NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend Thoughts
1. With acception to the Showdown in the Desert, the 3 other games were a snooze-fest. Let's hope for more competitive games in the Divisional Semi's!
2. As much debate there is on NFL overtime rules and the shootout going on in the dessert, it was only fitting the defense decided a 96 point game.
3. I know it's probably a VERY long shot, but I'd love to see a Darelle Revis vs. Larry Fitzgerald/ Kurt Warner matchup. Revis (Jets) has single handily shut down every top-notch receiver he's faced this year. By far the most talented CB I've seen in years and he's only 24 years old! Another great draft pick by Eric Mangini!
4. It must've been tough for Wes Welker to watch his team from Robert Kraft's suite. Not only did he look awkward for being the only "non-suit", but he had to watch his teammates struggle to get open all day long. It's clear the Pats were out-matched, but they sure could've used Welkers help. With that said, we are in a new decade. Are the 2010's the mark of the post-Patriot era? I see a rebuild in their future.
5. Aaron Rodgers threw for 422 yards while the Packers #1 RB, Ryan Grant rushed for only 65 yards. Talk about an unbalanced offense!
6. Kurt Warner's numbers yesterday: 29/33 for 379 yards, 5 TD's and a QB rating of 154.1. That's more TD's than incompletion's! Not sure if it's been discussed, but this has to be the best statistical performance by a QB in playoff history, right?
7. The NFL really has become a pass first league. Think about all the high powered offenses led by marque QB's that are still in the playoffs: Manning, Brees, Warner, Favre, Romo, Rivers, oh my! The other two remaining teams are still playing the old fashioned way (running the ball and playing defense). People always say defense wins games. I think this year may be the exception.
8. Of the teams that played this weekend, Dallas is by far the most balanced team going right now. Romo threw for 228 and 2 TD's, while his backs ran for 198 and scored 2 TD's. Oh, and the defense? They're no slouches either. Next week's matchup in Minny is setting up to be one for the ages!
9. The other marque game of next week has to go to the Cards vs. Saints. Two high potent offenses square off in a weather-proof dome. Something's got to give, right?