2016 NFL Playoffs

[JQK]

9 hours ago, JWhiz96 said:

Of all the teams that scare me in the post season, the Giants don't. Their offense has been putrid all year, and I don't expect it to suddenly improve because "Playoff Eli".

 

It's not the offense you need to fear...

[Dynasty]

I don't tend to make predictions, but I will say this...

 

Watch out for Green Bay.

[DS729]

WILD CARD 

Oakland 17, Houston 13 

Seattle 27, Detroit 17 

Pittsburgh 38, Miami 17 

New York 35, Green Bay 31 

 

DIVISIONAL 

New England 31, Oakland 10 

Pittsburgh 28, Kansas City 27 

New York 20, Dallas 14 

Atlanta 35, Seattle 20 

 

CHAMPIONSHIP 

New England 41, Pittsburgh 31 

New York 42, Atlanta 35 

 

SUPER BOWL LI

New York 24, New England 20 

 

This year definitely has that "Giants improbably get hot in the playoffs and beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl." feel to it. Though I really wouldn't mind being wrong. I'd like to see Atlanta take it, as they are the only likeable team that I see having a chance to go all the way. Not that there's anything particularly wrong with Dallas, other than they're my team's rivals. The other contenders (Patriots, Steelers, Seahawks, Packers) all have unlikeable elements. It's a damn shame Derek Carr broke his leg really, Oakland is the one team I could've seen beating the Pats in Foxborough aside from the Steelers. 

[Sport]

Oh they're having one of these football tournaments this year? 

[FiddySicks]

As much as another repeat would suck, seeing Brady lose his third Super Bowl to Eli and the god damn Giants would be kinda worth it considering I don't really have a dog in the fight (Well, Oakland, but their hopes died in the Derek Carr knee explosion). 

 

"Greatest quarterback ever" and "Lost to Forrest Gump three times" don't really go hand-in-hand. 

[Cosmic]

I'd love to see the Giants win a third Super Bowl over the Patriots, but I wouldn't want to risk the chance that the Patriots might get the "last laugh". I'd be a nervous wreck leading up to that game, and I don't give a damn about the Giants.

[Brass]

1 hour ago, Bucfan56 said:

"Greatest quarterback ever" and "Lost to Forrest Gump three times" don't really go hand-in-hand. 

 

But is that really the matchup? I mean, if you were talking any other sport where the athletes actually have the opportunity to engage 1-on-1, you would have a point, but a QB vs a QB situation is a stretch to really connect in order to prove a point.

 

I wouldn't say the "greatest quarterback ever" "lost to Forrest Gump three times" as much as I would say that Brady got dumped on his ass by an absolutely stellar defensive line (Super Bowl XLII) and then had a few All-Pro receivers turn into complete ghosts (XLVI). Eli Manning had very little effect on those factors, just like Tom Brady had very little effect on the situations when Manning turned into football Jesus.

 

For some reason, I just can't picture the Patriots heading to the Super Bowl this year, and if they do, they'll probably get trounced by the NFC champions (which would make some fans here happy and understandable so.) Statistically, I should have a lot of faith in this defense, but for some reason, I just...don't.

[JayMac]

1 hour ago, Brass said:

 

But is that really the matchup? I mean, if you were talking any other sport where the athletes actually have the opportunity to engage 1-on-1, you would have a point, but a QB vs a QB situation is a stretch to really connect in order to prove a point.

 

I wouldn't say the "greatest quarterback ever" "lost to Forrest Gump three times" as much as I would say that Brady got dumped on his ass by an absolutely stellar defensive line (Super Bowl XLII) and then had a few All-Pro receivers turn into complete ghosts (XLVI). Eli Manning had very little effect on those factors, just like Tom Brady had very little effect on the situations when Manning turned into football Jesus.

 

For some reason, I just can't picture the Patriots heading to the Super Bowl this year, and if they do, they'll probably get trounced by the NFC champions (which would make some fans here happy and understandable so.) Statistically, I should have a lot of faith in this defense, but for some reason, I just...don't.

I have that same feeling about them. Thank you for being one of only ten realistic and grounded Patriots fans. 

[Brass]

20 minutes ago, jmac11281 said:

I have that same feeling about them. Thank you for being one of only ten realistic and grounded Patriots fans. 

 

We're here. Unfortunately, the TAWMY'S FROM QUINZEYs really overshadow us...

[Crabcake]

Predicitons:

 

Wild Card:

 

Oakland 27, Houston 17

Seattle 28, Detroit 20

 

Pittsburgh 38, Miami 14

NY Giants 24, Green Bay 21

 

Divisional:

 

New England 41, Oakland 24

Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 21

 

Atlanta 23, Seattle 21

Dallas 34, NY Giants 21

 

Conference:

 

Kansas City 24, New England 23

Dallas 28, Atlanta 24

 

SB LI:
 

Dallas 28, Kansas City 27

[2001mark]

 

[BBTV]

I"d hate for Eli to have more SBs than Peyton.  I'd hate to even see him in another SB, but I kinda hope it's NE vs NYG so Brady gets his win over them and 6th SB, hopefully putting to rest any doubt about his status as GOAT.

[Cosmic]

13 minutes ago, BringBackTheVet said:

I"d hate for Eli to have more SBs than Peyton.  I'd hate to even see him in another SB, but I kinda hope it's NE vs NYG so Brady gets his win over them and 6th SB, hopefully putting to rest any doubt about his status as GOAT.

I don't like the Giants, but I kinda like that they just pop up as a playoff team/Super Bowl contender every once in a while with so few remarkable things about the team.  They lead the league in... I dunno, fingers blown off by fireworks?  It gives me (a little) hope that my teams can string together a good season out of nowhere.

[Unocal]

Prediction:

 

An AFC team will play an NFC team in Houston

[JayMac]

16 hours ago, BringBackTheVet said:

I"d hate for Eli to have more SBs than Peyton.  I'd hate to even see him in another SB, but I kinda hope it's NE vs NYG so Brady gets his win over them and 6th SB, hopefully putting to rest any doubt about his status as GOAT.

I agree with your Eli/Peyton comment but in a consummate team game, what about winning multiple super bowls makes a QB great? It's all about what you have around you. Granted, Brady's offense haven't been spectacular in the past but certainly efficient. But, arguably, the Patriots won the first 3 super bowls on the shoulders of the defense. Brady is a sure fire HOFer, no doubt. Is he the greatest ever? That will never be put to rest.

[Brass]

I'm split on the MVP conversation going on. While my heart obviously wants Brady to win because I'm a Patriots fan, I do believe that a case can be made for Matt Ryan. Would the Falcons be in contention without Matt Ryan? Probably not. Would the Patriots be in contention without Tom Brady? Probably. It's actually a pretty fun situation, dare I say. I think it's cool to have situations where there isn't a "clear-cut" MVP and there is open room for dialogue regarding the circumstance. I usually try not to let my Patriots fandom interfere with who logically should win the award.

 

I know many have made the case that Tom Brady shouldn't win because of the suspension; either "morally" or because those missed games should affect the voting. However, I think the sticking point is that there is a precedent for this type of situation and wondering if it would hold true to those who think Brady shouldn't win because he missed games? Perhaps you guys could provide some insight. In 1989, the MVP was Joe Montana, who missed 3 games for the 49ers (who subsequently went 3-0 without Montana.) Montana ended the season with a 70.2% completion rate, 3,521 yards, 28 TDs and 8 interceptions. A great season for any QB. Brady, in 2016, finished with 67.4% completion rate, 3,554 yards, 28 TDs and 2 interceptions. Just for reference, 2016 Matt Ryan finished with a 69.9% completion rate, 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and 7 interceptions. Regardless of the QB who receives the MVP award, both guys had a hell of a season for themselves.

 

I truly hope I don't come off like a "homer Patriots fan" but was interested in hearing both sides of the argument here.

[HedleyLamarr]

42 minutes ago, Brass said:

I'm split on the MVP conversation going on. While my heart obviously wants Brady to win because I'm a Patriots fan, I do believe that a case can be made for Matt Ryan. Would the Falcons be in contention without Matt Ryan? Probably not. Would the Patriots be in contention without Tom Brady? Probably. It's actually a pretty fun situation, dare I say. I think it's cool to have situations where there isn't a "clear-cut" MVP and there is open room for dialogue regarding the circumstance. I usually try not to let my Patriots fandom interfere with who logically should win the award.

 

I know many have made the case that Tom Brady shouldn't win because of the suspension; either "morally" or because those missed games should affect the voting. However, I think the sticking point is that there is a precedent for this type of situation and wondering if it would hold true to those who think Brady shouldn't win because he missed games? Perhaps you guys could provide some insight. In 1989, the MVP was Joe Montana, who missed 3 games for the 49ers (who subsequently went 3-0 without Montana.) Montana ended the season with a 70.2% completion rate, 3,521 yards, 28 TDs and 8 interceptions. A great season for any QB. Brady, in 2016, finished with 67.4% completion rate, 3,554 yards, 28 TDs and 2 interceptions. Just for reference, 2016 Matt Ryan finished with a 69.9% completion rate, 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and 7 interceptions. Regardless of the QB who receives the MVP award, both guys had a hell of a season for themselves.

 

I truly hope I don't come off like a "homer Patriots fan" but was interested in hearing both sides of the argument here.

It shouldn't really be much of an argument.  Matt Ryan should win the MVP.  Now granted, rose-colored glasses, but I can simplify this:

 

1. Brady was suspended for 25% of the season.  That should be a huge knock.  Injury and missing games is one thing...being suspended is another.

 

2. Patriots showed they can win without Brady....3-1, including two wins over playoff teams.  Their defense is more valuable to the Patriots' success than Brady is.

 

3.  Brady, as well as Aaron Rodgers, came in with expectations to not only make the playoffs, but win their division and put their team in a position to have a deep run.  Brady met those expectations while Rodgers dragged for half the season.  There was no such expectations for Ryan.  At the end of 2015, and even after Week 1 this season, the perception was that Ryan was the 4th-best QB in his own division.  He had his best stat season ever, and with the weakness of the Falcons being a defense that gives up plenty of yards and points, the Falcons have needed just about every yard and TD pass Ryan got to win games.

 

Ryan has the best overall stats of the three, and was much more consistent throughout the season than Rodgers was

[FinsUp1214]

19 minutes ago, HedleyLamarr said:

It shouldn't really be much of an argument.  Matt Ryan should win the MVP.  Now granted, rose-colored glasses, but I can simplify this:

 

1. Brady was suspended for 25% of the season.  That should be a huge knock.  Injury and missing games is one thing...being suspended is another.

 

2. Patriots showed they can win without Brady....3-1, including two wins over playoff teams.  Their defense is more valuable to the Patriots' success than Brady is.

 

3.  Brady, as well as Aaron Rodgers, came in with expectations to not only make the playoffs, but win their division and put their team in a position to have a deep run.  Brady met those expectations while Rodgers dragged for half the season.  There was no such expectations for Ryan.  At the end of 2015, and even after Week 1 this season, the perception was that Ryan was the 4th-best QB in his own division.  He had his best stat season ever, and with the weakness of the Falcons being a defense that gives up plenty of yards and points, the Falcons have needed just about every yard and TD pass Ryan got to win games.

 

Ryan has the best overall stats of the three, and was much more consistent throughout the season than Rodgers was

 

Seconded. The Falcons just simply aren't where they are now without Ryan, and when you consider they're a legitimate Super Bowl contender, that's a big deal. 

 

[Brass]

Fair points. Thanks gents!

[JWhiz96]

22 hours ago, BringBackTheVet said:

I"d hate for Eli to have more SBs than Peyton.  I'd hate to even see him in another SB, but I kinda hope it's NE vs NYG so Brady gets his win over them and 6th SB, hopefully putting to rest any doubt about his status as GOAT.

He would win fifth SB if the Pats were to win it this year.

 

I'd give the MVP vote to Ryan for the reason Brass mentioned, he was suspended for four games. To me, there's a difference between missing games due to injury and suspension. That's why I would give consideration for Derek Carr and not Le'Veon Bell.