Wildcard Weekend in Review Jan 7, 2008 | More

Week in Review – Wildcard Weekend

Seahawks 35 --- Redskins 14

The score doesn’t portray the game very well, but it was certainly dominated by Seattle for the first half and the last few minutes. Washington was in a position to take at least a 4-point lead after scoring a TD to be up 14-13 when they recovered a pooch kickoff. No one touched the ball for Seattle and the Skins recovered a “deep onside kick” inside Seattle’s 15 yard line. The Redskins ran 3 plays and then missed a 30-yard FG. The Seahawks went on scoring the last 22 points of this game and the Redskins emotional 2^nd half of the season came to a close.

Matt Hasselbeck threw for 229 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INT’s (both to LaRon Landry). DJ Hackett caught the game-winner and only TD pass from Hass with just over six minutes to go. Hackett finished with 101 receiving yards while Shaun Alexander ran for only 46 yards. Leonard Weaver had a 17-yard TD run in his only carry of the day. Marcus Trufant and Jordan Babineaux each had an INT to the house in the closing minutes of the 4^th quarter. Seattle will travel to Green Bay next week in Holmgrem’s return to Green Bay…again.

As for the Redskins, their run finally came to an end. Clinton Portis ran for only 52 yards on 20 carries. Todd Collins threw for 266 yards, 2 TD’s, and 2 INT’s. However, it was the offensive line’s lack of support that had him hurried and pressured all day. Randel El and Santana Moss each had TD receptions for Washington. The Skins magic carpet ride is now over, but they’ll still remember this season for other reasons for years to come.

Jaguars 31 --- Steelers 29

It was a thriller in Pittsburgh and the game’s leading rusher, David Garrard, was also the hero. On a 4^th and 2 from the PIT 42, Garrard scrambled for 32 yards on a QB draw with just under two minutes to go to keep the drive alive and the Jaguars season alive. Josh Scobee would make a 25-yard FG to give the Jaguars the win with under 40 seconds left. Jacksonville withheld a 4^th quarter comeback by the Steelers to advance. Pittsburgh trailed by 18 points in the 4^th quarter, but came all the way back to take a 29-28 lead, but only saw it disappear in the closing seconds.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor each ran for a score, but MJD also had a 43-yard receiving TD. However, David Garrard led the way with 58 yards on the ground and also threw for 140 yards, 1 TD, and 2 picks.

The Steelers are one-and-done and taking the heat for that was Ben Roethlisberger. Maybe he was a bit rough on himself in his post-game presser, but he did throw 3 INT’s, one of which was returned for a TD. Big Ben did post 337 yards and 2 TD’s, but the running game was ineffective as Davenport ran for 25 yards on 16 carries with 2 scores. Hines Ward finished with 10 catches for 135 yards while his counterpart, Santonio Holmes, caught 8 balls for 85 yards and a TD. The loss of Willie Parker and the inconsistent play down the stretch doomed Pittsburgh.

Giants 24 --- Bucs 14

Well, what do you know, Eli Manning really is unstoppable, just like his Citizen Watch promo says. Ok, I won’t go that far, but Eli stepped up with a big day after having a lot of pressure put on him by the New York media this past week. He finished 20 of 27 with 185 yards and 2 TD’s. He completed key 3^rd downs to his favorite, reliable 3^rd down WR, Amani Toomer. The veteran had a big day making clutch catches at key times finishing with 7 catches for 74 yards and a TD. Tampa Bay had control of this game from the start, scoring the first points of the game with an Earnest Graham (18-63) TD. However, they allowed 24 unanswered points after that. Brandon Jacobs, who had struggled with drops all year, caught two big passes, including a 5-yard toss from Eli for the Giants first TD. He also ran for 34 yards and a TD. Ahmad Bradshaw also provided a spark off the bench for Big Blue with 17 carries for 66 yards.

Garcia , who failed to complete the 3-team, 3-game sweep of the Giants in the playoffs, threw for 207 yards, 1 TD, and 2 picks. The Bucs shot themselves in the foot beginning the 2^nd half with a fumbled kickoff return before the fans even got back from the concession stands. Corey Webster recovered that fumble and also had an interception in the endzone as the Bucs appeared to be on the move inside the Giants 30 in the 3^rd quarter.

The biggest play of the game was the last play of the 3^rd quarter when Manning hit Toomer for 11 yards on a 3^rd and 7 from the NYG 11 when the score was still 17-7 Giants. The Giants wound up with a TD capping a 15-play, 92-yard drive that took over 8 minutes. With the win, the Giants won their eighth consecutive road game. Their only road loss this year was opening day in Dallas, where they’ll be this Sunday.

Chargers 17 --- Titans 6

Tennessee held their own for a half in this game, but unfortunately for them, there are two half’s in football. They led 6-0 at the half and Antonio Gates left the game early with a foot injury for SD. Things were looking up for the Titans, but the Chargers came out fired up to begin the 2^nd half. Philip Rivers had a big day throwing for 292 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. His top two WR’s had big days as Chris Chambers caught 6 balls for 121 yards and Vincent Jackson caught a TD and had 114 receiving yards. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 42 yards and a score, but had a lot of trouble finding running room against the stout TEN rush defense.

San Diego will face the Colts next week in a rematch of the game where Peyton threw 6 picks. However, this one is in the dome and Rivers will need to have the same success as he did against Tennessee on Sunday.

The Titans don’t have much offense and it showed as Vince Young threw for only 138 yards and an INT. LenDale White rushed for 69 yards and a key play in this game came in the 1^st half when Chris Brown fumbled inside the red zone when the Titans could have built a bigger lead. Tennessee still has to be happy making the playoffs and the success of their defense this season in the toughest division in the AFC. The regression of Vince Young is a bit of a concern, though.

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Enjoy the games next weekend as each has a major storyline:

Saturday, Game 1: Seahawks @ Packers - Holmgren returns to Green Bay.

Saturday, Game 2: Jaguars @ Patriots - That undefeated thing the Pats have going on.

Sunday, Game 1 : Chargers @ Colts - The rematch of Peyton's 6-Pick game.

Sunday, Game 2 : Giants @ Cowboys - The Giants have won eight straight road games and the Cowboys go for the 3-game season sweep.