(Game predictions are farther down this post)
I am very excited about the conference championship games this week.
First in the AFC, the New England Patriots will face the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady will be squaring off against fellow future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. The Patriots have had control over the AFC for years. They have appeared in 5 Super Bowls and 6 AFC conference championships since Tom Brady arrived in New England. They were the football dynasty of the 2000's and became the only team in NFL history since the expanded regular season to finish 16-0. They have set numerous offensive records and established the standard of excellence in the NFL.
Then there is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, since moving from Cleveland and changing their name, has set the standard in the NFL for defense. They have proven that defense does win championships (Super Bowl XXXV). Baltimore will be playing in their 3rd AFC championship game and may move on to their 2nd Super Bowl appearance ever. Ray Lewis will hope this will be his second last game of his impressive NFL career.
In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers square off against the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers have recently reestablished themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco has revamped the once illustrious franchise and is now one game away from sports greatest stage. This is their second straight NFC conference championship game. They will be playing to appear in their 6th Super Bowl in franchise history.
The Atlanta Falcons are upset about not getting enough credit. The Falcons have played this whole season with a chip on their shoulder. They have been out to prove to everyone that they are worthy of a Super Bowl victory. They were electrifying this season as they finished 13-3 and they won their first playoff game since 2004 against the Seattle Seahawks. This victory was also the first for quarterback Matt Ryan and future Hall of Famer tight end Tony Gonzalez. The "Dirty Birds" are out to prove their worth and are vying for the 2nd Super Bowl appearance in Falcons' history.
I expect, think, and hope that both conference championship games will be great, exciting, historic, and most importantly memorable. Going into every game I watch I hope that something will happen that will make that game memorable. That that game will stick out in my mind for the rest of my life. I can still remember watching the Colts-Patriots AFC conference championship game from Jan. 2007, the Cardinals-Steelers Super Bowl, the Feb. 2008 Giants-Patriots Super Bowl, the second "Miracle at the Meadowlands", and a handful of other games. I hope that these two games will join those fondly remembered games.
First in the AFC, the New England Patriots will face the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady will be squaring off against fellow future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. The Patriots have had control over the AFC for years. They have appeared in 5 Super Bowls and 6 AFC conference championships since Tom Brady arrived in New England. They were the football dynasty of the 2000's and became the only team in NFL history since the expanded regular season to finish 16-0. They have set numerous offensive records and established the standard of excellence in the NFL.
Then there is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, since moving from Cleveland and changing their name, has set the standard in the NFL for defense. They have proven that defense does win championships (Super Bowl XXXV). Baltimore will be playing in their 3rd AFC championship game and may move on to their 2nd Super Bowl appearance ever. Ray Lewis will hope this will be his second last game of his impressive NFL career.
In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers square off against the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers have recently reestablished themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco has revamped the once illustrious franchise and is now one game away from sports greatest stage. This is their second straight NFC conference championship game. They will be playing to appear in their 6th Super Bowl in franchise history.
The Atlanta Falcons are upset about not getting enough credit. The Falcons have played this whole season with a chip on their shoulder. They have been out to prove to everyone that they are worthy of a Super Bowl victory. They were electrifying this season as they finished 13-3 and they won their first playoff game since 2004 against the Seattle Seahawks. This victory was also the first for quarterback Matt Ryan and future Hall of Famer tight end Tony Gonzalez. The "Dirty Birds" are out to prove their worth and are vying for the 2nd Super Bowl appearance in Falcons' history.
I expect, think, and hope that both conference championship games will be great, exciting, historic, and most importantly memorable. Going into every game I watch I hope that something will happen that will make that game memorable. That that game will stick out in my mind for the rest of my life. I can still remember watching the Colts-Patriots AFC conference championship game from Jan. 2007, the Cardinals-Steelers Super Bowl, the Feb. 2008 Giants-Patriots Super Bowl, the second "Miracle at the Meadowlands", and a handful of other games. I hope that these two games will join those fondly remembered games.
(11-4-1) San Francisco 49ers 38-30 Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
I can see both teams winning this game. However, I feel that the 49ers will be victorious. The 49ers are a to[p defensive team in the NFL. They have playmakers in Justin and Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, Navarro Bwoman, Dashon Goldson, and Donte Whitner. On offense, they have a stellar run game in Frank Gore. Dual threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick can spread the ball around the field with accuracy and run for huge yards if needed. He has a greater upside than Alex Smith, and can be the key for the 49ers to reach the Super Bowl. AND not to forget, Kaepernick has a nice core of receivers in Vernon Davis, Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and Michael Crabtree. The 49ers have a complete team.
The Falcons have played great football all year. Matt Ryan had a phenomenal season and has an elite receiving arsenal in Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez and running back Jacquizz Rodgers are matchup nightmares for defenses, but the 49ers are a top three defense in the NFL. I believe they can handle the high-flying Falcons offense. Also, Matt Ryan seemed to forget about Gonzalez last week in the second half until the final throw for the Falcons that set up the game winning field goal. If he does that again, the Falcons' chances at a Super Bowl will definitely drop.
The Falcons have played decent defense this year and are a very strong team, but the 49ers are at a different level. They are a better all around team. I take the San Francisco 49ers in this one.
I can see both teams winning this game. However, I feel that the 49ers will be victorious. The 49ers are a to[p defensive team in the NFL. They have playmakers in Justin and Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, Navarro Bwoman, Dashon Goldson, and Donte Whitner. On offense, they have a stellar run game in Frank Gore. Dual threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick can spread the ball around the field with accuracy and run for huge yards if needed. He has a greater upside than Alex Smith, and can be the key for the 49ers to reach the Super Bowl. AND not to forget, Kaepernick has a nice core of receivers in Vernon Davis, Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and Michael Crabtree. The 49ers have a complete team.
The Falcons have played great football all year. Matt Ryan had a phenomenal season and has an elite receiving arsenal in Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez and running back Jacquizz Rodgers are matchup nightmares for defenses, but the 49ers are a top three defense in the NFL. I believe they can handle the high-flying Falcons offense. Also, Matt Ryan seemed to forget about Gonzalez last week in the second half until the final throw for the Falcons that set up the game winning field goal. If he does that again, the Falcons' chances at a Super Bowl will definitely drop.
The Falcons have played decent defense this year and are a very strong team, but the 49ers are at a different level. They are a better all around team. I take the San Francisco 49ers in this one.
(10-6) Baltimore Ravens 34-31 New England Patriots (12-4)
The Ravens won the only meeting between these two teams earlier this season on a last second field goal (31-30). Last season in the AFC conference championship game, the Patriots won after an almost touchdown catch and a missed last second field goal (23-20). Little has seemed to separate these two teams in the past few seasons.
Since the 2003 Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, only three teams have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl: the New England Patriots (4 times), the Pittsburgh Steelers (3 times), and the Indianapolis Colts (2 times). Last year for my Super Bowl prediction I stuck with history and took the Patriots. This year, I feel things are different.
Every team that goes to the Super Bowl every year seems to have some story they ride or that defines them. Last year, the Giants had the "Us against the world mentality", the 2010 New Orleans Saints were fighting for a city, and this year the Ravens are playing for their leader Ray Lewis. After watching the Ravens go toe-to-toe with the tough Peyton Manning lead Denver Broncos in Denver last week and prevail, they just might be the "team of destiny" as Ray Rice put it.
The Ravens are a strong defensive team and have linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. The Ravens can keep Tom Brady at bay and won't allow him to run away with the game. On offense, the Ravens are better than they were last year. The Ravens have recently been giving Rice more carries which benefits the team and helps set up the pass game. Joe Flacco has been questioned by many if he's an elite quarterback over the past few years and this post season he has answered his critics. The throws he has been making are truly elite. He's been accurate and can throw the deep ball like no other. The Ravens defense has remained strong, but their offense has improved enough to take them to the big game.
Yes, the Patriots do have quarterback Tom Brady, a plethora of offensive weapons whom I have named numerous times in my predictions, AND they finally have a run game. This is probably the deadliest Patriots offense that the world has seen in a while. But, they are playing the Ravens defense backed by the story and legacy of Ray Lewis. The great thing about sports is that there is something greater always going on, and I think that this year that greater "thing" is backing the Ravens.
I am taking the Baltimore Ravens, and I believe that the Super Bowl will be a "Harbaugh Bowl" this year. I originally predicted a Ravens-49ers Super Bowl before the season started and before this blog, and I am sticking with my original prediction.
The Ravens won the only meeting between these two teams earlier this season on a last second field goal (31-30). Last season in the AFC conference championship game, the Patriots won after an almost touchdown catch and a missed last second field goal (23-20). Little has seemed to separate these two teams in the past few seasons.
Since the 2003 Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, only three teams have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl: the New England Patriots (4 times), the Pittsburgh Steelers (3 times), and the Indianapolis Colts (2 times). Last year for my Super Bowl prediction I stuck with history and took the Patriots. This year, I feel things are different.
Every team that goes to the Super Bowl every year seems to have some story they ride or that defines them. Last year, the Giants had the "Us against the world mentality", the 2010 New Orleans Saints were fighting for a city, and this year the Ravens are playing for their leader Ray Lewis. After watching the Ravens go toe-to-toe with the tough Peyton Manning lead Denver Broncos in Denver last week and prevail, they just might be the "team of destiny" as Ray Rice put it.
The Ravens are a strong defensive team and have linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. The Ravens can keep Tom Brady at bay and won't allow him to run away with the game. On offense, the Ravens are better than they were last year. The Ravens have recently been giving Rice more carries which benefits the team and helps set up the pass game. Joe Flacco has been questioned by many if he's an elite quarterback over the past few years and this post season he has answered his critics. The throws he has been making are truly elite. He's been accurate and can throw the deep ball like no other. The Ravens defense has remained strong, but their offense has improved enough to take them to the big game.
Yes, the Patriots do have quarterback Tom Brady, a plethora of offensive weapons whom I have named numerous times in my predictions, AND they finally have a run game. This is probably the deadliest Patriots offense that the world has seen in a while. But, they are playing the Ravens defense backed by the story and legacy of Ray Lewis. The great thing about sports is that there is something greater always going on, and I think that this year that greater "thing" is backing the Ravens.
I am taking the Baltimore Ravens, and I believe that the Super Bowl will be a "Harbaugh Bowl" this year. I originally predicted a Ravens-49ers Super Bowl before the season started and before this blog, and I am sticking with my original prediction.