Random Thoughts and Brutal Honesty: Playoff Edition
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by user DRE-LO
After a great weekend of playoff football leading to two interesting conference championship games next Sunday, it's time to be brutally honest.
- It's official. The New Orleans Saints are America's team. If they aren't the sentimental favorite in your household, then you need to check yourself. In their 27-24 win on Saturday night over the Eagles, the football world learned firsthand the character of the Saints. They could have easily folded over after Brian Westbrook's 60 yard TD early in the third quarter that seemed to break open the game at the time. But unlike the New York Giants, the Saints showed mental toughness in the face of adversity and fought their way back with two touchdown drives. Deuce McCalister played the game of his life and surely gained loads of respect from the football world for that 5 yard TD in the third quarter. And Reggie Bush bounced back from an initiation playoff welcome by Sheldon Brown to score a TD himself and complement Deuce very well. Andy Reid gets tremondous credit for bringing his team as far as he did in the wake of McNabb's injury. But what was he thinking taking the football out of Jeff Garcia's hands and opting to punt when he must have known the Saints were simply going to run the football with Deuce down their throats? Not too bright, Mr Reid. They will take on the Bears who saw the good side of Rex Grossman this Sunday and outlasted the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in OT in another thrilling game. The Bears defense had their hands full today, now they will take a red hot Saints offense led by Drew Brees. Fasten your seatbelts, people.
- Can somebody tell me who this Indy defense is? I don't seem to recgonize them whatsoever. They're stopping the run, they're physical and they haven't allowed a TD in two playoff games. If anyone would had told me that Manning would be playing in the AFC Championship at home throwing only 1 TD and 5 Ints, I would be telling you to put the marijuana away. As for the Ravens, their offensive play-calling was so conservative that fans watching at home had to have destroyed furniture. How many third-down plays could you have that don't go past the first-down line. Keep the playbook from Brian Billick's hands. Jim Fassel must have been sitting home laughing. The Ravens were supposed to be the big bully in this game. But they proceeded to take shots in the mouth until they finally gave in. Committing four turnovers dosen't help.
- Manning and Dungy find their route to the Super Bowl cut off once again by the New England Patriots who upended the Chargers 24-21. Marty, Marty, Marty!!!!! 9 times of 1 and done for Marty!. Of course this game was completely turned around when Marlon Mccree intercepted a pass on 4th down and fumbled the football back to the Pats. If there is any team in this league you don't give new life to, it's the New England Patriots. Knock the football down, Marlon McCree. What possessed Marty to go for it on a 4th and 11 at the 30 yard line with no score in the first quarter?? YOU NEED POINTS!!!!! Why put such a load on Philip Rivers shoulders in his first playoff game? Then he wasted a timeout after that interception and fumble by Mccree to see if Mccree was down by contact? ?!?!?!?!?!? Then on the proceeding drive with four minutes remaining, LT gets a carry for five yards and never gets another carry on that critical drive. They put the ball in the hands of Philip Rivers on second and third down and a manageable five yards and nothing comes out of it. A critical 3 and out. Ball back to the Pats. This is what has to be driving Chargers fans up a wall. Going away from the MVP at such a critical juncture is just plain retarded. - On the final possession for the Chargers, not one play went to the sidelines to stop the clock and then the inexperience of Rivers as he was slow to get his team settled. Having no timeouts to use in that possession dosen't help in the least. LT's frustration was clearly apparent as he lost his cool after the game was over. But could you really blame him? Great players want the ball and deserve to get the ball when the game is on the line. LT's frustration should be directed near the Chargers coaching staff. It's no wonder that Marty S has had only 5 playoff wins in thirteen playoff appearances including 9 one and dones. The Chargers may have to seriously look at their options and find a coach who can put them over the top.
-By the way, the guy that knocked the ball away from Marlon McCree- Troy Brown. How many clutch plays has he made throughout the Patriots dynasty on offense, defense and special teams. His jersey needs to be retired after his career is all said and done.
- So it's all set, Saints vs Bears in Soldier Field. And once again, the Colts vs the New England Patriots, this time in the RCA Dome. The Bears got a big day from Rex Grossman, but it's always a question over which Rex you'll see. Meanwhile the New Orleans Saints have all their weapons intact and you can almost expect Brees to come up big for New Orleans. Thus, I pick the Saints over the Bears and it will once again be 27-24.
- I'm going to sit back and play the Devil's advocate with the Colts. Manning has not been able to figure out Belichick in these championship games. The Pats are riding with a ton of momentum after their win in San Diego. And the Colts defense have uncharacteristically carried this team. If there is any time for Manning to break through to the big game, this is it. He'll hear about it all week from the media. He'll have to prove them wrong as well as me. Patriots 27-20.
- Can anyone imagine in a little twist of fate... if Adam Vinatieri knocks out the Pats with a game-winning field goal?????
