Odds and Endzones: Wild Card Weekend

TEBOOOOOW!!! Wow! How fun was that?! The Steelers had a great drive in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but I had to wonder how they felt when they were facing overtime versus Tim Tebow.

One of Tebow’s favorite Bible verses is John 3:16. As a Gator, he would sometimes display the chapter and verse in his eyeblack. On Sunday, Tebow threw for 316 yards, averaging 31.6 yards per game. CBS liked the number, too, as 31.6 million people tuned in to see the end of the game. Roethlisberger, heathen that I’m sure he is, probably doesn’t like the number: he threw the sole interception of the game on a 3rd-and-16 play. AAHHHH!

And in the seventh week, God started Tim Tebow...

Okay, okay, as much fun as Tebowmania is, the Broncos had a lot of help. Roethlisberger was playing with an ankle injury that would have kept most players out for weeks. The Steelers were without their starting running back, as well as their starting center. Starting safety Ryan Clark was out because of a health condition. As powerful a force as their front seven is, I’ve always thought Pittsburgh’s secondary is a very weak unit disguised by Troy Polamalu’s exceptional play. But with Polamalu playing like a ghost of his former self, the Broncos were able to take advantage of the bruised and battered Steelers.

Where ya been, Troy?

I am not a fan of the playoff overtime rules. If it’s important enough to change the rules for the playoffs, why not for the regular season, too? I have a huge problem with having different rules for different times of the year.

If you’re wondering what he was thinking putting on that hat, here’s a breakdown:

I wonder if these 2 even broke a sweat.

Arian Foster is incredible on this touchdown run! He absolutely destroys Cincinnati's Chris Crocker, easily throwing him to the ground! With his left arm! While staying inbounds!

Atlanta: that was absolutely pathetic. We all kinda knew you were playoff frauds, but not to that extent. I mean, it’s the playoffs! Win or go home! One chance! And all you can muster is an accidental two points?!? Come ON!

That's right, hide your face in shame!

And I like the aggressiveness of going for it on fourth-and-inches, but not in an away game; not in a playoff game; not in a game that‘s shaping up to be a defensive battle. Take the points! And honestly, Mike Smith, how many of those fourth-and-short plays does your team have to lose before you decide to take the field goal??

AND, Mike Smith, if you are going to keep going for it on fourth-and-short, maybe mix up the play calls a bit? Maybe put in your beast of a running back instead of having him sit on the sidelines and forcing Matt Ryan to try to gain yardage when the entire defense knows exactly what is about to happen? Maybe?

No, he's not crying. He always looks like that.

And poor Tony Gonzalez! The 15-year-veteran - and probably the best tight end to ever play - is still without a playoff win.

I would love to see New Orleans’ unstoppable-force offense meet the Giants’ suddenly immovable-object defense. But alas, the Giants will not be playing any more after next Sunday.

Matt Prater may have more of a divine touch than Tebow. The man who can kick 70-yard field goals started off the game kicking the ball so far that it hit the crossbar. That’s a touchback, so place the ball on the 20-yard line. Oh, wait, no need to: the ball bounced off the crossbar and stopped exactly at the 20-yard line.

Is anyone else curious as to how Josh McDaniels is allowed to join the Patriots’ coaching staff before the season is over???

Hey, Josh, how many friends do you have?

A lot of questions surround Green Bay’s upcoming game with the Giants, but I think the biggest one is: what will happen to Tom Coughlin’s face this time?

It was very cold...

Odds and Endzones