Conference Championship Prediction Thread

[Ripper 0]

Are you denying that he doesn't take off and run too quickly?  It's one thing to use your speed & elusiveness to buy time for your receivers ... it's another to just tuck the ball and run.

 

And I probably shouldn't have referenced out patterns ... I meant just throwing outside to the wideouts.  Which is something that most QBs throw game in and game out without throwing pickoffs.  Vick does NOT throw to his WRs nearly enough, and it makes it easier on the defense.  (and, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I'm not a self-respecting video game player ... the last football game that I bought was NCAA 1998).

 

I won't deny that his WRs could be doing more to get open ... but after a while of busting balls to get open only to find out that Vick's already tucked and ran, it would make sense that they'd start slacking a bit.

Actually no. I think he trys to stay back there too long most of the time. He avoids a sack but still believes that he can make something happen, which has led to the high sack numbers and the picks this year.

 

The Falcons run 6-7 designed run/pass option plays a game for him (the naked bootleg) so alot of those rushing attempts are a product of the play call, not of Vick just tucking it.

 

And don't get me wrong, and out is a great play to run on a zone D, or a defense that has left a cushion. NOONE does that against the falcons. They don't really worry about the recievers, which, once again, I still say is a product of the play calling and the teams style this year (rushing is the first second and third option) as evidence by his 2002 numbers.

 

And the Falcons aren't exactly breaming over with Wideouts known for their hard work.

[BHK 0]

Pittsburgh over New England

 

Atlanta over Philly

[KingPK 0]

Tom Brady is considered an elite QB but has never been to a Pro Bowl.

Actually, he went in 2001, his numbers were probably good enough to go in 2002 (his career year so far), and he's going this year.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Pro Bowls are also relatively useless. Overrated legacy players often get in over more deserving youngsters.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Personally, I'd put Manning, Culpepper, Brady and McNabb ahead of Vick. I would have said Favre, but he's obviously in the twilight of his career. Manning and McNabb have way more experience then Vick, who has accomplished more in the short time he's been in the NFL then they had at that point. He does it with less of an offense too, at least when compared to Manning. He never had a genius coach or great defense to help out either. The fact that they are horrible without him and a game away from the Super Bowl with him, should show what kind of player he is. He's more then just Randall Cunningham.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Well I'll be damned.

[KingPK 0]

Some SuperBowl news, as FOX tries to be "innovative" again:

 

Fox Sports' coverage of the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 will be able to include pictures from miniature cameras embedded in the field, network and NFL officials said Tuesday.

 

This is the first time such images will be available during an NFL telecast.

 

Fox unveiled the devices, which have a lens the size of a pencil eraser, during last summer's Major League Baseball All-Star Game and used them during the playoffs and World Series (news - web sites). Three of the cameras - dubbed "diamond cams" - were implanted in the grass in front of the home-plate area. Another was buried in the grass just in front of the pitcher's mound. They had no impact on play.

 

For the Super Bowl, Fox will deploy at least 12 "turf cams" in various positions on the playing field, all within the hash marks, Fox executive vice president of production Bill Brown said.

 

Brown said each embedded camera would be attached by cable to a small electric box buried in the field. The only thing protruding above the surface will be the camera lens. The cameras will be placed at a slight angle so they can bounce back up if a player falls on them.

 

"A normal game has 150-160 plays. We're hoping to get five plays within the view of these cameras," Brown said. "If the camera is at the line of scrimmage, after the ball is snapped you can see what it's like to be there when NFL linemen collide at the snap of the ball."

 

Fox personnel implanted the cables for the cameras when the turf at Alltel Stadium was replaced Jan. 3-4 after the Jacksonville Jaguars (news)' last home game. Brown said up to four more turf cams might be added Super Bowl week.

 

"The technology has become so good there's no reason not to approve it," NFL public relations vice president Greg Aiello said. "The players are not going to notice it. It's another technical innovation that has our support."

 

Aiello said league officials would use the week before the game to make sure the cameras won't interfere with place kicks.

 

Fox's turf cams will become part of the NFL's video review system of calls on the field if images from one of the cameras can aid in the decision. "If Fox puts it on the air, then it's fair game for instant replay," Aiello said. "But it has to be put on the air for viewers to see."

 

They might be useful in replays, but that's pretty much it. What's next, Scooter's brother Spiral explaining to kids how teams use the 3-4 defense?

[the pinjockey 0]

So help me god PK, if they end up bringing in a football style scooter ::shakes fist::

 

And at least this is more limiting than the skycam to the point where they know they can't use it during live play, so I don't have a problem with it. Pointless, but harmless.

[nl5xsk1 0]

"A normal game has 150-160 plays. We're hoping to get five plays within the view of these cameras," Brown said. "If the camera is at the line of scrimmage, after the ball is snapped you can see what it's like to be there when NFL linemen collide at the snap of the ball."

They say 5 plays, but am I the only one that thinks we'll see lame views from these cameras ad nauseum throughout the Super Bowl?

[2GOLD 0]

I want Spiral to explain to kids how incredibly high a coach has to be to use a prevent defense when leading by one with two minutes left.

 

As for the cameras, it could be interesting. But it could be completely worthless. I'm not sure how innovative it is but it might be fun if there is an onside kick pile on near one. Just to see the random punching and biting going on.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

It would be cool for fumbles but I don't really see this being useful just yet. I want to know what the hell they were thinking with the floor cam during the NBA games. You see people's fucking feet and up people's shorts. It doesn't make you feel like you're in the game or anything and I think it's a waste.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I hate the skycam idea, and I hate this idea as well. This is essentially the same thing as the NBA's floor cam, which as pinnacle pointed out, is retarded and a complete waste.

[Sass 0]

Steelers over the Patriots.

 

I just don't see how the Pats have improved since the teams last two meetings. Everyone in Pitt is healthy while the Pats are missing some key guys.

 

Eagles over the Falcons.

 

Freddie Mitchell > Peerless Price. As long as Philly makes Vick throw the ball then they've got a puncher's chance at taking Hotlanta down. McNabb can throw *very* well while Vick isn't as efficient with the long range throws.

[iggymcfly 0]

You know, for a little bit, I was getting worried about this Atlanta over Philly pick. I wasn't sure if it was really that secure, and if maybe Philly couldn't just win the game like all the television people say.

 

Then I went back and read this line:

 

D. McNabb 10/22 100 yds. 0 TDs 3 INTs

 

Oh, the greatest playoff choke artist isn't the corny little white boy from Indianapolis. He's a big black man from Philly.

[Guest Vitamin X]

If those were his numbers in last year's game against Carolina, you have to remember he was playing injured and without any weapons on offense. At least this year they'll have Westbrook.

[the pinjockey 0]

Really iggy, did you watch last year's game? While McNabb did not play great Todd Pinkston was directly responsible for two of those picks.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Luckily, everyone in the media is picking against the Steelers.

 

The upset is brewing...

[therealworldschampion 0]

Suprise, suprise.....Merril Hoge picks against the Eagles again:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs04/n...tory?id=1970658

 

I guess he has to justify that pick of Washington winning the NFC East this year and the Eagles finishing 8-8..

[Ripper 0]

You know, for a little bit, I was getting worried about this Atlanta over Philly pick. I wasn't sure if it was really that secure, and if maybe Philly couldn't just win the game like all the television people say.

 

Then I went back and read this line:

 

D. McNabb 10/22 100 yds. 0 TDs 3 INTs

 

Oh, the greatest playoff choke artist isn't the corny little white boy from Indianapolis. He's a big black man from Philly.

No...its still Manning.

 

All those years of getting the crap kicked out of him in every playoff game, then finally winning a couple last year only to take another shitkicking, then having "THE GREATEST SEASON AS A QB IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD" and taking another shitkicking....Yeah, I am going to say Manning is the big choke artist. He can't even blame lack of running game like Marino (correctly) could.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

As an aside, I would disregard all these snow reports. Yes, we could get 6-12" of snow this weekend. But it should end around noon Sunday, and there will be plenty of time to clear the field.

[Damaramu 0]

If those were his numbers in last year's game against Carolina, you have to remember he was playing injured and without any weapons on offense. At least this year they'll have Westbrook.

Yeah he was injured.

Igg I'd like to see who you think can put up huge numbers against a great defense with torn cartilage in their ribs.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Steelers over the Patriots.

 

I just don't see how the Pats have improved since the teams last two meetings. Everyone in Pitt is healthy while the Pats are missing some key guys.

Adding a healthy Corey Dillon & two healthy starting tackles is a major improvement to the offense. (none of the three played on Halloween)

 

Adding two and a half months of experience to the young guys in the secondary is a good improvement to the defense. A lot of the DB's were getting their first experience in the NFL that weekend, and have since had major playing time in both actual games and practices.

 

So to say that the Pats haven't improved is inaccurate.

 

And the only key guy that they'll be missing this week that played in that game is Seymour. (Of course, as much as I'd like to downplay that loss as a Pats fan, missing Seymour could be HUGE this week.) So, basically the Pats are healthier now than they were in October.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Encouraging news regarding Seymour among other notes...

 

Credit Rotoworld

- Richard Seymour "made progress" this week. He'll be a gametime decision.

Coach Bill Belichick sounded hopeful, saying "Richard wouldn't start, but we'll see where he is... Maybe he could give us some situational plays during the game."

 

Patrick Pass could also be out after missing practice Thursday.

[The Man in Blak 0]

As an aside, I would disregard all these snow reports. Yes, we could get 6-12" of snow this weekend. But it should end around noon Sunday, and there will be plenty of time to clear the field.

Six to twelve inches? Geezus, just borrow the Zamboni from the Flyers and give everybody skates.

[iggymcfly 0]

OK, I'll admit I didn't remember the details of what the receivers did on his picks, although I did remember that the injury came after most of his mistakes. The fact is that he's made it to four NFC Championship games, and this is the third one where he's heavily favored.

 

In all three so far, the defense and running game have played well, but McNabb and the passing game sunk the Eagles. If they still had TO, I could see the point that the passing game was improved enough to make the difference, but the fact is that Pinkston guy is still their top receiver right now.

 

Westbrook looks good catching balls out of the backfield when TO's there to spread the defense as a deep threat, but if you're counting on his receptions as the difference to carry them to the Super Bowl, you're really grasping at straws.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

While the snow will have passed, it looks like the wind may be heavy.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

McNabb's NFC Title game numbers

 

2001: 18-30 for 171 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 26 yards rushing, 1 TD

2002: 26-49 for 243 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 17 yards rushing

2003: 10-22 for 100 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT, 10 yards rushing

 

Duce Staley #'s in those same games

2001: 19 touches, 97 total yards, 1 TD(11 carries)

2002: 19 touches, 84 total yards, 1 TD(13 carries)

2003: 17 touches, 112 total yards, 0 TD(13 carries)

 

Honestly, if they ran the ball more then they probably would've had a better chance though McNabb has put up poor performances despite a decent 2002.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

The weekly Pats Tailgating show on FSN brought up an interesting fact. The Steelers were coming off a bye week as well when they beat the Pats. Also, I noticed after the first quarter the Pats scored 17 while the Steelers went on to score 13.

 

just throwing some stuff out there.

[Brett Favre 0]

The Pats are going to win. The difference between this game and the Jet/Steeler game is Adam Vinatieri.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

The Pats scored most of their points in garbage time.