The Old and The New

The two Conference Championships games this week will feature a different style of play from the four quarterbacks.   The game in the AFC epitomizes the old guard of the NFL.  Two pocket passers, each a mainstay of the league.  Both have won Super Bowls and both are regarded as future Hall of Famers.  The game in the NFC embodies the new.  Two young upstarts, each more eager to run than to pass.  Both in their twenties with a cocky invincibility they feel will last forever.

In the opening matchup, Tom Brady brings his Patriots into Denver for his first road playoff game since losing to Peyton Manning in 2006 AFC Championship.  The game will represent the fourth time Brady and Manning have squared off in the playoffs.  Lacking the weapons he has had in the past, Brady will rely on the Patriots running game to keep the Broncos defense honest.  He will be patient and wait for an opportunity to exploit the Denver defense with deep throws off play action. Manning is coming of the best regular season of any quarterback in NFL history.  He will look to throw early and often.  Patriots coach Bill Belichick will disguise his defenses in the hope of forcing Manning into making poor decisions. Most likely, the games winner will solidify his legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time.

The Seahawks host the Forty-niners in the late game.  The teams are 1 – 1 against each other this season.   Both quarterbacks are mobile and have the ability to extend plays with their legs.  The biggest difference between the two, aside from their overall size, has been when the play breaks down.  Russell Wilson, of the Seahawks, likes to scramble around in the backfield looking to throw down the field for a big play, while Colin Kaepernick, of the 49ers, is more likely to just take off and run.  Look for both defenses to drop into coverage, with 7 or even 8 defenders and attempt to keep each quarterback in the pocket, thus forcing them to use their arm rather than their legs to win the game.  This strategy has proven especially successful for Seattle against Kaepernick in the past.

Sunday promises two close matched games.  Each with a different game plan for victory.  All leading to an exciting afternoon of football…