NFL Playoffs

[ChipnDale79]

Except this is a case where the actual best defense is up for debate. Denver is #1 and Carolina is #6 - but that is based on total yards. When you look at both defenses, it's not clear one is better than the other.

What we do know from 2 years ago is that Manning (a much better Manning from 2 years ago) can get completely flustered and shut down by a swarming defense.

According to what stats ESPN uses, DEN has the #1 defense while CAR has the #2 defense, meanwhile they have CAR with the #2 overall offense. They had DEN's offense about middle of the road i think.

If anyone thinks this is going to be a blow out in either direction, I think they are wrong. It's going to be a great game.

 

[gwynne]

I think the Panthers have a good shot, they are playing some darn good football of late.

Manning isn't what he used to be.

Maybe. But at least Manning's team protects him. I sorta started feeling bad for Brady by the umpteenth sack.
I have no real sense as of yet how the game will go with the panthers.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Maybe. But at least Manning's team protects him. I sorta started feeling bad for Brady by the umpteenth sack.
I have no real sense as of yet how the game will go with the panthers.

Agreed, and anyway, like I mentioned earlier in this thread to someone else, football is about the WHOLE team, not just the QB. Manning is still a good quarterback - not sure of his official ranking (because I don't put a lot of stock in individual player rankings) but I'd say that most people would agree that he and Brady are still somewhere in the current top 10.

I have the punishment of watching the Bears lose over and over again in my town, and we are used to seeing our QB on the ground. I don't even like the guy, but I don't blame him for the Bears dysfunction. They lost their defense with Urlacher years ago and they have no offensive line. It's really not Cutler's fault that he looks awful 90% of the time when he has no protection and the defense can't stop anybody. He is technically a good QB with a strong arm and good technique, but cannot execute with a team who can't support a QB.

So bottom line - IMO - there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Manning or Brady - who most would agree have shown over the years that they truly belong in the top 10 - leaning on a strong offense and/or defense to keep their teams in a contending position. There are 11 guys on that field at a time and they all get paid a lot of money to do their jobs. No shame in anybody expecting them to do what they are paid to do and not just laying it all on the back of their quarterbacks.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My thoughts, as with most fans, they would prefer their team play the weaker team (even if its only a perceived weaker team). Just the same that I, and many other Patriots fans wanted to see the Steelers win two weeks ago vs Denver. Of course we would have rather seen them play a beat up Steelers Team over a strengthening Bronco's team. They (Bronco's) were on the mend, just like the Patriots were. The Steelers had just lost its best receiver and their QB was banged up with season long shoulder injuries, one as recent as the week before. I can only speculate that the majority of Panther fans rooting for Denver was for similar reasons. They would rather have an "easier" game. Just my opinion.

I don't see anyone thinking Carolina's chances to win the Super Bowl improved with the Patriots' defeat. Denver's defense has the potential to really cause issues for Carolina's offense where New England's defense really doesn't. Plus, New England's offensive line proved itself vulnerable to a strong pass rush, which Carolina possesses.

 

[gwynne]

I don't see anyone thinking Carolina's chances to win the Super Bowl improved with the Patriots' defeat. Denver's defense has the potential to really cause issues for Carolina's offense where New England's defense really doesn't. Plus, New England's offensive line proved itself vulnerable to a strong pass rush, which Carolina possesses.

Thanks for this! Makes sense to me. I can't get all my football analysis from Pardon The Interruption. Ha!

 

[goofy4prez]

I have the punishment of watching the Bears lose over and over again in my town, and we are used to seeing our QB on the ground. I don't even like the guy, but I don't blame him for the Bears dysfunction.

At least you all have a serviceable QB on your roster (though debatable). My team, the Cleveland Browns have not had a QB since 1999 and looks like they will be drafting another one again this upcoming year. Perhaps you all may want Johnny Manziel. LOL I'll agree with you about the Bears being dysfunctional, but they don't compare at all with the dysfunctional team I cheer for.


As for this Super Bowl... I really think this game is going to be much closer than many think it will. Cam Newton is an unbelievable talent but Denver has a pretty good defense as well. I'm a pretty old guy (52) and still remember John Elway in his playing days with the "Drive" against my Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship game in 1987... Those wounds never heal and as long as John Elway still has breath in his lungs and is with Denver, I can only cheer for them when they play the Steelers or the Patriots...

Go Carolina Panthers.

 

[Deb in IA]

We are Peyton Manning fans, so we are hoping the Broncos win. It would be the perfect "Hollywood" ending - oldest quarterback to ever play winning Super Bowl 50 and, while he has never officially said it, I (along with most of the country, it seems) think this will be his last game.

And, I love the karma for the Colts if this happens - they let Peyton go 4 years ago, because Irsay didn't care about records; he wanted to win Super Bowls. And in that 4 years, Peyton has taken the Broncos to the Super Bowl twice. The Colts, 0.

The Broncos defense is every bit as good as billed. Yes, Peyton's passing is not what it used to be, but his ability to read a play and his football sense is second to none. And I do think the Broncos learned painful lessons from 2 years ago, that I think (hope) will help them this time around.

But despite this, I'm afraid the Panthers will win. Because they are just too good. Scary good.

 

[JoeA]

Man, it seems like the Broncos will once again run into one of those "buzz saw" teams. No way was anyone going to beat the Seahawks a few years ago, and it's looking like the Panthers are that "buzz saw" team this year. That said, if they can go another game without a turnover, keep the game close in the 1st QTR, and have that defense play lights out one more time...!

 

[Disney Ron]

That is not a very good vote of confidence for your beloved Pats since Denver beat New England. If the Broncos are that bad, are you saying your Pats are even worse?

I like to think that the two best teams in the NFL played a close game yesterday, a game that came down to the last 17 seconds, with the two best quarterbacks and coaches, the #1 defense against the #1 offense, and the game could have gone either way. I think the AFC, whether it would have been the Pats or is now the Broncos, will show the NFC how football should be played.

I'm not saying the Broncos are bad. Where did I say they were bad. The Buffalo Bills lost 4 straight Super Bowls and they were very good every time they lost.

Carolina will win because simply they are the better team. The Pats played their worse game of the year, on the road, Brady was hit more than any QB in a game since 2006 and if the Pats kicker hits the extra point which he hasn't missed one also since 2006 then the Pats would have tied the game with 12 seconds left with another extra point and we are talking over time.

You do realize you can think one team will beat another and still think the loser is very good, don't you?

 

[soccerdad72]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...robbed-at-the-afc-championship-182202521.html

 

[CPanther95]

At least you all have a serviceable QB on your roster (though debatable). My team, the Cleveland Browns have not had a QB since 1999 and looks like they will be drafting another one again this upcoming year. Perhaps you all may want Johnny Manziel. LOL I'll agree with you about the Bears being dysfunctional, but they don't compare at all with the dysfunctional team I cheer for.

You guys just need to avoid picking QBs at #22 in the draft. That spot is cursed.

I sympathize with Browns fans. My home town is half Steelers and half Browns fans - thankfully my father raised us as Steelers fans. (back when we were the lovable losers)

 

[ICF]

We are Peyton Manning fans, so we are hoping the Broncos win. It would be the perfect "Hollywood" ending - oldest quarterback to ever play winning Super Bowl 50 and, while he has never officially said it, I (along with most of the country, it seems) think this will be his last game.

And, I love the karma for the Colts if this happens - they let Peyton go 4 years ago, because Irsay didn't care about records; he wanted to win Super Bowls. And in that 4 years, Peyton has taken the Broncos to the Super Bowl twice. The Colts, 0.

Manning isn't the oldest QB to ever play -- he wasn't even the oldest in the NFL to play this season.

As for the Colts -- Irsay did the right thing -- 4 years ago or today., he made the right decision.

The Colts were rebuilding and nobody knew if Manning would even be able to play the following season. They couldn't afford to pass on Luck and then having Manning not be healthy. Also, the Colts were getting ready to rebuild and that's not something that Manning would have wanted to go through. The Colts didn't have the D that Denver does -- and that's really what has helped them to the SB this year. Manning for most of this season was pretty bad -- by his or any other standard.

I'm a Colts fan and like most of us we still love Manning and hope he wins the SB and then goes out on top -- that doesn't however mean the Colts were wrong to let him go.

 

[soccerdad72]

Manning isn't the oldest QB to ever play -- he wasn't even the oldest in the NFL to play this season.

He'll be the oldest starting QB in Super Bowl history - I think that's what the PP was alluding to.

 

[gwynne]

Manning isn't the oldest QB to ever play -- he wasn't even the oldest in the NFL to play this season.

As for the Colts -- Irsay did the right thing -- 4 years ago or today., he made the right decision.

The Colts were rebuilding and nobody knew if Manning would even be able to play the following season. They couldn't afford to pass on Luck and then having Manning not be healthy. Also, the Colts were getting ready to rebuild and that's not something that Manning would have wanted to go through. The Colts didn't have the D that Denver does -- and that's really what has helped them to the SB this year. Manning for most of this season was pretty bad -- by his or any other standard.

I'm a Colts fan and like most of us we still love Manning and hope he wins the SB and then goes out on top -- that doesn't however mean the Colts were wrong to let him go.

There are lots of opinions on the let Manning go decision. It's been discussed at length at our house. The Colts continue with their rebuilding plan.
We wish Manning the very best, and look forward to Super Bowl 50!

 

[plutotek]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...robbed-at-the-afc-championship-182202521.html

Loved the first paragraph

 

[Missy1961]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...robbed-at-the-afc-championship-182202521.html

That was good!

 

[GAN]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...robbed-at-the-afc-championship-182202521.html

Valid points. But it's funny -the overall belief by the rest of the country that Patriots fans are complaining/whining because they lost(as all their competitors fans laugh and have fun because of it), just isn't true. Most fans that I know are completely satisfied with the season this year. So any perception by opposing fans that we are upset is false. Sure, there are a few people who can't seem to get over it, but that is the exception. We are not only amazingly satisfied with our past, but enormously positive about our future. I'd be shocked if the Patriots failed to make the playoffs again next year. Save your breath and focus on your own teams -we're fine....

 

[CPanther95]

Valid points. But it's funny -the overall belief by the rest of the country that Patriots fans are complaining/whining because they lost(as all their competitors fans laugh and have fun because of it), just isn't true. Most fans that I know are completely satisfied with the season this year. So any perception by opposing fans that we are upset is false.

It's not fair for people to assume that just because players like Brady and Gronk are always crying/whining/complaining and stomping their feet in protest that the fan base is the same way.

For SB 50, the Broncos have elected to wear their white uniforms (probably because they're 0-4 wearing orange) - so the Panthers will be wearing their black uniforms.

 

[asta]

For the Peyton fans:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/acatholicthinker/2016/01/why-peyton-matters/#disqus_thread

 

[Lilacs4Me]

At least you all have a serviceable QB on your roster (though debatable). My team, the Cleveland Browns have not had a QB since 1999 and looks like they will be drafting another one again this upcoming year. Perhaps you all may want Johnny Manziel. LOL I'll agree with you about the Bears being dysfunctional, but they don't compare at all with the dysfunctional team I cheer for.


As for this Super Bowl... I really think this game is going to be much closer than many think it will. Cam Newton is an unbelievable talent but Denver has a pretty good defense as well. I'm a pretty old guy (52) and still remember John Elway in his playing days with the "Drive" against my Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship game in 1987... Those wounds never heal and as long as John Elway still has breath in his lungs and is with Denver, I can only cheer for them when they play the Steelers or the Patriots...

Go Carolina Panthers.

Haha...it gets worse. I'm originally from Detroit. It's really been a real treat this year to watch both the Bears and Lions play each other where they were both determined to make sure their own team lost. I'm not a Cutler fan - I think his chemistry with his o-line is terrible, but while I do like the Bears overall, the opposite is true for the Lions. I think Stafford is a class act, but the Lions as a whole need a huge overhaul. Both teams prove my point - you can have good quarterbacks and a team can still find a way to lose over and over again. It's really not accurate to blame the QB, or, to disparage them and their ability because they have good line support. It always starts with the line.

You can keep Manzel LOL Too much trouble!

I am of the Elway era, too, although somewhat younger (LOL) and I have always liked Denver, even before Manning came in.

My DH is still holding a grudge against Manning since Indy beat the Bears in '07.

DS15 (my bears and lions fan to the core, although he likes NE and Seattle too) is disgusted that everyone is bandwagoning Denver so he wants Carolina to win (and he has met Ron Rivera as well and liked him).

DS10 is a diehard Patriot's fan, which he has been since he was a toddler for what reasons I have no idea - he has played football himself since he was in kindergarten and probably knows more about the game than DH or DS15 who also plays and he and DH coach! (yes, we live and breathe football in this house...I know more about the sport than any woman should LOL but I love it anyway) And DS10 respects Manning but hates that Denver beat NE last week - he couldn't even watch. And last year, he actually cried tears of joy when NE won. He takes TONS of 4th grade flak, too, for being a NE fan from these crazy Bears fans here....you would think he said he likes Green Bay the way they react!

If the offense is on for Denver next week, it will be a good, close game. Defense will definitely be key. Nobody wants to see a blowout, not even Carolina fans. Last week's NE/Den game was just getting embarrassing for Brady and team, and I don't even know what to say about Arizona. The SB has got to be better than that.

I like Denver for the win, but I also like Carolina. They have a good future ahead of them and I think they will be back a time or two in the coming years, so I'm staying with the more experienced Denver for this one

May the best team win!