Observations from championship weekend

In list form:

1. The best way to win in the NFL has evolved. Just a few years ago, you still won by having a suffocating defense and a ferocious running attack. In short, the best way to win a big NFL game was by running the ball and stopping the run. This is the philosophy that the Steelers have long employed and one that most Steeler fans believe in. But I’m not sure it is the right one anymore. Just look at the Indinapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints — the two teams who were leaps and bounds ahead of everybody else for most of the season. Both are defined by a passing offense. Indianapolis has to have one of the worst running attacks we’ve seen in recent Super Bowl matchups. On Sunday, the Colts offense relentlessly threw five-yard slant routes over and over again. Everybody knew they were going to do it, but it was unstoppable. Bruce Arians gets a hard time because of his pass-first mentality, but that is what the NFL elite teams are employing in this NFL. The Colts made easy work of two “old-school” teams during these playoffs. This is a passing league now and the Steelers have the horses to compete in it.

2. The officiating was mostly awful. It’s always interesting to watch an NFL game with no real rooting interest and then look at the officials. That was my position for the NFC Championship game on Sunday night and I was horrified at what I saw. One of the reasons that the NFL is a passing league now is because of the ridiculous pass interference and illegal contact calls that litter big time games. The pass interference call in OT that went against the Vikings says it all. There wasn’t even any contact down the field between defender and receiver, but if the offensive player falls down while covered, there’s a good chance a yellow hankie will come flying. Simply, the defensive backs have no chance in this league most of the time.

3. Adrian Peterson is not the best running back in football. It doesn’t matter how many yards and highlight-reel plays you rack up if you can’t hold on to the football when it matters most. It’s not an isolated incident a la Jerome Bettis-in–2005 either. He’s done this time and time again and it is a big problem.