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The NFL Playoffs Thread
- Thread starter Matlock
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bionic77 said:
Big Ben has played suspiciously like a rookie recently. Granted, he IS a rookie, but he needs to avoid the big mistake come Sunday. Throwing another INT like he did late in the game versus the Jets will kill his team this time. I really do think that Roethlisberger is going to have to make some plays early to keep the Pats defense off-balance. If they wind up being one-dimensional, Belichick could come up with some funky formations to clamp down on the running game.
It's also worth noting that Belichick has NEVER lost when facing a QB for the second time in a campaign. It's true that Pittsburgh did break New England's winning streak in their last meeting, but there is one HUGE difference this time out: Corey "Clock-Killin'" Dillon.
It'd be a great story if the Steelers can win this game, and I'd be happy with either team representing the AFC in Jacksonville. Personally, I think that the Steelers have a really good shot to make it, but Ben's got to play better than he has and make better decisions.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
DMczaf said:
"Yes...I did."
That pic is so badass. It's like he's shitting on all the great 90's players that didn't get a ring because of him
Desperado said:
They both have that "winning" intangible, although Brady has better numbers. Brady has managed to be successful in both primary passing and primary rushing offenses, while Roethlisberger has been able to rely on the rushing game to cover up mediocre numbers in the last quarter of the season.
Roethlisberger's biggest asset is his mobility and size. That dude can run.
DJPS2 said:
Ben definitely made some killer mistakes, but I haven't seen him look like a rookie for months before that Jets game. Some people thought it was his thumb, but I personally thought he was feeling some nerves, making some bad decisions, and forcing the ball into some crazy coverages that he didn't have to. Still one bad games doesn't define a career and I am sure he will bounce back in a huge way against NE. Also, the Jets just appear to have Ben's number. Lets see if the Pats can repeat that, I am guessing they won't.
Dillon will have a decent game, but he won't be a game breaker versus the Steelers. No one is going to run on them because they focus so much on stopping that first.
Btw, I didn't see Brady playing that hot today either. Until Freeney got hurt, I thought Brady looked ordinary (still better then Manning though). There were two passes of Bradys that could have easily been intercepted and changed the game, but to his credit he made enough plays to win. I see the game coming down to which team gets the turnovers. I just hope Cowher lets Staley run more. I don't think the Pats can stop our running game at all.
DJPS2 said:
5 come from behind wins on the season. Three of them where he did nothing but pass. This for a freakin ROOKIE. Keep in mind no one in the entire history of the NFL has ever come close to what Ben did this year. I also think Ben had a better first year then Brady, who was definitely carried by his defense. I honestly don't get why people are like "well Ben is OK" comparing his numbers to Manning. Compare his numbers to other rookies and see how he holds up. Scary to think how good he might be in a few years.
Also, Ben's biggest asset is his accuracy. Ben can throw every pass you need to as a QB, though he sure didn't show it in that Jets game.
bionic77 said:
I will agree that a good defense can make ANY QB look like a rookie... and the Jets did play some inspired "D" on Saturday. Ben did look like he was forcing throws, and I'm sure that this week of preparation will include reminders that he doesn't have to make unnecessary throws. He really does seem to have that "winning" intangible-- like Brady has-- and as a Pats fan, I certainly remember how sharp he looked when the Pats last played him.
I really do think that, for the Pats, Dillon is the key. I certainly am not dumb enough to think that he'll rack up another 140 yards, but I think that he'll get the ball some 25-30 times in order to control the clock and try to wear down the Steeler offense. Much like with the Colts on Sunday, keeping Big Ben and company on the sidelines means that they can't hurt you. If the Pats are unable to use Dillon effectively, or have to resort to a pure passing attack late, the Steeler secondary will eat them up.
Brady's certainly had his share of idiot moments this season... he did have the best QB rating of his career this season, though.
Lastly, I agree with your assessment that Duce should get the start. I think that he's more explosive and has a better chance of breaking a long rush. Irregardless of who starts, I'd expect to see both RBs get lots of action and the onus will be on the Patriots linebacker corps (Bruschi, Vrabel, Phifer, Johnson) to act as run-stoppers and put Ben in a position to have to beat them with his arm.
In any case, it ought to be a good game. I'm looking forward to it.
DJPS2 said:
Yeah should be a great game. Even though I hate Brady, I respect how good the Pats have been over the last 2 years (sorry that first Superbowl was the highest order of bullshit). Both the Steelers and Pats play as teams and are totally balanced on offense,special teams, and defense. Something people never seem to appreciate is how important it is to be balanced.
There are going to be some vicious hits in this game too.
To me it will come down to turnovers, qb decisions, and above all coaching moves. I expect to see both teams pull out some crazy shit out of their asses to counter an expected move of the defense or offense.
AstroLad said:
As if Pittsburgh didn't have enough motivation for winning that game, getting disrespected by the oddsmakers and being a home dog (despite an earlier victory over the same team and having a better overall record) will only add fuel to the fire.
Advantage: Steelers.
DJPS2 said:
Well let's see, NE is the defending champion and just dismantled the best offensive team possibly in the history of the game while the Steelers and their Rookie QB are lucky to even be where they are after barely surviving a team that probably didn't even belong in the playoffs to begin with.
There's a reason sportsbooks make billions, and it's not because they like to "disrespect" teams for fun or play fan like people on message boards.
I mean anything can happen on Sunday, but I wouldn't be surprised if that line didn't hike up even higher early on.
DJPS2 said:
One thing the Steelers have that very few other teams have is that they won't be afraid of them. They already beat them at home and won't have any doubts in their mind about whether or not they can do that. It doesn't mean they will win, but it makes it that much easier to win.
This is something that the Colts obviously don't have and definitely need. You never get the feeling that the Colts team feels it belongs on the same field as the Pats.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
AstroLad said:
Real talk, they pay way more attention to this shit than we do
AstroLad said:
Sean is the king of picking the wrong team to win every week, acting like he knew they would win all along, and then hopping onto to that bandwagon for the following week. How can someone so worthless act so fucking smug?
DJPS2, don't diss Madden. Very few people know the game as well as he does. No announcer even comes close. The guy knows the fucking rulebook better than half of the active coaches in the game. He may be going senile, but he isn't a douchebag.
Peyton Manning is the biggest fucking choke artist known to man. I would much rather have Tom Brady on my team. All you haters out there can suck this down: 7-0. It's Tom Brady's playoff record. What's Peyton "No Game" Manning's playoff record? Oh, yeah. Too bad so sad Peyton. You're the new Marino. Get used to being the bridesmaid, never the bride.
Having said that, let's be clear here: the Patriots are the better team. Period. There is no other way to describe the continued dominance of the Pats over the Colts. How can you deny it? The Colts NEVER beat the Pats. Whine all you want about shitty calls and dropped passes and whatever you want. The Colts aren't in the Pats league until they beat them. Period.
Oh, and all this Big Ben coming from God to beat the Pats talk is blasphemy. God already sent us a Son to beat the Patriots...
Having said that, let's be clear here: the Patriots are the better team. Period. There is no other way to describe the continued dominance of the Pats over the Colts. How can you deny it? The Colts NEVER beat the Pats. Whine all you want about shitty calls and dropped passes and whatever you want. The Colts aren't in the Pats league until they beat them. Period.
Oh, and all this Big Ben coming from God to beat the Pats talk is blasphemy. God already sent us a Son to beat the Patriots...
Raoul Duke said:
Haha that's just like how Bruschi talked shit about the Colts:
"What are they gonna do now, ask for a rule change that they can't play in the snow?"- Locker room
"I mean we just beat them, how many points did they score?" *looks at scoreboard* "3?" *laughs*
Hahaha that was so fucked up, but funny.
soulja224466
Member
FrenchMovieTheme said:
falcons? You're rooting for the falcons??????
I don't know you anymore fmt.
agreed. for all the Madden hate for his announcing and favre obsession (both of which are justified, IMO) he's still one of the best analysts around. Sean Salisbury, on the other hand, is a worthless washed-up loser who goes from one bandwagon to the next each week and is wrong more often than he's right.bionic77 said:
edit: also, just in general about this upcoming AFC championship, I pick the steelers. despite being the underdog, they match up far better against the pats than the pats match up against them. I can't find team stats at the moment, but the steelers have the best run defense and the best run game, and their secondary is strong as hell. I don't think the pats have as good of a run defense, though their secondary might be as good. I also think the steelers want it more than anyone else in the league, even the eagles, and that counts a lot.
As for the colts - it's time for them to draft some defensive players, and they really need to practice outdoors from now on if you ask me. I agree with the PTI analysis which is, if Manning can beat the Patriots it'll be like when Jordan finally beat the Pistons and will pretty much eliminate his only real challenge (and all of the doubt). Criticizing Tony Dungy isn't the right thing to do, because that's not what's wrong with the team - it's the lack of talent on the defense. They have Freeney, but one guy can't lead an entire defense. and I have plenty of respect for Manning as a player. I used to think he was a prick until last season (and especially this season, plus I liked that he was willing to do those silly "priceless" commercials) but I think he's actually a decent guy. It'll get grating when he's jocked ridiculously by announcers in a few years, but he deserves most of it (same as how it's grating now for Favre to get jocked by announcers, but in his prime he deserved it).
Raoul Duke said:Oh, and all this Big Ben coming from God to beat the Pats talk is blasphemy. God already sent us a Son to beat the Patriots...
Vick is a great player, but he is no Messiah.
I am picking an all Pennsylvania Superbowl.
Eagles 13 - Falcons 6
The Eagles will win an ugly game at home against the Falcons.
Pittsburgh 30 - Pats 0
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers will dominate the Pats so thoroughly that Tom Brady will finally retire. The Pats will not be able to stop our runs up the middle and Big Ben is going to silence all the doubters with his best game of the year.
Pittsburgh 14 - Eagles 3
In the Superbowl Terrell Owens return gets all the media hype but the Eagles offense will not move the ball against the Steelers.
Great article from Todays Boston Globe on Manning and what he is going through.
Here is quote from it:
"He is Dan Marino. He is Karl Malone. He is Ted Williams.
He is the 21st century symbol of big numbers in the face of futility. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning won football's MVP award this season, broke Marino's 21-year-old record for most touchdowns in a season (49), and has thrown for more than 29,000 career yards, but all he has to show for it this morning is another playoff hangover administered by the New England Patriots' defense."
And the closing line from the article:
"Fran Tarkenton. Patrick Ewing. Ernie Banks.
Peyton Manning will hear all about them in the weeks ahead.
The numbers are great, but all he really wants to be is Tom Brady."
Go here to read the full article: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/01/17/manning_beating_a_dead_horse/
Here is quote from it:
"He is Dan Marino. He is Karl Malone. He is Ted Williams.
He is the 21st century symbol of big numbers in the face of futility. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning won football's MVP award this season, broke Marino's 21-year-old record for most touchdowns in a season (49), and has thrown for more than 29,000 career yards, but all he has to show for it this morning is another playoff hangover administered by the New England Patriots' defense."
And the closing line from the article:
"Fran Tarkenton. Patrick Ewing. Ernie Banks.
Peyton Manning will hear all about them in the weeks ahead.
The numbers are great, but all he really wants to be is Tom Brady."
Go here to read the full article: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/01/17/manning_beating_a_dead_horse/
Spectral Glider
Member
I'd love to see the rest of these cold weather cities tear down the domes and get some real football stadiums.
Spectral Glider said:
Seriously. When people say things like "if it would have been in a dome, the outcome would have been different" and act like its a complement towards the Colts, I'm baffled. Real football is played outside, not on super fast astro turf. It's the equivalent of playing baseball in Coors field...
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Well, it's Monday. Back to work. The New York City cold feels even more bitter than usual. The life of a Jets fan, you get used to this. At least, thats the party line. The truth is, this one cuts as deep as anything Ive ever experienced. Ive never been a huge football nut the way I am with baseball. But this year, it was different. There was something about this Jet team that hit me right in the gut. They fought, they persevered, taking some kind of cathartic glee in toiling forever in the trenches, the size of their heart far outweighing the length of their talent. All year long, they played for each other, to a man, and they played for their coach, to the very end.
Ultimately, we came up short and for that, I am sad. But I am not angry. I dont hate Doug OBrien or wish him to be strung up by his entrails eekingly close to a mound of African fire ants. This was, in every possible sense of the word, a team. Jason Ferguson, when asked about his kicker, simply said: Id go to war with him any day of the week. Only now, there are no more weeks left.
To Shaun Ellis: You are my fucking hero. People were aghast, How could Bettis fumble? He never does that! The answer is No.92
To Curtis Martin: The pulse of the locker room, an ageless wonder, we will deliver you to the promised land.
To the Jets secondary: Thanks for saving your best performance for the biggest game.
To the rest of the NFL: You have been forewarned. Do not underestimate us again.
Thanks for the season, boys, and hold your goddamn heads, well get em next year.
Ultimately, we came up short and for that, I am sad. But I am not angry. I dont hate Doug OBrien or wish him to be strung up by his entrails eekingly close to a mound of African fire ants. This was, in every possible sense of the word, a team. Jason Ferguson, when asked about his kicker, simply said: Id go to war with him any day of the week. Only now, there are no more weeks left.
To Shaun Ellis: You are my fucking hero. People were aghast, How could Bettis fumble? He never does that! The answer is No.92
To Curtis Martin: The pulse of the locker room, an ageless wonder, we will deliver you to the promised land.
To the Jets secondary: Thanks for saving your best performance for the biggest game.
To the rest of the NFL: You have been forewarned. Do not underestimate us again.
Thanks for the season, boys, and hold your goddamn heads, well get em next year.
TO might be back for the championship according to some reports. Probably not but I can hope! Reid said that the reports by fox yesterday about setbacks were not accurate and that TO is almost ready to take the field. Also it has been reported that he was catching balls in practice and feels no pain in his ankle.
TheDuce22 said:
If that is true about TO running already and catching balls in practice, then TO is simply the greatest physical specimen of all time (and one of the toughest MOFOs ever too, I will never forget him walking around on that broken ankle trying to get back in that game).
Was it just me or did the home teams, with the exception of Atlanta, look rusty on offense this past weekend? I thought the defenses were all superb, but their offenses at time did not look in sync. There were times during the Pats game where I was surprised by how ordinary Brady was looking against the Colts even when Freeney was not getting a pass rush. I don't think that is going to be the case this Sunday though. The rust will be gone for the Championship games.
Cloudy said:If the Colts had played their REAL game to start, they'd have had a chance. Their style is pass to establish the run but they did just the opposite and got smacked
Sorry, wrong answer. Colts were just overrated. I said it all year, they look great against teams like Denver and Kansas City, but whenever they play a team with a tough defense (Baltimore, Jacksonville, New England, etc.) their offense totally shuts down. They are a one dimensional team and when their schemes are not getting them easy touchdowns they just lie down and die.
No heart on that team.
This is also why you shouldn't get caught up in the massive New England hype that is going to come about this week. Dillon will make a difference, but he won't magically get 150 yards on the number one defense in the league. It will be a close game.
The lesson of the story is that Sean Salisbury and his butt buddies are all retarded and not to listen to the sports media about football picks.
DonasaurusRex
Online Ho Champ
geezus PLEASE let the eagles win. Im scared of what mike vick can do to a game plan. I odnt think the eagles will win the superbowl but lets take this one step at a time, lets get there for once.
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