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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.

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    dirty sanchez 01-13-2013 02:04 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.20 (total posts: 1)
    13     6

    Walt is a b1tch. I'm sorry but it has to be said.
    Replacement Ref 01-13-2013 10:25 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.10 (total posts: 3)
    2     11

    So the only call that was terribly wrong was the pick 6. Not only are u wrong but also that means the ravens were given 7 points in an overtime game. The game has to be tied to go into overtime those 7 points were important to the outcome. You just contradicted yourself with a statement like that. Let me say the Ravens actually did play a good game but only after the refs let them stay in the game and hang around.
    Shawn 01-13-2013 10:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1)
    4     2

    Walt, thank you for admitting the Ravens did some good things. I expected you to just complain about the refereeing. The only call I thought was unquestionably wrong was the no-call on pass interference on the pick-six. Everything else was at least debatable, with most but not all of those going to the Ravens.

    Anyone who wants to say the Ravens didn't earn that win is full of it, though.
    Replacement Ref 01-13-2013 09:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.10 (total posts: 3)
    3     11

    Forgot to mention Anquan Boldin looked like he dropped a ball on 3rd down in OT. The ref reviewed it and the play stood. Everybody in my room thought it was a drop. The announcer thought it was a drop. I thought he had the ball knocked out then he pinned the ball against the ground with his chest. But who am I, I'm not a highly paid ref paid a bunch of money to suck. That was a big call cuz it flipped field position.
    Replacement Ref 01-13-2013 09:46 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.10 (total posts: 3)
    2     170

    Wow! Everybody here is blinded. If the replacement refs were still in charge everybody would be talking about how the refs ruined the broncos vs. ravens game. It's been like this all year with the real refs. I'm a Dolphins fan and that game was one sided officiated for the ravens. The broncos did lose it with terrible coverage at the end and a terrinle Peyton pick. But the PIs called and not called were all wrong every single one. The tuck rule was just banished for a single play. Then the 10 minute pow-wow by the refs calling 2 illegal hands to the face when one was wrong but the other one on the CB was right. Then there was a called fumble on that play that wasn't a fumble cuz manning knee went down 1st. But the ref said 5 yards from the end of the run cuz of the fumble instead of reviewing the fumble and giving them 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. If game was called correctly in the beginning I think Denver could have had a 21-0 lead at most or at least 10-0 or 13-0. Get new refs
    Truth 01-13-2013 07:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx2.27 (total posts: 2)
    172     40

    Walter, picking the game wrong is OK. It happens.

    Stop crying about the officials in literally every single game you lose, though. While everyone can agree the officiating in that game was poor, they blew several calls both ways, and the Broncos benefited from many themselves.

    Just because you have money on a team doesn't mean that every call that goes against them is a crappy one.
    By the way 01-13-2013 04:29 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.20 (total posts: 6)
    373     115

    I am over this site.

    -The clear bias against teams clouds the line picking and even the reviews now.

    -The childish names like QB Eagles 7 ruin credibility.

    -The jokes are old and stale. I never read any of them this year, but I could always predict last years jokes. Like the pretend conversations with Herm Edwards that would be posted in caps and end with him saying "uhhhhh". EVERY WEEK. Seriously?

    -Finally, the picks just aren't that good
    Sorry 01-13-2013 04:21 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.20 (total posts: 6)
    3     3

    That previous post was directed AT mike13531
    mike13531 01-13-2013 04:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.20 (total posts: 6)
    8     3

    I've been saying this all year too. They played 3 good teams this year, and crapped the bed on all 3 games. Yes they beat the Ravens in regular season, but the Ravens were at their worst all season in that game with injuries to Lewis, Suggs, Webb, Pollard and an OC who had never called a play going into the game.

    People overhyped this team based on the stats they racked up (especially on defense), but think about the QBs and o lines they got to face... Quinn, Cassel, Palmer x2, Rivers and the NFLs worst o-line x2, Freeman, Weeden to name a few.
    mike13531 01-13-2013 02:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx.220 (total posts: 1)
    11     5

    Ive been telling everyone i know denver is overrated and no one believed me. Manning is no mvp he's nowhere close to where he used to be. Accept the fact that teams who beat oakland and kc all year long means absolutely fking nothing.
    Good night denver fkers. Time to go home.
    Rayvens 01-13-2013 02:30 am xxx.xxx.xxx.240 (total posts: 1)
    131     67

    LOL, walter picked the game wrong, so they cry about the refs, give me a break. This website blows.
    K-money 01-13-2013 02:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.18 (total posts: 2)
    60     140

    You know Crabtree's legit now that Walt isn't calling him Lobsterbush
    Chris 01-13-2013 01:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx.141 (total posts: 2)
    11     4

    Oh any by the way, if you want to talk about crappy calls, let's talk about Cary Williams' "Holding" penalty that led to the Broncos' final TD...a hand on the shoulder to know where the WR is while looking at the ball is legal...
    Chris 01-13-2013 01:41 am xxx.xxx.xxx.141 (total posts: 2)
    11     3

    @Ravens Hate - It's been like this for years. I don't get it either.

    @Walt - Manning was not "So great throughout". He didn't stretch the field at all, I have no idea what you were watching.

    And as for Baily being so great all year - a) Did you forget how easy of a schedule they had all year? It's not like OAK, SD, or KC have any elite passing games.
    b) who cares about his stats during the regular season? He got exposed when it mattered most. Why? Because he's old and not that good anymore.

    You can go ahead and claim you had the right side because of bs excuses, but the fact is you are bias. If you weren't, you would have cited and applied the trend in the HOU/NE game to the Ravens.
    Mike 01-13-2013 01:12 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.28 (total posts: 1)
    24     3

    Dude seriously? "Circadian rhythms set in, and many Packer bodies shut down just after halftime. I don't think Green Bay would have won either way, but it turned into a blowout because of the NFL's irresponsible scheduling. "

    You're blaming it on the TIME SLOT?? I know you are deep on the Packer's ball sack, but this is ridiculous. They were blown out, don't make excuses. Body clocks are not an impact in a professional sport.



    2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 21


    2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


    Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


    2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3


    NFL Picks - Feb. 3








    2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
    2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
    2012 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 17
    2012 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
    2012 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 1
    2012 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 8
    2012 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 15
    2012 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 22
    2012 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 29
    2012 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 5
    2012 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 12
    2012 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 19
    2012 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 26
    2012 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 3
    2012 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 10
    2012 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 17
    2012 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 24
    2012 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 31
    2012 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 7
    2012 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 14
    2012 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 21
    Super Bowl XLVII Recap - Feb. 4
    Super Bowl XLVII Live Blog - Feb. 4


    2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
    2011 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
    2011 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
    2011 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
    2011 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 3
    2011 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 10
    2011 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 17
    2011 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 24
    2011 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 31
    2011 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 7
    2011 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 14
    2011 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 21
    2011 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 28
    2011 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 5
    2011 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 12
    2011 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 19
    2011 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 26
    2011 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
    2011 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 9
    2011 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 16
    2011 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 23
    Super Bowl XLVI Live Blog - Feb. 6


    2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
    2010 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 8
    2010 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 9
    2010 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 13
    2010 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 20
    2010 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 27
    2010 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 4
    2010 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 11
    2010 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 18
    2010 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 25
    2010 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 1
    2010 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 8
    2010 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 15
    2010 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 22
    2010 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 29
    2010 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
    2010 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
    2010 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
    2010 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
    2010 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 3
    2010 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 10
    2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 17
    2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 24
    Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6


    2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
    2009 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 10
    2009 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 10
    2009 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 14
    2009 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 21
    2009 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 28
    2009 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 5
    2009 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 12
    2009 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 19
    2009 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 26
    2009 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 2
    2009 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 9
    2009 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 16
    2009 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 23
    2009 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 30
    2009 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
    2009 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
    2009 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
    2009 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
    2009 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 4
    2009 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 11
    2009 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 18
    2009 NFL Week 20 Review - Jan. 25
    Super Bowl XLIV Live Blog - Feb. 7


    2008: Live 2008 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
    2008 NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 4
    NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 8
    NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 15
    NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 22
    NFL Week 4 Review - Sept. 29
    NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 6
    NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 13
    NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 20
    NFL Week 8 Review - Oct. 27
    NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 3
    NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 10
    NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 17
    NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 24
    NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 1
    NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 8
    NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 15
    NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 22
    NFL Week 17 Review - Dec. 29
    NFL Wild Card Playoffs Review - Jan. 4
    NFL Divisional Playoffs Review - Jan. 11
    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
    NFL Week 4 Wrap-Up - Sept. 30
    NFL Week 5 Wrap-Up - Oct. 7
    NFL Week 6 Wrap-Up - Oct. 14
    NFL Week 7 Wrap-Up - Oct. 21
    NFL Week 8 Wrap-Up - Oct. 28
    NFL Week 9 Wrap-Up - Nov. 4
    NFL Week 10 Wrap-Up - Nov. 11
    NFL Week 11 Wrap-Up - Nov. 18
    NFL Week 12 Wrap-Up - Nov. 25
    NFL Week 13 Wrap-Up - Dec. 2
    NFL Week 14 Wrap-Up - Dec. 9
    NFL Week 15 Wrap-Up - Dec. 16
    NFL Week 16 Wrap-Up - Dec. 23
    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


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