NFL News: 2004 Playoffs: AFC Wild Card Games: Broncos v. Colts, Jets v. Chargers

NFL Playoffs Begin:
The AFC Wild Card Games
By: Keith Dobkowski, NFL News Writer
January 4, 2005

The regular season is finally out of the way and the stars are back
and playing again. No more discussion of Peyton Manning,
Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb or Tom Brady sitting out. It’s truly
the most wonderful time of the year.

While most believe that the Super Bowl Champion won’t be
playing this weekend, that belief may be a bit far fetched. Each of
the eight teams that suit up this weekend offers a formidable
challenge and each of the four bye-week teams has a clear
weakness. Here is a look at the AFC match-ups.

Denver Broncos At Indianapolis Colts

Denver Broncos: The Broncos are one of only three teams
ranked in the top ten in both offense and defense in the NFL (the
others being the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles).
The Broncos running attack has been the most consistent in the
NFL since Mike Shanahan joined the team. The use of an
undersized offensive line and questionable chop blocks has
allowed the Broncos to replace their starting running back every
other year. This season Reuben Droughns replaced Clinton Portis
and rushed for 1200 yards in less than a full seasons work.

The Broncos lost to the Colts in last years’ playoffs because they
lacked a shutdown corner. With the addition of Champ Bailey
(who has not been playing well as of later), the Broncos may have
as good a chance as any team in the AFC to slow down the Colts
high-powered offense.

And the Broncos are led by Jake ‘the Snake’ Plummer. Plummer
has a ton of talent and the ability to throw with any other
quarterback in the league. Plummer has also led his fair share of
last minute drives. However, the Broncos Super Bowl chances will
live and die by Plummer’s forced throws. If the passes are
intercepted the Broncos will lose. And if the forced passes are
completed, the Broncos may shock the world and return to the big
dance.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have the most explosive offense in
football, led by MVP Peyton Manning and his three 10-touchdown,
1,000-yard receivers. The Colts also have the league leader in
sacks and led the NFL in takeaways. With those two defensive
statistics, one should find it hard to believe that the Colts have
the fourth worst defense in the NFL. However both statistics are
proof of big plays and the sort of plays that can turn a playoff
game around.

But the heart and soul of the Colts is Manning. He is far and
away the best quarterback in football. Manning calls his own
plays often calling several audible with multiple players from the
line. Manning’s ability forces opponents to line up in nickel and
dime packages. This creates a catch-22 that allows 1500-yard
runner Edgerrin James the freedom to run. The Colts can out-
score any other team in football and one big defensive play may
be enough to get the Colts to the Show.

The Pick: With home-field advantage and the best player in
football the Colts are an easy pick. Even though the Broncos
trounced over the Colts last weekend, they were only playing a
shadow of the real Colts team. Plummer’s desire to make tough
throws and the Colts ball-hawking defense will certainly lead to
turnovers. And of course, the Colts have home-field advantage.

New York Jets at San Diego Chargers

New York Jets: The Jets have benefited from the offensive
explosion created by Curtis Martin. Martin rushed for a league
leading 1697-yards and surpassed the 1000-yard mark for the
tenth consecutive year. With a great offensive line and the
accurate Chad Pennington behind center, the Jets have a very
solid team. However, the Jets offense has issues scoring. They
scored 17 or fewer points in 7 of their last 10 games. This will not
cut it against the Chargers or any other AFC team.

The Jets defense is solid as shown by their 7th rated defense.
The Jets held opponents to 16.3 points per game and have a solid
secondary. However, 16.3 points per game may be too much as
the offense is only scoring 17.

Having been to the playoffs three of the last four years, the Jets
are experienced. Herm Edwards is a passionate coach who will
surely get the most out of his players, it just may not be enough.

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers are the surprise team of the
entire league. In one year they went from 4-12 to 12-4. Both
quarterback Drew Brees and coach Marty Schottenheimer went
from the hot seat to all-pro status. And tight end Antonio Gates
came out of nowhere to become a pro-bowler. Gates and Brees
led the Chargers to 28 points per game, but it is yet to be seen
how they will handle the pressure cooker that is the NFL playoffs.
Without a formidable home-field advantage and no playoff
experience the Chargers are poised for a letdown. The key to
stopping the potential letdown is establishing the running game
with Ladanian Tomlinson early and running him often. Tomlinson
may be the most talented back in the NFL, having replaced
Marshall Faulk as the biggest all around threat.

On the defensive side of the ball the Chargers are complete.
Wade Phillips runs a defense that has had problems adjusting to
the new five-yard contact rule. However, it has been rumored for
several weeks that officials may not call the rule as tight during
the post season as they did in the regular season. This will
greatly benefit the Chargers, who were among the league
leaders in contact violations.

The Pick: The Jets already beat the Chargers once this season
and hope to repeat on Saturday. And while the Chargers have
home-field advantage, it just doesn’t mean as much in sunny San
Diego. It will come down to who executes better and whether
the refs will call the 5-yard contact rule. The Chargers have
flourished over the last 10 games of the season, while the Jets
have had problems scoring. The pick is clearly the Chargers.