# 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:** 37
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/722 "2012-01-21T00:23:11Z")
May the best team win. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/723 "2012-01-21T00:36:48Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I do. Me too. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/724 "2012-01-21T00:44:34Z")
I’m calling a 49ers/Patriots Superbowl. Of course, considering my well known track record in the area of football prognostication, that may make fans of the Giants/Ravens very happy… ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/725 "2012-01-21T03:11:03Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I do. You only do because you’re a fan of a team with a really good defense that has a really good running back. Vernon Davis can’t throw himself the ball, he’s a headcase anyway and Alex Smith is not that great shakes despite his performance against New Orleans. I will happily eat my words and congratulate you if it turns out otherwise. However I think the Giants front four is going to reduce Smith back to the mediocre at best QB that he ever was. And I think that the Giants offense is more capable than the SF offense at scoring points, and therein will lie the difference. NYG 28 SF 17 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/726 "2012-01-21T06:27:39Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > You only do because you’re a fan of a team with a really good defense that has a really good running back. I don’t understand this sort of argument. Then again, though, i don’t understand the obsession some sports fans have with scoring, scoring, scoring. Sure, scoring more means that you’ve won the game, but the idea that there’s something inherently better about a 42-35 game than a 14-7 game is just odd to me, because it ignores one half of the equation. Sure, you’ll argue that i’m only saying this because i’m a Ravens fan, but the fact is that i think a low-scoring game can be just as enthralling as a high-scoring game, and that good defense is just as interesting to watch as good offense. And this is my opinion not only for football, but for plenty of other sports as well: baseball, hockey, rugby, soccer, cricket (although, in terms of numbers, “low-scoring” in cricket doesn’t really look low-scoring to an uninformed observer). People like you would probably only be happy if we put the Tampa Bay defense out there for both teams, and just let Brady and Manning just have a shootout. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/727 "2012-01-21T08:13:53Z")
Sign me up for a repeat of the 2007 Superbowl, complete with the same low-scoring final score: Giants 17, Patriots 14. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/728 "2012-01-21T13:18:39Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Sign me up for a repeat of the 2007 Superbowl, complete with the same low-scoring final score: Giants 17, Patriots 14. I think it will be higher scoring, Giants 27, Pats 23. But I would gladly take yours. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/729 "2012-01-21T14:34:11Z")
As I said in the SB Prediction thread, I’m going with my same prediction as in 2007: NYG 38, NE 35. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/730 "2012-01-21T17:19:40Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I don’t understand this sort of argument. Then again, though, i don’t understand the obsession some sports fans have with scoring, scoring, scoring. Sure, scoring more means that you’ve won the game, but the idea that there’s something inherently better about a 42-35 game than a 14-7 game is just odd to me, because it ignores one half of the equation. > > Sure, you’ll argue that i’m only saying this because i’m a Ravens fan, but the fact is that i think a low-scoring game can be just as enthralling as a high-scoring game, and that good defense is just as interesting to watch as good offense. And this is my opinion not only for football, but for plenty of other sports as well: baseball, hockey, rugby, soccer, cricket (although, in terms of numbers, “low-scoring” in cricket doesn’t really look low-scoring to an uninformed observer). > > People like you would probably only be happy if we put the Tampa Bay defense out there for both teams, and just let Brady and Manning just have a shootout. I’m not a “people like me” person (:D) as you suggest…I like a good defensive performance as much as anyone else…but I have also always loved the aerial attack aspect of football more than anything else in the game. Anymore it IS a passing league now and watching the best QB’s operate under duress is what makes watching NFL offenses so much fun to me, and Brady and Manning are two elite level QB’s while Smith and Flacco are decidedly not. And the Patriots v Giants potential matchup presents a better opportunity for that type of a game rather than a grind it out style game that I think a Ravens v 49ers Superbowl would be. For instance, I love 1-0 baseball games and low scoring collegiate hoops games due to defensive play. I guess I’m just weird about football. I have always liked passing teams over running and defensive teams, from Air Coryell all the way up until now. And Brady is one of the best the game has ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/731 "2012-01-21T23:54:01Z")
Not me; I’m all about defense. I couldn’t stomach the Arena League. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/732 "2012-01-22T17:17:20Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Not me; I’m all about defense. I couldn’t stomach the Arena League. Eh…its cool you feel that way. There’s several aspects of the game worth focusing on. Soon someone will come along and tell us their favorite part of the game is punting. 😃 I like defensive play too…I just don’t particularly enjoy two strong defenses pitted against two weaker offenses as opposed to the opposite. ---
**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 22, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/733 "2012-01-22T17:19:21Z")
Punting is some underappreciated shit. I love watching some good punting. GET WELL REGGIE HODGES ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/734 "2012-01-22T17:26:32Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I like defensive play too…I just don’t particularly enjoy two strong defenses pitted against two weaker offenses as opposed to the opposite. Agreed. I love good football, whether by offense or defense. I don’t like incompetent football, either by offense of defense. I don’t like a 56-42 shootout, if it’s the result of crappy defensive football, but I like it if it’s the result of elite QB’s fitting the ball in tight coverage. I don’t like a 10-3 game if it’s the result of crappy offenses flailing about in mediocrity, but I like it if it’s the result of game planning, big defensive stops, and bashing heads in the trenches. I’m not particular about the kind of game, defensive or offensive. Just make it good. ---
**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 22, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/735 "2012-01-22T18:16:33Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Punting is some underappreciated shit. I love watching some good punting… I’ve been watching Shane Lechler and Andy Lee for years. It can be a magnificent thing. ---
**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 22, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/736 "2012-01-22T19:02:59Z")
The Niners will win because they are the better team. Better defense, better running game and better special teams. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/737 "2012-01-22T19:09:13Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The Niners will win because they are the better team. Better defense, better running game and better special teams. Good points. Opposite day, is it? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/738 "2012-01-22T19:15:25Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The Niners will win because they are the better team. Better defense, better running game and better special teams. Slightly weaker division, slightly weaker offense, weaker QB… 😉 Biggest advantage for the Niners right now to me is home field, although the Giants as a wild card team and with they way they’ve been playing very recently…it may not matter. It will all depend on Eli and the Giants front four. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/739 "2012-01-22T20:05:19Z")
Well, that was a pretty horrible version of the national anthem, but at least he knew the words. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ennui](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ennui/32/3396_2.png) [@Ennui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ennui)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/740 "2012-01-22T20:06:35Z")
I love Steven Tyler, don’t get me wrong. But that was one pretty disappointing national anthem. Go Pats. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401/741 "2012-01-22T20:28:45Z")
Was that Tebow’s… that saved Brady from that pick? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-nfl-playoffs-discussion-thread/608401.md?page=38)