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11 Jan 2013

NFL Lowdown: Divisional Playoffs

These ran long, but there are some Texans diagrams, a long look at the Seahawks' offseason in comparison to what the Falcons did in 2008, and a weird bit about the 1970s Rams, so you should like it. I am doing a Cover It Live chat over there at Sports on Earth at 2 PM Eastern on Friday and would love to see some of the old faces, so stop by!

Posted by: Mike Tanier on 11 Jan 2013

25 comments, Last at 03 Apr 2013, 2:44am by Cathedralplumbing

Comments

1
by coboney :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:09am

Mike you forgot to link it!

2
by Ryan D. :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:55am

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40916150/

EDIT - FO seems to think this might be spam. ;)

3
by Spielman :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:55am

Saying those 1979 Rams caught a flat Cowboys team with a suddenly-aging Roger Staubach doesn't really do justice to their good fortune.

The Rams were just 9-7 that year, which was enough to win a weak NFC West. The NFC went just 16-36 against the AFC that year, so the competition wasn't all that stiff. Against the Cowboys, they got a successful Hail Mary for a TD at the end of the first half, and a crazy 50 yard TD pass to Billy Waddy when the Cowboys defense was in full "don't give up a big play" mode with 2 minutes left, accounting for 14 of their 21 points.

They also were fortunate enough to give Roger Staubach a concussion on the play where he threw a go-ahead TD pass to Saldi in the 4th quarter, leading to his looking totally out of it for the rest of the game, described variously as "very groggy", and "dazed".

And then the Bucs offense just totally imploded in the NFC championship game.

So, weak division, weak conference, tremendous luck against probably the best team in the conference in the first round, and an opponent that rolled over in the next round.

Worst Super Bowl team ever, IMO.

4
by Paul R :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:57am

I'll help. (Dear Football Outsiders, Please send me two Super Bowl tickets for providing this service. Anything between the 20's on the lower deck is fine. Yours truly...)

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40916150

5
by Ryan D. :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:58am

"After a stumbling stretch of three losses against the three other teams that eventually clinched first round byes"

I know Houston seemed to have a bye locked up a month ago, but they did wind up playing in round 1.

19
by the K :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:39pm

I was going to point that out, but then realized it was more fun to just treat it as a slam against the Bengals.

6
by Paul R :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:03am

This should be a pretty darn good weekend of football although I might take a nap during Ravens/Broncos.

Pats/Texans has the potential to be one of those merciless blowouts the Patriots do so well, but it's not a lock. The Texans still have a talented defense. If they find the right angle, they can give the Pats a very bad day.

As an Indianapolis native--and therefore a mortal enemy of all things Belichick--I've seen lots of Patriots games.
Many times, it seems it's not their opponent winning the game as much as the Patriots losing it, if that makes sense. Some days they seem like a Ferrari with a tank of bad gasoline. All of the top-quality parts are there, but they just sputter along.
Of course those days are rare. Most of the time the Ferrari gets a tank of good gas. Then it becomes a sleek, beautiful killing machine; purring along the highway at 110 mph, chasing baby ducks and making puppies cry.

24
by mcfox (not verified) :: Mon, 01/14/2013 - 6:10pm

How'd that nap work out for you on Saturday?

7
by James-London :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:20am

"Irvin recorded eight sacks this year and was a member of the Robert Griffin Harassment Committee on Sunday (a committee which included Mike Shanahan and the guy who mows the lawn)."

This might be the funniest thing I've read all week. Brilliant.

Phil Simms is a Cretin.

8
by Will Allen :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:25am

I have been rooting for the Niners for a couple years now, so it pains me to write that Mike's Candlestick score prediction seems about right. I severely doubt that Justin Smith can do his typical Hulk Smash routine with a partially torn triceps, which means the Packers get into the 30s, and I don't think the Kaepernicks can match that, against a Packers defense whose interior line is really picking up.

9
by Raiderjoe :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 3:35pm

Broncos 34, Rabens 13
Paclers 27, 39ers 16
Flacons 24, Sehawls 19
Pates 41. Texmas 20

11
by Hurt Bones :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 5:25pm

Ah Le Flacon

http://fleursdumal.org/poem/143

12
by dryheat :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 5:32pm

I like the home team sweep this weekend.

15
by Insancipitory :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:03pm

I think Raiderjoe has hold over hate for the Seahawks from the AFC days. I wouldn't have it any other way, hate you too bro.

10
by BigWoody (not verified) :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 4:18pm

Yes! Love the 39ers and merry Texmas.

13
by andrew :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:02pm

The list of playoff teams to win playoff games in 5 consecutive years includes the

"Eagles 2001-2004".

So good they managed to win games in 5 consecutive years in only four seasons.

Obviously this is supposed to be 2000-2004 (they beat the bucs in the playoffs after the 2000 season, even though the game was played in 2001.)

14
by HabeasDorkus (not verified) :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:03pm

Aaron Rodgers, the best QB in the NFL? Uh, no. He's on the 1b tier with Brees, behind the 1a tier of Manning and Brady.

16
by Insancipitory :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:12pm

#1 in TD% while surrounded by a plethera of injuries to his O-line and recievers against the best defenses in the NFL, some of them twice. But beating the tar out of the Chiefs is pretty impressive too.

17
by Aaron Brooks Go... :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:16pm

Didn't NYJ lose to NE 45-3 in 2010, then beat them in the playoffs?

18
by Insancipitory :: Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:21pm

And they made hilarious jet noises while they 'flew' around the field after the game. Oh jets, you burned so very brightly but all those moments will soon be lost in time, like butt-fumbles in New Jersey.

20
by maja (not verified) :: Sat, 01/12/2013 - 9:22am

sports on earth sucks - ditto tanier

21
by dryheat :: Sat, 01/12/2013 - 9:59am

Pipe down Barnwell.

23
by dbostedo :: Sat, 01/12/2013 - 12:09pm

+97

22
by Hurt Bones :: Sat, 01/12/2013 - 10:11am

Sometimes sports on Earth gets me down. I can't afford the steep Martian and Venetian satellite sports channels, and apparently I have to die to get the heavenly sports channel. That's not even a certainty, so I'll settle for the earthly variety.

25
by Cathedralplumbing (not verified) :: Wed, 04/03/2013 - 2:44am

Nice site. I visited your site & after visiting i found that it is very informational for everyone you have done really a great job thank you. Chat Random

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