NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Weekend

[lovemydog]

Getting ready for a fun weekend.

Can the Chiefs score enough on the Texans great defense?
Can the Bengals finally end their playoff woes or will the Steelers keep rolling?
Will the Seahawks move the ball in sub zero Minnesota weather?
Can the Packers overcome 16 players on injured reserve to defeat the Redskins?

NFL Wild Card Weekend - LMD Picks

Chiefs @ Texans Chiefs
Steelers @ Bengals Bengals
Seahawks @ Vikings Seahawks
Packers @ Redskins Redskins

[Goblinmonger]

1. Lynch is a no for the game Sunday

Chiefs
Steelers
Vikings
Redskins

[lovemydog]

7. Wow, I'm surprised Lynch isn't playing Sunday.

I'll stick with Seahawks but I think it's going to be a close game.

I read that the way the stadium is built in Minneapolis, the Vikings offense will play most of the game in sunny and warmer weather (where it feels like 10 degrees or so) and the Seahawks will play mostly in the shade (where it will feel like 10 below).

I have no idea how that or the weather could affect the game. But Peterson rushes for way more yards at home than away.

[Goblinmonger]

8. It's all weird from the couple articles I read

Everything that was being said was that he would play and then it seems like it came time for the team to fly out and he just said "Nope."

It should be a good game. Last time they played, three of the best defensive players were out. Hopefully that changes things a bit.

[lovemydog]

11. Wow.

Lynch not flying out. Major story. I'll have to look it up. Maybe he'll get there for the game. If not, wtf is up with Lynch?

LOL, I'm wondering if maybe the Seahawks are trying to psych out the Vikings with some of this. I also wonder if Dalton may go ahead and start tonight for the Bengals too. A lot of shenanigans can happen where teams try to 'hide' who may or may not start.

Yeah, I think it's gonna be a very good game.

[Goblinmonger]

13. I'm not sure of the player status rules

but I think once they say "not playing" I don't know if they can change their mind this close to the game. Not sure, though. Part of me thinks he won't be a big factor, but they are going to have to have a running game going if it is as cold as it looks like it is going to be.

[lovemydog]

15. Oh yeah, you may be correct on that.

I'm watching Chiefs - Texans in a few minutes. I'm sure they'll talk about it there.

Here's to a great football weekend!

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

2. I got...

Chiefs
Bengals
Seahawks (Lynch is inconsequential at this stage)
Redskins

I agree with OP

[Goblinmonger]

3. I didn't go Vikings because of Lynch

Just thought it was interesting.

I'm a Vikes fan so it's clearly homer goggles coming through. Though we will have Murphy (run stop key to winning this game to a large extent), Barr, and Smith back that we did not have in that first game so it should be better. Plus it's going to be FUCKING cold there tomorrow and the Seahawks don't have a good track record below zero.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

4. What's the Vikes record sub-zero?

Haven't they played indoors for like a gillion years? lol

[Goblinmonger]

5. I would venture to guess

that both in the history of the franchise and this year that the Vikes have a better cold weather record.

They have played outside for these past two years.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

6. I'm sure Fran Tarkenton and the Purple People eaters are relevant

[Goblinmonger]

10. Well, historically, the games the Seahawks play

don't prepare them for cold weather games. Whereas the ones the Vikes play (Packers, Bears, home the last two years) do. That makes sense.

And the Seahawks offense isn't going to see the passing numbers it usually does in sub-zero temperatures.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

17. I'd rather have the ball in the hands of Russell Wilson than...

in Adrian Peterson's. He fumbles a lot, and a frozen ball is easier to fumble.

I also haven't seen Teddy solve the Seattle defense riddle, and since he's young and this being the first time he sees it, I suspect he won't solve it in his first playoff game.

[Goblinmonger]

22. You may be correct.

If Teddy keeps his head and sticks to the game plan (and the O-Line can get the run going), he'll be just fine. If he starts Farveing it with that left had toss bullshit, we're done for.

Russell Wilson will have a LOT more do deal with this time around with Murphy, Barr, and Smith.

[lovemydog]

12. A lot better than the Seahawks record sub-zero,

would be my guess.

They played outside at home for I think two years.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

19. My point is, this is a strawman. Neither team has played in this weather.

Teams that fumble, lose. Peterson fumbles a lot.

[lovemydog]

21. Okay, gotcha.

Absolutely, turnovers are a huge factor.

[lovemydog]

9. Interesting.

Most everyone's picking the Steelers. I picked Bengals just because I'd like to see them end their playoff drought.

Most are picking the Packers too. With that one I just think Cousins is playing okay and the Redskins are more healthy.

This could be the first time in NFL history that on wild card weekend all four home teams are underdogs.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

14. I've watched the Pack all year...

That justifies my Redskins pick.

In a previous thread, I picked the Bengals to lose the Super Bowl to Carolina. So I'm stuck with those picks

[Goblinmonger]

16. Nothing would make me happier than to see the Packers choke on it

Well, other than a Vikings win.

And just so you know my mindset, I'm a Vikings fan (born in ND some 50 years ago and lived there until mid 20s) who is living 45 miles south of Lambeau. Packers losing always makes things better.

[lovemydog]

20. Kind of like much of how non-Patriots

fans feel when they lose.

I'm a Jets fan and that last loss against the Bills was rather painful to watch.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

23. The Bears and Lions were rooting for the Vikes last week.

I just like Seattle until I see someone beat them.

[lovemydog]

18. I've been picking all year and never know

how my picks will go until a day or two before they start. Injuries and how they played last week has so much to do with the picks.

Did okay this year. Better than about a third of the fourteen experts on espn.com. Some years I'm better than most of them. A lot of it is luck. Thank goodness I don't bet. There were a lot of upsets this year, more than usual.

I'd like to see Dalton in the playoffs. He's had a very good season.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

24. I won game #1!!!!

[lovemydog]

26. Same!

The Texans need a better quarterback. Brian Hoyer turned over the ball four times in the first half (three interceptions and a fumble). Not sure of his second half stats but they didn't score any points.

I'd say the Chiefs looked good, but they were barely even tested.

They've now won something like 11 games in a row.

[demtenjeep]

28. yes we have

in KC playoffs start in Houston



YEah baby

[lovemydog]

31. I might pick the Chiefs against New England next week.

What do you think?

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

25. What a joke. They closed the roof on a sunny day.

[lovemydog]

27. That's odd.

Maybe J.J. Watt doesn't like shadows or something. I don't know. That one receiver for the Texans (can't remember his name, he was third in the league in receiving yards and he's only 23) is fantastic. Poor guy couldn't get may footballs thrown close enough for him to catch.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

29. This is a typical AFC North game

Nasty and hard hitting!

[lovemydog]

30. That Steelers - Bengals game

was one of the dirtiest games I've ever seen. Both sides made some hits that could have killed the receiver or broken his neck.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

32. Ha! 2-2 not very good!!!

[lovemydog]

33. I know right. We could have done better.

It's so much about luck though, once you already know the favorites.

My two buddies who I do this with every week both went 4-0 for the weekend. Pissed me right off. They took the favorites. Fortunately we didn't have any money on it.

[lovemydog]

34. What an end to that Seahawks - Vikings game.

I feel bad for the kicker. Man oh man. It was just a chip shot.