Tuesday Morning Running Back, Wild-Card Edition: Sproles Shines, Birds Fly

Don't you just love the playoffs?

When you think about it, playoff games are the only games that truly matter.

The first 17 weeks of the NFL season are all about getting into the exclusive end-of-season party, where many are invited but few are chosen.

The aim of the game during the regular season is to play consistent, winning football so you're not on the outside looking in come January.

If you can, try to end up with the best record possible, that way you won't even have to worry about the wild-card round and the so-called football "experts" will worship at your feet and anoint you a potential Super Bowl champion.

If you're fortunate enough to eek into the playoffs, then your task is to prove that you belong there by playing hungry and utilizing your players to the best of their ability, even if they were a non-factor in the regular season.

One such player made the most of his opportunity Saturday night.

• Prior to yesterday, I was unaware of the fact that the NFL sets the times for the games. In that case, NBC should be thankful that they got the Charger-Colt game in that it was the best of the bunch and the majority of Americans could stay up and watch it.
• Darren Sproles, a last-minute replacement for an injured LaDanian Tomlinson, had the game of his life gaining 328 all-purposes yards and giving the Colts defenses fits all night.
• Perhaps the most amazing thing about Sproles is that he is only 5'6" and not what you'd consider a power runner.
• Forgotten in the shadow of the Chargers upset win is the fact that Sproles almost was a goat, as his third-quarter fumble in the end zone protected a three-point Colt lead.
• The Colts' defense should be commended on creating two turnovers on elongated Charger drives in the second half. However, two costly penalties in overtime helped Sproles find the end zone.
• To put things in perspective, the last time the Cardinals hosted a home playoff game, Harry Truman was President, television was in it's infancy, and they they were located in Chicago. Things sure have changed.
• Matt Ryan is only going to get better, you must remember he's only a rookie, and most rookies don't know how to handle the pressure of a playoff game.
• Everyone knew the that Cardinals had a high powered offense, but after two interceptions and a safety, it was their defense that stole the show.
• Hey Edgerrin James, I don't blame you for speaking out, they gave you a chance and you proved you had something left in the tank.
• The Eagles are the epitome of a team that makes the most of it's opportunity. Barely alive as little as two weeks ago, they went into Minnesota and pushed the Vikings around.
• I don't understand why some people think Andy Reid is a bad coach. His brilliant tactic of benching Donovan McNabb in November served as a wake-up call and turned the season around.
• Kudos to Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson for taking a less aggressive defensive approach in the second half, it worked.
• The Vikings need to find another offensive weapon besides Adrian Peterson to have any hope of a long playoff run.
• The Ravens went into Miami and used their best asset to confuse and perplex Chad Pennington all day long. Who says defense doesn't win championships?
• Every time I watch a Ravens game, I know it's over when Ed Reed takes an interception to the house.
• Take nothing away from what the Dolphins accomplished, but a soft schedule coupled with better personnel than last year. may have cost Tony Sporano the coach of the year award.
• Strange but true, Cam Cameron won more games in Miami as the Ravens offensive coordinator than he did last year as the Dolphins head coach.
• This week, the game to watch will be in East Rutherford, but you can bet I'll keep my eyes on the others to comment on them next week. See you then.