Archive for January 12th, 2009

WATERCOOLER CHAT: ROUND TWO NFL PLAYOFFS

It was Day 2 of the NFL Divisional Playoff round, and there were even more surprises.

First up, the Philadelphia Eagles soared into New York to take on the top ranked Giants.  The Giants were the heavy favorites coming into the game, but nobody was counting out Philly, led by the red-hot Donovan McNabb.  It was mainly a defensive showdown, and Philly was able to hold the Giants to NO touchdowns.  That’s phenomenal given that the G-men had one of the top ranked offenses throughout the season.  But the Eagles are just feeling it right now, and behind.  Towards the end of the game, the Giants tried to move the ball down only 2 points, but Giants QB Eli Manning was picked off by Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel.  It was a clutch interception, and Donovan McNabb made it count with a 1-yard TD run.  And that was all she wrote.  Philadelphia 23, NY Giants 11.

So the Giants failed to defend their Super Bowl crown, and the Eagles looked destined to play in the Super Bowl.  They completely turned it around ever since they tied the Bengals in OT.  This team is on a mission.  Now, the only thing standing in their way:  The Arizona Cardinals, who also seem like they’re on a mission.  Both these teams have something to prove, and now just one game removed from the Super Bowl, a loss from either squad will be viewed as a disappointment.  Next Sunday, they square off, and for any football fan, that’s a must see game.

Next up, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers playing host to the now electric San Diego Chargers.  Unfortunately, this wasn’t really much of a game.  The Chargers were without LaDainian Tomlinson, and this warm weather team wasn’t used to playing in freezing cold Pittsburgh.  They just ran out of steam.  Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 181 yards and a TD, but it was their running game that couldn’t be stopped.  Willie Parker ran for 146 yards and 2 TDs.  Pittsburgh 35, San Diego 24.

Now Pittsburgh will host the AFC Championship against their division rival — the Baltimore Ravens.  These are probably the best two defenses in the NFL, and the cold temperature won’t affect Baltimore one iota.  Like the NFC, both these teams have been on a quiet surge to the Super Bowl (i.e. they didn’t get as much TV time as the Giants, Cowboys, Titans, Packers, etc…).  Now both look to go the biggest public stage in sports.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Finally, the National Champion Florida Gators got another gift today — their now immortalized QB, Tim Tebow, will be staying for another year.  He could have gone to the draft, but decided he’d go for one more championship and Heisman Trophy.  If he gets those, it’s argued he will be viewed as the greatest player in college football history.  Lucky Florida.

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