1. New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts- This game probably had the most hype going into it, lovely Rex Ryan claiming that beating Peyton was "personal" and the Colts getting hot as they so often do at the end of the year but it wasn't the Colts team who lost the game, it was their coaching staff. Why your team is so ineffective at 3rd and 1's is astounding, and why with a little under 5 minutes left in the game, the Colts decided to run the ball on a 3rd and 7 after not being able to covert 3rd and 1's all night; its as if Jim Caldwell forgot that he had one of the best quarterbacks in the game but that would be too easy Jim. I get the feeling that either Peyton audibled the call because of the defense or the coach just called it wrong, either way it felt like one of those situations where a team outcoached themselves. Also, it felt like Peyton was tentative going against Rex Ryan's defense, something i haven't seen Peyton do in a long time, maybe the Jets coaching was just that much better than the Colts. Neither of those reasons give the Colts head coach an official shame status for his coaching job though, no he earns this for his dubious decision to call a time out with about 30 seconds left in the game. I know they say to have a short memory in the NFL but to forget losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars by a 59 yard field goal because of the same executive call for a time out is just inexcusable. Although I don't agree with Peyton showing his frustration, the image of Peyton shaking his head is what I remember this game by.
Game in a nutshell (Credit Indystar.com)
2. New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks- Question: Who dat say gonna beat them Saints? False, the Seahawks. 2 things memorable about this game: Matt Hasselback abusing the Saints secondary, in particular Roman Harper. Everyone was laughing when he was caught by Rams QB Sam Bradford after a fumble recovery but why anybody didn't question why that might be more indicative of his age catching up to him was foolish to think they could hide him in the playoffs. Do I even need to mention Marshawn Lynch's "beast" run? By far best run I have ever seen in the playoffs. No excuses for the Saints, they were bested by a worthy divisional winner, the 7-9 Seahawks.
3. Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles- Yeah I'll admit it, I didn't believe Aaron Rodgers was going to be this good but I was dead wrong. The better question is who in the hell is James Starks and where did he come from? Did the Packers really just want to save him for the playoffs? No clue but this player shows what happens when you allow for your raw draft talent to develop and eventually they will turn into stars. Yeah David Akers had an uncharacteristic atrocious game but David Akers didn't tell Mike Vick to throw an interception to Tramon Williams at the end of the game. Good Run for Vick and the Eagles this year but ultimately the ball just came up short.
Who are you again? (Credit packersnews.com)
4. Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs- There really isn't too much to say about this game, it just solidifies how good the Ravens are and how young the Chiefs are. Yeah the linebackers of the Chiefs were getting killed in zone coverage on the short crossing routes of the Ravens, their run game was getting mostly stuffed, and Matt Cassell just isn't that good but this game was really unsurprising to watch. However, the Chiefs secondary will soon be scary good with Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers.
5.The BCS Championship Game- Part of me doesn't even want to give a ranking to this game. It was terrible. It only confirms how pitiful the BCS system is and how college football can not be on the same level as the pros. I don't want to wait for about 10+ minutes into the game for the real game to start, sorry I don't like to watch opposing quarterbacks throw interceptions back and forth as if saying "Oh no you take it, no you take it." No sports team is fresh after over a month layoff, just give college football some playoffs. Even if we get a Final Four playoff or an Elite Eight it would prove better and corporations could sponsor those games instead of meaningless bowls against two losing teams no one cares about except possibly the students that go there. That way schools get their money, corporations get their advertising, and fans get their playoffs. Also the spread offense is dumb. LaMichael James is good but how can he expect to have production when by the time he gets the ball half the Auburn defense is in his backfield. Quack on that Oregon fans. Also, why in the 3rd Quarter did Oregon elect to go for it on 4th and goal? What's with this gutsy mentality to have to go for it there, kick the field goal please but that decision ended up costing them the game. Ultimately in the midst of exciting sports in January, the BCS Championship game was one thing: forgettable.
Forgettable (Credit reuters.com)
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