Saturday, January 14, 2012

Game Day Bits-Division Round Style

There's too much of a lovefest over the New England Patriots-Denver Broncos playoff game. So much so that they seem to have forgotten that Baltimore and Houston are still alive in the AFC. Personally, I prefer the NFC matchups. All four games are compelling.

There's something about the way the Green Bay Packers have played this season that makes me think that we haven't seen anywhere near their best. They might have been 15-1 but they just seemed to be cruising along. I think a lot of it comes from the steady confidence of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. I also think the defense is too talented to play as poorly as they have throughout the season. That defense has something to prove and they have some players that can prove it. Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews and B.J Raji in particular.

Speaking of those Packers. I feel bad for some of their fans that got one of those freshly minted stock certificates that read: Green Boy Packers, Inc.

Something is very wrong when Josh McDaniels can coach for the New England Patriots in the playoffs after coaching for the St. Louis Rams all season. Sounds like the NFL will be looking into changing that rule this offseason. Common sense would never have allowed the need.

It took Brett Favre nearly 15 years to garner the media love that Tim Tebow has in two years.

Its probably no real surprise that the Atlanta Falcons' two total points last week against the New York Giants was a first. No team in NFL playoff history has ever had only a little 2 next to its name after a game.

I sure like the runningbacks in the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game. Ray Rice and Arian Foster are terrific backs. Both do a bit of everything very well.

Most of my 49ers pals don't think too highly of their team's chances of defeating the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees is playing out of his mind but I like the 49ers defense at home. Rookie pass rusher Aldon Smith could make Brees uncomfortable all day. The 49ers offense has to score touchdowns rather than field goals.
Its a tall task but the 49ers can take this game.

For the first time ever four former Super Bowl MVPs are playing in the Divsional round of the playoffs. Tom Brady(2x), Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

The 49ers have made former head coach George Seifert the honorary captain for today's game. Nice gesture to an often forgotten, excellent football coach. Its difficult to follow Bill Walsh and Seifert made his own success.

While reading the biography of Steve Jobs I'm constantly reminded reminded of a particular football coach. Vince Lombardi. Icons in their chosen fields both brought the best out of their people with inconsistent behavior. One moment soothing. Scalding the next. Both apparently genuine. Lombardi and Jobs were hated and loved. Both got people to be greater than they ever thought they could be. Lombardi's Green Bay Packers won five championships in seven years. Jobs created two of the greatest companies and brand names of our generation in Apple and Pixar.

I sure hacked up my first round predictions. I picked only the Saints win over the Lions correctly. The Falcons even outscored me. For the divisional round I have the 49ers, Patriots, Texans and Packers.



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