[Bette]

By John Clayton
Lovers of defensive and power football should pay extra attention to the wild-card playoffs. A storm of change is coming that might be upsetting.
In the NFL, teams must change with the trends or die. The storm of change involves the passing offenses. The world watched New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick throw caution to those winds, acquiring Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte' Stallworth. The Patriots became a passing offense at the expense of running-game traditionalists.
The Green Bay Packers have done the same, so the top four seeds in the playoffs -- New England, the Indianapolis Colts, the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay -- boast four of the top six passing offenses in the league.
Defense used to win championships. Not anymore. A passing offense has to be a big part of the equation. Flintstones football has given way to the Jetsons.




ESPN - Like it or not, passing offenses all the rage - NFL

[Lefty Noob]

I vote for 'not'. I love old-time, smash mouth football. Give me the Green Bay power sweep over the Run 'n' Shoot any day of the week. But Clayton is right. More and more, it seems like passing is becoming a critical part to all these playoff teams and contenders. Of course, there's still Jacksonville, who's winning simply with a QB who manages the game. And Washington made it to the playoffs with Todd Collins, only falling apart when the game was put on his shoulders to win or lose. And Minnesota almost snuck into the postseason with Travaris Jackson. So the tide hasn't turned completely in favor of the pass-happy teams just yet.