Folk's Foot Saves Ryan and Jets

This game was expected to be close, all the way to the very end. Neither team disappointed, and it took one last drive by the New York Jets to outlast the Colts in Indianapolis, 17-16.

Thoughts on the game:

• Peyton Manning......I don't know how to describe your performance. You were determined not to make mistakes that would cost the game for you. You took what the defense gave, and ultimately put your team in position to win the game. In the end, not taking those risks cost you the game and added another loss to your unimpressive 9-11 playoff record.
• This loss really points out the fact that Manning cannot do it all. The defense can't defend the run and once again committed a mistake on kickoff coverage cost the Colts the game. I think this team needs more discipline. The offense may be a disciplined unit, but the defense and special teams have been issues the Colts just can't seem to fix.
• Got to give Derrelle Revis props. You did exactly what was asked of you......eliminating Reggie Wayne. He was held to one catch for one yard. I knew this would be the strategy of Rex Ryan. Eliminate Wayne and make the Colts receivers beat you.
• Mark Sanchez, you might just be the worst QB to make into the playoffs in recent memory. It seems like you can only throw the slant, out route(to the near side), or hit the check down receiver. Your accuracy was just terrible tonight all over the field. I cannot believe how terrible you played tonight. Thank God you have a ground game in New York.
• The Jets gameplan was exactly what was needed to beat the Colts: only make Sanchez throw when you need him too. The Jets pounded the rock with LT and Shonn Greene and played hardnosed football.
• Jim Caldwell.......I cannot wait for your explanation for using your last timeout like that......the Colts need to learn how to manage the clock.
• The Jets will now travel into Foxborough.....this will be the 3rd time these teams have met this season. They went 1-1 in the season, now it will be for the right to represent the AFC East in the Championship game.

Stunned in Seattle

The New Orleans Saints came into Seattle as double digit favorites that almost everyone had written off already as a win for the reigning champs. However, the Seattle Seahawks stunned the Saints in Qwest Field 41-36.

Thoughts on the game:

• I have to give props to the entire coaching staff of the Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll and his entire coaching staff preached all week to the players that they can beat the Saints. Carroll and crew got them to believe in themselves, and ultimately play inspired football for 60 minutes in a game. In addition, the gameplan was spectacular. Pounding the rock against a suspect Saints front seven and capitalizing big on play action is what won the game. In addition, the defensive schemes that gave the Saints trouble were well executed.
• Marshawn Lynch, I think this was easily the best game of your career. You gave the Seahawks a reason to believe that you can be the RB of the future with this team. You handled the workload, and you produced big time results. The "want-to" on your 67 yard TD run was the best run of your career. Hats off to you, sir.
• Going into the game, I would have never thought that the Seattle OL and Matt Hasselback would have great games. The Seattle OL played a full and complete game....executing both in pass protection and the run game. Matt Hasselback was given the time needed to make the necessary throw, and Marshawn Lynch ran for 131 yards on just 19 carries.
• Drew Brees.......you had a great game. It just wasn't enough this time.
• The Seattle offense as a whole. They could not have played better. For a team that only averaged 19 points a game, you came out and put a whopping 41 on a respectable New Orleans defense.

Wildcard Weekend Game Times

Saturday, January 8th
New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks
NBC 4:30ET

New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts
NBC 8:00ET

Sunday, January 9th
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs
CBS 1:00ET

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
NBC 4:30ET

More Coaching Moves

Earlier today, the Dallas Cowboys followed the in the steps of the Minnesota Vikings by removing the interim tag from their organization. Jason Garrett was announced as the head coach.

In addition, former head coach Wade Phillips has been hired on as the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans. Early reports say that the team will make a switch to the 34 defense, which begs to question: how will they effectively use All Pro DE Mario Williams? And former Pro Bowl LBs Brian Cushing and Demo Ryans?

Staying on the subject of defensive coordinators, the Arizona Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Bruce Davis. Bruce Davis' defense was statistically one of the worst defense in the league managing 29th out of 32 teams in total defense(373.6), 23rd in passing defense(228.4), 30th in run defense(145.2) and giving up an average of 27.1 points a game(30th). Averages are listed in parenthesis.

Lastly, Tony Sparano will remain the head coach of the Miami Dophins. His job security has been in a flux since the end of the season and by owner Stephen Ross talking with Jim Harbaugh as his potential replacement, while Sparano was still the head coach.

Black Monday Not as Bleak as Predicted

The Monday after the NFL regular season has been known as Black Monday for several seasons now. It got its nickname because of all of the coaches that lost their jobs after the season.

However, the only head coaches to lose their jobs were Eric Mangini of Cleveland Browns, John Fox of the Carolina Panthers, and Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders. Mangini was 10-22 in his two year stint with the Browns.Fox had been with the team since 2002 and posted a 73-71 overall record and made playoff appearances in 2003, 2005, and 2008. Cable only had one full season as head coach, finishing 8-8 and 6-0 versus the AFC West.

One must also realize that this season was abnormally active during the season when it came to coaching changes since Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings, Wade Phillips of the Dallas Cowboys, Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers, and Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos were all fired during the course of the season.

Sources have also reported that Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans, Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants, and Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars are safe. In addition, Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals, whose contract expired at the end of the season is accepting an unspecified contract extension to remain with the team into next season, if not beyond.

Coaches who still remain on the hot seat include Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins, Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans, and possibly Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers.

On another note, Leslie Frazier was named the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.