As we make our way halfway through the first month of the New Year, we inch our way closer to the most treasured prize in football, the Lombardi Trophy. With another weekend of full force football, we find ourselves down to the final four. There were results that many people were expecting, and then there were outcomes that even surprised the biggest sports jockeys. The biggest surprises occurred on the NFC side of the bracket; starting with the Battle by the Bay.
When you hear someone talking about a prolific, high-scoring offense, the first team that comes to my mind is the New Orleans Saints. I found it astonishing that the San Francisco 49ers was able to withstand the onslaught of Drew Brees and his energy-filled offense. I also find it astonishing the fashion in which they beat them. Alex Smith matched Brees throw for throw and beat him in his own game. After the 49ers went out to an early 17-0 run, peppered by a few early turnovers by the Saints offense and special teams, the Saints finally found their rhythm in the second quarter. Brees connected on two second quarter touchdown passes to cut the 49ers lead 17-14 at the half. The game hit a stalemate until there were four minutes left in the game. To a sports fanatic, this might have been one of the best four minutes in NFL history. After both teams traded long touchdown drives, Brees connected on his fourth touchdown pass of the day with a 66-yard strike to tight end Jimmy Graham. With only 1:37 left in the game, it was looking as though the 49ers ran out of gas. Smith proved that he can be more than just a game manager by quickly taking his offense down the field and connecting with Vernon Davis with nine seconds left in the game.
Around the league, you hear many analysts saying that the NFC West is by far the weakest division in the league. Ironically enough, this is the second year in a row a team from the NFC West knocked off the heavyweight, New Orleans Saints.
It is hard to say that the night cap was just as exciting as the opening game. After Tim Tebow’s miracle in the Mile High City last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was time to see if his magic would continue in Foxboro. By the way the game looked from the start, Tebow and the Broncos left their potion back in Denver. It was no surprise to me that Tom Brady was able to rip right through the Denver defense on his way to a record-setting six touchdown passes in a single playoff game.
On day two of the divisional round, we saw two matchups that were rematches from the regular season. In the first game, we saw the Houston Texans, fresh off their first playoff win in franchise history, against the winners of the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens. I was a little surprised by how this game turned out. I give a lot of credit to the Texans and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates. When you look at this matchup you expect the suffocating Ravens defense to control the game. Although the Ravens defense was able to force four turnovers, the Texans still were in position to win at the end of the game. If the Ravens perform like we saw in the divisional round, they will have no chance against Brady and the Patriots offense that is rolling on all cylinders.
With the AFC championship game already set, it was time to see who would have the privilege to play the 49ers in the NFC championship. The final matchup of the weekend featured the New York Giants, against the defending Super Bowl champion, Green Bay Packers. Going into the game, I believed that Aaron Rodgers would easily pick apart the Giant’s defense. The real story of the game was Eli Manning. Manning proved why he is considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, torching the Packers defense for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
I predict the championship winners from the upcoming weekend games will be the New England Patriots and New York Giants. The Ravens have struggled against a third string quarterback on their way to a narrow victory over the Texans. Brady will have his way with the Baltimore defense on their way to a 31-17 victory.
The current run by the Giants has the same feeling as their Super Bowl victory in 2008; when they went on to defeat the Patriots in one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history. It will be hard to get by the 49ers stingy defense, but if the Giants can use a good mix of run and pass, I see them squeaking out a 20-17 victory.
When analysts and fans first learned that this year’s Super Bowl will be held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the general consensus is that we could see a home team win in their home stadium. Even though the Colts will not have a chance to win this year’s Super Bowl, we could still see a Manning holding the Lombardi trophy.
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