The NFL Playoffs for the current season aren’t without intrigue. A couple of upsets thanks to the Ravens beating the Steelers and the Colts over the Broncos (No, I’m not counting Panthers beating the Cards — we knew this would happen). All but 3 of the 8 games were competitive (2 of them including Carolina). There were surprises (Edelman throwing a heroic pass instead of Brady), storylines (Andrew Luck sending Peyton Manning home early and completing his succession of the Colts QB spot), and controversy (virtually anything involving officials and the Cowboys towards the end of a game). With all that going on, the pen is still scribbling as there are still chapters to write in the 2014 NFL season’s chronicle. It’s time to check out the authors of this Week’s upcoming volume via the Student of the Game’s Conference Championship Sunday edition of the Match-Up Mania.
Colts v. Pats
Someone has to change some letters on this playbill. The veteran performer, Peyton Manning, expected to reprise his role as the villain in Foxboro’s Gillette “Theater” against their hero, Tom Brady. However, Manning as the media’s antagonist despite throwing more than 90 TDs in 2 seasons after 4 neck surgeries, was surprisingly eliminated. Like an apprentice supplanting a Sith Lord, Andrew Luck and the Colts advance to Conference Championship Sunday to face off against the Patriots coached by Bill Belichick (aka Darth Hoodie).
The Colts victory last week was on the strength of solid, physical coverage by their secondary. Cornerback Vonte Davis and company played a great game while Indy’s pass rush did enough to threaten the immobile Manning into miscues.
If Indianapolis maintains this pressure and contains Brady, that is a step in the right direction for the upset. The Colts remaining problem is simple to identify — Gronk. Rob Gronkowski was all over the field against the Ravens in the divisional round game. Baltimore knew that the Pro Bowl tight end would be a focus and even capitalized on it with an INT. Yet Gronk was New England’s leading receiver in yards. Pair that with gadget play potential and a solid game plan, and it leaves me with the feeling that this production won’t have a twist ending.
Packers v. Seahawks
The refs blew a call on a catch that would have likely given the fans a better game in a regular season rematch of the Cowboys and Seahawks. Now the NFL’s top defense will be facing off against a quarterback that’s not completely healthy. But all is not lost — that signal caller is Aaron Rodgers. . . there is still hope.
Moreover, if there is to be hope in toppling defense of the defending champions, a balanced attack is a must. Jacob Lacey in the running game will help Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and the rest of the Packer pass attack keep the Seahawks guessing.
But the problem for Green Bay is an over-matched offensive line. The Seattle front seven will be aggressive to attack without fear of Rodgers attempting to escape which will smash gaps Lacey would exploit on the ground and make easier coverage in the secondary.
The Seattle offense may not score a lot, but I don’t know they’ll need to as the NFC Championship is marked with a repeat victor.
