Turnovers and the inability to run the ball spelled doom for the losing teams this weekend.

The Arizona Cardinals; yes they had 101 yds rushing, but they ran the ball 15 times and Tim Hightower had 70 of those yards on the first play of the game, the remaining yards came on 14 carries for 31 yds (2 yds per run). The Cardinals compounded that dismal effort with 2 turnovers that were converted into 14 pts, and Kurt Warner was under pressure all day, the blue print for defeating  him and making him look average .

The Baltimore Ravens sporting one of the most vaunted running attacks in the NFL ran into a rested Indianapolis Colts team, anxious to prove to everyone that Jim Caldwell made the right decision resting his starters at the end of the regular season, in favor of going for the perfect season. As all good playoff teams do, the Colts took away the running game early and force the Ravens Joe Flacco, to try to win the game with his arm, the end result, 4 turnovers, 2 int’s and 2 fumbles. After 55 rushing attempts last week, the Ravens ran the ball against the Colts just 19 times for 86 yds. In the end not enough running the ball for the Ravens, coupled with Peyton Manning being on his game as usual.

The Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo once again showed their inability to get it done when it really counts. Seen by many as the hottest team going into the playoffs, the clock struck 12 and they turned into playoff pumpkins. Under heavy pressure all day, Romo wilted. He also accounted for 3 of the 4 Dallas turnovers, once again proving that without a consistent running game to take the heat off of him, Romo can’t shoulder the offensive load. The defense, touting a very good D-Line with Ware, Spencer and Ratliff, got very little out of their Linebackers and Secondary. The Secondary, which garnered much praise lately, was victimized all day, with Brett Favre throwing 3 of his 4 TD passes to Sidney Rice for, 47 , 16 and 45 yds. Minnesota ran the ball 9 times more than they threw it, just enough balance to keep Dallas defensively off-balance and guessing all afternoon.

Perhaps the most unbelievable collapse and upset goes to the San Diego Chargers. Taken apart by a NY Jets team that continues to do it the old-fashioned way, by playing pressure defense and running the ball down your throat. Philip Rivers never experience such pressure as he was under yesterday, nor did their running game, and without a functional running game (18 attempts for 61 yds),  the onus was upon Rivers to make all the plays today. All-Pro kicker Nate Kaeding didn’t help the situation by missing 3 field goals today, (36, 57 and 40 yards) after missing only 3 all year. What is it about the Chargers, it seems as though they aren’t closers. After running off 11 in a row, in the biggest game of the year they allow a rookie QB and RB to dash their playoff and Super Bowl hopes.

Seth Joyner

1/18/10

In the NFC we pretty much got what we expected, the two best teams in the conference. #1 versus #2 and two of the most potent offensive attacks in the NFL. The Saints erased all doubt whether they could pull it together after losing the last 3 games of the regular season, by completely destroying the Arizona Cardinals. Drew Brees and the offense were back in synch, he hit 8 different WR’s and got a breakout game from Reggie Bush, out of the back field and on special teams. Defensively they got back to playing fast and creating turnovers, they smothered the Cardinal wideouts, and other than the first play of the game, ( Hightower’s 70 TD run) they kept the Cards and Kurt Warner in check. They put the pressure on and kept it on for 60 minutes.

The Minnesota Vikings got it done with solid defense, and an explosive offense that Brett Favre is carrying right now. If Adrian Peterson wakes up, Minnesota would be the most complete team left in the playoffs. In all probability after a 3 TD performance, Sidney Rice has ensured himself double coverage, which could be good news for Peterson and the running game. The Vikes just have so many weapons and Favre isn’t afraid to use any of them. Defensively the Williams brothers, Ray Edwards and Jared Allen  pretty much dominated the line of scrimmage. Their concerns will lay in the secondary, with Antonio Winfield not healthy and considering all the weapons the Saints have, this could be big trouble for Minnesota. As hot as Brees is right now, it will be imperative that the Vikes get good pressure, combined with good coverage to keep this from being a track meet. The Saints are opportunistic on the defensive side of the ball, but Favre has protected the ball well this year, the concern will be with Peterson and his issues fumbling this year.

The Colts also laid to rest any doubts about them having a rest your vets, bye week hang over. although the Ravens had chances and created some rare turnover opportunities, they couldn’t capitalize on any of them. Playing the Colts you almost have to play a perfect game to beat them. Peyton Manning won’t make many mistakes, and defensively they are playing like they have something to prove. The Colts defense did what good playoff teams do, they shut down one of the top rushing attacks and forced the second year QB Joe Flacco to make plays and he couldn’t. Surely that will be the game plan this week against Rookie Mark Sánchez. Offensively how will the Colts handle the blitz happy Jets? The Jets have multiple ways to come at you, though Manning is adept at seeing the blitz early,  a steady diet of  screens, is the best way, well the second best way to slow down a blitzing Jets defense. The best way is to run the ball, unfortunately the Colts running game has been non-existent all year.

The NY Jets are a nice surprise on this years Playoff scene. With a Rookie QB and a Rookie RB carrying the load who would’ve thunk that the Jets would be in the AFC Championship game. The one intangible that they bring to the table is, that they are the exception in regards to their offense. They primarily run the ball to keep the pressure off of Sánchez and use the play-action pass to move the chains. Between Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones they are a formidable backfield, they also eat up big chunks of possession time, limiting opposing offenses number of possessions. This could be a huge benefit for the Jets if they can keep the first downs coming. They will need to limit Peyton’s chances. Defensively in classic Ryan fashion, they like to bring the heat, giving opposing QB’s time for one read only or winding up on his back. This is unconventional as well, as not many D-coordinators have to stones to blitz as much as Rex Ryan does. How uncomfortable they can make Peyton will have a lot to do with how successful they will be. If he has time to sit back and run a 7 on 7 drill it’ll be a long day for the Jets, but like all QB’s he likes to work in a clean pocket, off of a preferred spot and get the ball out on time. The Jets can make him uncomfortable but they won’t have long, one mistake or missed assignment and it will be 6, he doesn’t miss a thing. There is no bend, but don’t break in this Head Coach or his defense, it’s all or nothing. Sometimes though, you can die by the same sword you live by. One way or another this Sunday will be interesting as opposing styles clash in game one, the high-powered pass offense vs the high-powered pressure defense and running game, then the similar styles high-octane offenses clash in game two in what could be a wild west shootout in the bayou.

Seth Joyner

1/20/10

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings exited the playoffs in similar fashion as Farvre’s last playoff defeat. How are the Vikes viewed now, in light of their NFC title game second half collapse? It was believed upon signing Favre, that anything less than a Super Bowl victory would be a failure.

The Vikings looked like world beaters rolling over Dallas a week ago, but with 5 turnovers and Favre being beaten to a pulp, one has to wonder what’s next for the unpredictable Mr. Favre. While there is enough blame to go around in this Vikings lose, Brett has to shoulder the lions share of this latest failure. Sure Adrian Peterson fumbled 2 times, but lost none, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin lost a fumble each with the Vikings in scoring position, but Brett Favre accounted for 3 turnovers and the last and most costliest with the game on the line. Favre was signed because of his experience and ability to make good decisions at critical points in the game. With a timeout remaining and a receiver open to his right close to the sideline, he made a mistake that will haunt him forever, despite all the phenomenal plays he has made over his great career. It is a cardinal sin to throw across your body to the middle of the field, that is something that coaches hammer into the heads of young QB’s in training. But the thing that has made Favre great, is his belief that he could make any throw in any situation. You want your players borderline cocky, overconfident and to embody a bullet proof mindset. But the things that make you laugh, can sometimes make you cry, you live by the sword, you are certain to die by it. This has been a reoccurring theme with Brett, yes he has won a Super Bowl, but he has posted some awful performance in the waning moments of critical post season games. The question needs has to be asked, is he a player prone to fail more often than succeed at crunch time?

As great as he has been, an argument could be made that the Super Bowl he won, was won by a well balanced Green Bay football team that made plays in all three phases of the game. He had a great supporting cast that alleviated pressure off him. The Green Bay Packers didn’t have to rely solely on Brett’s arm, with Desmond Howard providing the fireworks on special teams, Edgar Bennett and Dorsey Levens running the ball efficiently and the defense dominating Drew Bledsoe and New England’s offense, it’s clear to me that this truly was a team effort in winning Super Bowl XXXII.

You could almost see teams trying to place the game in Brett’s hands, believing that he would eventually make a mistake. Toward the end of the year teams made a major effort to shut down Adrian Peterson and force Brett to put it in the air. Heck he has a history of making boneheaded plays at the most critical time of a game. Leads me to wonder out loud,  whether Brad Childress had a talk with him in his helment earpiece prior to that last play, “Hey if there’s nothing there, let’s throw it away and take a shot at a Ryan Longwell FG. The play he made was totally inexcusable, I would expect to see a rookie make that kind of error, not a guy who has been around for 19 years, who’s seen and done it all.

Statistically the Vikings beat the Saints in every category, but when you turn it over in the red zone twice and a total 5 times in one game, the odds are not in you favor to overcome them for a victory, you don’t deserve to win. One thing’s for sure, there will be plenty of soul-searching and questions, mainly if Brett Favre has the physical and mental strength to come back and make one last run. He won’t soon forget this latest debacle and may never be able to move on knowing he was so close to exiting the game a Champion and exercising his playoff demons. No sooner was the game over, than the speculation began. As much as he loves the game, there is bitter taste in his mouth that won’t allow him to walk away, with this being his last lasting memory . For Brett these demons need to be exercised, he has a good young team with a bright future ahead of it in place, plus some serious dough ($10-12 Million) waiting for him for one more year of service. I’m glad he hasn’t made any snap decisions yet, I’m also happy to see him take some time away before making a final decision. Knowing his love for the game, his inability to walk, along with his knowing that when it’s done it’s done, I predict we will see #4 back for one last hurrah.

Seth Joyner

1/28/10

Seth Joyner

I remember when it was an honor to be considered,one of the best at your craft. When on the field accomplishments defined your reputation and to an extent your pay scale around the NFL. Don’t get me wrong I understand why the NFL has chosen to stage the Pro-Bowl the weekend before the Super Bowl. From a marketing prospective it is genius, the thought that people coming in for the Pro-Bowl will hang around for the week, spend money at all the NFL events and take in the Super Bowl the following weekend, was brilliant, kill to Bowls with one stone. The NFL is a marketing machine, and one thing they know how to do is make money, at the end of the day that is what they are about.

They have dropped the ball on this one though, with the Pro-bowl the week before the Super Bowl, that means the Super Bowl players who’ve been voted into the Pro-Bowl, won’t be participating in the league all-star game. Consequently stand ins and back ups, were named Pro-Bowlers. In the AFC the seventh voted QB was added to the roster, what a joke. Now these guys who never really earned it will be forever recognized as Pro-Bowl players. I had to earn my Pro-Bowls, I also had to suck it up and take it on the chin, in years when I knew I earned a trip and got overlooked in the voting. So for these players who didn’t legitimately get voted in and recognized, it cheapens the meaning of being an all-star.

Back in the day, a trip to Hawaii meant that you had negotiating power when your contract was up. You were considered an élite player at your position, and you held no real bargaining power without a trip across the Pacific. How will the owners handle these young men who claim all-star or All-Pro status and want to be paid as such? They have no one to blame but themselves and their greedy nature for what’s about to take place in the off-season.

It’s hard for me to believe that true fans will want any part of this game, even with it being held in Miami. The trip to Hawaii was a reward for a great season, a trip to Miami is nothing more than an off-season trip for most of these guys. But then again what difference does it make when you are second tier players, they are glad to be called All-Pro. I hope that this is a one year deal and the league gets back to their usual schedule next year. More importantly let’s get back to having and seeing the real All-Pros playing in the game that defines the games élite players.

Seth Joyner

1/31/10