Best Matchup: New York Giants vs. New England (Rematch of Super Bowl XLII)
Next Best Matchup: San Francisco vs. New England (Great Defense vs. Great Offense)
Third Best Matchup: New York vs. Baltimore (Rematch of Super Bowl XXXV)
Least Attractive Matchup: San Francisco vs. Baltimore (Harbaugh Bowl II)
Very rarely do we get the best possible matchup in a Super Bowl. Think about that in recent times. Last year, we had Green Bay vs. Pittsburgh. The best matchup would have been the 14-2 Patriots against the Packers, but the Pats lost in the Divisional Round to the Jets. Even the Jets vs. Green Bay was considered the sexy Super Bowl and that didn't happen. In 2009, the Colts and Peyton Manning took on the Saints and Drew Brees. The Saints were a great story, but everyone wanted to see Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings take on the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. The Vikings fell in overtime to the Saints in the NFC Championship. In 2008, the Giants were the number one seed and the best team in the AFC. A Giants-Steelers Super Bowl would have been tremendous; however, the G-Men lost in the Divisional Playoffs to Philly, and the 9-7 Cardinals represented the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII. In 2007, the Giants played an epic game with the 18-0 Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, but everyone wanted to see Brett Favre lead his 13-3 Packers into the Super Bowl to try and take down the undefeated Pats and Tom Brady. In 2006, Peyton Manning finally got his chance to go to the Super Bowl, but were the Bears really the team that everyone wanted to see matched up with them? Maybe the Saints were the sentimental favorite that year, but there was really no dominant team from the NFC. In 2005, Seattle and Pittsburgh squared off, but many people wanted and were expecting the Colts and Manning to finally get there. Even the Patriots were garnering a lot of support because they were going for a three-peat. The bottom line is that the best possible matchup doesn't always present itself in the Super Bowl. This year, many people would have loved to see the Packers and Aaron Rodgers go for a repeat against the Patriots and Tom Brady going for their fourth Super Bowl title. The Packers were upset last week by the Giants which sets the stage for this Sunday. A Patriots-Giants Super Bowl would be the best matchup hands down. A rematch from that epic Super Bowl XLII showdown just four years later. Brady and Bill Belichick trying to get their fourth ring from the team that beat them four years ago. Eli Manning trying to get his second Super Bowl-one more than big brother Peyton. Throw in the whole New York-Boston rivalry and that game certainly wouldn't need any hype or buildup. That would be fun to watch. That is what I am rooting for this Sunday. The Broncos are out of the playoffs, so give me the best Super Bowl matchup possible. Hopefully, this is the year we get it. Onto the picks for the AFC and NFC Championship Games.........
Last week's record: 1-2-1
Overall playoff record: 2-5-1
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
AFC Championship
Baltimore at New England
A Case for the Ravens: They have given the Patriots fits the last few years that these two teams have played. They have already won a playoff game in Foxboro. The Ravens destroyed the Patriots 33-14 in the 2009 AFC Wild Card game. You would think that Ray Rice would be able to run on the Patriots all day long. The Ravens defense could give Brady some trouble, and they might be able to slow down that New England offense. Plus, the Ravens played pretty bad last week, and they are lucky to be playing this weekend. Can a 12-4 team play two absolute stinkers in a row? Joe Flacco was awful last week, and maybe he can use that as motivation to play the game of his life. Are the Ravens due to the finally make it back to the Super Bowl as their window is closing? Plus, everyone seems to be on the Pats bandwagon, and we know what happens when everyone loves one team-especially in the NFL playoffs.
A Case for the Patriots: Tom Brady has that look in his eye, and it looks like he won't be denied another chance at the Super Bowl. The Patriots offense is so explosive, and how can the Ravens stop Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez? If the Texans were getting guys wide open against the Ravens, imagine what Brady and the Patriots can do. The New England defense has been heavily criticized all season long, but it seems like they are coming together at the right time. They are getting healthy, and they won't be forced to stop too much with that Ravens offense. If the Pats focus on taking Ray Rice out of the game, do you see Joe Flacco beating them time after time? I don't see that happening. Even if the Ravens move the ball on the Pats, Brady and that offense have no problem matching them score for score. The Pats just look like they are on a mission.
The Pick: NEW ENGLAND (-7) over Baltimore
I just think that with everything that has been said about the Patriots defense, this game could be their shining moment of the season. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been to four Super Bowls together. They are 3-1, and they are desperate to get to another Super Bowl and get their fourth ring together. It has taken them longer then they thought it would after they left the field losers that night in Phoenix after Super Bowl XLII. This year they get back with a big win at home, and they punch their ticket to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.
Final Score: Patriots-30 Ravens-20
NFC Championship
New York Giants at San Francisco
A Case for the Giants: They are getting hot at the right time. We have seen this happen in recent memory. The 2010 Packers did it, the 2005 Steelers did it, and the 2007 Giants did it too. The Giants had to fight to make it into the playoffs. They were 7-7 less then a month ago, and they had to beat the Jets and the Cowboys just to get in. They did that and won the NFC East. The G-Men buried the Falcons 24-2 in the first round of the playoffs, and then they pulled the upset over the 15-1 Packers last week. The Giants are healthy, and their defense is playing great. Throw in a ridiculously explosive passing game led by a red-hot Eli Manning, and the Giants look like a team that is peaking at the right moment. They will learn from their lessons in their 27-20 loss at San Francisco in November, and they will play a lot better in this game. A dominating pass rush and great QB play are two great strengths going into any game, and the Giants have both of those.
A Case for the 49ers: The Niners are good. In fact, they are really good. Jim Harbaugh is a great coach, and their defense is tough and physical. Their defense was able to force turnovers last week against the Saints. We know they are going to try to run the ball with Frank Gore, but Alex Smith and Vernon Davis can make explosive plays in the passing game. They are home, and the weather is supposed to be crappy, so that definitely gives the Niners the advantage. They can also play the "No one is picking us" role because many people are picking the Giants to win this game.
The Pick: New York (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO
I won't be surprised at all if the Niners win this game, and this game will be a close one. Last year, I tried to get too cute and I picked the Bears to beat the Packers. This year, I am not going against the hot team. The Giants are the team that no one wants to play, and I can't go against that this year. I think the 49ers are also due for a letdown after last week's emotional win. This game brings back memories of great 49ers-Giants playoff games from the past. The big matchups in the Meadowlands in the 80s, the classic 1990 NFC Championship Game, and the wild 2002 NFC Wild Card Game all set the stage for this great game on Sunday. All this game needs is Pat Summerall and John Madden calling it from the booth. I think in the end I'll ride Eli Manning and hot team. The Giants head back to the Super Bowl to meet up with their old friends Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in Super Bowl XLII.
Final Score: Giants-26 49ers-23
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