NFL Picks: AFC/NFC Championship Games

[oVo]

Lost in everything else...

Dan Marino set the 5000+ passing record in his second season --when 4000 yards was rare-- a mark that has held up for 25+ years. Both Drew Brees and Tom Brady broke that record this year and Carolina's rookie QB Cam Newton threw for 4000+ yds.

Eli Manning broke the season 4th Quarter TD pass mark held by Johnny Unitas (in 12 games) and his brother Peyton yesterday and Rivers set new club records for SD this year.

Vikings' Jared Allen missed Michael Strahan's ten year old single season sack record by half a sack. Unfortunately for him the Bears were protecting a slim lead and kept the ball on the ground late in the game.

The Jets have a decent QB in Sanchez, what they lack is a running game.

[Serbia]

The Jets have a decent QB in Sanchez

Click image to enlarge.

[QoH]

And Matt Flynn completely trivializes Rodgers' amazing season...

Hey guess what... he's up for free agency this year! Maybe the Jets should steal him away.

Also, apparently, Rodgers called the offensive plays for that game.

I was at the game and saw him with the notebook and everything. Apparently it was to keep his head in the game haha.

Jesus. If Flynn doesn't get the Air award of the week, I'll pissed! He deserves it more than anyone.

[Rodion]

Bengals over Texans because Schaub is out.
Steelers over Tebows.
Falcons over Giants (toughest one to predict in my opinion).
Saints over Lions.

[ViperOverLord]

And Matt Flynn completely trivializes Rodgers' amazing season...

Hey guess what... he's up for free agency this year! Maybe the Jets should steal him away.

Haha. I just caught the headline. I didn't see the box score. It's an interesting concept though. Somehow they only like to throw around the term system quarterback at the college level and not the NFL level.

I do think that when you look at certain QB's like Montana, Brady, Brees and Rodgers: they had amazing weapons. Show me a QB like Favre, Marino or Elway that gets it done with limited weapons and I find that much more impressive.

---------------------

Bengals over Texans because Schaub is out.

Yea but they're at home and still have Foster. Not to mention the Bengals kinda suck.

Steelers over Tebows.

Normally and easy call but do to NFL's goofy rules, the game is in Denver. Ben Berger has injury issues too. I don't see the Steelers as being as formidable this year.

Falcons over Giants (toughest one to predict in my opinion).

Atlanta at home against an inconsistent Giants team seems like a somewhat easy call at this juncture. Giants have some momentum though, winning two in a row to make the playoffs. I wouldn't read too much into that though. The Jets and Cowboys both sucked.

Saints over Lions.

People want to forget that the Lions have been a pretty tough team all year. I can see them winning if they win the turnover battle and get the ground attack going. Megatron would need one of his 100 plus yard games too.

[Serbia]

Falcons over Giants (toughest one to predict in my opinion).

Atlanta at home against an inconsistent Giants team seems like a somewhat easy call at this juncture. Giants have some momentum though, winning two in a row to make the playoffs. I wouldn't read too much into that though. The Jets and Cowboys both sucked.

This game will be played in New York, not Atlanta. The Falcons are a wild card team, NYG won their division, and get the home game.

Bengals over Texans (Houston always collapses, right?)
Saints over Lions (should be a shootout)
Falcons over Giants (New York won the worst division in the NFC - lucky)
Steelers over Broncos (Denver won the worst division in the AFC - lucky)

[maasman]

And Matt Flynn completely trivializes Rodgers' amazing season...

Hey guess what... he's up for free agency this year! Maybe the Jets should steal him away.

Also, apparently, Rodgers called the offensive plays for that game.

I was at the game and saw him with the notebook and everything. Apparently it was to keep his head in the game haha.

Jesus. If Flynn doesn't get the Air award of the week, I'll pissed! He deserves it more than anyone.

Hey, I was at that game too. Funny thing is, one of the packer fans behind us was more of an asshole than the lion fans in front of us.

[safariguy5]

Bengals over Texans because Schaub is out.
Steelers over Tebows.
Falcons over Giants (toughest one to predict in my opinion).
Saints over Lions.

I'll pick the Texans over the Bengals. Everything else I agree with.

[AndyDufresne]

I was pretty disinterested in the college bowl season this year, so I am glad the the NFL playoffs are here, since I am looking forward to most of the games.


--Andy

[oVo]

I was pretty disinterested in the college bowl season this year

Nearly all this years Bowls have been tight, with only a couple blow outs
and several BCS Overtime games.

Saturday:
Bengals @ Houston
It's the Texans franchise first playoff game. Last week against Tennessee their ground game marched down the field on their first series for a TD and Dulhomme looked good late in the game. I'll be pulling for them, but if their running game doesn't show up this week it might be a long day. The Bengals rookie QB Andy Dalton has had a big year passing for 3000+ yards, while Houston's QB play --since losing Matt Shaub for the year-- has been sketchy. Both teams are good on defense and I expect the QB play to be the decider of this one.

Lions @ Saints
New Orleans is unbeaten in the Super Dome this year and the way they finished the regular season I don't expect the Lions to change that stat. Both teams have rocking QBs... Lions: Matthew Stafford, 5,038 Yards (63.5%) 41 TDs 16 INTs and Saints: Drew Brees, 5,476 Yards (71.2%) 46TDs 14 INTs. For the Lions to have a chance their defense will have to do better than the last time these teams met. This game has a shootout potential that could rival "The Epic" Miami/San Diego playoff game.

Sunday:
Falcons @ Giants
I think this is the tightest matchup. Atlanta certainly has the talent to win this one on the road, but Eli Manning has been great all season and the rest of the team is healthier now and seems to have caught up. New York has already survived two weeks of "must win" games, their defensive line has been impressive with a 4 man rush and home field is a big plus too.

Steelers @ Broncos
This shouldn't be a high scoring game, but Big Ben is bound to put up more points than Tebow. Last weekend against an excellent Kansas City defense Denver only managed a single Field Goal --which was set up by a muffed punt-- and Pittsburgh's defense is also good.

[AndyDufresne]

I was pretty disinterested in the college bowl season this year

Nearly all this years Bowls have been tight, with only a couple blow outs
and several BCS Overtime games.

Right, but the match-ups overall were pretty unappealing compared to previous years I think. And I use to love bowl season so much.

Saturday:
Bengals @ Houston
It's the Texans franchise first playoff game. Last week against Tennessee their ground game marched down the field on their first series for a TD and Dulhomme looked good late in the game. I'll be pulling for them, but if their running game doesn't show up this week it might be a long day. The Bengals rookie QB Andy Dalton has had a big year passing for 3000+ yards, while Houston's QB play --since losing Matt Shaub for the year-- has been sketchy. Both teams are good on defense and I expect the QB play to be the decider of this one.

Lions @ Saints
New Orleans is unbeaten in the Super Dome this year and the way they finished the regular season I don't expect the Lions to change that stat. Both teams have rocking QBs... Lions: Matthew Stafford, 5,038 Yards (63.5%) 41 TDs 16 INTs and Saints: Drew Brees, 5,476 Yards (71.2%) 46TDs 14 INTs. For the Lions to have a chance their defense will have to do better than the last time these teams met. This game has a shootout potential that could rival "The Epic" Miami/San Diego playoff game.

Sunday:
Falcons @ Giants
I think this is the tightest matchup. Atlanta certainly has the talent to win this one on the road, but Eli Manning has been great all season and the rest of the team is healthier now and seems to have caught up. New York has already survived two weeks of "must win" games, their defensive line has been impressive with a 4 man rush and home field is a big plus too.

Steelers @ Broncos
This shouldn't be a high scoring game, but Big Ben is bound to put up more points than Tebow. Last weekend against an excellent Kansas City defense Denver only managed a single Field Goal --which was set up by a muffed punt-- and Pittsburgh's defense is also good.

I think I am in agreement with your picks, but I'd much rather see the Lions beat Saints.


--Andy

[Serbia]

I think I am in agreement with your picks, but I'd much rather see the Lions beat Saints.


--Andy

Me too!

[oVo]

I'm with you Andy, there were definitely some Bowl Game match ups
I'd like to have seen.

It would be nice to see all the "young" teams advance in the NFL Playoffs,
but there's still Green Bay, Baltimore and New England to face next week.
If the Texans can get some consistent production at quarterback they will
be okay and now that it's win or go home, maybe they will.

Houston/Cincy and San Francisco guarantees some new blood participate
in the semi-final games.

The outdoor stadiums and Winter weather of the Packers and Patriots
should make for some interesting football. I sense the defensive play
of both these teams this season make them seem vulnerable and still
they will be a tough out on their home turf.

[Crazyirishman]

The broncos are going to pull off the upset of the year. Im hoping Von Miller hits Rapelesberger and take him out then they have a good shot at winning> Im slao secretly hoping that fox is some mastermidn that has been passing in practice but never borught it into the game so that when playoff come they air it out to catch the defense of guard, but that is unlikely since he is the most conservative coach in the league.

[pancakemix]

Bengals over Texans because Schaub is out.
Steelers over Tebows.
Falcons over Giants (toughest one to predict in my opinion).
Saints over Lions.

I'll pick the Texans over the Bengals. Everything else I agree with.

^^That.

[Rodion]

Bengals losing to T.J. Yates. Unbelievable!

Not to mention that forces my Pats to face the Steelers!

[oVo]

Great game by the Texans. Reminded me of some of the better Giants playoff teams. Dominant defense putting good pressure on Dalton all game and taking advantage
of their opportunities on both sides if the ball.
I almost changed my pick when I heard that Andre Johnson was going to play.
Texans: 340 yards net (188 rushing) 19 1st downs & no turnovers
Yates, 11/20 159 yds. 1 TD & 0 INT
Bengals: 300 yards net (76 rushing) 21 1st downs & 4 turnovers
Dalton, 27/42 259 yds. 0 TDs & 3 INTs
31 - 10 Final

[Phatscotty]

I predicted the only 2 wins of the Vikings season, and I never watch a minute of it.

[Serbia]

I predicted the only 2 wins of the Vikings season, and I never watch a minute of it.

That just makes you both pessimistic and lucky.

[oVo]

I predicted the only 2 wins of the Vikings season, and I never watch a minute of it.

Your masochistic tendencies are weak.

A quick whistle by the Refs denied Detroit of a fumble return TD,
they should be up 21-10 at the Half.

[pancakemix]

Bengals losing to T.J. Yates. Unbelievable!

Not to mention that forces my Pats to face the Steelers!

Who have already beaten the Pats.

Can we get another Ravens/Steelers Conference Championship in here?

[oVo]

The Saints lost two fumbles in the game. Other than that the only thing that stopped their offense from driving down the field for points was halftime.

Wasn't the previous Steelers/Patriots game at Three Rivers Stadium?
This second meeting will be in new England while the Texans travel
to mix it up with the Ravens.
Ouch... Dirty Birds get stuffed on 4th Downs in the Meadowlands. 24-2
Saints travel to San Francisco and the Giants visit Green Bay.

[Rodion]

Looks like I'm 1-2 so far in predictions and I really want to be 1-3. Go Denver!

[oVo]

BRONCOS WIN!
with a TD on the first play in OT.

Home Field prevails all weekend.

[]

From AoG:

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