I had the pleasure of helping write this for The Shadow League.
We’re still trying to figure out what just happened.
We had a classic comeback and almost classic collapse amongst the four playoff games this weekend. We need someone to make sense of everything that just happened. So guys (Michael Tillery, Vinnie Goodwill, D.J. Dunson, J.C. Gamble and Richard Boadu) break it down for the people.
Question 1: Considering how he played the 2nd half, can we even say that Matt Ryan “stepped up” or do we give credit for the win no matter what?
GAMBLE: Matt Ryan is lucky. He’s ½ the crunch time commander Russell Wilson is. Ryan’s pass setting up the field goal was cool, but this is no Joe Flacco power move. I still wouldn’t trust Matty Dice with cutting my lawn. If not for a debacle of coaching moves by the Hawks, Wilson would be getting fitted for a loud NFC Championship suit.
VINNIE: We can say he “stepped up”. Didn’t he lead the final, game-winning drive that led to a FG? We can’t judge QB’s in the playoffs for style points, because one thing we couldn’t call him before today was a playoff winner. To play 60 minutes of perfect ball against THAT defense was unrealistic. But he made plays early–and late, and that’s why he’s still playing. Can’t hate on that.