In a huge football weekend that had so much potential, The NFL Divisional Playoffs did not disappoint. The playoffs started off hot Saturday afternoon and continued the momentum through the weekend.
In what was by far the best game of the weekend, the 49ers and Saints gave everyone a great game that ended in the final seconds. The 49ers jumped out to an early 17-0 lead thanks to Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson creating turnovers getting the 49er offense on the field. It was a good thing the Niners broke out to an early lead because you knew Drew Brees and the Saints offense had a big game in them and had a ability to come back, like they had shown the week before against Detroit. The one thing the 49ers did that made a huge difference for them was scoring touchdowns and not settling for field goals. The Niners tendency for settling for field goals had kept games to close during the regular season.
The forgotten Tight end Vernon Davis reestablished himself as one of the best in the league with Jimmy Graham, who was standing on the other sideline and Rob Gronkowski running away with the title. Both Graham and Davis made huge plays, put up ridiculous numbers and both scored late to give their team a lead. But Davis had the biggest catch of the game that all but sealed the game with less than 10 seconds remaining. Finishing with 7 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns, Davis made plays when it mattered most. Saying that I feel like I am burying the lead with the game Alex Smith played.
Alex Smith didn’t get any credit this season, where his numbers were bleak in comparison to Rodgers, Brees and Brady. He lead the 49ers to a 13-3 regular season, locking up the #2 seed in the NFC and lead to the 49ers hosting the Saints which was a huge advantage. Alex Smith grew up Saturday. Alex was the reason the 49ers won the game. He threw for 300 yards with 3 touchdowns and ran for another that was a dynamic play from 28 yards out that was needed with 49er offense had become stagnant. And with the game winner, in a situation where it looked like the 49ers would settle for a game tying field goal and head to over time, Harbaugh believed in Alex and put the ball in his hand to win the game, and Alex came through.
In the late game Saturday night, the Tebow run came to an end. Tom Brady and the patriots looked liked a well-oiled machine. Phil Simms was on point when he pointed out the Broncos should run the ball and kill the clock when down 21-7. The Broncos were out of sync and were in danger of having no shot of a coming back. The Broncos proceeded to throw the ball and not get first downs. The Broncos punted on three straight possessions, which lead to 14 Patriot points and went into the half down 35-7. The Patriots dominated the second half, scored another 10 points and won easily 45-10.
On Sunday morning, in the game nobody seemed to be talking about, The Ravens and Texans game was an ugly, slugfest that was dominated on the defensive side of the ball. TJ Yates looked like the third string quarterback that he had came into the season as. Arian Foster looked dominant with his 132 yards and a touchdown. Turnovers lead to the downfall of Houston between Yates’ 3 interceptions and Jacoby Jones muffed punt. The Texans looked like the better team and had Matt Schaub played, that could have been a different game.
The Packers and Giants provided a nice bookend to an excellent weekend of football. The final score doesn’t show how close of a game it was. Aaron Rodgers and the Packer offense didn’t look as dialed in as they had all season. A lot of the credit needs to go the Giants front four. They were able to provide pressure and get to Rodgers, including a big forced fumble. The front fours ability to apply pressure, also gave the secondary, which had difficulties this season an ability to do enough to win. Eli Manning made all the throws at the right moment. Hakeem Nicks came up huge and scored a touchdown at the end of the first half, on the Hail Mary that seemed to be the nail in the packer coffin.
Coming away from the weekend, I never thought Eli Manning and Alex Smith would outplay their counterparts in Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, respectively. They were the better quarterbacks this weekend and showed that even in the new NFL with high flying offenses, if your defense cant make plays and slow down the other team your not winning. The Defense carried 3 of the 4 teams this weekend. I still have a lot of research to do and information to digest before I can unveil my picks for Sunday. Needless to say I’m pumped for another great set of games.