[Heather M]

So let's say they don't get those 4 extra points, the score would be 30-28 near the end of the game.

3 seconds left, ball on SF 43 yard line. Mason Crosby to kick a 60 yarder? For a guy that routinely misses 50+, I doubt he makes what would be his career long field goal (currently 58). He's a solid kicker but he's not a world beater and he's not known for making clutch kicks, so more than likely the outcome of the game doesn't change - 49ers still get a W, Packers still get an L.

[Ebou Suso]

Yeah the refs screwed Green Bay badly there. If it was 4th and 2 they either kick the FG or go for it, which would be a coin flip in that situation.

[Ana]

That isn't how it works. The entire momentum could have shifted. Would have been a different game.

[yessenia hermosillo]

Oh whatever about momentum or other intangible [censored]. This is football and while the cliche talk about momentum is heard all over the radio, even players and coaches tell you that all of that momentum talk is just crap, even more so when you're talking about momentum carried throughout a game. It's not an aid to what you're doing, it's a label on the result of what you've done.

I could break down even further to show why that momentum stuff is mostly [censored], but in this case, it would be especially so.

• it was middle of the 2nd quarter, not the end of it and definitely not the 4th quarter. teams do play different when they have a lead or are trailing, but only late in the game or unless you're being blown out early. Had the 49ers only had a field goal from that drive and been leading by only 3 points, their play and Green Bay's play would not have changed.
• it was the end of a drive, regardless of what the call was. it's not like it extended the drive, because the succeeding play was going to be the final play of that drive anyways because it would have been 4th and 6. that means that the specials teams still would have come out, and then the opposing offenses and defenses would have come out following that. this isn't oldschool football where players play both ways anymore, Chuck Bednarik was the last one to truly do that (Sanders doesn't really count) and he retired following the 1960 season. So you can't talk about momentum when it comes to rested or tired players, because new players would have been out there for both teams

The only thing that would have really affected the game, if called properly, was that Clay Matthews should have been ejected from the game for throwing a punch. So while there was a 4-point swing there for an improper penalty, the GREATER effect from that play was that All-Pro linebacker was allowed to continue playing. Had he been properly ejected, who do you think would have had the "momentum" in that case? Answer: Not the Packers. You now have weak spot in the defense which the 49ers could have exploited more.

So I give you the option: Take 4 points off the score and remove Clay Matthews for the rest of the game OR result stands?

Did the refs mess up? Sure they did, it happens. Though what the Packers actually lost in that fiasco with the point swing is less than that of losing Matthews. Had they lost him, imagine where Kaepernick would have been sending his tight ends for the rest of the game and telling his offensive line to try to make a gap in the protection for him to run through? That's right, where Matthews wouldn't have been.

[Logan Greenwood]

You really are making the argument that momentum has no affect on a football game? Really? Bull [censored] [censored] man.

I have played the game, and I played it well. I would like sources for these [censored] coaches who think momentum is meaningless. In my experience and observations as well as my observations into most of other people's opinions, momentum is very much an important force.

I missed the whole play, only caught a snippet of highlight. Wtf is this about Clay throwing a punch? All I saw was a stupid tackle and an overreaction from teammates. Clay didn't exactly hit the QB hard. It was essentially a drag tackle.

That aside. Is position meaningless? Is confidence meaningless? If the results of that play were rewound, the Packers would have been in a different position for that game. The game would have went a different route, simply because something changed. Butterfly effect. Subtle shifts can have big impacts. So yes it is intangible, but it is entirely valid.

Momentum isn't intangible though. That wins games and loses games. Honestly, ignoring the impact of momentum in sports is just plain stupid mate. Not that you are stupid, but that is a stupid decision. I am a competive athelete and momentum and emotion are almost everything when you have two fairly similar talents colliding.

Now does that mean it wasn't a good game? No, now would the Packers have won if that play was changed? Probably not. They were getting eaten alive by Kaepernick. If Clay was taken out of the game it would have hurt the Packers for sure. However his removal is entirely debatable until I see more evidence.

[bimsy]

Lions win.. Wait how?

[Queen Bitch]

You're not the only one who has played the game, and played it well.

The concept of momentum is in our minds, purely in our minds. However, can it make us feel unbreakable, unbeatable, invincible, and unstoppable? Yes. Now if you want to talk confidence, that can play a big part in your game. Gives you focus, clarity, the right amount of testosterone and adrenaline and the other team will then start to feel confusion, doubt, and cause hesitation. Those factors can be brought in our your own choice and will, if you're strong enough. You ever see a great player doubt himself, even when their team is losing and constantly playing on their heels? No, they are always pushing and eventually they'll break through with something big. Some people have it, some people don't. At the higher levels, I had it still, but others had more than me (plus my knee blew out, so that was that and I became a student trainer until I graduated).

As for Clay Matthews throwing punches? It happened right after the late tackle, Joe Stanley came over and got in his face and gripped him up, that's when Matthews threw a punch. It's still early for a clear youtube video, but here is one now - you can see something striking Staley on the side of the helmet, that's a punch - something illegal in all levels of football that will get you ejected if you're caught. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pr8hIzNefk

____________________________

EDIT:

Want further proof that the NFL made a mistake that went the Packers way?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/23574145/nfl-49ers-ol-joe-staley-mistakenly-penalized-against-packers

If you don't want to read, it essentially states that Staley shouldn't have been penalized, and that Matthews should have received a penalty for throwing a blow to Staley's helmet (an ejectable offense).

So this whole argument about momentum and such is really moot, and people complaining about the wrong result on an offsetting penalty is also moot. There shouldn't have been offsetting penalties, Green Bay should have received two with the high possibility of Matthews being ejected. So instead of a botched replay of 3rd and 6 from Packers 10 that should have been 4th and 6 from the Packers 10, it REALLY should have been 1st and Goal from the Packers 1.5 yard line or 1 yard line (half the distance to the goal twice, or something like that).

_____________________________

You're not the only one but I have always approached it without emotion, but I do have confidence, determination, and will. You can play with emotion if you want and that's all well in good, but in my experiences emotion only complicates things and eventually works against you. I had a lot of close friends in rival schools and when we played, I had to leave emotion aside for many reasons, but the top 2 I'll name off the bat:

• I played baseball as well and my buddy played second base on a rival school, I had to breakup the double play and unfortunately when I did he was in an awkward position and I broke his ankle. Did I regret hurting him? Yes. Would I do that again to break up the double play? Absolutely.
• while playing football (free/deep safety), another friend mowed me down when I was going for an open field tackle on the runningback. this kid had almost 100 lbs on me and for good reason he played the o-line. it was a hard block and it separated my shoulder because got up under my arm when he did. When asked if he regretted me getting injured, he said yes. Would he do the same thing over again? Yes.
  
  Leave your emotions at the door during the game. It's a war and there is no room for emotions in war - you need to win.
  

  And that is my point all along. It is most likely nothing changes the outcome. Is there a chance? Yes. A slim one though at best.

very easy explanation with 2 reasons.

1. Matt Stafford >>>> Christian Ponder
2. The NFL is now more suited for a RB like Reggie Bush to succeed. When he came into the league, the NFL wasn't quite setup right for him to run all over the field like he did at USC. Now it is.

_______________________

Tuesday Morning EDIT:

Pleasantly surprised with the Eagles offense last night, they really made the Redskins defense look bad. That said, a healthy RGIII and I think the Redskins win that game. Eagles defense looked good at times, but they are dealing with a hobbled running QB. Now how will they fair against pocket passers gives optimism, but RGIII showed that once he opened up his game, he could make a lot plays against that defense. So guys like Kaepernick, Newton, Russell, and other proto-QB's are going to have field days against them.

With Chip Kelly's system, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Shady McCoy will be the NFL Rushing Leader this year. At the same time, it makes you a bit worried that he wheels could be run off if he used too much. Bryce Brown really needs to learn how to secure that football better so he can get more carries.

[meg knight]

Philly is just going to be a blast to watch this year. I don't see how in the world they can keep it up all season long though, but I'll be happy to be proven wrong. Pure entertainment. I don't see McCoy as the rushing leader, but in all-purpose yards he may be untouchable.

[Hot]

Steelers are horrible so far this year.

[Teghan Harris]

Falcons need a new damn coach.

[CHANONE]

The Broncos have terrible luck, Mannings going to need to be on his A game if the Broncos expect to get to the AFC title game or further.

I like Philly's offense although coach Kelly's going to experience growing pains for a while and they need to sure up that defense. McCoy is the key to that offense, if he goes down the seasons over for Philly.

If the Ravens beat the Texans I will be stunned because they have played terrible in the 1st 2 games. The 2nd half against the Browns was ok but it was the Browns and they may have dodged a bullet with Weeden getting injured at the end of the game and the browns had to put in a cold Campbell.

RGIII needs to get rid of that knee brace otherwise Redskins are going 6-10 this season and they won't win the NFC east.

[Angela]

Peyton took the Colts to the Superbowl, and won it. I think by now any fears of Peyton not being Peyton have been silenced. I still think the Broncos are the best team in the AFC right now.

[Benjamin Holz]

Trent Richardson has been traded to the Colts. WHAT? The Browns may never be a real NFL team again...

[Dalia]

Seriously? Well, I guess they're giving up on the season... already.

[Laura Simmonds]

I was shocked when I heard that news, Cleveland really wants to start over again.

[stephanie eastwood]

What the junk is going on in Cleveland. I'm glad I'm not a fan of them. I'm not sold on Richardson yet, but unloading him like that without giving him a chance to prove himself is kind of weak. And here I was thinking that Michael Lombardi knew what he was doing, I just never thought he would give up on a season (I've been a fan of Lombardi going back to his days with NFL Network).

[Devils Cheek]

He gained over 900 yards as a freshman, on a team that can't pass the ball and with an injury. You'd think they would address their more pressing issues, like maybe the fact their QB is complete garbage. Sure, they traded him for a first round pick, but how good is that first round pick from Indianapolis going to be (especially since they just traded them a stud RB), and furthermore they are obviously destined for another great first round pick this year. Oh, and not to mention, the passed over Jason Campbell like he wasn't even on the depth chart, to start some no name backup QB.

Thank god Browns fans are like the most loyal fans in the NFL. I'm pretty sure they've started going to games just because their team svcks.

[Jade MacSpade]

You're absolutely right with everything you've stated. I was thinking the same thing with the first round pick they're getting, because even without Richardson the Colts were still probably going to be a playoff team.

The reason I'm not sold on Richardson is because he is a big physical back and that type of running style punishes you're body that can result in injury. Last year he was forced to carry the ball, as you stated because of a nonexistent passing game, and he got banged up. Also the leading with the helmet rule could punish his style as well (I have yet to see the penalty called so I'm honestly just stretching at this point ) If he can stay healthy and not be forced to carry the ball (read team) then he should have a nice career.

Strange, it's just hitting me, the Colts have the 1st and the 3rd pick from last years draft...

[Rudy Paint fingers]

I mean I understand it's a passing league now, and you've basically got to throw the ball to be successful, but I think they could of still gotten [insert QB here] without giving away their third overall pick. I don't fault the logic of chasing a franchise QB, but the way they are trying to go about it is just plain stupid. I wonder if anybody will show up to another Browns game this year? When a franchise gives up on a season after two weeks, shouldn't you give up on being their fan? I bet the season ticket holders are furious right now.

I also agree with what you've said about Richardson. He hasn't proven himself, but I believe he has massive upside. He can only thrive in Indianapolis imo, plus take a little pressure off Luck, just not this week. (They play the 49ers)

[lillian luna]

I think Peyton is on his A game right now. No QB is playing better then him. He has recovered from his injury and he is putting up numbers like only Peyton can...which is almost scary considering what the NFL is now. In the past two seasons, more QB's have put up "Peyton numbers" while Manning was either injured or coming back from injury. He's about as good as he is going to get from his neck injury, and now he taking full advantage of the rule changes that other QB's have enjoyed to make it seem like they're as good of a passer as him. The man knows how to put up big numbers, and now with even more advantages to the offense at his disposal, he is on pace to absolutely shatter some single season passing records. Something like over 6000 yards and 70 touchdowns. I doubt he keeps up that pace all year, but it's not out of the realm of possibility for a QB of his calibur.

It was to be expected that the defense would not be good this year for Philly. Kelly focused on setting up his offense and bringing it to the NFL and it shows he knows what he is doing. As for growing pains, I wouldn't call that growing pains...that is just building your team. They will most likely focus on building the defense in the following off season. McCoy is key but if he goes down, Philly does have a nice stable of RB's behind him that can all split duties. Bryce Brown is a hell of a runner himself, reminds me of a young Tiki Barber, and like Tiki he has a problem securing that football. If he can learn to do that, Philly could have the best RB duo in the league. And at ages 25 and 22, they could easily remain that for a few years because McCoy is just now beginning to enter his prime.

[Ana Torrecilla Cabeza]

If Brown can learn to secure that ball which he probably will, that is a nasty one two tandum that Philly will have.

[Charles Weber]

It's bad for the league if tanking after an 0-2 start becomes the norm.

[Ray]

As a Falcons fan I am predicting that they will go 10-6 at best, but most likely 9-7. They need to get their defense together, they can't be ahead by like 3 touchdowns and let the other team come back and then they have to score in the last couple seconds of the game to win. That can't keep happening because if they end up in the Superbowl against Peyton Manning he is going to tear them a new one.

[Paula Ramos]

The problem is the defense AND Mike Smith. He's a conservative coach, and its one of the reasons they didn't beat the 49ners in the NFC Championship.

Sadly the Falcons have a long history of having a [censored] defense, yet have the strongest offense known to man. But what good is scoring high when you got no defense to hold the lead...?

[Daniel Lozano]

Exactly, they can have the best offense, but if their defense svcks, what's the point? Also they lost to the 49ers because they held Gonzalez on the last play, and the refs didn't call it, they most likely would have won that game had they called it.

Nevertheless, my point is it should not have come down to that in the first place.