Finally
to finish off the Divisional Round, we conclude with the final NFC match-up.
San Francisco at Carolina
Looking
at this match-up there is one thing I’m looking forward to the most: Colin Kaepernick
against Luke Kuechly. Watching a QB go toe-to-toe with a MLB is some of the
best football we get to watch. It may not be like watching Ray Lewis go against
Peyton Manning, but these two can put on a show. Kuechly had a game earlier
this season where he recorded 22 tackles, and Kaep is becoming one of the
better mobile QBs in the league. It’ll be fun to watch each get the better of
the other, but one will ultimately win, who? Let’s jump into this NFC match-up.
San Francisco 49ers
Offensively
the visitors weren’t wow-ing anyone until they got back Michael Crabtree. In
the opening week, Anquan Boldin showed why he is such an asset and why the
49ers traded for him. Boldin lit up the Packers in the season opener, and Kaep
saw firsthand why his DBs had trouble covering him in the Super Bowl the
previous season. Without Crabtree, the 49ers didn’t struggle, but they weren’t
as prolific in the beginning as they have been as of late. Although Boldin
still has size and strength, speed isn’t his best attribute, now I’m not
calling him slow, just not as fast as Crabtree. The former Texas Tech Red
Raider is lightening in a bottle just waiting to spring out and show the
defense whose boss. With the two main WR threats, the 49ers also have the next
best thing, a big, physical, speedy TE: Vernon Davis. Since former coach Mike
Singletary said he wanted winners, Davis has been playing better. It took
current coach Jim Harbaugh to really get the best of Davis, which showed last
year when Davis ran straight to his coach balling his eyes out after catching
the go-ahead TD against the Saints. Davis plays harder than a lot of players in
the NFL, and he is one of the toughest covers for any defense. He is usually
too fast for linebackers and too big for defensive backs. Along with the triple
threat down the field, the 49ers also have two solid runners in Frank Gore and
LaMichael James. Gore is the workhorse back who gets most of the carries, while
James is seldom used, but he could see more touches as the wear and tear of the
regular season catches up with Gore. If the 49ers can get their running game
going, they will be tough to stop, because they will also get use out of the
play action. Kaep can play with the best of them and his ability to scramble
just aids his already solid QB form. He has moments where he needs to calm down
and set his feet, but otherwise does a good job getting off good spirals to his
multiple targets. Kaep is out for a Super Bowl win this year after being “that
close” last year.
On
defense this team is scary. They have some of the best in the NFL for the front
seven, and their secondary isn’t shabby either. Aldon Smith, Justin Smith,
Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman are just a few of the front seven, and they give
Offensive Coordinators and opposing QBs nightmares. With Donte Whitner and Eric
Reid sitting at the safety position, Cam Newton will need to be careful where
he puts the ball for two reasons; first, he doesn’t want to get his WR/TE
killed, and second, he doesn’t want to throw an INT. Look for some fun (scary)
formations from the 49er defense, delayed blitzes and corner/safety blitzes are
very easy when you have young, fast players in the secondary.
Carolina Panthers
After
starting the season 1-3, few believed that the Panthers could make the
playoffs, much less earn the #2 overall seed in the NFC. However, with a QB
like Cam Newton and an offense that he has around him, it is about time these
Panthers did something impressive. With Steve Smith not at 100%, it’ll be up to
Domenik Hixon to step up and show that he can play ball. Hixon has been around
the block with several teams, but somehow never seems to stick. He has made big
plays in his career, but few remember them because he hasn’t been able to make
it with one team. He played for the Broncos a while back, and I remember him making
big plays in the punt and kick return, but he could never get into high on the
depth chart for WRs. He played for the Giants and helped them win their first
Super Bowl against the Patriots. Now with the Panthers he has done some good
things, but none bigger than his game-winning TD against the Saints in week 16.
Greg Olsen will also be a key player for the Panthers. He may not be the as big
or as fast as Vernon Davis, but he has what it takes to play at a high level in
other ways. Olsen is a solid route runner, and he is always giving Newton an
open target to throw to. Olsen also finds holes in the defense and sits there
waiting for the ball. Usually beside Newton in the backfield is DeAngelo
Williams, Mike Tolbert and/or Jonathan Stewart. Williams and Stewart used to be
a formidable pair as a tandem, but I haven’t seen them split as many carries
this year. However, Tolbert has been a great addition since following former
San Diego coach Ron Rivera. All three backs run behind their pads and lower
their shoulder to get extra yards. Williams can take the ball to the endzone at
any time, so watch for a few homerun bursts if he can avoid the 49ers front
seven. Looking at Newton, he has improved a lot since setting a lot of records
as a rookie. His deep ball is more accurate, his feet don’t get too happy when
he’s in the pocket. Most times, Newton has been able to stay in the pocket and
not scramble as much, but like Kaep, Newton is always ready and willing to take
off and get the first down. With or without Steve Smith, Newton will need to be
careful, but still aggressive if he wants to beat the 49ers.
Defensively
this team is one of the best in the NFL. They aren’t loaded with household
names, but with players like Greg Hardy and Luke Kuechly. The Panthers have the
ability to rush the passer and cover a lot of ground in man and zone. Just like
I said with San Francisco, watch for mixed formations and new wrinkles to
confuse Kaepernick and his protection (O-line and RBs).
Prediction
This
game will be fun to watch, but may not foster as many points as some of the
other Divisional Round games. I expect a defensive game the first three
quarters with a mini-explosion of offense in the fourth quarter. I think the
Panthers can find what it takes to knock the Super Bowl runner-up out of the
2014 playoffs. Panthers win, 24-20.