"Men, I want
you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super
Bowl." Bill Peterson
It seems like an age has passed
since we were all grappling with the very real fear of an NFL-less 2011, and
now after this season of shifting powerhouses, surprising performances and
newly emerging stars we find ourselves in in the throes of playoff-fever, mere
weeks away from the ‘Big Dance’.
The first few tumultuous weeks of
the 2011 season proved unsettling, with written off teams, comprising
unheralded players, mounting dominant displays and amassing surprising wins
against ‘good teams’ who suffered unexpected and deflating loss after loss. As
the season has progressed the ship has righted itself to a large extent,
however, in keeping with the theme of 2011, all the playoff pieces were not in place until the final play of week
17.
Some of the familiar protagonists
have progressed to the upcoming divisional round of the post-season, however, the teams who will victoriously emerge to
represent the AFC and NFC in the Super Bowl are far from apparent. Clearly
regular season performance is a strong indicator when determining a team’s
probability of making it to the all-important game in Indianapolis, but nowhere
is the old adage of ‘one game at a time’ more poignant than in an NFL
post-season.
The upcoming NFC games, whilst entertaining, offer perhaps the least opportunity for drama:
The 49ers are hosting playoff
football for the first time in almost a decade (as predicted) and an outstanding
rookie performance from Aldon Smith (14 sacks) has underlined an impressive
defensive display, which has greatly aided the 49ers cause. The 49ers may even be able to contain Drew Brees early on in the game but it is doubtful to last. Alex Smith
has still not entirely redeemed himself and not even David Akers’ leg, and the
league’s fourth ranked defence, will be able to halt an explosive Saints offence
(out for revenge for last season’s loss to the Seahawks).
Yes, it is true, the Packers have shown that they can be beaten, but as it states in Proverbs, “a beautiful thing is never perfect”. Any member of the 2007 Patriots will attest to the fact that a perfect season means nothing if you don’t get a ring at the end of it. That of course is the same year that the Giant’s defence went on a rampage, dominating opposing lines and smothering quarterbacks, on their way to Super Bowl glory; that same dominance was on display last week against the Falcons. Eli Manning has put aside a lacklustre performance in 2010 and is playing like he wants to be included amongst the elite. Manning has also been helped by his willing and very able receivers, and also the fact that Brandon Jacobs seems to have remembered that he is bigger than most people trying to tackle him and is running with a purpose. However, the same system and group of players that has people talking about starting roles for Matt Flynn, will yet again flourish under Aaron Rodgers, who will lead this very talented team to victory.
Yes, it is true, the Packers have shown that they can be beaten, but as it states in Proverbs, “a beautiful thing is never perfect”. Any member of the 2007 Patriots will attest to the fact that a perfect season means nothing if you don’t get a ring at the end of it. That of course is the same year that the Giant’s defence went on a rampage, dominating opposing lines and smothering quarterbacks, on their way to Super Bowl glory; that same dominance was on display last week against the Falcons. Eli Manning has put aside a lacklustre performance in 2010 and is playing like he wants to be included amongst the elite. Manning has also been helped by his willing and very able receivers, and also the fact that Brandon Jacobs seems to have remembered that he is bigger than most people trying to tackle him and is running with a purpose. However, the same system and group of players that has people talking about starting roles for Matt Flynn, will yet again flourish under Aaron Rodgers, who will lead this very talented team to victory.
Of the four games this weekend the most intriguing are those
being played out in the AFC:
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Texans -v- Ravens
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In years past this would not have
been regarded as any sort of contest for the Ravens. An experienced and well
balanced offense would easily cruise to victory, reliant on a battle hardened
and formidable defensive corps to crush the feeble attempts of an inferior
opponent.
Looking towards the upcoming game
on Sunday, based purely on playoff-experience, the Ravens have the edge over
the Texans, but that is not the whole story.
Undoubtedly the greatest
beneficiaries of the Manning-less Colts are the Houston Texans, who for the
first time in its 11 year history are still playing football in January. Of course that is not to detract from the
enormous strides the team have taken in the space of a year. Wade Phillips has
overseen the transformation of the 30th ranked Defence (2010) into
the second best in the league (the Ravens are ranked 3rd) and this
was without the services of Mario Williams. This is hardly surprising when the Defensive nouse of Wade Phillips is fused with the personnel Houston
has quietly acquired over the years, with playmakers at every level. Brian Cushing and JJ Watt displayed a boundless energy against Cincinnati, as
they launched a search and destroy campaign for anyone unfortunate enough to be
holding the ball. Assuming an opposing quarterback is not running for his life, Jason Allen and Jonathan Joseph have also proved an effective partnership
at cornerback. Should Flacco have one of his trademark questionable performances, he will not have an easy ride.
On the other side of the ball losing
Andre Johnson for a large proportion of the season, and a string of
quarterbacks, did not stop the efficient offensive unit from
helping the Texans to its first division title. The backfield tandem of Foster
and Tate is also more than capable of compensating for any deficiencies in the
passing game.
Whilst the Texans have come far
we cannot get carried away; winning at home against the Bengals is not the same
as beating the Ravens on the road. When the two teams last met Flacco threw for
305 yards, Ray Rice ran for 101 yards and Boldin had 132 receiving yards.
Foster and Tate were held to a total of 90 yards 0 TDs and Schaub threw for 220
yards. Of course the Texans will now have Johnson in the line-up, but he seemed to
have suffered from stage fright against the Bengals, a far cry from the coming
out party most were expecting.
To put matters into perspective
Schaub will not be under centre on Sunday, nor even Leinart; the Texans hopes
of progression will rest on the unlikely shoulders of T.J Yates. To be clear
NFL teams, including the Texans, felt there were 151 better players to take in
the 2011 draft and 8 better QB prospects. When selecting Yates in the fifth
round the Texans were picking up a QB who could develop into a solid back-up in
time, not the man they would want to send out against the likes of Ngata,
Suggs, Lewis, and Reed in the Divisional round of the playoffs.
The odds may be stacked up against the Texans, but this is by no means an easy contest for either team.
The odds may be stacked up against the Texans, but this is by no means an easy contest for either team.
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Broncos -v- Patriots
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Statistical comparatives,
performance history, ranking, rating, tradition, rational logic and
common sense all dictate that Tim Tebow’s Broncos should not come within a sniff of a victory. Tim Tebow should not be able to best Tom
Brady, at Foxborough, in the playoffs. Tim Tebow should not advance to the Conference finals. Everyone knows
what should happen, but that
in no way means that it will.
The Broncos’ path to Foxborough
came by way of the league’s best defensive unit, no small feat for any team, or
any quarterback. Detractors will be quick to point out that Tebow faced an
aging, season-weary and injured Steeler team whom would have otherwise dismantled
the growing Tebow legend. These of course would be the same detractors who, at
the start of the season, would have picked a wheelchair bound Roethlisberger over Tebow. In truth, the Patriots owe a debt of gratitude to the Steelers, who demonstrated
that teams dismiss Tebow at their peril. Tebow has to be accounted for and now, having shown himself capable of actually completing a pass, he is more of a
match-up nightmare than ever.
Although Tebow appears as the
focal point of the Broncos’ success this season, it is clear that a solid
defence (greatly aided by rookie Von Miller) and McGahee’s stout running
performances have all played a vital role. However, try as you might, there is no
escaping the 'Tebow Factor' which has captured the attention of fans and non-fans
alike, across the world. To date there has not been an adequate definition of
the Tebow Factor, nor a breakdown or presentation of what exactly it
encapsulates – but this is very much the point, it is not something that can be broken down or presented in a statistical or even rational manner.
I am sure to be berated and
ridiculed for even mentioning the two in the same sentence, but when I think of
the Tebow Factor, I think of Michael Jordan. Before you navigate away from the
page and delete BritCoastOffense from your browser history hear me out...
Michael Jordon was unique and transcended the sport that he mastered, I am not suggesting
(and will never suggest) that Tebow displays the same dominance and brilliance
on the gridiron that Jordan did on the court; where I believe the comparison
lies is when a game is on the line.
In the last seconds, of the last quarter
of a game the four other players on the court and the entire Bulls side-line were
comforted in knowing that the ball would be placed in Jordan’s hands. We as
fans shared that comfort and ‘knew’ that Jordan would sink the basket. Tebow is
not blessed with the mechanics of an elite NFL quarterback, but I believe the
Broncos are comfortable with having the ball and game in his hands in the fourth quarter; they know that if there is a chance to win the game Tebow will do
whatever it takes to capitalise on that, and Broncos fans 'know' that he will pull
through.
In a week that has seen members of the Jets openly criticise Sanchez’
performance, I believe this says more about Tebow than any stat
sheet ever will. There is also no doubt that Tebow has been thinking of one word all season.... win.
