onfirebball05mustang
01-07-2005, 03:04 PM
After getting everything going, it may be late but here it is: January 7, 2005
I found the top 12 Playoff teams for the NFL in the paper this morning...let's see what we've got here....
1. STEELERS (15-0)
After winning at Buffalo with their jayvees, are the Steelers tough enough yet? All they do is win. If running backs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley are healthy, the Steelers offense could be too physical for any defense to handle. But they do have a history under Bill Cowher of losing playoff games at home.
Could still be playing in February if: James Farrior keeps coming up with the big defensive play whenever the Steelers need one.
Won't be if: Big Ben realizes he's a rookie.
Super Bowl odds: 2-to-1
2. PATRIOTS (14-2)
They're still the defending Super Bowl champions, one ring from solidifying their place as a modern dynasty. Tom Brady has made some uncharacteristic mistakes lately, but he usually plays as big as the stage. If the bye week allows the Patriots to heal, the rest of the AFC could be in trouble.
Could still be playing in February if: They get Ty Law back to help their suspect secondary.
Won't be if: The Steelers are simply the better team. Is that possible?
Super Bowl odds: 5-to-2
3. COLTS (12-4)
Besides the top two teams in the AFC, who can corral the Colts' weapons? Even the Colts defense has been inspired. Dwight Freeney will be a handful for any left tackle he sees in postseason. We're hoping Peyton Manning waves off the punt team again.
Could still be playing in February if: Peyton and Co. continue to outscore people as they did all season.
Won't be if: They have to win at New England and then at Pittsburgh. The Colts need someone to pull an upset to give them some help.
Super Bowl odds: 3-to-1
4. EAGLES (13-3)
We liked them better before their final two games. The Eagles believe they can snap their fingers and regain their form. Maybe, but we can't help but think the City of Brotherly Love is in for another painfully long winter. Their receivers not named Terrell Owens still have a lot to prove.
Could still be playing in February if: Brian Westbrook, who missed last year's playoffs, can be the difference-maker. (Donovan McNabb hopes he can.)
Won't be if: Todd Pinkston doesn't show he really, really wants to catch the ball over the middle.
Super Bowl odds: 7-to-2
5. CHARGERS (12-4)
They're a little chippier -- and probably better -- than you think. Especially if you're a Jets fan. On Sunday evening, Drew Brees told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "We feel like we really owe it to the Jets, you know?" The Jets beat the Chargers 34-28 Sept. 19. Brees said he was "embarrassed."
Could still be playing in February if: They continue to do what they're doing. Winning nine of their last 10 games was good enough.
Won't be if: Brees loses his cool, and the defense loses its nasty streak.
Super Bowl odds: 4-to-1
6. PACKERS (10-6)
Brett Favre is still Brett Favre, as he's reminded us lately. And the Packers defense is still vulnerable, as Chad Hutchinson's 63-yard completion to David Terrell proved Sunday. The Packers defense allows too many big plays, way too many. Can Favre still make enough to compensate? If it comes down to a Ryan Longwell kick, the guy is money in final seconds.
Could still be playing in February if: They get to Philly and can take advantage of not having to worry about T.O.
Won't be if: Favre throws the crucial pick.
Super Bowl odds: 5-to-1
7. FALCONS (11-5)
They lost their last two and three of their last five. That's not momentum the Falcons were looking to build. Michael Vick is so unpredictable and entertaining, but the Falcons can't rely on a passing game that mostly involves tight end Alge Crumpler. Chances looked better a few games ago.
Could still be playing in February if: The defense gets stingy again; it's allowed more than 25 points in four of the last five.
Won't be if: It's up to only Vick to work magic.
Super Bowl odds: 6-to-1
8. JETS (10-6)
This cannot be the real Chad Pennington, it can't be. But we fear it is the real red zone offense. The Jets have a short week to fix what they acknowledge is a multitude of problems. It's never a good sign when a 5-0 start dissolves into a 5-6 fade, including ugly losses to end the season. Jets fans can dream, but they'll have nightmares Saturday night.
Could still be playing in February if: Defensive end John Abraham returns and is dominant. The defense has missed him.
Won't be if: The Jets don't get defensive and special-teams touchdowns. The offense hasn't been prolific enough. (Cue the Paul Hackett criticism.)
Super Bowl odds: 8-1
9. BRONCOS (10-6)
On Sunday, Denver got Indy's opening act. This Sunday, Denver will get four quarters of Peyton. The Broncos have three postseason appearances in the six years since John Elway's retirement but lost their opening games in 2000 and 2003. That won't change. This isn't a team that can win three road games to reach Jacksonville. It probably can't win one.
Could still be playing in February if: They get every single break -- imaginable and unimaginable -- throughout the AFC playoffs.
Won't be if: Jake Plummer has his usual issues with accuracy, turnovers and fan heckling.
Super Bowl odds: 10-to-1
10. RAMS (8-8)
What used to be a circus is now a high-wire act. There's more drama surrounding Mike Martz than there was in the NFC playoff race. The Rams can still outscore almost anyone, and Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce look like they've turned back time. If they were at home, they'd be dangerous. Losers of four of their last seven, these Rams aren't explosive enough to find an "on" switch.
Could still be playing in February if: Their defense starts coming up with turnovers as it used to under Lovie Smith.
Won't be if: The special teams give up returns like the 94-yarder on the kickoff last week.
Super Bowl odds: 12-to-1
11. VIKINGS (8-8)
Daunte Culpepper had some marvelous performances this season. Too bad he had too little company in that regard. The Vikings have lost four of their last five and seven of their last 10. Someday the Vikings might understand that a strong finish is better than a hot start. It'd be nice if Randy Moss at least looked interested in playing every down.
Could still be playing in February if: Their defense gets stubborn and stops giving up more than 20 points, as it did in 12 games this season.
Won't be if: This team "kills" Coach Mike Tice with its inconsistency, as he predicted that it will.
Super Bowl odds: 15-to-1
12. SEAHAWKS (9-7)
After seriously struggling, Seattle finally wins the NFC West and all Shaun Alexander cares about is the rushing title? Shut up! This isn't the time for the running back and coach to be squabbling. Free agency clearly can't come soon enough for Alexander. Do you really think Matt Hasselbeck can carry this team? Or the defense can stop anyone? They're done.
Could still be playing in February if: Their only chance is an NFL version of "Extreme Makeover."
Won't be if: They're the same Seahawks team that imploded against the Jets three games ago.
Super Bowl odds: 30-to-1
Should be a great game...what're y'all's thoughts?
ace
I found the top 12 Playoff teams for the NFL in the paper this morning...let's see what we've got here....
1. STEELERS (15-0)
After winning at Buffalo with their jayvees, are the Steelers tough enough yet? All they do is win. If running backs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley are healthy, the Steelers offense could be too physical for any defense to handle. But they do have a history under Bill Cowher of losing playoff games at home.
Could still be playing in February if: James Farrior keeps coming up with the big defensive play whenever the Steelers need one.
Won't be if: Big Ben realizes he's a rookie.
Super Bowl odds: 2-to-1
2. PATRIOTS (14-2)
They're still the defending Super Bowl champions, one ring from solidifying their place as a modern dynasty. Tom Brady has made some uncharacteristic mistakes lately, but he usually plays as big as the stage. If the bye week allows the Patriots to heal, the rest of the AFC could be in trouble.
Could still be playing in February if: They get Ty Law back to help their suspect secondary.
Won't be if: The Steelers are simply the better team. Is that possible?
Super Bowl odds: 5-to-2
3. COLTS (12-4)
Besides the top two teams in the AFC, who can corral the Colts' weapons? Even the Colts defense has been inspired. Dwight Freeney will be a handful for any left tackle he sees in postseason. We're hoping Peyton Manning waves off the punt team again.
Could still be playing in February if: Peyton and Co. continue to outscore people as they did all season.
Won't be if: They have to win at New England and then at Pittsburgh. The Colts need someone to pull an upset to give them some help.
Super Bowl odds: 3-to-1
4. EAGLES (13-3)
We liked them better before their final two games. The Eagles believe they can snap their fingers and regain their form. Maybe, but we can't help but think the City of Brotherly Love is in for another painfully long winter. Their receivers not named Terrell Owens still have a lot to prove.
Could still be playing in February if: Brian Westbrook, who missed last year's playoffs, can be the difference-maker. (Donovan McNabb hopes he can.)
Won't be if: Todd Pinkston doesn't show he really, really wants to catch the ball over the middle.
Super Bowl odds: 7-to-2
5. CHARGERS (12-4)
They're a little chippier -- and probably better -- than you think. Especially if you're a Jets fan. On Sunday evening, Drew Brees told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "We feel like we really owe it to the Jets, you know?" The Jets beat the Chargers 34-28 Sept. 19. Brees said he was "embarrassed."
Could still be playing in February if: They continue to do what they're doing. Winning nine of their last 10 games was good enough.
Won't be if: Brees loses his cool, and the defense loses its nasty streak.
Super Bowl odds: 4-to-1
6. PACKERS (10-6)
Brett Favre is still Brett Favre, as he's reminded us lately. And the Packers defense is still vulnerable, as Chad Hutchinson's 63-yard completion to David Terrell proved Sunday. The Packers defense allows too many big plays, way too many. Can Favre still make enough to compensate? If it comes down to a Ryan Longwell kick, the guy is money in final seconds.
Could still be playing in February if: They get to Philly and can take advantage of not having to worry about T.O.
Won't be if: Favre throws the crucial pick.
Super Bowl odds: 5-to-1
7. FALCONS (11-5)
They lost their last two and three of their last five. That's not momentum the Falcons were looking to build. Michael Vick is so unpredictable and entertaining, but the Falcons can't rely on a passing game that mostly involves tight end Alge Crumpler. Chances looked better a few games ago.
Could still be playing in February if: The defense gets stingy again; it's allowed more than 25 points in four of the last five.
Won't be if: It's up to only Vick to work magic.
Super Bowl odds: 6-to-1
8. JETS (10-6)
This cannot be the real Chad Pennington, it can't be. But we fear it is the real red zone offense. The Jets have a short week to fix what they acknowledge is a multitude of problems. It's never a good sign when a 5-0 start dissolves into a 5-6 fade, including ugly losses to end the season. Jets fans can dream, but they'll have nightmares Saturday night.
Could still be playing in February if: Defensive end John Abraham returns and is dominant. The defense has missed him.
Won't be if: The Jets don't get defensive and special-teams touchdowns. The offense hasn't been prolific enough. (Cue the Paul Hackett criticism.)
Super Bowl odds: 8-1
9. BRONCOS (10-6)
On Sunday, Denver got Indy's opening act. This Sunday, Denver will get four quarters of Peyton. The Broncos have three postseason appearances in the six years since John Elway's retirement but lost their opening games in 2000 and 2003. That won't change. This isn't a team that can win three road games to reach Jacksonville. It probably can't win one.
Could still be playing in February if: They get every single break -- imaginable and unimaginable -- throughout the AFC playoffs.
Won't be if: Jake Plummer has his usual issues with accuracy, turnovers and fan heckling.
Super Bowl odds: 10-to-1
10. RAMS (8-8)
What used to be a circus is now a high-wire act. There's more drama surrounding Mike Martz than there was in the NFC playoff race. The Rams can still outscore almost anyone, and Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce look like they've turned back time. If they were at home, they'd be dangerous. Losers of four of their last seven, these Rams aren't explosive enough to find an "on" switch.
Could still be playing in February if: Their defense starts coming up with turnovers as it used to under Lovie Smith.
Won't be if: The special teams give up returns like the 94-yarder on the kickoff last week.
Super Bowl odds: 12-to-1
11. VIKINGS (8-8)
Daunte Culpepper had some marvelous performances this season. Too bad he had too little company in that regard. The Vikings have lost four of their last five and seven of their last 10. Someday the Vikings might understand that a strong finish is better than a hot start. It'd be nice if Randy Moss at least looked interested in playing every down.
Could still be playing in February if: Their defense gets stubborn and stops giving up more than 20 points, as it did in 12 games this season.
Won't be if: This team "kills" Coach Mike Tice with its inconsistency, as he predicted that it will.
Super Bowl odds: 15-to-1
12. SEAHAWKS (9-7)
After seriously struggling, Seattle finally wins the NFC West and all Shaun Alexander cares about is the rushing title? Shut up! This isn't the time for the running back and coach to be squabbling. Free agency clearly can't come soon enough for Alexander. Do you really think Matt Hasselbeck can carry this team? Or the defense can stop anyone? They're done.
Could still be playing in February if: Their only chance is an NFL version of "Extreme Makeover."
Won't be if: They're the same Seahawks team that imploded against the Jets three games ago.
Super Bowl odds: 30-to-1
Should be a great game...what're y'all's thoughts?
ace