Divisional Round
Checking Down:
-Pittsburgh-Baltimore was the slug fest we thought, but produced a large amount of points.
-Rule of playoffs games, the same type of game can produce far more points because people are desperate. Case in point: the NE-NYJ game was really a 21-10 regular season game but because of desperation was 28-21. CHI-SEA was a 27-10 game but ended up at 35-24.
-Pittsburgh deserved to win. Baltimore was spotted 14 in this game with some free plays and still couldn’t hold it. Pittsburgh with a decent offensive line would be a big favorite to win it all right now.
-I don’t trust Flacco in big games. I need to be reminded of that more often.
-Someone needs to put out an APB on Anquan Boldin for the last 10 weeks, more or less. Seriously, what was that?
-Ray Rice needs to be combined with a bruiser or used purely as a Westbrook type guy. A top back takes focus from the defense, and Rice left Baltimore having to only use Flacco. He was inconsequential.
-Green Bay is rolling, and is now the favorite to win the Super Bowl. They are a dome team like Arizona, NO, and Indy with a dominant passing offense. However, they play outdoors in Wisconsin. Such a diverse team. I now like them to go the whole way….which was my preseason pick by the way.
-Atlanta had a fatal flaw. They would have been last in the league in “big play differential” had that existed. They allow big plays because of poor secondary play on defense and create none because they have no deep receivers on offense. And it cost them.
-Aaron Rodgers is JUST on the edge of the Brady, Manning, and Brees triumvirate for NFL QBs. He can make it an elite foursome with a trip to the Super Bowl and bust the conversation open with a SB victory.
-I have no idea 24 hours later what happened in NE. The Jets just seemed better, and the Pats were asleep for the 1st half.
-NE’s offense is so technically perfect. But that hurt them yesterday. They had great long drives in the 1st and 4th, eating up tons of minutes. NE rested its defense during their drives. The Jets were worn down slowly. But because the Pats didn’t score in either of those drives, they had consumed a fifth of the game without scoring. The Pats got no random scores, no big plays busted. They played short and tried to work methodically. And they ran out of time.
-Even when they did move the ball, there was no emotion, no plays punctuated by feeling.
-The score doesn’t really show it but the Bears completely demolished Seattle. Chicago just takes care of business. They didn’t have a dominant running game. Cutler had a good game, and his stat line shows 4 TDs, but he didn’t dominate. They are quietly and confidently marching toward the NFC title game, and will play it at home. Too bad they get Aaron Rodgers, but still.
-The Seahawks unfortunately suffered a huge slate of injuries in this game. They would have lost anyways, but it was hard to watch. I hope Carlson comes back 100%, but that hurt.
Going Deep:
New England Patriots – They have 3 of the top 33 picks, including the 17th. They need a passer rusher and a deep threat WR. Period. I wanted a RB, but with Brady, you need WRs more than a stud back. Plus, they could sign DeAngelo Williams, which would make a TON of sense. Brady throwing to DEEP THREAT BIG WR/Branch/Welker is so much better than Branch/Welker/Tate or whatever else they do, because it helps the slot routes develop.
This team needed just a bit more seasoning. They could have won without the seasoning. But, they needed this, and the team will be so much better next year. But Brady isn’t going to be around forever, and they have about a two year window here with him at his best.
Seattle Seahawks – They finish this season playing in late January, and had an 8-10 record. So confusing. They still need to do a ton of things to improve. Start with solidifying the QB, getting a better overall running back, develop a second receiver, and get more pass rush. That is a lot, but hey, in that division they could rip off another division title (until Sam Bradford asserts a Manning like divisional hold).
Baltimore – Simplify the offense, please. Decide on being a running or passing team. Just because you have three good receivers doesn’t mean you have to throw it that much, or in that many ways. Keep it simple. Get a little youth on the defense, perhaps at corner. Otherwise, this is talent wise one of the best teams in the league.
Atlanta – Please, get a deep strong play making WR. Also, a scat back (Norwood healthy would help) who could occasionally bust a big play would help. And an impact defensive back would be great. Otherwise, talent wise they are good. However combine that division with the fact that Matt Ryan is probably a first round playoff quarterback means they will have to fight hard to get back to the top.
Up this week is a look at the Championship round and its QBs.
BLISS
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