Craig: Momentum takes a knee in NFL playoffs

Article by: MARK CRAIG , Star Tribune
Updated: January 18, 2013 - 11:00 PM

Denver, Seattle and Green Bay showed how easily the postseason picture changes.

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comment229Jan. 19, 13 5:20 AM

After watching Denver and Seattle lose their games I realized that coaching in the NFL is not rocket science, but, it does require at least a little bit of intelligence that was not demonstrated that day. Seattle was the worst, and it reminded me so much of all the times the vikings had a lead over the years, and with 30 seconds left, the other team marched down the field and scored to win the game, because someone had the Tampa 2 theory that would win the game. Seattle put no pressure on the QB and when you give almost any QB in the NFL that much time, someone is going to get open no matter who or how many defensive backs you have in. If the other team needed a touchdown, I would have been more inclined to go along with the Tampa 2 zone... but they only needed a field goal. It was sad to watch, but coaching decisions did lose both games. The good news? Neither coach will ever work for NASA.

comment229Jan. 19, 13 5:25 AM

Further; I have bled purple since the first game ever played in MN. However, and I don't know why, but it is more relaxing to go into the last weeks of the season when the vikings are not in the playoff picture. Did anybody actually expect the vikes to win at Green Bay? or did you have the attitude, that since our QB play was going to be questionable with either one, that we will probably lose, but we could be surprised and if not... well... we were right all along. Somehow, this year, I got "over it" in about ten seconds. My hope? San Fran wins it all, making Alex Smith expendable and a high priced liability on the bench who they would love to trade. I wonder who would be in the market for him?

bruisedupJan. 19, 1311:10 AM

comment229. Your first comment was a nice add on to the Craig article because the momentum that Seattle and Denver had was basically given away to their opponents with bone headed decisions. On the Vikings: The Vikings didn't have a backup plan in case Ponder got hurt and this was exposed of all places in the playoffs against Green Bay. Ponder could be reduced to the backup plan if we got Alex Smith but at what price? I think San Fran would just choke way too much out of us in draft picks unless something could be worked out with a Harvin for Smith swap. It could make sense for both teams.

peters346Jan. 19, 13 3:01 PM

30-27 Atlanta. Good one.

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Craig: Momentum takes a knee in NFL playoffs

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