Showing perhaps the best Conference Championship match-ups in a long time, the 2013-2014 NFL playoffs ended on a great note before the Super Bowl, with match-ups between the four best teams in the league: the New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. They were matches made in heaven, and the games themselves were pretty spectacular.
Having said that, here are this week’s playoff game notes.
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
A highly anticipated rivalry match-up between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, the Broncos dominated the entire game offensively and defensively, barely giving New England any signs of life. The Patriots’ depleted roster managed only 320 total yards on offence (256 passing, 64 rushing). Denver’s offence, on the other hand, put up 507 total yards (400 passing, 107 rushing).
While neither team committed any turnovers of any kind, it was the Broncos that looked more impressive the entire day. Manning had one of the best post-season games of his career, throwing for 400 yards (9.3 yards per pass) and two touchdowns with no sacks, a QBR of 88.8 and a RTG of 118.4. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was another star for Denver, putting up seven receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. On defence, linebacker Danny Trevathan led the way, with eight solo tackles.
The Patriots put up an impressive final fight in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 points and giving up only six. But it was far too late. The Broncos defence impressively shut down an elite QB in Tom Brady for most of the game, and New England’s rushing failed to make any impact, getting barricaded by Denver’s defensive line.
Whether Patriots fans want to admit it or not, Manning was the better QB. He improved to 2-2 against the Patriots in the playoffs, and cemented the rivalry between him and Tom Brady as a legitimate one. Perhaps it’s for the best for New England, as they can now relax in the off-season and come back fresh for 2014. There’s nothing to feel down about either; a gassed New England roster (also without Aqib Talib playing defence) still proved to be a very good team.
Meanwhile, Denver looks to give Peyton Manning his second Super Bowl ring, and the team’s first since the Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
For the people who only remember Richard Sherman’s interview, there was an actual game being played before that (crazy, right?), and it was a very good one; the best NFC title game I’ve seen in a while. While it was a defensive clinic in the first quarter, the offences eventually got going in a tug-of-war; both teams had 308 total yards on offence.
After a so-so first half, it was all set up for a very entertaining second. Marshawn Lynch, who was shut down for most of the first half, went lose, finishing with 109 rushing yards and a stadium-rocking touchdown (stop me if you’ve heard that before). After trailing the 49ers 10-0, the Seahawks outscored San Francisco 23-7 in the second half, ending the scoring with an incredible 35-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse.
Despite turning the ball over twice in the fourth, the 49ers had one last shot to win the game, but a late pass to the end zone was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith to send Seattle to their first Super Bowl since 2005 and Pete Carroll’s first Super Bowl as an NFL head coach. San Francisco turned the ball over on each of their last three drives, ultimately failing to capitalize on chances the Seahawks gave them.
49ers QB Colin Kaepernick struggled in the fourth quarter of an otherwise good game, throwing two interceptions on the last two drives. Kaepernick ran for 130 yards (11.8 yards per carry), and threw for 153 yards and a touchdown. He also had a fantastic jumping touchdown throw to Anquan Boldin for 26 yards. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson struggled for most of the game, but came up clutch when Seattle needed him the most, throwing for 215 yards and the impressive game-winning TD. 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman had 14 tackles (6 of them solo), but suffered a gruesome and heartbreaking injury late in the game. Seahawks fans pelted Bowman with food as he was carted out. Classy.
Though the game was a defensive battle (lead by Seattle’s Kam Chancellor), it was still a very fun game to watch. The Seahawks defence prevented any 49er scoring opportunities in the fourth, and the fierce, competitive electricity between Seattle and San Francisco – and Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh – was cemented as one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history. Work needs to be done for both Colin Kaepernick and NFC champion Russell Wilson, but these games are learning experiences for the two QB’s.
Seattle faces Denver in the Super Bowl in two weeks. This is going to be a hell of a lot of fun.
Thanks for Reading. You can follow @HSN_News on twitter for your NFL needs, and the follow the site @lastwordonsport while you are at it and please take a moment to like our Facebook Page.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
Photo Credit Helen Richardson