Bringing the Punch
Weeks without football are like a barren wasteland.
A Review of Football by Alex Davis
Playoff Edition
The Saturday Games
New York Jets At Indianapolis Colts
This should be a great game featuring some marquee matchups. Colts QB Peyton Manning will have his hands full with a Jets defense that can bring elaborate blitz packages and maintain sound coverage in the secondary because of their exceptional cornerbacks. Darelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, and the other rest of the Jets corners excel in Man coverage and with Revis matched up on Reggie Wayne the Colts depleted receiver corps may have trouble getting open.
Peyton Manning
This matchup problem will allow the Jets to bring pressure from everywhere on the field including getting creative with bringing safeties and other DB's in to rush the passer. The Colts mediocre running game will put Manning in lots of obvious passing situations allowing the Jets defenders to tee off in the pass rush. The best way to beat Manning is to get pressure on him, and though his quick release and uncanny ability to find his hot read may limit sacks; the pressure will force him to settle for short throws that don't result in first downs, and may force a few mistakes from Manning leading to turnovers. Look for the Colts to try to match up their Tight Ends and slot receivers on the Jets safeties and Linebackers in order to get some completions on early downs and avoid third and long situation in which the Jets pass rush could pin back their ears. On offense the Jets should try and run the ball as much as possible against the Colts suspect defensive front and try and get some deep passes of play-action.
LaDainian Tomilson
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
On paper this matchup is by far the most lopsided of Wild Card Weekend. The dynamic New Orleans offense is matched up against a generous Seattle secondary which should be a recipe for a lopsided Saints victory with plenty of highlights from Drew Brees and his excellent stable of big-play receivers. If Seattle wishes to slow Brees down the best way is to bring pressure of the edges, even if not resulting in sacks this will force Brees to stay in the pocket instead of rolling out. This is especially important against Brees as the Saints like to run a lot of roll out passes in order to get the sub 6' tall Brees out from behind his O-line and give him better throwing lanes and vision downfield.
Drew Brees and a small Brees
If Seattle can keep Brees in the pocket and create some push in the middle of the line, the Seahawks may be able to restrict Brees and get some tipped passes which could result in interceptions. Seattle however, cannot simply sell out to stop the pass, they must stay disciplined in against the run as well. With a healthy Pierre Thomas in the backfield for the Saints, New Orleans can make Seattle pay for selling out to shut down the pass. On offense the Seahawks must run the ball well with Marshawn Lynch, and implement a ball control passing game in order to keep the Saints offense off the field. Seattle QB's Matt Hasselback, or Charlie Whitehurst should try and hit physical possession receiver Mike Williams on a myriad of short, quick routes to keep the chains moving and keep the defense from selling out against the run. If the Seahawks can run the ball successfully they may be able to take some shots downfield on play-action passes to speedy targets like WR Deon Butler in order to keep the defense honest and not overplaying the short routes. It will be and extremely tough matchup for the Seahawks but if they play with the same fire they did last week they may just be able to pull off a monumental home upset.
Entering the playoffs with a losing record it make take a double dose of believing