12/04/24
January 05, 2003
Don't know much about history.: Wow. The Falcons of all teams just ended the Packers' Lambeau playoff unbeaten streak. Let the passing the torch stories begin. Now, do these Falcons have a shot at upending a somewhat gimpy Donovan McNabb and the decidedly un-gimpy rest of the Eagles next week?
I think Donovan McNabb comes back for the Eagles, but when's the last time a QB jumped back into the starting lineup (especially in the playoffs) and picked up right where he left off? I also think the turf could play a factor, but I don't think it will be decisive. Here's the big question: can the Falcons hang on to that first-half momentum they established against the Packers, something they lacked all season? I think they will. Falcons 23, Eagles 16.
posted by wfrazerjr at 05:40 PM on January 05, 2003
And the stories just keep on rolling. Two great comeback games today. Here are my picks for next week: Falcons 27, Eagles 17 49ers 7, Bucs 17 Steelers 35, Titans 24 Jets 14, Raiders 24 I just hope next weeks games live up to the drama of this weekend's. Two blowouts (one very surprising) and two close games.
posted by trox at 07:16 PM on January 05, 2003
Here's my picks for next week: NFC: Eagles 24, Falcons 17 Bucs 21, 49ers 14 AFC: Titans 31, Steelers 24 Jets 35, Raiders 31 (my upset special) I'll probably blow the Jets/Raiders game, but I am not convinced that the Raiders are the best team in the AFC right now. Even if they win, I think the Titans will take them next weekend in the AFC championship. As for the NFC, I think that the Bucs had better hope Vick and crew pull off another upset because they will not win the NFC championship in Philly's Veterans Stadium.
posted by jasonbondshow at 09:04 PM on January 05, 2003
Man, the games today were really good. Both very exciting. I'm pissed about the Browns/Steelers, but that's okay. I'll take a good game over a boring one no matter who wins. No predictions from me as today was the first day I've watched more than a quarter of any game this year. All I know is, the rest of the playoffs and the Super Bowl should be extra good this year. Parity is a very good thing.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:35 PM on January 05, 2003
NFC: Eagles 13, Falcons 17 Bucs 3, 49ers 21 AFC: Titans 27, Steelers 21 Jets 49, Raiders 45 Still sticking with Titans/49ers in the superbowl.
posted by corpse at 08:05 AM on January 06, 2003
Okay, I'll make my blind picks (since my NFC darkhorse choked big time..."Just spike the ball! No, don't run! Don't throw it to him! Damnit!") NFC: Eagles 23, Falcons 21 Buccs 27, 49ers 16 AFC: Steelers 17, Titans 14 (OT) Raiders 41, Jets 16
posted by grum@work at 11:18 AM on January 06, 2003
Grum, apparently a player is not allowed to spike the ball unless he took the snap from under center. Despite all of this, I don't understand why just taking a knee and using the last timeout wouldn't work. I think they still had one. Regardless, they should have never been in that position in the first place. Falcons (I hope), 49ers (I think), Titans (I know), and Jets (I'd wager the house) will win this week.
posted by 86 at 12:16 PM on January 06, 2003
Altho I could hardly believe the Niners' good luck on the final NY field goal mess, the Giants lost the game on the first muffed field goal try. The snap on the first try, while laughable, was much better than the second, and the ball was still set up for a decent kick. The kicker obviously had the distance, but totally shanked it. Shanked it.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:07 PM on January 06, 2003
He shanked it because I was screaming at my tv trying to excise the demons of Matt Barr.
posted by corpse at 02:54 PM on January 06, 2003
Twelve years later, the Giants finally paid the karmic price for Scott Norwood.... Anyway, I think the Raiders lose this weekend, becoming the ninth AFC top seed out of the last eleven to fail to reach the Super Bowl.
posted by Jaquandor at 07:54 PM on January 06, 2003
And now I'm hearing from here that the refs blew the call in the SF/Giants game, and that: 1) The Giants guard that was interefered on the desperation throw by the holder was, in fact, a legitimate receiver during field goal attempts. 2) Another guard entirely was the illegal man down field. 3) No pass interference call was actually made by any of the referees, even though if you followed the flight of the ball (which you assume ONE of the refs was doing), you couldn't miss the shove by the SF defender on the receiver before he could catch it. Since he was a legitimate man down field, it should have been called. If he had been an illegal man down field, no call would be made. 4) If the pass intereference call was made, it would have been offsetting penalties with the illegal man downfield call and the game cannot end on offsetting penalties. 5) Therefore, the Giants would have been given one more play with 0 seconds on the clock to kick the field goal again. Wow. And yah, as a Bills fan, I did enjoy the karmic price. :)
posted by grum@work at 08:42 PM on January 06, 2003
Here's an interesting scenario: what if the NFL had the college rule where the defensive team could return the ball for a score on conversions after touchdown? If that rule had been in effect, then the two point conversion pass that was intercepted by the Giants on the last 49er TD could have been returned for two points, giving the Giants a 40-39 lead. This very same scenario happened during the Appalachian State-Furman college football game this past fall in Boone, NC. Furman scored a TD with 7 seconds left, and went for two to give them a three point lead. However, App State picked off the two point conversion pass to take the lead and win the game by one point. Just some food for thought...
posted by jasonbondshow at 10:50 PM on January 06, 2003
What will probably even up the game will be the horrendous turf at Veterans Stadium. It gives the Eagles a huge advantage, and they will need that against Vick. Do not be surprised if Eagles coach Andy Reid keeps the Falcons in suspense as to who will start the game. McNabb will probably go, unless Reid decides that his chances of winning are better with AJ Feely in the game. It all depends on how well that broken bone has healed on McNabb. If he's less than 75-80 percent, I'd go with Feely. My prediction: Eagles 24, Falcons 17.