It was not hard to notice that there was lots of exceptional handicapping of the wildcard games going on in this forum. Very cool, and keep it going. Maybe all this new technology had something to do with it. :toast:
Dug this up:
If I am not mistaken in my numbers, from 1993-2000, the home team off the bye (Carolina was the only home dog in 1996) in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs has been 11-4-1 ATS. What is interesting is that 2 of the 4 visitors that covered were Favre led Packer's teams (+14 at Dallas in 1993, and +10 at SF in 1995); moreover, the push also involved the Packers (-14 while hosting TB in 1997). I couldn't resist sharing that.
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PHILADELPHIA vs. CHICAGO
Lots of reasons for me to think the Bears will have their hands full in this one.
With three games and counting from last year and this year, this Eagle's team has become an experienced playoff team. A talented team that shows as much heart and effort as any I see. Against most any opponent, I think the talented and aggressive Philadelphia defense can find individual matchups to exploit in order to make plays, contain the run, pressure the QB, whatever needs doing. McNabb's playmaking and the weapons he has to go to give this team a dimension that makes me take notice. For good measure, the Eagles have been 7-1 road warriors this season.
While the Bears may be productive with their power running game (missing suspended FB Shelton), will the Bears find success in scoring points, too? I think the bigger potential for gaining significant advantages in the game lie with McNabb in the passing game, and the Eagle's pass defense against QB Jim Miller.
It may be wildly inaccurate to compare the Eagle's version of the west coast offense under Mcnabb to the Packers and 49ers among the Bear's foes this year, but if such a comparison has any merit, Chicago came within seconds of being 0-3 against those opponents.
Hopefully, Philadelphia will be primed to avoid something like the 97 yard kickoff return that set them up in a hole to start the playoff game against the Giants last year. Maybe turn the tables this time with their highly regarded special teams, which should nevertheless hold their own throughout in any crucial battle for field position that could develop.
In my handicapping, I am of the opinion that the end of the season scrimmage against Tampa was seized by the Philadelphia coaches as a reasonable facsimilie for a bye, and now Philadelphia heads to Chicago with a head of steam after the early game last Saturday. And while Chicago's coaches spent the bye week uncertain whether to prepare for Philadelphia, GB or SF, Philadelphia had 3 weeks to prepare for Tampa (before September 11th, before the closing scrimmage, and before the wildcard game), and their coaching staff confessed they had a good opportunity to peek at Chicago, which was the only possible opponent next in their path.
The Bears caught my attention early on, and I had nothing but kind words and high expectations for them as they came down the stretch without a misstep. Incredibly consistent, they even elevated their play like a champion to close the season. Now we will get to see if there was some measure of overachieving in their 13-3 campaign, and how much more they can elevate their play in the post season when facing the best and the hungriest teams in the league.
I know that when the Bears looked to take it up a notch or three against the Packers, they came up wanting. And I don't know what their fans are smoking, but I see no resemblance whatsoever between the Bears 29th rated pass defense and the suffocating defense that took the Ravens from nowhere to the Lombardi Trophy in a single season. And I fail to see how the Bears benefited by "calling out" a preference for a Packers rematch before Coach Jauron told them to quit being so stupid.
I sure don't think the Bears are the type of NFC heavyweight, or the circumstances of this game are such, that get me believing this game will follow a solid trend of home favorites winning by double digits in this round of the NFC playoffs.
I may be wrong, but I sense an emotiomnal edge for the Eagles, at least in the sense of bringing that emotion to their playmaking for 60 minutes of football.
The Bears have been magic and much more throughout the season. This week I expect Chicago to be tough and prepared and emotional. I don't think they are being underestimated by me or by the Eagles. I look for the Eagles to be relentless.
A live dog here.
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OAKLAND vs. NEW ENGLAND
Coming down the stretch, Oakland was leaking oil all the way. They are now coming off a stretch of 3 tough contests (at Denver, Jets and Jets). Lucky for them they were dealt a tough hand to beat in the wildcard round. Rejuvenated? Not long for this tournament, I'd say.
This New England team has certainly come out of nowhere. Confident and consistent for weeks, they are now becoming extremely efficient with their opportunities, and they have to be as fresh and rested as any team out there. Great chemistry, too. Worthy challengers to the Bears for the feel good surprise of the year, and in any Belichick vs. Jauron coach of the year debate. I'm not sure any "Farewell to Foxboro II" karma is required. A lack of post season experience is the one caution flag I am holding.
The clincher for me is that I fully expect the home team to bring a hard charging and disciplined defense that understands the Raider attack and will be able to hold it in check, while I suspect the visitors are not so tough.
With a line of less than -3, the public appears to be on the Raiders. Give me the Patriots.
Dug this up:
If I am not mistaken in my numbers, from 1993-2000, the home team off the bye (Carolina was the only home dog in 1996) in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs has been 11-4-1 ATS. What is interesting is that 2 of the 4 visitors that covered were Favre led Packer's teams (+14 at Dallas in 1993, and +10 at SF in 1995); moreover, the push also involved the Packers (-14 while hosting TB in 1997). I couldn't resist sharing that.
--------------------------------------------------
PHILADELPHIA vs. CHICAGO
Lots of reasons for me to think the Bears will have their hands full in this one.
With three games and counting from last year and this year, this Eagle's team has become an experienced playoff team. A talented team that shows as much heart and effort as any I see. Against most any opponent, I think the talented and aggressive Philadelphia defense can find individual matchups to exploit in order to make plays, contain the run, pressure the QB, whatever needs doing. McNabb's playmaking and the weapons he has to go to give this team a dimension that makes me take notice. For good measure, the Eagles have been 7-1 road warriors this season.
While the Bears may be productive with their power running game (missing suspended FB Shelton), will the Bears find success in scoring points, too? I think the bigger potential for gaining significant advantages in the game lie with McNabb in the passing game, and the Eagle's pass defense against QB Jim Miller.
It may be wildly inaccurate to compare the Eagle's version of the west coast offense under Mcnabb to the Packers and 49ers among the Bear's foes this year, but if such a comparison has any merit, Chicago came within seconds of being 0-3 against those opponents.
Hopefully, Philadelphia will be primed to avoid something like the 97 yard kickoff return that set them up in a hole to start the playoff game against the Giants last year. Maybe turn the tables this time with their highly regarded special teams, which should nevertheless hold their own throughout in any crucial battle for field position that could develop.
In my handicapping, I am of the opinion that the end of the season scrimmage against Tampa was seized by the Philadelphia coaches as a reasonable facsimilie for a bye, and now Philadelphia heads to Chicago with a head of steam after the early game last Saturday. And while Chicago's coaches spent the bye week uncertain whether to prepare for Philadelphia, GB or SF, Philadelphia had 3 weeks to prepare for Tampa (before September 11th, before the closing scrimmage, and before the wildcard game), and their coaching staff confessed they had a good opportunity to peek at Chicago, which was the only possible opponent next in their path.
The Bears caught my attention early on, and I had nothing but kind words and high expectations for them as they came down the stretch without a misstep. Incredibly consistent, they even elevated their play like a champion to close the season. Now we will get to see if there was some measure of overachieving in their 13-3 campaign, and how much more they can elevate their play in the post season when facing the best and the hungriest teams in the league.
I know that when the Bears looked to take it up a notch or three against the Packers, they came up wanting. And I don't know what their fans are smoking, but I see no resemblance whatsoever between the Bears 29th rated pass defense and the suffocating defense that took the Ravens from nowhere to the Lombardi Trophy in a single season. And I fail to see how the Bears benefited by "calling out" a preference for a Packers rematch before Coach Jauron told them to quit being so stupid.
I sure don't think the Bears are the type of NFC heavyweight, or the circumstances of this game are such, that get me believing this game will follow a solid trend of home favorites winning by double digits in this round of the NFC playoffs.
I may be wrong, but I sense an emotiomnal edge for the Eagles, at least in the sense of bringing that emotion to their playmaking for 60 minutes of football.
The Bears have been magic and much more throughout the season. This week I expect Chicago to be tough and prepared and emotional. I don't think they are being underestimated by me or by the Eagles. I look for the Eagles to be relentless.
A live dog here.
--------------------------------------------------
OAKLAND vs. NEW ENGLAND
Coming down the stretch, Oakland was leaking oil all the way. They are now coming off a stretch of 3 tough contests (at Denver, Jets and Jets). Lucky for them they were dealt a tough hand to beat in the wildcard round. Rejuvenated? Not long for this tournament, I'd say.
This New England team has certainly come out of nowhere. Confident and consistent for weeks, they are now becoming extremely efficient with their opportunities, and they have to be as fresh and rested as any team out there. Great chemistry, too. Worthy challengers to the Bears for the feel good surprise of the year, and in any Belichick vs. Jauron coach of the year debate. I'm not sure any "Farewell to Foxboro II" karma is required. A lack of post season experience is the one caution flag I am holding.
The clincher for me is that I fully expect the home team to bring a hard charging and disciplined defense that understands the Raider attack and will be able to hold it in check, while I suspect the visitors are not so tough.
With a line of less than -3, the public appears to be on the Raiders. Give me the Patriots.
