After another great weekend of NFL Playoff action we are left with just four teams remaining with a chance to go to the Super Bowl. First, I would like to recap the Divisional Round games and let you know what I learned after last weekend. One of the biggest surprises of the weekend came in New England, not that the Patriots won the game, but by how they won, racking up 235 yds and six touchdowns on the ground. To me this proves just how great of a coach Bill Belichick is, the way he schemes and prepares for each opponent and not to mention his attention to detail when assembling his roster. When you couple his genius with Brady’s ability to make timely throws in that game against the Colts, this team certainly deserves to be where they are.
Moving on to Denver, not a whole lot surprised me in the game against the Chargers except for the Broncos’ seemingly lackadaisical offensive approach, particularly in the second half. After the tipped-pass interception in the endzone at the end of the first half, Denver came out in the second looking content to simply hold on to their 17-point lead, rather than add to it. Sure they scored one more touchdown, but this was the same formula that came back to bite them in last years Divisional Round loss to Baltimore, and if not for a couple Manning-to-Thomas third down conversions late in last weekend’s game, they have been looking at another early exit from the postseason. I do not, however, expect a similar approach to this weekend’s game against New England considering what is at stake.
On the NFC side of things, the 49ers took care of their business down in Carolina on the heels of another solid performance by Colin Kaepernick and an outstanding game by Anquan Boldin, who just seems to come up big when his team needs it. What I learned most from watching this game though, was Cam Newton’s resilience, or lack there of. Newton played a great first half aside from a tipped pass that was picked off by Patrick Willis. Newton seemed confident, strong, and was making all of the throws right on the money, including a beautiful pass to Steve Smith for the Panthers’ first score. However, after Kaepernick scored on a touchdown run and pulled out Newton’s Superman celebration, Cam seemed to crumble. His throws were errant, he seemed all to happy to scamper off the field after each failed third down conversion, and overall the pressure of the 49ers defense seemed to just get in his head. At one point in the second half the TV cameras caught Newton mouthing the words “Come on” after his defense failed to get a stop on a third down, not exactly what I want to see from someone who is supposed to be a team leader. There are no questions about Cam’s abilities on the football field, but he is going to have to overcome his ego and build thicker skin if he ever wants to be considered great.
In the Northwest, the Seahawks did what they do well to earn themselves a trip to the NFC Championship game, run the football, don’t turn it over, and play great defense. A lot of people are saying Seattle was “exposed” in that game against the Saints, and my question to them is, how? Russell Wilson managed the game as usual, Lynch went beastmode yet again, to the tune of 140 rushing yds and two touchdowns, and their defense held Drew Brees and Co. to just 15 points, while also allowing Jimmy Graham to catch just one pass for eight yards. This is typical Seahawks football and even though the Saints had a chance down eight in the fourth quarter, you never had the feeling that Seattle would lose that football game. The only thing I really learned from watching that game is that Seattle is poised to make a Super Bowl run, and they will not back down from anyone who tries to get in their way.
This is the matchup that every football fan has been waiting to see, Manning vs. Brady with a bid to the Super Bowl on the line. In the next few days you will hear a lot about Manning’s record versus Brady, especially in the postseason, but really, none of that matters now. Manning is on a new team and if you have not noticed, Brady is working with a much different cast of characters than in years past. This game is Broncos vs. Patriots, and whichever TEAM plays better on Sunday, will earn a trip to East Rutherford, NJ on February 2. The Broncos defense took another huge hit in that win over San Diego last Sunday, losing cornerback Chris Harris Jr. with a torn ACL. This season-ending injury is one of five the Broncos defense has had to endure this year, including safety Raheem Moore who has not played since November 17 and would have been eligible to return to action this weekend but has not received clearance from the Broncos medical staff. Denver now will most likely turn to veteran Quentin Jammer to fill the spot left by Harris Jr., and also added depth at the position by signing former Patriot Marquise Cole, who was waived by New England December 26. The weakened Denver secondary makes one assume that Brady will be airing it out on Sunday, but given their recent success in the run game, a more balanced attack would make sense. For both of these teams, the offensive line play will be huge in this game. Whichever defense is able to produce pressure on the opposing quarterback will have the advantage. In this respect, I give the edge to Denver, despite being without Von Miller and defensive end Derek Wolfe. Denver got to Phillip Rivers four times in the Divisional Round, including one sack by newcomer Jeremy Mincey. On the Patriots side, they got to Andrew Luck three times last weekend, but their two best pass rushers were almost non-factors in the game and given the Broncos have the best offensive line in football in terms of protecting the quarterback, Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich will need to step their game up this Sunday. While the running game was huge against Indianapolis, this game will ultimately come down to the play of the two quarterbacks. The Broncos defense applied pressure all game last Sunday, but with a weakened secondary, they might have to turn up that pressure, which could mean more blitzing, leaving a lot of one-on-one coverage on the back end. Both these quarterbacks will get theirs at some point in this game, and I have a feeling this one will be a game for the ages. That said, I feel the homefield advantage and the arsenal of weapons Denver has at its disposal will be just enough to best the Pats this weekend (I also don’t see 7 drops by Broncos receivers again).
Final score prediction: Denver: 31 New England: 30
If we were talking about any team other than the 49ers going into Seattle this weekend, I would say they have little chance of winning this football game, especially after being outscored 72-16 in their last two trips to Century Link Field. However, San Francisco has been on a role the last month and a half and this is their third consecutive trip to the NFC Championship game, so I do not see them being intimidated what so ever by this staunch Seattle defense or by their raucous 12th Man. Another benefit the 49ers have is two physical, talented, and most importantly, healthy, wide receivers, something they did not have in their last two trips to the Northwest. Even last week against New Orleans, Seattle only had to concentrate on Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham as the two main targets for Drew Brees, and Colston was able to get open plenty, especially in the second half of that game. Having three major targets could be a problem for the Seahawks, but if anyone is up to the challenge it’s the Legion of Boom. I also do not think Lynch will be able to rack up 140 rushing yds this time around, which will put a little more pressure on the play of Russell Wilson. Wilson has been outstanding in his career so far in the NFL with his decision making and precision passing and I have no questions about his mental toughness, but this will be the first time for him on a stage this big and it should be interesting to see how he responds. One thing the 49ers can not let happen is have a slow start. Playing at home and with that defense, Seattle is too good to relinquish a double-digit lead if they can force an early turnover. It will be critical for Kaepernick to continue his good decision making and escape the pocket when necessary, however if the Seattle defense gets early pressure on him and he gets uncomfortable in the pocket I would not be surprised to see him run to soon and give up bigger plays down field. It will also be key for Frank Gore to continue his productive play, especially getting the San Francisco offense into third and short opportunities. One thing we know for sure we will see in this game is a lot of physical play, plenty of chippy-ness and a lot of jawing between players. I may be going against the popular opinion on this one, but I just have a hunch that San Francisco will not be denied another Super Bowl appearance, I like the 49ers on a late field goal.
Final score prediction: San Francisco: 20 Seattle: 17
Thanks for reading and remember to keep checking back each week for a new post. Once the NFL Playoffs are over I will be getting into some NBA and college basketball action, as well as keeping an eye on any baseball moves that are made heading into spring training.
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