Well the NFL Conference Championships made for quite a day of football. Actually, it was a couple of hours of great football culminating in one of the biggest stories of the year followed by an embarrassing bloodbath. Two of the questions raised by the games include: who is to blame for the Packers’ loss, and what happened to Indy?
Playing the Blame Game: Who Lost it for the Packers
The short answer is: everyone. The long answer is eeeeeeeevvvvvvveeeeeeeerrrrrryyyyyyyooooooonnnnnnneeee. Some people want to blame Brandon Bostick, others want to blame Mike McCarthy and his play calling, others want to blame Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix for missing interceptions late in the fourth quarter and then on the two-point conversion. Others still are calling for the firing of Dom Capers for his defense crumbling with three minutes left, and even Morgan Burnett for not trying for a pick-six, or to advance the ball further after his late interception.
None of these players or coaches are individually responsible. McCarthy chose to kick two field goals early on, rather than go for the score on fourth and goal on the one. If Green Bay had won by three, every analyst and his mother would be praising McCarthy as a wise and conservative leader, who went for the high percentage points. Unfortunately, while those calls may lay on the coach’s shoulder, it was the entire offense who was unable to cross the line with three opportunities prior.
With regard to those calling for Capers’ head, his defense held the Seahawks to seven points until very late in the game. Unfortunately a football game if 60 minutes long, not 56. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix came up with two clutch interceptions but let two other opportunities slide. He’s a rookie, and has plenty of learning and improving to do. Overall, people criticizing him need to cool it and admire one of the best rookie safety seasons of the year.
Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers combined for some great passing plays but unfortunately, Nelson, who is one of the best receivers in the league, dropped two key passes, one of which was in the end zone. Rodgers himself seemed more mobile than previous weeks, but he was not on the same page as his receivers, throwing poor back shoulder passes and throwing two picks that should not have happened.
Turning to the defensive side of the ball, letting the Seahawks complete so many third and long plays and march down the field the way they did is inexcusable. They showed tremendous improvement over the course of the year but need to learn how to play complete games.
The bottom line is: though the Packers dominated the field for much of the game, they blew up, and while individual players botched certain plays, it takes a full effort to win and in the same breath: losing is a team effort too. Hats off to the Seahawks for giving their fans something to remember.
To use a hockey term: the Packers were “all Swedish, no Finnish”. They had a heck of year however, going 12-4, winning the division yet again and making it to the final four. Should fans be upset about the blow-up? Of course, but don’t forget the full campaign.
What Happened to the Colts?
It may seem like a harsh thing to say, but that showing was just sad. Tom Brady, LeGarrette Blount and company absolutely embarrassed a defense that had no business being in the Conference Championship. While the defense looked atrocious, the Colts weren’t known for having any defense whatsoever, it was the offense that was most surprising. Andrew Luck, who is being hailed as the “next big thing” quarterback, looked more like Andy Dalton, going 12/33 with two picks, for a total of 126 yards.
Admittedly, the Patriots have a defense that has some big names, but when the Colts’ top two receivers combine for just five receptions and 66 yards, it’s painful to watch. Moving to New England’s offense, it was just business as usual for Tom Brady, throwing for 226 yards, with three touchdowns and a single pick. Actually, that’s not business as usual, that probably registers more as a slow day for him.
LeGarrette Blount on the other hand, steamrolled his way to 148 yards and three touchdowns. He is proof to young kids everywhere that even if you get cut for walking off the field because of lack of playing time, another team might pick you up the next day and you might just go to the Super Bowl.
But getting back to the question at hand, the Colts were only in that game because the Denver Broncos played so poorly in the divisional round. Andrew Luck, while he is one of the sharpest quarterbacks in the NFL, is still young and has yet to build himself into a consistent performer. He has also had problems throughout the season with interceptions and fumbles, despite his large touchdown passing and yardage totals.
Looking at the rest of his offense, with the exceptions of under-performer Hakeem Nicks and 36 year old Reggie Wayne, all of his other weapons are still young. T.Y. Hilton and tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are all in their third seasons, while third string running back Dan Herron is in just his second. In short, they are a young group for the most part, and have some bugs to work out before they make a serious run at the Super Bowl. It would help if the Colts can string together a healthy defense in the offseason. Furthermore, Luck and his entire offense looked great throughout much of the season but suffered from some severe and memorable meltdowns. They need to build that word: consistency.
Two Questions Heading Into the Super Bowl
Richard Sherman’s arm will be a story to keep track of over the course of the next two weeks. Obviously he will play in the Super Bowl. Sherman is a warrior, and whether you respect his mouth and media presence, you have to respect his work ethic, determination and skills.
He took a painful looking hit while pushing James Starks out of bounds in the fourth quarter. For the rest of the game, it was clear that his arm was in significant pain. Obviously medicine will do what it can but if the elbow still bothers him in two weeks’ time, it will impact his performance against a Patriots’ offense against which any defense needs to be on its toes.
Adding to potential injury stories for the Super Bowl, Earl Thomas suffered a shoulder injury that will no doubt be still lingering in the next couple of weeks. However, both of these players are tough as nails and will play, the question is: will their injuries be around in two weeks time, and if so, will Tom Brady be able to exploit two ailing members of the Legion of Boom? Stay tuned for more, leading up to the big game.
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