SKY FALLS ON NFL PLAYOFF FAVORITES
by Kurt Kragthorpe

The Salt Lake Tribune

Goofy things were happening in the NFL playoffs this past weekend, and then Pittsburgh's punt landed on Eric Weddle's head.

Finally, some order was restored to the proceedings.

Until Weddle's unusual fumble when the ball bounced off his helmet while he was blocking during a punt return helped the Steelers seize control against his San Diego Chargers, nothing was playing out as expected in the NFL's divisional playoff round. In the end, only the Steelers survived among the four top-seeded teams, as the 17-week regular season became practically meaningless.

First-round byes? Pretty much unwelcome. Home-field advantage? No such thing, except in Pittsburgh, where the snowy conditions certainly did not hurt the Steelers.

Otherwise, everybody that had worked hard to gain some edge in the playoffs exited quickly. The defending champion New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers are all gone after one game, and thanks for playing.

This is all highly unusual -- this Super Bowl will be the first since 1997 without a No. 1 seed participating -- but it also underscores the beauty of the NFL's postseason and the league's competitive balance. Just getting into the tournament gives you a genuine chance of winning it all, as the Giants demonstrated last season. This final foursome also drives home a few other points:

» Defense is back

Last year's semifinalists were led by Tom Brady, Brett Favre,

Philip Rivers and Eli Manning, who delivered elite-level performances in the divisional round. This time, the winning formula is less glamorous.

Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia fielded the league's top three defenses in the regular season, and even Arizona (No. 19) forced six turnovers and stuffed Carolina's strong running game after the opening drive.

» The Sugar Bowl glow is gone

The University of Utah's parade will go on as scheduled Friday, but there's little to celebrate for Ute alumni in the NFL. Of the six former Utes playing last weekend, only Pittsburgh offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu remains. Meanwhile, Snow College has three products (Pittsburgh defensive lineman Brett Keisel, Philadelphia receiver Kevin Curtis and Arizona offensive lineman Deuce Lutui) and Highland High has two alumni (Baltimore defensive lineman Haloti Ngata and Eagles linebacker Stewart Bradley) in Super Bowl contention.

Weddle went to Pittsburgh with a 16-1 record in December and January, counting four bowl wins with the Utes and his two seasons with San Diego, but his otherwise solid game was spoiled by the fumble and a pass-interference penalty in the end zone.

Tennessee fullback Quinton Ganther, a former Ute, lost a yard on his only carry against Baltimore.

The end was more stunning for the three ex-Utes who start for Carolina, as defensive lineman Ma'ake Kemoeatu was denied a potential Super Bowl matchup with his little brother. An offense that features All-Pro tackle Jordan Gross and Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith struggled, after the two of them attended the Sugar Bowl. And Carolina quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy, a former Utah signal-caller who addressed the Utes after their first practice in New Orleans, watched his QB, Jake Delhomme, throw five interceptions and lose a fumble in a re-enactment of Max Hall's game against Utah, only worse.

» Just get there, baby

The semifinalists include a Philadelphia team that made the playoffs either because of or in spite of a tie with lowly Cincinnati and needed a wild convergence of outcomes on the final day just to keep playing; Baltimore, with a first-year coach, a rookie quarterback from Delaware and the NFL's 18th-ranked offense; and Arizona, whose only championship in franchise history came more than 50 years ago as the Chicago Cardinals, and this year went only 9-7 in the regular season, even with the benefit of NFC West membership.

If not for the Steelers' strong second half, San Diego would have advanced to the semifinals after a 4-8 start. But would you really want to be the Steelers this week, after what's happened so far?