Related
Brian Billick spent nine seasons as a head coach in the National Football League with the Baltimore Ravens, helping lead the team to a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998) when they broke the scoring record in 1998.
He joined Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on WFAN to break down conference championship weekend in the NFL, the Ravens' loss to the Titans last week, Andy Reid's legacy as a head coach, etc.
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports "Very surprised. Baltimore was the best team in the entire playoff field ... rightfully so, the offense, the defense, the balance, the kicking game with Justin Tucker. They were very confident going into the game. Of all the AFC teams, Tennessee hadn't played them...their unfamiliarity with the unique talents of lamar jackson was going to be an advantage. What they didnt count on was the physicality and the sheer punching you in the mouth style of play the Tennessee Titans came in and delivered to them."
The Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs will battle at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line. The Titans have knocked out the Patriots and Ravens in consecutive weeks. The Chiefs, of course, have quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the reigning league MVP.
"It's going to be interesting... if the Titans can play their game, play great defense, run the ball, that's a tight margin game. Against a wide open offense like that, it's tough. as good as that defense is, you're not gonna stop Kansas City ... all it takes is one or two possessions where you don't maintain control, don't get a touchdown instead of a field goal, that offense gets in gear and once it gets going, watch out."
Andy Reid currently has the most wins in NFL history without winning a Super Bowl title. He's been a head coach for 22 years now (Philadelphia Eagles 1999-2012) and has been with the Chiefs since 2013. They lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in last year's AFC Championship Game.
He is the seventh-winningest coach of all-time with 207 regular-season victories.
"Is there pressure on coaches to win? Sure there is. For Andy Reid's legacy, the only thing missing is that Super Bowl. Whether he'll admit it, maybe it's in the back of his mind. Is it in his team? No they weren't here for all that in Philadelphia. Andy is not going to admit it. Maybe he'll think about it but I don't know he dwells on it."
Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers for the NFC's championship. This is Garoppolo's first appearance as a starting quarterback in a conference championship game while Rodgers led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XLV, while also earning Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors.
"They [San Francisco> are deservedly the number one seed in the AFC and they earned to be where they are right now. Great defense and the way you should be: inside out. Front and back. That is a legitimate defense. Kyle Shanahan deserves a great deal of credit. His total to the marrow belief in running the ball and being balanced and building a team that can do that. They are a complete team ... Green Bay has evolved into a very complete team. It's not just an Aaron Rodgers carpet bombing, 45 throws a game.
"It's more strategic bombing now. Under 30 (throws), great on 3rd down, running the ball. Committed to that balance. Playing better defense. They are a better team than they were in Week 12. The bad news is so is San Francisco. If for no other reason, they're just healthier on defense ... they [Green Bay> might have a tough time on defense with that front four."
