NFL playoff thread...

[OILFAN #81]

Playoffs - Conference Championships

SUN, JAN 24

NY Jets at Indianapolis 3:00 PM CBS (Eastern Time)
Minnesota at New Orleans 6:40 PM FOX (Eastern Time)

My predictions:

Indianapolis
New Orleans

No disrespect to the Jets or Vikings as both are good ball clubs as well.

[Jesse834]

Went 3-1 this week and now 7-1 in the playoffs.
Vikings
Colts

[flames_1987]

Where does this put Phillip Rivers when it comes to elite quarterbacks in the league? For a guy who talks that much trash, he's come up short every single trip to the post season.

You'd have to think LT maybe has one or two seasons left in him. He looks nothing like the old version of himself and is hardly a threat while on the field.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Where does this put Phillip Rivers when it comes to elite quarterbacks in the league? For a guy who talks that much trash, he's come up short every single trip to the post season.

You'd have to think LT maybe has one or two seasons left in him. He looks nothing like the old version of himself and is hardly a threat while on the field.

No question. Rivers is at the same place Manning was early in his career...with a can't win the big game reputation. That said, Rivers doesn't have a whole lot to work with beyond Gates and Jackson.

I think Norv Turner is a bad coach...I've always thought that.

Rivers is a fantastic leader. I do hate the trash talking, but that is who he is. I'm obviously not a fan being a Broncos fan, but I've gained a bunch of respect for Rivers' play and leadership.

That team could go south in a hurry though.

[Sylvanfan]

So for next weeks games. My early instincts are that I like the Saints to be able to take the Vikings in a close game. Biggest reason is that Minnesota defence isn't the same on the road that it is at home. That crowd in New Orleans in going to be nuts and the Vikings defence is going to lose the edge they get at home. Jared Allen had like 10.5 sacks at home vs. 6 on the road, and the interior of that Saints line should be up to the task that the Williams wall presents. I still think it will be a pretty close game within 6 points, but I like the Saints. Swap venues and put the Vikings at home an I think I'd like them by double digits, thats how big I think the home field is in this game. Saints 27-21

In the AFC the Jets get a chance to prove that they can stick with the Colts if they do go all out. Revis is a fantastic shut down guy and the Jets should probably stick him on Reggie Wayne and force Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie to beat Lito Sheppard to win the game. Although Gates had a pretty good game against them and Dallas Clark isn't quite as physical but is a better receiver than Gates. Ultimately though I don't know if the Jets will be able to do a whole lot agianst that Colt defence. They shut down the Chargers all game and it allowed them to stick with their game plan on offence and eventually they broke a big run to win the game. They'll need to do the same thing against Indy because if they end up down 10 points in the second half and Mathis and Freeny can come after Sanchez it's not going to be pretty. I think the Colts win this one 17-10 though the Jets will give them a game.

[HOOT]

Yikes 1-3 again this week going 2-6 so far...looks like my picks are the kiss of death so I will go - Colts & Saints Superbowl.

[Machiavelli]

I was 4-0 this past week but I'm unsure about the conference championships.

But I'll go with Vikings and Colts.

[flambers]

My predictions:

Indianapolis
New Orleans

[Scoopdogg]

Well I went 2-2 this week. I was hoping for a stronger showing from Cardinals.

Predictions for this week:

Colts (How can't you pick these guys)
Vikings (More Brett Favre magic)

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Jared Allen had like 10.5 sacks at home vs. 6 on the road, and the interior of that Saints line should be up to the task that the Williams wall presents.

Just out of curiosity, do you have a break down of his roads sacks on field turf versus grass?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Just out of curiosity, do you have a break down of his roads sacks on field turf versus grass?

1 in Detroit.............Turf
3 in Green Bay.........Grass
1 in Carolina............Grass

I could only find 5.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Just out of curiosity, do you have a break down of his roads sacks on field turf versus grass?

I think the only road game played on field turf was the game in St.Louis as Arizona and Detroit still have grass fields even though those are domed stadiums.

Allen actually had 9.5 sacks at home and 5 on the road.

He actually had more of his road sacks on outdoor grass fields as he had 3 in Lambeau and 1 in Carolina. His only other road sack was against Detroit. So he only recorded sacks in 3 of his 8 road games.

http://www.nfl.com/players/jaredalle...s?id=ALL454745

[transplant99]

Detroit still have grass fields even though those are domed stadiums

Nope...they use field turf in Detroit.

Grass in AZ and in GB.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Bring on the VIKES!!!

Whats the bat for - is it to beat NCAA investigators away?

Seriously, what is the bat for?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Whats the bat for - is it to beat NCAA investigators away?

Seriously, what is the bat for?

Oh... I thought that was a picture of Mark McGuire at his press conference earlier this week.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Whats the bat for - is it to beat NCAA investigators away?

Seriously, what is the bat for?

"Bring the wood!".

[Montana Moe]

The bat was a motivational tool given to the players as a bit of a reminder to "bring the wood" last weekend.

Reggie was the only one that actually took it out to the sidelines with him. He said it was to remind him whenever he came to the sidelines.

[The bat] was a present from head coach Sean Payton. Every player got one during a team meeting on Friday. Payton had these words emblazoned on the barrel of each bat:
“Saints vs. Cardinals. Jan. 16, 2009.”
“Bring The Wood!”

http://larrybrownsports.com/football...ing-wood/12694
I'd say with how aggressive he ran vs. the Cardinals, it was a successful motivator. Good to see him finally healthy this year, and at the right time!

[FanIn80]

What I had here was much funnier when I still had "pigskin" confused with "sheepskin."

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

The bat was a motivational tool given to the players as a bit of a reminder to "bring the wood" last weekend.

Reggie was the only one that actually took it out to the sidelines with him. He said it was to remind him whenever he came to the sidelines.


I'd say with how aggressive he ran vs. the Cardinals, it was a successful motivator. Good to see him finally healthy this year, and at the right time!

Agreed. I'm really looking forward to see the battle of the X-factors next weekend, with Harvin vs. Reggie. Both players are capable of turning a game on its ear in a single play.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

"Bring the wood!".

Ahhh...I thought it was reggie's personal version of silicone injections gone wrong.