NFL playoff thread...

[Gozer]

As I posted in my prediction on [whore]my blog[/whore], the problem with the Viking is that they are built to be a power run team, but fell in love with Favre and the passing game.

If they had come out with a Jets-style gameplan then they could have worn New Orleans down - instead New Orleans looked like they had a full tank of gas all game. The fumble that CB Porter caused on WR Berrian was a fantastic athletic play that the Vikings could have prevented by simply beating the tar out of the Saints with their power run game.
Maybe Peterson would've fumbled the game away with that strategy but it seemed like every skill-offense Viking was fumbling. They just didn't have the talent and co-ordination that offenses like the Colts and Saints have yet tried to run the same finesse offense.

Really, Favre was the only reason the game the Vikings were still in it in the 4th, and then he kept the Saints in it with that final interception. Vintage Favre. But the Viking's coaches should have known the calibre of their offense (including QB) and protected them accordingly.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Does that happen often? It seems like a system where the team winning the coin toss would win 90%+ of the games, true?

No, it's not actually. I think the number is 52% of the time the game is won without the other team getting a possession.

[FanIn80]

Man. I go through this every year with the Flames and the Stamps. Add in the Suns for like the last 5 years... I can't add the NFL to my list. I can only handle so much annual disappointment.

I've always been casual with the NFL. In fact, if it wasn't for Favre, Flutie and Garcia, I wouldn't even know the NFL existed. I was never a Packers, Jets or Vikings fan. I was a Favre fan. Same with Flutie. Wtf do I care about the Bills or the Pats or even the Chargers? The 9ers with Garcia, and then the Eagles and the Bucs, etc.

Man, that Flutie/Johnson/Bills fiasco sure pissed me off, btw.

Anyway, if this is Favre's last season, then at least the good news is it will be my last season too. Between the Flames, Stamps and Suns... I have more than enough heartbreak every year.

[Sylvanfan]

It was amazing how many mistakes the Vikings made yet managed to stay alive as long as they did in that game, and than more or less lost it on a blown call.

Still congrats to the Saints who have waited 43 years to finally get to the Superbowl. Enjoy it!

I think the Colts will win that game though. Indy isn't going to make the same number of mistakes the Vikings did today. Who would have thought at the start of the year when Reggie Wayne drove that cement truck to Colts camp that the two big guys in the AFC Championship game would be Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie? Just shows in football the players you don't know can be as dangerous or more than the household names especially at the receiver position this year.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Does that happen often? It seems like a system where the team winning the coin toss would win 90%+ of the games, true?

Actually it is 51%....again if you dont want to lose, dont let the other team score.

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

The one year I don't pay attention to the NFL and my Colts make it to the Superbowl. haha

I don't know who to cheer for though. The Colts are my team, but I would love for New Orleans to win. Whom ever wins I'll be happy, this is going to be an excellent game.

**Whoever, not Whom ever.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

That fumblitis must be contagious, as Peterson seems to be passing that on to everyone else on the team. Saints have a pretty underrated defense. I also have to agree with others on the board -- as a utilitarian, I want New Orleans to win.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Does that happen often? It seems like a system where the team winning the coin toss would win 90%+ of the games, true?

The showed the stats when the OT started and the team winning the coin toss was 7-6 in 13 games prior to this and won on the first possession 5 times. Home teams were 8-5. So now it's 8 of 14 with 6 teams scoring on the first possession. So it's 57% who win the coin toss winning the game and 42% of them being on the first possession.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Does that happen often? It seems like a system where the team winning the coin toss would win 90%+ of the games, true?

edit: nm, Sylvan's got it.

[transplant99]

Some old stats...but its basically the same now.

Total no. of overtime games (1974–2003) 365
Both teams had at least one possession 261 (72 %)
Team won toss and won game 189 (52 %)
Team lost toss and won game 160 (44 %)
Team won toss and drove for winning score 102 (28 %)
Games ending in a tie 15 (5 %)

[flames_1987]

Good day of football.

Love the match up from a Colts perspective especially after watching the Vikings offense move the ball almost all game against the Saints defense.

For once I'm really glad the Colts will be playing outdoors. New Orleans is just so good in that superdome.

Sure wish we didn't have to wait two weeks for this game. The two best teams in the NFL all year, should make for a good game.

[flames_1987]

There's probably lines just being released but prediction would be
Colts 2 or 3 point favorites

Over under in the mid to high 50's

[Pagal4321]

I'm really just completely and totally heartbroken right now. For me this loss stings like Game 7 vs. Tampa Bay.

You just can't fumble the ball that many times and win. You just can't. And the Favre throw? Well you live by Brett, and you die by Brett. And I think the way the Vikings coutinually shot themselves in the foot, leg, ass, arm, chest and back led to the better team losing today.

But it was a truly epic playoff game. Unreal enetertainment value, but very very frustrating as a Vikings fan.

Now if Favre comes back, I think this team will be in the same position they were yesterday, with a chance to play for the right to advance to the Super Bowl. And I think he will come back next year for that reason alone.

I'm going to go lay my head in shame for a bit.

[transplant99]

There's probably lines just being released but prediction would be
Colts 2 or 3 point favorites

I think the line will be Colts by 6 or 7.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

There's probably lines just being released but prediction would be
Colts 2 or 3 point favorites

Over under in the mid to high 50's

Indy has opened as 4 point favorites:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl,215401

I think around game time it will increase to 5 or 6 points.

[transplant99]

OR...how about right in the midle?

Colts by 4.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_434910.html

[flames_1987]

Over under at 56 I was right on.

Last time the two teams faced was 06 after the Colts had won the superbowl in Indy score was something like 41-10. Obviously a lot has changed since then

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Colts are going to KILL the Saints, hopefully the Saints can put up a bit of a fight.

If Saints play like they did today, it is not going to be a pretty game.

Seriously? Like the Colts were impressive? Saints by 10

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I don't know....the Colts D is a far cry from Minnesota's. I think it'll be a shootout.

Agreed, the NFC defense in extremely underrated.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So glad that we won't have to put up with two weeks of Brett Farve.

Amen brotha!

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

BTW..congrats to Sainters, Troy and especially Moe. Hope you enjoy it immensely! Long time coming.

And to Pagal...sorry man. Great year for your guys.

Thanks man, 43 years of futility finally pays off! 20+ years of loyalty finally makes good!

WHO DAT!!! Saints 34 Colts 21

[transplant99]

Seriously? Like the Colts were impressive?

I would say putting up almost 500 yds against the stingiest defense in the NFL qualifies as impressive...yes.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Seriously? Like the Colts were impressive? Saints by 10

WHO DAT!!! Saints 34 Colts 21

Something just doesn't seem to add up.

And as tranny said, putting up that many yards on the #1 ranked defense in the NFL isn't impressive? Two rookie recievers combining for over 250 yards isn't impressive?

You've faced a lot of good QB's in the NFL this year but you haven't faced Peyton Manning.

Colts 31
Saints 24

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

I'm really just completely and totally heartbroken right now. For me this loss stings like Game 7 vs. Tampa Bay.

You just can't fumble the ball that many times and win. You just can't. And the Favre throw? Well you live by Brett, and you die by Brett. And I think the way the Vikings coutinually shot themselves in the foot, leg, ass, arm, chest and back led to the better team losing today.

But it was a truly epic playoff game. Unreal enetertainment value, but very very frustrating as a Vikings fan.

Now if Favre comes back, I think this team will be in the same position they were yesterday, with a chance to play for the right to advance to the Super Bowl. And I think he will come back next year for that reason alone.

I'm going to go lay my head in shame for a bit.

Keep your head up. Minnesota had a great year after some tough years. The game could have gone either way. The turnovers unfortunately were a big factor. You guys will be one of the better NFC teams again next season.

Now just sit back and watch the Colts beat the Saints in the Superbowl!