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So it’s the Colts and the Saints…
Jan 25th
Despite our decidedly poor form in the playoffs, we all (as did many others) that it would go this way. We have two weeks of Peyton Manning adverts and preparation now as the build up. Oh yeah, and the Pro-Bowl, if you’re into that sort of thing I suppose.
We’ll be back next week with our thoughts for the big game. There’s a lot to think on.
Come the off-season and we’ll be looking to finish off our Favourite Four series (looking back, some of these guys didn’t have good seasons!) as well as keeping an eye on the wheelings and dealings of Free Agency and of course the draft… plenty happening.
Image Credit: Stellybot
NFL 2009 Playoff Predictions – Championship Round
Jan 21st
We’re down to four teams, and the Superbowl is within touching distance now. For the first time, both games take place in a dome. In fact, three of the four teams are dome-dwellers… I’ve not checked but that’s probably a first too.
Both of these matchups look great, but surely the NFC has the juiciest game. Here at Mac we’re looking forward to the games, and also wanting to improve our frankly lamentable playoff form. Yeah, we’ve been terrible.
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It’s The 49ers and Broncos!
Jan 15th
The rumours regarding the 49ers were right, but I can’t recall having read many comments about it being the Broncos…
But they’ll be there on the 31st October at Wembley stadium. And we’ll probably (hopefully!) be there again.
Source: nfluk.com
Chris Johnson will be league MVP… so says Chris Johnson
Jan 15th
A topic from the archive.
15th January, 2010 — As we thought, way back when, Chris Johnson’s prospect of being League MVP were likely to be hampered by Quarterbacks getting the nod, and this was completely the case when the votes were counted and CJ had none.
However, he’s made up for it by being the only unanimous 2009 All-Pro selection. So well done to Chris Johnson. He had a great season; was entertaining to watch and his race to set records was enthralling to the end. As one of only 6 2,000 yard players, we’ll be hoping he can keep his form going. Something that eluded a lot of the others. But he’s young and he’s talented. If he hit 2000 yards next year, who’d be surprised if he didn’t get the MVP?
Good luck to him.
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NFL 2009 Playoff Predictions – Divisional Round
Jan 13th
Twelve have become eight, and the bye-teams step up this week. The #1 seeds in both conferences ambled into the playoffs with successive losses but will be fresh and raring to go.
Craig aside, we embarrassed ourselves last week, with me going 1-3 and Graham an impressive 0-4. Let’s hope we can step up this week…
In the AFC
Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts
A – The Ravens ran the Patriots something stupid last week. Whatever they did on the ground, the Pats just couldn’t stop. That’s how they won so comfortably despite Flacco completing only 4 passes for a total of 34 yards.
The Colts will be a different prospect, and you have to expect that they’ll be able to score points.
The teams met earlier this season, where the Colts scraped a narrow win. In 2008, they dominated them 31-3, and in 2007 it was 44-20 so that puts some pressure on the Ravens. Whilst resting some key players, the Colts have shown that they’re lacking in depth in certain areas and will need their four-time MVP to show up. I think he will, and I think the rest of the team will too. I can’t see the Ravens getting away without a passing game, they won’t be able to rack up the yards they did last week and the Colts. Despite their post-season woes of the last two years, they’ll get it done here. I suspect the dreaded Chargers will be coming to town the week after…
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Wildcard Weekend Results
Jan 12th
Oh dear god… that was terrible.
Join us on Wednesday when we hope to redeem ourselves with the divisional match predictions.
Image Credit: tool92ogt
Andrew’s Redskins’ Review. Now With Added Shanahan
Jan 11th
So a disappointing season has limped to and end. Back in my First Look articles, from last August, I saw us finishing last but was hoping we’d make a fight of it. It wasn’t really to be.
The likable, but perhaps out of his depth Jim Zorn has gone, in a move that is in no way surprising – he’d probably been emptying his office steadily over the last few months – and Mike Shanahan is in. Not just as Coach, but in an Final Say role that he likes and that the team needs. But there’s a lot to fix, let’s take a look at some of the problems he’s inherited.
The Offensive Line
Make no mistake, this was a terrible unit this year. Whether it was injuries or just bad play it all starts with these guys and a lot of the other issues are direct results of these guys. When passing, there is never any confidence that when Campbell drops back he is going to have any time or space, that the pocket will hold as long as it needs to.
When Running, there’s little confidence that they’ll clear the way or win the battles that they need to The ‘Skins were 27th in rushing yards, with a paltry 94.4 yards per game. That’s something to be addressed. Which leads me onto… More >
NFL 2009 Playoff Predictions – Wildcard Round
Jan 6th
A surprising three of these four games are repeats of week 17, so we’ll see if the momentum from last week carries over. However, all four remain very tricky games to call that could go either way.
New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
A – It’s hard to read too much into last week’s 37 point shutout by the Jets: they had everything to play for and the Bengals had nothing of consequence. However, they’ve been giving up rushing yards at an alarming rate and seemed to have lost the ‘spark’ that saw them sweep their division.
The Jets will look to their running game and strong defensive unit, and as much as I like the Bengals I think they’ll probably have enough here… despite the flak I’ve given them recently.
C – Last week was total domination from the Jets, and to be honest i’m expecting the same again. The Bengals just couldn’t muster anything from anywhere. Palmer looked like he’d never played the game before in his life. If the Jets defence keeps up its performance and the running game keeps hitting hard then i can see the Jets getting to the divisional final. Jets win.
G – I am going to start off by going against the grain now. All of these games could go either way so they are tricky picks. Who knows what the plan was at the weekend, but I can’t see Bengals taking it again. I am going with a Bengals win here.
Official MAC Prediction:
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Results, 2009 Week 17 – Regular Season End
Jan 4th
So that’s it, it’s all in the books. 20 teams are heading home, and the eleven best and the Jets are on their way to the post-season.
But never mind that, who won the season’s predictions and how did we do overall?
What We Got Right
Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills
A – The Colts are sure to rest players as they literally have nothing to play for.
C – Bills are at home too, and will be looking to finish strong so i’m going for a home win.
G – The Bills will be looking for a win here as Fewell looks for a good ending for his impressive stint as head coach.
As expected, the Colts fielded a good second side but the Bills were good enough to take advantage.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
A – The Panthers have been showing us all what a good team they can be, and I think I fancy them to continue that here.
C – I’m going for a Panthers win this week.
G – I think the Saints will look to steady the ship with a win here.
2010 International Series
Jan 4th
It’s round about this time of year when us folk of the UK begin to get REAL excited about the NFL. Why you ask? No, not the play-offs… It’s only a few weeks before we get the e-mail about Wembley tickets going on sale for the International series, that’s why!
Although we don’t know what teams will be heading over, the chance to see a live NFL game isn’t something that comes around every day (only once a year I’m afraid, kind of like Christmas except there’s no fat dude wearing red – unless the Cardinals turn up). The buzz is amazing, and considering the Patriots v Buccaneers game sold out in 72 hours, I’m expecting the same thing to happen this year. Luckily I got my interest registered early on. Now Christmas rarely comes twice a year, so pinch me because I must be dreaming, but the talk is that we’re getting two games this year!
You can guarantee that at one, if not both of the games us guys at MAC will be meeting up for a few beers and a bit of banter which makes the game all the better. As the old joke goes… A Redskins fan, Miami fan, and Ravens fan walk into a pub. You’ll probably get to see the outcome later!
Anyway, enough ranting from me. What games would you guys want to see at Wembley this year?