Division playoffs - verdict
Panthers 29-21 Bears
How do you stop Steve Smith? Normally a star receiver with little support can be taken out of the game by double-coverage. Smith caught a pass in double coverage, wrestling the ball of Charles Tillman at the one-yard line to set up the second score. The first score was his, a 58-yard-duking dash of the second play from scrimmage, and there was more as he beat a stumbling defender for a 39-yard touchdown. His 218 yards are a career best and the fourth-highest ever in the playoffs - 22 short of the record. It helped that Chicago were also giving respect early on to the Carolina running game, even though DeShaun Foster and Nick Goings averaged just 3.4 yards per play, but Smith combined speed, physicality and outstanding moves to evade the stingiest defense in the league.
The Bears did well to keep up, given their lack of offense for much of the season. Quarterback Rex Grossman struggled early but realised he could connect with receivers on crossing routes and his figures had recovered by game's end. Offensive co-ordinator Ron Turner must take some criticism, though, for not using running back Thomas Jones more in key situations. He had 80 yards on 20 touches but showed the potential to break free on several occasions and could have eased the pressure on the inexperienced Grossman.
Grossman, or back-up Kyle Orton, will come back more experienced next year older and wiser and the Bears have outstanding foundations elsewhere in their receiving corps, rushing game and defense. Coach of the year Lovie Smith knows this isn't just a one-year project.
Carolina are without Foster, who broke his ankle, as they prepare to visit Seattle next weekend, but with Smith in the side and QB Jae Delhomme in playoff form, they know they can compete with anyone.
Steelers 21-18 Colts
Who was going to be the villain in this game for the ages? Would it be referee Pete Morelli, for messing up a TV replay challenge and ruling that Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu had not made an interception with five minutes left to seal the game? What about Jerome Bettis for coughing up the ball on what could have been the last carry of his storied career? In the end it was Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who missed at home for the first time this year, shanking a 46-yard attempt very wide right.
That Vanderjagt even had a chance to send the game into overtime is down to the Colts' ability to strike from any distance at any time. Despite a woeful first half, when they showed all the rust accumulated in the month since they last played a meaningful game, quarterback Peyton Manning was key in two heart-stopping scores in the final quarter as, first, tight end Dallas Clark performed a 50-yard catch-and-run, then three receivers combined for 53 yards in three plays before Edgerrin James plunged in from three yards out.
In the first half, Manning looked a shadow of his usual self, as Pittsburgh defensive coach Dick LeBeau threw the full repertoire at him. "Blitzburgh" started the game with just two down-linemen, then threw linebackers from all angles, faking ten dropping back, stacking up on one corner or delaying until the play developed before barrelling through. The Steelers also did well to nullify the contributions of Marvin Harrison - allowing him just three catches - and James, whose 51 yards came mainly in a 96-yard drive before the half. Had they punched the ball in after that, Indy could well have turned the game with James. As it was, they were still playing catch-up and forced to rely on a cranky passing game instead.
Pittsburgh's offensive scheming was excellent, utilising tight formations, with just one or two receivers, offering a "max protect" formation with two tight ends. They could either punch the ball through the middle or - more effectively - find holes in the pass coverage just behind the confused linebackers. Most people were expecting a show-down between the Patriots and the Colts at the RCA Dome. Instead, it's a Steeler visit to Denver, pitting the two most successful running games in the league. Pittsburgh become the first number six seed to advance this far in the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Colts must act fast to make sure their bubble doesn't burst. This was the year they had to fulfil their potential. Although Manning and Harrison are tied up in long-term contracts, James becomes a free agent after this season and a host of second-rung players, like receiver Reggie Wayne, are likely to move on to take larger roles elsewhere. There were rumours even before the game that coach Tony Dungy would step down, and those are likely grow after this wild defeat. Wow.
Broncos 27-13 Patriots
The first ever NFL "threepeat" will have to wait at least another three years to come to fruition after New England committed some uncharacteristic errors in their first playoff loss since 3 January 1999. Tom Brady was intercepted twice, Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk fumbled and Adam Vinatieri, symbol of the Patriots dominance over the last five years, missed a field goal attempt from 43 yards out at the start of the fourth quarter. Perhaps the Pats were just getting their due after a season of over-achieving. Brady has had to carry the team on his back all season and this game was no different as running back Corey Dillon was very poor - take his two longest runs away and he got 29 yards on 11 attempts.
Denver certainly weren't great. Mike Anderson confounded the early injury report to take the lead in the ground game, which meant there was less of an onus on Jake Plummer, who was intercepted in the second quarter. Pittsburgh will have reason to feel confident going into next Sunday's Championship matchup at Mile High.
New England get a chance to overcome their lengthy injury list and don't expect them to slip off the boil. With Belichick still scheming and personel man Scott Pioli signed up to a new contract the Pats will tinker slightly, maybe bring in a new back, and start thinking about winning four Super Bowls in six.
Seahawks 20-10 Redskins
The only player with a feeling of deja-vu after this game was likely to be running back Shaun Alexander, suffering the side effects of concussion, as Seattle gained some revenge for their early-season defeat by Washington and also found a way to win without NFL Most Valuable Player Alexander. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stepped up with 215 yards, a passing and a rushing touchdown, displaying toughness, mobility and bloody-mindedness in making plays successful. He was protected well by his offensive line, although Washington spent more time sitting back in coverage rather than applying pressure, as has been their hugely successful modus operandi over the last few weeks, and they continued to fall for play action fakes even with Alexander on the sideline and replacement Maurice Morris pretty ineffective.
The real hero, though, in securing the first ever NFL Championshop game appearance for Seattle was the Seahawks defense, who hit hard in the defensive backfield, marauded at linebacker and offered star Redskin rusher Clinton Portis just 41 yards on the ground. Middle 'backer Lofa Tatupu is a star already, just 17 games into his professional career, as he performs the crucial role of signal calling and had outstanding speed for a man his size.
On early reports, Alexander will be OK for the visit of Carolina next Sunday. Concussion can be very unpredictable but at least the Hawks know they can compete without their cornerstone.
Washington have managed to turn another mediocre season into a success thanks to their late run, but quarterback Mark Brunell looks like the weakest link as his skills diminish with age and injury. They either need Patrick Ramsay, who started the season before injury, to step up or should look to spend owner Dan Snyder's millions on a replacement. However, defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams has signed a new contract and his unit will continue to keep them close in games they deserve to lose.
NFLBriefing.com
How do you stop Steve Smith? Normally a star receiver with little support can be taken out of the game by double-coverage. Smith caught a pass in double coverage, wrestling the ball of Charles Tillman at the one-yard line to set up the second score. The first score was his, a 58-yard-duking dash of the second play from scrimmage, and there was more as he beat a stumbling defender for a 39-yard touchdown. His 218 yards are a career best and the fourth-highest ever in the playoffs - 22 short of the record. It helped that Chicago were also giving respect early on to the Carolina running game, even though DeShaun Foster and Nick Goings averaged just 3.4 yards per play, but Smith combined speed, physicality and outstanding moves to evade the stingiest defense in the league.
The Bears did well to keep up, given their lack of offense for much of the season. Quarterback Rex Grossman struggled early but realised he could connect with receivers on crossing routes and his figures had recovered by game's end. Offensive co-ordinator Ron Turner must take some criticism, though, for not using running back Thomas Jones more in key situations. He had 80 yards on 20 touches but showed the potential to break free on several occasions and could have eased the pressure on the inexperienced Grossman.
Grossman, or back-up Kyle Orton, will come back more experienced next year older and wiser and the Bears have outstanding foundations elsewhere in their receiving corps, rushing game and defense. Coach of the year Lovie Smith knows this isn't just a one-year project.
Carolina are without Foster, who broke his ankle, as they prepare to visit Seattle next weekend, but with Smith in the side and QB Jae Delhomme in playoff form, they know they can compete with anyone.
Steelers 21-18 Colts
Who was going to be the villain in this game for the ages? Would it be referee Pete Morelli, for messing up a TV replay challenge and ruling that Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu had not made an interception with five minutes left to seal the game? What about Jerome Bettis for coughing up the ball on what could have been the last carry of his storied career? In the end it was Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who missed at home for the first time this year, shanking a 46-yard attempt very wide right.
That Vanderjagt even had a chance to send the game into overtime is down to the Colts' ability to strike from any distance at any time. Despite a woeful first half, when they showed all the rust accumulated in the month since they last played a meaningful game, quarterback Peyton Manning was key in two heart-stopping scores in the final quarter as, first, tight end Dallas Clark performed a 50-yard catch-and-run, then three receivers combined for 53 yards in three plays before Edgerrin James plunged in from three yards out.
In the first half, Manning looked a shadow of his usual self, as Pittsburgh defensive coach Dick LeBeau threw the full repertoire at him. "Blitzburgh" started the game with just two down-linemen, then threw linebackers from all angles, faking ten dropping back, stacking up on one corner or delaying until the play developed before barrelling through. The Steelers also did well to nullify the contributions of Marvin Harrison - allowing him just three catches - and James, whose 51 yards came mainly in a 96-yard drive before the half. Had they punched the ball in after that, Indy could well have turned the game with James. As it was, they were still playing catch-up and forced to rely on a cranky passing game instead.
Pittsburgh's offensive scheming was excellent, utilising tight formations, with just one or two receivers, offering a "max protect" formation with two tight ends. They could either punch the ball through the middle or - more effectively - find holes in the pass coverage just behind the confused linebackers. Most people were expecting a show-down between the Patriots and the Colts at the RCA Dome. Instead, it's a Steeler visit to Denver, pitting the two most successful running games in the league. Pittsburgh become the first number six seed to advance this far in the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Colts must act fast to make sure their bubble doesn't burst. This was the year they had to fulfil their potential. Although Manning and Harrison are tied up in long-term contracts, James becomes a free agent after this season and a host of second-rung players, like receiver Reggie Wayne, are likely to move on to take larger roles elsewhere. There were rumours even before the game that coach Tony Dungy would step down, and those are likely grow after this wild defeat. Wow.
Broncos 27-13 Patriots
The first ever NFL "threepeat" will have to wait at least another three years to come to fruition after New England committed some uncharacteristic errors in their first playoff loss since 3 January 1999. Tom Brady was intercepted twice, Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk fumbled and Adam Vinatieri, symbol of the Patriots dominance over the last five years, missed a field goal attempt from 43 yards out at the start of the fourth quarter. Perhaps the Pats were just getting their due after a season of over-achieving. Brady has had to carry the team on his back all season and this game was no different as running back Corey Dillon was very poor - take his two longest runs away and he got 29 yards on 11 attempts.
Denver certainly weren't great. Mike Anderson confounded the early injury report to take the lead in the ground game, which meant there was less of an onus on Jake Plummer, who was intercepted in the second quarter. Pittsburgh will have reason to feel confident going into next Sunday's Championship matchup at Mile High.
New England get a chance to overcome their lengthy injury list and don't expect them to slip off the boil. With Belichick still scheming and personel man Scott Pioli signed up to a new contract the Pats will tinker slightly, maybe bring in a new back, and start thinking about winning four Super Bowls in six.
Seahawks 20-10 Redskins
The only player with a feeling of deja-vu after this game was likely to be running back Shaun Alexander, suffering the side effects of concussion, as Seattle gained some revenge for their early-season defeat by Washington and also found a way to win without NFL Most Valuable Player Alexander. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stepped up with 215 yards, a passing and a rushing touchdown, displaying toughness, mobility and bloody-mindedness in making plays successful. He was protected well by his offensive line, although Washington spent more time sitting back in coverage rather than applying pressure, as has been their hugely successful modus operandi over the last few weeks, and they continued to fall for play action fakes even with Alexander on the sideline and replacement Maurice Morris pretty ineffective.
The real hero, though, in securing the first ever NFL Championshop game appearance for Seattle was the Seahawks defense, who hit hard in the defensive backfield, marauded at linebacker and offered star Redskin rusher Clinton Portis just 41 yards on the ground. Middle 'backer Lofa Tatupu is a star already, just 17 games into his professional career, as he performs the crucial role of signal calling and had outstanding speed for a man his size.
On early reports, Alexander will be OK for the visit of Carolina next Sunday. Concussion can be very unpredictable but at least the Hawks know they can compete without their cornerstone.
Washington have managed to turn another mediocre season into a success thanks to their late run, but quarterback Mark Brunell looks like the weakest link as his skills diminish with age and injury. They either need Patrick Ramsay, who started the season before injury, to step up or should look to spend owner Dan Snyder's millions on a replacement. However, defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams has signed a new contract and his unit will continue to keep them close in games they deserve to lose.
NFLBriefing.com
posted by MG at
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