Guest Ether Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Slightly off-topic: I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but what is it that the Denver Broncos' fans are yelling during the home games after a first down? I can't make it out. I've been a fan of them for 20 years and either they just started it or I never noticed it till this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 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. The man has a 1-3 playoff record, & his one win was with the Cards. Until he shows that he can win consistently in the postseason, I'm going to be a non-believer. If you watch the highlights from the game these two teams played earlier this year, there are three Patriots that are shown repeatedly: Starks, Beisel & Brown. The first won't play at all, and the second two will play minimally, if at all. Other than the 3rd-stringer filled Miami game, the Pats D didn't give up more than 21 points after the Nov 7 Indy game. This is a noticably different team than the one that got shelled by SD or Indy, or lit up by Denver or KC. Plus, as I've argued before: +/- is a very misleading stat. A team could have a pisspoor record and still have a good point differential. Win 4 games by large margins, and lose 12 close games, and voila, a good point differential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Niskie's got the point there. NE's got all their guys back minus Rodney Harrison, and that's bad news for Denver. I don't care if it is at Mile High or not. I'm looking at a very weird weekend in which all the road teams will come out with a victory, with the possible exception of Chicago-Carolina. The Redskins are better than they look, and the Colts will have a lot of rust to shake off facing a dangerous, healthy Steelers team that has a chip on their shoulder from their embarassment earlier this year. Even if the Colts come away with the victory, it won't be by much, and whoever they'll face in the next round ALSO will have a chip on their shoulder (Denver from playoffs past, and NE for THEIR embarassment on MNF). So, the word about Indy is lessening as a result, and for good reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 The man has a 1-3 playoff record, & his one win was with the Cards. Until he shows that he can win consistently in the postseason, I'm going to be a non-believer. In all fairness, his three losses were to the '98 Vikings and the Colts of the last two years... not exactly shameful losses. Plus he did engineer one of the greatest upsets in playoff history by beating Dallas in '98. I do think NE takes this one though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 12, 2006 And how much longer are people going to stay non-believers in Jake? His play has really shown through this year, and his ability to NOT make mistakes and make SMART passes, is what's helped the Broncos get the #2 seed in the AFC. Of course there's Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, and the revamped defensive line acquired from Cleveland that all of a sudden started playing great once they went to Mile High, but Plummer has also been a big reason why. They really are getting no respect, possibly the least out of all the remaining playoff teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Don't pick more than one road team, as home teams are 82% winners in the divisional rounds. I'll go with all four home teams, with the Panthers being my toughest team to pick against. Just put three guys on Steve Smith, and make somebody else catch the ball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 The thing with Plummer is that he's usually been in 3rd and short situations more than ever, so he's not having to make alot of big passes to convert. If you can get him in 3rd and long then he's alot more prone to throwing a pick. He also looks like a friggin' 80s porn star with that damned stache. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 Easy schedule or no, the Seahawks have a very good D, and a disgusting O line. I can't see the 'Skins stopping Alexander, or Hass, who finally has all his receivers, and is always on fire from December on. Washington does have a good D, but Shaun is really unstoppable this season. Even when he gets picked up at the line of scrimmage, he squirts ahead for 4 yds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2006 The thing with Plummer is that he's usually been in 3rd and short situations more than ever, so he's not having to make alot of big passes to convert. If you can get him in 3rd and long then he's alot more prone to throwing a pick. Took the words right out of my mouth. It's a shitload easier to play QB when your RBs are picking up 7 or 8 yards on 1st & 2nd down, leaving you with 3rd and 2 or 3rd and 3. If the Pats front 7 can hold down the RBs, we'll see how competent the Snake is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 13, 2006 Don't pick more than one road team, as home teams are 82% winners in the divisional rounds. Yes, but this time around there are much closer matchups than there have been in previous years. There are people who'd say Indy isn't as good as their records and stats indicate, same thing with Denver, that Chicago doesn't have enough offense to keep them going, and that Seattle had a soft schedule. Some people will also say that the four road teams are peaking at the right time, and thus will be the reason that the matchups are more even than when all of these teams met before in the regular season. Is Carolina a better team? Not noticeably, but I think Chicago's youth and John Fox's coaching has it working in the Cats' favor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 weekend picks Washington 10 Seattle 20 Carolina 23 Chicago 16 New England 24 Denver 20 Pittsburgh 17 Indy 34 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I don't know why, but the Panthers-Bears game reminds me a lot of the Eagles-Bears playoff game a couple of years ago when McNabb pretty much wrecked the Bears by himself in the old Soldier Field finale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJ Johnson 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Chicago-Carolina is an interesting game. The two defenses are very similar, but Carolina's defense is more of a playmaker compared to Chicago's "We'll make plays once we shut you down" style that became apparent (8 sacks on Delhomme) last time they played. Which isn't to say that Chicago's D doesn't make a fair amount of plays with guys like Nathan Vasher and Mike Brown in the secondary. Both teams have ridiculously nasty front fours, but Chicago's linebacking corps is a bit more adept than the Panthers. Advantage: Chicago. On the offensive side of the ball, it's not quite as evenly matched. Delhomme's usually good about spreading his passes around to guys like Proehl and Mangum to keep the heat off of Smith, but to counterpoint therealworldschampion, Jake's not going to be wrecking anybody by himself. DeShaun Foster is explosive out of the backfield and could possibly break loose for a big gain if he can get into the secondary. Although granted, if he's in the secondary, he's already made a big gain. You know what I mean. I can't comment on the Panthers' O-line (or, for that matter, the Bears' O-line), but giving up 8 sacks in a game is ridiculous, even if it is Chicago. The Bears offense, on the other hand, is miserable. Grossman sucks, Orton sucks harder, and Thomas Jones stands about a Tiki's chance in a No-Fumbling Zone of getting through Carolina's line. Advantage: Carolina. Overall: Chicago. Offense sells tickets (unless you're the Cardinals), defense wins championships (unless you're the Buccaneers). Feels odd having written that, but hey, it was fun trying to look knowledgeable. Picks for the weekend are Denver, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Seattle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Seattle's going to have at least one really good playoff game. There's no way they lose to no-offense Washington. My predictions are: Seahawks 31 Redskins 6 Panthers 20 Bears 13 Colts 31 Steelers 17 Patriots 24 Broncos 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Patrick Pass was downgraded to out for the Patriots and supposedly Tedy Bruschi is a game time decision, even though he's not even listed on the injury report. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I won't give scores, but the winners are going to be Indianapolis, Denver, Washington, and Carolina. I'm not sure about the Washington pick, everything else I think will likely happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Patrick Pass was downgraded to out for the Patriots and supposedly Tedy Bruschi is a game time decision, even though he's not even listed on the injury report. There went the ground game. What little bit there was. I don't think the Pats can take em without Bruschi and Pass. This team can't stay healthy for 20 god damn minutes it seems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Patrick Pass has only really been playing Special Teams as of late, and there's still a chance of Bruschi playing. I still have confidence in this team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Pass hasnt been playing or doing much lately anyways. As long as Dillon and Faulk play they are fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boon 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I hate Tony Saragusa, or however the fuck you spell his name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Wow is Seahawk Stadium loud. Wonder how long the fans can keep this up. I want Washington to win, but, if Chicago wins tomorrow then I'd want Seattle to win because I think they have the better chance of taking out Chicago. Why couldn't the Chicago game be first? Bah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boon 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Patrick Pass was downgraded to out for the Patriots and supposedly Tedy Bruschi is a game time decision, even though he's not even listed on the injury report. There went the ground game. What little bit there was. I don't think the Pats can take em without Bruschi and Pass. This team can't stay healthy for 20 god damn minutes it seems. Kevin Faulk will make you forget Patrick Pass's name. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 anybody interested in a football AIM chat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I hate Tony Saragusa, or however the fuck you spell his name. You are not alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I can't be the only one who hates how Fox has the scorebar not all the way at the top of the screen can I? Edit: But at least there's no snow or anything up there in the gap I suppose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 AIM chat is tsmfootballplayoffs if people are interested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Yay a Shaun Alexander fumble. Always love those. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 Damn...Alexander just plain dropped that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2006 I love how it's only like 1:45 in Seattle right now but it looks like it's a night game. Alexander fumbling the ball is pretty funny to see after the week of hype he has gotten from the media. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
