Wild Card weekend review
For those who have read my article last week, you will notice I intentionally picked all the teams that would lose. 0-4 in wild card predictions, maybe I should take up a new profession rather then write about the NFL. Some exciting games, some not so, here is my review of each of the wild card games.
Cincinnati Bengals 10-31 Houston Texans
The Bengals were looking to win their first playoff game since the early 90’s against a Texans side who were entering their first ever playoff game. It was a battle of rookie QB’s, the veteran looking Andy Dalton and TJ Yates, who would never have expected to be here when he was drafted earlier this year.
Cincy scored first through a Cedric Benson short yardage touchdown, but after that it was the Arian Foster show as he ran for 153 yards and 2 TD’s on 24 carries to control the game for Houston. Andy Dalton threw for 3 Interceptions whilst trying to get the Bengals back in the game, but just couldn’t get the offence going and Houston go through to the divisional round.
Detroit Lions 28-45 New Orleans Saints
I expected at shootout, and that’s what we got in the Superdome as the Lions faced the Saints. Drew Brees, fresh off a record breaking season yardage wise he didn’t let up, throwing for a mammoth 466 yards and 3 TD’s as the Saint offence was unstoppable.
Detroit also put up plenty of offence, as Matt Stafford threw for 380 yards and 3 TD’s, and Calvin Johnson caught 12 balls for 211 yards and 2 TDs. The key however was turnovers, as Stafford threw 2 Interceptions and New Orleans took full advantage. What an offensive game though. New Orleans is my pick for the bowl.
Atlanta Falcons 2-24 New York Giants
Matt Ryan, or as I like to call him, Matty Frozen Puddle (Matty Ice) showed once again that if you take them out of the dome they are a very poor side. After the 2 points the Falcons got for Eli Manning throwing to no one in the endzone for a safety they never looked like scoring.
New York has the air of 2007 about them as that pass rush appeared for the first time in a long time. Eli Manning also showed how capable he is in the clutch; throwing for 277 yards and 3 TD’s and was rarely ruffled as he won this one comfortably.
Pittsburgh Steelers 23-29 Tim Tebow (I mean the Denver Broncos)
The Pittsburgh Steelers basically had a bye in most people’s opinions, but Tim Tebow found something special in overtime to beat Pittsburgh.
Tebow threw for 312 yards, mostly on the same pattern with just 10 completions, and ran in a touchdown to take Denver into the divisional round. The Steelers and Ben Rothelisberger managed a 4th quarter comeback to tie the game at the end of regulation.
But, on the first play from scrimmage of overtime, Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas on a crossing pattern and the wide receiver stiff armed a defender on his way to an 80 yard winning touchdown.
Divisional Predictions
New England Patriots over Denver Broncos.
Green Bay Packers over New York Giants.
Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans.
New Orleans Saints over San Francisco 49ers.
