The Five Best Super Bowl Winners Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New Orleans Saints will play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Colts (16-2) are currently favored by nearly six points to defeat the underdog Saints (15-3) this weekend.

No matter what the ultimate outcome is, fans can expect to witness a thrilling game between the offensively explosive Saints and Colts.

In tribute to this weekend’s championship matchup, I have decided to rank the five best Super Bowl winners of the past quarter-century.

1)      The 1989-1990 San Francisco 49ers- The dominant 49ers (17-2) absolutely destroyed the overmatched Denver Broncos (13-6) by a score of 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV to repeat as champions at the Superdome in New Orleans.

To this very day, the 49ers lopsided margin of victory over the Broncos remains the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

Legendary Niners quarterback Joe Montana was justifiably named the game’s MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdown passes.

San Francisco’s underrated defense stifled John Elway’s aerial assault and they managed to limit Denver to a paltry 167 yards on offense.

Joe Montana is a four-time Super Bowl champion and he has been the focal point of many tremendous squads.

Still, the 1989-1990 49ers unit was the greatest one that Montana ever played on.

2)      The 1985-1986 Chicago Bears- The Bears (18-1) humiliated the New England Patriots (14-6) 46-10 in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

The Best Quarterback Matchups in the Super Bowl Since 1985 posted by Colin Linneweber

The Indianapolis Colts will play the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The contest is expected to be an offensive shootout pitting Colts (16-2) quarterback Peyton Manning against Saints (15-3) signal-caller Drew Brees.

Manning, 33, a four-time AP NFL MVP, and Brees, 31, a three-time All-Pro selection, are two of the greatest quarterbacks to grace the gridiron during this generation.

In recognition of the impending Super Bowl matchup, I decided to rank the best quarterback showdowns to have occurred in the Super Bowl since 1985.

1)      Super Bowl XXIV- Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers destroyed John Elway and the Denver Broncos 55-10 in the most lopsided championship game ever at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Montana, a three-time First Team All-Pro selection who made the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, was named the Super Bowl MVP after he completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns.

Elway, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro, played horrifically in the embarrassing blowout loss.

In total, Elway completed 10 out of 26 passes for a measly 108 yards and two interceptions.

On this January evening, Montana and the 49ers overwhelmed Elway and the Broncos.

Nevertheless, this Super Bowl showcased perhaps the two greatest quarterbacks in the annals of the NFL.

2)      Super Bowl XIX- Montana and the Niners thrashed Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins 38-16 at Stanford Stadium in California.

The Underestimated posted by Amari Harris

Whenever I think back to this past Sunday’s game against the Vikings, everything just seems blurred.  Although the final score read 34-3, I just can’t imagine how things got out of control so quickly.  The Cowboys were moving the ball well and playing pretty well on defense initially.  Then suddenly, they were getting stampeded.  Not by Adrian Peterson.  Not even by Chester Taylor.  They weren’t even being mauled by Minnesota’s Pro Bowl laden offensive line.  So what the hell happened?!  Well in review, it was a lot of things but at the same time it was one thing:  respect.  The Cowboys underestimated and undervalued players on the Vikings and players on their own team.  They underestimated the effect of a home field advantage in Minnesota.  They also under estimated the amount of desperation that needs to be displayed in every playoff game.  Somewhere between beating the Eagles twice and getting demolished by the Vikings, the Cowboys forgot that they were playing the one of the top 2 teams in the conference.

The Cowboys had to hear all of the media hype about how they were the hottest team in the NFC and that Minnesota was having all of these internal problems.  So they assumed (as did I) that they were equal to Minnesota and all they had to do was play their game.  If the game was played in Cowboys stadium that would have been true, but as Vishante Shiancoe so eloquently stated,  “That's the suburbs down there. This is the 'hood. The Cowboys had a solid game plan going in, but they couldn’t adjust to the fierce pass rush and the loud stadium in crucial situations.  And the fact that Wade Phillips ultimately put more trust in

Cowboys make quiet exit from playoffs with 34-3 loss to Vikings posted by Joe Anello

Count me among the "fooled" pundits who thought the Dallas Cowboys would have the upper hand over the Minnesota Vikings in their divisional round match-up. How wrong we were. Tony Romo turned the ball over three times en route to an embarrassing 34-3 loss to Brett Favre and the Vikings. 

The beleaguered Dallas star regressed tremendously from the cautiously efficient QB he became in the latter half of the regular season and last week's win over Philly. Two first half fumbles put the Cowboys in a deep hole. As bad as Romo was, Favre was just the opposite, throwing three TD's to Sidney Rice and another late to Visanthe Shiancoe without tossing a single interception. Needing to complete only 15 passes, Favre relied heavily on his stout defense and a running game that was consistent while not spectacular. Adrian Peterson carried the ball 22 times for a meager 59 yards but kept the defense honest along with back-up Chester Taylor. Dallas did not have that luxury.

Romo was under pressure all afternoon from a relentless Viking front four. Dallas managed to move the ball well in the first half but couldn't give their quarterback enough protection to make short throws, much less down the field. Sacked six times, Romo was constantly running for his life, unable to settle in the pocket and find open receivers. Jason Witten's ten receptions make for a good stat line, but he has never been a game-breaker. Dallas could never mount a drive without shooting themselves in the foot with penalties or turnovers. 

Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Even if yesterday's were drama-less (story of the playoffs so far), I couldn't miss a second. That won't change today as the most hyped game of the weekend starts Divisional round Sunday. New York's Cinderella story (is Rex Ryan the fairy godmother?) closes out the night with a west coast appearance. The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Dallas has been under fire for failing in December and the post-season for several years. Now, they've broken both "jinxes" and found themselves one game away from the NFC title game. Wade Philips saved his job with a pounding of Philadelphia last weekend and will look to blow Favre up in the pocket. 

Analysis: Minnesota wishes they had Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have been committed to and successful with the run, and Romo has been efficient with 20-26 throws a game. Felix Jones needs another huge run to loosen up the Vikings' D so Miles Austin can strike deep against poor-playing corners. Favre will be under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff all afternoon, which will cause at least one interception, maybe two. Dallas' defense is playing dominant football while the Vikings have been inconsistent at best. Adrian Peterson has to be the game-breaker today and not the poster child for fumblitis.

Exercising the Demons posted by Amari Harris

The Cowboys have a huge match-up this week against the #2 seed Minnesota Vikings.  But, I don’t think that will keep any Cowboys fan from relishing in what has transpired over the last month.  Over these last 4 weeks the Cowboys have exercised all of their “demons” and now simply have to go into the Metrodome and take on the 12-4 Minnesota Vikings led by Brett Favre to advance to the NFC championsip.  Piece of cake, right?  Well before we stuff ourselves, let’s digest the last month of the season and see what the Cowboys were able to stomach (pun intended). 

Demon #1:  DECEMBER

It all started in New Orleans when the Cowboys took on the undefeated New Orleans Saints.  They were coming off back to back losses to the Chargers and Giants and the December monster continued to loom.  Most experts predicted that the Cowboys would not only lose Saturday night in New Orleans , but that they could possibly free fall out of the playoffs with more late-season losses.  The Cowboys went on to man handle the Saints for the majority of the game and DeMarcus Ware added a signature performance  to his growing legacy. 

After handing New Orleans its first  loss of the season, the Cowboys took on a semi-surging Washington Redskins team that wanted to show what they had to new GM Bruce Allen.  Result:  17-0 shut-out, courtesy of Wade Phillips and his suddenly vaunted defense.  The Cowboys had punched their ticket to the playoffs but I have to admit that there were

First Playoff Win in 14 Years For 'Boys posted by Nicholas Schwartz

The Dallas Cowboys have pulled off their first playoff win in years.  Tony Romo is now 1-2 in the playoffs, and Wade Phillips finally has won one himself.  Phillips and Romo had been known as "choke artists" in the past years, Romo fumbling a kicker hold against the Seattle Seahawks and throwing an interception late against the New York Giants.

However,  not only did they win, but they won in convincing fashion against the Philadelphia Eagles.  Holding one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL to 14 points in two games, the defense is playing inspired football.  With the front 7 applying pressure on the running game and the quarterback, the secondary locks down on big name receivers.   Next week is a favorable match up against the Minnesota Vikings offensive line.  They continue to allow Favre to be sacked, and Adrian Peterson is unable to have his explosive speed contribute when he can barely get to the line of scrimmage.  

Romo continues to play the best football of his career with 2 touchdowns and 244 yards.  This is far from the Romo of December and January's past; he has truly learned how to hold onto the ball and avoid turnovers while still being a big play threat.   Miles Austin is his deep threat, but Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton continue to be huge 3rd down targets.  Even Roy Williams is looking in sync with Romo, catching a bullet pass that was way over his head.

The Vikings had a great regular season, but were beginning to see a bit of slump towards the end.  The defense was unable to harass opposing quarterbacks and the offense was stagnant at times.  As Favre is pressured more and becomes frustrated, he makes far more errant passes.  The lone exception to this was the beat down the Vikes put on the Giants in the final game of the regular season.  They began to combine everything they had put together early in the season and were able to rebuild some confidence.  Still, with a bye week they could be sluggish.  Only time will tell how this match up will end, but you have to like the Cowboys chances. 

Cowboys send Eagles home with a 34-14 rout in Big D posted by Joe Anello

Proving that their shut-out win last week was no fluke, the Dallas Cowboys picked up right where they left off with a 34-14 blowout win over the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday night. In a flag-filled contest (actually setting a playoff record for most penalty yards), only Dallas overcame their mistakes. Philly never stood a chance. 

Dallas may have racked up over 400 yards of offense, but their balance was integral to the victory. With 35 passes and 34 runs, the Cowboys' play-calling was near perfect. They exploded in the first half with Tony Romo endzone passes to John Philips and Miles Austin, a Tashard Choice TD run and two Suisham field goals. A well-rested Felix Jones broke off a 73 yard run in the third quarter to put the game out of reach at 34-7. Marion Barber came into the game injured and only carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards, then chilled on the sidelines because of the insurmountable lead and Felix Jones' success. That rest could pay dividends next week. Corner Mike Jenkins played a phenomenal game, supported by a solid secondary.

Andy Reid's Eagles found a few big plays, but not nearly enough to make up for their lack of any running game or consistent passing attack, not to mention their five turnovers. McNabb's throws were off all night and he was under immense pressure from the Dallas front line. After not blitzing enough last week, the Philly defense paid for its aggressiveness on Saturday, being taken advantage of by Dallas receiver screens and draw plays. It wasn't pretty.

Vick's TD Pass Means More to Him Than to Eagles posted by Frederick Barry

Every now and then one play can define a career in the NFL.  This was, indeed, the case for Michael Vick in the 2009 Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys. One pass in one playoff game may have secured one player's career in the NFL.

 With the Eagles down a touchdown in the 2009 Wild Card showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, it was up to the Eagles offense to make something happen. It was at that moment that Michael Vick, standing in shotgun formation, took a snap and passed to Jeremy Maclin for a 76 yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7. 

The Eagles obviously needed this reception, having already lost twice to the Cowboys in the regular season and having amassed only one touchdown between both games.  However, it may be the case that Michael Vick, coming off the dog fighting controversy and subsequent prison sentence, needed it more.

Vick is only signed on for one season (with a second year option) as the Eagles back-up quarterback - a risky deal the team made despite criticism from animal rights groups and pressure from media outlets.  After this season, the largely unproven Vick is a free agent who had only this season to prove himself as a legitimate NFL quarterback.  Despite the second NFL chance, Vick had only provided mediocre statistics for a quarterback, leaving many wondering what was next for the felon superstar.

 Until this game, Mike Vick threw for a total of 86 yards on the season.  He played primarily as a back-up with a wildcat upside due to his breakaway speed and rushing ability; both characteristics he had displayed from 2001-2006 as an Atlanta Falcon.  As a rusher Vick ran 24 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns with the Eagles this season, proving his abilities as a ball carrier post prison.

NFL Playoffs preview posted by Ryan Turner

Is everyone ready for their repeat of Week 17 in the NFL? That’s certainly what it feels like, with the Eagles returning to Arlington to take on the Cowboys and the Packers returning to Glendale to face the Cardinals. At least the Bengals and Jets are giving us some variety by switching from New York to the Queen City for their rematch. The Patriots and Ravens are the only original match up of Wildcard Weekend, but when we look again, it’s still nothing new.

The Patriots beat the Ravens 27-21 at Gillette Stadium in Week 4. This fact would be surprising if you just looked at the box score. Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes for the Ravens while Tom Brady had just one for the Pats. Ray Rice ran for 103 yards for the Ravens on his own while the Patriots had just 85 rushing yards as a team. Looking at that, one would think that the Ravens dominated this game and would have won by at least a touchdown. Baltimore did lose the turnover battle, but only 2-to-1, so it wasn’t that big of a difference. The Ravens simply didn’t get it done in the fourth quarter, getting stopped on fourth down twice. This game will likely come down to the wire again, but I’ll take the Ravens this time. Flacco’s got nearly two years of experience now and the Patriots will be without Wes Welker, one of the cornerstones of the New England offense. Sure, the Pats could get a running game going, but against Baltimore’s defense, I’d say that’s unlikely at best. They still have Terrell Suggs. They still have Ray Lewis, and Lewis hasn’t dropped off much despite his age. They can stop the run and they’ll stop the Patriots run on Sunday.

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