What’s Holani’s status? Read conflicting things. Is he out for season or eligible to return? Pretty sure SSJ said he’s gone for the year, but…read otherwise. Again.
I hate the Rams. They are my #32 NFL football team without hesitation. There's always someone on their team that I wish a lifetime of stumped toes for. I hate Puke-a (proper Samoan pronunciation and it means "fat and chubby"), I hated Aaron Donald, and as of this year, I've started to hate McVay. In the wildcard round I rooted for my home state Panthers like I'd been a hometown fan since they came into the league. I even ordered lamb at a restaurant, and I don't even like it -just for good luck. Yesterday I put tape over another hat and wrote "Bears" on it while I watched. That trick didn't work either.
I did not want them. And not because I think they will beat us, but because it actually feels like a possibility. And because of how sick I would feel if they were to. I cannot watch them play in what I consider to be our Super Bowl. I know how depressed I would be after the loss. I will never not want to see them lose, but especially against the Seahawks. And double especially in the championship game. The dark side cannot allow this to happen. We must crush them.
And I do worry a little about Sam Darnold against them. I realize we aren't going to make him air it out as part of the game plan, but they've been a tough matchup thus far in his career. I know that our defense is better -and we battered Stafford last time. But it was too close. Both of our matchups felt like Pete Carroll games. I felt like we'd do to Carolina, Green Bay or Chicago more or less what we just did to San Fran. The Rams are a different beast. I want to tell myself that they haven't been the same team lately, but I know they just have to get it together for one game. I am aware that I care far too much about the outcome of this football game.
But it will be SO sweet if we win -and stay healthy. And maybe that's the last ghost Sam needs to slay to prove it to the world. GO Seahawks. Please destroy this team, Seahawks! For my mental and cardiovascular health, go like you went on Saturday.
I’m with you all the way Chuck. All last week I felt calm and confident. This week some butterflies are flittering. And now without Charbs! May the football gods be on our side and the team dominate again.
Off topic, but it is crazy what is going on with the head coaching firings. With McDemott leaving the Bills, Vrabel is now the longest tenured coach in the AFC East.
Now we have a 2nd year coach and a 1st year coach in the Conference Championship games for their respective conferences.
I wonder if we will see less long tenured coaches going forward?
I figure that the deeper the postseason, the more that dumb money determines the spread. So I don’t give it much thought. Weren’t the Broncos favored by three?
SSJ, you should consider a side gig as a therapist. These big games challenge my confidence, not saying I think the hawks will fall, but the odd ‘what if’ flutters in like a white cabbage moth. And then you unleash one of these data rich posts that sweeps away my doubts (and those pesky moths) like an an atmospheric river.
My primary concern about going up against the Rams this weekend is that they might trying to injure our star players the way SF did. We do not want to go to the SB with our starters limping. These playoff games should put additional officials on the field to come down hard on any unnecessary roughness or personal fouls. After watching the 49ers try to hurt JSN, and Shaheed in the two games recently against them, clean play should be the highest priority for the NFL.
It's getting real hard to not get carried away... Like I shouldn't be wondering what the odds are on Lock getting snaps in back-to-back playoff games... But I am wondering because the Hawks are just so red hot right now!
That said, it's the McVay Rams. It's not going to be a crushing like the 49ers. It is still going to be somewhat of a fight. But play as we have done and we can still wrap things up with time to spare.
Doing a Broncos to the Rams, just so we can field a former Broncos QB and hopefully get him game time in a Superbowl. Delicious
Well….I gotta say if we were to have laid a wager on which RB would miss the playoffs due to injury, I’d have bet it was Walker.
Bittersweet in that I really feel bad for Charbs and he was a real force when out there. On the other hand, have always wondered what Walker would do as an every down back including passing and goal line situations, 25-30 carries.
Hoping he has 60 carries left in him this year. Worth 4/$50m if he can pull it off (and I’m sure he realizes this)
Walker finished the season with 221 carries. For context, Marshawn Lynch had 301 and 280 carries in the SB years of 2013 and 2014 and Shawn Alexander had 370 carries in 2005.
McVay had strange comments about being at fault for a bad offensive game plan. Weather was exactly as expected and he had 5 quarters to adjust the game plan. Is this just fluff for team morale and taking the hit instead of his players? Shouldn't Stafford be able to adjust a game plan at this stage of his career too?
Good leaders take the blame publicly for poor performance so I would guess that is what he is doing here. As you noted, taking the hit to limit distractions for the players.
My desire is that the Rams offense won't even score a TD against the No. 1 defense throughout the whole game. Stafford will be pressured heavily during the game.
Was it my imagination, or did it seem like the other six teams in the divisional round were trying to lose. The Bills made mistake after mistake, gifting the win to Denver. The Texans looked like they forgot how to play defense. The Bears offense screwed up so many potential conversions that I lost count.
In contrast, the Seahawks played nearly flawless ball. They had two penalties for five yards. They finished tackles in bounds and refused to be baited into personal fouls. The discipline was impressive.
And thinking about it, the Niners were outplayed, but they didn’t lose because of sloppy play or brain farts. In fact, their successful plays were often due to impressive execution. The Seahawks beat them. They didn’t beat themselves.
If the home team continues to play with this level of professionalism, things will go very, very well.
Very interesting comparison to that SB. I like it. I am not as confident yet but have some time to see like I did back in 2013.
The first question, what is going on with Stafford? The article touched on this. Is he injured? He played another bad game. Missing open receivers. I guess maybe weather? Finger? I don't know.
As I have watched these playoffs, I have gotten some strong chuckles thinking about how concerned people are of Sam Darnold. Just completely inconsistent analysis. Saturday went as expected, Purdy had turnovers and Darnold didn't. I watched the Texans play the Patriots. If you take out what I think of Stroud, just look at their offense:
They asked Stroud to throw the ball 47 times! Their running game went 18 carries for 31 yards!
Mike Mac might fire the OC at half time for that type of offense!
Of course, guys like Stroud and Purdy and the next QB will have more turnovers than Darnold, look at what they are asked to do. What would Darnold look like throwing the ball 47 times in snow storm? How can you even compare the two QBs to say who is better or worse when they aren't even remotely asked to do the same things.
Lastly, what a rest advantage the Hawks have. And they are at home. And the opposing QB is struggling. Is there another beatdown on the menu?
I also wonder if Stafford is totally healthy -- that finger to the helmet against the Panthers isn't a minor sprain, it's legit (to quote our dear departed Coach Carroll). Folks are saying he's a DAWG for playing through it, but nonetheless folks seem to be acknowledging it. I wonder if he shouldn't have been listed as Questionable bc if he had been, perhaps the Bears would have been sitting on him more. League has guys who figure that stuff out and penalize bad injury reporting.
But yeah, could be that finger in freezing weather impacted him
Yeah … I also wonder. Little injuries like that can have an effect on accuracy. They aren’t injuries that will sideline him just make him less effective which could be the case.
Was worried about that with SD. But he looked 100% to me. Ripped some throws.
What’s Holani’s status? Read conflicting things. Is he out for season or eligible to return? Pretty sure SSJ said he’s gone for the year, but…read otherwise. Again.
I hate the Rams. They are my #32 NFL football team without hesitation. There's always someone on their team that I wish a lifetime of stumped toes for. I hate Puke-a (proper Samoan pronunciation and it means "fat and chubby"), I hated Aaron Donald, and as of this year, I've started to hate McVay. In the wildcard round I rooted for my home state Panthers like I'd been a hometown fan since they came into the league. I even ordered lamb at a restaurant, and I don't even like it -just for good luck. Yesterday I put tape over another hat and wrote "Bears" on it while I watched. That trick didn't work either.
I did not want them. And not because I think they will beat us, but because it actually feels like a possibility. And because of how sick I would feel if they were to. I cannot watch them play in what I consider to be our Super Bowl. I know how depressed I would be after the loss. I will never not want to see them lose, but especially against the Seahawks. And double especially in the championship game. The dark side cannot allow this to happen. We must crush them.
And I do worry a little about Sam Darnold against them. I realize we aren't going to make him air it out as part of the game plan, but they've been a tough matchup thus far in his career. I know that our defense is better -and we battered Stafford last time. But it was too close. Both of our matchups felt like Pete Carroll games. I felt like we'd do to Carolina, Green Bay or Chicago more or less what we just did to San Fran. The Rams are a different beast. I want to tell myself that they haven't been the same team lately, but I know they just have to get it together for one game. I am aware that I care far too much about the outcome of this football game.
But it will be SO sweet if we win -and stay healthy. And maybe that's the last ghost Sam needs to slay to prove it to the world. GO Seahawks. Please destroy this team, Seahawks! For my mental and cardiovascular health, go like you went on Saturday.
I’m with you all the way Chuck. All last week I felt calm and confident. This week some butterflies are flittering. And now without Charbs! May the football gods be on our side and the team dominate again.
FATE, good one Joe. We'll know more in a week.
The Bills fired their head coach. Seems like teams are looking for/expecting a MM type turnaround.
The betting line for Denver NE opened with Denver 4 then switched to NE 5.
Off topic, but it is crazy what is going on with the head coaching firings. With McDemott leaving the Bills, Vrabel is now the longest tenured coach in the AFC East.
Now we have a 2nd year coach and a 1st year coach in the Conference Championship games for their respective conferences.
I wonder if we will see less long tenured coaches going forward?
I figure that the deeper the postseason, the more that dumb money determines the spread. So I don’t give it much thought. Weren’t the Broncos favored by three?
SSJ, you should consider a side gig as a therapist. These big games challenge my confidence, not saying I think the hawks will fall, but the odd ‘what if’ flutters in like a white cabbage moth. And then you unleash one of these data rich posts that sweeps away my doubts (and those pesky moths) like an an atmospheric river.
Sorry for changing the subject, but I'm very interested in this:
Who are the Cards and 49ers fans rooting for? The Seahawks or the Rams? And why? What do you think?
When one team really puts a beat down on your team then you usually want that team to put a similar beat down on your rival team.
Cardinals, i think most team's fans just wish them well 'cause they're not really a threat.
Most of the whiner fans I know (3 out of 4) are rooting for Hawks, cause they really hate the rams. They only hate the Hawks.
I, personally do not know any cards fans. Do they exist? Sure. Just not around here.
I remember the first points being scored in that Super Bowl coming from a safety. God I love defense.
Welcome to the Dark Side and may the 12s be with you.
My primary concern about going up against the Rams this weekend is that they might trying to injure our star players the way SF did. We do not want to go to the SB with our starters limping. These playoff games should put additional officials on the field to come down hard on any unnecessary roughness or personal fouls. After watching the 49ers try to hurt JSN, and Shaheed in the two games recently against them, clean play should be the highest priority for the NFL.
Charbs, Heal Up Well !
The TEAM will make up for You. You'll stay in the middle.
We All We Got ! We All We Need !
It's getting real hard to not get carried away... Like I shouldn't be wondering what the odds are on Lock getting snaps in back-to-back playoff games... But I am wondering because the Hawks are just so red hot right now!
That said, it's the McVay Rams. It's not going to be a crushing like the 49ers. It is still going to be somewhat of a fight. But play as we have done and we can still wrap things up with time to spare.
Doing a Broncos to the Rams, just so we can field a former Broncos QB and hopefully get him game time in a Superbowl. Delicious
Well….I gotta say if we were to have laid a wager on which RB would miss the playoffs due to injury, I’d have bet it was Walker.
Bittersweet in that I really feel bad for Charbs and he was a real force when out there. On the other hand, have always wondered what Walker would do as an every down back including passing and goal line situations, 25-30 carries.
Hoping he has 60 carries left in him this year. Worth 4/$50m if he can pull it off (and I’m sure he realizes this)
Walker finished the season with 221 carries. For context, Marshawn Lynch had 301 and 280 carries in the SB years of 2013 and 2014 and Shawn Alexander had 370 carries in 2005.
McVay had strange comments about being at fault for a bad offensive game plan. Weather was exactly as expected and he had 5 quarters to adjust the game plan. Is this just fluff for team morale and taking the hit instead of his players? Shouldn't Stafford be able to adjust a game plan at this stage of his career too?
Good leaders take the blame publicly for poor performance so I would guess that is what he is doing here. As you noted, taking the hit to limit distractions for the players.
My desire is that the Rams offense won't even score a TD against the No. 1 defense throughout the whole game. Stafford will be pressured heavily during the game.
Seahawks D 'n Special Teams may well outscore the Rams in this one.
Was it my imagination, or did it seem like the other six teams in the divisional round were trying to lose. The Bills made mistake after mistake, gifting the win to Denver. The Texans looked like they forgot how to play defense. The Bears offense screwed up so many potential conversions that I lost count.
In contrast, the Seahawks played nearly flawless ball. They had two penalties for five yards. They finished tackles in bounds and refused to be baited into personal fouls. The discipline was impressive.
And thinking about it, the Niners were outplayed, but they didn’t lose because of sloppy play or brain farts. In fact, their successful plays were often due to impressive execution. The Seahawks beat them. They didn’t beat themselves.
If the home team continues to play with this level of professionalism, things will go very, very well.
I saw nothing that the Seahawks can’t handle.
Great write up.
Very interesting comparison to that SB. I like it. I am not as confident yet but have some time to see like I did back in 2013.
The first question, what is going on with Stafford? The article touched on this. Is he injured? He played another bad game. Missing open receivers. I guess maybe weather? Finger? I don't know.
As I have watched these playoffs, I have gotten some strong chuckles thinking about how concerned people are of Sam Darnold. Just completely inconsistent analysis. Saturday went as expected, Purdy had turnovers and Darnold didn't. I watched the Texans play the Patriots. If you take out what I think of Stroud, just look at their offense:
They asked Stroud to throw the ball 47 times! Their running game went 18 carries for 31 yards!
Mike Mac might fire the OC at half time for that type of offense!
Of course, guys like Stroud and Purdy and the next QB will have more turnovers than Darnold, look at what they are asked to do. What would Darnold look like throwing the ball 47 times in snow storm? How can you even compare the two QBs to say who is better or worse when they aren't even remotely asked to do the same things.
Lastly, what a rest advantage the Hawks have. And they are at home. And the opposing QB is struggling. Is there another beatdown on the menu?
I also wonder if Stafford is totally healthy -- that finger to the helmet against the Panthers isn't a minor sprain, it's legit (to quote our dear departed Coach Carroll). Folks are saying he's a DAWG for playing through it, but nonetheless folks seem to be acknowledging it. I wonder if he shouldn't have been listed as Questionable bc if he had been, perhaps the Bears would have been sitting on him more. League has guys who figure that stuff out and penalize bad injury reporting.
But yeah, could be that finger in freezing weather impacted him
Yeah … I also wonder. Little injuries like that can have an effect on accuracy. They aren’t injuries that will sideline him just make him less effective which could be the case.
Was worried about that with SD. But he looked 100% to me. Ripped some throws.
" ... it's legit (to quote our dear departed Coach Carroll)."
(The rumors about my demise are greatly exaggerated.)