10 Observations from Sunday’s NFL Playoff Action

1) Matt Ryan typically makes good reads, but his accuracy and timing can be a little spotty.

Ryan missed Roddy White on a touchdown in the first quarter because he pump faked one too many times and gave Richard Sherman a chance to close in and bat it down.  In the second half, after throwing a bad pick, he missed White again and the Falcons had to punt thus opening the door for Seattle to continue its furious comeback.  He makes his hot reads very well and recognizes single coverage with the best of them. But he’s not like the top 4 QBs who routinely puts the ball precisely when and where it needs to be. His receivers bail him out sometimes.

2) Richard Sherman is ridiculous.

We knew this, but Revis Island may have a neighbor. Sherman probably can’t catch very well, because if he could there no way a guy with his
size, athleticism, and instincts would have been recruited as a top flight WR as a kid.  The stat page will show that he let up a 47 yard TD, but it was only because he stumbled. This guy is the real deal. He also seems like a tool, but whatever.

3) Russel Wilson made one rookie mistake and it was absolutely crucial.

Pete Carrol’s clock management left some to be desired, but he would have looked better if Wilson didn’t commit a huge error at the end of
the first half.  Wilson did the ONE thing he couldn’t do in that situation: take a sack.  Throw the ball into the crowd, the ocean, ANYTHING but take a sack.  Not only did he push his kicker back, but more importantly didn’t even allow Ryan Longwell a chance as time ran out before they could set up.  You might remember that the Seahawks lost by one.

4) Atlanta sold out and stopped the run…and nothing else.

Atlanta definitely realized that beast mode would hurt them badly, and they schemed effectively, holding him to 46 yards on 16 carries
(although Seattle was in catch up mode much of the second half).  They even did a decent job of containing Russel Wilson from running at
times, but they were ABYSMAL against the pass.  Zach miller and Golden Tate looked like Dave Casper and Fred Biletnikoff. I know Russell Wilson is special, but how do you let up 385 yards and a 109.1 passer rating to a rookie at home? If not for the early success of the offense, their defense would be major goats right now. Keep in mind, they are playing a veeeeeery similar set of players next week.  Ask the Packers how those guys are playing right now.

5) Michael turner ain’t dead yet.

If the falcons get him a few holes, Turner can still hit them and rumble ahead for yardage.  He’s not the Burner anymore, but he’s still got some gas left in the tank, gaining 98 yards on 14 carries, including a 33 yard scamper breaking multiple tackles. While San Francisco’s run defense is stout, Turner may be able to give the Falcons something if the line plays well again.

6) The Texans lost that game on the first drive.

The exact situation that the Texans wanted to avoid took place after Danieal Manning’s big return to open the game and get the ball to the
Patriot 12 yard line. Hilarity ensued: run, drop, bad throw, field goal.  It was a) 4 less points and b) demoralizing as all hell for an underdog on the road.  You can’t battle back from deficits like that in Gillette stadium, it ain’t happening.

7) Matt Schaub has all the tools of a great QB, but sometimes he plays scared.

He can make just about all the throws. He’s smart, steps up in the pocket, makes good reads, and play fakes well. But I’ll be damned if Schaub doesn’t get jitters like wild in big spots. He launched a rocket over Andre Johnson’s head that was a sure TD.  He fumbled after
slamming the ball against his leg. He throws crippling interceptions, like the one during a march into Patriot territory when the game could have been close. He’s going to have to show more poise if the Texans are going to get to the next level.

8) The Patriots defense is better than you think.

All year we heard about the Pats terrible pass defense – and it was pretty bad, ranking 23rd in DVOA and letting up long pass after long pass – but getting Aqib Talib was a big move. Not necessarily because he’s an elite corner, because he’s not, but he’s a big improvement over what they had and allowed Devon McCourty to move to safety for good where he can thrive.  Add that to a tough front seven led by Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo and this defense has enough talent to hang tough.  The only thing they lack is a pass rush,  which is a big deal, but more on that later.

9) If you don’t get in Brady’s face, you can’t stop this offense.

If Peyton manning is a MacBook, then Tom Brady is a Titan supercomputer (he definitely has the football equivalent of 17.59 petaflops) – he processes information faster than anyone. He has the quickest release in the NFL, and I’ll be damned if he ever throws it to the wrong place. Within 3 seconds that ball is gone and the front line has its heads turned downfield.  The bottom line is if you don’t pressure Tom Brady quickly and consistently, he will destroy you. Plus…

10) This team too many weapons.

So Gronk goes down, the best TE in the game.  You’d think that would affect the Patriot’s offense in even the slightest. Well, too bad they have the 3rd best TE in the game too in Aaron Hernandez. And the best slot reciever in football in Wes Welker. And a deep threat who, if he wasn’t the 4th option, is capable of putting up 1200 yards and 10 scores every year in Brandon Lloyd.  And Shane frigging Vereen, who has picked right up where Kevin Faulk left off.  Oh and a 1200 yard RB in Stevan Ridley, probably the best back the Pats have had since Corey Dillon.  I’m not sure how you beat this team without an other wordy defensive performance.

Or maybe you just need destiny on your side…

Comments

comments