Well, the NFL Playoffs get underway this Saturday, January 7, so I've got to make some predictions. Let's just say we're going to get a very exciting Super Bowl. I will go through each game, give a score and a reasoning behind it, and finish with a conclusion.
AFC Wild Cards
(6) Miami Dolphins at (3) Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers win, 30-13
I don't see this game being that close. The Steeler's 3 B's (Bell, Brown, Big Ben) are well-rested and Miami is missing it's starting quarterback. The Dolphins defense might keep this game close for a while but the Steelers pull away in the end.
(5) Oakland Raiders at (4) Houston Texans: Texans win, 20-12
It's such a shame Derek Carr got hurt. And the Texans are more of a defensive team, so this should be a low-scoring contest, meaning it could be close all the way to the end. Houston's defense comes up with the big stop and wins it.
NFC Wild Cards
(6) Detroit Lions at (3) Seattle Seahawks: Seahawks win, 26-24
Both teams come into this game rather cold. The Lions have lost 3 straight and the Hawks have lost 2 of 4, and their two wins came against the Rams and 49ers. But this should be a hard-fought and entertaining contest. I expect the Hawks to even trail at some point, but I'm calling Steven Hauschka to redeem himself a bit this year and kick a game-winning field goal. Hawks move on, barely.
(5) New York Giants at (4) Green Bay Packers: Packers win, 24-16
These two have met a bit in the playoffs (and at Lambeau Field, too) and it seems like the Giants always come out on top. Not this time. Green Bay is arguably the hottest team in the NFL. Even in the frigid temperatures Green Bay will manufacture offense, probably using Ty Montgomery quite a bit. Giants get a shot to tie it but come up short.
AFC Divisional Games
(4) Houston Texans at (1) New England Patriots: Patriots win, 28-9
This shouldn't be that close of a contest. The well-rested Patriots should take care of business. Better QB's than Tom Savage have struggled mightily against the Pats in January. Maybe the Pats don't light up the scoreboard but I can't see the Houston offense having much succcess at cold Foxborough.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Kansas City Chiefs: Steelers win, 28-27
In what may be the most potentially exciting game of the playoff season, the Steelers win a thriller just barely over the Chiefs. I know, the Chiefs are at home, but I feel the Steelers are one of the few (if not the only) teams that can pull it off. The Steelers get a TD in the final seconds and Chris Boswell kicks the most exciting PAT in NFL history so far.
NFC Divisional Games
(4) Green Bay Packers at (1) Dallas Cowboys: Packers win, 31-26
My what a matchup this could be. The Packers would be riding a seven game winning streak while the Cowboys once won 10 in a row this year. I like the Packers based on experience. Prescott, Elliott and company get a shot to win in the final minutes but come up short.
(3) Seattle Seahawks at (2) Atlanta Falcons: Seahawks win, 27-24
You may think the Falcons want revenge for the game the Hawks won earlier in the year (and they kind got gypped on with the no call on Sherman for pass interference). But it's more the Hawks wanting to prove that it wasn't a fluke and they deserved to win. In a strange twist of fate, the Falcons drive and get in position for a game-tying field goal to send the game to overtime, but Falcons kicker Matt Bryant misses it.
AFC Championship Game
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers at (1) New England Patriots: Patriots win, 27-23
The Steelers have the talent to pull it off but don't get it done. It's just too much to ask a team to go and beat a 2 and a 1 seed on the road in back to back weeks. Patriots D steps up and helps them get to Super Bowl LI.
NFC Championship Game
(4) Green Bay Packers at (3) Seattle Seahawks: Packers win, 34-24
I cannot remember the last time a championship game was at the home of a 3 seed (or lower) but I'm calling it this year. In a rematch of the 2014 NFC Championship Game, the Pack comes out on top. Wilson and company try too little too late and the Packers pad on to their lead in the final minutes.
Super Bowl LI
New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers: Packers win, 30-28
Twenty years after Super Bowl XXXI, the same two teams meet for LI. In Super Bowl XXXI we had Bledsoe vs. Favre, and in this game we have the guys that replaced them: Brady and Rodgers. I have been calling for this Super Bowl to happen for YEARS and it finally does. I'm not exactly sure how it goes down, whether Gostowski misses a potential game-winning field goal (Haha Tom, can't always rely on your kicker) or if Green Bay gets a game winning score, but the Pack do indeed come out on top.
Remember when Aaron Rodgers said the Packers could run the table? Little do we know he meant in the playoffs too. Rodgers wins NFL and Super Bowl MVP in the same year. As a Seahawk fan, getting to the NFC Championship game would be enough for me. I just want to see us compete. And in this scenario, we certainly do.
Showing posts with label Green Bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Bay. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Monday, December 29, 2014
All Possible Super Bowl Matchups, Their Storylines and Likelihood
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Highly... highly doubtful this would happen. There has never been a Super Bowl with two #6 seeds, although there has been a Super Bowl with two wild card teams. Not many storylines in this one... it would certainly be a hard-fought, defensive struggle with perhaps some aerial attacks from the gunslinger QB's.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Again highly unlikely as these two teams basically limped into the playoffs. But they are two well-coached teams and it would be the second time John Harbaugh has faced an NFC West team in the Super Bowl.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Two historically unfortunate franchises facing off (One would get their first Super Bowl win). Also it would be the battle of the kitties. Would be another hard-fought game, but this wouldn't be a Super Bowl that intriguing. Not very likely, either.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
How many times would we hear Steve Smith Sr.'s name mentioned in the talk before the game? Answer: A LOT. He would probably want this Super Bowl, but not many people do. Would be another defensive game.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Another matchup where a team would get their first Super Bowl win. Highly unlikely matchup with the two QB's (Dalton, winless in playoff games, and Lindley, who is a practice squad guy on most teams).
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell, the current coach of the Lions and former coach of the Colts, would be the main storyline here. Also, two Texas-raised QB's (Luck and Stafford) would be facing off. Not too likely, but not impossible for this matchup. If a matchup is going to happen where the seeds of the two teams add up to at least ten, this would be the matchup that would happen.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Defense vs. Offense? Hard to say what the storylines would be for this game. Dallas would be heavily favored, for sure.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Another battle of the kitties which you certainly shouldn't bet on. These two teams tied in the regular season... might we see overtime in the Super Bowl for the first time if this were to happen? Also, two minority coaches facing off (First since Lovie Smith's Bears against Tony Dungy's Colts). Wouldn't be a Super Bowl that NBC is clamoring for, that's for sure.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
How many times would Bruce Arians' name be mentioned? A LOT. This would be a fantastic Super Bowl to watch with the Bruce Arians storyline (provided Arizona got Stanton back and he was playing decently). Could Arizona's D contain Andrew Luck?
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (6) Detroit Lions
These two teams are pretty close geographically. Also, the Steelers 2nd to most recent Super Bowl victory came in the Lions stadium. Other than that, not too many storylines.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Would be a very good matchup, but not many storylines. Almost all of America would be rooting for the Packers, more than likely. And the Ravens would be huge underdogs.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Not many storylines here, either. Dallas would be heavily favored, having taken out Green Bay (and probably Seattle, both on the road) to get to this point.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Two number one pick QB's (Luck and Newton) face off in a chance to reward their team for picking them number 1 overall with a Super Bowl title. And two soft-spoken coaches who get a lot of respect from their players would face off.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII, EXACTLY six years later (Feb. 1, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2015). A few of the same players remain, namely Big Ben for the Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals. And with the Steelers trying to take a Super Bowl from the Cardinals on the Cardinals' turf, this would be a very good matchup.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Would likely be a high-scoring game. What prevails, a horse or lion? Could Matthew Stafford be the third rising QB to beat Manning in a Super Bowl? (The first two being Brees and Wilson) Also, Golden Tate would be facing the Broncos in the Super Bowl for the 2nd straight year.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Not too many storylines here, other than Pete Carroll vs. the other Harbaugh brother. Justin Forsett would be facing his former team. Both running backs would be from the University of California. Would be a hard-fought, low-scoring game.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Titletown vs. No Titles in this town. Basically. Green Bay would be heavily favored and heavily rooted for. There was a regular season game in 2013 between these two teams which was back and forth and high scoring, which I'd expect this game to be as well.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
These two teams just recently played and Dallas smoked them. Indy would be seeking revenge. This would be a good matchup for NBC, with two gunslingers airing it out. It would be up to the defenses to make a big play or two.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Don't see this matchup happening (at all) but it would be a fun game to watch. Two big QB's against two tough defenses. Two minority coaches facing off in this game as well.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning taking on another NFC West team with a tough defense. Depending on Arizona's offense, Denver could be heavily favored. Not likely with Arizona limping in to the playoffs.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Not too many storylines. It would be Tom Brady in University of Phoenix Stadium against a wild card team from the NFC... again. Could Stafford pull an Eli Manning and beat Tom Brady?
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Very few storylines in this matchup that NBC would probably want to stay away from. The Hawks would be heavily favored, more than likely. It would be the 2nd time the Hawks (as a #1 seed) face an AFC North Team (that is a wild card) in the Super Bowl.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
The story would be the quarterbacks, of course. Two quarterbacks with potent offenses with defenses that usually do just enough to get wins. Would most likely be a high-scoring and entertaining game.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
OH MAN. This rivalry would be renewed with a Super Bowl matchup. This would be a dream matchup for NBC. Many are dreaming of this potential matchup. The history behind these two franchises would be the main storyline.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be the John Fox Bowl, the Denver coach having previously coached Carolina. However, I don't see this matchup with Denver happening, either, but anything's possible. Peyton Manning would be facing another athletic African American quarterback who comes with a strong running game and a solid defense. Would Manning lose again?
(1) New England Patriots vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brady would need to shake his Arizona demons... against Arizona. Arizona would probably be underdogs in their own stadium. Bruce Arians would be a coaching god if he won this matchup.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
I predicted this matchup at the start of the season, and I'm sticking to it (sort of). It's a real possibility. It would be the matchup of the QB's from the 2012 draft class, Luck vs. Wilson (1st overall vs. 75th overall). Would be a good matchup and the Seahawks SHOULD be favored.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
This is another dream matchup for NBC, a rematch of Super Bowl XLV. Many of the same players remain from those teams, including the starting quarterbacks. The first time they faced off was in an environmentally-controlled arena, and this time would be the same thing.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
This is another matchup that NBC would like. This is a "rematch" of Super Bowl XII, 37 years later. This game would be very high-scoring (41-38?) and more than likely be close. Their regular season game in 2013 would be one many would hope this game would be similar to.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII, with basically only Tom Brady remaining from either of those two teams. The Patriots would be heavily favored, but the Panthers would give them a fight.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Oh boy. Rematch of Super Bowl XL. This is a game I would definitely want to see, just so the Hawks could get revenge. The Hawks are scheduled to host the Steelers next season, so a Super Bowl re-rematch would take place the following season. Let's just hope for this game Bill Leavy would not be officiating.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Rematch of Super Bowl XXXII. I have dreamed of this Super Bowl matchup again for a long time, because Super Bowl XXXII was the first Super Bowl I ever watched. These two teams playing against each other look so visually appealing, with red and orange vs. yellow and green. Another dream matchup for NBC. If the Hawks can't be in the Super Bowl, THIS is the matchup I would want.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Another game for the ages. Dallas would have a TON of supporters, being much geographically closer to Arizona than New England. Hard to say who would be favored. This would be an exciting and close game, for sure.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, less than a year later. Obviously, the Broncos would be seeking revenge. A Super Bowl rematch hasn't happened the following season since Dallas and Buffalo in 1993 and 1994. Dallas won both of those games (the first easily, the second sort of easily) and I think the same would happen here.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Another dream matchup. They played in the regular season in Green Bay, with the Packers coming out victorious. New England would be seeking revenge and without Lambeau to protect the Packers, New England would have a real shot (and probably be favored). Rematch of Super Bowl XXXI.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
This is the matchup many Hawks fans think will happen, are rooting for, or both. It would be the 2nd straight year the two #1 seeds face each other. This isn't technically a dream matchup for NBC, but it would be a classic. I do think the Patriots would put up more of a fight than the Broncos last season, but I see the Hawks coming out on top.
So there's all the possible Super Bowl matchups. Which will happen? We'll find out by the end of January 18, when the conference championship games conclude. Should be fun to watch.
Highly... highly doubtful this would happen. There has never been a Super Bowl with two #6 seeds, although there has been a Super Bowl with two wild card teams. Not many storylines in this one... it would certainly be a hard-fought, defensive struggle with perhaps some aerial attacks from the gunslinger QB's.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Again highly unlikely as these two teams basically limped into the playoffs. But they are two well-coached teams and it would be the second time John Harbaugh has faced an NFC West team in the Super Bowl.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Two historically unfortunate franchises facing off (One would get their first Super Bowl win). Also it would be the battle of the kitties. Would be another hard-fought game, but this wouldn't be a Super Bowl that intriguing. Not very likely, either.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
How many times would we hear Steve Smith Sr.'s name mentioned in the talk before the game? Answer: A LOT. He would probably want this Super Bowl, but not many people do. Would be another defensive game.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Another matchup where a team would get their first Super Bowl win. Highly unlikely matchup with the two QB's (Dalton, winless in playoff games, and Lindley, who is a practice squad guy on most teams).
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell, the current coach of the Lions and former coach of the Colts, would be the main storyline here. Also, two Texas-raised QB's (Luck and Stafford) would be facing off. Not too likely, but not impossible for this matchup. If a matchup is going to happen where the seeds of the two teams add up to at least ten, this would be the matchup that would happen.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Defense vs. Offense? Hard to say what the storylines would be for this game. Dallas would be heavily favored, for sure.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Another battle of the kitties which you certainly shouldn't bet on. These two teams tied in the regular season... might we see overtime in the Super Bowl for the first time if this were to happen? Also, two minority coaches facing off (First since Lovie Smith's Bears against Tony Dungy's Colts). Wouldn't be a Super Bowl that NBC is clamoring for, that's for sure.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
How many times would Bruce Arians' name be mentioned? A LOT. This would be a fantastic Super Bowl to watch with the Bruce Arians storyline (provided Arizona got Stanton back and he was playing decently). Could Arizona's D contain Andrew Luck?
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (6) Detroit Lions
These two teams are pretty close geographically. Also, the Steelers 2nd to most recent Super Bowl victory came in the Lions stadium. Other than that, not too many storylines.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Would be a very good matchup, but not many storylines. Almost all of America would be rooting for the Packers, more than likely. And the Ravens would be huge underdogs.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Not many storylines here, either. Dallas would be heavily favored, having taken out Green Bay (and probably Seattle, both on the road) to get to this point.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Two number one pick QB's (Luck and Newton) face off in a chance to reward their team for picking them number 1 overall with a Super Bowl title. And two soft-spoken coaches who get a lot of respect from their players would face off.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII, EXACTLY six years later (Feb. 1, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2015). A few of the same players remain, namely Big Ben for the Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals. And with the Steelers trying to take a Super Bowl from the Cardinals on the Cardinals' turf, this would be a very good matchup.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Would likely be a high-scoring game. What prevails, a horse or lion? Could Matthew Stafford be the third rising QB to beat Manning in a Super Bowl? (The first two being Brees and Wilson) Also, Golden Tate would be facing the Broncos in the Super Bowl for the 2nd straight year.
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Not too many storylines here, other than Pete Carroll vs. the other Harbaugh brother. Justin Forsett would be facing his former team. Both running backs would be from the University of California. Would be a hard-fought, low-scoring game.
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Titletown vs. No Titles in this town. Basically. Green Bay would be heavily favored and heavily rooted for. There was a regular season game in 2013 between these two teams which was back and forth and high scoring, which I'd expect this game to be as well.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
These two teams just recently played and Dallas smoked them. Indy would be seeking revenge. This would be a good matchup for NBC, with two gunslingers airing it out. It would be up to the defenses to make a big play or two.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Don't see this matchup happening (at all) but it would be a fun game to watch. Two big QB's against two tough defenses. Two minority coaches facing off in this game as well.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning taking on another NFC West team with a tough defense. Depending on Arizona's offense, Denver could be heavily favored. Not likely with Arizona limping in to the playoffs.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Not too many storylines. It would be Tom Brady in University of Phoenix Stadium against a wild card team from the NFC... again. Could Stafford pull an Eli Manning and beat Tom Brady?
(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Very few storylines in this matchup that NBC would probably want to stay away from. The Hawks would be heavily favored, more than likely. It would be the 2nd time the Hawks (as a #1 seed) face an AFC North Team (that is a wild card) in the Super Bowl.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
The story would be the quarterbacks, of course. Two quarterbacks with potent offenses with defenses that usually do just enough to get wins. Would most likely be a high-scoring and entertaining game.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
OH MAN. This rivalry would be renewed with a Super Bowl matchup. This would be a dream matchup for NBC. Many are dreaming of this potential matchup. The history behind these two franchises would be the main storyline.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be the John Fox Bowl, the Denver coach having previously coached Carolina. However, I don't see this matchup with Denver happening, either, but anything's possible. Peyton Manning would be facing another athletic African American quarterback who comes with a strong running game and a solid defense. Would Manning lose again?
(1) New England Patriots vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brady would need to shake his Arizona demons... against Arizona. Arizona would probably be underdogs in their own stadium. Bruce Arians would be a coaching god if he won this matchup.
(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
I predicted this matchup at the start of the season, and I'm sticking to it (sort of). It's a real possibility. It would be the matchup of the QB's from the 2012 draft class, Luck vs. Wilson (1st overall vs. 75th overall). Would be a good matchup and the Seahawks SHOULD be favored.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
This is another dream matchup for NBC, a rematch of Super Bowl XLV. Many of the same players remain from those teams, including the starting quarterbacks. The first time they faced off was in an environmentally-controlled arena, and this time would be the same thing.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
This is another matchup that NBC would like. This is a "rematch" of Super Bowl XII, 37 years later. This game would be very high-scoring (41-38?) and more than likely be close. Their regular season game in 2013 would be one many would hope this game would be similar to.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII, with basically only Tom Brady remaining from either of those two teams. The Patriots would be heavily favored, but the Panthers would give them a fight.
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Oh boy. Rematch of Super Bowl XL. This is a game I would definitely want to see, just so the Hawks could get revenge. The Hawks are scheduled to host the Steelers next season, so a Super Bowl re-rematch would take place the following season. Let's just hope for this game Bill Leavy would not be officiating.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Rematch of Super Bowl XXXII. I have dreamed of this Super Bowl matchup again for a long time, because Super Bowl XXXII was the first Super Bowl I ever watched. These two teams playing against each other look so visually appealing, with red and orange vs. yellow and green. Another dream matchup for NBC. If the Hawks can't be in the Super Bowl, THIS is the matchup I would want.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Another game for the ages. Dallas would have a TON of supporters, being much geographically closer to Arizona than New England. Hard to say who would be favored. This would be an exciting and close game, for sure.
(2) Denver Broncos vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, less than a year later. Obviously, the Broncos would be seeking revenge. A Super Bowl rematch hasn't happened the following season since Dallas and Buffalo in 1993 and 1994. Dallas won both of those games (the first easily, the second sort of easily) and I think the same would happen here.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Another dream matchup. They played in the regular season in Green Bay, with the Packers coming out victorious. New England would be seeking revenge and without Lambeau to protect the Packers, New England would have a real shot (and probably be favored). Rematch of Super Bowl XXXI.
(1) New England Patriots vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
This is the matchup many Hawks fans think will happen, are rooting for, or both. It would be the 2nd straight year the two #1 seeds face each other. This isn't technically a dream matchup for NBC, but it would be a classic. I do think the Patriots would put up more of a fight than the Broncos last season, but I see the Hawks coming out on top.
So there's all the possible Super Bowl matchups. Which will happen? We'll find out by the end of January 18, when the conference championship games conclude. Should be fun to watch.
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