NFL Divisional Playoff Games: Non Packers

[adambr2]

You see what Arians is doing right here with his defense? They are up by 10 with under 5 min and still playing the aggressive defense that got them to this point. Not some prevent.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Buccaneers playing for a chance to be the first team to be in their home stadium for the Super Bowl. They’ll be motivated enough next Sunday, but that’s a nice bonus motivator.

[young guns]

All the teams left are incredible and nightmares to play. We just have to bring our ‘A’ game and win. That’s the only way to win at this stage.

The good news is that all 3 teams are saying that about us a well.

[MrTPlush]

Drew Brees walked off the field like a guy never returning, looked like the rumors are true. A great career it was.

[PinaMadness]

Drew Brees walked off the field like a guy never returning, looked like the rumors are true. A great career it was.

Yeah, that look he had on his face was more than just his season ending.

[yourout]

You see what Arians is doing right here with his defense? They are up by 10 with under 5 min and still playing the aggressive defense that got them to this point. Not some prevent.

 

With that defense It's easy to stay aggressive. Fast and physical.

[OldHeidelberg]

Drew Brees walked off the field like a guy never returning, looked like the rumors are true. A great career it was.

 

Well I guess the Saints aren't "going in" like he said after he alligator armed it on 4th down last week.

 

Tampa it is and really I think most of us expected it. Will be a tough out but no reason to think we can't.

[HiAndTight]

You see what Arians is doing right here with his defense? They are up by 10 with under 5 min and still playing the aggressive defense that got them to this point. Not some prevent.

 

 

I don't think that has anything to do with Arians...it's unlikely he has much say in the defense with Bowles there.

[homer]

Arians has been aggressive with end of game situations in the past. But I think it's kind of easy to do when the QB can't throw more than 20 yards in the air.

[Fear The Chorizo]

You see what Arians is doing right here with his defense? They are up by 10 with under 5 min and still playing the aggressive defense that got them to this point. Not some prevent.

 

 

I don't think that has anything to do with Arians...it's unlikely he has much say in the defense with Bowles there.

 

Yep, and it has just as much to do with the back end of the Buccaneer secondary having no reason to fear anything going downfield over their heads - which shrinks the field and tightens windows to the point where contested passes are the norm. Sitting back in a cover 2 shell but being able to know everything will stay in front of you without even having the safeties need to turn and run downfield makes even a conservative defense look aggressive. That look with no downfield threat leaves essentially 7 in coverage against 5 at most in the route within 15 yards from scrimmage, with 4 D lineman pinning their ears back and rushing the passer. They can even afford to blitz every so often and have plenty of coverage behind it.

[HiAndTight]

 

Yep, and it has just as much to do with the back end of the Buccaneer secondary having no reason to fear anything going downfield over their heads - which shrinks the field and tightens windows to the point where contested passes are the norm. Sitting back in a cover 2 shell but being able to know everything will stay in front of you without even having the safeties need to turn and run downfield makes even a conservative defense look aggressive. That look with no downfield threat leaves essentially 7 in coverage against 5 at most in the route within 15 yards from scrimmage, with 4 D lineman pinning their ears back and rushing the passer. They can even afford to blitz every so often and have plenty of coverage behind it.

 

 

And that's in a dome in perfect conditions. I remember watching Favre play in his 30's and thinking he wasn't going to have to retire because of arm strength until he was in his 50's, that wouldn't be the thing that'd force him to retire...same with Rodgers. Definitely not the case with Brees.

 

But now we get Brady and the Buccs. They're sure as hell gonna test our CB's. They've got so many guys who can win vs man coverage...and Alexander can only cover one guy.

 

I think we'll have a few chances to get some takeaways, but we're gonna need the running game to be able to move the ball at least a little bit so it's not all on Rodgers shoulders.

[yourout]

 

Yep, and it has just as much to do with the back end of the Buccaneer secondary having no reason to fear anything going downfield over their heads - which shrinks the field and tightens windows to the point where contested passes are the norm. Sitting back in a cover 2 shell but being able to know everything will stay in front of you without even having the safeties need to turn and run downfield makes even a conservative defense look aggressive. That look with no downfield threat leaves essentially 7 in coverage against 5 at most in the route within 15 yards from scrimmage, with 4 D lineman pinning their ears back and rushing the passer. They can even afford to blitz every so often and have plenty of coverage behind it.

 

 

And that's in a dome in perfect conditions. I remember watching Favre play in his 30's and thinking he wasn't going to have to retire because of arm strength until he was in his 50's, that wouldn't be the thing that'd force him to retire...same with Rodgers. Definitely not the case with Brees.

 

But now we get Brady and the Buccs. They're sure as hell gonna test our CB's. They've got so many guys who can win vs man coverage...and Alexander can only cover one guy.

 

I think we'll have a few chances to get some takeaways, but we're gonna need the running game to be able to move the ball at least a little bit so it's not all on Rodgers shoulders.

King is going to be wearing a bullseye.

[HiAndTight]

King is going to be wearing a bullseye.

 

I'm alright with that. When King's healthy, he's a ball hawk and he has the size and athletic ability to matchup. More concerning to me would be Sullivan in the slot on AB and then whoever is asked to cover their big TE's. Our LB'ers are not capable. Amos has been elite in coverage this year and Savage is coming on, but Gronk's usually good for a few big plays.

 

We DO have the #2 secondary in the NFL...so I should probably be more confident. Brady's gonna give us a couple of chances to come up with some turnovers I think(and hope).

 

Really hope Keke is back and ready to go this week. It looks like both teams are very healthy. Just two major injuries as far as I can tell for either team. Vita for the Buccs and Bahk for us. So no excuses, time to add a big one to Rodgers legacy.

[nodakfan17]

It’s hard to believe Brees and Rodgers never faced each other in the playoffs, despite being contemporaries in the NFC for over a decade.

[PeaveyFury]

It’s hard to believe Brees and Rodgers never faced each other in the playoffs, despite being contemporaries in the NFC for over a decade.

 

A lot of that is that the Saints have really underperformed in the playoffs. I believe I heard mention that yesterday was like their third straight home playoff loss in the divisional round, or something like that?

 

Edit: The stat is that they've lost three of their last four home playoff games, the only win being last week vs. the Bears.

[CheezWizHed]

King is going to be wearing a bullseye.

 

I'm alright with that. When King's healthy, he's a ball hawk and he has the size and athletic ability to matchup. More concerning to me would be Sullivan in the slot on AB and then whoever is asked to cover their big TE's. Our LB'ers are not capable. Amos has been elite in coverage this year and Savage is coming on, but Gronk's usually good for a few big plays.

 

We DO have the #2 secondary in the NFL...so I should probably be more confident. Brady's gonna give us a couple of chances to come up with some turnovers I think(and hope).

 

Yes, I think King gets a lot of complaints, but overall, he is pretty solid. His worst games seem to be when he has been off for a few weeks for an injury and comes back. If he'd just stay healthy, he'd be above average normally. King also gets some unfair complaints for being 8-12 yds deep, but he is playing the scheme at that point (i.e. following orders). The third reason he gets complaints is because he isn't Alexander... When you have someone that good on the other side, it is natural to hold him up to that bar also.

 

I think (hope?) Amos will be playing Gronk. He has been very good this second half of the year.

 

Both teams are very good to get to this point... Should be a good game.