Everyone wants to talk about the quarterbacks this weekend and rightfully so. Tom Brady and the Patriots; Peyton Manning and the Broncos; Carson Palmer Cardinals; Cam Newton and the Panthers. There will be plenty of other plays that factor into the outcome but keeping with these four could fill enough articles and talk shows for a month. Palmer finally who won his first playoff game last week matches up with a fellow number one overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Newton. This will be the first time in NFL playoff history two Heisman Trophy winners will face off. The Brady-Manning rivalry is built up as if Manning has never won a game against the Patriots and Tom Brady.
What’s great to watch about these guys right now?
Has Brady aged? No. The offense slowed a bit down the stretch but that was without receiver Julian Eldeman, going through 78 left tackles and no go to running game. But never doubt Brady company. Eldamen is back, Rob Gronkowski is healthy enough and they shook off what if any rust they might have last weekend beating Kansas City. Brady’s decision making is off the charts. He has no problem chipping away underneath before hitting a big play down field to Gronk. That’s why the Patriots are favorites on the road Sunday.
Manning can still have the Cinderella ending. It looked like the worst possible ending for the future Hall of Fame quarterback who was forced to the bench with a foot injury halfway through the season. He rehabbed, waited and was called upon in the second half verse San Diego in week 17. The Broncos won, got the number one seed and Peyton has another shot at Brady after pulling one out late against Pittsburgh. He’s not beating you with his arm. Even two years ago it was more smoke and mirrors with a ton of yards after the catch. The Broncos have to run the football. The run game has come through in key moments in their last two wins. After a game featuring five field goals and one touchdown the ultimate question is can Denver find the end zone? Brady can and that will be the difference Sunday.
Bruce Arians is not going to take his foot of the gas pedal and Carson Palmer has benefited from it. There were moments against Green Bay where Palmer just didn’t look sharp. But then late in the fourth Larry Fitzgerald happened. Michael Floyd got a wacky touchdown in the end zone and again Fitzgerald happened in overtime. They’ll test the Panthers secondary down field all day, putting the safeties on their heels. Add in John Brown and Palmer has three legit targets. Can the Panther’s defense stop the big plays early?
Newton is a freak at the position. He’s bigger than some running backs with just as much athleticism and size to match a linebacker. Newton is the front runner for NFL MVP. He’ll make two-to-three jaw dropping throws per-game which usually end up being the difference. While they raced out to a 31-0 lead thanks to some turnovers created by their defense against Seattle, the play that standout is his TD pass to Greg Olsen. Newton hit Olsen over double-coverage in the end zone. A wow moment. His prescience in the run game keeps defenders just off balance enough. He sweats talent. That’s why even with receivers no one drafted in their fantasy draft, Newton is scary. If they can control the game with the run, let Newton do his thing down field, the Panthers will defend their home turf.
