DIVISIONAL ROUND RECAP: JUST FOR KICKS

In what was an ideal offense versus defense playoff match-up, all the viewer got was defense and sloppy play. If it wasn't Peyton Manning throwing an interception, it was Steve McNair. At numerous points during the game it appeared as though the offenses for both teams were about to finally get on track. However, a stalled drive or a crucial turnover would squash off the momentum for the offenses. With such poor decision making from both QBs, it looked early like the kickers would be important factors in the game, but never could one have guessed that the only points scored would be those between the uprights. The reason the Colts signed Adam Vinateiri was for games like these. When it's January and Vinateiri strolls out onto the field, not one person in the world has any doubt that he will make the kick. You might say that it was just luck when his 51 yard field goal bounced off the top of the crossbar and over, but there is a reason that he broke the postseason record for field goals on Saturday. When five field goals beats two field goals in your AFC Divisional round playoff, you might assume that the game is boring. Well, that assumption is correct, because there never seems to be any sort of drama or doubt when some one as automatic as Adam Vinatieri lines up to kick the ball.

Even though it was a tremendous bounce back season for the Ravens, every single player left that game on Saturday with their head down, as they should. Specifically the offense has to feel the guilt of not being able to beat the Colts, when their defense holds Peyton Manning and the offense without a touchdown. With so many play makers on defense, the Ravens are likely going to be a contender for years to come. Their only weakness going into the offseason seems to be age. Ray Lewis, as great as he is, clearly is not the player he was five years ago and has more trouble now dealing with injuries. Also their all-world tackle Jonathan Ogden discussed possible retirement plans following the game. This is most likely just the result of frustration, but it is a wake up call for the rest of the Ravens to realize that he cannot continue to play at this level for much longer. Their RB, Jamal Lewis, also has been on the downside of his career the last few seasons. The Ravens will need to decide whether it is worth it to bring him back for another year or to look to find a younger replacement with better speed. Despite all of these issues, their biggest question mark is at the quarterback position. Steve McNair had an unbelievable season, and even after such a horrendous game on Saturday, you cannot take away the fact that he lifted this Ravens offense to a level it had never been on before. The issue with McNair is that he is up there in age and may not be able to play beyond the 2007 season. Clearly, the Ravens have soured on Kyle Boller, and they need to decide who will take over for McNair when he decides to retire. The good thing for Baltimore is that most of these issues will not have to be addressed this offseason, but what that means for the Ravens is that this may be their last shot for awhile to win another Super Bowl. It will be on the offense to maintain the prolonged success like their defense has been able to have for more than half a decade.

The Colts have advanced on to their third AFC Championship game. The way it has happened this time would confuse even the best of NFL experts. If you told some one that the Colts would win two playoffs games while Peyton Manning threw 5 INts to only 1 TD, you would be hard to find any believers. However, that is in fact the case for the Colts. Rather than the offense, it has been the swarming defense that has experienced a complete turnaround in the playoffs. They are using the same scheme and doing the same thing they did when they were torched by the likes of Ron Dayne this season, but they are doing everything better and with more focus. While they must be happy to get a home playoff game, they cannot be thrilled to face the Patriots again in the playoffs. If Indianapolis is to advance to the Super Bowl, they will need Peyton Manning to return to the player he was in the regular season. Also they will need their defense to maintain the level of play they have been at in the last two weeks. Unlike Kansas City and Baltimore, New England is likely to be able to put up points on the Colts. Indianapolis can no longer rely on only their defense to carry them once again. Peyton Manning, this is your time to step up and become a winner.