NFC Playoff Discussion - Who are you pulling for?

[TheKilo]

Similar to the other thread.

 

Team I'm pulling for? It's a tie between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Both have really likeable teams (aside from DeSean Jackson, but I digress). McNabb and Reid have been somewhat vindicated over the last month. Matt Ryan helped the Eagles rise from the depths of hell that Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino dragged them into. Both really likeable teams and I'll be pulling hard for both this weekend.

 

Favorite to win the NFC? Carolina Panthers. Six straight games of over 28 points. Pounding running game, solid defense, QB with playoff experience, solid HC. Recipe for success in the playoffs. Oddly enough, their most impressive game was last week in the Meadowlands, when they were one kick away from knocking off the defending Super Bowl champs. New York will miss Plaxico greatly.

[TheKilo]

Damnit should have been a poll.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm rooting for Minnesota. I don't know why but I've always kind of liked them. I'll also be pulling for Arizona because of the turnaround. Not sure about a prediction, I guess Carolina looks good.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Rooting for Atlanta. I pick the Giants to win the NFC.

[msubulldogs21]

Rooting for the Falcons.

 

Picking the Panthers.

[redsoxrules]

Rooting for the Giants cause I want to see Peyton VS Eli

[msubulldogs21]

Rooting for the Giants cause I want to see Peyton VS Eli

 

That's probably down around #3,239 on my list of playoff scenarios that I would like to see play out. Do you realize how unwatchable ESPN and the other media outlets would become?

[See Red]

That's probably down around #3' date='239 on my list of playoff scenarios that I would like to see play out. Do you realize how unwatchable ESPN and the other media outlets would become?[/quote']

 

Do you realize how unwatchable ESPN already is? I've found that sports are a great deal better without ESPN overhyping them.

[msubulldogs21]

Do you realize how unwatchable ESPN already is? I've found that sports are a great deal better without ESPN overhyping them.

 

This is true, but it wouldn't just be ESPN hyping it up. It would be everyone. I don't have anything against Peyton or Eli (aside that he went to Ole Miss) for that matter. I just would prefer to be spared from all that as opposed from a non-Manning matchup.

[schillingouttheks]

Pulling for the Falcons because of Matt Ryan.

[yankees228]

Rooting for the Giants and picking the Giants, but I'm a Giant's fan so I guessed that opinion is a little biased.

 

However, I really do think they will be able to pull out the two wins at home.

 

I'm hoping for the two home teams to win this weekend so the Giants will be playing Arizona in the divisional round. However, I see Philadelphia winning this weekend which would setup a NYG - PHI matchup. I wouldn't quite be so confident if that played out (still obviously think the Giants would get the job done), but of all the NFC teams in the playoffs the Eagles are the last one I want the Giants to face...

[ORS]

Do you realize how unwatchable ESPN already is? I've found that sports are a great deal better without ESPN overhyping them.

I only watch games, and I only tune in once the game has started. It's a shame, really. Back in the late 80's, early 90's ESPN was great. Olberman and Patrick were brilliant as the Sunday anchor duo on SC.

[msubulldogs21]

I only watch games' date=' and I only tune in once the game has started. It's a shame, really. Back in the late 80's, early 90's ESPN was great. Olberman and Patrick were brilliant as the Sunday anchor duo on SC.[/quote']

 

See, that's what my dad has always told me, about how ESPN was great back during that time. Heck, they used to have a 30 minute SportsCenter, as crazy as that may sound today. Unfortunately I was too young to remember a lot of that stuff and it seems like I missed out on a lot of good tv. Everything today has pretty much gone in the tank.

[YanksHater213]

I want to see the Panthers win.

[Johnny_RedSox]

Giants

[TheKilo]

Tomorrow's Game:

 

Atlanta (-1) @ Arizona

 

The Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West thanks in large part to their 6-0 record in their division. Simple math tells us that the Cardinals went 3-7 against teams outside the NFC West, which should immediately raise a few red flags if you were leaning towards Arizona. However, the weather will be very favorable for the Cardinals' passing attack. The University of Phoenix Stadium will be a cozy 72 degrees with no wind as they will close the roof. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald should have excellent games provided the Cardinals O-Line gives Kurt Warner protection from a solid pass rush of the Falcons led by Keith Brooking and John Abraham.

 

The Falcons whirlwind season has been directly tied to the success of Matt Ryan. Their running game is fantastic but it is the maturity and poise of Matty Ice that helped the Falcons with a turnaround that city desperately needed after the Michael Vick fiasco. Lately, Ryan has looked like a rookie who is hitting a wall, as many of his throws look underthrown. Will his lack of playoff experience cost him, going up against a guy who is a former Super Bowl MVP? The key to the game will be that pass rush. If they can force Warner into turnovers and give Ryan a short field, they will win. If not, they run the risk of falling behind early due to the explosive offense of the Cardinals.

 

This seems to be a game where everyone is picking the Falcons, probably due to how weak the Cards have looked the last month or so. Don't be fooled....even if the Cards struggle, I still expect them to put up at least 28 tomorrow. Anquan Boldin is the best receiver in football. Warner will find him and Fitzgerald with frequency, and the Cards win by double digits.

 

Pick - Cardinals 35, Falcons 24

[TheKilo]

Sunday's game:

 

Philadelphia (-3) @ Minnesota

 

The Eagles needed a lot of things to go right in Week 17 to make the playoffs. They needed the Raiders to beat the Bucs, the Texans to beat the Bears, and they needed to beat their arch rival, the Cowboys. Inexplicably, they got all the help they needed and obliterated Dallas 44-6. Now they head towards the Great White North to face the Vikings. Jim Johnson against Tavares Jackson is completely unfair, not even close in terms of a matchup. I fully expect Johnson to blitz, blitz, and continue to blitz until Jackson proves he can beat him.

 

The Vikings to have the most dynamic back in the game, Adrian Peterson, but I don't think that will be enough to overcome the Eagles. I think the game stays close until late because Andy Reid will not give Westbrook the touches he should in the dome, but the Eagles still win by a touchdown and go to the Meadowlands next week.

 

Pick - Eagles 28, Vikings 20

[Cocos Disciples]

I have the Falcons and Eagles in the NFC.

[schillingouttheks]

I have the Falcons and Eagles in the NFC.

 

Yo tambien.

[Cocos Disciples]

Sick connection by Warner and Fitz. 7-0 Cards.

[msubulldogs21]

I have the Falcons and Eagles in the NFC.

 

Arizona looking good so far though.

[YanksHater213]

I had Zona +2, therefore I will be rooting for them.

[ORS]

Wow, horrible drop by White.

[ORS]

Who's looking forward to seeing The Boss perform at halftime of the Super Bowl? I'm torn. Springsteen kicks major ass live, but I hate the way they have performers do like 12 partial songs in the allotted time. Born to Run is such an epic song that it needs to be played in full, with the E-Street Band jamming in full live glory, which I know won't happen at the Super Bowl.

 

Back to the game. Big turnover after the score. Looks like we have a bit of a game here.

[ORS]

And Atlanta has the lead. Matt Ryan is really impressive for a rook.

[Cocos Disciples]

Who's looking forward to seeing The Boss perform at halftime of the Super Bowl? I'm torn. Springsteen kicks major ass live, but I hate the way they have performers do like 12 partial songs in the allotted time. Born to Run is such an epic song that it needs to be played in full, with the E-Street Band jamming in full live glory, which I know won't happen at the Super Bowl.

 

Back to the game. Big turnover after the score. Looks like we have a bit of a game here.

 

Do they really do partial songs? I didn't remember that. I'm still excited though, I like Springsteen, I've seem him live a couple times and he was good. Hopefully he'll play some new stuff too.

[ORS]

By my recollection, yeah they cut the songs down to the money, ie recognizable/marketable, segments.

 

Rut roh, quick TO for points for 'Zona.

[jacksonianmarch]

Warner looks like an all star, James looks inspired and that D looks tough. All of a sudden, the Cards look good. That being said, I think Zona is playing the game of their lives right now and likely wont sustain it next week either in NY or Carolina

[See Red]

Who's looking forward to seeing The Boss perform at halftime of the Super Bowl? I'm torn. Springsteen kicks major ass live, but I hate the way they have performers do like 12 partial songs in the allotted time. Born to Run is such an epic song that it needs to be played in full, with the E-Street Band jamming in full live glory, which I know won't happen at the Super Bowl.

 

Back to the game. Big turnover after the score. Looks like we have a bit of a game here.

 

It's going to be the best Super Bowl Halftime ever. I'm more excited for the halftime show than I will be for the game. I was fortunate enough to see Springsteen in Orlando last April for my birthday and he's amazing live.

 

I think for Tom Petty last year he only did five or six songs and they were all full songs -- I remember, or at least think I do, because I only like five or six of his songs and he played them and only them it seemed.

 

I expect at least two songs in full... Born to Run and Born in the USA. He'll probably play his new song, Working on a Dream, too. Well, I wouldn't say probably. If he wants to throw in a newer song I'd rather it be "Radio Nowhere".

 

edit: I'd like to see...

 

Born in the USA

Dancing in the Dark

Badlands

The Rising

Born to Run

 

... they could bastardize and shorten the first four if it means playing Born to Run in full.

[schillingouttheks]

Haha, Bruce opened the door to my dorm for me before I left school for winter break. His son lives in my building.

 

He's not a very big guy at all. He's tiny. (referring to Bruce)