So, here are a few things to take from this weekend’s NFL Playoffs.
Green Bay’s Ryan Grant can run, big time. He was money in the bank versus Seattle. Grant ran for 201 yards and three TDs.
Grant can’t hold onto the football. At least, he could not against Seattle. He fumbled twice and lost both in the NFC game. During the season, he lost the ball once. In some ways, he certainly made up for it. But next week, he has to repeat his running feats and jettison his running mistakes.
Brett Farve at 38 years old is not washed up. He’s still an amazing leader. Along with that, he threw for 173 yards, three touchdowns and a completion rate of 78.3%. He did not toss an interception versus Seattle.
The New York football Giants are hot and they picked the right time to get hot. They beat Dallas in a close one- 21- 17. The Giant defense held Dallas off twice in the final seven minutes.
Remember, this “D� also played well in their final season game versus the Patriots, giving the Pats a real run for their money and almost spoiling their perfect season.
Good news—Eli Manning did not implode. He did what he had to do, throwing two TDs, going 12 for 18 and tossing zero INTs!
Here’s an irony—Eli’s older brother Peyton could not get it done and the Colts will not defend their championship. The San Diego Chargers managed an upset in Indy by beating the Colts 28- 24. Manning of the Colts threw two INTs, and although he amassed 402 yards in the air and tossed three TDs, he could not get the job done. In the last five minutes, the Chargers shut down two Colt drives, sealing the victory.
The Charger defense came up big when it had to and the offense was run economically by QB Phillip Rivers (14/19 C/ATT, 264 YDS, 13.9 AVG, 3 TD, 1 INT). Although the injured LaDainian Tomlinson played, it was RB Michael Turner who led the Chargers’ ground game with 71 YDS.
New England is still perfect. Brady was 26 of 28 and threw three touchdown passes. He continues to exploit defenses by simply finding one of his many talented receivers—Moss, Welker, Watson, Stallworth and others. Eight different players caught passes in the Jacksonville game! One other thing—Laurence Maroney is back and running on all cylinders. He had 122 yards on 22 carries (5.5 YPC) and scored one TD.
Look for a close one between Green Bay and New York. Green Bay is favored by 7. I don’t know about that?
New England has a 14-point edge over San Diego. Watch the weather on this one and remember that Bellichik is about winning by one point or 30. He doesn’t care how much he wins by, he just wants to go to the finals.
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