Of the teams playing in the playoffs this weekend, which team is the one team you would say none of the first and second seed teams want to play?
Gotta be Jax. They play so physical, on both sides of the ball. Garrard just set a record for least interceptions in a year (granted he missed couple of games). They don't turn the ball over, and they play a style perfectly suited to go on the road up north and thrive. Very good kicker too. I REALLY like their chances.
while Washington is a good story, the fact is the Jags would be an elite team if not in the Colts division. 2 premier RBs, a QB that doesn't make mistakes, Wilford and Williams finally becoming good WRs, and a dominant defense make them scary. I garuntee you everyone in New England is rooting for the Steelers cause if there is one team that could go into Foxburro and beat the Pats, it's the Jags.
I think the Chargers scare AFC teams more than the Jags. Better skill position players with the only weak spot being Rivers. Jags may be too one dimensional to scare defensive coordinators though with both teams the opposing offensive coordiantors are going to be loading up on a lot of coffee during those late night film sessions
If everything plays out this weekend and Jacksonville plays New England next week it could be in some inclement weather, similar or worse what they had to play in during the Jets game and if that happens NE is screwed. E: Also depends what day they play.
i think no one wants to play the seahawks if Matt Hasselback gets hot and ur probly dont want to play the Jags eather if the run game gets going
Jacksonville is a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs. They are just a rugged team, on offense and defense.
I think next weeks game will be great. San Diego seems to play Indy tough. Though I watched the game this year and I don't believe they'll have the same luck. Jax has the running game to play "keep-away," but I don't believe they've got the playmakers at WR to score with NE. If Henderson and Stroud were 100% I think that's a great game. Though Del Rio vs Belicheck i'm taking the hoodie. I don't gamble but the NFC games are "pick-ems," IMO. Personally I believe the Giants are the most dangerous team. The most obvious guy is Eli and turnovers, though I don't think it'll come down to him. It's the Giants secondary vs Dallas. I'm not a huge Coughlin guy but Gomer Phillips is not a coach to fear in the playoffs. I think the games next week will be great. The top 4 teams in each conference moved on, IMO. This will never happen but i'd like to see the NFL give teams with a better record home-field over a division winner.
Jacksonville, but they will need Henderson back. They need to bring the house on Brady from all ends. And I can trust Rashean Mathis on Randy Moss. Rashean Mathis has made a career of being a shutdown corner against the best talent like Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison, etc. Still say he's the best and most underrated cornerback in the league.
He wasn't this year. In years past I would have said you have a good argument. He wasn't good at all this year.
I just saw them vs. ths Steelers. I think they will have a problem with their secondary. Offensively, the Jags may look good, but defensively they might be in trouble. They probably can't afford to blitz, the front four has to be able to put pressure on Brady. We did it with 3 guys, so maybe it works. The LB's should be quick enough for the screens.
I did see the front four put ALOT Of pressure on Rothlisberger this last weekend, and i would say Pittsburghs line is as good as New England. I think if Brady sees that same type of pressure, it could be a close game. He has constantly folded when pressured. also, if the weather is bad (Remember it is in Foxborough in January) I have to give the Jags a HUGE nod.
I've been waiting to see this game for weeks. The biggest problem for Jax is DL depth. Stroud is gone, and Henderson hurt his hammy. They still have with Grady Jackson and Rob Meier, who are very good, but their depth is shot. Meier is also lost as a DE, which is where he would rotate on run downs. Jax can still get to the QB w/o too much blitzing, and I like their LB's too. Problem is Sammy Knight is a huge liability against the pass, Aaron Glenn is older than dirt, and Terry Cousin doesn't do much for me. So, this game is about the weather. If the weather is passable, NE will live in 4-5 wide. If we get ugly weather, the upset recipe might just be set.
I definitely agree with your take on Brady. But the reason he looked so good this year IMO is that his line is light years ahead of the Steelers line. Sometime Ben is holding the ball for too long but the line really struggled in pass protection.
Even after the near collapse at Pitt it still has to be the Jags. San Diego did not look good againt a mediocre Tennessee team. For a team that never seems to do much, they sure do love to run their mouths. Go out and beat NE or Indy now. Seattle is solid, but is outgunned on both O and D by the big 4. If Eli plays well, the Giants are a rough team to face, but if he doesnt, they are pretty crappy. Jax would still be the best. They are (ironically) built to last in the tough January weather better than NE right now. They run the ball, play physical on both sides of the ball, are aggresive and limit their mistakes.
San Diego proves they are the team with the best chance to beat the Patriots. Hopefully they are healthy enough next week. One thing is great. Unlike the Jaguars who never met a situation where they like calling blitzes, the Chargers will be in Brady's face all day long. Go CHARGERS
I voted for the Bolts in this poll as well. However, I believe if it weren't for those tipped passes which lead to turnovers the outcome of this game may have been different. I just don't think with or w/out LT San Diego can take down the beast that is NE. Just my 2 cents. That being said I will be rooting for the Chargers hardcore !
The injuries have me concerned as well. San Diego with a healthy Gates and LT can give New England a run for their money. Banged up I dont know. Btw, even though I'm in the draft Ryan camp, that is an absolutely awesome sig!