NFL Playoffs 2013-14

[Sir Harry]

Surprised that no one started a thread on this already...but I can certainly understand with us only two weeks removed from Christmas, and work among other things may have gotten in the way. That said, this past weekend was pretty exciting with the four wildcard games; three of which were decided by one, two and three points respectively, and the fourth, well, involved the last team to qualify in the AFC getting a road win against a team that was undefeated at home in the postseason.

My not-so-brief thoughts:

1. While the Chiefs had many key injuries and lost many key players, there is still no reason blowing a 28-point lead with less than two quarters of football to play. Kudos to Andrew Luck and the Colts to not get down on themselves and to not give up, resulting in the second-biggest comeback in playoff history. Still, that was an epic failure by the Chiefs coaching staff and players, IMO. (P.S. Steelers fans, please don't say the Chiefs loss was karma for them not winning their week 17 game to put you in the playoffs, your team should have found a way to win one more game...and I'm going to leave it at that.)

2. Saints get their first road playoff win in their 47-year existence!  A young Philly team played a great game, but let some opportunities get away, and the defense could not get one last stop when they needed it most. The Saints, however, will need more than their A+ game in Seattle, or the result could be very much like what happened last month in that Monday Night Football game

3. Bengals, Bengals, Bengals....(sigh). Once again, this is a classic example of what happens in the regular season means zilch when the postseason starts..8-0 at home and to lay an egg when you finally get a playoff game at home....I think the Chargers may have a shot in Denver given P. Manning's playoff history...

4. While the Chiefs/Colts game was exciting and high-scoring, the 49ers/Packers game was a classic throwback game that many of the older NFL fans can appreciate....Given all that the Packers went through, pulling the division out of the fire despite not having A-Rod for half the season and making this game interesting was a big accomplishment on their part.
That 49ers/Panthers game should be very good.

So what are your thoughts on any of the games? Is your favorite team still in the running? Any particular Super Bowl Matchup you want to see? Please share.

[Bald Guy]

I've been a Broncos and Patriots fan my entire life and would love to see one of them in the big show.  I think Seattle has to be the favorite for the NFC, as I don't think anyone is going to be able to beat them at home in the post season.

[Sir Harry]

Well, now that the second week of the Playoffs is in the books:

While the Seahawks are a very dominant team at home; the Saints had their chances to win this game and missed. The last play of that game had many people going 

Sorry Colts fans, Kind of hard to pull off a comeback two games in a row with that many turnovers...The future looks good for the Colts, though

The Panthers clearly were the team that couldn't act like they've been there before...and it showed.

Peyton finally gets a playoff win outside of Indy!...San Diego did make it interesting at the end though

So who do you like in the Championships this weekend?...I think any four of the possible combinations would make a good Super Bowl

[Bald Guy]

If the Patriots can pound the ball like they did against the Colts last week, they will beat the Broncos.  If Seattle doesn't play better than they did against the Saints, they will lose to Frisco.

Honestly, I see the SB being the Patriots vs. Seahawks, with the Patriots winning.  I think Russell Wilson and company will have too many jitters to overcome.

[Y2KOTA]

Long story short....... GO PATS!!

[Bald Guy]

I like the way you think Y2KOTA

[Y2KOTA]

Thanks Bald Guy.    Go PATS!

[tomgallagher]

Seahawks and the Broncos.

[schro]

I am not particularly interested in the Super Bowl, but can't wait for the SF / Seattle game. I like both teams, so I'm fine with whatever outcome. Whoever wins this game I hope wins the Super Bowl...The Tuck Rule Pats & The Donkeys are two teams I despise the most.

[Sir Harry]

Schro....I respect your sentiments.....I'm guessing your dislike for the Pats is because your Raiders were the victim of that rule and the Broncos because we all hate our teams' divisional rivals, right?

[schro]

Schro....I respect your sentiments.....I'm guessing your dislike for the Pats is because your Raiders were the victim of that rule and the Broncos because we all hate our teams' divisional rivals, right?

Bingo!

[xnewyawka]

At this point I'm rooting for whoever beats the Patriots, and even though the Seahawks are rivals of the Cardinals, I would rather have them win than the 49'ers!

[Bald Guy]

So it turns out to be the Bronco's and Seahawks.  I'm thinking the Bronco's will win 31-17, what's your final score pick?

[Sir Harry]

Should be a great matchup....I think that Seattle's defense is too physical for Denver to put up the 30-40 points that we've been accustomed to. This is probably Peyton Manning's last chance to shut his detractors up once and for all. If Denver scores at least 28, they should win because Seattle, as good as Russell Wilson is, don't have the offensive firepower to keep pace. Given the elements, I think this will be a low scoring game with the Broncos winning 21-16.