JagFarlane
Gone Hiking
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2003
- Posts
- 9,713
Unlike some other sports, its one game and you're done so every game literally does count. There is no "Oh well...if we lose this we still have tomorrow" stuff. 12 teams enter and battle through 4 weekends for the championship. This year the top teams were;
AFC: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis, Miami, and Baltimore
NFC: Philadelphia, New York [Giants], Atlanta, Arizona, Minnesota, and Carolina.
Yesterday started the games with Atlanta versus Arizona, and Indianapolis versus San Diego. Both games just exemplified playoff football, down to the wire, exciting games. You had Atlanta led by Rookie of the Year Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan against Arizona's Super Bowl veteran and league MVP candidate Kurt Warner. The whole game was back and forth, Arizona striking first with a spectacular TD catch by Larry Fitzgerald. But Atlantas rushing attack figured out how to break free, with Turner and Norwood slashing through starting in the second quarter. Coming into the second half, Atlanta was up by three, but Arizona was the leagues top 3rd quarter team this past year, and proved it, with two TDs scored. Leading into the last half of the fourth quarter, Arizona was up by two TDs, Atlanta had a big drive to give them a TD and a chance at the game. But, with just over two minutes to go, Arizona was out of field goal range, on a crucial 3rd and 16, if Atlanta stopped them, Atlanta had a shot at a winning TD. Steven Spach pulled free and was wide open in the middle of the field for the Warner pass, netting 25 yards and securing the win.
When Indy and San Diego met in San Diego, you could just feel this was going to be one hell of a game. Indy came in hot, easily winning themselves a wild card spot, whereas San Diego had a chip on their shoulder, just barely winning the AFC West after a long season, involving some calls that cost them wins. Ladanian Tomlinson was announced just before the game to have a groin injury, but would suit up anyways. It didn't matter, Darren Sproles pointed out why he had proved such a great backup to LT. At 5'8" and 180lbs, he wasn't supposed to be an everydown back, but he was and more, returning kicks and catching passes out of the backfield. The entire game the two teams went back and forth, finally coming to the last two minutes of the game. San Diego was down by 7 and driving, two crucial passes to Antonio Gates, setting up Sproles to spring through a giant hole created by the offensive line and the tying TD. This drew the two teams into overtime, San Diego winning the toss. A trio of crucial penalties were drawn by Indys defense, each breathing life back into San Diego, till they reached the red zone. The first run, Sproles lost two yards, but on the second, he found the seam he needed, breaking tackles as he ran in for the winning TD.
Two great games down, two more today as Baltimore travels to Miami, and Philadelphia travels to Minnesota.
AFC: Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis, Miami, and Baltimore
NFC: Philadelphia, New York [Giants], Atlanta, Arizona, Minnesota, and Carolina.
Yesterday started the games with Atlanta versus Arizona, and Indianapolis versus San Diego. Both games just exemplified playoff football, down to the wire, exciting games. You had Atlanta led by Rookie of the Year Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan against Arizona's Super Bowl veteran and league MVP candidate Kurt Warner. The whole game was back and forth, Arizona striking first with a spectacular TD catch by Larry Fitzgerald. But Atlantas rushing attack figured out how to break free, with Turner and Norwood slashing through starting in the second quarter. Coming into the second half, Atlanta was up by three, but Arizona was the leagues top 3rd quarter team this past year, and proved it, with two TDs scored. Leading into the last half of the fourth quarter, Arizona was up by two TDs, Atlanta had a big drive to give them a TD and a chance at the game. But, with just over two minutes to go, Arizona was out of field goal range, on a crucial 3rd and 16, if Atlanta stopped them, Atlanta had a shot at a winning TD. Steven Spach pulled free and was wide open in the middle of the field for the Warner pass, netting 25 yards and securing the win.
When Indy and San Diego met in San Diego, you could just feel this was going to be one hell of a game. Indy came in hot, easily winning themselves a wild card spot, whereas San Diego had a chip on their shoulder, just barely winning the AFC West after a long season, involving some calls that cost them wins. Ladanian Tomlinson was announced just before the game to have a groin injury, but would suit up anyways. It didn't matter, Darren Sproles pointed out why he had proved such a great backup to LT. At 5'8" and 180lbs, he wasn't supposed to be an everydown back, but he was and more, returning kicks and catching passes out of the backfield. The entire game the two teams went back and forth, finally coming to the last two minutes of the game. San Diego was down by 7 and driving, two crucial passes to Antonio Gates, setting up Sproles to spring through a giant hole created by the offensive line and the tying TD. This drew the two teams into overtime, San Diego winning the toss. A trio of crucial penalties were drawn by Indys defense, each breathing life back into San Diego, till they reached the red zone. The first run, Sproles lost two yards, but on the second, he found the seam he needed, breaking tackles as he ran in for the winning TD.
Two great games down, two more today as Baltimore travels to Miami, and Philadelphia travels to Minnesota.
