NFL 2023-2024 Season

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It's one reason I'm glad JtS didn't get me to start rooting for St. Kilda in the Aussie Footy League.

But, yes, I grew up watching Landry, Dorsett, and Staubach playing some amazing ball with Too Tall Jones and Harvey Martin dominating as Defensive Ends... Robert Newhouse plowing up the field at Fullback... Drew Pearson and Golden Richards serving as WRs... Bob Breunig and D.D. Lewis in at Linebacker... I started getting into the game when I was 8 in time to see Super Bowl X with the Cowboys-Steelers performing incredibly. The game went to the Steelers, 21-17, but the 'Boys played in a way that gave their fans no shame. Nothing points left on the field in that one. Then, two years later, the 'Boys were back to take down the Broncos in a great Super Bowl victory, 27-10. Next year, was an even greater Cowboys-Steelers matchup in the Super Bowl and I remember feeling so proud to be a Cowboys fan even after that 35-31 loss. That's when they were anointed "America's Team."

Staubach retired, the 80s happened, and, yes, Landry lost his way. The last NFC championship they made it to was 1982, and then it was either one and done or no playoffs for the next 6 years under Landry. But he still deserved better than what Jones did to him. He got cut to the curb without ceremony. Always going to have a sour taste in my mouth from that experience. Jimmy Johnson struggled for 3 years and then hit paydirt with back to back Super Bowl wins.

And, of course, when you have a coach that gets back to back Super Bowl wins, you fire him on the spot.

[Vyn]

When I considered Jerry Jones as a reasonable, normal person, it made no sense whatsoever why JJ "quit". But once I understood that Jones was a narcissist, it made perfect sense. I never saw brown stains on Jimmy's lips. He isn't even in the ring of honor is he?

[Zzzptm]

When I considered Jerry Jones as a reasonable, normal person, it made no sense whatsoever why JJ "quit". But once I understood that Jones was a narcissist, it made perfect sense. I never saw brown stains on Jimmy's lips. He isn't even in the ring of honor is he?

Yeah, a coach wins back to back Super Bowls for your team, so of course ban him from the Ring of Honor.

Jones has turned around the business end of the Cowboys franchise, no question about that. But we all know that he isn't going to have a coach that has spine enough to stand for himself and his decisions. Jason Garrett lasted as long as he did because he had a mild personality that didn't rock the boat and he could hit .500 or higher, most seasons.

But that merch train he's got going... unbelievable. Over ONE BILLION per year in merch sales, $1.15 billion in 2022 with the Raiders in second place at around $750 million. Win a Super Bowl, and that number goes so far north it hits Santa's Workshop!

It's like the Cowboys are the McDonald's of football. Guaranteed mediocrity.

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But, bad as Jones is... he's no Mark Davis.

11 seasons, 8 head coaches, average 6.45 wins per year.

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Dallas beat the Giants, a team haplessly losing games. We'll see if they can beat Washington next week on Thanksgiving.

Texans had a massive game against the Bengals, looks like CJ Stroud is the QB the Texans had been looking for!

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Just finished watching the Philly-Buffalo game. That was LIGHTS OUT FOOTBALL! Man, what a finish to the game!

[Vyn]

Caught the end of that game right after watching KC v LV. Just the few minutes I saw gave me the impression that the game was high-energy. The Chiefs, despite having a pathetic 1st quarter, and turnovers, and just general nonsense, managed to pull it together and play like a top seeded NFL team.

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Yeah, Chiefs are looking strong there, once they get it together. AFC in general is blessed with quarterbacks that are doing amazing things, what with the emergence of Lawrence and Stroud this year. Heck, even Russell Wilson's having a turnaround!

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Yesterday's highlight: that "Heisman" play KC ran for the touchdown. All the surprise of a flea-flicker, with none of the goofy back and forth pitching. That is some great football smarts from Andy Reid's staff.

Yesterday's lowlight: The Dallas Cowboys finding a way to inflict 3 personal fouls that led to the Bills running away with the game. Hitting the QB in a way that you're not supposed to on the opening drive gave the Bills momentum enough to get a touchdown. Roughing the punter meant a great 3-and-out became an extended drive for the Bills that produced a touchdown... after a little help from Dallas personal foul #3... and then there was the failure to challenge when the refs missed that recovered fumble... This is a team that maybe wins the wild card game, but for another year will be out following the divisional round.

[Vyn]

Watched the last quarter of that Dallas game. I was unimpressed and the final score reflected that. They are struggling on the field, and their game control is high-school level. I wouldn't be surprised if they called all of their time outs in the first five minutes of the game just for shits and giggles.

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<rant = "Jerry_Jones_Bashing"> </rant>

[Zzzptm]

But there's also a considerable amount of accountability on the shoulders of the coaches - they have GOT to work with players about stricter discipline on the field. Yes, there are always going to be penalties from aggressive action, but COME ON with the pre-snap penalties, personal fouls, and holding calls that kill drives.

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Jimmy Johnson is now in the Cowboys' Ring of Honor. Glad to see that come to pass.

Also glad to see that the refs blew a call and the Cowboys got a W out of it... meanwhile, the Eagles...  a few weeks ago, they were the best team in football. Now? A disaster zone! Chiefs were also a best team in football a while back there, now they present a strong playoff challenge with their rediscovered running game. And who's on top? The Ravens. Absolutely dismantled their last 2 opponents, both top teams. Their QB is definitely an MVP contender, if not already got a lock on that.

[Vyn]

So last night the Chiefs rode the Dolphins like Poseidon. They indicated that at kickoff the temperature was -4 F. And the stadium was full!

Don't know who KC will play next week yet, but their defense looked good against Miami. Now, if they would stop relying on Harrison Butker to score all the points on offense, maybe they'll have a chance of making it through the divisionals.

Notable points: Mahome's helmet got cracked, Kelce let an easy pass go right through his hands, and his girlfriend was there to cheer him on.

[Zzzptm]

Meanwhile, the rumor mill is overheating about what happens to Coach McCarthy in Dallas. Belichik is the name most mentioned, but I've also heard Nick Saban and even Jimmy Johnson!