First Two Rounds of NFL Playoffs Show Little Intrigue, Big Blowouts

I don’t know about you, but the NFL postseason always seems to rub me the right way.

I mean, a 16-game season provides that much more crawl space for teams to separate from the rest of the pack. With just a few teams getting into the playoffs to begin with, most spectators usually believe that the teams who make the postseason usually earn that right to play in it.

However, of all the games played in the NFL’s 2010 playoffs, only one—Green Bay at Arizona—kept fans on the edge of their seats as points seemingly fell from the abyss. Although games like that are few and far between when you consider the amount of points scored and the unlikely finish in overtime, it is almost disappointing to realize how all the other games ended.

There were teams which were obliterated on the road (Arizona, Dallas, Philadelphia). There were teams which were beaten in snooze fests (Ravens, Bengals). There was even a powerhouse franchise—the New England Patriots—3which was plucked from its proverbial throne and taken off “dynasty” notice for the time being.

Where have the miraculous last-second finishes been? Where are the big runs, the amazing throws, the field goal kickers? Where are the defenses?!

With only four teams remaining in the fight for Vince Lombardi’s trophy, it is truly unclear who will come out victorious when it is all said and done. There is no true favorite, and as the race is coming to a finish there are no coaches who already possess Super Bowl rings. You’d have a better chance of picking Conan O’Brien’s next professional destination than the world champion.

Maybe, just maybe, that’s where all the fun will be. Seeing which teams sweat a little more, bleed a little more and prepare a little more to reach sunny Miami in early February. The first two rounds are in the books, but what may happen in two separate conference championship games may provide enthusiasm and awe-inspiring moments we haven’t yet had the comfort of seeing.

Who knows, maybe the intrigue we have expected is still in the making.