Ok so the SD-DEN gane is officially over but it's 38-13 with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. So here are the games for the Wild card weekend:
Saturday
Falcons at Cardinals
Colts at Chargers
Sunday
Ravens at Dolphins
Eagles at Vikings
I can easliy see all four road teams being favored and winning these games though I'll obviously be rooting for the Vikes to burst my theory.It is ridiculous that an 8-8 Chargers team and a 9-7 Cardinals team will get home playoff games but thems the rules. Predictions anyone?
Full Version: NFL Playoffs
I wouldn't mind if the team with the poorer regular season record got to play at home every time, or at least make it random. It might make the games more interesting, and give a slight edge to those teams which play better away from home, as the Eagles have done in the past.
This year they're 8-8 overall and 4-4 away (I'm counting that tie against the Bengals as a win for the Birds
) making them a very balanced team. 
Seriously though, I don't have much hope for them against the Vikings.
Of the others I'm hoping the Falcons and Colts play to form, and that the Dolphins can pull it off. Pennington has still got a lot to prove.
This year they're 8-8 overall and 4-4 away (I'm counting that tie against the Bengals as a win for the Birds
) making them a very balanced team. Seriously though, I don't have much hope for them against the Vikings.
Of the others I'm hoping the Falcons and Colts play to form, and that the Dolphins can pull it off. Pennington has still got a lot to prove.
QUOTE(sportinlife @ Dec 29 2008, 07:52 AM) 
This year they're 8-8 overall and 4-4 away (I'm counting that tie against the Bengals as a win for the Birds
) making them a very balanced team. The Eagles were 6-2 at home and 9-6-1 overall (or 10-6 if you're counting the Bengals tie as a win, and it sort of was, as it turned out -- if the Eagles had a 9-7 record one of the other 9-7 teams would be in the playoffs based on the tiebreakers).
There's no team that can be considered really dominant this year. Even the teams with the best records have some weaknesses that can be exploited.
For this weekend's games my immediate knee-jerk reaction is to go with all the road teams. I don't know if that will pan out, though.
Falcons
Colts
Dolphins
Vikings
Colts
Dolphins
Vikings
Cards
Chargers
Ravens
Eagles
Chargers
Ravens
Eagles
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Dec 29 2008, 04:42 PM)
The Eagles were 6-2 at home and 9-6-1 overall (or 10-6 if you're counting the Bengals tie as a win, and it sort of was, as it turned out -- if the Eagles had a 9-7 record one of the other 9-7 teams would be in the playoffs based on the tiebreakers).
I'm gonna do a John McCain here and say "I just screwed up." Wonder if that'll get me on the late night show.
Glad I'm not running for president. But I'll stick with:
Vikings
Falcons
Colts
Dolphins
Based purely on desires, not facts.
Eagles
Falcons
Colts
Baltimore
Falcons
Colts
Baltimore
Yesterday it was reported that 20,000 tickets were available for the Eagles-Vikings game. Out of curiosity I just checked Ticketmaster and put in a request for 6 tickets, best seats available. Not only can you get 6 seats in a row, but they were in the lower level near the 30 yard line. Wow.
I think it's sad that both Minnesota and Arizona still have not sold out all their playoff tickets. Perhaps Phoenix is not a traditional football town but Minneapolis has a long tradition with the NFL. I doubt this would happen with any of the east coast teams.
Playoff tickets
Playoff tickets
An update:
QUOTE
The NFL has given the Minnesota Vikings one last chance to sell out the Metrodome for Sunday's playoff game against Philadelphia.
The Vikings have until 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday to sell the remaining 3,100 tickets to avoid a television blackout in local markets.
The task isn't as daunting as it appeared earlier in the week. The Vikings were granted their first extension on Thursday and still had a whopping 8,000 tickets to unload to avoid the first blackout since 1997.
But the team made big strides, selling nearly 5,000 tickets as of Friday afternoon. The remaining tickets are priced $80, $120 and $160 a piece. It's the first time the Vikings have been in the playoffs since the 2004 season.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have sold enough tickets to Saturday's game against the Atlanta Falcons for it to be televised in the Phoenix area.
The NFL gave the team two 24-hour extensions, the last expiring Friday afternoon. About 2,400 tickets remained Friday morning.
Tickets returned from the visiting team allotment and club seats remain available for purchase. Neither counts against the blackout rules.
The Vikings have until 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday to sell the remaining 3,100 tickets to avoid a television blackout in local markets.
The task isn't as daunting as it appeared earlier in the week. The Vikings were granted their first extension on Thursday and still had a whopping 8,000 tickets to unload to avoid the first blackout since 1997.
But the team made big strides, selling nearly 5,000 tickets as of Friday afternoon. The remaining tickets are priced $80, $120 and $160 a piece. It's the first time the Vikings have been in the playoffs since the 2004 season.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have sold enough tickets to Saturday's game against the Atlanta Falcons for it to be televised in the Phoenix area.
The NFL gave the team two 24-hour extensions, the last expiring Friday afternoon. About 2,400 tickets remained Friday morning.
Tickets returned from the visiting team allotment and club seats remain available for purchase. Neither counts against the blackout rules.
So my immediate knee-jerk reaction was that all the road teams will win, and I still feel that way. However, I wouldn't be too shocked if Atlanta and Baltimore lose because of their rookie QBs. You just don't know how they'll react to the postseason until they play in it. However, Baltimore's defense is ferocious and Atlanta's playing a lousy Arizona team.
I also wouldn't be too shocked if Bad Andy Reid shows up and throws the ball constantly. The Vikings are good at run defense (although better early in the year than at the end) and not good at pass defense. If Bad Andy shows up, it will be a mistake because I think that, no matter what, a certain amount of balance is still needed in order to keep the defense guessing.
I also wouldn't be too shocked if Bad Andy Reid shows up and throws the ball constantly. The Vikings are good at run defense (although better early in the year than at the end) and not good at pass defense. If Bad Andy shows up, it will be a mistake because I think that, no matter what, a certain amount of balance is still needed in order to keep the defense guessing.
Joe...you're absolutely right. I said that the x factor for both Baltimore and Atlanta will be if the rookies QBs, who have played so well during the regular season, will make some "rookie" mistakes with the pressure of win or go home. Matt Ryan did. So thats 1 incorrect for me so far as I picked all road team wins. Hopefully Flacco will continue the smart play he has conducted in the regular season. Good for the Cardinals though. First home playoff game since the 1940s? Sheesh.
Congrats to the Chargers. Who would've thought this 4-8 hot mess would somehow get into the playoffs. Not only do they get in, but knock off a team who won 9 straight. At least talk of a possible Manning bowl can now stop. Last thing I feel like hearing is talk about that ad nauseum. I wonder if Dungy retires this year. Anywho...that was a very good game. That series of penalties at the end was crazy though. Hate to see a good game come down to some stupid penalities. Had Indianapolis converted on a 3rd and 2 right before the 2 minute warning they would've been in the locker room. Huge breakdown to allow Manning to get sacked. But, oh well. Well...I predicted road teams would go 4-0. So far I'm 0-2. Baltimore and Philly gotta come through for me tomorrow.
Ryan didn't play horribly but he made enough mistakes that cost Atlanta.
As for the Chargers, it was a good win. But I think the Colts' win streak masked a flawed team. They never really looked like the dominant team they used to look like.
The Vikings finally sold out the game tomorrow, though some tickets are actually still available (including some returned by the Eagles). We'll see how green it is in the purple land tomorrow.
They had so many tickets to sell because only 55 percent of their season-ticket holders bought playoff tickets. With the economy being so bad, it's hard to say how much of this was because their fans are struggling financially or if they just bailed out on their team.
As for the Chargers, it was a good win. But I think the Colts' win streak masked a flawed team. They never really looked like the dominant team they used to look like.
The Vikings finally sold out the game tomorrow, though some tickets are actually still available (including some returned by the Eagles). We'll see how green it is in the purple land tomorrow.
They had so many tickets to sell because only 55 percent of their season-ticket holders bought playoff tickets. With the economy being so bad, it's hard to say how much of this was because their fans are struggling financially or if they just bailed out on their team.
QUOTE(mdterp01 @ Jan 3 2009, 10:38 PM)
Congrats to the Chargers. Who would've thought this 4-8 hot mess would somehow get into the playoffs. Not only do they get in, but knock off a team who won 9 straight.
Thanks, the whole run is beyond surprising for me, but hey I'm enjoying the ride.
And who knows? Maybe Baltimore and San Diego could meet up in the AFCCG. It would atone for our divisional gackfests 2 years ago
The Vikings finally sold out the game tomorrow, though some tickets are actually still available (including some returned by the Eagles). We'll see how green it is in the purple land tomorrow.
They had so many tickets to sell because only 55 percent of their season-ticket holders bought playoff tickets. With the economy being so bad, it's hard to say how much of this was because their fans are struggling financially or if they just bailed out on their team.
[/quote]
The buzz on the local radio stations is that it's strictly financial. A few callers indicated that the vikings wanted season ticket holders to by tickets to both the divisional games and the NFC championship game. These fans said that was just too much money to lay out around xmas given the poor state of the economy.
I don't think it's a question of bailing out.
Josh
They had so many tickets to sell because only 55 percent of their season-ticket holders bought playoff tickets. With the economy being so bad, it's hard to say how much of this was because their fans are struggling financially or if they just bailed out on their team.
[/quote]
The buzz on the local radio stations is that it's strictly financial. A few callers indicated that the vikings wanted season ticket holders to by tickets to both the divisional games and the NFC championship game. These fans said that was just too much money to lay out around xmas given the poor state of the economy.
I don't think it's a question of bailing out.
Josh
Well, the road teams came through today.
The Eagles certainly didn't have an easy time as many people around here thought they would. They did stop Adrian Peterson except for the 40-yard TD run -- take that away and he had 19 carries for 43 yards, an average of 2.3 per run. They had more trouble stopping Chester Taylor in the first half than Peterson, really.
Offensively, as I suspected he would, Bad Andy showed up at times. They didn't try to run enough early, and then when they did it was at the wrong time -- example, after hitting a series of passes to the tight ends over the middle, they ran for 2 plays in a row. And that idiotic throw for an INT in the last 2 minutes of the first half...
They'll have to play much, much, much better to beat the Giants next week.
The Eagles certainly didn't have an easy time as many people around here thought they would. They did stop Adrian Peterson except for the 40-yard TD run -- take that away and he had 19 carries for 43 yards, an average of 2.3 per run. They had more trouble stopping Chester Taylor in the first half than Peterson, really.
Offensively, as I suspected he would, Bad Andy showed up at times. They didn't try to run enough early, and then when they did it was at the wrong time -- example, after hitting a series of passes to the tight ends over the middle, they ran for 2 plays in a row. And that idiotic throw for an INT in the last 2 minutes of the first half...
They'll have to play much, much, much better to beat the Giants next week.
i thought the reid-mcnabb era is over?
QUOTE(phillyrunner @ Jan 2 2009, 04:07 AM)
I think it's sad that both Minnesota and Arizona still have not sold out all their playoff tickets. Perhaps Phoenix is not a traditional football town but Minneapolis has a long tradition with the NFL. I doubt this would happen with any of the east coast teams.
Playoff tickets
Not only is Arizona not a traditional football team, but the average person doesn't even know we have a football team. It's just not something they care about. I've been exiled her for over 5 years.
Being from San Diego, I marvel at their climb out of the doldrums into a bunch of great wins. And without LT last night. The little guy, Sproles, played phenomenal football.
Well they say a win is a win and with that the Eagles move on to round two. But if they play the same way next week as they did against the Vikings, the outcome may not be the same. I don't have a problem with Andy sticking to the run, something he has always abandoned in the past when it's not working. But I think it would be more effective if he incorporated Buckhalter in more run plays instead of having Westrbrook do all the work. Brian could be used on more short pass plays when Buckhalter is a threat to run. The Eagles moved the ball between the 20s but couldn't produce TDs within, and had to settle for 4 field goals. That may work in the Metrodome, but in the Meadowlands the conditions probably won't be as favorable. I expect to see a traditional NFC east battle to the end next Sunday.
Titans
Panthers
Eagles
Chargers
Panthers
Eagles
Chargers
QUOTE(Maddog @ Jan 9 2009, 10:41 PM)
Titans
Panthers
Eagles
Chargers
Maddog, I am lovin' the kudos for the Eagles and Chargers. I hope it goes that way.
Colts
Chargers
Panthers
Giants
What the hey!
Chargers
Panthers
Giants
What the hey!
QUOTE(sportinlife @ Jan 10 2009, 05:32 AM)
Colts
Chargers
Panthers
Giants
What the hey!
Chargers
Panthers
Giants
What the hey!
I don't know Sporty. I think last week mighta been the last week for the Colts.
BTW: I love this Seth Wickersham guy...
I'm going with upsets, mostly. Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, Steelers. (Yes, this is being posted as the Ravens-Titans is going on, but it's 7-7 so it's still anyone's game.)
WTG Ravens! I guess San Diego gets another home game next week.
At the half it looks like Carolina believed all the hype and forgot to show up for the game.
Nope...don't want to play the Baltimore Ravens right now. This is the same kind of under the radar Ravens squad that won the Super Bowl in 2001. Rookie QB Joe Flacco has not exactly played two stellar playoff games, but the Baltimore defense is so amazing at creating turnovers. The Titans made way too many penalties and mistakes. I'm sure there will be crying about the delay of game that wasn't called late in the game that helped Baltimore get in better field position but...oh well. Once again...having a week off isn't always the best thing. I surely wouldn't want to play Baltimore right now.
As for Carolina...see above re: having the bye week lol.
I think Jake needs to be checked for colorblindness. Good grief!! Happy Birthday chico!! Hopefully he'll get sauced and laid tonight.
As for Carolina...see above re: having the bye week lol.
I think Jake needs to be checked for colorblindness. Good grief!! Happy Birthday chico!! Hopefully he'll get sauced and laid tonight.
If I didn't know any better I would say that Jake "John Malkovich" Delhomme has some kind of mafia debt. What a tremendously disappointing game.
I had a hunch Arizona would win, but in a rout? Wow. Now, if the Eagles can get by the Giants tomorrow, they'd have a trip to Arizona, which would make a certain Philly Fan I know 
very happy.
very happy.
Since when did Jake Delhomme become an inexperienced rookie? I mean 5 interceptions (one short of a playoff record) from a guy who is usually more conservative with passing. He accounted for six turnovers in total. Perhaps it was an Arizona defense that finally stepped up it's game, the same defense that gave up 85 points to the Eagles and Giants in the regular season. When they meet one of these next two opponents which Arizona team will show up?
Am hoping the Giants/Eagles game is at least half as interesting as the Ravens/Titans game was, should be something...looking forward to it.
QUOTE(hockeyTom @ Jan 11 2009, 08:30 AM)
Am hoping the Giants/Eagles game is at least half as interesting as the Ravens/Titans game was, should be something...looking forward to it.
I agree ht. That was an exciting game. The bf & I watched both games yesterday. He's in a pool w/ several friends & he's gone from near the bottom of the list to being tied for 2nd. Fingers crossed for him.
Edited to add:
Although that play clock in the Ravens/Titans game did seem to expire b4 Flacco received the snap towards the end of the game.
Ugh, Big Blue really hurt themselves with two stupid penalties around a bad interception of Eli. Step it up, boys!
QUOTE(SCTrojan @ Jan 11 2009, 11:48 AM)
Edited to add:
Although that play clock in the Ravens/Titans game did seem to expire b4 Flacco received the snap towards the end of the game.
It did expire. It had expired for more than just an eye blink too. I don't know how they missed that and apparently some committee in which Jeff Fisher is a part of will meet to review the rule. They make a good point though. Basketball goes back to review the clock. But all the commentators pointed out that the Titans killed themselves with turnovers in scoring range. So it shouldn't have even come down to that.
YEAH PHILLY!!!!!! Never before has an NFC 6 seed upset the 1 seed!!! HOLD ON BOYS!!! HOLD ON!!! No turnovers. Smart plays....no penalties. CLOSE IT!!! Send the defending SB champs out!!!
Edited to ADD:
OVER!!!! Interception from Eli. Thanks buddy boy!!! EAGLES TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME to be hosted by the Cardinals. Who would've thought that a couple weeks ago? Huge opportunity for both teams. The way Arizona played yesterday was crazy and Arizona does play well at home, but the Eagles D was so phenomenal today. I gotta go with my Eagles though.
Edited to ADD part 2:
Well it was already over but thanks for that fumble!
At least the Mannings still have the double stuffed racing league to look forward to.
Edited to ADD:
OVER!!!! Interception from Eli. Thanks buddy boy!!! EAGLES TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME to be hosted by the Cardinals. Who would've thought that a couple weeks ago? Huge opportunity for both teams. The way Arizona played yesterday was crazy and Arizona does play well at home, but the Eagles D was so phenomenal today. I gotta go with my Eagles though.
Edited to ADD part 2:
Well it was already over but thanks for that fumble!
At least the Mannings still have the double stuffed racing league to look forward to.
Tremendous defensive performance by the Eagles. The offense sputtered at the start but early on they kept trying to run the ball even though it wasn't successful. That took a physical toll on the Giants' defense and opened up the field for the passing game, especially in the second half.
From where they were at 1 pm ET two weeks ago to where they are now is mind-boggling. I'm trying hard not to believe the Phillies' karma has rubbed off on the Eagles, but...
Go Venus and Serena!
From where they were at 1 pm ET two weeks ago to where they are now is mind-boggling. I'm trying hard not to believe the Phillies' karma has rubbed off on the Eagles, but...
QUOTE
At least the Mannings still have the double stuffed racing league to look forward to.
Go Venus and Serena!
Manning and the Giants today were not effective to say the least..plus the Eagles defense was stellar. It was a fun game to watch....
The NFC playoffs is for the birds.
I'm officially calling the Pittsburgh/San Diego game with about 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. San Diego's mistakes are mounting and now they are losing their cool. Baltimore @ Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship. And boy oh boy with 2 close losses by Baltimore this year against Pitt in the regular season that is going to be a knock down drag out smash mouth game. I need to get tickets to that one. San Diego put on a good show getting this far but Pittsburgh is just so tough.
i can't say i'm surprised with the outcome. the giants level of play has gone down the last five games and the eagles are probably playing their best football. i'm still pissed though.
The defense of the Eagles stopping the Giants on those two fourth down plays reminded me a little of the Buddy Ryan era where defense ruled the day. The offense of the Eagles was a different story with McNabb basically managing the game just enough to give the team a chance to win.
I have to disagree with some of those pundits that said the absence Plaxico Burriss wouldn't matter. Perhaps against other teams this year that may be true, but he always gave the Eagles a tough time. Running the ball for the Giants was never a problem but without a passing attack to compliment it, their offense was one dimensional.
I have to disagree with some of those pundits that said the absence Plaxico Burriss wouldn't matter. Perhaps against other teams this year that may be true, but he always gave the Eagles a tough time. Running the ball for the Giants was never a problem but without a passing attack to compliment it, their offense was one dimensional.
the absence of plax definitely hurt but it's not even in the top 5 of why the giants lost today.
I am sad.
I was at the Giants game yesterday. The Eagles defense was great but the two biggest factors to me were the Giants complete lack of a pass rush and their completely uninspired play calling. The pass rush issue may be due, in part, to great offensive line schemes by the Eagles but the play calling issues are clearly the fault of the coaching staff and their lack of confidence in Eli in the windy conditions. And it probably wouldn't have mattered but Coughlin taking the ball to start the game instead of deferring was boneheaded.
Taking the ball to start was completely boneheaded. Eli had to throw into a bad wind, and when his first few passes were impacted you could see his confidence level drop precipitously. And a championship team has to convert fourth down and 1 or 2 yards, especially when you have the Giants running game - those two failures were shocking to me. The penalties were mindboggling; this is a team that had played incredibly error-free football all season - and they always came at awful times. And where was the pass rush? In the third and fourth quarters they consistently had the Eagles in third and long situations and gave McNabb enough time to whack off, clean up and complete long passes. That just was not the Giant team we saw for most of the season, but also give credit to the Eagles, who played well.
I think the Giants took the ball first because they figured they'd score quickly and get out in front, then Andy Reid would stop running the ball and their pass rush would take care of the rest.
On the Eagles' radio broadcast the sideline reporter said the wind died down as the game went on, and by the 4th quarter there wasn't much of a difference no matter which team had it. Perhaps the Giants' decision was also based on a weather forecast of less wind late.
On the Eagles' radio broadcast the sideline reporter said the wind died down as the game went on, and by the 4th quarter there wasn't much of a difference no matter which team had it. Perhaps the Giants' decision was also based on a weather forecast of less wind late.
So should I go to a bar and watch the game Sunday? It's risky. If I stay home, the Eagles won't be jinxed by my presence at the bar.
As much as I'd like to see the Ravens beat the Cardinals in the final, my expectations for either of them are not high.
Besides Flacco making the other four QBs look like Cinderella's stepsisters, there's a lingering loyalty to my homestate that would love to see B-more get a break rather than yet another heartbreak after all the problems that benighted city has had.
Besides Flacco making the other four QBs look like Cinderella's stepsisters, there's a lingering loyalty to my homestate that would love to see B-more get a break rather than yet another heartbreak after all the problems that benighted city has had.
With two strong defenses and two weaker offenses, it'll presumably be a low-scoring game. It might come down to special teams and field position. Just a gut feeling, but I think the Ravens will win and ruin Gov. Rendell's dream of an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
The Eagles should win tomorrow, but I doubt it will be as easy as it was on Thanksgiving.
The Eagles should win tomorrow, but I doubt it will be as easy as it was on Thanksgiving.
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