Sunday, January 20, 2013

Down to Two: Super Bowl XLVII Up Next

The two losers from last year's NFL conference championships won this time out. Of course this means two brothers will coach opposite each other Feb. 3 in Super Bowl XLVII.
San Francisco topped Atlanta 28-24 by overcoming a 17-point first half deficit.
Baltimore bested New England 28-13, preventing the Patriots from reaching their sixth Super Bowl appearance under Bill Belichick and reaching the finals for the first time in four tries with Joe Flacco at quarterback.

The 49ers broke Atlanta's record for largest NFC Championship Game comeback, with three rushing touchdowns, two by Frank Gore, and a passing touchdown to tight end Vernon Davis.
Atlanta held the previous mark of 13 in shocking Minnesota 30-27 in the 1999 game.
San Francisco made amends to its fans for the two costly special teams fumbles in the lost championship game last year against New York and proved to the world once again the midseason move of benching incumbent starter Alex Smith in favor of Colin Kaepernick was the right one.
Atlanta proved once again that it has trouble closing out opponents, due in large part to its depreciating ground game. The Falcons nearly lost after holding a 20-0 advantage last week against Seattle and let the Peyton Manning-led Broncos back into a game in which Atlanta led by 20 earlier in the season. Against the dual threat of Kaepernick's legs and arm, the Falcons hesitated and paid the price.

Baltimore continued its inspired push to bless the retiring troubled-turned spiritual Ray Lewis with a parting gift: a second Super Bowl victory. The Ravens knocked out the Patriots when Bernard Pollard concussed Stevan Ridley early in the fourth quarter. The hard-hitting defensive back, who also destroyed Tom Brady's knee and 2008 season with a hit, led with his helmet in making a tackle of Ridley. The running back blacked out, fell awkwardly to the ground and fumbled away the Patriots' season.
Brady had a couple opportunities after the turnover down by two scores, but failed to convert on fourth down and threw two interceptions, one off a tipped ball, on his next three possessions.
In all, New England made six trips inside the Baltimore 25, but came away with a touchdown only once.
Flacco was pleasantly effective for the second straight week, completing 58 percent of is passes for 240 yards and three scores.
But it was the Patriots who were unable to generate enough in key situations that decided this one.

And so it goes Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers will face John Harbaugh of the Ravens Feb. 3 for sibling supremacy. So much for my NE v. SF Super Bowl prediction.


Saturday, January 5, 2013

NFL Playoff Predictions

Wild Card Predictions:

AFC

Houston over Cincinnati
Baltimore over Indianapolis

NFC

Green Bay over Minnesota
Washington over Seattle

Divisional Predictions:

AFC

New England over Houston
Denver over Baltimore

NFC

San Francisco over Green Bay
Washington over Atlanta

Conference Championship Predictions:

AFC

New England over Denver

NFC

San Francisco over Washington

Super Bowl Predictions:

New England over San Francisco