NFL Playoffs and Superbowl

[Crothian]

not so much as underestimating the Pats, as seeing the Colts and Steelers are a lot better teams then last time they faced off. I will not be supriused if the Pats do make it to the big game

 

[Laurel]

AFC
Denver at Colts
Jets At Chargers
Bye: New England and Pittsburgh

NFC
Vikings at Green Bay
Rams at Seatle
Bye: Atlanta and Phili

Have to go with Colts and Seahawks for those two games. The other two I really can't say, but far reaching randomly just picking two I'd say Vikings and Chargers.

This line up does seem strange, but next year already looks like it might be a better year and more challenging for some (like the Eagles).

I think the Eagles will end up on top for the NFC, but they won't win the playoff games by much of a margin.

I would love to see the Seahawks play Atlanta again!

 

[drothgery]

I'd like to see the Pack and the Colts, and it might even happen. The wild card teams can safely be written off; the Vikings, Jets, and Broncos will certainly be gone after week 1, and I think the Rams will join them (2/3 of the time teams will get that 3rd win over a team they've defeated twice before, but no 8-8 team has ever won, and I still like the Seahawks here). But I suspect any of the division champs except the Seahawks have a decent chance.

There's no team in the NFC without gaping holes, mostly on defense. The Eagles have been awful while resting their stars for the playoffs and without TO; I don't know if they can turn things up a notch in the playoffs. It's impossilbe to have much confidence in Atlanta; they depend too much on a fragile Mike Vick, who just isn't a good passer. Seattle should have rolled through the season and into the playoffs, but stumbled to 9-7 instead, and they have injury issues now. The Vikes have already proven they can't win a shootout with the Packers. And the Pack have to get into shootouts, because they can't stop anybody.

In the AFC, the Steelers have a rookie quarterback, the Pats have been winning ugly, the Chargers have no pass D, and the Colts have no D at all. Still, they're giant steps ahead of the Jets and Broncos. And this is an offensive year.

 

[GlassJaw]

as seeing the Colts and Steelers are a lot better teams then last time they faced off

The Pats didn't have Dillon when they played the Steelers!!

 

[Crothian]

The Pats didn't have Dillon when they played the Steelers!!

You are right. It will be impossible for the Steelers to realize anything about this Dillon guy considering they only played against him twice a year since he got into the league. :\

most people know the Pats are the team to beat, that's why everyone is gunning for them.

 

[Captain Tagon]

Steelers are coming on strong, again. With their second string playing so well against the Bills and Staley being back they seem to have hit their second stride in this thing. The scary thing about Pittsburgh this year is they have four guys who are at least decent running backs they can put in there and just pound it out to the point that I'm not sure any defense in the NFL could stop them from doing it.

The Patriots are dangerous yes, but they've showed weakness this year with Brady getting rattled in both the loss to Miami and the earlier loss to the Steelers. Nobody in the NFC is what I'd even call a 'good' football team.

Chargers are scary however, as are the Broncos. The Broncos have the talent that if they don't self-destruct they might be the best team in the league.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I'm bummed that the Bills fell short. They got the loss they needed from the Jets but came up short against Pittsburg.

Came up short? It pains me (as a long-time Bills fan) to say this, but they folded like an accordian. They played very well the second half of the season but, as soon as they faced the real possibility of making the playoffs, and playoff pressure, they choked big time. Pittsburgh turned the ball over a few times, but that's to be expected considering how many second-stringers they played. However, there was no excuse for the sloppy play of the Bills. :\

I only hope J. P. Losman is ready to start at QB next season.

 

[Silver Moon]

AFC
Denver at Colts
Jets At Chargers
Bye: New England and Pittsburgh

NFC
Vikings at Green Bay
Rams at Seatle
Bye: Atlanta and Phili

Okay, here are my predictions. Bear in mind that last year I correctly guessed 10 of the 11 games. Note I'm only talking winner here not point spread.


For the weekend of Jan 8 & 9 I'm saying Colts, Chargers, Green Bay and Seahawks

For the weekend of Jan 15 & 16 I'm saying New England, Pittsburgh, Phili and Green Bay.

For the weekend of Jan 23 I'm saying Pittsburgh and Phili.

And for the Feb. 6 "Pennsylvania Bowl" I'm picking Pittsburgh as the winner.


Of course, being from New England, I won't cry if I'm wrong and the Pats win it all.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

Pittsburgh has to be the favorite for the AFC at this point. They are doing so many things right on both sides of the ball. Though, they win lots of close games (which is good and bad).

The NFC, gee, I dunno. I like Philly and Green Bay despite the Pack's problems in the early season. Green Bay has more talent all way around on offense but defense is somewhat suspect. (I will also admit to being a huge Green Bay fan.) But they could get upset at home against the Vikings (it is really hard to beat the same team three times in a season).

So I am seeing either Pittsburgh against Philly or Green Bay in the big game with most likely Pittsburgh winning (unless the mafia can get to them again like they did in the mid 90's when they clearly got to Neil O'Donnell).

 

[drothgery]

But they could get upset at home against the Vikings (it is really hard to beat the same team three times in a season).

Everyone says that, but there have been 15 playoff games that matched teams that had played twice before. The team that won the first two won 10 times. The only reason I like Seattle over the Rams anyway is because St. Louis' win Seattle was very flukey (the Seahawks dominated the game for 55 minutes), and it's one of the rare times where the team that won both games is the one with the worse record.