The first round matchup between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints may be one of the most entertaining Wild Card Weekend games to grace the NFL playoffs in a very long time.
I dare say it's must-see TV.
The very fact that we can write about the Lions being in a must-see TV game is quite ridiculous if you're asking me, but the fact of the matter is that this game has the potential to be incredible.
There is no doubting that the Saints are easily the favorite in this game.
They are undefeated at home, have Super Bowl winning experience and boast a quarterback in Drew Brees that broke records throwing for 5,476 yards and 46 touchdowns this season.
They are playing a Lions team that doesn't have any playoff experience and just gave up 480 yards and six touchdowns to a backup quarterback in Green Bay.
The Lions defense can't stop a nosebleed, and they're going against a balanced offensive attack that averages 334.2 passing yards and and 132.9 rushing yards per game.
Why Should I Watch?
On paper this looks like it should be a blowout, so how is this must-see TV? Does anybody besides the winning team's fans enjoy watching a blowout?
For all their flaws, this Lions team does one thing very well: score.
They averaged 29.6 points per game this season and 396 yards per game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had an incredible year throwing for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, and wideout Calvin Johnson is absolutely unstoppable.
Johnson finished the season with 96 receptions for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Saints are giving up 259.8 passing yards per game, and I think that number is about to go up against this Lions team.
This game has the makings of a good ole' shootout. Both teams feature high-powered offenses and are weaker on defense.
Expect a ton of scoring and a ton of offense. If you're a fan of high-octane football, this game is for you.
What If I Like Defense?
I know not everybody enjoys high-powered football, so let me direct you to a game that you may enjoy instead.
Ever hear of a guy named Tim Tebow?
That's right, Tebow-mania has found its way into the playoffs, but the Broncos are going to have a quite a task going up against the reigning AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have always been known for their defense, and now they have a chance to show it off against a Broncos running offense that is best in the league, rushing for 164.5 yards per game.
The Steelers will be a bit banged up, and Tebow's problems throwing the ball are well documented, so defense is going to be the name of this game.
Pittsburgh is best in the league against an opponent's passing game, only giving up 171.9 passing yards per game, so I dare say they will have no trouble stopping the Broncos there.
That leaves it up to the running game versus the Steelers smash-mouth defense, which is sure to be a bruising affair.
If you're into defense and hard-nosed football, this is a must-watch.
Plus, Tebow may have a couple more tricks up his sleeve.
When Can I Watch?
Bengals vs. Texans - Sat. Jan 7 at 4:30 p.m. EST on NBC
Lions vs. Saints - Sat. Jan 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC
Falcons vs. Giants - Sun. Jan 8 at 1 p.m. EST on FOX
Steelers vs. Broncos - Sun Jan 8 at 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS
Sacramento Kings Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Colorado Rockies
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen