Playoff matchups with Gil Brandt
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM ETGil Brandt
31 comments
NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt stopped by for a live chat on Thursday, Jan. 8, to talk playoff matchups and NFL Draft.
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Gil Brandt, NFL.com
02:00 PM
Hi everybody and welcome to the second round of the NFL playoffs! I'm ready to talk about it, so fire away with your questions. -
Chargers#1, San Diego
02:00 PM ET
Who do you think is the best QB in the playoffs?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I'm guessing you thnk it's Philip Rivers? Using the passer rating sytem, it's Rivers, followed by Warner, Manning, McNabb, and Delhomme. Flacco, Rothlisberger and Collins are right at the same number.
Six of the eight QBs still in the playoffs have started in the Super Bowl -- most ever in the divisional round, which is amazing. -
Kevin, Kent, OH
02:03 PM ET
Due to the good defenses playing this week in the AFC, which team do you think has the most potential to put out a big offensive performance in the divisional round?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Kevin, that's a tough question. It might surprise you, but I'll say San Diego -- simply because Rivers is capable of making things happen (yes, I do realize that Rivers had his worst game of the regular season in Pittsburgh). -
Pete, Cumbria, England
02:05 PM ET
with the momentum the Eagles have at the minute, and remembering their win over the Giants wasnt all that long ago, what do you think about the super bowl going to Philly this year?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Pete, I think the Eagles have a very good chance of winning their rubber match this Sunday against the Giants. They are on a roll. If they win, they'd probably have to go to Carolina next week, and that will be another tough matchup. -
keith, landover
02:09 PM ET
how come my titans are underdogs in every game and often disrespected even though we have the best record and proven to beat good teams?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, Keith, the Titans are not underdogs in this game, even though people are jumping on the Ravens' bandwagon. Some people, though, are still not convinced the Tennessee offense can score enough points against a very good defense. They did come back in the fourth quarter to beat Baltimore earlier this season, but managed only 13 points. -
Todd, Ohio
02:10 PM ET
Do you know the latest on whether the Chargers will suspend Vincent Jackson for the divisional playoof?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I've been told by someone in the Chargers' organization that he will not be suspended and will play. -
Nick , Hillsborough ,NJ
02:11 PM ET
Hello i was wondering about if you new about if Favre was coming back? Thanks
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Nick, in yesterday's Biloxi Sun-Herald, in a story written by Al Jones, Favre said he will decide later this spring whether he is coming back or not. He has not ruled it out. I think he will be back, personally. -
Victor , Tijuana ,Mexico
02:13 PM ET
Hi Gil, an upset for this week?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
My upset pick for the week would be for the Eagles to beat the Giants. All of these games - with the possible exception of Arizona-Carolina - could go either way. Teams coming off the bye in the last 10 years are 29-11, not exactly a lock. -
Steve and Aaron, Cambridge
02:15 PM ET
Out of the two standout rookie RB's in the playoffs this year, namely Chris Johnson and Jonathon Stewart, who do you see having the biggest impact in their respective match-ups?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Johnson wll get more playing time than Stewat, but Baltimore is pretty tough to run on. Stewart won't get as much action but goes against an Arizona defense that can be run on. But I still think Johnson has the bigger impact. -
jamel johnson, Raleigh, NC
02:16 PM ET
If the panthers win this week at home, and is because of a great running game.Will they be the team to beat with those two and the option of the great steve smith? I mean how can you stop all three if they really want to win?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Jamel, we covered this in the key matchups to watch. Rookie CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie must doa good job on Smith, otherwise Arizona is in trouble. Rodgers-Cromartie hadn't played much when these teams met earlier in the season and Smith had a big game -- he's turned ito a very good player. -
Kevin, Kent, OH
02:19 PM ET
Do you think that Darren Sproles will have a bigger impact on special teams than in the rushing game due to Pittsburgh's suffocating run defense?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Yeah, I do think he'll have a bigger impact in the return game. But he'll also have a big impact catching screen passes. He won't get 100-plus yards rushing, but he'll get yards out of the backfield.
Also, the slow turf at Heinz Field will negate Sproles' quickness. -
Alex, Indianapolis
02:20 PM ET
Out of the four first-round bye teams which do you feel has the greatest chance to win it all?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Alex, I think Tennessee does - if they're healthy. They have a good kicking game, a very good defense, and an opportunistic offense.
Of couse, that's not to say that any of the teams that didn't have a bye can't go all the way. They can... And remember, it's been 16 years since both No. 1 seeds reached the Super Bowl in the same year. -
Justin, Philadelphia
02:23 PM ET
Mr. Brandt: What scheme changes (if any) do you see the Giants attempting to implement to put pressure on McNabb Sunday? He has been virtually untouched in two games this season, with only one registered sack (when McNabb stumbled, not due to pressure). Thank you!!!
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Knowing Steve Spagnuolo, he'll have some diffeent type of blitz to try to gt to McNabb. This comes down to how Tra thomas, Philly's LT, does against Mathias Kiwanuka. -
danny g, san diego
02:24 PM ET
i've argued that peyton did not deserve the mvp because indy's defense was a bigger reason for their success than they'd been given. after the chargers game, which showed peyton can only do so much and he needs the colts defense, is manning still the right choice for mvp?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I still believe he deserved the MVP. The difference between winning and losing last week in San Diego was a few penalties, and of course that he never got on the field in overtime. I don't think Manning did anything last week to not deserve the MVP -- San Diego punter Mike Scifres was just too good, pinning the Colts deep all night. -
Wyatt D, Colorado Springs, CO
02:26 PM ET
What scenario happens in the game if Arizona is to beat Carolina?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Well, Wyatt, the Cardinals will have to score al ot of points, because I don't think they can stop the Panthers' ground game. Bottom line: Kurt Warner needs to have a monster game. -
casey, orange county, new york
02:28 PM ET
Will the Steelers have the same success in the air as they did in the regular season against the Chargers?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Casey, it all depends on Roethlisberger's health coming off the concussion. As late as Wednesday of this week he was having trouble putting his helmet on. If he's not 100 percent, his reflexes will just not be the same and it could be tough. If he's healthy, I think he has a big game. -
Jon, Boston
02:31 PM ET
Will Scott Pioli leave the Pats for the Chiefs GM job??
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I don't think so, Jon. I think he will stay in New England. Just a gut feeling. -
Lambert58, North Haledon, NJ
02:31 PM ET
Love the chat, Gil! ... If the Steelers can win this week, whom do you think they'd have more trouble with next week, the Titans on the road or playing the Ravens for the 3rd time this season?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
It's probably about 50-50. The Ravens match up pretty good with the Steelers. But the trip to Nashville will be tough. Unlike other cities where home fans sell their tickets and Steelers fans come out of the woodwork, Tennessee fans will not give up their seats.
If I had to pick one, I'd say winning at Tennessee will be tougher than beating Baltimore at home. -
omar, san antonio texas
02:35 PM ET
hi Mr. Brandt i just wanted to know who do you think will have a better game wetbrook or jacobs ( who needs to be on their a game)
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Omar, I think Jacobs will have more rushing yards in this game, but westbrook will have more combined yards (rushing/receivnig). I think whichever one has the biggest impact will determine the winner of this game, and I think it will be Westbrook. -
Jon, Kalamazoo
02:36 PM ET
Do you think Willie Parker will have a big game against The Chargers, And will the weather have an effect on The Chargers
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
This is one of those west-to-east games, but San Diego at least benefits from it being a later start. So the weather will have more of an effect than travel.
As for Willie Parker, I see him have 90-100 yards in this game. He had 115 yards in the last meeting. -
Travis, Colorado
02:38 PM ET
So who will it be in San Diego next year....LT or Sproles? Or both?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Sproles will be an unrestricted free agent and I imagine the Chargers will do everything possible to keep him. I think both will be there, but with Sproles mixed into the offense a lot more next year. "The Tank," as they call him, should get closer to 40 percent of the carries. -
Peggy B, Knob Noster, MO
02:40 PM ET
Is Herm a goner in KC?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Peggy, it all depends on who they bring in as the new general manager. I think he'll end up being there, but I wouldn't bet on it. -
heemanman85, missouri
02:41 PM ET
Do you favor Flacco or Collins Sat? Do you feel the rookie can hold up to all the pressure or will the Titans D be too much?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think Flacco will make some big plays, as he did last week. But as you look back, he did complete just 9 of 23 passes against Miami. Down the line, Flacco will be an excellent QB for Baltimore, but veteran Kerry Collins will have the edge here. -
Mark H, Greensboro, NC
02:43 PM ET
Do you think Kevin Greene will get into the HOF?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Kevin Greene was not one of the 15 finalists selected this week. Greene was an excllent pass rusher, but I'm not sure he was dominant long enough to be a Hall of Famer. He was among the semifinalists, but I'm not sure he'll make the cut down the line. -
Mark H, Greensboro, NC
02:45 PM ET
Looking back to this past draft, who do you think had the best draft?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Mark, there were several teams that did pretty well. Probably the team that had the most contributions from the draft was Atlanta. They had the most player from the draft help them be successful. Kansas City had a number of rookies start, but given the record it's hard to say they were very successful. -
carlos, Tampa, FL
02:47 PM ET
How do u feel the rush offense of the titans would fare against the ravens defense?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Carlos, they will have a hard time running against the Ravens, though they are a good running team. they'll keep their tight ends in to block, and if they get 100 yards they'll be lucky. -
Travis, Colorado
02:49 PM ET
Who do you see as a better fit in Denver, Spagnuolo or McDaniels?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Travis, I'd say Spagnuolo. I say that because they have a good offensive coach in place in Jeremy Bates. So they don't need a guy like Josh McDaniels as much as they need a head coach who can help the defense. -
JR, Norfolk, UK
02:50 PM ET
Gil, do you think Mangini is the right fit for the Browns?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I think Mangini is a good fit. Cleveland wanted someone with head coaching experience. They got a guy who took a team to the playoffs in his first year with the Jets. I think it's a good choice. -
Mitch Peterson, North Carolina
02:52 PM ET
Where do you think Bill Cowher will end up in 2009 or 2010?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
I don't think he'll change his mind about not coming back in 2009. I think if and when he comes back in 2010 it would have to be with a team that gives him full control -- and that doesn't rule out a team like Dallas, because remember that Jerry Jones gave Bill Parcells that control. -
Joe Dumond, State College, PA
02:54 PM ET
Do you think Tim Tebow will start in the NFL? And if so what position?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
First of all, Joe, I do think Tim Tebow can play QB in the NFL. He's too skilled not to. He may not be ready to start as a rookie -- there are some things that need to be worked on, like his delivery. But he's a great competitior and has had tremendous success. I hope he stays in school this year, and I think after that he could be a late first-round pick. -
Ben, Springfield Mo
02:56 PM ET
On the topic of HOF, Do you think the Hines Ward will ever get into Canton?
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
No, Hines Ward is a very good football player, but you have to be an exceptional player to get to Canton. -
Aaron, San Diego
02:58 PM ET
When do you think LT is retiring, im fearing its coming sooner than we expect, but even if we do lose him, do we still have a good run with sproles? (sproles rocks)
Gil Brandt, NFL.com
This has been an unusual year for Tomlinson as far as multiple injuries. But LT usually keeps himself in very good shape, so don't expect the injuries to automatically continue. I do think LT still has 3-4 more good years in him.
The hours always flies -- another great batch of questions. We should have four great games this weekend, and I can't wait. Look forward to chatting again next week.
