NFL Pick 'em 2009: Wild Card Weekend

[Dragon]

We've got three rematches from last week in the playoffs this week. In case you forgot, the Jets, Cowboys, and Packers all won big last time. Will they ride that success into the divisional round? Will Cincinnati, Philly, and Arizona reverse their fortunes? Will anybody be able to catch up with Xavier Synik?

These and other questions to be answered this weekend.


Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN
PHI @ DAL

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE
GB @ ARI

[Lykaios]

Cincy
Philly
GB
Bal

Yup, upset specials all around!

[Figrin D'an]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
PHI (W) @ DAL

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE (W)
GB (W) @ ARI



Recent history suggests that at least one of the Super Bowl participants will come from the Wild Card round. Looking at the 8 teams playing this weekend and the potential match-ups that loom over the next two weeks, I'm going to venture a somewhat bold guess and say that said team will be from the NFC, and that it will be either Philly or Green Bay.

[Shadow Storm]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ (W) @ CIN
PHI @ DAL (W)

Sun Jan 10
BAL (W) @ NE
GB @ ARI (W)

EDIT: So right now, the most unlikely SB matchup is, NYJ vs ARI? <!-- / message -->

[Yog]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
PHI @ DAL (WWW)

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE (W)
GB @ ARI (W)

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
(W) PHI @ DAL

Sun Jan 10
(W) BAL @ NE
(W) GB @ ARI

[Rutabaga]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN WIN
PHI WIN @ DAL

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE WIN
GB WIN @ ARI

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ W @ CIN
PHI @ DAL W

Sun Jan 10
BAL W @ NE
GB @ ARI W

[Jedi Master Carr]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN W
W PHI @ DAL

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE W
W GB @ ARI

[Xavier Synik]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
PHI (W) @ DAL - Hopefully Romo and the boys don't decide to break the curse this weekend.

Sun Jan 10
BAL (W) @ NE
GB (W) @ ARI

[Miranda Tarkin]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
PHI @ DAL (W)

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE (W)
GB (W) @ ARI

[Dragon]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ WIN @ CIN
PHI @ DAL WIN

Sun Jan 10
BAL @ NE WIN
GB @ ARI WIN

[Ryan Pode]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN Win
PHI @ DAL Win

Sun Jan 10
BAL Win @ NE
GB Win @ ARI

[Liam Jinn]

Sat Jan 9
NYJ @ CIN (W)
PHI @ DAL (W)

Sun Jan 10
BAL (W) @ NE
GB (W) @ ARI

[Rutabaga]

So ESPN is reporting that Pete Carroll is ditching USC for the Seahawks. I wonder if this was something he'd been thinking about anyways or if he decided to leave USC since they fell mightily from their pedestal this season :evil.

In other news, Peyton Manning won a record-setting 4th MVP award.

[Yog]

In other news, Peyton Manning won a record-setting 4th MVP award.
I like Peyton Manning more than most, but honestly did he really need another one? There are like 4 other QB's with just as good stats. Why not give it to someone younger, like Chris Johnson who had an astonishing 2500 yards in total, and 16 TDs? No, he is not a quarterback, he is a running back.

[Dragon]

And there go the Bungles. Cedric Benson was the only player on offense who looked like he was there to win. Carson didn't even look toward Chad Ochocinco for most of the game, and the rest of the time he was either missing receivers or they were dropping his passes. And Shane Graham completely decompensated by missing two very makeable and very necessary field goals. I really feel bad for the fans in Cincinnati. This wasn't a beatdown so much as a meltdown.

Next week, of course, the Jets will actually have to face a playoff-caliber team. They did their part today, but I don't think they can beat either the Colts or the Chargers.

[Figrin D'an]

So ESPN is reporting that Pete Carroll is ditching USC for the Seahawks. I wonder if this was something he'd been thinking about anyways or if he decided to leave USC since they fell mightily from their pedestal this season :evil.

It's no real secret that Pete Carroll had coveted a return to the NFL, so it was just a matter of time until a job opened up that was a good fit for him. I also think at least a small part of this is because I think he realized that he dodged a major bullet the last time the NCAA came knocking at the door, and that he probably wouldn't be so lucky in the future.

[Yog]

Philadelphia 7, Dallas 24 :crack

[Yog]

14-34

Cowboys totally dominating that game. :)

[Liam Jinn]

Hey Carr, remember how you had a boner for the Eagles?

Yeah, enjoy that off season. :)

[Rutabaga]

In other news, Peyton Manning won a record-setting 4th MVP award.
I like Peyton Manning more than most, but honestly did he really need another one? There are like 4 other QB's with just as good stats. Why not give it to someone younger, like Chris Johnson who had an astonishing 2500 yards in total, and 16 TDs? No, he is not a quarterback, he is a running back.

I love Peyton, he's one of my favorite players. But even I was wondering if it was necessary. I couldn't help but wonder where Phillip Rivers fell in the voting, since I've heard that statistically he was the best quarterback in the league during the regular season. The Chargers DID start the season 2-3 but then went on a tear and didn't lose another game all season.

Now, as for the games yesterday, I told you I would suck again since they were rematches! If I go 0-4 for the weekend, do I get a special booby prize or something? :cool :D :lol

[Yog]

I love Peyton, he's one of my favorite players. But even I was wondering if it was necessary. I couldn't help but wonder where Phillip Rivers fell in the voting, since I've heard that statistically he was the best quarterback in the league during the regular season. The Chargers DID start the season 2-3 but then went on a tear and didn't lose another game all season.

Let's have a look at the stats for the leading QBs this season (those who have more than 4,000 yards passing). :)

Stat leaders QB
Aaron Rodgers 4434/316 yds 30/5 TDs
Drew Brees 4388 /33 yds 34/2 TDs
Peyton Manning 4500/-13 yds 33/0 TDs
Matt Schaub 4770/57 yds 29/0 TDs
Brett Favre 4202/7 yds 33/0 TDs
Tony Romo 4483/105 yds 26/1 TDs
Tom Brady 4398/44 yds 28/1 TDs
Philip Rivers 4254/50 yds 28/1 TDs
Ben Roethlisberger 4328/82 yds 26/2 TDs
Eli Manning 4021 /65 yds 27/0 TDs

Look at how many quarterbacks with more than 4,000 yards! AFAIK, that never happened before. But more importantly, look at the overall stats, they are almost the same for several in the top tier. In fact, Aaron Rodgers is the stats leader with more yards in total and more TDs in total. Peyton also has 16 interceptions, while Rodgers only got 7. This is btw a good example of why you should never pick a QB in the first two rounds of a fantasy draft.

But what about RBs?
Chris Johnson 2006/503 yds 14/2 TDs
Adrian Peterson 1383/436 yds 18/0 TDs
Maurice Jones-Drew 1391/374 yds 15/1 TDs
Ray Rice 1339/702 yds 7/1 TDs
Frank Gore 1120/406 yds 10/3 TDs

As you can see, Chris Johnson is in a league of his own with way more yards than any other RB. The only other RB that comes close is Adrian Peterson, with two more TD's. If it was legal, Titans might as well replace their QB with another offensive tackle, because Chris Johnson fuels their entire offense.

[Figrin D'an]

Chris Johnson had a great season statistically. However, his team was terrible the first half of the season, and it wasn't until Vince Young was made the starter at QB that they really started to produce as an offense (note: I'm not saying that this is all due to Young, but this was a key in a domino effect of changes that contributed to their success running the football after the bye week). Bottom line, if your team doesn't win and isn't in the post season, you can essentially forget about an MVP award.

Manning won the award, correctly or not, for two reasons. 1) He put up excellent numbers while having to break in two new wide receivers, and 2) the Colts were undefeated through the first 15 weeks and essentially won every game that they actually tried to win this season.

You could make a serious argument for Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers or Phillip Rivers, IMO. All had great numbers and all of their teams are in the post season.

Just for the sake of analysis, here's the top 5 in QB rating for the season.

1. Drew Brees, NO 109.6
2. Brett Favre, MIN 107.2
3. Philip Rivers, SD 104.4
4. Aaron Rodgers, GNB 103.2
5. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 100.5

Manning was 6th I believe. All but Roethlisberger were on teams that posted winning records and made the post season.

[Rutabaga]

Holy crap, somebody's fired up in Foxboro. It just isn't Mr. Comeback Player of the Year O_o.

[Shadow Storm]

Well so far the recurring theme in the playoff is that the losing team loses with a final tally of 14 points on the board.

[Yog]

Does not look good for the pats.

I might not have picked the Ravens, but seeing the Patriots lose makes me happy. :)

[jjwr]

Its just not the Pats day, they are getting no breaks and all the balls are falling the Ravens way and they are taking advantage. Their players (not sure which ones they are) making the gestures and comments to the fans/owners box was pretty immature though, act like you've been there before.

Pats had a solid year all things considered, almost a whole new D that never quite jelled until late and the offense relied on Welker too much. They need a solid 3rd WR next year to balance the offense out.

[Rutabaga]

I'm no fan of the Patriots, but this has still been somewhat shocking to watch. I can't remember when I last saw the Patriots being so listless and downright pathetic.

Only the Packers can save me from complete oblivion now!

[Shadow Storm]

Only the Packers can save me from complete oblivion now!

Just depends on which ARI team shows up, the one that does, or the one that doesn't. :lol

[Ryan Pode]

Ahahahahahahahaha. I don't think I've ever seen such a heartless performance in the playoffs, at home by a team.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Hey Carr, remember how you had a boner for the Eagles?

Yeah, enjoy that off season. :)

If you read my posts you would have seen I was more a bigger fan of the Chargers. I thought the Chargers were going to win for the last two months. I only said the Eagles because they were hot but they cooled off starting with that Denver game. I am no big Eagles fan and have plenty of teams to root for, for me it is between the Chargers and Saints. Good luck with the Cowboys they get to play in Minnesota. The Vikings have only looked bad on the road. They have been brilliant at home.
I am shocked how poorly the Pats played. I didn't think they play like that. I think the Ravens have a shot at the colts, but the Chargers will slaughter the Jets.

[jjwr]

Nah not heartless, lots of key injuries through the year and it killed them in key areas, Ravens are too good of a team to coast against like they could in other games. The heart of their D line missed a lot of the year and they were killed by the run and they rely on Welker on offense and without him they were lost. With Welker they win this game going away but their O relied on him way too much and without him it takes the whole team down. Moss dissapeared again, I wouldn't be suprised if he's not back. For a #1 WR he dissapears a little too much, you would think missing Welker he would step up to prove a point but he was invislbe.

[Dragon]

Ahahahahahahahaha. I don't think I've ever seen such a heartless performance in the playoffs, at home by a team.

Might I direct your attention to Cincinnati yesterday? That was playing without heart. The Ravens just dominated, especially on defense.

So far it's looking like another wild-card beatdown. The Cardinals stole the ball away on the Packers' first two possessions and turned them into TDs. The Packers have the offensive firepower to fight their way back into the game, but, like the Patriots, they seem overmatched by an aggressive, swarming defense. I'd say the Cardinals have figured out how to turn it on for the playoffs.

[Rutabaga]

Only the Packers can save me from complete oblivion now!

Just depends on which ARI team shows up, the one that does, or the one that doesn't. :lol

Looks like it's the one that does.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, this just ain't funny. Why do the football gods hate me so? :cry

[Figrin D'an]

Guess I root for the Saints for the remainder of the playoffs. :\

And as much as I really don't like Dallas, I hope they kick the living hell out of Minnesota next week. I want to see Favre crying in a towel as he pisses away another playoff opportunity.

[Dragon]

Holy crap what it's tied.

[Rutabaga]

The Packers have left the Cardinals too much time on the clock with all their timeouts. I have little doubt that the Cards will score, unfortunately.

Overall, though, this has been the best game of the weekend. Although I will probably have an ulcer by the end. :x

Eh, already in field goal range, I give up.

[Dragon]

Wow! After all that offense, the Cardinals defense wins in OT!

And at 51-45, that was apparently the highest-scoring postseason game in NFL history. Impressive performance by both teams, though the Cardinals defense certainly doesn't look bulletproof heading into New Orleans...

Let's go to the tally!

Aurelias Kazaar: 4-0
Shadow Storm: 4-0
Dragon: 3-1
Liam Jinn: 2-2
Ryan Pode: 2-2
Yog: 2-2
Lykaios: 1-3
Miranda Tarkin: 1-3
Nathanial K'cansce: 1-3
Xavier Synik: 1-3
Figrin D'an: 0-4
Jedi Master Carr: 0-4
Rutabaga: 0-4
jjwr: 0-4 (did not pick)


And the totals:

1. Xavier Synik: 176-84 (175)

2. Dragon: 173-87 (170)
3. Jedi Master Carr: 171-89 (171)
3. Liam Jinn: 171-89 (169)
5. Ryan Pode: 170-90 (168)
5. Yog: 170-90 (168)
7. Nathanial K'cansce: 169-91 (168)
8. Figrin D'an: 163-97 (163)
9. Rutabaga: 161-99 (161)
9. Aurelias Kazaar: 161-99 (157)
11. jjwr: 155-105 (155)
12. Lykaios: 153-107 (152)
13. Miranda Tarkin: 150-110 (149)
14. Shadow Storm: 145-115 (141)

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think the Cardinals are the perfect team for the Saints to play. I see the Saints in the Championship game now and with HF they might actually make it to the SB after losing their last three.

[Rutabaga]

I'm just glad I have a little company down there at 0-4. :)

I'm now going to go off to my cave and sulk for a while, plus contemplate the horror of having to endure a Dallas-Minnesota game next week. :x

[Xavier Synik]

ugh. what an awful weekend. I would have settled for 2 and 2...

[Figrin D'an]

It's going to be quite lulzy if, after all the hype about teams peaking at the right time and others struggling down the stretch, if we end up with a Saints/Colts Super Bowl.