As I break down NFL games week in and week out, you always hear me talk about common denominators.  I would never try and throw the modern math at you, it’s hard enough to follow the basic stats that are all over the place as it is.

What I’m looking for, is that basic ingredient or intangible, that more times than not,  helped these playoff winners move onto the Championship Weekend.

Not that I’m biased, but the quarterback play for all 4 winners this weekend was stellar.

Green Bay42 Seattle 20:

Brett Favre, in the snow and blustery conditions of Lambeau Field, never panicked or lost his poise being down 14-0, after 2 Ryan Grant fumbles.

He led by keeping his poise, going 18 for 23, with 3 TD passes.  But how he managed the ball, didn’t make the Brett Farve knucklehead throws of the past, but most importantly, continued to have fun and be positive, of which could have been a dire situation early in this game…By the way, who was he throwing that snowball at anyways?

He got the 2 TD’s back, and it was clear sailing for he and one Ryan Grant.

New England 31 Jacksonville 20:

When you watch the Patriots this year, you’re always looking for the homerun ball from Tom Brady to Randy Moss.  Why not, it happend 23 times this year, and was a HUGE ingredient missing the last several years in the Pats offense.

But what Tom Brady did, 26 of 28 for 262 yards and 3 TD’s was truly amazing and incredible in modern era football.  Oh, by the way, he had 2 passes DROPPED.

The closest I can think of this kind of perfection was Phil Simms going 22 of 25 in his only Super Bowl appearance as a starter against the Denver Broncos.

 Brady took the dink and dunk, put his ego aside to lead his team down the field time and time again.  Some of the greatest patience I’ve seen in a QB since Joe Montana. Five different receivers with 3 or more catches.  He adjusted as all great qb’s do, to what the defense is giving you.

San Diego 28 Indy 24:

So many people are talking about Eli Manning arriving, and making his mark, but I think you have to look at Phillip Rivers during the Titans game and this Colts game, and say he to has arrived as a big league QB.

With LT virtually a non-factor in these last 2 playoff games, Rivers has been the leader, and stepped up to the challange.  I felt this Colts game was the best of his career, as far as accuracy, leadership and putting this Chargers team on his back and moving them down the field for touchdowns, and not field goals.

He was 14 of 19 with 3 TD’s before leaving with his knee injury in the 3rd quarter.  Even though he was out, he gave this offense the confidence boost it need without LT in the game.

Oh, and Billy Volek comes in and goes 3 for 4 for 48 yards and a TD run.  Again, a QB stepping up to the challange.

NY Football Giants 21 Dallas 17:

Talk about keeping it simple-stupid for Eli Manning.  Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride has not received enough credit for the ability that Manning has shown these last 2 weeks.

Eli, along with a solid running game, has realized all you have to do, is take care of the football and take what the defense gives you.  Truly can be that simple.

He was 12 of 18 for only 163, but had 2 TD passes.  AND has not thrown a pic in 2 weeks.

The game has slowed down for him, and he realizes he doesn’t have to be the one to go and win the game.

Has he arrived, I’m not buying that one yet, but he has taken another step in becoming the big league QB like his brother Peyton.

Truly, a great weekend for the QB’s to take that next step to stardom.

Have a great football week………….Manuch

written by Manuch