NFL Wild Card Playoffs: Open Thread

by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 2:42 PM EST in Blog Series

Another year, another season in which Bills fans will be watching the playoffs Bills-less. So if you're looking to discuss this weekend's playoff action without having to deal with the jealousy of talking to fans of playoff teams, this is the spot for you. I won't be here to moderate the thread as I usually do - let's face it, without the Bills, it's hard to get overly excited - but I thought I'd put this space out there for y'all anyways. I might pop in with a comment or two if something sweet happens, so say hey in the comments if you're bored.

Prediction time!

Washington Redskins (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
- How can you not pull for the Redskins in this one? They're playing in honor of a fallen teammate, and they've won four in a row behind former Bills QB Todd Collins. (How sweet would it be to end the season saying the last team to beat Washington was, in fact, Buffalo?) With that said, Seattle is a very difficult place to play - and the Seahawks have too many playmakers, especially defensively, to lose this one at home.

Final: ~~Seahawks 24, Redskins 16~~ Seahawks 35, Redskins 14

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
- These teams met a few weeks back, with the Jags prevailing in Pittsburgh 29-22. Now, with the Steelers banged up on the O-Line and minus Willie Parker, it's hard to pick the home team in this one - even though it's going to take a great game from Jacksonville to pull it off. (For the record, it's hard to pick against the Jags, too.)

Final: ~~Jaguars 26, Steelers 21~~ Jaguars 31, Steelers 29

Sunday's Games
New York Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
- I love it when two teams are at each other's throats before the game starts. The Giants seem to be favored in this one - and for good reason, considering the Bucs have one of the worst home crowds in the league, and not much offensive firepower. This is going to be a defensive battle, but the road-warrior Giants have a bit more offensive punch, and it will allow them to steal a W.

Final: ~~Giants 17, Buccaneers 13~~ Giants 24, Buccaneers 14

Tennessee Titans (10-6) at San Diego Chargers (11-5)
- With Vince Young a game-time decision, many "experts" are saying that if Vince can't play, the Titans are toast. Don't discount Kerry Collins - he played well enough this season in spot duty for some Titans fans to cry that he should be the starter. Whoever starts, it shouldn't matter much - Tennessee's defense will keep it close early, but the Chargers are one of the hottest teams in the league, and hey - this game, right here, is what Norv Turner was hired for. If they lose early in the playoffs again (the exact reason Schottenheimer was fired), where do they turn?

Final: ~~Chargers 27, Titans 19~~ Chargers 17, Titans 6

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Comments

Agree with all but one...

I agree with Seattle, Jacksonville and San Diego, but I think I have to disagree with New York. While I think the Giants are the more talented team, for some reason I have visions of Eli blowing the game for them with an awful performance. I have to take Tampa Bay in this one due to more confidence in Garcia to avoid huge mistakes than old Eli.

by fletcherjd on Jan 5, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions

I agree

If you base it on trust in a QB not making a huge mistake, you have to say the odds are better Garcia doesn't screw up.

who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 5, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but...

... I really like the Giants' defense. Aggressive, penetrating defenses like the Giants' make conservative quarterbacks curl up into the fetal position. The Bucs won't score much, as Garcia will need to improvise while his RB, Earnest Graham, won't be much of a factor.

Eli won't have to do much to win this game. Good thing - the Bucs D is nothing to sneeze at as well.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

Shows what I know

Eli played a pretty solid game; no big mistakes like I expected. This is why I am not a professional gambler...

by fletcherjd on Jan 6, 2008 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

SEA/WAS

Boy, I'd heard good things about Seattle's defense, but they're really laying it to the Redskins. That's the type of pass rush we need in Buffalo, folks - Seattle gets the ball first in the second half, so if they can put up points and add to their 10-0 halftime lead, they've got it in the bag.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions

Two Ex-Bills burned

First it was Pierson Prileou on the TD pass and then London Fletcher on the 2 point conversion.

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel wierd watching the Washington Bills? I mean, look at all of the ex-players and coaches. Well, maybe not as many players as I thought, but still a few.

Well, new Buffalo Bill, Marcus Trufant, just scored a TD and probably ended this game. (Yes, I want the Bills to get Trufant this offseason).

by RabidBuffalo on Jan 5, 2008 7:32 PM EST reply actions

Ha, don't bank on it

Trufant is enjoying a break-out season. Seattle's not letting him go anywhere.

The game looks over, and it probably is, but I still can't count out a miracle comeback by the 'Skins...

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

Seahawks 35, Redskins 14

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 5, 2008 8:06 PM EST reply actions

The Jags

are laying the wood to the Steelers. The Jags are looking good right now and will be a force in the playoffs. If I could make the Bills like any team in the league, it would be the Jags. That model would be perfect for Buffalo.

by RabidBuffalo on Jan 5, 2008 9:22 PM EST reply actions

Offense or defense?

I don't know if the Bills could have an offense like the Jags; their 6'4" - 6'6" receivers are tough to match. Though Fred Jackson could be a bit like Jones-Drew; returning kicks, receiving out of the backfield, and running... that TD catch and run he made was great.

Actually, I'd like to see the Bills D play like Seattle's; they also have a bunch of undersized but incredibly fast linemen and linebackers... And they were putting tremendous pressure on Collins as well as bottling up Portis. Now, we just have to figure out how to get Patrick Kerney...

by Krenn on Jan 6, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Watching Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger...

With the exception of size, I think that Roethlisberger and Losman have many similarities (good ones and bad ones). I think that Losman is capable of putting up numbers similar to what Roethlisberger has this season, and could make the Pro Bowl like Roethlisberger did. The difference is that Pittsburgh has so many better players than Buffalo, particularly a lot more offensive playmakers. Roethlisberger and Losman have similar strengths and weaknesses. Their strengths can be maximized and their weaknesses can be minimized or masked with several playmakers. For example, while Losman locks onto Evans for a play instead of going through his progressions, Roethlisberger knows that he can get a play from multiple players. The fact that Pittsburgh's defense can get off the field (as opposed to the 12-play, time-consuming drives typically yielded by Buffalo's defense), helps Roethlisberger out as well.

I'm not saying that Losman is a great quarterback or that he doesn't have weaknesses. I'm just saying that in watching Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger tonight (and throughout this season), Losman could have performed similarly to Roethlisberger if he was put in that situation.

by Fort Worth on Jan 5, 2008 11:33 PM EST reply actions

It always pains me

watching these playoff teams and being jealous of thier players. It makes me wonder why we don't have a group like that.

by RabidBuffalo on Jan 6, 2008 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

What a finish to the Pitt game,

I can't believe the defense crumbled at the end and let Garrad gain 32 yrds on a 4 and 2. Good game, but terrible way to end your season.

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Jan 6, 2008 12:51 AM EST reply actions

Woo!

4/4 on the weekend! Should I pick the Jaguars now or later?

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 6, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions

re: Jaguars now or later

Was I the only one rooting for the Chargers for the sole reason that, with the win over the Titans, the Jags now visit the Patriots next week? Jacksonville at least has a chance of pulling an upset against the Patriots; Titans...no way.

by Zumone on Jan 6, 2008 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely not

I was right there with you. If there's a team that can beat the Patsies in New England other than Indy, it's Jacksonville. Even if they don't win, they're going to be physical and run the ball. It'll be a close game; if they win, great. If not, they'll soften the Patsies up for Peyton after they beat the tar out of the Chargers.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 7, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions