Super Win for Brees and the Saints
Coming into the Super Bowl, for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, it seemed like a tough challenged to take on the mighty Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning. However, even though the Saints were down 10-0 early, the Saints were not going to be denied. The Saints fought back and made the plays the need to do to beat the Colts, 31-17 to win Super Bowl XLIV.
Credit to the Saints for going for the win and not playing too conservative. Late in the 2nd quarter, the Saints should have kicked the field goal when they were down by the goal line. But, they decided to go for it and did not make. However, on the opening kick of the 2nd half, the Saints went for a onside kickoff and the Saints would get the ball. In the end, it would all payoff for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints played with an attitude that they were not going to lose. For the Saints, it starts and ends with Drew Brees.
Saints quarterback and leader, Drew Brees, played great in this game for the Saints. Brees threw for 288-yards and two touchdowns and he also won the Super Bowl MVP. The Saints would seal the game when Saints cornerback, Tracy Porter, scored on a 74-yard touchdown interception off Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning started off hot for the Colts. But, Manning final interception was costly and would eventually lose the game. The Indianapolis Colts did all the could to win, but it was not enough. The Saints just wanted it more.
As for the New Orleans Saints, this was a great win for not only the Saints players, coaches and the rest of the Saints organization, but for the people of New Orleans. From struggles of Hurricane Katrina to their team winning the Super Bowl, this was a great day in New Orleans’ history. Now, the Saints can look back and feel good knowing that the New Orleans Saints are the 2010 NFL Super Bowl Champions and no other team can say that.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Manning Ends the Dream for the Jets
It’s nice to dream about playing in the Super Bowl, but when Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are standing in your way that dream can turn into a nightmare. The New York Jets were living a Cinderella story in these playoffs. First, the Jets beat Bengals and then Chargers and were just one victory away from the Super Bowl. But then, Peyton Manning threw for 377-yards and three touchdowns, which in the end, proved to be too much for the New York Jets.
Credit to the New York Jets for getting this far in the playoffs. The N.Y. Jets were in control of this game in the first half, but then the Colts took the momentum after they scored a touchdown to take the 20-17 lead. The Indianapolis Colts would never look back and the Colts beat the Jets 30-17.
But, it is scary to think that this is just Mark Sanchez first year as a pro and he was just one win away to the Super Bowl. But, when a former Super Bowl MVP gets on fire, its hard to stop his team. And, unfortunately for the New York Jets, that’s what exactly happened. The New York Jets are going to be a tough team to deal with in the future, but it was not meant to be this year. As for the Indianapolis Colts, they are moving on the Super Bowl. Lets see how the Colts do against another hot team, the Saints.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Colts helped the Ravens Self-Destruct
It’s hard enough to beat Peyton Manning and Indianapolis Colts without making mistakes. But, unfortunately for the Baltimore Ravens, their miscues ended the Ravens season. Late in the 3rd quarter, when Ravens safety, Ed Reed, intercepted Peyton Manning that play should have given the momentum to the Ravens, but it was not meant to be. Because after interception, Reed fumbled the ball when Colts wide-receiver, Pierre Garcon, knocked the ball out of his hands.
However, credit to Ed Reed for coming back and intercepting another pass soon after. But, a costly pass interference penalty on that interception kept the Ravens from having any chance of scoring. Those were heartbreaking plays for the Ravens. And, unlike their game last week, the Baltimore Ravens were the ones making costly errors, which would helped the Colts.
The Colts defense played great in this game. The Indianapolis Colts held the Ravens to only three points. The Colts defense gave Peyton Manning and the offense all they needed to win the game.
For the Baltimore Ravens, they have to look towards next year and try to get younger. Also, the Ravens need to do something about their passing game. It’s not enough to just run the ball effectively, you got to do both. As for the Indianapolis Colts, they move on to the AFC Championship game. And, if the Indianapolis Colts can play like this next week, they will be in the Super Bowl. But, we shall see.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Bad Decisions by Belichick and Adams
A couple of bad decisions were made on Sunday. One, cost a team the game and the other, lost money for an owner. New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, made a big and wrong decision that should have been a easy decision. And for Tennessee Titans owner, Bud Adams, there is a right way to celebrate and then there is the wrong way to celebrate for an NFL owner.
When you need just two yards to get a first down and win a game, in most cases, you go for the win. However, when you are on your own 28-yard line with two minutes left on the clock, you need to punt the ball. Let your defense win the game for you. But, New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, decided to go for it on fourth down and the Patriots failed to pickup the first down. The Colts were able to get the ball back. From there, Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, was able to move the Colts towards the goal line. The Colts won the game 35-34, when Manning threw a touchdown pass to wide-receiver, Reggie Wayne. Bill Belichick decision lost a game for the Patriots, but at least he did lose any money, like Titans owner, Bud Adams.
As a owner of a football team, when your team wins, you should be happy and celebrating with friends, family, members of your organization and your fans. But, you should not be making an obscene gestures to opposing fans. However, that is what Tennessee Titans owner, Bud Adams, did following the Titans victory over the Buffalo Bills. It might have felt good at the time, but you got to remember who you are and what you represent as an owner of the NFL. That doesn’t set a good example for kids and NFL fans in general. The NFL fined Bud Adams $250,000 for his obscene gesture. Hopefully Bud Adams has learned is lesson and how to celebrate the right way.
(Sources: ESPN)
End of an Era for the Indianapolis Colts
After seven years as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy announced his retirement on Monday. Following the Colts playoff lost to the San Diego Chargers on January 3rd, coach Dungy said that he was going to take some time before he made a decision about his coaching future. After considering all his options, Tony Dungy felt that the time was right for him to leave coaching.
As for the Indianapolis Colts, on Tuesday, they announced that Jim Caldwell as their new head coach. Luckily for coach Jim Caldwell, he will have Peyton Manning as his quarterback. Not bad for coach Caldwell to have 2008 NFL MVP as your starting QB.
As for Tony Dungy, he will be missed by the Indianapolis Colts players and fans alike. We shall see what happens as the Post-Dungy era begins next season for the Colts. Can you the Colts return to being Super Bowl Champions or has the window close for the Colts, stay tuned.
Colts Season Over, Chargers Win in OT
This game had two of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts with a 9-game winning streak and the San Diego Chargers had a 4-game winning streak. However, not even four quarters were long enough to determine a winner. Although the Colts had the NFL MVP in Peyton Manning, he would not get chance in overtime. The Chargers were able to drive the ball along with the help of some penalties by the Colts and it would be Darren Sproles that would win the game for the Chargers on a 22-yard touchdown run.
The Colts started off good in the first quarter. Peyton Manning was able to find his receivers, like Anthony Gonzales. The Colts were able to take the 7-0 lead on a Joseph Addai touchdown run. At the start of the game the main question for the Chargers was if LaDainian Tomlinson was going to play due to a groin injury. Tomlinson did start and scored a touchdown for the Chargers to tie the game at 7-7, but he did not play in the 2nd half. The Colts took a lead on a field goal, but the Chargers were able to drive the ball down the field. Darren Sproles would eventually scored on a 9-yard touchdown run and the Chargers would take the lead into half-time 14-10.
In the 2nd half, the Chargers defense made some big plays stopping the Colts on a four down play. But, later in the 3rd quarter, while the Chargers were substituting players, the Colts caught the Chargers not pay attention and Peyton Manning threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. But, for much of the game, the Colts offense struggled to move the ball due to some great punts by Mike Scifres, who pinned the Colts deep on their end. However, the Chargers could not capitalized due to turnovers. One turnover was committed by Philip Rivers, when he threw an interception in the end zone and another one came when Darren Sproles fumble the ball on the 1-yard line.
Towards the end of the game, it was defense that would decide what happened in the 4th quarter. As the Chargers were driving, the Colts had a huge sack on Philip Rivers to stop the Chargers, but Mike Scifres kicked another great punt. This time, the ball landed on the 1-yard line. The Chargers defense came up with a huge play when Tim Dobblins sacked Manning on third down. The Chargers were able to move the ball the down the field and Nate Kaeding would kicked a field goal to tie the game at 17-17.
In overtime, the Chargers won the coin flip and drove the football down the field. But, in the end, it would be Darren Sproles that ran for a touchdown and the Chargers beat the Colts, 23-17. Now, the Chargers will move on to the next round and for the Indianapolis Colts, their season is over. Colts Coach, Tony Dungy, said he will take about a week off before he decides if he will return to coaching. As the San Diego Chargers look towards the next round, they need to be able to run the ball, play great defense and Philip Rivers will need to make some good decisions, if the Chargers are going to move on.
Game Time: Chargers vs. Colts Playoff Preview
Wild Card weekend starts tomorrow and Saturday night’s game is between the San Diego Chargers vs. the Indianapolis Colts. 2008 NFL MVP, Peyton Manning, will try to lead his team to their ten straight victory and second win over the Chargers this season. The Chargers are looking for the second straight playoff win against the Colts.
What are the keys to this game? Well, for the Chargers, they need to contain Peyton Manning as much as possible and the Chargers defense needs to put pressure on him throughout the whole game. Other ways the Chargers can contain Manning is to keep the Colts offense off the filed. What does that mean for the San Diego Chargers? Well, on offense, the Chargers need to run the ball and control the clock. Plus, Philip Rivers needs to play a great game and has to avoid turning the ball over. It will be difficult though, especially with that tough and fast Colts defense.
For the Indianapolis Colts, Peyton Manning will need his offensive line to give him some time and he’ll pick apart the Chargers secondary. But, if the Chargers can put pressure on Manning, he’ll have problems. On defense, the Colts need to stop the Chargers running game and put pressure on Philip Rivers and force turnovers to give the ball back to Manning and the Colts offense.
Last year in the playoffs, the Chargers beat the Colts 28-24 in Indianapolis. This year, the game will be in San Diego. Each team is on a winning streak, but only one will keep it going. Will Peyton Manning be unstoppable once again or will it be Philip Rivers making the plays to lead his team to victory? Chargers vs. Colts, stay tuned!
Chargers defeat Broncos and Win AFC West Title
With the AFC West title on the line Sunday night, the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos gave it all they had. However, in the end, the Chargers wanted this game more than the Broncos. The Chargers beat the Broncos 52-21 and capture the AFC West crown.
The game within the game was the battle between the two quarterbacks, Chargers QB Philip Rivers and Broncos QB Jay Cutler. Both quarterbacks have their own personal rivalry against each other and are not best of friends. However, what matters is the play on the field and in this game, it was the play of Philip Rivers that help the Chargers prevail. Rivers was on fire throwing for 207 yards, 2 touchdowns and a passer rating of 141.
The Chargers rushing game and offensive line were able to control the time of possession and dominated the Broncos defense. LaDainian Tomlinson look like his old self, scoring 3 touchdowns and running for 96-yards. On defense, the Chargers were able to make the plays they needed to do to win, including a curial interception by Paul Oliver as the Broncos were driving toward the end zone at the end of the 1st half. For the San Diego Chargers, this has been a crazy season, but when it counted the most, the Chargers step it up to win this game.
It is funny to think that four weeks ago, at 4-8, the chances of the San Diego Chargers making the playoffs did not look good, considering the Denver Broncos were 7-5 and just needed two wins to be the AFC West Champs. However, the Chargers did not give up on their season. The Chargers went on a three game winning streak and found themselves at 7-8. For the Broncos, they lost 2 out of 3 games which left the window open for the San Diego Chargers. This game was suppose to a battle to the end to see who would win the division, but instead it turned into a rout for the San Diego Chargers.
Now, next up for the Chargers will be Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts beat the Chargers 23-20 earlier in the season on a game winning field. However, the Chargers eliminated the Colts last year from the playoffs. Only one team can win and keep their Super Bowl dreams alive. We’ll see what happens as these teams meet up on Saturday. Stay Tuned.