4 Takeaways From This Weekend's Games

1. Quarterbacks Rule


·         3 of the 4 teams remaining have signal-callers who have won Super Bowls in the past – young Andrew Luck is the only one who hasn’t.

·         Tom Brady has the most playoff starts of any QB in league history. Peyton Manning has the most playoff losses in league history.

·         Russell Wilson is 26-2 at home in his career, meaning he wins at home 93% of the time.

 

 

2. Veterans Who’ve Been There Before, Do It Again

·         Julius Peppers saved a touchdown AND forced a turnover against Dallas: Watch here.

·         Tom Brady ran four long yards for a key touchdown on a third-and-goal: Watch here. 

·         Owen Daniels catches a huge touchdown pass from Joe Flacco: Watch here.

 

3. The Fourth-Down Play with Dez Bryant Was The Correct Call

It sucks, but it’s true. Dez seemed to have possession of the football and stretched out to try to cross the plane for six points. If he wanted to, I’m sure he could’ve secured the ball by turning and landing on his back, but then he would not have been able to score as he would have been short of the goal line. It’s a ridiculous rule that cost Dez an amazing reception, but in the NFL, refs make calls based on precedent rulings.

In this particular instance, a rule known as “The Calvin Johnson Rule” took effect. Here is where that rule stems from. It’s controversial, but based on that call, oddly made by the same referee, it is the right one.

 

4. Home Sweet Home

 

·         The Packers, who are 9-0 at home this season, warded off the Cowboys, who were 8-0 on the road during the regular season.

·         The Seahawks and Patriots are 8-1 at home this season.

·         The Broncos were 8-0 at home this season before Indy turned their entire organization upside-down. Anything can happen in the playoffs.

 

 
Championship Game Predictions:

The Packers, Seahawks, and Patriots are 3 of the 4 teams I said have a real shot at winning the Super Bowl in my last post, and here they are in the Final Four.

AFC: I will stand by New England this weekend. I don’t imagine the game will be too close either. The Colts don’t have a good rushing attack, and their receivers will struggle against the Patriots outstanding secondary. The Pats will put up too many points for Andrew Luck and company to keep up with. New England wins 38-17.

NFC: Man, this is going to be like the best game. Ever. I think the Seahawks will win because they are at home, but the Packers are great and have a solid chance to win. I believe the winner of this game beats New England in the Super Bowl.

Adrian Peterson's Potential Return

The Minnesota Vikings need Adrian Peterson back - and they need him now.

After winning two straight games, they are 4-5 and very much alive in the playoff hunt. Minnesota has two huge showdowns against the Bears and Packers coming up, and the team still has four divisional contests to play in its final seven games.

The story of Adrian Peterson's 2014 campaign may just be beginning to unfold. 

AP has the opportunity to take the Vikings to the postseason and remind everyone that he – and not DeMarco Murray – is the best running back in the NFL. He has done it before in years past and he can do it again. Just two years ago he was the league MVP, falling just short of Eric Dickerson’s legendary rushing record.

This is one of the premier players in the league we’re talking about. While his absence has been discussed in the media, it is more about the situation involving him and not how it has impacted the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson has done so much for Minnesota and that cannot be forgotten. He has toted the rock over 2,000 times and scored over 85 touchdowns in his outstanding career. It has never been about him; it has always been about the team. He is one of the greatest Vikings ever and the team badly needs him on the field.  

Adrian Peterson is the third-fastest player to ever reach 10,000 yards rushing.

The NFLPA is demanding his reinstatement, and the Vikings said this today: "In regards to Adrian Peterson's status with the Minnesota Vikings, at this time his potential reinstatement is under NFL guidelines. As an organization, we respect and understand the league's process. In the interim, our focus is on the team and preparing for this weekend's game against the Bears."

We all know the Vikings had to say that, given the recent destruction of the images of the Ravens and the NFL in dealing with Ray Rice's off-the-field issues. And we all know the players and coaches want to see him back. We all want to see him back. We are probably about to.