 (East)

2. Ravens 8 - 3 (North)

3. Chiefs 7 - 4 (West)

4. Jaguars 6 - 5 (South)

5. Patriots 9 - 2 (East)

6. Steelers 8 - 3 (North)

NFC

1. Falcons 9 - 2 (South)

2. Bears 8 - 3 (North)

3. Eagles 7 - 4 (East)

4. Rams 5 - 6 (West)

5. Saints 8 - 3 (South)

6. Giants 7 - 4 (East)

 

 So as you can see from the seeds at the moment, Wildcard Weekend would see:

Steelers @ Chiefs

Patriots @ Jaguars

Giants @ Eagles

Saints @ Rams

These are 4 great games, but this situation is obviously very fluid, and to track this I am going to add a new feature to the site.  At the top of the page will be a 'Playoff Picture' tab (to be added later this week).  After every game is played I will update this section.  As well as showing the 6 seeds in each conference, I will add to the bottom, the teams that are in the hunt for a playoff spot.  The playoff season is fast approaching, and we need to know the situation for our teams.  Enjoy the new feature, and I hope this helps to explain how the playoff schedule is formed.

Thanksgiving Football

There is a huge tradition that goes hand in hand with Thanksgiving in America, and that's football.  We all know that thanks is given for a bountiful harvest, on the 4th Thursday in July, and has been a national holiday since 1941, but why the link to football?  The professional football league in 1934 asked if any team was interested in hosting a game on Thanksgiving day.  The only interested party were the Detroit Lions, who have done so ever since.  Due to the success of the game, the league decided to go for 2 games in 1966, but the Dallas Cowboys were the only interested team.  They have played on Thanksgiving ever since.  These 2 games became known as the 'Thanksgiving Classic' series, and have been hugely successful.  So successful in fact, that a number of other teams wanted to get in on the act.  So in 2006, the NFL decided to add a 3rd game.  This game though would not be a set host team, and would rotate around the league.  This years host team will be the Jets, who will welcome the Bengals.  The Lions host the Patriots this year, whilst the Saints travel to Dallas.

Patriots @ Lions

The 8 - 2 Patriots travel to Detroit to take on the 2 - 8 Lions.  The Lions are much improved this year, and will be looking forward to putting up a big performance here in front of their home fans. There was talk around that Patriots QB Tom Brady would not start due to a shoulder injury, but he does, look out Detroit.  The Lions will need to pressure Brady if they are to get anything from this game.  With the young DT Ndamukung Suh though, that is defiantly possible.  Suh is having an amazing rookie year, and will be out to prove a point on this big stage.  I do believe though that the Patriots have to much firepower in this one.  Also I cannot see the Lions putting up many points against this young, but very talented Pats D.  RB Jahvid Best should start the game, but his injuries this year will certainly limit him.  The Lions are still without franchise QB Matt Stafford, who like Brady, has a shoulder injury.

Saints @ Cowboys

The 7 - 3 Saints collide with the 3 - 7 Cowboys in the 2nd match up on Thanksgiving.  This game would have been seen as a clash of NFC favorites at the beginning of the year,  but the Cowboys have disappointed, and the Saints have managed to go about their business, without much attention.  This is a very important game for the Saints, as they need to keep up the pressure in their tough division, with both the Falcons and Buccaneers playing well this year.  The Cowboys have got back to playing decent football in the past couple of weeks, following the firing of HC Wade Phillips.  Jason Garrett seems to have this talented bunch playing hard, and the Cowboys will want to show the nation that they are not a laughing stock.  Should be a very interesting game!

Bengals @ Jets

The disappointing 2 - 8 Bengals take on the 8 - 2 Jets.  The Jets came back from the dead again on Sunday, with a last minute TD drive against the Texans.  That is not the first time the Jets have done that this year, and they have many people wondering, are they good? or are they lucky?  I personally believe that its a bit of both, but you have to be extremely talented to create so much luck!!  QB Mark Sanchez has proven that he is a very capable QB this year, and he leads the team when required.  Saying all this, I don't believe the Bengals will test them at all in this one.  They have been very poor this year when they were expected to defend their AFC North crown.  Most of there problems have come from their inability to run the ball, and that weakness will not be improved against this very good Jets defence.

Enjoy your turkey where ever you are in the world, but more importantly, enjoy the football!!

Week 10 Highlights

Here are the key plays and moments from week 10, in the NFL

Ravens 21 Falcons 26

The first 'Thursday Night Football' game of the year was a great game between 2 great teams, but the home Falcons managed to dig deep and get the win in the end.  To be fair to the Falcons, they dominated in the first half, leading 10 - 0 at the break.  Their 2 scores came from RB Jason Snelling (28 yard pass) and a 28 yard FG by Matt Bryant.  Falcons QB Matt Ryan had a great day, and really looks to be developing into the franchise QB.  He finished the game with 316 yards and 3 TD's, 0 INT's.  It was a good job that Ryan had a good day, as the Ravens tough defence was very stingy against the run.  RB Micheal Turner had only 39 yards in the game.

The Falcons defence though was dominant, getting a huge amount of pressure onto Ravens QB Joe Flacco.  Flacco had a good 2nd half, as the Ravens made their comeback attempt.  His numbers on the day were 215 yards, 3 TD's and 1 INT.  The catalyst for the Ravens comeback though was WR Anquan Boldin.  Boldin had 5 catches for 50 yards and a TD on the day.  But it was not particularly his performance on the field that lifted the team, Boldin was seen every time the offence was off the field walking around, talking to his team mates, motivating them.  He actually gathered the offence together before the first Ravens TD drive.  Flacco found Boldin himself from 5 yards out, to cut the lead to 13 - 7.

The Falcons though responded, and WR Roddy White got his first TD of the day, a 4 yard pass from Ryan.  White was the star of the game, catching 12 balls for 128 yards and 2 TD's.  He actually dropped 2 balls that were right at him, one that nearly cost the Falcons the game.  With the score 20 - 14, following a Derrick Mason TD for the Ravens, and just over 3 minutes on the clock, the Falcons faced a 3rd and 4.  Trying to take time off the clock, Ryan hit White right in the hands with a 5 yard pass, which he inexpliciply dropped.  This meant the Ravens got the ball back, and Flacco lead them down the field in 8 plays and 2 minutes, before finding TE Todd Heap from 9 yards.  The extra point from K Billy Cundiff gave the Ravens their first lead of the night, 21 - 20, with just 1.05 on the clock.

This was when QB Matt Ryan came into his own.  He found WR Michael Jenkins for 24 yards, White for 15 yards, before throwing a pass to TE Tony Gonzalez on 3rd down which fell incomplete.  The officials though had thrown a flag for pass interference, and the drive was still alive.  Ryan then looked long for Roddy White, who appeared to push off his defender slightly, before taking off for a 33 yard TD.  This time there was no flag and the Georgia Dome erupted.

This was a great win for the Falcons, one that will now catapult them into the conversation as one of the best teams in not only the NFC, but the league.  The Ravens were under no illusions on how difficult this game would be for them, but they really acquitted themselves well in defeat.  They to have a great young QB, and are without doubt one of the best teams in the entire NFL.  Was last nights game a 'Superbowl' dress rehearsal??  I certainly wouldn't mind seeing that game again.

Thursday Night Football

Tonight see's the first of a series of  7 games on Thursday nights, from now, until week 16.  These games are broadcast in the States by NFL Network, their only live games of the year.  These games are also available to view live at nfl.com and live in the UK on Sky Sports.

Here is the full list of the rest of the Thursday Night slate :

Week 10 - 11th Nov - Ravens @ Falcons.
Week 11 - 18th Nov - Bears @ Dolphins.
Week 12 - 25th Nov - Bengals @ Jets.
Week 13 - 2nd Dec - Texans @ Eagles.
Week 14 - 9th Dec - Colts @ Titans.
Week 15 - 16th Dec - 49'ers @ Chargers.
Week 16 - 23rd Dec - Panthers @ Steelers.
Week 17 - 25th Dec - Cowboys @ Cardinals.

So as you can see there are some great games to view, and we don't have to wait from Monday until Sunday for NFL action anymore.

This weeks game is a great one, and has been described by many as a possible Superbowl preview.  We will have to see about that.  Take a look at my preview of the game, and also my prediction.  Enjoy football on Thursdays people!!

Week 9 Highlights

Take a look at all the key moments from week 9 in the NFL.

Game of the Week

Colts 24 Eagles 26

The 'Game of the Week' and the late game on Sky from week 9 came from Philly.  It was a clash between the best QB in the league (Colts - Peyton Manning) and one that is probably the most exciting on his day (Eagles - Micheal Vick).  Vick was returning following a month out sidelined with a rib injury.  The Eagles were on their bye last week and had therefore had plenty of time to prepare for Manning and co.  The Colts, who had played against the Texans on Monday night, had plenty of injuries all over the field, and there was concern at the fact they had only had a short week.  The first play from scrimmage in the game seemed to show the difference in conditioning between the 2 teams as Eagles RB Lesean McCoy scampered for 62 yards, to the Indianapolis 10 yard line.  Just 2 plays later Vick found the other returning superstar WR DeSean Jackson, for a 9 yard TD pass.

The Eagles were concerned all week leading up to this game about the ability of Peyton Manning, but on just his 2nd pass of the game, CB Asante Samuel picked him off, and the Eagles turned that into a K David Akers FG, 10 - 0 Eagles, with just over 3 minutes off the clock.  The Colts did manage to sustain a bit of a drive on their next possession, but eventually had to punt.  Vick and the Eagles answered with another big play to WR Jackson, this time for 58 yards, and the Eagles were back within striking distance.  The Eagles were unable to get a TD here, even though they were in the redzone, but still had a commanding 13 - 0 lead after just 1 quarter.

Manning and the Colts then started to drive as Manning continually found TE Jacob Tamme (in for injured star TE Dallas Clark) and WR Reggie Wayne.  He eventually found Tamme from 3 yards, 13 - 7.  The Eagles though answered straight back.  Vick scrambled for 24 yards, before finding WR Jason Avant for 34 yards, and moved into the red zone.  Their red zone woes continued though and they had to settle for a 2nd David Akers FG, to give them a 9 point lead.  Manning though was in no mood to be out done, as he returned to the field with just 6 minutes till the half, but drove down field before RB Javarris James (cousin of former Colts RB Edgerrin) punched it in from the 6 yard line.  He also managed to get into position, after a poor series from the Eagles, for K Adam Vinateri to kick a FG.  17 - 16 Colts at the break.

The 3rd quarter didn't quite live up to the play in the first half, as there was only one score, another FG from the Eagles, from 44 yards.  There was quite a lot of good defence from there on in as punts rained in from both teams.  The Eagles did though start the 4th quarter with a bang as QB Vick went in on a QB keeper from 1 yard out.  Both teams had long drives that resulted in punts, before the Colts got back to within 2 points thanks to RB James going in for his 2nd TD of the day from 1 yard, but we were already after the 2 minute warning.  The Colts did get the ball back for one last chance though, but on a 3rd and 10 from their own 41 yard line, Manning was picked off for a 2nd time by CB Samuel, and the game was over.

The Eagles were very impressive in this game.  They showed they have big play ability, and can stop even the best teams.  They need to work on their red zone offence, but now have a legitimate shout at being the best team in the NFC.  The next 2 games should tell the tale for them as they play the Redskins and Giants in 2 HUGE NFC East games.  The Colts don't need to worry to much about this loss.  Even though they are banged up, and were nowhere near as fresh as the Eagles, they still managed to hang around.  Manning will win a lot of games for this team the rest of the way.

Week 8 Highlights

Take a look at the key plays and big moments from week 8, around the NFL

NFL London Game Review

Broncos 16 49'ers 24

After the long wait, the NFL finally arrived back in the UK on Sunday, and after a slow start, the game turned out to be an exciting showdown.  The day started with a performance by 'My Chemical Romance', and then 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by former 'Destinys Child' member Michelle Williams, and a strange version of 'God Save the Queen' by guitarist Jeff Beck.  Just a quick hint to the NFL, if you want to get the full effect of our national anthem, you do need a singer to help the crowd come in at the right time.  If you do this, the crowd will bring the hairs on the back of your neck up, with a thunderous rendition.  The 'home team' 49'ers took the field to the usual fireworks show, and the 83,941 fans in attendance were ready for the show to begin.

The first half was very slow, with the 49'ers trying to move the ball on the ground through RB Frank Gore, and the Broncos struggling to get anything going either through the air or on the ground.  The score at the half was just 3 - 0 49'ers, thanks to a Joe Nedney 34 yard FG. 

The 2nd half began with the Broncos kicking to the 49'ers.  They managed to move the ball from the 20 yard line, before it stalled on the half way line.  This movement was mainly down to Gore, who finished the game with 118 yards and a TD.  After they punted to the Broncos, they managed to get their first big play of the day, a deep throw from QB Kyle Orton, to WR Brandon Lloyd for 71 yards, down to the 1 yard line.  The Broncos bought in back up QB Tim Tebow, who took the ball in on a QB keeper.  This but the Broncos up 7 - 3.  The 49'ers started to show life and QB Troy Smith was heating up as he found Josh Morgan for 30 yards.  They were left to try a 52 yard FG, which Nedney hit the post.  After a few short possessions, the Broncos managed to get into field goal range, which Matt Prater hit from 32 yards, 10 - 3 Broncos.

The last 14 minutes were what will be known as, Troy Smith time.  He made a play were he scrambled right and completed the pass to Delaine Walker for 38 yards, before running the ball in himself, levelling the game up.  The play to Walker was described by HC Mike Singeltery as ' Farve like'.  The Niners defence got the ball back and Smith found WR Michael Crabtree for a 28 yards TD, 17 - 10 Niners.  The 49'ers defence came up big again as LB Manny Lawson forced Orton to fumble, and it was covered up by LB Takeo Spikes at the Denver 18.  Gore ran in another TD, and the 49'ers were up 24 - 10 with just under 4 minutes left.  The Broncos managed to score another TD, Orton to Bandon Lloyd, but the game finished 24 - 16 Niners.

The game was a huge success again, and I can't wait for next years specticle.  Keep in touch with nflgbview to find out all the latest NFL information, including next years Wembley game.  Keep in touch through this blog, twitter or facebook.