Divisional Playfoffs Update

It’s Sunday morning and I’m thankful for the last full slate of football on the weekend, until next season.  Yesterday the Ravens offense forgot they were playing the Colts.  The Cardinals defense was also determined to lose, and were curious to see if they could give up 100 pointsin two games.  There was a big disparity in the playing level of the teams that matched up yesterday.  The Colts started this season 14-0 and the Saintswere 13-0.  The Saints were stopped by the Cowboys from their undefeated regular season aspirations in a Saturday night shocker and went on to lose to division foes Carolina and a struggling Tampa Bay.  Indianapolis finished up their excellent season sitting their starters, losing their last two games.

The bad news for the Ravens and their fans was that Peyton Manning was not going to sit this one out.  The Indianapolis Peyton Manning’s had won seven straight against the Ravens going into the 8:00PM matchup last night on CBS.  But, the Ravens defense did shutdown a New England offense led by Tom Brady (that was missing its’ leading reciever) the week before.  This game was 3-3 well into the second quarter.  But, when Austin Collie then Reggie Wayne caught Manning TD passes in the second quarter, it was a wrap. 

Pierre Garcon’s five receptions, for the Colts, would’ve led the Ravens in catches at the receiver or tight end position.  Having your running back lead you in receptions in the playoffs may have worked for the Philadelphia Eagles with Brian Westbrooke, but I assure you it is not a recipe for success.  Ray Rice is an excellent young runner, but if he is the only player capable of having double digit receptions thats a problem.  Also, the great defense of the Ravens was not helped any by four turnovers.  The plays that summarized this game were the two interceptions by Ed Reed.  One was stripped by Garcon, after Reed had snagged the catch in front of him and the other was called back because of penalty.  If you want to beat the Colts, you can’t make mistakes like that.

Arizona and Kurt Warner knew they would have to play mistake free football to defeat the number one seed New Orleans Saints.  That is easier said or thought than done.  Especially when the Saints biggest off season acquisition, Darren Sharper, had nine interceptions and three TDs on the season.  Reggie Bush played extremely well against the Cards, rushing for 84 yards and compiling over 200 total yards.  He had a rushing touch down of 46 yards (a Saint’s playoff record) and a 83 yard punt return for TD in this game.  And the man made love to Kim Kardashian last night.  Just Joking, but maybe he did.  That’s the life!

Arizona missed Anquan Boldin.  The Arizona running game was simply not good enough to keep Drew Brees and his high flying offense of the field.  The game started off good for the Cards when Tim Hightower rushed for a 70 yard TD with only :19 off the clock in the first quarter.  But, Hightoweronly ended up with 87 yards and Beanie Wells only had 7 yards on 5 carries.  Dallas showed you that you cannot beat the Saints like that.  Arizona had a total of 15 rushes with two turnovers.  Again, that simply is not going to get it done when Brees throws three TDs and no ints.  Before you knew it, in this game New Orleans led 35-14 at halftime.  The Saintshad scored more at halftime then they had ever scored in an entire playoff game.  Big s to the WHO DAT nation as the Saints roll on, final score 45-10.

Okay, yesterday we had two annihilations.  Today, I think we will have a game for all-time.  The early game Dallas at Minnesota has everything an NFL fanatic could ask for.  Great back story – Toni Romo grew up in Wisconsin idolizing Brett Favre, while playing for the Packers.  Now these two headline quarterbacks do battle in the dome.  Brett Favre is 0-2 against the Cowboys in the playoffs. 

The biggest stories are not necessarily the determining factors on who wins the game though.  Whichever team is able to win the turnover battle and run the ball most effectively, will win.  It’s very interesting comparing Dallas’ running game and defense to Minnesota’s.  Dallas’ front seven has played great, led by DeMarcus Ware.  Minnesota’s defensive strength is also on the line with the William’s brothers (they’re not really brothers).  Dallas has a three-headed attack at running back with Barber, Choice, and Jones.  But, with Minnesota getting starter Adrian Peterson going is a prerequisite to winning.  Chester Taylor is also very effective when he sees the field.  I am going to say whoever has an individual rusher of over 100 yards will pull this one out.

San Diego, like Dallas, is on a serious hot-streak.  The Jets Rex Ryan 46 defense, is one of the most respected units in the league.  Phillip Rivers has been very impressive leading the passing game, on a team that used to depend on the skills of its RB Ladanian Tomlinson.  The past couple years, though, the Chargers would run into a wall about this time and not be able to advance past  New England, Indianapolis, or Pittsburgh.  Now that they are less dependent on just LT and have developed their receiving core anchored by tight end Antonio Gates they are much more formidable.

The problem with the Jets is that they are still too young.  Mark Sanchez, is of course, a rookie.  But this is also Rex Ryan’s first year coaching in NY and players like Revis, Greene, Keller, and Edwards can benefit rom a couple more years in Ryan’s and the Jets’ offensive and defensive systems.  For that reason, and the fact that I don’t believe the NYJ have enough offensive firepower I’m taking San Diego to win this one at home.  We can’t neglect, however that New York does have the number one defense in the league.  This one will be close and well played.  It is an example of the unstoppable force against the immovable object.