Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Straight Outta The Box: Chief Rum Takes Over The FOF 2004 Cards

Chief Rum · 11-25-2003, 02:42 AM

Wildcard Round Matchups

Code:


                         BALTIMORE (11-5)      at      OAKLAND (11-5)

Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk):  332.0 (20)                    361.6 (11)
Rush Offense, ypg (Rk):  122.4  (6)                     92.7 (23)
Pass Offense, ypg (Rk):  209.6 (25)                    268.9  (7)

Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk):  342.6 (20)                    343.4 (21)
Rush Defense, ypg (Rk):   93.9 (10)                     86.1  (2)
Pass Defense, ypg (Rk):  248.6 (23)                    257.3 (28)

Quarterback:             Kyle Boller                   Rich Gannon
                 3347 yd, 62%, 19 td, 21 int   4303 yd, 67%, 23 td, 11 int

Running Back:            Jamal Lewis                   Charlie Garner
                        1231 yd, 8 td                 1101 rd, 8 td

Wide Receiver #1:        Travis Taylor                 Jerry Porter
                      71 rec, 812 yd, 6 td         80 rec, 1318 yd, 7 td

Wide Receiver #2:        Marcus Robinson               Tim Brown
                      65 rec, 864 yd, 9 td         64 rec, 875 yd, 2 td

Top Third Receiver:      TE Todd Heap                  RB Charlie Garner
                      79 rec, 801 yd, 3 td         68 rec, 650 yd, 3 td

Top Defensive Players:   ILB Ray Lewis                 OLB Bill Romanowski
                      109 tkl, 5 sacks, 3 int      97 tkl, 1.5 sacks, 2 int
                         OLB Peter Boulware            S Rod Woodson
                      103 tkl, 9.5 sacks, 3 int    89 tkl, 6 int, 17 defn
                         CB Chris McAllister           DT Dana Stubblefield
                      80 tkl, 9 int, 11 defn       39 tkl, 11 sacks, 12 hurries

Comments: The rankings don't really support that these two are superior teams, although they certainly aren't slouches. The Ravens were fairly consistent, beating up on bad teams and generally losing to good teams. This can likely be attributed to their strengths of rushing and run defense, which limits big turnarounds and blowouts. The problem for the Ravens is that the Raiders have the second best run defense in the NFL. They are atrocious against the pass, but Boller isn't good enough to take advantage of it, at least not without making a mistake against a team that was also third in turnover margin. On the other side of it, the Raiders match up well with the Ravens on defense. The Raiders are much better throwing the ball than passing, and they have a much stronger overall offense. Considering they also have home field, this one should go to the Raiders.

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                         MIAMI (10-6)        at        PITTSBURGH (12-4)

Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk):  326.4 (21)                    381.8  (2)
Rush Offense, ypg (Rk):  124.4  (4)                    140.3  (1)
Pass Offense, ypg (Rk):  202.0 (29)                    241.4 (13)

Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk):  284.4  (1)                    318.6  (8)
Rush Defense, ypg (Rk):   89.4  (6)                    106.1 (24)
Pass Defense, ypg (Rk):  195.0  (1)                    212.4  (5)

Quarterback:             Jay Fiedler                   Tommy Maddox
                 3369 yd, 60%, 21 td, 18 int   3834 yd, 66%, 34 td, 10 int

Running Back:            Ricky Williams                Jerome Bettis
                        986 yd, 9 td                  1571 rd, 7 td

Wide Receiver #1:        James McKnight                Plaxico Burress
                      57 rec, 757 yd, 5 td         65 rec, 1184 yd, 10 td

Wide Receiver #2:        FB Rob Konrad                 Hines Ward
                      62 rec, 355 yd, 2 td         56 rec, 790 yd, 8 td

Top Third Receiver:      TE Randy McMichael            RB Jerome Bettis
                      52 rec, 443 yd, 4 td         54 rec, 454 yd, 5 td

Top Defensive Players:   ILB Zach Thomas               DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen
                      98 tkl, 1.5 sacks, 2 int     31 tkl, 16.0 sacks, 17 hurries
                         DT Tim Bowens                 OLB Jason Gildon
                      77 tkl, 9 sacks, 17 int      73 tkl, 3.5 sacks, 3 int
                         CB Sam Madison                CB Chad Scott       
                      66 tkl, 6 int, 16 defn       60 tkl, 10 int, 14 defn

Comments: This is a fun matchup. The best defense in the league is going against the second-best offense in the league. Can there be anything better for a playoff showdown? The Steelers didn't play as well as they could down the stretch, and blew their shot at bye for this round. The Dolphins, meanwhile, came back from a sub-.500 record to win the wildcard. A great defense, a fine running attack and all that momentum certainly makes the Dolphins a tough matchup. But the Steelers are no slouches. They have the highest-rated quarterback in football. They are the ones with the back with the second most yardage in football, not the Fins (Williams didn't even break 1000, in fact, although he split a lot of time with Charlie Rogers). They also have one of the best receivers in Burress, and a playmaker-heavy defense that is no slouch itself at fifth best. The Dolphins have a matchup advantage in the running game, as the rund efense was one area the Steelers need a lot of work, but their passing game is one of the worst out there. Can a one-dimensional offense score enough to overcome the star power the Steelers throw out there, even if they are matched up against a top-notch defense like Miami's? I don't think so. The Steelers should take this one.

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                         NY GIANTS (9-7)       at      DALLAS (11-5)

Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk):  378.7  (4)                    283.8 (30)
Rush Offense, ypg (Rk):   93.8 (22)                    114.3 (10)
Pass Offense, ypg (Rk):  284.9  (3)                    169.5 (32)

Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk):  326.4 (11)                    287.4  (2)
Rush Defense, ypg (Rk):   89.9  (7)                     87.1  (3)
Pass Defense, ypg (Rk):  236.5 (16)                    200.3  (3)

Quarterback:             Kerry Collins                 Quincy Carter
                 4511 yd, 65%, 30 td, 17 int   2267 yd, 66%, 19 td, 21 int

Running Back:            Tiki Barber                   Troy Hambrick
                        1206 yd, 1 td                 889 rd, 3 td

Wide Receiver #1:        Amani Toomer                  Joey Galloway
                      124 rec, 1693 yd, 8 td       49 rec, 623 yd, 2 td

Wide Receiver #2:        Ike Hilliard                  Terry Glenn
                      56 rec, 714 yd, 3 td         45 rec, 569 yd, 6 td

Top Third Receiver:      RB Tiki Barber                FB Richie Anderson
                      51 rec, 395 yd, 3 td         81 rec, 581 yd, 5 td

Top Defensive Players:   ILB Mike Barrow               OLB Dexter Coakley
                      118 tkl, 5 sacks, 6 int      116 tkl, 4.5 sacks, 6 hurries
                         DE Michael Strahan            ILB Dat Nguyen
                      58 tkl, 19 sacks, 29 int     93 tkl, 2 sacks, 6 int
                         S Omar Stoutmire              S Darren Woodson       
                      59 tkl, 5 int, 5 defn        77 tkl, 8 int, 14 defn

Comments: As if two meetings in the regular season weren't enough, they get to face off with each other in the playoffs, too. Dallas comes in as the division winner, but this might not be the matchup that works well for them. The two teams split the season series, but the Giants blew out the Cowboys, while the Cowboys were lucky to get their win late in the season. The main problem is that the Cowboys really have no offense. Carter is scattershot in the mold of young passers, and Hambrick is an average starter who has to carry the weight of being the primary offense on this team. No, this team won because of a terrific defense, and you have to wonder if that alone will be enough when the Giants are not only bringing the fourth best offense and the second best receiver in Amani Toomer, but they are also 11th in the league in defense, featuring dominating sack leader Michael Strahan. I don't think it will be--the Giants should get their revenge for not winning the division.

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                         SEATTLE (12-4)       at       MINNESOTA (8-8)

Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk):  352.9 (14)                    347.4 (16)
Rush Offense, ypg (Rk):  113.5 (11)                     86.8 (27)
Pass Offense, ypg (Rk):  239.4 (16)                    260.6  (8)

Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk):  314.8  (4)                    324.2 (10)
Rush Defense, ypg (Rk):   88.4  (4)                     90.3  (8)
Pass Defense, ypg (Rk):  226.3  (8)                    233.9 (14)

Quarterback:             Trent Dilfer                  Daunte Culpepper
                 3824 yd, 66%, 32 td, 21 int   3967 yd, 63%, 16 td, 24 int

Running Back:            Shaun Alexander               Onterrio Smith
                        724 yd, 6 td                  766 rd, 9 td

Wide Receiver #1:        Koren Robinson                Randy Moss
                      71 rec, 957 yd, 7 td         138 rec, 1787 yd, 9 td

Wide Receiver #2:        Bobby Engram                  D'Wayne Bates
                      44 rec, 760 yd, 9 td         65 rec, 784 yd, 1 td

Top Third Receiver:      WR Darrell Jackson            TE Hunter Goodwin
                      41 rec, 684 yd, 4 td         41 rec, 352 yd, 2 td

Top Defensive Players:   ILB Randall Godfrey           ILB Greg Biekert
                      113 tkl, 5.5 sacks, 6 defn   124 tkl, 1 sack, 1 int
                         DT John Randle                DT Chris Hovan
                      63 tkl, 9 sacks, 18 hurries  79 tkl, 12 sacks, 9 hurries
                         CB Marcus Trufant             S Corey Chavous       
                      44 tkl, 12 int, 9 defn       76 tkl, 7 int, 8 defn

Comments: In the end, it doesn't matter who the Vikings play or how they match up with them. The only thing that matters is, which Culpepper will show up? If the one who works efficiently and leads an inspried, mistake-free passing attack shows up, the Vikings can pull off one of the bigger playoff upsets in recent memory. If the five-interception Culpepper shows up, the Seahawks are going to slap the Vikings so hard their unborn grandchildren will feel the impact. The Seahawks hae a steady, versatile offense led by the continually surprising Dilfer and a defense with a lot of difference makers. The Vikings have their players, too, but the only real advantage they have is the simple greatness of Culpepper and Moss, the by far the best receiver in the league. My guess is that things will lie somewhere in the middle, the Vikings will put up a good fight, but fall in the end to a Hawks team that is just too strong.

CR

11-25-2003, 02:42 AM	#108
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Wildcard Round Matchups Code: BALTIMORE (11-5) at OAKLAND (11-5) Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk): 332.0 (20) 361.6 (11) Rush Offense, ypg (Rk): 122.4 (6) 92.7 (23) Pass Offense, ypg (Rk): 209.6 (25) 268.9 (7) Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk): 342.6 (20) 343.4 (21) Rush Defense, ypg (Rk): 93.9 (10) 86.1 (2) Pass Defense, ypg (Rk): 248.6 (23) 257.3 (28) Quarterback: Kyle Boller Rich Gannon 3347 yd, 62%, 19 td, 21 int 4303 yd, 67%, 23 td, 11 int Running Back: Jamal Lewis Charlie Garner 1231 yd, 8 td 1101 rd, 8 td Wide Receiver #1: Travis Taylor Jerry Porter 71 rec, 812 yd, 6 td 80 rec, 1318 yd, 7 td Wide Receiver #2: Marcus Robinson Tim Brown 65 rec, 864 yd, 9 td 64 rec, 875 yd, 2 td Top Third Receiver: TE Todd Heap RB Charlie Garner 79 rec, 801 yd, 3 td 68 rec, 650 yd, 3 td Top Defensive Players: ILB Ray Lewis OLB Bill Romanowski 109 tkl, 5 sacks, 3 int 97 tkl, 1.5 sacks, 2 int OLB Peter Boulware S Rod Woodson 103 tkl, 9.5 sacks, 3 int 89 tkl, 6 int, 17 defn CB Chris McAllister DT Dana Stubblefield 80 tkl, 9 int, 11 defn 39 tkl, 11 sacks, 12 hurries Comments: The rankings don't really support that these two are superior teams, although they certainly aren't slouches. The Ravens were fairly consistent, beating up on bad teams and generally losing to good teams. This can likely be attributed to their strengths of rushing and run defense, which limits big turnarounds and blowouts. The problem for the Ravens is that the Raiders have the second best run defense in the NFL. They are atrocious against the pass, but Boller isn't good enough to take advantage of it, at least not without making a mistake against a team that was also third in turnover margin. On the other side of it, the Raiders match up well with the Ravens on defense. The Raiders are much better throwing the ball than passing, and they have a much stronger overall offense. Considering they also have home field, this one should go to the Raiders. Code: MIAMI (10-6) at PITTSBURGH (12-4) Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk): 326.4 (21) 381.8 (2) Rush Offense, ypg (Rk): 124.4 (4) 140.3 (1) Pass Offense, ypg (Rk): 202.0 (29) 241.4 (13) Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk): 284.4 (1) 318.6 (8) Rush Defense, ypg (Rk): 89.4 (6) 106.1 (24) Pass Defense, ypg (Rk): 195.0 (1) 212.4 (5) Quarterback: Jay Fiedler Tommy Maddox 3369 yd, 60%, 21 td, 18 int 3834 yd, 66%, 34 td, 10 int Running Back: Ricky Williams Jerome Bettis 986 yd, 9 td 1571 rd, 7 td Wide Receiver #1: James McKnight Plaxico Burress 57 rec, 757 yd, 5 td 65 rec, 1184 yd, 10 td Wide Receiver #2: FB Rob Konrad Hines Ward 62 rec, 355 yd, 2 td 56 rec, 790 yd, 8 td Top Third Receiver: TE Randy McMichael RB Jerome Bettis 52 rec, 443 yd, 4 td 54 rec, 454 yd, 5 td Top Defensive Players: ILB Zach Thomas DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen 98 tkl, 1.5 sacks, 2 int 31 tkl, 16.0 sacks, 17 hurries DT Tim Bowens OLB Jason Gildon 77 tkl, 9 sacks, 17 int 73 tkl, 3.5 sacks, 3 int CB Sam Madison CB Chad Scott 66 tkl, 6 int, 16 defn 60 tkl, 10 int, 14 defn Comments: This is a fun matchup. The best defense in the league is going against the second-best offense in the league. Can there be anything better for a playoff showdown? The Steelers didn't play as well as they could down the stretch, and blew their shot at bye for this round. The Dolphins, meanwhile, came back from a sub-.500 record to win the wildcard. A great defense, a fine running attack and all that momentum certainly makes the Dolphins a tough matchup. But the Steelers are no slouches. They have the highest-rated quarterback in football. They are the ones with the back with the second most yardage in football, not the Fins (Williams didn't even break 1000, in fact, although he split a lot of time with Charlie Rogers). They also have one of the best receivers in Burress, and a playmaker-heavy defense that is no slouch itself at fifth best. The Dolphins have a matchup advantage in the running game, as the rund efense was one area the Steelers need a lot of work, but their passing game is one of the worst out there. Can a one-dimensional offense score enough to overcome the star power the Steelers throw out there, even if they are matched up against a top-notch defense like Miami's? I don't think so. The Steelers should take this one. Code: NY GIANTS (9-7) at DALLAS (11-5) Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk): 378.7 (4) 283.8 (30) Rush Offense, ypg (Rk): 93.8 (22) 114.3 (10) Pass Offense, ypg (Rk): 284.9 (3) 169.5 (32) Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk): 326.4 (11) 287.4 (2) Rush Defense, ypg (Rk): 89.9 (7) 87.1 (3) Pass Defense, ypg (Rk): 236.5 (16) 200.3 (3) Quarterback: Kerry Collins Quincy Carter 4511 yd, 65%, 30 td, 17 int 2267 yd, 66%, 19 td, 21 int Running Back: Tiki Barber Troy Hambrick 1206 yd, 1 td 889 rd, 3 td Wide Receiver #1: Amani Toomer Joey Galloway 124 rec, 1693 yd, 8 td 49 rec, 623 yd, 2 td Wide Receiver #2: Ike Hilliard Terry Glenn 56 rec, 714 yd, 3 td 45 rec, 569 yd, 6 td Top Third Receiver: RB Tiki Barber FB Richie Anderson 51 rec, 395 yd, 3 td 81 rec, 581 yd, 5 td Top Defensive Players: ILB Mike Barrow OLB Dexter Coakley 118 tkl, 5 sacks, 6 int 116 tkl, 4.5 sacks, 6 hurries DE Michael Strahan ILB Dat Nguyen 58 tkl, 19 sacks, 29 int 93 tkl, 2 sacks, 6 int S Omar Stoutmire S Darren Woodson 59 tkl, 5 int, 5 defn 77 tkl, 8 int, 14 defn Comments: As if two meetings in the regular season weren't enough, they get to face off with each other in the playoffs, too. Dallas comes in as the division winner, but this might not be the matchup that works well for them. The two teams split the season series, but the Giants blew out the Cowboys, while the Cowboys were lucky to get their win late in the season. The main problem is that the Cowboys really have no offense. Carter is scattershot in the mold of young passers, and Hambrick is an average starter who has to carry the weight of being the primary offense on this team. No, this team won because of a terrific defense, and you have to wonder if that alone will be enough when the Giants are not only bringing the fourth best offense and the second best receiver in Amani Toomer, but they are also 11th in the league in defense, featuring dominating sack leader Michael Strahan. I don't think it will be--the Giants should get their revenge for not winning the division. Code: SEATTLE (12-4) at MINNESOTA (8-8) Tot. Offense, ypg (Rk): 352.9 (14) 347.4 (16) Rush Offense, ypg (Rk): 113.5 (11) 86.8 (27) Pass Offense, ypg (Rk): 239.4 (16) 260.6 (8) Tot. Defense, ypg (Rk): 314.8 (4) 324.2 (10) Rush Defense, ypg (Rk): 88.4 (4) 90.3 (8) Pass Defense, ypg (Rk): 226.3 (8) 233.9 (14) Quarterback: Trent Dilfer Daunte Culpepper 3824 yd, 66%, 32 td, 21 int 3967 yd, 63%, 16 td, 24 int Running Back: Shaun Alexander Onterrio Smith 724 yd, 6 td 766 rd, 9 td Wide Receiver #1: Koren Robinson Randy Moss 71 rec, 957 yd, 7 td 138 rec, 1787 yd, 9 td Wide Receiver #2: Bobby Engram D'Wayne Bates 44 rec, 760 yd, 9 td 65 rec, 784 yd, 1 td Top Third Receiver: WR Darrell Jackson TE Hunter Goodwin 41 rec, 684 yd, 4 td 41 rec, 352 yd, 2 td Top Defensive Players: ILB Randall Godfrey ILB Greg Biekert 113 tkl, 5.5 sacks, 6 defn 124 tkl, 1 sack, 1 int DT John Randle DT Chris Hovan 63 tkl, 9 sacks, 18 hurries 79 tkl, 12 sacks, 9 hurries CB Marcus Trufant S Corey Chavous 44 tkl, 12 int, 9 defn 76 tkl, 7 int, 8 defn Comments: In the end, it doesn't matter who the Vikings play or how they match up with them. The only thing that matters is, which Culpepper will show up? If the one who works efficiently and leads an inspried, mistake-free passing attack shows up, the Vikings can pull off one of the bigger playoff upsets in recent memory. If the five-interception Culpepper shows up, the Seahawks are going to slap the Vikings so hard their unborn grandchildren will feel the impact. The Seahawks hae a steady, versatile offense led by the continually surprising Dilfer and a defense with a lot of difference makers. The Vikings have their players, too, but the only real advantage they have is the simple greatness of Culpepper and Moss, the by far the best receiver in the league. My guess is that things will lie somewhere in the middle, the Vikings will put up a good fight, but fall in the end to a Hawks team that is just too strong. CR __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready. Last edited by Chief Rum : 11-25-2003 at 06:39 AM.