Each week, Hall of Fame wide receiver and Westwood One Sunday Night Football analyst James Lofton tells you about the teams, players and trends that are on the way out and those that are on the way up around the NFL.
FADE: It happened fast, didn’t it? At mid-season Peyton Manning was an MVP candidate, but as the season turned to December, the eyeball test and the numbers showed that Manning was starting to fade right in front of our eyes. Whether this fade route results in a toe-tapping touchdown or just a last-ditch effort to pull another miracle finish, we will see soon enough.
OUT: Take that sub-.500 record and get out of the playoffs. The Panthers finished the season at 8-9-1 after falling to Seattle on Saturday. “Superman” Cam Newton was no match for the super heroes from the Legion of Boom.
GO: Go look at the film and see how Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky has shaped a defense that challenges offenses much the way the Seahawks do without the same talent level. Now let’s see if the Colts can make it to the Super Bowl with another great showing against future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. If the defense slips a bit, it’ll take a lot of Luck to get Indianapolis to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX.
FINISH: You hear that word over and over and over again. Coaches preach it: finish blocks, finish tackles, finish runs. Dez Bryant made a great attempt at a circus catch to extend the Cowboys’ season. But while extended and on his way to the ground the Cowboys receiver didn’t “finish the process” of a catch. The Cowboys came up short this time, but have the look of a team that will continue to finish strong the next few seasons.
UP! The sound level in Seattle. Legion of Boom and Beast Mode. The 12th Man. Defending Super Bowl Champs. Up next: Round Two with the Packers! Seattle got the best of Rodgers and company in the season-opener. But September is a long time ago. Can’t wait for Sunday.
– James Lofton
Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton is the analyst for Westwood One’s coverage of Sunday Night Football. This weekend James will be in Foxboro as the Patriots host the Colts in the AFC Championship Game. Our Championship Sunday doubleheader begins at 2 PM Eastern with the Seahawks vs. the Packers.
