NFL Divisional Round: Five things we learnt as the Seahawks, Patriots, Packers and Colts progressed to the Championship game

A look back at what happened in the Divisional round of the NFL play-offs

(Getty Images)

Widely seen as the best weekend in the football calendar, this year’s divisional play-off round served up some cracking games. Zander Swinburne looks at who’s moving onto the Conference Championships and who’s heading home.

1) Patriots hold on to avoid the upset

Despite the New England Patriots securing the number one seed in the AFC, beating the likes of Denver and Indianapolis to the top spot, Bill Belichick’s team were somewhat underdogs heading into their Saturday game with the Baltimore Ravens. All through the week, the narrative revolved around Baltimore’s unique ability in the post-season to ruin New England’s chances of another Super Bowl.

Joe Flacco was put on a pedestal he didn’t even reach after winning his first title, and Baltimore were seen as legitimate contenders to make New England stumble again. Despite all the talk, there was no outrageous upset as the Patriots beat the Ravens 35-31 to make it to their fourth consecutive conference championship game.

The win was far from easy, but New England showed just why they can return to Arizona for another shot at the Super Bowl. Not once, but twice were the Patriots forced to recover from a 14 -oint deficit. The difference maker was again Tom Brady, a quarterback no stranger to post-season victories. Brady recorded his 19th play-off victory after converting four touchdowns and throwing for 367 yards. The game was back and forth from the start to finish, but only do the great teams emerge victorious from those tussles. After showing the resolve to avoid another upset, this year could very well be the season the Patriots live up to their own expectations.

2) Old and tired Broncos no match for youthful Colts

Before the Broncos and Colts kicked-off on Sunday night, this game had the making of an instant classic, with one of the greatest players ever taking on a future star.

Instead, it simply became a painful affair to watch. Expectations for the Broncos going into the play-offs were high, and of course they would be with Peyton Manning on the roster. It didn’t quite turn out the way the Broncos expected, with Manning throwing wild incompletions all over the field in their 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite posting fantastic numbers in comparison to the rest of the league, the Broncos offence has been unusually unproductive through the latter stages of the season, and this trend continued on Sunday. Even with their bye week, Denver looked tired, and this was emphasised by Indianapolis’ youthful style of play.

As dire as the game was for the Broncos, nothing can be taken away from Andrew Luck and his Colts. Luck truly is the future and his composure in such a hostile environment was outstanding. The quarterback’s 15-yard TD pass to Hakeem Nicks was one of his many highlights of the night and it showed just how accurate this QB can be when it matters most.

Even though the night was well and truly Luck’s, all attention will turn to Manning and whether he is likely to return next season. It would be a shame to see Manning bow out on such a poor note, but at least Luck’s future in the sport will provide some comfort.

3) Seattle continue to get stronger and harder to beat

As hard as it is to believe, mid-way through the 2014 season Seattle were a team with a good chance of missing out on a spot in the play-offs. Arizona were controlling the division and the Seahawks appeared out of sorts on both offence and defence.

Fast forward two months and one 31-17 demolition of the Carolina Panthers, and it seems absurd to have ever considered the Seahawks as anything other than a Super Bowl contender. Right from the get go, Seattle were punishing on defence, reminding the league of just why they won last year’s Championship. Home field advantage has never been applied more than with the Seahawks and CenturyLink field. The noise the home crowd produced clearly shook Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and this had a lasting effect on the rest of the game.

Defence has always been Seattle’s strong suit but on Saturday it was their offence that really produced. Quarterback Russell Wilson has seemingly returned to his Super Bowl winning form after throwing three touchdowns on the night. He now has a mind boggling 25-2 home record, and not since early November has his team lost.

There is no better time to get hot in the NFL than in the play-offs and for the second straight year, Seattle have hit their stride when it matters most. With just Green Bay to beat at home next week to make it to the big game for a second time in as many years, the Seahawks are as dangerous this week as they were a year ago.

4) Green Bay’s season may only go as far as Aaron Rodgers’ left calf

There was little glamour in their victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but the Green Bay Packers found a way, coming from behind to win 26-21. Their win at Lambeau Field was far from the high scoring blowouts that Packers fans have enjoyed this season and all because of one factor: Aaron Rodgers’ left calf.

Going into this game, there was the possibility that Rodgers would be a statue in the pocket, unable to move on his feet to keep the play alive. What was surprising to see was the lack of accuracy that developed from his strained calf. His entire first half was plagued by his physical limitations and the stats showed it, with Rodgers throwing for just 90 yards through the first two quarters. He looked a completely different player, limping up the field on each completion. Rodgers recovered well in the second half, leading his team back into the game, continuing his unearthly streak of no home interceptions since the 2012 season.

Nonetheless it doesn't bode well if the teams star player is hopping around the field. Rodgers said after the game that he still believes he has 120 minutes of football left in him. Green Bay will need their talisman in top form if they are to compete with Seattle away from home. Whether Rodgers’ calf will be up to the challenge remains to be seen.

5) Dallas lose a on technicality?

What goes around comes around in the NFL. Last week the Dallas Cowboys were saved by a highly debatable officiating call against the Detroit Lions, this week their season was cut short due to a technicality that could have seen America's team make the NFC Championship game.

Trailing 26-21 late in the fourth quarter, Tony Romo threw a deep pass on 4 and 2 to Dez Bryant who miraculously came down with the ball on the Packers two-yard line. Upon further review, the play was deemed incomplete as Bryant failed to control the ball when he hit the ground, a full four yards after initially grabbing the ball.

The sheer athleticism from Bryant to make the catch makes the incomplete ruling all the more painful, yet it was the right decision. There was no officiating mistake and the debate is more in the rule rather than the call that was made on the field. Nevertheless, any newcomer to the sport will no doubt look on in disbelief. The Cowboys were simply on the wrong end of a rule that hit the Detroit Lions in 2010 when Calvin Johnson made a similar play. The difference this time is that there was plenty more at stake.

The Cowboys would have still needed to score even if Bryant’s catch stood, but it is a shame Dallas were never given that chance after a miraculous piece of athleticism that went unrewarded.

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WILD CARD RESULTS

Seattle Seahawks 31 Carolina Panthers 17

New England Patriots 35 Baltimore Ravens 31

Green Bay Packers 26 Dallas Cowboys 21

Denver Broncos 13 Indianapolis Colts 24

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND FIXTURES

Sunday, 18 January

AFC: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

NFC: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks