Success

Groot and Oliver are the 2 key pieces to build around. It makes no sense whatsoever to trade one of those guys. If they can bring in a true pass rush specialist, it will elevate the play of both - they have to keep what they have and add to it.

When the Rams made the SB against the Pats, they compared 2 sports bars in both locations. The Pats bar was going nuts w/ beer flying all over the place. In LA, there were 2 couples sitting at the bar drinking wine, and one of them looked up and said something like, "Hey, we won! That means we're going to the Super Bowl, right?" I'm sure it wasn't all like that. But probably.

The Bengals cut in line. It bothers me, too - even though I like Burrow, their team & their fans. Shows how hard it is to get there, and win. I'm rooting for the Rams. If the Bengals win, it will open up a can of worms w/ me around the "should have been us" theme.

They used to be in 1st place in the division, right? Their fans will always have the DVD's, I guess.

I mean, we saw coaches do mystifying things the entire playoffs. KC blew a 21-3 lead at home. The Rams basically blew a 27-3 lead. Dallas & Green Bay played inexplicable games & strategies as the favorites in their losses. The mighty Belichick got blown out and never even mustered so much as a token challenge. Yes, our coaches blew it the last 13 seconds. But 2nd guessing is part of the game - if they squib it and Hill takes it to the house, everyone is all "why didn't they just kick it in the endzone!" The final D was bad, but it was an anomoly in an otherwise well-planned & well called game.

He's a very easy player to root for. I'll be happy for him if the Rams win. If the Bengals win, I'll be more happy for the fans. I like Burrow, but I have a feeling I won't like him THAT much in the years to come.

The worst aspect, imo, was rushing 4. That is something I'll never understand. Rush 3 at most, but 2 would have sufficed. I saw one former player argue that they should have rushed no one. Mahomes running there was no big threat, especially if you layered the depth of the defenders w/ the extra players dropping back in coverage. I hate to think this - but I think the coaches had a lapse because they were as exhilirated as we were and lost sight of the game for a bit.

Hot take city. I love the potential Groot showed, and Brown is already there. That's 2 very good starters at worse. Basham contributed, and I think Stevenson could work his way in w/ that speed. As some have said, it's easier for worse teams to bring rookies in as starters. The Pats were #1, and their draft probably was the best they've had in awhile. But I'm still not convinced that Jones will be their starter in 5 years. Barmore was a bit win though.

I'd be kind of bummed if I was a Texans fan. Smith seems like a nice guy, but he hasn't fared well as HC. Honestly, Flores is a much better candidate. It's weird to me that no one seriously tried to hire him (just as weird as Miami firing him - I still don't know what they were thinking).

I don't think the Bills are a better overall team than the Bengals. I think the Bengals are more balanced, and have a better D. Allen carried the Bills too much this season. If we want to truly compete for a Super Bowl, we need a team that can win some games w/ D, special teams, running, etc. I think we'll look back on the 13 seconds and see it as a vital catalyst in making the moves that we needed for finally getting the Lombardi & going on a multi-year run.

Our #1 D was most definitely a mirage. They were solid, but that #1 ranking was built against bad teams & mediocre QB's. Personally, I like Schwartz; his style was aggressive and his defenses always played well. Can't see him coming back here, though.

I hope they keep Star. When he plays, he's a force, imo. We improved when he was in there. Replacing him, Addison and Hughes would be a tall task.

I mean, the last game came down to a coin flip - at THEIR place. It's not like we're miles away from beating them.

Be good.

I agree w/ that - but I think the Rams would be favored because of overall balance, and just having a better record.

I don't see how we would have been favored over the Rams.

The issue w/ Mac is that Pats nation got WAY ahead of themselves around mid-season. There were already conclusions that he was the best pick from the draft and would go #1 in a re-draft. Many fans there were comparing his development to 2001, and saying the Pats were ready to embark on another dynasty. He's exactly the QB that scouts thought he was. Which isn't bad, but it's no "steal."

Fans of dozens of teams have said that throughout playoff history. We're not the 1st team to lose on something flukey, or on the last play of the game. In that weekend alone, we were the 4th team to lose on the last play. I've settled into a "we weren't quite there yet" outlook, which has been healthier for me.

It's awesome he's in the pro bowl, because they'll have to pay him more....

We don't have a pass rush, really. I'd call that a lack of defense. We really need that, imo. I don't think many teams win the SB without that. The Rams have it this year much more than the Bengals, and I think it will dictate that game.

That $100K thing needs a real vetting. It would be kind of crazy for an owner to do that & think it would never get out, and also to expect a coach who is ALWAYS trying out for the next job to comply. All allegations have to be treated w/ respect & given the benefit of the doubt, but I'm very interested to see what comes out of this.

So, all you've gotta do is coach an NFL team? Thanks for letting us know NOW. Cripes.

They always say to let emotions subside before you communicate anything or take any kind of dramatic action. This seems a lot like a ticked off reaction to BB's mistake on the text. I think there IS a case to be made that the NFL is still lagging in their hiring practices - but a lot of this doesn't seem well thought out.

I listen to Simmons a lot, which is weird, because his Boston homerism is very annoying. Part of that is taking digs at the Bills here & there, unexpectedly. He's definitely not pleased that another team has finally assumed control of the division. He gives Allen a lot of props though (not that noteworthy, since any pundit who still refuses to do so looks silly).

The Bengals cut in line. They really had no business making the SB - credit to them for doing it, but they needed a bunch of breaks along the way (which shows how hard it is to get there), including KC basically melting down from the end of the 1st half through the remainder of the game. I don't think it will serve Cincy too well, though they'll have a SB appearance where we don't. But I think the chances are good that the Rams win pretty decisively next week.