2011 NFL Playoffs Thread

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes!

NE should handle NY easily if Sanchez plays like that again.

you never knooooow. Every game is different.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Two really good games of football made this blizzard in Calgary and area today bearable.

4 playoff games this weekend... I walked into my house friday after work... not walking out again until monday morning for work.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Well it wouldn't really be the playoffs if the Colts didn't choke a game away. And I say that fully aware of my own team's habit of choking.

An Eagles fan calling the Colts out for choking a game? And when your special team coverage, defense and O-line have been bad all year, it doesn't constitute a choke. The timeout was a compete joke though.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I am not too sure, Patriots defense has not been the best all season (they did improve near the end of the season) and the Ravens (assuming they beat the Chiefs), Steelers, and Jets all have really good teams and have played the Patriots tight in the past.

The Jets will be playing with lots of pride in that game against the Patriots, and I think the second half offensive effort will give Sanchez and Co. a lot of confidence moving forward.

As the Seahawks win today proved you cannot count any team out because on any day any team can win.

A huge change in their defense in the final 5 games for sure (although they were a little iffy in the GB game). Still, Pats fans would much rather take the Jets over the Ravens (assuming they handle the Chiefs)

God, the Jets beating the Pats though would mean absolute hell for every Pats fan from here until September.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

An Eagles fan calling the Colts out for choking a game? And when your special team coverage, defense and O-line have been bad all year, it doesn't constitute a choke. The timeout was a compete joke though.

Originally Posted by rubecube

Well it wouldn't really be the playoffs if the Colts didn't choke a game away. And I say that fully aware of my own team's habit of choking.

I'm pretty much expecting something crappy to happen tomorrow.

[d_phaneuf]

no way Caldwell can return after that

could see Gruden there based on his love affair with the "Sheriff"

[flames_1987]

The Colts find the most painful way to lose playoff games! However, this team was in no shape to go into Pittsburgh and be able to pull of that upset, and then Foxboro. But man that is still one painful loss to swallow.

That being said.....Tom Brady should win MVP and deserves it by all means this year. But there is nobody close to being as valuable to his team as Peyton Manning. The Colts are 1-15 and 2-14 without him. Again and again the Colts let the same problems beat them, but can get by and almost win a superbowl on the shoulders of their QB. No running game again for almost the entire season, a weak offensive line, brutal special teams outside of Vinateri and a defense that cannot stop the run.

[OILFAN #81]

Of course the games have to be played and as the Seahawks showed anything can happen, but it's looking like Patriots-Falcons in Dallas at this point. Baltimore is the only team that can give NE a fight IMO in the AFC and I don't think anyone can beat Atlanta in the dome from the NFC.

[DropIt]

It wasn't just this game. Wayne hasn't been dynamic like he has been in the past and Manning looked off all season.

I agree that lack of running backs make the team predictable and one dimensional, but Manning used to be able to win despite that.

He may have just had an off year this year, but he just doesn't seem to have that other gear that nobody else used to. You can blame injuries all you want, but to have a TE step in like Tamme did and the depth at reciever they do, they sputtered on offense against an over rated Jets defense.

Its not only the 3-4 defense that is his kryptonite, its any defense that mixes it up properly and gives him many different looks

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

The Colts find the most painful way to lose playoff games! However, this team was in no shape to go into Pittsburgh and be able to pull of that upset, and then Foxboro. But man that is still one painful loss to swallow.

That being said.....Tom Brady should win MVP and deserves it by all means this year. But there is nobody close to being as valuable to his team as Peyton Manning. The Colts are 1-15 and 2-14 without him. Again and again the Colts let the same problems beat them, but can get by and almost win a superbowl on the shoulders of their QB. No running game again for almost the entire season, a weak offensive line, brutal special teams outside of Vinateri and a defense that cannot stop the run.

The Dallas Clark and Austin Collie injuries were huge this year. Tamme stepped in and played admirably, but the Colts offense needs Clark. Revis shut down Wayne last year so Manning went to Clark and Collie for 3 TD's. This year he didn't have the same arsenal. Garcon had a big game but Tamme/White can't be counted on all game.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

no way Caldwell can return after that

could see Gruden there based on his love affair with the "Sheriff"

It would be a perfect fit considering Gruden's desire to have a star vetran quarterback and man could the Colts ever use someone like that. But I don't see it happening at all especially with Isray owning the team.

That being said, the Colts would benefit sooo much by having a guy like Gruden in charge. The Colts were out coached by a mile in the superbowl and again today.

[transplant99]

I am completely stunned at how poorly the Saints D played. They were manhandled all over the place, especially in the trenches. Clearly they missed Thomas and/or Ivory as well.

What you saw from the Seahawks is what Pete Carroll is all about...that team is starting to resemble his personality. Good on them for making the best of their opportunity and finishing what is easily the biggest upset in the NFL playoffs in a long long long time.

Jets were really forunate to win. If Indy didnt have to get away from their strengths because of injuries, they would have walked all over that club today IMO. Sanchez was less than average (against a really suspect D) but found a way at the end.

Bad feeling about the Packers tomorrow.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

no way Caldwell can return after that

could see Gruden there based on his love affair with the "Sheriff"

what?


Caldwell isnt going anywhere.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by rubecube

i'm pretty much expecting something crappy to happen tomorrow.

Originally Posted by transplant99

bad feeling about the packers tomorrow.

lol.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by DropIt

It wasn't just this game. Wayne hasn't been dynamic like he has been in the past and Manning looked off all season.

I agree that lack of running backs make the team predictable and one dimensional, but Manning used to be able to win despite that.

He may have just had an off year this year, but he just doesn't seem to have that other gear that nobody else used to. You can blame injuries all you want, but to have a TE step in like Tamme did and the depth at reciever they do, they sputtered on offense against an over rated Jets defense.

Its not only the 3-4 defense that is his kryptonite, its any defense that mixes it up properly and gives him many different looks

Was able to win despite of that? He lead his team to a 10-6 record a year after leading them to an AFC Championship with the same glaring holes. The offense's troubles can be easily documented by the amount of 3rd and 1 stops. The Colts had no running game for most of the game and no respect at all shown to the offensive line.

Depth at WR? They had an un-drafted college walk on at WR, and Pierre Garcon who was a complete unknown in NFL Circles 13 months ago.

He struggled his way to a 33 TD 17 INT Division title season, on a team that only with Tom Brady as the QB, could you even make an argument they'd be in the playoffs.

[transplant99]

Yikes....just watched Sharper in an interview on the mothership about the Saints getting ready for the Hawks ...and i quote..

"We took them for granted".

Wow.

[flames_1987]

Watching the highlights right away to hurt myself more, that timeout call still will baffle me forever. The jets are more then contempt to just run the clock down an attempt a 50 yard FG. What in the world is the thinking behind that? You have no chance of getting the ball back, the Jets have one timeout left to use which really limits them even if they do try another play. Just awful coaching

[Sylvanfan]

Ultimately the additions the Jets made in the offseason proved to be enough to get them past the Colts this year. Blair White had that pass on 3rd and 6 that he couldn't hold. I suspect Austin Collie would catch that, and the Colts can run the clock down to nothing and kick the winning FG. But instead they have to kick the long one with a fair bit of time left on the clock. Here I was thinking Vinatieri has to be bound for the Hall of Fame one day....he'll probably still make it, but this kick ultimately didn't mean much.

Also give Brad Smith credit for a huge return that put the Jets 15 yards from getting a chance to tie the game. A QB like Sanchez will be much more relaxed knowing he only needs 15-20 yards as opposed to panicing because he's gotta get them 45 yards up the field.

Good games today that entertained in different ways. Looks like next week is a couple of bitter division rivalry games in the AFC which should be as good as what we saw today.

[KelVarnsen]

Fun fact. Peyton Manning has been one and done in 7 of the 11 years he has made the playoffs.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Of course the games have to be played and as the Seahawks showed anything can happen, but it's looking like Patriots-Falcons in Dallas at this point. Baltimore is the only team that can give NE a fight IMO in the AFC and I don't think anyone can beat Atlanta in the dome from the NFC.

Way to go out on a limb

GB could easily beat Atlanta next week. Seattle not so much.