Checkdown Chatter

Brady and Manning will meet in the big game again this season. Both quarterbacks are now members of an elite list of QBs who have started more than 1 Super Bowl.

The AFC Championship game wasn’t a typical win for the 2011 Patriots. Their bend but don’t break defense nearly broke (in fact, if Billy Cundiff takes a time out/depending on who you ask about the Lee Evans non-touchdown it broke indeed), quarterback Tom Brady took too many chances with the ball and missed open receivers, and the team generally struggled to get past the Ravens, but, they did do so and are on their way to their first SuperBowl since the end of the 2007 season, facing a familiar foe.

Let’s take a minute to appreciate this accomplishment. As far as dynasties go, the 2000s clearly belonged to Brady and Belichick and, while time is running out on their tenure at the top they are making an early stamp on the ‘10s with a 14-2 record last season and an appearance in this year’s big game in Indy.

Looking at Brady’s career, this, more often than not has been the case. Reaching football’s biggest stage is a daunting task – there are high end players who go their whole careers without having the opportunity, there are entire franchises who have never made an appearance, but, for Brady and his Patriots it is a fairly common occurrence. I was tipped off to this stat while listening to SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday and I’d like to share it, as I think it is rather significant. Brady, 34, is in his 12^th NFL season. He only threw 3 passes in his rookie year and just 11 in an injury shortened season in 2008, so, he’s essentially had 10 complete pro seasons. Tom has made the SuperBowl in 50% of them. This year will be his 5^th SuperBowl appearance tying John Elway for the most of all time (Elway’s 2-3 record will be inferior to Brady’s regardless of the outcome of this year’s contest).

That’s an impressive stat, isn’t it? Brady and his coach, of course, expect to reach the pinnacle each season but few tandems actually make it a reality. In fact, there have only been 18 quarterbacks (this season Eli Manning will run the total to 19) who have appeared in multiple SuperBowls in their career. Everyone on the list with 3 or more appearances is a hall of famer (or, a future member of the HOF class assuming Big Ben, Brady and perhaps more of a stretch, Kurt Warner are eventually enshrined) and Brady tops them all by getting into the big game every other year. Further, Tom Terriffic has a chance to tie Montana and Bradshaw this season with a record 4 SuperBowl starts, in fairness to them, they never lost the big game.

Again, Brady while Brady deserves a lot of credit for holding together an offense without a true ‘field strecher’ or run game and masking a defense that gives up chunks of yardage on the regular he certainly wasn’t the deciding factor in the AFC Championship – however, the fact remains that he got to the big game, and has done so every other year through the course of his career. Regardless of where you stand on Brady, the Patriots, and their legacy the QB deserves a tip of the cap for a career marked by consistent achievement.

I’m in a weird place this morning. Most fans would be elated to know that they have a chance to cheer their team in the SuperBowl, it only happens so often… but, I’m a little weary this morning. A chance to knock off the Giants who robbed the Patriots of perfection at the end of the ‘07 season is compelling, but, as I wrote late last week, it is nerve wracking as well.

With that… on to the observations.

• It was clear that the Ravens were playing the pass early in this contest, and, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was ready to take advantage. It felt like there were as many holes as he needed, and he hit them all getting to the 2^nd level consistently.
• Joe Flacco started very shakey but then went on to complete 8 in a row en route to a solid 1^st half. His solid play was all that kept the Ravens tight in the first half, and, he had the game winning touchdown taken away from him in a split second by Sterling Moore. The narrative is quite a bit different today if he hangs onto that ball.
• Anquan Boldin vs. Antwaun Molden is an interesting matchup on the outside, for no reason other than the names, with Kyle Arrington out with an eye injury.
• The Ravens, for all the concerns about their passing game, picked up a 3^rd and 14 and a 3^rd and 11. Flacco picked up another 3^rd on Torrey Smith’s touchdown… that should have been a stop, but Sterling Moore failed to tackle Torrey Smith at the line.
• The Patriots had 3 chances to pick up Danny Woodhead’s kick return fumble and just let the ball bounce around on the turf.
• On Joe Flacco’s long pass to Torrey Smith in the 1^st half he rolled out to the left and had a receiver wide open. He rolled out at least 3 times the other direction and didn’t look comfortable. Some went for completions, but, it was strange to see him roll the wrong way. I’ve been on Cameron’s play calling all year, but, I don’t know why you’d call for so many passes rolling to the QB’s wrong side.
• Bernard Pollard (on another clean hit) injured another Patriot – Brady, Welker and Gronkowski as a member of 3 different teams.
• On Tom Brady’s 1st QB sneak, he was found to be a couple of inches short of the goal line, but, it was a very aware play by the #12 to go outside of the tackles with it rather than up the middle. Most would have tried to go straight up the middle and get stuffed.
• 4 catches last week for Ray Rice, 1 this week. 76 in the regular season. I do not understand Cam Cameron’s play calling.
• I was just about to write a comment complimenting Joe Flacco’s poise in this game when he threw (what should have been a game clinching) interception, its funny how quickly one game can change your perspective.
• Julian Edelman was on Anquan Boldin all day. It’s a surprising assignment, and, one that was exploited to set up the potential tying field goal.
• The Patriots needed a missed 32 yard chip shot to make it to the SuperBowl, and it’s a bit disconcerting because the offense had 2 chances to pick up a first down and/or not throw the interception with 6 minutes left and close this one out.
• Vernon Davis’ TD celebration was pretty boss. Worth the 15 yard penalty. His 15 yard penalty for roughness was unnecessary, though.
• The 49ers were lucky to get the ball back after a failed reverse/handoff from Kendall Hunter to Kyle Williams, but, calling that play on your own 30 yard line in the rain didn’t seem to bright.
• At 9:05 remaining in the first half, I’m not sure who said it, but the Fox mics clearly picked up a voice saying “Is that lady out of her Fu**king mind over there?”
• People make fun of Ed Hochuli for over-explaining things, but, I think there’s something to be said for clarity. He backs up every decision and explains it to  the fans.
• I don’t see how Vernon Davis can post 4 touchdowns in the two biggest games of the season (of his career) and only 6 all year long.
• The injury seemed to be significant, so, I don’t want to make light of it but it was pretty funny to see Dashon Goldson try to yank him up by his shirt, so as to a) help him out or more likely b) make himself look better for creaming a defenseless player/costing his team a pick.
• It’s a tough play to get right on the field for the officials, but, on the challenge the ball clearly hits Kyle Williams on the knee. Instead of a clear touchdown (letting it play out rather than blowing it dead, and adjusting with the automatic replay) the Giants began their possession at the 30. Sidenote: The 49ers missed Ted Ginn Jr. in this one, not just on this play, but, in the field position game all day.
• The 49ers completed 0 third down conversions, and 0 passes to wide receivers. Well, 1 completion to wide receiver as I typed that… on yet another failed 3^rd down conversion.
• In the end, the 49ers got this far by winning the turnover battle consistently. Today, they lost it, and, that was the story.
• I want a promise for next season: let’s not call for Tom Coughlin’s job. Just weeks ago people were on the fire him bandwagon, and, much like in 2007 Coughlin has gotten the most out of his team at the right time and they are on their way to the big game.

3 of 4 weeks in the book and Mr. Consistent Marc holds down the top spot (by a narrow margin) heading into the SuperBowl. Weekly winners in blue.

I really have no context for this post, and, I suppose I should be impressed with how Eli hung in against a ferocious 49ers pass rush late in the game, but, I really just want to share this picture with you.

Enjoy.

To start Sam Bradford’s 3rd season he’ll be working with his 3rd different offensive coordinator. Once a superstar in the making, then an example of ’sophomore regression’ – I’m familiar with the term, of course, but it seemed like the buzziest of buzz words, particularly when discussing the likes of Mark Sanchez where it might just have been easier to use the term bust.

In his 3 years with Mark Sanchez and the Jets Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer failed to get the most out of his young QB, will he fare any better with the Rams' young arm?

And, that actually brings me to my point. Bradford had one of the best rookie quarterbacking seasons of all time in 2010 and he did, indeed, take a step back in 2011 (while Cam Newton was rewriting the rookie record book) under a new offensive coordinator. One of the biggest issues plaguing Bradford this season was a lack of talent around him – the Rams acted like they had a glut of wide receivers and cut a number of wrs coming out of camp (including Laurent Robinson who went on to have a… decent year in Dallas), and another is that he was injured through the middle and end of the year. At any rate, regression or not, Bradford’s 2011 left a lot to be desired.

So, Schottenheimer is the man on Jeff Fischer’s staff to rejuvenate the once promising QBs career (the other serious candidate for OC was Hue Jackson). Few outside of the Jets building know how things really went down this year, but, Schottenheimer certainly took a lot of the blame for Mark Sanchez’s failures, and was sent packing after the season – scapegoat? Maybe. But, the only facts that we have are that he took the blame for some pretty underwhelming quarterback production. I’m sure that Rams owner Stan Kroenke and new Head Coach Jeff Fischer considered this fact when contemplating their hire, but, it sure leaves me questioning whether Schotty is the right guy to lead the Rams offense and guide Bradford’s development.

In his 3rd season Sanchez and the Jets failed to qualify for the post season (for the 1st time in his career, mind you) and the young QB was unexciting. His final numbers left a lot to be desired, but, more than that Sanchez seemed unable to come through in clutch situations. While Sanchez posted career high’s in TDs, yards and rating, he posted a career low 6.4 YPA and upped his interception total 5 to 18 (the 5th highest total in the league). The biggest thing is the yards per attempt number, which is nowhere near the league leaders (literally, its not even on the page here which is the furthest I went with my research).

While the quarterback deserves the Lion’s share of the blame, most likely, the offensive coordinator didn’t help much. In fact, the Jets play calling was expressly conservative. Some of this was made to compensate for Sanchez’s shakiness when asked to make a big play, but, a lot of it was just bad play calling – or, at least it seemed that way. Either way, as OC in New York Brian Schottenheimer failed to hide the flaws of his young QB while maximizing his development and getting the most out of the pieces around him.

Now, he’s tasked with avoiding doing the same while helping Sam Bradford along in the suddenly competitive NFC West. As PFT put it, I hope Bradford likes throwing slants.

If you listen to the 49ers players they got what they wanted this week when the Giants knocked off the Packers, but, come Sunday they may be singing a different tune at Candlestick.

In the days after New York’s stunning dismantling of the hitherto near perfect Green Bay Packers a number of 49ers players (Vernon Davis, among them) were candid in their assessment of the game, and admitted that they were cheering for the Giants to beat the Packers.

The reasons, really, were practical. If the Packers won the 49ers would lose homefield advantage which has been kind to them this season, then, of course there is the fact that one team came into the game with a 9-7 regular season record and the other a 15-1 mark. No one came blame the 49ers for rooting for the Giants. However, now that the matchup is at hand, it certainly isn’t looking like a cakewalk for the 49ers.

The Giants have gotten hot at the right time and are getting healthy on offense and defense. Most notably, while the Giants offense has been successful through the air throughout the season, their defense has found its groove over the last month and a half and is helping them stay competitive. Certainly, last week, they were aided by what appeared to be a considerable amount of rust on behalf of the Packers offense but holding the high scoring Packers to 20 points on their home turf is no small feat.

The 49ers themselves are flying high coming off a big win over the Saints in a game that had one of the most memorable final 5 minutes I’ve ever witnessed, but, despite drawing their desired opponent and maintaining homefield advantage, it doesn’t get any easier this week.

This is one of the harder to call matchups of the entire playoffs to date. Working in the 49ers favour is the fact that they have beaten the Giants once already (though, it is harder to beat anyone the second time around), they are at home where they are 8-1 on the season and are virtual locks to score 20 points, and, the forecast calls for rain which should lead to a ground based attack where the 49ers seem to have the edge on both sides of the ball. Either way, we’re in for an interesting game, and one, certainly that the 49ers could come to regret wishing for.

But, that’s not really what this article is about. Today, I’m forward thinking. I’ve admitted to you all a number of times that I am a Patriots fan. It endears me to some, and, probably costs me readership in other instances. Still, its the truth and, I’m in the fortunate position this year of being one game away from watching my team in the SuperBowl. The game is always entertaining, but, its leaps and bounds better when you have someone to root for. This year, I’m confident that I’ll have the Pats. I don’t see Baltimore – on offense particularly – as a significant obstacle. So, knowing that I’m looking beyond this week’s game, I’ve begun to think about the preferred opponent for the big game in February.

Both teams, having made it this far, have proven themselves capable of winning the title and, as we discussed, its a tight matchup in the NFC so I’m not rooting for a particular team because I think that they will be easy to beat, far from the truth, I think it will be a tough matchup either way. So, I’m making my choice based on another factor. I’m cheering for the Giants this weekend so that I may root for the Patriots to avenge the loss that ended the perfect season that never was. The last time that I could cheer them on in the SuperBowl – the epic game to end the 2007 season.

The storyline would be great, the National excitement unparalleled, of the 4 teams left it represents the perfect SuperBowl (yes, I know Har-bowl is a neat theory, but, as far as the teams on the field go…) and it represents a chance to right a wrong that was perpetrated against my team 4 seasons ago. However, much like many have urged the 49ers this week… you have to be careful what you wish for. While a victory over the Giants in this year’s SuperBowl would certainly taste sweet, a loss would be twice as bitter. Is it worth cheering for a less enticing opponent – lets face it, for me anyway, 49ers Pats would be a pretty boring SuperBowl, at least, compared to the alternatives to avoid heartbreak? I don’t think so, but, I may be signing a different tune if things don’t go as I hope they will.

Last week’s results are online and everything can be accessed through the fantasy/playoff pool tab.

Just like last week, post your team in the comments, remember that you’ll need to pick 3 receivers and RBs (1 AFC, 1 NFC, 1 from either) a QB from each conference, a TE and K from each conference.

If you’re in the mood to plan ahead, for SuperBowl week we’ll just pick one QB, 3 WRs, 2RBs, a TE and K. Also, I’ll host a props contest like the last few years.

It is a bit of a challenge to differentiate between what remains as each team has some, if not all, championship calibre elements, but, 1a, b, c and d are posted below, along with the recently ousted squads and their hopes for 2012.

In the Hunt

1. New England Patriots (14-3, 3) – It was the Broncos this week, of course, but over the final quarter of the season the Patriots defense made strides – if they can continue to hold their heads above water next week we should see Brady and the offense in the SuperBowl.
2. San Francisco 49ers (14-3, 4) – Alex Smith, game manager no more. Of course, it was just one performance but the final 5 minutes against New Orleans should remove any doubts as to whether or not this 49ers team can contend.
3. New York Giants (11-7, 10) – Talk about getting hot at the right time. This defense is healthy and playing strong, and, Eli has a lot of options on offense.
4. Baltimore Ravens (13-4, 5) – The defense may be the most complete unit of the bunch, but, given what I just said about Alex Smith they’ve got the QB I least trust in the clutch… and, if we’re talking about the SuperBowl, I see Flacco as a step behind everyone (2, 3, or 4 behind Tom) and therefore see the Ravens on the outside looking in.

Eliminated

1. Green Bay Packers (15-2, 1) – Packers players described themselves as stunned by the 1 and done effort in the playoffs, indeed, a month ago no one would have guessed that this would be the outcome.
2. New Orleans Saints (14-4, 2) – At the end of the day, their road struggles were a reality, and despite a late offensive awakening they couldn’t close the deal against the 49ers. Many will be saying good riddance to Gregg Williams at this point.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4, 6) – Warren Sapp said it at the start of the year, and, for a while it looked like he was wrong, but, this unhealthy – old – Steelers defense just couldn’t keep up come playoff time.
4. Detroit Lions (10-6, 8) – Credit goes to Stafford and ‘Tron but there needs to be big improvement before they become true contenders.
5. Houston Texans (11-7, 9) – This offense, with a leading tail back and a healthy star receiver looked awfully impressive on wild card weekend, Yates or no Yates.
6. Atlanta Falcons (10-6, 9) – The offseason was spent acquiring talent to make the Falcons more explosive on offense. The result? 0 points in their 3^rdconsecutive playoff loss.
7. Denver Broncos (9-9, 11) – It’s hard to remember two more inconsistent weeks back to back, but, that’s the trouble with Tebow… in terms of the Broncos playoff chances, one week he’s the Jesus the next, he’s Judas. There are many question marks for the Broncos entering 2012 and, whether Tebowites want to believe it or not, quarterback remains one of them.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7, 12) – The Bengals played like a team that was just happy to be in the show.

The last time the AFC won a championship Santonio Holmes was a disgruntled receiver with a knack for making the big play when it counted. Now, he's a Jet with a quarterback who only throws slants. Still, the AFCs chances of winning the title for the first time in 3 tries look a lot better today than they did 2 weeks ago.

I’m sure 2 weeks ago I wasn’t alone in judging the AFC Playoff field as significantly less appealing than the 6 team crew in the NFC. The AFC field was flawed, and, we’ve seen most of that play out with the elimination of four teams.

• The Texans were once the most rounded team of the bunch, but TJ Yates – as well as he filled in – simply wasn’t ready to lead them to a SuperBowl.
• The Steelers were accused early in the season of being too old on defense, and, while they held it together for a while that showed in the playoffs.
• The Broncos had this guy named Tebow who was exciting to watch but completed more than 50% of his passes just twice this year.
• The Bengals were just a little young and backed into the playoffs at 9-7.

The NFC playoff field was filled with teams that could all beat you any given week – the 5th and 6th seeds were the Falcons and Lions with the offensive firepower to keep up with anyone.

Suddenly though, with the defending Champs and the single season yardage record holder out of the field things are looking up for the AFC Squads.

The Ravens have their persisting issues – Flacco faced a strong defense this week but he certainly didn’t look like a SuperBowl quarterback, but, their defense is playing at a championship level and they’ve done so throughout the season. If they come out of the AFC the defense that ranked 3rd, 4th and 2nd in total defense, passing yards, and rushing yards should be able to keep the game close regardless of opponent – much like they did this weekend against the Texans. While the offense sputtered (scoring just 2 TDs, both of which started on the opponents side of the field) the defense came up with turnovers at every opportunity and helped seal their trip to the AFC Championship.

The Patriots, meanwhile delivered a complete team effort and looked stronger on both sides of the ball than they had all season. Mind you, they were tasked with stopping the aforementioned Messiah of the Missed Receiver but the Patriots defense has been rounding into form over the 2nd half and veteran QB Tom Brady is dedicated to willing the Patriots into another SuperBowl performance, as evidenced by his crisp, record setting performance in the Divisional Round. The Patriots, led by the most clear cut SuperBowl Quarterback left in the post-season, look like they can beat anyone left in the field.

However, as much as it is about the thinning of the weaker teams in the AFC, the fact that we can now believe in the possibility of an AFC Champion has more to do with the way things played out in the NFC. Whether they’ll admit it or not, with New Orleans and Green Bay dropping their games this weekend Ravens/Patriots players must feel like the competition in Indianapolis suddenly seems less intimidating.

Yes, I know that the old axiom that defense wins championships often rings true – at least in clutch moments in the big game – but the #1 and #3 ranked offenses in the league both were sent packing in the Divisional Round. In terms of scoring, the numbers were even better with Green Bay posting 35 and New Orleans posting 34.2 points per game. On the flip side, while the Giants have been rounding into form lately and have proven that they have the ability to hang with anyone with wins over Green Bay, New York and Dallas in recent weeks this 9-7 team is flawed and has to be viewed as less of a threat. Alongside them, the 49ers are the NFCs 2nd seed and proved this weekend that they have been underestimated despite their record, but, not every defense will make Alex Smith look like Joe Montana and on a neutral field its hard to envision the offense coming up with another clutch set of drives to win the league’s biggest game – at least, it remains easier to envision the Packers or the Saints completing the task.

Of course, by getting here the Giants and 49ers have proven they are worthy, and, neither is a pushover but with the removal of not just one, but both teams that many expected to be fighting to represent the NFC in the SuperBowl a week prematurely one has to feel that things are looking up for the AFC who has won just 1 of the last 4 Championships.

Saints/49ers was one of the best games I've ever witnessed, certainly the last 5 minutes of it... still, I'd argue that Alex Smith should have taken a knee as opposed to running into the endzone screaming as pictured above. Alas, the game wouldn't have had quite the same feel, would it?

• On New Orleans’ first drive Donte Whitner completed a pass interference penalty that looked like it was going to be costly (in fairness, it didn’t appear to be all that bad) but, on the goal to go series he delivered a massive run stuff and a deadly blow to Pierre Thomas that forced a fumble and turned the tide early. Whitner was a force all game.
• What was wrong with the Saints in the 1^st quarter? They were moving the ball at will during their first drive, and then the turnover happens and clearly got in their head (despite a solid defensive stand on the 9ers first possession). Its not like you’re a team that’s never been here before. You’re the New Orleans Saints, why fret?
• Drew Brees may or may not have been given the benefit of the doubt on a couple of intentional grounding plays, one where he clearly didn’t get the ball back to the line. On the next play, Brees definitely signaled for a timeout before the snap, but, no whistle was blown and after the play was an incompletion he was awarded a timeout after the fact. No way it gets called a post-play timeout if he passes for a TD.
• Darren Sproles was discussed all week as a matchup nightmare for the Saints, and he didn’t make a lot of noise – however, he was definitely a key cog for the Saints, particularly with Pierre Thomas out early. His 12 catches were an impressive number. (As I typed this he caught his 13^th – tying an NFL post season record – and took it for the potential game winning touchdown from 45 yards out).
• Drew Brees threw 63 passes in this contest… A pretty healthy number.
• I don’t think much can be said of Alex Smith any more. Now, he got a lot of help from Vernon Davis, but Smith was clutch when he needed to be with a massive fourth quarter, outdueling Drew Brees. This wasn’t the play of a game manager.
  • In hindsight, though, I bet he wishes he fell down at the end of his 28 yard run before crossing the goal line. Drew Brees showed him why you never want to leave the Saints time on the clock. With that said, a 26 yard run to set up a field goal won’t have the same lasting significance as the conclusion as this game will.
• I’ve read a couple of times this week that Playoff Tom Brady is intense, and, it showed early against the Broncos. He, and the rest of the Patriots look to have taken their game to another level which could spell trouble for the rest of the AFC field. About an hour after I typed this note, Brady had become the first player to ever pass for 5 touchdowns in a half of a playoff game.
• Just an interesting stat that a co-watcher pointed out, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has 0 fumbles in over 530 career touches. (An NFL record).
• Up 42-7 with 9 minutes left the 3^rd quarter Tom Brady ran a quarterback sneak on 2^nd and 1 and threw from the shotgun with an empty backfield on the next play. I do like that the Patriots don’t always let the context alter their gameplan – especially so early as they’ll want to be prepared next week – but the sneak is a bit unnecessary. Let’s keep our key players healthy.
• Denver had 14 plays for negative yardage with 10 minutes left… I’ve never heard a number that high… there were lots of issues, but, they just aren’t built to play when trailing by more than a score or two. Yes, Tim Tebow’s season was a great story, but, realistically I think Denver still needs to question if he’s a worthwhile starter next year. I’m sure that’s an unpopular sentiment, but, while he may win you a few games he doesn’t strike me as someone who will ever be consistent enough to go deep into the playoffs.
• The final pass attempt numbers don’t show it because the Broncos put the ball in the air a ton during the 4^th quarter, but, for most of the game it was like Denver was oblivious to the fact that they were trailing. They ran the ball on just about every first down… and just about every second, too. I know that they are built to play a certain style of ball, but, when you go into halftime with a 35-7 deficit I expect most teams to come out slinging – if not before that.
• Watching TJ Yates try to force balls to receivers under pressure today, after watching Alex Smith yesterday I have a new appreciation for a smart throwaway.
• Cam Cameron sickens me as a play caller. In the first half Arian Foster had 15 effective carries for the Texans to help keep them close. He added 4 catches – that is, of course, an exceptionally heavy workload but it was double Rice’s 10 touches. Rice didn’t end up being very effective on the day, but, the game could have played out differently if they found a way to work him in early.
• Arian Foster became the 1^st 100 yard rusher the Ravens have ever allowed in the playoffs.
• Flacco did a terrible job under pressure all day, it was as if he wasn’t recognizing blitzers/players getting through the line at all. For a guy who wants more respect from the media, fans, etc. playing worse than TJ Yates at home isn’t really the way to get it.
• The Packers surprise onside kick 8 seconds into the 2^nd quarter was interesting, and nearly worked out, but its surprising given that the Packers aren’t the team desperate for points in this one. If anyone should have felt that they had to play it aggressively it should have been the Giants not the Packers. The blocked field goal bailed them out.
  • As I type this, its now the 4^th quarter and the Packers have posted just 13 points, so, I guess they should have been worried indeed.
• The Giants defense are absolutely playing like SuperBowl contenders. They were in Aaron Rodgers’ face all day and forced a number of turnovers.
• This is why I’m against resting starters in week 17, particularly with the bye week during the wildcard round. The entire offense looked out of sync, the drops didn’t help but Rodgers was rusty too.
• For all the talk about the AFC’s weak playoff field this year, or their lack of a true contender, with all due respect to the 49ers and the Giants you have to feel like the chances of an AFC Team winning it all this year improved with the Packers and Saints out of the running.