# 2012 NFL Playoffs Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 4, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401 "2012-01-04T18:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/302 "2012-01-13T14:06:49Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Imagine that…believing (quite accurately) that your team can win! I think they can win, too. In fact, I even think they will win. But I don’t think they’ll do it by holding the Packers to 10 points, and I don’t think they’re going to win by 18 points, either. I’ll go with: Saints 34 49ers 17 Giants 31 Packers 28 Ravens 27 Texans 7 Patriots 24 Broncos 21 ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/303 "2012-01-13T15:19:26Z")
The Broncos did stand up to the Patriots in their last meeting, and Tebow appears to have learned to throw since then. Almost 250 yards rushing is really something. If they can avoid the 3 (or was is 4?) turnovers and 5 sacks and turn those ratios the other way they have a chance. Remember, the Pats have not beat a team with a winning record all year. My prediction? Hmmm, it was right here a minute ago… Oh well, Go Broncos! ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/304 "2012-01-13T15:40:15Z")
> [@Cumbrian](#): > > Packers @ Chiefs. 14 is pretty close to 10. I happen to agree with you that GB will score more than 10. But 14 is still pretty close to 10. Yes. One game out of 15 they were held to 14 points. On the road and banged up even. The fact remains that they averaged 35 points a game, the highest in the NFL and overall were the third best offense in the league. Now, even healthier than they were two weeks ago, I don’t see any reason why the will be held to anything less than 21 points. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/305 "2012-01-13T15:45:00Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Football Friday predictions: > > Niners 31, Saints 28 > Patriots 44, Broncos 13 > Ravens 27, Texans 17 > Giants 28, Packers 10 Packers 34, Giants 17 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/306 "2012-01-13T15:46:03Z")
Ack! What thread is this? Discussion or Prediction? They’re starting to look alike. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/307 "2012-01-13T15:49:50Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Yes. One game out of 15 they were held to 14 points. On the road and banged up even. > > The fact remains that they averaged 35 points a game, the highest in the NFL and overall were the third best offense in the league. Now, even healthier than they were two weeks ago, I don’t see any reason why the will be held to anything less than 21 points. Dude - wind your neck in. I said I agreed that the Packers would score more than 10 - it’s right there in my post. I’m not the one claiming that “No one came close to it [holding them to 10] this year” - when they did. Banged up or not - ask the Steelers what being banged up gets you in the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/308 "2012-01-13T15:52:39Z")
Oh yeah, the Packers have lost at home, what, something like once in the last ten years and they are favored to win this weekend. Again, what does a team have to do to get some respect around here? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/309 "2012-01-13T16:02:21Z")
> [@Cumbrian](#): > > Dude - wind your neck in. I said I agreed that the Packers would score more than 10 - it’s right there in . Sorry. I tend to get too worked up for this kinds of stuff. I need to find a way to not really care if my team loses or at least to not let it ruin my day. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/310 "2012-01-13T16:59:14Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Sorry. I tend to get too worked up for this kinds of stuff. I need to find a way to not really care if my team loses or at least to not let it ruin my day. Houston fans have figured this out after several, several years of football misery. There’s a potent palliative that works for football blues and even makes other people look more attractive. I’m talking, of course, about tequila. Unfortunately, side effects include (but may not be limited to) talking loudly, thunderous headaches, and pregnancy. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/311 "2012-01-13T17:32:47Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Sorry. I tend to get too worked up for this kinds of stuff. I need to find a way to not really care if my team loses or at least to not let it ruin my day. Move to a nicer climate. There is a very good reason the NFC and AFC West divisions aren’t very good. It’s because the fans can’t care that much. Team loses? take a bike ride in the sun. In January. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/312 "2012-01-13T17:38:44Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Move to a nicer climate. There is a very good reason the NFC and AFC West divisions aren’t very good. It’s because the fans can’t care that much. > Team loses? take a bike ride in the sun. In January. Yeah, not much good going on here this time of year. Gray and cold so you naturally try to glom on to something positive. Sadly you have no control over the actions of said thing. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/313 "2012-01-13T19:24:35Z")
Could be some weather affecting the games this weekend. The Northeast is getting some snow. Not sure how much in the area near the NE-Denver game, but I think anything that hampers the passing game helps Tebow. If Brady can’t throw, and Timmy can run, we might see another Tebow Miracle ™. Figure NY-Greenbay will also be cold. That might favor the Giants, with Jacobs as a big back in the running game. May be just wishful thinking on my part. Really want the Giants to win, so the Saints do not have to play at Greenbay in January, assuming the Saints can get by San Francisco… So far, it looks nice, dry, and sunny for the Saints-49ers game. That’s a good thing for the Saints. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/314 "2012-01-13T19:30:11Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Could be some weather affecting the games this weekend. The Northeast is getting some snow. Not sure how much in the area near the NE-Denver game, but I think anything that hampers the passing game helps Tebow. If Brady can’t throw, and Timmy can run, we might see another Tebow Miracle ™. [I would not assume](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/541319-patriots-vs-bears-why-the-weather-favors-tom-brady-and-new-england-patriots) snowy weather is a negative for Brady. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/315 "2012-01-13T19:37:34Z")
Meh…just speculating. We’ll see how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/316 "2012-01-13T19:41:36Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > [I would not assume](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/541319-patriots-vs-bears-why-the-weather-favors-tom-brady-and-new-england-patriots) snowy weather is a negative for Brady. No kidding. They practice in the snow, too. Brady might be the best cold weather QB in the league. Remember that 2009 game in Foxborough against the Titans ([link](http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-10-18-titans-patriots_N.htm))? I thought it was going to be run-heavy, but it was one of the nastiest blowouts I’ve ever seen. It was like a video game score. The sad thing is that the Patriots could have run the score up even higher if they wanted to. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/317 "2012-01-13T19:57:52Z")
I heard Boomer Esiason say, “If it’s snowin’, I’m throwin.” The logic being snow hurts DBs’ ability to react by being slippery on the ground, but doesn’t make the ball slippery like rain. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/318 "2012-01-13T21:40:45Z")
I’ve been hearing a lot of the usual “defense wins championships” nonsense lately, and this playoffs will provide some pretty direct conflicts of that. Particularly the 49ers/Saints game. I suspect that if the Saints were at home it wouldn’t even be close, but going away, it probably will be. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/319 "2012-01-13T21:49:00Z")
[Jesus fucking Christ](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/tim-tebows-fire-john-parr_n_1202311.html). ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/320 "2012-01-13T22:01:09Z")
Oh dear gawd. An awful song made awfler! ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/321 "2012-01-14T03:28:40Z")
Anyway, after what the Giants did to the Falcons I wonder if they can’t shut down the Packers too. GB lost to KC because KC’s defense is a bit under-rated. Maybe big D is the only way to beat this team. Maybe. I expect a really great game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401.md?page=17)