This weekend we have another football extravaganza. It gets much more interesting with the recent catastrophes put behind us. Cincinnati may not be moving on, but Vontaze Burfict left his imprint on the Steelers by laying out Big Ben, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s FG kicker Blair Walsh visited the 1st grades that sent him letters of support after his miss. I wonder what their parents would have told him.
But I digress.
Saturday, Jan. 16
AFC Div. Game 1: Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots, 1:35 p.m., CBS
NFC Div. Game 1: Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers, 5:15 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Jan. 17
NFC Div. Round Game 2: Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 10:05 a.m., FOX
AFC Div. Round Game 2: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos, 1:40 p.m., CBS
KC and NE. This is yet another shot for Young Sir Alex to put his stamp on another playoff run. He famously bootlegged his way to an epic win over the Saints, and score 41 points only to lose to the Colts a couple years ago. Would love to see Alex Squeak this one out.
KC 35 – NE 31
Cards and Packers? This will likely be the biggest snoozer as AZ crushes Aaron Rodgers and Co. Green Bay has been shakey all year, and this one is no different. AZ at home will not be denied.
AZ 41 – GB 17
Sunday’s fare includes Carolina vs Seattle. This one looks like the best matchup of the weekend. Seattle is on fire, but dodged a huge bullet in Minnesota last week. They likely come out very focussed. I think Carolina finally gets past someone in a low-scoring affair.
Carolina 20 – Sea 16
Pittsburgh and Denver? This one is a quandary. Pittsburgh is banged-up and battered after their epic confrontation in Cincy last week. Denver is coming off the triumphant return of Peyton Manning handing off the ball a few times to seal their last win, so this one is iffy depending on Big Ben’s status. I find it hard to think he’ll miss this. Another low scoring one though.
Pitts 21 – Denver 16
What do you guys think?
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Hmmmm, I’m a believer in playoff experience going a long way so that will be influencing a couple of my picks.
NE 21-17
AZ 31-17
Seattle 26-23
Denver 16-10
They all have a decent amount of playoff time so that may not be as big a factor as you might think.
The only one I’m real iffy on though is Seattle. I haven’t seen enough of Carolina to know if they are as good as perceived.
Jesus, saw some mock drafts that have us taking Paxton Lynch.
I think we need a WR like Laquon Treadwell. Or that Doctson kids from Ole Miss. in the 2nd.
Too early for mock drafts, they change month to month.
I hope Carolina wins and wins big!!
Doubt we draft Lynch now that we have Kelly. Although his last name could be enticing to him. lqtm.
I think Kelly makes Lynch a bigger possibility.
RGIII coming to the Niners? That’s on Skeeb’s blog. Holy BLEEP! How many coaches will walk the plank?
That new Ram logo doesn’t impress anyone. Fans in LA want the bright yellow not the dull gold color.
They should go back to teh dark blue and white.
Yeah but in LA being bright and garish is a plus. Bad taste is celebrated in LA.
I love how you all just fall in line so quickly.
V falls in the bathroom and can’t get up! “HELP” he cries out, where’s Joe Montana?
Chip Douglas Hiring.
Unca_chuck: Cool hiring but man he’s not going to draft my guy.
Flavor: I would accept anyone so I guess he’s better than anyone.
Irish Kevin: I’m just glad they hired someone.
Nipper: I’m with anything you guys say.
Reno: I’ll back anyone who wears our colors and will refuse to complain.
Rob: I’m thrilled we just have a coach.
Luker: We didn’t get who we wanted but that’s all right Go Niners!
Winder: What line am I suppose to be in and who am I suppose to follow?
NJ49er: I don’t really care lets just get this season started.
12th Man: I really can’t form an opinion so what ever these guys say I’m with them.
Flying V: Joe! Bill! Eddie! Why isn’t it 1988? All we need to do is go back in time!
Fucking V can’t even spell ‘chiefs’.
Just don’t get locked in the bathroom again, V. Piss in the yard.
I heard on the radio from a Philly scribe that Kelly’s people skills make Harbs look like Monty Hall…
John don’t know why you and Nip got caught in the spam filter but I released them.
Ouch!
Thanks Chuck.
KC should be in much better shape this game. That fumble was a killer. Still and all, down one score.
KC got barbecued.
The Patriots again….bleh.
Palmer missed an easy TD there. He looks bad.
Packers are winning with their 3rd and4th string WRs.
Palmer lucks out wildly on that TD.
Wow. Aaaaaaron bounces that one. Weird ass game.
Crazy shit here.
AZ lets two 50 yard plays happen in the last 45 seconds.
Unfuckingreal.
Holy shit!! This game is nuts.
Carson Palmer with his first playoff win.
Hope it’s the Cards and Panthers for the championship. Glad the Pack ate it today, can’t stand that team.
And, every once in awhile V still makes me laugh.
Now THAT was a great football game!
With the addition of Chip to the sideline, I’m thinking the QB situation changes.
Check QB Brandon Doughty from WKU, 6’3″/216 as a Mid RD option now?
This changes the potential to Draft a QB at 7 IMO.
Kaep could survive with Chip, which could have played a major factor in the decision to add Chip?
Pick 7 could now have improved the stock of DE DeForest Buckner from OR, as Chip isn’t shy about adding his Ducks.
NJ, I don’t see the decision to hire Chip having anything to do with Kappy. The front office made it abundantly clear that they didn’t want Kappy. Going as far as not wanting him on the sidelines,
But yes, Chip does change the thought process going forward. Since they did go with Chip, I think they should give Kappy another shot.
The Niners were desperate to hire someone with SOME cred regardless of all the other baggage. And it is an awful lot of baggage. This has the potential to blow up in their faces.
Say “Goodbye” to Kap is for the best. Let him get a fresh start somewhere.
Yeah get someone with cred the chip way.
Unless the team won’t play for Kelly I don’t see how it could get much worse than last year. If he’s an incompetent HC then that’s a different story. I am just glad they made a decision. We should get a pretty good clue to what’s happening with the coaching hires he does.
Given the escalating disaster of the past 2 seasons, I can’t see how the team wouldn’t want to play for Kelly. These guys are professionals and will approach the new staff as such, I’d guess with great energy and excitement. As much as Kelly is a hard ass, he also represents a way out of the doldrums the franchise is mired in. Football players are used to hard ass coaches. Kind of the nature of the beast.
14-0 PANTHERS!
I think it’s safe to say that Kaepernick’s situation was well discussed during Kelly’s interview, so if Kelly said he could or wanted to work with Kap, Kap comes back. If he indicated he wanted to go a different direction, that may well be the end of the Kap era in S.F. Without a contingency already in place (assuming Gabbert is not that contingency), I say Kap figures to stay for the season.
That’s my Sunday morning speculation, as Carolina needs only 4 PLAY TO SCORE A TD!
Meanwhile……..Tomsula is probably pumping iron in the gym happy as a lark. “Damn my grandkids are set for life!” Working for the Yorks has its benefits.
Now we are seeing just how good Russell Wilson is. He was never relied on to win games. Last weeks wing and a prayer pass is not the norm. Sacked 3 times already…where is his running abilities now. I never thought he was an elite QB. The Sea Hawks have always had an elite defense and an elite running back in Lynch. But never an elite QB.
He’s a game manager. LOL
He’s getting his ass kicked. If this holds up, going to work Tuesday is going to be a joy.
So, nobody likes this Paxton Lynch kid? He comes from a traditionally non-football school, but he’s helped turn that program around. He’s big, 6’7″ but runs amazingly well, and he has a cannon for an arm. Pull up a video on YouTube and watch him run. He practically sprints around the field. He’s not just fast but athletic as well.
With his size, arm and excellent mobility he might be a prototype guy for Kelly to mold into his offense.
Carolina laying a MAJOR ass-whipping on Seattle. I fucking love it. Russell Wilson looks like the undersized QB that he is. Getting POUNDED!
Kids at this game are scoring big time. 3 footballs for 3 kids after Panther TD’s. That’s how you make fans for life.
Who’s a better tight end in the NFL than Greg Olson?
Wow. Never seen Seattle get this beat at the point of attack. Amazing how a lack of pass pro makes a guy look like shit.
Lynch is such a wildcard. He’s all over the place. He could be great or a complete washout. This risk is very high.
Carolina did it right over the past several years.
Kawann Short and Lotulelei are a primo pair of Fat Men in the Middle.
Something I’m hoping Baalke addresses this Spring for us.
Protect the QB/Sack the QB.
Holy smokes, Chuck, what QB prospect wouldn’t fit that profile? Everyone’s touting Goff, but he’s not going to be there at #7 and he’s no guarantee anyway. None of them are. That and he can’t run well enough to fit Kelly’s high tempo offense.
Chuck the situation with Chip and Kaep comes down to accuracy IMO.
Kaep isn’t a good short/touch passer.
If Kelly can get him to find some touch, I think there’s an opportunity to salvage him.
What’s playing into the decision right now is, the injuries/surgeries involved and, the April 1 physical deadline.
Chip may have 1 season to work with him before having to make a long term decision?
If nothing else, Chip was probably the best choice for us for finding an Offense.
As for the sideline stuff, that had as much to do with risk management as anything else.
It’s all about the $$$ and passing the physical that will determine the decision involving his Contract.
Keep in mind one Hue Jackson in Cleveland too.
He made it known that they wanted Kaep in Oakland.
If Johnnie Goofball is jettisoned, Kaep could find a home with Hue.
Now, Cam Newton strikes me as a QB who is overrated and not an elite guy. With that stupid loopy, sidearm delivery and whiny attitude, he always seems like a guy ready to fold up shop. Like right now.
Carolina’s secondary is getting exposed for the crap they are right now. That Coleman dude has no business on the field. I know they’ve had some injuries, but they’re 3 yards behind every route in the second half. Why is Baldwin constantly running free in the secondary? Lockette too.
Watching a classic offensive and defensive melt down by the Panthers
Newton is a turd, right there with Rivera.
What was the line fro Bull Durham? A million dollar arm but a 5 cent head.
Yeh Lurker John, LMAO – Crash Davis to Ebby Calvin Nuke Laloosh.
Didn’t they call him ‘Meat’?
Yup, Meat. “Why does he keep calling me meat.” lol
Seahawks are toast and that’s all that matters.
Hellz yeh.
Screw the 2012th Fans.
I hate to say it but “cheifs”19 has me pegged !!!
I mean after we’ve been presented with erickson, Nolan, etc.
Yes I’m just glad we have a coach!
LOL
1. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State, 6-4, 275, 4.76, Redshirt Junior: Ogbah was recognized by Big 12 coaches as the conference’s top defensive lineman a year ago and was even better this season, leading the Cowboys in tackles for loss (17.5), sacks (13) and forced fumbles (three) to earn co-honors with Baylor DT Andrew Billings(12th on these rankings). Ogbah isn’t just productive but also gifted and versatile, boasting an exciting length, power and agility
NJ 49er any thoughts on ogbah ?
Ogbah and DeForest Buckner are on ‘The List’ Rob.
With the addition of Chip I’ll have to move Buckner ahead for now since we know Chip collects ‘Ducks’.
Here’s the early homework on the Draft Board –
DE
Shaq Lawson – Clemson 6’3″/270 (OLB)
Emmanuel Ogbah – OK St 6’4″/275
DeForest Buckner – OR 6’7″/290
Jonathan Allen – AL 6’3″/283
Jonathan Bullard – UF 6’3″/283
Anthony Zettel – PSU 6’4″/278
DT
A’Shawn Robinson – AL 6’3″/312
Jarran Reed – AL 6’3″/313 (DE)
Andrew Billings – Baylor 6’1″/310
Kenny Clark – UCLA 6’2″/310
Sheldon Rankins – Louisville 6’1″/303
Hassan Ridgeway – TX 6’3″/314
Or maybe : Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan StateAside from a couple positions, the entire defense needs an influx of talent and Calhoun gives the Bucs the pass rushing defensive end they’ve been looking for. He topped our pass rush grades among edge defenders at +45.3, picking up 11 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 48 hurries on the season
?
We’ve got $$$ to spend in FA.
Have to think Chip will want to acquire guys he’s familiar with.
This would include players from Philly and Oregon.
As it looks right now, DEs Viny Curry and Cedric Thornton are due to hit FA from Philly.
Along with Center David Molk.
Be nice if Baalke concentrated on the D and allows Chip to assemble the Offense.
Lots of unknowns right now until the Staff is assembled.
I’m mixed on Calhoun.
I’ve chosen Shaq Lawson over him as it stands now.
I still like the idea of Mo Wilkerson in FA from the NYJ too.
FA moves will set up the Draft Board.
Our OL might be in for some major changes in Chip’s Offense too.
Younger guys might be the way to go there?
It’s time for a choice Chuck BLEEP!
Lurker John I’m in for Paxton Lynch as well.
The Offense he’s in now in Memphis could easily translate into what Chip does.
Curious to see how this plays out with Kaep and Gabbert, as to whether they allow Chip to find his next protégé or, work with either guy before going into the Draft right away.
One glaring accolade they put on Lynch is ‘pinpoint accuracy’.
Not bad for a guy his size.
I’ve caught a few games with WKU QB Brandon Doughty as well.
Lanky kid but, he impressed me as being cool under pressure and, making excellent throws when needed.
When does the Combine happen this year? Yeah, I’m champing at the bit already. Need me some Giants baseball to settle down.
Senior Bowl January 30
NFL Combines Feb 23-29
Yes, kinda weird to see Feb 29 huh?
Another Leap Year 😀
Been doing some background catch up work on Chip –
Seems like he’s a mad scientist of football, perhaps in the mold of Mike Martz?
Interesting perspectives –
http://tinyurl.com/grjyuqu
This appears on the surface to be a modern day Odd Couple pairing of Chip and Baalke.
Can Randall and Klugman II make a go of it?
This is sure to test the boundaries, when Mr Offense, gets sequestered with Mr Defense, to find balance on the roster.
Hoping each has learned what failed them, in their collective recent job histories.
Yeah it’s either really good or really bad.
I mean realistically the offense has to get better. A lot better would’ve nice.
And we’ve lost the TOP battle for a while now so the D is used to being out there.
John, my point was Goff doesn’t fit our new offense. Lynch must be something since he’s rated so high but this is the conundrum from 2005. And many other drafts. Pro style guy or spread guy? Passer or athlete? Not that the pro style guys are locks but they seem to have more success than the spread guys.
I’d rather have Goff for that very reason but that isn’t Chips game. So I see the possibility of going with Lynch. A higher risk IMO than Goff. What little I’ve seen of him wasn’t very good, but like I said he’s rated #1 so there must’ve something to him.
Our offense had so many 3 & outs that I don’t see how we cannot improve on that. If we play long-ball for most of the game we will surely miss quite a bit. But, it’s all gonna come down to our running game and I don’t know if Hyde’s up to the task. Maybe last years Davis pick will come into fruition but he certainly wasn’t that impressive either. My guess is we will pull someone off the scrap heap that actually has potential.
I have a dream………49ers are Super Bowl Champions again. V writes a short post without mentioning the 80’s once.
Sorry, v . Per usual you got 3 of 4 wrong in your playoff choices.
Me? 4-0 last week. 2-2 this week.
Love that spam filter. Found another one of yours, Nip.
New thread is up up and away . . .
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