# NFL Wildcard Weekend 1/6 - 1/7 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 5, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825 "2007-01-05T16:20:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/1 "2007-01-05T16:20:44Z")
I do love this time of year! **Kansas City @ Indy** In a dome, Indy is hard to beat. Payton will show up, but can the lousy Indy Defense stop the KC running game? Prediction - Indy by 10 **Dallas @ Seattle** Tony Romo is a feel good story, but I just cant see him going into windy, rainy, cold Seattle and winning. Seattle has alot to prove after a mediocre season. Prediction - Seattle by 17 New York Jets @ New England Patriots Chad Pennington wins comeback player of the year, but Tom Brady is the man in the post-season. Still, I think this will be the first upset of the weekend. I love the underdog! Prediction - Jets by 3 NY Giants @ Eagles Being a Washington Redskins fan I hate both these teams and wish there was a way they could both lose. But since that wont happen… I have to go with Philly at home against an increasingly rookie like Eli Manning. Prediction - Philly by 10 ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/2 "2007-01-05T16:26:20Z")
Cowboys fan checking in. Not that I disagree with your assessment, but I hope the Cowboys have been playing possum the last 3 weeks and the team who could run/stop the run shows up. _fingers crossed_ ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/3 "2007-01-05T18:29:27Z")
[QUOTE=Dob] I do love this time of year! **Kansas City @ Indy** In a dome, Indy is hard to beat. Payton will show up, but can the lousy Indy Defense stop the KC running game? Prediction - Indy by 10 **Dallas @ Seattle** Tony Romo is a feel good story, but I just cant see him going into windy, rainy, cold Seattle and winning. Seattle has alot to prove after a mediocre season. Prediction - Seattle by 17 New York Jets @ New England Patriots Chad Pennington wins comeback player of the year, but Tom Brady is the man in the post-season. Still, I think this will be the first upset of the weekend. I love the underdog! Prediction - Jets by 3 NY Giants @ Eagles Being a Washington Redskins fan I hate both these teams and wish there was a way they could both lose. But since that wont happen… I have to go with Philly at home against an increasingly rookie like Eli Manning. Prediction - Philly by 10 [/QUOTE] Your analysis stresses quarterbacks but defence wins playoff games. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/4 "2007-01-05T19:29:16Z")
I think the Pats and Eagles are safe bets and Indy’s iffy, but I have a hard time picking either Dallas or Seattle right now, though Seattle has home edge going for them. I guarantee at least one of these four games will be an upset. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/5 "2007-01-05T20:51:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Your analysis stresses quarterbacks but defence wins playoff games True, but the games this weekend are not showcases for good defense. These teams have solid to average defenses, so I think the QB play will be vital. Now, next weekend when the Bears and Chargers play, then we can talk defense. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/6 "2007-01-05T21:09:25Z")
[QUOTE=Dob] Now, next weekend when the Bears and Chargers play, then we can talk defense. [/QUOTE] When the Bears play, you’ll still be discussing quarterbacks because of Blechs Grossman. This weekend, I think Indy wins in spite of its defensive shortcomings (how much can you _really_ talk defense when it’s Colts-Chiefs?); Philly wins because they’ve hit their stride, improbably, and will be fairly successful in stopping the run while the Giants are rattled and choking; the Jets will eke out another victory in this interesting little psychological battle of the coaches they have with the Pats; and Dallas finds its footing on the road to beat Seattle in a game that won’t generate much excitement from anyone outside DFW or the PNW. ---
**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 5, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/7 "2007-01-05T22:39:37Z")
Kansas City @ Indy While the world focus in on Larry Johnson vs. Indy’s last-place rush defense, they all forget about Indy’s offense. Shouldn’t be a problem for Manning to make up the difference. **Indy by 9** Dallas @ Seattle As always, momentum is meaningless come the postseason, so we can take Dallas’ slump out the equation. Seattle is thoroughly crippled, especially in the secondary with three of their starters gone. Romo is going to have a career day. **Cowboys by 4** New York Jets @ New England Patriots My longshot pick – Mangini uses his knowledge of Belichick’s inner workings and pulls out the win. **Jets by 6** NY Giants @ Eagles Lock of the weekend – The dirt-eating Scumbirds continue their pathetic history of choking their way of of the postseason. Fortunately, they’ll be relying on their irrelevant momentum to carry them past this game, leading to a well-deserved punch in the mouth. **Giants by 11** ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/8 "2007-01-05T23:19:04Z")
[QUOTE=FlightlessBird] I hope the Cowboys have been playing possum the last 3 weeks [/QUOTE] If so, they deserve an Academy Award nomination. Here’s a quote from a Ft. Worth sportswriter: “This was the Cowboys as of mid-afternoon on New Year’s Eve: Gutless, confused, incompetent, and the biggest joke to make the NFL playoffs since … well, since the New York Giants weaseled their way in the day before.” ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/9 "2007-01-06T02:54:45Z")
[QUOTE=Dob] True, but the games this weekend are not showcases for good defense. These teams have solid to average defenses, so I think the QB play will be vital. [/QUOTE] To your first sentence, I’ll agree. On the second, I can only imagine you haven’t watched the Cowboys play these past few weeks. Giving up 39 points to the Detroit Pussycats is not a mark of a ‘solid to average’ defense. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/10 "2007-01-06T04:12:28Z")
[QUOTE=Dob] True, but the games this weekend are not showcases for good defense. These teams have solid to average defenses, so I think the QB play will be vital. Now, next weekend when the Bears and Chargers play, then we can talk defense. [/QUOTE] The Bears haven’t been the same since Harris got injured (giving up a ton more points and looking nowhere near as dominant), and for all the hype, SD has given up more points/game, more rushing yards/game, more passing yards/game, more first downs, and a higher 3rd/4th down completion percentage than New England against a significantly weaker schedule. (Can cite if you need, but it’s all on [ESPN.com](http://ESPN.com) and [NFL.com](http://NFL.com).) As long as Wilfork plays, the Pats have the second best D at this point, after Baltimore - even without Rodney Harrison (as they have been most of the second half of the year). Of course, the Jets have given up fewer points than anyone else over the second half of the season. So that one should be pretty low scoring, and the QB play will be vital… and give me Brady, thanks (not to mention the one of these two teams with a rushing game). I’ll take the home-town team by, oh, more than a FG but less than the spread. So say 6. I’ll also take Indy, Dallas, and the Eagles, but I’m not really in love with any of those teams. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/11 "2007-01-06T04:52:38Z")
[QUOTE=Dob] Now, next weekend when the Bears and Chargers play, then we can talk defense. [/QUOTE] Maybe you should mention the team with the #1 defense in the league that will be playing that weekend too? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/12 "2007-01-07T01:10:09Z")
I don’t know which was more nauseating - the Chiefs’ offense, or that “I Hate Myself for Loving You” thing they just did before the Seahawks-Cowboys game. Anyway, who could have predicted this for the first game? 23-8, Manning and Johnson both playing poorly, and the Chiefs unbelievably anemic on offense. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/13 "2007-01-07T02:13:34Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] …the Chiefs unbelievably anemic on offense. [/QUOTE] No first downs until late in the 3rd quarter - hard to believe. And a poor chance that the Colts could beat the Ravens with the effort they put out today. ---
**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 7, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/14 "2007-01-07T05:17:51Z")
America’s team can suck it. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/15 "2007-01-07T05:33:53Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] America’s team can suck it. [/QUOTE] Oh, they did. At least Romo has [this](http://www.country.de/_Bilder/Artists/Main/New-Artists/Carrie-Underwood.jpg) to help him ease the pain. Whoda thunk it would’ve been a drop by Romo, and not TO that would sink the Boys? ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/16 "2007-01-07T05:35:43Z")
How is it possible to bet against the Pats? Mangini has done a nice job with the Jets, but I wouldn’t want to face a pissed-off Belichick and hyped Brady. Pats win by 14 or more. Oh, and Mr. Owens? Suck it! HA! (Like **Dob** , I’m a 'Skins fan, and I hate all the NFC East teams with a passion. Jerry Jones sucks as well…) Feel a little bad for Romo, he’s not a bad kid, but he is a cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/17 "2007-01-07T05:38:05Z")
[QUOTE=Rysdad] Whoda thunk it would’ve been a drop by Romo, and not TO that would sink the Boys? [/QUOTE] In fairness, TO did drop a pass early in the game. Some things never change. Romo will be pilloried for this loss, but in reality the goat is Terry Glenn. “She” gives up 2 points with the safety. Can’t do that in a close game on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/18 "2007-01-07T05:49:36Z")
[QUOTE=Hippy Hollow] How is it possible to bet against the Pats? Mangini has done a nice job with the Jets, but I wouldn’t want to face a pissed-off Belichick and hyped Brady. [/QUOTE] They beat them in Foxboro in November, and Mangini and the Jets are also pissed because of Belichick’s attitude toward Mangini. I went on and on this week about how much I expected tonight’s game to be crap. It didn’t have the best play, but it was entertaining and the last few minutes were just wild. Also, occurs to me just now that if Seattle had scored the touchdown on that endzone fumble instead of getting the safety, the game might have gone to OT or Dallas could have won in regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/19 "2007-01-07T13:15:15Z")
Well, I’m pleased with the outcome so far. I was rooting against Dallas and against Kansas City. Tonight I don’t care so much, so I guess what ever happens I’ll be content. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825/20 "2007-01-07T14:09:47Z")
Man, what an exciting finish to the Dallas/Seattle game. I couldn’t believe Romo messed up the hold. First time in two years it happens, right then. I was watching the game in a bar. There were a few Seattle fans, and many anti-Cowboy fans. People were very excited. That game was certainly better than the first snoozefest. Go Pats! Beat the Mangina! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wildcard-weekend-1-6-1-7/386825.md?page=2)