Divisional Round Review

After witnessing a terrible loss by the Broncos at home to the Colts, it is hard to muster up the strength to break down the other three games from Divisional Weekend in any kind of spirited depth. Instead I’ll give a brief review and summary of some of the games because I have to admit that I am gutting through it here dealing with the sting of the Broncos loss.

Patriots-35 Ravens-31

1)    The game of the weekend and an instant classic. Can’t believe that the Pats came back down 14-0 and 28-14.

2)    Tom Brady was brilliant in the second half, and it was one of his defining moments in his career.

3)    Joe Flacco played great once again, but his late interception down by four was so awful that it marred his performance.

4)    I had no problem with the Patriots formation and how they set up the Ravens with it. I know the Ravens were mad about it, but it was legal, and the Pats declared their extra receiver eligible while taking out one of their lineman. This happens all the time in high school football as well. Give credit to Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels for what they did, and it worked well.

5)    Also, give McDaniels credit for breaking out the double pass to Julian Edelman to tie the game late in the third quarter.

6)    Flacco hit Owen Daniels in the hands in the end zone but he couldn’t come down with the pass on 3^rd and goal late in the 4^th quarter. They had to settle for a field goal and a 31-28 lead instead of being up 35-28. It opened the door for Brady and the Pats and they took advantage by taking the lead for good on a Brady to Brandon LaFell hookup late in the game.

7)    These two teams looked like the best two teams in the AFC on Sunday. The Pats won a close one and head to their 4^th straight AFC Championship-just incredible.

Seahawks-31 Panthers-17

1)    It was going to be a tall order for Carolina to pull the upset in Seattle, but at least they kept it close for awhile. They only trailed 14-10 at the half and 17-10 in the 3^rd quarter. In the end, the Seattle defense was just way too much.

2)    Russell Wilson doesn’t get enough credit because he is a really special player. He threw for 3 touchdowns, and each throw was more impressive.

3)    What can you say about the Seattle defense. They are playing better than last year. Kam Chancellor’s pick six made it 31-10 late and sealed the game, but the defense was lights out all night long. Seattle looks like they are ready to defend the Super Bowl.

4)    Seattle becomes the first Super Bowl winning team since the 2005 Patriots to win a playoff game the next year.

 Packers-26 Cowboys-21

1)    This was the second best game of the weekend. Classic setting with two classic teams, and it was a nail biter throughout.

2)    Give Aaron Rodgers credit because he played really well with a strained calf. He was laser sharp in the 4^th quarter.

3)    Interesting sequence late in the first half. With Dallas up 14-7, Dan Bailey’s field goal attempt was blocked, and the Packers turned it into a field goal right as time expired in the half. Instead of having a 17-7 lead, Dallas was now only up 14-10.

4)    The turning point of the game was Demarco Murray’s fumble in the third quarter with the Cowboys up 14-10. The Packers recovered and got a field goal to make it 14-13. If Murray doesn’t fumble, he might go all the way and score.

5)    After Rodgers guided his team back into the lead with two brilliant touchdown passes, everyone is going to point to the call on the Dez Bryant catch on 4^th and 2 late in the game. On a 4^th and 2 from the GB 32 with 4:42 left, Tony Romo found Bryant deep down the sideline. Bryant went up, caught the ball, came to the ground, bobbled it a little, and looked to secure it for a first down inside the GB five yard line. After the Packers challenged it, the officials overturned it because Bryant didn’t maintain control through the catch (The Calvin Johnson Rule). I can’t go crazy about it because although it is a shitty rule, it is the rule and the officials made the right call based on the rulebook. It is very similar to the Tuck Rule, and that is the way it goes.

6)    The Packers advance to the NFC Title game, and it is the Packers first trip back to the NFC Championship since they won the Super Bowl in 2010. The Cowboys should hold their heads up high after a really great season.