Only one game left in the season. So get them HOT TAKES!
Patriots vs. Broncos
*Peyton Manning looked like the Peyton Manning of old in the
first half, throwing two touchdown passes to Owen Daniels. Then he just looked
like an old Peyton Manning.
*Given the circumstances, I thought Tom Brady had a very
good game. The Denver defense was in his face all game and yet he stood in the
pocket and somehow found a receiver. Yes, he lost, only threw one touchdown,
and had two picks. But this game would’ve been a lot worse if it weren’t for
Brady. And Rob Gronkowski.
*Seriously, how good in Rob Gronkowski? Maybe he gets away
with some pushing, but there’s a lot more shoving of him. He’s one of the
greatest tight ends of all-time and there’s no answer for him.
*A lot of talk about Bill Belichick going for it on fourth
down multiple times in the fourth quarter. I don’t see the controversy. I
thought he made the right call in both situations, it just didn’t work out. Maybe
you can argue that he should’ve kicked the field goal with six minute remaining
as there was a very good chance that the offense would’ve gotten the ball back,
but hindsight is 20/20. The only thing I disagreed with was the play call on
the fourth-and-one. I would’ve gone with the Brady sneak, which works 99% of
the time.
*A missed extra point will be the talking point as to why
the Patriots lost, but really their lack of protection for Brady was the
biggest reason they lost. If the offensive line could’ve given him an extra
second per play, this is a much different game.
*If this was the last Manning vs. Brady showdown, it
certainly lived up to the hype. And even though Brady has more Super Bowl
rings, Manning now holds the head-to-head record. For some reason, I think Tom
can live with that.
Cardinals vs.
Panthers
*NO TIGHT BUTTS!
*My biggest reason for optimism heading into this game was
Carson Palmer. He wasn’t good against Green Bay and the Panthers have a much
better defense. I thought if the defense could get to Palmer, they could win.
They got to him for six turnovers.
*Kurt Coleman’s interception at the end of the half really
sealed the game. If Patrick Peterson returns the Cam INT for six or the
Cardinals offense scores and cuts the lead to 10, it’s a much different game.
24-7 with another Palmer turnover was too much to overcome despite the Panthers
history of blowing leads.
*Palmer never gave Arizona a chance. I think their defense
would’ve eventually settled down because it seems like blowing up on the
sideline leads to better communication, but every time the defense made a stop,
the offense or special teams would screw it up.
*Shame that Thomas Davis had to miss most of the game with a
broken forearm. But he’ll play and likely be effective in the Super Bowl.
*How good has Luke Kuechly become in pass coverage? It was
the biggest knock on him throughout his young career and now he’s fixed it. Not
sure there’s a weakness in his game.
*Panthers pissed a lot of people off when they went for 2
despite leading 40-15 with five minutes left. If you weren’t upset with that,
you would’ve been upset with their celebration and team photos. Basically, Cam
and the Panthers can do no right if you’ve already decided that you’re going to
dislike them. Going for two wasn’t necessary, but the Cardinals went for two
and succeeded earlier, so the logic was that the team was just trying to match.
Also, Mike Shula has been criticized all season for being way too conservative
with the lead. He called the second half like it was a tie game.
*Remember before the season when everyone laughed at the
Panthers giving Cam Newton a big contract and how everyone compared Newton’s
numbers to Colin Kaepernick’s when the 49ers benched Colin? That was fun. I’m
not saying Newton and the Panthers will win the Super Bowl (as per my rule, I’ll
once again pick against them), but the guy is clearly a top tier quarterback.
He makes plays that other QBs simply can’t make. He’s taken a receiving core,
led by Ted Ginn and Philly Brown, and turned them into the best offense in the
league. It helps to have a tight end security blanket like Greg Olsen, it helps
to have a running game, and it definitely helps to have a top defense, but none
of that takes away from what Newton has accomplished this year. He’s a special
player making special plays. And if you’re too busy getting upset because he
dances or bows or smiles too much then you’re missing out on seeing a great
player having fun and entertaining.
