Pretty good wildcard weekend compared to the previous years. My picks: -Colts -Bengals -Saints -Packers
Cannot wait for the 49ers-Packers game. I know people don't consider it a rivalry, but when these two teams go at it it's always a great game. 49ers might be too much though because that Green Bay defense is AWFUL without Matthews
It's interesting that as of Friday only one of the games (Saints-Eagles) is sold out. Unlike during the regular season, when teams can give away seats for 34 cents on the dollar to avoid blackouts, all seats for playoff games must be sold at face value, and people in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Green Bay haven't done it yet. The NFL blackout rules have long outlived their usefulness anyway, but imagine if Packer fans can't watch the playoff game because they dare to not want to go out and watch their team play (and probably lose) in subzero weather? The FCC wants to get rid of these rules, and the NFL is fighting it. It seems to me that considering all of the public money that goes into things like NFL stadiums, blackouts should not be allowed. I also think that it shouldn't be required that away games have to be shown in the home market. Every game should be offered first to the official partner (Fox or CBS), and if they don't want it it should be offered to any other local station that is willing to pay the price Fox or CBS does for an individual game (the way the ESPN and NFL Network feeds are picked up by a local station). If a team is so bad that no local station wants to pick up a game, then it doesn't get televised. That might actually encourage a team to improve itself (I would also be okay with the game being offered to a local station for less than the usual fee if no one wants to pay it, but Fox and CBS should get first crack at that opportunity).
My initial picks were all home teams and two of my picks did not feel right. Chiefs Eagles Bengals 49ers are my picks
I got 5 records exactly right. 13 records 1 game off. Texans and Redskins both 8 games off though. Not good. Haha. As for Wild Card Weekend: Colts Eagles Bengals Packers
Ive switched my pick to the Packers, this will be the game that will catch people off guard, similar to the Broncos/Steelers game and Seattle/Saints a couple years ago. I think Lacy is going to have a huge day, im looking at 125+ yards making the 49ers defense look BAD.
I think the Eagles have been pretty much smoke an mirrors this year, have not dominated at home by any stretch, Chip Kelley's quick tempo offense will end up burning him by giving Brees way to many possessions. I think the Saints get the road playoff win monkey off their back fairly easily. Every ounce of reason in me tells me that the Bengal/Chargers game shouldn't be much of a contest. Bengals dominate at home - tremendous weapons - dominating D line. But one thought keeps creeping in - Rivers is 5x the QB Dalton is. I am going with the Bengals but if Phillip lights it up and Andy lays an egg I won't be shocked. The game that most think is the best match up, I feel will be the most lopsided game of the weekend. The Niners are going to absolutely obliterate and embarrass the Packers so bad they gonna wish they let the Bears win last week. KC/Colts - I think is going to end up being the best game of the weekend. I think KC wins it on a late FG. Surprisingly picking 3 road teams, but in the NFC they really are by far better teams.
Wonderfully ridiculous factoid: in the four previous NFL playoff games where the home team had at least 4 fewer wins than the visiting team, the (home) team with the fewer wins won every time. Obviously the gods of statistics say to put the house on the Packers.
Thats my thinking though, we saw this with Seattle and Denver. Marshawn Lynch went off and then Tebow went off. I know a lot of people are saying it will come down to Rodgers but I think Lacy might be the guy who goes off and pulls the stunner.
I probably will only watch 2 games. The other two are just "meh" for me. Saints at Eagles for offensive showdown potential. 49ers at Packers to watch a game played in freaky cold weather. I like the Saints and Packers for above games. Cincy should put away Chargers easily. Kansas is my favorite against the Colts.
I wouldn't sleep on the Chargers, I don't think they're a good team but I think Andy Dalton is so wildly inconsistent that if he plays like he did last week turning the ball over they will lose this game.
I agree but I view it as a game the Bengals CANNOT lose and should not lose. They are undefeated at home, havent won a playoff game in 20+ years, have yet to win a playoff game under Dalton, have yet to win a playoff game under Marvin Lewis. I said this earlier in the season, if the Bengals lose this game, Marvin Lewis will be fired. This is the Bengals big season, a playoff win is the minimum, this is the window for them imo. If they dont make a run this year they likely never will. I picked the Bengals to get to the championship game and I will stand by it but I am concerned they might have a letdown this week.
I also think the Chargers will approach this game much like the Jets did in Ryan's 1st 2 years. They're not supposed to be there and notice there is no talk of them "backing into the playoffs" but they will be loose.
Yup, was thinking the same thing to. This Bengals team is a lot more talented and deeper team than the team the Jets players though. Having a shutdown corner really helped us that day, Palmer was struggling and just missing passes.
Saturday: Chiefs win. Charles was off to a good day vs Indy 2 weeks ago but he only ended up with 12 carries. I think that changes tomorrow. Also, Andy Reid has never lost a first round playoff game. Reid >>>> pagano. Saints win as well. I'll take my chances with Brees and Payton than first timers in Foles and Kelly. Sunday: I think Cinci wins, but it will come down to a fieldgoal at the end of the game. San Diego has lost all of their games this year by less than 8 so it would not surprise me one bit to see them win. I think rivers is better than dalton and Marvin Lewis has a huge monkey in his back in the playoffs. Green Bay beats the 9ers. Rodgers got most of the rust off last week and they are 6-2 with him at the helm this year. Packers win
I was going to make a thread in the NFL forum, or Crystal Ball forum, but I'll save the space and just make this the thread I was going to make. Let's all post our predictions, thru the playoffs. I see some of you have already, and I'll throw mine in now. Chiefs @ Colts Saints @ Eagles Chargers @ Bengals 49ers @ Packers I want to take the homer GB pick, but 0-3 in the last year and a half? No thanks. I'll add my complete predictions before the 1st game starts too.
Life Threatening conditions at the Packers game: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsig...n+WI&product1=Wind+Chill+Warning#.UsgCh6KzKph
