The NFL Playoffs have been absolutely fantastic so far, so it seemed best to get the NFL minds here at VAVEL USA together to do a roundtable about some of the burning questions before the NFC and AFC Championship Games.
1. What are your thoughts on the Dez Bryant "catch" being overturned by the challenge?
Max Chadwick-My opinion on the controversial Dez Bryant "catch" which was overturned by the challenge was that Cowboys fans and those upset about the call should not be mad at the referees, but rather at the Competition Committee who made the rule in the first place. The referees did their job by following the rules and overturning the call, but I believe that Dez Bryant did make a catch. How can taking three steps and diving for the end zone not be considered a "football move"? The NFL Competition Committee should change the "Calvin Johnson Rule" before another team is wrongfully sent home from the playoffs.
Jarrod Taylor-Tony Romo finally had his moment, with the game on the line and one of the best rushing attacks in the game on 4th and 2 he held the teams future. He threw the perfect ball to the one of the best ever at jump ball situations and it was a story book moment. Dez Bryant caught the ball over a defender lunged for a score and set up a 1st and goal from the one yard line. The moment every Cowboy fan has waited to see since the mid 90s, then came the red flag. Green Bay challenged the ruling and in a few minutes Dez Bryant and Calvin Johnson of the Lions would have one more thing in common. The rule is the rule, ball can't move while going down to the ground. The problem is that the rule is made for every wide receiver that plays the game not players with the athletic ability of a Johnson or Bryant. While 98% of receivers to ever play the game couldn't control the ball in midair fall down off balance and still have the body control to try and find the goal line these guys can. The call on the field by word of the law is incorrect, they overturn based on the rule that no one can do what Dez Bryant had so clearly just done. The call should have stood, Dez Bryant made the catch and made a football play with the ball that only a very very select few have ever had the talent to make. The Cowboys season ended and what could have been will linger on Romo and the team's mind for the rest of their life. Hopefully this rule is revisited this off season so that these elite players aren't held back because they can make players that almost no one else can make.
Missy Metz-I disagree with the referees on that call. Dez Bryant had the catch then took a few steps and then fumbled the ball near the end zone. If anything the catch should've counted and it could have been ruled a fumble which was recovered by Bryant.
Joshua Bean-I think the call was bogus. Dez took 2 steps, pivoted towards the goal line with his 3rd step, and reached out for the end zone. Then Murray would have easily scored from the .5 yard line. If that's the way instant replay is going to go, then they need to do away with it.
Mac Magee-The Dez Bryant call was correct, but soooo wrong. By the letter of the law, the call was right on: it was not a catch. Where it is wrong? The rule needs to be changed. The fact is, if a receiver can trap the ball on the ground, then that should be a catch. If it's not a catch, then the whole rule should be amended.
Bryan Castillo-The Dez Bryant should have never been overruled. I understand the rule the NFL officials are implementing but the fact of the matter is that Bryant made 2 football moves when he switched the ball into his left foreman, a clear indication he was attempting to lunge forward, and attempted to cross the goal line. There was also no clear indication that the ball hit the ground therefore to overturn what was initially ruled as a catch on a 50/50 call goes against the challenge ruling norm. It didn’t solely cost Dallas the game but it certainly didn’t help.
Adam Stefanik-While I think it was a catch by Dez Bryant I also think the convoluted rules and interpretation of the rule left the NFL with no choice but to overturn the call.
Trevor Browning-The Calvin Johnson rule. That should explain itself. First of all, I am very biased because I am a Detroit Lions fan and personally believe Dallas shouldn't have even played Green Bay in the Divisional round. All biased thoughts aside, just like Calvin Johnson in 2010 against Chicago, Dez Bryant never fully secured the ball when landing in the end zone. I've seen a lot of missed or bad calls during this year's playoffs, but the refs got this one right.
Caleb Wahlgren-The rule was interpreted correctly. For as much as people will want to argue about the fact that the rule should be changed, how much more leeway do we allow the receivers to have? Because the rule used to be, if the ball touched the ground at all, regardless of control, then it is incomplete. Bryant lost control when the ball turned once his arm hit the ground. Because possession was not clearly established at that point, the replay overturned the call on the field. If the call on the field would have been properly made, I don't believe there would be as much uproar as there currently is being made about this play. Also, Green Bay moved down the field after taking the ball, which is just what they would have done if Dallas had punched it in, making the point somewhat moot.
2. Who is your playoff MVP so far in this year's NFL playoffs?
Max Chadwick-My playoff MVP so far in the NFL Playoffs is Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Although his team is out of the playoffs, he has still been the best player in my opinion. He threw for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 30-17 win against the Steelers and threw for 292 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in a 35-31 loss to the Patriots. He certainly played well enough to make the AFC Championship if only his defense could hold Tom Brady and the Patriots to under 31 points.
Jarrod Taylor-Andrew Luck has been my MVP this post season. He has led his team to two playoff victories and been extremely decisive from the pocket in both games. His team was given little hope of going into Denver and beating the guy who he replaced in Indianapolis, but never the less he got the job done. While I see the season coming to a half in New England no one can completely count out the Colts with Luck at the reigns.
Missy Metz-My playoff MVP is Andrew Luck. Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts have quietly been one of the best of not the best team still available. Andrew Luck lead the Colts passed the future Hall Of Famer in Peyton Manning. He's carried the team and make some big throws when needed.
Joshua Bean-Andrew Luck. He has quietly played very well and I believe that on Sunday he will dominate the Pats secondary in leading the Colts to the Super Bowl.
Mac Magee-The NFL Playoff MVP, so far, is easily Andrew Luck. Only the Colts have two playoff wins, and Luck has played well. Now, he travels to New England, and it will all ride on his right arm!
Bryan Castillo-I’ll go with Andrew Luck as my playoff MVP, thus far, simply because he’s the only quarterback that has led a wild-card team to championship weekend. He arguably has the least amount of talent surrounding him and yet is one of the final 4 in this year’s playoffs. No team relies more on their quarterback than the Colts and Luck has proven he’s worthy of that responsibility.
Adam Stefanik-Andrew Luck is showing that he is the next great quarterback in the NFL and the torch may have been passed finally from Peyton Manning to him on Sunday.
Trevor Browning-I'm going with Tom Brady and not because of my biased mindset since he went to Michigan. I believe most people thought Baltimore would knock off New England this past week in a hard-fought game. Brady thought otherwise. He brought his A game when he needed to accounting for 4 total touchdowns (1 rush TD) and going 33-50 for 367 yards. Without those numbers, the Ravens would have walked all over the Patriots.
Caleb Wahlgren-My Playoff MVP so far is Aaron Rodgers. I simply think that other teams could replace who they have out there and be the same, while the Green Bay Packers are close to nothing without him. Plus, beating the Dallas Cowboys is the most impressive victory of the playoffs to date, as they are the highest caliber team out of the playoffs, and Eddie Lacy hardly played due to an asthma issue. They went 5 wide and no huddle against the Cowboys defense, despite the Calf issue, and drove down the field on back to back drives for a come from behind win.
3. What team that has lost in the playoffs this year has the best shot at being the Champion of Super Bowl 50?
Max Chadwick-Out of all the teams that lost in the playoffs, the team who I believe has the best chance to win Super Bowl 50 is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now keep this in mind, by no means do I see the Steelers winning Super Bowl 50 next season. However, out of the 8 teams already eliminated, they have the best shot. Their offense is one of the best in the NFL led by a top 5 quarterback this year in Ben Roethlisberger, the 2nd best running back this year in Le'Veon Bell, and the best wide receiver this year in Antonio Brown. Also, rookie WR Martavis Bryant has star potential and the offensive line is much improved. Now onto the defense. Unlike previous years where the defense carried the offense to Super Bowls, it's the other way around. There is seemingly no pass rush and the secondary is just awful. Also, legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau resigned and has been replaced by linebackers coach Keith Butler. Perhaps Butler can breath new life into the defense. The defense is no longer old with many young players who can develop into stars such as rookies defensive end Stephon Tuitt and linebacker Ryan Shazier. The secondary needs to get younger but Brice McCain and Antwon Blake can hold their own. Overall, the Steelers have the best shot of all of the eliminated playoff teams to win Super Bowl 50 next season.
Jarrod Taylor-The Dallas Cowboys will start the 2015 season with the best chances to go all the way that the team has had in decades. The Cowboys have missing pieces, but with the offseason now in full swing for them they have a chance to go get them. If the Cowboys can reinforce a defense that overachieved this season they will be a matchup on team's schedule that no one wants to face.
Missy Metz-The team that's lost that has the best shot in Super Bowl 50 (next year) is the Dallas Cowboys. The huge key for the Cowboys is to re-sign Dez Bryant and keep the coaching staff intact, mostly Jason Garrett and Scott Linehan. The get some players healthy and DeMarco Murray running like he did in 2014, so no doubt the Cowboys.
Joshua Bean-I think the Dallas Cowboys have the best shot at winning Super Bowl 50. They have the best offensive line in the NFL, they have a young, but good core of defensive players returning next year, and Tony Romo as learned to listen to his coaches and not option out of the run when it's called. The Cowboys took big strides this year and it will aid them in being Super Bowl champs next season.
Mac Magee-Super Bowl 50 champion will be the Dallas Cowboys. Just a tweak here and there, and Dallas will be good to go. As long as they re-sign Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray, and add defensive depth, Jerry Jones will be yelling 'how bout them Cowboys!'
Bryan Castillo-The Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens are two teams in their respective conferences to advance to next year’s Super Bowl 50. Ravens still have an above average defense and one of the best playoff quarterbacks in the NFL that’s won a Super Bowl before. The Cowboys with a young offensive line and Tony Romo still with a couple great years left they’re only a couple pieces on defense away from taking another step forward. Costless-agency will have a lot to say about both team’s chances next season but each have a good core to build around.
Adam Stefanik-I think Baltimore has the best chance, especially if they keep Gary Kubiak and the rest of the staff intact.
Trevor Browning-As long as Denver gets (Peyton) Manning back to 100%, the Broncos will be going home in February as Super Bowl Champions. Denver will take the off-season to hire a head coach to rejuvenate the team, rebuild the offense, and solidify an already explosive offense. With C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman alternating carries, the Broncos will be one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league.
Caleb Wahlgren-Looking at the 8 teams, I think it's a no brainer that if healthy the Arizona Cardinals have the best shot at winning Super Bowl 50. Carson Palmer and bringing back a healthy defense, because they were injury riddled as well, they simply should have won the NFC West, but they fell apart because of the horrible quarterback play of Ryan Lindley.
4. What team do you see winning the NFC Championship, the final score of the game, and why?
Max Chadwick-Who I see winning the NFC Championship game with the Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks is the Seahawks by a score of 28-17. With potential NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers hobbled by a torn calf, I see the Seattle defense led by the two best safeties in the NFL in Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor and also the best cornerback in the NFL in Richard Sherman, shutting down Green Bay. Also, the Seahawks run offense led by Marshawn Lynch will have a big day against the Packers subpar defensive line. Now, if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 100%, I could see a closer game. Unfortunately he is nowhere near 100% and with the best home field advantage in the NFL, the Seahawks win rather easily.
Jarrod Taylor-I see the Seattle Seahawks convincingly beating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. Green Bay does not have the defense to stop Seattle and Rodgers is banged up while facing the best secondary in football. If the games comes down to Rodgers having to move the ball through the air I will take Seattle's secondary over Green Bay's wide receivers every day. 31-20 Seattle.
Missy Metz-The team that I have winning the NFC Championship is The Seattle Seahawks. If Aaron Rodgers is still limited the Packers won't be able to make a game out of it. In week 1, the Seahawks won in Seattle. Expect the same result. The score will be 28-14 Seahawks.
Joshua Bean-I see the Seattle Seahawks beating the Green Bay Packers 38-10. Aaron Rodgers when rushed can't move well. That calf is a bigger problem than Green Bay is letting on. The Dallas defense didn't do a good job with rushing Rodgers. The Seahawks defensive line is big, quick, and aggressive. They will not only rush Rodgers, but will get to him for many sacks or force him to have poor throws. When he is rushed like that, Rodgers will make mistakes and Seattle is very good at making teams pay who commit mistakes.
Mac Magee-Seattle 31, Green Bay 20. Beating the 12th man and that vaunted Seattle defense is a tall enough task, but doing it on one leg is just about impossible. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL, but his injury and the task of winning on the road in Seattle, is just about insurmountable.
Bryan Castillo-The Seahawks will win Sunday because the Legion of Boom have found their mojo again and will be able to contain a hobbled Aaron Rodgers. Also the Packers showed their biggest weakness against Dallas which is defending the run, Marshawn Lynch will eat Skittles. The Packers offense has been much improved since these two teams first met on the first week of the season but ultimately Rodgers' calf injury will limit him against a much better Seattle pass rush than the Cowboys’. Seahawks win 24-20.
Adam Stefanik-Seattle wins 37-24, especially if Aaron Rodgers’ calf is still in bad shape. If so Seattle’s defense will dominate.
Trevor Browning-Seattle will defeat Green Bay 38-24. I believe Seattle's offense will overpower a middle-of-the-pack Packers defense and easily get the win this week. Russell Wilson will come to play again just like he has so many times this season. Personally, I think the game would be a lot closer if Aaron Rodgers wasn't playing with an injured calf against the best defense in the league. Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Eddie Lacy will be the players to look this week as they will be key factors as to who plays in the Super Bowl and who goes home.
Caleb Wahlgren-I am going to go out on a limb here and pick the upset, with the Green Bay Packers winning against the Seattle Seahawks. They have a good offensive line, only allowing one sack when they played the best defensive line in football, the Buffalo Bills. Corey Linsley was a rookie in his first NFL start in the season opener, and now he is a 17 game veteran. Davante Adams had 7 catches for over 100 yards against the Dallas Cowboys last week, and he didn't play in the opener as he was still learning the offense while Jarrett Boykin was in instead of him. Richard Rodgers, another rookie, didn't play much in the opener either and is a dangerous weapon in the passing game. Yes, the Seahawks are still the same great team, but they are not unbeatable. Carolina had their chances last week and they finished 8-9-1 this season. Green Bay wins by a final score of 27-17.
5. What team do you see winning the AFC Championship, the final score of the game, and why?
Max Chadwick-Who I see winning the AFC Championship with the Indianapolis Colts at the New England Patriots is the Patriots by a score of 35-24. The Patriots offense is simply too much for the mediocre Colts defense so I see Tom Brady having a field day. Expect Rob Gronkowski to have a big day as well. Also, I believe the Patriots secondary, which is second only to the Seahawks, will slow Andrew Luck and the Colts one-dimensional offense down. Let's face it, the Colts have absolutely no running game. It's basically Andrew Luck single-handedly carrying the team to the AFC Championship.
Jarrod Taylor-The Patriots will also be a home team this weekend in the AFC Championship game and will also soundly defeat their visiting opponent. The Colts have had a great run but they lack the defense required to slow Tom Brady down. Also Andrew Luck will be forced to throw against a secondary that is maybe the second best in the league. Tom Brady won't falter this post season until he reaches the Super Bowl and is beaten by the Seahawks. 41-27 New England.
Missy Metz-The Team that I predict will win the AFC Championship game is the Indianapolis Colts. If they can play as well as they did against the Denver Broncos it will be a Colts upset. Tom Brady and the Patriots defeated Andrew Luck in Massachusetts however. The Colts are a much better team now. The final score will be 24-17.
Joshua Bean-I see the Indianapolis Colts beating the New England Patriots 34-31. Andrew Luck will dominate the Patriots' secondary. While I don't think the Colts' defense is very good, I believe it'll come down to whoever has the ball. Colts win on a last second field goal.
Mac Magee-New England 45, Indianapolis 28. The Indianapolis Colts have one of the best quarterbacks in all of the game. But, the team as a whole, just isn't complete. Tom Brady and company will slice through the Indianapolis defense, and it will be hard for the youngster Andrew Luck to keep up.
Bryan Castillo-Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are 3-0 against Andrew Luck in his career and that trend will continue. The Colts defense are average at best and took advantage of an injured Peyton Manning, Brady on the other hand had one of the best comebacks last week against the Ravens coming back from down 14 points, twice. Luck is a very good quarterback but commits one or two turnovers each game that gives the opposing team an advantage. The Broncos weren’t able to capitalize on Luck’s turnovers, the Patriots will. Patriots win 35-24.
Adam Stefanik-New England 43-37 because they are playing at home and Tom Brady will find some magical way to pull it out late.
Trevor Browning-Andrew Luck will prove himself once again against a future hall-of-Famer and Indianapolis will come away with an unexpected win against New England 28-21. Andrew Luck is surely proving that he belongs in this league, most recently with his signature win against Manning and the Broncos. A lot of teams have overlooked Indianapolis defeating New England mostly because their last matchup on Nov. 16th, 2014 resulting in a Patriots win 42-20. Indianapolis is coming into the game with the best pass defense in the league and I believe they will hold Brady to minimal numbers and force him to make bad decisions with the ball. The new look Colts will head to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning it in 2006.
Caleb Wahlgren-When in doubt, you go with the best quarterback and the best coach. That has to be Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Just look the goofy things that Belichick pulled out against the Patriots. Also, the one area where the Patriots are really weak defensively is the running game, which is non-existent for Indianapolis. Expect a heavy dose of LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray as the Patriots will look to pound the Colts, possibly bringing in extra lineman. Also, this means that one of my favorite tight ends, blocking tight end Michael Hoomanawanui will be getting a lot of playing time. There is not reason to attack Vontae Davis when Brandon LaFell is your top receiver. They will run and use their possession receivers for first downs when necessary. New England wins this one by a final score of 41-17.