Anyone who really knows me realizes that I have more than a passing interest in the NFL. And this goes beyond ‘my’ team.
Well, the recent playoffs made me smile. I love these ‘reporters’ who predict the outcomes of the games. I mean, it’s one thing to say, ‘I think this team will win’ but it has evolved into emphatic statements of which team will win the game. And, when they’re wrong they scramble to discount the accomplishments of the winning team. Nice case in point, Denver vs. Baltimore.
If you read/listen to the resultant stories you would think that Baltimore barely eked it out against the clearly superior Peyton Manning’s play. Really?
Baltimore out-gained Denver 479 yards to 398. Flacco out-passed the ‘god’ Peyton 
324-273 yards. And, before someone says ‘well they had to pass because the run wasn’t working’ the Broncos rushed for 125 yards compared to the Raven’s 155. (Also, Flacco had a 9.5 yards per pass while Peyton had 6.3.)
The facts speak for themselves.
Denver scored two touchdowns with special teams. Take away those two scores (shame on you Baltimore. There is nothing worse than crappy special teams in the playoffs! Right Buffalo?) and the game didn’t even have a chance to end up in overtime. Yet you still see and hear the headlines that say ‘Baltimore surprises/stuns the Broncos.’
Spare me.
Denver, besides Green Bay and Houston, were the most overrated, over-adored teams in the playoffs by the so called ‘unbiased’ sports media. And Atlanta is in danger of joining that group. (over 500 yards allowed Green Bay?! An elite team that does not make.)
I’ve got an idea. Let the teams play the game. No one really cares about your biased prognostications. I mean, really. And, Take a real look at Peyton’s record. If it wasn’t for his lucky win in the Super Bowl he would be the modern Dan Marino or Dan Fouts. The Manning that gets no respect has two rings. TWO.Take that, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees! (the other favorites in the ultimate Quarterback contest. There is only one guy currently playing that deserves that and, even though I don’t personally like him his numbers speak for themselves Five appearances and counting…)
Sorry, I rant but you have to love the NFL. The one and done method of playoffs is still the best! So, again, let them play the game and then we’ll talk about it.
Oh, and maybe Flacco can take a lesson from Peyton’s better brother and just go out and let his play and accomplishments speak for himself instead of the sports fans/reporters.
