Pins and Needles

If there is one thing the NFL wanted Sunday was down to the wire playoff berths on the line and the NFL could not ask any more than what was delivered.  Pittsburgh after starting 0-4 was as good as anybody the last 12 games of the season finishing 8-8.  They watched the scoreboard needing Miami and Baltimore to lose while they had to win and they got it.  All they need now is Kansas City resting 19 starters to beat San Diego in San Diego. San Diego teased Pitt by  falling down 14-0 and down 24-14 heading into the 4th quarter. They even let KC try  a field goal on the last play of the game which looked good for 36 of the 41 yards it traveled to win the game. Philip Rivers engineered a 10 minute over time drive to break Steeler's fans hearts.

Green Bay and Chicago went back and forth in the second half before the Packers pull out a 33-28 win  and a playoff spot.  Both Aaron Rogers and Jay Cutler put on a show.  San Fran dominated Arizona for most of the game but it took a field goal in overtime to win.

Even while recovering from back surgery Tony Romo's ghost was present in Dallas.  Playing a great game for Dallas Kyle Orton pulled a Romo when the game was on the line in throwing a int with less than two minutes to play and Dallas only needing a field goal to win.  Once again Jerry Jones  has more TV time than players on the field and losses for the fourth straight time in win and get in and lose and go home.

Down in Atlanta the Carolina defense scored just enough points to  give the Panthers a week off and try to get Steve Smith back by then.  Winning hides many flaws and Cam Newton has really not been great during the last 12 weeks but he has been great at just the right moments.

I wonder as much as the NFL wants ratings why the New England Buffalo game got national coverage while the compelling AFC late game was KC-SD.  As easy as it is to go from game to game the National game should have been switched.  To me the next two weeks when there is two national TV playoff games on Saturday and Sunday this I s the best part of the playoffs even better than the Super Bowl.

Saturday Kansas City plays the 4:30 game at Indianapolis. The prime time game Saturday night is New Orleans at Philadelphia.

The 1pm game Sunday sends San Diego to Cincinnati and the 4:30 game has San Fransico at Green Bay.  Let's get it on.