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The cold, hard football facts A look at the NFL through the eyes of the stat experts at Coldhard football facts.com:
WEEKEND, JANUARY 4-6, 2013
Pick your poison Patriots sit back and watch Either Colts, Ravens or Texans will be in Foxboro next week What is the easiest path to the AFC title game?
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Tim Tebow to the rescue Nine NFL teams fired their general manager or coach on “Black Monday,” including two that fired both. All nine of those teams suffered from bad quarterback play and would have been better with Jets back-up Tim Tebow at the helm. Tebow’s 81.2 career Real QB Rating would have been the 14th in the NFL this year and better than the rating of every team forced to fire a coach or general manager.
In the news
Tough stretch Rajon Rondo and the Celtics have lost four straight games heading into Friday’s home game against the Pacers. Boston then goes on the road to face Atlanta on Saturday and the Knicks on Monday.
Real QB Rating: Tebow vs. teams that fired coaches/GMs 1. Tim Tebow — 81.2 2. Buffalo — 76.7 (19th) 3. San Diego — 74.7 (22nd) 4. Chicago — 71.5 (24th) 5. Philadelphia — 71.3 (25th) 6. Cleveland — 68.1 (28th) 7. Jacksonville — 65.9 (29th) 8. NY Jets — 57.5 (30th) 9. Kansas City — 56.7 (31st) 10. Arizona — 54.1 (32nd)
Although the Patriots will be off this weekend, it doesn’t mean the games being played don’t have any relevance to Pats fans as New England’s opponent in the divisional round, (Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m., Gillette Stadium), will be determined. Here is a look at the possible opponents for New England:
Ravens (Avoid! Avoid!) This is the potential matchup which should scare Patriots fans the most. The common thread between teams who have defeated New England this season (including the Ravens, 31-30, in Week 3) is physicality — a trademark of this franchise. Baltimore has won a playoff game in each of the last four seasons with coach John Harbaugh at the helm. As if Baltimore needed any more motivation, linebacker Ray Lewis announced this week that he will retire following the playoffs, which should give the team something more to play for as they attempt to send him out on top. The Scenario: If Cincy beats Houston and the Ravens take down Indy.
Texans (Bring ‘em on) Houston limped into the play-
Andrew Luck
Ray Lewis
offs losing three out of its last four games, going from the best team in the AFC to the No. 3 seed and having to play on wild card weekend. The Patriots played arguably their best game of the season against Houston in Week 14, pasting the Texans, 42-14, on Monday Night Football. The Texans do have the seventh best offense in the league, averaging 371.1 yards per game and are eighth in points per game with 26, but New England limited them to 323 yards and 12 points just over a month ago. The Scenario: If the Texans beat Cincy.
Colts (Ho-hum) Despite the rally behind head
Weekend, January 4-6, 2013
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Metro’s NFL playoff picks Metro’s sports editors predict who will hoist the Lombardi in New Orleans: Matt Burke, Metro Boston Patriots over 49ers. Homer pick! Brady gets ring No. 4. Mark Osborne, Metro New York Packers over Broncos. Veteran QBs square off but Peyton’s comeback comes up just short. Mike Greger, Metro Philadelphia 49ers over Broncos. Put some trust in the NFL’s best defense. In a throwback, Peyton chokes on the big stage.
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coach Chuck Pagano’s emotional return, the Colts might be the team Patriots fans want to face the most. New England defeated the Colts, 59-24, at Gillette Stadium in Week 11 and would have no problem scoring points against them as they rank 21st in the league against the pass and 29th against the run. Although quarterback Andrew Luck has had a sensational rookie season, the Colts defense will eventually be their downfall. The Scenario: If Cincy beats Houston and the Colts down the Ravens. Ryan Hannable sports@metro.us
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