Photo Credit: USATSI
Its NFL playoffs time again! We are down to twelve teams fighting for the Lombardi trophy once again. We already said goodbye to two teams yesterday. Today, two more teams will be sent home packing to watch the playoffs with the rest of us. The first game pits two of the most talented yet enigmatic teams against once another.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have been in the playoffs the past few seasons, but have yet to advance. The last Bengals playoff win featured Boomer Esiason under center. Cincinnati has all the talent needed to make a deep playoff run, but it was announced they will be without one of their top talents, AJ Green. Green suffered a concussion during last week’s game and has been ruled out. The Bengals offense will lose its top offensive weapon, and it will take some leadership from quarterback Andy Dalton to keep this team’s confidence up. The Bengals defense will also have to get their confidence as they face one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, Andrew Luck.
The Colts have relied on Luck’s arm and it has taken them quite far, but if they want to make a serious playoff run they will need a lot more than that. They will need their offensive line to protect and running back Trent Richardson to be able to hit the holes to keep this offense balanced. They will have their veteran receiver Reggie Wayne out there at what he calls “100 percent” which will help free up receiver TY Hilton. Their defense, without their best pass rusher all season Robert Mathis, will have to focus on throwing Dalton’s timing off and into rushed decisions.
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
These two teams are very similar in that they have talented offenses, talented defenses, but always seem to get in their own way of making a playoff run. Well, for one of these teams, their playoff hopes will continue while the other has to figure out what else is wrong. The Dallas Cowboys had become notorious for being an incredibly good team, but failing miserably in crunch time. This year, however, things have been different. It is no longer up to quarterback Tony Romo to put the team on his back which has cut down on those brutal interceptions. He has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and the best running back this season lining up next to him in DeMarco Murray. Their offense has been able to mask their flaws on defense especially in the secondary.
The Lions have the best receiver in the game and a quarterback who loves to sling it to him. Now, they have a formidable running game and number two receiver to compliment the exceptional talent of Calvin Johnson. The last time these two teams met, Johnson had 329 yards. Detroit got some good news this week after it was announced that defensive end Ndamukong Suh’s suspension was lifted for today’s game. Unfortunately, that is definitely not good news for Romo or Murray as Suh will be playing with a vengeance today.
