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We are less than two hours away from our team's biggest game in 33 years. We have suffered, cried, and been desperately waiting for an opportunity to be a contender and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Many are of the mindset that walking into Philly and winning is going to be a monumentally difficult task. Agreed. That all being said, we all know that in a one game winner take all, anything is possible. History supports this line of thinking. As evidence, I would like to revisit several teams who have improbably climbed the mountain and hoisted the Lombardi over the years:
a) 2010 Green Bay Packers
This team entered the playoffs as a #6 seed, just like your Burgundy and Gold. In their playoff run, they took out the #1, 2, and 3 seeds all on the road - Eagles, Falcons, Bears. Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Eagles: Packers went 8/13 on third down; Aaron Rodgers three TD passes and had an overall 122 QBR.
* Round 2 vs. Falcons: Packers generated 4 turnovers, went 8/12 on third down, recorded 5 sacks defensively, had 38 minutes T.O.P, and Rodgers three another 3 TDs and had 366 yards passing.
* Round 3 vs. Bears: Packers' defense generated 3 turnovers and had 34 minutes TOP.
2007 New York Giants
This team entered the playoffs as a #5 seed in the NFC.
Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Bucs: Giants generated 3 turnovers and had 33 minutes TOP
* Round 2 vs. Dallas: Cowboys had 11 penalties for 84 yards
* Round 3 vs. Green Bay - Giants possessed the ball for 40 minutes and held the Packers to 1/10 on third down.
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers:
Another team who entered the playoffs as a #5 seed.
Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Bengals: Steelers went +2 in the turnover differential; Roethlisberger completed 73% of passes and threw 3 TDs
* Round 2 vs. Colts: Steelers had 34 minutes TOP and generated 5 sacks
* Round 3 vs. Broncos: Steelers had the ball for 36 minutes, went 10 of 16 on third down, Roethlisberger went 20 of 26 for 2 TDs and 275 yards.
2001 Patriots:
While this team entered the playoffs as the #2 seed, I included them in this list because the season prior, they were 5-11 and made a magnificient single-season turnaround. The dynasty was under way...
* Round 2 vs. Raiders: 40 minutes TOP for NE, Brady had 32 completions in a blizzard for 312 passing yards.
* Round 3 vs. Steelers - the Pats upended the Steelers on the heels of 4 defensive turnovers being created.
What's the point, CH? My point is these teams did all the things in the playoffs our guys in Burgundy and Gold are doing right now to win. That being:
a) they had positive momentum and started seriously believing in themselves.
b) won the third down conversion battle.
c) created turnovers.
d) won the time of possession battle.
e) had QBs who were feeling it and could deliver when they had to.
f) played clean football and didn’t beat themselves.
g) generated just enough pressure on opposing QBs.
All these elements were sprinkled into these teams’ stories and that seems to be the blueprint we are currently following. There absolutely is a path that we can beat Philadelphia today.
Believe it.
a) 2010 Green Bay Packers
This team entered the playoffs as a #6 seed, just like your Burgundy and Gold. In their playoff run, they took out the #1, 2, and 3 seeds all on the road - Eagles, Falcons, Bears. Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Eagles: Packers went 8/13 on third down; Aaron Rodgers three TD passes and had an overall 122 QBR.
* Round 2 vs. Falcons: Packers generated 4 turnovers, went 8/12 on third down, recorded 5 sacks defensively, had 38 minutes T.O.P, and Rodgers three another 3 TDs and had 366 yards passing.
* Round 3 vs. Bears: Packers' defense generated 3 turnovers and had 34 minutes TOP.
2007 New York Giants
This team entered the playoffs as a #5 seed in the NFC.
Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Bucs: Giants generated 3 turnovers and had 33 minutes TOP
* Round 2 vs. Dallas: Cowboys had 11 penalties for 84 yards
* Round 3 vs. Green Bay - Giants possessed the ball for 40 minutes and held the Packers to 1/10 on third down.
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers:
Another team who entered the playoffs as a #5 seed.
Notable statistical tidbits from each game:
* Round 1 vs. Bengals: Steelers went +2 in the turnover differential; Roethlisberger completed 73% of passes and threw 3 TDs
* Round 2 vs. Colts: Steelers had 34 minutes TOP and generated 5 sacks
* Round 3 vs. Broncos: Steelers had the ball for 36 minutes, went 10 of 16 on third down, Roethlisberger went 20 of 26 for 2 TDs and 275 yards.
2001 Patriots:
While this team entered the playoffs as the #2 seed, I included them in this list because the season prior, they were 5-11 and made a magnificient single-season turnaround. The dynasty was under way...
* Round 2 vs. Raiders: 40 minutes TOP for NE, Brady had 32 completions in a blizzard for 312 passing yards.
* Round 3 vs. Steelers - the Pats upended the Steelers on the heels of 4 defensive turnovers being created.
What's the point, CH? My point is these teams did all the things in the playoffs our guys in Burgundy and Gold are doing right now to win. That being:
a) they had positive momentum and started seriously believing in themselves.
b) won the third down conversion battle.
c) created turnovers.
d) won the time of possession battle.
e) had QBs who were feeling it and could deliver when they had to.
f) played clean football and didn’t beat themselves.
g) generated just enough pressure on opposing QBs.
All these elements were sprinkled into these teams’ stories and that seems to be the blueprint we are currently following. There absolutely is a path that we can beat Philadelphia today.
Believe it.