2011 NFL Playoffs Thread

[corporatejay]

How often do we see teams go to a "prevent" defense and it bites them in the ass.

[Flabbibulin]

Can someone explain why they didn't go for 2 there?

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Can someone explain why they didn't go for 2 there?

If they miss the 2, a FG ices the game

[Flabbibulin]

that was clutch... too bad, i was looking forward to an exciting finish.

[Cheerio]

Yes!!!!!!

[dirk diggler]

Thank god, i couldnt listen to the Jets talk trash for 2 weeks.....

[OILFAN #81]

Steelers vs Packers Superbowl. Should be a good game.

Going to say 24-21 Steelers.

[Flabbibulin]

Although it doesn't matter, I think the Packers will be glad to have the extra week off, while the Steelers would probably like to play right away... While momentum has been a huge ally for the Packers since the week 16 Bears game, I think Rodgers was more banged up on that hit than it seemed.

[Rjcsjc62]

opening lines

GB -2.5

over/under 45.5

[Da_Chief]

Just blows my mind when teams waste so much time between plays or try to run the ball when you need 2 scores and times running out.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Rjcsjc62

opening lines

GB -2.5

over/under 45.5

Kind of surprising to me that the Packers are favorites. They may be playing better at the moment, but they still have numerous injuries, and made the playoffs as a sixth seed.

My prediction at the moment is 27-23 Steelers, but either team could pull it out. There is no clear favorite in my mind.

[flames_1987]

I think Big Ben can do a lot for a team, especially with his feet, and is a good quarterback but he's not in the Manning/Brady league. Once again I felt in these playoffs, it's shown how much of this is a team game, and all the power to him if he gets his 3rd ring this season but I'm not going to buy into the comparisons being made of him to Brady and Manning.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Cutlers mopey, loser personality showed up today and it looks good on the Bears, Kyle Orton would have been a better fit for that team, just manage the game, yet they put their faith in Cutler....

Ah yes. Cutler is such a horrible fit! He only won the division title this year, right?

It comes down to the fact that all around Green Bay was better today. Their Dline beat up CHI inexperienced Oline, and the Green Bay Oline beat up the Bears' Dline.

I was hoping for a Bears win, but really wasnt expecting one. I can honestly say, that as a Bears fan, I am very happy that a team that at one point was triggered to be in an epic collapse made a few adjustments prior to the season and carried themselves to the NFC chamionship game.

All you hear is about how ####ty Cutler is and how he wont win, but this was his first playoffs.. with his best receiver being Jhonny Knox/Greg Olsen while he faces off against Aaron Rdogers and Driver/Jennings.

If I would have told you, or myself for that matter, that Chicago would have been in the NFC championship game, against the Packers with home field advantage... I think it's safe to say you would have thought I was crazy.
Fact is, Chicago has just shown that they could very well be one of the better, young teams on the upswing looking into the future, and for as much as Cutler takes crap, remember he had the WORST offensive line in ALL of football this season. His numbers look pretty impressive when you figure that Carolina's Oline was better constructed than Chicago's.

I expect both Forte and Lovie Smith to get well deserced extension's and for the Bears to be perennial competitors in the NFC for a long time to come.

Also, Todd Colins sucks

[browna]

Originally Posted by DropIt

I expect both Forte and Lovie Smith to get well deserced extension's and for the Bears to be perennial competitors in the NFC for a long time to come.

Like your optimism, but last time Bears got into the playoffs was 4 years ago. Lovie has to go now or get extended, otherwise he's a lame duck next year.
As far as the team, in addition to now having a 1st place schedule, they suddenly have a fairly big issue at hand with Cutler.

There were questions coming into the playoffs about his mental ability to handle the pressure. He got lucky a few times last week on plays which could have had him implode confidence wise, but he managed to scrape by. Today though, did nothing while he watched the Packers go up by 14. He pulled it back a little bit, but then got hurt. He doesn't even know when or how he got hurt, suddenly he's out of the game...a try to ride the bike, but that was it, he was done. I was watching at the gym, couldn't believe it...just standing there...no physio, no nothing, he was done in an NFC championship game.

The question marks are already surrounding him, not from emotional fans, but from colleagues. There's a chance he's fairly hurt, but then others point to Rivers completing one game and starting another with a torn ACL a few years back. However it turns out in the next couple days, the optics of everything don't look good from today and there will always be question marks and whispers.

Regardless, until Cutler can win the big game, he's going to be under a huge microscope...and with the events of today, that scrutiny is going to be more intense, fairly or not, as to if he's got the mental ability to match his physical ability. For a guy that doesn't really seem to enjoy the spotlight or questions, it could be difficult on him to have to deal with all next year and before next years playoffs, if he reaches them.

The Bears were able to do it with Orton last time, and Cutler's a better Qb when he's on, but when he's off, he's really off. A game like this won't silence his critics or raise the confidence of anyone, or maybe even he has in himself, and it will be a distraction for the Bears all offseason and into next season, whether they like it or not.

[Montana Moe]

Cutler still sucks.

[transplant99]

I don't think I have ever been more proud of a sports team I cheer for than i am about this Packer team. The amount of adversity they have overcome this season is unmatched by any team in any sport i can think of. I have been a bit critical of Ted Thompson in the past, and he has proven me (and every other even more boisterous critics) completely wrong. His vision and patience to see through with his plan of drafting and signing undrafted players is remarkable. He just doesn't waiver from what he believes in. His ability to identify players and what they can do is simply unbelievable. They are young, deep everywhere, and clearly play for one another thanks to the coaching of McCarthy. This is going to be a fun ride for the next several years as a GB fan I think.

I am so pumped for the SB now. Team of destiny? Maybe.

As for the bears embattled QB...

I certainly understand the disdain and dislike for Cutler. I don't think it's fair to say he quit on his team though because we simply don't have enough information yet. If the injury is a bad one where he could have done even more damage by staying in and the medical staff made the call, then it's absurd to blame him.

That being said, the optics were horrendous. He looked like he couldn't have cared less, didn't appear to be giving advice/information to either Collins or Hanie, and wasn't icing his knee or using crutches to stand on the sideline. On top of all that he just looks like a whiner, not his fault as that's just a gene thing, but it's there none the less.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

How often do we see teams go to a "prevent" defense and it bites them in the ass.

I like to refer to that scheme as the 'prevent the win' defense. It has it's place for certain circumstances such at under a minute left in the game/half or up more than a couple of scores with <3 minutes left but IMO teams revert to it far too early after getting a sizeable lead. It actually defies logic in that what you have been doing to get your lead is obviously confusing or getting the other team's offense out of rhythm. You then implement the soft 'prevent' defense that leaves guys wide open in short/meduim crossing patters which enables the opposition's offense to get back into rhythm and regain confidence. Before you know it in relatively easy fashion they are scoring position, to eventual scores which in turn fires up their defense, making the tide turn in favor of the team that is behind.

I understand they don't want to give up the big play but if you haven't given up the big play so far what makes teams think that they will when they are playing well? Is it better to sit back and let teams get down field in five easy plays as opposed to the possibility that they hit a big play even though they haven't all day?

[transplant99]

Here is a really good column written today on the whole Jay Cutler saga.

Cutler says he knew something wasn't right when he took a hit on the outside of his left knee near the end of the first half. Doctors examined him at halftime and a decision was made to test it to start the third quarter, when the Bears would receive the opening kickoff.

He needed only one pass attempt to know the problem was serious. Cutler says the joint lacked stability and, at that point, the medical team made the decision to pull him, according to coach Lovie Smith.

"It's no player decision," Smith said. "For us, Jay hurt his knee. He couldn't go. ... The trainers, doctors and all -- they're the ones who really made that decision.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1Bxlz2P8V

[Cheese]

Tweets from NFL players re Cutlers knee injury..


Hey I think the urban meyer rule is effect right now... When the going gets tough........QUIT..less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterMaurice Jones-Drew
Jones_Drew32

All I'm saying is that he can finish the game on a hurt knee... I played the whole season on one...less than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterMaurice Jones-Drew
Jones_Drew32

FOX HAVENT SHOWED ANY TRAINERS LOOKING AT CUTLER, UMMMless than a minute ago via webDerrick Brooks
DBrooks55

Cutler is messing up ppls money. Collins may not get invited back next yr. He didn't come to work to work..smh.less than a minute ago via EchofonLeCharles Bentley
LeCharlesBent65

I've hurt my knee playing football 4 times. Never once did I then stand up on sidelines afterwards.less than a minute ago via OpenBeakRoss Tucker
RossTuckerNFL

If my knee was hurt or acl/mcl/pcl sprain, I would not be standing up on the sideline. #jaycutlerless than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterKirk Morrison
kirkmorrison55

If I'm on chicago team jay cutler has to wait till me and the team shower get dressed and leave before he comes in the locker room! #FACTless than a minute ago via ÜberTwitterDARNELL DOCKETT
ddockett

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by DropIt

Ah yes. Cutler is such a horrible fit! He only won the division title this year, right?

It comes down to the fact that all around Green Bay was better today. Their Dline beat up CHI inexperienced Oline, and the Green Bay Oline beat up the Bears' Dline.

I was hoping for a Bears win, but really wasnt expecting one. I can honestly say, that as a Bears fan, I am very happy that a team that at one point was triggered to be in an epic collapse made a few adjustments prior to the season and carried themselves to the NFC chamionship game.

All you hear is about how ####ty Cutler is and how he wont win, but this was his first playoffs.. with his best receiver being Jhonny Knox/Greg Olsen while he faces off against Aaron Rdogers and Driver/Jennings.

If I would have told you, or myself for that matter, that Chicago would have been in the NFC championship game, against the Packers with home field advantage... I think it's safe to say you would have thought I was crazy.
Fact is, Chicago has just shown that they could very well be one of the better, young teams on the upswing looking into the future, and for as much as Cutler takes crap, remember he had the WORST offensive line in ALL of football this season. His numbers look pretty impressive when you figure that Carolina's Oline was better constructed than Chicago's.

I expect both Forte and Lovie Smith to get well deserced extension's and for the Bears to be perennial competitors in the NFC for a long time to come.

Also, Todd Colins sucks

you are dreaming, the Packers have a ton of guys on IR, they are the team of the future in this division, not mopey Cutler and an aging defense in Chicago... the Bears beat the Seahawks in the playoffs... enough said