Yeah, the Texans will be toast in their first playoff game. Look for New England to win the AFC championship game.
I would not be surprised. The Texans have a chance at a Superbowl run, but it is a really slim one, which is why I labeled them "pretenders"; when you struggle to beat mediocre and bad teams during crunch time, you do not exactly inspire confidence in your strength as a playoff team. When I look for Superbowl contenders, I look for that "next level" ability. Take the Falcons, for instance, they are good in the regular season and look good "on paper" (hint, FactChecker), but when the playoffs come around, they struggle because they lack that "next level" ability. Thus far, there are only a few teams I've seen that have that potential, in my opinion, and all those teams have at least one of the following components: (a) a proven winner at QB: Denver, New England, Pittsburgh, Green Bay (b) a genius head coach: New England, San Francisco, Green Bay (c) a sick defense: Ravens, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Broncos The Giants, who I cannot really figure at the moment, have already proven that the regular season record and "statistics" are not necessarily indicative of who will win in the playoffs. You have to look for teams that have that playoff mentality and ability to perform. On Monday Night Football, the Niners showed GREATNESS. They absolutely man-handled the Bears in all phases of the the game in what was a "playoff atmosphere". Jim Harbaugh TOTALLY and COMPLETELY out-gameplanned and out-prepared the uncreative and one dimensional Lovie Smith. Those are the kinds of performances that I lend more weight to.
---Yeah, I wasn't thrilled about that touchdown. ---But alas, Detroit is back to their old ways: being the benchmark by which teams are determined good or bad by how poorly they do against the Lions. Sad face.
I never claimed some amazing ability to pick NFL winners and losers. I am just giving my opinion. If any of us could "back up" our speculation with real results, we'd be millionaire football gamblers, but we are not, which means most of us don't know what we're talking about. Unlike you, though, I am perfectly comfortable admitting that I am not an NFL expert, just a fan with some opinions about the game. So sorry if my opinions offended you, Mr. Lombardi, but us humble normal people like to talk about the game, too.
---You're right. Last years playoff appearance left us here in Detroit, expecting more than you honestly should have expected. Maybe in another five or ten we can make to the second round.
Who do you see beating the Patriots? I ask because they have pretty much sewn up the division already.
A weird rule: all scoring plays (and turnovers) are reviewed automatically...but if a coach throws a challenge flag, the play CANNOT be reviewed. This rule WILL be changed in the offseason.
I never said anything about being an "expert", I just backed up my talk with "opinion" on who I thought would win the games this week. In fact there are many coin flip games that could go either way today. Even though I'm up three games to one against "libhater", he's still got a chance to pick more games than me. Even if he doesn't, at least he was man enough to back up his talk. And you just keep acting like my wife, when it's that time of the month, "pissy".
At least you have to admit they're a bit better than a few years ago.. Making history with a victory free season!
Cutler's back in for Minnesota @ Chicago.. Do you still think that one's a coin flip or does this push the Bears over the fence now? Just wondering what you think.
You haven't "backed up" anything. You have no idea if your methodology for picking winners and losers is valid unless you conduct a valid hypothesis test, but this is clearly way over your head, so I won't even waste my time.
I realized originally I had picked the Patriots to play the 49ers in the super bowl, but then I had revised that pick to make it the Giants against the Patriots. Now after the Giants drubbing of the hapless Packers yesterday, is there anyone here willing to admit that I am right about the super bowl pairing? Keep in mind anyone thinking the 49ers are super bound, that those same Giants traveled to san fran earlier this year and kicked their lovin butts.
This coming week 13....... Falcons Bears texans pats bills lions panthers packers 49ers jets broncos ravens bengals browns cowboys giants
