2009 NFL Playoffs

[gannable]

Everyone here was picking the Tampa Rays over the Phillies during the world series. And you saw what happened.

This is the year of Philadelphia

Phillies win the world series
Eagles win the super bowl
Flyers win the Stanley Cup

[strike wolf]

The Eagles are the hotter team but Giants will make it hard for them. Every piece of logic within me says to pick the Eagles but my gut says otherwise. I'm gonna switch my previous vote (from another thread) and say that the Eagles win. Steelers still beat Chargers.

[Sackett58]

So the question is, if Kurt Warner leads the Cardnials to a Super Bowl win or even appearence, does he deserve Hall of Fame status?

[jbrettlip]

So the question is, if Kurt Warner leads the Cardnials to a Super Bowl win or even appearence, does he deserve Hall of Fame status?

No, I don't believe so. A true Hall of Famer wouldn't have been 30 when he made the NFL, and also wouldn't be benched for 4 years in the "prime" of his career. I think he will always be a feel good story, an inspiration and leader of one of the most prolific offenses ever, but do not see him as a HOF. Of course, I do not get a vote so who knows. But currently one ring does not a HOF make, or else Trent Dilfer would be getting measured for his jacket.

[Iz Man]

Being able to run the ball is a must, yes.
The Chargers will not be able to do this against the #1 defense in the NFL. That means it will be up to Rivers to try and evade the Steelers' pass rush led by
NFL MVP James Harrison.

If any team can edge by the Steelers, I think that the Chargers can.
First, you've got Roethisberger(however you spell it) with a concussion.... yet starting? That has got to effect his game. The Steelers also had a "bye" week too, and after their loss to the Titans I'm sure that bye can't be what they need to prepare mentally... especially since the Titans lost.

That's why the bye helps. The team can get rested.
Every team in the league plays with the hopes of getting that first round bye in the playoffs.
Big Ben will be fine; and even if he isn't, Byron Leftwich is probably the best backup in the league right now. He could start for over half the teams out there.

But! the Chargers had a playoff game last weekend to really get them in the mental mode for game time. Not only that, but you saw them play a pretty good DEFENSIVE game against the Colts.

...and the Colts' defense is Div1AA compared to the Steelers'. With L.T. having a hurt groin, the Bolts won't be able to get any kind of running game going.
The Bolts' secondary (specifically the safeties) are the weak link of their "D", this will open up slant routes for Heath Miller (who didn't play in the first game). Look for #83 to make a huge impact over the middle in this game.

And the Chargers are also on a pretty serious roll right now.

Roll shmoll........this is the playoffs, one game at a time.
Its going to be cold in Pittsburgh; not a nice, dry, 70deg SanDiego day. Plus its the late game. It'll get colder as the game goes on.

I still give this one to the Chargers. Not by a lot, because the Steelers are a good team. I'd wager that all the big point plays come in the third and fourth quarters. The biggest plays from the Chargers being running plays that break past. You'll see a few throw away I formations, but I think the Chargers will trump the Steelers.
Not that I am trying to glorify the Chargers or anything. Just defending my position.
I miss my Bears. :'(

Once again, who is going to run the ball against the top defense in the NFL?
Sproles? In the last game he had 1 rush for 0 yards.
Ain't gonna happen.....

The Steelers' D will stop the run, forcing Rivers to go to the air. This will open up the pass rush.

Hey Luns:

[jbrettlip]

Great analysis Iz...except I see Sproales making an impact on special teams. Having been a Steeler fan all my life, our ST's have always been suspect.

In the words of Ron Burgandy: Go f*ck yourself, San Diego.

[oVo]

Two weeks rest can cure a lot of dinged up players, Giants get Jacobs back in the line up
and Big Ben had a chance to sweep out a few of the cobwebs. Let the rumbles begin.

Turnover weekend continues... and barring a giant miracle
both of the #1 seeds are out.

[spurgistan]

So the question is, if Kurt Warner leads the Cardnials to a Super Bowl win or even appearence, does he deserve Hall of Fame status?

No, I don't believe so. A true Hall of Famer wouldn't have been 30 when he made the NFL, and also wouldn't be benched for 4 years in the "prime" of his career. I think he will always be a feel good story, an inspiration and leader of one of the most prolific offenses ever, but do not see him as a HOF. Of course, I do not get a vote so who knows. But currently one ring does not a HOF make, or else Trent Dilfer would be getting measured for his jacket.

But Dilfer had one of the best defenses ever. St. Louis had a serviceable defense, but they won the Super Bowl on the basis of their offensive firepower. Arizona... could use a few more guys on the field when they're on the defensive side of the ball. Or maybe they could just switch Boldin to SS, dude hits harder than whoever I saw miss tackles for them.

[knapper]

Warner has a serious shot of winning two Superbowls with two different teams. I still can't believe I can write that sentence without laughing. The Cardinals are for real, and they're HOSTING the Eagles next week.

Three of the four away teams have won. [Looking hopefully in San Diego's direction.....]

[Fireside Poet]

The Cardinals are for real, and they're HOSTING the Eagles next week.

You know it!

[cena-rules]

Chargers for the love of God please win, would put me £400+ for the playoffs

[jay_a2j]

Chargers: finished 8-8, while teams with far better records are watching the playoffs at home. For no other reason (besides that Rivers is a jerk) is why I want San Diego to lose more than I want any single other team to win.


My Superbowl picks: Steelers & Cardinals.

[oVo]

The Chargers finishing the regular season 8-8 doesn't make them a bad team
and Rivers competitive spirit doesn't make him a jerk... just 9-9 for the year.
There are now two sixth seeds playing in the Conference Championships, but
I won't jinx any of the remaining playoff teams with my prediction.

[jbrettlip]

Very impressive IzMan....4-0 vs my 3-1. Stupid GIants. NEVER bet on a Manning in Jan. (Except for the games they have both won...)

[Iz Man]

Very impressive IzMan....4-0 vs my 3-1. Stupid GIants. NEVER bet on a Manning in Jan. (Except for the games they have both won...)

MWAH HA HA HA HA HA

Lets put it in writing now:

Steelers 20 Ratbirds 10

Cards 28 Eagles 21

SuperBowl: Steelers v Cards

[luns101]

Very impressive IzMan....4-0 vs my 3-1. Stupid GIants. NEVER bet on a Manning in Jan. (Except for the games they have both won...)

MWAH HA HA HA HA HA

Lets put it in writing now:

Steelers 20 Ratbirds 10

Cards 28 Eagles 21

SuperBowl: Steelers v Cards

I hope not because then I'd have to consider cheering on the Cards in the Super Bowl.

[king sam]

I hope not because then I'd have to consider cheering on the Cards in the Super Bowl.

My pick at the beginning was the Colts vs the Panthers, but seeing as the Cards have done what many thought was the impossible with that huge upset in Carolina I can only hope that they can shut down the Eagles which are playing good ball right now.

My pick is the Cards vs the Steel Curtain in the big game, and hope the Cards pull it out cause Fitzgerald is a FREAK at catching the impossible, but my bet is the Steelers win by more then 2 scores.

FWP looked good against the Chargers. (But then again what running back doesnt?)

[jbrettlip]

Iz Man I will stick with my original prediction....just sub in the Eagles for the Giants. I am just glad that the "Stillers"may get to face the Eagles now, or even the Cards!! I just think this week against Balt is going to be BRUTAL

[strike wolf]

Steelers vs. Eagles.

[luns101]

I just think this week against Balt is going to be BRUTAL

No kidding! I hope there's plenty of EMTs and some ambulances ready for that game.

[oVo]

There was a memorable playoff game that took place a few years back in Chicago between the Panthers and Bears, and the Seahawks rolled over the remains of that contest to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. It's hard to imagine the Steelers/Ravens brawl leaving the survivor totally decimated. Then again anything's possible, and neither of these teams will be holding anything back when they lock horns for the third time next weekend.

[king sam]

Especially after that debacle that happened in their last meeting with the Santonio Holmes TD getting reviewed by the booth and them finding "CLEAR EVIDENCE" that he had crossed the line for Pitt to win the game.

Then again I may just be a lil biased in that opinion cause I had him on my bench in my fantasy football league that week, but it sure as hell didnt look like they could overturn the call on the field of not being in the endzone from any angle i saw on the TV.

You know Ray Lewis and the boys will be remembering that come next weekend, and its going to be a blood bath.

If Baltimore cant pull out the victory they are going to do everything they can to make sure that Pittsburgh will enter the Super Bowl already hurting from the game that they just gave them

[oVo]

If that "play" had not been ruled a touchdown I doubt there is undisputable visual evidence to overturn the call, fortunately that call didn't cost the Ravens a playoff spot and now they get a chance to do it again on the field.

We'll never know if Mike Tomlin would have gone for it on 4th down or if the game might have gone into overtime with a Steeler field goal instead. Either way, we now know the host city of the AFC Championship was determined that Sunday afternoon in Baltimore.

[jbrettlip]

well, he did go for it on 4th an d inches yesterday, and they failed miserably. Lets hope the Steelers don't need close calls like that to win this week!!

[oVo]

Championship Sunday has the NFC playing in domed southwest luxury,
while the AFC will be another chilly arctic adventure.