My predictions are Bengals, Saints, Giants, Steelers. I think the TItans are going to suffer due to their QB situation, which is unfortunate, if Schaub was healthy I would pickj the Texas. I think the Saints and Steelers are simply the better teams. And I think the Giants, although inconsistent will squeak out a win against the Falcons.
I want to talk about my Packers, who are the favorites to win it all, but it is no big secret that they have flaws. Ironically the Patriots the other #12 seed has the same flaws, very poor defense…at least on paper. Now the Packers are VERY opportunistic, leading the league in turnovers, putting them a little worse than the middle on points allowed, despite being last in yards allowed. Now given the potency of the Packers offense (led the league in scoring and were second in takeaway differential behind the 49ers) they can certainly overcome, as their 15-1 record would indicate, but it makes for some very scary prospects. The game they lost this year had a lot to do with the fact the defense could not create turnovers and a team like the 49ers simply does not turn the ball over. So in my mind the team the Packers would most likely lose to in my mind is the 49ers, a team which runs the ball, plays excellent defense, doesn’t turn it over. Of course a shootout with the Saints could depend on who makes the last mistake.
I think the Texans will win it against the Bengals. The Bengals play well … against really bad teams. When facing a team with a win percentage above .500, they’re something like 1-6. While Yates isn’t Schaub or even Leinart, it’s Foster, Tate, and that defense (having Joseph playing this week will help immensely) that makes this team go. Being at home, being their first playoff game, and both teams quarterbacked by rookies, I’m going with the Texans.
Agreed. While I’d love it if the Broncos could beat the Steelers, I just don’t see them being able to do it with Tebow under center. He looked horrible last week, and hasn’t shown that he can help a team win against good teams. The Saints may be able to put up 80 points at home against that Lions defense, but there is usually one surprise a year (Seahawks beating the Saints last year), and I’m hoping it’s the Lions beating the Saints.
Tough game to call. I don’t care for either team, and I don’t really have a good grip on who should win. Pick 'em.
On paper, they’re 14th in the league in points allowed, which isn’t bad. I really don’t put huge stock in the massive yardage totals they give up, I think part of that is a result of having such a high powered offense.
But turnovers have been their bread and butter on defense, and that’s something they really can’t count on against the really good teams. I’m hoping guys like Brad Jones, Sam Shields, and Mike Neal (if he ever gets healthy) can really turn it on in the playoffs. Otherwise it could be a painful thing to watch.
Some slight homerism, but I agree. Also, having Andre Johnson back is simply huge.
And don’t forget that the Texans managed to win a few weeks back at Cincinnati without Johnson. Maybe Johnson isn’t back to 100%, but he’ll still be a threat. And I don’t see the Bengals holding Foster to under 50 yards rushing again.
I’m also figuring on at least 2 false start penalties due to the Houston crowd noise. Reliant can be a loud stadium, and they haven’t seen playoff action in nearly 2 decades.
On the NFC side, I think Matt Ryan finally wins a playoff game and on the road, to boot. They look like they’ve finally figured things out these last couple weeks, and I imagine they’d love to finally get that post-season win. That, and the Giants seem to run hot and cold in alternate weeks, and they’re due for cold.
I think my Saints are a much better team than the Lions, but Suh scares me. If he cheapshots Brees and knocks him out of the game, we’re done…and Suh is thuggish enough to do something like that.
I’m watching. A couple of good defenses and some good playcalling going on. Of course the biggest play of the game so far is due to the officials, so that sucks.
That’s a bogus statement. Dalton and Green would have connected on an awesome play there. Quin clearly fouled him, and that was one of the desired outcomes of a well executed play. Don’t blame the officials when they make a legit call.
Green got loose deep on a play action bomb. Dalton put the ball in the perfect spot, the beaten Safety grabbed Green to prevent a TD getting a 50+ yard PI call.
On the subsequent drive a Bengals LB lit up Owen Daniels as he made a catch for a “defenseless receiver” call. That one was tough, the hit was clean in the shoulder (not the head or neck as discussed on TV) but the TE hadn’t established himself. Not sure how that rule is supposed to be interpreted, but it’s a 50-50 call.
ETA: And by “grabbed Green” I mean wrapped both arms around his arms. It was clear as day.
I’ve hardly seen any Cincy games this year (neither have most Cincy fans I gather) but it’s amazing how much more competent Dalton looks now versus when I watched him in the preseason. I liked Dalton a lot coming out of college. Soured on him when I saw him in the preseason, and now he’s looking like that insanely poised guy he was in those big TCU games.
Also, Jay Gruden has been wildly under-appreciated this year I think. Granted, I’m not basing this on much besides the results having not see much of the games, but he was widely criticized when he was hired. He’s turned into something pretty good and has done so with his 2 best players being raw rookies.
That defenseless receiver call seemed like bullshit - I only saw it once though but it looked like it was shoulder to shoulder contact. I totally understand why the NFL is going after brainbashing, but are you basically not allowed to touch a receiver while he makes the catch now? Ridiculous. That looked like a textbook pass breakup.
(I’ve been in and out of the room so maybe a replay showed helmet to helmet contact, but in real time it looked totally clean)
No, you were right. It was a clear shoulder-to-shoulder hit. However Daniels head whipped forward and back really nastily. Made it look like a head shot, and frankly the results were similar to a head shot with the whiplash. Like I said, I don’t know if there’s more leeway in the rule interpretation or not though, and I understand why the flag was thrown.
I think the league wants defenders to play the ball and not the man. Break up passes by stripping the arms and hitting the ball, not by rendering guys incapacitated from shock. It kinda sucks, but we’re gonna have to learn to live with it I think.
Dalton is brilliant. 4th and 3, in trouble, just huck the ball downfield, and that idiot defender caught it. I can’t believe they were congratulating him on the sidelines, he cost the team 25 yards.