NFL Playoffs Divisional Round: Punting is for Cowards
The first week of the playoffs is in the books, and what an opening round it was. Following the Super Wildcard Weekend, The Punt Return Podcast delves deep into the highs and lows of the week, as well as some cheeky banter in regards to the Divisional Round’s best picks and plays.
STATS INSIDER: So, Who’s Going to Win Super Bowl LV?
Of all things, the opening item on this week’s agenda was the hot topic of punting.
“Punting is for Cowards”
Both the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers fell victim to poor coaching, electing to punt in situations requiring aggression on 4th and short yardage plays, ultimately costing them victory.
A lack of trust offensively saw Titans head coach Mike Vrabel elect to punt from the Baltimore Ravens 40 yard line with 10 minutes remaining. The Punt Return‘s Josh Wye says the mind-boggling decision allowed the Ravens to drain the clock and finish with a field goal, putting them up by 7 to ultimately seal Tennessee’s fate. The lack of aggression cost them their season and fans will no doubt be asking how such a promising season ended so tamely.
TEN decided to punt to BAL from the BAL 40 on 4th & 2 with 10:06 remaining in the 4th while losing 13 to 17.
With a Surrender Index of 138.87, this punt ranks at the 100th percentile of cowardly punts of the 2020 season, and the 99.92nd percentile of all punts since 2009.
— Surrender Index 90 (@surrender_idx90) January 10, 2021
Down by 12 on a 4th-and-1, a “baffled” Jordan Berry was put into the game for the Steelers to punt their season away. Waving the white flag late leaves a disappointed Pittsburgh side fractured, with a promising start to the season (11-0) cut short in the first week of the Playoffs.
Both teams ultimately got what they deserved due to awful decisions late, missing out on advancing to the Divisional Round. Aggressive decisions are what separate the good teams from the great, and the Titans and Steelers have been reminded of that in the most brutal of ways.
Pitiful Pittsburgh Pining For a New QB?
Pittsburgh were looking for a strong start to their Playoff campaign. The 0-28 first quarter they served up was not it.
The eleven-week-unbeaten Steelers seemed like a distant memory, and after spectacularly crashing and burning out of the playoffs once again, one has to ask… where to from here?
Change is inevitable in Pittsburgh if they are serious about moving forward. Promising starts to seasons leading to flat finishes and unfulfilled potential is a narrative that Steelers fans are all too accustomed to.
A change in personnel is the obvious call, “but where?” is the most interesting question. The franchise remains loyal to head coach, Mike Tomlin, who has to wear part of the blame, so, with a menacing defense and a multitude of options at the offensive skill positions, that leaves the position of QB. Ben Roethlisberger has arguably had a Hall of Fame career, but looks to be the likely move necessary for the Steelers moving forward. The “weak link” in the Steelers offense according to The Punt Return Podcast‘s Nick Splitter, Big Ben’s time looks to be up in Pittsburgh, with either the option to retire or look for opportunity elsewhere more and more likely as the organisation tries to address the issue at hand.
? NEW PODCAST ALERT ?
… and then there were EIGHT.
* Is ‘Big Ben’ done?
* Punting is for cowards
* Philly fires Doug
* Frank Reich’s nightmarePLUS #NFLPicks for all #DivisionalRound games!#NFL #NFLPlayoffs #LAvsGB #BALvsBUF #CLEvsKC #TBvsNOhttps://t.co/5sEtl0ozUW
— The Punt Return ?? (@PuntReturnPod) January 15, 2021
The Age-Old Question: Does Tom Brady Age?
After another dominant start to another playoff season, it is a question that has to be asked.
What more can be said about a man that is closer to picking up a seniors discount than to the age he won his first Super Bowl? And – the scary thing is – he’s showing no signs of letting up. A comprehensive performance from Brady saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold off the Washington Football Team late on Super Wildcard Weekend. With a comfortable 381 yards and 2 touchdowns (with zero interceptions) next to his name, Brady reminded the league that the 6-time Super Bowl winner isn’t dead yet.
“Tom Brady and The Holy Grail” (2021)
Discussion on this week’s Punt Return Podcast:
? APPLE: https://t.co/fB30Xfv7LN
? SPOTIFY: https://t.co/aeIZLDsn6O
? GOOGLE: https://t.co/uUrfuJoU31#TomBrady #GoBucs #NFL #GOAT #BradyGOAT pic.twitter.com/AGu2k52D3f— The Punt Return ?? (@PuntReturnPod) January 16, 2021
He will need a similar performance in the Divisional Round as he comes up against fellow senior citizen, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, who come off a nonchalant win against the simply outclassed Chicago Bears.
This season Brees has had the upper hand over Brady’s Buccaneers, but both sides come into this Divisional Round matchup looking strong on both sides of the ball. Brady is built different in the playoffs, with this stat saying it all:
Drew Brees has NINE playoff wins in his career;
Tom Brady has NINE playoff wins since turning 39.
The NFL Divisional Round LIVE on the History Channel pic.twitter.com/tr4iyckQyS
— The Punt Return ?? (@PuntReturnPod) January 12, 2021
And, with help from his witch doctors and a lucky run in big playoff moments, Brady might just be taking the Buccaneers all the way.
For more NFL analysis, statistics, picks and plays every week of the NFL season, subscribe to The Punt Return Podcast on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
