NFL Predictions - Playoff Thread

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 1-11-03 | Gerry Dulac

[bybybill]

PLease note that none of the NFL teams scheduled USC. Just like OSU, the`re afraid of the Trojans

[panther33]

Now, name ONE source that said what I said about the Whiners leaving it all on the field BEFORE I POSTED IT TO YOU LAST WEEK.

What difference does it make whether the prediction is made ten minutes after last week's game or ten minutes before the Bucs game? It's not like all the NFL gurus go to FR to look for commentary material.

Furthermore, by this time most all of my sources where I had seen the material (ESPN.com, NFL.com, etc.) talking about the Niners emotional and physical fatigue have replaced the articles with stories about the Bucs' victory. (even my trusty ol' Fresno Bee couldn't come through for me... on the Internet, at least... I'll check the printed copy in the morning)

Just because others said it AFTER I did, dimishes my prediction NOT one whit (and BOY did you guys get CREAMED by a team that will get killed by the Iggles).

You said that the Niners were going to get killed by the Little Giants, too. How reliable is this prediction?

This preview alludes to the fatigue in the first sentence: "Having staged the second-greatest comeback in NFL playoff history, San Francisco will travel across the country to take on the well-rested Buccaneers."

"Niners look like a team running on empty in loss"
Here is an article discussing how the Bucs victory was in part aided by the Niners leaving it all on the field last Sunday.

I know this isn't much, but after a game is over it is hard to find previews. Give me some time, please. If nothing else, I will still have personal satisfaction that I'm right. ;-)

It's almost midnight, so g'night and I'll keep looking!

FReegards

[cardinal4]

Well, Im eating crow today. Good call on the Black and Silver.

[Pharmboy]

You're desperate! What difference does it make whether the prediction is made ten minutes after last week's game or ten minutes before the Bucs game? Ohhhh...I see: being the first to make a prediction doesn't mean anything! Here, lemme lay it out for you: it was my own prediction, which means that I did not read it anywhere. It was an original thought--something that perhaps you're not familiar with.

Look: I WAS right--we matched up very well against you guys,and it was clear in the first half that you didn't have a chance. We ROLLED over you. Physically it was not a contest. Because of a complete mental lapse, you came back in the second half. It was a FLUKE. You did beat us mentally for a half, but football is a physical game--it ain't chess. We are the better team--no question. Just take a look at your piss-poor performance yesterday. If I were a Whiner fan, I'd be very very worried. As a GIANTS fan, I look forward to next year.

[doosee]

Did you know that he drives a school bus now?


No, fascinating. The ex ref or the younger ref? Another brother, Ray Bergman, was principle of Quaker Valley High but is likely retired now. Another brother is a priest in Zelionople.

[NittanyLion]

Very nice call. Two to Go!!!!

Thanks! The play calling looked a bit sloppy on Reid's part, but when you only need three "W's" I guess the score is all that matters.

[tdadams]

Week 4 - 52 to 25. But don't forget just a few weeks before that in the preseason, it was the Titans who cleaned the Raiders' clock. It the Titans' turn again.

[tdadams]

I cannot believe Tennessee beat my beloved Steelers!!!

Why? They usually do!

[walkingdead]

Raiders take it all!

[discostu]

To paraphrase Gene Wilder:
Don't spit on their logo, it just makes them angry.

It kills me that this year has been so filled with suprises and upsets and bizaare streaks, and when we get to the playoffs everything is going just like it "should", only one home team loss so far and a quick perusal down Greenbay's injury sheet explains that one instantly. After this season normal is now wierd.

[Mr. Mojo]

But don't forget just a few weeks before that in the preseason, it was the Titans who cleaned the Raiders' clock.

You mean when the Raiders were playing their 4th stringers, many of whom are not even on the team any more? Puh-leeze. You're reaching ....bigtime.

[Mr. Mojo]

The Giants' problem is that they don't have a clue about how to protect a lead. They had the first game of the season (against SF) in the bag, and then the coaching staff decided to play a prevent defense in the last 2:00 of the game. Result? The Niners, who weren't able to move the ball all day, marched down for the winning TD with the greatest of ease.

And there were plenty of times this season when the Giants blew comfortable leads --- sometimes winning, and sometimes losing. They just don't know how to put teams out of their misery.

Fast forward to last weekend's disaster. The Niners were getting their pansy asses handed to them in a big way. Things were looking great. So whyinthehell did the Giants change their defensive scheme? Although not exactly playing an actual prevent, the Giants did not blitz even once in the 2nd half. The result was that Garcia had all day to sit there in the pocket and find his (very talented) receivers. The G-Men got burned drive after drive, and the idiot coaching staff just sat there with their thumbs up their asses. Not one linebacker blitz; not one safety blitz; Not one corner blitz.

Fassel must go.

[mlo]

Bill Romanowski: "We got tired of hearing how great they were. On ESPN, it would be 20 minutes on the Jets and a couple of minutes on the Raiders. There is a reason why we had home-field advantage. There is a reason why we had a bye. It's because of the way we played the second half of the season. We kept hearing how Chad Pennington was the next Joe Montana. We've got the league's MVP on our team -- Rich Gannon. I think it showed a lack of respect. I told Rich this week that we would get him. We would put a hat on him for 60 minutes and we'll see if this guy is the next Joe Montana. I think we saw tonight that he was not."

Charles Woodson: “J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets . . . that’s how I’m feeling. Trash talk is fine, as long as you back it up . . . We came to play today and they didn’t. And I have no respect for somebody that talks during the week and doesn’t show up for the game.”

"He was the great hype this week. The last couple of weeks teams weren’t getting pressure on him, and he just sat back there and picked teams apart, and we weren’t having that. He’s a young quarterback with a lot to learn, going up against a good group of guys today who were tired of all the talk, very tired.”

"We kept looking at the two teams. We’ve got a better secondary than they do, better linebackers, a better offensive line, a better defensive line, a better quarterback, and better running backs. We were trying to figure out what people were expecting to happen today. But that’s the beauty of competition; you find out who’s not really as good as you think they are.”

"Who was the hottest team in the league? Us, not them. It was like no one gave us the chance to beat the Jets. That ticked all of us off in this locker room. We got tired of all the hype."

"If you didn't know we had won the West, you would not even know we were in the game. It was J-E-T-S. That's all it was."

"Now they've got no practice and we're getting ready for the championship game, so let's go."

Lincoln Kennedy: "The Jets were a little upset, but we kinda expected that. I don't know what they were upset about. Maybe because the last time (a 26-20 loss here Dec. 2), they felt that they ran out of time in trying to make a comeback. Maybe they need to make an inquiry to the NFL to see if they can find an extra 12 minutes on the clock. Of course, the clock ran out on them this week as well."

Frank Middleton: "F*** the Jets. F*** 'em all. Please quote me on that."

Rod Coleman: "Someone should tell them to keep their mouths shut next time."

Tim Brown: "If the Jets were the best team in the league I don't know what that makes us right now."

Jerry Porter: "If they want to keep coming 2,500 miles to get this whipping, let 'em."

"J-E-T-S. Just End The Season."

[jpl]

made for many years TO GET THEM FIVE SUPERBOWL RINGS. Does your home favorite have five Superbowl rings? I thought so.

Just so that you know, the 49ers aren't the only team in the NFL with five Super Bowl rings.

[tdadams]

It's just as much of a reach to compare the 1-4 Titans of September with the team that's gone 11-1 since then.

[Mr. Mojo]

I'll agree with that. ...But I'm not making that comparison. I know the Titans are good.

[Mr. Mojo]

Strange...I bet this is the first time in NFL history that two teams meeting in a championship game both lost 4 games in a row during the regular season.

[NittanyLion]

Tim Brown: "If the Jets were the best team in the league I don't know what that makes us right now."
Jerry Porter: "If they want to keep coming 2,500 miles to get this whipping, let 'em."

These are my two favorites. LOL.

[mlo]

It the Titans' turn again.

That's the same mistake the Jets made. You are seriously underestimating the Raiders. There is a reason the spread is already 8 points. Take the Raiders and give the points, this is not even a fair matchup.

[linuxnut]

Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory.

Fight Eagles fight, score a touchdown 1-2-3.

Hit 'em low,

Hit 'em high,

And we'll watch our Eagles fly.

Fly Eagles fly on the road to victory!

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!