# NFL Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 8, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471 "2016-01-08T04:03:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/1 "2016-01-08T04:03:59Z")
A whole thread for the NFL playoffs up to the Super Bowl. Saturday 1/9 KC -3.5 @ HOU PIT -3 @ CIN Sunday 1/10 SEA -5 @ MIN GB @ WAS -1 Strange that only 1 home team is favored in the wild card round, and them by only 1 point. And frankly, GB is where I’d put my money if I were betting. Seattle would be tempting, too. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/2 "2016-01-08T05:45:14Z")
I actually have Green Bay -1 on ScoreCenter on my phone (I don’t know where ESPN gets its line), so I’m seeing all the visitors as favorites. Weird year. I think Seattle at -5 would be a slam dunk except for the weather. These Seahawks have never played in the crazy cold, but then again, I’m not really sure these Vikings have either. It certainly adds some unpredictability. There is little chance of precipitation though, and I understand the field is heated. So who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/3 "2016-01-08T05:48:50Z")
I can’t speak for WA (winter) weather, but Minnesota gets plenty cold (and snowy). ---
**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 8, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/4 "2016-01-08T13:52:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I can’t speak for WA (winter) weather, but Minnesota gets plenty cold (and snowy). I think his point was about the players not playing in the cold. The Vikings usually played in a temperature controlled dome. This year, however, they’re building a new dome, so they’re actually playing outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium, where the Minnesota Gophers usually play. So it’s not like the Vikings are used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/5 "2016-01-08T14:12:53Z")
See, that’s what I get when I try to talk football. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/6 "2016-01-08T18:10:40Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I think his point was about the players not playing in the cold. The Vikings usually played in a temperature controlled dome. This year, however, they’re building a new dome, so they’re actually playing outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium, where the Minnesota Gophers usually play. So it’s not like the Vikings are used to it. Right, this year and last year, the Vikings have played their only outdoor home games since this current crew of Vikings was born. And the Vikings didn’t have a lot of January games last year, for some reason. And, FWIW, in Seattle a typical winter day is gray, 42 degrees, and drizzling. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/7 "2016-01-08T18:31:01Z")
Dalton is officially out on Saturday, meaning every home team is starting a QB that has never played in a playoff game. 3 of the away teams have QB who have won a Super Bowl. Alex Smith is 1-2 in the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/8 "2016-01-08T20:23:40Z")
I love watching the wildcard round, and this year looks like it’ll be particularly fun. Go 'Hawks! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/9 "2016-01-08T20:55:48Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Dalton is officially out on Saturday, meaning every home team is starting a QB that has never played in a playoff game. Kirk Cousins played about a quarter of a playoff game in 2012. He was 3/10 for 31 yards. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/10 "2016-01-08T21:00:40Z")
Somehow [fivethirtyeight.com](http://fivethirtyeight.com) shows Cincy with a 58% chance of beating Pittsburgh. It agrees with the betting lines for the other 3 games. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/11 "2016-01-08T21:37:59Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Somehow [fivethirtyeight.com](http://fivethirtyeight.com) shows Cincy with a 58% chance of beating Pittsburgh. It agrees with the betting lines for the other 3 games. 538’s Elo prediction model is based entirely off of scores of previous games, so it has no idea that Andy Dalton isn’t playing. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/12 "2016-01-08T21:42:25Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > 538’s Elo prediction model is based entirely off of scores of previous games, so it has no idea that Andy Dalton isn’t playing. That explains it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/13 "2016-01-08T22:46:32Z")
Clowney questionable yet again. Time to hang the bust label on this guy. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/14 "2016-01-09T00:17:59Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Clowney questionable yet again. Time to hang the bust label on this guy. I thought the book on microfracture surgery was that you needed to wait about 18 mo to two years afterwards to see the final effects? He’s certainly not #1 overall pick material, and I don’t think we’ll see another 4.5 40 from him (which was the thing I think pushed the Texans to grab him at #1), but I wouldn’t call him a bust just yet. The limited time I’ve watched him, he gets into position to make plays, and is _just this_ close from making great ones. Fingertips brushing the QB as he’s blocked past him, that sort of thing. I hope that as he heals, he’ll pick up those hundredths of a second, and start making plays. Back injuries, foot injuries, concussed, his initial knee issue: sure does seem awfully fragile though so far. EDIT: Oh, and I’m expecting the Chiefs to annihilate the Texans tomorrow. Unfortunately. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a 13-9 kind of game. I’ll take Seattle to cover, 1 degree kickoff temperature forecast or not; Cincy to cover if not win; and Washington to do both. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/15 "2016-01-09T03:32:07Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Clowney questionable yet again. Time to hang the bust label on this guy. Yep. It was a stupid pick at #1, considering all the injuries during his junior year. His own college coach publically questioned his willingness to play when dealing with minor injuries. He was a freak at the draft, but so what if you’re not tough enough to play the position? That said, the Texans likely wouldn’t have fared much better since it was a very weak draft with the exception of some great receivers. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/16 "2016-01-09T04:31:42Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > …That said, the Texans likely wouldn’t have fared much better since it was a very weak draft with the exception of some great receivers. Oh, I dunno. There were three prized QBs in the first round, and Derek Carr, who might be better than all of them, who went early in the 2nd. Aaron Donald can play a little too. Heck, swap the Texans first two rounds in [2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_NFL_draft) (Clowney, Xavier Su’a-Filo) with the Raiders’s picks (Khalil Mack, first time ever All-Pro at two different positions in the same year, Derek Carr) and we’d be bragging about what a steal this was for the Texans. [Su’a-who? Exactly.] ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/17 "2016-01-09T12:29:25Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > I actually have Green Bay -1 on ScoreCenter on my phone (I don’t know where ESPN gets its line), so I’m seeing all the visitors as favorites. Weird year. > > I think Seattle at -5 would be a slam dunk except for the weather. These Seahawks have never played in the crazy cold, but then again, I’m not really sure these Vikings have either. It certainly adds some unpredictability. There is little chance of precipitation though, and I understand the field is heated. So who knows? Got the lines from yahoo sports…still says WAS -1 today. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/18 "2016-01-09T15:58:35Z")
Current lines I’m seeing: KC -3 -115 (favoring KC) Pitt -1.5 Seattle -4 Wash -1 -115 (favoring Wash) ---
**Author:** ![NJ22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@NJ22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NJ22)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/19 "2016-01-09T17:08:52Z")
Did anyone else notice the new change in the playoffs this year? ---
**Author:** ![NJ22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4af34b/32.png) [@NJ22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NJ22)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471/20 "2016-01-09T17:12:15Z")
I like KC to win but then again something is not allowing me to trust Alex Smith so I may have to go with Houston Cincy will not have Dalton so I am picking the Steelers The Vikings have no QB and will lose to Seattle Green Bay is lucky to be in the playoffs as bad they been playing. I like the skins [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/742471.md?page=2)