Divisional Playoff Predictions (Best Weekend in Sports)

I'm curious to take the Locker Room's temperature on the Norv comments/question.

Anyone venture that far into the piece?

I venture to say the voodoo doll is in hand and the "steel" rods are heating. Hope I'm wrong but I got the Steel 17-14.
Time to buy a new puppy Norv.

About whether or not the Chargers are winning in spite of him? If he's a good leader?
Exactly.


So which is it? Are Turner’s Chargers a scrappy, resilient bunch who refused to quit at 4-8, rallied around their coach and stared failure down ... or a deeply talented bunch of underachievers, two years removed from 14-2, backing into the playoffs against all historic odds despite him?


I think it's a fair question, and I'm curious to see where others come down on it. From what I'm hearing in the mainstream media, most seem to think he gets credit. Me, I'm willing to give a little benefit of the doubt, but end of the eday I'm still leaning the other way.

IMO the credit goes to Norv. This team is very talented but at the end of the day Norv is making the calls. I don't think they could do it without him. I think what we seen was a equally talented HC make the nessesary adjustments mid season. And I applaud him for it.

Exactly.



I think it's a fair question, and I'm curious to see where others come down on it. From what I'm hearing in the mainstream media, most seem to think he gets credit. Me, I'm willing to give a little benefit of the doubt, but end of the eday I'm still leaning the other way.

I mean I've been pretty vocal, I think, about this in the past. I was around Norv a lot during his last three seasons as head coach of the Redskins. And he's a smart X and Os guy (and he doesn't really have the patience for those, particularly QBs who aren't, so I suspect Rivers is a pretty smart dude), but a leader? Definitely not while he was here. He's someone players tended to want to play well for because they feel sorry for him sometimes. He didn't inspire people, he didn't command respect, he can keep a good team from completely falling apart but can he make a good team great? I don't think so.

I mean good for him that he's doing well but if you swap let's say Herman Edwards and Norv Turner I'm not sure that the Chiefs and Chargers records would be all that different.

giants......ravens.......steelers.........panthers .....

giants vs panthers . rematch.....ravens vs steelers .... for for their respective conference championships.....

my out on the limb superbowl pick is
panthers vs steelers..........panthers winning the superbowl....

NYG vs. Philly - I think this game is a toss up. The Iggle D played great last weekend, but it was against an average at best offense in Minny; I think they will have their hands full with the Giants' offense. On the other hand, Philly's offense played OK (not great) against a very good defense, and I think the Giants' D is not as good as Minny's. So an Iggles win will depend on their offense, otherwise I think the Giants have this one.

Panthers over Arizona - Carolina still has a really good defense, and their offense should be able to keep up.

Ravens over Tenn. - This game will depend on how two average/mediocre offenses can play against elite defenses. The Ravens' D has been dominating and winning games in the past couple of games, so my nod is to them.

Steelers over SD - This could be a close game, but I can see a better Steeler offense and a superb defense pulling the win.

My winners for this coming weekend:

Ravens
Panthers
Chargers
Eagles

Baltimore 20-17 Tennessee
Arizona 17-30 Carolina
San Diego 16-23 Pittsburgh
Philadelphia 20-21 NY Giants

Giants 20
Eagles 9

Titans 23
Ravens 17 (OT)

Cardinals 34
Panthers 13 (major upset)

Steelers 21
Chargers 14

I was really close with my Cardinals prediction...rooting for them now with the Titans out. That Titans-Ravens game was great, really got to admire the Ravens organization for what they've accomplished

Giants 20
Eagles 9

Titans 23
Ravens 17 (OT)

Cardinals 34
Panthers 13 (major upset)

Steelers 21
Chargers 14

Nice call Smoot!!!!!!
I was also impresssed with Sfredkins last week with calling out Sproles