2014 NFL Playoffs Thread

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Well, it took Andrew Luck 2 seasons.

Well, you also have to give credit to the near historic collapse of the Chiefs.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

I think people are crazy for already calling for Dalton's head. Guy has lead the Bengals to the playoffs for three straight seasons. How many years did it take before Manning was consistently winning playoff games?

Dalton has been outstanding against weaker opponents and terrible against good teams. I don't understand the hate either as I really believe the potential is there to be a top 1/3 QB.

That said, Bengals fans wet merciless to Esiason even though he got them to a Super Bowl. They hated Carson Palmer and ran him out. The only QBs they've liked in the last 25 years are Jeff Blake and Jon Kitna.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

How many years did it take before Manning was consistently winning playoff games?

I don't know, when will he start?

1999 - IND vs TEN L 16-19
2000 - IND at MIA L 17-23
2002 - IND at NYJ L 0-41
2003 - IND vs DEN W 41-10
2003 - IND at KAN W 38-31
2003 - IND at NED L 14-24
2004 - IND vs DEN W 49-24
2004 - IND at NED L 3-20
2005 - IND vs PIT L 18-21
2006 - IND vs KAN W 23-8
2006 - IND at BAL W 15-6
2006 - IND vs NED W 38-34
2006 - IND vs CHI W 29-17
2007 - IND vs SDG L 24-28
2008 - IND at SDG L 17-23
2009 - IND vs BAL W 20-3
2009 - IND vs NYJ W 30-17
2009 - IND vs NOR L 17-31
2010 - IND vs NYJ L 16-17
2012 - DEN vs BAL L 35-38

"Consistent" is not the word I'd use here. 9-11, with 1 4-game win streak and a pair of 3-game losing streaks.

But I guess the point is a decent one - Peyton lost his first 3 playoff games.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Harvin is an interesting wild-card about which no one seems to be talking.

Even if Harvin is no more likely to play than you or I, the Seahawk coaches were smart to talk him up and force the Saints to spend time gameplanning for him.

Also, there is the option, if he is still rusty in terms of route-running, timing, etc. that they could just play him returning kicks, and he still adds real value to the team.

If, however, he is ready to play significant offense snaps, than he can be a huge secret weapon for Seattle inasmuch as the Saints have no film on him in that offense to see how Seattle may choose to use him.

Finally, there is a bit of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" here. Seattle went 13-3 and got the #1 seed without Harvin. There's an argument that adding a rusty player to the mix and trying to work in him during a playoff game might not be in the Seahawks's best interest.

Still, lots of teams who are sitting home right now would love the problem of "how do we work our top-five receiver into our 13-3 team?"

Harvin's interesting from an outsider's perspective. Maybe he will be that piece that wins them an SB this year or next, but I think it's much more likely 5 years down the road we're looking at that trade/contract as the place it started falling apart for Seattle and shortened their championship window.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

But I guess the point is a decent one - Peyton lost his first 3 playoff games.

I just think somehow someone needs to get through to Dalton not to press when things aren't going his way. I wonder how much different a game Dalton has if Bernard doesn't fumble that pass away to the Chargers when it looked like the Bengals were marching for a TD?

[BishopMVP]

Btw, is Peyton Manning (with, I guess, Tom Brady's early playoff track record) really what we're going to compare Andy Dalton to?

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Btw, is Peyton Manning (with, I guess, Tom Brady's early playoff track record) really what we're going to compare Andy Dalton to?

I just think it's tough to judge a QB on three playoff losses, early in his career. People seem to want to run Dalton out of town but seem to forget that the team has gotten progressively better each season (9, 10, 11 WINS) since he's been in Cincinnati.

Dalton isn't Peyton Manning but he is definitely a player on the upswing statistically (20, 27, 33 TD's/3,398, 3,669, 4,293 YDS) outside of turnovers (13, 16, 20 INT's). It's obvious he's a guy who gets flustered when you put pressure on him right up the middle and can try to force things when the game isn't going his way.

I just think it's worth the effort to try and correct Dalton's flaws.

[Buccaneer]

It is amusing to read about those wanting a better QB to replace who team X has currently. How is the team going to do that? A better QB will be available to trade or free agency? Hardly? If the team does not have a high draft pick, how exactly will the team move up to a top 3 pick? Isn't it a crapshoot anyway?

[Julio Riddols]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

I just think it's tough to judge a QB on three playoff losses, early in his career. People seem to want to run Dalton out of town but seem to forget that the team has gotten progressively better each season (9, 10, 11 WINS) since he's been in Cincinnati.

Dalton isn't Peyton Manning but he is definitely a player on the upswing statistically (20, 27, 33 TD's/3,398, 3,669, 4,293 YDS) outside of turnovers (13, 16, 20 INT's). It's obvious he's a guy who gets flustered when you put pressure on him right up the middle and can try to force things when the game isn't going his way.

I just think it's worth the effort to try and correct Dalton's flaws.

Definitely. You also have to consider what the defense has done in the 3 playoff games they have played too. They have forced only one turnover, and the Bengals have not started with better field position than their own 40. The defense has to hold up their end of the bargain too. They have allowed over 150 yards rushing to each of the 3 opponents they have played sine Dalton has come to the team. That defensive help is the only reason Brady won his first 3 playoff games. He (Brady) did next to nothing production wise in all 3 of them, too.

[Bigsmooth]

Headed down to the Clink today. Really looking forward to it! It's pretty nasty out right now but I get the feeling it's gonna clear up a little before kickoff. Kawww!~

[mckerney]

Bill Belichick Smiled Seven Times This Season

[bob]

Ok, that bandwagon.net "commercial" on Fox pre-game did make me laugh quite a bit.

[BillJasper]

Wind and rain... have fun Saints.

[Travis]

Interesting move by the Seahawks as James Carpenter is a healthy scratch today and (I believe) 7th round pick Michael Bowie will step in at LG (over both Carpenter and McQuistan). Harvin isn't on a snap count and apparently will return kicks. Whether it's by 1 or 20, Go Hawks!

[frnk55]

Lol. Great punt!

[Travis]

Welp, that may have been a short come back.

[cuervo72]

PF or not, that should have been PI - they held down Harvin's right arm.

[Lathum]

If I'm the Saints I am ok with taking that penalty on HArvin. Delivers a message.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Lathum

If I'm the Saints I am ok with taking that penalty on HArvin. Delivers a message.

Which is exactly why the NFL has to start throwing guys that go to the head out of the game. 15 yards? Pfft.

[EagleFan]

Now he misses....

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Which is exactly why the NFL has to start throwing guys that go to the head out of the game. 15 yards? Pfft.

They so need to go to college rules. Start kicking guys out of games. So the hit gave the Hawks 3 points, whoop de do da day. Kick him out of the game and the "messages" stop. Of course the Hawks will have about 10 plays like that today and will get called on 2 of them, so I don't know why I'm worried about it.

[kingfc22]

Geez...way to go Ingram.

[dubb93]

They got to get Ingram out of this game. He's killed two of the first three Saints drives. First drive he drops an open third down catch to force a punt. Now he fumbles.

[cuervo72]

Oh yeah - how does Burkhardt get a playoff game? Fox must think a lot of him to be elevating his team to #2 status already.

[kingfc22]

Sproles better return this next kick regardless of how deep. Saints need a spark.

[Desnudo]

Well that was a quick game.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by dubb93

They got to get Ingram out of this game. He's killed two of the first three Saints drives. First drive he drops an open third down catch to force a punt. Now he fumbles.

+1

[Travis]

Wow, you're crazy if you're counting Brees out this early with the weapons that offence has. Not expecting this to go the way of KC/Indy, but as a Seattle fan I'm sure not feeling anything close to comfortable yet.

[bob]

This is what I am referring to:

Bandwagon.net - YouTube

[Danny]

I wouldnt count Brees out, but I'd say Seattle has a 95%+ chance of winning based on the current score and environment.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Travis

Wow, you're crazy if you're counting Brees out this early with the weapons that offence has. Not expecting this to go the way of KC/Indy, but as a Seattle fan I'm sure not feeling anything close to comfortable yet.

Unless the weather improves, it probably is over.

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Travis

Wow, you're crazy if you're counting Brees out this early with the weapons that offence has. Not expecting this to go the way of KC/Indy, but as a Seattle fan I'm sure not feeling anything close to comfortable yet.

Spotting that defense 13 points at home I day the odds aren't in the Saints favor. The weather makes that 13 points 40 unless the Seahawks turn it over.

[BillJasper]

I haven't gotten to see much of Lynch, but he's a beast.

[chinaski]

I cant wait till we replace Breno Giacomini. The only Seahawk I despise.

[Desnudo]

Saints can't afford stupid penalties right now, walking the line.

[kingfc22]

I see Harvin has Richard Sherman syndrome. ie. Act like a little bitch on the field.

Just play the damn game. You're the better team.

[BillJasper]

Short field here, Saints need to score.

[Desnudo]

TDs only son

[kingfc22]

How is that not a flag for lining up in the neutral zone?

[BillJasper]

Saints should've taken the points.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

How is that not a flag for lining up in the neutral zone?

When no one is lined up in the neutral zone it's not a penalty.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

When no one is lined up in the neutral zone it's not a penalty.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

When no one is lined up in the neutral zone it's not a penalty.

The DT's head was fully over the blue line on Fox's feed. Obviously not official but no d-lineman has been that far forward the entire game.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

The DT's head was fully over the blue line on the Fox's feed. Obviously not official but no d-lineman has been that far forward the entire game.

The blue line was in front of the ball. Matters where the ball is, not the Fox blue line.

[EagleFan]

Nice play by Wilson!

[BillJasper]

Really fast first half so far.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Really fast first half so far.

Yeah, the game is moving. Like it when games move along like that.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

The blue line was in front of the ball.

Got it. Don't have the DVR recording so I couldn't take a second look at it.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

Got it. Don't have the DVR recording so I couldn't take a second look at it.

I assume you were talking about the 4th down play? That is the one I rewound to double check/ Saw the overhang of the blue but then noticed that the edge of the blue line started a couple inches past the ball so the actual neutral zone was shifted by about a foot from where the blue line made it appear.

[BillJasper]

Ouch.