Saturday Playoffs

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:32 am

The first game today has the New Orleans Saints playing in San Francisco against the 49ers' stifling defense.

All pressure is on New Orleans today.

I'd love to say that the Saints are just THAT good, and this will be a walk through the park, but I just can't see that happening. Home field advantage is HUGE in the playoffs. We're going to see orange/red rally towels as far as the eye can see today, along with a stadium FILLED with fans who haven't seen a team this good in a long time.

Good luck to the Saints trying to hear a single snap count..

The 49ers have three things they will preach today. Run the ball well,control the clock and play the defense they are expected to play.

The Saints have much more to worry about. Their offense is geared for max yardage on every play. I very rarely saw these Saints in a game situation where they had to use the clock to their advantage.

I think we'll see Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory get stuffed today. I think we'll see a bunch of screens to Sproles that normally go for 10-12 yard pass plays, but today Sproles gets hit at the point of the catch...No missed tackles. I see Brees hitting his wideouts and Graham all day. But any mistakes by Brees or dropped passes by the wideouts may result in a crucial turnover.

San Fran will run run run, and play D D D...

I'm going to say New Orleans wins this, but not by much. 17-10 Saints. BUT, if the Saints commit more than two turnovers, I'm saying the 49ers win.

jdoggmms · Post by **jdoggmms** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:22 am

We've been proving the doubters wrong all year. For those that don't know, listen to these inspiring words from our coach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnM71lPe ... re=related

I've heard weak arguments for John Fox in Denver, but c'mon let's be real. Jim Harbaugh is coach of the year, hands down.

Also, 'Who Dat?' has nothing on this. Check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw5Eld-K ... e=youtu.be

I'm heading to the game in about an hour to do my part as 12th man. We will be the difference in the game. I'm glad I'm not working on Monday, because my voice will be shot.

thegambler · Post by **thegambler** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:40 am

i like NO in this one, close the whole way with NO pulling ahead at the end

NO- 27
SF- 20

NE- 31
tebow, i mean denver- 20

hou- 16
balt- 30

nyg- 30
gb- 27

[ January 14, 2012, 10:41 AM: Message edited by: thegambler ]

mattjb · Post by **mattjb** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:07 am

depends how it starts. if the saints score early there is only one winner. 49ers cannot win this game from behind.

CoMoHusker · Post by **CoMoHusker** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:17 am

As a lifelong Niners fan, I see today's game as a huge turning point for the franchise. Not only would a win be the first post season victory in quite some time but I think it would also mean that Alex Smith played well.

If he struggles and the defense cannot limit the Saints, I believe Smith's time in the Bay area has to come to an end. I know Harbaugh has been behind the guy 100%, as he should but that may be the one piece that could hold them back from becoming a consistent force in the league. They could definitely add another key WR but for the most part, the pieces are there.

Just can't afford to kick nothing but FG's today and expect to beat the Saints.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:33 am

Game 2:

Denver is a team that everyone has written off many time this year. After watching the story of Tebow's life and how many times he's been written off, and still won, I can't help but think this guy is a spark that can possibly lead this Broncos team all the way to the superbowl while the world scratches their heads.

However, it's not going to happen. The Patriots defense sucks most of the time. But the Pats score. They score a lot. All the time. No matter what happens, no matter how great of a game Denver plays later today, there is just no way they walk away from this game with more points on the boards than the Patriots.

I'll be bold enough to make some predictions in this game. Broncos run McGahee like mad in the first quarter. With a great first possession or two, they will have us all thinking they've got the game and the Pats under control. But then Brady warms up. Starts throwing to Welker, Gronk, and the 3000 other people who catch the ball, and the Patriots score a bunch of points.

My guess:

New England: 45
Denver:20

DOOMSDAY · Post by **DOOMSDAY** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:40 am

I'm telling you, if you are a 49ers fan there is not much point in turning on the TV today.

bobsgym · Post by **bobsgym** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:40 am

DENVER WINS the toss. New England wins the game. Denver needs to win the turnover battle but New England rarely obliges.

NE 38 TB 20

SF is a year away from being able to compete in these games and NO just has too many options.

NO 31 SF 17

Cocktails and Dreams · Post by **Cocktails and Dreams** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:36 am

This first one should be a hell of a game.

CoMoHusker · Post by **CoMoHusker** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:17 am

Originally posted by DOOMSDAY:
I'm telling you, if you are a 49ers fan there is not much point in turning on the TV today. TV is on and loving every minute of it right now.