The postseason is done, football is over (for six months anyways), and the New York Football Giants are your Super Bowl champions. They got there with some incredible performances, and today we’re looking back at what has happened since the regular season ended to give you our PFF Team of the Postseason.
That means we’re tabbing the guys who used the postseason to enhance their credentials with the kind of performances that got their teams there in the first place. So whether they were the Super Bowl MVP, or a receiver from a one-and-done outfit, it’s time to inflict yet another ‘Team of Something’ upon an unsuspecting public.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Eli Manning, NYG (+20.0)
The Super Bowl MVP was arguably the best player in the league once the regular season ended. Completing 65% of his passes, Manning threw the one interception compared to nine touchdowns and was immense under pressure. People laughed when Eli said he saw himself in the same bracket as the top QBs in the league, and now they can only humbly admit they were wrong. You can’t spell elite without Eli.
Running Back: Arian Foster, HOU (+4.4)
This wasn’t a postseason dominated by a back, but the 5.6 yards per carry Foster picked up against two very good AFC North defenses stood out.
Fullback: Vonta Leach, BAL (+3.4)
Credit to Henry Hynoski, but in terms of pure blocking it hasn’t got better than Leach all year. Some of the hits he put on defenders let you know the fullback position is still alive and well.
Wide Receivers: Hakeem Nicks, NYG (+6.8) and Calvin Johnson, DET (+7.2)
Nicks had 148 more receiving yards than any other receiver in the postseason to go with his league-leading four touchdowns. He was an obvious choice as he got hot at the right time. Johnson is the only player to make this team having played only one game. What a game, though, as Johnson caught 12 balls for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight End: Vernon Davis, SF (+5.5)
Davis made some errors that saw him give up two pressures and two penalties, but a light seemed to go on in the receiving game as he walked away with 292 yards and four touchdowns. This was the best he has ever looked.
Offensive Tackles: Duane Brown, HOU (+2.5) and Zach Strief, NO (+3.2)
This wasn’t an offseason dominated by tackles, that’s for sure. Still, Brown should be commended for giving up just the one pressure in two games (one of which saw him face Terrell Suggs). Strief did a good job in the run game. Sure, he gave up three sacks, but the seven total pressures in 118 pass blocks is a pretty good ratio.
Offensive Guards: Mike Iupati, SF (+0.8) and Brian Waters, NE (-0.5)
Again, not a great advert for offensive linemen here, with defenses well on top in the trenches. That said, Logan Mankins was well on his way to having a great postseason until a terrible Super Bowl. Back to our two guys, with Waters being the default selection because practically every other right guard got their backsides handed to them. Iupati at least demonstrated an ability to run block effectively, and continues to solidify himself as one of the better pulling linemen in the league.
Center: Chris Myers, HOU (+2.8)
A fine way to end the year for our top-ranked center, as Myers showed his agility and ability to impact with two fine displays in the playoffs. This should come as a surprise to nobody who watched him all year.
DEFENSE
Defensive Ends: Justin Tuck (+12.0) and Justin Smith, SF (+12.4)
It was tough to leave out Jason Pierre-Paul who was phenomenal throughout, but it was the consistent work of Justin Tuck rushing the passer that really caught our eye from the Giants' defensive end rotation. Smith was always getting the nod, it was just a question of whether at tackle or end, but the increased versatility he brings at end made this choice an easy one. Got more pressure than any other player in the postseason. Utterly dominant.
Defensive Tackles: Linval Joseph, NYG (+7.0) and Vince Wilfork, NE (+5.6)
What is it about Giants defensive linemen stepping up during a Super Bowl run? Joseph was inconsistent at best during the regular season, but caused all sorts of pressure rushing the passer, and made some key plays in the run game. Wilfork didn’t have the kind of season finale he wanted, but he was as responsible for the Pats making it out of the AFC and into the big game as any player on the roster.
Linebackers: Aldon Smith, SF (+5,2), Chase Blackburn, NYG (+4.7) and Patrick Willis, SF (+6.0)
Smith carried his fine regular season form into the playoffs, picking up two sacks, four hits and seven hurries on just 86 pass rushes. The Giants' Blackburn was far from perfect, but made some critical plays at key moments that can’t be overlooked. Willis laid further claim to being the most athletic linebacker by going nearly toe-for-toe with the previously uncoverable Jimmy Graham. He gave up a little, but more than held his own one-on-one.
Cornerbacks: Lardarius Webb, BAL (+5.7) and Tarrell Brown, SF (+4.8)
Have we seen the next challenger to Darrelle Revis emerge? Webb, who has been good all year, turned it up in the playoffs with two stunning performances. If the Ravens tender him, why would you not pay a first round pick for such a talented player? While Carlos Rogers has had a year that has drawn rave reviews, it’s gone relatively unnoticed how well Brown acquitted himself. With excellent displays against New Orleans and New York, a little more attention may come his way.
Safeties: Ed Reed, BAL (+8.0) and Danieal Manning, HOU (+2.3)
For those wondering, Reed still has it. He may have looked broken down as he hauled himself on and off the field, but once that ball was snapped, he proved there isn’t another safety like him. Manning gets the nod opposite, going someway to justifying the price he cost the Texans in the offseason.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: David Akers (+4.3) – You can’t ask much more out of a kicker who simply did everything.
Punter: Steve Weatherford (+7.3), NYG – Was super in the Super Bowl and throughout the playoffs, earning the highest postseason grade we’ve ever given out for a punter.
Returner: Danieal Manning (+1.5), HOU – A very limited selection, Manning made no mistakes and had one big return.
Special Teamer: Blake Costanzo (+1.5), SF – Made some big plays that were pivotal in the 49ers' win over the Saints.
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