2023 NFL Playoffs Thread

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah I would agree with that assessment...guys like Cousins can win one playoff game, but he can't play at a high level consistently enough to do it more than twice. Cousins is also at an age where he's going to be challenged to keep up his level of play without some sort of decline

[Sainters7]

Going away tomorrow for the weekend and almost certainly will forget to write it when I'm away, so doing it now:

Bengals
Niners

I could see the Eagles winning as Purdy's shaky performance last weekend has me worried, but my pre-playoff picks have a Bengals over Niners prediction, and dammit, I need to stay faithful to it.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Feels like winning today is bigger for the Bengals and Eagles, given that both of their QBs will around that $50 million a season level next year instead of QB minimum wage. Then again the Eagles managed to win the SB with Wentz on a poverty deal, have his second deal be a debacle, and yet here they are again within five seasons. 49ers have shown this season they should probably never pay a QB top dollar, Shanahan's system + low cost QB + elite rest of the roster is a winning strategy. Chiefs season feels like found money, this might be their floor season for the next few with, outside of Kelce, a replacement level (at best) WR corps. They too might wanna invest more in defense, Mahomes + elite defense + Brady-level weapons sounds like a winner too.

For SB entertaining value I'm hoping for Eagles-Chiefs, feels like that would be the most fun game. Feels like the Eagles are pretty clear favorites, Purdy's limitations have been shown the last two weeks when he has been pressured, and the Eagles have the best pass rush in the league. Don't think he can game manage a win today unlike last week. Chiefs-Bengals feels like a true tossup, probably come down to last possession. And if Andy will actually commit to the run this year. If he can't with a gimpy QB...

[Erick Estrada]

Reid and Mahomes get a lot of the credit but IMO Kelce has been just as important to their success and I don't think they will be the same when he starts declining. He's been remarkably durable but the drop off will come.

[Sylvanfan]

The betting a futures markets seem to believe that any of these 4 remaining teams has a shot.

For K.C today I'm looking at what the Ravens did and try to implement some of that. Be willing to run the ball 25 plus times and stay with it. Get the ball out quick and use multiple tight end sets to create some yards after the catch on the perimeter. Defensively I think it will be tough to get to Burrow as he's going to look to throw quickly so try and clog the passing lanes and bat some balls down. Challenge the receivers at the line of scrimmage as playing 7 yards off on these quick throws gives those guys too much space and let's them keep their timing. Three games all decided by a field goal...time for K.C to turn the tide and be on the right side is what I want. But until Burrow loses a playoff game to another AFC team can't bet against him. Bengals 20-17. But next week they walk into the Superbowl hyping themselves like theyre the chosen champions and get absolutely rolled harsh by the NFC winner in the Superbowl.

In the Eagles and Niners I think it's the Niners LB's vs Hurts which will be key. I don't anticipate that Philly will be able to just line up and run for 250 plus today, but if Hurts can go for say 75 and keep a few drives going with his legs I think that's the key for the Eagles. These two teams really do match up pretty evenly except that I think Hurts is Philly's biggest advantage and the LB core for San Fran is their biggest one. But for most position groups I think Philly has an advantage. I'll enjoy this game, I'll say Eagles 32 to 28.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I’m not so sure that Smith kept control after hitting the ground…good call to go to the line quickly. The commentators completely whiffed on even considering that.

[GirlySports]

Incredible catch by Devonta Smith on 4th and 3!

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I’m not so sure that Smith kept control after hitting the ground…good call to go to the line quickly. The commentators completely whiffed on even considering that.

Yeah this last replay clearly shows he didn't have it. 7 point swing on that play.

[Senator Clay Davis]

7 point error by Shanahan there.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

What an ENORMOUS #### up to not challenge that. It was a really obvious question, too, as soon as you saw that replay - i.e., did he catch it? What does the other angle show?

[Senator Clay Davis]

And that's a fumble

[ben voyonsdonc]

These commentators are complete ####. They have no idea what is happening in this game.

They completely whiffed again on the possible fumble.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The refs aren't any better; they've now completely missed two turnovers on the first two possessions.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah that's a fumble for sure. Now I'm reminded that Shanahan crawls into a shell when there's more at stake in a game. Siriani doesn't.

[Senator Clay Davis]

But what happened to the New York overrule that was everywhere wildcard weekend? Both of those shouldn't even have required a challenge.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Greg Olsen needs to talk a lot less.

[SuperMatt18]

Have to say really I'd have no issue with any of these final 4 winning, which is actually kind of nice

[ResAlien]

Wasted opportunity by Philly there.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Have to say really I'd have no issue with any of these final 4 winning, which is actually kind of nice

I’m good with anyone but Philly.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Josh Johnson winning this would be the funniest #### of all-time.