For The Love Of Port

Early picks for the divisional round:

Seahawks over Panthers. We have a winning record in their stadium and they barely beat us the first time around while we were struggling. Both teams are better now, but I still like the Hawks.

Cardinals over Packers. No Jordy, no championship. The Packers struggled against a weak (though on a roll) Redskins team so I don't see them having a chance at Arizona.

For me the AFC games are both toss-ups. I think they could go either way.

Patriots over Chiefs. I like the Chiefs and will be rooting for them, but I'm not going to bet against Brady and Belichick at home during the playoffs.

Steelers over Broncos. I have to take the Steelers because I want a rematch of Super Bowl 40 so that the Seahawks can get their revenge, but it's going to depend on Rothlisberger's health. And Manning's, I guess. This is probably a reach, but I'm going to stick with it.

Panthers: Because with a week of rest and no perfect season on the line, I think the D will just be too much. I know the cold was a big factor, but the Seachickens offense was very lackluster against a good, but not great D. Also, I'm not a huge Seattle homer

Cardinals: I'd doubt the Packers even if it wasn't really good team on the other end. But it is, so I don't think the up and down season of the Pack will continue past Bruce Arians.

Patriots: Much like Glenn, I'll be rooting for the Chiefs, but you can't expect the Pats to lose at home at crunch time. Or really ever. I'd love to see Smith and Reid hoist Lombardi though, to finally silence the folks that think they aren't each winners.

Broncos: I agree with Glenn again this is a toss up that depends on QB health. I'll assume Ben plays and just isn't 100%, which isn't enough to get by the leagues best D. Manning holds it together enough to advance and keep the fairy tale ending hopes alive.


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Since the football discussion is already moving forward to next weekend, I decided to start a new topic for that, if nobody objects.

At the moment, I am taking the Patriots over the Chiefs, the Broncos over the Steelers, the Panthers over the Seahawks, and the Cardinals over the Packers. I think the visiting team with the best chance to win is Pittsburgh.

The forecast temperature for Raleigh NC for the 17th, at the moment, is 48F.

Panthers over Seahawks. Can't expect miracles every week.

Cardinals over Packers. Agree, no Jordy, no Lombardi

Chiefs over Pats: Because I've had enough of NE

Broncos over Steelers. After the blood bath with Cincy, Steelers have too many wounds. But never count out Roethlisberger.

Agreed with the moderator decision.

While I first thought the Steelers had the best chance to win on the road this weekend, perhaps that should be the Chiefs, especially since the last time those teams met was in I believe Week 4 of the prior season at Arrowhead Stadium, with the Chiefs winning by a considerable margin. If Julian Edelmann returns to NE, as I presently understand will happen, I still like NE's chances at home.

Glenn E. wrote:Early picks for the divisional round:

Seahawks over Panthers. We have a winning record in their stadium and they barely beat us the first time around while we were struggling. Both teams are better now, but I still like the Hawks.

Cardinals over Packers. No Jordy, no championship. The Packers struggled against a weak (though on a roll) Redskins team so I don't see them having a chance at Arizona.

For me the AFC games are both toss-ups. I think they could go either way.

Patriots over Chiefs. I like the Chiefs and will be rooting for them, but I'm not going to bet against Brady and Belichick at home during the playoffs.

Steelers over Broncos. I have to take the Steelers because I want a rematch of Super Bowl 40 so that the Seahawks can get their revenge, but it's going to depend on Rothlisberger's health. And Manning's, I guess. This is probably a reach, but I'm going to stick with it.

Some additional thoughts:

Seahawks over Panthers. This will depend on two things that sound related but I don't actually think they are. First, which Russell shows up - the one with uncanny prescience and scrambling ability or the noodle-armed rookie wannabe that played the first 3 quarters at Minnesota. Second, whether or not the O-Line can protect Russell at all. Yes, those sound related, but in watching Russell play I don't think they are. Sometimes he's just not ready to go, or not psyched up, or something, and on those days he plays like a flailing rookie. His throws are off (sometimes way off), and because he's out of sync the entire offense stalls. Our receivers can often cover up his bad throws, but that's just not enough against a team like Carolina. (Russell badly underthrew two TD passes against Minnesota and was constantly throwing the ball over or behind the receivers. Baldwin's epic one-handed high jump reception was one such terrible throw.) If good Russell shows up and the O-Line can give him a couple of seconds of protection, the Seahawks win. I think the Seahawks D keeps Cam under control, though they're not going to stop him completely. Probably a high-scoring game. I wouldn't be a bit surprised by ~60 total points.

Cardinals over Packers. No further thoughts needed... I just don't see the Packers having a chance in this game.

Patriots over Chiefs. My family lives just outside Kansas City and they're all big Chiefs fans, but I don't see them winning at New England even without Julian Edelman. If Edelman is back, as expected, this should be a relatively easy game for the Patriots.

Steelers over Brock-O's. If Manning plays and is at 100%, and Rothlisberger either doesn't play or isn't at 100%, this goes to Denver. But I suspect Manning won't be at 100% and that Rothlisberger will be "good enough" to go, in which case I lean toward Pittsburgh. The tragedy will be if Manning plays at less than 100% in a vain attempt to keep the dream alive, whereas Brock O with a full week of first team snaps might be good enough to win it against a less-than-100% Rothlisberger. I'm still rating this one a toss up until we know full health status on both sides, but I'd really like to see the Steelers win.

So for week 2 I'm going with 2 home teams and 2 visitors, at least until we hear more health status in the Denver/Pittsburgh game.

Glenn E. wrote:Steelers over Brock-O's. If Manning plays and is at 100%, and Rothlisberger either doesn't play or isn't at 100%, this goes to Denver. But I suspect Manning won't be at 100% and that Rothlisberger will be "good enough" to go, in which case I lean toward Pittsburgh. The tragedy will be if Manning plays at less than 100% in a vain attempt to keep the dream alive, whereas Brock O with a full week of first team snaps might be good enough to win it against a less-than-100% Rothlisberger. I'm still rating this one a toss up until we know full health status on both sides, but I'd really like to see the Steelers win.

Brock O himself has been injured and if Denver had played last weekend, I don't know that he would have gotten a full week of practice in. Both he and Peyton are glad for the extra week. My concern echoes yours for Seattle. Which Peyton shows up? The one that played the previous two regular seasons, or the one that played poorly in a bunch of games this year? I don't think we can blame all of his bad games on injury. Jekyll Manning can win the next three games, but if Hyde Manning shows up, nope.

I'm pulling for the Hawks and the Packers, which would put the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field.

Glenn E. wrote:Patriots over Chiefs. I like the Chiefs and will be rooting for them, but I'm not going to bet against Brady and Belichick at home during the playoffs.

Pats die hard over here and I do not feel confident at all. Pats are playing a like a shell of their former selves. What's the current line? If the Pats do pull it off; it'll be close so I'd consider taking the Chiefs if betting.

Hawks IF Lynch plays, otherwise, Panther's D-line will be like a tsunami if Michael is the RB for Seattle ... and they will catch up to Russell eventually. I expect him to play a v. strong game to make up for his crap 50 of 60 mins. last weekend. Playing on the road means little to Seattle. If Lynch does play, and Russell keeps more to screens and play action quick releases, I think there's an upset brewing in Carolina.


AZ seems to be the sure bet vs. the Pack. Setting up a possible 3rd game for AZ with visiting Seattle for the NFC title. But they both have to actually win and AZ is far more of a lock in that department.


KC vs. NE, I can't stand AFC W. Division rivals so I have never rooted for the Chiefs. But against NE, I'd root for anybody. I believe we may see KC in the AFC Championship game. But that Brady, how do you bet against him? I hope KC's D buries him early and often.


Steelers vs. the Broncos is the toughest pick of the weekend, at least the way I see it. But Manning and Denver's team, should prevail at home. Health of QB will be a key for sure. I've seen Manning fail in big games like this ... a lot. As a lifelong and pathetic Raiders fan, how does one choose whether to root for the Pitts or Donkeys? Denver with a gun to my head.

Brown out against the Broncos according to the Steelers:
http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/ ... 435b0e76da

According to Marshawn Lynch: "I'm ready."

I'd love to see the Steelers win; they have the soul of die hard fighter. That is one team that has the history for winning! Unfortunately, I think the Pats are done. The ship sank, but I am Masshole and will hope for the best. Injuries are not excuse; they're a reality for every team.

Belated reply to Roy - the Oakland Raiders are not pathetic IMHO, I would take them over several other teams, including their quasi-arch rivals in San Francisco.

I hope they get a respectable and honorable resolution to their challenging stadium/location issues.

As of this morning, Rob Gronkowski is expected to play, in spite of significant issues with his right knee, and also his back. I had expected him to be close to 100% today after a bye week, but not so. In light of this, unless Julian Edelmann comes up with something brilliant after being out for months and playing with a steel plate in his cleats, I am taking the Chiefs instead.

From where I sit, as it turned out, Gronkowski was ineffective outside of the red zone, and Edelmann perhaps due to timing issues was just ineffective. On the other hand, the entire Chiefs defense, for about half the game, was unable to stop Brady, and could not get a turnover in spite of at least 1 excellent opportunity to do so. So the Patriots were able to win, although in far from convincing fashion.

Evening game wine: Cote Mas Languedoc 2013 Le Luxe Rural. At least it's warming.

While I agree, Ray, that the Chiefs had their chances, they were not good at converting them and staying mistake free. While the Pats weren't dominant, they kept the mistakes to a minimum and did get a lot of production out of Edelman and Gronk (16 catches, 2TDs between?), even if it wasn't particularly flashy. I'd say they've got at least an even shot to play in another Super Bowl.


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Wow, what an end to the GB v ARI game. A future all-star takes the game over after another future all star manages another miraculous last moment TD to tie. This is why I love to watch the NFL.


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Perhaps my criticism of their play was not entirely justified, Edelmann had 10 catches for 100 yards, but went through a stretch of 4 drops too. Gronk had 8 catches for 85 yards including 2 scores. The Chiefs did not help themselves in play clock management either.

So what just happened in AZ? Rodgers ties the game by converting a 4th and 20, then a Hail Mary with no time left, only for the Cardinals to win in OT on 3 offensive plays starting from their own 20.

As a result of this, the NFC title will not be contested in polar conditions.