Here are the matchups for Wild Card Weekend (winners in bold):
Saturday (1-8-2011): #5 New Orleans (11-5) @ #4 Seattle (7-9) #6 NY Jets (11-5) @ #3 Indianapolis (10-6)
Sunday (1-9-2011): #5 Baltimore (12-4) @ #4 Kansas City (10-6) #6 Green Bay (10-6) @ #3 Philadelphia (10-6)
I'll take New Orleans, Indy, Baltimore, and Philly. Who you got?
Divisional Games:
Saturday (1-15-2011): #5 Baltimore (13-4) @ #2 Pittsburgh (12-4) #6 Green Bay (11-6) @ #1 Atlanta (13-3)
Sunday (1-16-2011): #4 Seattle (8-9) @ #2 Chicago (11-5) #6 NY Jets (12-5) @ #1 New England (14-2)
I'm going with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Seattle, and New England. With any luck, I'll do better than this weekend.
Championship Games: Sunday (1-23-2011): #6 Green Bay (12-6) @ #2 Chicago (12-5) #6 NY Jets (13-5) @ #2 Pittsburgh (13-4)
Green Bay and Pittsburgh are my picks to go to the Super Bowl. Maybe this will be my week to get more than one right. *facepalm*
Super Bowl: Sunday (2-6-2011): #2 Pittsburgh (14-4) @ #6 Green Bay (13-6)
I'm already taking the Steelers to win the Super Bowl.
Well, that's that, I guess. Time to close this thread down. For the record, I ended up 4-7 with my picks. And for that, I am very sorry.
[ February 07, 2011, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: combine_hunter ]
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
New Orleans Saints (what luck playing a losing team first round) New York Jets (gotta support my fellow foot guy, Rex)
Baltimore Ravens (my hometeam) Green Bay Packers (every fiber says go with Philly, but I think they're due for an upset)
Posted by wazdaname (Member # 29767) on :
Colts over jets ravens over chiefs saints over seahawks eagles over packers
steelers over colts patriots over ravens saints over falcon eagles over bears
patriots over steelers saints over eagles
patriots over saints
for gambling with spreads my picks change but that is what I choose for real life playoff picks
Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
My upset pick of this weekend will be Seattle over New Orleans.
Colts over Jets
Ravens over Cheifs
Eagles over Packers.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
I can never really bring myself to bet against Peyton Manning against any team but the Patriots or Saints. With him at home against a recently hot/cold Jets team, I've gotta go with the Colts, 31-21.
The Ravens should beat the Chiefs. I don't think the young Chiefs have faced a defense as mean and experienced as this one. It'll be low-scoring and decisive, Ravens 23-10
I really see no way the Seahawks could ever beat the Saints, even with home field advantage. The Saints have just about every conceivable other advantage, and they've been playing well, plus it's Drew Brees vs. Charlie Whitehurst, Saints 48-16.
This is the best game of the first round, no question. The Eagles have been struggling, but I imagine they've been itching for another go against the surging Packers. In the end though, I don't think the Eagles have quite enough D to stop Aaron Rodgers and his receivers, Packers 27-23.
Posted by MrSoleLvr (Member # 21192) on :
Gonna be a great weekend! Patrick like the Rex reference!
Saturday; New Orleans over Seattle NYJ over Indy(in an upset)
Sunday; Baltimore over KC Philly(Vick gonna shine!) over GB
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
Did anyone see the Seahawks winning? Wow... I did good with my other picks though.
Now for the new match ups.
Ravens at Steelers (going with Ravens)
Patriots at Jets (going with Jets)
Green Bay at Atlanta (going with Atlanta)
Seattle at Chicago (going with Chicago)
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I didn't see it, that's for sure. National is the only guy I know of who actually picked them to win.
If anyone else picked them, they didn't post here, so they don't count. Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
quote:Originally posted by combine_hunter: I didn't see it, that's for sure. National is the only guy I know of who actually picked them to win.
Yup.
To answer Patrick's question, I saw that one coming. This also goes to show that division winners -- regardless of record -- deserve a spot in the playoffs in the event that a win like that happens in the Wild Card weekend.
I saw that one coming because Seattle had nothing to lose and perhaps the Saints underestimated them. No one expected the Seahawks to beat the Saints AND put up 40-somewhat points against them, especially when they had a hard time scoring against the Rams in Week 17. I wanted to see Bradford in the playoffs and I would've rooted for him to oust Brees and the Saints.
I hate the Saints, I hate the WhoDat nation, I hate that "You've got Personality" commercial where they show everyone in New Orleans wearing their own customized Saints jerseys. Yes, Brees deserved to win the 2010 Sportsman of the Year, but other than that, don't like him. And I don't like SuperBowl 44.
So that pick was personal and because I thought everyone underestimated Seattle. I'm happy to see Pete Carroll in a great mood. He's a good guy.
The only other pick I got right was the Ravens over the Chiefs. Boy, was that game boring!
----
For the Divisionals --
As much as I loved Seattle winning, their party stops right now. I've got Chicago.
Steelers over the Ravens. Green Bay over Atlanta. Patriots over the Jets.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I agree that division winners should be in, but if they don't have a winning record, they shouldn't be hosting a playoff game.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
I agree with Hunter on that last point. The team with the better record ought to be rewarded with a home game, division winner or not.
At any rate, I've got:
Patriots over Jets, 27-17 Ravens over Steelers, 16-13 Bears over Seahawks, 30-21 Packers over Falcons, 35-31
Posted by hibachi (Member # 41548) on :
Ravens at Steelers (ravens will finally get on the snide)
Patriots at Jets (if rex loses, he can stick a foot in his mouth. pun intended.)
Green Bay at Atlanta (the packer's poor running game will bite them in the butt)
Seattle at Chicago (somehow i have more faith in hasselbeck)
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
Posted by ejc8708 (Member # 31433) on :
Them Feet are Giving Rex Motivation
Colts out
Patriots Out Posted by wazdaname (Member # 29767) on :
Fuck these playoffs
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Agreed, waz.
Posted by Fwrinkledsoles (Member # 101) on :
This sports crap has got to be fix! Sucker spend there money as if they are pair of the teams and the teams don't know if they are alive. The rich get richer and the poor goes to un-employment line.
Posted by Deeshubby (Member # 34332) on :
Black and Gold all the way to Dallas. Going to collect number 7 in the house that Jerry Jones built. That is awesome!!
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Shit, I've only been batting .500 this playoff season, that's pretty low for me. I think either of today's games are too close to call. Last I checked the spread in each game was only 3 points.
Posted by eff (Member # 11277) on :
Bears Vs Steelers in Superbowl. Thats my prediction.
Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
In the Divisional Round, I went with Chicago over Seattle, Green Bay over Atlanta. Over in the AFC, I went for Pittsburgh over Ravens, Patriots over Jets. My pick was the Patriots to go all the way, and it really pisses me off to even consider that Brady and Belichick's legacy has taken a hit for the worse.
In their pursuit of perfection, The Patriots were inches away from immortality. That win to perfect their season meant that they would not have to do anything else for the rest of their lives because that would've placed them in the archives as (perhaps) the greatest team that ever played. Instead, they're 0-3 in their last three playoff games, two of which in where they were heavily favored to win.
Those games are the types that Vince Lombardi would not have lost. He lost his first playoff game, and vowed that that would never happen again. He was right. He went on to win his next ten playoff games, finishing his career with a 10-1 record in the postseason.
Bill Walsh won 4 SuperBowls. That guy does not get enough credit, though.
With these last three losses, Brian Belichick is not under the consideration that he will finish his career as a more legendary coach than the other two guys I mentioned. After the Patriots won their last SuperBowl, it wasn't insane to think that they would win a few more.
This was their season to restore their legacy and for Brady to win his fourth ring. If I were him, I would not retire until I win two more rings. That guy is too good to have everything just fall apart after building a dynasty in New England.
----
I'll wait a week before I make my SuperBowl prediction.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
The Patriots need to improve both their defensive and offensive lines and get a bona-fide pass rusher in their defense to move forward. Some more depth at running back would be good too. Brady's still got years in him, but that team is incomplete. Any other quarterback at the helm and that's a 9-7 team at best.
Posted by eff (Member # 11277) on :
WOW! Did Cutler just quit on his team?
Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
Good question, Eff.
I thought the same thing. Brian Urlacher defended Cutler just after the game, saying that (basically) Jay's not the type to quit on his team for a variety of reasons. But I don't know. I have to know the extent of that injury before I know for sure. But for now, I'm leaning towards the possibility that he quit on his team.
Responding to Salvy's comment, you're absolutely right on how the Patriots would've failed to make the playoffs had there been some guy off street to take Brady's place at Quarterback. When the season started, a lot of people picked the Jets to win the AFC East and how the Patriots young defense would be their undoing.
Yes, the Patriots were on the verge of some improvements to make the team the total package. All Brady had to do was have his offense dominate, especially early in the games, so that the defense can have margin for error because they're not good enough to prevent the opponents from scoring. I though that that would be a formula well enough to get them to win everything before adding more pieces during the off-season.
But the Patriots were the number 1 seed for a reason. I did not think they would lose to the Jets, especially after that 45-3 beatdown, especially how much trash the Jets were talking in the days leading up to their match. I also had no reason to believe that they would lose to Pittsburgh because Brady owns them. I don't think they ever lost to them since Brady took over. And I had no reason to believe that whatever the NFC had to offer would be good enough to defeat the Patriots in Dallas (although Green Bay would give them a run for their money).
But the Patriots didn't show up when they had to. They did not show up when it really mattered. It happens even to the best of these athletes. I thought their offense would be good enough to give their own defense some breathing room. If the offense didn't get going, they would be in trouble.
Those young guys in New England will have to learn from their experiences and use that as a tool to improve on their play and get back at the Jets before winning the Vince Lombardi trophy in Indianapolis next year.
You're right, Brady has years left in him. He better utilize the years he has left to really solidify his legacy just like Peyton Manning.
[ January 25, 2011, 12:49 AM: Message edited by: National ]
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
quote:Originally posted by National: That guy does not get enough credit, though.
Who is it that you think underrates Walsh?
I hear a lot of people in the media (mostly announcers) saying that Belichick is the "greatest" coach, or possibly the "greatest". To me, that indicates a lack of hindsight. I won't argue that Belichick isn't a great head coach; I just don't throw around terms like "greatest" without some analysis.
Anyone who knows the history of the game knows that Walsh was one of the great coaches of all-time. He's credited with creating the West Coast offense, and was one of the first to script his plays at the beginning of each game.
Cutler's never going to approach any of the elite quarterbacks, that much is for sure. I've never understood why he was so highly-touted coming out of the draft, and why the experts always become so enamored with a guy with a big arm and some mobility, and little else. The sad thing is that Cutler is probably more gifted than Jim McMahon, but McMahon was a gamer and a winner and he made sure the Bears' offense played well back in the day.
As for the Patriots, they'll be back. As bad as the defense was this year, there's still a lot of talent there, and a great core to build around with Wilfork, Mayo, Spikes, Merriweather, Chung, and McCourty. But they need a Clay Matthews/Julius Peppers type player to reek havoc on the offense.
Posted by Fwrinkledsoles (Member # 101) on :
I don't know how truth it is but I heard that it could cost an individual a $1000.00 to park at a super bowl if you buy now. But, right before the game you can park your car for $200.00. If I had from $200/$1000 to spend. I would rather give it to a women with sexy wrinkled soles to play for the length of a foot ball game.
Posted by luvntoes (Member # 10587) on :
@Salvy_Mic Let me tell you something about Jay Cutler. This guy came out every sunday got his butt kicked and led the bears to the division championship game. something that nobody and i mean nobody thought the bears could do. They beat the eagles packers jets. he can make any thow better than manning or brady and do it with no line whatsoever and an under rated receiving core. He proved that this season. For you to compare cutler to the talent that mcmahon had in his wide receivers not to mention the great line and field position mcmahon got from a great defense. I believe you know nothing about football and to say he is not a winner and a gamer is ignorant. As for the patriots they choked big time against the luckiest team in NFL history. Cant wait for 2012.
Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
I don't hear Walsh's name come up too often when Montana's name is in the conversation. But when you hear Brady's name, you're sure to hear Brian Belichick's name within the next three sentences, sometimes within the next three words. You can also add that those two (Brady and Belichick) won more games as a QB/Coach tandem than any other pairing in history (ahead of Marino-Shula). I could be wrong with that stat, so correct me if I'm wrong. That stat helps remind people just how great these two are. I also do believe that Belichick is a genius, and when the time comes for him to retire, he will be regarded as one of the greatest masterminds of the game. It's just that with those playoff losses, it can no longer be the case that he could possibly be better or more legendary than Bill Walsh. I guess the only way to redeem himself is if he and Brady win two more championships, giving them FIVE titles.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
Counting playoffs, it's 125-122, in favor of Belichick/Brady.
Counting just the regular season, it's 116-111, in favor of Shula/Marino.
Belichick's first name is Bill, btw.
As far as Belichick "redeeming" himself...the list of multiple Super Bowl winners is not terribly long. To wit, there are only four who have won three or more: Chuck Noll (who has four), Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, and the Hoodie.
Posted by National (Member # 8568) on :
quote:Originally posted by combine_hunter:
Belichick's first name is Bill, btw.
That's who I meant.
With the salary cap in place, it will be harder for any QB and/or manager to win more than four Vince Lombardi's. In the last ten years, especially, a different team has represented the NFC for the SuperBowl, while the AFC has had one three different teams represent them in the SuperBowl over the same stretch. Should the trend continue, the Patriots still have a shot at getting at least one more before that era up in Foxboro, being that they're in the AFC.
That depends on how much stronger the Jets become, which is a whole 'nother story...
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
I think the Jets end up becoming the NFL's version of the Sacramento Kings. They'll be brash, they'll continue making big name acquisitions, and they'll keep falling just short of the big time. Not to the same team, over and over again, but I don't get a championship vibe from them.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
I think Pittsburgh and Baltimore have the best chance of winning multiple Super Bowls in the next few years.
The thing is, there are always surprise teams that pop up. That makes it truly impossible to predict with certainty.
That said, I agree that the Jets will likely continue to fall short. I like Rex Ryan, and I think he's building something successful. Next season could determine whether they'll take the next step or fall back into the pack.
Posted by Salvy_Mic (Member # 13384) on :
Agreed with the Steelers and the Ravens, though I do think the Ravens are about another big play receiver away from truly being elite, and probably some more talent in the secondary. Teams have no reason to fear the big play from the Ravens offense because they don't have a receiver capable of stretching the defense. Boldin has never been that kind of receiver, though he is probably one of the finest possession receivers in the league. And I'm not sure if Flacco is the kind of QB that can take them to the top. He's very talented, but every time I've ever seen him in a pressure situation, high stakes and all, he never delivers.
I think the Steelers will be the team to beat next season. Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall keep getting better, but the O-Line needs to improve. There's also room for improvement in the secondary too.
Posted by combine_hunter (Member # 39526) on :
It'll come down to whoever wins the AFC North, really. If Baltimore can get home-field advantage, I think you'll see them come out differently.
They've been quite successful on the road with Joe Flacco at QB. But eventually, you have to get one of the top seeds and then defend your house.
I'm not sure all the pieces are there yet for them, either. But if you look at that team, with the focus on running the ball and playing tough defense, as well as the stability in ownership and John Harbaugh as head coach, they're already well on their way.
I'm interested to see how the Packers defense plays. I imagine it'll be similar to the Steelers offense taking on their own defense, in a way.
Posted by SOLEMAN 13 (Member # 33699) on :
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