NFL Playoffs Thread

eagle eye · 16-01-2012 01:53AM

spiralism wrote: »

He, like his brother, is an absolute genius. The pieces were there too to be fair.

Also, fair play to the giants, amazing performance, brilliant in the playoffs yet again. Ya cant spell believe without Eli.

He didn't have to be a genius to turn the 49ers into contenders. They were a supremely talented group of players that have been held back by bad head coaches.

I'm not dishing Jim Harbaugh here at all. I like him and think he is good and we'll see as time goes by just how good but I think that any decent coach would do well with that group of players.

Have to give Harbaugh credit for the improvement in Alex Smith though.

mikemac1 · 16-01-2012 02:07AM

spiralism wrote: »

What's this now?

Betting odds for the superbowl

I guess if you're not used to see odds that way it can seem strange

spiralism · 16-01-2012 02:17AM

mikemac1 wrote: »

Betting odds for the superbowl

I guess if you're not used to see odds that way it can seem strange

Ahh right, im always used to seeing them as a fraction or very occasionally a money line. Baltimore look like a nice value pick

kmart6 · 16-01-2012 02:17AM

mikemac1 wrote: »

Worth a quick look, they'll change as the week goes on

NE: 2.38
SF: 4.33
NYG: 4.5
Bal: 7.5

spiralism wrote: »

What's this now?

NE:69/50
SF:33/10
NYG:7/2
BAL:13/2

Stev_o · 16-01-2012 10:43AM

God what a nightmare and so the dream dies

Poor Finley got commentators curse after his first play and I knew from then on it was only going to be disappointment for him, on the plus side we should be able to get him on the cheap in FA this year no doubt his stock has fallen.

Only 3 players stood up tonight Rogers, Starks and Driver. F*ck me was that desperate though. That two week lay off period killed us

Anyway im not that surprised at the loss there has been a feeling that the Giants are SB bound for a few weeks now with possibly the best front 4 and wide receiving corp in the league.

TheSpecialOne · 16-01-2012 11:03AM

3-1 again this weekend with the Saints letting me down this weekend. Was suprised Alex Smith could compete in a shootout, and also i havent seen much of the 49er's this year but there D is very very good, they hit hard!

As for next weekend i think the Pats could thump the Ravens....Ravens offence is woeful and they will be dependent on their D keeping them in it next week.

Giants and 49er's should be a cracker and im really looking forward to it, can't call it but want the Giants to win as i got them at 25's before the falcons game, Also have the Ravens backed since the start at 14's but with that Offence i don't see them getting it done!

matthew8 · 16-01-2012 11:10AM

Us Ravens are being written off early. Can't figure out why. Pats defense STINKS, enough that we can throw on them and run on them. And Tom Brady always looks average against us.

spank_inferno · 16-01-2012 11:16AM

matthew8 wrote: »

Us Ravens are being written off early. Can't figure out why. Pats defense STINKS, enough that we can throw on them and run on them. And Tom Brady always looks average against us.

Much of their poor stats are from games already won in the 4th quater.
The Patriots defense can step up when the need arises.
Unless the Ravens can find some way of containing Gronkowski, I think it will be plain sailing for the Patriots.

baddebt · 16-01-2012 11:17AM

Stev_o wrote: »

God what a nightmare and so the dream dies Poor Finley got commentators curse after his first play and I knew from then on it was only going to be disappointment for him, on the plus side we should be able to get him on the cheap in FA this year no doubt his stock has fallen.

Only 3 players stood up tonight Rogers, Starks and Driver. F*ck me was that desperate though. That two week lay off period killed us Anyway im not that surprised at the loss there has been a feeling that the Giants are SB bound for a few weeks now with possibly the best front 4 and wide receiving corp in the league.

(obviously being a Bears fan I was delighted the Packers where knocked out ) but jesus i'd say Rodgers hammered the WR's in locker room over all the drop passes ,
still can't make mind up about the 2Quarter on-side kick , a sign of desperation or a sign or arrogants , was amazed they tried it so early in the game ,

49ers--Giants , what a game that will be ,

me-skywalker · 16-01-2012 11:28AM

me-skywalker wrote: »

Giants are the elephant in the room for me, havnt seen them mentioned much, they've been ticking along nicely and have the precedent of coming from a low seed to win it! Should they beat the Falcons they'll play the Packers and for me that drive in reg season by Rodgers was one of the best and most important of the season, my heart was in my mouth, without that it would've been the Giants that got the 1 and not the Chiefs.

I hate to say I knew this defeat was gonna come. I had a feeling. The Giants were playing fantastic. Since that packers game they have been on another level.

The Giants were brilliant, hungry, well drilled and executed their gameplan perfectly.

Rodgers had moments when he extended the plays but had nobody open, he was forced to run the ball, great coverage by the Giants. They created 2 of the fumbles by great tackling.

As I said in the Packers thread: "This game reinforces what we already know; defenses win you championships!"

bruschi · 16-01-2012 11:34AM

matthew8 wrote: »

Us Ravens are being written off early. Can't figure out why. Pats defense STINKS, enough that we can throw on them and run on them. And Tom Brady always looks average against us.

what? where are they written off? I hate that crap of teams not being the favorites and then saying they are written off. Patriots will be the favorites as they are the no1 seed and at home against a team that is 4-4 on the road. The bookies always make a favorite and people make predicitons, its the way it is, it doesnt mean a team is written off, and I certainly doubt the Patriots will write off the Ravens. Far from it. Look what happened the last time they played a playoff in Foxboro.

Denver were written off, and even the Texans to an extent were written off. But you will find a lot of 50-50 people on this game, as the Patriots defence is crap, but the offence is good. there is no balance.

also Brady is 4-1 against the Ravens.

matthew8 · 16-01-2012 01:59PM

bruschi wrote: »

what? where are they written off? I hate that crap of teams not being the favorites and then saying they are written off. Patriots will be the favorites as they are the no1 seed and at home against a team that is 4-4 on the road. The bookies always make a favorite and people make predicitons, its the way it is, it doesnt mean a team is written off, and I certainly doubt the Patriots will write off the Ravens. Far from it. Look what happened the last time they played a playoff in Foxboro.

Denver were written off, and even the Texans to an extent were written off. But you will find a lot of 50-50 people on this game, as the Patriots defence is crap, but the offence is good. there is no balance.

also Brady is 4-1 against the Ravens.

spank_inferno wrote: »

Unless the Ravens can find some way of containing Gronkowski, I think it will be plain sailing for the Patriots.

TheSpecialOne wrote: »

As for next weekend i think the Pats could thump the Ravens....Ravens offence is woeful and they will be dependent on their D keeping them in it next week.

Eli Manning wrote: »

Whatever about our game next week. As much as I'd love to see Ray Lewis get to another Superbowl, I don't think they will move the ball near as well as NE. I think NE will have them by two scores.

Before this divisional round most people here seemed to tip the Ravens to get to the SB. The Patriots will have to throw on us to get there, and Houston couldn't do that, nor could pretty much any team this year other than the Chargers. Brady typically plays poorly against us, whatever the team's record is.

Prefab Sprouter · 16-01-2012 02:07PM

New England at home will be awfully hard but it can be done. Once Brady and the Patriot TE's are on the field they can potentially win any game. but a good defense and an Offense which practices decent clock management can counteract the most offensive-minded of teams. Defences win Playoff games. Just ask the Saints and Packers.

bruschi · 16-01-2012 02:09PM

matthew8 wrote: »

Before this divisional round most people here seemed to tip the Ravens to get to the SB. The Patriots will have to throw on us to get there, and Houston couldn't do that, nor could pretty much any team this year other than the Chargers. Brady typically plays poorly against us, whatever the team's record is.

3 anonymous posters on the internet tip the Patriots = Ravens being written off. :rolleyes:

And saying the Patriots will have to throw to win, and that Houston couldnt do it, a team that is run heavy? With a rookie quaterback in his 8 ever game? I'd think Brady will be a bit of a different prospect than that to be honest.

Prefab Sprouter · 16-01-2012 02:14PM

bruschi wrote: »

3 anonymous posters on the internet tip the Patriots = Ravens being written off. :rolleyes:

And saying the Patriots will have to throw to win, and that Houston couldnt do it, a team that is run heavy? With a rookie quaterback in his 8 ever game? I'd think Brady will be a bit of a different prospect than that to be honest.

At this stage of the season writing off any team would be foolish, I'd agree with you. The Ravens are awfully strong and New England will have a game on their hands. BUT New England in New England is an awfully formidable place to go.

Its funny that these two teams strongest assets will be on the field at the same time, Pat's Offense and Ravens D. The interesting part of the game will be the Ravens Offense against the Pat's D. I'm looking forward to the game.

matthew8 · 16-01-2012 02:19PM

bruschi wrote: »

3 anonymous posters on the internet tip the Patriots = Ravens being written off. :rolleyes:

And saying the Patriots will have to throw to win, and that Houston couldnt do it, a team that is run heavy? With a rookie quaterback in his 8 ever game? I'd think Brady will be a bit of a different prospect than that to be honest.

Only Rivers could throw on us. No one else could. I'd be shocked if the Patriots got 30 points on us. And you're right that it will be a different prospect against Brady, one aspect of that being we can use more players in coverage.

counterlock · 16-01-2012 05:54PM

I was horribly wrong on the last game, as a Pats fan I suppose I'm pessimistic after the last few years!

I still think the Patriots defence and running game is atrocious. Baltimore's D looks great as usual but they have been bad on the road all year. I think Pats will not cover the 7.5 spread

If Paddy power was willing to take it I'd also bet
Ray Rice to run for 150+ yards
Ochostinko to catch at least 2 passes

kmart6 · 16-01-2012 06:21PM

Considering Ochocinco was only on the field for 1 play on Saturday I can't imagine him catching 2 passes next week!

counterlock · 16-01-2012 09:09PM

Yea, the odds could be quite long on that one

I honestly can't understand why he is still there. BB is hardly afraid to cut big names, he must be contributing something....

Syferus · 16-01-2012 09:18PM

counterlock wrote: »

Yea, the odds could be quite long on that one

I honestly can't understand why he is still there. BB is hardly afraid to cut big names, he must be contributing something....

I'd imagine his contract is heavily incentive-based so keeping him around isn't too much of a burden when he's playing so lightly. The Patriots WR corps are hardly a murders row in the first place, Deion Branch is the most productive receiver they've got. I doubt even Belichick knew just how unstoppable their tight-ends would prove to be and how much they'd rely on them this year. Might as well keep Ocho for the run in case someone manages to bottle up the tight-ends.

Pherekydes · 16-01-2012 10:19PM

Syferus wrote: »

The Patriots WR corps are hardly a murders row in the first place, Deion Branch is the most productive receiver they've got.

Jasus. Wesley Welker would be turning over in his grave. If he was dead. But he's not. He's a probowl receiver for the Patriots.

Syferus · 16-01-2012 10:24PM

Pherekydes wrote: »

Jasus. Wesley Welker would be turning over in his grave. If he was dead. But he's not. He's a probowl receiver for the Patriots.

I was talking out wide, obviously Welker is easily the best slot receiver in the league!

SAINTRON · 16-01-2012 11:26PM

Supharbaugh Bowl anyone.....5 to 1 says it is....;)

fisgon · 16-01-2012 11:57PM

baddebt wrote: »

still can't make mind up about the 2Quarter on-side kick , a sign of desperation or a sign or arrogants , was amazed they tried it so early in the game ,
,

I knew when I saw that onside kick that the Packers were in trouble. That was a sign of desperation. Calamitous performance by GB in every facet of the game, even Rodgers wasn't great. Games like this always happen in the playoffs, it's a different world once you get to knockout football.

As for the Ravens-Patriots, it looks like a no-brainer. The Pats look awesome, and have done for two months. The thing is, they haven't played a good team in 2 months. They had the easiest schedule in the NFL for the second half of the season. Flacco tends to play well in adversity. Could be a great game. Look for the Ravens to step things up.

Pudsy33 · 17-01-2012 05:19PM

Maybe I'm bias, but i fancy the Ravens. They have a great D and if the can get to Brady, it'll be close. The Pats secondary is poor, so Flacco will have targets to hit. Any team with Ray Rice has a chance.

matthew8 · 17-01-2012 10:11PM

I fancy the Ravens too (though I think it's totally up in the air), Joe Flacco absolutely destroyed defenses superior to the Patriots defense. One good game against Denver doesn't change their defense's poor play. This looks like the sort of game in which Torrey Smith could get open, and that's very bad news for NE. As for the defense, we got no sacks last week, but who cares? We still demolished Yates and their only TD was on a drive in which almost all the yards were gained by an elite RB. NE has no elite RB. Sure to be a great game, I'll go 27-20 Ravens.

tallaghtoutlaws · 17-01-2012 10:22PM

matthew8 wrote: »

As for the defense, we got no sacks last week, but who cares?

Getting sacks is key for any team playing Tom Brady right now. You need to rattle his cage. And even then he is on fire right now. The Ravens are going to have to pressure Brady to the point he literally cannot find an open man.

We still demolished Yates and their only TD was on a drive in which almost all the yards were gained by an elite RB. NE has no elite RB. Sure to be a great game, I'll go 27-20 Ravens.

Yates isn't Tom Brady and to be fair the Pats have gone all season without an elite RB and I fail to see your relevance here? The Patriots are a pass first offense and have been for a long time. And the Texans got where they got with a superb defense and Arian Foster and Schuab who they were unlucky to lose.

Now im not saying the Pats have this game won as like any real fan the Ravens are a test for us and this game will be a cracker regardless who wins.

One thing I take comfort in is the return of key members of the Pats defense and the fact this is the playoffs so wiping out what was done in the regular season is key. Just look what previous years in the post season have shown us including this year.

matthew8 · 17-01-2012 10:41PM

Getting sacks is key for any team playing Tom Brady right now. You need to rattle his cage. And even then he is on fire right now. The Ravens are going to have to pressure Brady to the point he literally cannot find an open man.

No doubt the pressure will come, but I was just saying that there was overreaction to us getting no sacks when it didn't matter (unless you make the argument that there should've been a shutout), this week it will matter.

One thing I take comfort in is the return of key members of the Pats defense and the fact this is the playoffs so wiping out what was done in the regular season is key. Just look what previous years in the post season have shown us including this year.

Well, looking at the last 2 years in the postseason, playing against pretty average offenses, there's not a lot to be said for the Patriots defense. This year they had a good performance against a bad quarterback.

tallaghtoutlaws · 17-01-2012 10:57PM

matthew8 wrote: »

No doubt the pressure will come, but I was just saying that there was overreaction to us getting no sacks when it didn't matter (unless you make the argument that there should've been a shutout), this week it will matter.

Im not following you here? If the Ravens Dont pressure Brady it will be a long night for your defense and every defensive coordinator knows that. As for demolishing Yates? How did you demolish him? The guy was a rookie put into the firing line and asked to play like a guy with more experience. Had Schuab played on Sunday that game could have been completely different. You talk about the game as if the Ravens demolished the Texans. Yates was given time a lot and made some awful throws. Give Brady that same time and he will carve open your defense.

Well, looking at the last 2 years in the postseason, playing against pretty average offenses, there's not a lot to be said for the Patriots defense. This year they had a good performance against a bad quarterback.

The Pats defense shut out the Broncos by taking out their main asset. They showed other NFL teams how you should adapt your defense to the Broncos. Shut down the run and make sure you defend the option. We have yet to see what the Pass secondary can do in the playoffs this year so I will hold judgement until I see what Joe Flacco can do on them.

As for previous years you missed my point. I wasn't talking about the Pats I was talking about the Post season in general. This year included games and teams have done things they weren't supposed to do. The Ravens are not immune to this same faith and neither are the Pats. Brady could end up stinking up the place as could the Ravens Defense who knows what will happen. That is the beauty of the playoffs there are no givens. 2007 Patriots/Giants showed us all that.

bruschi · 18-01-2012 01:50PM

Some stats to chew on with boht teams (regular season record)

Points scored
Patriots: 3rd -- 32.0 avg.
Ravens: 12th -- 23.6 avg.

Points against
Patriots: 15th -- 21.3 avg.
Ravens: 3rd -- 16.6 avg.

Third-down offense
Patriots: 5th -- 89 of 194 (45.9%)
Ravens: 7th -- 97 of 229 (42.4%)

Third-down defense
Patriots: 28th -- 87 of 202 (43.1%)
Ravens: 2nd -- 71 of 221 (32.1%)

Turnover differential
Patriots: 3rd -- Plus-17 (34 takeaways, 17 giveaways)
Ravens: Tied-11th -- Plus-2 (26 takeaways, 24 giveaways)

Red zone offense (TD percentage)
Patriots: 2nd (47 touchdowns/72 trips)
Ravens: 17th (25 touchdowns/49 trips)

Red zone defense
Patriots: Tied-21st (34 touchdowns/61 trips)
Ravens: 1st (16 touchdowns/42 trips)

NFL Playoffs Thread

Comments