Quarterback Eli Manning will be returning to his 2nd Super Bowl — ironically against the Patriots again — after the Giants overtime win over the stunned Niners.

After 4 years, we are right back where we left off before Super Bowl XLII in Arizona with the NY Giants  facing the New England Patiots.  However the look and feel of upcoming Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis is that of two evenly matched teams rather than David vs. Goliath.

It should be a good couple of weeks leading to Indy, but first let’s revisit the AFC and NFC Championships.  It was a tale of two kickers as the Ravens Billy Cundiff improbably missed very short make-up field goal as the Patriots thankfully won a hard fought game 23-20 in frigid Foxboro.  Next up Brady and Belichick are hoping to ride the “Myra Express” to a Super Bowl title and get revenge on the upstart Giants.

The Giants got to another Super Bowl under fiery head coach Tom Coughlin by staying the course and never getting too high or too low in a rollercoaster NFL classic.  Of course lots of people will be point to the horrible game of the Niners fill-in return man Kyle Williams (2 fumbles to the game-winning points for the Giants), but in the end New York was just plain tougher.

Quarterback Eli Manning overcame several hard hits to move his team on third downs and also into perfect field goal position for kicker Lawrence Tynes game-winner in overtime.  Speaking of Tynes, the veteran didn’t let “nerves” get to him as he hit his 2nd Super Bowl sending game-winner through the uprights.

So now let the Brady-Manning, Coughlin-Belichick, and Rematch talk start…. But Thankfully this time no one with be talking perfection between two, far from perfect, teams that got red-hot at the right time.

After a masterful 2011 regular season and playoffs, there is no doubt that New York Giants QB Eli Manning has stepped out from the long shadow of his older brother Peyton

Let’s jump in the hot-tub time machine and go back to August 16, 2011.  Appearing on ESPN 1050 Radio, New York Giants QB Eli Manning was asked if he considered himself a top-five quarterback in the NFL, basically on the level of a Tom Brady.  Which Eli strongly responded, “Yeah, I think I am… I definitely consider myself in that class”.  Well you know the snickers among NFL fans and media were heard from Maine to California as many have always viewed Eli as the “other” Manning quarterback.

Former United States Attorney General Robert Kennedy must’ve heard it over one million times during his political career, “You will never be as good as your brother”.  Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you see it, that was the road that Robert had to follow in walking in the footsteps of his older brother, former President John F. Kennedy.  And those are similar footsteps that other less famous brothers Ken Brett (George), Eddie Payton (Walter), Patrick McEnroe (John), and others have had to walk in on “Comparison Road”.

Certainly you know that Eli has heard the same refrain just as many times in being compared to his older brother and surefire future Hall of Famer, Peyton – NFL’s only 4-time MVP.  Despite leading the Giants to an improbable Super Bowl XLII victory over the then-undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, many still felt that the younger Manning was just along for the ride, even though he won the game’s MVP award.

There were many who still questioned if “Awe Shucks” babyfaced Eli would ever possess the steely tough-guy quarterback leadership mentality of Peyton and their Father, Archie, a former NFL quarterback himself.   But true to his form from following in his father’s footsteps at his alma mater, Ole Miss, and Peyton’s in the SEC, young Eli just put his head down and worked at being the best player that he could be.

The road to NFL stardom was a tough one for the more “shy” Manning brother as many in the pressure cooker that is New York City constantly wondered if he truly could ever become “The Man” in a city that demands it.  After the Manning family orchestrated a 2004 draft day deal that brought Eli to New York instead of San Diego, expectations were very high and everyone was expecting Peyton – not his skinnier little brother –  to come walking through the door at the old Meadowlands Stadium.

But early on it was evident that Eli, despite his royal NFL lineage, would also have to suffer through the many bumps in the road that usually accompany graduating to the “big boy” league.  Though NFL scouts point to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as professional football’s No. 1 minor league system, the speed and excentricities of the pro game make it look like Pop Warner football at times.  Eli was supposed to be brought along “slowly” as the Giants signed former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner to mentor him.

However Warner’s own struggles and Eli’s high expectations (No. 1 selection, being a Manning, and huge contract) caused his growth cycle to accelerate to light speed.  To say the least Eli was not prepared for what was waiting for him in the NFL and it showed at times.  His low-point had to have been in his fourth career start, against the Baltimore Ravens in M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2004.  In that game that he would like to forget, the Ravens veteran defense confused him into a 0.0 passer rating performance and a seat on the bench with Warner playing in the second half.

While older brother Peyton was able to finally qwell his own demons with MVP regular seasons and regular playoff appearances that eventually led to a victory in Super Bowl XLI.  There were still those who wondered if Eli could even be the next Jeff Hostetler (last QB before Manning to lead the G-Men to a SB win), let alone his older brother.  Not even breakout seasons in 2005 and 2006, where he led the Giants back to the playoffs, were enough to silence the growing “Eli Can’t Do It” chorus.

Unfortunately, many of Eli’s detractors could point to his touchdown-to-interception ratio (48:35), pass completion percentage (combined 55%) , and two underwhelming playoff performances (both losses including 3 INTs, 1 TD, and not breaking 200 yards in either game) in his first two playoff seasons as ammunition to further question if the younger Manning was even worth his pedigree.  However something may have started to click in Eli after Peyton won a Super Bowl in 2006 that finally made the young brother to want to also silence his own critics.  His fuel definitely had to be further invigorated as Eli was surprisingly blasted by his former teammate, turned media guy, Tiki Barber before the 2007 season.

On his former radio show, Barber said of Eli, “His personality hasn’t been so that he can step up, make a strong statement and have people believe that it’s coming from his heart.” The Giants’ all-time rusher then added a story from Week 12 of the previous season.  “He didn’t feel like his voice was going to be strong enough and it showed,” Barber said. “Sometimes it was almost comical the way that he would say things.”  But as expected, Eli being Eli took the high road andt used Barber’s comments as motivation. 

In training camp when asked about Barber’s comments Eli said, I’m not going to lose any sleep about what Tiki has to say”.  The emerging quarterback added, “I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year with calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season, and (how) he’s lost the heart (to play). As a quarterback you’re reading that your running back has lost the heart to play the game and it’s about the 10th week. I can see that a little bit at times.”

During the 2007 season, Eli may not have had the prettiest passing numbers (23 TDs, 20 INTs).  But what he lacked in stats, he more than made-up for in lockerroom respect.  After a season-ending stretch where the Giants were inconsistent – record of 3-2 in their last 5 games – both quarterback and team got on track when it mattered most.  A heartbreaking 17-14 loss to the undefeated high-powered Patriots was what New York needed in terms of confidence entering the playoffs and they never looked back. Manning and his teammates – NYG were 10-6 while hanging on just to gain a Wildcard spot — were poised and ready, even though they had the unenviable task of having to win 4 road games to take home the Lombardi Trophy.

As Eli played some of the best football of his career, in succession the Giants defeated the Bucs (24-14 with Eli’s passing numbers 20-27, 185 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs); Cowboys (21-17 with Eli’s passing numbers 12-18, 163 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs), and Packers (23-20 in OT with Eli’s passing numbers 21-40, 251 yards, 0 TDs, and 0 INTs) to setup the unenviable task of playing the 18-0 undefeated New England Patriots.  After showing some serious grit in leading the underdog Giants to a historical overtime win over the Packers in frigid Lambeau Field, Manning seemed poised for the challenge of facing the might Patriots.

With hardly anyone outside of their lockerroom giving them a chance, the Giants went right back to where they left off in Week 17 by taking the game to the Patriots.  Eli (19-34, 255, 2 TD, 1 INT) was part of the story too as he kept the chains moving when needed and overcame some tense moments to lead his team to the Giants first Super Bowl win in over 15 years.  Manning was gritty and never made the mistake that so many doubters predicted.  And once again, it was in the clutch ending moments of the game where Eli showed that he has aninate ability “out-Manning” Peyton, when it matters most.

Eli truly showed his mettle in the fourth quarter leading the Giants’ comeback from a 14-10 deficit.  The NFL Films highlight from the Giants’ game-winning drive was Manning miraculously pulling away from Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green, who had two large handfuls of the Giants quarterback’s jersey.  And then Manning throwing up a prayer over the middle that was answered by special teamer turned receiving star David Tyree.  Tyree catch the 32-yard jump ball against his helmet as Rodney Harrison pulled and prodded unsuccessfully at the G-Men’s tough guy.  The play ignited the Giants sideline and showed that the New Yorkers would not be denied.

Manning and the G-Men offense concluded the “white knuckle” drive with a perfect 13-yard touchdown fade route to his favorite target Plaxico Burress that made the final deficit of 17-14 – audibled on touchdown throw.  On the game-winning drive, Eli was 5-9 for 79 yards with a huge touchdown and one big “shut up” for his haters. The magical game-winning 12-play, 83-yard drive was a test of will that the G-Men passed as they converted three third downs.

However even in victory there were those who continued to say, despite winning the MVP of Super Bowl XLII, that Eli wasn’t the focal point of his team and that he was riding along in Trent Dilfer style.  Even some of the praise that came Eli’s way was a little back-handed too.  “Eli had a great game today,” Giants receiver Amani Toomer said. “He took what was out there and didn’t force anything. He doesn’t get real excited…there is more than one way to lead a team … and he showed that today.”

In the after-glow of their playoff win, many people were heaping praise on head coach Tom Coughlin, Tyree, and veteran defensive players Michael Strahan and Antonio Pierce, leaving Eli way down the list.  But the younger Manning knew at age 26 that he would have more than a few opportunities to distance himself from his brother, now that they both had 1 Super Bowl win and 1 SB MVP.  However the ensuing 2008, 2009, and 2010 were tough on the Giants and Eli.  As “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”.

The good news from the 2008 NFL Season was that Eli made his first Pro Bowl after posting passing numbers: 289-479, 60% — then a career-high, 3238 yards, 21 TDs and 10 INTs career-low for 16-game season.  However the Giants were one-and-done in the playoffs as they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 23-11 at home in the Meadowlands.  In that game, Eli was tentative and made some rookie mistakes as he finished with pedestrian numbers (15-29, 51.7%, 169 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs and a 40.7 QBR).

That Wildcard loss was also the last time that Giants would sniff the playoffs until the 2011 season.  Manning continued to hear cries that the “real” Eli is back as the Giants did not make the playoffs in 2009 and 2010 after solid starts in both seasons.  In those two seasons Manning also threw for over 4,000 yards and over 25 TDs, but numbers and a past Super Bowl victory were ancient history to his detractors.  Also there was the little matter of Eli agreeing  to a six-year, $97 million contract extension — average salary of roughly $15.3 million – in before the 2010 season that made him the highest paid player in the NFL at the time.  The cries of “Eli isn’t Peyton” and “Coughlin must go” were growing louder and louder entering the 2011 season.

In an effort to prepare himself for a Make-or-Break season, Eli, despite the NFL Lockout, stayed in the New York area for the first time in a while.  He coordinated player-led workouts and you could clearly see that the 30-year old passer was physically and mentally ready to be the unquestioned leader of the Giants.  When the season started, despite a multitude of injuries and some serious bumps in the road, the Giants and Manning stayed the course and won the games that mattered most.  With their season on the line, the Giants won in Weeks 16 over the NY Jets and in Week 17 over the Dallas Cowboys to improbably win the NFC East division with an underwhelming record of 9-7.

But don’t let the Giants record fool you into thinking that Eli had regressed in 2011.  To the contrary, Manning is by far playing the best football of his career.  He has gotten physically bigger and is also putting in the extra off-the-field work with Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride that has given him a total understanding of the entire field.  The 2011 season has been magical for Eli as he made his second Pro Bowl after posting some of the most astounding numbers in New York Giants history.  His numbers (359-589, 61% — 2nd highest in career, 4933 yds – Giants team record, 8.4 yds per pass, 29 TDs – 2nd highest in career, 16 INTs, and his second highest QBR at 92.9) and leadership have shown that indeed Eli was right when he made his Top 5 comments before the season.

Manning has also shown that he is in the NFL’s Top 5, if not one of the league’s best, when it comes to Crunch Time.  He lead the league with 6 comeback victories and set an NFL record with 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes – broke Peyton’s record.  The confidence, leadership, maturity and physicality that Eli – just celebrated his 31st birthday on January – has displayed in putting up MVP type numbers has definitely carried over to the postseason.

This season’s Giants team has eerily resembled their 2007 Super Bowl winning version as they may not have been spectacular in the regular (record 9-7, scored 394 points, and allowed 400 points).  But they are now red-hot in the games that matter most.  In dominating wins over the Falcons (by a score of 24-2) and the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers (by a score of 37-20), Eli Manning has been masterful in dictating and orchestrating at the line of scrimmage.  We are seeing more “Peyton” from Eli as he is seeing the field with clarity and has shown an ability to audible and call-out pass protections with the best of them. 

Eli’s numbers in the Giants’ wins over the Falcons (23 -32, 277 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 1 sack allowed, and an intentional grounding penalty for a safety) and Packers (21-33, 330 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT, and allowed only 1 sack) also reflect that he is indeed the a Top 5 quarterback and should be viewed as more than Peyton’s little brother.  Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan recently said of Eli, “The guy’s playing excellent.  He does a great job. He’s got an unbelievable touch. He will stand in there in the face of a damn hurricane and throw the ball. He’s really tough…. He’s in that elite group for sure.”

Pretty soon Peyton – age 35 and trying to comeback from three neck surgeries — may soon be answering to calls of “Hey Eli’s Brother”.  As the older Manning’s playoff tally now stands at 2 Super Bowls played in, 1 Super Bowl win, 1 SB MVP, 1 playoff game-winning drive, and a postseason record of 9-11.  Compared to Eli’s 1 Super Bowls played in, 1 Super Bowl win, 1 SB MVP, 3 playoff game-winning drives and a postseason record of 6-3.

CBS NFL Analyst Rich Gannon on whether Eli Manning is now an elite quarterback said, “It’s amazing that we’re even having this conversation — a year and a half ago, we would have been wondering if Eli was, what, maybe the ninth best quarterback in the league?  Now he’s pulled himself into the upper echelons of the best quarterbacks in the business.”

And don’t forget, Eli is not done yet in the 2011 Playoffs.  So his resume could continue to grow, starting with a big game this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. ….Could we be seeing two Manning’s in Canton one day?? 

Let’s not get too far ahead ourselves.  But Eli’s growth is unquestioned – right behind Brady as the best quarterback left playing in the 2011 Playoffs — and we just might be seeing the beginning of a sustained period of success from Archie’s Youngest Son and Peyton’s Little Brother. 

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl

I guess this is how it feels when your team loses in the playoffs…. At least the Green Bay Packers have more NFL Championships than any franchise in league history (13).

This ”viral” video from YouTube is of disgruntled and probably drunk Packers fan Casey Lewis — cheesehead and all — after her beloved team lost in stunning fashion to the New York Giants in the 2011 NFL Divisional playoffs.  Casey can thank her ”compassionate” sister for not only shooting the video, but also posting it for the world to see.

The video is well on it’s way to 1Million views and has over 1500 comments attached to it

The National Football League’s Elite 8 will take center stage in the 2011 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round.  Probably the most anticipated match-up will be the Denver Broncos (Tebows) vs. New England Patriots on Saturday Night as two of the NFL’s most popular quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Tim Tebow, square-off with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line

(Philadelphia,Pa) — The “Elite Eight” round better known as the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round start the “real” games as far as I am concerned.  Most fans and media love the hype of the National Football League’s Conference Championships and Super Bowl.  But you can put my wholehearted vote in for the NFL Divisional Playoffs as the most exciting portion of the league’s now year-round calendar.  The splendor of the divisional playoff round is that the four best teams from the regular season, after a well-deserved bye week, finally get to enter the fracas to take on pumped-up Wildcard Round upstarts.  The NFL Playoffs’ Wildcard round usually does a pretty good job of removing some of the teams that I like to call “Frauds” from the playoff picture.  However if some frauds are still leftover, surely the divisional round will sniff them out.  The final eight usually brings out the best in teams leading to highly competitive games before the suffocating hype, pressure, and “big stage” mentality of getting to the Super Bowl sets in.The great thing about divisional round games are that now teams that excelled in the regular season have to “Prove It” when it matters most. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin – team lost toDenverin Wildcard Round — recently said of the challenge of the playoffs, “We turn the page now, we move forward into the single-elimination tournament. That’s what this journey is about. We want to finish strong and then move onto the new challenges.”  For a long time teams coming off byes seemed to automatically advance to the Conference Championship round of the playoffs.  Since the league went to 12 playoff teams in 1990, — gave the top two seeds in each conference first-round byes — the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are 60-22 (.732) in their first playoff game. However since 2005, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are just 10-12 (.454) in the divisional playoff round.  A great example of the non-predictability of current divisional round playoffs was in last season. 

Both No. 1 seeds (New England Patriots –AFC and Atlanta Falcons – NFC) came off byes and lost in the divisional playoffs. After the dust had settled for Super Bowl XLV inDallas, the AFC’s No. 2 seeded Steelers and the NFC’s No. 6 seeded Green Bay Packers were left.  Remember there are no longer the dynasty bully teams of the past — think of Paul Brown’s Cleveland Browns of the ‘50s, Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers of the ‘60s, Chuck Knoll’s Pittsburgh Steelers of the ‘70s, Bill Walsh’s San Francisco 49ers of the ‘80s, Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys of the ‘90s, and Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots of the ‘00s – with “Parity” still the driving factor in the NFL.  To show the parity around the NFL in the regulars season there were 12 teams with winning records, 12 teams with losing records, and 8 teams stuck right in the middle (.500) at 8-8.  So all 8 teams have a legitimate chance, matter what all the talking heads around the league are saying.

To no one’s surprise, after all four home teams won in the Wildcard Round – first time since 2006 – Vegas is favoring the hosts. However the hosts definitely should proceed with some trepidation as road teams have won at least 1 division round game in the past 6 NFL playoffs and there have been at least two road winners in 5 of the last 6 years.  So nothing is guaranteed, even if fans are hoping for a Super Match-up of the two No. 1 seeds, Green Bay Packers (15-1) and New England Patriots (13-3).  Yes, in recent history the 2009 NFL Season’s Super Bowl match-up of the Saints-Colts brought the league’s first No. 1 seed showdown since 1993 (Buffalo vs.Dallasin Super Bowl XXVIII) but I am not sure if the “Chalk” will fall into place again this season.  Since 1990 only 20 of the 42 (32 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl, with nine No. 1 seeds being crowned champions (22.5 percent). However some good news for No. 1 seeds is that they are a combined 30-12 in the divisional playoffs since 1990 (NFC: 18-3 andAFC: 12-9)

The 2011NFL Regular Season was topsy-turvy – 125 of 256 games (48.8 percent) were decided by seven points or fewer, the second-most such games in a season in NFL history(126 games in 2002) — and I fully expect the divisional round to be a wide-open affair too.  Somewhere former NFL Commissioner Bert Bell is smiling as the phrase he coined, “On Any Given Sunday” still is reigning true. Bell’s dream theory of equitability where any team, whether top or bottom, could beat each other on a weekly basis, was majorly driven home last week in the Wildcard round.

Everyone, including yours truly, gave the Denver Broncos – regular season record of 8-8, including 3 consecutive losses — little chance to beat the defendingAFCChampion Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard Round.  But in the parity-filled world of the current NFL, the Broncos, who were a 9-point home underdog, rallied around their leader QB Tim Tebow to defeat the Steelers 29-23 in a thrilling walk-off overtime 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown by emerging WR DeMaryius Thomas.  The Broncos will try to keep “Tebow Mania” going while trying to also become the NFL’s first regular-season.500 or worse team to win two playoff games when they travel toNew England. 

Definitely keep an eye on the winners from the Wild Card round as 5 of the last 6 recent Super Bowl Champions (Steelers ‘05, Colts ‘06, Giants ‘07, Steelers ‘08, and Packers ‘10) won on Wildcard weekend.  Hopefully Belichick, Brady, and the rest of the Patriots were paying attention, as should every other favored team coming off of a bye.  Preparation and execution will be the keys to beating the opponent in front of them.  The other alternative from non-preparation will be joining the Eagles, Bucs, Chiefs, Colts and the 20 other non-playoff teams on the sidelines.  Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently said of the playoffs, “After the regular season the Patriots were 13-3, but now the team is 0-0”.

The theme of the 2011NFL Divisional Playoff round should be the same as one of my favorite ’70s films, “Let’s Do It Again”.  The film starred African-American film icons Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitiere making a killing by prearranging boxing matches with all the marbles riding on a big payday rematch.  The word “rematch” fits perfectly as all four divisional playoff games will be rematches – alright I know it is really 3 of 4 from the regular season.  But the Niners and Saints did play each other way back in Week 1 of the Preseason –New Orleanswon 24-3 as backup players like QB Chase Daniel and WR/PR Joe Morgan (who??) led the way. 

The Texans and Ravens last met in Week 6 when both teams had their full compliment of players, includingHoustonstarting QB Matt Schaub.  However the Ravens were able to out-physical the Texans on their way to a 29-14 victory.  In one of the best games of the 2011 NFL Regular Season, the Giants showed a lot of fight in a Week 13 home loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers.  In that game, it took a great game-saving field drive led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers to lead the Packers to a comeback 38-35 win and preserve their perfection then at a record of 12-0. 

Probably the most anticipated rematch of the divisional round will involve the Broncos and Patriots.  It will be interested to see if young quarterback Tim Tebow and the Broncos learned something from their Week 15 loss toNew England.  In that game, the Broncos jumped out to an early 16-7 lead while also outgaining the Patriots 167 to 4 in the first quarter before Tom Brady and Company woke-up to finish with a 41-23 butt-kicking.  Of the original and the upcoming rematch Tebow said, “I feel like it was a good learning experience.  I think it’s a privilege for us to play again.”

Of course having played and beaten a team in the regular season may bring a partial psychological edge in game planning, and dissecting tendencies. But tried-and-true playoff tenants of Strong Quarterback Play (i.e. Taking Care of the Football), Good Attacking Defense, a Balanced Offensive Attack based first in the Run, Sound Special Teams Play, Getting off the Field on 3rd Downs Defensively, Scoring Touchdowns rather field goals in the Redzone, Limiting Penalties/Turnovers, and just plain “Want-to” will be the deciding factors as to which teams move on to the Conference Championship round on the long treacherous road to Super Bowl XLVI in Indy.

Other than the playoff tenants that we discussed earlier, “Great” playoff teams that usually advance far in the postseason win the battle in Adjustments and Turnovers.  The NFL is a copycat league where teams can catch-up quickly and adjustments are the only way to stay ahead of the pack and combat falling behind.  With the Wildcard Round behind us, it is time for the “great” coaches to make the adjustments necessary to get their teams to the next round of the playoffs – think Saints head coach Sean Payton calling a surprise successful onside kick after halftime of Super Bowl XLIV.  However we all know that nothing goes as “planned” in the NFL. It is all well and good to look at old tape and previous games against your opponent to prepare a dossier.  But during the course of a game, plans can quickly go out the window.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson used to always say before a fight in his classic lisp voice, “Everybody has a plan, until they get hit.”  That quote is so very true in the NFL too as former Super Bowl winning coaches in this year’s playoffs (Bill Belichick, Mike McCarthy, and Payton) have been known to make in-game adjustments to their original game plans that have led to playoff victories.  As important as adjustments are, plain and simple nothing is an important factor in wining playoff games than “turnovers”.  Nothing can put a dagger in a team’s playoff hopes quicker than giving away the ball, especially turnovers that go to the house for points. 

A prime example was in last week’s Wildcard Round where the Cincinnati Bengals turned the ball over 3 times, including JJ Watts’ game-changing 29-yard Pick-6 touchdown — in their lopsided loss to the Houston Texans – BTW Houston didn’t have any turnovers or allow a single sack on offense.  And of course who could ever forget the worst turnover game in recent memory, where the highly favored Carolina Panthers lost at home 33-13 in a whitewash to the underdog Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 NFL Playoffs Divisional round.  Panthers QB Jake Delhomme (17-34, 205 yards, 1 TD, 5INTand 1 fumble) accounted for six turnovers by himself and the Cardinals scored 23 of their 33 points off of those takeaways.

I usually also like to look at the hottest teams going into playoff games as favorites and no team is hotter than the New Orleans Saints (9 straight wins including their Wildcard win over the Lions).  Other teams currently on a roll are Patriots (7), NY Giants (3), Niners (3), Ravens (2), Packers (2), Texans (1), and Broncos (1).  So everyone is a winner entering the NFL’s Elite 8, but all that is sure to change real soon.  Speaking of this year’s No. 1’s, the Packers and Patriots, both had very strong regular seasons including Green Bay’s near-brush with perfection, but now none of that not matters. 

The Packers surely will have their hands full with the NY Giants, who are coming off an impressive 24-2 dominating physical win over the Atlanta Falcons.  The Packers will have to show that they are back in playoff form after trying for perfection and surprisingly losing to the “lowly” Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.  The G-Men are one the NFL’s most exciting teams at this time and their quarterback, Eli Manning, is playing the best football of his career while easily being mistaken for his more famous brother, Peyton.  And we already discussed the challenges ahead of the Patriots in facing the upstart Broncos. New Englandhas not won a playoff game sinceJanuary 20, 2008when they defeated the San Diego Chargers (21-12) to reach Super Bowl XLII — lost in their first game the last two seasons.

The operative phrase for all the teams remaining in the single-elimination NFL Playoffs is “Moving On”. Because winning the battle on the stat sheet means nothing as getting “W’s” are all that matter.  Style points are out the window as an “ugly” win is just as good as an offensive highlight reel win – Just ask the Super Bowl XL Champion Pittsburgh Steelers who won ugly throughout most of their playoff run.  So nothing is a given once two teams step between the lines as shown byAFCNo. 1 seeds’ divisional round playoff records since 1990.  Stats show that these “regular season champs” are only a little above 50-50 with a record of 12-9 (.571) in the Divisional round. Smartly, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton recently said of playoff preparations, “We just focus on winning.”

Sadly the 2011 season will soon be over, so definitely enjoy this weekend’s slate of four quality matchups.

Some Lloyd’s Leftovers from the divisional round include:

• You just might need a 1st round quarterback – We all know that you need a quarterback with pedigree in the playoffs.  And amazingly 5 of the 8 quarterbacks starting in the Divisional Round are former first-round selections by their respective teams including two No. 1 overall picks.  NY Giants Eli Manning (1st overall selection in 2001); Niners Alex Smith (1st overall selection in 2005); Ravens Joe Flacco (18th overall selection in 2008); Denver Broncos Tim Tebow (25th overall selection in 2010); and Packers Aaron Rodgers (24th overall selection in 2005).  The total was almost six, but Saints QB Drew Brees was the first pick of the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.  The other quarterbacks without first-round pedigree are the Patriots Tom Brady (6th Rdin 2000) and Texans TJ Yates (5th Rdin 2011)

• You need to have a Top 25 Offense or Defense – Per the Elias Sports Bureau, no NFL team has ever made it to the Super Bowl (Since 1966) with an offense or defense ranked outside of the top 25 in total yards.  So let’s review the rankings for the teams left: Packers (3rd Offensively, 32nd Defensively), Niners (26th Offensively, 4th Defensively), Saints (1st Offensively, 24th Defensively), Giants (8th Offensively, 27th Defensively); Patriots (2nd Offensively, 31st Defensively), Ravens (15th Offensively, 3rd Defensively), Texans (13th Offensively, 2nd Defensively), Denver (23rd Offensively, 20th Defensively) – This is good news for (DEN,BAL, HOU, and NO)

• Points Way Up — A record 11,356 points were scored in the 2011 NFL Season, with games averaging 44.4 points, which was the highest average in 46 seasons (46.1 ppg in 1965).  New Orleans(547) andGreen Bay(560) also joined the prestigious 500+ point club this season.  Here is a ranking breakdown by team in terms of points: Packers (1st Offensively, 19th Defensively), Niners (11th Offensively, 2nd Defensively), Saints (2nd Offensively, 13th Defensively), Giants (9th Offensively, 25th Defensively); Patriots (3rd Offensively, 15th Defensively), Ravens (12th Offensively, 3rd Defensively), Texans (10th Offensively, 4th Defensively), Denver (25th Offensively, 24th Defensively)

• The G-Men know the playoffs — With their Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys (31-14), the Giants clinched their NFL record 31st playoff appearance – broke a tie with the Cowboys (30). After beating the Falcons in the Wildcard Round, the G-Men will be looking to take another step toward another NFL Championship (7) by beating the Green Bay Packers.

• Super Bowl MVP’s Everywhere – For the first time ever in the NFL Divisional Round history, there will be four former Super Bowl MVP Quarterbacks playing (Packers Aaron Rodgers, Patriots Tom Brady, NY Giants Eli Manning, and Saints Drew Brees). Plus you cannot forget about a defensive player too, former MVP, Ravens LB Ray Lewis (Super Bowl XXXV)

• The Year of the Tight End Continued – With teams playing more zone defenses and quarterbacks looking for “good” match-ups in the redzone, tight ends are more in vogue than ever in the NFL.  Some tight ends that will be showcased in the divisional round are Saints Jimmy Graham, Niners Vernon Davis, Texans Owen Daniels, Ravens Ed Dickson, Packers Jermichael Finley, Broncos Daniel Fells, and certainly last but not least Patriots emerging 2nd year stars Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Last week Graham was one of the biggest stars of the Wildcard round producing 7 catches for 55 yards ( 7.85 ypc) and 1 TD in the Saints 45-28 win over the Lions

• Brush-up on the NFL’s new Overtime Rules again – It is important after the Broncos dramatic overtime win last week that everyone knows the new rules that govern the league’s extra session.  Now a game cannot be won on the 1st drive of overtime by a field goal.  In this scenario, the other team would now get a chance to match with a field goal — game would revert to sudden death — or score a touchdown for the win.  But as always, if a team wins the coin toss and scores a touchdown on the opening drive, then the game would be over.  The new system does not guarantee each team a possession (see Thomas’ touchdown versusPittsburgh).  What it does guarantee, is the “opportunity for possession” for the second team, if the first team scores a field goal. Also remember there are some other crazy factors – that you know will come into play this postseason – to consider.  If a team kicks an onside kick and recovers the ball or gets the ball on a muff that would be considered a “possession” and a field goal could win it.

• Belichick trying to climb the postseason wins board — New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has compiled a 15-6 (.714) record in his postseason career.  Belichick ranks fifth all-time with 15 playoff victories, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Tom Landry, Don Shula, Joe Gibbs, and Chuck Noll.

2011 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Games

Saturday, Jan. 14

3) Saints (13-4) vs. 2) 49ers (13-3), 4:30 PM ET (FOX — Johnston, Albert, and Siragusa)

A stark contrast of two red-hot teams that met last back in Week 1 of the Preseason.  This will be the first playoff game between an offense that averaged at least 34 points per game (Saints)  and a defense that allowed fewer than 15 points per game (Niners) both in the regular season in over 60 years.  The last time this occurred was in the 1950 NFL Championship, when the Rams (38.8PPG) lost to the Browns (12.0PPGallowed) by a score of 30-28.  Look for the high-flying Saints to try and make this a track meet game.  Record-setting quarterback Drew Brees will want to get the ball to his many weapons including RB Darren Sproles, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham and others.  While the Niners will surely take the slow and steady approach fueled by their stout defense, led by linebackers Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman, and their physical running game (RB Frank Gore was over 1,000 yards again).

LV’s Pick:  This will be a tough assignment for the Saints as they will be playing on grass and outside of their beloved Superdome.  But when I look at these two teams, you have to start with the head coaches and quarterbacks.  Though Niners rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh is the talk of the NFL after leading San Francisco back to the playoffs, right now he cannot not match the resume of former Super Bowl winner Sean Payton.  And the quarterback position is even more lopsided.  Brees is playing at an MVP level while Alex Smith is a game manager who is just trying to not make mistakes.  Watch for turnovers and big plays in this one.  So in that regard, you have to favor New Orleans.  Saints over Niners, 27-17

4) Broncos (9-8) vs. 1) Patriots (13-3), 8:00 PM ET (CBS — Nance/Simms)

Saturday’s nightcap will pitAmerica’s new sweetheart quarterback versus its old one.  After the Broncos pulled out a miraculous thrilling overtime win over the Steelers in the Wildcard Round, Tebow mania went into overdrive.  However you cannot discount thatDenverwill be facing one of the most successful Quarterback / Head coach combinations in league history in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.  The No. 1 seeded Patriots are searching for their first playoff win since the 2007AFCChampionship Game and they will need to be more balanced to have a chance.  Too often this season, the Patriots were content outscoring teams, but in the playoffs physicality, avoiding turnovers, and making first downs are paramount.  Logic would say that in almost any game between these two, thatNew Englandwould be able to stop the Broncos sometimes struggling offense on defense and spread the field out enough to bomb away when they have the ball.  But this is a new Broncos team that now wants revenge (lost badly in Week 15) and more respect.  Of course there is the Tebow factor too that is converting a lot of people around the NFL.  The key will be the Patriots ability to produce turnovers as in their previous game, the Broncos turned the ball over 3 times with all of them leading to points.  After losing at home in the playoffs the last two years, look forNew Englandto finally get back on the winning side of the ledger.

LV’s Pick:  Brady and Belichick are just too good to continue losing in the playoffs, especially at Foxboro in front of their raucous crowd.  Watch for Brady making big plays to his amazing tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, as I am unsure about the Broncos Back two and their LB’s ability to cover.  Don’t automatically count out Tebow as he should play closer to his Wildcard form than the guy that struggled the last 3 games of the regular season.  In the end, I believe the Broncos’ Super Bowl was last week in their win over Pittsburgh and I just can’t see them pulling off another miracle, especially on the road.  Patriots over Broncos, 31-23

Sunday, Jan. 15

3) Texans (11-6) vs.  2) Ravens (12-4), 1:00 PM ET (CBS — Gumbel and Dierdorf)

This is a great match-up of two tough physical teams who like to run the ball down your throat and play attacking defense.  The Texans seem to be on a roll after not just making the playoffs, but also getting a win in the Wildcard Round over the Bengals.  But the only thing that the Bengals and Ravens have in common is that they both play in theAFCNorth. Baltimoreis tough veteran-laden team, who know how to win in the playoffs.  Though the Ravens are usually road warriors in the playoffs, this time their regular season helped them secure homefield advantage.  Watch for veterans LB Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed trying to make rookie QB TJ Yates feel real uncomfortable in a sure to be hostile stadium.  ButBaltimorefirst and foremost must stop running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate as they setup deep play-action passes to speedster WR Andre Johnson.  Yates has the arm to get the ball deep, but the Ravens must ensure that he does not have the time to hurt them.  Unfortunately for the youngster quarterback, he cannot go ask Ravens QB Joe Flacco how to beat his team.  For the past four seasons, Flacco has been in the playoffs and now he should be ready to make an impact.  If Joe Cool is smart, the first order of business should be to get the ball to dual-threat back Ray Rice.  The little sparkplug makesBaltimore’s offense go as he is their leading rusher and receiver.  Look for the Texans to use LB’s DeMeco Ryan and Brian Cushing in trying to shutdown Rice.  Also Flacco must protect the ball the same way that he did in the Ravens’ Week 6 win overHouston.

LV’s Pick:  Plain-and-Simple, I just can’t see rookie QB TJ Yates beating the veteran Ravens in Baltimore.  I know that the Ravens are getting old and have some players out (Boldin, knee) but this the playoffs and that is when Lewis and Company come to play.  I know upstart head coach John Harbaugh will have his troops ready.  Ravens over Texans 24-20

4) NY Giants (10-7) vs. 1) Packers (15-1),4:30 PM ET(FOX–Buck/Aikman/Oliver)

The most anticipated game to me has to be Packers and Giants in a rematch of their “Instant Classic” 2007 NFC Championship Game, won by the Giants.  The 2011 season has been a magical ride for the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, but recently their have been some dents in their armor.  The Packers lost in Week 15 to the Chiefs and then they chose to rest several of their players in Week 17, before their bye week.  So you are talking about 2 to 3 Weeks of sitting around for some of the Packers.  While the red-hot Giants (winners of their last 3 games) had to fight their way into the playoffs week by week.  The weather should be cold, so I think despite the presence of two big time quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning, that the team that can control the line of scrimmage and run the football will win this one.  Rodgers has almost as many weapons as Brees, but he needs time and the Packers O-line is very beat-up going into this one.   Also the Packers running game has been almost non-existent this season, so G-Men should be able to concentrate on rushing the passer.  The key player for the Giants will be DE Jason Pierre-Paul as the young pass rusher maybe able to “out-quick” veteran LT Chad Clifton.  Pierre-Paul will surely be aided by DC Perry Fewell’s other speed rushers Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Osi Umenyiora.  On offense to help Eli Manning continue looking likePeyton Manning,New Yorkwill need to have another solid running day from Jacobs and Bradshaw.  If Manning is given time and can you play-action, the Packers secondary can be exploited by Giants’ speedy receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham.  I think more than any game, turnovers will be the biggest key in this one as the Giants had some crucial interceptions and fumbles in their close Week 13 loss.

LV’s Pick:  This one is a tough one, but you have to like what you have seen from the NY Giants in recent weeks and the reoccurring trend of lower seeded teams making an impact in the playoffs.  With a record of 9-7, the Giants are not expected to win at Lambeau against the big-bad Packers (15-1).  However the Giants have enough veteran from their 2007 squad to understand that record don’t mean squat in the postseason.  I see the G-Men turning this game “ugly” by pounding the rock and getting pressure on Rodgers.  Just like last time, I believe it will come down to a field goal.  However this time it will be Eli and not Rodgers leading the Giants into field goal range for the game-winner.  Don’t get up too much during this one as it should be close.  NY Giants over Packers, 24-23

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl

After his incredible performance in Denver’s 29-23 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Broncos QB Tim Tebow is the 2011 NFL Wildcard Round’s Game Ball Winner

The 2011 NFL Playoffs Wildcard round is in the books and Thank Goodness unlike the National Football League’s poorer little brother,BCSCollege Football, fans can relish in the fact that the best team will be decided on the field.  On a weekend where there some definitive favorites by Vegas, the action on the field showed that sometimes prognosticators’ crystal balls can be very right and very wrong – for the record, I was 2-2 for my picks this round with a perfect Saturday and a not so good Sunday. 

For only the third time since the NFL changed their playoff format in 1990, in a total surprise, all four home teams won in the wild-card round — last done in 2006 (Patriots over NY Jets; Colts over Chiefs; Eagles over NY Giants; and Seahawks over Cowboys.  That year, the Indianapolis Colts went to win the Super Bowl.  The funny thing is for the second year in a row, many are questioning the NFL’s Playoff Seeding format which allowed a weaker division winner (Broncos) to host and win a playoff game over a “stronger” record team (Steelers).  But until the NFL changes those rules like they did for playoff overtimes – more on that later – then… It Is, What It Is.A home wildcard sweep also occurred in 2000, but the following week only 1 of the 4 former home teams advanced.  That fact show that every week in the NFL is different, but before we get ahead ourselves and start breaking down the divisional round, we must first remix a very good Wildcard Round. What we did learn from this years’ wildcard round is that a recipe of Strong Quarterback Play (i.e. Taking Care of the Football), Good Attacking Defense, a Balanced Offensive Attack based first in the Run, Sound Special Teams Play, and Limiting Penalties usually leads to moving onto the next round in the playoffs.  However before the Texans, Saints, NY Giants, and Broncos can puff out their chest some more, I will offer a word of caution.  This was only the first step of a long treacherous 3-game stretch on the road to Super Bowl XLVI in Indy.

Sure a wildcard win can propel a team — the 5 of the last 6 recent Super Bowl Champions (Steelers ‘05, Colts ‘06, Giants ‘07, Steelers ‘08, and Packers ‘10) all won on Wildcard weekend — but now this past week’s wildcard winners need to forget about celebrating and start getting ready for their divisional opponents.  Even though a large portion of the world believes in the “2010 Green Bay Packers’ Blueprint” of winning road games on the road to Super Bowl is easily possible, I still subscribe to conventional wisdom.  Which shows teams that have a bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs have a good chance of making it to the Super Bowl — since 1990, teams with first round byes won in the divisional round over 72% of the time.

Another interesting fact from the Wildcard Round was that only 1 of 4 teams (HOU,ATL,CIN, and DET) entering the dance with a 10-6 record survived to see the divisional round –Houston.  So now onto the divisional round as now the dream of the Lombardi Trophy has been cutdown to 8 teams.

Of course before we move onto our game notes, we definitely have to give a “hat tip” to the Denver Broncos. 

Entering their home playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, no one – including yours truly – gave them little chance to pull-off a win.  But in a game that brought the NFL’s new playoff overtime rules into play, quarterback Tim Tebow worked another miracle to make believers out of many naysayers.  On the first play of overtime, Tebow hit streaking receiver Demaryius Thomas with an 80-yard walk-off touchdown pass – took all of 11 seconds, fasted OT in NFL Playoff History — that broke a 23-23 deadlock and sent Denver to an improbable 26-20 win over the flabbergasted Steelers.

All I can say is never underestimate the heart of a winner!” Tebow said of the overtime thriller win, “Definitely a special memory. One that will always be very special”

2011 NFL Wildcard Playoffs

Saturday, Jan. 7th

Texans (12-5) over Bengals (9-7), 31-10…. Houston Texans first playoff victory ever (over a decade in the making)…stars for HOU were rookies DE J.J. Watt and QB T.J. Yates and of course bruising RB Arian Foster 153 rushing yards and 2 TDs… Watt’s incredible leaping line of scrimmage 29-yard Pick-6INT turned this game around late in the first half (broke a 10-10 tie)….. Another big play was Yates hitting WR Andre Johnson for a 40-yd TD in 3rd quarter…. HOU defense was swarming (season-high four sacks, four forced turnovers)….. safety Chris Crocker dropped a potentialINT….CIN CB Adam “Pacman” Jones was burned a couple times….HOU second win over the Bengals this season….HOU will play at Baltimore (12-4) next Sunday (Rematch of a regular-season WK 6 game won 29-14 byBAL…. “I’m just very proud of all the guys, and the job they did,” Texans coachGary Kubiak said. “Hopefully, there are some more to come.”….CIN was in the playoffs for the 3rd time in 7 seasons, but haven’t won since beating the Houston Oilers in the 1990 playoffs…. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was in-the-house for the game… Texans may lose DC Wade Phillips as he got permission to interview for the TB job…CIN Jay Gruden also in running forJAX job…Houston legend Bum Phillips (88) led the Texans out of the tunnel…. The Texans had an amazing 188 rushing yards to control the game

Saints (13-4) over Lions (10-7), 45-28…. Another incredible game for Saints QB Drew Brees (33-43, 466 yds, 3 TDs) including three completions of at least 40 yards…. After a slow start,New Orleans dominated the second half against DET….New Orleans broke the postseason mark for total yards with 626 to beat a record from 49 years ago…..“We just focus on winning. We’re not focused on yards and records,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “I’m serious when I say that.”….. Saints still had a commitment to running the football as they outrushedDetroit 167 yards to 32…. DET QB Matthew Stafford had a big day as he threw for 380 yards and three TDs, but had 2 INTs though… Game was DET first playoff appearance since the 1999 season — have lost 7 straight games… Megatron was in the house big time — Calvin Johnson had 12 receptions for 211 yards and 2 TDs…  Saints DB’s stepped it up in the 4th quarter as CB Jabari Greer had 2 INTs…..The teams combined for 1,038 total yards (tied an NFL playoff record set byBuffalo andMiami on Dec. 30, 1995)….. Next big game at the Superdome is LSU andAlabama on Monday in theBCS national title…. NO RB Pierre Thomas was solid (66 rushing yards and 1 TD)…. NO multi-purpose back Darren Sproles was awesome too (51 rushing yards and 2 TDs plus kept the chains moving on 3rd downs)….Other stars for the Saints were TE Jimmy Graham and WR’s Colston, Meachem, and Henderson…. No Lance Moore in this game for the Saints…. After a slow first half, the Saints opened the second half with a 78-yard TD drive… Of course everyone will talk about the refs messing up with a quick whistle when Brees was stripped just before throwing by DE Willie Young and the ball rolled to LB Justin Durant for his 2nd recovery. Durant wanted advance the ball, but the play was blown dead – instead of return TD, the drive stalled for 0 points….. Saints TD by Colston was overturned by replay… Detroit’s leading rusher was Kevin Smith with only 21 yards. … The Lions rushed the ball only 10 times and their longest gain was 9 yards. … The Saints surpassed 500 total offensive yards for their sixth straight game. … Brees had his 8^th straight 300-yard +  passing game this season …. This was the first OT playoff game since the Saints beat the Vikings 31-28 in the NFC championship onJan. 24, 2010… Saints (14-3) next will head to SF to face the Niners (13-3) in the 2nd round next Saturday

Sunday, Jan. 8th

Giants (10-7) over Falcons (10-7), 24-2… This one wasn’t even close as the G-Men stopped the Falcons on 2 fourth-and-ones to basically end this game….The G-Men will now turn their attention to the Packers – rematch from Dec. 4 – won by GB on a last-second FG in a 38-35 win at MetLife Stadium….The NY Giants (10-7) are buying into HC Tom Coughlin’ and QB Eli Manning…. Eli (23-32, 277 yds, 3 TDs ) really does look like a Top 5 quarterback and as good as Peyton…. NYG won their 3rd straight game and 4th in 5 games since the loss to GB…. In a total domination, the G-Men gained 442 yards and over 34 minutes of possession while holding the Falcons to 247…. The Giants only mistake was a safety when Manning was called for intentional grounding in the end zone…. G-Men’s O-line had a great game (no sacks and no turnovers)…. NYG OG Chris Snee  said of the win over the Falcons, “We’re playing very good and I’m just glad offensively we performed better in the second half”.  He added, “We’re still searching for that full game. Maybe it’s too tough to achieve but we’re going to strive for it.”…. NYG defense did a solid job confusing Falcons QB Matt Ryan (24 of 41 for 199 yards) while also sacking him 2 times and hitting him numerous other times…. The Falcons lost third straight playoff loss under HC Mike Smith and QB Matt Ryan… Big game for Giants WR’s Hakeem Nicks (game-breaking 72-yard catch and run) and Mario Manningham (4^th QTR touchdown)… The Giants run game – NFL’s lowest-ranked rushing game – produced big (season-high 172 yards including 92 yds by Brandon Jacobs and 63 yds by Ahmad Bradshaw… NYG averaged 5.5 yards a carry, which was 2 yards more than in the regular season….ATL’s 2 points was the first time a team scored exactly that amount in an NFL playoff game. … NYG’s first home playoff victory since a 41-0 win over the Vikings in the 2000 NFC title. … Giants will have to monitor concussion injuries this week sustained by CB Aaron Ross and RB D.J. Ware… Poor Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez is now 0-5 in the playoffs in his 15-year career…. Next up for the Giants is a return trip to Lambeau Stadium for a rematch with the Super Bowl Champion Packers

Broncos (9-8) over Steelers (12-5), 29-23 in OT…  The weekend’s highest rated game had the most exciting result as the Denver Broncos knocked out the Steelers on the first play of OT… Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger played through a high-ankle sprain to lead the PIT back from a 2-touchdown deficit… After winning the overtime coin flip, the Broncos on first down, went play-action — Tebow (Broncos Playoff record of 125.6) faked giving the ball to RB Willis McGahee – as Timmy Terrific threw a strike to streaking WR Demaryius Thomas (4 receptions for 204 yards and 1 TD) for a highlight-reel 80-yard TD, which included a great stiff-arm of CB Ike Taylor… The amazing walk-off TD took only 11 seconds—the fastest overtime in NFL history… The quick TD also ended the NFL’s first playoff game under the league’s new overtime rules…. It was a great game for Tebow  as he silenced his critics – was horrible in 3 straight losses to end the regular season – by throwing for a career and season high of 316 yards and 2 TDs… Tebow also added 50 yards and 1 TD… Tough game for the Steelers health wise as they were without RB Rashard Mendenhall (ACL) and safety/leading tackler Ryan Clark (blood disorder), then Pro Bowlers NT Casey Hampton (knee) and DL Brent Kiesel get hurt in the game and didn’t return… Tebow unlike team president John Elway — lost his first postseason start to the Steelers in 1984— got a win in his first playoff game…. Broncos WR Eric Decker was lost early to knee injury after LB James Harrison blew him up…. Steelers’ No. 1 defense did a nice job of stopping the run, but they had trouble on play-action….  Big Ben fell to 10-4 in the playoffs….Denver’s defense was swarming (1INT and 5 sacks)… Broncos O-line got the job done (No INTs or sacks allowed)…Denver had a 20-6 halftime lead…. Only Broncos’ second playoff win since Elway retired in 1999…. Next-up for the Broncos (9-8) will be game versus theAFC’s No.1 seeded Patriots (13-3)… In Week 15,New England stifled Tebow while their offense led by QB Tom Brady put a hurting on the Broncos by a score of 41-23.

Game Balls

Broncos QB Tim Tebow – Many critics, including myself, said that Tebow had no chance against the Steelers.  But he made the most of his opportunities.  The former Heisman winner completed 10-21 passes for 316 yards and 2 TDs plus set an NFL-playoff record by averaging 31.6 yards per completion.  Tebow may not be pretty, but he sure is a great leader and winner as shown by his 80-yard touchdown strike to Demaryius Thomas that ended the game in overtime.  We will see how Tebow and the upstart Broncos fare in the Divisional Round, but for this week, they are stars.

Honorable Mention: Texans DL JJ Watt, Lions WR Calvin Johnson, Saints QB Drew Brees, Texans RB Arian Foster, NY Giants WR Hakeem Nicks, NY Giants QB Eli Manning, Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas, Saints CB Jabari Greer, NY Giants O-line, NY Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw, and Texans WR Andre Johnson

Lloyd’s Lackey

Steelers CB Ike Taylor – To put it succinctly, Taylor – was a crispy piece of toast on Sunday — will be the Steelers secondary’s representative for their horrible in losing to a quarterback no one feared coming into the game.  Allowed big play after big play and Tebow was comfortable while making some serious throws. Taylor also was stiff-armed to the ground by Thomas on the Broncos’ OT touchdown catch and run.

Dishonorable Mention: Bengals QB Andy Dalton, Bengals RB Cedric Benson, Detroit Lion Secondary (too many potential INTs dropped), Bengals DB Chris Crocker, Falcons HC Mike Smith, Steelers defense against play-action and Falcons QB Matt Ryan

Wild Card Week Leaders

Passing

1. D. Brees NO  466 yds

2. M. Stafford DET  380 yds

3. T. Tebow DEN  316 yds  – OT

4. B. Roethlisberger PIT  289 yds – OT

5. E. Manning NYG  277 yds

Rushing

1. A. Foster HOU  153 yds

2.I.Redman PIT  121 yds – OT 

3. B. Jacobs NYG  92 yds

4. P. Thomas NO  66 yds

5. A. Bradshaw NYG  63 yds

Receiving

1. C. Johnson DET  211 yds

2. D. Thomas DEN  204 yds  – OT 

3. M. Colston NO  120 yds

4. H. Nicks NYG  115 yds

5. R. Meachem NO  111 yds

TDS   

1. M. Stafford DET  4 TDs

2. E. Manning NYG  3 TDs

2. T. Tebow DEN  3 TDs  Final – OT 

2. D. Brees NO  3 TDs

5. Four players scored 2 TDs including Texans RB Arian Foster

2011-12 Playoff Seeds

NFC — 1. GB, 2. SF, 3. NO, 4. NYG, 5.ATL (out), 6. DET (out)

AFC — 1. NE, 2.BAL, 3. HOU, 4. DEN, 5. PIT (out), 6.CIN (out)

Current Streaks

Winning: Saints (8), Patriots (7), NY Giants (3), Ravens (2), Niners (1), Texans (1), Broncos (1)

Losing: Bengals (2), Steelers (1), Lions (1), Falcons (1)

How 2010 Playoff teams are faring in 2011

NFC

Packers (15-1, NFC #1)

Saints (13-4, NFC #3)

Falcons (10-7, AFC#5, out)

Eagles (8-8, out of playoffs)

Bears (8-8, out of playoffs)

Seahawks (7-9, out of playoffs)

AFC

Patriots (13-3, AFC#1)

Ravens (12-4, AFC#2)

Steelers (12-4,AFC#5, out)

NY Jets (8-8, out of playoffs),

Chiefs (6-9, out of playoffs)

Colts (2-13, out of playoffs)

A Look at the Records of the teams on the sidelines

1 Team… 12-5 — Steelers

3 Teams… 10-7 — Lions, Falcons, Bengals

1 Team… 9-7 — Titans

7 Teams… 8-8 — NY Jets, Cowboys, Raiders, Bears, Chargers, Cardinals, Eagles

2 Teams… 7-9 — Seahawks, Chiefs,

3 Teams…. 6-10 — Bills, Panthers, Dolphins

2 Teams…. 5-11 — Redskins, Jaguars

3 Teams… 4-12  — Bucs,  Browns, Vikings

2 Teams … 2-14 — Rams, Colts 

2012 NFL Draft Selection Order (updated)

1. Indianapolis Colts, 2-14

2.St. LouisRams, 2-14

3. Minnesota Vikings, 3-13

4.ClevelandBrowns, 4-12

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-12

6. Washington Redskins, 5-11

7. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-11

8. Carolina Panthers, 6-10*

9. Miami Dolphins, 6-10*

10. Buffalo Bills, 6-10

T-11. Seattle Seahawks, 7-9*

T-11. Kansas City Chiefs, 7-9*

13. Arizona Cardinals, 8-8

14. Dallas Cowboys, 8-8

15. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-8

16. New York Jets, 8-8

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders, 8-8)

18. San Diego Chargers, 8-8

19. Chicago Bears, 8-8

20. Tennessee Titans, 9-7

21. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-8

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons, 10-7)

23. Detroit Lions, 10-7

24. Pittsburgh Steelers, 12-5

25. Denver Broncos, 9-8 (still in playoffs)

26. New York Giants, 10-7 (still in playoffs)

27. Houston Texans, 11-6 (still in playoffs)

28. Baltimore Ravens, 12-4 (still in playoffs)

29.  New Orleans Saints, 12-4 (still in playoffs)

30.  San Francisco 49ers, 13-3 (still in playoffs)

31.  New England Patriots, 13-3 (still in playoffs)

32.  Green Bay Packers, 15-1 (still in playoffs)

• January 15th deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft
• The 2012 NFL Draft will be held from April 26-28 in New York City

Looking forward to the Division Round and beyond

Saturday, Jan. 14

3) Saints (13-4)  vs. 2) 49ers (13-3),4:30 PM ET(FOX— Johnston, Albert, and Siragusa)

4) Broncos (9-8) vs. 1) Patriots(13-3),8:00 PM ET(CBS — Nance/Simms)

Sunday, Jan. 15

3) Texans (11-6) vs.  2) Ravens (12-4), 1:00 PM ET (CBS — Gumbel and Dierdorf)

4) NY Giants (10-7) vs. 1) Packers (15-1), 4:30 PM ET (FOX–Buck/Aikman/Oliver)

Championship Round

Sunday, Jan. 22

3:00 PM ET— NFC Championship

6:30 PM ET—AFCChampionship

Superbowl

Sunday Feb. 5

Super Bowl XLVI,Indianapolis,Indiana

Upcoming Key Dates 

• January 14 -15 — Divisional Playoffs (CBS andFOX)

• January 15 — Deadline for Underclassmen to Declare for 2011 NFL Draft

• January 22 —AFC and NFC Championship Games (CBS andFOX)

• January 28 – College Football’s Top Senior football players culminate a week of training by playing in the 2012 Senior Bowl at 3PM on NFL Network (Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL)

• January 29 — NFL Pro Bowl —AFC All-Stars vs. NFC All-Stars in Honolulu, Hawaii (NBC)

• February 5 — Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana (NBC)

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl

The 2011 NFL Playoffs are here and players, like Bengals DE Frostee Rucker, will be chasing history as the Wildcard Round begins this weekend

A wide-open 2011 NFL Season will continue this weekend with start of the playoffs.  There are now 12 teams scratching to survive on the long road to Super Bowl XLVI inIndianapolis,INand there are obstacles everywhere in the toughest single-elimination tournament around. Steelers former Super Bowl winning head coach Mike Tomlin said of the challenge, “Playoff football is single elimination football, I think that says it all.”

It doesn’t matter how any of the teams got into the playoffs – are you listening AFC West Champion Denver Broncos (8-8), who have lost 3 straight entering the playoffs — as all that matters is that the remaining teams are in the mix for the biggest prized in pro football.  Speaking of the Broncos, they rebounded from a last-place finish in 2010 to claim the 2011 AFC West crown.  This marked the NFL-record ninth consecutive season that a team went from “worst-to-first” in its division.  It has been one wacky NFL season — only 12 teams with winning records — with many exciting storylines and I am sure the excitement will continue in the 2011 “Super Season” NFL Playoffs.  Former 3-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady recently said of the challenge of the NFL playoffs, “Look, we’re playing the best teams in the NFL now, there’s very little margin for error. We’ve got to go out there and play, every lesson we’ve learned over the course of the season we’ve got to put it to good use.’’ 

I know the NFL is excited and advertisers are drooling for the 2011 NFL Postseason as this year’s regular season was a record-breaker television wise.  According to The Nielsen Company, the 2011 regular season reached more than 200 million unique viewers.  NFL games were watched by an average of 17.5 million viewers –the NFL’s second highest viewership average since 1989 (17.9 million in 2010), before the explosion of viewer choice on television and online.  NFL games accounted for 23 of the 25 most-watched TV shows among all programming and the 16 most-watched shows on cable last fall. In addition, a record 37 NFL game telecasts averaged at least 20 million viewers – topping the previous mark set last year (35) and up from 16 in 2006.  And fans interest is just beginning to peak as the Week 17 SNF game between the Cowboys and NY Giants was the most-watched Sunday primetime game in NFL regular-season history with an average of 27.6 million viewers.

Back on the field…truly every team has a chance in the postseason as 9 of the 12 teams have double-digit wins in 2011 – except for the aforementioned Broncos, New York Giants (9-7), and Cincinnati Bengals (9-7).  And for the 16th consecutive season, five or more teams qualified for the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before — 6 teams including: Bengals, Texans, Niners, NY Giants, Lions, and Broncos.  Yes, the 2011 NFC North Champion and defending Super Bowl team, the Green Bay Packers — trying to become the 9th defending champion to win the Super Bowl and first since Patriots in 2003 — are right now are 15-1, the No. 1 Seed, and have home field throughout the NFC Playoffs.  But even they have their warts – Defense allowing too many big plays, an inconsistent running game, some age on defense, an O-line that is beat-up and can be beat by speed, and teams armed with the Kansas City Chiefs winning blue print from Week 15 (run the ball, be physical, harass Rodgers, and cause turnovers).  If I have said it once, I have said it 1,000 times…there are no longer dynasty type teams in the parity laden NFL anymore, especially in the postseason. 

Since the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format in 1990, only 20 of the 41 (49 percent) No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl, with nine No. 1 seeds being crowned champions (22 percent).  So anything is possible and hope abounds in all twelve playoff cities – well maybe eleven as we all know that NFL defenses have studied-up enough to finally put the kibosh on “Tebow Time”. If the 2011 NFL Regular Season has taught us anything, it showed that “On Any Given Sunday” any team can step-up their level of play to beat any other team in the parity-filled National Football League — seven of the NFL’s eight divisions featured new division champions from last season (AFC North – Ravens (Steelers in 2010),AFC South – Texans (Colts in 2010),AFC West Broncos (Chiefs in 2010), NFC North – Packers (Bears in 2010), NFC South – Saints (Falcons in 2010), NFC East – NY Giants (Eagles in 2010), and NFC West – Niners (Seahawks)… only Patriots repeated as division champs. 

Though the 2011 playoff field has six teams that won at least 12 games – Green Bay (15-1), New England (13-3), New Orleans (13-3), San Francisco (13-3), Baltimore (12-4) and Pittsburgh (12-4) — tied for the most 12+ win teams in a playoff field in NFL history (2003).  Remember the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) knocking off the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 by a score of 12-7 and the aforementioned Chiefs (7-9) surprisingly ending the Packers run at perfection in Week 15. Nothing is pre-determined in the world’s best sports league as shown by teams attaining the No. 1 seed in each conference having only met in the Super Bowl twice in eighteen seasons (1993 season,Buffalo vs.Dallas in Super Bowl XXVIII; 2009 season, Colts vs. Saints in Super Bowl XLIV).  For the most part, this year’s wildcard round features eight evenly matched teams, where no one really has any idea which team will advance.  Usually a good indicator of a potential winner in most playoff games is the “home” team.  But the Broncos are huge “underdogs” (120-1 to win the Super Bowl) as everyone is picking the visiting Steelers (12-4) to thrash Denver(+9).  I guess everyone still has images of the road warrior 2010 Green Bay Packers going 4-0 on the road including Super Bowl XLV in taking home the Lombardi Trophy in unexpected fashion (joined 2007 NY Giants).

My advice to everyone watching this weekend’s wildcard action is to pay very close attention to the winners as teams advancing from the Wildcard round have won the Super Bowl seven times including the four of the last six champions.  In 2010, the NFC six-seeded Packers won three road games and then triumphed inDallasover the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV to claim their NFL-record 13th championship.  Four years ago, NFC fifth-seeded NY Giants accomplished the feat.  Five years ago, the third-seeded Indianapolis Colts went from Wildcard Weekend to the title.  And six years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first sixth seed to win a Super Bowl.

I usually like to look at the hottest teams going into playoff games as favorites, but it seems almost every team in the playoffs is entering the dance on a high note –  Patriots (7), Saints (7), Niners (3), Packers (3), Texans (3), Steelers (2), Ravens (2), NY Giants (2), and Falcons (1).  Conversely three teams entering the postseason carrying a losing streak are the Broncos (3L), Bengals (1L), and Lions (1L).  These teams will be looking to quickly pick-up the pieces going into the postseason though most teams with a losing streak are coming off Week 17 losses.

The word “rematch” fits perfectly when talking about some of this season’s Wildcard round match-ups as 2 out of 4 games are rematches from the regular season (Saints over Lions, 31-17 in Week 13; Texans over Bengals, 20-19 in Week 14).  And you could almost say there is a third “rematch” as the, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos will meet for the seventh postseason time, which will tied them for the third most all-time (Bears vs. Giants, 8; Cowboys vs. Rams, 8). However this is the first meeting between the Steelers and Broncos in the Wildcard round.  Right now the playoff series is tied (3-3), so this weekend’s winner will have bragging rights.  In their six playoff match-ups, the winning team reached the Super Bowl five times with three of those five teams winning the Super Bowl that same year.

Of course having played and beaten a team in the regular season may cause some “familiarity” and a psychological edge in game planning along with dissecting tendencies. But playoff tenants of Strong Quarterback Play (i.e. Taking Care of the Football), Good Attacking Defense, a Balanced Offensive Attack based first in the Run, Sound Special Teams Play, Limiting Penalties/Turnovers, and just plain “Want-to” will be the key factors as to which teams move on to the Divisional round on long treacherous road to Super Bowl XLVI.

Former Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said of the playoffs, “It’s a new season.  You start from square one.  The teams that are in are now 0-0.”

So let the games that matter begin!

 Lloyd’s Leftovers for Wildcard Weekend include:

•Passing League First — Three of this season’s playoff quarterbacks threw for 5,000 passing yards with two of them breaking Dan Marino’s former untouchable 1984 record of 5,084 passing yards – Saints Drew Brees ( new NFL record of 5,476 yards), Patriots Tom Brady (5,235 yards) and Lions Matthew Stafford (5,038 yards). When Brees andStafford face-off on Saturday, their combined passing yards in 2011 (10,514) will be the most ever between two opposing starting quarterbacks in a postseason game.  And when the NY Giants and Falcons square-off, quarterbacks Eli Manning (4,933) and Matt Ryan (4,177) will be the second-most in NFL history by opposing starting quarterbacks in a playoff game (9,110).

• Former Super MVP’s Everywhere – This year’s playoffs will feature four quarterbacks who are also former Super Bowl MVPs.  Packers Aaron Rodgers, Patriots Tom Brady, Steelers Ben Roethlisberger, NY Giants Eli Manning, and Saints Drew Brees

• Two more rookie QB’s trying to move-up the ranks – Rookie quarterbacks TJ Yates (Houston Texans) and Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) will be the first rookie starters to oppose each other in a playoff game for first time in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).  The two also will join former starters Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and Mark Sanchez as recent first-year playoff quarterbacks.  Whichever young passer wins will join Flacco and Sanchez as winning first-time starters.

• Fabulous Flacco – Since his 2008 rookie year,Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco has led the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons.  Also Flacco and his head coach John Harbaugh are the first quarterback-head coach duo to begin their NFL careers at the same time and lead a team to the postseason in each of their first four seasons.

• Second Year for new Overtime Rules – Now a game cannot be won on the 1st drive of overtime by a field goal.  In this scenario, the other team would now get a chance to match with a field goal — game would revert to sudden death — or score a touchdown for the win.  But as always, if a team wins the coin toss and scores a touchdown on the opening drive, then the game would be over.  The new system does not guarantee each team a possession.  What it does guarantee, is the “opportunity for possession” for the second team, if the first team scores a field goal. Also remember there are some other crazy factors – that you know will come into play this postseason – to consider.  If a team kicks an onside kick and recovers the ball or gets the ball on a muff that would be considered a “possession” and a field goal could win it.

• Former Champs Abound — Six of this season’s 12 playoff teams have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000, including capturing eight of the past 10 Vince Lombardi Trophies.  Those teams are Baltimore (XXXV), New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX), New York Giants (XLII), New Orleans (XLIV), Pittsburgh (XL and XLIII), and Green Bay (XLV)

Wildcard Round Playoff Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 7

 4:30 PM ET — Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at Houston Texans (10-6), (NBC – Mayock/Hammond)

In probably the least anticipated game nationally will feature two rookie QB’s (TJ Yates and Andy Dalton facing-off.  The Texans are a home favorite, but you have to wonder if they really do miss former start Matt Schaub.  Watch for the Texans to lean on their running game (Foster and Tate) and attacking highly rated defense, led by speed rusher Connor Barwin.  The Bengals must not turnover the football and returning formerTexascollege star RB Cedric Benson needs to have a good game.  Last time these two met the Texans won 20-19 in TJ Yates first start.

LV’s Pick – Texans over Bengals, 23-20

8:20 PM ET — Detroit Lions (10-6) at New Orleans Saints (12-4), (NBC – Michaels/Collinsworth)

In a highly anticipated shootout game, to of the NFL’s biggest yardage thrower will be yelling “Bombs Away”.  But the quarterbacks Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford are not the only story of this game.  The Saints have playmakers everywhere on offense, especially TE Jimmy Graham.  PlusNew Orleansalso has an underrated running game featuring RB’s Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, and Mark Ingram behind a mauling O-line (Top 5 rushing attack). Detroitis a young up-and-coming team making their first playoff appearance since 1999.  And will be up to fiery head coach Jim Schwartz to help them maintain their composure (average 8 penalties a game), especially D-linemen Avril and Suh.  Last time these two met, the Saints trounced the Lions 31-17.  AlsoNew Orleansis deadly in the Superdome in 2011 as they produced an 8-0 record at home.

LV’s Pick – Saints over Lions, 31-20

Sunday, Jan. 8

1:00 PM ET — Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at NY Giants (9-7), (FOX – Buck/Aikman/Oliver)

I love this match-up of two tough physical teams with red-hot quarterbacks.  The New York Giants rode the coattails of emerging quarterback Eli Manning (led the NFL with 6 comeback wins) to a scratching-and-crawling NFC East crown.  While the Falcons are in the postseason for the 3^rd time in quarterback Matt Ryan’s 4 years in the NFL. Atlanta’s young passer will surely lean on an offense stacked from top to bottom including RB Michael Turner, WR’s Roddy White and rookie Julio Jones, and TE Tony Gonzalez.  The Giants defense, which has allowed a ton of big plays in 2011, will need to get another great effort from Pro Bowl player DE Jason Pierre-Paul (15 sacks).  Offensively, Eli will also have help from emerging NFL downfield threat Victor Cruz, but the G-Men must find a way to get their running game (ranked in NFL’s bottom 5) going with RB’s Bradshaw and Jacobs.  This is probably the hardest game to pick as both teams are peaking at the right time.  However the Giants have had a tough time winning at home this season and Ryan is hungry for his first playoff win.

LV’s Pick – Falcons over Giants, 27-20

4:30 PM ET — Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) vs. Denver Broncos (8-8), (CBS – Nance/Simms)

Some people are saying that the Steelers can mail this one in for a “W”.  But the six-time Super Bowl winners better be weary of the young scrappy Broncos.  In the 2010 playoffs, the Seahawks who were a heavy home underdog shocked the Saints so anything is possible.  Even though Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has struggled of late (0-3 in his last 3 starts with a 43 QBR),Denverhas had some magic this year in Mile High.  Tebow will need to be calmer in the pocket and find his receivers quickly as you know the Steelers will be bringing a heavy blitz led by their LB’s Timmons, Farrior, Harrison, and Woodley.  If P-Burgh can get pressure from their Front 7, watch for future Hall of Famer safety Troy Polamalu to make a big play turnover wise.  You know veteran NFL assistant Dick LeBeau will be bringing the heat on Tebow, so this one should be fun to watch.  As for the Steelers offense, they maybe a bit pass-happy as starting RB Rashard Mendenhall was lost in Week 17 to anACLinjury.  However if Pittsburgh is passing the ball a lot they must protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) when he is looking for speed receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.  Even though Roethlisberger is banged-up look for the Steelers to frustrate Tebow and get some game-changing turnovers in this one.

LV’s Pick – Steelers over Broncos, 24-10

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl

Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to a 15-1 record and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.  He may have secured his first NFL MVP Award in the process.

The 2011 regular season is in the books and it is now time for regular season awards and All-Pro teams.  There were some tough calls that had to be made, but ultimately these are the players most deserving (in my view).

MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Rodgers was the best player on the planet for most of the season.  He had a 122.5 passer rating for the season.  45 TD and only 6 INT.  Three things that separated him from Drew Brees: head to head in Week 1 Rodgers’ Packers beat Brees’ Saints 42-34, Rodgers had 0 multiple interception games Brees had 5, and simply put Rodgers was the best player on the best team in football over the course of the whole season (14-1 as a starter), whereas Brees was the best player on the best team over the last 2 months of the season (Saints ended the season on a 8 game winning streak).

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

In almost any other year Brees would have been the MVP also.  Brees was the best player in the NFL over the last 2 months of the season.  He set records for completion percentage (71.2%), and passing yardage (5,476).  He had a 110.6 quarterback rating for the season.  The Saints averaged 34.2 points per game, second to Green Bay.  Brees deserves some credit for the historic season he had, and this OPOY award recognizes him for that.

Defensive Player of the Year: Terrell Suggs, DE/OLB, Baltimore Ravens

This was another tough call to make.  Suggs was ultimately the choice not because of historic numbers (70 tackles, 14 sacks, 7 fourced fumbles, 2 INT), but because of his play in the two biggest games Baltimore played this season.  Everyone knew how much emphasis the Ravens put on winning the division and getting home-field in the playoffs.  The Ravens achieved those goals in part by defeating Steelers twice this season.  In those two games Suggs had 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 fourced fumbles, and 1 interception.  That’s why Suggs gets the nod here.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton lived up to and even exceeded some people’s expectations for his first season.  Newton set the record for passing yards by a rookie (4,051).  He had 35 total touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing).  The 14 rushing touchdowns were the most ever by a quarterback in a single season.  He had the most impact of any rookie.  Although Andy Dalton led the Bengals to the playoffs, Newton’s numbers and overall impact were greater.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aldon Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

The rookie from Missouri won this award, in my opinion, on Monday Night Football against the Steelers on December 19.  He had 2.5 sacks and harassed Ben Roethlisberger all night long (even through two power outages).  He was tied for fifth in the league with 14 sacks on the season, and is a big reason the 49ers defense was so good this season.  Von Miller’s injured wrist contributed to his play falling off during the last month of the season.  That, along with Smith’s performance against the 49ers, cost him this award.

Coach of the year: Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers

Meeting most of your players for the first time 7 weeks before the season is a daunting task.  Pat Shurmur (4-12), John Fox (8-8), Mike Munchak (9-7), and Ron Rivera (6-10) all had the same task.  None of them did it better than Harbaugh.  He turned Alex Smith into a solid NFL quarterback leading a 13-3 team.  The 49ers clinched the division before Thanksgiving.  Their defense was dominant all season long.  They lost three games by a total of 15 points.  This should be a unanimous selection as I can’t think of anybody else coming close to the job Harbaugh did with this team.

Comeback Player of the Year: D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Cleveland Browns

Jackson missed all of the 2010 season and 10 games in the 2009 season due to a torn pectoral muscle.  He rebounded this season.  He finished second in the NFL with 158 tackles and had 3.5 sacks.  He was the best player on a solid defense.  He looks like he is the same player who led the NFL in tackles back in 2008.  Jackson is a feel-good story who proved he should get a long-term commitment from the Browns.

All-Pro Team

Offense:

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

RB: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles/ Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

TE: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots/Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions/ Wes Welker, New England Patriots/Victor Cruz, New York Giants

LT: Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

LG: Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles

C: Chris Myers, Houston Texans

RG: Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

RT: T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers

Defense:

DE: Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens/Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings

DT: Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers/Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals 

OLB: Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers/NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers

MLB: Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

CB: Darelle Revis, New York Jets/Carlos Rogers, San Francisco 49ers

FS: Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers

SS: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks

Special Teams:

P: Andy Lee, San Francisco 49ers

K: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

KR: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

PR: Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

Jason King is a contributing writer for Taking it to the House.  He can be reached at  jdk2032@yahoo.com.

Despite missing the playoffs and 2011 marking the third straight season without the Eagles winning a playoff game, Jeffrey Lurie announced on Wednesday that Andy Reid will be returning for a 14th season. 

When team owner Jeffrey Lurie stepped to the just for the occasion Presidential Podium atop the stage at the Novacare Complex on Wednesday and labeled the 2011 season “The most frustrating during my term as owner,” he summed up the feelings of a borderline apathetic fanbase.

However, by announcing that Andy Reid would return for a 14th attempt at capturing the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history, Lurie failed to show the aggressiveness necessary to turn the tide of an organization that has become stale and has been stuck in neutral for several years.

During a speech that harkened imagry of Lurie naming Reid Time’s Man Of The Year, the Owner cited Reid’s recent track record as evidence that swayed him to bring him back one more year. Andrew Walter’s track record since 2005 is flimsier than the paper that this piece is printed on. Over that span the Eagles are just 62-49 in the regular season and a disappointing 3-4 in the playoffs. What’s worse, Philadelphia has not won a playoff game since January 11th 2009 against the New York Giants.

True, no team in the NFC has made the playoffs more since 2006 than the Eagles. Also correct is the fact that Reid is the winningest coach in franchise history. Yet, to cite recent results as the impetus to extend Reid’s tenure that has been less than stellar over the past four years is quite telling.

Coaches with stonger, Super Bowl winning pedigrees have been fired. Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, and Tony Dungy have all been handed pink slips. Yet, Reid who has not led a parade down Broad Street, appears wrapped in Teflon.

“Andy Reid will remain in Philadelphia as long as he wants,” ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. “If he’s ever let go in Philadelphia, he’d have a job somewhere else in the league the very next day.”

The simple fact is that organizations in the NFL that win championships have done so in recent years by taking risks. Mike McCarthy in Green Bay, Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Sean Payton in New Orleans are all examples of Head Coaches that have won Super Bowls who were unheralded assistants and relative unknowns prior to being hired as the head man of their respective teams. Rather than take such a risk on rebuilding the foundation of the franchise by searching for a fresh voice, Lurie settled for the status quo.

The message was loud and clear from One Novacare Way as anything that has been uttered in the last decade and a half, that making the playoffs is the goal by which this organization operates.

“If we are in the tournament, then we have a chance for a Super Bowl victory” Lurie repeated multiple times throughout his press conference.
Further evidence that the Eagles remain in neutral is the fact that despite lackluster drafts (particularly on the defensive side of the ball) in recent years, Reid will retain final say over all player and personnel decisions. Howie Roseman remains general manager, but Reid will have final say over who ultimately suits up in midnight green.

Drafting Brandon Graham over Jason Pierre Paul or Earl Thomas. Ignoring a glaring weakness at the linebacker position despite implementing a system along the defensive line that puts an onus on playmaking linebackers. Further exasperating the problem at linebacker by starting rookie Casey Matthews at middle linebacker, who was woefully unprepared for such a tall task and didn’t have the benefit of OTA’s or minicamps. Promoting Juan Castillo from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator after being forced to fire the overmatched Sean McDermott last season. All decisions made by Reid in the past 24 months that helped shape the current stat of the franchise.

Yet, despite his consistent taking of responsibility and despite the underwhelming results of these choices, Reid will not be held accountable. Instead, the status quo reigns supreme.

So after a season that fell short of lofty expectations, and saw the NFC East won by the New York Giants who won only nine games this season, in the end no one will be held accountable. Sure, Reid may choose to part ways with or demote Juan Castillo, but such a move would be nothing more than making a scapegoat of a man promoted to his position by Reid himself last offseason and the third defensive coordinator in four seasons.

Lurie’s press conference and decision to bring Reid back once more, as he enters 2012 with two years remaining on his contract, it is that the status quo remains the same and mediocrity, not excellence, is the standard that is accepted and sought after.

Jeffrey Lurie Press Conference Audio

After a disappointing 8-8 season that started with such high expectations from a Philadelphia Eagles team that some described as the “Dream Team” in the preseason, yesterday (January 3, 2012) owner Jeffrey Lurie stepped from behind the curtain to address the media for the first time since training camp.  With some fans emailing/tweeting/posting/venting on sportsradio their expectations that “Finally” the usually quiet owner would be telling his head coach, Andy Reid, that his tenure was up after 13 years of a non-Lombardi Trophy.  An incredibly large media horde, including Taking It to the House, piled into the Eagles NovaCare Complex to see what team’s owner had on his mind.

When Lurie first stepped to the podium, the many fans that chanted “Fire Andy” rhythmically back during the team’s horrible home loss to the New England Patriots in Week 12, must have been giddy when they started hearing their team’s forgone season described as “”the most disappointing since I’ve owned the team”.  Their internal glee must have been further stoked as Lurie said, “This year was unacceptable and there are no excuses. Everybody is accountable for this season.” 

And you know the many fans of Eagles Nation, who are frustrated after 13 years under Reid, were yelling like the late Sam Kinson in the movie Back to School, “SAY IT, SAY IT”.  But alas sorry people…. Lurie, who was once a Hollywoodproducer, put all the drama into the early part of his address, only to never utter anything close to what many disappointed fans wanted to hear.  In fact, the Eagles owner not only told everyone that Reid was staying, but that he also was the “best coach” to lead the team out of their 51-year non-championship wilderness.

After his dramatic lead-up, Lurie made it abundantly clear that Reid was his guy by saying, “If I didn’t think that next year would be substantially better, then I would be up here announcing a coaching change. But I want to see our team coached by Andy Reid next year, and I can’t wait to see them play”…… Woe, Woe, Woe…That comment right there brought a trumpet “wamp, wamp, wamp” to the Eagles fans that had seen enough of this team’s production of “Ground Hog Day” starring Andy Reid. And a big, “I told you so” from the local media folks, including myself, who have a strong understanding of how the Eagles go about their “Business”. 

After Lurie had used words like “dismal and unfathomable” at the beginning of his press conference, his big Reid returning announcement definitely had to have sapped the energy  from “Fire Andy” crowd waiting for an announcement that would never come.  So then the members of the media in attendance went about the business of making Lurie explain “Why” bringing Reid back was the right decision.  The team’s almost 18-year owner cited several factors including Reid’s track record (team’s winning coach with a record of 136-90-1 including the playoffs, 10 of 13 seasons in playoffs and one Super Bowl appearance), strong player support, respect from people around the NFL, his intangibles and lastly his ability to bounce back from bad seasons (Failed to make the playoffs three other times but came back with double-digit wins a postseason appearance each time in the past).

He even tried to curb his own enthusiasm for Reid by throwing in some tough talk too.  When answering questions about his disappointment of the 2011 season, Lurie said “It’s ridiculously unacceptable to have fourth-quarter leads and blow all those games.”  He added, “And I told Andy very directly that there was no excuses to be 8-8. I expressed my anger and frustration. I told him that this team was too talented, this team was poised to be good and there were just no excuses.” – Funny in parts of his address I did here talk of the lockout, new schemes, new faces, and some other talk, which sounded like excuses to me…but I digress.

However in answering the media’s questions, incredibly the man who had just minutes before explained some serious reasons to move-on from Reid, did a total about-face.  To me it was almost awe inspiring how Lurie protected Reid and his overall “Gold Standard” organization, like Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan did for Eagles’ quarterbacks for over a decade.  He even pushed aside shouts of Reid’s arrogance in after-game sessions by saying that his beleaguered head coach was only protecting his players in press conferences, rather than belittling fans and media.  Lurie said that Reid was “a completely non-arrogant man” and that everything that his coach did was in defense of his players, which has endeared him as the team’s unquestioned leader.

At times Lurie’s defense of Reid and the Eagles’ overall mantra of “If we are in the tournament, then we have a chance for a Super Bowl victory” probably frustrated the fans listening.  But you can clearly see that the “Green Kool Aid” flows from the top of the Eagles’ organization right on down.   When you hear “Our team has been in the playoffs more than any other team in the NFC”, there is no doubt that Lurie is more “pleased” than “frustrated” with his current regime.  And that he wants to maintain the consistency that Reid has helped to build. 

Which to many Eagles followers is hard to believe given that the team’s last three seasons since their 2008 NFC Championship Game appearance — first round wildcard exit to the hated Cowboys, a first round home wildcard loss to the Packers, and an 8-8 season including four “Fool’s Gold” wins over non-playoffs teams (MIA, NYJ,DAL, and WAS) to end the season.  While all that time, the Saints, Packers, and Steelers have sped by them like a Porsche driving past an old lady in an Oldsmobile.

So now we know that the trio of Reid, GM Howie Roseman, and President Joe Banner have their owner’s confidence and will be back for the 2012 – and possibly Defensive Coordinator Juan Castillo too as Lurie made it clear “all” football decisions run through Reid.  Which leaves everyone to wonder if any of the three were ever really in jeopardy of not coming back? Time will only tell if Lurie has made the right decision to not make a change.  But in the National Football League where you see most non-Super Bowl winning head coaches let go after 6 or less seasons (see Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay), you have to wonder when enough will be enough. 

There is something to be said about maintaining consistency in the dog-eat-dog world of the NFL, and the Eagles and Reid have been pretty strong survivors — as Lurie said “(The Eagles) are almost always in the tournament”.  But in the end, surviving just is not good enough for a fanbase that has been waiting 51 years and counting to win a championship. 

It will be interesting to see in the next two years – time remaining on Reid’s deal (through 2013) –  “How” Jeffrey Lurie will be judging his head coach and organization.  Two distinct quotes from Lurie’s press conference about the upcoming 2012 season present the two sides of the Andy Reid debate. 

•  No. 1 “There are no ultimatums (that the Eagles have to win in 2012)” – Patient/Consistency-First Jeffrey Lurie
•  No. 2 “But (winning the Super Bowl) is our goal. It’s not just to get into the playoffs, it’s to win the Super Bowl.”  — Tough Guy / Bottom-line Lurie, who may have seen enough if the Birds take another step-back in 2012

We will see what the future holds for the Eagles in 2012 – as New York Jets’ LB Bart Scott once said, “Can’t Wait” – but really the ball is totally in Lurie’s court.  He can either change things up or stick with the philosophy that has brought him “consistency” but no title thus far….

However given the franchise’s past history under Lurie/Banner/Reid, I have a feeling that it will be business as usual for the Philadelphia Eagles and their head coach in 2012 with the slim possibility that we will be having the same conversation in January 2013.

Maybe a quote from former multiple-time NCAA basketball championship head coach John Wooden will help Jeffrey Lurie make a decision.  “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be”.  

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl

It will be “Winner Takes It All, Loser Takes the Fall” as the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys meet Sunday night in primetime for the NFC East crown

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) at New York Giants (8-7), Sunday January 1st, 8:20 PM ET on NBC

Broadcast Team: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, and Michelle Tafoya

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will meet in a “Win and You Are In” battle that will surely be the biggest game of Week 17 of the 2011 NFL regular season.  The game between these two long-time division rivals will finally settle a season-long battle for the NFC East crown, the NFC’s No. 4 seed, and who will host a wildcard playoff game (more than likely against the Detroit Lions).  Somehow you knew after the NY Giants comeback 37-34 win in Week 14 at Cowboys Stadium, that these two teams would be meeting again in a month’s time with more than bragging rights on the line.

At times over that month-long span, the Week 17 game looked like it could end up being much more less meaningful as the Giants started faltering at the wrong time — lost 5 of their last 7 games — and the Cowboys strung together a few wins to take a 1-game lead.  But as is most times in the National Football League, fate has stepped in to leave us with a great match-up.  And thankfully so, as too often Week 17 of the NFL Schedule is filled with glorified exhibition games.  Teams usually after several hard months of grinding have either already started making plans for the playoffs or their off-season.  

The overall “drama” for the Cowboys-Giants Sunday Night Football tilt was set last week as the NY Giants won a must-win “road” game against their in-stadium rival, the New York Jets, by a score of 29-14.  The final score definitely was a lot closer than the actual game as the young Giants’ defense, led by emerging star and Pro Bowl player DE Jason Pierre-Paul to hit and harassed NY Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez (30-59, 258 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs) into mistake after mistake.

On the other hand, after the NY Giants beat the NY Jets at 1 PM ET, the Cowboys were expecting their 4:15 PM ET game to be a hum-drum “meaningless” game against the already eliminated Philadelphia Eagles.  However the hard-charging Eagles forgot to read the memo as Andy Reid’s “Dream Team” continued to finally show-up in the season’s last few weeks (winners of 3 straight) as they produced a dominating 20-7 win.  Of course, Dallas fans and media were quick to step away from the bad loss that really didn’t matter and move on to the Giants, but there still was a caveat byproduct of the game. 

In a game where everyone in Cowboys’ Nation just wanted to get out healthy, quarterback Tony Romo – before he could even be pulled – was crushed on an early 1st quarter hit by Eagles defensive end Jason Babin.  The hit by the Eagles Pro Bowl player was a real “pile driver” as Romo was drilled while releasing a pass and his throwing right hand banged into the crown of Babin’s helmet.  With fears of having to turn to back-up Stephen McGee against the Giants in their “All or Nothing” Week 17 game, all of Dallas was holding their collective breath.  Luckily for the America’s Team’s faithful, Romo — needs 105 passing yards to reach 4,000 for 3rd time in career — only had a badly bruised throwing hand that did not have a fracture with all indications that he would be ready for New York.

The other subplot from the Cowboys’ Week 16 was a sideline conversation between team owner/GM Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett after the Giants won and Romo got injured.  So Jones – in his infinite wisdom – decided to do more than send a lackey to tell Garrett, that indeed the Giants had won to setup a winner take all game in Week 17 and thus rendering their game with Philadelphia meaningless. 

I am sure that the charasmatic owner was only trying to help his young coach when he told him the “bad” news and made his request to start pulling out key players.  But in doing so he totally emasculated the very man that he had handpicked to run his football team.  You have to think that the sideline scolding of Garrett has definitely made the former Princeton product look like a “Redheaded Stepchild” in the Dallas lockerroom.  However we all know that if the young former interim head coach can get the beloved Cowboys in the playoffs all will be forgiven – the other alternative, a loss, would probably prompt more whispers of a big-name head coach (Cowher, Gruden, Dungy, or Billick) coming to Big D.

In preparing for the upcoming game that has grabbed the national spotlight – even though the winner will be the NFC East’s first time under 10-win champion (other than strike season of 1982) since the division was created in 1970– you cannot forget to look at the Cowboys-Giants Week 14 game for some background.  Also an NBC Sunday Night Football game, NY Giants QB Eli Manning helped end a then four-game losing streak by leading his team on an improbable comeback that culminated with two touchdowns in the game’s final 3:14 minutes to erase a 12-point deficit.  The thrilling on-the-edge-of-your-seat game was not finished until the final moments, when drama occurred around a potential game-tying field goal that would have forced overtime. 

Dallas appeared to tie the game with a 47-yard field goal by rookie Danny Bailey as time expired, but NY Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had called a timeout to nullify the attempt (hate when coaches do that) and to also “ice” the young kicker.  And right on cue, Bailey’s next attempt was blocked by Pierre-Paul – by far the player of the game with a sack, safety, and a forced fumble — to win the game for the ecstatic Giants.  The win brought some more respect for Eli “Don’t Call Me Peyton’s Little Brother” Manning (numbers of 27-47, 400 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT in the win) and tied the Cowboys and Giants at the top of the “ugly” NFC East plus set stage for Sunday’s season-ending “Loser Leaves Town” match-up.

The Cowboys will really need to show that this season will not produce another Romo Late Season Swoon – since 2006, Dallas is 12-16 in 28 games in December and January.  Typically “Mr. November” led Dallas to a Thanksgiving win over the Miami Dolphins – 6-0 on Turkey Day – but as is too often the case, Romo and the Cowboys have struggled in the month of December as they’ve produced a 1-3 record in 2011.  The Cowboys lead the all-time series 56-41-2, but you can throw the records out the door when these two teams, that truly don’t like each other meet.  As expected there has been a ton of talk leading up to the NFL’s Game of the Week.  NY Giants DE Justin Tuck recently said of the Cowboys, “I’ve been quoted many times saying I hate the Cowboys and that’s still true.”

He added, “I know our crowd is going to be fired up for this game. Playoff atmosphere, Sunday night, “Winner Take All”. I know our fans hate the Cowboys as much as I do. So it will be fun. There you go, I just said it.”  Asked if he was confident enough to predict a New York win, their defensive leader was smart enough not to take the bait.  “Are you asking me if I think we’re going to win the game? What do you expect me to say?”

On the other side of the coin, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan made sure that he would not be sticking his foot in his mouth, like his twin brother and New York Jets head coach Rob.  In the lead-up to the Jets-Giants game, Rex had braggedly said that his team was going to “Kick the Giants’ Butt”.  Well the G-Men all the butt-kicking in the game and had plenty to say afterwards toward Rex Ryan. 

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs said after his team’s season-saving with of Rex, “I told him to shut the f— up!  Rex Ryan is a disrespectful bastard. The Jets have a big mouth, big belly coach that talks too much.”…. Oh boy, I know those type of comments will not endear the Giants or their big runner to the other Ryan and his Cowboys’ defense.  To his credit has only been throwing bouquets the Cowboys way.  “In my opinion, yes it is (a must win). We need to win this game. It’s a hard game”, said Rob Ryan.  He added,   “I always tell them the truth…If you watch the tape (of the Giants) the last two weeks, you don’t want to watch it,”

However with the playoffs and a good chance for a division title, so close, you can expect the Cowboys and Giants to have more on their minds than saying, “Happy New Year”.  Throughout this season, the Cowboys have continued to be “good”, but inconsistent.  As shown by high’s like beating the the NFC West Champion Niners in Week 2 and lows like back-to-back heart-breaking losses in Weeks 13 and 14 to the Cardinals and NY Giants – both lost on missed late field goal attempts. 

However Dallas seems to have a sense of urgency that has not been seen since former head coach Bill Parcels left and they will be trying hard to bring home their 2nd NFC East crown in 3 years.  While the Giants want to show everyone that they deserve to be in the playoffs and that they are not a front runner team.  Some are saying that Coughlin’s job maybe on the line with the Mara family, but after a Super Bowl win in 2007 and being a perenial contending squad, I am not buying-it.  The good news for Giants’ fans is that they are recently playing as a unit again and their defense (ranked 28th in NFL) finally seems to be catching up to their 8th ranked offense.

In regards to the action on the field, this late-season match-up will have storylines aplenty.  And you definitely have to start with the two quarterbacks, Eli Manning and Tony Romo.  Eli, is looking more like his future Hall of Fame brother everyday.  Manning has 6 comeback wins this season to lead the NFL and he also has a franchise record 4,587 yards passing. Plus he also has tied an NFL single-season record with 14 fourth-quarter TDs.  Manning also seems to save his best for national stage and games, especially against the Cowboys — has won four of last five games vs. Dallas.

Rob Ryan recently said of Manning, “He does a great job. He’s got an unbelievable touch. He will stand in there in the face of a damn hurricane and throw the ball. He’s really tough. We’re looking forward to this challenge. We’ve played some great quarterbacks during the year and this guy is no exception. He’s really playing well. He’s in that elite group for sure.”  I am sure Ryan is hoping for a performance by Manning like last week where at times he looked bad – ending passing numbers 9 for 27, 225 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT (had 99 of his passing yards on one touchdown throw).

Eli isn’t the only high-priced quarterback, who wants to finally be recognized as his team’s unquestioned leader. Romo, who is either considered “America’s Golden Boy” or a “Choker”, depending on the fan that you talk to, also needs a win in Week 17 to solidify his season.  In the past four weeks, Romo has experienced both the high’s and lows of being the quarterback of America’s Team.  In the NY Giants’ loss many blamed Romo — needs 105 yards to reach 4,000 for 3rd time in career (only Dallas quarterback to reach that mark) — for not being able to lead his team to a comeback win and the following week, he answered the bell by playing one of his best games of the season in beating Tampa Bay on the road – finished with numbers 23-30, 249 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. 

However in Week 16, his hand injury – hasn’t practiced or thrown a lot this week – has again brought questions of whether the statiscally sound passer can be a leader and winner in the postseason.  If nothing else, you can expect Romo, if his hand holds-up to bring his “A” game versus the Giants.  In last six starts against the NY Giants, Romo has a 112.4 quarterback rating, including five games where he finished with a QBR greater than 100.  But to make some of the Dallas faithful forget his end-of-season problems – Dallas 18-2 in the month of November under Romo, but 12-15 in December and January – nothing less than a win over the NY Giants in Week 17 plus an NFC East title will silence his naysayers. 

Luckily for Romo (317-485, 65.4%, 3895 yards, 29 TDs, 9 INTs, and a 102.2 QBR) he should have his full compliment of weapons for this game including TE Jason Witten (needs 127 yards to reach 1,000-yard plateau for 3rd consecutive season ) and receivers Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson (9 TDs in 9 games), and Miles Austin.

Statistically the two teams seem to be evenly matched offensively (Dallas has scored 355 points and the Giants have scored 363 points) with both leaning on their passing games first to get early leads so their attacking defenses can pin-their-ears-back.  However at the running back position, it is two entirely different stories.  After being ranked 32nd in NFL Rushing for most of the season, the G-Men seem to have finally found their way back to their Ground-and-Pound ways.  Last week’s win over the NY Jets marked the “violent” return of running back Ahmad Bradshaw — 15 Rushes for 54 yards and 2 TDs – and you can already hear from Jacobs’ that he  is hungry to face the Cowboys — 101 yards and 2 TDs in Week 14 win over Dallas.  While the Cowboys will be without star rookie RB DeMarco Murray (ankle). 

In only 7 starts, Murray had gained 897 yds and 2 TDs but more importantly he brought some much-needed balance to a Dallas offense that is very pass-happy at times.  In place of Murray, the Cowboys are hoping that high-octane running back Felix Jones – 112 rushes for 521 yards and 1 TD – will be able to fill the void.  Unfortunately, as is too often the case, Jones (rushed for 106 yards in Week 14) is injured (hamstring) and may not be 100%.  If Jones can’t go expect to see a lot of recently signed veteran Sammy Morris.

Look for the Cowboys (averaging 381 total yards per game –ranked 9th in NFL) to establish the run early with Morris or Jones (if he plays) as the Giants have allowed 1891 rushing yards (ranked 22nd in NFL) for an average of over 100 yards per game – plus get the ball to Witten, Bryant, and Austin.  I think establishing the run will definitely be Garrett’s agenda unless Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell can dial-up the “pressure” on Romo.  The key players for the Giants defense will be CB Corey Webster (6 INTs), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (15.5 sacks to rank 3rd in NFL), and pass-rushing veterans Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck. 

But other Giants’ defenders, namely their sometimes underachieving linebackers, will need to step-up.  I know Romo can be erratic at times, but he certainly is not Sanchez.  With the Giants still working out the kinks on defense (ton of injuries in their secondary in 2011), they – have allowed 386 points for an average of 25.7 points per game (ranked 28th in NFL – they cannot afford to have another letdown. 

When the Giants have the ball offensive, they will need to have balance first and foremost.  In their Week 16 win over the NY Jets, Manning threw the ball 27 times while running the ball 26 times for 115 yards and 2 TDs in the win. In that game, the Giants 4th ranked passing offense turned big plays and turnovers into game-changing points.  If the Giants don’t establish their running game or have balance, the Cowboys will harass Manning all-day, especially Pro Bowl players OLB DeMarcus Ware (18 sacks) and NT Jay Ratliff (2 sacks, but great pocket pusher). 

So it will incumbent on Coughlin and offensive cordinator Kevin Gilbride to utilize their running and screen game to slow down Ware and company.  If the Dallas pass rush is contained, it will allow Manning to get the ball to big play receivers Victor Cruz – established team-record 1,358 yards receiving this season — Mario Manningham (knee) and Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) down the field.  Also the Giants’ offensive line must put in another “lunch bucket” effort, because Cowboys defense are known to be a fast attaching group.  

Key match-ups to watch for:

Giants RB’s Bradshaw and Jacobs vs. the Dallas OLBs – The Cowboys outside linebackers (Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware) are known more for their pass rushing prowess than their coverage skills and playing the run.  It will be interesting to see if Jacobs and Bradshaw are able to produce another big effort against Rob Ryan’s defense.  Also watch for rookie LB Sean Lee (4 INTs) as he is becoming one of the top nickel linebackers in the NFL.

The Giants Receivers vs. the Dallas Secondary -Though the Cowboys have some names in their secondary (CB Terrance Newman, CB Mike Jenkins, CB Orlando Scandrick and safety Gerald Sensabaugh), this group has struggled covering man-to-man especially against play-action.  The Cowboys constantly try to help their corners with safety coverage on passing downs, so the Giants maybe able to attack the middle of the field with their tight ends on seam routes.  Of course, watch for Manning and Cruz to have some big plays down the field (40 yards or more) in an attempt to get a highly coveted early lead.

The Giants O-line vs. the Dallas Pass Rush – The Cowboys have a formidable group rushing the passer led by double-digit sack guys Spencer and Ware.  The key will be whether veteran bookends  LT David Diehl and RT Kareem McKenzie can get their hands on the smaller pass rushers to dictate the pace of the game.  The Giants didn’t allow a sack in their Week 14 win over Dallas and their O-line will want a clean sheet again.  Also I will be real interested in the Giants’ interior O-line, especially battling offensive guard Chris Snee, against man-eating NT Jay Ratliff.

Giants LB’s and Safeties vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten – The Pro Bowl tight end always seems to save his best for the NFC East.  The Giants set of linebackers along with their safeties will need to make sure coverage holes are not left open for Witten (72 receptions for 873 yards, 12.1 ypr, and 5 TDs) underneath.   The linebackers will also have to keep an eye on Morris and Jones (hamstring), if he plays.

Giants DE’s Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck vs. Cowboys OT’s rookie Tyron Smith and Doug Free – This match-up will serve as the barometer of how much pressure Romo will see.  Pierre-Paul is playing at a level that has not been seen around at the Meadowlands since former great Michael Strahan retired after the G-Men’s Super Bowl win in 2007 and he will need another high-motor effort on Sunday.  Everyone knows Romo gets happy-feet when pressured, so the Giants high-motor sack men will try to get around the two huge offensive tackles to hurry, harrass, and sack the “pretty boy” passer.  Pressure will also keep the ball out of Austin, Bryant, and Witten’s hands. The Giants D-line will also have to tackle well in stopping Morris, who is very fresh after sitting out most of the season.

LV’s Pick:  Just like in Week 14 match-up, I am anticipating a shootout more than a black-and-blue game.  My how the times have changed in the NFC East… as these two teams no routinely play in high-scoring pinball machine game – almost 1,000 yards of offense in Week 14 game.  Definitely watch for big plays down the field to Bryant, Austin, and Cruz.  Plus my other big key will be turnovers – Dallas lost the turnover battle in Week 14 by a count of 2 to 1 – especially if there is a Pick-6 or a fumble return for a touchdown. I think in the end, it may come down to the kickers.  You would think that Cowboys rookie kicker Danny Bailey would have the edge over veteran Lawrence Tynes, the younger kicker has missed two potential game-winner recently.  I do believe that a Romo mistake will setup G-Men for a big Tynes kick at the end.  It is going to take a total team effort and you can expect Manning, Bradshaw, Cruz, and Pierre-Paul to play big parts to getting a “W” to further silence Coughlin’s critics.  Giants win 27-24 as they carry a two game-winning streak into the playoffs.

Lloyd Vance is the Editor  for Taking It to the House , who is also an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).  Lloyd can be reached on Twitter @lloydvance_nfl