NFL Playoffs: Opening Week Superlatives

Breakout Star- Ryan Shazier– The Steelers’ 2014 first-round draft pick showed why the “black and gold” see him as the future of their defense. Shazier was the game’s MVP, coming up with thirteen tackles, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.

Biggest Embarrassments- Cincinnati fans– Throwing stuff on to the field is bad enough, but throwing bottles and food at an injured player being carted off the field and cheering when he got hurt is just wrong. When former Cincinnati player Boomer Esiason has to apologize for you, you messed up. 

Most Likely to Come Up with the Clutch Play- Chris Boswell– As we saw in the Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks game, it is not always easy to make the game winning field goal. No matter the distance. Boswell came through when his team needed him the most.

Most Work to Do- Roger Goodell- The NFL’s commissioner has a lot to think about after the weekend. Suspensions, fines, and finding new refs are just a few things that the man needs to consider after the opening round of the playoffs.

Biggest Fail- Blair Walsh– The Vikings’ kicker hooked very wide left a 27-yard chip shot that ranked at #3 of usatoday.com’s biggest NFL playoff fails of all time. The kick wasn’t even close. Granted, the holder didn’t help him out at all, but you just got to make that short kick. I don’t think Blair will be a popular baby name in Minnesota for a while.

Biggest Villain- Vontaze Burfict– Enough said.

Biggest Hero- Ryan Shazier– There are not enough words to describe Shazier’s impact on the game, and the weekend in general. His second forced fumble was the play of the game, and gave his team the chance to win the blood-bath of a football game with heads held high and waving to Cincy fans. His punishing hit (whether legal or not) got the Bengals fired up, and led to them taking many stupid penalties. Shazier played college football at Ohio State, and might be Ohio’s last chance to make it to the Super Bowl.