NFL Week 19 Divisional Playoffs

[Gard]

OK, 3-1 last week, so not bad, let's see if I can hit 1.000 this week!



Saturday Games:

Arizona @ New Orleans - "...no team has ever lost the last three games and made the Super Bowl!!!"

"...the Saints backed into the playoffs!!!"



OK, here's a few other "facts":

No NFC team has ever started 13-0 before this year.

New Orleans has not had the starting defense on the field all together since OCTOBER, but they will Saturday.

New Orleans has not run their full offense since 11/30 (and yes, Virginia, the 4-wide set matters in the running game as well as the passing game, and they run out of it VERY well).

Oh, and get this:

Arizona has to prepare and install a game plan for New Orleans and their complex offensive AND defensive schemes in THREE DAYS. That's right, due to NFL rules, they cannot put any players on a practice field today, and they have to travel on Friday - three days.

The Saints have been game-planning in part for AZ since January 4th, and will have a full week of AZ-specific preparation time. Also, they're rested, getting back every one of their starters, except Charles Grant who has been a non-issue all season and won't be missed (matter of fact, this will almost certainly IMPROVE DL play - Grant is likely to be a victim of the uncapped year because of his lack of production and huge salary hit next season....he may resign at a lower number, but if he won't, he will be elsewhere soon.).

Won't be a blowout, but it won't be a question either.

Arizona 24 New Orleans 38

Baltimore @ Indianapolis - Baltimore smacked NE in the face out of the gate last week, but that was against a team that was without their single best offensive player (Welker), and who's QB was playing injuried (Brady, cracked rib & broken finger on right hand). However, Indy's defense is beatable in the passing game (no Sanders, two rookie CB's), and if Flacco can get hot it could get interesting.

Interesting is the best Baltimore can hope for...and that's what it'll be, but in the end, Colts are just too much.

Baltimore 20 Indy 31

Sunday Games:

Dallas @ Minnesota - Can I hope for both to be eliminated? Not because either scares me in any way, they DON'T, but because I just loathe both of these squads.



Frankly, I'm not buying Dallas. It just seems contrived that they're "all that", and I think that Minnesota exposes them (even though I'd LOVE to see Dall@$$ in the 'Dome for the NFC Championship game...).

Dallas 24 Minnesota 34

NY Jets @ San Diego - J E T S JETS! JETS! JETS!

....airplane ride is over.

San Diego can play offense well enough to outscore the Jets offense, while the Bolts D will be more than sufficient to slow down the Jets offense. Closer than Bolts fans want, but still moves them on to the AFC Championship game in Indy the following week.

Jets 20 Bolts 24

[becker4567]

For the Bolts, a bye week isn't necessarily a good thing, still, the Jets didn't look impressive against a surprisingly flat Bengals (although Jets QB Sanchez has got a great future). Bolts 34 - Jets 17

[LilRay]

I'll only say I believe you'll see 12/19 resurrected come the Championship Game. See the other threads for the rest of my opinion (if you want).

Good luck against the Cards

God Bless, Ray

[ubone]

Originally Posted by Gard

NY Jets @ San Diego - J E T S JETS! JETS! JETS!

....airplane ride is over.

San Diego can play offense well enough to outscore the Jets offense, while the Bolts D will be more than sufficient to slow down the Jets offense. Closer than Bolts fans want, but still moves them on to the AFC Championship game in Indy the following week.

Jets 20 Bolts 24

I agree with your picks so I'll make like a mirror and reflect the same.
I see this game becoming a good contest for several reasons. Yes the Bolts are rested. Yes the Bolts are humble yet hungry for the win and going all the way, but this being their first game in the playoffs and recalling past playoff efforts I hope they stay humble & hungry. In the past their exuberance just for being in the playoffs resulted in disaster (2004) so I'm counting on a level of Focus and Maturity here. From what I've witness and hear in the local interviews with team members, it's looking like they get it this time around.

GO CHARGERS!!!!!!

GO SAINTS!!!!!

[thesteve]

This is my official opinion on the Chargers/Jets match up:

The Jets can beat the Chargers (and I say this as a big Chargers fan).

The Jets/Chargers match up reminds me of Week 16's Chargers/Titans match up. I think a lot of the game will come down to execution by Mark Sanchez. I thought the Bolts/Titans would be a good game, but Vince Young didn't execute and the Chargers capitalized on that. It didn't matter than Chris Johnson rushed for 142 because the Titans had nothing else going offensively. In order for the Jets to have a shot at this, they will have to bring both a big running game from Greene/Jones and Sanchez will have to be flawless.

Defensively, Jets are going to have to bring their A game in order to keep up with San Diego's high powered offense. I would be surprised if the Jets have enough depth to keep up with SD's multiple offensive weapons. I know Revis has been doing a great job, but The Jets have three guys in the secondary under 6' and the Chargers can put up three receivers in the spread that are listed at 6'5". This has been a match up nightmare for other teams this season, and I predict the Jets will have trouble with it as well.

Overall, I am definitely taking San Diego in this one, though it will be closer than I'd like.

[jazzbo]

From Peter King at CNNSI.com (a writer that, despite this great info, I can't stand):

In March 2006, the Saints had 44,000 tickets available.
Today, the Saints have a season-ticket waiting list of 50,000.

Of course, I'm always going to be rooting for the Cowboys, but in the course of all of this stuff, we forget what the city of New Orleans has been through. It's a shame that Dallas will beat New Orleans if NOLA makes it out of the next round, but this is such a great thing for the city, that no matter what team you're a fan of, you have to appreciate.

And, go Cowboys! (And, nobody worry about TURD's pontifications. He's so anti-Dallas that when they win the Super Bowl he'll find a thousand reasons to say why it wasn't deserved and why the aints were actually the best team in the league!)

[becker4567]

thesteve:
I couldn't agree more! The Bolts (unfortunatly) have a nasty habit of going flat at the worst possible times, so yes, the Jets can, if they bring their A game, beat them. To be honest, the Jets remind me of the Bolts of about 5 years ago. Lots of promise, but need experience. But, like 'ubone' said, hopefully the Bolts have their mental mojo in the right place this year cuz I'm getting a bit tired of hearing about "The San Diego Chokers"!

[CrashClint]

I predict that Favre will NOT finish the game this week and it won't be because he scored to many points and they took him out. Favre lacks good mobility and he is no McNabb, he can be brought down with a simple arm tackle and their line can not stop the Cowboys rush. Once Favre is gone, bring in the fat lady because there is going to be a sad song to be sung for the Vikes. Wooooooo (ala Rick Flair)

[Gard]

LilGay & SPAZZBLOW, you guys are so funny.

I'm really going to hate rubbing your noses in it IF you get past the Barneys.

...wait, no, I'm not.

[pointbass]

It seem to me that the teams with the big head of steam are pushing their way into this post-season. I have zero vested interest in any of the remaining teams, so it's just fun to watch ...

ARI @ NO - Wouldn't surprise me to see the Cards take this one. Wouldn't surprise me to see the Saints wake up from their quasi-coma and smack the life out of Cards. I think this is a pick-em, with maybe a slight edge for NO

BAL @ IND - Colts should be in a position to shut down the Ravens, but it'll be a good game. Colts have too much of everything, Ravens might run out of gas here ....

DAL @ MIN - As much as I don't like the Cowboys, I gotta admit they look good. Old Brett's career end on Sunday ....

NYJ @ SD - Another close game, close enough for me to say it's a 50-50 shot either way. On paper, Chargers should have this one in their pocket, but the Jets have something going on. Whether that something can make it another week remains to be seen ..... Jets in a tight one

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by Gard

LilGay & SPAZZBLOW, you guys are so funny.

I'm really going to hate rubbing your noses in it IF you get past the Barneys.

...wait, no, I'm not.

I'm really going to be ing if the Saints get Stomped by the guy actually wearing a SB ring, this weekend.

....wait no I won't.

Anything's possible including the SAINTS LOSING! Even with the #1 team on the field.

If they happen to lose, at least we'll get new 'scuses for the Saints downfall.

Read my response, I actually gave scenarios for the Vikes to beat the 'Boys.

ALWAYS expect the unexpected. I'm sure the Unibomber thought he'd stomp the Jets even without Welker.

Throw out all previous thoughts you've got, all stats etc. Brees, Bush, Thomas, Colston, Sharper or any other starter gets injured, that'll dramatically change the outcome. Much less flubbing the game ala three turnovers like the last NFC Championship.

As much as you hope the Cowboys fail, the same possibility of failure can be placed on the Saints.

We can go toe to toe all week, but facts are facts, including those that shine negatively on NOLA. (Same as Dallas)

That IS reality.



God Bless, Ray

[darthkgrim]

Originally Posted by jazzbo

(And, nobody worry about TURD's pontifications. He's so anti-Dallas that when they win the Super Bowl he'll find a thousand reasons to say why it wasn't deserved and why the aints were actually the best team in the league!)

Wow! This guy knows you pretty well Gard!

[darthkgrim]

Congrats Gard the Saints played well. IMO the Cards should'nt have been there. But still... great game!!!!

I guess we're one away from a BEER BET are'nt we??!!
I like beer!!!

[Bipslapper]

I tip my cap to ya Gard. After the Pats, AZ is my 2nd favorite team and NO has whipped both. Team looks good. You must be out celebrating with a HIGH quality brew, such as Sam Adams, Anchor Steam, Bass, etc.. (not crappy Bud "Light In the Loafers" beer).

[Gard]

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

I tip my cap to ya Gard. After the Pats, AZ is my 2nd favorite team and NO has whipped both. Team looks good. You must be out celebrating with a HIGH quality brew, such as Sam Adams, Anchor Steam, Bass, etc.. (not crappy Bud "Light In the Loafers" beer).

I was at my favorite place, with a cold bottle of



in hand, jumping up and down, yelling and hollering.

I'm just home for a moment, as I'm actually just home for a moment between a sound check and gig...so I'm going to go straighten Cactusman Doug out about who needs a support group, and I'm off to play some music for the rest of the night!



Man, that was a FUN game to watch!

[LilRay]

Congrats Bro!



God Bless, Ray

[Gard]

Originally Posted by LilRay

Congrats Bro!



God Bless, Ray

Thanks!

[ubone]

Killer game, and it looks like the Saints are back big time! I for one am damned glad to see it. Now about you GURLZZ that we're mouthing off how the Saints were so over....

[LilRay]

Well according to Sharper, when Michael Irvin asked who he'd rather play, the Cowboys or the Vikings Sharper's response was "you know who I want"

Here's to the Cowboys holding together and bringing Sharper his wish

God Bless, Ray

[modulusman]

Are you sure he wants to play the Cowboys? He might be pissed that he is no longer a Viking and would like to stick it to his former team.