NFL Playoffs

[James Foote]

When did Ahman Green become obsolete? Since he came to Green Bay, he's had over 1,000 yards every year, and he most likely would have been just as productive this year had he not gotten injured.

Green isn't the guy he used to be, at all. His contract isn't worth his performance on the field.

Even that aside, they still need a lot of OL support and a receiver.

[CATLAX MAN]

When did Ahman Green become obsolete? Since he came to Green Bay, he's had over 1,000 yards every year, and he most likely would have been just as productive this year had he not gotten injured.

Green was actually obsolete this year. On top of his always penchant for fumbling, he has a lot of miles on his body. He is not old age-wise, but he is done as a top flight RB in the NFL. He could still be productive as a 3rd down back, however. Add in the fact that he will be a free agent and the Packers have no intention of bringing him back, you get more than obsolete. Gado & Fisher are not the answer either. They are journeymen at best.

Although it is true that the Packers will always sell out, without Favre they will still need a big name to generate excitement for that team. With Sherman being fired, there is little chance that Favre will return.

[laxfan25]

While I was disappointed in San Diego's performance against Denver this weekend (every other clinched team managed to lose), I was impressed with the little I saw of Rivers, and Brees' arm looked pretty nasty bent back behind his head. It'll be interesting to see what direction they go next year - Brees may take a while to heal, could give Rivers his opening.
I'd hate to see Favre step down, he is still a gamer, but has no team around him. Do you think he'd ever play for someone else? Speaking of still having some games - the Bus sure looks like a shart-yardage monster!
In my pool I've ended up with the Carolina Panthers, so I'm rooting for them to at least get to face Seattle. I think it'll be a wide-open playoff - no one looks super strong going in, Cincinnati's stock has sure taken a hit lately, but they have the firepower to beat anyone.
Whovever has to travel to Mile High will have their hands full, but when Denver hits the road they are ususlly mortal. We'll see, should be fun!

[Dan Wishengrad]

Not many folks seem to be giving the Seahawks much of a chance, which is fine by us up here. This is an awful tough place to play, and I like our chances to get to the SuperBowl. Chicago has a great defense but they will not stop our offense, which is better than they have faced. Carolina is awfully one-dimensional -- shut down Steve Smith and the Panthers can be in trouble. But they are a good team, and it would be a fun game regardless.

Can't wait for our first game up here. We'd love to get a rematch against the Redskins who we should have beaten earlier in the season except for that missed field goal at the end of regulation...

[Danny Hogan]

hopefully the redskins have overcome blowing late leads (tampa, oakland, denver, san diego, KC), their only other loss being the 36-0 embarassment @ NYG (which they avenged the weekend before last). Early season wins over Seattle and Chicago make them look like a decent option to go to Seattle for the NFC championship game. Will be on the road for the duration of the playoffs though.

[wheelz33]

I like New England, they have put together and got healthy. While the Colts are still the favorite, I am going to pick New England to beat them in the AFC championship game. I also like Seattle over New York.

They won't meet in the AFC tittle game, they'll meet in the round before (Divisional Round?) . As much as I hate Peyton Manning, I can't see anyone beating the Colts. I think they'll defeat Da Bears in the Super Bowl (assuming Rex Grossman doesn't get hurt yet again).

As much as I think the Texans should trade the pick, I wonder if they may have a hard time getting good value in return. Teams may wise up and not trade a million picks for one player. It usually backfires (Walker and Williams being good examples...)

[laxfan25]

As much as I think the Texans should trade the pick, I wonder if they may have a hard time getting good value in return. Teams may wise up and not trade a million picks for one player. It usually backfires

Ah, but never underestimate the greed of the NFL owner. someone out there will see Reggie Bush run wild tomorrow and visions of Lombardi Traphies will dance in their head, and they will make the deal.

[Kyle Berggren]

Well, I'll be sure to give you guys an update of how loud it is at Qwest Field during the Hawks first playoff game. Jason Stockton (PNCLL President) will also be attending. I'm sure the officials know we're both loud enough, and I'm sure we'll be louder at the game.

I personally don't see the Colts clearing through the AFC. That's a tough bracket, and it really is up for grabs in my eyes. I'd actually guess Pit, NE, or Cin comes out over the colts... Wasn't that nice how I chose half the teams? The Colts are injured, plain and simple. Teams won't be the playing the best Colts team available, just what's left of it. NE on the other hand is picking up steam, but I'll pick the Steelers or the Bungals to get to Detroit.

In the NFC, I hate to say it, but you've got to give a bit more credit to the Hawks. Yes they squeaked some games out this year their easily could have lost (and don't even bring up the Giants game, w/ at least 7 G-men points that should have been pulled from the board). The Hawks don't lose often at home, and they're playing with confidence. Carolina will be tough for anyone, & I pick the Giants & Tampa to be out in the first round.

No one is really that far behind any other teams in the playoffs, maybe Tampa Bay, but that's even a tough statement.

[Brent Burns]

Recalling Cincinnati Bengals making two trips to the Super Bowls, it was interesting that no one really gave them any chance of advancing that far. How would the Bengals this year be different from those Bengals of old when they were in the Super Bowl? Remember Ken Anderson. I would never forget the Bengals giving the 49ers a scare and run for their money.

It is going to be interesting to see what kind of schemes Bill Belichick will come up with when his Patriots play Jax.

It is fun when any sport can be so unpredicatable, be it football, basketball, lacrosse, curling, badminton, et al.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Don't forget that stealth team nobody ever mentions -- Denver. The Broncos could very well run the table with only a little luck -- they are a complete football team.

[JW]

Any team could win, however I don't like the Broncos because they gave up 21 points to my dredful Cowboys. I like their offensive unit, but any defensive front made up of Cleveland Brown cast offs has to be suspect.

The AFC is going to be tough to win for any team. I think that the Seahawks and Bears are the class of the NFC. Grossman definately gives the Bears a dimension that Orton couldn't. I just hope that the NFC east gets wooped.

[beckner11]

I'd love to see Bears vs. Steelers....that would be a hell of a matchup!

[Danny Hogan]

It is going to be interesting to see what kind of schemes Bill Belichick will come up with when his Patriots play Jax.

i would say their scheme should be take the field, wait for the game to be over, jax sucks. Early wins over Seattle, Cincy, Pit look good, but they have been squeaking by terrible teams in the 2nd half of the season.

[wheelz33]

heres why i think each team from the AFC cant make it besides the Colts:

Denver: I dont care how well Jake Plummer played this season, he's still Jake Plummer - he'll do something stupid and cost them a game
Cinci: Their defense can't stop anybody
New England: Hard to go against Bill Belichick. Really hard. But they still have some injuries, and I think the Colts on the road will be too tough for them this year.
Jax and Pitt: Way too hard to win three on the road to make it.

Indy with home field throughout, plus the death of Dungy's son, will make the Colts too tough.

[Kyle Berggren]

I'd love to see Bears vs. Steelers....that would be a hell of a matchup!

I might skip the SB if that was the matchup... It would be Punt, Punt, Punt, FG, Punt, fall asleep, wake up for Justin Timberlake at half-time, punt, drink, get distracted by the wind and a plastic bag in the front yard, game over, drink more in disappointment of lame SB..... By the way, I love to watch a good game defensively, but man I could see that as just slow and monotanous.

Cinci's D doesn't need to stop many people to win. They simply need a turnover and a few forced FG's. They can score with the best of them, and probably will.

It's interesting how at first the loss of Dungy's son was a distraction, which lead to the lack luster first 2 drives against Seattle, and now its a motivator. Speaking as someone that lost a loved one when playing, we had a game a few days later, and I was more focused and ready to go then I had ever been. We won the biggest game of my career and I scored 7 points that day. 3 weeks later, not so good. The distraction was actually worse. It's almost as though you look for something else to occupy your time and remove yourself from the current reality early on, but become more drained as the weeks go by in the short term than before. Sure it hurts less, but it has compounding effect on your stress level and focus. Okay, enough random rant, but the Colts are not in an advantagous spot right now. If they hope to win out they'll have to ride a wave of energy each week all the way to the SB. It's possible, but tough.