Article:NFL 2007 NIT Tournament (w/ What if Sports)

For anyone who read the previous iteration of this idea I had, you know I took the 6 best teams in each conference that didn’t make the playoffs and pitted them against each other in a runner’s up NIT style tournament. Unfortunately, I did this a week or so before being informed about the fantastic What if Sports. In version 1.0, I picked all the games myself – and as we all know, I have a tendency to be a bit daft at times. So, without further ado here is what would have REALLY happened in the 2007 NFL NIT Tournament.

First off, let’s take a look at the seeds:

AFC

1.)    Cleveland

2.)    Houston

3.)    Buffalo

4.)    Cincinnati

5.)    Denver

6.)    Baltimore

NFC

1.)    Philadelphia

2.)    Minnesota

3.)    Arizona

4.)    Carolina

5.)    New Orleans

6.)    Detroit

The first part of this series will detail the Wild Card games. As stated before, all games will be simulated using http://whatifsports.com and normal NFL playoff seeding/home field advantage rules. Standing injuries from the end of the season and who was starting will be taken into account (e.g.: unfortunately for the Ravens, Troy Smith will be leading them at QB through the tournament). Also, I took a look at the average temperature in the given home cities during January and rolled dice for precipitation (1, 3, meant there was precipitation with 1 being light, 3 moderate and factored in wind with the given precipitation… I’m a dork, I know this).

(6) Baltimore @ (3) Buffalo (25 degrees, clear skies)

The first game of the NFL NIT playoffs proved to be a thrilling one, with overtime needed to decide a victor. With less than six minutes to go in the 4 th quarter and Troy Smith bowing out of the game with an injury, Kyle Boller led his team 53 yards for a touchdown as well as the 2 point conversion to tie it at 21. Baltimore’s defense couldn’t hold Buffalo in overtime though, allowing a 29 yarder by Ryan Lindell to catapult the Bills into the NIT Divisional round with a 24-21 victory.

Player of the game: Trent Edwards 20/29 298 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

(5) New Orleans @ (4) Carolina (40 degrees, clear skies)

Although they put up a zero points in the second half, the Carolina Panthers still scored enough in the first half to win this close game in Carolina. New Orleans managed to cut the lead to 4 with three minutes left in the fourth quarter after a 35 yard FG by Olindo Mare. However Carolina’s rushing game proved to be too much for the Saints, as Deshaun Foster helped the Panthers run out the clock to win the game 20-16.

Player of the game: Deshaun Foster 17 attempts, 99 yards, 2 TDs

(6) Detroit @ (3) Arizona (70 degrees, clear skies)

In what was a turnover filled game, Detroit just couldn’t get their running game going at all. Jon Kitna threw 3 picks on his 40 attempts while Kurt Warner threw 4 on his 36. The difference proved to be Edgerrin James, though, who had a strong showing with 75 yards and a TD. The Lions running game, without injured RB Kevin Jones, put up a combined 33 rushing yards. Arizona takes it 24-14.

Player of the Game: Larry Fitzgerald 7 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs

(5) Denver @ (4) Cincinnati (25 degrees, flurries, light wind)

Although rallying to within 3 points after being down by 18 with less than eight minutes left, the Denver Broncos just couldn’t get the ball back at the end of the game to tie it up. Cincinnati appeared to have the game in hand 31-13 at the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter, trying to cruise through the rest of the game. The Bengals almost let the Broncos back in it, although in the end, they were too much for Mike Shanahan’s team. The Bengals complete the Wild Card round favorites sweep 31-28.

Player of the game: Carson Palmer 21/35 289 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

NFL NIT Divisional Round Matchups:

(4) Cincinnati @ (1) Cleveland

(3) Buffalo @ (2) Houston

(4) Carolina @ (1) Philadelphia

(3) Arizona @ (2) Minnesota

Stay tuned!