NFL Playoffs

[charliepanayi]

So the playoffs are finally here.

AFC:

New York Jets (#5) @ Cincinnati (#4)
Baltimore (#6) @ New England (#3)

First Round bye:
Indianapolis (#1)
San Diego (#2)

NFC:

Philadelphia (#6) @ Dallas (#3)
Green Bay (#5) @ Arizona (#4)

First Round bye:
New Orleans (#1)
Minnesota (#2)

Thoughts on who will triumph next week? Who'll go all the way? San Diego and Dallas seem to be getting some momentum going right now.

[Bunny]

I'm going with Colts - Vikings in the Super Bowl. Colts narrowly escaped a couple of games but they still managed to win and Manning is probably one of my favorite players in the game right now. They may have lost the last couple of games but that was from lack of Minnesota has been having a pretty good season and Favre is having his best so far.

Saints have done really well for themselves this season and I don't think it is a fluke by any means at all, I just don't think they have the raw power and talent to go all the way to the big game. San Diego is on a hot streak and they have a pretty good chance of doing so as well, but I won't pick them over the Colts for any reason this season. Rest of the teams I don't really think have that much of a shot.

Really, when it comes down to it, as long as Romo, Brady and McNabb stay out of the Super Bowl, I'm good. I just want to see Manning destroy Favre.

[Raistlin]

I'm currently just rooting for anyone-but-the-Patriots in the AFC. However, I will be endlessly amused if the Colts are stomped in the second round due to the "resting the starters" philosophy which ended in playoff losses in previous years. That being said, I think San Diego is the most likely to reach the Super Bowl.

As for the NFC, I'd like to see New Orleans make it; Brees is so entertaining to watch. If Favre can hold up, then Minnesota probably has the best shot, but that is a pretty big question mark at the moment.

First round predictions:

Cincinnati at home
Baltimore over NE
Dallas at home (though this may be a bit of a trap game after the big win)
Green Bay over AZ

[charliepanayi]

My predictions for this round:

New England
New York Jets
Dallas
Green Bay

[Tavrobel]

Dallas at home (though this may be a bit of a trap game after the big win)

The odds are favorable. Not only does everyone expect Dallas to romp, the Eagles might as well have stayed in Dallas for the week: I sure as hell don't want them to come back. A good old fashioned anger stew is just what the Eagles offense ordered.

Ohh, and it should also be pointed out that teams generally don't win three times in the same season against a team (though the Steelers come to mind as an exception). This has all of the makings of a trap.

[Del Murder]

Bengals
Patriots
Eagles
Packers

My dad put money on Green Bay at the start of the season and he makes like $3000 if they win it all, so I will root for them! Colts will probably win though.

[Raistlin]

The odds are favorable. Not only does everyone expect Dallas to romp, the Eagles might as well have stayed in Dallas for the week: I sure as hell don't want them to come back. A good old fashioned anger stew is just what the Eagles offense ordered.

Yeah, I actually almost put "Eagles" there instead, but it is really tough to determine what side of the bed they're going to wake up on at any given time, so I went with the home team.

[Tavrobel]

Yeah, I actually almost put "Eagles" there instead, but it is really tough to determine what side of the bed they're going to wake up on at any given time, so I went with the home team.

I meant that the odd for the game being a trap game were high, not that Dallas is doing better in Vegas. Not that I've checked the odds.

It seems more like the Eagles play down to the level of their competitors, rather than up (e.g., Raiders). I can admit that they didn't have a very difficult schedule, and for the most part, got put down by just about any of the good teams that we came across. I also find it ironic that the best NFC defense is currently being fielded by the Cowboys. Never in all of my years would I have expected that, ever.

[guffman]

this is gonna get rowdy, thats all i know! no predictions from this guy. I'm just gonna sit back and watch!

[CloudDragon]

First Round Picks:

AFC:

New York Jets (#5) @ <b>Cincinnati (#4)</b> - I'll be at the game, w00t!
Baltimore (#6) @ <b>New England</b> (#3) - I have a feeling this will be a damn good game

NFC:

<b>Philadelphia</b> (#6) @ Dallas (#3) - Philly's been an inconsistent team. They seem to turn it off and on. It appears to be off but I like this team and think they'll get revenge.

<b>Green Bay</b> (#5) @ Arizona (#4) - Arizona doesn't have the flair they did last season. Picking Green Bay on the road but it won't be easy.

[Flying Arrow]

I say the Chargers have a very legit shot at going all the way. I'm also hoping that the Saints have managed to shake out of their slump. It'd be terrible seeing them go down in their first game, and after a bye week no less.

I'd like to see the Ravens get there, or even the Packers - but I know that won't happen.

For this week I'm picking:

Cincinnati > NYJ
New England > Baltimore (too bad, because I'm a fan of the Ravens)
Philly > Dallas
GB > Arizona (although we all know what happened last year)

[ljkkjlcm9]

Bengals showed nothing on purpose against the Jets, and they wanted to play the Jets again. It was purely planned, and I have every belief the Bengals will win.

Same with Cardinals vs. Green Bay. I think the Cardinals will pull this off just for that reason.

I'm a Patriots fan, my dad has had season tickets my entire life. Considering Brady has been playing with broken ribs and a broken finger and a sprained ankle and who knows what else for like 3 weeks, he has greatly impressed me. Even if they don't win, I don't see how anyone can actually talk crap about Tom Brady. Though, they haven't lost to the Ravens in like forever, plus it's their one guaranteed home game of the playoffs, so they're going to win.

Dallas vs Eagles.... Eagles honestly suck. How they keep getting as far and doing as well as they do is beyond me. But with the momentum Dallas has, I believe they'll win. Even though I am almost sure Romo will choke later on.

I think the Chargers are probably the best team right now going into the playoffs.

And I think the Colts are in a Lose-Lose situation. If they lose in the playoffs, everyone will wonder what good it did them resting Manning. And if they win the Superbowl, everyone will wonder if they could have gone undefeated.

The Saints have 0 momentum and are in trouble.

My picks go as follows for the entire thing... in what I deem realistic fashion

AFC:

New York Jets (#5) @ Cincinnati (#4)--> Cincinnati @ Colts (Definitely Colts)
Baltimore (#6) @ New England (#3)--- Patriots @ Chargers (toss-up, leaning to Chargers)
Either Pats or Chargers will beat Colts
Chargers slightly favored to win AFC, Pats 2nd, then Colts 3rd... in my mind

NFC:

Philadelphia (#6) @ Dallas (#3)---> Dallas @ Vikings
Green Bay (#5) @ Arizona (#4)---> Arizona @ Saints
Arizona vs Vikings
Vikings

Vikings Chargers (Pats hopeful) superbowl

THE JACKAL

[Bunny]

Even if they don't win, I don't see how anyone can actually talk crap about Tom Brady.

It probably has something to do with Belichick being a huge dick and Tom Brady having a complete air of superiority. He just seems like a tool. As a player, I think Brady is a good quarterback but from what I have read about his actions off the field, he just doesn't seem like a likable guy. The only reason I do not like the Patriots in the playoffs this year is I am tired of them being in the news constantly, whether under scrutiny or being praised for their performance.

[Raistlin]

I'm having a hard time not changing my prediction to the Eagles beating Dallas. Not only because it is a foreseeable comeback by a streaky team, but because another Romo playoff meltdown is not only foreseeable, but enjoyable to watch (yes, I thrive on the suffering of others, including their fans). Yet I don't think the Eagles can be depended on this year for anything.

EDIT: what Bunny said about Tom Brady, as well. The Patriots are the only team I actively dislike, and largely because of Belichick (though Tom Brady and now Randy Moss play their part as well).

[ljkkjlcm9]

Even if they don't win, I don't see how anyone can actually talk crap about Tom Brady.

It probably has something to do with Belichick being a huge dick and Tom Brady having a complete air of superiority. He just seems like a tool. As a player, I think Brady is a good quarterback but from what I have read about his actions off the field, he just doesn't seem like a likable guy. The only reason I do not like the Patriots in the playoffs this year is I am tired of them being in the news constantly, whether under scrutiny or being praised for their performance.

I hate the Colts for the same damn thing. They're talked about all the time, and Peyton Manning took years to become anything good. He sucked his first year, and Tom Brady won a superbowl his first year.

On top of that, Tom Brady refused to do commercials without other members of his team... while I can't watch anything sports related without seeing a Peyton Manning commercial. I hate Peyton Manning with a passion. Anyone who thinks Tom Brady and the Patriots are talked about more than the Colts and Manning are kidding themselves. When Tom Brady loses or gets injured, people celebrate. When Peyton Manning loses, he basically cries on the field and everyone feels sorry for him. I'm sorry but just no.

As for Belichick, he knows more about football than any other coach, and every other coach knows it. They hate him for it, but look what he's lost for football. You have to dedicate your life to it like he did to be at his level. People hate him for it, especially other coaches, but I don't envy the guy at all. He probably is one of the best coaches ever.

THE JACKAL