NFL pickem playoffs wild card weekend

[Jedi Master Carr]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay
Tennessee at San Diego

[Yog]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle (W)
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay (W)
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Miranda Tarkin]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle (W)
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants (W) at Tampa Bay
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Jedi Master Carr]

Saturday, Jan. 5
W Washington at Seattle
W Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay w
Tennessee at San Diego w

[Liam Jinn]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle (W)
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants (W) at Tampa Bay
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Jedieb]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle Seattle wins
The Redskins are hot right now. Yeah, they beat a T.O.less Cowboys team that rested starters with the advantage of homefield, but they still did what they had to. The Seahawks have homefield advantage but Alexander is a shell of himself. Hassleback can win this game without a strong running. This isn't a game I'm all that jacked up to see. Seattle should be able to win, but I can see either of these teams laying an egg and getting blown out. I'll stick with the homefield advantage and take the Seahawks. It's rather pointless because they're both more than likely just cannon fodder for the Cowboys and Packers.

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh Jags win
Here's the game of the week. Jacksonville is the sexy pick. They can run, they're physical, and they finished the year strong. Ever since that win at Pittsburgh people have been declainrg they're the other team besides Indy that could give the Pats a run for their money. I think that's part of the reason why so many people have jumped on their bandwagon. New England haters, of which I'm a card carrying member, see that running game and have sweet visions of Taylor and Jones running all over the Pats on a snow covered field. Still, they lost TWICE to the Colts and that big win against the Steelers was only a 7 point win.

What do the Steelers have going for them? They've suffered some big injuries including the loss of Willie Parker. They've were pretty inconsistent in December. What they do have going for them is Heinz Field. They were 7-1 at home and should be able to give the Jags a run for their money. Still, I think the Patriots would destroy them the following week so I'm pinning my hopes on Jacksonville.




Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Go Bucs!
The Giants won over a ton of people with their spirited effort against the Patriots, but remember, they're going on the road and playing a team that for much of the year was playing better football. Monte Kiffin loves the destroy QB's and I think his Cover 2 will give Manning problems. The key for the Giants is Jacobs. If he has a big game, which he can against the Bucs defense, then that'll make things easier for Manning and he'll be able to get some decent completions off of play action. I'm picking who I'm rooting for, but I wouldn't be stunned if the G-Men carry their momentum and beat the Bucs at the New Sombrero.

Tennessee at San Diego Chargers win
I honestly can't think of anything good to say about the Titans. I like Jeff Fisher, but this is the weakest team in the playoffs. I don't care if they have Collins or Young behind center, the Chargers should have their way with them. Marty isn't wearing the headset so they should avoid his playoff curse and LT should finally win a playoff game. This game will be physical, but the Chargers simply have too much talent to blow this game. Also, a Tennessee loss insures that the Pats get a tough opponent next week. If Tennessee manages an upset this Sunday the Patriots could send their cheerleaders out and still win against them the following week.

[Figrin D'an]

Guess I'll bite since it's playoff time.


Washington at Seattle (W)
The Redskins keep this close, but Matt Hasslebeck will have a solid day throwing the football and complete enough short passes to establish some ball control. Todd Collins has played well for the Redskins down the stretch, but Seattle has a good pass rush and will knock him around and force a couple of mistakes.


Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh
The Jags are built to play in grinding, bad weather games. They run the football very well, they play good defense, and they have a quarterback that picks his spots well and doesn't make many mistakes. Pittsburgh has never lost at home to the same opponent twice in one season. Roethisberger is a playmaker, but the loss of Willie Parker and a shocking lack of defensive toughness at times will hurt the Steelers, even knowing what the Jags gameplay will be.


New York Giants (W) at Tampa Bay
Tampa didn't close out the season well, and I'm concerned about Jeff Garcia essentially playing one half of football in the last 3 games. The Bucs need to come out of the locker room firing and get off to a good start. If the Giants get a lead and take the Bucs running game away as a factor, Strahan and Umeniyora will tee off on Garcia. The Giants have some confidence coming into this game, Eli Manning will play well enough, but I expect a big day out of Brandon Jacobs to be the difference.


Tennessee at San Diego (W)
If Vince Young was healthy and was definitely going to play, I could at least see Tennessee making this a competitive game. Vince Young with a hamstring problem or Kerry Collins starting at QB does not bode well for the Titans. Throw in the fact that the Titans best defender, Albert Haynesworth, hasn't been nearly as effective of late as he was earlier in the season, I expect Tomlinson to potentially have a record-type of day. He's due for a monster performance. San Diego is just too potent and playing too well for Tennessee to have a real shot. This will be the one blowout of the weekend.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle W
Jacksonville W at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay W
Tennessee W at San Diego

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle (W)
(W) Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay (W)
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Jedi Master Carr]

I will stick with Washington. Seattle looked horrible against Atlanta and their startes played most of the game. If they can't beat Atlanta I think hot Washington will beat them.

[Anne Phoenix]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington (W) at Seattle
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay (W)
Tennessee at San Diego (W)
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[Jedi Master Carr]

Cameron got fired as the Dolphins coach today
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3178646

I guess Parcelles wants to start fresh.

[Jedieb]

That's their 5th coach in 5 years, that's got to be some kind of record. It looks like the job is going to go Sparano. So Miami fans can get use to plenty of Sopranos jokes over the next few years. But man do they need some stability in the front office. Parcells will at least give them that.

[Jedieb]

Baltimore Ravens
I'm curious why not many people have mentioned Marty Schottenheimer for this job. He said he's only coming back for a team that's a playoff contender and Baltimore is just one season removed from a 13 win season. Everywhere he goes he turns teams into playoff contenders. Yes, we know the history of Martyball in the postseason, but if I want my team in the playoffs, that's a guy I'd go to. He'd also be coming home in a sense because it was in Cleveland where he made his bones back in the 80's.

[jjwr]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle (W)
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants (W) at Tampa Bay
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Jedi Master Carr]

Baltimore Ravens
I'm curious why not many people have mentioned Marty Schottenheimer for this job. He said he's only coming back for a team that's a playoff contender and Baltimore is just one season removed from a 13 win season. Everywhere he goes he turns teams into playoff contenders. Yes, we know the history of Martyball in the postseason, but if I want my team in the playoffs, that's a guy I'd go to. He'd also be coming home in a sense because it was in Cleveland where he made his bones back in the 80's.

I could see that happening. Baltimore is going to pick someone with some experience, IMO. Not sure who the Falcolns will pick. They can't seem to find anybody who wants the job. Surprisingly, those are probably the only three jobs that will be vacant. I don't see any other coaches fired here out.

[Rutabaga]

Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington (W) at Seattle
Jacksonville (W) at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Jan. 6
New York Giants at Tampa Bay (W)
Tennessee at San Diego (W)

[Anne Phoenix]

So who the winners of this week's rounds play against next week?

[Figrin D'an]

So who the winners of this week's rounds play against next week?

Exactly which team goes where depends upon who survives this weekend, but basically it's like this:

NFC:
Lowest Remaining Seed at Dallas
Highest Remaining Seed at Green Bay

AFC:
Lowest Remaining Seed at New England
Highest Remaining Seed at Indianapolis

[Jedieb]

So who the winners of this week's rounds play against next week?

AFC
The way I see it, the Patriots are probably going to have to play the Jags or Steelers unless the Titans pull off the upset. The Colts will get SD because they're the #3 seed. I'm rooting for SD and the Jags because I think the Jags will give the Pats the toughest second round.

NFC
It's really wide open but I'll tell you right now, Dallas may have the #1 seed, but Green Bay is the best team in the NFC right now. Since that game at Texas Stadium the Packers have been the better team. Dallas has been slumping and without Owens they're a different team. He should be back and with Glenn on the other side they have the potential to be even more explosive, but can they just flip the switch and start playing well after a mediocre December?

Dallas should get either the Giants or the Redskins while GB should be looking at Seattle or Tampa Bay I think.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think the Redskins can beat Dallas. I see them as being very hot right now.

[Kale]

Seeing how lousy I did in the regular season's pick 'em, I'm going to bow out of this competition.

However, I am still planning to submit picks. But they'll be coming from our fluffy corgi, Caspian.

Will edit with pick for the first game next time we give him a treat. :)

EDIT: Caspian picks the Seahawks.

EDIT 2: And Caspian picks the Jaguars.

[Yog]

Caspian picked wisely I think. Seahawks in the lead!

[Figrin D'an]

Seattle is collapsing in the 4th quarter. They started the 4th with a 13 point lead, and less than 5 minutes into it, they're down by 1 with the Redskins threatening again. Two monster mistakes could kill them if Washington gets another TD.

[Figrin D'an]

Seattle gets the break and holds after the huge return mistake, but LaRon Landry picks off Hasslebeck for a second time.

Washington has all the momentum now.

[Yog]

Well, I think it will soon be over now.


EDIT 2: And Caspian picks the Jaguars.

Caspian and me are unbeatable combination. Jaguars sure to win now :)

[Figrin D'an]

Seattle wins a game that was closer than the final score will indicate. Give credit to Washington for fighting back. Seattle's pass rush is very good, and they play well at Quest Field, but they were less than stellar on the road this season. I guess we'll see how they fair against a much more potent offense next week in Green Bay.

[Yog]

Seattle wins a game that was closer than the final score will indicate. Give credit to Washington for fighting back. Seattle's pass rush is very good, and they play well at Quest Field, but they were less than stellar on the road this season. I guess we'll see how they fair against a much more potent offense next week in Green Bay.

Sure Washington gave a great fight. I also think Packers will win vs Seahawks.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Redskins really blew it in the 4 quater though. That pass by Collins was awful. I could have thrown the ball better. I think Green Bay will kill Seattle. They are horrible away from home.

[Yog]

Jaguars game started. This game should be more open I think. Steelers homefield advantage, Jaguars the better team. I think Steelers suffers from more gremlins though, and that could become decisive..

[Yog]

.. and the gremlins are out in Pittsburgh in full force.

Collapse commencing with 63 yard Roethlisberger interception for a TD, and another TD shortly after.

[Yog]

That was a dramatic finish. Steelers knocked out.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Pittsburgh fought back but they really blew it. I disagreed with that call at 3 and 6. I could tell he was running. I would have passed the ball straight up. I still don't think Jacksonville can beat NE. I am not sold on Garrard at all. Sure he can run but you have to pass to win in the NFL. This isn't college. Also they barely beat a banged up Steeler team. I really didn't think this game would be close considering the Steelers didn't have Parker. Of course maybe the Titans will upset S.D tomorrow making my point moot.

[Yog]

I think Jaguars can win vs Patriots, but I don't think they will. It will be a close game. I expect Patriots to pull out the obligatory four-leaf clovers in the last quarter of the game.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well I don't think the Jags can beat the really good teams. The best team they have beaten is S.D but the Chargers are just too inconsistent. They could easily stink up the place tomorrow and it wouldn't shock me. The Colts dominanted them twice.

[Yog]

It would shock me. Chargers got outplayed vs the Colts, because, well they played against the Colts. Titans should not be mentioned in the same breath as the Chargers.

[Jedi Master Carr]

It would shock me. Chargers got outplayed vs the Colts, because, well they played against the Colts. Titans should not be mentioned in the same breath as the Chargers.

The Titans almost beat them a month ago. This is the same Charger team that got out played by the 4-12 Chiefs in San Diego.

[Yog]

The Chargers has been really strong at the end of the season. 6 win streak, some of those real blowouts, that's not inconsistant to me. Especially when their last loss was vs the jaguars, and they even won against the Colts. I think they are a force with homefield advantage in the playoffs. Titans on the other hand lost vs the Broncos and Bengals, and only managed to squeeze 10-6 win vs the Jets. I think the Titans has no chance really. The game probably won't even be close.

[Anne Phoenix]

The big game I'm looking forward to tomorrow is Tampa Bay at Giants. This promises to be a good game.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Chargers has been really strong at the end of the season. 6 win streak, some of those real blowouts, that's not inconsistant to me. Especially when their last loss was vs the jaguars, and they even won against the Colts. I think they are a force with homefield advantage in the playoffs. Titans on the other hand lost vs the Broncos and Bengals, and only managed to squeeze 10-6 win vs the Jets. I think the Titans has no chance really. The game probably won't even be close.

We shall see, I thought about picking the upset but I am not sure if Vince Young will play, he is the only thing that gives them a chance offensively.

[Mitch]

Living in San Diego, now, and surrounded by Chargers fans, we all expect the Chargers to lose miserably. They're great at getting to the playoffs, but even better at self-destructing once they get there. It's a San Diego tradition that even the Padres have adopted.

There's an old saying, here. It goes something like, "Go Chargers! And take the Padres with you!"

[Jedi Master Carr]

Living in San Diego, now, and surrounded by Chargers fans, we all expect the Chargers to lose miserably. They're great at getting to the playoffs, but even better at self-destructing once they get there. It's a San Diego tradition that even the Padres have adopted.

There's an old saying, here. It goes something like, "Go Chargers! And take the Padres with you!"

The Chargers do have bad history in the playoffs. The only exception was the 94 team but that team got slaughtered by the Niners in the Super Bowl.

[Kale]

Caspian picks the Giants. :wofl

EDIT: And Caspian predicts the Titans will pull off a stunning upset over the Chargers. He's three for three so far. :)

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Bucs are just committing too many stupid turnovers. Things look good for the Giants unless Eli imploades in the 4th.

[Anne Phoenix]

Pooh. Well, I guess I'll go with the Colts as my fav team to win the Superbowl from now on. :cry

[Jedi Master Carr]

Man the Titans are just giving the Charger a clinic on how to run the football. They are moving that pile. SD has done nothing offensively so far.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Ugly first half, the Titans have shut down LT, and Gates is out, status unknown.
6-0 Tennessee at halftime. Their defense is just dominating right now.

[Figrin D'an]

Chargers have a much, much better second half and finally get a playoff win. It seemed that San Diego was playing tight in the first half. I actually expect them to play well next week against Indy now that some of the pressure is off.

The divisional round has some pretty good matchups. Other than the Pats possibly blowing out Jacksonville, I don't see any dud potential next week.

[Yog]

How are the matchups looking now?

Edit: Never mind I found it.

Seattle @ Greenbay
Jacksonville @ New England
San Diego @ Indianapolis
NY Giants @ Dallas

[Jedi Master Carr]

Tennessee just couldn't get enough offense going. If they had scored 14 points instead of 6 in the first half they would have won that game. Young needs people to throw the ball to, they need to go out get some WR's for him. I think Indy and SD will be close but Indy should win at home. Right now I think all the higher seeds will advance.

[Figrin D'an]

Statistically speaking, the chances of both #1s and #2s surviving to the conference title games is far from likely. About 2/3 of the time, at least one team seeded #3 or lower wins in the divisional round.

At this point, I think the most vulnerable of the bye week teams is Dallas. They didn't finish the regular season well, they got beat up in those final games, and having to match up against a team for the third time in a season is always a tricky proposition.

[Miranda Tarkin]

I think I'm utterly shocked I got ALL the wildcard picks right o_o

[Jedi Master Carr]

Statistically speaking, the chances of both #1s and #2s surviving to the conference title games is far from likely. About 2/3 of the time, at least one team seeded #3 or lower wins in the divisional round.

At this point, I think the most vulnerable of the bye week teams is Dallas. They didn't finish the regular season well, they got beat up in those final games, and having to match up against a team for the third time in a season is always a tricky proposition.


I just don't think the Giants can beat them. The Cowboys dominated them the last two times they played. The chargers could beat the Colts I suppose. I think they have the best chance at winning of the lower seeds.

[Jedieb]

This looks like the first season in years both top seeds make the Championship round. Injuries are going to be HUGE this weekend. Without Gates, the Chargers have no shot at Indy. The Jags need all the healthy defenders it can muster in NE. Without Owens the Cowboys are even money against the Giants. Seattle at GB is the only game I can think of where injuries aren't playing a major factor. I think the Packers could easily rout the Seahawks. The Packers can clamp down on that weak Seattle running game and with their stud corners they'll make life miserable for Hasselback.

[Jedi Master Carr]

This looks like the first season in years both top seeds make the Championship round. Injuries are going to be HUGE this weekend. Without Gates, the Chargers have no shot at Indy. The Jags need all the healthy defenders it can muster in NE. Without Owens the Cowboys are even money against the Giants. Seattle at GB is the only game I can think of where injuries aren't playing a major factor. I think the Packers could easily rout the Seahawks. The Packers can clamp down on that weak Seattle running game and with their stud corners they'll make life miserable for Hasselback.

I agree, I think the last time that happened was in the early 90's.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Wild Card Weekend
Miranda Tarkin: 4-0
Aurelias Kazaar: 2-2
Nathanial K'cansce: 3-1
jjwr: 4-0
Caspian 3-1
Rutabaga: 2-2
Jedi Master Carr: 2-2
Yog: 3-1
Liam Jinn 4-0
Jedieb 3-1
Figrin D'an 4-0
Park Kraken 2-2



Season Totals through Wild Card Weekend
Yog (181-79)
jjwr (179-81)
Nathanial K'cansce (172-88)
Jedi Master Carr (168-92)
Kale (162-94)
Aurelias Kazaar (162-98)
Rutabaga (157-103)
Liam Jinn (157-87)
Miranda Tarkin (157-103)
Jedieb (150-80)
Park Kraken (148-93)
Ryan Pode (86-81)
JMK (84-46)
Lilaena De'Ville (62-38)

As always check your picks.

[Park Kraken]

Oops, I should mention that I posted my picks under Anne Phoenix for this weekend by mistake. I didn't think about that.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Oops, I should mention that I posted my picks under Anne Phoenix for this weekend by mistake. I didn't think about that.

heh I wondered who that was.