01-17-2002, 01:05 AM
Well, I see great potential for road dogs to steal wins this week,however, the chances of 3 road teams winning in the same divisional playoffs is unheard of.
I give the Eagles excellent chances of beating Chicago. The real factor will be how well can they stop the powerful rushing attack of the Bears. This has been the Achilles heel for Philadelphia all season, however in the past 4 games, they have done a very good job. Philly may have the best overall secondary in football, which against a relatively inexperienced QB, should allow them to keep 8 in the box most of the day. By the same token, how well can Philly produce against the powerful Bears defense? I am going to give the edge to Philly in a low scoring game, based on two facts. They are one of the best road teams in football this year, and a slight edge in playoff experience.
Normally, I would say that Green Bay has an excellent shot of beating St. Louis. They have probably the best "play making, game on the line put the team on my back QB" since the days of Elway and Montana. Ahman Green has had a breakout year, giving them stability in the rushing game. Unfortunately, their defense is pretty mediocre. St. Louis as an incredible offense, the most exciting offense since the Cowboys of the early 90's, and maybe even better. They have playoff experience and all-world players in Warner and Faulk. Their defense is still questionable. While they are inproved over last year, and their stats look pretty good, keep in mind that they almost always play with a lead. They usually have the benefit of facing teams almost forced to pass 75%. I want to say GB, but I have a hard time seeing both NFC road teams win. St. Loius in a good exciting game, total score somewhere in the 50's, maybe even 60's.
Which Oakland team will show up? The team that dominated the AFC early on, or the one that forgot how to put teams away late in the season? Despite New England's stellar year, they are a young team with next to no playoff experience on the field, including players and coaches. Their best hope is that they play the game they have played all year and Oakland is still sluggish. After the rumors of the Notre Dame job, John Gruden knows full well that Al Davis is looking for an excuse to let him go. Sure, he'd have no problem finding a new job, but no coach ever wants to be fired, he wants to leave on his own terms. I see him getting his ball club fired up, and that spells trouble for the Pats. Oakland wins, fairly easily.
The Steelers...... maybe too good to be true. Jerome bettis is the key. If he can put the team on his shoulders and find a way to score against the vaunted ravens defense (which is not nearly as potent as they were a year ago). Bottom line, this game is all about defense. Whichever team can force the opposing QB to make plays will win. Pittsburgh has had an amazing defense all season, and Grbac has been more inconsistent all year. I give the nod to the Steelers, while they may not score on offense, grbac may just score one or two for them. Steelers in a low scoring smash mouth game.
I give the Eagles excellent chances of beating Chicago. The real factor will be how well can they stop the powerful rushing attack of the Bears. This has been the Achilles heel for Philadelphia all season, however in the past 4 games, they have done a very good job. Philly may have the best overall secondary in football, which against a relatively inexperienced QB, should allow them to keep 8 in the box most of the day. By the same token, how well can Philly produce against the powerful Bears defense? I am going to give the edge to Philly in a low scoring game, based on two facts. They are one of the best road teams in football this year, and a slight edge in playoff experience.
Normally, I would say that Green Bay has an excellent shot of beating St. Louis. They have probably the best "play making, game on the line put the team on my back QB" since the days of Elway and Montana. Ahman Green has had a breakout year, giving them stability in the rushing game. Unfortunately, their defense is pretty mediocre. St. Louis as an incredible offense, the most exciting offense since the Cowboys of the early 90's, and maybe even better. They have playoff experience and all-world players in Warner and Faulk. Their defense is still questionable. While they are inproved over last year, and their stats look pretty good, keep in mind that they almost always play with a lead. They usually have the benefit of facing teams almost forced to pass 75%. I want to say GB, but I have a hard time seeing both NFC road teams win. St. Loius in a good exciting game, total score somewhere in the 50's, maybe even 60's.
Which Oakland team will show up? The team that dominated the AFC early on, or the one that forgot how to put teams away late in the season? Despite New England's stellar year, they are a young team with next to no playoff experience on the field, including players and coaches. Their best hope is that they play the game they have played all year and Oakland is still sluggish. After the rumors of the Notre Dame job, John Gruden knows full well that Al Davis is looking for an excuse to let him go. Sure, he'd have no problem finding a new job, but no coach ever wants to be fired, he wants to leave on his own terms. I see him getting his ball club fired up, and that spells trouble for the Pats. Oakland wins, fairly easily.
The Steelers...... maybe too good to be true. Jerome bettis is the key. If he can put the team on his shoulders and find a way to score against the vaunted ravens defense (which is not nearly as potent as they were a year ago). Bottom line, this game is all about defense. Whichever team can force the opposing QB to make plays will win. Pittsburgh has had an amazing defense all season, and Grbac has been more inconsistent all year. I give the nod to the Steelers, while they may not score on offense, grbac may just score one or two for them. Steelers in a low scoring smash mouth game.