As a Cowboys fan I'd hate it if the Jags beat the Pats. I want a Cowboys Patriots Superbowl (with the Cowboys getting revenge and ruining the perfect season).
I don't think it is all that wishfull. Of the front runners, I think GB than NE than Dal than Indy have the least chance to lose. If TO doesn't play swap NE with Dallas, with the 2 NFC home teams the most likely to lose of the 4. But I think Jville has a shot, certainly moreso than SD does. SG struggled with a very average Tenn team at home and was thrilled with the victory (like they just won a superbowl). Indy will roll them before they come up for air. Forget previous trends of SD playing them well, Manning is not going to give them 4-5 turnovers so that they can stay in the game. I think it is going to look like one of those Broncos-Colts games (sorry to bring up Manny) where Indy's offense is razor sharpe and carves them up before SG get's a chance to find an offensive rythum and balance. Like JVille, SD will have to move the ball effectively early and get some TDs so they can stay close and try to win with the running game and balance (play action) in the 2nd half. I like Jville's potential to execute that plan much better than SD--but not enough to pick them outright. Even though I am a Boys fan, I think Indy will beat us in the Superbowl and is a worse match-up for us than the older/slower NE defense. We got a chance to score with NE (though of course it is a major long shot, Romo would have to play as cool as Brady and maybe we need a couple of breaks)--points will be much harder to come by versus Indy. NE is a more recent incarnation of the greatest show on earth/Minny Vikings/Colts of 2 years ago. If someone can disrupt the timing of the passing offense they are very beatable. I also think their defense is overrated (not as good as Indy and some NFC east teams despite comparable statistics) because of their fluffy division and getting to play from ahead so often. They are a smart/savvy defense, but slow/old in the center of the field and I think can be exploited. Indy and Dallas, with very athletic TEs, good to great wideouts, and the potential to mix runs between the tackles--those are the teams with the best shot. Jville is probably next in line--but I am less confident about their overall defense (particularly with their injuries) and ability to exploit that middle (Harrison/Bruski/Seau) for big plays down field. Here was my picks from the unknown to me similar thread. Pats 38-28 Colts 31-13 Cowboys 34-20 Seahawks 20-17 The key for the Jags is not getting bombed early and having to try to pass to catch up. If they stay close and can be balanced--they can wear out the Pats defense and win. I am a little worried that Brady might put them away early--the Jags defense has been ripped pretty good through the air by good QBs/passing offenses-- Manning (twice), Big Ben (twice) and Brees. So I think the 1st quarter and half are key, either the Jags have to put up points or they have to slow NE--I think there better bet is having their offense ready to go, have to be sharp and relaxed out of the gate. On the Colts game, this is my close to sure thing blow out. Indy could control SD's offense as it is, without a healthy Gates they are not going to move it on Indy. Indy just has to put up a couple of TDs early and the game will slide downward from SD from there, I think they will. On the Boys-Giants. Both teams are excellent at pressuring the QB and in the defensive front 7. But Dallas has a better Oline, secondary and QB. Dallas is also well rested and the Giants have effortwise played 2 strait playoff games. I think Dallas will control from start to finish. As a Boys fan this game would really scare me if Shockey was there to open up the middle--their offense is not totally nuetered, but still a lot less scary, without him. While I do think TO will play, the Boys offense without him could be stifled quite a bit by NYG because then their sucky secondary won't be exploited to the same degree. But even w/o TO Witten, Barber and Crayton (plus Glenn, Hurd) are enough weapons for Romo to move the ball some. GB-Sea is the toughest call. These teams are very even matched and mirror images. Big play but sometimes risky QBs, good wideouts, inconsistent running games, pairs of good bookend pass rushers, and fast defenses overall. I think Holmgren knows enough to tip the scales for Seattle (get Frave into some mistakes) and Seattle will be fresh enough, only really having to exert themselves 1 game over the last few weeks..
too bad for you that the Cowboys will lose this week and either the Giants or Favre will play the Pats in the Super Bowl
Could happen. The Giants are a tough matchup and a good team (all teams in the NFC East are). Beating any team 3 times in a year is tough. We'll see. Wanna put a $20 tip jar bet on it your hunch?
Come on Scar, you are smarter than that! If the Steelers with Roethlisberger, who is nowhere near the class of Brady, and without freaking Willie Parker can run up and down the field on the Jags, what do you think the Patriots are going to do? I am sorry but I think all this talk about the Jags is just that - talk. I feel that they might be the most overrated team left in the playoffs. Honestly, DS, this Patriots team reminds me a lot of the '98 Broncos (the one that beat the Falcons in the SB) as their offense is so explosive. If you remember, that Broncos team would get up on teams like 28-0 and their defense would just coast (just like the Patriots of this year). IIRC, that Broncos team started out 13-0.
I'm 2-2 so far. My picks: GB NE DAL IND I think it's possible that Indy could be upset...but not very likely.
Jacksonville is for real, maybe you forget that Roethlisberger threw what would usually be considered a great number of touchdowns this year, and they have to passing attack (like Indy) that can really get between the Jags teeth. I'll be sad to see them lose, I like what they do and how they play. But New England presents too many problems for them, and Garrard won't be able to just pass his way out of jams. The Patriots will more than likely jump out quick and Jacksonville won't be able to grind out too many long drives they are famous for if they get down by 2 scores. My picks Green Bay 24 Seattle 14 New England 34 Jacksonville 20 Colts 38 Chargers 27 Dallas 28 Giants 21
I'm ready for the scoreboard predictions ... Green Bay 35-Seattle 17 New England 32-J'ville 21 San Diego 31-Indy 27 NY Giants 24-Dallas 17
Hey, I picked NE 38-28, and pointed out the passing offenses that have torn up Jville. Jvill will have to score a lot and control the clock to have a chance. I think the Colts have a much better chance versus NE--largely because they are the 2nd best team, probably the best defensive team and bad weather won't help this NE team. That Broncos team was set up by their run dominance, but agree the defense coasted from the offense. I think the Minny team about that same time (1 loss into the playoffs), Indy team 2 years ago (13-0) and Greatest Show on Earth teams are more similar to NE than that Den team. Finesee passing offenses and defenses built on getting after you knowing you have to pass to keep up. NE can be a little more physical than those teams but also is slower/older defensively.
Of course it could happen, but you're making it sound like it will happen. What exactly are you basing this on? Romo will want to make up for last season's blunder and TO is going to play. So if Cowboys do lose, it will be because Giants just played a better game. With that being said, Eli had what, 175 yards last game? That's not going to cut it against an offense like this. As for the Giants being on a huge roll, well, they are 2-2 in their last 4 and on a 1 game winning streak. What the hell kind of momentum is that? As for Giants knowing what to expect from the Cowboys, same is true on the opposite side, so I don't buy that argument. But the thing I don't understand is how Eli got sacked 5 times last game. The guy had no idea what was coming at him; he solely forced 4 delay of games AT HOME! Do the Giants know how Cowboys will use Glenn? Wade said it best during yesterday's press conference, there will always be surprises no matter what. Plus, not having Shockey is huge. He was the main reason they were able to move the chains during the regular season against the Cowboys. Something interesting to ponder: in the last 17 years the #1 seed in the NFC has never lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. Also, teams with less than 6 losses are 7-0 when facing opponents that they swept during the regular season. Lastly, since Shockey's injury, Smith has averaged only 5.8 YPA, and Burress only averaged 5.3. Why is this significant? Because in the NFL the scale is from 6 to 10, 6 being poor and 10 being excellent. Unless you can prove otherwise, I have no reason to take your post seriously.
The Giants hurt teams by running the ball and by pressuring the passer. Cowboys have an OL with 3 Pro Bowlers, 2 very good blocking TE's and enough explosion on offense to overcome long down and distance situations. Plaxico isn't as healthy as TO yet everyone is worried about TO. Man this game is a dream come true for the Cowboys matchup wise. I can't wait till Sunday
I agree redefined. The Giants are a lot like the Boys except with a flakier QB, (much) weaker secondary and having their pro bowl match-up havok causing TE on the IR. The Giants have also in effect played in two strait playoff games the last two weeks and are on the road. The only edge I could come up with is the Giants dline, but even there I am not going to say Strahan, OE.. and Tuck and co are that far ahead of Ware, Ellis, Ratliff, Canty and Co. Both have terrific front 7s and get after you, Dallas has a secondary behind them too. It like people are counting the fact the Cowboys beat them twice against them--instead of like maybe that the Cowboys are the superior and more complete squad. I'll be honest, I would have prefered Tampa because they would be easier fodder and potentially take less out of you going into the NFC championship, but Dallas should, and I think will, handle the Giants.
You can't wait!? I'm going to the going game and this week is moving soooo slow. Can't wait! Get your popcorn ready.......
I actually have tickets to the game, but am selling them for profit. Hopefully I'll make enough money off them to buy some championship tickets!
Like I said, give me a reason to believe Giants will win this game. I can't think of anything. There's a reason why Vegas has Cowboys winning by 7.5. That just didn't come out of thin air. Even the moron analysts on ESPN are changing their minds saying Cowboys will win. I guess it took them 4 days to sleep on that Giants unimpressive victory.
As I've stated before, the Cowboys are the better team with the most talent and best skill position players...I think it'll be close without TO, but all signs look like he'll see limited action... The first time they've met in the playoffs so this'll be a great game...I can't f'n wait... Go Cowboys!!!
I went 2-2 last week. I'll go with all the home teams this week. Seattle 19 Green Bay 26 Jaguars 16 Patriots 30 Chargers 27 Colts 34 Giants 22 Cowboys 23
