This weekend in the NFL is huge for the final four teams. The Niners, Seahawks, Pats, and Broncos have been the class of the NFL for majorityof this season. Everyone has been mentioning the big match up between Manning and Brady (even myself), but there is another match up that brings football back to the glory days.
That match up is Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch. Gore and Lynch are two of my favorite backs in the league, and they are often under appreciated. Not taking anything from Shady McCoy and Adrian Peterson, but the two backs in the NFC Championship game exemplifies hard work, determination, and when watching them run it gives you a
feel that you are watching a game from twenty or thirty years ago.
Everyone knows that the NFL is a passing league. Quarterback stats are inflated with the new rules, and running back stats has taken a dip due to teams focusing on passing the ball. On defense you can barely touch the QB’s or Wide Receivers, and it’s obvious that more points sell more tickets from a business stand point.
I may be in the minority, but there is nothing like a good old fashion running game. The Seahawks and 49ers are potent on the ground, and would not be in position to clinch a Super Bowl birth if it wasn’t for their running backs.
Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson will garner all of the headlines, but both teams go as their running backs go. Being a Niners fan myself I get joy seeing Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore plow through defenders on a
week to week basis. Last week both QB’s for their respective teams threw for under 200 yards, but with Lynch and Gore doing the heavy work it makes their Quarterback’s job a lot easier.
In this game you will not see a 3rd and 1 play from the Shotgun formation. Both teams are about physicality, and will run the ball at any given chance.
It’s rare to see teams in this day in age actually use the fullback, and commit to running to the ball. In my opinion more teams should adopt the so-called “old style”, but hey what do I know. Let’s appreciate Gore and Lynch, because they are a last of a dying breed.
I love watching these guys. The Earl Campbell, Eddie George type of back is basically gone. I appreciate hard work and power. That’s why it is a beautiful thing to watch a back with power speed and intelligence in the backfield. The definitely are.