This Blog is Under Review
Posted January 18, 2006, 9:33 AM ET

The NFL Divisional Playoffs gave me enough fodder to last for weeks.

Let's start with the officiating...it was pathetic. Every game had controversial calls and ridiculous delays and decisions with instant replay.

The Colts-Steelers game provided the most intrigue and incompetence with the NFL zebras. It was so bad that the Steelers' Jerry Porter claimed that the NFL was doing all they could do to protect the Colts. I'm sure Mr. Porter will hear from the league office on that one.

But let's be honest about the NFL when it comes to their officials...they are cheap bastards. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry and they incorporate part-time guys to officiate and rule their game....does that make any sense ?

Why the NFL doesn't hire full-time guys to run these games is beyond me. What's the problem, the league can't afford the health care benefits for some old-farts? Give me a break; the league is generating billions and billions of dollars, and yet its game comes under scrutiny because a bunch of fossils can't get a call right.

Why the NFL doesn't hire the best guys, full-time, to work to improve the game and the way it is officiated is absolutely stupid. It should be a full-time gig with officiating seminars, rule changes, educating players and coaches about rules, etc...

The NFL also delivered another setback to the Manning family this week. The plight of Peyton and his quest for a Super Bowl title will have to wait another year. And if you are a Manning fan, this one has to hurt.

The stars seemed to be in alignment for Peyton and the Colts. They had the best regular season record...a number 1 seed and home field advantage in the playoffs...and they saw their biggest nemesis, the New England Patriots, eliminated before they were taking the field to play their opening playoff game.

You could not have scripted a better case scenario for Peyton and Company.

And then they choked like dogs. It should be noted that the Steelers and Bill Cowher get some credit for making their life miserable...but let's be upfront about Manning's effort and production in the playoffs...he stunk.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I was personally hoping Manning and Dungy would find a way to get to Detroit for Super Bowl XL. Both gentlemen looked clueless in the first quarter when the Steelers punched them in the nose and jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

The Colts never recovered - despite the efforts of the NFL officials - and you have to wonder if Peyton isn't destined to be the Dan Marino of the 21st century....great stats, no ring.

After all the craziness of the Divisional Playoff weeeknd we have the #6 seeded Steelers and # 5 seeded Panthers still alive and traveling to Denver and Seattle, respectively.

I'm sure the TV networks are hating the fact that markets like New York, Chicago and Boston have seen their local teams eliminated...and the storyline of the Colts dumped, too. But there are a pair of great games ahead this weekend.

And keep in mind that in each of the past 8 playoff seasons, at least one road team has won in the Conference Title game...well, that gives hope to the players, coaches and fans of the Steelers and Panthers that the wild card team can succeed this weekend.

And if you love and follow the Broncos and Seahawks...the good news is that you are home and neither team has lost in their friendly confines all season long.

Let's hope the NFL referees don't get in the way of a great football weekend.