HumanCockroach wrote:Do you believe GB can beat Washington Monkey? I do, and honestly I don't think it will be close.
Please don't confuse my prognostication with "respect" for GB, it isn't ( hence the "dismantling" thing) it is merely an observation. Palmer has never won a playoff game, nor has Arians as a head coach, in fact very few Cardinals have really Any experience in the post season. IMHO the "best" team in the NFC not named Seattle is Carolina, and in order for Seattle to vie for a third straight SB they have to go through Carolina. I merely looked at the other path, and came to the conclusion that experience trumps non experience more often than not in the postseason, though youth can and does occasionally win out( thing is though, the Cards aren't "young") that said, I agree with "over rated", but IMHO UNTIL the Cards actually make some noise in the post season, I'm simply not believing them in any way shape and form.... If Seattle faces Arizona in the NFCCG fine, I don't fret what "might" be like others, but I haven't been all that impressed by Arizona ( at least not more than Carolina). They are BOTH vulnerable.
Good post HC and good question.
I really am on the fence with Washington right now. On the one hand I see a team that really is just the best of a lousy division, one without a lot of talent, and without a defense to speak of. On the other hand, I see a team that has developed legitimate confidence, and is really believing in their QB.
I said the day the Redskins drafted RG3 and Cousins, that they landed their franchise QB, and it is NOT RG3. I got laughed at a lot by a lot of people but I have to stick by what I said. Cousins can be the real deal franchise QB for that team. They also have a very good rookie RB, who is good at running downhill and getting tough yards, and wearing defenses out.
So do I believe in the Redskins? No. No I really don't, BUT I do think that they are believing in themselves right now, and that just might be enough to squeak them through a game or two.
One thing I know for certain, the Packers started out 6-0, and finished the year at 10-6 LOL! That's PATHETIC! No team with any real hopes of the Super Bowl That team I absolutely DO NOT believe in at all! They got lucky to even make the playoffs, after getting badly outplayed in several games that they ended up somehow winning (the Detyroit Hail Mary game for example).
I think Green Bay has (slightly) more overall talent than Washington, but I think Washington has more confidence and is playing better at the moment...
That game could really go either way IMO.
Oh and, as for Arizona; I've NEVER been impressed with them. What they have is (similar to Washington right now) a high level of confidence, based mostly on relatively good health compared to last years team, and a based on a coach who has done a terrific job of getting them to believe. I do think Arians is a terrific coach, and obviously they have a very good defense and wide outs, but Palmer...I think he's incredibly overrated personally. As you said, and I agree 100%, if you move him off his spot, he makes some really stupid throws. Pressure him, especially up the middle, and his accuracy goes right out the window. The guy is a pick machine, he's just had the benefit of being extremely well protected this year. And of course he has good targets to throw to as well.
Still Arizona has zero real run game, the offensive line doesn't run block well at ALL! And without a run game, they are one dimensional, and as such can easily be game planned for. They are a high risk/high reward offense, one that has gotten VERY fortunate this year in the turnover department, both ways, but that cannot last forever.
Make them one dimensional, take advantage of the chances you are guaranteed to get against Palmer (he'll throw you several opportunities for picks every game) and you can easily dispatch the Cards.
Most importantly, this Cards team is a one year wonder, with no real chance of repeating beyond this season, as their aging QB, star WR, and defense will keep them from being a legitimate threat beyond this year.
SO I agree completely with you about the Cards, they are a good team, no taking that away from them, but they are a FAR cry from being the kind of team that should automatically be favored, or that any other playoff team ought to fear.