2011 NFL Playoffs Thread

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I think the Jets have shown how to beat teams who rely on the passing game with highly intelligent QBs. You do NOT blitz like crazy, Manning and Brady are too smart and will have eaten them alive. Instead they flood the secondary and take away the reads. It helps a lot that the Jets have 2 burners at corner, and while I don't like Cromartie based on his performance in last year's playoffs, the guy is fast and can cover. Then use the rest of the secondary to fill the intermediate routes and that leaves only really short stuff. It will be interesting to see if the pattern holds. The Steelers are the smashmouth team they have been in the past, but Mendenhall will be a bigger handful than anyone Indy or the Pats had.

One of the brilliant things the Jets did instead of blitzing is they made the Patriots guess who was part of the rush. They rushed only 3 or 4 and still broke through due to 2 reasons. Shaun Ellis dominated anyone the Pats threw at him even Mankins, I think it's a case of a 11 yr vet who has been close to a Super Bowl a couple times putting it all out there. The other thing was (and you can see it on the Drew Coleman sack) is that they often rushed a corner as part of the 3 or 4 man rush instead of a D-lineman or LB.

[Erick Estrada]

Saw this somewhere else, couldn't resist;

J-ust
E-nded
T-om's
S-eason

[Sylvanfan]

I think a key in the AFC Championship game is going to be the health of the Steelers at the tackle position. If they have to use backups at both tackle positions the Jets secondary is probably the best in the NFL when it comes to coverage. If the Steelers O-Line can't hold strong than the Jets 4 man pass rush is going to be able to pressure Roethlisberger, and if the coverage isn't breaking down he's taking a lot of sacks. The Steelers run game struggles against tough 3-4 defences so I don't think it will be much of a factor either.

If the Steelers want to win this game I think they'll need their defence to really dominate the Jets offence and force at least 3 turn overs. The Jets have superior Special teams, and I think their offence will handle the Steelers. So the key becomes the Jets offence being able to not get dominated by the Steelers defence. I think it will be a close low scoring game, the type of game where you can win with 17 points.

As for the Bears and Packers, I view the Packers as being one of the few teams who's offence or defence can win a game. Whereas I see the Bears being a dominating defensive team and not so dominating although improving on offence. I think the Bears maybe held back a few things offensively in their last matchup knowig that there was a possibility they may see the Packers again.

Still I'll use one play to exemplify why I think the Packers win. The Tramon Williams interception on Matt Ryan pretty much killed the Falcons. Jay Cutler makes a couple of throws like that every game, and he got away with it against the Seahawks, and even in the Monday night game against the Packers. I don't think he'll get away with it on Sunday and that the Packers defence will make him pay. Packers 24-17

[OzSome]

So Jets vs the Steelers, and Bears vs the Packers... hmmm.. I have to pick Steelers and Bears on those matches. I actually always like both of them.

I didn't see the Steelers-Ravens game and I heard I missed out a good game. I saw a bit of the Packers-Falcons game and that was not bad. The Jets' cinderella season is still going. Is Rex Ryan's prediction of going to the Super Bowl happens. I am not so sure unless Big Ben gets hurt or just play inconsistent.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by OzSome

So Jets vs the Steelers, and Bears vs the Packers... hmmm.. I have to pick Steelers and Bears on those matches. I actually always like both of them.

I didn't see the Steelers-Ravens game and I heard I missed out a good game. I saw a bit of the Packers-Falcons game and that was not bad. The Jets' cinderella season is still going. Is Rex Ryan's prediction of going to the Super Bowl happens. I am not so sure unless Big Ben gets hurt or just play inconsistent.

Big Ben is gonna be in tough though with that weak offensive line and Jet blitz packages.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Big Ben is gonna be in tough though with that weak offensive line and Jet blitz packages.

I don't think the blitz packages will be the issue. I think the fact that they won't have to blitz and will be able to get enough pressure with a 4 man rush, and not allow guys to get open down the field is going to be what gives the Steelers fits. Ben will either have to throw into tight coverage, or throw the ball away, or pull it down and run with it. None of those options is going to get burned for those big gains that the Steelers tend to get when Ben moves around and avoids a couple tackles.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by DropIt

To be fair, I posted it as more of a joke and am sure that Aaron Rodgers doesnt hate people with Cancer.

The 'jack-ass' Quaterback seems to the the theme in the NFC North this year as there are articles about Jay, Aaron and Brett (obviously) on their arrogance and flat out disregard for media personalities. To me it seems like the same treatment Darryl started getting for not co-operating with the media

Depends on the day I guess, and I definetly see this as just an off day caught on tape becuase from everything I know about Aaron Rodgers, is he is extremely friendly to fans.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/lamb...s-fan-11725443

its too bad something like that had to be caught on tape, because Rodgers sure seems like the type of guy that would have stopped had he knew the whole story.

[OILFAN #81]

Jets Kris Jenkins unloads on Brady on Monday:

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post?id=4250


A rumor is that Ochocinco could be a Patriot/wants to be a Patriot as his twitter account said Pepe (his nickname) and Bill (Belichick) would be epic. They have been friends dating back to 2001.

Finally, a Jet season ticket holder celebrated too much and lost his life (in a way that you would never guess):

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...died_wear.html

[cross16]

Originally Posted by DropIt

While Woodson still may be the best cornerback in the game, which at his age is very impressive. I would say the Bears secondary is as good as the Packers if you take more than just interceptions into account. Interceptions, balls batted (defensed) and tackles all have a large part in a defense as a whole and Chicago is one of if not the best open field tackling team in the NFL, especially when it comes to secondary players.

The Pack have great statistical numbers, being top 5 in all defensive categories but one (rushing) which led to GB facing many more rush attempts per game and all season long. While the Bears, who ranked 2nd in rushing stats all season faced more pass attempts by opponents than GB did... and I am sure I dont have to tell you which play averages more yards between a pass and a run.

I have a hard time agreeing with this.

Packers boast, what should be, 3 Pro Bowlers as Tramon Williams got sersiouly snubbed and honestly should probably have been there over Woodson. he is one of the best cover corners in the game.

Not saying they are head in shoulders better or anything its very very close. I think we should also piont out that the two teams are tough to compare because they play drastically different style. Pack have more of a attack style, create bad QB decisions and interceptions style D, where i see the Bears as being more of the cover 2 but tackle and get strips. thats where/why you see the differences IMO.

I expect the game to be close, and I think it will come down to the Qbs. If rodgers plays like he can packers should win this game. if the offence struggles, as it has at times versus the Bears, then the Bears will win. I think the game at Soilder this year was a game where virtually everything went right for the Bears. They got the block, they got the penalties (most, but not all were desevered) and they got a packers offence that really struggled in the first half of the season.
i will also piont out i think the Bears are better offensivly now too, which is why I say i think it will come down to the QBs. If Rodgers players well and cutler gets caught one even 1 of the few mistakes he is likely to make, Pack should win. if rodgers and the offence don't play well, Bears will win.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by cross16

I have a hard time agreeing with this.

Packers boast, what should be, 3 Pro Bowlers as Tramon Williams got sersiouly snubbed and honestly should probably have been there over Woodson. he is one of the best cover corners in the game.

Not saying they are head in shoulders better or anything its very very close. I think we should also piont out that the two teams are tough to compare because they play drastically different style. Pack have more of a attack style, create bad QB decisions and interceptions style D, where i see the Bears as being more of the cover 2 but tackle and get strips. thats where/why you see the differences IMO.

I expect the game to be close, and I think it will come down to the Qbs. If rodgers plays like he can packers should win this game. if the offence struggles, as it has at times versus the Bears, then the Bears will win. I think the game at Soilder this year was a game where virtually everything went right for the Bears. They got the block, they got the penalties (most, but not all were desevered) and they got a packers offence that really struggled in the first half of the season.
i will also piont out i think the Bears are better offensivly now too, which is why I say i think it will come down to the QBs. If Rodgers players well and cutler gets caught one even 1 of the few mistakes he is likely to make, Pack should win. if rodgers and the offence don't play well, Bears will win.

The Charles Tillman snub was equally as bad as the Tramon snub, they both had fantastic seasons and were undercut for the probowl

I agree that the quarterback battle will be an important factor in the game, bit IMO it will come down to both teams' offensive line vs the opposing D line. While I won't
object that Cutler has his awful days I think too few times its realised that the Bears have one of,
if not one the worst offensive line in the league.

The biggest advantage Chicago has is the better running game. Forte has played well this season both running the ball and catching out of the backfield. They typically give him 30 touches a game to take pressure off Cutler's passing game and I don't think that changes this week.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Finally, a Jet season ticket holder celebrated too much and lost his life (in a way that you would never guess):

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...died_wear.html

330 people Like this.

People are stupid

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by DropIt

The biggest advantage Chicago has is the better running game. Forte has played well this season both running the ball and catching out of the backfield. They typically give him 30 touches a game to take pressure off Cutler's passing game and I don't think that changes this week.

No doubt that Forte is the best RB on either team, especially as a dual threat. But when i looked a couple weeks ago, and it blew my mind then as it does now, the Bears and Packers were almost indentical in rushing yards this year....10 yds different IIRC.

Huge edge to the Bears in rushing defense though...and that will be a concern for McCarthy and Capers going in. Weather will be aconcern for sure as well. Last I heard they are predicting highs in the low 20's F with snow flurries. Not ideal for the passing game and an advantage on that brutal turf in Soldier field for Chicago.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Ahh the Jets, making more and more friends everyday.

People will show you respect when

A: You win something
B: You stop acting like clowns.

B does not apply to guys who show class. I respect Mark Sanchez in this regard because he honestly seems like a cool dude. He just shuts up and plays. Similarily from a Patriot standpoint, I respect Tom Brady. Even in his post game presser, he was a class act. He just shuts up and plays. Bill Belichick on the other hand is a ######.

Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, Braylon Edwards.......go win it all/stop being clowns and then you will get respect. The Jets are a great football team and should have people's respect already IMO. It's because of how arrogant they are, that people do not give them as much as they deserve. They do deserve a ton of credit for where they are now though. I don't think they will be big underdogs in any scenario now (against Pittsburgh or in the Superbowl....they might be underdogs but not big).

I think they want the trash talk be part of their identity. If it helps them win, who cares? It seems to be working so far. If you notice they aren't talking any trash on Pitt. They hate the Pats, the Pats hate them. Brady said he didn't watch Hard Knocks this year because he hated them.

Where did Braylon Edwards say anything?

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Sowa

Where did Braylon Edwards say anything?

He did that backflip after the game, a clear sign of contempt and disrespect. Uncalled for in a professional setting...

[Flabbibulin]

A Rodgers on Jim Rome right away for those interested.

[Erick Estrada]

Hoping for a Packers vs Steelers Superbowl. Can't stand Cutler and can't stand the Jets.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hoping for a Packers vs Steelers Superbowl. Can't stand Cutler and can't stand the Jets.

I'm hoping for the Jets against either the Bears or Packers. AFL vs NFL. Also the Jets are a team I have never seen in the Super Bowl. Nothing against the Steelers, I have just already watched them in the Super Bowl a few times recently.

[GirlySports]

Green Bay against New York Jets? In Dallas?

The ratings would go through the roof and break any records that are there now.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No doubt that Forte is the best RB on either team, especially as a dual threat. But when i looked a couple weeks ago, and it blew my mind then as it does now, the Bears and Packers were almost indentical in rushing yards this year....10 yds different IIRC.

Huge edge to the Bears in rushing defense though...and that will be a concern for McCarthy and Capers going in. Weather will be aconcern for sure as well. Last I heard they are predicting highs in the low 20's F with snow flurries. Not ideal for the passing game and an advantage on that brutal turf in Soldier field for Chicago.

Yeah, the turf has been known to slow down pass rushes immensly. Peppers only has 3 sacks at home this year and if you watch, he has resorted to bull rush 90% odf the time over swims and spins. It will be interesting to see how he and Mathews perform on the garbage field in Chicago.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by DropIt

The Charles Tillman snub was equally as bad as the Tramon snub, they both had fantastic seasons and were undercut for the probowl

I agree that the quarterback battle will be an important factor in the game, bit IMO it will come down to both teams' offensive line vs the opposing D line. While I won't
object that Cutler has his awful days I think too few times its realised that the Bears have one of,
if not one the worst offensive line in the league.

The biggest advantage Chicago has is the better running game. Forte has played well this season both running the ball and catching out of the backfield. They typically give him 30 touches a game to take pressure off Cutler's passing game and I don't think that changes this week.

I wasn't trying to undercut the Bears secondary, but IMO you coudl argue that the packers have the best secondary in the NFL so I think to say the Bears is as good, i have a tough time agreeing with. I will agree Tillman had a pretty nice bounce back year, but I just think overal the Pack have mroe talent and more dpeth in their secondary than Chicago.

No question the Bears have the better running back, but I do think Starks has certainly closed that gap. But i will give you that while the bears line struggles in pass portection i think they run block better than the Pack. The Pack offensive line is the opposite, so/so in run block but very good in pass protection if that continues it'll be a struggle.

The thing I meant with Culter is you still see him make at least 2 or 3 bad choices a game. Seahawks he threw that ball ont he goaline right into the hands of a defender, and then i believe it was a screen pass he put high and just about had it picked off. pack will make you pay for those choices and with a game that should be that close, it would easily decide the game.