NFL Divisional Playoff Games - Thoughts

Note: I will try to post my thoughts on the weekend NFL games on Monday/Tuesday on a regular basis.

NY Giants (21) beat Dallas Cowboys (17)

NY Giants continue their road wins and get their most important win of the season at Dallas to get into the NFC Conference Championship game. They will have to travel to Green Bay and beat Favre and the Packers next week to make it to Super Bowl.

The Giants Defensive Line continued their outstanding play. The huge Dallas O-Line got outplayed by the consistent Giants D-Line. The Giants pass rushers harassed Tony Romo in the second half consistently. The Giants win is even more impressive because they have to fill in their secondary with back up players after Aaron Ross got injured and they played impressively to stop the talented Dallas wide receivers. Terrel Owens was a non-factor in the second half of the game. The return of terry Glenn did not have a great positive impact for Dallas.

It looks like it is safe to bet that a Manning would always play in the Conference Championship game. But very few would have expected Eli Manning to play instead of Peyton. Eli has stepped up big time and managed the game very well for the Giants. He has cut down his mistakes and ha splayed smart. His 2 minute drive at the end of the first half was a huge morale booster for the Giants going into half time.

Game Ball: My game ball goes to Steve Spagnuolo, the Defensive Co-ordinator of Giants. He is the rising coaching star and a head-coach in waiting. He is a Jim Johnson disciple and he follows his master's techniques consistently and with remarkable success so far.

Green Bay Packers (41) beat Seattle Seahawks (20)

As usual the weather forecasters got it wrong. Light snow was predicted before the game. By the time game got into the third quarter the ground crew has to use fancy snow equipment to see the hash marks.

Ryan Grant, the Green Bay RB survived two early costly fumbles to make it a career day for him. Grant ran for 200 yards and Favre managed the game beautifully to get a win.

I think Seattle cannot win on road in the playoffs. They were not ready for the bad weather and Ryan Grant. When Favre is playing smart, it is going to very difficult for Giants to beat Green Bay @ GB. Eli Manning is not experienced enough to beat Favre and the Packers.

Game Ball: My game ball goes to Ryan Grant. Dah!

San Diego Chargers (28) beat Indianapolis Colts (24)

This is the shocker. I think Indi lost it in the fourth quarter when Peyton manning tried for too many deep balls instead of getting first downs with easy check down throws to Tight End and Running Back. He played like this couple of years ago in a loss to New England. Indi offence tried to score too fast by going for too much. They should have played like Brady and Patriots. Take what the defense gives, make first downs, move the chains and sustain the drives.

Game Ball: Vincent Jackson of San Diego. He made some spectacular plays and helped San Diego on many 3rd down situations.

Having said that, Philip Rivers acted like a jerk by getting into verbal jaunts with the Indi crowd. If he is smart he will learn about class and quarterbacking from Brady and the Pats next week. I pick Pats to win this one easily.

New England Patriots (31) beat Jacksonville Jaguars (20)

Another clinical performance from the Pats. Do whatever it takes to win. As I said earlier, Brady can win throwing deep bombs to Moss or dunk and check to Faulk and Watson for easy first downs. What else can be said - Pats are Pats.

Game Ball: Tom Brady - 26 of 28. Dah !