NFL Quarterfinal Recap

The main themes from last weekend's NFL quarterfinal playoff games were dropped balls and the ability or inability to effectively rush the QB.

Both played key roles in determining the outcome of each game. This was obviously apparent in clean post game jerseys of Tom Brady/Phillip Rivers/Brett Favre and the butterfingers of Marcus Pollard/Patrick Crayton/Dennis Northcut.

Packers over the Seahawks
I could not think of a worse beginning of this game for the Packers after spotting the Seasquawks 14-0. On a personal note, I was nursing a major hang over and the early deficit forced me to hop back on the booze train.

The second seasquawks TD was ruled a force out and this is the 3rd time the Packers have been screwed by this awful rule. Earlier this fall, I wrote on Epic Carnival about the need for the NFL to allow replay on this highly questionable call. It cost the Browns a playoff berth.

The Packers scored on 6 straight TDs as Ryan Grant overcame 2 early fumbles, rambling for 200 yards. Favre's passes were crisper than the bills at Strip Club ATM machine. Ball Game.

The hyped up Seasquawks defense was non existent and the Packers had their way all day. I am still waiting for the missing person report on All Pro DE Patrick Kerney. The underrated Packers defense brought their A game and Atari Bigby laid some serious wood on several occasions.

If some one would have told me in September that a RB named Ryan Grants would lead the Packers to the NFC title game, I would have asked where they got the good hydro.

Patriots over Jaguars
The Jags made a valiant effort but the Patriots displayed why they are the favored team to win it all and on a path to make history.

Brady surgically picked apart the Jags defense, who were unable to generate any pressure all game. Brady's statue of liberty goal line fake symbolized this point as he had at least 8-10 seconds before finding Wes Welker in the back of the end zone for the TD.

I compare beating the Patriots to playing Tiger Woods in the back nine of a final round. Par is not going defeat Tiger, only birdies maybe will.

The Jags had a shot but TD drops by Northcutt and Matt Jones made them settle for FGs aka pars, while the Pats were holing out birdies on every 2nd half TD drive.

Chargers over Colts
Man did I eat some crow on this one and I thought the Colts would roll. I was Norv Turner and Phillip River's hater. I believed in the Colts defense, who had been one of the NFL's top units all season. They were a no show, producing zero pass rush and no big plays as the Chargers rolled up 400 plus yards in total offense.

Peyton almost led the Colts to victory but 2 red zone turnovers killed their chances. The big hit on Reggie Wayne on the last drive was a huge play for the Chargers. The Colts did not deserve to win after giving up a go ahead TD drive in the final quarter to the Chargers backup QB(Billy Volek) and RB(Michael Turner). Championship teams do not allow that to happen.

I still heart Colts Safety bad ass and defensive NFL MVP, Bobby "da hitman" Sanders. The penalty he was called for after giving a tap to his boy and ex hawkeye teammate, Chargers kicker Kato for missing a FG was awesome.

It was total BS but it was pretty cool to see two Hawks getting attention on national TV. Trust me, Hawkeye football fans need all the excitement they can get these days.

Giants beat Cowboys
The GMen pulled off the upset in Big D because they were able to consistently harass Tony Romo in the 2nd half. He was never comfortable in the pocket at all and his WRs let him down with several drops. Crayton's 3rd down drop in the 4th quarter

Eli did not make any huge mistakes and the Giants WRs exposed the weaknesses of the Cowboys secondary. Cowboy Safety Roy Williams being a pro bowler is a bigger joke than the Cowboys having 12 pro bowlers to the Packers 4. Williams can not tackle or cover anymore.

The Giants TD before the half was huge and it took the momentum back from Dallas, who had just went on a 20 play TD drive. I did not like the Giants conservative play calling at the end of the game but their D stepped up to seal the victory.

I made it through a Cowboys summary of their playoff loss without mentioning TO or that no talent buxom blonde's effect on Romo. This has to be a record.

The NFL's version of the Final Frozen Four takes place on Sunday with low temps expected in Green Bay and Boston. I am cold just thinking about it. GO Pack GO.