Divisional Playoff Keys

Here are my 10 keys to Saturday's divisional playoff.


Experience: Let's begin with something that I think is a key but in a different way. If Greg Jennings drops a pass is it due to lack of experience. Some would say yes. If he hauls in a bomb what is it due to then? Really experience doesn't matter, talent does.

Game of parallels: There's the cross pollination between teams, the Holmgrem connection thread etc. On the field this is true, too. There's Favre and Hasselback both Holmgrem pupils. Kampman and Kearney top rushers 12 and 14.5 sacks respectively. Barnett & Tatupu play making middle line backers. Charles Woodson and Maurice Trufant top corners. Ryan Grant and Mo Morris lesser known backs. These will affect things like turnovers (QB's, CB's), 3rd down (DE's), and 3rd down (MLB's)

Return Play: Nate Burleson returned a punt and kick for a TD. Can Williams and Robinson out produce him?

Kicking: Rookie Crosby v. experienced Brown. Still not comfortable in the cold. Of course Brown is wearing heated warm up pants so is he comfortable?

Turnovers: Interestingly both have 24 turnovers while Seattle has 34 take aways to Packers 28. Woodson maybe key to this area.

3rd down: Packers offense converts 43% vs. Seahwaks defense 35% Seahawks offense 35% vs. Packers defense 33% Here's where the multiple receiver short pass plays come in.