NFC Semis: Seahawks/Bears

[ravenmaniac]

I don't get all the love for the Packers. Well, I get it, but I think it is misguided. Admittedly I'm a big Falcons fan and I'm glad everyone seems to be hitting the Pack, but what am I missing here? I understand Joe Public likes the Pack b/c they have been on TV a bunch the last few weeks and won some must win games, but what about the fact that they were in must win games down the stretch? You are in must win games b/c you are a marginal playoff team. This is a team the Falcons already beat. This is a team that can't run the ball........it is so funny to me that Starks has one good game against a very underwhelming Eagles D and everyone thinks the Pack have all the sudden found a running game. I apologize if ONE good game against a marginal D doesn't convince me.

I understand the Falcons aren't a flashy team and people like to bet the flashy teams, but goodness, this is a 13-3 team whose only loses were to playoff teams....Pitt, Saints, and Philly. Green Bay's losses....Chicago, Dolphins (terrible), Redskins (terrible), ATLANTA, Detroit (terrible), and Pats. The Falcons don't do much great, but do everything well. Good passing game, good running game, good run D, good pass D, good special teams. Oh yeah, Matt Ryan is 20-2 at home in his career. Falcons stomped the Seahawks a few weeks back, beat Saints in New Orleans, beat a good Tampa team twice, beat the Ravens, beat the Packers. Oh yeah, the Falcons are probably the healthiest team around and have two weeks of rest.

Everyone keep betting up the Pack and get me better value on the Birds.

I will tell you why all the love for the Packers, in their week 12 win Ryan was something like 21 of 24 passing, Turner rushes for over 100 yards, Rogers fumbles away a sure TD on the goal line, McCarthy failed to challenge a catch made by Gonzalez that wasn't a catch and ultimately resulted in a TD and on top of all that they were home in the Georgia Dome and it took a last minute 47 yard FG to eek out a 20-17 win. In other words everything went Atlanta's way in the first game. There is a good chance it won't happen again. I personally think it is very very difficult for one team to sweep another when both teams are very evenly matched. That's why I love the Pack. As for the 2 weeks off there is always a debate between rest and rust. I am not positive of this but I am pretty darn sure that if you look at the divisional round of games the last couple of years the teams coming off byes have lost more than they won.

[ravenmaniac]

I looked it up. Over the last 5 years the 4 teams coming off byes into the Divisional round were 10-10. So much for the well rested team theory making any difference.

[BettorsChat]

Going out on a limb as I think Seattle stays close with Chicago.
Atlanta takes out Green Bay at home.

[bryce]

Bears win. 23-13. I just think seattle will be a bit hungover after last week. They will battle but they are just not that good of a team as we all know. They had there super bowl last week..

[hokie99]

Seattle wins SU and Packers crush them next week. Packers then beat whoever they play from AFC in the SB. AFC is getting all the attention with all these guys running their mouths with the trash talk and the Packers are just on a mission. Similar to Giants a few years ago except I think the Packers are better than that team.

[LeRoy]

Bears by 20