A Postseason Full of Surprises

The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl.

I’ll let that sink in for a minute.

Ok, now on with the blogging. While Pittsburgh was expected by many (including myself) to take the AFC Championship, the Cards were written off at each and every stop, only to “shock the world,” as starting QB Kurt Warner put it.

Limping into the playoffs at 8-8 as the champions of the perenially weak NFC West, Arizona was seen as no match for the rejuvenated Atlanta Falcons and their hotshot rookie QB Matt Ryan.

Guess what? Arizona by a landslide.

The Cardinals were then pitted against the Carolina Panthers, a team with a very strong defense and running game. Certainly, a team that could handle the lowly redbirds.

Guess what? Cards to the NFC Championship.

Most football fans at this point would say that the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, written off at midseason, would complete their juggernaut comeback with a road win to cement their place as this year’s Giants. And they almost did.

But guess what? Arizona is in the Super Bowl.

It is at this point that my nonexpert analysis kicks in. It is obvious that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a superior running game, quarterback, and defense in this matchup. Big Ben Roethlisberger and magician safety Troy Polamalu are proven winners and are unlikely to succumb to the red hot (or is it that they wear hot red?) Arizona Cardinals.

I have to pick the Steelers. Every logical football-loving bone in my body says that Arizona has no chance.

But don’t be surprised to see the Lombardi Trophy making a trek through Phoenix. Now that would truly shock the world.

Super Bowl Roundup

I’ll start this off by admitting my Giants bias. I am writing this while wearing my Eli Manning authentic home jersey. That said, the Giants showed up to play, especially on defense.

The key to the game was the Giants’ defensive line getting through against a believed-to-be-impenetrable Patriots offensive line. This kept Brady uncomfortable in the pocket all game long, forcing three-and-outs and bad throws. With the Pats’ vaunted offense under control, the only thing standing between the G-Men and victory was breaking through against the number 1 defense in the NFL.

Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning put it best after the game. “David Tyree. That’s all I have to say.” Tyree, an all-pro special-teamer who saw sparse action on offense during the season, made the two biggest catches of his life in the 4th quarter. The first was a catch in the end zone to put the Giants ahead of the Patriots 10-7. The second catch quite possibly tops the first. After the Pats responded with a score of their own to go up 4 points, the Giants were poised for a Super Bowl-winning drive.

Manning miraculously broke away from a collapsing pocket, set his feet, and heaved the ball downfield towards Tyree. He leaped and caught the ball, needing to make use of his helmet to keep the ball in his possession. It is the image of Tyree hanging on to the ball for dear life, not letting go, that will stick in the minds of Patriots fans.

Photo courtesy of NFL.com

Manning followed up with a floater into the hands of Plaxico Burress to take the lead for good, 17-14. 17 years since their last title. 17 points. The winning touchdown, a pass to number 17.

On the other sideline, the Patriots are left to think about what could have been. Both teams had their opportunities to take charge. The Patriots had the ball in the hands of their golden boy, Mr. America, Tom Brady. They just couldn’t finish off their perfect season. The amazing season they had shouldn’t be forgotten, however. They set records that will not soon be broken. Just going to the Super Bowl 18-0 was a record mark in itself. But, as they say in all sports, it don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that ring.