Willy’s Wild Card Weekend Recap
What a weekend for football, two teams who were featured in last years super bowl, have had an early exit from the playoff’s, as both the Saints and the Colts lost this weekend. So let’s take get to it and take you to Seattle.
Saints 36 Seattle 41
To some, this game was the biggest upset in post-season NFL history. The Saints rolled into Seattle banged up, heavily at the running back position. It was a crucial part of the saints offense, and it was idle from this game. Seattle got their “golden-boy” quarterback back under center Saturday, and it couldn’t have come at any better time. Matt Hasselbeck passed 272 yards with 4 touchdown passes while completing 22 of 34 passes. Although Hasselbecks performance wasn’t the biggest highlight, RB Lynch took that one, as he galloped to an amazing (and that’s an understatement) 67 yard touchdown run. He broke at least a half a dozen tacklers on that play. Drew Brees passed for 404 yards with only 2 touchdown passes, he completed 39 of 60 passes. 60 passes ? Yes 60 passes, which is why they lost. They only ran the ball 20 times, for 71 yards, although they generated two rushing touchdowns. They lacked the continuity, the balance. Seattle ran the ball 23 times for 151 generating 1 touchdown, but they had balance, they passed the ball only 35 times.
Eagles 16 Packers 21
Rodgers came up big today as he finally won a playoff game, the Packers QB threw for 180 yards and 3 touchdown passes, completing 18 of 27. The rushing game was spot on today as rookie running back Starks rushed for 123 yards in 23 carries. No interceptions today, but Aron did put the ball on the ground, which lead to a Eagles touchdown drive. Mike Vick threw for 292 yards with 1 touchdown pass, completing 20 out of 36. But the running game never really left the ground as they only rushed for 82 yards combined. Again the ability to run the ball was the difference maker in this one, that and Vick’s interception in the endzone at the end of the game.
Colts 15 Jets 16
This epic rematch of last years AFC Championship earns this week game of the week. This was a game of who ever had the ball last, would win the game. Mark Sanchez threw for 189 yards with 1 interception, completing 18 of 31. The Jets rushed for a combined total of 189 yards generating 2 touchdowns led by Tomlinson (82 yds), and Greene (70 yds). The Jet’s ability to run the ball, worked out perfectly, but Sanchez’s last drive was key as he drove his team down the field for the game’s winning field goal. Payton Manning threw for 225 yards and 1 touchdown pass, completing 18 of 26. The Colts rushed the ball 27 times for only 93 yards. The Colts had balance on offense, they just couldn’t get any thing out of it. It just came down to who had the ball last, the Jets answered right back after Manning led his team to a score.
Chiefs 7 Ravens 30
Joe Flaco got it done through the air today, throwing for 265 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. He completed 25 of 34 passes and no interceptions. Running back’s Ray Rice and Willis McGahee rushed for a combined total of 101 yards and 1 touchdown. The Ravens defense came up big, generating 3 turnovers. Matt Cassel threw for only 80 yards completing 9 out of 18 passes. Ouch, that’s less than I was throwing in middle school, I threw for an average 134 yards back then. The Chiefs rushed for 91 yards and one touchdown, led by running back Charles who rushed for 82 of those. The Chief’s beat them selves in this one, the turnovers really hurt.
Divisional Playoff’s
NFC
(11-6) Greenbay @ (12-4) Atlanta PREDICTION: Greenbay wins 23-20
(8-9) Seattle @ (11-5) Chicago PREDICTION: Chicago wins 38-17
AFC
(11-5) Jets @ (14-2) Patriots PREDICTION: Jets win 37-34
(12-4) Ravens @ (12-4) Steelers PREDICTION: Steelers win 17-13