Guest the pinjockey Report post Posted January 12, 2003 So I get to be the rational Eagles fan? And I do think that while he isn't there yet in time Vick will be a little better than McNabb because he is a step faster and he throws a bit better deep ball. It will just take a little time to see his leadership ability, if it is worse than McNabb then I would lean towards Donovan, but if it is even I would go with Vick due to the above reasons. The only thing that will hurt him is holding onto the ball too long and dying. He is lucky he hasn't been hit more often like Dawkins hit him tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted January 12, 2003 First off, Forget about this Ridiculous and superfical Eagles/Bucs crap...U can't automatically asume Tampa has won the game already. Next, Tennessee/Pittsburgh JUST might be one of the BEST Playoff games of all time. What a game, 34-31 Overtime with a Crazy and Surreel finish with the fireworks blasting over the kicker's head along with Cower's personal Fireworks. Fisher and Cower are always fun to watch against each other. The big concern now? What is George's Status? Atlanta is a young team so they weren't ready to go to the Conference Championship but Philly better hope they were simply lethargic because of lack of competition or Tampa or S.F will tear that soft production apart limb from limb. I expect A ***3/4 game between Tampa and S.F and a Dud with Oakland/NYJets. Everyone seems convinced Oakland/NYJets will be a classic, I don't, I sense a 34-13 blowout for New York. Yeah ya heard me. Tennesse Was the team I picked at the start of this joint and I will stick with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 12, 2003 Vick is clownshoes compared to McNabb This guy is 1/8 what Mcnabb is. Vick is a good quarterback. McNabb is a franchise player. Have you actually watched Atlanta this season? Michael Vick is the most exciting player in football, hands down. He's won a couple games for his team entirely by himself. I don't think I've ever seen such ignorant remarks about a player as talented as Vick. If McNabb is such a franchise player, how come the Eagles did so well without him? How come he only put up 13 points on the Atlanta D? If Vick had the same amount of protection McNabb did, he might have been able to do more. As it is, he made lemonade from lemons fairly often. Keep in mind that he should be a senior in college right now, it's his first year as a starter, and he's basically getting by on ability. Once he actually learns what he's doing, Vick will be better than McNabb. He's already faster, he already has a better arm, and he's already harder to being down. Give him a couple more years and he'll be truly scary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 12, 2003 As for the games themselves... Tennessee/Pittsburgh was a throwback game, with both teams trying to out-physical each other. Pittsburgh won that battle, but they lost the war. Tennessee turned the ball over way too many times, and Pittsburgh capitalized on those chances to make this a very competitive game. I don't know what play Cowher was watching when he said Nedney took two steps forward and Washington was sliding across the ground. Losing teams always bitch about the officials calling a penalty, but what else are they supposed to do? As an official, you can't stuff your flag in your pocket and refuse to throw it when you see a foul, just because it's overtime in the playoffs. The Steelers lost, and all of Cowher's whining and poor sportsmanship won't change that. Philly/Atlanta ended up being closer than I thought it would be. The Philly D was as fast and tough as advertised, giving Michael Vick all kinds of problems in the first half. It seemed like he had a couple of Eagles for company in the backfield on every play, and it's only because he's very hard to wrap up for a loss that Atlanta was able to move the ball when they did. Things improved for Vick in the second hand, but the defense was still too tight. Atlanta hurt themselves with penalties all game, and the Eagles' fairly conservative offense prevailed in the end. In toto, it was an excellent day of football. I don't think Sunday's games can top this pair, but we'll just have to watch and see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted January 12, 2003 The Niners are just clearly overmatched. I have a feeling this will be a bad day for the Bay Area with the Jets being the hottest team in the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted January 12, 2003 I just hope the Bucs can beat the Eagles next week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mad Dog Report post Posted January 12, 2003 The 9ers/Buccs game was over the minute Plumber went down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted January 12, 2003 If anyone wants to see the field of divisional predictions, check the playoff thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted January 12, 2003 Possibly the best offensive performace for Tampa all year. It's going to be a lot tougher against Philly's D, but I like the matchup. Should be a good game in the NFC Championship. Tampa will win, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kingpk Report post Posted January 13, 2003 Looks like we got our championship games set. NFC: Bucs vs. Eagles AFC: Titans vs. Raiders Looks good. I wonder what the fans will do after the Eagles game? Take a collective shit in the stands to signify what a dump the Vet was? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Still Fly Report post Posted January 13, 2003 All the home teams won this weekend. It just goes to show how important home field advantage is during the playoffs. 1 good game the rest were lousy. My Raiders are moving on. Bring on the Titans baby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 13, 2003 49ers/Bucs: The first example of Quarterbacks Gone Rattled: Jeff Garcia. He never got into a rhythm because of the relentless Tampa Bay pressure. They didn't even have to do all-out blitzes -- plenty of times, they rushed only four or five guys and still hurried Garcia. The defining play of the game, though, was toward the end of the first half, when, despite having 40 ticks on the clock and two time-outs, Steve Mariucci just packed it in and took his charges into the locker room. Gutless, plain and simple. Nothing Tampa Bay did said "Game over" like that. Teams respond to things like that, and when the coach packs it in, you can bet the players will follow. Tampa moves on to a very tough matchup against the Eagles. The cold weather streak is over, and I doubt Gruden would have let it be an issue anyway. Jets/Raiders: The second example of QBs Gone Rattled: young Chad Pennington. The NFL's highest-rated starting starting QB finished with a dismal sub-50 rating for this game. He was sacked four times, hit at least three times as many, and generally rushed about a dozen more times. Again, the Raiders didn't need to do a big blitz to bring the pressure. After a good, if slightly shaky, first half, Pennington just fell apart in the second half. His passes sailed high or wide, and two were intercepted. His counterpart played like he was the league MVP. Rich Gannon moved the Raiders' offense, especially in the second half when they put the game away. Their secondary looked healthier than some people were expecting, and did a good job covering speedsters Santana Moss and Lavernues Coles. The Raiders stay at home, with Tennessee coming to town in a matchup that certainly looks to have a lot of PHYSICAL INTENSITY~! Neither game was really close -- and the first one was effectively over at halftime -- so I'd say yesterday's games were better. Still a great weekend of playoff football, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 13, 2003 Eh, the Titans are dinged up, and the Raiders' veteran leadership's kicking in right now. Not to mention they've got the MVP of the league and home field. I think Oakland's going to blow 'em out. As for the Eagles/Bucs, it'll be close, and they'll beat the shit out of each other. I'm thinking it's going to be pretty low-scoring (duh), with tons of penalties and big mistakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 13, 2003 I think Oakland's going to blow 'em out. I doubt it, really. My roommate was saying how Pittsburgh was going to blow out Tennessee. I wish we would have bet on the outcome (though he's a big spread guy, and the Titans didn't cover in their win). The Titans seem to get the short end of the stick in a lot of people's estimations. They have a lot of veterans themselves, though no one quite as venerable as some of the chaps on the Raiders. The fact is, they're 11-1 after their terrible start, their QB is nigh on impossible to knock out of the game or rattle, and they can bring the physicality with anyone. Whether they can win in Oakland remains to be seen, but I doubt the game will be a blowout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TUS_02 Report post Posted January 13, 2003 But then again, many people thought the "red hot" Jets were going to beat a rested Raiders, IN OAKLAND and Oakland took them home. Tennessee is going to be more difficult then the Jets, but Raiders did put a pounding on them early in the season. And yes, while the Titans are pretty much a completely different team... going back to where you lost by 27 points is going to be a tough hump to climb over no matter who you are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted January 13, 2003 Well they may not win, but it's not going to be a blow out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted January 13, 2003 Whoever comes out of the NFC is going to dominate in the Super Bowl anyways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted January 13, 2003 I hope that the NFC Wins why? The Econmy is great when NFC wins (moreso when it's the NFC East teams). So for the good of our country, GO Eagles! As for me, personally, I'm liking the Gift of Godlike feeling Im getting from McNair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sassquatch Report post Posted January 14, 2003 The Titans are banged up terribly right now and while Oakland is going into the game in much better shape. McNair doesn't even practice and George is questionable due to the concussion he got in the Pitt game. I like it. As for the TB/Philly game, Philly has the all around package with no glaring flaws unlike TB due to their inadequate offense which is going to get spanked. September gave everyone a good idea about how a Philly/TB game might go and I have no other reasons to believe that TB is going to make it past Philly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 14, 2003 McNair didn't practice once in December and the Titans went 5-0 that month. Just saying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sassquatch Report post Posted January 14, 2003 The Raiders decimated the Titans in the regular season and now the Titans are in worse shape than they were in September. A preview of what is to come next weekend? Possibly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted January 14, 2003 The Raiders decimated the Titans in the regular season and now the Titans are in worse shape than they were in September. A preview of what is to come next weekend? Possibly. did that information come from? In what way are they worse shape NOW than when they were 1 and 4 in September? What are they 12 and 1 since then? How is that worse? Injuries? The injury situation as of today is the best it has been ALL YEAR, not worse. As a matter of fact, most of the players that have been injured the past few weeks are back now. If anything, it's better. The Titans team from the first 5 games was a completely different team from this one. You add the chance to go to a superbowl and get that one yard together with the chance at revenge for that early in the year blowout and I don't think the Raiders stand a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted January 14, 2003 You can't count out McNair just because he may be hurt. It will take alot to keep him down. Neither team will blow the other out. Titans will survive on heart and Oakland will survive on Gannon. Also someone seems to be relying way too much on early season results. What happened way back in September has little meaning come playoff time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TUS_02 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Steelers beat Cleveland twice in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Titans beat Steelers in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Raiders beat the Jets in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Raiders beat the Titans in the regular season.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Also, who does Tennessee have that can deal with Oakland's deep threats? The Raiders have got the best guy to ever play the WR position, and a top 10 all-time guy on the other side of the field, not to mention a hot young receiver in the no. 3 slot, and an MVP quarterback who's healthy, in a great rhythm, and having a career-highlight year. Those are some dangerous offensive weapons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MD2020 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Steelers beat Cleveland twice in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Titans beat Steelers in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Raiders beat the Jets in the regular season... they beat them in the playoffs Raiders beat the Titans in the regular season.... I certainly hope this holds true for the Eagles/Bucs game as well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 14, 2003 The Raiders decimated the Titans in the regular season and now the Titans are in worse shape than they were in September. WTF? Worse shape than they were in September? In September, the Titans' defense was giving up over 30 points per game because of injuries. Since then, they've given up 16 points per game. Also, the Raiders scored two special teams TDs early in that game (both by chaps no longer on the roster, btw) en route to a 21-0 first quarter lead. The Titans have greatly improved their special teams since then, especially their coverages. They've been the hottest team in the league since September ended. How can they possibly be in worse shape now? I know you're a Raiders fan, Sass, but at least give the other team SOME credit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Also, who does Tennessee have that can deal with Oakland's deep threats? The Raiders have got the best guy to ever play the WR position, and a top 10 all-time guy on the other side of the field, not to mention a hot young receiver in the no. 3 slot, and an MVP quarterback who's healthy, in a great rhythm, and having a career-highlight year. Those are some dangerous offensive weapons. They are dangerous weapons. The Raiders are a tough team to match up against when they're on offense, and it's not just because of those receivers. They shift their personnel around, using motion, bunching receivers on one side of the field, etc. What that mainly does is confuse zone coverage schemes and let their receivers find a seam. Of course, even if the Titans manage to go Cover 2 or 2 Deep and blanket the receivers effectively, that opens them up for Charlie Garner to run like a madman. Samari Rolle is a heck of a corner, though, and Lance Schulters is also a good DB. Kevin Carter and DA FREAK~! anchor the ends of a good defensive line, and the Titans also have three good linebackers, led by budding superstar Keith Bulluck. It's a fucking SIN no one on that team made the Pro Bowl. As for the Raiders' receivers, only Porter is a deep threat these days, and his man weapon is his size advantage. Rice and Brown have both lost a step, but they're both so damn good at running their routes and catching the ball that it almost doesn't matter. Hell, Jerry Rice has made a very good living running slants and skinny posts for 20 years, and people STILL can't stop him. Keep selling the Titans short, though. That's exactly what they want, I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Vick is still an average passing quarterback. He doesn't have the receivers, but he's learning how to be pass inside the pocket, and that's something the Buccs and Eagles forced him to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sassquatch Report post Posted January 15, 2003 They've been the hottest team in the league since September ended. How can they possibly be in worse shape now? I know you're a Raiders fan, Sass, but at least give the other team SOME credit. I gave the Titans plenty of praise when they beat the Steelers who I thought were going to roll the Titans. But the Raiders are a better team than the Steelers and while I don't think the game will be won by the Raiders by as large a deficit as the September game was, I don't see the Titans winning this game. The Raiders beat the tar out of the Jets who everyone and their mother were saying would beat the Raiders because they shut out a Colts team who always fucks up in January. McNair is not going to practice until Wednesday or Thursday from what I understand and George is questionable for this weekends game after his concussion in the Pitt game he got. That is not helping them going into Oakland. Just like the Lambeau field "blelow 34 degrees, freezing out, etc." deal, the tale about the underdog AFC teams beating the favored teams looks like it might be broken come this weekend. Just saying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
