Here we are, one set of games away from the Superbowl. What I love the most about Championship Weekend is looking at the possible plot-lines for each potential matchup. You see, as an Eagles fan, I have to get creative to make things entertaining on this particular NFL weekend. Kind of like the kid that gets sent into a timeout and has to pretend that a paper clip and a broken pencil are action figures, just trying to pass the time by for fear that he’ll go insane from boredom. It’s painful being an Eagles fan these days, especially after hearing moments ago the Saints signed Spagnuolo to be their D Coordinator. He was “the one that got away”, a true disciple of the late, great Jim Johnson that was supposed to come in and replace our offensive line coach, Juan Castillo as our D Coordinator. (puke). It was our one saving grace that would keep me interested in next season. Now, I almost feel like the Eagles are on strike until 2013. Oh well.
Back to the potential matchups:
Niners vs. Patriots: Not much of a history between these teams, but the subplot that will be beat to death will be of Tom Brady’s childhood hero Joe Montana… him feeling slighted that the Niners didn’t draft him… we’ll see “The Catch” played about 25 times per day… this matchup would also draw coast-to-coast interest.
Niners vs. Ravens: Obvious one here, the “Harbaugh Bowl”. Would be remarkable to have two brothers coach against each other in the Superbowl, but if you would’ve told me that 16-6 snoozer on Thursday November 24th was a Superbowl preview, I would’ve stopped watching football on November 25th. Please. God. No.
Patriots vs. Giants: Obvious implications here, Superbowl rematch from 2007 when the Giants turned the Patriots perfect season into a shattered dream. 18-1 was a tough pill to swallow for those Pats, and who wouldn’t love to see a fired up Tom Brady put up a 40-spot on the Giants in a revenge performance for the ages?
Ravens vs. Giants: This would be a rematch of the classic Superbowl XXXV featuring Trent Dilfer vs. Kerry Collins. Ray Lewis was actually the MVP but had recently murdered somebody, so Trent Dilfer got to say “I’m going to Disneyworld!” after going up 12/26 & 153 yards passing. I don’t feel like watching this one either.
2012 playoff results:
CJ: 6-2
Voodoo: 5-3
Mike P: 5-3
Darren D: 3-5
Here are our Championship Weekend predictions…
Voodoo Brown: This is a classic offense vs defense battle, but I don’t know how great this Baltimore D really is. Let’s point out the obvious, the Patriots WILL score their points when they have the ball. Question is, can Baltimore keep up AND keep the ball out of Brady’s hands? Ray Rice will have to be an absolute monster for the Ravens to have a chance. And they’ll need to force a couple of turnovers. I think it’ll be a close game, but with home field, Tommy Clutch, and much loftier goals, you can pretty much expect a guaranteed Patriots win.
New England 31, Baltimore 27
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Darren DeGaetano: The Baltimore Ravens are better than the New England Patriots at every position except two…quarterback and tight end. Maybe three if you throw in Gostkowski over Cundiff. Additionally, Joe Flacco and the Ravens have faced a top 10 defense 12 times in 2011 and the post-season. They are 10-2 in those games. If you look at this matchup’s history, Baltimore has been quite the thorn in Bill Belichick’s side. Speaking of Belichick’s sides…here’s a side note on Belichick…what the hell was he doing throwing from the no-huddle up 32 late in the third quarter of a playoff game last Saturday? Denver head coach John Fox should’ve ordered Brady’s knees to disappear. Back to this week’s game…I’m picking the Ravens here because I like the balanced attack they offer on both sides of the ball and despite Tom Brady saying every team New England plays week in and week out is the best team they’ve played all year, this week Baltimore is, in fact, the best team they’ve played all year. And harking back to New England’s season? As of today, they have not beaten a team with a winning record in 2011 or 2012, for that matter. Second half of the Harbaugh family gets the check!
Baltimore 29, New England 27
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CJ Sullivan: Nothing is better than when ESPN judges players for acting like them. Ed Reed barely criticized his QB, Joe Flacco this week during an interview when he said he was “rattled” by the Texans defense. Reed was slammed not for being accurate (he was) but for the timing of it. When would have been a better time to answer a direct question about Flacco’s performance? Summer? The Patriots defense is absolutely terrible, and people wrongly think they have improved because they stopped the Christ on a Cross T option game. Flacco is not as bad as people want him to be, and they have a good chance for the outright win.
Baltimore 28, New England 27
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Mike Procopio: Scared, petrified, nervous are just a few words that come to mind when I think of this weekends match up against the Ravens. Out of any AFC team these guys worry me the most. Pressure Brady and take the best tight end tandom this league has seen in recent memory off their routes, and you have the makings of an upset in Foxboro. However Brady proves once again why he is the best player in the league and the greatest quarterback of all time. Bring on the Giants for a SB rematch.
Also let it be known THIS GUY won the overall Office Pool Championship over the mighty Darren
New England 34, Baltimore 17
Voodoo Brown: I must say, I underestimated San Fran’s ability against New Orleans. They came out and played a physical game, took the ball away, and simply outmuscled them. At the end of the game, they made the plays, although Gregg Williams deserves to be tarred & feathered to blitz the Niners with 90 seconds left in the game. Complete idiot, he’ll fit in nicely with the Rams. But it was an impressive performance, give credit to the Niners, they really deserved that win. This week’s matchup will be a different kind of challenge. The Giants offense is no slouch, but their defense is suddenly playing lights out. That was not the case with the Saints. It will be too much of a challenge for this Niners offense, and with the way Eli is running this offense, look for the Giants to capitalize on the tough red zone opportunities, and the Niners to settle for field goals. Good for Akers’ record, bad for San Fran. Giants won’t get tripped up at this point after knocking off Green Bay. No way. Giants win another road playoff game.
New Jersey 24, San Francisco 19
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Darren DeGaetano: As the Giants appear to be on a similar run to 2007, I’m beginning to think there’s a team with slightly more destiny behind it. Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers have been, without question, the most focused team in 2011. New York comes in with a strong passing game, particularly on third down where Eli Manning has been nothing short of sensational. Is it better than the Saints’ passing attack? Of course not and a wounded Ahmad Bradshaw and seemingly cooked Brandon Jacobs don’t possess the running skills to keep a solid Niner defense on it’s heels. Alex Smith has gotten progressively more impressive as the season has unfolded with his own set of weapons to offset a rejunvenated Giants defense. First half of the Harbaugh family gets the check!
San Francisco 23, New York 20
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CJ Sullivan: I will continue to say the Niners are a fraud even after they win the Super Bowl, because I’m stubborn. I don’t care that Alex Smith led two miraculous touchdown drives last week in the final minutes to win one of the most exciting games ever played, I still think he’s dull and terrible. He has not thrown for 300 yards in a game once this year, which in today’s league is almost impossible. The Giants luck continues as they avoid the death trip to New Orleans because the Saints played defense with my stubbornness and refusal to believe Smith could complete a pass.
New York 24, San Francisco 20
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Mike Procopio: Eli Manning is having one of his best years as a pro. He played better against Green Bay than I have ever seen him in a playoff game. Even better than the 07 Super Bowl. I think the front seven of the Giants put pressure on Alex Smith and force him to make Alex Smith like mistakes. I’m going with the G Men here by a touchdown.
New Jersey 24, San Francisco 17
Should we also note that “THIS GUY” is a boston native
Hey Steve… what are your picks?
THIS GUY only had to pick half the year’s games while I had picked every game and was a fraction of a percentage point overall behind.
I can’t wrap my head around the games b/c I am still struggling with picking indiv players for my FFL title game (going for #6 in 11 years while I have been in 8 of 11). It’s hard to go against Brady and my heart says SF, but my brain says NYG…They are too well rounded.
Oh nice! So in your league, Steve, you are otherwise known as “THIS GUY”?
It makes me nauseous that at this point in the season we are referring to the Giants as “too well rounded”. but you’re right. They’re going to the superbowl