NFL Playoff Predictions

[scooter]

after watching the game NYG game today, I think I'm going to pick them to upset the cowboys in Dallas next weekend. I know they have lost to them twice already, but Eli looked so good, and Romo has struggled in big games recently

[Madlax16]

I was hoping that the Bucs would beat the Giants. I myself do not want my Cowboys to play the Giants for the third time.....its EXTREMELY hard to beat a team twice let alone 3 times. Should be a good game.

[JW]

While it is extremely hard to beat a team 3 times... I am still VERY optimistic about the game for the Cowboys.

TO's injury is progressing well and should be back and effective
Terry Glenn is going to be ready for the game and be a better weapon after limited time in washington
Andre Gurode will be back for the game.

Eli did look good, but look for him to follow the good game with a bad game.

Romo has not played great of late, but still has had a tremendous season and with a full complement of weapons I look for them to be very explosive at Texas Stadium. Watch out for Marion the Barbarian to do something like ernest Graham did.

[GrayBear]

Green Bay in the cold - tough.

Not.

I dunno, this sounds tough to me....

Green Bay is 40-5 under Favre at home when the game-time temperature is below 35 degrees --

This was as of December '06 - I don't think the ratio has changed that much since. I'll take the Pack next weekend.

You're right of course, historicially--Favre has generally been a very good foul-weather QB. I'm just remembering the last game in Chicago where the whole team, notably including Brett, looked lost and beaten. Especially the punting unit.

[laxfan25]

Green Bay in the cold - tough.

Not.

I dunno, this sounds tough to me....

Green Bay is 40-5 under Favre at home when the game-time temperature is below 35 degrees --

This was as of December '06 - I don't think the ratio has changed that much since. I'll take the Pack next weekend.

You're right of course, historicially--Favre has generally been a very good foul-weather QB. I'm just remembering the last game in Chicago where the whole team, notably including Brett, looked lost and beaten. Especially the punting unit.

If that Bears game is the basis for the analysis I would agree, but that was meaningless for the Packers, who already had their route to the playoffs mapped out - they weren't going to get home-field against the Cowboys. The Bears, falling badly from a Super Bowl team, played well as spoliers the past few weeks to try to salvage a little pride. The Bears also weren't as bad as their record would suggest - they didn't get blown out in many games.
GB benefits from a bye week, whereas the Hawks had a battle of a game against the Redskins, led by Todd Collins, who had a very good shot at winning that game.
On any given Sunday (or Saturday)....but Favre at home is a good bet.

I also think you'll see a different look from the Cowboys this week. Tony Romo will rebound and Eli will revert. He is so streaky - looked fabulous for 2.5 quarters against the Patriots, and then not-so-good.

[JW]

I look at the Green Bay at Dallas game and Brett Favre looked frazzled, and if Seattle, the likes of Patrick Kerney and Julian Peterson, can get to Favre it will be a long day full of wild throws and happy feet.

[Adam G]

Green Bay in the cold - tough.

Not.

I dunno, this sounds tough to me....

Green Bay is 40-5 under Favre at home when the game-time temperature is below 35 degrees --

This was as of December '06 - I don't think the ratio has changed that much since. I'll take the Pack next weekend.

You're right of course, historicially--Favre has generally been a very good foul-weather QB. I'm just remembering the last game in Chicago where the whole team, notably including Brett, looked lost and beaten. Especially the punting unit.

You have to admit, they looked like an entirely different team the next game at home vs. the Lions... I wouldn't want to be the Seahawks. Anyone else remember "We'll take the ball and we're going to score!" just before an Al Harris interception?

[Dan Wishengrad]

I wouldn't want to be the Seahawks. Anyone else remember "We'll take the ball and we're going to score!" just before an Al Harris interception?

Yep, the Seahawks have no chance, they shouldn't bother even showing up in Wisconsin. For the record, everyone remembers that infamous Hasslbeck quote, Matt himself began his post-game press conference by saying it again on Saturday, which cracked up all the gathered media. It came during a pre-overtime coin-flip in a Lambeau game that the Seahawks could easily have won, when the defense was far inferior to our current one. It's not fear-inducing to be the underdog, and we all know that Green Bay is a fine football team who have had a tremendous season which few prognosticators saw coming beforehand.

Of course almost everyone in the country and the t.v. talking heads were all picking the Redskins (except Coach JW there in Texas and some of us up here in the NW)-- they were "the hottest team in the NFL", they were playing "inspired football in homage to Sean Taylor" yada yada yada. Now that Seattle won, we're supposed to be worried because we got "shredded by a career backup QB" and managed to squeak out a 35-14 win. This is the NFL playoffs and there are no terrible teams who qualified. The odds of shutting out a team for an entire game aren't high. The Seahawks will gladly take getting shredded by Favre and giving up 14 points. Our defense won't lie awake this week in dread. I still like our chances. Bring it on. I just hope it is -2 degrees and snowing.

Seattle 27 Green Bay 23

[laxfan25]

Should all be entertaining games again. I agree that the Seahawks/Packers game can go either way - GB suprised me this entire season. Giants/Pokes should be fun. Even the AFC matchups are intriguing.

[Rob Graff]

Jags/Pats. For some reason, I think the Jags are not a good matchup for the Pats. I just guess Jags.

Colts/SD. I just don't trust a Norv Turner coached team, but they did play an effective 2nd half. Assuming Marvin H is healthy, I'm going with the Colts.

Cowboys/Jints. Have to go with the NY team. Reason departed the building on this pick a while ago

GB/Seahawks. Seahawks defense impressed me. But on a grass field, they lose a little speed. And if weather is bad, that makes the loss of speed worse. GB wins.

[Kyle Berggren]

I'm surprised more folks aren't picking the Colts to beat NE... Granted the Pats have to get by a healthy Fred Taylor, but it's likely to be Colts vs. Pats in the AFC. I'd pick Indi over the Pats... The last game was a nail biter, with a missed fg & a missing Marvin Harrison. I'm not a Colts fan, & the Pats will be well prepared, but their defense is still a little old & slow to keep up with Wayne & Gonzalez, while doubling Harrison & stopping the run. They're great season could easily end against the Colts. I still wouldn't put money on the game though.

The Cowboys need their Team Obliterater to move forward in the playoffs. They're good, they can run the ball, but TO opens everything up for them. SD will have to put together more than 1/2 of football to do well, & hopefully they'll get their #1 reciever back (Gates)...

My SeaChickens will have a tough time against GB. Yes the SEA defense has been overlooked & very good all year, but the pack don't have a terrible defense themselves. If Branch & Hackett are back healthy I like our chances to pull away from GB by spreading them out & running with Morris. If not, it's going to be a long day of throwing things at the TV. The way to beat #4 is to keep him off the field & out of rhythm. Let him stand on the sidelines for 8 minutes at a time getting cold, then force the 3 & out.

Gonna be a good weekend of football & I can't wait to watch Fred Taylor play again. It's like he's hitting his prime at what, 31?

[Rob Graff]

Just found out that John Henderson of Jags may be out w/bad hamstring. If so, big loss for the Jags, esp /w Stroud already out.

Big part of my prediction was Henderson living in Brady's face, not sure if that will happen, and if it doesn't.....

Ahh well, I made my pick, I'll live with it.

[horn17]

I'm surprised more folks aren't picking the Colts to beat NE... Granted the Pats have to get by a healthy Fred Taylor, but it's likely to be Colts vs. Pats in the AFC. I'd pick Indi over the Pats... The last game was a nail biter, with a missed fg & a missing Marvin Harrison. I'm not a Colts fan, & the Pats will be well prepared, but their defense is still a little old & slow to keep up with Wayne & Gonzalez, while doubling Harrison & stopping the run. They're great season could easily end against the Colts. I still wouldn't put money on the game though.

agreed, indy might be the most underrated 13-3 team in history...Defending champions, a better defense than last year...

Remember, they lost to NE without Harrision (everyone knows), but people also forget Dallas Clark, A. Gonzlaez, and J. Addai (was banged up played sparringly) were all out for that game as well...

Im taking Indy to repeat this year...They are good, really good, and though NE was 16-0 - i think that there is no way NE goes 16-0 playing in the AFC South

[Jac Coyne]

Remember, they lost to NE without Harrision (everyone knows), but people also forget Dallas Clark, A. Gonzlaez, and J. Addai (was banged up played sparringly) were all out for that game as well...

Harrison was out yes, but the rest is a bit of a stretch. Clark played the entire game and was shut down by Rodney Harrison (he was able to do this in part because M. Harrison was out). Gonzalez started and was hurt late in the first half (but he's not a difference-maker). Addai KILLED (26 carries, 112 yds; 5 rec, 114 yrds, td). Don't you remember that ridiculous 73-yard catch and run Addai had at the end of the half? He was as fine as he'll ever be.

Indy scares the hell out of me as Pats fan, Foxboro or no, but regarding injuries, Harrison is the only player of note they get back from the last game. His return will be mitigated by the loss of Freeney, who is a stud.

If the two teams get that far...

[FLAK]

Im taking Indy to repeat this year...They are good, really good, and though NE was 16-0 - i think that there is no way NE goes 16-0 playing in the AFC South

Agreed, alot of teams could have excelled in the division that included with the mighty mighty Dolphins and the superb NY jets. I bet the Texans could have had a shot at the playoffs if they were part of that worthless division.