Too early for pro football?

Any predictions for the wild card weekend? I think the winners will be the Ravens, Jets, Packer & (though it galls me to say it) Cowboys.

Go Jets-----Revis shuts down that loud mouth WR again. 
Gonna be cold in Cincy----running game and defense win.
 
At least I won't have to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on
the tube----those boys will be playing golf. 

I like those. 

Whether or not the Jets backed in, playoffs are a new season. 

I'm not a Jets fan by any stretch, but their defense has been silently staggering in all phases.  Revis is an incredible cornerback who has spent the season shutting down star receivers.  Everyone will key on their run game, so Sanchez is going to have to come up with some key plays here and there. 

Jets, Pack, and Ravens are the top 3 in total defense.   Cowboys are ninth.

So Redkins fans...Is Shanahan the answer?

Just watching the Cards/Packers game wore me out! If the Pack could hang 45 points on the Cards defense, how are they going to stop the Saints?

Yesterday's record combined total of 96 points might last just a week with Brees and Warner throwing.

The Cowboys-Vikings game should be a dandy.  I didn't realize it until I heard it over the weekend but the Cowboys don't have a single player on the injured reserve list, so overall they're pretty healthy as well as on a roll.

Brad

The ending of the Cardinal/Packer game was terrific.  Who says the spread formation won't catch on in the Pros ??  It is getting to be like a NBA game--
score on every possession--------which will be the first NFL team to hit 100?   

What will happen to the Cards when they meet a very good defensive team, I wonder ???????? 

Fred's Bar in Burlington WI is going to be hopping on Sunday.  Local boy Tony Romo (who IIRC actually worked there back in high school) vs. the hated Vikings and hated-by-many Brett Favre...there's no love for the Cowboys up here but for one game I think a lot of people will set those feelings aside.

Brad

What was the bigger surprise...the Vikes totally taking apart the Cowboys or the Jets upsetting the Chargers? I'm a Jets fan & didn't think they could hold the Chargers to just 14 points.

My choice would be the Cowboys-Vikings game.  Dallas self-destructed worse than San Diego did although Minnesota and New York certainly had hands in it.

And once again the Chargers finish the season strong only to flop in the playoffs.  They're starting to remind me of some of the '80s teams led by Don Coryell and Dan Fouts.

Brad

While it was a good season for my Jets, Old Peyton pretty much burned up the defense in the second half.

The Saints-Vikes game wasn't as high scoring as if could have been without the turnovers. I still don't like the NFL's OT system. A coin toss shouldn't decide who goes to the Super Bowl. I would prefer a least one 8 or 10 minute overtime period where both teams get the ball and have a chance to score.

cavandre


I still don't like the NFL's OT system. A coin toss shouldn't decide who goes to the Super Bowl. I would prefer a least one 8 or 10 minute overtime period where both teams get the ball and have a chance to score.

Absolutely.  Favre still had at least 1 drive-killing, soul-crushing turnover left and I really wanted to see it.
 
So now we get a head-to-head matchup of The Quarterbacks Who Walk On Water.  If either gets caught with a hooker the night before the game it'll only be because he's gotten her into rehab, arranged a job interview, and cured her multiple STDs.  Nice guys finish first and second this year.
 
Brad

Okay, Brad, I would like to come out right here and now about being Wrong on Brett Favre.  It was a delight to see him play with as much happiness and guts as he did all year, even though I thought the Vikings hiring him was a mistake (I was wroooooong).  Now can't you be a big enough boy to admit that it was a good fit afterall?  Or do you have to let your bitterness get you down?

Bitter?  WhatchootalkinboutWillis?

I'm a Bears fan.  Favre's playoff failures delight me to no end.

But to be fair, he was a team player this year.  He let Fumblefingers Peterson have an equal share of the glory.

(Granted, these words may come back to haunt me someday.  But for now I'm being shallow, petty and small and rejoicing to the max.)
 
Brad

The Vikings picked up Favre to do what they did. I suspect had they not they would not have been in the NFC championship game or even in the playoffs. They humbled the Packers twice. That was more than enough justification right there. All in all it was a good season but the Viking curse in crucial games dating back to four Superbowl losses and three NFC championship game losses when they were favored continues.

Even in this game they statistically nearly doubled the Saints in every category but the score. No team can overcome 5 turnovers. You can't cough up the ball twice inside the 10 yard line and a nearly for sure winning field goal and expect to win. I suspect the better matchup will not play the Colts. If Favre can throw three TDs and 315 yards then Peyton Manning will have a field day against the Saints.

The officials let this game get away. The Saints were deliberately trying to put Favre out by going full force into him even after he passed the ball. That's roughing the passer and it was only called once on probably the least flagrant instance. They didn't call the one that injured Favre's ankle even though the Saints player illegally went into him below the knees.

Yeah, there were a couple times I thought we were gonna see a Joe Theismann out there; glad it didn't happen.  Brad, you guys would give organs for 'Fumblefingers' Peterson, and you and I both know that to be true.

I am not a Farve fan but I am definately for the old folks.  I thought Farve played well enough to win but the Vikings did not. 
 
I am from Knoxville, TN and definately a Manning fan.  I hope he wins his second ring.
 
I have noticed that the Colts start out cold but really tune up the second half.  I would expect the Colts to win by a couple.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Absolutely.  He's one of the best RBs in the league when he holds onto the ball and I wouldn't be surprised if the coaching staff puts together some sort of offseason program designed to help him be better at it, although his drop in productivity the 2nd half of this past season could be a cause for concern.

But I've been pretty happy with the way the Bears' Adrian Peterson has played over the years, too.  Only 6 fumbles in 389 career carries and receptions.

The Vikings could be looking at an interesting offseason.  Barring any trades they're going to have a low 1st-round draft choice and the QB position might be up for grabs with no obvious frontrunner.  If they don't believe Tarvaris Jackson's the answer something will need to be done.

Brad

There's no cap next year, so Vikes could spend cash on a QB. However, Favre will be back. No one gets that close, only to retire.

I think you're probably right, although I'll bet that this morning retirement's looking pretty good to him.

On the other side of the coin I think Kurt Warner's going to hang up his cleats.  He got his bell rung again this year and the Saints knocked him around pretty good last week, and while he can still play post-concussion syndrome can't be taken too seriously.

Once Favre and Warner are both done will Fox hire their wives to sit in the stands so we can still get a hundred closeup shots of them each game?

Brad

My Super Bowl Prediction:  Saints over Colts

The Colts will pull their starters in the 3rd quarter in the Super Bowl in order to prepare for next year's run at an undefeated season.

Brad_Olson


Bitter?  WhatchootalkinboutWillis?

I'm a Bears fan.   
Brad

 
Bears?  Are still in Chicago?

  Lot's of well-thought out insight in many of the above comments !!  

I wish the Vikings had done the short-range run for that last play...but that's water over the damn, for sure.

Watching Farve after multiple hits reminded me of the classic photo of Y A Tittle in one of the early 60's championship games...on his knees, bloodied and battered, but a real legend beyond question.

Despite the final play of the season for Farve, I think he can honestly say he achieved as much as he could and hopefully he will quit on this years record. I don't think he has the strength for another year like this one.

OK,  Colts over the Saints in the coming showdown.

This local restaurant puts up a similar notice every Super Bowl...

http://www.pinedacrossing.com/menu.html