Are you ready for some FOOTBAAAALL?
 

Well, after wildcard-weekend, all the wildcard teams are gone. Nothing but Division Champs left.

I'm for the Colts. Can anyone stop that offense? Nope. Will the defense show up? I hope so. They looked good last week.

Who do you think will win this weekend?

My Pics:
Indy over Baltimore
San Diego over New England
Chicago over Seattle
N.O. over Philly

Regardless of what I think, they are going to go ahead and play the games anyhow. LOL.

Hey!!!
Don't get between me and the TV.

I love football. This is the best time of the year for the NFL fans.

Well, I have to preface what I'm about to say with I'm a college football fan more so than a pro guy and I live in Baltimore, but am not a Ravens fan. But what I will say is that I believe the Ravens have a decent chance to win this weekend. Defense wins championships and it looks like the Ravens D is almost back to it's old form. It's super-crazy around here with everyone excited about the games (also the Philly game) this weekend. All I hope for is some good football to watch...no blowouts.

Yes, Baltimore can.

Baltimore over Indy
New Englad over San Deigo

New Orleans over Philadelphia
Chicago over Seattle

Grossman will be the death of the Bears!

I like all 4 wildcard teams to "upset" all of the divisional champs.

Grossman takes a lot of heat. Are there any real superstars among the QB's today? Peyton gets a lot of accolades. Brady, too. Any others or will they show up in the playoffs? I like the job Garcia has done in Philly. He is gutsy and continues to help teams. These games always seem to be more interesting to me than the Super Bowl.

I heard that in the divisional round, home team wins 77% of the time. Thus, when picking, if you choose only one road team to win, you should get at least 50% of the games right if that holds true. In fact, you'll either get 2 right and 2 wrong, or all 4 right! Again, assuming that holds.

Good luck, considering that all the wildcard teams are watching on TV already.

These are my picks as well. I'm not 100% comfortable with ANY of them, though. Indy was only 4-4 on the road, and played a totally cream-puff schedule. Picking against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in the playoffs is rarely a good idea. Seattle's running on pure guts and good karma, but that can take you far, especially when the opposing QB is inconsistent (though, to be fair, I like Grossman). And the Eagles are the hottest team in the NFL.

However, Baltimore has also played a weak schedule, they've had very close games with some bad teams, and they're coming off a bye week (which in my mind is a disadvantage). San Diego has certainly looked like the best team in the league for most of the season, and a 10-game win streak is tough to argue with. The Bears have been making the rest of the NFC look bad all season, while the Seahawks have injury problems. And the Saints are not only the emotional favorite, but they should still be pissed coming off the loss to Carolina two weeks ago.

In short, these should be some very good games. Now if I can just get through them with having to hear Joe Theismann, I'll be happy.

NO over Philly - easy, and by a lot.
Balt over Indi - easy, and by a lot.
Seat over Chic in a low scoring shocker. Take the under.
NE over SD - Schottenheimer --- awful in the playoffs. Brady --- not so much. Rivers will be great ... but not yet.

One great parlay out there. Take Seattle and the under. Then place the same amount on Chicago and the over. If a lot of points are scored, Chicago wins.

No.

Football season ended last Monday night.

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.

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.

I hope you're half right on the NFC side. I have that NFC Championship ticket in my hand just waiting to use it.

Go Birds!

Quick edit here...I'm watching ESPN while on the treadmill. Chris Berman a.k.a. Swami Sez...

Colts, Eagles, Seattle, New England

I can't imagine EVERY road team winning in the divisional round...it would be strange.

Predictions:

Ravens over Colts. Too much defense. Harrison sucks in playoffs.

Saints over Eagles. Noise level in Superdome. Brees, Bush, Duece, Colston, Horn...too many weapons.

Chargers over Patriots. Last season the Chargers put up 41 on the Pats in Foxborough. This year, better L.T., better defense, home field advantage. I watched every Chargers game, they are for real.

DA BEARS over Seahawks, IF...the good Grossman shows up, not the enept one.

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!!

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

Would you like some ketchup to put on that crow you have to eat. Grossman killed the Seahawks, not the Bears.

Bob

WOW!!!!!!!

What a weekend of NFL football.

New England over San Diego by 3 pts.
New Orleans over Philly by 3 pts.
Chicago over Seattle by 3 pts.
Indy over Ravens by 9 pts.

It don't get much better than that. Every game, except Colts/Ravens, was won by only 3 pts. And it was closer than the score indicated in that game. It wasn't decided until late in the fourth quarter. Indy was only leading by 6 pts when the Ravens had the ball. One touchdown by Baltimore and they win.

So, only four teams left. Two more games next weekend. Both look to be good ones. New Orleans vs Chicago and Indianapolis vs. New England.

Anything could happen. I love the playoffs.

It's okay, Walt. The big jerk is right. The Chargers beat themselves. The only team that could beat the Chargers is the Chargers. The Patriots had little to do with it. The penalty to Florence for the moronic Unnecessary Roughness, the double-muffed punt by Parker, and McCree's idiocy for intercepting the pass instead of knocking it down on 4th down are what killed the Chargers. They had many opportunities to slam the door on New England, and failed to do so. They got what they deserved.

It is petty, mean, and childish of PWL to throw all this up in the faces of disheartened Chargers fans. I know he only means for it to upset me, however, and SOMEONE with some nads should run him off this board forever. He is nothing but a spoiled child masquerading as an adult.

To say the Patriots who have won several Super Bowls had nothing to do with it is rather silly if you ask me. They got beat by a team and a coach that had been there before. LT hardly got the ball at then end of the game and the Patriots had to go the length of the field to kick the game winning FG. Give the Patriots a little credit. They have made the AFC game 4 out of the last 6 times. You do not do that by teams giving you victories.

Lighten up man. This is after all sports. This is what people do when a team loses. If that upsets you that much, what do you do when you are on the field and people say a lot worse. You did not lose the game, your team did. If the San Diego fans are that upset by what someone says here, you need to go to some other fan sites because I am sure a lot worse is being said.

Peace

<font color = blue>Think you could constrain your stupid bickering to the baseball board and not pollute this forum too!</font>

pot-kettle-black....

I think you miss the point Rut. He directed it at me. This isn't a fan site, it's an official board. I don't expect to be personally ridiculed by a fellow official. What people say while I'm umpiring goes with the territory, this does not.

LaDainian Tomlinson had 123 yards, on 23 carries. He pounded the ball all day long. The Patriots didn't contain him at all. Where do you get that he hardly got the ball? What game were you watching, anyway? The Chargers gave the game away. Every sportscaster, analyst, pundit, and writer is saying the same thing. The Chargers gave the Patriots too many chances to get back in the game. The mistakes I pointed out are exactly the plays that cost them the game. Brady would not have had the opportunity to come back without these stupid mistakes. Oh yeah, Quentin Jammer forgot to cover Caldwell on the deep route. Mistake # 4.

Hey Jurrasic, your next post that contains anything interesting or useful, will be your first.

Of course he went after you, duuuuaaaaaahhhhh!!! You have "SAN DIEGO" in your name for God's sake. If you do not like to be taunted like this, change your name on this site and come back as someone else. I purposely showed in my signature my love for Michigan and I was taunted by Ohio State fans when Michigan lost to OSU in November and I got over it. There were even people that did not answer the topic at hand and went after my affiliation.

First of all the Patriots could have been blown out easily, but Brady (Michigan guy BTW :D) made the game close right before halftime and made other plays to keep a team close. If a lesser team was in the Patriots situation, they would have lost the game. But the Patriots kept hanging around and not only scored a TD, but when for a big two point conversation late in the game to force SD to have to beat them with a lesser QB. I agree that SD made some bad mistakes and that happens in any game a team loses. But give the Patriots a little credit to hang in their and win the game at the end. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but didn't. Maybe Marty just cannot get things together to win the big game.

Peace

Seldom have truer words ever been spoken. Going for 4th & 11 instead of a 44 yrd field goal? Going with a prevent defense at the end of the half (prevent defense called that because it prevents you from winning, all credits to Buddy Ryan) instead of sticking with what has stopped 'em all half long? Forgetting you have the best running back in football there at the end? Wasting a time out, one that sure coulda come in handy there at the end, on a challenge that had zero chance of succeeding? There must be something about January that just makes Marty turn into Homer. Too many Duffs for New Year's or what Marty?

LOL!!!!

I am sorry but you have to admit that was funny. :D

Peace

That so isn't true, and you know it.

JR's pinky finger has contributed more than you have.

My picks
 

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.

The truly burning question seems to be: Why are baseball umpires so childish?

Both here and McGriff's (RIP), all boards seem to be quite sedate and respectful except the baseball board.

I have kind of a good reason for you. I think many baseball umpires are conditioned to not be challenged. When coaches come after them, they are ready to dump them. Football officials tend to be the most laid back officials around, basketball seems second and baseball umpires constantly have a stick up their azz. I do all three sports so that is my take.

Peace

I used to scan the baseball forum because, though I don't work the sport, I have a passing interest in some of the topics over there. No more. Too many world class jerks (and for the record, I don't really think SDS is one of them; he just seems to be disliked by many of them!!).

Argument is one thing. I make my living by it. But name calling seems to be routine over there. Maybe instead of them thinking about dumping coaches, it should be the posters dumped so we can start all over. There are people on football and hoops that I routinely disagree with as well as a couple that seem to have a chip on their shoulder about something, but few if any I'd call world class jerks. Annoying at times for sure.

No kidding. Maybe they need to rip people as revenge for the crap they take on the field. What I particularly "enjoy" is how much they like to belittle anyone who works a "lower" level than the one they work. College guys belittle high school guys like you can't believe and you don't even want to mention you may only work Little League. It's just pathetic. I wonder if any of them ever consider that maybe they catch most of the crap they do catch because their attitudes both on and off the field sucks.

REPLY: Wow...do you pick stocks and IPOs too?!?! :eek:

WOW...definitely have to check out your picks for this week!

Hook, Line, and Sinker. :D