NFL Playoffs

[DarthFed]

This isn't anyone's Super Bowl yet, all 4 of these teams expect nothing but the title. It definitely isn't the best combined W-L record of championship games but that means little.

These are extremely intriguing matchups as one is the best rivalry in football with the red hot 49ers going on the road in the toughest venue to play. The other one is great because its Brady vs. Manning. Aside from that I don't think New England @ Denver would be any more intriguing than other championship games. Denver is a solid favorite in that one and I think New England's only chance is to be +2 or more in turnover differential. There is also more to it as Peyton is kind of the sentimental favorite to win the 2nd ring and possibly retire. I'm rooting for that only because of the alternatives

I listen to all that sentimental crap all post season last, year, folks pulling for a guy like Ray Lewis to retire with another ring .Is that what football is about ,all due respect for Peyton, but Hell no , it's about the best team winning the prize

It becomes part of the intrigue. I had to live through it with Elway and his 97 Broncos that were 12 point dogs vs. Green Bay in the Super Bowl. "Win one for John" I sure as hell didn't give a fuck, but it was part of the story and who knows if it makes the teams play extra intense due to that kind of stuff. It shouldn't matter because the teams should be laying it all on the field without that extra sentimental garbage.

 

[DarthFed]

This isn't anyone's Super Bowl yet, all 4 of these teams expect nothing but the title. It definitely isn't the best combined W-L record of championship games but that means little.

These are extremely intriguing matchups as one is the best rivalry in football with the red hot 49ers going on the road in the toughest venue to play. The other one is great because its Brady vs. Manning. Aside from that I don't think New England @ Denver would be any more intriguing than other championship games. Denver is a solid favorite in that one and I think New England's only chance is to be +2 or more in turnover differential. There is also more to it as Peyton is kind of the sentimental favorite to win the 2nd ring and possibly retire. I'm rooting for that only because of the alternatives

Belichick owns Manning. I wouldn't downplay that factor.

Denver's saving grace may be their defense, which plays with a great deal of attitude and doesn't get enough credit. They will have to stop the Pats running game and they may be up to doing that.

Oh I'm not downplaying that at all. Belichick has owned Manning and Manning has not been a good playoff qb flat out. That's why I think it is pretty possible for New England to win because they might get a couple donations from Peyton.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This isn't anyone's Super Bowl yet, all 4 of these teams expect nothing but the title. It definitely isn't the best combined W-L record of championship games but that means little.

These are extremely intriguing matchups as one is the best rivalry in football with the red hot 49ers going on the road in the toughest venue to play. The other one is great because its Brady vs. Manning. Aside from that I don't think New England @ Denver would be any more intriguing than other championship games. Denver is a solid favorite in that one and I think New England's only chance is to be +2 or more in turnover differential. There is also more to it as Peyton is kind of the sentimental favorite to win the 2nd ring and possibly retire. I'm rooting for that only because of the alternatives

Belichick owns Manning. I wouldn't downplay that factor.

Denver's saving grace may be their defense, which plays with a great deal of attitude and doesn't get enough credit. They will have to stop the Pats running game and they may be up to doing that.

Oh I'm not downplaying that at all. Belichick has owned Manning and Manning has not been a good playoff qb flat out. That's why I think it is pretty possible for New England to win because they might get a couple donations from Peyton.

saving grace , Denver's defense?:huh: Good Luck with that one:clap

 

[DarthFed]

This isn't anyone's Super Bowl yet, all 4 of these teams expect nothing but the title. It definitely isn't the best combined W-L record of championship games but that means little.

These are extremely intriguing matchups as one is the best rivalry in football with the red hot 49ers going on the road in the toughest venue to play. The other one is great because its Brady vs. Manning. Aside from that I don't think New England @ Denver would be any more intriguing than other championship games. Denver is a solid favorite in that one and I think New England's only chance is to be +2 or more in turnover differential. There is also more to it as Peyton is kind of the sentimental favorite to win the 2nd ring and possibly retire. I'm rooting for that only because of the alternatives

Belichick owns Manning. I wouldn't downplay that factor.

Denver's saving grace may be their defense, which plays with a great deal of attitude and doesn't get enough credit. They will have to stop the Pats running game and they may be up to doing that.

Oh I'm not downplaying that at all. Belichick has owned Manning and Manning has not been a good playoff qb flat out. That's why I think it is pretty possible for New England to win because they might get a couple donations from Peyton.

saving grace , Denver's defense?:huh: Good Luck with that one:clap

Yea New England should get theirs but for as much as people are praising Brady this season the fact of the matter is they have had to come back so often mostly due to him playing poorly the first 3 quarters. They can't afford that today at Denver.

 

[calitennis127]

This isn't anyone's Super Bowl yet, all 4 of these teams expect nothing but the title. It definitely isn't the best combined W-L record of championship games but that means little.

These are extremely intriguing matchups as one is the best rivalry in football with the red hot 49ers going on the road in the toughest venue to play. The other one is great because its Brady vs. Manning. Aside from that I don't think New England @ Denver would be any more intriguing than other championship games. Denver is a solid favorite in that one and I think New England's only chance is to be +2 or more in turnover differential. There is also more to it as Peyton is kind of the sentimental favorite to win the 2nd ring and possibly retire. I'm rooting for that only because of the alternatives

Belichick owns Manning. I wouldn't downplay that factor.

Denver's saving grace may be their defense, which plays with a great deal of attitude and doesn't get enough credit. They will have to stop the Pats running game and they may be up to doing that.

Oh I'm not downplaying that at all. Belichick has owned Manning and Manning has not been a good playoff qb flat out. That's why I think it is pretty possible for New England to win because they might get a couple donations from Peyton.

Yup. Manning's robot football is great for putting up fantasy numbers in the regular season but not so great for dealing with playoff defenses that are playing press coverage and taking away the quick-hitting passes.

That is why I don't consider Manning to be as great as everyone else does. You need to be a better improviser than he is to consistently win in the playoffs. That record of being the 1 seed so many times and then losing in the postseason is pretty telling.

 

[britbox]

Broncos D running the show right now.

 

[DarthFed]

Manning is playing brilliantly as well, kind of feels like it should be more than 10 points right now.

 

[kskate2]

Did Simms just call that guy "pot roast"? :laydownlaughing

 

[calitennis127]

Manning is playing brilliantly as well, kind of feels like it should be more than 10 points right now.

DeMarryius Thomas has been the difference, along with Talib getting hurt, which was huge.

The Patriots are just too deficient in talent on offense. Their receiving corps without Gronk and the guy in jail looks like the Steeler receiving corps - far and away the worst in the NFL.

I wonder if the stupid Steelers management (Steelers are my natural team) has finally noticed how valuable a tall, athletic #1 receiver is. DeMarryius Thomas is one of the key differences in this game, just like Anquan Boldin was for the Ravens last year and Hakeem Nicks was for the Giants two years ago.

But then again, why I am complaining? The Steelers will just pass on another #1 receiver prospect (like DeAndre Hopkins last year) in this year's draft in favor of another precious lineman. Then they'll complain about Big Ben holding the ball or taking too many hits, without ever addressing the fundamental problem - which is that his receivers are tiny and slow and can't get open and can't be trusted in jumpball situations by any same quarterback.

 

[calitennis127]

Rodgers-Cromartie really blew it by not picking off that lame duck throw by Brady.

But then who just came to save the day? Julius Thomas, another receiver who fits the #1 wide receiver prototype.

 

[calitennis127]

Manning has thrown two great fades in the second half - one to DT and the other to Julian Thomas.

And, he is fortunate to have the receivers capable of executing those plays.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Denver is into super-bowl, thanks to great defense and strong offense.
Final score:
Denver 26-16 New England

Next game is coming up.

 

[I.Haychew]

My, oh my! The Patriots' defense absolutely sucked! Manning had all day to throw. Great job by the Denver offensive line. Who knows if it would've made a difference, but Brady missed two or three big throws early on.

Good call by Darth. Pretty well hit the nail on the head. Now I just hope you're right about the other game.

 

[kskate2]

It wouldn't have made a difference Chewy. Denver D had their foot on the Pats neck for most of the game.

 

[DarthFed]

It was more lopsided than the score indicates but, as Haychew mentioned, Brady missed a few big plays with wide open receivers. If he had hit those it'd have been real close. Manning was on the money all game, great performance.

 

[Moxie]

It wouldn't have made a difference Chewy. Denver D had their foot on the Pats neck for most of the game.

Too true. Bummer, but I like the Broncos. I'll be rooting for them against whomever ends up on the other side.

 

[calitennis127]

Broncos D running the show right now.

As I suggested would very likely be the case. Denver's defense has some very good players (Knighton, Treviathan, Shaun Phillips, DRC, Champ Bailey, etc.) and they have been underrated throughout the season.

 

[calitennis127]

It was more lopsided than the score indicates but, as Haychew mentioned, Brady missed a few big plays with wide open receivers. If he had hit those it'd have been real close. Manning was on the money all game, great performance.

Focusing on two or three missed plays by Brady and not mentioning the other 20+ plays where his receivers were smothered is very unfair to Brady.

 

[DarthFed]

Didn't say Brady was the main reason they lost but he did have a poor game when you consider some of those misses.

Big turnover already in this one. I at least hope this game is better than the first one

 

[calitennis127]

This Seattle defense is superb. They have speed everywhere and their coaches make smart play calls. What a job holding SF out of the end zone after Wilson's fumble.