First, congratulations to the Lions for screwing up the #1 pick. That takes skill. The Raiders are on the clock. And, wonderful job by the Bengals and Broncos choking winnable games that would have put them in the playoffs. Gives the Broncos more time to work on their golf games, the Bengals more time to serve their sentences before the preseason '07.
NFC Wild Card Round
(5)Dallas at (4)Seattle: Seahawks 31-20 as the Cowboys late season defensive collapse reaches its nadir.
(6)Giants at (3)Eagles: I want to take the Giants. I really want to. Eagles 31-30 as the Giants defense in a big spot for the upteenth time since the conclusion of Super Bowl XXV can't get a big stop in a big spot and give up a last second field goal.
AFC Wild Card Round
(6)Kansas City at (3)Indianapolis: Ty Law gets 3 picks off his old friend Peyton Manning and Larry Johnson rushes 40 times for 253 yards as the Chiefs survive Herm Edwards' coaching to win 24-20.
(5)Jets at (4)Patriots: Patriots score early and often in a 35-3 rout.
NFC Divisional Round
(4)Seahawks at (1)Bears: Bears throttled the Seahawks earlier this season, and, though closer, can't see the Seahawks pulling it out. Bears 23-17.
(3)Eagles at (2)Saints: Went to the gun earlier this season. I think the emotion of a playoff game at the Superdome actually works against the Saints, who come out tight as a drum. Eagles stay hot 27-23.
AFC Divisional Round
(6)Chiefs at (1)Chargers: I don't think Marty can screw this game up. Chargers 35-13.
(4)Patriots at (2)Ravens: Patriots defense is close to the Ravens in points allowed. Patriots have a better QB. New England 20-10.
NFC Championship Game
(3)Eagles at (1)Bears: The magical mystery ride for Jeff Garcia concludes on the Midway. Bears 28-10.
(4)Patriots at (1)Chargers: Marty plays it close to the vest and Brady beats him at the end. Patriots 38-35.
SuperBowl
(AFC4)Patriots vs. (NFC1)Bears: Game is in Brady's traditional house of horrors in Miami. Still trust him more than Grossman in a big spot. Patriots 23-20 on a last second field goal.
The Horsemen DVD is 3 Discs and 9 hours. Let Us Rejoice and Sing Its Praise.
The only thing I *really* want is to see New England and Indianapolis in the AFC Title Game, because I love Brady almost as much as I love Manning when he's losing to Brady. And just for a poetic ending, I hope it comes down to a missed Vinitiari kick at the end, so his leg can give the Patriots one more postseason win.
Manning is good, but Manning winning in the postseason is a lot like the Red Sox winning the AL East: I'll believe it when I see it. So the AFC comes down to two great forces: Brady and Billichek against the unstoppable monster playing running back for San Diego. Tomlinson is good, as is Rivers, but I think the Pats come out of the AFC yet again.
In the NFC, who the hell knows. Grossman sucks, but so does the rest of the conference. I think the magic continues in New Orleans and Grossman costs the Bears the NFC Title Game, setting up New Orleans against New England in the Super Bowl.
Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you... AFC Wild-Card Round
(5) New York Jets v. (4) New England Patriots - Everyone, Vegas and redsoxnation included, has pretty much forgotten that the Jets played the Patriots tough this year, losing at home by 7 after a furious second-half comeback and beating them in Foxboro. New England will win - I'm not going to pick against Belichick's playoff record here - but it's going to be a much closer game than people expect and likely a full-blown escape for the Patriots. Patriots 24-21.
(6) Kansas City Chiefs v. (3) Indianapolis Colts - It's like Indy's worst nightmares came true. Of all the teams that they were in a position to play, they drew the team that's the biggest threat to them because of that utterly atrocious run defense. The Chiefs will play from ahead the majority of the game (with Larry Johnson running all over them early and often at will) and withstand a furious Peyton Manning comeback to win a shootout. Chiefs 38-31.
NFC Wild-Card Round
(5) Dallas Cowboys v. (4) Seattle Seahawks - The question here is whether the Dallas defense can prevent this one from turning into a shootout. Seattle is ravaged defensively (especially at linebacker and corner) and will be hard-pressed to shut down the Cowboys' weapons. Seattle's saving grace, however, is that they've finally got their offense back in sync, and at the end of the day, Dallas' true Achilles heel will be apparant. Seahawks 35-27.
(6) New York Giants v. (3) Philadelphia Eagles - *pukes* The Giants do not deserve to be here. The Packers do. Period, end of discussion, nothing to debate. Eli's done absolutely nothing for months (the Washington win was *all* Tiki) and the Eagles have to be salivating at the state of the Giants' defense, which has gotten worse since the last time these teams met. The most one-sided of the wild-card games; Philly wins going away. Eagles 34-16.
Rest of Playoffs (Quick 'n Dirty)
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS Patriots over Ravens (coin flip) Chargers over Chiefs (handily) Saints over Eagles (NO controls, PHI comeback falls short) Seahawks over Bears (CHI gets exposed for the frauds they are)
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Patriots over Chargers (experience > firepower) Saints over Seahawks (the dream lives on)
SUPER BOWL Saints over Patriots (NE passes the underdog torch)
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; June 18, 2006) While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.
Cowboys over Seahawks....I think with all of the hand-wringing about the Cowboys, people have forgotten that the Shawks are also one crappy football team. Their once-vaunted homefield advantage is non-existent. I predict a bit of Romo magic, and some continued funny posts at www.tonyhomo.com
Patriots over Jets, but literally anything could happen in this game. I can't pick against Brady/Belichick at home, but if anyone could do it, it would be protege Mangini.
Colts over Chiefs, because there's always one playoff game each year that seems like the trendy upset, and it always backfires. This one seems a little *too* pat. Everyone is expecting LJ to run all over Indy, and he might, but it's very hard to beat the Colts in a shootout.
This sets up.... Chicago/Dallas -- Romo gets eaten up by Da Bears New Orleans/Philly -- Coin flip San Diego/New England -- Patriots advance as Belichick coaches Marty into the ground Baltimore/Indy -- Oh boy. I've been waiting all year to see Princess Peyton get stuffed into the ground by the Ravens defense.
Chicago/Whomever -- I think the Bears are winning regardless Baltimore/New England -- Tough call, but I'll take the Ravens
Ravens over Bears in the Super Bowl
I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes.
Indianapolis 21 Kansas City 20 Not as high scoring as everyone thinks it's gonna be. The reason for that is the Chiefs will be running all game while Manning will run the clock down with his audibles before every down. The Colt's defense will be motivated to stop the run by Tony Dungy and to prove themselves in front of a national audience. The health of Bob Sanders is the key for the Colts here.
New England 17 New York Jets 10 The Patriots will do what they always do in big games, expose the other team's weakness. For the Jets that is the run defense. Expect to see healthy doses of Dillon, Maroney and Brady play action passes. The health of Rodney Harrison will be key for this game.
Philadelphia 24 New York Giants 14 Tiki Barber will come to win, but will the rest of his team? Garcia will be running away from what's left over from an injury ravaged but still talented Giants defense. Westbrook will be the player that does the Giants in.
Dallas 31 Seattle 28 Seattle ruined their chances when they lost another member of their secondary in a meaningless game against the Bucs. Kelly Herndon broke his ankle and the other starting cb, Trufant, will be questionable with an ankle injury as well. FS Hamlin and backup cb Williams are also hurt. This should lead to a field day for Tony Romo, Terry Glenn and T.O.
Divisional Playoffs Picks TBD at an edit in the future Indianapolis vs Baltimore New England vs San Diego Dallas vs Chicago Philadelphia vs New Orleans
Super Bowl Pick New Orleans 23 Baltimore 17
"I'm one of the last cats, puttin the flavor back into rap"
Can the winner of the Ohio State/Florida game play the winner of the NFC to go to the Super Bowl?
I don't really like *anybody* in the NFC, so Chicago almost wins by default. I'd say this Chicago team reminds me of that Baltimore Ravens team that won the Super Bowl, but that might be an insult to Trent Dilfer. Ew.
In the AFC, I think that it comes down to San Diego and New England, although I anxiously await to see Manning's latest playoff collaspe. Although at the same time, if he made it to the Super Bowl, I'd be extremely happy for him, because he totally won me over with those MasterCard commercials. MOOOOVERS
Wild Card Picks: 'Hawks over Cowboys Eagles over Giants Pats over Jets Colts over Chiefs
"It's the four pillars of the male heterosexual psyche. We like naked women, stockings, lesbians, and Sean Connery best as James Bond because that is what being a [man] is." -Jack Davenport, Coupling
I'm glad to see people picking the Pats to be in the Super Bowl. I won a trip to the Super Bowl from Pepsi and to have my Pats there would just make it that much sweeter. (Having Prince announced as halftime show made me pretty happy as well.)
Michael: I am a victim of a hate crime! I think Stanley knows what I’m talking about…
Originally posted by piemanGIANTS WIN SUPERBOWL IN TIKI's FAREWELL GAME.
GIANTS FANS REJOICE!!!
I think someone is still drinking ... the new year is more than 36 hours old already!
Originally posted by BattlezoneAlthough at the same time, if he made it to the Super Bowl, I'd be extremely happy for him, because he totally won me over with those MasterCard commercials.
Same here. I like Manning as a guy, based on what I know about him, and those commercials were gold. But watching Peyton collapse in January is something of a tradition in my house.
Originally posted by dwatersI won a trip to the Super Bowl from Pepsi
Tell us a story!
Back on November 2nd, I was notified that I won a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami from Hannaford (a local supermarket chain) and Pepsi. I had mailed in a bunch of entry forms in October and was picked in a random draw. I enter sweepstakes and contests as a hobby, but the Super Bowl has eluded me since I started back in 1995. It includes game tickets, airfare, hotel, ground transportation, spending money, tickets to the Pepsi party and NFL experience. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Michael: I am a victim of a hate crime! I think Stanley knows what I’m talking about…
Originally posted by dwatersI won a trip to the Super Bowl from Pepsi
Tell us a story!
Back on November 2nd, I was notified that I won a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami from Hannaford (a local supermarket chain) and Pepsi. I had mailed in a bunch of entry forms in October and was picked in a random draw. I enter sweepstakes and contests as a hobby, but the Super Bowl has eluded me since I started back in 1995. It includes game tickets, airfare, hotel, ground transportation, spending money, tickets to the Pepsi party and NFL experience. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Please don't take this personally.
You are a lucky bastard! :-)
[ontopic] Ummm, if anyone who is picking the Bears bothered to watch any football this past Sunday, or saw them play a game against the Lions that they should have lost the week before, can you explain why you think they will now play well? Their offense sucks (Grossman completed more passes to the Packers than to the Bears, and Griese wasn't much better at 5 to 2), and their defense has some pretty severe holes right now. Don't tell me about resting people - Urlacher was on the field well into the third quarter, and I think he is the appropriate gauge of when the resting occurs.
Eagles over Giants Seahawks over Cowboys Saints over Eagles Seahawks over Bears Saints over Seahawks
Chiefs over Colts Patriots over Jets Ravens over Patriots Chargers over Chiefs Chargers over Ravens
Ummm, if anyone who is picking the Bears bothered to watch any football this past Sunday, or saw them play a game against the Lions that they should have lost the week before, can you explain why you think they will now play well?
Or anyone who watched them try to choke away the game against my Bucs the week before the Lions game. The Bears needed a faulty beeper that led to a non review on a third down catch to prevent a tie in that one...
Sounds bitter doesn't it? Haha, ask me about Bert Emanuel or Edell Shepard why don't ya.
"I'm one of the last cats, puttin the flavor back into rap"
Nope, he didn't stop at all. There was an video of it shot by someone who lived on that street and it was shown on the Channel 7 news here in Boston. He just hit the guy like he wasn't even there.