12/22/24
January 06, 2008
Giants top Buccaneers,: Chargers defeat Titans.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to football at 08:16 PM - 34 comments
The Giants are playing like real contenders. I think they have a decent shot of beating Dallas if they can play like they've played in the last two games. Even if they don't, they seem to be taking so much joy in playing hard right now that its really making me like them.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:47 PM on January 06, 2008
That most likely will not happen. When the Steelers were defeated, Dungy and the Patriots coach got extactly what they dreamed of getting, an opponent that has a strong defense and a weak offense that has a young, easily confused quarterback. Dungy has the easier foe, but the Patriots are a smidgen better than the Colts at dissecting an opponent and taking advantage of any weakness. The AFC championship game should come down to Colts vs Patriots. On the NFC side, it would be nice to see the Giants make a run, but the Cowboys should end their season next weekend. The Seahawks/Packers game is a tossup, but the Packers should prevail after a dogfight.
posted by Cave_Man at 08:56 PM on January 06, 2008
I can not believe it took 14 years and a flood, and it was a real show by Mother Nature in SD and Southern California here today, for the Chargers to win a game. I guess they will always need a flood to win a playoff game. This is hard. They should move to Portland.
posted by Joe188 at 01:02 AM on January 07, 2008
I'd never been a Giants fan (the NY on the helmet had something to do with that) until they played the Patriots. When Tom Coughlin refused to mail it in, and gave New England a battle, I found a lot of respect for the organization. Last year I would have hoped that both NY and Dallas could lose the same game. Not so this year. NY can win this one if they continue to play on offense, particularly at QB, as well as they have in their last 2 games. Tony Romo in the post-season could be suspect. I know it was only one game, but it might have started a trend. We'll see...
posted by Howard_T at 08:44 AM on January 07, 2008
I can not believe it took 14 years and a flood I presume the flood also explains what Rivers was wearing to the post game press conference. Having all of your clothes washed into the Pacific can be the only reason for that shirt.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:03 AM on January 07, 2008
The best thing about the Giants winning is that it hopefully irritates Tiki Barber. He's reason number 312,455 to turn down the volume during various NFL pregame shows and telecasts.
posted by dyams at 09:04 AM on January 07, 2008
I don't think that the Giants have a realistic shot at Dallas. Having time to rest their wounded only helps. Plus, the twice a year match-ups allow them to exploit each others weaknesses. I see Dallas getting much more pressure on Eli than did Tampa Bay. Also, they have not shown that they can outscore Dallas and will have to do so with both TO back as well as Terry Glenn. I think a suspect Giants secondary will be the decisive point. Dallas by 8.
posted by Mickster at 09:32 AM on January 07, 2008
Also, they have not shown that they can outscore Dallas and will have to do so with both TO back as well as Terry Glenn. I haven't seen any definitive word that T.O. is absolutely going to be able to play. If he's not able to go, I think Dallas struggles big-time. Knowing T.O., he'll probably manage to get on the field, though. Expecting Glenn to have much impact when he's only been on the field for a few plays this season is unrealistic. The Cowboys haven't looked real good lately, so I give the Giants a shot.
posted by dyams at 10:04 AM on January 07, 2008
The best thing about the Giants winning is that it hopefully irritates Tiki Barber Seconded.
posted by yerfatma at 10:20 AM on January 07, 2008
Patriots-Jaguars should be a hell of a game.But the Patriots and Belichick will be studying the film of the Jags- Steelers game and I'm sure he'll put in a game plan to offset what the Jaguars have to throw at them.Colts vs Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
posted by Ghastly1 at 10:58 AM on January 07, 2008
I believe that the Colts and Pats will win via blowouts this weekend, whereas both NFC games are truly up for grabs. If the Giants D can get pressure on Romo, I think that the Giants pull it off. The Seahawks secondary delivered at home - now can they come through on the frozen tundra? The 'Hawks secondary will be the determinative factor in that contest, I believe.
posted by BCHockey at 12:17 PM on January 07, 2008
Agreed on the Colts, BC; not so sure about the Pats. But then, I didn't get to see much of the Jaguars during the season, and only half of the game against Pittsburgh. The hype says they're hot, of course; whether they're bringing anything that's going to be that much challenge for the Pats is another matter.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 12:43 PM on January 07, 2008
If the Giants D can get pressure on Romo, I think that the Giants pull it off. Well, they're pretty good at that no matter the opponent. Their problems come when someone gets beyond the line of scrimmage.
posted by YukonGold at 12:48 PM on January 07, 2008
whether they're bringing anything that's going to be that much challenge for the Pats is another matter. They definitely match up well. On offense, they have a smart QB who doesn't make many mistakes, coupled with a two-headed running attack-- the Pats' defense against the run has looked weak at times (those LBs aren't getting younger). On defense they have the personnel (esp. if everyone is healthy) to apply pressure to Brady. No idea about their secondary.
posted by yerfatma at 12:53 PM on January 07, 2008
Tony Romo in the post-season could be suspect. I know it was only one game, but it might have started a trend. We'll see... I can't believe that someone would make this statement about Romo after just 1 playoff game. Correct me if I'm wrong but Romo had a pretty decent game versus the Seahawks last year in his only playoff game so far, throwing for 17-29 with 189 yards and 1 touchdown and if it weren't for the botched 19 yard field goal attempt, who knows how far the 'Boys would've gone. Romo & Co. will be just fine while the Jint will suffer another playoff loss. It'll be a great game but the better team will prevail.
posted by BornIcon at 01:10 PM on January 07, 2008
More on Pats-v-Jags from Belichick's presser. The press conference transcripts are reason enough for any Pats fan to subscribe to the Projo Pats blog, though the ones with post-game analysis are far superior to the "OHNOES! Here's why we'll lose by 30 this week" ones.
posted by yerfatma at 01:14 PM on January 07, 2008
I think that Favre's perchance for throwing interceptions combined with the red-hot 'Hawks secondary will lead to a narrow Seattle victory. You saw them against the Redskins, they've been doing it all season. On the other hand, I think that the Cowboys will blow the Giants out of the water. Manning isn't the QB he's cracked up to be; the pressure will get to him by about the third quarter. Their running game is good, but just won't be able to keep up with the point production of the Cowboys' offense. T.O. is bound to have a huge day, injury or no. Just look what he did in the Superbowl way back when...
posted by Goyoucolts at 04:16 PM on January 07, 2008
I can't believe that someone would make this statement about Romo after just 1 playoff game. Agreed. A trend of what? Dropping snapped field goal attempts? In his first playoff game in his first season of starting he had his team in position for a victory on the road before the botched snap. Are we spotting a trend from one play? A play that really has nothing to do with his position at quarterback?
posted by justgary at 05:18 PM on January 07, 2008
Well, there is a lack of a trend, if you will -- a lack of a trend of successful playoff play...which is shared by, what, five of the eight remaining quarterbacks?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 05:41 PM on January 07, 2008
If Seattle's line can get the kind of pressure on Brett Farve that they did on Todd Collins they have a great shot at defeating the Packers. However, their running game was not very effective against the Redskins. Shaun Alexander needs to be better if his team is going to even have a shot at going the distance.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:43 PM on January 07, 2008
Romo, what the hell were you thinking? Her kitty must be made of gold...
posted by canstusdis at 07:22 PM on January 07, 2008
But in the NFC you don't seem to need a really solid running game... Look at the Packers. They do have an explosive back in Grant, but the Packers averaged 99.8 rushing yards per game. Not exactly shattering ground stats. Admittedly, the "Hawks aren't much better at 101.1, but my point is that in the pass-happy NFC you don't need to pound the rock to win games. You won't win the Superbowl, but you can give it a good shot.
posted by Goyoucolts at 07:46 PM on January 07, 2008
If Romo plays poorly on Sunday I'm sure the media will be quick to jump on his bye week vacation with Simpson.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:48 PM on January 07, 2008
Like that would have a huge difference... Being relaxed is an advantage, right? ;)
posted by Goyoucolts at 07:52 PM on January 07, 2008
Rocky (1976) Mickey: Women weaken legs!
posted by canstusdis at 12:08 AM on January 08, 2008
Save the anti-woman hysteria for someone who does irony with a bit of funny.
posted by yerfatma at 05:15 AM on January 08, 2008
If Romo plays poorly on Sunday I'm sure the media will be quick to jump on his bye week vacation with Simpson. Somewhat off topic, but back in the 70's Joe Lutz was the first American manager In Japan with the Central League's Hiroshima Toyo Carp. At the time there was a strict taboo against players having sex with their wives/girlfriends before games. Lutz did his best to put this aside, even going so far as to address the wives on the subject. The team managed to win the Japan Series during his tenure as manager, so I guess they and their mates might have been a lot happier.
posted by Howard_T at 08:56 AM on January 08, 2008
Madam, I'm neither anti-woman nor hysterical. As for the funny part, you might be right...
posted by canstusdis at 06:32 PM on January 08, 2008
Sir, I'm neither interested nor attentive. As for the funny part, it's hanging to the left today...
posted by yerfatma at 07:32 PM on January 08, 2008
I don't know what Phillips was thinking giving the players the luxury of basically letting them do what they wanted.Sure you've got the bye week,and maybe take a little time off from football.But going and lounging on a Mexican resort I think is a bit much.I can see Belichick telling his team,"Alright boys,we earned the right to the bye week,you all go down to Mexico,have a few Margaritas on me,and I'll see you back here Monday morning.Yea right!!!
posted by Ghastly1 at 06:35 PM on January 09, 2008
Yeah, but at the same time, a trip to Mexico from Dallas is a whole lot different than a trip to Mexico from Foxboro, Massachusetts. Dallas to Mexico is nothing more than a commuter flight. Massachusetts to Mexico is a cross-country flight.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:19 AM on January 10, 2008
Careful what you say! The speech police are watching. You might be accused of anti-Mexico hysteria...
posted by canstusdis at 05:28 PM on January 11, 2008
Hopefully, these "speech police" will also know that Massachusetts is farther away from Mexico than Texas. Worst case, my lawyer has to produce an atlas and a sliderule.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 03:06 PM on January 12, 2008
Philip! Philip! Philip! Here's hoping for a Chargers/Jaguars matchup in a few weeks. It'll be State v. ECU all over again.