5 Takes About NFL Post-Season Drama
We are in that post holiday timeframe, the month of January, where most people are yearning for their favorite television shows to return. The public wants their drama to return to TV, but if you are really paying attention, has the drama ever left??? Forget Greys Anatomy, Empire, Game of Thrones, or Walking Dead! How can you get more drama on your TV screen than what is playing out in the NFL postseason?!?! Sports fans would find it hard not to agree, so here are 5 takes from this "edge of your seat" NFL Postseason
Peyton Manning is one of the most beloved players to ever wear an NFL jersey, so despite his average play as a game manager, his return has still generated plenty of conversation and excitement in the sports world. When Manning stepped onto the field during Denver's final game versus San Diego with the task of leading his team to a win that the Broncos needed, the applause, Manning's face, and the weight of the situation (win and Denver is the #1 seed, lose and they're the #5 seed)... it's seemed like it was straight from a movie! Certainly a moment many sports fans will not forget.
The Packers/Cardinals game will go down as one of the best NFL games of all-time! Yes, that is a bold statement, but think back to the events of that game. First Arizona gets out to an early lead, looking like they will dominate this game. Then Carson Palmer throws two terrible interceptions that turns the tide in Green Bay's favor. Eddie Lacy's physical run puts the Pack ahead by a touchdown. Then Palmer gains redemption by leading two gritty drives, the first to tie the game up and the second to take a 7 point lead. Of course then Aaron Rodger's heaves 2 hailmary passes to push the game into overtime. Finally the game concludes with an outstanding individual play by Larry Fitzgerald to win the game in overtime for the Cardinals. What other game has that many twists and turns??? So yes... one of the best games of all-time!
Never has a post season seen multiple games where a team loses by one play specifically and solely costing them, which is another aspect that adds to the drama of this post-season... Think to the Steelers/Bengals game, where two penalties, one by Vontaze Burfict and another by Adam Jones, gives Pittsburgh the 30 yards they need to attempt a field goal that wins them the game. The other game being the Seahawks/Vikings game, where Minnesota is a field goal away from scoring the biggest upset win of the playoffs, when Blair Walsh shanks an easily makeable 25 yard attempt. The two costly plays by the Bengals and Vikings have spured on much talk and debate in the sports world.
The events of the first two rounds of games have set-up the ultimate David and Goliath story in Brady versus Manning round 17. Think of Tom Brady as Goliath, who is having another storied season and statistically one of his best, while Peyton Manning would play the part of David, a quarterback who's age has reduced him to having minimal arm strength. Just as David cannot out muscle Goliath, Manning cannot out gun Brady with deep throws. Even though Denver's defense will most likely be the reason that the team would win this game, won't the story line be, "tune in to see if the beloved underdog will take down the intimidating giant." Got to love NFL storyboards!
Despite classifying this NFL postseason as drama filled, so far, it hasn't been the best postseason. Sure the Packer/Cardinals game was epic, but sports fans also had to sit through a lopsided Texans/Chiefs game, an uneventful Packers/Redskins game, and a less than climactic Chiefs/Patriots game. So yes, when the games have been great... they have been great, but a few snoozers have cost this post season the spot of the most exciting NFL postseason of all time. Will the conference finals, help boost this in the rankings? The answer will come soon enough!
Who needs scripted drama on television? The NFL seems to have enough for everyone and think about this... this is actually REAL drama!
