The OFFICIAL 2013 NFL SEASON Thread

[RVR II]

New Orleans Saints leave Charlotte baffled over blown chance
charlotteobserver.com
Published: Sunday, December 22, 2013 5:49:00 PM
Updated: Sunday, December 22, 2013 5:55:02 PM

Best way to describe the New Orleans Saints after this one: Baffled.

Baffled how they could outgain the Carolina Panthers by 143 yards and lose. Baffled they could hold the Panthers to zero third-down conversions and lose. Baffled they could make the Panthers drive from their own 35, in the last 55 seconds, with no timeouts, and lose.

But lose they did, 17-13, on a 14-yard pass from Cam Newton to Domenik Hixon. And that baffled this defense.

"Honestly I felt like we never lost control," said Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan. "I felt like we were in control the whole time."

They're no longer in control of anything. The Panthers would have to lose in Atlanta for the Saints to have any chance of winning the NFC South and claim the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. This loss brought back questions about blowing a similar lead late against the New England Patriots earlier this season, and the Saints' general malaise when they leave the Superdome.

Coach Sean Payton kept bringing up positives post-game: How they had a better game plan than the previous week against the St. Louis Rams. How they executed with more precision, even when rain poured down, and they came from behind in the second half to take the lead.

But ultimately that team squandered a huge advantage, in terms of time-and-situation, allowing Newton to complete three throws of 14 or more yards in just 23 seconds of game clock.

Baffling.

"They had that one big play," Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins said of Newton's 37-yard completion to cross midfield and get the Panthers at least in field-goal range. "That's kind of what we defended (successfully) against the whole game.

"They were able to kind of squeeze one out once they needed it. We played it the exact same way. We just gave up that play, and they were able to get some yards after the catch that put them in position."

That play changed how the Saints had to defend. Initially, with such a long field, they were looking for one big sack of Newton. Knowing the Panthers were out of timeouts, such a sack might have made even a tying field-goal attempt out of reach.

Then things got tense, on the road, with the Panthers at minimum in a position to tie and potentially to win in regulation, 28 yards from the end zone.

"We were thinking, 'Put pressure on him, put heat on him, but keep him contained," Jordan said of a Newton who'd been far short of precise much of the game.

"We kept it simple and that allowed us to play fast," Jenkins said of the Saints' defensive game plan. "No one was missing assignments."

Not until the end, anyway, when Newton launched that ball into the end zone and the Panthers into the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

"The guy stepped up and made a great throw that was inches away from being an incompletion," Jenkins said.

And, yes, Jenkins sounded baffled.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

 Geez, I leave a game on in the background tonight and the Bears don't even show up to play.  Certainly not a game to get me interested in football again.  Seeing Reggie White listed in one of the record lists made me miss those days...

Eagles Cowboys next week for the division.  I guess since Vick is only on the sidelines now I can sort of root for the Eagles.

[RVR II]

Looking at the final week 17 and I see Bob's Rams play the Seahawks in Seattle..

Should coach Jeff Fisher work up another masterful set of game plans to defeat the Seahawks (like he did over the Saints last weekend), and the Panthers win in Atlanta, we could take the #1 NFC seed and have home field advantage throughout the playoffs; something that has never happened with the Panthers franchise!

Talk to coach Fisher for us there wont you Bob??

[Bob]

Root for the redskins to lose next week and I will.

[RVR II]

Root for the redskins to lose next week and I will.

I can do that

[RVR II]

Oh Noes! 

Steve Smith (PCL) highly doubtful for Week 17

Published: Dec. 23, 2013 at 12:52 p.m. Updated: Dec. 23, 2013 at 01:10 p.m.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith didn't suffer a catastrophic injury Sunday, but he isn't likely to be available for this Sunday's game.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced Monday that Smith suffered a PCL sprain in Carolina's thrilling win over New Orleans, and that Smith is highly doubtful to play this week in Atlanta.

The team's website called this "good news" because it could have been worse. But don't overlook the importance of this week's game. Carolina needs to win in Atlanta to ensure the NFC South title and a bye in the first round in the playoffs. If the Panthers lose, they risk having to go on the road for a wild card game. A win would also ensure an extra week of rest for Smith to recover.

Carolina's offense has struggled all season to dial-up big plays, and Smith's absence will only make that more difficult. Rivera confirmed Ted Ginn, who is enjoying a nice season, will step into a starting role. Domenik Hixon will move up to the No. 3 receiver spot.

We won that game without Smitty and Hixon was his replacement and made that game winning TD against the Saints so I don't see this as a big deal now but in the playoffs, yeah we're probably gonna need him

[RVR II]

 

Tony Romo out for rest of season
Updated: December 23, 2013, 4:32 PM ET
ESPN.com news services

Tony Romo overcame a back injury Sunday to rally the Cowboys past the Redskins, but he will not be able to play the rest of the season, a source said.
The Cowboys (8-7) host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) on Sunday with the winner capturing the NFC East title. Kyle Orton likely will now get the start against the Eagles.

Romo said Sunday he would undergo an MRI on his back Monday, but he didn't believe it would jeopardize his availability for the game against Philadelphia.

Romo said his back, which was sore coming into Sunday's victory over the Washington Redskins, troubled him after a hit in the first half.

"That triggered it a little bit," Romo said Sunday. "Whatever the kid did on that one play, it really sent something that didn't feel comfortable.

"But it's in a completely different spot than the back stuff I had last year, so that's a good sign."

Romo had surgery in April to remove a cyst from his back and did not take a snap until the team reached training camp in Oxnard, Calif., in July.

Romo was noticeably limping as he carried out play fakes on running plays. In the fourth quarter, he appeared to be in trouble even more after spinning free from the pocket on a third-down throw to Miles Austin. Romo appeared to kick the back of his leg as he escaped trouble, but he did not miss a snap.

Romo completed 17 of 27 passes for 226 yards, including the game-winning touchdown to DeMarco Murray on fourth-and-goal from the Washington 10 with 1:08 to play.

Romo has dealt with numerous injuries over the years, including a broken rib in 2011. He hurt his ribs again in last year's season-ending loss to the Redskins.

Adios Cowchips

[RVR II]

So Kyle Orton may start for the Cowboys in place of Romeo..
What are his chances of winning their last game
Let's refer back to this classic spoof from a couple years back shall we..

[RVR II]

Police arrest 30 people during game
Updated: December 24, 2013, 11:53 AM ET
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco police say 30 people were arrested during the 49ers' final regular season game at Candlestick Park.

Police did not say what the arrests were for at Monday night's game, when the 49ers clinched a playoff spot after beating the Atlanta Falcons 34-24. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that at least some of the people were arrested on suspicion of stealing seats from the stadium.

In addition to the arrests, police said 81 people were ejected and seven people were cited.

Police Chief Greg Suhr had said earlier that fans could expect 50 percent more officers at Monday's game than a regular night game.

The Niners began playing at The Stick in 1971. The team is moving to a new, $1.2 billion stadium next season.

[RVR II]

Detroit Lions mistakenly ship playoff tickets to fans

Published: Dec. 24, 2013 at 09:15 a.m. Updated: Dec. 24, 2013 at 10:36 a.m.

The Detroit Lions sure know how to kick around their anguished fan base.


On the sad Monday after the team was eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to the New York Giants, a flock of season-ticket holders received an unwelcome surprise in the mail.

To be fair, the Lions aren't intentionally trolling their eternally badgered faithful, who haven't experienced a playoff win since the 1991 season.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported Monday that the team shipped the tickets in response to playoff invoices mailed out last month, long before the Lions dropped three of four to tumble into the void.

Team officials told the newspaper that all money put toward postseason admissions will be credited toward ticket renewals for next season -- a campaign, and a team, sure to look quite different from this year's disappointing outfit.

[RVR II]

NFL rookie renting out his New Jersey pad for Super Bowl week

DEC 25, 2013 2:47p ET

Cooper Taylor is renting out his two-bedroom pad for $9,000 during Super Bowl week.

Ready for some non-breaking news: The New York Giants will not be playing in the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in February.

More non-breaking news: People going to this season's Super Bowl in New Jersey are going to pay a lot of money for hotels.

Well, why not make the experience a little more unique and rent out an NFL player's pad for the week of the big game?

New York Giants rookie Cooper Taylor and his girlfriend have put their Rutherford, N.J. apartment up for rent for Super Bowl week. All you need to do is pay him $9,000 and it's yours.

What's included in the deal? A 70-inch TV, a roof deck with views of MetLife Stadium (if you're brave enough to stand out in the cold), two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.

It's also just a mile from the stadium so you can walk to the game.

"We thought it would be the best time to get out of the city and go on vacation because that week will be a madhouse," Taylor told the New York Post. "I am definitely disappointed that we are not playing in it. It would make it a lot more fun."

Taylor, who makes $450,000 in his rookie year, pays $2,700 a month in rent for the place.

[RVR II]

Courtesy of DJ Steve Porter: Sounds of the Year

I-I-ICE UP SON!!

Now lets get Week 17 started! GO PANTHERS!! 

[Bob]

Should be some odd games today

[RVR II]

Again forced to catch the game via NFL.com..
After shaking off some blunders in the First Qtr, the Panthers are up 14-10 at the half in Atlanta..

Yeah the other big games are yet to come

[Bob]

Panthers have one point leave.....getting anxious?