NFL Wildcard Weekend

[Exile on Waveland]

the Chargers have owned the Colts the last couple years.

 

Keep in mind both of those games, I believe, have been in San Diego. This game would be in Indianapolis. In what's been pretty competitive games, that could slide the advantage toward the Colts.

 

San Diego has gotten the best of Indianapolis recently, there is no doubt. However, all have been competitive games that went right down to the wire:

 

2008

at San Diego: Colts 23, Chargers 20.

at San Diego (playoffs): Chargers 23, Colts 17 overtime.

 

2007

at San Diego: Chargers 23, Colts 21.

at Indianapolis (playoffs): Chargers 28, Colts 24.

 

The Colts lost last year's playoff game without seeing the ball in overtime. They were ahead 17-14 late in regulation but couldn't convert a 3rd and 2 which cost them the game (though the Chargers had two turnovers in/around the endzone and likely outplayed the Colts). It should also be noted that Punter Mike Scifres played the game of his life -- he was likely more responsible for the Chargers win than even Darren Sproles, who always goes nuts on the Colts. The 2007 regular season game Manning threw six interceptions, yet if Vinatieri hits a 23-yard field goal, they win. In the 2007 playoff game, the Colts had a late 24-21 lead but rather pathetically couldn't keep San Diego's backups out of the endzone late (caveat: Dwight Freeney got hurt for the year in the 2007 regular season game against San Diego and obviously didn't play this game. The Colts had no pass rush without him, which was key in the loss -- despite the Colts having two (three?) red zone turnovers). The Chargers have won three of the last four, but they're about as close as games could be played.

 

The Colts actually match-up a little better with San Diego this year than they have in the past. The Chargers don't run the ball very well anymore, the Colts special teams coverage units are much improved, and with San Diego missing Jamal Williams (and I think his two backups) they don't stuff the run quite as well. They still have the taller receivers to trouble the Colts, though (Indy was missing Gary Bracket in last year's playoff game, who is key to slowing Antonio Gates). If the two teams meet -- I expect they will -- it's likely to be another close game that goes right down to the wire. Hopefully the Colts will get the breaks they haven't in years past.

[Exile on Waveland]

i have a good feeling the Bengals will convincingly beat the Jets

 

I just don't think they'll have the weapons to win convincingly with Ocho likely getting shut out by Revis again. Coles/Benson/Caldwell are nice weapons, but not explosive.

 

Yeah, I don't think the Bengals are really capable of blowing the Jets out. But I really, really think the Bengals will win. The Jets are taking an erratic rookie quarterback on the road in the playoffs. Last week's game was completely irrelevant for the Bengals -- I suspect they almost wanted to lose -- and shouldn't be considered predictive at all. The Jets aren't good.

[dew1679666265]

i have a good feeling the Bengals will convincingly beat the Jets

 

I just don't think they'll have the weapons to win convincingly with Ocho likely getting shut out by Revis again. Coles/Benson/Caldwell are nice weapons, but not explosive.

 

Yeah, I don't think the Bengals are really capable of blowing the Jets out. But I really, really think the Bengals will win. The Jets are taking an erratic rookie quarterback on the road in the playoffs. Last week's game was completely irrelevant for the Bengals -- I suspect they almost wanted to lose -- and shouldn't be considered predictive at all. The Jets aren't good.

 

The Jet defense is, but Zimmer against a rookie QB is a huge plus for Cincy.

[Andy]

I'm increasingly coming around on the Jets. I'm thinking they're going to win.

[shnsajax]

I'm increasingly coming around on the Jets. I'm thinking they're going to win.

 

Pretty much my feeling. I think they win this week and lose next week.

[Soul]

I'm increasingly coming around on the Jets. I'm thinking they're going to win.

 

Pretty much my feeling. I think they win this week and lose next week.

 

Yeah. I'd prefer if they lose, but I also think they're going to win.

[TruffleShuffle]

the jets and bengals are the two worst teams in the playoffs. i don't know which team is going to win but i do know that it won't matter.

[Exile on Waveland]

the jets and bengals are the two worst teams in the playoffs. i don't know which team is going to win but i do know that it won't matter.

 

They're the worst two by far. Why I desperately want the Pats to win. :-&

[hawkeyecub]

the jets and bengals are the two worst teams in the playoffs. i don't know which team is going to win but i do know that it won't matter.

 

Precisely. There's so much discussion and analysis over a game where the winner will be stomped out next week. The other three games this weekend matter.

[Exile on Waveland]

I suppose I should go ahead and predict this week since I complained about other's picks. All four games could conceivably go either way.

 

I think the Bengals win. The Jets have a good defense, but they're a poor playoff team (not that the Bengals are great shakes). I think the Packers win too, they're playing well. I'll take Dallas, but expect this one to be very close (Eagles may not matchup well with the Cowboys, but they'll play much better after last week's embarrassment). I sort of think Baltimore will win looking at it rationally, but it's at New England so I'll take the Pats. So Bengals, Packers, Cowboys, and Patriots.

[Wilson A2000]

My picks: Bengals, Cowboys, Patriots, Cardinals

With the spread: Bengals, Eagles, Patriots, Cardinals

[Guest]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4811050

 

Peyton wins his fourth MVP award.

[UMFan83]

the jets and bengals are the two worst teams in the playoffs. i don't know which team is going to win but i do know that it won't matter.

 

Precisely. There's so much discussion and analysis over a game where the winner will be stomped out next week. The other three games this weekend matter.

 

I'm willing to bet the winner of that game surprises you. I honestly think everyone is underrating the Bengals. I'm not saying their better than the Colts or Chargers, but they will probably keep a game against those 2 close and who knows what can happen in a close game.

[Vanilla Ice]

Bengals over Jets

Ravens over Patriots

Eagles over Cowboys

Packers over Cardinals

[SouthSideRyan]

Bengals

Ravens

Cowboys

Packers

[XZero771679666304]

Bengals

Pats

Eagles

Cardinals

[Guest]

Bengals

Patriots

Eagles

Cardinals

[NonProfitCow]

Larry Johnson inactive for the Bengals. Benson better be healthy enough to carry the ball 25+ times.

[Roast]

Well, it's almost gametime. I'll say:

 

Bengals 24

Jets 21

[ScrubMD]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4811050

 

Peyton wins his fourth MVP award.

 

Now he just needs his second SB MVP to go along with it.

[NonProfitCow]

Charles Barkley needs his own channel.

[SeldomSeen]

Jets over Bengals

Patriots over Ravens

Cardinals over Packers

Cowboys over Eagles

 

Colts over Jets

Chargers over Patriots

Saints over Cardinals

Cowboys over Vikings

 

Colts over Chargers

Saints over Cowboys

 

Colts over Saints, although I think NO's 3 headed running game could give the Colts fits and wouldn't be surprised either way.

[Roast]

Has Chad Ochocinco said anything about a pre-planned TD celebration this week?

 

He's got to have something good planned... I hope.

[SeldomSeen]

Has Chad Ochocinco said anything about a pre-planned TD celebration this week?

 

He's got to have something good planned... I hope.

I just hope he gets the chance to use it.

[Roast]

I love when the painfully white announcers try to directly quote Ochocinco

 

"And he said 'Please, Child. It was a bad field in New York."

 

Hilarious.

 

 

Also..nice start Bengals.