Anyone Have the 2009 Season Vibe After Tonight?

[Blackspider214]

If you remember, that was the year we came off back to back losses against NYG and San Diego. We seemed like we were dead in the water. No one really gave us any chance.

Especially not at the Saints that Saturday night. While they were 13-0. But we dominated that game from the get go. Let them back in but won at the end on a Ware strip sack. Then we parlayed that momentum into 2 more wins to end the season and win the East. And eventually winning our first playoff game in 13 years.

I always felt if we won this game tonight, we would be very confident for the last 2. We would be riding high. Same as 2009.

I mean, why not win the last 2 and win the East and possibly get a bye?

It's all right in front of us now. You got that first one out the way.

 

[windward]

Offense is a lot better than 09. Defense isn't nearly as good. I think we can ride this momentum, though. Then get in the playoffs and who knows?

 

[Idgit]

We're going to be hard pressed to win those passing effecitveness differentials against the best NFC teams in the playoffs. Packers and Seahawks, in particular. I guess we match up ok with the Cardinals now. And Detroit's defense will probably pressure us similarly to what we saw from the Eagles tonight. Not overly concerned with whoever comes out of the South.

But then, I could also see the Colts come to town and knock us off this week.

At the end of the day, we're just not effective enough defending the pass to beat the very best teams. We can stay in the games with them, but we've just got too little actually beat them unless something fairly significant changes.

 

[windward]

We're going to be hard pressed to win those passing effecitveness differentials against the best NFC teams in the playoffs. Packers and Seahawks, in particular. I guess we match up ok with the Cardinals now. And Detroit's defense will probably pressure us similarly to what we saw from the Eagles tonight. Not overly concerned with whoever comes out of the South.

But then, I could also see the Colts come to town and knock us off this week.

At the end of the day, we're just not effective enough defending the pass to beat the very best teams. We can stay in the games with them, but we've just got too little actually beat them unless something fairly significant changes.

the good news in this is there is a lot of volatility in single elimination tournaments. I don't think we are the best team in the league, but the best team in the league doesn't always win the Super Bowl in my view, with last year being an exception.

 

[windward]

Additionally, I'd add that we are currently fourth in the league in passer rating differential. It bodes well for our postseason chances IMO.

 

[Blackspider214]

We're going to be hard pressed to win those passing effecitveness differentials against the best NFC teams in the playoffs. Packers and Seahawks, in particular. I guess we match up ok with the Cardinals now. And Detroit's defense will probably pressure us similarly to what we saw from the Eagles tonight. Not overly concerned with whoever comes out of the South.

But then, I could also see the Colts come to town and knock us off this week.

At the end of the day, we're just not effective enough defending the pass to beat the very best teams. We can stay in the games with them, but we've just got too little actually beat them unless something fairly significant changes.

I never said anything about actually doing any damage in the playoffs, though. My point was more of riding the momentum and making the playoffs to begin with. And even winning a 1st round game. That's what 2009 was. And then they got slaughtered in the divisional round. But I think this OL is 10x better than that junk that year. And we have better weapons at WR.

I'll worry about the actual matchups in the playoffs when they arrive. Teams that don't scare me are Arizona, Detroit, NFC South winner. Eagles if we get they get in. Turkey day game was a throw away game. 2-3 days rest with Romo not practicing, little time to prepare, etc. These 2 teams are pretty much even. It showed tonight. But Sanchez does not scare me at all. You pressure him in any way and he folds. Unlike some of the better ones who can burn you.

Luck scares me. Somewhat. I do think the media overrates him. They desperately want him to be one the next great ones. He has potential but still a long ways to go.

 

[Idgit]

I never said anything about actually doing any damage in the playoffs, though. My point was more of riding the momentum and making the playoffs to begin with. And even winning a 1st round game. That's what 2009 was. And then they got slaughtered in the divisional round. But I think this OL is 10x better than that junk that year. And we have better weapons at WR.

I'll worry about the actual matchups in the playoffs when they arrive. Teams that don't scare me are Arizona, Detroit, NFC South winner. Eagles if we get they get in. Turkey day game was a throw away game. 2-3 days rest with Romo not practicing, little time to prepare, etc. These 2 teams are pretty much even. It showed tonight. But Sanchez does not scare me at all. You pressure him in any way and he folds. Unlike some of the better ones who can burn you.

Luck scares me. Somewhat. I do think the media overrates him. They desperately want him to be one the next great ones. He has potential but still a long ways to go.

I thought that 2009 team had what it took to compete for the whole ball of wax. I was shocked when the OL got crushed like a tin can from the outside in against MIN. This year's team, I think, is doing a good job of imposing our will on other teams offensively. We've got what it takes to compete there. We're just too lacking in defensive talent right now.

I do think we've got a really good shot against the Colts, who don't defend the run well, and where we can get some meager pressure on Luck and put Scandrick on Hilton. Assuming, of course, that Scandrick's pinkie finger is ok after tonight.

 

[Idgit]

Additionally, I'd add that we are currently fourth in the league in passer rating differential. It bodes well for our postseason chances IMO.

Wow. Are we really 4th? That really surprises me. That does bode well.

 

[windward]

Wow. Are we really 4th? That really surprises me. That does bode well.

Yep.

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/stats/2014/15/PRD/

We'd be challenging the Pats and Broncos for the top two spots if not for Weeden dragging us down a bit.

 

[Idgit]

Yep.

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/stats/2014/15/PRD/

We'd be challenging the Pats and Broncos for the top two spots if not for Weeden dragging us down a bit.

Wow. That was through last week, too. So we'll probably go up a bit after today. Look who's right behind us, though. Uh-oh.

 

[windward]

Wow. That was through last week, too. So we'll probably go up a bit after today. Look who's right behind us, though. Uh-oh.

This is going to be a barn burner. I really like how our running game matches up vs their run defense though. That just may be what gives us the edge. We have more incentive to win also. Colts are more or less locked into the 3 or 4 seed.

 

[JBell]

the good news in this is there is a lot of volatility in single elimination tournaments. I don't think we are the best team in the league, but the best team in the league doesn't always win the Super Bowl in my view, with last year being an exception.

Great post. I agree that this team isn't as well rounded as a handful of other teams. But I think this offense is good enough to match any team score for score for a few games in January.

The defense just has to be opportunistic like it was last night.

 

[Don Corleone]

Well I sure hope it ends better than 2009.