2015 NFL Divisional Round Thread

[albionmoonlight]

In order of my confidence regarding outcomes:

Only game I am really confident about is Denver over Indy. I have nothing interesting to say about it. Should be a 10+ point win.

Carolina has nothing to lose, and they have those weird Karmic things going on which almost seem destined to end up in an America's Game documentary ("Cam got into a car wreck and literally broke his back!" "Coach's house caught on fire the night after the wild card win!"). And Carolina's defense has been playing much better late in the season. But Seattle is so much better than Carolina. Karma is fun to talk about, but I'd rather have the better team.

I think that New England is the best team in the league right now. But I do think that they match up much better against Indy or Denver than against Baltimore. I am not a huge believer in things like "Clutch" and "Playoff Performer." But I do believe in confidence, and Baltimore will oooze confidence. There are probably two teams that could walk into Foxboro this weekend with 100% confidence that they are going to win--Baltimore and Seattle. And New England has to play one of those two teams this weekend. All that said, talent should win out, and New England with a healthy Gronkowski is the best team in the league right now.

Green Bay should beat Dallas, but I would not be shocked by any outcome there. Green Bay is not as unstoppable as people seem to think, and Dallas is a really good team. Got about 55% confidence in this outcome.

[cartman]

If Dallas and Carolina win, we'll have the Broken Back Bowl for the NFC championship game.

[SteveMax58]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Only game I am really confident about is Denver over Indy. I have nothing interesting to say about it. Should be a 10+ point win.

Funny...thats the only game I think is in question. I see Peyton Manning's arm strength as a real concern. I don't know if its just fatigue or what, but he is throwing soft tosses the past few games I've watched of him.

If I were a DC, I'd stack the box on him and dare him to throw it deep. I don't think he's got the arm strength to get it there consistently.

It saddens me to say it, and I'll be happy to eat my words, but Peyton does not look right out there and his (lack of) arm strength is a real concern.

[QuikSand]

Just an annual observation - for my money, this is the best weekend of NFL football for the whole season.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Just an annual observation - for my money, this is the best weekend of NFL football for the whole season.

+1

[NobodyHere]

Go Colts!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Just an annual observation - for my money, this is the best weekend of NFL football for the whole season.

While I agree, I am not sure if I'll be able to bring myself to watch the games this week. At best, I'll have them on in the background while doing something else.

[NobodyHere]

Only $20! For sale at the Packers home game. And it comes with:

» "Big Mother" pretzel bun
» 1/2 pound of ground venison
» 1/2 pound of ground bacon
» 1/2 pound of certified Angus beef
» Crispy fried onions
» Jalapeño smoked bacon
» Lettuce (and you thought this wasn't healthy)
» Tomato (six slices)
» Pickles
» Secret sauce
» Housemade jalapeño cheese

We need a courageous FOFCer to make (or buy) one of these things. Preferably someone who doesn't have much else to live for as I can't guarantee they'll have a functioning heart valve after eating this.

[SackAttack]

if someone wants to spot me game tickets, i'll give it a shot

[flere-imsaho]

Last year I made Venison Roast topped by Duck Breast topped by Tri-Tip Steak in my smoker (the concept being the fat from the duck & steak kept the venison from drying out). SUPER YUMMY.

[JeeberD]

I would eat the hell out of one of those things...

[Kodos]

Might as well call it the deathburger.

[albionmoonlight]

Talked to a while with a big Panthers fan in the office. Makes me that much more convinced that they will lose. He's hopeful, of course. But he's a realist. And he pretty much went down all the matchups, and there is nothing there that makes him think the Panthers really have a chance.

[Kodos]

Carolina is toast.

[stevew]

From the mind that predicted both TN and Jax to have solid seasons-

Carolina's d-line and front 7 is good enough that I could see Lynch being held in check enough that maybe they can squeak out like a 17-15 win over SEA. Stewart has been running really good.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Might as well call it the deathburger.

There are worse ways to die.

[stevew]

G-Reg needs to have a great game as I can't see Benjamin doing much in the passing game.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by stevew

From the mind that predicted both TN and Jax to have solid seasons-

Carolina's d-line and front 7 is good enough that I could see Lynch being held in check enough that maybe they can squeak out like a 17-15 win over SEA. Stewart has been running really good.

The Carolina defense/special teams will have to generate 10-14 points for them to have a shot against the Seahawks.

[NobodyHere]

I just realized that as a Colt's fan I should be rooting for Baltimore to win

[Wolfpack]

Carolina's defense can keep Seattle in check as well as they've played. Problem is the offense. Doesn't matter if you hold Seattle under 20 points if you yourself can't get more than 10. Seattle's secondary shouldn't have much issue with the Carolina receivers other than Olsen and that means the running game's got to produce. If it can, then Carolina can hang around until the fourth and maybe get lucky somehow. If not and Seattle can get a 10- or 14-point lead before halftime, it will get all kinds of awful because Newton's not good enough to carry the team in this environment, especially if he gets too jacked up and starts airmailing his passes again.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Carolina's defense can keep Seattle in check as well as they've played. Problem is the offense. Doesn't matter if you hold Seattle under 20 points if you yourself can't get more than 10. Seattle's secondary shouldn't have much issue with the Carolina receivers other than Olsen and that means the running game's got to produce. If it can, then Carolina can hang around until the fourth and maybe get lucky somehow. If not and Seattle can get a 10- or 14-point lead before halftime, it will get all kinds of awful because Newton's not good enough to carry the team in this environment, especially if he gets too jacked up and starts airmailing his passes again.

Agree. Keep the score low and maybe Car can steal it.

[kingfc22]

That was impressive.

[Desnudo]

Ugh. I was dreading this matchup.

[frnk55]

Well that was nice to see.

[Radii]

STEVE SMITH! Great start.

[Desnudo]

This is lining up as a royal ass kicking

[SirFozzie]

Good drive. and hearing Michaels and Collinsworth ballwash the Mueller report nearly made me sick.

edit: Do you think the league told em to say that?

[Desnudo]

Was goodell wearing a Ravens hat?

[SirFozzie]

Hope Smith Sr suffers a dehabilitating issue that keeps him out of the rest of the game. nothing too painful, somehting he can be fine for.. for the offseason.

Stupid penalty by the Ravens

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Hope Smith Sr suffers a dehabilitating issue that keeps him out of the rest of the game. nothing too painful, somehting he can be fine for.. for the offseason.

Stupid penalty by the Ravens

Stay classy...

[NobodyHere]

Don't make Tom Brady angry, you wouldn't like Tom Brady when he's angry

[mckerney]

Throwing a knee into a QBs head seems like it should probably be a penalty.

[Desnudo]

Really stupid penalty by the patriots there

[SirFozzie]

stupid penalty.. by the Pats. Oy.

[Marmel]

Brady is such a cry baby. He needs to be punched in the face.

So conflicted: I have the Pats (and Seattle) in a knockout pool, but I really hate them and can't even root for them for money.

[BillJasper]

If Baltimore wins here, I don't see them having a problem knocking off Denver or Indy next week.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Throwing a knee into a QBs head seems like it should probably be a penalty.

Thought Brady initiated the whole thing including the knee. Each to their own

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Thought Brady initiated the whole thing including the knee. Each to their own

This was my initial thought until I went back on the DVR.

[Desnudo]

Oh man Josh Kline. I guess playing your best running back isn't important either.

[kingfc22]

Brady is taking some shots.

[SirFozzie]

Good drive, but yikes Brady is getting hit EVERY single time he drops back.

[SirFozzie]

14-14, and hopefully we can get one more stop on D, and try to get the double whammy before/after halftime.

[SirFozzie]

BIG stop on a 3rd and one, there's the "One More Stop on D" part, now let's get the double whammy.

[Abe Sargent]

Longtime defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau parts ways with Pittsburgh Steelers - ESPN

[albionmoonlight]

That ball spot is one of those forgettable bad calls that had a pretty big impact. Still don't know why you call and end around there.

[Desnudo]

Why bolden is the primary back is why I will not miss mcdaniels in a nutshell

[bhlloy]

Feels like the momentum has shifted. Some poor play calling by the Ravens since the two TD drives

[SirFozzie]

Ugh, instead, we get the 2014-copyright "pre-Halftime Brady interception to nowhere"

[BillJasper]

Terrible throw by Brady. There goes the momentum.

[Desnudo]

That is a complete bullshit call