PLAYOFFS!?! We're talking about PLAYOFFS?! (The Playoff Picture thread) - New England Patriots Forums

BradyManny · 12-12-2007, 08:26 AM

It's that time of year, time to start looking ahead to playoff matchups.

CBS is kind enough to have a current playoff race up:

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/standi...ffrace/bracket

So, if the playoffs ended today, we'd be facing either the Jags or the Chargers. We're far superior to both teams, but both teams present challenges. The Chargers could, hypothetically, wake up and actually start playing like the mega-talented team it is instead of a group of douche bags. The Jags are tough on both sides of the ball, but we seemingly have their number.

On the bottom end of the bracket, looks like we'll see a Colts-Steelers matchup, and I see no way in hell that the Steelers team we saw on Sunday could somehow defeat the Colts.

Which, leaves us with Colts-Pats, no surprise.

EDIT: See post below for important note on the bracket

Amnorix · 12-12-2007, 08:29 AM

The bracketing is a bit misleading. If the Browns won, they'd be the lowest seed and we'd play them instead of the winner of the Chargers/Jags game.

If the Browns lost, then we play the winner of Chargers/Jags while Pittsburgh plays the Colts.

BradyManny · 12-12-2007, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The bracketing is a bit misleading. If the Browns won, they'd be the lowest seed and we'd play them instead of the winner of the Chargers/Jags game.

If the Browns lost, then we play the winner of Chargers/Jags while Pittsburgh plays the Colts.

That's a good point and important caveat.

abdul7 · 12-12-2007, 08:52 AM

Best case scenario Browns to beat Pitts. and come over to us which i really see possible. Pitts. in my opinion just dont look that strong and i can see Clevland going there against their arch rivals and beating them. On the other side i take the Jags over San Diego anyday and doesnt Rivers look the most overrated QB in the NFL . Jags than go get their revenge against the Colts, again very possible. AFCCG = Jags v Patriots ! Coolest prediction or what ? Gut feeling only but very possible. GO CHAMPS.

BradyManny · 12-12-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdul7

Best case scenario Browns to beat Pitts. and come over to us which i really see possible. Pitts. in my opinion just dont look that strong and i can see Clevland going there against their arch rivals and beating them. On the other side i take the Jags over San Diego anyday and doesnt Rivers look the most overrated QB in the NFL . Jags than go get their revenge against the Colts, again very possible. AFCCG = Jags v Patriots ! Coolest prediction or what ? Gut feeling only but very possible. GO CHAMPS.

Interesting - I hadn't thought of this scenario. Certainly Cleveland poses a threat to the Steelers, and the Jags are one of the few (well, two) teams that pose a threat to the Colts. They always play them tough and run right over them.

Your scenario looks pretty possible to me. I'd say it's more likely Cleveland knocks off the Steelers than the Jags do the Colts, but no problem - as I said in another thread, I'd prefer to go through Indy to get to the Super Bowl.

brdmaverick · 12-12-2007, 09:07 AM

I don't understand why everyone is falling asleep on the Steelers all of a sudden? Sure, we beat them this past Sunday, and the final score indicates a beatdown, which it was in the SECOND HALF.

The Steelers pretty much controlled the game in the first half, everything but the scoreboard. I think we can all agree that giving up 10+ play drives are more concerning than giving up a huge play on a drive. The former indicates that a defense is continously being beaten while the latter can indicate that a few adjustments need to be made (like don't bite on the play fake). Sure, that doesn't do them any good in THAT game, because scoring is scoring whether it is 1 play or 18 plays. However, I still see them as a threat since they are a running team with a great defense that is built to play in the elements. I would rather face Indy than see a rematch with the Steelers.

Remember, the Steelers stomped us in the regular season in 2004. Did that mean that we would roll over in the playoffs? Hell no, and we turned the tables and stomped them. Sure, Corey Dillon and Deion Branch were not present for the first game, but maybe Troy Palamalu is their catalyst much in the way that Bob Sanders is for the Indy Defense.

okay, that was some rant

I really see the playoffs going like this....

Steelers defeat Browns
Jags defeat Chargers

Patriots defeat Jags
Colts defeat Steelers

Patriots defeat Colts

I think that Pats-Colts is inevitable, and to be honest I think that this is the way it has to be. I believe someone else shared these sentiments in another post, that we would all be cheated if there was not a rematch.

PATRIOT64 · 12-12-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abdul7

Best case scenario Browns to beat Pitts. and come over to us which i really see possible. Pitts. in my opinion just dont look that strong and i can see Clevland going there against their arch rivals and beating them. On the other side i take the Jags over San Diego anyday and doesnt Rivers look the most overrated QB in the NFL . Jags than go get their revenge against the Colts, again very possible. AFCCG = Jags v Patriots ! Coolest prediction or what ? Gut feeling only but very possible. GO CHAMPS.

The Browns still have a chance to win the North,Albeit a small chance which could change things big time in the playoffs

BradyManny · 12-12-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brdmaverick

Remember, the Steelers stomped us in the regular season in 2004. Did that mean that we would roll over in the playoffs? Hell no, and we turned the tables and stomped them. Sure, Corey Dillon and Deion Branch were not present for the first game, but maybe Troy Palamalu is their catalyst much in the way that Bob Sanders is for the Indy Defense.

One of the Pittsburgh writers was on EEI last week talking about how awful Polamalu has played this season. I don't think he'd make much of a difference. Besides, we've taken advantage of him in the past.

As for the Steelers controlling in the first half as you seem to suggest, I don't see that. I think we played below our standards for a half and still had the lead, that's how I saw it.

Fanfrom1960 · 12-12-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brdmaverick

I think that Pats-Colts is inevitable, and to be honest I think that this is the way it has to be. I believe someone else shared these sentiments in another post, that we would all be cheated if there was not a rematch.

That's what they said about Red Sox - Yankees, which didn't happen. I didn't feel cheated at all when the Sox won it all.

But, yeah, the Colts are "better" than the Yankees, so to speak, and who can realistically beat them except the Patriots?

Pat the Pats Fan · 12-12-2007, 09:37 AM

Steelers don't have the 3 locked up just yet. They face Jax this week at home and at the Ravens the last week. They could lose both of them. Browns close out against the Bills, niners and bengals. Browns win out and the Steelers lose 2 and the Browns take the division. Now Pitt is the 6 seed and must face the Browns in Cleveland......