NFL 10 Division round synopsis

Steelers-Ravens. Let me say that I was rooting for the Ravens mostly because I got sick of the Steelers fans trash talk (things like "Hey Baltimore, we'll give you the bird.") Mostly, I was just rooting for a good game. This game was hard hitting from two teams that respect and despise each other. This game started with Pitt challenging the spot of the ball of the opening kickoff. I thought "That's dumb. You don't get anything and lose one of your two challenges. What if you need the other?" Well, Baltimore's Suggs was in the Pittsburg backfield the entire half. He caused an early Rothlisberger fumble. Though it wasn't whistled dead, no one went after it, except one Raven who carried it back for a TD. Pitt challenged it, lost the challenge and was out of challenges for the game halfway through the first quarter (again I must say they should change the rule to let them challenge as long as they have time-outs). This is only one example of these teams knocking the heck out of each other. There were a combined 106 penalty yards in the first quarter. It would have been more had they flagged all the Steelers hitting guys after the play was over. The Steelers fumbled a second time in the first half and missed a field goal (stupid Suishum) to give the Ravens a 14 point lead going into the second half.

The second half started with a Ray Rice fumble that was a major momentum changer. Suddenly the Steelers poured it on. The Ravens had no penetration. Flacco had just as little protection at Big Ben. Flacco immediately threw an INT then fumbled the snap (actually it was the center's fault). The Steelers turned them all into points. A nullified punt return made a Ravens TD a FG instead. These are two teams that are very physical, but the Ravens defense was the most physical that day. It was too little. The Ravens had one too many turnovers, one too many penalties giving 1st downs, one too many blown coverages (the only one, really), one too many sacks allowed. Take away any of those and the Ravens have a chance to win.

I also have to say to all Steelers fans, I still think Rothisberger is overrated, but no where near as overrated as the Geezer.

Packers-Falcons. I like to watch Aaron Rodgers play football. You know why? Because he looks like he's having fun. He looks more like he's playing backyard football than professional. He's not like Ocho, who is out to be a celebrity. He's not a glory hog like Tom "We suck" Brady. He's not the hardened professional of Peyton Manning. He's just having a blast. And he had a blast on Saturday. I must say that I am a little disappointed because about midway through the season I predicted Atlanta as NFC champions. But I am not disappointed in the Packers win. They scored a franchize record for most points scored in a post season game. Eat that with your Cream of Wheat, Geezer. I bet your teeth fell out when you heard that. That's because you aren't that good. Your Super Bowl wins are a result of Reggie White and the Packers D, not your interception record. And that is why Brett Farve filled out retirement papers, today. Again. Anyway Pack, I'm rooting for you next week.

Bears-Seahawks. Now that was the game we thought we would see last week. And by that, I mean it wasn't much of a game. The wave of emotion fed by the 12th man last week was not there to carry the team this week, so the Bears are hosting the NFC Championship. It will be a tough division rivalry in professional football, Bears vs. Packers.


And now the game you've all been waiting for.
Jets-Patriots. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! That's right. It is the new Jersey Jets, the team whose fan base sounds so excited to be able to spell the name of the team. I posted on facebook this morning a that my second favorite team won. My favorite being the Colts, and my second favorite being whoever is playing New England. Before we go on, let me add a quote from Week 2.

Jets-Pats. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! Good job Sanchize. Now you're living up to expectations. Like the Colts, I have to ask, where was this team last week? Gotta love Rex Ryan and his ablility to motivate this team no matter what. Tom "the Chump" Brady in a statement after tha game said that they couldn't do anything in the second half, ending with "we just sucked." I couldn't agree more. I've been saying that for years. Now if he would just admit that not only do they suck, but he is a chump and they cheat too, I would be even more happy. But for now, I'll take "we suck." Maybe that will be his new nickname: Tom "we suck" Brady is a chump.

This game started with a bad omen for New England, the INT that ended the streak. I was hoping for that even more than a win. But the Jets were fired up. They were embarrassed week 13. Kinda like the Patriots built a winning season off of being embarrassed by the Browns week 9. Football is an emotional sport, and Rex Ryan and the Jets D were fired up. They held the Pats to 3 points in the first half, scoring 2 TDs of their own. The second half wasn't much different, though they kept score for score for the most part. I think people should think back to a few years ago, when the Pats went on 4th and 2 against the Colts and didn't get it. People said Bellicheck (aka "The hoodie) should have punted and trusted his D, not giving the Colts easy field position. He should have kicked deep and trusted his D yesterday. Instead, he did an onside kick which Cromartie ran back, leading on the next play to a TD. While it is true that the Jets scored "too quick" and gave the Pats another chance at an onside kick later, if he would have kicked it deep he would have stood a better chance of winning.

Bellicheck said after the game "We didn't score enough points. We didn't keep them from scoring. We just weren't very good. Brady said it better week 2.

Points to consider.
1. Both games are #2 hosting #6. Interesting.
2. The Jets have beaten 2 out of the three best teams of the previous decade and beat them in their houses. Now they have a chance to do the same to the third. What will happen?
3. Both Ravens @ Steelers and Jets @ Patriots were divisional games, as is the Packers @ Bears next week week.

Packers @ Bears for NFC Championship. Sunday 3:00 on FOX
Jets @ Steelers for the AFC Championship. Sunday 6:30 on CBS