Super Bowl 2014 VIDEO: First Look Event Update #2
The first weekend of the NFL Playoffs proved to be everything we dreamt it would be — full of drama, luck (and Luck) and controversy. Here’s a roundup to catch you up on what you may have missed:
San Francisco 23, Green Bay 20
Not only was this game played in sub-zero temperatures, but the last minute drive by the 49ers capped off by a last-second Phil Dawson game winning field goal made this game spectacular. Colin Kaepernick went to 3-0 against the Pack and had more than one epic run that helped thrust his team to victory. And was it just me that thought Dawson’s 33-yard field goal for the win was for-sure going to be blocked?…
The Moment: On a closer look, it’s obvious the kick went directly through Davon House’s arms. Amazing….
…word is House was actually off-sides so the Niners most likely would have had another kick either way.
The Stat: It was the seventh-coldest game at Lambeau Field since 1959, and the fourth-coldest postseason game at the stadium. [ESPN]
Kansas City 44, Indianapolis 45
Going to cut straight to the chase with this one — if you missed this game you missed a once-in-a-lifetime thrillfest…
The Stat and The Moment: The Colts rallied from 28 points down to win the game — the largest comeback in NFL — season or postseason — history, where the game needed no overtime. In fact, the Colts had just a 3.6 percent chance of winning when they were down 31-10 at half time…Andrew Luck was Jekyl and Hyde, but finished with 443 yards, the second-highest yardage total in franchise history for a playoff game…The Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles left the game with a concussion on the opening possession of the game…If you’re a Chiefs fan you’re probably not reading this because you’re still crying yourself to sleep in the fetal position, but still, my condolences.
San Diego 27, Cincinnati 10
The Bengals were the heavy favorite to win this game but walked away with their first home loss of the season (were previously 8-0). To make matters worse, the Bengals had the 3rd ranked defense in the NFL. Blame it on the tumultuous rain or the turnovers, either way it was a bad day to be a Bengal fan.
The Stat and The Moment: [ESPN] The Bengals now have the sixth-longest streak of playoff futility in NFL history, stretching all the way back to the 1990 season. They’ve lost their playoff opener three straight years, matching a league record, according to STATS LLC.
And better yet, an amazing stat from CBSSports:
Since 2009, the team that Philadelphia plays in its home opener has gone on to win the Super Bowl. Seriously — and here’s a refresher, just in case you need it.
The Eagles first home game in 2009 was against New Orleans. The Saints beat the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
In 2010, Green Bay opened up Philadelphia’s home schedule and guess what happened? The Packers beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
The streak didn’t end in 2011 because that’s when the Eagles opened up their home schedule with the New York Giants, the same Giants that beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
In 2012, the first regular season game at Lincoln Financial Field featured the Eagles against — you guessed it, the Ravens. Of course, the Ravens went on to beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Um, the Eagles played the Chargers in their opener this year…
And according to Deadspin, it gets even creepier:
…There’s another NFC East streak going. Seven seasons in a row, the Redskins have played the eventual Super Bowl champs, and in the last three seasons, Washington has won that game. The 3-13 Redskins beat only one playoff team this year: You guessed it.
That’s right, if the universe has some sort of sick joke playing out, it’s the Chargers who should be your Super Bowl favorite.
New Orleans 26, Philadelphia 24
The Moment: Whether you’re the ‘away’ fan celebrating obnoxiously or the ‘home’ fan who is overprotective of your territory, don’t be ‘that’ guy:
The Saints won on a last-second field goal to stun Philly at home, but it wasn’t just Philly fans that were shocked…
The Stat: This was the first road playoff win in Saints franchise history.
Vegas odds to win Super Bowl:
Seattle: 5/2
Denver 5/2
San Francisco: 5/1
New England: 15/2
Carolina: 10/1
San Diego: 15/1
New Orleans: 15/1
Indianapolis: 20/1
…Seattle is nearly unbeatable at home and Tom Brady hardly ever loses to Peyton Manning — notice I used the words ‘nearly’ and ‘hardly.’ Look up the stats if you wish — although anything can happen in the NFL, the Seahawks and Patriots are the favorites right now.
NFL Playoffs Divisional Schedule
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
SATURDAY, JAN. 11, AND SUNDAY, JAN. 12
No. 4 Indianapolis Colts at No. 2 New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS
No. 6 San Diego Chargers at No. 1 Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 12 at 4:40 p.m. ET on CBS
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
SATURDAY, JAN. 11, AND SUNDAY, JAN. 12
No. 6 New Orleans Saints at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:35 p.m. ET on FOX
No. 5 San Francisco 49ers at No. 2 Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1:05 p.m. ET on FOX
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or “like’ CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
