NFL 2014-2015 Wildcards Recap
http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-2015-wildcards-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-32793/
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers was the Saturday afternoon game. The Cardinals began the season 11-3 but lost a pair of quarterbacks along the way as they slipped from home field advantage to 11-5 and playing a wildcard game. The Panthers began 3-8-1 but won four straight to win the dreadful NFC South and host a playoff game with a losing record. Five years ago the 9-7 Cardinals went into Carolina and shocked the heavily favored 12-4 Panthers. That game saw Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald lead the Greatest Show in the Desert. Jake Delhomme was never the same after that game and Steve Smith was eventually traded. The 2014 game saw third string Ryan Lindley face off against Cam Newton, who was playing only a couple weeks after suffering injuries in a serious car accident.
A poor punt had the Panthers beginning their first drive at the Arizona 48. Graham Gano hit a 47 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Panthers. Carolina got it back at their own 43 and Stewart ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Panthers. The Panthers had all of the momentum until they fumbled a punt, setting up Arizona at the Carolina 30. On the first play of the second quarter Lindley hit Fells for a one yard touchdown to get the Cardinals within 10-7. Carolina missed a chance to extend their lead when a 43 yard field goal try by Gano was no good.
With 6 minutes left in the half a field position game had the Panthers starting on the Arizona 34. On 3rd and 13, Newton was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie, who raced 50 yards to the Carolina 17. From the one, Grice got the carry and fumbled the ball and the Panthers recovered. On further review, Grice broke the plane of the goal and the Cardinals had the touchdown and the 14-10 lead with 2:45 left in the half. Newton moved the Panthers in position for a 39 yard Gano field goal with seconds left in the half. This time it was good as the Panthers trailed 14-13 at halftime despite the Cardinals having only 65 yards of offense.
In the third quarter field position again favored the Panthers as another short Arizona punt had the Panthers setting up shop at the Arizona 39. One play was enough for Fozzy Whitaker to take a short pass from Newton, shake several tackles, cross the field, get some great blocks, and score to put the Panthers up 20-14. The Cardinals fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Panthers recovered at the Arizona 3 yard line. On 3rd and goal Newton threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Newton hit Mike Tolbert all alone in the flat for the 27-14 Panthers lead.
A bizarre play in the third quarter let referee and attorney by trade Ed Hochuli explain a challenged call. Newton got hit and decided to try and throw the ball rather than bring it to his body and take the sack. The ball appeared to be thrown backward for a lateral and a live ball. Arizona challenged the call. Hochuli explained that if a quarterback is trying to throw forward but gets hit causing his body to spin around, a backward pass would still be considered a forward pass. The Panthers dodged a bullet with the incomplete pass.
With 12 minutes left in regulation the exact situation reversed. Newton went back to pass from his own 29 and got hit. Initially it appeared to be an incomplete pass but there was no whistle. On further review, Newton had the ball knocked out of his hand before his arm went forward. Then with his empty hand he knocked the ball forward. The officials again got the call right as the fumble was returned to the Carolina 8. One play later Lindley was intercepted by Luke Kuechly for a touchback.
With 3 minutes left a Carolina punt pinned the Cardinals at their own one. A facemark penalty on the Panthers meant they had to punt again. This time the snap was fumbled, giving the Cardinals a short field. It did not matter. Lindley went to the end zone and had a pass tipped by Kuechly and intercepted. The Panthers took an intentional safety with three seconds left to avoid a blocked punt. Ron Rivera saw his team win their fifth straight while Bruce Arians was left to wonder what might have been if he had a healthy quarterback. 27-16 Panthers
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Saturday night game. As expected, it was a hard-hitting head-knocker. With LeVeon bell out injured, the Steelers running game was not the same. Shawn Suisham got the Steelers on the board first with a 45 yard field goal. In the second quarter the Ravens moved 80 yards. Pierce got in from 5 yards out to make it 7-3 Ravens. It was the only touchdown of the half. A pair of defensive penalties on Baltimore, including one on 4th and 1, led to Suisham hitting from 22 to get the Steelers within 7-6. A Pittsburgh touchdown was waved off when the receiver caught the ball inbounds but was forced out of bounds before his feet landed. Justin Tucker hit from 28 for the Ravens and Suisham answered from 47 as his third field goal had the Steelers trailing 10-9 at halftime.
Tucker hit from 45 in the third quarter to make it 13-9. Baltimore got it back at their own 31 and Joe Flacco went deep to Steve Smith for a 40 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 11, Flacco hit Tory Smith for the touchdown and the 20-9 Ravens lead with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Ravens seemed in the driver’s seat when they successfully converted on 4th and 1. One play later Justin Forsett fumbled and the Steelers took over at the Baltimore 45. Big Ben immediately went deep to Antonio Brown inside the one yard line. After a false start Big Ben ht Brown for the 6 yard touchdown.The 2 point conversion try was intercepted as the Steelers got within 20-15.
Baltimore came back and soon faced 3rd and 1 at the Pittsburgh 34. Rather than run up the gut, John Harbaugh went for all the marbles to try and put the game away. Flacco went deep to Smith in the back of the end zone, but Smith could not get both feet down. On 4th and 1 Harbaugh decided on a 52 yard field goal try knowing a miss would give Pittsburgh great field position. Tucker connected and the Ravens led 23-15 with 9 minutes left.
Roethlisberger quickly found himself in trouble. Trying to avoid a sack, he threw a dump off pass that bounced off a receiver’s fingers and was intercepted by Terrell Suggs. Suggs caught the ball between his legs and pulled it to his body. Midway through the fourth quarter the Ravens had another chance to put the game away at the Pittsburgh 21. Flacco immediately went for the kill and this time he hit Crockett Gilmore for the touchdown and the 30-15 Ravens lead.
With six minutes left a Pittsburgh touchdown pass was called back due to offensive holding. On the next play Roethlisberger got slammed to the ground. He left the game with a concussion and Bruce Gradkowski came in on 3rd and 21. On 4th and 3 from the 18, Gradkowski fired complete for the first down as the clock ticked. A pass to the end zone was knocked out of the receiver’s hands incomplete at the last moment. After 3 good throws by Gradkowski, Roethlisberger came back in the game. He immediately fired to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback with 3 minutes left.
At the 2 minute warning the Ravens punted and the Steelers blocked it out of the end zone for a safety. Down by 13, Pittsburgh got the free kick and took over at their own 31 with 1:50 left needing a miracle. On 4th and 3 from the Pittsburgh 38, Roethlisberger found Heath Miller for a 6 yard gain. Miller fumbled and the Ravens recovered to run out the clock. Flacco finished 18 of 29 for 259 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Roethlisberger finished 31 of 45 for 334 yards and one touchdown but with two costly interceptions. The Ravens travel to New England for the Divisional game. This was AFC North football, and on this night it was Baltimore who hit Pittsburgh in the mouth. 30-17 Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts was the Sunday morning game. The Colts throttled the Bengals 27-0 during the regular season, and began their playoff game in similar fashion. A 2 yard touchdown run by Herron quickly made it 7-0 Colts. This time the Bengals responded as Jeremy Hill got in from one yard out to tie the game 7-7 In the second quarter the Colts drove to the red zone twice but had to settle for Adam Vinatieri field goals from 38 and 29 yards for a 13-7 lead. With 10 seconds left in the half Mike Nugent had a 57 yard field goal that doinked off the upright but went through good as the Bengals trailed 13-10 at halftime.
Midway through the third quarter Andrew Luck threw a perfect pass to Moncrief for a 36 yard touchdown and a 20-10 Colts lead. After another touchdown was wiped off of the board due to an offensive penalty, Vinatieri’s third field goal from 22 yards out made it 23-10 Colts late in the third quarter. With 11 1/2 minutes in regulation Vinatieri hit his fourth field goal from 53 to complete the scoring. Luck finished 31 of 44 for 376 yards and the one touchdown pass. Andy Dalton finished 16 of 30 for 137 yards without a touchdown. Neither quarterback was intercepted. Marvin Lewis joined Jim Mora in losing six playoff games without a win. “Playoffs? Are you kidding me?” Not for the Bengals, who were eliminated in the opening round for the fourth straight year. 26-10 Colts.
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys was the Sunday afternoon game. Fans of these teams finally had a reason to rejoice after years of frustration. The 11-5 Lions and 12-4 Cowboys offered contrasting styles. Dallas had the glamour on offense with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and workhorse DeMarco Murray. Detroit brought the ugly defense led by Ndamokung Suh.
Early on the script did not play to form. Mathew Stafford fired a strike to Golden Tate, who outraced everyone for a 51 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Lions lead. A good Dallas punt pinned the Lions at their own one. Detroit punted but a running into the kicker penalty gave Detroit another chance. The Lions moved 99 in 14 plays and 7 minutes. Reggie Bush, despite having once dated a Kardashian, ran for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Lions.
With 1:50 left in the half and the Lions in total control, one defensive breakdown made it a ballgame. On 3rd and 12 from the Dallas 24, Romo found Terrence Williams, who sped away from everyone for a 74 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 14-7. Stafford quickly moved the Lions after a touchback into field goal range. As the half ended, Matt Prater’s 39 yard field goal was just inside the upright for a 17-7 Lions lead.
On the first play of the third quarter, Stafford had a pass over the middle deflected and intercepted. Dallas took over at the Detroit 19. On 3rd and 1 from the 10, rather than feed DeMarco Murray, a pass play was called. Romo was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Dan Bailey then missed the 41 yard field goal try as the Cowboys came up with nothing. It became a big momentum swing that led to Prater hitting from 37 to make it 20-7 Lions.
With 3 minutes left in the third quarter the Cowboys were knocking on the door when Murray failed to get in on 3rd and goal from the one. Jason Garrett decided to go for it and on 4th and goal Murray got in to get the Cowboys within 20-14. The fourth quarter began with the Cowboys immediately moving to a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 18. Consecutive sacks by Suh meant 4th and 25. Bailey hit from 51 to get the Cowboys within 20-17 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Terrible judgment on the kick return had the Lions starting on their own 5. Midway through the fourth quarter Detroit threw incomplete on 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 46. The Lions initially benefitted from a terrible defensive pass interference call, but in a very rare move the refs picked up the flag. Caldwell opted to punt on 4th and 1 when disaster struck. A shanked punt went only 10 yards as the Cowboys took over at their own 41. The punt was not blocked nor was there pressure. It was just a bad kick.
Dallas soon faced 4th and 6 at the Detroit 42 with 6 minutes left. Jason Garrett again decided to go for it and Romo hit Witten for 21 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the 13 with 3 1/2 minutes left, Romo threw incomplete. Yet another killer defensive holding penalty on the Lions meant 1st and goal at the 8. On 3rd and goal Romo avoided the pressure, danced around, and fired to Williams. Their second touchdown connection gave Dallas a 4 point lead with 2 1/2 minutes left.
The Dallas offense did their jobs. The Detroit defense did not. Now it was time to see whether the other matchup would favor the Detroit offense or the Dallas defense. Dallas appeared to end the game when Stafford got belted and fumbled. Rather than fall on it, a Dallas defender tried to run with it. He got stripped and the Lions got the ball back at the 2 minute warning. Given second life, Detroit moved to a 4th and 3 at the Dallas 42 with exactly one minute left. Stafford was sacked and fumbled again, and this time the Cowboys fell on the ball.
The Lions have still only won one playoff game since 1957 and none since 1991. The win was sweet redemption for Tony Romo and Jason Garrett. It was also sweet for Rod Marinelli. He was the coach of the 2008 Lions that went 0-16. He is now the coordinator of the Dallas defense that made the biggest stop when it counted. As for Jerry Jones, he was criticized for years for being impatient and in recent years for being too patient. His patience with Garrett and Romo was rewarded on this day. 24-20 Cowboys
The Divisional Playoffs are set.
NFC
Saturday: 4) Carolina Panthers at 1) Seattle Seahawks
Sunday: 3) Cowboys at 2) Green Bay Packers
AFC
Saturday: 6) Baltimore Ravens at 1) New England Patriots
Sunday: 4) Indianapolis Colts at 2) Denver Broncos
eric