NFL Playoffs 2015 season - the other teams

[barrett]

Cam is just so good in short yardage. He has to be accounted for and it makes them near unstoppable in the red zone. Combine that with a vertical passing game, and you have a guy who makes enough TDs that it more than makes up for completion percentage. They have done a great job of building an offense and team around Cam Newton's unique talents.

[HPF Bob]

Agreed. The Panthers are not a fluke but they will lack Denver's experience. This is a classic old-school-vs-new-millenia matchup.

The temptation for most fans is to see Manning get his second ring and ride off to pasture so we don't have to watch another Brett Favre act but I'm not sure Manning is going away that easily. To be honest, he's been little more than ordinary since he came back and Denver's best move would be to tell him he's welcome back next year as a QB coach but not under center.

(BTW, one report is that if he retires he'll move into the Tennessee front office with Bill Polian).

This is Newton's MVP year but he'll have many more chances to win a title and if the Panthers come in too cocky or unfocused, he's not going to know what hit him until it's too late.

[barrett]

The Patriots no longer threaten you at all down field. They threw half a dozen balls deep in the 4th quarter and most were to the 3rd string RB, and he didn't come close to catching any of them. They score by converting 3rd downs. That means they need 4-6 conversions before giving up a sack to a risk taking Denver defense.

Carolina on the other hand scores on big plays. If they don't get any they don't score. But Wade's defenses play aggressive and give up big plays. Carolina also converts tons of turnovers. Plus, with no more games this year, Carolina can plan to run Cam 25 times.

I have picked against Carolina all year, but somewhere in there 50 points yesterday I became a believer.

[Nconroe]

Besides Wade Phillips and Owen Daniels, a few other ex Texans and coaches are in Denver.

Players on the Denver roster include defensive end Antonio Smith, offensive linemen Ryan Harris and James Ferentz and safety Shiloh Keo,.

The coaches are Rick Dennison (offensive coordinator), Greg Knapp (quarterbacks coach), Brian Pariani (tight ends), Bill Kollar (defensive line), Reggie Herring (linebackers) and Marc Lubick (assistant receivers).

[nunusguy]

Jeez, the Panthers beat the Cards/Carson as badly as the Chiefs did the Texans/Hoyer: margin was 34 points and Carson had 4 pics.

[Nconroe]

Cam is a pretty good quarterback.