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- Thread starter Torkel
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A pretty special afternoon, buddy. So happy to see the guys finally get that win... and Alex with the double hero comeback... just unreal. It took every last man to beat N.O., that offense has got the sickness - It's a killer. How many times can a person say that their team's defense played well, despite allowing the opposing QB over 450 yards passing? Flat out Crazy.
Pack @ G-Men is going to be tight!
Pack @ G-Men is going to be tight!
props to the 49ers for a great showing today but the Saints again bottled it away from home and forgot the #1 rule in any sport - don't beat yourself. Their being in the game and almost winning it after 5 turnovers (could have been even more as I stopped counting at one point) was a miracle in itself.
as for them Pats, well, Brady was immense but the glory goes to that defense, in play-off mode - evil, quick, concentrated, and not forgetting to play it safe and smart, at the same time ... I'd take this 31st ranked-defense any day of the week
as for them Pats, well, Brady was immense but the glory goes to that defense, in play-off mode - evil, quick, concentrated, and not forgetting to play it safe and smart, at the same time ... I'd take this 31st ranked-defense any day of the week
It's true that turnovers were the difference in this game.
What's also true, is that San Francisco tied for the league lead in takeaways at 38, and their +28 turnover/takeaway margin was also the best in the league. That's just what this defense (and modest, possession offense) does. Whitner really set the tone on that first drive, taking out JG and then PT with that crushing hit for the fumble. Huge turning point in the game.
I'd take the Pat's 31st ranked Pass D against the 31st ranked Bronco's pass offense any day of the week too - because New England's offense kicks ass.
They played really well, but the Bronco's had no business being in the playoffs in the first place - IMO. Hopefully some of the Tebow hype will die off now... not a fan of that guy's game at all. I think that the Bronco's might be the worst team in that division actually, but San Diego/Oakland choked and KC just had too many injuries to their key players to get anything going.
The Pat's D vs Houston's O would be an interesting matchup though...
What's also true, is that San Francisco tied for the league lead in takeaways at 38, and their +28 turnover/takeaway margin was also the best in the league. That's just what this defense (and modest, possession offense) does. Whitner really set the tone on that first drive, taking out JG and then PT with that crushing hit for the fumble. Huge turning point in the game.
I'd take the Pat's 31st ranked Pass D against the 31st ranked Bronco's pass offense any day of the week too - because New England's offense kicks ass.
They played really well, but the Bronco's had no business being in the playoffs in the first place - IMO. Hopefully some of the Tebow hype will die off now... not a fan of that guy's game at all. I think that the Bronco's might be the worst team in that division actually, but San Diego/Oakland choked and KC just had too many injuries to their key players to get anything going.
The Pat's D vs Houston's O would be an interesting matchup though...
the thing is the Saints are one of the most stingy teams in terms of fumbles and I doubt the 49ers averaged 5 turnovers (or 3 fumbles) a game thruout the season, which would suggest there was a one-off, unique element to this game. Not trying to take anything from the SF team as obviously those turnovers didn't happen out of thin air but think the two fumbles on punt return had more to do with the Siants players not taking proper care of the ball than craftiness by the 49rs - pretty routine situations, which turned decisive due to carelessness in protecting the ball.
Similar with Brees' interception that resulted in a TD for the 49rs - sure the safety was in the right place at the right time but Brees didn't exactly make thing too diff for him either, just like Brady did vs Denver ... and Brees has the propensity to be careless on the road as their losses at the Rams and Bucs showed - two teams not exactly know for their takeaway margins.
All in all, not trying to marginalize the 49rs success but they sure had big time help from the Saints today, a team that is well known to bottle it when on the road.
I used that reference to the regular season rankings as a mockery - playoff time is a completely diff animal and regular season rankings and stats are only relevant for the seeding. Once that's taken care off, what matters is which team's defense or offense will bring it's A-game - bigger momentum, higher concentration, motivation, better rhythm, etc. - into the playoffs. The ones that do peak at the right time, go on to play in late Jan and early Feb, the ones that don't, go home. Otherwise, Denver's 31st passing O burning the Steeler's #1 passing D like a candle could happen only in fairy tales.
I agree that the Broncos ended up in the playoffs mostly because of a number of other teams losing key players but that doesn't explain why the Steelers looked so vulnerable and naive defensively vs this same Bronco offense, tamed by the Pats' D tonight ... after all, on paper at least, tonight's game at Gillette shouldn't have happened in the first place.
anyway, whether the Pats' D has really upped their game and the team would be a legitimate contender for the SB would have to be confirmed vs a better O than one lead by TT.
Similar with Brees' interception that resulted in a TD for the 49rs - sure the safety was in the right place at the right time but Brees didn't exactly make thing too diff for him either, just like Brady did vs Denver ... and Brees has the propensity to be careless on the road as their losses at the Rams and Bucs showed - two teams not exactly know for their takeaway margins.
All in all, not trying to marginalize the 49rs success but they sure had big time help from the Saints today, a team that is well known to bottle it when on the road.
I used that reference to the regular season rankings as a mockery - playoff time is a completely diff animal and regular season rankings and stats are only relevant for the seeding. Once that's taken care off, what matters is which team's defense or offense will bring it's A-game - bigger momentum, higher concentration, motivation, better rhythm, etc. - into the playoffs. The ones that do peak at the right time, go on to play in late Jan and early Feb, the ones that don't, go home. Otherwise, Denver's 31st passing O burning the Steeler's #1 passing D like a candle could happen only in fairy tales.
I agree that the Broncos ended up in the playoffs mostly because of a number of other teams losing key players but that doesn't explain why the Steelers looked so vulnerable and naive defensively vs this same Bronco offense, tamed by the Pats' D tonight ... after all, on paper at least, tonight's game at Gillette shouldn't have happened in the first place.
anyway, whether the Pats' D has really upped their game and the team would be a legitimate contender for the SB would have to be confirmed vs a better O than one lead by TT.
Good season by my Texans. Overcame a ton to make the play offs for the first time ever. Got a solid base of young players and a coaching staff that seems to be right where they should. The only player in question in defense is Mario Williams, Matt Schaub should be back and ready to work next year, and now we know TJ is a capable option for the future.
One thing, we must get rid of the wet noodle that is Jacoby Jones. He's got to be the least productive number two wide out in the NFL. Here's to making a luxury pick in the draft and building to the future.
One thing, we must get rid of the wet noodle that is Jacoby Jones. He's got to be the least productive number two wide out in the NFL. Here's to making a luxury pick in the draft and building to the future.
For sure buddy, I wouldn't say you're significantly marginalizing the 9, it's just gets a bit 'old' that every time they win a big game, people always seem to qualify it by excusing the other team's performance for some reason. That's all. It'll take some time for the 9 to earn the respect they deserve, and that's to be expected given the last 9 years 
Yeah, N.O. was stingy with the fumbles this year and those fumbles on the kick returns - particularly the one that was duffed - that's unacceptable. Can't have that. So they clearly made mistakes, but San Francisco probably has the best special teams in the league too (Kicker/Punter heading to the pro bowl), and they deserve some credit.
IIRC, Brees had only thrown something like 2 interceptions in his entire postseason career before last night. You could call the picks a one off, but it also should be recognized that he threw the ball 63 times against a very good defense that, despite being celebrated for it's run defense, actually has 2 members of its secondary going to the probowl. They're not total slackers back there anymore. Goldson's interception was a crafty read - played the eyes, Brees didn't see him - and Terrell Brown made a pretty darn nice play on that jump ball of sorts. The secondary was pretty good, and I think having two weeks off to prepare really allowed them to work on and recognize a lot of the Saints bread and butter vertical routes.
I definitely recognized the mockery about the ranking, and I certainly agree that regular season stats don't mean much in any one loss elimination tournament. No doubt.
I would also say that New England is definitely a legitimate SB contender. That offense is ridiculous.
What do the Rams, Bucs and to a lesser extent, the Broncos have in common? They're all terrible. For me, those are just classic letdown scenarios, really - especially in the regular season. Sometimes teams aren't prepared, sometimes they play down to the level of an inferior opponent, sometimes their opponents just put up a big game. I didn't watch those games, but I'm assuming that New Orleans underestimated those teams big time, just like the Steelers clearly did with a Broncos team that backed into the playoffs, losing their last 3 regular season games (scored a combined 17 points in the last 2 games). I didn't watch that game between the Bronco's and Steelers either, but obviously when Tebow literally completes 10 passes for over 300 yards (while missing a key receiver), the secondary has shit the bed in truly epic fashion. That shouldn't happen against any defense, regardless of their ranking.
Too bad Schaub isn't playing for the Texans. I totally forgot about that QB situation... tough luck in Houston. Ravens v. Pat's should be fun - and a better test for that D.
Yeah, N.O. was stingy with the fumbles this year and those fumbles on the kick returns - particularly the one that was duffed - that's unacceptable. Can't have that. So they clearly made mistakes, but San Francisco probably has the best special teams in the league too (Kicker/Punter heading to the pro bowl), and they deserve some credit.
IIRC, Brees had only thrown something like 2 interceptions in his entire postseason career before last night. You could call the picks a one off, but it also should be recognized that he threw the ball 63 times against a very good defense that, despite being celebrated for it's run defense, actually has 2 members of its secondary going to the probowl. They're not total slackers back there anymore. Goldson's interception was a crafty read - played the eyes, Brees didn't see him - and Terrell Brown made a pretty darn nice play on that jump ball of sorts. The secondary was pretty good, and I think having two weeks off to prepare really allowed them to work on and recognize a lot of the Saints bread and butter vertical routes.
I definitely recognized the mockery about the ranking, and I certainly agree that regular season stats don't mean much in any one loss elimination tournament. No doubt.
I would also say that New England is definitely a legitimate SB contender. That offense is ridiculous.
What do the Rams, Bucs and to a lesser extent, the Broncos have in common? They're all terrible.
For me, those are just classic letdown scenarios, really - especially in the regular season. Sometimes teams aren't prepared, sometimes they play down to the level of an inferior opponent, sometimes their opponents just put up a big game. I didn't watch those games, but I'm assuming that New Orleans underestimated those teams big time, just like the Steelers clearly did with a Broncos team that backed into the playoffs, losing their last 3 regular season games (scored a combined 17 points in the last 2 games). I didn't watch that game between the Bronco's and Steelers either, but obviously when Tebow literally completes 10 passes for over 300 yards (while missing a key receiver), the secondary has shit the bed in truly epic fashion. That shouldn't happen against any defense, regardless of their ranking. Too bad Schaub isn't playing for the Texans. I totally forgot about that QB situation... tough luck in Houston. Ravens v. Pat's should be fun - and a better test for that D.