Divisional Games - Quickie Recap

Patriots-Broncos

Winning in Denver is tough. Turning the ball over 5 times against the Broncos, and expecting to win, is impossible.

And that's the underlying theme to how the Patriots season came to a close last night. It wasn't the officiating (which was, in a word, bad), it wasn't Jake Plummer or the Broncos running game that won the game last night, it was the Patriots uncharacteristically turning the ball over in a playoff game.

In the historic 10-0 run the Patriots have been on in the post-season, they turned the ball over only 6 times. So it's not surprising that when they nearly equal that total in a 60 minute span, they lose.

So Patriots fans, I've got some words of wisdom for you. This talk about the "dynasty" being over is bunk. Sure, 3 in a row would've been nice, but in an age where winning back-to-back Super Bowls is unheard of, three is asking too much out of any team. Their place in history is secure, and they'll be recognized as one of the best teams the NFL has ever seen.

Not that it's necessarily over. Look, they've still got Tom Brady, Deion Branch, two good TEs (Graham, Watson) and the offensive line is young and deep. All this team really needs to improve upon is the secondary and depth at the LB position. They're still the best team in the AFC East, and with Belichick leading the way, I see no reason why the Patriots won't go deep into the playoffs in 2006.

Redskins-Seahawks

The 2005 season has really been about exorcising some demons for the Seattle Seahawks. Yesterday, they removed the one that has loomed the largest over the franchise for the past 21 years. For the first time since 1984, the Seahawks won a playoff game.

As a Seahawk fan, I'm sort of like a guy with shell-shock. So you can imagine the thoughts that circled in my head when:

- Shaun Alexander, the league's leading rusher and MVP, gets knocked out of the game with only 9 yards rushing and a fumble in the 1st quarter.

- Darrell Jackson, the team's best WR, leaves with a back injury.

- Walter Jones, who in my mind is the best player the Seahawks have ever had, even missed a few plays with an injury.

Granted, Jackson and Jones returned and played well. In fact, Darrell Jackson has been absolutely dominant in the last two post-season games, and with even an ordinary game next weekend will pass Steve Largent in the Seahawks post-season record books.

If that wasn't bad enough, the Seahawks turned the ball over in the red zone, and twice more in their own territory on special teams miscues.

Yet, the Seahawks still won the game. Why? Their underrated defense and a guy named Hasselbeck.

The Redskins are not an offensive juggernaut, but the Seahawks focused on Clinton Portis, and got enough pressure on Mark Brunell to force some early throws.

Matt Hasselbeck showed why he's the unquestioned leader on this team. Whether it was with his arm, his legs or his brain, Hasselbeck took this game on his shoulders and helped erase 21 years of playoff futility for the franchise.

The rapport Hasselbeck and Jackson share was never more evident than in yesterday's game. On the 29-yard TD pass to Jackson in the 2nd quarter, Hasselbeck said afterwards that as he was throwing the ball, he thought of the same exact play he and Jackson connected on against the Chiefs...in 2002. When Jackson caught up to Hasselbeck on the sidelines, D-Jack said "That was just like the play against KC".

It was a great win by the 'Hawks, and they get to host the NFC Championship game next Sunday night. Who the opponent is will be determined later this afternoon, but are you willing to bet against this team?

Predictions

6 games into the post-season, I'm 5-1 in my predictions. The lone loss being the Redskins beating the Bucs.

Today, I'm sticking with my earlier calls: Indianapolis wins big over the Steelers, and the Panthers beat the Bears.