The four major things we learned from this weekend’s NFL playoff games….

by SVWHITE on Jan 15, 2012 10:07 PM EST

Defense can still will championships.

In a pass happy, offensive driven league, it was great to see that defense can still win games in the NFL. With so many pass happy offenses and record breaking offensive performances, many die-hard, old-school NFL fans, were worried that hard-nosed football was a thing of the past. This weekend, however, defense ruled the divisional championship games. The Ravens showed, even though they are aging, that Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and company can still get it done and make key plays to save their team. Aside for the offensive flurry the last six minutes of the game, the 49ers defense dominated the prolific Saints offense. The Giants illustrated that defensive rankings can be misleading (they are ranked 27th in the NFL for total defense) and that they could make even one of the best offensive teams in the league look bad. And the Patriots were solid defensively all game, crushing any hopes that Tebow could pull out another miracle for his team.

Having a physical WR/TE on offense makes that quarterback’s job a heck of a lot easier.

Gronkowski (Patriots), Davis (49ers), Boldin (Ravens), and Nicks (Giants) all proved that a physical receiver who can make the tough catch, makes any quarterback’s job a lot easier. Each of these players came up huge for their respective teams this weekend with their physical, hard-nosed play, making key catches by fending off and beating defenders on multiple occasions. Those huge catches scored points or caused huge momentum swings which helped put their teams’ over the top this weekend.

Eli Manning is one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

At the beginning of the season, a lot of people scoffed at comments Eli Manning made in an interview on ESPN New York 1050. Eli stated rather emphatically that he was an elite quarterback in the NFL, up there with the ranks of Tom Brady. Well, Eli was right. Eli has shown especially in the latter part of the season, that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. His steady play down the stretch in key games against the Cowboys as well as both of his playoff performances prove that Eli is a legitimate quarterback, who should be respected and reckoned with in regards to the QB position in the NFL.

Turnovers will kill your chances to win any game, especially a playoff game.

With the exception of the Broncos, each of the losing teams this weekend had at least four turnovers. Both Brees and Yates threw multiple picks, with those passes being forced to well-defended receivers who were not open. The Packers on the other hand, were very sloppy with the ball. Rogers had his first fumble of the season along with an interception, and his receivers inexplicably dropped a number of passes, including one sure touchdown. The four losing teams this weekend combined to turn the ball over fourteen times which on any level, especially the NFL will usually send you home with an L.

Shana White is a blog contributor for Gold Star Games, a leading tailgate gear supplier.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Comments

How do you view Flacco relative to Eli?

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 15, 2012 11:46 PM EST reply actions

Over the course of a season: Equal, both win games Eli costs his team more often than Joe.

When both are in form: Eli
Playoffs: Eli has a ring so he automatically gets this.

Right now Eli is the better QB. That could easily change, last season he was dreadful at times. Eli is a true wildcard.

by Roa on Jan 16, 2012 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

Eli has had an All Pro season

and had both Brees and Rodgers not been so insane, he would be up for MVP honors. Look at his stats. A much different Eli than past years, almost “Peyton-like!”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 16, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Oh I agree, this season Eli has been a revelation.

Maybe I’m just stubborn because I’ve been against him for a while but I give him all the credit in the world for this season, but don’t think he’ll keep this kind of form much longer.

by Roa on Jan 16, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

Eli is better now,

but he has been in the league twice as long as Joe. Eli’s in his prime now and playing great.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5526/eli-manning

Joe’s first four regular season stats are better than Eli’s. Of course, Eli won the SB in year 4 though.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/11252/joe-flacco

We’ll see if Joe can develop as well as Eli has. He’s got all the tools.

daytime commentator. night time ninja.

by El.Dude on Jan 16, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Honestly I will be thrilled if Joe can turn into an Eli. That’s all we need for this team. Joe’s not going to be Brees, Brady, Rodgers, or anything, but I could see him becoming an Eli which would be fine by me.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 16, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

Joe’s not going to be Brees, Brady, Rodgers, or anything, but I could see him becoming an Eli which would be fine by me.

what makes you think Joe wont be a brees, brady or rodgers especially when his growth as a quarterback is still not finish.

by jazz20 on Jan 16, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

He hasn’t shown the ability of any of them. What makes you think he will be that good? Other than a quote from Ed Reed and you feel he can do it if he works hard? I’m not knocking Joe, but that’s a very elite group of QB’s. Joe is our franchise QB, he’s good enough to win a super bowl and he could be a very good QB, but I don’t see the ability to be as good as them.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah but for a very long time no one saw that ability in those 3 either.

Brady was drafted late by this point he was better than Joe easily but few expected it. Rodgers was considered a reach and sat for years (which helped him considerably but still) and Brees was let go at this point.

Do I think he will be that good eventually: No
Do I think he could be that good at least for a season or two: Yes he has as much potential as anyone.

by Roa on Jan 16, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

I think Flacco is not at Eli’s level (because Eli has a ring), but there is potential. Eli has also been a pro quarerback longer and in the NFL most of the successful QBs turn the corner after multiple years in the league.

by SVWHITE on Jan 16, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Great write up and what a huge statement it was for the Saints and Packers to get knocked off. Now if we can do our job and knock off the pats the league will have a fit.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jan 16, 2012 7:25 AM EST reply actions

You are spot on

I had the self imposed misfortune of watching that retard Jamie Dukes waiting for the Giants game to start, and all he did was whine about how Joe wasn’t elite and winning games wasn’t enough anymore to be considered a great quarterback..such an ass,
.
The NFL ,with their small little minds and their 24 hour network, need to have these sacred freaking idol qb’s for all of us to adore. I guess they think it makes the league sexy or more marketable or some such hogwash.
I love football, mainly because it is such a team sport with complex strategies and intangibles- maybe if they focused more on that aspect of the game than it wouldn’t feel as transparent as they make it seem.
When I was younger, there were qb’s like Fouts they threw for a ton of yards, and never won shit.
Back then, it was guys like Bradshaw and Montana that people adored because they were winners, while when a guy like Fouts was concerned, it was always"he’ a great passer"
So the talking heads and the rule changes have led the national dialogue to the “great passers” being great qb’s.
Really, look at Peyton Manning.
Tons of records, one ring, great quarterback.Elite.
Bree’s-ton of records, one ring, elite.
Flacco. Record for most wins in four years, first QB ever to not only go to the playoffs his first four years but also WIN a playoff game four years in a row, and in their feeble minds he is inadequate, less than, whatever term they use.
I ain’t seeing Rogers or even the great Peyton Manning do that…but they are elite.
Just makes me ill.

by RavensfaninTX on Jan 16, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the compliment on the write up. I think the Ravens have a good chance against the Patriots if the offense gets going. Brady is going do well, but the Ravens defense has always been able to make big plays and put the team in a position to win.

by SVWHITE on Jan 16, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

Physical WR

Having a physical WR/TE on offense makes that quarterback’s job a heck of a lot easier.

I am not sure which is more amazing: (a) the numerous ticky-tack PI penalties called during the regular season, or (b) the incredible lack of any PI call during the playoffs. So the importance of having a physical WR who can battle through holding and contact is an advantage.

Personally, I agree with calling PI only when it is egrerious and not letting the refs impact the outcome of the games – which is why the rules change in the playoffs? If that’s true, then the NFL would be well served to have more of a “let them play” mentality during the entire season.

But then again the refs can’t be completely blind when calling PI. Here is a case in point. (Watch the embedded vid)

If you’re not going to call that, you’re not going to call anything.

"the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare

by Fandemonium on Jan 16, 2012 5:55 PM EST reply actions