Spider2024
Patti Mayonnaise
Dedicated 6,666th post to Irontyger
I believe in Joe Hendry.
Posts: 39,203
|
Post by Spider2024 on Jan 1, 2018 15:22:12 GMT -5
The National Football League postseason is set. 12 teams will battle, one will win Super Bowl 52.
Here's the schedule for the Wild Card Weekend:
Saturday, January 6, 4:35 PM #5 Tennessee Titans at #4 Kansas City Chiefs on ESPN & ABC
Saturday, January 6, 8:15 PM #6 Atlanta Falcons at #3 Los Angeles Rams on NBC
Sunday, January 7, 1:05 PM #6 Buffalo Bills at #3 Jacksonville Jaguars on CBS
Sunday, January 7, 4:40 PM #5 Carolina Panthers at #4 New Orleans Saints on FOX
.
Waiting for fresh meat in 2 weeks:
#1 New England Patriots #2 Pittsburgh Steelers
#1 Philadelphia Eagles #2 Minnesota Vikings
|
|
Matt
El Dandy
Posts: 8,579
|
Post by Matt on Jan 2, 2018 11:36:04 GMT -5
No matter what happens to the Bills on Sunday at least the awful playoff drought has ended. I am casiously optimistic with how the Jags have looked lately but I won't be crushed if the Bills don't win.
|
|
Ben Wyatt
Crow T. Robot
Are You Gonna Go My Way?
I don't get it. At all. It's kind of a small horse, I mean what am I missing? Am I crazy?
Posts: 41,483
|
Post by Ben Wyatt on Jan 2, 2018 11:57:34 GMT -5
#5 Tennessee Titans at #4 Kansas City Chiefs
I have no idea how Tennessee got into the playoffs. KC has looked either awesome or terrible. Which version of them shows up Saturday is going to determine the winner. It's at home, so I think the Good KC shows up.
Chiefs 27 Titans 17
#6 Atlanta Falcons at #3 Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta got in because someone had to between them and the under-performing SeaHawks. LA looks like they're legit.
Rams 30 Falcons 14
#6 Buffalo Bills at #3 Jacksonville Jaguars
Buffalo has injuries, but they have some guts to 'em. I absolutely do NOT trust Bortles in the spotlight.
Bills 24 Jacksonville 20
#5 Carolina Panthers at #4 New Orleans Saints
Flip a coin. When in doubt, take the home team
Saints 35 Panthers 27
|
|
|
Post by OGBoardPoster2005 on Jan 2, 2018 13:36:41 GMT -5
Playoff Predictions:
AFC:
Wild Card:
Chiefs over Titans - Tennessee's defense may keep them in, but the Chiefs have too much fire power.
Bills over Jaguars - I see an upset here. Jacksonville has looked rough since the Seattle game and Buffalo seems to be playing a bit more inspired. I think a low-scoring slugfest ensues with the Bills winning.
NFC:
Wild Card:
Falcons over Rams - This will come down to experience, the Falcons are still flying high in their prime while the Rams are too young and not ready to shine. Atlanta takes this by a touchdown or two.
Saints over Panthers - Gonna be an interesting one. If the good Cam Newton shows up, the Panthers will win, but I think New Orleans will be hyped and ready to go. Saints take it.
AFC:
Divisional Round:
Patriots over Bills - I think there will be a more competitive game than before. I think Buffalo stays with them early on, but New England guts one away late to advance to another AFC Championship.
Steelers over Chiefs - I see a competitive game brewing here. The Steelers though have just too many weapons for the Chiefs to overcome, wearing them out in the end to return to the AFC Championship.
NFC:
Divisional Round:
Falcons over Eagles - Philly's defense is playing a tad bit better, but the Falcons have been shown to play well on their own. I feel like the Falcons experience in the playoffs and running game shreds Philly and Atlanta returns to the NFC Championship.
Vikings over Saints - I feel like while New Orleans is better this time than their Week 1 encounter, that the Vikes defense is too much for the Saints. I expect it to be a close, low-scoring game, with the Vikings grinding out a win.
AFC Championship:
Patriots over Steelers - The Steelers can't cover Gronk, they can't win in Foxborough, so I suspect their stereotypes come true and the Pats go back to the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship:
Falcons over Vikings - Minny may be motivated but Atlanta is experienced and has more big time players. I feel like this Falcons squad is more battle-tested than a Vikings team and that will be key to them winning.
Super Bowl LII: Falcons over Patriots - Atlanta gets revenge ala Golden State ala Clemson. Atlanta remembers the run game exists and their defense lasts out longer, Atlanta is your Super Bowl Champion.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2018 13:56:52 GMT -5
For the Wild Card
Chiefs Jaguars Rams Saints
|
|
BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,897
|
Post by BRV on Jan 2, 2018 17:41:04 GMT -5
I'll explain in greater detail later this week when I make my picks, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the winner of Saturday night's Falcons at Rams game will be the NFC representative in Super Bowl LII.
|
|
fw91
Patti Mayonnaise
FAN Idol All-Star: FAN Idol Season X and *Gavel* 2x Judges' Throwdown winner
Tribe has spoken for 2024 Mets
Posts: 38,920
Member is Online
|
Post by fw91 on Jan 2, 2018 18:46:31 GMT -5
If Falcons can get past the Rams, I think they'll run the table in the NFC. If not them, then the Saints. Brees and Ryan are too high caliber of QB's compared to the rest of the field.
|
|
|
Post by cabbageboy on Jan 2, 2018 18:54:29 GMT -5
Nah, the Falcons just aren't all that much this year. I'm not sure why exactly but they've just never clicked all year. I still am unsure of the Rams though. If ATL can figure out a way past this one though I might like their chances vs. Philly minus Wentz. Basically I would like the Saints, Panthers, or Falcons over the Eagles right now. It's tough to beat the same team 3 times but Carolina does nothing for me this year so I'll take the Saints. Only the Pats have beaten them at home and Carolina has overachieved by about 2 games this year.
The AFC side is dire. It is imperative that we be rid of the Bills and Titans as soon as possible, but I've ranted on that one enough. Neither team is any good and neither belongs in the playoffs, but thanks to tiebreakers and chokes the Ravens and Chargers aren't in despite being fairly obviously better. Still, NE vs. KC II and Pitt vs. JAX II could be at least decent. Who cares about seeing the Pats destroy the Bills for a 3rd time? Or Pittsburgh wax the Titans again?
|
|
AdamAFL was sooooo wrong
Hank Scorpio
note to all: he's a pants-less heathen
I Survived The Impact Spoilers 7/22/15-7/30/15
Posts: 7,095
|
Post by AdamAFL was sooooo wrong on Jan 2, 2018 20:00:29 GMT -5
My predictions (all the way):
Wild Card:
Chiefs over Titans Jags over Bills Rams over Falcons Saints over Panthers
Divisional:
New England over Chiefs Steelers over Jags Vikings over Rams Saints over Eagles
Conference:
Steelers over Patriots Vikings over Saints
Super Bowl:
Minnesota over Pittsburgh
|
|
|
Post by Duke Cameron on Jan 2, 2018 22:17:29 GMT -5
Chiefs over Titans Rams over Falcons Jaguars over Bills Saints over Panthers
Patriots over Chiefs Steelers over Jaguars Vikings over Rams Saints over Eagles
Patriots over Steelers Vikings over Saints
Patriots over Vikings
|
|
|
Post by Toilet Paper Roll on Jan 2, 2018 22:32:34 GMT -5
If Falcons can get past the Rams, I think they'll run the table in the NFC. If not them, then the Saints. Brees and Ryan are too high caliber of QB's compared to the rest of the field.
Matt Ryan was woefully mediocre this season. Goff and Keenum were both better.
|
|
Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
Posts: 38,466
|
Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jan 3, 2018 1:24:35 GMT -5
WILD CARD:
Jaguars over Bills Titans over Chiefs Rams over Falcons Saints over Panthers
DIVISION:
Jaguars over Steelers Patriots over Titans Vikings over Rams Saints over Eagles
CONFERENCE:
Patriots over Jaguars Vikings over Saints
SUPER BOWL 52:
Patriots over Vikings (but I will not be surprised at all if the opposite happens)
|
|
Unocal 76
King Koopa
Providing The Finest Oil
Posts: 12,687
|
Post by Unocal 76 on Jan 3, 2018 1:38:01 GMT -5
I know it's easy to dismiss Atlanta's chances, but their defense has carried them in the 2nd half of the season and playoff experience cannot be discounted.
As much as I am rooting against a SB rematch, we can't just assume the Falcons are a lock to lose easily
|
|
Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
Posts: 38,466
|
Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jan 3, 2018 1:49:06 GMT -5
I know it's easy to dismiss Atlanta's chances, but their defense has carried them in the 2nd half of the season and playoff experience cannot be discounted. As much as I am rooting against a SB rematch, we can't just assume the Falcons are a lock to lose easily Maybe, but I think the Rams are just too good right now.
|
|
Ben Wyatt
Crow T. Robot
Are You Gonna Go My Way?
I don't get it. At all. It's kind of a small horse, I mean what am I missing? Am I crazy?
Posts: 41,483
|
Post by Ben Wyatt on Jan 3, 2018 8:06:50 GMT -5
I know it's easy to dismiss Atlanta's chances, but their defense has carried them in the 2nd half of the season and playoff experience cannot be discounted. As much as I am rooting against a SB rematch, we can't just assume the Falcons are a lock to lose easily Atlanta has looked woefully fragile at times this season, and with the NFC being pretty stacked, I just can't see them getting all the way back.
|
|
|
Post by Ganon83 on Jan 3, 2018 12:31:58 GMT -5
I'd be surprised if Atlanta gets past the Vikings.
Carolina is streaky and could be a dangerous team these next three weeks
|
|
|
Post by Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen on Jan 3, 2018 23:33:19 GMT -5
For me, the NFC is wide open. The AFC is pretty much between the Pats and Steelers, so I'll take Pats.
|
|
BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,897
|
Post by BRV on Jan 4, 2018 20:35:46 GMT -5
Anyway, here are my predictions for the first weekend of playoff football:
- Kansas City 27, Tennessee 9: The Titans slumped their way into the playoffs and are already undermanned wit DeMarco Murray ruled out for Saturday afternoon's tilt. Without Murray, they're even more reliant on Marcus Mariota, who woefully under-performed in 2017. While the Chiefs didn't exactly coast in November and December, they're the far superior team in this matchup and they're the kind of team that is built for January football with a strong running game that can consume time of possession and a defense that can give opposing offenses headaches.
- Los Angeles Rams 34, Atlanta 31: With Nick Foles starting for the no. 1 seed Eagles and Case Keenum bound to turn into a pumpkin for the no. 2 seed Vikings, this game takes on even more importance, as I strongly believe the winning teams from the NFC's Wild Card weekend slate will match up in the NFC Championship Game. I like how solid the Rams are in all three phases of the game but Atlanta seems to have done the best they can to put the Super Bowl LI collapse behind them, having won six of their final eight games. This should be a fun, fast-paced track meet.
- Jacksonville 19, Buffalo 10: Both of these teams need to ugly up the game to win and this one could be a throwback to those three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust games from the John Facenda era of NFL Films. Buffalo's woeful run defense could get gashed by the Jaguars' run-first offense, but if they can contain Leonard Fournette et al and put the game on Blake Bortles' right arm, they could pull an upset. But even then, they'll need to count on an offense that could be without LeSean McCoy to put points on the board.
- New Orleans 27, Carolina 21: This isn't the prototypical Saints team, as they now have a defense and running game that is good enough to prevent Drew Brees from having to serve as a one-man show. Carolina, meanwhile, is one of those teams that seems good enough at everything but not great at one thing. New Orleans' two wins over Carolina earlier this season, by a combined 31 points, are what has me leaning toward the boys from the Bayou in this contest.
|
|
|
Post by cabbageboy on Jan 4, 2018 23:17:33 GMT -5
I've been fairly dismissive of Minnesota but really they just feel like the most consistent team in the NFC. Other than a semi shaky 3 point win over the Bears I can't think of any dubious victories or ultra poor performances aside from the Steelers manhandling them. With the storyline that the Vikings can play the Super Bowl at home it would make for a nice story if they got there.
|
|
BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,897
|
Post by BRV on Jan 5, 2018 17:50:35 GMT -5
I've been fairly dismissive of Minnesota but really they just feel like the most consistent team in the NFC. Other than a semi shaky 3 point win over the Bears I can't think of any dubious victories or ultra poor performances aside from the Steelers manhandling them. With the storyline that the Vikings can play the Super Bowl at home it would make for a nice story if they got there. I've been waiting all season for the Vikings to collapse and for Case Keenum's Cinderella season to become a pumpkin. And I've been proven wrong for essentially the entirety of the season. They won 11 of their last 12, with seven of those 12 games coming on the road. They're built for playoff football with a dominant defense that has blue-chippers at all three levels, an effective running game, and a passing offense that has enough weapons. While their defense isn't as good as the 2000 Ravens or 2002 Buccaneers, Keenum is better than Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson. He might not single-handedly win any games and he most likely won't pull a Joe Flacco in 2012, but he's OK enough that the rest of the Vikings roster can compensate for whatever he can't accomplish.
|
|