NFL Combine workout drills explained

NFL action is back with the NFL Combine is just around the corner, taking place on the 23^rd-26^th February 2013.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with it, the NFL Combine is when the best college prospects are invited to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to take part in a series of physical and mental test which they will be assessed on by NFL coaches, scouts and general managers from all 32 teams. The NFL Combine is a key event in the NFL as in the past, it has ultimately decide a players’ future as it can determine where they go in the draft, their salary and the perception a player receives.

Here is a summary of all of the main workout will drills which take place at the NFL Combine.

40-yard dash

In this drill, players will be timed to see how quickly they can run 40 yards. This event is all about speed and reaction times. Scouts will be looking at not only what time the player can run the drill in, but also the explosion a player can achieve from a static start which ultimately shows a good reaction time. Players’ times are taken at 10 yards, 20 yards and at 40 yards from the start line.

Bench Press

This drill is all about the strength and endurance of a player. The player must rep 225 pounds as many times as they can in one minute.

Vertical Jump

This drill simulates the situation of a player having to jump in the air to reach the ball, so it’s a good demonstration of a player’s leg power and explosion. The measurement is from where the player can reach standing flat-footed, to where the player reaches to when he jumps in the air.

Broad Jump

In this drill, players will start in a stance and then they jump as far as he can forward and land without losing balance. This test is therefore measuring a player’s balance, explosion from a stance and their lower-body explosion and strength.

3 cone drill

This drill tests a players ability to change directions quickly whilst still maintain a high speed. The drill is set out with three cones in the shape of the letter ‘L’. From the start line, the player must run five yards to the first cone and back. He then turns, runs around the second cone, runs a weave around the inside of the third cone, comes back to the second and then back to the start which is the finish point. A player who runs this drill quickly will show good agility.

Shuttle Run

The player starts the drill in a 3 point stance. He then sprints five yards to the right, touches the line, sprints ten yards to the left, touches the line, then sprints five yards to the right to the start and finishes. This tests a player’s speed and explosion.

Below is a video of Tim Tebow at the 2010 NFL Combine performing all of the drills mentioned above except for the Bench Press.

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Superbowl XLVII Preview - 3rd February 2013

Finally, it is here once again. The Superbowl! This time, it takes place in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and the teams are the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s my preview of the big game.

Superbowl Sunday

Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers – Ravens win

For the first time in a Superbowl, two head coaches, that are also brothers, will go against each other. Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens will go against each other for the first time since the 2011 Thanksgiving game, which the Ravens won 16-6. I’ve got a feeling the Superbowl will create a similar result.

If it does, what a way it would be for Ravens OLB Ray Lewis to retire. He’s already got a Superbowl ring from back when the Ravens won it in their first and only trip to the Superbowl in the 2000 season. This however, will be his last game ever and to go out with another Superbowl ring on his finger is the script of a Hollywood movie. This possibility will drive the rest of the Ravens squad to help him achieve it.

Ravens OLB Ray Lewis - 

Doug Pensinger/Getty Image

However, the 49ers have a 100% record in the Superbowl, winning five out of the five times they have been there. Their last Superbowl win though was back in the 1994 season, when NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young was QB. If they win their sixth Superbowl title, they’ll match the Pittsburgh Steelers with the most ever Superbowl wins.

One man who will want to win the Superbowl more than ever, is Ravens QB Joe Flacco. He can prove to his critics that he should be in the class of elite QBs with a win on the big stage on Superbowl Sunday. He will be hoping he can add more touchdowns to the eight he has already earned in his last three playoff games, therefore WRs Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith need to be on form. RB Ray Rice will also need to be on form too, to make sure the offense line stays aggressive.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco celebrating 

- AP Photo-Charles Krupa

The 49ers defense trio of Patrick Willis, NaVarro Bowman and Aldon Smith will do everything they can to stop Flacco from releasing the ball. If Flacco manages to get the ball off though, the 49ers secondary including CB Tarell Brown, DB Chris Culliver and FS Dashon Goldson will be the last line of defense to stop the Ravens getting any 21 unanswered points like they did against the New England Patriots.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (no. 52)
 - Kevin C. Cox-Getty Images

On the offense side for the 49ers is QB Colin Kaepernick. The 2^nd year QB has been fantastic since taking over QB Alex Smith as starter earlier this season. Expect him to use the option plays which came alive against the Packers earlier in the playoffs being used once again. RB Frank Gore, WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis will be helping him out, as the 49ers will want to catch out the Ravens defense anyway possible.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (no. 7)

 - Kevin C. Cox-Getty Images

In Kaepernick’s and the 49ers way though, is a Ravens defense that wants to give Lewis the best sending off for retirement ever. FS Ed Reed and CBs Cary Williams and Corey Graham will be hoping to stop anything coming into the secondary. Hoping to stop the ball from ever reaching the secondary are Lewis, ILB Dannell Ellerbe and OLB Terrell Suggs. Collectively the whole Ravens defense will want to repeat a similar performance like they did against the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts.

AFC Champions: Baltimore Ravens

Four out of the last five Superbowls have been won by six points or less (only exception is Superbowl XLIV where the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts by 14 points), so expect another tight and exciting game.

This is also the first time since Superbowl XXXVII that a Manning, Brady or Roethlisberger hasn’t featured in the Superbowl, showing the rise of a new era of QBs.

My score-line prediction:

Baltimore Ravens 28-21 San Francisco 49ers

The Superbowl will kick off at 6:30pm ET (11:30pm GMT) on 3^rd February. Alicia Keys will be singing the national anthem and Beyoncé will be performing in the Pepsi Superbowl Half time show. Watch out for the Superbowl commercials too.

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Baltimore Ravens 28-13 New England Patriots - Match Report

AP Photo-Charles Krupa

Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens put Ray Lewis' retirement on hold as they earn themselves a place in the Superbowl, after a second half comeback of 21 unanswered points gives them a win against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game at the Gillette Stadium.

The Ravens won the coin toss, but they decided to allow the Patriots to receive the ball first.

As this game is Patriots QB Tom Brady 24th postseason start, he now ties Brett Favre for the most post season starts ever by a QB.

The game got off to a slow start though, as both teams had to eventually punt on their first possessions.

It wasn't till the Patriots second possession did we see the first points being scored, as the Patriots had to settle for a 31 yard field goal by K Stephen Gostkowski.

It was during this drive though, that Brady broke an NFL postseason passing yards record, surpassing Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning for the 3rd all-time passing yards in a post season record.

Three drives later, the Ravens punted the ball back to the Patriots, which WR and return specialist Wes Welker returned the ball for 28 yards, giving his team good field position on their own 47 yard line.

However, they were unable to capitalize on this good field position as the Ravens defense forced them three and out. During this drive by the Patriots though, Ravens DE Paul Kruger had a chance to earn an interception, but he was unable to haul the ball in.

Nevertheless, the Ravens received the ball back and on the ninth play of their drive, their QB Joe Flacco threw a deep left pass to WR Torrey Smith for 25 yards.

Four plays later, the Ravens had their first points on the board as their RB Ray Rice earned a two yard touchdown run, the first touchdown of the day.

On the next Patriots possession, they travelled 80 yards in 11 plays, topping it off with a one yard touchdown pass from Brady to Welker, giving the Patriots the lead again.

The first sack occurred on the next Ravens possession, as Flacco was sacked by Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich, causing the Ravens to punt the ball as they went three and out.

The Patriots took advantage of this by adding another three points to the board just as time expired in the first half. The points came through a 25 yard field goal by Gostkowski.

This made the half time score 7-13 to the Patriots.

The Ravens received the ball at the start of the second half and on the third play of their drive, Flacco passed the ball deep left to WR Anquan Boldin for 26 yards to the Patriots 48 yard line.

Despite this big play, they were unable to benefit any further, as they were forced to punt three plays later. They did however force the Patriots start with the ball from their own nine yard line.

Brady produced a big play of his own on the fourth play on the Patriots next drive with a 24 yard pass to Welker.

A penalty was caused by Ravens SS Bernard Polland according to the referees, which added another 15 yards to the Patriots drive, allowing the Patriots to start their next play on the Ravens 36 yard line.

However, a drop by Welker on the seventh play of the drive caused the Patriots to punt the ball back to the Ravens.

On the tenth play of the Ravens next drive, Flacco passed the ball to TE Dennis Pitta for a five yard touchdown, giving the Ravens a one point lead.

The Patriots were then forced three and out, making them punt the ball back to the Ravens. On the tenth play of the Ravens drive at the start of the fourth quarter, Boldin added another touchdown to the Ravens score through a 3 yard pass down the middle by Flacco.

Patriots got the ball back on the next kick-off and on their fourth play, WR Brandon Lloyd performed a good spin move to the right, to get away from Ravens defenders and run out of bounds at the Patriots 39 yard line.

On the next play, the first turnover of the game occurred as Patriots RB Stevan Ridley fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Ravens DE Arthur Jones.

Thanks to this turnover, the Ravens asserted their authority on the game four plays into their drive, with an 11 yard pass to Boldin for a touchdown, giving the Ravens a two possession lead.

The Patriots were forced to turn the ball over again on the tenth play of their next drive as Brady was unable to complete a pass to WR Deion Branch on fourth down, causing the second turnover of the game.

The Patriots defense redeemed the Patriots offense mistakes by forcing the Ravens three and out.

It looked like the Patriots would profit from this as Brady managed to connect with Welker for a 36 yard pass. After this though on their next play, Brady's pass for TE Aaron Hernandez was tipped by Ravens DE Pernell McPhee and intercepted by ILB Dannell Ellerbe, the third turnover of the game.

Nine plays later and the Ravens were forced to punt the ball back to the Patriots, but they managed to run down the clock by just under five minutes, just before the two minute warning.

After the two minute warning and on the ninth play of the Patriots drive, a pass by Brady intended for Lloyd was intercepted by Ravens CB Carey Williams in the end zone.

This made the final score 28-13 to the Ravens.

Not only does this win mean the Ravens are the AFC Champions, but it also means they will be going to the Superbowl, to play against the San Francisco 49ers on 3rd February at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

This game will also be the first time that two head coaches that are brothers, Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens, have gone against each other in the Superbowl.

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San Francisco 49ers 28-24 Atlanta Falcons - Match Report

Streeter Lecka-Getty Images

A nine yard touchdown run by Frank Gore means the San Francisco 49ers will go to their sixth Superbowl, thanks to a 28-24 win against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. 

The Falcons were the team though that got off to the best start. On the seventh play of their opening drive, QB Matt Ryan was able to find WR Julio Jones in open space down field for a 46 yard touchdown.

On the first 49ers drive, they were forced three and out as a pass by their QB Colin Kaepernick intended for TE Vernon Davis was broken up by Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud, forcing them to punt the ball.

Jones then caught a 27 yard pass on the Falcons eighth play on their next drive, putting him on 100 yards for the game, with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

However, the Falcons had to settle for a 37 yard field goal by their K Matt Bryant, on the twelfth play of their drive.

The first sack of the game occurred on the next 49ers drive as Falcons DT Corey Peters was able to get to Kaepernick, forcing another three and out and another punt by the 49ers.

At the start of the second quarter and on the fourth play of the Falcons drive, Jones added another touchdown to the Falcons score with an amazing catch in the left hand corner of the end zone thanks to a 20 yard pass by Ryan, giving the Falcons a 17 point lead.

The 49ers finally entered the RedZone for the first time in the game on the tenth play of their next drive, thanks to a 27 yard pass from Kaepernick to Davis.

Two plays later, RB LaMichael Jones gave the 49ers their first points of the day with a 15 yard run into the end zone for a touchdown, reducing the Falcons lead to ten.

After the Falcons were force three and out, the 49ers entered the red zone again after a 25 yard pass from Kaepernick to Davis, who was then forced out of bounds at the Falcons four yard line by Falcons CB Asante Samuel.

Davis then finished off the drive one play later, catching a four yard pass for a touchdown, reducing the Falcons lead to three.

Gonzalez restored the Falcon's ten point lead on the fifth play of their next drive, with a great catch for a touchdown in the middle of the end zone, from a 10 yard pass by Ryan.

This made the half time score, 14-24 to the Falcons.

The 49ers started with the ball in the second half and added more points to the board thanks to a five yard run by their RB Frank Gore, completing a seven play drive of 82 yards.

Five plays into the Falcons next drive, Ryan was sacked for the first time in the game by 49ers NT Isaac Sopoaga. On the next play, Ryan was picked off by 49ers CB Chris Culliver, the first turnover of the game.

On the first play of the 49ers resulting drive, Kaepernick completed another deep throw to Davis for 31 yards, who was pushed out of bounds at the Falcons 25 yard line by DeCoud.

The 49ers were given a chance to level the game four plays later, but K David Akers field goal attempt hit the left upright, keeping the score 21-24 to the Falcons.

Nine plays into the Falcons next drive, Ryan fumbled the snap, which 49ers OLB Aldon Smith jumped on, giving his team the ball on their own 37 yard line, the second turnover of the game.

On the fourth play of the 49ers drive in the fourth quarter, WR Michael Crabtree plucked the ball out of the air for a 33 yard pass to the Falcons 33 yard line.

Two plays later though, Crabtree fumbled a pass on the Falcons one yard line, eventually recovered by Falcons SS William Moore for no gain.

However, the 49ers got the ball back straight away, as they forced the Falcons three and out for the second time in the game. A poor punt by the Falcons, allowed the 49ers to start their next drive on the Falcons 38 yard line.

Six plays into the 49ers drive, Gore ran for a nine yard touchdown, giving the 49ers the lead for the first time in the game.

On the fourteenth play of the Falcons drive, on a 4th down and 4, a pass intended for Falcons WR Roddy White was broken up by ILB NaVarro Bowman, resulting in the third turnover of the game.

The Falcons defense then forced the 49ers three and out for the third time in the game, giving the Falcons one last opportunity to win the game from their own 41 yard line.

Sadly, it wasn't to be. Ryan managed to complete a 24 yard pass to Jones, but he was stopped on the 49ers 35 yard line by 49ers CB Carlos Rogers, making the final score 28-24 to the 49ers.

This win means the 49ers are the champions of the NFC, but more importantly, they will be competing in the Superbowl for the sixth time in their history on 3rd February, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, against the Baltimore Ravens.

This game will also be the first time that two head coaches that are brothers, Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers and John Harbaugh of the Ravens, have gone against each other in the Superbowl.

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NFL Predictions - Conference Championship Previews - 20th January 2013

Last weekend was one great weekend, filled with lots of outstanding NFL action. The Baltimore Ravens were able to defeat the AFC number one seed Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers outplayed the Green Bay Packers for the second time this season, the Atlanta Falcons became the top 'bird of prey' by winning against the Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots won their divisional match up against the Houston Texans for the second year in a row.

These results have set up two fantastic Conference Championship games for this Sunday, including one rematch from last year’s playoffs. The 49ers will play against the Falcons at the Georgia Dome and the Ravens will travel to Gillette Stadium to play against the Patriots. Here are my previews and predictions of this Sunday's action.

NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons - Falcons win

Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Falcons will be going to the Superbowl for the first time since the 1998 season. In my opinion too, they should be able to defeat the 49ers with ease. Falcons WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones won't be going against a CB like Seattle Seahawks Richard Sherman this Sunday, so they might be able to get into more open spaces, giving QB Matt Ryan more options. The 49ers Linebacker trio that will be trying to stop him any way possible though, are Pro-Bowlers Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith.

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will be looking to continue his good form from the Packers game last week. With the success of the option plays last week, expect to see the option plays being run a lot in this game. It's important not to forget the inclusion of RB Frank Gore in the rushing game and WR Michael Crabtree in the passing game as well. Don't be surprised though if you see Falcons DE John Abraham stopping Kaepernick ever allow this to happen. Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux will be hoping he can play the same way he did against the Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch, to stop any 49ers inside running game. There are still some errors though in the Falcons secondary as shown by the Seahawks and their 21 points in the fourth quarter. Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud and CB Asante Samuel will need to recapture their regular season form though if they want to stop Crabtree and 49ers TE Vernon Davis from getting any passes this game. Falcons to win by a touchdown.

AFC Championship 

Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots - Patriots win

This is a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game, which the Patriots won and which was also at Gillette Stadium. I think they will do the same this weekend as well. However, the Ravens and the Patriots have already met each other this season back in Week 3, which the Ravens won 31-30 at M&T Bank Stadium with a fourth quarter comeback. Therefore, although the Patriots may have home-field advantage which is a big factor in games of this magnitude, they must make sure they don't get complacent when they have the lead. Patriots QB Tom Brady is on fine form as he always is, and is also the perfect leader to make sure his team is focused on the task at hand. He has an equal counter-part in this field though in the form of Ravens OLB Ray Lewis, who will be doing everything he can to stop Brady, to make sure his last game before retirement is at the Superbowl.

Brady will once again be looking to hand off to RB Stevan Ridley and connect with WR Wes Welker this Sunday. Usual TE target Rob Gronkowski though is out due to injury, so the likes of TE Aaron Hernandez and WR Brandon Lloyd will be receiving a lot more of the ball. Lewis along with OLB Terrell Suggs and CB Ed Reed will be looking to stop him, but also CB Corey Graham will be looking to add more interceptions to his stats along with the two he earned against the Denver Broncos last week. Ravens QB Joe Flacco still has to prove to some critics that he is an 'elite' QB and one way he can do this is going one step further than last year and get the Ravens to the Superbowl. WR Torrey Smith and RB Ray Rice will be there to assist him. However, if the Patriots defensive line of DTs Vince Wilfork and Brandon Deaderick and DEs Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones can perform the same way they did against Houston Texans RB Arian Foster, they'll force the Ravens to pass the ball, applying more pressure on Flacco to perform. Patriots to win by a touchdown.

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Seattle Seahawks 28-30 Atlanta Falcons - Match Report

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

21 points in the fourth quarter wasn't enough for the Seattle Seahawks, as the Atlanta Falcons defeat them at the Georgia Dome, 28-30, to advance to the NFC Championship game.

The Falcons started off with the ball and they got into a good position to score the first touchdown of the game. Seahawks CB Richard Sherman had other ideas as he broke up a pass on the 10th play of the drive from Falcons QB Matt Ryan intended for WR Roddy White, forcing them to settle for a 39 yard field goal.

When Seattle got the ball for the first time in the game, they were forced three and out so they were forced to punt. However, Seahawks P Jon Ryan punted the ball only as far as the 50 yard line, giving the Falcons good field position.

Despite this field position, the Falcons were unable to capitalize. On the third play of their drive, the first turned over of the game occurred as a pass by QB Ryan intended for TE Tony Gonzalez, was intercepted on the Seahawks 29 yard line by Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner, for a gain of four yards.

Three plays later though, the second turnover of the game occurred as Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch fumbled the ball on Atlanta's 39 yard line and it was recovered by the Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux.

Falcons took full advantage of Lynch's mistake as on the 9th play of their following drive, Ryan threw a one yard pass to Gonzalez who managed to squeeze both of his feet in the back of the endzone for the first touchdown of the day.

On the next Falcons drive, just before the end of the first quarter, Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers ran an amazing 45 yard run to the Seahawks 42 yard line, breaking several tackles along the way.

The Falcons could not exploit the Seahawks defense for maximum points after this play and they had to settle for a 37 yard field goal kicked by Falcons K Matt Bryant, just inside the 'RedZone'.

Four plays later on the Seahawks next possession, they came one yard shy of another first down and they were stopped twice by the Falcons defense on third and fourth down, causing the third turnover of the game.

For both of these plays, Lynch was never used. You would think in a situation like this, Lynch would be the first guy the Seahawks would turn to, to help them achieve the first down but he was not on the field.

Falcons White increased his team's score by scoring a 47 yard touchdown pass from Ryan, getting the better of Seahawks Sherman.

Near to the end of the half, the Seahawks came close to scoring their first points of the game, but then Babineaux earned a 9 yard sack on Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, giving the Falcons their first sack of the game.

This stopped the Seahawks from scoring, making the half time score, 0-20 to the Falcons.

In the second half, the Seahawks started with the ball, but on the 7th play of their drive, Wilson was sacked for the second time in the game by Falcons DT Vance Walker.

Two plays later, the Seahawks finally scored for the first time in the game thanks to a 29 yard pass from Wilson to WR Golden Tate for a touchdown, making the score 7-20.

The Falcons responded by chewing up a lot of time on the clock and scoring another touchdown on the 14th play of an 80 yard drive. The touchdown was a five yard pass from Ryan to RB Jason Snelling, which allowed the Falcons to regain their 20 point lead.

When the Seahawks started with the ball in the fourth quarter, they added more points on the board as Wilson scrambled to the left to score a one yard touchdown, reducing the score difference to 14 points with just over 13 minutes remaining.

Three plays into the Falcons next drive, Ryan had a pass intended for White intercepted by Seahawks FS Earl Thomas on the Seahawks 38 yard line.

On the following drive after this interception, Seahawks added points to the board through a three yard touchdown pass from Wilson to TE Zach Miller, reducing the score difference to six points with just over nine minutes to play.

The Seahawks defense, the number one defense in the NFL, then forced the Falcons three and out, making them punt the ball back to the Seahawks.

However, five players later, the Seahawks had to punt back to the Falcons, giving them another opportunity to extend their lead.

Another outstanding stand by the Seahawks defense though, made the Falcons punt the ball back to the Seahawks, leaving them three minutes to score a touchdown to win the game.

They managed to score a touchdown through a one yard run by Lynch, making the score 28-27 to the Seahawks. This gave the Seahawks the lead for the first time in the game.

However, they left 31 seconds left on the clock for the Falcons to possibly snatch the game.

The Falcons responded by putting Bryant in good field position for a 49 yard field goal, restoring their lead and making the score 28-30, but they still gave enough time for the Seahawks to win the game.

On the kick-off, the Falcons squib kicked the ball and the Seahawks recovered it on their own 46 yard line, giving them the chance to perform a hail mary to win the game.

They executed the hail mary play one play later, but Wilson's pass intended for Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin was intercepted by Falcons WR Julio Jones, which gave the Falcons their first ever playoff win with QB Matt Ryan.

This now means the Falcons will host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game on the 20th January.

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Baltimore Ravens 38-35 Denver Broncos - Match Report

Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens advance to the AFC Championship game and take another step on the road to the Superbowl with an overtime win of 38-35 against the Denver Broncos at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The game got off to one of the liveliest starts you'll ever see in a playoff game.

It started off with the Ravens going three and out, forcing them to punt the ball. Broncos WR and Return Specialist, Trindon Holliday produced the first playoff magic of the day by returning the punt for a 90 yard touchdown.

Four plays later, Ravens QB Joe Flacco showed his critics why he should be considered 'elite' by completing a 94 yard drive with a 59 yard touchdown pass to WR Torrey Smith, evening up the score.

When Broncos QB Peyton Manning was finally on the field, he didn't get off to a good start as his pass intended for WR Eric Decker, was picked off by Ravens CB Corey Graham and it was returned for a 39 yard touchdown.

Broncos got the ball back and they scored their first offense touchdown with a 15 yard pass by Manning to WR Brandon Stokley, completing a 74 yard drive in 11 plays. This was Manning's 30th post season touchdown in his career.

In the second quarter, both teams went three and out before the Broncos offense continued the scoring with an eight play drive for 86 yards. They finished it off with a 14 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno.

Ravens went three and out again, giving the Broncos another opportunity to add points to the board. However, this opportunity wasn't taken as Broncos kicker Matt Prater missed a 52 yard field goal, giving the Ravens the ball on their own 42 yard line.

The Ravens took advantage of this missed field goal and added another seven points to the board through another Smith touchdown. This time out, the touchdown was a 32 yard pass from Flacco to Smith, capping off a three play drive of 58 yards.

This touchdown made the half time score, 21-21.

The Broncos started the second half with another piece of magic as Holliday was able to return a 104 yard kick-off return for a touchdown, his second special teams’ touchdown of the day.

This was also the first time any player had returned a punt return and a kick-off return for touchdowns in a post season game.

On the seventh play of the Ravens next drive, Flacco fumbled the ball on their own 43 yard line and it was recovered by Broncos MLB Keith Brooking, the second turnover of the game.

Two drives later, it was Manning's turn to make a mistake as he fumbled the ball on his own 43 yard line and it was recovered by Ravens OLB Paul Kruger.

On the second play of the Ravens resulting drive, RB Ray Rice completed a 32 yard run to put the Ravens in the 'RedZone' for the first time in the game. He then finished off the drive three plays later with a one yard touchdown run, tying up the game for the fourth time.

Broncos started off with the ball in the fourth quarter and on the third play, the first sack of the game occurred as Manning was sacked by Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs, forcing the Broncos to punt.

The Ravens were forced three and out, giving the ball back to the Broncos who took full advantage of possession.

They added another touchdown to their score through a 17 yard pass from Manning to WR Demaryius Thomas. This gave the Broncos a 28-35 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.

Ravens were unable to score on their drive as they tried to convert a 4th and 5 but Flacco was unable to connect with TE Dennis Pitta, causing the fourth turnover of the game.

The Ravens defense forced the Broncos to punt, giving the Ravens offense a chance to level the game again, which they did.

Flacco connected to WR Jacoby Jones for a 70 yard touchdown pass, tying up the game for the fifth time and giving the Broncos 31 seconds to possibly win the game.

However, Manning and the Broncos offense decided to take a knee to take the game to overtime. The Broncos fans booed immediately as they were surprised their team didn't try to win the game in the remaining seconds of regulation time.

Ravens won the overtime coin toss and decided to receive the ball.       

If the Ravens scored a touchdown, they would win the game. If they could only manage a field goal or not score at all, the game would enter sudden death, meaning any score by any team would result in a win for that team.

The Ravens were unable to score as during their first drive of overtime, Flacco was sacked for the first time in the game by Broncos OLB Von Miller, causing the Ravens to punt the ball.

With Broncos now with possession, the game entered sudden death, meaning the next team to score would win the game.

However, they were unable to score as well, causing them to punt back to the Ravens who were forced to start on their own six yard line thanks to a good punt by Broncos punter Britton Colquitt.

The Ravens were given a second chance to win the game but they were forced to punt the ball again. This time though, they managed to stop Holliday from returning the ball as he was stopped on the Broncos seven yard line.

On the seventh play of the Broncos second overtime drive though, Manning was picked off for the second time in the game by Graham. He intercepted the ball on the Broncos 45 yard line, giving possession back to the Ravens.

This gave the Ravens a third opportunity to win the game, which they took to full advantage as they set up their kicker, Justin Tucker, for a 47 yard field goal which he converted to make the final score 38-35 to the Ravens.

With this win, the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship game on 20th January.

They will find out who their opponents will be this Sunday as the New England Patriots host the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium in the other AFC Divisional game. The winner of this game will host the Ravens in the AFC Championship game.

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Minnesota Vikings 10-24 Green Bay Packers - NFC Wildcard Round Match Report

Mike Roemer-Associated Press

The Green Bay Packers ruined the Minnesota Vikings Superbowl hopes and sent a message out to the rest of the NFC with a dominating win of 24-10 at Lambeau Field.

This win also ended a two game losing streak in the playoffs at Lambeau Field for the Packers, as they hadn't won there in the playoffs since the 2007 season.

The Vikings had to play without starting quarterback Christian Ponder, who had injured his right elbow against the Packers last weekend. Joe Webb took over the reins instead and this would be the first time he would throw a ball all season.

He got off to a promising start, giving kicker Blair Walsh a good field position to add three points to the Vikings score on their first drive. Webb had a nice 17 yard read option run which kept this opening drive alive.

Two drives later, the Packers responded with their usual no huddle routine and their running back DuJuan Harris scored a nine yard touchdown run to give the Packers their first score of the day.

In the second quarter, the Packers asserted their dominance thanks to two sacks by linebackers' Clay Matthews and Erik Walden on Webb, a 32 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings, a 20 yard field goal by kicker Matt Crosby and a three yard touchdown run by fullback John Kuhn.

This made the half time score, 17-3 to the Packers.

Prior to the Jennings touchdown though, Rodgers was sacked by Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, but this was the Packers’ only true mistake of the first half.

The second half was when the Packers defence really came out and played.

It wasn't the best of starts though for the Packer's offense as Rodgers was sacked by Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen. They quickly responded with a nine yard pass to Kuhn, giving him his second touchdown of the day.

On the next Vikings drive, Matthews struck again. He did this by sacking Webb, causing him to fumble the ball. Matthews then recovered the ball to give the Packers the possession on their own 45 yard line.

When the Vikings had the ball again, the Packers defence came out on top once again as Webb's pass intended for Devin Aromashodu was intercepted by cornerback Sam Shields.

Further excitement was brought to the game in the fourth quarter when a punt by the Packers was muffled by Vikings return specialist Marcus Sherels and was recovered Packers linebacker Dezman Moses.

Five drives later, the Vikings got their first touchdown of the day, but not from running back Adrian Peterson as he was held for only 99 yards on the day.

Webb was able to throw a 50 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Jenkins, giving the Vikings their first and only touchdown of the day.

This was the final score of the day as the game finished 24-10 to the Packers.

Webb finished the day with 180 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was out played by Rodgers though as he achieved 274 passing yards and a touchdown.

Throughout the game, Rodgers had passed the ball to 10 different receivers, which is a new NFL playoff record.

Next up for the Packers in their aim to win the Superbowl is a trip to Candlestick Stadium to play against the San Francisco 49ers. Last time these two teams met was on the first day of the regular season at Lambeau Field and the 49ers won 30-22.

However, since that game, the 49ers have changed quarterbacks from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick. His inexperience in the playoffs could become a factor in the outcome of this game.

The game between the Packers and the 49ers will take place on Saturday 12th January.

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Peterson & Vikings Defence skin the Bears in a 21-14 victory

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and their defence gave the Vikings a vital win for their play-off push against the Chicago Bears, with a 21-14 victory at the Metrodome.

 

Peterson gave the Vikings a great start on the very first play of the game with a 51 yard run from the Vikings own 20 yard line. He finished it off later on in the drive with a touchdown.

 

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler tried to respond to this on the next drive but failed to do so, as his pass was picked off by Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson. Robinson then ran the ball to the end zone but was ruled out at the five yard line.

 

Peterson added another touchdown to the Vikings score on the resulting drive, with a simple but effective one yard run into the end zone. Vikings were 14-0 up by the end of the first quarter.

 

Cutler was able to find one of his own players this time around, as he completed a 23 yard touchdown pass to Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, giving the Bears their first points of the game.

 

This made the half time score 14-7 to the Vikings.

 

Vikings safety Harrison Smith earned his second ‘pick six’ of the season in the third quarter, with a 56 yard interception from a Cutler pass.

 

Cutler was only sacked twice on the day, but a hard helmet-to-helmet hit by Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen during one of these sacks resulted in Cutler leaving the field later on in the fourth quarter. He finished the day with 260 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

 

Bears backup quarterback Jason Campbell stepped in for the remaining of the game. During this time, he completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall making the score 21-14.

 

To try and get back into the game, the Bears went for the onside kick on kick off, but this was recovered by Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, which allowed them to win the game.

 

Peterson finished the day with another 100+ rushing yard game, tallying up 154 yards with two touchdowns in 31 attempts.

 

However, Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder failed to perform again as he threw for only 91 yards and one interception, his longest pass being for only 16 yards.

 

Next up for the Vikings is an away game at the Edward Jones Dome against the St Louis Rams. With two final games against the Houston Texans and the Green Bay Packers after this one, this is a must win game if the Vikings want to gather some momentum in their play-off push.

 

It would be wise that Ponder starts to perform as well as Peterson will not be able to carry the team to the play-offs on his own. The absence of Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is clearly hitting him hard.

Adrian Peterson celebrating

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Peterson soars but Vikings lose against Seahawks

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had his best game since 2008, but the Vikings failed to prosper with him against the Seahawks as they lost 30-20 at the CenturyLink Field last Sunday.

One of the main focuses of this game was the matchup between the two best rushers in the NFL, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. Peterson won this competition by earning 182 yards and two touchdowns, compared to Lynch’s 127 yards and one touchdown.

Peterson started the day off well, as he went 74 yards on the second play of the game, only to be tackled at the 1-yard line by Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner.

He finished with 144 rushing yards at halftime, the most yards he has ever achieved in the first half of a game in his career. Six of those rushes went for more than 10 yards.

Despite the great first half start, Peterson was only handed the ball five times in the second half for 38 yards.

Even though the Vikings posted up the yards, they trailed at half time 20-17 because of Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson.

During the game, Wilson threw a touchdown pass of 11 yards to Ex-Vikings and current Seahawks wide receiver, Sidney Rice, and two touchdown passes of six and 11 yards to Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate.

Tate made a mockery of the Vikings defence on his second touchdown, weaving in and out of the Vikings defence before eventually jumping over Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson to score.

Wilson finished 16 of 24 with 173 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with eight different receivers. Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder however, finished 11 of 22 with only 63 yards and one interception.

Ponder was also sacked four times by the Seahawks defence, compared to Wilson who was only sacked once.

The Seahawks won the game with a final score of 30-20.

Next up for the Vikings is a home game against the Detroit Lions. Earlier in the season, the Vikings defeated the Lions, 20-13. The Vikings will want to win this game in order to go into their BYE week with a winning streak for the tough second half of the season that lies ahead of them.

Golden Tate leaps over Josh Robinson to score

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