Are you ready for some FOOTBAAAALL?

[ABoselli]

I like NE over SD in a squeaker - late. SD has been known to fumble after making interceptions, so that may play into the outcome. We'll see.

I see NO falling behind Philly, but making a comeback and winning. I think McAllister will have a big day.

Chicago / Seattle should be close, maybe OT. I think the Bears will pull it out. Grossman should do OK, especially late.

This may sound odd, but I like Indy over Baltimore, but I see them just kicking FG's - no TDs. I see Baltimore's offense just going belly up. Too bad for Baltimore - that defense is such a self-effacing, classy group. You can never get them to talk about how good they are.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

Indy was only 4-4 on the road, and played a totally cream-puff schedule.

That's not necessarily true. Three of their four road wins were against the Patriots, Giants, and Jets, all playoff teams. Their fourth road win was at Denver when they were 6-1 or something like that. Their four road losses were to Dallas and Tennessee when they were hot and Jacksonville who had extra motivation since they had been beaten by the Colts so much over the years. The Tennessee and Houston games were both on last second field goals. In their home games they beat Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Miami (when they were on a roll). They had some cream puffs like anyone else but I wouldn't consider their schedule easier than many others.

That said, I'm not sure they will beat Baltimore. Unlike San Diego and New Orleans, Baltimore has several players with extensive playoff experience. With Steve McNair leading the offense and Ray Lewis leading the defense they have people who have "been there." It will be a tough game but if the Colts can jump ahead early I like their chances. Otherwise they will probably be in a dog fight that will be hard to win. The teams that beat the Colts pressure Manning into mistakes or keep their offense on the field so much the Colts can only score so many points. In the Texans game the Colts scored 4 of the 6 times they had the ball but they only got the ball 6 times in the entire game!! And they couldn't stop Houston.

[Time2Ref]

All good comments.

I'm not a coach in the NFL, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

The Colts certainly have their work cut out for them. The Ravens defense is HOT, HOT, HOT. LOL. The teams that have had success in beating the Colts have used the following formula. Pressure on the quarterback. Bump the receivers off the line. (messes up the timing between Peyton and his receivers. Timing is so important to what they do). Run the ball UP THE MIDDLE, eat the clock, score at the end of the drive. As always, trying to double-team a receiver just won't work. I think turn-overs will be the deciding factor. Whoever wins the turn-over stats will win the game. I have nothing but respect for McNair. What a tough, gritty leader he is.

In the WISH list catagory: Colts beat Ravens, New England beats San Diego. Divisional playoff game in Indianapolis. Wooo-Hooo. Anyone got tickets?

In the playoffs, anything can happen. You certainly can't count out any team's chance to win. I guess that's why they go ahead and play the games.

Good luck to all teams and fans. Let's hope all the games are good, close battles. Maybe overtime in every game. Yea!!!! Football at its best.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by Time2Ref

In the WISH list catagory: Colts beat Ravens, New England beats San Diego. Divisional playoff game in Indianapolis. Wooo-Hooo. Anyone got tickets?

I like the Colts chances about the same on the road against SD or home against NE (both will be tough). I talked to a season ticket holder who hopes they play at SD. He had to buy his tickets for the game next week already and if they play on the road the price of the ticket applies to next year's season tickets. They double the price of the tickets for the 2nd playoff game so it's worth two games of tickets next year!! I'm sure he'll stlll go happily if they are at home but it's interesting logic.

GO COLTS!! What a great win! And a great effort by the Ravens today. That defense is awesome and Ed Reed is a STUD!!

[Texas Aggie]

So far one road and one home win. Bet on the two home teams holding tomorrow, though NE/SD should be a great game.

[Ref inSoCA]

No.

Football season ended last Monday night.