2012 NFL Playoff Schedule: Draft Planning Begins...Wait, What?!
by David Fucillo on Jan 2, 2012 6:01 AM PST
in 2012 NFL Playoffs
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PrintFor the last four seasons, this time was when we would really start ramping up our NFL Draft coverage. The 49ers would have certain expectations coming into the season and 17 weeks later they would leave us with broken hearts. Finally, they have managed to exceed everybody's expectations and we get to enjoy some playoff football. The 49ers had one of the longest active playoff droughts, dating back to 2002. The only longer droughts were the Detroit Lions (back to 1999) and the Houston Texans (never in nine year existence).
Now, the 49ers find themselves in a fairly comfortable position of having a first round bye and getting a chance to rest up before facing their first opponent. Yesterday's victory got a little hairy at the end, but the 49ers held on. I'm not surprised they lost some of their focus. The team was mixing and matching some of the starting lineup because of rest of injuries. The offense put up their second highest point total, and the defense basically had one bad play and another BS pass interference call. It wasn't perfect, but it's not the end of the world.
The 49ers bye now leaves them awaiting their division championship round opponent. If the Saints beat the Lions this Saturday evening, New Orleans will travel to Candlestick Park next week. If the Saints lose, the winner of Sunday's Giants-Falcons game will travel to Candlestick next week. Either way, the 49ers have two weeks to rest up and prepare for those opponents.
It is a whole new season of one and done at this point. That might be a cliche, but given that the 49ers have not been in the playoffs in nine years and we haven't been able to enjoy playoff action ever at NN, I can live with a few cliches. After all, they might be played out to a lot of people, but when it's been a long time since the last playoff appearance, it's not really a cliche yet. Maybe next year!
The 49ers have their share of questions to answer between now and January 14. If they don't shore up some areas, this playoff trip could be short-lived. That's all well and good, but for this week, I'm going to enjoy the experience of the 49ers being a playoff team once again. Nobody will take that high away from me. There is a ton of work left to do, but for now, congratulations to the San Francisco 49ers on a fantastic regular season. Now let's hope they can build on it with an even more successful postseason.
Head after the jump to view the entire playoff schedule (all times pacific).
Saturday, January 7
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans, 1:30 p.m., NBC
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints, 5 p.m., NBC
Sunday, January 8
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants, 10 a.m., FOX
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, 1:30 p.m., CBS
Saturday, January 14
Highest remaining seed in NFC (New Orleans Saints OR New York Giants/Atlanta Falcons) at San Francisco 49ers, 1:30 p.m., FOX
Lowest remaining seed in AFC (Denver Broncos/Pittsburgh Steelers/Cincinnati Bengals) at New England Patriots, 5:00 p.m., CBS
Sunday, January 15
Highest remaining seed in AFC (Houston Texans/Denver Broncos/Pittsburgh Steelers) at Baltimore Ravens, 10:00 a.m., CBS
Lowest remaining seed in NFC (New York Giants/Atlanta Falcons OR Detroit Lions) at Green Bay Packers, 1:30 p.m., FOX
Sunday, January 22
AFC Championship game, 12:00 p.m., CBS
NFC Championship game, 3:30 p.m., FOX
Sunday, February 5
Super Bowl XLVI, 3:30 p.m., NBC
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Edit out the Cowboys, please.
That ship has sailed, and c’mon Fooch, I know you like eliminating them from playoff contention too!
So far, 2011 has been Harbaugh-some!
Follow @grantmp1
It is dizzying to not only not be looking at draft boards this time of year...
…but to be waiting a week for the Niners to play…because they have a BYE!!
Craziness.
Also awesomeness.
So far, 2011 has been Harbaugh-some!
Follow @grantmp1
It would be great if they could draft a WR during the bye
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 2, 2012 6:36 AM PST reply actions
Only the most optimistic (delusional?) of us were talking about a first-round bye 17 weeks ago. But now it’s here! Personally I don’t care how far the team advances in the playoffs, I’m just jumping for joy they got to this point.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
playoff win > bye
We need to win a game to help the team’s confidence, development and free agent signings
disagree
Just getting to this point will do all those things. Yes, a playoff win would be great, but it’s not necessary for the 49ers to maintain confidence, continue development and attract quality free agents.
Speaking of free agents, with one huge exception (Edwards) the second tier signings this year worked quite well. Finding players who are willing to work within the system (Whitner, Rogers) is more important than getting the prima donna “super star” anyway.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Dont think so
The teams 3rd receiver is Ted Ginn Jr. There is a penalty for rolling the dice with Edwards and failing.
It was worth it
Who knows what would have happened if Edwards didn’t get hurt. Maybe he could have been the game changer we needed. But we will never know given the injuries. In the end he wasn’t producing so we had to cut him.
by IHavIssues on Jan 2, 2012 3:18 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
It will do those things to a lesser degree
I would much rather have first round win than a bye + loss.
Wonder whom gets the Axe today besides the Rams coach ...
Chargers
Dolphins
Buc’s
Colts
Vikings
Cowboys
Browns
Jags
Eagles
Bears …!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Bucs, Rams will get axed, Dolphins and Jags might announce long term replacements
and Norv may be on the chopping block, though he may sneak out
Can’t see any of the other coaches getting fired:
Bears – they were having a good season until cutler and forte went down
Eagles – still ended up 8-8, think he gets one more shot
Cowboys – only been there for a year as HC, the did better than last year
Browns – first year, he’ll get at least one more year
Colts – Became clear when managed to win with orlovsky that they were tanking the season by playing painter
That's Two ... Rams and Buc's ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Colts fired GMs
new GM will fire Caldwell
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 2, 2012 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
Wow , didn't the Polian thing , but yes to the Caldwell firing ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
I think he would play well for us
but I’m more excited about Crabtree’s development and an offseason for once
he's going to get franchised
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 2, 2012 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
Stop it with the insanity already..
sample size is small. Plus ever think Flynn might be a product of the system ala. Kolb or Cassel? He could be the next Charlie Whitehurst when he was with San Deigo. The Qb you don’t want got your team your love to a 13-3 record and a 1st round bye. AleX is 9th overall in NFL in passer rating at 90.7, had a 61.4 comp. pct & threw for over 3,000yds in his first year of this offense with no real offseason. He’s going to get another chance with a full off-season too see how much he can develop under Harbs. You are also dismissing Colin Kapernick is a wasted 2nd round pick by your scenerio of bringing in a young, inexperienced QB in Flynn.
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Jan 2, 2012 8:54 AM PST up reply actions
No need to get into detail with sCrappydog , just O " boy " ...!! is sufficent or no reply works too ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
I see!!
people just talk without looking at the overall picture….
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
by Kidd2Petrovic on Jan 2, 2012 9:37 AM PST up reply actions
Break the bank??
First off, no team should break the bank and pay him more than that avg QB money. Even that is a risk. Secondly, there’s no way Flynn should play over Alex given what we’ve accomplished this year. A team with terrible QBs, like Seattle or Miami are the ones that should consider him.
At Some Point....
You have to address that the Offense is mediocre.
Agent Dunham....Walternate testified that in his universe, AleX Smith is a pro-bowl QB for the Saints, and broke Trent Dilfer's season record of 6000 yards passing. Walter....Thats nice, more LSD please.
yes, but it's not only addressed via QB
They drafted Kaepernick this year, he was the #2, he’s learning
They weeded out Rachal and Edwards, found out Crabtree could play, have seen what they can get from Goodwin, Snyder, & Davis. Drafted Hunter, worked Walker more into the offense.
They’re addressing the offense.
It’s a procress… they’re working something out..
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 2, 2012 12:04 PM PST up reply actions
overpaying Flynn is HIGHLY unlikely to fix it
investments at other positions would like have a better impact and lower cost (i.e. WR & OL)
Why would we want Flynn
He had one good game and now you want to bet the farm on him, people like you were also screaming that we trade for Kolb last offseason how did that turn out for Arizona. You stay with what you got since it worked well enough to get us to 13-3. Another year and a full off season should help the offense improve.
by IHavIssues on Jan 2, 2012 3:11 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
How many Niners fans really recall the years of playoff runs by this franchise?
I’m thinking that with so many younger fans on this site, this excitement may really be newer to you, to which I say Congratulations and enjoy the ride.
I’m loving that this feels like so many years past, where Wild Card weekend is for enjoyment as an NFL fan while our team rests and prepares for a yet determined opponent. So many scenarios are out there but one thing is for sure: we’re one home victory from the conference championship game, the NFL final four, and two victories from the Super Bowl. It won’t be easy but it feels great to again be relevant and competing for a title.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
yea it's very deliniated for me
I had wondered if just a low chance playoff run would be exciting after the super bowl favorites for so many years.
Thankfully, it is exciting. The playoffs definitely feel different than before in general. That aside from a couple of match ups, just about any team can go on a run and win the super bowl once making the playoffs.
Draft: 1. Kendall Wright 2. Trumaine Johnson
FA: Smith, Morgan, Brooks, Rogers, Snyder
by whistlingmountain on Jan 2, 2012 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
Oh right here
To be honest, the attitude used to be the season didn’t really begin til the playoffs. This should interesting with the younger fans. They already tend to overact, playoffs only magnify things ten fold.
Winning feels pretty good. Although it’s been so long it could feel great.
Losing leaves an indescribable empty feeling.
Knowing you have no chance is the worst. Don’t feel that way like 2002 or the mid 90’s when always traveling to GB missing too many key pieces.
We're in same boat
I think Madden mentioned the finality of losing in the playoffs. It is an incredibly empty feeling, especially if you’re favored/expected to win. The dynasty years were so unique, I look forward to seeing how this playoff run and the future ones feel. I think we’re in year one of a great decade for 49ers football.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
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