NFL in Brief
It’s hard to think of a Wild Card weekend in recent years that passed with such predictability. At times, it seemed that the most unexpected twists and turns could be found on MSNBC, where the Republican and Democratic primaries have turned into the political equivalent of a jump-ball. Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary may just turn out to be more exciting than Monday’s week-late BCS title game.Back in the NFL, though, the pundits overwhelmingly picked Jacksonville and San Diego to win and, yea - so it occurred. The NFC wildcard games were murkier for the prognosticators (some of whom went with their hearts and picked Washington) but it’s hard to be surprised that New York and Seattle came out victorious. The biggest “surprise” was how, for the most part, these games ended without a surprising underdog headed for round two to knock off a real favorite.
In what could rightly be considered the “overture” of the playoff weekend, the first game between Seattle and Washington provided all the high drama, emotion and excitement that befit a game on which the experts were split. Seattle proved why it deserved to be in the playoffs by taking advantage of its home field crowd, experience and superior quarterback play to hold an emotionally charged Redskins team at bay. For a few minutes in the late third and early fourth quarters, it seemed that Washington was on its way to adding another chapter to a magical season. Seattle, however, wanted no part of Sean Taylor’s legacy and slammed the door shut, earning a trip to Lambeau to face the Packers.
The second game of Saturday proved to be just as predicted: the best of the weekend. Two evenly matched teams waged a war of wills that was right out of an NFL Films special. The most telling part of Jacksonville’s win was that they lost a key interior defensive lineman in the early going, but were able to keep attacking the skittish Ben Roethlisberger and stopping the inside run. If Jacksonville can keep doing that, they have an incredible chance against any team from here on out. Don’t cry for Pittsburgh, though - their fate was sealed when Willie Parker went down weeks ago, to say nothing of a team’s chances with a first-year head coach.
On Sunday, I figured Garcia’s poise and Gruden’s scheme would make mincemeat of the Giants - boy, was I wrong. The Giants’ defense is much, much better than most have realized, even with the vocal praise they’ve received for much of the year. All season long, people have been talking about the pressure and sacks that this Giant unit generates and it is astounding. The reason for this defensive line success, however, is the Giants’ secondary. Garcia was unable to find an open receiver beyond 10 yards for much of the game - with coverage like that, combined with the youth of the Tampa Bay offensive line, it is no small wonder that the Giants dominated. Some have already been saying that Eli proved something on Sunday, but be careful how much faith you place in him - he’s still Eli.
The final game of the weekend was much closer than many expected, and proved once again that the national media has stars in its eyes when it comes to the Chargers. Continually, this team underperforms and is ripped apart by its “me first, team last” attitude - an attitude that almost cost them against Jeff Fisher’s humble (and severely injured) Titans. What saved the Chargers had nothing to do with their own play and everything to do with Vince Young’s incredible shortcomings. Knowing that he had the passing abilities of a junior high QB, the Chargers defense was able to blitz with impunity late in the game and prevented what could have been a Titans win over a still-selfish Charger team.
This brings us out of the somewhat yawn-inducing Wild Card weekend and into a set of four matchups that brim with excitement. Don’t get too overwhelmed though - history has proven that one of these will be a blowout. Which one, nobody knows; but there will be one game that is worth turning off early in the fourth quarter.
At Green Bay, Seattle could rock the NFC with the first upset of the playoffs. Seattle is experienced, motivated and well coached. In a game such as this, it’s hard to see Green Bay winning easily with a mostly young team and coaching staff. Combine that lack of experience with the fact that no one knows Favre’s weaknesses better than his former coach Mike Holmgren, and you have an upset in the making. The “X-factor” will be the weather: Seattle’s running game is its Achilles heel, and if the weather isn’t well-suited to a passing attack, Green Bay might eek out the win.
Sticking with the NFC, the Giants head to Dallas for a great NFC East playoff matchup. A few weeks ago, I never would have believed that any team could knock Dallas off of their run to the Super Bowl. Now, I’m not so sure - Dallas is still young, Wade Philips has a playoff-choke tendency and the Giants’ defense is capable of shutting down Romo with the pressure they generate. With that in mind, this game will most likely come down to Eli again. And therein lies the crux - he is a likely candidate to implode at any moment. With two weeks rest plus experience facing the younger Manning, the Dallas defense might be ready to win this game despite all the challenges. Put your money on Dallas, but don’t be surprised if the Giants’ defense turns this game on its head.
In the current conference of dominance, the Chargers head to Indy for what is being billed as the best matchup of the weekend. The game against Tennessee proved that the Chargers are still struggling with a QB (Philip Rivers) who is not ready for the Super Bowl and a running back (LT) who is easily frustrated, often reverting to “pouting” mode on the sidelines. That combination, plus the selfish, me-first play of the team, will lead to their doom against the elder Manning and his band of “team-first” Dungy-ites. The only thing in San Diego’s favor is that Indy will play without their best defensive end, which could open up opportunities for LT to roll through the Indy defense. Still, it’s hard to imagine Manning being out-scored at home, and Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders should be able to wrap up the San Diego run game.
Finally, there will be a wave of people picking the Patriots to dismantle the Jaguars - and there should be. You don’t bet against a team that went 16-0 in the regular season. The Jaguars, however, possess the kryptonite that just may generate the upset of all upsets. On defense, they have an attacking, pressure-generating group of defensive tackles. Brady’s greatest asset is his protection and, thanks to that, his freedom to step “up” into the pocket. If the Jaguars’ defensive middle can constantly pressure Brady from directly in front of him, they may be able to slow down the Patriots’ offense. On offense, the Jags possess a potent running game, which when matched against the older, more easily worn Patriot defense, may just be what is needed. If the Jaguars can gain the edge in points and time-clock early in the game, they have a very real shot. But I wouldn’t place my money on it.
Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, wild card weekend
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