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Playoff Predictions


Jetsfan80

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~Arizona over Atlanta, 27-24~

Sure, the Cardinals have been absolutely horrible over the waning weeks in the season. Doesn't stop me from believing in Kurt Warner. The man HAS won 2 MVP's, two NFC titles, and a Super Bowl, and if he's on his game, AZ may just put up enough points to win in a shootout.

Matt Ryan has had an amazing season and probably deserves to be in the running for MVP, not just the Rookie of the Year (which he already secured earlier this week). But I just have a hunch it ends this week, even when everyone and their grandmothers will probably be picking Atlanta.

~Indianapolis over San Diego, 21-16~

The Colts have the NFL's longest current win streak (9 in a row), and I don't expect it to end here. All the emotion over San Diego's amazing comeback to win the AFC West doesn't cloud the fact that the last 2 home playoff games the Chargers have participated in, they've lost (vs. Jets and Patriots). LT just hasn't been LT this year, and its hard to trust Phillip Rivers. Even with all those weapons and that high QB rating, its easy to believe he'll eff things up somehow.

Peyton Manning, meanwhile, will likely have one of his signature, near-perfect performances. Every year he's gotten a nice break in Week 17, playing a few series and sitting, and every year its paid off in the postseason. With him on his game, Indy is the team I currently favor not only to win this game, but win the AFC Title.

~Baltimore over Miami, 23-6~

Chad Pennington winning "Comeback Player of the Year" is such a complete farce that I question the whole process for voting on the award. Pennington wasn't even hurt last year, and he JUST won the damn award in 2006. Oh, so now the NFL gives out awards for inconsistency? If you suck one year, then do well the next, you get an award? Oh well, I guess the "every retard running a race gets a trophy" philosophy is in use in the pros, too. Jake Delhomme deserved the award, hands down.

Baltimore will win this game, easily, because Chad Pennington cannot beat a good defense, especially not in a big game, ever, ever. The Ravens are on the top of the list of teams Pennington hasn't beaten and CAN'T beat. No matter how good people are saying Miami's overrated defense is, Joey Porter and his 17.5 sacks was sure held in check when he faced a good Jets offensive line. If they can't get pressure on Flacco, its a complete blowout. As it stands, a 17 point victory sounds about right. Expect Ed Reed to do something amazing, as always.

~Philadelphia over Minnesota, 17-9~

Trent Dilfer and Mark Rypien aside, its difficult to win postseason games without a QB who isn't mildly retarded. Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson, whoever is the Viking QB these days, just doesn't cut it, especially when Minnesota's defense just isn't good enough to support them. At least, it won't be good enough against a completely rejuvenated Eagle team.

As much as I hate Eagles fans, you have to admire what their team has done. Unless you were living under a rock, you'll recall that McNabb and Andy Reid were a bad game away of getting the ax, both of them. The same duo that led Philly to 3 straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. Despite the fact that Philly already got themselves a World Series championship, average wasn't good enough for Eagles fans (should we be surprised? They booed Santa Claus, after all), and since that point, the team has played nearly flawless football. I think they'll keep it going, hold Adrian Peterson in check (as much as you CAN hold him in check), and make it 3 wild card teams moving on to the next round.

If you disagree with any of the above, you are wrong.

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Picks in bold:

Atlanta @ Arziona - This is a tough one because although Arizona have been horrible over the last few weeks, they're still a tough team at a home. I reckon that Matty Ice and the Falcons will be too good for them though, I've liked the Falcons all season long and I expect them ton expose a lot of the Cardinals' weaknesses (Of which there are many). Look for John Abraham to have a big day and force some fumbles off of Warner while Ryan, Turner and the Falcons offense should have a field day.

Indianapolis @ San Diego - Whenever these two meet in big games San Diego have OWNED Indy over the years and this year at home I think they'll do the same. Both teams are on a roll but San Diego were literally dead and buried a few weeks back. I think they take advantage of this new life and go on a run. LT is getting healthy, Rivers has been the best QB in the league this season IMO and the defense has improved since Rivera took over. Manning has never been great in the playoffs, I expect him and the Colts to struggle in this one.

Baltimore @ Miami - I really don't know how I feel about this game. I think it will be a close, defensive battle and whichever QB makes the most mistakes, whether it's Pennington or Flacco will lose. It's tough to choose though because although Flacco is a rookie he doesn't make many mistakes while Miami turn the ball over less than any other team in the league. It'll be tough match up but I can't see Pennington doing much against that Ravens D. I'm not confident in this pick at all though.

Philidelphia @ Minnesota - Another good matchup and tough game to call. I going against Adrian Peterson who is probably my favorite player to watch in the NFL but like the Chargers the Eagles (who were all but dead a few weeks ago) should take advantage of their new life. McNabb will have a big game against the Vikes pass defense IMO and Jim Johnson will attack Tavaris Jackson all game and try and force him to beat them. I think it could be pretty high scoring this one but I don't trust Brad Childress at all, he's a horrible, conservative head coach who will probably employ run, run, pass, punt offense that he always does in big situation. For that I'm picking Philly.

I think all of these could be great games and I'm looking forward to watching them. It should be relaxing not having to worry about the God damn Jets anyways.

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Peyton Manning, meanwhile, will likely have one of his signature, near-perfect performances. Every year he's gotten a nice break in Week 17, playing a few series and sitting, and every year its paid off in the postseason. With him on his game, Indy is the team I currently favor not only to win this game, but win the AFC Title.

How has it exactly?

Last year he sat in week 17 and was far from great against San Deigo last year, losing the game.

In 2005 they rested him in week 17 and he played terrible against Pittsburgh, again losing.

In fact the only year where he done anything in the playoffs and won the SB he played the full game in week 17 so that statement couldn't possibly be any further from the truth.

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Arizona - Atlanta

Indianapolis - San Diego

Baltimore - Miami

Philadelphia - Minnesota

Take those picks to the BANK!

I can see how you'd pick Atlanta, San Diego, and Minnesota, even though I picked the opposite.

But Miami? The day Pennington manages to beat the Ravens and their D is the day I completely reverse my opinion of the man. Until then, he's still the same old Chad that can't beat a good defense.

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I can see how you'd pick Atlanta, San Diego, and Minnesota, even though I picked the opposite.

But Miami? The day Pennington manages to beat the Ravens and their D is the day I completely reverse my opinion of the man. Until then, he's still the same old Chad that can't beat a good defense.

Pennington wont beat the Ravens... the Phins run game will...

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Pennington wont beat the Ravens... the Phins run game will...

Against the # 2 run defense in the NFL? Right. Hell, WE held the Dolphin running game relatively in check in week 17 (4.3 ypc) with a wheezing Kris Jenkins and no semblance of a plan in the 2nd half.

How do the Dolphins plan to stop Baltimore's 3-headed running game?

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Against the # 2 run defense in the NFL? Right. Hell, WE held the Dolphin running game in check in week 17.

Yet it opened up two easy TDs for Chad because the DBs were creeping up...

Miami will run first and open up some easy throws for Chad...

Also take into account that the Phins wanted to show as little as possible in week 17... most playoff teams do this... hell the 90's Broncos teams said that the coaches pretty much set them up to lose they used so little of the playbook..

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Arizona over Atlanta: Everyone I've talked to loves Atlanta in this game. I just think Arizona will be able to outscore the Falcons.

Indy over San Diego: San Diego matches up well with the Colts. However, I'm worried about LDT's injury. Will be the best game of the weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this game is the AFC rep in the SUper Bowl.

Baltimore over Miami: I'd be surprised if Miami scores more than 7 points.

Philly over Minnesota: Hopefully Andy Reid remembers that his best player is Brian Westbrook.

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Miami will run first and open up some easy throws for Chad...

They will do NEITHER against Baltimore. They won't establish a run game, and Chad won't have any "easy throws" all day. They will smother the Dolphins offense.

You are very forgetful as to how badly Pennington has performed against Baltimore, both with a running game and without one. It's going to have to be HIM that performs, HIM that shoulders the load, and he isn't good enough.

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Pennington wont beat the Ravens... the Phins run game will...

Like it did the last time? The Ravens were also the best team against the Wildcat Formation.

Anyway,

#5 Atlanta @ #4 Arizona

This matchup is probably going to be the most fun to watch as you have a running, ball controlled team in Atlanta and a pass first, pass second and pass third team in Arizona. The Cardinals are home but that isn't even an advantage for them, the worst home crowd in the NFL, hands down. The Falcons will grind it out with Michael The Burner Turner and will eat up 35-40 minutes of the clock with ease making the Cardinals have to throw some desperate, deep passes and Kurt Warner will make a mistake or two or three.

ATL-27

ARZ-17

#5 Indianapolis @ #4 San Diego

San Diego, aside from New England, plays Indianapolis the best of anyone and their match-up a few weeks ago in San Diego on SNF was a very good game. Both of these teams were Preseason favorite selections to win the AFC (for those not picking New England) and had slow starts but strong finishes to get to this point. Last year the Chargers went into Indianapolis after the Colts had a Bye Week and beat them, for the most part without Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson. This time? No such luck. Indianapolis' lone Super Bowl apperance in the Manning/Dungry Era came when they had to play on WildCard Weeekend. This will be the second one.

IND-24

SD-21

#6 Baltimore @ #3 Miami

The team that defended the Wildcat Formation the best this year was the Baltimore Ravens, shutting down Ronnie Brown & Co. down in Miami earlier this year 27-13. Chad Pennington will be forced into mistakes by the Baltimore defense, like he was in their previous match-up (pick six interception). The only hope Miami has is that is the home team and that Joey Porter can put some pressure on the rookie Joe Flacco. The Ravens will pound this one out and Flacco will hit his favorite target, Derrick Mason, often enough to pull out a win in South Florida.

BAL-23

MIA-16

#6 Philadelphia @ # Minnesota

The Eagles' tie against Cincinnati got them into the Postseason and now they are ready to shake up the NFC Playoff Picture. Tavaris Jackson has stepped in for the Vikings the last three weeks and played well but something tells me the kids first playoff game, even at home, isn't going to be a good one. Jim Johnson, one of the best Defensive masterminds EVER is going to toy with this kid all day long and the Eagles will make enough plays on offense with Donovan McNabb connecting with DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook to pull out a win and get ready for a great game next week with the Giants in Jersey.

PHI-19

MINN-10

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They will do NEITHER against Baltimore. They won't establish a run game, and Chad won't have any "east throws" all day. They will smother the Dolphins offense.

We will see... even Garrard got some easy throws... and they had nothing to play for...

If done right the Phins could put up 24 points... and if they can hold the Ravens from having a big day on O they will win...

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If done right the Phins could put up 24 points... and if they can hold the Ravens from having a big day on O they will win...

If done right? As 124 just mentioned, Baltimore won by 2 TD's against the Dolphins last time they played, with an interception for a TD courtesy of your boy Chad himself. And Baltimore's play has IMPROVED since then. How the hell can they do any of those things?

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If done right? As 124 just mentioned, Baltimore won by 2 TD's against the Dolphins last time they played, with an interception for a TD courtesy of your boy Chad himself. And Baltimore's play has IMPROVED since then. How the hell can they do any of those things?

The Phins have gotten better too...

Any given Sunday... it will be tough... but possible...

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Amazingly, this is only Chad Pennington's 2nd meeting with the Ravens...he was hurt the previous 3 times his team played Baltimore, so his first meeting with them came as a Dolphin! :lol:

In that 27-13 victory for Baltimore over Miami, Ronnie Brown was held to 27 yards on 13 carries (2.1 ypc), and Ricky Williams rushed for just 16 yards on 4 carries.

A Pennington pass went into the hands of Terrell Suggs for a 44-yard TD in the 2nd quarter of that game to make it a 10-3 score. Baltimore did not trail again, even though they tried to help out Miami by fumbling twice.

This was in Miami, by the way, and it was only Joe Flacco's 5th NFL game.

If Baltimore doesn't win by double-digits I will be very surprised.

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Amazingly, this is only Chad Pennington's 2nd meeting with the Ravens...he was hurt the previous 3 times his team played Baltimore, so his first meeting with them came as a Dolphin! :lol:

In that 27-13 victory for Baltimore over Miami, Ronnie Brown was held to 27 yards on 13 carries (2.1 ypc), and Ricky Williams rushed for just 16 yards on 4 carries.

Miami also fumbled twice, and a Pennington pass went into the hands of Terrell Suggs for a 44-yard TD in the 2nd quarter of that game to make it a 10-3 score. Baltimore did not trail again.

This was in Miami, by the way,

If Baltimore doesn't win by double-digits I will be very surprised.

If it weren't for LaMont Jordan Quincy Carter would've beaten Baltimore back in 2004 at the Meadowlands.

F you LaMont Jordan!

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If it weren't for LaMont Jordan Quincy Carter would've beaten Baltimore back in 2004 at the Meadowlands.

F you LaMont Jordan!

That's correct. Both Quincy Carter AND Kellen Clemens actually played better against Baltimore than Pennington did. Clemens also threw a 4th quarter TD against that good Baltimore D, and if not for some horrible coaching Quincy might have had a 4th quarter comeback against them too.

Does Pennington have any 4th quarter comebacks in his career, ever? If so, were they against a defense worth a damn?

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That's correct. Both Quincy Carter AND Kellen Clemens actually played better against Baltimore than Pennington did. Clemens also threw a 4th quarter TD against that good Baltimore D, and if not for some horrible coaching Quincy might have had a 4th quarter comeback against them too.

Does Pennington have any 4th quarter comebacks in his career, ever? If so, were they against a defense worth a damn?

You are aware the Baltimore defense does actually change with time. Right?

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I really am not understanding these MIA over BAL picks. Both are playing well right now, Baltimore is the better team and to top it all off smashed the Miami "Wildcat" and ground game in the face a few weeks ago, in Miami.

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I really am not understanding these MIA over BAL picks. Both are playing well right now, Baltimore is the better team and to top it all off smashed the Miami "Wildcat" and ground game in the face a few weeks ago, in Miami.

I like Miami because they play mistake free football and if they dont turn the ball over their offense is playing well enough right now to put some points up. I'll take the experienced QB vs. the rookie in this spot.

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I like Miami because they play mistake free football and if they dont turn the ball over their offense is playing well enough right now to put some points up. I'll take the experienced QB vs. the rookie in this spot.

You just described the Ravens, but the Ravens have the better defense against the more experienced QB.

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Arizona over Atlanta: Everyone I've talked to loves Atlanta in this game. I just think Arizona will be able to outscore the Falcons.

Indy over San Diego: San Diego matches up well with the Colts. However, I'm worried about LDT's injury. Will be the best game of the weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this game is the AFC rep in the SUper Bowl.

Baltimore over Miami: I'd be surprised if Miami scores more than 7 points.

Philly over Minnesota: Hopefully Andy Reid remembers that his best player is Brian Westbrook.

You realize we scored 17 in week 6 right?

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