NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Recap
Went to Blackhawks game with the CSB crew Friday night and had a great time. Hawks lost, but the beer was cold and what else is new? Didn't get a chance to watch the Bulls suck it up in Atlanta today, nor is there any Cubs or Sox news to write about. So you know what's left? I'll let Jim Mora say it, as he says it better than anyone.
Seattle had gamblers across the nation freaking out after going up 14-0 in the first three minute's of Saturday's game. They of course were Favre'd up like butta after that as Green Bay went on a 42-6 run. Who'd have thunk 62 points would be scored in conditions like that? It's gotta be the highest scoring snow game ever. They usually end up like the Cleveland-Buffalo game a few weeks ago when the Browns won 8-0. Anyways, Favre was masterful and the Seabags couldn't tackle Ryan Grant. That's all there is to it. One thing I couldn't understand was Seattle punting with just under seven minutes left, down by 3 TDs. Yeah, they were on their own 20 and it's pretty unlikely that they were going to score 22 unanswered points in the last 7 minutes, but don't you have to at least try? They did score 22 in the last 6:06 versus Washington last week, didn't they? They just gave up.
Speaking of giving up, both New England and Jacksonville seemed to phone in the fourth quarter of their game as well. After both teams played a pretty spectacular first half which ended up knotted at 14-all, New England by process of being New England broke out a comfortable lead in the third. Then both teams seemed put it in neutral and coasted the rest of the way. Neither team seemed to really try and both teams seemed rather content to let the clock run out. I don't know, maybe both teams were trying their asses off; maybe both teams were dog tired. They just were...flat. A very dull ending to an otherwise great game.
Luckily we had some great football on Sunday to bring back the momentum.
Shocker of shockers, the Chargers beat the Colts. Of all the games this weekend, I thought that one was the closest thing there was to a lock. With Antonio Gates doubtful, and one of the Turner brothers calling the shots, I thought San Diego had no chance. The Colts were simply too good. With San Diego at full strength, and Peyton Manning throwing five picks, they needed an official's review to squeak by Indy two months ago. Then, with LDT going down in the first quarter today, and Phillip Rivers going down after three...this has got to rank as the NFL upset of the year, right? Vegas was giving the Chargers 11 by Sunday (after opening at 8) - and they still had a hard time getting Charger money. (Bully for the casinos!)
Why the Colts lost is rather simple. Manning threw two picks in the red zone. They had their chances, but they just couldn't get the job done in the end. But what about that Phil Rivers? I gotta admit, he played a great 3 quarters. It was probably the best he's ever looked. But then he busted up his knee and walked to the locker room (taunting fans the whole way -- classy). Then he jogged out with a knee brace, in full uniform still, and it seemed certain he would come back. But he didn't. Billy Volek stayed in and won the game. What was up with Phil? Like Gump, he was running! He doesn't need to be able to run a marathon to play QB. Hell, McNabb played two quarters of a regular season game with a broken foot. The Legend of Byron Leftwich had his lineman carrying him from huddle to huddle to win a game in college. And Rivers was running on the sideline! LDT looked visibly pissed at him. I sort of touched on it before but I suppose now is the time to say that Rivers seems like the biggest d-bag in sports right now. After Volek won the game, Rivers turned around and was mouthing off to fans again. Really, Phil, let it go. This isn't the first time I've heard about Phil either. A few weeks ago, several Broncos were talking about Rivers being the biggest a-hole in the league, after taunting Jay Cutler. Now I understand.
Nevertheless, I'm not going to shed a tear for Manning and the Colts. Indy is one of those franchises that it's really hard to hate, but seeing the Bears opponent in last year's Super Bowl one-and-done this year is sort of perversely satisfying. Don't ask me why.
Now, best for last, right? The Giants beat America's team in a game that wasn't quite the shocker that Colts game was, but nevertheless seeing golden-boy go 0-2 in the playoffs brings a smile to my face as well. The fact that Dallas hasn't won a playoff game since 1996 gets me all verklempt, too. Cheerleaders aside, I just hate the organization. From Jerry Jones to Wade Phillips to T.O. to Tony Romo's shit-eating grin. Nice to see it wiped from his face in such spectacular fashion. It'll be also nice to see the NFC Championship game at the Frozen Tundra next week instead of the stupid dome with a hole in the roof.
Prediction time. I think we're looking at a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI, Green Bay vs. New England. Favre and Grant should be too much for Eli Manning and company to handle, and Belichick eats pieces of shit like Norv Turner for breakfast. (He eats pieces of shit for breakfast?) Seriously, I don't think either the Bolts or lower-case NY has a chance next week. But then again, I didn't think either team had a prayer this week and look at what happened.
Nothing beats the NFL playoffs. Too bad the Bears crapped out in November or else we'd all be crying about their one and done tonight. Think of the pain the Bears saved us! Till next time....