The constant was great quarterback play from Ben Roethlisberger, Russ Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
The tournament ended suddenly for all other four teams, especially those that didn’t execute on every play with a high degree of urgency.
The Freak’s Giants had the potential to knock off the hot Packers, but too many mental mistakes, which you may get away with in the regular season, are just magnified in the playoffs. Dropped balls, terrible special teams and blown coverages spelled the Giants’ demise.
Hopefully, after a piece of humble pie, there will be a bitter taste amongst the players, and they’ll come back next season knowing what it takes to win in the playoffs.
Quarterback Eli Manning has two or three good years left. If the Giants add to the offensive line and a tight end, who can threaten the middle of the field to go along with this defence, perhaps one more ring can be achieved for Manning and the Giants.
Stat of the week
For the first time in NFL history, four Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks – Manning, Rodgers, Roethlisberger and Wilson – played in the wild-card games.
Bonehead play of the week
After the Packers scored a touchdown in a 21-13 game, the Giants’ Bobby Rainey does not let the kickoff go out of bounds. Instead he decides to catch the kickoff, and go out of bounds at the three-yard line. It cost the Giants 30 yards in a tight game.
Seahawks at Falcons
There are a few players that need to get over the hump this playoff season, and one is Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. He’s been in this position before, a home playoff game after having a terrific regular season.
Seattle travels across the country with some swagger back after beating the Lions. The Falcons aren’t the Lions offensively as they averaged about 35 points the last quarter of the season, and Seattle just doesn’t have the offence to keep pace.
The only way Seattle has a chance is if its defence creates three turnovers. Atlanta takes care of the football, and we see why Ryan is the MVP. Falcons 30-24.
Texans at Patriots
The only positive for Houston is they have a good defence. It’s a cold, road game for a dome team that has the worst starting quarterback in the league facing the second-best in Tom Brady. With all due respect, Rodgers is the NFL’s best quarterback.
One team is rested, and Coach Belichick had two weeks to prepare. The only question is by how many points the Patriots win by?
Only way you can make money on this game is to play the spread of 16 points. Pats 34-17.
Steelers at Chiefs
This is a really tough game to pick as both teams are well coached, play a physical brand of football and are hot going into Sunday’s game.
The Chiefs are really tough at home, but who are you going to take in the big moment late in the fourth quarter of a tie game?
Roethlisberger and his weapons, or Alex Smith and his?
Got to go with the guy who has won in this spot before. Take the Steelers 27-24.
Packers at Cowboys
What makes you sick?
The flu, or Jerry Jones and the Cowboys?
All you hear about is how “Super” this team is, and how great Dax Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are. Well, if you want to see greatness, watch No. 12 of the Packers and his pass-blocking offensive line on Sunday.
Dallas doesn’t have the corners, or the pass rush, to contain Rodgers, and you say blitz him?
Try it on Sunday Mr. Jones, and you will be packing your bags for the season by the end of third quarter. Packers upset the Cowboys in Big D 31-28.
Last week: 3-for-4.
Season: 84-for-123.
John Turner is a Summerside schoolteacher and coaches youth football. His column appears every Saturday during the NFL season. Feel free to e-mail questions and comments to [email protected].
