NFL Football 2009

[Pegaritaville]

Yippie! Loved that game! Every time it looked like the Vikes were going to pull it off the Bears thwarted them.

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Glad you did a little pre-rant before the game. I always look forward to reading those and one of the downsides to the Bears winning was not getting to read your entertaining posts on the subject.

 

[JM1776]

Does anyone know if the Cardinals can still grab a first-round bye with a win and losses from the Vikings and Eagles? They have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, obviously, if both end up 11-5 (since they thrashed the Vikes a few weeks ago), but both Arizona and Philly would end with 9-3 conference records.

[Frankly, I think it'd be just if the Eagles got the nod, simply because, as a wildcard last year, they had to come out and play division champion Arizona despite the Cards' 9-7 record. In addition, their division isn't as putrid as AZ's.]

 

[SmoothieX]

I've been out for the holidays, but attended the Pats game over the weekend. Nice to see them dominate a decent team. Still don't think they'll get past the second round of the playoffs.

 

[Captain Craig]

That game was a tale of two halves.
Favre played overall good but his teammates weren't all there.

So the Eagles, a team that struggled to get a wildcard last year, had the fans calling for Reid and McNabb to go could possibly clinch a bye with a win Sunday and loss again by the Vikes. Either way my friend in Philly is stoked.

 

[archeryguy1701]

Does anyone know if the Cardinals can still grab a first-round bye with a win and losses from the Vikings and Eagles? They have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, obviously, if both end up 11-5 (since they thrashed the Vikes a few weeks ago), but both Arizona and Philly would end with 9-3 conference records.

[Frankly, I think it'd be just if the Eagles got the nod, simply because, as a wildcard last year, they had to come out and play division champion Arizona despite the Cards' 9-7 record. In addition, their division isn't as putrid as AZ's.]

The guys last night said that Arizona is still in the hunt for the first week bye, but if Philly wins over Dallas next Sunday, then they will clinch it.

 

[1001001]

Does anyone know if the Cardinals can still grab a first-round bye with a win and losses from the Vikings and Eagles? They have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, obviously, if both end up 11-5 (since they thrashed the Vikes a few weeks ago), but both Arizona and Philly would end with 9-3 conference records.

[Frankly, I think it'd be just if the Eagles got the nod, simply because, as a wildcard last year, they had to come out and play division champion Arizona despite the Cards' 9-7 record. In addition, their division isn't as putrid as AZ's.]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...lug=ap-cardinals-whisenhunt&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[chrisspringob]

Does anyone know if the Cardinals can still grab a first-round bye with a win and losses from the Vikings and Eagles? They have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, obviously, if both end up 11-5 (since they thrashed the Vikes a few weeks ago), but both Arizona and Philly would end with 9-3 conference records.

[Frankly, I think it'd be just if the Eagles got the nod, simply because, as a wildcard last year, they had to come out and play division champion Arizona despite the Cards' 9-7 record. In addition, their division isn't as putrid as AZ's.]

All the scenarios for next week are listed here:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace/scenarios

(yes, there are 7 teams fighting for those 2 AFC wildcard spots)

You can also play around with the scenarios by picking the games yourself here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoffscenario?algorithm=yahooranker

If Dallas beats Philly, then not only does Philly miss the #2 seed and playoff bye, but Dallas wins the division. Arizona holds tiebreakers over both Dallas and Minnesota, so:

Arizona win + Minnesota loss + Philladelphia loss means the playoff seedings would be:

1 New Orleans
2 Arizona
3 Dallas
4 Minnesota
5 Philadelphia
6 Green Bay

So yes, Arizona is still in contention for the #2 seed, but they need help from both the Giants and Cowboys to do it.

Minny plays in an early game, whereas Arizona and Philly play in late games on Sunday, so if the Vikings beat the Giants, then Arizona will know at the time they take the field that they're out of contention for a bye, and might just rest players if they don't care whether they get the #3 or #4 seed. But if the Giants beat the Vikings, then the Cardinals will play to win, while continually glancing up at the scoreboard to see what's happening in Dallas.

 

[JM1776]

Thanks, all.

 

[Captain Craig]

So yes, Arizona is still in contention for the #2 seed, but they need help from both the Giants and Cowboys to do it.

Minny plays in an early game, whereas Arizona and Philly play in late games on Sunday, so if the Vikings beat the Giants, then Arizona will know at the time they take the field that they're out of contention for a bye, and might just rest players if they don't care whether they get the #3 or #4 seed. But if the Giants beat the Vikings, then the Cardinals will play to win, while continually glancing up at the scoreboard to see what's happening in Dallas.

I read that Yahoo article a few posts up where Ken Wisenhunt said that and I get his reasoning. Heck I support it in that situation. Inevitable short week and the game has no real meaning anymore, sure pull Warner et al early.

That crap the Colts pulled though was just lazy.

With my good friend in Philly I'm going to be rooting for the Eagles though.

 

[RobertScorpio]

So yes, Arizona is still in contention for the #2 seed, but they need help from both the Giants and Cowboys to do it.

Minny plays in an early game, whereas Arizona and Philly play in late games on Sunday, so if the Vikings beat the Giants, then Arizona will know at the time they take the field that they're out of contention for a bye, and might just rest players if they don't care whether they get the #3 or #4 seed. But if the Giants beat the Vikings, then the Cardinals will play to win, while continually glancing up at the scoreboard to see what's happening in Dallas.

I read that Yahoo article a few posts up where Ken Wisenhunt said that and I get his reasoning. Heck I support it in that situation. Inevitable short week and the game has no real meaning anymore, sure pull Warner et al early.

That crap the Colts pulled though was just lazy.

With my good friend in Philly I'm going to be rooting for the Eagles though.

I like Philly too, in the NFC. I'd like to see Mcnabb get a chance at a ring (unless its against my Chargers)...

Rob

 

[chrisspringob]

Interestingly, it's possible that, at the time of kickoff of the Packers-Cardinals game, the game will be rendered a meaningless contest for both teams, and both teams will have an incentive to rest their starters......especially since there's a good chance that the two teams will be facing off against each other in a playoff game in the same stadium the following week. They'll have an incentive not to show their hand for the rematch that actually matters.

It's also possible that Cincy will rest its starters next week (if they don't care whether they're seeded #3 or #4), and the Jets will reach the playoffs due to their opponents gift wrapping victories for them two weeks in a row.

 

[Mallory]

At least there's a bunch of meaningful games the last week of this season, unlike most.

 

[archeryguy1701]

I'm not particularly liking where Denver sits right now... they have 10 roads to a playoff berth, and none of them are particularly likely. The players in Denver's fate are the Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, and Jags. Only one matchup really works for Denver.

Jets (need to lose): playing a team with nothing to play for.
Ravens (need to lose): Playing a highly schitzophrentic team. Just as likely to win as they are to lose.
Steelers (need to lose): Playing a team that has generally not been good.
Texans (need to... win? How often does an contender need to win to help?): Playing a team with nothing to play for. Only good matchup for Denver.
Jags (need to lose): Playing a bad team

It can still happen, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[JM1776]

Interestingly, it's possible that ... the Packers-Cardinals game ... will be rendered a meaningless contest.... They'll have an incentive not to show their hand for the rematch....

If the Vikings win, I'd seriously consider starting Leinart, and leaving him in the whole game, come what may. He'd gain valuable experience and be much sharper if something unfortunate were to befall Warner in eleven days.

As for Leinart ... in my opinion, he's eventually going to be a fine quarterback, and lead the Cardinals to championships—whether division, conference or league. The fact he couldn't keep the job over one of the twenty-five greatest quarterbacks ever to take the field isn't much of a black mark in my book. Currently, there aren't five QBs in the league who should start over Kurt Warner ... and that guy in purple and yellow ain't one of 'em.

 

[SmoothieX]

Jets (need to lose): playing a team with nothing to play for.

If New England loses, Cincy can clinch the 3 seed with a win.

 

[1001001]

As for Leinart ... in my opinion, he's eventually going to be a fine quarterback, and lead the Cardinals to championships—whether division, conference or league. The fact he couldn't keep the job over one of the twenty-five greatest quarterbacks ever to take the field isn't much of a black mark in my book. Currently, there aren't five QBs in the league who should start over Kurt Warner ... and that guy in purple and yellow ain't one of 'em.

As much as I despise the Cardinals, I do hope Leinart succeeds when his turn comes. I was actually hoping St. Louis might try to trade for him last year. I think he'd look good in a Rams uniform.

As for Kurt Warner, he just keeps amazing people. He looked dead on arrival in New York, and now has thrown over 100 TD's for Arizona. All of those could have been ours!!



He will, of course, always have a special place in Rams fans hearts. He was really something special. He's still treated better than Bulger when the Cardinals come to St. Louis.

 

[chrisspringob]

Jets (need to lose): playing a team with nothing to play for.

If New England loses, Cincy can clinch the 3 seed with a win.

Meh, most of the time, teams don't really care that much about whether they're seeded #3 or #4. It usually doesn't matter in terms of the number of home games you have. (Yes, the 2006 AFC Championship would be a glaring exception, but that's a rarity.) For Cincy, it would probably just be a choice between going for the win to get the #3 seed and hosting the Broncos, or giving up and getting the #4 seed and hosting the Jets.

 

[Captain Craig]

Currently, there aren't five QBs in the league who should start over Kurt Warner ... and that guy in purple and yellow ain't one of 'em.

There's team pride in your QB and then there is....well, this.
Warner is great, get back to me when he's won 3 league MVPs. Don't be silly. Team pride, have it. Stay objective though.

 

[archeryguy1701]

Jets (need to lose): playing a team with nothing to play for.

If New England loses, Cincy can clinch the 3 seed with a win.

Well, I think something else to consider is if they get the #4 seed and win, they'll get to see the "We're not flashy, but we'll get the job done (outside of the playoffs)" Colts while if they get the #3 seed and move on, they get to see the ,"Pow! We just lit you up like a fricken' Christmas Tree (but also suck at the playoffs)" Chargers. No matter what, Cincy and NE won't get to host beyond the first round, barring a miracle, so it's a question of who they want to take their chances with in the second round. Personally, I would feel like I have a better chance against the Colts than I would against the Chargers at the moment.

 

[RobertScorpio]

Jets (need to lose): playing a team with nothing to play for.

If New England loses, Cincy can clinch the 3 seed with a win.

Well, I think something else to consider is if they get the #4 seed and win, they'll get to see the "We're not flashy, but we'll get the job done (outside of the playoffs)" Colts while if they get the #3 seed and move on, they get to see the ,"Pow! We just lit you up like a fricken' Christmas Tree (but also suck at the playoffs)" Chargers. No matter what, Cincy and NE won't get to host beyond the first round, barring a miracle, so it's a question of who they want to take their chances with in the second round. Personally, I would feel like I have a better chance against the Colts than I would against the Chargers at the moment.

Yeah..I agree. My chargers are clicking now, but their playoff record is awful. But the past few attempts have been with out a healty LT, which should help now.

Last week they played four downs with Tomlinson/Sproles/Jackson/Gates/ Floyd all in at the same time...all four times the play resulted in a 25+ yard play...

Rob