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*** Round 2 Playoff Prediction thread *** (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ravens
- Start date
Grigs Allmoon
Footballguy
Balt has no votes, but if they play like they did against NE they definitely could win.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
I just gave them one vote........Baltimore--The running game is beastly and thats what you need to slow down an offense like the Colts. Add a turnover or two on defense and they're in business.Dallas--Simply a better team on both sides of the ball right now (IMHO)New Orleans--This one is tough for me to call but I really believe the home field crowd will almost will this team to victory. Also, it doesn't hurt to be playing against an atrocious defense. San Diego--Unlike the Bungles, this team will put up points. The defense will cause Sanchez to make mistakes.
rzrback77
Footballguy
I went:
1) Dallas but I think that one is close
2) Baltimore - their defense is better than Indi run defense
3) Arizona - I think that the Saints have lost confidence and are unraveling and I am a big Saints fan
4) San Diego - Jets running attack will make it a game, but Chargers will prevail
1) Dallas but I think that one is close
2) Baltimore - their defense is better than Indi run defense
3) Arizona - I think that the Saints have lost confidence and are unraveling and I am a big Saints fan
4) San Diego - Jets running attack will make it a game, but Chargers will prevail
Ravens
Footballguy
3 of 4 games going early for the home team.
Dallas Cowboys @ Minn. Vikings
Cowboys [ 14 ] [60.87%]
Vikings [ 9 ] [39.13%]
Balto. Ravens @ Indy Colts
Ravens [ 7 ] [30.43%]
Colts [ 16 ] [69.57%]
AZ Cardinals @ N.O. Saints
Cardinals [ 8 ] [34.78%]
Saints [ 15 ] [65.22%]
NJ Jets @ SD Chargers
Jets [ 4 ] [17.39%]
Chargers [ 19 ] [82.61%]
Total Votes: 25
Dallas Cowboys @ Minn. Vikings
Cowboys [ 14 ] [60.87%]
Vikings [ 9 ] [39.13%]
Balto. Ravens @ Indy Colts
Ravens [ 7 ] [30.43%]
Colts [ 16 ] [69.57%]
AZ Cardinals @ N.O. Saints
Cardinals [ 8 ] [34.78%]
Saints [ 15 ] [65.22%]
NJ Jets @ SD Chargers
Jets [ 4 ] [17.39%]
Chargers [ 19 ] [82.61%]
Total Votes: 25
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Based on round #1's best bet (packers) I'm betting the house on Jets +7.5.
Mario Kart
Footballguy
To win:
Vikings
Ravens
Saints
Chargers
Vs. Spread:
NO -7 = not touching / Over-Under - 57 = not touching
Indy -6.5 = Baltimore / Over-Under - 44.5 = not touching
Minn -3 = Minnesota / Over-Under - 46 = Over
S.D. - 7.5 = Not Touching / Over-Under - 42.5 = Over
Vikings
Ravens
Saints
Chargers
Vs. Spread:
NO -7 = not touching / Over-Under - 57 = not touching
Indy -6.5 = Baltimore / Over-Under - 44.5 = not touching
Minn -3 = Minnesota / Over-Under - 46 = Over
S.D. - 7.5 = Not Touching / Over-Under - 42.5 = Over
Birdie048
Footballguy
I see Minn correcting the mistakes from the Carolina game. They have good film on what Dallas did to NO & Philly Minn DL will cause more trouble than Dallas can handle. It will be the Minn D that makes the difference, but I can see this being a close match. Minn has too many receiving options for Dallas to limit unlike Philly being limited in DeSean.
Indy over Balt. Flacco has to be able to make some plays and that will be tough. Indy Run Def can step up and "limit" Rice & Co. They might reach 185 yards or so,but without a passing game, they are limied. Peyton does not make the Brady mistakes. Besides, Peyton's play calling schemes are better.
Arz struggles vs a real Def. Warner will not have the free time he did vs GB. Arz will still score, but the shoot out will lean to Saints. Saints have had time to get healthy. Something Philly really needed vs Dallas. Saints have too many weapons.
I really like the Jets... but I don't think Rivers & Co will be the cake walk that Cinn was 2 weeks in a row. NYJ def will keep the whole match low scoring, but SD Special Teams will be the difference.
Indy over Balt. Flacco has to be able to make some plays and that will be tough. Indy Run Def can step up and "limit" Rice & Co. They might reach 185 yards or so,but without a passing game, they are limied. Peyton does not make the Brady mistakes. Besides, Peyton's play calling schemes are better.
Arz struggles vs a real Def. Warner will not have the free time he did vs GB. Arz will still score, but the shoot out will lean to Saints. Saints have had time to get healthy. Something Philly really needed vs Dallas. Saints have too many weapons.
I really like the Jets... but I don't think Rivers & Co will be the cake walk that Cinn was 2 weeks in a row. NYJ def will keep the whole match low scoring, but SD Special Teams will be the difference.
BlackMagic10
Footballguy
Cowboys
Colts
Cardinals
Chargers
Colts
Cardinals
Chargers
Ravens
Footballguy
I hope you go 0-4 again this week.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Neither did the Cards last week.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Dallas - as good as Minnesota is, Dallas is even better. The Cowboys definitely have a better running game, and they might have the better passing game and defense, too. Scary thought. Only edge for the Vikings are in special teams and HFA, but Dallas is a really good (and really hot) team. Minnesota was a product of an easy schedule; the good teams they've beaten are GB, Baltimore (when the Ravens missed a 40 yard FG at the end to win) and Cincinnati when the Bengals were slumping. OTOH, they lost to the other good teams they played -- Pitt, Arizona and Carolina in December. They also lost to a not so good team in the Bears. In other words, the Vikings can basically hang their hats on beating GB and that's it.
Ravens -- Baltimore is the better team on a neutral field, but this game is in Indy. Still, I think playing at Lucas Oil earlier this year will be a tremendous help for the Ravens and will make that first quarter that much easier. Indy trying to tackle McGahee/McLain/Rice without Sanders could be laughable. Indy will be one dimensional (even moreso than usual) as there's no way the Colts run on the Ravens. Just a brutal matchup for the Colts. Lots of reasons will be given for why the Colts lost, but the real reason is they're not as good as Baltimore. And that's with Baltimore not having a QB or any WRs. Take the under and the points.
Saints -- the rest will help in a big way. Another shootout is the chalk pick for the Cards, and that's how I see it, too. Still, the Saints are at home, they're rested, and they can run AND pass. NO's biggest weakness is stopping the run, so I don't think Arizona is particularly well positioned to topple them.
Jets -- should be very similar to the Colts game, except the Jets pass defense is a lot better than the Ravens pass defense. The Chargers offense is great, but the Bengals defense is a lot tougher than the Chargers' D. SD is too one-dimensional and doesn't match up particularly well with the Jets. I see 200+ rushing yards from the Jets, and frustrating day from the guy I think is the best QB in the league.
Ravens -- Baltimore is the better team on a neutral field, but this game is in Indy. Still, I think playing at Lucas Oil earlier this year will be a tremendous help for the Ravens and will make that first quarter that much easier. Indy trying to tackle McGahee/McLain/Rice without Sanders could be laughable. Indy will be one dimensional (even moreso than usual) as there's no way the Colts run on the Ravens. Just a brutal matchup for the Colts. Lots of reasons will be given for why the Colts lost, but the real reason is they're not as good as Baltimore. And that's with Baltimore not having a QB or any WRs. Take the under and the points.
Saints -- the rest will help in a big way. Another shootout is the chalk pick for the Cards, and that's how I see it, too. Still, the Saints are at home, they're rested, and they can run AND pass. NO's biggest weakness is stopping the run, so I don't think Arizona is particularly well positioned to topple them.
Jets -- should be very similar to the Colts game, except the Jets pass defense is a lot better than the Ravens pass defense. The Chargers offense is great, but the Bengals defense is a lot tougher than the Chargers' D. SD is too one-dimensional and doesn't match up particularly well with the Jets. I see 200+ rushing yards from the Jets, and frustrating day from the guy I think is the best QB in the league.
Ravens
Footballguy
They were at 24% - more than twice the love that the JESTS are getting right now.Last week's FBG's guess: G.B. Packers @ AZ CardinalsPackers [ 282 ] [76%] Cardinals [ 91 ] [24%]
scrumptrulescent
Footballguy
I agree with everything stated but another obvious edge for the Vikings would be that the game is in the Metrodome.
Ravens
Footballguy
Sanchez?
djcolts
Footballguy
Ravens
Footballguy
Correct.Flacco threw a pick in the red zone that killed it.Game was at Baltimore.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
So the Jets should win twice as easy.
I took the four best. In the playoffs the best teams do not always win.
1. Cowboys are the better team overall. Home field and favre will make this one close. Winner Cowboys
2. Colts are the better team overall. Rust and the Ravens running game + solid defense could make for a late fg winner in this one. Winner Colts.
3. Saints are the best team overall. This one will not be close. Winner Saints
4. Chargers are the best team overall. This game is over already. Winner Chargers
1. Cowboys are the better team overall. Home field and favre will make this one close. Winner Cowboys
2. Colts are the better team overall. Rust and the Ravens running game + solid defense could make for a late fg winner in this one. Winner Colts.
3. Saints are the best team overall. This one will not be close. Winner Saints
4. Chargers are the best team overall. This game is over already. Winner Chargers
Joe T
Footballguy
The Commish went 3-1 on Wildcard weekend. He would have been 4-0 if not for the Packers imploding in overtime.
I expect him to be just as good this week.
I expect him to be just as good this week.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Agreed.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Oh. Good catch.That makes me rethink this a bit. Call it a coin flip.
BlackMagic10
Footballguy
I hope you go 0-4 again this week.
Ravens
Footballguy
100-vote Tuesday morning bump.
Dallas Cowboys @ Minn. Vikings
Cowboys [ 56 ] [58.33%]
Vikings [ 40 ] [41.67%]
Balto. Ravens @ Indy Colts
Ravens [ 24 ] [25.00%]
Colts [ 72 ] [75.00%]
AZ Cardinals @ N.O. Saints
Cardinals [ 36 ] [37.50%]
Saints [ 60 ] [62.50%]
NJ Jets @ SD Chargers
Jets [ 13 ] [13.54%]
Chargers [ 83 ] [86.46%]
Total Votes: 101
Dallas Cowboys @ Minn. Vikings
Cowboys [ 56 ] [58.33%]
Vikings [ 40 ] [41.67%]
Balto. Ravens @ Indy Colts
Ravens [ 24 ] [25.00%]
Colts [ 72 ] [75.00%]
AZ Cardinals @ N.O. Saints
Cardinals [ 36 ] [37.50%]
Saints [ 60 ] [62.50%]
NJ Jets @ SD Chargers
Jets [ 13 ] [13.54%]
Chargers [ 83 ] [86.46%]
Total Votes: 101
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Ghost of Bill Walsh
Footballguy
Indianapolis Colts over Baltimore Ravens- Manning managed to squeeze out a win in Baltimore and now he'll be at home. Baltimore is playing some inspired football. I like their running game a lot and it should do well against Indy but I don't think the defense will hold up from 4 quarters of a Manning onslaught. Colts win by 7.
New Orleans over Arizona Cardinals- Neither defense has much to brag about and this game will feature a lot of points scored. This game could be very similar to the Cardinals game last week. Brees will take it upon himself to personally win the game with his passing. It will be a close game and the team that has the ball last could be the winner. Arizona will stay close the whole game but the Saints win by 3 pts.
San Diego Chargers over New York Jets- Forget Rex, you won't be favored in this game. Revis may shut down V.Jax but he won't be covering Gates and Sproles. Those two will be the deciding factor in this game. LT2 will get a short td but not a lot of yardage unless he breaks one which is possible. Rivers will be able to focus on Gates and Sproles and Malcolm Floyd could be a wildcard in this game. This will the end of the Jets Playoff run. San Diego by 10.
Dallas Cowboys over Minnesota Vikings- Dallas is just the better team at this point, offensively and defensively. The Vikes still have talent and they'll score to keep the game close. Don't count out Favre just yet. He could pull an upset but if starts throwing alot look for the Dallas D to create some turnovers. Dallas' offense plays good and the defensive does what it needs to to limit the Vikes scoring. Dallas comes out of the Metrodome a 4 pt. winner.
New Orleans over Arizona Cardinals- Neither defense has much to brag about and this game will feature a lot of points scored. This game could be very similar to the Cardinals game last week. Brees will take it upon himself to personally win the game with his passing. It will be a close game and the team that has the ball last could be the winner. Arizona will stay close the whole game but the Saints win by 3 pts.
San Diego Chargers over New York Jets- Forget Rex, you won't be favored in this game. Revis may shut down V.Jax but he won't be covering Gates and Sproles. Those two will be the deciding factor in this game. LT2 will get a short td but not a lot of yardage unless he breaks one which is possible. Rivers will be able to focus on Gates and Sproles and Malcolm Floyd could be a wildcard in this game. This will the end of the Jets Playoff run. San Diego by 10.
Dallas Cowboys over Minnesota Vikings- Dallas is just the better team at this point, offensively and defensively. The Vikes still have talent and they'll score to keep the game close. Don't count out Favre just yet. He could pull an upset but if starts throwing alot look for the Dallas D to create some turnovers. Dallas' offense plays good and the defensive does what it needs to to limit the Vikes scoring. Dallas comes out of the Metrodome a 4 pt. winner.
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kutta
Footballguy
My picks exactly.
scrumptrulescent
Footballguy
After listening, yet again 
, to the guy that's become the most quotable coach on ESPN, I'm really hoping the Board's prediction on the SD/NYJ is correct. I've had my fill of Fat Rex. The guy just completely slights Charles Woodson by telling us all how the voters for the DPOY that voted for Revis were the only ones who really understood football. It's completely fine that he thinks his guy is better, but good grief try to have an ounce of tact. Yes, I'm a Packer fan and yes, I know there are some Jets fans that probably love his big mouth because he's "their guy" but his tough guy act is wearing thin. Between those comments and his tough talk to the Chargers stating he doesn't care what they think or what bulletin board material he and his QB are giving them is ridiculous. This guy's spreading more ill will faster than any coach I've ever seen, Belichick included.
I guess he's probably the perfect fit for a NY team, but he's building up the bad karma quickly.
To his credit, Revis himself was much more respectful about it. But Ryan's chip on his shoulder is about to to become too much weight for even his frame to carry.
<Rant over>
, to the guy that's become the most quotable coach on ESPN, I'm really hoping the Board's prediction on the SD/NYJ is correct. I've had my fill of Fat Rex. The guy just completely slights Charles Woodson by telling us all how the voters for the DPOY that voted for Revis were the only ones who really understood football. It's completely fine that he thinks his guy is better, but good grief try to have an ounce of tact. Yes, I'm a Packer fan and yes, I know there are some Jets fans that probably love his big mouth because he's "their guy" but his tough guy act is wearing thin. Between those comments and his tough talk to the Chargers stating he doesn't care what they think or what bulletin board material he and his QB are giving them is ridiculous. This guy's spreading more ill will faster than any coach I've ever seen, Belichick included.I guess he's probably the perfect fit for a NY team, but he's building up the bad karma quickly.
To his credit, Revis himself was much more respectful about it. But Ryan's chip on his shoulder is about to to become too much weight for even his frame to carry.
<Rant over>
Father Guido Sarducci
Footballguy
My picks:
Vikings: I know the Cowboys are playing well but the Vikings have been utterly dominant at home down the stretch. Their last 5 home games were won by 17, 26, 26, 20, and 37. The Vikings defense gave up 10, 9, 10, 10, and 7 points. Away from home, on the grass, completely different club, but that's not this week.
Saints: Saints have looked less than perfect as of late but I don't really see the Cardinals stopping them.
Colts: Ravens had a big win last week but I don't see them overcoming the Colts in this one.
Jets: I think the Jets have a big day on the ground and manage to claim a narrow victory in a high scoring contest.
So my championship games are Vikings at Saints and Jets at Colts.
Vikings: I know the Cowboys are playing well but the Vikings have been utterly dominant at home down the stretch. Their last 5 home games were won by 17, 26, 26, 20, and 37. The Vikings defense gave up 10, 9, 10, 10, and 7 points. Away from home, on the grass, completely different club, but that's not this week.
Saints: Saints have looked less than perfect as of late but I don't really see the Cardinals stopping them.
Colts: Ravens had a big win last week but I don't see them overcoming the Colts in this one.
Jets: I think the Jets have a big day on the ground and manage to claim a narrow victory in a high scoring contest.
So my championship games are Vikings at Saints and Jets at Colts.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Cowboys - I just think they're the better team. Hope I am wrong though.
Colts - The Ravens defense is not as good as last week's impressive win over NE and Flacco hasn't looked good against quality opponents. I think they could pull off an upset but I am not betting against Manning.
Saints - You know Brees was licking his chops watching that AZ pass defense. If the Saints defense can play even a little better than GB did last week they'll win.
Chargers - Rivers is much better QB than Sanchez right now.
Colts - The Ravens defense is not as good as last week's impressive win over NE and Flacco hasn't looked good against quality opponents. I think they could pull off an upset but I am not betting against Manning.
Saints - You know Brees was licking his chops watching that AZ pass defense. If the Saints defense can play even a little better than GB did last week they'll win.
Chargers - Rivers is much better QB than Sanchez right now.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Would you have liked Joe Namath?After listening, yet again, to the guy that's become the most quotable coach on ESPN, I'm really hoping the Board's prediction on the SD/NYJ is correct. I've had my fill of Fat Rex. The guy just completely slights Charles Woodson by telling us all how the voters for the DPOY that voted for Revis were the only ones who really understood football. It's completely fine that he thinks his guy is better, but good grief try to have an ounce of tact. Yes, I'm a Packer fan and yes, I know there are some Jets fans that probably love his big mouth because he's "their guy" but his tough guy act is wearing thin. Between those comments and his tough talk to the Chargers stating he doesn't care what they think or what bulletin board material he and his QB are giving them is ridiculous. This guy's spreading more ill will faster than any coach I've ever seen, Belichick included. I guess he's probably the perfect fit for a NY team, but he's building up the bad karma quickly. To his credit, Revis himself was much more respectful about it. But Ryan's chip on his shoulder is about to to become too much weight for even his frame to carry.<Rant over>
scrumptrulescent
Footballguy
Probably not.I'm probably just overreacting but doesn't it seem like this guy's on a mission to piss off anyone and everyone who will listen? He attempts to create an "Us against them" argument every time I hear him it seems.Would you have liked Joe Namath?After listening, yet again, to the guy that's become the most quotable coach on ESPN, I'm really hoping the Board's prediction on the SD/NYJ is correct. I've had my fill of Fat Rex. The guy just completely slights Charles Woodson by telling us all how the voters for the DPOY that voted for Revis were the only ones who really understood football. It's completely fine that he thinks his guy is better, but good grief try to have an ounce of tact. Yes, I'm a Packer fan and yes, I know there are some Jets fans that probably love his big mouth because he's "their guy" but his tough guy act is wearing thin. Between those comments and his tough talk to the Chargers stating he doesn't care what they think or what bulletin board material he and his QB are giving them is ridiculous. This guy's spreading more ill will faster than any coach I've ever seen, Belichick included. I guess he's probably the perfect fit for a NY team, but he's building up the bad karma quickly. To his credit, Revis himself was much more respectful about it. But Ryan's chip on his shoulder is about to to become too much weight for even his frame to carry.<Rant over>
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Ravens
Footballguy
2 have a chance of being blow-outs.I'm going to take:VikesColtsCardinals JetsI think one thing we can all agree on is that we have four spectacular games this weekend!
Andy Herron
Footballguy
Cowboys- This game should be a classic to watch or attend. A lot of post-season history between these two opponents, including the birth of the term "Hail Mary pass." We can talk about Tony Romo or the fact that Brett Favre is 0-3 against Dallas in the post-season, but this game will be decided by the battle at the line of scrimmage. Dallas is just better on both sides.
Colts- When it comes to this depth of the playoff season, the more it comes to quarterback play. Advantage- Colts.
Chargers- See above.
Cardinals- This pick is a real struggle. You'd think that a rested Saints team playing at home would be better prepared than a team coming off of an overtime shootout win. However, my philosophy is that the Cardinals secondary was exposed and embarrassed last week and will be coached and driven to play that much better this week. Meanwhile, the Saints secondary has been resting on their laurels. Not good with the anticipated return of Boldin joining the rest of that WR corp. Warner comes out ready to play football while Brees comes out trying not to lose this one. All of the pressure is on him to lead this Saints franchise to turf they have never played upon.
Should be a good weekend for teams who's mascots begin with the letter "C."
Strickly ironic. Didn't notice it until just now.
Colts- When it comes to this depth of the playoff season, the more it comes to quarterback play. Advantage- Colts.
Chargers- See above.
Cardinals- This pick is a real struggle. You'd think that a rested Saints team playing at home would be better prepared than a team coming off of an overtime shootout win. However, my philosophy is that the Cardinals secondary was exposed and embarrassed last week and will be coached and driven to play that much better this week. Meanwhile, the Saints secondary has been resting on their laurels. Not good with the anticipated return of Boldin joining the rest of that WR corp. Warner comes out ready to play football while Brees comes out trying not to lose this one. All of the pressure is on him to lead this Saints franchise to turf they have never played upon.
Should be a good weekend for teams who's mascots begin with the letter "C."
Strickly ironic. Didn't notice it until just now.
ATC1
Footballguy
Dallas - Looking back over the season. The Vikings seemed to have struggled the most against the 3-4. Vikings secondary will have to come up big but they have been gashed by opposing teams TE over the course of the season.
Jets - Going with the underdog. Just more of a gut feel here. Jets are on a mission to face the Colts. They will continue to play defense and run the ball.
Colts - This will be a good game, but I don't think BAL gets the early jump forcing the TO on Manning early like they did with Brady. If Flacco is put in a spot where they need to trade scores with the Colts, I think he falls under the pressure.
Saints - All the talk is if Payton has rested his players since they wrapped up a bye in the playoffs. They decide to punch the gas on a Monday night and then let off to finish the season. The team that can run the ball better and/or win the TO battle will win this game. Saints have the better rushing game, they just need to get back into pounding the football, which they seemed to have abandoned over the past month.
Jets - Going with the underdog. Just more of a gut feel here. Jets are on a mission to face the Colts. They will continue to play defense and run the ball.
Colts - This will be a good game, but I don't think BAL gets the early jump forcing the TO on Manning early like they did with Brady. If Flacco is put in a spot where they need to trade scores with the Colts, I think he falls under the pressure.
Saints - All the talk is if Payton has rested his players since they wrapped up a bye in the playoffs. They decide to punch the gas on a Monday night and then let off to finish the season. The team that can run the ball better and/or win the TO battle will win this game. Saints have the better rushing game, they just need to get back into pounding the football, which they seemed to have abandoned over the past month.
switz
Footballguy
I heard very similar things about Philly last week, that they would beat Dallas too. They played vanilla D week 17, they'd blitz and Dallas line wouldn't be able to handle it, they had film... blah blah blah.The problem with Dallas is, right now, they are simply too potent in all aspects of the offense to stop. Do you blitz and get burned by screens, and sweeps? Do you drop back and get burned on inside running? Do you play to stop the deep ball and Witten burns you? Do you bring a safety up on Witten, and Austin burns you?And on defense, the Cowboys have one of the best defenses in the league. It will be tough for MIN to get going against them. I like Rice and Harvin a lot, but I'm not sure MIN's line can handle the DAL rush enough for Favre to get them the ball.ETA:Cowboys - I think they dominateColts - Too much firepowerSaints - really undecided about this oneChargers - Will be close, better QB wins
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switz
Footballguy
Sounds a lot like Bill Belichek.
And Santi fumbled on the 1 yard line. Both teams threw some points away that game. IMO, the Colts run D has been underrated this year. They had a bad game against the Miami Wildcat, and the last 2 games when they were sitting a number of starters. Barring a long run like they had against NE, I think they will hold them under 120 which means Flacco will have to make plays through the air. I think it will be tight like most of the Colts games this year, but I still think they win it.Correct.Flacco threw a pick in the red zone that killed it.
Chicago Hooligan
Footballguy
I think the Ravens and Jets have basically no chance to win this week, but much respect for advancing this far.
Cowboys and Vikings? I dislike that they're both still alive but love that I'm guaranteed to see one of these teams eat it. Picking the Cowboys to win only to reflect my (currently) lower levels of hatred for them.
And I guess the Saints because I have to root against AZ now.
Cowboys and Vikings? I dislike that they're both still alive but love that I'm guaranteed to see one of these teams eat it. Picking the Cowboys to win only to reflect my (currently) lower levels of hatred for them.
And I guess the Saints because I have to root against AZ now.
I'll grant that I'm not objective when it comes to this debate. However, I just don't see how anyone can say Baltimore is a better team. They held them to 98 yards the first time they played and Baltimore was 1-6 against playoff teams. Baltimore definitely has a punchers chance and their D is good enough to keep it close or even cause enough havoc to win it for them. But to say they are a better team is a bit much.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Baltimore has, along with Dallas and the Jets, the best run O in the league. There's also no way the Colts can run on the Ravens, which will make them one-dimensional. The Colts are better at passing and stopping the pass, but the Ravens are better at running and stopping the run. The difference is I think the combination of an amazing running offense against a terrible run defense could lead to worse results than an awesome but one dimensional offense against a still better than average pass defense.
switz
Footballguy
Chase, I think you're mixing fantasy with reality here. Colts are a FAR better team than the Ravens. The only areas I grade the Ravens higher are LB and RB.I'm not sure what you are using to determine your conclusion, but I'm hard pressed to see ANY argument that the Ravens are a better team than the Colts.
Did you miss earlier in the season when BAL lost to IND, when BAL was healthier?
There's no way the Colts run on the Ravens? They don't have to run all over them, just enough to keep them honest, and they can do that. Addai had 74 yards and a TD in their first meeting (ouperforming Ray Rice), and Brown was very limited. Brown is back, Addai has been improving each game (4.2 YPC over last 5 games he played in, 15 carries per game average). I actually think the Colts stick to the run, and are very successful with it.
Did you not notice that the Colts were able to shut down Flacco, and limit Rice and McGahee? Rice had his lowest YPC of the season against the Colts, and that was with a healthy Flacco. The Colts D doesn't even really need to worry about Flacco this week. They should be able to handle the run pretty well.
The Ravens are overrated for beating NE, a team they should have beaten. But the Colts are NOT New England. Colts will win this for sure, it won't even be close.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Because the recent history of the Colts shows that they are extremely dominant in the divisional round when having a first round bye, right?---------I was gonna pick against the Colts in this round, after the way they tanked the last two weeks, but Flacco has looked terrible lately, and I am not sure the Ravens offense will be well-balanced enough to win the game. I think it will be close most of the way, as the Ravens will get off to a good start, but once the Colts get their rhythm back, they will take the lead and hold on to win. My picks: Indy 20, Baltimore 16SD 28, NYJ 16 (Jets control more of the clock, but have to settle for too many FGs, and the Chargers hit some big pass plays for TDs)Dallas 24, Minnesota 17 (close the whole way, but Dallas' 'D' is the difference)Arizona 37, New Orleans 31 (a Saints comeback fall short after the Cardinals take command early)
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switz
Footballguy
Because the past doesn't represent the future, and because the Colts already beat a better (healthier) Ravens team earlier. Ravens didn't score a single TD against IND earlier this year IIRC. Now Flacco is hurt. The Colts were dealing with injuries and have most of their players healthy now.Also, the Ravens are coming in a bit overrated, and likely thinking more of themselves than they should, due to the beat down they put on NE.
Yes they were 24th in the league. I'm also not a fan of removing outlier games from the stats, however, when a team shuts it down and has 2nd and 3rd teamers in the game its at least worth noting. In the 1st half of the Jets game, they gave up 54 yards (and that wasn't even at full strength). They gave up 202 for the game and the next week against Buffalo they gave up 248 with very few defensive starters. They averaged 112 in the other 14 games (right at league average). They struggled against Miami's wildcat but gave up less than 100 in 6 of the other 13. To say they are "terrible" is just an overstatement.As for the Colts being one-dimensional, that's exactly what they've been all year. All Indy's run O has to do is be able to get the LBs to take a step towards the line. That creates the only space Manning needs. If Manning gets impatient and tries to put it into multiple coverage, that is where he gets into trouble.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
I was going more off what I've seen than just the raw numbers, which are still really bad (below average in first downs allowed (rushing) and YPC allowed, too). Baltimore's running game is incredible. If they run for 175+ yards against Indy -- and I think that's realistic -- it's going to be tough for the Colts to win.
