The Final Hurdle

[scutterhawk]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we won't be facing AFC teams (Broncos, Bengals, Pats) "between now and the SB"

I thought this was a trick question.

But I said Niners. IMO they match up the best, though Carolina's a pretty close second. IMO all those teams are strong on D and questionable on O (as we are, from time to time).

Now and the SB, including the SB.

Should have left off the word "Between" in your OP.
Panthers are a little more of an unknown than the ninners, but they don't really scare me either.
IF the Niners do manage to get here?, they're going to be burnt toast.
WHEN the Seahawks do make it to the SB, they are going to win the whole enchilada, and if that's against the Donko's?, all the better.

 

[Vpk0718]

Niners

Also, it seems like I'm one of the few that fears the Patriots more than the Broncos, entirely due to the location of the game. Brady has always been a beast in bad weather, even in the snow, and it would essentially be a home game for them. Even without Gronk, I would much rather face Denver.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

None of the other teams 'scare' me. We have what it takes to beat any of them. What DOES scare me is Pete's tendency to get locked into a 'defensive struggle.' IMO, we let the 9ers hang around because of this and it played into their hands because they are better equipped for that scenario. Close second is his reluctance to switch gears until we are several TD's in the hole. 'Identity' is a good thing in most regards, but we are capable switching personalities in instant just by breaking the glass on RW. He needs to recognize more quickly when that needs to happen rather than stubbornly sticking to what's not working.

 

[brimsalabim]

Only the Hawks can beat the Hawks at home.

 

[Largent80]

Obviously = Refs

 

[OkieHawk]

I chose other because we beat ourselves. The other teams don't scare me as we have proven time and time again this year that we can beat anyone at home or on the road.

 

[onanygivensunday]

I chose Denver simply because no NFC team will be able to stay with us in the Clink this year... and Denver has Manning, who gets rid of the ball to Welker, Thomas and Thomas so fast that he's near un-sackable.

 

[jhawk91]

Leading up to the Super Bowl, our only hurdle is ourselves. I don't understand the fear of the 49ers at all, we destroyed them in Seattle and they beat us by just 2 points in their own house. Maybe they give us a slightly tougher game but I don't see them beating us at home in a playoff environment. WHEN we get to the Super Bowl I really hope we don't play the Pats or it will pretty much be a home game for them

 

[Hawks46]

I went Niners, close second is Panthers.

We were in the Niners head, and Kaep had never beaten us. Now they have that monkey off their back and they have confidence. You could hear it in their players. If we had beaten them, it would've crushed their spirit and taken a little bit of their souls, but now they have more confidence. It really was like their Superbowl. They also travel the best of the good NFC teams. The Niners can make it close enough that it comes down to a few plays, and we seem to make mistakes against them. I still think we win, but I wouldn't expect a blowout in the playoffs.

Carolina doesn't have any playoff experience. We see what happened in that game vs. NO. They choked and got steamrolled on the big stage. They do have a rugged defense that is tough and will keep them in games.

Speaking of playoff experience, I'd be slightly worried about NO. They don't travel very well, which is why I have them behind Carolina, but if Brees gets on a roll, they can light you up quickly. We were spoiled by that last victory I think, Payton will have a game plan for us, and it will have some wrinkles in it. You have to play perfect to beat them like we did; do we have two perfect games against the same team in the same season ?

 

[jhawk91]

I went Niners, close second is Panthers.

We were in the Niners head, and Kaep had never beaten us. Now they have that monkey off their back and they have confidence. You could hear it in their players. If we had beaten them, it would've crushed their spirit and taken a little bit of their souls, but now they have more confidence. It really was like their Superbowl. They also travel the best of the good NFC teams. The Niners can make it close enough that it comes down to a few plays, and we seem to make mistakes against them. I still think we win, but I wouldn't expect a blowout in the playoffs.

Carolina doesn't have any playoff experience. We see what happened in that game vs. NO. They choked and got steamrolled on the big stage. They do have a rugged defense that is tough and will keep them in games.

Speaking of playoff experience, I'd be slightly worried about NO. They don't travel very well, which is why I have them behind Carolina, but if Brees gets on a roll, they can light you up quickly. We were spoiled by that last victory I think, Payton will have a game plan for us, and it will have some wrinkles in it. You have to play perfect to beat them like we did; do we have two perfect games against the same team in the same season ?

This year, I think it's our fans who are traveling best. They seem to be at every away game and in very large numbers

There just seems to be something about playing here that is their kryptonite lately. I know we usually do well against anyone at home but the last couple times against the Niners have been just a nightmare for them. The fans are louder in those games, and the players seem to feed off that energy