Welp, what the refs giveth, the refs take away. Something like that. And so it goes for the Cowboys, who saw their season come to end, not with a Romonobyl, but with a whimper. After a “questionable” call in last week’s wild card game against the Lions, which the NFL spent the entire week trying to triage, the brutal karma of it all reared it’s head in the ugliest way possible: The dreaded “Calvin Johnson Rule”. For those of you unfamiliar with this rule, which get’s enforced about two times per decade, here’s the wording:
If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.
I guess you could technically rule this the correct call, but I would point out that Bryant’s elbow is down first and the play should end right there. Or just from a simple eye test (you can see a better angle after the jump), this looks like a catch. OR you could conclude that Bryant went to the ground with his feet during the process of the catch, and then proceeded to do a “football play” by diving for the end zone. But what do I know? I will say this… I’m not sure Dallas fans can gripe about bad judgement here… Rick Perry is the elected Governor of Texas after all.
Ravens – 31, Patriots – 35
Tom Brady – 33/50, 367 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT and 6 CAR, 0 YDS, 1 TD. Brady simply isn’t elite like Joe Flacco. I think we all have to learn how to accept that.
Rob Gronkowski – 7 REC, 108 YDS, 1 TD. I’m pretty sure Rob Gronkowski went to Gronkachusetts, Turnpike University.
Brandon LaFell – 5 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD. I’m surprised the Patriots offense hasn’t forced Brandon LaFell to rename himself “Token Black”.
Joe Flacco – 28/45, 292 YDS, 4 TD, 2 INT. Flacco is one of the most successful postseason quarterbacks since he entered the league. God has a crazy sense of humor is the only conclusion.
Justin Forsett – 24 CAR, 129 YDS and 2 REC, 17 YDS, 1 TD. I’ve long since tried to associate what Justin Forsett looks like when he runs, and my finding is that he’s like a ferret.
Steve Smith Sr. – 3 REC, 44 YDS, 1 TD. Most catches, career, with chip on shoulder: Steve Smith.
Panthers – 17, Seahawks – 31
Russell Wilson – 15/22, 268 YDS, 3 TD and 7 CAR, 22 YDS. This was your basic Russell Wilson game… Look underwhelming until late, and then do stuff to earn praise and glory.
Luke Willson – 4 REC, 68 YDS, 1 TD. Guys, just because My Super Ex-Girlfriend sucked doesn’t mean you should ignore Luke Willson…
Cam Newton – 23/36, 246 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT and 11 CAR, 37 YDS. Cam disrespected Sherman by throwing to him. That much is certain.
Cowboys – 21, Packers – 26
Aaron Rodgers – 24/35, 316 YDS, 3 TD and 4 CAR, -4 YDS. Man-to-man coverage is just the way Rodgers likes it. Hey now.
Eddie Lacy – 19 CAR, 101 YDS, 1 REC, 10 YDS. No touchdowns? Is Lacy on lunch break? OR is he always on lunch break?
Randall Cobb – 8 REC, 116 YDS. Taking a page right out of the Bears defensive playbook covering Cobb there…
Tony Romo – 15/19, 191 YDS, 2 TD and 1 CAR, 7 YDS. Tony Romo deserved to lose the game in his own way… not like this.
DeMarco Murray – 25 CAR, 123 YDS, 1 TD and 1 REC, 5 YDS. Murray is a one-cut back, but Michael Irvin was a two-cut receiver.
Jason Witten – 6 REC, 71 YDS. When was the last time Jason Witten broke a tackle? 2010?
Dez Bryant – 3 REC, 38 YDS. That facial hair makes Bryant look like a 1970’s step dad…
Colts – 24, Broncos – 13
Andrew Luck – 27/43, 265 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT and 2 CAR, 21 YDS. Andrew Luck’s beard looks like a raccoon and a wolverine fighting over territory… of which said territory just happens to be his face.
T.Y. Hilton – 4 REC, 72 YDS. It’s like I said to the editor of Hotel Industry Monthly… assign someone to cover Hilton.
Peyton Manning – 26/46, 211 YDS, 1 TD. Did you guys know Peyton used to be a Colt? I had no idea. Also, did you know he also used to be able to throw? I would not be surprised if he retired. Then again, I would not be surprised if he played a few more seasons…
C.J. Anderson – 18 CAR, 80 YDS and 6 REC, 29 YDS. Anderson is certainly no Montee Ball. Thank. God.
Demaryius Thomas – 5 REC, 59 YDS, 1 TD (12 TGTS). They replaced Thomas’ hands with half-melted popsicles… all for science. Let’s see what happens…
