NFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) San Francisco at (2) Carolina

[Hasselbeck]

Discuss.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Two meh teams fighting to see who'll get their ass kicked by the Seahawks.

 

[MrBill]

Unlike the Packers, the Panthers know how to play defense. I think Cam Newton makes enough plays to win it for the home team.

 

[Tailback U]

Crabtree has made a huge difference for the niners. Remember the last time these two teams met, the panthers only won by 1 point.

I think the niners edge this one out, 20-17.

These teams are very similar. Ted Ginn is the X factor for the panthers, Vernon Davis for the niners.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I really want Carolina to come out and win this one, but I think the Niners are going to win for the same reasons posted above. Crabtree is definitely the player to watch.

 

[wr50l]

For me, the most endearing trait of this Panthers team is that all year they've been in spots where they could easily be saying, "we are who they thought we were" and end up dropping a game. They came out of a bye in awful form, got pumped by Arizona and all of a sudden they were 1-3. Instead of packing it in for the year they racked off 4 dominant wins. Then they went to San Francisco, and basically put forward a strong case that they are the best defensive team in the league in a win. The week after they hosted New England (what a horrible back to back) and again they get the W. The next week they went to Miami, which was a really tough game for them in such a blatant let down spot, and still came up with a win (I think they trailed in the 4th quarter in that one). The final big test was bouncing back from defeat to New Orleans and making sure they split the series, guaranteeing the division title. I think they are pretty battle hardened, confident and dangerous going forward.

San Francisco are obviously a good team overall, but I still have doubts about what they can do in the passing game. A really badly beaten up Green Bay defence were a couple of drops away from really exposing Kaepernick last night. My suspicion is that it will be a really close, low scoring game, and that Newton will make some positive plays which Kaepernick won't be able to match. Everything else will be about even.

I'm almost certainly going to take Carolina at pk with dog odds. If it moves to +3 I will double up, but I think it will hover around +1 to +2.5 throughout the week.

 

[Villain]

:homer:

Crabtree is balling. That gives Kaep three decent targets to throw to outside of handing it off to Gore. Also, the defense is healthier than it was the last meeting.

 

[Hasselbeck]

I just don't think the Panthers have enough offense to win.

 

[DDRGuido]

Really Really want the 9ers to win this game. Best game of the weekend is here. Lot's of field goals. Dawson > Gano. 9ers by 1.

 

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

That game earlier in the season was a slugfest, this should be too, but the Panthers went into San Fran and won, by 1 point or not they did it. The defense has the confidence and Kuechly as a spy shuts Kaep down. The big plays will be there on the outside with San Fran's weapons healthy, but a few opportunities will probably be overthrown or a swat/sack. Carolina is a much, much better offense at home (Cam is, at the very least) so I like Carolina's chances, homer or not. San Fran has been here tho, and this is the Panthers first playoff game with this set of players, it benefits being at home for a first game but the pressure could be too much. took the day off of work for this one, hope we get a win

 

[dave]

I just don't think the Panthers have enough offense to win.

Agreed ... and while the Panthers' D has been lights out this season, I don't think they're better than the Niners' D. This will be a very fun game and full respect to the Panthers for a great turnaround, but the Panthers' receivers (other than Steve Smith) are awful. If this game comes down to passing, Panthers in big, big trouble.

 

[wr50l]

The way I see it, Carolina is almost certainly going to put the balance of the game on Kaepernick and make San Francisco beat them through the air. It will probably come down to whether or not the 49ers are able to connect on a couple of 30+ yard passing plays when the Panthers push their luck in coverage.

 

[seaplus]

Agreed ... and while the Panthers' D has been lights out this season, I don't think they're better than the Niners' D.

statistically speaking or just eyeballing it?

This will be a very fun game and full respect to the Panthers for a great turnaround, but the Panthers' receivers (other than Steve Smith) are awful. If this game comes down to passing, Panthers in big, big trouble.

Olson is good, LaFell has done well this year, and Ginn gets open (but needs to do what receivers should do best and actually catch easy balls)





I think this game comes down to Panthers DLine vs 49ers OLine. without pressure on Kaep, Panthers have no chance. I have a bad feeling that the 49er OTs do well in this game and SF runs away with this one

 

[Tailback U]

 

[dave]

statistically speaking or just eyeballing it?

Eyeballing it.

 

[Tailback U]

How good has Carolina's LT and LG been?

If you watched the Niners/Packers game, it was interesting to see how Aldon Smith and Justin Smith were rotated in and out throughout the first half. I think they had them on a snap count for the first half or were rotating them every 2-3 plays to make sure they weren't too tired to play in the 2nd half.

I don't know if it worked or not, as Rodgers struggled early on and settled in as the game went on. But there is a noticeable difference between the Smiths and Lemonier/Davis.

 

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

How good has Carolina's LT and LG been?

If you watched the Niners/Packers game, it was interesting to see how Aldon Smith and Justin Smith were rotated in and out throughout the first half. I think they had them on a snap count for the first half or were rotating them every 2-3 plays to make sure they weren't too tired to play in the 2nd half.

I don't know if it worked or not, as Rodgers struggled early on and settled in as the game went on. But there is a noticeable difference between the Smiths and Lemonier/Davis.

Jordan Gross is def back in the discussion for a top 5 LT in the league again this season, he had a few inconsistent seasons prior. I'm not overly concerned with the 49ers pass rush because I'm hoping we play ball control and keep it on the ground, Cam will hold the ball too long a few times and get sacked prob 3 times, right side of this line is trash.

 

[JBregz]

Taking the Panthers

 

[Tailback U]

Jordan Gross is def back in the discussion for a top 5 LT in the league again this season, he had a few inconsistent seasons prior. I'm not overly concerned with the 49ers pass rush because I'm hoping we play ball control and keep it on the ground, Cam will hold the ball too long a few times and get sacked prob 3 times, right side of this line is trash.

The Panthers are a balanced offense and I expect them to stick to what they are good at, but they will obviously have to pass to win the game and that's when Smith vs. Gross will become a factor.

I don't think the Panthers will be able to run all that well vs the Niners. Nobody does. DeAngelo broke a long one against them last time but I highly doubt it happens again. Other than that ran, he struggled.

Cam is going to have to complete some balls and make plays with his legs. Same can be said for Kaep. I think he was sacked 6 times the last time these two teams played.

Local radio has been unbearable this week. Niner fans and radio hosts are already talking about whether they would rather go to Seattle and win next week or have one last game at Candlestick next week against the Saints. Pretty arrogant.

I've also heard Carolina sports radio has been fussing about Ric Flair's little pregame speech for the Niners last week, lol..

 

[Hasselbeck]

Two meh teams fighting to see who'll get their ass kicked by the Seahawks.

http://www.virtualsportsnetwork.com...-(1)-Seattle&p=2364341&viewfull=1#post2364341

:gooby: