The Starting Five NFL Week 17 Predictions: Who Catches That Cold Rock Stuff? Eagles or Cowboys?
This day last year was magical for any Eagles fan. Watching the 1:00 games in the Eagles press room beforehand was a good experience and everyone knew the playoff possibilities. Stephen A. was giving it to Favre and it was a peace NFL real rappin’ with Hugh Douglas, Ike Reese and Calvin Hill.
The playoffs beckoned…
Chicago and Oakland had to win for the Eagles to get in. As the scores were announced and both teams were victorious, Brian Dawkins emerges out of the tunnel to a mad eruption of fan cheers. Sick atmosphere that resulted in a 44-6 Eagles win…but that was last year. Dallas won here this year 20-16 and Miles Austin caught the eventual game winner on a double move despite being bottled up all game. This is a big contest in the rivalry that possibly will be remembered long after any of us are alive. The stakes are just too high.
The Eagles are in charge of their own destiny. Beat the Cowboys and they have a first round bye, an NFC East crown and a home game. Considering every game was on the road last year in the playoffs, this is by far a much better course of action. The Eagles have played well with their backs against the wall recently. The loss of Jamal Jackson to a season ending knee injury was huge. In his stead, Nick Cole steps to the mic. What the hell is he and his line mates going to do to stop DeMarcus Ware? Protecting 5 is the key to the game. Another key is making sure DeSean Jackson gets the rock. In the last meeting with Dallas, 10 was basically given the day off because 5 didn’t go down field. Don’t give Terrence Newman that much props doc. Dud defenses balls, but where are the interceptions? On the other hand, Assante Samuels gets his. The Eagles will win this game if Donovan has time because he has too many weapons. That being said, If the Eagles lose this game, the city will call for everyone and their mama’s head. Trust. Win this game and the Eagles are looking stellar in the City of Brotherly Love.
Crazy this wasn’t called a first down despite visual evidence in the contrary but that was the past and even though that single blown call set up what is to transpire tomorrow, both teams will be ready. It’s the Eagles first visit to the new stadium and I’m sure Jerry will make sure the Eagles got it comin’. I caught wreck here after the Dallas victory for asking two simple questions.
One was this: “Andy, why didnt’ you go down field to DeSean?”
Andy Reid: (looks at me crazy) They were rolling coverage.
The other this: “Andy why did Jason Witten get the ball (catch on 3rd and two got the first down and the Cowboys salted the game away) despite everyone knowing he was going to get the ball?”
Andy Reid: (looks at me crazy again) “I guess we should have paid more attention to Witten huh?”
Obvious questions right? Thought so.
To the picks…
| SUN, JAN 3 | TIME (ET) | TV | PREDICTION | THE SKINNIEST |
| Indianapolis at Buffalo | 1:00 PM | CBS | Colts 27-20 | Colts fans shhhhh! |
| Jacksonville at Cleveland | 1:00 PM | CBS | JAX 40-12 | No Cleveland spoiler |
| Chicago at Detroit | 1:00 PM | FOX | CHI 24-20 | Hold on Lovie |
| San Francisco at St. Louis | 1:00 PM | FOX | SF 28-17 | SF prepares for Mike Vick ’10 |
| Pittsburgh at Miami | 1:00 PM | CBS | PITT 30-29 | 55 Live? You ready for this? |
| NY Giants at Minnesota | 1:00 PM | FOX | NYG 23-19 | The Giants ain’t no chumps! |
| Atlanta at Tampa Bay | 1:00 PM | FOX | TB 26-24 | The Josh Freeman era beckons |
| New Orleans at Carolina | 1:00 PM | FOX | CAR 20-17 | It gets worse N’awlins |
| New England at Houston | 1:00 PM | CBS | HOU 28-27 | Still got that fight! |
| Green Bay at Arizona | 4:15 PM | FOX | ARI 33-30 | Fitz and ‘Quan gearing up |
| Washington at San Diego | 4:15 PM | FOX | SD 98-1/2 | A half a point for showing up |
| Tennessee at Seattle | 4:15 PM | CBS | TENN 21-20 | Young dramatics |
| Baltimore at Oakland | 4:15 PM | CBS | BAL 17-13 | Ray Lewis. Will. Not. Lose |
| Philadelphia at Dallas | 4:15 PM | FOX | PHI 35-31 | 5 +10 +22+=1st round bye |
| Kansas City at Denver | 4:15 PM | CBS | DEN 40-36 | Shootout!! |
| Cincinnati at NY Jets | 8:20 PM | NBC | CINCY 16-6 | Sorry NYJ you lose last one too |
Just so you know:
The NFC is pretty simple while the AFC is straight craaaaazy.
NFL playoff scenarios for week 17 of the 2009 season.
NFC
CLINCHED
New Orleans Saints – NFC South and Home Field
Minnesota Vikings – NFC North Division
Arizona Cardinals – NFC West Division
Philadelphia Eagles – Playoff Berth
Green Bay Packers – Playoff Berth
Dallas Cowboys – Playoff Berth
ELIMINATED: Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, NY Giants, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
Minnesota Vikings
Can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. A win and a Philadelphia loss or tie, OR
2. A tie and a Philadelphia loss
Philadelphia Eagles
Can clinch the NFC East division with:
1. A win or tie
Can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. A win, OR 2. a tie and a Minnesota loss or tie
Dallas
Can clinch the NFC East Division with:
1. A win
Can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. A win and a Minnesota loss and an Arizona loss or tie
Arizona Cardinals
Can clinch a first-round bye with:
1. A win and a Minnesota loss and a Philadelphia loss
AFC
CLINCHED:
Indianapolis – AFC South, First-Round Bye, and Home-Field Advantage
San Diego – AFC West and First-Round Bye
New England – AFC East
Cincinnati – AFC North
ELIMINATED: Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland, Tennessee
New York Jets
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win
Miami Dolphins
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
Baltimore Ravens
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win
Pittsburgh Steelers
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win and a Houston loss or tie and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie, OR
2. A win and a Houston loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie, OR
3. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Houston Texans
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie, OR
2. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie, OR
3. A win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Jacksonville Jaguars
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss, OR
2. A win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
3. A win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
4. A win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
5. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a Baltimore loss
Denver Broncos
Can clinch a playoff spot with:
1. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie, OR
2. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie, OR
3. A win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Houston win, OR
4. A win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie, OR
5. A win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Houston win, OR
6. A Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss, OR
7. A Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
8. A Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
9. A Pittsburgh loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss, OR
10. A Miami loss or tie and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
My Vikings right the ship today.We gotta use this as a springboard into the playoffs. Last week’s showed us that we gotta start strong and attack through the air. Mix in some passes on first down.Keep the Giants defense off balance. Special teams has to play better this week as well. Let’s see if the coaching staff earned their money this week. The G-Men are just trying to get this over with. Let’s make it happen.
The same hell that’s gonna break loose if Philly loses will be the same in Minnesota if they lose this game. I just see Tom Coughlin punchin’ cats straight in the mouth to make ‘em get up for this game. Dude has way too much pride to go out like a sucka.
[...] The Starting Five NFL Week 17 Predictions: Who Catches That Cold All hell will break lose in Philly if the Eagles lose this game. [...]
I guess the Giants are chumps. Shame what happened to that team.
Pat White got ROCKED! I hope he’s OK.
Yo Harvey looks like the Eagles game went just how I predicted.
Well Reid its time to pull all the starters……….the cowboys got their home playoff game.
Well Farve will get those 2 dome games in the 2nd and 3rd round.
The Eagles got served…damn, damn, damn. Is McDermott scared to call a frikkin’ blitz?
I didn’t have a good feeling about this game and sure enough my feelings and O’s prediction was borne out.
Have no idea what to expect next week except another Eagles’ loss.
Harvey I wouldn’t be surprised if the eagles came out and actually had a balanced offense.
With Mccoy and Weaver actually getting the ball (handoff) in the first half.
Like I said the cowboys were playing for Jerry Jones for this game…………dude needs that home playoff game.
And this will be the only one they get this season.
Them U2 concerts and cotton bowl games ain’t enough to get that money back for that stadium.
I hope Pat White is alright…damn!
LOL..origin, yeah….the Cowboys needed this home playoff game for Jerry! LOL, but I really dont think they’re gonna win next week. The Eagles acted like it was the 3rd game of the preseason…just seeing what works and what doesnt. Not blitzing, nothing fancy….this was a big ole smokes and mirrors game.
I really wanna agree with Miranda because Reid does things like this to back himself into a corner. But at the risk of a bye and a home playoff game???
I believe that they’ll win on Saturday night, but ultimately Reid may have outsmarted himself once again.
TBR, its just too wierd after looking at Reid’s press conference…he sounded like a guy who had just played the 3rd game of the season. The Cowboys needed a playoff home game to get 100,000 hopefuls in there….and for Jerry Jones to try and convince himself that he loves Wade Phillips (when in reality, he loves the cheap salary he can pay Wade Phillips cuz he damn sure cant pay nobody else right now).
Regardless of what you all say, there is no way the Eagles should have come up so small with a home game at stake.
All,
If the Eagles win in Dallas on Saturday night almost a week after a dog-azz performance like this then I’ll have all I need to convince me that big time sports is rigged.
Mizzo:
Gotta ask.
On the Eagles final possession of this game, the drive ended with about 5 minutes left on the clock. Philly had some success moving the ball, but the drive bogged down on Dallas’ 33 yard line. The Eagles went with spread formations on 3 consecutive plays. The first play was a dropped/errant pass to Brent Celek on the right side. The second play was a dropped screen pass by LeSean McCoy. The third play was a sack of McNabb as he tried to evade a Cowboy blitz against 1-deep coverage by Dallas.
NBC never ran a “field replay” of the 3rd down play, but it looked like neither of the receivers uncovered quickly enough to draw a throw. There was a split second to throw the rock and “5″ pulled the ball back down and ran. Dallas made a shoe string tackle to stop what would have been a long run and a first down.
Question: Aside from running the rock, what would do differently in the passing game to jump start an offense that has averaged 8 ppg vs. Dallas?
Are you speaking of the disputed replays game?
I would overload one side with three and actually do something with it. I would actually throw the ball to Mike Vick but only if he was wide open and normally he is. I would throw quick slants more often but again, the Eagles don’t have that big receiver to go across the middle.
You know what Dallas is coming with so do something different.
I haven’t seen Donovan run a naked bootleg in the red zone in years.