We’re one weekend closer to the Super Bowl and only four teams remain. Here are three takeaways from the divisional round.
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Brady cool in the clutch
Before the New England Patriots’ win over the Baltimore Ravens, Tom Brady didn’t have a clutch performance in the playoffs in quite some time. He of course made his name in the early 2000s during the Patriots heyday by playing his best during the biggest moments.
Since the three Super Bowls, he’s been good in the post-season, but not great. Nothing like the Brady we all became accustomed to.
That Brady returned against the Ravens, fighting back from not one, but two 14-point deficits, proves his clutch gene is still there.
To win the Super Bowl, the Patriots will certainly need their quarterback to show it again.
The end of Manning?
Peyton Manning: 9 “one-and-done” playoff appearances Tom Brady: 9 AFC Championship appearances. pic.twitter.com/flrDkosuPR
— NFL (@nfl) January 12, 2015
Before this season started, it would have been ridiculous to imagine Peyton Manning’s career being finished after this year. The idea doesn’t seem so crazy now. His arm strength has been declining for years and hasn’t been much worse this season, but his famous accuracy has surprisingly slipped.
The Denver Broncos even shifted to a heavy running offence midway through the year to take heat off Manning. The purpose behind that strategy seemed to be to keep Manning fresh for the playoffs.
As it turns out, that strategy was out of necessity because Manning doesn’t look like he can play at the same level anymore.
The reality is a hard one for Denver as their Super Bowl window appears to have closed just as quickly as it opened.
Dallas feels familiar pain
What a cruel way for the Dallas Cowboys’ season to end. Well, unless you’re one of their many detractors who felt karma caught up with them.
It looked like Dallas were set up in position to take the lead against Green Bay late thanks to a magnificent Dez Bryant catch on
fourth down, only for the call to be reversed because of a rule technicality.
You might think they deserved it after benefitting from the now infamous picked-up flag against Detroit, but consider this: the
catch most likely holds up if Bryant doesn’t reach the ball for the end zone just as he’s hitting the ground.
If he didn’t make the extra effort and just secured the ball, it might be a different story. That’s a heartbreaking way to lose.
