NFL Conference Championships
 

In the AFC, I think the gap between the Pats strength (offense) and the Ravens strength (defense) is greater than the gap between their weakness (defense) and the Ravens weakness (offense). Basically, even if the Ravens are able to slow down the Pats today I don't see their offense lighting up the Pats.

In the NFC, the Bay Area has the same feel to it as it did during the SF Giants WS run where nobody thought they would beat ATL, PHI and TEX. I expect this game to go down to the final minutes with the front 7 on defense that performs better will lead their team to victory.

Watching the Pats win will just anger me, so I'm keeping busy until the night game. Can't wait for the one, that should be a great one. Hoping for a Harbaugh bowl in the Super Bowl. A lot of love for Jim in Indiana still.

Even I as a Pats fan was a huge fan of Jim during his Indi days. I'm loving the season he's having pretty much solely because of that.

Captain Comeback!

I'm going to go with my gut and pick the Ravens and Giants. I guess I'm one of the (apparently) few who thinks the Ravens' offense isn't as inept as Houston made it look last week. And I'm not picking against a Giants team on a roll.

My gut says Ravens and Giants, my head says Pats and Niners....(so for the pick em game, I split the difference and picked for who I want to win. :) ).

As for Pats/Ravens.

Pats defense is not nearly as good as it looked against Denver and their offense has been more inconsistent than not all season. I can easily see Baltimore holding the Pats to 20 or less and Baltimore put up north of 20.

I'm really surprised people think the Pats are as good as they are, too be honest.

The Pats defense isn't the Texans defense.

Pats defense looks a little better than it did early in the year. Seems like they got a few players back and some others have settled in. It's not good, but I don't think it's as bad as people might think.

My problem with the Ravens is that they really didn't look that good against Houston. They were blown off the ball on both sides and a semi-competent QB would have had Houston winning that game last week. Their offense is also incredibly predictable. Not saying they won't make it a game, but I'd be taking New England especially with it being in Foxboro.

As I predicted before the season started, I think it'll be Giants/Patriots:

Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - NFL Predictions - 2011

(Of course, I also predicted the Rams would "dominate" the NFC West, that the Bengals would go 1-15, and that the Packers would miss the playoffs - but hey, that super bowl pick is still looking pretty good - as was the pick that the Jets "miss the playoffs as the Rex Ryan act gets a little old").

History says the Patriots and 49ers won't win the Super Bowl, so I am looking for a Ravens vs. Giants rematch from 2007.

I think you mean 2000-2001 superbowl.

As for the Giants I am a little worried because so many people seem to like them this week. However, this roll reminds me exactly of the superbowl run a few years back and I just don't trust Alex Smith yet.

NE/SF have never faced off in a SB, I like this matchup.
Young Padawan(Harbaugh)vs. Jedi Master(Belichick).

I hate these odd kickoff times.

That national anthem was...odd...

fixed

Steven Tyler with the national anthem in NE. :(

I'm an Aerosmith fan, but that was just terrible.

Flacco has a tough time seeing the open receiver. Had a man on an out route to the right side of the field.

Ed Reed has gotten into Flacco's head. :lol:

Ravens defense will have to win it for them.

Ravens are screwed. At some point they will have to respect the run. When they do Brady is going to go to town.

Ravens D like butter on that drive. Flacco looking better than Reed so far.

Don't worry the real Flacco will show back up. :lol:

Flacco holding up his end of the bargain, time for some Ravens D.

He does look much better after a play breaks down than in the pocket...

Patriots need to be more disciplined in their rush lanes and quite opening up the right side of the field for him to roll to.

Is Ed Reed even playing today?

You are correct!

Looked like a catch to me..

I thought so too.

Pats fans not pleased with end-of-half kneeldowns?

Boomer thought so too...

Ravens D bending....can they stop the break?

Bend but don't break.

Flacco needs to step up big right here.

Agreed.

Every time I see Gronkowski making that standard 14 yard play against totally overmatched safeties or linebackers, I wonder "how does anyone ever stop this team?" (admittedly, I feel the same thing for Jimmy Graham and a couple other guys to a lesser extent)

I love how football is a game of matchups and adjustments like that. But what manner of player do you invest in if you start facing these 6'6" 265-lb gazelles on a regular basis?

I'm going to guess that a strong 4-man pass rush will help and then some lighter speed LB's.

I think you'd have to start lining up guys to play underneath coverages and making them beat you deep. As far as player type... I have no idea.

I think those guys can beat you deep...which is part of the problem they present.

What kind of endzone/sideline close up cam hides the feet from view!?!?

Well yeah. But forcing them to go deep is a lower percentage play than letting him run 10-14 yards and turn around for an easy catch.

Nice play call by the Ravens.

Out at the four.

Give or take four. :)

:lol:

Ravens ball.

Have to give credit, after a shaky start Flacco has come to play.

Hi, I'm a member of the Patriots secondary. I'm not very good.

Really can't stomach the thought of a Harbaugh bowl. I'll have to stay away from football for the next two weeks.

Well, that's a given when they have Edelman playing nickel-back.