The Playoffs

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

In the 1st round, I see things going exactly the way Tom has them but after that we differ. I know the Chargers have a shitload of talent and LT but I just don't like them matched up against the Pats in the second round. The Pats have been going through the season very quietly. LT might have a big game, but they'll put the clamps on Rivers and find a way to win a close one like they always do.

I'm not sold on the Ravens either. Their defense isn't as great as the team that won the Super Bowl and while McNair will be a tough out, I just don't see Baltimore scoring enough points.

Then that'll set up Pats/Colts once again, and on the turf and against a team that they know they can beat now, Manning will get the job done.

In the NFC, I don't really like the Bears but that's the problem, because I don't really like any of the teams. I think their biggest scare will come against The Seahawks and that team's last stand, but how can we be sold on the Saints? The defense is paper thin and while the offense has had a strong year, they have to go to windy and possibly snowy Chicago. Grossman might try to cost the Bears a trip to the Super Bowl, but they'll escape until they run into Manning, and then we'll see Peyton put on a show on the neautral field.

I absolutely LOVE the fact that nobody is taking Indy and NE serious.


1st round:

Eagles over Giants
Seahawks over Cowboys
Patriots over Jets
Colts over Chiefs

2nd round:

Bears over Seahawks
Saints over Eagles
Patriots over Chargers
Colts over Ravens

Conference Championships:

Bears over Saints
Colts over Patriots

Super Bowl:

Colts over Bears

Griff0rd

TNA Moderator

1st round:

Eagles over Giants
Seahawks over Cowboys
Patriots over Jets
Colts over Chiefs

2nd round:

Bears over Seahawks
Saints over Eagles
Chargers over Patriots
Ravens over Colts

Conference Championships:

Saints over Bears
Chargers over Ravens

Super Bowl:

Chargers over Saints


The only thing that could change this for me is if Martyball comes back into effect... then it would be the Saints over Ravens in Superbowl.

Slimdust

This is how I see it going down...


1st round:

Eagles over Giants
Cowboys over Seahawks
Jets over Pats
Colts over Chiefs

2nd round:

Cowboys over Bears
Saints over Eagles
Chargers over Jets
Ravens over Colts

Conference Championships:

Saints over Cowboys
Chargers over Ravens

Super Bowl:

Chargers over Saints

Dr. Giganto

I dont really know about the Saints D being "paper thin" theyt were above average in yards and points allowed (11th and 13th, respectively, in the NFL). Their run defense was pretty bad: 2063 yards allowed (23rd in the NFL), 4.9 yards per carry (30th), but their pass defense was pretty good: 2854 yards (3rd), 6.0 yards per attempt (9th). Also note that their rushing D stats were negatively affected by playing the Falcons twice, who put up 398 total rushing yards on them. The Falcons had 360 more rushing yards than the second-highest rushing team in the NFL, and the Saints also played Washington (4th in rushing yards), San Fran (6th), and the Giants (7th). So, their schedule was a little top-heavy in big rushing teams. By comparison, they only played 3 games against teams that were in the bottom 7 in rushing. The rest of their schedule was middle of the pack rushing teams.

Take away those two games, and their rushing yards allowed per game decreases from an atrocious 128.9, to a slightly less miserable 118.9. Thats still not good, but not quite so bad. Basically middle of the pack

So, they can stop the pass, can't really stop the run all that well.

But, I have full faith in their offense, and I think teams will be playing catch-up against them, and needing to throw the ball.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I agree, if they were to get an early lead on the Bears, but I just don't respect the Saints defense at all. You've given me the stats, I knew it wouldn;t be as horrible as I thought, but I still sit here and think of them as VERY average..

Slimdust

look what happened to the cowboys, they had no chance cause they HAD to pass to get back into the game and they just couldnt.

Dr. Giganto

Also, I looked at their game-by-game stats, and it looked like the good rushing teams absolutely hacked them to pieces, and they didn't allow much to the not-so-good rushing teams. Fortunately for them, they dont have to worry about facing a top-10 rushing offense until the NFC Championship game (Giants), at the earliest, and probably not unless they make it to the Super Bowl (Chargers and Chiefs were 2 and 9, respectively)

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Plus, I'm thinking snowy, windy, horrible weather negating the pass.

Dr. Giganto

Also note that the #s 11-14 rushing teams are all in the NFC playoffs (Philly, Dallas, Seattle, and Chicago). It will be interesting to see how they do against these above-average, but not quite elite, rushing attacks

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Isn;t Alexander completely healthy now though? I mean, I would think he'd have been in the top 5 if not for the injury..