The Maxwell Football Club Honors The Best Professional Football Player With The 51st Annual Bert Bell Award
This year's winner is quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints
Here are some updates on the NFL's top performances from Wild Card Weekend and a look ahead at this week's Divisional Playoff Round.
Who's Hot:
High Desert Drama. 51-45, no not the score of a high school or college basketball game, but the result of the Arizona Cardinals defeating the Green Bay Packers in overtime of a NFC wild card game for the ages. The combined 96 points and 1,024 total net yards are both NFL post season records. Kurt Warner, who is contemplating retirement after the season, completed 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. A triumvirate of receivers had outstanding performances for the Cardinals. Early Doucet had six receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns, Larry Fitzgerald hauled in six passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns and Steve Breaston caught seven passes for 125 yards and a score. Green Bay was no less prolific through the air. The Packers' Aaron Rodgers connected on 28 of 42 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Jermichael Finley caught six passes for 159 yards, while receiver Greg Jennings latched on to eight throws for 130 yards and a one handed touchdown catch that is bound for postseason highlight films for the next ten years. Ironically, the end of the game came as a result of the defense when Cardinals defensive back Michael Adams stripped Rodgers of the ball. The pigskin caromed off Rodgers' foot and into the waiting arms of linebacker Karlos Dansby who ran 17 yards into the end zone before being mobbed by his teammates.
It was 'Rice' from the start. Ray Rice ran for 159 yards on 22 carries in Baltimore's 33-14 route of New England. On the Raven's first snap, Rice slipped through a crease in the middle of the offensive line and only finished running in the end zone 83 yards later. The Baltimore run game never slowed down and had little trouble controlling the clock or the Patriots usually high powered offense. Baltimore rushed 52 times for 234 yards, but perhaps the more telling statistic is that Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco only completed four of ten passes and the first catch by a Raven's receiver came at 14:07 left in the fourth quarter. New England had not lost a home playoff game since they were defeated by the Houston Oilers in 1978; however that did not prevent the Patriots from hearing a cascade of boos throughout most of the game.
Felix is one fast cat for them 'boys'. They hadn't won a postseason game since 1996, but the Dallas Cowboys finally got over the hump with a 34-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Running back Felix Jones carried the ball 16 times for 148 yards including an electrifying 73-yard touchdown in which he turned around Philly cornerback Joselio Hanson on a cutback to score. On defense, Dallas has grown into a dominant unit. DeMarcus Ware had two sacks while the secondary, led by cornerback Mike Jenkins, yielded a 76-yard touchdown catch by the Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, but little else against a generally potent passing attack.
Greene means go for the Jets. The New York Jets are advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs largely due to the play of a rookie. No, not the much hyped Mark Sanchez (although he played quite well), but Shonn Greene who punished the Cincinnati Bengals for 135 yards and a touchdown in New York's 24-14 dash down the left sideline that erased an early Bengals' lead. Sanchez completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals' Cedric Benson carried his team on his back with 169 yards but two missed field goals by kicker Shayne Graham ended any hopes of a Bengals' comeback.
Match-up of this Week:
Arizona (11-6) at New Orleans (13-3). Does Arizona have anything left after last week's marathon and how will they play away from the confines of home? The Cardinals did lose two road games late in the year (Tennessee and San Francisco). Against the Pack, the Cardinals attacked the middle of the field repeatedly with their talented receivers (and Anquan Boldin may return from injury to give the team another target), but will they have the same success against the Saints' secondary, especially free safety Darren Sharper (nine interceptions)? Bert Bell Award winner Drew Brees will attempt to win his first playoff game and should be primed to succeed against a Cardinals defense that allowed 493 total yards against Green Bay. One concern for the Saints is that in the last three games they have averaged only 14.7 points per game (Brees did not play in the last game to rest for the playoffs). Prior to that, the team averaged 35.8 points per contest.
Keep an eye on:
Baltimore (10-7) at Indianapolis (14-2). With the Colts ability to strike quickly, it seems doubtful that the Ravens will be able to keep up if they decide to run the football over 50 times again. Quarterback Joe Flacco has a reported hip/quadriceps injury, but he'll probably have to throw the ball more than a few times in this game if Baltimore expects to have a chance. Ray Lewis (13 tackles and a sack) played one of his best games against the Patriots and will need another one to slow down Peyton Manning. It seems silly to question a team with only two losses, but many people have criticized Indianapolis' decision to pull their starters with a slim lead against the Jets in the penultimate game of the regular season. The decision cost the team a perfect season, but the team maintains that a Super Bowl championship is its only real goal.
The Maxwell Football Club has honored excellence at all levels of football since 1935 and the Club's outreach programs provide educational opportunities for student-athletes and coaches. With members in over 40 states the Maxwell Football Club is one of the largest football organizations in America. Become a member by visiting our web site www.maxwellfootballclub.org or by calling 610-277-8900.
For more information about the Maxwell Football Club's awards programs please contact Mark Wolpert at mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org. |
