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2007 Playoffs, Wildcard Sunday- Open Thread

By Brad Wells

I encourage everyone to read Bullard47's fine article on the NFL utilizing new media, like iTunes, to show games. When I was at the NFL.com launch party waaaaaaay back in August, I talked with many of the NFL.com guys about how they should invest in a YouTube-like service that would allow fans to post and watch NFL material. It didn't get much love, but Bullard47's post offers additional ideas.

So, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Washington Redskins, and true to John Morgan's prediction, Marcus Trufant had himself a game. Also, Chris at Big Cat Country is doing back-flips after his Jaguars fought off a late Pittsburgh Steelers comeback to win their first playoff game in ten years. I noticed two things from both games:

  • Former Colts TE Marcus Pollard caught a two point conversation pass from Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck in the second half. Afterwards, he went to the stands and tossed the ball to a fan. That fan was wearing a Colts jersey. Thanks Marcus. We love and miss you too.
  • It's tough to hate on Ben Roethlisberger. Even when he and his team were beating the Colts in 2005, it was tough to hate on him. The guy is just likable. David Garrard continues to show how dangerous he is as a QB.
Today, we've got a 1pm between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eddie V at Big Blue View is not sure which Giants team will show up:
The Giants are coming off the excellent performance against New England and a stirring come-from-behind win over Buffalo.

I would like to think they are carrying momentum on their side that would lead to a solid, complete performance and a rout of the Buccaneers. It wouldn't surprise me if that is precisely what happens.

On the other hand, this being the Giants and Eli being Eli it wouldn't shock me if Sunday becomes a turnover festival with the Buccaneer secondary feasting on poorly thrown Eli passes. That, of course, would lead to the Giants getting bounced out in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight time.

JScott over at Buc 'Em thinks the outcome will have less to do with QB play and more to do with the big guys up front:
Our offensive line is the youngest in the NFL with an Average Age of 25 years old...

Everyone on the line except 10 year Veteran Center John Wade will be making their first Playoff Appearance. Starting Left Tackle Donald Penn, who took over for Off-Season Acquisition Luke Petitgout, will have a tough task protecting QB Jeff Garcia from DE Osi Umenyiora. Petitgout has been preparing Donald for Osi this week...

The Battle in the Trenches will definitely be something to watch for both teams...

The Giants v. Bucs game is at 1pm Eastern. Be sure to check out Eddie at Big Blue View and JScott at Buc 'Em during the game.

The late game features a very intriguing match-up between the Tennessee Titans and the San Diego Chargers. Like the Jaguars v. Steelers game, these two teams faced each other a few weeks ago. San Diego won that game in OT on a LaDanian Tomlinson TD run. Jimmy at Music City Miracles feels that his Titans must protect the football to have a chance:

The whole key for the offense tomorrow is taking care of the ball.  The Chargers are +24 in turnover ratio for the season.  That number is just silly.  It is the reason, as I mentioned earlier in the week, that they are only gaining around 4 yards per game more than the Titans but score almost a touchdown more per game.  The worst thing that could happen to the Titans would be to fall in a big hole early.
SB Nation has no Chargers blogger, but the gents over at Bolt Talk do a fine job talking Chargers football. One of their head bloggers, Curtis Egan, thinks Philip Rivers is a big key to the game:
The Chargers though will have to go with a fast passing game, and the Titans will not give Rivers 5 to 7 seconds to let a play develop. They will come after Rivers with his braced knee with their linemen, who are excellent, pass rushers and at least one line backer or safety. The Chargers will have to get the ball out quickly and exploit the short passing lanes to beat the rush.
Jimmy will likely blog up a storm over at MCM.

With the Jaguars and Seahawks advancing, who do you want to win today? This is an open thread.

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