NFL games - 1/23/05
 

Might as well get this started now, less than 2 hours from ATL-PHIL kickoff. Go Falcons.

Go EAGLES!

Any idea on how the weather is going to be for both games?

COLD, WINDY but very slight precip. chance........with these conditions running teams should be at an advantage over a passing team. :D

In Pitt it's sunny, but cold and wind COULD be a factor.

In Philly, it's still pretty ugly and the wind WILL definitely be a factor.

Looks like Philly and Pittsburgh got clobbered too...

I'll put my 12-2 record from the Season Prediction thread on the line... :)


Falcons 23 Eagles 17
Patriots 20 Steelers 13


:edit: and after looking it over I think the safest bet today is New England (-3)

I think today, especially with the bad weather conditions that are expected, Philly will finally get over the NFC Championship game hump and make it to the SuperBowl.

I may be wrong but I just don't see Michael Vick running for XXX yards in these conditions...and if he's stuffed, Atlanta will not make enough plays to keep up with the Eagles.

Just my two cents.

I agree. *IF* the field conditions are bad, the Falcons will lose. If the field conditions are good, they are going to have to hope for the usual Eagles collapse.

Eagles should still be favored in this game regardless of weather.

As for the AFC, I'm wondering if Rothlesberger is about to implode....

At the end of the day?

Philadelphia and New England in the Super Bowl.

Go Pack Go!!!




oh wait, we got whooped two weeks ago.

Go Steelers Go!

Since my hometeam Redskins arn't in it, and my second favorite team was smoked by the Pats last week.

Go AFC!!!!!

as long as the Atlanta Vicks or the Eagles don't win the superbowl im happy :)

Cold and windy does not help the Eagles who would rather pass than run, cold and windy does not hinder a running team like the Falcons.

ATL 28
PHIL 17

I can't wait for these two games.

I think you can make a good argument that these are the four best teams in the NFL. You can argue that Indy may be better than Atlanta, but I think last week Atlanta proved it belongs. I also think that New England, Philly, and Pittsburgh are three of the best teams we have seen in awhile.

I think Atlanta has to have a nearly perfect game to win at Philadelphia. No turnovers, no special team breakdowns, and control the clock for better than 60% of the time. I think this one will be more low scoring than a lot of folks are predicting. I'll say Philly wins 16-7.

I haven't anticipated a game like this Pats-Steelers for a long time. I think the Steelers game last week was an abberation because, other than the Jets having two huge plays for TDs (yes, it is a big "but"), the Steelers offensive and defensive lines controlled the game, much like that Pats' did last week. Turnovers will again be the key to this one. Probably the first team to score points from a turnover will be able to control the clock. I think Big Ben plays better and the homefield advantage pays off. I'll say Pittsburgh wins 23-13.

i'll go with the eagles, weather definitely will help them.


and also the pats. big ben will need to make plays in this game, and his 7 td/8 int mark over the past 8 games i dont like at all... even if they were all wins.

Pats 13
Steeljaws 7

Black Birds 21
Green Birds 0

Pats 31
Black Birds 7

I hate the Eagles and I'm sick of the Patriots, so now you know who I'm rooting for. When it comes down to it tho, I think the Pats and Eagles will win.

Pats, Eagles.

Unfortunately I think both have strong potential for being not all that close.

And I hate the wacky start times. Damn you NFL and your multi-billion dollar network contract!

Are they still playing football? I haven't even noticed. ;)

I turned down free Steeler tickets this morning. The Eagles better not let me down.

GO Eagles!!

Forecast for Philadelphia County
Updated: 12:05 PM EST on January 23, 2005
Wind Chill Advisory in effect for tonight...
	This Afternoon Partly cloudy. Areas of blowing snow. Breezy with highs around 20. North winds around 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Wind chill values near zero degrees. Detail

I can't see how 25-35mph winds favor Philly. It doesn't necessarily mean Atlanta will win, but I see the weather being a slight advantage in our favor. The very hard field may be tougher for Vick to plant and cut on than normal, but that kind of wind in a open-ended stadium is not good for a passing team.

I definitely think this one will be low-scoring.

I have my money on the Phil-Pitt Steagles.

Too bad we don't have any barefoot kickers around anymore. Kicking a football today, at either field, will be like kicking a cement block. :)

:eek: Boo!

I also believe Philly and Pittsburgh will win.

I think that Philly has enough speed on defense to contain the Falcon's potent running game.

I think Pittsburgh's running game will take the pressure off of Ben.

Go Eagles. We don't need another Kordell Stewart.

Dola -

I haven't been this excited for two NFL games in a long time. I just got back from the store with the required refreshments and am all ready for the games :)

Falcons by 4
Pats by 10

It all comes down to whether Vick can be Vick in those conditions. My guess is no, and if not, the Falcons will be lucky to score an offensive touchdown at all. If Vick is ineffective, or even just an average QB, the Eagles pack the box, stuff Dunn & Duckett & it's over.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping Steelers & expecting Patriots. Bad luck for the Steelers to get the homefield weather and then have to face a team that is as good or better in it than they are.

Was there a backstory on that kid that was singing the national anthem that I missed?

That's what I want to know too.

I'm thinking there has to be a story, but I didn't hear one....

They didn't mention anything on FOX, but there announce team SUCKS anyways.

I'm thinking cerebral palsy.

Is it wrong that I want the Eagles to blow their 4th straight NFC championship game in a row? *evil laugh*

I think the Falcons can be better. Remember, they got a terrific defense against a TO-less Eagles offense. The sun's out, and the field looks fine. Vick just needs to be allow things to happen, and not force plays.

Great to see Atlanta have to use a timeout early in the game. Also, I love how the Eagles defense is playing early :)

That's it. Too much happy feet for me. :(

At least I got FBCB to keep me entertained.

That was a nice little run by McNabb. Good first pass too. I think it is key for the Eagles to score early, and it is looking good early.

You really are amazing.

Yeah, if the Eagles put up seven here, Atlanta could be in trouble.

I'm with you. :)

Wife is working all day today, so I get to play FBCB and watch football, in peace, all day long.

My wife doesn't go to work til 5, but she knew I wanted to watch the game in peace (she doesn't like football at all :( ), so she went over to her best friend's house to hang out with her a bit before work :)

Wow! Thanks!!!! :D

Big stop for the Eagles. Not a bad chocie from Philly though, since that's a pretty risky field goal..

Agreed. Good call by Reid. Very good play by the Falcons Special Teams to stop it.

That was not pass interference!! The ball was there. Darn.. on replay the ball wasn't quite there yet.

I think it was the correct call on the pass interference. A Falcons score would be good for morale and to shut the crowd up a bit.

Is it tricky to kick with the wind at your back?

It looks awful cold there. :)