Divisional Playoff Thoughts

Though I went 4-0 predicting the divisional playoff games, few went the way I thought they would go.

All I can say about the Patriots is, WOW! So much for questions about their secondary. So much for the Colts putting up a lot of points. What a statement game that was! I should never have doubted. The part I got right was the role Dillon's running would play, "a running game that should keep Manning on the sidelines for long periods, not allowing him to get into a rhythm."

I was surprised at how the Steelers struggled to put the Jets away. Of the four teams in the AFC playoffs, the Jets were certainly the worst. The Steeler offense can be made to look unimpressive. On the other hand, one has to respect the maturity of the team, especially young Roethlisberger, in handling an overtime playoff game. But the fact is the Steelers looked far less impressive in their divisional win, needing two screw ups from the Jet place kicker to hold on, than the Patriots, who looked absolutely dominant against far better opposition.

Many have observed that no rookie quarterback has ever won the Super Bowl, and use this to argue against the Steelers. But while that is strictly true, it's really just semantics. In 2001, Tom Brady was technically not a rookie. He was in his second year. However, prior to 2001, he had appeared in one game and made three pass attempts. In 1999, Kurt Warner was technically not a rookie, he too was in his second year. But prior to 1999, he also had only appeared in one game and made eleven pass attempts. So those years were essentially their first playing NFL football, and they both won the Super Bowl. How are they substantively any different than rookies?

This year is a pretty good imitation of 2001. That year, the conference title games were New England at Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia at St. Louis. So, three of the four teams from that year are back. In an age of meteoric rises (Chargers from 4-12 to 12-4) and falls (Chiefs from 13-3 to 7-9, Titans from 12-4 to 5-11), that's remarkable. Furthermore, the Eagles have been to 4 of the last 4 NFC title games, and the Patriots 3 of the last 4. Both teams have been bastions of consistency in an otherwise turbulent league.

So much for rusty Eagles, eh? The offense looked good, but it's not too hard to look good against the Viking defense. It's the Eagle defense that stood out, getting pressure up front and interceptions deep. However, it must also be noted that the Vikings shot themselves repeatedly in the foot, from communication problems on a fake field goal that likely would have resulted in a touchdown, to drive-sustaining defensive penalties. If they had run a tighter game, who knows what might have happened. The wisdom of Reid's end-of-season moves are still debatable. In a tighter game, they could really have cost him. I would say Reid got away with it, but should think twice before doing it again.

I've said all season that the only weapon the Falcons have on offense is running back Michael Vick. Let him run free, he'll kill you. Contain his running and force him throw the ball, you'll kill him. The Rams were just not the team to contain Vick and force him to be a quarterback. The Eagles have a much better defense.