NFL 2022-23 Season

[Vyn]

So, the Chief's v Broncos game that was scheduled for this Sunday has been, as they call it, "flexed" out of the primetime slot and moved to an earlier slot (2pm I think).

Wherein the Broncos suck so bad that even Mahomes isn't enough of a potential draw...

[Jack the Stripper]

They should think about doing a floating schedule like what’s been done in the AFL to assure the better games are in primetime. I know it can be hard for travelling fans but releasing the schedule times in 4-6 week blocks can work.

[Vyn]

That's not a bad idea. I know when they set the schedule back in the day, sensible people figured the Broncos would have a stellar season. As it turns out, they haven't just had an off-game here and there, they have simply choked and puked at offense.

The Broncos have arguably the best defense in the NFL, and that isn't enough to overcome their inability to put points on the board. Their QB came in highly rated, and for whatever reason gets outplayed regularly by third-string QBs. Obviously one guy neither wins nor loses a game, but there is a certain amount of leadership skill that needs to go along with being the QB, and he has brought the opposite of that to the Broncos offense. It doesn't help that he has a massive contract with the team, has acted like a jackhole since day one, and hasn't been able to back any of that up with performance on the field. So the guys in the locker room are alienated, the fans want the QB fired (not going to happen due to massive money), the fans want the head coach fired (may happen), industry pundits want the GM fired, along with the HC and QB.

New owners, new star QB, new HC...what was initially considered a recipe for success apparently missed some ingredient or the other in the case of Denver.

[Zzzptm]

Yeah, Denver found a way to tank and tank HARD. There are teams with poor records that still put up strong fights like Chicago and Detroit, but Denver... ewwww!

[Jack the Stripper]

Yeah Denver are in a world of hurt. There’s no enthusiasm or effort in that team and they look like they’re just going through the motions. They can sack the head coach and GM but they’re stuck with an over the hill QB on a massive contract who’s lost his speed and athleticism that can’t escape or make plays on the run. What a disaster!

[Zzzptm]

That morale is what tears down a team. The Rams winning the Super Bowl with Matt Stafford shows that it wasn't Matt's fault that the Lions weren't going anywhere. Same thing for players that got out of Cleveland to better teams - then they could shine. If morale can be fixed and the team decides to be a team, things can turn around. Look at the Vikings with their new head coach - made a MASSIVE difference for them.

And casting around to the rest of the teams having struggles, the Packers come to mind. Questions arise about whether they'd be having a different season right now if Aaron Rodgers had practiced more during the summer with his receiver corps than he did. He opted out of the optional practices, and the lack of rhythm and communication is telling in their ability to produce.

[Jack the Stripper]

Morale is low because their highest paid player is far from their best player. It goes beyond just fixing morale. Wilson is nowhere near the QB he once was but they are stuck with him. No team is going to want to take on his contract, especially on what they’ve seen of him this season. Only thing they can really do is to devise some sort of strategy/plan around Wilson’s inabilities. Run the ball more?

But before that, Wilson needs to accept he no longer the player he once was, which might be the hardest thing in all this.

[Zzzptm]

But before that, Wilson needs to accept he no longer the player he once was, which might be the hardest thing in all this.

That's the keystone in the arch, right there. How far does he have to fall before he realizes where he is?

[Zzzptm]

The team that beat the Vikings showed up last night to beat the Colts. Well done, Cowboys!

[Vyn]

Cowboys continue to be a menace, along with the Eagles. Denver actually looked like they were trying to be an NFL team. Didn't matter, Chiefs won.

Looking at the playing on the field, I cannot imagine Kansas City going the distance this season. Possible, but Philadelphia is on another level, and Dallas is not far behind that.

[Zzzptm]

Dallas won, but had no business letting it be that close with the *Texans*. Oof! It's like we get the smoothly-functioning Cowboys every other week...

Philly, though... I read a stat on how effective their OL is in terms of how far their RBs get before being touched. It's insanely high, consistently so all season. Jalen Hurts is having an MVP year and things look even better than their SB run in 2017-8. The Vikings are showing some wear and tear - Eagles remain legit from head to toe.

[Jack the Stripper]

Wow! The Cowboys blew any hope of being the #1 seed in the NFC against an also ran.

They always find a way to let you down. What a fucking terrible 2nd half.

[Vyn]

I managed to catch some of that game, Cowboys must have been trying to emulate the Chiefs, except they forgot to win. Chiefs found themselves in OT as well, against the now 1-12 Texans and barely managed to win. Ten penalties didn't help.

[Zzzptm]

Dallas only had 2 penalties, could have been a clean game and a struggle win...



I had a lot more fun watching the 2nd half of the Bengals-Tampa game with Joe Burrow's offense showing it was ready to go for the postseason.

Cowboys play the Eagles next week. I do not have high hopes for the Dallas team in that matchup.

[Vyn]

I'm interested to see how Dallas stands up against Philadelphia. The Eagles have been such a solid team this season, but the Cowboys can show flashes of brilliance.