#you will not believe how happy and excited i was that lock was qb today

[reminiscingtonight]

why am I just now finding out you’re a Seahawks fan amazing stuff lol. But about the Seahawks needing a qb they’ve needed one for a bit now but this unwavering faith in Geno has cost them yet another playoff potential season. And not to just shit on Geno cause he’s had his moments where’s he’s done good but the future the Seahawks are trying to build can not be structured around him, he’s old for starters and had been a consistent benchwarmer his whole career, he is barley the present of the Seahawks team. Same with drew the second string qb todays game with wasn’t as disastrous as i thought it’d be but he’s also not starting qb material. At this rate we’ll end with atleast a top 10 pick going into this draft, with the likes of penix jr, we could make a good effort to snag him and get a great qb out of him. Bonus points cause he’s the uw qb atm and is balling out so he should stay in seattle even tho the weather can be miserable. (Sorry for the long message)

My eyes went from o.o to O.O when I opened my inbox 😂 But yes, the unfortunate side effect of being seattle born and raised means rooting for the hawks, no matter how bad they are

And yes! I totally agree, Carroll for some reason keeps giving him chances when Geno's proved time and time again he doesn't have what it takes to be a starter. We should be giving our backups chances in games (kinda like the jets did with boyle even tho boyle did reallyyyy bad) bc imo that's the only real way to gauge if someone is game ready. I fear to wonder if the reason we haven't been seeing Lock or our third qb getting chances because they're that bad, but I wholly believe that we would have lost way worse if Geno was playing today. Yes, there were a couple interceptions but Lock just looks better, more confident, and more in-sync with the players

At this rate this season is done. We're clearly not going to make the playoffs in any way shape or form. The best thing the team can do now is lose games. Sinking our rank is the only way to ensure we have a chance at drafting a good qb and rebuilding the team

[junker-town]

8 New Year’s resolutions for the NFL’s worst teams

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

For the non-playoff teams, it’s not too early to get their 2020 wishlist ready.

It’s over! It’s finally over! The NFL regular season is done! I know I’m supposed to feign excitement for the fans of playoff teams who still have football to watch, but this week isn’t for you, happy fans. Your gift comes next week, a reward for months of exciting football, with teams that offer hope and joy.

There are more of us than you, and Week 17 is our time, the realm of fans who have suffered through garbage-ass football to reach this point. While you’re presented with the possibility of a Super Bowl, we get to chill until the draft like the suffering idiots we are.

Today, we’re going to do a New Year’s wish list for a handful of the 20 teams that won’t get a chance to lift the Lombardi Trophy this year.

NFL New Year’s Wishes

Cincinnati Bengals want ... for this whole thing to not blow up in their faces.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to tank the way the Bengals did, and they deserve the No. 1 pick for their effort. The draft picture has changed a lot during the year, but we end up now with this scenario that seems almost too on the nose.

Let’s not play dumb for four months: The Bengals are going to take Joe Burrow from LSU with the first overall pick. So a guy from Ohio who became a tiger is going to return to his home state to be a tiger again.

This is that kind of beautiful draft symmetry that scares me, and deep down it should scare Bengals fans too. It’s so perfect it feels like this was made to explode in their faces. All year Tua Tagovailoa was the lock No. 1 pick, and then he got injured. Burrow has become the top pick by default (though he’s had an unbelievable season, to be fair). Now it’ll be on Cincinnati to hope he becomes Carson Palmer 2.0, that the Bengals don’t become the next team picking the wrong QB. Patrick Mahomes says hi, Bears — just FYI.

Washington wants ... to lose about 190 pounds.

Unfortunately, team owner Daniel Snyder isn’t going anywhere.

Detroit Lions want ... some damn defense.

Matthew Stafford was on pace for a FIVE THOUSAND-YARD SEASON with 38 touchdowns. It would have been the best season of his career — and finally the kind of signature year that got him the respect he deserved.

Then he got hurt, which is part of the tragic unfairness of the NFL, but also a reminder that this amazing season still wouldn’t have meant anything because the Lions allowed 400 damn yards and 26 points a game.

We always talk about QBs needing help in terms of the offensive line or receiving corps. In this case, please just get Stafford some help on the other side of the ball.

New York Giants want ... I dunno, some big dude?

There’s so much that’s promising about the future of the Giants, but with Dave Gettleman still at the helm, it’ll come down to him picking a lineman, or something else boring when it comes to the draft. That said, it actually might make sense here.

I know it’s extremely boring, but a lineman could hopefully lead to Daniel Jones protecting the ball a little better and solve his fumble problem.

Miami Dolphins want ... a little bit of luck.

Perhaps the most astounding thing about the Dolphins is how their season didn’t come close to the joke it looked like it was going to be. To the credit of the coaching staff, this team went a lot further than talent dictated, and it actually puts Miami in a pretty good position moving forward.

Now it’s about finding the quarterback of the future. The Dolphins have the No. 5 pick and could still be in a position to draft Tagovailoa. They’ll get the guy we all thought they were tanking for anyway. Presuming his hip fully heals, all the Dolphins need is for him to be healthy and they’re set for a while.

Carolina Panthers want ... literally everything.

The friend who makes 30 wishes. Quite frankly, the Panthers are a mess. The team needs a coach, a prayer Cam Newton will be OK, to address injuries that plagued the defensive line, and to build an offensive line.

This all sounds daunting, and it is. It doesn’t mean things can���t fall into place, but it begins and ends with Cam Newton. If he’s healthy, they can be good. If not, they won’t. It’s that simple, and also means there will be another year of quarterback speculation in Charlotte, which the city is not prepared for.

New York Jets want ... Adam Gase to shut up.

Good luck with that one. He doesn’t mind though, because he’s rich dammit.

Dallas Cowboys want ... everyone to leave them alone.

From crushing defeats and underperforming seasons, to forcing Skip Bayless to make an obviously staged video for clicks on his sad Twitter account. This is the “get your popcorn ready” offseason in the NFL.

I’ve had enough. pic.twitter.com/UcTtWJcWlz

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 23, 2019

This one is going to be even more angst-ridden than usual, and frankly we can’t wait.

And now, other fun things I liked this week.

Jameis Winston’s 30-for-30 documentary is going to be the best.

In case you missed it, Winston became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season — making if the most definitive Jameis Winston season in history.

His matter-of-fact appreciation of the feat was one of the best parts.

#Bucs QB Jameis Winston after the game: "When you look at my numbers, I'm balling. I just gotta stop giving it to the other team... I gotta get better."

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) December 29, 2019

I am absolutely behind this celebration.

FLIP CUP GMEN pic.twitter.com/p86gn5THUn

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) December 29, 2019

It’s important to showcase your best assets. In this case, it’s the Giants accepting they’re better a flip cup than football.

I think I’ve worked out what’s happened to Tom Brady.

There’s been this assumption that the never-aging quarterback is finally aging, but that’s too expected, too obvious.

Remember when Brady had a cameo in Living with Yourself on Netflix, which intimated that he got a clone of himself made so he could keep playing forever?

The show established the Brady has done this multiple times, which must means he knows that he’s aging and breaking down. Well, Brady made his clone again, but the original (much like Paul Rudd’s in the show) broke loose.

Now the old Brady is playing for the Patriots and being bad, and the new, perfect Tom Brady is probably running an avocado ice cream collective outside of Portland.

This call was so clutch, and so amazing.

Kevin Harlan called two games at the same time. This man is a national treasure. pic.twitter.com/HfvDWVhqR3

— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) December 29, 2019

This is some next-level announcing the likes of which we never see. And to make it all the better, he even had time to throw in some jokes along the way. Protect Kevin Harlan at all costs.

The Browns finally decided to remodel their kitchens.

Just got off the phone with an emotional Freddie Kitchens. He believed he had organizational support. He did not. https://t.co/6263Mmh7c0

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2019

“Believed he had organizational support. He did not” is both an incredible sentence, and a whole mood. For me, just change “organizational” with “emotional” and I’m oversharing aren’t I?!

Good luck, Browns. I hope you find whatever it is you’ve been searching for. For years. For decades. I can’t believe y’all are still searching for the thing. The thing is “good football.” How is this still not possible? Be better, Browns. Seriously though, don’t hire another guy whose main attribute is “he grew up loving the Browns!”

[junker-town]

NFL Panic Index 2017, Week 12: Thanksgiving football worth talking about

It’s Thanksgiving, and your friends and family are going to be worked up over a lot of football things. Put their minds at ease with the Panic Index.

Thanksgiving is finally here, and that means food and football, our two favorite things! It also means a day with the relatives, who will complain about all of these while you eat and watch the NFL triple header on tap for Thursday.

Fortunately, we are here to help. These seven things will come up again and again, not just Thursday either, but all weekend long. Inoculate yourself from inane football banter. When your friends and family start complaining about any of these topics, you can set them straight about what’s worth panicking about and what’s really not.

Good luck and happy eating!

Everyone’s favorite players are hurt

Some fans love to complain that football isn’t the same because of concerns with player safety, and changed rules.

Well, they’re kind of needed. Especially when you look at the list of players who have been injured and lost for the season:

David Johnson

Joe Thomas

Eric Berry

Andrew Luck

Ryan Tannehill

Jason Peters

Darren Sproles

Odell Beckham Jr.

Aaron Rodgers

Julian Edelman

J.J. Watt

Whitney Mercilus

Dalvin Cook

Deshaun Watson

But there are other players out there to watch. Carson Wentz and the Eagles have been incredible to watch, Le’Veon Bell, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the Steelers have been a joy. Of course, there’s always the Seahawks and Russell Wilson, and that No. 12 in New England to watch.

Panic index: Help lead your family members in other directions. Football is still good. Be thankful that there’s been other players in good health.

Some relatives will love the Color Rush uniforms, and some will hate

Color Rush is a mixed bag. Some uniforms are more appealing to some than others, but like anything, it’s all about personal preference.

Now, if your grumpy old uncle doesn’t like them because they aren’t traditional or claims they come off as players or the NFL wanting more attention — then he’s just being a Crusty Old. Color Rush uniforms are fine, but some are certainly better than others.

An example of good:

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

An example of bad:

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Not everyone can get things right, and that’s OK.

Panic index: Good thing the uniforms have no bearing on the game’s result, right?

The QB who is Actually Fine

It’s inevitable that quarterback play among family members’ favorite teams are going to be discussed. Unless your team has an MVP-candidate quarterback, it’s almost a guarantee that talk is negative in some sense.

There are plenty of reasons for quarterback play that’s less than ideal. It could be a bad offensive line, lack of weapons, or a combination of the two. It could also be that a team’s quarterback just stinks — see: Brock Osweiler, Blake Bortles, etc.

A lot of casual fans don’t understand that football is more complex than a quarterback snapping a ball, and delivering a pass like he’s in a backyard with a parent. Those guys are out there moving fast, and there’s 10 other players with him that also have to be even just *decent*.

Panic index: Just nod your head, and pivot to the next conversation as swiftly as possible.

We have to watch the Lions again, who haven’t had a good running back since Barry Sanders

Thanksgiving used to be a day where you could escape the mountains of food and forced family banter, spill into a vaguely human-shaped puddle near a big television, and let Barry Sanders move like a caffeinated water bug en route to carving up opposing defenses like so much turkey.

And then, 19 years ago, he was gone, leaving a 5’8 hole in our hearts in late November, forcing us to watch the Lions struggle through meaningless season after meaningless season. Sanders’ retirement after the 1998 season took the only sail from a rudderless Detroit team. In the Thanksgivings since, we’ve been forced to watch tailbacks like Shawn Bryson, Mikel Leshoure, Greg Hill, and Joique Bell run two yards into the backs of their own blockers before falling to the turf. It’s a frustration that permeates through the FOX broadcast and into homes across the nation. Since Sanders’ retirement, Thanksgiving arguments have increased by 113%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.*

2017 is no better. Ameer Abdullah’s greatest NFL accomplishment is sinking fantasy teams across the globe. Theo Riddick has run for just 3.5 yards per carry. For players with at least 10 carries this fall, quarterback Matthew Stafford has the team’s highest per-carry average. Never before has the Detroit offense been so reliant on its highly-paid passer.

Panic index: There’s a non-insignificant chance the Lions’ longest run of any given game will come from Stafford, and that’s not depressing at all.

*no they haven’t.

Your brother insists Bama can beat the Browns

The Browns are bad. We’re not going to dispute that. But could they beat Bama? Yes. That’s not going to stop your brother from piping up at Thanksgiving with an opinion to the contrary. He is wrong.

Here’s the thing: Alabama has a very good college football team. They’re well-coached, and they’re stacked with talent. They tend to dominate their competition, which is also a bunch of guys who are in college. They’re not professional athletes.

About 1.5 percent of college players make it to the NFL, according to data from the NCAA. That means that 98.5 percent of the guys Bama’s beating right now are going pro in something other than football. The Browns can’t seem to get a win against any other team in the NFL, but that roster is still made up of the best of the best from the college level.

Panic index: Tell your brother to have a seat. The Browns can definitely beat Bama.

The guy who goes on and on about how there’s too much offense

Defense wins championships. That’s the old school refrain. And somebody at your gathering is going to lament the fact that there’s too dang much offense in today’s NFL.

Every rule is geared toward making life easy for the offense. Defensive players can’t even glance in the quarterback’s direction without getting flagged. Wide receivers can interfere as much as they want, but if a cornerback does a little hand checking, here comes a penalty.

They’re not wrong. The rules are kind of slanted toward the offense. But here’s the thing: Offense is fun.

Panic index: We love sacks and interceptions as much as the next fan. But we also love the one-handed Julio Jones catches and watching Jay Ajayi bust through the entire Dallas defense for a 71-yard gain. Just let us have this.

The fan of the surprise team that won’t talk about anything else

It’s exciting when your team goes from perennially missing out on the postseason to a virtual lock. And teams like the Rams, Vikings, Eagles, and Jaguars are all riding high right now. Sure, that’s fun for fans of those teams.

We get it. You’ve lived through season after season of futility, and you can’t believe the Rams or the Jaguars or the Eagles are actually good. Now all you want to do is flex on people who doubted your team. But at some point you’ve got to give it a rest.

There are so many other things to discuss with your loved ones at Thanksgiving. Talk about the wonderful spread, and compliment the chef. Ask your cousin about his new job. Ask your family what they think about whatever off-the-wall thing President Trump tweeted this morning.

Actually, on second thought, don’t do that last one.

Panic index: Your team is rolling, and you’re right to be happy about it. But think of the Browns fans at the table. Just give everyone a break here and there about your team’s winning ways this season.

The person who makes a big show about not watching football

We love football, but not everyone does. AND THAT’S FINE. You know what’s insufferable, though? The people who acts morally superior to everyone else because “hmmpf, I, better person than YOU, have stopped watching the NFL.”

And yes, some reasons for tuning out are more understandable. Concussions, for one, are not something to be taken lightly, in any sport.

But the majority of those who pat themselves on the back for quitting the NFL belong on the scale of eye rolls:

The “Take a Knee My Ass” crowd. Educate yourself.

The “NBA/college/hockey/cricket is better” folks. We here at SB Nation are of the opinion that all sports are good and you should like whatever you want to like. But just because YOU prefer one doesn’t mean any other opinion is wrong. It’s just different. There’s no need to crap on one sport to pump up your favorite.

”The games suck!” Oh, some of them do, for sure. No one wants to watch the Dolphins or Ravens, let alone Dolphins vs. Ravens. But there are legitimately good games each week. First game of the season? Patriots vs. Chiefs, a banger. The most recent game? Seahawks vs. Falcons, a thriller. Heck, even the “bad” games can be fun — if you just sit back and let yourself enjoy them.

”It’s all about money now.” As opposed to when exactly?

Panic index: You will probably have to deal with at least one of these people on Thanksgiving, but if you want watch football, then watch football. Don’t let anyone else take the joy out of that for you.