Playoff preview: Rushing is past tense in pass-intense postseason
You can almost hear the old men grumbling the adage in their crusty, salty voices: Playoff football is about running the ball and playing good defense.
Coach-speak ball is what I call that, and those old-timers and coaches couldn't be more wrong.
The upcoming playoffs will be about throwing it and quarterback play. Look at the 12 teams. Only one, the New York Jets with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, does not have a passer capable of putting his team on his back and winning.
The quarterbacks of the 12 teams are a who's-who of the position. There are four sure-bet Hall of Fame passers: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Kurt Warner and Brett Favre. There are rising stars like Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees.
Get the lights ready on those scoreboards. They'll be changing like the pumps at the gas station.
To those who say you need to run it to win, here's a stat that begs to differ: Of the top 10 passing teams in the league, eight made the playoffs. By contrast, five of the top 10 rushing teams are in the playoffs. The Cowboys and Saints are among the best in both categories.
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If you had to pick the weakest team in the playoff field, it would probably the Jets. They happened to lead the league in rushing, but struggled throwing it with Sanchez.
It's clear what wins in the NFL now. So as we ready for this season's playoffs, think passing, passing and more passing.
First one to 35 in some of these games might win.
I can't wait.
Here's a look at all 12 of the playoff teams:
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| Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning. (US Presswire) |
AFC: Indianapolis Colts
The skinny: They limped into the playoffs by not playing starters in the last two games, but that's fine. Those games didn't matter. The next one will. You can bet Manning and that passing game will be cranked up and ready to go. You don't get to 14-0 without being a great football team. The key will be jumping out to leads and turning their fast defense loose.
Team strength: The passing game with Manning. No matter who plays wide receiver, Manning can make big plays. The Colts were second in the NFL in passing yards per game.
Area of concern: Third-down defense against the pass. Teams hit on 46 percent of their third-down passes, which tied the Colts for last in the league with Jacksonville. Indianapolis has to be better than that.
Player on the spot: Manning. Isn't it always that way when the Colts go in as the top seed?
Unsung player to watch: OLB Clint Session. He has a knack for making the big play. He had a Pro Bowl-like season.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they play with the lead. They have to dictate tempo. That means scoring early and often and turning their pass rushers loose.
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| TE Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers. (Getty Images) |
San Diego Chargers
The skinny: They won 11 consecutive games to finish the season and enter as the hottest team in the league. Their passing game is as good as any, with Rivers developing into a big-play star. The key will be the continued improvement of the defense.
Team strength: Throwing the deep ball. The Chargers had 67 passing plays of 20 yards or more, which led the league. Rivers and those receivers can be lethal.
Area of concern: Teams ran for 4.5 per carry against the Chargers. That's way too high and ties for the worst among the playoff teams.
Player on the spot: Rivers. Despite having a great season, he has to show he can win the big game.
Unsung player to watch: NT Ian Scott. They picked him up off the scrap heap to take over when Jamal Williams went down. His play in the middle is of big importance in their 3-4 scheme -- and he is big in terms of stopping the run.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... the defense can play at a high level. They've really come on lately, and that has to carry over.
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| Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer. (Getty Images) |
Cincinnati Bengals
The skinny: This is a talented team that can run it, play good defense and throw with Carson Palmer. Three weeks ago, they went to San Diego and almost beat the Chargers. That says a lot. They need to throw it better in the playoffs than they did in the regular season. Let Palmer go some.
Team strength: That defense. Despite some key injuries, and dealing with the death of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife, it finished fourth in total defense.
Area of concern: The passing game hasn't been as effective as in years past. But it also hasn't been needed much with the way they've run it. Can they throw it when they need to?
Player on the spot: Palmer. He has to play big in the playoffs. This is a passing league, and he will need to show he's one of the top guys.
Unsung player to watch: DE Jonathan Fanene. When they lost Antwan Odom early, Fanene stepped in as a starter and played well. He is a relentless player who also has decent speed off the edge.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... Palmer and Chad Ochocinco can light up a defense when needed. The Bengals can play good defense and they can run it, but it will be the passing game that dictates how far they go.
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| Tom Brady and wideout Randy Moss. (Getty Images) |
New England Patriots
The skinny: This is another explosive offense, even without Wes Welker, who is out with a knee injury. Randy Moss can stretch the field, but it's up to players like Julian Edelman to come through without Welker. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have three rings, so you know they will be playoff ready.
Team strength: Brady throwing to Moss and whoever. They seemed to hit their stride late in the season.
Area of concern: Pass rush. They've traditionally been very good in this area, but not this season. They had just 31 sacks. They have to be better in the playoffs.
Player on the spot: Moss. All eyes will be on him to see if he has any meltdowns or if he's back to being a team player again. What happens when things don't go his way?
Unsung player to watch: OLB Tully Banta-Cain. He led the team in sacks with 10, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many who know much about him. He's back for a second term with the team and he has played well.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they don't miss Welker and they play better on defense. They've been hit a lot by the big play.
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| Receiver Derrick Mason and Joe Flacco. (US Presswire) |
Baltimore Ravens
The skinny: The Ravens didn't get in until the final week, but that doesn't meant they don't have talent. This team is capable of turning it up in the postseason. We've seen that before. The key will be how well they can move the football, especially through the air. This is the second playoffs for Joe Flacco, and it will be interesting to see how much more comfortable he is this time.
Team strength: It's tough to run on the Ravens. They limited opposing rushers to 3.5 per rush, which was best in the NFL.
Area of concern: The pass rush has been a strong point for this team for a long time, but they had only 32 sacks this season. That number was down because Terrell Suggs missed time with injuries. He's back now, which is a big plus.
Player on the spot: Ray Rice. He is the player who makes this offense go. They have to run it and use him in the passing game.
Unsung player to watch: Nose tackle Kelly Gregg has one of the worst bodies in football. But he is key to what the Ravens do. He is a powerful player who holds up against the run. He's had a great season.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... Flacco plays at a high level and the corners hold up when put in man coverage.
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| Braylon Edwards and Mark Sanchez. (US Presswire) |
New York Jets
The skinny: Some will say this team backed into the playoffs. But it's hard to say that when they have the top-ranked defense and also led the NFL in rushing. Rex Ryan's team will get after you. They play a physical style of football. The Colts and Bengals helped get the Jets in by easing up, but they don't need to apologize for that.
Team strength: The defense was best in terms of scoring and yards. The Jets gave up 14.8 points per game.
Area of concern: The passing game. With Sanchez starting, the passing hasn't clicked. The Jets were 31st in the league in passing, but some of that is due to leading the league in rushing. One has to wonder if they can turn it on if they have to do so.
Player on the spot: Sanchez. It's his first playoffs, so you know the spotlight will be on him. He had some dreadful games with major mistakes. He has to avoid that.
Unsung player to watch: Nose tackle Sione Pouha took over when Kris Jenkins went down early in the season and has played at a high level. He is a big reason the Jets had success against the run.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they create a bunch of turnovers on defense that lead to scores. I'm not sure their offense has enough big-play potential to win games.
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| Marques Colston and QB Drew Brees. (Getty Images) |
NFC: New Orleans Saints
The skinny: The Saints raced out to the 13-0 record, but limped in with three consecutive losses to close the season -- and it could have been five. They have issues on defense. The offense with Drew Brees might be asked to outscore everyone in its path. It's capable, but can they get to 35 every week in the playoffs?
Team strength: Brees and that up-tempo offense. They keep the pressure on the defense from start to finish. They led the NFL in total offense and scoring.
Area of concern: The run defense. It finished 21st in the league and they had problems in that area down the stretch. Teams averaged 4.5 yards per rush against them, tying the Chargers and Cardinals for worst in the playoffs.
Player on the spot: LT Jermon Bushrod. He has some struggles in pass protection down the stretch. He has to keep Brees clean.
Unsung player to watch: DT Sedrick Ellis. When he's in the game, they're a significantly better defense. He's a good run player and he can provide some pressure inside.
Will go to the Super Bowl if ... their defense plays like it did early in the season and Brees can get them to 30 points in every game.
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| Wideout Sidney Rice and Brett Favre. (Getty Images) |
Minnesota Vikings
The skinny: The Vikings seemed to be on cruise control for much of the season, but stumbled down the stretch some. Favre looked his age at times and there was the I'm-not-coming-out-of-the-game controversy. Was Favre wearing down? The playoffs will tell us more. The defense finished sixth overall, but it had some struggles late as well.
Team strength: Their pass rush led the NFL with 46 sacks. It is has Jared Allen on one end, but Ray Edwards on the other is a heck of a pass rusher as well.
Area of concern: It's strange to say that with this team, but it's the offensive line. There is a lot of talent, but that group struggled down the stretch.
Player on the spot: Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. He's a rookie who stepped in December for the injured E.J. Henderson. He's good against the run, but he needs to play the pass better.
Unsung player to watch: Center John Sullivan. If they want to get Adrian Peterson going in the run game, Sullivan is going to have to handle the middle.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... Favre can play young to go along with that defense. They can't have mistakes from Favre or fumbles by Peterson and get to the Super Bowl.
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| Dallas' Miles Austin and Tony Romo. (Getty Images) |
Dallas Cowboys
The skinny: Is there a team in the NFC playing better? No way. The Cowboys seem to be hitting stride at the right time. The offense has big-play ability with Tony Romo throwing to Miles Austin. The running game is sound as well. The defense was tops in scoring in the NFC. This is a balanced team.
Team strength: The defense. It had back-to-back shutouts to close out the regular season.
Area of concern: The secondary has had moments where it hasn't played well. They have to be better against all the great passers in the NFC playoffs. They were 20th against the pass.
Player on the spot: Romo. He was very good the last five weeks, but let's see if it carries over to January.
Unsung player to watch: Nickel corner Orlando Scandrick will be on the field a lot against all the passing teams in the NFC, and he has to play big.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they play like they did in the final three weeks. There is so much talent on this team, and Romo has been on fire. The defense is the best in the NFC.
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| QB Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald. (US Presswire) |
Arizona Cardinals
The skinny: The Cardinals have quietly played under the radar this season. Don't go to sleep on them. There is talent. And they have a passer in Warner who can get burning hot. The defense played well for most of this season and they've showed they can go on the road and win.
Team strength: Warner and that passing game. They didn't put up the same numbers as a year ago, but they're still potent.
Area of concern: Teams ran if for 4.5 per rush against them, tying the Saints and Chargers for the worst among the playoff teams.
Player on the spot: Running backs Chris Wells and Tim Hightower have had fumbling issues, and they can't have that in the playoffs.
Unsung player to watch: LT Jeremy Bridges. They lost Mike Gandy for the season a couple of weeks ago and Bridges has stepped in and played pretty well. He has to continue. He will get help.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they catch fire like they did last season. The defense is better and they run it better, so it's possible.
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| Aaron Rodgers and Donald Driver. (Getty Images) |
Green Bay Packers
The skinny: The Packers improved as the season went along, mainly because the offensive line played better. This is a team that will score with Rodgers and that passing game. The defense made big strides under Dom Capers, finishing second in total defense. The offense was third in scoring.
Team strength: That defense was fifth in points allowed. It is a unit that seemed to get a better grip on Capers' system as the season moved along.
Area of concern: The offensive line. Even though that unit played better as the season moved along, it has to keep it going. It gave up 50 sacks.
Player on the spot: CB Tramon Williams. With Al Harris out for the season, Williams will see a lot of action with Charles Woodson on the other side.
Unsung player to watch: LT Chad Clifton. When he was out with an injury, the line really struggled. He could face some big-time pass rushers in the postseason, and pass protection is his strength.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... they don't get caught up in the enormousness of the postseason. There are a lot of young players on this team. The offensive line has to play well to give Rodgers the chance for big plays.
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| DeSean Jackson and Donovan McNabb. (Getty Images) |
Philadelphia Eagles
The skinny: They've had great success in the postseason with coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb. That will be a factor as they move forward. The passing game was sensational, but they have to get more out of the run game. Their defense can be tough to prepare for with all their blitzes.
Team strength: McNabb and the passing game, especially throwing to DeSean Jackson. They led the NFL in 40-plus pass plays with 21.
Area of concern: The Eagles line gave up 38 sacks, second most of any playoff team. They have to protect McNabb better.
Player on the spot: RB Brian Westbrook. After missing time with concussion problems, he's playing again. The Eagles have to get good games from him in the playoffs.
Unsung player to watch: Center Nick Cole. With Jamaal Jackson out for the playoffs with a knee injury, Cole has to be able to call the protections up front and handle people on his nose.
Will go the Super Bowl if ... The defense doesn't have lapses like it has at times this season. It has to be more consistent for four quarters.
