Jay Glazer, New York Jets, Patriots and the NFL: Tripgate, the Unspoken Issue

While the NFL Playoffs have wound on, with thrilling performances by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for Green Bay, a disappointing showing from the reigning world champion New Orleans Saints against the record-wise worst playoff team in NFL history, an uncharacteristic meltdown from Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens on the road against the Ben Roethlisberger-led Pittsburgh Steelers and two road victories by the upstart loudmouth New York Jets and their head coach, Rex Ryan, a story has been developing.

MOMENTUM: Aaron Rodgers, The Green Bay Packers, and The Atlanta Falcons

In my Quick Thoughts on the Steelers-Ravens matchup earlier, I talked multiple times about the concept of Momentum and how NFL teams should strive towards understanding it better – its effects, controlling it, and how to utilize it to their advantage.

Bears vs. Seahawks: Jay Cutler and Chicago Dominate Seattle 35-24

The Chicago Bears demonstrated none of the so-called “flatness” seen by other playoff teams at the beginning of games. In the case of the matchup against theSeattle Seahawks, this is because the Chicago Bears took the Momentum early and held on to it. Seattle was never able to perform a discontinuity on Chicago and take the momentum back.