PLAYOFFS!?! We're talking about PLAYOFFS?! (The Playoff Picture thread)

[BradyManny]

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/standings/playoffrace/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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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. :rocker:

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]

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......

 

[BradyManny]

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.

Concur, and that was a thread I started too

 

[BradyToMoss]

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.

This is our best scenario. An inexperienced Browns team in Foxboro in January would get hammered. And yes, the Browns can definately go into Pittsburgh and take them out. My fear is the Chargers, it looks like they're getting their act together and they would love nothing more than to come in and take us out after last year and game 3 of this year. I would rather see either the Jags or the Browns anyday over the Chargers.

 

[MiChargers]

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. :rocker:

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

Hmmm...let me think. I believe SD has beaten the Colts the past two meetings. Both in SD and at the RCA.

 

[A.C Vegas]

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.

I made that prediction like 2 weeks ago

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=69237

Post 18

 

[abdul7]

WoW , Vegas didnt see that ! Great prediction so early. I just felt it after last week results and performances. Good one and lets hope to see Jags in Jan. for the AFCCG. GO PATS.

 

[spacecrime]

I don't understand why everyone is falling asleep on the Steelers all of a sudden?

It hasn't been all of a sudden people have thought them vulnerable. After they lost to the Cards, I wondered. After losing the the mighty Jets, it seemed to be confirmed.

But no one is falling asleep. People are merely saying that the Browns can beat them. Seeing as how they almost did except for odd circumstances, why is is so hard for you to believe that they can be beaten?

The Steelers pretty much controlled the game in the first half, everything but the scoreboard.

Well, good for them. May they continue to do whatever it is you call "controlling the game except for the scoreboard."

I fail to see it as a mark of a good team to march down the field and then be unable to punch it in and have to kick a FG.

 

[bakes781]

Other than the Colts, the Jags are the only team that scares me a little. They have a physical defense, solid running game & a QB who doesn't make mistakes. That's the recipe for trouble against us.

 

[mgcolby]

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.

Because they have the 32nd ranked strength of schedule. Coming into the game against us they were 2-3 on the road against teams that had a combined record of 25-35. They lost to Arizona, Detroit and the Jets on the road. There only two wins were against the Charlie Frye led Browns in week 1 and the Bengals.

They barely beat the Dolphins, hell they barely scored on them, yeah I know they played on a crappy field. Well, that argument would hold a lot more weight had they not laid a big turd in the Meadowlands the week prior or if they had completely dominated the Bengals the following week.

Then about the 2nd half. Teams make adjustments at halftime and Tomlin and company definitly didn't make enough or the right ones. Do you think they outcoach BB under the playoff pressure on the road? I don't think so. Honestly I think Jacksonville will walk into Pittsburgh Sunday and win by 10 or more. Jacksonville would be a tougher game than the Steelers. I also agree with earlier posters that Cleveland very well could beat the Steelers in the playoffs. I'm not saying the Browns will win, but it won't be an easy victory for the Steelers. Think about how hard it is to beat a team 3 times in the same season. Cleveland blew the game in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, the same way they almost blew the Baltimore game. They stopped blitzing in the 4th quarter when they had the lead.

So, that in a nutshell is why I don't consider the Steelers a playoff threat.