Hot Takes: NFL Divisional Round

Only three games remain in the season. So get them HOT TAKES!

Chiefs vs. Patriots

*I thought the Chiefs had a better chance than were given on Saturday thanks to their defense, but as usual, Bill Belichick came up with a great gameplan and Tom Brady executed it to perfection. It’s amazing that the game plan rarely involves running the football, which is why you have to get pressure on Brady. He’s going to throw it 40+ times a game and if you can’t get to him, he’ll pick you apart.  

*It certainly didn’t help the Chiefs that Justin Houston and Jeremy Maclin were ineffective. Houston wasn’t able to help the pass rush, which is what the Chiefs needed to win, and Maclin wasn’t able to get downfield, which limited Alex Smith. Even if those two players were healthy, they still would’ve had a tough time beating New England, but they obviously would’ve helped.

*Andy Reid tried to blame the headsets for his terrible clock management down the stretch, which is fine, but doesn’t explain the previous 17 years. The Chiefs knew what they were getting with Reid. He’s a very good head coach who gets a lot out of a little and consistently wins, but his clock and late-game management is some of the worst in league history. It’s why I never feel 100% comfortable picking a Reid coached team in a big game.

*Another AFC title game for Belichick and Brady. Somethings just don’t change.

Packers vs. Cardinals

*This game was nuts. But before we get to all the craziness at the end of the game, let me talk about overtime. It was a shame that Aaron Rodgers, after the throws he made in the final minute, wasn’t given a chance to make something happen in OT. The NFL “fixed” OT a few years ago by giving teams a chance if the team with the ball first got a field goal, but I don’t think it’s enough. So here’s my solution: Both teams get a chance with the ball. If the team that starts with the ball scores, the opposing team gets a chance to match to keep the game going or do better, ending the game. If it’s still tied after both teams poses the ball, you go into a college-type format, except the teams start at the 50 instead of the 25. This leaves fans satisfied as both teams get a chance with the ball and eliminates ties.

*Now, onto the craziness.

*I admire Bruce Arians for throwing the ball on the final drive in regulation instead of running it to milk the clock, but it wasn’t a good play call. Palmer hadn’t been accurate all game so a one-on-one route along the sideline wasn’t an ideal pass for him.

*I give all the credit in the world to Rodgers for making those two throws, I just don’t understand how the Cardinals let it happen, especially the final Hail Mary. Blitzing Rodgers backfired because he escaped and it left single and double coverage down the field. Why wasn’t Larry Fitzgerald out their playing centerfield on the throw? I’ll never understand why coaches don’t put a tall receiver on defense for Hail Mary situations.

*Mike McCarthy’s clock/game management issues are just as bad as Andy Reid’s. The only difference is Aaron Rodgers bails out McCarthy’s decisions on a weekly basis.

*Carson Palmer still thought he was in Cincy with some of the passes he was throwing.

*Who knows how this game would’ve turned out for the Packers if Randall Cobb didn’t leave with an injury on a play that didn’t even count. But the Packers are going to be scary next year with Jordy Nelson back, Cobb healthy, and the possible emergence of Jeff Janis. As the Patriots have proved, you can never have too many white receivers.

Seahawks vs. Panthers

*I never thought this game was over until it was over. The Panthers have blown big leads all season. So 31-0 at the half meant nothing to me. The coaches preached about not going conservative, but then they always go conservative. The Seahawks made a lot of good adjustment at halftime, but the Panthers playing “protect the lead” instead of “add to the lead” played a big part in things.

*Russell Wilson might be underrated. He was always looked at as a game manager because of their defense and running game, but he proved this season that he can win games with his arm. If he could get a decent line in front of him, he could easily be the MVP next year.

*It was nice to have Jonathan Stewart back. The Carolina offense operates a lot better with him running the football.

*Not sure if it was the conservative second half or Seattle’s corners, but Ted Ginn and Devin Funchess were MIA for Carolina. Was really shocked that Cam didn’t take a deep shot to Ginn at any point during the game. Ginn’s knee might’ve limited him as well. One of those two will have to step it up in the next game.

*Speaking of Cam, he didn’t make a whole lot of noise in this game. The Seahawks defense did a great job containing him in the run and limiting his passing options. The score of the game definitely dictated how Cam played.

*Robert McClain is going to get picked on a lot against Arizona. The Seahawks attacked him on just about every play in the second half and he was constantly burned. Will be interesting to see how Ron Rivera and the coaching staff can mask the obvious weakness.

Steelers vs. Broncos

*This game played out pretty much how I figured. A defensive struggle with neither team trying to make a mistake. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they made a mistake with the fumble.

*Ben Roethlisberger did a nice job with the little support he had. No run game and no Antonio Brown and he still found the holes in the Denver defense. Peyton Manning, on the other hand, looks shot. He was missing throws he normally makes and the ball just doesn’t look good coming out of his hands. His receivers dropped a lot and he didn’t have a running game either, but I didn’t feel that he elevated his team like he used to do. Obviously he’s not 2010 Manning, but it’s sad nonetheless.

*I know “Omaha” was fun a few years ago, but at this point it’s just annoying and pointless.

*Brady vs. Manning. One Last Ride.