NFL Playoffs

**cycloneworld** · 12-28-2006, 09:18 AM

I know it’s a week early but I’m pumped for the NFL playoffs which for me are second only to the NCAA tournament.

Who’s in?
NFC
1. Chicago - Bye
2. New Orleans - Bye
3. Philly
4. Seattle
5. Dallas
6. NY Giants (assumed)

AFC
1. San Diego - Bye
2. Baltimore - Bye
3. Indy
4. New England
5. Denver (assumed)
6. NY Jets (assumed)

First round Advancers
NFC – Chicago, NO, Philly, Dallas [setting up Chicago vs. Dallas and NO vs. Philly]
AFC – San Diego, Baltimore, Indy, NE [setting up SD vs. NE and Baltimore vs. Indy]

Title Games
Chicago vs. Philly
San Diego vs. Baltimore

Super Bowl
Chicago vs. San Diego

Winner
San Diego

There will be some surprises, that’s a given. I could see Philly sneaking in as well as they are playing very, very well lately. If it were in Philly, I say they beat the Bears. Also, the AFC is going to be a big favorite over the NFC in the SB.

Your thoughts and predictions?

**mj4cy** · 12-28-2006, 09:21 AM

jets are the worst playoff team by far....check their ease of schedule and you'll understand

**garn91** · 12-28-2006, 09:28 AM

There's no way the Bears advance to The Super Bowl with the way they've been playing of late.

**cycloneworld** · 12-28-2006, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by garn91

There's no way the Bears advance to The Super Bowl with the way they've been playing of late.

Then who?

**ISUCLONES15** · 12-28-2006, 09:40 AM

I am going to go with Chargers vs Saints with the Saints as Super Bowl Champs. Baltimore & Philly are both playing really well so I wouldn't be surprised to see either one of them sneak into the big game.

**clones_jer** · 12-28-2006, 09:45 AM

Philly has got to be the most "under the radar" team out there. I had to look up their season after I read your post, never thought they'd even get a wild card.

the NFC blows!!! Seattles a 4th seed, that says it all.

**garn91** · 12-28-2006, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

Philly has got to be the most "under the radar" team out there. I had to look up their season after I read your post, never thought they'd even get a wild card.

the NFC blows!!! Seattles a 4th seed, that says it all.

Philly was written off when McNabb was lost for the season (again).

Philly would have to be my favorite from the NFC followed by New Orleans. On the AFC side, hard not to pick against Balitmore and their defense.

**cmoore_23** · 12-28-2006, 02:48 PM

PACKERS!!!!! haha sorry i can dream

**Mr Janny** · 12-28-2006, 03:01 PM

I'm not really a bears fan, but the NFC road to the Super Bowl runs through Soldier Field, and if it's cold, I can't see any team with the exception of possibly Philly, coming out of there with a victory. Yeah, they haven't played great of late, but that city wants to win so bad. I would be surprised if they didn't at least make the NFC title game.

**sclotz** · 12-29-2006, 07:11 AM

Lots of good vibes down here regarding the Saints...what would you do for this weekend? Sit and rest the main players and possibly lose some momentum, or play as usual for the win?

**cycloneworld** · 12-29-2006, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by sclotz

Lots of good vibes down here regarding the Saints...what would you do for this weekend? Sit and rest the main players and possibly lose some momentum, or play as usual for the win?

The Bears starters will at least see a half of action if not more. Lovie learned his lesson last year but sitting all of the starters for 2 weeks and then they went out and laid an egg against Carolina.

**ISUFan22** · 12-29-2006, 08:17 AM

The Eagles sat their guys the last couple weeks and lost those games I think - from 2004. They managed to make their way to the Super Bowl - without their star receiver that year. They looked a bit off in the playoff games, but they made it.

I've never been a fan of mass subbing for most of the game in the last couple weeks. Yet there isn't really any good stats that show if you sit your players, you won't make it through to the Super Bowl.

I look at the teams that are peaking right now. In the NFC, that's Philly and for the most part, New Orleans and Chicago.

In the AFC, clearly the Chargers are peaking - they seem to do so each week. It sounds strange, yet the team with the next best winning streak in the NFL is Tennessee. And I would not want to play them in the playoffs should they make it in. They need far too much help though.

**EggMcClone** · 12-29-2006, 08:39 AM

Are the Chargers talented enough to overcome Marty?

**ISUFan22** · 12-29-2006, 08:42 AM

It sure seems like it. And they haven't exactly been playing "Marty ball" this year.

I'd love them to win it all in the event Dallas can't get their heads out of their arses and get something done and the Saints can't do it.

LT is such a great story and it would be nice to see Marty get over the hump.

**ISUFan22** · 12-29-2006, 08:53 AM

Similarities between the 2 Charger losses...

- On the road
- LT held under 100 yards on the ground
- Two players attempted passes
- Rivers had one interception

I think a Raven-Charger rematch has the potential to be fantastic. The Ravens not only held LT to 98 yards on the ground, he only got 1 catch for 7 yards - and zero touchdowns.

That game occurred in week 3 of the season. In the next week he was held under 100 total yards when facing the Steelers. Since then, he's easily made it over 100 yards in total offense.

If you recall, after the loss to the Ravens the Chargers were criticized for not getting LT the ball enough. That quickly changed and they really have not looked back.