Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
In the NFL, there truly is such a delicate line between winning and losing. For those NFL administrators who initiated the salary cap, the draft order and free agency rules---those who seeked to create as much parity as possible---they are realizing their visions of an NFL where from year to year fans can expect the unexpected.
For example, rewind back to the undefeated Patriots of a couple of years ago. They appeared to be invincible---and thanks to crafty (pun intended) draft maneuverings and veteran free agent bargains, the Patriots looked about as well stocked for the future as any team ever has been. Yet, last year Tom Brady goes down in the first game, and lo and behold, the Patriots do not even make the playoffs. Brady is back this year and the Patriots are back in the playoffs---but they do not appear nearly as formidible as they were two years ago.
Now---take a look at last year's elite teams and how they are faring this year:
1. The New York Giants---Super Bowl Champions of 2 years ago---and #1 seed in the NFC last year---they lose their opening round game at home to the Eagles last year---start this year by going 5-0 out of the gate---hit a tough patch and have never recovered---in fact, can anyone still believe that with the playoffs on the line and playing their last regular season game in the old Meadowlands stadium, they get trounced by the Panthers---at team totally out of playoff contention.
2. The Carolina Panthers---the #2 seed in the NFC last year---the pundits talk about Super Bowl loser hangovers---but there may be something to be said about a hangover for high seeded teams that lose in their first game as the Panthers did to the Cardinals last year (like the Giants to the Eagles). For this year, back with essentially the same team, they stumble badly out of the gate and by the time they get their team rolling, it's too late. As the Panthers have shown in routs on the road versus the Cardinals and the Giants and at home versus the Vikings, this is team that remains a legitimate Super Bowl contender---but finds itself on the outside looking in.
3. The Tennessee Titans---the #1 seed in the AFC last year---another one and done high seed hangover---they come out of the gate losing 6 in a row---hard to believe isn't it? Like the Panthers---no one wants to play them right now, as they have won 6 of their last 8 games and have looked very impressive doing it.
4. The Pittsburgh Steelers---the defending Super Bowl Champions---with once again basically the same team they had last year---on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, thanks largely to losing to the Bengals, one of their division rivals, twice. Last year the Bengals looked like they had no shot to challenge the Steelers. Last year's matchup looked like David versus Goliath.
The interesting thing about all three of these teams is that their brand of play epitomizes what most pundits believe is the sure fire way to win NFL football games: run the ball effectively and play stout defense.
Is this further evidence that there is a new formula for winning in the NFL?
The one perennial mainstay is the Indianapolis Colts...and what they do is drive all defensive coordinators crazy with a prolific passing attack headed by Peyton Manning, the game's most consistent QB, and an offensive scheme that is predicated on making their reads and calls at the line of scrimmage. And while they aren't a defensive juggernaut by any means, they are speedy and aggressive. The way they figure it is---if they can create two turnovers a game to give their offense two extra possessions---they are pretty much unbeatable. Which this year has been the case, until regrettably last weekend they pulled their starters out of a home game they were winning and thus lost the chance to pull of an undefeated season.
Side note: It's a shame what happened last week in Indianapolis...the players wanted to play, the fans wanted the players to play, but the coach erred on the side of caution. If anything, this decision has not only cost the Colts the opportunity to do what no modern day NFL team has done---take it wire to wire---it has put even more pressure on them now to go all the way, because if they don't, the pundits will undoubtedly point back to the Week 16 decision that basically threw off the momentum of what has been a runaway freight train.
Yet, take a look at three other teams that are back in the playoffs this year following good playoff performances last year:
1. The Arizona Cardinals. Despite losing two of their first three games and getting the fork sticked in them by FOX's Jimmy Johnson, the Cardinals have remained one of the NFL's most prolific scoring offenses, thanks to a dynamic passing game, augmented this year by a much improved running game. Yet, while the Cardinals would like to run the ball more, make no mistake about it, it's their passing game that enables them to thrive. As for their defense, like the Colts, the Cardinals try to play super aggressively in order to get the ball back in the hands of their high flying offense. When the Cardinals win the turnover battle they are pretty much a lock to win. Plus, the Cardinals' special teams, once the worst in the NFL, are now pretty special.
2. The Philadelphia Eagles. Another passing team that boasts a high flying talented WR unit. Like the Cardinals, the Eagles' main RB has been a rookie. But in these offenses, it really doesn't matter all that much because they are going to try to move the ball quickly through the air. The Eagles' defense is not nearly as good as it has been in previous years, partly because, sadly, the engineer of that defense, Jim Johnson, passed away this past year and partly too because the Eagles' front seven hasn't been as intimidating as it has been in past years.
3. The San Diego Chargers. The player that stirs this drink is QB Philip Rivers and his ability to pinpoint passes to an array of quality receivers. Yes, they still have LT...but he's more of a decoy these days than a centerpiece. Then you look at the Chargers' defense and honestly they are not overwhelming...but they play hard and aggressively and do like the others try to do: get the ball back in the hands of their offense.
This year the other teams in the playoffs follow a similar formula: good passing attacks, complimentary running games and opportunistic (but not juggernaut) defenses:
1. New England Patriots (Brady).
2. Cincinnati Bengals (Palmer).
3. Green Bay Packers (Rodgers).
4. New Orleans Saints (Brees).
5. Dallas Cowboys (Romo).
6. Minnesota Vikings (Favre).
One can make the case that the key players for all of these teams, beside their excellent QBs are WRs: Wes Welker, Chad Ochicinquo, Donald Driver/Greg Jennings, Marques Colston, Miles Austin and Sindey Rice/Percy Harvin.
So why are the Giants, Panthers, Titans and Steelers on the outside looking in?
Struggles in the passing game more than anything else.
For example, rewind back to the undefeated Patriots of a couple of years ago. They appeared to be invincible---and thanks to crafty (pun intended) draft maneuverings and veteran free agent bargains, the Patriots looked about as well stocked for the future as any team ever has been. Yet, last year Tom Brady goes down in the first game, and lo and behold, the Patriots do not even make the playoffs. Brady is back this year and the Patriots are back in the playoffs---but they do not appear nearly as formidible as they were two years ago.
Now---take a look at last year's elite teams and how they are faring this year:
1. The New York Giants---Super Bowl Champions of 2 years ago---and #1 seed in the NFC last year---they lose their opening round game at home to the Eagles last year---start this year by going 5-0 out of the gate---hit a tough patch and have never recovered---in fact, can anyone still believe that with the playoffs on the line and playing their last regular season game in the old Meadowlands stadium, they get trounced by the Panthers---at team totally out of playoff contention.
2. The Carolina Panthers---the #2 seed in the NFC last year---the pundits talk about Super Bowl loser hangovers---but there may be something to be said about a hangover for high seeded teams that lose in their first game as the Panthers did to the Cardinals last year (like the Giants to the Eagles). For this year, back with essentially the same team, they stumble badly out of the gate and by the time they get their team rolling, it's too late. As the Panthers have shown in routs on the road versus the Cardinals and the Giants and at home versus the Vikings, this is team that remains a legitimate Super Bowl contender---but finds itself on the outside looking in.
3. The Tennessee Titans---the #1 seed in the AFC last year---another one and done high seed hangover---they come out of the gate losing 6 in a row---hard to believe isn't it? Like the Panthers---no one wants to play them right now, as they have won 6 of their last 8 games and have looked very impressive doing it.
4. The Pittsburgh Steelers---the defending Super Bowl Champions---with once again basically the same team they had last year---on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, thanks largely to losing to the Bengals, one of their division rivals, twice. Last year the Bengals looked like they had no shot to challenge the Steelers. Last year's matchup looked like David versus Goliath.
The interesting thing about all three of these teams is that their brand of play epitomizes what most pundits believe is the sure fire way to win NFL football games: run the ball effectively and play stout defense.
Is this further evidence that there is a new formula for winning in the NFL?
The one perennial mainstay is the Indianapolis Colts...and what they do is drive all defensive coordinators crazy with a prolific passing attack headed by Peyton Manning, the game's most consistent QB, and an offensive scheme that is predicated on making their reads and calls at the line of scrimmage. And while they aren't a defensive juggernaut by any means, they are speedy and aggressive. The way they figure it is---if they can create two turnovers a game to give their offense two extra possessions---they are pretty much unbeatable. Which this year has been the case, until regrettably last weekend they pulled their starters out of a home game they were winning and thus lost the chance to pull of an undefeated season.
Side note: It's a shame what happened last week in Indianapolis...the players wanted to play, the fans wanted the players to play, but the coach erred on the side of caution. If anything, this decision has not only cost the Colts the opportunity to do what no modern day NFL team has done---take it wire to wire---it has put even more pressure on them now to go all the way, because if they don't, the pundits will undoubtedly point back to the Week 16 decision that basically threw off the momentum of what has been a runaway freight train.
Yet, take a look at three other teams that are back in the playoffs this year following good playoff performances last year:
1. The Arizona Cardinals. Despite losing two of their first three games and getting the fork sticked in them by FOX's Jimmy Johnson, the Cardinals have remained one of the NFL's most prolific scoring offenses, thanks to a dynamic passing game, augmented this year by a much improved running game. Yet, while the Cardinals would like to run the ball more, make no mistake about it, it's their passing game that enables them to thrive. As for their defense, like the Colts, the Cardinals try to play super aggressively in order to get the ball back in the hands of their high flying offense. When the Cardinals win the turnover battle they are pretty much a lock to win. Plus, the Cardinals' special teams, once the worst in the NFL, are now pretty special.
2. The Philadelphia Eagles. Another passing team that boasts a high flying talented WR unit. Like the Cardinals, the Eagles' main RB has been a rookie. But in these offenses, it really doesn't matter all that much because they are going to try to move the ball quickly through the air. The Eagles' defense is not nearly as good as it has been in previous years, partly because, sadly, the engineer of that defense, Jim Johnson, passed away this past year and partly too because the Eagles' front seven hasn't been as intimidating as it has been in past years.
3. The San Diego Chargers. The player that stirs this drink is QB Philip Rivers and his ability to pinpoint passes to an array of quality receivers. Yes, they still have LT...but he's more of a decoy these days than a centerpiece. Then you look at the Chargers' defense and honestly they are not overwhelming...but they play hard and aggressively and do like the others try to do: get the ball back in the hands of their offense.
This year the other teams in the playoffs follow a similar formula: good passing attacks, complimentary running games and opportunistic (but not juggernaut) defenses:
1. New England Patriots (Brady).
2. Cincinnati Bengals (Palmer).
3. Green Bay Packers (Rodgers).
4. New Orleans Saints (Brees).
5. Dallas Cowboys (Romo).
6. Minnesota Vikings (Favre).
One can make the case that the key players for all of these teams, beside their excellent QBs are WRs: Wes Welker, Chad Ochicinquo, Donald Driver/Greg Jennings, Marques Colston, Miles Austin and Sindey Rice/Percy Harvin.
So why are the Giants, Panthers, Titans and Steelers on the outside looking in?
Struggles in the passing game more than anything else.
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