Things to consider

By Dan Rodgers

Clearly I forgot that the Ravens suck in the second half and that a two touchdown lead at half-time means nothing. They are without a doubt consistently the worst second half team in the NFL on both sides of the ball.

The offense can't move the ball and the defense can't stop anyone as soon as it reads 3Q on the scoreboard. There have been numerous occasions, not including today's game against Pittsburgh, that the Ravens have blown a huge lead in the second half (note Texans game). Fortunately for them, they came out on top during the regular season, but that doesn't happen in January.

The Steelers didn't lose an ounce of confidence at half-time and came roaring back in the third quarter. They forced three turnovers and scored two touchdowns to tie the game. There was a botched snap (Flacco's fault), a Ray Rice fumble (he got popped), and a terrible throw that was intercepted (Flacco's fault).

The worst of it came on the Steelers last drive. The game was tied at 24-24, and on a third down and 10 they did a quick slant to Hines Ward for 11 yards and first down. Then, on THIRD AND NINETEEN, they completed a 58 bomb to ANTONIO BROWN. He is a rookie and only had 16 catches the entire season. Terrible...I don't even know what else to say.

I would rather the Jets lose 45-3 again then lose like that...

Now on to the good stuff. The Packers destroyed the Falcons. I apparently gave the Falcons way too much credit. I figured the amazing Matty Ice, who is 20-2 career at home, would put up a better fight than 48-21.

Aaron Rodgers came out to prove something today and he most certainly did to me. The kid threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran another one in. He displayed phenomenal arm strength and excellent mobility. He is definitely one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has an extremely bright present and future. Behind Peyton Manning, Rodgers is without a doubt the QB I want to lead my team.

Rodgers That

Saturday Quickie

By Dan Rodgers

I got food poisoning two nights ago and I have to go to work in six minutes, so here we go:

I am going to make a bold prediction and say that both road underdogs are going to pull upsets today. The Ravens and Steelers always play close ones and today is when they turn the corner against Pittsburgh. Look for them to try to contain Mike Wallace from burning them, but I expect Wallace to have a decent game. If they can contain Mendenhall and tackle Big Ben when they first get their hands on them, they should be fine. Baltimore can ill-afford missed tackles against this team.

My Prediction: Ravens (+3) 16 Steelers 14


The Packers played the Falcons close in their regular season contest losing by a field goal. Green Bay did have plenty of opportunities and Aaron Rodgers will capitalize on them today. Rodgers is just a better QB than Matty Ice, and it will show today. I look for Clay Matthews to have a beast game coming off of the edge. Espect James Starks to have a big contribution today as well, similar to what he did against Philly. Atlanta continues to disappoint in the playoffs as Green Bay shuts down Michael Turner and forces Ryan to beat them. It's not going to happen.

My Prediction: Packers (+2.5) 27 Falcons 21

Enjoy day one of the NFL Divisional Round.

Rodgers That

Auburn slips by Oregon

By Dan Rodgers

Well, the much anticipated BCS National Championship is over. The Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks 22-19 with a last second field goal. The game wasn't the shootout that some people were expecting, and both defenses showed up.

Both teams were averaging over 30 points per game coming into the game, but turnovers played a large factor in the low-scoring game. Cam Newton threw one interception and lost a fumble, and Darron Thomas threw two interceptions.

However, a huge point in the game was when Auburn was stopped at the one yard line in the second quarter. LaMichael James was then tackled in the endzone for a safety, and Auburn scored a touchdown on their next drive for a 16-11 lead.

After an Auburn field goal, an Oregon touchdown and two-point conversion the game was tied. The very next drive is when Auburn kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired, but the pivotal play on the drive was a 37-yard run by RB Michael Dyer. He was tackled on top of a player and was never down, so he got up and scampered to the Oregon 23. The field goal was a chip-shot 19 yarder.

A fun fact about the game is that it is the first NCAAF National Championship game between two teams that weren't ranked in the top 10 to start the season.

Rodgers That