Sports

[teganslaw]

Lions RB David Montgomery suffered an MCL injury and could miss the rest of the season. They also have numerous defensive players out. Things aren't getting any easier for them. 

Ravens' WR Diontae Johnson isn't participating in team activities this week; team says it was a "mutual agreement" unrelated to his previous suspension. This is suspicious and has me thinking that he might be released. Johnson hasn't  done much since being signed by the Ravens, so it's probably a non factor. 

Colts fans are ganging up on Jonathan Taylor and want him traded. He made a boneheaded mistake, and it seemed to change the momentum of the game. But there were also penalties and bad play calling. A trick play called by Steichen backfired and lead to a Denver touchdown. 

I don't think Taylor should be traded, but I hope Steichen called him out (in private). Taylor says that he won't do this again; shouldn't have done it in the first place. One expects more from players.

[soonersis]

@Spurt, I don’t know any coach who would want to work for JJ. It’s such a high profile position with so much pressure. A lot were saying he’d go after Belichick, but we know where he went. I think McCarthy’s done a good job this season considering all of the injuries and how things played out. As far as any potential firings the only one I want to see is the owner fire the GM. But I’m not so delusional to think that will ever happen. 😩

[gardenman]

McCarthy could leave for another job as his contract expires at the end of the season. Given the number of teams needing a new head coach, he could be a top option for some. Everyone's assuming he'll go back to Dallas if asked, but he'll be a free agent and could land elsewhere. He may not want to return to Dallas. JJ may decide he wants him, but McCarthy could have other plans. That could be a big hiccup for the Cowboys. 

JJ: "Okay, Mike. We'll take you back."

McCarthy: "Thanks, but no. I'm taking the Jacksonville job. I'd say it's been fun, but it hasn't."

JJ: "Wait! I don't think you heard me. I'm willing to let you coach my team again."

McCarthy: "I heard you, but I'm leaving."

[gardenman]

And the AFC playoff field is pretty much set. It will take something of a miracle for one of the teams now out to sneak in. At best, they're two games behind with three to play. The seeding is still up in the air, but the Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Texans, Ravens, Broncos, and Chargers are pretty much in. The Chargers are the iffiest, but even they have an 87% likelihood of making the playoffs. I don't think many people would have predicted three AFC West teams making the playoffs. 

Things are a bit iffier in the NFC. The Lions, Eagles, and Vikings are locked in. The Packers are pretty safe as are the Commanders. The NFC South is largely down to the Bucs and Falcons. One will win the South and one will be out. The NFC West is still totally up for grabs. I think the Rams are playing the best, but who knows who will win the West? If any of the four gets hot and the others get cold, things could change.

[teganslaw]

After watching the Bears last night, it seems that the Colts aren't the only team to make mistakes and have bad play calling. 

Articles are stating that the Chiefs should rest Mahomes for the next few weeks so he can be healthy for the playoffs. Think they will do it? The Chiefs have already won their division, so the only thing to play for it #1 seed, which shouldn't matter more than a franchise QBs health. I have nothing more to say if Mahomes plays the rest of the regular season. It just could show that the organization is greedy and isn't concerned with players' health. 

Atlanta is still in it, but they won't go far unless Cousins plays better. 

[gardenman]

Historically, the Chiefs play Mahomes even with a high ankle sprain. Should they? No. Do they? So far, yeah. They'll argue they need the bye so they'll keep him out there. Then they'll want to keep momentum going into the bye. You have to protect players from themselves as they'll always want to play. The Chiefs don't protect Mahomes all that much. They just keep throwing him out there.

The Falcons have a pretty favorable schedule going forward. They've got the Giants this week, which is pretty much a bye. Then the Commanders who will put up a fight. Then the Panthers to wrap things up. The Bucs have the Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints to wrap things up. I don't see the Bucs losing two of those three. They could, but Baker Mayfield can will a team to victory.  

[Spurt]

The Washington/Falcons game has been flexed to 12/29 8:20 PM ET Sunday night....the way the Falcons played last night and the way Washington played Sunday dont ask me why...probably playoff implications

[monicakm]

The  KC Chiefs will not rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes I out of precaution in Week 16.

Although Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not confirm that Mahomes would start versus the Texans while speaking to reporters on Dec 17, he did make it very clear that his quarterback will play so long as he’s medically cleared and able to do so.

The Chiefs head coach also referred to Mahomes’ injury as a “day-to-day” issue multiple times on December 17 vs week-to-week.

[Spurt]

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@soonersis wrote:
@Spurt, I don’t know any coach who would want to work for JJ. It’s such a high profile position with so much pressure. A lot were saying he’d go after Belichick, but we know where he went. I think McCarthy’s done a good job this season considering all of the injuries and how things played out. As far as any potential firings the only one I want to see is the owner fire the GM. But I’m not so delusional to think that will ever happen. 😩

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@soonersis 

Yep you're stuck with Jerry Jones as GM, we

Washington/Redskin fans can empathize and sympathize because Daniel Snyder was just like that....during the draft, Danny Boy would dock his Yacht and give a list to who he wanted to draft.......he was NOT a good GM either, and he also had his favorite players that didn't have to listen to their coaches.....24 yrs we went thru this....We are so happy with our team's changes....

[Spurt]

@gardenman 

You did an excellent job capturing the conversation but you need to add one more point:

Jerry: But Mike you're forgetting what an honor and privilege it is coaching "America's Team", you'll never get the recognition coaching anywhere else!!! 

McCarthy:  Yeh, your right, no where else would a coach be considered a martyr ( under his breath adds--having to work with YOU!)