NFL Playoffs Predictions Thread - Talksox

TheKilo · 12-31-2007, 01:00 AM

I figure I'd start one up, similar to the MLB thread I set up. Pick the games, get points and bragging rights.

Wild Card Round - 1 Point/Game
Divisional Round - 3 Points/Game
Conference Championship Round - 5 Points
Super Bowl XLII - 10 Points

Tiebreaker - Score of SB XLII

Picks for Wild Card Weekend are locked at kickoff of Game 1.

The Match-ups:

NFC:
WAS @ SEA
NYG @ TB

AFC:
JAX @ PIT
TEN @ SD

TheKilo · 12-31-2007, 01:17 AM

My picks:

NYG @ TB:

The Giants played arguably their best game of the season last night against the Patriots. Eli Manning was efficient, Plaxico Burress was incredible. The good news for them this week is that they won't be facing as good of an offense. Tampa will rely on Earnest Graham to control the clock and Jeff Garcia to manage the game. Tampa's been resting for weeks, and the Giants may be exhausted. I expect a 21-17 type game here, but I think the Giants make a few more plays and pull it out.

Pick - Giants

JAX @ PIT

The best game of Wild Card Weekend is a rematch of a week 15 battle in Pittsburgh, which Jacksonville won 29-22. The key difference between this week and last week is the loss of Willie Parker for the Steelers. Roethlisberger will be tested like he never has before, and be forced to carry the team for the first time. It will be interesting to see how healthy he is after not playing this past week. Both teams are banged up, but I feel the biggest factor in this game will be the weather. If conditions are conducive to throwing the ball, Pittsburgh will stay in this game. If not, I feel the Jags pound it out with Jones-Drew and Taylor. Early forecasts call for no precipitation. Expect a good one, with the road team coming out on top once again.

Pick - Jaguars

WAS @ SEA

No football team has been playing more inspired football by the Redskins. They are playing as well as any team in the NFC. The defense is making plays and Todd Collins is doing a good job managing the offense with Portis and Santana Moss. Seattle, once again, is a team that has been slept on for a while though. The Redskins will look to take away the passing attack of Hasselback and try to make it a grinding, physical game. Big question marks, in my opinion, surround Shaun Alexander and the Seattle defense that gave up 44 to Chris Redman and the Falcons. I don't necessarily believe in momentum, but I do believe the Redskins are playing a brand of football that will lead to success in the playoffs.

Pick - Redskins

TEN @ SD

I was cheering so hard for the Colts last night. The Browns would have been such a fun team to watch in the playoffs. The Titans are incredibly boring, but did give the Chargers a scare a few weeks ago, a game the Chargers won in OT. The key to this game is Philip Rivers. If he plays well, the Chargers will roll. If Tennessee can pressure him into mistakes, they can keep it close. Keys for the Titans may be injuries. If Vince Young and Albert Haynesworth are hurt, they may have no shot. The Titans are inept offensively, and say what you will about VY he's their biggest offensive weapon. If Haynesworth is hurt they won't be able to stop LT. I like the Chargers, and it probably won't be close.

Pick - Chargers