First Down

By Harrison Goodman (Contact) | Monday, January 12, 2009

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WEEKEND REWIND: In case you missed it

Ravens reach AFC Championship - Here's a bittersweet statistic for Redskins fans - since the Ravens started playing in Baltimore in 1996, the franchise has seven playoff wins, compared to two for the Redskins. The Ravens also have won playoff games with a journeyman quarterback (Trent Dilfer) and a rookie (Joe Flacco). Instead of focusing so much on Jason Campbell's performance, perhaps the Redskins should devote some time and draft choices on their offensive and defensive lines like the Ravens.

Vasquez talks trash with Maryland fans - In Saturday's comeback win against Georgia Tech, Maryland star Greivis Vasquez spent the second half jawing with Maryland fans who were booing him during the first half. "I'm not here for fans," Vasquez said. "I'm here for myself, my family and Coach [Gary] Williams. My goal is to win a lot of ACC games and take the team to the [NCAA] tournament." If that's the case, Vasquez would be wise to keep his head in the game and not on the crowd. Another season without an NCAA tournament would not bode well for the program or his coach's future.

TWT FIVE " NFL PLAYOFFS LESSONS LEARNED

1. Home-field advantage is meaningless - After this weekend's divisional playoff round, only two home teams (Cardinals and Chargers) had won out of seven games.

2. Turnover differential wins championships - The Ravens are plus-eight through two playoff games despite playing the two teams (Dolphins and Titans) that turned the ball over the fewest times in the regular season.

3. Rookie quarterbacks can win - Joe Flacco became the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games, although most rookie signal-callers haven't been blessed with one of the league's best defenses.

4. Youth isn't always a good thing - Despite Flacco's success, both Eli Manning and Jake Delhomme were outperformed by their elder opponents, Donovan McNabb and Kurt Warner.

5. The No. 1 seed is vulnerable - Not since the 2003 season has a No. 1 seed won the Super Bowl. That streak continues with Tennessee and New York falling over the weekend.

HE SAID WHAT?

"We're all confident Greivis [Vasquez] isn't going to lose his head. He's been doing it since he's been here. He loves to showboat and loves to talk with people." - Maryland forward Dave Neal

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