Patriots Are Denied and Seahawks Are Sent Packin'

Number One New England Patriots mounted a second half surge, but were denied a trip to the AFC Championship by a stubborn NY Jets, who just won't go away. Tom Brady couldn't get into his usual rythmn due to an annoying Jets defense and was sacked five times plus hit another seven. Mark Sanchez didn't make any mistakes, which was necessary for the Jets to even have a chance in this one. The Jets running game was superior to the Patriots. All the way around the Patriots were out finessed by the Jets ending 28-21.

Tom Brady threw for more yardage than Sanchez. Brady accumulated more passing first downs with 19-8. Time of possession was as equally imbalanced, with the Patriots holding the ball almost ten minutes longer. Obviously Brady and company were not as productive with the ball. Brady threw for 299 yards, but had the one looming mistake in the beginning that set the tone. The Patriots even had more rushing first downs. Five different rushers combined for 113 yards. All-in-all just too many passes fell to the wayside.

The Jets made the most of the time they had the ball. Mark Sanchez had a 194 total passing yards with three touchdowns. He went 16-25. Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson combined for 119 yards of rushing with one touchdown each. Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards accounted for the other two reception touchdowns, but Jerico Cotchery was Sanchez main target hauling in 5 passes for 96 yards. Offensive job done. The Jets defense did their part in making sure the Patriots were miserable and frustrated. As already mentioned, they sacked Brady 5 times, 3 of them in the Patriots disastrous first half. Jets move on to play the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

Seattle made it fun and interesting, but you had to know it wasn't going to last. Jay Cutler was just too much for the Seattle defense to handle, who had a great game. He became the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for two touchdowns and run for two others in a playoff game. Seattle made a valiant effort in the fourth quarter to narrow the point difference, but it was not enough. Chicago won 35-24.

Jay Cutler passed and ran like a man on a mission. The mission was to win, and that is what he did. Cutler threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Greg Olsen made some big catches for him scoring one touchdown with 113 yards. The big one was a 58 yard touchdown on the Bears first possession. Chicago dominated the ground game with Matt Forte pounding out 80 yards. Chester Taylor ran for another 44 yards and Cutler scrambled for 43 yards. The Bears defense did their job keeping the Seahawks out of the end zone for three quarters. Bears move on to face the daunting Packers in the NFC Championship.

Seattle could not get anything going for three quarters, their guns were silent. If it wasn't for the fourth quarter there wouldn't be anything to talk about as far as Seattle's offense was concerned. You figure by then Chicago was in prevent mode being so far ahead with the score at 28-3. Matt Hasselbeck threw three touchdowns, all in fourth quarter. Mike williams caught two of the three in that last ditch effort-less ending. Brandon Stokely caught the third and through the game mounted 85 yards. That's pretty much it, the fairy tale season is over for the Seahawks.

Divisional Playoffs-Couldn't Have Been Scripted Any Better

Is it fate or destiny that is quietly, pretentiously manipulating the way the ball is bouncing? Take for example the closing drive of the Jets against the Colts. Braylon Edwards caught the pass from Sanchez over the middle at which time the defender slapped the ball out of his hands onto the ground. When you look at the replay the Colt defenders didn't even see the loose ball because if they did it would have ended the Jets drive and the game. Did something for that crucial moment cast a shadow over their vision? It was as if a Colt victory was not meant to be. Some mysterious force wanted the Jets to win and dare I suggest it's because a Jets-Patriots confrontation appears more interesting than a Colts-Patriots game when considering their regular season matchups. And Kansas City, the ball just flat out eluded them.

The Jets and Patriots were even in regular season matchups, but that's not saying they are evenly matched. The Patriots had two seasons, the Randy Moss Season and then the rest of the Season. The Jets won their game in the Randy Moss Season. Plus, the loss to the Browns woke up the sleeping giant and since then the Patriots have been unstoppable. True, the Jets defense ranks better in all categories, but weather is the great equalizer. Added to that, they are playing on the Patriots home turf. Brady is nearly invincible at home, especially in the playoffs. The Jets have been living on borrowed time all season. The only thing that can save the Jets in this one is the ball needs to mysteriously bounce their way.

The Ravens and Steelers game to me is the game of the week. When these two teams come together it's like the splitting of an atom. The two times they faced off in regular season were very low scoring and decided by the count of a field goal. Pittsburgh took the division even though their records were identical. Baltimore has a grudge to settle. They are tired of being on the short end of the stick when it comes to the Steelers. It will be a hard-hitting defensive battle with alot of blitzing, but if Roethlisberger and Wallace get the opportunity to hook up, watch out. Baltimore will need a stable run game to give Flacco room to work.

Atlanta had a good season this year. Green Bay has been on and off, suffering five of their six losses on the road. Green Bay is tough against the pass, but weak against the run. Atlanta will attempt to take advantage of that fact with Michael Turner. If they are able to establish the run game, Matt Ryan will have the opportunity to pick and choose his targets at his liesure. Still, that will be difficult with a Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson led defense. Atlanta will be vulnerable when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, so Green Bay will be relying heavily on his talents and uncanny ability to find the end zone, whether throwing or running. The Packers have been lacking a consistent run game all season, but it mysteriously showed up with Starks last weekend. The Georgia Dome will be hostile.

It was reported a tremor was registered when Marshawn Lynch ran for his 67 yard fourth quarter  touchdown. Was it the cheering and pounding of the fans or the Saints defensive players hitting the ground that caused it? A different Seattle showed up at Qwest Field last weekend and gave their hometown a show. Despite their losing record, the Seahawks are determined to show they are worthy of being in the playoffs. Lynch will be facing a field of more sure-handed tacklers in the Chicago Bears. Matt Hasselbeck had a revival of past glory. He was deadly accurate with his four touchdowns. Chicago will not be underestimating the enthusiasm of the Seahawks. The Bears have a tough defense with Urlacher leading the way, especially agaist the run. Seattle will be coming after Jay Cutler, so he will have to rely on his ability to move around to find the open receiver and avoid hasty decisions.
 
Playoffs - Divisional Playoffs
SAT, JAN 15 TIME (ET) TV RESOURCES LOCATION

Baltimore 18 at Pittsburgh 20 4:30 PM CBS

Heinz Field

26*

Green Bay 24 at Atlanta 27 8:00 PM FOX

Georgia Dome

SUN, JAN 16 TIME (ET) TV RESOURCES LOCATION

Seattle 23 at Chicago 21 1:00 PM FOX 

Soldier Field

21*

NY Jets 17 at New England 30 4:30 PM CBS

Gillette

19*

History In The Making-Seahawks Win Big And Colts Just Lose

It was a great start to the Wild and Wooly-Card Weekend. The 7-9 Seattle Seahawks rocked the football world by taking out the New Orlean Saints 41-36. The Seahawks defied all logic. They not only won, but did it convincingly. If that wasn't enough irony, Peyton Manning stood helplessly on the sidelines as the Jets methodically moved down the field in the closing minute. The camera honed in on Manning and then the field of play where Edwards made a sensational catch to seal the Colts fate. All that was left to do was for Nick Folk to put it through the uprights for a 17-16 win, which he did with no time on the clock.

The Seahawks are changing the record books and making history. I guess the statement, "It's tough for a visiting team to win at Qwest Field," is true. Matt Hasselbeck outmatched Drew Brees with four touchdown passes to one and he did it with almost half the attempts. Brees threw the ball sixty times in desparation to Hasselbeck's thirty-five. It was one of Hasselbeck's best performances. Marshall Lynch was held to 55 yds of running going into the fourth quarter and then it happened. Lynch broke free for a 67 yard scamper and his only touchdown of the day. The video will be watched time and time again by Seahawk fans for days to come. He ended up with a total of 131 yards for the day. Seattle's tightend, John Carlson, had only three catches, but two of them were for pay dirt. Stokely and Williams accumulated most of the reception yardage and each had a touchdown.

You could see the agony on Peyton Manning's face after the game ended with the Colts on the short end of the stick. Manning is a true competitor, who doesn't like to accept anything short of perfection. There isn't much offense to talk about in this one. Manning had a decent game, although not one you would usually expect when Manning takes the field. He was 18-26 totaling 225 yards and only one touchdown toss. The rest of the Colts points came on Adam Vinatieri field goals. The offensive highlights came late in the game after the Colts took a two-point advantage. Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards. The ball was now in the hands of Mark Sanchez. He completed four passes to bring the Jets into Folk's range, but that was not enough. A final pass went in the direction of Braylon Edwards, an ex-Cleveland Brown, going down the right side, who adjusted his stride and leaped into the air to make a spectacular catch. From there it was easy for Folk to put it through the uprights with no time left. Jets win, Colts lose.

Well, that's two picks wrong so far. I wrote in my previous article, "If the Seahawks win, I am taking them to go to the Superbowl." Looks like I am locked in on this one. If the Seahawks play like they did against the Saints, there is no stopping them. Although, the next game won't be at Qwest Field. As for the Jets, I still don't know what to make of them. They will face ex-Cleveland Browns coach Bill Belichick's Patriots next.

Playoffs Begin-Wild Card Round

Seattle tops St. Louis to go into the playoffs with the first full season losing record in NFL history. The only other time that happened was in the strike shortened 1982 season. Cleveland and Detroit finished at 4-5 and for the record were knocked off in the first round of playoffs. So, what are Seattles chances of making it past the first round? How many times have you won the million dollar lottery? Pittsburgh, New England, Atlanta, and NY Jets all put huge exclamation points on their final games, each scoring over 30 points in their wins. New Orleans fumbled their way into the playoffs and Indianapolis stubbed their toe to victory. Chicago and Baltimore need more offense if they are to survive. The Packers and Eagles futures rest on the arms of Rodgers and Vick.

As I watched the Rams-Seahawks game I saw nothing that would convince me there is even a remote chance for Seattle to survive their meeting with New Orleans on Saturday at 4:30 pm. During said game I kept on hearing the words, "Its tough for a visiting team to win at Qwest Field." Well, the Saints aren't the Rams and anything short of an earthquake can save the Seahawks. If they were to beat the Saints, I will pick them to go to the Superbowl.

The Packers have something the Eagles do not, a relentless defense. The Eagles will need some help from mother nature in the way of rain to even the playing field. Vick would have the advantage on a soggy field with his ability to move and run. Sunday's weather looks to be free of any rain at 4:30 pm. Sorry Philadelphia, you might try a dance or two.

Indianapolis will be hosting the Jets on Saturday at 8:00 pm. The Colts, as of late, have not been the offensively explosive team we are use to seeing. Peyton has struggled through this season missing his compadres Clark and Collie, but has weathered the storm. Manning will be facing the tough defense of the Jets. Addai's return no doubt has given him some comfort along with the addition of old friend Dominic Rhodes. The Jets were razzling and dazzling everyone in the beginning with their last minute shockers in the form of Santonio Holmes. Well, the Jets have sinced used up their nine lives. They will need to blitz and blitz some more to keep Peyton from gaining any rythmn or else it's lights out.
 
Baltimore and Kansas City play on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The Chiefs were whacked by the Raiders in their last game. Not a good way to enter the playoffs against a bruising Raven defense. If Jamaal Charles gets stuffed it's going to be a long frustrating game for the Chiefs. The Ravens will try to establish a running game of their own and if they do that, it will give Flacco the edge he needs to get the job done. Cassel and Flacco are birds of a feather, so it is a tough one to call after all is said and, you will just have to wait for the done.
 
AFC wild-card round SATURDAY, JAN. 8
No. 6 New York Jets 20 (11-5) at No. 3 Indianapolis Colts 30 (10-6)
Lucas Oil Stadium, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
SUNDAY, JAN. 9
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens 23 (12-4) at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs 21 (10-6)
Arrowhead Stadium, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

NFC wild-card round
SATURDAY, JAN. 8
No. 5 New Orleans Saints 28 (11-5) at No. 4 Seattle Seahawks 23 (7-9)
Qwest Field, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC
SUNDAY, JAN. 9
No. 6 Green Bay Packers 27 (10-6) at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles 24 (10-6)
Lincoln Financial Field, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX