The Jets making the playoffs is a total joke. I'm sure the Texans, Steelers, and Dolphins just LOVE that the Jets made it in when their last two opponents completely half-assed their games with their second stringers. (I'm not counting the Broncos or the Jags in this conversation, because they have no one to blame but themselves with those dismal Week 17 performances.)
All in all, this might be the most uninspired group of playoff teams I've seen in a long time. Even the teams that got byes have looked god awful lately. If momentum wins playoff games, we're headed for a Chargers/Cowboys Super Bowl.
Originally posted by It's FalseThe Jets making the playoffs is a total joke. I'm sure the Texans, Steelers, and Dolphins just LOVE that the Jets made it in when their last two opponents completely half-assed their games with their second stringers. (I'm not counting the Broncos or the Jags in this conversation, because they have no one to blame but themselves with those dismal Week 17 performances.)
(edited by It's False on 3.1.10 2122)
The Texans, Steelers and Dolphins blew so many games this season that they have nobody but themselves to blame for being on the postseason sidelines. I wouldn't be surprised if the Jets beat Cincy next week given that the Bengals seem to be the most reeling of the division winners.
Kirk, crackers are a family food. Happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, we don't know. Frankly, we don't want to know. It's a market we can do without.
Bengals will beat the Jets, because they will load the box and force Sanchez to pass. They also saw what the Jets are going to do with them as well. This was more of a scouting game for the Bengals then anything else. So, does Ochocinco go back to being Chad Johnson today after he got shut down yesterday?
The Steelers would be a team that would be very dangerous in the playoffs. While I think the Steelers blew their chances mainly due to the Browns game, Woodley does have a point between playing the Jets or Ravens or the Steelers, I am sure teams would rather play the Jets or Ravens. The Pats did play starters til the 3rd Quarter which after what happened to Wes, I am shocked. The only thing that I am interested to see the Saints go to the big dance after being a joke for 90% of their existence. All the teams that made the playoffs minus a few here and there, I loath, so go Saints.
Baltimore over New England Cincinnati over New York Jets
Baltimore over Indy San Diego over Cincinnati
San Diego over Baltimore
Super Bowl
San Diego over GB
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. Go Pack Go! (10-6, 2nd NFC North, #5 seed) Let's Go Riders! (2009 West Division Champions)
I'm trying to be honest in my thoughts, rather than fannish (I'm a Bengals fan primarily, with a bit of Colts affection thrown in). So, I might be overly optimistic about the Colts, but I think that's justified. My pessimism about the Bengals is, sadly, probably also justified.
Originally posted by Big Bad The Texans, Steelers and Dolphins blew so many games this season that they have nobody but themselves to blame for being on the postseason sidelines.
True and also false. Yes, the Steelers, Texans and Dolphins lost games they shouldn't have. Yes, it's hard to feel sorry for them. But to say they have NOBODY to blame is simply not true. Blown games or not, all three teams were better than the Jets all season long and the Jets basically got a bye to the playoffs. You can go on about the disappointing losses all you want and it doesn't change the fact that the wrong team is still in the playoffs.
I love prediction threads because inevitably almost all the people are wrong, but it doesn't matter. After the national title game, I'm going to force myself to revisit my ten bold predictions from before the college football season started: I'm pretty sure I went 0-for-10.
Anyway:
I like Cincinnati to destroy the Jets. Maybe not as bad as the Jets did to them last week, but this one will be worth more so it's the one people will remember.
Green Bay beats Arizona again.
Dallas beats Philly just as convincingly as they did last week.
Welker or not, Brady and the Patriots are not getting knocked out in the first round.
As for the rest of the playoffs, the Saints and Vikings both lose in the divisional round (I guess I'm supposed to be impressed by the Vikings' big win over a comatose Giants team last week, but I'm not), and the winner of the Packers/Cowboys NFC title game loses to the Chargers in the Super Bowl.
Originally posted by Big Bad The Texans, Steelers and Dolphins blew so many games this season that they have nobody but themselves to blame for being on the postseason sidelines.
True and also false. Yes, the Steelers, Texans and Dolphins lost games they shouldn't have. Yes, it's hard to feel sorry for them. But to say they have NOBODY to blame is simply not true. Blown games or not, all three teams were better than the Jets all season long and the Jets basically got a bye to the playoffs. You can go on about the disappointing losses all you want and it doesn't change the fact that the wrong team is still in the playoffs.
This is a diehard Steelers fan saying this. It's honestly hurting me to type this, but it has to be said.
You're sitting there and saying the Pittsburgh "We lost 5 in a fucking row, one of those to the fucking BROWNS" Steelers were "better than the Jets all season long".
Well thankfully, it appears Chad Ochocinco is going to play this weekend:
Chad: Bedroom moves prove knee is just fine
CINCINNATI -- Chad Ochocinco said his left knee is feeling fine. He tested it out Monday -- not on the football field, though.
"I had sex yesterday,'' the Bengals receiver said. "With some of the moves I did -- I should be fine."
Ochocinco returned to more conventional rehab yesterday, getting treatment and practicing fully. He will be looking for redemption in Saturday's AFC wild-card game after he was a no-show in Sunday's game against the Jets.
Ochocinco injured the knee Sunday night when he slipped during warm-ups at an icy Giants Stadium. He played just a half in the 37-0 loss to the Jets and his much-anticipated showdown with Darrelle Revis was a dud. Ochocinco finished with no catches.
Also, the Post's caption below a photo of Ochocinco hobbling off the field last week:
GOING LIMP: Chad Ochocinco hobbles off the field during Sunday night's 37-0 Jets win.
Originally posted by QuezzyYes, the Steelers, Texans and Dolphins lost games they shouldn't have. Yes, it's hard to feel sorry for them. But to say they have NOBODY to blame is simply not true. Blown games or not, all three teams were better than the Jets all season long and the Jets basically got a bye to the playoffs.
Have I slipped into some alternate universe where the Miami Dolphins didn't finish 7-9? I could almost take your point on the Steelers, but the Dolphins?! I know they beat the Jets a couple times but on the other hand.....7 and 9? A 7-9 team shouldn't be mentioned in discussion about playoff worthy teams. It's just wrong.
And the Steelers lost to the Browns, Raiders and Chiefs in the space of four weeks which pretty much makes them a St Louis Rams franchise away from the title of Worst Team In Football over that stretch. Makes the idea that they were better than the Jets all season long a novel one.
It's not entirely fair that the Jets got an easy ride the last couple weeks, but every team starts the season with their fate in their own hands and the main reason the three you mentioned lost that honour was their own suckiness at various stages of the year. They want to get in the playoffs? Start by sucking less often.
Everyone talks about the Jets getting in on the cheap, but no one talks about how weak the Bengals look as of late. Since week 11, they have gone 3-4 with the wins coming against the Lions, Browns, and Chiefs. Worse, they have only scored 20+ points twice in that span and only six times the whole season. Not exactly the type of record you expect out of a 'powerhouse' playoff team. The Jets will come into this game with more momentum (winning 5 of their last six, rested teams noted), and I think a better defense and a healthier running game. Sanchez sucks as a QB, but Palmer hasn't done anything special as of late either, so they cancel each other out. Plus you add the chip on the shoulder NY will have because of everyone saying they don't deserve to be in while you still have Cincy recovering from Chris Henry's death and you have, IMO, one team running full steam while the other running out it. In no way do I expect the Jets to go to the Super Bowl, but I do expect them to take this game to send a message to all the naysayers.
Eagles vs. Cowboys- Cowboys win 38-34
The Cowboys sure look really good in wiping out Phily on Sunday. But I don't see a third striaght shutout for them this time around. Everyone knows about Dallas' struggles in the postseason. They should also take a look at the Eagles record in the postseason. Since 2000, they're 10-7 in the playoffs. But more importantly, they're 7-0 in the first playoff game they play, including 4-0 in wildcard weekends. So I see a very tough game for the Cowboys, last week be damned. It'll be high scoring as well but I think Dallas has more weapons at this point and will get off the playoff scneid in what I feel will be the game of the weekend.
Ravens vs. Patroits- Ravens win 24-20
Obviously, the injury to Welker hurts NE. Brady's still good, but not as good as he was before his own injury. Then you add the facts that the running game stinks, Belichek doesn't trust his D for shit, and Moss, while still a top reciever, seems to have extra stiff coverage every single play. Meanwhile, Baltimore was in this same situation last year (6th seed) and did pretty well (got into the conference finals), so they know it can be done. They have a solid offense now to go with their lockdown defense (it's still good: top 5 in points, yards, and rush yards allowed). It should be enough to defeat the Patriots at home, though it could be a close game like Dallas/ Phily.
Packers vs. Cardinals- Packers win 34-24
The Cardinals possibly not having Boldin will be a big blow to them. I know they still have Fitzgerald and other good recievers, but they need all their main weapons against arguably one of the hottest teams all around right now. Rodgers and Green Bay will expose the Pheonix D and will be the third road team to win this weekend.
Cowboys: Hitting their stride at the right time, and the knowledge that they're playing for Phillipp's job. It doesn't hurt that Philly has a few key injuries.
Packers: After a so-so start having a great season. A #1 Ranked Defense plus an elite QB (pretty sure Rodgers had better numbers than Favre this year, even) spells bad news for the Cardinals who are likely missing their second best receiver. I think Woodson is able to play today as well, so more good news for the Pack.
Ravens: The Welker injury is retarded huge, and I also think the Pats are simply weaker this year than they have been in previous one's. And of course, yo have the aforementioned Raven's defense which seems to have found it's legs.
Bengals: Marvin Lewis is the coach of the year IMHO. The man changed the culture of team in the locker room, and the make up of the team. They built a AFC North Team for sure, which means they built themselves a good play off team. A run-first mad-defense team. But I suppose the reason, other than Marvin Lewis, why I like the Bengals this year; they've taken pressure off of Carson Palmer, who I've always been a big fan of. Yet Palmer the kind of guy who can TAKE the pressure and air it out if he wants/needs to. At some point the Jets may think "oh, we stopped the run".....only to find out that Palmer is still a elite QB who needs a ring to still be compared to his young QB contemporaries.
Of course, the Bills Effect will take place and all of these teams I chose will lose.
You know, I really don't know what to put here. Close your eyes and thank of something funny!
My hopes: Bengals over Jets Eagles over Cowboys Patriots over Ravens Packers over Cardinals
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Cowboys over Eagles (Eagles make it close but the Cowboys win at home.)
Cardinals over Packers (Packers make it close but the Cardinals give Warner more and better prtection than the Packers give Aaron Rodgers the human tackling dummy.)
2nd Round
Vikings over Cowboys (Favre throws five TDs and no picks. Vikings blow the doors off the Cowboys at home.)
Saints over Cardinals (Saints struggle early but the Cardinals are only up by 7 at the half. The Saints tie the game quick in the 3rd and gradually pull away winning the game by 10.)
Confernce Round
Saints over Vikings (Saints win because they have the ball last.)
*****
AFC I think will get wacky early and often
Jets over Bengals (Bengals play better, but not good enough to win.)
Patriots over Ravens (Wes Walker Jr. (aka Julian Edelman) plays out of his mind and a sudden;y healthy Fred Taylor runs over people while a returning and rested Wilfork suddely gives the Patriots a run defebce.)
2nd Round
Jets over Colts (Colts lay an egg. Jets score a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown, a defensive touchdown and a special teams touchdown to win.)
Patriots over Chargers (In a game the Chargers should win and lead practically the entire game - only the Chargers screw up their time-outs and challenges, the Patriots get a questionable call with 3 minutes left and with the Chargers out of challenges. The Patriots score right after the 2 minute warning to go up by 3 with their first lead of the game. The Chargers have no time outs left, screw up their two minute drill and shank a long field goal to lose.)
Conference Round
Patriots over Jets (Patriots dare Sanchez to beat them and he can't keep up with Brady.)
SuperBowl
Saints over Patriots (Tie game. In overtime, the Saints win the toss and Brady never gets the ball back.)
I'll be going to the NFL experience on the 19th - I picked up a few comp tickets at work for a small donation to one of our charity groups here. I guess that means I can't write them off... but that's not the point.