The One and Only NFL Conference Playoffs Thread

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I know it's a little early, but I'm sure EVERYONE here has an opinion about this weekend's games.

 

AFC Conference Championship Game:

 

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

 

Favorite: NE by 3.5

 

NFC Conference Championship Game:

 

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

 

Favorite: PHI by 4

 

 

My picks: Philadelphia finds a way to win. It's why they got this far with an offense and defense ranked in the middle of the league. They play on heart and on luck and not much else. My head says Carolina puts them down on the road to the Super Bowl, but my guts say Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb find a way to win. It's what they do. In addition health concerns about Davis look to hamper the Panther's solid running game. And in the regular season, the Eagles defeated Carolina IN Carolina.

 

Peyton Manning is in a zone right now. There's no question about that.

 

But he's not playing the 20th ranked defense in the league this week. This week he's up against a defense that's as tough as any in the league in weather that could play havoc with Manning's timing. The New England Patriots CAN stop Manning, but Manning and James is another story. The only way I can see New England taking this is if they get out to an early lead and continue to play very agressively. They just can't afford to let up against the Colts.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Well...I pick New England and Carolina.

 

But I hope Indy wins so I can stop waiting for the Bills to hire a coach.

[2GOLD 0]

Well...I pick New England and Carolina.

 

But I hope Indy wins so I can stop waiting for the Bills to hire a coach.

 

I'm lost, why do you want Charlie Weiss?

 

And I want NE and the Panthers to win, I like defensive Super Bowls.

 

I don't think the Pats can beat the Colts cause that would mean winning their 14 in a row, which is next to impossible.

[CanadianChris 0]

Forecast for Foxboro on Sunday: partly cloudy, high of 31.

 

Weather should have no impact on the game. For that reason, I'm leaning toward the Colts, as I think Manning has something to prove that the Pats don't.

[razazteca 0]

I'll be devils advocate and pick Panthers & Colts for the big pay day. I predict 4 sacks and 3 INTS of Donovan F. McNabb. Steve Smith stat line will be 120 yards and 2 TDs.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Well...as I watch the Patriots offense it started to occur to me that Travis Henry would be the perfect fit for what they are doing up there. Move the ball, smash people in the mouth. Plus...their offense knows how to use everyone on their offense.

 

That's something no one here has known how to do in years. I've had enough of sending Josh Reed (the definition of a possesion reciever) on long routes on third and short.

 

I just need someone to not be stupid on offense. Score when you can. If not...punt and let the strength of the team win the field position battle.

 

Plus...he's been gameplanning for the AFC East for years.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Here's a point: Is the West Coast offense dying?

 

I mean this year seems like a rebirth of the kind of "Run strong/Solid defense" style of football that got me into the sport to begin with.

 

Is the 4 yard pass to the TE every 3 plays dead?

[C Dubya 04 0]

Eagles will take it to Carolina on Sunday. There's no way that Delhomme will outplay Donovan. Plus, the Eagles just find a way to win every week. This will be no different.

 

In the game to decide who gets slaughtered in the Super Bowl, I like Indy in the upset. The way that offense is playing right now it'll be hard to stop. No matter what defense Denver or K.C. threw at them, Indy moved the ball at will. Manning is just in the zone and making every throw count right now.

 

So, I look at an Eagles/Colts Superbowl and then a parade up Broad St.

[Cartman 0]

When asked which QB Jake Delhomme wants to be like most, he responded with "Tom Brady, the guy just wins".

 

Now wouldn't that be a story for the Superbowl?

[KingPK 0]

I'm in the camp that says a good, solid defense, a QB that doesn't make mistakes, and a competent running game (in that order) wins championships. Carolina has one of those (two if Davis is healthy), the Eagles have all three (although their D is banged up), the Patriots have all three (although the running game isn't exactly scary), and the Colts have two, but not the most important part (a good D).

 

I'm going with an Eagles/Pats Super Bowl.

 

NE 28

Indy 20

 

Eagles 20

Panthers 14

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I'll say this about New England/Indy...

 

Peter King wrote about it...and people here are talking about it too...

 

The Indy offensive juggernaut with the no huddle and the unstoppable QB that was calling the plays (or in Manning's case audibling everything) and all that...is reminscent of the Bills offense in 1990 where they steamrolled the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship.

 

They were unstoppable too...until they ran in to the Giants in the SuperBowl with the perfect gameplan.

 

The Giants defensive coordinator?

 

Bill Belichek.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I'll say this about New England/Indy...

 

Peter King wrote about it...and people here are talking about it too...

 

The Indy offensive juggernaut with the no huddle and the unstoppable QB that was calling the plays (or in Manning's case audibling everything) and all that...is reminscent of the Bills offense in 1990 where they steamrolled the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship.

 

They were unstoppable too...until they ran in to the Giants in the SuperBowl with the perfect gameplan.

 

The Giants defensive coordinator?

 

Bill Belichek.

To be fair, the Bills lost that Super Bowl... the Giants didn't win it.

[Cartman 0]

I'll say this about New England/Indy...

 

Peter King wrote about it...and people here are talking about it too...

 

The Indy offensive juggernaut with the no huddle and the unstoppable QB that was calling the plays (or in Manning's case audibling everything) and all that...is reminscent of the Bills offense in 1990 where they steamrolled the Raiders 51-3 in the AFC Championship.

 

They were unstoppable too...until they ran in to the Giants in the SuperBowl with the perfect gameplan.

 

The Giants defensive coordinator?

 

Bill Belichek.

Didn't the same thing just about happen in 2001?

 

"The Greatest Show On Turf" got beat up by the Patriots...

 

Prognosis..."Gameplan"

[KingPK 0]

But a Bills offense that averaged something like 48 ppg in the playoffs were held to, what, 14? I think that was his point.

 

Dammit Cartman, find your own Flying Elvis!

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

But a Bills offense that averaged something like 48 ppg in the playoffs were held to, what, 14? I think that was his point.

 

Dammit Cartman, find your own Flying Elvis!

Oh I understood what he meant, but it wouldn't have mattered if not for a chipshot field goal going wide right.

[KingPK 0]

That's true. I remember watching the game as a kid and just feeling sorry for the kicker.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

48 yards is not a chipshot!!!!

 

Besides...I've gone on record for blaming Kelly for calling only 15 running plays all game while Thomas was having the greatest day of his career.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

How many sacks will McNabb dodge this week? I conservatively estimate: 46.

[Dr. Tom 0]

Colts 28, Patriots 21

Panthers 23, Eagles 17

 

Peyton Manning is in too much of a zone right now. The only reason the Pats beat the Colts in the regular season is because they were able to stop Edgerrin James four straight times from the 1-yard line. Don't look for a repeat of that. This game will be a little lower-scoring, but the Colts will come out on top.

 

Philly can't stop the run. Sorry, Eagles fans, but your team can't do the fundamental thing that ALL defenses must do. Ahman Green tore them up, and either Stephen Davis or DeShaun Foster are capable of doing the same. Davis would have the edge since he can run better between the tackles, but Carolina's running game and Jake Delhomme's efficiency will make for a long day for Donovan and Company.

[Cartman 0]

Awww c'mon I liked it! Can't you share? Fellow Pats fan?

[CanadianChris 0]

I'm going back and forth so much on these games, it's not funny. And I actually NEED to come up with two good picks this week.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'm going with Colts and Panthers. Colts are too hot as pointed out here a few times, I do think the Patriots can stop the Colts and Manning but come on, Manning seems like a man on a mission, and his rating in the last two games is NEAR perfect (150ish).

 

Panthers are riding on a feel-good upset of Rams and I see them gaining more confidence. As someone said here, as long as Carolina does the time of possession gameplan (hand it off to rushers), I don't really see any reason why they should lose.

[the pinjockey 0]

Philly can't stop the run. Sorry, Eagles fans, but your team can't do the fundamental thing that ALL defenses must do. Ahman Green tore them up, and either Stephen Davis or DeShaun Foster are capable of doing the same. Davis would have the edge since he can run better between the tackles, but Carolina's running game and Jake Delhomme's efficiency will make for a long day for Donovan and Company.

They haven't stopped the run for the last three months.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Once again, only reason the Colts were able to score so much in the first game was due to Brady throwing INTs right near their endzone. Something tells me he won't be trying to force anything in there this time.

 

I'm confident in them so whatever

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Colts 28, Patriots 21

Panthers 23, Eagles 17

 

Peyton Manning is in too much of a zone right now. The only reason the Pats beat the Colts in the regular season is because they were able to stop Edgerrin James four straight times from the 1-yard line. Don't look for a repeat of that. This game will be a little lower-scoring, but the Colts will come out on top.

 

Philly can't stop the run. Sorry, Eagles fans, but your team can't do the fundamental thing that ALL defenses must do. Ahman Green tore them up, and either Stephen Davis or DeShaun Foster are capable of doing the same. Davis would have the edge since he can run better between the tackles, but Carolina's running game and Jake Delhomme's efficiency will make for a long day for Donovan and Company.

Ahmed Green, a MUCH better RB than Foster tore us up for 158 last week. And it didn't matter; we still won. We beat Carolina when they had Davis totally healthy in the regular season in Carloina.

[the pinjockey 0]

I am going to take the easy route and say Pats/Eagles in the Super Bowl.

 

Neither team has really shown a reason to doubt them.

 

Eagles:

Reason: Can't stop the run

They haven't stopped the run in three months and are 11-1 in that span.

 

Why I think they will win:

When the whistle blows, they will have the best player on the field in McNabb. If the game is close, he is the player most likely to take over the game. Also, they are the single most resiliant team I have ever seen. They aren't as good as the previous seasons, but this is the team I would never bet against of the three. Throw in the wacky winds of the Linc, that Akers is growing accustomed to while Kasay will have never seen them. All of that to me says an Eagles win.

 

Pats:

They share the same trait as the Eagles. They just win. Their defense puts that Chiefs farce of a D to shame. So at worst I think you are looking at a 21-24 point output from the Colts. At that point the Pats can score that much against a Colts D that didn't look terrific against the Chiefs. Plus the Broncos and Chiefs went into the postseason with no emotion/momentum, that isn't the case here. I see no reason to believe the Pats can't pull out win no.14.

[the pinjockey 0]

Ok, ESPN just ran a top 10 plays of the postseason list. Time for a declaration of shenanigans.

 

2. 4th and 26

1. Steve Smith 2OT catch.

 

That's crap. 4th and 26 saved the Eagles season and was the single most improbable play I have ever seen. If Freddie Mitchell drops that ball, the Eagles season is over. If Steve Smith drops his ball, the Panthers at worst punt (I forget which down it was).

 

Steve Smith's play was a great play

 

4th and 26 is the stuff of legend

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

But the Carolina win was an upset...in double OT.

[the pinjockey 0]

10 years from now, which play will be remembered in the echelon of "The Catch"?

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

It depends who wins the Super Bowl.

 

If the Panthers beat the Eagles Sunday...who's going to care about the 4-26 next week, let alone 10 years from now?