Hot Takes: NFL Conference Championship

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.