NFL Monday Memo: Playoff edition
Giant of the week: Eli Manning, QB. The kid grew up in a hurry against the Bucs’ stingy Cover 2 defense. Taking advantage of the small creases the defense gives up, Manning recovered from a sluggish start and hit his receivers with regularity. He went 20-of-27 for 185 yards and two touchdowns to get the Giants into a matchup with the Cowboys in the divisional playoffs.
Best game: Jaguars 31, Steelers 29. Ben Roethlisberger put his team in a first-half hole with three interceptions, but he rallied gamely in the second half before succumbing to the resilient Jaguars. They now go on to face the unbeaten Patriots in the divisional round.
Worst game: Chargers 17, Titans 6. San Diego’s explosive offense never got untracked until late, as the Titans’ defense played a near perfect game until Philip Rivers got it going late in the third quarter.
Play of the week: David Garrard, QB, Jaguars. On fourth and 2 from the Steelers 43, trailing 29-28, Garrard ran a quarterback draw 32 yards to set up the eventual 25-yard winning field goal with 37 seconds left.
Play of the weak: Santana Moss, WR, Redskins. Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Todd Collins badly underthrew Moss deep in Seahawks territory. But rather than come back and try to at least break up the play, Moss gave up on the route and allowed Marcus Trufant to make the interception. Trufant returned it 78 yards for a touchdown.
Coaching second guess: Mike Tomlin, Steelers. Offering further proof that coaches go for the two-point conversion way too early in games, Tomlin went for two after a touchdown with 10:25 to play got the Steelers to within five, 28-23. They converted, but the play was called back on a holding penalty. But then Tomlin called for the two-point play again, and it failed. After the Steelers went ahead 29-28, Tomlin went for two again and the Steelers failed again. Had Tomlin decided to kick the point after after being penalized and gotten to within 28-24, and then scored the go-ahead touchdown after that, a PAT would have put them up by three, 31-28. Then the Jaguars' game-winning field goal would have been a game-tying field goal. But that's what happens when you miss two-pointers too soon. You end up chasing the points the rest of the way.
Comeback kid award: Corey Webster, CB, Giants. Once considered the biggest liability in the Giants’ secondary, Webster had his finest game as a pro against the Bucs. It included a fourth quarter interception in the endzone and generally brilliant coverage of speedster Joey Galloway.
Rookie of the week: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants. Led the team with 66 rushing yards in a limited role. This kid is something special, and the Giants will continue to find ways to get him on the field moving forward. He could play a pivotal role against the Cowboys.
Offensive player of the week: Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers. Not a househould name, but a gifted receiver. He had five catches for 114 yards and a TD to help the Chargers overcome Tennessee.
Defensive player of the week: Rashean Mathis, CB, Jaguars. Had two interceptions in the first half against the Steelers, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Happiest player in the NFL: Chris Chambers, WR, Dolphins. Think Chambers isn’t happy to be out of Miami? Traded to the Chargers to increase depth at receiver, he had six catches for 121 yards against the Titans.
Statistical anomaly of the week: The Bucs came into yesterday’s game with a plus 15 turnover ratio, and the Giants had a minus 9. So what happens in the game? The Bucs produce three turnovers, and the Giants none.
Costly injury: Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers. He landed awkwardly while attempting to make a catch and suffered a sprained toe. He didn’t return, and he’ll by iffy for next week’s game against the Colts.
Most dangerous wild card team: Jaguars. Terrific defense, reliable running game, efficient quarterback. They’ll give New England a game.
Least dangerous wild card team: Chargers. Just not a very impressive effort yesterday, and certainly not the way you want to go into Indy.
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Comments (7)
BG, Couple factual errors for you:
Moss' lazy play (typical 'U' graduate) was even more egregious than you wrote because it happened with his team only down 21-14 not 28-14.
The 12 yard 2-pt attempt was on the first 2-pt. conversion attempt after a successful attempt was called back for the first ever "holding on a 2-pt. conversion attempt" call. If it had been at 29-28, he would be justified in going for 2 still, even from the 12. But, since it was 28-23 at the time, it made that call by Tomlin even more ridiculous. Tomlin's decision to run a QB sweep on 3rd and 6 with 3 minutes left was just as bad a call. A first down there probably wins the game.
Can hardly wait for the Mythical National Championship Game tonight! Go controversy! Get us NCAA fans a playoff already....
Play most likely to end up in a comedy: LT leaps the offense in a single bound, but doesn't make it over the goal line. Still standing on top of human bodies, he simply sticks the football over the goal line. Right out of an Eddie Murphy movie.
"San Diego’s explosive offense never got untracked until late"
Bob, I think you mean the offense never got on-track....so it could roll along. It certainly was untracked......as in derailed.
Easy on the Bolts, guys. They're just saving their best for the Colts, Pats and...Gi'nts?
That LT move was classic. In his post-game interview, he talks about having looked down the line and noticed the ref didn't have a TD signaled, so decided to put the ball over the line. Dude's amazing.
Glauber, as for your awards: you called the Chargers the LDWCT. However, they are not a WCT. They are a 3 seed. And in spite of their feebility yesterday, I like their chances next week.
BBiB!
Thanks for the heads-up. I made the corrections. First one a mind f*rt while trying to type on a packed flight back from Tampa. And I knew I'd screw that two-point stuff up, even though I believe Tomlin screwed up worse. Good thing I'm not a coach. I should just send this stuff to you for proof-reading and editing before posting. When will I learn? Thanks for not using the phrase "you idiot" in pointing out the mistakes - even if you might have thought it.
CC:
Sorry for referring to your beloved Bolts as the least dangerous wild card team. Perhaps I should have referred to them as the least dangerous divisional winner that played in wild card week because they didn't have a good enough record to earn a bye. Good luck against Colts.
BG, Look at the tape again. Gates was hurt when he was hit late, yes more late hits, by a Titans defensive player.
You may have not been impressed with the Bolts but the Titans defense is much like the feared Jags, after the game the Titans admitted they focused on taking the run away and forcing the QB to make plays. Philip Rivers dropped bombs over the Titans stout defense. Everyone says the Chargers are one dimensional, take LT out of the game, and the Chargers are chopped liver. Well, that didn’t work. You got to be impressed that the Bolts found away to win without LT.