Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Saturday's Games: Washington @ Seattle - 4:30pm EST on Fox In week 4 it took the Redskins overtime to beat the Seahawks, but that was in Washington and coming off a bye week. This week the tables will be turned with the game in Seattle and the Seahawks coming off the bye. New England @ Denver - 8pm EST on CBS The Patriots went into Denver in Week 6 and lost a game that was alot closer than most realise. With the exception of a 21 point second quarter, the Broncos were held to 7 points over the other 3 quarters. The Patriots go into this game with 3 key members of their team available that weren't for week 6; Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, and Corey Dillon. Sunday's Games: Pittsburgh @ Indianapolis - 1pm EST on CBS Pittsburgh heads back to Denver where they suffered their worst loss of the season in week 12 on Monday Night Football. That game saw Big Ben returning from a leg injury where he wasn't at his best and showed signs of rustyness. This time it will be the Colts trying to shake off the rust after about 4 weeks where most of their starters have seen little to no playing time. Carolina @ Chicago - 4:30pm EST on Fox After shutting out the Giants in New Jersey last week the Panthers return to Chicago where a 4th quarter Field Goal kept them from being shutout by the Bears in week 11. The Bears will try to prove that their seeding was no fluke and advance to the NFC Championship game for the first time since the 1988 season. My picks: Seattle New England Indy Carolina Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 The Patriots went into Denver in Week 6 and lost a game that was alot closer than most realise. With the exception of a 21 point second quarter, the Broncos were held to 7 points over the other 3 quarters. Conversely, the Patriots were held to two field goals until garbage time and shenanigans were declared in the fourth quarter. I think this one will be a lot closer than most people will think, even though I would still pick New England. I'd pick New England, Carolina, Seattle (by double digits), and Indy in a tight game. The Colts should be thanking their lucky stars that the Steelers will give them a good warmup round of hard hitting play before they meet the Patriots. Maybe too good, since the Steelers return with a healthy Roethlisberger and a bunch of bulletin board material (from the Bengals game, as well as the Colts supremacy in the regular season). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Er, wasn't Delhomme sacked an obscene number of times by the Chicago defense? People pick the Panthers to win games a LOT here, and I don't really get why Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 10, 2006 (edited) No offense, but maybe because you don't really follow football? The Panthers were a lot of people's picks before this season started to be a Super Bowl contender, and I think that perhaps those same people just don't want to be as wrong as some folks who were thinking the same things about certain teams like the Eagles and Vikings. I'd say Chicago will still probably win on Sunday, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see Carolina win. Like New England, the Panthers are peaking at the right time, although we won't truly be able to tell 100% since they only beat the Giants last week, and that's not saying much. Carolina has one of the best front fours in the league, and has an offense that can move the ball well. There's not a single team in the NFC Divisional Playoffs I can say that doesn't deserve to be there. At this point, I'd really like to see a Washington-New England Super Bowl, with the Pats winning another close, physical, hard-hitting game, and then they can go ahead and fade into obscurity after doing what noone had ever done before and threepeat a Super Bowl. Pittsburgh-Washington would also be pretty good. I just really don't want to see Indianapolis or Chicago make the big game. Edited January 10, 2006 by Vitamin X Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 No offense, but maybe because you don't really follow football? This is true. It just seems like I keep hearing "Steve Smith! Steve Smith Steve Smith Steve Smith! John Fox John Fox Steve Smith Steve Smith" but they've never seemed THAT dominant. The whole NFC South is just "there" to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 The Patriots go into this game with 3 key members of their team available that weren't for week 6; Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, and Corey Dillon Along with those three guys, the Pats were also missing Kevin Faulk (their normal back-up RB and the guy that's responsible for 3rd downs & receptions out of the backfield), Troy Brown, and had Duane Starks as a starting CB. Also, I believe this was before Hawkins stepped in as a dependable Safety. Dillon > Patrick Pass (who's serviceable as 3rd back, but not as a starter) Faulk > Amos Zerouoe Brown > Tim Dwight Hobbs > Starks (jebus, Terrell Buckley is better than Starks) Hawkins > Stone (who's so unimportant, I can't even remember his first name even though he's been a Patriot all year) I'm not saying the Pats will definitely win, and it'll be a close game even if they DO win ... but people are short-sighted if they think that the Denver/NE game from a few months ago is a good indicator of what'll happen on Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 I predict: Patriots Steelers Panthers Seahawks (by shit fucking luck) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Er, wasn't Delhomme sacked an obscene number of times by the Chicago defense? People pick the Panthers to win games a LOT here, and I don't really get why It's because, talent-wise, the Panthers may be one of the top teams in the league, let alone the NFC. They've got a tremendous defense, with a vicious front four, a great LB corps led by Dan Morgan, and a ballhawking secondary that seems to be everywhere, all the time. The offense has amazing potential as well: Steve Smith got the WR "Triple Crown" this year and for good reason, as he's a ridiculous open-field threat with good hands. Jake Delhomme can definitely heave it down field and isn't afraid to leave the pocket either (though he's certainly not a "running quarterback" in the Vick/Culpepper mold). DeShaun Foster and Stephen Davis made for a nice Thunder & Lightning combination in the backfield and, even with Davis on IR, Foster still makes the Panthers running attack one of the more explosive in the league. The problem is that they just haven't been firing on all cylinders all year. Delhomme can be Favre-esque at times and just chuck it down field into stupid interceptions. Julius Peppers can have streaks where he's the most dominant defensive player in the leauges and others where he's shut out entirely. Foster, while explosive, is an injury magnet - he's already playing through a toe injury, I believe. Even with their schizophrenic nature this year, I think they were still the No. 3 defense in the league (just behind the Bears at No. 2), so they're always a threat, even if the offense isn't all there. And, since "defense wins championships" and the Panthers have playoff experience from their Super Bowl run a few years ago, most people give them the benefit of the doubt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 I still can't believe Tampa had a better defense than the Bears at the end. Is this because they tanked their last game whilst the Bucs were still fighting for the 3 seed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Yeah, I'd say that probably did them in. For what it's worth, Chicago was still the No. 1 ranked team in the NFL in yards per play (4.4) - Tampa Bay just defended less plays than the Bears did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Yeah, article in the Tribune says under Troy Aikman's system, the Bears are #1, but the NFL says it's Tampa. I was not aware that Troy Aikman had devised a system for measuring defensive productivity, but okay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 The whole NFC South is just "there" to me. I feel the opposite, in that the NFC South has come up this decade as one of the most fiercely competitive divisons in the NFL. They've represented the NFC in two of the last three Superbowls and could have pulled a three-peat if Atlanta had beaten Philly last year. Hell, even though New Orleans hasn't been that great, they can still cause headaches for their division rivals when they meet (ex: sweeping Tampa the year they won the SB and beating Carolina earlier this year) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 10, 2006 Well it's only been around for a few years. It's just a mishmash of teams that were geographic anomalies in their old divisions. You've got the black-and-blue North, all the East teams are huge rivals, the West has the 49ers and Rams who at least used to matter, and then everyone else. I still can't rattle off the AFC North and South teams, by the way. It's that Indy-Cincy thing that throws me every time. EDIT: New England over Denver Indianapolis over Pittsburgh Chicago over Carolina, again Redskins over Seahawks, God knows how Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 11, 2006 That's because the AFC South contains the Texans, Titans, and the Jaguars aside from the Colts. How anyone can say that's not the worst division in football (it's like the old NFC West when the Niners ran roughshod over it) is beyond me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Because now it's the Seahawks killing the crapass Rams, Niners, and Cards. Patriots over the anemic Dolphins, Jets, and Bills is worse, too. The AFC south had 2 playoff representatives, and Tennessee isn't TOO terrible, in terms of their past few seasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Yeah, article in the Tribune says under Troy Aikman's system, the Bears are #1, but the NFL says it's Tampa. I was not aware that Troy Aikman had devised a system for measuring defensive productivity, but okay. It's called the "I could pass on them" system. Troy just looks at a video of a team and goes, "pfft, I could.." and then he fills in the blank. If he says, "throw four touchdowns on them", then you are in the middle of the NFL since the worst team he claims he could score 15 touchdowns in a half on. The Bears he feels he could only put up 7 points due to the poor play of his imaginery team's offensive line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 I notice a lot of people seem to forget the Seahawks have the #1 rated rush defense this year and the only guy to get 100+ on them was Tiki. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RepoMan 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Broncos over Pats. NE is way overated for beating up on ultra weak AFC East and inexperienced Jags. Double digit victory (10-13, not a rout though). Panthers over Bears close game Colts over Steeler, good game for 3 qrts until Colts pull away Seahawks over Skins in a stinker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 11, 2006 I want to win: Washington Denver Indy Carolina I predict: Seattle New England Pittsburgh Chicago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 I predict: Seattle Denver Indy (though Pittsburgh wouldn't shock me) Carolina Either way, a good week of games! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Predictions: Washington over Seattle New England over Denver Indy over Pittsburgh Carolina over Chicago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabbageboy 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Repo is the only one here who doesn't seem delusional. I'll go with my trusty point differentials to predict the winners. Indianapolis (+192) vs. Pittsburgh (+131). I'll take the Colts here. It'll be closer than the previous game, but still a double digit win I'd think. Denver (+137) vs. New England (+41). I am flat out bewildered that everyone on here is just assuming the Pats go into Denver and take out a BETTER TEAM than them (this year anyway), who has a 3 game better record, almost 100 points better in differential, and undefeated at home this year to boot. The Pats this year reek of the 1996 Dallas Cowboys (right down to the 3 titles in 4 years), and they lost in this exact round at Carolina (26-17). I'd expect something similar like Denver 27-17. Seattle (+181) vs. Washington (+66). Some people are picking the Skins to win here, and I guess it makes sense since they beat the Seahawks by 3 earlier in the season. But let's get real. The Redskins aren't all that good and it's time they say bye bye. Seattle by 7. Chicago (+58) vs. Carolina (+132). Tough one to predict really. Carolina loves to torment me come playoff time, so I think they will make enough adjustments from the last assraping at Soldier Field and get the win here by 10 or so. Thus this gives us: Indy vs. Denver, AFC title game. Seattle vs. Carolina, NFC title game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 Fine, don't pick the Bears, they'll show you! I'm like a Patriots fan, but my spiel is actually justified! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2006 So is theirs. No matter how good they were this year, I just can't get behind the Seahawks, thanks to a combination of not seeing a lot of their games and seeing how weak their division was, as well as their fairly weak overall schedule. I know they're good. My eyes tell me they're Super Bowl good. My brain just refuses to think of them as legit. I only partially buy Indy these days. Anyways: Chicago over Carolina (but I hope I'm wrong) Denver over New England Pittsburgh over Indianapolis Seattle over Washington (again, I hope I'm wrong) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 I could bring wrong, but I'm pretty sure I heard that Seattle had the easiest strength in the schedule this season. Apparently Redskins were tied for 2nd. (Friend told me this and I'm pretty sure I heard it on ESPN, so I'm not positive its correct). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 So is theirs. no not really Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Princess Leena Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Yes, really. The Bears offense isn't very good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 12, 2006 It stinks, but they matched up very well earlier in the season against them, and Rex Grossman is a better QB than Orton. They'll look better, and win a tighter game, since Fox will adjust well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 I could bring wrong, but I'm pretty sure I heard that Seattle had the easiest strength in the schedule this season. Apparently Redskins were tied for 2nd. (Friend told me this and I'm pretty sure I heard it on ESPN, so I'm not positive its correct). Turned out that way, but most preseason picks had the Seahawks the 2nd or 3rd place team behind the Rams and that sexy pick of the Cardinals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 My non-researched, non-"system" using, unknowledgeable gut picks: Seattle 28-20 New England 21-14 Pittsburgh 27-24 Carolina 23-13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
