The NFL Fieldhouse: 2014 Divisional Round Roundup

(Note: Apologies to those expecting a post on Tuesday; real life circumstances prevented me from updating as planned. Hopefully from this point forward I’ll be able to resume my regular schedule.)

This divisional weekend certainly did not disappoint when it comes to drama.  From a big road victory by San Francsico to a dramatic comeback attempt in Denver, this weekend never lacked for interesting subplots and storylines.  Let’s take a look back at how it all went down, shall we?

SATURDAY

New Orleans Saints 15, Seattle Seahawks 23

There were a lot of people saying that this was a “trap game”, that the Seahawks really aren’t invincible at home and therefore the Saints would be almost guaranteed to win. To those people I have this to say: do you even logic.  The Seahawks have probably the best home-field advantage in the NFL, and a team like the Saints that is dismal on the road really just can’t hope to hold a candle to it.  Credit where it’s due: the Saints were able to keep it relatively close.  Then again, that’s not saying much when you take into account how unspectacular this Seahawks offense is.  Regardless, a big win for Seattle, who now advances to the NFC Championship for the first time since their Super Bowl run in 2005.

My Pick: Seahawks (✓)

Indianapolis Colts 22, New England 43

It’s not as though this was ever in doubt. With Tom Brady and company, the Patriots had the game well under wraps from the start, and the outcome was never in doubt. The Patriots are a team that is built to win, and it showed on Saturday. I think it’s safe to say that they’ll make a pretty serious bid for the AFC Championship.  As for the Colts, it was a valiant effort, but in this case, you could say that Luck just wasn’t enough. (Okay, I’m sorry. I had to.)

My Pick: Patriots (✓)

SUNDAY

San Francisco 49ers 23, Carolina Panthers 10

This was a game that was painful to watch.  Carolina had the game well in hand until the end of the first half, when Colin Kaepernick threw a very well-timed pass to Vernon Davis in the end zone to put the Niners up 14-10 going into halftime.  San Fran never looked back, and now they’ll face a familiar foe in division rival Seattle for the right to go to the Super Bowl.  Meanwhile, it was a tough break for the Panthers, who had not been to the postseason since 2008; there’s a lot of hope for the future, though.

My Pick: Panthers (☓)

San Diego Chargers 17, Denver Broncos 24

With Peyton Manning in top form, it seemed as though the Broncos would be nearly guaranteed to advance.  Philip Rivers and the Chargers certainly didn’t make it easy for them, though.  San Diego rallied, but ultimately it was Peyton’s day, as the Broncos averted another epic first-game collapse to set up Manning-Brady XV in the AFC Championship.  It wasn’t a massively stellar night for Manning–then again, any other QB would be more than happy with 230 yards and two touchdowns–but it was enough to keep San Diego at bay.  Denver will now take on the Patriots to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

My Pick: Broncos (✓)

That’s it for this post. Stay tuned for a look at Championship Weekend!