But, you know, they don't stand a chance against Green Bay or the Saints.

/Eyeroll
//This will probably come to haunt me if they lose to them
///But I do think the Niners match up best against them

downstairs: Pratty: But, you know, they don't stand a chance against Green Bay or the Saints.

/Eyeroll
//This will probably come to haunt me if they lose to them
///But I do think the Niners match up best against them

Agreed. Niners will probably only lose by 20 or so.

I personally think they'll win by about a touchdown, with a score of something like...31-24? 34-27? Maybe 27-20?

Pratty: But, you know, they don't stand a chance against Green Bay or the Saints.

/Eyeroll
//This will probably come to haunt me if they lose to them
///But I do think the Niners match up best against them

That's kind of by default though.

I could see them getting lucky and beating NO at home, but to beat those two teams back to back is a lot to ask.

/and before robsul gets all huffy, I'd say the same thing if the GB & NO seeds were reversed

I could list more records than that that New Orleans broke or tied this season.

John Nash: Pratty: But, you know, they don't stand a chance against Green Bay or the Saints.

/Eyeroll
//This will probably come to haunt me if they lose to them
///But I do think the Niners match up best against them

That's kind of by default though.

I could see them getting lucky and beating NO at home, but to beat those two teams back to back is a lot to ask.

/and before robsul gets all huffy, I'd say the same thing if the GB & NO seeds were reversed

Eh, I dunno what you mean by by default...I basically think the recipe to beat GB/NO is a strong running game, QB who doesn't turn the ball over and good D, play the pass because they don't call a lot of runs until they do start calling them consistantly, run with Frank Gore and make it so by the time they can dissect your D because their balancing run and pass, you've run out the clock enough that their going to have a tough time outscoring you since you're taking time off the clock every time they score by running on their fairly bad run D(Saints are 29th and Green Bay is 26th in yards per attempt, but their overall D is better because most teams fall behind and abandon the run very quickly.).

Today... is the second of January! There will be a magic show at zero-nine-thirty! Chaplain Charlie will tell you about how the free world will conquer Communism with the aid of God and a few 49ers! God has a hard-on for 49ers because we nail every kick we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep the record books packed with fresh special teams records! God was here before the 49ers! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the 49ers! Do you ladies understand?

Do we get a greenlight of the Packers' article listing their records this year too?

Link (new window)

The 49ers are a 9-7 team that got lucky with an easy schedule. If they were in the AFC, I'd say they have a shot, but as is, I think they are 1 and done.

Pratty: Eh, I dunno what you mean by by default.

You get 14 NFC teams to choose from when looking for the best matchup for these two teams. 10 are not in the playoffs. 3 other teams (DET, ATL, NYG) aren't all that great. That leaves you SF.

John Nash: Do we get a greenlight of the Packers' article listing their records this year too?

Link (new window)

Put it in the queue because why not.

Pratty: John Nash: Do we get a greenlight of the Packers' article listing their records this year too?

Link (new window)

Put it in the queue because why not.

I only submit Lindsey Lohan articles.

robsul82: Pratty: Eh, I dunno what you mean by by default...I basically think the recipe to beat GB/NO is a strong running game, QB who doesn't turn the ball over and good D, play the pass because they don't call a lot of runs until they do start calling them consistantly, run with Frank Gore and make it so by the time they can dissect your D because their balancing run and pass, you've run out the clock enough that their going to have a tough time outscoring you since you're taking time off the clock every time they score by running on their fairly bad run D(Saints are 29th and Green Bay is 26th in yards per attempt, but their overall D is better because most teams fall behind and abandon the run very quickly.).

I agree that you've got to run the ball to play clock control on these top flight offenses, and Frank Gore is great, but the Saints run D isn't terrible - 12th on yardage. And eventually, however much time you eat up, the Niners get to the red zone and crap out. Keep 'em to field goals, which plenty of teams have done, Brees cracks the secondary, and it's lights out.

I know, no one has yet, but then again they've haven't played Brees/Rodgers/Brady yet. We shall see. Provided we beat Detroit, of course.

They're 13th in yards, but large part of that is they are not run on much at all: They're the team run on the least in the NFL(The Niners are second and Packers 5th). In yards per attempt, they are 29th, giving up a frightening 5 yards per carry. Green Bay is 26th with 4.7 YPA, while the Niners are tied for first with Baltimore, at 3.5 YPA. Basically, the Saints rushing D looks better than it is because most teams abandon the run, but I don't think the Niners are going to be dropped enough points on to do that(And quite frankly unless they're down by more than two TDs and it's past halftime, they need to pound that rock hard). San Fran's pass D is average yardage-wise, 16th, but it's part of a large tie for 8th best in YPA(Chicago, Seattle, the Jets and suprisingly Oakland all tie @ 6.9 YPA), in addition to being 8th in passing TDs allowed, tied for second in INTs(Green Bay's turnover based D is first with 31, Pats and San Fran are tied in second with 23) and 5th best in passer rating against(Average is 73.6 against them).

The Saints scare me slightly more due to the fact I think their rushing O is better, but I still think as long as Harbaugh is smart enough to just gameplan the pass a ton and dare both teams to run that both games are eminantly winnable.

The turnover ratio I always find dubious. Yes, Alex Smith has thrown significant fewer interceptions. How much of that +28, however, is the beneficiary of playing the NFC West's trio of "star" quarterbacks twice each? Whoever the Rams limped onto the field with, Travis Jackson and--even when we beat the 49ers--John "I'm good for 3 INTs" Skelton?

robsul82: Pratty: They're 13th in yards, but large part of that is they are not run on much at all: They're the team run on the least in the NFL(The Niners are second and Packers 5th). In yards per attempt, they are 29th, giving up a frightening 5 yards per carry. Green Bay is 26th with 4.7 YPA, while the Niners are tied for first with Baltimore, at 3.5 YPA.

Well, that's a good point, not gonna lie, lol.

Pratty: The Saints scare me slightly more due to the fact I think their rushing O is better,

The secret weapon everyone forgets about, the Fantastic Four. Well, not four anymore, Ingram's out for the year, but it's even more fitting with the comics - didn't they just kill The Human Torch? Even the "real" Fantastic Four isn't four people anymore, lol.

Gameplan the pass all you want, if Big Ben could go for 330 on one leg, what can Breesus do for you, hehe. You did keep 'em from points, though, lots of turnovers in that one.

Did they kill the Torch? I never paid attention to the comics, lol. How can you have the Fantastic Four with three guys?

But yeah, the Saints have a good rushing O, Sproles worries me a lot especially because he can come in and run or be a very good backfield reciever, so it's harder to predict what the Saints will do with him out. Ivory is pretty good too.

And yardage doesn't matter much when you only average 7.5 YPA and get picked off three times, heh heh.

/Now the Bengals just need to get to the SB
//Then we can do our ritualistic losing to SF in the SB.

For curiosity sake, how did you manage losing to the Rams, robsul82? That right there was the difference...

Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: The turnover ratio I always find dubious. Yes, Alex Smith has thrown significant fewer interceptions. How much of that +28, however, is the beneficiary of playing the NFC West's trio of "star" quarterbacks twice each? Whoever the Rams limped onto the field with, Travis Jackson and--even when we beat the 49ers--John "I'm good for 3 INTs" Skelton?

Tarvaris Jackson: 1 INT
Skelton: 5 INTs
Kellen Clemens: 1 INT
Jorious Norwood: 1 INT(Really)
A.J. Feely: 1 INT

So the only NFC West QB who turned the ball over a lot is Skelton(Both Rams QBs turned it over once, with one INT by a RB, so 3 INTs in 2 games, which is not exactly uncommon for a good D).

If you took away Skelton's five INTs and assumed none were in their place(Doubtful, but still), they would have 19 INTs, good for tied for 10th in the league, while making them +21 in TO differential, good for second in the league(Green Bay would lead with +22, Lions would be second with +13).

As a Ravens' fan, I approve of making the playoffs on the leg of your kicker!

Pratty: Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: The turnover ratio I always find dubious. Yes, Alex Smith has thrown significant fewer interceptions. How much of that +28, however, is the beneficiary of playing the NFC West's trio of "star" quarterbacks twice each? Whoever the Rams limped onto the field with, Travis Jackson and--even when we beat the 49ers--John "I'm good for 3 INTs" Skelton?

Tarvaris Jackson: 1 INT
Skelton: 5 INTs
Kellen Clemens: 1 INT
Jorious Norwood: 1 INT(Really)
A.J. Feely: 1 INT

So the only NFC West QB who turned the ball over a lot is Skelton(Both Rams QBs turned it over once, with one INT by a RB, so 3 INTs in 2 games, which is not exactly uncommon for a good D).

If you took away Skelton's five INTs and assumed none were in their place(Doubtful, but still), they would have 19 INTs, good for tied for 10th in the league, while making them +21 in TO differential, good for second in the league(Green Bay would lead with +22, Lions would be second with +13).

For the sake of this discussion, I assume there's a fumble or two in there from that group. I know Skelton also bestowed them with a gift of those (or two). Hah. Still, certainly not bad. Who'd they manage to pick up these turnovers off of, though (besides Gimpy Big Ben)?

"Worst Team in the Red Zone"

Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: Pratty: Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: The turnover ratio I always find dubious. Yes, Alex Smith has thrown significant fewer interceptions. How much of that +28, however, is the beneficiary of playing the NFC West's trio of "star" quarterbacks twice each? Whoever the Rams limped onto the field with, Travis Jackson and--even when we beat the 49ers--John "I'm good for 3 INTs" Skelton?

Tarvaris Jackson: 1 INT
Skelton: 5 INTs
Kellen Clemens: 1 INT
Jorious Norwood: 1 INT(Really)
A.J. Feely: 1 INT

So the only NFC West QB who turned the ball over a lot is Skelton(Both Rams QBs turned it over once, with one INT by a RB, so 3 INTs in 2 games, which is not exactly uncommon for a good D).

If you took away Skelton's five INTs and assumed none were in their place(Doubtful, but still), they would have 19 INTs, good for tied for 10th in the league, while making them +21 in TO differential, good for second in the league(Green Bay would lead with +22, Lions would be second with +13).

For the sake of this discussion, I assume there's a fumble or two in there from that group. I know Skelton also bestowed them with a gift of those (or two). Hah. Still, certainly not bad. Who'd they manage to pick up these turnovers off of, though (besides Gimpy Big Ben)?

Two came from Jon Kitna, funny enough. Nabbed two off of Eli, one off of Vick, one off of Beck(lol), they picked Dalton off twice(Which made me sadface. :( ), uh...

Right, two more off of Freeman and that's all I remember.

Also, looking it up(Counting only lost fumbles):

Skelton: 1 FUM
Tarvaris: 3 FUM
A.J. Feely: 1 FUM

So take all of those and the Skelton INTs away and it's still +16 for second.

Pratty: So take all of those and the Skelton INTs away and it's still +16 for second.

I stand corrected: the NFC West only inflates the stats, it doesn't make them. Ha.

Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: Pratty: So take all of those and the Skelton INTs away and it's still +16 for second.

I stand corrected: the NFC West only inflates the stats, it doesn't make them. Ha.

What's really amazing is the Cards and Seahawks managed to go 8-8 and 7-9.

/Though the Seahawks will be good if they get a QB.

Lynch laughs at your running defense...and your chances of that record....

why do people still think you can "play the pass" against the Saints?

we have 13 receivers on the field every offensive snap.

robsul82: Sargun: I could list more records than that that New Orleans broke or tied this season.

If, but, woulda, coulda, shoulda. CHECKMATE, son.

I don't know what you're saying. Are you saying checkmate because the Saints broke more records than the 49ers but I don't feel like listing them?

Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: Pratty: So take all of those and the Skelton INTs away and it's still +16 for second.

I stand corrected: the NFC West only inflates the stats, it doesn't make them. Ha.

That's fairly inaccurate anyway. If you discount all the Niners' NFC West games, they have a +14 differential in 10 games. Which would still be the best ratio per game ratio in the league.

Neeek: Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor: Pratty: So take all of those and the Skelton INTs away and it's still +16 for second.

I stand corrected: the NFC West only inflates the stats, it doesn't make them. Ha.

That's fairly inaccurate anyway. If you discount all the Niners' NFC West games, they have a +14 differential in 10 games. Which would still be the best ratio per game ratio in the league.

Actually the entire NFC West other than the Niners is only -8 total, despite a -14 differtial against the Niners. They are +6 ignoring those, meaning no, you don't inflate your stats against them. Other teams didn't, at least.

globalwarmingpraiser: downstairs: globalwarmingpraiser: I really hope the Tebows beat the Steelers.

Rape-y vs. Jesus-y... hope they both lose.
ice guy that's a mediocre QB against schmuck who is a mediocre QB. I'll take Tebow.

I'm a Ravens fan. I hate Ben as much as the next guy. But to call him mediocre is retarded. He's not Breesus, Rodgers or Brady, but he doesn't have their receivers and an even worse O-line.

And Tebow isn't even a mediocre QB. He's a phenomenal athlete that a lot of people pretend can actually throw a ball. And the Steelers will eat him alive.

I'm just hoping HOU wins and PIT goes on to beat NE before coming back to Baltimore. I'd rather that than the Ravens have to beat them then go to NE.

Deneb81: globalwarmingpraiser: downstairs: globalwarmingpraiser: I really hope the Tebows beat the Steelers.

Rape-y vs. Jesus-y... hope they both lose.
ice guy that's a mediocre QB against schmuck who is a mediocre QB. I'll take Tebow.

I'm a Ravens fan. I hate Ben as much as the next guy. But to call him mediocre is retarded. He's not Breesus, Rodgers or Brady, but he doesn't have their receivers and an even worse O-line.

Ben is very good when he's good, and really bad when he's bad. He tends to turn the ball over in bunches, which is why he won the Jake outright twice this year, including the highest single game Delhomme rating of the year.

Neeek: Deneb81: globalwarmingpraiser: downstairs: globalwarmingpraiser: I really hope the Tebows beat the Steelers.

Rape-y vs. Jesus-y... hope they both lose.
ice guy that's a mediocre QB against schmuck who is a mediocre QB. I'll take Tebow.

I'm a Ravens fan. I hate Ben as much as the next guy. But to call him mediocre is retarded. He's not Breesus, Rodgers or Brady, but he doesn't have their receivers and an even worse O-line.

Ben is very good when he's good, and really bad when he's bad. He tends to turn the ball over in bunches, which is why he won the Jake outright twice this year, including the highest single game Delhomme rating of the year.

Once was game 1 against the Ravens who were a team possessed that day against a Steelers team still playing like preseason. The other was a week after a high ankle sprain against a really good defense.

It's not like he coughed up 4 INTs to the Bills, or stunk against the Rams...

I love the Niners. They made me big bucks when I wagered they would stomp the Broncos by three touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Had some sore losers when I came to work the next morning.

Mad Mark: I love the Niners. They made me big bucks when I wagered they would stomp the Broncos by three touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Had some sore losers when I came to work the next morning.

What, they gave you points? Wasn't the line on that game over 21?

*checks*

Only 12?! Seriously?