UMFan83

I gotta think TCU is exposed a bit in this one. They are supposed to have a pretty good offense, but they only got 10 points against a good defense.

30 yards in 29 seconds. TCU has already gone almost 70 yards this drive. Boise has to get out of prevent. Oh wait horrible INT

TCU is finally moving the ball. I'm hoping they have enough time to make this an exciting finish. Fairly enjoyable game though.

Says the Colts fan :) I think the Bengals defense is good enough to hold the Colts to 23 points. To get to 23, the most likely scenario is 2 TDs and 3 FGs, so 5 scoring drives. So the Colts consistently are moving the ball on the Bengals, but the good run d of the Bengals holds the Colts to a couple of FGs. I mean the 2006 Colts finished 2nd in the NFL in points in the regular season (more than they scored this year) and were held to 23 and 15 points respectively in their first 2 playoff games. The 2005 Colts same thing in the regular season, 18 points in their playoff game. 2004 Colts were a record setting offense in the regular season and after destroying the Broncos (putting up 49 points), they scored just 3 in the next round.

I was in complete disbelief when people on other boards were starting to turn on Rose and call him a bust after his slow start. I know we are a society of immediacy, but people have to get some perspective when a 19 year old kid 2 years out of high school is struggling a bit in between flashes of superstar potential.

The problem I have is that Butler is a SF and not a SG, so who plays were would be what I be asking. He's kinda a smaller SF right? Maybe he could switch there and still be somewhat as effective? Of course you don't trade for a borderline all star and then tell him to switch positions because of Luol Deng but still. The team just needs more talent.

My predictions for this weekend Cincinnati 17 NY Jets 16 New England 28 Baltimore 17 Philadelphia 24 Dallas 16 (sorry Vance, just a gut feeling) Green Bay 33 Arizona 30 (I know the Pac4kers D is good but I see the game devolving into a shootout) Might as well post the rest of my predictions for the playoffs, with a lot less time thought about than the above predictions Indianapolis 23 Cincinnati 10 San Diego 34 New England 21 New Orleans 27 Philadelphia 24 Minnesota 31 Green Bay 21 (kill me) San Diego 21 Indianapolis 17 New Orleans 38 Minnesota 28 San Diego 26 New Orleans 21

Damn, if we signed Beltre it would be our move of the offseason. For the Red Sox, its their 2nd or 3rd biggest move.

Orlando Pace 74/77 in Tackles Chris Williams 64/77 in Tackles

Thanks. By the way, I was shifting through the various positions and look who is last at HB: http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=HB&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1 Ouch. Look how far in last he is in just the rushing category. By far the worst runner in the NFL according to this.

The game wasn't that meaningful for the Bengals, I'd be surprised if they showed much of their gameplan last night. I agree but trying or not there's no excuse for your starting QB to go 1-11 for 0 bet yards or for your entire offense to gain the least amount of net yards in franchise history. Combine that with how poor they've been playing as of late and things aren't great in Bengal land heading into the playoffs.

I think it's kind of interesting. And I disagree with those who said the end of the season sucked. There were meaningful seedings questions (especially when that involves domed teams and cold weather teams), and the entire AFC was fighting for 2 wild card spots. I enjoyed the last two weeks of this NFL season much more than I enjoyed the last month of baseball. When was the last time an NFL wild-card playoff game featured a week 17 rematch, much less three? It's definitely happened more than a handful of times. I am drawing a blank on examples but it's happened multiple times in the last maybe 10 years (1 rematch that is)

The Titans and Broncos both finished 8-8 but boy did they take different paths to get there.

Rooting for: Chargers Bengals Saints Cardinals Meh: Jets Ravens Colts Eagles Rooting against: Patriots Vikings Packers Cowboys Ideal Super Bowl: Saints/Chargers

I thought this was funny (and telling)

Okay, for the sake of argument, I could see picking up a guy like Kovalchuk and dumping longer term contracts like Sharp and Versteeg. But that only works if you assume the Hawks will have no interest in signing him beyond this year. Which I don't know how they could do under the cap. So, I'm still against it because it would upset the apple cart and probably not be that much of an improvement. Chemistry is very important in hockey, and I'd be worried about taking a couple forwards out and subbing in a new guy and then someone like Hendry or another guy from Rockford. If we're going to trade some of our skill guys, which I agree will have to be done after the season, it needs to be for draft picks. Well while traveling the Blackhawks boards, there's seems to be an opinion that any deal would start with Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker, two young players who are NHL ready and players that are definately replaceable. But I'm torned, you make this trade and you are literally putting ALL OF THE EGGS into one basketballand going for it this year. But if you don't win it this yr, then you take a step or two back beginning next yr. On the other hand you have the drought and who knows if you get another opportunity like this. Knowing the higher ups (McD and Wirtz) I could see them make this play to enhance the chances of Hawks raising Lord Stanley. We'll see. (Note: I didn't know Ecklund had this rumor, I read it on ESPN and CBC.) I think this team is good enough as is to win the Cup and honestly at some point you can add more talent and get dimishing returns on it. Only so many people can be on the ice and score at once. I would agree that it gives us more depth though, and Kovalchuk is obviously a terrific player. But since the Hawks are good enough as currently constructed to win this year, I'd prefer any move they make have to do with sustaining long term success.

Let rematch weekend begin! Baltimore played in New England in Week 4 and lost 27-21 Philadelphia played in Dallas today and lost 24-0 Green Bay played in Arizona today and won 33-7 Cincinnati played in New York today and lost 37-0 (they will be playing in Cincinnati next week)

After that long hard struggle to find a franchise quarterback, they definitely deserve it. Oh wait, that's the Bears, and our "franchise QB" threw 26 INTs this year.

I think the worst thing that could happen for the Bengals tonight is to appear like they are trying against the Jets tonight and lose. In that scenario you give the Jets confidence that they can beat the Bengals and the Bengals finish the season playing like garbage the last 4-5 weeks. It's gonna be interesting to see how the Bengals play this one because they have something to play for having played so mediocre the last quarter of the season, plus I think the 3/4 seed is still out there even though the Pats/Ravens matchup is set. Do they play their starters and play to win, risking a loss to give the Jets confidence and ruin your own team's or do they lay down, let the Jets win and face them next week with a completely different mindset? If I were the Bengals, I'd rest the starters, as much as it would be beneficial to look sharp before the playoffs start. Too much to lose by giving the Jets everything they got.

Philly's situation somewhat reminds me of the Packers a few year back. Green Bay had a shot at home field throughout the playoffs, got stomped by the Jets and not only lost home field but lost their bye. Michael Vick and the Falcons then came into Lambeau and won easily. I'd be shocked if Philly wins next week. I remember that because I lived in New England at the time and that Jets win kept the defending SB champ Pats out of the playoffs. People were cursing the Packers for awhile up there.

Guaranteed matchups: Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (seriously that's gotta be such a huge mind [expletive] for Philly. They were obviously trying their hardest for a bye and division title, now they get stomped and have a playoff game next week at the same location) Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (another rematch but obviously both teams were holding back) NO, Minny byes Baltimore @ New England (rematch of a very good week 4 game in NE) Jets/Texans @ Cincinnati (if the Jets win, 3 of the 4 wild card games would be Week 17 matchups, with 2 of the 4 being at the same location) Indy, SD byes

Not unless the Seahawks can get a couple of safeties.

Orton another pick 6. He just wins haha. What happened to all the Kyle Orton is one of the best QBs in the NFL talk? Yeah that's right he's a solid average or maybe a hair above average QB with clear limitations but also some strengths. Not going to lead a team into the playoffs by himself but one that will keep a playoff team's ship steady.

The Lions run D sucks. Matt Forte had only 2 100 yard rushing games this season - both were against Detroit. Matt Forte had only 3 runs of more than 16 yards all season - all were against Detroit Matt Forte only had 3 games where his YPC was over 4.3 - 2 of them were against Detroit (the other was a 5 carry 33 yard performance against Arizona).

And host Seattle, but we already knew that before today. Home: Vikings Packers Lions Seahawks Redskins Eagles (yes 3rd year in a row at home) Patriots Jets Away: Vikings Packers Lions Panthers Cowboys (new stadium) Giants (new stadium) Bills Dolphins