Belichik is going to make Ben R. look like a rookie. There is no way Ben R. makes it through a whole rookie season without one really bad game. This is it. But take heart Steelers fans, he had a great year and this is a awesome learning experience for him. They will be a force to be reckined with for many years.
Falcons 24 Eagles 13
Death, taxes and the Eagles choking the the Conference Finals. Three certainties in life. The Falcons are playing with house money as no one expects them to win. I do not think anyone in the Falcons front office woudl have predicted a conference title game with a rookie head coach and a new offensive game plan. They will be loose and ready to go. The Eagles will have constant reminders all week of past failures and if they get behind early, the crowd will turn on them in no time.
SUPER BOWL
Patriots - 42 Falcons - 10
Belichik will not only contain Vick, he will make sure he gets hit every time he goes to run. It will be ugly early and will be a ratings nightmare for FOX. Third MVP for Brady moves him closer to Montanaland.
I think you're an asshole. No, no, let me correct that, an immature asshole. Which is fine, except that you're marrying my daughter and I'm afraid that my grandchildren are gonna be little assholes.
Originally posted by WpobThere is no way Ben R. makes it through a whole rookie season without one really bad game.
Well, there _was_ that "here, end our season, we don't want it" Favre-esque lollipop he threw up against the Jets last week...
My take: the Patriots stomp the Eagles into the ground in Jacksonville.
(edited by vsp on 21.1.05 1352) "...I'm sorry, I was wrong -- we cannot go back and make it that the Hawaiians killed Christ." -- Jennifer Giroux, professional wingnut
Originally posted by WpobThere is no way Ben R. makes it through a whole rookie season without one really bad game.
Well, there _was_ that "here, end our season, we don't want it" Favre-esque lollipop he threw up against the Jets last week...
My take: the Patriots stomp the Eagles into the ground in Jacksonville.
(edited by vsp on 21.1.05 1352)
That was one pass. I am talking about a whole game. I think tis is the week it all comes unglued for Ben R. There is no way a rookie QB beats a Belichik coached team in the playoffs, much less with a shot at the Super Bowl at stake.
I think you're an asshole. No, no, let me correct that, an immature asshole. Which is fine, except that you're marrying my daughter and I'm afraid that my grandchildren are gonna be little assholes.
I don't think Philly CAN win the NFC Championship game. It's just not possible. They spread out to stop the run, but Vick gets a few big plays that demoralize Philly's defence AND offense. They sputter, while Atlanta pulls ahead and puts it out of reach.
Steelers 21, Patriots 14
New England will be more than up to the task of stopping the run, but the problem is that I'll take Pitt's recievers over Troy Brown at Corner any day. Shouldn't it have been the same case with Indy? Yep, but for some reason, I think the Steelers can do it.
Tonight I wanna ruin my life, I wanna throw it all away, In a spectacular way
Originally posted by redsoxnation And, the Manning to Marino comparisons that are coming out of the woodwork are completely off-base. I think it is more Manning to Fouts, as both put up big numbers, but neither actually reached a Super Bowl.
As opposed to Marino, who managed the grand total of 1 loss to the 49ers and managed to go his last 15 years in the league with 1 appearance in the AFC Championship game?
EDIT: Oh yeah, Steelers 14, Pats 10. Eagles 34, Atlanta 21
(edited by MoeGates on 22.1.05 1708)
(edited by MoeGates on 22.1.05 1709) Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. - Euripides
Even being an Eagles fan, I think the snow gives the Falcons a HUGE advantage if they center their offense around TJ Duckett.
However, I think Vick will be too wrapped up in trying to make it the Michael Vick Experience, and will lose 1 or 2 fumbles in the process. The wind will hurt Philly's passing offense, but their red zone defense has always been good, and they've got one of the best kickers in the league, so I think they can pull it out.
As for Pats/Steelers, who's going to beat the Patriots in the cold? Who's going to beat the Patriots in the playoffs, ever?
Originally posted by redsoxnation And, the Manning to Marino comparisons that are coming out of the woodwork are completely off-base. I think it is more Manning to Fouts, as both put up big numbers, but neither actually reached a Super Bowl.
As opposed to Marino, who managed the grand total of 1 loss to the 49ers and managed to go his last 15 years in the league with 1 appearance in the AFC Championship game?
EDIT: Oh yeah, Steelers 14, Pats 10. Eagles 34, Atlanta 21
(edited by MoeGates on 22.1.05 1708)
(edited by MoeGates on 22.1.05 1709)
That 1 loss to the 49ers still is 1 more appearance for Marino over Peyton. Actually, it is 1 more appearance for Marino than Peyton, Archie and Eli combined.
Originally posted by JustinShapiro I completely understand the Patriots being favored, but while the Colts win was an extremely impressive performance, I don't think the idea that if X then Y necessarily applies to this game, because the Steelers will not be deploying their high-flying Ben-N-Shoot offense, and if the Pats have three eight-minute long drives controlling the ball, I will give you $2. But I would guess they're going to try the exact opposite and go to a spread and whatnot.
It would be easy to go with the chalk on both games, and I may still, but there's one thing I'll be watching for in the Pats/Steelers game I haven't seen any mention of yet this week (and it may be that I haven't watched/listened/read enough). Corey Dillon is a great back, and a big reason the Pats put together those long clock-killing drives last week. He didn't play in their regular-season meeeting, which was certainly a contributing factor to the loss.
That being said, Corey earned a reputation as a lockerroom cancer and a malcontent during his 6 or so years in Cincy. And who was his head coach for more than a few of those years? That's right, Pittsburg Steeler's defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Gotta be some heat and hard feelings there . . . on both sides. Question is, who's more hurt and ready to dish out punishment because of it?
I think LeBeau knows quite a bit about Corey and his strengths and weaknesses making him less of a facor than people think. Not that Brady or even Kevin Faulk can't beat them, but with the cold weather and snow being a factor, it can't help.
Hard to pick agains the Pats, but I'm close. Same argument makes it hard to pick the Eagles. They've shown chokability in the big ones too much.
As not a fan (or non-fan) of any team left, at least I should have some good games to watch this week and in the Super Bowl. I just hope T.O. isn't involved no matter what the outcomes. I hate that guy.
"The 6-5 Seahawks are leading the West by one game. They have lost five of their last eight. They lost to a 4-6 Bills team at home last week by 29 points. They have Jerry Rice starting at WR, wearing Steve Largent's number and running fly patterns with a pitchfork sticking out his back. They are being routinely outscored on Sundays by Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen and even Vlad Radmanovic. On the bright side, it's only Year 6 of Mike Holmgren's five-year plan." - The "Sports Guy" Bill Simmons hits the nail on the freaking head
So this is what winning feels like? Congrats to the whole Eagles team, organization and all of the fans who kept the faith. This is just a great day. Bring on the Pats and Jacksonville. FLY EAGLES FLY~!
Hats off to the Patriots, they totally out played the Steelers till the third quater. I hope Ben doesn't turn into another Kordell Stewart and Cowher killed the momentum by taking the field goal. Oh well, Go Eagles.
"All faith reguires is giving into the possibility of hope."
I really feel sorry for the Jacksonville Police Department. Patriot and Eagle fans interacting for a week? That will be entertaining. Falcons need a punter. And, perhaps, reminding Vick that he is allowed to throw the ball instead of spinning around into 3 defenders. Play of the Steelers/Patriots game was stopping Bettis on 4th and 1 in the first quarter. Slight difference for the Patriots offense having Branch and Dillon healthy. Great recruiting video for Notre Dame produced by Charlie Weis. Weis, Crennel and Belichick were all on Parcells staff with Big Blue (true, Belichick already had the Browns job), and the best George Young could come up with was Ray Handley?
Originally posted by BOSsportsfan34Nice to see another appearance by Drunk Joe Namath. I half-expected him to say while presenting the Lamar Hunt Trophy; "Mr Kraft, I wanna kiss ya!!!"
If Bonnie Bernstein had been the TV person for the presentation instead of Gumbel...you have to figure chances were good it would've happened.
German Tourist: Will you stop talking about the war! Basil Fawlty: You started it. German Tourist: We did not start it! Basil Fawlty: Yes you did, you invaded Poland.
Originally posted by redsoxnationI really feel sorry for the Jacksonville Police Department. Patriot and Eagle fans interacting for a week? That will be entertaining.
Just imagine if the Super Bowl was in New Orleans instead of Jacksonville. There'd be nothing left of that town after the game was over.
Originally posted by redsoxnationFalcons need a punter. And, perhaps, reminding Vick that he is allowed to throw the ball instead of spinning around into 3 defenders.
Think the Philly defense figured out the fake-handoff-left-roll-out-right after the 6th or 7th time Atlanta tried it?
Originally posted by redsoxnationPlay of the Steelers/Patriots game was stopping Bettis on 4th and 1 in the first quarter. Slight difference for the Patriots offense having Branch and Dillon healthy. Great recruiting video for Notre Dame produced by Charlie Weis. Weis, Crennel and Belichick were all on Parcells staff with Big Blue (true, Belichick already had the Browns job), and the best George Young could come up with was Ray Handley?
To be fair, no one expected those guys to become the great coaches they are. Especially with Bellichick after his run with Cleveland.
I guess everybody else fell asleep during the second half, too. ;-) The Jets threatened to make it interesting when they opened up that lead in the second quarter, but I think deep down we (and they?)