The Bleacher Creatures The Divisional Round Roundup
WITH KLARIS ’09 and BARNETT ’09
So, what did we learn from the past two rounds of NFL Playoffs action? Well, for starters, the New York Giants and their quarterback are a lot better than anyone, including myself, gave them credit for. Just because Brett Favre was born in 10 BDG (a new unit of time measurement abbreviated from “Before Doc Gardner”), does not mean that he cannot still sling it with the best of them. Every time Tom Brady touches the ball the Pats seem more and more of a lock to go 19-0. And finally, the only team to give them a real challenge might have to be a Chargers team led by Billy Volek and Michael Turner. Seriously, how does San Diego take down Indy sans Phil Rivers and LDT? (For the record the Creatures refuse to call Tomlinson “LT,” since there was only one “LT”, Lawrence Taylor.) This Colts team was, for the most part, at full strength. Marvin Harrison had just returned along with OG stud Tony Ugoh. There was no reason for Indianapolis to lose that game, even with Rivers and Tomlinson suited. Did Peyton and co. just give up, or did the Chargers finally realize the potential that was seriously lacking during their 1-3 start? We may never know. But a showdown in Foxborough this weekend will settle the debate.
After the Seahawks jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead off of two Ryan Grant fumbles in the Hawks-Pack game on Saturday, I was certain that my prediction (Seattle 24 - Green Bay 21) was looking really good. Alas, Brett Favre proved all the haters wrong by going off for 3 TDs in an 18/23 effort. The man just doesn’t go down. And how about that chin strap he’s been sporting since his days in Atlanta, some 25 years ago? It seems as nostalgic as something out of a Bart Starr highlight tape. Congratulations to the entire Packers team for sticking that game out and really just dominating when it mattered most.
Despite the Jaguars most valiant of efforts, the Pats prevailed in a game we all saw coming. Impressively enough, Jacksonville stuck with New England right through the first half, finishing the first 30 minutes of play in a solid 14-14 tie. Clearly coach Belichick gave his team a kick in the rear during halftime, because the Pats emerged as an entirely new beast to deal with, proving to be just too much for the Jags.
Now, I saved this game to dissect last for a reason. If any of you have been keeping track of the Bleacher Creatures.com, then you know how badly we’ve been trashing Eli Manning and the entire Giants organization. I still won’t admit that Eli is a good QB, because he’s not, but his team did step up HUGE against the Cowboys this weekend. I was impressed. I can’t see them getting pass Green Bay on Sunday, but if they do, and by some miracle the Bolts get by the Pats, then wouldn’t a Manning vs. Rivers Super Bowl be the ultimate grudge match? I mean, these guys got dealt for each other on Draft Day 2004. Manning then went crying to Daddy Archie. This game could potentially decide the fates of both QBs in the NFL. But who am I kidding? It’s going to be a Pats-Pack Super Bowl XLII; that much I can guarantee.
