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Mike Keith: How To Win In The Playoffs
With the playoffs starting this weekend, twelve NFL teams begin a mad dash towards what they hope will be a run to Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego on January 26.
Is there a set formula for getting there? Of course not.
But are there constants of successful Super Bowl teams? Absolutely.
QUARTERBACK: You cannot make a Super Bowl without a quarterback who is playing well. It doesn't have to be 'a great quarterback'; it simply has to be a quarterback who is filling his role well at the time.
Obviously, there are Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks who dominate big games. If you have a Brett Favre, you are in business. In some instances, however, a 'hot quarterback' will do the job. 'Hot quarterbacks' are often very good signalcallers who are playing very well at playoff time. They can help teams to overcome shortcomings in other areas. Think back over the 72 previous Super Bowl participants and you can probably name twenty of these quarterbacks in a matter of a minute.
In other cases, an efficient quarterback who is making key plays at certain times is just enough. Baltimore won Super Bowl XXXV with Trent Dilfer playing just this way.
But can you name a Super Bowl team whose quarterback was playing below average football during the playoffs? I cannot think of one.
Quarterback is the most important position on a football team and it shows in the post-season.
RUNNING THE FOOTBALL: There are exceptions, but if you have to win a big playoff game on the road (especially in cold weather), you have to be able to run the football. 'Run to Win' is an old, old football saying, but it is very true when it comes to the playoffs.
The St Louis Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV as primarily a passing team, but they did have Marshall Faulk who could take the rushing load when needed. Faulk is certainly well-above the average NFL running back.
Just for argument's sake, however, let's call St Louis 'a passing team'. Other than the Rams, name a passing club who took part in a Super Bowl.
The San Diego Chargers of 'Air Coryell' fame never went to one. Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins went to one Super Bowl (in his second season) and lost.
In other words, there aren't many.
KICKING GAME: This is highly underrated.
Most fans remember 'The Tuck Rule' as the key moment from New England's playoff win over Oakland last season. What I remember most, however, is Adam Vinatieri somehow making a 45 yard field goal in the snow. Incredible kick. Then in Super Bowl XXXVI, Vinatieri nailed a 48 yarder at the gun to beat the Rams.
It is helpful to have a hot kicker at playoff time. It also helps to be playing great in all other areas of special teams. Most playoff games are tight, so one major kick or punt return can be the difference in the game. In cold weather games, the NFL mandated kicking balls (which are new footballs) do not travel or hang well, increasing the possibility of great returns. That adds importance to your return game and for your coverage teams.
Spectacular special teams during the playoffs would be great; solid special teams are a minimum.
GAME MANAGEMENT: If you want to make it to the Super Bowl, you cannot waste timeouts. You cannot waste your replay challenges at a moment's notice. You cannot make foolish decisions to go on 4th and 1 at midfield. You cannot try trick plays that can backfire.
In other words, coaches cannot be hasty in their decision-making. You cannot get cute.
The old coaching adage is huge in playoff games: before you can win the game, make certain that you don't lose it. A coach's biggest in-game responsibility is to be sound with decision-making and keep the game in the hands of his players.
BIG-GAME PLAYERS: There are great players and then there are 'big game players'. The two are not necessarily one-in-the-same.
Some great players don't play great in the big games. Some great players do play great in the big games. Then, there are good players who elevate their efforts and play great on the biggest stages.
You don't win playoff games without 'big game players'.
In Tennessee's run to Super Bowl XXXIV, Steve McNair and Eddie George both made big plays throughout the playoffs. So did tight end Frank Wycheck, defensive end Jevon Kearse and strong safety Blaine Bishop, three Pro Bowl players.
They had to come up big and they did.
But the Titans also got an incredible post-season from previously unheralded defensive tackles Josh Evans and Jason Fisk. Both were superb throughout the playoffs. The same was true of linebacker Eddie Robinson and safety Marcus Robertson. I could keep going, but you get the picture.
You don't win in the playoffs with just your stars. Yes, you need for your stars to be at the top of their game, but you also need an assortment of other players to raise their level of play.
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