Seattle Seahawks, 43 Denver Broncos, 8
In New York City's surprisingly mild February weather, the Seahawks were bigger, faster, stronger and the 12th man was louder. In retrospect, it seems obvious now that the Seahawks defense wouldn't allow the record-breaking yards after catch that the AFC had allowed to Denver's WRs. The All-Pros in the secondary (CB Richard Sherman, S Kam Chancellor, S Earl Thomas) would be the only team Denver faced so far to require no help and thus be able to release a fully-staffed pass rush on Denver's depleted offensive line for essentially the first time all season. Seattle did not have to confuse the mastermind Peyton Manning, they overpowered the historic passing game and exposed that the rest of the team was not up to a Super task.
From the first snap over QB Peyton Manning's shoulder for a safety followed by two interceptions converted into touchdowns, the Seahawks dominated the first half. Seattle's suffocating defense did not allow a first down on Denver's first three drives while QB Russell Wilson made the key throws on 3rd downs to keep the Seahawks' offense moving.
The key stretch of the half was undoubtedly Denver's 2nd quarter response to S Kam Chancellor's interception that led to a RB Marshawn Lynch goal line TD that put the Seahawks up 15-0. This was the window that Manning and his record-setting miracle show finally got the ball moving on the Seahawks, albiet slowly. Notably missing were the big runs after the catch, or the huge holes for RB Knowshon Moreno. It was tough going- 14 plays to go 48 yards- but Manning was moving the chains. That is, until on the drive's 15th play when DE Cliff Avril got around an overmatched T Orlando Franklin and hit Manning's hand forcing a legendary, wobbly duck up into the air, caught by LB Malcom Smith and returned for a touchdown, 22-0.
If there was any hope the Broncos #1 All-Time offense would erase the 22 point deficit it was shattered instantly. The 2nd half kickoff was returned off a bounce for a touchdown by none other than the dynamic but injury-maligned "x-factor" WR Percy Harvin. Even up 29-0, the Seahawks D never relented, they forced two more fumbles and Wilson parsed out red zone darts to a spinning and unwinding WR Jermaine Kearse and ping-pong ball WR Doug Baldwin.
This was a nostalgic 1980s Super Bowl blowout after a decade of thrillers. A call back to the old days of NFC dominace. Remincient of Washington's 1987 thumping of Denver 42-10 or San Francisco's 1988 thumping of Denver 55-10, right down to the orange jerseys and look on John Elway's face.
Sorry, television audience, today was Seattle's day. A Super Bowl set aside for the 12th man to bury the demons of Super Bowl XL, the Supersonics departure, the Mariners 116-win season and failure to reach the World Series... today was that day.
Seattle pulled back the curtain on the Denver Broncos and the state of the inferior AFC. Thomas, Sherman and Chancellor were a force in the secondary that Denver had not yet seen. It unleashed the dogs DE Michael Bennett, DE Chris Clemons and DE Cliff Avril on Peyton Manning. Without a balanced, steamrolling offense, the rest of Denver was exposed as a below-average team depleted by key injuries. Peyton Manning will be called a choke-artist but throughout his career, his only crime has been dragging teams further than they should have gone.
KEY PLAY: The key play has to be the LB Malcom Smith's interception return. Denver was only down 15-0 at the time and was moving the ball. The credit for the interception should at least partially go to DE Cliff Avril who hit Peyton's arm on the play. In reality, there are too many key plays to count in a blowout; Percy's icing in the cake return, Chancellor's interception, Kearse and Tate's ping-pong ball touchdowns, the first-play safety, etc. The essence of a key play is a turning point, and the Seahawks really had the game in hand the entire time.
MVP: I know it's wrong to go against the actual awarded Super Bowl MVP LB Malcom Smith. Smith was involved in a few key plays but not truly in the Top 5 of defensive performances of this game.
The MVP for me is S Kam Chancellor. One day the record books will lose the true context for Peyton Manning's Super Bowl record 34 completions and Demarius Thomas' Super bowl record 13 receptions. Those records should be factored on Chancellor's legacy too. It was not garbage time stat-padding, it was a symptom of the Denver WRs fear of Chancellor's shadow and the short passing game with little yards after catch that Denver was forced to resort to.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
WHY THE SEAHAWKS WILL WIN
This week, I have been annoyed at the national media preferring the Broncos in such large numbers. Normally, I might prefer the underdog role. I wasn't proclaiming any victories against San Francisco, because I believe that team could have beaten us. I don't see Denver on that same level, this Denver team should be the underdog.
Anybody close to the Seahawks with a sense of NFL perspective knows this is something special in Seattle. The media just loves offensive numbers, loves a fantasy football star, they love to select the Broncos in Madden on the Xbox and marvel at all the broken records, but this Denver offense is not the only element of this Super Bowl. The favorite in this game should be the Seahawks. And what follows are 8 reasons why.
#1 DEFENSIVE DEPTH - The statistics and accolades are there. The Seahawks defense has allowed the fewest points, the fewest yards, created the most turnovers, and has an All-Pro secondary. Still, the national media just can't quite put a finger on what makes this defense so much better than anything Denver has seen. They chalk it up to superstars Sherman, Thomas and Chancellor, throw in some lip service to a "pass rush" and call it good. They are missing the real greatness in this defense.
The real reason Seattle is so good on defense is roster depth. They boast four starting-caliber linebackers for three positions, a murderers row of 6 or 7 defensive run-stuffers and pass-rushers, and incredible depth at cornerback. All told, the Seahawks roster depth is astounding. These players are powerful, fast, strong and disciplined. The Seahawks enlist a solid 15 -16 starting-caliber, if not above-average, players rotating in to fit their strengths. As Marshawn Lynch said; "We got some dogs".
BONUS: You may be wondering why Seattle just so happens to have all these great defensive players. If they can do it, why don't other teams also just load up on defensive talent? The reason we have these players is #1) because they drafted exceptionally well and #2) because they can afford them. With superstars Sherman, Thomas III and Wilson all on rookie contracts, there has been plenty of money to keep the defensive roster over-stocked.
#2 DEFENSIVE SCHEME (OR LACK THEREOF) - Both the Broncos and Seahawks have made it to the Super Bowl not by out-smarting but by over-powering opponents. The Broncos become the highest scoring team in league history by forcing teams to pick their own poison. The receiving corps of Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker have simply been too much speed, power and talent for most teams to cover. Those defenses have to concede somewhere and no concession goes unpunished under the watchful eye of the great Peyton Manning. If a defense over-commits to the pass, Peyton checks to the running game which then finds conveniently little resistance.
This formula, the basis by which Denver wins games, is going to seriously be put to the test against the Seahawks defense, specifically the secondary. This is one of the only defenses equipped to manage Peyton's weapons without sacrificing the pass rush or players defending the run. Seattle does not rely on complex zones or blitz packages, they have the personnel to win individual battles and challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. There are no fancy schemes for Peyton Manning to decode, the pressure will be on the receivers to dominate a secondary that, so far, has been the ones doing the dominating.
#3 BRONCOS OFFENSIVE LINE ISSUES - If Seattle's secondary is able to do what no other team has done and slow Peyton Manning's receivers down. We will be treated, on a national stage, to the actual state of the Denver Broncos' offensive line. Let's get one thing straight right away, the reason Peyton Manning isn't sacked that much is Peyton Manning. He makes the quickest decisions, has the fastest release, and is too efficient for most defenses to attack in the pass rush consistently.
But when this line is expected to hold that extra second or two, without their two best players (T Ryan Clady and C Dan Koppen are out for the year), things could get difficult. The Broncos are trotting out a 3rd-string center, a backup left tackle and struggling G Zane Beadles into the Super Bowl. They will be going against the massive Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, and Clinton McDonald, against the relentless Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. These players have had to share statistics, tackles and sacks, so they haven't received their due attention. If Peyton requires extra time, we will see the extent of this mismatch.
#4 - PEYTON'S RECORDS MEAN NOTHING HERE - National media, I understand. I really do. I love offense. I root for it every year. I rooted for the late 90's Vikings, the Manning Colts and the high-flying versions of the Patriots.
The Broncos scored 606 points. A record. So they seem unbeatable, after all this is a game of points, is it not? I hear Denver personalities trot this doozey out all the time: "you aren't going to beat the best offense in the history in the league". Well, sorry guys. Good offense, even historically good offense, is routinely beaten in the playoffs, especially lately. Let's look at the top 5 ALL-TIME offenses, prior to this season.
The 2007 New England Patriots - Lost in Super Bowl 42, scoring only 17.
The 2011 Green Bay Packers - Did not win a playoff game, scoring only 20
The 1998 Minnesota Vikings - Lost NFC Championship, 20-27.
The 2012 New Orleans Saints - Lost Divisional Round, 32-36.
The 2011 New England Patriots - Lost AFC Champoionship, scoring only 13.
These are the previous "Best Offenses Ever", and they are 0-1 in the Super Bowl. Hardly a ringing endorsement. Statisictally, it may even be more of an inditement of those teams' defenses, rather than a statement of future Super Bowl Glory.
And If we expand our sample size to the Top 15 scoring offenses of all-time? 8 of the top 15 scoring offenses missed the Super Bowl entirely. Another six of them lost the Super Bowl. The only top offense to hoist the Lombardi trophy was #9 the 1999 St. Louis Rams. 1 out of 15. Those are different teams, different years, and different players, but my point is that you can't say having the most points in regular season history is any indicator of Super Bowl success. These historically high-scoring teams lose in the playoffs all the time.
#5 - PERCY HARVIN - Seattle spent the entire offseason implementing a playbook around their new superstar, WR Percy Harvin. Unfortunately for Seattle, Percy has seen only six quarters of football as a Seattle Seahawk. He will look to add four more in the Super Bowl.
Percy Harvin could very well rack up yardage and make the highlight-reels, it's possible. The sure thing though is that he will have to be accounted for. Put plainly, Denver doesn't have the personnel (only a few teams like San Francisco or Caroloina do) to focus on Percy Harvin and Marshawn Lynch. They require too much attention and something will have to give.
#6 - DENVER'S DEFENSE - Seattle has played 7 out of their last 8 games against top 10 defenses. The only non-top 10 was the formidable pass rush of the St. Louis Rams. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Pete Carroll would never admit it, but they must feel relieved to go into the biggest game in franchise history against a significantly lesser defense than they have seen in months.
One year ago, Denver's defense was a strength. Since then, they have lost their two best players, DE Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens and LB Von Miller to injury. They have also lost their two most crucial unsung heroes to injury in top CB Chris Harris and leading tackler LB Wesley Woodyard.
Through the injuries, Denver's defense has managed to stay tough against the run all season but has been atrocious against the pass. In the postseason they have drawn fortunate matchups against the 'run-the-ball-over-and-over-without-Ryan-Matthews' San Diego Chargers and the shadow of New England's seriously hobbled offense. These injuries are likely to catch up with them in the Super Bowl against Seattle's marquee rusher and improvisational quarterback.
#7 - THE NFC IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN AFC - I don't know how any honest soul could watch the AFC and NFC Championships back-to-back and think the AFC participant should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl. The AFC game was powderpuff football compared to the NFC game. San Francisco and Seattle played a much faster, infinitely more physical, and more disciplined game.
This point is less about the statistics and more about the "eyeball test". I can tell you what I saw when I re-watched the playoffs on Game Rewind, I saw San Francisco, Carolina, New Orleans and Seattle as the four fastest, strongest teams in the NFL. The speed, power and overall depth of rosters was overwhelming. To be fair, Denver was clearly the best team in the AFC. I still do not think they would defeat any of the four divisional NFC teams.
#8 - RUSSELL WILSON - Two months ago, Russell was in the conversation for MVP but he has become a handoff machine for a much more conservative Seahawk offense. This is the way Seattle chose to play, to rely on the run game and defense and put little pressure on their passing game. It has kept Seattle's pass protection issues out of sight against the vicious defenses they faced at the end of the season and into the postseason. Still, Seattle fans (and Chicago, Arizona and Atlanta fans too) should know what this guy can do.
Wilson is a 5'10" 3rd round draft pick in only his second year. I don't blame other fanbases for not seeing it, for not sensing what kind of spark this guy can provide. I didn't understand Ray Lewis, Maurice Jones-Drew, or even Tom Brady until it was national news so I give you a pass.
Wilson is calm, cool, and clutch. He will escape, he will dazzle, and a great performance out of Russell will be impossible for Denver to overcome. Sunday could very easily become the day Russell Wilson writes his name into the NFL history books.
-----
None of this is to say that football isn't football. Let's face it, a bounce here, a bounce there, a call or two in the wrong way and entire games can change. My main point here is that the Seahawks should be the favorites. Peyton Manning will be the best player in the game, but at least 15 of the top 20 are Seahawks.
They should be favored and I hope they prove it on Sunday. Go Hawks.
-miles.
Anybody close to the Seahawks with a sense of NFL perspective knows this is something special in Seattle. The media just loves offensive numbers, loves a fantasy football star, they love to select the Broncos in Madden on the Xbox and marvel at all the broken records, but this Denver offense is not the only element of this Super Bowl. The favorite in this game should be the Seahawks. And what follows are 8 reasons why.
#1 DEFENSIVE DEPTH - The statistics and accolades are there. The Seahawks defense has allowed the fewest points, the fewest yards, created the most turnovers, and has an All-Pro secondary. Still, the national media just can't quite put a finger on what makes this defense so much better than anything Denver has seen. They chalk it up to superstars Sherman, Thomas and Chancellor, throw in some lip service to a "pass rush" and call it good. They are missing the real greatness in this defense.
The real reason Seattle is so good on defense is roster depth. They boast four starting-caliber linebackers for three positions, a murderers row of 6 or 7 defensive run-stuffers and pass-rushers, and incredible depth at cornerback. All told, the Seahawks roster depth is astounding. These players are powerful, fast, strong and disciplined. The Seahawks enlist a solid 15 -16 starting-caliber, if not above-average, players rotating in to fit their strengths. As Marshawn Lynch said; "We got some dogs".
BONUS: You may be wondering why Seattle just so happens to have all these great defensive players. If they can do it, why don't other teams also just load up on defensive talent? The reason we have these players is #1) because they drafted exceptionally well and #2) because they can afford them. With superstars Sherman, Thomas III and Wilson all on rookie contracts, there has been plenty of money to keep the defensive roster over-stocked.
#2 DEFENSIVE SCHEME (OR LACK THEREOF) - Both the Broncos and Seahawks have made it to the Super Bowl not by out-smarting but by over-powering opponents. The Broncos become the highest scoring team in league history by forcing teams to pick their own poison. The receiving corps of Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker have simply been too much speed, power and talent for most teams to cover. Those defenses have to concede somewhere and no concession goes unpunished under the watchful eye of the great Peyton Manning. If a defense over-commits to the pass, Peyton checks to the running game which then finds conveniently little resistance.
This formula, the basis by which Denver wins games, is going to seriously be put to the test against the Seahawks defense, specifically the secondary. This is one of the only defenses equipped to manage Peyton's weapons without sacrificing the pass rush or players defending the run. Seattle does not rely on complex zones or blitz packages, they have the personnel to win individual battles and challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. There are no fancy schemes for Peyton Manning to decode, the pressure will be on the receivers to dominate a secondary that, so far, has been the ones doing the dominating.
#3 BRONCOS OFFENSIVE LINE ISSUES - If Seattle's secondary is able to do what no other team has done and slow Peyton Manning's receivers down. We will be treated, on a national stage, to the actual state of the Denver Broncos' offensive line. Let's get one thing straight right away, the reason Peyton Manning isn't sacked that much is Peyton Manning. He makes the quickest decisions, has the fastest release, and is too efficient for most defenses to attack in the pass rush consistently.
But when this line is expected to hold that extra second or two, without their two best players (T Ryan Clady and C Dan Koppen are out for the year), things could get difficult. The Broncos are trotting out a 3rd-string center, a backup left tackle and struggling G Zane Beadles into the Super Bowl. They will be going against the massive Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, and Clinton McDonald, against the relentless Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. These players have had to share statistics, tackles and sacks, so they haven't received their due attention. If Peyton requires extra time, we will see the extent of this mismatch.
#4 - PEYTON'S RECORDS MEAN NOTHING HERE - National media, I understand. I really do. I love offense. I root for it every year. I rooted for the late 90's Vikings, the Manning Colts and the high-flying versions of the Patriots.
The Broncos scored 606 points. A record. So they seem unbeatable, after all this is a game of points, is it not? I hear Denver personalities trot this doozey out all the time: "you aren't going to beat the best offense in the history in the league". Well, sorry guys. Good offense, even historically good offense, is routinely beaten in the playoffs, especially lately. Let's look at the top 5 ALL-TIME offenses, prior to this season.
The 2007 New England Patriots - Lost in Super Bowl 42, scoring only 17.
The 2011 Green Bay Packers - Did not win a playoff game, scoring only 20
The 1998 Minnesota Vikings - Lost NFC Championship, 20-27.
The 2012 New Orleans Saints - Lost Divisional Round, 32-36.
The 2011 New England Patriots - Lost AFC Champoionship, scoring only 13.
These are the previous "Best Offenses Ever", and they are 0-1 in the Super Bowl. Hardly a ringing endorsement. Statisictally, it may even be more of an inditement of those teams' defenses, rather than a statement of future Super Bowl Glory.
And If we expand our sample size to the Top 15 scoring offenses of all-time? 8 of the top 15 scoring offenses missed the Super Bowl entirely. Another six of them lost the Super Bowl. The only top offense to hoist the Lombardi trophy was #9 the 1999 St. Louis Rams. 1 out of 15. Those are different teams, different years, and different players, but my point is that you can't say having the most points in regular season history is any indicator of Super Bowl success. These historically high-scoring teams lose in the playoffs all the time.
#5 - PERCY HARVIN - Seattle spent the entire offseason implementing a playbook around their new superstar, WR Percy Harvin. Unfortunately for Seattle, Percy has seen only six quarters of football as a Seattle Seahawk. He will look to add four more in the Super Bowl.
Percy Harvin could very well rack up yardage and make the highlight-reels, it's possible. The sure thing though is that he will have to be accounted for. Put plainly, Denver doesn't have the personnel (only a few teams like San Francisco or Caroloina do) to focus on Percy Harvin and Marshawn Lynch. They require too much attention and something will have to give.
#6 - DENVER'S DEFENSE - Seattle has played 7 out of their last 8 games against top 10 defenses. The only non-top 10 was the formidable pass rush of the St. Louis Rams. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Pete Carroll would never admit it, but they must feel relieved to go into the biggest game in franchise history against a significantly lesser defense than they have seen in months.
One year ago, Denver's defense was a strength. Since then, they have lost their two best players, DE Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens and LB Von Miller to injury. They have also lost their two most crucial unsung heroes to injury in top CB Chris Harris and leading tackler LB Wesley Woodyard.
Through the injuries, Denver's defense has managed to stay tough against the run all season but has been atrocious against the pass. In the postseason they have drawn fortunate matchups against the 'run-the-ball-over-and-over-without-Ryan-Matthews' San Diego Chargers and the shadow of New England's seriously hobbled offense. These injuries are likely to catch up with them in the Super Bowl against Seattle's marquee rusher and improvisational quarterback.
#7 - THE NFC IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN AFC - I don't know how any honest soul could watch the AFC and NFC Championships back-to-back and think the AFC participant should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl. The AFC game was powderpuff football compared to the NFC game. San Francisco and Seattle played a much faster, infinitely more physical, and more disciplined game.
This point is less about the statistics and more about the "eyeball test". I can tell you what I saw when I re-watched the playoffs on Game Rewind, I saw San Francisco, Carolina, New Orleans and Seattle as the four fastest, strongest teams in the NFL. The speed, power and overall depth of rosters was overwhelming. To be fair, Denver was clearly the best team in the AFC. I still do not think they would defeat any of the four divisional NFC teams.
#8 - RUSSELL WILSON - Two months ago, Russell was in the conversation for MVP but he has become a handoff machine for a much more conservative Seahawk offense. This is the way Seattle chose to play, to rely on the run game and defense and put little pressure on their passing game. It has kept Seattle's pass protection issues out of sight against the vicious defenses they faced at the end of the season and into the postseason. Still, Seattle fans (and Chicago, Arizona and Atlanta fans too) should know what this guy can do.
Wilson is a 5'10" 3rd round draft pick in only his second year. I don't blame other fanbases for not seeing it, for not sensing what kind of spark this guy can provide. I didn't understand Ray Lewis, Maurice Jones-Drew, or even Tom Brady until it was national news so I give you a pass.
Wilson is calm, cool, and clutch. He will escape, he will dazzle, and a great performance out of Russell will be impossible for Denver to overcome. Sunday could very easily become the day Russell Wilson writes his name into the NFL history books.
-----
None of this is to say that football isn't football. Let's face it, a bounce here, a bounce there, a call or two in the wrong way and entire games can change. My main point here is that the Seahawks should be the favorites. Peyton Manning will be the best player in the game, but at least 15 of the top 20 are Seahawks.
They should be favored and I hope they prove it on Sunday. Go Hawks.
-miles.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The Farewell 10 (2013/14)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-6)
It's hard to shake the heartbreaking fashion in which the Chiefs season ended, losing their star player on the first drive, building a 28 point lead anyway, and then losing anyway. But the 9-0 start, Coach Andy Reid's arrival and the star turns of RB Jamaal Charles and QB Alex Smith energized Kansas City for a comeback season.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7)
Coach Chip Kelly had a great offense in a weak NFC East and saw WR DeSean Jackson and RB LeSean McCoy return to form. QB Nick Foles emerged with amazing efficiency. All season, there were nice, bright, shining lights on those guys but the Eagles' D was exposed as the weakness as soon as the playoffs began.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-6)
The Cincinnati fanbase was dealt an illusion of progress this year; 8-0 at home, an AFC North title. Yet the result was the same, an exit in the wildcard round. It was the loss of dominating DT Geno Atkins mid-season that really precipitated the Begnals' decline from elite to middling. QB Andy Dalton had a rollercoaster year with a lot of highs, but a lot of lows. This team is built to win now, and Dalton was awful in the playoff game.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-8-1)
This season, the Packers seemed cursed. Green Bay faithful watched every injury possible including the collerbone of franchise QB Aaron Rodgers. While rookie of the year RB Eddie Lacy was able to keep them afloat in the games he wasn't injured, the Green Bay D is still a weakness and Rodgers wasn't quite at full form. The dramatic 4th-and-8 blow to the the Bears for the weak NFC North division title will have to be enough for this season.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-6)
After a strong 5-0 start, many thought we would see a Vengeance Tour from reinstated Coach Sean Payton. The tour trains never left New Orleans. QB Drew Brees and the determined Saints were a convincing 8-0 at home but struggled in almost every away game, especially Seattle. The defense gained promising young pieces like S Kenny Vaccaro and DE Cameron Jordan, but the facts are facts, they had trouble winning on the road this season
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (12-6)
Almost everyone accepts without question that WR Reggie Wayne's ACL injury was the disaster for a team that, with Wayne, beat Seattle, San Francisco and Denver. While I do agree that Wayne is a great WR and important piece, the Colts D and skill players were being carried all year by 2nd-year QB Andrew Luck. It was sort of a 1980's-Elway-carrying-Denver dynamic happening here. Luck needs more help.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (12-5)
With a stacked D led by LB Luke Kuechly, the Panthers were able to take physical control of games. This aligned with Coach Ron Rivera's decision to trust a smarter QB Cam Newton and the Panthers soared through the regular season to the 2nd seed. However, they were shocked at the speed of the playoffs. The Panthers are strong on both sides of the ball, you get the feeling they will be back someday.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-8)
The Chargers never take the easy road. QB Philip Rivers had his best season in quite some time. RB Ryan Matthews, WR Keenan Allen formed key pieces around him. S Eric Weddle led an improved defense. Their late season success and playoff run makes you wonder why they struggled so much early. The Chargers have had so much skill and talent roll through their franchise in the 2000s, but they are yet to put together a full season.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-5)
With tape, glue, injured rookie WRs and practice squad specialists, Coach Bill Bellicheck and QB Tom Brady again carried the Patriots to the AFC Championship. Brady had a serious lack of weapons this year, and the defense took far too many key injuries. The 2010s Patriots have been strong but continue to come up short, one way or another.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (14-5)
In QB Colin Kaepernick's first full year at the helm of the powerful, deep 49ers roster, things started well, plummeted down in the fall, gathered momentum in the winter to a break-neck SB-favorite speed and crashed into the brick wall/Seattle Seahawks. They bullied Green Bay and Carolina in the playoffs but their dominating late-season run was cut short with "The Tip" by Richard Sherman. That's just the way it happened.
It's hard to shake the heartbreaking fashion in which the Chiefs season ended, losing their star player on the first drive, building a 28 point lead anyway, and then losing anyway. But the 9-0 start, Coach Andy Reid's arrival and the star turns of RB Jamaal Charles and QB Alex Smith energized Kansas City for a comeback season.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7)
Coach Chip Kelly had a great offense in a weak NFC East and saw WR DeSean Jackson and RB LeSean McCoy return to form. QB Nick Foles emerged with amazing efficiency. All season, there were nice, bright, shining lights on those guys but the Eagles' D was exposed as the weakness as soon as the playoffs began.CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-6)
The Cincinnati fanbase was dealt an illusion of progress this year; 8-0 at home, an AFC North title. Yet the result was the same, an exit in the wildcard round. It was the loss of dominating DT Geno Atkins mid-season that really precipitated the Begnals' decline from elite to middling. QB Andy Dalton had a rollercoaster year with a lot of highs, but a lot of lows. This team is built to win now, and Dalton was awful in the playoff game.GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-8-1)
This season, the Packers seemed cursed. Green Bay faithful watched every injury possible including the collerbone of franchise QB Aaron Rodgers. While rookie of the year RB Eddie Lacy was able to keep them afloat in the games he wasn't injured, the Green Bay D is still a weakness and Rodgers wasn't quite at full form. The dramatic 4th-and-8 blow to the the Bears for the weak NFC North division title will have to be enough for this season.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-6)
After a strong 5-0 start, many thought we would see a Vengeance Tour from reinstated Coach Sean Payton. The tour trains never left New Orleans. QB Drew Brees and the determined Saints were a convincing 8-0 at home but struggled in almost every away game, especially Seattle. The defense gained promising young pieces like S Kenny Vaccaro and DE Cameron Jordan, but the facts are facts, they had trouble winning on the road this seasonINDIANAPOLIS COLTS (12-6)
Almost everyone accepts without question that WR Reggie Wayne's ACL injury was the disaster for a team that, with Wayne, beat Seattle, San Francisco and Denver. While I do agree that Wayne is a great WR and important piece, the Colts D and skill players were being carried all year by 2nd-year QB Andrew Luck. It was sort of a 1980's-Elway-carrying-Denver dynamic happening here. Luck needs more help.CAROLINA PANTHERS (12-5)
With a stacked D led by LB Luke Kuechly, the Panthers were able to take physical control of games. This aligned with Coach Ron Rivera's decision to trust a smarter QB Cam Newton and the Panthers soared through the regular season to the 2nd seed. However, they were shocked at the speed of the playoffs. The Panthers are strong on both sides of the ball, you get the feeling they will be back someday.SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-8)
The Chargers never take the easy road. QB Philip Rivers had his best season in quite some time. RB Ryan Matthews, WR Keenan Allen formed key pieces around him. S Eric Weddle led an improved defense. Their late season success and playoff run makes you wonder why they struggled so much early. The Chargers have had so much skill and talent roll through their franchise in the 2000s, but they are yet to put together a full season.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-5)
With tape, glue, injured rookie WRs and practice squad specialists, Coach Bill Bellicheck and QB Tom Brady again carried the Patriots to the AFC Championship. Brady had a serious lack of weapons this year, and the defense took far too many key injuries. The 2010s Patriots have been strong but continue to come up short, one way or another.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (14-5)
In QB Colin Kaepernick's first full year at the helm of the powerful, deep 49ers roster, things started well, plummeted down in the fall, gathered momentum in the winter to a break-neck SB-favorite speed and crashed into the brick wall/Seattle Seahawks. They bullied Green Bay and Carolina in the playoffs but their dominating late-season run was cut short with "The Tip" by Richard Sherman. That's just the way it happened.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sunday 1/19/14 (AFC/NFC)
Denver Broncos, 26 New England Patriots, 16
So maybe the odds were a little more stacked against the Patriots than we were willing to admit. QB Peyton Manning and his blue-chip weapons man-handled the rag-tag collection of Patriots to a 26-16 game that was far more one-sided than the score admits. WR Demaryius Thomas was dominant with 7 recptions for 134 yards, and TE Julius Thomas had 8 for 85. The Broncos offensive line kept Peyton Manning clean as a whistle. The Broncos defense shut down the Patriots running game, last week's Patriot hero RB LaGarrete Blount was held to six yards on five carries. It was all Denver on this night.
In hindsight, It really says something about Coach Bill Bellicheck and QB Tom Brady's historical ability to overcome personell issues that the media coverage up to this game was universally unwilling to call this game for the Broncos. The offense had their two emerging rookie recievers hobbled and was missing their main weapon TE Rob Gronkowski. The defense was missing essential pieces including Vince Wilfork, Brandon Spikes and Jarod Mayo. When CB Aqib Talib went down after a brutal block from former Pat WR Wes Welker, the jig was up. The Broncos moved the ball with ease, and had their way with a limited Patriot offense.
KEY PLAY: In a game with no turnovers, and a Denver offense racking up more yards than any Bill Bellicheck Patriot team ever have up, the Broncos defense was the big surprise. Near the end of the 3rd quarter, New England went aggressive on 4th-and-3, down 20-3, hoping to even out the game, until DT Terrance Knighten came through with a massive, pounding 10-yard loss sack.
MVP: WR Demaryius Thomas was bigger, faster and stronger than the Patriots' secondary (especially without Talib). He sliced past, and bowled through various Patriot arm tackles all game. Honorable mention certainly goes to his quarterback who truly spread the ball around masterfully but Thomas was the main target, the Patriots could not account for him.
Seattle Seahawks, 23 San Francisco 49ers, 17
The pundits could not have been more correct about the nature of the Seattle/San Francisco Slugfest. Everyone and their mother avoided calling another home blowout by Seattle. Everyone knew the game would be close, it would linger hard-fought in the trenches and end in thrilling fashion. The 49ers and the Seahawks delivered exactly that. A Classic Slug-fest.
LB Aldon Smith sacked, stripped and recovered a fumble from QB Russell Wilson on the very first play of the game. This gave San Francisco the ball at their own 15 but they went 3-and-out had to settle for a field goal. The tone was set. The entire first half was a defensive slugfest and ended 10-3 in San Francisco's favor. The difference was QB Colin Kaepernicks electrifying 58-yard run that set up a 1-yard, 4th down thump by RB Anthony Dixon.
In the second half, the give-and-take ensued. The Seahawks pounded straight through with RB Marshawn Lynch while Kaepernick worked from the outside, breaking containment for first downs, and a jumping dart to WR Anquan Boldin just over S Earl Thomas. Seattle responded with a gutsy 4th-and-7 to WR Jermaine Kearse. QB Russell Wilson caught Aldon Smith inexplicably offisdes with a hard count on a 4th down of a NFC Championship game (really, Aldon?) and took the free play, his own amazing throw to Kearse to give Seattle the lead.
In the 4th quarter, both defenses clamped down again. Two Kaepernick turnovers in 49er territory could have spelled doom, but San Francisco's defense allowed only 3 points. Thus, San Francisco, with 3:32 to go, 3 timeouts, down 23-17, needed only a touchdown to win. They moved the ball slowly but surely, converting a 4th-and-2 to RB Frank Gore, and a 11-yard strike to TE Vernon Davis to put them in the red zone with 0:30 on the clock. Every pundit and their mother nodded their head "I told you so" they nodded "this game would be close".
KEY PLAY: The key play has to be the final play. QB Colin Kaepernick made the same fatal mistake he made in the Super Bowl, he locked in on WR Michael Crabtree, felt the pressure from DE Cliff Avril and the ball was tipped by CB Richard Sherman into the hands of LB Malcom Smith. Kaepernick was stripped or intercepted on all 3 of his 4th quarter possession.
MVP: Former Stanford WR Doug Baldwin was the difference in this game. 106 receiving yards, including an improvised 51-yard bomb to set up Seattle's first points and a crucial kickoff return counter-punch to the San Francisco 33 after San Francisco had went up 17-10.
So maybe the odds were a little more stacked against the Patriots than we were willing to admit. QB Peyton Manning and his blue-chip weapons man-handled the rag-tag collection of Patriots to a 26-16 game that was far more one-sided than the score admits. WR Demaryius Thomas was dominant with 7 recptions for 134 yards, and TE Julius Thomas had 8 for 85. The Broncos offensive line kept Peyton Manning clean as a whistle. The Broncos defense shut down the Patriots running game, last week's Patriot hero RB LaGarrete Blount was held to six yards on five carries. It was all Denver on this night.
In hindsight, It really says something about Coach Bill Bellicheck and QB Tom Brady's historical ability to overcome personell issues that the media coverage up to this game was universally unwilling to call this game for the Broncos. The offense had their two emerging rookie recievers hobbled and was missing their main weapon TE Rob Gronkowski. The defense was missing essential pieces including Vince Wilfork, Brandon Spikes and Jarod Mayo. When CB Aqib Talib went down after a brutal block from former Pat WR Wes Welker, the jig was up. The Broncos moved the ball with ease, and had their way with a limited Patriot offense.
KEY PLAY: In a game with no turnovers, and a Denver offense racking up more yards than any Bill Bellicheck Patriot team ever have up, the Broncos defense was the big surprise. Near the end of the 3rd quarter, New England went aggressive on 4th-and-3, down 20-3, hoping to even out the game, until DT Terrance Knighten came through with a massive, pounding 10-yard loss sack.
MVP: WR Demaryius Thomas was bigger, faster and stronger than the Patriots' secondary (especially without Talib). He sliced past, and bowled through various Patriot arm tackles all game. Honorable mention certainly goes to his quarterback who truly spread the ball around masterfully but Thomas was the main target, the Patriots could not account for him.
Seattle Seahawks, 23 San Francisco 49ers, 17
The pundits could not have been more correct about the nature of the Seattle/San Francisco Slugfest. Everyone and their mother avoided calling another home blowout by Seattle. Everyone knew the game would be close, it would linger hard-fought in the trenches and end in thrilling fashion. The 49ers and the Seahawks delivered exactly that. A Classic Slug-fest.
LB Aldon Smith sacked, stripped and recovered a fumble from QB Russell Wilson on the very first play of the game. This gave San Francisco the ball at their own 15 but they went 3-and-out had to settle for a field goal. The tone was set. The entire first half was a defensive slugfest and ended 10-3 in San Francisco's favor. The difference was QB Colin Kaepernicks electrifying 58-yard run that set up a 1-yard, 4th down thump by RB Anthony Dixon.
In the second half, the give-and-take ensued. The Seahawks pounded straight through with RB Marshawn Lynch while Kaepernick worked from the outside, breaking containment for first downs, and a jumping dart to WR Anquan Boldin just over S Earl Thomas. Seattle responded with a gutsy 4th-and-7 to WR Jermaine Kearse. QB Russell Wilson caught Aldon Smith inexplicably offisdes with a hard count on a 4th down of a NFC Championship game (really, Aldon?) and took the free play, his own amazing throw to Kearse to give Seattle the lead.
In the 4th quarter, both defenses clamped down again. Two Kaepernick turnovers in 49er territory could have spelled doom, but San Francisco's defense allowed only 3 points. Thus, San Francisco, with 3:32 to go, 3 timeouts, down 23-17, needed only a touchdown to win. They moved the ball slowly but surely, converting a 4th-and-2 to RB Frank Gore, and a 11-yard strike to TE Vernon Davis to put them in the red zone with 0:30 on the clock. Every pundit and their mother nodded their head "I told you so" they nodded "this game would be close".
KEY PLAY: The key play has to be the final play. QB Colin Kaepernick made the same fatal mistake he made in the Super Bowl, he locked in on WR Michael Crabtree, felt the pressure from DE Cliff Avril and the ball was tipped by CB Richard Sherman into the hands of LB Malcom Smith. Kaepernick was stripped or intercepted on all 3 of his 4th quarter possession.
MVP: Former Stanford WR Doug Baldwin was the difference in this game. 106 receiving yards, including an improvised 51-yard bomb to set up Seattle's first points and a crucial kickoff return counter-punch to the San Francisco 33 after San Francisco had went up 17-10.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Championship Weekend 2014
New England Patriots (13-4) @ Denver Broncos (14-3)
The Chargers were still walking dejectedly off the field in the background and there was already a reporter with a microphone to QB Peyton Manning's face asking about the significance of his rivalry with QB Tom Brady. The look at Peyton's face was priceless, but he rattled off the boilerplate "well, it's not Peyton vs- Tom it's Broncos -vs Patriots" answer. True, but he knows, this is big.It is true that this is a Patriots -vs Broncos game. These Patriots are not the seasoned champions generally associated with the Manning/Brady rivalry. In fact, there are no Patriots on the active roster that have a Patriot Super Bowl ring besides Brady. The Broncos, clearly, are an entirely different team to this rivalry than the usual Colts. Truly, the other 88 players are playing just a normal AFC Championship between #1 and #2 in the AFC.
But doesn't that just make the rivalry all the more interesting? Here are in-arguably two of the top five QBs in NFL history meeting a full 10 years after the Colts/Patriots 2003 AFC Championship. Since then, they have combined for 3 Super Bowl wins, 3 Super Bowl losses, 7 MVP awards, and have traded the passing touchdown record from Manning's 48 TDs in 2004, to Brady's 50 in 2007, to Manning's 55 this season. Everything around them has built up, fallen down and rebuilt but here they are, yet again, with two entirely different rosters competing at the very top of the AFC and a chance to solidify themselves as the best QB in NFL History.
I know some will bristle at that, maybe muttering 'Joe Montana', 'Terry Bradshaw' or 'Brett Favre' under their breath right about now. Really though, this is a chance at best QB in NFL history for both of them. A Super Bowl victory by Brady or Manning would make overwhelming cases. It would give Brady 4 championships, two other appearances, and much better stat-lines and longevity than the other 4-time champs (Montana and Bradshaw). For Manning, a 2nd championship with another team would sit impressively beside the 5 MVP awards. This game will provide one with that shot.
The game is about the two quarterbacks, it just is, whether you like it or not. These are guys who get teams to the Super Bowl. And there is only one thing that is clear between the Broncos or Patriots., Neither team is going to the Super Bowl without a big performance from their Hall-Of-Fame Quarterback.
KEYS FOR NE: After all the hyperbole I just wrote about legendary quarterbacks it's hilarious to come back to keys of the game and talk about the running backs. It's true though. I don't know if it will be RB LaGarette Blount, or if the Patriots will unleash another weapon in typical Patriot fashion. If there was a game for DE Chandler Jones to emerge this would be it. Nobody is going to cover all those receivers for very long and a pass rush is the formula to victory.
KEYS FOR DEN: In their previous OT loss in New England, the Broncos offense was about as hindered as it had been all season. In the bitter cold, they relied on turnovers and RB Knowshon Moreno to an early lead and collapse late to lose in OT. This game will need to involve WR Demaryius Thomas, WR Wes Welker and TE Julius Thomas much more. The Broncos main advantage will be in these players in the skill positions on the outside.
San Francisco 49ers (14-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
The two best teams in the NFL play two weeks before the Super Bowl. It's hard to argue with the power, strength and speed these two young teams have. In the last two years a red-hot rivalry has exploded on the west coast. These teams dislike each other intensely. They have split 2-2 in the last two seasons, each won the division once, and will now meet in the NFC Championship for a shot at the Super Bowl.Coach Pete Carroll and Coach Jim Harbaugh do not like each other. They may respect each other, they may even admire the other's success but as Pete Carroll added after another coachspeak session about respecting your opponent "...but we are not friends". From their 'whats your deal?' Stanford and USC days, they are epic contrasts in sideline style. Harbaugh will throw his tempter tantrums at the referees throughout the entire game and Carroll will cheer, smirk, and smack his Bubblicious. It will make for good TV between plays. During the actual plays we will see two very similarly built teams.
Both teams are young, absolutely bursting with speed and talent on defense and offense, Before and throughout the season they have made convincing cases as the top two teams in the league. The reason is their overall roster depth and their under-rated skill players. Two of a dying breed, the workhorse backs, RB Frank Gore and RB Marshawn Lynch will wage war on the formidable front sevens. Two of the new age, QB Colin Kaepernick and QB Russell Wilson will look for the big game-changing plays through the air, or on the ground. The top two defenses in the league will search, stretch, scratch and pummel for a big turnover or stop.
The nature of the last four games has been knock-down, drag-out, wars in the trenches but both teams have enough firepower to open it up if they need to as well. Seattle's offense has struggled for the last month while San Francisco's has been red hot. Then again, San Francisco;s offense has been absolutely slaughtered in Seattle 16 total points in their last two trips. The lack of momentum on Seattle's side, the deafening noise jamming San Francisco's side. I'm willing to chalk these two factors to a draw.
KEYS FOR SF: QB Colin Kaepernick likely will need a quick start to take Seattle's crowd down a notch. Although he has insisted it is "not that loud" and that the team simply "didn't execute", he has been visibly rattled and thrown 4 interceptions to 1 garbage-time touchdown. The 49ers are up against their younger selves, they don't win without a big game from Kap.
KEYS FOR SEA: Fans, media, pundits alike are worried sick about the offense. It's the way we are. Fantasy football, offensive records, Madden games, they all revolve around what the offense is doing. With these kind of eyes, the 9-yard reception is worth a thousand times more than the 9-yard pass defended. CB Richard Sherman, S Earl Thomas, LB Bobby Wagner, DE Red Bryant, these are names that are just as important as running backs, quarterbacks or wide receivers. This is one of the best defenses of all time, and this is their biggest stage so far to prove it.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Sunday 1/12/14 (Divsional)
San Francisco 49ers, 23 Carolina Panthers, 10
San Francisco continues their bid as this year's hot team in the post-season, dispatching Carolina swiftly - bullying, mocking, and pounding over a previously hot Panthers team. The Panthers pressed early and seemed to wear down late. After the game, QB Cam Newton admitted the postseason pace was a bit of a shock. Without WR Steve Smith (who aggravated his previous injury), the Panthers offense was overwhelmed by the 49er Defense.
In the 1st half, the 49ers were given three huge breaks; an awful unnecessary roughness call with a tipped ball in the air to continue the first drive, a missed 12-man in the huddle call on a touchdown before the half and a head-butt personal foul called against the Panthers but later uncalled against WR Anquan Boldin.
Coach Jim Harbaugh has built an impressive team and bad calls & temper tantrums aside (Harbaugh literally ran on the field waving and flaying his arms like a child at one point) the 49ers steamrolled the Panthers in the 2nd half. QB Colin Kaepernick took awhile to get going, but made enough plays with his arm and his legs. The backbone was another under-hyped performance from RB Frank Gore, 92 total yards in this slugfest.
KEY PLAY: 3rd down and 1 with 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Panthers D was primed for a stand and a swing of momentum. Instead, RB Frank Gore burst through for a 39-yard run to the Carolina 27-yard line. In a game full of defensive stops and short yardage stands, this conversion was huge.
MVP: WR Anquan Boldin jawed with the cornerbacks and got away with multiple personal fouls that were inexplicably not called. He was also the entire passing game for San Francisco (136 of 196 total passing yards) and the difference in the game.
Denver Broncos, 24 San Diego Chargers, 17
QB Peyton Manning would never admit it, but he had to feel some relief after winning his first playoff game since the 2009 season and first with the Denver Broncos. I would imagine the Broncos, who paid a pretty penny for Manning two years ago, breathed significant a sigh of relief as well. The Broncos rolled through the Chargers. They built a nice 17-0 lead for 3 quarters, and when Chargers unlocked their potential by opening things up for QB Phillip Rivers who sliced and diced down the field cutting the lead 17-7 in the 4th, Manning and RB Knowshon Moreno led a emphatic rebuttal drive to keep the Chargers at bay, capped by Moreno's 3-yard TD run.
Although WR Keenan Allen (6 rec, 142 yards and 2 TDs) might have a long career of terrorizing the Denver Broncos ahead, it was too little too late. LB Shaun Philips and the Broncos D held the Chargers to 259 yards, a nice sign for a beleaguered unit consistently put into the 'weakness' blurb in the Broncos media breakdown.
KEY PLAY: With 3:51 remaining in the game 24-17, the Chargers hot off another Keenan Allen touchdown and with 2 timeouts, it would have fit the narrative so well if Peyton Manning had gone 3-and-out when it counted. Even after all the records and hype, they would fail to get it done when it mattered. That almost happened. After a false start, a 2 yard loss and an incomplete pass, the Broncos faced a 3rd-and-17 and the prospect of giving the ball back with 3 minutes to play. Instead, Manning re-wrote the storyline with a 21-yard sideline dart to TE Julius Thomas. The Broncos ran the ball well, Manning converted another 3rd down to Thomas with 2:12 left and the Broncos held the ball to win the game.
MVP: The offense was held under 400 yards for the first time all year, but QB Peyton Manning was 25 for 36 and two touchdowns. Truly, it should have been four, two balls hit receivers in the chest, one intercepted, one settled for a field goal. He engineered the final two drives, the TD drive to put them back up 17, and the final drive to eat the clock. Manning even gained 25 yards drawing five different Chargers into encroachment, catching them listening to the 'omaha' snap count signal.
San Francisco continues their bid as this year's hot team in the post-season, dispatching Carolina swiftly - bullying, mocking, and pounding over a previously hot Panthers team. The Panthers pressed early and seemed to wear down late. After the game, QB Cam Newton admitted the postseason pace was a bit of a shock. Without WR Steve Smith (who aggravated his previous injury), the Panthers offense was overwhelmed by the 49er Defense.
In the 1st half, the 49ers were given three huge breaks; an awful unnecessary roughness call with a tipped ball in the air to continue the first drive, a missed 12-man in the huddle call on a touchdown before the half and a head-butt personal foul called against the Panthers but later uncalled against WR Anquan Boldin.
Coach Jim Harbaugh has built an impressive team and bad calls & temper tantrums aside (Harbaugh literally ran on the field waving and flaying his arms like a child at one point) the 49ers steamrolled the Panthers in the 2nd half. QB Colin Kaepernick took awhile to get going, but made enough plays with his arm and his legs. The backbone was another under-hyped performance from RB Frank Gore, 92 total yards in this slugfest.
KEY PLAY: 3rd down and 1 with 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Panthers D was primed for a stand and a swing of momentum. Instead, RB Frank Gore burst through for a 39-yard run to the Carolina 27-yard line. In a game full of defensive stops and short yardage stands, this conversion was huge.
MVP: WR Anquan Boldin jawed with the cornerbacks and got away with multiple personal fouls that were inexplicably not called. He was also the entire passing game for San Francisco (136 of 196 total passing yards) and the difference in the game.
Denver Broncos, 24 San Diego Chargers, 17
QB Peyton Manning would never admit it, but he had to feel some relief after winning his first playoff game since the 2009 season and first with the Denver Broncos. I would imagine the Broncos, who paid a pretty penny for Manning two years ago, breathed significant a sigh of relief as well. The Broncos rolled through the Chargers. They built a nice 17-0 lead for 3 quarters, and when Chargers unlocked their potential by opening things up for QB Phillip Rivers who sliced and diced down the field cutting the lead 17-7 in the 4th, Manning and RB Knowshon Moreno led a emphatic rebuttal drive to keep the Chargers at bay, capped by Moreno's 3-yard TD run.
Although WR Keenan Allen (6 rec, 142 yards and 2 TDs) might have a long career of terrorizing the Denver Broncos ahead, it was too little too late. LB Shaun Philips and the Broncos D held the Chargers to 259 yards, a nice sign for a beleaguered unit consistently put into the 'weakness' blurb in the Broncos media breakdown.
KEY PLAY: With 3:51 remaining in the game 24-17, the Chargers hot off another Keenan Allen touchdown and with 2 timeouts, it would have fit the narrative so well if Peyton Manning had gone 3-and-out when it counted. Even after all the records and hype, they would fail to get it done when it mattered. That almost happened. After a false start, a 2 yard loss and an incomplete pass, the Broncos faced a 3rd-and-17 and the prospect of giving the ball back with 3 minutes to play. Instead, Manning re-wrote the storyline with a 21-yard sideline dart to TE Julius Thomas. The Broncos ran the ball well, Manning converted another 3rd down to Thomas with 2:12 left and the Broncos held the ball to win the game.
MVP: The offense was held under 400 yards for the first time all year, but QB Peyton Manning was 25 for 36 and two touchdowns. Truly, it should have been four, two balls hit receivers in the chest, one intercepted, one settled for a field goal. He engineered the final two drives, the TD drive to put them back up 17, and the final drive to eat the clock. Manning even gained 25 yards drawing five different Chargers into encroachment, catching them listening to the 'omaha' snap count signal.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Saturday 1/11/14 (Divisional)
Seattle Seahawks, 23 New Orleans Saints, 15
The weather in Seattle alternated from stormy downpours to blue sky sunshine and back again as the Seahawks were able to handle the Saints and fend of a furious, wild comeback attempt.
In the end, the Saints out-gained the Seahawks 409 yards to 277 but missed two field goals, lost a fumble and had zero points through the first three quarters.
QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston and the slew of Saint pass-catchers didn't really get the ball moving until the 4th quarter, already down 16-0. They chipped away with a touchdown drive and 2pt conversion, 8-16.
Unfortunately for New Orleans, K Shayne Graham missed a chance to add 3 more late in the 4th quarter and RB Marshawn Lynch placed the sluggish offense on his back with a 31-yard run, a stiff-arm harkening back to that fateful 2011 wild card game.
When the blue skies had returned the Saints were in desperation mode. They needed two touchdowns with 2:40 on the clock. Amazingly, they got one with 0:32 on the clock and subsqueqently recovered the onside kick. No miracles were to be had on this day. A trick play with an illegal forward pass ran the clock and Seattle breathed relief, and advanced.
KEY PLAY: In a vision right out of the Seattle offseason QB Russell Wilson pump faked to WR Percy Harvin, the entire Saints D bit and RB Marshawn Lynch was handed the ball in space, he pounded through the exposed Saints secondary for his 1st touchdown of the game. With the elements pounding down, a 10-0 lead was crucial.
MVP: RB Marshawn Lynch is the perfect compliment to the tough, physical Seattle D. Lynch bashed the Saints for 140 yards and 2 TDs, once again he not only produced and set the tone but delivered the knockout punch.
NewEngland Patriots, 43 Indianapolis Colts, 22
The New England Patriot run game has been impressive this year, nostalgic memories of the early Brady years. A bullying offensive line broke the Patriots backs (primarily RB LaGarrete Blount this time) for 234 total rushing yards. The Colts D was over-matched, and consequently the Colts offense pressed a little too hard.
QB Andrew Luck actually played fairly similar to the Kansas City game. He was lightning in a bottle on a few brilliant throws but other times looked rattled and forced into a few bad throws, four of which were intercepted (he threw three bad interceptions against KC, a forgotten stat). This time, there was no rhythm to be had for a comeback as Luck sat mostly on the sidelines watching the Patriots run the ball for touchdowns after his interceptions. After the game, Luck shaved the "neard" on his face and said he felt like a "lost puppy", not having expected to lose. Everyone knows we have not seen the last of Andrew Luck.
On the other end of the spectrum, QB Tom Brady was efficient with 198 yards, content to hand the ball off for Blount and RB Stevan Ridley's combined six rushing touchdowns. The Patriots ran the ball 46 times and passed 25, a far cry from the 2007-2012 pass-happy group that has come short of two Super Bowls.
KEY PLAY: Only 29-22 to start the 4th quarter, RB LaGarrete Blount's 73-yard touchdown run set the nail up and LB Jamie Collins' interception on the next play hammered it down.
MVP: RB LaGarrete Blount, 166 yards and 4 touchdowns, delivers one of the more impressive postseason performances thus far. The announcers mentioned a few times that he was "running with purpose". Normally, that phrase sounds cliche' but watching Blount run in this game, I find it to be an appropriate description.
The weather in Seattle alternated from stormy downpours to blue sky sunshine and back again as the Seahawks were able to handle the Saints and fend of a furious, wild comeback attempt.
In the end, the Saints out-gained the Seahawks 409 yards to 277 but missed two field goals, lost a fumble and had zero points through the first three quarters.
QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston and the slew of Saint pass-catchers didn't really get the ball moving until the 4th quarter, already down 16-0. They chipped away with a touchdown drive and 2pt conversion, 8-16.
Unfortunately for New Orleans, K Shayne Graham missed a chance to add 3 more late in the 4th quarter and RB Marshawn Lynch placed the sluggish offense on his back with a 31-yard run, a stiff-arm harkening back to that fateful 2011 wild card game.
When the blue skies had returned the Saints were in desperation mode. They needed two touchdowns with 2:40 on the clock. Amazingly, they got one with 0:32 on the clock and subsqueqently recovered the onside kick. No miracles were to be had on this day. A trick play with an illegal forward pass ran the clock and Seattle breathed relief, and advanced.
KEY PLAY: In a vision right out of the Seattle offseason QB Russell Wilson pump faked to WR Percy Harvin, the entire Saints D bit and RB Marshawn Lynch was handed the ball in space, he pounded through the exposed Saints secondary for his 1st touchdown of the game. With the elements pounding down, a 10-0 lead was crucial.
MVP: RB Marshawn Lynch is the perfect compliment to the tough, physical Seattle D. Lynch bashed the Saints for 140 yards and 2 TDs, once again he not only produced and set the tone but delivered the knockout punch.
NewEngland Patriots, 43 Indianapolis Colts, 22
The New England Patriot run game has been impressive this year, nostalgic memories of the early Brady years. A bullying offensive line broke the Patriots backs (primarily RB LaGarrete Blount this time) for 234 total rushing yards. The Colts D was over-matched, and consequently the Colts offense pressed a little too hard.
QB Andrew Luck actually played fairly similar to the Kansas City game. He was lightning in a bottle on a few brilliant throws but other times looked rattled and forced into a few bad throws, four of which were intercepted (he threw three bad interceptions against KC, a forgotten stat). This time, there was no rhythm to be had for a comeback as Luck sat mostly on the sidelines watching the Patriots run the ball for touchdowns after his interceptions. After the game, Luck shaved the "neard" on his face and said he felt like a "lost puppy", not having expected to lose. Everyone knows we have not seen the last of Andrew Luck.
On the other end of the spectrum, QB Tom Brady was efficient with 198 yards, content to hand the ball off for Blount and RB Stevan Ridley's combined six rushing touchdowns. The Patriots ran the ball 46 times and passed 25, a far cry from the 2007-2012 pass-happy group that has come short of two Super Bowls.
KEY PLAY: Only 29-22 to start the 4th quarter, RB LaGarrete Blount's 73-yard touchdown run set the nail up and LB Jamie Collins' interception on the next play hammered it down.
MVP: RB LaGarrete Blount, 166 yards and 4 touchdowns, delivers one of the more impressive postseason performances thus far. The announcers mentioned a few times that he was "running with purpose". Normally, that phrase sounds cliche' but watching Blount run in this game, I find it to be an appropriate description.
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