f13.net

The Championship games are this weekend. You know the drill, pick the winners of the two NFL games this weekend. Much closer this week. So in order to make sure we have a clear winner, I will award 2 wins for every correct pick this week, and 3 wins for the Super Bowl. There may be an additional tie-breaker for the Super Bowl as well.

AFC
New England at Pittsburgh

NFC
Atlanta at Philadelphia

Current Records

Paelos - 5-3
Shockeye - 5-3
Dark Vengeance - 5-3
Jamiko - 5-3
sidereal - 5-3
Rasix - 4-4  
Kenrick - 4-4
Wayabvpar - 4-4
HaemishM - 4-4
murdoc - 4-4
Mr. Hat - 4-4
Zetleft - 3-5
Shannow - 3-5
Murgos - 3-5
Trippy - 3-5

Since these guys had no picks the first week or this week, I gave them the equivalent of the lowest score for the week here.
El Gallo - 4-4
Righ - 4-4
shiznitz - 2-6 (No picks 2nd week)

AFC
New England at Pittsburgh - Both defenses are about equal; both offenses can run the ball well and control the clock. I have to go with the better QB, and that's Brady. He's proven he can win in tough, important games.

NFC
Atlanta at Philadelphia - I just do not believe in Freddie Mitchell, the Eagles' run offense or their run defense. I think Atlanta holds onto the ball and plays a more physical game, eeking out the win.

New England and Philadelphia.

And I'll take the Pats for the Super Bowl.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

Atlanta - for my homies
Steelers - because I love them

Steelers & Eagles.

AFC
New England at Pittsburgh   ---   NEW ENGLAND

NFC
Atlanta at Philadelphia   ---   ATLANTA

Steelers - because i flipped a coin, and pittsburgh won

Eagles - the team of my second home. even with the suspect run defense, i still have to take them over the Falcons - i just don't buy into the falcons' hype, coming out of the weakest division, and prolly with a weaker schedule, etc. Also, the Eagles' defense is just more dominating. This game will be won decisively, either for or against the Eagles.

Eagles v Steelers in the Super Bowl

Ya, i know this won't count FTW, but it was the only thing i had time for before class, hehe

My first post, For Teh Win!!

I'm not in the competition, but I'll toss my opinion in here anyway and pretend other people care.

New England. Pittsburgh hasn't lost a game since 1973, or something. Their rookie quarterback, despite stumbling against the Jets last week, has been rock solid. So has their running game and their defense. They shut down the Pats handily in the regular season.

I don't give a shit. It's January. The Patriots are playing. I think I would be a fool to pick against them.

Atlanta. Can Vick, Dunn and that defense pull it together in snowy Philly? Absolutely. If ... they can control the ball early. I think that based on recent failures, Philly will be on the edge of panic the whole game. If Atlanta can rattle them early on, keep the score close, make Philly start to doubt themselves, then the Eagles will self-destruct, start making screwy mistakes and ultimately go down in flames.

Atlanta has to come out and score right away, preferably on a kick return, or a long offensive play. They absolutely have to place the "oh shit, here we go again" seed in Philly's mind, and do so early. If the Falcons can open up a 14 point lead in the first half, I expect the Eagles to fold.

My personal opinion is that the underrated Eagles defense will play with a chip on their shoulder this week, and hold the Falcons running game to within reason. Their DBs match up well against Atlanta, and their safeties are talented enough that you could movie Lewis into the box, and still be in good shape with Dawkins and the CBs in coverage.

Moving Lewis into the box adds a nice dimension, as he can play the run, and spy Vick on passing plays, keeping him reasonably contained. Plus, in the event Vick does throw, Lewis is there to provide help on crossing routes.

You stack the box to slow down the run and contain Vick in order to try and force him to beat you with his arm. Lito Sheppard against Peerless Price is an advantage for Philadelphia, especially with Kearse and company applying pressure.

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

New England.  This pick would be incredibly obvious by the Rookie Rule if the Quarterback position actually even mattered to the Steelers.  Talk about 3 yards and a cloud of dust.  I still pick New England by the Belichick defense rule.  I'll be much more comfortable if the Patriots can get a 10 point lead somewhere in there, requiring that the rookie actually try to throw.

Philadelphia.  Atlanta scored barely more points than they gave up this season.  WTF are they doing in a Championship game?

Ever heard of LeBeau? Pass that crack pipe, son.

New England at Pittsburgh - PITTSBURGH
Atlanta at Philadelphia  - PHILADELPHIA

Not much to say about this, I don't like any of the teams.

Yes, he coached the Bengals to a 12-33 record.

One of us is biased.  
Judging from your pervasive Steelers rah rah and lack of participation in the contest, I'm guessing it's you, son.

AFC Champs New England.

NFC Champs Philly.

Going to have to go with New England v. Philly.  



Belichick by some people is considered to be the worst Browns coach ever. I don't know his record there offhand, but it was pretty horrid. Sucking with the Bengals doesn't say much.  

I'm not sure thought that I'd be that up on LeBeau, he's got a sickening amount of talent at his disposal.  Still, they were amazing during the regular season and v. the Jets (horrid offensive team). Still, it's Belichick in the playoffs vs. a rookie quarterback.  Rothleswhatever will see schemes that will turn his shit white.

As for the Philly game, Vick will self destruct.   Just a feeling, he's got the Favre'ness about him where he can just take his team out of the game if the moon is in proper alignment.

I may be biased, but the front line knows their shit this year. Sure, little Ben will see some crazy stuff coming his way. I'm hoping he doesn't crumple. But if he begins to waver. Run, run, run. Hell, they need to jam the ball down the Pats throat anyhow. Their defense is good, but our run is better. We've got two heavies at half and a beast of a blocking full. Not to mention a couple backups (Haynes and Parker) that can get shit done. Our depth there is quite good.

As to my lack of participation, if you check the second week picks, you'll see why. I made the call before the first week: Pitt and Philly in the SB with the Steelers getting one for the thumb. No need to try and win when I already have. ;)

Belichick is not all that. Neither is Vick. They'll both see their teams lose this week. The PA squads just want it more.

New England v Pittsburgh- Just look at last week. New England totally manhandled one of the best offenses ever to take the field, while Pittsburgh had to Paypal a few million to Doug Brien's escrow account in order to beat the Jets (who are almost terrible).

Atlanta v Philadelphia- Two reasons- A) a Philly loss will drive a stake through the heart of my rapidly declining chances to finish in the money in my fantasy league, and B) a 4th Philly loss would make watching the fans really entertaining.

I thought the Superbowl was already aired? Wasn't it the Colts vs Pats?

New England over Pittsburgh 28-17

Philly over Atlanta 21-10

The Patriots will hammer the Steelers. The Eagles will barely beat the Falcons.

New England
Atlanta

Im a Pats fan and the Steelers worry me way more than the Colts do.
(I really love how the ESPN analysts are a bunch of bandwagoning crackheads)

Lets look at this somehwat objectively:
Steelers are at home.
Steelers have beaten the Pats before this season.
Steelers have the No. 1. defence in the league.
Steelers have a great rushing offence.

The Pats couldnt stop the Steelers rush in the regular season game even when they went to a goal line defence to stop it.

You can't 'scheme' to defend the rush. Its a matter of who players better physically and the Steeler offensive line and their backs have been fantastic all year. No amount of Belichek genius can produce a scheme that helps his players stop a 250 pound bus coming at them.

The 'rookie' QB still has won 16 games in a row. Let us not forget the fact that in OT he lead his team down the field throwing 3 passes in that drive. So much for jitters huh?

Corey Dillon is not going to rush for 144 yards. This is the No. 1 rush defence in the league, not the 29th (helllo indianipolis). There pass defence is a bit better too and Brady is going to be under pressure all day.


If Pittsburgh can rush the ball effectively then this game maybe all over. I certainly hope they can't but Im not waiting for any 'genius' coaching moves to save the Pats, the defence is going to have to play another perfect game which is exceedingly hard to do.

AFC
New England at Pittsburgh - Bettis/Staley will run over this defense and just be a more physical team.  Pitts D will limit Corey and Brady will be under pressure all day long.

NFC
Atlanta at Philadelphia - Phily chokes again and the dirty birds run away with it.  Phily's wide receivers had their one good game and Atl D will be able to focus on westbrook.

That Philly pick was almost dead on. The NE pick might shape up for you too.

Which is pretty good for a man who went 0-4 on week one.

OMFG WTF PWNED.

Just sayin.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

You know if NE and Phily are going to the superbowl this may be the first one ever I won't even watch.  Sucks

Who will win?  Clam Chowder or Cheese Steak?

I'm baking bread.

WORST...SUPERBOWL MATCHUP...EVER

"It's time to stop disrespecting our defense. GIVE ME SOME RESPECT NOW!" - Brian Dawkins.

You got it. McNabb had more moments of brilliance too. However, in the end, the Falcons lost it just as much as the Eagles won it.

Dear "won't even watch" and "worst ever", grow up and suck it up. Your grapes will be ripe in the summer.

Word.

Um hello last year.

Perhaps you misunderstand. The Pats bore me. They just find ways to win. They are the Ohio State of the NFL. I hate them because I don't like their style, and the fact that they are a dynasty.

You shoot down the Cinderella stories and dynamic offenses, and you're getting a Super Bowl that's the same old bullshit with one exception, the Eagles didn't screw up. Whoopdedoo. Out of the Steelers, Colts, Jets, and Pats, the Pats are the last team I would enjoy watching in the show AGAIN.

EDIT: And come on, last year's matchup with Carolina involved is much cooler than watching Philly. At least Carolina was the long shot underdog going from worst in the Southeast to the best in one season.

Oh and mind you the two superbowls the Pats played were pretty DAMN GOOD GAMES.

Unless you enjoyed the Tampa blowout or the Ravens blowout..yeah those were good ones..

Im sure they'll find a way to keep it close this year too.

God damn Kordelberger.  How do you lose by 14 at home despite outgaining the opponent by a significant margin?  By starting a high school caliber quarterback, that's how.  It's Cowher's tried and true method of AFC Championship futility.

The Super Bowl will be a blowout.  The current AFC is like the late 80's/early 90's NFC.  The Eagles are this year's Bills.  Any given Sunday, they say, and it's true.  If the Eagles play as well as they can, and the Pats play like ass, they can win.  But if bth teams play well (or both play poorly) it's hard to see the Eagles having a chance.

Eagles have been to the NFC Championship game for 4 straight years now. The Delaware Valley hasn't seen a champion since the early 80's.  Naw, Philadelphia in the Super Bowl isn't nearly as cool as the Panther going up to the noose.

I reason I won't be watching has nothing to do with it being a good game or not.  It's just that I completly HATE both teams so damn much the only reason I'll even watch one of them play is to root for the other team.  This matchup has me completly torn... I simply can't answer who I hate more.

I think I speak for a large portion of New England when I say:

I masturbate to your tears.

I'm not a big football fan or anything, but I enjoy watching it especially in the playoffs.  Can someone explain to me why Eagles vs. Pats is such a horrible Super Bowl matchup?

It comes down to the redundancy of the same old thing in the playoffs. The Eagles, despite not making it to the show for the last few years, have always been involved in the NFC championship. The Pats are shooting to win 3 titles in 4 years. Think of it as the Yankees-Marlins matchup of a couple years ago in the World Series when they knocked out the Sox and the Cubbies to get there.

The Colts and the Steelers were much bigger media and fan favorites than the Pats. And the NFC just plain sucked no matter what this year.

Bah. The Eagles were far and away the best team in the NFC this year, even without TO. Fuck Atlanta's record...they won a lot of games they shouldn't, lost to Detroit, and nearly lost to Arizona. And until TO got hurt, Philly wasn't just winning games, they were dominating them.

The Pats have proven to be far and away the best team in the AFC, especially after dismantling Indy and Pittsburgh in consecutive weeks. Brady and company have made a very strong case for themselves as the team of the decade, and it's not even half-over yet.

Now obviously everyone expects NE to trounce Philly, based on the idea that the NFC is just a weaker conference overall. But everyone overlooks that Eagle defense. 3 all pro DBs in one secondary...and it's not like Sheldon Brown is a slouch at CB either. Not to mention Trotter, kearse, and the rest.

I still think the Pats will win, but I think the Eagles will put up a good fight. They know just how hard they've worked to get there, and I doubt very much that they have any intentions of just laying down and dying against the Patriots.

It's the best team each conference has to offer....the matchup all the pre-season picks predicted...the game that experts have been expecting all year. If you think it's a bad matchup, you just don't like good fundamental football.

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

I think it's a bad matchup because I don't like predictable, boring football. You did a good job there describing how much this matchup is exactly that.

Predictable boring football is the same flavor run by the following past Super Bowl champs:

New England (2003-04)
Tampa Bay (2002-03)
New England (2001-02)
Baltimore (2000-01)
Denver (1998-99)
Denver (1997-98)
Green Bay (1996-97)
Dallas (1995-96)
Dallas (1993-94)
Dallas (1992-93)
New York (1990-91)
New York (1986-87)
Chicago (1985-86)
Washington (1982-1983)
Dallas (1977-78)
Miami (1973-74)
Miami (1972-73)
Dallas (1971-72)
Baltimore Colts (1970-71)
Kansas City (1969-70)
Green Bay (1967-68)
Green Bay (1966-67)

That's 22 out of 38 Super Bowl champions that played the same flavor of football as Philly and New England.

Notable omissions include San Francisco, Pittsburgh, the St Louis Rams, 2 of the Redskins teams (Super Bowl 22 & 26 included that wide open passing game), each iteration of the Raiders (because when have the Raiders ever been boring?), and Broadway Joe's Jets.

Bear in mind that many of the teams on this list played exciting games in the Super Bowl, but were still fairly conservative offensively.

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

Your list is pretty pointless, and in the case of including the 92-93 Dallas team, incorrect. The point was the matchups, not just the victors. You need something that makes the fans crave to watch the two teams that transcends outside of just the regional hubbub. You need a story, a hero, a team that either deserves a shot at greatness or a massive underdog looking to overcome the odds.

Peyton Manning had a chance at doing that and failed. Rothlesburger had a chance at going to the show in his rookie season and failed. The Falcons had a chance to go to their first Superbowl in nearly a decade on the shoulders of one of the most prolific names in football and failed. Its not just about the football, the Super Bowl is bigger than that. And in this case I feel like this is the last matchup out of all the possible options this year that I would enjoy watching. I'm not alone in that thought.

Vick is a fraud.  11-24, 136 yards, and a pick won't ever beat a Super Bowl contender.  Until he learns to sit in a pocket and pass (and get a legitimate threat at WR),

How is that being a fraud? That's pretty much what Vick is as advertised. He doesn't throw. He doesn't sit in the pocket. He runs and makes plays and makes things exciting. At least, that's what the $100 million was for, right?

I see him as a less asstastic Jake "The Fake" Plummer.

Yah, Plummer's really worked out well for Denver hasn't he?   Like Vick, he does just enough to beat mediocre teams.  And like Vick, when the game actually means something, when there's a decent defense playing him, he'll come up short.

Hey, maybe I'll be proven wrong someday and Vick will become something more akin to Culpepper. (if the Vikes had Atlanta's D and special teams, they'd be frightening)

This matchup is the best a football fan could hope for, given the woeful state of the NFC this season.  It is not the best matchup an entertainment fan could hope for, I guess.   IMO, the presence of any other NFC team in the SB would just degrade the event.  Like the time the AFC sent the Chargers a few years back.  It's nice to see the best teams get rewarded.  I'd rather just watch a good, well-played football game than 37 hours of interviews of Roethlisberger's mom, or Joe Buck stretching his throat to blow Vick as the greatest QB of all time every time he gains 2 yards, or a leave-your-defense-at-the-door 72-64 Colts-Vikings game.  But I am probably in the minority on that.

I will get to see a team submit its claim as one of the best teams in the history of the NFL.  I think that's a worthy story.

One by one, I've given up on all professional sports for one reason or another. Football was my only holdout, and this year I could feel my interest leeching away to a thin trickle. They are all nothing more than a bunch of preening, egomaniacal mutants, and I have to endure 742 boner pill commercials per game.

New England 24 - Philly 14, then I'm never watching this bullshit again.

The Jimmy Johnson era Cowboys were all about conservative ball. Sure, Aikman could throw deep, but their offense was built on the foundation of Moose, Emmitt Smith, and an All-Pro offensive line (Erik Williams, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Larry Allen). And you'd be making a grave mistake to think that their defense wasn't one of the league's best at the time.

Strong running game, great line, stingy defense, a talented possession WR (Irvin), a TE and FB that became household names (Novacek and Johnston) and a pocket passer who didn't turn the ball over, ran play action effectively, and generally had the time to make his reads and find the open receiver.

Not exactly the run-and-shoot. Madden used to comment repeatedly that there was no mystery to the Cowboys offense....that they executed so well that opponents could know exactly what was coming, yet still be unable to stop it. Cmon, this team's 2nd half game plan consisted of "run Smith off-tackle, mix in play-action as needed".



The flashy opponents in those games lost. That was kind of the point. Who cares about watching an "exciting" team like Buffalo if they can't get the job done?



Well, you've got a talented team that has finally reached the Big Show after years of frustration, and now they are an underdog against the seemingly-bulletproof defending champs. Can they win a title before the window closes on their chances?

OTOH, Belichick is looking to break Lombardi's post-season record. Brady is undefeated in post-season play. The team is looking to cement their place in history as among the biggest dynasties of all-time.

Both are looking for a shot at greatness. It's the damn Super Bowl, and we have a matchup of the two teams over the past 4 years that have displayed consistency and excellence, finally in a position to square off head-to-head.

As for heroes...Reid, Belichick, Brady, Dillon, Bruschi, Harrison, McNabb, Westbrook, Kearse, Dawkins, Trotter, Sheppard...and TO if he can play.

Just because it's not a rookie starting at QB, or an offense on the field that plans on throwing it 50 yards downfield every other play doesn't make it boring in and of itself.

Bring the noise.
Cheers..............

I'm sorry whatever team you like got the shit kicked out of it, but could you point me to one instance this year of the Patriots preening or self-fellating themselves.

Just once.

The Eagles are hardly a "by-the-book" football team. They run somewhere around 40% of the time, at best. Most of the time, they don't even bother establishing a running game. They are a pass it pass it pass it, here's a run, ok let's pass it ten more times offense. They are hardly "traditional" football. Until Dillon came to the Pats, the Pats were the same way.

Now, I was hoping to see the Colts or the Steelers in the Super Bowl, and anybody but the goddamn Eagles (thanks to TO's presence on the sidelines), but I would not say the matchup will be boring.

And the Eagles... yeah, they got no shot. With TO healthy, they MAY have had a shot. Now... not a chance in hell. Belicheck and the Pats are just that good. What they did yesterday, they did against the number one fucking defense in the NFL. Only 7 of those 41 points were defensive points. The rest... that was offense.

Actually, I'm a Patriots fan.

And if you don't see every single team in the NFL filled with players that jump around like they just cured cancer after practically every play, then you either have your eyes closed or else you're actually watching the senior cricket tour.

EDIT: This is my final word on this topic, as it's already boring me. As I'm sure it's boring you.

There is a very obvious difference between celebrating an achievement as a team, such as high fiving or hugging ... and conducting a personal display such as flexing your muscles, doing an idiotic dance, or taunting, all of which are meant to tell the world, "This is all about me, motherfuckers." T.O. takes this fucktardery to titanic levels, but there are plenty of others who seek to evict him from his idiotic throne.

Just tired of it, that's all.

I dunno i fyou have ever played organized sports...but it's called Emotion. Hell, if you watched the Olympics this past summer, even the fencers, FENCERS, cheer for themselves when they do something well. It's not a big deal really.

Btw, I realize that's mostly directed to TO on the Eagles' side, but oh well. I've liked the guy way back since he was on the 49'ers, and like he says....if you don't wanna see his stuff, keep him out of the end zone....or change the channel in your case.

PS: Owens was jumping around like a maniac yesterday....I'd put down hard money on him playing in a reserve role, at the very least.

I had a dream last night that I was watching the news and they reported that the Patriots had won the Superbowl against the Eagles in a shootout, 42-35.  And I felt weird because I wondered how I had missed the game.

Anyway, that's my prediction.

Bruce

Eh...it's entertainment. I don't give a shit what these guys do to celebrate, and I think stuff like Moss "mooning" people is all in good fun. As long as they aren't yelling "YOU FUCKING SUCK!" to the other team I really couldn't care.

Every drama needs guys you love and guys you love to hate. It would be pretty boring if every guy was like Barry Sanders and just threw the ball to the official when they scored.

I disagree.  I could care less about the celebration.  If they never showed another one on TV I don't think I'd notice and yet I would still be watching football whenever it was on.

The Patriots kinda remind me of this year's CFL Grey Cup Champs, The Toronto Argos.

Weren't you already warned against posting pointless nonesense, Windurst? Anyway...



Again, it's called emotion. If people get all kinds of excited in rec leagues, etc., imagine what it's like accomplishing something in widely-televised games. Having any kind of audience can really change the feel of a game. I could tell ya a story, but no one wants to hear it.

I'm living in Eagle territory but I'm cheering for the Patriots.  I have very good reason, too.  A short time ago, my grocery order was delivered.  I had ordered, in typical Superbowl Sunday enthusiasm, special little Eagles sundaes made by Turkey Hill Dairy.  They were on sale for 10/$10.  The packaging said, "Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanuts, Fudge".  They neglected to mention the little peanut-butter filled chocolate covered footballs.  Bah!  

If my heart wrenching story doesn't change the minds of you die-hard Eagle fans then I weep for your cold, dead hearts.

I remember when candy used to ruin my day.


Oh wait, that never happened.