Playoffs

[Aseahawkfan]

Just get the best guy there at 5.

[Old but Slow]

Agreed. The top of the first round is a point when need takes a larger part. And the value is in the hard to find positions.

[RiverDog]

I just saw an NFL meme posted on Facebook that said:

"Tony Romo, 2-4 playoff record, 0-3 in the divisional round. Dak Prescott, 2-4 playoff record, 0-3 in the divisional round. Carrying on the legacy of failure."

So let's compare that to Pete Carroll since 2015: Playoff record: 3-6. Divisional round: 0-3. Pretty similar, huh?

[Hawktawk]

I just saw an NFL meme posted on Facebook that said:

"Tony Romo, 2-4 playoff record, 0-3 in the divisional round. Dak Prescott, 2-4 playoff record, 0-3 in the divisional round. Carrying on the legacy of failure."

So let's compare that to Pete Carroll since 2015: Playoff record: 3-6. Divisioround: 0- r 3. Pretty similar, huh?

Jesus
Pete got here in 2010 and had 2 super bowl trips and a Lombardi before 2015 . Did Romo
Do that ? Did Dak ? Last super bowl they won was with Barry Switzer at coach and Troy Aikman at qb .
Has Dallas ever had the #1 scoring defense 4 years in a row ? As Tcs said a while back only 6 teams have more wins since 2018. Forget 2015 .

I think we need to not compare loser romo and loser Dak and loser Dallas to Seattle in any way and our hall of fame coach . Very bad analogy .yeah I know some would rather not make the playoffs unless we win it all every year like nobody ever does .
Beam me up Scottie . Unthankful

[tarlhawk]

Hawktawk surprised you let Riv get under your skin when he's comparing apples to oranges by framing his conversation leaving out the 2010 - 2014 years. Its bait...not a genuine comparison. Coaching is always harder than any individual player...thats why good coaches make the big bucks and earn the respect of the city and most fans! Absurd comments seldom are worth responding to and often are made just to get a similar response to the one you made. Another "fan" doesn't define how you yourself feel about the team and its direction. Go Hawks

[RiverDog]

Of course, my comparison was apples to oranges. HT Is right, I did intentionally ignore the first half of Pete's coaching tenure, which was indeed very good, HOF or nearly HOF worthy. And it wasn't bait. It is a legitimate topic, one that we've discussed at some length on multiple occasions.

But there are similarities in my illustration between the Cowboys' plight and that of our own, and it's why I said in another thread that over the past 8 years, we've essentially turned into what the Cowboys have been in this century. Seeing that meme really brought out my personal frustrations about our current predicament.

I could have predicted how the defense would go, that it would have to reach back to the LOB days as if that somehow justifies what's been occurring over the past 8 seasons and the advice the Pete apologists give us fans that have the gall to question the wisdom of such a great head coach, that we should, as in Bobby McFerrin's 1988 hit song "Don't worry, be happy."

[tarlhawk]

Since your response was to my post I assume you have lumped me into the Pete "apologists" group. I see this merely from a fans point of view and have no expert opinion. Pete was and IS the reason my interest was rekindled in football and specifically in the "local" Seahawks team. At the height of my NFL enjoyment I was a Miami Dolphin fan the year before their "perfect" season in 1972 and continuing through till the arrival of Jimmy Johnson in 1996.

Perhaps I have a bias against "bashing" of a good coach...and maybe I put too much weight into a coaches value in a teams success...but as a fan I quickly soured on expectations on Jimmy Johnson as an "improvement" over two very fabled coaches. In Dallas Jimmy ushered in some good football years...but I didn't like his swag with how he was replacing a legend in Dallas (Tom Landry) who had long exceeded his "shelf life" (my words not... his but his was akin to he was rescuing the Cowboys from a coach who no longer deserved to be coaching an NFL team. Many Dolphin fans expected good results when Jimmy was brought in to replace Don Shula...imagine my surprise when he established his gravitas by bad mouthing Shula who "needed replaced". He went on to establish Dan Marino as being just a primadonna quarterback who needed to be reigned in a bit.

Due to my career I was already missing big chunks of the NFL season being away from time to time so my football fanaticism flamed out...but I still enjoyed the NFL draft coverage on ESPN whenever I could catch it. My career choice brought me to Washington in the mid eighties so as an NFL Dolphin fan I became detached...but not because the Seahawks had more to offer. I caught a few games on tv due to local coverage and even a game at the stadium as a good friend treated me...it was a Monday night game where we beat the Broncos and John Elway (with Dave Krieg and Curt Warner catching my eye). Late 90's into the early 2000's I "drifted" as a fan...a casual type fan who was indignant at how we lost in the 2005 SB to the Steelers...I was ready to throw in the towel as a fan...but I still watched the ESPN draft to "rekindle" any NFL embers still left in me.

2010 impressed me as I saw Seattle make some very good selections LT Russel Okung at no.6 and FS Earl Thomas 8 picks later...I barely heard of Pete Carrol or John Schneider at that time...but as a fan I was hooked and reeled in. The arrival of RW in the 2013 draft "sealed the deal" but as a fan I knew it was my growing appreciation of Pete and John that made football great again...so my "loyalty" has a little more depth to it. Go Hawks

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I'm pretty sure most of us, at least on this board, saw what Carroll and Schneider were doing. Continually looking for that splash move that would tip the scales for another Super Bowl. They believed the window was still open and we just needed that one piece. Making it back to the post season most of the time propped up that notion, but the continual lack of advancement beyond the wild card should have sounded the alarm earlier. Instead, we see the Jamal Adams trade and the fool's gold of a 12-4 season in 2020 with an awful wild card exit at home. We were not nearly as good as that record suggested. 2021 may have been the wake up call that too making too many moves that traded draft capital left a team without depth and experience. My hope was not gone, but my patience was running on fumes for a turn around. Those two can only rest for so long on what they achieved 10 years ago; pretty sure they know that.

Bo and Luke Duke (rottweiler referred to Carroll and Schneider this way multiple times; miss that guy) saved themselves with the Russell Wilson trade and the 2022 draft. They finally look like they are back on a path of smart team building. This upcoming draft will be telling; if they maximize the opportunity and draft a swath of impact talent, I'll be fully on board again. If they squander draft capital for a splash player, they'll lose me.

As for the playoffs, I expected the Seahawks to finish below 0.500 this season. They went and beat that and gave me an entertaining season of football; frustrating too. I'm much happier to have the 9-8 record and a playoff appearance over higher draft position. Having all these young guys get to the playoffs and buy in to a winning culture will pay off in a season or two. In the short term, this was a successful season. Exceeded expectations and drafted well. A repeat of a great draft and another playoff appearance will still be a success in my book, but I also want to see another Super Bowl, so I would consider long-term success to be getting back to it in 2024 or 2025. I wouldn't call being content with where the team is based on what they can realistically accomplish at this point in time as accepting mediocrity.

[RiverDog]

Since your response was to my post I assume you have lumped me into the Pete "apologists" group. I see this merely from a fans point of view and have no expert opinion. Pete was and IS the reason my interest was rekindled in football and specifically in the "local" Seahawks team. At the height of my NFL enjoyment I was a Miami Dolphin fan the year before their "perfect" season in 1972 and continuing through till the arrival of Jimmy Johnson in 1996.

Perhaps I have a bias against "bashing" of a good coach...and maybe I put too much weight into a coaches value in a teams success...but as a fan I quickly soured on expectations on Jimmy Johnson as an "improvement" over two very fabled coaches. In Dallas Jimmy ushered in some good football years...but I didn't like his swag with how he was replacing a legend in Dallas (Tom Landry) who had long exceeded his "shelf life" (my words not... his but his was akin to he was rescuing the Cowboys from a coach who no longer deserved to be coaching an NFL team. Many Dolphin fans expected good results when Jimmy was brought in to replace Don Shula...imagine my surprise when he established his gravitas by bad mouthing Shula who "needed replaced". He went on to establish Dan Marino as being just a primadonna quarterback who needed to be reigned in a bit.

Due to my career I was already missing big chunks of the NFL season being away from time to time so my football fanaticism flamed out...but I still enjoyed the NFL draft coverage on ESPN whenever I could catch it. My career choice brought me to Washington in the mid eighties so as an NFL Dolphin fan I became detached...but not because the Seahawks had more to offer. I caught a few games on tv due to local coverage and even a game at the stadium as a good friend treated me...it was a Monday night game where we beat the Broncos and John Elway (with Dave Krieg and Curt Warner catching my eye). Late 90's into the early 2000's I "drifted" as a fan...a casual type fan who was indignant at how we lost in the 2005 SB to the Steelers...I was ready to throw in the towel as a fan...but I still watched the ESPN draft to "rekindle" any NFL embers still left in me.

2010 impressed me as I saw Seattle make some very good selections LT Russel Okung at no.6 and FS Earl Thomas 8 picks later...I barely heard of Pete Carrol or John Schneider at that time...but as a fan I was hooked and reeled in. The arrival of RW in the 2013 draft "sealed the deal" but as a fan I knew it was my growing appreciation of Pete and John that made football great again...so my "loyalty" has a little more depth to it. Go Hawks

You assumed correctly. I was primarily responding to you although the comments and terms I used could be directed to several others as well.

And speaking of terms, I think that we're both guilty of a misuse of them. For my part, I should have found a better term to describe Pete's most avid supporters. "Apologists" seems a little too inflammatory. But so, too, are you guilty of an equally inflammatory term when you indirectly described my behavior towards Pete as "bashing." Since he has been our coach in 2010, I have never spoken of him in a manner of which I would consider as "bashing". I've always framed my comments as a sincere appreciation for his bringing us the best period of Seahawk football in our franchises' history. Indeed, I've defended him in the recent past, such as when some fans were rightfully upset at his dishonestly during the days prior to the Russell Wilson trade.

I appreciate your telling us of your history as a fan. Mine followed a similar path. My first real favorite team was the 49'ers in the early 60's, John Brodie, Gene Washington, John David Crow, and a few others. For a time, I was a Cowboys fan during the mid-late 60's, Don Meredith, Bullet Bob Hayes, Bob Lilly, Dan Reeves, et al, along with the Chiefs of the old AFL. And finally, like you, I was a big Dolphins fan in the early 70's before the Hawks were born in 1976.

I've mentioned this on a number of occasions, but apparently some aren't aware of my current position regarding Pete's continuance as our head coach, so I'll say it again. I am not calling for Pete's head. Due to the results of the Russell Wilson trade, the expert way in which they went about the draft, and the unexpected results of the 2022 season, I'm OK with him continuing as our coach for at least another season. However, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if he decided to retire or move on. Luke warm is a good term to describe how I feel about the subject. That's quite different than I was last season when I wanted to see his head on a platter, a figure of speech of course.

My point of the above illustration about Romo, Prescott, and Pete is to demonstrate how frustrated I am over our very mediocre results over the past 8 seasons. Unlike others, I am not at all satisfied with them. I want more. I'm tired of the participation badges.

[tarlhawk]

OK Riv..."bashing" may be a harsh expression of disappointment ...as I mentioned I already feel I have a bias toward quick dismissal of a coach...often by media talking heads not necessarily on this site. As for getting deeper in the playoffs...its harder than many give credit to...no way we should have been in that 49er game for almost 3/4 of the game...the 49ers (like the eagles) are stacked on both sides with both of those teams peaking (health wise and via team cohesion)...McVay has capitalized on the current state of NFL Rules emphasis slanted toward the offense. As good as the 49er stacked defense looks...it was the master schemed relentless offensive attack across the middle that finally gained the ability to crack open the game and punish our team for giving them a "scare". Shane Waldron has us moving in a similar direction on offense...our defense is gathering some strong pieces...Nwosu/DT/Mafe means we don't have to rebuild our DL from scratch...we need to keep stacking in more pieces to build up a punishing rotation...as good as Ryan Neal performed...Jamal Adams is key ...to being a punishing heat seeking missle on a misplayed gap assignment by our DL/LB...his burst and attack angle is capable of limiting explosive runs. Go Hawks

[NorthHawk]

Unfortunately Adams can’t be that heat seeking missile as he’s subject to injury of late. Add to that he doesn’t add
value as a pass defender either as he has sub par ball skills. He might have to be a post June 1st cut and we’ll take the
dead cap hit. That could save something around $8M of Cap space if I remember correctly.

[obiken]

The problem is in Dallas is the cap period, they only get worse. Hawk Talk thinks Pete is a great FB Coach, and I think he is a good one, but I do not think he is mutt food. Lets not underestimate luck in the whole dead as well, like getting RW in the 3rd round.

[tarlhawk]

You (NorthHawk) and others knock his pass coverage as no added value yet he was showing improvement in 2021 allowing QB a completion percentage of 58.8
with 2 int in just 12 games played with 87 tackles and only 7 missed tackles...this year in 17 games only our two main LB had more tackles. Participation is key but injuries wreck havoc on the best of players who throw their bodies around with reckless abandon...if he can play...you need this guy shutting down the other teams explosive runs...a BIG "If" for sure. Go hawks

[Hawktawk]

Nobody’s content losing in the WC but you d can’t win one if you aren’t there . Yes there have been bad trades , bad contracts , bad decisions over these last few years . But much of it including the turd in the WC in 20 I’ve come to attribute to a rift the size of the Grand Canyon between Russ and Seattle plus the game his decline began to accelerate . 11-29 for 141 pick 6 don’t lie. When the trade went down and the dirt came out I sensed it would be a relief at the v Mac and it’s clear there was . It was an epic feat to do what they did including nailing the draft . So let’s see what happens next year starting with draft and FA. It’s a more important season than this one .we take a dump and regress msybr it’s time for Pete . I think it’s gonna be good .

[NorthHawk]

You (NorthHawk) and others knock his pass coverage as no added value yet he was showing improvement in 2021 allowing QB a completion percentage of 58.8
with 2 int in just 12 games played with 87 tackles and only 7 missed tackles...this year in 17 games only our two main LB had more tackles. Participation is key but injuries wreck havoc on the best of players who throw their bodies around with reckless abandon...if he can play...you need this guy shutting down the other teams explosive runs...a BIG "If" for sure. Go hawks

Showing improvement? From the highest paid S in the NFL? He's an established player and what he's established is he's not very good in pass coverage. And now he's regularly getting hurt by trying to be physical.
So we have an often injured S who isn't a ball hawk and lacks top end coverage skills playing in the league who's rules favor throwing the ball. If you don't have ball skills in today's NFL, you're already at a disadvantage.
The opponents run game needs to be stopped at the LoS. Relying on Safety's to do that means the front 7 aren't doing their job. That idea can't be part of the defensive scheme - it has to be the last resort.

[Old but Slow]

While I hate the whole topic of Jamal Adams, I can not help thinking that Pete thought that Adams would be another Kam. A hitter, intimidator, and a free-floating force in the defense. What he became is a small linebacker, rushing the passer and leaving the defensive backfield a man short. When they tried him as a classic strong safety he mainly excelled at heading the ball.

[NorthHawk]

Ah, yes. The Face Mask Follies.

[obiken]

While I hate the whole topic of Jamal Adams, I can not help thinking that Pete thought that Adams would be another Kam. A hitter, intimidator, and a free-floating force in the defense. What he became is a small linebacker, rushing the passer and leaving the defensive backfield a man short. When they tried him as a classic strong safety he mainly excelled at heading the ball.

There was no way you could come to that conclusion logically based on JA's past performance. Moreover, Kam Chancellor would not get away with the hits that he laid on people 10 years ago. Add to that, you do not give up 2 first rounders for a box safety now days, the Jets just saw Pete coming, period. You pay An edge pass rusher to put pressure on the QB, and a CB to cover.

[NorthHawk]

I think Pete realized his hideous mistake of going with Irvin and Mayowa as starting DEs and panicked. As Adams
came available they gave up the farm to get some pressure on the QB. We were at that time on pace for a record
for futility on Defense before then. But Adams, being a Safety got beat up by opposing much larger OL over time.

[Hawktawk]

While I hate the whole topic of Jamal Adams, I can not help thinking that Pete thought that Adams would be another Kam. A hitter, intimidator, and a free-floating force in the defense. What he became is a small linebacker, rushing the passer and leaving the defensive backfield a man short. When they tried him as a classic strong safety he mainly excelled at heading the ball.

There was no way you could come to that conclusion logically based on JA's past performance. Moreover, Kam Chancellor would not get away with the hits that he laid on people 10 years ago. Add to that, you do not give up 2 first rounders for a box safety now days, the Jets just saw Pete coming, period. You pay An edge pass rusher to put pressure on the QB, and a CB to cover.[/quote]

Kam and the Seahawks implemented the rugby style tackle very legal . Watch his hit on Denarius Thomas in 48. Welker too . He would be fine today .

[NorthHawk]

I think it would have taken some of Kam's game away with the new rules.
A big part of his presence was creating fear of coming over the middle or in his area. There were a lot of crocodile arms around him, but today, even more than then flags are thrown far quicker and without real evidence other than
it was a big hit. They are often picked up, but just the throwing of the flag can have an effect on a player that could lessen his effectiveness. For instance, the big hit on Thomas in the SB might today be considered hitting a
defenseless receiver as well as that hit on the SF TE (was it Vernon Davis?) in the playoffs. Neither of those were Rugby style tackles.

[RiverDog]

Back to the OP.

There's two very interesting games today. I heard on GMF that this is the first time in 20 some years that the point spread in both games is under 3. I also heard that the 49-ers-Eagles matchup is the first conference championship game that pits the #1 defense against the #1 offense since back in the 70's when the Cowboys faced the Vikings.

Up until the past few weeks, I've taken a "show me" attitude towards the Eagles, but I'm a believer now. Same with the Bengals, but to a little lesser degree. Joe Burrow can take his place amongst the elite QB's as he's proven that last year was no fluke. Where's Rodgers been all this time?

Including the playoffs, the Niners have won 12 straight games. Has a team that had 3 starting quarterbacks ever made it to a championship game? I can't think of one.

The Chiefs are playing in their 5th straight conference championship. That's quite a feat. Did the Patriots make it to 5 straight?

[Hawktawk]

I think it would have taken some of Kam's game away with the new rules.
A big part of his presence was creating fear of coming over the middle or in his area. There were a lot of crocodile arms around him, but today, even more than then flags are thrown far quicker and without real evidence other than
it was a big hit. They are often picked up, but just the throwing of the flag can have an effect on a player that could lessen his effectiveness. For instance, the big hit on Thomas in the SB might today be considered hitting a
defenseless receiver as well as that hit on the SF TE (was it Vernon Davis?) in the playoffs. Neither of those were Rugby style tackles.

The hit on Vernon Davis was legal but flagged . No head contact . No defenseless receiver . It was just so violent and David really never got his courage back as far as I could tell .
Kam would be fine as any other guy . I wish we could find out if I’m right but he was a clean player and I don’t recall him being flagged a lot for fouls.

[NorthHawk]

The hit on Vernon Davis was legal but flagged . No head contact . No defenseless receiver . It was just so violent and David really never got his courage back as far as I could tell .
Kam would be fine as any other guy . I wish we could find out if I’m right but he was a clean player and I don’t recall him being flagged a lot for fouls.

Were they taking into account or maybe the better term emphasizing the 'Defenseless Receiver' aspect then?
I think but can't really remember if they did back then. Now it almost seems it's difficult to even touch a receiver until he's taken a couple of steps or the flag gets thrown.

[Hawktawk]

Trying to recall the details but as I recall Davis is wide open but Kap is a bit late allowing Kam to be in bang bang hit position . He hit Davis in the chest so hard he received a concussion when he landed out of bounds . Remarkably the LOB held and they either missed the Fg or it was blocked making the understandable bad call worth it . Kam lived rent free in Davis head the rest of his career .

[RiverDog]

The 49'ers really imploded in their NFCCG vs. the Eagles, committing a huge number of bad penalties that culminated in a brawl at the end of the game. That and 3 turnovers, especially the one at the end of the first half that the Eagles converted into a TD, killed any chance the Niners had of making a game of it.

And it was a stupid penalty committed by the Bengals in the last minute of regulation that put the Chiefs in FG range with less than 10 seconds that allowed them to kick the game winner.

I know some in here are big critics of the officiating, but I didn't see any of the calls in either of the games that should have been picked up. The worst call went against the Eagles when it was pretty obvious that a punted ball struck a camera wire that cost them about 20-25 yards in field position.

[Hawktawk]

The 49'ers really imploded in their NFCCG vs. the Eagles, committing a huge number of bad penalties that culminated in a brawl at the end of the game. That and 3 turnovers, especially the one at the end of the first half that the Eagles converted into a TD, killed any chance the Niners had of making a game of it.

And it was a stupid penalty committed by the Bengals in the last minute of regulation that put the Chiefs in FG range with less than 10 seconds that allowed them to kick the game winner.

I know some in here are big critics of the officiating, but I didn't see any of the calls in either of the games that should have been picked up. The worst call went against the Eagles when it was pretty obvious that a punted ball struck a camera wire that cost them about 20-25 yards in field position.

Once again......NO CALLS!!!!!the no calls are often the biggest game changers. The PF is getting called every time although it was nauseating watching mahomes flop and throw his arms up up in the air after being pushed right at the out of bounds with one arm.
Its getting called every time. I won't call it a dumb play just a worn out dude trying to make a play.

My issue is this. On the return not sure who the Cincinnati guy was but hes at the point of attack trying to run backwards with a chief totally clamping him by the shoulders from behind. when the guy lets go the runner is gone. The special teams coach was jumping 3 feet in the air screaming in the officials face after the play. They should have been on the 15 or something instead of midfield.The same thing happened to Woolen on the Deebow TD down the left side.

Then on the big play there is an obvious hold at the point of attack, sustained hold allowing gimpy to get the edge. In real time I couldn't figure out how a one legged Mahomes beat those guys to the edge. Now I know.

2 no calls than a call Geno didn't get twice this year.

Yeah Burrow threw 2 picks, their O line couldn't handle the pass rush (shoulda traded Bobby for a king's ransom and signed Clark in hindsight). I don't care. Its a 20-20 game that should have been in overtime at minimum.
This isn't HTs opinion alone. I've been reading about that uncalled hold online this morning. Blatant point of attack foul not called. then a call when the guy should have never made the edge at all. Sick of KC.

The Eagles are 1 game from me eating some crow. They look real, have all year. The front 7 is as good as it gets. But the games over on Purdys 3rd pass when his ulnar nerve received a significant injury. the ruled fumble was a killer.Then Johnson turns it over and then gets concussed so purdys back out with a damaged ulnar nerve. Snakebit at the position is an understatement.That great D had to know there wasn't a chance. Hard to stay motivated. But tip of the cap they look like the best team for sure.
I wonder how a guy like Geno that took every snap despite 46 sacks would look in that 9ers offense. He can make a lot of deep throws Purdy can't.

I have zero interest in this upcoming game frankly . No rooting interest. Not sure ill watch . I've watched every year for probably 40 years but I'm about out of here.
I'm sick of the officiating. Fed up. To be fair I was on a plane from scottsdale then driving over Snoqualmie till the last 5 minutes of the nightcap but even that was enough.
The rest I heard on the radio or have read accounts.
That crew is brutal. Most are. And they dont miss stuff for the most part. They make decisions.

[RiverDog]

As far as eating crow about the Eagles, I'm right there with you. Up until their first playoff game, I was still a doubter, but not anymore. They are legitimate, and I'm picking them to win it all.

As far as your other musings, I don't get caught up in all of that. Of course, there's going to be missed calls, just like there's speeders that get away doing 50mph in a 35mph speed zone. Some people get lucky and don't get caught, but I'd rather see that unfairness than I would live in a police state where you get a ticket for just 1mph over the limit.

If we had some sort of computer, robot, or "eye in the sky", they could call holding on every play.

[Hawktawk]

Yeah but when they can call it every play and they call it on one team and not the other most of the night it’s a problem . As a golden example we return to Xl which featured the #1 and 2 sack teams Seattle was called for 4 holds and Pittsburgh zero .

I don’t have all the stats . My kid said they took away a first down on a 3rd and 9 on some stoppage of play thing . It’s all over the Internet buddy . Memes with refs and the caption mvp. I know where you’re coming from. I’m not with you . I think there’s more then one guy with a straw buyer and a bookie .

[govandals]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually kinda feel bad for Niners. Like the one announcer said, it's like going in a fight with one hand tied behind your back. Too bad, it should have been a good game.

I don't think the refs really played a role in either outcome yesterday.

[NorthHawk]

It's pretty tough to have a good showing when you lose your starting QB even if he's actually the 3rd string QB on the depth chart then lose his backup.
Their Defense was still pretty impressive considering the Offense couldn't really help. The score didn't reflect how well their Defense played.

[tarlhawk]

The score didn't reflect the 49er defense impact but the Eagle passing and rushing stat lines reflect the 49ers defense controlling somewhat a dynamic Eagle offense. This reflects the huge impact an offense works in (with the current NFL rules slanted toward higher scoring). Without a functioning QB to complement their defense...the game was quickly decided allowing the Eagles to crank it up or just play smart football knowing your superbowl ticket got an early punch...such are the fortunes in a typical NFL season!

[Hawktawk]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually kinda feel bad for Niners. Like the one announcer said, it's like going in a fight with one hand tied behind your back. Too bad, it should have been a good game.

I don't think the refs really played a role in either outcome yesterday.

So an uncalled obvious hold on Mahomes scramble on the play that set up the game winning foul didn’t matter ? Didn’t affect the game ?

It’s been on the news . How did that no call not affect the game ? The no call on the return was worse . Either one is called it is in overtime .

[obiken]

The score didn't reflect the 49er defense impact but the Eagle passing and rushing stat lines reflect the 49ers defense controlling somewhat a dynamic Eagle offense. This reflects the huge impact an offense works in (with the current NFL rules slanted toward higher scoring). Without a functioning QB to complement their defense...the game was quickly decided allowing the Eagles to crank it up or just play smart football knowing your superbowl ticket got an early punch...such are the fortunes in a typical NFL season!

I agree TH, but IF you were a 9er fan, you would be left to wonder not if Purdy would not gotten injured, but what if Jimmy G, would have healthy enough to be a viable back up. Tough beat for the 9ers.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

The Eagles are a very good team; one of the best in the NFC and NFL. So were the 49ers until their 3rd String starter of the last 7 games got injured to the point he couldn't throw a pass and his backup gets knocked out with a concussion. Very easy defensive scheming for the Eagles at that point. The win counts, but it's got a big, fat asterisk next to it. That wasn't one hand tied behind their back; it was both. I didn't want them to win, but I didn't want them to lose like that. Plus, Eagles' players were being real Richards out there. Not thrilled to pull for them.

Bengals had their chances. Burrow and Co. had the ball with 2 minutes left to at least get a FG, and they couldn't do it. I still don't like the calls/lack of calls for the Chiefs, either. Was it conspiracy? No, but that doesn't mean the refs weren't ready to end the game, and I don't know how Ossai is supposed to pull up. Both players are digging hard for that first down marker. That's a hard discernment to make in the moment at that speed with all that adrenaline.

Not a big fan now of either team being in the Super Bowl.

[trents]

So an uncalled obvious hold on Mahomes scramble on the play that set up the game winning foul didn’t matter ? Didn’t affect the game ?

It’s been on the news . How did that no call not affect the game ? The no call on the return was worse . Either one is called it is in overtime .

The refs had a bad day in both games yesterday. At least in the second game ref mistakes likely affected the outcome.

Aside from specifics related to the playoff action yesterday, one change I would like to see in the off season is loosening restrictions on plays that are off limits to review.

[RiverDog]

Aside from specifics related to the playoff action yesterday, one change I would like to see in the off season is loosening restrictions on plays that are off limits to review.

I'm all for improvements in the system, but I have just one requirement: That it does not unnecessarily delay the game with needless stoppages.

[trents]

I'm all for improvements in the system, but I have just one requirement: That it does not unnecessarily delay the game with needless stoppages.

I agree. One complaint I have is that refs often take too much time in reviewing plays when a quick look is all that is needed many times. I also think they too often violate the principle that the call on the field stands unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. Also, many of the reviews could be handled simply by looking at the jumbotron replay without resorting to other playback equipment being brought into play.