Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Written by: James Burulcich
Edited by:Allie Fontana

Is there anything better than NFL playoff football? I love how history writes itself right before our eyes and this weekend we had front row seats to some awesome games. Tim Tebow once again proved the odds makers wrong with a thrilling, one-play overtime victory, while Drew Brees continued his torrid offensive pace. Eli Manning outplayed Matt Ryan the New York Giants defensive line seems to be back to its 2007 form, while T.J. Yates won the battle of the rookie quarterbacks with the help of Arian Foster and a focused Texans defense.  It was a great Wild Card Round weekend and here’s what I learned:

 

1.  Foster, Australian For Win.

I had my doubts about the Houston Texans’ chances to make noise in the postseason because they came into the playoffs having lost three straight games. That changed quite a bit after Saturday’s convincing 31-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Although third-string rookie quarterback T.J. Yates faced a tough Bengals defense, the Texans rushing attack handled the eight-man front with ease. Cincinnati’s defense was ranked No. 7 overall in 2011, however Arian Foster took no notice. He made it look easy on his way to 153 yards on 24 attempts and two touchdowns. Houston will give Baltimore a run for their money in the Divisional Round.

2.  Bungles.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot to be proud of this season, even with last Saturday’s loss. They came out of the 2011 NFL Draft with a quality quarterback in Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, the league’s next great wide receiver. Bengals president Mike Brown finally agreed to part ways with the disgruntled veteran Carson Palmer and traded him to the Oakland Raiders during the season. They received a first-round pick as part of the deal and will be able to add two more studs to an already good young team. With the Pittsburgh Steelers starting to show their age, the Bengals look to be well on their way to be an every year factor in the AFC North. They should be able to build on a solid 2011 campaign. 

3.  Oh When the Saints…

Did we really expect anything different from the New Orleans Saints this past Saturday night? While they got off to a slow start, quarterback Drew Brees marched them through the Detroit Lions defense with 48 points and 466 passing yards. Even more impressive was the fact that their three-headed running monster of Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory racked up 164 yards on the ground. In my opinion, the Saints are the most complete team in the playoffs. I find it impossible to pick against them.

4.  It’s Only the Beginning.

Much like the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Lions fans should not be discouraged by what happened on Saturday night. The Lions have a great group of young and talented players and the team should be perennial playoff contenders for many years to come.  It was close to a miracle that they were down by just three points at the end of the third quarter. The one thing this team needs to take it to the next level is a run game. They had just 32 total yards against the Saints on Saturday and that’s just not good enough. If Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure return next season and stay healthy, then they can be the next offensive juggernaut.

5.  Three Ryans Down and Counting.

Joe Buck said it best on Sunday. First it was Rex Ryan, then Rob Ryan and now Matt Ryan falls to the New York Giants. Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant better watch out! The Giants played an almost flawless game on Sunday. They basically shut out the Atlanta Falcons and in the process brought back visions of their 2007 Super Bowl run. Fantastic play by New York’s front four inhibited Atlanta’s high-powered pass offense and star running back Michael Turner was held to just 41 yards. As good as Eli Manning was on Sunday, the key to this game was the 172 rushing yards by the Giants one-two punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants are playing to their full potential right now and you can bet that they can’t wait until the weekend for another crack at Green Bay.

6.  Dirty Birds.

Yuck Atlanta, yuck. The Falcons looked absolutely terrible in yet another “one and done” playoff ousting, this time by the New York Giants. Aside from the team’s offensive inefficiencies, head coach Mike Smith has made a habit of fourth down gambles gone wrong. Twice in this game, Smith called for quarterback sneaks on 4th-and-1 and his team was unable to convert both times. As great as Smith has been during regular season play, the fact that he has been unable to lead the Falcons to a playoff victory is troubling. It’ll probably have him on the hot seat in 2012.

7.  Tebow is the Man.

I love this kid. Not because of his faith, the hype or because so many others hate on him. I love Tebow because he just continues to defy the odds. He is like a living, breathing incarnation of the Rocky story and I find him impossible to root against. While it’s true that the Pittsburgh Steelers had injuries, Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos to a fantastic home playoff win on Sunday. He played a flawless game too, throwing for 316 yards (his first 300-plus yard game this year), two touchdowns, 50 rushing yards and a score. Though some say he can’t throw, the overtime bullet to Demaryius Thomas was as accurate and strong a pass as you’ll see from an NFL quarterback. Regardless of what happens next week, Denver needs to give Tebow one full year as the starter. He EARNED it.

8.  Aluminum City.

So much for that iron-clad Pittsburgh Steelers defense huh? After last season’s Super Bowl loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers secondary was exposed as vulnerable to man coverage and also slower than most. Tim Tebow— of all quarterbacks—once again exposed the same problem and that’s why Pittsburgh won’t be defending their AFC Championship this year. The Steelers have to get younger in the secondary soon or they may struggle to make the playoffs next season.

9.  The 2011-2012 AFC Championship Game Will Be?

The Denver Broncos travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots on Saturday, while the Houston Texans will play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. As much as I would love to predict a Tebow- style victory for the Broncos, I think that the Patriots will finally get the playoff victory at home that’s eluded them since they went undefeated in the regular season in 2007. Give me the Patriots over the Broncos 31-13. As for the Texans against the Ravens, I’ll once again go anti-Yates in this one. To beat the Bengals at home is one thing, but to go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens at home? That’s something entirely different. I like Ravens over the Texans 24-14.

10.  The 2011-2012 NFC Championship Game Will Be?

We have two very interesting NFC match-ups this week. First up will be a contest between one of the league’s best offenses against the league’s best defense. The New Orleans Saints head into San Francisco to take on the 49ers. While I would love to see the Niners advance in this game, I have to believe the experience of Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton will carry the Saints to a decisive 31-17 victory over the 49ers. On Sunday, the New York Giants travel to Lambeau Field for a rematch with the Green Bay Packers.  Green Bay came out on top when the two teams met in Week 13. I feel that the Giants are infinitely better today than they were a month ago, and for that reason I have to go with the upset! The G-Men are playing with a chip on their shoulders, and Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul will give Aaron Rodgers something he hasn’t gotten all year—pressure. New York over Green Bay 28-27.