By Marcus Jensen
 | |
It
seems at the beginning of every NFL season, there is a specific thing that is
said over and over again. Last year was “elite” quarterbacks. Then came the
debate of who qualifies, sorry Joe Flacco, not yet.
This
year all the talk is about who are the “complete” teams? The
overwhelming standouts are the 49ers and the Texans. Many have even predicted
these two teams as the matchup of Super Bowl XLVII. The definition of a
“complete team” as I have come to understand it is a team that has a balanced
and efficient run and pass attack, and has a good defense.
I
think this is a flawed definition. As we saw last weekend, both of these
“complete” teams were absolutely dominated by none other than the two previous
Super Bowl champs. And how were they beaten? Their opponents turned to their
already proven formula of how to win championships.
The
Giants are notorious for their pass rush and being able to pound the football.
The Giants front men had six sacks against Alex Smith, and caused 3
interceptions because of continued pressure on the quarterback. Ahmad Bradshaw
rushed for 116 yards, the first 100 yard game the 49ers had given up in their
last 23 home games. Eli Manning didn’t make too many mistakes.
For
the Packers, the formula is simple. Protect Aaron Rodgers and good things will
happen. Run the ball respectably. Get good pressure on the quarterback and
cause turnovers. Against a secondary that had given up only 6 touchdowns all
year, Aaron Rodgers doubled that in one game. After giving up only 3 sacks, the
Packers also doubled that.
Both
the Packers and the Giants have been questioned this season. The Giants have
had a few close calls to sub .500 teams and their pass rush simply wasn’t
effective. The Packers had a meltdown last week against Indy and a game stolen
from them from the league in Seattle. Adding to this was the fact that the
offense just wasn’t clicking and the defense wasn’t doing what they do best,
cause turnovers.
But
how could anyone doubt the two former Super Bowl MVP’s? Aaron Rodgers came
under heavy fire this week. What happened to him? Are the Packers losing their
touch? This game was a statement.
“Just
follow behind me,” said Rodgers before the game to his teammates. They followed
him for 6 tds and 338 yards.
After
the game, Rodgers said this to NBC’s Michelle Tafoya, “We’re all just tired of
answering questions about what happened to the Packers, what happened to me. We
haven’t gone anywhere.”
There
are striking similarities in the way that the Packers and the Giants won their
games. It all started with stopping the run. The Giants held Frank Gore to just
36 yards on 8 carries. Although Arian Foster had 2 rushing tds, he was held to
just 29 yards and his lowest yds/carry of his career, just 1.7. Both Alex Smith
and Matt Schaub need their running game to be effective, and both play better
with a lead.
At
the end of the season, be honest, would you rather have Alex Smith or Eli
Manning as your QB? Matt Schaub or Aaron Rodgers? Eli and his 22 4th quarter
comebacks. Rodgers with his clutch, accurate throws. That is who I want at the
helm in January.
So
we circle back. What defines a “complete” team? A team that has a quarterback
that can completely dominate a game. A team who in the face of adversity, when
things aren’t being done right, step up and pick up the slack. A team that
overcomes injuries and has players step up in the big moment. A team that, when
the season is on the line, steps up and performs. A team that hears the doubt
and takes it as fuel for their fire. “It helps when people give me a reason to
have that chip,” said Rodgers after Sunday’s game. As a Packers fan I hope that
it continues and people keep giving the Packers chips to snack on.
If
the going gets tough, remember who is the leader of the team. “Shhh,” said
Rodgers to his critics. Don’t worry, I got this. Remember who I am.
Hey everybody, I just found a similar article by ESPN.
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