ROUND 3 PLAYOFF SUPER BOWL BOUND
- Thread starter RAYMOND
- Start date
info from the points
info from the points
New Orleans over *Chicago by 3
We?re not going to call the Bears the worst 14-3 team ever. It?s not their fault it?s been such a weak year in the NFC.But the Bears clearly are vulnerable despite their fancy record, which by the way, was compiled against very weak competition. They played three teams that finished with winning records. There have been two Bears teams this season. The first is the one that held opponents to an average of 251.8 yards and ranked No. 1 in defense through the first 10 games. The present Bears squad is the one that surrendered 364.7 yards the last six games of the regular season and has problems stopping the run missing star defensive tackle Tommie Harris and strong safety Mike Brown. This is the defense that has allowed an average of 25.8 points the last five games. The Saints finished the regular season with the top-ranked offense averaging 391.5 yards per game. They rated fifth in scoring, averaging 25.8 points per game. No quarterback threw for more yards than the Saints? Drew Brees. He also was the NFC?s highest-ranked passer. Brees has a bevy of targets to throw to, including Marques Colston and Reggie Bush. It?s a plus if veteran wide receiver Joe Horn (check status) is able to play. What makes the Saints so dangerous, though, is their chemistry and balance. They have a tremendous inside/outside running game with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. Both are excellent pass catchers, too, making it dangerous to blitz the Saints because of the threat of a screen pass. Yes, the weather can be unpredictable this time of year in Chicago. The Saints are a warm-weather, dome team. But having a balanced attack can overcome that. The Saints have been surprising people all season. This is a team, after all, that made NFL history by becoming the first team to make the conference title game after losing 13 games the previous season. They covered seven of their eight games on the road this season. They also went 7-2 ATS as an underdog, with one of those losses coming as an underdog during the final week of the regular season when Saints Coach Sean Payton rested Brees and most of his starters for much of the game because it was a meaningless matchup for his team. Many of the Saints? starters will be playing in their first road playoff game, but the team gained a lot of confidence with last week?s home playoff victory against the Eagles. Butterflies shouldn?t be a problem for New Orleans. The pressure all is on the Bears, who have dropped six of nine post-season games at Solider Field since their 1985 championship season. Chicago has been favored in each of its last four games and failed to cover every time. We like taking points with the better quarterback. And that?s certainly Brees. Rex Grossman is the most schizophrenic quarterback in the NFL. He can throw a beautiful long pass, but he is capable, too, of putting up a 0.0 quarterback rating like he did against Green Bay during the final regular-season game. Grossman finished 24th in the final passer ratings. He had a 5/9 touchdown to interception ratio his last six regular season games. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are a good 1-2 running punch, but they are not the equal to Bush and McAllister. The Saints have the better offense. Their run defense is better now with Hollis Thomas back from a four-game suspension. They have the edge pass rushers with Will Smith and Charles Grant to pressure Grossman. The Bears have an erratic, turnover-prone quarterback and an overrated defense that hasn?t been dominant for the last two months. The Saints have been pulling miracles all season. What?s to stop them now? NEW ORLEANS 24-21.
info from the points
New Orleans over *Chicago by 3
We?re not going to call the Bears the worst 14-3 team ever. It?s not their fault it?s been such a weak year in the NFC.But the Bears clearly are vulnerable despite their fancy record, which by the way, was compiled against very weak competition. They played three teams that finished with winning records. There have been two Bears teams this season. The first is the one that held opponents to an average of 251.8 yards and ranked No. 1 in defense through the first 10 games. The present Bears squad is the one that surrendered 364.7 yards the last six games of the regular season and has problems stopping the run missing star defensive tackle Tommie Harris and strong safety Mike Brown. This is the defense that has allowed an average of 25.8 points the last five games. The Saints finished the regular season with the top-ranked offense averaging 391.5 yards per game. They rated fifth in scoring, averaging 25.8 points per game. No quarterback threw for more yards than the Saints? Drew Brees. He also was the NFC?s highest-ranked passer. Brees has a bevy of targets to throw to, including Marques Colston and Reggie Bush. It?s a plus if veteran wide receiver Joe Horn (check status) is able to play. What makes the Saints so dangerous, though, is their chemistry and balance. They have a tremendous inside/outside running game with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. Both are excellent pass catchers, too, making it dangerous to blitz the Saints because of the threat of a screen pass. Yes, the weather can be unpredictable this time of year in Chicago. The Saints are a warm-weather, dome team. But having a balanced attack can overcome that. The Saints have been surprising people all season. This is a team, after all, that made NFL history by becoming the first team to make the conference title game after losing 13 games the previous season. They covered seven of their eight games on the road this season. They also went 7-2 ATS as an underdog, with one of those losses coming as an underdog during the final week of the regular season when Saints Coach Sean Payton rested Brees and most of his starters for much of the game because it was a meaningless matchup for his team. Many of the Saints? starters will be playing in their first road playoff game, but the team gained a lot of confidence with last week?s home playoff victory against the Eagles. Butterflies shouldn?t be a problem for New Orleans. The pressure all is on the Bears, who have dropped six of nine post-season games at Solider Field since their 1985 championship season. Chicago has been favored in each of its last four games and failed to cover every time. We like taking points with the better quarterback. And that?s certainly Brees. Rex Grossman is the most schizophrenic quarterback in the NFL. He can throw a beautiful long pass, but he is capable, too, of putting up a 0.0 quarterback rating like he did against Green Bay during the final regular-season game. Grossman finished 24th in the final passer ratings. He had a 5/9 touchdown to interception ratio his last six regular season games. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are a good 1-2 running punch, but they are not the equal to Bush and McAllister. The Saints have the better offense. Their run defense is better now with Hollis Thomas back from a four-game suspension. They have the edge pass rushers with Will Smith and Charles Grant to pressure Grossman. The Bears have an erratic, turnover-prone quarterback and an overrated defense that hasn?t been dominant for the last two months. The Saints have been pulling miracles all season. What?s to stop them now? NEW ORLEANS 24-21.
Both Dogs win outright in championship games huh. It would be a first but with the NFL this year I guess possible:shrug:
I hate to say it, but I like the Bears -2.5 BIG TIME. I bet everyone expects the Saints to win the Superbowl this year. We're all thinking the same: "The Saints are this year's team of destiny", "Wouldn't it be something if the city of New Orleans brought home a Superbowl title after what happened to them last year?" I'm also willing to bet that out of all the teams that made it to the playoffs, most of the bets on 'which team wins the Superbowl?' were on New Orleans. Logic says that based on talent, stats, ATS trends and other factors such as 'destiny', New Orleans is a lock to win this game. Now, I can't speak for everyone, but whenever I make a bet based on logic and sound stats/trends, I usually lose. Therefore, I will go against the world on this one and take da Bears (hopefully the line drops even more the next few days).
Nothing ever plays out the way you think it will. Therefore:
Chicago 27 New Olreans 23 :scared
Nothing ever plays out the way you think it will. Therefore:
Chicago 27 New Olreans 23 :scared
Ray, I was thinking the same thing. Dont see Bears putting up 20 again this game. They will need more than 20 to beat the Saints. Saints should score 30. Pressure on Rex and its all over.
I hope your right brother as I am with you on these two.
Kinda of wanted to see Saints and Chargers for some fireworks in the Super Bowl.
I hope your right brother as I am with you on these two.
Kinda of wanted to see Saints and Chargers for some fireworks in the Super Bowl.
Ray I'm not convinced. Do you have any stats to back up your picks?? LOL
I think with the Pats beating SD they are going to win the SB doesn't matter if they play the Saints or the Bears. What do you think??
I think with the Pats beating SD they are going to win the SB doesn't matter if they play the Saints or the Bears. What do you think??
Who will be betting on the Saints this weekend. Every avg Joe whom owns a PC. How do the books make money? By knowing where Joe will be placing his money. Who will be betting on the Bears? Noone but the sharp betters. For both rd teams to win is unheard of but any given Sunday. Right? Goodluck Joe
Combination Ticket #P-8262331
Selected Game Time Your Bet
Saints vs Bears (NFC Championship)(FOX) 01/21 at 03:00 pm Over 43
Saints vs Bears (NFC Championship)(FOX) 01/21 at 03:00 pm Saints +120
Patriots vs Colts (AFC Championship)(CBS) 01/21 at 06:30 pm Patriots +155
Wager Amount: $1000.00 to win $9710.00
Bet Placed: Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 04:20 pm
bets are in:bigun: :bigun:
Selected Game Time Your Bet
Saints vs Bears (NFC Championship)(FOX) 01/21 at 03:00 pm Over 43
Saints vs Bears (NFC Championship)(FOX) 01/21 at 03:00 pm Saints +120
Patriots vs Colts (AFC Championship)(CBS) 01/21 at 06:30 pm Patriots +155
Wager Amount: $1000.00 to win $9710.00
Bet Placed: Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 04:20 pm
bets are in:bigun: :bigun:
Last edited:
Since 1990, home teams in conf. championship games are 18-14, a .562 winning percentage, which is nearly identical to the rate at which home teams win during the regular season over the past decade. In the championship round, nobody's had the previous wek off and the Super Bowl is just one win away. Players tend to leave everything on the field.
Well said but the chances of both home teams losing this weekend are still small. Can it happen? Ofcourse but it wont. Goodluck
It's just like last year...the NFL wanted the Steelers to win one for Bettis...well, this year the Saints fall on to the NFL wish list...
Saints will win the Super Bowl!
:shrug:
Saints will win the Super Bowl!
:shrug:
Chicago has discovered its offense, scoring 27 points in last week's win over Seattle and 26 or more in four of the last five games. It has gone over the total too in five of the last six. New Orleans has gone over in three of its last five games and has scored 27 or more points five times in the last seven games. New Orleans is 31-14 Over since 1992 when playing a team that outscores its opponents by six or more points per game. Chicago is 7-1 Over this season when facing a team which completes 61% or more of its passes.
What bettors need to
know: Saints at Bears
The Saints play in a domed stadium, but they did cover the spread in six of seven games played outdoors this season. They also have a QB that is familiar with playing in cold weather.
Weather
There is a 90 percent chance of snow in Chicago on Sunday, according to weather forecasts.
Steady snow is expected to start falling in the morning, and by the afternoon it is likely to slow to snow showers. As much as two inches of snow is expected to fall.
Winds are likely to travel east-southeast between five and 10 mph, and kickoff temperature is expected to be 31 degrees Fahrenheit.
Brees accustomed to cold weather
Saints coach Sean Payton says his offense can operate just fine in cold weather, even if it snows in Chicago on Sunday.
The main reason he?s so optimistic is the fact New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has a lot of experience playing in cold weather from his days at Purdue.
?We have a quarterback who played in the Big Ten and understands the conditions,? Payton told reporters.
Brees led the Saints offense which was the most productive in the NFL during the regular season and led the NFL in passing yards with 4,424.
On Sunday, he faces a Bears pass defense that gave up 195.4 passing yards a game in the regular season (11th best in the league).
Grossman redeems himself
Rex Grossman was among the most highly scrutinized quarterbacks in football this season, but he redeemed himself last week by having one of the best games of his career in a win over Seattle.
Grossman went 21-of-38 passing for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception and used his arm to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime. He looked confident in the pocket and barely resembled the quarterback that threw three picks against the Packers in Week 17.
Against the Saints, Grossman faces a pass defense that allowed 178.4 passing yards per game in the regular season (third best in the NFL).
Horn returns to practice
The Saints could add a weapon to their passing attack in the NFC championship game.
Veteran receiver Joe Horn, a four-time Pro Bowler, returned to practice on Wednesday and reportedly looked comfortable running in a number of team drills.
?I felt like I was running pretty good today,? Horn told reporters. ?I have to show coach Payton that I can go. He wants badly for me to play, but I have to show that I?m ready.?
Horn missed the Saints last five games due to a partially torn groin and before Wednesday, hadn?t practiced with the club since Jan. 8. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.
know: Saints at Bears
The Saints play in a domed stadium, but they did cover the spread in six of seven games played outdoors this season. They also have a QB that is familiar with playing in cold weather.
Weather
There is a 90 percent chance of snow in Chicago on Sunday, according to weather forecasts.
Steady snow is expected to start falling in the morning, and by the afternoon it is likely to slow to snow showers. As much as two inches of snow is expected to fall.
Winds are likely to travel east-southeast between five and 10 mph, and kickoff temperature is expected to be 31 degrees Fahrenheit.
Brees accustomed to cold weather
Saints coach Sean Payton says his offense can operate just fine in cold weather, even if it snows in Chicago on Sunday.
The main reason he?s so optimistic is the fact New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has a lot of experience playing in cold weather from his days at Purdue.
?We have a quarterback who played in the Big Ten and understands the conditions,? Payton told reporters.
Brees led the Saints offense which was the most productive in the NFL during the regular season and led the NFL in passing yards with 4,424.
On Sunday, he faces a Bears pass defense that gave up 195.4 passing yards a game in the regular season (11th best in the league).
Grossman redeems himself
Rex Grossman was among the most highly scrutinized quarterbacks in football this season, but he redeemed himself last week by having one of the best games of his career in a win over Seattle.
Grossman went 21-of-38 passing for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception and used his arm to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime. He looked confident in the pocket and barely resembled the quarterback that threw three picks against the Packers in Week 17.
Against the Saints, Grossman faces a pass defense that allowed 178.4 passing yards per game in the regular season (third best in the NFL).
Horn returns to practice
The Saints could add a weapon to their passing attack in the NFC championship game.
Veteran receiver Joe Horn, a four-time Pro Bowler, returned to practice on Wednesday and reportedly looked comfortable running in a number of team drills.
?I felt like I was running pretty good today,? Horn told reporters. ?I have to show coach Payton that I can go. He wants badly for me to play, but I have to show that I?m ready.?
Horn missed the Saints last five games due to a partially torn groin and before Wednesday, hadn?t practiced with the club since Jan. 8. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.
