2013 - 2014 Playoffs: Wildcard Weekend Games

Son Of A Vidic

* * * * * Saturday 4th of January * * * * *







AFC Wildcard Game: Chiefs @ Colts @9:35pm (Sky Sports)









NFC Wildcard Game: Saints @ Eagles @1:10am (Sky Sports)







* * * * *Sunday 5th January * * * * *







AFC Wildcard Game: Chargers @ Bengals @6:05pm (Sky Sports)









NFC Wildcard Game: 49er’s @ Packers @9:40pm (Sky Sports)

HigginsJ

Bengals

Chiefs
Eagles
Chargers
Packers

mikemac1

Packers

Chiefs
Eagles
Bengals
49'ers

davyjose

Packers

Colts game saturday night. Perfect time for it

davyjose

Packers

Not aure about all the chiefs love in the other thread and this one. We beat them by three scores in arrowhead a week ago.

cathalio11

Colts

davyjose wrote: »

Not aure about all the chiefs love in the other thread and this one. We beat them by three scores in arrowhead a week ago.

I don't fancy the Chiefs but I certainly wouldn't take the game last week as an honest representation.

Chiefs players were rested this week so they will be more fresh. Also, they made some very stupid mistakes against the Colts which really won't be repeated like a taunting penalty and some foolish 3rd down penalties.

I'd be very surprised if Alex Smith turns over the ball that much on Saturday too.

But as I said, I think I'd go for Colts, even as a Chiefs fan.

davyjose

Packers

cathalio11 wrote: »

I don't fancy the Chiefs but I certainly wouldn't take the game last week as an honest representation.

Chiefs players were rested this week so they will be more fresh. Also, they made some very stupid mistakes against the Colts which really won't be repeated like a taunting penalty and some foolish 3rd down penalties.

I'd be very surprised if Alex Smith turns over the ball that much on Saturday too.

But as I said, I think I'd go for Colts, even as a Chiefs fan.

I agree. Think it'll be closer, but there seems to be almost no support for Indy.
We wrapped Charles up effectively, got pressure on Smith and tieddup his receivers. We're a very good matchup against them.
I also think theyre slightly overrated. They have the lowest strength of victory of all playoff teams.
And if it goes to OT, who's your moneyon... Adam Ice or Suckup?

cathalio11

Colts

This is interesting. Apparently San Diego should have been flagged for an illegal formation on the field-goal attempt:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/12/chargers-shouldve-been-flagged-on-missed-field-goal-by-chiefs-ryan-succop/

I wouldn't be too worried about the kickers in over-time. Succop is a good kicker and is normally fine under pressure. Though he has missed 2 important kicks in 2 weeks, I admit.

If the Chiefs have Hali and Houston ready for the Colts, it will be a very different game. Remember, these two have only conceded more than 17 points to one team this season, and that's the Broncos who at the time hadn't scored less points in any game this season.

Son Of A Vidic

Packers

Finished off my regular season predictions with a nice 14 - 16 week. Now it gets even tougher.

Chiefs @ Colts
Saints @ Eagles
Chargers @ Bengals
49er’s @ Packers

I've had a nagging feeling about the Chiefs all season, so I expect young Luck to deliver my early season faith in him.

Hard to know what Brees will turn up to play outdoors, but I expect the nicely rolling Eagles to do it.

The Bengals are formidable at home and remain unbeaten this season. So I'm going with the home win. But with their week pass defense and Rivers lining up against them, it could get very interesting.

If Rodgers had a few more games under his belt my choice would have been more difficult. But with the 49er's in a rich vein of form facing the Packers poor defense, I'm going with the visitors.

mikemac1

Packers

Every year we have a poll on the Super Bowl thread and it's public so you can see who everyone is picking

There are only 8 teams this weekend, could a poll be added? We can see the favoured teams in an instant

Just an idea is all

Son Of A Vidic

Packers

mikemac1 wrote: »

Every year we have a poll on the Super Bowl thread and it's public so you can see who everyone is picking

There are only 8 teams this weekend, could a poll be added? We can see the favoured teams in an instant

Just an idea is all

Good idea mike, poll has been added.

Putin

Packers

Thanks for adding the poll Corvus.

Son Of A Vidic

Packers

Putin wrote: »

Thanks for adding the poll Corvus.

No bother but fair play to mike though, because I never thought of a poll originally.

cathalio11

Colts

Sky Sports don't do day passes, I assume. I think the NFL does but I've never tried it so I'm not sure how reliable it is.

Have watched 15 Chiefs' games on stream this season then the game against the Broncos on Channel 4 and I'd love to see the play-off game in proper quality.

Remember being extremely ****ed off when the stream cut off against the Ravens a few years back in the play-offs and when it turned back on, Ravens had 7 more points.

mikemac1

Packers

The Chiefs is an early game, well earlyish

Surely you have a sports bar in the Marble City?

cathalio11

Colts

mikemac1 wrote: »

The Chiefs is an early game, well earlyish

Surely you have a sports bar in the Marble City?

We do but I'm just 17 and wouldn't be willing to go through all that effort to find a suitable pub that I'll have no issues getting into.

When I'm older, I'll open a strictly KC Chiefs pub so that will sort me out for life. Except for the lack of revenue. The Chief's arrow as a crest just isn't a great brand. Better off with a Red Indian wearing one of those tribal hats with feathers.

UnitedIrishman

Packers

cathalio11 wrote: »

Sky Sports don't do day passes, I assume. I think the NFL does but I've never tried it so I'm not sure how reliable it is.

Have watched 15 Chiefs' games on stream this season then the game against the Broncos on Channel 4 and I'd love to see the play-off game in proper quality.

Remember being extremely ****ed off when the stream cut off against the Ravens a few years back in the play-offs and when it turned back on, Ravens had 7 more points.

Nearly sure Sky do a day pass for a tenner which is steep enough. Not bad though if your having mates around for cans rather than forking out to go to a pub for the night though. Would save in the long run.

kmart6

49er's

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Nearly sure Sky do a day pass for a tenner which is steep enough.

Pretty sure they do no such thing!

Pudsy33

Bengals

kmart6 wrote: »

Pretty sure they do no such thing!

They do, search nowtv on Google it might be unavailable in Ireland but you could always take a trip

UnitedIrishman

Packers

kmart6 wrote: »

Pretty sure they do no such thing!

They definitely were up until recently when they were advertising the 'Super Sunday' ties and the Masters Golf, they were doing it.

Pretty sure it's still available but can't say for certain. Plus if you're ordering for all the playoff games you'd nearly be aswell ordering the sports package for a month.

BKWDR

Bengals

I reversed my decision after watching the eagles game just now

Chiefs @ Colts
Saints@Eagles
Chargers@ Bengals
49ers@Packers

Still thinking the Packers will bring the playoff magic in Lambeau :-)

Jolly Red Giant

Packers

I am going for the Chiefs over the Colts - I think the Chiefs will grind down the Colts and not let Luck get into any kind of groove.

I also fancy the Bolts over the Bengals - I think they will drive on the adrenalin of last nights win.

I think the NFC is more clearcut - can't see beyond the Saints and 49ers.

Paully D

Packers

Chiefs
Eagles
Bengals
49ers

BKWDR

Bengals

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

I am going for the Chiefs over the Colts - I think the Chiefs will grind down the Colts and not let Luck get into any kind of groove.

I also fancy the Bolts over the Bengals - I think they will drive on the adrenalin of last nights win.

I think the NFC is more clearcut - can't see beyond the Saints and 49ers.

Just did that selection on paddy power, 26\1

Son Of A Vidic

Packers

kmart6 wrote: »

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Nearly sure Sky do a day pass for a tenner which is steep enough.

Pretty sure they do no such thing!

There is, Sky themselves direct you to the Now TV website who offer the Sky Sports day pass for £9.99.

http://www.nowtv.com/sports

poldebruin

49er's

As the poll bears out - 3 pickum games and the Bengals fancied heavily over the Chargers - which surprises me a little - I fancy the Bengals, but I don't think there's much in it.

I've got the Packers beating the 49ers. I haven't been sold on the 49ers this season, the Lambeau factor and Rodgers is back.
Bengals just edging Chargers.
Colts over Chiefs - I have to admit that I have not believed in the Chiefs all year, and they have not been impressive down the stretch. The Colts have been up and down this year, but have some serious W's oin their resume and are at home.
Saints over Eagles. It's going to be outdoors and it's going to be cold, but I'll take Brees over Foles in this one. I predict at least one fake punt/FG and one "unexpected" onside kick!

raze_them_all_

49er's

Colts,eagles,bengals and packers out of loyalty. Expecting Kap tobe unleashed against us and to gash us all over the place though tbh

davyjose

Packers

BKWDR wrote: »

Just did that selection on paddy power, 26\1

I'd say there's more chance it'll be the exact opposite. Sorry

davyjose

Packers

raze_them_all_ wrote: »

Colts,eagles,bengals and packers out of loyalty. Expecting Kap tobe unleashed against us and to gash us all over the place though tbh

Would never rule out an Aaron Rodgers led team.

kmart6

49er's

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

There is, Sky themselves direct you to the Now TV website who offer the Sky Sports day pass for £9.99.

http://www.nowtv.com/sports

I stand corrected. Very peculiar set up that is.

raze_them_all_

49er's

davyjose wrote: »

Would never rule out an Aaron Rodgers led team.

Its the packers Defence I'm ruling out

UnitedIrishman

Packers

raze_them_all_ wrote: »

Its the packers Defence I'm ruling out

That's the problem for us. Rodgers and co. are literally going to have to score on every drive against the 49ers (who have a pretty formidable defence themselves) because we just can't defend the run at all and our secondary is open for business every game. Matthews being out means our pass rush is pretty much non-existant at the moment too.

If we win, its gonna take either our defence to produce a performance that its more than likely not capable of (unless they were trolling us all year!) or our offence to shoot the lights out.

adrian522

Packers

It's certainly one to look forward to. From the 49ers perspective the pass rush must get pressure, the last 2 games we have struggled in this area and have conceeded huge yards to the Falcons and the Cardinals through the air.

The Packers have a much better passing attack than either the Falcons or the Cardinals. Aldon Smith has been poor of late, not registering a sack in 4 of his last 5 games. That's fine against the weaker teams but in Lambau the secondary won't hold up if Aaron Rodgers has all day to throw.

Speaking of the secondary, Carlos Rodgers has been pretty poor this season, and has now picked up an injury so expect to see some more of Eric Wright.

Against the run we should be ok, Lacy has been excellent but I think the 49ers will contain the ground game. The game will swing on how effective the Packers passing game is.

On the other side of the ball the 49ers offense has been much better of late with the return of Crabtree it gives the 49ers 3 legitimate targets in the passing game (Boldin, Crabtree and Davis). Against Arizona we saw the emergence of Patton, a 4th round draft pick. Not a huge amount of catches but they did go to him on 3rd down and also on the big play at the end to setup the winning Field Goal.

I'm not expecting a huge passing game from Kaepernick, (though he had 400 yards against the packers in week 1), just enough to keep the Packers from stacking the box.

This should allow Gore to do his thing, and keep the chains moving and hopefully Aaron Rodgers off the field. I don't expect San Francisco to run much Read Option at all, with Kaepernick only running once the play has broken down.

The other issue here to consider is the sub zero (Celsius) weather, the only recent 49er game I can remember was in New Engand last season where we played well but Kaepernick had a few fumbles when under center.

All in all I'm expecting a good close game, not crazy high scoring and it really could go either way. I'll go for a San Francisco win by 1 score but I'm not real confident in that prediction.

jman0war

Being that Kaepernick can run wild on us (GB), and can throw against us it looks like a easy decision.
Rogers being back gives GB a fighting chance, but we don't have an MVP Rogers right now, maybe if he had more games under him.
We probably have a 70-75% MVP.
So expecting him to carry the team seems like a tall order to me.

spiralism

Bengals

Packers over 49ers: Niners havent been the same team this year and GB is due one on them i feel. With Rodgers back and GB gathering momentum i see GB pulling this one out.

Colts over Chiefs: Much closer this time but i feel this is a good matchup for Indy and i've doubted all along about KCs ability to win playoff football with they way they're set up. Adam Ice wins it at the death.

Eagles over Saints: More road woes for NO, travelling to a cold and windy linc limits the saints hugely and if Philly can get McCoy going i see them winning the day. Saints yet to win a road playoff game under Payton.

Chargers over Bengals: Just not sold on Cinncinnati and i dont trust the Marv Lewis/Andy Dalton tandem to win in the playoffs. I feel San Diego are the form team in the AFC right now and Bengals have been going through the motions. They're 8-0 at home but that just makes me think they're due and SD have beaten us and Kansas at home, both grounds more difficult to win in than Paul Brown Stadium. Cinncinnati's 23 year playoff win drought goes on.

matthew8

Packers

Bengals to beat Chargers is the easiest one to predict. Bengals not just 8-0 at home but absolute monsters including wins over Indy, NE and GB. Can't totally write the Chargers off, they are 5-2 against teams with winning records but one of those losses was home to Cincy in a game they never looked like winning, and their most recent loss.

Colts-Chiefs, too close to call. Went with Colts because they're at home and the impressive result against the Chiefs a few weeks ago.

I'm backing the Saints to beat the Eagles. Saints may be 3-5 away but Eagles are only 4-4 at home. I have a feeling the Saints will find their away form for the big game.

49ers-Packers is interesting and looks by far the game of the weekend. Picking the 49ers to win, barely. Don't rate the offense but they have shown they can destroy the Packers defense. Must keep in mind however that the Packers are 6-2 with Rodgers and looked excellent earlier in the season.

davyjose

Packers

matthew8 wrote: »

Bengals to beat Chargers is the easiest one to predict. Bengals not just 8-0 at home but absolute monsters including wins over Indy, NE and GB. Can't totally write the Chargers off, they are 5-2 against teams with winning records but one of those losses was home to Cincy in a game they never looked like winning, and their most recent loss.

Agree. People seem to be vastly underrating the Bengals who are a very good team, and overrating the Chargers, a team who, for all intents and purposes, should have lost to the Chiefs B team.

adrian522

Packers

spiralism wrote: »

Packers over 49ers: Niners havent been the same team this year and GB is due one on them i feel. With Rodgers back and GB gathering momentum i see GB pulling this one out.

In what sense have the 49ers not been the same team? We have a better record than last year, despite playing a tougher schedule. I don't buy the argument that Aaron Rodgers is the golden bullet that is going to solve all the Packers problems either. They were very lucky to get over a poor bears team to be honest.

nagirrac

Packers

Niners are a very physical team both sides of the ball, so weather will not be as much of a factor as some think. Nowhere near the advantage that home field is, which is a real advantage as long as the Packers are competitive.

Expect to see the Niners run the ball a lot in the early going against a weak Packers run defense to 1) keep Rodgers off the field, 2) take the crowd out of it somewhat, and 3) open the field up for Kap to pass later. Remember Kap has destroyed the Packers in their two previous meetings, hard to imagine they can contain him better this time with arguably a weaker defense.

Rodgers is a real threat and can do real damage if he gets on a roll. He is up against a serious defense though unlike last Sunday. Just read that Carlos Rogers is likely out which is a big loss if true.

Its the playoffs, so anything is possible, but I would say Niners by 7 in a lower scoring game than many are predicting.

Red Crow

49er's

While the schedule has been tougher the 49ers haven't been nearly as impressive IMO. Last year the 49ers were just awesome IMO. I don't think teams are going to be as wary of the 49ers as they were but aren't they 6-0 down the stretch? Which is quite impressive.

adrian522

Packers

11-2 since week 3 loss to the Colts, 2 losses were @ NO and @ Carolina by a combined 4 points, I really think San Francisco are playing as well as this time last season.

nagirrac

Packers

The important thing is the Niners go into the playoffs on a roll just like last year.

There are two things that will determine how the Niners perform in the playoffs imo, both related to coaching/play calling, and this is also somewhat a reflection of how the regular season went.

1. Will Roman and Harbaugh allow Kap run like he did last year, which although not as big a surprise this time around, is still a huge variable for any opponent to deal with. Defenses adjusted to Kap this season, but he was also much more conservative in his running.

2. In all the games where the Niners struggled this year, Gore was underutilized and the offense went away from the running game to the long bomb. This team will not win a SB imo unless the ball is handed to Gore and we pound the opponent's defensive line.

OAOB

Packers

davyjose wrote: »

Agree. People seem to be vastly underrating the Bengals who are a very good team, and overrating the Chargers, a team who, for all intents and purposes, should have lost to the Chiefs B team.

Can't judge chargers on one game, they've beaten 3 of the play off teams in the afc.
Bengals should rightly be favourites but if the chargers can put it together they should win; problem is they're inconsistent.
My big worry is they didn't show up against the chiefs in week 17 when it was effectively a play off game for them

mikemac1

Packers

Very disappointed to see that all the wildcard games are blacked out on NFL Gamepass

Would make you wonder what you are paying for :rolleyes:

http://www.unotelly.com/unodns/signup#
I used this site and they gave me something called a DNS which I entered and when I relaunched Gamepass sure enough they are no longer blacked out

It's a free 8 day trial, no payment information needed. I guess you could just set up email addresses and keep signing up each week

I know there were threads about something called VPN throughout the season but I don't understand that and never took it all in

This worked for me and I'm useless with anything to do with technical settings

Son Of A Vidic

Packers

mikemac1 wrote: »

This worked for me and I'm useless with anything to do with technical settings

Mike any good VPN is generally foolproof, you don't need to be tweaking anything if you don't want to. You just pick your server/country and off you go.

adrian522

Packers

There was an extension for Chrome posted in the other thread that did the job for me last weekend.

All on Sky from here on though so no issue watching the rest of the games.

Pherekydes

49er's

Sunday is currently predicted to be very cold in Green Bay. Highs of about -13°C and lows of about -28°C, with respective wind chills of -22° and -43°. The game begins at 3:40 P.M. local time. Could be a factor.

cathalio11

Colts

Tamba Hali (OLB) and Eric Fisher (T) have both been ruled as "Questionable" for the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend.

If Hali does play, he will join up with Houston again and we all know how special that partnership was before they both picked up injuries against the Chargers.

The Chiefs have good cover for Fisher so it isn't as big an issue.

Bateman

49er's

Was just going to start a new thead on what plans people have where they have GP but not Sky.

Will give that link a look later

Knex*

Packers

Going with

Colts
Saints
Bengals
49ers.

Knex*

Packers

For those of you who actually purchased GamePass legitimately, a Chrome addon called Hola Unblocker should do the trick.

When on a page, you click on the icon and it gives you options to switch to another country of choice - USA/UK/Holland, or whatever.

This also works for simple things like watching BBC/ITV players etc.