Wild Card Weekend Discussion Thread

[HarveyWallbangers]

I kind of like the playoffs with this format. I am scared of the Packers coming off a bye week as I think they're 0-2 off byes so far with Coach.

We beat the Seahawks in last year’s divisional round after getting a bye.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Interesting. The Redskins started 0-4 with four blowout losses under new coach Ron Rivera. Since then, they have gone 7-5 with all 5 losses by 7 points or less. Washington did not give up more than 20 points in any game the second half of the season. They are also 5-1 with Alex Smith at QB. Somebody who won’t put their defense in bad position very often. Rivera is a good coach. Arians is overrated. I’m calling it. Big upset.

[George Cumby]

Watched the Sunday Night game. FT looked hungry and played hard. Chase Young is a beast.

[call_me_ishmael]

Interesting. The Redskins started 0-4 with four blowout losses under new coach Ron Rivera. Since then, they have gone 7-5 with all 5 losses by 7 points or less. Washington did not give up more than 20 points in any game the second half of the season. They are also 5-1 with Alex Smith at QB. Somebody who won’t put their defense in bad position very often. Rivera is a good coach. Arians is overrated. I’m calling it. Big upset.

Totally agree. I have no idea why Carolina gave up on Ron. He's a great coach and seemingly a good man.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Buccaneers went 1-5 against playoff teams. Unfortunately, the one win was against us. Brady had 9 TDs and 9 interceptions in those games. They went 10-0 against non-playoff teams. Brady had 31 TDs and 3 interceptions in those games.

[George Cumby]

Buccaneers went 1-5 against playoff teams. Unfortunately, the one win was against us. Brady had 9 TDs and 9 interceptions in those games. They went 10-0 against non-playoff teams. Brady had 31 TDs and 3 interceptions in those games.

Kinda' like playing in the AFC East all those years.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Kinda' like playing in the AFC East all those years.

True, but without the first round bye and mostly home games (although that doesn’t matter much this year).

[bobblehead]

Interesting. The Redskins started 0-4 with four blowout losses under new coach Ron Rivera. Since then, they have gone 7-5 with all 5 losses by 7 points or less. Washington did not give up more than 20 points in any game the second half of the season. They are also 5-1 with Alex Smith at QB. Somebody who won’t put their defense in bad position very often. Rivera is a good coach. Arians is overrated. I’m calling it. Big upset.

I have been down with the skins errr...football team for weeks now, especially cashing tickets on unders. Upset...might be too much to ask, but they will hang. I might have said upset if they didn't try to play their way out of the playoffs against the eagles before Doug decided he was too close to losing the pick that might land the Heisman winner or Chase.

[Guiness]

Buccaneers went 1-5 against playoff teams. Unfortunately, the one win was against us. Brady had 9 TDs and 9 interceptions in those games. They went 10-0 against non-playoff teams. Brady had 31 TDs and 3 interceptions in those games.

The 7-9 WFT, who needed help from the Eagles to get in, are not your usual playoff team! But I also remember the 2010 Seahawks, so

[Guiness]

Washington over Tampa huh? That would be good for the Packers, but I just don't see it.

I think also Pittsburgh doesn't lose back to back against the Browns. Buffalo over Indy isn't as obvious as many believe, but they probably will win at home. Tennessee shouldn't lose at home to the Ravens even though the Ravens are a good team. Seattle over the Rams, yes, but probably close. I wouldn't bet against the Bears upsetting New Orleans, but I have to pick the Saints at home too.

I agree with your thoughts on Buffalo/Indy, wouldn't be so quick to write off the Colts. The D is legit, which we all saw when they held off the Pack, and Rivers can still play. If he avoids INTs it will be a game.

I also think Washington has a chance for similar reasons. Good D, who could get after Brady and cause him fits - which is exactly what the Pack did not do in their game against them. Smith is a game manager who will not take chances but they also don't have a lot of weapons on offense.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Five years ago, 7-8-1 Carolina coached by Ron Rivera beat 11-5 Arizona coached by Bruce Arians. Now, 7-9 Washington coached by Rivera vs 11-5 Tampa Bay coached by Arians.

All this is starting to make me think the Bucs roll though.

[call_me_ishmael]

Five years ago, 7-8-1 Carolina coached by Ron Rivera beat 11-5 Arizona coached by Bruce Arians. Now, 7-9 Washington coached by Rivera vs 11-5 Tampa Bay coached by Arians.

All this is starting to make me think the Bucs roll though.

I feel like your last sentence and previous comments are not aligned. By roll through, you mean `Bucs beat the Football Club`, correct?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I feel like your last sentence and previous comments are not aligned. By roll through, you mean `Bucs beat the Football Club`, correct?

Yes, when an upset pick seems so obvious, it usually isn’t.

[bobblehead]

Five years ago, 7-8-1 Carolina coached by Ron Rivera beat 11-5 Arizona coached by Bruce Arians. Now, 7-9 Washington coached by Rivera vs 11-5 Tampa Bay coached by Arians.

All this is starting to make me think the Bucs roll though.

Nice catch!!

[HarveyWallbangers]

How I think the weekend goes:

Buffalo over Indianapolis in a closer game than expected. Rivers makes a crucial mistake late to cost his team the win.
Pittsburgh easily over Cleveland.
Tennessee and Baltimore in a slugfest. Tennessee seems to have Baltimore's number. I'm going with them again.

New Orleans easily over Chicago.
Tampa Bay over Washington in a closer game than expected.
LA Rams over Seattle. Rams defense plays well against Seattle. Wofford plays just well enough, scrambling around like a mini-Russ.