Championship Weekend

Many people are talking as if the Patriots dynasty is over just because they didn’t win the Super Bowl. Let’s just state here that just because you don’t win the Super Bowl it doesn’t stop your dynasty. The Patriots dynasty is not over. They will still be a contender next year. On to the rest of the Playoffs…
In a surprising victory over the Colts, the Steelers became the first #6 seed to reach a championship game. They shut down a Colts offense that everyone slurped all year, but couldn’t get it done in the Playoffs, again. I don’t understand why the entire NFL and fans reel like Peyton Manning needs to win a Super Bowl and not only that, they feel bad when he looses. Why? They don’t care when other QB’s don’t win the big game. Peyton needs to show up in big games when the pressure is on. But back to the Steelers, they almost blew that game but thanks to our good friend, Mike Vanderjerk, they held on for a 3 point victory to travel to Mile High Stadium to face a very very good Bronco team. The Broncos were not able to run the ball against the Pats, 96 yards on the ground, but they were able to force the defending champs into 5 turnovers. The Steelers are an easy team to beat. You just have to line up and punch them in the mouth and the Broncos can easily do that, and I think they move onto the Super Bowl in easy fashion. The Broncos win 30-17
In the NFC we see a match up of a very good Carolina team going into Seattle to face the Seahawks. Carolina, like the Steelers have won 2 road games in successive weeks to make the Championship game, is coming off a dominating performance of the Bears. They went into a very hostel place; a place where I thought no one could win in Jan. and won. The Seahawks looked shaky coming off their bye week and they hung on for a victory over a team, Washington that looked emotionally drained after playing 6 consecutive must win games. Now I mentioned in my Playoff preview that I didn’t like Carolina, but they have showed tremendous heart and desire these past 2 games to reach the NFC championship game. They have also won 4 straight road playoff games. They look as good on the road as they do at home, the road doesn’t faze them like most teams in the NFL. Also John Fox is a fantastic coach, and I’m not taking anything away from Holmgren, but John Fox has only lost 1 playoff game in his career as a head coach and that was Super Bowl 38 against the Patriots. I’m giving the coaching edge to the Panthers, as well as the defensive edge. I think Carolina wins in a semi-defensive struggle 24-13.
Back to Peyton Manning, did anyone see how uncomfortable he looked in the pocket? He was moving around like he was on Dancing with the Stars, and he probably would have won had he been on the show. He was overthrowing receivers, he was missing open receivers, and he was missing the people who were blitzing on Pitt. Now I don’t want to take anything away from Manning because he records speak for themselves, but the record that I think speaks volumes is his 3-6 record in the playoffs. He has made the second most starts in NFL history without reaching the Super Bowl. We all have to remember that this was the year the Colts were supposed to go all the way. The Patriots were weaker than the past, the Colts defense was finally Super Bowl caliber, they had home field advantage on their carpeted dome stadium, and the Super Bowl was in the Dome. They wouldn’t have to deal with the cold of Foxboro or anywhere else, but once again Peyton laid an egg when the stage was magnified, and once the Patriots lost on Saturday night the Colts had to feel a sense of relief and perhaps felt like this was actually their year. I’m not saying that contributed to the loss, but its interesting.
Just want to say a few quick notes on the start of the new season of 24. I personally am a huge fan of the show, lots of excitement and I love the fact that its real time. The show picked up with Jack still in hiding and under an alias because of the whole Chinese problem from the end of last season, and if you haven’t seen the show, stops reading now, he has to come out of hiding because President Palmer was assassinated and Michele and Tony were blown up, Chloe was also attacked, but she survived and got in touch with Jack. The show starts off very strong and I am looking forward to see how they develop the story lines with President Logan and his wife and with the terrorist with nerve gas. Jack is also “back” working for CTU. The season begins with lots of promise, and I think it will be one of the best.