This year’s NFL action hasn’t failed to deliver intriguing storylines, and the Divisional round continued that trend. This round’s upsets have produced a fresh and exciting conference championship Sunday. Let’s find out how we got here with a look at last weekend’s action in the Final Drive.
Baltimore Ravens 13, Tennessee Titans 10
In a score reversal of their regular season meeting, the Baltimore Ravens imposed their will upon the top-seeded Titans. Despite being dominated in almost every statistical category, the Ravens found a way to win. Their defense created three Titan turnovers, all of which were in Raven territory, stopping drives that at least would have ended in field goals. In two post-season outings, the Ravens have forced the two best teams in terms of turnover differential (Dolphins 1st, Titans 2nd) into eight giveaways. Cautious not to make mistakes, Joe Flacco and the offense never turned it over, opting instead to punt it eight times and win the field position battle. It turned out to be the formula for success against Tennessee. Well, that and knocking rookie sensation Chris Johnson out of the game. Johnson left late in the first half with an ankle injury and never returned. He was the focal point of the Titans offense, racking up 72 rushing yards on only 11 carries and catching a 28 yard pass from Kerry Collins. After his departure, Tennessee had no luck on the ground, and their only threat came from wide-out Justin Gage, who apparently was saving himself for the playoffs. This loss spotlights the need for more playmakers in Tennessee, because their offense as it stands is too predictable. Collins is not the answer at quarterback, their receivers are well-below average, and their running game can’t support them against great defenses. Baltimore gets to move on in the playoffs, buoyed by John Harbaugh’s fantastic coaching job and Flacco’s ability to manage the game. Now they get Pittsburgh for a third time this season. Congratulations.
Arizona Cardinals 33, Carolina Panthers 10
This was the clear-cut shocker of the weekend. Nobody (including myself) gave Arizona a shot against the mighty Panthers. The Cardinals stepped up for the second week in a row and dominated what was considered to be superior opposition. This week they received help, as Carolina’s birthday boy Jake Delhomme forgot how birthdays worked, as he gave the Cardinals six gifts in the form of five interceptions and a fumble. It was easily one of Delhomme’s worst performances of his career and it could not have come during a more important time. Obviously the Cardinals defense made plays on the ball when they needed to, but I’m putting a lot of the blame on Jake. At least four of those interceptions were just idiotic throws on his part, as he could not have been looking out for the defense. The Panthers were clearly looking past the Cardinals and they paid the price for it. If I were running things, this game would cause me to sincerely rethink any commitment I had to quarterback Jake Delhomme. His style of play doesn’t mesh well with what John Fox wants to do on offense, and he puts the defense in precarious situations with his careless turnovers. Even if he doesn’t lose his job, Delhomme will be on a short leash next year, and don’t be surprised if Carolina goes after a free agent quarterback to give him some competition. Switching to Arizona’s quarterback situation, it remains to be seen if Kurt Warner will be re-signed for next season, but I would be very surprised if he wasn’t brought back. Matt Leinart can only benefit by learning under Warner, and besides, Kurt has undoubtedly earned another season under center. He and Larry Fitzgerald have a chemistry that is currently unmatched by any other tandem. Fitzgerald was a one-man show in Carolina, as it seems the Panthers forgot he was playing on multiple occasions. Arizona is playing with house money at this point, so there’s no pressure to go any farther. Just don’t tell Warner that.
Philadelphia Eagles 23, New York Giants 11
So… the Eagles look pretty scary. They managed to hold the defending champ Giants to only three field goals (Pro- Bowl kicker Carney missed two others that were going to be next to impossible in that wind) and a safety. Eli Manning looked incredibly pedestrian, throwing two interceptions and barely completing half of his attempts. Tom Coughlin got away from the run, choosing to take bruiser Brandon Jacobs out of the game every time he was hitting his stride. Jacobs averaged 4.8 yards on his 19 carries, a solid number against Philly’s blitzing defense. Neither defense recorded a sack of the opposing quarterback, but they were both forced into bad throws. Donovan McNabb was the only one to find redemption, throwing a touchdown early in the fourth quarter that gave his Eagles the two-score lead. McNabb has rallied without a true number one wide receiver, and pulled out this victory with next to no production from Brian Westbrook. McNabb and Coach Andy Reid will be around a while, so Eagle fans should accept it as the positive it is. Manning was missing his number one target in Plaxico Burress and it showed as the Giants were unable to stretch the field or find the big plays. This has led to the rumor that Plaxico may not be done in New York, which is quite a turnaround from only a month or two ago. If they can’t acquire another target for Manning, they might not have a choice.
Pittsburgh Steelers 35, San Diego Chargers 24
Pittsburgh was the only home team to win in the divisional round. Home field advantage used to mean something in the playoffs, this year has proved it is not all it’s cracked up to be. The Steelers held serve in the final game of the weekend by decimating the Chargers, who honestly tried to run the ball with Darren Sproles. Seriously? Darren Sproles? They know he’s only 5’6”, right? He folds like a house of cards on first contact, and they tried to run him at the best defense in the NFL? Norv Turner missed the boat on this one. Screen passes and wheel routes out of the backfield were the way to go against Pittsburgh (much like the 62-yarder Sproles caught late). Philip Rivers played as well as he possibly could with a running attack that only totaled 15 yards. He was sacked four times by Pittsburgh, as it became obvious that passing was San Diego’s only hope. As disappointing an end as this is for the Chargers, they pulled off this miracle without ever having L.T. at full strength and with an injured Antonio Gates for most of the season. If they get healthy during the off-season and find or develop another solid receiver, they’ll be right back in the playoff hunt next season. Pittsburgh advances thanks to Willie Parker’s 146 yard outing and Ben Roethlisberger’s efficient passing attack. They’ll need a bit more from Ben if they hope to beat the Ravens for the third time this season on Sunday.
