NFL talk
 

So far this year, my team (Eagles) has been a real disappointment.

but at least we still get to see someone get their bones crunched like this past weekend:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XaPPHcBm4ro

man that looks painful.

Re: NFL talk
 

Yeah, but they did beat my Steelers :mad:;) Then the Eagles go an TIE the awful Bengals, which makes the victory over Pittsburgh even harder for me to bear!

I'm quite surprised with how well the Giants have played, especially as they weren't an overpowering team last year. They've gotten better after the Super Bowl, something that rarely happens except for a few "dynasty" teams - 49ers, Pats, Steelers. Maybe that bodes well for a return to the big game for the G-Men?

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The G-Men are the class of the NFC, even when one of their star players can't play because he misses a team practice, mouths off at a ref, or shoots himself in the leg at a club. The real interesting thing is how the rest of the NFC will fill out. Will the Falcons make it with a rookie QB? Will the Panthers take a step forward after taking some back over the past few years?

The NFC East will decimate itself and the Eagles' only real shot is to win the rest of their games, 3 of the 4 against division rivals also trying to make the playoffs and 2 of those on the road. If they don't win this weekend against the Giants, the show will be over in Philly. McNabb will be dealt (probably to the Bears), Reid will get fired, Kold will be the new starter, Dawkins will retire, and we'll be back in rebuilding mode. My only hope is that if all of this happens, the Cowboys continue the tradition of losing playoff games.

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That McNabb-to-the-Bears deal rumor has been going around for years. I don't know how likely it is now that Kyle Orton is relatively consistent. They should really find someone for him to throw to, and not Devin Hester. It seems his gimmick has dried up. The Bears alternate between mediocre-good and terrible. Now they're stuck trying to win out and hoping the Vikings lose. But I don't think anyone expected them to be better than 8-8.

It's too bad there isn't more division parity. You end up with one team running away in a terrible division (NFC/AFC West) or several terrible teams that somehow still have a chance (NFC North) and a bunch of good teams all fighting for a wild card (NFC South). On the other hand, divisions like the NFC East are hugely entertaining where each matchup is a big rivalry where anyone is capable of winning any week.

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Its been a fun year to support the Dolphins. Sure its going to be a crazy final two weeks, but the excitement coming off last season's disaster has been amazing. I'm loving the NFL again!

Just need the Pats and Jets to drop one this coming weekend. Ravens loss would be nice as well.

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Great to see the Jets stop the rot against Buffalo. They still have the best record should it all finish all square vs the Dolphins and the Patriots so they only need to hold it together vs Seattle and then hopefully avoid losing against the Dolphins...

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My hometown Steelers are driving me crazy! Too many games this year they've eked out in the last minutes or OT! With their very tough schedule, at least they are beating quality opponents, and doing it through defense if not offense, but it does make my blood pressure rise while watching.

I agree, it has been fun seeing the Dolphins bounce back this year, along with the surprising Cardinals. It's always nice to see the underdogs win or a bit of fresh blood in the playoff hunt.

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I dont agree with it being nice to see the Dolphins bounce back. I'd like to see them, the Bills and the Patriots lose as many games as possible. But being the pessimistic Jets fan I am (like most), it will never happen ;)

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Imagine my typical Monday morning living in the greater NYC area and being a Dolphin fan. Removing the Pats from the picture, it doesn't matter what happens this week for Miami or the Jets. The winner of the division will be the team that beats the other one. Consequently, if the Ravens drop two (which is very possible looking at their remaining games) and the Fins top the Jets, then Miami takes the division and NYJ takes the Wildcard. Well that and the Pats need to lose one game.

I've been to many MIA/NYJ games at Giants' Stadium and they are almost always unbearable to watch all the way through. This year's promises to be ridiculously tense.

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Ahh, but you could have it so much worse, I am from Green Bay, try watching your team lose in the last minutes or OT every week! Try having a team where every huge play is nullified by a holding call! Try having a team where all the players don't always even know what play is being called! Guess I can still root on the Jets, as much as I hate what he did to Green Bay this offseason, I can't help but root for Favre. Sadly, my two other favorite teams have really dropped the ball - the Browns (QB of the future looked shaky, QB of the present played awful, 3rd stringer doesn't have a clue), and the Lions (enough said). Despite all that I think this season has been much more interesting than last years - okay, the Super Bowl was a great David vs. Goliath story, but the season was mostly very predictable. With the Titans and Giants faltering lately, I feel like every playoff team will have a legit shot. There is simply no dominating team. The Giants are close, but they have weaknesses, and I have never felt the Titans deserved their 11-2 record. Cowboys and Colts will both make it but neither has looked particularly dominating this season. My pick for champ this year is the Steelers. Plus there are lots of great side stories - Aaron Rodgers' first year as starter (he's doing great but it's been fruitless so far), Matt Ryan, the Plax thing, Tom Brady making way for the almost-as-good Matt Cassell, the Dolphins going from 1-15 to playoff contenders, the blown call to mess up the AFC west (Broncos and Chargers should have their records tied), the Lions potentially going 0-16, the bizarre T.O. controversy, Donovan McNabb's weirdo season...actually makes me sad it'll be over soon...

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you should try seeing this from another teams/fans perspective, in this case I'm a Bolts fan:

they've won 2 games against the Chiefs on the very last play (missed FG, then failed 2 pt conversion)

and 5 games, they've lost in the final minute (including vs the Steelers)

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I forget about how bad the Dolphins were last year, but what about the Falcons? Who saw that coming? Who would've thought the NFC South would become such a tough division (and with the Saints at the bottom)?

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Yeah, the Falcons pretty much fell apart during the offseason, as I recall ESPN ranked them dead last in the power rankings in the preseason. Let's face it rookie QB's usually just don't work out, but Matt Ryan is clearly rookie of the year and one of the better QBs in the league. Speaking of the Saints - can you believe the line on yesterday's Saints-Lions game was a touchdown? SEVEN POINTS? The Saints are the team that would absolutely destroy a bad defense, and I really regret not putting my entire account on them as I was very close to doing.

Re: NFL talk
 

foretold!

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Wheeee!! The Bears practically gave us that game. All we had to do was take it :mad: Once again the Pack dominate in practically every stat and come away with an L.

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Wheeeee indeed! That was a fun game once it ended. That was vintage 2005 Bears. That is much better than 2006 where it appeared all the pieces were in place, and 2007, where all the pieces were expected to be in place but in fact were anything but. The Bears offense is so frustrating, that when they're down by 1 TD, it feels like they're down by 3 TDs. You think, "Ok, this is the drive" and then they fuck it up. And then the defense makes some ridiculous stop. And then you think, "Ok, now THIS is the drive" and then it all gets fucked up again. But still, the defense somehow makes another ridiculous stop, and then just by the odds of trial and error, the offense eventually does something. This was exactly like the Cardinals-"The Bears are who we thought they were!"-game. The Bears win in spite of themselves.

And I think that is much better than expecting them to win and being disappointed. Every win is an unexpected treat and guilty pleasure. All that game meant is at least one more weekend of relevant football for the Bears.

I think this situation is typical of defensive-minded teams, like the Ravens. The defense will keep them in the game and allow them to win, but the offense will never win the game outright.

Yeah, the Packers deserved to win that game, and they certainly won the previous meeting. But in the most prolific rivalry in all of football ever (college and pro), the only thing that matters is the win. That, and not already being eliminated from the playoffs...

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What a heartwarming scene to see the Cowboys humiliated so badly at the hands of the surprisingly-reborn Eagles! Dallas has swaggered and infought all season, so i don't mind at all that they're dropped a peg and out of the playoffs.
Too bad about the Patriots - Cassell has played admirably in place of Brady, and it really was down to the wire as to who'd get in from the East. But again, it's nice to see some new blood in the playoffs, in this case, Miami.

AFC: Though i'd love to see the Steelers get back to the SB, the offense hasn't been firing on all cylinders, and the likes of the Ravens, Titans, and Colts seem more balanced and dominant. Especially the Colts, who also turned it around in the second half of the season.

NFC: Panthers and Giants probably still the teams to beat, and i'd say the Panthers are the stronger team (Giants have folded in recent weeks). But you know, with the Championship to defend and how Eli Manning has come on as a big star QB, i gotta think it's gonna be the Brothers Manning in the Superbowl, Colts vs. Giants.

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I can't believe my Eagles made the playoffs. When the earlier results came in and we had our opening, I was sure they'd find a way to blow it all and let the Cowboys laugh their way into the playoffs. As luck would have it, though, the Cowboys imploded like I've never seen a team implode before. I was yelling and screaming "MOAR POINTZ!" at the TV as a fumble was scooped up and the Eagles would score. First, Pacman right before the half gave us a field goal. Then Romo. Then Barber. Then Romo again. Hell, I boo'd David Akers when he missed a field goal cuz I had nothing to boo about till then.

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This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons to watch as a Dolphin fan. Its cliche to say that I'm happy we just made it to the Playoffs but who cares! Do I think the Fins will beat the Ravens? Hrmm, maybe. I think its 50/50 for that game even in Miami. After that all bets are off. Pittsburgh looks tough!

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One of my best friends is a huge Dolphins fan, who battled some serious depression last season, let's just say he didn't even expect this (and he's ridiculously optimistic about them). Honestly as good as the Steelers/Giants/Titans are I don't think you can count out some of the lesser teams like the Vikings or even the Dolphins. The Fins have just been playing too well, and some teams are just on fire right now (the Colts and the Panthers), or dangerous if they catch (Vikings).

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Wouldn't it be something if we had big upsets and the Super Bowl ended up between the Cardinals or Vikings and Chargers? :D Las Begas would lose millions.

Talk on FoxSports today is how dangerous the Colts look - agreed, they've been the hottest over the last 8 or so weeks, especially with Captain Comeback Peyton manning. But you know what? It's the flippin' Playoffs! Every team is capable of winning here, and i'd expect a few surprises. Ravens are very tough, too.

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Oddly enough, when I look at the Colts, I see a beatable/exposed team. I realize they won what 10 in a row (?) but I still consider them a weaker version of themselves. I see the same in Tennessee but can't place the reasons that I do. Maybe I'm looking at these teams from a perspective of a Dolphin matchup? But the teams that scare me most are Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

I'm not even counting the Falcons as a playoff team. Sure they played well enough to get the nod, but I'd be shocked if they were to even be in a game much less win one.

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The Cards are the only team I absolutely cannot see making it to the Bowl. Their defense is garbage and they can't run. If they were in a good division, they'd be 7-9 or worse. The Chargers aren't looking good either, but they won their last four, so it's hard to count them completely out. Completely agreed about the Titans though. It's hard to place why I don't think they are the best AFC team, but they've never seemed that dominant to me. Their victory over the Steelers is their only real impressive win IMO.

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I'm going to the Cardinals game on Saturday. I'm freaking excited. It's the first home playoff game for the Cardinals since they moved to Arizona 20 years ago. My first NFL playoff game, too. I've been to NBA and MLB playoffs before, and I expect it to be completely insane since it's win or go home.

Yeah, the Cardinals running game is fairly putrid, but their passing offense is lights out. Larry Fitzgerald has the amazing ability to catch the uncatchable ball, and Anquan Boldin is, I think, the toughest receiver in the league. He's built like a tank.

The team I see winning the Super Bowl is Carolina. They seem to have the least amount of weaknesses. They'll go up against the Titans, IMO, because the Steelers QB had a concussion.

--Jason

Re: NFL talk
 

This was my line of thinking too. Apparently Big Ben is okay, but I don't trust that; Derek Anderson had a concussion in the preseason and posted up HORRIBLE stats in his first three regular season games. I couldn't help but wonder if he was still shaken up by that...

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I'm going to make a completely arbitrary guess of how the playoffs will pan out. And since I'm unable to pick against Miami, here's my guess.
I'd be happy if I got even a few right but here goes:

Round 1:
Baltimore @ Miami
Philadelphia @ Minnesota
Atlanta @ Phoenix
Indianapolis @ San Diego

Round 2:
Miami @ Pittsburgh
Philadelphia @ New York
Phoenix @ Carolina
San Diego @ Tennesee

Round 3:
San Diego @ Miami
Carolina @ New York

Round 4:
Miami v. Carolina

Re: NFL talk
 

well, shit.

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Yeah, sorry. Man, i wanted the 'Fins to beat the Ravens. If they survive the Titans, which i think they will, i'm afraid for the Steelers to potentially host them for the Title game. Assuming Pittsburgh makes it past the Chargers.

Good for the Chargers knocking off the Colts. Bye, Peyton.
And how about those Cardinals?!

Re: NFL talk
 

Baltimore at Tennessee
San Diego at Pittsburgh

Arizona at Carolina
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants

then

Baltimore at San Diego
Philadelphia at Carolina


San Diego [at] Carolina

Re: NFL talk
 

BALTIMORE over Tennessee (20-10 type of game)
PITTSBURGH over San Diego (Chargers are too gimped)

NY GIANTS over Philadelphia (picking against my beloved Eagles)
CAROLINA over Arizona (by three touchdowns)

then

BALTIMORE over Pittsburgh (by 2 touchdowns)
CAROLINA over NY Giants (field goal)

then

BALTIMORE over Carolina (1 point...this pick goes either way)

Re: NFL talk
 

I think you're probably right with these picks, except i see the Ravens-Steelers AFC Champ match-up being closer, based on the two games they've already played. Both have really stingy defenses and are a bit hit-or-miss offensively. Ravens are tough, and though i'd love the Steelers to win, i think Baltimore will want their revenge for the two last-minute losses and will overpower Pittsburgh's O-line. I'd bet it's more a 3-7 point win for Baltimore.
Still, as they sing in Pitttsburgh, "HEre we go, Steelers! Here we go!"
Get that 6th ring!

Re: NFL talk
 

does Flacco have what it takes in these high-pressure situations?!? :eek:

Re: NFL talk
 

He looked great against the Fins, but then again their defense was giving him a tough time and they are rated nowhere near the Steelers. Plus getting great field position all the time (thanks to the defense) makes any QB look good. I mean, look at the Colts/Chargers game - Manning got pinned against his own end zone often and I don't think ever started from even the 20. No wonder the 3-time MVP couldn't get anything together.

That said, while I never trust rookie QBs in the playoffs, it's going to be a close game, as the Steelers are tough. Who knows if the Ravens can win it all.

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Flacco is looking an awful lot like Trent Dilfer and that worked out really well for the Ravens. For them, they don't need Flacco to go out and score a lot of points...the defense really handles things and as long as the offense doesn't turn the ball over, the defense usually handles the other team.

Re: NFL talk
 

How about that ass-kicking beatdown by my Cardinals tonight?

http://www.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/232968.jpg

So this is what it's like to live in a city where the local NFL team is in the NFC Championship game!

Jason

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Yeah, that was a shocker, not necessarily who won, but the margin of victory.

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Woooo! Go Steelers!

How about an all PA Superbowl - Eagles vs. Steelers?
:)

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really? he was 9 for 26 or something like that.

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It's hard to believe just how unpredictable this season has been. The Panthers aren't really a team with many weaknesses but Delhomme just collapsed at the worst time. After the way the game started I predicted a pretty long night for the Cards. I still don't think the Cards offense even played especially well that game, it just seemed like the Panther's pass defense was all out of wack and always left a guy wide open, which vs. Kurt Warner is just asking for trobule. I was really impressed with the Cardinal's defense though, I don't think they've ever played better, and during their terrible November and early December run just seemed inept. If they can play this way vs. the Eagles (NFC championship game Cardinals vs. Eagles? Really? Did ANYONE see that coming around Week 11 or 12?) they may well make it after all.

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Statistically he definitely wasn't, and after I made that comment I remember that he was throwing lots of bricks (he was 11 for 26 as I recall), but he didn't make the mistakes that rookie QBs are so well known for. He did look calm and collected, didn't force anything, and managed the game well (especially in the 2nd half). Since he's got the jitters of his first playoff game out of the way I figured he'd be as good as anyone, and now he's the first rookie to win 2 playoff games.