1) What a game by Packers running back Ryan Grant. To start out the way he did, with two fumbles in the first three minutes of his first career playoff game, Grant did an incredible job to put that behind him and play a great game (201 rushing yards, 3 TD's). I like the way he runs, it reminds me a lot of Priest Holmes from a few years back. Not afraid to take a hit, but surprisingly fast. How come the Bears never find a guy like that?
2) Is there anything better than watching a football game in the snow? I just love it. That Packers-Seahawks game was just beautiful to watch...from the warm comforts of my couch of course. Hopefully there is more of that to come this weekend.3) Watching Tom Brady on Saturday night was like seeing Greg Maddux in his prime. During the game, if you had asked me my opinion on his performance, I would have said that Brady was doing good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then the final stat line comes out, and it turns out Golden Boy Brady was 26 for 28 with three TD passes. But the reason it looks so easy is because the Pats never went deep, never stretched the filed, instead choosing to take what Jacksonville gave them. Maddux used to do the same thing, throwing complete game shutouts but notching no strikeouts. Watching Brady, and the Patriots as a team, is truly a treat. (Even though I want them to lose)
4) Despite their loss, Jacksonville should hold its head high, because they played a fantastic game. David Gerrard made one too many costly mistakes and they settled for field goals a couple of times instead of scoring TD's. But their defense played pretty well and the Jaguar receivers played one of their best games all season.
5) I thought that after winning a Super Bowl, Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and the rest of the Colts would have put their playoff jitters behind them. Yet there they were on Sunday, blowing a game that should have been theirs against a roster full of backups. If a team can't win at home, with every close call going their way against a squad whose three best offensive players are out, then I would say there is no doubt that the Colts still have some playoff problems.
6) Despite what I just wrote, which is true, you have to hand it to San Diego's backups, especially QB Billy Volek and runners Michael Turner and Darren Sproles. To drive down the field and score a touchdown with guys who haven't taken many snaps this season, in that environment, is really special. Just think, if the Colts were down a score and they had to rely on Jim Sorgi and Luke Lawton, I'm guessing not to many people around Indianapolis would be too optimistic about their chances. To have depth like San Diego does really helps a ball club.
7) I'm really starting to dislike Chargers QB Phillip Rivers. Not only does he pick fights with other players, as he did with Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, but now he's starting to get in to it with opposing fans. Last Sunday, after he was taken out for his knee injury, the CBS cameras showed Rivers walking to the locker room, yelling at fans that he'd be back in the game (he never returned) and that their booing of him only helped (it obviously had no effect). Hey Phillip, how about growing up and keeping your mouth shut?
8) Of the four contests this weekend, I thought that the Giants-Cowboys game was the most exciting of them all. The game was never out of reach for either team until the final seconds, and both teams showed a lot of heart for all 60 minutes. I thought New York won because their defense did not allow the Dallas attack get settled. This was shown by the multiple false start penalties recorded by the Cowboys, the intentional grounding flag that Tony Romo got, and all the pressure put on Romo through out the second half. Dallas never adjusted, refusing to keep Jason Witten or Marion Barber in to block. And that, to be simple, is the reason the G-Men are still playing football.
9) What a remarkable turn-around for Eli Manning. After having such an up and down season, to win back to back playoff games on the road is really special. Manning made some nice throws and had two TD passes versus Dallas, but more importantly, he never threw an interception. As I have seen for the past three years with Rex Grossman, the most important thing a QB can do is not make a costly mistake. And Manning never did, showing that he is turning it around at just the right time for New York.
10) One game in the snow, one game with near perfection, one game with backups taking over and one game with a great finish....Does it get any better than NFL playoffs?
Now on to my championship game picks. Last week I went 3-1 (got the SD-Indy game wrong), which improved my playoff record to 7-1. Overall, combining regular season and playoffs, I am 163-101.
AFC: As of right now (Saturday morning), Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates are doubtful and Ladanian Tomlinson is day-to-day. That means all of them could play for San Diego, but none will be at 100%. The Patriots on the other hand don't have any serious injuries, but have the distraction of Randy Moss' alleged battery of a woman in Florida. I'm guessing that won't affect the Brady Bunch too much, and without their stars, the Chargers will have no way to match New England on the scoreboard. The weather might play a minor roll, but not enough to give San Diego a chance.
Patriots 27 Chargers 14
NFC: Eli Manning versus Brett Favre. Should be easy right? Especially at Lambeau. But I see this game coming right down to the end, because of New York's run game and the in-experience on Green Bay's offense (Other than Favre and Driver). If the Giants can rush the QB this week like they did versus the Bucs and Cowboys, there's no reason they can't go into Green Bay and get the win. I think that happens, and even though it would be a great story to see Brady vs. Favre in the Super Bowl, it just falls a bit short.
Giants 20 Packers 17
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