Who will win the upcoming NFC Wild Card games? Vote and discuss the games.

[ January 02, 2006, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

Out of all the possible first round opponents, I'm most nervous about playing the Panthers.

Smith and Foster are unbelievably good, and the Giants have tackling issues and shitty cornerbacks.

Good thing we are at home where we generally play well. I'm hoping for the best and at least Eli is getting playoff experience early in his career.

Josh

I would not be surprised to see my Giants lay an egg next Sunday even at home. The Panthers have three things that could give the Giants trouble:

1. a good physical defense
2. a big time wide receiver
3. much more playoff experience at the QB position

The Panthers have been somewhat inconsistent lately. They are only 4-3 in their last 7 and lost earlier in the year to the Saints and Dolphins and just eeked out wins over the Packers, Lions and Bills. I like the Giants in this one.

Carolina had a better road record than home record and two years ago won consecutive road games to reach the Super Bowl. I'm not sure Manning's ready yet to win a playoff game.

I'm pulling for my Giants, but have a bad feeling about the game. Smith is the type of WR who gives Big Blue fits. The whole tean, especially the defensive line, has looked ragged the past month or so, and Manning, who's also looked a bit shaky of late, is making his first playoff start.

The Panthers don't care if it's at home or on the road, they'll be that gutty team that might let you put a couple of touchdowns on the board first but in the end, they'll be right there with you and beat you by a FG. They made a statement yesterday that they are ready for the playoffs and in a matchup of playoff experience vs. Eli Manning, I'll take the former.

If the Bucs establish a run game with the Cadillac and help Simms to manage the game properly, I don't see the Skins beating them at Raymond James.

Pretty even split in our votes for Panthers-Giants. A more decisive margin for the Bucs over the Skins. My picks:

Panthers 23, Giants 16
Bucs 27, Skins 13

I don't really like either of the teams playing right now but it's playoff football so I watch. But Jesus H. Christ will somebody tell Moe, Larry and Curly to shut the f**k up for 2 freakin seconds!

eek!

So far in the first half Washington has done it all with defense against the Bucs causing an interception, fumble and three sacks of Simms. The offense has not been that great on either end.

I have the sound down and I'm listening to my iPod. I learn so much more that way.

The fumble return for TD was terrible -- Simms stood there like an idiot instead of diving to either recover it or keep the Washington player from getting it before help arrived. The two first-half turnovers for their TDs are all the Redskins have had, basically. That and a moron who spits on an opponent right in front of the referee and gets thrown out of the game. If Gibbs has any guts he'd cut Taylor tomorrow.

Great defensive struggle. Yeah Washington's offense has been anorexic but thats why it helps to have a solid defense that takes advantage of takeaways. The year the Ravens won the super bowl their offense was even worse than the Redskins but their defense was a beast. Bucs have made some unfortunate mistakes and the turnovers have been the difference in the game.

Oooo...Brunell just threw an interception with 3:44 to go on third down. He was scrambling and threw the ball into the middle of coverage and had it picked. What a brain fart.

Well congrats to Washington. I love a team with a great defense and I'll tell you...they are on fire right now. I would not want to have to face that defense right now. I can see them beating Seattle with that defense because I have always said that if you can take Alexander out of the picture Seattle really isn't all that. Who cares if they set the record for the lowest offense production in playoff history? The team that they just took that record from....the Baltimore Ravens the year they won the Super Bowl. Put the Cadillac in the garage until next year. Go Skins!!

Chris Simms = Mike McMahon. Well, maybe a little better than that, but...

Or was just the thought of T.O. becoming a Buc next year enough to curse them? wink

Too funny, Joe.

SPIT ON!!!!!

Are you saying Gibbs condones spitting? If that's so he's just as classless as his player, plus he'd be an utter hypocrite to boot.

Hi.

This just in.

If you want your fans to make noise and have an impact on the game...

Don't hand them pretty white and red flags to waive throughout the game.

Waiving a flag does not make noise.

Oh wait, it's Tampa.

Nevermind.

Spitting should equal suspension for the next game. Classless.

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't remember a team winning a playoff game with basically 100 yards of offense. As long as Washington's defense keeps playing like it is, I think they win next week in Seattle.

They set the record for fewest yards of offense in a win, so that's why you can't remember it -- it's never happened before. wink The 2000 Ravens who set the prior record of 134 yards were an offensive juggernaut by comparison.

The Bucs gave the game away. If the Seahawks don't make mistakes they'll win easily.

First off, Sean Taylor said he didn't spit.


But assuming he did, according to one of the Redskins post game shows, spitting isn't an ejectionable offense. If it isn't, the officials aren't allowed to just make up the rules as they go along.

Also, assuming that he did, what did Pittman say before the spit? And whatever excuse is made for Pittman, "it's only words", also would apply to Taylor because, "it's only spit". Michael Pittman hit Sean Taylor. That is, clearly, undeniably, a penalty.

http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0MCXE3B...S41INEMM5PC77E1

..and if you look at the clip (which I downloaded from another site), Michael Pittman's hands are far from clean in this incident.

[ January 07, 2006, 08:43 PM: Message edited by: PCC ]

Yeah, Taylor is sure to tell the truth. Stop making excuses for your classless player.

Of course, you know exactly what happened!

...and, if you want excuses, talk to a Bucs fan. Redskins 17 Buccaneers 10 is the only "excuse" the Redskins need.

The official was involved from the very beginning of this and was extremely close to the situation. I would defer to his call as he is the expert and I'm sure he controlled the situation as he saw fit.

Being 2 a.m. Tampa time after a long day of boozin, hootin and hollerin, I think this was god's way of telling me enough is enough. My body cannot take anymore! lol

In the end, Skins won. Tip of da hat to em. My boys have NOTHING to be ashamed of. They have flown under the radar most of the season. Kudos to Simms, Cadillac Williams and our young talents I cannot wait to see more of in the future.

At this point I have to root for Seattle. They are like the Bucs twin sister, coming into the league in Expansion the same year.

C'mon Hawks!

The Redskins won that game fair and square, though I think Taylor SHOULD have been tossed for spitting on Pittman. I don't believe for a second he didn't spit on the guy, though I thought Pittman should have been penalised for hitting Taylor as well.

Let's hope the Seahawks choke again this Saturday!

I admit I'm surprised. Sure, I was cheering for the Skins, but I didn't actually expect them to win, especially with that terrible offense performance. I couldn't be more delighted that they pulled it out and I guess in the end, a win is a win is a win. So, next week they play the Seahawks. The Skins did beat them the last time they played (here in DC), but the Seahawks are undefeated at home this year. It should be a good game. At any rate, let's hope the offense shows up next week.

Anthony

The last time I looked none of the Redskins postgame shows created any of the NFL Rules the game is governed by.

The Official NFL Rules state that the referees can assess the following for Unsportsmanlike conduct:

15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.

Actually, if you watch the clip, Mike Carey wasn't looking when the "spit" took place. He responded to Pittman hitting Taylor, which he definitely saw.

A penalty that he definitely saw, yet didn't call.

It certainly wasn't great football but we saw what two excellent coaches can do with mediocre takent. It was a fun game to watch. Cadillac Williams is tentative; perhaps it is his inexperience but I thought that his fumble and the interception early on made the difference. Tough to come back against a Gibbs coached team under the best of circumstances.

The Conference is Seattle's to lose.

Good call PCC, but why?

This Giants/Panthers game is pretty one sided to the Panthers favor but 10 points is nothing. The time of possession is ridiculously in Carolina's favor, yet the Giants are only down 10 points. Half way through the third quarter this game is still up for grabs in my opinion. 1 turnover by the Panthers for a touchdown by NY and you've got a whole new ball game. Carolina's game plan is working well though. They have contained Tiki Barber and Eli isn't doing all that great in his playoff debut.

Not 5 seconds after hitting add post did Eli throw an interception and then the Panthers score to make it 17-0. That stretches the score a bit and puts Carolina in a pretty good spot. The Giants have to be dejected about that as is Eli. Tiki Barber hasn't broken any big run and Eli's just not throwing the ball well today.

[ January 08, 2006, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

this game is a f**king embarrassment

it's plagued us all year, but these missed tackles are f**king ridiculous....a f**king joke....

this whole game is one f**king joke

[ January 08, 2006, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: js1metsfan ]

Hey JS1, do you think Coughlin is the right man for the job? It seems to me the Giants have played without passion or urgency all day. I know they're professional athletes, but do you feel Coughlin needs to motivate more?

I don't think Coughlin is at fault. I think he's a decent coach and a good motivator. Today the whole team just flat out sucked in all facets. Besides...the coaching carousel that's out there doesn't intrigue me for any potential replacements.

josh

ELI-minated!!!! 1 and DONE!! What an impressive showing by the NFC East Champ Vagiants! Go Carolina!!

[ January 08, 2006, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

what a stupid game. i should've watched the knicks at madison instead.

[ January 08, 2006, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: gomets29 ]

Good game, Giants! First time a home playoff team has been shutout since Tampa Bay in 1980.

Based on your past record and complete absence of credibility, it's obvious that Carey made the right call.

I disagree. They gave the game away to an incredibly mediocre team. Flat-out gave it away. You should hope that they're haunted by it and use it as motivation for next season.

You'd have to ask him, that is, unless the Rules Committee has made "retaliation" infractions, ok.

It would be good if they let the players know that.

Retaliation, assuming there was a spitting, in the first place. wink

Let's look at the resume of this “mediocre” team:

• Currently on a six game winning streak.
• 5-1 in the NFC East – The best divisional record
• 10-2 in the NFC – The best conference record (tied with Seattle and Chicago, teams this “mediocre” team have already beaten)
• Strength of Schedule 4th in the NFL (Chicago, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Seattle had the 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd , respectively, SOS in this 32 team league).
• 10 games against teams that finished with winning records - The most in the NFC (tied with Philadelphia and we all know how they finished. Seattle had 5 games of these games.)
• ...and, most importantly, still playing

Mediocre? Hardly.

[ January 08, 2006, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: PCC ]