NFL Wildcard Playoffs Thoughts and Comments

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

As prescribed, Arizona quarterback Ryan Lindley had a terrible outing going 16-28 passing for 51 yards and two interceptions. The Cardinals only had 78 total yards, ouch. Blame the Carolina defense for Arizona’s woes as well. The defense forced three fumbles, four sacks, eight tackles for a loss and two interceptions.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton played well, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns, as well as running for 35 yards. He had the poise of a winning quarterback and showed he could succeed when the games matter. However, Newton needs to contain the turnovers. Newton throwing an interception and the offense as a whole allowing three fumbles cannot happen against the Seahawks on the road. If it happens again, expect the Carolina Panthers to lose.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was at it again, single-handedly winning the game for the Ravens. Flacco had 259 passing yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, Flacco seems unstoppable. He now has 21 touchdowns to only eight interceptions while averaging 209 passing yards per game. Flacco can get it done when the job needs to be finished as he showed once again Saturday.

Not having Le’Veon Bell really hurt the Pittsburgh Steelers. Newly acquired running back Ben Tate did his job in picking up some yards where it matters, but not much more picking up only 19 yards on five carries. He could not stay on the field for three downs either, unlike Bell. With Bell, do the Steelers win the game? Maybe, but no one can think in hypotheticals. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had 334 passing yards but threw two picks and only one touchdown. Many times the team had to settle for field goals after marching down the field. No excuses in Pittsburgh’s loss.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts

Colts running back Daniel Herron stole the show Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals running for 56 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and catching 10 passes for 85 yards. The two fumbles by Herron prohibits a complete breakout performance, but a tip of the cap to him for coming in after starter Ahmad Bradshaw went down to injury and surpassing expectations.

Once again quarterback Andrew Luck excels while quarterback Andy Dalton falls flat on his face. Dalton could not capture his first postseason victory, extending his record to 0-4 while in the NFL. Will Dalton ever win in the playoffs, no one knows. Luck on the other hand looked great against the Bengals and looks as if he can go right into Denver and blow out the defense. Luck makes the Broncos-Colts game a must watch next week.

Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys

The Detroit Lions played excellently in the first half, going into the second up 20-7. However, in the second half Detroit faltered, giving up 17 points, quarterback Matthew Stafford fumbling on the last two chances to score in the fourth quarter. For all of the grief about the reversed pass interference call, Stafford lost the game for the Detroit with his horrible second half play. Dallas took the game from Detroit in the second half.