Divisional Round 2013

ROUND	QB	Opponent	MoV	QB Support	TAVA
DIVISIONAL	D. Brees	Seahawks	-8	2.03	-0.58
DIVISIONAL	R. Wilson	Saints	8	4.83	-0.04
DIVISIONAL	A. Luck	Patriots	-21	0.90	-0.89
DIVISIONAL	T. Brady	Colts	21	5.62	0.62
DIVISIONAL	C. Kaepernick	Panthers	13	3.59	1.67
DIVISIONAL	C. Newton	49ers	-13	1.20	-0.34
DIVISIONAL	P. Rivers	Broncos	-7	0.65	0.65

Divisional Round Game 1, Saints vs. Seahawks: 

Russell Wilson was the highest supported QB in the 2013 regular season, and the trend of high support continued into the playoffs. The Seahawks defense held the Saints to a mere 15 points and allowed Wilson to play with the lead the entire game. Wilson was also aided by 158 rushing yards from his teammates, great field position, and a consistent kicker. The end result: the Seahawks enjoyed an 8 point playoff win despite the young QB completing only 50 % of his passes and contributing only 119 total yards. Brees, meanwhile, had less help, including a kicker that went 0/2 and a RB who lost a fumble. Brees and the passing game came alive late, but it was too little too late.

Divisional Round Game 2, Colts vs. Patriots: 

For the second straight week, the Colts allowed 40+ points and provided Andrew Luck with an anemic rushing attack (64 yards). And for the second straight week, Luck was forced to throw over 40 times and, unsurprisingly given the circumstances, threw multiple interceptions. This time, however, the low support caught up with the Colts and they were bounced from the playoffs. Future hall-of-famer Tom Brady was more than happy to play the role of game manager, passing just 25 times as he rode great field position and 234 rushing yards to an easy victory.

Divisional Round Game 3, 49ers vs. Panthers:

Colin Kaepernick took a strong defensive performance, some decent rushing support, and combined it with a decent (and turnover free) outing to  put together some long TD drives and help the 49ers to their third straight conference championship. Cam Newton, on the other hand, was hung out to dry by his team. Yes, he threw two interceptions. Yes, it wasn’t his best game. Nevertheless, you cannot allow 23 points and give your QB only 8 drives (none starting in opponent’s territory) and only 39 rushing yards and expect to win in the playoffs. That’s simply asking too much.

Divisional Round Game 3, Chargers vs. Broncos:

There was no one and done for Manning and the Broncos this year. The stat line and the score make this seem like a closer game and less impressive outing for Manning than it really was. Manning and the Broncos offense had eight drives, scored five times for 27 points. The three times they didn’t score were a Julius Thomas fumble, a missed Field Goal, and an interception in the endzone. Rivers played admirably and kept his team in the game, but without any meaningful support, the passing game couldn’t keep pace with the Broncos.