# NFL Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 6, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477 "2017-01-06T19:52:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/61 "2017-01-09T21:42:19Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > The only “official” report so far is McCarthy saying it’s a “rib injury.” nelson spent the night in the hospital, which isn’t encouraging. Aye, that’s the info that this ESPN story contains. > **[Packers' Nelson out of hospital; status iffy](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18438429/green-bay-packers-wr-jordy-nelson-spent-night-hospital)** > > Packers receiver Jordy Nelson spent the night in a hospital after suffering a rib injury in Sunday's wild-card win, and it's not clear if he will be able to play Sunday at Dallas. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/62 "2017-01-10T03:41:42Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Yeah, how was that not an incomplete?!?! Hand started moving forward, ball comes out in forward direction (“any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass”). I was cheering for the Packers and against the Gints, but that seemed like a royal boning of the NYG by the referees. If the ball is knocked “loose” before the hand starts forward, then the hand starts forward with the loose ball in it, that’s a fumble. The quarterback has to be in control of the ball while the passing motion is going on. It was adjudged that Matthews’(?) hand contacted the ball before the hand started forward. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/63 "2017-01-10T04:15:25Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Yeah, how was that not an incomplete?!?! Hand started moving forward, ball comes out in forward direction (“any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass”). I was cheering for the Packers and against the Gints, but that seemed like a royal boning of the NYG by the referees. I’m a Giants fan, and a big one, but they have no one to blame but themselves on that play. If Paul Perkins does the thing that he’s supposed to be coached to do, the Giants not only keep the ball but actually wind up gaining a few yards in the exchange. Entirely unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/64 "2017-01-10T15:17:28Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > I was cheering for the Packers and against the Gints, but that seemed like a royal boning of the NYG by the referees. Well, the Packers got boned back, both on the “leading with the helmet” hit on Jordy, and the missed facemask. These things balance out. And the Gints still should have dove on the ball. You could see Matthews yelling to his teammates - the Giant player should have heard him, too. (I thought that was funny, how Matthews did all the work. Caused the fumble and recovered it down field.). ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/65 "2017-01-10T17:50:41Z")
I think both the Seahawks and Packers win next weekend. Seattle and Green Bay has, over the last few years, developed into the best rivalry no one talks about and they always seemed destined to meet in the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/66 "2017-01-10T17:52:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I think both the Seahawks and Packers win next weekend. Seattle and Green Bay has, over the last few years, developed into the best rivalry no one talks about and they always seemed destined to meet in the playoffs. That would be a great game, and in Seattle too, so it won’t be completely frozen. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/67 "2017-01-10T18:04:47Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > (I thought that was funny, how Matthews did all the work. Caused the fumble and recovered it down field.). And, in between those two actions, he knocked Perkins (who was leaning down to pick up the ball) away from the fumble. ---
**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 10, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/68 "2017-01-10T19:46:29Z")
Well, the wild card weekend went as expected, with the contenders winning and the pretenders (I’m looking at you Miami) going home. Here’s the divisional round games: Saturday, Jan 14th 3:35 p.m. Seattle at Atlanta - Falcons by 4.5 7:15 p.m. Houston at New England - Patriots by 16 (yes, 16). Sunday, Jan 15th 12:05 Pittsburgh at Kansas City - Chiefs by 1 3:35 Packers at Dallas - Cowboys by 4 Some stray thoughts: 1. Classic offense v. defense matchup with Atlanta hosting Seattle. Falcons are the top scoring team in the NFL, and Seattle is … well, Seattle. I’m very interested in the Julio Jones v. Richard Sherman matchup, but Sherman rarely actually follows a WR around the field, so it might be anti-climatic. Atlanta’s defense is pretty atrocious though, and if Seattle can run the ball like they did last week (and didn’t for most the year this year), they may have a chance to slow them down. But without Earl Thomas, I think this game goes Atlanta’s way. 2. 16 point line in the playoffs? Wow, that’s a lot of hate for Brock Osweiler. Which, given his play v. his paycheck, is pretty well earned. Houston has a very good defense, but so do the Patriots, and Brady v. Osweiler is like Real Madrid v. my kids’ 6th grade girl soccer team. Maybe Clowney, et. al. get to Brady enough, and maybe Osweiler doesn’t completely mess up, but I think the Patriots win in a walk. 3. Chiefs/Steelers should be a fascinating game. To absolutely no one’s suprise, Ben is “injured” going into the game, but will somehow superheroically gut it out to play. Vegas seems to think this will be an interesting game too, with the line going from Steelers -1 to Steelers +1. With the game at Arrowhead and Andy Reid having a week to prepare (he’s 16-2 coming out of bye weeks), I’m thinking the Chiefs will eke out a victory, but damn that Bell/Brown combination is rough to beat. 4. Aren’t Zeke and Dak supposed to hit the “rookie wall” at some point? Here’s hoping it’s Sunday afternoon. The ability of the Packers to stop the run (last time they played, the cowboys rushed for 191 yards) will prove crucial, because if the Cowboys can control the time of possession (they are #3 in the league this year) and keep Rodgers off the field, then they should get the win. But I don’t mind having Dom Capers working on a gameplan against a rookie QB, and I have hopes the Packers can get a win. Should be a fun game. ---
**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 10, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/69 "2017-01-10T20:24:34Z")
The 16 point spread (I’m seeing it down to 15 now) is the largest ever for a divisional round playoff game. I think NE will win, but that line is a bit much. The Texans do have a legit defense. Actually, all of those lines except Pitt/KC look a bit out of whack. ATL giving 4.5 to Seattle? Cowboys giving 4 to GB? Seems Vegas is overconfident in the home teams. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/70 "2017-01-10T20:54:50Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Actually, all of those lines except Pitt/KC look a bit out of whack. ATL giving 4.5 to Seattle? Cowboys giving 4 to GB? Seems Vegas is overconfident in the home teams. ISTR that, all else being equal, the home team will get a 3-point edge in the Vegas odds, simply for being the home team. Those matchups have been known for 48 hours or so by now; I suspect that the current odds (and I see that Dallas is now a 4.5 point favorite) are reflecting where the betting money has been flowing. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/71 "2017-01-10T21:08:24Z")
Patriots should be favored by 21. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/72 "2017-01-10T21:40:42Z")
Average MoV in the 8 games between Houston and NE is a little over 15, with Houston at 1-7. They beat the Pats by 7 in January of 2010, and came up 3 short three years ago – otherwise, it has been very not good for them, especially in foxboro. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/73 "2017-01-13T20:09:04Z")
Steelers/Chiefs moved to Sunday night for higher ratings, although they’re claiming ‘weather.’ It’s no coincidence that Monday is MLK day and many people are off. > **[Steelers-Chiefs start time changed due to forecast](https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-chiefs-start-time-changed-due-to-forecast-0ap3000000773767)** > > Weather has affected Sunday's slate of NFL Divisional Round games. The league has pushed back the start time for Sunday's Steelers-Chiefs game in Kansas City to 8:20 p.m. ET. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/74 "2017-01-13T20:28:20Z")
Jordy Nelson has been ruled “out” for Sunday’s game, due to his rib injury. [http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/13/packers-jordy-nelson-out-vs-cowboys-rib-injury](http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/13/packers-jordy-nelson-out-vs-cowboys-rib-injury) ---
**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 13, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/75 "2017-01-13T20:34:51Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > ISTR that, all else being equal, the home team will get a 3-point edge in the Vegas odds, simply for being the home team. > > Those matchups have been known for 48 hours or so by now; I suspect that the current odds (and I see that Dallas is now a 4.5 point favorite) are reflecting where the betting money has been flowing. Yes, general rule is that playing at home is worth 3 points. But would you favor Dallas by 1.5 on a neutral field against GB right now? I sure wouldn’t. If I had to bet on a team other than NE this weekend, it would be the Packers. They just thumped the Giants, who owned Dallas this year. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/76 "2017-01-13T21:26:08Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Steelers/Chiefs moved to Sunday night for higher ratings, although they’re claiming ‘weather.’ It’s no coincidence that Monday is MLK day and many people are off. > [Steelers-Chiefs start time changed due to forecast](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000773767/article/steelerschiefs-game-moved-to-820-pm-et) > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Kansas City is supposed to be getting about an inch of ice overnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning. They’ve been monitoring this for some time. It’s weather-related. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/77 "2017-01-13T22:13:19Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Kansas City is supposed to be getting about an inch of ice overnight on Saturday night/Sunday morning. They’ve been monitoring this for some time. It’s weather-related. Most years, the conference championship games are played on the Sunday before MLK Day with one game starting mid-afternoon ET and one game at night. This year MLK Day happens to come pretty early and so we’re only at the divisional round. If the NFL thought the ratings would be lower by moving the game to a Sunday night before a holiday, they wouldn’t move the game. The NFL could give 3/4 of a flying fuck about the weather. In 2008, the NFL refused to move the start time of the NY Giants vs Green Bay conference championship game from the late game (temperature of -1 at kickoff) to the early game since GB vs NY would get much better ratings as the night game. The afternoon game featured the low ratings San Diego Chargers vs high rating Patriots. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/78 "2017-01-14T01:40:21Z")
I think they care about the field conditions too … remember that one game this year when the rain caused all of the tire pellets to surface? They stopped the game then. > [@](#): > > A stunner: NFL moves Steelers-Chiefs to prime time Sunday due to weather > Frank Schwab,Shutdown Corner 5 hours ago Comments Sign in to like Reblog on Tumblr Share Tweet Email > The ice storm due to hit Kansas City on Sunday must be bad, because the NFL has taken the rare step of moving the kickoff time of a playoff game. > > Citing “public safety concerns,” the NFL moved kickoff of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Kansas City Chiefs AFC divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, originally scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, to 8:20 p.m. ET. That’s due to storms expected in the Kansas City area on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/79 "2017-01-14T05:51:59Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Most years, the conference championship games are played on the Sunday before MLK Day with one game starting mid-afternoon ET and one game at night. This year MLK Day happens to come pretty early and so we’re only at the divisional round. If the NFL thought the ratings would be lower by moving the game to a Sunday night before a holiday, they wouldn’t move the game. > > The NFL could give 3/4 of a flying fuck about the weather. In 2008, the NFL refused to move the start time of the NY Giants vs Green Bay conference championship game from the late game (temperature of -1 at kickoff) to the early game since GB vs NY would get much better ratings as the night game. The afternoon game featured the low ratings San Diego Chargers vs high rating Patriots. The NFL most certainly cares about the bad press that would happen from people dying in car crashes on their way to see a game. I mean, really, give me a break. Cold isn’t deadly; ice is. Last season, the Divisional games were played January 16 and 17. MLK Day was Jan. 18. Not shockingly, the Sunday games on the 17th were at 1 pm and 4:40 pm, just like scheduled this year. You’re simply wrong in your assessment, for which you have, I might add, **zero** evidence. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477/80 "2017-01-14T08:37:26Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > The NFL most certainly cares about the bad press that would happen from people dying in car crashes on their way to see a game. I mean, really, give me a break. Cold isn’t deadly; ice is. There might be a particular sensitivity to it in Kansas City, given that Derrick Thomas died from injuries he suffered in a car accident during a snowstorm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs/776477.md?page=5)