NFL Divisional Weekend

[jersey cubs fan]

DEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!!!!

They say they want to use him as a [expletive] for the playoffs.

That's pretty harsh of the Saints to bring him back for that.

 

Gotta earn your money somehow in this recession.

[ScrubMD]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406.html?mod=e2tw

 

Apparently there's only an average of 11 minutes of actual football in a football game.

[weis21]

Vikings 24, Cowboys 21 (Suisham misses field goal goal as time expires)

 

Saints 40, Cardinals 35

 

Chargers 28, Jets 13

 

Ravens 31, Colts 28 (OT)

[Soul]

Romo's got his playoff legs now.

 

'Boys obliterate the Vikings. Like the Bears in the first half, but no comeback.

 

It's true.

[NCCubFan]

They say they want to use him as a [expletive] for the playoffs.

Didn't you know you can't say full back anymore? [-X

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

A little off topic, but I'm watching the NFL network and they are showing the Saints first playoff win versus the Rams. My god, I had forgotten how horrible Dennis Miller was in an NFL broadcast booth.

 

As bad as some of the teams are, I don't think anything past, present or future could be that bad again.

 

I guess unless NBC puts Jay Leno in the booth.

[NOLA]

I am estatic about the Deuce signing and don't think it is harsh at all. He has always loved this organization and is one of the most unselfish players in our history. He wants to contibute and has kept himself in shape. We need a fullback after Heath Evans went out and Deuce is a great fit. Plus, Deuce deserves a ring after all he has given this organization. Class move by a class organization.

Also, people just see our struggles lately and ignore just how injured we've been. The second half of the season we've largely been without both starting corners, Sharper, Fujita, Sedrick Ellis, Randall Gay, and Shanle...and that's just the defense. Also Reggie, Shockey, Lance Moore, Mike Bell, and Pierre Thomas are all now finally healthy on offense. I'd argue that the bye week helped the saints mentally and physically more than anyone in the league. I'm about to have a heart attack. I need a drink. Who dat?

[OleMissCub]

I'm about to have a heart attack. I need a drink. Who dat?

 

ya man. I've been losing sleep over it. I'm so nervous. Had my Brees jersey on for two days straight now, haha.

[sweetpeteman]

Cowboys 27, Vikings 13

 

Saints 32, Cardinals 17

 

Chargers 24, Jets 9

 

Colts 20, Ravens 17

[Exile on Waveland]

Picks; I'll start with a little Colts analysis (I'll keep it short).

 

The Colts have matched up very well with the Ravens in the Manning era, winning seven straight. The Colts have mostly kept the Ravens out of the end zone, and slowed their running game too. The Colts have also always been able to throw deep/over the top of the Ravens' defense -- the exception being the playoff field goal fest -- which I consider perhaps the biggest reason the Colts have fared well. Previous results:

 

2009: Indianapolis 17, at Baltimore 15.

2008: at Indiananpolis 31, Baltimore 3.

2007: Indianapolis 44, at Baltimore 20.

2006/7 (playoffs): Indianapolis 15, at Baltimore 6.

2005: Indianapolis 24, at Baltimore 7.

2004: at Indianapolis 20, Baltimore 10.

2002: at Indianapolis 22, Baltimore 20.

 

All that said, I'm of the mind that none of that really matters. Analyzing the game and matchups is irrelevant. This game will come down the Colts and how they play. They've had a tendency to start slowly (see e.g., 2005 playoffs 14-0 hole against the Steelers) and/or make inexplicable uncharacteristic turnovers/mistakes (e.g., 2007 playoffs four turnovers inside the 22 against the Chargers) in the first game of the playoffs. The first game has been the issue for the Colts. They are 0-3 with a bye and 3-6 in first games overall. They are 4-2 in the playoffs after the first game (obviously three wins came in the Super Bowl year). If the Colts play well -- watch the first quarter especially -- they will win (and I'd say a good chance it's by 10 or more points). If they start sluggish/rusty/nervous/whatever and/or they make boneheaded mistakes, they could, and probably will, lose. So how much do I trust the Colts today? Some. I think it could be an uglier start than I'd like but I don't believe the Ravens can/will be able to put them in a big hole (I do understand last week's Ravens-Patriots game). So I'll say 23-16 Colts.

 

I think the Saints will most likely win, and I feel comfortable picking the Chargers. The Cowboys-Vikings is the most difficult to pick for me, as I'm sure most. My gut says the Cowboys and I've been bearish on the Vikings this year. Still, I'll say the Vikings can hang on at home.

[Butterscup1679666578]

awesome start

[17 Seconds]

wow that completely killed the crowd. they still haven't gotten back into it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Tim Hightower? Ha ha! You gotta be kidding me.

[bcl412]

I still can't get over the fact that I'm watching the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints play each other in a play off game.

[Careless]

Two best pro runs i've ever seen out of Bush, not that I watch a ton of Saints games

[bcl412]

The final score will be 517-513.

[17 Seconds]

this game is gonna be awesome

[OleMissCub]

Saints offense is just stupid when everyone is healthy

[bcl412]

I enjoy being able to cheer for Sharper again.

[Careless]

I don't think I knew that 2:1 personal fouls were offsetting

[Butterscup1679666578]

I don't think I knew that 2:1 personal fouls were offsetting

 

I know I didn't.

[Careless]

66 points given up in less than 4 quarters

[Butterscup1679666578]

ok im bored with this game now

[Careless]

My packer fan grandmother just called her Cardinal fan daughter to harass her.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

35 points in this game already. Wow!