It is weekends like the one we just had that make me glad I don’t make actual predictions in my blog. I would have been at best two for four, and maybe even one for four if I had gone with the Dolphins as a sentimental favorite. Showcasing its parity, each day of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend followed different themes. On Saturday, the home teams pulled out the close victories, while on Sunday the road teams won in a more lop-sided manner. Let’s take a look at the weekend that was in this Wild Card edition of the Final Drive.
Arizona Cardinals 30, Atlanta Falcons 24
In much the same vein as Miami, it was hard not to root for Arthur Blank’s Falcons as they traveled to Arizona to take on the reeling Cardinals. Unfortunately, they must have misplaced their identity in transit. The normally accurate and poised Matt Ryan threw two costly interceptions and dropped back to pass a staggering forty times, while Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood only racked up 54 yards combined on their twenty carries. Contrast that with the Cardinal’s performance, as Kurt Warner completed 19 for 32 with two touchdowns and only one interception. Even more surprising was the re-emergence of Edgerrin James, who found an unusual amount of running room against the Atlanta defensive front, rushing for 73 yards on only 16 carries. While they only averaged a little over three yards a carry, Arizona ran the ball 28 times, which is a drastic change of tactics for their normally pass-happy offense. Cardinal receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin each had lengthy touchdown receptions early, giving Ken Wisenhunt’s team the lead. Atlanta appeared to have regained the momentum going into halftime after scoring 17 points in the second quarter. That momentum was derailed when Antrel Rolle recovered a Ryan fumble for a touchdown within the opening minute of the second half. The Cardinals shut out the Falcons in the third quarter while tallying sixteen points of their own, securing the victory and propelling them into a match-up with the Carolina Panthers next weekend.
San Diego Chargers 23, Indianapolis Colts 17
Well, I did say Darren Sproles would be the difference-maker for San Diego. I hate being right. Sproles totaled 105 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns as he filled in for the ailing LaDainian Tomlinson, who sat out for most of the game after trying to gut it out early. San Diego’s defense was the surprise, holding the potent Colts offense to only 17 points through four quarters and overtime (where Peyton Manning never saw the ball). Despite two turnovers, the Chargers rallied with 31 seconds left to hit an over-time forcing field goal, careful not to leave too much time for Manning to return the favor. After winning the coin toss, Philip Rivers led his team on an eleven play, 75 yard drive that soaked up over six minutes of clock and ended on a 22-yard Sproles romp to the end zone. Conversely, Manning had to shoulder the entire load, as the Colt backfield only managed 64 yards on the ground. It was too much to ask even of Manning, who in a solid effort could not overcome the lack of balance on offense. The field position battle also played an integral role in Indy’s demise, as Charger punter Matt Scifres booted all six of his punts inside the twenty yard line, putting even more pressure on Manning before he even stepped back on the field. The loss provides a somber ending to a character building season for Tony Dungy’s team while also offering more evidence to the possible moniker of “underachievers.” Norv Turner’s Chargers are playing their best football at the right time, but will have a heck of a challenge going into Heinz Field against the Steelers on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens 27, Miami Dolphins 9
After turning the ball over 13 times during the entire regular season (an NFL record), Chad Pennington and the Dolphins shockingly gave it away five times to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon. It was brutal. After the first two Pennington interceptions you’d say “It’s Chad, he won’t throw another one.” Then he did, twice. Four interceptions certainly killed Miami’s chances, but they couldn’t do much against the Ravens’ brilliant defense anyway. Ed Reed’s coverage assignments were masterfully disguised throughout the game, especially on his two interceptions. Reed ran the first back 64 yards for Baltimore’s first touchdown, effectively sealing the game in the second quarter. That allowed defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to play with the lead and be more aggressive in his play-calling. Offensively, the Ravens weren’t spectacular. McClain and McGahee’s 137 total rushing yards came later in the second half, and most of it was on McGahee’s 48-yard scamper in the fourth. Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco was pedestrian at best, completing only 9 of his 23 attempts for 135 yards. He may not have thrown a touchdown, but he ran for one near the end of the game and didn’t throw an interception. As much as I wanted to see the Miami Dolphin’s comeback season continue, they had no chance against Baltimore's defense. Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano have built a solid foundation in Miami, so this loss should only be a building block for the future, not a signal of things to come. The Ravens will march on to Tennessee, where they’ll get the Titans at near full strength. If they plan to win, Flacco will need to make plays, not just avoid the big mistakes.
Philadelphia Eagles 26, Minnesota Vikings 14
Too bad Minnesota, too bad. (Sorry, that’s the Bears loyalist in me coming out. Wont happen again I swear.) Coach Brad Childress’s decision to start Tarvaris Jackson in this game may help the young QB in the long run, but it didn’t help the team in the short-term. Jackson led an anemic passing game, completing 15 of his 35 pass attempts for 164 yards with one back-breaking interception that was returned by Asante Samuel for a touchdown in the second quarter. Adrian Peterson broke loose for a 40 yard touchdown run in that same quarter, but was held to only 83 yards rushing on his 20 carries, which is a good day for the Eagle defense. Philadelphia’s running game was generally non-existent, only netting 67 yards. However, their 23 ground attempts kept the Vikings defense honest, which left things open in the passing game. Andy Reid’s best play by far was Brian Westbrook’s 71 yard touchdown off of a screen pass that put the game out of the Vikings’ reach. The other ridiculous play was Minnesota center Matt Birk’s god-awful shotgun snap to Jackson in the fourth as they were attempting to drive down the field. Birk let loose the lowest snap I’ve ever seen, not even making it to Jackson’s feet before hitting the ground. Philly jumped on it and ended any chance of a Vikings comeback, and may have essentially ended Jackson’s career in Minnesota. Donovan McNabb has earned an extension in Philadelphia, putting to rest any speculation about his future with a strong finish to the season. McNabb and the Eagles will have a tough test against the Giants next Sunday, but they’re playing with house money now anyway. Their season is already a success.
