NFC playoffs

[BWahlberg]

An interesting battle is brewing for the top and the bottom of the NFC side. Both the Packers and Cowboys were seemingly going to coast to the finish, but then Philly upsets Dallas and now both teams are once again gunning for the #1 spot. Dallas holds the tie breaker if both finish with the same record down the stretch.

In my biased opinion Green Bay has the more favorable chance to win out, they're very healthy (all starters on both sides are still playing) and since the Dallas game they've blown out both opponents, as they should have.

Meanwhile Dallas after the Green Bay game had to mount a comeback to beat Detroit (and got quite lucky on Barber's fumble). And then they look pretty poor against Philly. ESPN is hinting that TO is spouting off, but fortunatley Romo only bruised his thumb and didn't break it.

Green Bay plays @ Chicago and hosts Detroit, both techinally as of today have a slim chance of playoff hopes, if Minnesota wins 2nite though, any 8 loss team is out. Chicago is a rivalry game, that'll be tough, Detroit will be playing in Lambeau and it'll be cold, that shouldn't be a tough one.

Dallas plays @ Carolina and @ Washington. Again Carolina's motivation to win will be increased if Minnesota loses 2nite as they'll still be in, technically. Also their defense played really well against Seattle's high powered offense. If Washington faces Dallas in the last week with still just 7 wins they could be playing for their post-season lives, promising a major battle.

On the bottom teams like Washington, Philly, Carolina, Arizona and Detroit are all hoping for Chicago to win, if Minnesota wins 2nite then all of those teams (and Chicago) are out for sure. If Minn wins the wildcard picture narrows to NY, NO, Minn, & Wash.

Just a random guess but here's how I see the playoff picture shaking out on the NFC side:

1. Green Bay
2. Dallas

New York @ Tampa Bay
Washington @ Seattle

 

['68griz]

Go, Packers!!!

 

[BWahlberg]

Go, Packers!!!

I really only think 3 teams can get to the Super Bowl out of the whole field:

- Green Bay, Veteran leaders at QB, WR, LB, DT, CB mixed in with young and very athletic talent has this team looking great. Concerns would be pass coverage in the slot, continued running game and coaching (McCarthy has never been an HC in a post-season game).

- Dallas, when healthy quite possibly the best team in the NFC, very talented just about everywhere, but some question marks. Will Romo avoid last year's post season debacle? Will TO stay happy or spread his cancer? Can Terry Glenn come back and contribute?

- Tampa Bay, a surprising team, they play very good defense and Earnest Graham has really filled the void at RB. Garcia is great about making people around him better, almost Steve Nash-like. However they're thin at WR after Galloway and I don't really haven't heard much good about their special teams play.

After that it's kind of a wash:

- Seattle, good one week, terrible the next. I don't see them winning on the road in the playoffs at all. Sean Alexander is past his prime and their defense isn't good in pass coverage

- New York, Eli Manning continually falls apart late, I really wonder how much of his teammate's respect he has. (He always looks like he's going to cry or something). The WRs can't catch and it appears Shockey's out for the year too. DL is good, everything else on D isn't so good.

- Minnesota, without Adrian Peterson you've got a good front 7 and thats it. Stop AP, stop the Vikings. The Packers prooved you can run against this team if you wear them out.

- New Orleans, flat out bad on defense, not great at OL, really only 1 good WR.

- Washington, too many weaknesses, Todd Collins isn't a super-bowl QB. Pass coverage is suspect as is the LB corps.

 

[SuperHornet]

This sounds just about right, Re/Max.

About the only thing I would add is that the way Seattle has been playing lately (outside of games against SF, anyway), they'd lose to the top-tier BSC teams.

Tampa is surprising late this year, but I really think that we're going to get a repeat of the Ice Bowl this year. I just hope that the results are different. ;-)

I hope for and eagerly anticipate your AFC prognostication.

 

[Downwiththefoe]

Dallas or Green Bay wins the NFC trophy and the chance to break prevent history of a Modern era/undefeated Pat's team.

 

[GRZFTBL]

Dallas or Green Bay wins the NFC trophy and the chance to break prevent history of a Modern era/undefeated Pat's team.

I'm w/ foe. Go 'boys but if they aren't there, there's nobody more classy than #4 in the Yellow and Green.

 

[BWahlberg]

I wonder though, are the 2007 Pats kind of like the StL team they faced to win their first superbowl? Defense can be a little sketchy and it's been shown that the only way to keep the offense in check (besides a snowstorm) is to smash them in the mouth and risk getting beat deep (Philly & Balitmore).

I'd say the NFC will probably be Dallas vs GB as well. I hope it's in Lambeau, that would definatley give the Pack an edge. If back in Dallas, it's a total toss-up.

Of all the teams who could keep up with NE, I'd think GB and Dallas both have a chance with good cover corners and pass rush.

 

[BWahlberg]

1. Green Bay
2. Dallas

New York @ Tampa Bay
Washington @ Seattle

Almost 3 weeks ago, I just about nailed it perfectly, if only the Pack didn't lay an egg in Soldier Field last week...