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FLASHUPDATE WEEK WILDCARD WEEKEND TEAM NOTES/Wednesday, 31 December, 2014
Compiled By FlashUpdate Editor Bob Harris
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ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals were able to generate some offense in their regular-season finale and can breathe a bit easier ifRyan Lindleyis their quarterback in their playoff opener.
But asAssociated Presssports writerBob Baumnoted, the defense, once the backbone of the team, is coming off its two worst performances of the season.
Those games came against athletic, mobile quarterbacksRussell WilsonandColin Kaepernick-- and Arizona faces another one inCam Newtonwhen the Cardinals play at Carolina in a wild card game on Saturday.
''He presents different problems than Colin and Russell,'' head coachBruce Arianssaid Monday. ''He's more of a combination of both those guys. He can really throw the football extremely well from the pocket. It presents a multitude of problems for us.''
Lindley toss his first two NFL touchdowns but was intercepted three times in the Cardinals' 20-17 loss at San Francisco.
At least publicly, the Cardinals still hold out hope thatDrew Stantonwill be back this week. He has missed the last two games with a sprained right knee and had it scoped last to relieve swelling.ESPN'sChris Mortensenreported that doctors found an infection during the procedure, putting the rest of the season in doubt for Stanton.
OnArizona Sports 98.7 FM, Arians said he didn’t think the procedure mattered in relation to Stanton’s recovery.
“It’s still going to be down to the wire,” Arians said. “Mentally, he’ll be ready to go.”
I'll follow up as needed in theNews & Views sectionof the site in coming days, but nobody should expect Stanton to be ready.
Assuming Stanton can’t play in the postseason, Arizona will stick with Lindley, who had showed marked improvement Sunday against the 49ers.
Arians said he saw improvement in ''a little bit of everything.''
The coach added: “Obviously, we’re all much more comfortable with Ryan after his performance today. And we look forward to the challenge. Ryan was very cool [in the loss to Seattle], and I thought he was extremely poised, [and] knew the game plan today. And all that situation that happened Wednesday was my fault. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.”
In case you missed it, Arians benched Lindley after the Seattle game, only to watchLogan Thomasapparently author whatArizona RepubliccolumnistDan Bickleycharacterized as "a perfectly awful practice session" last Wednesday. It was bad enough to prompt Arians to switch back to Lindley on Thursday.
It's safe to say the coach was pleased with the outcome.
''The command of it, where he was going with the ball andMike[Floyd] made some plays for him, which we didn't do in the other game, which we had chances to,'' Arians said. ''It's just a matter of continuing to grow.''
Indeed, asESPN.com'sJosh Weinfussput it, "The Ryan Lindley who showed up in San Francisco wasn't the same Ryan Lindley in Seattle."
He looked calm, poised and comfortable despite throwing three interceptions in just his sixth career start. But he threw for a career-high 316 yards in addition to those two touchdowns, snapping an NFL record for pass attempts without a score on his 229th career throw.
On throws 20 yards or shorter in the air, he was 21-for-33 passing (63.6 percent) for 248 yards despite a touchdown and two interceptions against the Niners, according toESPN Stats & Information. The Cardinals kept his plays short, and he flourished.
But on passes of 21 yards or longer, Lindley struggled, connecting on just 2 of 6. When he was blitzed, Lindley handled the rush well. He faced the 49ers' blitz 11 times while completing nine of his passes. He threw both touchdowns against the blitz.
It would help if the run game continued to produce. Arizona ran for 98 yards on 25 carries against San Francisco. As theSports Xchangenotes, however, what the Cardinals lacked was the long run. Their biggest gain was 11 yards.
In general, the team needs to regain momentum.
After a 9-1 start, the Cardinals lost four of their final six games.
A litany of injuries finally caught up with the team after Stanton, who had beenCarson Palmer's backup, was injured. That left the job to Lindley, who was released by Arizona at the end of preseason then re-signed off the San Diego practice squad.
The offense's problems, then, were predictable.
The defense's weren't.
In the last two games, the Cardinals allowed 596 yards against Seattle and 395 to San Francisco. Wilson ran for 88 yards in six carries, Kaepernick 63 yards in seven attempts.
Arizona, among the league leaders in run defense most of the season, allowed 267 yards on the ground against the Seahawks and 206 against the 49ers.
''It's just because of tackling,'' Arians said. ''Guys missing tackles.''
But the pass defense had problems, too.
After the game on Sunday, cornerbackPatrick Petersonsaid the defense ''can't win like that.''
''As a defense, we can't give up big plays as we did today,'' he said. ''We can't have those mistakes next week, because everything is on the line. It's win or go home.''
Through most of the season, Arizona was among the league leaders in takeaways. They haven't had any the last two weeks.
But now is the time when the Cardinals most need a dominating defense. With Lindley at quarterback, it's important that the defense force turnovers and the special teams make big plays.
Arians said Arizona will have inside linebackerLarry Footeback. The 13-year NFL veteran missed Sunday's game with a sore knee. Before that, he had played on all but two snaps for the Cardinals' defense all season.
''There's no doubt we missed him out there,'' Arians said. ''... the spirit that he brings. When a big play happens, it's not woe is me, he's getting in somebody's face.''
The coach was asked if his team simply is not peaking at the right time.
''I would think you'd say that,'' he said. ''But I don't think there's any concern, because we're in the playoffs and it doesn't matter.''
Other notes of interest. ... According to Weinfuss, "this was the Michael Floyd the Cardinals expected to see all the season."
This was supposed to be Floyd’s breakout season. He was supposed to show the Cardinals’ that he was their No. 1 receiver, taking that reign fromLarry Fitzgerald. After the first three weeks, he was, having games of 119 and 114 yards in Weeks 1 and 3, respectively. Then Floyd all but disappeared until Sunday afternoon in Silicon Valley.
He had season highs in targets (12), receptions (eight) and yards (153), and tied a season high in touchdowns (two).
"That’s the way he’s supposed to play," Arians said. "He made some great ones today."
He did. Just in time to help not a single fantasy owner in the land. ... That said, he did give some hope to value hunters next summer.
On last note here. ... Cardinals defensive coordinatorTodd Bowlesis a hot name in this year's coaching carousel. However, candidates from playoff teams aren't allowed to interview for other positions unless they have a bye week. Once the Cardinals are eliminated from playoff contention, or win the Super Bowl, he'll be eligible to interview with other clubs. The 49ers, Falcons and Jets are all interested. Much could depend on how long they have to wait to talk to him.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 00:00 CT
QB:Ryan Lindley, Logan Thomas, Drew Stanton
RB:Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice
FB:Robert Hughes
WR:Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Ted Ginn, Brittan Golden
TE:Darren Fells, John Carlson, Robert Housler
PK:Chandler Catanzaro
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BALTIMORE RAVENS
AsAssociated Presssports writerDavid Ginsburgput it, "As a reward for squeezing into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the Baltimore Ravens face a loathsome foe in a very unfriendly environment.
"Baltimore's contentious rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers resumes Saturday night at Heinz Field, where the Ravens have experienced nothing but agony during the postseason. ..."
Pittsburgh and Baltimore met in the playoffs in 2002, 2009 and 2011. The Steelers won each time.
And now, here we go again.
''It's a great challenge,'' head coachJohn Harbaughsaid Monday. ''It's another playoff game there. We'd like to win one, one of these days.''
Pittsburgh and Baltimore have already played twice this season, with each AFC North team winning by 20 points at home. Including the playoffs, the Steelers lead the series 24-17.
''We love this rivalry, we love being a part of it,'' Harbaugh said, ''and I believe they feel the same way.''
Asked what stands out most, Harbaugh replied, ''The physicality, first of all, and the intensity. Every play, whether it's a playoff game or not, is played at that level.''
Baltimore (10-6) finished third in the division behind Pittsburgh (11-5) and needed some help Sunday just to qualify as the sixth seed. A combination of the Ravens' 20-10 win over Cleveland and San Diego's 19-7 loss to Kansas City provided Baltimore a return to the postseason after last year's 8-8 disappointment.
Harbaugh sent a thank-you text to Chiefs coachAndy Reid, his former boss in Philadelphia.
''I promised Andy dinner, and he responded very favorably to that,'' Harbaugh said. ''It probably won't be cheap.''
The Ravens stumbled in Houston before rallying to defeat the Browns, so it's not as if they're entering the playoffs with a full head of steam. But here they are, and they figure they've got as good a chance as anyone to advance to the Super Bowl.
''It's all equal now,'' Harbaugh said.
''All you've got to do is win all your games,'' Suggs said. ''If you ask me, I think we're a (heck) of a team on the road. Sometimes, that's the way you've got to go. But everything's 0-0, all things are new, and we've gotten to the second season.''
Two years ago, Baltimore needed to win at Denver and New England to advance to the Super Bowl. That is exactly what happened.
So, why not now?
''I think that we're battle-tested and we've been through a lot,'' guardMarshal Yandasaid. ''We're ready to roll.''
Defensive tackleHaloti Ngatareturns from a four-game suspension for using the amphetamine Adderall. But Baltimore might be without rookie defensive linemanTimmy Jernigan, who hurt his left foot against Cleveland.
That will be sorted out this week. Regardless, after enduring the suspension and subsequent release ofRay Rice, the Ngata suspension and injuries to more than a dozen key players, Baltimore made it to the postseason for the sixth time in seven years under Harbaugh.
''It says a lot about the organization,'' the coach said. ''I feel really happy for the guys who have a chance to play after what we've been through this year. I'm happy for them and proud of them and excited for the opportunity to walk with them through this next challenge. ...''
Other notes of interest. ... According toESPN.com'sJamison Hensley,Joe Flaccoput together the best fourth quarter of his career against Cleveland, completing 8 of 9 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. It marked his 21st game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.
It was a strange game for Flacco because he struggled for the first three quarters. He had completed 14 of 27 passes for 151 yards entering the fourth quarter.
So what changed? The Browns stopped sending pressure.
The Browns blitzed Flacco only once in the fourth quarter after doing it more than one-third of the time in the first three quarters, according toESPN Stats & Information. Flacco went from completing 51 percent of his passes in the first three quarters to throwing one incompletion in the fourth quarter.
Hensley was quick to note that Flacco can expect more pressure Saturday.
In two meetings, the Steelers blitzed Flacco on 38 of his 55 dropbacks (69 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Information.
There was little time for Flacco to throw in the previous meeting with the Steelers. He was sacked four times and hit a total of eight times. It's going to be a challenge for the Ravens to protect Flacco if they're without both starting tackles --Eugene Monroewas inactive Sunday with an ankle injury andRick Wagnerwas placed on injured reserve last week.
When Flacco has been sacked multiple times, the Ravens are 0-4 this season.
As always, a successful rushing attack would help mitigate that.
The Browns had the league's worst run defense, allowing 142.4 yards per game, and that trend continued against the Ravens, who ran for 129 yards on 28 carries.Justin Forsetthad 119 yards on 17 carries and finished with a career-best 1,266 yards. That 119-yard effort ended a two-game slump for Forsett, who will need to continue running well in this one. ...
Harbaugh said on Monday that Monroe has a 50-50 chance to play in against the Steelers. ...
Meanwhile, Hensley also suggested, with Steelers running backLe'Veon Bellhurting his right knee Sunday night, the Ravens will put all of their attention into slowing down quarterbackBen Roethlisberger.
Of course, that's easier said than done with a Ravens' secondary that has started seven cornerbacks and four safeties this season. It was nine weeks ago when Roethlisberger ripped apart the depleted Ravens for six touchdowns, which surpassed his total in the previous five meetings with the Ravens (five touchdowns).
In that game, the Ravens allowed touchdown passes of five, 19, 47, 54, 18 and 33 yards. ...
One last note here. ...ESPN'sAdam Schefterreports the Jets requested to interview offensive coordinatorGary Kubiakfor their head-coaching vacancy. Kubiak won't be available to interview until the Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 00:00 CT
QB:Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor
RB:Justin Forsett, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Bernard Pierce
FB:Kyle Juszczyk
WR:Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, Jacoby Jones, Michael Campanaro
TE:Owen Daniels, Crockett Gillmore, Phillip Supernaw
PK:Justin Tucker
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CAROLINA PANTHERS
AsESPN.com'sDavid Newtonpointed out this week,Cam Newtonis playing at a high level as the Panthers enter the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
But to be remembered as a top quarterback you have to play at a high level in the playoffs.
Newton hasn’t done that.
For him to prove he’s worthy of a long-term deal – if he hasn’t already with a 14-3 career record in December – he needs to win in the playoffs. Otherwise, he’ll fall into the category of Cincinnati’sAndy Dalton, who is 0-3 in the postseason.
Newton is 0-1 in the playoffs heading into Saturday’s 4:35 p.m. game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. If he goes to 0-2 the critics will question whether he’s good enough to get Carolina (7-8-1) to the next level.
It’s the same for head coachRon Rivera. He and Newton have been linked since the Panthers used the top pick of the 2011 draft on the Heisman Trophy quarterback from Auburn.
There were rumblings when they didn’t make the playoffs the first two seasons.
There will be more if they don’t win on Saturday.
“Until we can do that, I think there’s always going to be the doubters that say, ‘Well, you can only get them that far as a coach.’ ’’ Rivera said on Monday. “Or, ‘You can only get them that far as a quarterback.’ Or, ‘You can only get them that far as a middle linebacker.’
“I don’t want to be the guy that can only get them that far. I’d love to see us obviously go all the way, but we’ve got to take it one game at a time, and the next step, obviously, would be to win a playoff game.’’
It wasn’t that Newton wasn’t good enough to win a playoff game last season when the Panthers fell 23-10 to San Francisco in a divisional game at BOA. It was the team wasn’t good enough.
Newton didn’t help. He threw two interceptions and was sacked five times around completing 16 of 25 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown.
“He made plays, but he missed plays,’’ Rivera said. “We made plays, and we missed plays. It just wasn’t him. There were some opportunities we had as far as making catches, making throws, making blocks, making tackles.
“You have those opportunities, you’ve got to make those plays.’’
Newton has been making plays lately in a season hampered by injuries -- fractured ribs in the preseason and broken bones in his back from a car crash two weeks ago.
He’s had a passer rating of more than 100 in two of his last three starts. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown and rushed six times for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 34-3 victory at Atlanta that clinched the NFC South title for the second consecutive season.
He’s doing little things that he wasn’t doing earlier in the season, such as audibling out of a run in the first quarter and throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight endEd Dickson.
“The biggest thing is just keep playing,’’ offensive coordinatorMike Shulasaid. “Just keep doing what we’ve been doing. We’re not going to sit there in our team meeting tomorrow and say, ‘We’ve got to take the next step.’ It’s like saying, ‘Hey, don’t fumble.’ ’’
But for Newton to join the elite status that he openly admits he wants to achieve, to have his name mentioned in the same breath asTom BradyandPeyton Manning, winning playoff games is the next step.
The step after that is winning a Super Bowl.
It’s what ultimately will define Newton in the NFL the way winning a national championship defined his college career. It could be what leads the organization to commit more than $100 million over six years.