Looking into your crystal ball...

 

1. Who has the best chance of going into the Meadowlands and beating the New York Giants? Can anybody pull it off? I think Philadelphia is capable when they're on their game, but they have to win out to even make the playoffs. My other pick would be Minnesota. Their run defense is very good. If they could stop the Giants rushing attack and make some plays in the passing game, its possible they could win a close, low-scoring game.

 

2. Who's coming out of the AFC? As of now, I think one of these three teams (Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Baltimore) will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. These teams clearly have the best defenses and their styles can win anywhere, in any conditions. I wouldn't count out Indy with Peyton Manning at QB, but I don't think the rest of the team is good enough. Denver doesn't have the defense. And, I'm not sold on the AFC East teams, regardless of who comes out of that division. I think one of those great defensive teams is going to click, put it all together and make a run to the Super Bowl. They're all very similar in their makeup, so you could probably draw names from a hat. The big plus(es) for Tennessee is a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Also, a great defense that can rely on its front four to pressure the QB. The concern is what will happen if they get in a situation where they have to rely on the passing game, especially against one of these other two teams. The big plus(es) for Pittsburgh is a dominant defense and a veteran, experienced QB. The concern is the veteran, experienced QB (he hasn't been playing very good) and the offense. For Baltimore, the plus(es) is a dominant defense with championship experience, and an uncanny ability to score points. The drawbacks are a limited offense lead by a rookie at QB. Pittsburgh can secure a first round bye with a win @ Baltimore this Sunday.

Pittsburgh and Giants

 

#1 - Dallas, as goofy as they can play at times, they still have the best all around team not called the Giants

 

#2 - Pitt I beleive can go to Tenn and win. My other darkhorse is Indy, which is what I would like to see (to have Payton/Eli match-up)

Minnesota have to lose 2 of its last 3 and the Bears have to win out to get in. :cry:

 

Giants, Arizona are in obviously.

 

Tampa and Carolina are in, one as a division winner, the other as a Wild Card.

 

That leaves the Dallas, Eagles and Falcons all with 5 losses all fighting for one spot. Saints and Bears each have 6 losses and if either still have a chance, they will play an elimination game on Thursday.

 

You have the three teams in the AFC East tied and as it stands now, only one gets in and that's the division winner. Just WOW.

AFC Title:

 

Indy

 

NFC Title

 

Giants

 

Giants over Colts

AFC Title:

 

Indy

 

NFC Title

 

Giants

 

Giants over Colts

 

:dancingpa:dancingpa I hope to see this

:dancingpa:dancingpa I hope to see this

 

I would love nothing more than to see that.

If I were the Giants, the team I'd like to see least would probably be the Steelers out of the AFC. But I think that the AFC representative will be the Titans. Very few weaknesses and they can run the football. Solid D. I fear, however, that the Ravens may be the team representing the AFC. They just seem to keep rolling. Next week will either prove me right or wrong. In the event P'burgh wins at Baltimore, it all but solidifies the Steelers as the #2 seed and makes them have to win one at home and go to Tenn. possibly for the AFC title game. But more importantly would make Baltimore a longer shot at a wildcard. The Ravens would then have to go to Dallas the following week and play a team that will be incredibly desperate.

 

I think the G-men are the odds-on faves in the NFC,,,,,,I know,,,,,call the captain.

There is WAY too much football to get a good read of the playoffs but I think the Vikings Defense matches up really well against the Giants strong running game. That with "All Day could beat them. The Eagles have shown they can do it and I'm real excited to see the Sunday night game next week with the Boys. The team that nobody ever seems to talk about is the Bucs. Great defense! Not so good offense:)

AFC is wide open IMO. Titans+ Steelers are the best but if anybody gets up on them then it could be trouble if they have to rely on their passing games! The Ravens have a defense that will keep them in a lot of games. The Colts are on fire right now but not the scary offense they used to be. They have the playoff experience though!

There is WAY too much football to get a good read of the playoffs but I think the Vikings Defense matches up really well against the Giants strong running game. That with "All Day could beat them. The Eagles have shown they can do it and I'm real excited to see the Sunday night game next week with the Boys. The team that nobody ever seems to talk about is the Bucs. Great defense! Not so good offense:)

AFC is wide open IMO. Titans+ Steelers are the best but if anybody gets up on them then it could be trouble if they have to rely on their passing games! The Ravens have a defense that will keep them in a lot of games. The Colts are on fire right now but not the scary offense they used to be. They have the playoff experience though!

Donated 299 on the ground last night to Carolina. Not so great defense, last night at least.

1. Carolina I think could beat the G-Men.

 

2. I like Indy. They are getting hot at the right time

1. Carolina I think could beat the G-Men.

 

2. I like Indy. They are getting hot at the right time

 

They've faced Houston, San Diego, Cleveland and Cincinnati in their last 4 games. Any decent team will "get hot" against that fearsome foursome.

 

Here's my take on the Colts...

 

They currently sit at 9-4. One game behind Pittsburgh and even with Baltimore and they own the tiebreaker on both teams with head-to-head victories. Indy gets Detroit this week, so you can pencil in 10-4. If Baltimore beats Pittsburgh, then the Colts are even with two teams they own head-to-head wins against. Then, it will come down to what happens over the last two weeks.

 

If the Colts can sneak in and get the #2 seed in the AFC and the week off and home game that comes with it, then their chances of making the Super Bowl go way up, IMO.

 

If they don't, and they have to play three games, I don't like their chances much at all.

 

This weekend's game between Baltimore and Pittsburgh has huge implication for the whole AFC, not just those two teams.

I've never seen Tamap get run on like that. I'm not drinking the cool aide yet because Delhomme has been inconsistant but with a 2 headed monster running the ball, an expreienced big game QB that can get hot and a decent defense they are capable of beating anybody. They have a great shot at home field all the way through the playoffs too!

The Saints are the biggest sleeper still out there. Big game Thurs night!

They've faced Houston, San Diego, Cleveland and Cincinnati in their last 4 games. Any decent team will "get hot" against that fearsome foursome.

 

Here's my take on the Colts...

 

They currently sit at 9-4. One game behind Pittsburgh and even with Baltimore and they own the tiebreaker on both teams with head-to-head victories. Indy gets Detroit this week, so you can pencil in 10-4. If Baltimore beats Pittsburgh, then the Colts are even with two teams they own head-to-head wins against. Then, it will come down to what happens over the last two weeks.

 

If the Colts can sneak in and get the #2 seed in the AFC and the week off and home game that comes with it, then their chances of making the Super Bowl go way up, IMO.

 

If they don't, and they have to play three games, I don't like their chances much at all.

 

This weekend's game between Baltimore and Pittsburgh has huge implication for the whole AFC, not just those two teams.

 

How would Indy get the #2 seed? They can't win their division, so they don't get a home game in round 1, let alone a bye, right?

I heard some crazy scenerio that it has to do with common opponents. Might not be right but that is what it sounded like. I know the Panthers have home field all the way through if they win out.

How would Indy get the #2 seed? They can't win their division, so they don't get a home game in round 1, let alone a bye, right?

That is correct. The best they can do is a WC and a #5 seed. I guess TN could drop there last 3 games (1 of which is against Indy) and it would be a tie at 12-4. I am not sure how the tiebreaker would work in that scenario.