Divisional Playoff Prediction Thread

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Cardinals at Saints- Keep all the food and beer you need within arm's length because you will not want to miss one minute of this barn burner.  Arizona shredded Green Bay's #2 ranked defense, so they'll probably torch New Orleans' average one.  Meanwhile, New Orleans has enough weapons on offense to satisfy a gun shop owner.  This game will be high scoring, high flying, high octane, but New Orleans having the home field advantage will tip the scales. 

Saints 49  Cardinals 45


Cowboys at Vikings-  You have a red hot Dallas team with an offense that is clicking on all cylinders facing a banged up Minnesota squad that limped into the playoffs.  While Adrian Peterson has developed a bad case of fumblitis, the Cowboys secondary will be given a big test by Brett Favre.  His passes will be a lot harder to swat down than Donovan McNabb's.  Still, I say Dallas pulls off the upset here. 

Cowboys 35  Vikings 31


Ravens at Colts-  Again, another hot team faces a team that has backed into the playoffs.  The Ravens swarming defense is known to destroy QB's and Peyton Manning will find himself running for his life or flat on his back at times.  Baltimore will try to control the clock by grinding it out by pounding it to Ray Rice or Willis McGahee.  Still, I can't see the perrenial NFL MVP losing this one, but the Ravens will give them a scare. 

Colts 28  Ravens 24 


Jets at Chargers-  The Chargers are a big, physical team that many people are picking to go to the Super Bowl.  The Jets got lucky against a cold Bengals team.  While the Jets D might hold up early on, the Chargers have too many weapons on offense to be kept out of the end zone.  Meanwhile, Mark "Dirty" Sanchez's magic carpet ride comes to an abrupt end in the face of that swarming San Diego pass rush. 

Chargers 28  Jets 17

[BigDaddyFin]

I inadvertantly posted my picks in the wildcard thread. (3-1 thanks to Marvin the Retarded Martian Lewis)

Dallas knocks Bert Faver into retirement again...

Arizona beats New Orleans in another nasty shoot out

San Diego mind fucks Sanchez and Rex Ryan

Indy beats Baltimore in defensive thriller.

[Brian Fein]

At the risk of looking like a complete buffoon...

Minnesota over Dallas
I admit Dallas looked impressive, but I don't think they are elite.  They are on a hot streak now, but the Vikings are MUCH better than Philly.  I expect a close game, and I think this one could go either way.

Arizona over New Orleans
I think New Orleans lost their mojo.  In addition, the Cardinals are hot.  Its gonna be a high-scoring affair, I am looking forward to watching Warner try to outgun Brees.  I hope Boldin can play this weekend...

Baltimore over Indy
I expect Indy to come out flat from their 3 week vacation.  Baltimore's defense will shut them down, and they can run the ball.  I think this game will be a lot like Colts/Dolphins, and Baltimore will hold the ball for 40 minutes or so, and win, despite the Colts' noble comeback efforts.

San Diego over Jets
While I think San Diego is poised for a let-down, I still think the Jets are frauds.  F the Jets. 

[jtex316]

After going a nice 3-1 on Wild Card Weekend, here are my Divisional Playoff picks:

Jets - 10
San Diego - 41

This is going to be a complete blow-out. The Jets are a young, scrappy team who can take out the shitty Bengals, but the Chargers are far too explosive. Darelle Revis can't cover everyone at the same time, including Antonio Gates. The SD Defense is also going to step up big time and totally shut down Mark Sanchez, which isn't too difficult to do.

Ravens - 21
Colts - 28

I have a feeling the Ravens are going to come in to Lucas Oil field and not be able to stop Peyton Manning (maybe because NO-ONE can stop Peyton Manning!). The only time the Colts have lost is when Peyton does play, or the coach pulls him out of the game. (** Side Note: If the Colts lose this game, Jim Caldwell should be fired and I'll laugh).

Dallas - 34
Minnesota - 31

Get ready for two NFC Shootouts. In this contest, FOX will suck Brett Favre dry for 4 hours until he throws that inevitable late-game INT, just like he did in 2007. Adrian Peterson is going to fumble at a very costly time, dismantling the team and costing them a loss. Romo will edge his idol Favre.

Arizona - 71
New Orleans - 68 (3 OT)

Seriously, I think this game will be even more high-scoring than the last one! In the end, just like vs. Green Bay, the future hall-of-fame MVP QB Kurt Warner will not make any mistakes and out-duel far-less playoff-experienced QB Drew Brees. The Cardinals offense is more talented than the Saints offense - their WRs and their QBs are better. Plus I don't like how the Saints back-pedaled into the playoffs by losing 3 straight. They have completely run out of gas and they will not be able to keep up with defending NFC Champs.

Chargers, Colts, Cardinals, Cowboys (All "C" teams)

[Dave Gray]

I was a horrible 0-4 in the wildcard round.  This time, I've learned the error of my ways and will go with JTex's same picks: Chargers, Colts, Cardinals, Cowboys

- The Jets are just outmatched.
- Indy is the best team in the NFL right now.
- I have been a Minnesota doubter for a while, and Dallas looks hot.
- I think that New Orleans is on a big slide and doesn't have any defense.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

No more upsets this week. 1 upset this week.

NO stomps AZ (I'm starting to like AZ as my "new hometown team" [3rd behind niners] since they are closest besides SD to Vegas.)
35-21

SD is going to pummel NY.  (I like SD when not watching phins or niners) I'm not going to miss this one solely for the laughs. 
28-10

MIN is going to beat DAL. 
27-20

BAL vs. IND is a tough one.  BAL is going to play INDY tough.  BAL wins a close one.
24-21

[Philly Fin Fan]

Ravens at Colts-  Again, another hot team faces a team that has backed into the playoffs. 

Just wondering how a team that was 14-2 "backed into the playoffs"? Limped in would be more correct.

I think to most people,  "backed in" means they got in because other teams lost, despite their mediocre play. Or they got in because other teams "layed down" (see the Jets). Although the Colts lost their last two games, they were already in.

[Dave Gray]

The Colts also lost because they chose to lose, instead of risk injury.  The Colts haven't missed a beat, in my opinion.  The Saints, on the other hand, have look bad, even when they were winning.

[Denver_Bronco]

Shoot me now.  Plastic face Jerry Jones vs. The Brett Favre media circus. Have your mute buttons ready for that one.

Who is the bigger attention whore?

Minnesota
Arizona
San Diego
Indy

[Dave Gray]

^^

In order: Minnesota, Indy, Arizona, San Diego

[StL FinFan]

Saints
Colts
Vikings (this will be a close one and was a tough decision)
Chargers

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Just wondering how a team that was 14-2 "backed into the playoffs"? Limped in would be more correct.

I think to most people,  "backed in" means they got in because other teams lost, despite their mediocre play. Or they got in because other teams "layed down" (see the Jets). Although the Colts lost their last two games, they were already in.

Let's hear your predictions Mr. Mod 

[Philly Fin Fan]

Let's hear your predictions Mr. Mod 

I'll gladly give my predictions, but no need for the "roll eyes" attitude. I was just asking you a question as to how they "backed in" with a 14-2 record.

Colts, Saints, Vikes, Chargers.

[CF DolFan]

Jets - becuse we want them to lose
Saints - because I'm rooting for
Minnesota - because everyone hates Favre
Colts - becuse I don't think Baltimore can pull off two big games in row like that.

[SportsChick]

I'll gladly give my predictions, but no need for the "roll eyes" attitude. I was just asking you a question as to how they "backed in" with a 14-2 record.

Colts, Saints, Vikes, Chargers.

I think the backed in was in reference to the Ravens, although I don't think they really did.

San Diego
Arizona
Minnesota
Ravens