Well they woulda been awesome calls in Aaron Rodgers wouldnt have got a damn concussion... I swear i have the worst luck ever.

Vick is really good, but Tom Brady has the MVP locked up already, and rightly so.

isn't that rodgers' 2nd of the year? very troubling...

Yeah I believe so... Not good for him. He needs to stop runnin around and slide. I was SO pissed watching that game. Packers weren't playing like a team fighting for the playoffs.

I ended up betting on San Diego, the Saints, and Falcons... and as long as the Eagles win I'll win most my $ back.

Pats again today... Just so impressive. Just absolutely dominated chicago. pats are the real deal. Nobody on Earth can stop Brady right now. Other teams should be allowed a 12th player to make it fair.

Wowowowowow.
**** you Carolina Panthers, **** you.

No, thank you Carolina for being terrible and letting Atlanta run over you! See you again Week 17 for another one!

vikes vs giants tonight

who people got?

Well, games over now but I had Giants all the way... With Favre or without, Giants have a great pass rush and actually have something to play for this season, unlike the Vikings.

Im a happy man. Although my team only has four wins, we took down Miami. The amount of joy this brings me is enough to keep a smile on my face even if the Bills went 1-15. They do need to stop wwinning games because we are slowly climbing the ladder away from draft picks.

OH! and I work at a resort on an island where Chris Berman has a house. I saw him walking towards me and just had the urge to take the same path directly at him, acted like I wasn't paying attention, then at the last second pulled a huge juke to a spin move followed by a 'Woop!' It was classy, and led to a 20 minute convo about how nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills.

E-a-g-l-e-s

the nfl playoffs are set! I will make picks for the whole thing now, but I will probably come back round by round and make some more(winners bolded).

afc seeds:

1 pats
2 steelers
3 colts
4 chiefs
5 ravens
6 jets

nfc seeds:

1 falcons
2 bears
3 eagles
4 seahawks(lol)
5 saints
6 packers



wild card round:

jets at colts - I'm certainly biased in this instance, but I feel like the colts have a shot at home. our D has has flipped the past few weeks from what it usually is good at(good run D, poor pass D). in addition, the colts haven't moved the ball that well since we lost collie. however, the jets D doesn't scare me that much and their offense is just so vanilla(I doubt sanchez can play as well as he did last january). I'm probably going against my better judgement here, but I will go with the colts.

ravens at chiefs - both of these teams are limping in. the experience factor heavily goes to the ravens, and I think it will be enough for them to get by the upstart chiefs. I expect a close game.

saints at seahawks - I can't take a losing team seriously for the playoffs. and I hear they are last in a ton of defensive categories.

packers at eagles - game of the weekend for sure. this one is going to be fun. I think this game will probably come down to which team has been hot lately, and that happens to be the pack. having said that, vick could just go wild and make me look bad. I will tentatively select the packers. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the winner of this game made the super bowl.



divisional round:

colts at steelers - this should be a good game. the offenses are close in quality, but the steelers D is so superior to the colts D. I'm hoping peyton can pull off some crazy shit.

ravens at pats - the ravens can't handle the juggernaut. don't forget the ravens knocked the pats out of the playoffs last year. not that that is the main motivation for the pats(their last super bowl appearance is).

saints at bears - I've no idea how the bears managed 11 wins this year. I don't think I watched one of their games this year, which could bode poorly for this pick. the saints have been fairly inconsistent, but I suspect they will be able to pressure cutler into some poor decisions.

packers at falcons - the falcons have been so solid all year long, but they run into the red hot packers here. I like rodgers more than ryan, and the pack D over the falcons unit.



conference championships:

steelers at pats - this is a tough one. the surprising factor that will win this game is the young pats D. they have been sorely overshadowed by the excellent play from their offense down the stretch of this season(past 5 weeks they have allowed: 3, 7, 27, 3, 7).

packers at saints - who woulda thought the 5 seeded saints would be at home for the NFC title? the pack have an elite defense. they also have a very good offense. the saints just seem above average in both categories. plus, fuck the saints, they beat my colts last year.



super bowl:

packers vs pats - as much as I want to pick the packers, I just can't do it. I hate the pats and have for a long time. but they probably have the best offense in football while having a fresh, young, talented, and smart defense. I will be rooting for the pats to prove me wrong.

I like your picks, excpet for the SB winner of course. You have to remember the Pats only beat GB by 4 in New England and the Pack had Matt Flynn starting his first game ever as QB. I certainly do hope you're ruight about the pack going to the big one though, that would be awesome.

Green Bay Motherfucking Packers FTW.

Playoffs
 

While your knowledge for football seems to be up to par. I have to ride out my picks from about week three in the season. Even though a couple of teams may make a fool of me. Reason being by week three. I knew my own favorite team was not going to make the run id hoped for. However I saw a promising looking Philly team. That even though plagued by injuries on the deffensive side of the ball. Have that electricfying mystique about them. Though the Falcons have the best record im just not sold on them. The Packers lack of a running game this time of year is their biggest downfall. As far as the AFC. Well ive been picking the Steelers since the beginning but never count out the Pats. They have shocked me with their uncanny ability to stay on top,and be dominant. So Eagles&Steelers are my picks.

My Picks
 

Steelers and the Eagles have been my picks. Though im a die hard Cowboy fan and it pains me to pick the Eagles. I know its also unthinkable to choose the Steelers over the Pats. They may very well win it all again. Im just sticking with my guns here. The Falcons and Pats kinda came out nowhere this year in terms of expectations.

Who you pick?

Pats vs. Ravens
Steelers vs. Colts

Falcons vs. Saints
Bears vs. Eagles

---

Pats vs. Steelers
Saints vs. Eagles

---

Pats vs. Eagles

---

Pats


The Jets road to the Superbowl looks something like @Indy, @New England, @Pittsburgh... and that's just to make the damn thing. Possibly the 3 toughest road games in the NFL. Better luck next year boys.

I feel too many games this year were decided by bad calls and this has become a tainted season. I'll take the underdog in whichever games Hochuli is reffing.

I hear ya..The game is changing for what I feel is leaning towards the wussy side of things. Players having to change their whole tackling techniques they have been taught from a tot. Thats one rule I dont like. I mean to an extent I could see it but it got out of hand this year. I mean James Harrison got fined over a 100 thou this year!! Other than that really I can live with most of the other changes. No force outs, showing posession all the way through a catch now in the end zone" Calvin Johnson" That call was a little dicey for sure. The only other thing that does annoy me is the lack of being able to celebrate. Football is a game of emotion. I enjoy the dances and what not mainly because so many people dont. The uptight im never down for fun of any kind types. I dont care how they justify it doesnt hurt anything as long as its not overexcessive. Most people that never had a spec of athletic ability are the ones gunning for this rule. With some humorless yuppies sprinkled in. Still its a game I love and admire. I just wish my team would get their stuff together. Oh and thank God Farve is retiring!!

Yeah, that pussifying of football along with that CJ play are atop my list of shit calls as well. The other thing is how so many games were decided on poor spotting of the ball. I saw numerous occasions where teams got stuffed on 3rd and short but were giving the first down, and thus taking away the opportunity for the other team to run a two minute drill.

Thats just all out blown calls there. You could never prove it but you know some of those refs either theirselves, or someone they know. Has big money on some of those games. No telling how many times a ball has been spotted just shy or the opposite. Just to keep the spread right. But overall I think they do ok. Tough job to have. Also very easy to set back and criticize for us. Things are movin at such a high speed out there.

I completely disagree with the notion that the sudden illegality of helmet to helmet blows is considered the "pussifying of the sport". that shit is serious.

and why can't we get a chip in the ball that determines the spot?

So it wasn't serious for 90 years until now? That makes sense, especially in a sport that used to be played with glorified beanies made of leather for helmets... Come on. That's the way the game is played, maybe Austin Collie wasn't meant to play in the NFL.

I've always said the same thing about computerizing the spotting process. But the NFL is against it, they say it takes away from the integrity of the game... like taking taclikng away isn't. ****ing hypocrites.

Not saying that its not serious. Just the extent they are taking the rules to is. All of these guys have known how the game has been played for years. The dangerous aspect of it is what makes the game what it is. Now the Q.B. I can see being a little extra careful with. But there were calls this year just totally out of sorts. I saw a call on Lions deffensive end Endomican Sue that was a joke. He pushed the guy down in a violent way and was flagged 15 yards. They need a set standard by which to enforce this rule by. Intenional helmet to helmet hits I can see throwing a flag. But this games moves fast and sometimes there is incidental contact. Thats the chance you take when you decide to be a football player. Most the players agree too. They dont allow challenges on personal foul flags. That would be one way to help regulate the rule. But dont take away from the game by being overly protective and cautious. Its not the nature of the sport. Maybe golf would be a better one to choose for some. As for the chip in a football I wouldnt be suprised to see something to that effect in the future. Ive heard that idea mentioned before a couple times.

trying to knock someone out with your helmet doesn't constitute good tackling. you are supposed to wrap them up.

there are very real consequences for repeat concussion victims(IE: Ali). it doesn't matter what's happened in the past. we have the knowledge and proper mindset to minimize it going forward.

Im seeing his point of helmet to helmet conatct. Just sometimes their is incidental contact. That shouldnt constitute a dock in pay for playing a game with a very high injury risk. Nobody wants to see guys get career ending injuries. But at the same time the violent nature is the excitment of the game. Nothing better than a receiver coming across the middle fully extended trying to make a catch. Then getting lit up by a Ray Lewis or someone.

I DEFINETLY think the NFL was gunning for Harrison. None of the hits were even really dirty in my opinion. Goodell is seriously brainwashing fans. The same fans who used to cheer for certain hits are now calling those same hits "dirty" cause of the rule changes. There's no place for head hunting (Meriweather's hit on Heap), but it's gone too far. I saw Harrison crush Campbell for the Raiders as he threw the ball and it got intercepted for a TD. And it was called back because of a penalty on Harrison.

THIS is a penalty?? and a fine?? WTF, he is doing HIS JOB.



What's the problem with this hit on Fitzpatrick???



It's bull****. I hate the way the NFL treats QBs now...and regarding helmet to helmet... ok, i CAN see why a penalty on Harrison was called for his hit on Cribbs early in the year. But it's football, and helmets are gonna hit helmets. I don't think it's tough to tell whether a guy is head hunting or going for a tackle and his helmet happens to go into the chin area of someone. It's lightning fast out there, it happens and guys shouldn't be fined for it. I don't care how much they make, $100,000 is a lot of money to anyone.

I really just hate Roger Goodell. Fining guys for how high their socks are and stupid stuff like that. But he's fine with letting Jim Harbaugh interview for the Dolphins job even though they haven't even fired their coach.

I love the rule change of the force-out rule. Now it's clear cut. He either has 2 feet down or he doesn't. Period.

Eric I'm stealin the format here, but here's my picks

afc seeds:

1 pats
2 steelers
3 colts
4 chiefs
5 ravens
6 jets

nfc seeds:

1 falcons
2 bears
3 eagles
4 seahawks(lol)
5 saints
6 packers



wild card round:

jets at colts - Since signing Dominic Rhodes a few weeks back, the Colts have found a little running game. I know Indy is hurt across the board with injuries, but he Jets don't impress me much. I LOVE Rex Ryan, but the Jets offense looks terrible. Their running game hasn't been the same this year without Thomas Jones (most underrated back for the past 5 years) and I don't trust Sanchez at all. I hate Sanchez, he's so pouty all the time. I can NEVER count out Peyton at home.. and with that crowd noise, I feel bad for Sanchez on 3rd and long with Freeney and Mathis coming around the ends gunning for him. I think 24-21 Colts. Vinatieri clutch kicking again.

ravens at chiefs - Wow, I'm SO close to taking the Chiefs because I think they will be really confident at home and I love what they've done this season. But the Ravens have so many veterans, and all it takes is one huge play from Ed Reed or Ray Ray to totally change this game. Ravens defense hasn't been the same this year, but i don't think KC's passing game is good enough to beat them. Cause I know damn well that Baltimore isn't gonna let KC run all over them like they did everyone else this year. I think Baltimore by 10

saints at seahawks - Complete blowout. Saints are gonna win by 24 easily. Seahwaks are terrible.

packers at eagles - Awesome matchup here. I havent been impressed by the Eagles pass defense aside from Samuel. I think the Pack's defense will play fast as always and cause problems for Vick. Vick will be feeling nervous, first playoff game in like 5 years. I can see him making some mistakes and getting rattled. I am saying Pack by 9.



divisional round:

colts at steelers - Colts aren't good enough to win on the road with all their injuries. Steelers have proven their worth in the playoffs. They are gonna dominate this one and give Peyton hell.



ravens at pats - Patriots at home. Enough said. I could see the Ravens beating them actually, but I can't pick against Belichek and Brady at home. I don't think the Ravens offense is good enough to keep putting up points to match the Pats.

saints at bears - I have hated on Chicago ALL year but I am finally giving them some credit. They will be at home, and the Saints have NO run game cause of injuries. It's gonna kill them here and the Bears are gonna get a huge win for the franchise in front of their fans. It's gonna be cold, Saints are a dome team, and I don't think Brees is gonna be able to chuck it 50 times and pull one out here.

packers at falcons - Biased as a Falcons fan. But they've got no love most of the season. They play old school football. They run the ball out of a bunch of stacked formations, run playaction, and Matty Ice can run an offense by himself in year 3. They are so tough to beat in the dome, and having that extra week to gameplan will help them out. They beat the Pack earlier in the year at home, and I think they will get it done again.



conference championships:

steelers at pats - I'm taking Pittsburgh here. It's SOO tough to go against the Pats at home, but the Steelers are one of the few teams out there with a QB used to a ton of pressure, and a stifling defense that I think can limit the Pats offense some. Pitt is used to the cold weather and used to playing the Pats, and despite the beat down earlier in the season, I see the Steelers going into Foxboro and getting the 3 point win.

Bears at falcons - I don't trust Jay Cutler away from Soldier Field. I think they can sneak by the Saints using their home field advantage and RB injuries from the Saints. But I just don't trust Cutler going into the Georgia Dome with all that crowd noise. He'll throw his picks, I don't think they'll get a running game going. Atlanta wont be dumb enough to kick to Hester and Atlanta will roll by 14. Bears aren't that great of a team.



super bowl:

steelers vs falcons - Of course I gotta go with Hotlanta. :finger: Smashmouth game. Atlanta puts pressure on Ben with their 4 down linemen and dont let him run around back there and improv plays. Atlanta controls the clock with their run game and Matty Ice shows that he is ready to finally get some national love and get a super bowl ring!

Gotta admire your enthuiasm for your team. I wouldnt mind seeing the Falcons in the Super Bowl. "Thats being played at Jerrys Place"lol. No..the Falcons are kind of a cindarella story this year if you will. Got to want to root for them. Im not to sure the Pack can pull it off against Philly though. Eagles deffense is banged up but they got a running game. Which helps a lot this time a year. Being our division rival you would think id hate them but I kind of like Vick. It will be an interesting game. Like I said im ready to see Vick back in the Georgiadome for the championship game. Theres no telling what could happen though. Theres not the just two dominant teams anymore like their use to be in the old days. Now its almost anybodys turn every year.

I love the parody of the NFL... Who in the hell thought the Bears would be in the playoffs, let alone a 2 seed? Who thought Kansas City was winning the AFC West or the Seahawks would find their way to the playoffs? Nobody. You still have the perennial playoff teams though of the AFC, Pats, Colts, and Steelers. But that's the beauty of the NFL, anyone has a chance.

I LOVE Mike Vick. His rookie season with Atlanta was what made me start watching the NFL. And I've stuck by the Falcons ever since, even through the Bobby Petrino ****show. I don't think anyone plays like Atlanta. They have a super efficient QB and play and old school style. Everyone's goin to a 4-3 defense and they are in the 43 getting pressure without blitzing. Everyone wants to spread it out but Atlanta will go IForm with 2 Tight Ends and run it at you. It's a real matchup problem, they've got a great thing going right now and I'm excited to have a sports team with a chance of a title (As much as I like Atlanta, my main sports team is the Mets!)


I am praying for the Packers and Seahawks to win first round. I REALLY don't wanna see the Saints as Atlanta's first game.

I hear ya there. Never know what the aints are capable of these days. Falcons could have a good go at it. They put thereselves in position to take home the ring for sure. Heard Wade "cupcake" Phillips went to houston as their def co..lol. Geez im glad he is gone. His total lack of discipline is why my boys will be watching the super bowl from the couch. Its amazing what Belechik continues to do with the Pats. Thats what Dallas needs and lacks. The Pats almost if never turn the ball over. They keep the penalties to a minimum and they are sold on the structure and scheme their coach and Brady instill in them. And they are doing it in a rebuilding year. With the talent Dallas has there is no reason why we shouldnt be right there with your Falcons. Battling our way through the playoffs. I do wish we had ol Matty Ice on our squad. Im still not sold on Romo as our leader. Until we fix our offensive line though it doesnt really matter. That and our secondary cant cover a 5 dollar bet. We'll see how things shape up with Garrett in the captains seat. Hope to see yall next year in the playoffs...Playoffs??Playoffs???lol

Yeah I saw Wade went to Houston.. Dude has never been cut out to be a head coach. Definetly not for the Cowboys. His demeanor and attitude just enabled everyone. I don't think players respect him as a head coach. He isn't a guy that I vision commanding attention in a locker room when he has somethin to say. I don't know if Garrett is the answer, but he's been good so far and it's a huge step up from Wade. Cowboys do have a lot of talent, and I don't know what I think about Romo.. I mean, he is definetly the best option there, he puts up good numbers, i think the problems elsewhere. Bums like Marion Barber on the team. I think Felix and Choice are both way better than Marion.

I live in the heart of Steeler Nation and EVERYONE despises New England. But I root for them, I like the Pats. Just cause I am SO impressed with Bill and Brady and what they've done. It's taken for granted cause we are so used to it. But they are going on a decade of dominance here. I've never seen any two people even close to being on the same page with gameplan and philosophy and basically everything like Belichek and Brady are. So synced with everything, its disgusting. They are just masterminds. It sounds so simple what they do but its so difficult. Run the ball a little bit. Don't do anything high-risk. Don't turn the rock over. Sustain long drives. Get TDs in the red zone.

Haha the way the Pats play is the way I play in video games. Just focus on getting a first down. Long drives, get TDs. Get some turnovers on defense, and you've got a win. Of course they have a great offensive line too.

I've been hearing for years about how talented the 'boys are...still not sold on them.

the NFL's parity is the one thing they definitely have down. I'm not sure why other leagues don't emulate them(salary cap).

one thing I'm sick of hearing about is how the league is so different from years past. every year there are surprise teams and every year good teams fall flat.

on wade: I love how jerry's ego kept wade in town much longer then he should have(didn't want to admit mistake of hiring him).

also: I love how garrett play called his way into the head coaching job(pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass). then when he gets the gig, he actually does an understandable balance.

NBA has a salary cap. I like NBA's salary structure the best... I'm interested to see the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement. Cause rookie contracts are RIDICULOUS.

the MLB is heading down a very destructive path with the contracts that are handed out every off-season.

more and more and more I'm starting to despise bill polian for his overall team building. I mean, get a fucking O line for peyton already. and 3-4 seems to be the way to go on defense.

but the NBA has a soft cap. there aren't any penalties other than more money for going over the cap(same as baseball).

Oh man living in Steeler nation got to be tough. Some of the most loyal fans out there. Yeah you got to respect ol Bill and Tom. In an era of free agency mainting their efforts to be a competitor. Like I said in the old days you would have two maybe three teams you could count on every year being in the playoffs and going all the way. To maintain that level of intense play today is unpresidented. It does resemble that of a game on Madden or something to the effect. You couldnt draw it up any better and have executed to perfection the way they do. We'll see if that poise lasts in their entire playoff stint. Enjoy the games cause there might not be any next season. Heard anymore on that topic? Have they come to an agreement on anything as of late? There are a bunch of issues that need to be addresed this offseason. Im not a fan of the 18 game idea. Hard enough to stay healthy without increasing the risk. Im one of those leave well enough alone types though. Not contradicting the helmet to helmet thing which is totally different. An 18 game schedule is meaningless nonsense. I dont like the season to be over either but it makes the games more intense. Players simply cant stay healthy already with 16. Just my opinion..I could be wrong. Oh and yes Barber is very much a weak link. Has been for some time now. I think Jerry just doesnt like admitting he is wrong in some of his decisions. Jerry in hiself to an extent is a problem. Not from the money aspect. Just his wanting to run the show to. Give us a coach we can beleive in and leave him alone. That also has to do with having a good GM to go along with the coach. Not to mention the kinship with the Q.B. So many parts have to work well together to have a well oiled winning machine like the Pats. It starts at the top.

Yeah, but it is really not that hard after you record the opposition. Everyone seems to forget about the cheating Pats, blinded by bandwagon victories.

You a Steelers fan? I hear Steeler fans every weekend complaining about the "Cheatriots." I know a lot of diehard Steelers fans that are happier to see the Pats lose than the Steelers win... There is a legit hate for New England. The whole Spygate thing was incredibly overblown by Patriot haters. That situation had very little to do with the Pats success. Also, I'm not sure what you even mean by 'bandwagon victories.'

Funniest thing ever..T.O. mocking the spygate situation after a touchdown!! Acting like he was rolling film for a camera with his eyes all big looking around behind the goal post. Man that was funny!! Hefty fine for that to but oh well. I dont even care if the Pats cheated or not. Im sure they all do to an extent.

No, I love the Bills, and I just think it is corny to support a team due to their success.

I agree with the hating of fairweather fans showing lack of loyalty to a team. Only jumping onboard the winner circle of whoevers hot. But at the same time the winning is what increases the possibilities of expanding your fan base. From there on out you will have some that stay loyal.