MichiganCardinal

Agreed. Vince Gilligan is an ass, knowing damn well he can just leave us needing more in a finale and we’ll all be back whenever it drops.

I sat down to watch it and was bummed it wasn’t up, then looked back at this post to see I was two minutes early. 🍿

You’re right, he signed a two-year extension in 2024 but he was already signed through 2025, so the deal is through next year. I like Vaki, but even if he’s not as good as Montgomery, you’ve got a bona fide stud in Gibbs. Sonic and Knuckles was fun, but when Sonic can run 80 yards anytime he touches the ball, it’s hard to avoid that being the best thing for the team.

The NCAA, for once in its existence, is blameless here. The CFP is an independent entity. The format as it exists with five conference champion auto-bids is something of a relic of the days of there actually being 4-5 “power conferences.” With the PAC-12 dead, the B1G and SEC are the Power Two and the ACC and Big 12 are the Weak Two, and then there is everyone else. The format wasn’t designed to accommodate an 8-5 Duke team being the ACC Champion. I have no problem with one G5 team making it. This year that would be Tulane. The days of undefeated Cincinnati getting shut out need to end when there are 12 teams making the playoff. And worst case, the best G5 team sucks (like Tulane) and the #5 seed gets an easy pass into the second round, just like the 1-seed in college basketball. But having both Tulane and James Madison is just making a mockery of what is already a diluted first round.

He’s in a contract year and I don’t think he’ll be back. He’ll be league age 29 next year. That’s ancient in running back years.

I didn't realize this and stand corrected as far as Penn State goes. I still find him underwhelming, but maybe I shouldn't. He's won everywhere he's gone.

Brohm is who I would have expected Penn State to target if Matt Campbell said no. I would probably prefer a year of interim Poggi to fix the Department and do the search right than settling on an underwhelming hire whose crowning achievement as a coach is a Big Ten title schlacking with Purdue and a Sun Bowl victory with Louisville.

They may move on this offseason.

The offseason talk has to begin with Decker. He's been hurt all year. How hurt? If he gets surgery in January or February, will he be in 2024 form by July or August? Or is this as much age degeneration as it is injury? Does he even want to return? If he's not back, you have no choice but to make that Priority #1. I don't know the cap implications of cutting him but Braden Smith (IND) will be a free agent. So will Jonah Williams (ARI). They're both in their late 20s though and will probably want a three-year deal, with the knowledge they'll probably regress soon. They're also both RTs, which means you're moving either them or Sewell out of position, something they haven't wanted to do. Otherwise, you're calling on a rookie to protect Goff's blindside. I'm not a fan of that. Priority #2 is begging Ragnow to come back. Obviously as a starter. Asking him to be a backup would be downright insulting. If the line next fall is Decker-Mahogany-Ragnow-Ratledge-Sewell, I think we are in significantly better shape that we were this year. If Ragnow will come back for one more year, tutor Ratledge at the center position, and allow Frazier to be a reserve IOL for a year, we are going to be in good shape. Priority #3 is a complete autopsy on the defense. For as rough as the offensive line looked, it's a real possibility the Lions will finish the season leading the league in points per game on offense without making the playoffs. How? Why? You don't need to fire Sheppard, but he needs to have a plan or his seat will be hot. The secondary was depleted, getting torched by better QBs was to be expected to some degree. But why did the run defense go from being a strength to being a liability? Will Kerby be back? Can you rely on him? When will Branch be back? Can you rely on him? Davenport better not be back. How do you finally address the Edge across from Hutch? Levi will probably be back. Can you rely on him? What can you expect out of Rakestraw? What can you expect out of Tyleik Williams? Why did Alim lose an edge this season? The list goes on. All told, I think my ideal offseason includes: 1. Decker returns 2. Ragnow returns 3. Re-sign Amik 4. Sign Jalen Thompson (DB, ARI) 5. Sign David Onyemata (DT, ATL) 6. 1st round edge rusher 7. 2nd round offensive tackle of the future 8. Late round defensive depth

vs. Setting: 12/25/2025 4:30pm on CBS (locally) & Netflix Site: US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -5.5 All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 81-45-2 Last Meeting: 11/02/2025, Vikings won 27-24 Minnesota Vikings (7-8) Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (4th Season: 41-25) Projected Starting QB: JJ McCarthy (2nd Season: 5-4) or Max Brosmer (1st Season: 0-1) Last Week: 16-13 W @ New York Giants (2-13) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) Your Detroit Lions (8-7) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-35-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-59-1) Last Game: 29-24 L vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD @ Chicago Bears (11-4) Elsewhere in the NFL Christmas Day: Cowboys @ Commanders (1:00pm), Broncos @ Chiefs (8:15pm) Saturday: Texans @ Chargers (4:30pm), Ravens @ Packers (8:00pm) Primetime: Bears @ 49ers (SNF), Rams @ Falcons (MNF) 1:00pm: Cardinals @ Bengals, Steelers @ Browns, Saints @ Titans, Jaguars @ Colts, Buccaneers @ Dolphins, Patriots @ Jets, Seahawks @ Panthers 4:05/4:25pm: Giants @ Raiders, Eagles @ Bills

Goff needs to return those golf carts.

Maybe I just don’t understand the “down by contact” rule. He’s rolling around on the ground via contact that was acknowledged via penalty…. But not actually down??

“The ruling on the field is an incomplete pass.” ”Jk lol touchdown”

The irony of calling DPI on a play where they rule him not down by contact is just chef’s kiss to NFL officiating.

Yes.