The NFL took 17 weeks to narrow its own playoff field to 12 now will play an 11-game post-season to find out its champion. The New England Patriots will attempt and eventually become the first team esports games to ever win three Super Bowls and combine the Green Bay Packers as the only team to have won three consecutive NFL titles.
As I mentioned yesterday, SEVEN with this season’s playoffs participants were not a portion of past season’s postseason, something that’s become a bit of a trend in the last several years. In actuality, SIX of this season’s playoff teams are coming off 2004 seasons in which these were .500 or worse. This list comprises Carolina (7 9 ), Chicago (511 ), Cincinnati (8-8), the New York Giants (610 ), Tampa Bay (511 ) and Washington (6 10 ). One year turn-arounds like these have become almost routine in the NFL since 2000. During the last six seasons, 3 1 of the 72 playoff participants (43.1 per cent ) have already been teams that were .500 or worse the year before.
NFL head coaches have been in the news as the conclusion of this regular season with teams shooting them left and right. THREE of this year’s playoff teams will comprise head coaches making their playoff debuts. Jacksonville’s Jack Del Rio and Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis debut this weekend, even together with Chicago’s Lovie Smith becoming his chance next week. New England’s Bill Belichick and Washington’s Joe Gibbs every three superbowl rings but needless to say Gibbs’ last Super Bowl triumph came way back in the 1991 season (SB XXVI).
Mike Shanahan of the Broncos owns two Super Bowl rings, while Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren won his ring after the 1996 season with Green Bay and Tampa Bay’s Jon Gruden won his only three seasons ago with the Bucs. Pittsburgh’s Bill Cowher and Carolina’s John Fox have both led their teams to a superbowl but both lost within their one opportunity. Even the NY Giants’ Tom Coughlin and Indy’s Tony Dungy both have lots of musical experience, but neither has reached the NFL’s”ultimate” game.
FIVE with this season’s teams will start the play offs with a QB making his first postseason start. Chris Simms for Washington and either Byron Leftwich or David Garrard for Jacksonville debut Saturday. But, you may find it surprising that FIVE of the past 10 Super Bowl champions have been led by a QB making his first postseason appearance.
Tom Brady is the”leader in the club house”, when it has to do with postseason wins and experience one of this season’s set of playoff QBs. Brady has led New England to three Super Bowl titles over the last four seasons, going a perfect 9-0 in postseason games. Brady may be the only one of the year’s playoff QBs to have won a superbowl.
Brunell (4-4) and Manning (35 ) position behind Brady with eight playoff appearances each. Delhomme (31 ) has made four previous postseason starts, leading the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII after a 2003 season. Jake Plummer (1-3) also possesses four rebounds begins, whereas Ben Roethlisberger (11 ) and Matt Hasselbeck (0-2) will soon be making their next postseason starts in this year’s playoffs.
Saturday’s games are Washington at Tampa Bay and Jacksonville at New England. The Bucs beat the’Skins in Tampa back in Week 10 (36-35), as the Jags and Pats have not met since late in 2003. The Bucs are preferred by 2 1/2 points (total of 37) and the Pats are favored by 7 1/2 points (total is also 3-7 ).
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