Before I get to today's game previews, there is awful news to pass along from the NFL community today as Chicago Bears DE Gaines Adams passed away at the age of 26. Adams was the fourth overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After seeing the Colts and the Saints, both No. 1 seeds, advance to conference championship matches yesterday, today it'll be time to find out who their opponents will be. If you would like to comment on either of the games, whether it be before, during, or after the game(s), please do so here. The brief previews are after the jump.
NFC Divisional: Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM, FOX) [See SB Nation Coverage Here]
This is why QB Brett Favre returned to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings: he thought he could be the missing piece to their Super Bowl quest. Favre is still two games away from reaching the big game, but he has all of the tools around him. He's got a great running back in Adrian Peterson. He's got young receivers who have gotten accustomed to Favre's tendencies. And, he's got a defense that packs an intimidating line up front.
The Vikings might just have the most complete team across the board in the NFL. With that said, will they be able to execute? After getting off to a hot start, the Vikings lost three of their last five games. They nearly lost the first-round bye they had seemingly locked up earlier in the season. Peterson failed to rush for more than 100 yards in any of his final seven games, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry during that span. Peterson has also had problems holding onto the football, losing the ball six times this season.
The Cowboys are one of the league's hottest teams. Over the past two games, they knocked off what was the other hot team in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles, with ease. Tony Romo is in sync with Miles Austin and Jason Witten. Hell, even Roy Williams got into the mix last week! Marion Barber might not be coming through on the ground, but that's not stopping Felix Jones. The defense is playing at a higher level as well -- Dallas' defense has the tools to beat the Saints if they do meet (the Cowboys handed the Saints their first loss of the season about a month ago).
What we've been missing in the postseason this year is a really good football game. So far, the top two contenders would be the Arizona/Green Bay first-round game, and yesterday's Colts/Ravens match. The first match listed was a shootout though with no defense, while the second game was still won by three possessions by the Colts. The Cowboys/Vikings match should offer a mix of high-octane offense with solid defense from both teams. I think the score will be tied late in the game, and Favre will lead the Vikings to a game-winning field goal try. Vikings win by 3.
AFC Divisional: New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers (4:40 PM, CBS) [See SB Nation Coverage Here]
What the Jets did last week defensively to the Cincinnati Bengals was very impressive. I appreciate a coach who is willing and able to bring the types of blitzes that Rex Ryan has brought, and a great running game to go with that is the icing on top of the cake. With how hot the Chargers were to close out the season -- even being the only team to win with their backups in Week 17 -- this should not be a blowout game.
San Diego has some difficulty at stopping the run, and Mark Sanchez made the "smart" throws last week. Philip Rivers has been the league's "quiet" MVP, but will he be able to deploy his jump-ball passes throughout the game when Darrelle Revis is in coverage? Maybe not towards his direction, but who on the Jets is going to stop Antonio Gates?
This will come down to a tale of having to defend more threats than they had to last week. Palmer was off the past two weeks, and the Bengal receivers forgot how to catch the football. The Chargers have more weapons, each of whom has the height advantage, who will come through with enough catches to put a few scores on the board. Sanchez is going to need to have a big game again, but in his young career with a drop-friendly receiver always on the field, I don't see him having another perfect game. Chargers win by 7.
Chris' Playoff Record To Date: 2-4
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Feel free to share your own predictions on today's games in this thread as well.
0 recs | 102 comments
Oh my god… I can’t believe Gaines Adams died! He was a star at Clemson. And he was so young. That’s horrible.
Idk if I’d rather have the Cowboys or Vikings win, since I hate both. I think I’d rather have the Cowboys since I’m so sick of Favre. And go Chargers.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
that is soo sad…he was great.
This is just a sad year in life…so many people dying young…
bross09 - January 17, 2010
Just don’t see the Jets making it close. They don’t have the weapons to put points on the board. The running game may keep the SD offense off the field, but it won’t put TDs on the board. Add in the fact that the team is traveling across the country, and the Jets are primed for being blown out.
The media makes a big deal about 6th seeds making it to the SB given the recent success of the Steelers and Giants, but those teams didn’t have to travel to the west coast during the conference playoffs. The Chargers would have to lay a huge egg for the Jets to make this close.
Not sure about the Vikings-Cowboys. I think Favre used up all of his magic in the first half of the season. The Cowboys defense will be able to take advantage of Favre’s mistakes and take the game by 6.
Spidey - January 17, 2010 via mobile
I dunno…but until the Chargers demonstrate they can win in the playoffs I’m not convinced. However, I agree that the demise of the jets will eventually be their inability to score TDs even if they control time of possession.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
vikings 280, cowboys 0
favre throws 40 TDs
(source: ESPN)
Dawg Nuts - January 17, 2010
Ha!
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Close
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
If Flozell Adams is out, the Boys could be in trouble.
Adams is able to
trip and cheat,slow Allen down by himself.Dallas is moving the ball, but they can’t block Minnesota’s front line so far.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
Right on cue, Allen destroys Romo.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
Haha, he got there in 2 seconds.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Backup LT against Jared Allen means game over.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Anyone else see the note on PFT this morning that McNabb is due a 5 million dollar bonus in May?
I think there is about a 20% chance McNabb is in Cleveland next year.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
That would be sweet. So would BQ just learn under him for two seasons and then take over? Or would we get rid of both DA and Quinn and draft a rookie to learn under McNabb?
emily522 - January 17, 2010
I would deal them both personally.
Draft someone like McCoy late.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
Yeah, that’s probably best to deal them both. I’d like to take a shot at LeFevour.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Or maybe even McCoy. It depends on where he is projected to go. If he could learn behind McNabb, maybe he could develop into a good QB.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
I am in the minority, but I think that Colt McCoy is going to be a good NFL QB.
People get caught up in arm strength. As long as you don’t have a pea shooter hanging off your shoulder, you can get by in the NFL if you have the other tools.
When I see McCoy, I see a 4 year starter that set accuracy records and has a quick release. Easily worth a third rounder.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
I like McCoy, too. I think with some time he could be good. He has ridiculous accuracy, like you said. I’m sure Holgren/Heckert will be taking a look at him. If we had to take a QB (assume Bradford and Clausen are gone), I’d probably take him. I think he’ll go in the 4th.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
I like his accuracy but I would not call it ridiculous. When you watch them, Bradford gets it to the players better than Colt and gives it to them in better positions. there is more to accuracy than completion percentage. the completion percentage is a bit inflated b/c of the offense. he also saw a 6% drop in his completion percentage when he lost quan cosby. you should improve your senior year, not drop…maybe he wasn’t able to get away with as much without his leading receiver.
I do like him as a prospect but looking purely at stats would give him too much credit. stats are nice but they are not everything.
bross09 - January 17, 2010
Yeah, I know. I’m not just looking at his stats.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
this is what you said
his completion percentage stats are ridiculous and when watching him his accuracy is good but I would not go as far to call it ridiculous. if it is ridiculous, than bradford’s must be legendary.
bross09 - January 17, 2010
Who was looking at just stats? Maybe take some time to reread posts before putting your $.02 of criticism.
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
again. maybe I misread something but most people that look at his stats feel this. his accuracy is good no doubt, but it is a big stretch to call it ridiculous (unless you are looking at purely stats)…
wow, people on here just love hatin’ on me. I agree and they still try to criticize me…I thought this was supposed to be a forum of good people.
bross09 - January 17, 2010
I’ve watched him play, and maybe ridiculous is an overstatement, but it’s very very good.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
yes. I am going to admit his accuracy is good, and maybe very good. The system he operates out of also accentuates strengths and hides weaknesses. he does look good in the system but he saw a drop-off once he lost one of his receivers.
I do think he could be a good QB but am starting to agree (the more I watch him) that the scouts are right dropping him out of the first.
bross09 - January 17, 2010
But nobody was just looking at stats. B19K listed accuracy records in the context of 4 years of major college experience, other tools and a quick release. Emily said she thought he could be a project and that our front office will probably consider him.
Nobody was “purely looking at stats”.
What you made is called a Straw Man argument (pretty text book, actually). It is very common on internet forums- and I’ve noticed you are quite prone to them, but it is very annoying and dishonest. I don’t know if this is “supposed to be a forum of good people”, but I do know that we try to make it a place of higher quality discussion about football. And when you make these type of fallacies, you will get called out for it.
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
(via rufio)
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
All I was saying is by the way emily was wording it, it seemed like she was going by just stats. she said his accuracy is ridiculous. his completion percentage is ridiculous. all I am guilty of is making a bad assumption. emily did admit to saying “ridiculous” as an overstatement…the whole thing was resolved and then you come in and say I am wielding a straw man argument
you know what, I am agreeing with the basic point that he could be a good QB down the road…but no matter what I say, whether I disagree or agree, I get ripped apart for it…maybe some times it is warranted but most of the time it isn’t.
sometimes its just people hatin’ on the new guy b/c it is easy.
bross09 - January 18, 2010
The persecution complex really isn’t becoming, bross. It’s not that you’re new, it’s that you’ve posted incredibly often lately and in the process have often posted first and thought about it later. You might say that you’re done with that, but people aren’t going to forget it instantaneously. When you use sloppy logic here now, you will get called out.
Measure twice, cut once.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 18, 2010
He does have ridiculous accuracy. He set the NCAA record!
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2010
yes…by stats alone…his accuracy was the beneficiary of a good system…yes he does have good to very good accuracy in my book but the system he is in emphasizes his accuracy.
Plus if you look at the stats, once he lost his number one receiver Quan Cosby, hie completion percentage dropped 6%…
so how much of it was cosby and the system and how much was McCoy…
I personally believe he has good accuracy but because someone sets an NCAA record does not make them a total superstar guarantee at the next level. heard of Timmy Chang? He was the Hawaii QB before brennan. he holds all kinds of records but he only plays in the CFL. B. J. Symons was the star T-Tech QB before Harrell. He is now in the AFL. Was ron dayne an NFL star?? Just because someone sets NCAA records does not always mean that their skills will translate into the NFL (and in some cases not even out of the offensive system)
bross09 - January 18, 2010
Wha?
You are really saying that a QB’s accuracy is tied to an undrafted rookie free agent? Really? What would happen if he lost a good WR? In fact, McCoy has had ONLY ONE WR drafted the entire time he was at Texas. Two years ago, Limas Sweed was drafted by the Steelers.
The following season, his accuracy went UP. So unless Quan Cosby is just that freaking good, (He isn’t) this line of thinking is just plain dumb.
Where has anyone called McCoy a superstar guarantee? Please show me. It is probably in the same post in which I called you “an idiot”.
What does any of this have to do with Colt McCoy? Did those players play under Colt McCoy’s current offensive coordinator, Greg Davis?
Davis has coached two NFL QB’s. Chris Simms and Vince Young. Those two have more in common than Timmy Chang or BJ Symons.
What does this have to do with Colt McCoy?
Stay on course, this is what was explained to you above, as a straw man argument.
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2010
The whole point I was saying is that just because someone sets records does not guarantee they will be a star. I think McCoy can be a very good NFL QB though.
bross09 - January 18, 2010
i agree
i think McCoy will make it in the NFL but im more worried about his height than his arm. id take him mid to late 2nd easily and think he could fill Quinns role and do better…actually id take anybody at this point just not Vick (please no, the Dawg Pound will eat him alive)
NoLogos4Life - January 17, 2010
I think McCoy is getting more scrutiny than he should, but I still would not draft him in the first couple rounds. he is like Alex Smith 2.0…except I think he could be a better pro. he doesn’t have nearly as good of physical skills as Smith but is a better QB and has more experience. Bradford actually took a fair amount of snaps under center, whereas McCoy really didn’t. also, he did benefit from the system some.
That said, if we do get McNabb in Free Agency and get 2+ good years out of him, McCoy could definitely develop under him. he could be a very good QB in the league, he just needs time.
bross09 - January 17, 2010
He has an odd throwing motion, though. I think he is someone who was great in college, but will fizzle out in the pros.
gahnki - January 17, 2010
odd throwing motion….well we’ve had one of those guys before…remeber number 19 the late, the great, the drunk Mr. Bernie Kosar
NoLogos4Life - January 20, 2010
i want Farve to go all the way !! prove all those haters wrong and win a Super Bowl at his old age. would that be yet another record he can add to his belt? oldest starting QB to win SB. someone else called Payton a cyborg? i think that title belongs to Brett
NoLogos4Life - January 17, 2010
I wouldn’t mind either Minnesota or New Orleans making it. I’m still a Favre fan, but I’d really like to see NO vs. Indy.
Chris Pokorny - January 17, 2010
Favre is a legend…but all his me-me-me shenanigans the past few years kind of tainted my opinion of him. Still, vikes fans deserve one…as do the saints…I suppose I’ll root for the saints though just because they’ve been so awful for so long…the vikes haven’t one one either, but they’ve generally been much, much more competitive.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
Main thing is though…2 down, one to go. Cowboys gone (I mean, who doesn’t hate the cowboys?) and most importantly, Baltimore gone. Now let’s just get Braylon outta there…how great would it be for the jets to lose a close one with a last second wide open endzone drop?
Please please please please////
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
I don’t get this whole ‘class,’ thing everyone has so much ‘issue’ with on every single blog almost. The insult you see all the time is so and so’s fans have no ‘class,’ or ‘stay classy, _ fans.’
Today, because the vikes ran up the score…the cowboys fans all have their panties up in a bunch about being ‘classy.’ lol ‘Class’ never is an issue before a game…only after a loss…then all of a sudden the fans of some defeated yet ‘dignified and storied’ franchise (as almost every nfl franchise is, apparently) still have the honor of retaining said ‘class’ while the victors apparently have the dubious distinction of sacrificing their honor in favor of a win….
Odd. Almost as prevalent as the ‘ref conspiracy’ phenomenon in post game threads…
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
so noble, these nfl fans. Always have the higher priorities in mind after a loss.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
I usually don’t like running up the score, but this is the playoffs.
If Dallas didn’t like it, stop it.
Keith Brooking can eat a fat one for all I care.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2010
Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
Good point on the Eagles game.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
link
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
“I don’t care about no Brooking.”
That’s a double negative description of what vikes fans would consider a positive.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
I took it to be a we just whooped your ass and are a game from the Super Bowl, go home and play tag in your new stadium
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
Lol.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Ha!
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2010
Yeah, to me, the only time I’d really mention class is if a team was really taunting another team overboard when they were being blown out, or if they were poking fun at a player seriously injured. I don’t even consider “running up the score” a classless move. If a team still has possession, no matter how much they are up, their goal is still to keep the chains moving. How they go about doing that is up to them…
Chris Pokorny - January 17, 2010
These guys are paid professionals. Running up the score should not only be allowed, but encouraged.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
I know it’s obvious to say now, but the NFC East was horribly mediocre this season. The entire division only beat one playoff team from another division all year — and that was the Cowboys over the Saints when the Saints had essentially clinched everything already.
I was saying last week that the Cowboys and Eagles were lucky to play each other in the first round, because otherwise both would have been toast.
Chemo - January 17, 2010
Our Tampa Bay Buccaneers affiliate, Buc Em, has a tribute video for Gaines Adams.
Chris Pokorny - January 17, 2010
BE ruins another pass.
SpecialBrownie - January 17, 2010
Chargers better get their act together right quick.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
I hope they lose.
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
I’d like to go a few months not seeing ugly powder blue jerseys and lil’ car flags everywhere I go.
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
I want to see Braylon cry.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
What is with SoCal and the car flags?
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
I really couldn’t tell you. It’s practically standard procedure here. Another one that irks me are the 3 foot long Charger Bolt stickers on rear car windows. They’re un-necessarily large.
Brownie's Year - January 18, 2010
TOUCHDOWN!!!
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
Damn he’d look good in a Browns uniform.
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
No kidding.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
Chargers are gonna lose.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Chargers remembered they’re in the playoffs and that they’re the Chargers.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
Keading is on the take.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
Jackson is an idiot
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
I don’t see how that should be a penalty though.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Yeah I agree. But why do something stupid when the game is on the line.
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
Mark Sanchez= The Jets’s Trent Dilfer this season?
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Mark Sanchez = The Ravens’ Joey Flacco last season.
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
Better comparison.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
3 point game!
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 17, 2010
why is braylon on the jets special teams “hands” team
Cavs4 life - January 17, 2010
Stupidity?
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 17, 2010
Vikings/Cowboys
I don’t know why this was in there but I had to laugh.
Villeslgr - January 17, 2010
heheh. Nice.
johnnyphoenix - January 17, 2010
Random, but funny.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Funny.
Seriously though, what has happened to Peterson. He has the best talent around him in his brief career and has totally sucked the last half of the season.
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
Favre happened?
emily522 - January 17, 2010
And a sophomore slump perhaps? Although he didn’t seem to have a problem against that ferocious Cleveland defense haha.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
He’s a junior.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
Oh, then never mind.
emily522 - January 18, 2010
He gets the carries though. I guess he has had some impact in the passing game. But look at his last 10 games or so- Jamal Lewis is an appropriate comparison. And not the Jamal Lewis of 5 years ago.
Ryan Kelsey - January 17, 2010
I had thought the problem was that he wasn’t getting enough carries some games. When the whole Favre-Childress argument was big news, some were saying that Childress was mad at Favre from changing running plays to pass plays. So I thought the issue was not enough carries for Peterson, which would decrease his yards/game.
emily522 - January 18, 2010
But its not YPG, its YPC where he looks offer. I hate the “but I get stronger with carries” argument, but even if you say that, he has sucked. Including yesterday:
- Only twice since week 6 has he averaged more than 4 YPC.
- All season he has gotten over 24 carries 8 times. Only once (week 1 at Cleveland) he has broken 100 yards in those games.
Plus, he still fumbles way too much (7 times this year).
There is a possibility this kid peaked his rookie year.
Ryan Kelsey - January 18, 2010
Yeah, I noticed that his YPC is bad too.
emily522 - January 18, 2010
That offensive line sucks at run blocking. They miss Matt Birk more than they ever could have guessed.
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2010
Oh, man. I can hear it now.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
I’m laughing my ass off over here. The Jets? Really? haha
I bet they get spanked next week.
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2010
emily522 - January 17, 2010
They ran the ball and played tough D. That’s what I dream of.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Our picks for Braylon get worse with each passing week. At best we’ve got the 27th pick in the 3rd and 5th now.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
Haha, we might as well call them 4th and 6th round picks at this point.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Another reason to hate the Colts. they cost us half a round when they rolled over.
golanbatrac - January 17, 2010
Well if they lose next Sunday, I will hate them even more.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2010
Next week: go Saints and go Colts.
That’d be a sweet Super Bowl.
emily522 - January 17, 2010
Saints all the way. Got to root for them to finally get to the big show….
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 18, 2010
A late 3rd and 5th is better value than Braylon still dropping balls and being a locker room cancer. He was going to leave after this year anyways too.
gentryholdem - January 17, 2010
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