The two issues are inextricably linked imo. Eichel was saddled with Girgs last year, and finished slightly below a PPG. Mittelstadt at 20 is utterly (frank)ed with Elie and Pominville imo
- jcragcrumple

That's not a fair argument. We're already gone though Mittelstadt's most frequent linemates. He hasn't produced well with anyone. I make no excuses for him. He needs to improve.

My logic is that Luck is the epitome of "not good" in the playoffs. The Chiefs lost with Alex Smith. Alex Smith is not Pat Mahomes. But we also have no playoff tape on Mahomes. In that system Mahomes is better. And yes, your bias is showing a bit. I think the Pats are the most likely team to get beat. The Texans had a great run too, and looked awful. I think Andy Reid vs Frank Reich could be a blood bath. Let's hope for another 45-44 game. That was awesome. I don't think the difference is huge, but I'm giving the edge to the Chiefs mainly on Luck's pedestrian at best playoff history.
- Wetbandit1

To me the Chiefs have the worst defense left in the tournament. I watched the Broncos in 2013 steam roll through everyone just to get slapped by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. No the Colts defense isnt the 2013 Seahawks, only the 2015 Broncos could compare with the defense the Seahawks had that season, but in a game of matchups I think Luck will have all day to pass on that chiefs D. I think we'll see a shootout at Arrowhead and I got the Colts winning 38-34. Chiefs have lost twice this year scoring 40+ which is crazy.

To me the Chiefs have the worst defense left in the tournament. I watched the Broncos in 2013 steam roll through everyone just to get slapped by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. No the Colts defense isnt the 2013 Seahawks, only the 2015 Broncos could compare with the defense the Seahawks had that season, but in a game of matchups I think Luck will have all day to pass on that chiefs D. I think we'll see a shootout at Arrowhead and I got the Colts winning 38-34. Chiefs have lost twice this year scoring 40+ which is crazy.
- Pegullaville

Yeah, I'd take the over unless it was like 80.

I haven't looked at any of the lines yet.

Edit: 57. Over all day long.

- jochfr

kick was blocked

So essentially you are agreeing with my game picks then ?
- Pegullaville

yes

Yeah, I'd take the over unless it was like 80.

I haven't looked at any of the lines yet.
- Wetbandit1

Kareem Hunt may have costed Chief fans a Super Bowl, or at the very least an AFC Championship even with a subpar D

I think the 4 best teams right now , 2 from each conference is the chargers, colts in the afc

eagles and rams in nfc
- homiedclown

If your talking just talent and not hot and cold right now the Saints are better than both teams imo, and have beaten both this season.

If your talking just talent and not hot and cold right now the Saints are better than both teams imo, and have beaten both this season.
- Sabres1523

It’s hard to beat the same team twice in one year. Not including week 17 when they sat players, they struggled a bit down the stretch. They are still a very strong team and are the favourite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl but im still putting $20 on the Eagles just in case. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles won that game.

That's not a fair argument. We're already gone though Mittelstadt's most frequent linemates. He hasn't produced well with anyone. I make no excuses for him. He needs to improve.
- Lunaion

How's he gonna improve with Elie and Pominville? It's not gonna happen. Players have to be put in positions to succeed.

It’s hard to beat the same team twice in one year. Not including week 17 when they sat players, they struggled a bit down the stretch. They are still a very strong team and are the favourite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl but im still putting $20 on the Eagles just in case. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles won that game.
- Pegullaville

Saints beat the panthers three times last year, but I get what you’re saying. If the Saints play to their ability expecially on offence I don’t think the eagles can stop them.

How's he gonna improve with Elie and Pominville? It's not gonna happen. Players have to be put in positions to succeed.
- jcragcrumple

He has been several times and just can’t get it going. Playing Casey on the top line while Jack was out made the most sense given his natural ability and the desire to get him going. The fact that he got very little time there imo is a very clear view as to how the coaches feel about his play this year.

Saints beat the panthers three times last year, but I get what you’re saying. If the Saints play to their ability expecially on offence I don’t think the eagles can stop them.
- Sabres1523

Chargers beat the Ravens last week also. Maybe that part of my argument was moot but yea if the Saints are going on all cylinders they should win that game. Eagles are battle tested and with Foles at QB they are 7-0 in their last 7 with a Super Bowl ring to boot. I just think that the odds of the Eagles winning are probably better then the odds Vegas has of them winning the game. Could turn a pretty penny, if not at least it makes the game more interesting.

How's he gonna improve with Elie and Pominville? It's not gonna happen. Players have to be put in positions to succeed.
- jcragcrumple

You seem to base everything in context of points.

He can get better without being on the scoresheet consistently.

Elie and Pommer have nothing to do with stupid plays he makes.

In fact, playing with 23 and 53 or 9 could actually just artificially make him better.

I’d like him to play with skill players btw, but him getting better and having better line mates isn’t mutually exclusive.

He needs to be better period

He has been several times and just can’t get it going. Playing Casey on the top line while Jack was out made the most sense given his natural ability and the desire to get him going. The fact that he got very little time there imo is a very clear view as to how the coaches feel about his play this year.
- Sabres1523

Mittelstadt's most common linemate has been Okposo, who mustered 45 and 44 points here previously, while playing with Eichel and ROR. Now Okposo is with Larsson (read into that as you may), and Mittelstadt's playing with Elie and Pominville. The dude is screwed. He should be with guys who have a chance to score

You seem to base everything in context of points.

He can get better without being on the scoresheet consistently.

Elie and Pommer have nothing to do with stupid plays he makes.

In fact, playing with 23 and 53 or 9 could actually just artificially make him better.

I’d like him to play with skill players btw, but him getting better and having better line mates isn’t mutually exclusive.

He needs to be better period
- sbroads24

He looks like a player with no confidence right now. He has made some boneheaded plays that have gotten him in the doghouse as well. I think maybe him getting some time with Skinner and Reinhart though will be better for his morale at least and give him some jump. If it doesn't work at least Jack is probably back for Saturday.

You seem to base everything in context of points.

He can get better without being on the scoresheet consistently.

Elie and Pommer have nothing to do with stupid plays he makes.

In fact, playing with 23 and 53 or 9 could actually just artificially make him better.

I’d like him to play with skill players btw, but him getting better and having better line mates isn’t mutually exclusive.

He needs to be better period
- sbroads24

Put Eichel with Elie and I guarantee Eichel looks dumb 2-3 times a game. He's gonna try passes where Elie isn't there because Elie doesn't know where to be. Mitts needs to be with offensively minded guys

He looks like a player with no confidence right now. He has made some boneheaded plays that have gotten him in the doghouse as well. I think maybe him getting some time with Skinner and Reinhart though will be better for his morale at least and give him some jump. If it doesn't work at least Jack is probably back for Saturday.
- Pegullaville

I can agree to a small extent, but does someone lacking confidence make as many no look passes as he does?

Put Eichel with Elie and I guarantee Eichel looks dumb 2-3 times a game. He's gonna try passes where Elie isn't there because Elie doesn't know where to be. Mitts needs to be with offensively minded guys
- jcragcrumple

To an extent, sure, but Mitts issues aren’t that players can’t cash on chances he’s creating

Chargers beat the Ravens last week also. Maybe that part of my argument was moot but yea if the Saints are going on all cylinders they should win that game. Eagles are battle tested and with Foles at QB they are 7-0 in their last 7 with a Super Bowl ring to boot. I just think that the odds of the Eagles winning are probably better then the odds Vegas has of them winning the game. Could turn a pretty penny, if not at least it makes the game more interesting.
- Pegullaville

As a Saints fan I hope u are wrong

To an extent, sure, but Mitts issues aren’t that players can’t cash on chances he’s creating
- sbroads24

And to that I would say, what chances can he create with Elie and a 36 year old Pominville? He's not gonna gain confidence there. It's a waste of time. He should be playing with better players. I know that there's 0 chance Housley plays him with Sheary/Smith and Thompson; it's just not gonna happen. But hopefully when Wilson comes back, they'll play Mitts with Wilson and Thompson, which is literally the least they could do to help the kid

How's he gonna improve with Elie and Pominville? It's not gonna happen. Players have to be put in positions to succeed.
- jcragcrumple

The good players: play well with everyone.

Better with the star players

I can agree to a small extent, but does someone lacking confidence make as many no look passes as he does?
- sbroads24

No but somebody feeling the pressure and forcing things to work might.

As a Saints fan I hope u are wrong
- Sabres1523

Haha well in that case I wish you the best of luck ! If the Saints beat the Eagles I think they represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Haha well in that case I wish you the best of luck ! If the Saints beat the Eagles I think they represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
- Pegullaville

And to that I would say, what chances can he create with Elie and a 36 year old Pominville? He's not gonna gain confidence there. It's a waste of time. He should be playing with better players. I know that there's 0 chance Housley plays him with Sheary/Smith and Thompson; it's just not gonna happen. But hopefully when Wilson comes back, they'll play Mitts with Wilson and Thompson, which is literally the least they could do to help the kid
- jcragcrumple

casey should have smith or sheary on lw and thompson or nylander on rw