The Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs are now done and over with, and I've been too lazy to write anything for about the past couple of weeks...or maybe it hasn't been that long. Anyways, there's been too much action to keep silent any longer. Here's what I'm thinking about the NFL these days.
Andrew Luck Returns For Junior Season
A lot of people were surprised that Luck decided not to go pro after the smooth performance he had in the Orange Bowl and his 32 TD, 7 INT season for the Cardinal this year. I was not among that group.
Let's be honest here. Luck goes to STANFORD, which is an academic school. He has some sort of brain, and most importantly, he's still a kid. He can do what he wants. Luck is currently studying architecture and wants to finish his degree. This is refreshing, because most people who leave early are looking towards girls, cash, and fame. Luck probably knows that one hit could derail his promising career, so he's going to try and install his backup plan now rather than later in his life.
I also think this will help his draft stock even more barring injury. It shows character on his part to go back to school to obtain an education rather than to enjoy the college experience like other players have done. I'm looking at you Matt Leinart.
It may even help an NFL team...maybe one wearing purple. The top of the draft is loaded with teams looking to take a quarterback. By the time the Vikings get there, there may not be a quality signal caller left. So what if the Vikings went O-Line or defense, and then have a bad season next year? Suddenly, they could be in the mix for a top pick, and let's say Luck regresses enough for his stock to drop. This is far fetched, but I'm just sayin.
The NFC Playoffs: Seahawks "stun" Saints; Packers defeat Eagles
First, let's take a look at the New Orleans/Seattle matchup. This turned out to be a really good game, but I think that people overblew the whole 7-9 thing.
The Seahawks did what they did to get into the playoffs. The rules are the rules. So don't whine that they're in the playoffs. Don't cry that they get a home playoff game (and could have home field in the NFC Championship game should they and Green Bay win this weekend). And don't cry for the Saints, who simply were not as good as they looked on paper.
The Saints ran into one of the best home field advantages in football at Qwest Field. When fans come into the stadium carrying signs that just say "False Start", it might get loud. The Seahawks had some advantage coming into this game and no matter how bad the NFC West was, they won their division and got in.
By the way, the Seahawks do hold a victory over the Chicago Bears from earlier this season...at Soldier Field.
As for the Saints, a team that is incredibly one dimensional does not advance in the playoffs. The Saints were screwed turning to a half-healthy Reggie Bush to get anything on the ground. (Also, is it time we start calling Bush a bust? This guy was supposed to be the next Barry freakin' Sanders.)
In the other matchup, the Green Bay Packers took care of the Philadelphia Eagles. I don't have much to say about this. The Packers went into another rough stadium, and took out one of the best teams in the playoffs. Perhaps it's time that Philly gets some O-Lineman to protect their new franchise quarterback.
The Packers go to Atlanta, which could be a de facto NFC Championship game. Last time these teams met, it was a barn burner which came down to the last second. I expect nothing less this time around.
AFC Playoffs: Ravens rout Chiefs; Sanchez Saves The Jets
Well, the Ravens kicked the Chiefs ass. They'll go to Pittsburgh where it might as well be a Exploding C4 deathmatch with barbed wire lining the boundaries. You like physical football? Watch this game.
And Sexy Sanchez finally pulled his head out of his butt to lead the Jets over the Colts. Rex Ryan finally got to Peyton Manning. Cool. Sad thing is that now ESPN will dedicate 97% of its coverage to the Jets/Patriots matchup on Sunday. Safe to say you will know the game is on Sunday as well as every meaningless quote flown insulting the Patriots from the Jets locker room.
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