 |
| Joe Flacco has delivered for the Ravens this post-season. |
Broncos 35
This game had everything. Trindon Holliday returning a punt (90 yards) and a kickoff (104 yards) for touchdowns, some of the worst officiating in playoff history (Bill Vinovich and his crew gave the replacement referees a run for their money), and a 47 yard double overtime game winning field goal by rookie kicker Justin Tucker.
Broncos - I can't help but think of Alex Rodriguez when I watch Peyton Manning. They each broke through and won that elusive championship, but every other post-season has been filled with disappointment. When we look back on their careers, I think we'll remember them more for the what ifs than the incredible statistics.
Manning deserves the blame for this loss. His across the body throw at the end of the first overtime resulted in an interception that decided the game. This was the type of play you expect to see from a rookie (or his brother), not from a QB whom people say is the best in NFL history.
John Fox, the Broncos head coach, will shoulder some of the blame as well. His decision to kneel down and go to overtime with 32 seconds on the clock and 2 timeouts will be scrutinized forever if the Broncos and Manning don't get to a Super Bowl.
That being said, when you have an immortal QB (or any QB for that matter), you don't expect him to turn the ball over 3 times in a home playoff game. Take away the special teams touchdowns from Holliday and you get a Ravens route.
Ravens - This was Joe Flacco's "Give me a contract extension" game. His stat line read 18/34, 331 yards, 3 TD's, and 0 turnovers. To put up those kinds of numbers on the road against a team that was favored by 10 points is remarkable. Every time the Ravens needed a big throw Flacco delivered. This is the type of game that if you win a Super Bowl you point to as the springboard.
Everyone felt that a Patriots versus Broncos AFC Championship Game was preordained. The Ravens went out and threw a wrench into that. Many analysts are already calling for Ravens versus Patriots and predicting an easy Patriots win.
If the Ravens are ever going to get to a Super Bowl with this group, it would only be right that they had to go through New England to get there.
--------------------
49ers 45
Packers 31
KAE-PER-NICK! KAE-PER-NICK! KAE-PER-NICK!
Packers -
Aaron Rodgers can only do so much. He has no margin for error, playing with one of the most overrated defenses in the league and a well below average offensive line. The fact that he was sacked 51 times during the regular season and managed to lead the league in passer rating is mind boggling.
Everyone on the defense (with the exception of Clay Matthews) should be expendable. When is the last time BJ Raji made a big play? Or Charles Woodson? The Packers need to let the holdovers from the Super Bowl go and retool for another run.
It bears repeating; Sentimentality is the difference between good teams and great teams. The good teams are sentimental to players whose play has diminished (Raji, Woodson) but were responsible for the team winning in the past, while the great teams (Patriots) have no sentiment and will release or trade a player when he isn't contributing.
49ers -
The move that head coach John Harbaugh made to go from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick was made specifically for the playoffs. Kaepernick adds a dynamic to the 49ers that Smith never could. His ability to throw the deep ball while having the speed of a thoroughbred racehorse makes him a rare talent. To piggyback off of what FOX Sports columnist Jason Whitlock said, he's better than Michael Vick ever was. He's Steve Young with more physical talent.
The 49ers defense was exposed in their win against the Patriots. Teams like the Seahawks and Packers have had no problem moving the ball on them. That means that the NFC Championship will be won or lost by Kaepernick.
Regardless of what happens next week, the move to Kaepernick has payed off. He has given the 49ers hope for an even brighter future, one filled with consistent playoff appearances and a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl.
No comments:
Post a Comment