The Divisional Playoff Weekend is my favorite weekend in sports.
There are two games on Saturday and Sunday. They are almost always good matchups. It's quality football. I am so looking forward to it.
Titans at Patriots:
Probably a mismatch. NE has too many weapons for Tenn. I like Mariotta's heart and toughness, but I don't like his ability to read coverages. NE can be beat in the passing game, but I don't think MM is that kind of qb.
Falcons at Eagles:
Intriguing match-up. Would have been awesome had Wentz been playing. He's not. I don't think Foles gets it done. It's a damn shame for Philly fans.
Jags at Steelers:
Jax picked Big Ben 5 times last game. Jalen Ramsey and that secondary is the best in football. But, is Bortles going to run all over the Steelers? That's not a recipe for success. Steelers win.
Saints at Vikings:
Game of the weekend. Two tough teams. Brees has the experience over Keenum. But Minni's D is awesome. Saints' secondary is really improved and are led by ex-Buckeye Marcus Lattimore, who should win ROY. Great matchup. Not sure who wins, but I can't wait to see it.
My buddies and I have a tradition every year for this weekend. We all get kitchen passes from the spouses on either Saturday or Sunday. We meet up a little before the games start and hit the sports book. We all try to bet in the same direction so we are all rooting for the same thing. We spend all day sports betting, drinking, and eventually gambling at the tables after the games are over. The fact that we have long weekends with a holiday on Monday makes it even better. This year we are meeting on Saturday after pick up basketball. The fact the games start at 1:30pm is even better. #westcoastisthebestcoast
LOL - The Rish will be upset with this news as well. KS just doesn't prioritize winning...
My buddies and I have a tradition every year for this weekend. We all get kitchen passes from the spouses on either Saturday or Sunday. We meet up a little before the games start and hit the sports book. We all try to bet in the same direction so we are all rooting for the same thing. We spend all day sports betting, drinking, and eventually gambling at the tables after the games are over. The fact that we have long weekends with a holiday on Monday makes it even better. This year we are meeting on Saturday after pick up basketball. The fact the games start at 1:30pm is even better. #westcoastisthebestcoast
Sounds like a blast. Enjoy!
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
I LOVE this weekend. There's usually that one team that pulls a stunner, however, this year I think things go as scripted.
Titans at Patriots: "Fuhgetaboutit" It's not just the weapons, it's the fact that they exploit the weakness in your game plan. If you are inferior - Bill gets you playing "paper, scissors, rock" and somehow knows your sign before you flash it. I think Gronk has a big game and shows what was missing in his absence last year.
Falcons at Eagles: Oh, what could have been. Foles won't be able to get it done and the Falcons are running on all cylinders. Eagles are great vs the run and I can see a very competitive game if they shut it down, but I think the Falcons will pull it out down the stretch. I have a hunch they will be playing a game in February again this year.
Jags at Steelers: Big Ben and the Steelers out for revenge. Leonard Fournette has a chance to show that he's the real deal against a Steelers team that hasn't shown their usual dominance against the run this year. Playoffs is a different story, Pittsburgh by 10.
Saints at Vikings: Definitely the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. More than anything, I'm excited to see this Minny defense in action, haven't seen them all year. A well balanced attack by the Saints could spell doom if they get out of the gates. If they go up by 10 or 14 , this game could end badly... If they don't, it could be a classic. I'm gonna go with the Saints on a last second FG.
I wish I could get as excited about it as you. I watched very little last weekend and will probably only watch this weekend if I have nothing else going on.
I'm so glad the Bengals spoiled the ravens play off hopes. my preferences are: Patriots, Eagles, Steelers, Saints. I'd like to see a Patriots/Saints SB
The only direction for the Browns is up. The draft looks interesting.
I want the Eagles out now so our 2nd round pick from them is as high as possible.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
my favorite weekend is the first weekend of March Madness .. this is a good weekend though too.
I like Pittsburgh, New England, Atlanta, and New Orleans
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Mariota has the will but not the ability to match up against Brady. I don't believe Brady has a lot of years left, but as of now, he is one of the top three QB's in the NFL and coached by the best in the business. Mularky has done a lot with the talent he has been given and the Titans are fools to have ever thought of firing him. But from coaching to the roster, the Titans are outmatched here. Patriots win.
Falcons at Eagles:
While I think the Eagles have a good team overall, the difference between Wentz and Foles is larger than the Continental Divide. The Falcons too have a very talented roster and the QB's will be the difference. Atlanta wins.
Jags at Steelers:
I just don't trust Bortles to win at this level. If the Jags had a huge advantage on D I might have to move in the other direction. I favor the secondary of the Jags but I simply don't feel that Bortles can capitalize on that advantage. Steelers win.
Saints at Vikings:
I'll probably go against the grain on the popular opinion here. I think Drew Brees is a great QB. I think the Saints have a pretty good roster. But I think a lot of people sell Keenum short and overlook the talent he has. I feel the Vikings emulate the team concept. It may be that my love of the team concept is overruling good judgement here but... Vikings win.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Atl vs Philly wasn't very well played, but the ending was exciting. Foles started off very shaky but he ended up playing very well. Philly was just so much stronger on the OL and DL than Atlanta was. Philly's O beat up Atlanta's D. The physical mismatch was very clear.
I am really sick of what is a catch and what is not a catch. These reviews are lengthy and interrupt the flow of the game. Between those decisions, the tremendous amount of commercials, and all the penalties where I gotta listen to some dude in a striped shirt telling me what I already saw.............the NFL has a real problem on their hands.
The New England vs Tenn game started off pretty good. The Titans looked more physical, but they just didn't have an answer for Brady and all those receivers that the Pats have. I like Mariotta, but man, he struggles w/reads and accuracy. I actually fell asleep late in the game.
Maybe we could just boil a "catch" call down to a coin toss or rock / paper / scissors between the two players. Right now it is as objective as scoring ice skating, and listening to the talking heads in the booth carry on about incontrovertible proof as they grind on and replay endlessly is maddening. And when it gets to a point where you have several of these in a few minutes of game time, it becomes more and more annoying.
Maybe we should just alternate like jump balls in roundball.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
I still expect Pittsburgh to somehow come back and win .... but man I would love to see the Jags defense against the Pats offense.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I still expect Pittsburgh to somehow come back and win .... but man I would love to see the Jags defense against the Pats offense.
x2
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Imagine a Super Bowl of Nick Foles versus Blake Bortles. . .
Yes, I can, but with really excellent coaching, (coached teams), it doesn't seem far fetched at all to me.
But then, it disproves anything our HC was trying to say all year. Things like, ya have to play a perfect game in order to get a win Ya have to run for 40 yards in order to deserve a running carry. Ya have to have 100%, across the board, player by player, better talent than the other guy in order to win a football game.
Will you please stay off my football threads w/your BS about Hue? Please? This is NOT about Hue. It's about the Divisional Playoff games.
The freaking agendas on this board are disgusting.
He pointed out how excellent coaching helped qb's that everyone made fun of succeed in these here playoffs. On a Brown's message board, that would naturally progress to how we don't have a coach capable of overcoming our poor qb play...you yourself said that Hue deserves another chance with better qb talent.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
I can't believe the Steelers gave up that many points to Jax. Glad for Bortles who has faced so much criticism. Antonio Brown is so amazing. So crafty. Jax defense is legit, but somehow, the Steelers lit them up.
Let's face it, there were several crazy calls by the Steelers. Four 4th down attempts. On the first one, they run wide against a fast defense. They throw long on three passes and hit two of them, but all three were crazy calls. They then do an onsides kick when it was absolutely the worst thing to do. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. The Steelers O also didn't get out of bounds a couple of times when they could have on the last drive. I know some Steeler fans and they are hot at the dumb decisions.
The Minni/Saints game was epic. Minni dominated early, but the Brees led the Saints back. Minni won on one of the most miraculous plays I have ever seen. My guess is that the S didn't want to get a PI and he dove low and to the side. Diggs caught it and went the distance for the win. The problem was the defender committed way too early. Let him catch it. Tackle him. He was way too aggressive, realized it, and then bailed. It cost his team a W. Great game, though. That was the kind of playoff football we want to see.
I want to talk about the games, not the stupid ass agendas that you guys have. If you can't do that.........so be it and go ahead and hijack yet another thread. I really don't care anymore.
I can't believe the Steelers gave up that many points to Jax. Glad for Bortles who has faced so much criticism. Antonio Brown is so amazing. So crafty. Jax defense is legit, but somehow, the Steelers lit them up.
Let's face it, there were several crazy calls by the Steelers. Four 4th down attempts. On the first one, they run wide against a fast defense. They throw long on three passes and hit two of them, but all three were crazy calls. They then do an onsides kick when it was absolutely the worst thing to do. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. The Steelers O also didn't get out of bounds a couple of times when they could have on the last drive. I know some Steeler fans and they are hot at the dumb decisions.
The Minni/Saints game was epic. Minni dominated early, but the Brees led the Saints back. Minni won on one of the most miraculous plays I have ever seen. My guess is that the S didn't want to get a PI and he dove low and to the side. Diggs caught it and went the distance for the win. The problem was the defender committed way too early. Let him catch it. Tackle him. He was way too aggressive, realized it, and then bailed. It cost his team a W. Great game, though. That was the kind of playoff football we want to see.
I know there were a lot of moments in the Jags game, as you said, the 4th down calls, the onside, not kicking the FG with 30-something left and even Brown staying inbounds on his last catch. However the play or series of the game was how the Jags threw deep twice after stopping the Steelers on that 4th down incompletion. Most teams, especially the Browns, would be conservative there. The freaking Jags went deep twice and setup a TD. Gutsy.
As for the Saints, I can’t help but think how they were stuck between two defensive mindsets on that last play. If there were 3 second left, they have 7 guys deep in the end one preventing the Hail Mary. However, with 10 seconds and worrying about the FG, they were stuck defending the sideline. Watch that play again, they had DBs short, middle and deep on that side. If they go one middle and two deep, maybe Keenum throws elsewhere.
Also, sure, Williams could have played that better, but that was probably the right defense assuming Williams just stands there to slow him down and keep him inbounds. So weird.
Last edited by Punchsmack; 01/14/1811:35 PM.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
As for the Saints, I can’t help but think how they were stuck between two defensive mindsets on that last play. If there were 3 second left, they have 7 guys deep in the end one preventing the Hail Mary. However, with 10 seconds and worrying about the FG, they were stuck defending the sideline. Watch that play again, they had DBs short, middle and deep on that side. If they go one middle and two deep, maybe Keenum throws elsewhere.
The defense called for that play was fine. The execution by the safety was probably the worst I've seen in a long time. He had the proper position. All he had to do was wait for the guy to catch it and make an easy form tackle. The clock would of run out, and it would of been game over.
Instead he tried to blow the guy up, which was inexplicably stupid. BEST case scenario, the he lays out the receiver and gets a 15 yard penalty with time stoppage, so Minnesota kicks a game winning FG. Instead, he lowered his head a good second or two before he got there and didn't bother watching where the receiver was. He never expected the WR to "high-point" the ball, which most good receivers will do, and embarrassingly whiffed on the guy. Adding insult to injury, he took out his CB as well, and gift wrapped a TD to Minnesota. Just a terrible play by that safety that I wouldn't expect out of most high-school level players.
Yep. I agree w/you for the most part. I will say the S was a rookie [I think] and I think he was too aggressive initially because that is how he has always played. At the last instant, he realized that getting a PI would have been a huge mistake, so he dove low and the sidelines to avoid contact.
I think his realization of the situation was a bit late. I kinda feel bad for the dude, especially if he is a rook.
very frustrated with the Steelers. Their defense needs a lot of work. Scoring 42 points should be enough to win, though I agree that there some strange 4th down calls. The Steelers can be a very arrogant team - so talented, but they never seem to live up to their potential.
I think they talked too much before the game. Mike Mitchell was talking about how they were going to beat NE and how it did not matter where they played them. Bell was talking out retiring or sitting out next season if he was franchised again.
It didn't seem like they were focused on beating Jax and I'm sure that the Jags used all of that talk as motivation.
You know what cracks me up? Most Steeler fans around this area (Greater Cleveland) will be dead quiet & in a state of shock for two or three days after they lose a big game like this. I used to see 'em at work bumming out, I see them at Fitworks bumming out. I love it. They can't believe it. It's like they just went to a funeral.
I would have actually preferred to have seen the Patriots play the Steelers again, but on the other hand? I'm glad the Steelers lost. With that in mind you can't have your cake and eat it too.
One day I hope our Browns can play games like this... and win. But right now? I'll settle for a 500 season...or perhaps just a few wins... One step at a time.
Yep. I agree w/you for the most part. I will say the S was a rookie [I think]
Marcus Williams, Utah. A lot of us had him highlighted as a Safety we would like to see drafted by the Browns. I feel bad for him too. He has had a great season and has made many plays. The one he missed was on the biggest stage and will forever be remembered. At 21 he will need to do a lot to rise above the haters.
That said, what an incredible game. Best 2nd half of a game that I have seen in a very long time. Kinda reminded me a bit of Game 5 of World Series (Dodgers v Astros) where when you thought there was no way to get back in it....one of the teams goes and hits a homer, or a double, or a grand slam etc.
With Minn now in the NFC Championship game I would like to see them go and win it all.
very frustrated with the Steelers. Their defense needs a lot of work. Scoring 42 points should be enough to win, though I agree that there some strange 4th down calls. The Steelers can be a very arrogant team - so talented, but they never seem to live up to their potential.
I think the final TD was a gimme...Jax knew there was no way they could score 10 with the time remaining. Still, they scored 35 on a solid defense but then they also gave up 45.
Antonio Brown's TD on the 4th down where he was being mauled but still scooped it in was incredible. Best WR in the league? He gets my vote. I just wish he wasn't a Steeler.
Still confused why Tomlin went for the onside kick when he did. Also really confused why said onside kick was so poorly executed. That was the nail in the coffin.
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