NFL Pick 'Em, Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend

[Figrin D'an]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle
New York Jets at San Diego


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis
Minnesota at Green Bay


Picks must be submitted by 4:30PM Eastern on Saturday

[Syren Wyssholt]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle (W)
New York Jets at San Diego (W)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota at Green Bay (W)

[TieFighterPilot181st]

Saturday:
St. Louis over Seattle
San Diego over the Jets

Sunday:
Denver over Indianapolis
Green Bay over Minnesota

[Master Yoghurt]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle (W)
New York Jets at San Diego (W)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota at Green Bay (W)

[Cyrel Annat]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle (W)
New York Jets at San Diego (W)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota at Green Bay (W)

[Nathanial K'cansce]

St. Louis
San Diego

Indy
Green Bay

[Drake Shadowstalker]

Saturday

St. Louis (W) at Seattle
New York Jets at San Diego (W)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota at Green Bay (W) OWNAGE!!! at least a 2TD victory here...

[JMK]

Saturday

St. Louis (w) at Seattle
New York Jets at San Diego (w)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (w)
Minnesota at Green Bay (w)

[Jedi Master Carr]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle W
W New York Jets at San Diego


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis W
Minnesota at Green Bay W

[jjwr]

Saturday

St. Louis at Seattle (W)
New York Jets at San Diego (W)

Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota (W) at Green Bay

[Jedieb]

Saturday

St. Louis
San Diego


Sunday

Indianapolis
Green Bay

[Drake Shadowstalker]

Originally posted by jjwr
Sunday
Minnesota (W) at Green Bay

say WHAT???!!! maybe if hell freezes over.

[jjwr]

Packers have been bad this year at home, they already lost in sub 34(or 37, whatever) weather and Favre is known to implode in the playoffs in recent years.

Is it likely? I would say no, but its possible so its my upset of the week!

[Drake Shadowstalker]

well, three of their home losses came very early in the season before they went on their winning streak and they only have 4 total home losses. the last one came against the Jaguars and that's because Favre had a terrible game. The score was still only 28-25...

the Packers have excellent momentum coming off 2 wins and Favre played spectacular in the time he saw against the Bears. the defense for Green Bay seems to have improved a tad bit as well. and if you'll rememeber during the first game the Packers and Vikings played, Green Bay held Minnesota to 17 points until the last minutes of the 4th quarter. the defense slacked and gave up back to back touchdowns in like 2 minutes. this time around at Lambeau it's the playoffs, and the Pack is 14-1 all time there for post season games.

the vikings on the other hand are coming off back to back losses and before that they barely beat the lions 28-27. Minnesota will have energy going into Lambeau but i don't think it will be enough to upset the Pack.

my game prediction is 31-21 in favor of Green Bay.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't see it happening. The Vikings are like 2-20 outdoors in recent years. Plus they are just playing horrible I can't see them beating anybody but the Niners the way they are playing.

[Figrin D'an]

Saturday

St. Louis (W) at Seattle
New York Jets at San Diego (W)


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis (W)
Minnesota at Green Bay (W)

[Jedieb]

Ty Law has been placed on IR which means the Pats have given up any hope of his returning for the playoffs. If there's any team that can deal with injuries, it's the Pats. But I'm sure they would have loved to have had him back, especially if things go the way most of us predict and the Colts take care of the Broncos this weekend.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't think the Colts can win in NE they have lost their the last two years. Still it would be funny if the Broncos beat the colts who knows it could happen :p

[Ryan Pode]

Saturday

St. Louis Win at Seattle
New York Jets at San Diego Win


Sunday

Denver at Indianapolis Win
Minnesota at Green Bay Win

[Drake Shadowstalker]

Hooray, Rams won. really good game though...

[TieFighterPilot181st]

Seattle had a chance to tie it at the end. Hasselbeck could have run that one in for a TD. Or that Engram should have caught the ball, it hit his hands, there was no excuse for not catching it.

[Jedieb]

I feel bad for Hasselback. I think he made the right call by not running. There was a linebacker in front of him and you know a few other guys would have converged on him. Hasselback had several balls dropped. It's happened to him all season. I thought it was sad to see Jerry Rice be such a non factor. Maybe I missed something, but did he even get a pass thrown his way? Before the game he had pre game interview where he talked about still wanting to play because he was still "fast." I think he's kidding himself.

The Jets and Chargers are heading into halfime tied. I think the Jets will end up regretting putting up so many yards in the 1st quarter and not putting more points on the board.

[jjwr]

Stupid Chargers...I can't believe they blew this one to the Jets!

And now the Jets get to play the Steelers in the 2nd round...might as well give the Steelers the AFC Champ ticket now...gah oh how I hate the Jets!!!!!

On that note now I have to cheer for the Colts to lose tomorrow, kf the Pats have to play the Colts and the Steelers only get the Jets then something is wrong!

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Steelers would have more trouble with the Jets than the Broncos. I knew the Chargers would blow. Marty's teams always seem to blow it in the playoffs.

[JMK]

My thoughts were echoing Madden's on the Chargers' OT drive. When they got into field goal range I was dying for them to try and move the ball a little closer by passing rather than 3 consecutive plays up the middle to Tomlinson. They took 3 plays and ended up being about 2 yards closer. Wow. That's Martyball for ya. :rolleyes

The Rams/Seahawks game went just as I thought it would go. No one seemed to want to win that game. The Rams take a lead and then let Seattle walk right down to their 4 yard line, and only a 4th down incompletion saved the Rams. It's unfortunate that someone had to win that game. Both teams are total duds.

[Master Yoghurt]

Wow, the playoffs started off in a rather interesting way indeed. The 2 outsiders won. Im excited to see what happens in tonights games, although I think those will be home wins.

Life in Pittsburgh is good now, facing Jets in the next round. Now thats a snooze victory if I ever saw one.

[TieFighterPilot181st]

Lol, dont get too comfortable. Thats what the Pats thought when they lost to the Dolphins in the second to last win of the season. I thought the Chargers really were going to win after that penalty and al,, but o well.

[Master Yoghurt]

If Jets win against Pittsburgh, I will wear this pic as avatar for a whole month!

<img src=http://www.thegjo.com/pics/avatarbet/monkeyglasses.jpg>


What a game by the Colts! The Broncos got really trashed. I hope the Colts can upset the Patriots next weekend, that would warm my heart to see..

[Figrin D'an]

Green Bay is off to a terrible start, spotting Minnesota 14 points.

*sigh*... 5 minutes into the game, and it's looking like the home playoff loss to Atlanta two years ago all over again.

[Master Yoghurt]

Well, at least they got a field goal :p

But yeah, they look absolutely terrible. I have a feeling this will be the night of turnovers..

[Jedi Master Carr]

I am shocked, with the way Minnesota has been playing the last two months I thought they were going to get slaughtered. Still, don't think they can beat Philly. It looks like a Philly-Atlanta Championship is nearly guarenteed. I can't see either 8-8 team beating them. As for Colts, well this Denver team was worst than the one last year, at least that one had a great RB in Davis. I think NE will win they know how to win and they have Indy's number at home.

[Master Yoghurt]

The Minnesota defense really showed up. Where have they been for the last 2 months?

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think it is more Green Bay playing awful. I think this defense will vanish again when they play the Eagles.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Man I hate Randy Moss that mooning thing he did in the endzone is just disgusting. He should be suspended for a game for that crap.

[Master Yoghurt]

Yeah, thats the difference between him and Terrel Owens. Terrel got class, while Randy Moss got none.

[Drake Shadowstalker]

There's always next season for Favre...lol :P

[jjwr]

Heh....I thought the Vikings couldn't win in Green Bay :)

Really was a shocking loss, I knew the Vikings could win but wasn't expecting them too.

Stupid Colts! It would have been perfect for the Colts to lose and let the Pats get the Jets in round 2.

As for Round 2...Steelers & Jets played once already and it was a close game, they have a tough defense and Pennington is playing a lot better than he did then. It won't be a cake walk though I would have to pick the Steelers right now.

[Drake Shadowstalker]

Rub it in all you want, seriously, do it. :P The Packers lost that game for themselves in the first five minutes of the game. Then they "tried" to clean up there play. The defense did a semi-respectable job, holding the Minnesota offense to 7 points in the second half but the offense couldn't get much of anything going. Favre and all his damn picks, geez. I thought the Packers might have something going when they got it to 24-17 but the D slacked a bit and the secondary allowed a gimped Moss to catch a TD pass. Then the a-hole had the nerve to do a mooning gesture, I hope he dies.

Simply put, the Vikings came ready to play and the Packers didn't. I still hate the Vikings but they played an outstanding game and deserved the win that they got at Lambeau. Now I'm hoping that the Eagles won't choke cause I want to watch them molest the Vikings in the worst way.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Vikings will get slaughtered by the Eagles that terrible defense of there will be exposed by Mcnabb who is a lot more mobile that Favre. I think now we will see all four top seeds advance the Colts are the only lower seed with a chance but I think they will lose because the Pats just have their number.

[Figrin D'an]

As a Packers fan, watching the game today was worse than watching the loss to Atlanta two years ago. That one stung... this one is like an open wound. My dislike of Randy Moss continues to grow... he just doesn't get it, at all. Completely classless. I rarely wish for any player to be seriously hurt, but I'm nearly begging for the day that he gets broken in half.

I'm starting to wonder if Mike Sherman is the right man to helm the Packer's organization. His overall record is really good, but there have been too many loses because of what seems like poor preperation, and the playoff trips have been disasters. I've never liked the dual Head Coach/GM role, and this is no exception. I really, really wish they could somehow talk Ron Wolf out of retirement to take over the GM duties again, but the chances of that happening are less than slim.


A random, somewhat on-topic thought... the league rules committee is going to have to rethink the emphasis they have put on enforcing the 5-yard bump rule. It was a record year of offensive passing numbers across the league, and it's pretty clear that it's because it is almost impossible to play pass coverage as a defensive back anymore. When even supposed "shut down" cornerbacks are getting burned on a regular basis, there's something wrong.

[jjwr]

Favre pooched another one, he still has some flashes of brilliance but in the past few years he has really killed the team in the playoffs. I know all 4 INTs weren't his fault but a few were badly thrown balls and it seems more of a case of when he'll have a 4 INT game not IF.

The rule change is a interesting subject, you had a QB with 49TDs and another with 39 as well as a bunch in the high 20's and low 30's, thats very uncommon, in some years you wouldn't have 2-3 in that range and this year its quite a few. Five QB's threw for 4,000+, and a 6th almost did it, passing numbers are definetly up.

[JMK]

I'm not totally surprised by Minnesota winning, especially after Atlanta beat them at Lambeau a couple years back.

The mystique is gone, or is it because Favre is getting old and the mystique is going with him? Teams no longer need to fear going there, they've lost 2 of their last 3 playoff games at Lambeau, both to teams they were favored over.

Favre played a poor game. Predictably the blame was put mostly on the receivers, and there is validity to that, but I think Favre is as much to blame. His INT's were badly thrown balls. IMO he tends to believe that whenever he throws up a ball, his receivers will come down with it, and that's not always the case. He's a high risk-high reward guy, but yesterday he got burned.

Regarding Indy, I don't even feel like I'm watching the same league when these guys are on offense. To watch them chew up other defenses is just unbelievable.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Also the offense line played horrible they gave Favre almost no time half the time. He has poor personel besides RB around him, IMO. As for the Colts offense realized the Broncos defenes isn't that good. They were giving up 30+ points on regular basis the last month. KC put like 40 something on them a month ago.

[Figrin D'an]

Originally posted by Jedi Master Carr
Also the offense line played horrible they gave Favre almost no time half the time. He has poor personel besides RB around him, IMO


Wha?

Two 1200+ yard recievers and an offensive line that, when healthy, is perhaps the best in the league, and he has bad personnel around him? (They were tied with the Colts for the fewest sacks allowed this season).

It was one of those games in which everyone's timing was off and nearly everyone simply didn't play well. Favre made a couple of bad throws (two of the INTs weren't his fault, two of them were), they got behind early and the running game became a non-factor. That's a disaster for most teams not called the Colts.

[Figrin D'an]

Wild Card Weekend Results

Syren Wyssholt: 1-3
TieFighterPilot181st: 1-3
Yoghurt: 1-3
Cyrel Annat: 1-3
Nathanial K'cansce: 2-2
Drake Shadowstalker: 2-2
JMK: 2-2
Jedi Master Carr: 2-2
jjwr: 2-2
Jedieb: 2-2
Figrin D'an: 2-2
Ryan Pode: 2-2

[JMK]

I'm really glad were talking about the actual play on the field and not Moss' moonshot. Listening to ESPN radio today, all they're talking about is Moss, and not how poorly Favre played (hey, when you can't remember where the line of scrimmage is, you're simply not mentally in the game).

Apparently Favre had a 45 minute closed door meeting with Sherman after the game and said he was retiring, but Sherman talked him out of it. That's the story being passed around now, I wonder if it's true. It sounds like Favre wants to retire, but I doubt very much that yesterday's game is the one he wants to be remembered by.

[Figrin D'an]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1963651

No surprise here, Peyton Manning was named the league MVP for the 2nd straight year, getting 47 of 48 first place votes. (The other vote went to Michael Vick... :rolleyes). Congrats to Peyton for having probably the best regular season for a QB in NFL history.


As for Favre... he's not going to retire, simply because he doesn't want to go out on that kind of note. I fully expect him to be back next season. The rumor that Sherman talked him out of retiring is just that... a rumor. A couple of years ago, the media was convinced that he was going to retire when he started talking about how it was harder to go through training camp than it was when he was younger, and how he wasn't recovering during the week as quickly between games as he used to. It ended up being blown out of proportion.

I'm willing to bet that some people are going to get their wish though, in that the media is going to start turning on Favre and questioning whether or not he should keep playing. Some of the ESPN football guys are already all but saying that he's a has-been, despite that he threw for 4000+ yards and 30+ TDs this season. Yeah... that's a real "has-been."

[jjwr]

Manning was a lock for the MVP, I really can't believe Vick got a vote though. Its too bad we can't see who voted for Vick, odds are George Writer who felt Manning was going to win anyways and either didn't want to give him the unamimous vote or felt his voting for Vick wouldn't hurt Manning at all.

As for Favre, the problem with Favre is he's been idolized for so long he has become either a love him or hate him type of player. His recent trend of throwing lots of INT's is nothing new, he has been doing this for a long time, if I'm not mistaken he threw 6 or 7 in a Playoff game a few years ago. The problem is he can't do what he used to, while the Packers have a great offensive players - Green, Walker, etc, when things get tight Favre starts to force it and the team loses.

He has issues "managing" the game like a Brady does, Brady will never put the numbers up that Favre has but as a whole he knows what he can and can't do and doesn't force the ball like Favre does and cause his team to lose a fair amount of games.

Favre has the skills and he can easily keep playing long enough to break Marino's other recores(only about 3 years needed) but he will need to be reigned in and have someone get through to him that he's not 25 anymore and can't make all those amazing throws he used to. The Man is blessed with incredible luck and has had some compolete ducks turn into all time great TD throws/catches but those games and throws catch up with him and you get results like yesterday's game.

[JMK]

His numbers are proof that he is anything but a 'has been'. I think the new image of Favre, or at least the way I perceive him now is a guy who too often relies on his legend to get wins. His stats are still great, but he's been anything but great in his last 3 playoff games. He's been terrible in all of their losses. It's not time for him to go yet, but that time will be sooner rather than later.

[Jedieb]

MVP Voting

We really need to find out who voted for Vick. Just to make sure the brain dead fool never casts another MVP vote. I can understand a writer casting a vote for Culpepper, but Vick? I like the guy, but Culpepper clearly had the 2nd best season amongst QB's.

Favre
Another poor playoff performance. It didn't look like all the INT's were his fault, but there's no way to get around the fact that he had a bad game. As bad as Green Bay's D played, they had a solid 3rd quarter and kept the Packers in the game. If Favre had been on his game the Packers could have tied the game in the 3rd, or early 4th quarter.

Randy Moon
If Moss had half a brain, this is what we would be saying about him today; "I can't believe he caught that 2nd TD on one friggin' ankle. He really is a freak and one of the best receivers in the game." Moss deserves every criticism he gets this week. Joe Buck wasn't exaggerating when he called it 'disgusting.' Mooning the crowd and then butt humping the goal post, nice move Moss. Yes, the Lambeau faithful have a habit of mooning opposing teams as they leave on their bus. Big deal, that's no excuse for what he did. Last week, he leaves the game before it's over. During the week he basically lets his coach hang out to dry. Matt Birk went off on him in the locker room after the last regular season game, and Moss publicly mocks him. How many times have we seen Moss take off plays because his number hasn't been called? There's a great motivator for the guys when they're watching film during the week. You can bet he's a less than motivated participant at practice as well.

Do I like Terrel Owens? Not really, he's a conceited self promoter. But he goes balls out every week and never takes a play off. He practices like a demon and off the field he's a model citizen. Look at what the Eagles are without him. Here's a news flash for Randy Moon, you're no longer the best player on your team. That guy's name is Culpepper. Don't expect the Vikings to extend your contract. It's still got a few years on it, but they won't break the bank twice for you when they've got an MVP caliber QB and a couple of upcoming young receivers. Jagoff.

Road Warriors
Not a single one of us picked 3 or more winners. No one could have predicted 3 road wins. One, possibly two, but 3?! No 8-8 team had ever won a playoff game and this weekend we had 2, unreal.

Jets at Steelers
Next week should be good. The Jets played the Steelers tough a few weeks ago, but the Steelers are just too stacked. They've had 2 weeks off and I expect them to run all over a tired Jets team next week.

Colts at Pats
If the Colts are EVER going to beat the Pats, this is the week. The last few times these teams have played the games have been close. New rules, a depleted NE secondary, an unconscious Colts offense, and an opportunistic Colts D that's better than people think all add up to the best shot the Colts have had to beat NE in years. If they don't do it now, they may never beat the Pats when it counts.

Vikings at Eagles
Picking the Vikings is not that much of a long shot. The Eagles haven't played a real game in over a month. Without TO their receiving corps is a joke. Westbrook is going to have to have a monster game and McNab probably has to run for over 50 yards. The Vikings D blows, but I just don't see the Eagles putting up huge numbers without Owens. In a way, if the Eagles are going to miss the Superbowl, this week would be the least painful. To lose at home AGAIN in the championship game to Atlanta or the Rams would cause more misery in Philly than when Willy Stargel passed away.

Rams at Atlanta
The Rams CAN win this game. This is the sad state of the NFC. An 8-8 team has a shot at reaching the Conference championship. Hell, BOTH 8-8 teams have a decent chance. It makes me want to cry. The Georgia Dome is fast enough that the Rams could easily put up 30 or more points. Vick, Dunn, and Crumpler are going to have to put up some points. They can't just expect their defense to shut out the Rams. After this week, the NFC is ripe for the most embarrashing title game EVER.:x

[Jedi Master Carr]

I know and the worst Super Bowl ever think if the Vikings or Rams make it there, the Steelers or Pats would beat that team by 40 points.

[TieFighterPilot181st]

Lol, either that or the Colts getting to the super bowl and getting three times their opponents score. THe way they're playing, that would be completely possible. The Colts offense is just too good. They have two great receivers in Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne, and a very good one in Brandon Stokely. Most teams will have one very good cornerback and if they're lucky two, but i dont think any team has three good CBs. Look at last week, Champ Bailey kept Harrison from scoring but then Reggie Wayne ate out Rock Harrison or whateever that guy's name is. Then again you have to reckong with Edgerrin James, Dallas Clark, and Mungro, one great RB and two very good tight ends. I see a Pittsburg-Indy championship game which will be very good.

[Master Yoghurt]

<img src=http://www.glowfoto.com/images/2005/01/10-0945337707T.jpg>

[Syren Wyssholt]

Since learning more about football from my fiance, having Manning in my fantasy league and doing exceptionally well (came in 2nd, and I've never played fantasy football before), and discovering that I now actually like the game and that I want to watch it, I thought I'd toss in a little 'wishful' thinking.

Peyton Manning is having a phenonmal season; breaking quite a few records, getting an almost unanimous vote for MVP, and helping his team reach the .... conference(? is this the right terminology?) playoffs ... it'd really be the icing on the cake for him - and the Colts - to make it to the Superbowl and win.

Though, I feel bad (sort of) that the Bronco's got a severe spanking by the Colts. Cyrel is a huge Broncos fan and even though I like the Colts and they're my favorite team, I felt bad for Plummer since the season began.

I think, if I recall correctly, the Broncos started off great, then things went downhill. The guys who are suppose to be blocking for Jake The Snake just don't seem to be there for him, leaving him wide open for the opposing team to rush in and either sack him or put the pressure on him to just get rid of the ball. That's just what I've noticed.

[Ryan Pode]

Its not so much that he's had a great year, but the rules have helped them so much. It's kind of sad how the league is right now.

[Syren Wyssholt]

Cyrel has explained some of the rules and changes in those rules that have been implemented over the past few years, but to be honest, some of it sounds as if it makes no sense or was nothing but a stupid change/addition. I don't understand everything there is to know about the sport and I ask 'Cyrel' plenty of questions so I can learn and understand more.

From a novice point of view, when we'd watch a Broncos game, I didn't think Plummer did all that bad. I think he's a pretty decent QB. It just seems like the Broncos can't come together as a team and get on the same page with each other.

I'd mention to 'Cyrel' during quite a few games that the Broncos seemed very disorganized and for the life of me, I couldn't understand (and still can't understand) why no one seems to provide the best blocking they can possibly provide for Jake to give him the extra few seconds he needs to get the ball thrown.

[TieFighterPilot181st]

Its not that the Broncos werent on the same team as much as the Indy offense is too good. As i said earlier save Pittsburg, perhaps there is no one that can stop them.

[Ryan Pode]

Pittsburgh can't stop Indy. They lack the secondary. DeShea Townsend and Willie Williams are no match for Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. The Colts will pick apart New England then pick apart Pittsburgh.

[JMK]

They may have a hard time if the Pats and/or Steelers can get their running games going and thus keeping Manning & Co. off the field.

[Figrin D'an]

Originally posted by Syren Wyssholt
I'd mention to 'Cyrel' during quite a few games that the Broncos seemed very disorganized and for the life of me, I couldn't understand (and still can't understand) why no one seems to provide the best blocking they can possibly provide for Jake to give him the extra few seconds he needs to get the ball thrown.


Since Shanahan has been in Denver, the strength of the Broncos has been their running game. Even in their back-to-back Super Bowl seasons, it was Terrell Davis that made the offense successful rather than being all on the right arm of John Elway. Denver's offensive line is built around a particular philosophy of blocking. They tend to be undersized compared to other linemen across the league, but are generally quicker. They use a chop-blocking scheme, which has some major pros and cons. It works great if you have a running back who can hit holes quickly (which they have generally had over the past 8 years) and have quick receivers who are great at running crisp routes (Ed McCaffery was great at this... Denver's passing game has missed his presence a lot, IMO), allowing the QB to deliver the ball to a spot rather than having to scan the field on every play. The major disadvantage is that, if the QB can't find anyone open and deliver the ball within the first 3-4 seconds after the snap, the linemen are usually unable to recover in time to throw extra blocks to buy the QB the extra time that he needs, and he either is forced to scramble or take a sack. That's part of the reason Denver signed Plummer... he can scramble and make plays outside of the pocket. However, it's not always that simple.

The Colts are a team ideally built to beat a team like the Broncos because of their own strengths. Indy throws the ball early and often, trys to get a reasonable lead to force their opponents to throw the football to catch up. When the other team feels pressed to score, the running game becomes less of a factor, and it allows the Colts' pass rush to lineup expecting the QB to drop back on almost every play. That's how Indy has been able to cover up their defensive deficiencies. Their secondary is suspect, but their pass rush from the D-line is outstanding, and they help out the pass coverage a lot with their play up front.

Really, the only team that has been able to consistently have success in slowing down Manning and Co. has been the Patriots. The defensive scheme that Belichek devised for last year's AFC title game was pretty impressive, and they used that similar style in the opening game of this season with a few changes. The major difference now is... the Pats secondary is banged up, and Manning and his recievers have had some sort of psychic connection all season. If the Pats can stop the Colts again, with a depleted corp of DBs, it'll be one of most impressive defensive efforts in a long time. That said... I think that more pressure will be on the Pats offensive to put points on the board. I'm not convinced 20 to 27 points will win the game for them... more like 35+.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't know I think the Pats could score in the mid 20's and win. Bellicheck is a genius I think he will figure out a way to stop them. About Denver they had been playing bad for a month. KC beat the crap out of them a month ago and they are a 7-9 team.

[TieFighterPilot181st]

The problem is the Pats are so depleted in the secondary. Ty Law their best CB is gone and on their D line Seymour is out too which really will affect their entire defense. I think if Cory Dillon can be successful then the Pats might be able to win by keeping the colts off the field.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well I think he could come up with a scheme though so we shall have to see. Also if the Pats really dominant the clock like you said with Dillon, they could keep the score under 30 and win.

[jjwr]

Ty Law is by their most experienced CB and his loss will hurt them but they are also 8-1 without him with wins over the Rams & Chiefs on the road. Don't underestimate Asante Sammuel, he's no Ty Law but he's very good, as well as Eugene Wilson and Randal Gay with Rodney Harrison tying them all together. The Colts will score points, no doubt about it but the real question is the Pats offense, if the Defense can hold the Colts to a few field goals nad get some Turn overs and the offense can keep the clock moving and score 4+ TD's they should win the game.

In last years AFC championship game the score was only like 21-16 but that was without the better passing game and Dillon and the Pats settling for 4-5 FG's, add a few TD's in their place and it would have been a blowout.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Dillion could be a huge difference, IMO.

[jjwr]

Agreed, if he has a huge game the Pats should win, if the Colts can limit him to under 4ypc so he can't move the chains then the Pats could really be in trouble.

[Jedieb]

The last 2 times the Pats and Colts have played the games have been pretty close. In both those games Edge and Manning had multiple turnovers. If the Colts take care of the ball, they win. If the Pats are able to force some turnovers or get some lucky breaks (goal line fumbles, INT's off deflected passes, etc) then they'll more than likely win. I think the Colts need to establish the run early and keep the Pats from dropping linebackers and DB's into the secondary.

Which ever one of these teams wins, they're going to be hard pressed to beat the Steelers. The Steelers really are that good. They're averaging more than 80yds a game rushing than their opponents. If Bettis and Staley are both at full strength they'll pound whatever team lines up against them. I'm rooting for Indy to make a Superbowl run, but I think it's going to take a minor miracle for any one else in the AFC to get past the Steelers.

[jjwr]

I still don't feel the Steelers are that impressive, this is almost the same team as it was last year, they have oodles of players who have been injured and the longer players like Bettis go the less effective they will be.

Colts vs Steelers should most definetly favor the Colts, the Steelers pass D is weak at best and Manning will eat it alive, if they score quick that nullifies the Steelers run game and forces Ben to throw and win the game.

As for the Pats vs Colts, in past games the Pats offense was never as good as it is now. Dillon gives them a whole new dimension, I mentioned in another thread that in the AFC Champ last year it was a close game cause their offense kept stalling, with Dillon and the current offense replace a few FG's with TD's and it would have been a blow-out. The Pats will score on the Colts, no question there, the big question is how many points the Pats D can limit them to.

[LightKnight]

Go Cowboy's!!!

[TieFighterPilot181st]

right... Actually right now, the Pats secondary isn't as bad as everyone thinks. Troy Brown isn't that bad, and their safeties are still pretty good. Belichick is a good coach and i'm sure he can come up with something. If Dillon can hold onto the ball and get good yardage the Pats have a good chance to take the thing.