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2010 NFL Week 18 Game Recaps

Seahawks 41, Saints 36

Wow. Remember when Matt Hasselbeck's pass bounced off of Ben Obomanu's hands and into the arms of a Saints defensive back, leading to a subsequent Saints touchdown that made the game 10-0? I assumed I screwed up my 3-unit Seahawks +10 pick, and was getting ready to receive loads of hate mail for it.

Despite being down by 10 on two occasions and struggling to stop Drew Brees early on, Seattle never gave up. The defense eventually made enough stops, while Matt Hasselbeck inexplicably looked like he was the same quarterback who commanded the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance five years ago.

I really can't believe how well Hasselbeck played. He looked like a shell of his former self all year, carelessly tossing multiple interceptions every week. Against the Saints, however, Hasselbeck went 22-of-35 for 272 yards, four touchdowns and a pick that wasn't his fault. He also endured several drops, as well as a poor route by Mike Williams (5-68, TD) that could have been a long score.

New Orleans' secondary just didn't have a chance. Strong safety Roman Harper was torched on numerous occasions, and the team desperately missed Malcolm Jenkins.

Hasselbeck will be a free agent in March. It now appears as though he could be retained, barring a disastrous performance in the next couple of weeks.

Hasselbeck wasn't the only offensive player to come up huge after struggling the entire season. Marshawn Lynch, who often ran sluggishly this year, bulldozed the Saints for 131 yards on 19 carries. Lynch had one touchdown, which was one of the greatest runs I've ever seen in my life; the former Bill broke eight tackles (including one nasty stiff-arm) en route to a 67-yard score.

Two more Seahawks who experienced a resurgence: John Carlson (3-17, 2 TDs) and Brandon Stokley (4-73, TD). You have to wonder where this has been all year.

As for the Saints, they're just yet another team to fail to reach the second round of the playoffs following a Super Bowl victory. The last franchise to do this was New England - back in 2004.

Don't blame Drew Brees for this shocking loss; he went 39-of-60 for 404 yards and two touchdowns. Brees was victimized by poor pass protection, a lacking running game (both Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory were out) and shaky play-calling at times; on one of the most important plays of the contest - a 4th-and-1 in their own territory down 14 at the end of the third quarter - Sean Payton opted to give Julius Jones the ball. Jones was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, bringing joy to all the Seattle fans who watched Jones waste carries for years in the Pacific Northwest.

Jets 17, Colts 16

The Jets did a lot of growing up Saturday night. Rex Ryan finally beat Peyton Manning, while Mark Sanchez orchestrated a brilliant game-winning drive, culminating with Nick Folk's decisive 32-yard field goal.

Sanchez (18-of-31, 189 yards, INT) was brutal in the first half. He was sailing his throws, missing a wide-open receiver in the end zone for a touchdown. Later on the same possession, Sanchez tossed an interception when he overthrew his target.

However, Sanchez calmed down after intermission. He was suddenly way more accurate. And on the team's final drive, he called the play himself that resulted in an 18-yard completion to Braylon Edwards, giving Folk an easy kick.

LaDainian Tomlinson looked great. He was exceptional at the beginning of the year, but appeared to wear down as the season went on. But he looked like the old LT at Indianapolis, rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Shonn Greene (19-70) was also effective.

Ryan's defense did a great job limiting Peyton Manning and his offense to 312 total yards. The Colts had just one big play, a 56-yard bomb to Pierre Garcon (5-112, TD), who beat Antonio Cromartie. Outside of that, Indianapolis moved the chains, but couldn't get into the end zone.

Manning went 18-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown. He remarkably attempted just one pass inside the red zone, which was an incompletion to Jacob Tamme. Manning simply didn't have many options at his disposal; Darrelle Revis completely erased Reggie Wayne, who caught one ball for one measly yard.

The Colts ran the ball efficiently out of shotgun draws on third-and-long, as Joseph Addai (13-60) and Dominic Rhodes (14-33) each achieved an unexpected first down in that situation. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, the team went to the well one too many times. They failed on their final attempt, forcing to settle for a field goal.

Speaking of a poor coaching decision, what was Jim Caldwell doing when he called a timeout with 29 seconds remaining in regulation amid a running clock? Instead of being forced into an unfavorable 50-yard field goal, the Jets were able to run another play - which is when Sanchez hit Edwards for 18 yards along the sideline.

Ravens 30, Chiefs 7

Ah, so this is what happens when the Chiefs play a good team at home. It's really a shame that Kansas City wasted a playoff spot; the Chargers would have been much more competitive (until Nate Kaeding's perennial choke job, that is.)

If you didn't watch this game, you might find it hard to believe that this game was in doubt for Baltimore at intermission. The score was 10-7, thanks to a late score by the Ravens. In fact, it was 7-3 for most of the first half. Baltimore had complete control of the game when Joe Flacco fumbled at midfield. A couple of plays later, Jamaal Charles broke through for a 41-yard touchdown run.

When this happened, I wrote, "Are the Chiefs really going to get another B.S. win?" Thankfully, the better team won in Arrowhead this time. I just didn't feel like watching a Round 2 blowout in Pittsburgh. The four units didn't hurt either.

Not to completely rag on the Chiefs - OK, fine, this is fun - Phil Simms said at the end of the broadcast, "The Ravens exposed some of Kansas City's flaws, but they'll take care of them this offseason."

I really don't think that's possible. The offensive line stinks, there's no No. 2 receiver and the defense has holes, but the Chiefs' greatest flaw is Matt Cassel. Cassel (9-of-18, 70 yards, 3 INTs) is not a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL. He thrived this season because of all the horrific opponents he played, but as Simms said, Baltimore finally exposed Kansas City's flaw.

Adding insult to injury, things won't be any better for Cassel next year with Charlie Weis headed to Florida.

You really have to wonder what happened to Charles (9-82, TD). He ran the ball just twice in the second half. One of those carries was the turning point of the game - down 10-7 early in the third quarter, Todd Haley opted to go for it on 4th-and-inches on Baltimore's 33. Charles was stuffed for a 4-yard loss, and didn't receive a single carry after that.

Following that botched fourth-down attempt, the Chiefs' offense had minus-23 yards of offense with three turnovers. There was nearly a fourth, but Cassel was saved by the tuck rule.

One more thing on the Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe didn't catch a single pass. It's hard to tell whether Cassel was too inept to get him the ball, or Bowe was actually hurt despite the fact that Kansas City took him off the injury report late in the week.

As for the Ravens, they'll move on to play the Steelers next week. Flacco has never beaten Ben Roethlisberger, so this would be a good time to get over that hurdle.

Flacco played great Sunday, as he improved to 4-2 in the postseason. Flacco went 25-of-34 for 265 yards and two touchdowns, breaking Baltimore single-game playoff records for yards and completions. He took some sacks early and had that aforementioned fumble - Tamba Hali was a monster - but Flacco decided to scramble often in the second half. He gained 26 yards on seven important rushes.

Flacco often targeted Todd Heap, who constantly beat rookie safety Eric Berry. Heap caught 10 balls for 108 yards, becoming the first Ravens player to ever accumulate 10 receptions in a playoff game.

Packers 21, Eagles 16

Dom Capers is a hell of a defensive coordinator. Coming into this game, the big question was how QB Dog Killer would deal with Capers' trademark blitzes behind a horrid offensive line. But the Packers seldom blitzed, especially in the first half; they sent extra pass-rushers only four times prior to intermission.

QB Dog Killer still made some nice plays, going 20-of-36 for 292 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He was plagued by several drops (mostly by Jason Avant) and his weak front line. Right tackle Winston Justice was benched in the fourth quarter after being abused by Clay Matthews. Justice somehow had three penalties in a span of just two plays.

The Eagles just looked out of rhythm all afternoon, which can't be a surprise because aside from a fluky 8-minute rally against the capsizing Giants, they haven't played well in a month. I already mentioned the offensive line and drops. QB Dog Killer made some poor clock-management decisions down the stretch. On the Eagles' final play, QB Dog Killer lobbed up an underthrown ball for Riley Cooper instead of spiking it. Green Bay corner Tramon Williams, who somehow didn't make the Pro Bowl, came up with the game-clinching interception.

And then there was David Akers... Akers, who has a long, great postseason track record, whiffed on attempts from 41 and 34 yards. The first miss was excusable; he was going against a strong wind. The second kick was an easy try that Akers can usually make in his sleep.

After the game, someone vandalized Akers' Wikipedia page, writing, "He looks at kid porn on his computer and donates all of his salary to Al Qaeda and the Taliban." Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Congrats to Aaron Rodgers, who won his first playoff game. Rodgers was outstanding, going 18-of-27 for 180 yards and three scores. Like QB Dog Killer, Rodgers was hurt by drops. There were three big ones, including a potential 60-yard touchdown by James Jones at the end of the first half.

I don't think anyone thought the Packers would rush for 138 yards in this game. Rookie James Starks was outstanding, generating 123 yards on 23 attempts. He's an explosive runner who could be the team's back of the future.

The Packers travel to Atlanta next week to avenge a last-second regular-season loss back in Week 12. No NFC six-seed has ever won the Super Bowl before, but the Packers have a great chance to buck that trend. They could be the second-best team in the NFL. At least I think so.

For more, check out my updated 2010 NFL Power Rankings, which will be posted Monday morning.

a redskins fan 11-14-2011 08:32 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.101 (total posts: 1)

grossman didnt throw "two horrendous picks" just one the other hankerson slipped on the timing route. i think grossman looked great but that could just because its comparison to the last few weeks.

KyleCleric 11-14-2011 01:05 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.43 (total posts: 1)

The Pats have looked good on D in 5 of the 6 past weeks with the Steelers game being the sole exception (not tha Pats fans got to see it with the power failure).

you're retarted 11-14-2011 12:35 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.130 (total posts: 1)

599

236

so....let me get this straight...

" this contest meant absolutely nothing to the Giants"
- if you're going with that lgic, this game meant even less to the 49ers. They had a 5 game division lead going in, the giants had a 2 game lead.

"The Giants had a chance to hold their cushion in the East and stay on course for a No. 2 seed in the playoffs"
- stay course for the #2 seed? packers: 8-0, 49ers: 7-1, Giants 6-2.....looks like they were on course for the #3 seed.

"Still, even with a big edge in time of possessions (34:37 to 25:23) and no Gore to deal with, New York found a way to let this win slip away"
- slip away.....right. They were outplayed in every aspect of the game except for the deep pass. Couldn't run, dominated on special teams, gave up 27 points to a "game manager".

stop hating. niners are legit

Emmitt's Revenege 11-14-2011 10:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.66 (total posts: 1)

"They've lost all hope of landing Andrew Luck, and if they don't be careful"

I have most proper english so I be the one to cast first stone.... Take your licks Walt

Hahahaha 11-14-2011 10:01 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.33 (total posts: 1)

170

This game meant absolutely nothing to the Giants? Are you for real? The winner of the game to move into the #2 seed in the NFC and hold the tiebreaker over the other? Holding a 2-game lead over the Cowboys in the NFC East? Yeah, none of that meant anything to the Giants. I'm not even sure why they played their starters. Why won't anyone give the 49ers their due credit? They have an 8-1 record and have only played one opponent from the NFC West.

Please explain... 11-14-2011 09:54 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.32 (total posts: 2)

146

(Editor's Note: I don't want to take anything away from the 49ers because they're playing great football right now, but this contest meant absolutely nothing to the Giants.)

Absolutely nothing? So... the Giants don't care about a first round bye and home field advantage in the 2nd Round? This was a HUGE loss for them. Instead of tied with SF for the #2 seed they are now two back and SF has the tiebreaker. They have no chance to catch them now given the 49ers easy schedule going forward.

frett barve 11-14-2011 09:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.57 (total posts: 1)

Charlie's writeups are too long and clinical! Be more concise dude!

ben hardy 11-11-2011 11:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.219 (total posts: 2)

i just worked it out, its a game of thrones reference

ben hardy 11-11-2011 10:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.219 (total posts: 2)

why do you call phillip rivers "The bastard of the Trident"?

bigtrip 11-11-2011 12:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.60 (total posts: 1)

I know the QB gets all the credit for wins and most of the blame when his team loses, but let's be fair. The Charger receivers can't get open. Gates looks to be either still hurt or washed up. And that OL is terrible. Palmer played all night and was only pressured 2 or 3 times. On those limited pressures he threw an int. and fumbled. If he would have faced the constant pressure that Rivers faced he may have turned the ball over 5 or 6 times. The game was decided by the OL's. The Raiders OL was much much better than the Chargers OL and the Raiders won.

Matt 11-11-2011 09:38 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.43 (total posts: 4)

Why do you assume that punt/pass rule will be changed? It's actually a great rule that makes perfect sense. The defender assumes the punt is happening so his mindset is going to be to just block and assault the gunner the entire way, which is what he is coached to do and should do. It's unfair if he is doing his job perfectly and a pass comes falling near him and he gets called for interference.

Basically, it's impossible for the defender to focus on the gunner and preventing him from getting downfield all the while looking back at the punter and worrying about a pass coming his way and getting flagged for interference.

@ Walt 11-11-2011 08:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx00.9 (total posts: 1)

"When a team fakes a punt and throws the ball downfield, pass interference will not be called on the two outside defenders who are actually trying to block a coverage man from getting downfield and might not even know the ball has been thrown."

Rule was added for before the 1997 season according to Wikipedia.

Strangely enough I had just read this on Wednesday. When it happened I said to my friend 'that's not pass interference because Jammer is really defending the gunner in a punt formation'

Jared - Champaign, IL 11-08-2011 01:28 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.223 (total posts: 1)

How is no one talking about the officiating in the Bears-Eagles game? I'm neither a Bears nor an Eagles fan, but Philly got screwed over time after time.

The pass interference on the throw to Knox late, the bogus roughing the passer that gave the bears a first down on the three instead of fourth down on the six. There were a few others too that just left me shaking my head. Obviously the Eagles still had opportunities they didn't take advantage of, but the refs killed them.

someone was high 11-08-2011 01:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx.174 (total posts: 1)

On Pete Carroll's post game show, the interviewer discussed Tarvaris Jackson, and stated that "we aren't used to seeing Jackson throwing interceptions like that". I nearly died laughing LOL.

larry 11-07-2011 08:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.177 (total posts: 2)

eagles -9 bc bears suk

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2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
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2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
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2011 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 5
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2011 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
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Super Bowl XLVI Live Blog - Feb. 6

2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
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2010 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 1
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Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6

2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
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2009 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 14
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2009 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 19
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2009 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 2
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2009 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
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2009 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 4
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Super Bowl XLIV Live Blog - Feb. 7

2008: Live 2008 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
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NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 15
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NFL Wild Card Playoffs Review - Jan. 4
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NFL Championship Sunday Review - Jan. 19
Super Bowl XLIII Live Blog

2007: NFL Draft: Day 1 Review Blog - April 28
Quarterback Rankings - June 25
NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 6
Chief Carl Has Lost a Step - Sept. 9
The NFL Cheated the Patriots - Sept. 16
NFL Week 3 Wrap-Up - Sept. 23
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NFL Week 12 Wrap-Up - Nov. 25
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NFL Week 14 Wrap-Up - Dec. 9
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NFL Week 17 Wrap-Up - Dec. 30
NFL Week 18 Wrap-Up - Jan. 6
NFL Week 19 Wrap-Up - Jan. 13
2008 Championship Sunday Diary - Jan. 20
Super Bowl XLII Live Blog - Feb. 3

2010 NFL Week 18 Game Recaps

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