NFL Quiz

[ohiobrewtus]

Think quick. You're up 42-10 in the third quarter. You have the ball on your opponent's 10 yard line and it's 4th and 1.

What do you do?

 

[Evan!]

Take my 3 points.

Why?

 

[eriktlupus]

well, if your beligerent and the pats your go for the td

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Take my 3 points.

Why?

There was a certain team in Buffalo yesterday that went for it in this situation.

Not once, but twice.

 

[the_bird]

Go for it. Kicking the field goal is an automatic 3 points; why not give the defense the opportunity to stop you? It was entirely up to Buffalo to make that possession end with the Pats scoring zero points.

 

[Evan!]

Oh, I didn't watch the game.

In that case, I say: cheat!

And if I was the opposing team, I say: go for the QB's knees.

 

[rdwj]

I'd probably take the 3, but getting either 7 or pinning the other team deep isn't a bad option either. The NFL is supposed to be a professional league. I don't have a problem with "running up the score" unless it's kids or a situation when one team has a huge competitive advantage (like a big college team against a nobody)

 

[Soulive]

I couldn't go to bed last night because I had to see how many times they'd score. They're just annihilating everyone and its impressive. I'm starting to dislike Belichick as a person, but I still love watching their offense run circles around defenses. The only thing I disagree with is risking injury to the starters/QB. Otherwise, let the massacre continue...

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Go for it. Kicking the field goal is an automatic 3 points; why not give the defense the opportunity to stop you? It was entirely up to Buffalo to make that possession end with the Pats scoring zero points.

<shakes head> Man I hope you're kidding.

Why not give the defense the opportunity to stop you? No offense bird, but that's nuts.

Obviously Buffalo couldn't stop them all day - "giving the defense a chance to stop you" is something that Patriots fans tell themselves when they're in denial about their coach's emotional issues in dealing with the whole 'Spygate' fiasco.

It was 42-10. Let me say that again... 42-10. With a 32 point lead in the 3rd quarter you really think that the best option is to go for it when you have the ball on your opponents 10 yard line and it's 4th and 1?

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I couldn't go to bed last night because I had to see how many times they'd score. They're just annihilating everyone and its impressive. I'm starting to dislike Belichick as a person, but I still love watching their offense run circles around defenses. The only thing I disagree with is risking injury to the starters/QB. Otherwise, let the massacre continue...

I'm the opposite. I stopped watching it after Moss' third TD. If my team isn't playing I want to watch a good solid football game, not watch Belichik inflate his ego in an attempt to show the world that Spygate doesn't matter.

 

[Soulive]

I'm the opposite. I stopped watching it after Moss' third TD. If my team isn't playing I want to watch a good solid football game, not watch Belichik inflate his ego in an attempt to show the world that Spygate doesn't matter.

I guess its like a car accident for me. I can't look away...

 

[Professor Frink]

I guess this is a good place for me to rant about this, but what is everyone's problem with teams running up the score? These are professional athletes, and they're paid to do their jobs. The defense - their job is to stop the offense. The offense - their job is to score. So if you can't stop the other team, though s*#t. I don't understand why people are intent on treating these players like little kids, worrying about hurting their feelings. I can understand high school or college football where the playing field isn't level, but come on. This is professional sports.

I feel much better now.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I guess this is a good place for me to rant about this, but what is everyone's problem with teams running up the score? These are professional athletes, and they're paid to do their jobs. The defense - their job is to stop the offense. The offense - their job is to score. So if you can't stop the other team, though s*#t. I don't understand why people are intent on treating these players like little kids, worrying about hurting their feelings. I can understand high school or college football where the playing field isn't level, but come on. This is professional sports.

I feel much better now.

It's not about the players. Most of them are a bunch of overpaid babies anyway. It's about coaches having respect for each other as people.

I don't fault Tom Brady or any other player on the Patriots at all. Brady runs the plays as they're called. His job is to perform on the field.

Belichik's job is to win football games. When it's 42-10 in the 3rd quarter, he's done his job. They clearly showed their dominance over lowly Buffalo in the first half alone.

The Lions got stomped by both the Eagles and the Redskins earlier this year. Both of those games were well out of hand by halftime. Andy Reid and Joe Gibbs came out and did what coaches do - they secured the win by taking as much time off of the clock as possible and playing solid defense. All the while showing some respect for their opponent.

The Lions did the same thing a couple of weeks ago against Denver. I don't think they threw a single pass in the 4th quarter. If you run the ball a ton and you end up scoring a couple of more times - well that's the game.

Going for it on 4th and 1 when you're up by 32 points is just plan classless - regardless of what team it is.

 

[the_bird]

It's professional football, not PeeWee League. Brady came out very early in the fourth quarter and they began to run the ball almost exclusively with their backup RBs.

Gregg Easterbrook was talking the other week about a high school team that, after going up by a huge amount early in the game, instructed all of the players to immediately run out of bounds when they had the ball. Now, tell me, what's more insulting - getting the snot beaten out of you in an honest game, or the other team acting like you're their kid brother?

WTF was Buffalo doing running a hurry-up offense, down 46 points, at the end of the game? Aren't they worried about THEIR players getting hurt?

As to the whole "put a cheap shot on Brady" deal; there were a couple of opportunites when Brady was scrambling and slid, when someone could have come in with a late hit and leveled him. They didn't. Why? No one wants to pay huge fines and get suspended.

 

[Professor Frink]

It's not about the players. Most of them are a bunch of overpaid babies anyway. It's about coaches having respect for each other as people.

I don't fault Tom Brady or any other player on the Patriots at all. Brady runs the plays as they're called. His job is to perform on the field.

Belichik's job is to win football games. When it's 42-10 in the 3rd quarter, he's done his job. They clearly showed their dominance over lowly Buffalo in the first half alone.

The Lions got stomped by both the Eagles and the Redskins earlier this year. Both of those games were well out of hand by halftime. Andy Reid and Joe Gibbs came out and did what coaches do - they secured the win by taking as much time off of the clock as possible and playing solid defense. All the while showing some respect for their opponent.

The Lions did the same thing a couple of weeks ago against Denver. I don't think they threw a single pass in the 4th quarter. If you run the ball a ton and you end up scoring a couple of more times - well that's the game.

Going for it on 4th and 1 when you're up by 32 points is just plan classless - regardless of what team it is.

I guess I just don't see where class plays into it. You're right, the coach's job is to win games. I don't see how the coach's job is to make sure he doesn't embarass the other coach. If you're a coach and you're up by 21 at halftime, and you want to run the ball, take time off the clock, etc., I'm fine with that. If you want to keep running your offense they way you did in the first quarter, I'm fine with that also.

I guess the way I see it, and how Herm Edwards said it, you play to win the game, and you do it within the rules of the game. This idea that coaches need to "respect" other coaches is just so perplexing to me. It's almost like an old boys club. If you lose by 3, if you lose by 28, it's still a loss. If you don't like it, get better.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Suddenly I feel like the Verizonmath.com guy.

 

[cubbies]

I voted take the three points because the question was what would I do. However, I have no problem with them running up the score. This is football people, there is no 'feelings' no 'respect'. You hit your opponent with everything you got. You want to embarrass the snot out of them. I would have taken the three because I like taking the easy points.

 

[olllllo]

I would pick up Doug Flutie and execute a drop kick.

or Jim McMahon.


or Gus.

 

[Neomich]

There is a perfectly good reason to run the score up in the NFL. In the highly unlikely event there is a conference tie, one of the stats that is used to determine the tie-breaker is total points scored. It's down the list below a few other stats but it is one of them.

Not saying that's the Patriots' motivation but it is a valid reason to be concerned with how many total points you score.

+1 on the comment about that being the offense's job to score. It's hard enough to make it in the NFL as a player. It's even harder to stand out and that's exactly what New England is doing this season, making sure they stand out. They beat my 'Boys but I'm not hating on them.

I don't agree with keeping key individuals in late in the game and risking an injury but there's just as likely a chance of getting hurt on the first play as there is the last play.

 

[TheJadedDog]

The point of the offense in football is to score points. It is the defense's job to stop them. What are the Pat's supposed to do, just hand their opponents the ball every time they get in the red zone after they are up by 20 points? Is this little league where there is a mercy rule? NO! If everyone else hates what the Pats are doing, STOP THEM. Otherwise, STFU.

 

[Evan!]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: run the score up all you want, but don't be surprised when some nothing-to-lose third stringer breaks Brady's spine in half because stupid Belicheck kept him in the game even though they were up by 70 points.

 

[user 574]

Prof Frink has it on the old boys club. I'm sure back in the 1920-90's it was out of respect for your competition and some coaches/people still have that mutual respect thought process in mind while others don't.

If I was a coach and I was spanking the opponent like last night I'd be bringing in much of the second team in Q4 and would be running the ball most of the time to keep the clock rolling. If I get a TD by running then that's their problem.

 

[Baldy_Beer_Brewery]

I've disliked Belichik for a long time for nothing more than dressing like a homeless sports fan. I don't need a running up the score excuse to like him even less.

The NFL has a long list of records they keep. Why would anyone expect that any of the players or coaches on any of the teams wouldn't want to stake a claim to any of these records? While there are coaches other than Belichik, players other than Moss and teams other than The Patriots that I would like to see set these records or go undefeated, I won't begrudge any of the Patriots for trying to claim any of the records.

Maybe there is something on ESPN2 for anyone who can't stomach seeing this.

 

[Donasay]

You know what I love about running up the score, it makes betting on the pats such an easy thing to do. I think the source of the complaining is the guys who make the lines on these games. If you know that teams don't usually run the score up it makes it easy to put a line on the game and easier to have equal bets on both sides. With the pats running up the game score there is no way anyone can predict what the line is going to be, if you set it to high and the pats decide not to run up the score you are screwed, if you set it to low based on past experience you are screwed. Either way the only ones who win in this situation are the people who like the pats, and the people who bet on the pats.

 

[Soulive]

You know what I love about running up the score, it makes betting on the pats such an easy thing to do. I think the source of the complaining is the guys who make the lines on these games. If you know that teams don't usually run the score up it makes it easy to put a line on the game and easier to have equal bets on both sides. With the pats running up the game score there is no way anyone can predict what the line is going to be, if you set it to high and the pats decide not to run up the score you are screwed, if you set it to low based on past experience you are screwed. Either way the only ones who win in this situation are the people who like the pats, and the people who bet on the pats.

Just imagine the line when they destroy the Dolphins. That should prove to be the highest spread in NFL history!

 

[the_bird]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: run the score up all you want, but don't be surprised when some nothing-to-lose third stringer breaks Brady's spine in half because stupid Belicheck kept him in the game even though they were up by 70 points.

Nothing to lose except a huge fine and a game check for their suspension. Buffalo had a couple of opportunities to lay on a cheap shot late in the game, and they didn't. Don't think the Hammer of Goodell won't come down HARD if someone lays a cheap shot on Brady (or Manning, for that matter).

 

[olllllo]

Just imagine the line when they destroy the Dolphins. That should prove to be the highest spread in NFL history!

Fins beat the 85 Bears to end their streak.
It is in Week 16, so....

 

[Neomich]

Unfortunately there is no 'official' record of the largest spread. The NFL refuses to have anything to do with legitimate betting on its games. I thought I heard something recently about a huge spread between the 49ers and Bengals back in the 80's. I was a bit young to be concerned with gambling at that time but I am looking forward to seeing what the professionals assign to the Pats and Dolphins game.

 

[olllllo]

Bills(-21) Indy spread was back in the 80's.

 

[the_bird]

I was really shocked the spread was only what, 15 1/2 points last night? I'm firmly convinced (not really) that Belichick is earning his $500k fine by better on the Pats and taking the points (that would explain a LOT, wouldn't it? ).

Wife (Bills fan) and I had a bet on last night's game; I had initially joked that the spread was going to be thirty points, but she agreed that I only had to give her fifteen. Wouldn't have matter either way!

BTW; it ain't the 'Fins game that will have the biggest spread; I'm here to declare that the Pats will beat the J-E-T-S by a good seventy or eighty points. Then Belichick will slap Mangina upside the head.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

The point of the offense in football is to score points. It is the defense's job to stop them. What are the Pat's supposed to do, just hand their opponents the ball every time they get in the red zone after they are up by 20 points? Is this little league where there is a mercy rule? NO! If everyone else hates what the Pats are doing, STOP THEM. Otherwise, STFU.

Exaggerate much? Of course they're not supposed to hand the ball over to their opponents every time they get in the red zone if they are up by 20 points. That's beyond ridiculous.

I guess I'm the only one that sees the arrogance involved in going for it on 4th and 1 when you're up by 32 points in the 3rd quarter.

When coaching a blowout in the NFL, 31 teams choose one of the following options:

1. Run the ball to kill the clock and get the game over with as quickly as possible. If you score as a product of the run, then so be it.

2. Bring in the scrubs and have them run the full offense so that you can evaluate them in real game situations. If the scrubs manage to score, then good for them.

It ticked me off back in '99 or '00 when Martz was doing it with the Rams, and it ticks me off now. It doesn't matter who's doing it, it's unnecessary and it's very unprofessional.

 

[Soulive]

I still think the Jets game will be lower than the Miami game. Right off the bat Miami's down 3 for being on the road. I'm going on record that the spread will be 24.5 for that one. No way its below 20

 

[olllllo]

I guess I'm the only one that sees the arrogance involved in going for it on 4th and 1 when you're up by 32 points in the 3rd quarter.

I'm with you.
I think these things tend to work themselves out.

 

[the_bird]

Guys, we're talking about the THIRD QUARTER. Brady sat down what, a minute into the fourth? Should they have kicked the field goal on third down? Why not, if the whole objective is to keep the Bills from losing by more that thirty points - it was pretty much inevitable that the Pats were going to score anyway.

YOU CALLED DOWN THE THUNDER, WELL, NOW YOU'VE GOT IT!

 

[uglygoat]

i dislike belichoke for what he didn't do in cleveland...

aside from that, if a team doesn't like getting their heads kicked in, then they should do something about it and beat the pats. whining about being professional n00bs or running up the score has no place in the furious nfl.. man up and beat em, or go home.

 

[Evan!]

uh oh....

I daresay it's ON?!

 

[uglygoat]

naw, i don't think anyone will be able to stop the pats this year, so it's just gonna be waawaawaawaa :fro:

btw, brownies are 6-4 baby!!! and only got trounced by 17 by the pats.

 

[Klainmeister]

I think the Pats are one of the most disliked teams in the nation, especially in the last couple of years including the recent cheating charges. So to me, this is there revenge; they're coming out and being arrogant and powerful showing to everyone that they are indeed the best. It's just responsive in my mind. They want people to be pissed they want them to be the axis of evil. It gets more sales, more attention on them, and hell if they can pull it off then wow, they deserve to be the best.


On the other hand, this was ridiculous: http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80448909
Now that's something to talk about.

 

[uglygoat]

season of dreams baby!!!!

cleveland finally gets a call! :rockin:

edit: the real bite in the arse was me brother and i were brewing and watching the game, and turned it off after the ref's initially waived it off. went on to cool, rack and pitch the yeast, then learn the brownies won.... lmao.

 

[Donasay]

I am from New England, I live in Boston in fact, am a big pats fan and have actually participated in all 3 of the superbowl riots. That aside, I had a friend from NY explain to me in simple terms the way the rest of the country looks at the Pats. His exact quote was "You know the Patriots are the Yankees of football right?" And that really brought it home for me, even though football has a salary cap, I see the evil empire analogy.