Wild Card weekend came and went. The home teams went 4-0. My prognostication record was 2-2, which was better than last year's first weekend of the playoffs. I find myself watching how each of these games turn on one play. They turn on a decision. And then it all turns in the wrong direction for one team. I am shocked how there is less resiliency in the playoffs as one team appears to be able to impose their will. I was totally wrong on the Pittsburgh-Denver game being a snoozefest. That was only the first quarter when Pittsburgh had six points and Denver had eight yards!
Wild Card = 4-0 For Home Teams
Detroit proved that their future is bright. New Orleans proved it has a crazy and talented offense. The Houston Texans win with a rookie quarterback. The Cincinnati Bengals just need some more time. Atlanta struggles to find its way for a third straight year. The New York Giants are back and in the picture. "Tebow magic" makes a reappearance in shocking fashion. The Pittsburgh Steelers proved that they were actually more injured than was previously stated. They lost several key players in the first quarter, and Ben Roethlisberger re-tweaked his ankle, making him ineffective for a little while. You know I have to talk about the first overtime with the new rules.
The First Overtime With The New Rules
So over the weekend we had the first overtime with the new rules. In a weird twist of irony, it took longer to describe the new rules before the coin toss than it took for the game to end as the first play from scrimmage was an 80-yard throw and catch in stride from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas, who was only one stiff arm away from running into the end zone. The game ended in about 11 seconds. What kind of buildup for overtime is that?
Note: The Steelers could have tried to kick a 67-yard field goal to win it. It would have been a record-making kick but instead they just tried for the Hail Mary, which was thwarted by five Denver rushers. That is a clever way of stopping the Hail Mary. The ball really flies at Invesco Field as all but one kickoff was a touch back. In another piece of irony, Steelers' kicker Shaun Suisham kicked it through the uprights from the 35-yard line on the opening kickoff of the overtime. Maybe his leg was strong enough.
Let's get to this weekend's games. These games are tough to pick ... or maybe just go with your gut.
Saturday's Games
First up on Saturday is The New Orleans Saints playing in San Francisco against the 49ers. We will...