To say the least, I was either disappointed or surprised by the outcome of Sunday's playoff games. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Houston Texans in the first game by a score of 20-13 to advance to the AFC Championship game next week against the New England Patriots. Three teams from the AFC North made the playoffs, and the Ravens' fortune of capturing a first-round bye paid off as they were able to have a game at home where they shined this season.
I had my doubts about Baltimore prior to the game, and everything went down almost exactly as I anticipated. Joe Flacco threw two early touchdown passes, but he only completed about 50 percent of his attempts and was sacked five times. Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron had a terrible gameplan; as usual, his playcalling had no real cohesion to it. Fortunately for Flacco, receivers Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans combined for three tremendous receptions during the game to bail their offense out.
The Texans were a team built to be the true No. 2 seed in the AFC. Their offensive line was outstanding. Running back Arian Foster ran for 138 yards, and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates was not sacked once. The Texans' defense held electric running back Ray Rice to just 2.9 yards per carry and stopped Flacco from hitting on his signature big play down the field. Ultimately, the injury to starting quarterback Matt Schaub during the regular season finally came back to bite the Texans. The Texans were good enough to get as far as they did with Yates, who was better than most rookies would be in the situation he was put in. He fell into the traps set by safety Ed Reed and company though and was baited into throwing three interceptions. He should've been picked a few more times. His final Hail Mary pass did hit Kevin Walter right in the shoulder amidst a crowd, but he was unable to haul it in. Baltimore advances, hopefully to get torched by the Patriots next Sunday.
The NFC game on Sunday was a bit of a stunner to me. It wasn't a surprise to see the Giants play so well, but it was definitely a surprise to see the Packers play so bad. I think there were seven dropped passes by Green Bay's usually reliable unstoppable receivers. Aaron Rodgers had at least two passes in which he missed fairly wide open targets. The Packers coughed the football up three times on fumbles. The defense gave up a Hail Mary heading into the half when the Giants had basically packed it in the play before. This was definitely the opposite of the team that won 15 times during the regular season, but credit goes to the Giants for capitalizing.
There are two more intriguing match-ups set for next week now, which I'll talk more about during the week. San Francisco fans have to be thrilled to be getting another home game though. It's unreal that we could be on the verge of a Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh Super Bowl. On the other hand, we could have a Giants vs. Patriots re-match in the makings. Few people will talk about the other two possibilities though -- Ravens vs. Giants, or Patriots vs. 49ers. We'll see how things unfold during en route to Super Bowl 46.
0 recs | 94 comments
Packers L = This is what happens when you sit your QB in situations he doesnt have to sit out. Continuity is everything at this time of the year. Giants played great though.
jlsclarity - January 15, 2012
Texans loss needs to include Jacoby Jones and his moronic special teams play.
HenryDawg - January 15, 2012
The Ravens’ got both their TDs after turnovers. I’d say Texans’ mistakes were the whole game.
JamesPowell - January 15, 2012
Both those turnovers were in the red zone, otherwise it would have been a different game. Even so, the Texans were one play away from winning the game in the second half. Next week, if Baltimore plays as poorly as they did yesterday, I doubt New England will be as forgiving.
duke4711 - January 16, 2012
Definitely.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
The only game that did not surprise me this weekend was the Giants beating the Packers. Something about the way the D has been playing. Eye of the tiger, gut feeling stuff. I make no claim to football intelligence. Coughlin and his staff are outstanding coaches w/r/t their team being prepared. Today was essentially their fourth straight elimination game.
JamesPowell - January 15, 2012
One of my best friends is a Pats fan, I get to root with him for two weeks in a row. I’d like a 49ers/Patriots Super Bowl.
Its kind of cool to see a mix of styles of play succeed and be alive in the second round of the playoffs. The one thing I am seeing as a sort of a common thread personnel-wise amongst the teams is that they all have good defensive front 7s and great pass rushers. The one exception would be New Orleans lacking a great individual pass rusher I think, and I also think it hurts them this time of year.
rufio - January 16, 2012
NFC all the way! I hate the two remaining AFC teams, Ratbirds and Cheaters.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
Yeah I really like both the Giants and 49ers, I’m with you.
notthatnoise - January 16, 2012
Of the two remaining teams, I slightly favor the 9ers, just as for more glimmers of hope that, maybe one day…
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
49ers were my team before I lived in Cleveland too.
rufio - January 16, 2012
smh
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
Sorry man I was 10 and Steve Young was awesome. Plus my dad has lived in SF and they are still his team. Also they were one of the closer teams geographically.
rufio - January 17, 2012
same. I like Rodgers, but I love the way Eli plays in the playoffs when he gets there.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
I just want to see Brady and Belichick’s faces if Eli beats them in the Super Bowl again.
Doc's Kid - January 16, 2012
that will be epic. I am rooting for Eli.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
This may be sacrilege around here, but I’m actually rooting for the Hoodie to vanquish that demon. That would be a heck of a story.
Legoman0721 - January 17, 2012 via Android app
The Texans game was very interesting. First, they would have pummeled Baltimore with Matt Schaub – TJ Yates was absolutely horrible. How the heck do you underthrow a 20 yard pass by 10 yards is beyond me. But the kid got em there. The second thing is I really believe Colt would have gotten them past Baltimore as well. Maybe we try to emulate the Texans, draft Kalil and pound some teams into submission
realmccoy - January 16, 2012
I was thinking along similar lines regarding Colt. He might well have outplayed both Yates and Flacco.
DPS - January 16, 2012
Take off the orange glasses, Colt over and under throws guys all the time and he’s not a rookie. That said, I think he will get better.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
The Texans don’t “pound” people, they out-technique them. And they don’t need high picks to do it with that offense. I would love to emulate their defense and spending a lot of picks in the front 7.
rufio - January 16, 2012
I think it’ll be Pats V Niners. 27-30 San Fran.
North Coast Flea - January 16, 2012
That will be a great call if the 49 ers hoist the Lombardi. Will right it down and give you credit.
realmccoy - January 16, 2012
Why does Harbaugh always look like he is hyperventilating? I don’t like it.
I am going with the guy that always looks pissed off, Coughlin.
SBP - January 16, 2012
Coughlin is one of my favorites. I’ll be rooting for him.
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
I am too. It seemed like every year he was on the “hot seat” and each year the guy puts out teams that compete.
SBP - January 16, 2012
The year he beat the Pats in the SB is when I became a fan. That was the preseason year when all the players hated him. They were complaining that he was working them too hard in camp. And look what the hard work got them. A ring.
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
Someone should write an article on what these past few playoff games mean for the Browns as far as how to build the team. Specifically, I see that the two teams with great QBs and weak defenses have been knocked out (GB and the Saints). Two teams with great defenses and mediocre QBs (BAL and SF) are still in. NYG have a good QB and a very good D, and NE has a great QB and a decent D. A lot of people say you need a great QB to win in this league, but does this post-season tell a different story?
shep615 - January 16, 2012
Someone made a comment that the Browns should just build their own team and not worry about what everyone else is doing. I really liked that.
If you look at most SB winners, especially dynasties, they are deep and good at all the positions, QB included.
I would also add that Flacco didn’t win that game as much as Texas handed it to them and Alex Smith played the best game of his career. Brady and Manning need no explanation.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
Your first comment is what I was trying to get at- I’ve seen a lot of people on here that say things like “the 2000 ravens were playing a different game, you need a QB to win in this league” and things similar (myself included)… But maybe that’s not so much the case?
shep615 - January 16, 2012
I see what you’re saying, there are lots of ways to win. I still think you need a good QB though, they control everything that happens on the offense. If they aren’t good, you’re asking everyone else to compensate for them. Long term that doesn’t work well. Ideally we have a great QB and a great defense. That’s what Brady had when he won SBs. Now that he’s just a great QB with meh defenses he hasn’t done as well.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
You can be a very good team in the NFL without a great QB. Its just much much easier with one. And if you are looking at one player to turn you around, QB is the guy.
I mean the 49ers (arguably) and Texans did really well without elite QBs, but look at the first round picks and major FA dollars they have invested successfully in 1st round picks in their front 7s and/or offensive lines/QB support. And the lack of a QB ultimately doomed the Texans.
rufio - January 17, 2012
The Ravens beating the Texans supports the QB importance theory. It seems like Houston was superior over Baltimore at almost every position, except one. With Schaub, I would’ve happily called them to be in the SB. Without him, they lose to a “meh” playoff team.
Legoman0721 - January 17, 2012 via Android app
yep, KR. But you’re right, with Schaub they overcome those mistakes, you can’t do that with a rookie very well.
HenryDawg - January 17, 2012
FS.
North Coast Flea - January 19, 2012
No. You know who else got knocked out? A team with no QB and an amazing supporting cast and defense (Houston), A team with a decent QB, good receivers, and a great defense (Cincinnati). A team with a terrible quarterback and a great defense (Broncos).
Basically what this tells you is that of the four remaining teams, One has an all-time great at QB, one has a pretty good QB, one has a guy who is having a career year, and one has Joe Flacco.
notthatnoise - January 16, 2012
Add to the list of those knocked out a team with an injured quarterback and the best defense in the league (Steelers).
notthatnoise - January 16, 2012
Injured haha. Yeah right
macdowellm03 - January 16, 2012 via Android app
Tebow disagrees
Doc's Kid - January 16, 2012
I’d call Eli better than pretty good personally. He is a very good/great QB who lights it up in the playoffs. That’s just my opinion, I like Eli.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
I put him in Elite status. He gets a bad wrap.
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
That’s fair. With Romo, Roethislis, and Eli among the elite, that makes Brees, Brady, Rodgers all godlike, a step up from elite.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I’d take Romo out of that. Here is my rankings:
1. Brees
2. Rodgers
3. Brady
Ranking the 3 of those guys is arguable any way, but they are top 3 no doubt.
4. The rapist
5. Eli
6. Rivers
Interesting that these 3 were all taken in the same draft.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 16, 2012
Rivers slipped my mind, I’d agree he’s in that 2nd tier (labeled: elite). Given each of their respective 2011 seasons, I’d put Romo just 1 spot above Rivers.
That 1st tier labeled godlike.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I am not sure about Romo above Rivers even after Rivers’ season. Romo kind of has that mcnabb thing where I think he should be winning more considering the weapons around him and puts up good stats, but isn’t great in crunch time.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
The Cowboys and Chargers are both team-wide underachievers. Underachieving is the only thing they do consistently. I’ll keep Romo at 6, Rivers at 7.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I understand that, but it seems like Romo consistently underachieves in crunch time even if other players on offense are dropping the ball. I’d still put him at 7 though so this is very minute differences.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
I never felt McNabb had too many weapons. They always seemed like they needed a good receiver except when they had TO and then they went to the SB.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
Even if his receivers were shit, he was a god awful QB in the playoffs during his first few years there. I think his QB rating in wins in the playoffs is like 86-87 but in losses it is in the 50s or 60s (i figured it out at some point). That team would only go so far as he could lead them.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
Shocking how you’ve already forgotten about Peyton.
SpecialBrownie - January 16, 2012
Haven’t forgotten about him — I intentionally excluded him based on uncertainty. But as of the end of last season, I’d put him in the top 3 with Rodgers in the second elite tier. That changed though this year — Rodgers definitely proved himself to be in the same range as the other big 3 (Brees, Brady & PManning).
TheDriveStillHurts - January 16, 2012
Right. For now, we don’t know whether or not he’ll ever play at the same level again. If he returns next season and is the same old Peyton Manning, then he’s right back with the godlike QBs.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
If Eli wins next week, he may overtake the rapist. If he wins another SB without a truly dominant supporting cast and a team that kind of limped in, then definitely #4 over the rapist.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
Eli is surrounded by weapons too. Cruz, Nicks, Bradshaw, and an awesome defense.
2007: Burress, Good Brandon Jacobs (5y/r) and Derrick Ward (4.8y/r), and elite defense
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
That D is very inconsistent though and that’s part of the reason they barely made it into the playoffs. Victor Cruz? I mean he has some talent and all, but he is a 2nd year UDFA so it’s not like he is an elite player.
Derrick Ward is not a great RB at all.
He had weapons no doubt, but he definitely made them better than if he wasn’t a great QB. They certainly weren’t a dominating supporting cast. And while his D in 2007 was really good, they were only 17th in points allowed.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
Hell yeah, Victor Cruz! Are we supposed to ignore everything because he went undrafted?! C’mon now.
That defense was playing at an elite level in the playoffs.
Don’t get me wrong, Eli is an elite QB. But I actually think he and Roeth were in pretty similar situations.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I love how everyone praises Rodgers and talks about how he makes his players better, but Cruz is just awesome and just a diamond in the rough who is putting Eli on his shoulders.
The double talk here is ridiculous.
The D was at an elite level in the playoffs, but so was Eli, maybe even more so. His QB rating of almost 100 while leading 2 4th quarter comebacks definitely didn’t hurt.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
He just said Eli is an elite QB but he does also have good teammates.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
I said he didn’t have a dominant supporting cast and he started rattling off the supporting cast. I like the players he has, but I think it’s kind of ridiculous to bring up Eli’s supporting cast when the main consensus is that Rodgers makes his.
bross09 - January 17, 2012
Cruz is legit.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2012
How the hell do you get that from “Don’t get me wrong, Eli is an elite QB.”
Good lord.
Simmsinns - January 17, 2012
I would love to have the Giants receivers and RBs.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
For sure! Cruz, Nicks, and Bradshaw are awesome. Manningham is a nice #3.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I would too, that’s not the point. most of our RBs and WRs suck. Even with an injured Charles, I would take the Chiefs’ RBs and WRs over ours.
He didn’t have a dominant supporting cast at all, but a good one that he could get the best out of. Similar to Rodgers last year except maybe a tick or two better.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
Nicks is a pretty elite WR, great hands, but yeah, Manning is definitely playing at an elite level.
HenryDawg - January 16, 2012
That defense is great. Again, first rounders on pass rushers, please.
rufio - January 16, 2012
I’d switch 4 and 5.
rufio - January 16, 2012
Does Schaub fit in here?
jlsclarity - January 16, 2012
No. But I like Schaub; he is definitely good but behind these guys (including Romo).
TheDriveStillHurts - January 17, 2012
Dr. Jekyll Romo, yes. Mr. Hyde Romo is Jay Cutler-esque
jlsclarity - January 17, 2012
Romo is in that 4-6 group.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2012
I think if you include Peyton Manning, Romo gets pushed down to the 7-10 group.
PaduaDSP - January 17, 2012
You do make a good argument about the classes. I just see elite as a QB who can consistently get their team to the playoffs and is a SB winner. I guess you can put Rivers in there as an exception.
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
That’s reasonable, I was just pointing out that Brees, Brady, Rodgers are on a higher level than the rest of the league. The others mentioned are are still great QBs.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I am starting to believe that.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 16, 2012
If he wins next week honestly, he is surefire elite status in my book. He has his inconsistencies, but he has been playing elite this year and if he can again lead a 10-6/9-7 team to a SB, that’s pretty incredible and definitely elite.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
I don’t like Eli for his draft debacle, but he is very good.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
Given what AJ Smith has done in SD and how he treats players there, I don’t blame Eli for one second. Plus, it’s a lot easier lifestyle wise to be a starting QB in San Diego than in New York.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 16, 2012
I’m not fond of draftees refusing to play for the team that drafted them. It may be perfectly within his right, but I don’t have to like it. I prefer the Stafford and Cam types that are excited to have the opportunity to turn franchises around.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
Giants sucked when he went there. So…
SpecialBrownie - January 16, 2012
Which hardly makes me ignore the fact that he refused to play for the team that drafted them.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
him*
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
But… what the… I don’t even…
SpecialBrownie - January 16, 2012
Wasn’t that most of his daddy’s doing? Archie wanted him to have nothing to do with San Diego.
Brownie's Year - January 16, 2012
Archie took the heat for his son. At least that is what I think.
But I agree with TDSH, I wouldn’t play for AJ Smith either.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2012
Yeah, I can see that spoon fed kid not wanting to play for a low market team. Good point.
Brownie's Year - January 17, 2012
I always wonder what it’s like for a high 1st rounder to go to the team he hates the most. I would never want to be associated with the Steelers or the Ravens. Do they demand a trade or just give in? How do you rationalize becoming what you despise?
Doc's Kid - January 16, 2012
You hold out till the next draft.
Then again there was the Steeler from the Steel curtain who turned his whole family of Browns Fans to Steelers. Weren’t fans to begin with anyways apparently.
SpecialBrownie - January 16, 2012
A guy who graduated the same year as my brother in high school ended up in the NFL: Sean McHugh. He wasn’t as prominent as Robiskie, but he was from Chagrin Falls. After bouncing around for a while, he ended up with the Steelers for the 2008 season. So he got a Super Bowl ring out of it. I guess that makes up for it?
Doc's Kid - January 16, 2012
He’s got to be out of the league by now right?
notthatnoise - January 17, 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_McHugh
The answer is yes.
notthatnoise - January 17, 2012
I think this happens more often than we realize, it’s just that the said rookies don’t openly talk about how much they hated the team their being forced to play for. I think they suck it up and play, rightly so.
Simmsinns - January 16, 2012
I understand that, but like TDSH said, AJ Smith is an ass and in a way its nice to see players holding some cards.
bross09 - January 16, 2012
I think everyone wants to put the reasoning behind one thing. It comes down to talented players. It doesn’t matter how tall the QB or what round he was drafted in. It does not matter what scheme is run or what defense is better. It comes down to how talented those players are, how they play as a team, how well they execute what they are coached and how well the coaching staff prepares their team. Simple, but complicated.
SBP - January 16, 2012
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