While some people believe "the most wonderful time of the year" is in December, a lot of other people beg to differ and think it is January. That is because the NFL playoff season kicks off in the first month of the year and it is the start of the "elimination dance" to see who will play in the Super Bowl. This year, the Super Bowl is in Indianapolis and the home team Colts were bitten by the Super Bowl host team jinx (maybe it was more due to Peyton Manning missing the season) missing the playoffs and finishing the regular season with the league's worst record. Let's take a look at this weekend's Wild Card matchups between the "bottom eight" of the twelve playoff teams (the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens all have byes this weekend).
Cincinnati Bengals (Wild Card) vs. Houston Texans (AFC South Champs):
Congratulations to the Texans for making it to their first playoff foray. Their first trip will be a quick one. The Texans have one of the best offenses in the league and their defense vastly improved this season. But with Matt Schaub out and the Bengals coming into town with a balanced team themselves (and no pressure/expectations), I think the Texans will get upset at home. I'm not sure if Texans' RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson can show off their healthy talented skills. And Texans rookie 3rd string QB T.J. Yates has done well but the Bengals QB Rookie of the Year candidate Andy Dalton will outshine him. The Bengals minus (the ghosts of) Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco and T.O. move on to the next round
Pittsburgh Steelers (Wild Card) vs. Denver Broncos (AFC West Champs):
The Steelers are coming into this matchup banged up. They will miss RB Rashard Mendenhall who is out for the post season with a knee injury and S Ryan Clark who is being benched in this game for precautionary health purposes. Big Ben (Roethlisberger) will be "toughing it out" at QB Sunday with a high ankle sprain. Pittsburgh will still prevail. I don't see the Broncos offense led by Tim Tebow scoring many points on (Steelers Defensive Coordinator) Dick LeBeau's defense. The Steelers themselves may not score many points but their skill and playoff experience should overcome being on the road and any Tebow "magic" that may be left. For those who like dealing with spreads, I wouldn't bite on the Steelers giving 8.5 points though.
Detroit Lions (Wild Card) vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC South Champs):
From my subjective point of view, I'm unhappy that these two teams face off against each other in the first round. I think they are both fun to watch! Both teams are somewhat similiar: high powered offenses and defenses that are not horrible but can be scored upon. But as you take a closer look the Saints have a few more weapons on offense, particularly at RB (what's up there Darren Sproles). If the Lions have trouble running the ball, they may have big trouble in this game. Don't get me wrong; Lions QB Matthew Stafford can sling it with the best of them, especially when hooking up with WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. But Saints QB extraordinaire Drew Brees is the "Top Gun" this year and I'm sure last year's first round playoff exit is still fresh in his and his teammates minds. I pick the Saints to win this game which may break all kind of offensive playoff records on both sides. And as for the 59 point over/under, I'd say over might be a lock.
Atlanta Falcons (Wild Card) vs. New York Giants (NFC East Champs):
This is an interesting game. The Falcons is a dome team coming north in January to play the Giants. That usually spells trouble. I also often question the Falcons philosophy when it comes to their offense. They should get back to running the ball a little more. Overall, I really don't trust the Falcons. But I think they are going to lay it on the Giants. The Giants ended the season with two impressive victories over the Jets and Cowboys to win the NFC East. Everybody is back on the bandwagon. Truth is, the Giants are inconsistent in December and January. Yes they made a great run in 2007 to win the Super Bowl, but take that one season away and what do you have? Falcons will exploit the Giants defense and if they're smart, stop the Victor Cruz salsa express. Atlanta, also reminded by their early playoff exit last year, upsets the NFC East champs.
Showing posts with label ben roethlisberger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ben roethlisberger. Show all posts
Friday, January 6, 2012
Monday, February 7, 2011
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champs!!!
Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers! They are now the reigning champions of the NFL after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 - 25 in Super Bowl XLV. The Packers jumped out to a 14 - 0 lead early and even though they were tested throughout the game, they never gave that lead up. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers was mostly sharp in this game as he continued his hot streak through the playoffs. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns; he also had a bunch of dropped passes from his receivers that might have made this game a blowout. The Packers was able to overcome some key injuries in the game, most notably losing their defensive leader CB Charles Woodson right before halftime. But we should not be surprised that they kept the train moving because that is what the team has done all season. I don't ever recall seeing a team win a Super Bowl after losing as many key personnel as the Packers did this season. Kudos to their front office, coaching staff and backup players for illustrating the meaning of the word "team".
The Steelers have to be kicking themselves and will find it hard to get over this loss. The most obvious reason for them going home without the Lombardi Trophy is turnovers. They had a total of three; two in particular that were killers was QB Ben Roethlisberger's first interception which was a floater returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Packers S Nick Collins and RB Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at the start of the 4th quarter when the Steelers had momentum and was driving to take the lead. What was less obvious but more influential to the final outcome was the inexplicable playcalling by the Steelers. The Packers could NOT stop the Steelers running attack. After the Steelers grabbed the momentum in the game in the 3rd quarter, they were close enough on the scoreboard to go to their smashmouth, running assault. But they didn't; they continued to pass the football. The Steelers averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry but only rushed 23 times (4 of those were Roethlisberger scrambles). And the "eye test" clearly showed a Packers defense that was incapable of stopping any of the Steelers' ball carriers, particularly Mendenhall. I really think this oversight killed their championship chances.
Fans and spectators have to be happy that they got to see a great Super Bowl game. This came after a week that the Dallas Metroplex area will probably not live down anytime soon. Most of the issues in the hosting city area were weather related (snow & cold temperatures) which was out of everyone's hands, especially this snow riddled winter. But the snafu that occured a couple of hours before the game, where it was reported that 1250 temporary seats were not ready to be occupied by paid fans, may be one of the worst transgressions ever to take place at a Super Bowl. The league announced that about 850 of those folks were relocated to similiar or better seats but the other 400 were left without a seat and they were given the option to stand inside the stadium and watch the game from monitors. The NFL will compensate those folks by paying them triple the face value amount of their tickets. It will be interesting to hear exactly what happened and why were those seats not ready to be used on the day of the Super Bowl.
I am happy that the Packers and the Steelers gave everyone an exciting game to the end. I would like to congratulate the Packers again for winning their fourth Super Bowl in team history. And they should send Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles a playoff/Super Bowl cut as well. You see, if the Eagles had not made the miraculous comeback (28 points in last 7 minutes of the game) against the New York Giants in Week 15, the Packers would not have had the opportunity to play their way into the playoffs by winning their last two games. That NFC sixth seed was the Giants spot; the Pack may want to give a cut to the Giants defense and special teams as well! But that is to take nothing at all away from the Packers themselves. They won their last two regular season games and four playoff games to wrap up the title. Their hard work, perseverance and teamwork is to be commended and emulated. Enjoy your victory Green Bay, it's well deserved!!
The Steelers have to be kicking themselves and will find it hard to get over this loss. The most obvious reason for them going home without the Lombardi Trophy is turnovers. They had a total of three; two in particular that were killers was QB Ben Roethlisberger's first interception which was a floater returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Packers S Nick Collins and RB Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at the start of the 4th quarter when the Steelers had momentum and was driving to take the lead. What was less obvious but more influential to the final outcome was the inexplicable playcalling by the Steelers. The Packers could NOT stop the Steelers running attack. After the Steelers grabbed the momentum in the game in the 3rd quarter, they were close enough on the scoreboard to go to their smashmouth, running assault. But they didn't; they continued to pass the football. The Steelers averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry but only rushed 23 times (4 of those were Roethlisberger scrambles). And the "eye test" clearly showed a Packers defense that was incapable of stopping any of the Steelers' ball carriers, particularly Mendenhall. I really think this oversight killed their championship chances.
Fans and spectators have to be happy that they got to see a great Super Bowl game. This came after a week that the Dallas Metroplex area will probably not live down anytime soon. Most of the issues in the hosting city area were weather related (snow & cold temperatures) which was out of everyone's hands, especially this snow riddled winter. But the snafu that occured a couple of hours before the game, where it was reported that 1250 temporary seats were not ready to be occupied by paid fans, may be one of the worst transgressions ever to take place at a Super Bowl. The league announced that about 850 of those folks were relocated to similiar or better seats but the other 400 were left without a seat and they were given the option to stand inside the stadium and watch the game from monitors. The NFL will compensate those folks by paying them triple the face value amount of their tickets. It will be interesting to hear exactly what happened and why were those seats not ready to be used on the day of the Super Bowl.
I am happy that the Packers and the Steelers gave everyone an exciting game to the end. I would like to congratulate the Packers again for winning their fourth Super Bowl in team history. And they should send Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles a playoff/Super Bowl cut as well. You see, if the Eagles had not made the miraculous comeback (28 points in last 7 minutes of the game) against the New York Giants in Week 15, the Packers would not have had the opportunity to play their way into the playoffs by winning their last two games. That NFC sixth seed was the Giants spot; the Pack may want to give a cut to the Giants defense and special teams as well! But that is to take nothing at all away from the Packers themselves. They won their last two regular season games and four playoff games to wrap up the title. Their hard work, perseverance and teamwork is to be commended and emulated. Enjoy your victory Green Bay, it's well deserved!!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Steelers vs. Packers: Super Bowl XLV Rodeo In Texas
Alright! The time is upon us. The big game! The one that all NFL players work so hard to try to reach. The one that they think about as they work through two-a-days in the sweltering heat of training camp. The one that they sacrifice their body and mind for. It's Super Bowl time! After having a weekend without a real game, it is time to get it on! And as you are well aware of already from all of the hype, Super Bowl XLV features the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Green Bay Packers (-2.5) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
I think that we lucked out as fans and spectators with this game because it is a great matchup. I really can see either team winning a close battle. The Packers have charged into the Super Bowl in playoff mode since Week 16 of the regular season. They have won five consecutive games in five weeks. My one concern for them is the extra week off they just experienced. Will that hurt the rhythm on offense at all? Or, are they due for an "off" game? And what about the Steelers? Will the extra week off, their second off week of the playoffs, hurt them at all? Ironically, both teams had similar championship games in that they jumped out to convincing first half leads, only to be shut down in the second half and nearly lose the game. Will the Steelers be able to pick up what the Chicago Bears did to the Packers defensively in the second half of the NFC Championship game? I think that is the key to the game for them. The Steelers do not want to fall prey to what the Bears and the Atlanta Falcons did in the playoffs against the Packers and that is fall behind big. Though the Steelers can move the ball, I think they will be hurt if they have to try to play "catchup" and get into a one dimensional passing mode. They will need their running game to succeed. So the Steelers defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau will have to come up with a combination of schemes to stop the Packers from spreading them out and gaining big chunks of yards in the passing game. Conversely, the Packers will have to find a way to be effective passing the ball since the Steelers are the number one run defense in the league. On defense, I think the Packers can contain the Steelers offense. The one thing the Packers defense should do that the New York Jets defense did not do in the AFC Championship game is capitalize on the Steelers banged up offensive line, especially with C Maurkice Pouncey being a no-go due to a ankle sprain. They will also have to do a better job than the Jets in stopping Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in key moments. Roethlisberger's overall numbers were not impressive against the Jets but he made clutch plays when his team needed them.
So the Packers will need to execute in their passing game and take advantage of the Steelers offensive line on defense. The Steelers will have to keep the Packers offense in check and not fall behind by a large margin. The Steelers also will have to get their running game going and stay away from going heavy in the passing game (though I do think the Steelers speedy wideouts can cause havoc on the Packers secondary). While I do believe this game could go either way, I think Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will stay hot for one more week and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay. Take the Packers and give the -2.5 points.
I think that we lucked out as fans and spectators with this game because it is a great matchup. I really can see either team winning a close battle. The Packers have charged into the Super Bowl in playoff mode since Week 16 of the regular season. They have won five consecutive games in five weeks. My one concern for them is the extra week off they just experienced. Will that hurt the rhythm on offense at all? Or, are they due for an "off" game? And what about the Steelers? Will the extra week off, their second off week of the playoffs, hurt them at all? Ironically, both teams had similar championship games in that they jumped out to convincing first half leads, only to be shut down in the second half and nearly lose the game. Will the Steelers be able to pick up what the Chicago Bears did to the Packers defensively in the second half of the NFC Championship game? I think that is the key to the game for them. The Steelers do not want to fall prey to what the Bears and the Atlanta Falcons did in the playoffs against the Packers and that is fall behind big. Though the Steelers can move the ball, I think they will be hurt if they have to try to play "catchup" and get into a one dimensional passing mode. They will need their running game to succeed. So the Steelers defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau will have to come up with a combination of schemes to stop the Packers from spreading them out and gaining big chunks of yards in the passing game. Conversely, the Packers will have to find a way to be effective passing the ball since the Steelers are the number one run defense in the league. On defense, I think the Packers can contain the Steelers offense. The one thing the Packers defense should do that the New York Jets defense did not do in the AFC Championship game is capitalize on the Steelers banged up offensive line, especially with C Maurkice Pouncey being a no-go due to a ankle sprain. They will also have to do a better job than the Jets in stopping Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in key moments. Roethlisberger's overall numbers were not impressive against the Jets but he made clutch plays when his team needed them.
So the Packers will need to execute in their passing game and take advantage of the Steelers offensive line on defense. The Steelers will have to keep the Packers offense in check and not fall behind by a large margin. The Steelers also will have to get their running game going and stay away from going heavy in the passing game (though I do think the Steelers speedy wideouts can cause havoc on the Packers secondary). While I do believe this game could go either way, I think Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will stay hot for one more week and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay. Take the Packers and give the -2.5 points.
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