NFL Playoffs Thread 2017-2018 Season or Who is going to Minneapolis?!?!?

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Logan

Was it after getting plastered by a 300 lb lineman who had a free shot at you as you turned into him?

Clearly a part of my everyday routine

[stevew]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Surprised that the Vikes opened at only 3.5 over the Saints.

I want the Saints to win, and I think that they have a shot, but the Vikes are, IMO, the best team in the league right now.

I would have guessed 6 or 7 points.

I think the Saints are way undervalued and it should have been closer to a pickem.

[Carman Bulldog]

Originally Posted by stevew

I think the Saints are way undervalued and it should have been closer to a pickem.

Totally agree. Championship winning coach/QB, great balance between the pass and run games and a very good defense. They're also 12-3 in their last 15 games and were 7th in strength of schedule. I'd love to see the Vikings in (and win) the Super Bowl but this is a tough match up.

[albionmoonlight]

Philadelphia (+2.5) over Atlanta: I'll go with the "when everyone zigs, you zag" theory here. Philadelphia is the first ever #1 seed home dog. And Atlanta is the hot team. And everyone seems to be on the Falcon train. But home field matters. Rest matters. Atlanta has been playing good, but not great. And Philadelphia still has that monster D-line. Of course Foles scares me, but I think that the Eagles pull it out.

Tennessee (+13.5) over New England: I think that New England will win. But Tennessee has a very good defense and a solid running back. They will be playing to keep it close, and 13.5 points is a lot in the playoffs. I could easily see a situation where New England is up 30-10 in the 4th and Tennessee gets a touchdown to cover late.

Pittsburgh (-7.5) over Jacksonville: We go into the playoffs with storylines like "Ha, Blake Bortles really sucks. He will probably be really bad at playoff football." And, often, the games surprise us. No surprise here. Blake Bortles is horrible. If I were Jacksonville, I'd offer Drew Brees or Tony Romo 2 years/$50 million this offseason fully guaranteed, and I'm not even kidding. With that defense and Fournette, the window is now.

Saints (+3.5) over Vikings: I'm in full homer mode, now. The Saints D matches up well to the Vikings. Lattimore and Crawley can keep the WRs in check. Of course, the Vikings D is amazing. But I see the Saints pulling out a 13-10 type win where neither team can get it going, but the Saints eek it out at the end.

[albionmoonlight]

Line has moved a point toward Minn since the opening. Fits better with my non-homer sense of what it should be.

[Julio Riddols]

I think Atlanta, New England, Jacksonville and Minnesota move on.

Atlanta won't put up a ton of points, but I think their defense against Foles is in better shape than the Philly D against Atlanta. Atlanta is also probably running a little bit off how last season ended. That is likely a strong motivator. They want another shot at Brady to get that sweet revenge.

New England should beat Tennessee, but a lot depends on the offensive approach Tennessee takes. If Mariota was truly calling the plays in the second half last week, then maybe they have a shot if they keep letting him run the show.

I think Pitt and Jacksonville is a toss up. Roethlisberger struggles against really good pass coverage. A lot depends on how much they are able to continue to rely on Smith Schuster to open up the offense. This is the most intriguing game of the week for me. Should be a real brawl.

Minnesota needs to control the ball against the Saints. I think we end up with a decent offensive display with both teams scoring at least 24 points. Minnesota starts with the lead and tries to hang on late. I think they'll succeed in that, but it could end up being another fucked up loss off a missed XP or some shit.

[Kodos]

I'll just leave this here.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...y-getting-old/

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Surprised that the Vikes opened at only 3.5 over the Saints.

I want the Saints to win, and I think that they have a shot, but the Vikes are, IMO, the best team in the league right now.

I would have guessed 6 or 7 points.

Saints pass that "eye test" really well, and look like a team nobody wants to play. Their defense has improved from horrid to... idano...inconsistent? And that offense, when it works, seems hard to stop. Big-time QB in playoffs who can win the game by himself... yeah, I'll take that.

If you have me the Saints and six I'd plunge in with both feet, as would many of us. Might not be correct, but it's how betting lines work in the playoffs, I think.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I'll just leave this here.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...y-getting-old/

Maybe. Or maybe he's worse when Gronk is suspended (Miami) or basically being sat to prevent injury (Jets). Shurg, only two guarantees are that one of these proclamations will eventually be right, but every single one so far has been wrong.

[Edward64]

I like Atlanta, New England (of course), Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

[Suicane75]

I think the Eagles will surprise a lot of people today. They're going to run it a ton and the defense steps up big. 31-10.

Now then, maybe this is just me being contrarian, but I look back at the Panthers win over NE earlier in the season and I think we'll see close to the same thing today. Running game, mobile QB. Patriots aren't going to be running much today. A little pressure on Brady and I think this could get ugly, but not in the way most people see it. 38-24 Tennessee.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I think the Eagles will surprise a lot of people today. They're going to run it a ton and the defense steps up big. 31-10.

Now then, maybe this is just me being contrarian, but I look back at the Panthers win over NE earlier in the season and I think we'll see close to the same thing today. Running game, mobile QB. Patriots aren't going to be running much today. A little pressure on Brady and I think this could get ugly, but not in the way most people see it. 38-24 Tennessee.

I feel dirty saying it but Pats go up early something like 13-0 and coast 26-9.

[Suicane75]

I really hope they don't abandon the run game or Ajayi in general because of the fumble.

[thesloppy]

I wish that I didn't have to rely on the Jags and Titans to save me from the NE/PIT inevitability.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

I wish that I didn't have to rely on the Jags and Titans to save me from the NE/PIT inevitability.

I think there's a real strong chance at least one of them win.

[Suicane75]

LOL, there is no point in throwing the ball deep today.

[Suicane75]

Ughh, you could see that coming. These coaches do realize it's effing windy, right?

[thesloppy]

Eagles sure seem intent on giving this game away, but Falcons seem to want it even less.

[Suicane75]

Those plays need to be reviewable. That was a shoulder hit.

[bob]

What else is he supposed to do? Let him catch the TD?

[Danny]

Matt ryan looks like crap keeps getting bailed out

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by Danny

Matt ryan looks like crap keeps getting bailed out

The TD was awesome though, one of the rare plays where I’m literally applauding while watching on TV

[Suicane75]

Have you guys heard about the Run/Pass Option? We call em RPO's in the business.

[Suicane75]

Really hope they just give JA the ball 20 times in the 2nd half.

[Suicane75]

God dammit, I don't care if it's a 2 minute drill, I don't wanna see Foles throwing downfield in this damn wind.

[Carman Bulldog]

Ugh, lots of poor play in this game so far. I'm not sure either one of these teams deserve to play in the Conference Championship.

[Edward64]

Its below 28 degrees and wind at 18mph outside. Atlanta I understand the mediocre offense (hey we shut down for 1 inch of threatened snow).

Philly I think is playing good defense its just their offense and special teams hasn't been great so far.

[Suicane75]

Eagles need to get pressure on Ryan. And stop Coleman on the outside.

[Suicane75]

RPO Mentions: 33
Wind Mentions: 0

[thesloppy]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

RPO Mentions: 33
Wind Mentions: 0

Curse you for making me tune on this.

[AlexB]

Eagles getting on a roll...

[Suicane75]

Heh, I almost never have the volume on during games, but when I do it's a thing they pound into the ground incessantly.

[Atocep]

Is there any explanation for why Brian Schottenheimer keeps getting hired?

[Suicane75]

This is a great drive.

[MrBug708]

Pays to have the right last name.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Is there any explanation for why Brian Schottenheimer keeps getting hired?

Look what he did with that Luck kid.

[Suicane75]

Better Late Than Never is a series? I thought it was a made for TV movie.

[Suicane75]

If they use that time out and then kick the FG, I'm gonna be pissed.

[Suicane75]

Ughh, what a waste.

[stevew]

I don't agree with that FG at all. No way BB kicks that

[Suicane75]

That whole scenario was badly played out. Go for it if you're going to go for it. Pretend to go for it if you're going to kick the FG and try and draw them offsides. But don't waste a timeout so you can kick a 21 yarder instead of a 26 yarder. And certainly don't just not huddle and then call the timeout.

[EagleFan]

That ball moved.

[stevew]

That better not be a fucking catch

[stevew]

Great tackle by Graham

[Suicane75]

We're just not getting any pressure on Ryan when it matters.

[AlexB]

Eagles are gonna need to score again to win

[Edward64]

Exciting ending. Won't be a pretty win for either team.

[Suicane75]

That $1, $2, $3 value menu commercial from McDonalds...I've seen the commercial a dozen times and I have no idea what it entails.

[Suicane75]

At least the Eagles will have time thanks to that 1st down pass.

[stevew]

Where's the review