The NFL uncharacteristically lacked parody this year, which did not bode well for the postseason. However the opening weekend to the playoffs was extremely entertaining, with 4 competitive, entertaining games.
Seattle/Washington: The emotional wave can only carry you so far and met its enemy on Saturday, deafening crowd noise. Qwest Field is an impossible place to play, and even harder when your starting QB is returning from a decade absence in the NFL. The Redskins showed heart and rallied to take the lead with two scores in a three minutes, but the Seahawks pulled away behind Marcus Trufant's pick-6. Don't count the Seahawks out of the NFC picture. I'm a firm believer in Matt Hasselbeck, and an experienced QB, excellent coach and quality defense can carry a team to the big show.
Jacksonville/Pittsburgh- In the most thrilling game of the weekend, the Jags did what 80% of the world expected, knocked off the Steelers in Heinz Field. After an atrocious first half, Big Ben rallied the troops as the Steelers mounted a furious comeback. Rothlisberger has proven himself time and time again to be one of the leagues premier QB, despite the fact that he lacks the skills of the majority of signal callers. He's an outstanding leader and a tough, gutsy football player. As is David Garrard, who recorded the first of what I suspect will be many memorable playoff moments, with a 4th-and-2 scramble for 32 yards to set up the game winner. I love the Jacksonville-New England game next weekend, as I believe the Jags are the only team outside of Indianapolis who can give the Pats a game.
NY Giants/Tampa Bay- You can give me as much proof as you want, and I still won't believe Peyton didn't play the final three quarters of that game. After 15 minutes, the New York media had already written their stories about how the Giants will never win in the playoffs with the ambivalent Eli Manning. But the supposed Black Sheep of the Manning family came through on Sunday afternoon, completing 20 out of 27 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdown passes. And where in the world did Ahmad Bradshaw come from? This team has finally shown character to go along with its obvious talent, and could surprise Dallas next weekend. The Giants are playing their best football over the past month, while Dallas hasn't played well since Thanksgiving, a dangerous combination for Tony Romo's hope of erasing past playoff woes. In other news, rumor has it Tim Mara has invited Jessica Simpson to the game as his special guest.
San Diego/Tennessee- I refuse to elaborate too much on this game, because it may well have been the worst played playoff game I have ever seen. San Diego looked miserable, and if the Titans had any talent on offense outside of Young, would have lost this game. However, I am thankful the Bolts pulled this game out because a) they covered their 9 point spread, and b) we don't have to sit through Tennessee-New England next week. Imagine the carnage.
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