wildcard matches

[steveo]

Howdy

For those who wish to participate, let's hear your thoughts/predictions for the upcoming wildcard games.

I'll start

Jets @ Oakland

Oakland still can't stop the run and have been lagging the past few weeks. Is Gannon hurt? Curtis Martin is the difference and Jets will win 2nd game in Oakland since 1962.

Baltimore @ Miami

Ravens sneak into the playoffs with a unispiring victory over the Vikings. Ravens defence still a factor but Grbacs' been hit and miss all season. If Fiedler doesn't get picked by Lewis late in the 4th for a TD, Miami moves on.

San Fran @ Green Bay

Packers are 12-0 in playoff games at home and Favre can shred any defence. Garcia has played a ton of playoff games under cold Canadian skies while the 49'er defence is on a roll. San Fran has to contain the running game for success. I think this is a low scoring affair and the best wildcard game. Home field, cold weather and a field goal puts GB 13-0.

Tampa Bay @ Philly

Eagles secondary should be able to contain the Bucs passing game and another late game rally wins it for Philly.

SB darkhorse pick: GB vs Pats

[This message has been edited by steveo (edited 01-08-2002).]

[AsAGod]

Stevo- I agree with your Jets Oak pick Jets Spec teams are the difference Jets win 17-10 I'm on the fence with the Balt Mia game, don't be suprised if Randall Cunningham gets the call. D'Fence is still the main factor, B'mores D is tired of carrying the team. Mia don't show up until the 4th qt most games it'll be close. SF loses to Dallas, that in it self should disqualify a team for a playoff birth. GB wins 26-10
TB philly, tough one. TB was my week one pick to win the SuperBowl, shows what I know. Philly won the last one, I think its payback time, this is a low scoring affair. 13-7 TB wins. Good topic. Something I know about http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
God is living Man

[ranchdog]

Gentlemen.....

How did you like the wild-card games yesterday !! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hope you didn't have your $$$$ down. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on.

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 01-13-2002).]

[steveo]

no money lost, I decided last week I wouldn't be betting on the playoffs because my track record this season has been a bit embarressing.
I missed the early game coz I was sleeping and the late game conflicted with Hockey Night in Canada (shameless plug). A bit surprised Oakland pulled it off and I neglected to realize TB is 0-21 when playing in temps near 40f. I expected a 7 point spread at the most.

[bassman]

Hmmmmm, sadly, I was in the middle of responding to this one when you first started it Steveo. But something came up and I had to go before I could post. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Some decent numbers put up here, in retrospect. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

All I can say is GO PACKERS http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

In the end???? Steelers/Packers 28/38 http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

------------------
Quotes from "Lifes Little Instruction Book" by H.Jackson Brown: 316) Learn to disagree without being disagreeable. Frank's Place (http://www.members.aol.com/frankscompsrvice)

[steveo]

my record...2/4

Round 2

Philly @ Da' Bears

Best season for the Bears since 1985. Sometimes I wonder how they're doing it but you can't argue with 13-3. Da' Bears are a well rounded team and if they get a early lead at home it becomes a tough task for opponents to rally back. McNair surprised me against TB and if he can move the pocket and find those running lanes Philly has a good chance to win. I like Chicago by 10.

Green Bay @ St. Louis

The best game of this round. Everyone believes that the Rams are unstoppable and the SB is basically theirs right now. If there's ever gonna be a big upset then this is it. Favre is awesome, defensive line is big pressure and the secondary killed San Fran at key moments of the game. Special teams iced it for GB. Rams have home field, Warner/Faulk, and Faulk is the bigger threat. Warner has tossed a lot of int's and if he does that against the Pack they have a great chance for victory. If Faulk gets 200+ yds total offence, Rams win. Out on a limb and GB by 3 in a dramatic high scoring affair.


Oakland @ NE

I'm surprised how the Raiders rose to the occasion against the Jets and Gannon the Cannon looked like MVP material again. Jerry Rice needs another huge day against the Pat's secondary for the win. NE seems like a team of destiny and they keep the football gods happy for another week with a 9 point victory over the Raiders.

Ravens @ Steelers.

Pittsburg dominated the Ravens this year on paper but the scores wouldn't indicate it. The keys for the Steelers are ball control and Bettis (who will definately play) running for a 100+ yds with the supporting backfield cast tossing in their yards and key blocks. Stewart can run better than any QB in the league. Ray Lewis is again the key player to snuff the run and those quick hitch passes. The Steeler's 3-4 defence is highly rated and they'll be forcing Grbac out of the pocket all day. Steeler special teams are shakey and if it comes down to FG's I'd be nervous in the service. Baltimore won't run against Pittsburgh like they did against a worn out Miami linebacking core so it'll be up to the Raven secondary to shut down Ward and Burris, both who gained 1000+ yds this season. This is Baltimore's last chance at greatness because the salary cap is gonna kill them next season. Pittsburg in front of thier fans on a great heated field wins by 10.

Bassman...***In the end???? Steelers/Packers 28/38***

It's not that far fetched. If the Pack had home field I would think thier chances are better than good to be in New Orleans. If they squeeze by the Rams...look out.

[mjc]

Steelers/Packers.......hmmm, that would be a game...to bad it couldn't be played in the ice and snow, both teams are traditionally "cold weather" teams, and a cold snowy windswept field would be a throwback to the glory days for both.

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[steveo]

my record 4/8

Philly @ St. Louis

Philly comes off a impressive win at Chicago. Although McNabb has proven he's a force to be reckoned with, it'll be the Eagles 4-3 defence that could be the difference. Whether or not they can mix things up giving Warner different looks while sending the blitz forcing the Ram's QB to either eat the ball or throw before he's ready will be a telling tale. Add to that the Eagle's corners match up well enough to negate the long ball. For the Ram's their defence looked awesome against GB and scored 28pts off of turnovers. Their offence is the best rated in football. Seems improbable that the Rams will lose this game but Warner's ribs are sore from a shot he took in the 4th quarter (why was he even in the game at that point?) so that may be something to consider. Faulk is the best at his position since Jim Brown. Who can stop him for 60 minutes? Although I picked GB over St. Louis I'm going with the Ram's to represent the NFC at New Orleans. Ram's by 14.

New England @ Pittsburg

The steelers have shown how well balanced thier offence is since Bettis went down with a groin injury 7 weeks ago. A freak occurance kept Bettis out of the Ravens game but is again cleared to play on Sunday. Gildon will probably start as a MRI showed nothing of concern. One of the keys to victory is the Steelers offensive line which is the best in football. This is what allows Pittsburgh to run the ball with success every week. The Steeler's 3-4 defence smothered the Ravens and was no surprise they gained only 22 yds rushing all day. The Pat's will not run on the Steelers which means it's up to Brady to hit receivers down field. The Pat's are in tough this weekend and need those football gods to come through one more time like they did with Oakland in the snow. If the game gets out of hand early it's over for the Pat's but they are incredible at making adjustments on the fly. The Pat's need to keep the score close in the 4th to win. This is the best Steeler team I've seen in a while and the cream always rises to the top. Steelers by 10.