After the dust has settled from the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, four teams have emerged and will be playing for their conferences' spot in the Super Bowl.
The Divisional Round of the playoffs featured an upset, a back-and-forth game, a game that was closer than it should have been and a complete blowout.
Without going into great detail (mainly because I missed watching all four games this weekend due to my local CBS channel being stupid and not being near a TV for the games on Fox), here's a quick run down...
THE NFC
--- Oh how the mighty have fallen. The 15-1 number one seeded Packers fell to the Giants this weekend. Many prior to the game thought the Giants had a real shot playing the Packers and those, myself not included, were right to think so. Disappointment for Aaron Rodgers and crew, but it'll be nice to see someone different in the Super Bowl this year.
--- Along those lines, the 49ers beat the Saints in probably the best game of the weekend which paired the number two and three seeds out of the NFC. After looking like the Saints were going to pull out a victory, the Niners drove the field and scored a game-winning touchdown with a few seconds left. The Saints had five turnovers in the game, which ultimately did them in. The Niners advance and will host the G-men for the NFC Title game in what I am willing to bet will be a major defensive battle.
THE AFC
--- Tebow Time is over. Credit to the kid for getting the Broncos where they were this weekend, but Tom Brady was superman and buried the Broncos by dropping 45 points on them. Brady and the Patriot offense are looking to be in championship form, which does not bode well for anyone who plays the Patriots next.
--- Finally, we have the Ravens-Texans match-up. This game turned out to be closer than I expected (probably due to my favorite team bias). The Ravens D showed up when it mattered and stopped the Texans on what could have been a game-tying drive late in the forth quarter. The Ravens head to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots in what could be a dogfight matching the Ravens dominating defense against Brady and company. The winner of this game will be the team that does not make the most mistakes.
That's all she wrote. Next week this time, the talk will be Super Bowl as the match-up will be decided. Here's the schedule of this weekend's games:
Sunday, January 22
Ravens @ Patriots - 3 p.m. ET CBS
Giants @ 49ers - 6:30 p.m. ET FOX
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
IT'S TEBOW TIME!
Ladies and gentlemen, it's the NFL Playoffs. The march to the the big game in Indianapolis began this Saturday with the Bengals playing the Texans, the Lions playing the Saints and continued on Sunday with the Falcons playing the Giants and the Steelers playing the Broncos.
This edition of a playoff weekend wrap up is brought to you by the number 15 and the letter "T". Why? Four words... Mr. Timothy Richard Tebow. Let's break it down...
Steelers/Broncos - The Broncos lead the Steelers 20-6 going into halftime. In typical Steeler fashion, the Steelers tied the game at 23-23 with about 2 minutes left in the game. When the Broncos were forced to punt their next possession and the Steelers couldn't get the 4th quarter magic drive done, the game was sent to overtime with the new playoff overtime rules that went into effect last season. The rules: if the first team that gets the ball scores a touchdown, the game is over... if the first defense scores a touchdown, the game is over... if the first team to get the ball scores a field goal, the defending team would receive a chance to have the ball. On the first play of overtime, Tebow throws a stripe to Demaryius Thomas who goes 80 yards to score the game-winning touchdown. Tebow Time resumes and the 8-8 Broncos knock off the defending AFC Champions. NEXT WEEK: The Broncos visit the Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Will Tebow Time continue or will the Patriots have a repeat performance of the Week 15 41-23 beatdown of the Broncos?
Bengals/Texans - I'll admit I missed this game this weekend so I don't have too much of a story to tell about the game. From what I gather, the Texans led 17-10 at the half and shutout the Bengals in the second half winning the game 31-10. I'll give credit where credit is due with Cincy quarterback Andy Dalton having a heck of a rookie season. This kid is going to be a star provided he doesn't have a sophomore slump. Kudos also for the Texans winning their first playoff appearance in franchise history. NEXT WEEK: The Texans head to AFC North Division Champion Baltimore Ravens. Will the Texans continue to ride a wave of momentum and challenge the Ravens or will this be another repeat performance of the Week 6 Ravens 29-14 victory?
Lions/Saints - The good news for Detroit? The Lions reversed several years of poor performances and made the playoffs. The bad news for Detroit? Drew Brees put up ridiculous numbers again as the Saints came from behind at halftime to cruise to a 45-28 victory. I will continue to say it now... Provided the Saints and Packers win next week, I believe the Saints may be the only team that could seriously end the dream of repeat Super Bowls for the Packers. Both teams are playing well, but the Saints are on fire. However, there's still a week before that potential showdown. NEXT WEEK: The Saints visit the 49ers and what should be an interesting battle. Will the Niners defense stifle Brees and Company or will Black and Gold continue to score at will?
Falcons/Giants - Poor poor performance for the Falcons. I seriously thought they would do better against the anything but consistent Giants team. The final score was 24-2 Giants. The Giants defense basically held Falcons QB Matt Ryan to 199 yards and no touchdowns and smothered the rushing attack holding Falcons starting running back Michael Turner to a measly 41 yards. Meanwhile on the other side of the ball Eli Manning continued his best NFL season tossing three touchdown passes as the Giants won their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl XLII. NEXT WEEK: The Giants visit the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Will Eli continue his incredible run (where he doesn't have to be in big brother Peyton's shadow - Kudos Ang's Dad) or will Aaron Rodgers and Company continue their march to make it to the Super Bowl in back-to-back years?
That's the wrap up. For those that are interested, here's the schedule of next weekend's games:
Saturday, January 14
Saints @ 49ers - 4:30 p.m. ET Fox
Broncos @ Patriots - 8 p.m. ET CBS
Sunday, January 15
Texans @ Ravens - 1 p.m. ET CBS
Giants @ Packers - 4:30 p.m. ET FOX
This edition of a playoff weekend wrap up is brought to you by the number 15 and the letter "T". Why? Four words... Mr. Timothy Richard Tebow. Let's break it down...
Steelers/Broncos - The Broncos lead the Steelers 20-6 going into halftime. In typical Steeler fashion, the Steelers tied the game at 23-23 with about 2 minutes left in the game. When the Broncos were forced to punt their next possession and the Steelers couldn't get the 4th quarter magic drive done, the game was sent to overtime with the new playoff overtime rules that went into effect last season. The rules: if the first team that gets the ball scores a touchdown, the game is over... if the first defense scores a touchdown, the game is over... if the first team to get the ball scores a field goal, the defending team would receive a chance to have the ball. On the first play of overtime, Tebow throws a stripe to Demaryius Thomas who goes 80 yards to score the game-winning touchdown. Tebow Time resumes and the 8-8 Broncos knock off the defending AFC Champions. NEXT WEEK: The Broncos visit the Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Will Tebow Time continue or will the Patriots have a repeat performance of the Week 15 41-23 beatdown of the Broncos?
Bengals/Texans - I'll admit I missed this game this weekend so I don't have too much of a story to tell about the game. From what I gather, the Texans led 17-10 at the half and shutout the Bengals in the second half winning the game 31-10. I'll give credit where credit is due with Cincy quarterback Andy Dalton having a heck of a rookie season. This kid is going to be a star provided he doesn't have a sophomore slump. Kudos also for the Texans winning their first playoff appearance in franchise history. NEXT WEEK: The Texans head to AFC North Division Champion Baltimore Ravens. Will the Texans continue to ride a wave of momentum and challenge the Ravens or will this be another repeat performance of the Week 6 Ravens 29-14 victory?
Lions/Saints - The good news for Detroit? The Lions reversed several years of poor performances and made the playoffs. The bad news for Detroit? Drew Brees put up ridiculous numbers again as the Saints came from behind at halftime to cruise to a 45-28 victory. I will continue to say it now... Provided the Saints and Packers win next week, I believe the Saints may be the only team that could seriously end the dream of repeat Super Bowls for the Packers. Both teams are playing well, but the Saints are on fire. However, there's still a week before that potential showdown. NEXT WEEK: The Saints visit the 49ers and what should be an interesting battle. Will the Niners defense stifle Brees and Company or will Black and Gold continue to score at will?
Falcons/Giants - Poor poor performance for the Falcons. I seriously thought they would do better against the anything but consistent Giants team. The final score was 24-2 Giants. The Giants defense basically held Falcons QB Matt Ryan to 199 yards and no touchdowns and smothered the rushing attack holding Falcons starting running back Michael Turner to a measly 41 yards. Meanwhile on the other side of the ball Eli Manning continued his best NFL season tossing three touchdown passes as the Giants won their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl XLII. NEXT WEEK: The Giants visit the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Will Eli continue his incredible run (where he doesn't have to be in big brother Peyton's shadow - Kudos Ang's Dad) or will Aaron Rodgers and Company continue their march to make it to the Super Bowl in back-to-back years?
That's the wrap up. For those that are interested, here's the schedule of next weekend's games:
Saturday, January 14
Saints @ 49ers - 4:30 p.m. ET Fox
Broncos @ Patriots - 8 p.m. ET CBS
Sunday, January 15
Texans @ Ravens - 1 p.m. ET CBS
Giants @ Packers - 4:30 p.m. ET FOX
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday Is Burning
Hi all. Aaron here.
I'm going to try a little something new for Monday posts. Last week I wrote about the Sunday football games on Monday, but that totally left out the Monday night game. So this week look for a football games analysis entry on Tuesday.
So in place of football analysis, each Monday I'm going to post five burning sports questions for the week. So, without further ado, I give you the burn notice.
1) What is up with the AFC North division in the NFL? You never know which team is going to show up. Baltimore got smacked around by a less than excellent San Diego Chargers team, at the moment Pittsburgh is being beat 20-3 with little time left in the game, Cincinnati wins but only when they don't play division opponents, and the Browns, well, they're the Browns. This is problematic, but makes for an interesting week to see if the power teams are going to play like they should or fizzle.
2) Does anyone care about the NBA? Ang and I have said the worst present we will get this year for Christmas is the NBA resuming. I was really looking forward to no NBA this year. Apparently ESPN still thinks its important as every other commercial seems to be about the Christmas Day match-ups. WE GET IT, but I still don't care.
3) Is it me or does it seem like the MLB hot stove isn't that hot this year? Usually this is the time of year when baseball teams are wheeling and dealing and with big name free agents on the market, I was expecting a little bit more of a splash or crazy deal to go down. Sure, the Marlins started early and the Angels got two of the top free agents, but other than that it's been pretty quiet to me.
4) Let's talk hockey? No, really, let's not. I don't understand that with the absence of the NBA, the NFL season basically rolling into the playoffs and MLB being in the off season, where is the hockey coverage? The NHL is hurting itself right now as they are not heavily advertising at a weak sports time of year and the sports networks don't help either by neglecting the hardest-hitting exciting sport there is aside from football. For the love of God, I'd like to see just a bit more hockey. After all, it is winter and hockey is a winter sport.
5) Do we really need 35 bowl games? It's bowling season for NCAA football, but anymore it doesn't seem like playing after the season ends is anything special. From December 17 to January 9, there are 35 college post-season games to be played. Multiply 35 by two teams per game, that's 70 teams. Yes, 70 teams out of the 120 are playing in the post-season. More than half get to keep playing. At that rate, what significance do bowls hold (besides the all-mighty dollar)? Why not just add another game on to the season for everyone and let the cream of the crop get to play for a championship.
FINAL BURN: So this week I could have done a little more research as the questions aren't necessarily lighting the world on fire. But at any rate, let me know if you agree or disagree with my analysis of the five questions. If you raise a good point, you just might see your comment in next Monday's edition.
I'm going to try a little something new for Monday posts. Last week I wrote about the Sunday football games on Monday, but that totally left out the Monday night game. So this week look for a football games analysis entry on Tuesday.
So in place of football analysis, each Monday I'm going to post five burning sports questions for the week. So, without further ado, I give you the burn notice.
1) What is up with the AFC North division in the NFL? You never know which team is going to show up. Baltimore got smacked around by a less than excellent San Diego Chargers team, at the moment Pittsburgh is being beat 20-3 with little time left in the game, Cincinnati wins but only when they don't play division opponents, and the Browns, well, they're the Browns. This is problematic, but makes for an interesting week to see if the power teams are going to play like they should or fizzle.
2) Does anyone care about the NBA? Ang and I have said the worst present we will get this year for Christmas is the NBA resuming. I was really looking forward to no NBA this year. Apparently ESPN still thinks its important as every other commercial seems to be about the Christmas Day match-ups. WE GET IT, but I still don't care.
3) Is it me or does it seem like the MLB hot stove isn't that hot this year? Usually this is the time of year when baseball teams are wheeling and dealing and with big name free agents on the market, I was expecting a little bit more of a splash or crazy deal to go down. Sure, the Marlins started early and the Angels got two of the top free agents, but other than that it's been pretty quiet to me.
4) Let's talk hockey? No, really, let's not. I don't understand that with the absence of the NBA, the NFL season basically rolling into the playoffs and MLB being in the off season, where is the hockey coverage? The NHL is hurting itself right now as they are not heavily advertising at a weak sports time of year and the sports networks don't help either by neglecting the hardest-hitting exciting sport there is aside from football. For the love of God, I'd like to see just a bit more hockey. After all, it is winter and hockey is a winter sport.
5) Do we really need 35 bowl games? It's bowling season for NCAA football, but anymore it doesn't seem like playing after the season ends is anything special. From December 17 to January 9, there are 35 college post-season games to be played. Multiply 35 by two teams per game, that's 70 teams. Yes, 70 teams out of the 120 are playing in the post-season. More than half get to keep playing. At that rate, what significance do bowls hold (besides the all-mighty dollar)? Why not just add another game on to the season for everyone and let the cream of the crop get to play for a championship.
FINAL BURN: So this week I could have done a little more research as the questions aren't necessarily lighting the world on fire. But at any rate, let me know if you agree or disagree with my analysis of the five questions. If you raise a good point, you just might see your comment in next Monday's edition.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Good News For Football Fans
Good news football fans!
Today the NFL redid it's television deal through the 2022 season. What this means is games will continue to be broadcast on "free television" - network stations like CBS, Fox and NBC - for the next 11 years.
I don't know about you, but if I had to pay to watch Saturday (that's right, we're at that point of the season where some games are now on Saturdays) and Sunday NFL games a la NFL Network Thursday games, I think my viewership of NFL would definitely decline. NFL is truly "America's Game" pulling in the largest ratings in 23 of the 25 top programming in the fall. Pulling the games from "free" or network television would not only pull the rug out from its fans, but ruin the network ratings for fall and early winter.
Now, while the networks will continue to broadcast Saturdays and Sundays, ESPN will have Monday Night Football through at least 2021 and the NFL Network will be expanding its Thursday coverage starting next year. Currently the NFL Network only broadcasts eight games in the second half of the season.
For the full report on the television contracts, you can read a story on ESPN.com here.
Monday, December 12, 2011
NFL Week 14 Comments
Browns/Steelers - The Steelers struggled in this game against the Browns. Really? Really?
Colts/Ravens - The Ravens continue their quest to win the division. They hold the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh and have one more game each with the Bengals and Browns. The Colts inch closer to quarterback controversy - Peyton in '12 vs. probable draft pick Andrew Luck.
Falcons/Panthers - The Falcons stay alive in a wild card race after the Saints clinched a playoff birth, but it was a comeback win. Panther problem - Cam Newton threw the ball nearly 40 times!
Texans/Bengals - The Texans continue their march with a last-minute victory over the Bengals. Bengal playoff hopes take a hit.
Vikings/Lions - The Lions prove they can win without DT Ndamukong Suh (knucklehead) and keep their playoff hopes alive with a win over the division foe Vikings. My question is what was Minnesota doing pulling their quarterback of the future Christian Ponder?
Buccaneers/Jaguars - The Bucs had a 14-point lead but couldn't hold on to the ball as they had seven turnovers. No wonder Maurice Jones-Drew set the Jaguars team record for scoring four touchdowns in a game.
Eagles/Dophins - Did anyone care about this game? The Eagles exploded for 24 points in the second quarter, but their second half scoring was only two points. It's sad that the Eagles still have a slim chance to make the playoffs.
Chiefs/Jets - The Jets hold on to a Wild Card spot in the playoffs for now and play no killer teams in the three remaining weeks. Running seems to be the key for the Jets as Sanchez didn't have to do too much throwing the ball just 21 times.
Saints/Titans - It wasn't a pretty win for the Saints, but a win is a win and this win helped them clinch a playoff birth. The Titans loss helped the Texans claim the division title and leaves them on the outside looking in just short of a Wild Card spot.
Patriots/Redskins - Was the result of this game a surprise? Brady puts up monster stats. The Patriots are close to winning the division. Another ho-hum game.
49ers/Cardinals - What happened here? The 49ers drop a game and now are tied for the second seed in the NFC with the Saints. Things have to get hard next week before closing easily for the Niners with a game against the Steelers this week.
Bears/Broncos Tebows - The Bears should be ashamed of themselves and failed to stop Tebowmania. Winning 10-0 in the fourth quarter, the Bears choke and let the world go crazy over Tebow for another week. Ilch. As it stands now, the Tebows are leading their division and the Bears are not in the playoffs hoping for Cutler to come back soon.
Raiders/Packers - 13-0. Packers continue to roll and when I caught the fourth quarter, they already had their subs in. I said before that Carson Palmer is overrated. A little stat data, four interceptions for Palmer in this game bringing his seven-game season total to 13 - one shy of the number of touchdowns he's thrown. Disgraceful.
Bills/Chargers - Good night Buffalo. After starting with promise, your season is over as you are eliminated from playoff contention. The Chargers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot at 6-7, but they'll need a lot of help to get there. How the tide has changed in the AFC Wild West.
Giants/Cowboys - Super Eli to the rescue. The Giants QB lead two touchdown drives in the final three minutes of the game to take control of the NFC East. The way the Giants and Cowboys schedules look going forth could mean the Week 17 rematch in the Meadowlands could determine the division winner.
Rams/Seahawks - Will anyone watch this game? I suppose the Seahawks are still barely in the playoff hunt, but at 5-7 they would need so many things to happen to make it. Should be a Hawks win cause the Rams are on their third-string QB, but Seattle has been less that stellar at winning home games this year with a 3-3 record at CenturyLink.
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