NFL 2024-2025 Season

I keep chancing my mind about Purdy, there's still more good than bad, the interceptions are an issue. I would have Darnold back he only signed a one year contract with the Vikings, but he could take them to the Super Bowl, his stock has risen, can't see the Vikings parting with him.

2024 NFL Defence Rankings (Week 16)
49ers
Total Defence No.2
Pass Defence No.3
Run Defence No.15
Points Allowed No.20
RedZone Defence No.29
3rd Down Defence No.24

And their kicker Jake Moody is probably going to be history after his disasterous performance. Even though the official position from the club is that the position is being evaluated.

(31-12-2024 15:01 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  MNF
49ers 34 - 40 Lions
A depleted 49ers team put up a fight against a Lions teams that have had their own injury problems mainly on defence. Both teams have 18 players on IR. For the Niners yet more injuries including Purdy who had a great game until 2 late interceptions separated the teams, coupled with 2 missed field goals & an extra point by Moody.
Bosa, Warner & others played banged up, it would have been easier to sit it out but that is not their way.
Both teams scored at will & it was some time before either QB had an incompletion. The games first 7 rives resulted in TD's & neither team punted in the entire game. Pearsall & Kittle had 100+ receiving yards, Guerendo had 99 combined. For the Lions Gibbs rushed for 117 yards & had 4 catches for 46.

The 49ers secured their opponents for the 2025 season due to finishing 4th in the standings. Not much solace for a really rough season, but I am a big advocate for Strength of Schedule being a factor that doesn't get talked about enough. This season has been a bit different, but 7 of the 14 possible playoff teams have had schedules against the bottom half of the league (the final spot in the AFC, all three teams have schedules in the bottom half)
As of the final week of the season, the 49ers have had the hardest SoS in the league.

^^ When it started to look like the Niners were struggling I looked at the remaining schedule & didn't really see any easy games. Next year will help a bit hopefully with a transitional roster. The 8 NFC west fixtures point to it being quite even as it was for most of this season. Then 4 NFC South & 4 AFC South opponents with some winnable games, & then there's the Browns.

The way the schedule works can often lead to some yo-yo teams having a good year on a soft schedule & then struggling the following year on a tougher one, & so the cycle repeats.

The Browns are in the "race" for the number 1 pick.

The Patriots and Titans have games against teams locked into their playoff seeding, while the Browns play the Ravens who need to win to clinch the division. The Browns beat the Ravens at home, but DTR has not looked good.

Week 18
Live On Sky Sports NFL

Sat
Browns @ Ravens 21.30

Sun
Saints @ Buccs 18.00
Chiefs @ Broncos 21.25
Vikings @ Lions 01.20

Baltimore Ravens rubber stamped their place at the top of the AFC North division with a 35-10 victory over Cleveland Browns in their final regular season match. They built a 14-3 lead by half time and were largely untroubled as they pulled away late on for a comfortable win.

(05-01-2025 01:48 )Snooks Wrote:  Baltimore Ravens rubber stamped their place at the top of the AFC North division with a 35-10 victory over Cleveland Browns in their final regular season match. They built a 14-3 lead by half time and were largely untroubled as they pulled away late on for a comfortable win.

One of the hardest seasons to sit thru as a Browns fan. Not as depressing as the Hue Jackson 1-31 record from 2016-2017 mind you, but really difficult. Last season this team made the Playoffs, now seem to be in a state of flux. The Draft offers some hope, but the Watson contract lingers over the franchise

^^ An amazing stat was rolled out last night, that since the franchise returned in 1999 they have had 40 starting quarterbacks, the next best/worse are the Bears with 30. If you consider the 59 starts by Tim Couch from 99-03 only Baker Mayfield has managed the same number of starts, next best is Derek Anderson with 34, these 3 account for half of the timespan. There have been 8 who have made just one start.
There are always many other factors behind a stat such as this, injuries play a part & not every draft pick & trade is a success. In the same period the Browns have also had 10 Head Coaches (+ 2 interims), it has been constant disruption.
If the next draft provides a similar quality as the last, hopefully the Browns can strike gold & find a franchise QB for years to come, they deserve a break.